Music Books

Less is more in the sense that Monique does not let the dialog dominate. The interplay among the soft music, the breaking waves and the sound of her voice is very soothing and effective. Some people have a way using their voice almost like another instrument in these types of products and, for my tatse anyway, Moniquie is one of them. I find it highly effective and relaxing.

Monique Danielle's Easyflow Mediation is just what my mind and body needed. This CD gave me instant stress relief and helped eliminate unwanted thoughts. It seems everyday life took its toll on my mind and body and I needed instant relaxation. I recommend Easyflow Meditation to anyone needing mind and body rejuvenation. Monique Danielle's calm and soothing voice helps lift my spirits, expands my creativity and increases my focus. Definitely a must have!

It did not seem to help me relax like the CD: "sleep solutions" The whiny sound of her voice at times irritated my somewhat relaxed state. It's more effective to listen during the day while you are meditating or just needing some time out.

Every morning I wake up to this cd. The narrator's soothing, healing voice slowly guides me from my deep sleep into a peaceful "in between" zone. Waking up to the guided meditation fills my entire being with hope and affirmation that we are pure Love and Light. I move through the rest of my day with this knowing in my heart. Namaste.

I found this disk to be very peaceful and relaxing, what we miss in our daily lives is the calm and peace one needs to nourish their soul, this disk gives you a glimpse into that and the gateway to a ancient and spiritual path.

I grew up poor (though not as poor as the Presleys). There were 6 people living in a 2-bedroom home. That Elvis slept with his parents (it gets cold in northern Mississippi and Tennessee) doesn't really shock or surprise me.

What does surprise me is that someone like Dee Stanley, who put her own sons in foster care so she could pursue Vernon Presley, would condemn them.

I am also not surprised that Elvis was never able to form a long-lasting relationship with a woman. Most of the women I have read about seemed only interested in what they could get from him. not what they could give to him; a total contrast to his Mother.

I thought Elaine Dundy did a masterful research job. Too bad the history books kids use in school don't usually match this level of research and dedication to facts.

This book is not just about Elvis, it is about poverty and how it shapes people and stays with them throughout their lives.

Buy this book, you will treasure it.

Just loved this book it was fascinating about Gladys and Vernons background. How poor they were and the sadness of the birth of Jesse Garon and Elvis it's to much to tell every Elvis fan needs this book. You will be amazed on how much understanding of the Presley family you will have after reading this book. This is why Elvis had such a kind and gentle way about him and a giving heart it hurts me to know that the people he loved the most used him for there own fame and fortune. All i can say is buy this book you will not be disappointed and you will come to know Elvis a lot better than before it's a must for every Elvis fan.

I've read quite a few books about Elvis and this one is excellent. The author spent a lot of time with people who knew Elvis back then and uncovered some very interesting and heart-warming stories. I learned a lot about his childhood and school days that I hadn't heard before. I'd recommend it for any Elvis fan.

What impressed me most was the account of Elvis' intense, enduring interest in performing beginning at an early age. She cites his participation in school shows, contests and courthouse jamborees, his involvement with entertainer Mississippi Slim, and his 240 mile hitch hike to compete at the Jimmie Rogers Festival. Elvis's association with Bill Black, his first bass player, occurred long before that famous Sun session that produced his first hit. Those who think that Elvis was just a truck driver that lucked up on a record hit are sadly mistaken. Elvis was into the music scene from the get go. He may have been lucky, but like they say, you make your own breaks. He was there, prepared, looking for the opportunity and taking the initiative.

The life of Gladys and her influence on Elvis are well documented. I've read several Elvis books, and none provides a better description. Gladys had her own dreams of stardom which filtered through to Elvis.

The author does a thorough, excellent job of researching and developing her own independent conclusions. For the most part, her logic rings true. In a very few instances, she may infer too much.

The author, Elaine Dundy, not only tells the story of Elvis and his mother, she traces back several generations into the history and psyche of Elvis' ancestors: the Scotch and Irish who settled the Southeast and tamed the Mississippi Delta. Although she is British, her extensive research and comments about post-Civil War Southern society, customs, lifestyle, and mindsets are dead-on. I grew up in the rural Deep South and many of the influences peculiar to the South that Dundy sites in this book were still a part of my mid-20th century experiences.

