Companies Books

"The Sea and the Poison" is a low-key but very powerful novel set in Japan in World War II. In fewer than 200 pages of lean prose, the book explores the moral dynamics of group of doctors and nurses who perform lethal experiments on POWs at the behest of the Japanese Army. One doctor is corrupted by ambition; another lives only for social approval; one nurse is worn down by a hard life and a bad marriage; almost everyone is numbed by the mass death caused by air raids and diminished by the tendency of medical practitioners to see patients as things rather than people. The upshot: a group of morally lobotomized persons who conform to a perverted work environment at the cost of their humanity and professional duties. It's a disturbing story. The setting is believable, the psychology acute, and the message topical: in fact, it's hard to read "The Sea and the Poison" and not think of CIA agents and private contractors torturing prisoners at Bagram, Guantanamo, and secret sites in Europe. Most of all, the book makes you think. Can there be higher praise for a work of art? Highly recommended.

Teachers: "The Sea and the Poison" would be a perfect book for older high school students looking for "serious" yet accessible world literature.

Without once making specific or explicit reference to Catholicism, Shusaku Endo's membership in the Mystical Body of Christ is as clear as mountain water. With superb craftsmanship and artistry, Endo depicts the nightmarish results of living one's life without seeking and obtaining that membership, without obedience to the commandments of the Lord and the teachings of His Church.

No, it's not a question of being holier than thou -- after all, we're all sinners. Rather, it's a question of knowing the difference between right and wrong, between good and evil, and not pretending that there is no difference, or that the inverse might be true, or that there is no truth at all.

According to Endo, the character Suguro can go no further. But we can. If we don't shake off this diabolical disorientation, we can sink deeper and deeper into the sea of poison; wander further and further through the sinister halls of our own Fukuoka University Medical School.

I liked this book much more than what is generally considered Endo's masterpiece, "Silence", so poorly translated by the Christophobic William Johnston. Michael Gallagher, translator of "The Sea and Poison", also pays some homage to oh-so trendy Christophobia. His is not as egregious as Johnston's, however, and he's a much more careful translator.

SEA AND POISON by Shusaku Endo

Reading Shusaku Endo's Sea and Poison was such a delightful experience I was reluctant to close the book. Granted, it is sad to read about cruel and heartless experiments on living human beings but that is not what the book is about. From the vantage point of Japanese/Christian culture Endo courageously shines his compassionate light into the dark crevices of our souls and makes us confront our own demons nesting there. In doing so he helps us become better persons. Robert Wright in his often quoted The Moral Animal points out that "Human beings are a species splendid in their array of moral equipment, tragic in their propensity to misuse it, and pathetic in their constitutional ignorance of the misuse." Endo does us a service by diminishing our "constitutional ignorance of the misuse" [of our moral equipment]"

Endo traces the inner development of his characters with such a deep understanding of the human condition that I was astounded and moved to tears and joy. He placed two aspiring medical doctors, Toda and Sugura in a University hospital in southern Japan now seemingly under the control of the military establishment. The end of the Japanese/American war was quickly approaching. Daily bombing of the nearby city flattened the city and killed thousands of civilians and gave rise to implacable hatred directed towards two enemy airmen the military captured and brought to the hospital for experiments to determine how much could be surgically removed from a person before the person died. Toda and Sugura are assigned to assist the chief medical doctor who controls the future of the two aspiring doctors. Endo explores how Toda and Sugura deal with the conflicting demands of society, the medical establishment the nation and their conscious. Endo gently opens a window into their souls and allows us to witness the mighty clash between the demands of self preservation and the importuning of their conscious.

Endo writes so evocatively, with such elegance and grace and without a trace of judgment or preaching it was like reading a book length haiku. I recommend that the readers read Bushido the Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe, (it's in the public domain and several sources allow a free download). Reading Inazo gave me a deeper and broader understanding of Endo's perspective and I intend to return to reading his books.

This short, dark, psychologically gripping novel is an indictment of militarism and its corrupting effect on the individual and society. The old, the young, the innocent, the pure of heart, caregivers, families, traditions, institutions - all will be degraded if not destroyed by it. It is, for me, Endo's most important and accessible work; it is also that rare thing, a Japanese artist's unsparing summation of the worthlessness and hideousness of The Fifteen Year War.

Edmund Burke would have agreed with Endo's novel "The Sea and Poison". Although a short novel, it is one that delves into some very deep issues about morality and the ethics of passively accepting evil in one's presence.

