G Books

Our Grandchildren enjoy the exploits of two rather non-typical children, as long as I read it to them... even got them away from their electronic games! Good to excellent readers over age 10 might be able to keep the pace, but others would get lost in the words and asides. Now that we have had Harry Potter, the British idioms are not as foreign as when our now 26-yr-old tried to read it.

This book is one of my favorite books I have ever read. It is one of those gems you find that no one else seems to know about. The illustrations are fun, the story is comical, not in a silly, stupid way that some "funny" stories can be, but in a way that will actually make you laugh out loud. And the story is actually a very nice story, ending without giving you the sense that other books can of, "Well, it had some nice parts, but what was the point?" I enjoyed it as a child, and I still enjoy it as an adult (well, semi-adult). I only hope that my copy will survive for my own children.

I chose this book because it is by my fourth favorite comedien, Terry Jones. It is about a boy named Nicobobinus and his friend Rosie, who go to find the land of the Dragons, because Nicobobinus can do anything. My favorite character is the Golden man, because it is funny that a gold statue walks, talks, and has servents.

This book is a great one for any young, or old person who is looking for a wonderful, and adventurous story. I read this book a long time ago and couldn't help but look it up to see if there were more readers who felt the same way about it.It is about a young boy and girl who go on a long journey to find dragons blood.They have a very close call many times, but they finaly find it and continue on their journey safely.I can't wait to read it again.

Nicobobinus is the story of a young boy and his best friend who start out on a journey to the Land of the Dragons. When things don't go exactly as planned the pair find themselves in for more then what they bargined for. Join Nicobobinus and his best friend Rosie as they battle evil monks, sail on a mysterious black ship. You'll find yourself feeling like a child again. This book has the power to touch your soul and heart like no other book can. You won't be able to put it down. Nicobobinus isn't just a tale for children but, also adults. Terry Jones adds his wonderful sense of humor and blends it with fantasy and wonder. If you read Nicobobinus, by Terry Jones I promise you'll love it!

If you are looking for an excellent book that relates what it was like to be an aviator in the Royal Flying Corps during World War 1, this is it. It is a series of letters and diary entries that tell the story of a "pilot of no fame". The writing style is very reader friendly and compelling. I absolutely treasure this book! I re-read this book! I never tire of it! I own three copies of this book and I recommend it to everyone. It is out of print and sometimes difficult to obtain but it is worth every penny charged. I wish Arthur Gould Lee had written more material. He was a talented writer and (he would modestly disagree with me) a very brave man. I am including links to two other books which may be of interest. Lee flew the Sopwith Pup Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) and the Sopwith Camel Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces). The Battle of Cambrai, was arguably, Lee's finest hour. If you wish to learn more about the battle here are two more links to investigate Cambrai 1917: The birth of armoured warfare (Campaign) and Ironclads of Cambrai: The First Great Tank Battle. You may wish to see my other reviews!

A fine work like this is timeless. You really got a feel for what it was like to be in an old biplane during the First War. This story was totally believable too, with no bragging or exaggerated accounts of heroics or daring-do. An honest diary account of what a typical fighter pilot endured during those hazard filled days. Too often we think of WW I dogfighting as glamorous and exciting with the Red Baron zipping across the skies. This book will make you feel like you've really been there.

Anthony Gould Lee was a young pilot with the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. These letters were written to his wife from his Fighter Squadron in France. The airmen of the First World War were the first to give battle in this new frontier. They engaged in single combat like the knights of medieval times. Airplanes were first used for reconnaissance, like aerial cavalry. Then the enemy began to shoot them down. Next began the individual combat between airplanes in 1916 and 1917. By 1918 large disciplined formations clashed in vast dog-fights. They were regarded as knights, but most came from social levels other than the nobility of Europe. Most were young, and had a high wastage rate (p.xvii). The majority did their job without the glory of becoming an ace. This book contains the modified letters he sent home from the front. They tell of his experiences, but this will not interest the general public.

Appendix A discusses the Failure of the High Command. They designed a standard government aeroplane for aerial reconnaissance which was totally unsuitable for offense or defense (p.213). Britain lacked a flourishing aircraft industry, like in France or Germany. Creating a monopoly leads to a loss in quality (p.214). The Admiralty did not make this mistake, so the Royal Navy supplied their surplus to the Royal Flying Corps. The survivors of this debacle prevented this from re-occurring in WW II.

