Robert W. Norris Books

This book is for aquarist or professional ichthyologist. If you are just a beginner in aquarium fish, this book is not for you. If you are a serious aquarist and you are interested by fish from Mexico, buy the book. It's a well of information.

Excellent book for the experenced and the novice. Great information on Goodeids that is hard to find in the regular aquarium books.

Human emotions, dark pasts, trials & tribulation, and complicated relationships are nothing new in literature. These are all common themes in countless novels and we've seen the same scenario play out time and time again. Every now and then, an author comes along and makes these themes special though and strikes the right notes with his or her readers. Robert W. Norris has done this with his novel Toraware.

Toraware is the story of three people living in Japan trying to find their place in the world. Harlan is a writer and a Vietnam War veteran in his early thirties who is unsure what he wants exactly out of life. He has come to Japan to teach English and to experience a new culture. While there he's met two women who are also trying to find themselves and each has become connected to Harlan. Sachiko has fallen for Harlan and his writing but her feelings are not reciprocated. Sachiko has her own dark past and her own issues to work through and has a hard time dealing with rejection. Yoshiko and Harlan have a much closer relationship, but Harlan will not open up to her. Yoshiko is also fairly promiscuous, has an alcohol problem and also has a dark past stemming from psychological issues.

Toraware is the tale of a universal need for acceptance. As I mentioned before, we've seen these themes in other works, but they are presented beautifully here. Norris' words match the beauty of the Japanese landscapes that he describes. You can tell that Norris has spent quite a bit of time in Japan as reading the novel is somewhat of a study in the culture of Japan. I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the novel as Japan has always had a fascinating culture to me. Norris relates to his audience that through language barriers, culture barriers, and gender barriers, we can all relate at the core of what it is to be human.

This book was a great surprise and I look forward to getting to know Norris' work a little bit better. He's published a few other books, one of which is actually used to teach English to Japanese students. It's title is The Many Roads to Japan. Toraware was a book that could be extremely tedious if written by the wrong person seeing as there's not much action in the book. The book's main aesthetic is very voyeuristic. The reader is simply a fly on the wall as we experience the characters sorting out their lives. In Norris' hands, the book is a huge success and a pleasure to read. 4.5/5

One of the most amazing books I have ever read. The story is set in Osaka Japan. I picked up this book and was hooked after the first chapter. I ended up finishing it the same day. Too bad it is not available anymore.

Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (7/06)

"Autumn Shadows in August" is truly a novel that brings one through the course of a life, with an ending that may be much more revealing than expected. This is the story of a man who spent the early years of his life constantly searching for a place to fit in, yet never truly finds it, and takes you along the deep and uprooted path of his previous years.

His early life is filled with drugs and hallucinogenics that may have upset the world as we know it, but may have led the main character, David Thompson, to the path he was destined. As he and his beloved wife travel through Europe, they seem to find the meaning of their own life within the experiences of many countries. Kaori, Thompson's wife, is a Japanese woman who was always lost too, until later in life she seemed to blossom into a comfort zone which included her husband. Thompson, referred to by his wife Kaori as "honey-chan", was never sure where he was destined to end up in life. Being hit with the normal trials of mid-life, he and his wife have other issues they have faced that perhaps help to give them a better perspective on life. She is a cancer survivor and he is bearing the medical problems of hepatitis. They come to grips with the realization that they not only are older, but have found a way to realize the comforts they have always searched for in life.

A combination love story and mid-life coming of age fiction, Robert Norris seems to be able to share the outside influences of this exceptional couple and the inner most, deepest feelings that are sometimes enhanced by hallucinogens. They not only find their own, individualized purpose in life through a travel of the past, but they find the soul touching need and care for each other as a couple. Meeting many people from David's past, Kaori and the reader gain a sense of self worth from the intense friendships David has formed with people throughout Europe.

This absolutely breath taking novel brings the reader to a whole new level of understanding life. It will not only stir your own realizations of where your life has taken you, but perhaps open your mind and heart to new adventures.

