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This book is an easy read with a common down -to- earth simplicity that strikes at the very root of your heart. The authors Irish wit and love of his fellow man (in whatever background they may be from) is so very apparent that it will make you think twice before judging another human being. The stories are short, diverse and sweet. This is a must read for anyone that needs a lift and a different perspective on the every day comings and goings of life. This little book of gems left such an impression on me that I ordered 3 more copies of it and sent them for Christmas presents. Thank you Patrick Hannon for your humor and wit and keep on writing!!

Father Pat has a unique way of allowing the reader to experience the love of God in everyday, human lives. I laughed, I cried, I marveled, I prayed during my reading of this book. Father Pat also allows us insight into how to accept all of God's beings with dignity, humor and grace, no matter how challenging the situation. I liked how each story was in itself an encounter with God's mercy and love. This book is worth several reads!!

Anyone who likes a good story should like this book. It is a delightful and enlightening work that I have been recommending to my friends. Patrick Hannon, a young Holy Cross priest, generously shares with us tales of his family and his life. They are warm and engaging stories in themselves and Hannon is a great storyteller. And in his faith he reveals to us another dimension of reality -- that of prayer which is laced through the fabric of ordinary life, usually not recognized or recognizable as prayer until a book like this points it out. You will enjoy the book, you will want to pass it on.

I picked up this book from my local library mainly because Fr. Hannon is the Parochial Vicar at my parish. I was interested in his writing, as I absolutely love going to Mass to hear his homily every Sunday--he is an extremely gifted priest. This book is fantastic, and Fr. Pat is truly a man with a tremendous spirit...and a very talented writer. I read the library copy and quickly bought a copy...it is definately a book you will want to read again and again.

You don't normally think of spirituality as a "fun read" but this small book can put a whole new spin on the concept of relating to God and when is it, exactly, that we are praying. It is engaging, poignant, thought-provoking (in a positive, non-troubling way) and conveys an optimism about how to live and experience life. I recommend this book to everyone who believes that life has a larger purpose --- if you take its meaning to heart it can make every day of your life a fair bit richer. I received this book as a Christmas present and, in turn, have now given it out as a gift to many of my closest friends and family members --- getting unanimously positive comments in return. This one is really worth it.

I admit when I bought the book I read it quickly cover to cover. I couldn't resist the overview, but I quickly saw that real benefit would only come through practicing in depth with each page. Ezra's words gently encourage us to go to our own edge...to hear his wisdom and use it as inspiration toward our own proving ground.

Ezra Bayda's latest book even tells you how to use it! He says, "Don't consume this book." I, therefore, did not read it straight through and, instead, gave it preferred space on the passenger seat of my car for those moments when I need a little encouragement. His writing is very accessible and goes right to the heart. Treat this book like a special friend.

Got this for a friend who has breast cancer. Great words and thoughts.

This is my third book by Ezra Bayda and in many ways it is my favorite. Thomas Moore sums it up best in the introduction when he said, "I like Ezra Bayda because I don't think he assumes he gets it all right." And this is why I liked this book, it does not provide answers it only provides questions for reflection. For some reason I like the format and I also like the way the book feels in my hand. It just begs to be carried around with you and read throughout the day. But unlike many books, I do not feel the need to read it from cover to cover, rather I use it judiciously throughout the day. I let the day determine what page I will read. If it is 9:34 in the morning I turn to page 93 and read the passage if the temperature is 74° I turn to page 74. I found this to be a great tool to return my awareness to what is real.

I am amazed of how deep can Ezra Bayda communicate his insights with such concise words. He helps unveil the false beliefs we all carry upon our shoulders and inside our soul. Every line read is like acknowledging the truth we have always felt was there but resisted to be put in words.
As I slowly read each page, I looked around me just to be sure no one else, besides the author, knew what I have been feeling all along in my life. So, you will not only read a book, you will read yourself as if your inner self was an open book waiting for you to dive into it.
Thank you Ezra, this book is not staying on my shelf but instead, will be carried inside of me forever.

