Stewart Books

Verdict in Blood by Gail Bowen McClelland and Stewart 1998

Judge Justine Blackwell is bludgeoned to death after leaving a party celebrating her 30 years on the bench. A call in the middle of the night wakens Joanne Kilbourn to ask that her 83 year-old friend and house guest, Hilda McCourt, identify the body. It turns out that Hilda has been asked by the Judge to decide if she is becoming senile. Judge McCourt has been spending a lot of time developing a halfway house for released criminals and her three daughters think she is losing it. When a will shows up that leaves the bulk of her fortune to the halfway house, the daughters become very upset. Some very unsavory characters at the halfway are linked to the Judge and come under suspicion. When Hilda is attacked and nearly killed in Joanne's home Joanne begins to put the pieces together and eventually solve the riddle of the Judges death.

The personal life of Joanne continues to be hectic. Her budding romance with Alex Kequahtooway, hits some snags when Alex's nephew Eli, disappears and Joanne's good-intentioned comments about his care raise Alex's hackles. An old lover returns to Saskatoon and wants to rekindle their old flame and throws Joanne into a bit of a tizzy. Joanne becomes a grandmother and her adopted daughter continues to grow in spirit and painting ability.

A good solid read but not as good as "Burying Ariel". After watching two made-for-TV movies of Bowen's previous books just before reading this book I had a little trouble getting my head around Joanne's character again. They are presented quite differently in book and movie.

While patrolling Wascana Park, the Regina Saskatchewan police find the murdered body of Judge Justine Blackwell sprawled across the Boy Scout Memorial. The victim, renowned for her brutal sentencing, has a note on her person containing the name of Hilda McCourt, a senior citizen visiting Joanne Kilbourne, whose phone number was also on the paper.

In recent months Judge Blackwell had begun to act strange. She talked with some of the individuals she put away behind bars and offered to help them. The Judge was so worried about her mental state, she asked Hilda to assess her mind. The issue soon becomes not who killed the Judge, but which of her wills is valid. The older document leaves everything to her children. The newer document, recently processed, bestows her estate to a halfway house for former convicts. Joanne begins to investigate the final days of the Judge without realizing that she has placed her own life in danger.

The sixth Kilbourn who-done-it is a wonderful mystery that feeds on the craving and naiveté of individuals. The story line is impressive and the characters, especially the octogenarian Hilda, add much depth to an already complex storyline. The insiders tour of Regina also provides much warmth (in spite of the climate) to a well written regional amateur sleuth tale. This is a series well worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

I just discovered Gail Bowen when we were doing a mystery program on Canadian and Alaskan mysteries at our local library. Of all the new authors I sampled, Gail Bowen was my favorite! I was instantly struck by how well written A Killing Spring was. Also, I found that not only did I like the character of Joanne Kilbourn, I also cared about her and wanted to go back and read all the previous mysteries in the series to see her character develop. I found all the characters in the book quite engaging and well developed, and also became quite fond of Jo's elderly friend Hilda, whom I hope to meet again in other books in the series. I found the Saskatchewan setting added another appealing element--just a bit exotic to a reader living in California! Jo's romance with an "aboriginal" (Indian) policeman, as well as her relationship with her children and with the troubled nephew of her policeman friend, all add three-dimensionality to her character. Gail Bowen is a great new discovery for me, and I am recommending her to all my mystery-reading friends! I am eager to read all the other books in this series.

Gail Bowen's series featuring Joanne Kilbourn, widow, mother,collge teacher and political analyst for the radio is one that should be anyone who likes marvelous writing, interesting, three-dimensional characters and amazing insight into society at the end of the 20th century. Set in Saskatchewan, the books, even when discussing Canadian politics, are very accesible to non-Canadians. In this entry, Joanne gets involved in the brutal murder of a female judge who in the last year of her life has made some uncharacteristic decisions. Joanne's friend, Hilda McCourt, had been asked by the judge to determine if she has mental problems. After the murder Hilda stays involved to the point of almost losing her life. Joanne can not stay out of it even though her relationship with a policeman is going through a very bad patch. Gail Bowen's books cannot be recommended highly enough.

