Papers Books

It's impossible for us today to imagine what a frightening proposition it must've been in the mid-19th century to sell your eastern farm or business and prepare to head west to start a new life. Maps were unreliable, distances were staggering, and stories about wild animals and Indians sobering. It wasn't quite like stepping off the edge of the world, but it probably seemed like it to many greenhorns.

So in 1859, Captain Randolph Marcy, under orders from the Department of War, wrote The Prairie Traveler. Marcy, who would later serve as a Brigadier in the Civil War, was an accomplished traveler in the west, and his guidebook was packed with useful information for the determined but inexperienced pioneer taking either the northern overland trail to Oregon or the southern Sante Fe one to California.

The book is great reading--and, not infrequently, helpful even today for the camper when it comes to advice about improvising shelter or lighting a fire from damp wood. For the mid-19th century reader, it provides essential tips on provisions, wagon-packing and animal-care, first aid (large doses of whiskey are the best remedy for rattlesnake bite), identifying good water (alkaline ponds are surrounded by yellow-reddish grass), improvisation (red willow bark is a good substitute for tobacco), collapsible camp furniture, and gun safety. The food section is especially interesting. Marcy recommends carrying lots of dried vegetables (one ounce of dry vegetables, when wettened, equals an entire ration), "cold flour," a concoction of flour, cinammon, and sugar which, when mixed with a bit of water, provides a pick-me-up (not unlike today's energy bar), and jerked meat (no need for salt; the prairie sun will dry buffalo strips in short order). He also provides a rather gruesome recipe for pemmican (powdered buffalo meat saturated in raw buffalo fat, sown up in a hide bag with the hair turned outwards).

Marcy distrusts and indeed actively dislikes Plains Indians, although he admires Delawares and Shawnees, and writes quite warmly of a Delaware friend of his named Black Beaver. So he spends a fair number of pages warning prairie travelers to be wary of approaching Indians. To better prepare them, he teaches the rudiments of sign language, teaches how to track Indians (scattered mustang manure rather than whole mustang manure indicates Indians on the move rather than just a wild mustang herd), and gives detailed instructions on how to sleep with cocked and primed rifles. It never seems to occur to Marcy that Plains Indians were a diverse group, or that their animosity might've had more to do with the white pioneers' presence than with the natural meanness he attributes to them.

A fascinating read!

Read this book and you will view things a bit differently on your next drive. As you effortlessly drive across a bridge over a river at 65 MPH, your thoughts may well travel back to Captain Marcy's advice on how to cross a river with wagons pulled by mule-team.

This book is essential to any author, movie director or Living Historian who wants to "get it right". THE PRAIRIE TRAVELER is chock-full of information about overland travel in the mid-19th century, and covers almost any possible, practical, useful subject related to wilderness travel. Although it is written in 1850's American English, it is actually a fairly easy read with very little "culture shock".

For those of you with the cerebral agility to remove the mental straight-jacket of "Political Correctness", THE PRAIRIE TRAVELER will accurately picture the Frontier society as it existed at the time. It was a very good society in most ways, with the limitations that 19th century people were born into and educated with. Those pioneers did advance themselves, bit-by-bit, away from the limitations they were born into, and the result is the 21st Century America we live in today. We stand on their shoulders, advanced as far as we are today, because of the small advances they made in their generation.

A 21st century man condemning a 19th century man for being the product of his times reflects the mental and educational limitations of the 21st century man.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and bought some for friends who like history. The reading is easy, though you will find a dictionary helpful with some of the archaic words. I have relatives who crossed the prairie in 1848 to California; I have a much better understanding of what the trip must've been like.
For those who love American history, esp. the old west I highly recommend this book

A good insight into the mind of an inhabitant of the new world in the 1800s. Very unpolitically correct to the point of being amusing (section on 'Indians'). I read this book on a long camping tour and liked in a lot. There are some sections that are more like lists, and arenot as interesting, but you can skip over them.

A fascinating assemblage of facts and information for the overland emigrant of the mid-1800's to successfully complete the long, arduous journey to the west coast. Captain Marcy includes everything one can possibly imagine: from types of wagons, livestock, food, provisions and medicines to fording rivers, selection of campsites, types of saddles, packing, tracking, guides, guards, etc. and habits of Indians. The itineraries at the end of the book detail the mileages, availability of water, grass, wood, road conditions, etc. along several different routes to the Pacific. With our many modern day conveniencies traveling across the country, we tend to dismiss the hardships and sacrifices our pioneers endured while traversing the continent. This little book puts it all into focus.

