Publications Books

Kevin Conner is a gifted man of God endowed with great discernment and wisdom. I buy all of his books and encourage everyone else to add them to their own collections. His books are great tools for any student of the bible and are HIGHLY recommended.

This book is being used in a bible study on "The Covenants of God".
It is very detailed & gives alot of bible verses to refer to. This is a
great study guide...Recommended with a smile.

A great Bible reference tool; every serious Bible student should have this one in their library. The book is a comprehensive look at the major covenants; begining with the Edenic covenant in Genesis and on through to the New Covenant in the New Testament Gospels. I found this book an invaluable study tool.

The book is brilliant. I am using it as the basis for a church bible study and it is really making the folks think. We are looking at the bible in a way some have never considered before with the result that there are people dipping into the bible as they have never done before. It is a challenging book well written in a way that can easily be used to teach others from.

This book was definitely worth reading. It brought clarity to the various covenants in the bible. I particular liked reading the promises and commandments of the New Testament/Covenant. It brought to light for me of how much authority the body of Christ could be walking in through the promises of the New Covenant.

When reading about the covenants in this book, it's like reading a contract of Power. It's an excellent book, very detailed and organized.

More than any other living astrologer, Noel Tyl has wholeheartedly dedicated himself to the comprehensive blending of the very best that psychotherapy and astrology have to offer. His studies with the psychologists Henry A. Murray and Gordon Allport, the sociologist George Homans, the anthropologist Clyde Kluckhohn, and the theologian Paul Tillich have informed and enriched his perspective. His own vast individual experiences as a businessman, as a global traveller, as an artist and performer, and as the facilitator in thousands of therapeutic sessions with his astrological clients bring overwhelming clarity and credibility to everything he does. He never ceases adding value to the discipline of astrology, steadfastly helping it keep pace with the most sophisticated advances in modern humanistic studies. His influence is truly enormous-- it's fair to say that everyone who connects with a competent, knowledgable astrologer today owes Noel Tyl a debt of gratitude, directly or indirectly.

Best of all, Noel Tyl never stops learning and growing, and he has shared the fruits of that ongoing growth in the nearly two dozen books he has authored or edited. In his newest book, The Creative Astrologer, he has expanded his vision of relevant personal astrology to a new, incredibly fulfilling level-- astrology, in his eyes, can immeasurably enrich people's lives as a single-session counseling approach that provides "insight study for self-help assistance," provided that the astrologer approaches this important work with consciousness, compassion, and creativity.

In The Creative Astrologer, Tyl not only presents a convincing case for his view of astrology as a therapeutic tool for personal empowerment; he also provides detailed, step-by-step insights into the counseling process, dramatically illustrating his writing with case studies that make the theory a living reality on the page. There's much in this book on the nuances of communication in an astrological counseling session, with specific guidance on questioning techniques, presentation skills, objectification, creative listening, disclosure, and the like. There are solid, sensible tips on relating to client expressions of anger and depression; on discerning needs, feelings, and coping mechanisms; and on doing the necessary astrological preparation prior to meeting the client.

Above all, this book is a call for astrologers to make creative connections (hence its title!) with clients and their horoscopes. Tyl notes that "the creative astrologer feels good about life, feels that there is a purpose for developmental tension" and can "relate the horoscope to the life being lived by the client." He admonishes astrologers "to look beyond the obvious; to play astro-detective." And throughout his book, he encourages astrologers to be sensitive in paying attention to their clients, to be competent and ethical, and above all, to think. "Together," Tyl says, "astrologer and client achieve insight, rebalance judgment and values, and affect change. And it feels good."

The Creative Astrologer is an important book. It brings clarity, insight, and life-supporting energy to the practice of person-centered astrology. It's a book with a lot of heart. If you're an astrologer, you certainly don't want to pass this one up.

But even if you're not an astrologer yourself, if you personally know or work with an astrologer, don't waste any time. Buy a copy of The Creative Astrologer immediately and then give it to the astrologer of your acquaintance. Your gift will benefit both of you immeasurably!

Other reviews here have explained the content and value of this book very well. I would add only that this work is important to the practicing astrologer because it does show how to focus on key elements of tension within the chart when a client seeks a consultation. Most people seeking astrological counseling for the first time are in some sort of crisis and need affirmation of and help with their experience. Using many examples that are clearly explained, Mr. Tyl does a superb job of showing how to be as effective as possible without wasting time. This work should be in every astrologer's library.

