Stone Books

Looking for something new to do? Something out of the ordinary? Something inexpensive and relaxing?

Maybe its time to collect suiseki (soo-ee-sek-ee).

Felix G. Rivera, founder of the California Suiseki Society, explains how to collect and appreciate suiseki in his book, Suiseki: The Japanese Art of Miniature Landscape Stones.

Rivera began collecting more than twenty years ago. Since then he has written and lectured internationally about the centuries-old art of suiseki collecting.

New and experienced collectors alike will find his book interesting and helpful.

Although they may look like nothing more than plain rocks to the casual observer, suiseki are very special stones. The forces of nature have carved them into miniature mountains, islands, waterfalls, and other landscapes. Some suiseki resemble humans or animals. Suiseki collectors are simply people who search for intriguing stones, which they bring home, clean, and display.

Among the benefits of collecting suiseki is time spent enjoying the outdoors and a fascinating stone that reminds you of the good time you had finding it. Rivera says "the true spirit of suiseki is a shared experience," and for many,the search is as pleasurable as finding that one perfect stone.

Suiseki are never machine cleaned or polished; collectors spend many relaxing hours lovingly hand-rubbing their tiny landscapes. Other than perhaps grinding off the bottoms so that they may be displayed, suiseki are not altered in any way by humans.

Rivera writes that "a suiseki may be viewed quite simply--as a pretty stone with a nice shape--or it may be viewed at various levels of complexity that embrace art, philosophy, or mineralogy or that serve as a metaphor for the connections between one's private world and the universe." He says that the various levels at which one can enjoy and appreciate suiseki make them not only art, but also enable collectors to "achieve personal satisfaction and peace."

He has filled his book with tips on where to search, what to look for, and how to clean and display suiseki. Rivera provides general and introductory material for new collectors, and detailed references for the more experienced. He includes drawings and photographs, including 32 full-color plates with detailed captions. The appendices include a glossary, bibliography, and lists of where to obtain more information, such as maps and collectors clubs.

In his forward to Rivera's book, Arishige Matsuura, Chairperson of the Japan Suiseki Association, writes "all that is required to enter the world of suiseki is to find something intriguing about the stone." Rivera opens the doors to that enchanting world with his comprehensive, but easy-to-understand book.

I own all the other books listed in the suiseki section, and have read numerous descriptions of the art of Suiseki as they appear in books on Bonsai,and I feel that Mr. Rivera's book was the first to help me understand what makes a suiseki different than any fascinating stone that I might pick up. The sections on aesthetics, and display were extremely helpful. And lastly, the photos were of terrific quality, and variety.It would be the first book I would buy on the art.

I know Jan Shaffer because she came to my school and did activities with us. She wrote this book and before she got it published she gave it to my teacher to read to all of us. I was was amazed at how interesting and captivating the story was. It was a wonderful story and I didn't want my teacher to stop reading it. I would give it five stars.

This is a wonderful first book by an author who brings the preteen reader a story that is not only exciting, but also has an important message. Readers are encouraged to follow a path along with the characters, leading them deeper into the story. Every chapter ends with something that makes you keep reading.

The lead Character, Danielle begins her journey after finding a special beach stone, and is transported onto a path in search of the "Tree of Truth" in another time and another place. She is joined by Kirk, a boy who looks remarkably like her. Together they search for the secret that will save his community.

The setting and descriptive writing bring the story to life. It is a fantasy adventure that will captivate young readers, both boys and girls.

I bought this book for my 10 year old granddaughter, who loved the book, and didn't want to put it down. I read it myself and thoroughly enjoyed it too.

Supercroc And The Origin Of Crocodiles by Christopher Sloan (Senior Editor for Art, National Geographic magazine) is a nonfiction children's picturebook about ancient, gigantic crocodiles of millions of years ago, and their modern-day descendants. Enhanced with superbly presented photography, color illustrations, and amazing facts about these ancient reptiles, Supercroc is an exciting and highly educational read for children ages 8 through 12.