If you want to know more about your subc.I heartily recommend these CDs

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
The Master Key System
Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World
The Science of Getting Rich
The Science of Mind
Think and Grow Rich: Original Version

You can get all four of FSS's work in the Wisdom of FSS, which is only $11.20. Believe me you won't be sorry her work surpasses that of Wayne Dyer, Esther and Jerry Hicks, and even Catherine Ponder.

Consisting of a series of talks on various topics relating to the achievement of happiness, this book teaches the reader how to triumph over adversity and experience abundance through spiritual law. The author's explanation of Biblical tales and metaphors is especially valuable and insightful and her interpretations are full of common sense and practical wisdom. Her very engaging style and wonderful ability to explain age-old spiritual truth ensure a stimulating and uplifting reading experience. She deals with topics like faith, intuition, inspiration and more, even referring to movies like The Wizard of Oz. The last chapter is about the inner meaning of the fable of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and how it relates to the thought-forms in the subconscious mind of the individual. It's brilliant! Not only are her words powerful and inspiring, but special affirmations are provided to help achieve successful outcomes. The Secret Door is definitely on a par with her classic work The Game Of Life and I strongly recommend it.

Bet you can't read just one! You will crave all of her books once you have a taste of Florence Scovel Shinn's words. After you read the books, don't forget to buy the affirmation cards - they are a must!

Florence Scovel Shinn's work, specifically in this book, is a beautiful testament to how unlimited our universe is, and how boundless our creative capacity is in our life.

As a true pioneer in the field of consciousness/laws of attraction in our current times, Shinn writes with uncanny wisdom about succinct concepts, as she helps anyone who reads this book learn about success: that being abundance without limit.

Her work is beautifully expressed, and brings about a peaceful feeling when reading. You can tell she knew what she was writing about, and her faith in unlimited, positive creative capacity is truly timeless wisdom. This is a classic book that can only benefit any reader.

Of all of the books read to me when I was little, few stand out more prominently in my memory than this one. Now, over twenty years later, I am so pleased to have just found my old copy, which I hope someday to read to my children. What a magical book!

One of the best children's books I have run across. The book explains the consequences and dangers of the shadow world and the rewarding richness of standing in the light. It is presented in a non religious, simple and magical way. Opening the doors of understanding for children and reminding adults at the same time.

My 6-year old's teacher reminded me about this book at our conferences. It is a magical journey for children to share. Sylvia lives in a cottage near the woods with her mother. She is very connected to the world of gnomes and fairies, and spends her days doing things I wish I could do with my girl - she bakes, paints, visits with the Old Woodsman who smells like the trees and love...She has a "Sister-in-the-Bushes" to talk to. She has friends in the village who come to her St. Nicholas party. It's an amazing life. Each night her mother tells her a story, usually connected to the events of her day. Then, Sylvia puts her "Wonder Book" out on her bedside table. During the night, the Rhyme-Elves come to paint a picture and write her a short poem connected to her day. The book is full of seasonal celebrations from Michelmas to Advent to St. Nicholas to King's Day. Sylvia loses her first tooth (which means that NOW she can go to school). I highly recommend this book to everyone looking to find something magical to read at bedtime. My daughter is spellbound. One minor fault, easily changed when reading - the dark gnomes, ones who are evil and scary (leading her into the woods when her mother told her not to go in alone, but helping her experience why she needs to mind her mother) are all referred to as 'black imps'. I changed that to 'dark imps'. PS - my daughter has had an easier time not being led by her inner 'dark imp' since we've been reading this together. But, I fight the guilts over not providing her with a Wonder Book of her own!

I was pleased to receive the book as quickly as I did. I was nervous that I would get it too late for my son's 7th birthday but no, I had a few days to spare. Thanks.

I was given this book when I was seven and have since cherished it for its beauty and sensitivity. It is a wonderful read aloud book for ages 6-8 and mostly 7 that is inspiring both for children and adults alike. Enjoy!

This book was great for ideas and general instructions. However, I found the patterns to be way too large for the 18" dolls, and I found several errors in the construction directions. As a seasoned sewist, I knew how to work around this misdirection, but newer sewists may not.

