I read the other reviews on this page, and I thought I should add something: this novel is unbelievably beautifully written, and the english translation is absolutely superb.

You cannot find any better example of novel-writing skill in any language.

I've read all parts of The Story of the Stone. It starts and ends in a mystical fashion; coming full circle in a traditional ying/yang way. Wonderful five volume story about two wealthy families closely connected to the throne. Although there's not much known about the true author, I suspect that it was written by a maid. There is incredible detail from the perspective of the servents working for their sometimes nutty employers. The family actually built a garden at one point in honor of a visit from a daughter who had been chosen to be a royal concubine. If you want to immerse yourself in the ups and downs, daily life, (warts and all) of 1750's Chinese culture don't miss The Story of the Stone et al.

This book was written one year before the French Revolution, in 1788, in Beijing, China by a riches-to -rags nobleman called Cao Xue Quin. It is viewed by many as the greatest classical Chinese romantic novel ever written.

I read the original Chinese version of this book when I was in high school, many years ago. At that time, my impression was that it was a Chinese Romeo and Juliet type tragic love story, in which the main characters Bao-yu and his cousin Dai-yu (Black Jade) suffered the fate of unfulfilled love, and no ever after. There was more to it than that, but I could not figure out what.

Recently, I re-read the book (the current trans- lated version). This time it sounded like the Adven- tures of Tom Jones, in which the teen-aged playboy Bao-yu was dallying in the ranks of the female members of his household (his cousins and maids), longing after many but only truly loving Dai-yu.

It was also a bit similar to Upstairs Downstairs -- a big noble clan with all its ladies, young misses and maids, and their lives of adventures and tears. But something was still missing. There was a theme, a message, which draws me and others to this great work of literature.

I finally figured it out: Almost all the WOMEN in this book were described as elegant, sophisticated, intelligent, graceful, excellent decision makers, and above all, beautiful. Most MEN, however, were described as fools, red-necks, unfaithful, heart-breakers, nogooders, users of prostitutes and abusers of power!

What I am looking at is a book (or one-MAN crusade) of Early Feminism. It is all the more remarkable because in feudal China, women did not have equal status. "marrying for love" seldom existed. It was more like "married by parental arrangement". Poor girls were sold as maids into rich households, or worse, they were sold as second wives or concubines.

The confirmation of my theory came from the author Cao himself. In his introductory book review, he said, "Thus begins this book ... I have hidden the real events and substituted them with fiction ... There were real persons in the inner-chambers, and their stories must be told ..." (Modern translation: I have real women in my household).

This message would make this a truly revolutionary work, not only in feudal China, but even to-day.

Should have first read the book review by the author.

This book has some of the best photography of volcanoes I have ever seen. It's a great volcano book.

I think this book is well writen, and easy to understand, but the thing i like the most about this amazing book is the coolerfull pictures. Most of this book is pictures of erupting valcanoes with captions explaning the pictures. This book taught me many, many things about volcanoes. I recumend this book, Fire on the Mountain for all ages.

This book covers the different types of volcanoes with excellent photographs accompanying and expanding on the text. Even if you just look at the photos, the book's price is worth it, but the text really added to the book as well with very accurate geologic information in a non-textbook format suitable for the general public. The reading level is probably 9th grade and up. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and plan to give more copies to others as gifts.

Fantastic book for a beginer or advanced person in this craft. It has much information on all aspects of stone tools. If you only buy one book on the subject this should be the one.

Doctor Whittaker, currently teaching at Grinnell College in Central Iowa, is a passionate advocate of stone tool technology methods. He tries to spend each Friday afternnon working with interested students of the flintknapping craft, has a very active role in atl-atl manufacture and contests, and Lord only knows what else! But more important to me, he is a real person, not a glory-hound or scholarly intellectual snob. He is willing to share patiently with his students not just his experience and knowledge, but the tact that allows them to learn flintknapping at their own pace until they recognize their own need for his further tutelage...rare attributes for this day and mind-set. After receiving the book for a Christmas gift,Iwas fortunate enough to witness a demonstration by one of his students held at the Des Moines Lapidary Society Meeting that led me to Professor Whittaker's Friday "knap-ins". Within a few weeks I too was capable of smacking rocks together then poking at them with pieces of deer antler and producing a serviceable facsimile of a stone dart or arrow point. As I continue to observe Dr. Whittaker and several of his more proficient flintknapping guests and students, I am encouraged to keep improving my skill and knowledge, not just about stone toolmaking, but of the early peoples who mastered that and other survival skills thousands of years ago. It is also a link to the field of archaeology/anthropology that has always fascinated me.

