Journals Books

an excellent outlet to understand the source of the present irrationality. while the book may seem overburdened with conspiratorial themes, Cahmish's documented historical behavioral patterns and factual narrations of the 'traitors and carpetbaggers' does fit their public posturing. as such, the book aptly neutralizes the present journalistic facade, while offering a fresh and believable account. highly recommended.

I do not profess to be any sort of expert pertaining to the governmental in-fighting, intrigue and conspiracies within the Israeli, Western & International political spheres, but if only one percent of the revelations illustrated in this book by Barry Chamish are correct, then it is more than sufficient to give serious cause for concern in relation to the security of the Jewish State. Especially when so many of the revelations disclosed here relate to the `peace process'.

At the outset, the author declares that what one will read and access within this book will not be found in the news media. This book will indeed shock many readers. It certainly shocked me.

This is an incredible journal of the scheming, back-stabbing, betrayals, political manipulation & external International interference in matters regarding the present and future status of Israel.

Many International entities are referred to in some detail, including the US & its variety of Governmental Departments, the UK, France & other Western nations, plus numerous Middle Eastern nations including Egypt, Syria, Jordan. Not to mention certain notable elements within Israel's own political arena such as Rabin, Peres, Beilin plus Palestinian figures such as Arafat & his adjutants.

Shortly before writing this review I read in the Jerusalem Post about Shimon Peres' alleged intentions of `redefining' what constitutes a Jew. Elaborating somewhat, the report assigned to the alleged comments of Peres, further outlined that if the `definition' was left to Rabbis, then perhaps moves should be taken to actually `redefine' what constitutes a Rabbi. I was astonished at how someone could even make such a statement. Yet when faced with other revelations such as those so well depicted in this book, surprise should perhaps have been the last sensation to be experienced.

Reading the disclosures here leaves one with a different perception of so many senior Israeli political figures as well as a vast plethora of International figures including US Presidents, Secretaries Of State, UK Prime Ministers & Foreign Secretaries and similar personages from many other senior figures in both the West and Mid-East. I cannot help but ponder on how `paper-thin' the Mid-East peace agreements between Israel and Egypt/Jordan seem to appear.

I have no previous experience in relation to the actual veracity of these disclosures by the writer. However, I also possess two of his other works entitled "The Last Days Of Israel" and "Who Murdered Yitzhak Rabin". Having browsed through these other two books, they too appear to possess `mind-blowing' material.

Whilst the disturbing implications of what one reads here can only attract concern about the manipulation of Israel's affairs, as a Christian who has a deep love for the People & Land of Israel, I personally hold to the words included in the Old Testament Psalm 33; 10-11..."The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations."

In other words, no matter what the politicians/nations conspire or contrive, the Divine Purpose for Israel, it's People & Land, will eventually be fulfilled.

We need more investigative reporters from Israel like Mr. Chamish! It's refreshing to read what's really going on in Israel behind the scenes of the "peace process." Few are courageous enough to expose the self-serving Establishment, but thankfully every generation has flickers of the "eternal flame" of truth. May "Traitors and Carpetbaggers in the Promised Land" serve to stir people up to truly think and question, and come to an independent conclusion, based upon all the facts and not just what we're spoon-fed!

I have been student of the Middle East for the past 40 years and have read hundreds of books on the Arab-Israeli conflict. All of them combined don't add up to what Mr. Chamish done: he has given us the real story, not the propaganda we read in the so-called "free press".

One can only wonder what this man can write for an encore.

Efraim Menashe Kibbutz Amchofshi Israel

I loved the first volume that Mark and Matt put together, and the second was even better. Being a post-GDW-collapse convert to Space: 1889, I didn't even realize that there had been a "Transactions" fanzine. I think that the new format does more justice to the efforts of Mark and the varied authors to improve upon the basic game materials than the fanzine. I think that the second volume would be more useful to those who are looking for more general information on Victorian Era Gaming and not just for Space: 1889. Loved it! Eagerly awaiting the 3rd Volume.