I can still recommend the book though just for the inspiration.

This book contains full size patterns that sew beautifully. Great selection of outfits and complete insructions that are very easy to follow.

Joan Hinds provides an excellent choice of patterns with which to create indoor outdoor fashions for 18" dolls. The patterns are timeless. They can easily be modified to reflect most style periods from the mid 20th century forward.

My daughter (who is 10 years old) got her American Girl doll for Christmas this year...and after spending all that money on an 18" doll, I wasn't about to pay $24 per outfit.
I have some sewing experience. I can hem up jeans, sew pillows, fix a seam or button if need be...but that's about it. I've never used a pattern before.
The hardest part was finding the pattern pieces. There are two large tissue papers tucked away in the back of the book. Each piece appears to have hundreds of little patterns. Once you find the pieces for what you are making, it is a breeze.
I will warn you, there are some things that just can't be sewn with a machine. Invest in a thimble and proceed.
Half the fun is teaching my daughter how to sew. She loves her doll and wants it to have a wardrobe exactly like hers. I warned her that the deal was if she got the doll, she would have to help make the clothes. She agreed and we've been able to sew many outfits that closely resemble hers.
This book, in my opinion, contains the most modern clothing patterns. It also has very easy to follow instructions. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an American Girl doll.

I have made most of the clothes presented in Hinds "Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe" and been very pleased with the results. Her instructions are clear and complete and allow for personal variation. My granddaughters and neighbor girls have been happy with their gifts of doll clothes!

Because I liked "Contemporary" so much, I recently ordered (via Amazon)and received promptly 3 more Hinds books.

All I'll say is, this purchase was/is well worth it. You won't need any artificial drugs, just this book, your imagination and a willing partner. You both win!

I like books about sex that are helpful and exciting. But I also like insights into human nature and not just the obvious visceral activity. This book is plenty smart going deeply into why we are the way we are and not just the what. It had me saying Ah-Ha as much as it had me saying Oooo, cool

I do not normally review more than one book by the same author, unless there is a really good reason for doing so. In the case of Sex and the Erotic Lover there is.

This book is a wonderful complement to her earlier Sex and the Perfect Lover and the more recent The Love Diet. What I really like about her work, and why I recommend it so whole heartedly, is that in all three books Mabel has demonstrated that she sees pleasure, sensuality, sexuality and spirituality as a seamless whole. There is no reason at all why things that are enlightening and enlivening should not also be fun. Having unselfconscious fun and being able to laugh at ourselves are sure signs that we are on the right road toward getting our life in order.

So many sexual problems are the result not of physical difficulties, but of energy and fatigue, attitude, expectation, upbringing and needless guilt. Of course, that is not the whole list, but it covers the lion's share of the issues that can cause much needless unhappiness. And Mabel has some good advice on how to deal with them.

As an indication of some of the material in the book, and Mabel's approach, she has a list of "Ten Revelations for Being Happy." You can read the whole list in the book, but in short, they are:
1. Faith
2. Attitude
3. Exercise
4. Live for the here and now
5. Goals
6. Smiling
7. Forgiveness
8. Gratitude
9. Relationships
10. Love

That looks like a pretty good start!

This book, like her others, is highly recommended.

This book is a clear, systematic and organized approach. Mabel Iam helps with this book many couples become better lovers that prevents true insights and emotions to develop a real relationship.

Mabel Iam is an author unlimited fervent about love, sex and spiritual grow. You can tell and feel these characteristics in all her books.
"Sex and the erotic lover and Sex and the perfect lover and the kamasutra" have helped me and my girlfriend. Its tips are easy to follow with her recommendations to experience pleasures together and reach orgasm at the same time. NOW, we are happier and more confident couple.

It may be just me but I love her works, and there are many days I wish she could have written more for us readers. The Aggar series is great and how I first became aware of her, but she speaks to the romantic in me in both Bitter Thorns and Annabelle and I. If you liked her writing style in this series, I strongly suggest you check out her other 2 books that were published as well.

