Stewart Books

This is one of the most beautiful combinations of poetry and art. The poem is really quite beautiful. The art is inspirational. I don't knwo that I'd give it to a couple for their wedding though, cause the poem is about a man who is cheating on his wife....So don't take the advice of the other reviewer, the couple might look at you funny!

I was given this book several years ago when I was out book shopping with a teacher I love to be with.

We were both rather caught up that day in the spirit of the art and poem.
Feels almost a decade ago, so it probably was.
I liked Chagall's pictures some of which here I had not seen, will never see (though I've made a good stab at knowing his work)and appreciate this book form and maybe, in my way, felt that the poem was pushing me to consider them from a perspective I might have seen differently sans text. It would be typical that my friend was drawn to the words reading it to me several times, and I think drawing a bit of customer interest, while I was held by the images. Well we were in a children's bookstore in the art books looking for things to use in teaching...so I guess in a way...we were behaving rather like a child might finding the National Geo holding pictures of "naked people" something I recall of my brothers days. I imagine the internet fills that role now.....

This said I would contextualize this...I was raised in another "time" and in the arts and literature. In my era if creating a piece we were asked frankly to shock, disarm, question to engage with literature and art for its ability to speak the human truth that often is hidden or obfuscated. That love contains a side that exists physically ....a kind of accepted truth. Thus you have Cummings poem. Which is a bit..risque. Or these paintings. I don't know why I find reality TV not this or expressions in culture now different but I do. I am aware that changes in outlooks now conclude that a book like this one would be kind of a scandal in school.
Not that I was taking it there, but in my time I think "nobigdeal". I find this odd with what goes on media wise...but enough said.

I would imagine the persons exchanging this as a gift would be talking of love, or like my friend and I feeling silly happy about an aspect of living. If I put it on the coffee table in a stack of art books my kids read it, enjoy the pictures, like the book but I doubt think much one way or another besides its sweet. To me at the time I found it spoke to journeys in our lives, positive aspects of this thing denoted as love functioning in our days....funny...irreverent. Rather a playful relationship to the viewer maintained, nice diversion. I'd give it to someone with a heart.

If you are a Chagall or e.e. cummings lover, this book is not to be missed. It is an absolute treasure and such a beautiful marriage of words and art! The images perfectly complement the text. Highly recommended, even as an introduction to either of these two artists.

Just got this book and I love it. I purchased it based on reviews that I read and they are 100% correct. Beautiful pictures and a touching poem. Great as a wedding gift.

A terrific combination of art appreciation classes and literature for reading outdoors--took me back some 35 years to college days in its content, and then back up to the present in its pervasive wisdom. A joy for the ear and eye, just like its message--lovemaking is for lots of ages and stages and a delight to the senses. Should be on every bookstore's front tables.

Though it's written in the context of a story about two lovers, the deeper message of the book is one for every human, every critter.

The book is a beautifully simple but profound little story that whispers a reminder to us all at our deepest levels to remember our soul origins and our energetic connection to Every Thing that is. All-One.

Book is so perfect I sent it to a couple of friends and bought an extra copy for myself!

The illustrations are sweet and juvenile. Gets the point across!

Well written and presented in a simple yet fun way. This story can particularly touch somebody who can relate to the story. I can think of several couples whose love story mirrors this book! Love the illustrations and simplicity of it all!

After flying through this book you'll want to read it again and again. The simple but profound message about love, and the clever, beautiful illustrations have a lasting effect. The perfect gift for anyone with a heart.

Stine's song of love is one of the few volumes you will tuck in your rucksack as you head for a desert island. Its soulful words grow effortlessly from earthy, tropic-toned pastels. It is about our journey, together and alone, our rites of discovery, as revelation leads to transformation. Save your shrink money. Read the book and cherish its timeless song.

I didn't know what to expect when I was given this book. I must say that its simple message is indeed powerful and a quick page turner to boot! It comes off as a children's book, but no, no, no, it is certainly not.