This volume collects the first four issues of the Transactions of the Royal Martian Geographical Society, a formerly-defunct magazine for GDW's late, lamented Space:1889. I regretted not acquiring these issues when they came out, but now I'm glad I waited. This combined edition is greatly superior to the originals: layout is improved, there are more graphics, and it is nice to have everything combined under one set of covers. The articles themselves are good-to-excellent in quality, and are frequently better than the material released for the original game. Many of the authors are professional historians or graduate students of history, and their depth of knowledge shows. The only thing preventing me from giving this product five stars were the facts that a: my copy (and mine alone, it seems, since I spoke with others who purchased this) was a little defective, and b: this product only covers Space: 1889--which was entirely fine by me, but might limit its appeal to other Victorian-era gamers who aren't great fans of the Space: 1889 universe. Future issues will broaden the coverage, I am told.

I am also told that the editors believe that this product was not 100% perfect, and that there is room for improvement. Personally, I don't see how. I found the product to be excellent, and welcome its release. And if volume 2 is going to be better than this, as the editors promise, it will be _extremely_ impressive indeed.

If you like role playing in the Victorian Era, this is a resource that you won't want to pass on.

There are all sorts of nifty things, adventures, floorplans, characters, cross over ideas, and background flavor.

Space 1889 was not the greatest game ever produced. The marketing of the game seemed weak. And, to be perfectly frank (pun intended), many of the illustrations were terrible! But, inspite of that and the demise of GDW (a tragedy in my not-so-humble opinion), the game lives on in the small enclaves here and there, joined by the internet.

I think that really says the ideas behind the game mechanics were brilliant. And I'm grateful to those who produced the game.

Transactions was a great fanzine. It, too, had an ignominious end. Now, with these compilations, it lives again. And better, far better than before!

This compilation has accounts of two miniatures games, which lend a great deal to the playing of the game.

If you enjoy movies like "Zulu", "Rogues March", "Beau Geste", "Four Feathers" and "the Light That Failed", you'll love this book.

Nice illustrations and humorous parody of the 12 days of Xmas. A good Xmas gift for the cat lover.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

What an enjoyable book to read (and of course sing) to children. The cat illustrations are beautiful and it is easy to identify different objects.

I think it's a cute Christmas book for cat lovers everywhere. It takes the familiar Christmas carols and gives them new lyrics as told from a cat's point of view. I loved it and didn't get bored at all. I bring it out each Christmas season to enjoy.

Parodies of the Twelve Days of Christmas are great fun - in this all the gifts are cats of different varieties or actions. The drawings are cute, amusing but uninspired. Still, if you need a stocking stuffer for a cat love (or to infuriate a dog lover) this is delightful.

I bought this book for my 9 year old son and 12 year old daughter for Halloween. It was so neat that I went ahead and gave it to them early. They love this book! It has all sorts of neat little notes and windows to open up. My son loved the wolf hair. Great book for kids and adults.

This book is the lost journal of a vampire hunter, Cornelius Van Helsing, related to the Van Helsing from Bram Stoker's Dracula. In involves references to Johnathan and Mina Harker with a twist. The book's layout is similar to that of the Ology books (dragonology, wizardology, Egyptology, and Pirateology). This book explores the legend and lore of the vampire from which Bram Stoker himself created his novel. It seems like something for a kid but it's imaginative design makes it worth it to get for teens and adults as well. There is also a surprise at the end so read the pages carefully.

Cornelius Van Helsing has no intention of following in his famous brother's footsteps, until his brother falls prey to a mysterious illness which Cornelius suspects may be due to a Vampyre. And so, this reluctant adventurer sets out with his man-servant Gustav to discover if his brother's arch nemesis is truly dead. This "journal" alternates between Cornelius and Gustav, providing different takes on the sinister events that unfold. The book is beautifully presented with plenty of interactives like hidden letters which you have to rub in order to access their secrets, and wonderfully detailed pop-ups. I would highly recommend this to any vampyre enthusiast whether they be in the 9-12 year old range or even adults.

Okay, I'm 34 and I bought this for myself. I was a little surprised to see that it is aimed at the 9-12 crowd. I LOVE it though. Finished it quickly and then went through it again to take in all the details. Nice stuff. A little dark for the young'uns though. I enjoyed that it is presented as a story rather than a "fact" book. Lots of goodies to enjoy. Highly recommended!

