Mitchell Books

The Psychopath: Emotion and the Brain is the latest research on psychopaths. While it is not as accessible as Robert Hare's work (Without Conscience, Snakes in Suits), it is an in depth and lucid account of the latest studies on psychopathic individuals.

Specifically, Blair et al., demonstrate that "Antisocial Personality Disorder" is not a synonym for psychopathy. Most antisocials are NOT psychopathic. This is perhaps the most important point made in this book. Psychopathy is a genetic, biologically determined disorder that affects emotional makeup.

Blair et al.'s work provides an excellent background for other works, like Andrew Lobaczewski's Political Ponerology, which describes the larger effects psychopaths have on society, especially when in positions of political power. The new research only confirms what Lobaczewski and his colleagues learned generations ago under the Polish Communist regime.

If you have a handle on psychological terminology, and want to learn something TRUE about psychopaths, check out these books.

If that statement does not mean anything to you, then you should not attempt to read this book. It is an excellent work and if you are into the the conjectures of the neural causes of psychopathology I would highly recommend it. But if you are just interested in learning about psychopaths at a more elementary level, you will be better served by reading one of Bob Hare's works first. It would also serve you well to read some of Restak's books on the organization of the limbic system before you launch off into this if you do not know anything of the subject matter. If however, you are aware of the physiology of the brain and the manifestations of sociopathic or psychopathic behaviour, I think this book is an excellent read.

Forget about Dexter or Hannibal Lecter, the fictional characters created by Hollywood. If you want to learn serious and real stuff about psychopathy, then you'll find this book very helpful.
With only 155 pages of actual text, it's a quick read. The book is well organized and draws on contemporary research in psychology and neuroscience.
I will certainly use it when teaching a class on psychopathology.

This book does not examine the behavioral methodologies of a psychopath. Don't expect to read this and be on the edge of your seat as you hear about a psychopathic rampages or case studies into previous criminal activities.

It is an extremely well researched book documenting the relationship between psychopathy and emotion. With an intimate use of research to prove theoretical points, James Blair does an excellent job trying to find the underlying cognitive and biological causes of anti-social behavior and the lack of empathy most psychopaths employ.

If you don't have a good grasp on psychology or the research methodologies (and lingo) I wouldn't recommend this book.

However, if you plan on doing research in the field of criminal psychology or are writing a paper on psychopathology, this is a must have.

Having played in a CoC campaign by one of the authors (Steve Spisak) for several years, I can personally attest to the level of detail and playability of his work. This book is excellent and well thought out, as well as being eminently playable. 5 Stars.

I'm a longtime Cthulhu keeper but new to Ramsey Campbell (other than the material in the rulebook). The first half of the book is devoted to resource material covering magic, monsters and locations in the fictitious Severn Valley (well the Severn Valley itself isn't fictitious of course). The second half is devoted to a campaign of 7 or 8 scenarios. Everything is well written, well thought out and seems very playable. I'm looking forward to running it!

I've waited a long time for this one, and the wait was worth it! It's chock full of scenarios (forming a campaign which you can ignore if you want), and lots of background material on Ramsey Campbell's Severn Valley. I wish there'd been more maps and maybe more info on some of the locations but all in all, this is a COOL package!

It's good to see Chaosium getting back to topnotch books again. This one along with Unseen Masters, represents a "new wave" of Call of Cthulhu - as good or better than any of the stuff released in years.

You can't really go wrong with this package, it's got background resource material for the Goatswood area and a nice bundle of scenarios that look like fun to run (I can't wait to spring some of them on my group! HEH HEH HEH) I don't want to give away any spoilers but there's an S&M club, and the "GUARD" at the club is such a wicked idea not to mention the dude who runs the place. Good to see Ramsey the man himself giving the introduction, read his Silent Children book if you really want to get chills!

The artwork is decent, and lots of it. Plenty of handouts too, which are really important as far as I am concerned. One thing I could do without though is the side illustrations, they take up too much room that could maybe be used for information. But that's a small jibe compared to the value.

¡°Guide to¡± and ¡°hot to¡± books on writing fall into two kinds: one is SHOWING the GREATEST WORKS by GREATEST WRITERS to scare you off; another is showing the greatest works by greatest writers to encourage you in writing. This book belongs to the latter. I love it.