This book will make the feelings that you are trying to articulate easy to understand without going overboard. The person who gave it to me was trying to do just that.

And succeeded.

Hey, I just read this book, and enjoyed it so much I just ordered two more by Fran Stewart. What a delight to read a book that has such wonderful characters and a sly sense of whimsy. Bet you will like it too.

I enjoyed every minute of Orange as Marmalade! I discovered a small town I would love to live in. An out of the way community in the north Georgia mountains. Martinsville is a bit old fashioned in its outlook. Home to characters ranging from lovable eccecntric to some downright stinkers. The plot is filled with tiwsts and turns that kept me up late unable to put this one down. The occasional comments from the orange tabby cat named Marmalade go unheeded by her bright and funny human companion, Biscuit McKee as life, love and mysteries unfold. Don't miss it!

Fran Stewart has created a thoroughly endearing character in Biscuit McKee--fallible enough to be undeniably human and feisty enough to be thoroughly lovable. Biscuit wants nothing more than to live quietly in the small Georgia town of Martinsville with her husband and her Marmalade cat, but fate and family don't always cooperate. Biscuit faces each challenge life throws at her--and there are plenty of those--with determination and a little help from her cat.

Fran Stewart's Biscuit McKee stories are beautifully written, incorporating a blend of down-home wisdom and humor guaranteed to both charm and entertain.

--Lynda Fitzgerald, Author
If Truth Be Told

Marmalade and Biscuit. Kind of like Toast and Jam, but in this case it's a saucy white and orange cat and her extraordinary human who discover a body in the town library. The tiny little town of Martinsville in northeastern Georgia becomes the scene of an intriguing who-done-it murder mystery. So, who killed nature photographer Harlan Schneider? No ones talking in Martinsville, as most of the clues point to someone local. But then again, not the first investigator asked Marmalade.
I was first drawn to this book simply for the "cat factor." Any book that has as one of it's characters a fancy feline has to be on the right track.

Fran Stewart uses flashbacks to weave the details of what transpired before the murder of the young photographer and the current events surrounding Biscuit McKee, the new town librarian, who is getting ready for her upcoming wedding to the town's only police officer. Although the flashbacks took getting use to, it filled in the story just fine.

Stewart's Martinsville has such a richness to it that I'm looking forward to learning more about this "town" and its inhabitants. Orange as Marmalade contains some clues to a mystery that surrounds the 1745 founding of the town. Each book in the Biscuit McKee Mystery Series will add a few more clues, and the 200-year-old puzzle will be finally solved in White as Ice, the eighth book of the series. So, this will definately be a series worth looking forward to.

This is a five star book worthy of a place on the bookshelf of any well read mystery enthusiast. But you don't have to be a connoisseur of mysteries to enjoy this book.

Take a trip to Martinsville, Georgia and spend a little time with Biscuit McKee, Marmalade, and a town full of interesting characters.

Marmalade is a smart and talented white and orange cat who adds intriguing clues to this cozy mystery for the reader. Her human was named Bisque by her potter mother, but her grammar school buddies quickly changed the name to Biscuit and the name stuck. So small town librarian Biscuit McKee finds the body in the library with a knife stuck in it somewhat later than does her smart cat Marmalade. The story is develooped through three time lines, which takes a little attention to chapter titles to keep straight but is more than worth the effort. Delightfully told and cleverly plotted, the story is enriched with gardening tips, three dimensional characters that you want to know more about, and the cozy and delightful setting of a small Georgia town. Characters are further embellished by Marmalade who has her own name for everyone. Biscuit, for example, is Widelap, to Marmalade. So some fortellling goes on with Marmalade's name for characters. In addition, both Marmalade and Biscuit share their "gratitude lists", the five things for which they are most grateful each day. This clever little addition to the story is a joyful reminder to any reader that "Happiness Is A Choice." A wonderful first book in this imaginative series that leaves the reader breathlessly waiting for the sequel.

