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but very minimal. Not adequate for a serious student of the scriptures. I have tried to look up many Jewish words, both in English transliteration, and in Hebrew, and have been very disappointed.

I would like to find a good Hebrew-English, English-Hebrew dictionary with transliteration. This dictionary is a good start, but that's all it is, a start.

Orthodoxy and rabbinical scholars almost assuredly will be familiar with most of these terms. The authors freely admit that they compiled the terms from their own upbringings - "modern, American, liberal, matriarchal, and from Conservative and Reform backgrounds." Thus, many of the rituals discussed are from that perspective.

For instance, a minyan is a gathering of ten men, the minimum required for a religious service. In this text in this book, the word "people" is substituted for men, but the bottom of the entry explains that traditionally that number only referred to men.

For those who grew up without a Jewish background or for those whose knowledge of general Jewish vocabulary is lax, this is a wonderfully written book. The words are arranged alphabetically. A dictionary of Jewish words could include potentially hundreds, if not thousands of pages, so the authors narrowed down the scope to include words that one might hear in daily life in the USA. The words are drawn from Hebrew, Aramaic, Yiddish, and Ladino. It would be ideal for non-Jews who simply want to figure out some of the words in conversations that their Jewish friends use!

Since all words have to be transliterated, different spellings with Latin letters are cross-referenced to the entry which tells where the definition will be given. This is invaluable since many words in the USA are spelled a variety of ways, such as Chanukah, Hanukah, Hannukkah, and Hanukkah.

The definitions are clear and concise. Words used in definitions which are bold-faced are also entries in the dictionary.

What many may find especially helpful is the category lists in the back of the book. For instance, there are lists for objects found in a synagogue, for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, the Jewish calendar, food, Pesach, and many more.

"The Jewish Word Book," by Sidney J. Jacobs, published in 1982, contains more entries. However, I prefer this book by the JPS because the words are explained more in-depth with many examples of words given. Unless one is extremely well-versed in Judaism, this book is very helpful without seeming overwhelming.

This book is not a comprehensive introduction to Judaism, and it won't be of much use to non-Jews. It is essentially a glossary, lists of words in alphabetical order, with short translations, definitions, and explanations. It is an excellent resource for those of us who have forgotten the exact meaning of common ritual terms and prayers, or for those who are just starting to learn and are having trouble remembering which holiday or prayer is which. The index has some handy categories of words: for example, Rosh Hashanah will refer you to the book listings that are associated with that holiday. The book does not have an Orthodox orientation, but will be useful for some Conservative, all Reform, and for
new, Jews.

Updated and revised to add new words, terms and expressions is the handy DICTIONARY OF JEWISH WORDS, an easy A-Z reference defining words from Hebrew and Yiddish and offering a paragraph of definition and examples for each. Any collection strong in Jewish history, culture and language should have this easy reference: its coverage is quite extensive.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

What a delight to have a book that picks up where so many of my deceased relatives left off in my Jewish education. A straight-forward, easy-to-read book that is a valuable resource to every Jewish home, every partially Jewish home or any wanna-be Jewish home!

Whether you are a student of conflict and want to gain insight into its mysterious innerworkings or simply want a fascinating read on one man's journey through personal conflict, Jack H. Bender's "Disregarded" will not disappoint.

The subject matter of this recently published work was of keen interest to me as a mediator. I blithely picked it up with the intention of breezing through in order to gain a little more perspective on this aspect of human nature and the conflict we engender by virtue of being human.

I got much more. I was presented with a book that immediately earned a place in the "classic" section of my personal library, and a book that has been marked up, read, re-read, shared and used as a springboard for further reading, reflection and knowledge.

Bender has written a multi-layered book with two seamlessly interwoven narrative lines. As he unwinds his personal journey through a series of retreats called the Courage to Teach, he also relates how the conflicts in his professional life collide with the teachings of those retreats. Life imitates art, indeed.