Appendix B discusses the Strategy of the Offensive and its distant patrols. This caused extra losses and wear and tear on pilots and planes by continuous patrols along the whole British front (p.217). The Germans concentrated superior numbers as it suited them, and caused heavy British air losses (p.218). Sending obsolescent machines deep into enemy territory was as irrational as Haig's adherence to attrition or the Admiralty's resistance to escorted convoys. This was not repeated in WW II.

Appendix C discusses the lack of parachutes for airmen. Two explanations were given (no official documentation exists). The claim that no reliable parachutes existed in 1917-1918 was not true (p.219). The other claim that pilots would give up without a fight was contradicted by daily action in France. The effect of having a parachute was to encourage an extra effort, as shown in WW II (p.223). The disavowal of parachutes came from senior officers who had no flying experience! A decision was made in September 1918 to order parachutes, but the war ended before they could be used (p.225). Time purged the decision makers by WW II.

A fine work like this is timeless. You really got a feel for what it was like to be in an old biplane during the First War. This story was totally believable too, with no bragging or exaggerated accounts of heroics or daring-do. An honest diary account of what a typical fighter pilot endured during those hazard filled days. Too often we think of WW I dogfighting as glamorous and exciting with the Red Baron zipping across the skies. This book will make you feel like you've really been there.

This book is a compilation of letters and diary entries. They were made in the heat of the day, and through their immediacy let the reader feel what is was like to be a fighter pilot in 1917.

Lee tells us of how cold it was while on patrol at 20,000 feet and how peaceful the trenches seemed. Later we learn how stressful it was to be tasked with with ground attacks in a Camel. The reader also learns about all the little things in a pilot's life, like shooting frogs in a pond and partying like there was no tomorrow. And burying your squadron mates with frightening regularity.

This book is simply written, and makes no pretext of being a significant historical work. What is does, and does so well, is tell the story of the average joe trying to stay alive in the skies of the Western Front.

It is a story that will stay with you.

This pair of books is a lovely final chapter in the incomparable legacy of Ernest Schwiebert. Although he died before finishing this master work, his very capable son, Erik, finished the project with the help of a who's who of entomolgists, biologists and many others in the scientific community. It is a serious angling work, "...intended, after all, for an audience of serious anglers." And, it should be noted that this abundance of information is provided, couched comfortably in the author's mellifluous tales and his resonant, implacable voice.
These books should be on any serious anglers shelf, period. And, if you are not serious, then these books might make you so.

Wonderfully written + highly informative = One of the best reference books I have ever seen. Both books in this series (Nymphs volume I & II) are absolutely great. Very detailed descriptions of practically every species of Mayfly, plus fly tying recipes for each one. This book is recommended for both beginners to fly fishing and fly tying, as well as those seasoned veterans who are looking for a comprehensive reference.

Nymphs Volume II is a great addition to a fly fisherman's library. Highly detailed descriptions of various aquatic insects, with fly recipies for each one. Great color plates of drawings of the actual insects. This an excellent book as both a reference as well as an enjoyable read. Well worth the price - Also check out Nymphs volume I (Mayflies) I was so impressed with Volume II, I purchased Volume I.

This is no dry treatise on entomology. The stories and anecdotes in this delightfully entertaining tome have made this one of my most cherished books in my fly-fishing library. It is not something to be read in one sitting, however; more on the order of something to be savored over the years.

If you are wondering if this is a book for you, go to the library and sample it. If you are like me, you will have a difficult time putting it down.

Of course the book is (obviously) primarily a highly technical reference book; I am unashamed to admit being completely unqualified to review this aspect of the book.

Ernie, is an enlightened flyfisher and writer. The narrative is beautiful so are the colour plates of nymphs in the centerpages.
I was a bit disappointed in the lack of photography.
Lots of dressings throughout the book which could do with a photo of the pattern.
I regard this book as a must have althgough I feel it could be well embellished by addition of colour photography.
Pier

If you started playing Magic before the "stack", two main phases and an end of turn step, this is the book for you. It clearly explains the changes that happened when WOTC changed from old rules to the new (and, once you get the hang of it, simpler) way of playing Magic.

This book is terrific if you have been playing Magic at the starter level and now wish to expand your play, or if you (like me) have been away from the game for a while and wish to get an update on the latest card set-- the 6th edition.

There have been some simplifications and clarifications to the rules, and Mr. Buehler explains those very well. The book also contains chapters on strategy, deck construction, and the tournament scene, as well as a complete card list for 6th edition including everything on the cards except the art.

