Even if you're not interested in Buddhism, this book offers food for our everyday thoughts. Written in a clean, lucid style, Thich Nhat Hahn shares moments from his life during the tubulent period of the 1960's. From the shores of a lake in New Jersey, to the bustling streets of New York City, back again to his beloved homeland of Vietnam, Nhat Hahn's experiences appear to have provided him with valuable insight, strengthing his resolve in matters concerning compassion and love. For those who enjoy memoirs, this book is a must read. His approach to writing is simple, yet poetic, offering sections both humorous and sad. In other words, it's about life in the here and now.

Thich would not need my review of his work. I can no longer wash my hands and not think of rain and mountain streams.

This is an incredible memoir and philosophical discussion. Thich uses the memoir as a vehicle to teach his philosophy. But in that you can still sense the pain of loss, the pain and frustration of rejection by his country and his abandonment. But it is also a hopeful piece. He does not let the external struggle defeat his soul and his personal peace. He accepts wars and destruction as things he must try to change but must not allow to change him.

The beauty of this book is its honesty. Thich's religion is attractive as a portrait of his individual testimony and light.

There is also a history in the story. A struggle of a simple man and a patriot. A patriot who perhaps lost the war for now.
Also a man who understands that thought and love and peace are separate from the boundaries of politics and culture. He may have lost his war at home, but he certainly won a larger war.

-Mike

I agree with every word of the review written by the Jerusalem reviewer found on this page! This slender volume contains much that could save the world, indeed the profound beauty that emanates from the soul of this revered teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, is such that one is transformed by it fundamentally each time one soaks up its light. These journals, covering especially those periods of his life that manifested for him tremendous human strengths within himself, and from which he has conscientiously built a kind of life-giving ark for the rest of us, are a joy to read, and read again. Everything Nhat Hanh writes is essential. Nothing is wasted, or wastefully passive. Interior action is his watchword, and his own life's example. The milieu of violence and war that so influenced his early adult life he has transformed into a life-giving teaching for humankind. The mark of the poet is everywhere in these pages- slaying the mediocre, lifting up the discarded, transforming the lost. One really cannot praise adequately this unique and gentle volume. If you seek to understand the nature of suffering, its true character, the inevitability of its power to redeem, and are unafraid of confronting the chagrin of your own wastefulness and fearfulness, read this book. It can only leave you freer.

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, read this book!
I have read many many pregnancy and birth related books and Hands of Love is up there with the best of books. With wonderful, intimate photos and birth stories, Dr. Phillips outlines a lot of the choices parents have to make today . She does so in a gentle and informative way.
The book includes simple exercises to alleviate common complaints of pregnancy that can make a huge difference in birth outcome- including a really simple way to deal with preterm labor. I didn't realize how having everything your body in the right place can make such a difference in birth...
Check out this book!!

This is the one to buy. I have read extensively as an expectant mother and this book is phenomenal. It is also an excellent resource for family members who have questions about the process.

In an age when the allopathic medical doctor's word is no longer gospel and the general public is turning to alternative (complimentary) medicine for a second opinion, Dr. Phillips poses an approach to pregnancy and childbirth that is revolutionary. The book clearly advocates a holistic "humanistic" model without discounting the value of the traditional medical community. The birth stories used as examples are told through the passionate voices of the parents themselves as well as their children, friends and family. I laughed and cried and kept turning the pages. It is intuitively written and illustrated with fabulous pictures. The stories are interspersed with valuable information on the roles of chiropractors, doulas, midwives, birth teams and good birth plans, based on 15 years of qualitative research. I am predisposed as the author is my mother but it is one of the best books I have ever read, both on an educational and a personal level.

I enjoyed reading the book. It was full of interesting stories and very entertaining. It was amazing how the conman got away with what he did. I think this book would be a great movie. McVicker did a great job telling the story.

A fun, fascinating book about an incredibly intelligent con man.

The strange thing is how you find yourself rooting for Russell, even though he's a criminal -- after all, the reason he keeps getting caught is he can't help being in love. How can you fault someone for that?

McVicker has put together a page-turner. A definite must read!

Great read, this intriguing story unfolds in a clever way. McVicker, a well established, respected Houston journalist, used his skill, talent and detailed research to unmask this jail bird who is his own worst enemy.

I was literally not able to put this book down. I laughed, I cried, I hoped, I was surprised, and finally I was completely delighted. The book is heartfelt, refreshing, honest, and I wholly recommend it. It's an absolutely GREAT read!

