Cross Books

Lady Appleton is on trial, now, and must discover the real murderer if she is to survive the accusations. There are times I have to ask myself if Emerson was actually alive during this time period and froze herself to be brough back during our time period to write so well. (Of course not, I'm just being silly!)

For a look at the cover of this book and other news about the series, visit my website. I have my own domain name, so I'm easy to find. I also have a newsletter, Face Down Update, for those interested in knowing more about Lady Appleton. P.S. I couldn't submit this without rating the book. I do think it's the best in the series to date, but I hate the idea of rating anything. Much too subjective!

Officially, he died from drowning. Though eighteen months have passed since that declaration, the deceased's spouse Susanna Appleton rejects the finding. She knows that she has been married to Robert for too many years for her to be so easily rid of him. Her belief is proven accurate when Roberts sends her a note demanding she bring a large amount of gold to him. Though she no longer loves her husband, Susanna feels bound to honor her marital vows. She leaves Leigh Abbey to travel to London for her rendezvous with Robert.

When Susanna arrives at their appointed locale, the innkeeper mistakes her for another woman who was kissing Robert while sitting on his lap. Susanna learns that Robert has already left the sleazy Black Jack Inn. She leaves to find lodging in a better neighborhood. While looking at the nearby Eleanor Cross, Susanna sees a man fall to his death. Based on what she observed, the noted herbalist feels someone poisoned the victim. The innkeeper testifies that Susanna was the last person seen with the dead person. The police arrest her, placing her in Newgate while awaiting trial for murder. Her good friends in high places obtain her temporary release, but Susanna plans to uncover the truth before she is burned at the stake.

Kathy Lynn Emerson has written another exciting Elizabethan mystery that stars a memorable and likable heroine. FACE DOWN BENEATH THE ELEANOR CROSS has been so meticulously researched it feels as if Ms. Emerson was there to document the tale. Reminiscent of the best of Gellis and Penman, this novel deserves awards while encouraging readers to find the previous three tales in a rewarding series.

Harriet Klausner

If you read the "Face Down" series purely for the Whodunit, than this one is as strong as the others - in fact, harder for me to figure out than some of the others have been. I have to admit - I'm a bit disappointed in how Emerson resolved some relationship issues in this one. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I felt that some things were a bit rushed and seemed out of character for two of the players - but all in all, I love how Emerson continues to grow the the characters of the supporting crew to Susanna - another fun mystery.

This time Susanna, Lady Appleton is suspected of the murder of her husband, and, as the author makes clear, this is hardly the best century in which to be a murder suspect. Susanna fights against time to find the real murderer and escape a gruesome death. A riveting mystery with authentic and fascinating period details, well drawn characters, and always a plucky heroine. Fans of Anne Perry should check out this series!

This type of book should never be allowed to go out of print. It should be available for all to read and learn from. In it, Helene Tremblay offers a fascinating insight into the ordinary lives of various people from The Americas and The Caribbean by spending a typical day with a typical family. In a beautifully illustrated book, sensitively written, Ms Tremblay gently pushes opens a window into their different worlds, eating, resting and working with the families. There is no feeling of intrusion, just an unspoken respect for their way of life. It is at once humbling, honest, moving and utterly compelling. It is a book I refer to many times and can highly recommend.

This type of book should never be allowed to go out of print! It should be available for all to read and learn from. In it, Helene Tremblay offers a fascinating insight into the ordinary lives of various people from The Americas and Caribbean simply by spending a typical day with a chosen family. In a beautifully illustrated book, sensitively written, Ms Tremblay gently pushes opens a window into their different worlds, eating, resting and working with them. There is no feeling of intrusion, just an unspoken respect for their way of life. It is at once humbling, honest, moving and utterly compelling. It is a book I refer to many times and can highly recommend.

I enjoyed reading this book. I bought it for my husband as a gift, but I read it before he did. The photographs and stories were about at least one family from each North and South American country. Wide range of lifestyles, from tribal Amazonians, peasants in Mexico, poor and rich of Brazil, single mother families in West Indies, farmers in Canada, and urban folks from Chicago. The book covers their diligences and futilities in this world as a family unit.

