Brian Books

A wonderful book. I loved it as a child, and going back to read it as an adult I realize that there are a lot of things that I missed. I remember my teacher reading it aloud in class--wonderful!

The movie, although very nice, has only a superficial resemblance to the book. For one thing, it moves the time a generation or so back. For another, in the book both parents are alive, rather than Caracticus Pott's being a widower; consequently, there is no romance.

I could very well wish that a new movie be made, NOT a musical and following the original plot.

Just like when I was a kid at my moms knee listening to her read this to me I wsa again transported to another time. This audio is great. Kids and adults alike will fall inlove with this audio book. Some what diffrent than the movie staring Dick Van Dyke. which is always a welcome suprise.

It is a charming and delightful story that you will love to read to your children. I read this book to my 6 year old. She loved it!! We both wish we could find more books about this wonderful family and car.

I remember the 1968 movie based on this novel fondly, but had never picked up the novel itself until just the other day. I was surprised at how different the book is. Although Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang herself is very similar in both, the plot of the story is much different. I enjoyed this simple little story, with Fleming's humorous asides, very much. Those asides reminded me of the "Series of Unfortunate Events" books I have read and I would be interested in learning if Lemony Snicket drew from Fleming's story style for his own series. This is a fun, quick story that most kids will enjoy. I do, however, fear that the admittedly crude illustrations in my original edition would not be as popular with modern children.

The story of Caractacus Pott, his family, and that wonderful magical car is one of the best children's stories you will ever read. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, tells a fantastic story about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the magical flying car that can even turn into a boat! It's a delightful story, filled with crooks and gangsters, and you won't be sorry you bought this fantastic little book. Should be added to every child's bookshelf. Just delightful! The book is so much better than the movie, eliminating that silly Vulgaria story. If you want to read the story Ian Fleming intended, you'll have to buy the book. You won't be sorry.

I buy this collection of books for my 13yr daughter. She is not a big reader but when it comes to these books she can't seem to get enough. She can read an entire book over a weekend and then begs to go to the book store to get the next book in the series. She loves them!

This book was great... books like this always are. I thought that I knew how things would turn out, until the ending just twisted and I was shocked. But I know that everyone is making such a big deal out of the ending... well, it was a really good ending. But the whole book was fantastic. Suspenseful and wonderful, especially for fans of the series. I'm going to read Inner Circle as soon as I get my hands on a copy!

this is my best book series ever it has great characters and a interesting storyline.the ending shocked me!!!! i always get shocked towards the ends of this series its var the best series ever!!!! i really cant wait until inner circle and i hope that some characters come back its an interesting read just like all the other books in the series and i recommend it 100 %

I was truly surprised with the outcome and how it all turned out. I knew that Noelle, Kiran, Ariana, and Taylor had some input in Thomas death; however this is not the ending I predicted. This was so much better. I applaud Kate Brian immensly, this series is quite entertaining. Not that I dont enjoy series' like Gossip Girl and The A-list, but I love how this one adds more drama aside from the typical love triangles. Granted this does have a love triangle, but the depth behind it and all the scandal makes this one way better. I think that I can safely say most of the Private readers truly enjoy how the books turn out. I do however think that Confessions should have been the end. I think that it was a perfect ending. On the other hand, I could be wrong. The way Kate Brian writes Inner Circle should be great! I hope things start to look brighter for Reed, but then again I love drama!

Reed Brennan has had nothing but endless drama the minute she entered Easton Academy. She had finally left her dysfunctional family in boring Pennsylvanian suburbia and was getting ready for higher learning and a normal social life. The Billings Girls are the most beautiful, enigmatic and popular girls at the academy, and Reed had wanted to be part of their circle at all cost. She could not have imagined all of the stuff that has transpired since then. Her boyfriend Thomas, who wooed her the second she set foot into the school, was a drug dealer and a drunk. Then he turned out dead. His roommate, the adorable Josh, has a thing for Reed, but has some issues of his own. Now he's suspected of murdering Thomas. Reed knows that he did not murder his former roommate, and the only two people who can prove it -- the school's secretary and Thomas's brother, Blake -- are not willing to go to the police. But there are other things that don't make sense. What are the Billings girls hiding? Why is Taylor gone? Christmas is fast approaching, but things seem bleak from where Reed is standing. When will the real killer step forward and make his/her confession so that she and Josh could pick up where they left off?

