Big Dead Place: Inside the Strange and Menacing World of Antarctica Review

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(More customer reviews)'Big Dead Place' is an excellent collection of anecdotes, discussing life on the ice at McMurdo Base and the US South Pole Station. I've long been a fan of the author's website at http://www.bigdeadplace.com/ , so this book went straight on my wishlist once it was available at Amazon, and I've just finished it in time for Midwinter's day.
It's a fantastic book -- very illustrative of how life really goes on on a distant research base, once you get beyond romantic notions of exploration of the wild frontiers. (Like many geek kids, I spent my childhood dreaming of space exploration, and Antarctica is the nearest thing you can get to that right now.) A bonus: it's hilarious, too.
Unfortunately it's far from all good -- there's story after story of moronic bureaucratic edicts emailed from comparatively-sub-tropical Denver, Colorado, ass-covering emails from management on a massive scale, and injuries and asbestos exposures covered up to avoid spoiling 'metrics'.
If you want to get a good idea of what the reality of life exploring the wild frontiers on behalf of the US government is like, this book is an eye-opener. Here's hoping they work out some way to trim some of the bureaucratic fat before that lunar base George Bush keeps talking about is set up...

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Wilderness: The Lost Writings of Jim Morrison, Volume 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a collection of Mojo's poems, and as all poems and writings, they provide insight into interests, perceptions, experiences and latent attitudes towards occurrences. There are occasional B & W stills of Jim, and copies of the original poems in his own handwriting. Those familiar with his life and career will be able to tie in some of them to what you already know of him, while others provide insight into his thoughts about certain things. Here are two of my favorites:
LAMERICA
In my humble opinion "Lamerica" reveals his thoughts on suburban sprawl, encroaching development, and the never-ending tendency for humans to destroy the places where they live. How true then (Viking and explorers who extracted resources). And today in modern times: the "blue maps," being the back-roads of America off of the main interstates (hidden connections).....ending with the last 4 lines that is "end-all," or result.
LAMERICA
Trade routes
guidelines
the Vikings & explorers
discoveres
the unconscious
a map of the states
the blue hiways
beauty of a map
hidden connections
fast trampled forest
madness in a whisper
neon crackle
the hiss of tires
a city growls
rich, vast & sullen
like a slow monster
come to fat
& die
Here's another. More subjective. The curious to learn and experience coupled with wanderlust might interpret this in a personalized way, like I did.
THE OPENING OF THE TRUNK
moment of inner freedom
when the mind is opened
& the infinite universe revealed
& the sould is left to wander
dazed and confus'd searching
here and there for teachers and friends
Jim Morrison

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Compiled from the literary estate of the singer who brought a wildly lyrical poetry of the damned to the world of rock 'n' roll. Includes unpublished poems, drawings, photos, and a candid self-interview.

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The Piercing Bible: The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing Review

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(More customer reviews)I am in a unique position to write a review of this book as I am emergency/flight nurse, but also a non-pierced, non-tattooed medical consultant for the Association of Professional Piercers. Starting several years ago when I first began researching the medical myths vs. research realities regarding body mods, Elayne has been an invaluable resource. Her first hand knowledge regarding the history and future of body piercing practices is unequaled and this is evident throughout this book. The Piercing Bible is an excellent summary of body art jewelry, piercing options, and aftercare, as well as confirming/disputing several urban legends regarding body art. For those with body art, contemplating acquiring body art, or those caring for those with body art, I highly recommend this unparalled resource.
Scott DeBoer RN,MSN


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Piercing pioneer Elayne Angel has performed over 40,000 piercings since the 1980s and has brought many practices, such as tongue-piercing, into the mainstream. She brings her exhaustive knowledge to this groundbreaking manual that covers everything you need to know about the process, including:• The best piercings and placements for various body parts and body types• Terminology, tools, and techniques of the trade• Vital sterility, sanitation, and hygiene information • Jewelry designs, shapes, and materials• Advice for people with stretch marks, plastic surgery, and unique anatomy• Healing, aftercare, and troubleshooting for problem-free piercing"As a piercer, nurse, and educator, I can say without a doubt that this is the most complete book ever written for all people in our industry."--DAVID A. VIDRA, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF HEALTH EDUCATORS, INC."No one is more qualified to write this book than Elayne Angel. With more than three decades of personal experience to her credit, no one knows the subject better."--JIM WARD, FOUNDER OF GAUNTLET, THE WORLD'S FIRST BODY PIERCING STUDIO"This is an exciting book for a field that has exploded in the last two decades. National industry standards are needed, and Elayne provides important data."--MYRNA L. ARMSTRONG, RN, EdD

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The Mammoth Book of Tattoos Review

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(More customer reviews)I usually don't like 'flash tattoo' books of any sort. Unless it's a very genre specific book with very high quality photos like
Bushido : Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo by Takahiro Kitamura.
Mammoth Tattoos is not a collection for the 'I must get this tattoo for my next inking' folks... Leave that for the flash books and various tattoo magazines out there.
Unlike all those though--The Mammoth Book Of Tattoos had me floored as I had never before seen such a staggeringly fresh and inspirational collection of art on almost every page. And certainly every genre. Each artist and their art represented by very high quality photos. I had to pick what I didn't like and came up with three out of the 80 artists represented.
This really is a fascinating (coffee-table/reference)book for anyone who appreciates graphic design, classic and modern and yes art which only happens to be on an epidermal canvas.

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This collection covers all styles of tattoos from bold tribal pieces, Chines characters, and hieroglyphs to delicate air-brushed designs. Included are striking images of tattoos ranging from all-over "body suits" to individual motifs.

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