Greetings to all! I love sociology, world culture, and travel. This book combines the best of these topics and so much more! Helene has displayed tremendous courage in her desire to produce a book about humanity and the one thing that bonds us all together: family. She has traveled to places that many of us would find undesirable and have brought forth families that we would have never known if it were not for her beautiful book! From the poorest of the poor to the elite, she has been the welcome guest of families picked randomly who best represent each country. She surprised these families by just showing up on their doorstep and then, as an unbiased observer, gives honest details of the lifestyle of the family. This is truly one of the most interesting books I've ever read and it now looks like a well-worn Bible, as I have read it time and time again. Through the eyes of Helene, we learn about families as far north as Canada and the USA, as well, as the Caribbean and South America and Mexico. I was so impressed by Helene's report on a family in the Honduras that we decided to sponsor a family from there! Truly, there is no other book like it and it is a great sadness to me that it is no longer in print. Anyone who can purchase this book will be adding a book of noble worth to their library! I can't say enough about this book! It is a tremendous way for children to learn about other families and places around the world! Helene, if you ever read this, know that you are always welcome at my home! ;-) In Friendship, Mrs. Marsha Swaggerty & Family

I've already given a review for the first book which is on this page for some reason... so I wholeheartedly agree that the book on Asia and the Pacific is just as spectacular as the book on the Americas... It was out of print and I was amazed when Amazon.Com came through with a used copy that was in beautiful condition! I was very pleased and impressed and am delighted to have this book in my collection... I was very intrigued by the families in Asia and the exotic Pacific! Very much worth the wait!

Duncan's sister loaned me this book. It has taken me several years to get to the point of reading it and I am glad because I wasn't ready until now. Duncan's insights and thoughts are provoking and life-changing. The most significant, yet recurring thought in this book is that we are NOT doing what Christ tells us in the NT. Even those of us who are well-meaning need to examine our motives and our actions. Duncan explains this in a way that is illuminating. I love the story where Duncan accompanies a friend and his family to the country to see a cross that has been erected. The Christian father of Duncan's friend is torn by the image and wants someone to pay. Duncan points out that even the best of us sometimes do not understand. Jesus HAD to die on that cross. Read the book, it will change you. Surely the Holy Spirit is working through Duncan.

Oh, Duncan, youre book speaks volumes about the inner butey of youre soul. It's like a pristine window into the center of youre ever-deepening mind's eye. Every time I open this masterpeace, the cup of my soul is refilled from the bountiful reservoir of youre knowleje. You and your incredible understanding of the inner-workings of my eternal being will never cease to amaze me. I can't begin to express these feelings in words, let alone vocal thoughts.

This book shines a new and very bright light on Christianity. It made me have a great awakening about my views and ideas about Jesus and my life.

This book has inspired me to change the way i have been living. Duncan, a single 45 year old english teacher, is able to put a new spin on religion throughout his humerous book. I enjoyed it greatly and hope you will take the time to read it too.

This book is an inspiring piece encouraging us to look at god in our lives completely different. It moved my life and I hope it will yours.

I got this book for my husband for Father's Day. He has been on a little search of his own for the best burgers around. He loves the book and we can't wait to try some of these on our travels this summer.

this book was really fun to read and so much information about the best hamburger places in the country. Makes you hungry the minute you start flipping through it. The DVD that came with it was a great bonus and very entertaining. This is a great buy.

I love this book! I've been obsessed with Hamburger America since I saw the documentary on the Sundance Channel. The documentary makes most of the content tackling similar subjects on the Travel Channel, Food Network, History Channel, etc., seem like insipid, dumbed-down crap. It is beautiful to watch the small-time, low-key purveyors of American tradition talk about the simplicity of what they do. The book is a great read, with beautiful photographs and loving tributes to a vanishing America that's rapidly becoming standardized, corporate-ized,bland-ized, Wal-Martized, Starbucksized, Bush-ized, and stupid-ized. I keep it on my bedside.

I am tempted to take off a star because this sampling of American tradition was actually printed IN CHINA! Nothing against the Chinese, but this seems sad, in a way.

Reading the book and watching the video makes me hungry, but if you eat enough of this stuff, it will probably kill you.