Contrary to another review, "The Sea and Poison" is not based on the activities of Unit 731 in Manchuria at all. The novel is based on the vivisection of 8 B29 crewmen at Fukuoka Imperial University. These experiments involved removal of lung tissue, puncturing hearts and other experiments, while the airmen were alive. None survived the experiments.

Returning to the novel, Endo focuses on a medical intern, Suguro, and his friend Toda. Both characters represent very different responses to the proposal to vivisect the airmen. Toda feels no guilt or remorse, and has no issue with taking part. It is not even matter of justifying it to hinmself: he just has little response in his conscience. Suguro, on the other hand, is flooded with doubt, ethical problems, and his own conscience. Shown to be a basically kind man, the novel reinforces Burke's suggestion that all evil needs is for good men to do nothing.

A burning look into the morality of the passive, "The Sea and Poison" will challenge and provoke. Despite its brevity, it packs a punch, and will leave you thinking for long after you have turned the last page. As usual, Endo has written a fantastic novel with real weight.

We've all been through many sales training classes and learned different sales methodologies, but Jeff's "Selling to Zebras" is unrivaled. It's different, it's logical, it's real, it hits home with prospects, and it works! Jeff's knowledge, delivery and support of this sales approach is phenomenal. After working with Jeff, my sales reps and I said, "This is the best training and these are the best tools I've ever learned." On top of all that, Jeff is a pleasure to work with. He's responsive, full of integrity, and adds a tremendous amount of value in front of a customer or prospect.

This method emphasizes the importance of focusing efforts on opportunities that measure up to a set of qualifications ensuring success - or zebra. It helped me close my last deal in 3 months selling business value versus feature/functionality.

For over 30 years I have sold, focusing on new name business through creativity. The key to success I have found is presenting a problem, and then presenting a solution to that problem with financial bottom line accountability. The methodology presented in Jeff's book is by the most insightful bottom line accountability one can offer backed up by many levels of validation. New name sales people are defined as "hunters" as opposed to "farmers" and in sales "hunters" will always have a job long past their time, and "Selling to Zebra's" will allow hunters to hunt with the highest degree of success.

I am talking from the perspective of a practical user of Jeff Koser's methodology as well as a reader of his book.

Richard Reeve, Hudson New Hampshire

The Kosers have supplied a big AHA!! to the sales world and to General Managers everywhere! Figuring out what your ideal customer really looks and behaves like will save sales organizations thousands of hours by making an active decision not to pursue prospects with a low likelihood of success. Putting all of one's energy and talent into pursuing only potential customers with which there is a high probability of success is fundamental to any company.

There is a lot of content geared to sales people, but this book may be most valuable to CEO's and General Managers whose companies' performance relies so heavily the ability of their sales organizations' ability to close deals.

Developing a Zebra profile is not difficult and the tools and assistance is available through their website. Do it and execute it and watch sales efficiency soar!

Ken McMillan
TEC

The most essential weapon in my arsenal, from opportunity hunting to inside sales, outside sales and management, I've been an advocate for 10 years. The Zebra methodology and process have always allowed me to take specific aim----not just random shots. Jeff and Chad have put into print the definitions of Zebrafication in a most entertaining way!

Outstanding!

There are hundreds of learn to sew books but most of them exhibit a taste level that is hokey and depressing. Most books show designs that are so dated and UGLY they make me want to run screaming! Even the books marketed as DIY style are almost all sad-awkward-crafty or tired rock-a-billy crap. Sewing for yourself at home is wonderful and Wendy makes you feel cool and modern for doing it. This and her other book are the only sewing books I like. The writing is good, the illustrations are great.

This is a wonderful resource for sewers of all ages. I am always eager to learn how to do different things - not to mention more easily. I heartily recommend this book. Instructions are easy to follow.

I'm a novice sewer and serger and found this book to be incredibly helpful on the topic of sewing/serging knits. I loved that this book offered different levels of accomplishment for the projects. The author did a great job of breaking down the steps to complete each task. There are many tips and techniques and this book is designed for both the advanced and beginner sewer. I know I will refer to this guide often and really appreciate this spiral binding that allows the book to lie flat. This is an essential addition to any sewing library.

