Bernard Books

While Joyce was still working on traditional prose in The Dubliners and Eliot hadn't entered his Waste Land, Wyndham Lewis wrote a series of short stories that shattered expectations of english writing. A correspondent of Pound, Eliot, Yeats and Joyce, Lewis was too prickly a personality to be accepted into the canon as they were. As with many great writers his achievement was too difficult and uncomfortable for society to accept. This collection prints the 9 stories about life in the Breton countryside as they were collected in 1927 and then follows them with the originally published stories from which they were revised. The prose still feels entirely new and strange, and, unlike most contemporary writing that tries to achieve that status, it is both entertaining and theoretically astute.

THE COMPLETE WILD BODY is the first in a long list, republished by Black sparrow Press, of exemplary essential modernistic landmarks on the road of excessive self-discovery by THE ENEMY, Wyndham Lewis his-self. To give you an inkling of the kind of bombastic verbiage that riddles this prose like so many death-traps: "To introduce my puppets, and the Wild Body, the generic puppet of all, I must project a fanciful wandering figure to be the showman to whom the antics and solemn gambols of these wild children are to be a source of strange delight."

The literary Lion here roars loudly somewhat unbecoming of English gentlemanry, which is exactly the vorticist point right in the center of this bull's eye Wyndham Lewis slays exactly all we ever thought refined and full of polite mannerisms in modern society. "tyros" accompany on canvas these stories of his, for Wyndham Lewis is one of the greatest painters of modernism as well as author, being the founder of VORTICISM, the only avant-garde movement of 20th century Britain; likewise he influenced and intellectually ruled and/or fascinated Pound, Eliot, Joyce, Stein,et.al.etc., and a slew of lesser-known (unjustifiably) Artists circa (roughly) the turn of the century to the dropping of the atom bomb. His Art like his life was lived under the persona of the enemy and his condemnation was indeed high praise in that he deemed whomever worthy of his intellectual onslaught. His graphic works brilliantly illustrate the volume and compliment the tales that smack of a science-fictive otherworldliness but are entirely realistic, to the extensive degree as to be super- realism (surrealism); especially in consideration that all the characters are mere auotmatons executing their behaviour patterns as if ordered to do so by some outside force of cosmic porportions. Not to say they are dull and predictable, not in any absolute sense; Ker-Orr is our adventuer, a "soldier of humour" in a very pataphysical sense, whose definition is the "science of imaginary solutions". Conjured up as by tricks is an entire situational reality where the narrator is faced with human mimickery and acts, deified with a strict militant stance,according to a system of beliefs prescribed by "inferior religions". Lewis rewrote/re-worked the stories twenty years plus later and tells us all he did in these pioneering myths he's still exhausting philosophically. The stories are replete with all the enthusiasm of a young artist forgeing new worlds in a time of intense innovation, and of all his myriad works, this book is my and many others favorite; I consider it one of the ten greatest books- among 50 plus boxes -I own. I would be-deck it with the constellations entire, not just five dim suns, which is not enough illuminism to shed lite on the innumerable profoundities barely contained herein.

Anyone, physicist or otherwise, who is at all interested in the broader philosophical implications of quantum mechanics should be required to read d'Espagnat's works. Why? Quite simply, d'Espagnat is one of pioneers in exploring the broader implications of modern physics, especially in the boundary domain where physics meets metaphysics.

His concept of "veiled" reality is particularly important to scientists, who seem to need constant reminding that empirical work, crucial as it is in understanding our physical universe, is nonetheless- by definition- incomplete; there is always a "beyond" which remains forever hidden -in principle- to direct study and observation. What should be thoroughly appreciated from d'Espagnat's investigation, moreover, is that the foundations of quantum mechanics practically REQUIRES one to logically come to this conclusion. Although science cannot define this ultimate "veiled" realm, the scientific method enables us to progressively uncover aspects of it by virtue of observed manifestations in the empirical world, as revealed in the physical laws of our universe and, perhaps, our mental states as well. The author thus promotes an ontological "dual-aspect" position, where mind and matter are equally fundamental and interdependent, and both aspects are derived from something deeper (indefinable)that is neither...
One is reminded of similar positions arrived at by other physicists interested in the foundations of QM, such as Wolfgang Pauli and David Bohm, to name a few.

