Publications Books

In this book, Dr Lust provides a quick reference on every possible herb you could need. The book is very useful as an encyclopedia of herbs and their medicinal uses.

This great resourceful paperback on herbs,is still the best one around.It's packed with useful herbal information and history.Anyone interested in herbs should read this book.Anyone also studying and practicing Wicca can learn a lot from this little book.For the cost of this book,its well worth it.When first published ,in 1974,it was well ahead of its time.Nowadays,everybody knows the health benefits of 'Green Tea',Ginko Biloba and Hoodia.Green Tea burns body fat,aids digestion,surpresses appetite,flushes out free-radicals,and kills bacteria around your teeth.I was glad to have read it years ago and it got me thinking about better,healthier living.It also got me interested in the environment and gardening.When you hurt the environment,you hurt others and it will come back to haunt you too.

I have used this book so much over the years that I am about in need of a new one. This has so many herbs packed into a small, fat book. Excellent!

This is my second copy of this book, I bought my first one when I began to learn about herbs and wore it out from reading it so much. After 15 years of studying and 10 writing about herbs, this is one of my favorite books and I still learn from it. There is an incredible amount of information crammed into this 600+ page book, and its portable.

This is the one, the one book I feel anyone serious about herbs should have in their collection. It has proved invaluable to me in so many ways. It includes cosmetic and medicinal for most any herb you can think of. It is also good for information on traditional uses and background knowledge. It can be a bit overwhelming at first but once you get a grasp on how it is organised (it didn't take me long) it proves indespensible.

"The Hidden Words" were penned by Baha'u'llah in the early years of His Ministry. These wonderful gem-like verses condense the experience of Divine Revelation to its spiritual essence. Few people are unaffected by the clarity and beauty of this small book.

Of "The Hidden Words", Baha'u'llah said:
"This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory, uttered by the tongue of power and might, and revealed unto the prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity."

It has been said that "The Hidden Words" is a love-song, a romance of the age-old Love of God for Man. Full of short verses, an underlying theme is the Divine Being's faithfulness and the inevitable unfaithfulness of His Creation, Man. "The Hidden Words" tells of a Beloved Who separates Himself from His creatures so that "spirit" may be breathed into those same creatures in mutually desired Reunion.

Due to its brevity, "The Hidden Words" is a take-everywhere volume of slim proportion and vast resource both within the Baha'i Community and the greater community of believers. Highly recommended to those of contemplative bent.

The words of the Hidden Words contain life's purpose, goals, and meaning. Each read brings new understanding. Wonderful!The Hidden Words

I have had a long curiosity about the Baha'i Faith and its teachings of the universal nature of religion, the unity of human beings, and the imperative of tolerating and respecting beliefs different from one's own. I have always been intrigued by how these teachings of universalism and the essential unity of all religions can fit within the confines of an individual, independent religion, the Baha'i Faith, with its own teachings and texts. Thus, I was pleased to have the opportunity to read this short book "The Hidden Words of Bahaullah" composed by the founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah (1817 -- 1892) while in prison. The book was written in part in Arabic and in part in Persian and was translated by Baha'u'llah's disciple, Shogi Effendi. This book was my first experience with Baha'i scripture.

"The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah" consists of about 153 short paragraphs in two parts. It is cast in the form of short revelations to Bahaullah each of which is prefaced by a short exortation such as "To the Son of Man" characterizing the person or persons to whom the revelation is addressed. There is a brief introductory paragraph to the collection, indicating that the aim of the text is to distill, in short form, teachings that are universal to the spiritual life. This goal of the collection is reflected in some of the comments on this site. These teachings have, and were intended to have, many parallels in the teachings of the other great world religions.

