Ward Books

I read the Chronicles as a boy, or most of them at least ... I could never get past the opening chapters of The Magician's Nephew. While I liked the stories a great deal, the Christian symbolism sailed right over my head until I re-read all seven of them (with greater enjoyment and understanding) as a young man and convert.

Now Michael Ward has made a convincing case for yet another layer of meaning in the Chronicles, showing that Lewis' medieval scholarship was at work as much as his Christian faith and his love of stories. The books were not a result of Lewis going soft in the head or having a bit of a lark, but rather reflect that "everything he believed was present in everything he said."

This is a two-bookmark book -- one for the text and one for the copious endnotes -- but it is as readable as it is scholarly, with some entertaining wordplay along the way, e.g., "Lewis is not Tolkien quickened any more than Tolkien is Lewis prolonged." Planet Narnia explains the Chronicles without explaining them away; in fact I have returned to them with still more appreciation for the stories, their author, and the God whose glory the heavens tell.

Thank you, Michael Ward, for a book I will be recommending for years to come.

Ward has discovered something amazing. Not only is his book authoritative and convincing, but Ward is himself a clear, entertaining writer. Planet Narnia is simply, a good story well told as well as a good point well argued. My highest compliment is that Ward himself write in a format that demonstrates as it unfolds layer by layer to a revelatory conclusion, by Jove!

A deeper hidden meaning behind Narnia? "Yeah, right."

That's what I thought -- until I read the book.

Actually, that's not quite true either. I thought this only until I read Ward's FAQ on planetnarnia.com. Call me a sucker, but I think I was already hooked by about question 6. By hooked I don't mean I'd already accepted his theory line and sinker, but I knew I had to get me this book.

Book finally in hand, I decided I'd better start reading with my "skeptic's glasses" firmly in place. If I kept them on, I reasoned, and still came out the other end believing Ward's theory, there must be something to it. Well, my glasses came off about half way through Chapter 1.

Even aside from the content, Ward's clear style, his sincere tone, his obvious love as well as deep knowledge of Lewis's work -- all these contribute to making this fairly academic work very readable and (to me) incredibly interesting.

Ward's work opened my eyes to a whole bunch of stuff I'd never noticed in the Chronicles before. Not to mention the Ransom Trilogy and other of Lewis's writings.

One thing I considered a weakness was how Ward mentions that certain groups of words (say "swift" and "run" in HHB) are used very frequently in one particular Chronicle. But often he doesn't state that those words are not used with that frequency in the other Chronicles, so I wondered whether it proved anything.

I mentioned as much to Ward, who wrote me a helpful and prompt response. He said it's about the atmosphere, and the key thing is the words' context, not their number. "Context is everything," he added. And I guess he's right. (In fact, that's probably one of the main themes of the book.)

But to cut a long short -- this book is one of the most exciting non-fiction works I've read in a long time.

Hold the phone: this is simply one of the greatest literary discoveries of our time, and it cannot fail to resound for decades and forever alter how Lewis is regarded in the literary world and beyond. That Michael Ward has somehow found this Holy Grail of Lewis scholarship is very hard to believe -- until one reads the book. Planet Narnia is a triumph and a cause for great celebration, not least because after fifty years, very few people still held out hope that this so-called "imaginative key" to Lewis's Narnia books ever existed in the first place. But it does exist, it does exist -- and here it is, for all to see. Well done, good and faithful scholar!

One reason I was so intrigued with Planet Narnia is that scholarly works on The Chronicles of Narnia are few and far between. Ever since Walden and Disney announced they were working on the movie The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, there has been no shortage of books written about Narnia, but few of them would qualify, in my estimation, as scholarly. Certainly, these books have their place, and I'm sure many readers are grateful for the help they have received. But Planet Narnia portended to go deeper, beyond the fluff and quickly recognizable "lessons" that can be learned by the books. (Not that we don't need to be "hit over the head" with the obvious once in awhile.)

Don't let Ward's "deepness" intimidate you, though. As should be obvious to anyone who has ever read any of my articles, I am a person of not much more than average intelligence, yet I was able to follow the book very adequately. I do admit that some of the literary references were a bit over my head, and Ward's vocabulary is much more advanced than my own. But I was not more lost than I imagine an American motorist touring in Paris would be-the words on the street signs might be difficult, but the International symbols would be enough to give direction. He paints a vivid enough picture that you can figure out the "foreign" words-especially if you have a good dictionary handy. Armand M. Nichol put it this way in his endorsement of the book (from the back of the dust jacket):

"Michael Ward presents an absorbing learned analysis of C. S. Lewis's best-selling and beloved series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Readily accessible to the average reader, Ward's book reads so much like a detective story that it's difficult to put down."

I had exactly that experience when I read the book. Having recently re-read the Chronicles myself, my reaction on page after page was "Yes. I see. I understand exactly what you mean. That makes so much sense."

