Clouds Books

Every 'Valdemar' book I've immersed myself in has taken me to a wonderful world that I wish really existed.

Kerowyn, like her grandmother before her, is a strong woman, but still very much a woman, as her attraction to a certain Herald shows. She is also a woman not led around by her hormones (Thank goodness.)

A book that should be recommended to all teen and pre-teen girls as a role model.

One of the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey, this is the story of Kerowyn, why she became 'famous,' and how she became one of the Heralds of Valdemar. I am a big fan of Lackey's Valdemar stories, good versus evil with the use of a little mind magic and some very hard work. I think a teenager would like these stories if they would read long enough to get 'into' the story. I high recommend this series.

By The Sword is part of the world of Valdemar which Mercedes Lackey has fleshed out and detailed over many novels. This one is not actually a part of the series but it is connected to the series that precede it and it lays the groundwork for some of the stories that evolve after it.

In essence, this book is the story of Kerowyn and her life and development from the age of 16 until she approaches 40. Kerowyn is a very appealing character. She is a very strong woman who has significant skills that are typically not encouraged in the somewhat archaic world that she inhabits. She is the daughter of a minor noble so the world expects her to be married off to some other minor noble to breed children and act as the hostess of the manor. Unfortunately - or fortunately for this story - Kerowyn has no interest in that kind of life. Kero (as she prefers to be called) is a high spirited woman who has her own mind and logic about how things should be and seeks to be appreciated for who she is. The manor-lady role is not for her!

The story starts as Kero is running the kitchen in her father's household which is celebrating the upcoming nuptials of Kero's brother and his chosen bride. While the feast is going on, a band of bandits, led by a mage, attacks the keep, kidnaps the bride, kills her father, and disables all the males who are part of the party. Kero takes it upon herself to ride after the kidnappers and retrieve the bride. To do this she needs help and so she turns to her grandmother who is known to be a mage and was a mercenary band captain for help. We are now given the first magical item that will figure prominently in this story and several others in the future. Needless to say, Kero succeeds in her quest of saving her brother's bride.

Just like in real life though, being successful in a task that you are not even expected to attempt leads to both good and bad things. The good is that the wedding can proceed; The bad is that no one is willing to deal with this strange being (Kero) who did something that many men would have failed at! So, Kero decides to leave her life behind and moves in permanently with her grandmother and her friend who train her for the life of a mercenary.

A new complication arises here as Kero is paired up with the younger brother of the heir to the throne in her land. Darren is sent to Kero's grandmother for similar training as he will likely become that country's army commander in the future. As the two teenagers learn the basics of fighting, they also manage to explore each other's other feelings - and they also explore the meaning of lust and love. After three years together, Darren is recalled to the capital following his father's death, and Kero goes off to seek her fortune.

The next portion of the book details Kero's experiences as a mercenary and briefly chronicles her movement through the ranks and ends with her taking command of the company and running it successfully for ten years. A main feature of the early part of this portion is that Kero meets up with a Herald of Valdemar, rescues him from the Karsites, falls in love with him, and has to give him up to ensure his rescue.

In the final portion of the book, Kero takes her mercenaries to Valdemar to assist in the fight against Ancar. This portion ties all the disparate parts together as Kero gets to meet Talia - the Queen's Own Herald; Queen Selenay; and more Companions. It is no surprise that the book ends with her remaining in Valdemar but I will not divulge the various plot twists and turns so you can enjoy them yourselves!

It is easy to see that Kerowyn's story is the story of any strong-willed and capable woman who has succeeded despite the normal "conventions" of what a woman's place in the world is. Despite the thin veneer of a fantasy, sword and sorcery kind of world, Kero is determined to be judged based on her merits and accomplishments and she succeeds in her chosen career. The story details the struggles that ensue because of this and lays out how she juggles her career, her loves, and her positions with her family and others. It is a very positive story as Kero manages to get all she wants in the end, but the struggles she goes through are a fascinating read.

The story is also skillfully interwoven into the Valdemar storyline. Kero meets some characters that were featured in earlier Valdemar series' like Talia, Selenay, Dirk, and Elspeth. Kero introduces some plot points that will obviously be addressed in future tales from Valdemar like Selenay's marital status and the magical sword Need. While this is quite a good standalone story and book, it is clearly part of the Valdemar storyline and should be read as part of that sequence.

The story telling is at times fast and furious and at times slow as molasses. For the most part this was good as major personality developmental points deserve a very slow and methodical treatment. About the only complaint I have along these lines is that Lackey employs the internal dialog device far too frequently with Kero. It was not necessary, in my opinion, to constantly have her describe her internal debates and thoughts. I highly recommend this book!

One of her best, and a nice long book to boot. While she does get bogged down in some typical Lackey weaknesses (excessive internal dialogue, for one) the action keeps coming and the central character, Kerowyn, goes through a great deal of realistic personal growth.
I read this around the same time that I read the Paksenarrion series by Elizabeth Moon (also fantasy featuring a female mercenary soldier), and wondered if Lackey had been inspired by Moon. Moon does it better, thanks to her own military background, but Lackey deals inventively with her fantasy world and the ways in which magic can aid soldiers in their daily endeavors.

I have read just about every book Mercedes Lackey has written about Valdemar and the Heralds. It isn't possible for her to write too many of these tales. And the more she writes, the better the story becomes. There is such a richness of detail that you feel you are right there in the story. When you put the book down, you still wish you were there and can't wait to find out what happens next.
Kerowyn's Tale is just one more piece of the wonderful puzzle that is Valdemar and all the surrounding countries and cultures.

The Three Investigators was an AMAZING series of books,
which for some odd reason has gone out of print. It
featured three boys named, Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw,
and Bob Andrews. Jupe was the brains, Pete the brawn,
and Bob the bookish one. Bob Andrews handled research,
Crenshaw was the muscle, and Jupiter was their leader,
the strategist. One day, there was a contest to guess
the number of jelly beans in a jar. Jupiter gave the
best answer, after thinking about volume and space,
and using math, to give what turned out to be the most
accurate estimate of how many jelly beans were in the
jar. The prize was the use of a Rolls Royce (Silver
Ghost), and the services of a chauffer, for what turns
out to be an idefinite time. Over the course of the
series, the chauffer tells the boys that they have been
his most interesting clients. These books basically
taught boys the importance of networking and self-esteem.
For example, Jupiter was "over-weight", some might say
"fat", but Jupiter always insisted on being called,
"stocky".

