If one purpose of a literary biography is to inspire the reader to return to the works of the subject of the biography with renewed enthusiasm then Ms Beauman has succeeded admirably. But her work is also a timely reminder of the significance of an artist to the health of a civilized society. In this age of "outcomes", "product" and "prioritization" Mr Forster's speech as a resident honorary fellow of King's College Cambridge when proposing a toast to the health of the college must stand as a delicious ironical instance of the artist as just being - and that being enough. He said " I do not belong here at all. I do nothing here whatsoever. I hold no college office, I attend no committee, I sit on no body, however solid, not even on the Annual Congregation. I co-opt not, nor am I co-opted. I teach not, neither do I think, and even the glory in which I am now arranged was borrowed from another college for the occasion." Forster's relationship with his mother together with his homosexuality loom large in Ms Beauman's analysis which is not to say that her consideration of the works is less than thorough. Indeed, her research into the genesis and development of PASSAGE TO INDIA is especially detailed and illuminating. The Forster story by Ms Beauman is one that is told with understanding, warmth and a deep humanity that was a characteristic of the subject himself. Of particular interest was when the writer, Beauman, addresses the reader,you, expressing some doubt about including rather revelatory and intimate details of Forster's sexual adventures. This is an instance of ".... on the other hand it could be said..." that was a trademark of Forster's method. A most enjoyable read. Dare I say I came away from reading it a better person?

Collection of Morgan Llywelyn's finest stories, including:

"Veronica's Gift," "Porch Swing," "A View of Wickerwork," "Getting Ahead," "A Cook is Born," "At Night," "The Man Who Killed the Last Great Auk," "Their Son," "The Mistletoe," "Bough," "Princess," "Me, Tree," "The Sanhedron," "Ego," "Untitled," "The Plum Tree," "This is My Beloved," "Do This, Do That."

Introduction by Marvin Kaye.

This book by Dr. Robert P. Morgan explores the history of ECT, as well as its re-emergence as a treatment of choice, based on the marketing of a new and improved ECT. Says Morgan: "The only depression it cures is the economic depression of psychiatry." Anyone who is interested in the history of ECT and the medical issues surrounding it should read this book. It includes chapters by Dr. Peter Breggin, Dr. John Friedberg and Leonard Roy Frank. If you only read one book about ECT, let it be this one.

It's not easy to find good books about simulation techniques for experimental phenomena for general purpose: one must rely on area-specific texts (computational physics, computational biology, optimal control, etc.), that often lack important topics, so in introductory level as in specific procedures and possible generalizations. This book has it all: practically self-contained for those with basic notions about calculus (its chapter about probability and statistics, although brief, is enough to follow the rest of the book), it is centered on learning how to do simulation in real-life situations. His depth and detail in treating random number generation, for arbitrary probability distributions in discrete or continuous case, is matchless (it occupies a third of the book). Another differential is the thorough treatment of Monte Carlo methods, Markov models, as well as topics concerning model construction and analysis, and error estimations. All this with profuse examples from biology and statistics, and lots of exercises at the end of each chapter (many of them with commented resolutions at the end of the book), as well as a huge bibliography and a guide to FORTRAN IMSL and NAG routines for use in several simulation techniques (random number generators, Markov chains, etc.). I only regret that the few code listings are only in BASIC and MINITAB. As a physicist, I'd like to see some of these codes in Fortran or C (even because it would be coherent with the routines guide); but I can't ask too much, because people at business, engineering and biology may not agree with me in the programming language choice. Anyway, it's a remarkable and very useful book. I can't get rid of it in my work in Monte Carlo simulation. If you are interested on or work with statistical simulation in any area of science or technology, you'll certainly do well in acquiring a copy: it won't disappoint you!

The first survey exhibition of artist Ellen Gallagher, titled "Watery Ecstatic", was presented at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. The catalog is published as a gorgeous hardcover art book edited by the exhibition's curator, Jessica Morgan. The catalog captures the scale and power of the paintings and drawings as they were presented at the ICA. More importantly, the book stands on it's own as a well rounded representation of the artist and a fine volume of reproductions.

The paintings are presented as full color plates. The paper stock and binding are of excellent quality. The selection of works on paper are reproduced on a heavy stock that is matte rather than glossy. It's a nice touch. An important strength of Ellen's work is her construction of a visual language and her consistent, although not repetitious use of this device. Morgan's interview with Ellen Gallagher is a fascinating exploration of the artist's language and conceptual ideas. The political and social relevance of the work are explored in two full length essays contributed by Greg Tate and Robert Storr.

I'll have to admit up front that I was biased against the exhibition before I walked in. I never imagined that I would purchase the book. As a classmate of Ellen's from the School of The Museum of Fine Arts, and someone who watched the phenomenon of her success unfold, I could never deny the strength and integrity of the work. I was skeptical though, that one young artist, early in her career could fill up the small museum effectively. I changed my mind on the first viewing. The range required for an exhibition of this scale was present and surpassed expectation. Ellen is certain to have a long and fruitful career as an artist. I believe that her work is important.

"Gallagher has demonstrated that you can hit an alarm bell gently and have it ring as long as one which has been hit violently, providing, of course, that the ambient noise does not drown out the more delicate sound." - Robert Storr

This book has several very interesting photos through the years...most, I've never even seen anywhere else; very, very little repetition to other books. Rare photos in the blue '70 jumpsuit with oriental trim, a rare photo in the white '69 karate gi, excellent photo in his '72 Conquistador suit, one of the best pics in the Burning Love red suit, Elvis in his funky western style mod cowboy garb (arriving in Houston for shows at the Dome in '70) etc. etc. Also has by far the best detailed photos I've ever seen of the orange target, bear claw, and aloha suits on display. Very neat room to room Gracelend pics. What a find. I absolutely love this book, among the best values around, too. Long live the King.

All three authors outdid themselves. Madeline Baker's "Heart of the Hunter" has captured the essence of time and love once again. You won't be able to put this book down until you finish it!

Ann Avery's "Dream Seeker" was astounding! I have never read her work before and would like to read more of it now. She did a wonderful job of combining the depths of space and love. What a romantic!

Kathleen Morgan's "The Last Gatekeeper" was romance at its best, to say the least! This one was extrodinary in the romantic way a world was saved. You won't want to put this book down!

I read this book for work, and it was wonderful! It is well written, easy to read, and very interesting. My company builds CBT's. I found a lot of information in the book that will help us to build better CBT's. Morgan and is collegues are up to date on all of the latest learning theories. I hightly recommend this book.

I went to Columbia, with the most prominent 'great books' curriculum still in existence. 25 years later, I'm finding myself re-reading and discussing many of the titles. The Penn Greek Drama series is a handsome library of new translations that give fresh takes on the classics. It's useful to have Euripides on the shelf when you return home from the recent bravura performance by Fiona Shaw as Medea--it settled an argument too on how it 'originally' ended.

Feeding Your Dog For Life: The Real Facts About Proper Nutrition by canine care expert Diane Morgan is a thoughtful, "reader friendly" guide to the benefits of proper canine nutrition, a controversial field among dog owners. Offering instructions and recipes for creating a home-prepared diet that is nutritionally balanced and customized for a dog's age, breed, activity level, and health, Feeding Your Dog For Life is a superb guide for devoted dog lovers seeking the best nutrition possible for their particular animal companion at ever stage of growth and development.