Allen Books

When I first purchased this book, I was searching for material to shed light on the Win32 security model. After extracting what little information was available on the topic from this text, it made it's way to the book shelf.

Sometime later, I needed information on Code Access Security, and off the shelf it came. I later needed information on Assembly evidence, and down it came again. Next, was a need for .Net cryptographic and secure programing documentation -- it came down from the shelf and hasn't gone back again.

This is one of those books you need to live with for a time before you realize how great it is. I turn to it 2 or 3 times a week, and regularly carry it back and forth from the office. I've discovered embedded in it's pages are program perls, tips, and background information. It has become and invaluable refefence -- one I whole heartedly endorse.

Programming .NET Security does a great job of breaking down the various aspects of security in a well thought-out manner. In particular, they spend 7 chapters explaining how the .NET Framework has been built to provide a secure infrastructure and how applications can take advantage of this environment to become secured. This book provides one of the best examples I have seen to date covering Code Access Security (CAS). The inclusion of topics on both ASP.NET and Enterprise Services security make this book wholesome for any developer.

To follow, there are an additional 6 chapters that are devoted to cryptography, including sections on providing your own symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms. I would highly recommend this book to any developer working in the .NET Framework, regardless of skill; you will take something away from this book.

One of the best book that I will strogly recommend for any one who wants to understand .NET security subject. I was grappling with CAS for some time and how hard I would try, still I could not explain code group, permission and evidence and how they are interlinked. Not only authors have done a tremendous job at explaining CAS but cryptography is yet another section they have done great justice to. The diagrams in this chapter very clearly explains the key concepts of cryptography. A great book that will not disappoint you.

While there is a lot of talk about .NET security, relatively little can be found in terms of documentation, which is one reason why this book is so refreshing. In addition to discussing some of the reasons behind certain security schemes, the theory is explained as well as the C# implementation. While there are some .NET specific security issues discussed (e.g. configuring worker processes), the section on cryptography should be required reading for everyone in the computer industry.

I get really excited about a book when it contains a lot of good information and I am able to actually use it to solve real-world problems. After reading this book, I was able to help solve a really tricky (and politically challenging) security issue quite quickly. If you have anything to do with your company's security systems or write any .NET code, I think this book deserves a place in your reference section. This is certainly the best book on .NET security I have read thus far.

Some books are not going to be easy or approachable, one must already be familiar with either the C# and or Visual Basic language (the easy part) and the .NET programming enviornment to attempt this book. The authors are quick to jump from a discussion of the issues to meta code and sample code, but that is a feature, not a bug to the book's intended audience of very sharp, (as opposed to very basic), well educated coders. I would like to have seen more of an effort to discuss testing, validation and assessment, but at just under 700 pages this is a focused work and a serious coverage of the hooks that make it possible to secure .NET. (Of course that is assuming the underlying function calls are not riddled with buffer overflows and the like. Blaster on a .NET scale is a pretty scary prospect.)

The bottom line, we are awash in bad code and the vulnerabilities that result are the fundamental reason there are so many exploits. When you consider that in the scale of a federated system it is not a pretty thought. Someday there will be building codes for software, but in the meantime, if you are a responsible citizen of this planet and you are involved in .Net development, buy your coders this book. Invest the time to be able to quiz them and do so. Make sure they understand the issues, especially with Chapters 18 and 19, ASP.NET and COM+.

Reviewed by Jeanette Cain for Reader Views (7/06)

I don't know about you, but I often wonder what life means to me. Most of us have at one time or another played the game Life or read Life magazine. Author Allen Klein remembers the Life magazine well. In his introduction, of "Reflections on Life", he tells, of a word, game he played as a child that describes the popular magazine, and life itself.

What's Life?
A magazine.
How much does it cost?
Twenty-five cents.
I only have a dime.
That's tough.
What's tough?
Life.
What's Life?
A magazine.

I was hooked after reading the first page. I knew I had to read every word. This book is a collection of about five hundred quotations. Quotations are written by many famous and not so famous people.

