Phillips Books

This book, by a western academic who spent extensive periods of time studying Kalarippayattu in India, provides an interesting, detailed ethnographic survey of this little known martial art. Kalari is a complete art in the sense that it includes conditioning exercises, empty hand forms, a variety of weapons (staff, spear, daggers, and swords, including an amazing long flexible sword), holistic health practices such as massage, and spiritual practices. The art is based on Ayurvedic principles, and includes (like Chinese martial arts) a system of vital points (called marma) which can be used for either healing or causing harm. The author gives extensive information about the history, rituals, and social aspects of this South Indian art. The book is not a how-to, instructional manual, but a scholarly study with extensive footnotes. However, it is packed with lots of cool pictures. Highly recommended!

The book deals with the little known martial art of south India called Kalari which is believed to be the oldest of all martial arts.The author has done an excellent job.

This book breaks down barriers between the races. And what an entertaining and intriguing concept- send in a question you would never ask in public and get a frank reply. I couldn't put it down.

"Wet Dogs" gets to the heart of cross-cultural dialogue in a manner unlike any effort that has been undertaken in the past two decades. An astonishing, provocative yet unbiased look at how our "small" differences must be discussed before the larger ones can be dissected. Highly recommended reading for young and old alike, as well as students and business leaders.

Dude, why don't you just admit that you don't even read comics instead of giving one star to something that you have no idea how to review.

The Wildcats could easily have joined the legions of cheap x-men ripoffs and raced toward extinction with, well, superhuman speed. But it didn't. With none of the restraints that Marvel put on its writers (main characters must never die, the basic premise of the book should never evolve, heroes are always incorruptible), "Wildcats" evolved in a number of unexpected directions, with the formation of political and personal alliances between heroes and villains, and the complete lack of pretension or orthodoxy in the runs of writers Joe Casey and Alan Moore. This is the final volume of the former's run on the series, and to describe the plot any further would do the reader an injustice. Suffice it to say that the characters from the previous volumes of the series finally begin to find their purpose after the end of the war, and it's not AT ALL what you'd expect.

I used to buy art books only from bargain shelves and tables, sometimes from bookstores that were only selling bargain books. Amazon.com has both varieties of books, and it would be unfair for me to review one book when I really think you should buy the other (bargain) variety. There should not be much confusion between two 304 page books with the title WILLIAM BLAKE when the books are actually the same, but the contents are of such variety, listing Peter Ackroyd, Marilyn Butler, Robin Hamlyn, and Michael Phillips as authors of the exhibition guide for the exhibition at Tate Britain, London, 9 November 2000 - 11 February 2001, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 29 March - 24 June 2001, so it might be possible for someone who was looking to see if the listing in two places was identical to discover differences in the information given, though I believe both books are published in 2001 by Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York (Printed and bound in Great Britain).

If you just want pictures, some of which seem quite large, this book has 250 illustrations, including 240 plates in full color. If you like descriptions of pictures, you might find yourself jumping around in the book. A large picture on page 10 is labeled: `Opposite: `Newton' 1795/c. 1805 (no. 249, detail) on page 11. After the Index on pages 296-298 is a Checklist of Works Exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on pages 299-304 provide a variety of numbers, including a catalogue number in brackets as follows:

129 [249] Newton 1795/c. 1805 Color print finished in pen and ink and watercolor 46 x 60 (18 1/8 x 23 5/8) on paper approx. 54.5 x 76 (21 1/2 x 30) Tate; presented by W. Graham Robertson 1939

The full picture is shown on page 213 with a tiny number 249 in the corner by the top margin and a description on page 212 that includes more information than above about "Signed `1795 WB inv [in monogram]' and the inscription. It is possible that the detail page 10 is about full size, showing the lower 30 cm. of a picture that is 46 cm. tall. Catalogue number 248, Sketch for Newton c. 1795 described on page 212 as being on a paper slightly smaller than standard typing paper, might not appear in this book at all. Turning back the page from 212 to pages 210-211 reveals a gigantic crawling Nebuchadnezzar 1795/c. 1805 (no. 247, detail) which is a 30 x 46 cm. (almost 12 inch by 18 inch) enlargement of less than half of a picture that was even larger 44.6 x 62 (17 5/8 x 24 3/8) originally. Pages 210-211 is almost lifesize, with a nose 2 inches long and 5 inches from the bottom of Nebuchadnezzar's lower lip to the part in his hair just above his forehead.

