Publications Books

I must confess I have not read the entire book, the first section called "the preliminaries" is so deep and full of wisdom that I have not gotten past them...it alone is worth the price of the book. I am not a buddhist, but this is deep stuff about how to live and approach conciousness, with the ultimate goal being full awareness. Clearly written, logical, very deep. My highest rec. if you want a spiritual but not dogmatic book, grounded in practical excercises. Contemplative, dynamic, deep.

Having read many books about Tibetan Buddhist principles and meditation techniques, this book is by far one of the best. Wallace writes for the skeptical, intellectual Westerner. Many Buddhist books written by Westerners either use baby talk or are too sirupy. Because of this, I preferred those written by Tibetan teachers - until I came across this book by Wallace.

A. Heinz, Cape Town

This is a well written book that gives you a lot of in depth information about Buddhism. I think a beginner should start with Rahula's What the Buddha Taught. After that, this would be a great choice. However, for those who have some knowledge of Buddhism and want to learn more, as they travel on the path, this is a wonderful book. Buy it. You'll like it.

B. Alan Wallace's Buddhism With An Attitude provides a different type of examination of Buddhist practice which goes beyond meditation advice to focus on the attitudes which typically need adjusting in the search for spiritual harmony. Common Western beliefs which vie with Buddhist attitudes and goals are examined in chapters which tell how to cultivate a special Buddhist awareness.

Realize they are two very different books! If you are looking for something to benefit your practice then "Buddhism with an Attitude" is the way to go. Although repetitive at times, this itself is helpful, and it is written in a more instructional tone. If you feel your practice has fully matured (lucky you) and you are simply interested in a concise, more academic exposition of the seven point mind training, then "The Seven-Point Mind Training" is the one for you. Also, for being more condensed, the "The Seven-Point Mind Training", will be the book you will want to carry around once you are familiar with Lam Rim practice.

California Boomer has layers of meaning, some simple and others bold, and brave. The author gives us so many life lessons, insights, and details, many times overlooked by individuals but ever so important. If you get past the sweet and touching first few stories you'll be pulled into an ever more complex set of people, and at times, almost surreal situations. This book is never dull and will make you think about your own life. I'll be looking for more works by Don Noyes-More. Totally enjoyed this read.

I've waited to write a review until I fully digested what I have read. Boomer is unlike any other biography or time based book I've read before. It is a deeply honest book that demands and commands attention from the reader. There is no place to hide after reading this book, if indeed that is your reaction to raw truth! Boomer hits on many life themes and topics in ways that to me were unexpected. The message at the end is clear and concise yet with an edge of joy mixed with pathos. The second time I read the book I read it backwards, somehow that made the book come doubly alive. If you're into reality reading Boomer will be a great experience.

Sometimes, just sometimes something very good comes in a small package. This 162 page book is just one of those sometimes. "Boomer" is sometimes sweet, sometimes stark and disturbing; a panorama of Boomer California; human vistas and depths.Trust me you'll not read anything near this saga of human emotion, of life at its rawest anywhere! I was deeply drawn into this personal journey and found myself wanting answers to many questions at the end of the book. This is Americana at its personal best. The author's brave and good spirit is an example for us all. "Boomer" will last in your thoughts, it has in mine.

As a media person I found "Boomer" an exceptional work. The book offers a tour de force of the California Boomer years with deeply etched personalities, emotional environments, and political-social life. This book is personal and yet cuts through many topics and insights. Any one story stands on its own, but all the stories together provide exceptional reading. Being in Hollywood media I was interested in the stories about Hollywood personalities, some mentioned by name others renamed (but I knew who the author was writing about). Yet the entire work has given me great pause, reflection and a thankfulness for the author's message. Boomer is a good read.

Totally enjoyed Boomer. It is hard to define a book with so many important parts, so many insights. You can't but be touched by this author's journey through life. Boomer is a collection of stories about the author and the many people of his life. This book is striking in both its softness and then hard hitting, gut wrenching experiences. The book at times seems almost odd for its inclusiveness and acceptance of at times seemingly different insights and life positions. But it all comes together and we are left with a profound message of Life, Love, and Hope. This is more than a California story, it is a story of the human condition; good, bad and inspiring. I believe that Mr.Noyes-More has written a book for us all. Boomer is a book of courage and honesty well worth the time and money.

Bourgeault does a very good job of introducing the practice of Centering Prayer and placing it within the framework of contemplation. She links experience to insight which reveals the tremendous power of this simple yet profound practice.
Bourgeault expands this practice with additional chapters on the practice of the Welcoming Prayer - a means of extending the practice of Centering Prayer to the rest of the day.
Bourgeault begins at the most basic level of explaining the practice of Centering Prayer and then builds upon the profound insight which this practice offers to the world in the 21st century.
Very interesting and accessible!

This book has opened a whole new chapter in my prayer practice. For anyone who wishes to get out of the false self circuit, here is hope.

For those on a spiritual path,Cynthia Bourgeault has given us a book with not only an excellent background in the nature of Centering Prayer, but a book which will inspire us to seek a deepening of our own journey with God. Centering Prayer has been part of a new spiritual searching in the world, and this book will be an important aid to those who want to know how it can help in their own search for deeper life in God's presence.

Simply put, this is the single most helpful volume I've yet run across for participating in "the fellowship of the Godhead," the God-given gift known variously as contemplative or centering prayer. I revisit it again and again in my personal practice, and would recommend that others do the same. John 17 and 1 John 1 come alive in this "wayless way" that Bourgeault suggests. Check it out!