All the quotes are from people of all walks of life, about life. I tried to choose a favorite quote, but it just was not possible. I loved them all. Many of the quotes that jumped out at me were in the sections titled: "How to Enjoy the Journey". If I had to choose just two I would choose one written by Margie Klein. My second choice would be one written by American actor, Harvey Fierstein.

This book of quotes is a must read. My recommendation is for everyone and every age. I also suggest buying several copies to give to friends and family. They don't call Allen Klein the "Jolly-tologist" for nothing!

What do Tiger Woods and the Dalai Lama have in common? How about Grandma Moses and Gilda Radner? Albert Einstein and Yogi Berra?Or, what about Friedrich Nietzsche and Julia Roberts? The answer is that their quotes on life are all contained in Allen Klein's book, "Reflections on Life: Why We're Here And How To Enjoy The Journey." In fact, this gem of a book contains the wisdom, pathos, and humor of hundreds and hundreds of well known people from ancient through contemporary times. However, one of my favorite quotes is from an anonymous source:
Remember, life is not what happens to you but what you make of what happens to you. Everyone dies, but not everyone fully lives. Too many people are having "near-life experiences."
This is my kind of book. It's easy to read and digest, but is packed with reflections that may have a significant impact on your life. Highly recommended as a gift to yourself or someone you care about.

Best selling author, Allen Klein has collected quotations from 500 well known personalities on their philosophy of life and its' meaning. The book is made up of three sections, with answers to three questions. "What's life?", "Why we're here?" and "How to enjoy the journey."

The quotations tie to a theme within each of these subjects. The text is made up of quotes that are sometimes humorous, sometimes inspirational, sometimes encouraging, and often profound. A random sample is from Annie Dillard, American writer: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

Another is from Rick Warren, from the "Purpose Driven Life." "One of the greatest gifts God has given you is the ability to enjoy pleasure...He wants you to enjoy life, not just endure it."

To get the greatest benefit and enjoyment from your reading you must read and assimilate a few pages at a time. Reading between the lines while doing some soul searching I was reminded to "lighten up", to "loosen up", and "not take myself so seriously."

The author has included a complete index of authors. This becomes a handy tool for referring back to some of those favorite quotes or quips you want to read again.

This is a book for your coffee table, your night stand, and an excellent book to pass along to a friend. Keep an extra copy on hand to use as a gift for those special occasions.

The wonderful quotations in "Reflections on Life" offer everything from ancient wisdom to contemporary humor. Klein's collection of inspiring quotes are gathered from both well-known and lesser known figures. I particularly like being able to turn to any of the sections ("What's Life?," "Why We're Here," "How to
Enjoy the Journey"), read a quotation or two, put the book aside for a while, and then spend some time considering its message.

Buy "Reflections on Life" and then take time to reflect.

If you have ever doubted why you are here, "Reflections on Life" will definitely help you find your purpose. It is an amazing collection of wisdom from far and near, yesterday and today. This book is an awesome journey on life, from some of the world's wisest men and women. Take this journey, with the author, Allen Klein, and begin to live your best life.

What a way to forget the outside world and enter the charming world of Horace Rumbole, barrister. I enjoy his droll humor and uncanny way of seeing things not on the surface to defend his client.

One may not always agree with Rumphole, or She Who Must Be Obeyed, but these compilations of short stories are great as a fun read on a recent period in English history and law that one can readily identify with if you don't lead an insular life (that grey area above the U.S. is Canada, and the grey are below it is Mexico on the TV weather maps).

We love the Rumpole books. My husband and I have read all the Omnibus books. We've never watched the series, so we have our own images of all the main characters: Rumpole, The Bull, "She Who Must Be Obeyed." Good stories...fun characters. Good threading of plot and characters through all the stories. Love it!

I certainly don't need to review "Rumpole of the Bailey." You know all about it. So, I'll just mention that he's especially good company when you fly. You can read a well-crafted story in what, 30 minutes? Ideal for airports and airplanes. Do this, sit for an hour, do that, sit for another hour, etc.