This book is a very accurate depiction of Tony Lucadello and what baseball scouts were all about. It tells the story of a man who truly loved the game of baseball and embodied everything that is good about the sport. It also has many amusing stories that Tony used to like to tell about his years in the game.This is a must read for any fan of baseball!

This is a very good book, and a great counterpoint to the statistical emphasis that comes across in Moneyball. From the revelation in the preface to the journey you take with Tony across Ohio and over the years, this book is tremendously engaging. It's one of the best baseball books I have ever read. And one other thing -- I'm going to take Tony's advice, and make sure my son has a wall.

Friedman is a very talented writer, and has chosen a magnificent but largely unknown figure to profile in this book. Filled with humor (wry and otherwise), great insight into baseball, and some surprisingly sober turns in the road, this book will be perfect for any hot-stove leaguers. If you can get it.

The bestseller Moneyball should be read in conjunction with this book for two reasons. First, they are both enjoyable reads, written in dramatically different ways. Moneyball is like a group of interesting and informative short stories/magazine articles. Prophet of the Sandlots, on the other hand, is more like a lovingly crafted tale about an old-time baseball guy, that older gent sitting in the bleachers taking notes on the high school player. It is a story about a baseball life and serves as a tribute to a man and a bygone era.

Second, Prophet of the Sandlots reflects why the old-time baseball scouts are still essential to the talent evaluation aspect of the game. No matter how much statistical analysis is ever done, there is no substitute for the trained and experienced eyes of the Tony Lucadello's of the sport. These contrasts make Prophet of the Sandlots even more interesting, beyond the highly descriptive and evocative prose that Mark Winegardner utilizes to tell this touching story.

I read this book years ago and have recommended it often to not only baseball fans, but also to fans of good reading. Hopefully it will come back into print and will become readily available again.

This is one of the better "first attempts" at baseball writing ever! Mark Winegardner spends a year w/ baseball's greatest scout and learns & shares all Tony Lucadello has to offer. Pre-draft Baseball is contrasted w/ post-draft Baseball. Several great pointers for baseball coaches and parents!!!! Prophet of the Sandlots (knowingly or otherwise) makes a very strong arguement that Baseball's HOF should make room for it's greatest scout ever.

This book is now out of print. This is unfortunate as it should be required reading for all fans of Baseball. I would make two recommendations to Mark Winegardner if a reprint is on the horizon- 1) Add photographs to the next edition. Ideas: Tony in his player's uniform, Tony at the gravesite of the Ohio born HOF'er, Tony's wedding pictures, Tony w/ Mike Schmidt, etc. 2) Add an index at the back listing people covered in the book w/ page numbers.

i am very surprised to see this book on amazon of all places, i got my copy from the author herself a few years ago at a fetish fair..if you enjoyed the movies 9 1/2 weeks and The Secretary you will find this book to be a very good read, i would've preferred it to be more explicit but don't let that deter you from getting this book..it is as close as you'll get to reading someones diary that lives a very kinky life...

I purchased this book on the recommendation from a friend of mine. Most books about BDSM are "How To" or fantasy books, the puppy papers wasn't either. The puppy papers was a fascinating book, it took me a while to realize that this book was non fiction. To confirm this I went onto the Internet to see if this Steven person was real, he certainly is, which made this book that much better. Also there are references to nationally known people in the BDSM community who Steven is friends with. Another thing about this book is that it does not have flowery descriptive words or phrases, it is written in the moment in letter conversation form. Their conversations are about life, their relationship, puppy's work, family, even when her husband accuses her of having relationship with another man, her past play partners and Master, her need to be with Steven, her need to serve and a lot of kink.

I was surprised when the story took a turn when Steven started to ask puppy questions about her life and told her that he may be putting a book together from their emails. At this point, Steven becomes an interviewer and puppy continues to reveals open and honestly all aspects of her life. I haven't found a woman that is this comfortable with herself, that can speak so openly about her life, as for myself I don't know if I can be so open and honest about myself either.

I was fascinated by puppy's letters answering Steven questions and that they don't always follow the normal pattern of conversation, but life doesn't always flow smoothly. In one of the letters she brings up about playing doctor/patient with her girl friends, describing how girls learn about their body, I was surprised to say the lest, this is a subject that is never discussed. When asking about her first BDSM awakening, experience which took place in a Hotel room with a stranger, you can take safe and sane and throw that out the window. I found puppy a very erotic kinky masochist who is very devoted to her Dominant and open to all types of play.

