I've read a lot of academic work on loneliness, and the sterility of such work amazes me. This book stands out in its passionate and personal tone--and in its focus on how loneliness can help people grow. ("I realized that man's inevitable and infinite loneliness is not solely an awful condition of human existence but that it is also the instrument through which man experiences new compassion and new beauty"--p. x in 1961 edition). The writing style is unusual, and may not be for everyone, but Moustakas' tone deeply affected my read of the book, and in my opinion, is one of the book's many strengths. It is a philosophical treatise that can help illuminate the assumptions in shallow self-help books. Obviously, I highly recommend it.

I don't know if or when any of you is going to find himself / herself in this particular area, but anyway here it is...

This is the latest edition (8th) that was released only about a year ago. Things really changed in this edition compared to its predecessor; more authors are involved and new and updated information is added (though many sections remain).

Important note: When it comes to Myanmar, things can change for better or worse overnight due to the nature of the ruling government, while some other things tend to stay the same. Especially here, pay close attention to all the small details given in the chapters "Facts for the visitor", "Getting there and away" and "Getting around" - they matter greatly.

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As a whole, the guide will be a valuable asset for you if you're planning on traveling there, and there is absolutely no doubt whether to buy it or not - it's an essential purchase. To a great extent it will help you plan your budget, your destinations, how to get there and when, what to bring and so forth.

You should know that there are some beautiful places to visit in the country. One of them, the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon, strikes me as one of the most beautiful man made structures in the world. Imagine a 100 meters high Stupa (Buddhist religious monument), all covered with golden leaves, set on top of a hill, in the center of smaller golden temples and Buddha statues. The sight was breathtaking and alone was worth coming. Another famous place, yet less astounding, is Bagan, the city of Stupas in the north. There you can find numerous Stupas some of which were built more than 1000 ago. And yes, almost in every city and town you will see at least one golden Stupa (that immensely contradict the poverty of the people) that give Myanmar the name "The Golden Land".

The tagline on the cover of this book is "should you go?" It is misleading due to the fact that the answer they give inside is "yes". If you want to go - go, the political status is not of your concern, you're a traveler not a world freedom fighter. You wouldn't help the local people by avoiding the country - they benefit from your staying there - and that is all that you should care about.

Nevertheless, the authors don't really prepare you for the level of poverty you're going to meet there (the same way another author hasn't done in the Cambodia book yet); this is one of the poorest countries in the world and that's why you should always be careful and never trust anybody - they're there for your money (mostly). I really don't like, after being around, the attitude of "the locals are so nice and we can learn so much from them"; some of them are really nice and helpful, but others are nice because you spend your money there and it's downright blatant. Expect it; don't fall for it and BE CAREFUL of forced and immediate friendliness. Remember that as a tourist you're regarded as very rich and compared to them you are.

I want to mention the fact that as a traveler and a guest you will receive the best services even in budget hotels - they treated my friend and me like royalty in each and every hotel, and that was something we really enjoyed and appreciated. It's the best service all over South East Asia, and it does say something about the people as a nation.

I hope their days of freedom will come soon. ...

Lonely Planet New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, is a great book to have if you intend to visit all three states. There information is second to none, except New York City (buy Lonely Planet's New York City Guide). The entire Pennsylvania chapter is excellent also, and the guides to specific places like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lake Erie region is first rate! The only problem is that they skipped Meadville, PA, which is a excellent place between Erie and Titusville, and is near places like Conneaut Lake and Pymantuning.

Clark Gable was The King long before Elvis started shaking his booty and long before Elvis even had a booty to shake! It's refreshing, in this biography, to read what a humble man this gorgeous, virile man had. Far from being the Rhett Butler-egomaniac, Gable actually thought he wasn't "that good-looking!" "I'm just a lucky slob from Ohio," Gable is quoted in the book as telling an interviewer.

Known largely for his on-stage role as Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind, also starring Vivien Leigh -- and his off-screen romance with Carole Lombard, Gable wooed more women than he ever could have bedded, what with those "come hither" eyes and dimples. Every woman who watched Gone With the Wind would have changed places with Vivien in a second in the famous "rape" scene where he roughly sweeps Scarlett in his arms and carries the kicking and screaming wife up the stairs. Of course, anyone who knows anything about love, Scarlett and that movie knows it surely wasn't rape!

Tornabene's book explores Gable's extreme professionalism as an actor and bits and pieces of the private life he chose to hide while alive. He was even described by the media as "boring" because he wouldn't talk about his private life!

Interesting in the book is that this journalist decided to make a most humble move and talk to a pscyhologist about the research to gain a different view of Clark Gable, as research alone provided pieces to the Gable puzzle but not the entire picture.

This book is written so well I have read it many times. It is set in the depression era and brings you to that time with laughter and tears. Billy C. CLark describes small town living along the Big Sandy River which was once the cities life. I think people of all ages would love this heart felt book.

Look at me! Look at me! I have never read this book but I just wanted to get my name on here! If you want to know about it READ THE DANG BOOK! Finally I would just like to say HI MOM! I LOVE YOU!

I always thought this was one of the best books written on how to look at (enjoy and understand)great works of art. Kenneth Clark writes so easily, the writing just flows and everything is made so CLEAR to the average Joe Schmoe who doesn't know much about art but knows what he likes! If you are confused by great art in general, or feel awkward when trying to discuss your reactions to it, this book will help you understand, and appreciate, so much more.

I thought that it was going to be an ok book. Then I read it and it even had direct lines from the movie. That was a great book. It couldn't have been more detailed. Mrs. Clark must have listened to the movie a bunch of times, or gotten the script. The pictures were good, too.

Lost architecture has long been a passion of mine: there's something so humbling and bittersweet about buildings that exist now only in memory or on a few frames of precious film. After reading great works on the subject such as Constance Greiff's LOST AMERICA or Larry Millett's LOST TWIN CITIES, I had often complained, "Why isn't there a book like this for my home state?"

I can complain no more. LOST VIRGINIA is here at last!

The book is certainly everything I could have hoped for, combining clear, informative text with beautifully reproduced photos. Hundreds of lost buildings are finally given notice and recognition, from mansions like Rosewell, Barboursville and Pratt's Castle to Rockbridge County's splendid boom hotels (including my favorite long-vanished building, Goshen's Alleghany Hotel).

I can't recommend this book more highly or think of a better gift for any fan of architecture or Virginia history. And since there are many lost buildings yet to be documented, I hope there will some day be a sequel!