Autumn Shadows In August by Robert W. Norris is an engaging and entertaining novel about David Thompson, an American teaching at a Japanese University and his dealing with hepatitis C. As Thompson an his wife realize the significance of their lives and what they've entirely done, Autumn Shadows In August begins its story through the retracing of a once young man's journey through Europe from Germany to Rome, replete with intriguing twists and adventurous intricacies. Autumn Shadows In August is very strongly recommended for all general fiction readers for its evocative telling and unique style and presentation of a timeless tale from the depths of an unhappy life in Japan to the hot pursuit of an aging ghost and an overall remarkable story.

Autumn Shadows in August in an extraordinary and enjoyable kunstlerroman or artist's novel. The protagonist, David Thompson, is a writer who is influenced by and identifies with two master novelists, Hermann Hesse and Malcolm Lowry. From the surreal prologue to the final page, Autumn Shadows in August is packed with direct and veiled allusions to the lives and works of both authors. In fact, the novel's plot somewhat mirrors that of Dark as the Grave Wherein My Friend Is Laid, Lowry's final novel.

Thompson is an American expatriate living in Japan. When several crises converge upon Thompson and his wife, Kaori, they decide to travel across Europe, repeating a journey that Thompson made twenty-six years earlier. They are planning to meet a friend from Thompson's past. In Amsterdam, Thompson meets a mysterious, other-worldly stranger who hands Thompson a box containing the key to the Magic Theater (readers of Hesse's Steppenwolf will instantly recognize this stranger). Thompson eats what he finds in the box and embarks upon a psychedelic journey where his memories condense and replay like scenes in a drama. Through this sequence, the reader learns why Thompson is an expatriate and begins to see the parallels between Thompson's life and the lives of Hesse and Lowry.

Thompson's journey continues as he travels through Germany (where he finds that the friend he has traveled so far to see has just died), Switzerland and Italy. As Thompson makes his way across Europe, Lowry's shape-shifting ghost occasionally stops by to check up on Thompson and offer guidance.

Author Robert Norris's writing style is rich in symbolism. Norris tends to intersperse his narrative with expository writing - a technique employed with great effect by yet another expatriate pacifist writer, Aldous Huxley. Autumn Shadows in August reminds me of Huxley's later novels in other ways as well, in particular for the protagonist's almost mystical detachment and sense that he and his loved ones are part of something greater than themselves. By the novel's end, the reader has glimpsed the forces and obstacles that shape an artist and compel him to write. I am looking forward to reading other works by this author.

This is one of the best novels I've ever read!
It's an inspiring, meaningful story of a journey through the mind of an enlightened and experienced soul; at the same time it's an exhilarating and humorous adventure, an exploration of great art, literature, and architecture, and a beautiful, emotionally enthralling romance.
But this book is far more than the sum of its parts, and my feeble literary reviewing skills can do no justice to this eloquent and multifaceted tale.
This book is highly recommended.

This has been an excellent additon to my library and helped me immensely during my seminary studies on ancient and medieval church history. Look up any subject, from Iranaeus to Arianism, and you will find several pages that sum up the topic beautifully.

One caution is to remember the book was written at the beginning of the 20th century and so may be lacking recent scholarship. Nevertheless I recommend it as a good second text on the subject of church history. As the intro says, it is a book noted for its "clarity, compactness, and balance."

Although I am not completely finished with this book, I find it a helpful and interesting source for the class I purchased it for. It seems a little redundant at first, but one finds out that this is to emphasize important facts and events. I definitely recommend this book for History of Christianity courses or the like.

I understand that I am differing with other reviewers in giving Walker 5 stars, and at times I found Walker's passe divorcing of "faith and history" annoying, nevertheless, he knows his history and how to write it.

The editors at the beginning make note of how Walker was indebted to the fruits of German scholarship--that becomes evident really quick in the book. In examing the early years of Chrisitanity (Christ through the rise of Docetism), Walker, although I disagree with parts of his methodolgy, has cogent arguments for the development of Christological thought. His contribution to early Trinitarian thought is outstanding. He outperforms himself in the times Jan Hus to the Reformation. Although I had a good grip on the Reformation, I found myself re-reading those chapters simply because they are so good.

This is a well-researched book. However, I was shocked when I saw the price. Nevertheless, and the bigger the checkbook the better, this book is well-worth the horrendous price (ok, I understand there is a reason for the price). Tolle Legge!

