Ross Books

Scholarly, shy Leopold Fisher is drafted into the Army of the Third Reich. Because of his Sanskrit studies, he's attached to a regiment of Indian soldiers-followers of Chandra Bose. He's captured by the allies when his regiment surrenders and is almost repatriated with the Indians. Instead, he waits in a POW camp and makes his own way to India in 1946.
He adopts the path of a sannyasid and tries to 'become' Hindu. The process doesn't discourage his enthusiasm, but causes him to hold it at a certain emotional arm's length.
His account of his time in India is not particularly romantic and is in fact a bit wry. It has angered some devout Hindus who accuse him of airing dirty laundry, but it is also highly respected by others who appreciate what Fisher-now Agehananda Bharati-had to offer their tradition.
Bharati ended his days as a professor of anthropology at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

Although this book is out of print, amzon could find me a copy.

Agehananda was an Austrian, who became a Hinud monk in India and a professor of philosophy after the second world war and who remained in India for ten or fifteen years. He's a very intellectual person who also spoke several indian languages, including Sanskrit. Contrary to the usual spiritual seeker, he tried to understand and criticaly analyze everything he encountered in in India or Hinduism. Naturally he made some enimies, but also friends.

The book is very valuable for giving one insider information from the monk's life, without any of the usual covering of not so good things. So one learns about the Ramakrishna order as well as about the sannyasi's life and about the Indian philosophical education. The information provided here is now forty to fifty years old, and some of it may be of rather historical value, but of value never the less.

This Austrian author's interest in Hinduism was ignited through some of his readings and that changed the course of his life..visiting India..learning Sanskrit..teaching Philosophy in a University and finally undertaking a 1500 mile journey by foot..seeking mantropadesa for conversion into Hinduism,getting rebuffed by several religious orders..and finally succeeding..it is a fascinating and authentic account of some unknown and important tenets of a way of life called Hinduism.

Countries have a long history of ingratitude towards those who save them from peril. This book, in fictional form, was the first part of a planned trilogy detailing how the Polish army under King Jan Sobieski rescued the Western world from the encroachment of the Turks, by relieving the siege of Vienna in 1683. Without that victory, our entire history would probably have changed. What thanks did Poland receive for this tremendous accomplishment? It was dismembered by the very countries it had saved!
Sienkiewicz was a fine writer, unfortunately nearly unknown in these times. This is a robust work, but there is a dominant theme of patriotism infusing his characters. Rarely is love of country shown so clearly as in this work. It is also a love story, and a well-told one at that. The book has Sienkiewicz's usual elements: star-crossed lovers, strudy and loyal heroes, hissable villans, and characters who offer welcome comic relief. The writing is a bit old fashioned at times, but the patriotic feeling with which it was written practically leaps off the page at you. This book is much shorter than Sienkiewicz's other works that I have read, but its brevity does not diminish its impact.

This book is written beautifully and patriotically, you find yourself wanting to postpone evrything around you so can immerse you totally in the book
a well written novel by the master story teller sienkiewicz
definatly a keeper you will read it again
Have a good day

First of all, as much as I love this book, I'd suggest that the first Henryk Sienkiewicz book a person should read be either Quo Vadis or With Fire and Sword. They are long but worth it. This book - incredible as it is - is almost just a fragment compared with the giant scale and spirit of his other books that I've read. Even so, it is head and shoulders above most literature in so many ways.

You really get a sense of the times from Sienkiewicz, and this book is no exception. The descriptions of the armies and the countryside and the people in them establish a very concrete setting. Even so, Sienkiewicz infuses everything in the book with thematic relevance, but it is all done so very subtly that only gradually does the reader cumulatively percieve what the author wants him to understand. This must have been very difficult to accomplish, but he makes it seem effortless.

All the characterizations are centered on ideals and you come to know the people in the story through what they stand for and do. It hardly matters what any character's goal is. What's important here is the idealism and purity - or lack thereof - with which they pursue those goals. The heroes are extremely idealized, and the villians are predatory and evil. The "damsel in distress" is not typecast as a ditz. She is a full participant in the action - almost the main character - and her nobility is played off to great advantage against the trials she goes through. It's hard to resist such larger than life portrayals. Plus, the action is fast paced and always interesting.