I highly recommend this book as THE resource for the 6th edition.

It's execellent if you want to start playing Magic. It is the best strategic card game out there.

The perfect book if you want to start playing Magic or if you want to improve your Magic skills!

This book is not only a great way to learn the NEW 6th ed. rules this book gives lots of great tips lit single card stratigies, constructed deck building, sealled deck building and lots of just plain good facts. I've been playing magic sense 1994 and I still found this book to be very usful. Buy it really you'll thank yourself later I promise.

Finally! A simple, informative perspective on the complex office dynamics that so many of us face. The scenarios are well laid out and the examples easy to relate to. While other discussions of office dynamics tend to over-analyze situations, this book provided me with a straightforward roadmap to recognize and deal with daily personnel issues.

In an easy-reading format the authors have pointed out many office situations that relate to family situations. They give practical and useful suggestions for handling these problems. Worthwhile reading for anyone who works in an office setting.

This book is a must for anyone who has to manage people in an office, organization, and even on a committee. It is easy and interesting reading and a MUST to understand why the people you manage behave as they do.

Many of the issues raised in the workplace are also common to family life, from the desire of the youngest to rival the oldest child to bullying and rivalry. Parenting The Office equates these lessons learned from children to business and family life alike, using case histories to discuss applications and clarify problems.

I thought the book was a very fun and informative read!! I thought the best thing about the book was that it gave a model to understand and apply real-life management techniques in my office. The book caused me to think about the myriad of situations that happen in my office and how I can handle them better. My wife read the book as well. She was fond of it as well.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who deals with people in a business situation!!

A sequel to Command a King's Ship, Bolitho sails his Tempest farther east into the contested fringes of the British, Spanish and French empires. Capt. Bolitho is among the the islands in the Great South Sea, which is not so Pacific as it echoes to thunderous broadsides and murderous intrigue. Mutiny is in the air again. The state-sponsored (merchantile) economy of peacetime England is rotten, royalist France is in turmoil before its revolution, and the amazing Bligh has survived the mutiny on the Bounty. We see Polynesia in a more exciting time, when traders and free booters were only just entering islands of lovely but deadly natives amid the clash of unsettled national interests and claims. Bolitho has finally met his match in the form of an utterly ruthless and clever pirate who outwits Bolitho time and again, despite the desperate courage of his lieutenants. Kent has again come up with a wonderfully evil pirate to fight, even though we hardly meet him. Is Bolitho too besotted with his love for Viola, who has returned with her husband to develop an island colony? Unfortunately Kent makes Viola's husband so wholly irredeemable there's no tension there. Into this comes a French frigate under a tyrannical captain just as news of the outbreak of the French Revolution roils the tense waters and dubious loyalties further. The effects of tropical heat are graphically displayed, and the implacable scourge of fever finally makes its appearance in the series.

Mr Kent proves once more that he is a master story teller. This book is alive with characters who face a series of dangerous adventures in the service of their king. The story has everything: brigands, upturned cannon, splintered decks, heroic struggle against the odds, friendship, romance, some terrific dialog and character developement, hostile islanders, Royal Marines, some rather bloody battles and above it, Richard Bolitho stands true to his calling. The plot and sub plots are splendidly told and fill the pages with attention to detail, a rich feel for the time period and Allday backing his captain with his broad back and gleaming cutlass.
Great stuff to read on a rainy afternoon by a crackling fire.
What is great about the Kent books is the fact that as in real life, people arrive, influence, some move on and others die. Told with flair and a bold descriptive style makes Kent's books some of my very favorite.
Enjoy

Passage to Mutiny was my first Bolitho adventure. I have read them all, but nothing captured my imagination quite as much as this one. Bolitho and his crew set out to find Eurotas, which was captured by pirates. The relationships between Bolitho and Herrick; and Bolitho and Viola; are vivid and bring out Bolitho's character to enhance the suspensful plot. The fight on the beach ending with Herrick having his back to the sea as a final desperate measure while Tempest's launch arrives just in time to save them kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't think I breathed for at least two chapters. It was one of the most satisfying reads I have ever had.

Richard Bolitho's new command is the Tempest, a 36-gun frigate, built in India of teak. a fifth class like his last command. But teak is a very heavy, dense wood; much heavier than the English oak usually used in the construction of ships of the Royal Navy, and therefor less maneuverable--but exceptionally strong.

