I'm not sure how the beginning student would find this book though, but I think I would've liked to have it when I first started out. Perhaps some pronunciation guides would help, but I really don't think that the lack thereof is particularly detrimental.

There are notes on the differences between "written" and "spoken" French. Overall, this is a great book. Easy to use. Even if you're a complete beginner, you shouldn't have a problem.

Hawkins treats us to the theory only after 130 pages of his own views of the evolution of cosmological thought, complete with his take on the feuds, backbiting, and troubled waters of academic squabbling. His insights are interesting and his book a pleasure to read, but I had the troubling impression that I was being treated to someone else's dirty laundry all the while, though that's the way science works I suppose. Among opinions he expresses that ring true is that of the "HST bias," that results which come from HST observations are somehow given automatic priority over those of ground-based observations, a bias which is clearly not always warranted.

The most interesting part of his book, for me, was his detailed descriptions of his own observational programs - using a series of Schmidt plates of a single patch of sky, accumulated over a period of years, to search for faint variable stars. His hopes were to find microlensing events to bolster his theory. He ended up finding lots of previously unknown quasars, and finding new patterns of quasar variability spanning years, not months or weeks.

Hawkins is an unabashed UK promoter. I had to grin at many of his descriptions of the superior astronomy of the UK. He has a lot to brag about though.

The authors break down the interviewing process into an easy to understand format, complete with case study illustrations. This book is not only a superb introduction to the intentional interview, it can also serve as a resource for those who are interested in honing their microskills.

After all,this is what marks the difference between a bartender and a counselor!

It has pirates, sharkfins, rowboat, Island, Map, storybook, and a really cool detailed multilevel ship with plank, cannonports, anchor, sails, and everything!

Here's hoping the publisher decides to reissue this cool book.

This book is made up of small designs and motif. It is divided into seasonal chapters. Many of the designs are versatile enough to be used throughout the year. There is also an index by design subject to make it easy to find the motif you're looking for. Unfortunately, the index is on page 8, rather than at the back of the book where you'd expect to find an index.

Each seasonal section of the book begins with full color photos of each design printed on slick paper. Then follows smaller versions of these same pages in black and white, with circled numbers on each design. These numbers relate to the number (in order) of each chart in the book. I find this system of indexing somewhat difficult to use.

The designs themselves are printed in black and white with symbols in clear charts. When I've used designs from this book, I make an enlarged working copy to work from. The designs are printed on a flat-sheen paper (not slick).

This book is an excellent source of small motifs that can be used in a variety of ways for quick stitched items like bookmarks, sock cuffs, waste canvas projects for babies and children, cards, etc. Designs are usually smaller than 70 x 70 stitches, most being much smaller than that. Designs can be combined to make your own creations.

With colorful language that perfectly complements brilliant illustrations, this wonderful book is a must read for all children. It takes an abstract concept, racism, and breaks it down into concrete terms that young children can understand. The message in the book, that one should not judge people by their outside appearance but rather by their inner character, is one that we all should adhere to. John and Jenean Atwood are a fabulous writing team and I anxiously await other books with additional characters from the land of Dushkin. ...

To start things of, Hawkins presents the concept of being 'born to magic', which has always rested uneasy with me, a firm believer in setting one's own destiny, not some external force directing with an unseen hand toward one path or another, even in the starting phase.

Hawkins has constructed a simple, but lovely banishing ritual: 'The Centre of Chaos Banishing' (pg. 35), which I used with some success. I like the alternate symbolism used, the assignments different for the elements and quarters, using British Hereditary Witch symbolism rather than the apparently 'traditional' Middle Eastern correspondences most Wiccan and neo-pagan groups use today.

She gives excellent advice regarding basic techniques, and how they should be maintained, even for the magickian who considers hirself a master. This is something often skipped over, or perhaps assumed, in many books (which she notes), so it's nice to have this little reminder.

A strange sort of balance is described, especially coming from a noted chaos magickian. I myself am not of the mind that the Universe is balanced, magickally or otherwise. I suppose it comes back to the saying 'if you ask 10 chaos magickians what chaos magick is, you'll get at least 13 different answers', it applies to nearly everything.

The text is beautifully complimented by artwork from her partner, Anton Channing. Loads of illustrations of a cheeky little monkey with prominent fangs, a cute, but dangerous reminder.

There is much that will be considered familiar to the experienced reader and practitioner, but it also touches on new ideas, and different perspectives. Buy Understanding Chaos Magic if you want to learn the basic history and common thoughts associated, and Chaos Monkey when you're ready to try out its practical applications.

Underlying therory for CUSUM chart development using various statistical distributions is treated in later chapters.

The authors have included internet address for downloading application software. The software is compatable with any Windows based system and Excell package.

Many different 'types' of Earth spirits are briefly covered, as well as several tables of correspondences covering different colours, stones, crystals, planets, etc. and how they relate and can be used to gain the favour of the Earth spirits and elementals.

Several methods of meeting garden and Earth spirits are discussed, in their natural habitat and connecting with Nature as a whole. How to obtain and observe spontaneous sightings, and even attune to them from your own home using potted plants and Earth.

Hawkins presents some unique and thought provoking ideas about 'computer gremlins', robotic elementals, combining Earth energies to form newer, more modern spirit models. She notes a difference between these and 'thought-forms' which I find questionable, but she explains her position well.

Hawkins has advice for newbies as well as suggestions for more experienced practitioners. She warns against novices trying more advanced operations, but doesn't give any details or specifics that would likely cause any serious threat, and so are somewhat unnecessary.

This book covers ground that's been covered before, but I've not come across one that's contained all this information specific to Earth spirits in a single volume. Overall, not a bad book for a beginner interested in getting closer to Nature and experimenting with various methods of contact with natural Earth elementals

keep up the great work! i loved every minute it took to read!

It is best to start with this book if reading the series as it sets the tone, layout and ideas of the author, and she refers to things in this book throughout the series.

Reading this book has altered the nature of my work somewhat, in that I look at nature slightly more animistically than I did previous, and have been a bit more experimental with my elemental work. Although the information on divination, folk magic, ritual etc is ideal for beginners, I personally have derived benefit from looking at them in terms of how they can be connected with the elements. For example, whereas previously I practiced divination without working with spirits of this sort, I have now started trying this technique out, and it does seem to speed the process up a bit, although I wouldn't say my results are any more accurate. Anyway,I could go on at some length, but it's enough to say that I am greatful for these books because they have really added a new dimension and brought much needed freshness to my work. Oh, and I like Marc Potts covers!