No matter how many times I think I've read it all when it comes to the Eastern Front of the Second World War, there comes a book which again proves to me that there is always something new to discover. In the end this book is much more than a simple memoir about the Eastern Front.

The author was under German occupation in his hometown of Kremenets, which had been in an area that before WWI belonged to Russia, then after the Russian Civil War and all the border changes became a part of Poland. In 1939 after Poland was invaded, conquered, and split up amongst the USSR and Germany, it became a part of the Soviet Union, then when Germany invaded it became part of German-controlled Ukraine. After WWII it returned again to the Soviet Union and after the breakup of the USSR it became a part of Ukraine. This long and winding process of moving borders sets the stage for the authors impressions during the occupation period by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

The author's father was in the Russian Army during the First World War and finished it as a Captain. He was very proud of his services to Russia and was even a recipient of the Cross of St. George as well as the Order of St. Anne with Swords. This would eventually get him in trouble with Soviet authorities when Poland was invaded in September of 1939. The reason this book presents such a surprising read is because the author kept a diary during his occupation years. For around three years whatever he witnessed he wrote down, in between these entries the author also puts in other snapshots, as he calls them, of memory that fill in the picture further with events that he might not have deemed important to write in his diary or information he feared might implicate others if his diary was ever found.

The reader is presented with the author's traumatic experiences with Poles before the war began: he was abused because he was a Russian living in Poland. Then when the Soviets came his father was taken away to prison because of his past. Later still his father returned and the Soviets had to retreat as the Germans invaded the Soviet Union. It is this event that the majority of the book is based on. Kremenets is situated in Western Ukraine which means within its population you can find Ukrainians, Poles, Russians, and Jews amongst others. Throughout the occupation the reader will be interested to find out how these various peoples responded to the Germans and their occupational policies. But aside from the different nationalities there were also different political motivations and of course religion as always played a large role.

The author tragically recounts his last view of a Jewish girl whom he befriended and developed feelings for as she was taken away in a truck to be executed. Another girl who he was friends with was killed during the first few days of the German invasion of Poland during a bombing. Partisans run wild in the countryside and villages are burned to the ground on a daily basis as retaliation. What started off as accounts told again and again about these acts turns to a mundane acceptance of the fact that people are dying and their homes are being systematically destroyed. The Jews of Kremenets numbering around 10,000 were massacred and aside from some what might think, the town knew all of what was happening. Burglars ran into the now empty ghetto that had been set up for the Jews and looted what they could, inadvertently causing fires to spread throughout the ghetto because they had to use candles to see in the dark when robbing the dead.

The author explains how he used to listen to the radio and write down in shorthand all the information he could so as to know where the front was moving and what was going on in other parts of the world. Rumors were spreading through the town (marked by the phrase 'they say that'), some accurate, others false. He had a few encounters with the Germans throughout the occupation but none turned violent or deadly. In the end, after liberation, he decided to enlist in the Red Army. To a large degree he wanted to make his father proud and he wanted to make a contribution and prove his worth to his land and people.
The author's career in the army isn't as well documented and covered because he did not keep a diary since it wasn't allowed nor did he have time to write one. Despite this a few interesting episodes are recounted and make for interesting reading.

One episode which stood out to me was how he mentions that the Red Army fought to liberate territory, not occupy it. Specifically on page 213:
"I will never again be in those parts and visit those graves [speaking of Latvia and those who Red Army men who died there]: I'm not that strong anymore. State borders separate us now, with all the different visas and invitations required. Why will invite me there since the latvians now see Soviets as 'occupiers'? I thought we were the liberators. Those, resting in the mass graves, who are they?"
I don't think I could have said it any better, these men did not fight to occupy and enslave, they fought to free and liberate!

As much as some like to think that the Red Army was a barbaric 'horde' encouraged from Moscow to plunder and rape the Germans, that popular image does not match with the author's experience. The author did see Soviet vandalism but also witnessed an execution of a Red Army man charged with looting. He also describes how he translated for a German woman who stated that she had been gang raped. The author is certain that she indeed was raped by soldiers of his own army, but he cannot testify about a rape spree. He does not dispute such a spree outright. He simply can't provide any personal evidence to support that image.