I recently read Evelyn's book and I couldn't put it down once I started reading. This book is a must read for anyone that is in what they feel is a hopeless situation involving domestic violence. She really took me with her on her journey while I read this book. She shows us all there is hope and a life after living through these kinds of horrors.

After reading this book, I passed it on to my friend to read. She has suffered domestic violence from her husband for several years. After she read the book, she found the courage to leave her husband and is now safe and happy. Thank you Evelyn for having the courage to write this book. It is truly a life saver. May God always bless you.

Evelyn Stewart has excelled in sharing the effects of abuse on the family. She opened her life to share with us how family violence was passed from generation to generation until one woman was ready to say "enough is enough." Totally Discombobulated keeps the reader spell bound. I would recommend this book to anyone, but particularly the woman that thinks she is in a hopeless situation. Evelyn shows with faith and fortitude, anything is possible.

I've always been one to read a book that teaches me something and reveals the life of a person who lives or lived a life of intrest. Evelyn is one of those people. She deserves to be heard. Domestic Violence is something we don't always hear about because I believe we've turned a deaf ear on the subject. I for one didn't believe it happened like this. It's hard for the average person to phantom the rage any one person could project toward someone they are suppose to love, honor and cherish. The way Evelyn tells her story is not only a history lesson but it is her true to life account of what she lived through. Some will say "why didn't she leave him?" Other's will say "I applaud her courage and I understand." Today more than ever this horror needs to be exposed for what it is. The suffering has to stop and people need to be courageous enough to run and hide from domestic violence. Every man, woman and child will benefit from Evelyn's story and realize that the silence and hiding of such a crime is only perpetuating the violence.
If this book becomes a movie it is a sure blockbuster. The way Evelyn relates her life story is a movie on pages. This book deserves to be read whether a victim or a survivor, the average person or not, it is an eye-opener. I never got the full picture when I read this book. It has made me aware and has equipped me with knowledge and compassion to help anyone who might be suffering in the life of domestic violence. This book is a must read for anyone with the heart of compassion and anyone who would choose to expose the ugly truth that goes on behind closed doors all over the world.

I have read this book two times and it is a wonderfully written book and will make you sit on the edge of your seat while reading it. Evelyn has a master piece here and it would make a wonderfull movie. Every one needs to read it.

R.J. Stewart stands alone as the premiere voice and exponent for the profound inner teachings and "mysteries" of the faery tradition. All others before have not had the capacity or ingenuity with which to speak so clearly; all others after him will forever have to refer to his astonishing work in this book. Where the finite limitations of speech and the constrictions of cultural conditioning governed the likes of the late Scottish seer, Rev. Robert Kirk, R.J. Stewart has presented an energetic blueprint for understanding this empowered tradition, which lies like a subterranean kingdom beneath the ordinary reality. I found this work, and all of R.J.'s works involving what he calls the UnderWorld tradition, to be refreshing, potent, and also a relief at one point, as his section on the purgative and cathartic process of an awakening seer was quite validating. In essence, I recommend R.J.'s other two books in order (EARTH LIGHT and Power Within the Land), and then stepping into this astonishing work. Frank MacEowen, author of The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, & Seekers.

This is one of best books on fay tradtion i would check the rest of his books.I found that it has alot of useful infomation
and the book is not very bias which is nice to see in a book. Worth every penny.

Should be read by anybody interested in the Faery tradition, or on any occultist's shelf, really, even if they don't know that as their interest, the material ties in to all Western esoteric traditions. Its serious, scholarly, enjoyable, and transforming. You'll find yourself rereading and referencing this book, the same way it is frequently an "occult book author's author" - skip the middle-person - read the real thing. Its better.

