Buy it, read it. re-read it. Buy the audio tape, listen to it

This book changed my life. It opens the doors in the mind to totally new dimensions. A friend gave me a copy about 30 years ago. I loved this book at once and have never found a greater book. Thank you Robert Collier. If anyone out there has any info on Robert Collier or similiar books please contact me.

A few years ago I found a set of books in my Grandmothers house in the attic. It was a series of little books called the secret of the ages. The books are copy righted 1926. It must be one of the original books written. When I read the series it changed my life. When I went to this site I was glad to see that this author is still in print. The philosophy and words of this book still carry over into life of today. It is a must read for anyone floating through life without a clue. READ IT and I'll think you'll agree.

Doreen Rapport Freedom River; Illustration by Bryan Collier
14pp. ISBN 0-7868-0350-9.-ISBN 0-7868-1229-X (pbk.).-ISBN 0-7868-229-0 (lib.bdg.)
(Intermediate)

Freedom River is a true story, about getting from Kentucky to the free state Ohio. John Parker a former slave, and now a businessman of Ripely Ohio. John then helps a couple and their child escape being slaves to freedom. The freeing of these salves is taken place through out the year. Both the author and the illustrator work wonderfully together to make this book seem real. The text clearly goes along with the pictures. The illustration is remarkable, the pictures look like photographs. Bryan Collier uses a different technique for his illustrations, it looks as if the pictures are pieces of a puzzle arranged together. As you begin to read this book look closely at the faces of the people, you will see wavy lines, these lines represent the Ohio River. The color schemes really put things in perspective also, they are realistic colors. Through out this book, Doreen Rapport uses short phrases to describe the event that is taking place: Run. Run, Row. Row, Listen. Listen, Wait. Wait, Closer. Louder, Crawl. Crawl. This gives the reader insight to what is going on in the picture by just two word phrases. Another author that does this same technique is Under the Quilt of Night by Deborah Hopkinson. The ending of this story is really surprising, I but when thought about it makes sense. This book is just not about the freeing of slaves, but it is about doing what is right in life, helping others out. I recommend this book to adults and children in the intermediate level. An interesting addition to the end of the story is a historical note which explains in great detail about the life of John Parker.

In the book, A Freedom River, the writing of Doreen Rappaport along with the illustrations of Bryan Collier together create a stunning retelling of one particular trip on the Underground Railroad. This is the story of a slave family escaping from the slave state of Kentucky to the free state of Ohio.
The book's uniqueness lies not in its topic, but rather in the characters. John Parker, this true story's hero, was not only a conductor on the Underground Railroad, but also an accomplished businessman from Ripley, Ohio. He was born a slave and worked to buy his freedom. He owned his own foundry, and employed both black and white individuals from both Ohio and Kentucky. He helped to make this book unique because he is not a well known conductor, but his impact on the Underground Railroad was just as great. It is said that he helped over 900 slaves escape to freedom during his lifetime.
A Freedom River draws the reader into the experience of the Underground Railroad. It masterfully pulls forth every imaginable emotion, as the characters must make choices that may end in the separation of families, death or freedom. The pace of the book along with large, bold directives, such as RUN, CRAWL, and LISTEN, create a feeling of breathlessness, much as if the reader too, were running for freedom.
The illustrations work hand in hand with the written word in order to create the overall experience of the book. The multi-textured collages with realistic faces add emotion and dept to the story. Wavy lives found throughout the illustrations deeply symbolize the river and its importance in the search for freedom.
This is a beautiful book and worthy of a rating of more than five stars. It could be successfully used with children from 1st to 6th grade. It is an excellent book for introducing and further understanding the Underground Railroad.

Before the Civil War, Kentucky was a slave state. But just 1000 feet across the Ohio River, Ohio was a free state. John Parker, was as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and helped hundreds of slaves cross that river to freedom. John was a unique individual, an ex-slave who learned to read and write and was able to buy his freedom and a successful Ohio businessman who employed both black and white workers. But he never forgot his slave roots and the terrible pain of being separated from his mother and sold when he was eight years old. Because of this, he risked and devoted his own life to helping slaves escape to safety in Ohio. Freedom River tells the story of one of John Parker's trips to Kentucky to rescue a family of three..... Doreen Rappaport has written a powerful and inspiring story of the courage and determination of one man to right the wrongs of slavery. Her eloquent text makes John Parker and this story come alive and is complimented by Bryan Collier's vivid illustrations that add a real sense of drama and urgency. Perfect for children 8-12, Freedom River is a wonderful introduction to the Underground Railroad and includes historical notes to enhance the story and augment discussion.

