This future orientated novel is the first I have read that describes in detail how society would reconstruct itself after severe earth changes. I have found it very helpful in my preparations for the possible effects of the Y2K computer problem.

I read this book by "accident". And now I rank it as one of the most important books one can read if one is thinking about Earth Changes/Y2K/Millenium disasters. Requiring an open mind, this fictional tale (or prediction?) nevertheless grounds itself in scientific fact: that the earth's magnetic polarity has flip-flopped in the past, and will probably do so again. What will the results be? And how should we prepare? It's a riveting, instructive, and beautiful tale. Highly recommended.

"Living is Forever" is a truly inspiring piece of work, that left me wondering about today's societal structures and their chance for survival. It's a story about a group of individuals who have the courage to accept that the present exploitation of the Earth and its resources will eventually cause it to find a new equilibrium which can sustain future life. The cleansing process is a fascinating one; one of courage, love, sacrifice and ultimately the victory of true Human Spirit. I only wish that many more thousands would read this book...

I love it when a book makes me stop in my tracks and think, "Wait a minute, that makes sense. Why haven't I ever thought to look at things that way?"

This book incorporates not only the premise that problems arise within a family system but also within the context of cultural assumptions. Our society values earning and power, thus the Golden Rule (She/he who has the gold, rules). Though each marriage partner has individual problems, these problems arise from the patterns of relating we learn from our parents and our families of origin. Until we understand them, we recreate them in our own marriages. This book, along with David Schnarch's book, Passionate Marriage, will really get your brain churning!

This extraordinary book is about much more than negotiation. It is really about the nature of marriage. Through her successful family therapy practice and her own personal growth, the author has achieved tremendous insights into the assumptions that Americans bring to marriage, how these assumptions can cause problems for us, and how we can rethink our assumptions in order to make our marriages work, or work better.

Carter shows how the traditional model of marriage has not changed fast enough to successfully support the other ways that society has changed. The traditional model is one breadwinner and one homemaker in a heterosexual first marriage. This is how most of us were raised, and perhaps more importantly, it is the model that society, for the most part, is currently set up to support and value. While many young people today intend to share expenses and responsibilities equally with their partners, when we get married, especially if we have children, we tend to unconsciously fall back into thinking according to the traditional model. There's nothing wrong with both partners choosing a traditional marriage; the problem is that many of us do not make fully conscious choices about marriage. Instead, we unwittingly buy into a model that does not in fact (usually) serve either party well.

What's particularly brilliant about the way that Carter explores these issues is that she shows the reader why it matters and how it can change. The book includes useful stories about real people's marriages, and the emphasis is on what was making these people unhappy, what was keeping them from seeing all of their options, how they learned to consider and embrace new options, and whether and how their marriages changed. Because the stories are selected so well and integrated so nicely with the broader exploration of social issues, the book is easy to read and the relatively complex social issues are made very accessible.

The book does not say that money always equals power, but points out that the two are generally equated in American society. It also points out that without autonomy, people do not generally feel equal -- because they really aren't equal in the sense of having the same options. Autonomy--being able to stand on one's own--is so linked with money, not just emotionally, but in reality, that it is important for us to understand the implications of who makes how much money and how the money is shared.

The book also makes it clear that there are two kinds of power, "power over and power to." The book does not advocate that anyone use power over another person, whether that power is in the form of money, affection, or anything else. It does show us why people sometimes do that, and how to think about and deal with people who come from that perspective. It also shows us how people can learn to use the "power to" make themselves happier. Many women are uncomfortable with any type of power, including the power to be happy and even to protect ourselves. This book helps us understand why it is a bad idea to pretend that there are no power issues or power struggles in a relationship, and why it is a good idea to learn more about these dynamics. But its focus is by no means how to win a power struggle. Rather, it shows us how a better understanding of these dynamics can help us negotiate a win-win marriage.

It also, by the way, describes how to negotiate a win-win divorce, with emphasis on how to best support and nurture children during and after divorce.

The book also emphasizes the importance of looking at the family as a system, and shows how our experiences in our families of origin play a shockingly large role in our relationships with our spouses. It includes very helpful examples of how people have reconnected with their "impossible" parents in order to learn more about themselves and the family themes that have shaped their expectations and assumptions (which are often hidden).

In short, this is a book about how to be happier. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to be happier in a committed relationship.

A great book for those who want to make changes in their marriage/relationships. The main issue that she puts forth is that money=power. That equation changes the way that people communicate and negotiate in relationship. Examples abound as well as helpful ways to boost your negotiating power.(the main one being - get and keep a job even if its only part time!) This book could change alot of relationships for the better.

