Publications Books

"J.G. Ballard scans the suicide-code of a chemical=anthropoid into the abolition world, as if the drug fetus's modem=heart of the corpse mechanism is aspirated acid." - Kenji Siratori, author of Blood Electric

J.G. Ballard's "Quotes" is one of my favorite books. How does Ballard do it? He offers the starkest insights about Western culture and the psychopathology of the human race, and yet the book is fun, exciting, and totally addictive. The editors have combed all of Ballards books for interesting excerpts, and they have arranged them conveniently into chapters. There is a chapter on Writers and Writing, a chapter on 9/11, a chapter on Beaches, a chapter on William S. Burroughs--it goes on and on. Yes, sometimes there are redundancies, but that did not bother me. In fact, it is interesting to see how Ballard takes an insight or prediction and retools it slightly over time. One of my favorite of his predictions is that in the future, science and pornography will intersect. That may seem obvious to some people now, but Ballard made this prediction in the early 1970's. Another thing this book is good for: getting titles to other interesting books. Ballard reads widely, and he recommends books throughout this volume; some are books I had never heard of. "The Black Box", for instance, contains the transcripts of dialogue between pilots and air-traffic controllers for flights that eventually crashed. Ballard cites one of his favoite books: "The Los Angeles Yellow Pages". He considers this directory a surrealist work. Likewise, the chapter on film is good for some titles: after reading Ballard I returned to "The Road Warrior" and "The Hitcher" (two of my childhood favorites) and saw them in a new, Ballardian light. If you like this one, I would also recommend the book of Conversations with Ballard and "A User's Guide to the Millenium". Of course, "Crash" is not to be missed...

"jg ballards: quotes" is a book of maxims, aphorisms, statements, and glibly profound comments from the mouth and pen of the perspicacious jg ballard.
if you are at all interested in the theories of a modern thinker without all the impenetrablenous of postmodern theorists from academia, then check this tome out.
the chapters on 'PSYCOPATHY' and 'THE SUBURBS' alone are very salient indeed, soaring through the time and mind barriers of our age looking with hindsight at the strange possibilities that time and mind present to us now.
ballard transposes the psychical landscape onto the physical one using freudian theories of the libido and the unconscious to evoke a surreal landscape at once familiar and yet alienating.
these are the themes ballard tackles and talks about in his own inimitable and exciting manner. always fascinating.
i recommend this book to anyone interested in a worthwhile compass to the imaginative world around us right now.

RE/Search has compiled the best blips and ramblings from Ballard's extensive body of work, illuminating the uninitiated and re-affirming to the already converted that Ballard is one of the sharpest commentators on the modern world. The book itself is compact and formated for easy digestion during commuting hours or periods in limbo, and each quote is a gem. This book will definitely keep you intrigued and sane on your otherwise dismal journey through the day to day.

In J.G. Ballard Quotes, author Ballard and Quotes editor V. Vale continue a relationship which stretches back twenty years. Along with being the finest writer of our time, Ballard is a keen social observer, as well as a thinker of unique and visionary perspective:

"Does the future still have a future?"

"The open coffins lay empty, ready to catch the American pilots who would soon fall from the air."

"Everyone says there is too much violence on television but secretly they want more."

"Will NASA one day evolve into a religious organization?"

"A perverse sexual act can liberate the visionary in even the dullest soul."

As one can see, Ballard is interested in the tropes of our time. Reading Quotes, one can't help but marvel at his wonderful ability to seamlessly extemporize on virtually any subject. And along with thousands of great JGB quotes, the book is illuminated by surreal techniscapes from photographers Ana Barrado and Mike Ryan.

If you're a JGB fan, or just need an interesting book for your coffee table, Quotes will be a good choice for you.

This book can get you started just in the way you would like to. Mike understands what PB developers need to get started with Web development and Jaguar. Although EAS versions have changed, but the basic concepts suc as "stateless/stateful, instance pooling, transaction support, connection, etc" remain the same. This book is not for Java with EAServer - this is PowerBuilder with EAServer - as the name suggests.