Iver's book delivers. It is neither sappy as many other writing books are, nor is it without color. Particularly helpful are the sections on grammar and usage. Whether honig your skills or becoming initiated with the complexities of the English language for the first time, this book is helpful. Though Iver discusses some elements of fiction, this book appears to have more relevance for the office or the class room than for creative writing. Yet, anyone will benefit from reading the book and working through its examples.

This book can be used both as a guide and a learning device. Mr. Ivers explains rules of grammar and common pitfalls in an amusing and intelligent style. He selects references to famous writings to demonstrate different styles of writing. The book can be used easily as a reference guide. It has an excellent index for quick lookups. I also found it to be delightful reading. He carefully chose authors and passages from books, speeches, and even movies and theatre to help convey his examples. I think this would make an excellent adjunct to any college writing program. His chapters on writing tips can inspire one to take out a pencil or word processor and start writing. I think this book is a must for any home, school, or office library.

"Random House Guide to Good Writing," by Mitchell Ivers, is an inspiring, entertaining, and informative guide that goes beyond the rules of grammar, syntax, and punctuation. The goal is to "help you turn your appreciation of good writing into an ability to write well."

The author discusses voice, tone, diction, and structure, and he emphasizes the importance of expressing yourself with purpose, using an appropriate style. Always keep your aim and audience in mind when putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Are you creating a novel or short story? Are you writing a letter to a company to complain about a defective product? Do you want to compose an essay persuading your readers that the death penalty is barbaric and ineffective? Or are you dashing off a newspaper article describing a shooting in a fast food outlet? Your choice of words will vary according to the purpose of the piece and your intended audience.

Ivers includes dozens of well-chosen quotations and excerpts from famous authors to illustrate his points. A few lines from "The Wasteland" exemplify T. S. Eliot's formal style of writing as well as his use of classical allusions. Two excerpts, one from Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi," and another from a Chicago Tribune column by the journalist Mike Royko, demonstrate a familiar and informal style. In addition, Ivers includes exercises to help the reader practice the skills taught in each section. The chapters on grammar and usage, and an appendix outlining the guidelines used by Random House's copy editors and proofreaders, are clearly written and filled with excellent examples.

No book can transform everyone into a good writer. However, by following the guidelines in this excellent manual, most writers will learn to express themselves more simply and coherently. Ivers quotes Hemingway, who said, "We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master." This book will not make you a master, but it can help you write with more polish and self-assurance.

"These were the things that bounded me/And I could touch them with my hand/Almost, I thought, from where I stand/And all at once things seemed so small/My breath came short, and scarce at all..."

Edna St. Vincent Millay made her fame with the publication of her very first poem, in "Renascence and Other Poems." While the poet has a few awkward moments here, her vibrant imagery and nature descriptions are enough to make even the lesser poetry absolutely lovely.

It opens with her enchanting "Renascence," in which Millay explores the "Universe, cleft to the core." She wanders through the eternity of the universe -- God, death, the suffering living, and the exquisite beauties of the world. "The heart can push the sea and land/Farther away on either hand/The soul can split the sky in two/And let the face of God shine through..."

From there on, Millay explores the same themes -- she writes with the beauty of nature, and describes love and loss (sometimes at the same time -- "I had you and I have you now no more"). She describes the beauties of a perfect autumn and flowered fields, wishes to start a tavern for grey-eyed people, ethereal witch-wives, coping with a broken heart, and haiku-like poems of "shattering."

One of the most striking poems is "The Suicide," in which a disillusioned person cries out ""Curse thee, Life, I will live with thee no more!" But then the person comes to "my father's house" and speaks to God about the suicide -- receiving a surprising answer.

At first glance, Millay's poetry seems very simplistic. Her lines tend to be short more often than not, her themes are simple. She doesn't strain for elaborate rhyming scenes or ultracomplex structure. Instead of more complex, self-conscious poetry, her work resembles songs.

But the beauty of Millay's poetry is in the language -- the simplicity of the poems allows her exquisite word usage to come through. Metaphors are subtle (committing suicide is described as unlocking a latch). And it's loaded with descriptions of plants and rural beauty. "All the dog-wood blossoms are underneath the tree/Browned at the edges, turned in a day..."

