This book is a delight. ... Finest value for my dollar of any purchase I can recall making. I am now on my fourth reading, and see no reason to stop. Aitken Roshi has given us a compendium of dozens of original American koans--or as the animals say, "turning points." Raven hears the story of Shakyamuni's realization when looking up to see the morning star from beneath the Bodhi tree. Raven somehow feels something is missing. What?

I appreciate Robert Aitken much more after reading this unique little creation of his. And I think you will, too, if you have some familiarity of Zen practice. The book consists of connected succinct stories that refreshingly present key realizations in Zen Buddhism -- without the usual old Chinese or Japanese monks.

If you are interested in Zen - This book is excellent.
If you are not interested in Zen - This book is hilarious.
If you want to confuse you philosophy professor - This book is perfect.
If you are stoned outta your phreakin mind - This book makes PERFECT sense.

Ted Sturgeon was a nudist, a wild man, a tortured soul who reinvented himself and turned around to help the rest of us reinvent ourselves. It's a pleasure to watch his mind work, and a pleasure to see his stories still running wild and free without him. But his stories may upset you and make you wonder about things you've always taken for granted. His were the real dangerous visions, and his tears are mixed into his work. Reading Sturgeon is like grabbing a live wire, except being shocked never made me bellow with laughter.

Baby Is Three is the wonderful sixth volume in the Sturgeon collection. The collection is organized chronologically by story creation date. Having read and enjoyed the first five volumes, it was hard for me to imagine that I could possibly like Baby Is Three even better. But I did! Sturgeon's writing shows an impressive maturity of idea and flow in this volume, and Paul Williams' story notes kept me flipping to the back of the book to read about what was happening in Sturgeon's life at the time he penned each story. As a psychologist who is also a science-fiction fan, I enjoyed the intra- and interpersonal dynamics within each story, as well as the opportunity to understand and deconstruct the context in which Sturgeon wrote the stories, as offered by Williams' story notes. A bonus: two of Sturgeon's own short, autobiographical pieces are included at the end. For those who love science fiction that is thoughtful, playful, and psychologically based, Baby Is Three is a must-read. And for those who have read Sturgeon's well-known More Than Human, Baby Is Three will add to your understanding and appreciation of that tale, as well.

This audio book gave me a new view of my self-imposed limitations on my approach to weight control and healthy eating. Michele's spiritual and spirited techniques have inspired me to move away from negative behaviors and toward a healthier me. I highly recommend this audio book.

I have found a product that really understands the mind body connection. Be Your Perfect Weight is a product that tells you how to really changee your self image I love it.

Richard Grudens' Bing Crosby: Crooner Of The Century is an impressive presented and informatively written tribute to the famous singer Bing Crosby, his varied and sometimes difficult life, his family, the success story of his singing and acting career, and the lasting cultural reflections of his work. Featuring an introduction by Bing Crosby's wife Kathryn Grant Crosby, Bing Crosby: Crooner Of The Century is a "must-read" for the lingering legions of Bing Crosby fans.

Richard Gruden's heartwarming tale of Bing Crosby's life story is one that will remain in my personal library of well-written biographies for a long time. From birth to death, Bing Crosby's life is passionately displayed through words and pictures alike. Crosby fans and those new to his world of musical talent will instantly be entranced by the smooth flow of the story. Finally! A biography about one of the world's most influential musicians that doesn't read like a textbook but rather like a tale that makes me want to read it again and again!

I applaud Grudens for a job well done. "Bing Crosby--Crooner of the Century" will surely be a favorite of those who know Bing Crosby and wish to know more. The story comes with my highest recommendation.

Yes, this book carries a hefty price tag and its paltry number of illustrations grates a bit on the nerves. But the content within the covers is absolutely amazing. Any serious fan of Bing will beg, borrow or possibly steal this tome because it's fasincating and detailed.

Do you want to know where Bing was or what he was doing on May 12, 1941? Easy, just flip to the entry for that date. The littlest bit of trivia is included and it makes for sometimes amusing reading. Bing caught four fish on this date in 1956, he played 36 holes of golf at the Bel Air Country Club on this date in 1942... it's all here. It's incredible to realize how multi-faceted Bing was and what a full life he led, truly something to be envied.

Rounding out the book is a complete discography and an index which is complete and easy to follow. This is a "must have" for anyone seriously interested in the career of this laid-back, phlegmatic legend. I highly recommend this beautiful volume.

Without a doubt, this is the most comprehensive look at Bing Crosby's activities, literally on a "day by day" basis from his birth in 1903 to his death in 1977, that has ever been published. Malcolm Macfarlane, in what obviously was a labor of love, has painstakingly uncovered every bit of information on Bing's life that he could find. His attention to detail is
impeccable.

To enhance the coverage of Bing's films, radio/TV, and stage performances, Malcolm utilizes countless reviews and press cuttings from various publications. The "show biz Bible", VARIETY, is often quoted, providing a time capsule effect to Bing's life and times. These reviews are, in essence, the history of show business for over half a century, further adding to the appeal of the book.

Indeed this is a book not only devoted (and casual) fans of Bing will treasure, but also those doing research on virtually any other performer of his era. Bing's path crossed with most of them, a fact proven by the extraordinarily detailed index.