Horace Rumpole presents himself as just an Old Bailey hack doing run-of-the-mill burglary defenses and the odd car-heist case. In reality he defends the best in the Anglo-American legal traditions against modern forces (for example, the presumption of innocence) - and this was written 20+ years ago!

Rumpole is the lovable defender of the average man and foe to all stick-in-the-muds. His motto "Never plead guilty." It could just as well be comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Hilarious, warm, human, touching, self-effacing and ever-ready to pierce the pompous gasbag - that's Rumpole of the Bailey. Start with the First Rumpole Omnibus and work your way through the rest.

Guaranteed to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.

For those who have a copy of Volume 1, Ships of the Star Fleet, covering most Star Fleet's capital ships (Cruisers & Frigates), Volume 2, this volume will be largely familiar in format and execution.

It is a well-executed work loosely following the format of works such as "Jane's Fighting Ships" with extensive additions regarding the rationals and political processes involved in the development, construction, histories and records of the classes and individual vessels of the classes of Perimeter Action Ships (circa 2290-91) covered by the volume.

I have both Volumes (1 & 2), and they have provided me with quite literally hundreds, if not thousands of hours of rapt enjoyment. I dearly wish that more volumes were available. As it is, I want dearly to buy a second copy of this one as well as Volume 1 (to replace my now somewhat dog-eared and damaged from years of being poured overe for hours at a time), if I can find another copy of Vol. 1.

I unhesitantly, heartily recommend this work for the library of any Star Trek (emphasis on the Kirk, Spock & company-era movies) enthusiast, especially if you (or they) are interested in the type & quality of information that allow you to absorb what's offered in the books and, at your heart's desire, extrapolate from what's already there into your own overview of what would be happening in the Star Trek: The Movies universe including such things as "how would I employ these assets in how I choose to intrepret the social, political and military environment in this era?"

What else can I say? It's a great book for those interested in this kind of information, including, of course (but not limited to) those who have Volume 1.

Bravo!

Craig A. Bassett

I wish that there were more of these books out there. I was suprised to discover a whole new starship class I've never before heard of. A must have for Star Trek fans all over!

The books in this series really go into the nuts and bolts, almost reading like current military texts. It non-canonical for those who care what Paramount thinks. I highly reccomend it. Also, please be advised that they have their own timeline, similar to, but not identical to Paramounts. It also ties in w/ the original Tech Manual. If anyone has a web address for the publisher, Mastercom Data Center, please post it or email me.

Since checking this page, I now learn this book is a stand alone issue. How sad. If similar publications had been produced, I would have puchased the entire series. A brilliant idea, and extremely well presented. A serious must for anyone interested in Star Trek.

The website for Mastercom is:
http://www.mastercomdata.com/

The story was very captivating and the artwork was beautiful. I do recommend it to all families with young children. This book is certainly deserving 5 stars!

All of our children have grown up and are getting married but when my wife and I read Sleepytime Ponies Trick a Trickster we knew we had a wonderful bedtime storybook to read to our Grandkids whenever they come.

From one (hopeful) Grandpa to any others out there, trust me this is one book you'll be a winner with when you read to those grandchildren of yours.

I whole-heartily give it five star plus.

Marv

The debut title in a new series of read-aloud bedtime storybooks for children. Mother, Katie, and Ben are flown to Thailand by flying ponies. There they shop at a floating market, make their own kites, pursue Mouse Deer through the rain forest, and wonderfully enjoy themselves. Mouse Deer is a clever little southeast Asian character who can outwit and outrun just about everyone while playing tricks and practical jokes. Along with their new friend Napat, they all try to catch up with Mouse Deer and, with the help of the Sleepytime Ponies, beat him at his own game! An original story by Lana Jordan which is nicely enhanced with illustrations by the team of Kd Allen and Teresa Giraud, The Sleepytime Ponies Trick A Trickster will leave young readers enthusiastically awaiting the next thrilling and entertaining picturebook adventure with the Sleepytime Ponies.

