Stuart Books

I had been separated about 3 months when I bought this book. I also bought a number of other books on coping with the loss of divorce. I really enjoyed many of the thoughts and ideas. Although not all of them applied to me, the ones that did really gave me food for thought. Other books I had purchased were more regimented--had actual exercises I was supposed to do and I felt like they were not relevant to my needs. But this book merely presents ideas and lets you ponder them as you wish. It was a very helpful tool for the soul-searching and inspiration necessary to get through this difficult time. Highly recommended!

Reading the Divorce Recovery Journal was like taking an incredible journey into the depths of myself. This book is filled with wonderful quotes and leading thoughts to help identify feelings and pain, wants and desires, and activities for moving out of the past. The Divorce Recovery Journal is filled with an openness and acceptance of your experiences and idea-filled guidance for how to move forward. I rate this book as one of the best and have already given it to one friend going through a divorce; she reports that it has been a helpful friend for her to turn to.

Between the quotations (lots of them made me laugh out loud!), the great divorce advice and the journaling questions, it felt like these authors were reading my mind. They really made me look at my fears and helped me feel so much stronger about starting my new life. I keep this book at my bedside where I can read it and journal in it every night. It really is helping me heal from my divorce.

This book was written at the end of his lifetime by this extraordinary Mongolian Lama (teacher) who first brought Tibetan Buddhism to America in 1955. Geshe Wangyal was teacher to several generations of students, among them some of the most famous names of Tibetan Buddhist translation and exposition today. The book, a compilation of various translations from the Tibetan, was made under his supervision at the monastery he founded in New Jersey. It is his utterly straightforward, sincere, and authentic offering of the Teaching (Dharma). Geshe Wangyal does not hold back, giving us everything we need to know. "Do not just accumulate sensless bits of knowledge," he tells us, "when studying the Teaching, but try to increase your understanding."

Its contents (briefly summarized below) span the full range of Buddhist teachings:
1. Begins with an introductory by Geshe Wangyal in which he offers the unique pure presentation of the Tibetan overview of the Teachings revealing the hidden threads that link the various selections of his book together.
2. There is a colorful and fabulous history of the Dharma, featuring tales of the great teachers.
3. A section of eloquent, vivid, and touching stories of the previous lives of the Buddha, as well as of one of his female disciples.
4. Then a text of precepts -- kernel-like nuggets of advice from the spiritual lineage of teacher to student -- on the bringing of the practice of Dharma into one's everyday life. (When asked which was most important teaching a famous teacher replied, "The precept of the Lama.")
5. Finally the book concludes with a number of pivotal texts by Tsong-kha-pa, the 15th century founder of the Yellow Hat sect. These set forth his exquisite yet precise delineations clarifying the Buddhist path to enlightenment, some with commentaries. Included is the immensely beautiful and profound enlightenment poem, written upon his realization of emptiness and dependent origination as being the same, praising the teachings of the Buddha. "Such...[teachers]...as Tsong-kha-pa...did not create new teachings, but rather, clarified the original word of the Buddha...."

This is a real book. Its feet are firm upon the Earth, while it plumbs the depths and soars into the rainbow sky. Geshe Wangyal plainly gives us this gift without the least bit of technical language, allowing the book to be enthralling and enlightening for anybody, from the total newcomer to the most avid expert on the subject.

A treasury of delight, nutrition to the starving mind, contains the quintessence of Dharma. Conspire to share the thrill.

Enter the gateway to the Door of Liberation

This book was written at the end of his lifetime by this extraordinary Mongolian Lama (teacher) who first brought Tibetan Buddhism to America in 1955. Geshe Wangyal was teacher to several generations of students, among them some of the most famous names of Tibetan Buddhist translation and exposition today. The book, a compilation of various translations from the Tibetan, was made under his supervision at the monastery he founded in New Jersey. It is his utterly straightforward, sincere, and authentic offering of the Teaching (Dharma). Geshe Wangyal does not hold back, giving us everything we need to know. "Do not just accumulate sensless bits of knowledge," he tells us, "when studying the Teaching, but try to increase your understanding."

