N Books

I do not agree with the reviewer who said that the text was not very good. It is fun to read because of the rhyming text, and it is simple and brief enough to begin reading it to very young twins. I especially like the end that states, "Double hands, skin to skin, Double hearts, twin to twin." It is nice that it starts out at the beginning of the twins' lives and then as the book continues, it describes other events as they get older. Although the pictures are showing boy/girl twins, it is appropriate for all combinations of twins. I am going to be buying it for a friend who is having twins because we have enjoyed this book so much.

I was a little disappointed. The pictures were cute, but not very good text. The book itself must have come from the bargain bin. It had a black marker across the top and the cover was smudged.

If my 19-month old twin girls could give the review for this book themselves, it would be 5+ stars. The illustrations and story are just adorable. What really makes me melt is everytime we come upon the last page that says, "Double hands, skin to skin. Double hearts, twin to twin.", my girls hold hands just like the twins in the picture!

When our boy/girl twins were born, a cousin gave us this book for a gift, and it quickly became one of our favorites to read to them, starting when they were just a few months old. Now they're almost 2 1/2 years old and it is one of their favorites as well. The rhyme is concise and sweet, and the pictures are very endearing. It really celebrates the joy of twins despite all the little frustrations they may create along the way!

Bought this book to read to my two year old because we are expecting a set of twins. He loves the book about "his babies" It is a cute book, great for preparing a sibling for the arrival of twins.

I just picked up the book from Goodwill - just read the back cover and did not know what to expect - once I started reading the book there was no stopping - I could not stop laughing and sometimes crying at the same time. My attention was increased by the fact that I know somebody who took part in some of these events - but now he is extremely successful businessman in US and one of my good friends.

Tibor Fischer is flamboyant in describing the trying times of Hungary, just after World War II, during the Russian occupation (somewhat) - but the surprising part is the wit, satire and pan - which help us to see beyond the unimaginable tragedy of the destruction of a country and the fast death of a vibrant society under communism.

The protagonist Gyuri, a twenty something basketball player describes some of experiences in war torn Hungary in between December 1944, as the Germans are starting to retreat and the Red army is marching forward and October 1956 as the Russian tanks are again rumbling in Budapest. Hungary had turned into an orgy of atrocities - its darkness everywhere but Fischer shows the darkness in a light of wit without cynicism - the society falls apart, families perish and Gyuri loses his friends one after another. Fischer's description of the Hungarian society under siege is vivid. I promise you will love it

Written in a style that shares an awful lot with Joseph Heller's Catch 22, Fischer chronicles life in post (and partly mid) World War II Hungary. Since what I know about Hungary can fill a thimble, it proved to even be partly educational.

The book chronicles the story of Gyuri and Pataki, friends who wind up playing basketball together in Soviet era Hungary, but the two young men seem to spend a lot more time endeavoring to get laid (a cinch for Pataki, but a bit of challenge for Gyuri) doing their best to shirk off anything that smells like responsibility and in general keep from going mad in a world that seems to be rapidly disintegrating into insanity.

In an episodic fashion the reader is introduced to a host of brilliantly crafted and hysterical characters, each one more vivid than the next. This is a world where the fate of a village can hinge upon an eating contest.

Under the Frog would be a good book if all it was a comic adventure of two sometimes professional basketball players in post-war Hungary, but Fischer isn't content in telling a story that's all fluff. These are, after all, some very serious and scary times, and the author doesn't pull any punches in order to write a light-hearted tale. The book is as serious as it is funny, is downright heartbreaking in parts. In fact, the book is a lot like life, which it seems is never all serious, and never all laughs.

Following footsteps of great english satirist, Fischer writes the marvelous book, that trembles with irony, that cries in agony, that shatters the reality of pink glasses and shows to all of you who still live in utopia, how life in communsim was really like. Mind you, this is not the political novel so do not be alarmed from the beggining. This is the novel of humans and peculiar way of interpreting the rules, way that people on balcan mastered in so great a scale that no one can outmatch them anymore. If you want great life, and something to think over, this is the book for you.

I have yet to read your novel sir; but since so many critics hand out negative reviews without having read the damn book, I figured it was high time someone who had not read a book gave one a glowing review.

