Earth Books

SOUTH: THE LAST ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Here is a list of equipment that Sir Ernest Shackleton did NOT have for his memorable Endurance expedition: GPS location finders; radio ; RADAR, SONAR; computerized navigation; professional medical care; thermal clothes; MRE'S (Meals Ready To Eat), double steel hull; air and logistical support, public relations agents; marketing proposals; lawyers.
Shacketon's crew navigated with a sextant; traversed the icecap with dog sleds instead of ski-doos, and ate canned herring, tinned meat, pemmican, biscuits and occasional seals.

What he did have was an old ship, a strong crew, an incredible work ethic, classic British stoicism and unerring sense of the right thing to do.

His book reads like a Robert Louis Stevenson or H.G. Welles story, but it is the unvarnished truth. His matter -of -fact account is brilliantly illustrated by Frank Hurley's dramatic black & white photos of The Endurance encapsulated in ice, its masts and spars dripping frozen water like the maritime apparition in Melville's "Benito Cereno."
I seriously doubt whether a modern expedition equipped with all the bells and whistles and sponsored with corporate money could duplicate what Shackleton's Endurance accomplished under the most adverse circumstances imaginable.
Because the Endurance expedition occurred in 1914-15 at the start of World World War I
Shackleton's accomplishment was largely overshadowed, and the Antarctic was all but forgotten until the `fifties and `sixties when its scientific and strategic value was rediscovered.
Now, as the Antarctic ice cap melts from global warming, one wonders at Shackleton's accomplishment.

When the Antarctic explorer ship Endurance became trapped by ice in the opening days of World War I, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his companions found themselves stranded for the winter. Months later, when the ice floe that had been their "home" became unstable as spring breakup began, the party - with their ship long since broken apart - took to their three open boats, and made their way to Elephant Island. There they set up a precarious camp, where most of the group waited while Sir Ernest and a few carefully chosen companions struck out for South Georgia. That South Atlantic island, 800 miles away, was known to have year-round British inhabitants.

Those are the bare facts of one of the great true adventures, a story told here by Sir Ernest himself. His dry writing style may take some slogging, at first, for contemporary (especially American) readers; but his wit is equally dry, and his descriptions vivid. I was especially interested to note the differences between the Shackleton party's attitudes and those of today. Not only is this a magnificent survival tale (NOT ONE of Shackleton's men died!); it's also a snapshot of how those quintessential English explorers of another era thought about the world they were discovering. For better or for worse, how times and attitudes have changed!

After more than a year of seeing pretty much nothing but ice and snow, and living in, at times, sub-zero temperatures, Sir Ernest Shackleton writes about his camp's current conditions; "Drifts four feet deep covered everything, and we had to be continually digging up our scanty stock of meat to prevent its being lost altogether... On this day, and for the next two or three also, it was impossible to do anything but get right inside one's frozen sleeping bag to try and get warm. Too cold to read or sew, we had to keep our hands well inside, and pass the time in conversation with each other." He's so matter-of-fact... no fluff here. He just tells it like it is. I love that about this book. The conditions worsen by leaps and bounds as the story continues, but I'll leave that for you to explore on your own. Anyway, the first few chapters are very informative regarding how the expedition was planned, where they were headed, how they got there, etc... for me, it started a little slow, but I understand why the writer wanted to include this information. So, then you get into the "meaty" survival stuff... and is it ever so fascinating. And for me, it's especially fascinating because it doesn't seem to be sugar-coated, as so many writers are proned to do when telling their story. In fiction, I don't mind so much the way a writer gives you every detail, written ever so eloquently, but when it comes to true stories... especially survival stories, I personally just want to hear the straight talk. A GREAT SURVIVAL STORY AND PERFECTLY WRITTEN for this reader.

What an expedition! There is a lot to be learned about leadership and survival by the adventurers on this journey. If you like men against the elements, who survive by their wits and never ever give up, this is the tale for you. A great winter read.

Shackleton was an amazing man full of true grit and true leadership. Among the many things that stand out in his story of survival is the importance of keeping a journal. Even after many supplies and equipment were left on the ice, the men were instructed to continue to carry their journals. And what if they had not? Where would be the true story that outshines most fictional adventure stories in the minds and imaginations of many, including myself?