The book was well-researched, edited to be easily understood by a larger audience than most of the pedantic, overly technical works of similar nature, and contains little nuggets of wisdom that, upon review, hold the keys to successful flintknapping. I would recommend this work to teachers, students, others of similar interests.

This book is useful in that it teaches you about modern and ancient flintknapping. It helps the reader to understand how flintknapping works and how to do it yourself. It also demonstrates how to identify lithic flakes from an archaeological deposit. A must have for flintknappers and archaeology students interested in the study of ancient lithics.

I'm not much for history as it is taught in our schools, but this book is great. It is a perfect blend of history, present day (in the form of the author's trip), and thoughts and stories from the author's personal life.

I recommend this tome to anyone that likes travel stories. Especially if you dont know, or want to know more about, the Cheyenne Exodus. Expensive, but worth the money.

This is a magical walk through a dark time in American History...Alan's own experiences are so materfully intertwined with history on this voyage, the past truly comes alive as you feel every step and face every fear. With each step, with every encounter along the way, you can feel the ghosts of the Cheyenne people walking in your own shadow. Make no mistake, HOLDING STONE HANDS is a Masterpiece...you'll feel the pain of endless walking, the anger for what the Cheyenne people were forced to endure, and the sorrow for the pointless death as they tried to make their way to the only land they would ever call home.

This is a story of heartache and strength, of hope and struggle...it is the story of a man's love of the land and a people's fight to keep their homeland. Boye is a gifted and talented writer whose words flow as he leads us from page to page, back into the past and then gently into the present. He is a writer that truly cares about his story and the people that inhabit it. He opens his heart and the words come tumbling out. A wonderful MUST READ for all nature lovers and history buffs.

This is one of Katherine Stone's best novels. The story line is complex and surprising. Of course, we know their is a happy ending for all, but I certainly didn't expect some of the twists and turns along the way.

I especially liked the love story between Emma and Lucas. But all of the interweaved story lines touched my heart.

I also highly recommend Stone's Pearl Moon, my other favorite.

This book was totally magnificent. From beginning to end, it was good, very interesting. I couldn't put it down. It was one of the best books I have ever read. Most books aren't good from beginning to end. I mean it was really good, even from the beginning.

I just couldn't put this book down. I awaited with baited breath for the next shoe to fall. When will the brother's find each other? Would Claire regain her sight? Who was the killer? And believe me that particular question was a total surprise. What about Sarah's baby? Is it alive and if so, who is she/he? All these questions and more were answered by reading the book. By the end I felt like crying at the very tenderness of the novel. I implore all readers out their to pick up Imagine Love by Katherine Stone and read it. Once you do you will really, truly imagine the power of love.

I read Vol. 2 first and waited impatiently for this book to get back into print. It was well worth the wait. The real story is the relationship between the master and slave, and the fantasy of how love conquers all. I like stories with a happy ending, even if it takes a lot of pain, literally, in this case, to get there.

Also recommended: The Slave, The Trainer, The Marketplace by Laura Antoniou Sara Adamson) and books by Grant Antrews.

Kyle Stone, how I do enjoy his work. This first book in a two book series does an amazing job of engaging us in the main character's life both physically and mentally. The sex is intense and the Ds tough -- just the way I like my erotica. A great choice for anyone who likes men and "BDSM" and science fiction.

K. Stone is one of our best authors of gay SM erotic literature (if not THE best). He knows exactly how far to go -- or until wich extreme limits we will follow him -- and what his readers hope to find in this kind of books. Do not miss any of his novels -- in particular "Rituals" -- and his short stories.

y hasta de High School..
Todos los chicos necesitan apoyo para protegerse de los mayorcitos abusivos...
Y ESE ES EL PROPÓSITO DE ESTE LIBRO!

