Alternative Books

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the "Peace Process". It should be readily available to all American Universities which sadly, as I can attest, are lacking. I borrowed my copy from a neighboring state's christian college through interlibrary loan. Sadly too, I can reveal there are over 40 copies of former President Jimmy Carter's Peace, not Aparteid in my county adjacent to Atlanta. Don't know the grand total of this worthless book in the greater Atlanta area.... I was going to review that book, but I will not waste my time. I don't want to make it appear to anyone that he is being victimized. I'm sure he's well protected anyway.

But not so for the Israelis. Their state is in a precarious position and is at the mercy of higher powers.

I laughed when an American diplomat wrote that an arab replied that only 10% of muslims are extremists: "Well, call me a taxi! That means there are only 100 million Islamics who want to kill Americans instead of one billion. I don't find that very comforting."

Another way to look at it is there are 900 million who are not extremists. If the greater international community will fight a war on terror with us, and continue homeland and international security vigilance, maybe peace would be around the horizon.

If you can find this book, I recommend HIGHLY that at least the last 2 pages be read; they are a summary of the book which is a compilation of 40 or so mini essays written by Israelis, American and British statesmen, diplomats, and religious leaders. The sixth item of fourteen on the last two pages states: "The U.N. is morally bankrupt and cannot function as the instrument of justice. Alternatives must be examined."
I loved the South African Rev. Malcolm Hedding's article entitled "Anti-Semitism: the Basis of Immorality".

Zechariah 8:18-23 (English Standard Version)

And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.' Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"

This is a great book about the Arab-Israeli conflict, the war on terror, and the prospects for peace. Three dozen people contribute their perspectives on these topics.

The book consists of the best presentations from the first Jerusalem summit, held in October, 2003, in Israel's capital. That summit focused on developing a moral and efficient alternative to the failed Oslo process and mapping out ways to bring democracy and freedom to the Middle East.

Here are some of the points from the summit:

1) US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital is a good idea, and might at least remind people that Israel is here to stay with Jerusalem as its capital.

2) The present international bodies designated to protect international law have sunk into immorality, corruption, and inefficiency. The UN is morally bankrupt and can not function as the instrument of justice; alternatives must be considered.

3) Ultimately, Arabs must liberate themselves from their irredentism. But we Westerners can help by not leading them towards more of the same.

4) For the first time in history, nihilists will actually have the means to match their ends. That means that civilization is indeed at stake.

5) Panting for peace with terrorists merely makes terrorists the masters of the situation. What we need to do instead is defeat the terrorists. Otherwise, the only way we'll get "peace" is to let the terrorists do whatever they please with us all, "peacefully."

6) Peace can be accomplished only by facing the truth. Those of us who are for human rights and justice need to go out and support it with our words at the very least. We are speaking the truth. We have nothing to be ashamed of. Let's do it!

7) A new Levantine Arab state would be a bad idea. It would be a terrorist state, and it would endanger Israel (and maybe Jordan as well). And it would have absolutely no moral or historical justification.

8) Israel must neither rule over a million Arabs nor cede them complete sovereignty within the borders of the 1930s British Mandate.

9) Israel is not a foreign occupying power in Yesha. Thus no international law prevents Israel or its citizens from establishing civilian towns on state lands.

10) Israel in 1967 did not "occupy" a Levantine Arab "nation." University professors ought to be the first ones to point out this obvious lie. But for the most part, they haven't.

11) There can't be peace if anti-Jewish incitement doesn't cease, and that includes the force-feeding of propaganda to schoolchildren.

There are several proposals for peace in the book. They emphasize the need to separate the combatants. A typical and excellent idea is to let Arabs vote in Jordanian elections and Jews vote in Israeli elections, independent of which side of the border they might actually live on.

While I don't agree with all the ideas in this book (a wide variety of ideas are covered here), I find them all interesting, valuable, and sincere.

Some people may assume that this book is of no use, because a majority of the people in the world disagree with what it says. They may consider the contributors to be a political fringe. And on some issues, they may be right. But when a political fringe tells us the truth, or requests sanity rather than arbitrariness, that fringe will be proved correct in the long run. This is a book that we all ought to read now, when there is still a clear chance to make things better for everyone.