Each chapter's story contains a wealth of topics that suggest further exploration for the reader from a wide cross-section of disciplines: philosophy, spirituality, psychology, peacemaking and conflict, power, family, stress, relationships... Even in writing this I feel I have left something out, and yet the book advances effortlessly while tying the threads into a thoughtful package.

There are meticulous references in each chapter as well as a bibliography that could easily serve as the syllabus for a course on human nature and conflict.

I highly recommend "Disregarded;" it is not only a comprehensive discussion on human conflict, but also a memoir of courage and heart.

Bender's journey of personal growth, chronicled with both setbacks and triumphs, is truly an inspiration. Disregarded is a powerful yet readable narrative that will fill the reader with hope.

A must read. Humor is great throughout. Great sentence Structure. Everyone must read this book.

You have probably read enough of the previous reviews to grasp the content of Bender's book, Disregarded. However, if you also want to occasionally laugh, shed a few tears, and constantly search your soul, don't wait any longer to read this book. Fantastic reading!

When I think of social justice I usually think of racial discrimination or ignoring the poor. Disregarded vividly points out that a strong, top-down management style severely encroaches on civil liberties, self-expression and meaning for workers, even middle class and above.

Leaders of hierarchies are in a tough spot. To create more effective organizations, they would have to relinquish control. But, to give up control is to commit a cardinal sin. Those at the bottom, those being disregarded, are in the best position to force a change for the better. Courage and solidarity are needed, but how can those traits be developed? Bender outlines one such path, a path toward authenticity. Authentic individuals find intolerable the encroachment on dignity and meaning, so much so as to seek justice for themselves and others.

This book covers a lot of ground. A reader could enjoy it from following a variety of threads-- education, business, sociology, psychology and spirituality. While it could pass for fiction, Bender slips in a great deal of useful information. The chapter notes and bibliography could be used to dig deeper and follow the various paths he has taken to reach his conclusions. Disregarded contains a nice balance of story and information.

This book really challenges the reader to understand the relationship between teacher and student. Many barriers which hinder most educational relationships are pointed out, allowing us to see how best to go about teaching while avoiding the pit falls which prevent us from fully engaging with the student. Great book....please give it a read.

I've read quite of Krishnamurti's books and this one is the most unique. If you are an educator or a fan of Krishnamurti's teachings, you NEED this book. He points out the problems troubling modern education with such clarity you'll feel like Krishnamurti is putting your very own unarticulated feelings into thought.

You will definately leave this book a better, more intelligent person. But it now.

At first glance I thought this type of writing might be too heavily philosophical for my small mind to comprehend, but it engaged my interest by agreeing with me that our educational system is flawed and that children will benefit from being taught in small groups by people who love them. I homeschooled my two youngest children for nine years, and this book fits in well with my homeschooling philosophy.

Krishnamurti hoped to change the world for the better by helping parents and teachers become more effective. In chapter four, entitled Education and World Peace, he wrote:

"Peace is not achieved through any ideology, it does not depend on legislation; it comes only when we as individuals begin to understand our own psychological process. If we avoid the responsibility of acting individually and wait for some new system to establish peace, we shall merely become the slaves of that system." (p.68)

Some of the other chapters in the book are: Intellect, Authority and Intelligence; The School; Parents and Teachers; Sex and Marriage; and Art, Beauty, and Creation.

Krishnamurti encouraged us to take responsibility for the education of our children, rather than to leave this task to the public education system.

"Government control of education is a calamity. There is no hope of peace and order in the world as long as education is the handmaid of the State or of organized religion. . . . Education throughout the world has failed, it has produced mounting destruction and misery. Governments are training the young to be the efficient soldiers and technicians they need; regimentation and prejudice are being cultivated and enforced." (pp.75-76)

I totally agree that governments should not control education although I've never objected to the idea of parents educating their children in the religion of their choice. However I see Krishnamurti's point in wanting to free the minds of the people from organized religions. He idealized a state of 'creative intelligence' for the people of the future, something that is impossible when people are pressured to accept limited ideologies.