The reader closes the book with one thought about Gladys (and Vernon) and that is that these two parents loved their son more than life itself and that they simply did the best they could. They were handicapped from the beginning by poverty, ignorance, and also quite possibly genetic pre-dispositions towards depression, obsessive/compulsive disorders, and addictions. It was not uncommon throughout the 19th century and into the 20th that first cousins would marry and have children. The inter-marriages within the Smith and Presley families were pervasive and no doubt exacerbated genetic tendencies.

Gladys' relationship to Elvis was very close in that she put his needs above everything else in her life. She was the only person who could have ever "saved" Elvis from his excesses. But unfortunately, she succumbed to her own drinking habits early on. Once she was gone, his life spiraled out of control.

Elaine Dundy leaves the question unanswered: If Elvis had such a close relationship with Gladys, why wasn't he ever able to form an equally enduring and intimate relationship with a lover? The answer comes from the reader's personal conclusion that the mother-son relationship was close to the point of crippling to Elvis. Just as he reached young adulthood his fabulous success story began. He was stretching out for independence and Gladys figuartively and literally abandoned him -- through death. Elvis was always able to keep the "enduring" part of a relationship going (i.e. he could never let Priscilla go) but his love affairs seemed to mirror his relationship with Gladys in bizarreness, obsessions, and misery.

O what have I read this book (over and over again) and I like it a lot. The full content is exciting from start till end. Moreover it is a remarkable book and must be read throughout the church. The New Testament is prominent over the Old Testament (there must be more books of the prophets attached). But our writer is deeper into the New than into the Old Testament. That does not take away the deepness of the content. I hope that we as postmodern people, uses the content as it is meant. Thank you Dr. Peterson.

I agree with the reviews that say this is a careful biblical study of what constituted worship amongst OT and NT communities, and what new insight and emphasis Christianity brought. The unexpected answer - that, very broadly, it is in the loving interaction between the individuals of the Body, rings true, and from a personal point of view, cleared up many of the questions I had about those times when "worship leading" seems rather a shallow, simplistic reponse from someone who claims to want to see God's kingdom come on earth.

I enjoyed Engaging With God because it was different than any other book or discussion of worship I have ever read or heard. It went straight to the bible to address the deep questions about worship that most books and people do not discuss. Starting with the Old Testament and moving right through to the end of the New Testament Peterson interacted with worship in the Old Covenant, reverence for God, and New Testament teaching by Jesus and about Him as fulfillment of Old Covenant shadows. He laid out a solid framework from which to answer the controversial but surface questions the modern Church is asking about what to do in church services and what not to do. He also stressed that the object of worship is to engage with God on a relational level that permeates all of life. Finally, a biblical analysis rather than a argument based on opinion and preference.

This text is written so that all may understand and yet provides indepth notes for those who would like to take their studies deeper. It is extremely informative concerning both the Old and New Testament usages in both Greek and Hebrew.

Introduction

As the principal of Oak Hill Theological College in London, England for the past 11 years, David Peterson has been a significant vessel that God has used to elevate that seminary to be one of the largest in the United Kingdom and in the Church of England. Only recently succeeded by Michael Ovey as Principal, Peterson has shown himself to be an astute interpreter of the biblical text, being formerly a lecturer in New Testament at Moore College in Sydney, Australia. As such, it is no wonder why Engaging With God is another first-rate example of Peterson's careful exegesis and gospel-centered hermeneutic.

Subtitled A Biblical Theology of Worship, Peterson's Engaging With God is the author's attempt at a biblical theology of worship that is evangelical and generally free from denominational bias. Students of biblical worship would be happy to see an extensive exegetical volume finally released, as Peterson provides a full-orbed examination of what worship is according to the whole counsel of God and the entirety of Scripture - both the Old and New Testament.

Summary

In his introduction, Peterson establishes the nature of Christian worship as "an engagement with [God] on the terms that he proposes and in the way the he alone makes possible" (20). The rest of the book is hence an explanation of `engaging with God' as an idea that is found in the totality of Scripture. With this purpose in mind, Peterson thus begins careful exegesis of the Old (in chapters 1-2) and New Testament (in chapters 3-9) to provide the foundation for his thesis.

