White Books

The author brings you into the personal lives of his characters as he develops a fast paced socially enlightening legal thriller. The novel's action is accurately showcased in Southeastern Michigan. You not only get to know the characters, but if you live in Michigan you recognize the familiar landmarks. If you aren't from Michigan, you learn about the Motor City and its suburbs as well as understanding the politics of the area. This story has an important message. Hate, redemption, intolerance, nobleness, and prejudice are dealt with in enlightened terms.

"The Farewell Principle" by Steven Weiss is a fast-paced story that incorporates legal and personal challenges of a Michigan attorney, Maurice "Mo" Robinson. Mo is forced to face his own personal prejudices and loyalties when he encounters a white supremacist group.Mo grapples with real-life situations that makes one question one's own values and beliefs. This page-turner is especially satisfying to people familiar with Detroit since many Detroit streets and buildings are mentioned.(a la Elmore Leonard}.Steve Weiss, a first-time novelist, has successfully written a realistic compelling story that I would highly recommend.

This is an outstanding first time effort in fiction concerning problems of our time in urban center. Revolves around a racial murder resulting in trial drama with former prosecutor defending a life long friend. The characters are well defined. An additional twist depicts member of the cloth attempting to reform a racial bigot by logic and friendship. Good yarn!

Reads like Grisham, but makes you think. as well. You'll love the realistic characters in this page turner. Once you get going, save time to finish, because you won't be able to put it down.

I like a book that gets your heart pumping and your mind racing. This one does 'em both. After you read this book, you'll realize what the power of the pen is all about. I recommend this highly.

A must read for students. This is the base of so much of our "art" and so few people understand it, its nice to see someone bring it back out! I wish there had been more dedicated to digital however.

Dr. Glenn Rand's FILM & DIGITAL TECHNIQUES FOR ZONE SYSTEM PHOTOGRAPHY tells how to take control of photographic results using the Zone System which emphasizes black and white photography and is based on the techniques of Ansel Adams. This is an unusual systematic approach which offers tips for using the system, identifying its place in typical workflows, and honing techniques for using with the Zone System. Photography libraries catering to practicing professionals and neo-professionals need this.

Of the many factors involved in the finished black and white photograph, the zone system deals with the technical process. How to best incorporate the widest tonal range possible into black and white photography is a core fundamental that is illustrated with clarity. Using the tools this book offers will help the film and digital photographer achieve optimal results in the images produced.

This is a simple and easy to follow explanation of the zone system. The author is a true expert in the field and his teaching experience is evident in his ease in explaning this important and fundamental examination of exposing the perfect image - be it with film or digital.

As in other critiques, I like to start by saying that I am a BIG fan of Amherst Media books. They are concise and informative. I am a regular "textbook" reader and Amherst Media seems to offer the best selection of photography books available. I am extremely impressed with their products. EVERY book I have offers SOMETHING worthwhile!!!

"Zone System Photography" was a very interesting read. I actually went through it twice! It might be due to the technical nature of the book, but anyone familiar with the topic knows that Zone shooting IS technical. I'm a huge fan of beautiful Black and White photography and for those "purists" still shooting film and developing their own work, they NEED to get this book. It is a complete, step-by-step guide to beautiful B&W images.

The book itself obviously goes into great detail about the Zone System, proper placement of zones, expansion and compaction, paper and film selections, etc. For anyone wanting to learn more about the subject, this book will certainly provide that. However, FOR DIGITAL SHOOTERS, only a small portion of this text is devoted to the "pixel people" of the photography world. If you're reading this critique, then you should already know why there is such limited discussion.

The images in this book are absolutely amazing. I just wish I had this text prior to taking my P.P.A Certification exam. Maybe I wouldn't have flubbed two questions on Zones!

This is a GREAT reference book. I highly recommend it to anyone who might want to see the world in Black and White!

ALL I CAN SAY IS " WHAT A STORY" .

