F Books

Why didn't my mother tell me all this? I believe that reading this book should be required along with every marriage license, lease and mortgage agreement. This book is a natural for a bridal shower gift, or anyone just setting up housekeeping. I'm giving it to everyone on my gift list for Christmas!

A friend gave me this book as a housewarming present and I thought she was nuts because I've had my own home for 30 years. What could I possibly learn from a book about keeping house? As it turns out, plenty! I cannot believe how many hints, ideas and shortcuts I've used from the book -- on taking care of my house, clothes, car, pets. Mine is by my bedside, so I can read a little passage on how to get wax out of carpeting or iron a shirt efficiently before I go to bed. Lest you think I'm a cleaning fanatic, I am not. My house is littered with papers and junk because I work full-time. What this book has done is show me how to use shortcuts and techniques that make keeping things under control easier and less tedious. I salute Janet Sobesky and the publishers. If the whole series is as useful as this book, I'm buying them all.

A friend gave me this book as a housewarming present and I thought she was nuts because I've had my own home for 30 years. What could I possibly learn from a book about keeping house? As it turns out, plenty! I cannot believe how many hints, ideas and shortcuts I've used from the book -- on taking care of my house, clothes, car, pets. Mine is by my bedside, so I can read a little passage on how to get wax out of carpeting or iron a shirt efficiently before I go to bed. Lest you think I'm a cleaning fanatic, I am not. My house is littered with papers and junk because I work full-time. What this book has done is show me how to use shortcuts and techniques that make keeping things under control easier and less tedious. I salute Janet Sobesky and the publishers. If the whole series is as useful as this book, I'm buying them all.

This book is a "wonderment." And a "wonderment" is a thing of wonder. Don't bypass this book if you are anal. Anals have super clean houses and are frequently
nurses. They start sniffing the air for dirt as soon as you walk in. The author calls
them "clean-o-holics." This is such a great book. It's like being at Disneyland.
We first go to section 1 (there are six sections). Here we may be in for some disappointments. The author won't say it. But she really hypothesizes that you
can't have (this is hard to grasp) a user-friendly house or dwelling unless you have
a minimum of some time-management or organizational skills. Now she doesn't
write separate books on time-management or organization, but she does give the
bare minimum of these skills. That includes calendars and "to-do" lists. She does
say that you can go right to the other sections to learn. But the implications are
what I just stated. Sections two through four give us all the stuff that we need.
The messy bathroom. The messy kitchen. And so on. This takes up a lot of room
in the book. About 180 pages of this 350-page book. Section 4 is about "troubleshooting." The stuck door, bugs, the plunger. Section 5 is about safety.
Burglars, bad food, accidents. Section 6 is "The Part of Tens." Basically everything
that we didn't cover in the previous five sections. One of the points that I am trying to make is that this book is even good for the "clean-o-holic." Because they can find out how much they don't need to do. Thank you. I hope that I have helped

This book is great for the kids going off to live on their own (either school, marriage or moving in with boy/girlfriend, or just leaving home) My mom just passed away so its up to me to keep the house tidy and I dont have the advisor I used to have so this book is great!!! Hints on everything from cleaning the right/easier/faster way to keeping home clutter free, getting kids to help out and even tips on little household jobs and keeping bugs away. Book has lots of hints and easy to see icons alerting u of dangers or more tips.

I'm a roadgeek and figured I would like Erik's book. But it greatly exceeded my expectations. It is well organized, full of detail, and has terrific photography. The history of how roads came to be what they are adds an interesting dimension. Erik even discusses facets of road construction which I had never considered, such as lighting. Overall, what could have been a dry subject is coverered in a fascinating manner.

Wonderful book: totally comprehensive with incredible pictures and maps. A must buy for anybody interested in the history of Houston or in freeway design. Put it on your coffee table and amaze your friends: "So that's why that road is like that." "Wow, look how much this part of town has changed!" "So that's what a Texas T-ramp looks like." (ok, so maybe not that last one...)