I have recently finished reading "The Creative Astrologer" and must say that Noel Tyl has done it again! His well documented examples of how to relate what is suggested in the horoscope to the client (in terms that anyone and everyone can understand) is first class. The information and insights that he shares regarding the discussion of developmental difficulties which one may face in life are an absolute essential for anyone who is dealing with the psychological interpretation of the horoscope. This book provides the reader with a clear understanding of complex life situations and suggests techniques to effectively deal with them in a single counseling session. Within these pages one is shown, by example, how to work with the client and how to convey information in a clear and concise manner. We are provided with wonderful insights into understanding the significance of the client's body language, tone of voice, mode of dress, etc. The knowledge and wisdom that he shares with the reader is a gift to us all.

This book can be said to be a very useful book for astrological practitioners who want to make the best of limited time for consultation. The title of the book says the "creative" astrologer, since Mr. Tyl believes that neither therapists' credentials (i.e., Ph.D., M.A., and so on) nor experience are not relevant to the effectiveness of therapy.

The aim of this book is to instruct how to conduct an effective counseling and provide numbers of applicable examples. If possible, I recommend you to read Basil Fearrington's "The New Way to Learn Astrology" before reading this book. The author of "The New Way-" is a Mr. Tyl's student, who explains Mr. Tyl's theory very clearly. If you read this book first, you can understand easily theoretical background of "The Creative Astrologer~."

In his creative counseling, Mr. Tyl emphasizes the importance of thinking deeper into parental influences and persistent tendencies that one have been continuing from childhood. In this sense, he takes much of the effects of transiting Saturn's aspects to Angles and to Saturn (7,14,28-30, 35, 42-45, 60 years old) in the natal chart. Also, he put weight on Moon due to its importance in developmental stage. In the late chapter is like a cookbook filled with his "creative" connections among planets and houses.

Although I am not so much interested in the main parts of this book, i.e., case studies of a siingle session and his advice, this book can be of great use for practical use of astrology.

I greatly enjoyed this book, however I do have some reservations about the focus. Mr. Tyl approaches sessions with clients as a type of psychoanalysis which, while certainly valid, has some drawbacks in that it may be too specific.

Tyl is concerned with parental influences and upbringing as well as self-worth feelings in the client. All well and good, but not every person wants to take this approach; some just want to know about their careers and love lives.

The author deals mainly with minor aspects in the natal chart such as the quindecile and downplays major aspects such as the trine and square. He also frequently refers to solar arcs and to his own counseling textbook, which can give one the impression that he subscribes only to his own techniques and dismisses others.

Having said all that, there are great nuggets of infomation here, and I prefer to study Tyl's books and use what works, incorporating it with what I already have learned.

Based on protocols in this book, I devised methods to complete my own experiments. I found the insights contained in the book completely indispensable. The range of topics it contains and the detail with which Freshney explains each point made the process of designing conditions for experiments rational and approachable. I highly recommend this book.

There are not a lot of glossy pretty pictures, which is a good thing for a no-nonsense instruction manual that gets the point across with what pictures it did have. I found it to be a very good complement to my cell culture class. Everything I learned in the lab was put into context nicely.

I purchased this book with a description of like new. I would say this is new. The previous person who used this did not even break in the binder. This is an excellent reference book, I have enjoyed reading the text up to this point.

For many years Freshney's Culture of Animal Cells has been the gold standard of tissue culture reference books. This new edition adds and updates many techniques and continues to be the best book in its area. I use it extensively both for my own research and in teaching classes on tissue culture.

Freshney's Culture of Animal Cells is a great book. It is writen on an easy style, it is concise and complete at the same time and it does teach you all the basics (and a little bit more) of cell culture. When I was doing my masters I didn't have a lot of help with my cell culture experiments and this book was fundamental for my research. The book covers everything, starting from the biology of cultured cells, equipments, design of the lab and asseptic technique and going all the way to primary culture, cloning and selection, cell separation, characterization, differentiation and more. The book (hard cover) is pretty resistant and it easily stands going to the bench (where you surely will be using it a lot). If you are thinking about spending money on a book about cell culture techniques this is the book! Don't think twice.