I READ THE ORIGINAL BOOK WHICH WAS SOLD OVER 10 YEARS AGO. THIS ONE HAS A DIFFERENT SUBTITLE AND PRINT DATE. HOWEVER, I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK HIGHLY TO ANYONE WHO IS PREPARED FOR ITS CONTENTS. THIS IS NOT A CHILDRENS'BOOK; IN MY OPINION, IT IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE HUMAN PSYCHE. READERS/PRACTIONERS OF THE CRAFT OF THE WISE - THIS IS A MUST READ! ONE MUST READ AND ABSORB WHAT R.J. STEWART HAS WRITTEN, FOR IT WILL DEFINITELY MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESSES. I CAN DESCRIBE PARTS OF THIS BOOK AS AN ELIXER FOR THE SOUL. WHEN ONE HAS EXPERIENCED THE 'DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL', AND EMERGED AS A STRONGER, WISER PERSON. I FEEL THIS IS A SHAMANIC TRANSFORMATION R.J. WALKS US THROUGH. THERE IS NO FLUFF HERE; IT IS FOR THE SERIOUS AND EDUCATED READER. TRULY A CLASSIC!

If you're interested in the faerie world, and the foundations of western mystery traditions, this isn't just a "must-read," but a "must-own." You'll refer to this book over & over again.

Stewart covers a lot of highly technical ground in this book, which is more a textbook than recreational reading for most people. He provides detailed explanations of the Underworld (and Otherworld) and the design of the realities you'll encounter there. He relates this to the Tree of Life (Qabalah), and several other spiritual contexts, so that you can "connect the dots" with your own and others' religious backgrounds.

Stewart's "Underworld Narrative" (guided meditation) in the back of the book is annotated with explanations and tips. They're fascinating. Reading them makes the journey far richer than simply using one of his excellent tapes.

He's opinionated and well-researched. Not everyone will agree with him, or even like him. But, the information that he shares in this book is tremendously important if you plan to explore Otherworld realities. If you're intrigued by the faerie realm, this book will save you years of frustration, trying to understand how to get there, how to remain there comfortably, understand what you're encountering, and how to get back.

My first English Ring was Andrew Porter's "singable" translation. It was my introduction to a world of sound-rhymes that is difficult to render even in German (a running joke in Bayreuth was that singers were asked to first translate the text to German, before starting work!!!). When my focus turned to meaning of words and sentences, I've discovered the Spencer translation, the most up-to-date version available in English. Besides an annotated text (with alternate endings included - previous versions of course...), comparing word roots with Wagner's own sources, we are also presented with introductory essays by Wagner scholars, filled with insight and devoid of one-sidedness so common in music scholarship. For everyone looking for THE version of Der Ring in English.

This is a very useful set of libretti and translations. The introductory material and the synopses are also of great use.

Thank you, Mr. Spencer. You have given us something very special. You have given us a complete English translation of Der Ring Des Nibelungen, and it's possibly the most Wagnerian translation ever put on paper. You have given us more knowledge about the Ring Cycle by giving us commentaries about Wagner and his mission to change the way we look at operas. You have also given us B & W pictures of recent renderings of the Ring Cycle, from the Bayreuth Festival to the New York Metropolitan Opera. And for that, we are very grateful. A+

I studied "The Nibelungenlied" in college and was so mesmerized by the story that I had a linden leaf tattooed on my back. Since then, I have read Nordic sagas of the Siegfried legend. This was my first read of Wagner's comprehensive version. It was, quite simply, outstanding.

Wagner draws from all versions of the legend. In addition to "The Nibelungenlied," he uses "The Saga of the Volsungs" and other Nordic versions such as the prose and poetic "Edda."

Wagner's ambitious work was composed under the nationalistic fervour of 19th Century Germany. He believed "The Nibelungenlied" to be for Germany what "The Iliad" was for Greece or "The Aeneid" was for Rome. Thus he populates his German forests and rivers with mythological gods and faeries, and his human heroes are imbued with heroic courage and strength reminiscent of Achilles and Aeneas.