Remember me if I am ever up for the Man Booker, and you are still a judge.

Read Under the Frog. I gave it a full five stars!

(Publishers may not know how to work the graft and corruption--but have faith Mr. Fischer--some of us still do.)

I don't remember how I came across this book in the first place, but by the second page I was laughing out loud, read the whole thing in one sitting and immediately went back to the beginning and started reading again.

Why's it so good?

First of all, it's packed with Fischer's unique sense of humor. Read the first couple sample pages; if you're not laughing, you probably won't enjoy the rest of the book. The humor is black, definitely. But there's a good chance you'll be laughing HARD nonetheless. Pranks, absurd situations, physical comedy, and wicked wordplay rule the roost.

Second of all, it's dead serious. The book is about communism and the attempted revolution in Hungary in 1956. If you want to see the absurdity and insanity of the communist system as it looked from the inside at that time, Fischer delivers. It is fascinating, shocking, and it would be unbelievable if the author didn't make it so very believable.

I haven't seen anyone mention it, but Under the Frog reads a lot like Kurt Vonnegut's best work (Slaughterhouse V or Cat's Cradle). For me, though, Fischer's book has a lot more reread value -- neither the humor nor the horror has grown thin over the many times I've read it. Highest recommendation.

This is an amazing read, I couldn't put it down. I now feel that I actually KNOW Paul, Peter, and all of the TRUE apostles in a personal way. To then read Pagan Christianity as a follow on has been enlightening to say the least. I thought I understood more than I did but am now delighted to feel so much more properly informed, with better understanding about the letters written, when and why. I fully reccomend it.

This book is great! it will bless all who want to find for long time unanswered doubts.
Hopefully this book will be used by New testament students.

Brilliant book-Frank does it again! After reading the other reviews there isn't much left to say apart from the fact that after reading this you will find that you understand and empathise with all the people in the New Testament so much more-they literally spring to life as you read through.You will understand WHY they did and said the things that don't seem to make much sense to us in the 21st.Century.Can't wait to meet them!(well most of them anyway)
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to write it.
Sarah B.

This book presents some information that is more than valuable for His true church. I really recommend reading this book and the others by Frank Viola. Hope it doesn't hurt your denominational feelings but, instead draws you to Christ.

I had bought the other book - Pagan Christianity - from the author and I thought it was the best until I picked up this book. Truly an awesome book. If you had been confused regarding the epistles regarding the context, background, etc -- this book is for you. It tells a story (story from Acts) and takes you through the entire New Testament in order (except the Gospels because that is totally different work). After reading this book, you will look at the epistles in a totally different way.

The thing I liked about this book is that it included not only history and background to properly understand the context for the epistles on why, how and when they were written but also the fact that this book acted like a little workbook -- in a sense that author would give you details regarding a particular place, writer, context and would actually tell you to go read the epistle, which I found very very helpful. Five stars to this book, buy it and read it - you can't go wrong. You will see what I mean...

Really nice book with lots of good ideas for the serious grillmasters out there! Good recipes, good information on the actual art of grilling.... direct, indirect and much more. I will be exploring this art of grilling with all my new tools, accessories and knowledge that I've gained from this book and a few others. It's definitely a book for your cook book collection.

I bought my husband this a year after I got him a full size Weber charcoal grill. He was struggling to get chicken cooked inside without a black/ burnt outside, and this book provided exact charcoal arrangement technique and food positioning he needed to have it come out perfect. He loves all the recipes and exact directions for achieving perfectly grilled meats and vegetables. Excellent value, and a great gift.

This book arrived in perfect condition. It is full of great recipes, lovely photographs and helpful information on the process of grilling.

I have all of the other weber grill books and I find this one even better. I really liked the begining of the book with the discussion of different types of charcoal and what to expect from them. It really is a grilling 101 course. I also loved the parts were they detail cooking right on or right next to the coals. Never used this technic and adds a great favor.

