Imidiwan - Companions (+DVD) - Tinariwen

Advantages: Comprehensive, good reference material
Disadvantages: Expensive

...The first 'Oxford Companion to English Literature' was published in 1932 under the editorial direction of Sir Paul Harvey (no relation the American radio commentator). Half a century and five editions later, this is still a standard, authoritative reference work necessary for scholars and interested non-experts alike. Under the editorship of Margaret Drabble, author and biographer (known for 'The Witch of Exmoor' and the more recently published 'The Peppered Moth'), this volume remains faithful to Harvey's intention of placing English literature in its widest possible context while exploring the deep classical and continental connections that underpin much of the history. How can literature be divorced from cultural context? Surely it cannot be -- hence the newest entries into the edition include topics that read as if they were... Read review

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Advantages: Comprehensive, well-written
Disadvantages: -

...Oxford University Press has a reputation second to none in the production of scholarly reference works, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. It has certainly upheld that fine reputation for scholarship, objectivity, and authoritative research with its latest 'Oxford Companion to the Bible', edited by Bruce Metzger and Michael Coogan. Pulling together a worthy group of researchers and scholars (the directory of contributors spans seven pages of rather small typeset print), the 'Oxford Companion to the Bible' represents a major work of reference useful in any biblical endeavour. 'Interpretation of the Bible has of course not been consistent, and throughout history the Bible has been used to support contradictory positions on such issues as slavery, the role of women, war and peace, forms of government, and finance... Read review

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Advantages: Both the GM and the players will benefit from the book
Disadvantages: Power gamers can abuse the information in the Companion

...The Earthdawn Companion is a valuable resource for all Earthdawn fans. Why? Because if you are a GM then the companion will enable you to expand your games to new levels. It provides you with the rules you need to create your hideous monsters and horrors, establish intense ship battles, bring Questors and Lightbearers into your plot and various other useful rules and information to flesh out your game. But players will also find the Companion useful. It will enable you to advance your character up to 15th Circle. You can now become one of the powerful Questors or mighty Lightbearers. Magic of supreme power is now at your fingertips from all the magic wielding disciplines. New Talents are described and even two new disciplines are introduced: the Air Sailor and the Scout. Perhaps the only disadvantage from the book is the capacity... Read review

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