Owen Books

I first read this book in college, having already read the author's "Poetic Diction" (and having had an experience reading it like the author's experience of awakening from a spell on first reading Romantic poetry). "Saving the Appearances" was stranger and even more thrilling, but I think I wasn't really able or willing to take it in at that time. Later, after reading Norman O. Brown's astonishing "Love's Body," and finding references to it, I went back to "Saving the Appearances" with more peace of heart and sat with it for longer periods.

Nothing could have seemed weirder or more exotic at that time than the suggestion that Catholic Christianity--Anglican, Roman, Eastern Orthodox or otherwise--had something profound and urgent to teach our generation, something quite different from what Buddhism had to teach, something about a dimension of reality about which Buddhism had not chosen to speak. It seemed to me then, as it still does now, many years later, one of the handful of truly important books published in the last century on the topic of "Christology," the heart of Christian existence.

Did he owe these insights to Rudolf Steiner? To the circle of Charles Williams, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien? To his own spiritual experiences? I never followed up on these questions, though the book still seems to me a great treasure.

It taught me a perspective which I think we've scarcely yet begun to understand, although Norman O. Brown (and UC Santa Cruz) & others before him and after him have tried to bring it before our spaced out attention and to map its landscapes--a perspective through time, through history, a history of "geist" or "consciousness."

Is that mysterious time two millennia past merely a late entry in the unfolding of the axial age? Or was it the earliest sign of another age, a first light too long hid beneath a "sacred" bushel that we still have not entirely lifted and set aside? Did Jesus set in motion the gradual arrival of something like a second axial age? an age of incarnational mysticism? a trinitarian age?

I feel grateful to Owen Barfield for this small book that helped to light a path for me through dark times to some recovery of a hope in love & love's body. And to some recovery of trust in the world-shattering, world-disclosing emancipatory power of words.

One of the most unduly under-appreciated books of the second half of the 20th century.

I felt that Barfield made some very good, interesting, arguments especially concerning the "views of the world" as they existed prior to our own in history, the structure of language, the meaning of religion, philosophy and the ideas of participation which he expounded throughout the book.

I also had some difficulty in following some of the concepts, Barfield appeared to write in an old style no doubt due to his classical education, the book being written in the earlier half of the 20th century. I felt some elucidation of his concepts such as "the unrepresented", "alpha-thinking" etc could have been deeper and more fully described. His ideas of collective representaion is sound athough it is certainly his deep thinking about the way people thought about the world or what the world meant to them which are the highlights of the book. He very correctly criticises the "normal" approach taken when talking about ancient or older literature/writing. It is pointed out that the "obvious" world view now popular is not necessarily that practised in earlier times, even the way a text must be interpreted/seen is a context dependent activity, where, by context we mean the world view present at the time; such as how a person of the middle ages saw the physical aspects of the world eg a stone faling, a bird flying etc. For these arguments alone the book should be commended. The idea relating to participation is also relevant especially the divisions of original and final participation and the "scientific age" in between. Barfield does not merely accept the popularly held belief the ancients had it all wrong but rather looks at why the ancients thought the way they did, they were human beings like us and ceratinly not unintelligent as the writings of Aristotle, Plato, St Augustine, Giordano Bruno etc etc demonstrate.

There is much that is commendable in Saving the Appearances", far more than is not, but given the comments above one does feel that Barfield leads up to a way of thought he considers correct or more correct than any other through his own subjective beliefs which appear to colour the development of his ideas mainly near the end of the book. In other words although everyone has such a way of looking at the world to some degree, Barfield appears to bring it to the fore as a seeming be all and end all and a view not extendable or changable into something better. In this way one progresses through the book from an enlightened stance in the criticism and then the development of his own ideas to an almost Catholic worldview which superficially appears the culmination of the earlier development but is in fact an addendum to the truly original ideas mentioned earlier.

Very good investigation into the history of world views.

I finish this book thinking that it might have changed my life; if it has, I might not know it, since I don't understand lots of it, but I find my mind going back to play with the concepts, like an emerging tooth, probing just where my ignorance hurts, trying to tug the sure worthwhile thing out of the sting.

Barfield writes a history of consciousness from undifferentiation to differentiation. At first, humanity perceived themselves at one with all things (he names it, eventually, pantheism). Then, humans began to separate items out of that indiscriminate morass and think about them. Next, humans began to compile these various meditations into patterns. This necessarily separates the humans themselves from the things they analyze. We feel alienated from the world, individual. This is about where we are presently on the history of consciousness.

Barfield proposes, as best I understand it (and I write this review for myself as well, to nail these things to my memory), that only by the imaginative capacity, the creation of meaning (from within the human by the Spirit of God), can we achieve full participation in and unity with what we perceive around us, a mature participation of true knowledge, not the blind instinctive participation of the older time. We are evolving toward this final, spiritual participation--the sanctified imagination. At the same time, we fight off the tendency to create dead perceptions of reality and call them idols.

Those who object to this prescription as an element foreign to Barfield's more religiously innocuous historical commentary would do well to consider why Barfield believes humans originally participated with the world--we and nature are both perceptions of the Divine, and therefore related.

The terms are rather hazy in the book; this isn't my discipline, and I was still trying to decipher some bedrock vocabulary by page 127 (which is a very good page and clarified some things for me, although I spent a disproportionate amount of time on it). It's a mercilessly difficult read. Barfield does crack a joke in the second chapter; see if you can find it. Otherwise, matters are a bit murky, chiefly because of his terminology, which for definition relies on an equally opaque context.

