Anthony Books

A truly compelling and rivetting tale of the early exploration of Africa. By "early" I mean the previously little documented period of 1788-1830, prior to which virtually nothing was known of Africa's interior probably because almost all earlier travellers perished from thirst, starvation, disease, and hostile natives - most dangerous of all were the dreaded "Moors", whose self-proclaimed desert hospitality was invariably suspended whenever helpless and starving white explorers sought their compassion.

Virtually all the explorers sponsored by the African Association died on their journeys but decadent 21st century man must surely marvel at the incredible degree of honour and sense of duty possessed by these intrepid late 18th/early 19th century gentleman explorers.

In 1899 in London a group of geographers, scholars, and traders decided it was time to solve Africa's mysteries: they formed the African Association, the world's first geographical society, and several over decades sent adventurers to explore the 'dark continent'. These early adventurers were to change the image and shape of Africa, and Anthony Sattin describes their journeys of adventure in The Gates Of Africa, lending a lively and engrossing atmosphere of adventure and discovery to the account. Sattin is a journalist and broadcaster who himself has traveled extensively over the region in which the early African Association operated: his personal familiarity with the area lends Gates Of Africa an additional air of authority.

I had recently moved to Florida and did not know much about the Florida geology. This book was perfect as a comprehensive guide to the geomorphology, sedimentology, paleontology, and hydrogeology of the area. There are many more interesting chapters with a wealth of information. Randazzo and Jones put together a wonderful collection with great geologists such as Bob Halley of the USGS and Sam Upchurch formerly of the University of South Florida.

This book is an example of fantastic compilation of discussions and articles explaining Christian faith simple and clear. The fact that those words come from one of the most interesting people in Russian orthodoxy, who was born abroad and lived most of his life in Europe, make these words even more important for the western reader. Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) found his faith being an educated medical doctor. Therefore his words target modern educated people who are looking for the answers that can not be found anywhere but in a thousand years old tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

I almost gave this book four stars, but that wouldn't really do justice to the breathtaking insights it contains, nor the beautiful illustrations Metropolitan Anthony (Of Blessed Memory) uses to convey otherwise tedious and heavy theological concepts. There are places where some readers will find the discussion a little philosophically heavy (especially in the title essay), but not overwhelmingly so. Also, since this was written 40 years ago, one notices that the issues discussed may at first seem a little dated. And yet, everytime I started to feel this way, up would pop another beautiful insight that was absolutely timeless. This man of God, whose intellect and gentle grace touched many, does a fabulous job here of making hard-to-comprehend theological concepts meaninful - even life-transforming - to his readers. Strongly recommended to Orthodox Christian and non-Orthodox readers alike.

Our relationship with God is personal as well as communal. Jesus is personal as well as cosmic. God is immanent as well as transcendent. He is the God of persons: "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

Much has been written about the communal, liturgical aspect of Orthodoxy. Drawing upon the rich resources of Sacred Tradition this book shows how faith is also personal; prayer is personal; the sacraments are personal; the creed is personal; Sacred Tradition is personal; spirituality is personal; the Trinity is personal, etc.

In fact, if faith is not personal it is not real. The ultimate purpose of this book is to help every Christian establish a daily personal relationship with Jesus.

I highly recommend this to everyone!

It was through this book that I got to know three people : 1) Father Anthony Coniaris 2) myself 3) Our LORD JESUS CHRIST

Sir John Verney, 2nd Baronet (1913-1993), Painter, illustrator and author. John Verney was an artist of note first and a writer of books for children second as well as having written a couple of autobiographical books on his experiences in WW2. He had a whimsical sense of humor, which comes through strongly in his books, both the children's books and his autobiography. He was the inventor of the Dodopad (google this to read about it...), and a warrior of distinction, as his adventures in the SAS and SOE bear witness. As well as emerging as an artist after WW2, he wrote and illustrated his own books, and did drawings for the books of Gillian Avery and Anthony Buckeridge.

Before WW2 he was as assistant film director, living in London and with an interest in the Arts. In the mid-1930's he joined a British Territorial Army Yeomanry (cavalry) Regiment as an officer. He married around the outbreak of WW2 and after being called up, served with his regiment in the Middle East for a couple of years (primarily Palestine and in the invasion of the Lebanon and Syria) before the Regiment was finally transferred to Egypt. He transferred to the SAS after a bout of illness and served with the SAS and SOE through the rest of the War, was awarded the MC and was twice Mentioned in Despatches.

