R Books

This book is an Essential as a Gift to a FAN(s) of These GENRES old & New.From the Ink Spots to Jermaine Jackson from Ja Rule & Ashanti to Ray Charles & Al Green this Books got'em All!Find Out How Successful in Sales & Airplay The Hits You Remember down to Your Bone Thugs N Harmony to Anita Bakers/Your Body+Soul.This Richly Illustrates in printed form some of the most premier recordings of pre-rock era soul to todays Rappers.Highly Qualified Purchasing Quotient & Highly Enjoyable esp4 Fans!

Any avid follower of R&B and hip-hop hits will have to make Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B And Hip-Hop Hitsa part of their collection: it does far more than detail hit charts; it provides artist and song title for quick reference, extensive biographies of artists and groups, lists of record holders, and more. Author Joel Whitburn's company Record Research has compiled extensive references to music based on Billboard charts: Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B And Hip-Hop Hits is one of the best of his works, packing in a wealth of information. A 'must' for any serious follower of the genre.

Any avid follower of R&B and hip-hop hits will have to make Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B And Hip-Hop Hitsa part of their collection: it does far more than detail hit charts; it provides artist and song title for quick reference, extensive biographies of artists and groups, lists of record holders, and more. Author Joel Whitburn's company Record Research has compiled extensive references to music based on Billboard charts: Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B And Hip-Hop Hits is one of the best of his works, packing in a wealth of information. A 'must' for any serious follower of the genre.

Any avid follower of R&B and hip-hop hits will have to make Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B And Hip-Hop Hitsa part of their collection: it does far more than detail hit charts; it provides artist and song title for quick reference, extensive biographies of artists and groups, lists of record holders, and more. Author Joel Whitburn's company Record Research has compiled extensive references to music based on Billboard charts: Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B And Hip-Hop Hits is one of the best of his works, packing in a wealth of information. A 'must' for any serious follower of the genre.

I highly recommend this book to any fan of the music genres charted in Billboard's R&B Top 40. If you grew up on music like this, it's perfect for review during the years when you were in school--no matter if it was back in the 40s, 60s, 90s or 00s. You'll be surprised of all the music you have forgotten, you'll then find yourself looking for it to bring back fond memories.

If, like me, you grew up during Hip-Hop's baby years (early 80s to early 90s), some great jams didn't make the top 40. Keep in mind that Hip-Hop from that period was not fully appreciated until recently, and Billboard recognized mostly Pop-Rap that crossed over like "Parents Just Don't Understand", "You Can't Touch This", "Wild Thing" or "Bust A Move" at that time. For those jams not on the list, you'll see the artist's music from the sophomore or third album (which happened to A Tribe Called Quest and Big Daddy Kane).

There is recent scientific evidence which reveals that a person's state of mind is affected by the state of mind of a given author's...whose books are read. (As if we needed science to prove the power of the word!). To paraphrase a wise teacher of the past: A person makes the book, not a book the person. For, it resides within our unique human consciousness, to think noble thoughts...or not. To put it another way, "As we think, so shall we become"....

That said, in reading, "Building A Noble World", one comes to recognize that its author, Shiv R. Jhawar, is himself a "noble" human being; in that, a finely-tuned and tempered quality of higher thought pervades his writing. Recall the playful school-age axiom (albeit with a delightfully convenient twist that occured to me!): If A, (noble-minded Author), writes B, (a Book based upon such noble thought), then C, (the Consciousness of the reader of that book) is enobled too. For, they all tap into, and parktake of, one higher stream of consciousness (and, after all science is stating this is so. But, before science even existed as a discipline, spiritual sages taught likewise)....

Building A Noble World-- although it covers much exploratory ground that might seem too various, or perhaps in some other way, too particularized to a special audience (in the eyes of the casual reader)-- nevertheless, has a way of weaving it all together, and arriving at the heart of the matter. Like the concept of a hologram, readers can extrapolate the whole throughout all the diverse sections of this book-- (e.g. in the homage the author pays to great beings of wisdom at the forefront of human evolution, the inspiring quotes, the inter-lacing of historical events of certain cultures, the sharing of his personal account of the transformational inner journey, etc.)--we come to recognize a cohesive element that pervades all. And, this essential unifying principle which the author repeatedly illustrates, is both touchstone and challenge for humanity-- to achieve such a level of unity amidst all the turbulence and seemingly disparate (and often desperate) realities of our post-modern world.