This book was written for PowerBuilder 7 (now 7.03) and Jaguar CTS 3.0 (now Sybase Enterprise Application Server 3.6.1.08). While PowerBuilder hasn't changed much EAS most *certainly* has. When Jaguar 3.0 came out there was no database persistence standard for the Java platform, EJB was barely a spec (v 0.4), and a lot of things that we take very much for granted in the J2EE Specification simply didn't exist. Also, Jaguar 3.0 was a much 'clunkier' system to administer than that newer 3.6.1 release that Sybase has done. While many of the concepts discussed in this book from the PowerBuilder side are still applicable, some of the screen shots and processes are dated on the Jaguar side. Still, the book represents a good history lesson if nothing else. Being that this is the *only* book on the subject of using PowerBuilder as a front end to your Jaguar/EAS server-side code I'd say get it. But it's quickly become in *dire* need of a revamp. Are you listening, Mr. Barlotta??

The site was going to use PB7 and Jaguar - exciting! I ordered the book, read it, used the many fantastic code bits to get an n-tier PB7 app up and running. Fantastic book.

4 months later, the client decided to use Java, scrap PB development and sacked me without even a day's notice. Oh well. I still think Jaguar and the book and PB7 are tops! But the lesson learned is that Powerbuilder is on the way down and out!

I've been developing applications for over ten years. This book stands out as one of the best I've ever owned. It's very honest about how familiar you'd better be with PowerBuilder if you expect to use this book. The author takes into consideration the probability that you're new to Jaguar and yet doesn't 'dumb down' his guidance. It takes you through an explanation of CORBA, distributed processing, and gets you using Jaguar immediately. Excellent coverage of the administration of and development using Jaguar. If you plan on using EAS to build distributed apps, I highly recommend you read this book.

Excellant guide to getting started with Jaguar. Written for those users who know PowerBuilder and need to move to Jaguar. No distributed PB knowledge is required - Barlotta explains everything you need to know in plain english.

The time it will save you in figuring out what you are doing is well worth the cost of the book and more.

The examples in the book are good and source is available on line. The only complaint I would have is the code on the web is not organized in the zip file as well as it could be, but the author mentioned he was going to work on that. A little searching will find the code you need.

If you are thinking of doing distributed or web based applications using Jaguar, buy this book today.

Boot Means, photojournalist and man about Trenton, New Jersey was not having a very good life. Until now his assignments for the Trenton Record have been limited and said limited assignments are consigned to page 6...somewhere after the cat-up-a-tree-rescues. And now even his crumby job is in jeopardy because the economy is causing a rift between labor and management, as his co-workers fear more layoffs. To top it off, he's about to get evicted from his apartment and finds himself being railroaded into naming the wedding day when his control-freak girlfriend, Stacy decides it's time for them to get married.
But fear not, as we have all heard, Jesus Saves! Into Boot Means' puny life comes news that Jesus has been spotted in Trenton. And despite the negative attitude of expressed by one co-worker who spat, "There ain't no Jesus in Trenton." Mrs. Emily Phibbs has seen Him, clear as day, on a billboard advertising Smythe's Diner and she wants someone from the newspaper to let everyone know about it. When the editor offers the story to his quickly dwindling staff, no one wants it...no one except Boot Means. He sees it as a way to increase his visibility and perhaps even his earn a permanent position as a reporter who gets to write more than captions for his photos.
And sure enough, the billboard Jesus becomes an icon, drawing all sorts of people to Trenton who set up a Jesus Camp and begin promoting their own agendas.
There is the lovely tele van gelista, Melanie Dove with her adoring crew, and the rival OFJ, Open Faith for Jesus freaks in with their tattoos and purple buses. Then there is the mysterious mole, Travis LeBlay who seems to be trying to set everyone up against one another. But Boot Means sticks with the story, and sure enough his star begins to rise because "Quirky religious groups provided amusing copy." And books about people trying to exploit religion can be very amusing as well.
Christopher Klim has given us a slice of life complete with funny characters, amusing situations, yet with an underlying theme of melancholy that makes us want to hug this poor little orphan kid who just can't seem to grow up and get it together. The book can be enjoyed on many levels, metaphors and allegories abound and the irony revealed at the end allows the true believer a little smile and nod.

