Excellent book which manages to chart the ... and (related) invectives, poetry and jokes of the late-republic/early Roman Empire. In contrast to the arid writing style of the New Historians on the classics, this is a breath of fresh air. She also provides good counter arguments to the ideas of Foucault and neo-Foucaultians, although not without problems; for example, she thinks the 'cinaedi', a term of insult roughly translated to today's 'queer', denoted a group of 'passive homosexuals', which she thinks was a (sub)cultural group in the Roman empire (there may well have been ... sub-cultures, but her idea is too reductive). Still, highly enjoyable, scholarly and recommended.

Borrowing the title from Hieronymous Bosch's painting as a way to present this book is cogent. Juan Goytisolo is considered Spain's foremost writer and if this small book, THE GARDEN OF SECRETS, is any indication, his standing is well supported.

To postulate the fate of a well know poet - Eusebio - who was close to Lorca and other writers during the Franco period of Spain, a poet who "disappeared" about the same time as Lorca, the author has gathered 28 literary people in a garden in Marrakesh to discuss the life and possible fates of the honored poet. We have, then, 28 versions of what happened to Eusebio, and the stories range from campy, to wild, to tragic, to nationalistic. Goytisolo is a linguist who mixes French, Arabic, Spanish - all the voices in the intrigue laden Marrakech, Morocco - and translates in footnotes and interactive conversations so that we never lose track of the story lines. This little book is somewhat like the story of the three blind men describing an elephant, or even the old Steve Allen show which featured characters from many periods sharing reponses to questions colored by their own histories. A delightful little diversion, this, and yet it is more. It is poetry, Spanish history, an exploration of the gay writers so prominent in Spanish history, and a beautiful introduction to the wonders of Marrakech. Credit must also be given to the translator - very sensitive work. If you are as unfamiliar with Goyistolo as I, thne I highly recommend this little book as a rapt starting point in your discovery of ANOTHER great writer of our times.

Garden of the Gods: A Photographic Masterpiece of the Garden of the Gods Park and Pikes Peak by Rich Buzzelli is currently in print and is available in book and gift stores throughout Colorado Springs. Rich Buzzelli was in love with the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. He dedicated his life to photographing the beautiful rock formations and mountains of central Colorado. He specialized in capturing the flow of color and texture of nature's activities, specifically the interplay between the sky, the clouds, the trees. and the rocks. Buzzelli was one of the few artists who have paid the ultimate price for his craft. He was killed by lighting while photographing the scenery of Pikes Peak. All those who share Buzzelli's appreciation for the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak would be fascinated by this special photo collection.

Namaqualand is one of my favorite places on earth when it blooms. This book shows Namaqualand at it's best. It gives a little taste of what this area looks like when in flower. The pictures are stunning and spectacular. If you love the flowers of South Africa this book is a must. I hope to see this area in person some day. Until then I can look at this book and dream. Another good book on this area is "Namaqualand: A Succulent Desert" by Richard Cowling and Shirley Pierce, with Photograpy by Colin Paterson-Jones. Both volumes are wonderful.

I discovered 'The Prophet' in '85 ... why didn't anyone tell me there was a book that continued the story of 'The Prophet'? Stirring wisdom nested in beautiful verbal imagery.

"Garden of the Shaped" is the first book of a three-part trilogy involving a group of scientist (geneticists) called the "Venn" who are exiled from Earth. The Venn eventually make their home on another planet and start three races. The first race, the Ganu are ordinary human stock. The second race is called the Lianis who are shape shifters. The last race is warlike and have the ability to tell when someone is truthful or not. The Venn set themselves up as Gods. They have taken a syrum and are immortal, but now hundreds of years later there are only four left. Many have died or killed themselves and the remaining four have forgotten who and what they really are. Meanwhile the races they created are finding out the truth. I highly recommend this book, and the other two are also excellent, although the first book, "Garden of the Shaped" is my favorite. I wish the entire series could be reprinted because other readers should get to enjoy it as much as I did. Sheila Finch is truly an artist at telling a story that keeps the reader interested. If you have a way of getting used books, I would suggest you find these since they are definitely good reading! The second book is "Shapers Legacy" and the third and final book is "Shaping the Dawn".

This is a beautiful translation of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov's treatise, "Garden of the Souls," which he wrote after the death of his young son. The Garden of Souls is the mystical Garden of Eden, where souls come from and return to after death. The book explores the question of suffering and the death of the innocent, in a beautiful, poetic prose that will inspire anyone -- Jewish or not -- who is recovering from grief, or who is thinking deeply about why "bad things happen to good people." An excellent intro to Breslov Hasidic thought, too!

Following in the footsteps of Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust, Garden of Thorns takes up the lives of Mark Owen and Hillary Chase after their meeting in Scotland.

The story takes place in Mark's home town, Fort Worth, Texas where he is working on an archaeological dig at an historic mansion.

Osburn House has a sinister past, over the years two women have died there and the method of their deaths brings back memories of Jack the Ripper. Is there a connection and does the evil live on today in the owners of the house, the wealthy Coburg family?

As Mark learns more about the horrifying past of the house; Hillary, in her job at a local museum, finds a connection between the house and the ancient artifacts she is cataloguing for the Coburgs, and that connection leads to danger and death.

There is more than one mystery to be solved in this book and all are meticulously plotted - just when you think you understand the characters and their motives another sub-plot raises new questions.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history and archaeology, ghost stories or mysteries - it has something for everyone!

"In our world we live on lies" When Big Herbie Kruger used those words to break the KGB defector, he didn't realize just how much his own life had been built on a lie. In his world though, where love is just another conduit for information, it could be no other way. Now the lies planted when Herbie created his network in East Berlin have borne their bitter fruit. The lives of men and women who trusted him are in danger and his master in British intelligence won't let him go back to Berlin to help them. Herbie Kruger has no choice, then. He must tell what may be his final lie ..." -- from the back of the book

This book has a terrific story that will transform the reader into this great fanatsy land. The illustrations are top notch, bringing the whales to life. This is a must have book for all little tots. Jennifer O'Connell could be rated among the best of Children's books illustrators. This book has both an excellant story and great pictures.