Anthony Books

I have all of these published to date. They have a very high and uniform quality of content. The each edition contains material researched by international subject matter experts. The Hosho, De Grasse, Calabria and Italian Torpedo boat articles were all very interesting. If you are a naval history and ship construction nut, there really is only one other periodical to go for this kind and quality of information. I love both.

Warship is an annually produced compilation of articles on the design, development and service hostory of the world's combat ships. The 2005 issue is one of the most interesting volumes yet.

The first article is on the failure of British armor piercing big gun shells to pierce armor and then to fail to explode. It is surprising to me that such little details seemingly are ignored until a country goes to war, ships have sunk, and people have died. I was reminded of the failure of the American (and German) torpedoes to explode. After all the effort put into submarines, training the crew and sending them off to war, it appears that only one live test of a torpedo had been run and it had failed.

Another article is on the early steam powered torpedo boats built by the Royal Navy in the late 1800's. These definitely do not look like they would be good boats on which to serve. I had seen pictures of them before but the article goes into things like sea keeping, and life on board as well as more technical details on the ships.

The articles in this book are not short, averaging something over a dozen pages. Annual columns reviewing the navies of the world, a gallery of pictures and others take up about a quarter of the book.

As usual, this is a fascinating book. It brings up points of history that aren't seen very often. It's very very well written. Highly recommended to any interested person.

Emergency physician and martial arts practitioner Anthony L. Schmieg presents Watching Your Back: Chinese Martial Arts and Traditional Medicine, explores the symbiosis of traditional Chinese medicine and the martial arts. Chapters reflect on how the martial arts grew out of the need for survival, their history and intent, the distinction between martial and military disciplines, the influence of Daoism upon the evolution of an ancient system, and much more. Watching Your Back debunks common myths such as misinterpretations of the yin/yang dichotomy, and over-emphasis on the role of Shaolin temples in the genesis of Chinese martial arts (the Shaolin temples reflected Buddhist culture specifically and isolated their warrior-monks from Chinese society, and therefore could not be prototypical of Chinese martial arts). An articulate, well-thought-out philosophical treatise revealing the far-reaching depths of Chinese martial arts, reflecting meaningfully on their purpose and greatness in human history.

I found this to be, from the first paragraphs of the Preface, a delightful book. Dr. Schmieg does as he says and tells us the story his experiences with the "high" Chinese martial arts and his Sifu, Dr. Xia. As Dr. Schmieg points out in the Preface this is a "why" book not a "how to" Book. In my experience, "how to" books about the martial arts are a waste of time unless you are already experienced in one or more forms. "Why" books are much more interesting because they allow me to compare my own experience with that of others.

This is the intensely personal journey of one person with a traditional Chinese Sifu. Schmeig's explanation of the sifu-tuer relationship opened new horizions for me. This is not simply and explanation of an explanation of Daoism and martial arts, but rather the story of Dr. Schmeig's personal journey through the high chinese martial arts and Daoism.

Dr. Schmieg does place his personal story within the much larger context of the history of martial arts in Chinese, South East Asia and its more recent impacts in Europe and North America. However, the point of the book is to introduce the reader, martial artist or not, to the inside world of "high" Chinese martial arts through one lineage. While this is not a scholarly work intended to place Dr. Schmieg's lineage within some larger context, it is a wonderfully personal work.

I particularly enjoyed D. Schmieg's writing style and his frequent use of personal anecdote. I felt very much like I was in a conversation with Dr. Schmieg. This particular style allowed me to continuously compare my personal journey and experiences with Dr. Schmeig's in what I found to be a non-threatening manner. For all practitioners of martial arts this book is a necessary read.

I did find some of Dr. Schmieg's comments about Taijiquan and Qi to be incongruent with my personal experience. Someday I hope to have the opportunity to speak with him directly about this seeming incongruity.

Dr. Schmieg's attempts to put his personal experiences in the context of the history of Chinese martial arts are very well done. His grasp of the broad scope of Chinese history certainly matches my own and may be much better. There may be some readers who take exception to his debunking of some mythological aspects of the martial arts. That is only to be expected given his premise of the differences between high and low practitioners.

