Filled with exquisite full-color illustrations, Common Birds Of North America: Midwest Edition by James Wilson (Missouri Department of Conservation State Ornithologist) is an excellent guidebook for birdwatchers of all experience levels. Each species features a fine full-page portrait showing male and female specimens if the plumage is very different, and a one-page summary of the bird's habitat, call, typical behavior, and more. A concise, elegant guide, Common Birds Of North America: Midwest Edition is an invaluable resource for birdwatchers.

Wow. Having watched Jim doodle birds and landscapes in pen and ink during staff meetings at the conservation department, I should not have been surprised at the accuracy and quality of his illustrations in this book. Aside from the gorgeous images of the birds and their settings, Jim also manages to capture elements of the birds' songs and behavior in easy-to-read text. It's a great book for people who are interested in learning how bird species make their livings as well as how to identify them. I bought one for my Mom (who loves to watch her bird feeder visitors), and she loved it.

This is an outstanding history of a country and people that deserve to be better understood and appreciated. The Hungarians are not a Slavic, Germanic, or a Latin peoples; their language and heritage are alien to that of their neighbors. In many ways, both historically and culturally, Hungary has been at the crossroads of the events and movements that have shaped the history of Europe. Yet Hungary has also been a forceful shaper and mover itself, its modest current size belying the fact that it was once a potential superpower on the Danube. The history by Miklos Molnar is excellent in every respect and highly recommended.

This is a complete and comprehensive history of the Hungarian land, people, society, culture and economy from its nebulous origins in the Ural mountains of Russia to the elections of 1988. It was written by a Hungarian born, Latin educated, French speaking, Nazi persecuted Swiss historian. The book tells the story of a once upon a time great nation that went into decline following Ottoman, Austrian and Soviet occupations at the same time preserving its unique language and European culture. The author links Hungary's political decline to its social, economic and cultural deficiencies. The country was under Hapsburg domination for four centuries and achieved its independence only after World War I, after having lost two thirds of its territory and half of its population. Now free of Soviet domination since 1990, Hungary seeks its place in the European Union of nations.

For so few books covering this vital tradition, this is a real keeper. It really is gorgeous and an important addition to any graphic arts library.

I have both of Mr. Noyce's books covering Polish painting and graphic arts. They represent an excellent overview of current art in Poland. I lived in Poland for two years and purchased many pieces by artists represented in Noyce's books. The only flaw I found in this book is that there are so many additional artists who could have been included. I would have also liked to have seen more on the classical techniques the Polish artists are required to study during their educational training. Having collected similar art in the States, I strongly believe that Polish, Romanian, and Czech artists have better technique, training, and imagination.

It is wonderful to have these books accompanying my art collection.

As an Asian clinical psychology student interested in integrating psychoanalytic concepts and buddhist virtues in conducting psychotherapy and as an existential philosophy, I find this book a precious rarity. The author was insightful about how Eastern/Buddhist philosophy might be misused or misinterpreted by some as a way to justify their personality pathology. He also illuminated how Eastern thoughts and martial arts can be blended into psychotherapeutic work so that both psychological healing and spiritual transformations can occur.

I learned a great deal from Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Eastern Thought. The book is sophisticated, solid, and full of rich insights. Suler knows psychoanalytic theory extremely well, and he has a gift for cross-cultural interpretation. Psychoanalysts unreceptive to Eastern ideas, students of Eastern thought unversed in psychoanalysis, and all serious students of transpersonal psychology should read Suler's book. It is a substantial work of scholarship and an admirable example of cross-cultural dialogue.

by Michael Washburn, for the Transpersonal Review, edited by Mark Robert Waldman

This 3-book series is an extensive update of the classic Pritchard ANET (ancient near-eastern texts). Though some of the texts are shortened from Pritchard's volume, the new texts, number of texts, and more up to date translations and notes more than make this book worthwhile... if you can afford it :-) Otherwise, the 2 Pritchard paperbacks are quite reasonable.

It is Outstanding, it is on level with Prichards' ANE Texts -- though there is some repeatition of material. This Volume is an interesting read, diffentantly not an one nighter :-) A four day weekend should do it -- Though you will hate taking sleep breaks.

This book was thoroughly fascinating. As I was reading it I felt as if I was being given a guided tour through the world's great museums and their collections of Egyptian, Hittite, and Mesopotamian artifacts. Admittedly, at first I was a little daunted since it appeared very specialized. I was delighted to discover that the author (Starbuck) has done a wonderful job of summarizing and explaining the complexities of the royal psalms for an avid reader of the scriptures. His own translations of court oracles as well as sections of Isaiah and 2 Samuel, together with detailed commentary, made these texts come alive in new and amazing ways. Prior to reading Court Oracles in the Psalms I had always found these texts confusing and distant. I can't wait to get to them now! Most exciting is the way in which the author explains the reappropriation of royal materials for common people, especially women! Why have we missed this for so many years?

Court Oracles in the Psalms is the most exhaustive and thorough treatment of the royal psalms in many decades. Its method of presentation is lively, yet concise; incisive, while judicious. Extremely well written, this volume will prove to be essential reading and study for the scholar as well as the student of the biblical psalms. The author cuts through a labyrinth of previous scholarly opinion and then offers a new definition of a "royal psalm" that is certain to become the new standard.

Enthusiastically recommended for scholars, teachers, pastors, and enterprising students.

I found this slim little volume years ago and was so moved by it that I felt compelled to write to the publisher and to the translator. Dr. Ergin, an American surgeon, is also Turkish Sufi, his religion is the center of his life. I admire him greatly and believe that his translation of Rumi is the most accurate and authentic. He fully understands and experiences the spirit of Rumi and makes the ancient verses come alive in the most direct, unadorned way. I hope you treasure this book as I do.

Rumi's words will truly speak to your soul - The poems reach deep into your heart and illuminate the answers to the burning questions we all ask of ourselves.

Croatia: Travels In Undiscovered Country by Tony Fabijancic is a superbly written, personal memoir and eye-witness travelogue of what it was like to experience the land and people of Croatia as both an ancestral home and an undiscovered country. Transporting the reader on one man's journey into a rich and varied landscape, Croatia: Travels In Undiscovered Country is a vividly written, deftly informative, and memorably presented experience of a land steeped in centuries of tradition and lore. Croatia: Travels In Undiscovered Country is especially recommended reading for armchair travelogue adventure enthusiasts and anyone thinking of a trip to Croatia for themselves.

A terrific book. I have found no other book on Croatia that offers such insight into the country's current way of life and historical emblems, without becoming trite or resorting solely to political fact listing. Reveals the fragile beauty of a an undiscovered country in the midst of economic and cultural change. A wonderful travel book. Accessible and imaginative writing. Very well done.

This book is an honest and straight-forward account of one American's experience. The journal entries within the book provide vivid images of Armenia and the "tourist" struggling with the erosion of his cultural safety net.

Johnson's grasp of the difficulties of adjusting to a foreign culture is excellent and moving. This is based on his experience as a community consultant in Armenia, during one of that countries most difficult periods in history--immediately after the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Through his journals and thorough analysis, I felt like I was there with him! Anybody preparing to travel abroad, or professionals training in social work or other services should read this before going on.