"The Rosetta Stone of God" is not your typical "how I found God" story. Through a combination of luck, grace, discipline, trust and effort, the author pieces together 12 startling "aspects" of "God". Each aspect is expanded upon in its own chapter and then tied together beautifully at the end in a handy "Seeker's Checklist". He cites his own experiences as well as dreams, coincidences and his research of various texts and finds a cohesive thread running through all of them. His effort, perservance and ingenuity I found very inspiring. Also, the straightforward presentation eschews fluffy, cosmic, mumbo jumbo for clarity, simplicity and even logic. It was worth several reads to me.

Also recommended:"The Secret Language of Waking Dreams" by Mike Avery; "35 Golden Keys to Who You Are & Why You're Here" by Linda Anderson; "Autobiography of a Modern Prophet", "The Living Word: Book 2" and "A Modern Prophet" all 3 by Harold Klemp.

The Rosetta Stone of God is exactly the book my heart was seeking on these shelves. I ran across the most amazing and healing quote on pg.230....

"Man confuses self-knowledge with the knowledge of his conscious ego-personality," say the Shariyat." One who has any ego-consciousness at all takes it for granted that he knows himself. But the ego knows only its own contents, not the psychic self and its contents. Man measures his self-knowledge by what the average person in his social environment knows of himself, not the real spiritual facts which are for the most part hidden from him."

This quote simply woke up my heart center! :-) What an amazing book James Davis has shared with us. :-)

While working for a forest protection agency as part of a fire-fighting crew, the author fell through a wall of branches and found himself teetering on the end of a log as it jutted out over the edge of a cliff. Some thirty feet below are jagged boulders. Pitching forward and falling, he is saved by the firm hand of an unseen loving presence that pushes him back to safety and solid ground. So begins the first of six miracles experienced by James Davis. He calls thems gifts intended to open a different window to heaven. The book details a natural progression of insights drawn from his personal experiences, dreams, and synchronicities of a mysterious key which keeps appearing at various intervals in his path. The Egyptian Rosetta Stone is a historical key which unlocked writings of a lost civilization. Mr Davis' "Rosetta Stone of God" similarly unlocks "treasures from the vaults of heaven" by reminding us of our own gifts. The book is a call to spiritual adventure, a nudge to be more alert and aware of the synchroncities, turning points and miracles in our own lives. If you like reading " Celestine Prophecy", or books by Deepak Chopkra, James Van Praagh, Dr. Michael Weiss, Joan Grant, or Dr Michael Newton, you will appreciate this author's work. Mr Davis invites readers to document your own personal experiences: keep daily notes- a living travelog of your life, including the discoveries that are special to just you. I like this book. It is clear, timely, and highlights alternative choices, options for facing todays current challenges and issues. Highly recommended for those seriously interested in spiritual knowledge and spiritual adventure.

"George Stubbs, a Briton was the 18th century's great painter of horses. In the 20th century it is Richard Stone Reeves (RSR), an American " - The New York Times.

Take a look at the prices for RSR's signed prints on one of the online auctions--Sports artist Leroy Neiman doesn't even come close! You could get a Secretariat bobble-head doll for less than half of what you would pay for an RSR print of the same horse.

As befits royalty, most of the oil paintings in this book show the Thoroughbred classically posed, head up, one leg slightly in advance of the other. Swaps is walking away from the viewer, and Damascus and Forego are in full flight in their respective paintings, but most of the subjects stand regally still--either because RSR doesn't like to work from photographs, or because that's what the owner commissioned.

Aside from some commentary on each painting and its subject by RSR, renowned 'Derbyologist' Jim Bolus (who unfortunately died of a heart attack in 1997) provides most of the text about the Thoroughbreds whose portraits are included in this book. They range from the incomparable Man o'War, Citation, Secretariat, and Ruffian (to mention a few) through the not-quite-so-famous Hansel, Fly So Free, and Tabasco Cat, who are still standing at stud. A few English and European Thoroughbreds are also added to the mix. Bolus narrates the history and some interesting anecdotes about each of these fifty beautiful race horses. There are also black-and-white photographs of each horse, a three-generation pedigree, and (more occasionally) a line drawing.

