As was stated in my review of just the Gill Tarot cards, I find the Gill Tarot to be particularly valuable for giving readings to younger people. I find the meanings on the Minor Arcana particularly useful for this, although some may find this initial definition limiting.

But Gill's book gives much more versatility to Gill's wonderfully illustrated cards by giving more in depth definitions of the card images that she chose for each of the Major and Minor Arcana. There's much more in the full book than is in the 24 page booklet that is provided with just the cards. And there's much more to the Minor Arcana than the simple definitions Gill decided to print on each card - and this book gives those definitions.

The Gill Tarot has a great deal of Jewish Kabbalistic symbolism - only some of which I caught even on continued use. Like a couple of the reviewrs before me, I now find myself being drawn into a study of the Kabbalah and its meanings - a study that these cards began and that these cards will probably help me with. The Tree of Life, a continuing symbol of Gill's Tarot, is an important part of many mystic journeys, especially Kabbalistic ones, and this deck of cards will assist you while travelling down that narrow path that can only be defined by you.

There's enough info for beginners in this book, but the serious student will find something to like as well. One of my higher recommendations.

Hi, This was the very first Tarot deck I ever bought for myself. It was introduced to me by a reader at a shop, and I was drawn to it right away by its beautiful and unusual pictures. Very colorful! Personally, it spoke to my heart from the start. Later on I bought the book for it, and learned much more. Although, at the time of purchase, I was not into Qabala, I am now, and I attribute this to the cards. I am so glad that they had drawn me into such a wonderful world of study. Learning about the relationship between Tarot and The Tree of Life has made my card reading much richer. It goes beyond "fortune-telling", and into the depths of the soul. I have now continued on with my Qabalistic studies through other sources, as well, and use my Gill Tarot cards, and book, right along with those studies. If you can look at this deck, and book, at a store, and feel drawn to them, by all means buy them. You will learn alot from studying both. I'll admit, the book may not be for beginners because of the Qabalistic bent, but it is very spiritual, and still makes for an interesting, spiritual read. But watch out! You may end up getting drug into the fascinating world of the Tree of Life (Qabala). Peace, Catbird

I admit that the artwork is a bit odd, and very atypical. However, when I first saw this deck, I knew it was for me. Personally, I find the major arcana cards to be quite attractive. The minor arcana is where it gets a little strange, but once you pick up on the symbolism, it really works. This deck is very reliant on Qabalistic symbolism that I just don't understand, but I seem to manage just fine without it. The first time I did a reading with this deck, it was dead on, and it -[felt]- good. I wouldn't recommend this deck to just anyone though. I feel a connection with it. It works for me. That doesn't mean it will work as well for another. I've learned that the recomendations of others don't mean a whole lot. What matters is how you feel about the deck. Try checking out http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/index.html to browse around and find a deck that strikes your fancy. And if possible, find a local shop where you can browse the decks (like Mystical Tymes in New Hope, PA).

I've always liked Josephine Tey , especially Brat Farrar, The Singing Sands and The Man in the Queue but, unlike those books, I found this book to be rather dated in terms of plot and dialogue and the character of Miss Pym to be somewhat tedious and pedantic. I don't think it's held up as well as the best of Tey's work. If you've never read Tey before, this is definitely not the book to start with.

I think the ending lacks closure but it makes you want to go back and reread the parts where Miss Pym speaks to Mary Innes after showing her the pin. I thought that the last few lines of the book were horrible but I liked the way the story ended with Miss Pym finding out just at the last moment who could have done it. The book gets four stars because it has a good solid plot. Overall, I liked it.