One of the most famous - and infamous - letters in all of literature, De Profundis is a strange little piece of work: either much more than it appears on the surface, or much less. It is something I think everyone should read, if only for its insight into the human character, particularly that of one under great personal suffering. Wilde wrote this extraordinarily long letter from prison to Lord Alfred Douglas, his friend, lover, and the man who - by all accounts - was the reason Wilde was in jail in the first place. Despite repeated assertions in the first few pages alone to the contrary, Wilde seems reluctant to blame himself. He clearly blames Douglas to the hilt, and harbors a certain bitter resentment towards him. And yet... he clearly still hold much dear affection toward - and even loves - Douglas. He still seems to be asking for forgiveness - despite the fact that, by all accounts hardly excluding his own, he was the man wronged. It is quite clear from reading this letter that, desite the view history holds of him, Wilde was clearly a man of very high moral character. Certainly, one would not put Wilde atop a pedastal as the zenith of ethics - he himself says that morals contain "absolutely nothing" for him, and clearly admits - and is proud of - his having lived the high life to the hilt during his youth - but Wilde was a man of principles, and he stuck to those principles to the tragic, bitter end. Perhaps you might say he carried them too far. One gets the sense in reading this letter - or a biography of Wilde - that, not only could he have stopped his immiment imprisonment, but could have severed his ties with Douglas completely - had he wanted to. Apparently, he had his own utterly compelling reasons for not doing so. Whatever the case, Oscar Wilde is one of the most fundamentally and perpetually interesting characters in the whole of history. A self-described man of paradoxes - Wilde was subsequently the true essence of his time, while also being far ahead of his time - De Profundis makes for required reading by one of the most endlessly fascinating individuals you'll ever read about, and also provides a startling - indeed, perhaps too much so - insight into human nature.

De Profundis, though long for a letter, is not a long work in the conventional sense. Consequently, as many editions of Wilde's collected works are available, buying this on its own may be deemed questionable. I highly reccommend purchasing a Collected Works of Oscar if you have not done so already - it's well worth the price - but, should you desire to have more compact editions of specific works, an edition such as this will be privy to your needs.

This is a very moving account of a heartbroken man who was betrayed by a person he loved dearly. The pain, the trauma, the love, the anger, the frustration is evident in every single well-written sentence. This book is not only a window into the mind of one of the best British writers of the late 19th century. It is also a timeless lesson on what can happen when one falls in love with someone who doesn't truly appreciate what they have before them. Of course there are other lessons to be learned in this book but rather than point them out here, I'd much prefer you pick up a copy of "De Profundis" as soon as you can.

Not actually a "letter," though it had to be originally presented as such for him to be allowed to write it while in prison, *De Profundis* is Wilde's masterpiece--one has to have really lived and really, really suffered to have written it and it's amazing that he achieved it.

I only very recently read it--and "got" it. It rings true to me, and is very, very moving and "profound." It ain't summer beach reading.

Wilde is still and will probably always be best known as a "Personality"--that and the author of a couple of decent period plays, a short novel, a few stories, and lots of forgettable poems and such. But THIS--THIS is IT.

He really WAS a great writer, it turns out, after all.

So many people concentrate on De Profundis' accusations cast towards Alfred Douglas. Yes, it's true that the letter was written to him and that Wilde is ruthless in letting Douglas know exactly what he thinks of him but that's not why De Profundis is a great piece of work. It is great for three reasons. Number one - It contains the best account of the life of Christ. Christ as the romantic artist is the only account that has moved me to tears and the only account I can personally embrace. Number two - it is chock full of the Oscar Wilde voice and wit and as a result it reverbates as a true work of art and number three - It is ultimately a work that celebrates the things in life worth feeling - failure, love, injustice, strength and forgiveness.

Don't waste your time with the accusations towards Douglas. He is unimportant. Oscar Wilde is what's important and De Profundis is Oscar Wilde bare.