But it isn't only about pretty words. Millay knows how to tug at people's emotions. One poem describes a woman wandering after her lover's death, looking at books and flowers he left behind. In another, she laments, "Love has gone and left me,--and the neighbors knock and borrow/And life goes on forever like the gnawing of a mouse."

"Renascence and Other Poems" is a beautiful piece of work, and a wonderful debut for this legendary poet. "I cannot but remember, when the year grows old..."

I was captured with the first lines. Never have I read more captivating words about life and losing someone of importance. I have looked for these words, the ones that expressed what I was feeling for many years and found them waiting in Edna's book. . .just incredible.

From high school American Literature I remember four writers that impressed myself and my friends: Edith Wharton, O. Henry, Edgar Lee Masters and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Therefore, I reread Renascence as part of a reading stroll down memory lane - and found again the elegence that impressed us many years ago.

Many of these poems deal with grief and death including suicide. But beginning with the near-mystical Renascence there is a confidence in something more. Her skill is best shown in the sonnets, a form she used extensively as it is a near perfect fit for her sensibilities.

She is very much a traditional in form and rhyme with much of her imagery being garden and flower. However, there are few times that the syntax becomes awkward or forced in order for her thoughts to fit the form. In short, this is a poetry book worth reading.

This book contains one of my favorite poems, "Ashes of Life." My copy of the book is hardcover from 1917, but the poem is the same no matter what printing you read.

Great condition with well kept book jacket. Smooth transaction. Delighted with book.

It's the best Gone With the Wind book I've read, besides GWTW itself! Terrific photos! Covers everything from Margaret Mitchell, to the stars of the movie! I recomend it to anyone who loves Gone With the Wind!

It's the best Gone With the Wind book I've read, besides GWTW itself! Terrific photos! Covers everything from Margaret Mitchell, to the stars of the movie! I recomend it to anyone who loves Gone With the Wind!

This book's cover alone is worth it all!!!! Contains "fresh" photos of Scarlett contenders as well as documenting the quest for the "right cast".

This book is a MUST for all GWTW collectors!

This descriptive detailed narrative tells the story of a widowed father of three daughters and his desire for them to know not only a father's love but also the Heavenly Father's love. Unfortunately each daughter encounters snares along the way that trap their emotional and spiritual growth.
Jacob, the father, is unaware of his daughters's plight of the heart but he knows in his heart a secret and places an item in a treasure chest called the heartwood chest made by his skilled carpenter's hands for each daughter. Jacob knows that a young man will come and discover that secret because of the love the young man has for the daughter.
Garnet is the second daughter of the three. A talented artist, she, at the age of 16, is changed forever from an isolated event to a fearful girl, never to trust men, until Dr. Sloan MacAllister, a man running away from the tragedy of his past, moves to the Shenandoah Valley. His meeting Garnet leads them both on a course of healing from their past and into their future together.
Meredith, the eldest Sinclair daughter, is impulsive and headstrong which leads her away from home to a working woman's life in the city. There she is deceived by a very wealthy man using Meredith as pawn to get to her employer, Benjamin Walker. Ben is attracted to Meredith but never allows feelings to interfere with employee relationships. As Meredith learns the depth of the deceit to which she had been ensnared, she goes to Ben with her resignation from her job and apology. As the course of events go, Ben reveals his love for Meredith.
Through all the trials of personal physical injury to the individual characters, to a destroying fire, Meredith and Ben, Garnet and Sloan learn the truth about the item Jacob had put in his daughters's heartwood chests. And they learn the love of a Heavenly Father and to place their trust in Him.
Leah, the young daughter, watches over her father and sisters like a mother hen as she prepare to attend college. Then she is introducted to Cade Beringer. Leah has no intention of anything stopping her from her eduational goals. Nothing. But Jacob waits patiently and continues to pray for each of his daughters.
What a powerful way to tell the story of God's love for his children even when they don't always listen. Then He gently brings them face to face with the extent and truth of His love through events and individuals in our every day lives.