The teachings speak of the need for a pure heart, of the need of detachment from everyday life, and of the importance of not envying,critcizing or condemning others. I was struck by the other-worldiness of many of the teachings, as they exhort the follower to turn away from materialism and desire and turn one's attention and heart to the divine. To me, some of the teachings seem directed to mankind, while others, if I am not mistaken, appear primarily directed towards Baha'u'llah himself. In this latter regard, there are several of the teachings which speak of the value of imprisonment, suffering and martyrdom as they advance the cause of God. These teachings seem to be directed to the founder of the faith or to those in danger of persecution on account of their beliefs. While most of the short sayings are readily intelligible to readers of many backgrounds, some sections, particularly near the end of the book, allude to figures that have some specific meaning for the Baha'i faith.

This book is known within the Baha'i community but will appeal to those who have an interest in exploring a variety of spiritual traditions. I am in this latter group. It is an inspiring text. The work here is presented without an introduction, notes, or commentary. Thus, I was unable to learn the place of this specific text within the Baha'i teachings as a whole. An introduction to the book with an overview of the Baha'i Faith and of how this book fits within it would have been invaluable. Also, notes in the way of a commentary on the organization and substance of the text would have been helpful. There is always a great deal more to understanding a short spiritual work than reading the words of the text. Context and discussion would be useful.

This is an important religious text, and it is good to have it widely accessible. It will appeal to those readers interested in the Baha'i Faith, to those interested in comparative religion, and to those interested in spiritual growth.

Robin Friedman

Bahaullah wrote these short verses of wisdom at a time of great need for spiritual understanding for all mankind. They are inspiring and universal remedys for all beliefs. The best gift you could give yourself or a friend.

Everyone should read this book at least twice.

I bought this book sight-unseen as part of Amazon's 4-for-3 promotion. When it arrived, my first thought was that it was way too sweet... "Oh Gag!" came to mind. However, I pulled it out a few nights later and read it to my baby girl at bedtime and liked it. I pulled it out again the next night, and the next. It quickly became one of our favorites. It is an especially nice way to end a day that didn't go so well - too much whining, too much stress, too much everything - this is a nice little book to share at bedtime to calm down, slow down, and relax.

My son thinks he is the boy in this book. This might be in part because I like to insert his name in the title and question that is asked in the book: How do I love you ______? I like to end with I love you ____. We own the board book version and it is a bedtime favorite. Our family discovered P.K. Hallinan (who does his own illustrations) when we purchased a copy of A Rainbow of Friends. Hallinan has written and illustrated several children's books; another of his books, similar to How Do I Love You? (though not quite as good) is ABC I Love You - this book has a brother and sister in it, so I can read it to my son and daughter together, and they can both be in the story. :-)

Reinforces the unconditional love between a parent and a child in a cute little rhyme. There have been times when my own kids have gone through one of the same things this kiddo goes through, and I quote part of the poem to them---for example "I love the way you act so brave when you fall and hurt your knee" or "and even though it may not show, i love you when you're bad." My kids love it, and I mean every word when I read it to them.

This book is so sweet. It makes me stop and appreciate all the little things about our boys that can drive us crazy.
"Even when you lose your shoes, I love you just the same," she says, and the picture shows a little boy in his church clothes with his pants rolled up like he played in the creek. I love cuddling with my little boys and loving on them while we read it.

Our 4 kids absolutely love this book, so do I! :)- This is a frequent request! What a cozy book!

If you're thinking about taking the Security+ exam from the position of a complete newcomer to the field of INFOSEC, then this book is highly recommended. The print quality is not that great, there are a few typos here and there and the humor sometimes gets a little tedious. But look beyond these shortcomings and this book is worth every penny you spend on it. In fact, if the Security+ exam were not as technical as it is, then this book would be the definitive text. The material is laid out in simple language and yet technical details like port numbers are covered nicely. In all, if you are new to INFOSEC, or you just want to be sure of your foundations, then this is a good place to start. For the exam, read this book first and then get Security+ Prep Guide by Ronald L. Krutz and Russell Dean Vines to provide more technical insight. Polish both off with the 100-page study guide that you get with Security+ Transcender and you should have no problems achieving 85% pass mark.