"Royal Blood" comes in a slip-case and Irish linen cover and would make a beautiful gift for your resident horse-lover (that's how I got mine). Hurry though--the price is bound to go up as it has for all of RSR's books.

As always, Reeves' paintings and sketches of the finest Thoroughbreds are stunning. The background information and behind-the-scenes stories make this the perfect book for any Thoroughbred or racing enthusiast.

THIS BOOK IS MOST ENJOYABLE READING, BUT EVEN MORE SO TO VIEW THOSE PAINTINGS BY REEVES SHOWING THESE GREAT RACE HORSES. AND THE STORIES BEHIEND HIS PAINTINGS.

EXCELLENT BOOK (both for interest and research)-- Reading this book by Richard Hughes, you can feel the decades that the author spent both in the field at mine sites and in the lab (Hughes was head of AIGS in Bangkok) researching this monograph. Some of the chapters bring the gem business to life, especially the chapter on Burma. The photos are accurate, dramatic or beautiful and go well with the written text. The maps are good, some being quite rare. Perhaps the greatest research went into the extensive bibliography (over 2500 entries!). As president of Pala international, an import-export firm dealing in colored stones for over 30 years, I would rate this book as one of the very best in the gemological field!

This is the most comprensive book ever writtten on rubies and sapphires. It will answer any question you might have about sources, treatments, history, great specimens, cuts, and colors. Seldom can one say that the definitive book has been written on any subject. This one is.

Wow. What a sparkling mix of erudition and irreverence. Everything you might even begin to wonder about ruby and sapphire is here, in detail, packed with fact, lusciously illustrated, spiced with attitude and wickedly opinionated in the manner that only the truly expert can properly carry off. What's even better, the man can write! Consequently, the knottiest technical subjects are lucidly laid out, while the history, the legends, the myths and the gossip are offered up with all their zest and spice intact. We're talking "encyclopedic," here - but encyclopedic in the 18th Century French Enlightenment sense, before the Germans came along and dried us all up with their only-the-facts-ma'am pedantry. Hughes is omniverously curious about his beloved gems and unashamedly passionate in his devotion to them. Thus, nothing is beyond the scope of his interest or scholarship, from the hardest of hard science to the most romantic of Arabian Nights-type legends. And in the unlikely event that there might be something he's left out, [Hughes] supplies bibliographies of altogether stupefying dimensions, and in several languages to boot. Diderot would approve. There are all sorts of ways to read this book, each of them satisfying. You can of course dutifully do what the White King told Alice: begin at the beginning, continue until you get to the end, then stop. This means commencing with the chapter on History, working your way through the dense scientific chapters (e.g., Chemistry & Crystallography, Inclusions, Treatments, Geology, etc.), and concluding with Hughes' world tour of every known source of ruby and sapphire on the planet, its history, detailed characteristics of its gems, and oh yes, a huge bibliography specific to each one. That is what I did and it is undeniably satisfying. But it is by no means the only available way to enjoy this Gargantuan feast. You could also just cruise your way through the dozens of intriguing, sometimes quirky and often gleefully opinionated sidebars, and you will have a splendid time at that, too. Or you could just page through, looking at the pictures, because the illustrations alone are an education. In addition to everything else, this book is a wonderful history lesson and so, in addition to the dozens of luscious photos of glorious gems you would expect, there are scores of fascinating pictures and photos of long-lost mines, legendary personalities, gem cutters past and present, and my absolute favorite, a be-turbaned, leather-skinned old Burmese gal with a twenty megawatt smile, chomping on a mammoth cigar. Then, again, if you absolutely do not wish to indulge your sense of fun, curiosity and wonder, you can simply station the book on your essential reference shelf and refer to it only when you need a detailed rundown on, say, typical inclusions in rubies of the Thai/Cambodian border. Many of the sidebars are in the form of detailed tables summarizing the facts in the text (example: 'Fluorescent Reactions of Untreated Corundums') so if you're in a hurry, you can use the book as a technical handbook without searching through the text for the information you want. I'd say that was rather like eating all the spinach at the buffet and passing up the chocolate eclairs, but there's no accounting for taste. Particularly when you open the book more of less expecting a dry-as-dust, edited-to-death textbook, encountering Hughes' damn-the-torpedoes attitude is gorgeously refreshing. Incidentally, be ready for Hughes' ardent, peppery opinions on the issue of treated vs. untreated gems. He has no objection to heat treating otherwise dim or badly included gems to bring out their potential beauties, but he absolutely and positively insists that such gems are not - repeat not! - to be considered the equal of their natural, untreated sisters. Whether you agree or not, it's hard to resist the verve with which Hughes states his conviction. Indeed, for this reviewer, the book's unapologetic opinionatedness was one of its major delights. So whether you need a complete reference guide, a stroll through history with a lively, expert guide, a survey of sources and markets, or a guide to everything that would ever seem to have been written about either of these two lovely gems, this is your book.