This is a nice informative book on charcoal grilling. Has alot of the basics, and also has a nice selection of recipes, and tips on how to get the best results. I would recommend this book to anyone with a new charcoal grill

Ms. Day and I have a few things in common. We both had our major crisis at age 32. We both had to fight for our child. I fought to keep mine alive. She fought to keep custody of hers. Both single mothers raising our child. She is correct when she says that crisis can be positive. However, over the many years, (I'm 66) I have seen women deny, deny, deny and end up, in a few cases, homeless.

I am not an intuitive, but am a sensitive. All my life I was able to 'see' things and have them turn into reality. I 'saw' some very strange events coming in my life that could not possibly, in a thousand years, occur. Yet they all did. Every one of them. Very few things surprise me now.

Trying to help people when you see their crisis coming is not always successful. Unlike Ms. Day, I do not work with rich clients, companies, etc. I have, over the years, warned my employers about events coming down the pike. Some listened, some didn't.

I have had clients over the years and still do, but I do not charge for my services. It is a pact I made with the Spirit World long ago. They will help me 100 percent if I do not collect money for their help. If I do, I chance losing my ability to see. It doesn't bother me that I am not wealthy or live the kind of lifestyle Ms. Day does. The Spirit World has kept me whole, healthy and happy all these years.

I would like to see her write a book that is current that speaks to what is happening now with regard to housing losses, job losses, gas prices, and what the future holds. She needs to take the gloves off and really lay it on the line. She doesn't sugarcoat things, but she needs to get down and dirty about people taking responsibility for their lives. Her stories are very interesting. I just wish we knew what happened to the father in San Francisco. Did his wife return and take their daughter back?

I did very much enjoy her book. I just wonder, if she was such a powerful intuitive, why she didn't save money over the years she was married to her millionaire husband. Why she didn't see the divorce and child custody battle coming.

I may have to break down and write my own book soon. Of course all proceeds from the book would go to charities. My clients, over the years, have begged me to do this. Maybe it's time.

Laura Day narrates her own journey out of a crisis ... first through the tragic loss of her mother at 14 ... and then the devastating divorce that left her life in tatters ... to its gifts of healing and intuitive ability and career as a writer and speaker. Laura Day has been there herself ... a crisis ... and the stakes have been high ... but she pulled herself out of it ... and now shares the tools that became her lifeline. Day addresses the unique response styles and how you can make them work for you in a crisis. Best of all she has set up a website for this specific book with resources and group support so you need not go through this alone. I first met Laura Day at a Circle workshop on the East Coast in 2002 and returned to her work when she published the Crisis. More than any other self-help book on the market, this is stunning in its brilliant simplicity. No New Age blame game, no woo-woo, no magical thinking. A great tool to have in a self-help tool kit that keeps you empowered with YOURSELF.

Day emphasizes the gift of a crisis because you cannot go back to the past. This is the best advice in the book. It is like an old episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Captain Jean-Luc Picard is given a chance to return to his youth and change destiny. Instead of having the trauma of a fight in a bar that lead to his receiving an artificial heart, Jean-Luc averts the disaster. Good? Not really because when he returns to the present he discovers that his life has been mediocre rather than stellar. In fact, he is a low-level ship mate who is not seen to have any leadership ability! The gift of his crisis was the development of impeccable judgment and calculated risk taking. Jean-Luc opts to go back and claim his sacred wound and returns again the Star Fleet legend and Captain of the Enterprise. This old storyline depicts Laura Day's wisdom on why the rock bottom of a crisis can actually be starting point of a brand new life that outshines the old.

When a disaster directly affects us--an earthquake, a hurricane, a car accident on the freeway--we respond in different ways. Writing as a widely consulted expert on adapting to change and crisis, author Laura Day explains four different reactions to crisis: denial, anxiety, rage and depression. Most of us experience one or more of these typical reactions as we respond to the sudden setbacks and unexpected difficulties of our lives.

Yet instead of these largely negative reactions, Day believes we can train ourselves to respond to a crisis with positive energy, transforming what might have seemed disastrous into a life-changing experience that fills us with hope, vision, and fresh energy. The difference is not the depth or difficulty of the experience, but rather our attitude as we encounter it.

Counselor to the star and guest on major TV shows, Day believes instead of fearing change, she believes, we should learn to expect change and be empowered by it. The worst of circumstances can be transformed if we are willing to adjust our perspective.