I enjoyed this book very much. The author, Cynthia Borgeault - an Episcopalian priest, reviews aspects of centering prayer, a Christian contemplative practice evolved from Christian monastic practices of the first few centuries A.D. by Fr. Thomas Keating and his monastic colleagues. Fr. Keating is a leader in this form of spirituality and is the author of many of the books related to the practice. Borgeault studied with Fr. Keating, but her "take" on centering prayer is a bit different than Keating's and it provides useful contrast and food for thought... Give it a try, you might like it.

Wallace does an excellent job of refuting the fallacious views inherent in realist and instrumentalist views of reality. In providing a clear alternative, based on the Madhyamika Buddhist position, he has written a book full of new insights well worth reading. Buy it now and take a significant step in making your life happier!!!

As both a physicist and a buddhist, this was the book I've spent years looking for. I must admit that I was turned off by the scary guy on the cover, and my previous readings of assorted new-age fluff. Make no mistake however, this book is rock solid. Dashing to bits our untenable "assumptions" of exactly what reality is (for the concept of reality itself is an idea), we develop a clearer picture of exactly what it means to be human.
With a pertinent selection of quotes and ideas from the western world, Einstein, Poincare, Heisenberg, etc., we can clearly see how we have shaped our world from our worldview into what it has become. In the present age, we are the willing slaves of technology. Just as our cells don't know what we are doing, people spend their lives working to buy toys like cell phones and televisions, and have no idea how they work. Yet, because it is 'scientific', technological advancements are greatly praised and coveted. Meanwhile, intellectual, spiritual, and philosophical advancement is shunned as meaningless.
This book deftly points out taking such a stance reflects complete ignorance, since scientific investigation of the mind or the physical world provides no further understanding of reality, just a better "understanding" of our own ideas. Are we to say we are more advanced than our ancestors because we can relieve ourselves indoors, whereas our ancestors didn't care? Our social advancement, which can be seen as that most critical for our own species, has been left in the dust, in lieu of technological advancement--that all too often poisons us and our planet. How is this the rational course of action?
Although the first 9/10 of this book are right on track, I felt like the final portion, in its attempt to reach a resolution, a reconsciliation of western philosphy with Buddhist philosophy fell short. This may be the point. Wallace seems to want (or as the reader we want and assume that's where he's going) to pull us all out of the pit of buddhist emptiniess dug in the first 19 or so chapters. But, as Wallace points out, neither worldview is right, just 'more or less useful' in various contexts. There is no escape from our essential nature of emptiness and, like Descartes, by the end of the book the reader is left feeling like he can know nothing apart from his own 'existence'. But after having read the book, the reader of course realizes this is just an illusion, a particular spin on consciousness we decide to choose out of infinite number of possible interpretations, interpretations in turn all shaped by our cultures, mores, and environment, a.k.a 'reality'. Choosing Reality is a great book, and who knows how much you will gain by reading it.

Firstly, I must say that it is very difficult to summarize this book in any way. The complexity (and importance) of the material is such that there is no substitute for a direct, mindful read. However, if you are looking for a very worthwhile attempt at summarization, I suggest you read the review by ABC "bb" (I was persuaded to purchase by this review).

Many reviewers have commented that "Choosing Reality" is an "easy read". While I do agree to an extent, it seems necessary to note that these comments are true only in relation to other books of the same nature. Considering the complexity of the subject matter, yes, this book is an easy read. In comparison to most literature, however, this "easy read" statement is perhaps less plausable. My point is this: do not expect this book to be simple (firstly, because it isn't; secondly, because it shouldn't be). This is of double importance if the reader is of a traditional, Western mindset. The content of "Choosing Reality" (especially the latter chapters) takes time to fully absorb. In fact, this book was, for me, the anti-thesis of a 'quick read'. That said, I must say that I enjoyed every long minute of it.

Wallace does a wonderful job showing the flaws in scientific realism and instrumentalism, chronicaling the histories and the theories of each. He then thoroughly explains the comprimise, the middle way, the Buddhist way: a centrist view of reality. While the presentation of the centrist view was invaluable in its own right, the most enjoyable sections of the book came after this presentation. Wallace undertakes the very difficult task of using language to describe how the centrist view can be applied to our lives. Rather than just offering a theory, he describes how the centrist view deals with the mind, the nature of "physical reality", and the illusory "self". The author earnestly argues that the implications of the centrist view are real; implications that will certainly force you to re-evaluate the world you live in. The beauty of this book is that it caters to any audience. There is enough science to make it rational and reasonable; there is enough Buddhism to make it real and applicable. I consider this book of utmost importance to anyone interested in modern physics, Buddhism, the nature of reality, and/or the self.

Finally, I must note that as much as this book is a religious view of science, it is equally (albeit more subtly) a scientific view of religion. As perhaps Wallace's greatest triumph in this book, modern science and religion are shown to be infinintely complimentary, both ultimately striving to understand the same things: the nature of reality and our role in it. To this end, "Choosing Reality" is a must read.

