J Books

this IS truly a BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES AND RESPECTS nature as the majority of us do here in BEAUTIFUL MAINE!!

ALL of her books are super! This one tops them off!!

MACHIAS, MAINE!!

Louise Dickinson Rich is a star! A truly wonderful and gifted writer. You can't put her books down.

A friend gave me this book when I was at a very low point in my life. My wife and I read it together, over a long weekend, and packed the car Monday morning. By Wednesday we had our old house listed and Friday we put in an offer on 40 acres with an old farm. We haven't looked back since; but we have given copies of this book to all of our old friends for Christmas.

This book is a great read for anyone who's ever had the desire to just chuck it all and head for the woods (a desire that seems to wax and wane like the tides, popular one decade [1970s, for example], totally passe the next). Today taking to the woods for many means building a $500,000 "rustic retreat" with pool, hot tub, and wine cellar included. For Louise Rich, back in the 1930s (the book was published in 1942), things were much different.

For one thing, her house had no plumbing. Water had to be hauled to the house in buckets. Supplies and the mail came by boat. Life was no picnic for her and her family. But, of course, there were trade offs. The beauty of the place, for one. The living as one with nature. The need to be resourceful, and the feeling of pride and accomplishment that goes with it. Trade offs worth the hardships, Rich makes perfectly clear.

Rich captures the flavor of her idyllic spot in the Maine woods a few miles east of Upton along the Rapid River (the swiftest river east of the Mississippi, even though it is only about four miles long). She describes what life is like there, how the busy summers are a prelude to the slow, long winters. She talks about her neighbors, the loggers, the animals they encounter, how one endures and enjoys life in the woods. She describes the effects of the hurricane of 1938 and the havoc is caused even there, so far inland. Her prose style is clear and direct, and she truly makes the reader jealous of her situation rather than sympathetic. It's an excellent book, one that I've read a number of times, always with an I-wish-I-was-there enthusiasm. Highly recommended.

"We Took to the Woods" is as charming and delightful a book as you will ever find. It's the story of a city woman living on a remote Maine river with her husband and children. She's not poor, nor a rube, nor does she display the eccentricities one associates with people who flee to the wilderness. Rather, she seems happy, well-adjusted, and full of sympathetic tales about the few -- very few -- people she comes into contact with in the course of her daily life. And she really did live in the woods --the nearest store was a long boat ride away and she didn't go "outside" for a four year stretch. Her township of Upton had a population of 182.

The book is set up in chapters that answer questions: "Isn't housekeeping difficult?" or "Aren't you ever frightened." One of the better stories in the chapter, "Aren't the Children a Problem" tells about her husband delivering the author's baby in the dead of winter -- and greasing it with olive oil which he kept to dress his trout flies. The new parents discuss what they are supposed to do with the hot water always called for when a baby is being born -- and they decide to make coffee.

For the modern reader, the highlights of the book are probably tales of the trials of living without conveniences. The Rich houses -- they had a winter and summer house -- had no plumbing. Heating and cooking were with wood. What you needed for groceries was delivered by boat once a month; the Sears catalog supplied the rest. For anyone who has ever thought wistfully of fleeing civilization, this is a humorous primer of both the rewards and hardships of such a life. It deserves a permanent place on the short shelf of Americana classics.

Smallchief

I think that anyone who would give this great novel 2 stars is a HATER and have NOT read the book at all.


I LOVED LOVED LOVED the book and Can not wait until Metamorphosis is dropped this summer. "What if it feels good?" is just the beginning.

Congrats D.J. !!!!!

Teri~

I was really excited about reading this book when I saw it online, but when I received it in the mail and started reading it..I was very disappointed. I read about 80 pages before I just gave up. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone whose looking for a solid read with detailed dialougue and colorful characters.

This is one of the best books i have had the opportunity to read , i couldn't put it down there were nights i sat up till 2:00am reading , Dj vivid description made believe i was there , I connectected with the chracters and felt as if i knew them personaly i read 5 to 6 books a month and WHAT IF IT FEELS GOOD is by far my favorite i have already made plans to read it again and recommend it to all my reading friends .