TELL A FRIEND: An easy read, large print and captivating. I Read the novel in 2 1/2 days, and did not want to put it down. It made my laugh, cry and remember all of my human faults. You will see yourself and many of the people you have known. Why? It's about life (unless you have not lived). I look forward to Betty Phillips new book-BRAVO!

What a pleasure to read something positive, sensitive and real about women loving women! Love Is Not Enough breaks and warms your heart all at once. A great read.

I was not really a fat kid, but I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager and after I married, the weight started to come on and on. I felt bad and the extra weight put a wedge between me and my wife. I just couldn't stop eating. I snacked all day at work and guzzled soda like it was water. Now, after reading The Low Carb Rule & Recipe Book I am just psyched at the changes my body has gone through. I've lost 40 pounds in 6 months with another 70 to go. People already don't recognize me. I feel better, my wife is happy and I am NEVER HUNGRY!

You know what they say "you can't judge a book by it's cover" ... but it was the cover that first caught my attention...then the title. I have read so many diet books and none have motivated me like this book. The writting style was easy for me to follow and I especially loved how they supported their concepts with the medical journal notes. The low carb diet may seem extreme but I felt I needed to take extreme measures as everything had failed. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one night. I jumped into the diet program the next morning and I have never looked back. YES...successfully losing 15lbs in just 6 weeks...and more exciting is that I didn't starve, to my surprsing I truly enjoyed the great tasting meals. 5 stars to Chris and Catherine for helping find the way to a permanent full proof fat loss formula. You can be sure I have spread the word to all my friends...I counldn't help it as they all wanted to know my secret.

Cheers!
Anna Calder
President, NowPac Inc.
Toronto, Canada

A few months ago, as I was feeling totally bummed out because no matter how much effort I was putting into watching my weight, I never got the results I wanted. I felted completely helpless. The scale never moved and my clothes remained tight. I did some research on low carb dieting and came across The Low Carb Rule & Recipe Book. I've lost 29 pounds in 8 weeks, I'm never hungry, I feel better and more energetic and I love the recipes in this book. If your frustrated, I strongly recommend this book for you. It is packed with easy to understand low carb facts and instruction from how to get started to how to maintain your weight loss. If you've heard about low carb dieting and don't know the in's and outs so to speak, then get this book.

This is a great primer for those who are just beginning their studies in magick. This book explains a lot. I have benn a magickal person for over 15 years and I enjoyed this book. Be aware this book is not on the hermetics or Thelema it is on the ogdodic tradition. I would recommend this book to anyone on any path of magick. Unlike some authers Denning and Phillips do not mess with the readers head. Instead they make things as clear as possible. Its mostly a lecture book so if you are looking for loads and loads of rituals you wont find it in here. But nevertheless it is a serious book, one that will help you understand the powers of magick more better. Also the book is also great since there is no useless dribble.

There are many books availiable for those who wish to learn the way of ritual magick- but few books for those who wish to learn the philosophy behind it, without having to contend with the opinions of often overbearing (Crowley), dogmatic (Fortune), muddle-headed (Regardie), or overly cautious (Kraig) writers. This book not only teaches pure Qabalistic and Hermetic thought, but insightfully and lucidly ties in connections to Oriental, Native American, and even the often overlooked ideas of those anomalous American Transcendentalists, such as Emerson and Whitman. There's no strange yoga, badly-translated words of mystic power, or misunderstood mythology- only the finest piece of magical literature availiable today. If you're a psychologist interested in exploring the transpersonal realms, a layperson wanting to explore spirituality beyond the confines of exoteric religion, a pagan interested in exploring a more reason-oriented spirituality, or even a chaos mage (like myself) searching for answers- this book is for you. Buy it and see for yourself.

Actually, one of the three most treasured, the others being the "Sword and the Serpent" and "Mysteria Magica", representing the (hopefully) forthcoming volumes 2 and 3 of the "Magical Philosophy" series of which this is the first.

Almost everything concievable is explained thoroughly in these books, and the first volume is perhaps the most illuminating. Unlike other texts which simply say "this is so", Denning and Phillips literally walk you through the reasons behind various magical correspondences on the Tree of Life (the theories presented here are basically Kabalistic ones, with just a light amount of Enochian). Ever wonder why the astrological signs are associated with certain paths on the Tree, and certian Tarot cards associated with the signs/paths, as well? Denning and Phillips lay it out for you, step by step, so that you come away with an understanding that won't fade as time goes by.

When I first purchased these volumes back in 1991, I had almost no background in magick whatsoever. While the latter two volumes may indeed be a bit advanced, the first should be required reading for any magickal study (or even a simple mystical study of the Tree of Life). By the end of the first volume, the latter two will no longer be out of the reach of your comprehension.

