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This is a deep, thought-provoking book that is without a doubt evolutionary. Exploring the Seven Sacred Paths of Human Spiritual Development, Jamie Sams has presented a pattern for spiritual progress that can not be absorbed in one sitting, or even in one reading. I know I am going to have to read it again. A lot of it was over my head, and yet, without being academic. I could easily identify where I am spiritually today, and have some idea where I need to go next...still I know it is a spiral, and anything is possible. This book is an essential guidebook along the way that I think I'll be hanging on to. If you are looking for spiritual nourishment that doesn't turn into fluff, this book is for you.

I believe this statement reflects Jamie's chief goal for this book: this statement is listed in the authors note, preceeding the text. I don't think it is possible to draw a universal map of consciousness applicable to all humans. The chief reason being is that some folks never get past the 1st commandment let alone rise to metaphysical heights described in the text. Further, unless the reader has more than a beginners background in the metaphysical - or enjoys flipping back and forth between the text and the glossary - the reading can be difficult.

I gave this book five stars for what it DOES do, and that is a whole lot more than 99% of the metaphysical works I have read:

It paints a picture of the onesness of all existence, even though most of existence sees itself as seperate from everything else;

It bashes the notion that only enlighted earthly masters can achieve spirituality;

It clearly describes the downfalls of anyone being overimpressed with their spiritual progress;

It provides healers with a strong dose of reality: not to forget that therapy patients come to you because they are sick...there is pressure in them staying sick so you can make money;

It confronts head on the notion that a healer can see oodles of people on end: a handful may be too many;

It rightfully makes warriors out of beings immersed in the waters of daily life and it's endless tortures and misfortunes;

It superbly raises these tribulations to the status of lessons, encouraging hope and joy in the struggle;

It clearly points out that transformation is not a linear process;

It describes this circular process as seven different paths: this description allows readers to compare, contrast, and analyze later;

It describes the first hand accounts of Jamie in her path of transformation;

Read the book for yourself: you can't put it down.

This book is easy to read, with sensible suggestions that can be incorporated into your life with relative ease.

Jamie Sams once again takes us on a journey through the layers of our spirit by bringing a complete understanding to the path we walk.

Sams book certainly provides the reader with much material to ponder. It's definitely not the type of book to be read in one sitting and it's not a real "page turner". Instead, the truths Ms. Sams explores are best digested slowly. Perhaps this is most appropriate since she is describing a spiritual journey that lasts a lifetime and more. The diagrams are helpful.

I really enjoyed this book about a 9 year old girl and her family. Dary Carmichael is a 10 year old girl growin up in Marlboro County, SC, with Evette her black friend, her ma , hre pa, Aunt geer, hr brother Mcall and her friend Beth. it is about when Little Darby desides to be a news-paper girl and publisies a story in the local news-paper about toads, after that great report, she writes about her great Uncle Henry bein' blind, next she writes a story that gets the Ku Klux Klan all active again. Darby writes a story that showed at that time that kids were smarter then the grown-ups, will peace ever restore it's slef in Marlboro County? read this faboulus book and find out. I reccommend this book to people who like hisory and reading about the civil war, for the ages of 9,10, 11,12 ,13 year-olds.

Since I am not a child it is great to read a book from a child's view. Darby Carmichael is a wonderful character in this book. The base of the story is something every child needs to learn about. So as a teacher it could be used as a history lesson. This is a must have, must read book!

When young Darby Carmichael writes a controversial article about race relations (as seen through a child's eyes), the citizens of Marlboro County, South Carolina, reel. It is 1926, and the KKK is very active in the South. A black boy has been killed by a white man, and Darby's innocent voice fuels tensions.

All Darby wanted was to tell the truth, and her best friend, Evette, helped edit the rough draft. Evette lives with her family in a tenant house on the Carmichaels' farm, but Darby isn't bothered by Evette's skin color. They just want to be friends and newspaper girls, but now their families have been threatened by angry Klansmen.

Fuqua eloquently shares Darby's perspective in an inspired story. Aside from the larger issues of race and morality, he addresses friendship and loyalty. Autumnal Marlboro County and the frightening situation are beautifully rendered through Darby's senses and emotions.

The events and views portrayed in this novel are thought provoking for children and adults alike. I highly recommend DARBY for individual or classroom reading.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
12/11/2006

I loved the book it was such a good book to read during black history month. It is about a young girl named Darby and her friend Evert. Darby's friend is an Afican Amercian girl. A young boy is also beaten to death by Mr. Dunns. Darby becomes a newpaper girl and wrires her own story's. She is very hurt when she has her birthday party and Beth her other friend bosses Evert around and tells her to do everything.

I know Darby would not be alive anymore probably. The book is from the 1920s, but I wish she was. I learned more about racism from her than I ever have in my life in Cedar Rapids. I also learned a lot about history. The cool thing about Darby was that she was brave and didn't know it. That seems real to me about being brave and not knowing it. It made me think about the way we treat people and how we need to concentrate on their personalities and not their skin, or accents. The other cool thing was DArby being so funny and real and playing with Evette, her black friend who was really smart. They were funny a lot. Darby did the most funny things and liked funny things. it Was all different. The best part was I never knew what the KKK was until I read the story. I heard people talk about it but didn't know. I don't know what I thought. I especially liked the pictures of the past that are in your head and you can't ever see anymore in pictures that aren't black and white, like the sunday drives and the uncle and the walking mosquito hawks. That's hard to believe but really cool. I'm saying to everyone Darby for president. I'll say if for a long time. I really love dthe book.