Gail Bowen has done it again! Political Science professor/sleuth Joanne Kilbourn, in the latest in this excellent series from Canada, has a full plate, indeed. She manages to lead a full life with all its joy and despair. She's a "real" person; as I mentioned in a review of an earlier work of Bowen's, one of the rewards, for me, in this series is watching the growth and development of "true" people. The protagonist and her family and friends come alive for this reader, and they don't stay stuck in one time slot book after book. Not at all - They age - Children mature - (If not that, at least they grow up)- A grandchild arrives and so on. Through it all, because of Bowen's very fine writing, we have a novel of three-dimensional characters about whom we care deeply and I, for one, look forward to meeting them all again.

This is one of those extraordinarily rare books that inspires me to buy not one, but 100...for family, friends, and colleagues. The idea is so simple and so brilliant but more important, it is beautifully executed. Truly inspired virtuoso selections, gorgeous photography and wonderful writing-- rarely, does one find all of these qualities in one body of work. My only regret is that the book wasn't available during the holiday season or I would have used it for ALL of my X-mas gifts. With tremendous respect, LCLJ

Not just the famous. Not the infamous. Not the obvious. This amazing book actually delivers on the promise of the title. I didn't realize how jaded I was until I sat down and moved through the text and images. Simply brilliant. Don't miss the experience and integrity of this book. ADDED BONUS: The book's superlative design and extraordinary photographs.

What's great here, in addition to stellar photos and high production values (what kind of paper is this?) is the surprising quality of the selection of the people. I like seeing boxers and map makers, basketball players and glass blowers set next to each other.

Joseph Campbell's sadly over-used expression "Follow your bliss" is personified in the 40 profiles that fill the pages of The Virtuoso. What a revelation to find that the world possesses such remarkable individuals in places we might least expect to find them. The Virtuoso says much about taking risks, about going as far as you can to arrive at a place that is larger than yourself. Love, and a dash of madness, are at the core of every choice a Virtuoso makes, shaping the lives of these extraordinary talents in the most unimagined ways, and those who come into contact with them. It takes a vision to see the vision in others. Clearly this author has that. Bravo!

Wayne Gretzky's retirement from hockey seems a fitting occasion to remark on the phenomenal collection of virtuosos Ken Carbone has gathered together in his new book. The gift of a Virtuoso like Gretzky, and of this book, is the realization that absolute focus and dedication to a passion can lead one beyond oneself. That message resounds like a gong through the handsomely designed pages and expressive photographs of The Virtuoso. The thrill of sharing a Virtuoso's talent is the transcendence it offers, the visceral feeling that one is witnessing, in the Eastern sense, life lived fully in the moment. Inspiration, indeed.

I had the supreme honor of working for Atlnatic Records as a promotions Manager in the '70s, so I saw first-hand a lot of what's in this book. I saw it through the label, the artists, radio and retail. And lemme tell you, the book is spot-on accurate. The two words that best describe Atlantic Records are sophisticated and engaged, and those characteristics come top-down from the founder, Mr. Ahmet Ertegun, and through all of his management.

While the book is an amazing account of Atlantic Records, what is more is the indispensable perspective on the music business at large. For anyone even remotely interested in the history of this industry and its artists, this book is vital.

The cost is a bit pricey, but the old saying you get what you pay for has never been more true. The oversized book features fantastic photography and superb quality. I just wish it would have had included a 30-song sampler of the history of Atlantic artists.