Its contents (briefly summarized below) span the full range of Buddhist teachings:
1. Begins with an introductory by Geshe Wangyal in which he offers the unique pure presentation of the Tibetan overview of the Teachings revealing the hidden threads that link the various selections of his book together.
2. There is a colorful and fabulous history of the Dharma, featuring tales of the great teachers.
3. A section of eloquent, vivid, and touching stories of the previous lives of the Buddha, as well as of one of his female disciples.
4. Then a text of precepts -- kernel-like nuggets of advice from the spiritual lineage of teacher to student -- on the bringing of the practice of Dharma into one's everyday life. (When asked which was most important teaching a famous teacher replied, "The precept of the Lama.")
5. Finally the book concludes with a number of pivotal texts by Tsong-kha-pa, the 15th century founder of the Yellow Hat sect. These set forth his exquisite yet precise delineations clarifying the Buddhist path to enlightenment, some with commentaries. Included is the immensely beautiful and profound enlightenment poem, written upon his realization of emptiness and dependent origination as being the same, praising the teachings of the Buddha. "Such...[teachers]...as Tsong-kha-pa...did not create new teachings, but rather, clarified the original word of the Buddha...."

This is a real book. Its feet are firm upon the Earth, while it plumbs the depths and soars into the rainbow sky. Geshe Wangyal plainly gives us this gift without the least bit of technical language, allowing the book to be enthralling and enlightening for anybody, from the total newcomer to the most avid expert on the subject.

A treasury of delight, nutrition to the starving mind, contains the quintessence of Dharma. Conspire to share the thrill.

Enter the gateway to the Door of Liberation

This book was written at the end of his lifetime by this extraordinary Mongolian Lama (teacher) who first brought Tibetan Buddhism to America in 1955. Geshe Wangyal was teacher to several generations of students, among them some of the most famous names of Tibetan Buddhist translation and exposition today. The book, a compilation of various translations from the Tibetan, was made under his supervision at the monastery he founded in New Jersey. It is his utterly straightforward, sincere, and authentic offering of the Teaching (Dharma). Geshe Wangyal does not hold back, giving us everything we need to know. "Do not just accumulate sensless bits of knowledge," he tells us, "when studying the Teaching, but try to increase your understanding."

Its contents (briefly summarized below) span the full range of Buddhist teachings:
1. Begins with an introductory by Geshe Wangyal in which he offers the unique pure presentation of the Tibetan overview of the Teachings revealing the hidden threads that link the various selections of his book together.
2. There is a colorful and fabulous history of the Dharma, featuring tales of the great teachers.
3. A section of eloquent, vivid, and touching stories of the previous lives of the Buddha, as well as of one of his female disciples.
4. Then a text of precepts -- kernel-like nuggets of advice from the spiritual lineage of teacher to student -- on the bringing of the practice of Dharma into one's everyday life. (When asked which was most important teaching a famous teacher replied, "The precept of the Lama.")
5. Finally the book concludes with a number of pivotal texts by Tsong-kha-pa, the 15th century founder of the Yellow Hat sect. These set forth his exquisite yet precise delineations clarifying the Buddhist path to enlightenment, some with commentaries. Included is the immensely beautiful and profound enlightenment poem, written upon his realization of emptiness and dependent origination as being the same, praising the teachings of the Buddha. "Such...[teachers]...as Tsong-kha-pa...did not create new teachings, but rather, clarified the original word of the Buddha...."

This is a real book. Its feet are firm upon the Earth, while it plumbs the depths and soars into the rainbow sky. Geshe Wangyal plainly gives us this gift without the least bit of technical language, allowing the book to be enthralling and enlightening for anybody, from the total newcomer to the most avid expert on the subject.

A treasury of delight, nutrition to the starving mind, contains the quintessence of Dharma. Conspire to share the thrill.