As with other incidents like looting, rapes occurred sporadically and at an individual's initiative, not as part of any Red Army policy. One has to keep in mind that war is war and no one involved in a war comes out with clean hands. While this doesn't justify what the Red Army did, and nothing should, it does put it into perspective and into context. One should recall that everyone was drafted, from the boys that just turned 17 to hardened criminals who were being given a second chance.

There are many more stories and episodes which are related in the book and that will hold the reader's imagination and attention for a long time to come. As I mentioned, having read a great deal of literature on this time period and event I was surprised to see information here that I knew little to nothing about and for that I thank the author. It is a great addition to the literature on both the Holocaust and the war on the Eastern Front.

This book represents a very important contribution to the literature of World War II in several ways. Kravchenko's use of both a diary and his memories gives us a unique picture of a teenager experiences with the cruelty of war. He describes to us the life in Kremenets during the German occupation but manages also to describe and give a comment on the war on the Eastern front. We also get valuable information on the treatment of Soviet Prisoners of War, the mobilization of the Forced workers from Ukraine to Germany and the partisan movement. The book is in addition to this a very good source to the history of the Red Army and its soldiers.

The killing and deportation of the Jews of Kremenets is a history of horror and human suffering. Kravchenko writes that he feels awful and ashamed when his Jewish friend Frida is taken away to the prison by the Germans in august 1942. He describes how she is standing on the truck, proudly with her head held high. This occurrence gives us a brief insight in the strong emotions connected to a meaningless loss of a good friend. Kravchenko gives us a very close description of frightful experiences according to the massacre of the Jews of Kremenets. Being an eye-witness to the Germans brutal conduct in Kremenets the diary represents so much more than a ordinary journal of wartime experiences.

Kravchenko's years as a sergeant in post-war Germany provides the reader a different picture on how the Red Army soldiers behaved when they got to Germany. He writes that he never came across or even heard of any orders in the red Army to sack cities and to rape. Nor did he see evidence of Soviet atrocities of the scale suggested by other writers. This simply does not match with his personal experiences as a soldier in the Red Army.

"Victims, Victors: From Nazi Occupation to the Conquest of Germany as seen by a Red Army Soldier" reveals the human suffering during World War II on the Eastern front and it represent a necessary contribution to military history. This is a very important book for those who seek knowledge about and understanding of the Soviet struggle against the German occupiers.

Victims, Victors clearly fills a gaping chasm in the history of the Eastern Front by offering us the perspective of a young Russian boy who survives German occupation and later becomes a decorated Red Army infantryman. The historiographical record of Red Army soldier memoirs in English is truly sparse; in fact, I can count on one hand how many I have read. Although those previous accounts have been critical in their own right, Roman Kravchenko's personal odyssey is both unique and compelling because it chronicles the psychological angst of a young man who must first live among his enemy (the German Army) before taking up arms to fight that very same nemesis and push him back to his own borders. The immediacy and accuracy of Kravchenko's narrative resonates deeply because he bases much of it on a secret diary he kept during the German occupation -- a document that later became a piece of evidence during the post-war Nuremburg trials. Mixing both diary entries and memory, Kravchenko takes us on a physical and psychological journey of life on the Eastern Front and reveals to us the emotions, feelings, and hopes of the average Russian who is thrust into extraordinary circumstances and must find ways to survive and bear witness to the horrors of war. Kravchenko's account is a primary-source document of the highest caliber that strips away some of the mythos surrounding the Red Army and its soldiers. He gives life and dimension to characters like his company's senior sergeant, the starshina, who mentors the awkward youngster and in turn reflects a level of soldierly professionalism that easily matches that of the German, British, or American armies of the time. No more do we see mindless Russian hordes who nihilistically throw themselves into the Wehrmacht's meat grinder time after time. We see fellow human beings who value life, who see life's potential, and who want to live to fulfill their own dreams and aspirations. The sensitive and insightful Kravchenko is therefore the Red Army's best chronicler of these important facts, and his book stands as an important addition to the continued study of the Eastern Front and the clash of titans that occurred in that bloody part of the world from 1941 to 1945. True historians of World War II cannot fail to include this critical book in their libraries of 'must-have' tomes.