If you want to read more about Antarctica, I suggest T.H. Baughman's "Before the Heroes Came."

The author notes that as a ten year old in Detroit he loved the program SEA HUNT. Scuba diving led to a journey to uncover a slave ship's past. The book opens with a timeline of events significant to the operation of the HENRIETTA MARIE.

Mel Fisher is probably the most well known treasure hunter in the world. Moe Molinar, a successful black treasure hunter, found the shackles. Additional diving in 1973 produced more rusted shackles. They were stored in a warehouse in Key West. The first artifact identifying the wreck was a bell inscribed HENRIETTA MARIE, 1699. This was discovered by David Moore, an archeologist, in the Gulf of Mexico.

The author conducted research at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England. David Moore and the author were haunted by the one hundred shackles found in the wreck of the HENRIETTA MARIE. Their presence showed without a doubt the ship's purpose. The author had been taught by his mother to use the story of slavery for inspiration.

On its second slave voyage, and what proved to be its last, two hundred fifty Africans began the trip. Landfall after the Middle Passage was a location in Jamaica, Port Royal, where the African people were sold for three thousand one hundred forty four pounds. In the Florida straits the HENRIETTA MARIE was blindsided by strong winds. The ship sank thirty seven miles west of Key West.

In Jamaica Michael Cottman, the author, may have met descendants of the people transported on the HENRIETTA MARIE. They had the same surname as a family of Jamaican plantation owners and English manufacturers of the cannon installed on the HENRIETTA MARIE. The meeting in Jamaica occurred after four years of research.

In 1992 Michael Cottman attended his first national conference of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. It was the organization's second national meeting. Safe diving practice means sticking to a buddy system. The association of black divers grew out of the need to obtain partners to follow the sport of scuba diving.

The dive to the HENRIETTA MARIE was undertaken in May, 1993. It was quite an accomplishment to find the wreck after an absence of nine years; sand shifts, currents move and displace objects. Visibility underwater is frequently poor. Having located the wreck of the slave ship the HENRIETTA MARIE on New Ground Reef, the divers paid tribute to those ancestors and others who lost their lives during the Middle Passage. The dive was a sort of pilgrimage.

In 1996 Cottman went to Dakar, to Goree Island. Historians believe the HENRIETTA MARIE once sailed along the West Coast of Africa. In 1996 since there were severe problems in Nigeria, Cottman elected to travel to Senegal. Michael Cottman and his guide went to a structure named the House of Slaves. Goree Island was a place of mass suffering and tormented souls.

The book is moving. The terrible wound inflicted, slavery, needs to be discussed in this country. There is a Holocaust Museum memorializing a European event. No museum memorializes the peculiar institution.

I have always wanted to visit the Motherland, but never more than after reading Michael Cottman's "Spirit Dive." I thoroughly enjoyed his rich descriptions of the people and places he encountered there on his quest, especially his visit to the Door of No Return on Goree Island and scuba diving the clear water off the west African coast. I enjoyed the passages about scuba diving--the kinship between the black divers, the adventures of the underwater treasure hunters, Cottman's encounters with playful schools of fish and no-so-playful sharks. I also found impressive the detail the book included of the workings of the slave trade from a business perspective--the way the enslavers were so single-minded in their greed that they completely disregarded the value of black life. I will never forget the image of the tiny shackles imprisoning babies--it was disturbing but richly described. I found it difficult to put "Spirit Dive" down and have shared it with my young son, nephews, nieces and several friends. So many of the stories about slavery and the struggle of our forebearers are written in a disconnected way. This book was a warm and personal account of a journalist and father's search for truth about his heritage.

The account of the discovery of this slave ship and the painstaking research that went into telling us its history is inspiring. Cottman writes it in a spiritually uplifting and journalistically compelling manner. Every American should read it and share it with every child they know.

It's not often that a book successfully makes the link between contemporary man and the past. Spirit Dive by Michael H. Cottman is a notable exception.

Cottman's journey back through time to research the history of a slave ship is an eye-opening work, rich with details about the operation of the slave trade, the risks and the lucrative payoffs for the slavers, which helps to explain why it became a major industry.