Summary: Wallace makes a valiant attempt to contrast science & Madhyamaka (Buddhist "centrist" philosophy). He fails because of his limitations. He equates physics, science, & scientists (with human flaws), ignores western mysticism, the value of probability/statistics/circumstantial data, & non-behaviorist psychology but has many flaws in his arguments. Still, many of his observations regarding particular scientists & their misunderstanding of analogies vs. reality are correct. Overall, his viewpoint seems (per Jeff Rubin) Orientocentric. More specifically:

This book criticizes science's methods (vs. achievements) via Buddhist Madhyamaka thinking. It also presents meditative techniques & the 3 Immeasurables in the last 2 chapters. However, as a former physicist/systems engineer & a Dzogchen practitioner, I have problems with its': 1) criticisms of science confuse physics & science--even regarding medicine, 2) confuse science & scientists (with human faults/failings)--though many of his criticisms here are valid, 3) the Philosophy of Science (e.g. Sir Karl Popper) ignores Thomas Kuhn's seminal "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" & scientific life cycle of evolving paradigms. General Systems Theory would extend it to religion too: Madhyamaka (p. 148) vs. purportedly more advanced Mahamudra & Dzogchen, 4) it ignores Change Theory whose unfreezing periods explain science at sea amongst conflicting theories (like Soviets in US supermarkets). 5) per the Myers-Briggs, it seems Sensate--the bark vs. the forest (systems approach)--explaining its ambiguity intolerance, criticism of Quantum Mechanics' probability & statistics, & overlooking Set Theory. Its approach is typical Madhyamaka--based on extremes, Exclusive OR, & a binary assumption (black or white rather than shades of gray--let alone multi-colored). About 100 years ago, Mipham noted this flaw in Madhyamaka philosophical arguments.

There's a major flaw of uni-epistemological systems e.g. philosophy (based only on Rationalism=logic) vs. science's bi-epistemological system--adding Empiricism (data) to create a feedback loop/self-regulating system; thus, science doesn't investigate angels dancing on pin-heads. Other errors include: discounting 2nd hand/circumstantial evidence & iterative/interactive processes (see TV show "House's" iterative, circumstantial diagnoses), overgeneralizations, misunderstanding of analogies (words, models, metaphors--with error factors/partial truths) vs. assumptions, violations of Non-Allness...While a mind set effects one's perceptions, it doesn't totally control them (p. 101, Bruner's quote "unspecifiable degree")--a person wearing sunglasses isn't blind--esp. if properly trained, or there'd be no new paradigms or breakthroughs. It's a matter of degree, not an all or nothing per his p. 128 "whole or parts" analysis approach (ignoring synergy, functionality, & dictionaries). Models are inaccurate but most have referents in nature vs. p. 98. Per Knowledge Management, context is necessary for knowledge--IMHO this includes Levels of Abstraction--the cause of most so-called paradoxes.

Psychology herein is "radical behaviorists" overlooking Freud, Jung, Maslow, Psychology & Buddhism books. Prior to or same year (1996) as this book was originally published (but ignored herein):
Daisetz T. Suzuki, Erich Fromm, & Richard De Martino Zen Buddhism & Psychoanalysis Harper 1960
Alan W. Watts--Psychotherapy East & West, Ballantine NY 1961
Tarthang Tulku--Reflections of Mind, Dharma Pubs, Berkeley CA 1975
Nathan Katz--Buddhist and Western Psychology, Boulder, Prajna Press, 1983
Howard Coward--Jung and Eastern Thought, SUNY 1985
J. Marvin Spiegelman & Mokusen Miyuki--Buddhism & Jungian Psychology, Phoenix Falcon Press 1987
Thubten Chodron--Open Heart, Clear Mind, Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1990
John Suler--Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Eastern Thought, 1993
Mark Epstein--Thoughts without a Thinker, NY Basic Books, 1995
Hayao Kawai--Buddhism and the Art of Psychotherapy, Texas A&M University Press College Station 1996
Daniel J. Meckel & Robert L. Moore--Self & Liberation: The Jung--Buddhist Dialogue, Paulist Press
Jeffrey Rubin--Psychotherapy and Buddhism: Toward an Integration, Plenum Press, NY

Additionally, Western mysticism (e.g. the Rosicrucian Order, Theosophists, Sufis, Kabbalists (e.g. Aryeh Kaplan's trilogy on Jewish Meditation)) are ignored, incorrectly implying a lack of Western contemplatives.

For more specific errors, see pp. 73, 90, 157, 158, & 201. For example, he takes figures of speech literally on p. 158. Maybe it's my work in physics & engineering, but would anyone really think that by mixing equal quantities of 40 & 50 degree water you'd get 90 degree water? Be serious. By the way, p. 201 is wrong: some Tibetan Buddhists use intoxicants ceremonially. This book is an early attempt to contrast physics & gradualist Tibetan Buddhism--an ambitious attempt--but flawed & invalid.. Just because you can't use a yardstick to measure molecules doesn't mean there aren't any molecules. Rather, there aren't any molecules because the concept of molecules is an artificial analogy created to improve understanding and, especially, to facilitate communications between/among people. As an engineer, I like black boxes--like Dr. House, they make my day--puzzles can be fun!

This book is fantastic. As an engineer, I understand the concept of a model. A model is only as good as the application it is used for. Unfortunately, I think some scientists and physicists, most teachers and all media have gotten the concept of the model confused with true reality. Just because a system that accurately describes the working of physical reality works well (using concepts such as atoms, molecules, electrons, and nuclei) does not mean that this is what reality actually is. Science and physics is a model of reality, not reality itself!
For those delving deep into meditation, for those looking for those deeply entrenched assumptions of science, mathematics and medicine this book is a must.

Very comforting with knowledge that Christ is the creator of the life that lives within the pregnant woman. Very helpful information to aide the pregnant couple in their journey thru labor & delivery.