This book, "Going to the Wars" is the first of two autobiographical accounts of his time in the war (the second is "Dinner with Herbs"). They're rather offbeat accounts compared to the usual more serious books and were both considered classic British WW2 memoirs, although they are little known now. Which is a shame as they are both very good, well-written and interesting books . His "whimsical" (best way I can think of describing it) approach to life shines through, and he's a master of true brit understatement. He served with the Special Boat Squadron of the SAS, was parachuted into Sardinia in 1943 after an attempted insertion by Submarine failed (the Sub developed mechanical problems), was captured by the Italians, escaped and worked with the Italian partisans before managing to return to the Army (this is covered in a couple of chapters in the book), Verney's time with the SBS isn't mentioned, the only op covered in any detail is the raid on Sardinia. For all that, it's entertaining and interesting.

After reading both this book, "Dinner with Herbs" and accounts of the SAS in WW2, one can appreciate the sacrifice that Verney, like so many others, made. His separation from his wife and son for the course of the war are a constant background throughout the book. I should also mention that this book is dedicated to the memory of his son, Julian Comus Ralph (born July 1940, died November 1948), a personal tragedy of which no other mention is made in the book. While I don't have anything autobiographical for his life after WW2, I do know that he spent his final years in Clare, Suffolk. He was also one of the founders of the Farnham Trust, and is mentioned on the Trust's website, apparently having done much to preserve the town.

The only real issue I have with this book is that the units and the names of those he served with are fictionalized. Verney explains this in the Introduction but personally, I think it detracts somewhat from the book (the SAS for example are referred to as "Bromsfield's Boys" throughout) as the interested reader spends a lot of time trying to establish which actual units and people Verney might be talking about. Especially if one approaches the book from a military history as opposed to a literary perspective. Mind you, he also explains later in the book that the publisher's comments about a surfeit of stories from the war about galumphing about escaping and going behind the lines with partisans meant the market for that kind of book was somewhat saturated. Which perhaps explains his offbeat approach.

Something I also found out as I read more of Verney's books is that his children's books intermesh with his autobiographical accounts. A number of the characters in "Going to the Wars" (Victor Bone and Captain Gumble, Captain Carstammers-Waghorn) turn up in his children's books. Quite fascinating, and definitely whimsical!

For those interested, Verney's other books include:
Friday's Tunnel
February's Road
Ismo
Samson's Hoard
Seven Sunflower Seeds
A John Verney Collection
Fine Day for a Picnic
Verney Abroad
Going to the wars : a journey in various directions
Dinner with Herbs

Sadly, his books are now out of print but most seem to be available secondhand. Which is how I've picked up all of the above. If anybody is aware of any more, perhaps they could add a comment mentioning them.

This book should be read with it's sequel, "A Dinner of Herbs" which together make up one of the outstanding Autobiographies of WW2. It is written with an engaging wit, a wonderful literary style and a great sense of story which engages the reader. This is amoung the 10 best of the 500 autobiographical accounts of WW2 I have in my collection

Excellant coverage of material that spans a century of controversies and brings you up to speed on the new way of thinking about the formation of the earth and how plate tectonics is at the heart of it all!! Great read for those who did not pay attention in science class!! You don't have to feel left out anymore!

I have used this book in the past for my "Great Ideas in Geology" course and it remains a great read for anyone interested in geoscientific thought. Titanic intellectual battles are played out here as catastrophists clash with uniformitarians and neptunists, vulcanists and plutonists do battle. Hallam did, however, miss an important figure in the chapter on Ice Ages. Based on his geological observations made during the construction of his cotton mill in Vernon, Connecticut, Peter Dobson correctly concluded that unusually shaped boulders of arkosic sandstone and conglomerate had been sculpted by the agency of ice transport. Dobson's observations were published in 1826, and thus preceeded the 1833 publication of Ignace Venetz' pioneering work on the same subject. As Roderick Murchison was aware of Dobson's work, Dobson deserves credit as one of, if not the, founders of glacial theory.