It's also a story of how contemporary men -- black and white -- came together to document an accurate history of an event that was a perfect example of scenes that were played out repeatedly as slave ships traversed the Atlantic.

It was a perfect circle in many ways. Slavery drove white and black apart over an uncommon evil, but hundreds of years later, the search for the slave ship brought black and white together for a common good.

I really enjoyed reading Spirit Dive. I found it very interesting, inspiring and informative. It was an excellent way to learn about slavery without feeling depressed. I liked the idea of weaving one man's personal experience with the history of one slave ship. The book made me laugh and cry. But it gave me a new way of thinking regarding the issue of slavery - African Americans survived slavery and continue to be a strong race of people.

happened upon this and first 5 books in series .. it was a very pleasant surprise and find... good action.. neat concept and good action and stories .. great characters and character development.. i fully enjoyed this and first 5 books..i am now searching for other books in series.. hoping to find number 6 and on... anyone with info please contact me.. willing to trade or sell mine .. let me know..thanx..

I came online looking for more of these books, I am shocked and appalled that they do not exist! how upsetting! i am one of those people that hits a couple used book stores every 6 - 18 months and purchases 300$ worth of books (25% and i want 75% as chances) this was a chance book but darnit if it wasnt an awsome book!! I am so upset there isnt more of them!! in fact, i recomend this book to NOONE! DONT READ THIS BOOK!!!! you will just want to read the sequal! and guess what; turns out there IS NONE! I had to say that yes, the book was geared toward youth. but the author did do a very good job of expanding beyond that, with exellant and diversified characters and an apallingly interesting story line, i would buy the entire series if it existed!! Like i said, i am EXTREMELY upset i read the book because if leaves off perfect for a sequal, it was designed to have a sequal! and it doesnt have one! its extremely infuriating!! because it leaves off right in the middle of the story. leaves you with a hollow feeling, knowing you will never know what happens next.

I came online looking for more of these books, I am shocked and appalled that they do not exist! how upsetting! i am one of those people that hits a couple used book stores every 6 - 18 months and purchases 300$ worth of books (25% and i want 75% as chances) this was a chance book but darnit if it wasnt an awsome book!! I am so upset there isnt more of them!! in fact, i recomend this book to NOONE! DONT READ THIS BOOK!!!! you will just want to read the sequal! and guess what; turns out there IS NONE! I had to say that yes, the book was geared toward youth. but the author did do a very good job of expanding beyond that, with exellant and diversified characters and an apallingly interesting story line, i would buy the entire series if it existed!! Like i said, i am EXTREMELY upset i read the book because if leaves off perfect for a sequal, it was designed to have a sequal! and it doesnt have one! its extremely infuriating!! because it leaves off right in the middle of the story. leaves you with a hollow feeling, knowing you will never know what happens next.

Forget about Photon the book, or the books. Where is Photon the TV show? Where is the deluxe 18-disc leatherbound autographed special edition DVD set of this legendary show that only the few and the cool can recall?

Where is the jaw-dropping, I-can't-believe-I-just-watched-that TV show, where the bad guys used to do impressive back flips after being shot with the Photon gun? How did an 80s light-gun game with that chunky helmet birth a TV show and spin-off tie-in books, no less? Why has Bhodi Li not reappeared in one of the newer Star Wars movies?

Why hasn't the soundtrack appeared on a 2-CD set? With that action-scene music and the background vocals going 'Photon...photon...photonphoton' [dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun]

I remain confident that Photon will see the light of day on DVD, and should, in fact, be put in a space capsule and launched out of the earth so that our legacy as humans can be known to all.

Yes this is a great book! Did you know that it was based on a game that I LOVED to play.. Just like the main character. But furhter more, Lord Baethen in the book was one of the founders of the original game. He was also my friend. Also, I have found other books in the series.. So I hope to get them all soon..

Great SCI-Fi Book, full of action, and the effects of war on our young.

