Valley of the Shadow was a novel I stumbled across in a second-hand bookstore. I had only read his short story "The Boys in the Bars" and I was blown away by it. This novel, and the other, Joseph and the Old Man, were really wonderful. Fully loaded with emotion.

The story here is that of a doomed love affair. As doomed by the immaturity of a men in their 20s as by the virus stalking them and so many of the people they know in gay New York and Fire Island. The milieu is definitely the upper class white gay male thing, but the emotions are universal. Teddy and the narrator meet when the latter is about 19 or 20. Their relationship is on-again off-again for about eight years, but the love is always there, until the end. And we all know what the end is. What we don't know, or don't fully realize, is the emotional wipeout the virus brings. This novel shows it. The narration is one that meanders nonlinearly, like memory. Love, and memory, are the most tangibly connected nontangibles we have, and here, the link is fully realized. Davis's ability to memorialize what can be an Everycouple of men, as well as a liberated generation tragically cut short and cruelly ignored by its governement is a monument to counter the AIDS Crisis from completely destroying our mutual hopes, dreams, and futures.

This is a powerful story by one of the best authors of "gay fiction". One of the best novels I have read. Truely unforgetable.

This was one of the best book I've ever read. Excellent character development and story telling that just draws you into the lives of the characters. I also recommend Joseph and the Old Man - I'm looking for Boys in the Bars.

BORN IN 1960 BENEDICT WAS 22 WHEN HE (CONTINUED) HIS PERSONAL EXPLORATIONS, BY WALKING FROM THE ORINOCO RIVER IN VENEZUELA, TO THE MOUTH OF THE AMAZON IN MACAPA, BRAZIL. BECAUSE OF HIS AGE AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND THAT EVERYONE HE TALKED TO BEFORE HE SET OUT TOLD HIM HE COULDN'T, SHOULDN'T OR WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO IT...AND THAT IT'S JUST DARN HARD TO FIND "ANYBODY" THAT KNOWS ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY ABOUT HOW TO WALK AND SURVIVE THE TYPE OF TREK HE ENVISIONED, HE SIMPLY WENT. AND HE LEARNED AS HE TRAVELLED BY ASKING QUESTIONS OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE AND HAD SURVIVED. HE MEETS ECCENTRICS, DRUNKS, MISFITS, LIVES WITH THE INDIANS, PASSES ON A LITTLE LOCAL HISTORY, HAS AN INTERESTING DIALOGUE ON THE "GRAN SABANA" WHERE SOME VERY STRANGE THINGS HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE YEARS, (UFO'S) AND THEN BEGINS TO GET SOME INSIGHTS AND (SOUL GROWTH?" THAT ONLY SEEM TO RESULT FROM LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS, FEAR AND UNDERSTANDING AS HE GOES DEEPER INTO THE JUNGLE AIDED BY FIRST TWO GUIDES, THEN ON HIS OWN. GREAT BOOK BECAUSE IT'S COMTEMPORARY.

I couldn't believe that everything that happened in the book really happened to Mr. Allen. I am fortunate to own a copy of this great book and never get tired of reading it. I feel he is an inspiring figure to all future adventurers out there.

Fabulously FUNNY. Tugs at your heart and keeps you on your seat. The man is crazy but entirely lovable. Throughout the book you root for him to survive that incredible journey.

I have read a few of Sam Keens books up to now and I am always amazed that he can write about philosophy, psychology or mythology with such compassion. "Your Mythic Journey", on the other hand, is not so much a book, rather a guided tour. Originally published in 1973 under a different title, "Telling Your Story: A Guide to Who You Are and Who You Can Be," was changed later when mythology became the buzzword for intellectuals. Sam Keen has worked closely with mythologist Joseph Campbell in his later years in which modern psychology was married with mythology.

Keen realized the power of storytelling, not just in a mythological approach, but also in telling the stories of our own lives how we are all living the lives of the great heroes. "Your Mythic Journey" helps you to discover the story in your own life and understand it mythologically as well as practically. The book is not one to be read, but to be written. This is done through a series of writing and drawing exercises facilitated through a series of deep probing questions. These questions are designed to challenge yourself, your beliefs, your values and your identity where you plunge the depths of your unconscious and swim the currents of time past, present and future. When you finally come to the shores of waking reality, you soon have a new understanding of yourself and the world you live in.