Hence, this "veiled" realm seems to open the door to many metaphysical speculations. Or does it? Certainly there are those who have jumped on the metaphysical bandwagon and declared that modern physics has "revealed the realm of the spiritual"... Indeed, the new-age literature abounds with such nonsense. Unfortunately, even some scientists have been drawn into these types of speculations, but it is important to recognize some inherent limitations, even if we acknowledge the necessity of positing a "veiled reality" in one's ontology...

For one thing, this is no direct doorway to theism, such as is found in the popular theistic world religions. It is a huge leap indeed to go from the possibility of cautiously allowing the possibility of meta-(aka "beyond"-) physics, to a fully-developed systematic theology full of non-empirical elements. One shouldn't use physics as any kind of support for such a leap, although many have tried. For that matter, the supposed "support" of physics for ANY elaborate metaphysical constructs, whether theistic or non-theistic, is equally dubious. In other words, ALL metaphysical speculations remain completely arbitrary. Once empiricism is removed as a criteria, obviously objectivity is impossible.

This tells us something important in metaphysical wanderings...if one is truly interested in building a (reasonable) metaphysics based on known science, one's results may seemingly turn out reasonable, but one should always keep in mind the arbitrary nature of the effort. As d'Espagnat reminds us, this entire enterprise is forever "veiled", and we'll only get some glimpses (although these can be progressive in principle). Hence, there's simply no room for dogmatism or evangelical zeal here. Popular philosophies and religions of the world, take note...

But there is another, even more restrictive implication here. If one is trying to construct a reasonable metaphysics (defined here as, extrapolating BEYOND current physics but nonetheless trying not to VIOLATE what is currently known), the empirical foundation one is using dictates certain limits in itself. That is, one cannot freely construct any metaphysics which contradicts known physical laws. I shouldn't need to remind anyone that, already, most of the great world religions, as well as popular parapsychology and new-age sentiments, are in huge trouble here. You can't build a speculative worldview by appealing to physics for support, and then ignore the laws of physics after you've constructed your metaphysical edifice :-)

Of course, clever (devout) scientists and theologions have devised ways around this, carefully building quasi-religious worldviews that incorporate, or try to incorporate, what modern science has to offer. It is always possible to tweak a traditional religion or philosophy and make it more scientifically respectable... Such efforts might escape the criticism of scientists and stand as somewhat legitimate possibilties, but the metaphysical elements that need to be defined in such offerings look somewhat suspicious or unneeded from a strictly mechanical point of view. In addition, if these offerings try to appeal to traditional religious teachings, such as John Polkinghorne's attempt to modernize Christianity with current quantum mechanics, the result unfortunately bares little or no resemblence to the original religious milieu...

Hence, alas, the concept of "veiled" reality should be of little help to theologians, parapsychologists, the religiously devout, speculative philosophers, or any others who sometimes try to circumvent the lessons of physical science.

What d'Espagnat's work shows us, perhaps more than anything else, is the inherent inability -in principle- of humans transcending the limits of our methods. If this reminds you of the famous philosopher Immanual Kant exploring the limits of rational thought, bingo... the difference is, d'Espagnat recognizes we can progressively explore this "veiled" realm through the scientific method. We'll never quite perceive it directly given our finite limitations, but at least there is indeed room for optimism. The scientific enterprise turns out to be a noble and fruitful enterprise after all.

D'Espagnat carefully presents a concise reconstruction of the theory of non-relativistic quantum mechanics in axiomatic form, as well as careful analyses of each of the major difficulties inherent in its interpretation. His discussions of the metaphysical and epistemological questions surrounding the theory have played a significant role in setting the terms and temrinology of current debates in the philosophy of physics. For anyone seeking a better grasp of the nature and implications of quantum theory, whether he be a philosopher or physicist, this book is an essential read. It is, by any reasonable account, a classic.

Counting Thunder by Robert Bernard Hass serves as an inspiration to the casual reader, a resource for those interested in writing, and for those studying poetry for literary value.