Words cannot describe how intelligent, classy, and thought-provoking this book actually is. Of course, one should not expect anything less from Slotboom, a detail-oriented perfectionist.

Tremendous use of fascinating photos and maps makes this book a pleasurable read. This book will captivate the engineer and mesmerize even the most casual of highway buffs.

This book will not disappoint. The only negative point I can make about this book is that it is impossible to read a small number of pages; I set out to read 20 pages and, instead, ended up reading the entire book in one sitting.

Easily rates a 5/5.

This is the best book I've seen about the history of roads and highways in Houston I've seen. It's got a ton of full-color photography, historic photos, and is a well-written book. I'd been waiting on thia book for over a year, and when I found out that it was finished, I went straight to the bookstore (only in stores in Houston and Austin, I think: go to http://www.houstonfreeways.com to be sure) and bought it. If you're a roadgeek, or just want to know about how Houston grew, this book is well worth it.

I moved to Houston in Summer 2003 and wanted to know more about the when/where/why of Houston's freeways. I found the web site for the book, and when I got the book it answered all of my questions and then some.

Being a history buff I loved all of the historical photos, and when I drive these days I love looking around at the development and then remembering the pics I saw in this book. Amazing.

If you want to know why I-10 West outside the 610 Loop is a disaster and inside the loop is fine, Slotboom knows the answer. Every time I go to Ikea I think about those decisions made decades ago and how they impact me/us every day.

If you like history and/or are a freeway buff, this book will not disappoint.

'How I Got This Way' is a great book. My friend got me hooked on Pat McManus when she had me read 'Deer Magic', and now I can't stop reading. She gave me a couple of books from Amazon for my birthday, and I have to say that they're great. Even though I'm not an outdoor-type (I do enjoy fishing, though), I love the humor. McManus is a great author, and I can't read a single story without cracking a smile or laughing my head off, though I think I like 'How I Got This Way' the most. Enjoy!

McManus is a delight to read. His humor is easy to digest and transfers you away from the trials of today's world into his wonderful world of FUN!

- A real fan . . . ed

I have read all but one of Patrick McManus's books and love them all. This one is just as funny as the others. The things he writes about remind me of stories my own father would tell me about his misadventures growing up. If you love hunting, fishing, camping, and/or the outdoors in general, you'll like this book. OK, even if you hate the outdoors, you will still find this book funny.

I have always thought that Patrick McManus is the funniest writer on the planet. I read his stories when I need to laugh or relax. Sometimes I irritate my wife by reading it in bed. I try not to laugh out loud, but I only succeed in sounding like I am trying to muffle continuous sneezes.

However, not everyone gets it. I have been shocked by watching people read McManus without so much as a smile (though most start snorting like wild pigs on acid) . My only guess is that getting McManus requires a couple things. First, it requires some understanding of his experiences. He absolutely nails all of the stupid things 'outdoors men (outdoors people)' do and think, but don't want anybody to know about. Second, you have to see the self-deprecating aspect of his humor. Third, you can't look for great literature in integrated books. Patrick McManus is an excellent writer, if you see these as independent stories simply collected in a volume. They are meant for adults who want to laugh at themselves. So, If you are willing to or already meet the above three criteria, you will love this book.

By the way, I am a professor of clinical psychology and (other than worrying a little about McManus) I sometimes recommend this and other McManus books. I do this with people who have racing thoughts and anxiety at bedtime, and when I believe they have the necessary experiences to find it funny. It often works quite well. I think of his stories as little pieces of happiness. (Oh, that even makes me sick to hear. Sorry)

No matter if you are the outdoors type or not this book is funny. Out of all all his books this one is best since he tells of the characters of his youth, plus a little embellishments. Also makes fun of himself most of the time which he is supremely talented at. WOuld also recomend the audio version which gives a touch of humorous sound to the funny words.