Questions which remain for me: what exactly are idols? I'll have to read the book again sometime to find out. I understand (better) how the human race has evolved in consciousness as we relate to the world around us---how does this theory apply to our social relationships with other humans (and God)?

At any rate, this metanarrative carves a tremendous amount of sense from ancient, medieval, church, Romantic, scientific, and modern worldviews, and in some ways anticipates the postmodern, although I do not think Barfield would have predicted it or considered it an evolutionary advance. Consciousness is perhaps the fundamental issue of human existence. This book, despite its difficulty, explains consciousness better than anything else I've seen (which, I admit, may not say much for my outside reading).

I first ran across this book in a seminary course back in the mid -70's. I realized then that it gave me an intellectual handle on the basic religious thought process. It became foundational for me in my understanding of how we religious folk see our world and function in it. I think it is a terrific book for introducing people to one of the most basic principles of "religious thinking," if not to one of the most basic principles of cultural and social thought. It does have its drawbacks. I mean the author was English and has a fairly definite "Western" world-view, but once you get past that his basic approach is very useful as an introduction to what makes religious people "tick!" I highly recommend it!

This is one of the very few books with an extensive collection of tansu photos. The cabinets are well categorized by their functions. Also very nice are the enlarged photos of tansu hardwares. I find the text to be somewhat poorly written and organized, and the authors' knowledge on tansu joinery/construction lacking. The hand-colored Japanese vintage photographs are also a little distracting. If you're looking for some nice tansu pictures though, this book will probably serve well.

I have only been selling Japanese Antiques for a short time and I found this book is fantastic to show potential tansu customers. It has also helped us (Japanache dot com dot au) with selection when on buying trips to Japan and restoration once back in Australia.
Thanks David & Dane

If you are fascinated by the creation of handmade Japanese cabinetry, this is one of the few books you can find on the subject because for some reason, the cabinetry of Japan is one of the least recorded aspects of Japan's woodworking history. Throughout this guide, you will find lush photographs of opaque and transparent lacquered chests, their hand-forged iron handles and the tools of the trade. I especially enjoyed the hand-colored photos of family life, rice fields and the textile sellers. Not only do you get to glimpse this magical world of Zen temples and street merchants selling sweet rice drinks, you will be able to view page after page of stunning merchant chests, bedding chests, clothing chests and mizuya-dansu (kitchen cupboards).

I've always been intrigued by chests filled with magical little drawers in which anything could be stored. This book has made me aware of the wide variety of chests that can be purchased and most of the pages are filled with pictures and descriptions so you can know what to look for online. Before finding this particular book, I was at a loss for what to look for. Now I have the names of items like the sea chest (funa-dansu) and realize the difference in the woods used. I think the cho-dansu made of keyaki with the distinctive iron fittings on page 111 is just stunning. The cho-bako funa-dansu (ship chest) is also very interesting as it features tortoise, a symbol of prosperity and longevity.

The detailed descriptions of the lockplates are presented with photographs. If you are a student of this craft (or looking for pictures of things like a cherry blossom motif), the pages on the components of a tansu will encourage you to explore all the essential details in your own selections. They also explain how all the L braces and iron-edge strapping are not only decorative, but highly functional.

As a person who has refinished a desk upon which I am typing, my appreciation for furniture went through an entire renewal process while reading "Japanese Cabinetry."

Contents:

The Realm of Tansu: An Introduction
Tansu and Allied Trades
The Craft of Tansu
Tansu for Mercantile Use
Tansu for Household Use
Tansu for Personal Use
Living with Tansu
Collecting and Restoring Tansu

Not only does this book present early mercantile tansu designs, there are pictures of contemporary desks and even a section about books, magazines and catalogues for further research. The index, glossary of terms and chronological list of exhibitions make this book very easy to read and understand. There are also ideas for how to set up your tansu collection in your bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and kitchen. You might even want to put a kitchen chest (mizuya) in your living room. This book also features entry tables, entertainment centers, coffee tables and bookcases and so much more.

Back to dreaming of owning the cho-dansu from the late Edo period (1615-1868). Not only can you view items from this period, you can read about the history and lifestyle of the people living in this era. This book would make a perfect gift for anyone who has lived in Japan or is interested in Japanese history. It would also be an amazing gift for anyone interested in Japanese movies. I have often wondered about various items and this book has provided more information than I could have ever dreamed about finding.

A note about the authors: David Jackson has been collecting tansu since 1990 and has studied sculpture and woodworking. He developed his passion for Japanese woodwork and then was involved with one of the first exhibitions of tansu in the United States. Dane Owen founded a gallery of Japanese antique furnishings and is also a frequent visitor to Japan. He can be found searching for objects for his customers and his own private collections. Together they have written the ultimate book on the Japanese craft of tansu. If you love tansu, your heart is going to beat a little faster while reading Japanese Cabinetry. I am beyond appreciative of David and Dane's knowledge of this subject. If you own one book on tansu, this would be an excellent choice.

~The Rebecca Review

I am biased; I am a woodworker. This is actually a terrific book offering a huge collection of beautiful photos, and an extensive commentary about the role of Tansu in Japanese lifestyle and culture. However the craft of making Tansu was not well represented. From the title I would have expected more on tools, techniques and joinery.

