Signs Books

very clearly written and easy to follow, assume nothing but at the same time is conscise in explantions.
I love my new hobby!

This book is a study of the collections of miracle stories surrounding the cult of Sainte Foy (Saint Faith) centered in the monastery of Conques in southern France, especially the "Liber miraculorum sancte Fidis." One of authors' main goals is "to situate this collection of miracle narratives culturally within the eleventh century without losing the nuanced and subtle differences inscribed in its textual subdivisions" (p. 19). Though primarily a literary analysis, this work attempts to integrate methods of various academic disciplines in order to achieve a more nuanced reading of the texts. The authors focus their attention on the shifting authorial voices behind the collections of miracles and eschew the more naïve readings of earlier scholars which sought to glean from these documents data on the culture of tenth and eleventh century southern France without sifting out the authors' intentional tropes which served their rhetorical purposes, the so-called "bobbing for data" approach (p. 12). This study builds upon the research of revisionist historians of medieval monasticism who have stressed the ideological and community-shaping nature hagiographic literature (p. 14). Chapters 1 and 2 focus on books 1 and 2 of the Liber miraculorum written in the eleventh century by Bernard of Angers, a classically educated monk from northern France and, thus, an outsider to Conques. Chapter 1 employs the paradigm of the trickster saint to analyze Bernard's telling of Sainte Foy's miracle traditions. Foy seems to specialize in restoring eyes, freeing prisoners, and resurrecting dead animals. Many of the saint's miracles often appear to have the quality of a practical joke or serve humorous ends. Often she outwits an opponent, and is even shown to be a murderer, even a "serial killer" (p. 37). It also becomes clear in this chapter that Bernard is constructing an "ideological portrait" of himself as well as the Conques monastery and the Rouergue (p. 24). He inserts himself as an "eyewitness" to several of the miracles he reports. He portrays himself as converted skeptic. His portrayal of the "rustic" nature of Conques and the Rouergue is self-serving and meant not only to emphasize the humble piety surrounding Foy's cult but also to contrast with his own sophisticated environment in northern France. In these and many more ways, the author is "present" in his account and uses it to construct his own image. In chapter 2 a picture of Bernard emerges as both an early medieval and a pre-cursor of the twelfth century. Among the early medieval tendencies are Bernard's association of the monastery with power, more than holiness; the absence of any moral criteria for those Foy helps; suspicion of three-dimensional representations of the sacred; the acceptance of a traditional, three-tiered social model. However, in many ways "Bernard's intellectual approach seems to have more in common with what we expect in the twelfth century than what we know of the late tenth" (p. 56). In chapter 3 we learn that the authors-continuators of Bernard had a very different approach and agenda. Their own presence is much more limited in the text and their primary concern is with the expansion of Sainte Foy's cult. Thus in books 3 and 4 the monk-authors portray cult of Sainte Foy as universal. She is less the trickster-child of Bernard and more a celestial virgin martyr with the added qualities of an adult and physician (p. 85). In order to demonstrate Foy's worthiness to be one of the leading saints, the authors of books 3 and 4 add resurrection of humans to Foy's miracle repertoire (p. 89). Chapter 4 focuses on the "late miracle narratives" written in the second half of the eleventh century. Much attention is placed to the manipulation of earlier traditions that show up in the various manuscript groups. Chapter 5 looks at the semiotics of the miracle collections with special attention to social symbols and gender issues. One surprising feature is the lack of anti-feminism. Finally, the conclusion includes a comparison with the miracles of Saint Benedict written at Fleury. Overall, the authors have done an excellent job of showing the importance of the authors' "voice" in the miracle narratives of Sainte Foy. Both ideological and community-shaping agendas were important to those who wrote these accounts. It would have been nice to have a table show the relative numbers of the different types of miracles in various collections, and the late addition of comparative material in the conclusion was odd. Also, the brief analysis of architecture at Conques (though probably irresistible to an art historian such as Sheingorn) seemed tacked on and not particularly relevant. Despite these minor criticisms I found this book both enlightening and useful. It is MUST for anyone interested in monasticism, miracles or the middle ages!

This book is wonderful! If you are a parent or relative of a deaf or hard of hearing child, PLEASE read this book. You will learn a lot and it will open your mind (and your heart).

The book is very informative. It has real-life stories that are easy to read. It also explains different research related to language development for deaf and hard of hearing children. It is the best book I've read related to young deaf and hard of hearing children.