The author's attitude that anything can be done--just try it, is liberating for any kind of sewing. Lots of good inspiration and just a good instruction book for knits.

this book is a lot of fun for anyone with a serger and the basics of sewing. you can make cute, quick garments using comfy jersey. i think even a beginner would be able to use this book. serging is so fast and easy. all of the patterns fit me great, super cute styles. can't wait for the next book!

It is a parayer book for Liturgy of the Hours - Morning and Evening Prayer
The two I recently ordered were in excellent condition and arrived in record time. Morning Prayer is done publically at our Church on Wednesdays. We are building up our supply so that everyone who attends may have their own book.

I had been using the larger red Christian Prayer book for years. It was getting worn and needed replaced. I decided to go for this smaller version and I am so happy I did. It fits so much easier into my brief case to take to work or to travel with. I usually only recite the morning and evening prayers so it is perfect for me and allows me to participate in the liturgy no matter where I go.

While not very sure about my ability to understand or find the time to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, this book has proven a great way to start.

It took me 45 minutes to pray the first time, following the ordinary and flipping like crazy. Some online LOTH sites helped. EWTN in particular has Morning and Evening prayer (audio) on the left hand sidebar of their homepage. I don't think they use SCP (they might be using Christian Prayer) but the texts were so similar it didn't much matter for learning purposes.

So now I've been praying it for a year and a half somewhat regularly, and it's become the backbone of my scripture/prayer life at home. There is no substitute for having scripture in your heart, and although limited, this little book proves its worth as the psalms and canticles are gradually memorized. Then you have them with you wherever you go. I've never been able to memorize scripture in any other format. Now I could rattle off the whole of Psalm 51 and several passages of the New Testament, as well as other frequently occurring texts.

The only problem now is that I chafe a bit when it comes to seasons like Lent and Advent where you only have seven days of readings and you have to repeat them every week (SCP includes Night Prayer, which gives only 7 days of readings, but I have since learned that that is all there are anyway). Plus I would love to read more extensive quotes from saints or the Fathers. And I hear the hymns in the full-size LOTH are more classical and beautiful, although without music.

No typos that I have found. Print/formatting is easy to read. No art, just little graphics. No sheet music. Could use an additional ribbon marker (there is only one).

If I had a genie in a bottle, and I could have one wish granted as regards this little gem, it would be a more traditional translation that elevates the language. I mean, it's hard to raise your spirit to God when you come across one of these dogs:

Psalm 72

O God, give your judgment to the king,
to a king's son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgment.

There are a few passages with these awful redundancies, or particularly uncreative or clunky phrasing. I've grown so used to it now that I don't mind it much, but I long for a more beautiful, flowing translation.

Still, an unbeatable deal, and a great way to get into the Divine Office.

Shorter Christian Prayer is a slim, pocket size version of the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours for Roman Catholics. It is perfect for travel, or if you want the simplest form of getting into one or more of the "hours" of prayer. It has the 4-week Morning and Evening Prayers & Psalms (150), and the standard one week cycle of Night Prayer. It does not have the Liturgy of the Hours for the middle of night and wee hours of day, or the variations for all the liturgical seasons and feast days.

The full Liturgy of the Hours is a thick four volume set which we have and it is rather complicated to jump back and forth as the Psalms and Canticles are scattered and cross-referenced. That one also has numerous wrtings by many great saints, Doctors of the Church, etc. along with the Hours.

The Shorter Christian Prayer has just the essentials of the Morning, Evening and Night Prayers. Let me briefly explain the Divine Office for those not yet familiar with it.

The Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours, is the official prayer of the Catholic Church. It is the "official" way to incorporate prayer throughout your day, every day. It was originally intended for clergy and religious, but has over time become popular with laity. The original Divine Office consisted of prayers and readings to be performed about every four hours around the 24-hour clock. Second Vatican Council simplified it somewhat and I believe eliminated the midnight prayer, or made it optional (I am not an expert, just getting started myself).

The idea is to "pray without ceasing" as Scripture instructs us. Do you feel a gap in your spiritual life between Sunday Masses? Do you feel that you lose awareness of God in the hustle and bustle of daily life? Are you struggling with bad habits or sufferings and seem to keep losing as much spiritual ground as you gain week by week? Then you need a strong habit of daily prayer to keep your dialog with God lively every day and to continuously seek His protection from evil and guidance in the righteous way. A firm foundation of structured daily prayer will also make it easier to remember to incorporate many small spontaneous prayers each day. Instead of your faith being a weekly devotion at Mass, it also becomes a daily on-going conversation with Jesus.