There are many twists in Confessions, the fourth installment in the Private series. Many of the clues that lead to the flooring ending of this book go back to the first installment, which leaves me thinking just how well-structured this story is. I don't want to write any spoilers, but this will make you think back to the previous installments and say, "Ah, so that is why such and such person behaved that way!" Josh is wonderful, a great romantic interest for Reed. Reed is a great heroine; she actually stands up to Noelle and the others in this installment, but she is still a little too dependent upon them, which annoys me. Noelle is a control freak and a spoiled little biatch who thinks the world revolves around her, but sometimes she does something so surprising that your opinion of her, once decided, wavers a bit. I've begun to really like Natasha and Cheyenne, a small character from Invitation Only, is surprisingly nice in this book. Constance isn't in this book a lot though, which disappointed me. It's nice that Reed has a "normal" friend at Easton. Anyway, fans of this series will love the twists and turns in this installment. I for one can't wait to read Inner Circle. Based on the turns of events in the story, I have a feeling that Reed's position at the Billings Hall is about to change in more ways than one. The one disappointment, like the other Private books, is that it ended too quickly for me. I read it in one day, and it could have ended much sooner. I wish I could read a book in one single sitting, but I do have other things to do! I have no idea how the number one reviewer on this web site is able to read three books or more in one single day (like she says on her profile). I wish I could do that. Chance would be a fine thing. :-)

I loved this book. It kept me on edge from start to finish. It keeps you wanting more. Wondering what will happen next. Finished this book in a day and a half.

My copy of this book was only 192 pages and I did not expect it to be packed from cover to cover with all of the drama, mystery, laughs, erotic and emotional heart pulling scenes. I read it in a few hours and had to stop myself from laughing and talking out loud while my husband was sleeping while I was reading. Brian W. Smith definitely did not disappoint with Donna's Dilemma. He is unquestionably in tune with the feminine prespective displayed in the character Donna and the camaraderie between her and her friends. I also enjoyed the vast and diverse characters, you have thugs, homosexuals, dead beat dads, single mothers, and so many personalities in this book. I am so happy my book club, Phenomenal Women Book Club is reading 2 of Mr. Smith's books this July. After reading Donna's Dilemma I couldn't wait to share my opinion and dive into our second book The S.W.A.P. Game. [...]

All I can say is wow! This book was off the chain. I started reading this book and I couldn't put it down. Brian really outdid hisself with this book. If you would like to read something that will keep your attention please read Donna's Dilemma.

I read DD within 3 hours of starting the book! I loved it!! I thought I had figured out the ending but was definitely surprised. A sequel is a must...want to know what happened with the other characters. Donna and Michael's love scenes were steamy.

Donna Ledbetter is a divorced woman with two children trying to get on with her life. Her mother and best friend are in a tragic accident that leaves her mother's friend in a coma. Her mother dies and Donna's life changes instantly. Her ex-husband, Nathan, doesn't make things better bringing more problems to Donna's plate. She then meets a new guy, Michael, who steps in to make changes.

When the best friend awakes from her coma, all the answers to Donna's problems unravel. This is one of the best books read this year and I will continue to read more of Brian W. Smith's books in the future. Brian W. Smith has not failed me yet with another excellent book, "Donna's Dilemma." This book is filed with drama from the beginning to the end.

Reviewed by: Tekisha

Mama's Lies-Daddy's Pain
S.W.A.P. Game

Endurance: An Epic of Polar AdventureI wanted to know something new, beyond the shackleton's book - south, but sometimes I think Worlsley had a great imagination.