"If those who are young have the spirit of inquiry, if they are constantly searching out the truth of all things, political or religious, personal and environmental, then youth will have great significance and there is hope for a better world." (p.40)

Sadly, it seems the world hasn't been listening. This book was first published in 1953, and since then, society has disintegrated. The strength of the typical family unit has eroded, schools now focus on teaching to the test, and children turn away from the ways of wisdom and toward mind-numbing video game systems as well as other distractions. Perhaps it is time for parents to reconsider Krishnamurti's educational philosophy.

Interestingly, and totally against the Westernized concept of education, Krishnamurti taught that children should not be pushed to succeed. He wrote:

"As long as we want our children to be powerful, to have bigger and better positions, to become more and more successful, there is no love in our hearts; for the worship of success encourages conflict and misery." (p.102)

I enjoyed reading the book, and am fascinated by Krishnamurti's depth of understanding, the originality of his ideas, and the concern he showed in writing so passionately about the education of children. Naturally I wanted to know more about him and soon found several sites on the internet with information about his life and writings.

Krishnamurti was born in India in 1895 and died in Ojai, California in 1986. He was discovered as a teenager in India by C.W. Leadbeater, a leader of the Theosophical Society, and was trained by Leadbeater and Annie Besant who believed Krishnamurti was the promised incarnation of a world spiritual teacher. However in 1929 Krishnamurti denied this idea and dissolved The Order of the Star of the East, an organization set up to promote this claim of his greatness. Though she was not pleased with his decision, he remained a close friend of Besant until her death in 1933. He spent his life traveling and teaching about his philosophy, which is that "truth is a pathless land." In other words, that people can come to truth only on their own, and not through any teaching, organized religion, government, philosophy, psychological technique, dogma, ritual, priest, guru, or creed.

I've read over 25 Krishamurti books, including all the "big ones" like Freedom from the Known, The First and Last Freedom, Total Freedom, Awakening of Intelligence, Flight of the Eagle, Krishmaurti's Notebook, etc., many of which I've read more than once. I've given all of them away to share K's message but kept four of them which I keep as references for focused daily reflection/meditation (as opposed to the meditation of all waking life). The four I've kept are Freedom from the Known, On God, On Right Livelihood, and Education and the Significance of Life (the last one of great relevance to me since I'm an educator). And so now I always recommend (and often give) the first three books on that list I just mentioned to anyone who wants to learn more about K's "teachings." "Freedom from the Known" is the single best, most concise and thorough summary of all K's teachings. "On God" should greatly help anyone who is searching for ultimate reality, Truth, God, Enlightenment, Nirvana, The Meaning of Life, or whatever one wants to call it. No summary will do it justice; you must read it for yourself. "On Right Livelihood" addresses the issue of our daily living, in work, leisure, and even to some degree home life and family relationship, becuase, as K emphasizes, they all should be an integrated whole, not fragmented parts of our lives. "Education and the Significance of Life" is also or relevance to anyone who has children or who teaches; it will transform the way you view childrearing and education. I would say that those four books would be all a person would need to transform one's life; to have a radical revolution in living.

The primary premise of the book is that nearly all of the education system (govt. based, religious based, private) fails the child. These systems educate children to be good at techniques or skills, but do not educate them to know themselves.

Without knowledge of oneself, children will grow to be conflicted between the reality of their true nature, and the constrictions of conforming to civil society or religious doctrine.

An educational system that truly sought to benefit the children would be staffed by adults who were continually studying themselves, and striving to deepen their own awareness, not just conformists seeking the safety of job, income and leisure. Only when open-minded, self-aware adults teach with true love can children learn to know themselves, and so lead dignified, effective lives.

We are far from this vision, but it is worth it for each of us to walk along this path.

I teach Italian in an adult school program, often adults need a quick resource regarding Italian grammar and English grammar. The glossary of grammatical terms regarding English is a must read first, then the Italian grammar falls into place. Even though the book is a 1963 publication, it is extremely helpful today( 2008) I plan to give the book to my advanced students as a reward for their dedication to studying Italian.

Tullio Bertini
Author of Trapped in Tuscany

My daughter recommended this to me, from her own studies, and it is very good. Well worth it.

