Nicholson Books

I love being able to actually see the evolution of a plant food from its beginnings, all the way to my plate. This book is a fantastic resource for plant foods and full of thorough information. Love it!

The original edition of this book was out of print for some years and it is delightful to see it out again, and expanded no less. It combines 2 great virtues: highly readable and informative text with illustrations of a quality that are "suitable for framing." It is a great book for anyone who takes an interest in botany, cooking, or gardening and you couldn't go wrong giving it as a gift to one of these types. It's also great for reference. If you're getting it as a gift I suggest ordering 2, because you'll want one for yourself when you see it.

This book is great for learning to identify food plants from all over the world. The illustrations are realistic and each plant is described. I use it to help my 4-H horticulture judging team prepare for the national judging contest. The plants and illustrations in this new edition are the same as in the original book, however the 1998 edition has an excellent section on phytonutrients.

An engrossing, very well written book detailing the somewhat peculiar nature of the Japanese "failed hero." In contrast to the Western ideal, the Japanese do not seem to require their heroes to "win" or "succeed." Ten chapters describe ten different historical figures (or groups) throughout Japanese history who fit this oxymoronic label. Anyone interested in Japanese history would find this book at once fascinating, inciteful, and educational.

I lived in Japan for two and a half years, and cannot speak highly enough of The Nobility of Failure.

In TNOF, Ivan Morris provides a much-needed look at - to most westerners, anyway - one of the oddest aspects of Japanese culture - the self-immolating hero. TNOF offers a rundown of Japanese populist heroes from the past 2,000 years - all of whom are doomed to complete and utter failure - and provides a convincing analysis of why Japanese culture produces such men, and why their failures actually raise their status in the eyes of many of their fellow citizens.

Morris was perhaps the leading Japan scholar of his day, but even he finds many of his subjects bizaare. He deftly, though not necessarily disrespectfully, pokes fun at the absurdity of many of their situations. Not many scholars can make you laugh while they make you think.

I lived in Japan for two and a half years, have visited the country several times since, and cannot speak highly enough of this book.

In TNOF, Ivan Morris provides a much-needed look at - to most westerners, anyway - one of the oddest aspects of Japanese culture, the self-immolating hero. TNOF offers a rundown of Japanese populist heroes from the past 2,000 years - all of whom are doomed to complete and utter failure - and provides a convincing analysis of why Japanese culture produces such men, and why their failures actually raise their status in the eyes of many of their fellow citizens.

Morris was perhaps the leading Japan scholar of his day, but even he finds many of his subjects bizaare. He deftly, though not necessarily disrespectfully, pokes fun at the absurdity of many of their situations. Not many scholars can make you laugh while they make you think.

I recently received a copy of this book from one of the authors. It is not only extraordinary in its focus and scope, but exceptional in that it addresses such issues at all. The challenges of parenting are well known, but undertaking them while experiencing depression is hardly ever discussed - despite the fact that depression is one of the most common health complaints in our nation. Learning to cope with the negative emotions, and still be the best parent you can, involves recognizing behaviors and developing skills - and this book shows you how. I highly recommend this to any parent who feels the burdens of their life are impinging on their ability to parent. If you think you might need help, this is a good place to start.

I found this book to be an excellent resource for my practice as a mental health attorney. This book is written in an easy to read format with helpful pointers for parents with depression and those who work with these parents and families. In addition to its useful hints, the book also lets parents with depression and other mental health issues realize that they are not alone. I highly recommend this book to parents, families, and mental health providers.

I found this book to be extremly helpful and insightful. I am not a parent but do have a bi-polar mental illness.
The book has shown me a way to better manage my illness. Most of the chapters deal with subjects such as how to put together a self-care plan,a crisis plan (such as going into the hospital),how to make better use of finances as well as the importance of keeping a balanced life.
I believe very strongly that not only parents with a mental illness but parents without a mental illness and childless couples with or without an illness can also benefit from reading this book.
This is a must read book for anyone who wants to improve any area of their life.