As Day writes on page 77, "To be effective in your life...you need to grow from your experiences, rather than being derailed by them." This is the primary thrust of Welcome to Your Crisis, as the author teaches us that even a major disaster can become a stepping-stone to personal growth.

Many of her ideas are not new, yet she explains them with a fresh voice. Readable and easy to understand, her prose keeps you moving forward, turning the pages and continuing to learn.

Decide who you want to be, Day insists, rather than letting the difficult moments of life define you and limit your future. Transform the negative thoughts, attitudes and feelings
that you encounter into warmer, more confident beliefs and values.

"Good lives are not easy," Day writes on page 219, "they require daily acts of adaptation, courage, and love." Clearly, the author supports the idea that all of us can learn to face our challenges in these ways--and by doing so we can improve our own lives and the lives of those we encounter.

Armchair Interviews says: Thought-provoking information.

I felt guided to this book by a higher power -- and boy, am I glad I listened to that voice. (Or rather, to those Voices!) For so long, I was burning my candle at both ends, to steal a line from Edna St. Vincent Millay. And nothing seemed good enough, until my own personal crisis arrived. Well, needless to say, this book was -- as you can tell from the cute little life preserver on the cover art -- a lifesaver! Many blessings to you, Laura.

Life Changing.

Crisis or not, this book will help you find a new path if you let it. Your true path. The simple tools and ideas in the book provide immediate direction. Hope. Energy. I'm a big fan of this author, I absolutely adore "The Circle" and "Crisis" takes her work to great new heights.

It is personal and practical and immeasurably powerful.

Thank you, Laura Day.

Sophie feels pretty awful about things. Actually, she's felt pretty awful for three years, ever since her younger brother Erhart died. He was seven and she was twelve. Since then, she has tried hard to keep his memory alive inside of her, specifically thinking of him a couple of times a day so he doesn't fade completely from her mind.

Making things even worse in Sophie's life is the fact that she can't seem to get along with her father, who had an affair shortly before Erhart's death and was thrown out of their house.

Then Sophie lost her best friend, Justin, who wanted to date her and stopped liking her when she refused to be his girlfriend. Now he circulates with a group Sophie refers to as the Wolf Pack, mindless guys who only care about impressing frivolous girls. Sophie feels pretty alone in the world.

The stops feeling so alone when she meets Francis, a guy whose mother died years ago. He seems to understand a little of what she feels about Erhart, and he is the first person in a long time she has enjoyed spending time with. He even respects that she isn't interested in dating anyone. But is she really not interested in dating anyone? Or would she maybe like to date Francis?

I really liked Francis' character and the way he related to and respected Sophie, although I found it a bit unrealistic that he would have stuck around so long when Sophie gave him so little encouragement. I liked that Sophie's family didn't completely break down after her brother died; she and her mother and sister were still pretty much okay. The character of Justin was lousy--it was hard to believe someone would be so insensitive to drop his friendship with a girl so easily when she refused to date him.

This book was interesting--at times. I found the main character quite boring, but Francis seemed complex, and I found his tear tattoo fascinating. This is a rather typical "coming-of-age" story and did not do much to capture my interest. I basically struggled through the story, but I didn't find it unbearable. It was well-written, but simply wasn't attention-grabbing for me. I gave it three stars as it just didn't have what it takes to make a wonderful novel.

This is one of my favorite books. The characters felt so real and were very memorable, especially Francis. I liked the plot and felt satisfaction when it endded. It was an easy read, but was also well written.

"Her brother is gone-but she is still here", says the cover. Sophie's younger brother died of leukemia when he was eight. That was two years ago. Day by day, Sophie finds herself forgetting him. She's scared of letting go of what little memories she has of him; until she meets Francis. Can she let go but still hold on of the memories she has? This was a very good book, very vivid of what Sophie goes through. She's someone that you could easily relate to if someone close to you died. At times though, she sounds very fake and un-caring. She's somewhat of a snob though that judges people by what she's heard about them. Francis teaches her that's not a wise idea and little by little, she finds herself falling in love with him. Yet part of her holds back. Plus, there's her complicated relationship with her father. Her parents are divorced and he was having an affair while her brother was dying. In a way she blames him for his death. Can Sophie give herself permission to be what she wants to be? To grow up?