This is a fascinating and disturbing tale that illustrates just how hard it is to convict somebody who has a lot of money and power. Cullen Davis, warped little rich boy dominated by his incredibly wealthy and megalomanic father, grows up to inherit most of the fortune and position. What does he do with it? He chases sex kitten type women, showers them with lavish gifts, and abuses them.

Naifeh and Smith raise the true crime genre to something close to literature here. We have the usual litany of sickies and psychopaths, the usual police incompetence, prosecutors who can't prosecute, etc. The "final justice" in the title is somewhat ironic since multimillionaire Cullen Davis is never found guilty of any of his crimes, the worst of which was the cold-blooded murder of his wife's 12-year-old daughter; the least of which, perhaps the killing of her kitten. The juries in Texas just would not convict him (although they have put a number of poor people on death row). Instead they admired him for his money, stupidly since he just inherited it. And before the book is over, he blows most of it.

We get a terrible sense here that people with riches in positions of power really can get away with murder. People look up to them regardless of their crimes. It helps us to understand how murderers like Sadaam Hussein and what's his name in Yugoslavia continue in power. It's not just that people are afraid of them, they look up to them and find ways to excuse their crimes. This is the human tribal mind at work: better our corrupt and evil leader than theirs, and better a corrupt and evil leader than no leader at all. The women in this one come off as particularly subject to manipulation by power and money, although that was not necessarily the authors' intent. They wanted to show just what a sick, sick man Cullen Davis is, and they succeed in that. But incidentally they revealed the women around him, especially his gold-digging wives, as sad, sad creatures who would be abused and wallow in it for the sake of being close to all that money and power and maybe getting a little of it. One has the sense that they couldn't help themselves.

This is a good read that will rouse your sense of indignation.

it actually happened!!!

Don't look at the facts. Facts are **BAD***!! Let's attack the victims and divert attention away from what the case was all about...the murder of a twelve year old girl and a family aquaintance.

OJ's "Dream Team" (what a joke) must've used this case as a template for OJ's defense, because the similarities are eerie.

Highly recommended.

This book is really, the most precise account of the murders and trials. Some of the other books on the murder trials of Mr. Davis are very goddy and don't focus on the facts of the case. I really think that Mr. Naifeh did an excellent job with the content and details of this novel.I hope that people will not simply judge a case or story by one book, and know that you must have a numerous amount of facts and reality before you try to judge someone or something.

At the time of the Davis murders, I was living in Fort Worth and had a second-hand acquaintance with some of the people involved. Smith and Naifeh got it exactly right: not merely the facts but the "feel" of the case. Texas is a microcosm of the U.S., with all our best and worst qualities exaggerated. The Davis case exemplified our fascination with sex and sleaze, our love/hate relationship with the wealthy, and a legal system that's as much showmanship as The Majesty Of The Law -- and the results were an ironic commentary on what we truly value. (Somehow, the fact that Priscilla Davis was a mother whose 12-year-old daughter was brutally murdered got lost in the shuffle.) The book is engrossing and truly scary, and I highly recommend it.

This is the best explanation of the Ten Commandments I have ever seen. Everyone should read this book and be inspired to be and do everything God created them for. It is an easy read and a book you will want to go back to time and time again. I want to share it with everyone I know!

This is a book that I just couldn't put down. Not only for the reason that it's written by a pastor I've come to know and highly respect over the years, but because it clearly shares how the Word of God remains fresh each time we read it. Pastor White brings to life the key aspects of each of the 10 commandments and draws Christians to a closer relationship in their daily walk. Read it and pass it on to a friend.

As a Pastor I am constantly looking for help in preaching and teaching the Bible, Author and Pastor Tim White has put together a book that will be a great resource for any pastor or serious Bible student. It is only 105 pages long, so to me that makes it attractive as it gets right to the point. "Free to Love" is easy to read and full of ways we can apply the Ten Commandments to everyday life, not in legalistic ways , but filtered through the eyes of the Lord Jesus.