There are a number of ways to utilize this book. The first is you can do it by yourself, and go through and answer the questions. The second is to do it with a group of friends, family or your lover. The latter approach can also be done on a silent level, where one reads the questions for all to answer, or you can read each other your answers, which I found adds a whole new dimension to the process. It can become very emotional for some, shameful for others, enlightening to most, and discouraging to few. Regardless of your response, no doubt it will be revealing. The trick is to be honest with yourself and not hide behind that social mask thinking people will look down on your for having "other" thoughts. When you do this in a group session, you realize your "other" thoughts are not so different.

The aim of "Your Mythic Journey" is to be revealing about yourself, but also to know and tell the story of your life. What Mr. Keen has always expressed in his lectures and readings is that people tend to get stuck on various stories and end up repeating them over and over like a broken record. He remarks this with the example of recovering alcoholics who continue to tell their story of being addicted and how they went to AA meetings for recovery. They go on telling the story to everyone as if they are always at a meeting. This book challenges those that are repeating stories to begin to tell new stories of their lives and experiences. We all have them it's just a matter of beginning to share them with others.

This is a brilliant book for those who believe in journalling as a therapeutic path. The authors adress life's main conflicts, and structure the basic questions to be answered by the reader in terms of Joseph Campbell's work. This book combines intellectual rigor with heartfelt warmth, in a combination so rarely seen in similar books. I love this subject and own a lot of material on it, but I find that many other volumes either fall in the sirupy, newagey category or are dry and academic. This a slim book, but it is worth every cent if you actually work with it.

I wrote an earlier review on Amazon.com about Your Mythic Journey but forgot to add my email address in case anybody wants to find out about the CD-ROM "Virtual Seminar" version of this book. I can be reached at dpmars@ix.netcom.com.

I looked this book over when trying to find something for two of my grandsons, ages 10 and 15, and found that I had to read the whole story. It just caught me up and held me and I really hope Mr. Mennenga has more in store for us. I will be watching and waiting.

From the first paragraph with its captivating image of Zac the Dragon, to the last page, children and big kids like myself will thoroughly enjoy this fantasy adventure story. This a delightful tale of a dragon, called Zac and his quest to find his magical fire. Zac is a young dragon who is ridiculed by the other dragons in the Valley, because he cannot blow fire! This is a beautifully told 'rites of passage' story, where the young hero Zac, goes out into the dangerous world, beyond the safety of the Valley of the Dragons. He risks his life to find his magical power to make fire and thus his adulthood. With the help of new found friends, a stoical, wise moose, called Abraham Jackson, and a spunky, cheeky squirrel called Joe, the trio combine their abilities , knowledge and strength in friendship to achieve Zac's dream. Children will easily identify with each character and share their adventures. From Zac's sad departure from the Valley, to his triumphant return, I defy anyone to be able to not want to read this book through to its truly uplifting ending! An excellent read for all ages, I highly recommend this book, and look forward to the next in this series!

I read the book Zac and The Valley of the Dragon's and I would recommend it as an excellent children's book. I think most adults would find it a good read. The adventures of Zac and his friends will enchant children of all ages. I felt like I was befriending Zac and walking every step with him on his search to find his fire. The friends Zac makes along the way will make you laugh. I found myself caught up in a very real, believable, make believe world. I thought Zac was well written and easy to read. This is a book I would read out loud to my children and grandchildren over and over with out getting tired of the great adventures Zac has on his quest to find his fire, It was a happy feeling when he found his real magic. I hope Mr. Mennenga will continue with the series. I for one, am waiting in line to read more.

As an American living in the southern Amazon basin, near the Xingu Indian Reserve, I unfortunately can attest to the truth in Mr. O'Conner's writings. He manages to give one a glimpse of what it is like to exist in this lawless, confusing frontier. To capture the flavor of this land of anarchy truly is difficult but the author does a superb job in transforming the vagueness of this bizarre and mystical frontier into words.

Mr. O'Conner, thank you for putting my thoughts into print. The grand Amazon is under serious attack and ,in my region especially, is being leveled at an exponential rate. Someone please do something.

O'Connor's brilliance is that he combines a writing style that simply engages the reader with a the knowledge that he can't and doesn't know all that there is to know about his topic. He brings together several issues and introduces many intriguing characters (Rauni, Kenny Good, Davi, just to name a few). The combination of the political ineptitude of the Indian organizations and the skewed perception of the Religious affiliates in the Amazon create an overwhelming amount of obsticals for objective journalism. O'Connor reports what happens from the viewpoint of a jounalist that knows he is part of the problem. I have come into contact with Venezuelan Yanomama and have seen first hand the impact that contact has made. O'Connor's unbias journalism is a releif from all of the news specials, and talk-show trash that seems to abound with the "Save the Rainforest" campaign. Read this book if you want a true report of what is happening to the last remaining independent people in the world. The truth is that contact with "white" people has braught innumerable destruction to this once self-sufficient society and Geoffrey O'Connor is not affraid to tell that side of the story.