D.J. McLaurin's hard-to-put-down, exceptionally well-written and phenomenally plotted "What If It Feels Good?" is pure old-school pop fiction with an edge. Harkening back to the better days of Danielle Steele, Sidney Sheldon, and Jeffrey Archer, and a terrific homage to Charles Dickens, Ms. McLaurin restores melodrama's good name with a story as heart-wrenching as anything concocted by the Bronte sisters, while still maintaining a unique voice of her own with a contemporary and downright controversial slant few writers have been brave enough to traverse.

The story opens on the mean streets of Detroit. Michael Bagley is an almost too beautiful street urchin, a cross between the angelic Oliver Twist and the streetwise Artful Dodger, homeless, eating out of trash cans, surviving anyway he can. The novel opens with three telling sentences: "Men were attracted to him. At just fourteen, Michael could see it. Of course not every man was attracted to the youthful sweetness of the innocent, but there were enough of them to make a lucrative living."

But there's something special about Michael's personality, as special as his unearthly beauty. Even as he half-heartedly hustles male tricks twice his age and older with mixed results, the kid's got chutzpa and a lot of heart, with no desire to do anyone harm. He beds an older woman out of gratitude and genuine affection, his good heart earns him shared shelter under the highway with a loving homeless couple, and even his single mother, a stripper and a loving (if irresponsible) parent beset by unfortunate circumstances, benefits from his unconditional love and devotion. Ironically it is because of his protection of her (whom, against her protest, he stays away from to give her space with an abusive pimp-type) that lands him in trouble, as a gun accidentally goes off injuring his mother's nefarious paramour.

Swirls of activities ensue at a deliciously dizzying pace; court hearings, mysterious lawyers, the sudden appearance of an unknown father, the threat of incarcerations, and custody decisions. Suddenly the court gives Michael's biological father, Joseph Simpson, a black billionaire entertainment and media mogul from New York, an ultimatum: either assume custody of his illegitimate son, or watch the boy be remanded to Michigan state custody.

Both mother and son are devastated by the results, as Michael is whisked off to a New York mansion by a father he doesn't know, and to a step mother and half-siblings who are less than cordial.

Without resorting to simple black-and-white stereotypes, the author creates circumstances for Michael in his new setting so emotional that tears of sadness and tears of joy are guaranteed to fly, and after being roller-coastered through every emotion imaginable you'll jump with the bitter sweet joy of parents at their only daughter's wedding when Michael's ultimate relationship with his father works itself out.

Over time a bond is created between Michael and the rest of his new family, only for the now 17-year-old to enter into a deeply moving love affair with his father's best friend, a man twenty years his senior, creating another grand crisis in a story awash with crises.

Ms. McLaurin's handling of the delicate issue of pedophilia is nothing short of miraculous; leaving readers with conflicting views and though-provoking questions that will spark discussion long after the final page is turned.

Books like these--impossibly beautiful people, rags to riches, what price celebrity, a media eating frenzy, tawdry sex, infidelity, deep family jealousy, dark family secrets, international jet-setting, deathbed confessions, and the kitchen sink--usually have very little on their minds and are so often mere titillating stories poorly articulated (How do you say Jackie Collins-Judith Krantz?), but in "What If It Feels Good?" D.J. McLaurin has cracked the secret recipe for writing an intelligent and literate potboiler.

It is almost a cliché to say that I didn't want this book to end. Well it also happens to be a fact. What a hellified book. What a hellified writer. I wait anxiously for whatever she comes up with next.Looker: A Novel

What If It Feels Good by D.J. McLaurin is a riveting novel that throws you into the pit of hell and drags you into another world. This book is filled with everything from abusive relationships, cheating, stardom, uniting, and salvaging memories; you name it, it is in here.

Meet Michael Bagley, a young man forced to move out of his mother's home because of an abusive boyfriend. Where can he turn when he does not know who is his real father? Michael hits the streets where he does anything for money, food and shelter. When Michael tries to save his mother, Sarah, from her violent boyfriend the confrontation has him on the run. Facing jail time, Sarah must tell Michael the truth about the identity of his father, and Michaels' life will never be the same.

D.J. McLaurin pushes you to the point of no return. When Michael meets his father and is faced with his fathers' lavish lifestyle and happy family, all hell breaks loose. For goodness sake he was eating out of garbage cans, prostituting himself and sleeping under a bridge. How could Sarah let him live under these conditions given his father's status?

Michael now has a new battle to face; he has fallen in love with his father's best friend of twenty years. Will love prevail? When the lies become too much and boundaries are crossed who will come out unscathed?