Ahmet Ertegun has to be one of the true legends of popular music in the 20th century. When I first heard that Ertegun had penned the story of Atlantic Records 2 to 3 years ago, I immediately searched it out. But for some reason publication was delayed over two years. Alas it's here. This huge book has everything. First hand oral historical accounts on the birth of R&B with Ray Charles, Jerry Wexler, Otis, the Drifters through the evolution of 60's Rock with Cream, the Stones and Zepplin. The photos are spectatcular and Ertegun's own accounts insightful.....A brilliant man with impeccable taste. He may be the hippest son of a Turkish ambassador to ever found a legendary record label. While I personally can do without the more recent sections dealing with 80's and 90's music (how can you include Jewel with the likes of Ray Charles and Ben E. King?), this book is so huge (almost 10 lbs.) that the majority of the book far exceeds all expectations. At a time when lightweight books by airheaded groupies who played abolutely no role in the creation of a musical revolution somehow make their way into publication, this book stands alone as a classic account of a time when the musicians really were artist who paid their dues, song writers were stylists, and goood taste and genuine talent not only mattered, but actually sold records. If you are a true music fan, this book is the next best thing to being present at the birth of the R&B. One more suggestion, get the Atlantic R&B box set. If I were allowed to keep but one body of work from my music collection, this would be the one. It is the Rosetta Stone of modern R&B.

Had it not been for Ahmet Ertegun and his family moving from Turkey to America, more than 75% of the music that would come out over the time afterward would never had come to be and the musical mainstream would dramatically have never been the same.
I consider Ertegun to be would one of the best musical geniuses of the 20th century for it was he that started the snowball rolling and it kept getting bigger and bigger. He had his own acetate-cutting machine when he was a kid (pretty neat) and wrote his own songs. Close with his brother, Nesuhi, the two were avid jazz fans. When Ahmet got the urge to make records and hire acts to record for him, he founded his own record company with partner Herb Abramson in 1947 from a $10,000 loan from Ertegun's dentist. The rest is history. Atlantic had a huge roster of stars from jazz and R&B greats of the '40s, '50s and '60s to hard rock bands of the '60s, '70s and '80s. It starts with background history on Ahmet and continues on with the start of Atlantic from the '40s to the present. This huge book chronicles it all loaded with quotes from artists and from Ahmet and the production team as well as tons of photographs. It is pricey but it is worth every penny. Thank you, Ahmet Ertegun. American music would never have thrived without Atlantic!

Ahmet Ertegun what a Important figure in the Music Business? the Guy truly knew His stuff at making a label Important.just His Association with Ray Charles&Aretha Franklin alone speaks volumes to me.He had a strong Idea of what He wanted&He got it.in it's Hey Day Atlantic Records was as Important as Any Other Label then or Now.the one thing you get after reading this Book&Hearing the Atlantic Box Set is that Ahmet Ertegun could vibe with anyone.a Must Have.

First of all, this book is huge and weighs a ton. That is appropriate for the subject matter, because Atlantic Records is a huge presence in the history of rhythm & blues and rock. Chock full of pictures and commentary, this presents a totally fascinating portrait of Ahmet Ertegun and his record company, including all the great artists associated with Atlantic. From the early days with artists such as Ruth Brown and the Clovers, through the early career of Ray Charles, and on to Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett and the incomparable Aretha Franklin, Atlantic Records made its reputation in R&B. Less well known, but hardly less influential, is its presence in the jazz world, thanks to Ahmet's brother Nesuhi. In the late '60's Atlantic expanded into the field of rock with Cream, Led Zeppelin, and, later, the Rolling Stones, and was a major player in art/progressive rock by signing such bands as King Crimson, Yes, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

They could have ended the book in the early '70's, in my opinion, because after corporate buyouts and sellouts, Atlantic's imprint became less distinctive. Face it, Foreigner could have been on any label and it wouldn't have made much difference. Later forays into country music seem very un-Atlantic, to say the least. But during its heyday, there was no label putting out as high a level of quality music as Atlantic records, and this is its fascinating story.

I am told I am a distant relative of Nick Wilson. My Whole famile has all of the copy's of this book and the movie of this story also. It is very well written and very captivating. You cant go wrong buying this book or any of the Nick Wilson stories!!! A must read and must see!! L.J. Gittins, Utah.

Fast service - thanks a lot.

