I like to collect books about space people have customized in an eclectic and eccentric way. This is one of the best.

The book is small but fruitful in picture and narrative. The title, "Garden Paths: A new way to solve practical problems in the garden", should read, "Garden Paths: A great tool for solving practical problems in the garden".

Regardless of title the fact remains that the author and publisher are addressing a key factor in bringing continuity to nearly every yardscape. As a landscape designer in Massachusetts, I find that many clients lose sight of the totality of their yardscape, sometimes getting too caught up only in its "curb appeal". This book and its subject help to broaden our approach to the yard and its different "spaces". It reveals the simple truths on how we as humans can best maximize, connect and enjoy each space's potential by thoughtfully creating paths for us to journey on.

Decent photos and a clean design make the book enjoyable to poke through and pull from. For a quick read on an important physical and spiritual element to gardens, this book will not dissapoint.

Douglas Hayward's book is an ethnography dealing with the religious change of an Irian Jaya Highlands people known as the Dani. The Dani people were unknown to the Western world until an exploration team made contact with them in 1909. The first sustained contact with the outside world, however, was when an American mission organization, known as the Unevangelized Fields Mission, advanced into the Dani-inhabited Mulia region on August 21, 1958. This book describes how the Dani quickly and almost immediately forsook their traditional ways of life and incorporated Christian beliefs into their worldview. The breathtaking religious change during the first half-decade after western missionary contact illustrates a classic Revitalization Movement, in Anthony Wallace's 1952 model.

Hayward uses the term vernacular Christianity to "show how the Dani have added to, adapted and sought to integrate missionary Christianity into their own particular form of Christianity" (p.5). The format of this book includes Hayward's description of the former, traditional beliefs of the Dani. Secondly, he describes the American missionaries' Christian beliefs. And finally he shows how the Dani have integrated those missionaries' beliefs into their own society and how they interpreted and used them to express their own form of indigenous - some might say syncretistic -- Christianity.

As Hayward describes it, the Dani people's integration of Christianity into their worldview and society has been a success. Although there remain many obstacles to overcome, the Dani are reported in this book to have high hopes for a better way of life which they believe can be appropriated "through ritual behavior and appropriate social alliances with affluent nations who already have an abundance of goods" (p.216). It will be interesting to see how this Dani Revitalization Movement evolves in the next century.

Reviewed by Jason D. Rothen (Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics)

"she said no more." "there was silence in the room." -"you must know everything"

the praiseworthiness of a collection of stories is contingent not upon the praiseworthiness of the writer but the collector(s). how and what to collect. who to have translate. the collection in these regards is a followable one. it offers a fair sampling of babel in different contexts in different pursuits in writing.

the praiseworthiness of the author cannot be to do with the praiseworthiness of a posthumous collection. the work is the work he filled his time with. and he was good at filling his time this way.

the collection is separated into sections specific to types of writings.

know this though simply: babel in "his notebook", "diary", "observations on war," "notes on the stories" is the same babel who by virtue of his stinging brevity (a slap without words glows redder) and perspicacity brought his reader to this page. if you know babel then further pleasingly with this book you shall. if you've yet to then from this begin to:

"'you never say anything, grishchuk,' i said frantically. 'how do you expect me to understand, you tiresome fellow?' he was silent and turned away."

For a while, I gave up on Jackie Collins because her readings had become predictable. Basically, most (if not all) of her settings revolve around rich kids getting in trouble; self-centered Hollywood celebraties and insane fans. However, her style of writing is incaptivating and still makes me want to pick up her books once in awhile. Collins is a temporary addiction.

Hollywood Kids has the same type enscenerio: glamor lifestyle, careless Hollywood parents and bratty grown up children. But, I really got into it toward the middle of the book when the girls got into trouble (like always), I think that's what makes any book exciting. This time trouble looked for them--which was refreshing for a change and that is why I liked this book.

There were too many characters that I couldn't keep up with until later on as I read--because the girls became the focus in the story. Since I was expecting the Collins' usual, the first few chapters were slow and boring. It got better.

I would like to read about REAL characters for a change--no more about Hollywood spoiled-rotten children, celebraties and their parents.

Overall, Collins is still a great writer.