This touchstone, the attaining of profound inner wisdom, may just be humanity's saving grace. For, if we as individuals, can recognize and embody the power of this simple truth-- i.e., "Nothing and on-one is different from me. If I help my self, I help others; if I harm myself, I harm others"-- then, this very helping, this realization of the "Golden Rule" once more, this very enobling process, will indeed bring about a peace-filled world. One built upon compasssion arising from the recognition of our essential unity. This is what Mr. Jhawar's book holds up for examination, in a most succinct and illuminating way.

Building A Noble World, throughout its pages-- inspires and challenges us to ask ourselves, not only what it means to be a human being, but also, how we can embody the forthcoming realizations in ourselves, and then in the world. That is, to live our daily lives within the framework of a higher consciousness, that allows us to achieve awareness of our motives for everything we think, say, and do. For example, we believe we all want "peace" in this world. Yet, truly, how are we all going to have this "world peace", unless we each and every one of us, becomes peaceful (peace-filled) within ourselves, first and foremost? This, I understand to be the essential message of this aptly-titled book. How we ourselves can "build" this noble world we long for-- by providing the "scaffolding" of a higher consciousness within ourselves.

I highly commend Shiv Jhawar for courageously sharing his noble thinking about Life with us; the result being, this book, which is at once, emminently straightforward and "do-able", while at the same time, profound in its grasp of a great spiritual basis for human existence. He has my gratitude also-- for reminding me of this divine and human birthright-- which challenges me to reclaim my soul's highest responsibility. To deeply realize, in my mind and heart, and practice in my daily live, the truth that...all is One.

I urge everyone to read this uplifiting and enlightening book. Become inspired by it, and live by that awakened inspiration. Then surely, world unity and peace will become a reality...much sooner than we can ever hope to imagine.

Gargi (Stephanie) Sweas
Chicago, IL
August/ 2005

A spiritual page-turner! Shiv Jhawar's Building a Noble World is a unique blend of history lesson on human relations, introduction to Yoga, memoir of a spiritual awakening and proposal to unify the planet.

Mr. Jhawar shares his plan for creating a noble world, beginning with personal inner peace achieved through meditation. The author illustrates many complex concepts in simple but elegant prose, enlightening readers with quotes from spiritual masters and tales that support Jhawar's practical solutions for a World in crisis.

Building a Noble World is a tome that should be required reading for those yearning for change--both personal and political.

It is extremely rare to find such a wealth of knowledge in one small book. The book, "Building a Noble World", is more like a "capsule"-- reading one small, easy to understand handbook instead of reading fifty complex books.Understanding the information offered inthis little pocket book can enhance GLOBAL PEACE when violence and terrorism has becomre so common.It is a breath of fresh air. I strongly recommend this insightful, inspiring, and educational book that offers practical spirituality for solving problems at both personal and global levels. When one understands the wisdom offered in the book, one experiences the inner transformation and peace.This book may not add years to your life, but it will certainly add value to your life."

-- Harish S Jhaveri,MD;DABR;DMR
Galveston, TX, USA

This book is very unique and interesting. One would only know by reading it. One of the interesting aspects it has is quotes from most noble people in world like Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, and many more. This book also emphasizes on yoga, spirituality, and meditation for people who are interested in it. It talks great deal about peace, politics, religion, and culture. I truly enjoyed this astonishing book and gained variety of info. I also recommended this book to my friends, co-worker, and to many others. It will make anyone feel like doing something special. Everyone should read this great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Building a Noble World is one of the most splendid and thought - provoking books written in recent times. The author, Shiv R. Jhawar, has an innate talent of explaining the most complex ideologies and terms in a way that is easy for any average person to understand. There are very few people who have known and experienced spirituality in its truest sense, and upon reading Mr. Jhawar's personal experience, one can easily conclude that the author is one of them.