The groundwork for his biblical worship theology is provided in the first two chapters, where Peterson examines engagement with God from the Old Testament. The ark, tabernacle and temple are shown to be the God-ordained, God-initiated means for Israel to acknowledge and live in relation to the royal and holy presence of God. Worship in Old Testament has its emphasis on God's self-revelation: God makes it possible for His covenant people to worship Him by the cultic observance of the sacrificial system. Through a detailed look at various important worship sections in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy, Peterson finds that it is only by "God's provision through the cult the covenant relationship could be maintained" (49).

Further, the author establishes that honoring, serving and respecting God are encompassed by adoration as an expression of awe and grateful submission to the LORD (73). While this includes the physical acts of bending/bowing down or falling down before God that hinted at by the Greek word proskynein or the Hebrew histahawa (57), expressing homage according to the Old Testament is not merely bending over at the waist. It further includes awe and submission that is motivated by gratitude, and so it is also a matter of heart-worship, thanksgiving that inevitably leads God's people to serve Him (64-70). While the obedience to God's demands in cultic activity enabled Israel to express reverence to God, Peterson concedes that "fear of God in the more positive sense of reverence and respect is regularly on view" (71) - by walking faithful in God's ways and in keeping His commands.

In Chapter 3, Peterson turns from the Old Testament to the new, beginning with an analysis of how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament temple. Through an analysis of the Gospel according to Matthew and John, Peterson concedes that it is in the person of Jesus Christ that God's presence and glory is fully and finally experienced, and further, that Judaism finds its destined end of worship in Christ himself. Jesus Himself transferred the significance of the temple from Jerusalem to another entity -- not in the messianic community, but primarily in his own person and work. Christ replaces the temple as the wellspring of life and renewal for all the world, as Jesus Himself is the eschatological destination to which all nations journey to for worship. "The divine presence is no longer bound up in the temple, but the Word who was with God `in the beginning' and who in fact `was God' " (93).

In terms of being the fulfillment of the old covenant, Peterson argues that Jesus preached "a new centre for Israel, in himself and the salvation he proclaimed, rather than in the synagogue, the temple, the law or the inherited customs of his people" (112-113). Being the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jesus fulfilled and transcended the Mosaic Law in his perfectly righteous life. For Jesus is shown to exalt Himself as the new standard of what does or doesn't constitute defilement (114), and as the new authority for the determination of acceptable Sabbath behavior (116). In the sacrificial service to God and His people, Jesus gave us the "final and perfect expression of uncompromising worship" (129) through the offering of Himself by dying on the cross for man's sins. By the means of the shedding of His blood, Christ inaugurated the new covenant, and thus replaced and fulfilled the sacrificial system of the old covenant.

Having argued for Jesus' as the fulfillment of the temple and the old covenant, Peterson then examines the community of apostles in Acts to show how the Christian life and ministry should be viewed as an expression of service to God. Unable to immediately disassociate themselves from the temple, the early apostles and Christians still saw the temple as a place for revelation and a place of public prayer (138), and consequently, also as a place where they experienced opposition and unrest (139) from those opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The character and function of early Christian gatherings focused around apostolic teaching/preaching, as well as in the fellowship (Greek koinonia) of believers who eat together and pray and praise God together. The Christian community life thus can be a function of worship.

Through an analysis of Paul's underlying worship theology, Peterson advocates for the consecrated Christian life and gospel ministry as specific expressions of Christian worship. "Missionary preaching and the establishment of churches in the truths of the gospel can be described as fulfilling a God-given `liturgy' or service to the churches" (182). Supporting his theology of worship with a careful examination of Philippians, Peterson beautifully portrays the inseparability of sacrifice, faith and the Spirit - for worship by the Spirit is synonymous to faith in Jesus' crucifixion and the salvific implications of his death (187). In a further analysis of the Corinthian church, Peterson explains that worship the gathered church meets in order to participate in edification (195-197). During those times when a prophetic word and the word of Christ dwells in the midst of believers, and during times when thanksgiving, prayer and praise are shared together, the assembled church thus can "meet with God when we meet with one another" (198). As a result, ministries that are genuinely used for the benefit of others while purposed for the glory of God can actually be an expression of worship.