Dynamite. Jackie Collins has done it again. A book you will enjoy. Full of witty dialogue and sizzling sex, the way only Jackie Collins can deliver. One of her best books.

Jackie Collins is an excellent writer. Her books so fun to read. You really get wrapped up in them before you know what hit you. They're like soap opera's.

I'd recommend this book if you like Collins or her style of writing. I think you'll be pleased.

JUDO HEART & SOUL (c2000) by Mr. Hayward Nishioka is not an instructive manual to improve your Judo technique (read his book: 'The Judo Text Book in Practical Application' (c1979) for that) but is a 255 page collection of advice and viewpoints on Judo by one of America's very accomplished and influential Judo players complete with a compilation of historic photographs; and is valuable in one can acquire a sense of tournament Judo over the past four decades. Any American Judo player would be proud to be half as accomplished as this author!

Now, the first annoying flaw in this book is Mr. Nishioka's advocacy of the evolution in Judo, away from the traditional Japanese view, while at the same time quoting Japanese advice, wisdom, philosophy, adages, training tips, and his own Japanese training in Japan to validate his knowledge on the subject. His endorsement of Judo reform had already appeared prior to this book as early as January 1970 in his Black Belt magazine article entitled: 'Judo vs. Wrestling' in which Hayward Nishioka made it perfectly clear that he approved of wrestling technique, or anything that worked, being introduced into Judo, euphemistically calling it "enrichment". Yet the undermining futuristic observation included in his own article was a Judo competitor's prophetic observation that a third type of sport may be born from the combination of wrestling and Judo; as all the while spectators were screaming: "Boo, that's not Judo!" to a shiai they paid to see.

I feel the Japanese and the Kodokan are aware of this potential Judo hybrid disaster waiting to happen, and are taking steps to preserve the integrity of the art. Evolution is a natural process which contains both mutation and extinction. A small amount of mutation has already been observed in Judo from the introduction of wrestling and S.A.M.B.O. techniques into Olympic Judo of the 1980s and 90s and Mr. Nishioka should understand why the Japanese do not want Judo to evolve into extinction.

The second major flaw in this book still revolves around the author's advocacy of change in Judo (p.110) while insisting that Judo rules remain fixed, for example his assertion "Like it or not, koka is here to stay" (p. 114). There is an inherent contradiction to promote change then invoke an absolute! If there is going to be evolution in Judo than both the koka rule and the inclusion of non-Judo technique (or hopefully, the baby blue gi) are subject to change; specifically: be removed! Again, compounding this fallacy is the author's promotion of koka Judo (p.114) while advocating "Isho Kemei" - Do the very best you can (p.31) which is quite the opposite of accepting and practicing koka Judo. Just as affirmative action programs have lowered standards in business and education within American society, koka Judo has similarly lowered standards in the international society of tournament Judo.

The Japanese still have the best Judo in the world, and Mr. Hayward Nishioka of all people, having studied in Japan, should promote and not hinder this Japanese gift to the world.

All-in-all, JUDO HEART & SOUL is a good read for the intermediate Judo player because of its insight into what lies down the road for anyone who devotes himself to just winning Judo trophies and medals.

The title of the book may not do it justice. .
Regardless of martial art, or style, the chapters in this book contain bits and pieces of valuable information for competitors. Mr. Nishioka compiled a myriad of short lessons that are well worth reading.

A. Bustillo

This is not a technical manual, but a motovational speech put to paper. I found it inspirational and motivating. It is a very quick read. I found that it is best read one or two topics at a time.

I've used this dictionary now for several weeks to prepare speeches on current events. I have found that the entries do not cover the "nuances" of meaning very well. And not all forms of the word are explored. For example, one can derive a noun, adjective and adverb out of most Italian verbs (although the meaning may not be what you exactly expect), and these variations are often ignored. I've replaced my 10-year-old paperback with this version, but will still seek out an unabridged Italian-English dictionary.