Congratulations to Helen and Tcat, their book is one of the most organized and practical technical books I have ever seen. I has been very useful to study and day-to-day tasks. A very good choice to prepare to Security+ Exam and IT security career.

I like how this book ties in real life examples and stories into its pages. This makes it a bit more interesting read then most dry, boring, and technical books on Security+.

When you are purchasing any can of material you must do your research on the product. Well I did and it has paid off!
You well not find a better book when your pursuing your Security+
certification! This book not only gets you going in the right direction, but the authors have also included links if you want to delve deeper into the particular subject they are addressing.
(I mean they did their research!)
The software they also include in my opinion is just simply one product you just cannot do without!

There are just too many kudos to list!

When purchasing any kind of material you must do your research. Well I did and it has paid off!

This is the book you want to have when you are pursuing your Secutity+ certification!

It has so much information that is presented in a way that makes you want to never let it down!
Not only will you have this wealth of information, but the authors have included so many hyperlinks related to subject they are addressing. This is great for the person that just wants that extra touch!

The tools which they include on the cdrom are just ones you must have! The missus and myself love testing each other.

There are just too many kudos too list!

When you wake up at 4:30 in the morning and start reading you know you have a great book in your hands!

This is my favorite book on autism, period. I adore it.

I am a 30-year-old mom with Asperger Syndrome, my 11-year-old daughter has Autism. As such, I have sought books to keep on hand to give to friends who may be interested in reading about autism. I wish I could afford a whole shelf full of this one!

Paul Collins writing is insightful and deep and it flows well - leading from one chapter into the next, it's a difficult book to put down. This book talks about the author's expolration of the history of autism, and individuals who have lived or are living their own unique lives. At the same time as he's following these leads to find out more about his autism, his own son is diagnosed. It's a beautiful story because of the twists and turns, and because of the lives of people it illuminates so graciously.

I was given an assignment in my graduate Humanities class to recommend one chapter of a book for the whole class to read. I knew immediately it would be this book, but had to think about which chapter. After much deliberation (there are many beautifully written stories that flow together in this volume), I selected Chapter 16. The passage where he sits on the steps of a church to cry after meeting the man with the painted lightbulbs illustrates how this book speaks on what it means to be human, it isn't just a book on autism.

Always eloquent, never condescending - if this is the first book you read on autism you'll start with a deeper understanding. Don't bother reading books that bog you down with those who "suffer from autism" - this book, instead, is about human beings.

You won't find the rage at autism that so many parents have experienced, or the accounts of scientific and medical detective work that other parents have undertaken. What you will find is a collection of stories of people in both relatively ancient (Peter the Wild Boy) and relatively recent (Henry Darger) history who might have been diagnosed somewhere along the autism spectrum, interspersed with his experiences of his son, Morgan.

Another way this book is different from a lot of books written by parents of children with autism, is that Collins uses this collection of stories to look at Morgan's life in its totality, thinking what Morgan might be like at age 40, or age 70, instead of focusing on today's trials and opportunities. Collins thinks a lot further into the future than most parents. On the other hand, using history to think about autism, may not be the best way to go, as quite a bit of research into autism and related disorders is currently under way.

If you've already read some books about autism, you might think "Been there, done that" as you read about important people in the autism community like Simon Baron-Cohen and Temple Grandin. On the other hand, this book is unusually free of the anger, drama and tragedy of many books on this topic. Another thing that is useful about this book is to reflect that autism has most likely been around for a long time.

The book is easy to read, and is extensively documented if you wish to go further along the path Collins is treading.

This book was difficult to put down so, even with a 4 year old to look after, I read it in 4 days. I haven't had that experience with a book in a long time! "Not Even Wrong" is extremely interesting and informative on the subject and history of autism and the author's own personal experience with his autistic son is a tender and heartfelt thread binding it all together. Not only did it give me a much better understanding of autism but it had a profound impact on my understanding and respect for the unique way my own mind works, as well as the minds of those around me. By taking a respectful look at the extreme differences of the autistic mind, it helps a person become more accepting of the subtle differences we all have between us that, if we work with what we've got instead of trying to fit a mold, make us so unique and interesting. Along with his talent for describing history, Paul Collins has put his heart and soul into this book.