In September 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, arrived in St. Louis after a grueling expedition that had lasted for more than two years. Hailed as heroes, they were feted and honored by an eager nation forever pressing on its Western borders. This novel begins in St. Louis three years after the celebrations had ended with Will Clark serving as Superintendent of Indian Affairs and Meriwether Lewis as the appointed Governor of the Louisiana Territory. But the intervening years have not been kind to Lewis. He is fending off people to whom he is indebted and, more importantly, rebutting criticism from his superiors in Washington that he has misused government funds, and the rumors are washed down with a liberal amount of whiskey and a healthy dose of laudanum.
Sensing his vulnerability, Lewis is approached by James Wilkinson, who had been caught up in the Aaron Burr conspiracy a few years earlier, and who is now an agent of Spain. He attempts to involve Lewis in another conspiracy which will put him at the head of an empire carved out of the Louisiana Territory. Not only does Lewis not bite, but he heads off to Washington to defend his honor and to warn the government of Wilkinson's actions. Because Lewis believes that Wilkinson has hired men to kill him in New Orleans, he heads to the Federal City by way of the primitive Natchez Trace on horseback with the priceless records from the Expedition.

No one can say exactly what happened on the Natchez Trace, but what is known is that Meriwether Lewis, the hero of the Corps of Discovery, died alone in a room rented from a Mrs. Grinder. Most historians believe that Lewis committed suicide. Because so few details are known, the author is free to create a story of conspiracy, pursuit, brutality, betrayal, and murder.

The characters of Lewis, Clark, Wilkinson, and York, Clark's slave, are richly detailed and wholly believable. You can sense what it was like to travel the Natchez Trace with its seedy inns, runaway slave communities, and robbers. Everything necessary to recreate the early part of the 19th Century in the Louisiana Territory is covered, and all is woven into the compelling story of Meriwether Lewis, a man who had become a drunk, drug-addicted, persecuted wreck of a man, and his friend, William Clark, who could do nothing to save him. The Lewis and Clark Expedition is one of the great events of American history. But for Meriwether Lewis, it all ended in a rustic cabin on a territorial road in Tennessee, and To the Ends of the Earth is his story.

I hardly put this book down after I started it. It immediately engaged me. I was concerned about the characters whether good or bad (there are plenty of those), male or female, "important" or more secondary to the plot. Hunter's use of a wolf as a way to deal with mental illness was especially effective. History was followed faithfully when it provided needed details; other details were, I guess, made up, but done very effectively and within the scope of the known facts. I have recommended the book without hesitation to friends and family and will continue to do so.

To the Ends of the Earth: The Last Journey of Lewis & Clark is a very interesting read....not only a good historical fiction book, but also a compelling mystery. It was such an intriguing read that it was difficult to put down.

I especially enjoyed the characterizations. The development of the people portrayed in this book added a great deal of realism to this novel.

One can tell that the author researched extensively her subject matter. The book was quite authentic in time and place and sent the reader back to this fascinating period to learn more about this famous pair of explorers and the mysteries associated with their lives after their famous expedition.

As the book opens, its 1809, three years after the Corps of Discovery has returned from the West, Meriwether Lewis is governor of the Louisiana Territory and William Clark is General of the militia. While Clark is happily married, Lewis is plagued by malarial fever, is drinking too much and is dependent upon laudanum for the pains from the fever. They are both about to be swept into a treasonous plot to gain control of the Louisiana Territory. To say anything more would give away the whole plot.

A fascinating life-like portrayal of the last days of one America's great adventurers, and the author has provided an interesting theory on one of our country's great mysteries. Worth checking out for any one interested in this period of our history. Four stars.

"To the Ends of the Earth; The Last Journey of Lewis and Clark," is a wonderful work of historical fiction. I'll admit that in the beginning, the first twenty pages or so, did not grab my attention at all. I found myself wondering how on earth I was going to get through this entire novel. Suddenly it was an hour later, I was over a hundred pages into the story, and completely intoxicated by it. The story is absolutely incredible, and once I got into it, I couldn't make myself put it down.

We all know who Lewis & Clark were (if you don't, go find out on your own, I'm not going to explain it to you here.) but what we don't all readily know, is what happened to them after their three year expedition. That is what this book is about. It opens in 1809, and Lewis is a man in trouble. He's drinking too much, writing government vouchers for things that later will not be honored, postponing the writing of his novel, and lying to his best friend.

