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

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

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

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

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

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

That looks like a pretty good start!

This book, like her others, is highly recommended.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NAPRA Review Vol. 9, No.5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Southern Fried Women is a fun and heart-felt book. I look forward to more from this author!

A very well written book. Very easy to follow. Her explanations and details make it easy to "see" what each character is doing and going through. They are short stories, so its a great book for people who do no have a lot time during the day to read. But each story will pull you in and you will not want to put it down. There are several stories in there that I wish were books in and of themselves. She is a fantastic writer.
I am pleased to have been able to meet this author recently. She is every bit as honest and passionate in person as she is her book. A true Southern Bell with a great talent. If you have not bought this book yet, you really ought to give it a try. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Southern Fried Women is a beautifully written piece of literature. I savored each and every page and really hated to see the end of the book. I wasn't insulted by silly stories with juvenile plots and situations. It was mature writing that made me think she is a person who has experienced life and has become better, stronger and more resilient as a result. I was so inspired that she shared her wisdom with the world in such a moving and touching way! Her characters reminded me of Steel Magnolias and the women of the old south in Gone With the Wind. I can't wait to see future works from this wonderful, southern fried author. She's a keeper!

Yes, what a wonderful ride! There may be people who do not care for the use of photos at the beginning of each chapter - they are obviously wrong to think so. Sometimes I found myself studying the photos, even after I had begun reading the story - often going back and looking again - imagining how this story might truly have wrapped itself around the people and places in the photographs.

Also, the use of simile and metaphor is filled with imagery and life; painting with words what most people can only hold in their imaginations. "Cry" is so full of painful reality and "Coal Dust on my Feet" broke my heart. "Beach Babies" is probably my favorite - Bertie is a tragic character, but one that has so much to teach us.

Thank you, Pamela, for sharing your gift with the public. Sometimes as I read your words, I heard my own voice. We share many of the same beliefs, attitudes, joys, and heartaches in our observations of the world. Reading your book was like sitting down and spending an afternoon with you in conversation. Thank you.

Debra Thomas

Unlike most of the current "Southern Belle" books, this one shows a darker side. It took me by surprise and made a deep impression, especially since all of the stories are based on true incidents. But don't expect cutsie women secretly manipulating their men, or recipes for hush puppies. The stories in this book will stay with you for a long time.

A real hit with our six year old. The illustrations are wonderful and the educational aspect is not totally obvious. A very entertaining book that's he took to share with his class at school.

Once upon a time many years ago I watched my daughter Emma play with her cousin Brian, whom Emma lovingly referred to as Meatball, and I wondered how long it would take before he began to cry. At eight years old Meatball looked like a smaller version of Rhett Butler, he talked with a squeaky voice that was struggling to mature, and his blondish hair oddly matched the color of his skin. Every game between the two kids eventually turned sour--a bump of the head, a twisted arm or even harsh words would send the boy reeling into the kitchen looking for comfort. While I admired his theatrics, I did not acknowledge them. Emma, on the other hand, like to pretend he was her plaything, a doll she collected. Take, for example, the afternoon she dressed him up like a pirate and sent him out into the yard with a steak knife searching for the neighborhood tabby cat. Florence, the woman that lived across the street and spent most of her days with her nose between the blinds of her front window, knocked on my door and demanded that I do something. I invited her in for coffee but she ranted and raved, cluck-clucking about manners and responsibilities and child-rearing, none of which I particularly cared to hear about. Meatball ran inside and tugged at Florence's blue polyester pants. "Don't worry," he said. "I buried the knife in the backyard." Florence grabbed his wrist and told him that he needed to dig it back up. He sighed heavily, stared at the ground and then began to cry. I pulled the cigarettes from the pocket of my robe, lit it, and waved him inside.

Charlotte, Meatball's mother, picked him up every day at 5 o'clock. She sat on the couch with Meatball on her lap and listened as he recounted his day. She disregarded any of Emma's attempts to defend herself when Meatball claimed she had harmed him. But who would believe an eight-year-old boy that said his cousin had instructed him to hunt for prey and bring back souvenirs?