This is not your typical book about autism, and I mean that as a compliment. As another reviewer said, it's difficult to characterize, but it's very interesting even for someone who doesn't know a lot about autism. Well done!

Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism was written by historian Paul Collins, the author of Sixpence House. Apparently Collins and his wife don't have enough sense to be devastated that their happy, healthy son Morgan is suffering with a tragic disease. The kid bounces around exuberantly playing verbal games with numbers and letters, banging on the piano, reading everything in sight, and interacting with his nanny and parents in his own way. He's as happy as Mandy West in Paul West's old classic Words for a Deaf Daughter and just as oblivious that he's actually living in a hellish prison and that there must be a real child in there struggling to get out, etc., etc., ad infinitum, while the parents think he's simply a bright kid with many interests. Who cares if he doesn't answer when you ask his name or play along with dumb "look at the funny monkey" games when there's a much more interesting talking computerized camera in the same room?

In short, the parents don't see anything wrong with the kid, because there isn't anything wrong with the kid. He's just more interested in music, math, reading, and audio equipment than people. A phalanx of experts try to convince Collins that Morgan's in need of vast amounts of therapy to bring him up to "normal", but Collins sensibly doesn't buy it even after he is made to understand that two-year-olds generally have more interest in the above social interactions.

Like Paul West citing stories of famous deaf people, Collins goes back in time to look at historical figures who may have had conditions similar to autism, which the shrinks finally talk him into believing his son is at least sort of, kind of, on the spectrum. He spends a lot of time on Peter the Wild Boy, gets into a bit of Henry Darger and others, and presents us with an endless array of fascinating trivia. Thirty years ago, the obviously devoted Collins would have been targeted as one of those too-intellectual "refrigerator parents" who forced their kids to withdraw into a shell of autism. He talks about Bruno Bettelheim, too -- the guy who faked a psychology degree and promoted the theory that all autism was caused by abusive parents. Bettelheim defrauded the psychiatric community and the public for years, while brutalizing hundreds of children at his Orthogenic School.

Collins looks for (and finds) a way to help Morgan communicate without murdering who he is, using techniques such as PECS picture cards. He also finds an autistic school where the kids are permitted to learn through their own ways and interests. The book ends in almost a parody of the old sunburst-through-clouds, ohmygod-it's a breakthrough fashion when Morgan notices Collins has left the room and yells "Daddy" to bring him back. So those who believe in the sickness/cure paradigm get a Reader's Digest condensed version of what they want, and Morgan remains jolly well autistic.

The book repeatedly and convincingly gives the message that it's a mistake to try to force we autistics to behave as something other than our true selves. Parents of other autistic kids tell Collins about how their kid went through the pink monkey routine when they were mainstreamed, but did fine in an autistic school where they were allowed to communicate in their own way. Simply letting autistic people be autistic is such a revolutionary idea! But I think it will be accepted, along with ideas such as autistic culture, in the very near future.

It is easy to forget that just a few years ago, autism was still being classified as a mental illness (in the DSM-IV, it still is). Part of this confusion is caused by the fact that some psychotic children (made that way by abuse or other toxic life circumstance) behave superficially similar to autistic (cf. Mira Rothenberg's Children with Emerald Eyes). The Journal of Autism used to be the Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia and the two conditions were constantly being mistaken for each other. Now it is generally acknowledged thanks to Bernard Rimland and others that autism has a biochemical and/or neurological basis and is not a response to child abuse. (I believe it is only a matter of time before multiple personality is similarly demystified.)

As of 2005, most mainstream services for autism are still dedicated to the propositions that autism can and must be cured, and that until that day, autistics must be trained to behave as close to non-autistic as possible. It'll take a while to change, but I believe it will change. And I will live to see it, and so will you. Thank you, Paul Collins, for bringing that day a little closer.

