Stone Books

After close to 2,000 pages, "The Story of the Stone" reaches its end with this volume. This book represents the second set of 20 chapters out of the 40 reputedly edited and redacted by Gao E, and arguments about the chapters' validity (both as a work in themselves and as part of Cao Xueqin's novel) are a sort of scholarly pastime.

The most salient comment on the problem may be the one offered by John Minford when he writes that regardless of academic debates, these chapters are what we have, and they "have been accepted as *the* ending for centuries." Minford's translation continues to be a worthy successor to David Hawkes' version of the first 80 chapters, and I found this last volume to be more satisfying than I had often heard.

At this point, recommendations are all but moot; no one should be starting the story here, and if you've come this far there's no good reason not to read the last 400 pages.

~

This book was written one year before the French Revolution, in 1788, in Beijing, China by a riches-to -rags nobleman called Cao Xue Quin. It is viewed by many as the greatest classical Chinese romantic novel ever written.

I read the original Chinese version of this book when I was in high school, many years ago. At that time, my impression was that it was a Chinese Romeo and Juliet type tragic love story, in which the main characters Bao-yu and his cousin Dai-yu (Black Jade) suffered the fate of unfulfilled love, and no ever after. There was more to it than that, but I could not figure out what.

Recently, I re-read the book (the current trans- lated version). This time it sounded like the Adven- tures of Tom Jones, in which the teen-aged playboy Bao-yu was dallying in the ranks of the female members of his household (his cousins and maids), longing after many but only truly loving Dai-yu.

It was also a bit similar to Upstairs Downstairs -- a big noble clan with all its ladies, young misses and maids, and their lives of adventures and tears. But something was still missing. There was a theme, a message, which draws me and others to this great work of literature.

I finally figured it out: Almost all the WOMEN in this book were described as elegant, sophisticated, intelligent, graceful, excellent decision makers, and above all, beautiful. Most MEN, however, were described as fools, red-necks, unfaithful, heart-breakers, nogooders, users of prostitutes and abusers of power!

What I am looking at is a book (or one-MAN crusade) of Early Feminism. It is all the more remarkable because in feudal China, women did not have equal status. "marrying for love" seldom existed. It was more like "married by parental arrangement". Poor girls were sold as maids into rich households, or worse, they were sold as second wives or concubines.

The confirmation of my theory came from the author Cao himself. In his introductory book review, he said, "Thus begins this book ... I have hidden the real events and substituted them with fiction ... There were real persons in the inner-chambers, and their stories must be told ..." (Modern translation: I have real women in my household).

This message would make this a truly revolutionary work, not only in feudal China, but even to-day.

Should have first read the book review by the author.

I really enjoyed this book, a part of my self-directed curriculum to understand China (all of which, by the way, has been incredible). Not only are the characterizations excellent and the period wonderfully evoked (at least to my knowledge), but there's all sorts of great maid sex and other bawdy hilarious stuff. The only question I have now is why does it seem like Volumes 2-4 are not available... although vol. 5 is? Maybe I'm overlooking something obvious, as persons with Chinese maid sex on the brain are wont to do.

I read the other reviews on this page, and I thought I should add something: this novel is unbelievably beautifully written, and the English translation is absolutely superb.

You cannot find any better example of novel-writing skill in any language.

I've read all parts of The Story of the Stone. It starts and ends in a mystical fashion; coming full circle in a traditional ying/yang way. Wonderful five volume story about two wealthy families closely connected to the throne. Although there's not much known about the true author, I suspect that it was written by a maid. There is incredible detail from the perspective of the servents working for their sometimes nutty employers. The family actually built a garden at one point in honor of a visit from a daughter who had been chosen to be a royal concubine. If you want to immerse yourself in the ups and downs, daily life, (warts and all) of 1750's Chinese culture don't miss The Story of the Stone et al.

If you truly are on your walk with Jesus. This book is of great inportance
of understanding of how & why Our Doctrin is what it is, and why the message must never change. THE KING IS COMING!