Jacob Sinclair is a widowed man trying his hardest to raise three young daughters in a world domineered by males. Having done his best, one daughter, Leah, chooses to pursue a college education, the other two sisters, Garnet and Meredith, remain home hoping to discover their talents. Both Meredith and Garnet receive a beautiful, handcrafted heartwood chest complete with a secret drawer that hides an object Jacob has handpicked as a gift to each. What lies within SHENANDOAH HOME are Garnet and Meredith's journeys to grow emotionally and spiritually, while they find their heart's desires and the meaning behind their Father's gift.

The first story is Garnet's story, "The Cardinal Feather." Artistic Garnet has always been free willed, but her independence often lures her into troublesome situations. Hiding a ghastly secret, Garnet becomes reserved; a change that her sisters and father cannot ignore. When Dr. Sloan MacAllister comes to town, he soon finds himself unwillingly doctoring both Garnet and an injured fox that she risks her life to save. As Garnet heals, she reveals her past to Sloan. Both Sloan and Garnet feel their budding attraction, but can they find faith in a God they feel has forgotten them? Will they muster the strength to face their feared pasts and start anew?

Next is Meredith's story, "The Gingerbread Girl." Meredith is the obstinate oldest sister who wants to become a successful businesswoman. When a prosperous businessman, J. Preston Clarke, comes into town after insulting Meredith's boss, Benjamin Walker, in a local paper, Meredith prepares to battle the fiend. However, once she meets Preston, she is soon entranced by his charm and quickly finds herself falling in love. Love is not always as it seems, however, and Meredith has to face intense challenges before realizing the heart never lies.

While SHENANDOAH HOME starts with an exceedingly slow pace, it transforms into a beautiful piece of fiction. Strong characters shine through realistic dialogue and thought provoking narrative. There are subtle religious themes mentioned within the story, but the author never preaches-only makes you stop and think about your choices in life.

The second story is, by far, the stronger of the two. Meredith is constantly battling to remain a woman within a male-dominated business world. She remains strong despite the men's vocal perceptions of her friendly attitude. Meredith's strength endeared her to this reader's heart.

I do wish, however, that the third sister, Leah's, story was contained within SHENANDOAH HOME. It seems slightly unfair that the two sisters get a heartwood chest, while Leah remains in the background. I anxiously await Leah's story, VIRGINIA AUTUMN, next spring.

You can always count on Sara Mitchell to deliver three things: Characters you love. A setting that makes you wish you lived there. And a great love story. She does it again with Shenandoah Home. I think I've read all her books by now, and I'd rate this one as her best yet. She drew me into her story on the first page, and by the time I reached the last few pages, I realized I was putting off reading the ending, because I didn't want to let go of these characters or their stories.

An excerpt in the back of the book indicates there's a sequel, and I can hardly wait until it's on the shelves!

I have read most of Sara's books and this truly is her best book yet--from the lovely cover to the size of the book-- but best of all what is cover to cover! She takes you into the lovely Virginia country side and the city so many years ago. You are there-- you know the characters-- you get into their lives. You feel their pain and joy.

What beautiful names for the characters--Sloan, the doctor, Garnett- the middle of three daughers, Jacob the father, Meredith - the eldest daughter, Leah--the youngest daughter, Phineas-the domesticated fox and of course J. Preston-- the villian!!

When you start reading this book (which is really two books in one) you won't be able to put it down. The first half of the book is Garnet's story and the second half is Meridith's story. Two of three sisters who are quite different but both find their way to depend on God for things that matter.

As usual, this includes a beautiful (actually two) love stories--not sappy but just beautiful. There is no doubt that Sara puts herself and her personal love story in each book and this is no exception.

It is evident that much research went into making this book a reality. You ride in the buggy in the countryside and dine in the lovely hotel.

I have only one thing to say--when will the next in the series be ready????? I can't wait!!

Obviously, nobody here cared to tell you what this book is about. It's the story (some say it's autobiographical - some say it's not - The author has been a mercenary captain in the war) about a simple peasant-boy being torn into the chaos and suffering of one of Europe's longesr and THE most devastating war (half of the population in the area died). He gradually advances from being servant to being court-jester and becomes a warleader. The fascinating thing about this is:

a- Even after nearly 400 years it's easy to read.

b- Every aspect of war is described in (sometims painful) detail.

c- It's done by a man who's seen it all. So although it reads like a fantasy novel, it's authentic.

