This is one of the most convincing reincarnation cases I've come across in a long time. Jenny Cockell not only had memories of a past life, she actually found her children -- now all grown up -- from that life. This story was featured on a number of U.S. TV programs when the book first came out, featuring both Jenny and the children from that life. Her still-living children, being devout Roman Catholics, do not believe in reincarnation per se, but went on record as saying that somehow, their mother "speaks through" Jenny, and they verified details of her memories.

I met Jenny Cockell at a conference in Oslo, Norway, in 1994 and found her to be totally sincere and quite credible. I highly recommend this book!

From the time Jenny Cockell was very young, she had memories of another life in Ireland as Mary Sutton, the mother of eight children, who died before her children were grown. The anxiety over leaving her children dependant on their alcoholic father plagued Mary during her own death and on into her next life.

In Chapter 3 First Steps Into My Past, Cockell discusses a scientific explanation for reincarnation, describes the testing of her psychic abilities at Nene College in Northampton via electroencephalograph and her hypnotic regression sessions and how they affected her. Later she discusses the research she did to confirm the details she'd discerned in her childhood dreams and in her regression sessions, the search for Mary's children and her subsequent meetings with them.

This story was first brought to my attention when I saw Jenny Cockell on a television talk show upon the book's release. I immediately went out and purchased a copy. The story is so compelling that I read it cover to cover, neglecting all else that day. I have reread it many times since then. It will make a believer out of you!

Many of us experience deja vu, that sense of knowing something or having been somewhere before, even though we know intellectually that we shouldn't or couldn't known or have experienced it. Jenny Cockell not only knew about her "other" family, but invested an immense amount of energy to trace and validate her feelings. After having seen the American made-for-TV movie about this story, I had to read the book... and I was not disappointed.. in fact, the story gripped me from beginning to end.

It is rare to find someone with the degree of passion that Cockell relates, even rarer to find someone willing to go to great lengths to fulfill that passion. Mothers, especially, will understand her sense of responsibility to the children she "knew" in what she believes was her past life. The book is honestly written, emotional, and pure. I would hope she writes more of this journey and the present lives of "her children."

I do believe in reincarnation and psychic phenonomen, and this book strengthened my beliefs as well as providing a delightful and insightful reading experience.

A model of the Frolic is on display at the Cabrillo Lighthouse, Mendocino, CA. Before you visit the area, read this book. The book covers the entire history of the Frolic, those who built it, the course it took for its short 6 year life -- before sinking off Pt. Cabrillo. Its history includes its involvement with the Opium War, American incursions in China and exciting trade run with opium, Chinese ceramics and silks. A must read if you're interested in international history and the ships that created commerce and connection with the rest of the world.

Oddly enough, our book group chose Voyage of the Frolic and what great fun and an education it has been. I've always dreamed of going on an archeological expedition and here, without the dirt, pan, screens and brushes, I've discovered another layer of the past. What an eclectic history California has.

The Voyage of the Frolic is a readers dream. Bostonian History, Maritime life, Chinese trade, the Coast of California and our indigenous Indians all rolled into one well written and enjoyable read. Thank you Professor Layton for unraveling the past and placing it in a wonderful china bowl for all of us to peruse and get to know.

Not only British people should read this. It sets out the whole shape of post-Cold War culture, society and politics in the Anglo-Saxon world. If Britain got Blair, the US got Clinton but they are in many ways the same. This book shows how "political wars" have been replaced by "culture wars" and how conservatives are losing. It is original, profound and frightening.

Shows the shape of the politics of the post-Cold War era and how Britain's culture and society are going down the drain. A portrait of weirdos in power in the cultral nomenklatura and a chilling warning. Should be compulsory reading for an understanding of the not-so-brave new world of Cool Britania

Fascinating view of what is happening in England today. More a social commentary than a political one, but as an account of what is happening to England's traditions, values and culture today it is more horrifying than the exploits of Dr Hannibal Lecter. This is 1984 brought up to date and supported by a wealth of documentation from today's papers and other media - unfortunately unlike 1984 it is true. The author cuts between personal observations (savage on the Diana funeral and the media) and analysis. Also looks at things like films, sport, music, media and children's books as indicators of cultural health.