JESUS LIVES IN TRENTON is well-written and entertaining, a fast moving novel about what happens in the city of Trenton , New -Jersey, when citizens begin seeing Jesus on a billboard advertising biscuits and gravy.. The interesting characters, hilarious plot and believable but humorous dialogue keep the reader turning pages.
The main character, Boot Means, is a struggling photo-journalist working for a tabloid who uses this Jesus sighting to improve his career. He finds himself caught in the middle of two fanatical religious cults For a while it looks like he might even lose his life.
From the opening scene where Boot Means is attacked by two semi- naked women in a hotel lobby, through his discovery of the purple OPEN FAITH FOR JESUS school bus, to the final scene when he presses the doorbell of the man who claims to be his father author Klim has our complete attention. JESUS LIVES IN TRENTON is delightful.

(The Australian Coastal Book Council selects books for libraries, schools, and reading circles.) This quirky title had surfaced in discussion groups and on the Internet a number of times, and therefore we decided to give it a go at the main city branch. JESUS LIVES IN TRENTON was a pleasant surprise. I've never been to New Jersey, but the city of Trenton, although never portrayed as particularly lovely, has taken on mythical proportions in recent literature. No one seems better to deliver the goods than Christopher Klim. His portrayal of orphan-turned-photographer was particularly gratifying, and even though the storyline builds a maddening flow of consequences and happenings, the author manages to hold it all together for the stunning climax. We found the discussions that spun from this book ranged from the topics of religion and integrity to the morally bankrupt and the disposed members of the community. JESUS LIVES IN TRENTON gets our hearty approval.

The novel operates on two levels: first, it's a flat-out funny and enjoyable, and second, it's a dark comedy about self-importance and the fight for a higher state of being. This duality is difficult to grasp for some who become bogged down in the details, but even so, the book is sift-paced lending more than just a little insight into this new author's mind. Having thoroughly enjoyed his latest comic novel, The Winners Circle, it was interesting to see how Klim got his start, and as the American public is driven further and further into formulaic plots and repetitive gruel, it's refreshing to take on this read. Recommended.

I'm glad to see this title reissued. I'd first discovered this book and author in Europe during the summer 2002. I was homesick, and this satire of American culture--religion, politics, ambition, etc.--was just what the doctored order. I was caught laughing out loud on a bus in Paris, but Jesus Lives in Trenton is more than a guilty pleasure. It's the story of not-so-regular guy and photojournalist Boot Means (interesting name) and his drive to be noticed as a journalist. It all gets wrapped up in more plot and whacky but not so unrealistic characters than you can stand. It all boils down to a whole lot humanity that will make you cry as wkk as laugh.

Upon returning from European isolation, I've learned that Klim has become a cult favorite in the states, as his growing army of fans eagerly await his next novel, but if you want to see a 21st century novelist in the making, begin with Jesus Lives in Trenton or check out ChristopherKlim.com for loads of goodies and a terrific short story.

This another well done story full of good characters. I want a sequel to this one. Josie and Rebecca are just great strong women and there were a couple of times I thought I hurt myself laughing. Great read I am gonna keep this one.

From the back cover:
When out-law-on-the-run Josie Hunter rescues a young woman from the clutches of three desperados, she unwitting sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives. Soon Josie and Rebecca are reluctant companions on a journey that leads beyond secrets and past pain to a place neither ever expected to go. As they learn to rely on one another for survival in the harsh world, they eventually forge a bond far deeper than friendship.

