Lopez Books

"Communities of Practice" is part of a series that introduces topics in continuous improvement. An important aspect of this particular book is how, along with the instructional guide, it helps set the business case for communities. If you don't have success stories to use in your organization, this book provides expert advice and examples from Xerox, World Bank, and others.

Leadership is a quality sought after everywhere, and "The Connected and Committed Leader: Lessons from Home, Results at Work" exhorts that it's a quality that can be brought forth out of anyone, and should be practiced from the home. Stating that there are myths about good leaders that often set people down on the wrong path, and that empathy is the cornerstone of any relationship between the leader and the lead, "The Connected and Committed Leader: Lessons from Home, Results at Work" is a top pick for anyone who wants to take charge at work or at home, and for community library business collections.

This book is highly recommended to any student of Mexican history, specifically the conquest by the Spaniards or any history buff for that matter. This book is a perfect companion to other primary sources such "The Broken Arrows" or "The True History of the Conquest". Like the "True History of the Conquest" this is written from a Spaniards perspective and the early prejudicial nuances towards the indigenous cultures are prevelent. The disgust with the primative ways that existed prior to their arrival is always mentioned, especially the eating of flesh and the Gods they believed in. The author was Cortes's personal secretary and chaplain. There are no dispariging words towrds Cortes as he is painted as most noble, loyal to the crown and ingenious in his statesmanship abroad. This is a controversial account as Cortes is given practically single handed credit for pulling off one of the greatest miltary victories of all time. Considering the odds in terms of sheer numbers Cortes was a genius to have pulled off the capture of Tenochitlan and establishing New Spain. The book covers the success of Cortes with his early adventures in Cuba as well as his childhood and youth. The later to show how his adventurous and cunning spirit grew. The translation is excelent in that it is not overly tedious with old world phrases and sentence structure. The translator of this work also tranlated a novel by Mariano Azuela, "Two Novels of Mexico" amognst many others. This is the first translation since the truncated version of Thomas Nicholas in 1578. This is a very fascinatinfg read in that in goes in detail of every"step" along the way of the conquest. The reader follows Cortes from Veracruz and meets all the various hospitable Indios along the way. Those familar with the conquest will be aware of Cortes's manipulation of the various groups and his bid to unify them in an effort to depose Moctezuma. Of particular interest is the way Moctezuma was treated while under arrest and how his followers demanded more respect for him. The establishing of Christianity was of the utmost importance and it is amazing how the Spanish were able to remove the "idols" and establish Christian imagery in the existing houses of worship. The role of "La Malinche" is discussed as well. Cortes was treated as the loyalty he was but his was not enoough as he saw the gold that he convinced the natives to give them so that his men could cure the "illness" they had. This contrived illness I think is better known a greed. Cortes was given the finest gifts everywhere he went and the natives tried to keep him from entering Tenochitlan. The diseaes and mutinies are all explained in detail and how Cortes , according to Gomara, single handedly managed to overcome all obstacles in his quest. The vital role of all tribes that were in oppositon to the Aztecs or Mexica, especially the Tlaxcalans is chronicled with clarity and extreme detail. The final attempts at resistance are also discussed with the inevitable torture and death of many including Cuahtemoc. All of Cortes speaches are included and it is very insightful how his oratory skills played a role in his leadership. The death of Moctezuna is most interesting as it does not signal the end of the conquest as one might believe. The last part of the book after the conquest deals with the establishing of New Spain and the problems Cortes encountered both personally and for the Crown. This is a great account of one of the most dramatic events that changed the course of history with the merging of the old world and the new world. This book is worth hunting down as it is a valuable first hand account of the conquest all be it through the bias of the European perspective. Included is a bibliography for further study and a helpful glossary.

I found Coyote Redux to be a very entertaining read. The main character, Coyote (animal god common to many First Peoples legends), retains the charm and wit of the older stories, though Redux is set in modern times. The humor is at times intellectual and thoughtful, and at times trashy and rude, with a good blend of both kinds for some good chuckles.

The style is unconventional but very easy to follow, and the wording is easy to read as well. It's set up like a series of chronological short stories. Each story stands on its own, but follows from the previous one and leads into the next. It's not a hard book to put down now and pick up later.

If you're thinking of picking this book up, I recommend that you read over some of the old First Peoples Coyote legends as well, as it'll make the book a richer experience (meaning you'll get the inside jokes as well as the obvious ones).