The progression of their relationship from Top/bottom to Dominant/submissive is evident in how puppy address's Steven, I found that very interesting. I do wish that there was more about Steven in the last part of the book, he took a back seat to puppy's story which was a good thing, but so is he. In researching Stevens life on the Internet I found it fascinating that he is in the adult porn sex business and his involvement with the police and federal government. I wanted more of him in the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Puppy Papers, Puppy writes very well in the moment and has a wonderful sense of humor. If their relationship lasts and evolves I want to read about it, they certainly do have an interesting life.

By the way, the title has nothing to do with puppy play, this book is about puppy's life in her letters. For myself, I have been involved in the BDSM for many years.

Ken Ballard
Mr. Iowa Leather 2005

I couldn't decide whether to call this book a biography or an autobiography. It is through a series of emails, over a period of six months, in which Steven Toushin asks puppy sharon probing questions about her past and her understanding of sexuality (in particular hers) that sharon's story comes out but it is through her writings that we get to know her. It could be thought of as an interview as well. Perhaps structurally it is a hybrid. Personally, I like that I can't easily classify this book. It allows it to function as all of the above and creates the ability to enter the material in a variety of ways.

Conceptually it is interesting to find myself (as the reader) participating as voyeur in the budding relationship between Toushin and puppy. To observe as she slowly opens up revealing a fascinating sexual life from childhood to the present. Steven stays out of the way, revealing very little about himself, creating plenty of room for her to divulge her sexual awakenings. The correspondence between the two plays out much like life. There are the mundane emails, the "how are you. I'm fine" aspects, but tucked in between those are treasures of information. Some of which most women growing up in rural and suburban middle America will surely recognize and others that are truly unique to sharon; her openness to exploration reveals a woman self-possessed enough not to be bogged down in the guilt and shame of a slow but maturing understanding of her sexual desires and needs.

sharon's descriptions of her introduction to the BDSM world are absorbing, typically awkward, and sometimes funny as she talks about the pitfalls, as well as the satisfying encounters. Her point-of-view is adventurous and sometimes reveals a naiveté that is inevitable when entering a new world of experience. It is encouraging for those new to this sexual realm to read from a woman's point-of-view who remains intact despite unsuccessful experiences. A woman who handles the situations with calmness, self-possession and a sense of humor not allowing others to defeat or discourage her from continuing her quest to find sexual satisfaction. She seems to know this is all a part of her sexual education, which she is clearly in charge of. It's refreshing to read a woman's story that does not revolve around exploitation.

For those like me, if you begin to become suspicious of who this Steven Toushin guy is (especially after sharon reveals stories about some of the creeps she's encountered) never fear. Check out the appendix. There is plenty of information about him there. Though I do wish he would have included more about himself within the context of the email exchanges I understand the attempt to stay out of the way of sharon's story. It is sometimes successful, sometimes not. There are times when I begin wondering more about who he is which becomes a distraction from sharon.


This book is open-ended leaving the reader with many questions, particularly regarding sharon and Steven's growing relationship. It's some of the most titillating aspects of the book and if you want arousing material then you'll be clamoring for more details regarding their intense sexual interactions. I smell a sequel, which I'd buy. My curiosity has been piqued. The reader is given enough information to keep interested but there is still plenty that is to be explored. Again it is a strategy that points to one of life's conundrums, the inability for one person to fully know another person's mind and the desire to probe their lives all the more intensely. It also reminds us that one cannot judge a person by the way they look. There are plenty of professionals, suburban mothers, and other "normal" everyday people who have interesting and even amazing hidden lives. Makes you what to stop and find out what lurks behind the façade of normalcy that so many exude. It's good to know there are people from all walks of life waking up sexually and being brave enough to follow their inner desires.

This book was great. It offers insight into her thought processes and how she learns. I had my sub read this book so she could get an idea of what the lifestyle is like. She came away with things she liked and didn't like about it. So it was great book for her to understand the joys of bdsm and also express some of her concerns. Great book and should be in any BDSM bedroom library.

I loved this book. It was a real to life look at a womans entrance into BDSM. I think it is a must for anyone looking to see how a Dom and sub think and feel.

Fantastic read!

I have been a fan of the writing of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross since college. She has a writing style which is tender, kind and honest. As with all of her other books you will find answers to your questions and feel comforted by her words.