This book is filled with an abundance of emotions; forcing me to feel the inevitable, cry and pray for Michaels' safety and sanity. As a parent, I was filled with mixed emotions, in regards to the lack of parental control the parents had over his life. I did however, enjoy reading this book, and look forward to the riveting sequel to find out if love conquers all.

I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys reading, feeling and appreciating a good story.

Reviewed by:

Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

I found this book to rehash information found in many other sources. It covers a wide range of topics, but none in sufficient detail. A good overview of the topics; for detailed information look elsewhere.

I have a nice little library of books that would put a small library to shame, but I find myself connected to a few much like the kid with his favorite teddy bear. Well, this book is like that teddy bear. I carry it 2 miles each day to and from work. Any good book is invaluable to a job/certification. This is one of them!

I read the entire book over the last few weeks and found that is was very helpful in giving me a better understanding of networking. I learned a lot about the basics and a ton about the advanced aspects of NT networking. I found out about how to use key NT tools and the book was a great resource.

I don't usually take the time to come back and comment on a book unless it's very bad. In this case the book is way better than I've come to expect from most NT books. There were so many extra topics in the book that I don't think I've seen elsewhere. Important registry setting are listed and explained but not ALL of them (with no explaination) just what is important. I liked the IP Management section and DNS overview. The capacity planning section that somebody else here mentioned was excellent and the tuning and troubleshooting chapter had a great section on problem resolution. It covers a very wide range of topics relating to NT and networking and does it very well.

-Tom

This book, along with Tony Northrup's Windows NT Plumbing, will put you a step above your other NT peers. Both of these books go into the nitty gritty details of how NT REALLY works in the real world and how best to deploy and configure it.

Both are excellent primers on networking and TCP/IP as well as NT specifics. Highly recommended.

Women Who Love Psychopaths is a great eye-opener. For years I haven't been able to figure out why there were so many controlling men in my life. I'm smart, caring, trusting, friendly, empathetic and loyal, just the qualities that a psychopath looks for in his women. Now that I've read this book, I have a much better idea why I'm in this situation. Can't wait for their next book that will tell us what to do about this dilemma.

I'm kind of new to the whole psychology scene. A group of friends was passing this book around and sharing it and I was blown away by it. So far as psychology terms I'm quite novice but Brown and Leedom do a great job of presenting the facts in terms a novice can understand. It was a little difficult, being male and that I had to take a good look at myself in my own relationship(s). Regardless though of gender it brings a person into the microscope of studying the psychopath.

"Women Who Love Psychopaths" is an eye-opening experience and certainly a must read. This book revealed many things about ourselves and our weakness, both men and women. And, it is a good book for those who have fallen in love with such a psychopathic individuals and how we can learn to spot the signs and how we can survive the toxic relationships.

It is most certainly a great research into the situation. I would highly recommend it along with Sandra Brown's How to Spot a Dangerous Man Before You Get Involved.

Based off a case study of seventy-five women, Women Who Love Psychopaths is Sandra Brown's latest tome dealing with dangerous men, and how to spot them before they can seriously cause damage. Liane Leedom also contributed, however her view of psychopathy is something more along the lines of the DSM-IV category, which anyone who studies the subject know is grossly misleading and quite inaccurate. The book offers a look inside the minds of psychopaths (which is the part I recommend you skip), as well as the minds and emotional traits of the women that tend to be their victims. It also gives an extremely details look at the 'bonding' process these women go through, how their psychopaths were able to hook them and keep them once their pathological behavior starts to rear its ugly head.

My biggest complaint about the book are its contributions by Liane Leedom. For example, on page 19 we're told, "ADHD is often a precursor to psychopathy." which simply isn't true. No reference is cited nor have I seen this in the classic literature (Hare, Cleckley, etc.) There was also a tendency to quote Wikipedia as if it's a reliable source. If I've learned anything about Wikipedia is that it's good for something, mundane things, like the temperature of the sun or a superficial look at history or definitions, but when it comes to sensitive topics, like the Israel-Palestinian bit, Iran, or psychopathy that the information is likely to be skewed in favor of the mainstream. If you want a good example contrast these two entries on the topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy and http://enpsychopedia.org/index.php/Psychopathy. That latter one has good case studies of individual nut jobs too if you're interested.