Amongst all the books on Shackleton's voyage, this one provides the best insight into Shackleton as a man and as a leader. Due to his sense of humility and perhaps focus on the task at hand, Shackleton's own account of the voyage tends to dwell on the daily details of the group's struggles. Worsley's account on the other hand provides great insight into group dynamics and Shackleton's skill at maintaining unity under trying conditions. Shackleton's story needed someone other than Shackleton himself to tell it, Worsley being the expeditions captain and Shackleton's right-hand man, not to mention a masterful writer, is just the person. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone studying leadership and team building.

Now those were some tough adventurers back then...just solid outdoorsman and really strong willed and strong physically. This was outstanding to read and imagine what the human spirit can endure.

I have read every book about Shackleton's epic voyage to Antarctica, and this book is by far the best. It is written by the captain, so it is first hand info, written from his personal diary. The details are magnificent; you are there, alternately shivering or tasting the caribou fur in your mouth. This book makes Lansing's book look like toast; and Lansing's book is good!

I read this after "South" and I think it is the right way to go. Worsley not only recounts the difficulties of the journey, but makes no effort to hide his admiration for his great leader and friend. The way Shackleton manages to motivate his crew in an unimaginably hostile environment is an example of true, effective leadership. Adventurers and business men, children and adults should all read this book.

Wilbers is nationally recognized columnist on writing. His book combines the best ideas and examples on how to write simply, and on how to write well. He captures the heart and flavor of numerous other books on writing and rhetoric, and presents them in a simple, readable, understandable style. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is not only an easy read, but an enjoyable one. The examples of good and bad writing clearly illustrate a running theme in the book: It is not just what you say, but how you say it that matters in effective writing. My law partners liked this book so much that we distributed copies to partners and associates alike, and I personally gave copies to everyone in my family attending high school or college. At the present price, buying this book is a "no-brainer." This book is also well indexed, which makes it useful as a reference. I keep a copy on my desk.

Stephen Wilbers' "Keys to Great Writing" is a wonderful book. I've read most of the classic books on writing and this is by far my favorite. Even when presenting well-known advice ("Omit needless words"), the examples are fresh and usually better than wherever I first read such advice ("Elements of Style" in that case). Wilbers has a very sly sense of humor that pops through in many sections.

The book is split into three sections. The first covers the "keys to great writing" (economy, precision, action, music, and personality). The second covers "Elements of Composition." The last section is by far the smallest but was perhaps the most useful to me. It is on the writing process itself.

I enjoyed the book so much that I tracked down the author via email and paid him to review two chapters of the next book I'm writing. I wanted to see how well I'd done at taking his advice from the book.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

I bought this book for a guide to improve my writing skills for work as well as my module assignments.

Intelligent, well organized and fun to read, this book is a "must have" if you want to improve your own writing or help others to improve theirs.

I'm using this text for an on-line writing course. The author has put everything in easy-to-understand language and includes a bit of humor along the way. Excellent advice, hints, and ideas.

Zola's The Ladies Paradise is a fine translation from the French original. The author is right on target when it comes to consumer culture in nineteenth century France. He predicted well, how big businesses would swallow up the mom-and-pop shops, and create a need for material possessions. The character of Denise was one of strong ambition in a time when women had less than half a chance of leading an independent life outside of an andro-centric culture. Denise is a young heroine in her own right, rising up from poverty to become a strong voice in the world of the department stores. She has to fight vicious rumours and unwanted affections to make it to the top with out sacrificing her own beliefs. I highly recommend Zola's The Ladies Paradise.

any one who has started a business or has worked in a business should read this book. It clearly outlines all marketing principles, sales psychology and the benefits of being in distribution rather then production. Amazing. Grow your mind and read.

THE LADIES' PARADISE is a sequel to POT LUCK (POT-BUILLE), which I read last year. Both have Octave Mouret as a central character. In the earlier novel, he was a young salesman on the make, both in his profession and with the young women in his apartment building. At the end of POT LUCK, he marries the owner of a successful drapery establishment. At the start of PARADISE, his wife has died; and Octave has entered on an expansion program from drapery into a department store named the Ladies' Paradise that threatens all the other shopkeepers selling clothing and accessories in the area.

