Ken Wells Books

This is not by any means your standard for-the-masses, formulaically generated, overedited, for-the-airplane-lavatory paperback. Neither is it your standard alternativesy beret-wearing college post-constructionist crap.

Many of the events unfolded in an analeptically humorous manner. At the same time, my neurons were kept tingling as they were subjected the educational value of fresh and frankly, brilliant historical perspectives which were presented in a very engaging manner.

I had no choice but to put all my responsibilities off until I finished the book. I will not rest until everyone I relate to in any favorable manner has read this.

How should I say this? This novel, the title of which I suspect can not be put inside the body of a review, is a fantastic trip through the dark histories, private and public, of these Great United States. Being a Bangladeshi national, I often find it hard to connect to historical inquiries of my adoptive country, America, but Mr. Ichigawa has, in his bawdily titled text, constructed an implausible narrative-- the librarian and his photograph-- that mirrors the basic implausibility of the American Dream.

The Dream, of course, is what the protagonist lives: he travels, he loves, he works, he gets rich; Ichigawa links all of this to an underbelly of governmental corruption. Amongst Beckett's travels are New York, Rhode Island, Boston, and the Metro Detroit area wherein he encounters a sort of Who's Who of marginal 1950s outsider culture: members of the American Nazi Party, depraved sexual adherents of Wilhelm Reich, and strangely familiar Black Magicians practicing the ritual of Abra-Melin the Mage. These encounters, and their intense connection and meditation on the past, bring forth, violently, seemingly disconnected chapters which can best be called "historical eruptions." In a lesser writer's hands these would be mere dilettantism, but Ichigawa is able to make them CONNECT and make them MATTER to the main narrative. The past informs the present and the future informs the past. By my reckoning this book takes place in the following eras: Colonial, late-Victorian, Inter-War, McCarthy, and finally, the Reagan Years.

All of this sounds very high minded-- and indeed it is-- but I hope this doesn't make the book come across as boring. In fact it is one of the single funniest works I have ever come across-- and I am devotee of THE GINGER MAN, Mr. P.G. Wodehouse, and the Flashman novels (amongst others). Perhaps the funniest note of the book-- which sounds in the most unlikely corridors and chasms, like the tolling of a bell-- is Mr. Ichigawa's unusal fixation on Henry Ford, who functions as a grotesque Punch, embodying all the ugliest aspects of the American character.

In short, I highly recommend this book for all; it will teach you more about America than any dry work of history ever could.

Ah, what a difference a photograph can make in the life of a meager librarian. At least when that photograph shows the head of the FBI performing an act he'd rather not let world know he's involved in.

And so begins Thomas Beckett's romp through American esoterica as he attempts to hunt down Nazis. Of course, the romp isn't linear, and we are treated to digressions about colonial Rhode Island, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, the suburbs of Detroit Michigan and the latter's favorite son, Henry Ford.

people who don't like this should be shot, i can't think of a better way to promote thining the herd.

i got this from my cousin as a xmas present who got it for me cos of the title... he knows im into the sick stuff, lol... any way, its so stupid and not funny even though the writer trying so hard too be ... may be he thought ppl care about hover but its the distant past, let it go, lol... im eighten and why should I care... then the worst part is that in between the "funny stuff" the author keeps putting in a bunch of "historical" stuff about Henry Ford and how much he hates cars... this was totally unbeleivable and a real dumb storey... lol... save you're money for GOOD fantasy like phillip pulman's HIS DARK MATTERS... this is the first review i ever wrote but i hate this so much that I had too do it

Colorful photography throughout the Eating Well 2008 calendar, but the thickness of the paper seems skimpy. I wonder why the publisher used a gray tint on the Saturday and Sunday columns--not attractive. My purchase last year of the Georgia O'Keeffe 2007 calendar set a standard for high quality. In short, a somewhat disappointing purchase.

This calendar not only looks beautiful with images reminding you what is in season and the most delicious month by month, it is put together in such a way that is more art with a purpose than just something you tack on your wall to remind you how far away Friday is. It's going to be a great gift for everyone I know! And, after 2008, the images will make for strong, beautiful, mouthwatering reminders for the months to come. I'll be keeping mine!

Ken Cohen tapes are easy to listen to and understand. Through them the listener gaines a working knowledge of a complex philosophy. The breathing tapes are extremely helpful as are the meditations included in one volume. If you are looking for a very good introduction to Qigong this three volume set is the perfect place to start. However there is one caveate to be aware of. This set is a compilation of three individual tapes he released in previous years. If you buy this set, there is no need to order the others as individuals. This is not necessarily made clear in the description of the tapes and one could find himself duplicating his order.

This is only a 1 page overview that you can easily get for free on the internet. There are NO images or exercises like it advertises.
Big waste of money. Don't bother.