The Tempest is picked up in the story entering the harbor at Sydney, the main port of the prison colony of Botany Bay (now known as Australia.)

The Commodore to whom he reports is an old friend with whom he served when they were both lieutenants. But another old acquaintance was also arriving soon from England: the government advisor, James Raymond and his wife Viola, with whom Bolitho had fallen in love on the last occasion of their company, five years previously.

The story continues through attacks by the pirate Mathias Tuke, broadsides, shore parties, a long sea episode in an open boat, hostile savages, and the loss of many good friends and crew members in battler and from fever, and the near loss of Bolito's own life.

This is a fine novel, as is typical of Alexander Kent, and the seventh in the Bolitho series. I have ordered the next three in the series, so taken by the stories am I.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre, USN(Ret)

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Passage to Mutiny is the fourth Kent novel set outside of an actual war and the fourth that deals with pirates. In the past Richard Bolitho has ultimately enjoyed great success against pirates while Kent has had mixed success writing about it. This time Kent gets it right in a nail biting, blood and thunder epic. Perhaps Kent's Bolitho adventures reached their peak in the mid-70s and Passage to Mutiny is an example of the writer in top form.

Five years after Command a King's Ship Bolitho is off to Botany Bay. The spectre of two famous captains, Cook and Bligh, hangs over the voyage. Cook explored much of the region and was ultimately killed in the Pacific and Bligh has just lost his ship to mutiny. While he may have fears of mutiny, Kent's Bolitho has both the leadership abilities and humanity of Cook and the seafaring ability of Bligh. His crews will stand with him to the death.

Bolitho's paramour and nemesis from Command a King's Ship are both back to complete the story that Kent started in the earlier novel. While reading Command a King's Ship I was thinking that Bolitho should back off from having a relationship with a married woman no matter what her husband is like, Kent had me thinking that Bolitho should go for it and squeeze whatever happiness he could out of the opportunity that he had.

However, Passage to Mutiny is really about broadsides, thwarting pirates and a great sailing epic. The romance is just a little fluff along the way while manly men do manly things. The story is exciting and succeeds on that level. I did have a few problems with it though. Kent is not always clear on details such as how the wind is blowing, what direction the shore is and the way ports face. He really should include maps or provide additional details so that the reader can visualize what's happening accurately. One can't always figure out why Bolitho is so brilliant if one doesn't know which way the wind is blowing and which direction the ship is sailing.

Still and all I was wrapped up in this one and I look forward to the next Bolitho adventure.

Greeley is best when he is describing parish life in Chicago. Of his parish novels this story of a newspaper columnist's midlife crisis/spiritual rebirth is the best for my money.

"Patience of a Saint" is a typical Greeley story. It contains some excellent images and metaphors of the Catholic Church, some good mystery, some sex, and some violence. It fits Greeley's perfect equation of what to include in a sell-able story. But even with all the expected story parts, it remains one of his better stories, delving into a person's growth as an adult. It is reminiscent of the Biblical story of Saint Paul's conversion, set in modern-day Chicago, with some contemporary images thrown together to show us what Paul may have gone through if he had lived in our time. An interesting idea, a good read, and if you take the time, a thought-provoking way to approach the Bible story as well as middle age.

I originally picked up this book because it was a mystery but was captured by this interesting story about a man who makes major positive changes in his life, much to the chagrin and disbelief of his own family. It was upon reading this book that I became an ardent fan of Greeley, his alter ego, Father Blackie and of course all of his wonderful characters (especially if they have a touch of the "fey" or belong to his extended Chicago Irish Catholic family). I have read almost all of Greeley's novels and always look forward to the next one. What a treasure he is and how deeply he has touched my life.

This is a wonderful book. The author suggests wonderful possibilities of grace and love for our lives. It is a book that restores faith and replenishes the soul. Oh, and it's a great love story. Not your typical boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back; this is a wonderful tale about a man who discovers the true depth and meaning of his love for his wife--with no small assistance from God. In a "cynical" age this book is a rare, complex, affirmation of true love and grace. This is my favorite Greeley story.

This is the story of Red Kane, a man caught in a dilemma of Love. After twenty years of marriage plagued by misunderstanding and bitter resignation, Red finds himself falling in love with his wife all over again - and at the same time, pursued by an implacable, attractive God.

