William King Books

The three books that cover the life Henry VI are each masterpieces in their own right. They are each important parts of the multi-facted life of Henry VI. Wonderful history lesson.

This is not quite as good as 1 or 2, but it is still excellent! Shakespeare grabs us with the dispute between Henry VI and York. While it seems to end peacefully it does not, and the war goes on! York's death in 1.4 is another landmark in Shakespeare's writing. The scene (2.5) where Henry finds true terror is horror, sorrow, and yet beauty and yet another moving part of the play. (The son that hath killed his father and the father that hath killed his son.) The war pauses in disaster for Henry and some comic relief is offered. But the horror starts all over again when Edward IV and Warwick have a falling out. The war starts over again, and the King of France gets involved! The scene where King Henry VI is reinstated is a scene of beauty and hope. While all of this is happening, Shakespeare carefully prepares the monstrously satanic character of Richard III. From here, the play just gets more and more bloody. A final moment of horror is offered when the eventual Richard III proudly compares himself to the one who betrayed Christ. In part 4 "Richard III," the real terror begins!

This was one of Shakespeare's earliest plays. (possibly his third) Yet, there is nothing to indicate he was only starting out. Right away he grabs our attention with the funeral of King Henry V. Henry V's brothers Bedford and Gloucester help us to see the virtues and strengths of the deceased king. The Bishop of Winchester is well drawn as a comical villain who plots and plans, but never succeeds in doing any real damage. (Not until the next play anyway.) Talbot is memorable as the selfless hero of the play. York is memorable as the hero who defeats Joan of Arc. King Henry VI himself is interesting. First we see him as a helpless infant. By the third act, we see that he has both strengths and weaknesses. He makes the mistake of dividing the command between the rivals Somerset and York. But also, we see that he does not tolerate treason or neglect of duty. There are also many memorable scenes. The garden scene that foreshadows the War of the Roses is well drawn. The scene where York comforts his dying uncle is tragic beauty. Bedford's death in 3.2 has almost a divine tone. The death of Talbot and his son is very lamentable. York's sudden rise to power is captivating. Perhaps Shakespeare's greatest achievement in this play is that he simultaneously shows us England's war with France and the dissension with England itself.

This is an old book but all the principles described still apply to today's market. The one item that caught my attention was the formula he used to recognized a potential investment. If you were to purchased a rental property and the rental income is $985 per month than you should pay no more than $98,500 for this investement( $985 X 100 ).

William Nickerson and his classic book HOW I TURNED $1,000 INTO ONE MILLION IN REAL ESTATE IN MY SPARE TIME has probably created more millionaires than any other book in investing history.

It simply is a masterpiece of common sense advice, no matter what type of investing you are contemplating

What makes Nickerson's book so good?

His writings are crammed full with practical and real guidance on real estate investing with a proven technique for making money that really works.

No get-rich-quick hype. No motivation speeches or excessive cheerleading. No nothing down promises of instant wealth or easy profits.

Just tons of genuine advice real estate investors need to hear.

Nickerson's method of making money in real estate is so common and understood people still speak about "Nickersoning" properties more than forty years after his original book was published in 1959

Nickerson's book is filled with real world advice. He offers readers the same situations they would find in their world. Sample advertisements that could have been pulled out of any newspaper. Reality based properties with defects and flaws often trying to be hidden by their owners. Brokers that try to mislead with phony price estimates and bogus numbers. This is, unfortunately, the way the real estate world really is. It isn't all peaches and cream. Most people are honest but notice I said most, not all.

Contrast this almost cynical approach with the silly advice many real estate books offer readers. Instead of shrewd and often unscrupulous owners attempting to disguise property defects to maximize profits, we meet naive and motivated sellers who will allow buyers without jobs or credit to purchase their property equity on a nothing-down basis. Or better still, even loan these buyers the broker's fee and closing costs to do so! So many real estate courses and gurus offer a world filled with dumb and hypermotivated sellers to show how their techniques would work in theory, but Nickerson prepared readers for what actually exists in the modern real estate world.