This is a great mix of old photos, new photos, and history. It makes a great companion piece to the more popular "Colorado 1870 - 2000" and in some ways it is superior to that book. For one thing, "Colorado Yesterday and Today" costs half as much as the Jackson/Fielder book. Also, Collier takes the time to talk about each and every place that is featured in his collection of photographs, something which is sorely missing in the other book.

Collier's re-shoots are right on the money, and when they are not, he tells us (access issues pop up from time to time). The connection to his great-great-grandfather is touching. Most importantly, this is a book that you can read and enjoy. It is not a ponderous 'picture book' that won't fit in your bookcase.

Although most people who live in Colorado have a vague idea of how much the state has changed in the past century, to see it shown so starkly in beautiful photographs like this is fascinating. Grant Collier has created an amazing testimonial to the march of history and the turbulent growth of the Centennial State. Collier's love of his subject is obvious on every page and the reader can't help but be drawn into a story, not only of Colorado, but of Collier's search to understand his stoic great-grandfather, the famous pioneer photographer Joseph Collier. Buy it!

Colorado: Yesterday & Today is a truly compelling look at Colorado through the eyes of one of our state's pioneer photographers and his great-great-grandson, Grant Collier. Everything about this book is first-rate, from the then-and-now photos and the text to the very impressive leather cover. I highly recommend this book to anyone who lives in, or enjoys visiting, Colorado.

Illumination ArtsElatest release, Inside Out, is the story of a girl named Karly and her special invisible friend, Natasha. After reading this book with your child, you will always see an invisible friend as something very special--their spirit. You will learn the true meaning of the phrase that mothers everywhere tell their children, "It's what's on the inside that counts."

Karly and Natasha were best friends and they played with great abandon. They laughed, romped, jumped, ran, and just in general enjoyed life together. Since no one else could see her best friend, Karly was a bit puzzled, and she questioned Natasha, "Why can't my mom see you?"

"I', a spirit, silly--kind of like an angel without wings," Natasha replied.

Karly and Natasha filled their days with wonder and joy and were truly happy as they played together. Natasha, who was very wise about these things, told Karly to always remember this feeling because it came from Karly's heart where her own shiny spirit lived.

Then, as always happens, the day came for Natasha to go back to the stars. "Always remember who you are--a beautiful, shiny spirit made of love and light," Natasha had advised. "Your spirit helps you love yourself and everyone around you," she continued, "but it's easy to be distracted by the outside world and forget who you really are." Karly promised to always remember the things she had learned from Natasha about herself. She promised to never forget.

But, as the days and weeks passed, Karly did forget her spirit friend. Because she forgot, Karly lost the very best part of herself. She forgot who she really was! She grew very quiet and found it difficult to make friends. No one could see the real Karly!

Slowly, as her heart saddened, all the magic that had once filled her life was gone. Then, at her saddest moment, Natasha suddenly appeared. Karly was overjoyed, and Natasha helped her realize that by forgetting her special friend she had forgotten her own spirit too. Karly vowed never to forget again and devised the perfect way to help her remember. Since her spirit lived inside her heart, she would live inside out so that it would always shine through. That way everyone would see the real Karly!

How did Karly remember to live inside out? I'll give you a clueEt had to do with her socks, and it will work for you too.
This is a wonderful story, and it is beautifully illustrated with bright colors and pictures that swirl over each page. A child's imagination can jump into the wind as it spins the leaves upward, or soar through the stars with Karly and Natasha as they play together. What a special way to learn one of life's most valuable lessons--each child is a special spirit filled with goodness, and life is best when lived inside out.

Growing up my mother often reminded my brothers and me that it doesn't matter what's on the outside, it only matters on what's on the inside--that is what makes someone special and unique. As an adult, I know that my mother was right, and I, too, tell my children the same exact thing. In Illumination Arts' April release, a little girl named Karly learns the same thing from a spirit who comes in the form of an invisible friend.

Natasha, the invisible friend, teaches Karly the importance of friendship and to always be a good person--a good spirit. However, as Karly gets older, she forgets about her invisible friend, and feels lonely and disliked. Natasha returns once more to remind Karly to be friendly and outgoing, and to let the person she is on the inside shine through to the outside. That is when Karly decides she will live INSIDE OUT.

