Clouds Books

Great buy, would recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful read, or anyone who enjoys the thoughts of a great lyricist.

From The Murks Of The Sultry Abyss, Brandon Boyd's sophomore book effort, follows exactly in the same vein as his freshmen effort. He's got a few poems. He's got a lot of stories and point of view essays. A lot of pictures. And a lot of drawings. If you've read White Fluffy Clouds you know what to expect.

I love White Fluffy Clouds which is the reason why I held out from buying this for so long. As much as I enjoy all things Incubus (especially Brandon), I didn't know if he'd be able to top White Fluffy Clouds. I'm still not sure if he did, but he did amp up the writing this time around, which is a pleasant treat. One thing that isn't as impressive (albeit mildly) is his art. I could stare at his drawings in WFC for hours wondering how exactly he did it. With FTMOTSA I haven't really found myself doing that. The pictures are excellent, but the drawings are more tame than before. However! Give and take.

All in all, From The Murks Of The Sultry Abyss is a worthy follow-up. Full of engaging reading material, curious photography, and some very good art, I'm sure it'll prove to be a book you can go back to time after time and still enjoy every glossy page.

The special edition (as pictured in the current display picture) is nice but don't feel the need to drive yourself crazy trying to find it. The box it comes in is pretty cool with a nice drawing on the cover, and the stickers are equally cool but unless you're a diehard collector there's no need. If you can find it easily though, definitely go for it.

"Car Crashes And Cow Corpses"...a must read for everyone.

This book is awesome but I don't understand why it is so expensive on amazon. It's half the price that's listed here if you buy it from Brandon's website:

www.brandonboydbooks.com

Pool and West show us such a rich way to live! Their connection with Hermes and the adventures on which he leads them are a powerful reminder of how many dimensions the world has. I very much enjoyed the fearless quest on which these two ladies take us. Terrific book!

"God Of The Hinge: Sojourns In Cloud Cuckoo Land" is the autobiography and memoir of Eleanor West, a woman who has participated in a host of preservation efforts, foundations, special projects and creative endeavors that ranged from organizing the address for preserving wilderness on barrier islands to appearing as a key speaker at the Marshlands Conference in 1968. Eleanor West wrote, narrated and co-produced the film 'Search for Ecological Balance' and conveyed Ossabaw island to the State of Georgia, thereby making Ossabaw Island the first Heritage Preserve property under Georgia's Heritage Trust Program. She also has served on numbers boards of directors for such philanthropic enterprises as the Frank Settlement, the Boys Republic, the Roeper School for Gifted Children, and Michigan's Brookside School Cranbrook. She has served as Chair for the American Red Cross Nurses Aides and the Detroit Chapter of Planned Parenthood. Her many awards for distinguished service include the Michigan Academy of Arts and Sciences' Gold Medal for her contribution to the arts. Very highly recommended reading and a welcome addition to school and community library American Biography collections, "God Of The Hinge" is a remarkable and inspiring memoir of a remarkable and inspiring life of service.

This book ranges delightfully over many topics, from mythology to pigs. It is written in two, alternating voices, and you really get to know the authors--remarkable women now in their nineties who have been friends for more than seventy years. They are hungry for new ideas and experiences, open and original in their thinking, and eager to follow paths wherever they may lead. Reading the book, I felt astonishment, appreciation, and envy. Check it out! I think you will share my emotions and learn a lot in the process.

Full of practical considerations; enabled me to think about areas in the relationship I had not considered before. Highly recommend.

Apparently, at some point in the past, there was a book called, Boundaries Face to Face. Thankfully, Cloud and Townsend changed the title to something a bit more practical. Though I would never pick up `Boundaries Face to Face' I immediately picked up `How to Have That Difficult Conversation You've Been Avoiding With Your Spouse, Adult Child, Family, Boss, Coworker, Friend, Parent, or Someone You're Dating.'

Having a lot of opportunities to listen to people who are wondering how to have difficult conversations with others, this book will become a permanent, staple reference. It is simple, practical, and gives godly wisdom on the art of confrontation and communication.

Overall the book is great. I think a little more attention could be paid to dealing with people who refuse to stay on topic, but this is really a very minor point throughout the book. Overall, it is an excellent guideline for biblical confrontation with others and I would highly recommend it.

For a full review go to my blog in my screen name and click on the Readings category.