Through a detailed overview of the book of Hebrews - the one book of the New Testament that provides a thorough and integrative worship theology - Peterson analyses of key `worship' chapters within Hebrews, and argues for Christ as essentially the typology of all the Old Testament themes and symbols as previously discussed. Worshipping Jesus means worshipping Him as the High Priest, synagogue, temple, and sacrifice at one and the same time (228-230; 232-237). Under the new covenant, drawing near to God as an expression of worship is both congregational and personal to the Christian's daily experience (237-246), and service that aims to please God is foremost obedience through Christ our mediator (230-232). Concluding with synopsis of Revelation, Peterson portrays worship in the new covenant community as in taking a stand against paganism by bearing faithful witness to the truth of the gospel (265) and in the singing of God's praise (278).

Critical Evaluation

Engaging with God may not be an easy read for the regular layperson or the theologically untrained worship leader looking to get a biblical perspective on what worship is. The attention to exegetical detail is evident in Peterson's analysis of worship terminology in the original Greek and Hebrew, providing for the reader plenty of transliterated terms in his presentation. While most of the text-critical arguments are moved to the endnotes, the author's interpretive arguments for his thesis are included in the book's body and supported by careful study of worship terminology in its original biblical context. Such an exegetical method may be put off as unimportant for those unfamiliar with it, but those who are at least a little familiar with basic Bible interpretation methods would benefit significantly from Peterson's heavy-duty text work. A prime example of this is in his differentiation between worship as physical homage and worship in the general, abstract sense: "When other verbs denoting bowing or kneeling are absent from context and there are no other indicators of physical movement, the more general and abstract sense of `worship' may be understood" (61).

Having provided a lengthy and thorough biblical analysis, Peterson's work distinguishes itself in at least two areas. First, he demonstrates that there is tremendous meaning for today's church when we see Jesus as the new temple - most notably in the need for gospel-centered preaching. Christian teaching and preaching must center on the person and work of Jesus Christ in order to be biblical in its content and its aim, especially in terms of evangelism (102) and in the building of the Messiah's church (207). As Peterson proclaims in his summary chapter, "Throughout Scripture, the word of God is fundamental to a genuine engagement with him" (286).

Secondly, Peterson demonstrates that the church gathers in corporate worship to build each other up - for mutual edification, and not just `to worship' as some would argue. While Peterson does show the "central importance of the concept of edification for the meeting of God's people" in Paul's teaching (196), Hebrews is his chief support of this argument (247-250). As an expression of worship, Peterson convincingly argues that the mutual up building between Christians is purposed to help each other persevere in the faith and grow in spiritual maturity in light of the apostasy that a believer can possibly fall into. With this unique emphasis on the care that the church congregation should have for each other, it is no wonder why the divinely inspired writer of the book of Hebrews exhorts us to not forsake the local gathering of believers as some professing Christians do. This argument by itself sets Peterson's work exceptionally distinctive.

Conclusion

Peterson addresses central themes and expressions of worship throughout the Bible, each one of them supporting his thesis that worship is unquestionably engagement with God in terms He sets and ways He permits. Although this biblical theology on worship is extensive in its biblical exposition, it is a worthwhile read that will challenge the reader to examine his or her worship theology to see whether it conforms to the biblical text. While much of recent worship literature examine the English term worship, Peterson's book fills the gap with a succinct, biblical theology of Christian worship that can be warmly accepted by churches of any evangelical denomination.

My daughter found out about this book in school so I bought it for her because she really likes the song, it comes with a CD to sing along with.

my 3 and a half year old son's class did this song on stage for our pre-school's 1st annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. They loved it! And all the classes love singing it too. I teach the early 3s and all I have to say is I want to ride in a firetruck and my class of 14 all start singing. I love how fast they learned it and how much they love it.

My two grandsons, ages 12 and 26 months, are absolutely crazy about this book and cd. The 12 month old cries every time the song ends, and the two year old asks for the book to be read over and over again. I was absolutely floored by their response. A definite winner at our house!