If there is one thing that can be told about James Lord, than it is that a man can write. I enjoyed his storytelling in his personal memoir and the description of the influence that art society of the post WWII Paris had on him. I loved the moments of his youthful boldness, and the fact that he approached one of the greatest artists of this century and asked him, without any second thoughts, to produce a portrait of him. The meeting between the two leads to the meeting between James and Dora Maar who at the time was Picasso's mistress. The reason I picked up the book is because I was truly interested in Dora Maar's life. Artist in her own right, her talent was often pushed aside to the fact that for 10 years she was Picasso's muse and mistress. Thru the set of circumstances, she and author, James Lord become friends and Lord develops genuine emotional attachment with her. But 15 years of age difference between the two (Dora is the older one), Dora's difficult past and James' homosexuality are all serious obstacles to their relationship. Scrutinized by friends they both share with Picasso, they continually test each other. We learn that James, in his own way, remains attached to Dora for the next 45 years. But Dora is elusive and solitary. After her disasterous relationship with Picasso, she is determined not to let anyone else in her life. As time progresses, she in fact carves out her circle of friends. While I tremendously enjoyed this memoir, and loved the pictures presented in the book, I still yearn to learn more about Dora Maar. I want to learn more about her unconventional beauty, exquisite hands and her complicated nature. Where James Lord definitely fails is when he truly does not give Dora her rightful place in the art world. She was definitely more than just a Picasso's muse. Dora was greater than life and her attachment to Picasso undermined her true value as an artist. Let's hope than now that both Picasso and Dora have long passed, she finally gets her due recognition. I will keep on reading books on her life. In the meantime, every time I run into her works of art (I usually see her photographs at the museums) at MoMA or other museums, I will honor her with what she knew when she was alive -- that her art will make her immortal, not just Picasso's renditions of her.

Grrrrrrrr! Picasso didn't know how to love anybody Dora stated. A compelling love story between a man who was an artist and a woman who was not only a photographer but a painter. She is very sensitive and grows very quiet in her later years, a recluse almost. And she said she never forgot about him.

Picasso & Dora is the story of a friendship, but not that of Picasso and Dora. Rather it is the story of the friendship of the author and the mysterious Dora Maar. Both these characters are fascinating personalities, as they move in close and then distance themselves. The fact that Lord is a gay man in love, in his own way, with Dora adds a complexity and richness to the story. It is reminsicent of Isherwood and Sally Bowles and Capote and Holly Golightly. There is a special poignancy to the story of a gay man who loves a woman, yet cannot offer her the love she really wants. Lord writes exceptionally well and Dora, who died just recently at an advanced age, lives on in his words.

This is such a superb module I wish they had printed more like it. The only modules that comes to mind that comes close is "Palantir Quest" by ICE and "Shadows over Bogenhafen" by the same company that put this product.

Intrigue forces the players to be investigators and the investigation is primarily roleplaying too, not simple search and discover. You need to get to know the NPCs and learn how to get info out of them. Each NPC is defined in detail so the GM's job is not too hard. With some action thrown in for good measure this is an awesome adventure. Players can have an effect on their world which is good and there are different outcomes depnding on player actions.

If you are a hack n slasher, stay away from this product. If you are seeking the best *roleplaying* module ever, this is it. Hard to GM, but worth every hour of prep time.

Normally I am a very harsh reviewer. TSR products usually get 1-3 stars from me so this 5 star rating is out of the ordinary for me. I have only rated three products with 5 stars and I mentioned them at the start.

Good, Better, The Power Behind the Throne. If you enjoy playing adventures that challenge your brains this is for you. You can not solve problems with your blade this time. Someone will put Middenheim in to a great danger. This person is much more smarter than you can even imagine. You are to find out who is behind everything. I am not the only one who thinks that this is the best adventure ever made. I would give 6 stars for Power Behind the Throne if I could. If you do not have this book I recommend that you go and get it. As fast as you can... This book is the king of roleplaying adventures.

When it was first released in the 80s, The Enemy Within campaign was an amazing accomplishment in what was a "hack 'n' slash" era of RPGs. It boasted fully-developed non-player characters (NPCs), political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and the chance for players to expand their roles beyond the requisite magical armor and damage bonuses.

Power Behind the Throne was (and is) the high point of the entire campaign. All the players have to do is find out who is behind a new set of taxes in the city of Middenheim. Sound simple? It isn't. In order to accomplish this goal, their characters will have to mix with members of Middenheim's high society, each of whom has their own secrets, motivations, and knowledge. But it is only by getting to know these people and finding out what makes them tick that the players will ever be able to achieve their goal.

Since the NPCs play such a prominent role in the game, their description takes up the majority of this book. Game Masters are given complete details as to why NPCs act as they do, how they react to their fellow NPCs, and what skeletons are hidden in their respective closets. There is also a map of Middenheim, handouts to be distributed to players, reference cards to make the Game Master's job more manageable, and a spiffy new introductory adventure that more closely links this adventure with the book that proceeded it (Death on the Reik).