Sadly, William Nickerson died in 2000. He wrote books on other subjects but he will always be known for his original 1959 real estate masterpiece and its later revisions which also contain much more infromation then the original like HOW I TURNED $1,000 INTO FIVE MILLION IN REAL ESTATE IN MY SPARE

I have read all 3 editions of this book over the last 25 years, with outstanding results ( The 1959 "How I Turned $1,000 into One Million Edition", the 1969 "How I Turned $1,000 into Three Million Edition" and the 1980 "How I Turned $1,000 into Five Million Edition ")

I strongly suggest the How I Turned $1,000 into Five Million edition if you can get your hands on one,
written well over 20 years after the original edition it's much harder to find then the previous editions but it's also most up to date and has much more information than the previous editions, well worth the the trouble trying to obtain it since Mr. Nickerson had 20+ years of extra experience in real estate which was reflected in the last edition

Mr. Nickerson was one of the few people who grew richer each year till the day he died in 2000 using the techniques he outlined in his books

Delighted to see this kind of book and the reviews it evoked. As one coming from the Alcoholics Anonymous scene, where secularism and universalism are more and more popular, any title like this which encourages us to look at God's Word and the teaching and accomplishments and coming of His son is a book that can be helpful.A New Way Out: New Path - Familiar Road Signs - Our Creator's Guidance; The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition); Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today .

I also have purchased and read Mr. Vincent's book Hray-Mah Jesus is Coming! My curiosity once more...This writing brought me to realize the Simplicity of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and I was a Christian before reading it, and feel now I am still a Christian but with new bright knowledge and perspective in what Jesus taught and shared to all humans. His book drew me to deeply read the Bible in desire of thirst for the truth, and I was amazed how the author enticed me to go read my own bible and read for myself the things Jesus left for each of us to easily discover. This was a great learning.

I found his writing style easily opened the scriptures so that I could understand and check from my own bible exactly what was being shared and revealed. I found the warning to be exactly as it was given and the closeness of the Lord's Return is at hand.

THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES AS
CHRISTIANS IN THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZRETH.


I am looking forward to reading his other books. Clearly, this is Christianity as it was really meant to be: Simple and direct...and based only on Jesus Christ of Nazareth as our Lord Savior. Amen!

I have also bought Mr. Vincents' book titled:

NINE MONTHS PLUS ONE DAY
Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

This story brought me to wonderful warm tears. It reminded me of the wonder of motherhood and the mysteries within. I was amazed that a man could write in such depth to touch gently the within of a woman. It was fantastic! I became attached to the baby telling the story as if it were my own and within my own womb. I felt once again the warmth of motherhood and the feelings which pregnancy brings
upon a mother and her bonding with the child growing inside. I laughed at the humor and was awed at the depth I was drawn to perceive. The author's ability to comprehend is dramatic and his perceptions right on.

The illustrations are child-like perceptions that of themselves also depicted a story. Mr. Vincents' use of art he created is heartfelt.

I recommend this book to all women and especially to
all carrying a blessing. I believe this book could easily
be used as a tutor for teenage children for sharing how and why children are conceived and arrive into this world. In a true and comforting way of sharing the answers all children one day ask of their parents.

I admit, I have now read it at least four times through and still find warm tears and joy arrive each time. Wow!

Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

I also have purchased and read Mr. Vincent's book Hray-Mah Jesus is Coming! My curiosity once more...This writing brought me to realize the Simplicity of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and I was a Christian before reading it, and feel now I am still a Christian but with new bright knowledge and perspective in what Jesus taught and shared to all humans. His book drew me to deeply read the Bible in desire of thirst for the truth, and I was amazed how the author enticed me to go read my own bible and read for myself the things Jesus left for each of us to easily discover. This was a great learning.

I found his writing style easily opened the scriptures so that I could understand and check from my own bible exactly what was being shared and revealed. I found the warning to be exactly as it was given and the closeness of the Lord's Return is at hand.

I have found this book re-kindled my relationship with Jesus Christ.

At first, as I started to read the book I wondered what was this author trying to do or say?
When suddenly, it hit home as I was thirsty to go read for myself to see if what was written was within the bible. I discovered it certainly was!

His style of writing is refreshing and new in that I felt he was sitting next to me talking me to go search and learn about Jesus ON MY OWN!