This is a lovely book, a perfect union of text and illustrations. Ryder deftly turns child-suitable prose into poetry: "lyrical" is simply the best word to describe it. As befitting a Sierra Club publication, she is ornithologically accurate in her portrayl of the Allen's hummingbird, and includes a useful discussion of hummers in general at the end of the book. Lopez's watercolors are every bit the author's equal. Each two-page spread is a delight to the eye, accurate in the details and evocative in feeling. And for those of us east of the Mississippi, there's something of a bonus. Since our local hummer is the ruby-throat, not the Allen's, and our flora and fauna are a world apart from the book's San Francisco locale, there's a bit of the exotic in this work. All in all, Dancers in the Garden is a very fine nature book for children and parents to enjoy together.

Olivia Sutcliff is a condemned soul dwelling in the Netherworld. Netherworld is where evil lives and plays. The lost souls there exist to serve the Dark Prince and the legion lords. Olivia has been chosen by the Dark Prince to damn Malin Cross' soul. Malin is an FBI agent. He's hunting a sadistic serial killer named Thayer. Malin wants Thayer dead. Olivia is to seduce him and use his deepest fantasies to lure him. She is supposed to encourage Malin's vengeance so that he'll be sent to the Netherworld. Olivia is desperate to save Malin from that horrible fate, but how can she when she is just a pawn in Satan's games?

Dark Chance is dark, scary, and unbelievably good. I love the twisted machinations of the Dark Prince and his demons. Their cruelty and the tortures they inflict are fascinating. Dark Chance is much more than a gruesome tale though. The relationship between Malin and Olivia is both incredibly erotic and very loving. Olivia's innocence is seductive and endearing. Malin's secret desire to dominate Olivia and his reactions to her submissiveness are very sexy. He is absolutely irresistible. Malin and Olivia were made for each other. Dark Chance combines eroticism and plot perfectly. I loved it!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Lash has crashed into an unfamiliar place and time. He is waiting for the demons to show themselves and commence torturing him again when he feels the tender touch and caring voice of Teva Gibson instead. Lash's real name is Nicodemus, Teva calls him Nic. It takes Nic a while to realize that Teva is not a demon and that she will not attack him. When Nic is pulled back to the Netherworld by the legion lords they explain, as they beat and break his body repeatedly, that he has been sent to earth to seduce then take Teva back to the Netherworld. Teva is good and kind and Nic refuses to send her to the tortuous bowels of hell. Nic may not have a choice because for as long as he can remember he has been a lost soul trapped in the Netherworld with no possible means of escape. How can he save Teva from the same fate? Teva's mother practiced magic and Teva is convinced that Nic needs protection from the dark secret he hides from her. Teva's mother's magic spells and Nic's defiance and will to save Teva may not be enough to free them from the hordes of demons clamoring for their souls.

Dark Sentinel is an outstanding story. The macabre world Melissa Lopez has created is gripping and intriguing. Nic gives new meaning to the phrase "tortured hero." His innocence and charm are very seductive. I adore him. Teva is smart, compassionate and pretty. Dark Sentinel is incredibly intense. The graphic depictions of perversity, torture and sadistic behavior in the Netherworld are fascinating. The sex between Nic and Teva is equally intense. Dark Sentinel is an erotic, romantic and very dark tale. I loved it and I can't wait for the next in this series!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

That long string of Cs and Ts and Gs and As which constitute our genes encodes some of the most important information about us -- but on the page it looks random -- like the script of an unknown language. This is an art book -- very well produced and beautiful to look at it -- that explores this contradiction. A must for anyone -- especially scientists -- who want to think about the MEANING of meaning.

Decorative Painting is the rave in my area, I am looking for every bit of info I can find. I have spent several thousand dollars studing with faux finishers/faux schools. This book is very informative using latex and oil finishes. A must have for the serious decorative painter.

I READ THIS BOOK AND I HAVE TO SAY IT TOUCHED MY HEART AND SOUL IN SO MANY WAYS, SOME WITH HURT FEELINGS FROM WITHIN MY OWN PAST AND IT BROUGHT ME JOY AND LOVE WITH IN MY HEART AS WELL , REMEMBERING THE LOVES I HAD THAT WERE GREAT AND THE WORDS BROUGHT ME DREAMS , THAT I KNOW IN TIME I WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE FEELINGS OF LOVE, EMBRACING , WARMTH AND CARING ,AS WELL AS TO HAVE SOMEONE IN MY LIFE TO SHARE LIFE WITH . THIS BOOK BRINGS OUT MANY EMOTIONS , FOR THE MOST PART GREAT ONES . I WOULD RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY .. POETRY COMES FROM WITH IN THE HEART AND DEEP IN THE SOUL