Redmond P. Kane, a popular Chicago newspaper columnist and Pulitzer prize winner, smokes and drinks too much, neglects his kids, enjoys a mistress, is feared and hated by his colleagues, and has shared nothing but a bed with his wife for much too long. At 53, Red is an unhappy, disgruntled cynic. But soon, all that changes. On a Chicago street corner a speeding car, almost runs him down, and a moment of divine grace - one in which God and Red's green eyed wife are somehow identified with each other - almost knocks him unconscious. An then Red';s real troubles begin. They start with evil- plan old fashioned wickedness in the person of aging politico Harv Gunther. Red has come up with evidence that links Gunther to the disappearance of a newsman 20 years earlier and the recent murder of a teenage girl, but proving it can cost Kane his career. He's almost ready to close his files, go out for a drink and forget it all. Yet since his brush with death Red finds himself inexorably drawn down the path of saintliness and driven to always do the right thing. Being a good husband to his wife Eileen is at the top of Red's list. Without realizing it, he's whistling "You're Irish and You're beautiful and dreaming of going home, taking her in his arms, and making up for all the sins of omission accumulated over 20 years of their on-again, off-again marriage. But what happens when he does? Beautiful Irish Eileen think's he's having a breakdown, just as his newsroom co-workers are sure he's finally gone over the edge. Soon, a psychiatrist is trying to have him committed. God has turned Red's whole existence upside down. Must he choose between his wife and his god? Or have they joined in a plot to try the patience of a saint. As Red probes the depths of his new emotions and renewed commitments with the help of Msgr Blackie Ryan, he also digs into the dirty business of Harve Gunther and in the process gravely endangers the lives of everyone he loves.

I have been using these writings as thoughts for meditation and reflection.
I am enjoying the writings.

The format of this work into sections and each section containing short quotes, makes it ideally suited as a devotional work you can read and meditate with in short bits at a time. The commentary along the facing page makes it easy to find help when you need it. Very clear, concise, and inspiring. A solid edition for theological study or purely as meditation/prayer helps. Highly recommended for all Christians but especially for those nurtured in the Eastern traditions.

Extensively annotated by Orthodox priest Allyne Smith and skillfully translated by G. E. H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Bishop Kallistos Ware, Philokalia: The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts, Selections Annotated & Explained is a collection of writings by monks from the fourth to fifteenth centuries, embodying the Eastern Church's interpretation of biblical meaning. Emphasizing mystical and contemplative practices that engage all senses in worship and prayer, Philokalia is wonderfully made fully accessible to professional theologians and lay Christians and spiritualists alike. Each two-page spread contains a passage on the right, and annotations on the left, the better to simplify reference and understanding. An invaluable addition to spirituality and Christian literature shelves, whether as part of a church or home library.

This is a very deep read that has been presented in a way that makes it easier to understand

This book presents quotes from early Church fathers, and pairs them with helpful editors' notes on the facing pages. It addresses topics such as prayer and the heart, and how the individual can seek to unite with God in reverence and peace. A brisk read, but requires the reader's full attention at every turn.

This was an interesting read into the world of poltergeists. Those of a scientific mind (what "believers" would probably call skeptical) should rest assured, Roll is very careful in his investigations to make sure the evidence is legit (and on more than one occasion, finds instances of pranks being played). Roll also writes in a very dry, scientific way, so don't expect much excitement.

Roll believes that poltergeist activity stems from the psychic manifestations of a single person's mind, as opposed to some sort of invisible entity being the cause. This is an interesting theory, but if the book suffers, it's from lack of evidence. The case studies are just too small and individual to begin applying widespread hypotheses to them.

Again, it's a very interesting viewpoint to take when writing about this kind of stuff, and the scientific tone with which he approaches it is refreshing. But whoever wrote about reading it in Maine on a stormy night may have it confused with a Stephen King novel!

Informative, deep and convincing, he looks at it from an objective point of view, has witnessed the phenomena himself so remains confident and unbashed by the skeptics. Fantastic

Over the years I have bought several copies of this book to give as gifts. My father was the decetive who investigated the "House of Flying Objects" in Seaford,NY.(Joe Tozzi)Before the days of internet it was pretty hard to track down these out of print books. I wrote to Dr. Roll several years ago after seeing him on unsolved mystries trying to aquire a copy. He wrote back and told me that that case was his first real intro to the papapsychology world.He didn't have an extra copy but photocopied the whole chapter for me. My dad never did know what to make of that case. He died last year leaving behind a trunk of magazine articles and books dealing with the house of flying objects. I have for years wondered what became of the Hermans, the family who lived this nightmare back in 1958.

a fine read for a dark, dreary night with the wind howling through the rafters of your house in the isolated Maine woods.

