Smith Books

I entered that book because it had a chapter on religion. And I was tremendously disappointed. It only considered approaches from western philosophers like Edward B. Tylor and his five phases of development of the religious attitude, an attitude finding its origin in animism, F. Max Muller and his approach from naturism, Emile Durkheim and his opposition of the sacred and the profane, Bronislaw Malinovski and his vision of a compensation in front of death, Talcott Parsons and his understanding of religion as mental patterns giving meaning to the unexplainable, Karl Marx reduced to a marxian approach and his conception that religion is part and parcel of exploitation, justifies it when it is being developed and justifies it when it is established. The book is ironic in this vision as being a victorian vision : the man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high and lowly, and ordered their estate. It becomes somewhat more interesting when it considers religion as knowledge, hence part of a culture with Berger and Luckmann, but it does not go very far though. Max Weber and his connection of ascetic protestantism and the development of capitalism is standard. I personally think that it is the necessity to accumulate means to develop the economy that required from religion to justify the ensuing everyday ascetism. But the chapter is defective because it does not see that religion - and philosophy - are two of the greatest inventions of humanity before the emergence of science. Religion originated in old prehistoric groups but it is still here, and here to stay, in spite of all because one dimension has been neglected : sipirituality. Man is a spiritual being who tries to explain and plan the future. Spirituality has been heavily rejected in western societies. We can see the results, including the refusal to consider that globalization negates spirituality and thus is a full force agression on some masses of people who are then rejected into a fundamentalistic attitude. In fact, the cause of this shortcoming is that the authors did not take Claude Lévi-Strauss into account who did not study religion but mythologies and the conclusion that comes from him is that there will always be mythologies because man is spirituality. Of course it did not take into account Buddhism which is a « religious » philosophy without any god. The book is western-centered.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Université Paris Dauphine, Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne

While going through the book in1986, I often wondered if a more comprehensive, lucid and well-researched book could ever be written on the subject. My conviction still remains strong after all these years. This book is quite different from the usual introductory books on sociology meant for college fresher, which come packaged with pictures, photographs, case studies, box items and rather oversized glossaries of terms. Here, the whole gamut of sociology is presented by placing relevant theories side by side, which are often in stark contrast with each other. For example, the liberal perspective which hopes that `the expansion of education will also reduce inequality in society,' is followed by a jarring Marxian argument that the educational system is a `gigantic myth-making machine which serves to legitimate inequality.' These contradictions and shifts in the theories provide adequate clarity to the reader, rendering unnecessary any further intervention by the author.

All the seminal contributions of pioneers like Durkheim, Weber, Redcliffe-Brown, Parsons, Merton and Marx, and modern perspectives of sociologists like Michael F.D.Young, Edmund Leach and R.D.Laing are explained in a succinct manner. Apart from the various sociological perspectives, vital areas like social stratification, power and politics, poverty, education, organisation, family, religion and women and society are discussed threadbare. The final two chapters namely, methodology ans sociological theories are, to my mind, the final words on the subjects. I strongly recommend this book to anybody who wants to make any headway into the subject of sociology.

To close on a personal note - I found the chapter on religion the most absorbing in this book. As the functionalists' perspective of Durkheim, Malinowski and Parsons is decimated by the sharp but convincing Marxian standpoint, the chapter reads like a thriller, that is dominated by courtroom arguments.

This must be the Bible to sociology students around the world - i don't know an A level student who's lived without it. Buy it!

Written by two top college lecturers from Preston, England, this is a seminal and thoroughly readable work. Covers all sociological topics, well laid out, easy to read, excellent index. Suitable for senior high school and all levels of college study. The book is also well suited for anyone with a passing interest in social science or the humanities.

Everyone who wants to get a little bit deeper knowledge about sociology will find this book very helpful. It's main virtue is perfect balance between simplicity of language used and complexity of sociology itself. It is obvious that it is writen for someone who is only starting to dig into social science - but don't underestimate it for this!

