Stewart Books

Harpur, a faith and values columnist for the Toronto Star, tackles one of those subjects with no definitive answer and does so with clarity and thoroughness. An Anglican minister and former professor of Greek and New Testament, he examines everything from near-death experiences and reincarnation to the Bible and what other faiths have to say on the subject of life after death. On top of that, he spends an entire chapter on what was then (1991) the latest from the world of science. In the end, Harpur concludes "to trust there there is a life after death is to trust God. It is to trust that the ultimate energy at the foundations of the universe is love." If you've read the book that far, you'll likely agree. Just note, however, this most definitely is NOT a book meant for fundamentalists of any faith. But it is very, very readable and informative.

Tom Harpur is very convincing in his case for the possibility a hereafter. With great insight and evidence, he succeeds in clarifying much of what is misunderstood about Christ, the Bible and the apostles. This is the best book I have read on this subject. Harpur's evidence is both scientific and philosophical. The lucid Mr. Harpur has done more to convince me than anyone else.

I was looking for a text that could be used in a classroom. This text would need to be high school level reading. This text was more than suffieient for my use. I am very impressed with it. The next time I need to search for text or reference text you will certainly be first.

Dr. J Fenner, Phd

James S. Stewart has taken the life of Christ and not only presents Him as a child, in His ministry, His miracles and works, but also answers questions. Questions concerning pain, forgiveness, the law and love. He also helps the reader see how sin is truly hurting love. I found this book well documented and an excellent book for those desiring to learn more about Jesus as God and man. Superb for Sunday school techers and those seeking to know more about Christianity.

This is one of the most delightful Christmas books I've ever read, a mix of facts, fiction, and absurdity. Why the heck is it out of print?

An Italian guy walking his dog comes across the text for the life of Saint Nicholas -- hunting for truffles, of all things. It starts with a little Roman baby, born during the Christian rule of Constantine; it is rapidly found that Nicholas can bend cutlery (spoons, knives), transform wine into vinegar and vice versa, and eventually is able to make miracles: to simply will things into existance (sometimes with comedic results). He uses these talents for good; but is arrested when Constantine dies and a pagan emperor comes into power. Sounds dire? Believe me, it isn't.

Blechman does an excellent job of blending fact and fiction: Saint Nick could not create stuff magically; the lifespans of his parents; the three virgins; the giving away of his possessions to the poor, etc.

This is relentlessly tongue-in-cheek. I thought the transformation of the pagan statues into Christian statues was hilarious (especially the Jesus and the moneylenders one); the idea of how Saint Nick got his red suit, hat, bag and chubbiness; the dog named "Piano"; the rare intervals of dialogue are usually a hoot.

Blechman's cartoon style is sort of wavery and cute without being cutesy. He also manages to keep the story from descending into cutesiness, especially at the end, in which certain actions take a bizarre but somehow logical twist.

As the Christmas market is often populated by either feel-good fluff, sob stories, or cynically saccharine fables, this is refreshingly minimalist in its storytelling and illustration. It also, unlike many stories, addresses Saint Nick AS a saint; at the same time, it isn't a religious story, but simply a cute little semi-fictional retelling. A delightful holiday read, one that I will treasure.

This is one of the most delightful Christmas books I've ever read, a mix of facts, fiction, and absurdity. Why the heck is it out of print?

An Italian guy walking his dog comes across the text for the life of Saint Nicholas -- hunting for truffles, of all things. It starts with a little Roman baby, born during the Christian rule of Constantine; it is rapidly found that Nicholas can bend cutlery (spoons, knives), transform wine into vinegar and vice versa, and eventually is able to make miracles: to simply will things into existance (sometimes with comedic results). He uses these talents for good; but is arrested when Constantine dies and a pagan emperor comes into power. Sounds dire? Believe me, it isn't.

Blechman does an excellent job of blending fact and fiction: Saint Nick could not create stuff magically; the lifespans of his parents; the three virgins; the giving away of his possessions to the poor, etc.

This is relentlessly tongue-in-cheek. I thought the transformation of the pagan statues into Christian statues was hilarious (especially the Jesus and the moneylenders one); the idea of how Saint Nick got his red suit, hat, bag and chubbiness; the dog named "Piano"; the rare intervals of dialogue are usually a hoot.

