I found this book to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. A lot of the situations that Terry finds himself in, I as an ex member of HM Forces can relate to.

From the outset of the book, with him as a young child, through to the end of the final chapter with him leaving England, with the intention of never returning to live there again, I found the story to be wonderfully entertaining.

The book is a series of stories within a story and is full of examples of life both inside and outside military service. A life that can best be described as full of adventure.

Some of this 'adventure' no doubt Terry would describe as extremely pleasant, and some, very frightening.

Well done Mr Lowndes.

Yours sincerely

R.G.Moss

The story of part of the life of the author begins quietly, running quickly through a childhood spent in many different countries. We then move to the character forming experince of lower deck living in the Royal Navy in the sixties. Swinging it certainly was and Terry takes us through his various 'adventures' consisting mainly of drinking, fighting, drinking, punishment, loads of laughs until he and the Navy part company. He then embarks on an even more hairy ride through life in the cab of trucks which travel into some of the most dangerous places on earth. A rumbustious rollicking read

I read this book and could not put it down. Terry is a great story teller. He takes us on adventures during his childhood in New Zealand with laughter and tearful stories. He then takes you to England where he joins the Navy as a boy seamen. The stories or wild and witty. He tells of his days when being discharged from the Navy. Once you start this book you can't stop turning the pages.

Lowndes' book on Steiner's six spiritual exercises is milestone in new age literature. This book was clearly written for people who already know Steiner's work in the domain of spiritual enlightenment. This book is the first solid how-to book of meditation for those seeking to open their heart chakra; the opening of which Steiner/lowndes says is necessary for humanity's further development. Particularly interesting, is lowndes' argument that in order to develop spiritually people must add a new type of thinking to their brain-bound logical thinking. This new thinking is similar to the type of thinking which NDE-ers experience when they are floating around in an out of body state. This book serves as a good introduction to Steiner's chakra teachings and the meditatives activities necessary for opening higher faculties of claravoyance. Although the beginning is a little tough to read, later on in the book Lowndes gives concrete suggestions for ways/activities one can practice for the development of this new heart thinking.

Excellent book if you care to maintain a good relationship. The chapter on Communication is especially good and suggestion to improve how to talk with your mate helped me a lot.

I found that this book to be a very realistic explanation of both positive and negative instinctual behaviors people exhibit in relationships. It not only helps you identify the weaknesses in your relationship, but it helps you identify the your own personal hangups to facilitate you in your own self discovery if you are serious about changing your own behaviors to have a healthy, loving, and fulfilling realtionship.

This book caught my attention! Find out if you are controlling or dependant. Are you trying to chase your partner? Are you wondering why he/she is pushing you away? If so, then the problem could be YOU! You need to be happy w/yourself before you can get love from someone else! This book covers all the bases. My mate wanted more freedom. Well, I tried to control my mate. Saying "I love you" too soon can scare anyone away! I had to give my partner space! But, you can only give your partner space if, and only if, you feel confident in yourself! If you need balance in your relationship, then this book is for you!

Our reading group read this book and the six people present all enjoyed it - some more than others. The consensus - it was more of a period piece dealing with moral conflict rather than a horror story (although we all agreed it was quite disturbing). Almost all of us were disappointed in the ending. Still, we were all glad we read this very well written book.

I loved this book. It was not the horror story that I was expecting, but more of the classic tale of suspense and spine tingling situations. If you need a lot of "blood and guts", this is not the book for you. If you want a great book to read, cozied up the the fire with a cup of tea, prepare to enjoy!

This is a literate, well-written thriller in the Poe tradition. What happens to the landlords when a strange lodger insists on paying handsomely for simple lodging? And what about the terrible murders that just begin as he moves in? Could they be related? But he is so nice. And he pays so well! The plot is simple. The setting and characters are tightly drawn. But readers are in for a frightening ride!