Ah, me...one doesn't know which to be more irritated
and exasperated with: whether it be Walt Whitman doing
his dissembling shuck-and-shuffle about the children
he had sired (to throw off a probing, serious John
Addington Symonds) -- or Oscar, in this "j'accuse," which
he should have spoken while looking in a mirror, rather
than writing it on paper to Lord Alfred.
This is without doubt a fascinating, horrifying,
and yet in places humorous, "piece de Miserere mei"
(to combine a bit of French with Latin).
If one chooses to believe Oscar, his only fault
was weakness in "giving in" to Lord Alfred. Oh,
come now. Blinded by Eros, reason flies out the
door...if ever reason was in control. There are
some sentences which are devastatingly revealing,
but Oscar doesn't seem to see it. "The trivial in
thought and action is charming. I had made it
the keystone of a very brilliant philosophy expressed
in plays and paradoxes." Ye gods, and little fishes!

And this man dared to call himself a "Classicist?!"
Yikes!!!
The best exercise for the reader is to just take
many of the things which Oscar accuses Lord Alfred
of, and turn them toward the self-blind, self-
justifying Oscar, to see their devastating hitting
of the mark. Never having met the young man, but
only having the "benefit" of hearsay (mostly from
Oscar's literary defenders) Lord Alfred seems to have
been calculating, temperamental (using anger to get
his way), manipulative, etc., etc., etc. The best
description of him may be Wilde's referring to him
with the lines from Aeschylus' play AGAMEMNON,
about the lion cub being raised in a house and
being let loose to wreak havoc and ruin.
But Oscar bears his share of blame -- more than just
that of the "sin" of weakness which he constantly falls
back upon in his own justification. Even in the midst
of what purports to be some sort of penitent cry from
the depths of hell...Oscar still is ever the poseur:
"And I remember that afternoon, as I was in the railway
carriage whirling up to Paris, thinking what an impossible,
terrible, utterly wrong state my life had got into, when
I, a man of world-wide reputation, was actually forced
to run away from England, in order to try and get rid
of a friendship that was entirely destructive of everything
fine in me either from the intellectual or ethical point
of view...." Er, when was the last time that the
"everything fine" had last seen the light of day?
Was Oscar an "Artist," as he consistently claims?
Was he the wronged, harmed Artist? Perhaps only the
reader can decide that for himself. Without doubt
he was witty, acerbic, funny, cute, clever, perhaps
even charming (to some -- sort of like a Pillsbury
Dough Boy with flair and a clever tongue), perhaps
stylish (in a frumpy, velveteen sort of way). Was
he wronged by a predatory clinger and manipulator,
and a hypocritical social prudery and class power
play (Oscar is no Socrates--that's for sure!)? He
hardly seems worthy, in some ways, of being a poster-boy
for Gay Pride parades. More likely, he is a better
warning poster boy for the self-excusing, and never
take-responsibility-for-your-own-actions crowd.
But this is an incredible piece to read and think
about. There is some of it that is mordantly hilarious.

This is a very handy guide, not just for Episcopalians, but for members of any liturgical church, for the Episcopal church does not have a monopoly on many of the things defined herein, but rather shares these with the larger body of Christendom. Granted, there are many things uniquely Episcopalian, but the appeal of this book should not be limited to that audience.

John Wall, the author, and Philippa Goodwin, illustrator, have put together a very handy guide for learning what's what in the church. The vestments worn by bishops, priests, deacons, and other ministers in the liturgy are very specific and almost everything worn has an historical background. Many terms are derived from the Latin, owing to the shared history with the Western Catholic church. Despite the general Anglicanisation of the church, these Latinate terms endured.

In some respects, Anglicans seem to speak a foreign language. First time visitors to the church are often lost, as one must juggle books, learn when to sit, kneel, stand, process, and then listen in as the commentary around them may begin to take the form of a secret medieval code. 'Oops, the acolytes forgot to put out the lavabo again.' 'My, would you look at that tattered tippet? It must always get caught on the sedalia.' 'I was sorry to miss the exsultet, but the curate dropped the cruet in the sacristy, and I couldn't make it back to the narthex for the start of the procession...'

Yes, all of these terms and more are explained in plain English in the alphabetically arranged entries of the dictionary. The illustrations help in terms of vestments, 'furniture' pieces, various postures, and more. The discussion is very practical, more in terms of 'what' than of 'why' - the theological underpinnings are also rarely discussed, as that could take volumes, and goes beyond the scope of this work, which is meant to be a handy reference and easy-to-follow guide for the newcomer, the new acolyte or ministry helper, or the general member of the congregation who wants a bit more understanding of his or her surroundings.