This book with dazzling illustrations by Roberta Collier-Morales was a pleasure to read, and comes highly recommended by this reviewer and her three children, Nicholas, Cameron, and Jordan.

Illumination Arts' latest release, Inside Out, is the story of a girl named Karly and her special invisible friend, Natasha. After reading this book with your child, you will always see an invisible friend as something very special...their spirit. You will learn the true meaning of the phrase that mothers everywhere tell their children, "It's what's on the inside that counts."

Karly and Natasha were best friends and they played with great abandon. They laughed, romped, jumped, ran, and just in general enjoyed life together. Since no one else could see her best friend, Karly was a bit puzzled, and she questioned Natasha, "Why can't my mom see you?"

"I'm a spirit, silly...kind of like an angel without wings," Natasha replied.

Karly and Natasha filled their days with wonder and joy and were truly happy as they played together. Natasha, who was very wise about these things, told Karly to always remember this feeling because it came from Karly's heart where her own shiny spirit lived.

Then, as always happens, the day came for Natasha to go back to the stars. "Always remember who you are...a beautiful, shiny spirit made of love and light," Natasha had advised. "Your spirit helps you love yourself and everyone around you," she continued, "but it's easy to be distracted by the outside world and forget who you really are." Karly promised to always remember the things she had learned from Natasha about herself. She promised to never forget.

But, as the days and weeks passed, Karly did forget her spirit friend. Because she forgot, Karly lost the very best part of herself. She forgot who she really was! She grew very quiet and found it difficult to make friends. No one could see the real Karly!

Slowly, as her heart saddened, all the magic that had once filled her life was gone. Then, at her saddest moment, Natasha suddenly appeared. Karly was overjoyed, and Natasha helped her realize that by forgetting her special friend she had forgotten her own spirit too. Karly vowed never to forget again and devised the perfect way to help her remember. Since her spirit lived inside her heart, she would live inside out so that it would always shine through. That way everyone would see the real Karly!

How did Karly remember to live inside out? I'll give you a clue...it had to do with her socks, and it will work for you too.

***** This is a wonderful story, and it is beautifully illustrated with bright colors and pictures that swirl over each page. A child's imagination can jump into the wind as it spins the leaves upward, or soar through the stars with Karly and Natasha as they play together. What a special way to learn one of life's most valuable lessons - each child is a special spirit filled with goodness, and life is best when lived inside out.

Frankly, I hate to cook. But reading Anne's reflections on the joy and love involved, has helped me think of it in a more positive way. The rave reviews I get for the outcome help too! The food is healthy, beautiful, delicious and easy to make.

Now if I could just look as good as the babe on the front of the book!

I have tried many of the recipes and I was amazed how simple they were and how delicious. They are also unique and great for dinner parties.
The book contains some cooking philosophy written by the chef and were an inspiration to me. I have a hard time with cooking in general but this book really helped me to enjoy the whole love of cooking which the author really portrays in her writing.
I especially liked the soup & salad recipes. For example the Fiesta salad is so colorful. I made it for a baby shower that I had for a friend of mine and I have never had so many compliments on the beauty & taste of my food like I had with that.
I recommend it to anyone & everyone who wants to be truely inspired with the love of cooking. Aside from the art work being wonderfully enjoyable !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I use this book almost every day !!!!!!!!

The absolute best thing about this book is how much my kids LOVE everything in it. The kids shutter if I so much as whisper the "T" word (tofu). The Moondance or Kung Pao Tofu salads have become family favorites, opening a new door to our eating habits. The desserts are to die for(I can't even pick a favorite) and they are so easy to put together. The soups are fantastic, and once you try the enchiladas, you'll know what to make for your next party. In a word, the food in this book is "GOOOOOOD"!!

Still with Me is a wonderful read, beautifully written and warmly delivered. It is universal in its message and will touch anyone who has lost a parent. I began reading the book in a restaurant as I dined alone; but became somewhat self-conscious as I cried almost as many times as I laughed, and sometimes that happened on the same page. This book promises to be not only a best seller but would make a splendid movie.

I felt as though I was in the same room with Andrea King Collier listening to her tell this story. It is a true account of the roller coaster of emotions that accompany caring for an ill parent. The book demonstrates the importance of preventative health care and the reasons to advocate for one's own health. It is fortunate that Andrea had the support of her husband, the distraction of two young children, the strength to care for her mother, and a sense of humor to help make it through even the darkest of days. This book is a tribute and an inspiration to all women.