He is not preaching a new religion, but opening scripture and applying it as to every religion on this Earth, and showing they have left the FIRST LOVE. At least I discovered how simple it is to know and serve the Lord Savoir Jesus Christ of Nazareth every single day. I found reading my bible was greater joy and I was able to comprehend precepts and concepts that in the past merely slipped away. No one has ever shown me before that I also was able to see, hear and ask myself and know God answered.

Jesus is the Son of God and the Living Lord Saviour who died on the Cross to save me and anyone who seeks Him, and He was buried and arose alive from the grave to overcome for each of us the sting of death and so we can live with God after we leave this Earth and our earthly bodies. I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as ONE GOD!
....................................................................

A FRIEND WROTE TO ME THE FOLLOWING: I add this because its RIGHT ON!
Truley:
I found his writing style easily opened the scriptures so that I could understand and check from my own bible exactly what was being shared and revealed as I read his first Hray Mah book. I found the warning to be exactly as it was given and the closeness of the Lord's Return is at hand. No christen writer I have read before has so deeply touched my thoughts and brought me with a deep thirst to seek the Living Word from scripture on my own reading as this author. The Fruits of the Spirit flow in gentleness in his writings, and he asks every reader to test his Fruits of the Spirit exactly as Jesus told us to do.

THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES AS
CHRISTIANS IN THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZRETH.

I agree: Jesus is Coming!

As I see it:
The Bible is for the FAITHFUL.....
Without Jesus one has no faith and thus no way to comprehend or share correctly the BIBLE. Without FAITH anything that comes out and talked about the WORD by the unfaithful is incorrect.

WE are free from the PAINS OF DEATH....NOT FROM DEATH ITSELF

Scriptures technically teach nothing to those without the Spirit:
THE TEACHER IS THE SPIRT....and the Spirit is Jesus, and without Jesus as Lord there is no knowledge of the scriptures. Thus as it is written they speak as fools who have not the Lord and Comforter. Trying if possible to fool those WHO DO KNOW THE LORD.

Basically..........Jesus revealed NO ONE CAN FULLFILL THE LAW....That is why Jesus overcame the Law and gave us FAITH and the doorway of His Shed Blood rather than the Law which NO ONE CAN LIVE BY.
......................................................................

From this Reviewer:

THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES AS
CHRISTIANS IN THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZRETH.


I am looking forward to reading his other books. Clearly, this is Christianity as it was really meant to be: Simple and direct...and based only on Jesus Christ of Nazareth as our Lord Savior. Amen!

I have also bought Mr. Vincents' book titled:

NINE MONTHS PLUS ONE DAY
Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

This story brought me to wonderful warm tears. It reminded me of the wonder of motherhood and the mysteries within. I was amazed that a man could write in such depth to touch gently the within of a woman. It was fantastic! I became attached to the baby telling the story as if it were my own and within my own womb. I felt once again the warmth of motherhood and the feelings which pregnancy brings
upon a mother and her bonding with the child growing inside. I laughed at the humor and was awed at the depth I was drawn to perceive. The author's ability to comprehend is dramatic and his perceptions right on.

The illustrations are child-like perceptions that of themselves also depicted a story. Mr. Vincents' use of art he created is heartfelt.

I recommend this book to all women and especially to
all carrying a blessing. I believe this book could easily
be used as a tutor for teenage children for sharing how and why children are conceived and arrive into this world. In a true and comforting way of sharing the answers all children one day ask of their parents.

I admit, I have now read it at least four times through and still find warm tears and joy arrive each time. Wow!
Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

Or Kindle Edition:
NINE MONTHS PLUS ONE DAY

Christopher Clark's remarkably concise biography of Wilhelm II, one of the more controversial figures of German history, very ably presents the last Kaiser in the context of his times and his political position. It is a well written work of political science and history, with incisive analysis of how the Kaiser operated within the constraints of the powers he enjoyed as emperor.