Brenda Forman, GIA Alumni Association, Washington, DC Chapter

This beautiful book gives the reader a taste of the special relationship that exsists between a guru and disciple. In this heart touching story Faith paints a vivid picture of her teacher, Rudi. His personality, teachings, and enthusiastic love for people is clearly conveyed for the reader. It is easy to feel a great affection for this man too!

Faith tells the story of how this special person came into her life and tranformed her world, and her view herself. There are really nice pictures and illustrations as well as a recipe that adds nicely to the book. A wonderful, inspiring story!

Rudi and The Green Apple is a must-read for anyone truly interested in using the teachings of yoga for spiritual growth. While the stories it shares are told in an easy, conversational style, what it transmits is profound. The book itself helps us gaze into the life of an incredible yogi and partake of some of his depth and power through the eyes of a young student. This kind of guru-disciple relationship is not common in our society but as this book reveals, it can give us the tools for transformation so many of us seek. This is a book I will return to many times as I try to understand in my own life how the spiritual path of yoga truly works.

This book inspired me to dig deeper into my own soul. I laughed, I cried, my heart broke open as I read. Faith Stone, with word snapshots, shows us the life and teachings of a unique and extraordinary American Yogi, Swami Rudrananda. She writes honestly, simply, and with depth about her experiences while studying with him and about how she has applied what she learned to her own life. This is not a meditation manual. Rather, it is a juicy, zesty, deliciously dramatic adventure into realms of consciousness that one might think are not attainable for the ordinary person.....BUT...Read this book and think again! Beautiful layout and illustrations harmonize perfectly with the text.

I have enjoyed many of the rides detailed in this book. They are among the most scenic I have experienced. But the author goes beyond simply choosing routes based on scenery, terrain, mileage, etc. He also seems to have a knowledge and appreciation for the different elements of the routes themselves. It's not uncommon for him to mention historical highlights of the communities the rides pass through, or the significance of landmarks along the routes. What the cyclist gets from this book is not just "go 1.2 miles, turn left and go to the end", but also a wealth of information about the rides that adds a whole new dimension to the cycling experience. This book is a must for anyone who enjoys a good bike ride.

Howard's routes are excellent - he always finds the most scenic routes through towns, managing to avoid the larger busier roads in most cases. He pays close attention to safety details - ie: when you take his trips, you won't come across a stop sign at the bottom of a steep hill unless he specifically mentions it.

I have done several of the rides, and highly recommend this book or any of the others he has done.

Brad Charbonneau

I concur with rweiner's review. Over the past 8 years I have enjoyed many of the routes that Howard has written about. I have found that his ride descriptions, directions, and assessment of the level of difficulty are very clear and consistent. His books have introduced me to areas of New England that I never would have experienced any other way. I look forward to enjoying more of his rides in the future as I continue to try out new routes from his books.