I read Russian version of his memoirs published in 1998, and it was very impressive in many respects: presentation of historic events, details of personal history and writing style. I hope that this new one will be even better.

My friend turned me on to the idea of writing down my thoughts and dreams in journals to one day share with my future husband, and immediately I was hooked. I have since filled five journals to present to him on our wedding night.

This journal was the one that started it all. I bought two and filled both in about a year. It was a great way to start the habit of journaling not simply for myself but for another person to one day read and appreciate. The journal itself is beautiful and very romantic, with gorgeous pictures scattered throughout. The author also includes starter topics at the beginning of each page to help inspire you. Some women might like this; I personally did not. I followed the topics for the first journal and then just crossed them out and went with my own train of thought for the next one. For one thing, each prompt only gives you ONE page to fill, which isn't nearly enough space for the prolific writer, so you may end up crossing some out anyway. For another, the topics repeat themselves, which is tiring after a while.

Overall, though, this journal is highly recommended for any woman who wants to chronicle her dreams to eventually give to her "One". All I can say is pick up this journal, pick up a pen, open your heart chakra and let your creativity flow. Your future husband will one day thank you for this gift from the soul. (At least, I very much hope mine will!)

I am a total sap & love romance. I saw this book and thought this would be an amazing gift to someday give my husband on our wedding day.

I purchased the journal and was very pleased. There are beautiful wedding pictures on every few pages of a dress, couple holding hands, couple at the altar, etc. VERY BEAUTIFUL. It provides you just enough lines to express your innermost dreams and hopes. With prompts like:
*Today I prayed for you that...
*My hopes for our future are...
*Today I wanted to tell you...
*When I think about you I...

I can't put it down. I play some soft wedding music at night and light candles, pray, and write wherever I feel like writing. I plan on keeping this a secret from my boyfriend and giving it to him on our wedding day. It will make a beautiful gift to him, one that our children and families can look back on.

I love this journal, I'm actually planning on giving it to my future husband so he can read what God has done in my life. Highly recommended!!!

this book that rebecca st. james wrote gives you a lot of advice of the way God want sd you to live your life!!I recommend this book to people because a lot of people in this world need to relize that they need God to be happy after they die!!!Well enjoy this book as much as I did!!!

Waiting For The Morning: A Mother And Daughter's Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease is a profound, personal testimony. Author Brenda Parris Sibly presents her poetry, caregiving journal, helpful advice for those who are struggling to adapt to caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's. Waiting For The Morning is sensitive, thoughtful, occasionally inspiring, and always highly recommended reading. Parting Thoughts: I didn't fix things/by being here,/and more of my trying/brought you much cheer./The flowers I planted/will be a mockery/if they bloom again/without you to see./There'll be no more Christmas--/no holidays again--/for you were everything/in my Christmas plans./I feel a cold chill/all the way to my soul,/but Mama, please know,/that I love you so.

.
..wanted to be the first to review this book!

I was probably among the first visitors to Brenda Parris Sibley's web site, "A Year to Remember...with My Mother and Alzheimer's Disease," back in 1996. I had a special interest in Alzheimer's, because our family had just come through our own care-giving journey. Our grandmother, who we cared for in our home for seven years, had died in May of '96 a little over a month after Brenda's mother passed away. I visited her site many, many times over the next few years.
I thought it was wonderful!

I have just finished reading "Waiting for the Morning" and it has touched me in a way I honestly did not think it could. As far as caring for an Alzheimer's victim, I've experienced it all. All the emotions; the guilt of not being patient enough, the longing to bring this person back, for just a little longer, that feeling of being "in control" one day, and in the depths the next, not knowing how I would survive another minute. Yet, while reading Brenda's journal I found myself snickering, remembering the silly moments, and holding back tears recalling the heartache. I was right there in that little house with her, loving her Mom and feeling the emotion of every stage of this cruel disease. For some reason it was a good feeling.
Maybe like surviving a battle and feeling camaraderie with a fellow soldier.