Power Behind the Throne can be played as a stand-alone, but I would recommend that you put your characters through the first two books of the campaign first. This will allow them enough time to get to develop their own characters.

I played in this campaign when it was first released, and now that it has been reprinted, I plan to run it for my gaming group. There are precious few scenarios out there that I can say that about.

"Preferred Lies", like a once-in-a-lifetime round of golf on a special golf course, is something one savors as you move through it. Andrew's wit, insight, depth, humor, and choice of words delight the reader with their imagination and intention. It is an honest book - and therefore one that was easy to relate to and come away with impressions and thoughts that shall last. This is a work of art that comes not only from Andrew's creative and entertaining spirit, but from his heart. That is the highest recommendation that I think one can give for any endeavor.

Andrew Greig, a Scot, is a poet, a nonfiction writer and a novelist who, as a junior, was a golf champion in Fife. This book combines all that and more. At one point the author states that he's not sure whether he's writing for the golfer or nongolfer. Having read it, I'm not sure either, but I'm a golfer with some familiarity with Scottish golf courses, including a number of those that Greig visits during his journey rediscovering golf and himself, without which background I'm uncertain whether I would have finished the book. Now, having finished it, I expect to be reading it again.

You want beautiful writing? You've got it here. You want "new age" golf? You've got it here. You want a little humor? Same answer. The story line, such as it is, has the author visiting 18 or so famous, not-so-well-known (to Americans such as I) and barely golf courses around Scotland after a 35-year absence from the game and just upon recovery from a life-threatening illness. Although here and there we get some tidbits about the golf courses themselves, the point of the book is "golf and life" -- specifically, Mr. Greig's life.

On the golf side, I think of Scots as social, match play players. Mr. Greig doesn't fit that image. He prefers to play alone, and therefore for him it's medal play against the course and himself. In spite of his long absence from the game, he still cares about the score. He concludes his final round, at Dollar, alone: "My card records 35 out, 37 in. Total 72, six over par. Not that I was counting. Of course I'm counting. There is still something at stake. There aye will be." Pretty heavy stuff, yes?

We went to Gleneagles this year for 10 days holiday staying in a house on the estate which we rented. Lots of emotion driving through Milnathort passing a house of oldest friend and remembering aged 10 playing golf at Milnathort and not finding the ball because the course was covered in white feathers. One day I indulged myself and drove to Dollar, where I had been to school and lived during my formative years, arriving at 08.00am and played a round of golf on my own. I am a very poor player who has never yet broken 100 (the swing mistakes of my youth will stay and haunt me all my life)and so was amazed to go round the course in 82 - more than uncanny. Stopping at the 18th green for 10 minutes to look at the house where I grew up which backed onto the golf course I could see me and my brother playing in the garden and remembered where we had the rabbit hutch and so on and so on. It was very nostalgic and very pleasant. Dollar unchanged etc

Next day we drive 'en famille' to Edinburgh and turn on the radio at 08.45am and pick up a 15 minute reading from a book just come out called 'Preferred Lies' by Andrew Greig (or Grieg). It's autobiographical about a guy who on his (very) sick bed hear's voices from his deceased father telling him to pick up his golf clubs after years of absence as the road to recovery. So he sets off on a tour of golf courses in Scotland which had been meaningful to him and gives us his philosophy on the way (It's not about the score). That day my wife managed to find the book in a book shop and bought it for me for my birthday and... surprise is the last chapter is entitled Dollar. Imagine my surprise - all the golf courses in Scotland and he chooses to end his book playing alone at Dollar in the way I had done just two days earlier. Turns out he had attended Dollar Academy as I had many years ago. So you must please buy the book. It is golfy but you will enjoy it. As this book, golf in Scotland follows the natural lie of the land and is not man made. It is earthy and genuine.

I read a lot of books for research on starting a Race team, this is one of the best books I chose!! This book takes you though the in's and out's and up's and down's of starting Stewart Ford. A lot of books give WAY too much detail, this one is just right, it gives the reader (race fan) just the right amount of content and excitement in the text followed by wonderful color and black and white photos. If you were not a Stewart Ford fan before, this book will at least make you have a little pull for them come race day. If you are interested in how it all started this is a great book, I couldn't put it down, it kept me going from front cover to back... I'll be looking for them this race year!

As fan of the Stewart Grand prix team, this book was the number one book on my christmas list last year. Here, a grand prix team opens it's doors to you, and shows you around. The whole book charts the first year of the Stewart Team in the world of F1. Described to you are the problems, barriers and hinderances in the way of setting up a grand prix team from next to nothing. It also re-accounts the moments of joy and great acheivement the team had in it's first year. "The" book for any supporter of the new guys in F1.