The author of this book does a phenomenal job capturing and explaining the essence of Christian childbirth, in a manner useful and relevant to life in today's society. The concept of Christian childbirth infuses the message of Romans 12:2 into a world where childbirth has been culturally twisted from the blessed miracle of life into a medical event tainted by fear and distrust. Parents are called to renew their minds through God's word, restoring faith in the process created by God to bring forth new life. While fostering both medically and scripturally informed decision-making, the book guides the reader through the creation of a new family, from trusting God's will before conception, to prenatal communication and pregnancy stewardship, to the labor process and the physiological effects fear has upon it. It also provides the expectant couple with extensive practical information and scriptural encouragement for labor.
This is a vital guide for bringing spirituality back into birth and reinstating the wonder of its divine design. With a sensitivity rarely seen elsewhere, attention is given to such important topics as a father's valuable presence at the birth, and the profound effects of caregivers' attitudes and postpartum depression upon the well being of a new family. With the helpful addition of resources such as Bible study guides, beautiful birth testimonies, an explanation of salvation, and even her own faith statement, author Kelly Townsend addresses all the essentials!

I have really enjoyed reading and learning so much from this book. After reading it I have so much more confidence in myself in having a natural childbirth. My husband has really enjoyed it too. I hope others feel the same way.

I am Founder of Blessing God's Way - a ministry that focuses on the blessing of children as well as our other God-given cycles... and I have sold Mrs. Townsend's book for the last 4 years when I do confernces and hold birth related meetings. This book was so helpful to me, personally, with my 5th pregnancy and delivery - I am so grateful for her constant advice to take my thoughts captive and focus on God's goodness and the work of Christ for us and our salvation. I used her ideas, her techniques for focusing and found them to be most helpful in keeping my eyes upon Jesus during my pushing stage. I tell women now, "God doesn't leave the building, so to speak, during the last stage of labor" and then I direct them to Christ Centered Childbirth to understand how I can say such a statement!
Women need to be encouraged, supported and exhorted during this time in their lives. This book is a practical tool in doing so. I am grateful for her ablility to put this great knowledge in book form to share with so many other women, helping create a better birthing world for us all.

I definitely appreciate that this book was christ-centered and not "new-ageish" like most of the birthing books I have found. That said, it wasn't as good as I had hoped based on the other 5-star reviews. I had expected more nitty-gritty how-to info for during labor. In actuality, I found that it presented a lot of basic info on childbirth that I already knew and less christ-centered coping techniques. I am a born-again Christian, but I was a little bit weirded out by the part asking you to write down ways that you can assure that you won't be rude or inconsiderate to anyone at the hospital while you're in labor. Rudeness is clearly never something to be carried out by a Christian and should be a non-thought. When you're in transition and getting ready to push the baby out, though, I cannot imaging referring to your list of strategies about how to not be rude and thinking them over, etc. Your focus will be on getting the baby out and not much else!

As many have already said, this book is fantastic. Not only does it cover a WIDE variety of information and topics but it also gets into the why of magick as well as the how. The author rights in both an intelligent yet somewhat casual and even entertaining manner at times and thusly manages to keep your attention throughout the book.
The only real quibbles I had were some of the correspondences in the index, in particular with the elemental rulership of the seven traditional planets. All in all, though, this is a very refreshing, informative, and invaluable tool that will help both the "armchair" and practicing magician, as well as anyone who just wants to read up on the subject and get a good comprehensive overview of Western occultism. I DEFINITELY recommend getting this book in conjunction with Donal Kraig's Modern Magick.

I'm just here to enforce the 5 star ratings that the other reviewers gave. This book along with Dave Griffin's "Ritual Magic Manual" are the few books that actually give us "step by step" instruction in PRACTICAL Golden Dawn Ritual Magick. Dave's book is for those that have time and patience for longer rituals (but it's still great) but this book has simpler, less time consuming rituals (but just as potent). In one email correspondence I had with the author J.M. Greer, he said that this (simplicity) is what he intended, and I'm glad he did because if I'm in a hurry and want to do a working then I can turn to this one and STILL do magick that's in-line with the Golden Dawn current!

This with "Paths of Wisdom" form a 'dynamic duo' in top notch cabalistic magick!!!

I highly recommend this author to seekers of wisdom!

This is a great book, it will become a Golden Dawn classic. Highly recommended reading after Israel Regardie, Pat Zalewski and Chic & Sandra Tabatha Cicero. Much needed for todays student of the GD.

Written by a true practicing magician, Circles of Power is a marvelous modern occult text full of practical advice and formulae based on the Golden Dawn tradition, founded on Cabalistic Magick.

Greer synthesizes the Golden Dawn system concisely and clearly into an outstanding modern Magickal Manual. It compares favorably to, if not better than, Kraig's Modern Magick or Frater U.D.'s High Magick, two excellent similar books.

Like those other books on Ceremonial Magick, Greer covers the basics from theory to practice and offers exercises to learn the systems. Unlike other books, however, he doesn't stop his book and suggest that you commit a month to some exercise before turning a page. Though regular work and experimentation will reward the practitioner, it's refreshing not to be asked by an author to stop reading a book in the middle of it.

Greer's excellent writing offers the reader no-nonsense, straight forward instruction like a well written text book. Never is the reader in doubt as to the writer's genuine knowledge of the material.

Greer's commitment to excellence is shown in his choice to edit out all the Enochian elements from the Golden Dawn Rituals he's presenting. Rather than just parrot what others have said, (including the GD itself), he refrains because he feels his understanding and experience of that part off the work is inadequate. The removal of these elements, by the way, detracts nothing from the rituals and work he presents. He substitutes Cabalistic elements skillfully and effectively in their stead. (I personally like the Enochian system and hope Greer eventaully delves into it and shares his insights.)