What I really like about WWLP is that it gives us a good look at the women (and by extension anyone) who has a tendency to fall for psychopathic personalities and get ensnared in their pathological machinations. It gives us a plethora of red flags to look for in terms of their behavior, which can be useful in identifying pathological personalities at home, at work, or in our social life.

Some choice quotes on the matter:

"Interestingly, this is the only major trait that the psychopath's woman shares with the psycho¬path--the issue of extraversion and excitement seeking. This is the attraction, the hook-up factor, and the issue upon which their dating relationship was based, the exciting extraverted life they both want to live! If you wondered what the first part of their attraction to each other was: here it is! But there is also more to what attracted her and kept them together."

"As wonderful as competitiveness is in regular life, her competitiveness however, is a downfall in the relationship with the psychopath. This is because as the relationship begins to become patho¬logically-driven and his crazy-making increases instead of running for the hills she is likely to stay and battle it out."

"Women who love psychopaths tested very high in relationship investment and positive sociability. These are the kinds of women psychopaths like to target. The psychopath uses positive rewards to establish his patterns of power, control, and dominance in a woman's life."

"If a woman is ending a previous relationship in which she didn't get much affection, hooking up with a psychopath can feel like she has hit the 'Affection Lotto!' At least in the beginning many psychopaths know that to give affection is to increase her sense of attachment, and her corresponding loyalty. Psychopaths see affection as a way of exerting power and dominance over both the relationship and the emotions of their partners"

"These cooperation traits are her drawing card to a psychopath. Her over-flowing empathy, tolerance, friendliness, compassion, supportiveness and her moral prin¬ciples are what balance the lopsided scales of the relationship with him, since he lacks these quali¬ties. This delicate balance helps to camouflage the glaring gaps of the character traits between them. Her cooperativeness helps to smooth out the character he doesn't have and makes the relationship seem more normal. We think that very high cooperativeness is the most significant reason these specific women were targeted. Psychopaths instinctively know that women high in coopera¬tiveness will stay in relationships with them longer."



I could go on, but you get the idea. Friendly, cooperative, empathic, loyal, extraverted, tolerant, well-adjusted women are like a gold-mine, literally, for the psychopath. He'll use her strengths against her in order to keep her right where he wants her, while he drains her bank account, emotional vitality and all of the time their psychological and physiological health suffers as a result.

One of the most interesting traits I discovered during the reading was: "..the women in the survey when given the choice between trusting what the psychopath says he has done/not done/or will do, or trusting what she has caught him actually doing, women who love psychopaths will likely choose the words over the actions."

Now that's pretty scary. We're also given info on how he uses sex as a primer, in order to have her bond with him, chemically:

"Sex kick-starts the premature bonding process. The touching and sexual stimulation seals the love bond. The stimulation of the vagina and cervix during sex causes the release of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones travel to the bonding centers of the brain and produce an emotional and hormonal attachment to the man. The importance of these hormones in female attachment is these are the exact hormones produced in pregnancy and nursing. They are responsible for a woman's ability to bond to babies! The more sex she has with the psychopath, the more these attachment hormones are released, and the more bonded she feels to the psychopath. This isn't merely the cuddling of love making. This is a biochemical process occurring in her body and brain increasing her sense of attachment...but tragically, to a psychopath! These are the hormones of motherhood attachment. Just like motherly love is unconditional, a sexual bond is also unconditional. She will find out just what it will cost her to have this intense unconditional attachment and love bond to a psychopath."



Psychopaths also instinctively know how to induce trance-like states in normal people:

"Trance produces perceptual biases. That means if the psychopath is telling her wonderful things and she is euphoric with him, she tends to associate wonderful and euphoric things with the memory of him...even after he's turned into a monster. While in trance, a woman tends to "cement" what she felt or learned in that state. That's why it's so difficult for women to believe he's a liar, swindler, or cheater because she learned all the wonderful things about him in trance states that have been "cemented" in her memory."



It's a chilling read. Later the book has discussions of what the women felt while their were with their psychopath, and how it has affected their lives once they've managed to break away from them. Most interestingly we are given a step by step explanation of the relationship as it progresses from the initial meet and attraction, subsequent bonding and infatuation to the eventual downward spiral into emotional manipulation, psychological (sometimes physical and sexual) abuse, and financial loss.

