SUMMARY: Written for J.R.R. Tolkien's own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when first published more than sixty years ago. Now recognized as a timeless classic with sales of more than 40 million copies worldwide, this introduction to Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth tells of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.

SUMMARY: For over fifty years, J.R.R. Tolkien’s peerless fantasy has accumulated worldwide acclaim as the greatest adventure tale ever written.No other writer has created a world as distinct as Middle-earth, complete with its own geography, history, languages, and legends. And no one has created characters as endearing as Tolkien’s large-hearted, hairy-footed hobbits. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings continues to seize the imaginations of readers of all ages, and this new three-volume paperback edition is designed to appeal to the youngest of them.In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elvensmiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, still it remained lost to him . . .

Flanked by two lovely and graceful sisters, Princess Casiondra Falanell Cristalona Ariva- Sondra to her family-doesn't feel confident or beautiful. In fact, she's an unconventional princess who spends her days trying to disprove the nonsensical ideas of magic and myth. As she stands on the edge of achieving the life she has only dreamed about, Sondra's handsome suitor, Derek, prepares to propose, and her poverty-stricken kingdom of Ariva uncovers a valuable resource that will change its future forever. Everything seems perfect in Sondra's life until she encounters a wizard who transforms her into a monstrous dragon. Forced to flee from the man she adores, Sondra blunders into the territory of Tolmac, a powerful and ancient black dragon. Instead of killing her as she anticipates, Tolmac takes her under his wing, unknowingly training the human princess in the fine art of being a dragon. As Sondra soon discovers, she must constantly sacrifice to make the right choices as she grows to love and admire her new mentor. With her homeland poised on the brink of war, Sondra finds herself facing an unbearable decision; she must choose between her heart and her duty to her country.

For nearly three decades, Terry Pratchett has enthralled millions of fans worldwide with his irreverent, wonderfully funny satires set in the fabulously imaginative Discworld, a universe remarkably similar to our own. From sports to religion, politics to education, science to capitalism, and everything in between, Pratchett has skewered sacred cows with both laughter and wisdom, and exposed our warts, foibles, and eccentricities in a unique, entertaining, and ultimately serious way.At long last, Lady Sybil has lured her husband, Sam Vimes, on a well-deserved holiday away from the crime and grime of Ankh-Morpork. But for the commander of the City Watch, a vacation in the country is anything but relaxing. The balls, the teas, the muck--not to mention all that fresh air and birdsong--are more than a bit taxing on a cynical city-born and -bred copper.Yet a policeman will find a crime anywhere if he decides to look hard enough, and it's not long before a body is discovered, and Sam--out of his jurisdiction, out of his element, and out of bacon sandwiches (thanks to his well-meaning wife)--must rely on his instincts, guile, and street smarts to see justice done. As he sets off on the chase, though, he must remember to watch where he steps. . . . This is the countryside, after all, and the streets most definitely are not paved with gold.Hailed as the "purely funniest English writer since Wodehouse" ("Washington Post Book World"), with a "satirist's instinct for the absurd and a cartoonist's eye for the telling detail" ("Daily Telegraph," London), Terry Pratchett offers a novel of crime, class, prejudice, and punishment that shows this master at his dazzling best.

PASAUĻU karŠ

Herberts Velss

izdevniecība «zinātne» Rīga 1970 no angļu valodas tulkojusi R. Koka

Romānā «Pasauļu karš», ko Velss uzskata par savu labāko fantastisko romānu, attēlots, kā Zemi iekaro marsieši. Daudzas «Pasauļu kara» lappuses arī šodien tiek atzītas par klasiskiem angļu prozas paraugiem. Rakstnieks, kas nekad nebija skatījis kara šausmas, ar aculiecinieka tiešumu attēloja bargus notikumus, ko pasaule pieredzēja jau pēc dažiem gadu desmi­tiem — kad fašisms draudēja visai cilvēcei ar iznī­cību.

Where did the Gods go after they left Earth?Some jobs feel like they last for eternity, but in D "Molay "s case they actually do. Granted longevity and trapped in a timeless city governed by all the old gods of Earth, D "Molay makes a fateful choice to assist a hapless girl. He slowly discovers she is far more than she even knows and starts to suspect she has some kind of connection to a huge beast ravaging the Olympian realm. D "Molay is torn between his duty to the eternal world and the leading of his heart. His compulsion to protect her pits the wits of a man against the guile of the gods, rekindling a faith he had long ago forgotten.In theory any of the gods of old could appear in the City of the gods. In this novel some of the deities that appear include Zeus, Eros, Zepherus, Ares, Hermes & Glaucus. Egyptian gods Set & Sekumet. Babylonian gods include Lamasthu & Namtar. And you also meet various Chinese, Norse, Indian, Mayan and African gods as the story unfolds. They are portrayed very much as they appeared in classical mythology, but given each of them their own personalities and motivations.The book has over 90 illustrations in is 312 pages, including works by Dore, Ingres, Leighton and many other classic painters from the 1600's to the late 1800's. Many of the pieces have been digitally altered to fit the story. There is also a map of the Godly Realms that is actually part of the story as the main character uses it to plot their course throughout their journey, allowing the reader to follow along.Get your copy today and visit the wonderous City of the Gods...

With Babylon 5 complete at last, the Alliance is ready to enter a new age, a golden time of peace and prosperity.  But in a galaxy that has known only war, the concept of peace is hard to grasp.  The new age brings many challenges, not learning how to fight, but learning how to live.  Some seek that understanding through work and labour, others through continuing to build a better world, while for some there is no understanding, only continued war.  And across the dead vastness of space, ancient ships continue to move, gathering for a purpose no one can comprehend.