This book helped me clarify things I did not understand in other books. It is simple and will teach you basic Italian. I'm able to express myself in simple short sentences thanks to this book. It is a must have for ANY student of the Italian language.

This review book is excellent. Most books concentrate on travle related phrases which you must memorize and PRAY that you remember. If you want to learn Italian stay away from travel books. They really do not work becuase the nature of the language is not explored- just sentences to help you find the bathroom or order food. My travel to Italy is both family and business related so I have had to spruce up my Italian. I carry it with me everywhere and while I have time I read, re-read and work on my language skills. I have also used it to teach others. What is nice is that she covers every topic, translates the entire sentence literally- in the order of the Italian language and then provides the English equalivent. Because of the ordering of words is so different (pronouns, negations etc..) it may be difficult for someone to grasp the learning of Italian. Other books simply give the phrase and then translate it but the ordering of words is out of whack. Sometimes the meanings are changed! This book is clear, easy to follow and easy to take with you. When I taught my husband I used the following- Italian in 10 minutes a day ( to reduce the fear factor and make it smooth) then Michel Thomas's tapes (they work), a good verb book, dictionary and the Idiots Guide... Worth it!

I love the entire Dover Essential Grammar series, and I actually own most of them. I used Ragusa's Essential Italian Grammar in my language preparation for a trip to Italy last year, and it works extremely well.

It isn't going to teach you enough vocabulary for true facility with the language, of course, but that isn't its function -- it's meant to encapsulate all the basic grammar of the language in a very clear and concise form. Because of its size, I was able to go through it numerous times -- and each time, a little bit more sticks. A far superior approach to going through a large, padded, overly wordy grammar full of redundant exercises and dialogues just once. It also works very well as a quick reference guide which you can easily and quickly open up to precisely what you need to refresh yourself on.

It goes without saying that you're still going to need a good dictionary or other book(s) to help you acquire vocabulary. But for the basic grammar, this one slim volume is all you really need.

I was looking for some pagan fiction and this book fell into my hands. (oof! phew!) I have to admit I wouldn't have stuck with it if it wasn't in a category of fiction I am thirsty for. There were so many cheesy lines and ill-thought out word choices in the early part of the book. I ended up with some strange mental images as a result of many of those choices. (like when the poor guy had his forehead ploughed by a wrinkle.)

I'm glad I _did_ stick with it, though. As the story progressed the writing became more even and I found myself interested in what was going to happen and concerned about the characters. The author knows a lot about her subject (Wicca, not murder!) and has a balanced and caring outlook on the world.

There are some nice bits of writing in the book, too. I think the only real problem is that Tedder could have used a good editor. If some of the writing was tightened up i would definitely increase my star rating for this book. I wouldn't hesitate to lend it to a friend who is interested in the topic and not too much of a literary snob.

Mimi

This book was a lot of fun. My only problem (which is not a big one) is that it kept jumping time frames, before I had the answers I wanted.

I was intrigued by the opening lines and immediately drawn into the story. Until now I was not aware of what earth based religions are all about. I bought the book for the suspense. Not for the paranormal moments. I learned more about Wiccans than I ever would have through any other medium. The mystery was enjoyable too.

Flying By Night is a gripping story of romance, magick and adventure. Lorna Tedder is a great storyteller and the characters are interesting and compelling. You can't wait to find out what happens next.