This book tells you all about the making of the X-filesmovie. It has info about hardships, funny events during shooting, andis overall an informative book. It is great for everybody interested in the X-FILES!

Jody Duncan really captures the real aspect of the X-Files. She turned odd words into understandable terms. I myself am an X-Phile, and I'm guessing she is too. I am surprised there is only 1 review so far. Everyone should buy this book.

This book is the only behind-the-scenes look at the X-Files. I am a loyal X-Phile and the cover alone is worth the cost. It is Xellent! Filled with photos, snippets of dialogue from the feature film and trivia, this book is Xellent! Jody Duncan is brilliant...my guess is she is a devoted X-Phile herself, as she delivers her thoughts accross to the reader so well. This book also has great facts about the movie, and the pages about the "black oil" is just dessert for any fan of the show or film! This book also explains a lot about the ongoing conspiracy line so far, where the film leads Mulder and Scully to as well as exclusive interviews with Chris Carter [creator], David Duchovny [Fox Mulder], Gillian Anderson [Dana Scully], other old faces from the show as well as newcomers - but it just wouldn't be complete without interviews with the crew who make The X-Files movie what it is. I suggest any movie buff or true X-Phile goes down to their local bookshop and buys this immediately - a must have! Now, here is a sentence from BEHIND THE SCENES: THE X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE FILM "Never forgetting their past, or how precarious their present remains, Agents Mulder and Scully are armed with the truth...and the courage to fight the future."

Reginald Webster Carter has found a way to express reality through his words. After reading this new author I look forward to reading more. The closest similarity to this book if any would be Sister Souljuah and "Winter".The only similarities would be those of the hard core life diffculties urban youth deal with on a regular basis. I could not put it down the tales of real life deception and powers of the underground world left me waking up with Chills

Like Traffic, Goodfellas, Resevoir Dogs, and others. This version of Masks was an unedited true crime expose of the psyche of an ambitious ethnic trafficker who wants the American dream with a vengence. Carter explores the lure of "demand & supply" and the cash that can be raked in. As the main character weaves through relationships, a marriage, high school, college, and proffessional school he has to methodically murder, command dealers, and maintain a normal public life. You won't want to wait for the hardcover edited version!

Being a minority and aspiring to attain the so-called "American Dream" has left many of us grasping at a brass ring. Thus, permanently dooming many of us to a second-class citizenship and exclusion from the fruits of this utopia. This is a story of success, a story of inspiration, a story tragic, yet full of hope. It is a faith filled tome that should fill in the blanks of our contemporary story as a culture. There is something encompassed in this work for us all. Read, then re-read this book. Then judge it against your own experiences in this "Land of the free and home of the brave." Comparable to Nathan McCall's "Make Me Wanna Holla" or the book "Monster: The Story of a L.A. Gang Member?" Maybe, but the chapters on college, corporate life and marriage places this novel in a different league!

I bought the book because the cover looked nice and I usually like to read female writers. The story is about loss and pain - I'm not experiencing neither, but I kept on reading it until the end. I was sitting on the bus,caught in a bad traffic jam in Rio - the final pages came and suddenly my eyes filled with tears. The ending brings a beautiful message of optimism. This woman has delicate feelings and an intelligent mind. Funny to think I read her story two years after I bought the book

This book is an unexpected jewel that was given to me by a friend during a time in my life where I was struggling with myself and my path in life. Everyone can associate with the events and emotions conveyed in this touching account of a mother losing her son. Honest, personal, and moving, the author invites us into a sacred place and shares her tragedy with the world with loving care. At times I felt embarassed, as if I were trespassing into a private and personal memory. It is more than a book about loss and heart ache, it is a book about life.

Anyone who does not cry upon reading this book cannot possibly have a beating heart. Ms. Vanderbilt's account of her son's life (and death) is honest and heartfelt. In reading about the love she has for her family, one grows to love them along with her, and ultimately feels a measure of her pain with her narration of the loss of her husband, Wyatt Cooper, and later of her son Carter's suicide.

At one time or another, all of us have felt isolation from our loved ones, an inability to allow them to touch our lives for whatever reasons. We employ many different mechanisms to shut ourselves off from the rest of the world, whether we are conscious of it or not. Gloria Vanderbilt's "glass bubble" imagery certainly gives voice to those feelings, and the way she escapes from the bubble is simultaneously (yet paradoxically) heartbreaking and inspiring. One's own "glass bubble" becomes weaker when reading about the great losses in her life- losses that are uniquely tragic, yet echo the experiences of anyone who's ever lost a loved one.