The weakest part of the book is Llewellyn's publishing. Give them points for including an index, but, considering how excellent this book is, Llewellyn's decision to use pulp acid paper is tantamount to a crime. No one who reads this book, no practicing magician at any rate, would ever consider it disposable, but it will yellow and crumble over time. This is a sad state when one considers the publisher's short print runs and thinks how sought after this book will be in the second hand market when it falls out of print.

My advice; if you're new the art, or old to the art, or interested in the least, you should buy this book. It's excellent. Like Greer's other book in this series, Paths of Wisdom, Circles of Power is destined to be a classic. Buy it now while you can still afford it.

Probably Greer's best work to date. I have to say I'm a fan of Greer's even though I have disliked a couple of his other works but this book should be read and studied by those who're interested in working ritual magic. I say should be because every ceremonial magical text is generally suggested to be obtained and read by the novice if you take a look at the average website on this topic. Sadly though many of those sites don't mention this book and I'm not sure why.

The book is from a straightforward Golden Dawn approach to the Western Mystery Tradition & ritual magic. Oh I hear the groans now but let me say that the rites are pared down to their core and stripped of all that ballyhoo traditionally associated with the G.: D.: material! That alone is worth the time to read thru this manual. Also like Kraig's

"Modern Magick", "Circles of Power" is intended to be a manual used by the solitary practitioner though it can be adapted easily enough for group workings.

Is there anything in here that's not covered elsewhere? Not really and yet he does touch on some interesting aspects regarding the Telesmatic Imagery techniques usually only mentioned in other works. Also he does a nice job of explaining the rituals and why they're used instead of just saying "practice this three times a day for the next two years" and leave it at that.

One of the best things about this book is the simple language the author uses to express his views and understanding of the subject which in most cases one has to really struggle at first to get the gist of. Not so here. For instance, on page 109 under the heading of "Contemplation" Greer writes: "The central factor in contemplation, and the only aspect of it that can be called a 'technique' at all, is bare intention." Nicely said. Now if you read Israel Regardie's book on the Golden Dawn, it's not written as simply as that. Why? The style evoked by Regardie - and sadly other ceremonial magical authors - is one of the snooty scholar. "Either keep up with me or give it up" tends to be their way of weeding out those who aren't worthy of the "many petaled lotus". For a novice student, Greer's simple language is a God-send. Had I had this book back in 1988 when I started my inquiries into Ritual Magic and G.: D.: material, I think I'd have made a lot more progress.

One thing I wasn't happy about is the lack of detailed analysis of the Sephiroth's correspondences. For instance there's no mention of the scents listed for each sephira. So if you had only this book at your disposal, you wouldn't know that tobacco is the traditional scent used for the sephira of Geburah. I have to wonder if the author's intention was to use this book in conjunction with say Regardie's "Golden Dawn" manual.

Another oddity offered in the book is the line drawing of the magical sword. On page 206 a trident is shown but it is referred to as a sword. Why I haven't a clue. Perhaps the company made an error in line drawings, I don't know. The trident is normally used in ritual magic and is rarely mentioned outside of the Solomonic grimoires so its inclusion here leaves a mystery to be answered by the author.

In the chapter about Evocation under the heading of "Dealing With Spirits", the author provides some excellent advice on dealing with the Spirits. Pages 243-247 should be read several times before the novice runs off casting his circle of power to summon the Spirits of Riches and Wealth. Mind you Greer does not give you duck billed platitudes on ethics unlike some of the other authors on this subject, rather he gives you some good, solid, clear ideas to think about regarding dealing with the Spirits themselves.

Finally I give him five stars on this effort. This is a subject that is very difficult to digest into one simplified work as this but Greer has made some strides doing so. I highly recommend this book to all who're interested in the subjects of Ritual Magic, Evocation or the Golden Dawn.

The other reviewers have already done a terrific job describing the content. I'll just add that while a profesional/accademic mathematician might find this book a bit informal, as an amateur I really appreciate its appeal to intuition and the author's tendency to review the meaning of terminology for a few of it's subsequent uses immediately following it's introduction. Not a difficult read, but a working knowledge of calculus for one variable is prerequisite. Seems to be out of print as of this date -- I've had good luck with used book purchases through Amazon marketplace from dealers with positive ratings better than 95%.

Check this sentence from the preface:

"The Cauchy Integral Theorem is thereby an easy consequence of Green's Theorem and the Cauchy-Riemann equations. Goursat's remarkable deepening of the Integral Theorem is discussed, but is not proved."

Such an upfront motivation of physicality in Complex Variables or Analysis is more than a rare find, it can only be justly defined as heavensent. A gift from the gods! This miraculous text absolutely deserves its many 5 star reviews. (other readers should still figure out the previous text that has an even clearer presenation of the physical foundations than Flanigan [to think i gave it 3 stars!])

Perhaps the most Physically Intuitive text on Complex Variables Ever (here's the first full paragraph): "We examine the the geography of the xy-plane. Some of this will be familiar from basic calculus (for example, distance between points), some may be new to you (for example, the important notion of 'domain'). We must also consider curves in the plane."

Flanigan's book starts at the beginning, and it covers some central aspects of complex function theory, elementary geometry, harmonic and analytic functions.

The central topics are (in this order) calculus and geometry of the plane, harmonic functions, complex numbers, integrals, power series and analytic functions, and the standard Cauchy-and residue theorems, ending with a brief chapter on conformal mappings.

The book was published first in 1972, but reprinted since by Dover. It is suitable as a text or as a supplement in a standard course in complex function theory, late undergraduate level, or beginning graduate. While it contains the standard elements in such a course, we note that a systematic treatment of power series comes relatively late, in Chapter 5, beginning on page 194. Some readers might want to begin with that. Flanigan concludes with the Riemann mapping theorem.