My wife and I started by doing the daily morning readings and prayers of the Magnificat [...] which is an even more condensed form of daily Morning and Evening Prayer with the daily Mass liturgy. Then we tried the Divine Office but it was too much. So now we use the Magnificat for morning prayer and reading and Sunday and occassional daily Mass. And we use the Shorter Christian Prayer for Night Prayer and occassional Evening Prayer.

Each "hour" of the Divine Office takes about 10-20 minutes. It consists of prayers, brief readings from the old and new testment, a canticle, and two or more Psalms. If you perform the complete Divine Office for the full 4-week cycle you will read all 150 Psalms and cover a lot of other Scripture readings. The canticle is a prayer about Jesus that was said by someone in the Bible, such as Mary's response to the Annunciation, Zechariah's proclamation and prohecy at the birth of his son, John the Baptist, the acclaimation of Simeon in the Temple, etc.

The Psalms especially give the prayers depth as they deal with real human sufferings, betrayal, persecution, repentence, prophecy of the Christ, thanksgiving, and glorification of God.

You won't get the commentaries and mediation from the great writers of the church in Shorter Christian Prayer as you would with the 4-volume set. You won't get the less common hours of prayer, or all the seaonal variations. But you will get a very accessible, easy to carry along volume of daily prayers and readings for the Morning, Evening and Night prayers. If you build a good habit of daily prayer with this small volume then you have a sound spiritual foundation for daily protection, and peace of heart with Jesus.

I didn't buy my copy of the SCP; rather, I found it in the military chapel in Kuwait when I was on my way from there to Afghanistan. I'm guessing that it was provided by the Knights of Columbus or some other group, or maybe an individual or parish. Whatever the case, I pray God's blessings on them! The SCP kick-started my prayer life over there. It went to the mess hall with me for breakfast and supper, and was the last thing I read before I turned out the light to sleep. The advantages of this book are that you can carry it with you (it fits neatly into the cargo pockets of DCUs and ACUs), and that it is more psychologically accessible. I'll probably break down and get the four volume set, but I have the feeling that the smaller version will be the more used.

My husband met the author on one of his desert motorcycle rides while resting at Cadiz Summit. Joe was there to interview relatives of the original merchants at Cadiz Summit. They struck up a conversation and e-mail addresses were exchanged when it was learned that Joe had written a book about the tough people that once lived in this part of the Mojave.

Upon receiving our copy, my husband raced through the book and promptly ordered one for our son. Our son is a BNSF conductor and runs through the desert. Many of the old railroaders that our son talked to and shared the book with knew some of these old residents of Amboy and Chubbuck and the like.

Now I find myself at the old Catholic church in Amboy, studying the gas station mural at Danby, bouncing along the sand roads from deserted town to deserted town, and trying to picture the people and their lives in this scenic but harsh territory.

We have and will continue to use this text as our guide as we explore the Mojave. It is well researched, visually effective, and a must take along if you have time to ride Old 66 and imagine how it used to be.

This book is PURE GOLD for desert lovers curious about California's Route 66 history and lore.

The unique book, "The Silence and The Sun," gives a wonderful historical account of personalities and places from a past era. Also included, is useful information for the desert explorer. I highly recommend the book to anyone, but particularly those interested in Route 66 and the Mojave Desert.

Great book and very informative. I lived in Amboy and other places in the area in the 1960s as a small child and have often wondered about the history and the stories of the characters of those places. I'm in Seattle now but have ventured back a couple of times to see how it has all changed. Then along comes Joe with this book and it's amazing what he was able to dig up. I can't even imagine how many hours he invested in gathering it all. I very much enjoyed reading The Silence and the Sun and I hope Joe continues his research as I would love to read about other places like Ludlow and Newberry and Baker.

There is something about California's vast desert lands that has a way of capturing the hearts and imagination of some people. For many the desert is nothing more than forsaken land seen going from point A to point B across freeways . Yet beneath the hot desert sand contains deep and rich history that has shaped and impacted California history.

Joe de Kehoe's "The Silence and the Sun" captures that forgotten history, detailing the life and times of the many small desert communities that once dotted the Easter Mojave Desert. The book gives an in depth inside look at how rural desert life was throughout the 20th century. These stories come to life as you begin to read the descriptive first-hand accounts from former desert residents and gaze at compelling photographs of the region. The countless number of first-hand interviews with local desert dwellers as well as many referenced primary sources provides clarity and great historical accuracy.