Highly, highly recommended works. For that matter, everything by either author meets a similarly high standard. If it's by Denning and Phillips, read it!

This comes with a CD of Barbra Streisand singing God Bless America - which is great (and I am not a huge Barbra fan). The illustrations are wonderful and do a great job translating the lyrics of this classic song.

Most patriotic children's books get sappy or trite ... but not this one. The words are merely the lyrics of the great song. However, the illustrations that bring those words to life create a wonderful, colorful celebration of our country, without being overly sentimental. They are so well done they stir up feelings nonetheless. When you turn the page to the fireworks over The Statue of Liberty, goosebumps are guaranteed. My kids loved the family trip across the U.S. This is Lynn Munsinger at her best! I highly recommend this book over any other I've ever seen.

This is a wonderful picture book. I am using it for second language learners during summer school. This also appeals to the musician in me. I plan to play the CD of God Bless America while showing the book to the students.

Normally I wouldn't call non-fiction "entertaining," but Phillip Wolf does a great job telling of the struggles facing a home that welcomes in a child with congential heart disease. I laughed in many places at the antics of Phil and his friends, and I cried in many others. Even knowing how things had to end ahead of time, I still kept hoping for a miracle. An outstanding performance by this author.

God Gave Us A Promise: The Story of a Little Fighter by Phillip Wolf is the candid and intimate testimony of his own family when an infant son was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Their son's diagnosis changed their lives as the cruel realities of this devastating condition forced them to trust in love, God's faith, and the essence of human compassion to survive the difficult choices ahead. A powerful and profoundly moving remembrance, God Gave Us A Promise is remarkable and recommended reading.

Guaranteed to make you want to hold your kids a little tighter. Told with raw emotion and an unblinking eye. Should be very helpful to any parent whose child has this complication, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Fund.

A tense, tightly-packed ride through a richly-developed setting full of complex and intriguing characters, all struggling in the wake of horrific serial killings.

It always amazes me how Phillip can take basic genre plots and etch into them such intricate and originally realistic layers. Johnny Blade is a perfect example: take your usual serial-killer plot with the prostitute in danger and her devoted but wary suitor, and develop it so richly into a multi-leveled tale where all the characters, even the secondary individuals like the vastly interesting diner patrons or the off-kilter detectives, create a seamless, living, breathing cast of players we love to meet and follow. These down-to-earth characters are each the true strengths of this story. I quickly loved the cast of vagabonds, thugs, call-girls and others at the diner where Michael works, and felt that the we as readers, along with the undercover journalist, were experiencing the thrill of meeting interesting local personalities and searching for those individual story gems. And best of all, rather than have a faceless, remorseless, killer driven only by lust and power, we are introduced right off the bat to a villain with detailed flaws and run-of-the mill troubles-again, breathing fresh new life into an old plot in a surprising and enjoyable way. The book moves at a quick, crisp pace, building on many aspects of tension, not the least of which is the protagonist-driven struggles of his personal life-always hinting that by enduring and overcoming these issues, he will be strengthened down the road for the greater test, and the showdown with Johnny Blade.

This is a fantastic story and the author should be commended for his true-to-life realization of facts and characters. As a retired police officer, I felt that Mr. Tomasso had a law enforcement background because of his depth of police knowledge. Whether he has or not, he has certainly done his homework in fact finding to give this book reality. This is cleverly written and displays a true writing artist.

This author writes a riveting story about several characters, from the lead protagonist, Michael (a reporter/waiter trying to become more then an obituary columnist), to a serial killer. These conglomerations of characters all come together in one local establishment called Jacks. Tomasso allows the reader to get into the minds of these characters so vividly that one can almost visualize each character and personally get to know each one and what makes them tick.

With a serial killer on the loose, dubbed Johnny Blade by the local newspaper, Michael, the lead protagonist in the book, sets out to find the real identity of Johnny Blade. Since Michael is one of the lead suspects in the case, but with the evidence uncovered by the police was subsequently cleared. Along the way to discovering the real serial killer, the reader is led on a suspenseful and intriguing journey with Michael.

This book should easily fall into the classification of "Best Seller."

Bobby Ruble is the author of the psychological thriller 'Have No Mercy.' ...

Martin Wringer punched his supervisor in the face and lost his job, but he doesn't fault himself, he blames his boss. He has sex with a prostitute and contacts venereal disease, but he doesn't impute himself, he accuses the hooker. When his wife finds out and throws him out of the house, he goes to Jack's Joint where the hooker hangs out and kills her. He finds he likes killing prostitutes so much that he keeps going to the area round Jack's Joint where the whores hang out and stars killing them one by one.