Not even sure where to begin other than to say that as mentioned above, the cover alone should be plenty to strike your interest. As a true lover and collector of Japanese art, this book goes above and beyond to show just exactly why it could be labeled as a "coffee table book". It has been on mine for weeks now. It is such a great sourcebook for Japanese cabinetry/tansu and goes even further to show pieces actually used for daily use in people's homes. The size of the book and the photography are SO worth the price. It truly is a fabulous book. I strongly recommend it. Whether you are an obsessed collector of Japanese art or not, it is definitely a great book to have in your collection.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa was the premier Short Story fiction author of early 20th century Japan. His career was cut short by his suicide at age of 34 following his descent into madness. Kappa is one of the last pieces that Akutagawa wrote, and true to his form, he was often influenced by ancient tales of mythological creatures. This particular novella is the story of a mental institution patient who describes his sojourn in the land of Kappa, Japanese water sprites. Indeed, except for the size, Kappaland mirrors Japanese society. Akutagawa uses various archetype characters to reflect on the changes in contemporary Japan - the student, the poet, the composer, the businessman. Also, in the detailed interest in suicide and death in this story, one sees the upcoming suicide of Akutagawa himself. All the major characters are male and in Kappa society, the female Kappa are the pursuer and wooer of the males, quite the opposite from Japanese society. Just as Akutagawa himself was heavily influenced by the newly "discovered" European writers and philosophers, the Kappa revere many of these same authors. During his life, Akutagawa was obsessed with Kappa and produced many drawings, alas none of which are in this volume. What is invaluable to the reader is Healey's lengthy introduction which includes a short biographical sketch of Akutagawa, and puts this story in the context of his life's work.

"Kappa" is told from the point of view of Patient 23, an asylum inmate who tells of his incredible journey into the heart of Kappaland, peopled by the Kappa, the magical creatures of Japanese folklore.

In the tradition of "Gulliver's Travels," inside Kappaland, Akutagawa, author of "Rashomon" and "In the Grove," has created a twisted reflection of both his contemporary Japanese society and his own self-loathing. It has been a difficult tale to interpret in Japan, being hailed as either a children's story, a social satire or simply weird. Akutagawa himself feared insanity due to his mother's mental deterioration during his youth, and his own justified fear of the taint of madness in his blood.

Akutagawa's mental state when writing "Kappa" is important background, and the paperback edition comes with an extensive mini-biography of the famous author that is almost the size of the story itself. Akutagawa never wrote novels, and it is strange to see a single story packaged in one book. The introduction/biography is well written as well, and helps to reveal the story.

The writing in "Kappa" is sharp and quick-witted. The satire is equal parts clever and odd. Religion, marriage, arts and entertainment, all are in part skewered and skewed. The book is an incredibly fast read, and one that you will want to pass to your friends to read as well, so that you can see what someone else makes of it.

This Japanese novel by Ryunosuke Akutagawa was rather too broad a satire for my tastes. I read it because the INKlings of Haruki Murakami's novel "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World" were based on the kappa. These are creatures from Japanese folklore with slimy amphibian bodies, a water-filled saucer at the top of the head, and the ability to change color to match the background, like a chameleon. "Kappa (folklore)" on Wikipedia gives more information.

Actually, I enjoyed the long essay on Ryunosuke's life (by Graham Healey) at the beginning of the book more than the novel itself. Ryunosuke's mother became insane and used to draw people, but always with fox faces. Later Ryunosuke, who had been fascinated with mythology as a child, made many drawings of the kappa.

The novel shows Ryunosuke's increasing disgust for humanity -- thinly veiled as the Kappa -- and indeed, after suffering increasing mental illness, he committed suicide in 1927 at age 35.

"Kappa" is a wonderful lampoon of Japanese society written by the gifted but troubled Akutagawa Ryunosuke. Even though nearly 80 years have passed since Kappa was written, the people and subjects that Akutagawa impales with his pen (religion, capitalism, literature, abortion, heredity, etc.) are no less pressing today, making Kappa nearly as easy to analyze and enjoy now as when it was written.

Akutagawa's writing style is a joy as always, and the plot is familiar to readers of Robinson Crusoe or Alice in Wonderland (Akutagawa finished translating Alice in Wonderland the same year he wrote Kappa). Adapting the tale to Japan, Akutagawa chooses to use an outsider to Kappaland in a role as a "specially protected person," much like foreigners were treated (and to a degree still are treated) in Japan. The reader is left with the question of whether Patient 23 is sane or not, and more importantly, has the world we live in gone mad? Despite the years that have passed since it was written, Kappa continues to be a fun and pertinent read. Reading Kappa, I am reminded of the great shame it is that the world lost as brilliant a writer as Akutagawa at such a young age.

"Kappa" is one of the best books of Akutagawa - one of the least appreciated authors of pre-war Japan. Kappa can be compared to only one book that I remember of and that is Karel Capek's award winning "War with the Newts". Kappa was ages ahead of its time especially considering the society in which Akutagawa was living in.
This is a story about interactions of a human being, whose sanity is in question, and the Kappas, some mythical creatures. This is a satire in the essence that Akutagawa draws critical picture of Japanese intellectual society and their egos and vanity. The Kappa society is an equitable representation of the human society with the same set of problems but different set of solutions. This is one of those books which is a must for a good collection.