Do you see "jocks" hanging out with "nerds"? Pete Crenshaw
was the athletic one, capable of throwing a punch. Bob
Andrews handled research, and Jupiter Jones was their leader,
the "stocky" strategist.


But there is more to these books than that. For example, there
is the secret code, the triple question marks, ???, drawn in
three different colours. It was an identifying mark Jupiter
thought of, in case one of them should get lost, or worse, be
abducted. And the "ghost-to-ghost hook-up", an algorithm
Jupiter came up with to aid them in surveillance, or in "lost
and found" cases. They were on good terms with boys from lower
grade levels, who had heard of their fame as investigators.
And so the three would man the phones with a description of who
they were looking for. Each of the Investigators would call
five boys, who would in turn call another five, and so on.
The adults the Investigators were interested in, would not
be expecting children as spies. The kids would then call back
to HQ with details. Their headquarters (HQ) was hidden under
a pile of rubble, in a junkyard, and could only be entered by
secret doors and tunnels) with details. The "ghost-to-ghost
hook-up" made me think of the way girls gossip and share
information, through a "grapevine".

These books taught you communication theory, the importance
of social networks, mentoring, and friendship between boys
and men, of like attitude, if not mind. The chauffer for
example, thought the boys were cool. And they were.
Basically, this series of books teaches boys what feminists
have been teaching girls: self-esteem, networking, mentoring,
etc. These books taught co-operation skills, rather than
competitiveness.


How is it that books like these can go out of print, but
the yo-yo and hola-hoop manage to make their way back
into mass-production? A lot of books it seems, are
also being rewritten to conform to a feminist philosophy
or rather a femi-nazi agenda which promotes male hatred.
And so, the story of THREE boys working together to
solve mysteries may be "buried" just as old Warner Bros.
cartoons showing Bugs Bunny playing baseball against
the Gastown Gorrillas now seem impossible to find.


QUALITY READING MATERIAL FOR BOYS IS EITHER DISAPPEARING,
OR IS DIFFICULT TO FIND. 'Harry Potter' is a distraction.
People who have never heard of 'Harry Potter' are being
told it is evil by others who have never read it. 'Harry
Potter' may be satanic, but why protest 'Harry Potter'
when you could be demanding, "Where's the good stuff?"


Male illiteracy is being encouraged. Femi-nazis want a
relatively small percentage of the male population to
receive a "higher education" - in contrast to a much
higher percentage of the female population. These
"educated" males are the "beta" males: Femi-nazis want
beta males to specialize, doing "mental work", as
doctors, programmers, artisans, etc. In contrast,
"alpha" males are to be used for physical labour such
as "required" in construction work, landscaping, mining,
etc. Alpha males are also used to police (abuse) other
males. Males, both alpha and beta, are being "programmed"
to serve females in specialized roles, for "skilled
labour" requires that they be taught.


Feminazis encourage males to compete with each other, while
encouraging female co-operation. Males are being prevented
from NETWORKING, or protesting against feminazism. (Males
who network may be accused of belonging to "gangs" or
"terrorist organizations", and males who protest against
femi-nazism may be accused of being mentally ill.)


'The Three Investigators' stood for everything femi-nazis
are against. Femi-nazis are for male hatred, and that may
explain why these books are no longer being printed.

The Three Investigators have their first case: to find an authentic haunted house. Jupiter Jones, the intelligent leader, and Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews set out to see if an old castle nearby is truly haunted or not. Built by a silent film star, Stephen Terrell, no one has been able to spend the night in the castle since his untimely death many years earlier.

I first read this book about 30 years ago when I was a kid, and loved reading all the adventures of the Three Investigators, and they quickly became a favorite of mine. Now my 10 year old son and I have just finished "The Secret of Terror Castle," and he loved it, too. We especially noticed how the adventure and excitement was kept up throughout the story. We both agreed that the Three Investigators were much more exciting than the Hardy Boys, having tried to read one of that series without sucess. Instead, we found Jupiter Jones to be far more intelligent and we enjoyed the cleverness of the plot and story. We read the version with Alfred Hitchcock, which I'm sad to see has been changed in most of the books now available.

This is a good series we can recommend for kids who are sometimes reluctant to read, but who enjoy an intelligent mystery.

I remember reading this book when I was young and loved it. Great plotline with great characters and humorous dialogue at times. I started my 7 year old son on it. The first two chapters were slow going for him, but he slogged through it. The fourth chapter hooked him. He wouldn't put the book down for another 6 chapters. Recommended for ages 7 and older.

This book is so much more than a kids book. It was my first introduction to the Three Investigators, and quite possibly the best book in the entire series. The plot is quite intricate, and very intelligent. Adults can read this story and be thrilled and caught up as well, and to be honest, I get out my copy every now and then and visit with Jupiter, Bob, and Pete. The setting in California in the fifties, with Alfred Hitchcock as their mentor, is just perfect. I've read the later updated versions, with all refences to Alfred Hitchcock removed and rewritten, and I just think the original stories worked so much better. There was more of an air of mystery to them, although the stories themselves didn't change. In this book, the setting of an old movie star castle is just right. The writing is sharp, the characters already developed. Everybody at time in their life has encountered a super-smart kid, the one who knew everything. Sadly, the ones I met weren't as likeable as Jupiter Jones. This series is always clever, with strong plots, strong characters. Get these books and enjoy them. Many books aren't this well-written nowadays, especially for the teen-to-adult age range.

Quite a few children's mystery book series have become classics. Most people are familiar with Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Tom Swift. Even the Boxcar Children are relatively well-known. However, Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators were well-written books that offered an intelligent, interesting and more contemporary alternative to many of the earlier classic series. Many people recall the earlier series well, but the Three Investigators series, which Robert Arthur wrote and debuted in 1964, has, for now, largely been overshadowed by the other series and generally forgotten. Fortunately, all of these books are available either from Amazon or from other internet sources.