How I would have loved to read this book while I was caring for "Gram"!
Brenda is learning as she goes along, trying different things to make her Mom comfortable, recording it all in her journal. She shares information she has read, and tries to figure out the things that seem to cause her mother's agitation so she can avoid them. It is very informative, and I believe would be a very comforting support to any caregiver. Just to see that what they are experiencing with their loved one, although so very difficult, is not unusual and that the resulting emotions they feel are normal as well.

But I now realize-even more than before- that Brenda and I were "in the trenches" at the very same time, learning and failing; but coming through it with stories that will hopefully make the way just a little more comforting to those going through it now.

....And the poetry!
Brenda's poetry is so wonderfully honest and touching. I am filling up with tears just thinking about it. It is really special.

It was very moving to read of Brenda's grief, and how she worked through it. Isn't it amazing that this very difficult and life changing experience has resulted in the development of the web-site that many would consider the "hub" of all the Alzheimer's care giving sites?
What a wonderful memorial to her Mom, and a victorious overcoming of such a difficult experience.

.......Thank you Brenda for all of your efforts!
Mary B Walsh (author of "One Family's Journey Through Alzheimer's)

`Waiting for the Morning' accurately and honestly depicts the decline of Alzheimer's disease, each and every stage, along with the devastation imparted unto the caregiver in the process. Brenda's guilt emanates throughout: `You pleaded with me to come home, so I did. Mama's baby came home, but you don't know me. I'm too late - Alzheimer's came first.' She blames herself for the natural progression of this hideous disease; while at the same time the reader is so acutely aware of her undying love for this woman who raised her. Brenda's pain is also evident: `This is the hardest thing about Alzheimer's. Whenever she remembers that she has a daughter by my name, she worries about her - not understanding that I've been right here with her all along.' This part hit me hardest: the utter loss of her mother's awareness before her body left.

Each chapter tells the tragic story of a woman whose mind is breaking; whose switches are shutting down, one by one; and of the daughter whose unswerving commitment bears the brunt and the blame for everything which happens. Brenda's book is truly about exactly what she says in the beginning `Learn from my mistakes; know that you are not alone; and most of all, cherish the time you have left with your loved one'. These words come from great wisdom, borne out of harsh experience and unfailing love; calling out to those who follow behind her in their own journeys. If you want to know the truth, read this book. Within its covers, the `way in the wilderness' will become obvious to you. Brenda lived it - with her heart's intent being that you might be spared and enlightened as a result of the words which she penned.

Waiting for the Morning is a wonderfully written journal by Brenda Parris Sibley. If you want to know what Alzheimer's disease is all about, this is a must read book! From the very beginning, when Brenda returns home to care for her mom, we can feel the constant roller coaster ride as she tells of her experiences. Brenda expresses her thoughts and emotions so well that you feel as if you are also right there! Her book clearly shows the love she had for her mother and the guilt which overtakes her as she cannot stop this dreaded disease. Her thoughts and feelings teach us to treasure each moment as a caregiver and the blessings that come with it. She also shows us that there is life after caregiving ends and we gradually find our way back into the world. Her poems are beautiful and the pictures make you feel as if you always knew her mom. There are many references for suggested reading, so together with her story, anyone who reads Waiting For The Morning will come away much richer and blessed!

I just received my copy of What Girlfriends Do yesterday. I was lucky enough to appear on one of the pages of the book with my girlfriend that I have known since the Sixth Grade. I had been very anxious to see the final copy, and to see Laura's other photographs. I feel lucky to be a part of this fine book. While flipping through the pages, each photograph reminds me of different stages in my life and the various girlfriends I have shared special moments with throughout these stages. Laura did a wonderful job of capturing that feeling of friendship only women can understand. I like the size of the book and will certainly buy more copies to give to my Girlfriends of all ages.

This is a photographer who may well be the eye of a new generation. All you need do is see her images to learn that the computerized perfection of today's cameras means little compared to the emotion and joy she captures time and again.

Laura Straus's What Girlfriends Do combines wit, tenderness and good observation in photographs which giave a sense of the range and vitality of women's relationships today. The book is a perfect size for a gift for people who value the mix of fun and artistic sensibility.

