Signs Books

Rinda West's Out of the Shadow is what she calls a "restoration narrative," and the restoration of which she speaks is many limbed, extending in directions of which even the author may be unaware.
Perhaps because I too am a baby-boomer, I find this book a refreshing return to a way of speaking and seeing, to a discourse, long since abandoned but not, as West proves, forgotten. Elegantly written and free of the kind of overly-rationalized, guilt-ridden, self-destructive prose of the post-modernists, this book happily embraces a Jungian essentialism that not only embraces nature and an essential self, but champions this essentialist discourse as a way back, a restoration, not just to individual health, but to planetary health, and along the way champions a recovery from a criticism that only deconstructs and cannot find a presence upon which to rebuild.
C.J. Jung's theory of "the shadow," the dark alter ego which lurks in the subconscious as a foil to the rational ego, is the unifying thread of her argument. We haven't heard much of Jung of late, nor of his belief in the healing potential implicit in the re-union of intellect with the unconscious, of the overly-civilized ego with the nature in us and outside of us. That at least this echo of 60s romanticism survived the desert wastes of post-modernism signals hope, for it is a dirty secret not heard much in academia that the radical moment 40 years ago was more a moment of romantic essentialism than deconstructive post-modernism. That rebellion was waged with nature as the alternative to the establishment. West's book is a return to that older, healing insight.
That this is a book written as part of the University of Virginia's series "explorations in ecocriticism" is fitting. For the rediscovery of the importance of nature for our own wholeness is the heart of West's text as well as the texts she unveils for us. Concentrating largely, but not exclusively on "women's fiction," West shows how the novels of Louise Erdrich, Leslie Marmon Silko, Barbara Kingsolver, to name only a few of the authors referenced in this richly varied work, play out Jung's themes. Reading these works with a sensitive eye, she shows how in each text the rituals which return us to the earth itself, can also return us to ourselves. To reach out and to touch nature, and the nature in ourselves, is to recognize and be reconciled with our shadows.
What West herself says of Erdrich perhaps can stand as a comment on her own book: "in restoring vitality to the culture, the land, and the psyche, she generates a rich diversity that ensures there is room for everyone."

Richard E. Cutler's humorous musings in Over The Hill Without A Paddle are truly delightful. His writing style makes you feel as if you were sitting with an old friend reminiscing about familiar places, people, feelings and adventures. Mr. cutler has a wonderful way with words and how lucky we all are that he would share his observations on life's small and great events with us in the clever essays of this fun, interesting and marvelously humorous book.

I read this book and felt so encouraged. I have suffered with debilitating chronic pain for more than 4 years. Marni Jackson knows what those of us who suffer are going through. This book is a real page-turner for those interested in this ambiguous subject. Pain is such a vague, subjective experience and the author points this out through stories and anecdotes. Her witticisms and practical insights are true gems. I felt less alone in the world of chronic pain after reading this book. If you need a little encouragement, or know someone who does, please read this book. It is well worth the investment!

Mary Sheppard Burton is a storyteller, a treasured tradition-bearer who recounts the history and heritage of rural life in the early years of the twentieth century. Mary has taken a utilitarian craft and elaborated upon it to create works of art that are both personal and communal: vibrantly visual, exquisitely designed and crafted hooked rugs. Like all great folk artists, she creates for the pure joy of creativity, without regard to commerce or sales. This book illustrates well the joy and expansive beauty of her artistry and her role as community storyteller. Peggy A. Bulger, Director, American FolkLife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, DC

When considering perfumes it behooves one to develop a global strategy to characterizing them and putting them in to categories from which one may develop a sense to taste and the ability to choose with some discrimination. Unfortunately very few people have the money to survey perfumes to any degree, much less to a degree which allows putting them in groupings for particular uses, mindsets, or occasions.

This book offers a good enough starting point - your astrological sign. At first I flinched from this notion because I am not a believer in astrology. I am nothing like a Libra, no matter how my stars are aligned in whatever salient or tangent or whatever.

But this book is funny and charming. It doesn't really drill home astrology, it merely attempts to set perfumes to certain character traits. And those character traits are well enough compartmentalized by the ideas inherent in the `signs' that it's no great concern if you find yourself attracted to the perfumes of the Scorpio when you are in fact a Pisces.

In other books this author has demonstrated understanding and taste where it comes to perfumes. I trust the author again. The perfumes selected for my sign were without a doubt adequate, thoughtful, and harmonized. I suspect the same would be true of the other 11 sets of perfumes - but that is of no matter.

This book has it all! *A delightful bird's-eye view of the world of pets

*An insightful sun-sign guide designed to help you better understand your pet or choose the pet that's heaven-sent to be your special companion

*An inspired collection of names, one of which is so perfect for your pet it must have been written in the stars!

Dr. Gorlach is one of the few liguists who write books in a didactic rather than a scientific method. In this analysis, Marina proves a well constructed theory of the resultativeness in our everyday and written English. The connections made are particularly interesting for the linguistics student/teacher from a modern English perspective. I believe Dr. Gorlach has been teaching Phrasal Constructions for years - the language in the book is accessible to any college student willing to explore some of the unique qualities of the English language. The structure is clear and well presented, while the content kept my interest in the argument. With all this said, the book also holds great value for graduates and English teachers (I have a BA and teach linguistics myself). I'm positive that in a few years a linguistics course will be incomplete without Gorlach's theory on resultativeness.
The only flaw I could find is the length - I think that Dr. Gorlach could have expanded the topic for another 50-100 pages, but I'm sure this is not the last book on the topic. Overall - very well done.

This is an essential book for practioners who work with abused and neglected children. Learning the difference between accidental injuries and those intentionally inflicted is crucial if the child is to be properly protected. I will warn the consumer that this book is graphic and quite disturbing. It is definitely not for the faint of heart or the weak stomach; however, if child advocates cannot bear to see then how can they protect?

Great reference book but very difficult to process.

This book gives us the exact amount of information to understand the importance of the proper use of pictogrmas in daily life.
It also reproduces the pictograms of the Olympc Games since Berlin 1936 , that gives the reader the chance to compare the evolution of the graphic design of the visual systems used during the history of these games.
I recommend this book to all designers and architects who are concerned with the construction of a better urban space, in which communication graphics play a relevant role.

I enjoy having a yearly horoscope book and this is by far the best publication I've found.