This book was both humorous and touching, I read the Duppy and the Lunatic also! this guy is great!!!!!. I can relate to all the character in his books, I know at least one of each character!!!!

"The Lunatic" was my first introduction to the biting wit and uniquely Jamaican sense of humour of Mr. Winkler. His hilarious and bitingly accurate portrayals of the many facets of rural Jamaican life made me an instant Winkler fan, and understandably, raised my expectations and anticipation for his next offering. "The Great Yacht Race" did not dissapoint. Mr.Winkler's tale centers around the lives of five prominent members of Montego Bay's society,and the tragicomic events leading up to the annual regatta - the highpoint of their social lives. The picture Mr. Winkler paints of Pre-independence Jamaica is rich with detail, such as a discussion between the white Jamaican Hotel manager O'Hara and a group of tourists, during which O'Hara casually states that in Jamaica, "Class is more important than colour. If you're the right class, your colour doesn't really matter." (Winkler, P.200) "The Great Yacht Race" is a well written and very entertaining narrative of Jamaican life that will have you laughing out loud, and perhaps make you a bit sad as well. It lived up to my expectations after reading the "Lunatic", and I eagerly await future offerings from Anthony Winkler.

This is a great travel book, a synthesis of fine writing, beautiful color pictures, and excellent Ordnance Survey maps. It pulls a region together and makes it feel like you are there.

Starting with a few wide range maps and a bit of history, this National Trail Guide sets the context of Hadrian's Wall in time and in space, both how to get there, and why you would want to visit. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a British National Trail (one of 13), and an important historical site, Hadrian's Wall offers many beautiful natural vistas, archaeological and Roman historical sites, and a cross section of British city, town, and country life. All arranged in a linear 84 mile (135 km) national park.

The book assumes a walking tour, with an introduction, 6 descriptive tour chapters, and a few sections on resources and additonal reading. The most interesting parts for me are the 6 tours. Each chapter is nicely arranged with a map or photo per page with descriptive text along side.

The Ordnance Survey maps are the best in the world - very readable and clear. This book reprints the 1:25,000 maps verbatim, the same as you get at Ordnance Survey Get-a-Map ( http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/). Similarly, the photos of buildings and vistas along the wall are well done - colorful and excellent resolution.

However, what is most impressive is the prose that winds along the maps and photos. "Where the verge path ends, cross the stile and continue on the footpath inside the wall. Now having joined the field, the Vallum looks even more impressive." Reading the words and following along the maps makes the tour completely life-like for me, making me feel like I am walking along with a tour guide.

The book is printed on thick paper with nicely embossed textured heavy-stock cover stock. The page corners are rounded nicely. Completely high quality.

Perhaps the book can be improved by more depth. I would love to read a bit more about the pubs or the sleeping accomodations. However, I too understand that this information would change quickly or perhaps be a bit too partisan.

In the end, the book makes me want to revisit the area. It also makes me want to get other titles in the series such as Offa's Dyke, The Pennine Way, or The Thame's Path - place I have never been. For me that is the mark of a true travelogue: it makes you want to rush out and see the place firsthand.

A lot of interesting and helpful information is packed into this small trail guide making it a must-have when walking Hadrian's Wall. The maps are clear and precise with commentary that allows the walker to interpret structures along the way. The small loop hikes included are an extra bonus and well worth taking. The text alerts the reader to small items of interest that might otherwise be missed along the footpath, like the Roman mile stone on the path to Vindolanda. Brief essays introduce the reader to a bit of context for the Wall. If you buy only one book, this should probably be it.

In volume 2 page no. 1678 chapter 295 on Acute Viral Hepatitis, The figure 295-2 we think has an error. IgM anti HAV is described to increase first & IgG is to increase later. In diagram, both have been labeled IgG.

This is an excellent comprehensive medical text covering practically every aspect of Internal Medicine.
A must for the Primary Care Physician.
Personally, I would get the two volume set as the single thick back has a tendancy to break away from the binding.

This book was informative and interesting. I recommend anyone read it.

Just finished reading Dr. Tim Morrison's book, Healing Plants of the Bible. Wow! His research is amazing...and then he took all that information and presented it in a way that it's not only educational but interesting as well. I can hardly wait to see what he writes next!