Of other Dover titles on the same subject we recommend the books by Volkovyskii et al, Schwerdtfeger, and Silverman. Review by Palle Jorgensen, August 5, 2006.

The two basic facts about analytic functions are these: they satisfy the Cauchy-Riemann equations and they are conformal. These are two lanes of a two way street between complex function theory and potential theory. The Cauchy-Riemann equations imply that the real and imaginary part of the function are conjugate harmonic functions. Harmonic functions are functions that satisfy the Laplace equation, and they thus describe steady-state heat flows and such. So facts about heat flows translate into facts about analytic functions. For instance, if no heat is generated inside a circle then the temperature at some interior point will be some sort of smeared out average of the temperatures along the circumference, so the maximum temperature in the disc must be somewhere on the boundary. This carries over to analytic functions: the maximum of the modulus of an analytic function on a disc must be attained on the boundary, and, if the function is never zero we can invert it and find that the minimum of the modulus must be attained on the boundary. And from here we obtain a quick and easy proof of the fundamental theorem of algebra: if a polynomial is never zero the minimum of its modulus on a disc must be attained on the boundary, but as the disc is taken larger and larger, the modulus on the boundary of course goes to infinity. QED. Thus we have a sort of physical proof of a very formal mathematical theorem. And there's plenty more where that came from. Integrating along a closed loop sort of corresponds to integrating the heat flux across the boundary, and poles correspond to heat sources, so if there are no poles inside the loop the influx and the outflux will be equal and the integral will be zero, and in general the net flux will be determined by the strength of the sources (i.e. residues of the poles). All this because the Cauchy-Riemann equations turned analytic functions into physics. But we promised a two way street, although admittedly there is less traffic in the opposite direction (flows around obstacles could have evened the score but are omitted). The key here is that harmonic functions are conformally invariant, and analytic functions are conformal, so an analytic function applied to a harmonic function produces a new harmonic function. An indication of the usefulness of this fact is this: the Dirichlet problem for the disc is easily solved by the Poisson formula but remains hard for a general domain, but because any domain can be mapped to a circle by an analytic function we can, in principle, solve the general problem by simply mapping the circle solution to our new domain. In conclusion, we very much applaud the idea of a harmonic function approach to analytic functions, but we also feel that this book is a bit stiff and does not sufficiently exploit the power of the intuitive and geometric ideas involved; we strongly recommend Needham's wonderful book for these aspects.

Just like finding two solutions for the same problem gives additional insight, Flannigan was able to give me an additional insight to the whole subject of complex analysis with his approach that is drasticly different from any other book on the subject I know.

Used this book during Mathematics Ph.D. studies to prepare for a preliminary exam in complex analysis. The unorthodox approach helped me get another angle of the subject. In particular I would note the introduction of harmonic functions before analytic functions and using "real analysis" techniques to prove "complex analysis" theorems like the maximum principal and the Liouville theorem for harmonic functions. Before the number "i" is even introduced, you already know these theorems for analytic functions once you define them as a pair of harmonic ones.

The student friendly tone of the author was a blessed interchange from the standard graduate books like Ahlfors, and for a fraction of the cost, it makes a wonderful buy for a self study book for the complex Ph.D. exam.

I would not assign it as the course book for undergraduate students taking a first course in complex analysis (which is what it is intedned for) though. It would be frustrating for a student to ponder through Green's theorem and real analysis material, which is by no means introductory, for 100 pages or so, when what he or she needs and/or wants to be doing is to deal with the algebra and geometry of complex numbers.

Overall, an awsome book if you already tasted the subject and want to get a better feel for it. If it's your first time, stick with the traditional books.

This is such a great book. I really enjoyed reading it. It tells Buddy, Ritchie and J.P.'s story in a very interesting and easy to follow book. I would recommend this book to any Buddy fan. Five stars!

This is a great book. I have always been interested in "The day the music died" I had read several books and magazine articles about Buddy Holly's life but there was little in the way of the actual Winter Dance Party or the other musicians. I purchased this book and was shocked at how well and detailed the accounts of the musicians lives and the aftermath of the plane crash was. Larry Lehmer did an excelent job and should be commended on telling the truth not just what Buddy Holly's widow wanted or others who are wanting to cover the truth about what life was really like for all those involved. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in rock and roll, Buddy Holly or just 50's style music.

This book is great because it not only tells of the careers of those involved in the Winter Party Tour, but also tells details leading up the crash (including stops in many small towns along the way). It was quite informative.
Buddy Holly is the best known,yet most elusive and enigmatic of all Rock 'n' Roll legends.This man was a genius.The way he constructed his songs was sensational.

The initial first run of this great book was not around very long and people have been begging since for a reprint and here it is! This one is hard to put down, it is intriguing, informative and FACTUAL, which most Buddy book are not (avoid the Amburn book at all costs). What is particularily nice is that it features a great deal of updated info about the last tour & crash, info about Roger Peterson, and a good deal about Ritchie & The Bopper that usually doesn't get included. Lehmer talks to people that were at the shows, helped with the Tour, etc. No wild theories here, just the facts. Top notch in every regard. You see any bad reviews here? 'Nuff said!

Larry Lehmer has crafted one of the better journalistic books about a historical rock 'n' roll event. He brings a newspaperman's observations and senses to the project, which connects all the dots in the tragic last tour for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. "The Day the Music Died" is not only entertaining -- somber and occasionally macabre in appropriate moments, and humorous elsewhere -- but it describes the days and weeks leading up to the tragic crash in Clear Lake through the eyes of people who were there. In each case, he paints a vivid portrait of a fallen star, making their stories all the more tragic. To read this book is to understand how American rock 'n' roll evolved from its early, innocent roots toward the fragmented, even chaotic market it encompasses today. I highyl recommend this book.