Flying on their sleepytime ponies Ben, Katie and their mother take an adventure from their quiet little village known as Sleepyvale, located at the foot of Lullaby Mountain, to a far off land known as Thailand. Welcoming them to his home country, Napat eagerly informs them he plans to take them on a journey to the rain forest in search of a mouse deer, a very tricky creature.
During their travels he shows them some of the best sights along the way which include long green rows of rice paddies, a monkey city, wooden houses built on stilts and tropical beaches. They make a stop at Bangkok, the biggest city in Thailand, to shop on a floating market where they are privileged to taste sweet Thailand cuisine and hear captivating stories of mouse deer and his antics. Next, Napat takes the visitors to meet his mother and brothers where they'll create unique kites and participate in a contest.
This read-along storybook makes it possible for the reader to experience a rainstorm, meet up with crocodiles, tigers and elephants, which have been outsmarted by mouse deer, and finally construct a scheme of their own to trick this trickster.
The Sleepytime Ponies Trick a Trickster is a charming story with colorful illustrations that will surely captivate any child, stimulate their imagination and make learning an enjoyable experience. As a parent, grandparent and advocate for reading, I try and select books that contain the same valuable elements found here.

Children and parents alike will delight in this tale of fun and adventure with flying ponies, a crafty mouse deer, a tiger, a crocodile, and elephants. This read-aloud storybook is perfect for the child or grandchild who loves a bedtime story. This colorfully illustrated volume is sure to become well worn with bedtime use.

Such a cute book!! Both informational and cute. Great for kids and the child within all of us.

Written and drawn in 1959 this children's book taught me a thing or two about a city I thought I already knew a lot about. The pictures and scenes are wonderful in bright colors and include most of the major sites in Paris from "le metro" to Montmartre and the Champs Elysees.

There have been a few of the drawings, or accompanying text, that have been asterisked to reflect the changes that have occurred in Paris since 1959 but if you are taking young ones over I highly recommend this book as a way to make some of what they will see a little more understandable for them.

Once I have found this book at Amazon and I wondered about the Czech name of the author. I got to explore the book and realized that he was a Czech, what a mystery, we have never been taught about him at school (of no type). His books were written in English after he emigrated from the Czechoslovakia and were never published in Czech. I got too amazed and curious about this book, so I bought it, read it and love it! All the pictures and the style he wrote it in. I just feel cheated, that we Czechs do not know nothing about this wonderful books and about the author.

This book has created a fabulous insight into the world of travel for my children. It has compelled us all to take a language course in French and to travel here and put our dreams into reality. It has planted the seed of intrigue and wonderment to which my children seek out this book to read at bedtime.

My granddaughter loves books about Paris; however, she is only 2 1/2 years old. While searching for other books about the city, Paris, we stumbled across this book on Amazon.com. She loves it. It is written in language she can understand and it has many drawings and illustrations to capture her attention. You won't be short changed with this book. We can't wait to order the rest of the books in this series.

Although i have my doubts about Schuon as a person and as a sufi,especially considering his absurd behaviour in later life(Allahualim),this book is an indespensible companion to anyone serious about learning Islam.

It is a book which one will constantly refer to..as the points it makes,become clearer over time and experince.The greatness of schuons work is that his ideas are from the realm of experience not specualtion alone .You can only feel what he writes about,or only understand it having experinced it.This is not the work of a dry scholar,who speaks artfully,but soulessly from a pedestal,to a religous public he intellectually scorns.This is the work of a man who lived what he talked about,to the point or past the point of losing his mind.
The downside to Schuon is that his work is too involved at the level of the intellect(even though he refers to it as the divine intellect) and can consume you in a world of concepts. At a certain point one will have to abandon such a mentally overwhelming approach and adopt simplicity.
Whilst all orthodox paths may be valid as Schuon states,in his persoanl life he tried to reconcile too many opposing streams of divine influence and became exactly the kind of victim he was so opposed to?
A friend of mine who tried for years to find Schuon was advised by Ann Marie Schimmel,that Schuons books were very useful,but meeting the person himself was otherwise.
Very valuable as mentioned,but dont take everything as gospel..even though its intitial brilliance will dazzle you.!