Les McGehee Plays Well With Others: A "Grown-Up" Handbook of Improvisation and Play is a guide to enriching one's life through improvisational comedy, by veteran improv artist Les McGehee whose long list of credentials includes appearances with cast members of "Saturday Night Live" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?". Written not just for aspiring comedians, but readers from all walks of life, Les McGehee Plays Well With Others offers tips for fostering creativity; using humor to heighten health, productivity, and morale in the office; numerous warm-ups, exercises, and improv games that help comedy professionals get the golden energy flowing; and much more."'Things in...' is a warm-up game where one player asks another to name five things in a category. For instance, name five things in Einstein's sock drawer or name five things in Angelina Jolie's purse. The other player gets to use their imagination to answer... This can also be played with friends all at the same time, and yes, Party Reader, it can even be another drinking game." A fine blend of autobiographical tidbits, comedy field guide, life on the improv circuit memoir, and how-to guide to spice up one's work or social life.

Les McGehee's "Plays well with others" is not only a veritable Bible of improvisational facts, advice, and games, but a humorous look into the life of a master of improvisation. The book provides insight not only into Les' life and the experiences that made him a guru of improvisational comedy, but provides a philosophy that hits the mark not only for improvisational comedy performance, but for life as well.

Les McGehee is like a combination of Johnathan Winters, Bozo the Clown, and Bruce Lee... This is a must have for any aspiring improv comic performer.

Work tends to be, for lack of a better adjective, work. We steel ourselves to be serious and productive. We plan, schedule, and work towards deadlines like our life depends upon it. Fun, creativity, and imagination seem like something children do, we had to grow up.

Or do we? Plays Well With Others lets us know that improvisation and play are healthy activities for adults too. In fact, happy adults are far more creative, productive, and cooperative. It makes perfect sense and this book shows us how to start with all sorts of activities and games.

After reading this book, I would love to go to one of Les McGehee's improvisation workshops. I think the concept is exactly what most businesses and individuals within those companies need to regain our passion. I like the exercises provided in the book, they were easy enough to follow but I think an in-person workshop would be even more beneficial for those individuals who might naturally hold back a little. I'm sure that the author's passion could get anyone to let go and just play for a while.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (6/07)

In a fun-filled entertaining way, Les McGehee shares biographical insights into the world of improvisation comedy in "Les McGehee Plays Well with Others." The comment, "Needs improvement in playing with others," on his first report card, changed Les' life. An outgrowth of that change is this book - "A `Grown Up' Handbook of Improvisation and Play."

The book is made up of three main sections: Part I: Memoirs and road stories. Part II: Information and research data on play and improvisation. Part III: Handbook of games and exercises. Les also includes an "enlarged appendix" made up of tools, rules, and testimonials.

A complete table of contents makes this a user-friendly handbook for future reference. Clever "Les Icons" accompany the numerous sidebars featured throughout the book highlighting important improvisational life principles.

Improved positive attitudes resulting from the synergy and power of a group mind through incorporating improvisational living into personal ethics, core values, and business practice will help make your world a better place.

I appreciated the insights I gained personally from the chapter "Communion, Community, Communication." The concept of embracing the moment became especially meaningful.

This is a book for business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, trainers, professional and amateur comedians, and anyone wanting to lighten up. It is Les' sincere desire that the reader incorporate the games and suggestions in this book to "go play," to follow their own instincts, and enjoy the benefits, of fun, productivity, improved health, better relationships, and business success.

In "Les McGehee Plays Well with Others," Les challenges the reader with: "Playing Well With Others. It's the highest skill on your grown-up report card."

"While improvising, I have been fortunate enough to see a great many things around the world and I've seen what it does for the people who use it. I have seen improvisation turn people's lives around." ~ Les McGhee

Les McGhee has provided "improv" training to prestigious business schools and Fortune 500 companies like AT&T, IBM and Dell. He has over 20 years experience and is the founder of the Comedy League of America.

"Les McGhee Plays Well With Others" is an autobiography with lessons learned and advice for anyone who wishes to live a more spontaneous life.

"You can have a better time. You can be smarter, stronger, and faster when improvising. You can have joy like you used to. You can like people again and look forward to their input. You can remember the sheer beauty of creation and remember how perfect things are." ~ Les McGhee

The first section delves into memoirs and road stories and then moves into the areas of how play and improvisation can be applied to life and business situations. The third section provides handbook-style games and exercises. Some of the highlights include:

Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Teamwork
Humor and Productivity
Confidence and Trust
Listening
Tour Journal Excerpts
Five Basic Rules for Improv Scenes

The writing style is fresh and honest like a conversation with a friend. The unique witty stories keep you on the edge of your seat. Les McGhee says he often feels like a "vicarious psychologist." In his book, he does seem to be analyzing the life of a comedian as he gives insight into how anyone can develop a stage presence and engage an audience.

~The Rebecca Review

As one commentator has said, this disturbing book, with its two anarchist lead characters, is Cendrars' view of the artistic process, viewed from the destructive perspective; to recall Michael Bakunin (1814-76), "The passion for destruction is also a constructive passion," a famous utterance which is like a watermark behind everything which occurs in _Moravagine_.

There is no fun or point in giving away the picaresque plot of this extraordinary work. I have no idea how this reads in the original french, but the english translation by Alan Brown (Penguin) is clear and compelling. Apart from the disease imagery, present from the first to the last, there are many luxuriant images and, on the whole, an intensity which retains power even when people today have read or seen so much about terrorists and murderers. As the narrator and Moravagine make their way across continents, the pace flags, notably in the Blue Indians section, but Cendrars' vision, and the slow, inexorable unwinding of the narrator's previous self-confidence and enormous conceits become more interesting than Moravagine's own nature. Anticipating postmodernist writers, Cendrars includes a snapshot (a fake one, to be sure) of himself as a minor character whose path crosses the two killers.