Since this is a volume in a series entitled "Profiles in Power," it is perhaps not surprising that its focus is primarily the 30 years in which Wilhelm reigned: 1888-1918. Because of this, as a biography, the book is somewhat less satisfying, in that it gives relatively limited attention to the first 29 years of his life and to the last 23 years of his life (a chapter each for these two periods as compared to 6 chapters for the period of his reign and a summary chapter). The book presents a relatively limited portrait of Wilhelm as an individual, except insofar as his personal strengths and weaknesses affected his role as monarch. Because his personality affected his rule so greatly, this seems a greater deficit here than in other political biographies.

Nonetheless, the book presents a great deal of information in a relatively short scope-261 pages, including footnotes. Among the topics the book explores: Wilhelm's difficult relations with his father and his closer relationship to his grandfather, Wilhelm I; the challenges posed by his dual role as German Kaiser and King of Prussia; his difficult position between the Reichstag and Cabinet, on one hand, and the German military, on the other; the divide between the early years of his reign, when he chose to intervene more often in politics and governance of Germany, and the latter years, when a combination of World War I and his seeming reduced interest seemed to lessen his interventions; his role as Commander in Chief of the German army; and, of course, the question of his culpability for the First World War, which Clark handles especially well. He also addresses the issue of whether Wilhelm's reign was, as many historians claim, largely a personalized exercise of power. Many of these topics are presented with alternate interpretations by other historians, and the author's synthesis or conclusions. This is certainly one of the most balanced portrayals of Wilhelm I have read.

This biography is bound to appeal to aficionados of German and modern European history as well as those interested in the causes of World War I. It both was quite informative and held my interest throughout.

I just finished this book, and found it very interesting and useful. It is not intended as a "life" of the Kaiser, but only as an analysis of his rule. I was looking for this kind of focus, so was happy with the book. The author's main thesis is that under the German constitution in effect at the time, the Kaiser had little actual power. While able to influence events, he could not control them. Only in the German shipbuilding plan did the Kaiser play a leading role. The author feels that Wilhelm sincerely wanted to avoid war in 1914. Actually, most of the book is not about the war years, giving the reader a more balanced overview of the reign. It is suggested that Wilhelm was one of the first "media" personalities, partly because of his penchant of making off-the-cuff remarks that continually got him bad publicity. The author discusses these various remarks based on the context in which they were made and the audience they were intended for, in a partially sucessful attempt to show they were not so outrageous as usually presented. While the book is not a whitewash of the Kaiser, the author does try to show he was not the arch-fiend of Allied propaganda. Since this is my personal view, I was in sympathy with the author's approach.

Cambridge historian Christopher Clarkýs 2000 study of the Kaiser is, despite its brevity, a concise and balanced account of Wilhelmýs life into which he incorporates much recent historiography of Wilhelmine Germany. Clark paints a picture of an emperor whose power and influence gradually weakened over time. By the late 1890s, he argues, Wilhelm had ýemerged as a significant factor in high politics, launching ambitious (if often doomed) legislative schemes, intriguing with individual ministers, and gradually hollowing out the authority of the chancellor.ý (117) In the realm of foreign policy, however, Clark argues that Wilhelm became increasingly ýmarginalýto the real centers of policy making,ý particularly after several notable blunders including the Zabern incident and the Daily Telegraph affair, both of which witnessed his impetuous and ýundiplomaticý style, to the horror of professional diplomats.
With regard to the outbreak of war in 1914, however, Clark argues that while Helmuth von Moltke, chief of the German General Staff, ýpressed his sovereignýat crucial momentsý in the months leading to war, at no point did the monarch ýsurrender the power of decision to the military.ý (215) Far from being a warmonger, Clark asserts, Wilhelm was ýreluctant to entangle Germany in a continental war,ý (214) and maintained ýhis own outlook on policy [that] differed in crucial ways from that of the military leadership.ý (216) He never supported the ýpreventive warý strategy espoused by top army officials, nor did he regard mobilization as irreversible. Clark points to Wilhelmýs attempts to mediate between Serbia and Austria-Hungary as evidence of his ýreluctance to allow Germany to be sucked into a Balkan engagementý in 1914. (218) This initiative was ýoverridden by the chancellor,ý Clark notes, which provides further proof of the Kaiserýs declining stature in affairs of the stateýaffairs he could ýinfluenceýbut did not control.ý (218)
What of Wilhelmýs involvement in the prosecution of and involvement in the Great War? Clark concludes that the Kaiserýs ýcapacity to exercise a command function was narrowly circumscribed,ý which considerably diluted his influence among Germanyýs military leaders. Furthermore, he ýlacked an overview of strategic planningý leading up to and including the early stages of the war because, Clark maintains, the general staff regarded him as a security risk and refused to take him in to their confidence. As a result, he was displaced from the center of military affairs, shielded from much bad news from the front, and ýwas excluded from the sphere of operational command of the land forcesýthough he did exercise a more directýinfluence on the wartime operations of the German navy.ý (227) Clark warns that one should not push the argument that the Kaiser was marginal too far. ýBy virtue of his position,ý he writes, Wilhelm was a ýfigure of crucial importance,ý namely for his authority to ýappoint and dismiss ýhisý officers and officials.ý (228) He concludes that although he was not vital militarily to the day to day running of the war, the emperor was a central figure in the ýprocesses by which some of the most central policy issues of the war years were resolved.ý (244)