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE STONE-CAMPBELL MOVEMENT is a massive volume on the people, events, theology, and churches involved in the Restoration Movement. The work covers nearly every facet of the movement from the beginnings with Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone to the various sects in the Restoration Movement such as the United Church of Christ, the mainline Churches of Christ, the International Churches of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, and many more.

This work is an encyclopedia and thus is a reference book than a book you would enjoy reading from cover to cover in your bed at night. However, I found the articles to be interesting. Each subject is in its alphebetical order and I found the bibliography to be very helpful indeed. The writers are fair and balanced on each subject written. There were a few flaws I found with the work in that it couldn't cover every person I felt they could have nonetheless the authors are to be commended for their labours.

Overall this is a solid work. Those interested in reading on the Restoration Movement as a whole or simply want to know where the Movement stands on various theological issues will find this book very helpful. A good read for disciples of Christ.

This reference is a must have for anyone interested in the American Reformation (Restoration) Movement of the 19th century, involving Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, Walter Scott, et al. The churches which sprung from this movement are generally called "Church of Christ", "Christian Church", or "Disciples of Christ". The entries are thorough, understandable and well referenced, yet they don't overkill. Covers a broad range of related topics and people.

Articles are brief in some cases and all can be read by a lay person. I recommend this collection of history of a denomination. It also has photos where possible.

The Churches of Christ, Christian Church and Disciples of Christ, ironically enough, all trace their origins back to the nineteenth century Christian reform and unity movement led by former Presbyterians Barton Warren Stone and the father and son team Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Known as the Stone-Campbell Movement, this tradition has a long and vaunted history, not just in the US, but around the world.

At last, a comprehensive, well-written, and readable encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Reformation is available. Long needed, this volume more than adequately meets its goal. The volume is edited by well-known, respected scholars of all three of the major branches of the Movement and written by scholars from within each of the segments, and contains a wealth of material on people, places and subjects relating to the Stone-Campbell Reformation.

Among the subjects, places and people treated are: Alexander and Thomas Campbell, Barton Stone, TB Larimore, FD Kershner, Moses Lard, Daniel Sommer, FD Srygley, Marshal Keeble, KC Moser; Silena Moore Holman; Foy Wallace, Jr.; RN Hogan; Caroline Neveille Pearre; a historical time-line for all three branches of the Movement; the historical attitudes towards restoration in the three branches of the Movement; historical attitudes toward women in the ministry among the three branches; women ministers such as Mary Stodgill and Jessie Colman Monser; attitudes on abortion and women's rights; attitudes on gay/lesbian rights in the Movement; Rice Haggard's influence on the Movement; the Scottish Haldanes and their influence on the thought of Campbell; the International Churches of Christ (Boston); the views on higher education among the three branches; colleges and universities of all three branches; founders of splinter movements and heresies such as Jesse Ferguson and John Thomas; the Movement's attitudes towards Shakers and Mormons; the Movemrent's attitude towards slavery and civil rights; Latino Disciples of Christ; missionary societies; Campbellian and Stoneite communion theology and eschatology; the Declaration and Address; the Stone-Campbell Movement in Great Britain, Russia, Australia and Canada; Hall L. Calhoun; David Oliphant; the Cane Ridge Revial's influence on Barton Stone; publishing houses of the three branches of the Movement; brotherhhod periodicals in the three branches; historical attitudes to missions and a history of missions; the movement's historical attitude towards creeds and confessions; devotional literature; Don DeWelt; etc.

In short, the volume contains articles on practically every facet of the churches comprising the Stone-Campbell Movement.

There are however, some seemingly glaring omissions; for example, from the Church of Christ branch alone one does not find articles on JN Armstrong; Yater Tant; the American Bible Union; or Thomas B. Warren and the Spiritual Sword. One choice made by the editors was to restrict articles only to deceased persons in order to avoid any kind of controversy. The reviewer is aware, however, that editorial choices must be made and are often difficult. Omissions are simply unavoidable.