The other reason that the book intrigued me is that it included a part of Lewis's life we do not hear much about. There have been books after books written about C. S. Lewis's Christianity, but little about his great love of poetry and medieval literature. The book centers around Lewis's fascination with the medieval concept of the Heavens. His poetry is filled with the Seven Planets, and his science fiction space trilogy (especially the last book, That Hideous Strength) is filled with medieval Planet imagery. How Lewis imaginatively integrated this love for the medieval cosmic understanding with his Christian beliefs is nothing short of amazing. It gives me a sense of what a genius he really was.

this is the most thorough comprehensive clearly written and amusing book that I've seen on all things knife - how to choose what you need, what's the difference between the expensive choices, how to keep a screaming sharp edge, clear guidelines and different chefy cuts and terminology. really excellent. wish I could say I still have it but my son stole it as soon as he saw it.

I read this book cover to cover in a single sitting. I found it easy to read and understand as well as a few laughs along the way. This book will become a permanent resource in my kitchen library for a long time. I highly recommend this book to any one with and interest in kitchen cutlery, cutting boards, knife cuts, maintenance of both knives and cutting boards with even a few recipes included. It is also a great resource for suppliers of various related goods and services.

I enjoyed Chad Ward's book immensely. It was easy to follow, had great pictures, is full of good information, and is actually fun to read. He does a good job of covering what you need in a knife and what you may want if you get bitten by the knife bug. He dispels common knife myths and arms you with information so you do not fall for the sales pitch at a fancy knife display in a department store. Knives for all budgets are covered from $50 knives to those in the hundreds and emphasis is on getting the best knife for your dollars. Why spend $100 when you can get a better knife for $50?

There is also a section on sharpening your own knives. Geoff seems to have an issue with that, but many people enjoy the exercise. Many people also enjoy working on their own cars, cutting their own grass, or grinding their own coffee. If you don't then feel free to pay someone to do it or cut with a dull knife. Whatever floats your boat. It is nice to see detailed information about sharpening though in case that is of interest.

No where in this book (and I have read it 3 times) does Ward say to buy a $200 knife, but he does give suggestions if that is what you WANT to do. All in all it is a great guide on how to get a good knife that meets your needs and your budget.

The photo illustrations of common cuts is done well also and I found the section on how to section a chicken useful. This is a great book for anyone who wants to know more about kitchen knives and how to get the right one for their kitchen.

If you want a book that will help you improve your knife skills (such as chopping faster, avoiding accidents, or getting a better edge on your knife), An Edge in the Kitchen is best, most readable book on the market, and I've read through several books and websites for information.

There is an in-depth primer to knife honing and sharpening, and well as the standard full-color photos of cutting up all the vegetables and meat you could possibly be expected to encounter in your kitchen adventures.

More importantly, it's also a "knife book" as well as a "knife skills" book for your inner materialist or consumer junkie (like me). If you wondering about (1) what kitchen knives to buy for a first kitchen or a registry, or (2) looking to upgrade your current kitchen, or (3) if you simply appreciate good food/tools/gadget writing, this is the best, most up-to-date source of information out there. Even if shiny, sharp objects scare you, and you're not too handy in the kitchen, this is a fascinating read.

Have you ever seen those beautiful, pricey German or Japanese knives in a specialty store or Williams-Sonoma, but you were afraid to commit to a purchase, because you were unsure how to decipher the jargon (high-carbon stainless? VG10 steel? drop-forged? full-tang?), and how to separate the facts from the sales pitches? This book explains everything you might want to know about knives (and debunks many consumer myths) in an easy-to-understand, engaging way, and arms you with knowledge as a consumer.

A good knife is an extension of a cook's hands. Ideally, buying a good kitchen knife is an investment in a tool that will last a lifetime and that you will use on a near-daily basis. I would recommend this book to anyone who uses knives in a kitchen.

Chad Ward - An Edge in the Kitchen

I own two books on kitchen knives and knife skills, this one and Weinstein's Mastering Knife Skills. Chad Ward's book is the best of the two by its breadth and wealth of information and is objectively a very good book.

Physically, the book is a medium sized hard cover, well edited. There is a number of good B&W pictures through the book to illustrate specific points, and there's a central section of 48 pages of glossy color pictures depicting specific knife techniques (battonets vs. julienne, onion, tomatoes, cutting a chicken, butterflying a piece of meat, skinning salmon, carving a turkey, steeling a knife, several sharpening methods, etc).

The book is organized as follows:
1 - Choosing the right kitchen knife:
This section is about 90 pages, so it's a sizeable part of the book. The author goes through the various knife types, costs, etc. Generally, Chad advocates staying away from knife block & sets, and explains that a home cook can do most everything with 3 knives: 8" to 10" chef, paring, and a serrated (or scalloped) bread knife. So his recommendation is to get the best of those. What is really helpful is that the author gives specific recommendations for all budgets - below $100, $200, or "the sky's the limit". Too many books just say "get what feels best". Chad goes beyond this to give a range of specific endorsements. This part also includes 10+ pages on cutting boards and how to take care of them.