I feel compelled to note that this book will undoubtedly receive many adverse reviews. Dr. Schmieg's personal experience and the experience of Dr. Xia, which he reports, are certain to offend many traditional martial artists. That is a good part of the strength of this book. Again, given the premise of the high and low aspects of Chinese martial arts as explicated herein, it is inevitable that the book will receive adverse reviews from those who are unable to apprehend the message, for whatever reason.

I know of no other books that deal with this particular subject in this precise manner and I suspect that this makes book unique. However, in the realm of `Why " books I would include John Lash - "The Tai Chi Journey"; Margaret Schorre _ "How to grasp bird's tail, if you don't speak Chinese; Deng Ming Dao - "Chronicles of the Dao. In my opinion Dr. Schmieg's book is the equal of these books.

The book is well written and easily read by both martial artists and non-martial artists. To the best of my knowledge and experience the material is accurate.

The work is important because it provides a uniquely personal view of a particular lineage of Chinese martial arts that is little known outside of China.

The audience is anyone with a background or interest in martial arts or classical Chinese culture.

The writing style is very clear and the presentation was delightful. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion as I read.

Even though I've never been to New Rochelle, I loved it! I read the whole book in one day. I was blessed to grow up across the street from Tony, Jackie and their three sons. Tony and Jackie were like my second set of parents. I was always welcome in their home and there was always great conversation, hearty laughter and great food. In fact, I am embarrassed to admit that I once ate twelve or Rosina's Pizza Frita at one sitting. It was fascinating learning about the struggles and joys of the immigrants from Southern Italy. Most importantly, it gave me great insight into one of the best men I have ever know, Tony D'Ermes!

This is Mr. D'Ermes first book about growing up Italian in West New Rochelle, New York in the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's. With exacting recall and precise detail, D'Ermes paints exciting pictures of his childhood as a first generation American born to Immigrants from Southern Italy. Told with humor and compassion, he portrays their hopes and dreams alongside their everyday struggles to learn a new language, new customs, and their frequent painful experiences with housing, jobs and government regulations. The story is told from the viewpoint of the D'Ermes family, but it is easily an "everyman" story of typical immigrant families of the period.

With rich detail, D'Ermes illustrates how the first generation children -- American schooled and street smart -- frequently helped their parents by reading and interpreting official documents, acting as translators with city and school officials, and helping them avoid immigrant scams and rip-offs.

The book details the primary institutions used by the Italian community to acclimate to this new culture and society, focusing on the Catholic Church, the New Rochelle School System and the Feeney Park Boys Club and Library.

Many Italian immigrants brought with them superstitious customs from the peasant countryside that can only be described as the "occult." Mr. D'Ermes describes the application of these occult practices to treat all manner of illnesses and ailments. Although quaint today, D'Ermes describes the prevalent fear of cusrses that others might inflict on your family and the application of chants, incantations, potions and charms that warded them off.

Of course no book of this kind would be complete without a full discussion of the foods and recipes that were used in his house and in many Italian homes, including Christmas and Easter feasts when special "religious" foods were prepared.

Mr. D'Ermes concludes with the values he learned in West New Rochelle and in the Boys Club that have served him well for the past 60 years as a business and corporate executive.

You don't have to be Italian to thoroughly enjoy this delicious slice of New York history from the viewpoint of a boy growing up in West New Rochelle.

Tony is solid. Here he paints the big picture for all of life. This book draws some information from his other writings. This Kingdom Agenda is deep and a total new way of thinking. It is as usual with Tony, biblically correct.

If you are having problems in your life, then read this book. It covers a wide range of subjects. In fact I'm going to write Tony Evans and let him know what a impact that the book made in my family.

Re-reading this book, after a 10-year study of Jungian Psychology, made it clear to me that C.G. Jung is a Philosopher's Philosopher. At the back of this book is Jung's public view of GOD and Religion, and he informs us of the psychic error and impertinence of making a "Hypostasis" (as in Plato's 'Ideal'), and he defers to the sacredness of the "Individual Psyche" versus the "Collective Psyche". Jung is clearly "Aristotlean" here. This is opposite many peoples' conception/use of Jung (e.g., my edition of Random House Encyclopedia discounted Jung's ideas as examples of "Idealist" Philosophy with Archetypes, et al)!