A convert to Cendrars, having just finished _Moravagine_, would best follow it with the Dan Yack books (_Dan Yack_; _Confessions of Dan Yack_), and then the uneven but exhilirating tetralogy comprising _The Astonished Man_, _Planus_, _Lice_ and _Sky_. If one can forget Nina Rootes' interference with Cendrars' own presentation of his material, then these hard to obtain books (most out of print) are well worth reading. An excellent critic on Cendrars (and more respectful translator) is Monique Chefdor.

Blaise Cendrars is a neglected Modernist who does not make a big enough blip on english radar, partly because he was not affiliated with any political group or -isms. He rarely receives extensive mention in anthologies or reviews of french letters written in english. His daughter, Miriam, has published a biography which is at present only in french. University libraries are the most reliable places to find a good selection of his works.

i'm sure i'll lose my membership card as a nihilist, but i found this book to be a waste of my time. the characters are tiresome in their quest for life, the title character always committing acts of violence for no reason, usually against women, while the character documenting Moravagine is obviously utterly in love with him.

like others i'm sure i was drawn to Cendrars because of Henry Miller's recommendation, but i am disappointed. i have recently found a number of books of this negative trend that seem to offer nothing, but think themselves documenting life as a plate of maggots. most of the book centers around the characters' involvements as pre-soviet Russian revolutionaries. then follows their escapades with natives in South America, etc. the treatment of women in this book is utterly grotesque.

the characters complain about the horrors of man but are the worst example of man. Moravagine imagines himself a god when he is nothing but an over-ripe anus. much better literature is had elsewhere.

"The Prose of the Trans-Siberian" poem remains my favorite piece of Cendrars writing but this novel is a close second. I passed my copy around and everyone that had a go at it praised the thrills it delivers. Cendrars is a character who seems to have known everyone and been everywhere during those wild experimental years at the beginning of the last century. He documented his many careers(he had a go at just about every art form) in four volumes of biography. Three of which I think are available. He also lost a hand in WW1 and wrote a very beautiful poem about it, such is the magnanimity of this soul who was such a restless originator of new forms it seems he could have single handedly brought about modernism all on his own. Of course his many friends (of which Picasso was one) did what they could too. As a poet his reputation is solid, as a novelist he is still gaining ground as his books begin to reappear after a long abscence. Moravagine is a book full of anarchic energy and though one of the main characters is a bit primitive that was after all one of the aspects of modernism. The wild beast of a main character is Cendrars monster or more specifically modern societies monster. There is also a monkey who is curiously human. The writing is manic at times but there are few lulls on this cross continental journey where the primitive and the civilized seem to walk hand in hand . If this was made into a picture it would be a road picture replete with half man half beast lead, civilized man narrator, and well clad monkey companion. Cendrars family album.

This may be described as an exquisitely depraved travelogue of regions both geographic and psychological. Other reviewers have more than adequately laid out the storyline and in that regard I have nothing to add. I will simply admonish readers that this is not a book for the queasy, the timid, or those of a markedly nervous disposition. That said, if you took pleasure from Oscar Wilde's The Portrait of Dorian Gray, J.K. Huysmans' A Rebours (Against Nature), or, stretching a bit, even the fantastical satire of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, then this decadent, entertaining romp may be just what the "doctor" ordered. But you have been warned: I accept no responsibility for psychotic breaks triggered by this gruesome literary morsel.

This was the first book I read from Cendrars with little thought that he would have the humbling effect on me that he did. To say this book is great, is an understatement! After you've read it ,you too, will understand why! The amount of reaserch that had to be applied to this book is an amazing feat in itself, let alone the whole storyline which is genius, complex,and poetic,... like all the great authors! Moravogine...A psychological thrilling novel that confronts bare human emotion with an honesty unmatched by few.. brings us closer into the mind of an author, whose awsome talent for expression, sent tremors down the spine of the literary world, showing us life's true nature...macabre and yet beautiful!

I used P&K to supplement my casebook and class notes, and it guided me to an A- in torts. It's a great tool and a great read. However, it does have certain limitations: the final edition was published in the late 80s, so it does not provide much guidance on product liability, infliction of emotional distress and other emerging areas of tort law.

P&K gives you something that year 1 of law school sorely lacks: a context for the fragments in your case book. Its treatment of Palsgraf is particularly beautiful.

And since Prosser so strongly influenced tort law, you can be confident that you are getting good information. Some of my classmates used commercial outlines and they often worried about whether they could trust the material. No such problems with P&K; it was on the money all the time. And when there was a contradiction between P&K and my textbook, I was able to go to my professor and ask her about it. Try doing that with a commercial outline.

P&K is not merely fine reference tool; it is a genuine work of literature. I love it, and I highly recommend it.

. . . and one you should probably acquire for your law library at some point; its explanations are clear and lucid, and it's probably the single most-cited work on torts apart from the Restatement (Second). However, if you're a One-L looking for a study aid, there are a couple of things you should be aware of.

First of all, the most recent edition of this text dates from 1984. That means quite a bit of it is at least slightly out of date, and some of it is massively so (particularly in the field of products liability). For a more up-to-date hornbook, consider Dobbs. (I bought and used both.)

Second, when your torts professor talks about "black-letter law," s/he's not talking about this hornbook or any other; s/he's usually talking about the Restatement (Second) of Torts (or, in products liability, the Restatement (Third)). As much as I like hornbooks (and I am emphatically not a fan of the "casebook" approach), I have to say that if you want to get _one_ text to supplement your casebook, you should pick up _A Concise Restatement of Torts_ from the American Law Institute. And, ideally, you should memorize large portions of it.