The photographs in this book are absolutely beautiful. I absolutely love this book! While hinting of Cartier-Bresson and Sally Mann, this is distinctly the vision of Laura Straus. The wonder of childhood fantasy and potential, the balance of teenager feelings, the depth of adult friendships are all artistically portrayed in this attractive book. A great gift for girlfriends of all ages.

The idea of healing appealed to me and so did journal writing. I've wanted to write but needed something to get me started. I needed a little more motivation, some ideas on how to begin and encouragment to keep going. Susan Borkin's book, When Your Heart Speaks Take Good Notes helped me begin writing, keep at it and create miracles in my life.

Borkin's conversational style encouraged me gently and her personal disclosure made me feel like I was listening to a wise friend.

Two examples of the effectiveness of the book are that I eased some of my grief at the loss of a loved one and made strides in letting go of food addictions. I'm convinced that Susan Borkin not only understands writing but can help us use journal writing to heal the pain in our lives.

Buy it for yourself if you want to write and heal. Buy it for friends because it's helpful and a pretty book as well.

The idea of healing appealed to me and so did journal writing. I've wanted to write but needed something to get me started. I needed a little more motivation, some ideas on how to begin and encouragment to keep going. Susan Borkin's book, When Your Heart Speaks Take Good Notes helped me begin writing, keep at it and create miracles in my life.

Borkin's conversational style encouraged me gently and her personal disclosure made me feel like I was listening to a wise friend.

Two examples of the effectiveness of the book are that I eased some of my grief at the loss of a loved one and made strides in letting go of food addictions. I'm convinced that Susan Borkin not only understands writing but can help us use journal writing to heal the pain in our lives.

Buy it for yourself if you want to write and heal. Buy it for friends because it's helpful and a pretty book as well.

With wit and a delightful sense of humor, Ms. Borkin takes you on a journey to a better "you" though stories, exercises and powerful information. She has a way of cutting deftly to the heart of your own human frailty and yet leaves you entirely in control of your journey to health and a more fulfilling life. Compelling and refreshing, she offers many ways to explore life and the problems we all face. Not necessarily with hard and fast didactic answers but with thoughtful exercises, gentle guidance and profound insight, she shows you the way to listen to your heart. She guides you gently yet firmly to seeing through your pain and finding your answers and trusting your inner guide. Try a few of the exercises and be amazed, as I was, how much you learn about yourself. Not only did I enjoy her book, I find myself going back and looking for those little nuggets of gold that spoke to me so personally. I know I'll go back to this book again and again.

Susan Borkin has written a wonderful book on healing oneself through writing. The 70 exercises are clear and concise. I have shared this book with a number of women in my creative women's group as well as women I do a writing workshop with and they are as enthusiastic as I am. I am ordering 2 more copies today for a friend that wants to give them as gifts to her daughter and sister. I wish Susan Borkin lived on the East Coast so that both of my group's could have her as a guest lecturer.

For us young ones in our forties, who once upon a time kept a journal, a book like this one is a bittersweet reminder of reminiscence-and-regret that we did not keep up with them. I read this book in two sittings, and found myself in the unfamiliar role of a young man, experiencing a transformation not too unlike the one I, a mother of five and grandmother of one, went through in those years.

To begin with, I read this book because I was visiting my daughter and I was bored. I had minimal expectations. What I found was an uncanny reflection on my own life, and I was surprised at how unique yet universal Martin's work is. It sent me on a bit of a sentimental tangent, and I must say a needed one that I've put off for some time, through a wide variety of basic to complex emotions.

I really did enjoy the experience, and hope to read more of Martin's stuff soon, if he has any.

Read it. Loved it. Bought it. So that sounds backwards, but sue me, it's America. :)

I found so much of myself in this book, I thought it was about me. Sadness, happiness, rage, I related. I borrowed it from a friend at work, and it was really funny because the poems that she thought were going to me my favorites were really good guesses, but not my favorites. Poems like "Forbidden", "Saturday After Work" and "Antihero" hit me like a ton of bricks, but the ones I liked the best were the ones like "Day 11,736", "Regret", "Pretzel" and "Collusion" (oo, and "The Forgotten Words of God" too, very existential) were my favorites because they were a little more abstract and mysterious but still descript enough to draw conclusions by.