What I liked about this novel was that the Old West setting was authentic. I really felt what a dangerous life they were living. The characters were all very interesting, likable (or hate-able) and realistic for the period. And most importantly the authors took their time developing and changing the characters, in particular the relationship between Josie and Rebecca so you had time to get to know them and care whether they became lovers or not. (Oh, and the sex is great!!)Another great thing was that this book is a good length. Despite being fast paced the authors still have lots to say to keep the book a satisfying length.
This is the best lesbian romance book I have read in the historical/western genre to date. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good read in that area.

Josie Hunter is supposedly a wild desperado...robbing trains and killing folks. Unfortunately, one of her gang turns against them and their final job has her gang running for the hills in different directions.

While Josie is riding thru the frontier with no place to go, she hears a scream. When she arrives at the scene, three cowboys are preparing to rape and kill a pretty, young woman. Josie tries to get the girl released without any problems, but the guys go for their guns and they die because they were stupid.

Josie takes the victim, Rebecca Cameron, back to the outskirts of her town looking disheavaled. Rebecca father, Caleb, is a drunken abuser and beat the [...] out of Rebecca because he doesn't believe her story.

So Rebecca runs away and begins following Josie's tracks. Josie almost kills her when she creeps on the outskirts of her campsite. After Josie gives into the fact that Rebecca is going to follow her, she relents and allows Rebecca to travel with her.

Rebecca attracts alot of attention, but it is always the wrong kind of attention, either from men or snakes. Josie is there to take care of the situation, with her gun.

The characters you meet along the trail boost the characterization of Josie. The events which occur during their travels make them both stronger and bond them together.

This is a great read.

Phenomenal... There isn't a better word to describe this book. Miller and Foster have teamed up on several occasions, but this is one of their best.

From the Back Cover... "Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles is an epic western saga with all the elements familiar to that genre; rousing adventure, heinous villans, heart-stopping action, outlaws-turned-heroes, and of course a romance that will warm the heart. At the center of this story are two women - one, a deadly gunslinger, bitter from the injustices in her past, the other a gentle dreamer trying to escape the horors of the present. Their destinies come together one fateful afternoon when the feared outlaw makes the choice to rescue a young woman in trouble. For her part, Josie Hunter considers the brief encounter at an end once the girl is safe, but Rebecca Cameron has other ideas. Enthralled by the enigmatic figure of the legendary bandit and desperate to escape a life that is quickly crushing her spirit, Rebecca decides to follow her rescuer - much to the older woman's chagrin. It is at first a difficult relationship but one which slowly begins to grow and change and deepen as the two unlikely friends share adventures, joys, pains, hopes and dreams, only to discover they also desperately want to share their hearts. It is a beautiful passionate love story that develops slowly, pulling the reader into this drama even as Josie and Rebecca themselves discover a growing intensity between them."

If you're a fan of Xena, you'll love this book. Period.

Much of the plot and experiences of the main characters seems to be a mirror image of Season 1. Rebecca is attacked and saved by Josie. Josie takes her home. Rebecca follows. Josie begrudgingly lets her come along. Josie helps people along the way and depends on Rebecca's way with words to help in many situations. Josie begins to change her reputation from "outlaw" to "saviour" as their adventures continue.

The only differences are the setting and the ability of the characters in this story to actually consummate their love after they slowly fall for each other.

I waited a long time for this one to hit my bookshelf. It is a fantastic read that I hope to enjoy again many times in the future.

Women are often marginalized in history especially in stories about the Old West. BL Miller and Vada Foster have changed that by rewriting history, if only in fiction, with Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles. Women are front and center throughout the pages in this stimulating and inspiring tale of two women finding each other as well as themselves while they forge new trails.

Josie Hunter becomes an outlaw after she is accused of killing her best friend Genie. While on the run, she dispenses her own kind of justice, skirting the "law" quite often. It is during one of these times that she rescues Rebecca Cameron from a gang of men trying to rape the young woman. After this encounter, Rebecca becomes Josie's traveling partner. While unwilling to totally accept this spirited woman, Josie reluctantly lets her tag along.