Enter the gateway to the Door of Liberation!

A Note of Some Import:
This is the original hardcover edition of this text also offered by Amazon under the same title as a paperback. Unless you are a rare book collector, it would be worth your while to see their alternate offering

Eat a Bowl of Tea by Louis Chu was first published in 1961. It's a satire of New York's Chinatown's bachelor society.Characters include the Ben Loy the son of a "bachelor" father. He has been sent to China after WWII to get married. After getting married to his bride Mei Oi, they return to America where he finds himself impotent to love his traditional good wife. Another character Ah Song is a thug and a gambler who seduces Mei Oi. The story continues and basically depics Chinatown and the Chinese Americans of the time. In the novel there are examples of the language with the heavy Chinese accent. The story expresses the theme of the bachelor's society and and the morals of a traditional wife compared to a prositute. Pages 250

Truly original. There are no "oriental" stereotypes in this important book. It is purely Asian American. I'm sure it will be treasured throughout the years. Eat a Bowl of Tea came out in 1961 and it is the first Chinese American novel set in Chinese America. That alone should motivate you to buy this book. It's a shame that Louis Chu is no longer with us, he could've authored more books -- "Wow, your mother!"

After reading Louis Chu's book, much of recent work by Asian Americans seemed even more lackluster than before. Chu writes about Asian American culture with the emotional depth and dignity that it deserves. I got this book from my brother who also felt dissatisfied with the representations of Asian life a la Amy Tan, Kingston, etc. They don't seem to write with the same respect for Asian romanticism that Chu recognizes with such literary power.If you want to see an intimate, caring portrait of NYC Chinatown, start here...

This is a wonderfully written, extremely entertaining novel. Read just after my return from Ecuador, it was a fantastic look into an Ecuador I'd only learned to love.

David Stuart's ECUADOR EFFECT appears--at first glance--to be a fictionalized version of his own anthropological fieldwork in Ecuador in the 1970s. But it is much more than just that. It is a deeply felt commentary on the human condition, from a sensitive and observant soul who writes knowingly of a country and its people from a base of personal experience.

ECUADOR EFFECT moves on several levels simultaneously: It is the very stuff of Greek tragedy, the working out of deep, irremediable human flaws toward a seemingly pre-destined end. It is a work of anthropology, revealing the soul of a country (one of the three so-called 'Indian' countries of South America, along with Peru and Bolivia, the former 'Alta Peru'). And is a powerful (for want of a stronger term), excruciatingly moving story of human evil in all its forms, and the price that ultimately must be paid for that evil.

I have not read a finer tale in my 61 years, nor one that more effectively engages all the human senses and reactions. Those who have read Dr. Stuart's Guaymas books will recognize his major themes, and once again enjoy the work of a master storyteller, who makes the distinction between fiction and non-fiction irrelevant as he moves expertly through all the dark alleys--and the brighter, happier glades as well--of the essential human agony.

Jack Snyder

Wow! A devastatingly gorgeous story of how one man, an American stranger in southern Ecuador, learns a thing or two about love, family and justice. David E. Stuart takes you on a journey that breaks your heart, sets it aflutter, and then afire. Powerfully written, Stuart crafts a riveting story with a quick tempo. It's a literary dark horse.

A rare, insightful discussion of sensitive, end-of-life issues. This book is a well concieved and edited collection of meaningful papers that greatly helped me understand and confront some of my fears. A real learning experience...thank you!

A rare, insightful discussion of sensitive, end-of-life issues. This book is a well concieved and edited collection of meaningful papers that greatly helped me understand and confront some of my fears. A real learning experience...thank you!

As a practicing physician, I have found this book quite useful in dealing with both patients and their families. The book has wide application to many medical specialties, paricularly internal medicine, critical care and geriatrics. Excellent and well chosen cases illustrate the authors' points well. Most practicing physicians will be able to relate to many of the cases presented in the book. An excellent, instructive review of an area of medicine that many physicians are expected to know, but never recieve any training in.