... This book examines the real reasons. Every time it has involved geopolitical manuevering for profit and to contain the aspirations of competitors. Retaining or gaining control of oil supplies has been a lead motivator. ... I actually have a much better view of the common man after reading this book. The elites have manipulated, lied, and used the masses for wars for their own economic gain. Most of the men who fought did so for high ideals that they were manipulated into believing. I supppose if the elites were up front and said" You are reguired to fight in a war so I can increase my corporation' profits and if you don't you will go to jail" then people would feel like they were a slave and rebel. But that's the reality...just can't let the fodder know it.

This is a must for anyone that is interested in geo-politics and wants to know why things might happen in the way they do. Buy, and read twice!

Since the handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese government in 1997, the former British colony seems to be slowly slipping out of the world's attention. In Mr. Fenby's look at the year 1999 as Hong Kong lived it, we see not only why we need to watch Hong Kong closely, but we realize what stakes China is playing with as it slowly comes to terms with theis quasi-democratic city and its place in the world.

Mr. Fenby writes the book as essentially a journalist's diary that spans the entire course of 1999 - the final year that Mr. Fenby was editor of the South China Morning Post, arguably the premiere English-language newspaper in Hong Kong. He details not only the key figures in Hong Kong politics and the economy - at a very personal level - but also how China deals with Hong Kong and how the events of 1999 (everything from Falun Gong to the Taliban) shaped China's responses.

I think Mr. Fenby sees 1999 as not only the year that China stopped observing Hong Kong and began acting, but also the year that many of the fundamental agreememnts laid down between China and Hong Kong got tested. He shows the slow erosion of judicial and political autonomy caused, not through outright repression, but by behind-the-scenes deal-making and a desire of the political powers-that-be in Hong Kong not to ruffle mainland feathers.

His book is eminently readable and in many parts reads more like a political thriller than a diary or a report. If there is one criticism with the book, it is that when Mr. Fenby loses his job at the South China Morning Post in July of 1999, his personal hurt comes out quite clearly in the course of the narrative and possibly influences his objectivity throughout the rest of the year. However, were it me, I think that I would be hard-pressed to maintain even Mr. Fenby's level of detachment.

All in all, the book is not only fascinating and illuminating, but it is also quite enjoyable. I found myself caught up in the power play between China and Hong Kong as if it were a first-rate novel. However, the book is not a novel, and it does contain some rather chilling messages for the future of Hong Kong. If you have any interest in China - or interest in China's relationship with the Western world - I recommend not missing this book.

I read Mr Fenby's book on a plane ride from Rio to Hong Kong. It was the perfect antidote to spending hours on a plane. The first part of the book is a compendium of facts, views and background on Hong Kong particularly as they relate to the handover to China. So by the time I got to London I was an expert on the fascinating topic. I then started on the diary section where Jonathan picks out news items and events during his last year in Hong Kong. Now I was an expert on the "Handover" I could laugh at all his wonderful one-liners. (Such as his final sentence on a piece describing some particularly errant behaviour by the authorities in Hong Kong: "One country, three systems"). He also contrasts, with devastating effect, the ideological flag waving for the "love of motherland" with almost daily reports of corruption in China. A wonderful book that will educate and amuse in equal doses.

This book contains an introduction to the subject of working with animal powers and the various types of relationship one can have with spirit animals- familiars, totems, fetches, nugual and tonal animals for example. It shows how to build a relationship with animal powers, how to gain a familiar or totem, how to create a power song and so on. there are then full descriptions of the lore and lessons of fifty animals and birds, togther with personal experiences of people, plus pathworkings and meditations on the animals. As with all of Anna's books this is a full and exhaustive coverage of the subject, well researched and cohesively written. I was able to gain contact with my own elusive familiar, as well as certain healing animal spirits that help me in my shamanic work.