Testament to its popularity, the dictionary has gone through several editions and revisions - the first edition I have is one from the early 1980s, and the latest from 2000, in a wide-book format. A must-have for any Episcopalian, it is also useful for those in other churches. It is also a good reference book to have by Episcopal churches.

John Wall's revised, expanded and updated Dictionary for Episcopalians is the perfect reference for parishioners new and old, a guide for clergy and a must for members of the Vestry. The new and larger format is appealing and Philippa Anderson's illustrations continue to enhance the text. Lloyd Childers, Senior Warden, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Hampstead, NC.

On the surface of things, there might seem something a bit precious about a dictionary that explains "churchy" terms. It smacks of private language and esoteric, self-enclosed culture--two characteristics frequently ascribed to the Episcopal Church. But in fact John Wall's (revised & expanded) dictionary is a gem for at least three reasons. First, it helps the average Episcopalian to get in better touch with his/her tradition. Two thousand years of practice are embedded in the Eucharist and other religious liturgies, and it helps to heighten appreciation and celebration when the richness of that practice is better understood. (The priest's washing of hands is called "lavabo," from the Latin for "I will wash," and dates back at least to Jewish ceremonial ablutions.) Second, any Episcopalian who will ever serve on the altar guild or vestry or as a lay eucharistic minister is going to run across terms that are unfamiliar--paten, pall, centrum, burse, etc. In fact, people in the pew who play no other role in church are likely to be confused at some terms: for example, concelebration, collect, rood, proper. So the dictionary is incredibly helpful from a purely practical perspective. Finally, it's simply very cool to learn that objects in the church and acts in liturgy actually have names: cincture, solemn vs. simple bow, orans position. Believe it or not, this is one dictionary you'll read straight through.

By the way: a dossal is the "large piece of fabric, often decorated with symbols, hung on the wall behind the altar. The term is derived from the Latin word for 'back'" (p 45).

I agree with the reviewers below that this is THE essential book for newcomers to the Episcopal church, or even for lifetime Episcopalians who just never got all those terms straight. Also a great gift for someone's confirmation, or for a wedding where one spouse is an Episcopalian and the other isn't.

The illustrations deserve special mention, too--they're clear, crisp, and elegant. These, and the lovely design of the book, really enhance its gift-giving appropriateness.

I have to say that I loved this book/dictionary. For someone who did not come from a litergical background, this book illuminated so much for me. Every Episcopalian church should have this available for new members.

I just can't wait until I finish reading the entire book before I post this review because this is the best PowerBuilder book I have ever read. This book leads you through the steps on how to develop a distributed PowerBuilder applications. This is a must have and the only book you need to learn how to write DPB applications. Well done, Michael !!

This book cover all aspects of Powerbuilder Distributed components. It is clear, informative, well written and contain many examples. Although covering what is generally considered an advanced topic, this book should be understandable by Powerbuilder beginners. Most technical books covering a product are bad. This is a welcome exception. Overall an excellent book.

This book is very helpful in covering all of the details of building an Distributed PB Application. I recommend it for others to read for it is very helpful and informative.

If you are a Powerbuilder Guru, you must read this book, otherwise you'd take the risk to know less than your apprentices. If you are a novice, you must read it to become a Guru. Don't loose time with me, go to buy one!

Distributed Application Development with PowerBuilder 6 is dedicated to distributed application development in the PowerBuilder environment. It focuses on Distributed PowerBuilder. This text is packed with code samples to guide you every step of the way. Also included is a robust server framework I have used on real-world projects. A "must buy" for anyone preparing to go to the next level of PB development!

I often find that when I return to this book I uncover something that I've forgotten, and this allows me to open up and become softer with my parner.

this book is still relevant.

This book speaks to the co-dependants of the world beautifully. It is an easy read and it makes sense to anyone. I would highly recommend it. Also, if you like this subject check out Pea Meadly Book Facing Co-Dependancy.

Great book. I am still reading and learning! Quick delivery and arrived in great shape!