The authors have invented a truly heroic character with Josie. While it may seem that Josie recklessly breaks the law every chance she gets, in actuality, on the frontier, the law was localized and very arbitrary. Being half Cherokee makes Josie's situation much more complicated. Although deeply flawed and displaying a brusque exterior, she risks her life more than once to save those who can't help themselves. Her compassion for others shows in all of her actions. Rebecca's character complements Josie, offering us innocence as well as a quiet strength. It is her belief in Josie's goodness that draws out the tough outlaw's deep feelings.

As a reader I have found that well written historical fiction is hard to find. Either the authors give too little detail, or they get bogged down in facts that do not move the story along. There is no balance thus the real events detract from the plot. This is not the case with Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles. It is interspersed with actual events that give the readers a flavor for the times. The setting is detailed and accurate. Josie and Rebecca's travels are full of action and variety which keep the book interesting throughout. Foster and Miller realistically portray the women in the story, the choices they must make and the way they are generally treated. The authors also deal with Josie being part Cherokee and the prejudice that Native Americans endured during those times. The authors never preach but let these crucial bits of overlooked history reach us through superb storytelling.

Josie and Rebecca: The Western Chronicles is enjoyable and thorough without dragging. It will surely become as legendary as the great Westerns that have preceded it. I highly recommend this extraordinary account of our forgotten history as told through the fictional characters of Josie and Rebecca.

Book arrived quickly and in shape described. I am very satisfied with the seller. Thanks.

Every time I read one of the Thoene's books I learn a little more about history. I always wonder which of the characters are fiction and which are real life.

The Key to Zion is the culmination of everything that has happened to the Jewish people throughout the ages. I became very angry when I realized what it took for these brave characters in the book to stand firm in the love of God and their faith in Jesus as they fought to simply have a land in which to exist. I cannot believe that mankind can hate as we do. Despite all the trials and tribulations the love and power of God comes through. This book lifted my spirits and renewed my faith.

I believe this book is very good and accurate. I did not like the way the series kept you hanging at the very end, until I found out about the Zion Legacy Series which takes up right where this book leaves off.

This series as well as the previous, the Zion Covenant, are fantastic. You truely feel like part of the story, and most facts are accurate. I love reading about this time period in history, and the Thoene's do a fantastic job. Enjoy!

Other than the rather bland "rose colored" burgundy leather cover which I expected to be a deep burgundy with something of a sheen to it, this bible is a pleasure to use. It is heavy but not cumbersome.The point size of the font could be reduced to a 9pt and still be very readable thereby reducing the thickness and therefore the weight by some meaningful measure.

This is my second copy since I sent the first back because of excessive creasing of about 20-25 pages beginning with the psalms.This is apparently a problem at Foundation since others have made the same comments as far back as 2000.

The second bible is much better in that regard with creasing still present but to a lesser degree than the first.

The paper is very nice indeed albeit crease-prone. Nonetheless this is a quality bible which will serve me well. It reads very nicely with the single column being a perfect length for quick reading as well as more meditative reading. The type is consistently dark and sharp. Very easy on the eyes in part due to the larger font but just a tad smaller and it still would be excellent.

I think this will be one of my favorite reading bibles along with the New Jerusalem Bible.

In spite of my negative comments on the creases which I pass on to forewarn people of the possibility, this is a very high quality bible. I recommend it highly since my exchange was better than the first and Amazon's handling of the return was exemplary.

It's a matter of personal preference, but I prefer the Ultrathin edition of the NASB, ISBN: 1581350279. It has two columns in paragraph style, with concordance, cross-references, maps, optional red-letter, optional thumb indexes, optional genuine leather. I just really like compact bibles like the ultra-thin, which is half as thick as the above version.

The ultra-thin version is paragraph style, whereas the above version is verse style. Verse style is lame, with one verse per line. It's harder to read, it puts breaks in the text in artificial positions, it encourages taking verses out of context, and it puts less text on each page. Do yourself a favour, go to the...NASB web site and choose an NASB version that is in paragraph style. It's time Lockman stopped making these lame verse style bibles.