Due to a corrupt adversary within the US government, Lewis sets out for Federal City (the then name for Washington DC) In tow, are all his journals, maps and notes from his previous expedition. En route, Lewis is faced with enemies and allies alike, sometimes making it impossible for him to tell the difference. Hearing that his friend may be in trouble, Clark packs up and leaves after him, hoping to save his friend.

Its hard to explain what takes place on the journey to Federal City without ruining the story for those who would like to read it. Just know that its full of twists and turns, ups and downs, chaos and honor. It's a story you won't soon forget, and one that should be added to any historical fiction library.

this is the most interesting book i've read in years; prof. liebes presents the history of evolution from stardust to us, at the end of the book one relizes that all of us humans are actually single cells of a larger life form, the planet earth. In an informative and easy to read way, "a walk through time" presents a holistic theory of evolution that emphasises symbiotic co-evolution of geo-bio-matter admidst the theme that while life starts out in a state of competition, all life forms even on a cellular level learn to cooperate, develop symbiotic relationships that enable life to first develop and then evolve billions of years to present day. the glory of the sheer will of all life,(particularly at the cellular level) reminds me very much of shoupenhauer,nieztche,spinoza, henri bergson and hegal. i would recomend this book to all people,especially those who enjoy philosophy and those theologians seeking a more meaning cosmology.

A Walk Through Time - From Stardust to Us - The evolution of Life on Earth.

A Walk Through Time (AWTT) is an incredibly well done book, from all aspects. The artwork and printing make it suitable for display and the content challenges us to re-think our position in the world and the decisions we are making.

The explanation of evolution is both plausible and understandable to the lay person. Yet the mystery of life is not diminished or hidden, so there is more than enough room for those who understand our existence through their love of God.

Beginning more than 5,000 MYA (5,000 Million Years Ago, or 5 Billion Years Ago) we are told, the "universe did indeed begin in an explosion of energy powerful enough to send all matter flying apart for billions of years into the future." From that starting point, AWTT traces with considerable detail the evolution of our living earth of which we are a part. And everywhere the mystery of "the life force" is to be found.

One can read the prose or follow the exhibition text along the bottom of the pages, or take in both to re-enforce what is being explained. Sidney Liebes managed to convince HP of the merits of creating a 1mile "walk through time." That project is staffed by volunteers and has been presented in a dozen venues in three countries. The "exhibition text" mentioned above is from that project.

The final paragraph of the book summarizes the challenge for our existence in this totally interconnected web of life. "Is it possible that a sense of awe, wonder and humility, of origins, place, possibilities, and recovery of a belief in the sacredness of nature, can, and perhaps must, become operational imperatives in guiding humanity into the future? Rather than pondering the illusive purpose of life, can we not accept and appreciate the gift, live the life we are given, respect all life, and preserve options for the future. Though none of us has the power to control the future, each of us is free to determine how we will contribute to the circumstance out of which the future will evolve."

Perhaps the purpose of life is simply to ensure that life continues. Then there is much in this book to set us on the right path.

I never had the opportunity to see the "Walk Through Time" exhibition, initiated by Sidney Liebes and supported by Hewlett-Packard, but it must have been a marvelous experience. What rivets my attention in this book, however, even more than the beautiful pictures of the exhibit, is the text written by Elisabet Sahtouris, who expresses her own "cosmovision" with an incomparable eloquence and vitality. While her words are grounded solidly in the most advanced theoretical and empirical evolutionary science, she takes the reader not on a walk but an exciting dance through time. If I were asked to recommend just one book that best told the story of how the universe conspired to bring us into being this would be it. It's a real "roots" story but the roots are not merely those of a particular individual or family or species but of all life, reaching back to the point where time itself loses meaning.

Keith Chandler, author of Beyond Civilization

this is the most interesting book i've read in years; prof. liebes presents the history of evolution from stardust to us, at the end of the book one relizes that all of us humans are actually single cells of a larger life form, the planet earth. In an informative and easy to read way, "a walk through time" presents a holistic theory of evolution that emphasises symbiotic co-evolution of geo-bio-matter admidst the theme that while life starts out in a state of competition, all life forms even on a cellular level learn to cooperate, develop symbiotic relationships that enable life to first develop and then evolve billions of years to present day. the glory of the sheer will of all life,(particularly at the cellular level) reminds me very much of shoupenhauer,nieztche,spinoza, henri bergson and hegal. i would recomend this book to all people,especially those who enjoy philosophy and those theologians seeking a more meaning cosmology.