Questions & Answers on Death and Dying is an extremely helpful resource to those who are bereaved or are on the cusp of being so. It is also a good introductory book, as was its predecessor-On Death and Dying-to the area of counseling psychology, specifically thanatology, the study of death and dying, for there are many issues in the dying process that are addressed: nonverbal symbolic language, prolongation of life, sudden death, suicide and terminal illness, fear, faith and hope to old age and just plain coping. Encompassed in the very latter, coping-wise, is not simply the patient and family but also the medical staff. The dynamics of dying have a process and to witness a loved one going through that process is obviously painful; it is the agonizing but inevitable hurt that no one wants to go through. But it can and will make the living stronger. This work in particular is helpful in many respects, because it is not necessarily a "how-to" guide on how to grieve or cope; it simply tries to answer the most fundamental and frequently asked questions that people have in respects to death and dying, i.e. emotional and physical pain, loneliness, anger against God and healthy people and finding some caliber of meaningfulness in their life while simultaneously being in the throes of the dying process. The questions asked are sincere, moving and eloquent. The dam of curiosity is opened, and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross eloquently answers all questions, even ones we would not even think of asking. Her insightful and kindhearted responses go to the core of what we're all essentially curious about; she herself admits that in doing this work, it has created a religious belief system that she believed was nonexistent, as one question illustrates: "In all your research on death, what is your personal belief of what happens after death?" "Before I started working with dying patients, I did not believe in a life after death. I now do believe in a life after death, beyond a shadow of a doubt." What is so nice about this book is that it is a gap filler to the first book. What Elizabeth Kubler-Ross started with in On Death and Dying, the general public-the living and the dying (by their questions)-completed with Questions & Answers on Death and Dying; it went full circle, and it reads as such. This is a valuable work to have. Many, many topics are addressed, and there is no compassionate condescension or nihilistic overtones, just truth, information and loving understanding.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross gives an in depth look into questions related to death and dying. This author helps answer those questions whether you are a family member of the dying or a healthcare provider, this book will help you!

This book has some really good information in it, but there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing" I found it almost boring with the redundant questions and answers. This book could have been half the pages and still good. Good read, but very repetitive.

This sensitive, essential information is required for all patients and families. The factual presentation of information will allow intelligent decisions to be made and thoughtful discussions with health care providers.

The best book written for beginners & the experienced on scrapbooking.

Easy step by step guide on "how to" making all your pages colorful & professional looking.

Scrapbooking is the number one trend for 2006, and this book "The Scrapbooker's Color Palette" will enhance your goals for perfect pages.

It was so well written and put together! Such neat layouts and chapter on the different color combination. GREAT BOOK!!! I read it through about four times, still going through it now!

I ordered this book after hearing glowing recommendations on the Two Peas message boards. It is very well done. The artwork is inventive, and original, I especially liked the layouts from European scrapbookers. Would have liked a little more how-to because the art is so much fun. The best idea book I have seen in a long time.

This book is so nice! It is hardcover and a great size making it feel very elegant. I love the way the authors have set it up in chapters, it is just full of many wonderful examples. Lots of ideas for working with color combinations, but also just plain lots of great ideas for some fun scrapbook layouts. A good book to reference back to often.

Whether you feel like you've already learned all there is to know about color, and its applications in scrapbooking, or feel you're a total novice, this book is a fabulous & fun reference. With nice big photos & pages to suit every taste and
fascinating interpretations of why the not-so-obvious color combo may very well be the perfect one, you'll find yourself turning to its pages time & again for both inspiration & motivation.

This is the best scrapbooking book that I have ever seen. This huge book is packed with loads and loads of original and very creative ideas. I love all the trick photography ideas, lessons on when to crop and when not to, as well as a LOT of information of journalism. It is an incredible book and probably the only scrapbooking book you will need. Highly recommended.

This book is well worth every penny. From beginner to advanced, it gives you so many ideas you won't know where to start.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to scrapbooking how to books - it always seem they're either TOO BASIC or unpractical, too contemporary, or don't have enough pictures, or don't have enough instruction. This is the the PERFECT book I've found that can work well for anyone's needs.
I have literally found HUNDREDS of ideas just from looking off the examples in this book. I LOVE IT!!!! I think this book has so much variety it could fit anyone's needs. I have had it for over 4 years from the time I was a beginner scrapper to now more experienced and I STILL find myself going back to it for reference and collecting NEW IDEAS even 4 years later! I definitely recommend it! I wish I knew if these authors had created any other scrapbooking books!