In this book, the first book in the series, we meet Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews. Jupiter is the intelligent, often arrogant member of the group who has a tendency to be condescending. Pete Crenshaw is typically the muscle of the group. Pete is usually quite fearless. Bob Andrews, who begins the series with a broken leg, works at the library is handles records and research for the group.

In this debut story, Jupiter Jones has won the use of a Rolls Royce for 30 days of 24 hours each. Jupiter has also created business cards for the trio with the auspicious title "The Three Investigators," "We Investigate Anything," and three question marks. Jupiter Jones learns that Alfred Hitchcock is seeking a haunted house for use in his next film. The boys offer to find a house for Mr. Hitchcock if he will introduce their first story; thus the reason the title includes Mr. Hitchcock's name.

Soon Jupiter Jones is on the trail of a home owned by silent movie star Stephen Terrill. When the boys visit the late Mr. Terrill's home, strange phenomena in the house causes the boys to go running from the home, scared to their very bones! The mystery continues to deepen as the boys investigate Mr. Terrill's past the history of the strange house that appears to be haunted for real.

I wondered whether I would like these books as much as an adult as I did when I was a child. My answer is yes. Robert Arthur wrote these stories in a way that treated these three young boys as young adults rather than children. The three boys approach their mysteries with creativity, logic and more than a little bravery. The result is stories that continue to captivate readers.

If you are looking for mystery books for children and you are looking for an alternative to the stories I listed earlier, I highly recommend the Three Investigator series, and the best starting place for this series is absolutely with this book.

Enjoy!

I don't use the word lightly -- but in this case "masterpiece" fits. This is in part the story of a group of extraordinary young men, Polish exiles who contributed mightily to the allied cause as fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain and beyond. The prowess and heroism of those men alone could have carried the book -- or a film, for that matter. But "A Question of Honor" is much, much more -- an epic, really, that covers the bravery of the Poles and the despicable manner in which they and their nation were treated, in 1939 and then in the latter period of the war. As the son of a Pole who was nineteen when the war began, I am very familiar with the story; but I had never seen it laid out so well. Olson and Cloud have produced a book that is both gripping drama and a brilliantly-prepared indictment of the powers that doomed Poland, by their aggression (Germany), their failure to keep their word (Britain, France), their lack of interest (the U.S. -- Roosevelt in particular), and -- in the worst case -- it is about the criminal neglect and barbarism of the Soviet Union, as Stalin prepared to take control over postwar Poland. More than anything, the authors show how realpolitik overran every promise, all good faith, and so many impulses to do the right thing. A brilliant, important book.

This is a great book. It outlines Poland's plight in WW 2 wonderfully. It focuses on the Polish Air Force, but covers politics quite well. The other Polish forces are also described (Home Army, Ander's Army (Italy), Aitborn, and I believe Western/Eastern Fronts). I think it is great coverage of the only nation to fight the German's, in force, on all fronts, from the beginning to the end in 1990's when Poland finally became free again.

I'll keep it short. The first half of the book, which actually talks about the Kosciuszko Squadron, was great. The second half, which relates the political squabbles between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, was boring. Dead boring.

I found this book to be a highly entertaining and informative read. The exploits of the 303,in particular, are thrilling. I do feel that some of the momentum is lost when dealing with the political machinations of Churchill and Roosevelt, however less exciting, it is very important that these be revealed. The authors did an outstanding job of this. I've seen reviews that say this is done "out of context". I don't see a problem here. This is the account of intentionally overlooked heroes who fought for all and received nothing, from a world that seemed would rather that they just go away! I take this to heart as I am of Polish descent. My grandfather was born near Zamosc. The family, with the exception of his brother and himself were taken by the Russians to a Siberian gulag during the second partition, likely as suspected insurgents. My grandfather made his way to Amsterdam over a period of a few years and made his way to America by ship around the turn of the century. I've been to Poland, to Warsaw, the old town and could picture the devastation as I walked the streets. I've seen the monument to the uprising and the murdered. All this makes me wonder if this could be allowed today, In our "information age"? What if T.V. and video cameras were everywhere then as they are today? Could Churchill and Roosevelt get away with what they did? Would people remain indifferent as Warsaw was flattened and her allies watched? It's difficult to believe that such a thing could happen in a world that vilified a president for having sex but I do have faith in mankind's ability to forget,just change the channel, or with TIVO, not even watch what it does not wish to see. This is why we need books like this! I hope some one make it into a movie!

* I don't think forgotten is strong enough of a word.

The story of the Kozciuszko Squadron is important on so many levels it is difficult to know where to start. Poland fought WW2 from the first day to the last, on every front in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Ten million Poles perished and, in the end, those who survived were betrayed by their own allies. Yet here we have a story of heroes, brave men who battled almost insurmountable odds, with only one objective in mind - to get back into the fight and defeat history's greatest tyrant. It is a vital story, told by Olson and Cloud with the grace, style and precision it deserves. When you finish this you will definitely want to know more about the courage and resilience of Poles during the war and I highly recommend, Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II

Beautiful! I must admit that parts of this story, especially the beginning were a bit difficult for me to read. But that just goes to show how true to life this author's writing is.

The story revolves around Marley, her mother, Pam, and her grandmother, Ma Grand. Each woman's faith is challenged through the issues of life; an engagement that ends, breast cancer, and the condition of getting older. Each woman's trial(s) affect the other as it is also so in real life. When Marley's co-worker invites her to visit her church, Marley comes into a new understanding of God and forges a more personal relationship with Christ. In the process she encounters more peace, love, and fulfillment than she ever imagined possible.

This book instructs that despite the storms this life may bring we must stand firm and trust in the Lord. Ellis' writing evokes feelings of hope and happiness, at the same time Ellis also manages a very satisfying end. This work should definitely not be excluded from among good Christian fiction.

this book sums life true net worth for anyone who want to be love in God's purpose... a must read for women who feel they have to hide behind the wrong of man just to say you have a man...

I loved the book. It was such a feel good book. I hope she writes another book soon. Keep up the good work.