Along with evoking a sense of human constraint, Dr. Hass's poems encompass poetic form and a sense of surrealism in "Siren", "Fairytale", and "On Envy, Obligation, and Art". Patterning and rhythm are repeated throughout his book, but especially in "Anorexic", "Aubade", "Victorian Bride", "The Lesson", and "Skunk Cabbage". You get a strong sense of place in "Boston Market" and can almost hear the fishmongers cracking oysters long the cobblestone streets of Boston. Dr. Hass' use of enjambments are impressive and fluid in the book's namesake poem "Counting Thunder", and also in "The Horses of Achilles", and "The Horses of Achilles II" as he carries you along a visual encounter with the natural world. Dr. Hass' ecological sense of style provides an educational aspect in "In the Clearing", which is about the demise of the American Chestnut Tree (by the way, a small tree stand remains in the Allegheny National Forest where oil prospectors would like to drill) and "A Poem for our Climate", which is about the consequences of global warming. These poems offer a sprinkle of fleeting hope that environmental issues could be made better if we would only listen. The power of silence, insightfulness with others, and the powers of perception are at work in "Catharsis", as well. The eloquent "Song Against Despair" signifies a sense of a religious and spiritual hope, as does "Fortune", which is about Jesus' miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead. A passion for one's favorite things in life, are made ready in "My Favorite Book" and "Horse". As an aspiring nature and travel writer, my two favorites are the courageous and adventurous, "The Moral of the Story" and "Monarchs", but I have to include the playful, "Mexico" and "Murphy: A Life" in my list of favorites.

Counting Thunder reminds me of a line from Desiderata (1692), "...With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world..."

I think Counting Thunder is a must for every bookshelf and one to be read on a regular basis, if only to make sense of life through Dr. Hass' ability to amplify life's simple and complicated moments into powerful, concentrated, and meaningful words. I hope Dr. Hass will find it in his heart and schedule to share and publish more of his poetry for our continuing enrichment in creative thought.

Thoughtfully submitted,
November 9, 2008
Martha J. Rogus

I've had the pleasure of knowing Bob and having him for class. He is a good poet and a good man. This book is the culmination of twenty years of work. Hass has absorbed his craft to the marrow of his bones. This book is well worth the wait.

This turns out to be the 3rd in the series. Availability in the U.S. is not always the best (too many people giving high marks to poor vendors selling books no longer available on the shelves), so I was thankful to finally get this one. A fantastic read! Knight deserves his COE just for "Crowner's Quest."

Christ Mass, 1194 and Sir John de Wolfe (newly appointed coroner for the county of Devon) is attending a party at his own home, the guests include some of the most notable dignitaries of the city of Exeter, including his brother-in-law Sir Richard, Sheriff of the county.

His wife Matilda, a usually surly and miserable woman is in good spirits, because she sees the party as an opportunity to raise her social standing something she is always striving to attain.

Sir John, much to her disgust is called away to examine the body of a canon who has been found hanged in his own privy. Is it suicide, or is there something more sinister afoot . . .

I always enjoy Bernard Knight's novels. There are many good writers about but very few have Prof. Knight's gift of storytelling and the obvious knowledge he has about the period in which he writes.

In "Defusing the High-Conflict Divorce," the authors get underneath the surface of high-conflict divorces and describe the types of dysfunction occurring in these families -- dysfunctions which are often not recognized for what they are by legal or mental health professionals. Problems in both the legal and mental health fields that contribute to our dysfunctional adversarial system of divorce are outlined. The authors share information about the kinds of interventions that work and those that don't, in resolving the underlying issues in the family. Throughout the focus is on reducing the parental conflict so that parents are able to meet their children's needs. This book is crucial for legal and mental health professionals who work with divorcing families. It can also offer hope to divorcing couples that there are alternatives other than litigation for resolving conflict.

Couples who divorce and stay angry at each other, making ongoing demands and endless accusations, creating volatile situations around issues like child custody, and refusing to be reasonable no matter how much professional guidance they get are a drain on legal and therapeutic resources. They're a major pain for counselors and court personnel, whose efforts are wasted when the feuding exes behave like irrational children.

This book's four authors pooled their expertise in dealing with high-conflict divorce cases to create a resource for other helping professionals. The result is a savvy guide, brimming with common sense and cool-headed ways to resolve conflict and reduce the frustration of toxic post-divorce relationships. How can you help this couple manage their anger toward each other? How can you get them to put their children first and encourage them to be reasonable with each other? How do you keep them focused on issues, and not each other's personalities? These are a few of the important questions answered in this frank, perceptive volume.

The book begins with an eye-opening overview -- incorporating solid research and the authors' own clinical experience -- of what really happens when ex-spouses with children keep fighting. A discussion of dysfunctional patterns that helpers are likely to encounter follows, detailing categories such as co-parents who put their kids in the middle of their fights; substance abuse in one or both exes; one or both ex-partners being accused of mental illness; and other varieties of wheel-spinning pitfalls that cause a lot of collateral damage. There are illustrative examples and a wealth of practical advice here about how to deal with these challenges.