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I first read "Miss Pym Disposes" as a young teen, and was immediately swept away into the young woman's physical therapy training school she is visiting. The same happened in re-reading this book as an adult. I was swept away again on this wonderful journey.
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Josephine Tey does an astounding job of immersing the reader in the lives, worries, fears, and doubts of the young women attending the school. When an "unlikable" girl is murdered, Miss Pym, and the reader have our eyes focused on all the other girls, wondering about their motives.
But just when you think you understand, the view shifts, and everything has to be reinterpreted.
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This is a beautifully written, rich, complex, absorbing mystery. The author's ability to interest us in the lives and dreams of the main characters is phenomenal. You'll find yourself cheering for the girl who is a shy mouse, and resenting the slyness and pettiness of the young woman who becomes the victim.
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The surprise ending is inspired. But this mystery's greatness doesn't rely only on a surprising plot twist. What carries us in fascination all through the book is the way the characters come to life. Reading the story, we feel allied with the "guest", Miss Pym, hoping to solve the mystery, but worrying how the outcome will affect the "heroes" that we've come to know and love.

When I bought this book, I hoped to discover some fresh, practical, engaged and witty viewpoints on net culture and net politics - instead, I found a heap of old-school pomo navel gazing rhetorics, far removed from relevant action and practice. Pretty disappointing. Sympathetic, because avantgardistic and marginal? Maybe, but it'll take much more than this ivory tower in order to get things done, to raise active awareness and engagement - which we need much more than any piece of self-conceited babble. Get a life!

I was expecting more self-indulgence than I found here. There is, suprisingly, quite a bit of clear prose in here, mixed in with ascii art and high theory. I loved the "cooking pot markets" essay about the free circulation of ideas on the net.

This book is a gift, full of ideas and original thinking. I didn't see any of the hackneyed leftism that anti-alienation reviewer below noted. If thinking and words are not your bag, don't read any book. If you know the power of words and that ascii is the true gift of the net, then read this book!

This book is packed with words. Revenge indeed; knowledge indeed. Something really is happening on the internet, but you'll half to cast your net as wide as these far-flung correspondents if you want to limn it. Big names in net writing are here: Erik Davis, Manuel De Landa, and Mark Dery are excerpted, but a gaggle of names you've never heard of matches them word for word, writing about, munging, life on net time.

Worth it just for some of the liner notes and ascii art....

I hate giving bad reviews, but I love telling the truth. This book is full of techniques that any practicing Occultist will have mastered long ago. It's nothing new or interesting, nor anything particularly innovative. The only use I can find for this book is as a self-teaching tool for those with no experience in energy working. If you've worked energy succesfully before, just skip over this one and go for a more useful book.

I have read quite a few books on psychic skills and energy work but this is by far the best book on the subject. If you are interested in learning how to develop and control the energy that resides in all of us, this book will help. It includes basic exercises to help you feel and control this energy. It gets an A+ in my book.

I have never found any guide to energy work as practical, easy to understand and use as this one. Step by step exercises and inhanced photography will impress even the most skeptical readers. I've found it an invaluable teaching resource.

Very enjoyable books, these three, and the most recent is the best yet. Amateur sleuth Jo Fuller is a real person - living a real life - yet getting involved in solving crimes on the side. Love the full figured point of view - nice change from what we usually see - and a much more realistic view of women.

Jo Fuller is working underground for her wealthy philanthropist boss Mrs. Madrone at a job skill center in Bremeton, Washington. However, her efforts to see if the center is worthy of financial support are interrupted when Teddy Etheridge enters the center. The last time Teddy and Jo saw one another was in Kathmandu when their spouses found love in one anther's arms. Teddy pleads with Jo to help him find his missing love Lucille Meeker, a full-bodied woman like Jo.

Jo learns that Lucille caused problems for the center by pretending to be a client while stealing a computer from Fransesca who remains Teddy's estranged wife. Jo goes to visit Fransesca only to find someone murdered the woman. Jo's former husband Griffin Fuller is the prime suspect as he has just broken off with Fransesca. Perhaps it is for old time's sake but Jo decides to investigate the crime because she knows that Griffin is a sleaze but not a killer.

