Marshall provides a deep insight into the Native American world through the medium of the novel. The tale describes a society's reaction to agents of change and the means by which the changes are assimilated into culture.

Winter of the Holy Iron describes the affects of the "white man" and the new technologies used by the "white man" on Native American culture. Rather than being a simple comparitive novel, Marshall weaves a tale of conflict, understanding, and uncertainty from the perspective of a Native American but does not come to conclusions. According to the story, these types of change face us all -- across time and across cultures. This universal treatment makes Marshall's novel interesting reading and a compelling analysis of Native American and White cultures.

Marshall portrays the Native American as far more than a passive character in history or the blood-thirsty savage. Marshall's works define the Native American as an active participant in history. This refreshing perspective, along with his oral-storytelling-tradition-on-paper writing style, define the the Native American as active and not necessarily reactionary. Even today, Marshall's tale still accurately describes the issues between acceptance of foreign ideas and goods (assimilation) and the rejection of such ideas.

I have read Marshall's two other works in book form (I found his works by chance). Winter of the Holy Iron is different from his essays but embodies the best of his short essay narratives and descriptions (like those from Dance House : Stories from Rosebud). The novel is very well written and allows Marshall to develop characters that are unforgettable -- something he also masters in his short essays. This book is a true 5 star work.

I have rarely been brought to a point of worship while reading a theological text book, let alone while preparing for an assignment. But that's what happened reading through this excellent collection of essays on the book of Acts. Renowned New Testament commentator I.H. Marshall has put together a masterly series of perspectives on the wonderful, but often enigmatic, narrative book by Luke outlining the early days of the church. Each writer gives his unique perspective on various aspects of the book, such as historical accuracy, theology, and intended message. Particularly enlightening is Joel B. Green's essay on "God as Saviour", in which he argues that the "witnesses" of Acts are to proclaim not only the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also its salvific significance as a work of the God of grace. Says Green on page 39: "Salvation is the coming of the kingdom of God to displace other kingdoms, and entails membership in the new community God is drawing together around Jesus." Keen theological insights and profound expositions of its literary structures make this collection on Acts more than a must-have for any student or teacher of the Biblical text - it is a doxological treat as well. I hope it gets you on your knees like it did me!

These stories are among the most powerful I have ever read. In economical prose they show humanity at its worst but, unfortunately, a very realistic worst. The title story is of a man's cruelty to animals; it is the animals that show compassion. "Dialith' in, Christaki" tells of a mother, a foreigner abused within the family, and her love for her deformed son. In "Ring the Bells" a successful man retires to the village in which he was raised where he had rung the bells maniacally as a youth. "Bonds" is the story of love in a childless marriage - a story that is a bright spot in the generally bleak landscape of these stories. "Walk On, Old Horse" is the story of a political refugee returning home only to find no real home. The stories all are astute studies in human nature written in a manner that forces the reader to recognize the dark side of humanity. Not always enjoyable reading but so well done one can't set the book aside.

What a shame this book is out of print. As its cover proclaims, this cookbook contains over 100 authentic dishes from around the world - some of which are difficult to find elsewhere. What the cover doesn't tell you is that the recipes are interesting, delicious and, for the most part, easy to prepare. Nutritional information and information about the origin of the dishes are also included. Most ingredients can be found at larger grocery stores with specialty foods depts. My only regret is that there are not more recipes included.

I received this book as a holiday present a few years ago. Almost every recipe I have made from it has been superb! The muesli recipe is one of my husband's favorites, and the chickpea casserole with mango (chole) is one of my standard "potluck" party offerings. I highly recommend this! The photography is just wonderful as well.

Each year I pick the best book read that year. In 1946 I read 78 books--48 fiction and 30 non-fiction. This great book was the best one I read that year

By Andrea Lynn, Humanities Editor
University of Illinois News Bureau

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - A new book of previously unpublished writings details daily life at one of the weirdest creative writers' colonies ever to operate in the United States - or perhaps anywhere.