I have bought several Italian English dictionaries in the past. There are all different. Some have pictures, but then they do not have enough room and miss some every day words. They are good for beginners and some travellers. The other type of dictionary is the dry word for word transalation without giving you any examples on how that particular word could be used in a sentence. What I liked about Cassel's dictionary is that it addresses both points. First, it is over 1100 pages so you will find almost any word. Second, where appropriate, it gives examples of how to use the idiomatic type words. Any student of the Italian language knows that it is very easy to become frustrated by conjucations and the irregular verbs. That area is well covered here. However, if you really want to learn about Italian conjugations, read the "501 Italian Verbs by Colaneri and Luciani" There is also an appendix for words such as "wild cat strike" and "Warehousing" and slangs such as "floozie" and "flophouse" are also covered. So, this dictionary caters to your every need. The only complain that I have is that some pictures such as certain plants and architectural parts of the building would have made the book much better. All in all a great dictionary for all levels.

Actually, I would give this book 0 stars. It does not give one iota of useful information. "World" is limited to 6 or 7 U.S. states. There is nothing about other countries. I would not suggest this book to anyone who wants concrete info. It has some pretty pictures! What a waste of $$$.

Nice pictures but need more world retirement destinations to call it a "World" book. For early retirements such as at age 50, need names of reputable finance institutions that can handle accounts while retirees are at play in the sun. You can either add this information to your next update or write a new book on retiree finances that include 401K's and early retirement options. I would love to see something of this nature. Good luck.

Do you have any info. for american retirees living in Maxico and other foreign destinations. What reputable companies handle investiments and early retirements?

Positives: the book is light, easy to read, and contains a few amuzing historical anecdotes from Churchill's life. That's it.

Negatives: it is not a good biography of Churchill, nor a good book on leadership. The author isn't anyone who'd known Churchill closely enough for his "analysis" to be of any value. Neither is he a manager. The author is a writer who must sell books in order to make a living. Please proceed with that in mind.

The book is not wholly bad and would qualify as decent airplane reading, but no more than that.

I read this book without having known anything about Chruchill, as a lesson on leadership under stress. I learned a lot, but I also became very interested in the man. He is fasinating and very brave. I'm very gald I read this book.

The main idea is to study how Churchill made his leadership decicions, and what the reason for that decision was. It's an informative study of the man, and even funny at times. It's always entertaining, but somewhat short of a great story (so 4 stars).

By all means read this book. It's a great way to begin to learn about Churchill, aside from the 3 or 6 volume works available at the bookstore. It's also a good study on decision making based on principles and honest living, strength, and forward thinking. There are good lessons here as well a good reading. I recommend it highly.

I have been a manager for over 10 years, and have worked in different industries and different countries. And I gladly admit I still have a lot to learn concerning management. This book talks about concepts we know we should all be applying, such as learning from mistakes, responsibility and organization, attention to details as well as to a master plan, communication, etc. However understanding how Churchill put these concepts to work is fascinating. I did not know that much about Churchill in the first place, perhaps that is why I enjoyed the book so much. It is a nice change from CEOs' biographies. And yes, I am putting some of what I read to work, so it was worth my time and money !

Although it seems to be a book for absolute beginners, it really is not. It helps to have at least some working knowledge of the Alef-bet before embarking on this book, plus there was no phonetic pronunciation guide.

If you need to increase your practical, working Hebrew vocabulary in a hurry, this book is your logical tool. Even after I have finished studying each day's page, my memory continues associating each picture with its Hebrew name right on top of it. Throughout the day, I can easily recall each Hebrew word on its item learned that morning, plus those of previous mornings' study. This is much faster assimilation than just memorizing lists of vocabulary words. Am grateful to own and use this simple, effective tool, but, will give it only four stars due to a serious handicap: it lacks both syllable breaks and accent marks. Nevertheless, it remains a worthy investment, far above its modest price.

If you need to increase your practical, working Hebrew vocabulary in a hurry, this book is your logical tool. Even after I have finished studying each day's page, my memory continues associating each picture with its Hebrew name right on top of it. Throughout the day,I can easily recall each Hebrew word on its item learned that morning, plus those of previous mornings' study. This is much faster assimilation than just memorizing lists of vocabulary words. Am grateful to own and use this simple, effective tool, but, will give it only four stars due to a serious handicap: it lacks both syllable breaks and accent marks. Nevertheless, it remains a worthy investment.