...Thrillers seem to have more resonance when they take place
in the backwoods--especially the Deep South backwoods of Alabama.
Every novelist who wants to thrill and chill and puzzle a
late-night reader should spend a few days walking about in a
small town on the edge of a big wooded area deep in the heart of
The Heart of Alabama. Something's bound to happen if you hang
around long enough.

This novel presents a good/bad little slice of somebody
else's life--a life you might want to know about but certainly
would never want to live. Such lives are best left inside books
for us to peep into but never get too close to.

It's easy to look down on the people who inhabit this
book--until you realize that some of them have experienced the
same things as you. The character Holly is tortured by her
sadistic First Grade teacher and redeemed by her benevolent
Second Grade teacher. Strange, so was I. Holly's best friend
Billy turns into a fugitive from justice. Funny, I had friends
like that, too--even though I was not what folks in the 1940's
called a "country hick." I even knew friends who had seen UFO's,
just as Holly and Billy did. And so on. Even though this is a
backwoods story, a "city" reader like me can begin to realize
that we all share very similar backgrounds. It's just the
locations that are different. I even knew a serial killer-to-be
in high school, perhaps as demented as the killer in this little
Gothic novel.

Holly's friend Billy is a serial killer, but the reader
never quite understands why. Just like real life: the more we
study folks who don't behave properly, the less we understand
them. Some people are just plain beyond explanation. Billy's
murders are a bit too lovingly described by the author, who shows
more compassion for the killer than for any of his victims. Guess
that's what makes for interesting reading. The writer Robert
Bloch had that talent--his demented characters and their actions
were lovingly described, while things the "good guys" and "gals"
did seemed bland by comparison. Bloch's Norman Bates was by far
the most intriguing character in the novel PSYCHO--and the author
of SOMETHING DOWN THE ROAD is more interested in Billy Raston's
activities than in the goings-on of other people sprinkled
throughout this novel. Go figure--we remember Hannibal Lector,
Jack the Ripper and Norman Bates in great detail, but we seldom
dwell on the grief the victims and their families experienced.

It's easy to try and understand someone who exists only on
paper. Nice and encapsulated between covers, nice and imprisoned
so that we don't have to deal with that person, in person.

Nice little story. Horrible, a little sexy, a little sad,
and just enough in touch with reality to make you think it might
have happened.

--Jim Reed...

I have read many books in my days. This book is by far the best one I have ever read. I was constantly thinking "Oh, my God!". I could not put it down. It keeps you wondering what will happen next. It is very suspenseful and the incidents were described in such great detail that you could almost see them happening. At the end I was left thinking, this woman (the author) had an incredible imagination.

I had the opportunity to meet B.K. Smith in Jasper, AL at her book signing. At the time I knew nothing about her book other than it was set in the area surronding the town I live in. In the process of reading this book I was able to grasp the reality that the author was trying to achieve. I felt that the book was suspenseful with a sense of romantic irony. It was everything that I love in a good book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would reccomend it to anyone, especially if they are from Walker County, Alabama.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really played with my emotions in that I felt torn about wanting a murderer to go free even with all of the "bad things" I knew about him. At the same time, I was angry with Holly, but I also felt sorry for her because I knew she also cared very deeply for Rast and felt so much guilt about the path he had chosen. I thought the writing was wonderful, I could literally see in my mind's eye the scenery that Smith wrote about with much detail, however, not so much detail, I became bored. It was a wonderful book about love, lust, bad decisions, and trying to correct past wrongs.

Smith has you befriending a murderer, wanting to help him escape his past and the authorities that seek him. Holly comes off more the bad guy yet you know she loves Rast. Will there be a sequel?

I found this book an easy read and really enjoyable. I also realised I had a lot in common with Gorden. He is such a down to earth grounded medium!!!

this was one of those books I couldn't put down until I'd finished.
This book details the Journey of a medium's life, it brings allot of information to the subject of mediumship, it also gives some info on spiritualism. a book full of good humor and insight.