In the book, readers can sample the writings of some of the renegades who enlisted in Lowney Handy's dysfunctional little colony in rural Illinois in the mid-20th century. Against all odds, some of the men went on to successful careers in writing - including Handy's first student, James Jones.

In "Writings From the Handy Colony" (Tales Press), one quickly discovers that Handy's philosophy of teaching gives a whole new meaning to the term "struggling writer." More a warden than a muse, and untrained in teaching and writing, Handy drove her disciples hard and controlled their every move. She forbade alcohol and rich food, and prescribed enemas for writer's block. Once a month she'd haul her students across the border to a Terre Haute, Ind., brothel. Above all else, Handy stripped writers of their egos before building them up again. In 1964, she wrote to colonist Jon Shirota, now a successful playwright: "The secret is to offer as little hope as possible, the writer has such an abundance that he will cheat himself, in the exuberant and self-praise of his own enthusiasm."

Two of the three editors of the new book were colony "insiders": Don Sackrider was Handy's second student and Helen Howe was her close friend. George Hendrick, the third editor, is an expert on Jones and an English professor emeritus at the University of Illinois.

As evidenced in the book, Handy's own writing was often incomprehensible, but she was a perceptive, albeit unorthodox, editor, Hendrick said. In addition, along with her tough love and bizarre copying exercises, she gave her students the confidence to believe in themselves as writers.

While the most fascinating contributions to the book may be Handy's letters to her colonists, all of the works "carry the flavor of the 1950s," Hendrick said, "and show what one writer's colony was doing." Over 20 years, the Handy Colony drew some 70 drifters, rebels and struggling writers.

Even before her intimate and professional liaison with Jones, Handy lived in a subterranean world, drawn to unfortunates and misfits of all stripes, "so it was consistent that she would take on Jones, who had gone AWOL and was very troubled at the time," Hendrick said.

Handy's father had been sheriff in Marshall, Ill., and his family lived in the jailhouse. There, Handy observed all kinds of down-and-outers. Later, she became "a perfect housewife," Hendrick said, who helped her husband climb the ranks at the oil refinery in nearby Robinson. Once her husband succeeded, she became the outcast, working with pregnant girls, troubled soldiers and then writers.

The way Handy saw it, "There is no more than a hair's breadth between the artist and the criminal," as she wrote Sackrider on March 15, 1950. But "the artist graduates out of the criminal class and looks into his heart and writes - or else he watches those around him with a cold clinical eye and writes about himself as he sees them. That is the way Jim writes. ..."

I read this book for school. The book tells that Wyatt Earp was not the gunman they make him out to be. It tells that Wyatt Earp tamed Dodge City only having to fire one shot. Instead using his famous Colt Buntline to knock out over sixty people, and using it to go down in history.

I've used earlier versions of this trail guide for years as I've explored Yellowstone's backcountry. It is comprehensive and full of very useful information. Explore this guide before your trip so you can pick hikes matched to your abilities, goals and available time. Also read and heed the author's discussion of the dangers of Yellowstone's backcountry.

Mark Marschall is a ranger and medic with years of experience in Yellowstone. Note: I owe Mr. Marschall thanks, as he is the medic who responded and treated me when I was struck by lightning in Yellowstone on August 1, 2000.

Well I was enjoying reading the book, and found the dream stories all very interesting, though I was getting a bit worried that it actually meant I'd have to do some work.....like writing down symbols and trying to figure out what they mean to me!...when I had a dream! You know I'd been thinking well - it's all very nice to read the dreams and interpretations of other people in recovery -but it won't really work for me and am I willing to do more work...? then I had the dream..well, well what a message.. It was a very graphic dream, which told me so much about my current struggles, my ancestors gifts to me, where I can recieve help,and blocks along the way...... It was a bit like coming into the fellowship and at some point realising this works!...and it does... I simply love this book..it has restored my faith in the 12 Steps as a living, breathing and creative process..and it has restored my faith in my Higher Power who I now understand speaks to me through my dreams. I'm grateful to have been given the tools to really listen and learn. THANK YOU SHELLY.