I felt like I was reading a diary of actual events. The historical insight was enlightening. History is hard to write about from the frame of mind of the people that lived it unless it is written by someone that did just that. "The White Indian Boy" transports us to the time of the settling of Wyoming through the eyes of the author.

If you are interested in America's early frontier west - the days of cowboys, pioneers, explorers and Indians - you will be fascinated with two western classics, The White Indian Boy and its sequel The Return of the White Indian.

The White Indian Boy, first published in 1910, is the story of Nick Wilson, a young Mormon pioneer boy who became the adopted son of Washakie, famous chief of the Shoshone Indians who inhabited areas of western Montana, eastern Idaho, western Wyoming and northern Utah. Nick later became a Pony Express Rider, a driver for the famous Overland Stage, a guide for General Albert Sidney Johnston, and co-founder of Wilson, Wyoming in Jackson Hole.

Years later Nick's son Charles A. Wilson wrote a sequel to his father's famous book, telling of his father's later years and of his own adventures in early Jackson Hole. His book, The Return of the White Indian, is equally as interesting as his father's, telling of Jackson Hole's earliest days, of cowboys and Indians, of big game hunting, lake and stream fishing, world famous celebrities, development of Grand Teton National Park.

These two books, published by the University of Utah Press as a single volume, vividly bring to life a unique time and place in American history. There is considerable humor mingled with historical fact, and enriched with early day photos.

A delightful Foreword has been written by John J Stewart, author of several books and chief founder of the National Association and Center for Outlaw & Lawman History.

I read the book and then recommended it to a book club I was organizing. We used it as our first book and everyone enjoyed it. I found the stories spellbinding and the history was very interesting. Nick Wilson led a fasinating life and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history from the old West.

I have read all the Isis books several times and was very excited to learn about this new continuation of the series. Once again, Jean Stewart has created a book that kept me on the edge of my seat to the last page and begging to find out what happens next!

At long last, this sequel resolves the cliffhanger we were left with at the end of the fourth installment of this immensely entertaining sci-fi/fantasy series. When last we saw Isis's leader Tomyris "Whit" Whitaker, her jet and that of fellow soldier Danu Sullivan had been chased by enemy forces into Elysium territory. In this continuation of the WINGED ISIS storyline, Whit and Danu crash land and are faced with the difficulties of hiding and surviving in enemy lands. By a stroke of good luck, they fall in with a group of Amazon rebels. But the enemy is hot on their trail, and they are outnumbered hundreds to one.

The women of Isis live in Freeland, a democratic city-colony on the western side of the U.S. On the other side is Elysium where religious fanatics, corrupt men, and the Regulators, a Gestapo-type of police force live violent, miserable lives. The highly technological and deadly Elysium men want nothing more than to destroy Isis and take their resources, and only the Border shield powered by satellites stops them. Unfortunately, the Border has developed inconsistencies, and that's how the enemy got in. Though the Freeland forces did repel the Elysium attackers, they can't afford to lose Whit or Danu, and a rescue mission must be planned. Unfortunately, as with most Isis emergencies, the plan is not quickly decided upon, and Whit's partner Kali and Danu's girlfriend Tor are tortured by the wait. When the two women take off prematurely on a journey to rescue the two fighters, they set in motion a series of events resulting in battles, chases, and the death of a key character.

Stewart's plotting is deft and focused, her characters well-rounded, and the storyline compelling. Nobody writes lesbian adventure fiction like she does. I have said it before that Stewart's work in its own special category: a hybrid of science fiction, adventure, and romance in a uniquely lesbian framework. WIZARD OF ISIS has an exhilarating pace and engrossing plotline. I couldn't put the book down until I came to the end, and I eagerly await the next installment. ~Lori L. Lake, author of Stepping Out, Different Dress, Gun Shy, Under The Gun, and Ricochet In Time, and reviewer for Midwest Book Review, Golden Crown Literary Society's The Crown, The Independent Gay Writer, The Gay Read, and Just About Write.