I'm generally an N.I.V. fan but several friends have an N.A.S.B. One had this particular version with Wide Margin, Large Print, Side column reference. I purchased one. It is Just Great! Lots of room for notes, excellent cross-references, Print is MY SIZE! (I'm over fifty) Only two minor negatives: 1= Black & white maps, 2= Paper is lighter/thinner than my regular bible. I love reading with the option of placing notes in this wide margins. It is becoming my favorite Bible.

I love the wide margins, and nice readable print of this bible. The single side column format allows for a more natural flow when reading than a double column format. I love burgundy bibles because it reminds me of the precious blood of Christ which was sacrificed for us. This edition is a bit lighter in color than any burgundy bible I've seen. This is an excelent value for a bible of this quality. I spent a lot of time surfing and comparing prices.
Maps are black and white but very detailed. There are no notes so your only help will be the Holy Spirit. I prefer this method of study initially, and then I resort to scholars notes and study aids. The only bible I've seen better than this one is the same bible in calfskin for about $60 more.

Exceptional quality.

I had an old one (1977 edition) and I was very impressed with that one from the point of view of the side column and the point 11 font.

The updated version gives a much wider margin for note taking which I love to do while updating the language order.

The stitching is of the highest quality (Smythe sewn) and all in all an excellent Bible for study with several cross references.

Peter Sarjeant

This book is GREAT! A friend gave it to me at her house when we visited for dinner. I started to read it the next morning and read it completely throuh that day. I was so impressed that I ordered many books for my friends and have given it to several who had the same experience I had. It is a Must BUY!

Every time I pick up LIKE TREES WALKING, I find new paths, new bits of humor and good old-fashioned, down-to-earth wisdom. Wisdom and wonderful joy of life, knowing its limits and exploring its boundaries. I keep buying copies of Jane Sigloh's small volume as inspirational gifts to friends from all walks of life. She speaks to ALL of us, and does so with such gentle, yet steely lucidity. I give LIKE TREES WALKING five stars plus plus!

Kristi Shipnes Martin

This is a beautifully written book. There is humor and compassion in the author's personal anecdotes, which she skillfully relates to appropriate scriptural passages. Throughout, the book conveys peace, serenity and thanksgiving for the gift of this life and acceptance through faith in the one to come.

"Like Trees Walking" is a great blend of humor and thought provoking human behaviour and it is a page turner! Loved it!
Esther M. Couch
Charlottesville, VA

This book is really wise and wonderful ~ the author has a lively intellect and gift for story-telling. Each chapter tells an engaging tale of casual incidents of daily life, the extraordinary events too, often from the author's experience. Tales, told with insight and generous compassion, that expand into larger meaning and are enhanced by her comprehensive knowledge of Scripture and theology. An absolutely delightful wit threads through it all. She stirs the imagination and draws us into reflection. Reminds us of the wonders and goodness of creation and the gift of relationships, and that life is a journey ~ whatever our age, we're not just what we have been but what we are becoming. A must-read for the not-so-young, and the young too.

I'm a personal trainer and this industry is full meat heads and corporate idiots that know zero about the fitness world. There main goal is to make numbers and get paid, while the trainer works his/her butt off to make a living. I saw Plummer speak at a seminar and he owns a chain of gyms in Colorado but he explains that in order to run a business you have to first take care of the employees and second creative a great workout atmosphere. Unlike Gold's gym or 24 hour fitness, kid's should be involved as well as grandma and grandpa.

Not meat heads that slam the weights down or overcrowded gyms where people ignore the 30 minute rule on the cardio equipment. Health problems in this country is on the high side of things just look at ur friends and family everyones getting fat and out of shape. We owe it to ourselves as Americans and to our families as fathers, mothers, etc to take care of our fitness and health cause its important.