"The Poltergeist" by William G. Roll, Ph.D., is a book that I think should certainly be ranked among the classics within the literature on parapsychology and psychical research, alongside books by other notable authors such as Drs. J. B. & Louisa Rhine, G. N. M. Tyrrell, and Frederic Myers, to name a few. It is both an academic book and a nonfiction book for the general public that takes an in-depth look at one of the most fascinating types of ostensible psychic phenomena that is still a focus of parapsychological research in the present time: the poltergeist.

Following an introductory chapter that recounts the background leading up to the development of serious parapsychological research on the poltergeist and Dr. Roll's personal role in it, each chapter of the book gives a detailed and interesting account of several well-documented cases of reported poltergeist phenomena (including 2 chapters that summarize historical poltergeist cases and cases reported in Europe, respectively), 7 of which were personally investigated by Dr. Roll and other researchers in the field. Among them, the first case ever investigated by Dr. Roll (along with Dr. J. G. Pratt) involving a "house of flying objects" in Seaford, Long Island; a case in Indianapolis that seemingly involves a "biting" poltergeist, a case of strange lights and flashes in Clayton, North Carolina; and an attempted semi-controlled experiment during a poltergeist case occurring in a Miami souvenir warehouse, in which objects seem to mysteriously fly off shelves and sometimes break without any apparent force acting upon them.

The last 4 chapters of the book attempt to weigh and interpret the evidence from each case in order to begin to develop a theory of the poltergeist. Based on the observation that the disturbances in each case seem to occur and center around a certain individual, Dr. Roll considers the possibility that the unusual events in each case are not due to "noisy spirits" (as the term "poltergeist" literally implies), but rather to notable instances of ostensible mind-matter interaction (called recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis, or "mind over matter" on a frequent and large scale) that may originate from the mind of that central individual, called the "agent." Dr. Roll's theory is further supported by the observation that the agents in each of the cases are often experiencing repressed psychological tension or emotional problems in their lives, and that these anomalous displays of "mind over matter" may perhaps represent a kind of "body expression" of their distress. Once the agents receive counseling, the poltergeist occurrences often suddenly disappear along with their problems. This seems to provide an interesting hint at the psychological basis for these anomalous occurrences. Also presented in these chapters are Dr. Roll's classic "psi field" theory under which different forms of psychic phenomena may be understood, with some analogy to known physical forces, and a distinction between poltergeist and haunting phenomena.

This is book has great scientific value for its detailed descriptions and diagrams of the poltergeist cases, but also has great learning value for the general public in that it outlines the straight facts and gives unique examples of one of the most mysterious phenomena of the human mind. Unlike most academic books, the text is not dry and actually reads in a very engaging and easy manner, keeping the reader interested throughout.

This book, coming from one of the country's leading experts on poltergeist and haunt phenomena, is an excellent resource for students and researchers of parapsychology wanting to learn about the possibility of strong psychic phenomena. For the general reader, it is a great book for those curious about what poltergeists are and what they are aren't, aside from the misleading depictions in TV and movies. Over the past 30 years, experiments using random number generators seem to suggest that "mind over matter" may exist on a very small and subtle scale. "The Poltergeist" seems to attest to that possibility on a rare but very large scale. If you've ever had questions about poltergeists, I highly recommend reading "The Poltergeist."

The I Ching (pronounced "yi jing"; it means "Book of Changes") is an ancient Chinese divinatory oracle, as well as a classic account of the philosophy of ancient China. The text contains 64 different "situations", each represented by a figure of six lines (called "hexagrams"). The trigrams making up the hexagram can be either Heaven, Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, or Earth. A question can be directed to the I Ching by the consultant, and an appropriate hexagram is derived either from the method described in this book (flipping coins) or through the traditional method of casting yarrow stalks. The hexagram is considered to be appropriate to your current situtation and suggests advice on the course of action that you should take. On its own, the I Ching is interesting, though somewhat archaic and obscure if you are trying to really gain a deeper insight into its meanings. Many other commentaries on the I Ching are also available (I recommend Carol K. Anthony's "A Guide to the I Ching", as well), but I find R. G. H. Siu's book particularly enjoyable.