Among other things, this volume adequately succeeds in pointing out just how diverse the traditions and churches comprising the Stone-Campbell Movement truly are.

All-in-all, the volume is a must-read for serious students of the Stone-Campbell Movement and mainstream American Protestantism in general. Eerdmans is to be commended for publishing such a work, and the editors and contributors commended for their herculean efforts at producing it. It should long serve its goal.

Clio and Thais, identical twins who only just discovered each other, are at the center of numerous plots by the group of immortal witches known as the Trieze. Each twin has her own views about what the reworking of the great spell might mean but they are both against the idea of being used by the other witches. As the time for the reenactment approaches, the twins uncover a lot of secrets both together and separately. They even find out who is behind some of the attempts on their lives.

As the twins are trying to deal with the enormity of the Trieze and what it represents, we get a lot of chapters from the viewpoints of the other witches. In this way we learn a lot about what they are really up to. We also see the arrival of the final summoned members.

Like the earlier books, viewpoints change with each chapter. Fewer of the chapters are from Clio and Thais's viewpoints. Also, at the end there is not the same need to see what happens next. There are a few unanswered questions at the end but nothing like in the previous volumes. It is almost as if the story peaked one book too soon. Still, it is as good as the first two. Check it out.

Cate Tiernan is such a fantastic author! I love all of her books and this specific one did not let me down. It starts where the last one left off and the drama and mystery continues. I love this series so much and hope that it continues!!

This book series just gets better and better. Clio is dealing with some things and Thais is still fighting her feelings that she has toward Luc. Not only that, one of them may be the dark twin and if so who? I highly recommend this book and can't wait till the fourth.

This is the third book in the Balefire series by Cate Tiernan, and the best so far. Maybe that's not true. All three are the best!
Someone is still going after Clio and Thais and trying to kill them. They work a little spell to find out who, and it works, while almost killing themselves. It's a shocker when you find out who's behind all the madness, and even more of a shocker when you find out who is connected to the twins.
I can't wait to read the final book in the series which comes out next year!

I Love this series, someone might kill me for this but i like it more then Sweep, you won't believe the crazy stuff that happens to thais and clio this time around, mostly clio though. There was a huge twist in the book, that was painful for me but probably joyful for others,i can't believe who the person who tried to kill them was... but i guess youv'e got to read it to find out. Lets just say this book was worth wait, but it's going to be agonizing to wait until March for the next installment :(

This is a right now book for anyone who LOVES THE LORD!
For Your Glory Father!!

For many people that deny the power of God. Brother Stone not only gives you his testimony about the power of God but he also gives the reader keys to partaking in the awesome power of a mighty God!

I just finished reading this book and found it to be one of the best books I have read on the ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Not only was it interesting and informative, but very thought provoking. As I read it, I realized how imperative it is in our generation, and particularly in America today, to have the gifts of the Spirit operating corporately in our churches and personally in our own Christian lives. As I read it, I was convicted, inspired and challenged. It took the Fire fresh from the Altar of Jehovah and put it right in my heart!

If you want to be encouraged and uplifted read this book as soon as possible! Miracles still happen, and Fred's eyewitness testimony is amazing and inspiring!

Adam from Florida <><

The beauty and ease of your daughter scripting the memiors of your awesome experiences with the power of Almighty God! This man has been compared to prophets in the Bible, and I agree. From the story of how he was taken away by the midwife, immediately after he was born, to the end, it is evident that God has his hand on this man. If you enjoy hearing about spiritual and supernatural manifestations you will love this account. Let your heart go with these words and you will see feel the power of this testimony. There IS power in it!!

