What a useful tool for the creative person to use for reflection and insight into motivation and sources of inspiration and application. A brief description of the symbol and its meaning can serve as a guide for the day, or a project... simple exercises help to make the understanding of the particular lesson, from "Play" to "Failure", a Muse in its own right. I would recommend this set highly to anyone who finds themselves "stuck" in their process, be they business oriented, artists, writers, or anyone who needs a boost to correlate ideas with action.

I pull a stone nearly everyday and find inspiration for any creative task. Business writing is a challenge for the soul full of passion, and the runes provide fun motivation for otherwise dismal responsibilities... Thanks for the help!

I thought since I was the only reviewer there might not be anyone else reading this, so I am sending you a message. They might not put this in but it was worth a try. I was searching on the internet and I came across your book and it made me smile, "my published aunt"! A great collection. I will be seeing and talking to you soon. ~Jenny

An excellent collection of poems that really express the author's feelings. I was touched by each one.

Odd that some of these are out of print and some aren't, but any public library with a collection dating back to the sixties should have a copy.

Stones is indeed about Roger, son of the Norman lord who built Green Knowe, and the building of Green Knowe. Like all of the series, mysterious and imaginative and full of historical detail.

Like the best books of this type, the series creates a world of which the books merely touch the surface.

Highly recommended.

Tolly, the hero of most of the other Green Knowe books, is a supporting character in this one. 'Stones' is centered around Roger, son of the Norman lord who first built Green Knowe. His travels into his future bring him into contact with Tolly, Susan, and some of the other children from the series. Without being dry and preachy, this book conveys the richness of English history along with the warmth of its characters and story.

This is an abridged version of the original 3 volumes, but a delightful book -- both for the opinions expressed and the wonderful pomposity with which they are presented. It's impossible not to learn about art and architecture from this book, but it also (perhaps not intentionally) makes Woody Allen's or Steve Martin's New Yorker pieces seem like downers. The man has no humility and there is no opinion other than his, yet somehow the clarity and vitality of his description allows you to continue reading. I was fortunate enough to pick this up in Venice, so I was able to search out his examples of the 5 worst buildings in Venice, and similar Ruskinisms.

I haven't read this yet, but I thought I would warn other buyers that this is not the full text of the Stones of Venice--it is abridged. J. G. Links seems confident that he has done so in an intelligent way; perhaps he will win me over...

The best literate companion for a trip to the four corners area of US. It has selections from writings touching all areas where curiousity may take you as you travel through the deserts and canyons of the Anasazi.

Stories and Stone: Writing the Anasazi Homeland is a beautifully conceived, designed, and engaging work. The book sheds new light and understanding on the ancestral puebloan people. Reuben Ellis' forward and introductory essays to each excerpt engender a deeper appreciation and cultural awareness of the southwest and its history. Excerpts from Tony Hillerman, Wallace Stegner, Marietta Wetherill, Frank Waters, and Terry Tempest Williams were among my favorite--leaving me with a strong desire find and camp in a secluded canyon beneath the silent, ghostly ruins of the Anasazi

Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, a Franciscan friar and author of "The Courage to be Chaste", attempts to give some spiritual answers to a few psychological issues. His basic thesis is that human psychological situations often considered stumbling blocks, can be changed into stepping-stones on the road to holiness. Our change of attitudes combined with Divine grace could be the means of change. He illustrates it with examples from real life situations through his personal experience of working as a psychologist and a spiritual director. It is a valuable book for anyone struggling with interior personal obstacles to growth in holiness.

Many folks get the short end of things, born into a bad home, or with a health problem. Latter we can develop addictions or perhaps other serious psychological problems.

A simple answer, the traditional one, is that God knows what is best for us and our situation is what is best for our salvation. So, be happy in you handicap or addiction and go home?

Groeschel is far more healthy and holistic that that. Folks with big problems when they are young can quickly develop a host of related problems and even resentment toward God. Groeschel is faithful to, and integrates his two disciplines very well. Both his understanding of the wounded heart/mind and the understanding of the wounded soul. He uses experience of both together to help heal the reader when an emphasis on either alone would be ineffective. It is unique and powerful healing program that neither shirks the spiritual or psychological aspects but uses robust understanding of both to bring healing and wholeness to those who may feel overwhelmed.

Adult children of abuse, twelve steppers, those with health problems or even those who just do feel like they fit in will find in this book easy to follow step-by-step path to wholeness. Like all of Groeschel's books they transcend his Catholic Tradition, they are valuable tools for all looking for healing no matter what their background.