This is a good manual about the medical establishment written by an insider, Pamela Gallin, M.D. First, she describes in detail how the medical world works. Second, she tells you how to obtain the best medical care.

The medical profession is organized around teams. The teams are hospitals or medical centers. There are three leagues. At the top are hospitals providing tertiary care. These represent the best city hospitals. They deliver the widest array of specialized medicine services. Their specialists are often among the leading authorities. If you have a complex medical condition that is where you should go. Next are hospitals providing secondary care. They have very good resources but for the rare diseases mentioned above. Finally, you get hospitals providing primary care. These are good for mundane conditions only. For others, they will refer you to the nearest hospital that delivers secondary or tertiary care.

The medical profession has a military like hierarchy. At the bottom are several ranks of nurses. Above them are many ranks of doctors with different level of experience and specialization. There are also hospital administrators who are doctors who got promoted upstairs into managerial roles.

There is a key defense line among doctors that consist of the radiologist, anesthiologist, and pathologist. The author calls them the invisible doctors because they have no patient contact. But, their work is key. The radiologist gives others the broad road map of a disease by interpreting X-Rays. After reading the chapter about the anesthiologists you appreciate their importance. If a surgeon makes a mistake, you are typically ok. If an anesthiologist does, your dead! The pathologist is the true scientist who analyze the disease at the cellular level. He is the one that advise the surgeon if he has cut enough cancerous tissue. These three "invisible" doctors, together are more important than the surgeon.

The main advice the author gives regarding how to get the best care is original. The most important issue is to select the best hospital or medical center. The best hospital will have the best team of doctors, including the key invisible ones mentioned above. Only then, should you focus on choosing a primary doctor. And, she gives good advice on how to select both a hospital and a doctor.

My only issue with the book is that we often can't choose a hospital as she suggests. Employer sponsored health insurance (HMO/PPO) restricts you to a given hospital. Yet, her advice kicks in when you are referred to a hospital outside of the HMO/PPO network. Overall, this is still an excellent insider's view on a hermetic profession.

Dr. Gallin has created a tool for everyone to be able to navigate the medical system. I wish that I had read this book before my recent foot injury as I would have known how to better handle my medical care. In fact at the time of injury, I didn't know what to do when I injured myself. Since I didn't know that I was allowed to make choices on my behalf or choose specific doctors I wound up getting inferior care.

The best part about this book is the simplicity whith which complicated matters are explained. The infusion of real world examples not only exemplifies the topic that is being described, but also allows you to grasp how situations that are not properly monitered can go wrong. You know that if this can happen to a doctor or someone in their family, it can happen to anyone. I got this book from a friend and feel that the future of my health is better and safer for having read this as I will know what to do when there is a problem.

This book is a must for one and all!

This clearly written book has helped me in many ways. I never realized the importance of choosing the hospital first and then choosing your doctors from one center. Dr. Gallin made me understand how important that can be if you need to be hospitalized. I also came to appreciate the value of second opinions and understand that this is not a slight to doctors.
I feel better prepared to navigate the medical system as a result of reading this excellent book.

Every patient should read this book. The author gives you a view from what the medical field is like from the inside. She helps you understand why certain things are the way they are and when you should and shouldn't accept that. I learned how a doctor/patient relationship works and how I can make it work for me. I learned what questions to ask, who to ask, and when to ask them. This is an excellenct book full of valuable information. It is a must read for all patients!

Dr. Gallin's book was my roadmap during my mother's recent illness and hospitalization. It showed me how to negotiate the very difficult path after her complex surgery, and how to deal with careless mistakes that made her recovery more challenging. This book gives important focus to all of us who are caring for and worried about ill loved ones, no matter how informed or sophisticated we are. I have given it to several friends who have family members with significant health issues.
It is easy to read, very direct and upbeat.

We are missionaries, so this book inspired me very much! If you have small children, take into account that it uses a lot of old English and could be difficult (but recommended still). This book is FULL of testimonies of God's faithfulness to Hudson Taylor's persistent faith. A Great Read!