Elementary School were THE WORST OF MY WHOLE LIFE!!1
Harrasas and beaten by a bigger BULLY !
I read this book, owned by my nephew... And felt amazed!
I could have avoided hell as a kid if I had had it...

Please, don't let your child suffer silently at school... I never told my parents! It's so EMBARRASING !
Just buy this book for him...
Do it, please

PARA NIÑOS ?
Este le enseña a las criaturas a enfrentarse ( no a puñetazos ) con el que abusa de su fuerza o de su posiciòn.

¡MARAVILLOSO !

Nosotros, los padres, tambièn aprendemos algunas lecciones con La Piedra del Valor

I enjoyed the book it was balanced with both successes and failures and for those interested in the NGO arena, the book provided some keen insights into what goes on behing the curtain in order to get things done. I enjoyed it, of course like all bios it needs to be taken with a litlle salt.

Fascinnating read. Reviews not only the history of nuclear disarmament but chronicles the ups and downs of working with entrenched interests. The basic message, however, is that if one can persist as Jeremy Stone has done, one can succeed.

I truly enjoyed the book, good writing

I read this book many, many years ago. It was actually the first Irving Stone book I ever read. I still remember how much I enjoyed reading it, and I can still remember the story. Brilliantly written. You seem to be living among the characters. Irving Stone has the gift to write, all based in real-life facts. Again, a must read for any history-novel lover.

Approximately 15 years ago I bought this book aout Heinrich Schlieman, and his discovery of the ancient lost city of Troy. He studied Homer, and believed the city did exist. In his late 40's he met a very young Greek girl in Athens. He asked her father for her hand in marriage, and her father agreed.The museum in Athens holds not only the treasures he unearthed at Troy, but he found the mask of Agamemnon, and other treasures (the Lion's Gate) showering Sophia with these treasures. I loaned this book, and never received it back. I have looked for it for years. I cannot believe this wonderful book has not been reprinted and available. It is Irving Stone at his best.

Stone was able to put into this book the unusal and unconventional story of Schliemann and his young Greek bride in a way that you cheer them on and you feel their disappointments. It is entertaining as well as inspiring. It also brings up that age old question, "Was there a Troy?" and convinces you there was.

Raymo provides one more well written and often sought answer that bridges the gap between scientific paradigms, religious beliefs and basic human curiosity. The one talent that underlies all of human evolution's ebbs and flows is curiosity. Curiosity drove the first humans to ask the questions, Why? What? When? Where? and our own creative talents answered those questions with scientific explorations into the natural concrete world as well as with more ineffable, spiritual answers of Religion. However, some time ago, as Raymo explains, religion and science suffered a rift and that rift has grown wide . . . losing the recognition of their common beginning. Raymo moves between the vastness of the universe and the equally vast human need for "God" and ties them together again, promoting an appreciation for the big bang, evolution, creation, the unknown recesses and reaches of the world, and the undeniable miracles of life. A sit down, curl up by the fire, read aloud piece that eases all mundane frustrations!

Chet Raymo's Honey From Stone is a heart-warming collection of essays. It shares deep and thoughtful ideas with the generous grace of a dear friend. By using the monastic hours as the framework for his essays Raymo gently reminds us of the sacred nature of the universe. By discussing the this universe through the awesome display of its skies he reminds us of the dramatic grandeur we are part of. And he uses the rocky Dingle Peninsula of Ireland to tell us that this awesome splendor, this grandeur and these miracles are right here beneath our feet. In his search for God, Raymo finds it revealed in the stones, the skies and the hedgehogs that delight and inspire his musings. The amount of science that informs his delight is impressive. He teaches geology, astronomy, history, botany and zoology on these rambles as easily as lying on great stones, watching a brilliant meteor shower silently illuminate the skies.

This book is a beautifully written exploration of the Irish coast, the mystery of the stars and the potential meeting of science and spirituality. After reading this book I always look at the night sky with a greater appreciation of the mystery and wonder of the starry night