This is one of the very best books I've ever read. Deborah Smith is my 2nd favorite author (1st is Nora Roberts). Deborah is a master of the human spirit and personality. And her heros are bigger than life. This book is not only a wonderful story, but is full of suspense and surprises. Couldn't put it down. If I could rate it a 10, I would!

It has been a long time since I read a love story that so wrapped me up -- and also one I will recommend to my 16 year old daughter and to my 60 year old mother. Wonderful character development; excellent plot lines; nice historical touches; good dialog and just on and on . . .! Give it a try -- I just can't believe you will be disappointed. This was my first Deborah Smith book -- it won't be my last.

This is the second book of Ms. Smith's I've read. I loved the first, Blue Willow, and this one is even better. Ms. Smith not only makes you believe in soul mates and love too strong to die, she is an incredible writer. If you enjoy a good love story, I promise you'll love this one.

This is a great reference for care and servicing of small B&S lawn mower engines. Contains countless photos with illustrations and some tables, but mostly a lot of color photos. Contains chapters entitled "Maintenance", "Basic Repair", and "Advanced Repair". "Maintenance" includes servicing spark plugs and air cleaners. "Basic Repair" includes troubleshooting, adjusting the carburetor, and replacing the rewind. "Advanced Repair" includes overhauling the carburetor, replacing the ignition, removing cylinder head carbon deposits, servicing the valves, and servicing the engine brake. The book does not cover overhauling the engine, but is a great reference for lawn mower owners who want to do their own maintenance.

This is a great reference for care and servicing of small B&S lawn mower engines. Contains countless photos with color illustrations and some tables, but mostly a lot of color photos. Contains chapters entitled "Maintenance", "Basic Repair", and "Advanced Repair". "Maintenance" includes servicing spark plugs and air cleaners. "Basic Repair" includes troubleshooting, adjusting the carburetor, and replacing the rewind. "Advanced Repair" includes overhauling the carburetor, replacing the ignition, removing cylinder head carbon deposits, servicing the valves, and servicing the engine brake. The book does not cover overhauling the engine, but is a great reference for lawn mower owners who want to do their own maintenance.

I would like some information on how i can order this book for myself so that I can learn more on how to repair lawn mowers.

Dear Andrew Solomon, This is a fan letter: PLEASE keep writing such beautiful fiction. PLEASE write another novel as soon as possible. I have never come across Solomon's prose in "The New Yorker" and have not read his two non-fiction books, one about artists in the Soviet Union and one about Depression. A STONE BOAT is his first novel. It was a birthday gift to me and I read it in three days. I then waited one day and read it all over again. It is one of the most elegantly written novels I've ever read: Solomon chooses words as if they were precious jewels and then sets them perfectly. And yet, the reader is never conscious of the author, as Armistead Maupin says, "using a ten dollar word when a ten cent word will do." A STONE BOAT tells of a gifted classical pianist, Harry, at the beginning of what will no doubt be a major career. An American living in London, Harry joins his privileged family for what is supposed to be a joyous holiday in France. But it is here that they learn that Harry's mother has cancer. This tragedy is the centerpiece of the narrative, but it is the lives that touch Harry's and his mother's that make the book even more fascinating and complex, funny, charming and, above all, achingly beautiful. The novel is not packed with scores of characters. Rather it is an intimate story of a family and the few who are their satellites: from Harry's good-hearted, passive, British male lover to his wise and strong American girlfriend, from his unforgiving, tough-minded agent to his hedonistic sex partner, Nick. It is, in the end, a story of life conquering death, of a family bonding at first to refuse Death admittance to their home and then, finally, conspiring to help one of their own die, in her own way and time by her own hand with dignity and grace. This is a once-in-a-lifetime read: a novel to cherish. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This is a very touching and wonderfully written novel. Every scene in it has the feel of authenticity. Highly recommended for readers willing to let themselves be moved emotionally by powerful prose.