Hudson Taylor's short autobiography ought to be required reading in any study of missions.

Catholic. Protestant. Evangelical. Charismatic. Everyone who is Christian and desires to serve God either through overseas missions, or in their own hometown will be inspiried to read of Taylor's humble heart and gracious service.

This could be considered a case study in prayer. Taylor did not send scores of appeal letters, newsletters, refridgerator photos. His practice was to not solicit funds, but to ask God for providence.

He endured blisters, lack of medicine, thievery, poverty on every level. He'd wait for months for resources, but the miracle of God was always there.

Written with ample selections from his personal journal, we gain insight to a man hailed as one of the greatest missionaries ever, and the foremost in China. That insight is not of a powerful speaker, dynamic personality, or shining star in the pulpit. Instead, we see an ordinary man, not so different than you or I, pressing on in faith, moving forward as God led him. God prevailed to supply him every need, though often in the last moment.

Beyond learning about Taylor, we also learn the intimate history of the founding of the China Inland Mission in 1856, and its influential growth in China. We gain a sense of the culture and interpersonal dynamics which existed in China, London, and mission leadership in general.

Because of the foundational evangelism by Taylor, China now boasts extraordinary amounts of believers despite China's present oppressive government.

I fully recommend "Hudson Taylor" by Hudson Taylor. See also the longer, two-volume Taylor biography by Howard Taylor.

Anthony Trendl

This book is an excellent book to read. You are time and again, encouraged by answers to prayer in Hudson Taylor's life. He was one who gave up much in worldly things, yet gained an eternal weight of glory! I would definitely recommend this to all serious minded Christians.

If you are in earnest about walking with God, you will love this book immensely. It will give you a hunger for excellence and a vision of the greatness of self denial. It will increase your love for God and you will find yourself wanting to travel the pathway of purity that Hudson Taylor lived. I can't recommend this book highly enough, it's probably one of the greatest books I've ever read. It inspired, lifted, and encouraged me greatly. It took my heart on a journey that I pray I never forget. This book has been out of print for many years, and to have these copies available is priceless. I refer back to my copy year after year and it continues to refresh and feed my soul in many ways. You will find a treasure and a friend in Hudson Taylor. Then you will gratefully appreciate the anointing that was on his son as he wrote down the account of his father's life. The benefits you reap as you travel through the pages of the this book will bless your life for years to come.

I asked a respected leader in America, "What do you recommend I do, so my life would be spent having the greatest impact for helping people?" He told me to read the two volume book on Hudson Taylor by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor. He was right. Wow, what a book--what a life!

This book has given me A LOT to think about and apply. I highly recommend this book to anybody who has a heart to serve people. Don't hesitate to read such a long book, it probably is better than the last five you read put together!

I am a 3D Modeler and this is the book I use extensively for reference while modeling and especially while sculpting in Z brush. The book is nice and large packed with nice and detailed sketches. I would recommend adding your own tabs to the pages you use most for reference as it is a very large and heavy book.

Very clear and concise study of the structural forms of human anatomy. The illustrations are clear and the sections ordered logically for quick reference.

Within 2 weeks of looking at the illustrations in this book, my figure drawing skills have improved by at least 60 percent.
The illustrations are so clear and complete that it is very easy to see how to draw the figure or any part of it you may be interested in.
It especially helped me with drawing the female breasts, a difficult subject for me for a long time.But seeing clearly the muscles that are under the breast made all the difference for me.
There are over 1200 illustrations in this book...all aimed at teaching the artist how to see the body and how it is made.
The writer and illustrator of this book have my eternal gratitude.