Another part of the book offers an insider's view of the legal and mental health systems that deal with high-conflict divorces. The emphasis is on key figures, like attorneys, judges, and clinicians, who can influence a combative situation toward either peace or escalating war. The authors explore alternatives to litigation and stress proven interventions (including a highly successful program developed by Price and Margerum) and demonstrate how helpers can get involved in high-conflict cases without finding themselves sucked into the maelstrom of post-divorce bitterness.

This is a clear, astute resource sure to boost the confidence and optimism of anyone responsible for sorting out the complications of high-conflict divorce.

Deep math meets computer science over
a hugely diverse range of topics:
an amazing book!

The title seems to be a play on the "Probabilistic Method,"
a better-known cousin of the Discrepancy Method. The book
covers an unusual mix of topics, and is very well-written.

As I began to read this book again after a gap of so many years since I first settled down to enjoy these excellent stories of ships, shipwrecks, divers and treasures (what more could I ever want from any single book!), I found myself willing the Cousteau on in their quest to find those hidden treasures.

This is a gripping tale - told only as the legendary Jacques Cousteau could tell and one almost hears his gravely French voice narrating quietly as you read.

One of the best features of all the books in this series, however, are the appendices. In this case we have additional sections on; America before Columbus - The Mayas and Incas, The Conquistadors and the battles between the Spanish and local Indians, Sailing Ships and the great men who sailed them and a glossary of terms which explains how slave ships were fitted to accommodate the maximum number of slaves.

Without those appendices, I would have understood less of the book's main content. It is therefore, a most complete work on the subject and one that still stands the test of time as a first rate book for scuba divers.

In summary, this series of books are timeless and I make the same comment that, in my opinion, no scuba diver's bookshelf is complete without a copy of this and other books in the same series. - but be quick, they will not remain available forever.

NM

As I began to read this book again after a gap of so many years since I first settled down to enjoy these excellent stories of ships, shipwrecks, divers and treasures (what more could I ever want from any single book!), I found myself willing the Cousteau on in their quest to find those hidden treasures.

This is a gripping tale - told only as the legendary Jacques Cousteau could tell and one almost hears his gravely French voice narrating quietly as you read.

One of the best features of all the books in this series, however, are the appendices. In this case we have additional sections on; America before Columbus - The Mayas and Incas, The Conquistadors and the battles between the Spanish and local Indians, Sailing Ships and the great men who sailed them and a glossary of terms which explains how slave ships were fitted to accommodate the maximum number of slaves.

Without those appendices, I would have understood less of the book's main content. It is therefore, a most complete work on the subject and one that still stands the test of time as a first rate book for scuba divers.

In summary, this series of books are timeless and I make the same comment that, in my opinion, no scuba diver's bookshelf is complete without a copy of this and other books in the same series. - but be quick, they will not remain available forever.

NM

Find out the pertinent details of cowboys. How they live, talk, dress, and eat. Find out about stampedes, the dangers on the trail and how to catch a rustler. This is a humorously written and illustrated book all about cowboys. The details and colors in the pictures are delightful! This is great for boys and girls. I have girls and they've both loved this fun book. It's one of my favorites along with "Do Pirates Take Baths".

This is one of those books my youngest daughter will pull out and ask for when she knows I'm tired and trying to get outta reading. She begs, I relent, then she says: Oh-kkaaay, how about 'Do Cowboys ride Bikes?' -and I say okay, but just this one!

I just read this book to my son at bedtime tonight and had to come make sure there were some good reviews out there. Since I found no reviews, I will just have to write one myself because people should know just how cute this book is. Each page spread asks a question about the life of a cowboy and the answer is written in a short, silly poem with pictures that correspond. Nothing the least bit questionable here for the little cowboys either--they drink root beer when they go to town and even brush their teeth with sagebrush every night before bed. Cute, cute, cute with adorable illustrations. Just the right length for my 2 year old. He enjoys looking at the pictures as I read. It's a book to grow on though because the pictures are pretty detailed and he'll get more jokes as he gets older. Nice cadence too. All around love it!