I've just terminated to read this book and it was very interesting in many respects: - The text is well written and a pleasure to read; - Sometimes you have a fact per line, which shows the incredible work done by the author to synthesize a huge amount of knowledge on the subject; - Essential things are said and you'll have doors open for further readings; - The fact that timescale is respected as the text goes on gives a striking perspective of life's evolution over the millions and millions of years; - The first stage of evolution (unicelled creatures) is longly explained; - The incredible role of living creatures (especially bacteria) in shaping our planet is highlighted; - Emphasis is put on the unity of life in it's diversity.

But there are some shortages : - Pictures are of poor print quality; - There is a lack of details, especially after the microbial stage.

Globally speaking, if you want the life's story before animals and plants, it's a good book, but otherwise, the Book of Life by S. J. Gould is better. However, in my opinion, it's a good buy and one can learn many many things by reading this book.

Victor gives us often ignored biblical evidence for why Christians must seriously consider their connection with the Jews. Victor convicingly argues that the True Body of Christ does and will include Jews and Christians. Though his thoughts are unsettling at times, they are thought provoking and worthy of serious study.

If you think that God has re-focused his attention on the Church at the expense of the Jewish Nation, you need to read this book. Mr. Schlatter shares an informed, insightful look at how the Bible and current events point toward God's special plan for His (still) Chosen People.

Here is an intriguing expose on the relationship between Israel and the Christian Church. Pulling no punches with the alleged anti-Semitic,end-times theologians of our time, Victor Schlatter draws on his experiences as a third-world Bible translator to present some fascinating insights into the biblical perspective on who belongs where in the body of Christ. With some surprising conclusions about, for example, who the '144,000' are, this well-read commentator is sure to give your brain a wake-up nudge as you contemplate your stance on end-times-ology. This is a must-read, biblically based alternative viewpoint with more than a little credibility.

From: NOW Magazine, (formerly the "Evangel") April 2000, page 42; Melbourne, Australia

Victor Schlatter not only reveals to us the Church in the heart of Israel, but kindles within the heart of the reader a love for Israel and for God's Chosen people.

As the `time of the end' draws closer and closer, it is appropriate that thinking Christians should pay more attention to the many passages in the Word which throw light on God's plans and promises. None are of more importance than those which relate to our Jewish roots - to Israel! Schlatter is passionate on the subject, seeing our one-eyed obsession with ourselves as the promised church without spot or wrinkle, but with hardly a thought as to where Abraham's natural descendants fit into the picture. And fit they do!

In his racy, conversational style, Schlatter builds a powerful case for the rejoining of the two arms of Christ's Body into one complete whole. He deplores the centuries-old blind and bitter attitudes of many representatives of the Christian church, which caused such cruel persecution of Jews, both nationally and personally, tracing them back to the time of Constantine in Rome. Even unto this day, many calling themselves Christian hold the Jew in execration! A careful examination of Scripture clearly showes that this is not God's view!

On the contrary, we see that even as the Jewish roots were set aside so that the Gentile peoples could be grafted in, so there is to come a time when they will be restored. Schlatter's conviction is that now is that time!

Having established a well-documented case for a church made up of Jews and Gentiles welded into one Body, Schlatter turns his attention to various other popularly held doctrines, such as those concerning the Antichrist, the Rapture, and the final Battle of the Ages, and presents a fresh approach to each. However, his heartfelt cry is for the Gentile church of today to so flow with the love of God toward our Jewish brethren that we seize the opportunity to fulfill Paul's teaching in Romans 11:25-32, and see them `provoked to jealousy' because of our love for one another, just as God intended that they should be.

This book offers interesting and important insight into truths now being revealed to the body of Christ, and can be recommended to all who are seeking a deeper understanding of God's intent, as we come closer and closer to the unfolding of His plans for His people.

A well written and consise book with a lot of information for those with ears to hear and eyes to see.......