Admitedly, this novel was the first of a planned trilogy that Sienkiewicz never completed and it shows a little. On the Field of Glory stands on its own, but it is still just a first act. Jacek's character is probably developed more fully in what would have been book two. In On the Field of Glory, we see powerful, passionate people who are being swept up into a greater conflict, but we do not get to see that greater conflict.

An excellent book that stands on its own, but it's a great loss to world literature that Sienkiewicz couldn't complete the trilogy!

I ordered this book from Amazon,the book started out a bit slow but I was soon to find myself not being able to put it down.I think anyone who reads it will find what a well put together book this is,a must read!

I picked this book up in a book store in Scotland. I am a big fan of Braveheart and the William Wallace Story. This part guide book part travel essay is a great way to read about and follow the history of Wallace. Fans of William Wallace should also check out a website this author is associated with. Its something like "mcbraveheart.com" Again, if you are planning to visit scotland and love Braveheart, get this little enjoyable book. You will be glad you did.

I think this ia a great book for those who want to learn a quick history of William wallace, as well as a guid to memorials in Scotland. For those who are planning a trip to Scotland, and also are intrested in the story of William Wallace I recomend this book. I also recomend trying to find it at a local bookstor instead because I bought mine for $14.99 brand new.

Most kids love dinosaurs- well I know my 2 year old son does. . My son loves this book! Nice simple illustrations, good text with nice rhythm to the words. Flaps are pretty sturdy,stand up pretty well to the abuse. Nice little surprise ending to the story. Highly recommend this book for the preschooler.

My son Steven is now seven years old. He has Down Syndrome. This is his favorite book and he knows it by heart. It brings him so much joy.

My 2 1/2 year old loves this book. It is simple and fun

This novel is the last published by Mr. Ross, who unexpectedly died in April 2003. While the story features many futuristic technological ideas and products, it continues the broader theme of his earlier novels Engels Extension, and BTB (his only published e-book) in honoring the spirit of individualism and ornery resistance to statism. And while set in Oregon (Ross's home state), it could easily be located anywhere so this is not just for Northwesterners. I was a personal friend of Ross since the early 1970s, and among his many talents and avocations, I think he most wanted to become a successful novelist. I think this novel accomplished that goal, even though he was working on several others. I do recommend reading his first novel (Engels Extension) prior to this one, but it isn't necessary to get thoroughly transported into his world of intrigue and inventiveness.

I love reading fiction that incorporates up-to-date information about technological advances. For example: electrogravitics; mental states created by magnetic induction; and miniature, insect-like flying machines of which there are already working models.

Ross gives the reader a glimpse into the future. His books are "futur-orical" novels. What you read about is likely to show up in the media sooner or later.

The places too are real. If you'd like to sip a bit of Oregon, Ross provides an entertaining tasting room to enjoy it in.

I also enjoyed Ross's previous books, Engels Extension and Project BTB.

What does the future hold for America? Many have conjectured with
predictable, unlikely speculations. E.G. Ross tackles this question
with verve and imagination, while holding to a plausible story line
that engages the reader. There is no lack of action, intrigue and
subplots to keep a mentally sharp bibliophile happy. Yet there is
more here. One finds a basic questioning of current trends in the
role that government plays in our lives, and a believable projection of
how this might effect us in the near future. The importance of
individual responsibility and freedom is one theme of this thoughtful
novel. Readers will also enjoy the fast pace and technology that add
zest to this excellent adventure.

This is a great book for book-loving kindergarteners. My daughter loves it. We have gone through it several times. She even quotes from it when we start aplying the messages to her life. She remembers the concepts.

Would love to see more books like this from Paw Paw Chuck.

Ted

I've had this book for 3 years and both my children (now aged 5 and 11) still love to hear the stories. The pictures are colorful and enjoyable and the bible stories are well placed in the story themes. The story set up begins with a situation the bear family encounters and then a bible story that relates to that situation is recollected by one of the bears. The last story Heaven Can't Wait will have the reader teary eyed, and is told in such a way that although the child will experience the sadness of death, they will see the victory of eternal life with God. I wish there were more books written of Big Ideas In the Bible. This book makes a great family devotional!

We were on vacation at a friend's. They brought out this book to read for her bedtime story. Well, we had to read 2 of the stories that night. The first thing the next morning, she got the book out again and asked me to read more. While the other kids were out swimming in the pool, she insisted I read her 2 more of the stories. When we got home from vacation, she told me she wanted to use her allowance money and buy a copy of the book herself. The tone of the book is warm and encouraging. The spiritual truths are shared in a beautiful and loving way.