Michael Buzzelli works for the Rochester Chronicle writing obituaries and doing research but he wants to scribe some juicy stories so he takes a job at Jack' joint as a bartender hoping to write a human-interest story about the dead prostitute. As he gets to know the people on the fringe who hang out at Jack's Joint, he begins to like them especially Felicia who seems to reciprocate his feelings. As the killer dubbed JOHNNY BLADE by the press keeps on killing prostitutes, Michael is determined to be first on the scene to get the scoop or die trying.

Almost every person who hangs out at Jack's Joint has an interesting story to tell and readers will find themselves wanting to hear it. The two lead police officers on the case are fascinating characters and should be featured in future books by Phillip Tomasso III. The villain is three dimensional, totally believable and pure evil. The romance between the reporter and the prostitute is sweet and charming. On a scale of one to ten, the plot scores an eleven.

Harriet Klausner

I only give this stars because while it is interesting, I didn't think the book was well organized. If it was, it would be five-star material. The chapter on hell is my favorite. Berman really pulls together some fascinating stories from each chapter. It will remove your fear of death, and strengthen your faith.

This is a nice book. I can't claim familiarity with the entire literature on near-death experiences, but Phillip Berman's work seems to me to stand out in several respects.

First of all, a good deal of the book is devoted simply to describing NDEs as reported by the people who had them. In preparation for this volume, Berman interviewed literally hundreds of people -- and, moreover, scoured the world's religious literature looking for further historical examples. The results are not all included here; in fact he has probably had to leave out many more than he was able to put in. But his selections are well-chosen. (For example, he devotes an entire chapter to the neglected topic of "hellish" NDEs, notably the experience of one Howard Storm.) And he spends most of his time on straightforward reporting rather than rushing to conclusions.

Second, he ties all this NDE stuff to mystical tradition and "perennial philosophy" (which he prefers to call "eternal theology"). Himself Jewish, Berman also competently discusses the mystical traditions of e.g. Christianity and Buddhism without attempting either to adjudicate among their theologies or to reduce these religions to their strictly mystical portions. His conclusion, in a nutshell, is that NDEs and mysticism teach us essentially the same things about the nature of God and reality.

Third, his conclusions are presented with thoroughness and proper caution. Berman does not attempt to minimize or paper over the genuine differences among the various types of NDE and mystical experience; he does not proclaim that his work has "finally proven" something that was hitherto only suspected and that he has thereby settled all the important questions; he deals sensitively and compassionately with the losses of loved ones (including his own) without relying in any way on maudlin sentiment at the expense of empirical reportage and theological argumentation. Generally speaking, he knows the difference between conclusions and speculations, offering some of each and claiming for his work just what it deserves. This is a sober and responsible work of theology, not an extended piece of tabloid journalism.

Fourth, his topic is precisely what his subtitle indicates: he is interested in what NDEs and mystical experiences _teach us_, not in telling us how to go about _having_ such experiences ourselves (nor even in urging the importance of having them). He has what I regard as a healthy sense (based firmly in all of the religious traditions with which he deals) that there is something unsound about seeking such experiences for oneself, and for that matter about (mis)taking the purpose of religion to be the bringing about of such experiences. This is, again, a work of theology, not a how-to handbook.

This seems to me to be a standout work, then. Again, I do not claim to have read the whole NDE literature, but of the handful of books I _have_ read, this one is unique. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in these topics.

I have just finished reading THE JOURNEY HOME by Philip L.Berman and I want to shout from the housetops: Read this book!

A Jewish scholar has interviewed people of various (or no) religious persuasions who have had NDE...Near Death Experiences. As one who has had such an experience, I have read every book I can find on the subject, and Berman's impressed me the most, probably because he is so objective.

In a fine writing style (I truly read this book in one sitting...or I should say, lying down!...) and wept with joy when I finished it, for it offers such faith, hope and love for all of us, whatever our beliefs. The similarity of the experiences are in themselves miraculous, yet it is the differences that make them believeable.

For example, in my own NDE experience I did not look down and see my body on the hospital gurney...but that is not surprising. I have never been one to look back, and I was so enthralled with the experience I had no interest in the world I had left. Nor did I see "my life flash before me"...maybe it did, but I wasn't watching. I was so drawn to the Light, the Sounds, the aurae, the people, all I wanted to do was stay there, forever. I didn't associate this with a DNE until years later when I read of similar experiences. Truly such an experience does change your life.

Just reading Berman's book can change your life. I defy anyone to read it through and still question the existance of an afterlife. I have recommended it for hospice reading, as well as family reading. No longer will the reader fear death.

Teresa Bloomingdale