I didn't really like the title, but the story was fabulous! Probably the greatest Christian romance ever written. I also don't particularly like Christian fiction romances because they are usually boring and drawn out, but this novel is unlike any other Christian romance book that I have read. True enough it is a story about faith, trust and love, but it should be named something like "Love is in the Airlines," because that is where her heart lead her to find true romance (and let me tell you that he was a GOOD find). But from the beginning, Marley had suspicions about her fiance. The book was predictable but it was a quaint story. MaGrand was a big hit. She was one grandmother who spoke from her fists--and if the punch landed on your face--then so be it. Marley's friends fitted in the story as fill-ins. Christian romance writers need to use this book as a model. Jamellah Ellis kept it real and exciting. I recommend this book to all Christians especially women and non-Christian women.

It's a first rate engagement celebration honoring the couple of the century, Marley Shepard and Gerrard Shore. With hopes of what tomorrows were to bring, Marley was more than 70% certain that she was making a major mistake.

With wedding plans being made, Gerrard was becoming more physically absent and emotionally delinquent from their relationship. Causing Marley to become fixated in her grooming techniques which usually resulted in indulging her purse, shoe, and lip stick fetishes.

Marley's soul was in a deep disrepair; Her mother's hurting, grandmother is angry, father is absent, and her fiancé didn't care. All out of hope, joy, strength, resolve, and determination, Marley cried out; "God what have I done to deserve this?"

Be still and know that God is God.

It was those words that alleviate and allotted for some immediate comfort. It wasn't until she actually made it to Gilead's Balm, that her eyes, ears, mind, and heart were relieved. `Stop trusting yourself. Trust in the one who made you.'

God Bless you. Jamellah Ellis sharply perceptive walk through Marley Shepard's eyes was so very pleasing. I found myself smiling, laughing out loud, and riddled with heart wrenching grief. A wonderfully detailed work on life, and establishing an independent relationship with God.

This is a deeply wise book. It reflects the wisdom of Thich Nhat Nanh and gives a glimpse into enlightenment and how the enlightened person lives. I learned to ask questions that deepen insight through the reading of this book. It is a foundation for much of the work I do with CEO's and is a foundation for my leadership book "Unleashing Genius." A MUST READ FOR THOSE ON THE PATH.
Unleashing Genius: Leading Yourself, Teams and Corporations

M. Dianna Ryel-Lindsey
MA Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
Giovannina Jobson, Advisor
March 7th, 2008

Old Path, White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha
By: Thich Nhat Hanh

While at Deer Park Monastery in California, I watched a video of Thich Nhat Hanh dictating what the experience of writing Old Path, White Clouds. He spoke of the memory of writing the book with sweet nostalgia, a far off look in his eye. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Venerable Vietnamese monk who has aided in changing the face of Buddhism in the West, whose work has been deemed "Engaged Buddhism," took on the project of writing the Buddha's life, footstep by footstep. He literally wrote this book with a pen. He would work in four hour shifts for quite a long period of time until the book was done. Thich Nhat Hanh claimed that he was walking alongside the Buddha, with the Buddha, in the Buddha's era. He said it was a marvelous experience to write Old Path, White Clouds. Two women typed up Thich Nhat Hanh's work, and one of the women spoke of stopping mid-sentence to cry because she was so moved by Thich Nhat Hanh's glorious, sensitive flow of words.

The book is to be made into a movie in 2008 by Producers Michel Shane and Anthony Romano. They sought out Thich Nhat Hanh to discuss receiving the rights to make a film from Old Path, White Clouds. Humbly, Thich Nhat Hanh was perfectly fine with this inquiry. However, he wanted the producers to spend some time in his France home, Plum Village Retreat Center and Monastery. Thich Nhat Hanh informed them that they must create this movie mindfully. That is the only way a movie of the life of the Buddha could be produced.

Further, the Dalai Lama has given his consent that the book is as accurate as possible, and the Dalai Lama has taken an advisory role in the creation of the movie's script. "Drawn directly from twenty-four Pali, Sanskrit, and Chinese sources, and retold by Thich Nhat Hanh in his inimitably beautiful style, this book traces the Buddha's life slowly and gently over the course of eighty years..." describes the back cover of the book. Thich Nhat Hanh's personal journey in writing this exquisite book, and the future production of this book into a movie prove the importance and earnest way in which Old Path, White Clouds can speak to all audiences about the Buddha's life.

The book is in three parts and quite large, so I thought it would be a great undertaking to read. Hidden underneath tangled, weaving Oak tree branches, in a small hut in Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California, I began to read Old Path, White Clouds. In a quintessential retreat setting, I understood why Thich Nhat Hanh's face filled with nostalgia as he remembered "walking with the Buddha" when writing the book. I felt as if I were floating, levitating as my eyes glided quickly across the words. Meditating and reading this book every day made me feel quite close to the Buddha (and the Buddha within). Thich Nhat Hanh's mindfulness in concentration and detail are obvious in his poetic, lyrical writing style. His care and precision is evident, and takes the reader right along with him on a journey in becoming a part of the Buddha's community, the Sangha.

BOOK ONE

The first section details the Buddha's youth and decision to leave home for the monastic, mendicant life. The book begins with Siddhartha Gautama in the woods outside of a village in India. He meets Svasti, the young Buffalo herder and Sujata, a young villager girl with some wealth. They brought him rice and kusa grass to sit on comfortably for meditation. He taught the children to eat quietly, with reverence, in mindfulness and gratitude. The children were drawn to his presence. Soon, more children came to hear Siddhartha Gautama's teaching, and the children eventually dubbed him "The Awakened One," the Buddha.

Born in 560 BC in Lumbini (India?) near the city of Kapilavastu, The Buddha grew up in a kingdom of wealth and riches. (He died at eighty-years-old in 480 BC.) Siddhartha Gautama was born to King Suddhodana and Mahamaya, his mother.

...Siddhartha was told about the dream his mother had before giving birth to him. A magnificent white elephant with six tusks descended from the heavens surrounded by a chorus of beatific praises. The elephant approached her, its skin as white as mountain snow. It held a brilliant pink lotus flower in its trunk, and placed the flower within the queen's body. Then the elephant, too, entered her effortlessly, and all at once she was filled with deep ease and joy. She had the feeling she would never again know any suffering, worry, or pain, and she awoke with the sensation of pure bliss. When she got up from her bed, the ethereal music from the dream still echoed in her ears... [The holy men of the kingdom were summoned.]
Your majesty, the queen will give birth to a son who will be a great leader. He is destined to become either a mighty emperor who rules throughout the four directions or a great Teacher who will show the way of truth to all beings in Heaven and Earth...