Before reading "The Silence and the Sun" I had little knowledge of these Eastern Mojave Desert communities. This was largely due to the fact that historical information on this region remains mostly inaccessible to the average person. However, all the thorough information that the author gathered into this book (much of which is rare) has made this once unknown region much more familiar to me -- in fact, I now feel a new found connection to the land. If you are interested in such desert railroad and mining towns as Chubbuck, Cadiz, Milligan, and some of the old Route 66 places such as Amboy, Bagdad, Danby, and Chambless, then you will find this book a beacon of light for a region that has largely remained in the dark.

Excellent piece of writing from a guy who served with the team. As a UK reader, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the 101st LRRPs/Rangers in Vietnam.

The LRRPS did. Time and time again the long-range-reconnaissance-patrols went out to "see" and not be "seen", and sadly, some individuals wouldn't return home.

This is fantastic series of books covering the history and evolution of the LRRPS/LRPS/RANGERS during the Vietnam War.

Rey Martinez, Kenn Miller, and Gary Linderer interviewed a great number of the surviving members of the LRRPS/Rangers to bring their history alive. While some members were able to tap into their memories, others wouldn't touch the pain from long ago. The authors did a terrific job bringing the histories together for a strong narrative.

If anything, I found myself wanting to know more! What were they thinking? What were you feeling? I'm sure much ended up on the "editing room floor".

The "SIX SILENT MEN" books are a very honest account if the units actions. They're packed with adventure and daring. While reading their books, I was filled with tension and dread, other times I had to laugh aloud, and a few times I became misty-eyed. You feel for the teams as they "will" themselves to become invisible while on patrol.

Don't be mis-lead by a negative review. The reviewer misquoted the book. This I know since I pulled my copy off the shelf and checked the text. The reviewer claims the authors are liars --- NOT SO. A great number of books on the Vietnam War are written very honestly, and the publishers do "Fact Checking" before publishing these books. Read the review by Harold Nealy, who was a LRRP! His testimonial supports this fine series. If these books were embellished tales, then Vietnam Vets who served in the LRRPS/Rangers wouldn't hesitate to post a review here and let the truths be known. As you see this isn't the case.

I have never met a veteran who has panned these books. Never.

If you enjoyed this series, I would also recommend Jim Morris' WAR STORY, John Plasters' SOG, James Rowe's FIVE YEARS TO FREEDOM, Larry Chambers RECONDO, and Leigh Wade's TAN PHU.

I had the honor of meeting Kenn Miller, Jim Morris, and John Plaster (and other Vietnam Vets) two years ago. They freely answered my questions. I was going to `buy a round' when one of them said, "Put your money away kid." I was 33, and that gathering was enjoyed by all.

Read the books. You won't be disappointed! God Bless and Attack life!

This work is all that is to be expected from a sequel to the first "Six Silent Men". I was not let down, as I so often am, with some of the small unit contact books. This work was all that I expected. The action was close to non stop. The depictions of contact were thrilling and heart stopping. I was with and rooting for the teams all the way. This book, as was its precursor,is top notch. After having read circa 110 books about this subject, you may take my word for this book's being an interesting read.

I highly recommend any & all of Gary Linderer's books; all are packed with great recollections of our brave fighting men in Vietnam, and are fast reads. Once you start this book (Vol 3), you'll find it very hard to put down. Reading Vols 1 & 2 are not necessary, as each is a stand-alone account.

I have enjoyed all of Mr Linderer's publications, and can recommend this one as well without hesitation. You won't be disappointed!

...This book is, as well as the others by Linderer an interesting recollection of his own experiences as well as experiences of others. Spend the bucks and you won't get disappointed. Try reading his other books to get a good sum of what he and his teammates experienced during Vietnam.
Don't let yourself be blamed by such [bologna]. I mean, the war is long gone, Linderers and Chambers books are a recollection of their feelings, thoughts and experiences. Truly and honestly written. The way I understood it, this book and the other books aren't a recollection of commo details or other things. These are facts of men fighting a war not REMFs ... spitting on a good job and being jealous about what they could do. So buy this book or the others by Linderer and you will understand a lot more.