2 - Kitchen knife skills:
This section is about 30 pages but also has most of the color pictures in the center section. This is where the key knife skill concepts are explained, how to hold the blade and the item to be cut, etc. This is similar to other knife skill books, but with one major improvements which is a few recipes to practice the skills. Those recipes are really welcome, and because they are basic recipes that can be used as base for a number of varied dishes, they are great recipes to include in this book.

3 - Knife sharpening:
This section is about 70 pages and covers the theory & science of knife sharpening as well as specific reviews and advices for several methods. Chad reviews the sharpening of Western as well as Japanese style knives, and several sharpeing systems (e.g., Spyderco, EdgePro, etc).

At the end of the book are several pages of resources to buy knives, boards, sharpeners, etc.

In short, I think this is a complete book that covers the key concepts of knife skills, but also addresses knife selection and care. If you buy only one kitchen knives & skill book, I would recommend it.

I just finished reading "The Man from Shenandoah", and I thought it was great! I don't usually read Westerns, but this one kept me hooked from beginning to end. I thought the Southern dialect was especially nicely done. Dialet can be extremely hard to read and usually turns me off, but the author made it flow as smooth as butter. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the aftermath of the Civil War or Westerns in general!

Marsha Ward is a true fiction writer. She moves her story without extraneous detail or obvious research, yet you know she's done her homework. The dialog is masterful, the romance filled with just enough conflict and passion. I'll happily read any sequel she comes up with as well.

This Book Follows the Great tradition of Louis La'Moure.
Marsha Wards' characters are believable and could very well have existed in the old west. Carl Owen and his family reflect the gritty determination to stand up for what's right no matter the cost.

I had nearly given up on reading Westerns as the newer ones I have read present such modern morals and language. Ms. Ward uses the language of the class & region, which makes The Man from Shenandoah so pleasing. Ms. Ward gives us joyous times but doesn't pass lightly over the hardships either. The author draws a character in such human warmth and depth that you have no trouble remembering who is whom. I don't know how a woman can write so well from a man's viewpoint; but, as she illustrates so well, men didn't understand women in the old West any better than they do now, but we women are another story!

Marsha Ward has a way with dialogue that eases us into familiarity with Carl Owen, the book's main character. His thoughts and words flow so clearly that we come to know him as a common man with a sense of humor. Carl is not given to flowery speeches. He can be a complex man who at times makes some pretty funny mistakes, and he doesn't like to apologize for them. Carl's values and his honor cause him no end of conflict with his family and others throughout his story. Often a western (especially one with romance included) lacks a deep feeling of family. I liked this one because the main character was not the 'loner with no family to teach him love and values' hero. The better part of the characters in this novel were members of warm, loving, laughing and arguing families. It was a joy to get to know them.

Ms. Ward paints vivid night skies, warm sun on your face and makes you wish you could lie down to contemplate the clouds in a meadow surrounded by quakies (Aspen trees to those not native to the Rockies). Colorado, Nevada, Utah and of course Arizona have been my playgrounds all my life and the journey into past memories was achingly sweet. A young girl threw her arms up over her head and whirled around in a meadow full of wildflowers and cried "I love you, Colorado, you're beautiful." This Colorado girl was so homesick she cried too - tears.

Ms. Ward's characters worked `danged hard' and they went down to the 'crick' to get water. Arizonan's give me such strange looks when I talk about the dry cricks here.

Well, human nature being what it is, there were people I loved and people I could do without but loved to hate. I was also a bit humbled by the women and yes, I would wish to be more like Ellen Bates myself. Now give us our sequel - it's so hard to wait!
I can't leave you without also mentioning that the cover is to die for. Yummy!

I eagerly anticipate the sequel (hope there is one). I was hooked after a few pages. Haven't read many Westerns, but I would read another in this series (hope there is a series). Enjoyed the characters and the excellent descriptions of scenery and life in the old West. Hope this book is a great success so the author will write more.

If you had concerns about Harry Potter books being based on the dark side, your prayers are now answered. You'll have no such feeling with Professor Angelicus. Your mind will soar with him, in his magic bubble, to new heights of awareness. Your mission will carry you all over our familiar Earth and beyond, where you'll meet quirky characters and new worlds. With Zak, Ivy and Ziggy, dare to visit the professor's land of sparkle and light in this first book of a series of exciting, inspirational adventures.--Beth Mansbridge, Freelance Editor

Living a seemingly normal life in a normal town, young Zak, his dog Ziggy, and his best friend Ivy are suddenly greeted by a strange and unfamiliar character named Professor Aquius Botanicus Angelicus. Stranger still, the professor has arrived on planet Earth in search of the pure water he needs to fuel his spaceship. One would think that on a planet that is 70% water this would be easy...however, Professor Angelicus and the children discover that finding pure water on a planet subject to ever-increasing pollution by humans is not that easy.

And so the journey begins, as the crew searches for pure water in lakes, oceans, and rainforests. Along the way the children meet and request help from the most unlikely characters: a talking French butterfly, King Crab, Dolphin, and an evil monster that morphs into its victim's greatest fear. By stating pertinent facts about our environment and "teaching without preaching," author L.B.B. Ward does an excellent job of interpreting relevant scientific and social topics. Covering natural history, biology, pollution, war, peace, respect, and community involvement, Ward explains how to become guardians or "sharelings" of the Earth. The author's personal closeness to nature, humanitarian spirit, and gentle voice provide a most needed call to action with this imaginative and clever new adventure novel.