Enter Denise Baudu, a country girl from Normandy, who moves to Paris with her two brothers after one of them has gotten in trouble back home. Her uncle runs a store called Au Vieil Elbeuf, selling drapery and flannels, but is unable to give her room or a job because business is threatened by the presence of the Ladies' Paradise across the street. Denise finds a job at the Paradise at the risk of angering her relatives.

Salesgirls at the Paradise live in a dormitory on the top floor of the department store. Room and board is part of the job, plus a token wage and commissions on sales over quota. Little does Denise know she had entered into a whirlwind of gossip and backbiting. She is made fun of by her fellow workers, but Mouret resists getting rid of her because he is drawn to her. At one point, however, two of Mouret's "spies" in management come upon Denise and a young salesman from her region who has sheepishly fallen in love with her and kisses her hand as head axe-wielder Bourdoncle watches. Denise is promptly dismissed.

As Denise finds another position in a less profitable store than the Paradise, the focus turns more to Mouret, who did not know of her dismissal. Mouret plans a large-scale expansion of the store and calls upon Baron Hartman (in real life, Baron Haussmann) to allow him frontage on the new boulevard being cut through the neighborhood.

One day, Mouret runs into Denise on the street and asks her to consider returning to the Paradise, which is just as well as the store where Denise had started to work was going under. To sweeten the offer, Mouret makes her an assistant buyer in the new children's wear department. With her enhanced status, Denise is now winning admiration from her co-workers, though some backbiters remain. In the meantime, Mouret's passion for her is growing -- despite Denise not encouraging it in any way.

There are several set pieces in the novel which are a feature of Zola's fiction. They come under the heading of giant mechanisms that grind people down. In GERMINAL, it was a coal mine; in POT LUCK, an apartment building; in HUMAN BEAST, railroads; and in THE BELLY OF PARIS, the food market at Les Halles. In every Zola novel, there are scenes showing off some giant mechanism at work crushing people under it like the wheels of a Juggernaut. In PARADISE, these scenes are highly successful sales which show a crush of frenetically spending customers and overwhelmed sales clerks as Mouret keeps "pushing the envelope" of what is possible in the apparel business. Even wealthy shoppers who came "just to look" are caught up in the frenzy and leave the store having committed themselves to buy more than what they could afford.

The owners of neighboring shops feel that the Paradise is like a hungry beast that strives to devour their businesses and put them out in the street. Which is exactly what happens. Denise's cousin Genevieve dies of consumption after her lover Colomban -- the main hope of Au Vieil Elbeuf -- runs away to chase a slutty Paradise shopgirl who is one of Mouret's cast-offs, and who doesn't even want him. Aunt Baudu follows her daughter soon after. When as the result of a series of sharp moves, Mouret buys their properties, the shopkeepers are evicted; and Uncle Baudu goes to a nursing home, completely dazed and broken.

Eventually, Denise and Mouret do hook up, but on Denise's terms. The novel ends as they announce their upcoming marriage.

I have found that the ten or so Zola novels I have read have been of a uniform high quality, such that I have difficulty recommending one over the other (though I have a particular fondness for NANA). THE LADIES' PARADISE is an excellent read and paints a fascinating picture of life in the emerging Paris department stores of the late 19th century.

The Ladies Paradise written in the nineteenth century rings true of today's consumerism. Emile Zola examines in this socialistic novel the effects of consumerism on customers and employees. The customers who are women are drawn to the items that are displayed on the tables. Octave Mouret, the storeowner, knows what women desire and sets forth to use it to bring in profits. The lace, stockings, velvet are feminine fabrics that entice women to spend money, even if they don't have it.