More American than Pizza and the Hot Dog, is the Hamburger. "Hamburger America: A State-by-State Guide to 100 Great Burger Joints" is a guide to finding the simply the best burger one could find in any corner of the country in any state of the union. Covering these burger joints who have stood strong against the juggernauts of McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy's, on the sheer quality of their food alone. Enhanced with a full color map reflecting the locations of these burger joints across the nation and a accompanying DVD, "Hamburger America: A State-by-State Guide to 100 Great Burger Joints" is highly recommended for any lover of the hamburger who also loves traveling.

I first saw Motz's documentary Hamburger America (which is included with the book) and was amazed on how he captured more than just places that serve a mean hamburger. Every place he went in the film gave you a look at different types of Americans, their history, their future and all held together by the love of America's favorite food. The book builds upon that. Each entry is written with admiration for the burger, the restaurant and the people that cook them. By visiting different cities, cultures, races, and histories of the many burger joints in this book, Motz is able to bring them altogether on one theme: they all make a great burger. And isn't that what America is about? This hodgepodge of cultures in one place looking for the dream, can all be united by ground beef in a bun. Forget the mass produced fast food chains. It's the local mom and pops, diners, decades old places that Americans hold true to their heart. It was written that if you don't claim your hometown greasy spoon as serving the best burger, then you're a wimp. Well this book covers many of those hometown favorites. Even if you do not especially like hamburgers, this book is essential for reading on American folk-life and its wonderful people.

The story was so interesting and descriptive, I came away feeling nostalgic, as if I had lived through it myself and wished I could go back.

This is a great book for readers of all ages! I picked it up and couldn't bring myself to put it down. It was fantastic!

This is one of those books that you pick up and you can't put it down. I read it in one evening. Carolyn takes us back in time to a wonderful story about perserverence and family love. It is a book that you will want to pick up for years and read it again. Can't wait for more books from this author!

This book is a great story that takes you back in time. As I read I found myself feeling very emotional.You find yourself feeling like you are a part of this family enduring all their hardships and sharing their laughter,joy, and sorrows. I found myself not wanting to stop reading just wondering what might happen next. This is a great book that should be shared with your family! This book reminds you of how much you love your family and how much you would sacrifice for thier needs, happiness and blessing.

Irish Blessing is a wounderful read. It has been a true blessing to share with my daughters. It gave us a feeling of what it must have been like to live in the time of our early America. If you like history, rich character developement, and the feeling of escaping into a good book, I strongly recommend reading this book.

Full disclosure - I'm a guy. :-) I first ran across Mamatoto years ago before the birth of my child. I paged through the book and was enchanted by the pregnancy and childbirth legends and folklore from around the world. It is both amusing and lovely at the same time. The mommy-to-be was thrilled. I highly recommend it for all new parents. (Yes, even the daddies-to-be will like it.)

This is a must-have book if you're curious about how women in non Western countries experience pregnancy and childbirth. The book is charmingly illustrated and full of fascinating, reassuring, and inspiring anecdotes and facts about pregnancy and childbirth in other cultures and times. Essential reading for anyone questioning the overly clinical, flat-on-your-back, hooked-up-to-monitors North American method of childbirth as the only way to have baby.

Beautifully adorned with mothers and babes, this collection allows the Western mother and mother-to-be to step out of our comfort zone and let mothers' of the world teach us. Packed full of information in an easy-to-read style. Mamatoto offers what no other prenatal/pregnancy book can... spirit and guidance in what often feels like uncharted territory. Enjoy this book completely until it is in tatters- like mine.

While most pre-pregnancy books focus on the medical aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, this wonderful little book looks at the cultural and spiritual aspects of becoming a mother. Full of poems, stories, true anecdotes, humor, and beautiful photos and artwork from around the world, this book gives the reader a more accurate view of pregnancy than any medical text could. This book makes a wonderful gift not only for expectant mothers, but for those who already have children (or grandchildren).

This was a beautiful book full of traditions surrounding birth from around the world. Beautiful photography, poems and art. Definitely a great gift for anyone interested in childbirth.