I got this book through interlibrary loan for the simple reason that it was cited in a reference to the "male clitoris". I didn't learn much of use on that account, since the author's premise here is that the embryological analog in the male is covered by the penile glans. However if you can get past this author's blatant hubris is renaming the tip of the clitoris after herself (the Lowndes Crown), or the idea of a psychologist reinterpreting medical research, it's actually quite an engaging and informative book. I wish she had spent a little more time citing modern anatomical/urologic research or discussing her own research on female fluids, than she did on the philosophical or social implications of the situation, but all in all the book opened my eyes to some intriguing aspects of male/female genital homology. Specifically the idea that the true female glans (as opposed to just the tip of the clitoris) surrounds the urethral opening just as in men and that the carina dividing this region from the entrance to the vagina is similarly analogous to the male sulcus (or coronal ridge) is very useful information indeed given the extreme sensitivity of those areas in the male. Also the suggestion of the homology of the male foreskin and labia minora was new to me. This along with the clear delineation of the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum erectile bodies was quite instructive, allowing one to begin picturing that which has variously been referred to as the Grafenberg spot, gspot or urethral sponge as an almost penis-like structure embedded between the clitoral body and the anterior vagina. Along the way I also learned some things about the male genitals as well, namely the existence of the bulb of the corpus spongiosum behind the scrotum analogous to the vaginal bulbs and distinct from the tails of the corpus cavernosa (which split off toward the sitz bones essentially anchoring the penis or clitoris in both men and women).

I definitely think possessing a clear understanding of the genital homology of men and women has great value if for nothing more than helping the sexes to understand each other's physical sexual responses. And while I can't vouch for the author's credibility in medical circles this is interesting reading nonetheless and she surely has the advantage of her own experience as a woman in guiding her interpretations. As a side note this was definitely more evenhanded and male friendly than Rebecca Chalker's rather shrill and heterophobic "Clitoral Truth" which seemed loosely patterned after this book and was indeed the citing reference that brought me to it.

This book received little notice when it was first published, most likely because its subject is rather technical and involves a discussion of embryology. If you are the kind that enjoys a technical approach to sex, then this book is a must read.The gist of it is a comparison of the female and male genitalia, and how they formed through evolution. I found this book fascinating and profitable. You might too.

I was introduced to Dracula as a child watching Bela Lugosi portray the Count on the late night horror show "Shock Theater". This began a semi-fascination with vampire movies which continues to this day. I've not seen all the Dracula movies, but I'd seen dozens before I read the novel after graduating college. Nothing I've ever seen on the screen compares to Bram Stoker's original story. The story, which is told in the format of journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, engrossed me and carried me headlong to the final chapter.

The power of Stoker's written masterpiece exceeds the power of any screen production by a power of 10. Film isn't even the second most powerful medium for Dracula. The Naxos Audiobooks production of Dracula features a full cast but retains the format of the book. Different actors speak the journal entries of the various parties, with dialog and action being dramatized. Audio plays have been called "the theater of the mind", and that description well suits the Naxos production of Dracula. All in all, the audio play gives a satisfying way to experience the legend of Dracula.

Dracula is a masterpiece of Horror fiction, undoubtedly a classic and a necessary read for anyone who would consider him/herself a Horror fan. The title character has been forever imprinted on the minds of the world as the true name of the Vampire, and almost anyone who you could possibly ask could give you a pretty good description of the framework of the story.

A rich, reclusive count from the dark land of Transylvania tires of his homeland and searches for a home abroad to quench his thirst. Not for riches, not for glory, but for blood. For this count is a member of the damned breed, the Nosferatu, the Vampire. A demon condemned to live off of the blood of the living, while being neither alive, nor dead. It is a sad and frightening tale, filled with action and suspense.

Dracula is not only famous for its introduction of the mythology of Vlad the Impaler (in somewhat diluted form) to Western culture, but also for its formula. The inescapable evil (Dracula) to be confronted by a small, yet wary band of people lead by one who knows all of the creature's secrets and weaknesses (Van Helsing) has become a Horror staple. And folks never seem to get tired of it. The subject of Van Helsing, a character who almost, but not quite, overshadows Dracula in popularity is long overdue for a novelization of his own. Van Helsing's encounters with the supernatural would most definitely draw a fanbase.

If you're a Horror fan, or just like good old storytelling, Dracula is a book not to be missed. In fact, this novel should be required reading. It just might help increase the literacy rate!