Overall Women Who Love Psychopaths is a great book, solely for it's look into pathological "love" relationships, how they get started, their downward trend, and the overall affects on the lives of the non-pathological partner. The stories are real, visceral, and sad and should serve to educate all of us on the warning signs, before we too before another victim.

Wish I could give it a zillion starts. Learn how your greatest strength in normal circumstances become your greatest weakness when dealing with people as pathologically damaged as psychopaths. The authors took research surveys from 75 women and came up with a victim profile that is spot on. There are quotes from victims as well as great advice on how to spot the warning signs and run run run if you encounter a psychopath.
Women who love psychopaths is a concise easy read too. Even if you haven't experienced the pain of having loved a psychopath it should be read by every woman, and man for that matter. There are also female psychopaths after all. Which brings me to the only issue I have with the book-it's written for women. When the title is considered it isn't really an issue but I still think it is good advice for anyone who may fall in love with a psychopath, regardless of the gender of the victim or the aggressor. It's fantastic research by the authors. Get a copy for someone you care about, especially if the person is looking for love. While at it, get a copy of Sandra Brown's other book: how to spot a dangerous man before you get involved. Both are necessary reading.

Summer has arrived and so has Koo, Stillwater Panda's haiku-speaking young nephew. When Stillwater encourages Koo and friends to help a grouchy neighbor in need, their efforts are rewarded in this appealing, fun blend of panda and Zen lessons perfect for young picturebook readers.

This book has a story that draws my 3 year old in, is wonderful to look at and hold.

I am a big fan of Jon Muth, both of his art and his Zen based stories. The Three Questions and Zen Shorts were great. They make you think, feel, understand, and love. Zen Ties is nice, but that is all. It seems like Muth wrote it in a hurry and didn't put much into it. It was a big disappointment to me.

This is a wonderful book. I have a 5 and a 3 year old and they ask for this book every night. There is not an awful lot of action, befitting a Zen Panda, but the kids love it. And it is a book with unquestionably positive themes. The illustrations are really lovely, as well. I am glad my kids like the book because I like reading it, too. I also recommend Zen Shorts and Stone Soup by the same author.

I bought this after receiving Zen Shorts. Jon Muth leaves the reader with a sense of calm. Great lessons for children of all ages.

About Face was a great book that was hard to put down, even for a minute.

This book is, as I stated, excellent. The storyline good, the writing fabulous. Told in the distinctive voices of the two brothers, the book unfolds in a wonderfully unique way. About Face was recommended to me by someone on the internet. I was skeptical, but purchased it anyway. Am glad I did, because it is one solid read.

I couldn't put it down! I read the last half of the book in one sitting...it left me spellbound! The structure of alternating chapters from each of the two main character's perspective, is creatively done and pulls the reader in. As a result, the authors do an extraordinary job at building a connection between the characters and the reader, with vivid descriptions and tapping emotions that anyone who has siblings, will relate to emphatically. The story builds to an incredible conclusion that will leave you contemplating the realtionships of the characters for days. I highly recommend this book from these exceptionally talented authors...Bravo!!!

This is a terrific piece of writing between Levin and Weiss. The story never slows up, and the flow between the two writers is great; there is no on-again off-again feel as the writers interchange. The two authors create one smooth read. Highly suggested!!

About Face is an excellent book. Economically descriptive, the book is narrated via the distinctive voices of brothers Damion and Travis Face, two wonderful spirits that were easy to admire, feel sorry for, and at the same time, applaud in their efforts to escape a life many of us are lucky to have never known.

I would tell anyone interested in a fast-paced, beautiful story, to pick up a copy of this book.

And the ending? My God, hold on...

Puja Thomson writes with depth and authority about one of the most terrifying experiences a woman can face. She draws from her own bout with cancer and her history as a healthcare provider, to create an indispensible guide to understanding all aspects of this disease including traditional and non-traditional treatments, insights into patient's rights, and information on what to expect and what to demand from others involved in the healing process. Had "After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing" been written several years ago, two of my own family members might be alive today to be praising this book as I am.