This book is really useful: I play the medieval lute and the 'ud and I found very interesting and helpful the chapters about improvisation and basic theory of the modes.

I really recommend it!

I agree with the other review of this book, the
Bagby article is wonderful in its insight and also
its discouraging the adoption of riffs from contemporary
cultures (a la "world music") while finding inspiration and advice in them. Non-western musical traditions have has its own genius and integrity witout insulting them by pasting them onto western practice. They should be studied for their own worth.
The articles about theory and practice in this book are the most practical I've ever seen in a book on the subject. Following Margriet Tindemans' advice in chapter 34 will definitely get you somewhere.
If you are going to buy only one book on the subject it should be this one. If you are going to buy several, this one should be the first.

This collection of essays attempts to give a fairly complete overview of things we need to know to do a credible job of recreating medieval music, including poetic and dramatic forms, modes, tunings, the ever-elusive question of notation, and specifics about the instruments. This last is particularly helpful when one is moving sideways out of one's own area of expertise (eg, singers wanting to know more about how to direct the instrumentalists in suitable accompaniment textures, lutenists seeking to create a repertoire out of 14th and 15th c vocal forms, sensible people curious about the hurdy gurdy's fall from grace, etc.). Within any given essay are plenty of challenges to commonly received knowledge, with abundant references and citations. Illustrations, though sparing, manage to make departures from the ones usually given. In all, this book is bound to serve as a standard reference for years to come.

For a taste now, if nothing else, anyone involved in recreating medieval music simply must read Benjamin Bagby's essay "Imagining the Early Medieval Harp." He presents a quest, and captures many hints to point to a truly passionate and organic reconstruction of authentic performance practice. Why do we go to such efforts to assemble these hints and scraps of the past? Why would we even think of limiting ourselves to musical instruments barely exceeding an octave? Imagine, with Mr Bagby, the legend of Tristan with his 8-10 stringed harp, described in a 13th c account as "playing such sweet tones and striking the harp so perfecly... that many who stood or sat nearby forgot their own names." This is a possible ideal even today: Read on!

Even more is given in the late Barbara Thornton's interview "The Voice," wherein very specific techniques are shared for cultivating a medieval imagination. Like a language itself, this imagination is also a receptivity to many emotional nuances and inflections that are simply not communicated by any other kind of music.

As Ms Thornton reflected, it was just as hard for a medieval person to gain mastery of medieval tradition as it is for us today. "The building blocks in medieval tradition are known and available." You'll find a treasury of them here.

I loved this novel and all the historical facts are like icing on the cake. I can't wait to walk on the Santa Fe Trail and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I just might see a ghost.

Private investigator Sheila Jones, eager to take on another case, takes a break from her vacation to meet Helen Stoner. Helen is due to receive to a significant share of her mother's estate on her twenty-first birthday. Helen is convinced that her step father plans to kill her before she reaches her birthday as he will become heir if she is not living. Dr. Roylott planned treasure hunts for Helen and her sister as they were growing up and now has planned one for Helen along the Santa Fe Trail as she was completing a thesis on the Trail.

Jones and her partner, Dora Watling, join Stoner in finding the mysterious clues to discover Roylott's scheme in order to prevent the crime and save Helen's life. With each new clue the reader is provided highlights of the historical landmarks, museums, and road markers along the historical Santa Fe Trail through Missouri and Colorado and New Mexico.

I enjoyed the author's frequent inclusion of the words to trail songs, and ethnic folksongs as the trio visited various lodges, family homes and camped along the trail. This gave an additional sense of authenticity to the settings.

Ross is a natural story teller. Like her other books, "Perilous Pursuit on the Santa Fe Trail" is fast moving entertainment sprinkled with interesting accurate stories of the history of Southwestern states and in particular the Santa Fe Trail. This is a compelling story right up to the surprise ending.

This is an excellent book for the mystery lover or the historical enthusiast.

Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (4/06)

Private investigator Sheila James and her assistant, Dora Watling, were on vacation when they received a call for help from Helen Stoner, who fears that her stepfather, Dr. Sydney Roylott, (Sherlock Holmes fans will recognize the Roylott name) may attempt to kill her before her 21st birthday in November. The basis for this fear is the will her wealthy mother wrote shortly before she died, leaving Helen a sizable estate. If for some reason Helen does not live to see her 21st birthday, the money goes to Dr. Roylott.