It is difficult to tell how many numbered pictures are not in this book. The final catalogue number 303 described as `Jerusalem. The Emanation of the Giant Albion 1804 - c. 1820' on page 282 is a general reference used to cover paintings of Jerusalem plate 97 (detail) (p. 283), Plate 1 (p. 284), Plate 2 (p. 285), Plates 3, 4, 9, and 11 (p. 287), Plate 12, Plate 26 (p. 289), Plates 51, 69, 70, 84 (p. 291), Plates 92, 97, 99 (p. 293), and pages describing these 15 plates describe 7 plates from Jerusalem that are not shown.

People who are interested in reading interpretations of Blake's works will find a sponsor's forward by Stephen Deuchar on page 7, Acknowledgements and Preface by Robin Hamlyn, Christine Riding and Elizabeth Barker on pages 8-9, `William Blake: The Man' by Peter Ackroyd on pages 11-13, `Blake in His Time' by Marilyn Butler on pages 15-25, a Chronology on pages 26-28 and initials of 10 individuals indicating other authorship on page 29.

`One of the Gothic Artists' on pages 32-97 describes items up to catalogue number 96, `The Queen of Heaven in Glory.' `The Furnace of Lambeth's Vale' on pages 100-171 starts with a description of Blake's Printmaking Studio and various techniques, including a detail on page 111 shown more than 5 times the original size of the small print no. 107 There is No Natural Religion 1788/1795 Copy L shown on page 110. There is in this part a political section called "Lambeth and the Terror" on pages 152-167 which mention items of `Rex vs. Blake' catalogue numbers 208 through 210, items that are not shown. Perhaps we learn more by merely seeing no. 212, The Accusers c. 1804 Copy E on page 167, "A Scene in the Last Judgment."

Pictures are generally clear enough for the lettering by William Blake to be legible, where it is not too small, but pages have been selected without regard to the continuity of the original text. For example, Blake's comments on Swedenborg in his book THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN AND HELL, Catalogue no. 127, pages 132-135, include Plate 21 and Plate 24 but not the pages between to and from which the thoughts carry over.

`Chambers of the Imagination' on pages 174-257 includes items numbered from 219 to 297 The Ancient of Days 1824? `Many Formidable Works' on pages 258-293 concludes with many plates from a few of Blake's works. No. 298 Plate 42 `The Tyger' on page 269 (upper left) is lightly colored, "Shown in profile beneath the pale blue bark of a tree trunk," (p. 268) while no. 163 Plate 42 Copy G c. 1793-1794 on page 155 shows a tree and tyger with much darker colors.

Anyone who plans to enjoy looking at the pictures more than anything else could start with this book. People who seriously study WILLIAM BLAKE must have their own reasons. Because his writings cover so much, most people could gain some knowledge of bits and pieces from a work like this.

The works of Blake are represented here on wonderful gloss paper with large images to fully appreciate the artistic genius of William Blake. This book is also intersperesed with essays that explain his life, his writing, and his art. through his various images you can see his complex and troubled life come into view. A must have for anyone who loves Blake and Extremely helpful for anyone who wants to know him and his work.

THIS BOOK MAKES ME WONDER WHAT MY GRANPARENTS WENT THROUGH IN THE 50'S.I AM INTRESTED IN BLACK HISTORY,WE DO THIS AT SCHOOL,ESPCIALLY BLACK SLAVERY.THIS BOOK IS MY BEST BOOK AND I HAVE SHARED IT WITH MY FAMILY.THANKS AMAZON FOR HELPING ME TO FIND SUCH A INSPERATIONAL BOOK

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is a must read for all, especially people of Caribbean extract.

I want to thank the Phillips brothers for putting into words a part of our history that I never knew.
I can relate to most of this, as I have three brothers who were a few years short of being a part of this important period.

I now know how we as a people were treated and is being treated. The struggles that they went through was almost lost, if it was not for this exceptional piece of literature, I would not have learned about this period.

Thanks to the writers and the publisher, I am now able to investigate and get more information on events prior to and after the "Windrush"

I am recommending this book to all my friends.

This has to be one of the best books on wine ever published. The photographs are outstanding and I particularly liked the interviews with wine makers. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in wines, in book layout, in photography AND in the Southern Cape wine reagons. Excellent fare.

This is probably the most beautiful book on wine I have ever encountered. I love it! Although it focuses primarily on the South African wine industry, the information on grape growing, winemaking and brandy making is really complete and relevant to any winemaking region. The photography in this book is of the highest quality and is simply breathtaking. Anyone who has visited South Africa will agree that it has probably the most beautiful wine region in the world. This book's pictures tell the same story with excellent photography. Oh and by the way, it is the official textbook of the Cape Wine Academy in South Africa (sure doesn't look like your typical textbook -too colorful and easy to read!) I would recommend this book to ANY wine lover since a lot can be learned from it in a fun way. Makes a stunning 'coffee table' book.