Although i've never heard of this book, it was evidently better then others. I browsed through it in the book store and found clear pencil drawings, good text and surprisingly detailed content. There are many pages and many illustrations for each part of the body. Different muscle layers are covered as well as bones(front, back, side, above and underneath views for each!) and movement.
Its week side is lack of muscle effects on the skin, so you'll have to get a figure drawing book for that. In addition, a new reader might get lost(as i did) with the new jargon and muscle names, but you get used to it.
Oh, and there are many muscles and bones that no artist will ever need to draw, so if it's not what you're looking for, there are cheaper alternatives.

I've worked for companies such as Walt Disney Animation and Fox Studios. This book was constantly used and referred to in our work and studies there. If you only buy one anatomy book, BUY THIS ONE! There are a few books with this title out. Make sure you get the one by Andras Szunyoghy...

This was my absolute favorite book as a child and now I can read it to my daughter. The other reviews do a great job of summarizing it accurately, so I won't repeat that, I just wanted to post my 5 stars and if I could I would give it 5 more. It's a fabulously creative book and an absolute joy to read!

Lorna Balian is, in my opinion, one of the best writers and illustrators of children's books we have. She is extremely prolific, and each book she creates in a little jewel within itself. Humbug Rabbit, of all her books, is my favorite. Even though this work presents itself and is perceived as an Easter Story, it is so much more, and can be read year around and still be enjoyed by all.

This particular work, Humbug Rabbit is actually two stories in one. We have the "top story" of a Granny getting ready to color Easter Eggs for her grandchildren when they visit on Easter morning. Secondly, we have the "bottom story" of a family of rabbits who live under Granny's house, and I mean way under, getting ready for Easter. The children in the family of rabbits are convinced that their father is actually the Easter Bunny, and talk and deny as he may, he cannot convince his family differently.

This is a sweat story, but, just as importantly, it is a well told story and the author's keen sense of humor shines through on each and every page. You, the adult, will actually find yourself laughing out loud. This is a story that not only will the children love, and they do love it, but it is one that adults can appreciate also. It is very, very well crafted. There is a myriad of characters; Granny, the rabbit family, a "devilish cat," a mouse, (good grief, don't forget the mouse!), chickens and (now this is important) the actual Easter Eggs!

Even though the story is well written and an absolute delight, it almost holds a secondary position to the wonderful illustrations by Lorna Balian. She has used a rather unique method of telling two tales in one and illustrating it as such. As the story unfolds telling of Granny and the chickens, et al on top of the ground, the bottom half of each page tells the story of the rabbits in their underground home under Granny's house. The two stories run parallel. I cannot say enough about the art work in this one. At first glance one might feel that the illustrations are simple...no, no, no! With each reading of this work you will find more and more details here and there that you did not see in previous readings. Small birds, nests, rocks, roots, decorations, old buildings, critters, and yes, eggs! Each picture, and these pictures cover two pages, is executed perfectly and the artist has done wonder with colors and blends. Even though these are illustrations for children, the reader has a feel that they are actually a part of the two world represented here. It just does not get better than this!

This work has been kid, parent, grandparent and teacher tested since at least 1974 and is still around and still enjoyed as much today as when it was first published. Endorsements do not get much better than this. If you buy one book for your child this year, I do recommend that you give close thought to making this one that one. This work is suitable for those children between the ages of three and 101.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I grew up reading this book and would look forward to Easter especially so that I could read it. The colors always fascinated me, and the dual story line always hooked me. When I finally grew up, I bought it and have been reading it to kids since then!

My family has owned this book for many years, and we've worn it out. Ms. Balain has written a sweet story in several "layers". The illustrations are just perfect and so detailed. We've loved watching the flowers grow and the birds build their nest and wait for their family to hatch as we turn the pages. All of this in addition to the story of the Rabbit Family below ground and Granny and her grandchildren above ground. You'll love it, too. "The mouse told me so."

I began reading this book to my five children almost 25 years ago. The older ones would listen while I read to the younger ones. Now I read it to my grandson and he loves it as much as the others. It's a wonderful book to read aloud and an equally wonderful book for children to explore themselves. The illustrations take many "looks" before you see everything. It's kept the children in our family engrossed (and quiet) on long car trips for a long time.