Dr. Roylott had always made treasure hunts for Helen and her sister when they were growing up, and now he's made up a doozy of a hunt, sending Helen, with James and Watling to provide protection for her, down the Santa Fe Trail from Missouri to New Mexico. Along the way, they meet all manner of interesting characters, including farmers, ranchers, ghosts, snakes and one particularly interesting group headed up by a character called the Trail Boss. Watch out for this group!

Until I read this book, I was not aware that you could actually walk the Santa Fe Trail, following the ruts made by the great wagon trains as they forged this new country. This book is filled with fascinating trivia and the historical references are woven in very neatly, so neatly in fact that you don't even realize you're learning a big slice of American History 101.

I really enjoyed reading this book, which was fast paced and engrossing. I especially enjoyed trying to figure out whether the person being introduced was a real, living person or a fictional character.

I highly recommend "Perilous Pursuit on the Santa Fe Trail."

This book is amazing. It leads one through a clearly stated and easy to follow discussion comparing two recent populist movements. But not only is it political theory, it also has possibly the most romantic dedication, from the author to his wife that has ever been written. A must read for any political enthusiast or even those that couldn't tell H. Ross Perot from an armadillo.

A page-turner on populism. I cannot recommend it enough

Probably the best book on Populism ever written

Step aside Byron, Dryden, and Shelley Words are not enough to describe the great pope, I have read the works of many poets but none come close to Pope. Practically self educated he puts words in such a way and with such wit, that you often feel and say "That is so true, so beautifully described"........ take a minute and contemplate on the below. A great Master
1. Some in search of wisdom, lose their common sense and then turn critics in their own defense.
2. Men deal with their life as children with their play, who first misuse then cast their toys away.
3. Launch not beyond your depth but be discreet , and mark the point were sense and dulness meet.
4. A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong which is but saying, in other words that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

This was concurrently, my introduction to Russian poetry and the poetry of Yevgeny Yevtushenko back in my early 20's. The simple prose style of the translations was appealing to a 20 year old. But since then, many of the poems have become touchstones for my own receeding youth and my Slavic family heritage. The lengthy opening poem, "Zima Junction", tells of Yevteshenko's own youthful days growing up in a small town in Siberia. The final poem, "People", affirms the spirituality of life without a single reference to religion. "Encounter" describes a chance encounter of Yevtushenko with Hemingway in Copenhagen. ("It was the very image of Hemingway. Later I heard that it was Hemingway.") "Babiy Yar" is perhaps, the most famous poem in the collection. It describes the slaughter of Russian Jews by the Nazis and the collusion of the antisemite Soviet regime. The last few lines of this poem are some of the most moving I have ever read.
"No Jewish blood runs among my blood,
but I am as bitterly and hardily hated by every anti-semite as if I were a Jew. By this I am a Russian."

When I first started reading this collection, I thought that eighteenth century poetry was dry and inferior to later forms of literature, especially when compared with the innovations of the twentieth century. After delving deeply into some of Pope's major poems, I realized how wrong I was. Pope's wit was astounding, and he was a true poetic genius in his ability to capture concepts and arguments in beautifully rendered images and metaphors. His abilities are best summarized in these famous lines from his "Essay on Criticism": "True wit is nature to advantage dressed, / What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed."

I was often surprised by Pope's ability to articulate ideas that had occurred to me, but I was never able to articulate myself. It is a testament to Pope's insight into the human condition that his lines still ring true three hundred years since their first appearance. The subtle, complex ideas found in his poetry will expand your thoughts in ways you never though possible, especially if you have never experienced poetry from this period before.

For me, some of the highlights from this collection are "The Rape of the Lock", a beautifully detailed mock-epic steeped in the material culture of the eighteenth century; "Windsor Forest", a topographical poem that encodes and critiques the history of England in a description of its landscape; "Epistle to Burlington", a stinging criticism of "false taste"; and "Eloisa to Abelard", an emotionally wrenching letter of tragic medieval romance. For those interested in the writing and critiquing of literature (admittedly, not everyone), the brilliant "Essay on Criticism" will be the standout piece here, with its vast complexities and beautiful imagery. Furthermore, the detailed notes in the back of this edition should fill you in on any historical or literary references that will assist in your interpretation of the poems.

This edition is an amazing introduction to the poetry of one of the greatest writers in the English language, and a good first step into a fascinating period of literature. Don't be afraid! Read this book!