As a retail employee, I have dealt with customers who don't have the money to buy the items but want to get it. I am a customer who buys what is displayed because I think it is going to be an investment. I can relate to small stores like Uncle Baudu's. Businesses like his struggle to stay afloat amongst corporate expansion. They entice clients with their sales and bargains--things that I look for when I shop. Small stores can provide what the big stores don't have. One way or the other, the consumer can get some sort of balance. Working at both a community store and a corporate store, one thing that matters most to customers is service. Customers want to be treated with respect and they expect sales associate to be enthused and answer their questions; even if it is trivial.

Denise Baudu, a simple country girl, arrives in Paris to get a job at her uncle's drapery shop. To her disappointment he doesn't have a job for her because his store is losing customers to the Ladies Paradise. The mall provides goods that are cheaper than the small shops and have a selection of fabrics not only from the mother country, but imported from Asia. He suggests to his niece that she get a job there.

The store fascinates her but she does feel some betrayal towards her uncle. Her uncle's business, along with the small stores, are struggling to stay afloat. With the expansion of the mall, these stores are forced to close because they can't compete with them. Uncle Baudu's hopes of his business staying for the long haul are shattered.

Denise is at first, shy and awkward. She is the target of cruel and malicious slander from the employees including assistant buyer Madame Aurelie. Zola unfolds the lives of the sales employees. The money they make in retail isn't sufficient to support them. The women take to prostitution. Claire has three men supporting her material needs. Pauline befriends Denise and suggests that she get herself a lover to support her financially. Denise doesn't take that advice because it is not in her interest to be a prostitute. She is determined to keep herself and her family together without falling apart which makes the women envious of her.

The novel is centered around an actual person Aristide Boucicaut who founded Le Bon Marche which remains today at the center of Parisian culture. Denise is believed to be the model of his wife Marguerite. Zola puts into a social perspective that exists til this day.

After reading the book for an art class I was suprized to find out that I actually enjoyed the book, it had quite a twist to the department store/love story. I think Zola's description of the scenes were wonderful and helped me use my inmagination better. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes learning about Paris bourgeous life and the mechanical system of the department stores. Definitly a good read.

Great book - see his site at http://wwww.brianpowerwaters.com.

I thoroughly enjoyed Margin for Error: None, and I thank you for every chapter. There are a lot of men and women controllers out there that feel the same way I do about people like you. Thanks again. Gary Lashbrock, Miami Tower.

Margin for Error: None outlines his views on the nation's air traffic control system. Included were such chapters as "Danger, FAA at Work" and "Controllers Mate It Work." Baltimore Sun

Captain Power-Waters "tells it like it is" through the use of many examples. Unfortunately, those who should read this book-FAA officials-probably won't. C.W. Glines (author of numerous books on aviation) in Airline Pilot Magazine.

This book was published in 1980, and then again in 2001 but not updated. All material is at least 23 years old.

This second hardcover of the Runaways is as amazingly well-done as the first hardcover.

Included in this trade is Runaways Volume 2 issues #1-12, as well as the X-Men/Runaways Free Comic Book Day crossover from 2006.
The Story Arcs:
True Believers (issues 1-6)
Star-Crossed Lovers (issues 7-8)
East Coast/West Coast (issues 9-12)

The X-Men/Runaways crossover is correctly placed in this trade, after issue 12, where it takes place.

Superb characterizations extend the simple (yet extremely interesting) original idea that control and authority are two very different things.
These three hardcover volumes rework, refine and re-explore that idea brilliantly. The seven paperback volumes contain the same material.

Wikipedia may help you avoid buying parts of this amazing saga more than once.

It took awhile for this to arrive but it was worth it. An excellent follow up to the first volume. Runaways is probably BK Vaughan's best Marvel work. I can hardly wait for Volume 3. I wish that Marvel will collect the rest of Runaways issue even though its not by Vaughan in a similar hardcover format. (ie Runaways/Young Avengers: Civil War.
An excellent buy for me.

I said it before and I'll say it again. This is THE way to read Runaways. Under the attractive dust jacket, the cover is made up of a soft black vinyl material that is extremely durable. The book itself is huge, letting you appreciate the art in a way that it may not have been able to be appreciated in the original comics and the infinitely smaller digest trade paperbacks. Plus, the book is loaded with extras.