St. Clair has been talking to the elves, nature spirits, rocks, trees, and otherworldly beings since childhood. He started out in those "highly spiritual callings" in the military, law, and banking to survive, but left all that boring, soul-killing stuff behind to become an astrologer and a psychic predictor.

No prediction can be set in stone, but he does claim to see our most possible futures, if we don't change our ways. The future is that up to 80 percent of us will be dead within a few years. The unenlightened dead will end up being dark spirits that cannot reincarnate in bodies anymore (sounds a little Calvinist). Only a remnant shall be saved, but they will eventually enter the gates of peace and paradise. The people who survive will be psychic and will have a new consciousness based on cooperation, not violently aggressive competition. All the races will be eventually mixed into one. All those of the old consciousness will eventually die off. There will be no borders and people will roam the earth, ever changing, to survive and thrive in the new world. As the ages change, cataclysms will occur: many land masses will go underwater and new land will rise up out of the sea. It will be an age of knowledge, not belief. Expect the beginning of the collapse of society on all fronts by 2009. Get out of the cities and go to remote areas 5,000 feet above sea level. One positive prediction is that corrupt and incompetent politicians will be a thing of the past by 2020.

The indigenous tribes with their ancient spiritual knowledge will be respected once again and colonizing will be stopped. "Cool" indigenous tribes, to St. Clair, are the Celts, the Mayans, and the Tibetans. "Uncool" colonizers are the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, and the Spaniards. I do not share his belief that indigenous tribes are morally superior to the colonizers. I think that were just losers in the violent competitive game of life, best represented in the violent sports that most people love to watch in which the victor wins all and the loser is "beaten". The author didn't prove their moral superiority to me; I don't think they were less violent.

He touches on almost all the new age apocalyptic themes, giving one the impression that you could just write a book by recycling other writer's ideas, although I am not accusing him of that. He convincingly advocates for the importance of the imagination and emotion and how suppression of such in the modern world is destroying us. He even talks about certain reptile aliens, not all, that are the dark lords of this planet who are trying to control us, free thought, and the internet, but will not succeed. Some aliens are creating human alien hybrids because the aliens are dying out because they valued technological progress over emotions and spirituality.

I would have liked the book better if he had gotten an editor to edit the many small but annoying mistakes that leave a bad impression and make me take the book less seriously. His style is adequate but not as good as esoteric writers such as Manly P. Hall, David Icke, or Julius Evola. Still, any writer that uses quotes from such polar opposites as the Christian C. S Lewis and the Satanist Aleister Crowley can't be all that bad.

The books Zen of Stars and Forseen by Michael St.Clair have made it possible for me to see into the future
Profoundly informative essential reading
I could not put the books down until they were finished
I have been changed by these writings
Sally Williams
Melbourne
Australia

All I can say about this book is WOW!! I stumbled upon Micheal St.Clair by accident (or rather synchronicity) via an online video, and I was instantly hooked and bought the book here. This book will take you on a journey that afterwards you'll be asking yourself whether you are awake, sleep-walking or dreaming... What impressed me about the author was his precociousness as a child and his depth of knowledge to how the universe works. I just don't understand how astrologers do it; however, after reading this book, I realized that Micheal St.Clair is truly gifted beyond belief. If you have pondered, wondered and searched for answers your entire life, then this is one book that will provide the quantum-leap (jump-start) to a higher level of understanding and knowledge.

St.Clair si most definetly a Magi, and has broken through the veil of duality and illusion...and in his book "Zen Of Stars" he tries to help others in doing the same...besides explaining astrology and earth changes that are happening and that possibly "could" occur....he weaves a most wonderful picture of his life, telling how spirit has always been a part...he also explains where we all come from, which of course is "Cosmos" or the "Stars"....I would recommend this book highly, especially for anyone on a spiritual path, who is looking for answers...the most important one is that they must look within...

it was a good present for my uncle who has been struck by lightning.

If you want to learn about lightening without too much science this is a great book. Very well written by a top scientist in the field.

An excellent little book on lightning, especially for its price. Fairly non-technical, it gives a fine overview of nearly all the known characteristics of different types of lightning, and many hints of how to protect oneself from its effects. Answers nearly all the common questions about lightning. An excellent book for any person to read who lives in lightning country, which means just about anyone, anywhere.