We bought 5 copies of this book and CD for all our neices and nephews, they are in love with the music and the book and love to hear the story and dance and sing to the music. We will be buying more copies of this book and CD for our newest nieces.

I am a Music Teacher at Montessori preschool. My class includes children ages 2 1/2 to 6 years. This story and music are perfect for the whole class. Boys especially will enjoy this story, however, girls will really like it too. The music is good quality, that is what I search for in a story-music lesson. The book is beautifully illustrated and well written. I have purchased other Scholastic Sing and Read Storybooks and they are great also.
I will read the book to the class; then we will listen to the musical story and sing along with the CD. All of the students will love to participate in this musical lesson.

The text is written in modern English which is easier to read and comprehend than some of those ancient scrolls translated from german or some other archaic language. In addition to the information of technique and method, I especially enjoyed the lengthy resource lists for rated (according to level of difficulty)musical compositions for flute.

The book is dictionary-like in terms of weight and feel. The pages are filled with well-written standard type font. I mention this because I have become weary of those pamphlet-thick 'modern music method books' and their clip-art laden, nearly empty pages that are too often mass produced and marketed as an only source of published information.

The author also addresses, in great detail, some of the well and lesser known flute debates(such as the flutest/flautist conflict), the history of flute (with photos from the Dayton C. Miller flute museum/collection, where the author is also the currator), development and changes, and those other topics and issues some(those only superficially dedicated to the wonders of flute) might consider trivial.

I originally borrowed this book from the library. I have since added this title as a must have for my personal music book collection. If you are looking for a recently written, detailed, modern exploration of the flute, by an accomplished authority, this publication is a smart choice!

Nancy Toff has left nothing out of this grand book -- the history, anatomy, selection, and care of the flute in its popular and more esoteric forms; an extensive discussion on the development of not only classical and modern technique, but also personal style; building a repertoire and creating or finding performance opportunities; the history of flute music, and authoritative suggestions for building a sheet and recorded music library; countless charts and reference materials -- all has been included that a flute player, whether amateur or professional, student or teacher, could and would want to know and reference in the course of their playing career. And if one happens to find anything not included, I feel confident that Ms. Toff would personally see to correcting the matter immediately. An absolute must; look no further, oh wearied flutists (as Ms. Toff insists you are to be called, and not flautists, based on a well-researched etymological conclusion), for your redemption is at hand.

Nancy Toff does an exceptional job with this complete and well-rounded reference book for books. Any information that one could hope for about playing the instrument, buying the instrument, or listening to the instrument is included. The author also does well to give many perspectives on many flute issues, reasoning them out for the reader. The second half of the book on the history of many composers is exhaustive and complete. The catalog of repertoire pieces in a table format with available publishers is invaluable for any performer. Really a must own.

I borrowed this book from the library. I love the pictures of different flutes of different era. You can see how flute evolved through hundreds of years. Truly amazing.

I find this book absolutely helpful but I just want to say that what a pity that only paperback is available. It would be nice to have hardback version..

A very intimate portrait of Francis Albert, giving us a different perspective of his begginings through photos as provided by his family, creates a more human appreciation of the greatest pop singer of our generation. A must for Sinatra fans and collectors.

Being an avid Frank Sinatra fan, this book had some great pictures I have never seen. I recommend to any Sinatra fan.

My dad is a big fan and already has lots of books so I was afraid this might not appreciated. But he loved it. He thought that it was a copy of photos in a real family album.

Excellent book by Charles Pignone, noted Sinatraphile. Charles does a fabulous job in putting together this great family albulm of great photos and remarks, this is a must have book for all Sinatra fans and collectors.
Frank Sinatra is and will always be the greatest singer in the world and this book shows you a little bit of how he got there over the years in pictures. Awesome.

He's one of the true icons of the entertainment industry as well as one of the most renowned stars ever. Ol' Blue Eyes...Frank Sinatra. His name is still synonymous with stardom. Sinatra is one of those stars who will never fade away. It's not just that he left an enormous body of work in music, film, and television when he passed away, lots of stars did that. But Sinatra has something only a handful of celebrities had, true charisma and a certain aura to him. It's what separates Sinatra and others like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis, from the pack.