Professor Angelicus brought my kids (and me) a surprisingly thorough environmental education and actual HOPE for the future - all within a fantastic adventure. I can't wait to read it to my littlest one in three years. Completely recommended!

I thought Prof. Angelicus was a beautifully written and challenging book. It broaches sensitive ecological issues in a thoughtful and engaging manner for young readers while not being didactic. Although, it sometimes has a tendency toward the polemical when it tries to do too much in a given chapter.

The novel tells a charming story with a sensitivity for the biological and the sciences in its use of specific nomenclature and in its specificity to earth processes. It certainly doesn't "talk down" to its young readers. The spiritual overtones will challenge young readers, however the overt Christian motifs and "capital G" God may be exclusive to children of other faiths.

The vocabulary,reading level and subject matter puts the novel in the 10 - 14 age range for me, yet the protagonists seem younger. Generally, young readers like to read about characters the same age or slightly older. Some children may take exception to Zak and Ivy; however the timeless themes and wonderful writing can carry the novel.

My own children, 12 and 14, seem to concur saying that the book was good and raised many questions about our relationship with the Earth, but there were times when the main characters seemed "babyish."

Definitly more stories of this calibre need to be published as they challenge children to consider our inherently mutualistic relationship with the Earth - a relationship we are compromising daily.

Living a seemingly normal life in a normal town, young Zak, his dog Ziggy, and his best friend Ivy are suddenly greeted by a strange and unfamiliar character named Professor Aquius Botanicus Angelicus. Stranger still, the professor has arrived on planet Earth in search of the pure water he needs to fuel his spaceship. One would think that on a planet that is 70% water this would be easy...however, Professor Angelicus and the children discover that finding pure water on a planet subject to ever-increasing pollution by humans is not that easy.

And so the journey begins, as the crew searches for pure water in lakes, oceans, and rainforests. Along the way the children meet and request help from the most unlikely characters: a talking French butterfly, King Crab, Dolphin, and an evil monster that morphs into its victim's greatest fear. By stating pertinent facts about our environment and "teaching without preaching," author L.B.B. Ward does an excellent job of interpreting relevant scientific and social topics. Covering natural history, biology, pollution, war, peace, respect, and community involvement, Ward explains how to become guardians or "sharelings" of the Earth. The author's personal closeness to nature, humanitarian spirit, and gentle voice provide a most needed call to action with this imaginative and clever new adventure novel.

Tim Ward writes about sex the way women talk to each other about sex...with brutal honesty, playful humor and savored sensuality. His search for the Goddess is a brave, deep dive into the mystery of sex...and love...and the masculine soul. Not many men have the courage to write about these scary subjects, and I honor Ward for his willingness to stand naked before the Goddess and everybody. Savage Breast is also a fascinating travelogue, archeological exploration and paradigm-busting romance. This is cutting edge literature that defies categorization...but offers unexpected rewards to the adventurous reader.

Tim Ward takes us on his journey through love, sex, history, archaeology, psychology and the ancient Western world in his attempt to figure out why he can't maintain a relationship. He describes very intimate revelations and experiences, he shares his dead ends and over analysis of his circumstances, he takes in information from all kinds of sources, his gut, feminist readings, Jungian psychology, archaeological sites, his interactions with his fiancee, and he describes all of his musings and inner conflicts and essentially walks us all through the process of figuring out a man's relationship with a woman, the world and himself. He fearlessly examines it all from every angle. And he gets it in the end! To read where he started from, with his dare-I-say "typical" attitudes about women, which he does not flinch from describing in disturbing detail, and then to see where he gets to after all of the pondering and heartache, it's just amazing. This is an awesome book. There were times when I was rolling my eyes and muttering "Men!" But one of the things that's so great about the book is that it is from a man's perspective. Men are men, but you know what? It's okay. Just as he reaches a conclusion about the ordinariness of women, he demonstrates to us women readers the ordinariness of men.

Aphrodite. Athena. Hecate. Pandora. Hera. Goddesses revered for centuries by women, who still invoke their names as icons of strength, beauty, and eternal love. While many women have written that developing a Goddess consciousness has transformed their lives, Ward is perhaps the first modern man to deeply consider the question: What does the Goddess have to offer men? In our age of patriarchy, male bias, and anger at the feminine, what do these deities offer them?

To find out, bestselling author Tim Ward (Arousing the Goddess: Sex and Love in the Buddhist Ruins of India, What the Buddha Never Taught) traveled to the ruined temples and shrines of the Goddess in the cradles of Western civilization. He meets her face to face in her many forms: at Delphi as Gaia - Mother Earth; in Romania as the maiden Pandora; and on a remote Anatolian hilltop as Hekate, crone-queen of the witches. The result is "The Savage Breast," the latest example of Ward blending his confessional honesty with his powerful writing skills to draw the reader into a fascinating narrative that ranks with the best tales of self-exploration and travel.