I recommend this book to all who have any interest in natural science. I was personally surprised at how interesting of a read this book was. Ulman did well brining to "light" topics that have plagued me about lightning since my childhood. He also satiated my engineering taste for technical aspects of the electrical phenomena. Photographs and diagrams add well to the text and support the facts presented without overburdening the reader with too much information.

Within my awareness, this is the best author on the physics of lightning (voltage, current, charge, speed, event sequence, frequency of occurrence, length/width of channel, temperature, etc). Related subjects such as injuries, death rate, damage, protection, thunderstorms, harnessing power, etc are also discussed. The book could use updating with data acquired in the last 16 years (1986-2002). An improvement to the book could be more info on lightning protection. Another book by Uman, 'Lightning', is less general and more technical about the physics of lightning.

This book has been edited skillfully. It contains highly readable articles and essays, especially on population issues.

As one of those whose writing is included in this anthology, I must say that I feel very proud indeed. My partisanship aside, I speak as a veteran journalist and author: this is a must-read work of journalism--especially for young journalists and general audiences.

I have read The Earth Times for almost a decade now--ever since it was started--and have always been impressed by the newspaper's imaginative coverage of global and local environmental issues. Now some of the best reporting has been put into an anthology, and I must say that the advance copy I received was a sheer delight--a book to savor.

This books represents an imaginative selection of reportage from the pages of The Earth Times, the leading independent international newspaper on the business of the human environment. There are wonderful dispatches from all corners of the world, particularly developing countries.

I have always found The Earth Times to be a wonderful newspaper covering such critical issues as population, the environment and sustainable human development. This book now gathers together some of the finest articles that have appeared in the newspaper over the last decade. It is highly recommended reading for diplomats, policymakers, students, teachers--everyone who has a stake in the way we live and how our common future is being shaped.

Batu has done a good job fitting all commonly used aquifer test analysis methods (that existed at the time of publication) into a common framework. He has gone through all the relevant journal publications and made things much more readable and uniform. Figures and diagrams are often clearer than those in the original journal papers.

I took Shlomo Neuman's aquifer test analysis class, and he recommended this as a very comprehensive book and based on that I bought it; I was not disappointed.

True there are fancy graphical aquifer test programs (e.g., Aqtesolv) that do everything for you, but first of all these programs are usually expensive. Secondly, even if you are a consultant using one of those programs, or a student learning things for the first time, you should really try to understand what the assumptions and background behind all the methods are. Blindly performing "plug & chug" with formulas is easy but is setting yourself up for trouble. Dr Batu's book is one of the few comprehensive guides out there that pulls everything together.

This book is a rather exhaustive compendium of aquifer testing analytical methods. It also includes information on "slug" testing. Each chapter is logically constructed, and includes sections on the theory, mathematical development, implementation, and limitations of each method. Coupled with Kruseman and de Ridder's text (Analysis and Evaluation of Pumping Test Data, 1990), and Butler's book (The Design, Performance, and Analysis of Slug Tests) it comprises one third of the aquifer testing trilogy. A strong addition to the library of the hydrologist, hydrogeologist, and environmental consultant.

Dr. Batu has written the finest book on the subject of aquifer hydraulics I have ever read. The book is detailed and comprehensive in scope, well written and well organized. It is always the first book I reach for and usually the only book I need when I require knowledge on any aspect of aquifer hydraulics. This book is well worth the investment for anyone who works or studies in the field of hydrogeology.

All hydrogeologists should have this book in their personal library. The book opens with a comprehensive overview of basic aquifer principles useful for entry level practitioners. The pragmatic structure of the book allows the reader to quickly identify the appropriate solution applicable to a myriad of aquifer types and pumping conditions. The example problems provided and the graphical illustration of conceptual aquifer conditions are most useful.

Great Book! A book for all hydrogeologists and environmental professionals. I found this book well planned and organized. The information was presented simply and straight forward. Chapter 2 Fundamentals of Aquifer Hydraulics, was a nice overview of aquifer types and characteristics. I also liked the presentation of analytical models, hydraulics, testing, model limitations, and data analysis. A must have for the professionals personal library.