Don't even think of starting or running a gym without reading this one! The ideas and lessons saved me thousands. Great for the staff too.

I am 18 years old and very interested in running a gym in the future. I believe this book can help me enormously. I worked at the front desk of a low budget gym, selling memberships for 6 months. I had a great time, but members constantly complained about the broken machines. Even so, members renewed their contracts at a pretty constant rate. By reading this book, I was able to target the pros and cons of the gym that I worked at, and I am even more excited about having a chance to possibly get involved in the fitness industry on a high level.

This book discusses gym busines: how to set it up, run it, attract members and so on. I was a little disappointed as I was expecting more info on becoming successful as a personal trainer.

The book is good and is based on extensive personal experience of the author. He goes into a lot of detail on how to deal with everyday realities of the gym business. If you want to run a gym, the information will be very useful. But not if you want to practice as a personal trainer.

This is the book that I used in a college-level hospitality course.
My department-hospitality management-was interested in showing that
the principles and orientations of a successful hotel or restaurant
applied to many other businesses as well.
One of the obvious choices was the fitness/spa business which depends
on customer perception of value received and on a strict attention to
cost controls and sales and marketing. This book was the only one that
had a useful perspective and that covered all the relevant aspects
of running a fitness operation. Of course, no book can prepare you with
all the answers about any business, but this one certainly started
students out with the right questions.

Lynn Hoffman, who interested in fitness, but really loves wine. New Short Course in Wine,The

This is a fab book for anyone who really wants to get to the nitty-gritty of not only the tarot, but of themselves. It takes the reader through the most interesting and painless of ways of getting to know a new deck, and the deeper realms of reader and sitter.
The first I was introduced to the writings of Mary K. Greer was through this book and it is a revelation. If the reader is willing to get to the heart of any matter, this book is a great guide to finding some solid answers to the whys, whats, hows, wheres of your question. It is a lesson in patience and rewarded in an enlightenment which endures. Enjoy this read, it's an eyeopener!

This workbook is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning tarot or improving their reading skills. It is suitable for beginners, intermediates, and advanced alike. I have been studying and practicing tarot for about 15 years, and really wish this book had been available to me when I started out.

21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card teaches you how to look at the cards and really see what is there. It gives you a foundation in things such as deck structure, numerology, elemental correspondences, dignities, etc., and teaches you how to put it all together with your intuition. The book really helps you build confidence in your reading abilities, while teaching you at the same time. A true gift.

I approached the book by doing all 21 Ways at the Apprentice level, and then going back and doing all 21 Ways at the Adept level. Some steps come very naturally, others are more challenging, and some feel awkward, but the results of doing all 21 Steps are very rewarding.

What you learn in 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card will allow you to put down the "crutches" when you read, and let you enjoy the experience. This book is about breaking down barriers, pre-conceived notions, and "quick" interpretations. If you are new to tarot and do not have any of these habits, then it will help you develop into a strong reader without having to unlearn or break habits that create barriers to learning tarot. If you rely on "crutches" or have confidence issues it will help you overcome that. If you are already a strong confident reader, then it will give you some new ways to explore the cards and enhance what you are already doing.

This book is fantastic! I love the way the exercises walk you through all the individual detials of the cards. The authors teaching style makes it very easy to absorb AND RETAIN all that you have learned. I have several friends who have been reading tarot for years and they were amazed with how quickly I learned. I would absolutly recommend this to any beginnner or experienced reader looking to add a whole new level of depth to their readings.

Hello all

I am part of a study group going through this book. What an adventure I thought having tarot cards for years that there was no way there would be this many ways to " see" a card. But was I wrong , and gladly so.

We finished all the apprentice steps and are about to start on the adept part now and truly I am a much better reader then i though I ever could be.

One warning though it takes work and time to apply everything but the rewards are very much worth it.

((This review was written by my wife Lisa Hunt. She does not have an Amazon account but has read this book. Lisa is a tarot author/artist so is well qualified to add her thoughts to these reviews.))