As you read this book you can tell it was written by one who loves the Word of God. This book puts the Old Testament commandements into perspective in today's world. The commandements are as relevant today as they ever were and the author does a tremendous job illustrating this point. Too many relegate the Old Testament as not being as relevant as the New Testament, which is not true. The author very adeptly points out the immutability of God. I highly recommend this book for both the mature Christian and those new to the faith.

This enlightening book reveals that the 10 Commandments were not written to put us in bondage but as a path leading to freedom. As each of the ten were broken down chapter by chapter, I was able to see that God doesn't want to push me down. He wants to pick me up. I read it more than once to make sure all of the truth held in its pages saturated my mind and my heart. I would recommend it as a must read!!!!

French Toast, A White Cane and Memories is a fictionalized story about brothers Chase and Bo while on vacation with their mother. However, although labeled as fiction, this work is obviously heavily influenced by the author's own experiences with her own two boys.

Written from the point of view of Bo, the oldest of the two boys, the reader gains a picture of the family. Bo tries very hard to be a good big brother to Chase. Chase has some special issues. As a young toddler, Chase was diagnosed Retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative condition that gradually takes away the boy's vision.

Making sense and adjusting to this diagnosis has been very hard on the family. Although she tries to be upbeat in front of the boys, Bo hears his mother cry at night sometimes. Intuitively, the young boy understands his mother's fears and steels himself to take care of her as well. An amazing kid and a loving family creating memories.

This book held my attention from beginning to end. It has all the elements that make it a good story. I especially liked it being written from the older brother's perspective. I liked the balance between Chase's boyish annoyance with his little brother Bo, and his role as protector. Without it ever being overtly stated, one feels the love Chase has for his mother and brother. His concern is felt by the reader as his family faces a very difficult, life changing situation.

Bo and Chase can't wait to get back to their favorite place on earth; and readers can laugh along as they travel with the brothers on a family vacation.

Written from a sibling's perspective, French Toast, a White Cane, and Memories is a fictional story based on the experiences of a real little boy who is losing his eyesight to a rare disease.

Through funny and touching stories, the author takes kids on a step by step journey with this little family, not only to the ocean shore, but through emotional struggles and on to better understanding, renewed hope, and closer unity.

The book's fourteen short chapters with large text and real "kid language" is perfect for ages 8 and up.

Through adventures that test their spirit, Chase and his family learn about loyalty and unconditional, self-sacrificing love. This charming book promotes compassion and tolerance of those with physical differences. It will touch the hearts of kids and parents alike.

Author Laura Fay Robbie writes from her own experience as a hard working single mom, devoted to her boys, on whose lives the book is based. Robbie's stories communicate the ups and downs of a family with a handicapped child. Topics include fear and courage, optimism and hope, family unity, and the value of friendships.

Parents, librarians, and teachers will find much to use for discussions about questions and problems children face.

French Toast, a White Cane, and Memories would make a great gift for any child, but especially for siblings of kids who are battling serious illness, injuries, or handicaps.
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Review by Marsha Jordan
Author of "Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter"
www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm

Although it is fiction you could just feel what this family is dealing with in real life. I really liked the way the author told the story through the older son's eyes. You had a real feeling for what it was like to have a younger brother with a medical condition.
The book was written with so much detail that I thought I was taking the trip with them! It made me miss my times at the ocean.
I highly recommend this book for many reasons. There is a good story, it's very well written, but more importantly it gives you real insight about what living with RP is all about.

This is a terrific story about the ups and downs of a real family. It's a touching story of a little boy losing his eyesight and the wonderful adventures he lives.

THE STORYLINE IN FULL MOON ON WHITE IS SO UNIQUE I WAS NEVER SURE WHERE IT WAS GOING TO TAKE ME AND IT TOOK ME TO SOME VERY INTERESTING PLACES.THRILLING AND ENERGETIC WRITING STYLE.I ENJOYED THE BOOK AND LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR.