With Christmas fast approaching, Little Brown & Co., has released a book that is sure to be a hit this holiday season. Frank Sinatra: The Family Album is a glimpse into the personal life of this legendary performer. As the title implies, this book is photo album of Sinatra's life. His family has graciously supplied most of the photos in the book, a gift to his legions of fans. The book contains over 100 color and black & white photos, tracing his life and career every step of the way. Writer Charles Pignone provides the informative captions as well lively anecdotes that include comments from Sinatra himself as well as various friends and family members, all sharing their memories of Frank.

What must assuredly be the most rare Sinatra picture shows as an infant, lying naked on a blanket, and even at that age, the eyes were already striking. We see Frank as a kid on the streets of Hoboken, New Jersey, riding his bike and also visiting the beach with friends along the Jersey shore. My only regret is that we didn't get to see Frank more as a child and the album quickly moves into young adulthood with his marriage to Nancy in 1939. The happy couple are shown walking down the steps of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Jersey City. It's evident that Frank and Nancy were deeply in love as evidenced by the joyful photos. Nancy notes that in those early days they were together 24 hours a day as Frank traveled from show to show for his blossoming career. There's also lots of pictures of Frank and his children having many fun times together.

Much of the book is focused on Frank's careers from his days as a big band crooner and later with his film and television career. Frank is shown at lavish parties with a who's who of Hollywood including Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Tony Curtis, Dean Martin, and many more. Frank's life truly lived up to the type of a legendary star! Oddly though, there were no pictures of the Rat Pack together as one might have thought.

The book comes full circle as an older Sinatra becomes a Grandpa. Frank's status as a true family man is cemented as he plays with his granddaughters Angela and Amanda, building snowmen, sledding, and hanging out in the swimming pool. Amanda reveals that Frank was a big fan of the "Jeopardy" TV show. A star to the very end, this book presents a unique and personal look into the life of one of the 20th century's greatest stars. A fantastic tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes!

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

If you're looking for an art piece, this is the book for you. I was hoping for a little more instruction. It is a beautiful book and I would probably buy it anyway even if I had known how little practical knowledge is actually offered. Most of the instruments could probably be figured out by a fairly competent ceramist, but a beginner would be completely lost.

I was disappointed not to be given cross-section diagrams of some of the wind instruments; I would have liked some more and more specific technical info on creating a clay xylophone and/or marimba; I'd like to know more about stretching drum heads and stringing/playing the bowed instruments and harps. That said, I can probably figure it out, but that's why I bought this book. To help me figure it out.

Conversely, in the section in which Hall does give step by step procedures, he includes simple steps that even the 6-year-olds in my pottery classes know how to do. Nothing about firing techniques or the rest of the stuff ceramists seem to feel obligated to include in a book written for beginners, though, for which I am grateful. Any beginning potter needs a general instruction text (or a good class), so I'm not sure why specialty authors feel it necessary to include basic steps and then, for want of space, leave out stuff you'd really like to know.

Sorry for whining so much. I really love the book and have been reading it word for word (some of it is pretty silly kind of psycho-babble, so you've been warned) to glean every bit of info. It's spangled with little stars of knowledge and I don't want to miss any of them.

As others have said, this isn't really a studio book. It's too nice, and hasn't got all that much practical information anyway, unless you've never made an ocarina or can't figure out on your own how to make a goblet drum. (Thanks for the instructions on fitting the head, though.) It will give you loads of inspiration, and if you understand the different ways of making a sound, which are really explained quite adequately, you'll be able to figure out at least a rudimentary model of most of the instruments shown.

I'm facinated by ceramic music and this book had instruments that I didn't know existed. It is well written and very informative. I also enjoyed listening to the music CD. If you're into ceramics, this book is a good buy!

Love the book and the cd. If you like making musical instruments out of clay or want to learn about them. This is your "must have" book!

I first made my purchase because I had a couple of my photos included in the book. But when I opened it up, it took my breath away! Not only are the photos well done and well laid out, but there is historical information about clay instruments, as well as information about currently made clay instruments. There are also pages of 'how to' for those so inclined. There is information about various artists. I thought it was of such value that I have purchased a copy for the Bethany College Art Department's ceramic instructor. There is a wealth of knowledge in this one book! I highly recommend owning one! Kudo's to Barry Hall!