In his poetry, Wagner proves himself a genius. Like other masters of language, he deftly balances storytelling, emotion, and philosophy. Stewart Spencer's translation is excellent, especially in capturing Wagner's emphasis on alliteration.

See also Wagner's libretto for "Troilus and Cressida," another brilliantly written opera based on a medieval german text (by Gottfried von Straussberg).

I highly recommend this book. There are seldom times a book will give me chills, and it happened several times when reading this book. And if you are interested in the Siegfried saga, check out The Nibelungenlied.

This book would be an excellent addition to anyone interesting in Wagner's Ring cycle for a number of reasons.

First, the translation, which takes up three quarters of the book, is well done, with German and English directly compared on a line by line basis, complete with alternate or discarded or rejected versions of the libretto included in an appendix. The translation itself seems outstanding; some of Wagner's phrasing is difficult or impossible to directly translate into English, but even in the most convoluted or confusing cases the result is clear and compelling.

Second, there is a thematic guide to many of the most important leitmotifs Wagner developed (67 in this case), and in the translation of the libretto the authors have noted where these occur on a line by line, or sequential basis. This is of tremendous help as a reference for further study when listening and relistening to the music.

Third, while there is only little commentary on the operas and on Wagner's compositional journey through the Ring, there are a few photos from past performances, comparing vastly different sets for the same scenes, which are interesting. There could have been quite a bit more of this.

Finally, the glossary of character names could be useful to the student.

Overall, this is an excellent resource and reference to use while listening to the Ring, and for analyzing Wagner's libretto itself.

A well written and helpful text on the technical and procedural points of making scotch whisky. I know of no other source that matches this book's level of detail. A must for serious students of scotch production.

Great content and technical data. A must for any micro or craft distillery.

This well-written book provides a wealth of useful information on all aspects relating to whisky production. To date, there has been a scarcity of technical books on the market for those studying the field of whisky production and distilling in general. This book fills the void by collecting together a group of highly qualified technical experts to share their knowledge with both novice and advanced reader. Students will find clearly defined chapters beginning with the history of whisky distillation, and going through the production process from raw materials, to fermentation, distillation and maturation and finally finishing the book on a dedicated chapter to the marketing of Scotch whisky.

Overall, this is a well-conceived, well-written, and well-organized book. This will prove to be an excellent addition to the bookshelf of any undergraduate or Masters level student who wishes to understand the field of whisky production and marketing.

The book quickly become a reference for daily work. It is good to have also for the rather non-technical reader. Seldom you find such a complete collection.

This book is the first volume in what seems set to be an important and major series: the Alcoholic Beverage Series, edited by a highly esteemed trio of experts in the respective fields of brewing and distilling. This first, highly specialized volume, Whisky: Technology, Production and Marketing, is brought to us via the considerable editorial talents of Dr. Inge Russell who has presented the works of 14 qualified (peer reviewed and respected) individuals in one comprehensive and highly readable text. Apart from The Science and Technology of Whiskies, edited by J.R. Piggott et al, and which was published back in 1989 there has never been such a technical volume dedicated to one type and style of distilled alcoholic beverage. Some books including the so called "Alcohol texts" were published in the 1930s and 1940s (some recently reprinted) and even some within the past 20 years but these were either of a more generalized nature or were non-peer reviewed vehicles that entertained us with a promotional bias towards particular interests or authors and furthermore, which, while still useful, are of course considerably out of date.

The up-to-date volume by the team assembled by Dr. Russell covers all aspects of the topic starting with raw materials and progressing through all processes involved in the manufacture of finished products and beyond. Both malt whisky and grain whisky production is entertained. Scotch whisky is placed in context with its Irish, N. American and Japanese counterparts. Batch and continuous distillation topics are adequately and evenly presented. Fermentation and its associated biochemistry and microbiology gets a fairly detailed presentation. Flavor terminology (an ever expanding and important subject) and quality control issues are given appropriate coverage along with the compositional analysis of whisky. The vast and fascinating topic of oak wood-based maturation, aging and blending are admirably presented; this latter topic worthy of the cost of the book in and of itself in this reviewer's opinion.