When I was Older by Garret Freymann-Weyr is one of my favorite books. It is a fictional story about a Girl learning to cope her life. I loved this book, and i would recommend it to any teenage girl. It is a must read.
Sophie is a 13 year old girl growing up in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Her brother died when she was very young, and She doesnt take it well. She still can't talk about him, or bring it up in a conversation with anyone. In a way, Earheart (her brother) is keeping her from growing up. Her thoughts are still on days when she was younger when she'd play with him before he got sick. Sophie must learn that Highschool changes people, and sometimes you have to accept that change.
I liked this book alot becuase I myself, can relate to how Sophie feels. Her brother is diagnosed with Lukemia and When he dies it breaks her heart. My mother had cancer, so i know how Sophie feels through the book.
Also, Garret Freymann Weyr is an amazing author. He tells this story with the use of Strong Diction, and great dialouge. his knack for writing really shines through. I never once wanted to put this book down, and i read it in 2 days. This book Not only shows the hardships of growing up, but learning how tocope with your problems. I recomend it for everyone.

Angel Cats is a wonderful reminder THAT the presence of a Divine Spirit, usually attributed only to the best humans, informs our feline companions as well.

The story "Throwaway Kids and Throwaway Animals Found Each Other" alone is well worth the cost of this amazing collection of stories. Linda Lansdell who shared her story helping inner city troubled teens grow into responsible and loving adults is a very good writer. And it all happened because of the animals that the inner city teens helped care for. All the stories in Angel Animals are good but this one story hits home on what animals can do to help change human lives for the better.

I bought this book and read it after reading Allen and Linda Anderson's other book titled GOD'S MESSENGERS: What Animals Teach Us about the Divine. ANGEL ANIMALS is a feel good and thought provoking book to read! All the well written stories offer a unique viewpoint on the special (some would say spiritual) bond we have with our pets and with animals in the wild. Dr. Marty Becker writes a wonderful foreword and endorses the spiritual theme of the book with enthusiasm. I highly recommend this book and the Anderson's other book, GOD'S MESSENGERS!!!

The connection between animals and people is quite profound. The lessons about fidelity, love, caring and relationships are all in this book. My husband and I took time each day to read one of the stories out loud. I can think of my experiences with various animals I have had and realize the spiritual connection.

Great book about humans and animals! Good reading material for young and old alike.

I wish this book was much longer--I wanted to know more. The story of a family with the resources to have a luxurious easy life, but chose to open their home and hearts to children who had less than nothing. The selflessness of this family is amazing. I just couldn't have done it. I couldn't have divided myself into so many pieces and have coped with the disorganization. But, I wholeheartedly admire the people who can. Such an inspiring story. Don't miss it!

What an amazing book this is. I was thinking about fostering children and this book was so helpful in my decision. Kathy writes with honesty and although I'm usually not one to cry, through the joy and pain in this book I cried three different times. I couldn't put it down.

This book is fantastic! It offers a realistic view of what raising fostor children is like. It shows the good and the bad, yet I have never wanted to be a fostor parent more!

I loved this book. As a therapist who has just written a book about a teen girl in foster care I think it's important to focus on the incredible work that foster parents do. They are our unsung heroes! Thank you Kathy!!!!! For a fictional, uplifting account of the journey of a teen in foster care (inspired by the foster children I've worked with in the past) check out my soon-to-be released young adult novel, RETURNABLE GIRL. Maybe it will inspire you to bring a child home.

This book is about Kathy Harrison's real life as a foster mother and the story about a couple of the children that came into her home. She talks about her true emotions and feelings as she tries to hold these "shattered" children together with, as she puts it, just love and "band aids."

Augusten Burroughs (author of Running with Scissors) said about this book...."Shocking, brutal, heartbreaking and ultimately redemptive, This is the riveting and profoundly moving story of a hero, disguised as an ordinary woman. And like every hero, it's the children she is out to save."

Unlike Augusten I did not find the book "shocking" but honest and realistic to what every foster mom goes through. I could not believe how close our stories were as I read this book. You could have taken out the names of her children and drop in some of mine, tweak their story a little, and it wouldn't ring any truer then what we have seen and gone through.