Bought to give to a friend. I lost a child and was looking for a book to help her. It was full of helfpul ways to deal with grief.

The author has the ability to perfectly verbalize the feelings which, up to now, were just that, feelings. Its been 30 years since our son's death and we still cried from time to time but didn't know why. Now we rejoice in our tears.

Elaine Stillwell, mother of two young adults killed in a car accident 15 years, ago has spent many years since as the Bereavement Coordinator of the Diocese of Rockville Center, N.Y. In Death of a Child she offers support and advice to parents dealing with the whole spectrum of loss: children who die suddenly, after extended illness, before or soon after birth, and even death that involves war on terrorism. Topics include anger with God, communicating with a spouse, voicing emotions, and coping with holidays and anniversaries. Stillwell does a good job addressing specific issues for each of these losses.

This book is filled with insight,practical advice, and inspiration. I think it will help me be a better friend to my friends who have just suffered this terrible loss.

This is an amazing book that says everything I am currently feeling after the death of my 16 month old son in April 2004. She has a wonderful ability to cut to the heart of the matter- the insensitive comments from others, the unbearable-ness of your loss. Yet she offers hope for the future. She knows the second most horrible thing would be to have others forget your child, and offers ways to lovingly keep their song alive. My favorite part was the simple prayer she offers, those who have read the book know which one. The one that starts, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do, etc. Thank you Elaine for those five minutes of healing laughter. If you have to read this book, I am sorry for you, and I hope it helps you as much as it did me.

Destined for the Throne is one of the best books on prayer I have ever read. I have shared mine and recommended it to others. It has enriched my prayer life. I appreciate this book.

This book has enlightened me in a way that has surpassed all my expectations.Billheimer has scripturally addressed the role of the Christian in this world of ours as no other book has done in my experience. If you feel that your Christian walk needs some resusitation I would strongly encourage you to pick this one up and chew on the many insights found within its pages.

In the preface of the book the author states, "The author feels that many of the insights were given him by the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Word." ...to this I could not agree more. Outside of the Bible, this was one of the most enlightening books (if not the most) I have ever read concerning SO MANY vital aspects of a Christian's walk with God. In a nutshell, the author shows the significance of Christians as the Bride of Christ and the victory that they and/or the church have been given over the enemy due to Jesus' death and resurrection. As well, he vividly and Biblically shows the power of prayer and praise in ways I had never considered. There are so many "gold nuggets" in this book!! I really can't say enough about it. It is very deep and PROFOUND but yet easy to understand. You must read it and I am confident you WILL be changed.

In Chapter 5, "The Legal Basis of the Authority of the Church," Billheimer writes, "To the world at large and to many believers, Calvary appears as a defeat. In spite of our professed faith, many of us are hounded with the sneaking suspicion that Satan was, after all, the victor there. An examination of the forensic aspects (legal phases) of the conflict between Christ and Satan proves conclusively the triumph of the Crucified. The legal aspect of that victory is the theme of this chapter." The problem with Billheimer's statement is that any "examination of the forensic aspects (legal phases) of the conflict between Christ and Satan" is irrelevant - a total waste of time. Why? Because it is meaningless from God's perspective - the Bible itself states nothing concerning any "forensic aspects" of Calvary, it gives over no space whatsoever to that consideration. Is it recorded in Acts that the disciples went about declaring that God had won a "great legal victory over the enemy"? Of course not. Instead, they declared, "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact." (Acts 2:32). From God's perspective, the death and resurrection of His Son were of primary importance, not any "legal victory." Why? To answer that, let us continue our examination of what Billheimer writes.

"In order to understand what happened at Calvary, one must first comprehend what took place legally in the fall in Eden." Unfortunately, again we are getting off entirely on the wrong foot here, but let us continue for the sake of discussion, primarily because what Billheimer writes reflects wrong thinking in the church that has been going on for many hundreds of years - thinking that falls into the context of the "tradition of men" the apostle Paul warned about in Col 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."

"Man was originally made for authority (No, he was made for relationship, from which "authority" derives. Matt. 22:36-39 & John 13:34). He was created and fashioned for dominion. When he came from the hand of God he was given rulership of the earth, the kingship of its life, and the control and mastery of its resources......The entire universe is governed by law (by God, actually - Hebr. 1:3; Col 1:17). Redemption from beginning to end is based upon a system of divine jurisprudence. It has a legal foundation. (The Bible says nothing about 'divine jurisprudence' or about any 'legal foundation' - but it has much to say about God's wondrous love - John 3:16) God's grant of authority and dominion over the earth to man was a bona fide gift. This authority and dominion became legally his. What he did with it was his own responsibility. (Actually, 'Dominionship' biblically involves stewardship and accountability to God. Matt. 25:14-30 - God never gives up His own sovereign control over His creation.) If, so to speak, he 'fumbled the ball' and lost it, God could not lawfully step in and repossess it for him. Without doubt, Omnipotence had the power to void Satan's conquest of Adam and his heritage, but this would have violated His own moral principles of government. If God had gone over man's head and forcibly repossessed the title to the earth from Satan, that would have been without due process of law." (It is really very hard for me to believe that any 'Bible scholar' would be capable of such sloppy thinking as this, but as I said this is representative of thinking that has been expressed for hundreds of years. I had the privilege of visiting Paul Billheimer and his wife in their home in the '70s before they went to be with the Lord, and greatly enjoyed their hospitality. I respect Paul Billheimer, but what he has written here is not supported by the Bible. We know that Adam did 'fumble the ball' - though it would be more accurate to say he believed a lie instead. In any case, God is still God and the Bible clearly shows He is sovereign in all that He does. He is omnipotent, yes - and what He does is on the basis of His own free choice, his own 'good pleasure' [Isa. 46:10; Phil. 2:13;Col. 1:19] - NOT because of any 'moral principles of government' or 'due process of law. Is the Law greater than the Law-giver? Definitely NOT! If it were, it would be god instead of God!)