GEORGETOWN TEXAS

This book grabbed me from page one and kept me engrossed to the end. Woven into a work of science fiction is a compelling story about love, devotion, and family. The characters are well-developed and believable. Readers familiar with midcoast Maine, southern California, or Yosemite will appreciate how skillfully the author weaves diverse settings into the plot line. Where David Steel goes in the end will leave you guessing - and hoping for a sequel.

Great read! Good characters and storyline. A plot that doesn't seem to slow down, and makes you wonder - where the hell is he going? Had to keep reminding myself it is science fiction, because the characters are as real as the guy at work. I just can't manage to say enough good about the book. Looking forward to his next work.

Full Moon on White has a story line that keeps you guessing and wanting to read the next page to find out how Mr. Steel got into the hospital and what he discovers about himself, his family and the new world. An interesting set of circumstances faced in a heroic and believeable manner. I look forward to reading Mr. Thomas' second book

A story that keeps you guessing. Mr Steel is sort of like a 21st century Rip Van Winkle. Waking up and not knowing where you are and trying to figure out what's real, and why? This reader found the characters interesting and believable. A good read about a smart, affable and decent man with a real caring for his family, his past and his future. Readers in San Diego and Southern Maine will enjoy the locales of this fast- paced story.

Very detailed, artwork is solid, if not outstanding. Gives a fine format for exploring Martin's world.

There is only one thing you have to know: no Spellcraft skill because magic is a legend or it is a dead.

I redesign the character sheet (the one it came with sucked which is the only complaint I have about it) and it brought a tear to my eye not having to worry about spell slots or any of that sort of mess.

No magic, magic items, Power Word: Kills or some god coming down to smite you. It is just you, the enemy and the ground in-between. You make your own in this world, you forge your way through either might or wisdom, sword or diplomacy.

Like a great man, a Giant of a man some might say, once said, "It is not so much what we do as why we do it." When you could run away in fear for your life but you chose to stand and regain your honour, right your wrongs and possible make your world a better place to be even it it meant losing your own life, then you know you have struck gold when it comes to a roleplaying campaign.

Sure it has all the levels, skills points and the like but to be honest, I never cared about the levels in this game. I think whatever age or level we start off with is fine by me.

If you are a D20 vet and wanting to try this, take time to learn how Reputation and Influence works. It is a little different but it adds a lot to the world.

If for nothing else, my brother, "Mister Casual About All Things Gaming", can't stop talking about the game. That is for the first time in 15 years. That is the greatness of A Song of Ice and Fire.

I haven't gamed in more than 10 years, and don't really plan on starting again - but this book is worth buying for ANY fan of Song of Ice & Fire series.

Gorgeous artwork & fascinating bios of the characters of George R.R. Martin's books are the main highlights of the book for non-gamers - but the more you delve into the mechanics of the game, the more insights into the world it reveals.

And another pleasant surprise - an introduction including a very detailed & impressive overview of the history of fanstasy writing. Given me lots of new (to me) writers to check out.