Does the mere word "confrontation" give you a stomach ache? If so, it may help to know that, according to Cloud and Townsend, the word literally means to come face to face with another person-- in other words, it is a positive relational term. This book gives practical, step-by-step advice on how to have difficult but vital conversations with people you are in relationship with. It outlines strategies for how to prepare, how to remain loving, and how to keep the conversation on track. Although it focuses on "big" conversations about matters that may have been brewing for a while, it is also useful for smaller, day-in day-out kinds of confrontations. Some people grow up in homes that encourage this kind of interaction, and some people grow up avoiding such matters. Cloud and Townsend give a biblical basis for operating in both grace and truth, just as Jesus came full of grace and truth.

This book is best understood in the context of the book Boundaries, by the same authors. However, it can also stand on its own.

...JUST A WONDERFUL SOURCE BOOK FULL OF GREAT PIX AND WHOLESOME DESCRIPTIONS FOR LOCALS AS WELL AS VISITORS.

I bought this book as a gift for my wife, who is orginally from the Hudson Valley. She loves it.

This is a fantastic celebration of the Hudson River and its environs. Beautifully photographed, with just the right amount of narration, interestingly told. A unique feature is the addition of driving directions to each one of these exquisite places, at the end of the book. Very nicely done overall!

Are women ever tired of reading about the joys and wonder of the birth of a baby? I think not, and Lana Jordan brings not just the experiences of real women with the births of their babies to the reader, she also enlightens us with the important aspects of pregnancy and birth from a medical, physical and emotional standpoint.

Having had four children myself, everything in this book is enjoyable to read-and I sat down and read the book in a couple of evenings! I, like many other moms, enjoy reading and comparing the birth experiences of my own children to others. Above that, the rich content Ms. Jordan offers in each chapter about the traditional and non-traditional opportunities available to women helps shed light on some of the questions that we face with each positive pregnancy test.

In addition to the facts and the birth stories, Lana also brings a touch of faith into the motherhood experience. In my opinion, the miracle of birth came from Above, and there is no better place for us to remember the powers of God, as in our miracles of birth.

New moms-to-be should enjoy Journey, as it brings to light many of the fears about pregnancy and birth. Although you may have to endure every birth story for miles around within your own life, reading this book allows you to contemplate what you really want out of your pregnancy and childbirth-at your own pace and considering your own needs.

But, I believe that the mother who has had at least one child will get the most pleasure from reading this book. After you have your first child, and you ponder more, you have the chance to look back on your pregnancy and birth experience-to decide if you want the same things all over again, or if a different approach would be better for you. Some women featured in the book chose a different route with each child, while some explained that they liked their first experience and returned to have subsequent children in the same way. Whatever route a woman chooses to take with childbirth, Lana Jordan gives you all of the facts from a layperson's point of view, so that you can make a decision based on your very own personal feelings.

This is not another medical directory, with terms that are based on Latin phrases that a normal person cannot understand...nor is it a book about the 40 weeks of pregnancy and each little piece of downy fluff that grows on your baby during gestation. This book focuses on the mother-the one person that makes birth possible. And, it focuses on some of the physical and emotional information that a mother craves for the birth of her baby.

Journey to Motherhood on Cloud Nine empowers a mom-to-be and a mother. Whether it's through the knowledge and experience of the varied `real women' experiences, or through Lana's own experiences - this book gives the reader the goods so that they can research the options for an enjoyable pregnancy and birth experience.

Journey To Motherhood On Cloud Nine: Pregnancy And Childbirth From A Mother's Perspective by Lana Jordan is an amalgamation of honest, candid, and straightforward advice, tips, and thoughts drawn from the life experiences of over thirty mothers. Their experiences are told in their own words and offers the reader an invaluable collection of useful tips, handy suggestions, and emotional rapport relevant for mothers-to-be everywhere. Journey To Motherhood On Cloud Nine is very highly recommended for women aspiring to, or experiencing, the joys, tribulations, and realities of pregnancy and childbirth.

I grew up in a large family. I was the oldest, so I was able to see my mother pregnant nine times. I even witnessed the birth of my brother. With all of this, it is only natural that I have a huge interest in pregnancy and birth. Over the years, I have read endless books on the subjects, and I am always eager to read more.

I wish I could say that all books on pregnancy and childbirth were my favorites, but of course, that is not true. However, recently I read a book which I have totally fallen in love with that I am very excited to share with others. The book, "Journey to Motherhood...on Cloud Nine," is a compilation of essays from real-life mothers who have been pregnant and given birth, mixed with plenty of important information on the pregnancy and birth.