I was present at this symposium and attended many of its sessions. For me the major element was in hearing so many different voices who are essentially sympathetic to Israel, this at a time when the Jewish state is under propaganda attack from the extreme left and the extreme right everywhere. But the major idea of the Summit, it seems to me, is especially important. The idea that moral clarity about the conflict between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East can come through understanding the historical reality seems to me a sound one. For if one has an idea of objective truth, and fairness- and if one believes in Justice then one should be able to weigh conflicting claims, and look to an answer for the conflict. The fact is that most of the claims of the Jewish side have been ignored and distorted by the other side since the beginning of the conflict. And there has emerged a strange process by where the Jews bend over backwards to understand and give to the ' other side' while the other side denies any Jewish claim and history to the Holy Land. This running away from Truth on the part of the Arab side, this refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the other is what has led to disastrous perpertuation of the conflict.
Many outstanding people spoke at this conference, from former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Richard Perle, Alan Keyes, John Loftus. I would simply like to commend one speaker especially the historian Joel Fishman who gave a telling analysis of the connection between the Soviet - and Vietnamese conception of ' total war' and the strategy adopted by Yassar Arafat for destroying Israel. The key point here is that the aggressor will sacrifice the good and well- being of its own people in order to destroy the enemy. This explains Arafat's action when in September 2000 he opened up the latest terror war phase against Israel. It did not matter how much his own society suffered as long as he would move the process forward of destroying the enemy. Fishman's exposure of this line of thought made what seemed to be an irrational process ' rational'.
On the whole this work gives great new insight into the Arab- Israeli conflict. And it makes it clear that without real change on the Arab side toward recognition of the reality and legitimacy of the other there can be no peace in the Middle East.

This book expains how emotions -in the Western sense - reflect energetic balance/imbalance -in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element Theory and meridians. Innovative graphics illustrate the complex dynamics. Numerous clinical examples are provided, couched in the beautiful and mystical poetry of Chinese Medicine and Philosophy, against a background of clinical western psychology. An absolutely essential volume for anyone, not weaned on these metaphors, but interested in holistic treatment, at any level. Beatifully written, deserves to be read and re-read.

This book is an excellent compendium of information that relates bodymind experience to acupressure theory, five-element theory, and traditional chinese medicine. Fantastic companion to Iona Marsaa Teeguarden's Complete Guide to Acupressure.

Human understanding of the connection between emotion and physical health remains elusive in Western Medicine. This provocative Eastern view gives us hope that reintegration of our selves after traumatic moments and the transformation of "negative" feelings is literally at our finger tips.
This book is one of the deepest explorations into the energy of healing and remains a much worn friend in my healing library.
A must have book for healing touch practitioners from all traditions. A must read for all of us who hope to heal ourselves.

this book is amazing... reflections on life, love, loss and highways. as lee says, you cant always call [sonic youth] music, but you can usually call it sound. well i cant always call this book poetry, but anyone who reads it will see the power of lees words. 5 stars!

this book is really cool. lee is an excellent writer and anyone interested in his, or sonic youth's work should read it. the photography is great too.

fans of lee and fans of leah alike will always remember those rocket screaming, headcase creaming, psycho reaming, and convulsion dreaming days of volcanic glory. hey, don't we all? even still, lee's acounts easily rile old ghosts thought long dead and trampled on. go lee! (goalie! heh-heh.)

so anyway. any fan of lee, leah, or SONIC YOUTH will enjoy this book gluttonously. lee's writing style is jacked up, true, but usually in the best way. the very pages come to life and strangle and intimidate the reader with ruthless efficiency, rendering them stunned and confused and feeling momentarily adrift in their surroundings. a truly thrilling congregation of words and pictures.

a minor drawback would be the book's tendency to cause temporary consentration disruptions, and temporary short-term memory loss. that, and it's super harsh.

in closing i highly recommend this literature. it, frankly, is perfect.

FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Elijah Jimerson

This is an excellent book for parents, educators and other professionals who teach/live/work with people who have autism.

The "jumbled jigsaw" is what is so sadly misunderstood and mislabelled by many; sadly, many such "experts" apply the Procrustean Bed tactics to the autistic population. This helps none and hurts all.

Raun Kaufman, the child for whom "Son-Rise" and "Son-Rise II: The Miracle Continues" was written, said in "Son-Rise II" that "expert" is the biggest misnomer for that very reason above. He was diagnosed with severe autism in infancy and for the first nearly three years of his life displayed behavior suggestive of Kanner's Autism. Early intervention turned the tide for Raun; now an adult, he has no residual behaviors or tendencies of this neurobiological condition. He is also currently the CEO of a company.