This book, in addition to Ms. Vanderbilt's recollections of Carter's life and death, includes diary entries describing the innocence and love surrounding Carter Cooper's early life as well as contributions from close friends and from his younger brother, Anderson. The book indirectly assumes a rudimentary prior knowledge of Gloria Vanderbilt's life; reading _Once Upon a Time_, her autobiography, before this book will provide a great deal of necessary background. _A Mother's Story_, although it is painfully personal, is a clear picture of the common emotions- love, grief, and empathy- that bind the human race together.

This is a book that a devout Muslim, if he bothered to read it, would rail against, because it treats the founder of Islam as nothing more than a mortal, although a very complicated one. I read it during the years I lived in Morocco and I found it an invaluable tool for understanding Islam from the inside, and also understanding how Muslims view people of other religions. I don't think it is the most balanced account of the prophet's life you'll find, but it's one of the best researched ones and it doesn't pull any punches.

I've owned this book for more than 20 years. It has always been useful in understanding Muhammed and Islam from a scientfic Marxist view. For fun, I would recommend reading the book together with the passages on Muhammed in Rhushdie's Satanic verses.

I detest the condescension that some people have about Muhammed and this book. Unlike Christ or the Jewish Prophets and most other founds of religions, Muhammed was a person who lived in recorded history, left a mark by real records of his life, and had a recorded life and achievemensts even before he became a religious leader. We know little about him, but almost all of that is known from real history, not hagiagraphy.

Christians are only lucky that no such book exists about Christ, because Christ--if he existed--left much less of a real trace in records than Muhammed. Christians also benefit from the rigorous censorship and recrafting the Christian texts received when Christianity was transformed from being an underground religion of the oppressed and socially alienated, to the religion of the Roman state and ruling class.

Rodison is not a pro imperialist, but a Marxist who defends the Arab revolution against imperialism. He is an objective scholar. If you aren't ready for the theoritical complexity and terse theory of Islam and Capital, please investigate his Israel, A settler colonial state. Recent reader reviews here on Amazon have pointed out how this book written decades ago accurately predicts the present future of Zionist crimes and Palestinian resistance!

I've actually read the italian version of this book (edited by Einaudi). I found it incredibly interesting to help to understand how a religion and culture is born. The author is atheist, and I think that it is a good precondition for the book's objectivity.

By TT reviewer Lauryn Hale
Full review: [web address]

This book captured my attention from the start! It opens with a pirate scene, in which the Dali Captain has taken two girls captive. Then it tosses a curve to the reader. It's a movie in progress. I couldn't walk away from this story. It grabbed my interest and simply wouldn't let go. It is the classic triangle of love; two men and one woman. But the resolution is anything but simple. Several times I couldn't fathom how the author, Anne Carter, was going to resolve it, but she did! And it is heart wrenching!

Jessica Taylor is a wanna-be actress starring as a handmaiden in a major motion picture, with one whole line! She isn't aware that this moment in time will change her life forever. Dane Pierce is the hero cast in the film, the hot attraction for filmgoers. Jessica tries not to pass judgement on him, but his arrogance and ego is more than apparent. To her amazement, he begins asking her to lunch and showing up at her house. However, he is terrible at following through on his promises.

Jessica is more than thrilled when he offers her the role of her life, the lead in his next project! She is determined to obtain it fairly though, and insists on a tryout. The cast director still selects her and the film is a 'go'. Jessica has never met a man like Dane. Despite his overwhelming arrogance, she senses the tender, vulnerable side of him. This empathy lands her in his bed, satisfied and happy. Then his confession shatters her dreams; he promises her nothing, can give her nothing, and won't even try.

In hurt confusion over Dane's neglecting attitude, her friend, Roxie, coerces her into throwing a holiday party. There she meets another man, Mac MacKendall, the star of TV sitcom, Doctor Jim. They become the best of friends, sharing confidences and shedding appearances. More than friendship lies beneath the surface however, and soon they both begin realizing it. The filming for Lost Season begins and Jessica is unable to escape Dane and her weakness for him. When Jessica is in need of help, the two men confront their feelings and the battle for her heart is on. Who will win?

Starcrossed Hearts is a fabulous story! Anne Carter writes a tangled web that is almost impossible for the reader to find their way through. The writing is direct and straightforward, making a story any romance reader would love. I will gladly read anything this author writes again!

I found it difficult to put this one down. It's an engaging tale about two men and their relationship with the heroine through betrayal, misunderstanding, tragedy, kidnaping, and stalking. A real page turner. After reading StarCrossed Hearts, I immediately bought In Too Deep, Anne Carter's next romance. But I found myself yearning for more of these characters and hope there's a sequel in the works. I will definitely read more of her books!