A fascinating dip into the shamanic world of the witch's familiar - wild and domestic animals with which adepts can link consciousness. It includes real life testimony from people undergoing shamanic experiences [some of them quite scary, others - unexpected].

Eric S. Mallin displays a creativite and thoughtful analysis to three of the most complex plays in Shakespeare's canon. His criticism, balanced with his complete historical knowledge makes this a must read for anyone who seeks to understand the great creative force within Shakespeare's words. Dr. Mallin has produced his own masterpiece.

Eric Mallin is simply a genius

I've just come back from Glastonbury, and having read this book first helped a great deal. I'm reading it again, and am feeling so enlightened. If you love Avalon, you must have this book.

Anyone interested in the background behind the mysts of Avalon will enjoy this book. I found it well-researched, fairly easy to read, and quite informative. A great collection to my library.

If you have ever imagined yourself married to a duke or even just an earl, this is the book for you! It's wonderful. Jarret does a fantastic job inter-weaving the true stories of America's dollar princesses and the general how-to's of marrying into nobility.

As a professional historian, I was impressed by the research which Jarrett put into the book (I can't help but wonder if it began life as a dissertation---if so, Jarrett did a great job making her subject accessible to general readers).

"To Marry An English Lord" may sound like a how-to guide, but it is really one of the most fascinating history books on the English Peerage ever written. This book specifically follows the migration of rich American girls to England and, subsequently, to marrying a member of the English peerage. It also reveals life in both England and America at the dawn of the 20th century. This book contains the most fascinating and seldom-explored facts from the period, and really takes an in-depth look at the everyday lives of the privileged during the Gilded Age. If for nothing else, buy this book for the pictures! With cartoons, photographs, maps and paintings, you get a visual guide to the period. This book is so well organized that practically every page gives you detailed information on a specific subject, and a picture to illustrate it. Most pages also have small factoids that are some of the best parts of the book. Certainly the best part of the book is how it follows a few American heiresses throughout the book, which really makes you care about the 'characters' and gives you the full story: from start to finish. If you love Victorian/Edwardian history, or the English Peerage, you will absolutely love this book. I refer to it almost once a week and enjoy re-reading it whenever I have some spare time!

Every time I read this book it becomes more and more interesting. Meticulously researched, with great little anecdotes and etiquette tips.
This book is a lot of fun! I especially liked the many photographs of the designer gowns (most by Worth, if you please!) that are liberally scattered throughout.
If you're ananglophile you'll want to get this one!

"I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have th heart and stomach of a King" - Elizabeth I

This quote from Elizabeth I says a lot about this book. Professor Carole Levin examines how Elizabeth I was able to use her role as a woman (where traditionally, the public viewed women as incapable, weak, dependant) to her advantage and at the same time she ruled like a "King". Levin also examined how Elizabeth was so successful in her reign and at the same time, she was not the typical "woman" of her time; she was childless, and unmarried. She portrayed herself as a "Virgin Queen" - as in she was married to her country.

It is important to note that this is not a biography of Elizabeth I but a book that gives a new perspective of Elizabeth I, that helps us to understand the overlapping of politics with gender and sexuality. Levin did an excellent job in using unconventional sources such as gossips, rumors, religious works, diplomatic correspondence that makes it a distinctive scholarly work. This book is also very easy to read, and even if you don't have a substantial backgroup in pre-modern European history, you will not have a problem in reading this book

This is a beautifully researched, well written, thought provoking study of how one of the most interesting and powerful women in history negotiated gender restrictions during her 45 year reign. Not just a standard biography, "Heart and Stomach" looks carefully at Elizabeth's use of gender perceptions and roles to present herself as the great queen that she was. I've used this book as a text in the classroom and I've recommended it to readers and scholars who are interested in all things Renaissance and in women's history. It's always a hit!

Carole Levin's study of Elizabeth I is unprecedented. This study not only gives readers who are unfamiliar with Elizabeth an idea of her life and desires, but it is explicates the problems behind a woman being a monarch in her own right in 16th century England. If one is interested in both English Monarchy and Women's Studies, this study will be enjoyed.