I cried as she wrote about letting Lucy go to an adoptive home. She loved Lucy but not in the same way as the children she adopted. She wanted to keep her but also wanted Lucy to have that unconditional, total love she deserved. The pain of letting Lucy go tore open those feelings and what we went through with two little boys I had for three years.

She writes about her desire to reach ever child that walked into her home and the heartbreak when she realized love, food, clothes, a home, and safety wont/cant heal all their wounds.

She talks about the times caseworkers have such caviler attitudes to their lack of action that keeps a child in the system longer then need be, or keeps them off the adoption list longer. It reminded me of the unfelt and off the hand "sorry" and "oh, well" I have heard so often. But like her, I don't know how to change things, nor do I have the time to try because there is "another child coming through my front door that needs me."

I understood as she talked about the times she stood tall and strong when she felt the weakest, because it was best for the children. Telling the emotions every foster parent feels behind closed doors. The love she has for the strength and unbelievable timing her husband had at being there when she needed him. I understood the times she wanted to yell at a parent for smoking around the baby in her care but struggles with what is good for the baby and the need to keep the communication open between them. The honest hate she felt for some of the parents that have abused the children in her care but at the same time struggle as she realizes that most likely the bio-parents were children in the same situation when they were young and haven't learned anything different. The hope that what she was doing would change things in some way screamed what every foster parent prays is true. It made me think she had a hidden camera in my home that could read my thoughts and feelings I never let others see.

The hardest part of the book, for me, was the roller coaster of emotions they went on as they tried to adopt Karen. She is elegant in relating the fear of loosing a child that, in your heart, is already yours. A feeling that can't be explained or even come close to being logical. She maps out the joys of moving forward, the pains of more hold ups, the relief that the children are in your care, but the lingering dread that things could change in an instant. She revels how everything is devastatingly out of our control and we have to stay on till the ride is done.

She is most honest about not being a saint, or perfect, or even close to perfect. I laughed so hard when she wrote about the attachment case workers visit. She says she remembers her weakest moments (when she said something she shouldn't of or didn't handle a situation the right way) when people call her a saint; so do I. It only takes one or two human reactions to realize we are not saints or perfect; but she honors us with "a warrior" doing our best.

However, she also shows why we keep doing what we do for these children. The ability to see more in these children then others do and the wonderful feeling we get when the children reach not their potential (because it is rare we get to see this) but better then when they came to our door and father then others thought they could. This might be a simple smile, or a giggle, a sentence everyone understood, going a week with out an out burst, a day with out harming themselves, or the ability to care about something other then themselves for a second or two.

I could go on and on but if you want to see what it is like to be a foster parent....read this book! If you are a foster parent and want to know you are not alone....read this book!

I bought this book for my sister because her name is also Santa. I love the written story in the book as well as the pictures; sheets could be thiner and there could have been more to read and more to look at though. But all in all it is a great book.

This is such a cute book, and my children love reading it over and over. Your kids will definitely want to leave cookies for Santa after reading it. A must have!

My 3 1/2 yr. old daughter really likes this book! Highly recommend! Understands that even Santa can have a bad day but after a "love you" note from children with a gift of cookies, Santa loses his grumpies!
Savannah

This book is just plain fun to read out loud. You can go slow and soft and get faster and louder until you and your child are yelling, "I'm a grumpy Santa Claus!" I have even read this one without my 3-year-old around. I bought it for everybody I knew with kids last year.

Excellent book for kids, and at least humorous for adults reading the book to the kids, at least for the first couple of times out of the hundreds you will be.

Received the book promptly and was received in the condition described. Thank you. V. Santana

The Art Spirit is a classic. No artist should ever be without a copy. This book invites reading time and time again. It brings us back to the principles. The value of things. Right thinking. Relationships. As a practicing artist, I can think of few books that have meant so much.

Any artist who does not have this book in his or her library is being cheated out of great insights:

"There are mighty few people who think what they think they think."

"Be willing to paint a picture that does not look like a picture."

"...pictures which do not represent intense interest cannot expect to create an intense interest."