Ward is one of the pioneers in the modern genre of spiritual journalism: exploring the frontiers of philosophy and mysticism through the lens of his own experience. Seeking out even the remotest sites of Western civilization in his quest for knowledge, he examines the history, significance, and consequences of the pantheon of goddesses found in Europe and the Near East. His vivid account amid temple ruins and local museums breathes life into religious stereotypes, paring away the cultural myths of Western society to uncover what is at the heart of our relationship with the feminine divine - and, just as important, man's relationship to woman.

Keeping Ward honest in his quest is Teresa, the woman he loves and travels with through the often difficult terrain of self-discovery as he undergoes the painful reckoning of his own prejudices. Loyal even in the face of Ward's emotional storms, Teresa encourages the author to confront his demons - and stands by him when those demons unleash their wrath.

Fully engaged with the subject matter, Ward gives the reader candid prose, imaginative recreations of sacred rites, and presents a compelling story that is part history lesson, part confession, and part exploration of how the male and female can fully, honestly connect.

So, how can men hope to reconcile their unnamed fears and find genuinely satisfying relationships with women?

As Teresa wisely counsels, "Ask the goddess."

~ Mark Hawthorne, author of Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism

You will literally laugh, cry and grow in spirit in the name of the Universal Goddess with author Tim Ward. I honestly hated putting this book down ... This book kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what would happen next.

Basically, this is a story about a man (the author of the book) Tim and his spiritual journey to discover the missing Goddess of our culture. He basically asked this type of question, "Their were soceties past, where it is said woman ruled their kingdoms and they were united under a Goddess .... why did these ancient Goddesses disappear?" ... This isn't an actual quote from the book, but my interpretation of what the author was looking to discover.

His search is more than just where did these ancient Goddesses disappear to or why they aren't worshipped so freely now as they were by our ancestors, but it is an emotional, physical and spirtual revelation of why men treat women the way we do.... Why do some men view women as second class citizens? Why do men get so upset when a woman rejects his advances? ..... And if the ancient Goddess was as prevelent in our society today as they were thousands of years ago, would women still be treated the way they are today? Would woman have had to fight so hard for the same freedoms that men had?

He shows his continual development and understanding on these trips throughout Europe to the sites where Goddesses were heavily worshipped ... On these trips, his wife is with him -- and through the story, he discovers his true self and you get to experience the trials, tribulations, failures and successes of his relationship with his wife .... Slowly, he begins to understand it all -- and you will hear all about it in Tim's fasicinating book, Savage Breast!

Recommened for all men and women to read .... Men, you will learn so much about yourself and your relationships with women, this book will change your life. Women, you will be angry with Tim and then fall in love with him over and over again as he truly works to understand the Sacred Feminine.

I enjoyed reading "One Man's Search for the Goddess. In addition to being well written it was a real learning experience as well as entertaining. This book will make the reader think and, incidentally, will create a desire to visit the sites of the Goddesses in Crete, Malta and Greece. However, that this book will have a limited audience as I believe that one would have to have, at the least, a basic knowledge of classical Greece.

When Mr. Ward appeared at the Ottawa Writer's Festival in the spring of 2006 he made the comment that his Mother was in the audience and moreover, had read the book. Parts of it may have given her pause for thought.

All in all, a great read and I think I will have to read the author's other books.

Truth and method is a magnificent project about social sciences and it affected the social sciences deeply. After you read this Gadamer work it makes you feel that all beliefs about methodology of social sciences have to be reviewed again and we must repeat and repeat think about what really science is.And also we learn from this text that living is interpreting (hermeneutic).

Hans-Georg Gadamer's Truth and Method must be considered alongside the great works of Dilthey, Husserl, and Heidegger as a major treatise on hermeneutics, defined by Gadamer as understanding and the correct interpretation of what has been understood. More commonly, people define hermeneutics as the study/theory of interpretation.

Two major contentions that help frame his analysis are: (1) rejection of the view that proper understanding calls for eliminating the influence of the interpreter's context; (2) rejection of the view that the author's intent in writing a text has any special weight to it.

As to the first point, he argues that it is simply not possible for the interpreter to escape his present situation. He advances the concept of the "horizon." For Gadamer, the horizon is ". . .the range of vision that includes everything that can be seen from a particular vantage point." It is the grounding of the interpreter, including that person's language, that fixes the possibilities of what that person can see and understand. In Gadamer's words, it is

". . .the way in which thought is tied to its finite determination, and the nature of the law of the expansion of the range of vision. A person who has no horizon is a man who does not see far enough and hence over values what is nearest to him. Contrariwise, to have an horizon means not to be limited to what is nearest, but to be able to see beyond it. A person who has an horizon knows the relative significance of everything within this horizon, as near or far, great or small."

To interpret the words of the past, Gadamer says that:

"Just as in a conversation, when we have discovered the standpoint and horizon of the other person, his ideas become intelligible, without our necessarily having to agree with him, the person who thinks historically comes to understand the meaning of what has been handed down, without necessarily agreeing with it, or seeing himself in it."