This book has tremendously helped me understand the true meaning of spirituality. It has also helped me in removing the preconceptions and false assumptions I had regarding spirituality. Many people erroneously believe that spirituality is the same thing as religion. According to the author, spirituality is not as same as religion. The main goal of spirituality is to realize one's inner being through meditation. All the divine powers lie inside an individual, and to realize that, is what spirituality is all about.

Mr. Jhawar has made it very clear that the only way one can attain outer peace is by experiencing inner peace. This can be done only through meditation and yoga. People might think that meditation and yoga are for saints who sit in caves and forests and are away from the worldly life, but this is not true. In fact, mediation and yoga is for everyone, because every individual has right to attain inner peace. Most modern people may find mediation not appealing, but after reading Building a Noble World, they would certainly realize the importance of it.

Mr. Jhawar has quoted world renowned figures (Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, and others) and spiritual masters (Vivekananda, Rama Tirtha, Yogananda, Muktananda, and others) in his book, which makes the book all the more interesting to read. The author not only has written about spirituality, but also has given his views and practical solutions on the most pressing global problems of today. He has effectively combined spirituality with politics. Many people might think that spiritual people remain aloof from today's problems; they will surely find themselves wrong once they read this book. After reading Building a Noble World, one can certainly conclude that Mr. Jhawar is not only a spiritual being but also a practical person.

In the midst of adversity and poverty in today's world, the book comes as a ray of light and hope, allowing us to experience true happiness within ourselves. Building a Noble World is for everyone irrespective of their race, culture, religion and background. It is about unity and peace. It is indeed, in its true sense, a must read book for everyone seeking permanent happiness and peace.

Since my cancer diagnosis four years ago, I have been given and have bought dozens of books about coping with cancer. This book was by far the most helpful to me. It does exactly what it says it does. It keeps patients organized and informed. It helped me so much to see how other people cope with everything from treatment side effects, to making plans, to communicating needs--- everything. I would give this to anyone who has just been newly diagnosed-- or who loves someone who is newly diagnosed.

This book has been an invaluable resource to me as I navigate the maze of lung cancer material, treatment options, clinical trials, etc. Joanie has done a fabulous job of covering every topic, no matter how painful, from begining to end of this painful journey. Three of my family members also have the book so we can all refer to it prior to treatment and for questions that arise. I highly recommend the book.

I bought the Cancer Patient's Workbook for myself when my colon cancer reoccured. It has been so valuable to me that now I give a copy to friends, family or aquaintances whenever they receive that dreadful diagnosis.

As newly diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer with spread to the brain I found The Cancer Patients Workbook to be the best one- stop source of information I have discovered.

Everything from what to expect from treatment side-effects to experimental treatments is covered as well as great material on coping with the diagnosis of cancer.

I would highly recommend the book to anyone looking for a way to deal with the beast that is cancer.

I bought this book for my mother the week following her diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer. This book was a blessing in the early days of diagnosis. It offered hope and guidance. Joanie Willis provides excellent information on nutrition, diet, exercise and vitamins which doctors often don't address. We have used many of her suggestions and have found them helpful as we, as a family, battle this disease. Ms. Willis also provides hope which you need after receiving devastating news. I would recommend this book to not only patients, but family members. This is the first book I would recommend to family members after their loved one receives a diagnosis.

A voracious reader I thought I finished the Russian classics when I completed Cancer Ward and the First Circle having devoured Crime and Punishment and War and Peace years before. Not so . Victor Serge has it all :the prose of Tolstoy, the impending doom of Dosteyesky and the currency of the Stalin era. Don't miss this one. FPB Ann Arbor

A repressive shadow looms over the destiny of these men of all age, beliefs, and ranks ... insidious terror creeps into those innocent minds and their lives ends before they know it or before their hearts stopped beating. Some vainly fight back, some don't, but all are hopeless.
The implacable and revengeful wave of the Soviet rotten bureaucracy destroys the life of innocent men. When tyranny and deception shutters the greatest hope of and for humanity, one ought to question if it had to be that way.

This book is amazing for its ability to communicate the intimate thoughts of the characters and employ beautiful prose to describe the physical settings in which the action takes place, without abandoning the larger narrative. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Soviet history or literature. I read it after reading several other books on the period, and felt that they were an excellent preparation for this one (The Unquiet Ghost - Hochschild, Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar - Montefiore, The Gulage Archipeligo), but even without the background this is a fantastic read.

in time the mind will make chains snap." Victor Serge.