You are really going to enjoy National Geographic Supercroc and the Origin of Crocodiles. This hardcover with dustjacket new book is written by National Geo's art director Christopher Sloan (Feathered Dinosaurs) with an introduction by Dr. Paul Sereno, discoverer of Sarcosuchus. This beautiful book is packed with photos plus numerous paintings and illustrations from none other than world famous paleo artists Mark Hallett, Doug Henderson, John Sibbick, and National Geographic's talented new wunderkind: Raul Martin. The informative text describes for readers of all ages topics such as the definition of a crocodile, the world of Sereno's "Supercroc" Sarcosuchus and its fossil discovery, a prehistoric history of crocs and their cousins and the differences and similarities they share. You'll be amazed at the variety, from lizard sized saurians to giant Sarcosuchus who fed on dinosaurs. The final chapter titled "The Last Extinction?" discusses how crocs have survived 200 million years but now are seriously threatened by man. A fantastic full color work for all ages.

I had never heard of the author or the book, but bought it as one of three books to sustain me on a two-week trip in Asia. On more than one occasion, I was asked by strangers what I was reading that made me lol. This is, quite simply, one of the best books that I have ever read. There is a sadness over the failures of human nature with a sweetness and lyrical humor. More than once, I thought of Cervantes. Only here, you get Castro and a whole, wide, cast of characters. A classic.

hi:) this is my first time writing a review... and I am so proud that I am writing this review for the book I am translating from English to Turkish:) I can say that this book is fascinating. Teran has made her best efforts for writing this book. Otto is a great character, who has a very very different life than you would imagine... I am laughing and I am crying at some pages... but I am really having fun while reading and translating:) so, what I can say is that you really have to buy and read this book and have a journey throughout in otto's life which passed on the WORLD:)

History is full of thousands of reasons why the Scot's (generally) dislike the English but this 1992 edition of Ian Hamilton's story - revised by an older and wiser author 40 years after its original publication goes a long way to explaining the modern continued dislike.

Imagine a UK in 1950 with no Motorways (US-Freeway) Dual Carriage Ways (US - Two lane roads) or cars that even had heaters and a few students from Glasgow University who set out to demonstrate that Scotland could still "be a nation again" on Christmas Eve 1950. Driving south to London in a severe blizzard - this was no "student prank" as so often portrayed - but a carefully considered and deliberate political statement. To recover the stone upon which Scottish Kings had been crowned from beneath the English throne in Westminster Abbey and return it to Scotland.

The actual undertaking had something of a Keystone Cop flavor to it - none the less they succeeded and galvanised the Scottish Nation - none of whom gave the perpetrators up - when the police came hunting - though not too hard.

Ian Hamilton's self depreciating style and his deep respect for all human beings shines through the text - so the ultimate betrayal in the last chapter strikes deep at the heart and goes someway to explaining the title of this review.

It's just been made into a film - hope for an American release. Otherwise - read this fine book. American's look to your own history of revolting against colonial rule - you will find many parallels.

This book is amazing, with a wonderfully off-beat subtle sense of humor. I came across this book for a term paper in a class titled the Global Flows of Cultural Heritage. Not only is this a interest-grabbing-can't-put-it-down story, but the issues of value, ownership, world museums and the influence of public oppinion are deeply scored and very relevant.

And fun! It arrived perfect~thank you! I speak English, but a "backwards" Bible, with the absoLUTEly most interesting footnotes~I say, "Wow!". And of course it reads different~I enjoy reading it out loud.

Necessary item for Torah study. Translation is very true to the Hebrew Text and thus makes the Hebrew easier to understand.

Where do I begin? How do I begin? Those questions often fly through my mind when I confront a blank page or an empty computer screen. I am not alone.

Joyce Murray Boatright knows the feeling. In Telling Your Story, she shares a professional writer's secret: "Even today, forty-plus years since my first published byline, the hardest part of writing still, for me, is to begin."

Hard it may be, but this Story Circle member and Circle leader offers a great deal of help, not only in getting started but in suggesting what to do after you get started and even what to do with your work after you finish. And she manages to do it in just a little over fifty pages.

Boatright draws on her experience not only as a professional writer and a teacher of writing, but also as a memoirist. She recounts how she began a family memoir as a Christmas gift for her parents who had "arrived at that point in their lives where they had everything they wanted." In that first effort in 1991, she recounted familiar family stories. Through the years the project grew as other family members' mother, brother, son and more contributed their stories. An inspiration for all of us!

After guidance on getting started, Boatright offers some interesting and fun suggestions on how to keep on going and how to break through blocks. Particularly enjoyable (and a little risky) is the game she has developed using writing prompts--The Luck of the Draw. She offers great advice about how to craft a memory, a recollection into a real story with a beginning, middle and end.