In interpreting texts, two horizons are involved--one is the horizon of the interpreter and the other the particular historical horizon into which he or she places him or herself in trying to understand the text. Thus, the two horizons interact to produce understanding.

The historical horizon of the text is not fixed; it cannot take on a meaning that is unchanged for all times and places. Here, he gets to the heart of successful hermeneutic inquiry--the fusing of horizons. He says:

"Hence the horizon of the present cannot be formed with the past. There is no more an isolated horizon of the present than there are historical horizons. Understanding, rather, is always the fusion of these horizons which we imagine to exist by themselves. . .Every encounter with tradition that takes place within historical consciousness involves the experience of the tension between the text and the present."

But what of the intention of the original author of a text? That leads to another of Gadamer's major points, by now clearly implicit in his idea of fusion of horizons. In short, it is not particularly important in trying to interpret a text. Once a text is created by its author, it becomes, so to speak, freed from the creator and begins to take on its own meaning, based upon its historical horizon, continually evolving as circumstances change. It is the text's horizon that interacts with the interpreter's horizon.

So what? To the extent that "reality" is the subject of inquiry, our understanding of "reality" will change as the historical horizon of a particular claim about reality changes. We can, then, never come to a satisfactory conclusion about a transcendental reality, about an absolute truth. Is relativism the end product of the endeavor? The hermeneutist in the Gadamerian tradition would simply note that there is no way out.

This is one of the most historically important works available on interpretation. It is difficult and challenging as a work; however, the effort to learn from Gadamer is well worth it.

Gadamer's _Truth and Method_ is both very profound and very readable; it is a vast improvement over other more widely-read philosophical texts from the same region and time period (such as Heidegger's _Being and Time_ and Husserl's _Crisis of the European Sciences_). Unlike the aforementioned philosophers, Gadamer is actually willing to stick his neck out and reveal to us the true nature of his own personal spiritual beliefs. Believe it or not, Gadamer has the audacity to tell us that we "must take the Old Testament literally" (!) That's right, folks. Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, Moses, Abraham-Isaac-Jacob-Joseph-ect. We have to take all of that literally. Now I've been to north-Georgia, backcountry, hillbilly Baptist churches where they didn't believe in that stuff anymore. And that is precisely what makes Gadamer's philosophy so revolutionary. The age of reason has quite literally come full circle. People were completely caught off guard by this shocking new assertion, that we must once again turn to the literal interpretation of the Old Testament in order to explain the dawn of temporal conciousness in man.
It seems as though modern phenomenolgy has uncovered far more new questions than it has answers. Hegel was one of the first to attempt an in-depth systemization on how and why the "spirit enters into time". Heidegger was one of the first with a specific answer, stating that the phenomenon of spirit is attributable to a type of "care" and "being-unto-death". Sarte countered that this phenomenology is in fact a result of "being-unto-other". But if we believe Gadamer's historical theory, we may have a concrete solution to all of these problems. Rather than be stuck with a narrow and one-dimensional theory of the phenomenon of soul (which could easily be diluted with other contingencies and unforeseen contributing factors) Gadamer brings us back to a very viable, believable, and comprehesive system of the historical birth of the spirit. Granted, it is impossible to empirically prove the historical accuracy of the Old Testament, but Gadamer points out this historic text's uncanny ability to account for and eliminate every possible obstacle to the coming-into-being of spirit. Once we understand Gadamer's system, we realize that not only is the Old Testament a sensible, fitting, and believable way to account for our existence, it is actually one of the most solid and inarguable existential theories out there. Yes, it does seem shocking and surprising at first, but the more you think about it, the more believable you will find the Old Testament to be. Apparently, the modern philosopher must go down every dead-end, back-alley historical theory known to man before he can finally come to terms with the wisdom of the ancients.
So the only question remaining is, should you buy this book? If you are open minded enough to at least consider the possibility of the historical theory described above, then you will probably find this book to be interesting and intellectually stimulating. If, on the other hand, you are horrified and appauled by what I just said, maybe you should instead ask your college professor for his latest recommendation.

I hate to admit it...especially because all the other reviewers have raved about it...but I find Truth and Method to be a real slog. Yes -- there is some good stuff here. But be warned - you will really, really have to work to get through this book!

Now at this point you may be thinking "well, you are probably lazy or were unprepared." But the thing is - I was neither. I have read Being and Time (which I think is an easier - yes easier - book) and have done much prepatory work for T & M including Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics by Jean Grondin -- which I highly recommend).

This book is brilliant. But I think it is very interesting that all the reviewers have such high praise for a text that is so very difficult. Great ideas do not need to be inaccessible. Don't believe me? Look at Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche.....

First, Truth and Method is a true classic. Basically, it sees Gadamer revitalise 'nonscientific' truth, i.e. the experience of truth inaccessible to method and irreducible to bare statement. The book itself does have a structure/setting that makes it difficult to get into initially (it is usefully read in tandem with a good commentary eg. Joel Weinsheimer's 'Gadamer's Hermeneutics'), but it is simply worth the effort.

