Cross Books

This is the second book in what I like to think of as Napier's trilogy. If you have not read Masks Transformation, and Paradox, I recommend reading that one first and then this wonderful book, to be followed by The Age of Immunology: Conceiving a Future in an Alienating World. Napier's work is not light reading. His treatment of the concept of the stranger is relevant to the process he traces out in the first book which deals with the way(s) in which notions of alterity and difference are central to societal rituals of transformation. He says that "the recognition of change hinges both on the apprehension of identity and on the awareness of a potential for paradox." (Myths, 3) In this work he takes that thesis a step further and attempts to prove that this process is universal by examining it in different cultures. In the latest work, he introduces the same ideas but in a brand new context using immunology as a trope. I highly recommend all of Napier's work. Although it is anthropology, don't think that his ideas do not have relevance to other areas of study. I used his book for an analysis of Oscar Wilde's uses of paradox and masks in his dramatic and critical work. Jack Worthing's reference to Lady Bracknell as a Gorgon in "The Importance of Being Earnest" came alive to me after reading Napier's meditations on the apotropaic.

This work brings up crucial questions about how we perceive alterity in our society, no small question. People who enjoy philosophy, mythology, literature, psychology, and of course, anthropology will need to be acquainted with Napier's work. You can start here or buy the whole trilogy as I did. You will not be sad you did.

Makes an important contribution to the understanding of Indian and Greek art and myth.

I claim to be a knowledgeable person on the subjects of French behavior and certain aspects of French domestic policy, and I spent many years on the French soil. That's why I was eager to read French Negotiating Behavior. I didn't waste my money with it.

Muffled as we are so often by the filters of political correctness, it comes as a welcome liberation to read the clear words of Charles Cogan on the French mind. There aren't many wasted words in "French Negotiating Behavior," and you won't be in any doubt about its author's knowledge and objectivity, both of which are clear and honorable. That's why I consider that the title may be somewhat deceptive since the information you'll find in this book will provide you with valuable knowledge whose scope extends well beyond the mere subject of negotiation. Well, the author is a diplomat who has been in poste at the U.S. Embassy at Paris from 1984 to 1989 as C.I.A. Chief of station, after all; and this experienced and highly knowledgeable lecturer on French-American relations had previously authored "Oldest Allies, Guarded Friends: The United and France since 1940."

So, Charles Cogan knows whom he is talking about and he brilliantly and accurately introduce us to the depths of the mind of the French decisionmaker and negociator. I mean he doesn't limit his description to what a good American observer may see and ear, but it explains indeed the hidden French turn of mind and that's what makes this book enlightening for the neophyte and an interesting and thought-provoking study on French behavior on sensible issues for the others. The chapters II and III, titled "The Cultural Context" and "The Historical Context" are much helpful in our attempt to understand the roots of the "Exception Francaise" (French Exception).

Here are two representative examples of certain French peculiarities I personally noticed when dealing with French officials, which I picked up at random in the enthralling chapter titled "The Process:"

"Americans often had had the experience of listening to a French interlocutor drone on, leaving those on the other side of the table wondering what is the point. Suddenly, at the end of an extended presentation, the French negotiator presents his conclusions. 'You have to pay the closest attention to what the French negotiator says at the end,' remarks Ambassador George Ward Jr., a U.S. diplomat who has worked extensively on European security questions."

"A `straight-from-the-shoulder' bluntness is not in keeping with the French style; hence, when Gerhard Shröder, in one of his first meetings with Jacques Chirac, plunged right in at the beginning of lunch and asked Chirac what he thought about the situation in Afghanistan, the French leader was startled. The French prefer to wait for the appropriate moment, after a certain amount of scene setting. The French expression `entre la poire et le fromage' (between the pear and the cheese) is an allusion to the habit of discussing important business at the end of a meal. The French philosopher Michel de Montaigne used the expression that one needs to speak `à l'heure' (at the right moment)."

So, you must know that "French Negotiating Behavior" puts the emphasis on politics, policymakers and diplomats, and on the spirit of the schools and universities where French diplomats and "sherpas" are trained. This certainly owes to the professional activity and past responsibilities of the author, and a chapter titled "Case Studies: NATO, Iraq, and the Uruguay Round" will provide you with enlightening examples at this regard.
But since French private and public business are traditionally less or more officially connected--especially when it comes to foreign trade--many helpful tricks and descriptions will certainly prove to be an invaluable source of information for the American businessman who is reading me and to whom I recommend to keep one issue in his suitcase, as a reminder, when tripping to France for business purpose.