This book is to own. It's at home in the studio, on the coffee table or in the historian's library. It's well written,informative (with some how make ceramic instrument techniques), exhaustivly researched with magnificient photographs of clay instruments, both ancient and new, of every type. I would never loan my copy for fear of not seeing it again.

For my recent compilation of pilgrimage quotations ("Ultreia! Onward! Progress of the Pilgrim") I read all 40 or so contemporary English journal accounts available about the various routes. Egan's is clearly within the first grouping of 8 or so best such books (i.e. largely those written by established authors and/or academics). Coming from Harvard's Div School just a few hundred meters from where I work, Egan's book is really one of the handful of best ones that attempts to break free (somewhat successfully here) of the linear (and often dead boring) narratives that characterize many such pilgrimage accounts, as she engages in the sort of inner pilgrimage that makes such journeys worthwhile. And she can certainly pen prose; i.e. I used 11 very nice quotations of hers in the review volume Ultreia! Onward!.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends FUMBLING as an outstanding account of the pilgrimage of a 25 year old divinity student carrying a heavy load of guilt, grief & self-loathing.

Salted in the stories of her trials on the trail, Kerry Egan offers the history of the pilgrimage from the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, giving us visions of a fable land, as well as how the journey cracked her open so that she could heal from her raw & unrecognized emotions.

Kerry Egan, back in 1999, was one angry woman. How Alex, her boyfriend, stays with her, is her compass when she's lost, bearing the brunt of her impressive rage & hopeless longing, is just as exciting as how she stumbles across the land upon which others have trod for thousands of years.

If pilgrimages fascinate you, then FUMBLING offers both the reason & the value of taking that first step on the journey to healing.

Fumbling is the best book I have read this year. It provides a personal perspective into Ms. Egan's pilgrimage while offering insight into the history and psychology of engaging on a pilgrimage.

The book is written is short chapters that make it easy to read in moments stolen from a hectic schedule. There were times when my eyes filled with tears and others when I laughed out loud while reading this book.

I think I'll read it again.

No table of contents, no index, I just had to dive in, but by the end of the first page the imagery of the words had captured me. An excerpt from the second paragraph:

"I knelt in the back of the church, my forehead on the top lip of the smooth, varnished pew in front of me. The wood was hard against my forehead, . . . .I'd been crying for a long time . . . ."

This is a story of pilgrimage, grieving and transformation, but not a daily journal. There are thirty one numbered episodes, sometimes causing a page break, sometimes just a break in the middle of the page. At a higher level the book is organized into parts, starting with Part 1 Fumbling, Part 2 Walking . . . and so on.

The episodes are a series of vignettes of the Camino experience. They are roughly sequential, but any one of them could stand alone as an essay, for example in a newspaper column. They all will bring back memories and tug the heart of anyone who has walked the Camino de Santiago.

This is a book you can read for pleasure, but certainly one you will want to read after making the journey.

Whether you're reading this on a train or on your back porch during a snow storm, be prepared for an extraodinary journey through northern Spain in the summer. For those of you planning to travel the Camino, Egan describes with vivid detail the scenary(especially the wheat), the people, and everything you'd want to know that they don't tell you in a guide book. It is of course much more than a physical journey, and as you travel with Egan it is as though you are taking a trip through yourself, only this time with a witty, insightful, and adventurous tour guide who doesn't stick to the path.

This item is out of print, and I was thrilled to find one in good shape. Many thanks.

This book features 61 traditional songs, primarily English and American folk and nursery songs. The illustrations, however, are much more diverse--from Japanese scrolls to a picture of a jeweled box shaped like a frog.

Each song has a brief introduction describing its origins or other important facts, and each image also has a description, often including historical tidbits.

The bountiful images (at least one per page, often more) make it a good book for young children to look at while singing or playing at the piano.