Note: this edition has an awesome cover drawn by Boris Vallejo and it claims to be unabridged (abridging this story ought to be illegal!)

Bram Stoker's tale of terror, 'Dracula,' is just as chilling today as it must have been to readers a hundred years ago. Stoker's original story, which has been told many times since in film and book, is the tale of Johnathen Harker, his love, and his friends, and their horrific experiences at the hands of Count Dracula. The book begins with Harker traveling to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Dracula. Aquainting him with English customs and traditions when the Count buys land all over London from his firm, Harker soons learns of Dracula's true nature- that of an unnatural fiend who causes destruction wherever he goes. When Dracula travels to England Harker's friends enlist the aide of Dr. Van Helsing, the only man who understands just what evil the Count is capable of. The story that follows is one of love, hate, maddness, and adventure as Dracula seeks to destroy Harker and his friends. As well as being a great work of literature, 'Dracula' is a wonderful tale of horror that modern readers are sure to enjoy!

Journey to the Center of the Earth is another Science Fiction by Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days) Like most of Verne's other works, Journey is told from the perspective of someone reminiscing about a great adventure. Becuase the story is told in a journal-like fashion, the action sequences are abridged somewhat; but there is still some excitement in this book. Though somewhat dated (many of the theories Verne relied on when writing his descriptions about the center of the Earth have since been disproven) this book is still an excellent read. Visit http://www.michaellegg.com for more reviews.

I liked A Journey to the Center of the Earth, because it was filled with action. I recommend it to anyone into science-fiction. A good knowledge of geology would better help people understand parts of this book, because Jules Verne uses a lot of science terms and phrases. If you like crazy things this book is for you, because a lot of wierd things happen and are seen (sea monsters, humans, large mushrooms) while the main characters are in the interior of the earth. This book is filled with action and adventure. There is not more than two chapters that go by without a major event occuring. If you cannot read very long you can still enjoy this book, because most of the 44 chapters are around 5 to 7 pages in length. Overall this book is easy to understand and very interesting.

Reading this book is an amazing adventure, as evidenced by a century of avid readers. I picked it up on a lark and decided to read the first five or ten pages to see if it was my type. It was easy to read, enjoy and visualize, and I quickly finished it.

The story revolves around a young man and his uncle, who is a scientist. They discover a route to the center of the earth (hence the title), and the novel is about their journey. Once you get 100 pages into this book, you aren't able to stop. The things they find boggle the mind, but seem so real.

100 years from now, people will still be enjoying Jules Verne, because he captures the imagination of the young explorer.

Jules Verne's novel "From the Earth to the Moon" is the imaginative story of an attempt, made shortly after the U.S. Civil War, to send a projectile to the moon. This daring plan is masterminded by veteran artilleryman Impey Barbicane, president of the Baltimore Gun Club. The novel follows the progress and remarkable outcome of the venture.

"Earth. . .Moon" is a terrific adventure story and a pioneering classic of 19th century science fiction. It's also an affectionate satire of the United States and the American character as seen through Verne's eyes. Verne's witty writing had me laughing out loud throughout the book. And furthermore, the novel is about courage, loyalty, and faith in the ability of human beings to overcome incredible obstacles.

Verne populates his adventure tale with a number of likeable and memorably drawn characters. He cleverly mixes in real scientific data with his fantastic tale. He also establishes the book's literary genealogy early on with references to Locke's Moon Hoax and Edgar Allan Poe's story of Hans Pfaal.

I read this book in the Lowell Bair translation, which is published as a Bantam Classic. "Earth. . .Moon" is suspenseful and exciting; it's also surprisingly poignant and ultimately inspiring. It's an enduring masterpiece by one of the 19th century's great visionary geniuses.