From CHOICE

As political, social, and economic factors cause the world to shrink, people of many diverse cultures find themselves interacting with each other. Americans no longer view the world with "ethnocentric" glasses, but are learning to value diversity. This new book comes at just the right time, showing through a compilation of works from authors around the world that sign languages from various nations, while different, can be a significantly unifying factor to the worldwide Deaf community. Not only does this work present surprisingly parallel stories of the different struggles and successes of the Deaf community throughout the world, it suggests that in compiling the material for their work, the researchers may have inadvertently set the stage for a more general understanding of world cultures and for valuing diversity. If the Deaf communities of the world can value each other, perhaps we all can. Recommended. All levels and collections.

-- J. A. LeClair, SUNY Oswego

An article from the Deaf Base website (www.deafbase.com/article473.html)

"The challenges faced by deaf people in Sweden are quite different from those in Nicaragua and are set on a common global stage," explain Leila Monaghan and Constanze Schmaling, two of the contributors of Many Ways to Be Deaf: International Variation in Deaf Communities edited by Monaghan, Schmaling, Karen Nakamura, and Graham H. Turner. In this volume, twenty-four international scholars have contributed their findings from studying Deaf communities in Japan, Thailand, Viet Nam, Taiwan, Russia, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ireland, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, Nicaragua, and the United States. Sixteen chapters consider the various antecedents of each country's native signed language, taking into account the historical background for their development and also the effects of foreign influences and changes in philosophies by the larger, dominant hearing societies.

"Key themes of this volume include how Deaf communities have survived despite opposition by those who thought and think that Deaf people should not be allowed to have their own separate communities outside of hearing cultures, how forms of education interact with and are reflections of larger sociocultural processes, and how signed languages are crucial parts of Deaf communities everywhere." The diversity of background and training among the contributors to Many Ways to Be Deaf distinguishes it as a genuine and unique multicultural examination of the myriad manifestations of being Deaf in a diverse world.

CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
New Scholarly Books
9/13/2003, A17
COMMUNICATION
Many Ways to be Deaf: International Variation in Deaf Communities, edited by Leila Monaghan and others (Gallaudet University Press; 326 pages; $69.95) Research on sign language in Austria, Brazil, Britain, Ireland, Japan, Nicaragua, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States.

A book notice from the Foundation for Endangered Languages:
OGMIOS Newsletter 2.9 (#21): Summer - 31 July 2003 (www.ogmios.org/2111.htm).

Many Ways to Be Deaf: International Variation in Deaf Communities: Leila Monaghan, Constanze Schmaling, Karen Nakamura, and Graham H. Turner, Editors

The recent explosion of sociocultural, linguistic, and historical research on signed languages throughout the world has culminated in Many Ways to Be Deaf, an unmatched collection of in-depth articles about linguistic diversity in Deaf communities on five continents. Twenty-four international scholars have contributed their findings from studying Deaf communities in Japan, Thailand, Viet Nam, Taiwan, Russia, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ireland, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, Nicaragua, and the United States. Sixteen chapters consider the various antecedents of each country's native signed language, taking into account the historical background for their development and also the effects of foreign influences and changes in philosophies by the larger, dominant hearing societies.

The topics covered include, inter alia: the evolution of British finger-spelling traced back to the 17th century; the comparison of Swiss German Sign Language with Rhaeto-Romansch, another Swiss minority language; the analysis of seven signed languages described in Thailand and how they differ in relation to their distance from isolated Deaf communities to Bangkok and other urban centers; and the vaulting development of a nascent sign language in Nicaragua. ISBN 1-56368-135-8, 7 x 10 casebound, 288 pages, glossary, references, index, $69.95s

Collaboratively compiled and edited by Leila Monaghan (Lecturer in the Department of Communication and Cultural at Indiana University, Bloomington); Constanze Schmaling (Linguist at the Institute of German Sign Language at Hamburg University, Germany); Karen Nakamura (Professor of Anthropology at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota); and Graham H. Turner (Senior Lecturer in the Deaf Studies Program at the University of Central Lancashire, Great Britain), Many Ways To Be Deaf: Internal Variation In Deaf Communities is a compendium of scholarly assessments of deaf communities and sign languages worldwide, ranging from Swiss German Sign Language; to the developing sign language of Nicaragua; the conflicts of hearing culture and deaf culture in various nations; some national tendencies to view the hearing improvements of cochlear implants as motive sufficient to dismiss the importance of sign language, and much, much more. An exhaustively researched and critically insightful resource, Many Ways To Be Deaf is an impressive work of scholarship and a ground breaking contribution to Deaf Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

A master piece from a real master. A must for zen practitioners and buddhist of all lineages.