Jay Kinney, in "Whole Earth Review," wrote of this work:
"Frithjof Schuon's Understanding Islam...delves into the depths of Islam... Schuon does not hesitate to draw parallels between Islam and other faiths, particularly Hinduism. He also takes the reader into the esoteric (or inner) essence of Islam, where traditions and laws are given unexpected twists. If you have ever had any doubts about Islam being a satisfying framework for intellectual inquiry, this book should lay them to rest."

This book presupposes a basic familiarity with Islam. Rather than being an encyclopedic source of information, it offers keys to elucidating the universal symbolism of Divine Reality as manifested within the Islamic revelation. At the same time, it gives excellent comparisons between different world religions viewed in their essentiality. Highly recommended for serious readers.

I just started reading the book.
It is written in a very subtle way. Lots of insight. I can't wait to finish the last page. It would be a good recommendation for anyone interested in understanding Islam and Muslim thinking. It also is a good reading for someone who has enough knowledge about Islam for it gives more food for thought and challenging perspectives.

What an amazing book. Somewhat difficult to read, you need a dictionary next to you. But what amazing insights this man has not just into the world of Islam but religion as a whole. I should clarify that the insights he has always existed in religious traditions, what is amazing is his ability to convey it clearly to the modern man. I cannot recommend this book enough. You will need a good understanding of Islam to really appreciate it. Some of his insights has left me in awe. Truly has changed my outlook towards things. It's interesting to note that above all the religions he has studied and known intimately, he chose to accept Islam.

Long regarded as a masterpiece, this book should be read not only as an original, profound and beautiful view of the spiritual philosophy, rituals, art and culture of Islam, but also as a much needed intelligent introduction to Religion in general, Religion with a capital "R", Religion as such. In this respect, the "genial" insights of Schuon concerning the inner treasuries of Christianity (especially in the 4th chapter) should be emphasized.

Schuon was an intellectual and a spiritual genius, and in this book this genius is shown simultaneously in his visions of Islam, of Christianity, and of Religion as such.

A book which gives you an idea and understanding about dharma.

Beyond the Breath: Extraordinary Mindfulness Through Whole-Body Vipassana Meditation
I'm not sure why Vicki M's book hasn't gotten more traction [read sales]. Why Buddhism offers intimate portraits of mostly very serious Buddhist practitioners. It's inspirational for those of us who do take our Buddhist practice seriously and are interested to know more about other traditions.

If I could be immodest for a moment, the book I wrote--Beyond the Breath: Extraordinary Mindfulness Through Full-Body Vipassana Meditation (Tuttle Publishing)--is also likely to be of interest to anyone who is seriously interested in Buddhism. It's focus is on sensation-based vipassana meditation [as taught by SN Goenka], but will also be very helpful for anyone who wants to know WHY Buddhist practice works so well. Such insight isn't just an intellectual exercise; greater understanding leads to greater confidence in the practice.

If you are sincerely want to step into the path of Buddha. I will recommend you, "Read it first."
If you've already practiced for years, but still have lots of struggles and confusions, I will recommend you, "Read it now."
If you think you are a great Buddhist, but actually lack of mercy to others, I will recommend you, "Read it ASAP."

It's a little discouraging that the author of this book found no time to interview what you might call "ordinary" people. The famous and the hip are high up on the list of Vicki MacKenzie's priorities, and perhaps the talented and the rich make better interviews, but reading so many of them in one clump would make a novice feel that if you're not in the "in crowd" than the Buddha doesn't want you in his religion. Which is not the case, not really.

Many Buddhists in the USA will tell you that they have drifted into Buddhism naturally, finding in it a place to forget about the cares and the oppressions of the Western way of life. They are emphatically not drawn to it because of its reputation as a nearly 100 per cent white practice. Indeed the few people of color who take to Buddhism are often treated like heroes of sanctity in the Buddhist circles of America. In meditation, we can all be color-blind.