Victor Serge's novel "The Case of Comrade Tulayev" is set in the Soviet Union in the late 1930s, long before "the chains wore out." It is a classic and haunting look at Soviet society during an era of party purges, show trials, and executions that deserves a place of honor on any reading list that also includes Arthur Koestler's "Darkness at Noon", George Orwell's "1984" and Vasily Grossman's "Forever Flowing" .

Serge, born in Brussels in 1890 to Russian emigre parents, returned to Russia early in 1919 in order to support the newly created Soviet Union. He served as both a writer and journalist. However, Serge was one of the first of the old-line revolutionaries to oppose Stalin's concentration of power. He was arrested, expelled from the party, released, and arrested again. Finally, in 1936 after a public campaign by leading European political and literary figures, Serge was released and deported to France. He eventually found his way to Mexico where he died, penniless, in 1947.

The Case of Comrade Tulayev mirrors in some respects the murder of Sergei Kirov that set off Stalin's first great purge beginning in 1934. The story begins with the almost accidental murder of a leading member of the Central Committee, Comrade Tulayev by a disaffected clerk. The Chief (Serge's allusion to Stalin) immediately commences a round of purges, investigations, show trials and executions. The rest of the book takes us on a chapter-by-chapter account of a group of individuals caught up in the aftermath of the murder. Each individual represents a different component of Soviet society, from the lowly clerk to the high-ranking party functionary to the `oppositionist' already living in exile in Siberia.

Serge paints an intimate, vivid picture of each individual as they meet their fate. Like a storm at seas these people can see the storm on the horizon but they all seem powerless to either flea. They are swept up and prepared for show trials. The only option available to each is their ability to fight the omnipotent forces that want them to admit to crimes they did not commit and to implicate others in these same acts. The power of Serge's writing lies in his examination of the inner lives of his protagonists and their reasons for either accepting this fate or fighting to retain some shred of inner dignity. The outcome of each protagonist's story provides a cross section of human responses ranging from cringing supplication to death-defying resistance. The story of Ryzshik, the exiled oppositionist is particularly haunting. As with the others, he knows what is expected of him but he chooses to starve himself to death rather than confess to some non-existent crime.

The Case of Comrade Tulayev is most often compared to Koestler's Darkness at Noon. Although the comparison is very apt there are some critical differences in approach that bear mentioning. Darkness at Noon focuses on the self-reflection of one key player in the creation of the Soviet state, Rubashov. Koestler took one life, Rubashov's, and reflected on his own role (or guilt) in creating the state that was about to murder him. The emotional heart of Darkness at Noon (for me) is whether and why Rubashov would perform one last act for `The State". Serge, takes a broader look at the questions of individual guilt and collective responsibility. I think that by taking this broader look both Serge and the reader begin to think about, if not find a rational explanation for, how a society based on egalitarian ideals can allow itself to be transformed into a compliant, totalitarian state in less than a generation.

Victor Serge's Case of Comrade Tulayev is an excellent piece of writing. Highly recommended. L. Fleisig

Most of the other reviews of this book are right on the money and more articulate than I could be, so I won't try to repeat them. But I will say that I found this book to be a compelling piece of work; a classic. I never quite appreciated the depth of dysfunction, even depravity, of the Soviet system. It bewilders me that such an abomination took place in my lifetime. It frightens me that it could happen again. I just finished reading about the Spanish Inquisition, where the same terrible mechanics were perpetrated on the Spanish. Whether the motivating spark is political ideology or religious orthodoxy, demented societies like this can spring up like mushrooms. Communism was a massive crime upon the Russian people. And it provides little satisfaction that the criminals were often the victims of their own crimes. A devastating but outstanding book!

Great book, read it everyday. Us Coasties sometimes forget the basics. Read it well and read it often.

I took this book and showed it to my recruiter and he said that it's weight in gold, and that after I was done reading it I woul be ahead of everybody else.

It teaches about ROTC and the uniforms during your hopefull coast guard career. It also teaches all the necessary tools you need to be in the coast guard.