Andrew Solomon's "A Stone Boat" is a remarkable first novel. The author's mastery of the English language and the way he uses it to create senses of setting and character are incredible. There is much to admire, too, in Mr. Solomon's way with a story. His characters are real as are their relationships. Harry, the main charactor/narrator, describes his mother upon first sight in the most extraordinary way - close your eyes and you see her sitting across the room. This passage is one to read and re-read all the while savoring the beauty of the language and the sheer descriptive powers of the author. Do not lend this book to your friends or you will never see it again - the prose is that remarkable. One hopes Mr. Solomon is working on his second, third and fourth books as this review is being written.

I recently stumbled across The Sleep of Stone in my local library and thought it looked interesting. My read of it turned out to be a predictable, but pleasant experience.

It is a very short novel about the origens of a local legend. The shortness makes it an enjoyable quick read and the legend, although influenced by various fairy tales, is fresh and captivating. The story is presented in a simple storytelling frame structure. An old man encounters a young couple in a local romantic grotto and ends up telling them the sadly romantic legend associated with it of a young couple from years before and of the creature whose consuming love of the young man tried to destroy them. It is a story sweetly told, but with a close eye to the deep emotions of the characters.

I found the actual tale of the Sleep of Stone to be the best part of the book. The frame story was cute, but it was distracting. It actually took me a few tries in starting the book because I couldn't get past that part. While the end part is good, the beginning part (which sets up the real story) is not very captivating.

The real strength of the book was the way as a reader I was able to empathize with the characters' emotions. The young love of the couple was evident, but most vivid were the feelings of the creature that tried to destroy that love. The creature's obsessive love of the young man completely consumed her. This burning desire pushes her to trick, murder, and unleash utter chaos at the young couple's wedding. The passion is so real, it is disturbing.

The book follows a typical plotline for a fairytale type story, but it still is a touching and enjoyable read. Pick it up for a short cozy evening and have fun.

The Sleep of Stone is marvelous. It's a simple story, but told with stunning beauty and depth. The atmosphere is dreamy and slightly surrealistic. This wonderful little treasure can be read on so many different levels-- The Sleep of Stone just goes to show that fantasy doesn't have to be of epic proportions to be excellent. This slim little volume touched me more than six or seven hundred pages of complex plots and myriad characters could have.

You have to read this book it was the best book ever to be written and one you simply just can't pass up. I rated it a ten only because there were no higher choices!!! There is just not enough words in the english dictionary to describe how wonderful a book this really was!!!

Ok, so not everyone is into the "darker" side of life. We prefer to focus on sunflowers, streams and good old-fashioned values here in the midwest.
To many people, gravestones are just plain creepy. Haven't we all watched horror movies where the dead crawl out from beneath a cracked headstone and kill innocent lovers?
Mr. Brown's book made me look at the gravestones in a brighter (although not unentirely SAD) light. I saw the loss that families suffered through in the intricacy of massive stone mausoleums. I felt the emptiness of parents in the lifelike sculptures of their children. And I shook my head at the quirkiness of folks whose death markers are every bit as weird as they themselves must have been.
I've had this book for 5 years and I STILL pick it up now and again to read the stories behind the cemeteries. I have also given it as a gift to people in my life who I know won't get totally freaked out by it. They LOVE it.
It is a wonderful read/lookat/whatever.... just try it!--

My husband John and I love tombstone art and stomp around the countryside taking photos of cemeteries. This is one of our favorite books, with lots of wonderful photos of cemeteries around St. Louis and so forth. The author also writes a wonderful commentary on the nature of cemeteries, their conditions, and how we view them today as a modern American society. The photos of the children's graves are especially haunting. A must for collectors of tombstone art.

John Gary Brown, does an excellent job at showing the eccentricity and beauty of grave markers. He uses different angles, and points of view in his compositions, to bring out a morbid beauty, that is rarely seen by the naked eye. A truly impressive collection of masterpieces. Just when you think the works speak for themselves, Brown also includes wonderful poetry, which co-exists perfectly with the photographs. A must for anyone's artistic anthology collection.