Of course, you can do what I did: buy all three. It's a great investment, and it will pay off in your studies; Prosser and Keeton provide much helpful discussion of points that Dobbs treats more briefly, and the Concise Restatement is much easier to understand once you've digested the hornbook(s).

At any rate, this _is_ a classic text and you shouldn't go without it for any longer than necessary. Just be aware of what you're buying and set your priorities accordingly.

"Hornbooks" are summaries of a body of law used by angst-ridden law students to amplify and clarify the often arcane materials contained in Casebooks. The law of torts is one of the primary building blocks of a first year legal education, along with Property and Contracts. Almost every 1L has a small library of these dark green encyclopedic volumes that weigh in by the kilogram.

PROSSER AND KEETON ON TORTS is one of the few Hornbooks (along with CALAMARI AND PERILLO ON CONTRACTS) that is considered an acceptable, though not authoritative, treatise for purposes of legal citation. Of course, cases themselves trump any other source material.

Having practiced law for fifteen years I was surprised to note that PROSSER AND KEETON ON TORTS is still in its Fifth Edition (updated with Pocket Parts, no doubt) just as it was when I first cracked the spine of my copy.

So many years after the intellectual concentration camp that is First Year Law School, I find that perusing Hornbooks for interesting minutae can be a rather enjoyable way spend a rainy, quiet afternoon. It's too bad that most law schools make reading the "Palsgraf" case feel like root canal without novocaine. Law has a beauty that is often ruined by legal education.

If you plan to carry your Hornbooks around, get yourself a litigation case on wheels; it'll spare you a future of back problems.

I used this book in law school, and continue to use it 7 years into my practice. However the pocket part is the same one I've always had -- 1988 -- I cannot find an update.

This is THE classic hornbook for torts, and is an indispensable part of any law student's library. I still find myself referring to this one from time to time. When I was in law school the lucid and clear explanations of law, combined with copious footnoted citations, made this book a joy to own and read.

There are a lot of general torts texts, but after eight years of practice, this one still ranks near the top.

I liked this book a whole lot. It was fast moving and complicated at the same time. The characters are very likeable. Usually when I read a book, I'll pick a character or two that I really like, and I'll rush to get to the sections they're in. Not in this book. Every character and every situation is interesting with lots of action and adventure. There were so many conflicts happening in history at this time, and Rips covers them all with a great story and fun characters. I was more dedicated to finishing this book than I have been in a long time. I was dissapointed when it ended.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It's raw with historically-authentic use of language and descriptions of torture. It's lusty and filled with romantic, compelling characters of many ethnic backgrounds. And it brings to life -- vividly -- the beauty, horror, and reality of survival (centuries ago) in merciless, north-american climates. I couldn't put it down...loved the characters...would rate it five star airplane reading!!!

Owens' fabulous characters and his descriptions of the Island where they lived and the times in which they lived as well as his attention to the changing conditions of their intertwined lives made me feel like I was one of them. I shivered in the snow and ice with Everett, salivated when Henri explained a dish he would cook, shuddered at the torture of Father Ray and through it all, prayed that they would all be spared from the harsh environment and the many challenges each of them faced. For the historical/adventure buff, this is a terrific read. I hope there is a sequel in the making.

Rips provides an exciting look at the French and Indian War from a unique perspective, inhabitants of an island in the St. Lawrence River. The book reminded me of the recent movie (and classic work) LAST OF THE MOHICANS.

Early in Peter Owens' fine novel Rips, Everett, a trapper and
fisherman on the St. Lawrence River, declares the central theme of
this work: "Ain't nothin' worse than a channel current goin one
way and the wind goin the other. That rip'll kill yah." The
unknown and deceptive can spell disaster.

Surviving in the North
American wilderness of the 1750s on the frontier between Quebec and
New York required a keen understanding of wind, water, sailing, the
river, Indians, soldiers, mariners and other people of all kinds, not
to mention bugs, animals and plants, and most important, the
all-pervasive, murderous weather. This thrilling tale skillfully
weaves the lives of six people as they fight to stay alive and
together in conditions that demand resourcefulness, experience and
courage.

Everett lives on an island in the St. Lawrence with the
widowed Ella, whom he has rescued from her burnt-out cabin, and her
son, Jamie. When the novel begins, Everett is trying hard to be a
father to Jamie, help Ella through the loss of her husband and to
steer clear of the warring French, British, Huron, Mohawk and
Iroquois, as well as protect them from thieving rival trappers and
fishermen; but the outside world keeps intruding on their already hard
life.

The fortunes of Everett, Ella, Jamie and their friends Lucy,
a half Iroquois trading post owner, Henri, a deserter from the French
navy, and Gilles, a French ship's officer, intertwine and fragment in
ways that are sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, and always exciting
as they risk their lives to help one another. We come to know these
people intimately and to share the author's affection for them, and
along the way we learn a lot about the human spirit and an
appreciation for the realities of survival.

Clearly Owens has a
vast knowledge of the period and place he creates for us, and tells
his story in some of the most beautifully written scenes I have ever
read. With wisdom and compassion his muscular prose leads us through
myriad complex adventures. Whether Everett and his friends are trying
to stay afloat in crushing ice, flying like the wind across the
river's surface in an ice boat, or crawling on their bellies through a
frozen swamp with a band of Indians, the writing carries us along with
the sureness and depth of the St. Lawrence itself. Rips is a deeply
affecting and exciting novel.

I look forward to seeing other books
by this talented author.

