This is a remarkable book. I say this as one who has explored this subject in my own writings and who, as a result, understand just how difficult it can be to write about this subject skillfully and in a way that matters. Anyone who has read "how-to" books on spirituality knows how often they suffer from well-intention generalizations which are less than helpful. This book explores four ways in which we can achieve spiritual connection with the Divine--the way of devotion, of action, of contemplation and of self-mastery--and it does so with great clarity and specificity (the latter particularly well done). It is never simplistic. Nor does it underestimate the difficulties involved, although it makes one feel that with proper understanding and commitment, such union is definitely possible. The author demonstrates a rich familiarity with various religions, both eastern and western, and with various spiritual disciplines, and does a first-rate job of discussing these with dexterity, relevance and, again clarity and specificity. The goal of the book is to offer us an individualized path to union, to connection, and one important aspect is its recognition that because each of us IS an individual, our path to such union will vary. We must, it's made clear, find our own way with the tools offered us in the book. This demonstrates great and proper respect for the individual as he or she pursues that path, rather than supposing wrongly that one path will fit all.

The suggested reading list at the back of the book is a rich one. And I very much appreciated the treasure trove of useful quotations from religious and spiritual leaders and scholars, all of it skillfully employed to make various points more clear and therefore more useable. There is also included a very useful chart of the four paths, which acts as a kind of summary of the text, and which one can regularly consult as one makes various choices along the way.

What understanding I have just received from reading Four Paths to Union !! I've known of Bhakti and Karma yoga, but not much of the other two paths. I recognized a ton of practices from all over the spiritual board, but I've always been confused as to any order or way of holding it all. So many practices are coming from "my way is the way" that it has been impossible for me to sort out value in the larger picture or the value to me. I am eternally grateful for this clear map! The metaphor of the mountain and the different approaches/directions was fabulous! I've NEVER known what my spiritual path was since I don't have a specific teaching or teacher. I loved all the directives that were given to go even deeper into the path. Now I am looking forward to reading "my chapter" in much greater depth. The chapter on religions and paths saved me about 10,000 hours of reading and classes in the history of religions! What a remarkable and easy to get synthesis!! I can count the books that have had such an impact on me on one hand. A thousand blessings to the author for the gift this is going to be to many on their spiritual journey.

This book has been yearning to be written for all of us in a spiritual search, and for all of us who would like an objective exposition of the different ways of conducting a spiritual search. I think it is of great use to people who help people.

I have not read a book like it. The paths of devotion, action, self-mastery and contemplation are described with exquisite clarity, illumined by quotes I wanted to write down, and given a breadth of application that enjoyed deep resonances with my experience. These paths would be recognized in the different yogas, such as bhakta and jnaña, in the different schools of Buddhist and Christian devotion, meditation, and service.

As a psychologist I am at times sitting across from people who have, parallel to or imbedded in psychological symptoms, an urging to do spiritual work, or some inner voice demanding spiritual development. This is now the first book I think of recommending.

This outstanding collection brought back fond memories of trips to New Jersey many years ago. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.

From Sinatra to Springsteen, Princeton to Pt. Pleasant and all 121 miles of Jersey Shore coastline this book rekindles long dormant memories for those who grew up in the Garden State or were clamdigger wanna-bees. Helen Chantal-Pike mixes insightful prose with picturesque views of the Great State of New Jersey. This is a must have for anyone who has salt water running through their veins. Excellent coffee table book that you can come back to again and again. Can't wait until Pike's next book, "Asbury Park: Glory Days 1890-1980" is published based on the quality of "Greetings from New Jersey. . ."

"Greetings from New Jersey, A Postcard Tour of the Garden State" is a hefty, gorgeous book that feels good to hold in your hands. New Jersey is one of the great postcard states, and author Helen Pike, between two covers, has made quite a handsome sandwich of it. From the diving horse of Atlantic City to the dining room of the State Reformatory in Rahway; from Thomas Edison at his West Orange office to the cute little Campbell's Kids, the tour is a colorful retro-joy that calms the nerves and sends the reader dreaming. Advertising, manufacturing, main streets, parades, disasters -- it's all there. And it's m'm! m'm! Good! With each card, Pike supplies an appealing bite-size commentary. As if the cards and comments aren't enough, Pike's essays are likewise terrific. The introduction to the book entertainingly deals with the advent of the picture postcard in general and its importance to New Jersey in particular. A closing chapter is titled "The Delights of Deltiology" (the study of postcards) and is a really useful introduction to the various categories of cards. It is perfect for people who wish to develop an interest in collecting. In short, "Greetings from New Jersey" is a book to keep close by and pick up again and again. It's really good enough to eat (which is why I bought two of them). It would make a great gift for almost anyone.