I went to see Gordon Smith as part of Hay House's Mystical Connections - it was the first time I'd ever seen a medium in action. I didn't get a reading but saw others validate the dates, names and places that Gordon Smith gave them and was so fascinated with what I saw that I bought this book. Its an autobiographical account of how Gordon became aware of his abilities to connect with the Spirit World, ignored them, then rediscovered them and has used them as a tool to help those suffering with grief. Amazing to think that he can actually talk to the dead and written with a great deal of respect for his work with the spirit world. This book will really open your eyes to the existence of a different realm and reinforce your belief in the integrity of some mediums.

I love Gordon Smith...
He's genuine, smart, real, informative, and often funny.

This book is a real page turner, and even if you don't know a thing about mediumship, you will be charmed.

He's a fine story-teller and a great spriritual teacher, and a chillingly accurate medium. It is my dream to see him for real.

What more could you ask for? I had the privilege of seeing Gordon Smith live. He is genuine and his somewhat autobiographical book is as delightful as he is! This is a good book for anyone who is interested in mediumship and spiritualism.

China is a woman who runs a restaurant who has two boarders on the second floor of the building: Professor Breckenridge and his young assistant Jim Floyd. The PRofessor and Jim happen to be broke and can't pay the rent. Well, they're not really broke as much as they spend all their money on equipment. Realistic characters and twisted science mixed together. Very funny, very enjoyable. Kind of what H.G. Wells would of made if he had been a beer drinking Japanese manga artist.

This is easily the best Manga I have ever read. I just picked it up one day at my local comics store because of its interesting cover art, and the art is great! The author Kenji Tsuruta has an amazing style of art that is just breathtaking. The story is excellent and very romantic, with a nice scientific twist. I highly recomend the manga for anyone!

One of the best Illustrators around in comics, Kenji is an underrated artist in need of some much deserved attention. He could easily take on most comic artists of today and mop the floor with them. Beautiful, graceful, meticulous artwork + simple storytelling= a superb graphic novel of such high quality that is seldomly seen in comics today. With more published work, he can easily join the ranks of Herge, Uderzo, Eisner, etc...BUY THIS ONE.

It's a story about spirit of innocence, bashful love, and as the title says -- wonder. Drawn beautifully and written deeply, this book is easliy one of the easiest reads but at the same time it's one the most touching stories I have. There is some nudity, but even that's done tastefully and very innocently with no connotations about sexuality. Everything about it is art. I highly recommend this book!

Miss China will steal your heart. Her daily trials betweenholding up her family store at 18 years age and trying to pull rentfrom her two well-meaning tenants put her through a variety of emotions. This was the first manga I've ever read, and I've re-read it over 5 times since I bought it last century(hehe!). Go buy it! You won't be disappointed, except that this is the only translated "Spirits" book from Tsuruta so far.

I feel guilty, but it is true. One night before bedtime my 8 year old son Dylan said, "Will you read me a story?" It had been a long day and I was tired so I started in with "Aw, Dylan not tonight....". It was just then he reached under the bed and pulled out the Stinky Cheese Man. Now I had read the Stinky Cheese before so I thought I knew what was coming. He said just relax Mom, and I will read you a story. Dylan proceded through the Stinky Cheese Man with all the drama and inflection he could muster. He used different voices for all the different characters. In those few moments I was transformed. My fatigue was replaced with the awe of my young son so totally rapt in this exceedingly silly story. I laughed until I thought I would cry. Now at night when it is time for Dylan to go to bed, I say, "How about the Stinky Cheese Man tonight?" It is a delightful story with a warped sense of humor!