Proud Souls provides an emotional experience for the reader, calling to mind all of the human emotions associated with tragedy and the hope needed to continue in its aftermath.

The protagonist Justin has lost his wife and son in a tragic accident six years before the book opens and he's drinking heavily, considering just "drinking himself to death."

He experiences a lifting of his depression and begins to experience life again. The author has written an insightful and sympathetic story, allowing the reader to search his own feelings and wonder how he would react in such circumstances.

The other characters in the town are interestingly portrayed and feel real. This book functions as a psychological study as well as an inspirational slice-of-life story, bound to touch the reader.

In Proud Souls, the author Bobby Ozuna presents an anguished portrait of a man--Justin--who carries the guilt of surviving a car accident that kills his wife and child, in which he himself was driving. Justin isolates himself for the next six-years and makes the choice every day whether to go on living in misery or commit suicide and join his family that was taken prematurely. During those six-years he has a mental affair with a beautiful, sullied waitress who makes him want to confront his past so he can carry on with his future.
Proud Souls is a beautifully written novel of life, loss, love and hope. I highly recommend it!

Bobby Ozuna's novel the Proud Souls is a remarkable read. Seymour is a small town in Texas and it has developed quite a history in the last six years. Justin Olerude Bower, the Rev. Hillard Ray Polk, Ralph Winslow Parison and the so called " town whore" Tessa Jameson have been living the last six years in their own self induced personal prison.

Justin has lost his wife and son in an accident. He has spent the last six years in a bottle, just waiting to die. Ralph Parison is in the truck that crashes into Justin and his family, for which he just can't forgive himself. The Rev. Polk, lives in his prison, feeling as though he has lost Justin's soul. Tessa's prison is one of torn feelings toward Justin, she's fallen in love with a man who doesn't want to live.

Each character in this novel will come alive and you will feel their desperation, their sadness and loneliness. You will come to wonder, what if my life was to come to these types of problems. How would I handle such a difficult time? Who would I turn too? Who would really be able to help me? Who would make me make the right decisions in life? And the most important question of all. Would I choose life or death or choose to live with the pain of losing the people you loved the most.

Bobby Ozuna has done a spectacular job in writing this novel. His writing style is one that will bring his characters to life. He has the ability to take your feelings on a roller coaster and leave you needing to turn the pages. This is a must read. You, the reader, will not regret reading this book, even though it will mean you will be sacrificing a few nights sleep just because you can't put it down. 4.5 Stars

This book was an emotional roller coaster, I went from feeling sorry for Justin to feeling like kicking him in the but and telling him to snap out of it. You can feel the author's passion in the words. Great inspirational book which shows how one action does not only effect you but but waves all around you like a pebble falling into a pond!!

Proud Souls tells the story of an ideal family, torn apart by a tragic accident. The protagonist must then go on a journey of self-discovery, taking the reader through all the negative emotions he encounters on the way. The story is a realistic depiction of how one man tries to ward off reality by drinking himself into numbness. When he realizes that it doesn't work, he must then decide whether ending his life is a better alternative to living through the pain.

Aside from the story line, one cannot help but become entranced by the seductive wording. Bobby Ozuna has a gift for descriptive writing, and his first novel Proud Souls is just a hint of what he is capable. His descriptions are so vivid and his writing so fluid that you can't help but become attached to his characters' plights and wonder where or how they'll end up.

Looking forward to reading more by this author.

I have been using Dr. Ted Roberts book Pure Desire every since the first week we started sex addiction ministry. Dr. Roberts through his own experience and expertise wrote a book that explains exactly what is going on in a sex addicts life. I've heard remarks like: "It's like he is reading my mail when I read this book" or "this book has help me understand I'm not crazy or alone in my struggle". We require this book for all of our men who attend our recovery groups and I highly recommend it to everyone who thinks they may have a problem with sex addiction.