Sir Geoffrey's is a great work, worth every minute spent reading it. One gains an understanding of the times, the society, the national and international politics, the economy, the religious issues -- and the fascinating Tudors and their administrators. A wonderful piece of work. Too bad the publisher Routledge packaged this masterpiece in a miserly volume meanly produced by The Guernsey Press. The type, which looks as though plates were made by photocopying some earlier printing, is like the fine print in a sales document -- so miniscule one must squint even in very good light. On many pages the text flows into the narrow gutters so that one must forcibly press the book open to make out what lies next to the binding. Because of the cheapness of the edition, reading it will be slow going for you, unless you do as I did: Force each two-page spread onto the flat bed of a photocopier, set the enlargement at 120%, and copy the text. Once I did that, the reading went smoothly. Shame on you, Routledge and Guernsey Press, for giving us such a fine work in such a shoddy presentation.

Elton is the most dangerous of historians -- clear, logical and able to charm with his (sometimes) dry wit.

Although fair due is given to all the monarchs:

Henry VII is capable and prudent;

Henry VIII is less capable, less prudent and in above his head;

Edward VI is selfish and malleable (but he was young);

Mary is sincere and narrow (Here Elton makes one of the few unfair statements in the book. He says, truly enough I expect, that during "Bloody Mary's" reign fewer people were killed for the cause of religion or rebellion than under any other Tudor. This ignores the brevity of her reign and makes no allowance for what might have been if Catholicism had been forcibly reintroduced.);

Elizabeth is truly a great ruler;

...the real hero is Thomas Cromwell who, in engineering Henry's divorce, established England as a state ruled by law.

A wonderful book.

Direct, opinionated, sometimes even combative, Elton delivers a tour de force in historical survey. This book is a highly readable, meticulously researched, and thoroughly engaging review of the period from the beginning of the reign of Henry VII to the death of Elizabeth. As survey of English history during the time of the Tudors, you can't do much better than this book.

The character and accomplishments of each of the rulers stands out as a uniquely individual: Henry VII, the fiscally responsible monarch who established the Tudor claim to the throne and restored the monarchy to solvency; Henry VIII the religiously orthodox ruler who nonetheless broke with Rome and established the Church of England; Edward, the protestant fanatic who (fortunately?) did not live long enough to have much impact; Mary, sincere but of limited ability as a queen; and of course Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's portrait is perhaps the most interesting, since she reigned longest and cast such a huge shadow over the time. The view is a balanced one. Elton is not over-awed by his subject, as so many biogrpahers of Elizabeth seem to be. He acknowledges her political deftness and sure-fire judge of men's ability, without losing sight of her failings and personal weaknesses. Her fiery temper and vainty are not forgotten and not every decision she makes is hailed as correct - nor is she dismissed as being merely "lucky" for her entire 45 year reign, as the occassional critic of Elizabeth seems to imply.

The true hero of the work, however, is none of the monarchs, not even Henry VII whom Elton seems to think quite highly of. It is Thomas Cromwell, who essentially ran the government during the crucial years of Henry VIII's break with Rome. Elton credits him with "revolutionizing" the beauracracy of the country as well as guiding policy for the entire span of his service. Hea rgues that the revolution in Henry VII's time was guided primarily by Cromwell and merely "consolidated" under Elizabeth.

Along the way, other men of ability and position who influnenced the course of history are given time as well. There is the brilliant but ultimately unsuccessful Woolsey, who Elton believes set the stage for the collapse of support for Catholicism in England, William Cecil (later Lord Burghley), who was Elizabeth's chief minister and right hand man throughout most of her reign, and the tragically unstable Essex who was his own worst enemy, to name only a few.

A great introduction or refresher for those interested in learning more about a period that was crucial to the formation of the England that become the world's dominant power.