After three years of marriage, my husband and I (both Christians) had already discussed divorced. I 'accidentally' (in God's providence) stumbled across this CD while perusing Douglas Phillips' website, and I thought it looked like something that would be edifying to me. I cannot accurately put into words the blessing this picture of a biblical marriage has been to me. Phillips does direct some of the lecture to husbands, but the majority of it is teaching us wives how to be godly wives, regardless of our husbands. I was so convicted of my sins, but more than that, my despair has given way to hope of God's working righteousness in me and my husband. Phillips is very discerning in laying out how a husband's lack of vision affects his wife and what sins he contributes to by his failings (not that the husband's sins excuse the wife's). And he is very clear in pointing out how Scripture addresses this situation. I have listened to the CDs twice in the past week since I got the set and have already loaned them out to several friends.

Doug Phillips has a timeless message for women on this set. My entire family listened and I, as Mom, was exhorted and challenged, my children learned what are the godly expectations for a woman in marriage (of which my son especially took note!) and my husband, delighted that we all were listening, was encouraged to move out in areas, knowing that I was in hearty agreement with the premise of whole-heartedly supporting him as he leads us. This is a gift I plan to give every young woman planning for marriage.

I was at the same reading as Richard Pepperman and Louis Phillips and I heard Louis' story too and it was excellent! He is a great writer; his THE AUDIENCE BOOK OF THEATRE QUOTATIONS (that my press published, WORLD AUDIENCE) is nothing short of extraordinary, and it sells well, by the way. This book of stories -- KING LEAR -- is another one to buy. Mike Strozier

I'll say it at the outset. I'm a friend of Louis Phillips. I spend lots of time with him. I'm lucky. You're not...yet! I went to his book signing yesterday and bought a copy. Then I sat and listened to Louis read from "Lee Harvey Oswald's Can Opener." A grand treat. Then I started reading other stories on my train ride home. More superb time with Louis. And! Now I'm buying two more copies for other friends. Bet they'll be lucky quicker than you??!!!

If you're in the mood for a book that will take you on a journey, then "Woman" is that book! Encapsulated in these pages are the heart rendering stories of real life women, who each have a story to share. And, like life itself, not all the stories have a "happy ending". That is part of what makes this such a great read. EJ Phillips story telling comes from the heart as much as the tales given by each of the characters of this book. I loved it and I know you will too! A recommended read!

Woman: What She Has Done With Where She Has Been is a book about all of us. It is the story of 15 ordinary women who met the challenges of their lives with courage and determination. There's Tina, a recovering alcoholic who gave up her baby and lost custody of her other two children, but has gone on to gain her bachelor's degree and become a case manager in an AIDS advocate agency. There's Carol, whose husband left her for another woman, so she started all over again. Renee, who left her grown children in England and moved to America. And Emily, who dreamed of owning a retreat center. Women who crashed and burned, and rose up from the ashes. Women who wiped their tears, picked up their dreams, and adventured on toward their goals.

"It was time to begin my new season," one of the women says, and she speaks for all of them.

I enjoyed EJ's Phillips's collection of stories very much, but when I finished reading about the 15 women, I wanted to know more about her. From the back of the book, I learned that EJ, a Story Circle member, had three dreams: to live in Santa Fe, to marry the man she loved, and to inspire with her writing. (She has done all three.) From EJ's website I learned more: that she was a high school dropout with three children. She left an unhappy marriage, educated and supported herself, and created a professional life as a political campaign coordinator, an Elderhostel program director, and a speaker and writer. I also learned more about the way she collected and worked with the women. "I consider my role in this project largely one of editor," she says. "They lived the stories, I just put them on paper and edited their words."

I hope, when the second edition of Woman is published, that EJ will include an introduction that tells us more about her own story, why she thinks these particular stories are important, and how she came to meet the women whose lives she reveals in her book. But while we're waiting for EJ's own story, there are good stories to be read, and inspiring lessons to be learned.

Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Defintely an up and coming author with a great imagination. I know he's working on sequels and if you're a fan of Morrowind then you really should check out his mods based on the above book where Philip Troy created an enormous underground City of Namrah from the book.

Really a great read. Wonderful imagination and for those who are into science fiction/fantasy, A MUST. Hope this author writes a sequel soon.