I would recommend this book not only for readers looking to help them selves but also those who minister to or work with clients with serious problems. Its complete approach is the best thing out there to help the "wounded."

I had the unique opportunity to hear Shari Rusch speak at a high school graduation ceremony, and then I read her book. Everyone who has ever known anyone with learning disabilities should read this book. It was heart-warming and very inspiring. My problems seem very small in comparison to hers, and anytime I am discouraged, I will try and remember what she accomplished even with all those strikes against her.

I have listened to Shari Rush talk as well as I have read her book and meet her. She is unbelivebly inspirational, just hearing everything she has been through showed me how bad people have it and how much we need to be there for them.

Everyone should own a copy of this book and apply its principles. Because if they did, this world would be a better place to live in and everyone would be happy with their lives.

If you are a salesman or trying to accomplish a difficult goal, this book is worth reading. W. Clement Stone, who later teamed up with Napoleon Hill to write Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, is quite a success story. Starting from nothing, he was ultimately worth over 500 million dollars. His is a story of persistence and enthusiasm, and much of this book is autobiographical -- the story of how Stone did it -- and he goes into specific detail. It is an enjoyable read. I am the author of the book Self-Help Stuff That Works, and I am an expert on what works and what doesn't. This book will effectively motivate you and increase your determination to succeed. And that, my friend, makes a big difference!

Looking for something new to do? Something out of the ordinary? Something inexpensive and relaxing?

Maybe its time to collect suiseki (soo-ee-sek-ee).

Felix G. Rivera, founder of the California Suiseki Society, explains how to collect and appreciate suiseki in his book, Suiseki: The Japanese Art of Miniature Landscape Stones.

Rivera began collecting more than twenty years ago. Since then he has written and lectured internationally about the centuries-old art of suiseki collecting.

New and experienced collectors alike will find his book interesting and helpful.

Although they may look like nothing more than plain rocks to the casual observer, suiseki are very special stones. The forces of nature have carved them into miniature mountains, islands, waterfalls, and other landscapes. Some suiseki resemble humans or animals. Suiseki collectors are simply people who search for intriguing stones, which they bring home, clean, and display.

Among the benefits of collecting suiseki is time spent enjoying the outdoors and a fascinating stone that reminds you of the good time you had finding it. Rivera says "the true spirit of suiseki is a shared experience," and for many,the search is as pleasurable as finding that one perfect stone.

Suiseki are never machine cleaned or polished; collectors spend many relaxing hours lovingly hand-rubbing their tiny landscapes. Other than perhaps grinding off the bottoms so that they may be displayed, suiseki are not altered in any way by humans.

Rivera writes that "a suiseki may be viewed quite simply--as a pretty stone with a nice shape--or it may be viewed at various levels of complexity that embrace art, philosophy, or mineralogy or that serve as a metaphor for the connections between one's private world and the universe." He says that the various levels at which one can enjoy and appreciate suiseki make them not only art, but also enable collectors to "achieve personal satisfaction and peace."

He has filled his book with tips on where to search, what to look for, and how to clean and display suiseki. Rivera provides general and introductory material for new collectors, and detailed references for the more experienced. He includes drawings and photographs, including 32 full-color plates with detailed captions. The appendices include a glossary, bibliography, and lists of where to obtain more information, such as maps and collectors clubs.

In his forward to Rivera's book, Arishige Matsuura, Chairperson of the Japan Suiseki Association, writes "all that is required to enter the world of suiseki is to find something intriguing about the stone." Rivera opens the doors to that enchanting world with his comprehensive, but easy-to-understand book.

I own all the other books listed in the suiseki section, and have read numerous descriptions of the art of Suiseki as they appear in books on Bonsai,and I feel that Mr. Rivera's book was the first to help me understand what makes a suiseki different than any fascinating stone that I might pick up. The sections on aesthetics, and display were extremely helpful. And lastly, the photos were of terrific quality, and variety.It would be the first book I would buy on the art.

The authors take a detailed look at the Kirland, Nauvoo and Salt Lake City temples and discuss the architecture of each building and the symbolism of various designs in each of the temples. The book is well organized and easy to read. There are good illustrations to help the reader visualize what the authors are discussing. The book has good footnotes and a bibliography for further study. A great plus for the book is that it avoids wierd interpretations of various things like the Saturn stones that were supposed to be put on the Salt Lake Temple but weren't.

I have found this book to be very interesting/intriquing. It has pictures of symbols found on the early Mormon temples and explains what their meanings are.