You got your Berenstein Bears, you got your endless parade of Official Adaptation of the Newest Disney Marketing Ploy, and now, thankfully, the Stinky Cheese Man. I finally get to read my five-year old a book that keeps us both interested, and leads to the kinds of questions I like answering.Try and explain the concept of a Stinky Cheese Man to a kid sometime, odds are you just end up giggling. The stories are funnier than most Dilbert books and the illustrations beat the heck out of the basics offered in most "children's books". Filled with short stories that are themselves filled with real live art, this is as cool as a kids book can get. I bought a copy for my bookshelf too

This is a book for parents as well as children. You will find it a delightful use of fairy tales, on a different slant. We truly enjoyed this book and laughed and laughed as we read. I really believe that children of any age will enjoy this book!

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read! It is a histerical look at traditional fairy tales. I enjoy reading this book time and time again to my 6 year old (received book when he was 3 and still loves it) and look forward to reading it to my daughter (now 6 months). I laughed almost as much as my son.

The Stinky Cheese Man has been a favorite of mine for years. I'm always amazed at the number of students who want to check it out of our school library after I've read it. The author has a gift for taking something so familiar and creating something so bizarre and entertaining from it. The kooky illustrations only serve to enhance the totally off-beat nature of the book.

Vidanric Renslaeas, Marquis of Shevraeth, otherwise known as Shevraeth, is sent from his home country of Remalna at age fifteen to train in the military academy of Marloven-Hess. If you've read Crown Duel, this is aptly named the prequel. Shevraeth is a marvelous character and I love him to death. Umm, synopsis: The tyrant on the throne of Remalna, Galdran, is making it difficult for Shevraeth to stay at home and not be killed. So while his family and friends stay and try to organize an underground rebellion (without being found and killed themselves) Shevraeth's parents send him somewhere far away where he will learn actually useful skills, like how to fight and save his life, yes? But Marloven-Hess is as far away from court life as the desert from the rainforest, so Shevraeth must learn how to get his bearings, in a new country with a new language, while the problems at home keep his mind far from content. He is a very clear-headed person, liking to think things through, and a good leader. He goes through all the normal teenage stuff too, like getting a girlfriend, but THANK GOODNESS it's not the center of the book. And while away from home he learns to command, so that maybe...[erase spoiler] Just read Crown Duel, it comes next.

The book features Vidanric going to the military academy in Marloven Hess. Vidanric's perspective of assimilating into a foreign, insular culture is interesting and very entertaining.

A Stranger to Command is really great for all readers. Fans of Crown Duel will love it, but older readers who enjoyed the Inda series will also enjoy this book. I especially recommend to everyone.

Fifteen-year-old Vidanric Renselaeus, Marquis of Shevraeth, has been sent from his home in Remalna to a military academy in Marloven Hess in order to escape political unrest at home, where the king is increasingly out of control. In Marloven Hess, Vidanric must learn and accept many new things: a new name (the Marlovens assume his title, Shevraeth, is his name), a new king (the young king Senrid), new friends and foes, and most of all, a new view of the world, as he must reconcile the seemingly civilized ways of his own country with the warlike ones of Marloven Hess.

As always, the worldbuilding is excellent, and the characters are as well. I loved Vidanric's courage, intelligence, and integrity, which he retains in spite of the difficulty of adapting to his new environment. The difference between the two cultures is especially intriguing, as Vidanric finds that there might be more to be said for Marloven Hess than he originally thought.

I read this on Sherwood Smith's website before she took it down to publish it. I loved it! I can't wait to have a hard copy in my hands!

This prequel to Sherwood Smith's popular novel Crown Duel gives us the past of the dashing and mysterious Vidanric, Marquis of Shevraeth, who travels to Marloven Hess, a country famed for its horses and military prowess, to train in its famous military academy. The young courtier is unprepared for his harsh new life, but he grows into it admirably, becoming a true leader.

The fan base for Crown Duel is probably mainly female, but boys will love this story too--Sherwood Smith's sense for military training is uncanny; you'll feel ready to take command yourself, when you've finished the book.

This book arrived in great shape (better than expected)and fast! I was so glad to find this book and so happy that I now own it. Thank you for the excellent service.

great book for those serious about artist bookmaking and have some prior knowledge of how things are put together.