This book is a remarkable achievement in d20. It offers several innovations, and also pares away some of the more ridiculous aspects of the system as we have known it. But even more impressively, this publication is distinguished in its tastefulness, outclassing any other d20 game with its maturity of style and imagination. This is gaming for grownups.
This 495 full-color hardback is a comprehensive rulebook and campaign setting. If you didn't already own the core rulebooks, you wouldn't need to get them, because it's all here--handbook, DMG, and bestiary rolled into one. The bestiary, of course, is very small, because this is a low-fantasy (almost historical) setting. You won't find a catalog of abberations, walking funguses and extraplanar half-whosywhatsits. You won't find dozens of ridiculous, superheroic, micro-niche prestige classes. And you won't find elves, or gnomes ... or any such breeds. Who needs them? Magic and mosters are gone . . . except for a few surprises here and there, which are really special.
What do you find? The heart of the game is human drama. You have Realpolitik, war, alliances and betrayals, intrigue, spying and struggle. In order to cultivate this kind of gaming experience, they draw on the work of one of the greatest living writers of science fiction and fantasy, George R. R. Martin. (Read the novels, if you haven't already.) But the game also contributes a promising innovation with the rules for Reputation and Influence. These mechanics are to the social and political what the Base Attack Bonus is to combat. Influence points are a way of measuring a character's power in the social sphere, and of adjudicating a character's efforts to get others to do what he wants.
In standard d20 games, a character with a high Diplomacy skill may be effective in getting people to have a friendly disposition towards him, but how do you determine what a friendly disposition actually gets you. Now there is a mechanic for determining that. An Influence check is used to call in a debt, command, persuade or otherwise coerce someone to actually do what you want (whether they like you or not).
Reputation is a way of defining how you are perceived by others, in terms of specific characteristics. For example, a character may get several reputation points as a Ruthless Brute, which will come in handy when he wants to Intimidate and hinder him when he wants to gain trust.
There will be combat, of course, though perhaps not as frequently. (Wounds take time to heal when you don't have potions and spells ready at hand.) In place of lightning bolts and acid arrows, they have added more options and possibilities in hand-to-hand combat. First of all, armor gives you DR rather than an AC bonus. (Shields are different). Armor classes will tend to be not quite as high as we are used to, but on the other hand damage will be smaller too. However, if you want to deal more damage, you can opt for one of several types of called shots, which allow you to customize your attack strategy based on your opponents defences. There are also some good rules for becoming fatigued due to the encumbrance of armor. Only playtesting can tell, but it seems to me that combat strategy may be more interesting in this game. More deadly? You'll have fewer hitpoints. On the other hand, there's the Shock Value feature, which makes it a lot more likely that you'll be temporarily incapacitated long before your hitpoints are gone. Characters at first level will have about the same number of hitpoints as comparable D&D characters, but as your character advances, you'll gain fewer hitpoints. I think the reason for this is that average damage dealt by a hit will not increase as much either. It might turn out that first-level is more survivable and higher levels are more dangerous than in D&D.
Perhaps my only complaint about this game is that it may be more difficult for the Gamemaster. The setting is not nearly as static as something like the Forgotten Realms. Things change in this world, and fast! So, if the GM has any intention of staying true to the novels, he will have to think carefully about the timeline and know what's going on in the story. And Martin hasn't finished writing novels yet! If the future is being determined in the imagination of George R. R. Martin, then there are some limitations on how much the players (or the GM) can change).
Another challenge for the GM will be that without monsters and abundant treasure, he will have to keep things interesting in the story arc, or the game will fall flat.
On the up side, players should be able to plug into the drama of politics and war fairly easily. There should be less of a problem coming up with motivations for your character to "go adventuring" (Ugh!) You won't need artificial motivations, because by the nature of the game your character will have loyalties and enemies, not to mention the task of keeping his corpse from being eaten by crows!

Absolutely awesome. Very true to the setting.

Some of the rules are a bit clunky and take a bit of effort to switch over from standard D20, but overall makes for a MUCH better experience.

On a daily basis, gay people are inundated with negative messages in every realm: social, political, cultural, and religious-especially religious. Many, if not most, mainstream churches have deliberate proscriptions against homosexuality, and with all that we've seen lately in the news, there seems to be no end in sight to the strife. Despite the fact that each year scientists offer more proof that sexual orientation is genetic (i.e. that's the way God made us), many churchgoers and clergy discriminate against gay people.

Lost in the midst of the polemics and condemnations are millions of non-heterosexual people trying to make their way in a world where matters of the Spirit are land mines and the path of that same Spirit does not always appear accessible. In his marvelous new book on this topic, Toby Johnson writes: "There is a Sufi saying: 'If the rose knew what the gardener's care would result in come spring, it would joyfully bend to the pruning knife.' Gay people experience pruning in late childhood and early adulthood. We realize the truth of our orientation and have to give up familial and cultural expectations of what our lives will be. Often we experience ridicule and ostracism by schoolmates and peers, along with rejection and disapproval by parents. Even if we grow up feeling it is okay to be gay, we experience confusion and trauma because we will not follow in the path that our parents, teachers, and role models have laid before us" (p. 239) It's this very phenomenon that tends to alienate gay people from churches and from the life-force of the Spirit.