For me this book is one of the most profound and important books I have ever read about relationships and communication. Although it is written as a book about marital relationships, it has implications for every kind of relationship, and not only intimate or dyadic ones. And, although it is written as a pop psychology book, I think it makes a real contribution to the social-scientific understanding of relationships and communication -- that is, it stands up well as a general model of communication and relationship. I think it is a great book and would be of great value not only to those trying to solve relationship problems but to those wanting to understand the ways in which self and relationship are intertwined in general. It illuminates all of the areas of one's life in which one communicates with others and, as another reader said, can be as valuable for understanding past relationships as for dealing with present ones.

There are three of you in a marriage. YOU, ME and US. All three need to be happy. This book can get you there. It saved our marriage.

As someone else mentioned, this goes in with my George Bridgman books. The terminology is simple, and doesn't get too medical. I really loved the variety of figures used, though I'd love to see more plus sized models in the male side and a more plump female figure.

Sheppard lays out key points in observing how muscles and bones affect the surface anatomy of a figure. It shows you how for example the pelvis shows up and how muscle and fat distribution affects the legs, hips etc.

Sheppard is rather concise and to the point, where many other anatomy books become too technical and you end up getting lost in the details.

The other thing to mention is the price. Bridgman and Sheppard's books are rather inexpensive compared to many other anatomy and figure drawing books out there. This is a definite selling point!

Between the simplified cartoon anatomy books, popular today, and the detailed treatments inspired by medical textbooks, is this fine work. This book is built from the ground up for artists. By focusing on surface anatomy, showing its relation to underlying muscle and bone structure, and then presenting it all with a multitude of useful and expertly done drawings, Sheppard has produced what may be the finest anatomical artist reference.

Most professional artists recommend Bridgeman's works. I don't doubt the usefulness of Bridgeman to a true working professional, but for me, and maybe other amateurs, the concepts in Bridgeman never seem to reveal themselves. Sheppard will be useful the first time you open the book and will certainly clear much of the confusion in figure drawing.

THIS BOOK IS A "MUST HAVE". It is not the only drawing book that you need in your personal library, but it is one of the most essential.

The book includes about seventy well-drawn male and female nude drawings, grouped by type of pose (standing, crouching, twisting, etc.). Each of the seventy poses is drawn three times --
(1) as an annotated finished drawing,
(2) as an annotated (identically sized) skeleton in the same pose, and
(3) as an annotated (identically sized) muscle diagram in the same pose.

The anatomy is at a level of detail designed for the figure-drawing artist, not for the medical illustrator. As such, only those muscles and bones that are significant to a particular pose are labeled, and are described with simplified nomenclature.

I remember complaining to my instructor that I could discern the rib cage in our male model, but not in this rounded-back posed female model. This book is the ideal reference for seeing the support infrastructure in such situations.

Although there are many approaches to figure drawing, understanding the effects that underlying anatomical infrastructure have on surface anatomy is essential to realistic drawing. In addition to this book, you should also have other books in your figure drawing library, that cover croquis, circles & guidelines, tonal masses, planes, gestures, cylinders, lighting, proportions, contours, and other techniques. But Joseph Sheppard's "Drawing the Living Figure" will be your primary anatomical reference.

This book is both useful and economical. It covers male and female nudes in different positions and angles (3/4, side, frontal).

Excellent book.Draving are fantastic and informative.I just bought the book and would recommend it to everyone who needs help in drawing a human figure.

Although some reviewers list this book as over 500 pages, it is actually only 144 (see Amazon's Book Description). It has excellent illustrations, however, there is very little text. The introduction is approximately 15 pages and each illustration is accompanied by a short paragraph of text. If you are searching for visuals this is definately a good choice. However, if you are looking for information you may want to purchase an additional book (or different book). I am a art history student looking to broaden my knowledge of Egytian art and this is a great first step for those looking to do the same.

Wonderful Book
This book is a gorgeous and lavish catalogue of selected, exquisite, and little-known works of Egyptian art dating from the Old-Kingdom. I truly love it, and I recommend it to anyone interested in ancient art. I particularly loved the special devotion to fragments of statues and small works of art not usually seen, but as beautiful if not more pronounced than the usual art seen in other books. An masterpiece of art in itself.

You don't have to be an Egyptologist to appreciate the exhaustive research that went into the compilation of this catalogue that accompanieD a blockbuster exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The amazing work of Old Kingdom (c.2650 - 2150 B.C.E.) artists is splendidly displayed on glossy fact filled pages.