"Effects of perspective are made or defeated by sizes of strokes or by their tonality."

And this is just the teaser.

The Art Spirit. Now there's a bold title. The implication is not only that there is such a specifically identifiable thing as an "art spirit", but also that the author, painter, and teacher, Robert Henri knows these specifics; a bold implication indeed. The difficulty (wherein lies the boldness) whenever one attaches the word spirit -or spiritual- to anything, there are, of course, as many understandings or perceptions of that word as there are hearers and readers of that word. This may exist to no greater degree and appear no more obvious than in the world of visual arts. Henri himself acknowledges this, writing in the forward, "...the opinions are presented more as paintings are hung on a wall, to be looked at at will and to be taken for what they are worth. If they have a suggestive value and stimulate to independent thought, they will attain the object of their presentation..." And later, "There is no idea that anyone should agree with any of the comments or that anyone should follow the advice given. If they irritate to activity in quite a different direction, it will be just as well." Although he embraces this free thinking, to-each-his-own, take what you will from it approach, it is merely one of the specific personality characteristics evidenced in the Art Spirit. Henri intends to show there is an "art spirit", and it is the province of every human being.
This is the crux of the issue for Henri, his point of departure from other artist/writers, and the chief value of this book: The Art Spirit is attainable by anyone, can be exhibited by everyone.
Other works on the subject tend to be either the less specific, more nebulous notions where we are expected to buy the fancy explanations and just accept that there is something spiritual, or of the spirit, going on here, or the very specific, artist-only oriented varieties. For example, consider Mandarin's grid "composition" series and his writing about them. While his theosophically induced explanations may help some to a degree of understanding, we are essentially left to take his word for what we are supposed to be seeing in the canvas. In his "Concerning the Spiritual in Art", although Kandinsky presages Henri -discussing psycho-emotional, expressive, and contemplative states of artists out in the real world and before the canvas- he ultimately leaves it with the artist, not really taking it out of the studio and into the factory, construction site, or office cubicle as Henri does. Whereas Kandinsky seems to digress at times into a sort of "how -to" instruction guide for defining and placing spiritual elements into a picture, Henri takes it further, defining his Art Spirit, then setting about showing us how to tell when it's present. This every-man definition is offered at the very beginning of his book:
"Art when really understood is the province of every human being.
It is simply a question of doing things, anything, well. It is not an outside, extra thing.
When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressing creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and he opens ways for a better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it, shows there are still more pages possible.
The world would stagnate without him, and the world would be beautiful with him; for he is interesting to himself and he is interesting to others. He does not have to be a painter or sculptor to be an artist. He can work in any medium. He simply has to find the gain in the work itself, not outside it."
Henri then spends two hundred and forty five more pages illuminating and reiterating how one is -or can be- an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressing creature; how to live life to the fullest. The Art Spirit manifests itself in the appreciation of the non-material things in life; in the "true student" who self-educates and explores feelings, meanings, who contemplates, who really sees, who learns to express "who is you"; in what comes from the external world and inside you; in the full enjoyment in the living of life; in doing a thing well ... anything.
Henri accomplishes a difficult task here; a book with specific and important information for the artist, yet within that structure filled with insight and compelling ideas for the non-artist. One is urged to make a full reading, since quite often both are mingled in the same sentence or statement. For example, a non-painter might be tempted to skip the ten-page section on brush strokes (pg. 62-72), seeing no need for it. The unfortunate reader would then miss out on many little gems of insight and information. What is a brushstroke but a purposeful committed action by an artist? So then, consider the message in these statements when you substitute the word "stroke" with "action" or even "attitude" (parenthetical insertions are mine ):
"Strokes carry a message whether you will it or not. The stroke is just like the artist (person) at the time he makes it. All the certainties, all the uncertainties, all the bigness of his spirit and all the littleness are in it."

"There are more strokes which laugh, and there are more strokes which bind laughter, which freeze the face into a set immoveable grimace."

"(There are) bad strokes which are bad because a brush (a method) or a condition of paint (situation) were chosen which could not render them."