I bought this book as an ebook when it first came out but did not get around to reading it until my summer vacation. The reviewers here are right when they talk about twists and turns. The first time I read it, I thought it was great. One of the best if not THE best mystery I have ever read. I learned a lot about religion, too, and about what pagans believe. The villain kept me guessing right up until the end and I love it when a book does that. Ironically the villain was my first choice early in the story but the author did a great job of throwing me off. I read the book a second time and it was even better. I didn't catch all the nuances the first time, so I slowed down and enjoyed it the second time. I like the way the story uses the four elements to represent different characters. I didn't see that the first time. I did go back and scan it on my palmtop after reading the review from the reader who obviously wants to be the book's editor, and I must disagree on the implication that the book is lacking in editing. Though you might not can tell from the way I write my on-line posts, I teach college English and hope to have my Ph.D. next spring, but I do understand that it is very hard to stop being an English teacher and simply enjoy the read. To that end, I did find 2 errors when I read the book the first time and that's far less than I find in most bestsellers I've read in the past two or three years. One was wretched used as a verb in one scene and the other was a single use of sites referring to a gun. Both are common mistakes and really did not keep me from enjoying the book. Lay is used incorrectly a total of 3 times out of 28 (yes, I counted in the ebook after I read the reviews) but all 3 times are in Kestral's first-person point of view and they are part of her speech pattern. All other instances of lay are as the past tense of lie and taking no object (LIE, LAY, LAIN). That's part of what I adore about this author. She uses such specific speech patterns for each character that you know who is speaking, even if you take a sentence out of context. Her style is lyrical and suspenseful at the same time. She would nearly sing me to sleep and then scare the wits out of me. Also, I have to say that I didn't think of this book as a romance at all. There are romantic elements and evidence that all was not well in polyamoury-land but the book does not cleanly fit into any genre although it's closest to mystery or suspense. Maybe it is most accurate to call it mainstream. I hope the author makes the next book in the series this exciting and brings back Kestrel and Finn for an encore. Tell her to lay it on me!

The French Bulldog by Muriel P. Lee is the definitive guide on this charming breed. The books' design, layout and lavish illustrations have as much personality as the breed itself. This text is an encyclopedic approach to the French bulldog and will appeal to both the dog fancier and the novice alike.
The chapter "Pieces de Resistance" by Gary Bachman, who is a connoisseur of French Bulldog related ephemera, creates an extraordinary overview of objet dart ranging from a pair of Faberge smoky quartz Frenchies to unusual knickknacks, lamps, toys and tobacciana of the breed. Chapter by chapter The French Bulldog chronicles the history of the breed's popularity from the 1800's to the present with contributions of canine specialists worldwide. This book, a Kennel Club Classic, is an informative and entertaining guide that will introduce you to the Frenchie as an authoritative text and a superb introduction to unusual collectibles for every dog lover.

A tour de force. Muriel leaves no stone unturned. The only book about Frenchies that you'll ever need. Outstanding photos!

The French Bulldog by Muriel P. Lee is a must have book for any French Bulldog owner or fancier. This book comprehensively and deftly covers topics ranging from the history of the breed to the breed's portrayal in art and collectibles. The author's decades of experience with Frenchies shine through in this piece, as does the expertise of the other top notch contributors to this book. This book is one of depth, substance and beauty. The excellent text is accompanied by wonderful photos. This is a book that French Bulldog fans will enjoy reading and re-reading over the years.

Ms. Lee, a well-known and respected author in the industry, first made her name with the still popular "The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies: a complete and practical guide". This book follows her excellent reputation for books on specific breeds. A number of chapters are written by experts in their field such as Dr. Jan Grebe, current President of the French Bull Dog club of America, and Anne Hier, respected AKC and UKC judge. Despite the different viewpoints of the various contributors, the book is a cohesive whole and reads extremely smoothly. This must be considered one of the most complete and authoritative books on the subject for years to come, and is essential for all frenchie enthusiasts and fanciers.

The French Bulldog by Muriel P. Lee is not only the most complete book on the breed, but it includes a section written by Gary Bachman on Frenchie collectibles. Lee also engaged Dr. Janice Grebe to contribute a comprehensive section on health and care of this wonderful breed. French bulldogs doing utility, obedience and therapy work also are included. But for many readers, the icing on the biscuit will be the superb pictures of Frenchies being the adorable and adored family members they were born to be. Making people happy is what Frenchies do best of all!