Diana n'Athena is ready to go home. An "Amazon" from the all female planet of "dey Sorormin" (which Wolfe translates as the Sisterhood), Diana is a sociologist employed by the Terran Intergalactic Empire for the last 20 years as a Cultural Liaison and Feild Operative. Approaching forty, Diana has served the last five years on Aggar, a patriarchal, pre-industrial, semi-feudal planet located on the Empire's border. Over six foot tall, lean, strong and brown-eyed, Diana must pass as male to work effective on Aggar. Such a charade is not uncommon for Amazons serving on "primitive" planets, but it does wear on their spirits. Facing her last mission before she can return to her home world, Diana must locate and rescue a Terran pilot. He carries information that may mean the salvation of the Empire which is on the brink of war.

After years of working alone, Diana is not pleased when Aggar's ruling Council of Ten assigns her a native "Shadowmate." Shadows are individuals trained for years to act as guides, protectors, linguists, trackers, companions and whatever else is needed to aide the individual whom the Council has determined is important to the future of Aggar. Such assignments are one of the ways the Council "tips the balance" of fate for pivotal individuals and gently guides the planet's future.

Diana's Shadow, Elana is particularly special. In addition to her training and expertise, she bears the rare "Blue Sight." This extrasensory gift (genetically linked with blue eyes)allows her to read people's intent via their aura and create illusions. For years Elana has been training to become a Shadow. For the last five years she's been experiencing dreamlike visions of the Amazon that she is to Shadow.

"Shadows of Aggar" is a classic heroic quest. As such, the journey itself, what happens to both women during the trek and what they learn from the various encounters, is as important as the result of the quest. -- Although having the end of the empire as it is known hang in the balance does build the suspense! -- There are some similarities between Aggar and some other fantasy realms. Yet these parallels reflect cultural archetypes and Wolfe, who died in 1997, created some interesting, unique details and characteristics for three cultures: Aggar, Amazon and Terran. For example, imagine a race of humans whose skin color changes with excitement or exertion, thus making the racial differences we know, moot. Furthermore, Wolfe created the basics of a language for the "dey Sorormin" and provided a glossary of words from Aggar and the Sisterhood in the back for reference.

"Shadows" was originally released in 1991, and this reader has returned to it at least twice in the last decade. The story and characters hold up to re-reading. The same is true of Wolfe's second Aggar novel, "Fires of Aggar." Happily, the publisher has made a commitment to keep Wolfe's titles in print. The new covers of both titles are disappointing and distracting. Yet, to coin a phrase, don't judge the book by it's current cover. If you like fantasy stories with strong female leads that explore complex issues of gender roles, societal pressures to conform and their impacts on the individual -- not to mention a good old fashioned adventure with a touch of lavender romance -- you'll enjoy "Shadows of Aggar." Pick up a copy of it and its companion book, "Fires of Aggar."

This is definitely one of those books that will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning - you just can't put it down! This so reminded me of the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley (which I LOVED). Like MZB, Wolfe has created an exciting and interesting new world in which two technologically separate cultures meet...with one big plus. The relationship between the two women is protrayed in a more intimate and central way here than in MZB's books. This well written book was a throughly enjoyable read - do yourself a favor and buy it! :)

Many of us have found this dense book daunting, printed in tiny type with almost no white space for relief. However, for those who pick up the book after first laying it down in disbelief at the number of words, there awaits a well crafted world of Amazons, psychics and bad guys. Wolf has created a very believable world that mimics what most of us know about the medieval ages. Her imagination is rich and detailed. You will believe in Aggar before the end of the book.

I was annoyed by Di'nay's ability to be obtuse about her lovely "shadow" bonded to her in their attempt to rescue a downed Terran pilot. The world of Maltar was satisfyingly ominous and the Maltar was sufficiently evil. Once you get past Wolfe's inability to write straight forward dialog, you will enjoy the page turning excitement of the adventure. You will also enjoy the romance. Wolfe writes loving romance which hints joyously at what transpires between the two "shadow mates."