Mahamaya died shortly after childbirth, and Siddhartha was raised by Mahapajapati, known as Gotami, his aunt. Siddhartha, the Prince, was not interested in the affairs of the kingdom, although well-read and studied, he longed for more.

He wasn't interested in women, but nonetheless, he did meet Yasodhara. Her care and concern for the poor of India and her unconventional views brought her and Siddhartha to be close. Siddhartha was disgusted by the politics of India at the time, especially the Caste System, and Yasodhara agreed. They eventually married. Siddhartha and Yasodhara would speak of compassion together and meditated together. Their lives revolved around generosity, working with the poor. Yasodhara learned to care for herself to be able to give more; she listened as Siddhartha advised. Siddhartha continued to voice his concerns that more must be done, that he was destined to take a journey to solve the problems of India in his day.

In the meantime, Yasodhara became pregnant. Their son was named Rahula, "a fetter or a bondage." According to legend, it is more likely that he was named after a lunar eclipse (rahu) that might have occurred around the time of Rahula's birth. During many talks, Yasodhara (lovingly called Gopa by the Buddha) came to understand that Siddhartha had a mission to accomplish. He consoled her:

Gopa, please don't worry. You are a woman of depth. You are my partner, the one who can help me to truly fulfill my quest... In the near future I must leave and travel far from you; I know you possess the courage to continue your work. You will care for and raise our child well. Though I am gone, though I am far away from you, my love remains the same... And when I have found the Way, I will return to you and to our child.

Thus, Siddhartha left for a life of wandering, renouncing all for the sake of spirituality. He found numerous teachers among the forest-dwelling monks of India. He accomplished easily and quickly numerous deep levels of meditation: the state of no materiality, the state of neither perception nor non-perception, and so on... "He realized that the body and mind formed one reality that could not be separated. The peace and comfort of the body were directly related to the peace and comfort of the mind." He learned of the joys of meditation and the inseparability of interdependence and non-self.

"If the waves understood that they themselves were water, they would transcend birth and death and arrive at inner peace, overcoming all fear." Siddhartha's consciousness was raised to the suffering of all sentient beings; it is a common ground shared by all. Through meditation, Siddhartha became the Buddha, the Awakened One.

Siddhartha gazed at the star and exclaimed out of deep compassion, "All beings contain within themselves the seeds of Enlightenment, and yet we drown in the ocean of birth and death for so many thousands of lifetimes!"... He promised to share his discovery to bring help all others liberate themselves from suffering.

In Deer Park, the radiant Buddha taught his five ascetic friends of the Dharma, the law or words of the Buddha. His knowledge, he shared. At once, he had turned the Wheel of the Dharma. The Buddha taught of the Middle Way path, and also, the Noble Eightfold Path: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

He stated, "I have followed this Noble Eightfold Path and have realized understanding, liberation, and peace."

BOOK TWO

This section of Old Path, White Clouds gives descriptions of the Buddha's travels around India and the quickly growing Sangha. Uruvela Kassapa begins the book by stating:

On this fresh spring morning,
the Enlightened One passes through our city
with the noble community of 1,250 disciples.
All are walking with slow, calm, and radiant steps.

The Sangha grew rapidly with exposure to the radiant teacher, the Buddha, and his dedicated disciples. In the second chapter, the Buddha determines that India's monsoon season is not a pleasant or safe time to travel. Thus, the three month deep meditation retreat was established. With donations and the working hands of the Sangha, the community built huts from bamboo, thatch, and pounded earth. For the first year the location for the Sangha was the Bamboo Forest. This was a time of deep reflection, study, and meditation for the monks and disciples. It became a valued tradition.

An ascetic Dighanakha had questions for the Buddha. He did not believe in doctrine or subscribing to any tenets. The Buddha replied:

You see, my friend, if we are attached to some belief and hold it to be absolute truth, we may one day find ourselves... thinking that we already possess the truth, we will be unable to open our minds to receive the truth, even if truth comes knocking at our door... My teaching is not doctrine or philosophy... It is the result of direct experience.

The Buddha handles doubt so elegantly! He is never on the defensive proving a point. He leads by example. His words are controlled, compassionate, and gentle. The Buddha's life, he leads by his own genuine experience.

Thich Nhat Hanh agrees, "Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints."

The Buddha goes on to describe a gorgeous metaphor:
I must state clearly that my teaching is a method to experience reality itself, just as a finger pointing to the moon is not the moon itself. An intelligent person makes use of the finger to see the moon. A person who only looks at the finger and mistakes it for the moon will never see the real moon... My teaching is like a raft used to cross the river. Only a fool would carry the raft around after he had already reached the other shore, the shore of liberation.

This teaching is vital in Buddhism. The teachings of the Buddha are stepping stones, not the end-all. Buddhism leaves the path open to the individual's experience, and if a person holds too tightly to "the view" or "the Buddha's words," they will be carrying a very heavy raft on their shoulders.

Next, the disciples experience Ambapali and her power of physical beauty. Sariputta asked the Buddha, "Master, how should a monk regard a woman's beauty? Is beauty, especially that of a woman, an obstacle to spiritual practice?"

The Buddha answered:
Bhikkhus, [(disciples)] the true nature of all dharmas transcends beauty and ugliness. Beauty and ugliness are only concepts created by our minds... But perhaps no beauty has more capacity to distract a man's concentration than a woman's beauty. If one is obsessed with a woman's beauty, he can lose his way.

This has long been an issue historically with Buddhism. The female, seen as a mara, or distraction (sometimes translated to be demon), is an obstruction in the monk's path of becoming enlightened. Of course, feminists have harped on this. Yet, many modern women see this as a sign of the times and let it go. Unattached, many women know that they can become enlightenment to the same extent as men and are not concerned with the term "mara." Thich Nhat Hanh presents the issue gently in Old Path, White Clouds.

