An insane treasure trove of greatness
936342
Everybody knows Calvin & Hobbes, but not everybody recognized the artistry, craft, skill and care that went into Bill Watterson's incredible strips. His daily strips were a mix of grim cynicism and playful melancholy, offering both commentary about the often absurd nature of the adult world and old-fashioned childlike fun, while his Sundays were flights of adventure and experimentation, places where he boldly played with color and layout and design.

Bill Watterson went out on top because he believed in his ideals. And I respect that.

With this collection, you get to see it ALL. Every last bit, plus plenty of extras. And $100 price tag or not, it's worth every penny and then some.

It really does not get any better than this set. It's just a superb in every way. A loving chunk of craftsmanship went into this release. The colors jump off the page, the books are of very high quality, and the extras include, well, pretty much EVERYTHING. All the added bits from collections of the past, including covers? It's all there. Plus, you know, 10 years of the most brilliant comic strip ever created. The thing is a monster. I got a workout just walking around the store with it.

There could be no more comprehensive Calvin & Hobbes collection than this. Gorgeous packaging, layout, presentation, quality ... it's just a first-rate product from the word go.

This is a must have for any and all comic strip fans.
788027
This is very nearly the pinnacle of awesomeness.
Dragons! Jack Prelutsky! Peter Ss! Does it get any better?

What a gorgeous book. The lush, lavish illustrations are by the award winning author and illustrator of The Wall. Each dragon is unique, from the traditional to the digital, sinister, sweet, minuscule, mechanical, mystical, and my favorite... the last one (you'll have to check it out to see this incredible illustration I just want to frame and display in my on my mantle).

And the poetry! Perfect rhymes, impeccable meter, and a vocabulary that flawlessly incorporates words like pallid, incalculable, cacophonous, stratagems, and disconsolate. The poems vary in style like the illustrations, some arch, some wistful, some just plain good silliness. I am sure I would have adored this as a child, and I certainly adore it now. I even just read aloud about BOOM the Thunder Dragon! to my impatient 13-month-old, and he laughed through all three stanzas.

This is a book I want to reread to children, to grandchildren, to my husband, and to myself. Am I gushing enough? More books like this, please. More writers like Prelutsky.
2628517
This is a stunning collection and I cannot put it down. All of the stories that I remember and loved from my childhood are here. The books are not as small as I was lead to believe from the other reviewers although I am considering purchasing a large magnifying glass so I can better appreciate the artwork. The printing quality is fantastic and the pages are thick and glossy with high end ink. I certainly recommend this collection to fellow enthusiast.
586207
I had the immense good fortune and pleasure of being at the launch party for this magnificent set of books. Not only did I get to hear in-person some of the incredible stories that fill these two volumes. But did so while sampling many of the delightful recipes.

If you are a lover of food and wine, having a vision, and making it come true, then this book set belongs on your shelves.
963594
I recently finished Flight of Destiny and I must say I am in awe. The author, Francis H. Powell, is clearly a wellspring of wit and creativity. Not only did he craft a collection of colorful, detailed, fascinating, thought-provoking tales; he created artwork to go along with each of the 22 stories! I read in an interview that he makes music and videos inspired by particular stories in the book and he encourages other musicians, songwriters and DJs to do the same. How cool is that?
  The stories themselves are nothing short of fantastical. If you looking for an exact definition of the word fantastical, here you go: Fantastical - adj. conceived or appearing as if conceived by an unrestrained imagination; odd and remarkable; bizarre. To talk about the plots of these stories would be giving away too much. The titles alone ("Bug-Eyes," "Mutant," "Blind Shot") are teasers for some of the wonderfully weird, evocative content in this book. Powell is as comfortable writing about class issues and morality in his native England as he is spinning a tale about an opium den in post-Civil War America or a mysterious murder in modern-day Paris.
  I would liken this book to a roller coaster ride. You experience a wide range of emotions - curiosity, anticipation, fear, wonder, excitement, confusion, discomfort, relief and exhilaration. In short, it's an incredibly fun ride. I personally did NOT want to get off the rollercoaster. As a result, I took my time with this book, savoring the stories, themes, settings, characters, twists and language. Everything was beautifully crafted. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
325085
It is a pleasure to encounter some of the underpinnings to this set of stories. Everything hangs together almost magically, and the more one reads, the more one learns, and then you want to go back and read it again, and again, and every time, there is more there to be discovered!