Bernard Goldstein has fallen into the abyss of oblivion. He doesn't even receive mention in Wikipedia. This book, rescued from obscurity by the Nabat division of AK Press, is most worthy of attention and reading. It relates the true story of Goldstein, a dedicated Socialist revolutionist and founding member of the Jewish Bund and his perilous existance in pre-war and wartime Poland. While numerous insights into the arcane workings of various left-wing splinter factions emerge from the dust of the past in this book, it's real value is in the depiction of life in the hellish Warsaw Ghetto and the struggle of the occupants to survive. Of course, the vast majority were immolated in Nazi death camps or were starved to death. Many others fell victim to epidemics and deliberate overwork. Only a tiny minority survived and some of these met an unfortunate outburst of viscous Polish anti-Jewish activity after the Nazis were evicted from Poland. Goldstein was there for all this and, thanks to a combination of skill, connections, luck and brains, somehow managed to survive to write this remembrance. I was unable to determine his post-war course even the date of his death remains obscure. Nonetheless, this is an important and worthwhile history, though it would probably appeal most directly to dedicated students of the War.

It took me a few days to write this review after I finished "Five Years In The Warsaw Ghetto" by Bernard Goldstein. In a day where there's much wrong with our world, you can't help but be depressed when reading of people in the past that's ideals were utterly crushed by the might of state power. Goldstein was a Jewish socialist organizer in the trade unions of Warsaw, and lost his entire community to the Nazi plan of aus rotten of the Polish Jews. Its story, a re-release of a memoir put out in the 1950s when the Holocaust was fresh in the world's mind, leaves you with three things.

First, it is a tragedy, one of where Bernard Goldstein spent his entire life fighting for justice, as a socialist activist and organizer amongst Polish workers and Jews; he actively fought fascism from rising in Poland, but was nearly powerless to stop as the tanks rolled into Warsaw. Throughout the five years, he watched as half a million Jews were reduced to a little more than 70,000, and as his beloved Warsaw was utterly destroyed by the Nazis, and than the Socialist resister survivors were rounded up and either imprisoned or executed by the Soviets.

Second, it is a story of hope. Throughout the entire occupation, Goldstein never rested nor never gave up; reminding the reader of the old phrase "Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." When the Nazis set up the Ghetto, he urged, from the underground press, to resist it and not to trust the Jewish collaborators whom the Gestapo put into power to rule over the ghetto. When deportations started, his organization tried to manufacture fake documents to as many people as possible marked for liquidation as good workers. When it became clear the Nazis were planning to kill everyone, Goldstein helped organize the uprising which nearly succeeded in defeating the Nazis except for a dearth of supplies. Escaping the Ghetto, Goldstein joins the Polish resistance which stages a second city-wide uprising two years later, which only failed because the approaching Soviet army refused to help it, since Stalin wanted no rivals in his puppet government.

Third, it is a story of courage to fight for what is right. Throughout the story, Goldstein remains resolute that the Nazis would be defeated eventually, and used all of his cunning, strength, and organizing skill to achieve it. People who compromised themselves in order to survive in this story usually did not, such as Jewish Gestapo agents, who became such to protect themselves from death camps, but instead were assassinated by vengeful Jews when the uprisings erupted. Goldstein, the biggest rebel of them all, survives the holocaust of his people and his city, though he has to flee when the Soviets begin arresting the radicals of the nation.

Goldstein's message should be for us today, in these difficult times, to never give up, and never stand down, no matter how mighty your foes are nor how much the odds are stacked against you and what you hold dear. Nothing, not the state, nor the worst of tyrants and human hatred, can crush the thoughts and hope for a better world. If Goldstein can survive it, so can we.

It is hard to believe this book was first published in 1974. Since that time our knowledge of these friendly sea mammals has increased quite markedly. As we re-visit this excellent series of books by the legendary Jacques Cousteau, however, we discover just how much he was ahead of his time. This man came to know more about the sea and it's creatures than any man ever did - and perhaps ever will, and this book is a shining example of that knowledge.

Packed with page after page covering all aspects of Dolphin life and behaviour, this book is as relevant today as it ever was. There is much here for anyone with an interest in these attractive creatures and I would suggest "no scuba diver's bookshelf is complete without a copy - so get one now whilst these last remaining stocks are still available.

As with all the books in this series, it is a good read.

NM

This is part of the three volume set, ISBN 0884680175, by cousteau, his son and Philippe Diolé. The photography is supuerb with over 100 color prints, and numer back and white. The fascination stirred dophins makes this volume the most compelling of the three.