I am in the Coast Guard myself and when I was in boot camp they even handed out copies of this book to us to learn what we needed to know about the USCG. It covers everything from a brief history to customs and courtesies and to Maritime Law Enforcement. It talks about the different knots we use and how to properly tie the knot. There's history on the USCG's uniforms and the different ships we use to the different jobs that we offer. It's a great book for all and I even find myself at times referring to it whenever I need to know something! So I recommend it for anyone who is entering the Coast Guard, looking to up their seamanship skills or just want a refresher!

I was issued one of these in boot camp back in 79. As a American Legion Commander now, I needed to know how to properly handle a weapon while marching and doing drills. Darn I wish I had of keep it. But I ordered the latest edition and see it is still the great manual it always was and still has the commands and the examples of how to do proper manual of arms.

This was the first of Priscilla's books that I came in contact with and I was pleasantly surprised and I got impressed later on in the book. Impressed because it isn't often that you find an American author that cites an old Swedish song. One that just so happens my parents sung to me as a child and that I've always loved highly. Being a Swede that has never crossed the ocean in that direction, I found it very helpful to read her books to get just a little peek into the native American people, that you see in various films all the time and hear quite a bit about, but never this personal. I am grateful for this chance to look into their ceremonies closely and get inside another persons experience with them, from both a native American and a non-native American perspective.
That on one hand and then Priscilla being a psychologist and writing about a western psychologist's meeting with these traditions and ceremonies, was superb to me.

So different but yet so familiar.
-Yes, she's got it all covered so well, that although Meggie recons these things are all knew and she has her own beliefs, because of her psychological education you can not help but feel that what is happening in this book is all very usual and every-day kind of things. Priscilla deals with all of Meggies questions and therefor she also deals with my own questioning as a reader. The feeling, a long time after reading her book is that it is perfectly normal and nothing out of the ordinary going on in it. Not all psychologists manage to make me feel at such ease with things the way Priscilla does, which is an excellent skill. The skill of integrating a western type of societal hierarchy with tribalism. That and Christianity along with naturalistic belief's without to much of a clutch can really be something to master.

This was a very good book, a book hard to put down. The characters are your friends and you want to keep them in your life. If you want to another read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.

Many thanks to Priscilla Cogan for writing this beautiful book continuing to weave the story of Winona, Meggie O'Connor and Hawk. Not only is this a wonderful love story, but a story that allows the reader to learn about beautiful Lakota traditions.

I fell in love with this book and didn't want it to end. It was a story of relationships at many different levels. The growing love between Meggie and Hawk, the Lakota wisdom Winona shared with her Grandson Adam, and the struggling relationship between Wynona and her daughter Lucy, who in many ways rejected her Lakota heritage. It was simply beautiful, and I couldn't put it down.

If reviews had a 10-star rating, that would be my pick for Compass of the Heart.

Priscilla Cogan has brought us the second title in the Winona Trilogy, the first being WINONA'S WEB. Although reading COMPASS doesn't really reveal anything that would ruin it for the reader if she chooses to read it first, I would still recommend finding WINONA'S WEB and reading it before COMPASS.

The story is a contemporary romance and takes place on the Indian Reservations in Northwest Michigan. Winona Pathfinder is an elderly medicine woman who knows she is dying. She calls in her younger cousin Hawk, who she has been teaching and tells him to gather the family. The family is her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. As the family tries to communicate in this sad and awkward time, the author lets us hear what each one is really thinking although tradition and manners has them saying something different. We learn Winona's daughter is as much a woman of the present as her mother is of the past. And one of her grandchildren will someday carry on the tradition. Hawk is surprised when she tells him to give her social pipe to a white woman named Meggie. Meggie is a psychologist who attempted to treat Winona and convince her she wasn't dying, instead Winona taught Meggie about the earth and spiritual world. Hawk is even more surprised when Winona asks him to watch over Meggie. Hawk has dedicated his life to his people and he feels to love a white woman would be a betrayal, yet here is the wise woman he left the South Dakota Reservation for, telling him to watch over the one white woman he already fights temptation with, Meggie O'Connor.