I have two step-sons, ages 14 and 12. They are not avid readersbut were fascinated by this book. We are planning a trip to Brazil andamong the books I suggested for them was this one. I picked it up at on a recent trip to New York. My kids found it a great adventure book and motivated them even more to want to visit brazil.

This is a good book because it gives a lot of detail of what is going on in it.

Having spent some time with 1st Force Recon near 881S & 881N & Khe Sanh just prior to tet, I will have to say that what I experienced vs. what 3/26 encountered during those for intense days did not compare. The format of the book and the research the author conducted was insurmountable. This book was riveting to me and those that enjoy REAL LIFE encounters. I picked up the book and read it until I finished it in one eight hour period. I picked the book up in east Tennessee at a used book store for (price)I thought I overpaid, but after reading it I can see why it would sell for (price)instead. The author captured direct quotes from the officers and enlisted alike which made it sound like I was right in the middle of the cluster (....)It was an outstanding compilation of the events that occur in a combatzone. If the VA and other parties read this book they would realize themselves how difficult it would be to maintain their sanity in times that were discussed. THIS IS A MUST BUY BOOK. BUY THE BOOK!

This book is very well written and very factual. It tells the story of those few days in the life of 3rd BN 26th Marines just as it happened. For most people that have never experienced combat this will open their eyes. If you had a relative or friend that served in Viet Nam and for sure if they served in the U. S. Marines you should read this account of 3/26. I served in 3/26 from August of 1966 to October of 1967 and was there at Ambush Valley. I was the 81mm mortar forward observer attached to Kilo Company during this time. I sincerly appreciate the work of Eric Hammel in telling our story.

"Apple Valley Year" by Ann Turner shows young readers what happens during the year as Ralph Clark takes care of his apple orchard. From pruning the winter-dead branches to setting the beehives down among the trees to preparing the barrels to hold the apples that will be picked, "Apple Valley Year" is filled with the things large and small that make for a good harvest. Throughout the story Mr. Clark offers wise comments to his family (and horses) as to what makes for good apples. Apparently there is much more to do than wait for the apples to fall from the trees each autumn. Meanwhile, the fox that lives in the orchard is raising her new kits. The bright artwork by Sandi Wickersham Resnick is in the American primitive style, which is certainly appropriate for this story. This is one of those books where young readers will learn a lot about a topic without ever realizing they are doing more than being entertained.

Ralph Clark and his family farm apples, and we are shown the beauty and rhythm of their life through the seasons, beginning with winter. All efforts are interconnected, each season with its tasks that untimately contribute to a successful harvest. The book ends as it began, in winter, showing the full circle that being a farmer and working with nature offers. Beautifully illustrated.

When DeLanna and Andrew finally arrive in the Ohio Firelands, they must face cold and disapproving matrons and the everchallenging environment. Slowly, they find acceptance, friendship and their place in the community. As the story closes we look to the future of their young daughter Mattie, and uncertain changes to the town as the canal opens the land to an uneasy progress. This was a wonderful series of books and I look forward to BOOK FIVE! Does anyone know when that might be?

I loved this book in the Apple Valley series. DeLanna and her husband, Andrew, have finaly arrived in Ohio after a long voyage from Pennsylvania. Together with Andrew, DeLanna fights to build a place called home and to gain acceptance in the community.

This book is NOT out of stock, as it has been reprinted in 1988 and remains avaliable from Whalesback Books. For orders, call 202/333-2182.

This is a reprint of a book originally published in the 1930s, which describes with great sophistication the architecture of the many 18th century homes that dot the Piscataqua River valley, primarily in Portsmouth. At the time it was written, many of these homes were still occupied by descendants of the original owners, whereas now they are owned by non-profit organizations and are open to the public. It is enormously rewarding to compare the black and white pictures in the book with the houses as they are today. It also contains an introductory essay that gives a superb explanation of the evolution of domestic architecture from America's earliest settlements through the 18th century. As the book explains, Portsmouth, along with Newburyport, Annapolis, and Charleston, are unique among historic American cities because they prospered in the 18th century only to decline thereafter, thereby allowing their wonderful examples of Georgian and Federal/Adam architecture to be preserved. By way of contrast, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia grew so rapidly in the 19th century that most of their examples of this type of home were lost to the wrecker's ball.