Before I read this I was curious about Buddhism. After reading this book I was compelled to take my interest further. Through a series of interviews with reasonably well known and successful Buddhists Vicki MacKenzie's book shows us the many different ways we can choose to follow Buddhism. Some of the interviewees told of their trips to Nepal and their long retreats. Others told us how they balance buddhism living in a material world while still holding on to some of their western religious beliefs. Each interviewee also gives us a quick lesson on Buddhist philosophy and what they had gained form the practice.

I came away from reading this book with a good knowledge of the basics of Buddhist philosophy and the belief that whatever way I choose to follow Buddhism whether it be as a monk or a family man, it can help me to become a better person.

The uniqueness of Todd Gate's book, "Why Do We Have To Work", lies in the fact that it addresses a question on the mind of every student: What can I do to bring meaning to my life? Students who may be bombarded with messages from family and and friends about the need to make as much money as possible, will enjoy Gate's presentation of another view- a need to strive for a balance in life. Todd Gate's book should attract a wide range of readers who are in need of thinking things through and coming to their own determination about Why We Have to Work.

While this is a practical treatise, there is an underlying current of organization that carries with it an attitude of profound respect for and committment to child development. In this book Gates presents a balance in living, advancing a value of self and sensitivity to the needs of his children, providing them with the necessary tools to be able to cope with the realities they are having and will have to face in order to thrive in the adult world. It is by no means an easy task to be satisfied with one's self as an adult. Gates gives some important hints about loving one's self, accepting reality, dealing with it, and making use of that achievement in accepting the responsibility for teaching his children how to get a jump-start on their own development. It looks like he intends to have his children thinking independently by their teens. So this book is helpful in its practical scope but beyond that has a coherent inner structure that contains its own subliminal guide.

Like a good parent, Mr.Gates is both firm and understanding in introducing the young reader to the realities of the workplace. From a history of labor, to the meaning of modern employment, the author provides fresh answers to old questions, without ever becoming pedantic.

As a psychotherapist, I appreciate the psychologically sound principles Gates put in this primer for adolescents on the nature and necessity of"work." For example, Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Erikson's stages of identity formation are evident in his elegantly simple and logical communications to his sons about the fundamentals of money, career and balance in one's life. The cost and format are not ideal; it would be great to see this packaged as an affordable paperback for teenagers.

I liked Chapter 6 ("Measuring Success") the best. It helped remind me that what you happen to DO for a living is not necessarily what you ARE. And that while it MAY be time-efficient to combine your deepest interests with your paycheck, sometimes it's better to keep the two separate!

I liked a lot of the points brought up in Chapter 1 ("Hunting, Gathering, & Video Games"), like the origin of the double meaning of the word "trade" - how your job, or your `trade', is really just about what you use to `trade' with food, clothes, and shelter specialists. And I never thought about why we have to use money before, but after reading Chapter 2 ("Surgery & Dental Floss"), it suddenly made so much sense. Could a surgeon and floss-maker reliably make much use out of each other's specialties if they had to rely on straight barter?

Why read a spiritual biography about someone you've never heard of? Ethel Merston led a remarkable life and had opportunities to work with the preeminent spiritual masters of the twentieth century.

Anyone on his or her own spiritual journey is presented with opportunities that either move you toward your goal or away from it. Sometimes we don't recognize the opportunity and sometimes we turn away from it, rationalizing our decision, without questioning who is making the decision. Mary Ellen Korman gives us an inside look at Merston's life and her choices. How would you react to the emotionally twisting episodes with Fritz Peters at G. I. Gurdjieff's Prieuré, or a direct exchange with the Hindu Sage Ramana Maharshi in which you are told that your "ideas of exterior or interior exist only so long as you do not accept your real identity"? This spiritual biography operates on several levels. Based largely on Merston's journals, A Woman's Work is an intriguing read about the life and decisions of a particular seeker, that neither embellishes nor judges, while also holding up a mirror, providing us with the opportunity to put into question the decisions we make on our own spiritual journey.