This is a great, short study for the student and buff.

Reading Shakespeare in class is drearily routine. The teacher picks on some students, they monotone through it, class is over, the students retain nothing and go read Sparknotes. Or she would rent a made-for-cable version for the class to fall asleep while appearing to watch.

Reading King Lear by yourself is hardly any easier, as almost every character is named for some English province and the sisters have male names (Regan is an American President and Goneril sounds like a Mesopotamian demon-god, so only Cordelia is recognizably female.)

Enter Pollock. His scratchy cartooons of almost Peanuts-ian simplisity succeed in getting across the basic picture: We have Fat Balding King Guy (Lear) Tall King Guy (Albany) and his Short Queen (Goneril), Short King Guy (Cornwall) and his Tall Queen (Regan), some guy in an unmistakable Clown Costume (Fool) and finally our Vampire-esque Villan (Edmund). The sisters have big lips and even bigger hair, making up for the masculine names. At times, it just looks like talking heads spouting jibberish at each other, but every production of Shakespeare is guilty of this to some extent. Besides, most students read Lear for the plot, and the handy preface explains most of that motif/characterization/deeper meaning stuff they need for the essay. Plus, which would you rather sit down with, a comic book or a study guide?

In translating Shakespeare to comic book form Ian Pollock must interpet stage direction and consider character development as a director might. To read Shakespeare is to miss both the aural experience and the visual, and necessaraly each players interpretation of his/her role. This comic book format helps replace some of that which is lost. Pollock's interpretation is excellent, and his illustrative style captures the ugliness of Lear very well. One does long for beauty in his illustrations from time to time, but on the whole his interpretation works. What is most facinating perhaps is pollock's appeal to children. The visual ellement helps illucidate the text and make difficult scenes intelligable to children. Middle School aged children will have little difficulty understanding and being facinated by this rich and wonderful play

I am a theatre arts instructor and I feel that this book is an excellent introduction to Shakespeare's plays. I feel, as do many other people in my field, that the plays of William Shakespeare are meant to be seen as opposed to read. The comic book format gives you the best of both worlds. I have given this book to students who claim not to be able to understand Shakespeare and they literally tear through this book. Very high marks as far as this Professor is concerned!!!

This very readable novel offers an inventive answer to the old mystery of Who Killed William II? None of the previous works of historical fiction I have encounted dealt with this particular time in English history, namely the reign of William Rufus, homosexual son of William the Conqueror, who assumed the crown on his father's death. The author has deftly interwoven story lines of numerous persons, fictional and historical, who had motive to do in Rufus. Her solution to this historical whodunit is quite original as well as feasible. Anand's investigation of the ancient pagan rites of Beltane and the "King of the Wood" is fascinating and meshes seamlessly with the factual part of her narrative. Rich in historical and cultural detail, this is a quick read which gets better and better as the tale unfolds. The multitude of personalities in play is initially a bit confusing, but who's who becomes clearer as the story progresses. Well written, original and fast-paced, this is a great choice for lovers of historical fiction.