Jung believed there is genuine value and meaning in neuroses and even madness; but, now, the credibility of all Philosphers must now be viewed in terms of their respective healthy or unhealthy Psyches! Most importantly, many Western Philosophers [mostly since Descartes] show a severe mind-body thinking-feeling split; and, this is different in Eastern Philosophy and Western Religions. Jung's words have great significance for Eastern and Western Philosopy and World Religions in the coming Millennium! Bennet's contribution serves to protect us from distortions of Jung so commonly found in name-dropping derivative works.

Edward Armstrong Bennet was a friend and contemporary of Jung's, and his book What Jung Really Said is a lucidly-written overview of Jung's psychology and its development. This is a slim volume, and Bennet does not venture into any of the controversial depths of Jung's thought; however, it is a concise introduction to the subject, for beginners. There are some interesting gems of information, including the fact that Jung studied both Chinese and European alchemy. Also that Jung had dinner with HG Wells, who then wrote a story based around Jung's idea of the collective unconscious; I hadn't known that!

This excellent book was conceived in 1979 when Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize. At the time Maryanne Raphael was teaching high school social studies classes about India. Her students were so interested in "Mother" that Raphael decided to write a book about her for young people. Over the next few years, Raphael conducted extensive research, shifted to writing for adult audiences, and joined the Coworkers, an international group of lay people officially connected to Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.

As she became more deeply involved, Raphael worked alongside the Missionaries of Charity and Mother Teresa, who gave her blessing to the book project. The result is a highly readable story based on memories and anecdotes from those who knew Mother Teresa throughout her life. The first part is devoted to Mother's theology, philosophy, and devotion to Jesus as he is found in the poor. It includes her answer to critics, her abject fear of speaking in public, and her sense of humor. The second part describes Raphael's mission as a Coworker, which began in her home parish. The author and other volunteers found the same kind of miracles while serving the poor in the Midwestern U.S. as Mother and her Missionaries of Charity witnessed around the globe. They are based on the many things Mother Teresa has taught all of us, such as:

* You can find Calcutta all over the world if you have eyes to see. Begin in your own home, your own neighborhood.
* The first thing to do in an emergency is pray.
* The poor have enough sorrow. We must bring them joy.
* Never worry about money. God gives us enough money for anything he wants us to do.
* We don't have to feel the emotion of love to live it.
* See your would-be enemy as Jesus in his most distressing disguise.
* A smile is the beginning of peace.

I found this book so interesting. The author had worked with Mother Teresa & knew some of her co-workers so she had great insight. It is written in such an easy going manner & I learned so much about Mother Teresa & her works & life. After telling about Mother Teresa's life,she then tells the things she learned from knowing her. It changed her life for the better.

"When Buildings Speak" uncovers a significant body of architecture that lay almost completely neglected for decades due to political and ideological reasons. Together with Akos Moravanszky's pioneering "Competing Visions," Alofsin's book is the only English-language source that deals with Central European turn of the century architecture in a comprehensive way. However, the author adopts a significantly different approach from Moravanszky: instead of offering a broad survey, Alofsin focuses on a limited number of in-depth case studies. In them, he interprets architectural form in terms of broader political and cultural contexts, casting a new light on the question of architecture as a means of communication. The book is spectacularly well illustrated, which further adds to the reader's understanding of buildings, at the same time creating an unusual hybrid of a solid scholarly text with the looks of an attractive coffee-table book.

Unlike much of the current writing in architectural history, this book is refreshingly clearly written, free of the fashionable jargon, while still competently dealing with the complex issues of national and ethnic identity, architectural representation, etc. Because of its accessible style, detailed explanations of the context, and excellent illustrations, I can imagine "When Buildings Speak" being a great teaching tool for courses in architectural and art history.