I don't believe, and will probably never believe, that there is any place as magical and life-changing as summer camp. I have been going to camp for years, and still am; the moments I have spent at my summer camp are without a doubt the best of my life. It is only natural, then, that I would want a book like this on a cold winter's day so I can be transported back to the wonder and perfection of a swim in the lake or a talent show cheer. And with hundreds of huge photographs, quotes, songs, and stories, this book does just that... beautifully!

Color wars, socials with boys, campfires, swimming tests, arts and crafts, inside jokes, an entire dining room full of singing children... these are the images of camp, so clear and vibrant all through this book. Countless dozens of topics are addressed fondly here, as memories that really can and do define people's childhoods. I see photos here from the 1920s, '30s and earlier, yet everything still seems so familiar and each smiling face feels like someone I have met. I never dreamed anyone could be as serious about their summer camp as I am, and yet here are memoirs from women who may be great-grandmothers now, reaching out to anyone who shares their sleepaway passion.

This book is geared toward grown women but I, a teenager, can sympathize with every page and I know my camp friends will too. Laurie Susan Kahn has made a big, thick slice of nostalgia that will bring back memories for those who can no longer attend their beloved camp. This is its target, but I think it also strikes a chord with current campers who need some hope and history to get them through the school year, while they count the days until the days are at their longest. This book focuses only on all-girls' camps but girls from coed camps will enjoy it nonetheless. Even if these aren't the exact traditions that were carried out, all who take a peek at this can relate to its tugging at the heartstrings.

The whole big volume is moved along with sentimentality, many different viewpoints, and a sense of humor. Most people who love summer camp like this will not realize that anyone else felt the same way until they open this book. It's like an affirmation that you're not completely crazy, much like camp itself, where it's okay to be crazy and you'll still be accepted. The quotes scattered throughout say so much in few words ("Camp was my heaven and my escape"). Everyone who reads this will feel an urge to show it to their camp friends immediately.

I can't stress enough how amazing and heartwarming the book is for any female camper, past or present, and from the other reviews on here I'm clearly not the only one who has been touched by it. Every camp-lover's shelf should have a treasured place for this; mothers should share it with daughters and vice-versa. It should, and no doubt will, remain close to the hearts of the women and girls who read it--curled up in front of the fireplace at Christmas, or in cabins in July with the very friends and giggles they cannot live without.

This is the true story about the girls who had the good fortune to spend their summers in the most idylic settings to be had. The specific camp didn't matter, for all of them share the same values. I have sent this book to many of my camp friends and all have been most enthusiastic!

This book is a beautiful creation that will deeply touch any woman with wonderful camp memories. I couldn't put it down until I had studied every photo, read every caption, and ordered a copy for my best camp friends. I felt like a recognized the face of each and every girl in this timeless tribute. Kahn has complied a scrapbook for all of us to remember suntanned summers swimming in the lake and joyously eating burnt food from the fire.

I have had a copy of this book for three years now - and it the favored book by our CITs at resident camp. Several have received it as a graduation gift and they pass it around and around and around the unit. No matter what camp you go to - some things are universal.

I went to a camp in the Pocanoes for 12 years, my daughter now goes to this very same camp! 90 years!! This summer, while spending a week with other alum from my camp, "Sleepaway" was recommended to me. This book, from cover to cover, perfectly summed up all our camp experiences. There are many, many pictues of campers all the way back to the early 1900's...very neat to see what camps looked like back then! We were excited to see our camp in there!

This is a great book. The beginning starts rather sweetly and relies perhaps a bit too much on a Kafkaesque-Proustian pastiche, but then the whole thing comes alive with the Father, the birds, and his theories regarding the Second Genesis. When the father assumes the podium-the book ceases to re/present and enters into Being. His monologues are fantastic! It is a pity they are so short. Schulz was a man of rare genius. His dual pursuit of writing and the visual arts make him an even more fascinating figure. I am eager to get his book of drawings.

This book reveals a great talent that was taken from us. The richness of the sentences, their imagery and use of language reveal a great depth of talent. Who knows what Mozart might have done if he'd lived another 36 years? A slim volume worth every penny.

Awe and perhaps a bit of terror are the appropriate responses to this work. Schulz wrote like a man possessed by the spirit of creation - his sentences are alive, they breathe and hiss with color and form as a revelation of the world is made. His control of imagery incarnate in language slides and shifts from the most gracious to the most grotesque. Beyond it all is a vision of the cogs and gears upon which the cosmos turns, a radiant pattern from the Baroque era. Schulz dropped down to the mythopoeic essence at the core of time and crafted stories that told more of his childhood than any more literal record could've.