Blechman's cartoon style is sort of wavery and cute without being cutesy. He also manages to keep the story from descending into cutesiness, especially at the end, in which certain actions take a bizarre but somehow logical twist.

As the Christmas market is often populated by either feel-good fluff, sob stories, or cynically saccharine fables, this is refreshingly minimalist in its storytelling and illustration. It also, unlike many stories, addresses Saint Nick AS a saint; at the same time, it isn't a religious story, but simply a cute little semi-fictional retelling. A delightful holiday read, one that I will treasure.

I found this a moving account of the life of a man who probably appeared quite unremarkable to his friends and neighbours. His expression, which I have heard elsewhere in Oxfordshire, "Us'll get over it" showed that he was well capable of rising above the personal tragedy and hardship that we would have difficulty in coming to terms with today, without "counselling" or "tranquilisers".

I too never had the chance to meet "Old Mont" but I would have felt privileged to do so. Usually when driving through "our Enstone" as I do several times a year between home in South Wales and my family in St. Albans I stop to "Lift The Latch" in the Crown and pay my respects at his grave which always seems to be adorned with little bunches of wild flowers. This book should NEVER be out of print

This is one of the most moving books I have ever read! It is the life story of a man whose memory will remain with you, long after you have closed the covers, and is based on transcripts of the author's conversations with him over two years. Mont Abbott was born in obscurity, and lived a humble, hardworking life on the land. But his life story is made poignant by tragedy, and enriched by a wonderful memory, and zest for life. He died only in the 1980's, and I feel we are all the poorer for not having met this wonderful character in the flesh, but now we can all do so through this beautifully crafted book.

LINE SCREW BY J. MICHAEL YATES

J. Michael Yates was born in Missouri and educated around the world but in 1966 he moved to Canada and has, I think, lived here ever since. He has published approximately 30 books of poetry and also a memoir called LINE SCREW in which he writes of his experiences during 12 years as a jail guard in British Columbia on the West Coast of Canada. Lest you worry that a poet might not survive in a maximum security prison, as a prisoner let alone a jail guard, let me assure that J. Michael not only survived, he lived to write of it in ways that prisons have not been so accurately described before. This book is filled with accounts that ring with their truth. J. Michael is six foot one and prepared to defend his position with his fists as well as his words. He is also an expert marksman and psychologist. Since most of my best friends have been in jail at one time or another I think I qualify as an expert on these things and I tell you that if you really want to know what goes on behind prison walls you must read LINE SCREW. In it you will find the language, the life and the routines that make up doing time in Canada and if it does not convince you of the futility of our present methods of "correction" nothing will. J. Michael Yates is not soft on crime. He is not soft on anybody. That includes prisoners, prison brass and particularly the media. I don't have enough stars to give to this book! Ed Wildman Honeywood, Ontario August 16, 2001

I picked this book up a few months ago and found I couldnt put it down. Mr. Yates gives a in deepth, raw and humorous look into the canadian penal system and it's prisons. If you like real life prison storys then pick this book up. You wont be sorry!

I picked up this book at a used book sale because the cover looked intriguing and I like to read all sorts of different books. The first chapter confused me slightly and I wasn't sure I'd like the book. The second story helped me understand why the first chapter was confusing and I came to the conclusion that Merilyn Simonds is a master storyteller. This book is through the eyes of on woman from childhood through adulthood. Just as your earliest childhood memories are confusing, so are hers. I realized when I was a child I took solace and comfort in certain perceptions and beliefs, that were not real. I have VIVID memories and emotional pulls to things, places and people that no longer intrigue me or anyone else. In short, this book is incredible. Her writing is precise, clear and thought provoking. Almost psycholoically stimulating in ways you never thought a book could be. This book quickly became a top ten favorite for me.

Merilyn Simonds brings hope to those of us who have been instructed by our teachers and mentors to write about what we know best. In a series of personal vignettes, Simonds carefully recreates moments and situations from her past, turning them into art. A real page turner, this book has to be begun from the beginning every time it is picked up (I'm making it last!). The writer lets readers into the most private corners of her being ... and we recognize something of ourselves there.