The book I read was called Stone Cold, By Pete Hautman. I liked this book and I think it would be a great book for anyone who likes poker. The book is about a teenager named Denn Doyle who is about sixteen years old, who plays poker and finds out that he loves it. He is just and ordinary kid who does lawn work and loves money. One day he is doing lawn work when a kid he knows asks him if he wanted to come over later and play poker and Denn says why not. When he starts playing he relizes he is good and he loves how much money he gets and how quick he gets it. Soon he quits doing lawn work and gets addicted to poker. Soon nothing else is important to him and his friends and family start to drift away from him. This book didn't have pictures but the author was so good that the pictures you imagine are better. This book also had a good cover. Anyone who likes poker would have taken this book if they saw the cover. The cover has a kid on the front with a stack of poker chips and cards in front of him. I liked this book because when the author wrote is was like you were in the book.

This was a great book that just shows you how gambling can ruin your life even if you're good at it and win. It can especially ruin your life if you lose. I think it touhgt a good lesson to my son that gambling is bad. I would greatly recommend it.

Definitely 5 Stars!!!

stone cold is right he sure knocked me out when i purchased his book

Sixteen-year old Dennis Doyle is learning about an important tool of independence - money. Like many young people, his first job is mowing lawns. He's good at his job, and keeps track of his profits down to the last cent. He learns that money can give him some control in his life, which is something he's been looking for since his dad left him and his mom.

We get to know Denn Doyle so well very early in "Stone Cold", especially since the book is in first person through Denn's perspective. Pete Hautman does such a good job portraying the stage of life Denn is in - somewhere between child and adult, and we can't help but laugh with Denn, and really like him.

Denn's newfound interest in money and the control it gives him leads him down a path we readers know he shouldn't go down, but can't help but wonder if we would take the same path if in his shoes.

It starts with a simple card game, but Denn wins, and he's hooked. He plays more and more, dreams about and studies poker, and we readers experience Denn's addiction, his obsession, and what it does to his life, and his youth.

Before we know what's happened, Denn Doyle has left childhood far behind, and we get quite a hint at what adulthood has in store for him.

"Stone Cold" is such a moving depiction of adolescence and addiction, and though I must admit it saddened me, it also had me laughing out loud more often than most books I've read. It's a good one - for both young adults and adults.

Stone Cold by Robert Swindells

Stone Cold deals with frighteningly realistic social issues in a sympathetic and understandable manner. It follows the story of Link, a runaway teenager, as he learns to cope with life on the streets in London. The reader is shown Link's progress from a naïve schoolboy to a streetwise kid. Somewhat unusually, Swindells chooses to unveil his plot through two narrators: Link and Shelter, a format which certainly increases the tension.

The first page made me cry, the last page made me laugh. The middle pages held my attention like deer on the interstate.

The main character, Owen McKenna (and his dog Spot) zip around Lake Tahoe in a beatup old Jeep solving mysteries. While reading this, felt a little like a kid again reading "The Hardy Boys Solve the Mystery of something-scary".

The characters had depth, particularly Spot. This is the second Owen McKenna Mystery that I have read. I liked Blowup better, but certainly enjoyed Tahoe Deathfall.

Todd Borg has a nice way with words. I find myself stopped every twenty or so pages wondering at how Todd was able to paint such a remarkable picture with words.

His command of time is second only to his ability to communicate beauty. The story progresses at a nice pace - never hurried, never dull. Much like a good plane ride, I always felt the author was in control of the story.

Go ahead, drop a couple of bucks on Tahoe DeathFall - Todd Borg won't let you down!

FANTASTIC mystery, I'm so glad I discovered the Owen Mckenna series set in Lake Tahoe. This P.I. and his sidekick "Spot", a Harlequin Great Dane, make for an interesting team. The guy is funny, erudite, and has interesting observations on art and life along the way. You also get to take your mind for a ride to Lake Tahoe, which makes the mystery even more exciting. Borg makes good use of the rugged landscape for rousing adventure, and brings plenty of high-ticket toys to the action (boats, planes, cars, etc.) not to mention stunning homes overlooking one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the world. Mckenna often kicks back on his high deck with a beer and surveys the breathtaking scenery dropping a thousand feet below his heels, while doing his detective "thinking", commenting on how hard his job is. The dog Spot is adorable, a giant dog so real he'll stretch off the page and lap your face. Borg's descriptions of his every day dogginess are funny and entertaining, especially to us dog lovers. Borg makes Street, Owen's forensic entomologist girlfriend , as real as the person next to you. The mystery is gripping, and yes it is a page turner--hard to put down. Also have to add that it's very refreshing to read a tough P.I. thriller that is gloriously absent of profanity and graphic sex. It's all about the mystery! His writing sizzles, and I can't wait to read TAHOE BLOWUP, and all the rest of the series.

LIVELY AND ATMOSPHERIC THRILLER THAT WILL SPELLBIND MYSTERY
FANS WITH THE NOTION OF A NEW AND EXCITING AUTHOR.
I FOUND A WONDERFUL SETTING WITH CHARACTERS YOU CARE ABOUT AND
A PLOT TO KEEP YOU TURNING PAGES!
DEFINITELY AN AUTHOR TO WATCH!

Todd Borg is a Minnesota native who followed the lure of lakes in the mountains to live in Lake Tahoe. He has created the art-loving detective, Owen McKenna, in his action-packed series beginning with Tahoe Death FALL, which was published in 2001. He quickly followed his maiden book with Tahoe Blowup. Thriller Press launched its business with Todd's Tahoe Death Fall, which was an astute decision.

