I have been actively involved in shamanism for the past 10 years and am constantly on the look-out for books that provide enough flavor and texture to give someone unfamiliar with the practice a good overview of the topic.

Of the over 50 books I have reviewed, this is the best.

"The Book of the Shaman" is well organized, colorful, inviting and does a terrific job at touching on the breadth of the shamanic experience. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have.

This book is not only a fascinating read, but is filled with exceptional photos throughout. It takes you on a journey which explains the ancient rituals of various shamans of the world, while explaining the reasons and uses for these rituals. It takes you through the "how to" in step by step detail, along with photos which are a great enhancement to the text. Beautifully written and presented - a real keeper for any Spiritual library.

We moved to Japan 6 years ago with only a vague understanding of Japanese political-economy. We ran across Christopher Wood's book at a local bookstore. It was fascinating and has proved to be an astoundingly accurate depiction foretelling the events of today. I picked the book up again today and concluded that, short of having a crystal ball, this guy had to have been the lone voice of common sense and sound reason on the planet at the time he wrote this book. People must have regarded him as an oddity at the time. One wonders where he is now and what he is doing.

Let's face it, many of the "Japan experts" have totally missed the boat. Mr. Wood's book, published in 1992, was "right on the money" and predicted Japan's current economic plight (although underestimating abit the time it would take to get there). This book provides readers with valuable insights into how the Japanese political economy functions (and doesn't function). By focusing on fundamentals, particularly the banking system, Mr. Wood provides the reader with a framework for analyzing the daily tidbits of information coming out in the press.

I was at the Anchorage International Airport on my way back from Kotzebue, Alaska and I saw this book. The cover caught my eye; the contents were impressive. This book gives a lot of useful hints and details for building log homes. I liked it so much I bought one and sent a friend a copy. Thanks for a well-written book!

I have read at least a dozen of the latest log cabin building books. Unfortunately, most of them do not go into enough detail on the scribe-fit building technique. This one, however, is the first that really does. This book includes many USEFUL pictures and doesn't ramble on about unimportant subjects. This book is focused, to-the-point, and in the amount of detail that is necessary. As a result, this is a good companion to any other log cabin building books that you may already have, since it fills in the missing details that the other books seem to overlook. I definitely recommend it.

Timber framing is my hobby, and I own several books on the subject, but this has always been my favorite. The how-to section is very thorough, and includes information on tools and techniques. The author's enthusiasm for the subject is what really makes the difference, though. The sections on history and woodworking are especially good. If a friend wanted to try timber framing, and asked me which book to buy first, I would pick this one without hesitation.

My wife and I built a hybrid timber frame home using this book as a guide. Although we have construction skills, this book was invaluable in guiding us through the process. We can't wait to build another. We highly recommend this book to anyone considering a timber frame house.

I just finished reading this book to my grandson, and he was totally absorbed in it from start to finish. In fact, he had his grandma finish reading the story when I had to quit, then asked me to read it to him again the next night! And this is from a kid who's very hyper. The lessons to be learned about life in this book are good for every kid, and they're presented in a way that's spellbinding to them, but not oversimplified. I highly recommend this book!

My name is Tessie and I am 9 years old. I read the Candle and the Magic Boat. I like this book very much because it brings me into the book when Candle flew out to OOzooland and when Coozoo took Candle to the Magic Mirror Factory where Foofooth was. The Mirror Factory was very pretty and it was my favorite place. The story is really exciting and the pictures are almost "magical". I would recommend this book to everyone.

Sylvia Woods has produced an set of arrangements of the Pachelbel "Canon" for the folk or lever harp. There are arrangements for both an intermeditate-level and more difficult harp solo, harp duet (lucky you, if you have another harper nearby!), and an arrangement for harp and another instrument like flute or violin. There are two sections - one in the key of D (the Canon was written in D), and one in G. No lever changes. Fingerings are included.

The Canon is quite easy to play, since it's just a repetition of about 8 sets of chords. Once you learn the series of chords, you're 90% there!

This is a great favorite for weddings or other formal occasions (first nights, concerts, etc), so if you plan on playing in public at some point, this is a great piece to add to your repetoire!