This time around, we get twelve issues. One six issue arc, one two issue mini-arc, and one four issue arc. The cherry that tops off this Comic Sundae is a twelve page Runaways/X-Men crossover story that was given out on Free Comic Book Day. Other than the original comic, you can't find this story anywhere else. But, that being said, there's no reason why you'd want to. The story is inconsequential and the art is horrific. It's cool as an extra, but don't look forward to it as an epic super-team crossover issue.

Now, about the actual story: I reviewed the individual arcs here Runaways Vol. 4: True Believers and here Runaways Vol. 5: Escape to New York, but I'll reiterate. The stories are great and the dialogue is snappy as always. This is Brian K. Vaughan here. Its elementary knowledge that he'll always deliver a story that'll make you laugh and nod appreciatively at the talent of his writing. The art ranges from okay to great; Alphona isn't great at drawing the major marvel superheroes, but he excels at drawing the major "Runaways" characters. Speaking of those good ol' kids, I'm sure you returning readers are wondering how they've been. Their lives are no less tumultuous than they were in Runaways, Vol. 1, but the situation(s) they're in are nowhere near as epic as that of the first eighteen issues. In fact, this entire volume feels like set-up for a big story to come. That's both exciting and disheartening. This book could've been bigger and included more plot development than hinting at what is going to come, but even so; the more-or-less standalone arcs of this series are always entertaining, funny, and often poignant and, as an aspiring writer, I can safely say that Vaughan's writing is inspiring.

8/10

My attention was drawn to "Runaways" when I learned the Joss Whedon would be scripting the title this summer. With three volumes of reprints providing all of the pre-Whedon issues of "Runaway" I decided to keep the current issues on the shelf while I went back and started from the beginning. This was not only because I am inclined to read everything that Whedon writes, but also because in checking out "Runaways" I learned the title won the 2006 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series (meanwhile, over at the Eisner Awards, it as Whedon and artist John Cassady whose "Astonishing X-Men" was named Best Continuing Series for that same year). "Runaways, Volume 2" collects "Runaways" #1-12 plus "Free Comic Book Day 2006," and much more so that the original run of the title in Volume 1, I understand why many fans see this title, written by Brian K. Vaughan and penciled by Adrian Alphona, as something different.

The first six issues make up the "True Believers" story-arc, which begins with the kids trying to kids trying to do something about the supervillains who are starting to show up in L.A. to take advantage of the power vacuum created by the defeat of the Pryde. Meanwhile, a teenage superhero support group named Excelsior gets an offer of $1 million to track down the Runaways. That is before the kids get a new mission when a future version of Gert pops up and warns that in the future a man named Victorius is going to betray and kill not only the Avengers, but the Fantastic Fourteen and every other superhero. Before she dies, future-Gert tells them to find Victor Mancha, the boy who will grow up to become Victorius, and kill him now, before he becomes too powerful. So basically this is the old quandary about killing Hitler when he was a baby, with the added question of exactly who is Victor's daddy. Of course when the Runaways find Victor, the Excelsiors find them and the fun begins.

"Star-Crossed" is a two-part story (issues #7-8, drawn by Takeshi Miyazawa) where Karolina learns that another important thing her parents neglected to tell her, besides the fact she is an alien, is that they arranged a marriage for her. But when a space ship lands and her fiance shows up, which is the first of several interesting twists. My only complaint is that these interesting things end up on the back burner by the end of the story (good thing I have everything that follows, so I do not have to wait months to see where this is going).