The Wizard of Isis, opens moments after the close of Winged Isis, and this fifth title in Jean Stewart's Isis novels is possibly the best of the series. As with other Isis books, Wizard is fast-paced and action-packed reading. Tomyris "Whit" Whitaker and Danu Sullivan ended the dogfight that culminated Winged Isis by chasing two jets (one carrying a nuclear weapon) back across the barrier between Freeland and Elysium. In their enthusiasm to defeat the invaders, Whit and Danu find themselves trapped in the racist, patriarchal, theocratic country. Occupying the eastern portion of what was the United States, Elysium arose some nine decades prior to the book's setting in a panicked response to a population-devastating pandemic.

Having established her futuristic, post-apocalyptic world that divided what is now the United States into two extremely divergent cultures, Stewart explores the possibilities of pockets of resistance inside the oppressive Elysium, where women who are not willing to subjugate themselves to men are literally enslaved or killed. She sets this resistance in the difficult terrain of the Appalachias. Dubbed "Amazons Outlaws" by the Elysium authorities, Stewart suggests that these women banding together for survival in mountain enclaves might easily carry the archetypal characteristics of the independent woman, the fighting "Amazon."

While the women warriors of Freeland were lucky enough to preserve and further develop their technology, these Amazon communities have been struggling to maintain what has reverted to a pre-renaissance trade culture in the last three generations. For several years, they have received an added boost in the form of a very psychically powerful Witch. Whit is concerned that the witch might be a nemesis from her past. Certainly, the witch's motivations and control over the community do have a dark side.

One of the interesting points about Stewart's Freeland democracy is that it is not some mystic tofu utopia. The political struggles and factions are a lively, complex element of the society. While these women are not afraid to defend neither their homeland nor their loved ones, the method of rescue for Whit and Danu is subject to debate by the ruling council. During these council negotiations, Kali, Whit's life partner, and Tor, Danu's girlfriend, decide to circumvent the time-consuming political haggling by launching their own rescue mission. Needless to say, this impulsive venture compounds the problem.

As non-mainstream, speculative fiction, Stewart's Isis series raises some frightening questions about our political system, health care, and our environmental responsibility. These issues ring even truer today than when the series first appeared in 1992. Indeed, Stewart's Isis has long been a warning parable for our times. She furthers this exhortation in regard to the controversial issues of freedom, independence, diversity, safety and community; issues with which the United States has been struggling with since the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

An exemplifying moment is a scene of Danu reciting the Preamble to the Freeland Declaration of Independence concluding, "We are the summit, the democratic ideal that mankind has been aspiring to throughout the ages. It is our duty to protect liberty and freedom in order to ensure it for those who come after us." p111 Despite the ironically sexist and unlikely use of "mankind," the ideals stated so eloquently sent shivers through this reviewer.

The point becomes more blatant near the book's climax when Kali tells a crowd of Elysians "A long time ago, your ancestors exchanged freedom for promises of safety, and you're doing it still. You stopped being Americans." p 210 (Kali was doing great until those last four words since the Elysians present at this moment were not likely to remember or have knowledge of "America" given the repressive cultivation of illiteracy some 90 years after the fall of America.)

Despite the heavy political topics, bleak circumstances, and explicit violence, Wizard of Isis has some charming to downright funny moments. When an imprisoned Kali faces the local Elysian warlord, her strength of will and defiant nature prompt her to use what weapons she has left, namely her wit and voice (and perhaps a touch of her psychic abilities) to strike out at her captors. For this reviewer, the humorous pay-off of this scene is practically worth the book's purchase.

Wizard of Isis has all of the qualities that readers have come to expect from Stewart. The story is thoughtful and intelligent, action-filled and exciting. Her characters are interesting, complex women (and men). While she deals with archetypal elements, not all of her women are noble and heroic and not all men are evil. Indeed, one of the themes of Wizard is the idea that most Elysians are trapped themselves rather than actively supporting the regime. With a signature high-energy climax, Wizard of Isis adds a few surprises to the Isis Saga and it will be interesting to see where Stewart takes readers next.

