Readers looking for a fair, firm, and non-sensational critique of His Dark Materials will find it in Pied Piper of Atheism. And they examine the metaphysical premises and moral propositions found throughout His Dark Materials, and point out the many objectionable aspects of the books-including violence and sensuality-about which every concerned parent should know.

They also compare Pullman's fiction to The Chronicles of Narnia, the Harry Potter books, and other famous works of children's fiction. The authors provide a literary critique of His Dark Materials and reveal the many premises, and often surprising literary and philosophical sources of that popular work, as well as explain the symbolism present throughout. Tolkien? Should children be reading the His Dark Materials trilogy, or watching the film version of The Golden Compass, the first book of the trilogy? These are just some of the many important questions addressed by Pete Vere and Sandra Miesel in their accessible, concise, and thoroughly-researched analysis of Pullman's fiction and beliefs. What is the truth about Pullman and his books? What does he believe about God, religion, the Catholic Church, and atheism? What does he hope his books will accomplish? Why does he express such strong disdain for the fiction of C.S. Sandra Miesel, coauthor with Carl Olson of The Da Vinci Hoax, provides a brief history of the Holy Grail and samples of works derived from Grail stories, which bear witness to the extraordinary. But he has been criticized by some for attacking Christianity and promoting atheism. NIGHTMARE Unless Ria can master the forces her guides have unlocked, her friends, her world, and her very sou will perish in fire and ice.

Her early work was science fiction and fantasy criticism, fields in which she has remained. Introduction by Carl Olson British author Philip Pullman is widely acclaimed by critics and readers for his best-selling, award-winning trilogy, His Dark Materials. Ria's growing shamanic skills provide temporary refuge from her own bleak timeline, but the same powers threaten her sanity and her life. Sandra Louise Miesel (born 1941) is a medievalist and writer.

Shaman by Sandra Miesel