Finally, there is what Molly calls the "Field trip" that is "East Coast/West Coast" (issues #9-12). If the superheroes will not come from New York City, then the Runaways will cross the continent courtesy of Cloak. It seems Dagger is at death's door and the Avengers think that Cloak was her assailant, so Cloak turns to the Runaways for help. I think there are some economic considerations in having the kids go to the right coast because that means the kids run into not only Captain America but also Spider-Man and Wolverine (a.k.a. "a hairy little Canadian guy"). I wanted the kids to stay in L.A., but the scenes between Molly and Wolverine tip the scale the other way. The "Free Comic Book" issue also teams up the X-Men and Runaways, featuring art by Skottie Young, as the mutants show up to try and persuade Molly to be one of them. Also included are the full script for (new) issue #1 and an Adrian Alphona Sketchbook.

On the one hand the Runaways exist on the superhero continuum between Power Pack and the New Mutants, but on the other hand the series reminds me a lot of Marvel's "New Universe" titles (1986-89), which took place in a more realistic world, totally divorced from the Marvel Universe and operated more or less in real time. Not that "Runaways" takes place in a world devoid of aliens, magic, supertechnology, etc., but rather that it is off the beaten path. New York City has always been the center of the superhero world in the Marvel Universe, but with the Pryde there is an explanation for why Los Angeles has been relatively devoid of supertypes. Of course, in the aftermath of the Civil War each state gets its own roster of superheroes, which will probably have an effect on a series that is dealing with, as Iron Man calls, them "more super-kids," which will be Whedon's headache.

Desipte the title, this book does NOT teach you how to stand like mountain or to flow like water.

It is not a practical book on how to cope with stress.

However, if you want an academic account of human spiritualaity, it is not a bad book, but this is not I am looking for so just 2 stars.

After the September 11th tragedy, I found myself rereading from the wisdom of Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water to try to find some meaning in all the sadness. His synthesis of the "Ageless wisdom" was very comforting in this time of spiritual hunger. I also found many passages which took on a greater meaning than when I first read it many years ago. I have given the book as a gift to many friends. I HIGHY recommend this book to anyone looking for meaning in their lives at this time. This book is a classic!

Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, by Brian Luke Seaward, is a delightful tool for spiritual awakening.

Our souls often walk bare feet in the bogs of spiritual limbo while we physically wear expensive socks and shoes, and tread fancy floors. We ought to consciously unite with our true nature, the knowledge of which reveals our true calling, as human creations of the creative power behind the universal order. And once our consciousness has penetrated the depth of our reality, we discover that this power manifests itself divinely as love, as a force for good.

Admittedly, the good of one may be the bad of another, as in the case of a predator and its prey in the natural world. Within civilization, however, humans are meant to rise above this dog-eat-dog way through solidarity: love your neighbor as yourself, as Christ dictates. Nothing could be truer to our life mission than aligning our actions with this love in the most elevated, civilized manner. We are then the inspired servants of the creative power, within the compass of our humanity; and peace of mind spontaneously follows. This peace is a refined form of happiness, unlike the crude pleasure of the senses that is but a side dish and cannot satisfy our spiritual appetite. As Brian Luke Seaward himself says: "Trying to fill the spiritual void with material means is like cramming a square peg into a round hole."

This author's hypothesis that stress is best handled when we are spiritually charged - mindful of our true nature and all its precious lessons on the meaning of our lives - is one that commands respect. Furthermore, I contend that his book Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water - which richly expands on this hypothesis and contains a host of excellent insights, advices, and references - should be read by any truth seeker, even a non-Christian, provided he or she keeps an open mind.

He writes: "Our mission is to build bridges, not walls; to offer a hand in guidance, rather than turn our backs with indifference." Without a doubt, Mr. Seaward is a builder of bridges, and that with the knowledge and skill of a civil engineer of the soul.

Laurent Grenier
Author of the book A REASON FOR LIVING
- The way to fulfillment against great odds -
(...)

For someone who is spiritual, but not religious in the sense that there is ONLY one way, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through one (or many,as the case may be) life crises. This book is written in a simple manner on a very profound topic that meets you where you are and brings you up a few levels. Balance is the key to life, and I now have the key!