The aim of the book is to capture the many artifacts of the old kingdom. in this regard, its aim is not to be informative by being detailed on the old kingdom history - there are many books which attempt to do this.

having stated the aim of the book, i should judge it on the quality of the pictures: they are superb!! one of the best pictures i have seen, especially considering that they are indoor pictures! the grain is non-visible, this makes a difference for such a relatively pricy book.

Many of the pictures fill the whole page and this creates a striking image! It is a great buy if you want to collect good pictures on egypt!

One minor disappointment is that they omitted some of the most interesting pictures or artifacts of the old kingdom, which you find in other books. For example and most importantly the bas relief of king djoser at the ny metropolitan museum. yet, i probably know why..

This magnificent volume devoted to the approximate 500 years that made up Egypt's Old Kingdom period(2649-2150 B.C.), is truly unsurpassed in information and artifacts that were brought together from collections in Egypt, France, Italy, Britain, the United States and elsewhere for a unique travelling exhibition titled: "Egyptian Art In The Age Of The Pyramids". As a lover of all things to do with Ancient Egypt I was amazed by this wonderful work that had as its focus not the frequently photographed treasures of Tutankhamen or the Valley of the Kings but instead on this much earlier period of Egyptian history that saw some of Egypt's most wonderous works of art and building accomplished.

For those not able to see the exhibition this book is a wonderful guide and source of information that can be enjoyed by people just developing an interest in early Egypt and also by those with a fairly advanced knowledge of this civilisation and its wonders. I was amazed by the terrific attention to detail and especially by the fact that many of the items featured have not been widely seen or examined in detail before. The volume begins with some detailed maps of the different regions of Egypt in the Old Kingdom period so that the reader can get a feel for where the various items featured originated from. A brief run down on the six dynasties of the Old Kingdom and their history including the Pharaohs who reigned during them is also included and certainly helps to give the items a proper time frame and place in the overall history of Egypt. The first chapters of the book cover specific areas of interest and vary from a detailed examination of the incredible Step Pyramid of King Djoser through various tombs of officials and court dignitaries to an examination of royal statuary, furniture of the old Kingdom, and the excavations that have taken place at old Kingdom sites. Each of these chapters contain a detailed commentary of the topic under discussion by various world wide experts and each include breathtaking colour and black and white photographs, maps and drawn ilustrations of tomb reliefs and wall paintings. The text in these chapters is clear and concise and easy to follow while still being incredibly informative with much background information included. These chapters really are a great introduction to all facets of cultural and religious life in the Old Kingdom.

The second section of "Egyptian Art In The Age of The Pyramids", deals with each individual artifact that was included in the travelling exhibition. Each item is accompanied by a beautiful colour illustration photographed often against a neutral background for maximum effect and also includes any other available photos that may have been taken when the piece was being excavated or from the site it was found in . Each item also has a detailed description and a background history and includes which dynasty of the Old Kingdom it comes from and who the reigning Pharaoh was at that time. Measurements and the loaning museum are also included to give a very detailed run down on the modern origins of each piece. The marvel of the items as stated is that both well known and quite rare items are included in the volume. We get to see such diversely famous pieces as the blue tile wall decorations from the under ground chambers of the Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser, and the majestic twin statue of Pharaoh Menkaure and his Queen, through to the extremely rare Silver and Turquoise inlaid braclets belonging to Queen Hetep-Heres, the mother of Pharaoh Cheops, and the extremely touching statue of Queen Ankh-Nes-Meryre nursing her young son, the boy Pharaoh Pepi II. Less well known pieces such as vivid wall paintings from some of the nobles tombs, wooden statues of farmers and alabaster vases in the shape of monkeys from unknown sources really bring to life the everyday existence of both the priviledged and the general population during the six dynasties of the Old Kingdom.

As an amateur Egyptologist I would dearly have loved to see this original exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art however having missed that this splendid book is a perfect way to enjoy the wonderful artifacts that were included and to learn in a detailed but user friendly way much about Egypt during the Old Kingdom. "Egyptian Art In The Age Of The Pyramids", is one of the most tresured books in my personal library and I highly recommend it to all readers interested in ancient history and in early Egypt in particular. This volume itself is a true treasure just like all the precious items it so lovingly features in its pages. Enjoy!