Much needed information to help men and women to get out from under the bondage of pornography. A real problem in the family, husband & wife relationship, in the community, and in the individuals own moral, character, and mental health issues. A must read for everyone. For those trapped and for those who can help the trapped. It is written well. Informative, funny, interesting, and easy to read. It's hard to put down. Ted's transparentcy is the center of the success of this book. His openness is healing to those who need it most.

I love it when an author addresses issues that are rarely talked about, especially issued that are rarely talked about in church.

The thought life is the most private and secret area in our entire being. Unless you decide to reveal all that is in your mind, no one is going to know what lies behind the curtain. Yet it is right behind that curtain where most of the pain and damage begins.

Roberts boldly reveals the struggles he has had with sexual immorality, laying the foundation of his connectedness with more than half of the rest world. He does a great job at introducing possible ways of dealing with the skeletons in our closests and help bring them to the light of God for deliverence and healing.

Also recommend: "I'm Bored with Christianity" by Derrick Engoy

This book is more than just about sex. It is very rich for men and women to read. It addresses issues of relationships with family and with God and how that relates to disfunction in sex and other addictions. We have read quite a few books like this and it is by far the best.

Ted's personal experiences both in his struggle with sex addiction and in his career as a pilot provide a compelling unity to this book. He has a passion for helping the many people who struggle with this problem, but who are not receiving the help where they should be receiving it -- from their churches, who have the truth of the Bible, but often don't focus it in this area.

The book has a dual-fold purpose. Foremost, to help the person caught in the bondage of sex addiction. Secondly, to sound a "wake-up call" to churches who are letting these persons slip through the cracks. It is effective on both counts, though I think Roberts sometimes tries to address both simultaneously, and would be better off focusing on the sex addicts as his primary audience, then addressing the churches in dedicated chapters toward the end.

It is an easy read -- he writes in a conversational and "story telling" manner. He uses humor frequently and in good taste to help break the tension of a tough subject. There are also some helpful chapters from his wife offering her perspective on what it's like to heal along with her husband.

I've read many books on the subject, starting with SLAA's big book, the SA white book, and Christian books such as Every Man's Battle (Arterburn and Stoecker), Faithful and Tree (Laaser), Not Even a Hint (Harris), and the Purity Principle (Alcorn). I found something helpful in all of them, but Roberts' is one of the best. It has the "empathy" of the secular 12-step "big book" literature on sex addiction, but goes beyond self-defined bottom lines and "God as I understand him" to a much more Biblically grounded faith and vision.

This book is a pleasure to read, between the artwork and the author's comments. Some of the dishes are more complicated than I care to make, but there are also some simple ones that look delicious. The ingredients and recipes are clear and easy to follow.

I have to buy another copy of this book, as my first copy has fallen apart. That's how often I use this cookbook. I buy many cookbooks, but this one has a permanent spot on my kitchen bookshelf.
Every recipe I've tried has been great. The Cinnamon Cornbread is one of my daughter's favorites, and the Salsa recipes are both good. The pasta salads are all excellent, and my family requests them often.

I have been eating vegetarian for about two years and I could not have done it without this book! The recipes are creative, fairly simple, and best of all, they do not call for unusual or hard to find ingredients. I love that the recipes are divided by the seasons (though I don't always use it this way)and I think the Autumn menus are the best. If you are vegan, you can use the majority of recipes in the book because the author is very good about telling you when you can substitute soy milk or other non-dairy ingredients. This book should be in every cook's collection- vegetarian or not!

This cookbook provides a great variety of foods to try and to explore. Many books tend to be full of recipes which may seem to complicated for the everyday cook, but Ms. Allrich has mastered the ability to share down-to-earth recipes which a cook with any ability can easily create.

The list of ingredients to keep in one's pantry was very helpful. The separation by Season is very logical. Various produce comes available at different times. As a gardener, I am already planning for meals with ingredients which are not yet harvested.

This is a great cookbook - the one I use again and again. However, it is, unfortunately, out of print.