I could only find the most recent edition of this book. The cover should be punished as a crime against the author and the type setting is very bad. One wonders if anyone read the galleys.

I read any science fiction and fantasy novels that have lesbian characters that I hear of or stumble across. Most of what is out there is written for mainstream audiences and often by straight authors. There's nothing wrong with that, one of the attractions of the SF and Fantasy genres is that authors explore a vast array of character types and cultures. But there is a definite lack of fantasy novels written by lesbians for lesbian audiences. What's worse is, most of what is in print is mediocre at best and not worth the space on the bookshelf at worst. In desperation, lesbian fantasy fans end up buying and reading the dreck anyway.

Shadows of Aggar is a rare exception. To say that it's the best lesbian fantasy novel I've run across is true, but defining it that way is a disservice to the book, since that isn't really saying much. It holds up on its own merits within the fantasy genre as a whole, not just within the sparse lesbian fantasy subset. Shadows of Aggar contains most of the elements that make fantasy what it is; a unique world and culture, swords and magic, and imperfect characters on a heroic quest. The icing on the cake is that the lesbian romance is good too.

I do have to say here, I have NO idea what in heck the current publishers were thinking with the new book covers. I don't get this trend of putting photographs of real people on fiction. Part of the allure of written fiction is that our minds supply the images. To be blunt, the new covers are tacky and ugly. (I also note the editor's review said something about a trilogy, but there are only two books with those characters.)

One final note, as I noticed a previous reviewer mentioned hoping for more from Chris Anne Wolfe. Unfortunately for us, she lost her battle with cancer. So I highly recommend collecting all of her works currently in print if you enjoy her writing, as there won't be any more. Shadows of Aggar is by far her best, but the others are all worth a read.

I saw this book at my brother's house and immediately knew I had to buy it for my husband. It is a high quality reprint of an older book and has that "60's" feel. Much excellent info and lots of great pictures. Very eclectic. We got it specifically for the info on Geodesic Dome houses but there's plenty more for shelter freaks.

I bought this book when I was fourteen years old and it blew my tiny little mind! Now that I've lived a bunch of years in the design field, and I take it off the shelf, tattered from three decades of intense study, it still blows my (now even tinier) mind. Mr. Kahn has done us all a great service with this book that goes beyond architecture to higher values and has a spirit that leads by example. Sure it's got some crazy hippy parts, do with that what you will. But a deep devotion to what you make and why; it's all here. I'm thankful for this inspiring work.

Now I don't know if I want to live in a tree, a yurt, or on a converted vehicle. This makes my 'normal' house seem quite ordinary. Drat!

Throughout the 1960s and `70s, hundreds of unwashed, longhaired youth from around the world descended on the open foothills around Placitas, New Mexico, and established multiple communal hippie settlements. These youth had read of the Placitas scene in national magazines and counterculture books, or heard about it from other hippies; they were idealistic types from all around the world, and they came to the area to try to raise their own food, escape The Man, indulge in free love and mind-altering drugs, and live communally in tents, geodesic domes, adobe shacks, and experimental homes they built themselves out of plastic and scrap metal.
This book, "Shelter" documents their bizarre housing experiments in wild detail. It also documents curvaceous mud homes in Africa, riverside huts in Yugoslavia, thatched huts in Ireland, homes in busses, homes in caves, dome homes, homes made of car parts, homes carved into mountainsides, homes made of hay, tipis, barns, gypsy tents, and more.
If there's a strange kind of housing, you'll probably find it in here, and you'll probably be inspired by it.
"Building this house was more of like feeling where you went as you started working with it, you know, the material and just playing it from there," said one Placitas hippie interviewed in this book. "...It's like three dimensional sculpturing, you know, we just got into building a house out here that's like jewelry. ...OK, let me put it this way, the inspiration like as we move along through it, like I found it in [Stanley Kubrick's film] 2001, where the dude had finally split out of the satellite and was heading towards Jupiter, just as he was coming in, what they had done was they had used different types of film, infrared for one, and just taken a plane and flown over Grand Canyon at a high speed, low, what is created you know, is in some respects synonymous to what the house is, you know, and certainly our cell structure in our body is synonymous with that...."
As you can probably tell, this is not "Better Homes and Gardens" or even "MTV Cribs." It's "Shelter," and it's a trip.