This book is a tarot treasure trove that has something for everyone regardless of one's level of expertise. Even if you aren't a tarot reader or are completely new to the art of divination, Greer's book contains a comprehensive overview of the many uses of tarot. Her presentation is well thought out and stands on a strong foundation of research that parallels Greer's own journey as a tarot reader and teacher. She successfully integrates the theories and terms postulated by 20th century psychoanalyst Carl Jung, adding dimension to this fascinating text.

Regardless of scholastic influences, she never strays from her earthy voice making this book interesting and informative without being offputting. Not only does she include interesting personal anecdotes and sample readings, but she offers excellent suggestions for enhancing one's own intuitive skills. The book is replete with effective exercises that are fun and helpful and can be practiced over and over again. Some of these ideas examine themes/motifs and others help the reader to become more acquainted with symbolism and others examine more subtle elements of tarot. Greer gives us examples of how to answer tricky questions and expand on a reading by utilizing the nuances of an image or allowing the intuitive spirit to flow more freely. She also gives us tips on how to rephrase the querent's question to help free up any potential stumbling blocks during a reading.

Even if you don't gravitate to a particular activity or agree with all of her methods, Greer provides simple yet potent tools that can serve to expand one's own rapport with the cards. It's a fun-packed volume filled with Greer's unique wisdom that is sure to please tarot enthusiasts everywhere. Also included is an excellent glossary that can be used as a quick reference guide.

Our book study just completed Miracles Do Happen. It was incredible to see God open hearts and minds to Jesus' healing power. It's written in a simple style but it packs a punch in terms of presenting the Gospel. The son of a friend of our group was diagnosed with a recurrence of a brain tumor, and just like in the book, Sister Briege showed up in our town and was able to pray with him and his family. His prognosis is now quite favorable, praise God. If you want to hear the story of how Jesus still cares about His people, how Jesus is still in the healing business and you need a reason to have hope in Christ, this book is the best choice I've ever seen.

This is a great inspiration to me, though I am not catholic.
Her words are uplifting and healing.

"Miracles Do Happen" is an excellent testimony to the power of faith. Briege Mckenna developed sever arthritis as a young adult, which confined her to a wheel chair. When attending a Catholic Charismatic prayer services, she was miraculously healed. Allegedly, she received a private revelation, in which God asked her to be a healer to others. She debated whether the message was really from God, as she was a member of a contemplative community, but after a period of discernment and a series of signs, she lost all doubt.

"Miracles do Happen" is an autobiography of Sr. Briege's healing ministry. She prays for people and many have been healed of spiritual and physical pains and diseases. The book is full of stories and photos of people, whom she has encountered during her journey and many of whom were healed by prayers. It is easy to be skeptical of spiritual healers today, but unlike many charlatans in the field, Sr. Briege does not accept money or promote products or methodology for financial gains. The book is great for renewing faith in prayer, and offers much guidance and learning to discern God's voice in your life through prayer. Sr.Briege herself spends an estimated two-three hours in prayer each day, and write about the types of Christian spiritual practices which have been spiritually edifying for her.

This is a simple book about the role that prayer and faith has played in her life, and in the lives of others whom she has had the fortune to know, during her religious life and is not bogged down in theological explanations or issues related to debatable doctrines. It is written simply as an intimate conversation, as often is the case of works from saints, and when one reads it one has to wonder if they are living in a very special life time of a woman who might be recognized as a saint in the future.

This is a wonderful book. We often need to remind ourselves about the present of our Lord Jesus Christ in our daily lives, and Sr. McKenna has done a wonderful job of doing so. Buy, read and believe...

This is the story of how Sister Breige McKenna became a healer of human bodies and human souls. She herself had a instantaneous healing from Rhematoid Arthritis. Because of this book I sought out her phone number and upon hearing a healing prayer over the phone, I was healed spiritually. I have never been the same and I thank God for it! Buy this, you won't regret it!!!