I was so moved and so utterly totally shaken by this book that I have been crying though the reading, my nose running and my chest tight. Now I am just raw with my grief. This book isn't so much about Ms Collier's mother as it is about all our mothers.
I am one of those daughter's who has taken on the care of an elderly parent. My mother is still living and I have been her "assisted care" for several years. In the years since my mother suffered a debillitating stroke I have struggled with the varying feelings of helplessness, inadequacy, andger, resentment - all of those and more.
This book is a gift to all of the daughters, all of the caregivers. It gave me permission to cry, to let it all out.
Beyond a clearly superior ability to write - the author posesses an indefinable quality that allows her to dip into universal truths and make them personal and immediate. "Unflinching" as one review characterizes it, does not even come close.

This is on the whole an excellent book; the only thing I disagree with is his constant emphasis on appealing to blacks. Given what Horowitz himself has exposed as the moral and cultural breakdown so endemic to that community as well as its endless huckstering about largely non-existent "racism", it would be utterly fruitless for conservatives to attempt to appeal to that group. Instead, electoral strength will result by trying to appeal to the justified resentment felt by the overwhelming majority of the rest of the population (including Hispanics and especially Asians) towards unreasonable black behavior and incessent demands (i.e racial shakedowns and guilt trips). Still he has very much touched a nerve.

"Unlike traditional liberals, even those who have sometimes embraced its excesses, the Left is permanently at war with America - day in and day out, year in and year out, on every front and every issue, no matter how moderately it disguises its aims, nor how modestly it announces its objectives."

The left, in essence, aims to destroy western civilisation in the belief that a utopia can then be created. It may succeed in destroying the west but a utopia will not be created afterwards. In reality the result will be something much worse.

The most important insight of this excellent book is is in identifying this central motive of the left. The right in my view has always been baffled by the left because the left has always concealed the radicalism of its motives (ideological zeal must always be concealed because it sounds absurd if stated plainly and openly) and this ignorance has been a huge weakness. This book should hopefully help to galvanise the right into taking their opponents more seriously.

Horowitz explains how the left is able to disguise its radicalism in moderate clothing, its use of the "myth of oppression," and offers advice to conservatives in political battles (e.g. attack from the high ground).

He explains how the right has been creamed in the culture wars and usually refuses to even fight them at all.

But in some ways this book does not go far enough. The author does not seem to draw the logical inference from the effectiveness of the culture war being waged by the left - that culture is more important then politics. In other words, political systems rest on the cultures that created them.

And if culture war can be used to subvert democracy, there are really 2 ways of fighting back. The first is to wage culture war, and the second is to strengthen and immunise the political system against subversion. The left is a minority movement and can be more effectively resisted by a stronger democracy. Direct democracy will destroy the left. In my view this would be a much more efective way of countering the pernicious influence of the left on western societies.

If all conservatives (and maybe a few open minded left wingers) read this book, the world could be a lot happier and a lot better place than it is today. If only.

This little book says it all. No wonder it is hard to find. The PC Gestapo would like to burn every copy. Buy it, read it, send a copy to every respresentative you have in government. This is essential reading, the Clift's Notes of the Horowitz collection.

This is the best and most complete document about the life and work of Astor Piazzolla. The authors inter-link Piazzolla's work with the major events of his life and the artistic and political context of the time. If you are really interested in learning about Piazzolla, you should go ahead and buy this book.

Nearly ten years after Astor Piazzolla's death, the debate still rages about whether or not his music is "tango". Well, some of it is, and some of it isn't. But the roots of all his music lie deep in the tango tradition and whether or not a particular piece is or isn't tango is of no real importance. The fact is that Astor Piazzolla composed some of the finest music in any genre and all Argentines can take pride in that. I have been a fan of Astor Piazzolla for nearly 30 years but only knew the music. After having read Le Grand Tango, I now feel as though I know the man. Having "met" him, my understanding and admiration of both the music and the man has increased exponentially. Azzi and Collier have authored an easy to follow, entertaining and informative book about El Maestro. One learns not only about his music but about his forceful personality and the forces which shaped Piazzolla and drove him to be the most dazzling musician of the 20th century. His life, his loves, his triumphs and his failures all spring to life here. Though most readers will likely be hardcore fans of Piazzolla, its flowing style makes it an engaging hagiographical read for anyone who has even a mild interest in music history or in the forces and personalities which have shaped and regenerated tango throughout second half of the 20th century.