I studied architecture in Australia and dragged my feet through the course. That is until a mate suggested I check out this book.
It liberated me.

Here was a bunch of common folk who met one of the most basic needs of all humanity - shelter.

So much of what we encounter in our 'western' enlightened age is alien and regulated. The materials that we commonly use in buildings & infrastruture is devoid of any life or connection with the earth. They are not in or close to their natural state. And even if they are, there is so much regulation and stipulation on how we are to use them.

But this book gives you hope, a chance to dream. It shows buildings as art forms, useful & practical but completely expressive of the owners they serve. They are not bound by regulations and conventions. This is craftsmanship not industrialisation. They are made from from natural unrefined materials which in essence connects us to the earth, which we all belong to. From dust we came, to dust we will all return. The beauty of nature is your own home.

This book is filled with ideas and ways in which people have often 'escaped' from the life draining cities to a more peacuful and harmonious way of life. It's superb photo's, hand illustrations and even the way the book is laid out are a freedom in itself. This is one book you will not regret owning and will always find pleasure returning again and again to.

Having not just read this book but personally experienced the transpersonal energy of this rare example of authentically lived higher consciousness, I was a bit dismayed at the one shallow, ignorant and disrespectful review below.

Take it from someone who has gone to considerable lengths to be around seven of the most famous Self-realized spiritual luminaries in the world, including Shree Maa: this one, like any authentic mahatma ("Great Soul"), is capable of effortlessly elevating anyone around her to a variety of exalted states at will. Definitely worth reading about, Shree Maa is far better to actually meet up with -- if you can find her!

P.S. In addition to being a spiritual powerhouse on subtle planes, Shree Maa is (even at her current age) a truly incomparable singer of devotional music -- most notably the works composed by the divinely intoxicated Ramprasad, an early member of Shree Maa's lineage.

Her CD of his songs ("Songs Of Ramprasad") is a remarkable expression of deep feeling and vocal virtuosity. Literally flawless from beginning to end, songs from this collection have been known to "melt rocks", i.e. the hardened hearts of cynical and benighted souls who happen to hear even a few moments of them.

If you want to know what the transported St. Theresa was experiencing while the smiling angel was piercing her heart with an arrow in the famous Bernini sculpture, get thine hands on this inimitable performance (which is not currently carried new by Amazon, but do check occasionally for a bargain used one)....

P.P.S. For background on a *far* more accessible "Mother Divine" embodiment, do read "Amma: Healing the Heart of the World", Amazon/ISBN # 0-68817079X, as well as any of the other books about her, many available used as well as new through Amazon. Amma (the so-called "hugging saint") is another authentic spiritual powerhouse, with her own inimitable flavor of Divine Mother energy -- and this one travels!!

P.P.P.S. The divinely beautiful young woman on the cover of Linda Johnsen's "Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India" (ISBN # 0-93666309X) is none other than Shree Maa! It's well worth acquiring this title for the chapter on her alone; as a bonus, it also contains one on Amma....

This is a good book based on a totally erroneous premise, that Shree Maa is a "saint" or an "enlightened" being and that the path she followed will bring you to enlightenment. This is nothing more than propoganda for the dogma of the salvationistic ascetic world hating Hindu Caste System. If you want to end up a skinny celibate like the author and the so-called enligntened Shree Maa, this is a great path to follow. If you're actually interested in your own enlightenment, and creating anything wonderful in your life, this path is total trash.

This is a very special story about one of India's most beloved saints, written by an American who fully adopted a Hindu path and became Shree Maa's close partner as a spiritual teacher and leader of worship. Written with great respect, Swami Satyananda tells the many stories that have grown up around this Indian incarnation of the Mother Goddess and her complete devotion to God, which she lives out in both deeply joyful worship and in the exquisite care of those around her. Woven into the warmly good humored and inspiring stories are quiet lessons in Hindu philosophy and religion, reflecting Shree Maa's graceful blending of the various Hindu traditions into Oneness. Recollections by American devotees and delightful Sadhu teaching stories complete the volume. A joy of a book! -A.M.