Ralph de Aix is a younger son who strikes out from Normandy to England with hopes of better advancement in his talents as a huntsman and horseman. Eventually Ralph attracts the attention of William Rufus, King of England, and Ralph is willing to use that attraction to advance his prospects as a courtier. I do give the author credit for tactfully handling Rufus' unusual "activities" in the bedroom, and Ralph's mixed feelings about his relationship with Rufus and his relief when he is freed from it and able to return to more normal relationships with women.

Eventually William gives Ralph some land at Chenna's Tun in the New Forest, and he brings his young bride Sybil to live with him there. Ralph is quickly drawn in to his Saxon tenant's ancient worship in the forest, and William's ambitious younger brother uses his knowledge of Ralph's activities to force him into committing a heinous deed.

This is top rate, well written historical fiction. The author does take her time in building her characters, and things really didn't start cooking until about page 300 or so as Ralph realizes that Herne, the ancient God of the Wood has chosen the ultimate sacrifice to The King of The Wood. Some readers who need action packed excitement on every page might find some of this book a bit dull, but I loved every minute of it, especially involving "The King of the Wood" in the still mysterious death of William Rufus. Five stars.

This is the tale of Ralph de Aix of Normandy and of William Rufus-King of England. Ralph is a huntsman who desires knighthood and eventually lands of his own. He finds he cannot achieve his goal anytime soon in Normandy with his present lord and decides to look elsewhere for advancement. Advancement comes in the shape and guise of William Rufus, son of William the Bastard of Normandy. Ralph really cares about Rufus, on a genuine level of friendship, but is willing to do what it takes to succeed at court. Rufus, not known for normal "appetites" is attracted to Ralph and their strange relationship begins. Ralph endures Rufus in the hope of being granted lands after knighthood.

A run down Chenna's Tun is his "reward" for "services rendered." However, he tries to make a go of it and with current knowledge of the god Herne, becomes involved in the Saxon cult where he becomes a "lord" in his own right. There is much action and mystery involved in his life but not much money. He wants a wife and in time finds one who is, in the beginning, reluctant to leave her childhood home. As time goes on, things do not improve. Weather and health disasters are a never ending concern and many people hunt the "royal deer" in order not to starve. This brings about the most important role Ralph will ever play in his life, starring Rufus and Rufus' younger brother Count Henry, soon to become King Henry I of England.

Medieval life is brought realistically back to life as is a lessor known religious cult. Anand's style of writing keeps the reader emeshed in a life of intrigue, mystery, danger, and scandal, in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries. Many of her novels are out-of-print but are well worth the search! They transport the reader back into time.

Students of Dr. Moore have eagerly awaited this part of his continuing series that explores the mapping of the human personality. The complete series with even my partial understanding of theory has illuminated my reading of classical text, theology and brought an understanding of modern events. Dr. Moore's work is not for the casual psycho pop fan and critical to the serious student of personality and faith.

When this book was first published in 1992, I admired it, and I also admired the four other books by Moore and Gillette that came out about the same time. If you have not already read it, it is worth the time to read, as are the other four books by the co-authors.

However, I am disappointed by the 2007 edition. To be sure, it includes many more graphics. But so what? In my estimate, this book would be improved by the deletion of all the graphics. What the book needs are detailed discussions of a few concrete examples. The authors might even start such a discussion of concrete examples by discussing themselves to a certain extent.

The authors profess to admire Erik Erikson's work. Fine. Erikson wrote a short book entitled _Young Man Luther_ and then a longer book entitled _Gandhi's Truth: On the Origins of Militant Nonviolence_. By studying two historical personages in detail, Erikson enabled us to see how his ideas about personal development could be used to help us understand two historical figures.

Now, could the ideas developed by Moore and Gillette help us understand certain historical figures? Perhaps they could. But Moore and Gillette have not undertaken to study any historical figures in depth. As a result of the lack of detailed discussions of actual historical figures, their ideas seem rather abstract and visionary and utopian. If convincing examples of the positive versions of the masculine archetypes of maturity can be found no place in this world, then the visions of the positive forms are utopian (Greek u = no, topos = place).