Ten stars, and sadness for the premature passing of one of the greats.

I first heard about this book through the pages of the 5-star novel "The History of Love." What is most unusual about it is the author's lack of intention to actually publish his writing. This book is a manifestation of personal letters he had addressed to a geographically distant friend. It is by no means an easy read. The language is powerful and supremely complex and requires absolute focus and sometimes the need to reread a paragraph a few times to truly appreciate the intense magnitude of brain power that this author possesses. This is a book of highly exaggerated proportions. Schulz takes "magical realism" to another level.

Convoluted ideas that twist into abstract thoughts walk through dark alleyways and emerge triumphant. This is how I would describe Schulz's writing. This is not the sort of book you can breeze through but rather, like a dense and flavorful truffle. You will want to savor every word, let it sink in and roll it around in your grey matter before you can appreciate its true meaning and beauty. There is real depth and symbolism in Schulz's writing. That said, it is certainly not for everyone. If you're looking for a lighthearted bedtime read, skip this book. On the other hand, if you're looking for mental stimulation and a book that truly promises an escape from reality, you won't be disappointed by this street of crocodiles.

I am not sure I got this book in a real way. I had heard of and read of Bruno Schultz as a writer of the Shoah(The Holocaust) but the events of the Shoah are not a direct part of this story. The Shoah connection is given in the fact that Schultz was murdered by the Nazis.
The book itself I found disconcerting, bizaare, and difficult. It is filled with descriptions , word- pictures which seem at the one hand beautiful, and on the other somewhat unreal. I suppose what bothered me above all is the narrator's tone and relation to the events which are happening.
As the major action of the work relates to the physical and mental deterioration of the narrator's father I was taken aback by the lack of human sympathy displayed . In fact the whole disconnectedness of the human beings in the book to each other is another thing which makes the work so troublesome.
There is a world in this book, a mind in this book which is not like anything I myself have experienced even in reading.
But however beautiful some of the images given by this mind it seemed to me so fundamentally alien that I could not really grasp it.

Do you to want to -maybe- get strong as a side effect of bodybuilding, or do you want to -get- strong? This is the program for getting strong. Genetic pre-dispositon, sport-specific skill training, & dietary manipulation will deterine whether you are a football lineman or Mr America, but this is the program either way, at least for now,(thus the 'Starting' part of the title).

an interesting read. great tips on lifting as well as some prudent observations on people who lift. also a superb motivator. its one you'll probably read twice. i'll buy anything mr rippetoe writes at this point.

This book contains great information, is motivational and---with a dry wit that clearly comes from much experience---very funny in places. The style is direct, practical, and easy to read. There is stuff in here that is pretty technical, but also very useful, like the extended analysis of deadlift form, and there is also a lot of philosophy. You'll find yourself reading this stuff and then wanting to head to the gym to try it out.

With this book, plus Starting Strength, you'll be prepared mentally and physically to use strength training just to be strong, to help in whatever sport you do and to make your life better.

Finally, this book has some utterly hilarious comments about cyclists and strength training. As a road biker, I agree that the cycling community as a whole just doesn't get why strength training matters. However, after starting to lift at age 52 (and never touched a barbell before) I definitely get it. The cycling improvements are obvious and it works -exactly- as described in this book: You can ride harder, longer because you're working at a lower percentage of your total strength.

You also have less fatigue on the bike because every muscle in your body has been strengthened so that holding a cycling position is easier. Training time is greatly reduced because 30 minutes of lifting is FAR more effective than 30 minutes of cycling. You still have to build base miles, but the requirement is greatly reduced, leading to a more efficient training schedule.

A really good book. I have to say the book is too advanced for me at my level, but I am still learning a LOT. And the best part is, this book is actually fun to read! I actually find myself really enjoying his style and sense of humor. If you're looking to be educated and entertained - a true rarity - you should really get this book.

Note that it does focus a lot on squats, deadlifts, and building muscle, and tends to "look down" on long distance running. I consider it a valuable perspective in today's environment which is so focused on cardio, distance running, pilates, etc. This is just good old fashioned brawn-based muscle building. I also really like that it focuses on hard work - things that are hard are good for you, and we do tend to avoid things that are hard.

Really - a must have for anyone serious about building muscle or even just getting into good shape.