I read "Journey to Motherhood...on Cloud Nine" after I had already given birth to three children, but I wish this book was in existence 12 years ago! As I read it, I felt as though I had thirty women in my home talking with my personally -- telling me all the little, and big, details of their pregnancy and childbirth experiences. It was comforting to read that other mothers-to-be had some of the exact same thoughts as I did and to find out that I was indeed normal.

Overall, "Journey to Motherhood...on Cloud Nine," shows its readers a realistic view of pregnancy and the birthing process. After reading it, a mother-to-be won't be in the dark as what to expect and can go into each trimester, and the delivery room, with peace of mind and knowledge that they are an active participant in one of the most beautiful parts of life.

I highly recommend "Journey to Motherhood" to all women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant. It is also an excellent book to share with fathers-to-be, who themselves usually have questions on the birthing process. "Journey to Motherhood...on Cloud Nine" is a must for every mother-to-be who wants to read soothing, uplifting, and educational personal stories before their precious little one enters this world.

First off, I do love this book. I still have and cherish my childhood copy. This book did however, freak me out! Mean Mountain was sooooo scary, and when his nose fell off and he cried (the tear is in the shape of some sort of key)I felt very sorry for poor old "Mean Mountain". The animals in the vally were so sad and emaciated! The whole book left me feeling a little sad, but doesn't bravery include a little bit of loss? That was the lesson I learned from this wonderful book.

This book was my childhood favorite and I still love it! The storyline is fun and the pictures are cute. Even years later, I still remember and cherish this book because of its simplicity and uniqueness. Definitely a must-have for anyone with kids!

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, you child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. Little Cloud was one of her picks.

Little Cloud decides to travel to see what is on the other side of the mountain. Little Cloud's friends are concerned for his safety. He may get lost. Little Cloud floats away anyway. He runs into the eye of Mean Mountain who tells him to go away. Little Cloud floated past him because Little Cloud was not afraid.

On the other side he found a valley where everything was drying up. A tree asked for some rain, but Little Cloud was too small to help. Little Cloud learned that Mean Mountain kept all of the clouds away. Little Cloud decided to help.

He grabbed a ride on a airplane's tail until he got over the ocean. There he found lots of clouds, and told them about the valley and Mean Mountain. They filled up with water and went to Mean Mountain who tossed rocks at them. Little Cloud let out a bolt of lightning that knocked off Mean Mountain's nose, and the clouds went on to rain on the valley. Little Cloud stayed there from then on and lived happily, becoming a bigger cloud.

The book encourages a sense of healthy adventure in a child. One should not be concerned about vague fears, but go to find out for yourself.

The book also suggests that others may need your help. As a child, you may not be able to do much alone, but by talking with others you may be able to gather additional allies who can make a difference.

Mean Mountain is the archetypal bully, all bluff and bluster with little substance. You can talk about how to handle bullies in the context of this story with your child.

Finally, the book also develops the theme of satisfactions from helping others. This can help a child begin to thing about her or his purpose in life.

Please use this book to discuss issues that you think your child may be concerned about, such as separation from you and your family. You'll be glad you addressed these fears before they grow to be too large for your child.

Donald Mitchell

This book is not only beautiful on the outside but the story is wonderful as well. It shows a childs relationship with God in a very sweet way with idea's and questions only a little kid would have. If I could I'd give it 6 stars. This is a great gift book.

My little girl loves this book, she wants me to read it over and over again. She loves the pictures which look good enough to eat. I love all the detail in the pictures which makes it fun for Mom too!

What a fantastic picture book. The story is fun and it teaches. The illustrations are adorable, they look like they are going to jump right off the page! Best of all, the children LOVE it!

How do we deal with the challenges of life--with moments of anger, grasping or sheer indifference? In this remarkable book, the greatest Tibetan yogi of all times, Milarepa, gives clear, profound advice on managing everyday challenges with an open heart and a lucid mind. At the same time, thanks to a poetic translation by Nicole Riggs, Milarepa's songs touch beautifully on the ultimate nature of reality. Very accessible and at the same time extremely profound.

The life of Milarepa is a classic for Tibetans and for Buddhists worldwide. But with this new translation (the latest Milarepa translation to date), the book becomes meaningful for students of all backgrounds and all religions. It's the most inspiring Milarepa I've read - the best.

For me, this review of these famous Buddhist stories reads much better than the Chang translation of "The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa." This is pretty amazing considering the Chang translation is considered the "classic." But after 40 years, the English language has changed and frankly, the vocabulary needs refreshing. When I read Nicole Riggs's new translation, it seems like Milarepa is speaking directly to me! That shows what a wonderful translator she is. Her book makes these terrific stories more accessible to a new generation of readers, and that's worth a lot.