This looks like a book for children, and it is. But even more important, it is a book for babies! My two year old baby boy already knew some of the songs going into the book. Let me tell you that at two and two months he now requests "Bringing in the Sheaves." and "Down by the Riverside."
Every night we take that book to bed and we sing and sing until we fall asleep. This is of course after reading several other board books first. I reccommend this book as a keepsake for life!

This is a lovely book of full-color spreads & clear, easytoread music to accompany anyone singing these lively, familiarsongs. 61 classic childhood songs are decorated with some of the magnificent treasures from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Songs for work, play, nursery, nonsense rhymes, ballads & lullabies matched to paintings, photographs, bedspreads, sculptures & collages spanning 3000 years from around the world...

Family members have been treasuring this book for almost 20 years, and I have given many copies as gifts. A great collection of beautiful melodies, good musical arrangements, and gorgeous visually. Old favorites, easy to sing, the ones everyone knows and enjoys - the whole family will sing along.

A very important book about one of the founding fathers. That may be a cliched phrase for a man who was repelled by the stale cliches abounding in pop music at the time of his career kick-off in 1954.
But once again we have a biography written by two people - why would a poet like Carl need anybody more than an "editor"? Same goeswith Sun label buddy Scotty Moore - his book too had that unecessary naarrator - an excellent piece of prose, like with Carl, but the thought of it gets me depressed. Do you think Dylan or Costello would need a helper?
'50s friend Chuck Berry did his all by himself. The defiant Rocker wrought the defiant Writer. (And baby, that is Rock and Roll....).
Love reading about that Sun to Columbia to British career "rescue" period.
As a CP fan/collector I was natuarlly disappointed in the lack of deatils as to the lesser-known should-been-million-sellers and the conspicuous absence of a much-needed sessionography. A Perkins *Discography* is always helpful. But when in the world am I gonna learn when and where he
cut "We Did In '54?"

I really enjoyed this book. Unlike others that I have read (Little Richard, Chuck Berry, etc), this book is not an attempt to stake a claim to the title of "King of Rock and Roll". This book offers what appears to be an honest and humble look into the life of the King of Rockabilly. Perkins gives due credit to his influences and songwriting assistants, and honestly discusses his alcoholism.

I personally believe that Carl was one of the truest talents in early rock and roll, and his importance as an innovator/songwriter/performer is vastly undervalued. Get this book, and the "Complete Sun Recordings", and you can't go wrong.

An excellent and, what I feel honest (by both the narrator and writer) review and impression of one man's journey through life. Though Carl Perkins story is almost parallel to that of Johnny Cash's (if not "harder") this book goes beyond telling stories and conveys the emotions and impact of Mr. Perkins decisions and experiences.
"They" really should make this life story a movie!

I'll admit it -- I'm biased toward Carl Perkins. I lived several years in his hometown of Jackson, TN and met him many times. Having those experiences, I was curious how this book would portray Mr. Perkins. After reading this book, I have more respect for Mr. Perkins. True, he wasn't perfect (who is?), but he had reason to be bitter about his career and his life, instead he never gave up. He pulled himself up after each setback and kept on striving. When you think about it, what would be the alternative? He was not only a great musician, but an active humanitarian. His work with children and their causes is nearly as impressive as his musical career, yet most people don't know of this. I went to Carl Perkins' funeral, and in the little city of Jackson, TN you would have thought time stood still. This book will give you the feeling of getting to know a true American success story . . .

What a story!! This should be a must read for all of us who get to feeling sorry for ourslves. Carl Perkins came from abject poverty,a racially discriminating South,was known as "white trash",wrote one of rock n rolls seminal tunes,was on the brink of superstardom,lost it all,became a sideman to another Sun records stablemate,delved into the pit of addiction,rose again,had alot of his early work recorded by a group known as the Beatles,played with the likes of Eric Clapton,loved performing with his own family,lived his life humbly,nursed somewhat of a grudge against Sam Phillips,Jerry Lee Lewis,and Elvis,made peace with himself,and left behind the legacy of a man who had seen the beast within and had conquered it.
This is a must read for anyone who has any interest in music,or for that matter,the sociology of the South during the late 1940's and 1950's. It is also ,quite simply,one of the most inspiring books that I've ever read,Thank You, Carl Perkins!