While Henri plays to both artist and non-artist audiences, it is at these times when he addresses the artist more directly he more closely aligns himself with Kandinsky. Both men bring their great passion for the subject into their text in their strong, clear, and pleasing voice. Kandinsky, sounding alternately-yet only slightly more- poetic here, technical there; Henri with a bit more enthusiasm. They share the same territory on many issues, such as the shape, direction, and function of line, intention of every stroke, careful planning followed by exuberant expression and more. Yet, while they may travel the same road, they do not share the same vehicle. There is an important distinction in each man's approach to spirituality, or the art spirit. For Kandinsky, there is a spirit world out there, and a spiritually inspired painter can -and should- find ways to represent both that indwelling spirit and that exterior spirit world to which we are all connected. Henri says (when) we search the external world with appreciation and wonder, and we search within ourselves, and when we become more self-expressing creatures, we have the art spirit...we are the art spirit. Kandinsky believes only non-objective images can reveal the spiritual, Henri says it matters not what you paint but how you paint it-compelled by the spirit. So while Kandinsky can use the "psychic effect" (pg. 24) of color to manipulate the viewer's emotional state toward a comprehension of the spiritual, Henri says the artist's mark itself can manifest the Art Spirit. While, in both cases it takes a more or less purposeful opening up to the notion of the spirit, for Henri it is not trying to grasp the spirit and record it, it is about internalizing and building the spirit inside ourselves, and our resulting expressions will, by definition, represent the Spirit. And it is possible for all of us.
The long quote above (from pg. 5) is written exactly as printed in the fifth edition printing not only as expository text, but as a means of illustrating Henri's bright, clear and energetic voice that runs throughout this book. The subtitle for The Art Spirit reads, "notes, articles, fragments of letters and talks to students, bearing on the concept and technique of picture making, the study of art in general, and on appreciation," and that is exactly how it reads. Much of this is due to Henri's considerable gift of communication, and the balance is credited to the physical layout of the book. There are no chapters, even very few headings to sections, lending itself very well to opening to any page and beginning to read. At times, a lecture, or perhaps advice to a single student goes on for five, six, seven pages. Other times, pages are divided into two or three sections, or set up in individual sentences which concern the same subject, yet stand on their own. The resulting effect is the feeling of being in the very classroom of Professor Henri. There are also considerable instances of repetition here, albeit in subtle variations. The index, however, is usefully repetitious as well, helping to differentiate between those subtleties when one may be in need of a specific quote or reference.
The last thirty pages are exact notes taken by Margery Ryerson, a Henri student who eventually compiled the notes, fragments, etc.(in the revised edition, she is credited as Editor). This is an excellent addition to the book. Reading Henri's comments and insights in her necessarily abbreviated, note-taking style provides fresh psychological weight to the reality of Henri's classroom.
One area of disappointment concerns the photograph illustrations of Henri and his work. In the fifth edition, the plates are in black and white. Although understandable at the time of inclusion (1930), they do not allow for close comparison with Henri's ideas and techniques about painting elaborated in the text. The real disappointment is to find that the current edition available from booksellers has not updated to colorplates, but jettisoned the pictures entirely, save for the full color cover.
I recommend The Art Spirit to anyone involved in the creative process. It is a must have, particularly for those times when one may be experiencing a creative burnout, or to shake off the cobwebs. I am recommending The Art Spirit to non-artists as well -anyone who is looking for a little spark, a little positive push toward self-actualization.
For the artist, I am not recommending The Art Spirit over the Kandinsky classic; I see Henri's work as more of a continuation, or a rounding out of what Kandinsky started years before. Artists and aspiring art appreciators must read both if there is to be any hope of understanding

George Bellows, Edward Hopper, Patrick Henry Bruce, Stuart Davis, Rockwell Kent, Guy DuBois, Alfred Maurer, Carl Sprinchorn and countless others studied with Henri and went on to do great work. There are too many for this to be simply coincidence. The "Art Spirit" is the closest thing we can get to the Kool-Aid that flowed in Henri's classroom. One can glean quite a bit from the pages of this book. It is both practical and inspirational. I have to say that it can be a bit frustrating not being able to see anything or ask a question, but its much better than nothing (thank you Ms. Ryerson!). Buy a copy and read it.