The reader will be drawn into the enchanting world of Indian life; its myths, its beliefs. And they will see how our American Indians must balance their past with their present. The glimpse into their version of the afterworld is captivating. I think we all can learn from the different traditions and methods of other cultures. Priscilla Cogan shows a side of the Indian culture that is both mesmerizing and fascinating. Also, take notice of the Glossary of Lakota words at the back of the book.

Look for the first award-winning book in this trilogy, WINONA'S WEB, to become a movie in the year 2000.

As in psychologist Priscilla Cogan's debut novel, "Winona's Web," which was praised for its noteworthy depiction of Native American beliefs and customs, Compass Of The Heart, also invites readers into a world of little known rituals. This is a place where individuals struggle to
maintain tradition amid America's homogeneous secularity, and where spirits of the dead materialize to instruct, advise, or sometimes tease.

With a cross-cultural romance as her springboard, the author probes the minds and hearts of those with one foot in the past and another in the present. A practitioner of Native American rituals, such as pipe and sweat-lodge ceremonies, Ms. Cogan is an Irish-American who joins her Cherokee husband to teach workshops pertaining to these healing practices. Thus, she brings an informed eye to her novel's setting.

Hawk, a medicine man, has come to upstate Michigan, "to the tiny Ojibway and Ottawa reservation of Peshawbestown" to study with Winona, an aged teacher. She not only instructs but tells him of her imminent death, saying it is time for her spirit to go home. Winona asks that Hawk give her pipe to a divorced psychologist, Meggie O'Connor, who employs him as a part-time handyman. When Hawk protests that she is a white woman, Winona replies, "She is a woman of good heart."

A divorcee of 40, Meggie is attracted to Hawk, and they soon become lovers. To the obvious chagrin of other tribespeople Hawk invites Meggie to be a doorkeep at an inipi, a therapeutic sweat lodge ceremony for which the men gather in a hut heated by steam from water poured on red hot stones, believing that the excessive perspiration washes away "that which was false and unclean." It is also at this inipi that Hawk receives instructions from a former teacher, now dead and living in the Spirit world.

It is at such a point that those with less than an avid interest in the minutia of ritual may feel the story's pace flounders, as plot turns to podium for the advocacy of the author's beliefs.

Nonetheless, the blossoming relationship between Hawk and Meggie is truncated by the unexpected arrival of beautiful Rising Smoke, the medicine man's ex-wife. As old desires reawaken, Hawk believes himself to be in love with two women. To further complicate matters, Meggie discovers she is pregnant.

Winona, meanwhile, is caught between worlds, awaiting with impatience her new life as she observes the interplay between Hawk and the white psychologist. Disgruntled with the people "Back There," Winona mutters of Hawk, "What he needs is a good kick in the butt," and hisses to Meggie, "Go fight for your man! She (Winona) never could understand white people with all their confusion about what was important."

Only a return to his former home and the ministrations of another teacher enable Hawk to choose between the two women. Discarded again, Rising Smoke wrecks vengeance on an unsuspecting Meggie.

Alternating narrative voices, among which are Fritzi, a white furred terrier, proves to be cumbersome. While peripheral characters whose motivation is unclear, and whose plights are left largely unresolved tends to puzzle.

However, there is much to be learned about Native American tradition in Compass Of The Heart, and Meggie's Thanksgiving toast is a valuable reminder: "I would like us to remember that people of different races can come together, help each other, teach each other, and celebrate their differences.....Rooted in this continent, the native people taught and continue to teach respect for the land and all its inhabitants, the truth that we are all in this Creation together."

- Gail Cooke

Very good book. One of the few places you will a lot of trees published

I own and operate a nursery using both of these books as a primary resource when purchasing conifers from growers. When customers refer to these books at our library, they comment on how beautiful the many conifers are available. My only wish the book had w/b zone hardiness and growth habit. Buy it. ProGardens, Inc. East Amherst, New York.

This set of 2 books has an enormous amount of photographs. In fact, what is meant by an Illustrated Encyclopedia is that it is composed solely of photographs. There is no text other than the captions. Photograph quality is generally good, although some are of juvenille specimens and don't show mature form. It is also clear that culture plays a large part in the mature form in many cases, and it would be nice to show various specimens rather than just one. Still, this is an essential resource to have in your library if you want to know about garden conifers. You'll just need additional resources as well.