NAPRA Review Vol. 9, No.5

Swami Satyananda's clear, simple style makes the life of an extraordinary person like Shree Maa accessible to the western reader. The fact that this Swami spent his childhood and early adult years in the US allows him to translate the exotic and unusual experiences of an Indian saint into an easy to comprehend, enjoyable reading experience. This book is easily digestible and leaves you with a good feeling, like a delicious vegetarian meal cooked with a lot of love.

I found the author's description of Shree Maa's childhood particularly fascinating. Many of us may have wondered what people like Gandhi, Yogananda, Ramana Maharashi and others were like when they were children. Here Swami Satyananda gives us a rare glimpse into the formative years of a saint.

The advantage of writing a biography about a living saint is that there are so many first hand witnesses to their amazing lives. Throughout this book, both from westerners and easterners who know Shree Maa well, we receive a very personal and touching view of this great soul. The freshness of these stories give this book an unusual exuberance and vitality.

The fact that the Swami has now lived with Shree Maa for twenty years allows him to write, not from the dry perspective of a historian, but from one with intimate direct knowledge of this extraordinary person. Swami's first hand descriptions of meeting and traveling with Shree Maa were particularly illuminating.

The Sadhus stories at the back of the book were reminiscent of Paul Reps classic collection of Zen Buddhist teaching stories Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. These pithy stories are fun and illuminating.

I would recommend this book for all readers who are interested in gaining insight into the ancient wisdom of Hinduism and who want to understand how the enlightened state of mind manifests in a human body.

Steven Newmark, Ph.D. author of Maharaji's Darshan

A very well written account of an indian she saint which arrived at deepest spritual insights and here american friend, who seems to have no problems with year long spritual practices. Both lived the extreme, but in the most noble way. The book inspired me in my own spiritual practice and was a great reading.

Lots of pictures... Lots of history. What I like about it is it covers the range of single actions from the 1800s to present... and not just Colts! I am a fan of the Ruger Single Actions and there is several sections that cover the different calibers and models. Plus Taffin always has a 'story' to tell too! When I want to relax I enjoy just thumbing through this book and rereading a section. Highly recommended.

Pretty good, but for gun enthusiasts like me who read a lot of gun magazines, especially Taffin's articles, there was no new material. If you've been reading Taffin's articles, there's nothing new for you here.

It wasn't quite as good as "Big Bore Handguns" and not nearly as good as "Big Bore Sixguns" which had much more original information.

It's pretty good eye-candy, but I'd recommend it for people who've ALREADY read the other two, above, books and are just craving for more. Even the photos weren't as good as his last two - more like leftover and staged photos.

OR, ESPECIALLY...

If you HAVEN'T read the above two and AREN'T familiar with Taffin's writings and are interested in single-action revolvers, then you'll benefit from this book a LOT.

I hope he, someday, does a "Double-Action Sixguns" book. I'm sure it's just a matter of time.

I found in this book everything I wanted to learn about sixguns. There is a lot of pictures, most in color, some in black and white. Excellent!

From modern sixguns to antiques, the single-volume sourcebook SINGLE ACTION SIXGUNS: THE DEFINITIVE, FULLY ILLUSTRATED REFERENCE WORK covers everything in an illustrated guide and is a 'must' for gun collectors and hobbyists. Color photos appear on every page along with first-person insights on gun purchases, brands, gun tricks, production specs and more. The first-person comments throughout reflect author John Tafflin's in-depth knowledge of these guns and their history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I have many, many books about guns, and this is without a doubt the BEST one that I have ever owned. The illustrations are superb, and Mr. Taffin's style of writing makes you think he is talking to you. I highly recommend this book for anyone that loves the single action revolver, but I have to warn you, it will make you want more and more guns!