Malcolm has also provided the reader with a "fact file", citing milestones of Bing's life. His forty top hit recordings, gold records, feature films, careers in radio and TV are all covered in a general manner. A discography is also provided, listing only the song titles and dates recorded, from 1926-77. Rejected and alternate takes have been omitted.

The only minor disappointment, and it entirely rests with the publisher, is the lack of illustrations to accompany the entries. As it stands, Scarecrow Press devoted a mere 16 pages out of over 800 total to photos. But don't let that deter you from purchasing this fabulous book.

To be sure, this is a book the whole family can enjoy. I, for one, found it amusing to look up milestone dates in members of my family's lives, to see what activities Bing was involved with on those days.

The book carries with it a rather hefty price tag, but make no fuss about it, you're getting a lot for your money.

This book is about the Buddhist path to enlightenment, but contains many things applicable to improving anyone's life. It deals a lot with human suffering, and the need for people to help remove the suffering of others, as through this one's own life may be improved.
Although it is presented from a Buddhist perspective, much of the teaching is a good guide to self development, the principles that it teaches are hard to fault, and it remains centered on these things throughout the book.
The commentary deals with the Buddhist philosphies that Santideva uses, and explains the Buddhist principles involved, rather than explaining the teachings.

It gets pretty involved, but you can take quite a lot out of it.

"When the mental attitude of anger is slain, then slain is every enemy"......

Clarification: the book is not as bad as it can be, neither is it as good as there can possibly be. It just is. It is truth/Truth. It has helped many find the path, it can help everyone and anyone if it is read conscientously. Let us put an end to suffering not for our own pityful selves, but for the sake of every other embodied being. Peace.

On one hand the notes and comments are very useful for novice readers lacking the historical context as well as the cultural aspects of the writing of the Bodhicaryavatara. On the other hand, placing comments before each chapter makes the book more analytical, and this impacts on the depth and beauty of the verses of the Bodhicaryavatara itself. It is probably a good idea to read it once for understanding the why's and who's and then go back through it without reading the comments at all.

Since it has been written after or partly at the same time as the Siksa Samuccaya, interested readers should also get the Siksa Samuccaya and read both books. It is also probably easier to first read this book and only after having been taught the context of the "story" go to the Siksa Samuccaya which is difficult to understand without a consequent knowledge of the Buddhist culture.

Anyway, this is a high quality translation as well as a very good commented version of the Bodhicaryavatara. Recommended for all types of readers, novice as well as more advanced in the Buddhist thought.

If you really want to understand the Bodhicaryavatara this is one of the best books you can get.

The translators have captured the poetry of the original, without losing the meaning. This text has all the beauty and power of the Matics translation, but encompasses the logic and clarity of Bachelor's. The text itself is the sublime essence of the Dharma and simply by reading it carefully one can be transformed and transported to higher states of consciousness. The translators provide a host of helpful and informative notes to the text. These are essential to the modern reader because they elucidate the context within which the 8th century text was delivered - which was in the thriving Buddhist milieu of the great monastic university of Nalanda at it's height. One of the most important books ever written in the east or west.

Crosby not only give a practical insight into the advantages and necessities of Quality in our ever increasing competitive 'Borderless World', but does it with entertaining stories. All executives and CEOs who wish to improve their companies in the long term and stay competitive should read this book. Highly recommended.

Five years after writing about the 21st Century, some of what he Philip Crosby predicted has already happened. It talks of a "dish" that you can speak into and get all the data that the company needs to make decisions. The Internet has certainly fulfilled most of what his complete company needed to empower employees to make quality decisions. Worth finding and reading

the book tells the reader exactly what it should, the history of each man and the lives. in and and out of rock and roll, that they led up to that point. if you are a true CSN fan this book is a must read.

An outstanding accomplishment by author Zimmer. He takes you backstage, in the studio and to the homes of CS&N, and provides a remarkable, authentic picture of life with the gang. The author seems invisible, a stellar achievement, and the inside world of the pop music business and the artists that make it work come to life. The section on how Nash "stole the girl" from Stills, and their reaction, is priceless. I was able to make contact with the author, Dave Zimmer, who works for MCA records, and he says a new edition of the book will be out sometime in '99, in time for a landmark tour.

Gateway To Alta California: The Expedition To San Diego, 1769 by writer, photographer, and historian Harry W. Crosby is the story of the first land journey to San Diego undertaken by Europeans in 1769. Crosby draws upon original sources such as the journals of Padre Juan Crespi, Joseph deCanizares (Captain Rivera's official scribe), Padre Junipero Serra, and Gaspar de Portola, as well as recreating the overland trek himself (literally on foot and muleback) to map out the original and historic route that went through the then unexplored, unknown, desolate wilderness of northern Baja California to found the community of San Diego. A strongly recommended addition to California Historical Studies reference collections, Gateway To Alta California also lists the names of the Hispanic members of this historic expedition party.

I don't usually like History books, because they always feel like reading homework. A friend bought this book for me and I didn't think I was going to be interested--but I was! What a great adventure story--as interesting as Lewis and Clarke or Captain Cook's stories of discovery. I didn't know anything about this expedition, and I've lived in California all my life. I highly recommend this to people who like a good adventure book with some interesting history.