I have been buying his books since I lived in Asia and I found his to be the most comprehensive and thought provoking. His books are well organsized and give excellent background information.

"The ancient art of Chinese astrology, which predates the Western zodiac, is a detailed system of divination that has been used in the Orient for thousands of years. The depth of its wisdom, and the accuracy of its character analysis and prediction, have caught the imagination of the West in recent years and led to a rapid rise in its popularity." -from Your Chinese Horoscope 2006

In Chinese Astrology there are 12 signs named after 12 different animals. One legend says that the Buddha invited all the animals of the kingdom before him, and only 12 turned up. In gratitude, he named a year after each of the animals and those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal. The first animal to arrive was the Rat, followed by Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. (In some systems, the Ox is called Buffalo or Bull, the Rabbit is called Hare or Cat, the Goat is called Sheep, and the Pig is called Boar.) Another aspect of Chinese Astrology is the five elements, which modify the traits of an animal sign: Metal, Wood, Fire, Water, and Earth.

2006 is the Year of the Dog, and according to author Neil Somerville, Dog years herald an emphasis on defense. As a result, many countries will tighten their borders and increase their security systems in 2006. Somerville also speculates that the United Nations will play a pivotal role in stabilizing troubled areas and restoring order, especially since the Dog year is a strict defender of both land and property. 2006 will also see an increase in group rallies and protests, environmental activism, and humanitarian outreaches for alleviating and preventing suffering. Materialistic culture will lessen as individuals re-evaluate their values and lifestyles, and the steady focus of the Dog will reward those who are willing to put forth some effort in their endeavors.

Your Chinese Horoscope 2006 features an overview of each primary animal personality and the five sub-personalities based on the elements, as well as their prospects for 2006. For example, the author gives an overview of the Rat, and then describes the five different types of Rat: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. An astrological forecast for both the primary animal and its sub-personalities are also given. He also provides a tip for the year and a list of famous people for each animal. Famous horses would include Harris Ford, Bob Geldof, Janet Jackson, Calvin Klein and Condoleezza Rice, while famous Roosters include Benjamin Franklin, Renee Zellweger, Priscilla Presley, Eric Clapton, and Britney Spears.

In the Appendix, advice is dispensed for each of the animals including general prospects, career prospects, finance, and relationships. There is also a chart for the relationships between the signs. The most interesting aspect of this 367-page book is the section on Ascendants. Although familiar with the Rising Sign (Ascendant) in traditional astrology, I didn't realize Chinese Astrology contained this element, as well. Somerville provides a chart based on your time of birth, and then explains how the Ascendant will modify your animal sign. For example, I'm a Metal Dog who should fare very well in a Dog year, and my Ascendant is that of the Monkey. This means that the Monkey Ascendant imparts humor and fun to the often serious and determined Dog personality-as well as making it more enterprising and outgoing.

I found Your Chinese Horoscope 2006 to be engrossing, informative, and entertaining. I highly recommend this book for those interested in annual horoscopes, as well as those who'd like to learn more about Chinese Astrology and its amazing animals.

The Planner is a neat small reference. It is easy to follow and not too detailed. It covers just the right amount of days to work around.

I am a serious and long time astrologer (35 years experience!) I don't usually buy horoscope books as they tend to be so much astrological nonsense! However, without a doubt, Mr. Polansky's horoscope book is one of the finest ever published! I have purchased it every year since I discovered it in a newsstand book store about ten years ago. In fact, it's so easy to understand and so accurate that if you don't have it in your posession by the late summer for the coming year, you won't be able to find it once the new year begins - Thank Goodness for Amazon.com! If you're looking for an excellently written horoscope book that gives you everything you need to know in every area of your life, for the coming year FOR EVERY SIGN, then Mr. Polansky's book is for you! GET IT!!!

This is a "smart" astrology guide. It provides an unbiased, comprehensive analysis of each sign of the zodiac. There are no rigid comments like "stay away from people born under this sign." "Your Personal Horoscope 1997" is a therapist, career counselor and good friend rolled into one.

I heard of this book from a guy. So I went to the bookstore and checked it out. The cover was beautiful, full of energy and color. Very vibrant! The photos inside were exotic and sensual. That's another thing that was attractive about it. Flipping got confusing..but it was ok. I would definately recommend it.

I hope that the publisher will reprint this book that is the best book every written about this astrology branch.