Piazzola means tango for many people. The first tango music I ever purchased was Piazzola's music. His music dominated Sally Porter's movie, "Tango Lesson." This is a man that you must know about if you like tango, the dance and the music. Even if your interest is 20th century music, you will be fascinated. The story of Piazzola's life is a story of how cultures, music, and people are interrelated. As a person who was born in Argentina, his music was tango; as a kid named "Lefty" who grew up in Manhattan, he felt the influence of jazz. As a musician known as "El Gato," he built on the tango traditions of Troilo, Sarli, and Pugliese.

He began his musical career as a musician who could not read music. Anibal Troilo hired Piazzola because he had memorized the band's repertoire. He studied music and composition while playing in tango groups, and went on for more formal training in Paris. Piazzola loved everything from the classical music of Rubenstein to the jazz of Gershwin. Although we think of Piazzola in terms of tango, many of his contemporary tango aficionados hated his music because it was nontraditional, evolutionary, and avant gard.

This book was of value to me because it increased my understanding not just of Piazzola, but also of the major twentieth century tango musicians and composers. It may not make me a better dancer, but the increase of knowledge added to my appreciation of the music not just of Piazzola, but also of Pablo Ziegler, Romulo Larrea, and Felix Leclerc. It was a fitting complement to "Tango!" a collaborative book by Simon Collier, Artemis Cooper, Maria Susana Azzi, and Richard Martin. You don't have to be a serious student of music to enjoy either book. It will add to your appreciation of tango.

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!!!

This book tells the traditional story of Sleeping Beauty with magnificent language, accompanied by spectacular illustrations. As in the original, Sleeping Beauty's mother is told that her dream of having a child would finally come true and that she would have a baby girl. The Queen did have the baby girl and her husband was so pleased he threw the biggest and grandest birthday party. He invited all but one person and not inviting her was the result in a terrible spell cast upon his daughter, Briar Rose. The spell was to put her to sleep on her 15th birthday, in which it did, after she touched the spinning wheel. Only a handsome man could wake her from the spell, and many years later that is what one man did. By kissing her, she returned to life and brought the whole castle life back with her. What catches the reader's attention in this particular book is the depth and colors of the illustrations. The position of the text also is very relevant in this story. Each picture is extremely detailed and shows that a great amount of thought was put into completing each page. It is very unique that the placement of the words on each page is located in some form of an opening. The text is placed in open skies, doorways, and blank walls on each page. In the beginning of the book, when the tone is darker, opening words are placed in a smaller and darker area; when Sleeping Beauty is awoken, the tone is much livelier. An example of this transition is relevant on the first two pages of the book, from the time when you are told the Queen could not have children to the time she has given birth to a baby girl. The first picture has dark colors and the trees are scary, close together and representative of a dark tone. With a turn of the page the tone takes a great positive change with open skies, doves, and vibrant colors. The text on both pages is in the middle of the darkness and then in the middle of a window. The position of the text and the illustrations are key factors in determining the over all tone and mood of the story. This book tells such an amazing story with the pictures that words are not even necessary. Children can read this book and better understand because of the colors and detail that each picture possesses. The doves that are used on the page of the birth of Briar Rose and the end of the book symbolize her life and what joy she lived. The colors in general are also used a symbol for joy and sadness, with such powerful colors meaning and representing happy times.

Trina Schart Hyman entranced me with her illustrations of Snow White when I was just a child. This book, with all its wonderful depictions, is equally as rich and magical. I have always loved the way her drawings looked and she was a direct inspiration for me to take up illustration when I got to college. I definitely reccomend it. It is a lovely, well-written tale and anyone, young or old, will love it.

As soon as you see the cover, you will know this is an edition of Sleeping Beauty that you will want. You actually feel the joy of the baby's christening, and the hurt and turmoil of the wicked fairy's curse. The scenes in this book are medeieval looking and it even shows some of the seasons that pass. This might not be the way that you see Sleeping Beauty often depicted. The princess, Briar Rose has long red hair and she wears a knife around her waist, in true medieval princess style. This is definetly a good change for the story. With it's expressive wording and beautiful, unique illustrations, you will want to check out her other books such as Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and some others!!!!