Anthony Alofsin's "When Buildings Speak" brings an impressive overview of the key examples of Central European architectural modernity. Focusing on different geographical spots within the Habsburg Empire, it examines the plurality of social and political aspects in the creation of specific architectural languages, associated with the elusive margins of the region. At first glance, Alofsin's definition of architectural languages may seem puzzling. A reader can easily start struggling with the author about a certain building being specifically associated with a single architectural language. But exactly that fight with the author, a puzzle about where a reader would put a certain building, makes this work open and provocative. It feels like a reader has a very personal dialogue, if not a debate, with the author while reading the text.

This product came on time and is beautiful! Thanks so much Amazon for getting it here with the usual perfection!

Gerard Thomas Straub has given us all a gift in the work of his book, When Did I See You Hungry? Through my eyes as a volunteer missionary nurse to many third world countries, I can attest to the visions one sees in this marvelous book. The pictures themselves tell the stories. As you look into the eyes of our brothers and sisters you see Christ. Straub has depicted this sincerely and with compassion.
I have given this book as gifts to many friends and family members. Some are saddened by the pictures, others are curious. A few are speechless.
It is not until you reach out your hands and touch the lives of those around you will you know what it is like to ask, "When Did I See You Hungry?"
After reading this book, if one does not find compassion deep within them, they are ones looking to be fed.

Book Review
When the Focus Is on Care: Palliative Care and Cancer
Kathleen M. Foley, M.D., Editor
Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2005, 337 pp.

The American Cancer Society publishes a wide range of quality books on cancer. This one was written by a variety of MDs, PhDs and other experts. Most cancer books are written by individual patients, doctors or good journalists. Those written by a highly-qualified group are unusual, thorough and valuable.
This book focuses on the needs of the patient in the latter stages of the disease rather than the earlier phases of treatment and cure. As death becomes more visible and likely, the patient needs special care to maintain quality of life when cure is no longer possible and the success of treatments is fading. Other problems now must be dealt with: serious illness, new legal and financial matters, caregiving and all the heavy issues related to death and grief.
The book is as much for caregivers as it is for patients. It is said that there should be caregivers for the caregivers, who go through many emotional, financial and activity management problems of their own. This book provides the expert information and advice that will help both patients and caregivers solve problems, maintain hope and positive attitudes and prepare for final days.
Every year in America, more than 500,000 people die of cancer. Most of them will face the problems covered in this book. As I deal with my own cancer, survey the literature and research and write a book about how to fight the disease, this essential book rises to the top of my recommended list.
John Roberts (www.CanFighter.com)

This book is great in that it is easy to skip through as you want to focus on specific chapters or topics without reading the whole thing. I do recommend reading their introduction and definitions of palliative and hospice care.
The writing style is easy, very matter of fact, not overly academic, but doesnt talk down to the reader.
The book talks about types of care, choices for the person who is ill or dying, and for their family. And very helpful: what various stages of dying look like emotionally/psychologically/ and physically.
Being a learner who needs both book learning plus hands on experiences, this book helped me alot as my mother was ill and dying.
The hospice organization who helped us was tremendous and had some resources too but this book has it all.

William Hay's work THE WHIG REVIVAL: 1808-1832 is a well-written political monograph. Hay chronicles the numerous setbacks faced by the Whig Party during the time period 1808-1832, including such things as public skepticism about the party's views on the war in France and uncertainty as to the stability of party leaders. He ably demonstrates how, despite the numerous setbacks faced by the party, and numerous defeats, the Whig Party eventually does come to power.

Democrats and Republicans both would do well to pay attention to the tenacity shown by Brougham and the Whigs. Anyone looking for a strong political history; a history of England in the late Georgian period; or a terrific treatment of Henry Brougham's career should read this book. As an aside, I have to echo other reviewers in their wish for Hay to write a biography of Brougham. Hay's attention to detail and mastery of writing will serve well in bringing this interesting character to life once again.

Will Hay has produced an elegantly crafted and diligently researched study of the shaping of the Whig Party after the Napoleonic Wars into a modern political organization. What he has done is to pick a point and personality in British parliamentary history that have been largely overlooked in studies of this kind. And he has presented his arguments in the context of a much broader discussion of the evolution of British parliamentary government, from the first decade of the nineteenth century into the Whig ascendancy of the 1830s.