This is one of the most comprehensive and thorough single volume works of Christian Church History that I have ever read. Originally published in 1918 by Yale University's 'Titus Street Professor of Ecclesiastical History,' Williston Walker, this work has been 'updated' or revised through the years by three Union Theological Seminary Professors based on new discoveries, insights, data, uncovered archaeological evidence, and historical discoveries.

The subsequent revised versions included a final section on 'Modern Christianity.' So much of what happen in the 20th century was added to later editions. The book is nicely divided into seven (VII) periods. These seven periods are:

Period I - The Beginnings to the Gnostic Crisis. This period covers the first two centuries of Christianity from Christ's time to the apologists ending in the second century.

Period II - From the Gnostic Crisis to Constantine. This is one of the better sections or 'Periods' marking the growth of the Church, the formation of Catholicism, and the development of theology.

Period III - The Imperial State Church. This section covers controversies which arose (Arianism, Pelagianism, etc.). It also covers the division which occurred between the East and the West, Augustine of Hippo, the Growth of the Papacy, etc.

Period IV - The Middle Ages to the Close of the Investiture Controversy. This section covers the expansion of Christianity into Europe, The Greek Church, the Papacy and the Ottoman Empire, and much more.

Period V - The Latter Medieval Ages. This is another excellent section covering the rise of Scholasticism and its thinkers (Anselm, Aquinas, etc.). The rise of Orders (Dominicans, Franciscans, etc.) The effects/theology of mysticism, Wyclif and Hus, and into the Italian Renaissance (and much more).

Period VI - The Reformation. This sections covers every aspect of the Reformation from beginning to end in as much detail as can be allowed in about 150 pages.

Period VII - Modern Christianity. This section covers the end of the Middle Ages to the current day. Christianity in America, Britain, the rise of Protestantism, the Great Awakenings, Deism, Pietism, the Puritans, Colonial discoveries and the spread of Christianity to North America, etc. are all covered in this section.

One of the best features of this work is the bibliography. The compilers have actually created a bibliography for every period mentioned above. So if the reader wants to do more specific research on any given period or thinker, there is a very detailed reference/bibliography section that is 21 pages long. This makes for excellent research sources and further study.

Overall, this work is very well balanced, very well written in such a short space. It covers nearly every detail from major to minor (with the exception of a few things that were left out that should have been included - e.g. Louis de Molina is not included, and thus Molinism is left out). It is quite easy to read, and is systematically put together in a nice chronological order (as history actually unfolded).

If you are looking for a detailed but somewhat brief (709 plus pages) Christian History text, then I recommend this one.

This is a very detailed book covering many years and topics regarding the history of the mainstream Christian church. It does tend to meander back to Catholicism most of the time, but they are the leading Christian group.
Overall, a very worthwhile book if you try not to get bogged down with all the dates and names put forth. From my limited experience, I think this is also a very thorough book which has gone through several revisions to keep it current.
Except for the fact I needed this for a class, I would not have purchased it at full price, or close to full price.

The Babe is a great baseball movie with a few flaws, mostly in the embellishment of the true facts, but it's miles better than the 1948 movie with William Bendix as the Babe. John Goodman gives his all as he portrays Babe Ruth, a man who enjoyed life a little too much. Other strong performances are given by Kelly McGillis, James Cromwell & Bruce Boxleitner. I recommend this film.

John Goodman's role is so realistic that I thought I was seeing the Babe many times! He is outstanding in his role as Babe Ruth. Hollywoood liberties, sure ...... but an excellent story and a look at an Baseball hero ........... A must for baseball fans.

A highly enjoyable baseball movie. John Goodman give a good potrayal of the famous slugger.From his rookie year with the Boston Red Sox,the New York Yankees,and his retirement from the Boston Braves.Watch how he responds to a bad call from the plate umpire,saying he ought to get his eyes and ears checked.Babe Ruth was a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox,and in his last year with the Boston Braves,but played outfield with the New York Yankess.Now maybe the film exaggerates the antics of Ruth, but Goodman's potrayal makes them beliveable.