I don't understand why this author isn't more popular. She is in that small group of lesbian authors who write books of reliable quality, like Karin Kallmaker, Jennifer Fulton, Marianne K Martin, Radclyffe and a few others. Even though I am not a big fantasy reader, I have been enjoying the Isis series a lot. Ms. Stewart's books are a mix of fantasy, romance, and adventure with well drawn characters and good storylines. The stories are set in a futuristic world with the women of Freeland living in the west of what used to be the USA. On the east is Elysium which needless to say is the patriarchy. I won't go into detail about the plot as other reviewers have explained it really well. But I really like the way this author makes strong political points which are relevant to us right now, but at the same time she uses humor. This means things don't get too preachy, although just a few times I found it heavy going. Ms. Stewart obviously takes time over her work and because of that her stories are full of interesting detail that creates a very realistic feel. In this one Whit and Danu have crash landed in the WRONG place and travel with a group of Amazon rebels as they try to avoid their patriarchal enemies. Their lovers can't bear to sit on their hands back in Freeland, so they set off to find them. The result is a great action adventure and a really surprising climax. Hats off to Ms. Stewart for writing such a gripping tale and one even non-fantasy readers can enjoy. I like this book much more than the flaky, unbelievable fantasy books that are so common.

It's not that Jean Stewart took a long time to produce this latest (and hopefully not final) book in her wonderful Isis series, but that I took so long to read it! There is not enough lesbian-centric sci-fi and fantasy out there, so I tend to dole them out to myself as rewards for significant achievements. I finally lost those last 5 pounds and a calorie-free book was my reward!

It was worth waiting for! The best part is that two very competent reviewers have already said virtually every thing I would point out about this book. That saves me a lot of time.

These days it seems unfashionable to admit to being a feminist or to write tales that reflect our ever-present struggle to wrest some control over our own destinies. There's toxins from rocket fuel in *all* breast milk, right now, in the world we live in. Every woman on the planet ought to be outraged, and the defense contractors who have poisoned major water supplies so that not even a newborn can get something pure ought to be paying to clean up our rivers! But who cares about women and babies when there's profit to be made?

That's what I welcome the Isis series for, a good old-fashioned tale of women bonding together to save their way of life versus the presumptuous, uncaring, mindless ways of people who live for today and refuse to care about tomorrow. In the Isis books the women are winning.

In our world today, I'm not nearly so heartened. But perhaps others feel as I do because I'm thrilled that this book has been nominated for a prestigious Lammy.

Thank you, Miz Stewart, for another great entry in this series.

I ordered these stickers to use in an altered book I was making. The book I altered was the 100th ed. of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Imagine my delight when I discovered that the stickers were identical to the artwork done in the book (by the same illustrator)! There were stickers from many scenes throughout the book, not just generic character representations. This collection helped me really get the job done.

The price is right to buy a few and always have them on hand for a grandchild to keep busy with in a restaurant or at home. We all love the Wizard of Oz and these books are hard to come by. A wonderful activity item.

What a GREAT group of sticklers for my Granddaughter to play with. She's in the sticker stage (2). Of course I have my own set for my Oz Collection.

These stickers are of wonderful quality. They are based on the characters of the book Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum. I have seen many books with these types of stickers, but none like these. These stickers have a higher durability rate than any others I've seen. I would reccomend these stickers to all who love the Wizard of Oz.

I think all Wizard of Oz fans should own this book. The characters look almost exactly like the ones in the book by L. Frank Baum. The stickers are very durable. They can withstand a degree of "roughness" that no other sticker I've seen can. I suggest that all WIzard of Oz collectors should race to buy this item, because it is sure to be gone soon. Hurry and buy this item.

The book in great words expresses what a parent is in the eye of a child, how the child is able to grow always knowing that their parent is there to protect and love the child.