For gay men, in particular, Toby Johnson' book GAY SPIRITUALITY is a lifesaver. Johnson's thesis is that gays are very much "Outsiders" in American society, and because of that, gay people possess valuable knowledge and inspiration about the true nature of the Spirit. Gay people experience the world differently than others do, including being more aware of the polarities. Rather than exclusion from the world of God, religion, and spirituality, Johnson calls for all people to listen to and heed the wisdom gay people have to offer. Because human knowledge and understanding continues to grow, Johnson wants any person struggling with gay issues to know that we are in the middle of a huge transformation of human consciousness-a major paradigm shift. Because of this, there is much to learn and room for growth, all of which is likely to give anyone struggling with issues of the Spirit a fair amount of hope.

Drawing from world religions, the Hero Cycle, Jungian thought, and dozens of other sources, Johnson discusses religion, spirituality, and sexuality from a variety of angles. With his background as a teacher, theologian, ex-Roman Catholic monk, and writer, this book has much to offer any person exploring spiritual paths. Ultimately, I found myself resonating strongly while reading part of the conclusion: "Being gay is a blessing... This discovery is an important part of spiritual maturation. As we understand how blessed we are, we begin to put out good vibes. When we realize that being gay is drawing a long straw in this life, we can forgive the world. We can accept things as they are with all the pain and loss that goes with being human. And when we do that we change the world" (p. 259).

It is clear from this book's premise (and that of the companion volume, GAY PERSPECTIVE: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us About the Nature of God and the Universe), that Johnson is offer viable and life-changing alternatives for people, both gay and straight, to understand the search for a meaningful spirituality. This is a wonderful book to assist in that search. ~Lori L. Lake, reviewer for The Independent Gay Writer and Midwest Book Review

With religious beliefs and homosexuality tendencies being at the forefront of all my waking hours, I found this book quick, interesting and wonderfully insightful. -> Do yourself a favor and give it a read!!!

Johnson, Toby. "Gay Spirituality: Gay Identity and the Transformation of Human Consciousness", Lethe Press, 2000.

The Search for Ourselves

Amos Lassen

So many of us struggle with both religion and G-d basically because we feel we have been shunned because of our sexuality and tardyons are often judgmental and critical of the way we live. Some of us, however, have found ways to reconcile faith for whatever reason and in the process we allow ourselves to be subjugated to anti-gay religious doctrine which we manage somehow to tolerate. With this reconciliation, we tend to forget our own gay spiritual heritage.
Looking at the word "spirituality", we can say it is a "celebration of our rightful place in" the universe of G-d. Toby Johnson, the author of "Gay Spirituality" explains that we, as gay people, are able to overlook dogma and religious indoctrination, and speak our own truth because we are not only aware but we know that we are sensitive, loving and compassionate and we have these qualities because we were created by G-d with them. We are positive and we both enrich and contribute to society in all of its aspects and this is the basic thesis of his book,
We constantly are faced with negativity, especially from the world of religion. Even with scientists constantly offering more and more truth that we are born with our sexual orientation, we still are the target of many churchgoers and clergy. Early on we begin to realize who we are sexually and have to give up so much in order to live our lives--we are ostracized by our peers and in many cases, disapproved of my our parents. Even if we accept ourselves, our road through life is not easy and the alienation that we feel also tends to keep us away from houses of worship and from spirituality.
Because we are not part of society, we have the advantage of intense knowledge and are imbued with inspiration about the real nature of what the Spirit is. Our experiences are different and we are more aware of difference. People should listen to what we have to what we have to say and accept our wisdom. We are in the midst of transforming human consciousness and are able to provide hope for those dealing with issues of spirituality.
Toby Johnson, himself, has a strong background to be able to say what he does. He has been a theologian, a teacher, a write and an ex-Catholic monk. Even I, as a Jew, who is a firm believer in my own religion and accepted as an openly gay practicing and observant Jew find myself totally agreeing with all he says and not having to deal with the issues that the Christian religions have to face. I have had my own problems in religious reconciliation but I have found my own way and Johnson makes it so much easier than dealing with the issues I once faced. We should accept being gay as an added blessing and in this way we gain the right to forgive the world for the injustices we have received.
For those who have not yet found a way to search for a meaningful spirituality, this book tells you hat you need to know to do so. We are not sinful nor or we immoral and we do not need to live lives without spirituality. We transcend the common duality. For personal change, here is the book you need to read to give yourself an extra reason for being proud of who you are.