I have purchased at least 6 different Spanish/English dictionaries and this is the one I always come back to. I am currently using my second copy since the first one fell apart. This one is held together with tape, lots and lots of tape.

I almost always find the word I am looking for, and the definitions make sense, and I am picky.

I have purchased at least 4 more of these as gifts.

So, my only complaint is that the binding is poor quality - the pages easily come out. Fortunately, they can be taped back in, which adds to the character!

I am a high school ESL teacher for new immigrants to the U.S. Our school buys the Merriam-Webster English-Spanish in bulk so each student has one that is easy to carry around, and because they are cheaper. But after experimenting with various dictionaries, I find that I much prefer to keep The New World dictionary right beside me at my desk, when I'm standing at the overhead projector, when I am circulating around the room to help students. I find The New World easier to read and easier to use. For example, when looking at multiple meaning words such as plot or setting, it is easier to pick out the language arts/literary definition in The New World dictionary. It also offers more in the way of support for people learning English or Spanish -- for example the section that helps Spanish speakers understand English prefix/root/suffix is very useful to ESL students and teachers in a high school setting. This year we are going to buy several for each classroom that has ESL students in it.

I have been teaching English as a Second Language for many years and I have become fluent in Spanish. This dictionary for Americans (North and South) is the best for the money. It has many words that are American Spanish and American English whereas many other more expensive dictionaries use European words and sometimes spellings. It is not a good dictionary for travel but then I don't think most are. I don't use a dictionary when on the road. The paper editions wear out rapidly with moderate use but they are cheap enough. Do not waste time and money on smaller dictionaries such as the Chicago. This one not only has American language, it has many idioms, and a reasonable grammar section. I hope this little gem never goes out of print.

Very descriptive, lots of examples in grammar. This should be the only dictionary that a student will ever need. Everything is there. I have learned so much from this dictionary.

PERFECT! Product in great quality. For my daughter's high school Spanish class. Just what we needed! Thanks!

Patti Lawson examines her own life with honesty and gives the readers an insightful view of her metamorphosis from stress and unhappiness to the joy of living through the loving and caring for her beloved dog, Sadie. In so many ways I identified with the emptiness an accomplished life cannot fill and the error in thinking that food can. Patti found the answers to regaining her health and inner peace and shares with us a sustainable path to a healthier life, physically and emotionally. She gives us a positive uncomplicated approach to caring for ourselves in good times and bad, simple, tasteful and healthy options to our toxic eating patterns and a warm and humerous story of how a small dog caused so much disorder she adapted to survive and found herself thriving. Any dog lover will appreciate her story and commitment but the life lessons and suggestions are for us all and I highly reccommend it. This is also a book I'm giving as gifts to those "hard to buy for" and no one has been disappointed.

This is one of the best books I've read recently. It has you rolling in the floor laughing and might even bring a tear as you connect with the writer and Sadie. I challenge any dog lover or someone who has tried to lose weight not to love this book. It is wonderful!

This a very cute book regarding a professional woman who after two bad relationships decides to get a dog. She adopts a dog from a shelter and it really changes her life for the better. The author tells how the dog helped her lose weight, by changing her eating habits and making her exercise more. The dog not only helps her lose weight, but also lose weight in a fun manner. The author has a very humorous style of writing. I found this book very enjoyable to read and I highly recommend it. Besides for a humorous read, this book also has some good diet and exercise tips.

If you liked John Grogan's "Marley and Me" about a man, his family and their 'bad' but lovable dog, there's a good chance you'll enjoy this book. However, like Grogan's chronicle, this is NOT about how to raise a dog. For that sort of book, you'd do much better to check out something along the line of Cesar Milan's book, and/or watch him as "The Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic channel. (This is especially true if you are looking at rescue dogs or at acquiring a male dog from a dominant breed--Rottweiler, Doberman, German Shepherd, etc.)

That said, Patti Lawson makes some excellent points about dogs, how they view life and what they can teach us. She catalogs her own story of how her relationship with a pup took her on a journey from self-involvement to being present in the world, with a new appreciation for everything from smells to simply being in the present moment. Her description of standing at a buffet of Indian food and smelling it appreciatively is one that I will remember for a long time.

I enjoyed her story and the summary boxes within it about the lessons she learned.

I loved this book! I really enjoyed reading it and I got some great dieting ideas (and life perspectives). For example, I am now implementing her idea of having a salad box. Actually, I have two of them that are about the size of shoeboxes that I bought for $1 each at the 99cent store.

Now, as soon as I buy my salad veggies, I clean them, chop or remove whatever leaves I need to, and put them in the salad boxes with a paper towel on top...and turn the box upside down (to let the extra moisture go into the paper towel).

Since I eat salads (with sprouts) every day, this has really helped me save time. Also, I find that I am throwing out less wilted lettuce and spinach or other salad veggies. So I am not wasting food and I am saving money.

This sweet book also shows how important animals can be in our lives...and that instead of complaining about having to clean up after them or take care of them...to realize...amoung other things...that you are burning more calories taking care of your pets...ha!

Thanks Patti for your inspiring book.