Psychophysiologist Brian Luke Seaward advocates finding balance in life as a way of overcoming stress. The title of his book, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water: Reflections on Stress and Human Spirituality, is based on a t'ai chi saying. Seaward says "to stand like a mountain suggests a sense of stability, resistant to the winds of change. To move like water implies the ability to go with the flow, rather than trying to change things we have no control over."
He says that balance can be learned, but doing so requires becoming aware of, and using, our inner resources. Inner resources include humor, creativity, courage, intuition, and faith, among others. Inner resources "can and should be employed every day," not just during times of crisis.
Study after study has documented the harmful effects of stress on the human body. Seward says many people feel stress because they have betrayed their spiritual nature by not living the lives they know they should be living. He compares life to climbing up a mountain, with each of us picking out the one path that is best for us. He says "not only are there numerous paths, but we each move at a pace conducive to our soul's growth process." He adds that "it is impossible to get lost on the spiritual path. We can only be immobilized by our own fears." Confronting stressors overcomes those fears and brings balance to our lives.
Seward drew from many disciplines, including psychology, theology, quantum physics, philosophy, sociology, and mythology, as well as from his experience as a therapist, to write Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water. He says that "it is my sole wish that the collective wisdom found among these pages serve as a reminder of what we already know, because the guidance we seek is really within us."

I have loved this since I was a kid. I only have it on tape (I'm old). Once you get used to the actors and once you stop trying to compare it to the movie, you will like it.

The only scene I hate is the one where Vader is torturing Leia. It is laughable. Actually, you should listen to it because I guarantee you will laugh it is so poorly done.

I remembered listening to this production on NPR when I was a kid and now that my own children have discovered Star Wars I decided to share this version with them on a recent trip to visit grandma. We loved it! The Star Wars story is expanded and the writing and voice acting is so well done that it will keep the kids and adults entertained. Our trip seemed almost too short because we enjoyed listening so much.

Don't waste money on a DVD player in the car. Stories like this one are much more entertaining and leave the special f/x to the imagination.

I recently wrote a review for the Return of the Jedi adaption on NPR which I gave a mere three stars. I cited poor directing, acting and lack of added material.

These complaints cannot be levelled against this, the first of the NPR dramatisations.
The acting is spot on, with Perry King providing a rougher verion of Solo that goes over well, as opposed to the next two adaptions where it begins to grate. Mark Hamil and Anthony Daniels are naturally perfect at the characters that defined them for a decade and more after the original trilogy finished. Bernard Behrens does a surprisingly good Ben Kenobi, and Brock Peters likewise with Vader. They are not Alec Guinness and James Earl Jones, but they're good enough not to cause problems.

The direction is great, and I never found myself noticing the obvious radio 'cues' which tell the listener what is happening. THe music and sound effects are good and the pacing is not rushed, unlike ROTJ.

And as for added material? Deducting front and end credits gives us roughly five and a half hours, nearly triple the length of the film. The vast wealth of extra material is great and never seems out of place.

In all I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in the Star Wars original trilogy.

In 1981, the phenomenally popular movie Star Wars was adapted into a radio drama. The series ran as 13 half-hour episodes. This being about three times as long as the movie, a lot of extra scenes were added, especially back stories for many of the characters. The only actors from the movie that reprised their roles from the movie were Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, but most of the actors taking over the other roles do a good job. Most Star Wars fans will probably enjoy this.

I have fond memories of myself eagerly awaiting each installment of this fantastic radio drama adaptation of the original "Star Wars" film back when it aired originally in 1981. Brian Daley did an excellent job via his superb scripts giving us more details of the relationships between Luke Skywalker and his Tatooine friend Biggs Darklighter and between Princess Leia and her father on Alderaan. We also learn here how Princess Leia obtained the technical plans for the Death Star. Both Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels give superb performances of their screen characters, Luke Skywalker and C3PO respectively. However, the rest of the cast is just as fine with a fine - if somewhat restrained - Darth Vader voiced by Brock Peters and Ann Sachs as Princess Leia. Both the sound effects by Ben Burtt and of course the original film score by John Williams are absolutely splendid. This is a spellbinding radio drama that should appeal to diehard fans of "Star Wars".