I'm not certain what drew me to purchase this book, i think that i was drawn to the title and then to the excerpt. The magic of the stone circles intrigue me so i made my purchase..After my first time reading thru this wonderful collection of poems i was surprized to see how young KB is in her photo.. But then again- anyone of Celtic blood is older then we appear to be... As a weaver- Warps and Wefts haunts me still- helping me to understand the stories heard years ago-late at nite- told by my Grandmother's people- sharing their own stories or those who had already passed on. The line in American Heritage- "Born of American born of Americans born of Voyagers over the water" made me cry- because words were finally put to feelings long felt.. Time to Speak, Time to Die, Time to Dance tells our story in a new OLD way-i look forward to her next publication

This outstanding book took me to Ireland with the turn of each page. What a great gift this makes for the lovers of both Irish history and poetry. KB adroitly weaves the story of Ireland's past and present in a way that makes Gathering Stones better than chocolate. I want more!

KB's artful use of words draws us behind the scenes. Her rare gift is to draw us into the souls of wounded and resilient characters. We smell the misty air, rejoice in rugged coasts, embrace warm tears, rejoice in their land and history, and brood with them through troubled times. Read it to experience Ireland; study it to learn the art of soul-telling!

Within this beautiful book, the Irish heart beats with the cadence of the bodhrán, and wind and stone are recurrent themes of both loss and discovery. Ballentine's remarkable knowledge of history comingles with her unique poetic style to create a harmony of past and present. The complex enigma of a country and its people resonates especially in her poem, "Rosaleen's Dark Harbor": "No matter how bright the sun, the rain still falls./We dream of another place, resign ourselves to leaving this one." Gathering Stones is a richly-balanced book with the somber undertones and lit brilliance that so satisfies the reader's appetite, it makes her hungry for Ballentine's next book.

Gathering Stones is a collection of lyrical poems that allow the reader to emerse him/herself in the mystery of Ireland's past and present. KB Ballentine's talent shines through in these poems as they are crafted skillfully in the music of the Irish language. I can recommend this beautiful collection of poems to anyone.

Where Volume One was an amazing, broad-spectrum time-travel into other cultures, many of them ancient, to explore previous uses of gems for healing on every level, Volume two gives us very practical everyday uses: using elixirs and flower essences in our bath water, etc.

You'll bury yourself in this book and only come up for air and if you have to go to work!

This is an excellent book! Gurudas describes the effects of gems, gem elixirs on you. This book I trust the most, because gurudas seems to be very persise and pure. You will be amazed how he is right about the effects of gemstones when you do your own elexiers. I persive gem elixirs as very effectiv, both spiritual and physical.

Gurudas' work has been amassed over several decades of his own practice and also through thorough research. This book is a phenomenal source of both esoteric and technical information, providing such a scope of vision surrounding the use of gem and other vibrational elixirs as to - well, virtually blow one's mind, quite frankly! The information is most definitely broad ranged, and yet extremely concise. The format of the book makes the information very accesable. And the possiblities for even further exploration and discovery implied within the pages of this book are wonderously infinite! - Mrs. Leah Wroten Sinderamnn

This book is basically transcripts from various channeling sessions, but the information is very detailed and very useful. Anyone exploring the Lemurian and Atlantean uses of crystals will enjoy this book.

The process is a bit in-depth and fairly intense. It may be difficult to follow every one of the steps, though the process can be simplified, as it is by other authors. Each of the entries becomes somewhat repetetive after some time, but the information may still be useful. Most valuable to the practitioner are the tables of prescribed uses and mixtures of elixirs.

I look forward to the reprint of this book very much.

Excellent, excellent, excellent! While it is a dense read it is an invaluable resource for the healer. Excellent charts, tables and information on healing and gem therapy.

If you could read only one book in your entire life, this should be the one. Lost? Searching for meaning to your life? Ill? Financial problems? Emotional problems? Or, do you just want to know the meaning of life and everything? This book holds all the answers to all your questions and needs. Simple, and yet profound. This book will challenge you to grow in strength and spirituality. And, remind you that no growth process is ever easy. Yet, in its pages you will find a tenderness, love, and support that will move you to tears. A daily devotional that brings you new insight, year after year that you read it. If you own a copy of this book, you will cherish it more than any other possession. But, buy several, and pass them on to friend and stranger. This message needs to be shared...now more than ever.