From Pareto's Principle (the 80-20 rule) to grade engineering and "the magical hook," Andrew successfully demystifies the college application and scholarship process - then shows you how to beat it. Through real-life examples and humorous anecdotes, Mr. Knight easily displays how the average, every-day student can turn himself into the quintessential college admissions dream candidate. His practical advice to take an active role in what matters most to you, while reducing effort on non-essential activities clearly encourages one to live a happy and productive life while attaining his goals of low-cost and top quality higher education. Kudos to Andrew for composing such a unique and powerful perspective on how to really make your own way!

Knight clearly knows what he's talking about, having been through the process at several of the best schools in the country. His advice is clear, easy to follow, and makes good sense. I really appreciate his advice for students who may not be A grade-wise but who are driven and have other skills to offer--Its refreshing that he addresses the value of this and how to high light it to get noticed, and more importantly, accepted.

Highly recommended!

This book is a gem! Andrew Knight's ideas for creating a "hook" are both practical and achievable. The fact that many of the "hooks" are based on his own background should encourage readers to examine their own experiences
to see how they can be used on a college application. I wish this book had been around when I was a school counselor!

Mary T. Richardson M.Ed

Let me start of with a couple of points of critique. Some of the ideas are slightly debatable. For instance, in Chapter 3 on the `Hook' more value is placed on activities that are not time-consuming than those that actually take up time. Does the experience of being involved not count for something? While this question is answered (p. 123) with the advice to pursue a cause "even if it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears," the book seems to contradict itself at least slightly on this point.

Chapter 2 on grade engineering also poses an issue. On page 48, the advice is given that if a student has a 98% average in English he should begin submitting C quality work. This seems to contradict earlier statements on page 23 about doing outstanding in select classes in order to receive excellent letters of recommendation. If one partakes in true grade engineering achieving the minimum it takes to receive an A, how can one impress those who are in a position to write a letter of recommendation?

Setting aside my knit-pickiness, all-in-all this book provides EXTREMELY valuable insight not only on winning scholarships and getting into the school of your choice, but on life in general. I have recently completed a bachelor's degree and wish that I had my hands on this book as a high-school freshman so that I would not currently have thousands of dollars in student loans. As a self-acknowledged perfectionist, Andrew Knight's book has truly led me to think more deeply (and even philosophically) about why I work so hard to be an overachiever and why I should instead be an "opti-achievier," putting focus on only the worthiest and most interesting activities. While this book is intended for students or parents of students, I personally feel that there are lessons provided that could seriously benefit anyone who reads this piece of work.

I met Andrew while I was an undergrad at MIT (he was a grad student) and can personally vouch for his credentials and experience.

I think Mr. Knight does a great job in this book because he takes a very fresh approach to getting into a great college and getting a lucrative scholarship. Knight tells students to focus on activities which add value and make you "stand out of the crowd", rather than the 100 standard things good students do in school. He really approaches the problem of building a great academic resume as a businessman -- he suggests that you can maximize a scarce resource (your time and attention) by focusing on unusual, high-profile, and unique activities.

Another interesting angle of the book is that it makes arguments and attempts to persuade the reader through rational argument, rather than fiat argument. If you have a smart high school kid, he or she will really appreciate the adult tone the book takes when suggesting different plans for achieving academic success. If you're a parent with a younger child, this book will make sense to you and will convince you that Knight is right.

In retrospect, I really wish I had this book when I was in high school. I spent a lot of time doing marginal activies (National Honor Society, humdrum community service, etc) and was generally really stressed out. I'm sure I could have spent my time much more effectively. I think kids today are under too much pressure to do too much stuff. This book can help you have academic success and enjoy your life at the same time.

Very well written story on the life of Gilles and full of tons of facts on his races and the way he lived his life . I still can't believe he lived that long while reading this book . Check out Curtis Turners book " Full Throttle " for a perfectly written story that's imposible to put down , with an emotional ending on probably the first " Intimidator " . You won't be disappointed .

The sad fact is that, despite the popularity of F1 now, nobody since has demonstrated Gilles' control.

This book is a good representation of him- it doesn't fawn on him, he's not without his flaws and I think it does a pretty balanced job of showing all sides of the man. If you're into Villeneuve's style, and want to know more about him, you will not do better.