Every book in this Universe has been a joy to read!
410471
This is unquestionably Bradbury's best book.  While some of the stories, such as The Man Upstairs and The Next in Line are not exactly high caliber, several are out and out incredible. 1. The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone.  2. The Crowd 3. The Scythe 4. The Small Assassin 5. The Lake 6. Jack-in-the-Box  7. The Wind 8. Uncle Einar 9. The Emissary 10. The Watchful Poker Chip of H.  Matisse Overall, an absolutely stunning collection for everyone and anyone.
1275988
Here is a work of such intense research, scholarship, and passion, that it goes far beyond simple essays. What the author has done here is akin to crawling through a thousand dusty and forgotten attics to bring back long-lost works of hard-boiled and noir fiction. He presents each author and work, and in detail, tells us how and why that piece or author is important.
The depth of the analysis is awe-inspiring, and it's like being given a series of treasure maps- now we can track down each one and enjoy a world of riches. For anyone interested in this field, this is the must-have book to point you to the important, good stuff.
The author took a group of introductions and short pieces and wove a tapestry of essays into a long love letter to giants of the field. While I will never read all the books by all of the authors mentioned here, I plan on getting samples from as many as possible, and finding out for myself the excitement and joy of reading great stories. He has done a tremendous service to those who came before, and preserved their work and genius so that we may partake.
4597647
This is an incredible collection of music by some of Disney's most accomplished musical directors of the 1930s. Leigh Harline, Frank Churchill, Paul Smith, Albert Malotte, Bert Lewis and of course the great Carl Stalling. Music from all seventy-five Silly Symphony cartoons! Thats more than eight hours of incredible cartoon music with liner notes by Silly Symphony scholars Russell Merritt and J.B. Kaufman; music restoration by Randy Thornton and Tommy Millstone; and executive produced by Kevin Augunas, Neil Schield, and Jesse Obstbaum. These guys did an amazing job putting this entire collection together. This is a treasure and an instant collectors item.
3790280
Dale Bailey's best collection to date. The title story is nothing short of astonishing in its pristine execution and deliciously shocking imagery. Each tale in this collection is a  joyride through the dark alleyways of Baileyland, and you will delight in exploring every shadowy turn.  Fans of speculative fiction will find this a deeply satisfying addition to your collection. With so many short story anthologies to choose from, don't overlook this one. It's a corker.
1865416
This is an absolutely fabulous collection.  The organization is simple:  each historian/critic presents his/her argument and each author defends his/her novel.  It is always charitable, never mean-spirited, but doesn't quibble about addressing the tough issues of historical representation.  It is not, however, the confrontation that is memorable, but rather the gifted, mind-blowing, awe-inspiring writing.  I read this book with angelic joy radiating from my face.  Word choice, grammar, imagery were perfect.  It is a masterpiece.  I re-read and own this book with pride.  Mark Carnes should be rewarded for superb editing and compiliation skills.  I cannot recommend this book enough.
2550260
Feast your ears on this! I'm totally loving the songs on this collection. Honestly, I was more of a casual World Party fan before I bought this 5-CD set. I owned two World Party albums and liked them a lot (especially the amazing "Goodbye Jumbo") but I'd never really taken the full plunge until I ordered this monster.

First all, I think this is great value for the money. You get 5 CDs, full to the brim with great tunes, many of which even longtime fans have not heard before. I'm not crazy about the notebook packaging, but I can't put up with it. I just keep the CDs in a separate place. But the music is what really matters, and once again Karl Wallinger, recording as World Party, shows his genius musical skills throughout this delightful set of recordings. Whether he's doing covers or originals, the songs all stick in your head. Sure, there is the obvious Beatles influence --- including a handful of Beatles' covers  --- but Wallinger is quite his own man too and these songs all resonate with his distinctive musical touch. Whether you are a casual fan or a hardcover fan, this box/book of CDs is akin to a musical treasure chest, and one you will be happy with having.
2983182
A bunch of great classics for anyone's collection!
2510796
This collection is phenomenal.

Hopler has carefully crafted his verse, and every line packs a punch. His reversals and recursive style trace the outline of a mind dealing with loss while attending astutely to the living world in every relatable and generously honest way. His attention to sound and rhythm renders delightful turns of phrase that the reader can't help but try on the teeth and tongue. Hopler's poetry doesn't merely convey an experience, but rather becomes an experience in and of itself. At times the speaker invites smirks and smiles with his wit, at other times drops the jaw with blood-on-the-page imagery.

I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. Please do yourself the favor of delving into this work. It's a collection I've pored over again and again, and I suspect I will continue returning for some time to come as it continues to yield new fruit with every visit.
2408929
This is the ultimate collector's set. I got this while it was a Thanksgiving deal on Amazon a few year's back, and I can't believe the prices have actually skyrocketed since then. If you were one of those lucky ones back then, treasure it, or list it on CL and make some money off it lol. It includes everything you could possibly want, from all the extras on the discs, to the box/packaging, to the map, and to the games and knick knacks they throw in there. This is one of those collections that you can fondly look back on after a few decades and appreciate.
1008696
Simply spectacular, an absolute joy to read.
4393679
A vast treasure trove of deep knowledge and mystical thought