I've been a fan of the wee Scott for many years following his career first as a driver and now as an entrant. One cannot imagine the problems faced by someone wanting to enter the competitive world of Formula One motor racing until you read this book.

A very informative account of the conception, launch and first year of a brand new Grand Prix race team. The book is extremely well written and supplemented by beautiful photography in both b&w and colour.

Now that Stewart Grand Prix has been bought out by Jaguar, this book is a must for any Formula One fan and provides a much valued documentary of this era of Grand Prix history.

IN TODAY'S FAST PACED SOCIETY, SECLUSION OF ANOTHER TIME AND ANOTHER PLACE IS RARE. TO LET THE MIND RELAX, TO LET THE TENDER EYE WEEP, AND TO LET ONE'S SOUL BE LIT BY THE FLAME OF DESIRE, AS WELL AS THIRST FOR THE PRECIOUS DRINK OF LIFE...THIS IS THE GIFT THAT F. M. NICHOLSON GIVES TO THE READER. IF FOR ONE SINGLE MOMENT, AN INDIVIDUAL COULD UNPLUG FROM HIS/HER TECHNOLOGICAL DAY, HE/SHE COULD FIND THE VERY ESSENCE OF WHAT BEAUTY STILL LIES WITHIN THE SACRED WORLD THAT THIS TALENTED POET PENS FOR US, SPEAKING FROM THE VERY VOICE OF HUMANITY ITSELF. COME BE SEDUCED BY,"THE SONG INSIDE," AND LET EACH NOTE OF IT'S EMOTIONAL MESSAGE TAKE YOU ON A PERSONAL JOURNEY SHARING IN THIS POET'S VISIONS OF PHILOSOPHY,"FOR ONLY IN REMEMBERING NIGHT CAN ONE TRULY CELEBRATE THE SUN..." AS WELL AS SHARING IN THE SPARKS OF LOVE," OH THAT YOU WERE HERE THIS NIGHT, SILENT BESIDE ME- YOUR BREATHING, COUNTERPOINT TO MY OWN, THRUMMING IN MY HEART. IMAGINING YOU THERE, THE NIGHTSONG ECHOES IN MY BEING..." IF WALT WHITMAN WERE ALIVE TODAY, I SMILE AT THE THOUGHT HE WOULD INVITE F.M. NICHOLSON TO LUNCH WITH HIM WITHIN A GRASSY MEADOW, WHILE HAVING A SPLENDID CONVERSATION. I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS HIDDEN TREASURE OF POERTY.

IN TODAY'S FAST PACED SOCIETY, SECLUSION OF ANOTHER TIME AND ANOTHER PLACE IS RARE. TO LET THE MIND RELAX, TO LET THE TENDER EYE WEEP, AND TO LET ONE'S SOUL BE LIT BY THE FLAME OF DESIRE, AS WELL AS THIRST FOR THE PRECIOUS DRINK OF LIFE...THIS IS THE GIFT THAT F. M. NICHOLSON GIVES TO THE READER. IF FOR ONE SINGLE MOMENT, AN INDIVIDUAL COULD UNPLUG FROM HIS/HER TECHNOLOGICAL DAY, HE/SHE COULD FIND THE VERY ESSENCE OF WHAT BEAUTY STILL LIES WITHIN THE SACRED WORLD THAT THIS TALENTED POET PENS FOR US, SPEAKING FROM THE VERY VOICE OF HUMANITY ITSELF. COME BE SEDUCED BY,"THE SONG INSIDE," AND LET EACH NOTE OF IT'S EMOTIONAL MESSAGE TAKE YOU ON A PERSONAL JOURNEY SHARING IN THIS POET'S VISIONS OF PHILOSOPHY,"FOR ONLY IN REMEMBERING NIGHT CAN ONE TRULY CELEBRATE THE SUN..." AS WELL AS SHARING IN THE SPARKS OF LOVE," OH THAT YOU WERE HERE THIS NIGHT, SILENT BESIDE ME- YOUR BREATHING, COUNTERPOINT TO MY OWN, THRUMMING IN MY HEART. IMAGINING YOU THERE, THE NIGHTSONG ECHOES IN MY BEING..." IF WALT WHITMAN WERE ALIVE TODAY, I SMILE AT THE THOUGHT HE WOULD INVITE F.M. NICHOLSON TO LUNCH WITH HIM WITHIN A GRASSY MEADOW, WHILE HAVING A SPLENDID CONVERSATION. I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS HIDDEN TREASURE OF POERTY. KIMBERLY A. BLANCHETTE