Amy Hatkoff has done a great job of integrating a scrapbook of pictorial cuties with psychological milestones. The visceral response is one of "Ohhhh..." A little gem of a book and a very suitable stocking gift for anyone expecting a larger bundle of joy. I'm also appreciative of the fact that she has both sexes nurturing infants.

This book is soo... good I am amazed it isn't a best seller or winning every award in baby books!. I just had a baby and this book made me cry..it evokes the feeling I have for my baby/now toddler that I could never express, but felt it so strongly!!. I feel I am quite artistic as I am a writer of pop songsBlue Guitar...but this book touches your heart in some precious way I could never imagine. I love this book and send it to all my friends having babies! Amy.. thank you WOW!

You Are My World vividly captures with heart-melting photographs and disarmingly simple words the critical importance a parent's love and attention have on a baby's development. The author effectively uses the point of view of the infant, but she also interweaves, with a light hand, the best research that has been undertaken on the emotional importance of the parent-child bond. This little gem of a book would make a lovely gift for new or soon-to-be parents. It can also be enjoyed by those of us whose children have grown--You Are My World brought back with immediacy the intensity of those magical first days, weeks and months that I shared with my new born son. The author shows so much sensitivity to what goes on in a baby's mind, that I hope she follows up with a book on the world of toddlers.

The pictures are out standing and the content is food for thought and when you finish with this book and your baby gets to the picture looking stage they always love to see the baby. Another bond is made looking with them at the pictures.

I'm not much for self-help books! However, I wish I had found this book years ago. It is universal, timeless, and a "real" handbook for life. I want to give a copy to everyone I know. It's about much more than transforming relationships in the traditional sense. No, it's not another love book or "Women are from Mars and Men are from Venus" kind of book. It's about our relationship with ourself and our life as much as it is about our relationship with lovers, friends, parents, children, or co-workers. Emery in a very simple manner explains how to make our life and our relationships workable. He highlights ideas, perceptions, and self images that don't work for us (any of us) and explains where they came from. He explains the mechanics of it in a way that makes it easy to execute. This is a very simple book, easy to read, and one that I will read many times. It will be the first gift I give to anyone I have a romantic relationship with in the future.

I spent several years being a confirmed self-help junkie. I read everything I could get my hands on, went to seminars and was a passionate seeker. When I finished this book, I remember thinking, "I don't have to ever read another self-help book." Of course, I have read many others, but ACTUALIZATIONS remains my all-time favorite. It's profoundly full of memorable ideas and insights. You may find yourself quoting it to your friends. Quite simply, Stewart Emery is one of the best teachers I've ever encountered.

I have have owned many copies of this book because I give them away or people just walk off with them! I have been rereading it for fifteen years and always find new inspiration.

It is wonderful to know that such wisdom is at our fingertips and I just wish we could all read the same book--as in "You Don't Have to Rehearse to Be Yourself."

Whether you are looking for inspiration or trying to communicate with your loved ones better or looking for more success in life, this is definitely the book to read.

It's a classic.

About 30 years ago my then 20-yr-old son attended Stewrt Emery's 4-day workshop in San Francisco. It dramatically changed his life - forever!
The Actualizations book is the workshop in written form. Through the years I have given the book to several people with the same amazing results. I recently gave a copy to my married adult niece. After just starting it, this is what she wrote to me: "This book was written just for me. It is as if it were written directly to me from the writer. How does he know all these things that he knows?" Whatever the circumstances of one's life, this book applies.

This oversize coffee-table book has beautifully reproduced, well-chosen photographs, but significant drawbacks.

Pluses:
* Excellent photos of iconic objects
* Good cross-section of prehispanic Mesoamerican artwork/artifacts
* Nice feature articles on many major archaeological sites in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras

Neutral:
* Average-quality text (translated from Italian)

Negatives:
* No decent overall map of the area
* Maps of cultures are so general as to be almost useless

So, this shouldn't be your only guide to prehispanic Mesoamerican history. But the high quality of the photos makes it worthwhile if you find an inexpensive copy. I haven't seen the recent B&N reprint.

Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman

BEAUTIFUL enormous glossy full-color photos that do more justice to the Mexican ruins than any other book I have EVER SEEN!! I love this book SO MUCH that, since I couldn't afford to BUY it, I went in to the bookstore about once every month or 2 for a YEAR AND A HALF to visit it, pore over it and covet it until a friend took pity on me and bought it for me as a gift! I have BEEN to several of the ruins pictured here, and they are MASTERFULLY captured in the photographs. The author even includes some of the little, lesser-known sites, such as Dzibilchaltun, especially dear to me as my Mexican host family took me there on a family day outing!! This book is just AWESOME!!!

This book takes the reader thorough the history of pre-columbian mesoamerica, the daily life of the people and then tours a number of important archaeological sites in Mexico and nearby countries. It includes wonderful photos of amazing artifacts decorative pieces, ceramics and jeewlry and the archaeological sites. It is a stunning book and serves to emphasize the colossal loss the Americas sustained with the conquest. If you've been to Mexico and love it, this book is a nice memento. If you havn't, this will make you want to go.

This book is packed with information and color photographs of the ancient cultures of Mexico, from the Olmecs to the Zapotecs to the Mayas to the Aztecs. The author even includes sections on the lesser known and understood cultures of Western Mexico. With a fold-out time line and detailed maps of the most famous archaeological sites, this book gives a good overview of the history of these cultures - and then hones in on specifics such as dress, burial customs, religion, war, and games. Extensive attention is also given to the major cities representing these peoples. With color photographs on nearly every page, this is a gorgeous addition to any library. As a reference book, or even as a coffee table book to browse through occasionally, ANCIENT MEXICO can't be beat.

Readers will no doubt wonder why they would want to read this book rather than a myriad of other coffee table books on the subject of the Roman Empire. I can not claim that I have read
"almost all" of them. I have not. I have read only some of them. What makes Liberati's book different... and better... than these others is that she organizes her work topically and not just geographically.

The pictures are scrumptious, simply scrumptious. The picture on the cover is bettered by a plethora of other pictures in the book. A *two-page* picture of the Coliseum appears on pages 18 and 19. Then come pictures and text portraying the history of Rome. These are followed pictures which show the promulgation of Roman civilization throughout Italy and throughout the ancient world. There are pictures of the Las Farreras aquaduct, the Temple of Diana in Nimes, and the port of Caesarea.

She is not just presenting a bunch of pictures. One could find out something new. This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in Roman history.

The strength of this exquisite book is in the pages of beautiful reproductions of artifacts and artworks from throughout the history of the Empire. On 292 pages, the book encompasses 358 color photos, 30 color drawings (mostly architectural) and 45 maps.

The book is organized in five sections - an overview of the 11 centuries of history; social aspects from shelter to spectacles; the splendors of the capital; Roman civilization in Italy; a tour of the Roman provinces.

The text is accessible and the captions are packed with information but the illustrations are not only breathtaking but representative of every aspect of Roman civilization. An excellent introduction to Roman history or a valuable addition to a collection.

In Ancient Rome: History Of A Civilization That Ruled The World, Anna Maria Liberati (Museum of Roman Civilization, Rome, Italy) has effectively collaborated with freelance journalist and art history expert Fabio Bourbon to lay out a beautifully illustrated and thoroughly "reader friendly" coffeetable artbook showcasing the architecture, politics, culture, art, and artifacts tracing the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. An ideal addition to school and community library collections, the hundreds of full-color images (many of them never previously published and available to the general public) wonderfully enhance an informed and informative text making Ancient Rome especially accessible and recommended to the non-specialist general reader.

This book is not much on narration -- but it isn't really supposed to be. The book is filled with outstanding photographs, prints, drawings, maps, and architectural plans that will be useful to anyone in the business of teaching social studies. This is one of those wonderfully inexpensive oversized hardcover books that makes you feel good just by owning it.