Two world authorities compiled this outstanding conifer book featuring 2347 excellent, sharp photos reproduced beautifully on high quality paper. Each picture was taken at the proper distance to show the tree's outstanding detail. Captions are a sentence or two with location often included. For detail use a good companion book such as the Manual of Cultivated Conifers by Krussmann. Imperative for landscapers and a joy for tree lovers -- a bargain at the cover price. A quality book clearly at the top of my list of favorites.

pictures are great !!butlacks the necessary info on growing,care,climate zones&changes of sasons on the plants.but i love it for all it's visual contents

This is an excellent book to enrish your marriage and/or to help couples who are considering ymarriage to have a deep understanding of marriage. Emma Haggarty

Waiss makes controversial statements -- statements that will make you say, "How could he believe that?" And then he goes on to show why, and by the end, you say, "Why didn't I believe that before?"

Also, it's well formatted, so you can read what you want to read and skip what you don't. But there's not much you'll want to skip. And he answers most questions that people ask.

This book smoothly facilitates discussions between parents and their teens on healthy relationships and the role of sex in dating and how both affect marriage. Easy read, written in colloquial style-explores and answers issues from the secular males' perspective.
Note to Catholics; good intro on the basics of Theology of the Body.

Fr. John Waiss' "Couples in Love" is a solid, clear presentation of Catholic teaching on sexuality and related topics. Fr. Waiss grounds his presentation in John Paul II's personalist philosophy, focusing on the intrinsic meaning of sexuality as created by God, which is much more helpful than enumerating lists of "dos and don'ts".

The dialogue format gives the book an engaging, easy-going feel, and yet Waiss is completely faithful to what the church has taught "always, everywhere, and by all". Waiss' great strength is to present Church teaching positively. He calls on the reader's love of God, and emphasizes the abundant life to be had by living in correspondence to God's design for human sexuality. As I read the book, I was inspired.

The dialogues are composites drawn from Fr. Waiss' pastoral experience, so they have an "authentic" feel to them, although at times "Margie" and "Sam" seem to accept "Fr. JP's" input a bit easier than I would expect in "real life" (I am sure this is mainly due to space considerations, and the fact that in "real life", there would be a lot more repetition and restatement than would be tolerable in a book).

While the main focus of the book is in the first three-quarters, focusing on sexuality, marriage, and dating, the final section on vocation (and the discernment thereof) presents valuable insights that don't get much "airplay" these days. Thanks to Fr. Waiss for including them.

This is a solid book, and I highly recommend it for teens or twenty-somethings dating and/or thinking of marriage, their parents and youth ministers, and to anyone who wants to clearly and faithfully understand what the Church teaches us about our sexuality.

With his newest book Couples in Love: Straight Talk on Dating, Respect, Commitment, Marriage and Sexuality (Crossroad Publishing Company, November 2003, paperback, 224 pages), author John R. Waiss has provided a valuable primer for committed couples looking to live in conjunction with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church with respect to the theology of the body. Written in dialogue format, the book covers the many delicate, yet crucial issues that confront young couples in relationships.

Based on his many years of counseling couples, Fr. Waiss introduces Margie (recently returned to practicing her Catholic faith) and Sam (raised Jewish and perplexed by his girlfriend's refusal to be sexually intimate with him prior to marriage). Sam is committed to his relationship with Margie and suggests a visit and conversation with her parish priest, the popular and highly regarded Father JP, who is involved with preparing young couples for marriage. Sam and Margie open their hearts to Father JP, asking many hard questions on topics ranging from the meaning of love and marriage, to contraception, to learning to communicate and much more.

Couples in Love provides a comprehensive, yet approachable and enjoyable overview of the Church's teachings. Written from the perspective that human sexuality is "an affirmation of love", the book presents its subject manner in a kind, loving and non-judgmental fashion. The book's Foreword, written by Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, underscores the importance of Couples in Love as a helpful tool for not only learning Church teaching, but also for exploring the reasons behind those teachings.

This text marks the beginnings of modern linguistics, and is a must for any linguistic bookshelf. This text is, surprisingly, somewhat difficult to find in bookstores, so I was happy to find this affordable copy at Amazon. I recommend this book, along with Bloomfield's Language, to anyone interested in the structuralist foundations of contemporary linguistics.