This is a prophetic, both scientifically and socially, novel by Jules Verne that was first published in 1865. Verne was a satiric critic whose novel strongly hints at the future military industrial complex. This story depicts a club of artillery experts, the Baltimore Gun Club, bemoaning the end of the U. S. Civil War. The President of the Club, Impey Barbicane, comes up with a new project: a cannon shot to the moon. The idea for having passengers comes from a Frenchman. Most of the novel is concerned with the preparations for the launch which occurs at the end of the book. The story continues in Verne's sequel, "Round the Moon" (1870). It's amazing how many things Verne correctly predicted. Verne was perhaps the first author who attempts to make his novels agree with the science known at his time, although there are still mistakes. Verne is also making a number of political points as well in comparing the freedom observed in the U. S. and the real lack of such freedom in France of the 1860s. Readers should also note that Walter James Miller has provided an annotated edition of this novel in 1978 that is excellent.

While I naturally have long admired Jules Verne for his outstanding scientific vision and prodigious talent as a writer, I really had no idea that he could also write in such an entertaining and humorous fashion as revealed in this short novel. My memories of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea consist to a large degree of stretches of pages devoted to pure scientific language that could be hard to get through, but this book is an easy read full of action and laugh-out-loud commentary. Don't get me wrong, though--the science is here, and Verne goes into a lot of details concerning the project from conception to reality, walking us through all of the steps involved in constructing the cannon and its projectile. Surely, though, Verne knew that the very idea of launching men to the moon via a superhuge cannon was not really an idea that could work; as such, he lets the story and especially his characterizations of the main players in the drama, take center stage over the science. What we end up with is a study of sorts of the American character, a tribute to the power of imagination and dreaming, the glorification of science, and a very funny story about some really amazing characters.

I can not begin to relate the number of truly humorous anecdotes and observations filling the pages of this story. Barbicane, J. T. Maston, and Michel Ardan are quite memorable characters, and their acts and exploits will entertain you to no end. Verne introduces subtle but hilarious remarks and observations throughout the entire book that will make you laugh out loud. If the idea of hard scientific theorizing has scared you away from Verne, pick this book up and be wholly entertained. I would recommend, though, that you pick up a copy that also contains the sequel, Round the Moon. This first book essentially culminates in the firing of the men into space inside the projectile, and you will certainly want to read the story of what happens to the men afterward. I now have to find a copy of the second book, so I urge others to save yourselves time and buy both stories in one package.

Don't expect this book to change your life, but if you are able to apply what is taught in this book you'll definitely find it easier to socialize and "talk like a winner". Of course the problem with all selfimprovement books is actually implementing what you learn. You have to do what the author tells you or else you're wasting your money. Putting these 92 "tricks" into practice will take some work, but in time it becomes habit. If you're willing to reach that point then this book is without a doubt worth it.

If you liked Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People," then there's no doubt you'll enjoy this. In fact, "Talking the Winner's Way" is practically a modern version of Carnegie's book. Presenting 92 techniques, Lowndes discusses ways to carry a decent or appealing conversation, allow you the benefit of first-impressions, and several other methods building your way to remebrance as a good person. Sometimes Lowndes's style of writing became a little repetitive and unprofessional, but I still enjoyed it. I really couldn't put this book down. Of course, having read the book, I was a little down having realized I was doing some things completely wrong. I also understand this book can easily be used to manipulate people. If that's your cup of soup, then knock yourself out. But "Talking the Winner's Way" is also one more step in creating a world full of likeable people. We like that.

Hi

I found this book interesting; I've tried many of the techniques and found that they work very well.

Unfortunately, the author has little genuine warmth, empathy or interest in other people.

One example (not untypical). The authors 'good friend' had started a business and Leil (the author) introduced her to an important - powerful - contact. The author's friend 'messed up' when she contacted the 'important person' - she didn't have a pen and asked him to wait a few minutes whilst she got one. The author's reaction 'that's the last time I'll introduce her to anyone'. Jeez - I'm glad she's not my 'good friend'.

I thoroughly recommend it to anybody who wants to communicate more effectively i.e. get what they want out of other people - respect, friendship, business, a job, etc.

However don't let it turn you into a self-centered, manipulative, jerk.

Remember that communications techniques can help in one off relationships (e.g. a job interview, sales call), can help lubricate new relationships (a first date), and increase your social standing (working a party, or social engagement).

They can't help in long-term relationships (when a date becomes your girl/guy, on the job, parenting, etc.) For that you need to invest in your character.

Happy reading

Afam Edozie