Mitchell's translation of Grimmelshausen's picaresque novel about a boy from SW Germany in the 1620s who has his life disrupted by the Thirty Years War, into which he is swept up for decades is delightfully funny. Unfortunately, Mitchell's version follows the commonly available (and artificially antiquated) Goodrick translation and omits the sixth book! Grimmelshausen wrote a whole cycle of ten novels revolving around Simplicissimus and other Thirty Years War characters, most of which are not readily available in a contemporary English translation. This, the core novel, is the most famous of the lot, but I can't help but feel disappointed by the lack of the sixth book, which was referenced by Borges (in "The Book of Imaginary Beings") and by others. I feel as though readers of "Don Quixote" must if they discover that they have read only the first part of his multi-part novel. The work of Cervantes, however, is much more readily available in English than is Grimmelshausen, so the absence is easily rectified; with the Simplicissimus books, however, one takes what one can get. Mitchell's translation of Books 1 - 5 is, fortunately, quite good, and there aren't any references in the first five books to events in the sixth book which would be weirdly jarring if the final book is missing, so there's no reason to feel cheated unless you KNOW that something has been left out. Mitchell's version is in good colloquial English and is a fast and satisfying read. I went through the whole book in a few days, finding it very difficult to put down. Mitchell writes so smoothly that the reader is swept breathlessly along just as Simplicissimus himself was.

This is THE classic novel of the Thirty Years War, which caused the death of one-third the population of Germany and involved almost every country from Sweden to Italy and from Spain to Russia, and -- strangely enough -- it's a comedy. Perhaps the war was so terrible that afterwards the only way for the survivors to stay sane was to laugh about the bitter joke which history played upon them. "Simplicissimus" is regarded by many as a definitive account of the mood and temperment of many of the survivors. Read it and laugh ... or weep. It's the story of Everyman and Everywoman caught up in an insane war in which the only option is make everything a joke, because the reality of the situation is too terrible to consider.

One of the finest and funniest books I have ever read, I suggest to read along "Vida y Hechos de Estebanillo Gonzalez, Hombre de Buen Humor", also a XVII century rogue amidst the 30 years war!!. I find Grimmelhausen book very clever and defenitely a must to anybody who is interested in Europe. Unfortunately I do not read German so I miss many of the jokes, still the book is very well worth cover to cover. I am surprised that such a classic of the German Literature have not got a wider reputation: it is so amusing to read.

I have read three of this series and am amazed by the core of what Grmm. was saying. Let alone the historical magnitude of a novel like this (One of the first printed material available after Guttenburg did his thing). This guy printed out what seems to me essentially the first Superman comic books. Each chapter of the three (or more) books in this series was printed as a serial. Precursor in some ways to Kafka? Simple(sic) is a hero and a knave. His love (and her Courage) now a gypsy fortuneteller, his old friend a beggar. Of course Simple finds God in the end, but it is old German stuff ain't it!

This is another great book about the high country of Australia and it's wild brumbies according to Elyne Mitchell. This book is about the legendary Thowra and his son. Elyne Mitchell has a great imagination and this is an excellent volume of her silver brumby series.

Elyne Mitchell writes about the great high country in a way that could only be done through true experience. She knew the land and she knew the brumbies that lived there. They have inspired her to write this Silver Brumby series. This is the book in which Wirramirra, the last son of Thowra, the famous Silver Brumby, will journey on a quest so he may meet and truely know his great sire. However, this young horse must face many perils. To survive the journey would prove him a worthy successor to Thowra, but it's hazards may be his fate.

I think this book was great.It was about a son of Thowra,Wirramirra, last born son of the wind,Thowra. I think this book is one of the best books Elyne has made up,infact, it I could met Elyne, I would help her make up a new book, I have got plenty of ideas in my horsie loving mind.My favourite charater was Wirramirra,because he was in a terrible fight with another horse and he was nearly pushed over the edge of the cliff,but he some how pushed the other horse over the cliff. Yuri is good too, Oh,I wish I was horse, to gallop on fresh green grass. Son of the Whirlwind was really good to my mind.