I checked out this book from the library more times than I can count before discovering it was still in print. It is absolutely the best book I've found on watercolor technique (and I've checked out many of them) and the only one I own. John Pike's style of working and his discussion of technique and choice of materials helped alleviate my anxieties about getting started in watercolor. He keeps things simple. I particularly like his philosophy of using value sketches as a guide before starting any finished work, and the step-by-step color photographs showing a painting's evolution. His accompanying text is also very helpful. I've been painting in watercolor for 8 years and have many books on the subject. Mr. Pike's book is still the one I turn to consistently when I need help or inspiration.

As an absolute beginner in watercolor, my first stop after my first lesson was to the local library. Joining an existing watercolor class of long-time painters left me scrambling for the meaning of what everyone was talking about and doing. In my tiny town nestled in the Colorado Rockies, there were only half a dozen watercolor books in the library, and by some good fortune, John Pike's book, published many years before, had been donated. Even as a novice, I could see that it was far and away the best of the lot, and when I took it home and started reading and studying, I knew I had found a friend. Well, I kept that book out for over two months, and paid a hefty late fee to do so.

I thought Mr. Pike's books were out of print, but on a whim, I decided to search his name on Amazon.com, and it was exciting to find "John Pike Paints Watercolors." I admit this is not the same title I found in the library, but the book review discusses his style of writing and teaching. That style overcame the fear I had to try, to begin, to learn, to dare. He is a teacher! And because of his writing, I was able to begin to catch up to my classmates faster than I had imagined. His paintings are full of life, interesting in subject, and inspirational to a beginner. I am privileged to know that I will have his book on my own shelf.

I first got this book in the library and now must own it. Pike's insights have opened new doors for me as a relatively new watercolorist. His methods, techniques and explanations make this one of the few books on the subject that I want to have for ready reference rather than just an occassional read. This is the best artists book I have yet to come across!

This wonderful book is again available. The Long Beach Historical Society can be contacted at 562-495-1210.

For Long Beach Pike lovers, this booklet is a must. Not much more than 70 pages, but it is packed with dynamite, when it comes to a rich, historical accounting of the Pike from its beginning to its end. Black and white photos in abundance, showing rides, features, landscapes such as many of you may never have seen before.

Did you know, for example, that there were at least two auditoriums BEFORE there was the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium (along with the Rainbow Pier)? Did you know that there were several piers before Rainbow Pier, and that one of them was a double decker? Did you know that there were at least two roller coasters before there was the Cyclone Racer, and that the second coaster was remodeled once? Did you know that the Lido Ballroom was earlier known as the Majestic Ballroom and - even before that - it was known as the Majestic Skating Rink? Did you know that the High Ride was a construction machine once used in Europe? Did you know that there were three different "scooters" at one time at the Pike? Did you know that the first beauty contest at the Pike drew over 200,000 people with about 350 contestants, first prize being $500? Did you know that there was once a Bamboo Slide at the Pike and - before that - there was a spiral gondola ride?

Remember the Laff in the Dark, the Crazie Maize, McGruder's salt water taffy, the Rotor, the double ferris wheel, the deep-sea dive, the Flying Gondolas, the penny arcades and other booths?

You will find all these things in this power-packed booklet, put out by the Historical Society of Long Beach.

Although this book is currently a special order on Amazon.com, I recommend making that effort if you have an interest in the Long Beach Pike amusement park. If you grew up in southern California and are older than 30, you may remember the place.

The Pike was built around the turn of the century, and declined after World War 2, when its name was changed to the Nu-Pike. It was closed permanently in 1979, although key rides, such as the Cyclone Racer roller coaster were closed before that.

This book contains an extensive collection of black-and-white photographs that document the whole of the Pike's history. Recommended!

Not only a good customer, but a good author as well. I highly recommend this book to any Sci Fi fan.

I've known the author for some time and have read many of his fan fiction works. His first publishing, Repressed memories, is an exceedingly good writing. The story is so well written that you can't help but keep reading. The emotions put into it are sometimes overwhelming and I feel that it's great when that happens. Daniel Pike has written a wonderful story with a context that will keep you hooked until the end. Great job, Dan!

One word; wonderful. Biased? No, I would have thought so anyway! I cannot express enough how much I would recommend this book to any fantasy fans... (Or really, anyone for that matter.)

|...And I hope the author knows, I will always be by his side.|

With twists and turns all the way to the end, I couldn't put the book down. The book is well researched and you could tell that the author was drawing on some of his own experiences - mixed with some healthy doses of imagination. A well written, heart pumping page turner. The publisher should have checked more closely for typos however!

When's the next Galambos thriller coming out?

Stealing Pike's Peake is full of suspense, intrigue, and plot twists and turns. Written in a style similar to Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum, Stealing Pike's Peake will keep you on the edge of your couch from beginning to end!