The Buddha continues, "...the beautiful may still appear beautiful and the ugly may still appear ugly, but because you have attained liberation, you are not bound by either... Such a person understands the impermanent and empty nature of all things." In this account of the Buddha's life, this is where the teachings are morphing progressively from Hinayâna to Mahâyâna Buddhism.

Following this, the Buddha returns to his home palace to meet his son Rahula as an older boy. Rahula joins the Buddha on his quest and becomes the youngest disciple, layperson. He is too young to become a full-fledged monk. The Buddha states, "With understanding and love, there is nothing you cannot accomplish." These are simple, profound, and beautiful words; the Buddha elaborates quite a bit on the correct form of love that does not hold possession or greed.

The Buddha and the Sangha are walking once again and encounter an "untouchable," a man of the lowest Indian caste bathing in the river. The Buddha approaches him to greet him in a friendly manner. The man backs away! "I am an untouchable. I don't want to pollute you and your monks."

The Buddha replies, "You are human being like the rest of us," and he invites him to join the Sangha.

Sunita, the man, placed his palms to his forehead, astonished, he says, "No one has ever spoken so kindly to me before." He devotes the rest of his life to the Buddha and his teachings.

In an incredibly important point in the book, it covers the historical trials of women who wanted to become lay disciples and eventual nuns. "After hearing the Dharma talk, the queen and princess felt their hearts open. They both wanted to become lay disciples, but did not dare ask." At that time in India, politically, it would have been considered absurd and for women to become nuns. Their place in society had to do with tending the home and serving their husbands and children. There was no room for strict devotion to a spiritual path, monastic devotion.

A group of women, including the Buddha's aunt Gotami, shaved their heads, dressed in robes, and walked barefoot to meet the Buddha and portray their eager earnestness in becoming lay disciples and eventual nuns. The Buddha was not discriminatory against women, but he was unsure as to how to open the Sangha without disrupting it inside and out. He was afraid that society would not support the Sangha with women in it. Harmful conflict could come to consume the Sangha.

Finally, the Buddha comes up with strict laws that would allow the women to become nuns. The rules were stricter than the monks'. It has remained this way unto this day.

Here are the extra eight rules for women:
First, a nun, or bhikkhuni, will always defer to a bhikkhu, even if she is older or has practiced longer than he has. Second, all bhikkhunis, must spend the retreat season at a center within reach of a center of bhikkhus in order to receive spiritual support and further study. Third, twice a month, the bhikkhunis should delegate someone to invite the bhikkhus to decide on a date for uposatha, the special day of observance. A bhikkhu should visit the nuns, teach them, and encourage them in their practice. Fourth, after the rainy season retreat, nuns must attend Pavarana ceremony and present an account of their practice, not only before other nuns, but before the monks. Fifth, whenever a bhikkhuni breaks a precept, she must confess before both the bhikkhunis and the bhikkhus. Sixth, after a period of practice as a novice, a bhikkhuni will take full vows before the communities of both monks and nuns. Seventh, a bhikkhuni should not criticize or censure a bhikkhu. Eighth, a bhikkhuni will not give Dharma instruction to a community of bhikkhus.

These rules sound terrifyingly sexist to the modern ear. However, the women were so elated to be part of the Sangha and learn alongside the Buddha, that they bowed, thanked him, and accepted the rules immediately. It was understood that the Buddha was defying society and taking a huge risk for the women's sake. In order to defend the Sangha to society, the rules were set up to protect the nuns, to help ensure their place in the Sangha. Unfortunately, the rules have historically remained until modern day.

Shortly thereafter, the Buddha delivered The Sûtra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness. Ananda repeated the Buddha's words, "Sati means `to dwell in mindfulness,' that is, the practitioner remains aware of everything taking place in his body, feelings, mind, and objects of mind- the four establishments of mindfulness, or awareness." This is where venerable Thich Nhat Hanh picked up his famous words, "Present Moment, Wonderful Moment." Being present is being able to truly live life in happy awareness no matter what realities occur.

BOOK THREE

The third book entails further, deeper teachings of the Buddha like full breathing, the raft not being the shore (do not get stuck in the teachings), and virtuous action and wisdom being "the two most precious things in life." He also teaches of co-dependent arising not to be grasped through logic and words solely. This must be contemplated through the art of meditation. "When you look at a leaf or a raindrop, meditate on all the conditions, near and distant, that have contributed to the presence of that leaf or raindrop. Know that the world is woven out of interconnected threads."

The Buddha continues in his teachings and traveling. Ending up at one point in Alavi, he meets a farmer. He refuses to give a Dharma talk until the farmer and all present had finished eating. The Buddha then elucidates a discussion on hunger. "If I delivered a Dharma talk while our brother was still hungry, he would not be able to concentrate. There is no greater suffering than hunger." Always remember those who are hungry, is the advice of the Buddha.

The book finishes with gorgeous verses of the Buddha's teaching. Ananda stated, "Lord, listening to the sound of the tide and looking out over the waves, I follow my breath and dwell in the present moment. My mind and body find perfect ease. I find that the ocean renews me."

The teachings become more and more esoteric. Uttiya asked, "After you die, will you continue to exist or not?"

The Buddha replied, "This question... I will not answer... I only answer questions that pertain directly to the practice of gaining mastery over one's mind and body in order to overcome all sorrows and anxieties." Becoming enlightened means no longer holding on to the fear of death. Becoming enlightened entails no death.

Finally, the book ends with the chapter entitled Old Path, White Clouds. The Buddha has passed away at eighty-years-old; he is given a wondrous ceremony in the midst of sal trees.

"For six days and nights, the people of Kusinara and nearby Pava came to offer flower, incense, dance, and music. Mandarava blossoms and other flowers soon thickly carpeted the area between the two sal trees." After this, his body was carried into town for a magnificent funeral. The practice of meditation and teaching Buddhism continued well after his death and to this day.

Thich Nhat Hanh concludes his compassionate book with, "The Buddha was the source... Wherever the rivers flowed, the Buddha would be there." Old Path, White Clouds is a timeless treasure as are the teachings of the Buddha. I recommend this book for: anyone curious about Buddhism, people young or old, those of any and all spiritual traditions, and practitioners on any level. Thich Nhat Hanh presents the Buddha's life with great reverence and sensitivity. This book's words flowed throughout my being as I read the superlative, spiritually provocative life story of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

This book is simply a masterpiece. Thich Nhat Hanh delivers the story of the Buddha and his path to enlightenment in peaceful words and pages. I will likely read this book throughout my life, again and again.