Raun rightfully points out that had many people listened to these so called "experts" who recommended institutionalizing people with autism, many rays of light and hope would never shine. Raun Kaufman; Walker Stacey; Gunilla Gerland; Sean Barron; Tony Randazzo; Ben Levinson; Jeremy Kephart; Ryan Hamilton; Georgiana Thomas; Donna Williams and countless others whose stories we don't know have provided the Voice of Hope for many. Each of these above people had or still have autism to varying degrees; each have either written or have been the subject of biographies about living with autism. Each one of these people and countless others have lent their voices; their experiences and their explanations of autism so as to help encourage tolerance. Donna Williams and her scholarly books, this included have certainly helped move that process along. Had the so called experts' advice been followed, think of the loss we would all be suffering today. Just read Annabelle Stehli's books about people who have been successfully treated with Auditory Integration Therapy and who are no longer autistic; Karyn Seroussi's and Lynn Hamilton's sons were successfully treated with a special diet as was Tony Randazzo, who had an allergy to milk. Patricia Stacey's son Walker Stacey and two of Catherine Maurice's children were eased of the autism spectrum with ABA and Floor Time. Jane McDonnell's son Paul ("News From the Border") offers his own insights into living with autism; he was helped by general acceptance from others and his own desire to adapt to the neurotypical world. Paul was informally treated with ABA; he was able to see what constituted acceptable behavior, yet at the same time recognize his autistic tendencies and keep them in check. This is still another valuable book that the world at large needs.

The point is, autism is as varied as there are individuals who have it and so the approaches have to be tailored to meet each individual's needs. Instead of dismissing people with autism as their label, Ms. Williams has once again brilliantly demonstrated how important it is to encourage talents and interests. She is married; an artist and author as well as having a plethora of credentials. Her works are valuable and needed; this book deserves a place of honor.

At present the count is 1 in every 150 births...autism is on the rise. There is a real need for literature like this and the sensible approaches that Ms. Williams has written about here and in her other works. Autism does effect everybody on Planet Earth - whether or not you have autism, there is a 100% chance that you are related to someone who does or work with someone who does or just know somebody on the spectrum. Autism is an in-your-face condition that is all the more prominent due to the increase in statistics.

Institutionalizing people creates a silent underclass. It appears to do no good and is not an effective method in "treating" autism. Autism is not a mental illness; it is a sensory neurobiological condition that affects sensory responses and language. I've beaten on the Different Drum for years to get that message across and Donnna Williams brilliantly accomplishes that in her books.

Be sure to read this and buy some extra copies to give to others. We all need it.

It took me well over a year to read Jumbled Jigsaw, not because there is anything wrong with the book, but because there is so much right with it. Williams is original in her perspective (I've read shelves full of books on autism, none like this) and incredibly insightful. If you have a child on the autism spectrum with one or more co-occurring diagnosis, you are likely to find each page dense with provocative information and ideas. Such a book cannot be breezed through quickly, it takes time to really go through it in bite size, digestable pieces. It also need not be read cover-to-cover but instead by picking and choosing chapters relevant to your situation.

This fascinating and insightful book can only be described as a guide and "wake up call" for everyone.

Despite the "experts" imposing severity labels on Autism that are then used by the education community to direct intervention and expectation as well as outcomes, their lack of understanding of the "jumbled jigsaw" and the personality and individuality of the Autistic person has doomed their system to failure.

For example if one simply provided one of these "experts" the diagnostic presentation of the author, Donna Williams at various points in her life, without them being aware of her "outcome", the current diagnostic criteria who have resulted in low expectations and a life relegated to an "institutionalized" existence.

Instead, Ms Williams is married and is a successful author, sculptor, artist etc. Ms. Williams serves as the symbol of what really is possible and she took the time to write down what worked and what did not so many mistakes can be avoided : With appropriate assistance, the autistic person has the best chance to become all they would have been if the symptoms of what others call the persons "autism" were minimized.

The truth being ,the symptoms have multiple treatable etiologies ,that vary from day to day and an "inside out approach" offers the best chance these individuals have.at leading a "normal" (whatever that is) life..

1 in 166 births.