Here's the good news! This cookbook has been revised and updated as Cooking by the Seasons - Simple Vegetarian Feasts. I've just received my copy and reviewed it at Amazon today. You'll find the cookbook searching for Allrich, Karri or Cooking by the Seasons.

Enjoy! It's a fun cookbook, and the new design (though slightly different) has a good feel to it.

If you see this in a bookstore look at his analysis of the first game in the introduction (Botvinnik-Szilagyi). If that doesn't sell you then nothing will.

This is the most instructive chess book I own (sadly, I own many). I have all the "standards" - Silman, Chernev etc - but this is simply the best. And the acid test is that it improved my results. I won't dwell on its quality, because other reviewers have covered that. I will say that you will never look at the board the same way again after reading it.

The book does assume some previous reading on positional concepts, but it doesn't assume any competence (trust me). Everyone's read some inappropriate positional tome early in their career, so this shouldn't be a problem for most people.

Another reviewer has said something to the effect that every sentence has some instructive value, and I couldn't agree more. When I first read it I glossed over some things as I was caught up in the prose and the "main point", but on subsequent readings I realized that there is a whole second layer - a kind of indirect, subconscious instruction - in the writing when he sets context or alludes to alternatives. Take a relaxed read first up, by all means, but I urge you to give it a real serious word by word analysis subsequently. The prose is very deliberate. There are no throw away lines. It is a gold mine.

I remember reading that a publishing house was trying to do a new edition of the original (descriptive notation) edition in the late 90s but that Stean was disinterested. I am so glad he changed his mind. It is a pity that such a talent has remained silent for so long. I wish he would write again. Anything.

Study tactics, and read this. It's a simple program.

By the title you might think this is a book written for beginners. It is not a simple book at all, yet a good one for the non-beginner. It is a book on strategy, looking at things such as various uses of opening files and minority attacks. More positional ideas, where a beginner or even someone just beyond the beginner stage should be looking at books on tactics, chess traps and going over some of the books that have games with each move analyzed.
However, if you are looking at books like "My System" then also consider getting "Simple Chess" just don't be mislead by the title!

I agree with all the positive observations made by the other reviewers, but would like to extend the list of typos started by Dr. Salawu. Here are the errors I've found, with page numbers as they appear in the 2002 Dover algebraic edition:

p.15, variation following move 22: "(23...Kb3" should be "(23...Kc6"
p.33, 6th para: "conceding the d4 square" should be "conceding the d5 square"
p.47, 2nd para: the omitted 21st Black move in the variation is Ne5
p.52: "7. Bxc3" should be "7. bxc3"
p.96, variation following move 31: the move after 32. Nxf4 should be Rc1+
p.102, 1st para: "Bb7" should be "Bg7"
p.129, 1st para: "all kings" should be "all kinds"
p.129, last para: Black's 12th move in the second variation should be Rh5, not Rh4
p.158: Black's 4th move was Bb7, not Bg7
p.160, 1st line: "28. Bc5!" should be "28. Bc5+!"

Simply the best! Important elements of Chess Strategy explained lucidly. A truly great book that introduces chess strategy to the masses. A must have book for the intermediate player.

I received this book in the mail and thought "another chess book for temporary amusement" -- then, to the shelf it would go to collect dust for years. I'm happy to say I was WAY wrong on that line of thinking!!

This is the most absorbing chess book I have ever read!

That said, it is not for beginners (stated many times before by others), and it is not for players who only enjoy tactics and suicidal attacks. This is the essence of positional chess in one book-- captured and explained in a very impressive manner by Stean.

My opinion is subjective -- I love positonal play and believe that's the reason to play the game! But I've already learned so many things (outposts, minority attack, etc.); my eyes have been opened to these "secrets" like never before. I feel like I have at least a small understanding of what GM's are looking for in their games, from a positional standpoint.

Also, I like the fact that the games are more recent than My System (which is very good)-- you get to see the Siclian and King's Indian and others, not just the Ruy Lopez and QGD of the early 1900's.