When you are finished? Boatright has suggestions for personal uses, such s "make a family album or a cookbook," and clear advice on how to go about preparing your manuscript for a wider audience.

This book will have wide appeal. I'm giving it to some friends who are only beginning to write their stories. However, I'm not giving away my copy. I'll use it to help out with my own writing. It is full of good suggestions I can use as I co-lead a Story Circle Network OWL (Older Women's Legacy) Circle.

by Patricia Nordyke Pando
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Don't read this book unless you are ready to get inspired and excited about writing! This was a fun, easy read, full of practical advice. The writer really opened up my mind to the vast possibilities of memoir writing. She covers everything from getting started to the best format to use based on your intended audience. I highly recommend this book!

An excellent descriptive survey of megalithic monuments and neolithic tombs of Ireland. Whether amateur or professional, or you simply possess a curiosity regarding ancient Irish culture, this book will be highly informative and enjoyable. There is wonderful detail about ancient sites in all counties, as well as a handy "finders guide" included in the book to help locate tombs and sites that are off the beaten path. Though the neolithic 'celebrity' sites are included, the many details on the lesser-known passage graves and wedge tombs sets this book apart. Beautifully written, both professionals and everyday enthusiasts will gain much from it. Excellent photos, diagrams, and I appreciated that the author focused on the significance and role that the surrounding landscape may have played in how the sites for these monuments may have been chosen. If you have an interest in this time period and want to be inspired further, I highly recommend Temples of Stone. Now, If Amazon would just correct the typo in the subtitle...

This lavishly-illustrated book details the history, distribution, form and content of Irish megalithic monuments, most of which contain some human remains, and are therefore classed as tombs. But as archeologist author Carleton Jones makes clear, these were much more than tombs. By studying them, we can learn a great deal about the people who built them: their social structure, worldview, and something of their beliefs and rituals as well. Don't expect gauzy twaddle about ancient goddesses and magic here. Jones is a serious archeologist; his work is theoretically informed by the processual and post-processual schools (groups of scholars who look at archeological remains for what they can tell us about the social origins of cultural change, and groups of scholars who use archeological data to hypothesize about ancient beliefs, rituals and human experiences). It is very clear when the author is laying out facts, and when he is hypothesizing or offering interpretations. What I liked is that he is also honest about what we DON'T know about the peoples who built these monuments. Still, it's fascinating to speculate about these ancient humans whose beliefs and practices were so different from our own -- and who, as humans, shared many of our own concerns and experiences, from creating and maintaining group identities to memorializing their dead. Gorgeous color photographs, black-and-white diagrams, tables and road maps enhance this book. The author provides detailed directions for locating each monument, including driving maps and indications of whether you will need Wellies (rubber boots) to visit the site. If you plan to travel to Ireland, photocopy the section in the back with the maps and locations of the monuments so you can make sure to visit some (the book itself is rather heavy and impractical to pack in luggage).

This book is a hymnal to Texas golf, chapter-and-verse on everything from the finest resorts to the dustiest backroads 9-holers. Much more than just a dry recitation of course info, the Texas Golf Bible provides colorful comments on almost every one of the state's 1,000 golf courses. The perfect bathroom book, which is meant as a major compliment.

What a great book even for me, a golfer spouse! I love the fact that it includes details about the cities where the golf courses are, like shopping, dinning, and lodging. Excellent book for traveling the state (easy to follow directions) as well as for the golf information. I read one review on the website which was obviously written by someone who does not play or understand golf or enjoy traveling Texas. Mr. Stone has a terrific sense of humor displayed in this book. I would highly recommend it!

It's obvious - John Hedges knows his topic. In this book, he brings together an enormous amount of information on Neolithic Orkney and gives it summary and scholarly analysis. If you're looking for a book on life during the Neolithic, this is a definite! Worth every penny.

The distant human past is visible in the Orkneys, the low green islands in the sea north of Scotland. People who lived there five thousand years ago built fine stone tombs and henges older than the Pyramids.

They watched the sky and kept calendars. And they used the right triangle of Pythagoras two thousand years before Pythagoras was born.

It used to be thought that culture slowly radiated north from the Mediterranean to ignorant savages in northern Europe.

But the people of the Orkneys turned our ideas about cultural diffusion upside down.

Tomb of the Eagles is their enthralling story.