In Montréal on GP weekend, they've a display of Gilles' suit on Crescent Street. The guy looks all of 5 feet all...a tiny giant among drivers...

This book is impossible to put down, if you are or are not a
Gilles fan this is a must. The book is very well written with
tons of insite to his years of racing as well as lots of
liitle known information about him and his family. I found myself
making time to get a few more pages in before I would have to
put it down. I was at six of the races mentioned in the book,
Watkins Glen and Canada, not only did it bring back great
memories, but I learned more about those races than I knew then
when I was there live. Buy it and god bless Gilles

I've read a lot of racing books, but never one better than this. It is at the same time gripping, compelling and very well written.

Donaldson's masterpiece is recommend without hesitation.

Let me be clear: this is simply the best racing driver biography ever written. It's complete, well written, touching and objective at the same time, respectful to the dead. It's an amazing book. No doubt the writer is a big Villeneuve fan, but he managed to avoid being totally partial.
It's full oof data, anecdotes, funny parts, tragic parts, competition, brief technical analysys of the cars, a lot of famous drivers in diverse categories... Well, this is the book.

refreshing and insightful look at celtic and norse goddesses, very easy read full of information!

The drawings and descriptions of the goddesses in this book are beautiful. I bought it because I am interested in the pathworking meditations and working more with the Goddess/es. I also like that Michelle Skye takes her stories from both the celtic and norse traditions. The Goddess is back! And this book is very well done.

I'm amazed at what I learned about the Goddesses, beyond what I ever imagined - what a delightful book and so well written. Michelle Skye, you definately have my interest. Looking forward to your next book.

As a folklore writer, I am always interested in acquiring new research materials for my library. As I already have a pretty extensive library, when I first saw "Goddess Alive!" by Michelle Skye I wondered if it could possibly offer me any information I didn't already have access to.

I was pleasantly surprised. The first section I turned to was the chapter on the Valkyries. I was so pleased to find that this chapter not only contained information about the Norse Goddesses who escort the slain battle heroes to Valhalla, and the Norse Goddess Freyja, but it also had some information on Brunhildr (sometimes spelled Brynhilde) that I'd never seen before. The names of the Valkyries are also given.

Goddess Alive! features 13 goddesses from Norse and Celtic folklore. They are connected to either seasonal dates or moon phases.

The first part of the book is titled "The Turning of the Year" and features the following goddesses:

The Winter Solstice: Cerridwyn, Welsh Goddess of Rebirth and Renewal
Imbolc: Brigid, Irish Goddess of Fire
The Spring Equinox: Eostre, Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring
Beltane: Freyja, Norse Goddess of Love and War
The Summer Solstice: Aine, Irish Goddess of Faeries and Fertility
Lammas/Lughnasadh: Danu, Irish Mother Goddess of Wisdom
The Autumn Equinox: Modron, Welsh Mother Goddess of Mystery
Samhain: Hella, Norse Goddess of the Underworld

The second part of the book is titled "The Faces of the Moon" and features the following goddesses:

Waxing Moon: Branwen, Welsh Goddess of Sovereignty
Full Moon: Maeve, Irish Goddess of Personal Power
Waning Moon: The Valkyries, Norse Goddesses of Battle Magic and Soul Journey
Dark Moon: Morrighan, Irish Goddess of Magic and Death
New Moon: Rhiannon, Welsh Great Queen and Horse Goddess

Each chapter is laid out into sections which include information on that particular goddess, the holiday or moon that they represent, a guide to a pathworking for that particular goddess, a guided meditation, an invocation to that goddess, an activity, and then a ritual.

The guided meditation is visually appealing, and rather complex, so you'd either want to record it or have someone read it to you. In the chapter on the Valkyries I chose to read the meditation several times over, then I just did the meditation on my own. I didn't enjoy this quite as much as recording it myself first, but it can definitely be done.

The information on the different goddesses is extensive and well-researched, and the details on the holidays and moon times are very informative. For the spiritual soul, the pathworking, activity and rituals are beautifully done and are sure to please.