This is an very easy to use and understand how to book. It contains a great many ideas that I would never have thought of or attempted without this book. Worth the money. You will use it over and over.

This is a great idea generator for scrapbookers. Nothing is too fancy or involved - just great "anyone can do this" page ideas. Loved it. Gave one as a gift also.

Being a woman who's been married over 14 years, I found Donald Black's "Smart Dating" to be informative, with excellent ideas that are easily implemented, and are valuable to all relationship types, married or otherwise. Originally purchased for my 18-year old daughter, I found the information applied to all ages and relationships, including this "old married couple." Mr. Black's relationship ideas WORK!!

I bought this book because I was considering starting a realtionship and wanted to make sure I didn't screw it up. I never ended up getting into the relationship, but nonetheless I enjoyed reading this book. It offers a comprehensive method to meeting someone, and what to do and discuss in primary dating stages. However, I was looking for a teenage aspect for relationships in this book, none of which Black offers; it gave me things to look out for in the future to ensure success, but didn't do much for me in the present. Being a high school junior, i found it useless to discuss child issues with a girl from math class, etc. The teenage dating world is alot different than the adult, hence Black's infamous cup of coffee really doesn't apply to a high school student. All in all I thank black for speaking to me, even though i didn't turn into the Leonardo Dicaprio I expected from reading the book. heheh

If you keep only one new year's resolution, let it be to buy a copy of Smart Dating and read it. I wasn't sure what to expect when a friend of mine recommended this book, but it was straightforward and easy to read. Much of what Mr Black says makes a lot of sense, but it is kind of like the old saying: "It's so obvious I didn't think of it." I'm glad that I read Smart Dating because Donald Black points out what I needed to think about when i went about dating and looking for a new relationship. It has really helped me start to develop a new outlook on my social life. Now I KNOW I can get the dates I WANT!

Donald Black is just that, a hidden treasure in a sea of would-be "self-help-ists." Instead of trying to sell you on some crazy method or present you with lousy pickup lines, he gives you advice and suggestions that make sense. This is a book for men and women alike. Once you have read it (and it's a fast and easy read), you will come back to it again and again to reflect on Donald's good words of wisdom. You will see changes in yourself and in your dating life after you read Smart Dating.

Forget about being from other planets, Donald Black's advice and suggestions are DOWN TO EARTH! In this day and age, we all spend a lot of time worrying about what we did in the past and feeling guilty or stupid, but this book teaches you how to learn from your past and create a new and wonderful future for yourself and your relationships. Whether you are looking for a commited relationship or if you just want to find interesting people to date, Smart Dating is the book for you.

This book is a great read, a great workbook and a superior way to start on re-thinking your life! I have bought several copies for myself and friends, and am now buying more as gifts. Laurie Levine really knows what she's talking about, and can really help people now matter what their background or situation! She has a gift and is willing to share it with others. If you are looking for something to get you started on improving your life, reducing stress or just being happier, this one is a must read!

In August this year my partner of five years and I separated. Whilst it was a decision we both came to, it was never the less difficult and hard to adjust to a new life. I was wandering through a bookshop wanting to buy a particular book that I thought would assist me through this time. Then I saw "Spiritual Medicine" and bought that instead. It has been a great inspiration and practical help to me through that initial pain and confusion, and also through some other family traumas that have occurred this year.

Yesterday I was feeling rather overwhelmed by everything that has happened this year, and rather angry, but without knowing how to deal with it. I picked up your book, read the relevant sections, did the exercises, and found myself laughing and playing silly card games with my family for the rest of the evening - having a wonderful time.

I am glad that you had the courage to follow your path, because by doing so you have inspired the courage in me to do the same.

Thank you Laurie,

I have found Spiritual Medicine book to be a gem in the wholistic health field. Laurie covers so many interesting and helpful exercises for the body, mind, and soul. I have been implementing many of these in my daily life and found them most beneficial to my personal development. My spiritual journey feels enriched by the words and philosophy that are shared. Having met Laurie personally and experienced her workshops and healing sessions I am also aware of how much she lives what she believes. This I believe is the sign of a great teacher. Thank you so very much for writing what you know so that others may be inspired and helped along in their own journey. I am truly grateful.