What makes this book so incredibly unique is that it is not only a wealth of vital information, which would be valuable on its own. Puja Thomson looks beyond the medical into the personal chasm created when a diagnosis of cancer occurs. Sometimes the hole in our wellbeing is pre-existing, and so cancer healing needs to happen at the soul level as well as the cellular level. Readers experienced in holistic living practices will find as much to anchor them in this process as those who are only just learning about the mind-body connection to health and wellness. Thomson empowers readers to create their own wellness program by incorporating relaxation and meditation techniques, creating a meaningful atmosphere, finding certain imagery to stimulate healing and powerful moods, and, perhaps most importantly, by cultivating a deep soul connection to health, mindfulness, and spirituality.

I have completed reading this easy to follow instructional manual and I think it is great. It is more than just a book. The text is a how to survive the medical maze everyone faces when confronted by a serious illness. J. Falk, RN, MS, CLTCO

"Puja's book was a great help to a friend of mine who was diagnosed at age 21 with inoperable lung cancer. Her words are wise, and full of wisdom from personal experience with the material covered. Clear, logical reasoning, respect, dignity and compassion run throughout the book.
Puja offers a advice and instructions on how to handle visits and treatments, including questions that should be asked, and information that should be known. Her insight is vast, and her wonderful suggestions can quickly relieve any panic and confusion that occur following such a traumatic diagnosis.
Puja also provides alternative choices to the accepted allopathic offerings, and these too are clearly and concisely discussed.
My mother had passed away 23 years ago, and I wish we had had this resource at that time. No matter what the outcome, Puja's book and the wisdom shared in it will make whatever the timing and path chosen much easier, more productive, and worth living.-Raymundo Rodriguez-Jackson, New Paltz, NY."

After Shock offers profound and important information, guidance, and support at a critical time filled with uncertainty and fear. Puja Thompson has soothed our souls, and has helped us navigate our way towards healing. This is a "must read" for anyone facing cancer, or for their loved ones.

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and I read Puja's book so that I could become a better resource for my clients who are dealing with cancer, either of their own illness or that of a family member or friend. What I found was a wonderful resource for Cancer patients as well as anyone else who may be struggling with an illness. While the personal accounts in the book center around Cancer specifically, the advice within it's pages is practical for anyone who needs to know how to organize themselves regarding their own issue - from how to get the personal and professional support you want and need to how to organize your bills and other paperwork. By simply having the book in my office, it opens a door for my clients to talk about themselves and often to begin the healing process. Congratulations to Puja for creating this valuable resource, with love and light.

My son loves to write in secret code. He writes to his cousin that way. When I saw this book, I knew he would love it, and he did. He read it in a day on a car trip. He'll be using the book for code writing far into the future.

I was asked recently to recommend a book for a 4th grade boy. It's been 30 years since I was that age, but one book immediately popped to mind: Clifford Hick's "Alvin's Secret Code". Ask yourself, how many fiction books will you remember three decades hence?

This is a great story for a child with a curious mind, as it deals with the issue curiousity and some of the trouble it can get you into -- and out of.

This is one of the coolest books I remember as a kid.... This wraps a lot of good historical info about codes and cryptography into a good story and there are a lot of things your kids can experiment with (like "invisible ink" using milk or lemon juice, and other different codes). I highly recommend this book as a good read and a good activity starter for your curious, bright kids ages 6 or 7 or older.

When I read this book I was in 4th grade and carried it around for months until the cover wore off. I have had a love of codes and ciphers ever since. I'm reading it to my own kids now and they are just as thrilled as I was. It's a shame it's out of print.

"Alvin's Secret Code" twines a good introduction to cryptography with a Civil War mystery and is thoroughly enjoyable throughout. When Alvin and his friend Shoie discover an encoded message, they think they're on the trail of an international spy ring in their small town (the copyright date on the book is 1963). WIth the help of Mr. Link, a former spy who is now an invalid, they are able to decode the message, and Link teaches them about a number of different codes. Alvin's and Shoie's characters are engaging, their adventures exciting, and, best of all from my point of view, the book has an appendix with a number of cryptological methods and messages for children to play with. These are wonderful brain-stretchers, and they have good practical applications even for children who don't particularly love numbers.

while the lessons inside are easier said than done many times, they are lessons nonetheless. i knew i wasn't a good listener and i knew i wanted to change it, and this was a great way to start the process. the best part is identifying the non-listening behavior so you can root it out! definately recommended, but just know that listening may require more than you may be willing to offer!