It's hard to put into words why this book is so choice, but I wish it was 500 pages-- I could live as a recluse with this book and a board!

To all my future opponents-- please ignore this book and stick with tactics and your kamikaze style play-- that might make our future battles so much easier for me!

Thank you Michael Stean-- a fantasic effort on your part!! Too bad it took me this long to discover it.

"The Temple of the Twelve" bills itself as a spiritual fairy tale, and this is an excellent way to describe it. The central character, Caroline, presents herself at the Temple of the Twelve (Colors) to begin her life as a novice priestess. Each new moon, a different one of the twelve Colors (they are gods and goddesses) comes to visit her and gives her a new task to complete to prepare for becoming a priestess. As you read, you follow Caroline on her journey, and learn with her about the nature of the Divine, about love, about compassion, about what it means to have a calling. The imagery is deep and beautiful; the characters are rich and warmly drawn; and the writing is gentle, yet powerful.

One of the reviews on the back notes that "In using colours as Deities of Initiation, the Author transcends all differences between various paths of Pagan spirituality and unifies them all." I'm hardly an expert on paganism, so I can't tell you whether that's the case, but I *can* tell you that this book is worth reading no matter what your faith is. The themes in it are universal, as is Caroline's struggle to find and fulfill her vocation. As a Catholic, I have found it to be a remarkable aid in my prayer life, and it will take its place in the "frequently used" collection of spiritual books I keep on my desk. It has deeply touched and inspired me, and it has help me grown closer to God.

Let me give some examples. The tasks Caroline complete include discovering who she really is, and coming face to face with that truth; identifying her emotional wounds; finding her strengths; discerning her vocation; coming to terms with the fact that she is a child of God; and trusting in the Divine. Who among us, in a life of faith, can avoid these questions, these tasks? They are a part of every (or almost every) spiritual path, and rarely are they treated more beautifully than they are in The Temple of the Twelve.

In sum, I highly recommend this book to everyone who is seeking to grow in their spirituality. Reading it has been a great blessing to me, and I'm sure it will be to you as well.

I love this book! I just finished reading it. When I first started the book I wasnt so sure, it seemed kind of corny but I continued reading it thinking It would be a cute read for my young daughters. By the second chapter I fell in love with it. I had to resist marking it up with my highlighter and notes because I want my girls to read this without my influence. I truly believe this book is important and entertaining.I will probably re-read this book after my girls and then write my notes so that I can go back to it when I need. Better yet I think I will purchase this book for each my daughters so that they can mark it up with their own thoughts and feelings.

I am so honored to know dear ELF (Esmeralda Little Flame) and be friends with her. It was because of that friendship, I was even aware of this book. I would not have missed the experience for the world and I look forward to the other two books of the trilogy.

This book has colors personified as deities. You can feel like you are really interacting with the colors and that they speak to you. You feel like you are Caroline "Little Bird", so engrossed you will be in her experiences.

The colors already have meaning in my life as an artist. How much more so as I have seen them through the eyes of "Little Bird". This not only tells of her experiences as a novice in the Temple, but reaches deep into the past of many lifetimes.

One thing, whether colors are as real and personal to you as deities, you can not deny they are always present. An ever constant in our life. The representations are dead on with how I feel about them. It's like something that most creative people know deep within.

I was profoundly touched by this book. Something that soulful and deep can't merely be called entertainment, rather it goes deeper and gives the reader a challenge. I intend to notice colors more now. I thought I noticed them before, but there is always room to delve deeper.

This book was wonderful - not only the story itself, but the journey on which it takes the reader. It lead me to quite a bit of self-examination, and allowed me to embark on my own spiritual journey. I absolutely love this book, and look forward to more from Ms. ELF.

This book touched me deeply, in ways that opened my heart up to the magick within myself. Regardless of what spiritual path you follow, this book is a must-read. It teaches you how to work through many aspects of yourself, in a beautiful, fairy-tale kind of way.