I am a student at the University of Arizona South, majoring in elementary education. I recently read this book to a class of 3rd grade students. The children anjoyed watching as the guests arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Comfort and re-arranged the tables and chairs each time someone else showed up. They also enjoyed the fact that only Mr. and Mrs. Comfort's names were given and everyone else was referred to by their relation to the hosts, "Mrs. Comfort's brother's daughter's twin sons". The children loved the chaos as more and more people arrived and fewer and fewer place settings were left available, while "extra" chairs piled up in the periphery. Every student was engaged in the book because each and every one of them knew what Mrs. Comfort knew, that without a seating arrangement of eight seperate tables each seating four people, there would not be enough room for everyone to sit down. And by the end of the book, they found out they were right! The extensions available at the end of the story increase the possible learning to be attained, illustrating how to actively engage the children in hands-on activities to learn about area, perimeter, multiplication and division. Children can find out how many seats are available for each table formation in the book. They can also determine how many meatballs everyone can eat. This is a lively and interesting tale that evolves into spirited and animated discussions involving mathematical concepts. The children had a wonderful time listening to the story, then engaging and actively participating with their eight squares and 32 paper clips (tables and chairs) as we went through the story page by page with them arranging and re-arranging the seating. It was fantastic to see them so happily involved with LEARNING MATH!

Cute way of having students know how they use math in their everyday lives. Great explanation of the mathmatical idea behind the book.

I read this book to my sister's kids (ages 4-8) and they all really enjoyed it. They had a lot of fun with the story (and didn't even know they were learning). This book is great for kids.

David Dole has accurately researched the prewar era of Lionel Trains in detail with descriptions and great photos. If you are collector or just interested in old toy trains young or old you will enjoy this book. The pictures of the actual trains and copies of pages from the old catalogs are worth buying the book for. My grandchildren love looking at David Doyle's book on Lionel Trains.

This is definitely required if your are intrested in these trains or thinking about purchasing one. It is a total and complete refrence for every item released in those 42 years. It has ratings, and excellent photos. It is like have an encyclopedia for my trains, as I use it to find a particular engine or engine or car #. Hats off to David Doyle

David Doyle's new Standard Catalog Of Lionel Trains 1900-1942 is the most complete guide available for Lionel products: collectors won't want to be without it. From the turn of the century until World war II, Lionel turned out toy trains for kids of all ages: over a thousand color photos blends with pricing guidelines for different conditions to accompany a history of Lionel products. Organized by type of product, from passenger cars and ballast cars to box cars, collectors will find this quite an easy reference to use.

David Doyle's new Standard Catalog Of Lionel Trains 1900-1942 is the most complete guide available for Lionel products: collectors won't want to be without it. From the turn of the century until World war II, Lionel turned out toy trains for kids of all ages: over a thousand color photos blends with pricing guidelines for different conditions to accompany a history of Lionel products. Organized by type of product, from passenger cars and ballast cars to box cars, collectors will find this quite an easy reference to use.

Very help in determining age and type of Lionel items,and value before purchasing or selling.

The Williams Brothers have been my all-time favorite male gospel group for about as long as I can remember. I read this heartwarming story when it came out back in 1999 and have since re-read it. I love the biographical voice of this book and it allows fans (such as myself) to get a feel of where these dynamic singers and entertainers come from and how they got to where they are. I had the opportunity to meet this group and spend a little time chatting and taking photos with them back in 1996 in Valdosta, GA. Aside from having talent to spare, they are also very inspirational and have absolute magnetic personalities. This book is a must-have for any Williams Brothers fan.

Kendra Norman-Bellamy
author of
For Love And Grace

This is a wonderful book that chronicles life as seen through the eyes of Doug and Melvin. I would very much like to have heard more from Henry Green and Leonard Williams regarding the early days in the business. The fact that there was not much dialogue from Henry Green makes one wonder what he has to say and how he viewed the same instances as the other two. I saw pictures of Leonard on the web a month ago when he signed the Jackson Southernaires to his Melendo label. He was my favorite, and it was good to see that he is still gorgeous!!!

I ordered my copy of Still Standing Tall and I read it in one sitting. Their story is very inspiring and uplifting. They are living testimonies that if you raise your children to serve God and live for Him , you will truly be blessed. Melvin, Doug, and Henry, you guys keep serving God and your blessings will runneth over.

I have every recording the williams brothers made they are simply the best. And might I add very handsome

I am a true fan of the Williams Brothers. I grew up with nine sisters and two brothers. I have every record, tape, CD, they recorded. My father was a minister,and I was raised up the old fashion way. I just purchased the book and I know it is a very good one. I have been to several of their concerts in North Carolina and have met them in person. I admire them for the old fashion up bringing and you can tell, by the music, they are true believers in the ALMIGHTY GOD. They have truly been BLESSED. Keep up the good work and please don't stop praising GOD.