Second, the review below is mistaken when it attributes to Gadamer the idea that the Old Testament should be read literally. Gadamer refers to Luther's position that "the Scripture has a univocal sense that can be derived from the text", but he does this as part of an historical overview of hermeneutics and, on the very next page, Luther gets refuted by 18thC historicism. Gadamer moves beyond both these positions to reveal how 'literalism' (and - more pressingly - 'historicism') is a projection of unproductive prejudices. It is an "obstruction", that gets in the way of the truth Gadamer seeks. Also, while T&M is relevant to theology, it should be made clear that Gadamer is writing of a philosophical-universal hermeneutics and not something regional.

I had the great fortune to be one of the contributing authors of this award-winning anthology. Never have I been given such an incredible gift. This picture of the journey of women is inspiring, empowering and endearing. I've read it over many times and whether I am reading about "shoulders" that can take it all or the challenge of raising children, I see myself and applaud my growth. A must read for all women, of all ages.

As a contributor to this powerfully written anthology about the lessons learned from living by women of color, I was not only honored to be a part of this work, but humbled by the raw honesty of each story. The healing nature of each story, brings with it a balm for the broken-hearted and wounded spirit, while allowing those of us who have triumphed "through it all" to celebrate together! "Life's Spices" gives women the permission to speak, to no longer live in silence and to embrace a circle of women that allows us to stand strong.

Sometimes you pick-up a book and wonder from the title if there is really anything inside the cover that will interest you. Such was my experience with a book titled "Life's Spices From Seasoned Sistahs: A collection of life stories from mature women of color". The title gave me no insight on why a 61-year-old white man might enjoy reading this anthology of stories from women. What a most pleasant surprise awaited me once I opened it and began pouring over the pages and discovering that people are people regardless of gender or race.

Editor Vicki Ward did an excellent job of pulling diverse people and backgrounds into a mix that makes exploring between the covers a real joy. This book is not just for women of color; it is for all readers. I found inspiration from the life experiences shared in this book and feel that wisdom was gained by my reading it. There are not many books that you can say that about any more.

I fully recommend this book for all readers. It gets the American Authors Association's top book rating of FIVE STARS. It also gets my personal recommendation.

LIFE'S SPICES FROM SEASONED SISTAHS, edited by Vicki Ward, is a wonderful collection of short stories, essays, and poems by mature women of all races. The collection is divided into the following themes: Sistahs' Joys and Struggle with Family, Sistahs' Joys...Life's Pain, Love, Humility, and Other Spices that Flavor Relationships, Mothers Use Love, Forgiveness, Compassion, Wisdom..., Seasonings for Self-Esteem, Sistahs' Survivin' and Working It Out, Death Can Be an Awakening, and The Spirit...Always Present.

Within each theme are related stories of joy, pain, happiness, and sorrow. As each woman puts pen to paper to tell their account, as no one else can, you will find them captivating and filled with wisdom. Each poem is also overflowing with strength and weakness and finally some with acceptance of the hand the authors' have been dealt and the power to forge ahead.

The editor has done an outstanding job selecting the contributors to tell their stories along with providing interesting author biographies and resources for women in all States and some provinces. The writing is exemplary and each narrative is distinct. The tantalizing epigraph and forward provide the how and the why. This collection can serve as an excellent gift for a special woman in your life and once read, can serve as a great conversation piece. We are more alike than we believe but at the same time different in our experiences and responses. Nonetheless, women are the corner stone of the world, as these stories will demonstrate.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Life's Spices From Seasoned Sistahs, is a collection of stories by different women from all walks of life. From African American, to Asian, to Mexican women, all of the sistahs have a story to tell. Each piece is uplifting, wisdom-filled, and presented with just enough seasoning to add to life's gumbo of joys, sorrows, and heartbreaks.

I found this book to be an excellent read. Each woman shared experiences that helped to mold them into strong, proud and wise women. In most cases, the stories were no longer than two are three pages, but each was packed with lessons to aid the reader in this journey we call life.

If you are into nonfiction and enjoy reading how people triumph over life's snares, you'll love Life's Spices From Seasoned Sistahs.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT
APOOO BookClub

I met the author at a book festival last year. He convinced me to read the book after a lengthy conversation about a variety of subjects.

I chewed through in a couple of sittings. It was precisely what I was hoping it would be - a science fiction story with just enough fiction to keep it moving but enough science to make it plausible and inspire me to research a variety of topics.

What is most interesting as discussion topics (especially with the LHC going online this year!):
Splitting the fundamental particles
Speed of Light physics
Rocketry of the near future
New sources of renewable and non renewable energy
Living circumstances in the near future
Philosophy of time and space

I found the prose choppy and not poetic. It doesn't detract much but it did slow down my reading speed.

Great effort, fun read and will really excite you if any of the above topics float yer boat.