Anyway, I need to say also that although the title makes you think that the book is all about relationships, that might be a little deceiving. Some relationships are parent/child or other family relationships, some are about relationships with friends, pets, nature and experiences. There are a few poems that are just about fun. All of them put together are like reading a person's life as they grow up.

Anyway, pretty cool, and I think that this kind of writing should be looked at by high schools and colleges as a project for there students. I highly recommend the book because it's kind of like a movie that you can go back to and feel comfortable from watching it. I hope that made sense.

After the first few poems, I thought I'd made a mistake and should have borrowed another book from a friend who had pushed this one on me. You can tell that the first few poems were written by a teenager, and I was at the point where I was just going to put it down and watch tv instead. But then I read "Where Once There Was a Cage" and I found myself going from my cranky mood to just having a complete tearburst, and then I was hooked. I realized that the poems before that WERE written by a teenager, and that is the POINT of the book. It takes you from that awquard stage of adolescense and moves you forward, as if you were developing (not aging, so developing is the only word I have)from the perspective of the writer. Like, these are his thoughts and emotions from the most personal perspective that you can get in a book, as if you had the driver's seat in his heart and mind. And the book brings you places that I as a woman don't think men go to often enough, or at least I don't see it often enouth, but that's my issue!

There was some stuff that I thought he experimented with that didn't quite work for me. There are two poems that he frames into shapes, one of a dollar sign and one of a skull. I thought the dollar sign one was very funny, but it was gimmicky. The skull one was too bitter, but I guess that's an emotion too. The "Ode to a Rag Doll" poem was very touching, and for my whole life I wish someone had written a poem like "Forbidden" for me. And there are a couple of others in there like that, really good love poems. The two haiku poems were really good; one was very amusing and the other I just adored because my mom was Japanese and she loved eastern poetry and she would have liked that one alot. Theres probably more than 80 poems, so I can't review them all, and I'm not even mentioning my favorites (except for the Cage and the Forbidden poems).

The closing was very fitting. Someone else wrote that now she wanted to know what happens to the man next, and I hope I don't have to wait more than a decade to find out, either.

To summarize, I gave this book four stars because I think five star books should be classics or staples on everyones booksehelfs. But I am very glad that I read past the first couple of poems because it was so worth it, and it took me on a ride that I was in no way expecting. It was very emotional and fun. Each poem made me think about my experience through life, and like my life I didn't know what the next poem was going to be about, or how my life would turn. I related to it FAR more than I thought I would relate to a book of poetry written by a man. It wasn't an artsy-phartsy collection of poetry, it was just very open, honest, and I have to say really brave for the man to let you in the way he did.

I have read the book twice, and my advice is to pick up a copy and do the same. Bring kleenex and let a friend borrow it.

Fran

At first, I thought that "While Searching for Love and Self" was going to be some kind of "Sex in the City" style diary, denoting the author's experiences in dating. When I received my copy, I was surprised to open it up and discover that it's actually a poetic depiction of important moments in a man's life as he enters adulthood (I suppose the subtitle, "A Journal in Prose and Verse, 1986-2003" should have given me a clue). I was hardly disappointed! I read through it at a leisurely pace in two days. Then I read it again, from introduction to the back cover. I had at least a half-dozen epiphanies each time I read it. It didn't matter that I am not a man; the book centers on his (the author's) experiences, yes, but its themes are universal. It focuses on relationships, not only romantic, but also with family, relationships with friends, community, with pets (a poem that made we weep until my tear ducts were sore), and a rag doll he had as a little boy (which made me cry even though my tear ducts were sore).

The poetry is not complicated. It is easy to read and enjoyable, vivid, and what made it fascinating to me was that in reading it from cover to cover, you saw this man evolve from a seventeen year old to a mature adult. I have kept journals since I was 13, and reading this book made me wish that I had kept mine in poetic form too, or even better, made me think about taking my writings and converting them into poetry so I can relive my life in my words as I have relived his as an observer.

I highly recommend "While Searching for Love and Self" not only because I enjoyed it and will certainly enjoy it again, (and find more layers in it each time), I also recommend it because everyone will find forgotten memories and emotions in it. It's impossible not to.