Much more than a simple guide to ancient goddess mythology, I found "Goddess Alive!" to be not only informative, but beautifully laid out and rich in tradition and legend. I thoroughly enjoyed Michelle Skye's easy to read (and understand) writing style, and the illustrations by Kris Waldherr were beautifully done. I would highly recommend it to not only the folklore buff, but to all those interested in furthering their own spiritual practice.

Come and invite the energies of these goddesses into your life, and see what lessons they have to teach and share! Step into the legends of old, and envelop yourself in a unique experience. Feel the cold winter air against your skin in one meditation; feel the ancient sun warm your face in another. I was so sorry to see this book come to an end.

Michelle Skye has authored a lovely compilation of ancient myths centering around these major Celtic and Norse goddesses. Through Ms. Skye's painstaking research, you will learn the story of each goddess, but this is much, much more than a history book. You will explore each goddess through wonderful guided meditations, interesting activities, ritual, and invocation. You will also explore each goddess' relationship to a Sabbat or Esbat, and discover what meaning she holds for you.

At the beginning of the book is a helpful section called "Starting on Your Journey," which gives a solid foundation in grounding and centering, explains pathworking, and prepares you for the meditations. Ms. Skye has an easy, informal diction that brings alive each goddess and makes for a very uncomplicated, comfortable, and encouraging read. The wonderful illustrations by Kris Waldherr beautifully bring to life a face for each goddess.

I believe you will love the opportunity to learn made available through this book. I especially just loved the meditations on Aine, Hella, and Rhiannon. I especially just loved this whole book.

Surprisingly, my library system got this book from Vancouver Public Library for me. I would suggest those who yearning for Lenin try your library system. The out-of-print copies may hide in libraries. I am on my way with the author from Siberia to Central Asia. The writing style is as similar as that of A Fortuneteller, and as enjoyable and as readable. I also got Tiziano's early book Giai Phong! The Fall and Liberation of Saigon (1976) from the library system.

I have never read a book that I have been unable to put down, and upon finishing - picked up a pencil, flipped back to page 1 and started again, underlining as I went. I have read the book 4 times now. Terzani is a brilliant and extreemly knowlegable writer who has embraced his love for SE Asia and put it to words so brilliantly. For me, a young Italian traveller living in Bangkok - this book is unsurpassable for ANYBODY who has visited South East Asia and fallen in love with it's charming and heart-warming character (excluding Singapore - Of course!). PLEASE contact me anybody is able to get copies of China: Behind the Forbidden Door, or Goodnight Mr Lenin.

Like one of the other people who wrote in, I too have not yet read Goodnight, Mister Lenin. I have just finished reading A Fortune Teller Told Me and it's been the first book in a long time where I wanted to read every single word rather than just scan through. Tiziano writes as if he is speaking, and this, together with his travels and constant search for answers which lead him on a colourful and fascinating journey, left me looking for more of his books. Mr Terzani you're a gem, thank you for sharing.

I think it is great book because it gives you an open window on the facts. It is obvious that in some way T.T. gives his opinion about the facts, but you also got all the space to try and imagine yours. In some situations I disagreed with his way of interpreting things, and this is the wonderful thing. Trough his eyes I've developed a critical vision about certain situations that came in depht to my attention thanks to his book. I agree with the idea that taxi driver or political leaders are not a onest and complete mirror of the state of things (talking for some minutes with these categories of citizen it is obviously not the same that would be living in a local family for a few years, but when you now it...), but they still are a contact with the community and for this pieces of local colture wherein you can read something. I didn't feel that this book want to be the "truth" about Soviet Union disgregation, it is just a great reportage.

Just wanted to chime in my two cents on "Fortune-Teller"--I've lived and travelled in Asia for the last 3 years, and Terzani's book is the only travel writing I've read that opened my eyes to ways of thinking outside the norm, the mundane, the Lonely Planet view of the world. Extremely worth seeking out.

Naturally, this leads me to wanting to read "Goodnight Mister Lenin", if it can be found. Anyone with a dogeared copy laying around, please let me know!