The authors dedicate this particular book to King David. However, when David's son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar, King David does not punish Amnon, even though David's job as king involves upholding the law and punishing offenders. To his credit, David was angry about what Amnon did. But his anger did not move him to take any action against Amnon. This example and other examples from the biblical account of King David suggest that he embodies the "shadow" form of the King archetype that Moore and Gillette refer to as the Weakling King, not the positive form. So why dedicate the book to a "shadow" form of the King archetype?

In the United States, the president comes close to being an elected king for four years or whatever the length of his or her term in office. I've read enough now about John F. Kennedy to think that he came close to embodying the positive form of the king archetype of maturity, despite his illicit sexual escapades (which manifested the "shadow" form of the lover archetype discussed by Moore and Gillette). David Talbot's book _Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years_ (2007) brings home certain qualities of JFK that I find deeply admirably.

On a more personal level, I recently reread the newspaper story that my mother clipped and saved about her uncle that was published at the time of his death in 1970. He was born on July 4, 1885, and he became a millionaire in the construction business during the Great Depression. Even though the newspaper story described his business sucess, the story detailed his generosity to charities and an honor he had received from the Vatican. He was very kind to me with his time and attention when I was a young boy growing up, and I would consider him an example of masculine maturity.

Because there are numerous other examples of masculine maturity in the history of this country, I would urge Moore and Gillette to found the American Hall of Fame of Mature Men who deserve to be remembered and honored.

--Thomas J. Farrell, author of Walter Ong's Contributions to Cultural Studies: The Phenomenology of the Word and I-Thou Communication (Media Ecology)

Robert Moore and Doug Gillette published 5 books (that I know of) on their theory of 4 male archetypes. The first is an overview entitled: "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover." They followed up this fine introductory work with a book on each of the 4 archetypes. This one is, of course, on the King Archetype. Each of the 4 books has a completely redundant section (worth reading once, anyway), but also has much material on the particular, titled, archetype. The names of the archetypes are defined a bit differently than society might define them--moving the descriptions into the worlds of psychology and mythology which the two authors are well-versed in. If you read one, you "should" (I dislike that word, but what can you do?) read all of them. Otherwise, you get a skewed view of the archetypes, the authors' works, and the theory they propose. I like "The King Within" very much. It provides not only description of the archetype but some ramifications and ideas as to how to implement or invoke it. I found the book uplifting and see the glass as half full. The authors provided the rationale and some means of implementation of the Mens' Movement. Not only are these books valuable to men, but they are, perhaps, even more valuable to women who wish to interact and support men. They are a wonderful addition to the literature and to humans understanding themselves and each other.

It is hard to find any good material on the weapons of wing chun. Finaly this is one of them...great. The dragon pole was introduced later in the wing chun system, it is mainly used to teach balance and precision...but almost in any surrounding you can find something that looks like a stick..so if you are really in trouble, than it might be handy to know how to handle one.

The moves illustrated in this book by William Cheung are performed by him on video in "Wing Chun Kung Fu, volume 4."
available on DVD, ASIN: B0001FFJR8

Wing Chun Kung Fu, Vol 4 by William M. Cheung

, or on VHS, ASIN: B00000JRU7.

Wing Chun Kung Fu Vol.04

Grandmaster Cheung has written yet another good book in his long list of authorship. Not just a weapons manual, this book shows training and the form for the weapon, as well as the history of it and various techniques for its use. I enjoyed this book immensely, and I can do nothing else for it except give you the guarantee that if you buy it, you won't walk away angry.

I must admit that I am drawn to musty, old books like a moth to a flame. I hapharzardly ran across a 1929 hardcover edition of Seabrook's "Magic Island" and was immediately struck by the dark and brooding illustrations as well as the marvelous old black & white photos within its yellowed leaves. A brief thumbing through the chapter listings announced its topic to me: voodoo and black magic in Haiti.

Seabrook was a well-travelled journalist and author of numerous newspaper articles, short stories, and books. "Magic Island" finds him living in turn of the century Haiti and takes you deep into his search for information about voodoo and black magic as practiced among the locals. You are not only stepping back into early 1900's society and ways, but into the unspoken underbelly of Haiti that few "white" men were ever allowed to see.