I loved this book. It manages to be both immensely practical and also very soothing in times of stress. I don't believe that you could pick the book up without going away feeling better about your life. Laurie offers so many different exercises that there is one for you no matter how you're feeling; 'Spiritual Medicine' reverberates with genuine and sincere feelings, it's like holding a gift from Laurie in your hand. I highly recommend this book - buy it, I believe that even one sentence could be life-changing.

All I can say is that this is a book that everyone needs to have in their collection. I read it, and read it and read it again, just to get a greater understanding on all of the wonderfully useful and intuitive techniques that Laurie uses. It has made me so much more aware of my own place in this world, but also has assisted me in letting go of so many of my preconceptions about what I thought that I knew about my life. I have read so many self-help books over the past 20 years and this is the best yet. It has given me a new and wonderfully easy perpesctive on a life I once thought was hard, unforgiving and in many ways unloving. I would like to say that anyone who has the opportunity to experience this book will in no small way take with them tools that they will be able to use, share and tell others about for many, many years to come. To finish this review all I can say is if you have ever felt alone, unloved, confused, insecure, unappreciated, guilty, angry, frustrated, overworked, jealous, judgemental or indeed any 'negative' emotional state, then buy this book NOW.... NOT TOMORROW, NOT NEXT WEEK, BUT RIGHT NOW!!! IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE MORE LOVE IN YOUR LIFE THEN READ THIS WONDERFUL BOOK NOW.............

"A piece of paper has a special purpose as you will see. You are like this piece of paper, for you, too, have a special purpose." "Spread Your Wings and Fly" is a wonderful tool of exploration into an ancient art and into the self. An origami fold and tell, this book guides in simple steps and through story, to creating a flapping crane. But it does more than that.

This book touches on life's lessons and builds self esteem. How? By demonstration - the first fold makes a triangle from a square, by bringing the opposite points together. The author encourages "think of two of your good points and bring them together." In this gentle affirming way the reader/participant is learning not just a relaxing, satisfying art, but is learning about herself as well.

Mary Chloe Schoolcraft Saunders served for eleven years as an elementary school speech-language pathologist where she used origami to foster the development of speech. Fold and tell is a proven training method of this art but it also serves as a means of helping children to open up and communicate. My young daughter loves the book, the art and the process, as I am sure you will. The illustrations are beautiful and rich, while the diagrams are precise and clear. A wonderful addition to any educators, troop leaders or your own personal library.

Spread Your Wings and Fly is a wise and enchanting book, using the ancient art of origami to teach us about ourselves. By following the simple instructions for folding a flapping bird, children are gratified and delighted to learn that they have the ability to create such a wonderful creature and are wonderful themselves.

Mary Saunders uses the process of folding a flapping bird as a metaphor for the unfolding of life's journey and as a symbol of the unlimited possibilities in each of us. She continues the metaphor poetically in the directions for creating the flapping bird. "Think of two of your good points and bring them together" is the eloquent instruction to fold the paper in half.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Carla Mihelich. The diagrams clearly explain each step of the folding process. In the vibrant illustrations the bird emerges into magical, mythical landscapes and creatures guide and accompany it on its journey of becoming. As the author writes in the preface: "May you and the children in your world experience enduring moments of possibility as you fold the flapping bird and set it flying..."

Spread Your Wings and Fly is a wise and enchanting book, using the ancient art of origami to teach us about ourselves. By following the simple instructions for folding a flapping bird, children are gratified and delighted to learn that they have the ability to create such a wonderful creature and are wonderful themselves.

Mary Saunders uses the process of folding a flapping bird as a metaphor for the unfolding of life's journey and as a symbol of the unlimited possibilities in each of us. She continues the metaphor poetically in the directions for creating the flapping bird. "Think of two of your good points and bring them together" is the eloquent instruction to fold the paper in half.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Carla Mihelich. The diagrams clearly explain each step of the folding process. In the vibrant illustrations the bird emerges into magical, mythical landscapes and creatures guide and accompany it on its journey of becoming. As the author writes in the preface: "May you and the children in your world experience enduring moments of possibility as you fold the flapping bird and set it flying..."

Spread Your Wings and Fly is a wise and enchanting book, using the ancient art of origami to teach us about ourselves. By following the simple instructions for folding a flapping bird, children are gratified and delighted to learn that they have the ability to create such a wonderful creature and are wonderful themselves.