The failure of the education and support systems/institutions to foster TRUE INDEPENDENCE in this population will result in not just a moral and ethical crisis in the very near future but an economic one as well. If changes in the current thinking about Autism do not occur, more institutions at public expense will have to be created to care for this ever-increasing population.

Autism affects everyone directly or indirectly and the confusion over what part of what society calls "Autism" is the gift and what part of autism is the difference/personality inherent in the individual has resulted in many inappropriate ineffective treatments and wasted opportunity for thousands of individuals.

Read it and learn then pass it on

Monica in California

Dr Peiper provides a third party review of an incredible product that simply seems to good to be true. However, it really does work for many people. If you want to try Vital PSP, go to www.K2.healthywize.com

This book is a very powerful tool for helping people with various chronic disorders. I have not read anything like this before. Dr. Peiper's book has the ability to help millions of people with MS, Type II Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, ADD, Tourettes, Alzheimer's, Parksinson's etc. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Polysaccharidepeptides (PSPs) are by far a growing alternative solution to helping our bodies deal with the immune diseases, like diabetes and MS. This book explains everything in simple text to make sure more people are aware of this new whole food product that was recently released into the USA. For more information on PSPs go to www.smartliving.healthywize.com.

I first found the book at the library. I, personally have learn a great deal from this book. The information is very understandable. I just purchased this book and look forward to receiving more books by Vinton McCabe.

This book is a belated find for me, but "better late than never" is an understatement! The author, Vinton McCabe, speaks in such a way and graciously shares his personal experiences so as to put the reader at ease with a subject that has been surrounded by misinformation and misunderstanding. I truly related to Mr McCabe's 1950s childhood (asthma and allergies) and his pursuit into adulthood for the 'cure' by traditional medicine, and his discovery that the whole person must be treated.

The meat of the book of course, is the wealth of information presented in clear, comprehensible text - that is ENJOYABLE to read! I have recommended "Let Like Cure Like" to family, friends, coworkers, and I highly recommend it to anyone even slightly interested in homeopathy or 'alternative' approaches to wellness. Be Well!

This book is truly a gem and the author, Vinton McCabe, is a real genius.

I am 31 years old and I have been treated with homeopathy since my birth. During my lifetime, I have seen many, many different homeopaths (in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and lately in the States).

I have read also a great deal on homeopathy. For me, this book presents the best description of the essence, the spirit of major homeopathic remedies. I have learnt so much from these descriptions, for myself, my wife and children.

Homeopathy can really cure you at your deepest level. This is not for a superficial, quick fix. Homeopathy is really beautiful. It is life. It is sad that it is today so misunderstood and so rarely practiced. However, if you truly want to heal at every level, homeopathy will do so. It just requires patience, understanding and courage.

You will not regret buying this book.

Dr. Joel Wallach makes good health such a simple thing with his incredibly simple information for solving your health issues. I can't believe the whole world does not know these basic simple truths and how with his research he has brought the findings of the veterinary profession into play with the medical profession. An incredible read, I am sure you will be as amazed as I was reading this book.

This is a great book. Easy to read. Filled with excellent information to help you and your family live a more healthful and happy life. With a lot less pharmaceuticals and a lot more natural health in your life.

This book makes it simple to research a chosen herb, or the book tells you what herbs work best for treating a wide range of illnesses in alphabetical order.

Emma Restall Orr has presented us with a marvel of a book, at the same time scholarly and spiritual, that accomplishes several broad tasks at once: First, she offers Pagans the first serious work at defining and exploring a system of ethics which can speak to such a far-flung and varied community. Second, she offers to those who have never explored Paganism a reason to view such spirituality with respect. Finally, she offers to the world community at large a fresh new approach to ethics liberated from religious dogma on the one hand, and scientific materialism on the other. Her "third way" unfolds a pround respect for creatures and creation based upon a spirituality that honors life and the web of interrelationships that bind all things. Reader beware and rejoice! This is not a "how-to" book, and there is not an ounce of fluff to be had. It is a well researched and well thought out work by a woman who is at the same time deeply spiritual and exceptionally well-read. Whatever your spiritual or religious background, you owe it to yourself to read "Living with Honour." (For those who have read her mystical tale of "The Apple and the Thorn" -- a collaboration between us -- "Living with Honour" is also a scholarly exposition of the ethics lived by Vivian, Lady of Avalon.) The Apple and the Thorn