I was pleasantly surprised. I expected a book full of bookmaking methods from a review I saw on another site but as another reviewer here points out, it strives to make the reader think first, and then, after understanding what they are trying to achieve, THEN make books. Inspirational.

This volume, rather than just providing dry (or gluey) how-to instructions on how to MAKE a book, offers readers new ways to THINK about what a book IS, how to make a book expressive beyond the reader's expectations. Smith is clearly a deep thinker, but not without a sense of humor. He is able to rip apart the structure of the book by examining our preconceptions, and he is then able to assemble a new vision of what the word BOOK means, and he is THEN able to draw on his impressive skills to actually assemble the book that serves up that vision, or to show practitioners how that can be done.

Frankly, I was blown away, first by his ideas and then when I read the copyright date. I can only imagine where he's been going since the '70s!

As a letterpress printer, as a photographer and user of alternative processes and media, I strongly recommend this piece to people who need a little shaking up, or who simply want to be amused and entertained.

I recommended this book to another artist interested in working with the book form and when I came to amazon.com to send a direct link I couldn't believe there is only one review for this book. This is a classic in thinking conceptually about the structure and sequencing of a book, as well as thinking conceptually about what a "book" is as an artifact and an artform.

Although the text is a little intuitive for linear readers at times, anyone who wants to explore the book as an artform must take a look at Keith Smith's work.

I'm so happy to find this book on Amazon! I read this book when I was probably about 8 years old. It was not the easiest time in my life and I believe this book did much to help me through that time. I have beautiful, almost haunting memories of the kids flying and still feel as if I was right there in the story with them. No doubt, this was the most profound book of my childhood. Thanks to Penelope Farmer. Now I must read the other books.!

In the Summer Birds, the first book about the Makepeace sisters, Charlotte and Emma find a boy on the road who teaches them to fly, and then teaches the rest of the village children. This book is a good introduction to the characters in Emma in Winter, as well as a superb introduction to Charlotte, her way of thinking, and the way she is. Unfortunately, unlike in the other novels, what happens isn't explained as cathartic; that is, in the others, it's prefectly clear the Makepeace sisters' experiences are ways of healing and protecting themselves from their parent's death. Thus, the novel isn't as 'deep' as the others. What I liked most about The Summer Birds, as well as the other books in the trilogy, is that I relate so well to Charlotte: I was constantly teased in grammar school and called a prig because I never got in trouble and was too shy to even speak up in class. I think most children go through this in one form or another. But either way, this novel clicks immediately with the reader...

I read one of your books it was called The Summer Birds.This particular book put some questions in my mind.One of them was,Why could only certain peole see the boy?I like fictinal books.I like them because people can do special things.Are their any more books I should read?

I read this book as part of a summer reading program when I was in fourth or fifth grade. I never forgot this book and like another reviewer stated--it ignited my love of reading. I was fortunate enough to locate a copy and have shared it with my young sons. I hope I age in a similar manner to the teacher who understood the children and the wonderful boy. Please share this book with the young people in your life.

I read this book when I was in sixth grade. It had a profound effect on my life. After I read the book, I fell in love with reading. It was a school libray book, and I only read it once, but it was one of those books that I won't forget. I rember vividly details of this book, especially the relationship between the boy and the other children in the town. I would love to have a copy of this book for my own children one day.

What at town to live in. I would just get lost in this little town in Georgia, if I could. It's such sweet writing and only does a heart good to read words of encouragement and inspiration like these. I wept, I laughed out loud and had a wonderful time reading the whole series!

If the Lovin' Spoonful had been in the Georgia village of Mossy Creek rather than Greenwich Village, they would know that hot time, summer in the mountains means plenty of fun, ole southern style. The townsfolk look for a quiet uneventful season, but also know their enemy in slimy Bigelow still remains on the prowl. Meanwhile the librarian pushes the Police Chief into bluffing an abusive parent while the Mayor leads by example applying common sense to seemingly difficult problems. Much of the townsfolk meet eating dessert at the diner, but along with fans will find hot fun in the summertime here.