This little book is small, inexpensive, but contains so much. It will give you insight into the God of love and how much He wants to give to us. If you don't cry sometimes when reading this book, your heart may be too hard for your own good. Maybe this will help to soften it and give you some peace thru difficulties you must deal with. It will make a great companion to your Bible.

This is no ordinary daily journal! This book was a gift and it was a while before I read it. I never knew what I was missing. These connections with God have touched the very points where I was needing His touch. I have shed tears all through the days as God seemed to know what I needed most. This one is a keeper! And a giver!

I bought this book quickly on my lunch break for my mother who was dying of cancer. Two years after her death I pulled it from the shelves of my home library and started reading it. It's immediate impact on me was flabbergasting. Believe me! I could not read it at one sitting although it is a tiny book. As Russell puts it, "you cannot eat honey all day". So filling! So rich! For any and all people; for any and all circumstances. Those that fear the Y2K definately need to open the priceless treasure. The world we live in now needs this book to accompany their Bible. It most definately has the "anointing". What more can I say? Get a copy, carry it with you everywhere, read it often----all will be well!

My life has been transformed as a Christian. I thought I knew God, before...I know Him, now. The readings have been a part of my daily walk with God, for 5 years. I don't remember the person I was, before this revelation! I am a totally new person, in Him! Next to my Bible, this is the most precious gift I've EVER received. If you want a life changing experience, read it. Include it in your daily readings...I dare you! Thanks Debbie.

This item is wonderful!!!!! I think everyone should get a chance to redad it! Even rented on the library.Really!

The book The Haunted Hotel by Ron Roy is part of the A-Z Mysteries series. I have enjoyed many books written by Ron Roy. In The Haunted Hotel there is this ghost that terrorizes the hotel and three kids try to figure out who the ghost is. The main characters are Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose .The book is set in a hotel. It shows how hard it is to be a detective.
My favorite part was when they found out who the ghost was. The book is very exciting and fun to read. I recommend this book for people who like mysteries. That's what I think of the book.
By Hilda

The time that I read this book I felt so thrilled for the ghost that tortures the Shangrala hotel.This book is the one reason that I bought the entire series. Ron Roy is a person that loves mystery books. I am glad he made those books because if he didn't then I wouldn't be thrilled by any other book.

This book was great. I liked it because it was a good mystery for younger kids! My favorite part was when they found out who the ghost ...was! I think it was a good book and I hope other kids enjoy reading it like I did!!!!!!!

It was the first book I ever read in the A to Z mysteries. I like it because it was short and there were map in the front page. It about three kid, Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose who solve the mystery of the ghost in the hotel. Read it, you will like it.

Every once and awhile a reader is forturnate to come by a book that might seem uninteresting but upon reading it finds it to be one of the best books ever. Such is HOLDING STONE HANDS which I bought several years back from University of Nebraska as one of their sale books. Turned out to have been one of the wiser buys of my time.

One of the very first things that struck me as I began this book was the flat out courage it would take to do what the author has done. Leave home, leave safety, walk upwards of 1500 miles, live, eat, and sleep out of doors much of the time. Another thing that quickly came to me was the interest people, mostly Cheyenne, still held for this historical happening. And they wanted to aid the author in his quest.

I have read some on this subject but things such as the Northern Cheyenne life coming to an abrupt end in December, 1876, was a surprise. Also that Lone Wolf's name was not that but 'Lone Coyote', or that Dull Knife's name was not that but 'Morning Star'. Also that both of these heroic and historic personages of the Northern Cheyenne, each in his own way, ended life mostly an outcast. Remembered today, yes, but only in a tempered way. Many still find fault with some decisions Dull Knife made. And with Lone Wolf murdering a fellow tribesman, his later life of blindness and isolation had to be very unrewarding.

No matter the reason for reading this wonderful book, a reader has struck a true classic of western history. And the main thrust of the book goes beyond history to be one of mission and people. Great reading as usual from University of Nebraska Press.

Semper Fi.