I received my copy of 'Living with Honour, a Pagan Ethics' by Emma Restall Orr. She is a 20+ year druid of OBOD and has written an incredible book on the values and ethics of Paganism. As this is a tricky subject, all may not identify with every statement, but she deepens the conversation and draws on enough common ground to really enrich the foundation of Pagan spiritual practice as well as setting down some leadership on what it means to be a Pagan in the 21st century. I really find her way of talking to the philosophical issues while taking moments in her narrative to enlighten the spiritual aspects incredibly novel. It reads like a manifesto at times while contrasting foundations with society and even within Pagan practice itself. All the while connecting the reader to the emotional aspects of spirituality. Of all my reading, this is a unique book that every Pagan should read time and time again.

My first thought on stepping into 'Living with Honour' was that so many contemporary members of pagan society are NOT going to like this book. It is indeed sorely needed, as it challenges the current trend for woolly thinking and blindly following 'tradition' (spiritual, political and social). It demands from the first that any readers WILL pay attention and relate the questions being asked to their own situations, in order that they may truly live with honour, plotting an honest and unique path through the tangles of modern life.

Without going into too much unnecessary academic detail, the book takes us on a journey through traditional modes of thinking, so ingrained that we don't even notice them but which are instantly familiar. The reader is inspired to ask themselves why they hold their beliefs, from everyday issues to deep fundamental philosophies of life. Pagan 'traditions' (old and new) are naturally a yardstick, but the need to question is paramount, to investigate in a manner that should be familiar from Bobcat's previous work, but which is easy to forget when stuck in a 'normal' 21st century environment.

It takes time to absorb - regular pauses are necessary during reading, to go away, consider, sometimes come to realizations, and then continue. So much is contained in these pages, that a second reading is already on the cards!

Emma's Paganism demands to be lived, with all of its pitfalls and promise. It is not light and easy, but can be dark, bloody and difficult - but then, so is life. While her previous works were guidebooks, this takes the next step, asking the hard questions that must be addressed if we are to live in a truly 'pagan' way, with everything that entails. As representatives of our beliefs, and so of our own selves, ancestors and land, we cannot live by blinding obeying as we are told. We make our ethics, and this book gives us the equipment with which to do so.

Is it worth it? Absolutely.

Most worship services have no more to do with our spiritual experience than a $50,000 wedding has to do with a marriage when tempers escalate and the ego takes over.
Reverend Westin has walked the secular and theological path and bravely takes an unconventional perspective in a direction that is not yet universal. But he follows one who had no fear at all. The fortunate will join them.
What man has assundered remains unchanged and Rev. Westin points us forward in the original direction. He is not prescriptive, but shares the resources that he has found to be valuable in his journey.

Are we willing to listen? That really is the crux of Howard Westin's wonderful new book: "Love Letter to Humanity." One of my many criteria in deciding how much credence (or willingness to listen) I give to what someone says or writes is: "Do they walk the talk?" With Howard Westin, I can resoundingly reply "yes." His book, and his life, are shining examples of a man who has searched, questioned, transformed himself and profoundly touched those around him. It is with this background of extensive biblical, spiritual and personal research and experience that he brings us a deeply felt message of love in his unique and powerful voice.

The fact that this book arrives at a time of great turmoil in the world makes it deeply relevant. It is too easy to be drawn into false thinking by the media and politicians and Westin lovingly challenges us on this and several other fronts.

The first, and undoubtedly for some the most difficult and controversial, is his questioning of traditional Christianity's view of the message of Christ. By looking at the genesis of the bible and the historical background of its writing he gives us valuable insight into what Jesus, the man, and Jesus, the Christ stood for-and how his teachings have been distorted over the years. If you're a traditional Christian you may find such questioning threatening-but if you give Westin a chance he is simply trying to help you be happy and one with God. His impeccable scholarship on the subject notwithstanding, as a Christian I appreciate any person's ability to make me see something in a new light. That, to me, is what reading and learning is all about. I don't want to blindly follow the herd-and the passion and conviction with which Westin writes is deeply affecting. He distills the huge body of Christian biblical scholarship on this subject into easily understandable and digestible bites that make profound sense. Are we willing to listen?