Zen has become such a buzz-word in the last few decades, that it is now almost meaningless in the eyes of the wider public. The first volume of the Shobogenzo is everything but meaningless, on the contrary, here we get the chance to meet one of the greatest minds the spiritual culture of Buddhism has produced so far. It's definitely not an easy read, Nishijima's translation of the Shobogenzo is the kind of text that has to be read time and again for the rest of your life. The true potency of the diverse content can only manifest itself within the actual practice of Zen. Words alone can only ever be a very weak finger pointing at the moon, not the moon itself. As far as fingers go, this first volume of the Shobogenzo is truly the real thing. A must-buy for anyone interested in Zen philospophy and the school of Soto-Zen in particular.

This English translation of Shobogenzo is the best there ever was or will be. Not only does Gudo Nishijima know his stuff when translating ancient Japanese to English (with invaluable assistance from student Chodo Cross who makes the prose clear and easy to read without sacrificing a bit of the original), he has been living the message of Shobogenzo for more than six decades. Nishijima doesn't just cherry pick his favorite chapters. He gives you the whole thing - including the controversial stuff many modern scholars would like to avoid! This is the version of Shobogenzo referenced in my own book Hardcore Zen, which is also available from Amazon.

MASTER DOGEN'S SHOBOGENZO - Book 2. Translated by Gudo Wafu Nishijima and Chodo Cross. 304 pp. London : Windbell Publications Ltd., 1996. ISBN 0 9523002 2 2 (Pbk).

The works of Zen Master Dogen (1200-53) are profound. They express the point-of-view of an enlightened Master. Such works, especially when written in a sinograph-based language such as Japanese or Chinese, present very real problems of interpretation, and there are few who are equal to the task of competently translating them. Of these few, Nishijima Roshi would certainly seem to be one.

Born in 1919 in Yokohama, he is a graduate of the prestigious Law Department of Tokyo University. Between 1940 and 1973 - when he became a Zen priest - he combined a career in the Ministry of Finance with daily practice in Zazen and study of the 'Shobogenzo.' In his brief but extremely interesting Preface he writes:

"I think that reading Shobogenzo is the best way to come to an exact understanding of Buddhist theory, because Master Dogen was outstanding in his ability to understand and explain Buddhism rationally" (page ix).

In comparing the present translation with three four others I have on my shelves, I was struck by what seems to me to be its greater clarity. Here, for example, is Norman Waddell's translation of the closing lines of Book 1, Fascicle 11 - Uji - Existence-Time :

"Such investigations in thoroughgoing practice, reaching here and not reaching there - that is the time of being-time" ('Eastern Buddhist,' Vol XII No.1, May 1979, page 129).

Here is the Nishijima-Cross translation of the same lines :

"When we experience coming and experience leaving, and when we experience presence and experience absence, like this [i.e., as in the immediately preceding scriptural quotation], that time is Existence-Time" (page 118).

One of the reasons for the difference between these two readings may have to do with Nishijima Roshi's expressed preference for a literal, as opposed to a more literary translation, as when he commented : "I like the translation from which Master Dogen's Japanese can be guessed" (page xi). But whatever may be the case, whereas the Waddell reading conveys little to me, the Nishijima-Cross reading immediately evokes such things as the felt presence of the absence that is death.

Besides its greater clarity, there are many other fine things in this book. These include the use, where appropriate, of Chinese characters, and the fact that all passages have been keyed to the 'Gendaigo-yaku-shobogenzo,' Nishijima Roshi's 13-volume edition of the 'Shobogenzo' in Modern Japanese, features the advanced student will greatly appreciate. In addition, all of Dogen's extensive quotations from the Chinese Buddhist scriptures have been italicized, and the value of this becomes instantly apparent once one starts reading.

The book is rounded out with three Appendices: 1. A table of the Chinese Masters; 2. A detailed Glossary of Sanskrit terms; 3. Four Bibliographies.