The volume certainly fills a very wide gap in the literature concerning alcoholic beverages. The book will provide a "definitive" and excellent textbook, but even better than that, it will be useful and valuable to all who wish to delve deeper into the art, the science and the histories and "mysteries" of this most fascinating beverage.

In short and in summary, there is clearly something here for everyone who enjoys and truly appreciates whisky and other distilled beverages at, for its extensive yet readable coverage, a pretty modest price. You will be "tapping" into this potential classic volume on frequent occasions for many years to come.

i would like to see more from this author. I read this book, and then read it again. The layers of the story just keep going. At first it read like a typical often clumsy first novel. On the second read I got the deeper earth spirit talking. And its depths just kept going. Wow.

Josephine has done a masterful job of leading the reader on a mythic journey, full of her wonderful visionary work. It is a treasure for esoteric thinkers and a gem in my collection of literature.

This tale weaves an epic that will draw you into it's characters and it's mythos. The beings and forces expressed within delve into primal sources and forces beyond name.

Those familiar with the occult will find a few references and tie-ins that will tickle them (I won't spoil!) and unite the story with our own experience, and the depth of visionary material is both of great scope and of personal importance....

Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. A lot of the imagery has an almost visionary feel to it that sort of stays with you (as indicated in the previous review). The story and the esoteric material are woven together to form a tale that is very potent. Highly recommended!

Very simply, I found this book very powerful and full of quite obscure esoteric stuff. The book seems to carry on after you have stopped reading it, which I find interesting. I did feel that males in general came off rather badly, but it did not strike me as a blatent feminist book. I was concerned about the many typo`s and the paragraph layout. It seemed to have been rather butchered by the publishers. Is there anything else out there by the same author?

This book is SO much fun, and there are many challenging puzzles to figure out. It's addictive!

I bought this as a Christmas present for my 3 kids, who I homeschool. They have all been enjoying the puzzles, which are very challenging for both kids and adults! The graphics are very colorful and appealing to kids. This is a great book to leave out on the coffee table - I highly recommend it!

This book is great! Very fun...the only parts we don't enjoy are the parts you are supposed to cut. We don't want to cut up our book so we most likely won't do those activities. Our favorites are the activities that don't require anything but our mind or that we can read to each other. Very fun to do with another person to pass the time.

A superbly designed book of puzzles. You will find all types of "brain games" with different degrees of difficulty clearly marked. An index at the end of the book allows you to choose a "brain game" according to its type and degree of difficulty. Solutions to all brain games are at the end of the book.
Very colourful and inviting for all ages. Just leave it on your coffee table and all the family will stop to browse it and try their hands (or brains rather) at any of these attractively presented puzzles.

This was purchased for two kids, 9 and 13, to take on a trip for use in the car or the expected rainy afternoons. Fun to do and a challenge for their grandparents, too.

I found this book at a thrift store and am glad I did. It is so sweet and the pictures are very heart-warming. Great for a cat-lover!

"Cats in Love" displays in photos and stories the love shown by the 'aloof' creatures of the animal kingdom towards other animals (including humans) and especially towards each other. I highly recommend this book to those interested in photography and of course, to those of us who are cat lovers.

I have bought three books so far and am ordering two more today. This is not just a book for children or adults it shows cats in thier true actions and inactions.

Got this book several years ago, and it is really very sweet.
Anyone who thinks cats don't have emotions, or that they are cold
fish, needs to see this book. Full of charming examples of felines and their companions (animal and human), nuzzling up to-
gether, sharing a moment of friendship and love. The cover alone
is worth the price of the book.

Guaranteed to charm, this little book is well-worth purchasing.

I was impressed by the lovely and warm photos captured by the photographers! With the stories, I found another wonderful world of anamals!