Starcrossed Hearts is a standout romance and a fascinating character study. Not at all the typical romance that I was expecting, this book was a surprise and a delight! There are changing locations, unexpected plot twists, and one of the most complex heroes in my reading experience. The story was heart-wrenching, funny, tender, and wonderfully real. I sat up until almost three to finish it. This book was worth losing a little sleep!

Out of the three East Asian civilizations, it appears Japan has gotten the most attention from the West. Japan is neither the oldest or most colorful of the major East Asian cultures. Little do most people know that the Japanese are probably the biggest cultural borrowers that mankind has ever seen. Whether it be aping every western during the Meiji Restoration or copying the Chinese structure of government during the Taiki Reforms. This book is about early Japanese history and how the Japanese copied the art and culture of Korea in the formative years of Yamato. It's a real, but often unacknowledged history that has to be told so the world can put Japanese culture in its correct context when compared to other East Asian cultures. The book itself is good in most regards, but sometimes it is too dogmatic in its presentation. Many pictures to illustrate the author's points. Considering the scarcity of books on this subject, anyone interested in Japan's early past should take a look at this book.

Jon and Alan Covell present evidence of Korea's influence on ancient Japan in a way that is easy to understand. Japan, an economic power today has always denied historical influnce Korean culture has had on its culture. It has even halted archeological excavations on ancient tombs because of the unwanted reality they may provide.

Covell provides some key evidence which provides strong support for the penninsular influence on Japan. Covell organizes the book in a chronological fashion which allows for easy reading. The book also contains many photographs, maps and other visual information to supplement the reading.

If you are interested in East Asian history and have an open mind, this book may prove to be very interesting. If you are not convinced by Corvell concerning the influence of Korea on ancient Japan, the authors at least bring a different perspective to Japan's cultural connection with the continent.

The author reveals what Japanese do not want to admit. Indeed, Japanese culture is influenced by the Korean culture. This scholary writing based on her extensive research reveals the secret of Japanese history. It is an excellent book.

This is what it says it is, Jimmy Carter's Nobel Prize Lecture. It's brief. Carter doesn't really say much of anything in it, but he doesn't make a fool of himself. He's a great humanitarian, and this is his Nobel lecture. read it and enjoy

This short, yet important work of President Jimmy Carter presents a glimpse at his thoughtful wisdom. I whole heartedly recommend Carter's lecture to anyone interested in the 39th president and his keen sense of social justice. I wouldn't necessarily recommend buying the lecture because it is available for free online (at the Nobel website), and the price is a bit much for twenty pages (which is why I only gave it four stars). However, it is indeed a beautiful book and would make a great gift; plus, all the author's proceeds are being donated to The Carter Center. Ultimately, whether you choose to buy it or read it online, I assure you that reading this touching lecture will be well worth your time.

Once again, the sage wisdom of Jimmy Carter is revealed in his words of wisdom about war and peace. This should be required reading for everyone in the White House and the Pentagon.

If you are fan of writer Truman Capote's works, this is a biography that you won't want to miss. Told from the recollections of family and friends of Capote, Southern Years captures Truman's childhood years and gives us a brief glance at his roots and how he came to be who he was as an adult. We also get an interesting glimpse into Truman's friendship with To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee, who was a childhood and lifelong friend.

Most of the book is told from the perspective of Jennings Faulk, Truman Capotes cousin. Long summer days were spent as curious children growing up in Monroeville. Page after page detail the antics and schemes these young ones got into and you can see how many of the children's real life experiences were translated to the pages of both Capote and Harper Lee's novels. We also get a sad peek into some of the turmoil that Capote faced because of his troubled family life. Knowing his history will give you a better appreciation for his writing and will entertain you at the same time. This is an easy, light read and in many ways will bring you back to your own childhood days of playing outside in the summer time.

The stories were told beautifully. Truman was portrayed as a folk hero of Monroeville, kind of like an Anansi or Brer Rabbit. When I first bought the book, I thought it was going to be boring and scholarly, but not so. A movie could be made of the book. The sadness came through strongly. God gave Truman great abilities, but they were even greater, because Truman hurt.

If you are a true fan of Truman Capote like I am, you will truly enjoy reading Truman Capote's Southern Years. Told through the eyes of his cousin, this book gives you a lot of details of his life, both the good and the bad of it. It was both a hilarious look at his life, and a very sad one too. You get a glimpse of the pain that he suffered throughout his life, and while it doesn't go into it in great detail, it gives you a small glimpse into his homosexuality. Take it from me, once you read this book, you will want to read it again, and again.