Babe Ruth was the original rock star. The man who's name became synonomis with $$$ right from the start, and the fast paced, take no B.S. lifestyle. He was one of the coolest cats around, and this movie shows it all!
Alot of people say that the story is innacurate, and to that I say "AW Banana oil!" This movie is the tops. There's only one other movie about the Babe, and that one had him stepping into a dark dingy bar and ordering a milk! Babe Ruth didn't drink no milk. John Goodmans portrayal, if not completely accurate, is at least a lot of fun, and from what I know (I never met the guy in person-did you?) is pretty spot on.
The Babe partied every night of the week, and usually strolled into the game sometime around the second inning to sock one out of the park. He'd smoke a few cigars in the dugout, and usually had a mug of beer waiting for him at home plate. Nobody told The Babe what to do, because he owned. The guy pretty much paid everybodys salary in the day, and is still pretty much the reason why those jerk off Yankees still have so much dough.
He was an animal on and off the field. Just ask the dames that hung all over him. He had two smoking wives.. one a small town waitress, and the other a sexy Zigfield follie (aint that the dream?)
Yeah he had to overcome some serious struggles in life, but don't we all? The guy exuberated a good time, for the folks, and especially the kids, for whom he had the biggest heart in the world... And he told fart jokes at fancy dinners!

Great lines...
"What do you think of Mary for a name if we have a girl?"
"I think I need a 20 ounce steak, is what I think."

This movie rules. Check it out.

Be advised that after 45 minutes of the movie my 8 year-old son and I gave up. Goodman seems to have been given the license to "go for broke" with a "larger than life" approach, that leaves little for the viewer to consider of Ruth's actual life. With the broadest of strokes, Goodman plays Ruth self-consciously; the mis-en-scenes are without any surprises and Hollywood-predictable.

Too little was shown to give us the sense of Ruth-as-athlete and the milieu of early 20th century baseball, a fascinating story that awaited telling but missed the opportunity here.

The only reason I finished this book was because someone had recommended it to me and I didn't want to disappoint them. The protagonist is a cardboard cutout, the lone Good American among hordes of Nasty Americans who have not achieved his level of enlightenment. The Afghans, Iranians, et al whom he meets on his travels could all be interchangeable, and everyone spends far too much time yammering self-rightous screeds and not actually doing anything.

The sad thing is that with the settings and time period, this novel could have been fascinating. But the author has taken golden material and turned it into junk - reverse alchemy, if you will. I'm sure that this book was fascinating to live, but unfortunately that fascination was not translated onto the printed page. Don't waste your time.

One star.

American David Thompson is a Vietnam War conscientious objector. After spending a year in military prison, during which time he became estranged from his family, he travels around Europe, not really sure where he's going or what he's doing. In Paris, he meets a man named Hasan, who encourages David to accompany him back to Iran, his homeland. David is assured that plenty of jobs for foreigners are available. Their paths diverge for a while, and they meet up again a few weeks later, and undertake a harrowing journey to Iran by way of southeast Europe and Turkey.

The mountains of southeast Turkey are full of the sort of people who shoot first and don't bother with asking questions later. The two pass many disabled vehicles along the way, but don't even think of stopping; the philosophy is "every man for himself." They eventually reach Teheran, the Iranian capital. It's a dirty, noisy, congested place, like a city that's grown up too quickly. They continue to Mashad, Hasan's hometown, a much cleaner and nicer place.

David is invited to a meeting of an informal group of young people to discuss political philosophy; they have heard about his political rebellion. It's during the reign of the Shah, whose secret police, the SAVAK, are everywhere, so many precautions are needed. A few days later, the leaders of the group are arrested, and David is told to leave Iran immediately. He continues on to Afghanistan.

While there, he meets some Westerners who are more interested in drugs than in getting a different perspective of the world around them. He is told that he must continue on to India, to experience it first hand. Emotionally, it will hit him harder than anything in his life, but it's something he must do. Throughout his whole trip, and expecially in India, he experiences great kindness from total strangers. He also witnesses poverty and misery on a scale inconceivable to the average American.

This book is short, but it works on several levels. It's a good travel story, it's a good political and personal philosophy story, and it's a fine tale of an average person looking for his place in the world. It's well worth reading.