A young stallion makes a difficult journey to meet his famous father. In the way he fases the dangers he proves to be a worthy son of the whirlwind!

Sounds of Healing is an extraordinary publication. Like a journey within a journey, it is an odyssey along the path of spiritual wisdom, healing and self fulfillment. Like a compass, it directs as it informs-it encourages the reader to meander throughout its pages, enjoying the self direction and spontaneous discovery that are the essence of the spiritual quest. The book together with the Sounds of Healing compact disk moved me towards celestial realms that I have never before experienced.

Dr. Gaynor integrates sound and emotion as powerful tools in his medical arsenal leading his patients back to health. His use of the healing power of sound compliments the use of conventional medicine. Dr. Gaynor's guided meditations have helped achieve living miralces in "terminal" patients. This book reaffirms anything is possible when we discover what made us ill and how we can rebuild our lives during and after illness. This book is a priceless road map to self discovery and joy. I wish I could give it six stars.

Healing Essence was highly touted and I purachased it; however, I had a feeling that it was missing something - or I was. Now with this book, Dr. Gaynor, like Chopra, seems to be finding the niche of his essence, and he give the reader the right to find their's. That is HEALING! As a nurse, it was amazing what a sachet of dried lavender attached to a pillow,& backrub would do, or a little music box I carried in my pocket to help neuro patients calm down. That was the 60s. This book shows the expanse of sound, and that one's body responds to that which it particularly needs. Having had chemo, the horrors of the traditional rows of chairs and people 'yapping,' vs what privacy and sound may have done for me brings tears. Just recently, with a new water 'garden,' I placed it in the living room - discomfort overcame me. It took a week to realize I wanted it in my office near to me. I do not work such long spells any longer. I integrate sounds, and relax! There are so many more options I've yet to try thanks to Dr. Gaynor. And, so many practices I'm going to try to change here in Austin, Texas!

This is a brilliant and beautiful book superbly written with elegance and gracefulness. It is the most powerful and illuminating source of the role that sound can play in the healing process that I have ever read. Dr. Gaynor has an outstanding grasp of various sounds, techniques, and terms-the "grammatical" elements that make you fluent in the "language" of sound. But he goes far beyond that. He understands and transmits an unbelievable amount of expressive, historical, and even philosophical information. In keeping with that insight, he illuminates the varying circumstances and contexts that have shaped sound down thru the ages. He guides us thru the sounds that are capable of speaking to and from the human soul, and tells us something central about the human condition in each of us. This is a dazzling book which tells us not only about our distant past but also about how that past is able to shape our present and our future.

This is an effective test practice book. It organizes 2nd grade contents in units and each unit has several small lessons with sample tests. It's not only great for getting familiar with standard tests, but also good for knowledge and skill assessments. My child finished this book in 3 weeks and were confident with the tests in school since then. Kids should practice often to elevate their skills. For more such drills, there is a nice web site http://www.beestar.org. It's like the web version of this book with dynamic contents. My child's grade is definitely getting better. We are happy.

As a parent working to prepare a 5 year old child for his first standardized test (1st grade test), I would recommend using this book as a follow up to a "standardized test practice" workbook by Teacher Created Materials.

Since my 1st grader attends a private school that uses 2nd grade textbooks, the content of this 2nd grade test prep book was appropriate for him in the areas of word analysis, vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening, language mechanics, language expression, spelling, study skills, math concepts, computation, and applications (congruent and similar shapes, dates, time, measurement, graphs, and word problems).

This book dives right into tests which are divided by units (i.e. word analysis, vocabulary, etc.). Within the units the tests are divided into lessons (i.e. word sounds, word analysis skills, word recognition, etc.). After each unit there is a sample test.

This book provides ample opportunities for test practice along with useful tips.

It is very good book for younger child to get a felling what is the test looks like. It is step by step guide book to teach children how to take the test, also it is a fun book to read.

I bought three in these series of test books for my children. The tests can be divisible into short segments so are not overwhelming to the child (and are easier for a parent to encourage a child to do!) What I have found the most helpful so far is that the tests have identified a few areas in which my children could use some review. This is very helpful to a parent who wants to be thoroughly familiar with his/her child's skill levels. The other key advantage is that doing these tests periodically make the real test less strange and scary.