MO

Harriet Klausner

This is a biography of LaBaker written by one of her many adopted children. He gives the inside dish on his mom, including that both she and his adopter father were gay. He points out too that she did have some self-loathing issues regarding her race as well. This book has a great photo section. It helped me to see the ugly side of Josephine that wasn't fully presented in the great movie by HBO. I am not sure it is the best work out there, but it is a must-read for any Josephine fans and scholars. In addition, people that study Black Americans abroad or French naturalized citizens should read this.

A perfectly balanced expose of this legendary and highly complex superstar: Amoral in extremis, manic and delusional, but blessed with indomitable human spirit. Excellent historical perspective throughout.

A beautifully written biography which does not succumb to the tawdry, despite its detailed narrative of Josephine Baker's pathologically decadent lifestyle.

Absolutely the best biography of J.B., bar none. A Must Read for Paris cabaret enthusiasts.

It is generally conceded that this book was actually written by Felix Salten, the author of "Bambi", although you will not notice a lot of stylistic similarities.

I read this book about 2 yrs. ago, and i cannot believe how amazing it was, i talks about a real prostitute's life, her beginning, bio and how she became that way. I cannot say in words what a memorable experience it was.

When Josephine, our super-sized sleuth, receives a letter from Wolf
Lambert she decides to visit him in the beautiful Napa Valley while on
assignment there investigating grant applicants.

Wolf is a retired director, owner of a winery, and the proud producer
of x-rated films starring plus sized women. Josephine is also
interested in the tenant downstairs, one Mr. Mulligan who was also going
to be in San Francisco. Upon arriving at Lambert Wineries, she takes a
stroll around. There was a stack of empty wine barrels and half
barrels for sale as planters, and Josephine wanders over to that
display, while she waited to see Wolf, she noticed other people arriving,
supposedly for a tour of the winery.
When Wolf shows up he is blind drunk. As he staggers around he grabs
onto one of the bottom barrels making the whole stack start rolling
down. When the dust clears and Josephine rushes to see about Wolf, she
sees a pair of legs clad in blue jeans hanging out of one of the
barrels. Closer inspection reveals the body of a dead man.

Imagine, if you can, the job the detectives have (with Josephine's help)
sorting out the dead man, the drunken owner, several plus sized women
and a few men, waiting to make a porno film, and Josephine, trying to
establish a rendezvous with her boy friend. I have to admit this is a
first for me. Full of mystery, romance, and plus sized porn stars.

Review by: Ginny Welding

Ms. Murray has also written:
At Large
Large Target
Larger in Death

She's a full figured woman who is comfortable in her own skin, not caring that many people are prejudiced about her size. She works for Mrs. Madrone, a very wealthy woman who lives in San Francisco and gives away sizable sums to charities and organizations that apply to her foundation for a grant. Josephine Fuller, Jo to her friends, is the person who investigates the requesting organization and then reports her findings to Mrs. Madrone.

Jo's latest assignment is the Friend in Need Centers, an organization that councils pregnant women but in reality is a front for the pro-life radicals. At the same time she's performing her duties, she is looking for evidence for clearing her friend Thelma of a murder charge. Somebody doesn't like what Jo is doing because she is shot at twice and comes dangerously close to dying a third time.

The protagonist of this novel is a very likable woman who gains reader empathy but not their sympathy because she doesn't need it. She believes she's attractive and appealing and the audience accepts her on her own terms. The story line is fast paced and the reader never knows who the killer is until the author reveals it in an exciting and believable climax. A TON OF TROUBLE is a ton of fun in this amateur sleuth mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Sr Josephine's story of love and conversion moved me deeply. I viewed prisoners much differently after reading her book. Her presence among the most hardened of criminals reveals the power of love to change people's lives. Her theme of forgiveness is powerful, something to be personally reckoned with.

It was a gift to my son from us on his 9th birthday.A great book to read aloud to children. With its variety and multicultural flavour, the stories hold interest. The substance could be more explicit for sustained self reading. A good collection of folk tales and makes a worthwhile addition to the library of children's books at home alongwith the three other books written by the same author.