I miss Charles Cogan didn't add some other case studies on less important issues relating to pure business. Also, he seems unwilling to elaborate on certain unofficial and sensible realities of French politics which may fairly tip the balance at some point when Americans and French are in business or competition together--but isn't the author a diplomat?

If ever the ambiguity of the French attitude toward the United States and capitalism still puzzles you, then "French Negotiating Behavior" is an indispensable complement to certain pieces of works approaching less ambiguously the subject of French-U.S. relations, such as "Anti-Americanism," by Jean Francois Revel; "Our Oldest Enemy," by John H. Miller and Mark Molesky; or the widely acclaimed "The American Enemy," by Philippe Roger. Because we must call a spade a spade at some point "French Negotiating Behavior" is nothing but a working-book about negotiation and certain important cultural differences between French and Americans, after all.

Also readily available in a hardcover edition, French Negotiating Behavior: Dealing With La Grande Nation by Charles Cogan (Senior Research Associate, john F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University) offers an informed and informative "window" into French cultural, diplomatic, and business styles and habits that are of immense importance to anyone from other nations pursuing private, corporate, or international negotiations. From the legacy of history; to illustrative case studies; to specific tips, tricks and techniques for negotiating with the French government either unilaterally or through multilateral organizational frameworks, French Negotiating Behavior is very highly recommended and critically important reading.

This is a great book. I quilt and cross stitch both. I bought it to cross stitch and the patterns are beautiful and easy to follow and do. I look forward to doing many of the patterns for both quilting and cross stitch in this book. Well worth the money and it is agreat price for all the patterns it has to choose from.

Elizabeth Root is definitely at the top of her class in designing these outstanding contemporary quilt designs based on classic Hawaiian applique techniques. Don't let the black cover fool you, inside are patterns for the most gorgeous quilt block patterns I've ever seen. Many of the patterns are based on traditional Hawaiian flower leias. There are also companion cross stitch patterns. If you'd like to see each quilt design offered in the book, they are viewable at the official site for Elizabeth Root at hawaiiquilts.com.

This book is a collection of cross-stitch samplers in unique and beautiful designs. Since I love anything with a celeistial theme, I was attracted to the full chapter devoted to several attractive and varied designs incoporating sun, moon, stars, and planets. More common categories such as garden and nature include more original work than you will find anywhere else. Many of the samplers have a wonderfully old-fashioned look to them, and the completed projects are finished and photographed beautifully. The book also contains a wide variety of cross-stitch alphabets to assist you with customizing your projects. A wonderful book for serious cross-stitchers who are addicted to samplers!

This book has some wonderful celestial themes, some beautiful samplers and some lovely designs inspired by the natural world.

The presentation is great: tips and techniques for those new to cross-stitch are included as well.

There is something here for the accomplished stitcher as well as for someone who is just starting with this craft.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I thought this classic had been lost forever, and I'm so glad Penguin have republished it.

Jimmy Sullivan is a troubled adolescent relating the events which plunged him into turmoil. He has an existential bravado, swearing that he's going to put God in His place, that he's going to tell the 'truth' to the world about God.

The narrator's naivete is masterfully used to create dramatic irony and suspense.

It was a punch in my guts as I read his explosion of confusion and violence against everyone he loves in the midst of family disaster. The book and character are wound up dynamite, uneasy, brutal.

It was originally published in 1957, 6 years after THE classic of adolesence that I can't bear to name here, because the poor bastard must've got compared all his life and it's like he just wants to get out from that shadow. But the comparison is necessary. They're brothers.

The difference between this and Salinger's work is that the God Boy is darker, more suspenseful, and from New Zealand.

I wish this book was in print, I read it from the library and was quite frankly amazed. It mightn't be everyone's cup of tea, but for me, the author got into my mind and wrote down what I think and feel. It tells the story of one boy, and his struggling descent into delinquence due to his father's alchoholism, and the gradual break down of his family. Read it.

My husband, a soldier in the US Army, went to a breakfast at Fort Eustis, VA where the author was the speaker. Knowing I love to read he bought the book for me. I have been unable to put it down. The stories from all over the world are miraculous and the power of God will amaze readers! The title story "The God Who Hung On The Cross" comes from Cambodia, and is a story the reader will want to tell all their friends about.