Joanna Torreys stories are highly erotic, but make you feel cold at the same time. This is really something I have never read before, and I can't wait for the German edition so that all my friends can read it, too!

This is a beautiful collection of short stories and a novelette exploring the psyches of modern women. Joanna Torrey's writing style is easy to read, yet dense with meaning and allusion. Ms. Torrey can take a single metaphor and use it to explore every facet of a character. In "Hungry," the title story, she uses food, gourmet and down-home, to delineate a wonderfully funny woman and her relationships with various men and her own sexuality. In "Sweat," exercise and the homeliest of bodily functions become the lens magnifying a life of secret desire. "Back Rubs" is a marvelously innocent account of filial and parental love (none of the usual psychotraumas-of-the-week in this story). "Snoop" and "Parking Lot" teach you more about relationships and imagination than any self-help book on the shelves. The novelette, "Me and Mine," should be required reading for every secretary, legal and otherwise--this is our lives, in excrutiatingly funny detail. Highly recommended! A satisfying and hysterically funny collection.

I loved every word of this book. It was very funny, and very sad. Anybody who's ever worked in a corporation or been in a "supporting" role at work will recognize, empathize, cheer for and hurt for the characters Ms. Torrey creates so beautifully. Definitely worth the read.

Hungry is a true feast with the novella, Me and Mine, a deliciously subersive and hilarious centerpiece. Anyone who's ever worked in the corporate world -- especially as a worker bee -- will recognize the Dragon Lady, Peach, Plant Man and especially Mine, Almost Mine and Biggest Mine. And I guarantee you'll never look at a dictaphone the same way again.

But, this is not just a comic writer; her portraits of the disaffected can be wrenching, and Back Rubs just might break your heart.

A beautifully written collection of tales. Joanna Torrey's use of extended metaphor as a funhouse mirror to highlight a character's deepest secrets is amazing. Her wicked wit and deep empathy keep the reader transfixed. "Eyes" says as much about the relationship between women and men, patient and therapist, as any psychology textbook. "Hungry" uses food, gourmet and junk, to explore the contradictions of a woman's feelings for the men in her life. "Backrubs" is a sweet, moving memoir of father and daughter, reclaiming innocence for this relationship. And the novelette, "Me and Mine," should be required reading for anyone who has ever been a secretary, especially at a law firm. Absolutely hysterically funny. Joanna Torrey is unafraid to cut right to the heart of a character's bitterness and fear, and she does it with great humor and compassion. A volume that is endlessly rewarding!

Dr DeRosa's book was entertaining, easy to read and packed with anecdotes and information. As an investment pro, his book gave me a greater insight into the often arcane political manipulations that eventually sow the seeds for economic instability. He pulls no punches when he states that central banks and governments themselves set themselves up to be the eventual "victims" of their own bad policies and instead of doing something different, they blame the speculator.
I like his information "boxes" that help the reader with the technical details of the book. Although I have long been a fan of single currency idea's, DeRosa's book has given me reason to pause. Well referenced and well researched.
The reviews by Dr Hanke and Dr Friedman can't hurt either.

This work is illuminating and speaks to issues beyond the world of finance, like politics and ideaology. DeRosa lays out clear and consice arguments in defense of free floating exchange rates and against fixed exchange-rate regimes.

The author debunks the propaganda supporting fixed exchange-rate regimes with insightful analyses based on the facts of the various currency crises that occured during the 1990s. Particularly interesting is the fact that leaders around the world are either ignorant of or chose to ignore the last ten (let alone the last 100) years worth of economic history and persist in attempting to control and plan economies. This book should be required reading not only for finance professionals and central bankers, but anyone interested in how the decisions of people in appointed positions (like the head of a central bank or finance ministry)have far-reaching and often dire consequences.