As my title states, this is a very powerful book. Mr. Boye walked the trail that the Cheyennes travelled in their tragic journey to get back home (from Oklahoma to Montana). Along the way the author meets up with two Cheyenne men who travel with him for the better part of the journey. When they leave he meets a mid-20s Japanese man who travels with him for a while. Why is this Japanese man touring the American West? Read the book to find out. Despite my praise for this book, my rating is a 4.5 out of 5. Why? I will give two examples (not that there are many more):
1 - On p. 225 he states that hundreds of Indians were killed at the Battle of the Blue Water (the number was about 86 and his own source--Utley, Frontiersmen in Blue--states 85).
2 - Following Little Wolf's capture his followers shortly after became scouts for General Miles to fight the Sioux. Boye only mentions his surrender. He should have gone on to include this important detail.

Having said that, the book is still a very good read and I really enjoyed his journey and his dramatic retelling of the Cheyennes' escape from Fort Robinson. I would like to know more about the film made by some Cheyenne's as mentioned in the book. Final verdict: Recommended.

I'm not much for history as it is taught in our schools, but this book is great. It is a perfect blend of history, present day (in the form of the author's trip), and thoughts and stories from the author's personal life.

I recommend this tome to anyone that likes travel stories. Especially if you dont know, or want to know more about, the Cheyenne Exodus. Expensive, but worth the money.

This is a story of heartache and strength, of hope and struggle...it is the story of a man's love of the land and a people's fight to keep their homeland. Boye is a gifted and talented writer whose words flow as he leads us from page to page, back into the past and then gently into the present. He is a writer that truly cares about his story and the people that inhabit it. He opens his heart and the words come tumbling out. A wonderful MUST READ for all nature lovers and history buffs.

This is a magical walk through a dark time in American History...Alan's own experiences are so materfully intertwined with history on this voyage, the past truly comes alive as you feel every step and face every fear. With each step, with every encounter along the way, you can feel the ghosts of the Cheyenne people walking in your own shadow. Make no mistake, HOLDING STONE HANDS is a Masterpiece...you'll feel the pain of endless walking, the anger for what the Cheyenne people were forced to endure, and the sorrow for the pointless death as they tried to make their way to the only land they would ever call home.

Wonderful Book! It was so compelling and exciting that I couldn't put it down untill I was seeing double and my eyes were crossing....Imagin Love and Love Songs are my favorite and I shall continue to read all of Kathriene Stones Novels...

This story was well written and held my interest throughout. However, I did not like the main hero, Cole Taylor. I don't know, he seemed so lifeless, so impersonal, so NOT appealing. I liked Claire, it was unfortunate someone so sweet had such heartache in her life.
Lady Sara and Jack Dalton were lively, and seemed to make a wonderful couple, although we'll never know since their story wasn't fully explored here.
Lucas Cain and his wife, Emma were a sweet couple. Despite doubts, they were very much in love. Even their story could have developed a little more, but what we got was better than nothing. The author's compassionate, romantic and sensitive side really came through in this couple.

This is one of Katherine Stone's best novels. The story line is complex and surprising. Of course, we know their is a happy ending for all, but I certainly didn't expect some of the twists and turns along the way.

I especially liked the love story between Emma and Lucas. But all of the interweaved story lines touched my heart.

I also highly recommend Stone's Pearl Moon, my other favorite.

This book was totally magnificent. From beginning to end, it was good, very interesting. I couldn't put it down. It was one of the best books I have ever read. Most books aren't good from beginning to end. I mean it was really good, even from the beginning.

I just couldn't put this book down. I awaited with baited breath for the next shoe to fall. When will the brother's find each other? Would Claire regain her sight? Who was the killer? And believe me that particular question was a total surprise. What about Sarah's baby? Is it alive and if so, who is she/he? All these questions and more were answered by reading the book. By the end I felt like crying at the very tenderness of the novel. I implore all readers out their to pick up Imagine Love by Katherine Stone and read it. Once you do you will really, truly imagine the power of love.