I grew up poor (though not as poor as the Presleys). There were 6 people living in a 2-bedroom home. That Elvis slept with his parents (it gets cold in northern Mississippi and Tennessee) doesn't really shock or surprise me.

What does surprise me is that someone like Dee Stanley, who put her own sons in foster care so she could pursue Vernon Presley, would condemn them.

I am also not surprised that Elvis was never able to form a long-lasting relationship with a woman. Most of the women I have read about seemed only interested in what they could get from him. not what they could give to him; a total contrast to his Mother.

I thought Elaine Dundy did a masterful research job. Too bad the history books kids use in school don't usually match this level of research and dedication to facts.

This book is not just about Elvis, it is about poverty and how it shapes people and stays with them throughout their lives.

Buy this book, you will treasure it.

Just loved this book it was fascinating about Gladys and Vernons background. How poor they were and the sadness of the birth of Jesse Garon and Elvis it's to much to tell every Elvis fan needs this book. You will be amazed on how much understanding of the Presley family you will have after reading this book. This is why Elvis had such a kind and gentle way about him and a giving heart it hurts me to know that the people he loved the most used him for there own fame and fortune. All i can say is buy this book you will not be disappointed and you will come to know Elvis a lot better than before it's a must for every Elvis fan.

I've read quite a few books about Elvis and this one is excellent. The author spent a lot of time with people who knew Elvis back then and uncovered some very interesting and heart-warming stories. I learned a lot about his childhood and school days that I hadn't heard before. I'd recommend it for any Elvis fan.

What impressed me most was the account of Elvis' intense, enduring interest in performing beginning at an early age. She cites his participation in school shows, contests and courthouse jamborees, his involvement with entertainer Mississippi Slim, and his 240 mile hitch hike to compete at the Jimmie Rogers Festival. Elvis's association with Bill Black, his first bass player, occurred long before that famous Sun session that produced his first hit. Those who think that Elvis was just a truck driver that lucked up on a record hit are sadly mistaken. Elvis was into the music scene from the get go. He may have been lucky, but like they say, you make your own breaks. He was there, prepared, looking for the opportunity and taking the initiative.

The life of Gladys and her influence on Elvis are well documented. I've read several Elvis books, and none provides a better description. Gladys had her own dreams of stardom which filtered through to Elvis.

The author does a thorough, excellent job of researching and developing her own independent conclusions. For the most part, her logic rings true. In a very few instances, she may infer too much.

The author, Elaine Dundy, not only tells the story of Elvis and his mother, she traces back several generations into the history and psyche of Elvis' ancestors: the Scotch and Irish who settled the Southeast and tamed the Mississippi Delta. Although she is British, her extensive research and comments about post-Civil War Southern society, customs, lifestyle, and mindsets are dead-on. I grew up in the rural Deep South and many of the influences peculiar to the South that Dundy sites in this book were still a part of my mid-20th century experiences.

The reader closes the book with one thought about Gladys (and Vernon) and that is that these two parents loved their son more than life itself and that they simply did the best they could. They were handicapped from the beginning by poverty, ignorance, and also quite possibly genetic pre-dispositions towards depression, obsessive/compulsive disorders, and addictions. It was not uncommon throughout the 19th century and into the 20th that first cousins would marry and have children. The inter-marriages within the Smith and Presley families were pervasive and no doubt exacerbated genetic tendencies.

Gladys' relationship to Elvis was very close in that she put his needs above everything else in her life. She was the only person who could have ever "saved" Elvis from his excesses. But unfortunately, she succumbed to her own drinking habits early on. Once she was gone, his life spiraled out of control.

Elaine Dundy leaves the question unanswered: If Elvis had such a close relationship with Gladys, why wasn't he ever able to form an equally enduring and intimate relationship with a lover? The answer comes from the reader's personal conclusion that the mother-son relationship was close to the point of crippling to Elvis. Just as he reached young adulthood his fabulous success story began. He was stretching out for independence and Gladys figuartively and literally abandoned him -- through death. Elvis was always able to keep the "enduring" part of a relationship going (i.e. he could never let Priscilla go) but his love affairs seemed to mirror his relationship with Gladys in bizarreness, obsessions, and misery.