Mary Saunders uses the process of folding a flapping bird as a metaphor for the unfolding of life's journey and as a symbol of the unlimited possibilities in each of us. She continues the metaphor poetically in the directions for creating the flapping bird. "Think of two of your good points and bring them together" is the eloquent instruction to fold the paper in half.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Carla Mihelich. The diagrams clearly explain each step of the folding process. In the vibrant illustrations the bird emerges into magical, mythical landscapes and creatures guide and accompany it on its journey of becoming. As the author writes in the preface: "May you and the children in your world experience enduring moments of possibility as you fold the flapping bird and set it flying..."

The art of Japanese paper folding is called Origami. It is an ancient art, a discipline that has entertained and amazed both children and adults alike.

I learned to fold the Origami paper crane when I was a teenager. It is something I have remembered all my life, and I have always enjoyed showing someone how to make one, or taken delight in seeing the happiness in a child's eyes as the piece of paper turned into a graceful bird.

Spread Your Wings and Fly is a positive affirmation book that you read as you learn to fold your paper crane. The beginning of the book discusses how the author learned to fold the crane and there is even a little history of the art of origami. She also discusses how to use the book and achieving the end result, a flapping version of the paper crane.

But it was getting into the story, into the folding of the crane that really grabbed me. The crane can be a difficult feat if not shown by someone who can patiently teach the art. Ms. Saunders has the pictures of folding the crane broken down into the easiest and most basic way of folding. I followed through, page by page, fold by fold, and while it is a little different than the way I was taught, I had no problem following and achieving a proper and working crane.

Then I went back and read the story. Each fold has a purpose in making the final product. Each time you fold, you are presented with a fold that life can offer you. Sometimes the fold can resemble the shape the paper has taken, sometimes there is a ripple in the fold. While a fold can remind you of a mountain, the mountain can be a big dream or it can be a small one. As you flatten the mountain out, you are reminded that dreams can be squashed also. Wonderful visuals to accompany the process of making the crane, to discovering the folds in your own life, and finally flying free with the finished crane, no matter how life folds for you.

This is beautifully written, well explained, and to top it all off, there are the excellent illustrations, quality print on glossy paper, all of which only compliments the entire work. Together, Ms. Saunders and Ms. Mihelich have given us a book that will provide parents and children with some quality time and some insightful mini-meditations for both of them. Or, if used by a child alone, it is time this child will spend exploring him/her self.

THE BOOK OF BOOKS IS YOUR LIFE BOOK. FILL IT WITH QUOTES AND MEMORIES. FILL IT WITH LESSONS TO PASS TO YOUR FRIENDS, CHILDREN AND MATES. NAMATSE.

The value of this book cannot be overstated. It shocks and invigorates the reader, drawing out his or her psychological 'hot points'-the blocks that prevent understanding. But the value goes beyond this: it gets to the heart of the matter, emphasizing what it is that is really important in reading, studying, learning, and understanding. The words in the text may be few, but they pack quite a punch. This book is one that teaches not only by what is written in it but by what it does to the reader. Or, to put it differently, the blank spaces in the book are as useful as those darkened by the print in it. Those who wonder how this may be possible are encouraged and invited to explore this truly wonderful work by Idries Shah.

It is appropriate to warn any person, thinking of purchasing this
beautiful work, that the secret contained within this book is not
meant to be revealed to just anyone. If you are a sincere admirer
of Sufi practices and traditions, then this masterpiece is meant for you. If you are just curious or are not really interested in Sufism, this book will probably enlighten you in a way that you will find emotionally unpleasant. Inside this book, there exists a secret that will be revealed to you and unexpectedly shock you into enlightment.

As the old cowbow song says, if you're really thirsty you want cool, clear water. THE BOOK OF THE BOOK is cool. It's clear. And it quenches my thirst for the real antidote for thirst--water. And I re-read it often. I still crave soda pop, beer, wine, whisky, lemon-aid, juice and all kinds of literature. I still read all kinds of books. But this one stands out by its bulls-eye shot straight to the essence of my humanity. It's also as disappointing as regular water can be. Most of the time I want Diet-Pepsi. Then THE BOOK OF THE BOOK seems bland and irritating. ButI keep returning to THE BOOK OF THE BOOK again and again. It's funny, too. And the joke was on me.

This astonishing, thought-provoking book is at the same time a delight to read and a challenge to one's every preconception about the role and potential of literature. I'll bet that, like me, you won't be able to put it down until you've finished every word, and that you'll find yourself reading it again and again.