This book is quite heap of information and tips for packing luggage the right way. I'd recommend this for people who always travel - like me. :-)

This is a comprehensive book for the traveler. I read it every time I am about to take another trip just to make sure I don't overpack or forget something. BUY THIS BOOK FOR EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW THAT TRAVELS. Makes a great gift.

There is SO much more to packing than simply putting your items in a suitcase. In this book, Anne McAlpin makes suggestions on how to pack fewer items and eliminate the need for bulky, heavy luggage. She shows you how to hang pants on a hanger so they don't come off, and also how to pack pants without getting wrinkles at the knees. She even made an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in April 1999, and demostrated how easy packing could be. Interesting reading, and makes a great gift for the regular traveler.

Resurrecting Eve is a gripping and incisive examination of Christian Fundamentalism and its repressive doctrines toward women. But it is much more than insightful analysis. Sohl and Pughe write beautifully and perceptively about the lives of women who have been negatively affected by this movement and what we can do to make the Christian Bible an instrument of joy, healing and empowerment rather than harm.

"Resurrecting Eve" is a compelling, informative and provacative read. It speaks with clarity to the confusion and pain of Christian women who embrace the teachings of Jesus but are denied authenticity, mutual worth, dignity and justice by the dogma of Christian fundamentalism. It reveals the pervasive effect the devaluation of the feminine has, and has had, upon women, men, families, relationships, culture and the church. "Resurrecting Eve" helped me to appreciate feminine consciousness, embodiment and my faith in a new light. I believe it will inspire an honestly revitalized relationship with myself, others and God.

Eve rises like magma from a volcano, in this stunning book by Roberta Pughe and Paula Sohl, completely reforming the lay of a Christian Fundamentalist land. In this book Eve is no longer the temptress. The Hebrew creation texts are re-visioned to present Eve as the "first independent woman...courageous and powerful enough to assert herself in the face of pure male authority."

From the early days of Christianity there have been women of courageous faith who rose up to say "Enough" to destructive trends in church practice and dogma. Many, starting with Mary Magdalene, were silenced. Some, like Eloise, were hidden away in convents. Multitudes were executed for their beliefs--think of Joan of Arc, of Marguerite Porete who wrote of a holy church of Love over which the bishops and clergy and theologians had no power. Think of the holy women of the late middle ages in Europe known as Beguines who cared for the sick, feeding, clothing, teaching, praying with them. This was an era during which women were not permitted such self-directed authority. The extent of domination against which they took their stand was demonstrated with perfect clarity by the force of reaction against them. The more outspoken among them were burned as witches.

In the past two centuries we've experienced waves of women reformers. Their names are a litany of bravery, from Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth, to the twelve Episcopalian women who broke with church tradition and law and found a bishop to ordain them. Now there was Eve rising! The flow of all these women's actions and their writings changed us. The white hot fire of their courage streams out, even into the heart of Fundamentalism. For we women cannot help but be influenced by each other.

Roberta and Paula are at the forefront of yet another new wave of reformers. Their writing, and one thinks also their personalities and their approaches, perfectly complement each other. Roberta is the therapist. Paula is the artist, dancer, and activist. Each of them is a theologian with a mother's heart. Paula's voice is tender and nurturing. Roberta's voice is a scythe cutting through the repressive rules and policies of the fundamentalist dogma. She often sounds angry, which is understandable under the circumstances. Each mother has two sides. Roberta advocates for those who've had their spirits and psyches daunted and sometimes destroyed by the domination of fundamentalist practice and policy. In her advocacy she is a hammer breaking fundamentalist icons....an iconoclast. Paula reforms, rebuilds from within the hearts of women themselves. She helps us to draw the fire of our spirits through those energy centers of our bodies, called chakras, to restore both the power and the creativity of our woman-selves.

In this way, these two authors are, themselves, the volcano. Breaking down and building up, Roberta and Paula ARE the new Eve, rising up from the clay of perhaps the most patriarchal and restrictive form of Christianity ever yet devised in the minds of men. The true stories of women in this book are sometimes horrifying, always poignant, and ultimately hot--boiling, seething, turning the granite of repression molten with their intention towards justice. Each voice is a form of Eve, erupting, spilling over, making new ground--good ground in which to plant seeds of freedom and of love, changing the face of the earth.