This book gives a detailed account of the life of a very peculiar woman who was attracted by ancient eastern philosophies
Having the advantage a family who provided what was necessary for living she turned her initial interest for travels and nature into a serious study for the truth that Ancient philosophies could give her
She challenged the conventional views of her time and preferred a life that will lead her to meet some of the most influential teachers alive.
For anyone interested in studying her life, the life of a seeker, and the many lives that Ethel Merston touched, it will be a valuable help, particularly interesting are her days at the Prieure with G.I. Gurdjieff and her years of living in India with Ramana Maharshi

Ethel Merston, whose lifelong search for the truth of herself led her
to the greatest sages of her time---Gurdjieff, Ramana Maharshi,
Anandamayi Ma, and Sunyata--has her story richly told by Mary Ellen
Korman in this extensively researched book. Rejected by her mother
at infancy, she never allowed that important part of her, the feeling
center, to become fully realized, and it colored her relationships as
she traveled throughout India in her quest. Ms. Korman's account of
Ethel's spiritual search is thorough and beautifully written.

When I began this book, I had no idea who the woman was in the intriguing title. Some of the other names were familiar, but whoever the person was who worked with these famous sages was not a known quantity to me. By the end of the book, I had come to an intimate understanding, admiration and appreciation of this woman, Ethel Merston. It is a life story that appeals on many levels - a young woman, externally fearless but internally fragile, leaves her upper class environs and sets out on a life-long journey of spiritual seeking. Contrary to the image a "spiritual seeker" often conjures, Ethel does anything but retreat from life. She travels the world, meeting people at all junctures that become lifelong friends, seeking meaning in life with an unyielding honesty and matter-of-factness that is astonishing.

She settled in India, taking the country as her real home and found her lifelong teacher, Ramana Maharshi, with whom she worked until his death in 1950. She was a gifted and practical person who generously gave of herself - she knew the villagers needed vegetables, so she organized a vegetable cooperative that fed hundreds; she was a gifted diplomat and became known as a fair and just arbiter of disputes; she had an ability to take difficult situations and know what to do, a natural leader. There was not a shred of self-pity in her - she approached situations with a matter-of-factness that drew people to her in situations that demanded fairness and maturity. An interesting anecdote illustrates this quality: a man in the village was jealous of her and did whatever he could to make her life miserable; but when this man's son was the victim of a racket that caused the son to be jailed, Ethel was able to get him released. She writes "The fact that I had done this for my enemy's son was what touched him most, not realizing that there was no personal feeling against him on my part, and that I had but done for him as I would have for any other man wrongfully dealt by." The rich descriptions of her relationships with friends and teachers, as well as ceremonies and activities in the villages, taken from detailed memoirs, give the reader a real sense of the time in which she lived - the tumultuous colorful India of mid-20th century.

Ethel Merston is unflaggingly honest with herself. She credits her first teacher, Gurdjieff, with giving her the basis on which to work with herself, and at the end of her life writes that without him, none of the understanding she eventually came to would have been possible. A child of unaffectionate parents, she battles her whole life with loneliness and feeling unlovable. Interesting that this book portrays her with such love, as befitted a life lived for others.

Ms. Korman writes with clarity and simplicity, letting Ethel tell her own story, and not getting in the way with analysis and explanation. It's a book that gives much to the reader - an ordinary human being living an extraordinary life. I felt much nourished after getting to know Ethel Merston.

A Woman's Work is an absorbing account of Ethel Merston's association with many of the spiritual leaders of the early 20th century. Ethel Merston left her descriptions and impressions of Gurdjieff, Ramana Maharshi, Anandamayi Ma, Pak Subuh, Edgar Cayce and many others.

Mary Ellen Korman has researched all the available records and woven a wonderful story that provides a detailed sense of Ethel Merston's life long spiritual search. I found clues to the contrasts between life with Gurdjieff and life with spiritual leaders in India. My own insights are refined by having access to Ethel Merston's accounts and Korman's descriptions of her life.

Merston tells of the changes and conflicts experienced by Gurdjieff's students after his death: The search for another teacher. How students found or forgot what they were looking for. The breaking apart of communities of seekers. She recounts her search after Ramana Maharshi's death.

Many of these people that Ethel Merston worked with were major influences on the "Age of Aquarius." The book helps me understand the culture that I grew up in.