Unlike many other I Ching commentaries, "The Portable Dragon" can either be used for further explanation for using the I Ching as an oracle or read (with great interest) from beginning to end. The full, translated text of each portion of the I Ching hexagrams are given, along with passages from literature relating to the concept involved. Poetry and prose from all around the world is included to better illustrate the examples of each situation. A variety of authors, from well-known to fairly unknown, are represented nicely in this collection. In "The Portable Dragon", even someone who isn't planning to use the I Ching as an oracle can gain a lot of insight on philosophy and simply enjoy good literature.

This book deserves all the praise it has received elsewhere. While the basic pattern or cycles involved are based on the format of the classical Yi Ching, it was a stroke of genius to 'flesh out' the various archetypal situations depicted in the line-texts, with quotations drawn from the world's literature (most reviewers have stressed 'Western' literature, but in fact,
many quotations are drawn from 'ethnic' sources (e.g. Chinese, African, Eskimoo etc. - in English translation).

Initially, I was disappointed with this book - after acquiring the Ist ed. years ago. A review had led me to believe that it was an anthology of Yi-Ching studies/commentaries, leaving me shocked to discover otherwise - a plethora of quotations - drawn from sources spanning many cultures, many centuries. As befits all oracles (usum ad delphi)the original Chinese text mostly rules out once-and-for-all, black and white definitions. The few exceptions being where and when a single 'yes' or 'no' type answer suffices. But by and large, the terseness of the Chinese text survives translation - leaving an open-ended spread of semantic possibilities - without which the intuition cannot come into play. Still, short of writing in a stilted 'pidgin' Chinglish, translating the Chinese glyphs into English (or any other Western language) necessarily involves making a choice of syntax, with tenses not there in the original. The Chinese text has a compression rather like newspaper headlines, or even an encrypted code. So, from that point of view, reducing any given line text to a black and white definition, has its price.

Be that as it may, R.G. Siu is a wonderful soul. He searched the very heart of humanity - in all its richness, triumph and tragedy - and 'just-so-ness' - when selecting his quotations, obviously a labour of love. Many, many times, I have found myself deeply moved - by the appropriateness of the quotations he has 'matched' with the Chinese line texts, resonating in real life situations - the very diversity of the sources increasing my sense of being a man among mankind, reminding me that others have known the same joys and woes, painful decisions, or even the fact that the only thing to do. . .is to wait, and let life itself produce the 'answer' to seemingly intractable situations. In fact, many of those quotations have embedded themselves in my unconscious mind, and - rather like seeds, they have re-activated themselves, speaking to me - without consulting the 'Yi' at all, which is most remarkable.

Nobody has written (or should we say 'composed') another book like it, and nobody ever will. It was a 'one-off' - a flash of inspiration, something about the 'New World' - what happens when a Chinese-American scientist with Taoist feeling and imagination finds himself looking at the Yi Ching in a 'melting pot' culture. Ten thousand people could have endeavoured to do the same thing - without the same success. The outcome could have been a hope-lessly disjointed project, but Ralph Liu's genius fused it with life - and feeling. There is something about the Chinese text and its glyphs, which has a beauty of its own. But in many cases, the nuance of some lines is not clear, minus insight into the Chinese background. Liu's text transposes these archetypal situations to a truly universal context and amplifies them in unexpected ways.A most remarkable book, by a remarkable author.

EXCELLENT BOOK, WORTHWHILE READING. PICK AND CHOOSE SECTIONSTO READ AND REMEMBER. I RECOMMEND VERY HIGHLY.

An enlightening look into eastern philosophy, through the eyes and voices of the most famous western philosophers, politicains, rebels, poets, bards, playwrites, martyrs, & fools. A journey all should take. Every page reveals words an philosophies to live by, some obvious, some a tangled maze of stories and morals. Learn from it , and then throw it away and LIVE!

This extremely well read editor has substituted mostly Western literature for the exegesis of the lines. Like in the original, these new texts are provided as mirror on which to reflect your question and search yourself for an answer, but with Western content in a Western context. This is a very avant-garde take on the I Ching. I have used it with other commentaries of the I Ching and have found there to be insight in the literature chosen to represent the line's meaning.

It is also a fine collection of literary snippets from a variety of authors you couldn't hope to read in this lifetime, except in this format. They are truly pithy sayings, in the truest sense of that word. It is very similar in content to The Practical Cogitator, but The Dragon is much more playful. Great for reading on the can, almost as good as those little space fillers in the old New Yorker.