IN TODAY'S FAST PACED SOCIETY, SECLUSION OF ANOTHER TIME AND ANOTHER PLACE IS RARE. TO LET THE MIND RELAX, TO LET THE TENDER EYE WEEP, AND TO LET ONE'S SOUL BE LIT BY THE FLAME OF DESIRE, AS WELL AS THIRST FOR THE PRECIOUS DRINK OF LIFE...THIS IS THE GIFT THAT F. M. NICHOLSON GIVES TO THE READER. IF FOR ONE SINGLE MOMENT, AN INDIVIDUAL COULD UNPLUG FROM HIS/HER TECHNOLOGICAL DAY, HE/SHE COULD FIND THE VERY ESSENCE OF WHAT BEAUTY STILL LIES WITHIN THE SACRED WORLD THAT THIS TALENTED POET PENS FOR US, SPEAKING FROM THE VERY VOICE OF HUMANITY ITSELF. COME BE SEDUCED BY,"THE SONG INSIDE," AND LET EACH NOTE OF IT'S EMOTIONAL MESSAGE TAKE YOU ON A PERSONAL JOURNEY SHARING IN THIS POET'S VISIONS OF PHILOSOPHY,"FOR ONLY IN REMEMBERING NIGHT CAN ONE TRULY CELEBRATE THE SUN..." AS WELL AS SHARING IN THE SPARKS OF LOVE," OH THAT YOU WERE HERE THIS NIGHT, SILENT BESIDE ME- YOUR BREATHING, COUNTERPOINT TO MY OWN, THRUMMING IN MY HEART. IMAGINING YOU THERE, THE NIGHTSONG ECHOES IN MY BEING..." IF WALT WHITMAN WERE ALIVE TODAY, I SMILE AT THE THOUGHT HE WOULD INVITE F.M. NICHOLSON TO LUNCH WITH HIM WITHIN A GRASSY MEADOW, WHILE HAVING A SPLENDID CONVERSATION. I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS HIDDEN TREASURE OF POERTY. KIMBERLY A. BLANCHETTE

J.C. Nicholson has created a scintillating escape to Pago Island in the Torrid Zone. Each character has their own agenda and secrets to hide and reveal. This is the best novel i have read in a long time. This writer has the knack for leading us along the path of danger on a small island with BIG SECRETS. I absolutely loved it!! The mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat as the plot unfolds. This would make a great movie with it's dramatic characters.

Torrid Zone is a steamy novel about nice people and naughty secrets. This is a book about love, lust and greed with a flavor of murder and suspense added for spice. A psychotic flees to the Caribbean to forget a murder he's committed; an obese tycoon discovers money and power don't buy love. A police detective visits the island looking for a long lost child, and his wife harbors a secret that will rock him. Enter unorganized racketeers and the plot boils. The story sizzles to a surprise ending. J.C. Nicholson is marvelous storyteller and held me to the last page!

Also recommended: The Aids Conspiracy by William Tells

Torrid Zone is a steamy novel about nice people and naughty secrets. This is a book about love, lust and greed with a flavor of murder and suspense added for spice. A psychotic flees to the Caribbean to forget a murder he�s committed; an obese tycoon discovers money and power don�t buy love. A police detective visits the island looking for a long lost child, and his wife harbors a secret that will rock him. Enter unorganized racketeers and the plot boils. The story sizzles to a surprise ending. J.C. Nicholson is marvelous storyteller and held me to the last page!

Also recommended: The Aids Conspiracy by William Tells

Exercises to foster a more positive attitude. Learn how to break destructive
behaviors and thinking. Find the answers for emotional well-being. Master
self-acceptance and transform your life! Highly recommend!

I believe this is cutting edge material. When people have been frozen in outdated paradigms left over from their early years, the material in this book and workbook will help them redecide in their own behalf how to take control of their unhealthy thoughts that do not work for them anymore and replace them with thoughts that bring lives into fruition. The tools and strategies used can take a person's life that is out harmony with itself and help that person live their bliss. It truly has helped me become an authentic spiritual person.

Powerful & life-changing stuff! As the Director of a Life Skills Adult Education Program, I have been amazed at the transformation I have seen in people having read this book & participating in the 10 week class. From issues of dependency, anger, loss & worry people have gained a new pespective and more importantly, the tools necessary to change their lives. It is effective both on an individual basis, small group setting or large-group format. A must read for all!