A clear and beautiful biography of the Buddha. Thich Nhat Hanh is the rare writer who can write simply without sounding simplistic. Anyone looking for a simple and engaging introduction to Buddha and Buddhism would do well to start here.

Wonderful read. Written in a way that is easy to understand. Thich Nhat Hanh writes beautifully. I highly recommend this book for anyone, especially those who are looking for an understanding of this particular lineage of buddhism.

I have been beading for many years, but I have never tried beading with cabochons before. This was the perfect book to pick up and learn. The author goes through every step thoroughly and with color photographs, with a chapter on each possible part to embellish. The one thing I think buyers should be aware of is that all her designs use a backing that you stitch beads onto. However, that was not a deterent to me at all, and I can't wait to get my hands on some cabochons to try out these beautiful designs! I think the cab designs that she gives will greatly enhance my jewelry and give me a completely new skill to use.

Another real winner. Gives grest directions with wonderful graphics. Great book for beginners

I love this book. I don't even work with seed beads but I bought this book because I found it inspired me in my wire work. Each and every project is beautiful and so wearable! I know that when and if I am ever
ready to work with seed beads and cabachons THIS will be the book I will
use. I can understand the instructions without ever having created a
piece of jewelry with thread! It is a must for all bead lovers!!!

I am no longer intimidated by the projects featured in this book or creating beaded cab projects of my own design. This book has been a great resource for me. List and description of tools and supplies needed is so helpful and informative.

If only this book were spiral bound so you could have it open to follow directions, it would be perfect. The instructions are clear, well written, and should prompt even a new beader to take the plunge into beading with cabochons. The photos are extremely helpful and clear and the finished pieces pictured should prompt all to give it a go. A must have book for a beadwork library.

This is a well needed book in todays society. I being raised by older parents sure benifitted from it. I am listening to it over and over to get it into my making. And really all it is is common sense. KAren

This book helped me to see that implementing scripture pricipals into parenting makes life so much easier. It was encouranging and convicting at the same time. First got it from the library and then had to buy it so I could reference it over and over.

This is another one of those books that I borrowed and read first. It was so good that I went back and bought a copy for myself for reference. The good doctors Thompson and Cloud give a very good framework for raising useful and productive adults. If you don't want to raise large children, this is the book for you. What I found particularly useful, coming from a fairly disfunctional family, was the amount of space devoted to empathy. If you have been disciplined harshly and unfairly, it can be hard to know how to discipline with kindness. This book devotes a fair amount of space to making your discipline empathetic so that your child understands that the discipline is neccesary, but that it isn't something you are doing just to make him/her miserable. They really help you to always keep the goal in front of yourself and your child, that is: the adult you want them to become, not the child they are now.

We got this to use as a study book for a church small group. It has been very practical and helpful, but the chapters sometimes seem long. However, the methods suggested are very proactive and easy to implement in any household.

I wish someone had loved me enough to give this to me at my baby shower. This is a great book and wonderfully easy to read. OK maybe the baby shower is a bit early, but I would definitely recommend it for parents of toddlers and older. I ordered a copy for my best friend. I had always heard about respecting your kids so they'll respect you, but never the real "how to's". This book gives what you need.

I don't own this book, but I just checked out from local library. He has got such a great imagination. Another great book he created. Awesome!

There is really no reason for me to review this book with 30 other reviews already here. I will just state that I loved it. I "read" it to my 4 year old and he wanted to read it again right away. If you look at each picture carefully and discuss with a young child what is going on before you turn the page, they will love it. And if they are like my boy, they will then read it when they are alone. I went to see him that night up in his room and he wanted to read it to me. We sat there while he described each picture and the story in surprising detail. I really think this is a great book with fantastic illustrations and a wonderful story. The author is brilliant.

If you like incredible artwork with an amazing story line than you will love Sector 7 by David Wiesner. Each of his books is absolutely incredible and this is no exception. I bought this(and others of his) for my daughter who is about to become an art teacher to use in her classes and she was thrilled! Enjoy!

This item was exactly as described in the item description. It was in the original packaging and is in excellent condition. I am very satisfied and I highly recommend this seller and product to everyone. This is an excellent book by an excellent author!

Flotsam and Freefall were the first two books I explored by David Wiesner. Sector 7 is not to be missed either. Wiesner's style and creativity are wonderful explorations for all humans(and especially children). M.C. Escher has an honored presence in this book, as he does in Freefall. The theme of flying is present here, as in all of Wiesner's books, and the fanciful creative nature of Wiesner's story and illustrations (paintings?) are not to be missed. Second language learners will immediately have something to say (in their own language) about this book. So will everyone else who reads it. Anyone who has taken the time to sit back and enjoy the show clouds put on will appreciate the ideas within this book. Don't hesitate!

I love this book there's so many good charecter's (I like lowie the most in this book!!!!!!!!!!) and I love the theme park
so good bye for now

Alright, I know YJK is supposed to be for the younger set, but I'm 15 and really do enjoy them. They shed new light on the characters of Jacen and Jaina, who, until YJK came along, were portrayed as bratty wonder children who kept getting kidnapped and escaping by dumb luck. OK, on to the actual book, sorry to ramble. This is the second in the Under Black Sun trilogy, which will be the last of the YJK books, at least for the time being. The kids are invited by Lando to spend time on Cloud City, bringing Anja Gallandro along. When she was introduced, I immediately understood the significance, since I have read the original Han Solo adventures back from 1979 and 1980. They arrive to find Lando's partner murdered by agents of Czethros, the Black Sun operative controlling Anja and out to get the YJK. Through a series of discoveries and things, the kids find out about Black Sun's involvement through several parties, most notably Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, who were supposed to be playing on CC. Concluding a bunch of near-death mishaps, the kids are reunited on Cloud City, but Anja is suffering Spice withdrawl, and the preview of Crisis at Crystal Reef indicates that she's really losing it. It's interesting that something that's a young adult book would deal with something like drug addiction, but it's well written and thoughtful. This is a good read for fans of the series, and even for you older folks looking for a nice light read.