LIGHTSPEED is an exciting book that kept a "non-reader for entertainment" turning the pages. There's something for everyone: love, family ties, a legacy, scientific challenges, corporate competition, corruption, greed, a sinister villain, suspense and finally hope. The reader will be swept into the future (2160)to experience an exciting world of science and fantasy with a loving family who dreams the impossible dream--takes you with them and exposes you to extraordinary challenges of the mind, heart and spirit. Guaranteed to please! I'm looking forward to seeing it on THE BIG SCREEN. If you know Steven Spielberg--send him a copy. Christmas is coming.....

This book kept me reading far into the night even though I am not a science fiction fan because usually the elements of the scientific world overshadows the story, but not this time! The journey and the Diggs family were alive and vibrant throughout.

My recommendation to all who want to read an exciting book about space travel and also travel with a loving family who will wend their way into your heart.

A fascinating book, especially poignant regarding the recent discovery and pictures of a planet (581c) with an environment similar to earth's "only" 20.5 light years distant.

Excellent! Kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly wanting more! The Wards really made the concept of traveling faster than the speed of light seem possible!

I reluctantly started this book, then bought it and found many truths I hadn't learned before. Navigating in the spiritual realm is an awesome skill, but with the explanations given by Matthew's communication with his mother, I reached a new level of understanding. The reaction to suicides, our freedoms (once we learn where we can go), the explanation of classical music created on earth (no, not dictated) and on and on, blew my mind.

After reading over 80 books on metaphysics, I was incredulous at how much I learned here. I also recommend "My Descent into Death", an account equal to this one, I believe, although stemming from a totally different experience.

A must read for all those whose minds and hearts are open to know what happens after "death"...what is it like in other side or Nirvana? This is like a Harry Potter book, but the only difference is this is non-fiction. I feel it's true.. follow your intuition and you'll know what's true. :)

I was given a copy of this book to read about 2 years ago, by a new friend whom I had just told about the death of my youngest daughter, eleven years earlier. Even after eleven years, any parent can tell you how the grief of losing a child is always a part of you, an empty hole in your soul. Even so, I had come to terms with my daughter's death and had moved on in life. So, when I was given this book, part of me was hopeful, while for the most part I was hesitant and extremely skeptical.
How can I begin to describe the "Omg, this makes sense" awakening I began to feel as I read page after page, chapter after chapter? This book changed my life - and that is an understatement! Reading Matthew became the catalyst for a series of sychronicities that led me down many intertwining roads in my own journey towards healing, spiritual enlightenment, my own purpose in life, and eventually the supreme joy of communicating with my own daughter.
To say that I highly recomend this book is also an understatement. I wish more people knew about this book, so I hope you'll all spread the word after reading it. It is a definitive must read for grieving parents and anyone else who has lost someone special in their life, or for those who ask, "Who am I, and why am I here?" (In fact, that was the one question I asked, that led to this book and everything else since).
I wish all of you a most remarkable and joyous journey of your own.
Linda

A great joy to read and wonderful to see. This is as uplifting as it gets people. Read and enjoy one of the best books that anyone can get for themselves or for someone who has lost a loved one.

What a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to everyone interested in knowing what life "on the other side" is like. I admit I was skeptical at first. As I read Matthew's accounts of life on the other side I grew more amazed at his descriptions. Many things I had never even thought about were addressed fully in this book. Since we won't know until we actually get there I can only hope that life "on the other side" is how Matthew describes it in this book. What peace and joy it provides for those of us inquisitive enough to be looking for these answers. Special thanks to Suzanne for her committment to write this book and please know I have already ordered her second book "Revelations For A New Era".

I had to stop reading it on page 7, page 12, and now page 27. I laugh so hard, my tummy hurts & my eyes start to water, that I have to put it down! Totally worth the price, and fun for repeat reading down the road. A MUST HAVE!

I first came across this book on vacation in Florida in the summer of '97.I had just read a few pages and I was laughing uproarisly,people in the store were looking at me.I had to buy it.Now,three years later,I still split my sides laughing whenever I read this book.It's in the same vien as Jay Leno's 'Headlines', it deals with real life,unintentionally funny stuff.This book is surely proof that the truth is funnier than fiction.Anyone with a sense of humour should buy,and love,this book.

The first time I read this, I actually had to put the book down because I was laughing too hard. If you like Jay Leno's Headlines, then you'll love this. It's way better. All of the pictures and headlines are true, that's what makes it fun and the commentary by National Lampoon with each picture is just as funny. My favorite is the picture of the Sesame Street gang and the misprint in identifying one particular character. BUY THIS FOR A GUARANTEED LAUGH!

Oh my god. I thought I was going to die of laughter. The stuff that's in the book is actually true and I could not stop laughing at these sighns and newspaper articles that they had in there. (EX: A man gets killed by a bowling ball) You have to get this book. You can't stop laughing.

Stop reading this and buy this book now.

I mean it. Buy this book now.

Okay, if you simply must read this before buying, I guess there is nothing I can do to stop you. This is a simply hilarious book. There's literally something funny on virtually every page.
Weird and wacky photos, strange advertisements and announcements, and truly bizarre new articles are the norm here.
Truly deserves 6 stars.