This book had some really good ideas and brought up some very good points, but the execution of the book was fairly poor. The example conversations we not convincing and were said in such a manner that I don't think would have helped the given situation. For example, the chapter on paraphrasing had the following solution to a child's opening statement:

Child: "Camp stinks this year. It's not like last year. The counselors don't care. Some of the kids are really mean."

Father: "You sound disappointed that camp is different this year and not as nice as last year, as if you were hoping that you would be as close to the counselors as you were to Brianna last summer? And it sounds like as if you felt hurt by some of the kids?"

Perhaps this conversation is an exaggeration to get the point across, but if I were a kid and I heard this, I think I would have been put off by this. Paraphrasing is defintiely a good idea, but the way the authors presented it was poor.

As for the general content of the book, it was mostly about what *not* to do. Basically, the idea of what exactly you *should* do was left open-ended. Example conversations reflected this, most of them were things you shouldn't say, not what you should. This isn't particularly useful for someone who learns by example, but I do have to admit that I have a much clearer idea of how to be a better listener.

Minus half a star - Poor conversations
Minus star and a half - Focused too much on what one shouldn't do.

Otherwise it was fabulous!

Relationships often flounder because of poor communication. In Are You Really Listening?, the authors make a strong case for the importance of listening attentively to improve communication. This book offers case studies, concrete examples, and clear descriptions to help the reader become a better listener. By carefully listening, people can depend their understanding and talk intimately with each other. I highly recommend this book.

"Are You Really Listening? Keys to Successful Communication" is a self-help guide to relationships, and the value of listening - a skill desperately needed in a world prone to misunderstandings and worse. "Are You Really Listening?" isolates the factors that tend to keep people from listening, and how to identify one's own tendencies to tune out what others are saying - from the "Me Too" syndrome that tends to tune out the speaker and refocus the conversation on the self, to learning how to be heard, to how counterproductive defensiveness can be (defending oneself signals that the time of listening to the speaker's concerns have ended). "Are You Really Listening?" has the absolute highest recommendation for anyone striving to improve their communication skills and professional or personal relationships.

I feel like I've been waiting forever to find a book that would neatly describe how to listen better. There are so many "self-help" books out there, but nearly all of them are ineffectual. Are You Really Listening, however, is extremely useful. I have found it so helpful in my life, because the authors wrote it using an honest and clear voice that is shared between them.
Moreover, I found the brief case illustrations to illuminate wonderfully the messages and lessons that these two experts prescribe.

Buy this book.

I've been meditating and studying yoga for many years and thought I knew a lot until I read this book. This book grows on you--it's so full of practical ways to use meditation to improve your life, that you begin to take it for granted. If you want to know how to live like a master amidst the swirling vortices of life's ups and downs, this is the book that has the answers.

As usual, Donald Walter's book is insightful, inspiring, and easy to read. I love his style of teaching and writing. I get so tired of the "pop spiritual" books being all flash and marketing and little on substance. Donald Walters walks his talk and has a depth of understanding about spirituality that is rare in the world.

"Superconsciousness" is the term used for the metaphysical mechanism behind human intuition, spiritual and physical healing, successful problem solving, and the discovery of deep and lasting personal joy. In Awaken To Superconciousness: How To Use Meditation For Inner Peace, Intuitive Guidance, And Greater Awareness, J. Donald Walters (founder of the Ananda communities based on the practice of yoga and the philosophy of the Indian sage, Paramhansa Yogananda) shares his many years of experience and expertise to show the reader how to use ancient yoga tradition to attain inner peace and provides the inquiring mind with inspiring meditative exercises, including chanting, affirmation and prayer. Engaging, informative, "reader friendly", Awaken To Superconciousness is highly recommended reading for students of Eastern philosophy and the use of meditation as a tool and technique for mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical self-improvement and self-help.

Walters offers many helpful hints for meditators of all paths, novice or experienced. Even though he is the founder of Ananda (as clearly explained on the back cover), his approach is completely non-sectarian. I would highly recommend this book as an appropriate gift for a friend who meditates, or to give your own practice a boost.

If you're a yogi, a meditator, agnostic, even an atheist- I think you'll be helped by this book. I was. Walters shares very simple meditation techniques that work. This approach has been tried and tested for thousands of years- it's all basic yoga meditation, presented in a way that Westerners can understand. If I could 'get it' from this book, then anyone can!