Chang Books

An interesting book of poetry if you consider the source: A qualified Zen Master from the 'old school' in Korea!! Zen Master Chang Sik Kim reveals his "just now mind" through this work of 'free association' poetry. A good poetry book combined with some classic ko-angs (Japanese: koans); spiced with Korean 'Hwardu's; the founding master gives just a hint of his profound inner knowledge of Zen. Yet, having been in the States since 1974, a level of Chang Sik Kim's Americanization can be discerned from the poem: 'One Cup of Water' on page 83, where he is almost cynical! Perhaps that is a strength as Zen deals with the most advanced technological culture in the 21st century as felt by one of the most 'PURE' Zen Monks in this country. "The Sky Is Blue, The Water Is Clear", like the Stone Lion at the Cross Road, informs those who view it, in the most simplest of terms, an endless Zen lesson.

This book is a perfect introduction to the world of stained glass and religious images to young and old alike. Those who enjoy decorating will be thrilled to find the windows can be removed for use year after year.

Storm Rider's volume 12 is the ongoing saga of Bu-Jing-Yun (Cloud), his adopted brother Wind (Nie-Fong), and their struggles against their evil stepfather Lord Conquer.

In this issue Jien Chen and Luo Bu-Jing-Yun go to Sword Worship villa to find ultimate sword. Their quest is thwarted by Sword Greedy, Sword Demon and Lady Au. They duel together in a strange and mystical edifice called 'sword pond,' will Cloud survive the encounter?

This installment of Storm Riders was not as good as previous volumes, primarily because Nie-Fong was absent most of the time and a new character: Jien-Chen was focused on. As someone who is a fan of the original cast (Wind, Cloud and Frost), I found this somewhat disappointing. Nie-Fong is my favorite character!

Even though the plot was a little thin in this issue, Wing Shing Ma's art is beautiful and fun too look and reading issue 12 is important to understand the events in 13.

In the Sutra in Forty-two Sections, Shakyamuni Buddha instructs novice monks on proper Buddhist practice. There are exhortations to follow precepts, discussions on karma, warnings against lust and desire, and various other forms of advice. Because the Buddha addresses newly committed monks, this text which includes commentaries by the well-respected Hsuan Hua offers important instructions for monks and laymen.

In this third volume of their monumental work, the authors continue a detailed narrative of the Taiping Rebellion. Unlike military histories of other revolts in other countries, this has numerous poems by rebel leaders. Along with the full text of several Notifications put out describing policies and edicts.

The authors have eschewed a strict military account of events in this volume. Instead, by the above, they flesh out the Rebellion in a broader socio-political context. Giving the quasi-religious (sometimes neo-Christian) dialectic that inspired the unrest.

Despite the length of the book, there is no map. While perhaps not strictly required, a few maps would have helped the non-Chinese reader with the locations of various towns and cities mentioned here.

Tramp Art is a specific type of folk art made by layering notched pieces of wood in order to create ornate and multi-dimensional surfaces. Most tramp art was made in the Great Depression years from wooden cigar boxes. Helaine Fendelman was the curator of the 1975 exhibition "Tramp Art" at the Museum of American Folk Art. Jonathon Taylor, a professional photographer and tramp art collector, has done extensive research of the history of Tramp Art. Entertaining and beautifully illustrated, the book is noted as the "seminal guide to Tramp Art", and chapters include: What is Tramp Art?, Evolution of the Art, the Artists, How Tramp Art was made, the Continuing Trade, etc. At present, this is the best book on the subject of Tramp Art.

This book of quotations is a reminder that even though we often don't want to admit it, trust is essential to life. We need to trust that things will work out in the end, so rather than grind ourselves up by worrying, we need to go about our lives. My favorite quote is from George Eliot and is " Those who trust us educate us." This sums up so much about what trust is, a two-way activity where both gain. This is one of those books that you keep on your shelf and read occasionally when the pressures of life seem too great.

Hundreds of color photographs enhance this reasonably priced, large-format book on Venetian history, neighborhoods, festivals, and neighboring islands. The aerial views are some of the best I've seen in any Venice book, at any price. - Durant Imboden, Venice for Visitors, http://govenice.miningco.co

This double book has it all-instructions and the materials to make projects. The very beautiful book has several Victorian projects to make using the Christmas "scraps" which are included in the second half of the book. The projects are somewhat disappointing, however, the reproduction paper pictures called "scraps" make up for the lack in originality of the projects. The rather lackluster projects were the springboard for my own ideas with which to use the paper "scraps" of Father Christmas, Victorian angels, flowers, etc. Overall, the paper pictures were the stronger of the two halves of the book, but well made up for any weakness in the project suggestions. Gorgeous pictures. Well worth the money.

I find the book to be very well written and the programs easy to use. The setup screens are very intuitive and the solutions quite detailed. The text assumes that the student is already quite familiar with the undelying math and therefore is light on clear detailed explanations of the process.
I find it frustrating that there is no "Technical Support" website or phone number. There appears to be an error in the calculation of the Utilization factor RHO and a software malfunction in the same step. The value continues to increase as you repetively cycle beteen screens. This is clearly a malfunction but in addition the value for Rho is not Lamda/Mu-- the calculated value appears to be in error. How do I contact the author concerning this problem? IF any reader knows how to solve this problem or can otherwise help, I would appreciate it.