Wow! Who'd have thought that an author could approach such a topic as "reasonableness" and render it so well-defined, so palatable and so attractive. By using four historical examples, with focus not primarily upon their philosophies, but more upon their lives, Blanshard is masterful. As a noted philosophical and social commentator in his own right, the author does an excellent job of inserting his own interpretation on the four subject persons, and upon their historical & intellectual significance. Last, and maybe most important, is Mr. Blanshard's ability to communicate clearly. As far-fetched as it may sound, this book is truly a page-turner! I'd recommend this to anyone who feels the need for a book that makes you go, "Hmmmm." At the very least, it will leave any reader with an increased appetite for more reasonableness in his/her own life.

Brand Blanshard, twentieth-century philosophy's greatest exponent of rationalism, here turns his pen to an examination of reasonableness in action, as exemplified in the lives of Marcus Aurelius, John Stuart Mill, Ernest Renan, and (Blanshard's own favorite exemplar of the "rational temper") Henry Sidgwick. Though himself a rationalist, Blanshard was not under the illusion that only avowed rationalists could be reasonable, as his selection of examples clearly shows. In each essay, he presents a lucid and sympathetic account of his subject's life and thought in a seamless combination that deserves to be called "philosophical biography."

While this volume is of course highly informative about each of its four subjects, it also of interest as regards Blanshard's own thought. He was ninety-two years old when he wrote this delightful and highly readable work, and his examinations of these four men distill a lifetime of his own reflections on the role of reason in the ordering of human affairs. A final chapter -- "The enemy: Prejudice" -- summarizes his mature views on the nature and importance of the rational temper.

The entry under Blanshard's name in the _Oxford Companion to Philosophy_ closes on an uncharacteristically personal note: "Blanshard's personal demeanour," writes the entry's author Prof. Peter H. Hare, "was one of extraordinary graciousness." That graciousness, evident throughout his work, is especially so here, where Blanshard deals less directly with philosophical questions and more directly with reasonableness as instantiated in actual human lives; his generosity and sympathy (much neglected rational virtues!) are almost palpable. If the rest of us could absorb something of his rational temper and spirit, our lives and the life of the world would undoubtedly be transformed for the better. And there is no better place to begin than this volume by a great man whose religion was the service of reason.

This is a book to be read and reread every few years. With all the irrationality in the world today, this book gives one hope. It's hard to pick a favorate but I've reread the chapters on Marcus Aurelius and John Stuart Mill many times with great pleasure. Blanchard's ideas as well as his beautiful literary style and wonderful story telling are amazing. It's not often that a book about ideas is also a great read.

GURPS is already a great system, but the massive volume of data can easily overwhelm someone, especially if this is their first RPG. GURPS for Dummies provides the perspective needed to digest and begin taking advantage of this great system. Be aware that several important source books have been released since the publication of GURPS for Dummies, but the consistency of the GURPS rules don't significantly impact its effectiveness.

It's a great view of role playing in general. GURPS is already an easy system, and GURPS For Dummies makes it idiot proof. A must for folks playing or running GURPS games.

After having read the lackluster reviews of D&D for Dummies, I was a bit hesitant to purchase this title sans any exisiting reviews, however, I took the leap anyway, and was not dissapointed.

The first thing you notice when you open the book is the great three-panel double sided pullout cheat sheet containing a ton of information that is invaluable to have at your fingertips during play! This alone is worth almost the cost of the book, and for new players gives them their options in a succint little package.

The book basically appeals to two audiences: Players and Game Masters and the six sections of the book are divided amongst the two.

PART ONE introduces GURPS and gives a player tips on how to come up with the foundation of a character, that is the concept and role the character will play in the story. This information is applicable to any role playing game, and the advice is clear and uncomplicated. This section continues on to describe how to use the GURPS rules as the building blocks of the character, not by teaching the rules or by repeating the rules (you need the GURPS books for that) but by telling you how the different elements work in the game and interact together. In other words, they tell you how to use the game mechanics to recreate what is in your imagination. Its almost like having an experienced player actually helping you through the process step by step, explaining what each thing in the rulebook REALLY MEANS and how it will REALLY WORK (or not work). You are told how high is high, and how low is low.