The book is bound in a strong glossy wrapper, stitched, and well-printed on excellent paper. Those who may be new to Dogen would probably be better off starting with a book of selections such as Kazuaki Tanahashi's 'Moon in a Dewdrop,' but advanced students will certainly want to have this set.

All in all, it has to be one of the finest and most useful translations of the 'Shobogenzo' that we have ever seen. But since this second volume contains only fascicles 22-41 of the complete 95-fascicle text of the 'Shobogenzo,' to get the complete text you will of course also have to acquire Volumes 1, 3, and 4.

Although book 2 of the highly regarded 4 volume translation of Master Dogen's Shobogenzo is listed as available, unfortunately it is out of print and Amazon advised it cannot be obtained. Nor can I find it anywhere else. The publishers still have books 1, 3 and 4 available. It would be good to see a reprint of book 2 so the whole set was available again.

I had no idea that Paige Dixon and Barbara Corcoran were one and the same. I devoured Corcoran's books when I was twelve--there was a 6-book limit at the children's library, but when I could prove that I had read them all, after three days, they let me take out more.

I read Barbara Corcoran's books when I was twelve. I found this book a few years later, when I had a friend who had ALS. Now I'm 44, and have been hunting down some of my favorite YA books. I was pleased to find this one at ABS books. I gave it to my husband to read. He got tearful at the end, just as I did.

In 7th grade, I read this book and decided that if I ever had a son, I would name him Jordan. This book is so powerful that 8 years later, I did just that. I have never forgotten this story, and am glad to have found a copy of my own. GET IT!

I am 36 years old and read this book before junior high school. It touched me so deeply that I still remember the trip to the library with my Mother when I picked it out to read. In high school, my favorite uncle died of ALS and, because of this book, I understand the disease. Once read, this story will never leave you.

I read this book when I a freshman in high school and it was recommended to me by my literature instructor. I can't forget the emotions this story managed to stir within me, and especially at such a young age and dealing with such a topic of tragedy, death, triumph, and strength. I am still searching for a copy of this book today so that I may have it in my personal library. A must read!

A young man, Jordan, is at the top of his game. He's handsome, popular, and looking forward to starting college. Everything is going perfectly for him until he learns that he has ALS, Lou Gerhigs disease. With the help of his family, including his three brothers and his girlfriend, Susan, he lives his life to the fullest while his body deteriorates. I read this book ten years ago, and I have never forgotten it. Also see the book reviews for Paige Dixon's A Time to Love, A Time to Mourn. It is the same book, just in a softcover edition and with a different title.

This is a classical book on the subject of molecular vibrations. People interested in molecular spectroscopy or Quantum Chemistry should read it. Excellent book!

It is probably the best book about molecular vibrations, cited in many other books.
It treats complex arguments with rigour but at the same time it is able to explain them clearly.

This is the original work by E.B.Wilson where the G and F matrix formalism is presented. The G matrix, related to kinetic vibrational energy is built uppon the elements of the B matrix defined from "internal coordinates". Many quantum chemistry software packages use this exact methodology to build normal coordinates. For those working on Quantum Chem Molecular Orbital calculations, this book is a must.

Reissue of original, which was published in 1955, in the pre-computer age. Solid QM description of vibrating polyatomic molecules, and their interaction with EM radiation. The authors exploit group theory (molecular symmetry) to reduce the calculational work as much as possible. Good introduction to the use of finite groups, e.g. how to exploit the hexagonal symmetry of the benzene molecule.

In this one, Wilson writes definitively, math/scientifically, and with sincerity of purpose. Don't get confused by the word 'theory.' There's as much math in here as Born and Wolf's P of O. The only diffenrence is Wilson's is much more algebra-based. The mathematics (i.e. isomorphs) is 'taught', without breaking the flow, and is not assumed that you know the stuff already--- or can find it somewhere else. This book stands out because there is more science in here than names of scientists, and his references are for real. I would also say it was unique because books with titles like 'Molecular Vibrations' are usually skipped over for titles like 'mechanics' or 'quantum theory.' Spectroscopy was a major advancement in science, and it is good to see it skillfully treated with enlightening clarity.