I've just finished Strong Enough? and I have to say that I found it to be an incredibly informative and entertaining read. I am a practicing Chiropractor and have been involved in serious weight training for over 10 years. I have a background in exercise physiology with a BS degree in Kinesiology and a coaching endorsement from my undergrad university. My personal philosophies of health include a combination of Chiropractic care with regular weight training exercise. I honestly feel that a great many of today's health care problems could be prevented by this combination. I will be recommending to my patients who are engaging in athletic endeavors and weight training in general to read this book, along with Rippetoe's other works, Starting Strength and Practical Programming.

Coach Rippetoe is able to provide a wealth of information that is both advanced enough for the academic as well as being clear and concise enough for the general public. He does a fantastic job of conveying the importance of weight training, and doing so properly. Along with this, he's got quite the sense of humor. More times than I can count I found myself laughing along with a passage as I was reading.

Strong Enough? is a rare find in this world of popular "fitness" magazines and bodybuilding rags that preach the same tired (and largely ineffective) routines time and time again. I find myself reading along and thinking to myself, "I've told people this same information so many times! Why don't they get it?" It's refreshing to find someone willing to set the topic of weight training straight for a change. Instead of misleading the general public with ineffective routines alongside pictures of chemically enhanced models/"athletes" and an equal amount of advertising copy, Coach Rippetoe puts the information out there in clear terms. But this book doesn't include a canned workout that readers can just pluck out of the pages and implement into their gym time. This book offers a unique commentary on the past and present state of strength training. Offering his personal thoughts over a long and successful career as a strength coach, Rippetoe gives readers something new to think about. This is true for novice, intermediate, advanced and elite lifters alike. In the rare chance that there is nothing in this book that is new to the reader, at the very least it is a useful reminder of some very important concepts. And that alone is worth the price of the book.

Adding in some wit and humerous commentary to the generous dose of common sense makes this a fun, quick and easy read. I think that anyone who trains with weights should have a copy of this book on their shelf or in their gym bag. I know that I will be recommending it to my patients, and anyone else who is involved in weight training.

Thanks for writing your books, Rip.

This rich volume touches the heart and soul of culinary India, and not only provides wonderful and "workable" recipies from its many regions, but also Madhur Jaffrey graciously welcomes you into her personal and cultural space while doing so. A feast not only for the palate but for all your senses. And as to her use of freshly- prepared spices -- expect a magic carpet ride! -- her instructions and recommendations are absolutely first class.

With over 100 cookbooks in my collection, I no longer buy books just for a collection of recipes. I want interesting information about culinary traditions, etc. and this book has all of that. It has a great overview of Indian regional cooking, lovely pictures, and good illustrative recipes besides. Serious gourmets will *not* be disappointed.

This is a great book - not only are the recipes superb and quite distinctive, but Madhur Jaffrey writes about the food with such passion and feeling that it just makes you want to cook. When she describes a dish as one "I love with a passion" you can be sure that it will not disappoint. For cooks trying out Indian food for the first time, following her recipes precisely can almost guarantee an Indian meal that will earn rave reviews from friends and family.

1. It is a good cook book, with beautiful recipies that work. 2. The food is presented in context in which it is eaten in India. 3. This is like a travelogue of India through its food. So if you like India, travel, food, cooking or books about cooking food in different parts of India, then this is the book for you.

This is a book that was given to me some years ago when I was in India. It is not just a cook book but it conveys a picture of India. The book is broken into sections based on India's main regions. Each chapter has magnificent photo's of those regions and a text which describes the cuisine.

Each region then has a series of recipes that are famous. Most Indian cookery books tend to show how to cook the sorts of things that you get in Indian restaurants. Chicken Tandoori, Rogan Josh and so forth. This book has recipes which I have never come across before and most of them are interesting and delightful. A lot of them use a limited range of spices and depend on the mixture of their ingredients to develop subtle and interesting flavors. One recipe that was a revelation was an eggplant (aubergine) dish which was cooked and served cold with a yogurt sauce.

I live with a vegetarian and one of the reasons I enjoy such cook books are the variety of vegetarian foods that they contain. This book is by no means devoted to vegetarian food but it contains many such recipes.

The recipes are in text form but they are easy to follow. If something unusual has to be done such as the preparation of tamarind, the author explains how to do it in a clear and simple way.

Some cook books are things that you have on the shelf simply to prepare food. This book is a little more and gives you a feel for the county which has provided the recipes.