The second, and equally powerful message in the book, is the resounding affirmation that "we are love." In the most consumer-oriented society on earth it's so easy to be distracted by what is seemingly Real, and what we perceive to be real. From different directions, "or spiral" as Westin calls it, he takes us on an inner journey of gentle re-minding of what will give us peace and oneness with God. If you've been exposed to the Course in Miracles, most of what he writes will resonate with you. This book will be invaluable in hearing the message of the Course in a different voice. Course or not, it is a message we need to hear in different forms-and Westin's different take (with plenty of highlighting of central themes and thoughts) is an invaluable contribution to our ability to absorb the most profound of Christ's teachings: That we lack nothing, that the most profound Knowledge of the universe resides in you right now, and that we are Love itself. Are we willing to listen?

Finally, Westin suggests several methods that have worked for him in connecting with his inner truth, or guide (the Holy Spirit). In emphasizing simple, easy to do things that will help to connect with what is Real, he shows us that all we need is the willingness to see things differently so we can remove the blocks to Love's awareness. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will touch your heart, open your mind and bring you one step (or more) closer to God. Are you willing to listen?

Are we willing to listen? That really is the crux of Howard Westin's wonderful new book: "Love Letter to Humanity." One of my many criteria in deciding how much credence (or willingness to listen) I give to what someone says or writes is: "Do they walk the talk?" With Howard Westin, I can resoundingly reply "yes." His book, and his life, are shining examples of a man who has searched, questioned, transformed himself and profoundly touched those around him. It is with this background of extensive biblical, spiritual and personal research and experience that he brings us a deeply felt message of love in his unique and powerful voice.

The fact that this book arrives at a time of great turmoil in the world makes it deeply relevant. It is too easy to be drawn into false thinking by the media and politicians and Westin lovingly challenges us on this and several other fronts.

The first, and undoubtedly for some the most difficult and controversial, is his questioning of traditional Christianity's view of the message of Christ. By looking at the genesis of the bible and the historical background of its writing he gives us valuable insight into what Jesus, the man, and Jesus, the Christ stood for-and how his teachings have been distorted over the years. If you're a traditional Christian you may find such questioning threatening-but if you give Westin a chance he is simply trying to help you be happy and one with God. His impeccable scholarship on the subject notwithstanding, as a Christian I appreciate any person's ability to make me see something in a new light. That, to me, is what reading and learning is all about. I don't want to blindly follow the herd-and the passion and conviction with which Westin writes is deeply affecting. He distills the huge body of Christian biblical scholarship on this subject into easily understandable and digestible bites that make profound sense. Are we willing to listen?

The second, and equally powerful message in the book, is the resounding affirmation that "we are love." In the most consumer-oriented society on earth it's so easy to be distracted by what is seemingly Real, and what we perceive to be real. From different directions, "or spiral" as Westin calls it, he takes us on an inner journey of gentle re-minding of what will give us peace and oneness with God. If you've been exposed to the Course in Miracles, most of what he writes will resonate with you. This book will be invaluable in hearing the message of the Course in a different voice. Course or not, it is a message we need to hear in different forms-and Westin's different take (with plenty of highlighting of central themes and thoughts) is an invaluable contribution to our ability to absorb the most profound of Christ's teachings: That we lack nothing, that the most profound Knowledge of the universe resides in you right now, and that we are Love itself. Are we willing to listen?

Finally, Westin suggests several methods that have worked for him in connecting with his inner truth, or guide (the Holy Spirit). In emphasizing simple, easy to do things that will help to connect with what is Real, he shows us that all we need is the willingness to see things differently so we can remove the blocks to Love's awareness. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will touch your heart, open your mind and bring you one step (or more) closer to God. Are you willing to listen?

This is a fascinating and inspiring book. It leads you to question the education system as a whole and specifically the classrooms you or your children enter every day. Mercogliano writes in an easy style and tells the story in an engaging way. Give a copy of this to your local administrators and your state legislators.

This book has inspired many in the free school movement. I work at a democratic school in brazil, and all the educators have read this book, it is also being used in pedagogcial studies in the University of Sao Paulo.

This is a must read for all educators and people interested in allowing children to be free!

This book takes you into the heart and soul of an inner city free school. It's a beautiful human story about love and courage. It's also an excellent example of an ongoing experiment in real living and learning, real in the sense of actual, effective and happening. The school is free in two ways. You can go there without paying and rules are not prescribed. Chris Mercogliano does an excellent job of showing us both sides of this coin. If you're a parent, grandparent or soon to be a parent read this book!