Fourteen-year-old Jennifer Salazar, a wealthy young heiress, shows up at Owen McKenna's office to hire him as a private investigator because she feels the death of her twin sister nine years before is no accident. She has the I.Q. of a genius, is set to inherit almost four hundred million dollars, and is rightly convinced someone is out to kill her. McKenna, his Harlequin Dane named Spot, and his girlfriend, an exotic beauty who is an entomologist named Street, believe Jennifer. Her claim is verified everywhere they turn as dead bodies from the past and present speak of a family full of evil secrets and unsuspecting victims:

"'That's what they say,' Immanuel said.
'What do you mean?'
'Just what I said. That's what they say.'
'You don't believe it?'
'Put it this way,' the old man said wearily. He leaned his head back and rested it
against the pillow. 'There is something wrong with the woman. She is disturbed.
No doubt about it. But a paranoid schizophrenic needing to be locked up? I doubt it.'"

Todd Borg writes a rip-roaring, suspense-driven mystery that keeps the reader glued to his book until the final breathtaking denouement. His characters are superbly crafted, especially his dog Spot, who looms over the action like a benevolent giant, finally risking his life when necessary. Borg knows how to spin a yarn, and he is adept at utilizing every nook and cranny of the Lake Tahoe area as his backdrop. Tahoe Death Fall is an outstanding effort from a true up-and-comer in the mystery business. Borg is able to send shivers up our spine and make us think twice about checking all the doors and windows before we go to bed at night, as well as looking for skeletons in our ancestry. A tremendous read from a great writer.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

I picked up this book at a local (to Lake Tahoe) independent bookstore. It is a treat of a book and as a local to Lake Tahoe, I appreciated that all the references were accurate. Owen and Spot, along with girlfriend Street, were dynamite in this book. The book is well written and I was hard pressed not to stay up all night finishing it. I have the second book which I am anxious to start. Well written, well research, and a great story! I urge others to pick it up and give it a read!

This is a superb cookbook from one of this country's finest dining establishments. It is not only full of good recipes, but it is elegant enough to display on your coffee table. It is really like a gorgeous history book with wonderful recipes included! When anyone in the know thinks of eating in New Orleans, Brennan's is #1 on the list of restaurants not to be missed. Love this book....

After having the pleasure of eating at both the original Brennan's in New Orleans and the other location in my home town of Houston, Texas, this book is a joy to own! The recipes are easy to follow and it also gives you the background history of this fine restaurant. I highly recommend this book.

Great book, very easy directions and not 15 to 20 different ingredients. My girlfirend and her husband were there last year and raved about the place. She and I each have the book and I've now oredered one for my daughter. This is a must have in your cookbook library.

I was so disappointed by this book that I actually sent it back. Everything about the book came off as a huge chip on the shoulder of the owners of Brennan's about the success of Commander's Palace...owned by their aunt Ellen.

At first glance, the book looks cheap, with no dust cover and the words "Official" on a banner in the lower right hand corner. The only time I generally see that are on tourist guide books, not cookbooks.

A good portion of the book is dedicated to the history of Brennan's and idol worship of the patriarch of the family, which is admirable. However, they can't seem to talk about Aunt Ellen without getting some jabs in, talking about how she expanded the family business and that four of her six first ventures closed. Well, I think that one of those enterprises (Commander's Palace) certainly makes up for the rest...as they say, you need to break a couple of eggs to make an omlette!

After explaining how they went their separate ways from the rest of the family, the recipe section of the cookbook is very poorly done. The recipes are either extremely simple (3-5 ingredients and very pedestrian) or extremely complicated (10-15 ingredients including other preparations). When another recipe is referenced, unlike other cookbooks where they tell you which page to look for it, this cookbook simply says "see index"; even if the recipe they're referring to is on the next page.

The breakfast section was the most dissappointing of all. You'd think it would be the main focus of the book given the title, but it is merely several versions of eggs benedict with a few swapped out ingredients. What's even more sad is that each recipe is written like you've never seen an eggs benedict recipe before, so you end up with pages of "cookie cutter" recipes with the only distinction being that they traded trout for the Canadian bacon, or something of the like...and of course you are told to "see index" about how to make a hollandaise!

This book is written like they had something to prove against Aunt Ellen and it shows. Problem is, Aunt Ellen's Commander's Palace and its cookbook "The Commander's Kitchen" is far and away a much better deal. Not only is "The Commander's Kitchen" a beautiful book, richly photographed, with wonderful stories about the restaurant, great recipes, and a little information about each dish (something lacking from "Breakfast at Brennan's"), it's thicker and less expensive off of Amazon!

There is a reason we are all talking about Commander's Palace alumni like Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse years after they've left Commander's and all you can really say about Brennan's is that they were the birthplace of Bananas Foster.

I will give this book one good mark...the cocktails section is pretty good...but then again, so is the one in "Commander's Kitchen".

Superbly enhanced with color photography, Breakfast At Brennan's And Dinner, Too showcases original recipes from the menus of New Orleans's world-famous Brennan's Restaurant. From Buster Crab Pecan; New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp; Creole Onion Soup; and Brennan's Blackened Redfish; to Crabmeat Lundi Grass; Tournedos Royal with Sweetbreads; Les Peches Flamees; and the house specialty Brennan Dressing, Breakfast At Brennan's And Dinner, Too is an elegant, "kitchen friendly" cookbook that is as much fun to browse through as it is exciting to draw from for truly memorable dining.