Its the little things we do with out thought... they are happening around us. This simple book is beautifully composed and the illustrations are even better. I fell in love with this book when I first read it. Its a must have for anyone with children, friends, partner, loved one, family or just for yourself.

in the dark moments of our lives, we need a guide for beauty and happiness. here is it.

RJ Stewart manages every time to write the most solid of books. This is a book outside of the over-published Wicca tradition. He does work very much from a Western magical perspective however. I worked with this book alongside books by John and Caitlin Matthews, aswell as WG Gray. It is due to be re-published in an omnibus edition along with "Advanced Magical Arts". RJ's work is always trustworthy. His books go well beyond much of the new age nonsense generally available, and working with them is not for the faint-hearted. He leaves you with no illusions as to what is involved with doing the work. Highly recommended for anyone serious about their magical work.

Stewart's book made me get out my highlighter, because he states basic truths succinctly and clearly -- truths I want to come back to again and again. This book derives from Stewart's personal experience, and unlike other texts on "magic," it is no pastiche of the work of others, or a mere catalog of magical correspondences. Stewart offers clear instructions, rationales and a coherent and profound magical philosophy for what he presents. As he defines it, "magic is a set of methods for arranging awareness according to patterns." These patterns catalyze a transformation: "the purpose of magical arts is to enable changes within the individual by which he or she may apprehend further methods [of magic and transformation] inwardly."

The ultimate goal of magic, for Stewart, is not the acquisition of mysterious powers, wealth, health, control of others, etc. These are the vaudeville tricks of inferior and negative books on so-called magic which give the art a bad name. Yes, Stewart calls a spade a spade, from his point of view. His reasoning is simple: "magic attempts to relate human consciousness to divine consciousness through patterns inherent in each." So anything that obstructs that goal is unnecessary and even harmful. Magic is not a religion, and certainly not anti-religion, but rather "a coherent set of traditions regarding human potential." The god(dess) images of a religion are imaginative images "engineered to a high standard of performance." So magicians, without ever denying the power or value of such images, work through and beyond them because they want to experience and work with the reality which lies behind images and which energizes them.

Stewart's style is educated and not a breezy, colloquial one. Though it can feel a little stuffy at first, this book should be in the hands of anyone interested in developing awareness, transforming consciousness and inner growth. I say this not because I expect everyone will (or should) agree with Stewart. I don't always. But his common-sense, grounded, utterly practical outlook is refreshing and unusual when you look at the sometimes careless, unscholarly, irresponsible and misleading books on the market which promise a lot and don't deliver. Use your reason and intelligence fully, as Stewart would urge, because they're tools too. He remarks late in the book, "if the intellect can be turned to prove to itself that conditioned life patterns are false, it becomes a useful tool towards liberation." No quick fixes (I'm usually suspicious of books which promise those anyway), but a path worthy of prolonged dedication.

If you are a true Canadian Hockey fan, then you already have this book! Can you imagine Wayne Gretsky whispering in your ear "You're gonna be a legend"! Truly inspiring and very well written. You'll keep the pages turning.

The fact that there was a loonie at centre ice during the Salt Lake City Olympics only makes the double gold that much sweeter.
I loved reading about how the loonie came to be as well as how the Canadian teams perceived it. This story is for the true Canadian Hockey fan and will remain a legend for years to come.

I devoured this short read of Canadian history in one sitting.

"Celebrate" is the perfect word to describe the content of this wonderful testament to creativity inspired by love. Poems, stories, artwork, and photographs testify to the perennial energy we call love. It's a bargain at the price, especially for those who want to give a gift slightly off the beaten path of crystal, china, and siverware. The book itself is a large, impressive hardback ("art book"), with a beautiful cover. Enjoy!

I just found this book at a book sale. It is like I have received a windfall apple. I didn't know what I was missing until I saw this. It is full of stories, quotes and fabulous art reproductions focusing on Love. The feeling you get when you look at and read this book is a profound longing for your loved one. It is really overwhelming. I was hooked from the author's introduction (and I rarely read the introductions). This book is a celebration of love between man and woman. Some of the stories are humorous sketches from authors such as Mark Twain, or poems from e e cummings or an excerpt from Hawthorn's Lady Chatterly's Lover. Overall, This book is a rare and powerful approach to such an awesome subject. (This would make an AWESOME wedding gift).