PART TWO builds on Part One by going into more detail on magic, powers, technology, and non-humans. This section is basically a much deeper exploration of all the different ways the elements of the game (advantages, perks, talents, skills, etc) can be put together, and how each one works. The authors also provide insight on how to use the different game mechanics to achieve the vision you have for your character, and the possible ways to get there (as there is usually more than one).

PART THREE gives solid advice on role playing, again, relevant to any RPG. Combat is explained, with very detailed information given to how different elements works together in combat and how combat flows in GURPS (which can be much different than other RPG's). I would have liked to have seen more information regarding the various reach ranges, because they can have a major affect on swords and sorcery type games. The combat chapter teaches you how to choose armor, what choices there are in combat and more importantly, why you would want to choose certain options, when and how to defend yourself, and how to make wise weapon choices. In fact, there is an excellent chart describing what the solid weapopn choices are for each character strength level. This is perfect for those countless times I have heard players say "What weapon should I choose?". There is a great section on how to solve common combat problems (too many opponents, can't penetrate armor, etc) and a section on how best to use healing magic. This section also describes good ways to keep track of all the information used in GURPS.

PART FOUR is where the Game Mastering (GMing) section begins. This section and the next should be read by every GM, no matter what the game they run. I've been GMing and playing for almost 30 years, and I found the advice in this section and the next to be invaluable. Part Four describes how to be a GM, gives an EXCELLENT chapter on how to design an adventure with an example of how that would play out.

PART FIVE describes how to build the campaign, that is the world, or epic, or whatever that will be the focus of why the story is, what the story is, and why are the players even creating characters to begin with. The advice is once again solid, and while there are references on how to use GURPS, as in Part Four, the information is applicable to any Role Playing Game/GM.

PART SIX are three short chapters containing the authors' preferences for spending points, their top ten favorite advantages, and top ten favorite disadvantages. There was to be a chapter on the "10 skills no PC should be without" but it was apparently cut. Seeing the chapter released in electronic format would be a great addition to the book.

Overall, this book is a "must have" for anyone even contemplating playing or running a GURPS game. New players will find the answers and help they need to bring their imagination to life, and old veterans will find an angle they hadn't thought of. The GMing section really could have been "Game Mastering for Dummies", because the tips and advice here go beyond what do do in GURPS. I wish I had seen this advice when I first started GMing oh-so-long-ago. This book should be considered the third of the core books (Characters and Campaigns being the first two) and is a book no gaming library should be without.

I found this book a few years ago during a port call in Singapore. I have never laughed out loud so many times while reading. Having spent many years in Asia while in the military, I find the stories to be relevent and (probably) truthful (I guess). Even if they're all pure BS, they never fail to amuse!

Having spent 35 years living abroad, and 17 of them in SE Asia, I sincerely appreciate the views and opinions expressed by the author. I recognize many of his anecdotes as being truthful, but think they were toned down too much. Asia is more alive than anyone would expect.

Gut-busting laughter of expats writing of their "hardships" in Asia. Stories so crazy they have to be true. Or at least should be true.

Colonel Ken takes you on a humorous joyride through the unberbelly of globalization. This is the book I wish I had written.

I RECOMMEND THIS FINE BOOK (WORK BOOK) FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO EITHER BEGIN JOURNALING OR GET TO KNOW THEMSELVES BETTER; MAYBE LEARN WHAT ONE MAY WANT TO CHANGE IN THEIR LIFE OR NOT.

This terrific little book is as good as you make it! The suggested journal entries really help walk you through, step-by-step, in getting to understand yourself better. It helped me realize what made me tick -- and see some things I can change.

I've always been an avid journal-keeper, but I know many people have a hard time getting started on the process. I have suggested many books, web sites, etc., to a friend, but she always had a hard time just begining. I gave her this book, and she just took off! What a gift it is to be able to help someone begin this wonderful process.