Trouble on cloud city is an awesome continuation of the young Jedi Knights books. The way Kevin and Rebecca describe the character's feelings is what truly makes this book come alive. It brings out all of the subtle emotions that Tenel Ka feels towards Jacen and lets us know that deep down she really cares for him. This book is a must have and an excellent action packed read.

Well, I have to say that this was the best Young Jedi Knights book to come along in a while. Oh, but don't get me wrong, they're all good, but a few definitly stand above the others. Namely, Lightsabers, Jedi Under Siege, Jedi Bounty, and The Emperor's plague. And now Trouble on Cloud City has joined the ranks of the great. In this book, Lando askes Jacen, Jaina, Lowie, Tenel Ka, Anja, and Em Teedee to come with him to Cloud City to help supervise a new amusement park he is building there. When they get there however, they find that Lando's partner has been murdered, and they set out to find who did it. Anja knows of course, or at least guesses that her master Czethros is at work and she struggles on many moral points concerning her new friends, and her growing adiction to Andris Spice. Actually, in this book I found myself softening a bit towards Anja, who I previously hated. I still don't like her nearly as much as the other characters, but I began to realize that she is a victim is her own right, since it isn't her fault she was mislead and used and duped into Andris. Also, this book focused a lot on Tenel Ka, who is my favorite character in the series, and allowed us to get inside her, and see her thoughts and feelings in a way that has not been done since the masterpiece of Lightsabers. Her reaction when Jacen fell of Cloud City was heartbreaking, and I'll confess, that the scene where they all thought that they would never see him again almost had me in tears, and I never, EVER cry over books or movies or anything. I liked how this book let us see how much Tenel Ka truly cares about Jacen. Speaking of Jacen, his crush on Anja seems to have ended, which may in fact be what opened me up to her a bit, since I was always adamently against that. Anyway, I would recommend this series to any Star Wars fan, no matter what their age, even though they are generaly geared towards the 10-15 set. Also, this book would have a stronger effect on you and generally make more sense if you have read the previous twelve first, though if that is to much work, it is at least reccomeded that you read the one before it.

These are great books! This book is great for begginers. The story is great, the plot is great, it's very intriging. The book is about Jason, Jaina, and Tenel Ka, and Lobaca. Lando Calorisian is inviting the Young Jedi Knights to his Resort on Cloud City. The kids will come as long as they can bring their friend Anga Gilrado. But what they will find out is... You'll just have to read the book. It's a great book as a gift. It's a must for all Star Wars fans.

The authors are very specific in their advice on getting what you want in life, and their wisdom truly works. I have found that out by experience in using it to advance in my career. This is one of those books you can have complete confidence in: Not a bit of it is commercial psycho babble---this stuff is practical "take it to the bank" mentoring. One of the other customer reviewers called this a must-have book, and he is right. Don't miss out on this piece of gold.

The Aladdin Factor is a must have for anyone who has been unable to attain everything in which they desire. The book is analogous with the journey of Aladdin, his encounter with the genie and how Aladdin discovers what he really wants out of life. Jack Canfield does a great job of using real life cases to exemplify the Aladdin Factor. If you don't already know what is, you are missing out.

Good read and a lot of wonderful stories and helpful hints to boot. Worth the purchase. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to find their way to see all their dreams and desires come true.

Far too many people wander through life unfulfilled because they lack the skill set needed to experience life to its most bountiful. That's in part due to a fear of asking for that which brings us what we need, want or desire.

People are afraid. Afraid of rejection, afraid of looking foolish, and a whole host of other things. Be afraid no longer. The Aladdin Factor will teach you how to ask without fear.

Canfield's book taught me how to ask in a powerful, confident way that would guarantee my success. Simple phrasing combined with subtle reflection made for a life transforming read.

At Pug Headquarters, it's a must read.

Diana Taylor
Top Dog
Pug At The Beach

Sometimes all you need in life is the wisdom of a good dog.TM

Pug at the Beach: An Island Dog's Reflections on Life

Many years ago I read a book that changed my life. The beauty about books is they are truly timeless. Recently I revisited this book because the continued buzz about "The Secret" made me think of it.

The Aladdin Factor is a simple fast-track to getting what you want. Originally released in 1995 (around the time Chicken Soup for The Soul series was really taking off), this book changed the way I approached business and personal interactions.

I believe that one of the greatest lessons you will ever learn is included in this book. The art of asking for what you really want.

Canfield and Hansen explore five barriers to asking for what we want:

(1) The first is ignorance. Often, we simply don't know what to ask for. This occurs for many reasons including lack of exposure, not knowing the resources available and not fully understanding our personal desires and yearnings.

2) Second, limiting and inaccurate beliefs keep us stuck in what we know to be true from past experiences. This includes programming from parents, teachers, churches, peers and the media.

3) Fear is the third barrier (and one I believe we can all relate to). It is fear, usually based on past disappointments and experiences, that hold many of us back from asking for what we truly desire. The fear of rejection is particularly debilitating. Fear of looking silly, being humiliated, feeling powerless, punishment, obligation and abandonment are all key players in keeping us stuck.

4) Fourth is low self-esteem. Often we can feel unworthy of love, happiness and our true desires. This is because of inferiority complexes and false beliefs that our needs and wants are worthy of pursuit.

5) Pride is the final barrier and, according to the authors, is especially difficult for men. Although I see this trait in many of my women friends. We tend to remain guarded and not admit that we need help and support. Asking for this sometimes makes us feel inadequate.

The key to getting what you want is simple. Recognize and correct the barriers that apply to you. Become comfortable with who you are and what you really want and need (this may take some time).

Finally, ask for what you want in a way that is mutually beneficial for all involved. The key point I took away from this book (and continue to hold near and dear) is having the courage to simply ask.

Look at it this way. If you really, truly want something, the only way to get it is to take actionable steps, including asking. If you ask for something you want the worse thing that can happen is someone saying "no". Although this may seem devastating, in reality, you are left with nothing less than before you asked. And, if the answer happens to be yes, you have moved so much closer to your end goal.

So, go ahead, ask for what you want. The results may surprise you.