Homosexuality is objectively disordered, sinful, immoral. Such are the positions still held by the Roman Catholic church and many protestant Christian denominations. Having grown up with this kind of outright moral condemnation, many gay men go on to reject organized religion, and there's nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, many throw the baby out with the bathwater, and ban not only religion, but spirituality from their lifes, leaving them spiritually empty and longing for that missing piece to the puzzle of happiness.

This book can guide you to that piece. It shows that being gay is a spiritual asset, not a liability. Where some look down on same-sex love as defective, because it does not express the male-female duality, Johnson turns it around and proudly declares that to be the precise reason why same-sex love is spiritually superior. It transcends the duality.

Johnson's vision of a life-affirming, sex-positive spirituality of love, cooperation, mutual respect and acceptance is in sync with modern scientific knowledge, and does not ask the reader to suspend logic or critical thinking. Gay christians who are struggling with their sexual orientation will especially appreciate Johnson's convincing refutation of common "biblical" anti-gay arguments.

A powerful book for personal change, a wonderful antidote to the negativity of the Religious Right, and a great gift to a gay friend who is unhappy with his life or suffering from low self-esteem.

In this book, Toby Johnson presents a deeply compassionate, affirming model of spirituality. So many of us gay men and women struggle with religion and God after years of negative programming by critical, judgmental, and often outright hateful "traditions." Some of us eventually manage to reconcile and even tolerate anti-gay religious doctrine so that we may continue to participate in family and community spiritual celebrations. But in doing so, we risk betraying our unique gay spiritual heritage.

Spirituality is a celebration of our rightful place in God's universe. As Johnson explains in his lovely, wise manner, our advantage as gay folk is our ability to step aside from dogma and indoctrination, and speak our own truth. We know that we are loving, sensitive, compassionate people, and God lovingly created us that way. We belong here, and with our unique talents, we enrich and contribute positively to every aspect of society, including our families. Nobody can, and nobody should, tell us otherwise - ever. If there is any doubt in your mind about these truths, this book is for you.

We often hear that homosexuality is evil and wrong. Toby Johnson reminds us that it is just the opposite - a wonderful, spiritual gift.

In 1952 T. H. White was the author of The Sword in the Stone (Essential Modern Classics) and Mistress Masham's Repose. White's researches for "Sword" inspired him to learn the art of falconry.

Gos was an untamed tiercel (male) of the largest European species of the short-winged hawks with a wing spread three inches shorter than a golden eagle. White lived in a cottage in Buckinghamshire wood, and he ordered the bird from a dealer in Germany.

White spends hours trying to dominate Gos, and eventually the endeavor ends in tragedy for Gos. Along the way, White describes the appeal of this ancient sport. It can be very instructive to compare White's experiences with those described by Tim Gallagher in Falcon Fever: A Falconer in the Twenty-first Century. Another useful book on the subject is A Rage for Falcons by by Stephen Bodio; Bodio's insights on the Goshawk are particularly interesting.

Marie Winn has written the introduction. She is a wonderful observer of wildlife, writes an excellent blog called "Marie Winn's Central Park Nature News", and is the author of the enchanting Red-Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park (Vintage Departures).

I share other reviewers's concerns that Winn was not entirely fair to White. As a non-hunting observer of wildlife I empathize with her point of view, but can "Sha-hou" ringing down the centuries be entirely wrong?

I've attached a favorable review that appeared in "Time" when the book first appeared in 1952. I was delighted to find this new and well produced edition of White's classic book.