"When Adam chose to obey Satan, he became Satan's slave......As a slave of Satan, Adam lost all of his legal rights, not only to his person but also to his domain. This gave Satan legal authority to rule over man and the earth. If Satan's dominion was to be revoked, a way had to be found to redeem fallen man and recover his lost authority without violating universal principles of justice. Since Satan was now the legitimate possessor of Adam and the legal ruler of the earth, God had no moral right, under His code of justice, to arbitrarily annul it......."

(What nonsense! None of this can be found anywhere in the Bible! What 'rights' does a person have before God who is a rebel against Him, and does not trust and obey Him? Neither Satan nor Adam had any rights, Biblically-speaking, other than those which God freely chose to give them. Satan only has 'authority to rule over man and earth' because God has freely chosen for his own purposes to allow him that 'rule.')

"Thus a member of Adam's race had to be found who could qualify to enter suit in universal court and wrest Adam's lost heritage and dominion from Satan....." (Actually the real problem, biblically speaking - from God's perspective, was not some fictional legal battle but the fact that man had sinned and had spiritually died - that was the problem that needed a solution. Man was spiritually dead and therefore needed LIFE - something no 'legal' victory could provide him. But man could not save himself, could not make himself alive - he needed a Savior.)

"Jesus came as an authentic member of the human race. Since He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and virgin born, Satan had no legal claim upon Him. In order to establish a legal basis for authority over Him, it remained for Satan to attempt to induce some moral flaw or imperfection in His character or conduct....." (Why is Billheimer ignoring what the Bible says and substituting his own theology? God told Adam, ".....in the day that.....you shall surely die." Adam put his trust in a source other than God and died as a result. It was not a matter of "inducing some moral flaw or imperfection" but trying to tempt Jesus successfully, as had been done with Adam. Why all this legal jargon?)

"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."'" (Matt 4:8-10)

"In the wilderness, Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to world dominion if He would fall down and worship him - just once. Satan alleged that authority over all the kingdoms of the world had been delivered unto him and that he gave it to whomsoever he chose. Jesus did not challenge his claim, for He knew Satan's legal basis for it."

This particular temptation of Jesus probably symbolizes more than any other that which lies at the heart of the challenge facing man - what or who is his god? "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16:26) But Billheimer, and others like him, completely misses the focus of this temptation. Has Satan, the "father of lies," suddenly started telling the truth? But whether Satan did or did not have any "legal basis" for his claim to "authority over the kingdoms of the world" was irrelevant. The fact Jesus did not "challenge his claim" had nothing to do with the question of whether Satan had any "legal basis" for it. As a matter of fact, Satan's claim was at God's discretion (or "pleasure") only, as discussed above. Jesus answered Satan according to the true focus of the temptation: "Go, Satan! For it is written, " YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY." Matt 4:10. The issue here was NOT if Satan had a claim to 'the kingdoms of the world,' but IDOLATRY. The offer of the earthly kingdoms to Jesus was a ploy by Satan to entice Jesus, the "last Adam," to worship him instead of God. It seems that whenever I hear this verse taught, the belief that this verse shows Satan's ownership of the earth is emphasized - and that is all! Not only is this wrong theology, but it entirely ignores the principal declaration - the assumption by the creature (Satan) that the Creator should fall on His face in worship to him!!! How relevantly this verse speaks to the world's situation today! In so many ways man is in effect telling God that he is better qualified to be "god" than God is."Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man...." (but then of course along came the additional lie by "scientists" which said that man had his ancestry in lesser creatures from which he "evolved") and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." Rom 1:22-23 How foolish, indeed, the world is in its thinking - what folly it engages in as it races headlong into destruction it its rebellion against God and the truth He speaks."For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." Rom 1:25

The concept that Satan is owner of the earth is wrong theology. There are those who say he possesses the "title-deed" to the earth, giving him ownership. There is nothing in the Bible to support this. Satan may indeed be the "ruler of the world" (John 14:30), but only at God's discetion and for His sovereign purposes - God is the sole owner (Ps. 24:1, 50:10, and many other verses throughout the Bible - including such parables of Jesus as Matt. 21:33-41). Whoever "rules" (man or Satan) does so only with God's permission and for His purposes (Job 1:6-12; Luke 22:31). Actually, Satan is a usurper, pretender - he has no more legal right to the "kingdoms of the world" than he had to God's throne (Isa. 14:13)! When Satan tempted Him with the "kingdoms of the world," Jesus knew they were His to rule by divine right (Rev. 11:15; Phil. 2:10) anyway, not Satan's. Satan's "rule" was only temporary, with God's permission, for His purpose.

This is one of the books that will inspire and challenge a life. I was able to understand why the enemy doesn't want people to pray.

It is almost unbelievable, but the author authentically demonstarated from the Scripture the heritage we have with God--a heritage that not even the angels have. No wonder the fallen angels are resolved to sabotage this heritage.

This book is a must read for every Christian, especially because prayer is not optional. And how beneficial it is to know why we can't afford prayerlessness!