This book is simply fascinating from front to back, but best to take into consideration the time period this was written and do not expect a rip-roaring-Indiana-Jones-style adventure that Hollywood has seemed to fill the current public's minds with. The book is indeed slow, as much of Seabrook's writing is of his conversations and meetings that ultimately lead him to the secret society and its practices. Have patience, though, and you will arrive to the "juicy" center and the voodoo rites Seabrook was allowed to witness and sometimes even participate in as an initiate.

I would suggest getting an early edition of this wonderful book as I did. By literally holding in your hands something that is as old as the story itself, it seems to somehow bring you a sense of proper time displacement and aids with the immersion into Seabrook's journey.

I look forward to reading other books by Seabrook as his life was as fascinating as it was sordid: author, world traveller, acquaintence of Aleister Crowley, chronic alcoholic, cannibalist, sexual sadist & masochist, and finally an institutionalized patient of the Rockland State Hospital up until his untimely suicide by an overdose of sleeping pills.

Perhaps his quests into the "other" side of human nature were merely a preamble to the bigger question of his ownself and his many demons that followed him. Regardless, you'll have fun going along for the ride.

Interesting country. Seabrook gives some background to the original American invasion and considers the effects of the continued American presence. It's divided into 4 sections: The Voodoo Rites, Black Sorcery, The Tragic Comedy and Trails Winding. There are several pages of fascinating photographs. Seabrook gets to the truth of the zombie myth by including Article 249 of the Haiti Criminal Code, which refers to substances producing a prolonged lethargic coma. His autobiography, No Hiding Place, is equally enthralling.

If you know Seabrook, and if you're halfway interested in magic, you should, you know how really well he writes. Most people are going to be interested primarily in the first section, which deals with "voodoo." He was much more open than most people of his era, and took as fair an approach to "voodoo" as was possible for a white man. If it doesn't look much like modern descriptions, that's because the religion is evolving.

Of real interest was his observation of the administration of Haiti. I was fascinated.

If they ever, ever reissue his "Witchcraft," snatch it up. I have an old copy, and it's wonderful.

The Money Harvest by Ross Thomas takes place in the Washington, D.C. of 1975. The protagonist of this rather unlikely tale answers to the name Jake Pope. Having overcome his impoverished roots in rural West Virginia, Jake went on to distinguish himself as one of the U.S. Senate's most formidable investigators. Now he finds himself called upon to foil a bold scheme to manipulate the wheat futures market.

Thomas has populated this wickedly funny novel with an abundance of interestingly drawn characters. From a corrupt former Congressman to a ruthless and sadistic Chicago gangster to a wife-beating agricultural econonmist, these are literary creations notable for being over-the-top, exaggerated caricatures of real life personality types.

Written with an insider's keen knowledge of how things get done within the unique world of Washington, The Money Harvest is delightfully cynical and unapologetically irreverent.

This is not Ross Thomas' best novel nor is it his worst. It falls somewhere right in the middle. But an average Ross Thomas novel runs rings around 90% of the fiction currently on bookstore shelves. Recommended to those who appreciate good satire.

It's a fun little romp that just keeps you wanting to read another page,with characters so vivdly described you can see them standing at the corner.You keep reading just find out what happens next.

This book demonstrates one of the strengths of Ross Thomas's writing, a grounding in truth derived from experience. His own backgrown allowed him a number of jobs that touched on politics, labor organizations, and public relations. He understands the behind the scenes aspects of financial and political power and he uses that knowledge to great effect in The Money Harvest. This is a political thriller that feels like it is true. No exaggerations and no two dimensional characters. This is the real stuff of human give and take, betrayal, murder and coverup. Like all of his books, the central figure is confronted with a world where nothing is as it seems and no one, seemingly, can be trusted.

If you enjoy a mystery, interesting character presentation, surprising plot twists, wonderful dialogue and a satisfying conclusion, you will love this book. I started reading Ross Thomas because I enjoy books set in Washington, DC - but this proved to be the least important reason to read him. His books aren't 'inside the beltway' books so much as they are human stories of intrique, betrayal and survival. He wrote a lot about Washington because he lived here but what one gets in the full range of Thomas's writing is the modern world in all its ugly and beautiful complexity, seen from the somewhat cynical eyes of one who has seen, perhaps, too much.