If you need to know the foundation of structuralism then you need to read this book. This is where it all begins and the translation of this edition flows well and is perfect for the beginner and novice alike.

One problem with this translation that potential readers should be aware of: If you are reading this to get a better understanding of the terms used by structuralists (signifier and signified) then you need to get the other version. This edition uses the words signification and signal.

Although the rest of text is fine, the exclusion of signifier and signified is, I believe, the only major drawback to the book since these were the terms adopted by structuralist and post-structuralist.

The thirties of the last century cradled the birth and growth of structuralist Linguistcs in many horizons like phonology ,grammar , etc ... and if we were about to ask who embraced that stream , we would - undebatably - find the name of Ferdinand De Saussure.

This fine book of his explained his structural approach to language and established a series of theoretical distinctions that have become basic to the study of linguistics.

Saussure made a differentiation between the (actual speech) or what we call a spoken language ,and the knowledge underlying speech that speakers share about (what is) grammatical.
For Saussure speech represents instances of grammar and the mission of the linguist is to find the underlying rules of a particular language from examples found in speech.
this is different than the descriptivist's p.o.v ,since the structuralist sees grammar as a set of relationships that account for speech ,rather than a set of instances of speech.

Once you grasp the main concepts of this oeuvre you can go further by reading Bloomfield's works on Structuralism.

This book comprised from lecture notes of Saussure to his students in Geneva (compiled posthumously by his students) is a work which changed the course of lingustics since its publication. In this book he makes distinctions which have later become central to discussions of linguistics like:

1. Sign as the unity of signifier (letters, sounds, image) and signified (meaning implied by the signifier)
2. Language (langage) as the unity of langue (code - language as a system) and parole (usage)
3. Syncrhonic (language as static system) and diachronic lingustics (langauge as an ever changing, evolving system)
4. Retrospective (language evolution so far) and prospective linguistics (future evolution of a language).

Many linguists have added a cloud of debate over these concepts, but non explains as lucidly as the master who propounded these. For those confused bout semiotics, semiology etc., this work is a reference point for the original meaning of the term 'semiology' as intended by Saussure. Many of Saussure's binary distinctions became the central to an approach to social sciences called structuralism which still holds sway in social sciences.

Ferdinand De Saussure was well known as the father of modern literary structuralism, but he was also an avid lover of the modern sausage! De Saussure, "the sausage" (as his good friends called him) was a fun loving linguist.

Very easy to use to create lesson plans for children's yoga programs. Give a lot of good ideas for a start to finish class.

This well-thought out book shows so many pictures of kids of all ethnic backgrounds having fun doing yoga that any mom would be enthralled. The pictures are fluid; the children are happy; the poses look natural. It makes you want to get on the floor and try a pose, too.

Most of the yogis who attend our yoga studio have children and are always looking for ways to interest their children in yoga. While we offer Family Yoga and Kids Yoga, the demand for "more for the children"
continues. This book offers parents and yoga teachers a way to easily introduce yoga into the lives of our children, and it does so in a presentation that is at once simple, fun, and delightful! I am confident this book will be on my shelves at the studio, so that when parents clamor for more kids yoga, I can recommend this book!

"It feels like the authors have emptied their hearts to share the beauty of yoga with children, teachers, and parents. There is so much richness in the book. The relaxation techniques at the end of the book are amazing. One of my 11 year old students said the other day, I love Yoga because it begins with you are beautiful and perfect not that you are bad and wrong. My heart dances when people like Yael and Matthew take their time and energy to serve children and graciously and generously share so much."
Sheryl Edsall, Director of Naturally Yoga in New Jersey and creator of Barefoot Kids Yoga.

Create a Yoga Practice for Kids
By Yael Calhoun and Matthew Calhoun
Illustrations by Carol Anne Coogan

Best children's yoga book on the market today. Excellent descriptions, delightful illustrations. The big secret is, it has not only made Hatha Yoga fun, joyful, interesting for children, it is an excellent resource book for parents and yoga teachers. I used some partner yoga ideas immediately in my adult classes, touching the ageless child within us all. Great job Matthew and Yael. BRAVO!

Lilias Folan
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