Essie Bynum
Burlington, NC

This is a very special book and a wonderful present to give anyone. I have given this book to my daughter's teacher, a good friend and a sibling. It's story is universal and the message is wonderful. The drawings and layout of the book are genious. Highly recommend it.

By far...the best book ever written. Great gift item for baby showers or for a young child.

This is a gorgeous book with a beautiful story.
I read this book aloud to my guests at my own bridal luncheon and it was a hit.

I plan to buy several as gifts.
Buy this book for yourself and for those you care about.
Do not pass this book up. It is a gem.

We are using this book in lieu of the traditional Guest Book at our wedding. There are lots of blank spaces in the margins that guest can use to sign it "yearbook style" and it makes a nice book to have on a coffee table after the wedding. Much more unique than a plain guest book.

The Story of the Heart is very moving. The art is beautiful and the story is wonderful. I've given this as an early Valentine's Day present to my wife, daughter, and mother, and they all love it. So do I.

Quantum theory, time loops, alternate realities, the supernatural and one special story about a gentle old man whose pants are torn off by the side mirror of a speeding Torina are all included in this remarkable collection of short stories by Tim Powers.

Powers has the writer's skill of placing the utterly unreal into the norms of our day-to-day reality. Another great American writer, Edgar Allen Poe, used this particular skill to great effect with such stories as The Fall of the House of Usher and The Man of the Crowd. The tale begins ordinarily enough and then suddenly jumps, sometime subtly, sometimes not so, and we find ourselves bounding along to alternate realities, witnessing sad spirits in a catholic confessional or attending a strange gathering of immortals. And, incredibly, it all seems quite feasible. This is fascinating reading and extremely entertaining.

What really makes these tales stand out is their credibility, as one can perceive that their contents have been thoroughly researched. The vast majority of these stories' theme is the notion of time itself: where does it begin and does it ever end? Some of his characters are confused at the start but then later, as in the story 50 Cents, the character appears to accept their fate, that they are trapped in time, and this reality will never end, and continue to replay itself like a scratch on a CD.

In the story, Pat Moore, the character begins his day like any other, (except for a chain letter he has received, which if not passed on, could well prove unlucky), a professional gambler, sets out in his beat up Dodge, where he observes a man in a Chevrolet with a sawn-off shotgun, tries to run him off the road. An instant later he sees a woman appear next to him, who claims to be his guarding angel, when the Chevrolet crashes off the road. At first he is shocked, but as the tale unfolds, he puts together the clues, to discover it all has to do with his dead wife. The story becomes more bizarre, yet believable, finally sorting itself out in the end.

The two cleverest stories, Where They are Hid and Night Moves, on face value are outlandish, but are so well constructed, every loose end is tied up nicely, with a hint of irony, that they actually become credible.

This is Tim Powers's only collection of short stories, as he's predominately a novelist. All his novels are award winners and to a certain extent, as other writers have said, he leans towards Phillip K. Dick more than any other America writer. In fact a young Powers met an older PKD where he had nothing but praise for the younger writer.

After reading these exceptionally entertaining short stories, I hope Powers decides to write more short stories, because the one's included in Strange Itineraries are remarkable.

Tim Powers' STRANGE ITINERARIES is for any who love a touch of the supernatural in their science fiction and fantasy: here in his world ghosts are volatile powers, Ether Bunnies abound, and priests face the powers of the dead they are seeking to sanctify.

If you are smart, you would read everything by Tim Powers. He is that good. But this is a reprint of an earlier collection,"Night Moves" from Subterranean Press(2001). The contents are a little differant,
Introduction by James P. Blaylock
"Night Moves"
"The Way Down the Hill"
"Where They Are Hid"
"The Better Boy"
"We Traverse Afar"
"Itinerary"
Story notes by Tim Powers

This is the first Powers in short form I've read, and I plowed through it quickly. I wanted more. I like the way Tim's mind works.

I found "The Way Down The Hill" especially dark and alluring; The nightmarish image of immortal souls freefalling through oblivion, then taking a new hand hold on life by displacing unborn souls... I loved it. It is an image forever etched into my brain. I think that's worth the price of this book alone.

- john starr

I loved ghost stories as a kid then as I grew up and old my tastes changed, as they should. Tim Powers is one of my favorite writers of both novels and short stories. Broadly, I describe his work as Harry Potter written by Hunter S. Thompson but it is more deeply etched than both. "Strange Itineraries" is a collection of ghost stories for me as a forty-something adult.