As a harp student, I was very surprised to find such a selection of books on the topic at Amazon.

Sylvia Woods is a remarkable player (I recommend her recordings also), as well as being wonderful at composing and arranging music. Pachelbel's Cannon is a simple yet beautiful theme, and well-known. Anyone playing for gigs or just for fun should have it in their repertoire.

The book comes with many variations on the tune, including Easy and Advanced Harp Solos, and a Harp Duet either for two harps or one harp and another instrument. Also, you can play the song in either D or G.

A wonderful book. In addition to great photographs, it is a wonderful story of the adventure taken to obtain the photo's by the photographers.

While many books on birds are either cumbersome "doorstops" with far too much information (even for the avid) or are comprised of a collection of "only good" photographs that all seem to blend into one at the end of the reading (if you get that far), Bob and Vera's, "Chasing Warblers" is refreshing. Not only are the photographs first class by all standards, but the storyline is original and tight. First off, who gets that close to a Swainson's or a Colima or a Kirtlands, let alone photograph it? Any birder who has even scant knowledge of warblers and their persistant and sometimes frustrating "flutter" can appreaciate their task and acknowledge their success. Second, there is good writing. The story of Bob and Vera's adventures and misadventures from the mountaintops of the Texan deserts to the Pacific forests to the woodlands of Central Park prove exciting and written in colorful coloquial speak. Whether a birder or not - one can appreciate a book that combines truly amazing photos with an entertaining story - a rare entity!! Review by Mark Robert, San Francisco, Ca.

Winnicott is so right on with his observations, and in this book his thoughts are accessible to anyone who is interested in learning about how children experience the world and grow into being a part of it. His tone is so compassionate that one just knows he must have been a wonderful therapist - and person. His ideas are easy to follow and he writes as if he is speaking to you, as a friend and a wise person.

Most of the short pieces in this book-a collection of BBC radio talks- are typical of Winnicotts comon-sense views on parents,children and education. The chapter about twins however really stands out and has more to say in five short pages than most other literature on the subject. The difference is that where others see twins more or less as freaks of nature on whom one can test ones ideas about the nature-nurture-issue, Winnicott sees them as individual persons. Where others stress the obvious fact of their similarity, Winnicott stresses that twins are two different persons right from the outset and that being a twin has its advantages, but also its drawbacks for the necessary task of developing ones own personality. he observes that while most twins get along well enough, they often did not manage to distance themselves enough to really love each other. This is a thought-provoking piece. Readers should not be deterred by the books slightly paternalistic tone wich probably went down well during the fifties but does not do so anymore.

I learned to chip carve from reading this book. The patterns and work shown are somewhat simple and are easily attainable. Barton's descriptions and explainations are clear and if you follow what he does, it inspires enough confidence to continue.

A good basic book about chip carving. Covers selection of wood, tools and their maintenance, technique, and a brief history of chip carving. Also includes a variety of patterns.

In 1930, William Van Alen (architect of New York's Chrysler Building) invented his Art Deco design to embody the spirit of his age when art was expected to be higher, faster, and more dynamic than was to be found in any prior age. Superbly illustrated with images drawn from the Christie's archives, and enhanced with commentaries by Michael Jeffery, Simon Andrews, and Nicolette White, Christie's Art Deco is an informative as it is beautiful, complete capturing the dynamic essence of an art style that defined an era with everything from Japanese ceramics to Swiss poster designs to French glass to American architect, and more. Highly recommended for art history students, art deco collectors and connoisseurs, as well as anyone with an eye for enduring beauty, Christie's Art Deco is enriched with collector's tips, a glossary, museum addresses, Christie's addresses, a select bibliography for further study, and a very helpful index.

Christie's Art Deco, edited by Fiona Gallagher, is an excellent overview of the Art Deco period with highlights of the major designers of each category with innovations in the respective fields of design. It is written in a scholarly narrative text. Categories included are architectural detailing, furniture, glass, ceramics, silver and metalware, jewelry, sculpture, and graphics/posters. It has 192 pages with approximately 120 color photographs and an excellent bibliography given for further research. It is an excellent choice for a wide range of readers with an interest in the decorative arts.