Autobiographical, biographical, inspirational, life changing, there are a lot of ways to describe this book, but easy to put down is not one of them. It is the story of Dois Rosser who was raised as a poor child in Appalachia and ended up building churches and establishing broadcast ministries throughout the world. This is the story of the difference that one person, fully committed to God, can make in the world. It is a living illustration of how sometimes things don't go the way that we plan them but we find out later that they went just the way that God planned them.

The point of view switches regularly from that of Dois Rosser as he tells first hand what happened to that of Ellen Vaughn who reports the events as an outside observer. The writing style is graceful and flowing as it draws the reader into the story and the ministry. By drawing the reader into the ministry it creates excitement that can then be used to change your part of the world. This is one of the purposes of inspiration, you become a part of something bigger; an ordinary person part of something that is way beyond ordinary.

"The God Who Hung on the Cross" is an excellent read and highly recommended read for any Christian seeking inspiration and verification that despite the bad news that is constantly played in the media, God is working His will even in the remotest corners of the earth.

God's message made easy to understand by author. A great addition to any family's home library.

Would highly recommend this book for parents who wish to further their children's understanding of Jesus Christ. It will help deepen their religious beliefs.

This exceptional Somme relates many thousands of Kundalini raising experiences in europe from the 15th to the 19th century. The reverend jesuit father Auguste Poulain goes through a phenomenal amount of datas, and describes in great details the catholic church appreciations of these Holy Spirit manifestations. Care, mistrust, defiance on one side, and on the other, a great curiosity for the mystical aspects of these not so rare arousals. A great unique book, published with the bishop's authorisation, in 1901 !!! This touchstone, the original french title of which was 'Des graces d'oraison', has been republished many times ever since.

This book is indispensable for any good library in mystical theology. It is a classic in the area of discerning the true nature of mystical experiences. It is particularly useful for giving practical rules on discerning supposed apparitions and revelations. It systematically outlines the consistent teaching of doctors and saints on the nature of phenomenon associated with prayer. It recognizes the importance of modern science for recognizing the various psychological and physical factors that can mimic mystical experiences. Though written around the turn of the 20th century it is still very relevant for the questions one encounters today. I would recommend this book for any priest or serious student of mystical theology.

A great book about a creative medieval woman -- wife, mother, saint. It's been many years since a scholarly work on St. Elizabeth has been published. The book is easy-to-read and presents this 800 year old saint as a dynamic woman who is an example to wives, mothers, teens and all people of prayer and service to the poor. Dr. Pieper combines cutting-edge research, new material never before released with a styel of writing that anyone can understand and absorb. I can't recommend the book highly enough.

I was given this book as a gift, and I plan to buy copies to give to some friends. Pieper, a Secular Franciscan, proves herself to be a Franciscan scholar. She turns to original sources to flesh out the life of St. Elizabeth. In the process, this 13th century queen, wife, mother, and Franciscan woman becomes relevant to those of us living the Gospel life in the 21st Century. Pieper brings Elizabeth forward into our lives in ways that challenge readers to go "from gospel to life and life to gospel" in today's world. Just as today, she was the widow of a fallen soldier. Just as today, her life was torn apart by religious wars between the West and the Middle East. Just as women today, she had administered the property and monies of her husband who was off to battle. Just as today, she was a single-mother struggling to find food, shelter and clothing for her children. Just as women today, her children were taken from her. Just as women today, she was a physically abused woman by an authority figure--a man. Just as women today, she was cast out by her husband's family after he died. Just as women today, she turned to God for strength, placing her will in God's hands. Elizabeth is a woman of the 13th Century who has much to say to women and men--the powerful and the marginalized--in the 21st Century. Her life parallels the reality of today's world. Peiper brilliantly draws these connections in ways that inform and inspire her readers.

My four-year-old picked this book while at the library. I was like, great, a book about a deer...but it's actually really GOOD! It's set in the Middle Ages (believably so, I might add), in a forest owned by a Baron. Harald, a peasant boy, befriends a great stag who eludes many hunters.

The plot moves at a good pace and has a lot of excitement, conflict and danger for both Harald and the animals of the forest. Older children would probably enjoy it as well. I know I did!

I am a college student studying to get a degree in General Ministries. I tell you it is a shame that this book is out of print. It is one of the best children's books I have ever read!! It has an interesting plot. It takes place during the Middle Ages. Harald is a young boy who is captivated by this Great Stag. When he finds out that the Baron has organized a hunt to kill the stag, Harald sets out to confuse the Baron's hunting dogs. The book contains vibrant and life-like watercolors and colored pencil drawings - something that is rare in the newer children's books.