Fast paced espionage spy story - really topical to todays events in the middle east. Highly recommended.

A depressing ending but is nevertheless exciting and adventurous. I shuddered and nearly wept in the ending. Why? Read it and you'll know.

This is the saddest of the spooksville books but I loved it. I took it to a track meet and read it in less than an hour. I reccomend this book to all spooksville fans but watch out at the end I almost started to cry.

This book was excellent! It had a sad, but surprisng ending. I think any spooksville fan's should read this one. It's definetely the best book out of all the Spooksville's!

As a long time Freemason I had always found Albert Pike to be a distant figure with whom I had little in common. Jim Tresner does a great job on making Pike back into a mortal being without destroying his image. In other works attempting to do the same with larger than life figures the result is usually an all out attack on the accomplishments of the subject in question. Not so with this book. Pike the Freemason, Pike the American, and Pike the man come to life and after reading the book one feels cheated at not having known Pike. I have long had a copy of Morals and Dogma which I have hesitated to read but now thanks to Tresner I think I will give it a try.

As the author points out, most Scottish Rite masons are almost afraid to approach the subject of Albert Pike. Many find that his writings, written in the verbose victorian style of the 19th century, are beyond their comprehension. And the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry hasn't helped matters any by turning Pike into an almost mythological figure. As a result, most of us have been overwhelmed by him and have not felt worthy enough to approach the subject of so much awe and mystery. Tresner does an amazing job in showing us all that Pike is indeed approachable. He peels away the mythology and shows us that, while worthy of our respect and admiration, Pike was indeed as human as any of us. Tresner fleshes out this character that has been cast in stone for the last hundred years, thus making both the man and his writings more accessible to us today. Even if you are not a mason and don't know anything about the Scottish Rite, you will still enjoy this look at one of the most amazing figures of the 19th century. He was a lawyer, a civil war general, an author, an explorer, a musician and an early advocate of native American rights. He wrote about philosophy and religion and updated the rituals of the Scottish Rite. It is a shame that more attention hasn't been paid to the amazing life of this individual. This book is very readable, as it is written in down to earth language. The author is not out to impress anybody with multi-syllabic language. He is not a scholar trying to impress other scholars. Neither does he insult your intelligence by writing underneath you. He is a writer who truly admires his subject and will share that admiration with anyone who will spare a few minutes to listen. Besides it's easy to comprehend language, one thing that makes this book so enjoyable is it's layout. Unlike most biographies, which start at the subject's birth and chronologically list his achievements until death, Tresner devotes each chapter to a separate aspect of Pike's life. There is a chapter devoted to his relationship with the American Indians, one devoted to his lifelong pursuit of knowledge in Freemasonry, even one about his collection of pipes. Thus we can truly appreciate not only Pike's incredible achievements but those small character traits and quirks which made him so likable to those who knew him. By learning more about Pike, we learn about ourselves and about the infinite possibilities which life has to offer. It would be very difficult for someone to read this book and not want to start living life to it's absolute fullest as Pike did. Carpe Diem!

YOU WILL THINK THAT ADAM AND WATCH ARE TWO BIG ENCYPLOMEDIA , IF YOU GET KNOWN OF THEM !!! THEY SEEMED TO KNOW EVERYING ! AND I THOUGHT I WILL BE GREAT IF I COULD MEET ADAM AND HIS FRIENDS AND LIVE IN SPOOKSVILLE ! I AM A TEEN WHO CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT ADVENTURES ! ! !

This book was good, great, perfect, excellent!!! (GGPE!!! Those crabs are CRAZY!!!!! CAn they take them? Their underwater and can't surface, Will they die????Read it find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I read the Final Friends trilogy about 10 years ago and have always wanted to tell the world what I thought about it. It's the kind of story you like to pick up and read over again although you know the outcome. Like a favorite movie. Christopher Pike tells about high school life in a frank and realistic way. The mystery/triller aspect keeps you constantly engrossed in the story. You can imagine yourself in this school and in the situation these kids are faced in. I bought only part 1 at the book store just to see if I'd like it, the next day I had to have the other two books. Don't read the backs of the other two before you read it! The characters become real to you. You can relate to one or more characters in the story and the story becomes apart of you. You never want it to end, but just like graduation day, you get your diploma and everyone goes there separate ways. But the situation you and the characters have found yourself in will always be apart of you. Exellant characters. Exellant plot. Fabulous storytelling. It will force you to read every word!

I read this book 2-3 weeks ago and it's great!I know I'm only a child 11/F but i love this book of corse i'm talking about Final Friends:The Party this is a great book you really should read it i've read 3 books a C.Pike and I love them all really you people should read this book! Signed, C.P.lova