The third Mossy Creek tale is a series of vignettes written by a virtual whose who of the irons maidens of the south (more talented than steel magnolias). The contributions differ in size while providing a slice of life in a small remote Georgia mountain town. Each story builds up on the previous contribution so that the audience receives an anthology that uses the best elements of a novel and that of a short story into a tremendous collection. SUMMER IN MOSSY CREEK holds its own with its superb predecessors. Fans of the series already know that the first two books flow smoothly; the third tale shares in common with the previous duo a southern comfort smoothness.

Harriet Klausner

This charming small town series really comes into its own with the third book, Summer In Mossy Creek. It has something for everyone--laughter, tears, romance, and the cozy appeal of lovable eccentrics.

How to describe the charm of Mossy Creek? By turns hilarious and heartwarming, Mossy Creek is populated with the funniest, homiest, sometimes orneryist bunch of characters south of the Mason-Dixon line. If you like Southern humor and superb writing, go on down to Mossy Creek!

Book three in the "Mossy Creek Hometown" series, Summer in Mossy Creek is the collaborative effort of twelve women (Deborah Smith, Sandra Chastain, Debra Dixon, Martha Shields, Anne Bishop, Kim Brock, Patti Henry, Judith Kim, Bo Sebastian, Shelly Morris, Susan Goggins, and Carolyn McSparren) and offers the reader a wealth of unique, original, brief, and homespun tales, each of which arises from life in Mossy Creek, Georgia, a warm-hearted mountain town of simple joys, emotional gatherings, and wistful nostalgia. An immensely rewarding joy to read, Summer In Mossy Creek will compel those new to this series to seek out the earlier two volumes, Mossy Creek ... and Reunion At Mossy Creek ... -- and leave those already familiar with this outstanding series to eagerly await the next volume related the adventures of the folks who live, work and love in the community of Mossy Creek!

This book is an invaluable resource to understanding the correct practise and application of Tai Chi Chuan. It is amazing how it outclasses the hundreds of newer books that have been written over the decades since this was first published. Highly Recommended.....

This slender and concise classic has never been surpassed. In just a few pages, Chen Wei-Ming outlines the key points regarding T'ai Chi application, particularly explaining the use of the art in clear language with excellent examples (although other areas are covered as well). The chapter on Free-Fighting alone is worth the price of the book. In an era where knowledge of T'ai Chi application as a martial art has almost disappeared, this book is not only the best study guide (to be read and reread) but also a great "test" for steering clear of bogus teachers. Simply put, if a teacher of T'ai Chi cannot understand or demonstrate the concepts within this book, he or she should close up shop at once. Finally, this book was translated largely by Ben Lo, world renowned for his extremely high level of skill in push hands and application. Every true T'ai Chi practitioner will treasure this classic.

Excellent little book about the main points of practice. It is a lot like talking with a T'ai-Chi Master after practice and asking him questions about what you've just done.

This work is a brief text written by Chen Wei-Ming, a tai chi master in the early twentieth century. It is in a question and answer format, and was written with the purpose of responding to common difficulties that students were having with the form. Chen covers a variety of topics, ranging from the history of tai chi, to the form, to combat applications. The answers are usually fairly short, but the translation is good, and this book contains much useful information. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in an old master's thoughts on Yang style tai chi chuan.

It is incredible how in only 60 pages you get the most of answers you were looking for about Tai Chi. There is matter enough in this book to write at the least 5 books. Anyway this is not a book for beginner or not Tai Chi practitioners. You can get the most from this book only if you are an experienced Tai Chi student. The best chapters in my opinion are the ones dedicated to pushing hands exercise and real fighting. If you have approached Tai chi from years of study on a hard stile, the answers could also sound trivial but at the least they will reinforce your intuitions on Tai Chi. On the other hand if you don't have experience on fighting this book clarify you on the item.