Robert C. Ross 2008

Mr. White describes his experiences with training a goshawk for falconry. He has no guidance beyond an ancient manuscript and things go horribly awry. An outstanding book, a pleasure to read. Also an example of why current US regulations require a falconry apprenticeship period.

As a fan of The Once and Future King as well as falconry, I couldn't wait to start reading this book. It is an absolute gem. White's descriptions are extremely vivid. No one should be daunted by the fact that this book was penned in '51 or that it is about falconry; his story is immensely (and enjoyably) readable.

Thanks are due to New York Review Books for putting back in print this wonderful book. The edition is well produced. A quibble is that Marie Winn who writes the introduction is clearly not familiar with ,or comfortable with ,"field sports". T H White (and many modern writers and followers of fishing,falconry and related actities) would take issue with her distinction between being a natural history lover and a practioner of fishing,shooting,ferreting etc. More seriously, she writes that White "blithely snagged salmon". White fished for salmon and caught them fairly using a fly. He wrote many fine passages about his salmon fishing and the pieces are still found in anthologies of fishing literature. To "snag" a salmon means ,to those who fish ,that he took salmon illegally and unsportingly, by jerking a hook into the body of a salmon.There is no evidence that I have heard of that he would ever have done this.To suggest it does his memory a grave disservice. The introduction by Steve Bodio,himself a falconer, to the 1996 Wilder Places edition of The Goshawk is,to my mind, far better at exploring and explaining the reasons why this is a much loved book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, even those with no interest at all in falconry. The author is so skilled and talented that I'd say that he could write an entertaining piece about paint drying. Enjoy!!

McCabe presents a Greece living now only in the hearts and minds of Yia Yias and Papous but never quite forgotten as this book proves masterfully through the fantastic photography. The reader walks through post-WWII Greece and experiences the simple wonders of the Greek people and land. This book is a journey not to be missed.

The photos in this book are in turn beautiful, warm, moving and joyful. In all of them, McCabe's love of Greece and all things Greek shines through. This book is awesome and wonderful. The reproductions are superb and the images evocative of a time in Greece when life was simpler than today. Find a comfortable chair, open the book, and enjoy the journey!

I have not seen such photography since Cartier Bresson's photos on everyday French life. It brings the people and land to life and presents a marvelous "record" what was and is about to partially disappear. It is a rare work of art. Peter Sichel

This is a spectacular book. Robert McCabe's intimate knowledge of Greece and its people informs the beautiful photographs that are presented in this record of a truly idyllic land. When I first received the book, I did something highly unusual for me: I sat down and went through the entire book, page by page. What a treat that experience was. I recommend this collection of photographs to anyone interested in Greece and to anyone who loves great photography.

Many of these collected black and white photographs, taken with a Rolleiflex in the 8 1/2 inch square format by the photographer during some of his many trips to Greece in the mid 1950's and 1960's, take one's breath away - arresting lansdcapes, portraits, and scenes of life as it was lived then, a vanished era, to quote the author. The pictures were made by someone who undoubtedly knows and loves the people and the country with a passion that shines through. McCabe is not a professional photographer, but rather the best kind of amateur, in the sense of comparing Olympic sports to professional sports. His work has a freshness and vitality that is more amazing considering that the pictures were taken over 40 years ago. The book recalls for me a trip I once made to the Greek Islands. During a night passage, our boat anchored off the coast of Delos, an uninhabited island (then) that is known as a sanctuary and the birthplace of some important Greek Gods and Goddesses. My memory of proximity to the aura of this sanctuary, the way it made me think about history, the ancient Greeks, was summoned back by McCabe's photographs in a way that made clear his understanding of the interconnectedness of people. His pictures make one think about how human intellectual history, our knowledge, began there, in Greece. Whether it is a picture from great height of an amphitheatre where Sophocles' plays were originally performed, or a glimpse of two young girls giggling over a shared secret, the effect of this book is to draw out a fascinating combination of history, landscape and human emotion.