"In Defense of Free Capital Markets is an impressive survey and analysis of the crises of the 1990s. Mr. DeRosa makes a strong case that official intervention has made matters worse, not better, and that in such instances it is far better to leave it to the invisible hand of the market than to the clumsy, visible hand of regulators."

--Milton Friedman Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution Nobel Economics Prize, 1976

Professor DeRosa offers up a generous helping of reality in evaluating the currency crises of the past dozen or so years. From the first world foibles of the Bank of Japan to the third world of currency pegs, the currency calamities of the late twentieth century are thoughtfully presented in a lean read.

While perhaps giving short shrift to the political constraints facing policy makers in times of crisis, Mr. DeRosa nevertheless does well describing the environments and pre-conditions which ultimately fostered our most recent international financial catastrophes.

In this, the age of fiat money, unsustainable currency policies are easy prey for the worlds biggest market. Anyone interested in a brief but informative history of recent currency debacles will truly enjoy this book.

Yale University adjunct professor David F. DeRosa argues that markets are smarter than government ministries. Therefore, he contends, economic development should be left to the free market, since tighter regulations will only distort development. His detailed analysis of economic conditions focuses on factors leading to several crises, including the decline of the Mexican and Japanese economies in the 1990s and the Southeast Asian collapse of 1997. The subject is complicated and interesting, and the writing is often technical and sometimes complex. We at getAbstract call this book to the attention of scholars, executives and managers who have a serious interest in fiscal policy. And we do mean serious.

All the "Seth" books are nothing short of stunning. They are also gripping, mind boggling, unforgettable, and life-changing.

But to read this you had better be prepared to throw away a whole bunch of worn-out beliefs, and pick up a whole bunch of crisp new ones.

It's important to realize that this book is as much about the individual and the power of the individual to control (or partake in chosen) events in immediate surroundings as it is an offering of insight into the nature of "mass events." As usual, Seth points to the power of the individual in the context of the individual's deep connection to "all that is." The revelation that we are not powerless in a world gone berserk (from a subjective perspective) is comforting and downright empowering. This is evolved thought at its best. All that is left to the reader is to experiment with vigor the value system presented. In my mind, this book taken as a whole, was one of the best presentations of the Seth ideas. Read it, practice it's teachings and change your life for the better.

"You create your own reality".

This is the central message of the Seth material. Far from being the helpless victims of circumstances that have been thrust upon us, we are the masters of our own destiny, even though most of us are unaware of it. But if we all create our individual realities, how come that there are events that influence a great number of people simultaneously, like elections, natural disasters or epidemics? How could one possibly believe, for example, that the 6 million jews who died in the holocaust all individually chose that fate for themselves?

It is at the intersection of individual and mass reality where Seth's message indeed appears to fail the reality check. Not so, according to Seth, but it takes a whole book to explain why. 'The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events' carefully elaborates how the individual and the collective consciousness work together in a grandiose balancing act to create a shared reality that serves all the invididual development needs, simultaneously. Seth illustrates his points by discussing some of the great mass events of the time, such as Watergate or Three Mile Island. Of particularly significance in this context is Seth's statement that public health announcements and prevention programs, by their suggestive nature, create more instances of the diseases than they prevent!

'The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events' represents a cornerstone of the Seth material, as it reconciles Seth's principal message with our common sense perception of reality. It helps the reader to make sense of seemingly senseless events, and it shows how each of us, individually, can make a difference.

Why do we have world events, disasters, weather, etc the way they occur? This book address these questions. Reading this book, one can see how we create our realities as societies, cultures, countries, etc. We can gain additional, if not totally new, insight on this matter. What you will find out may surprise you, it may even make you angry or just make you not believe what the book says. To gain further insight, read The Personal Nature of Reality also which will show you how we create our own immediate reality. To me it was difficult to read but others that I know had no problem. Possibly it was hard to read was because it was packed full of information? I give it 4 stars because the way it was written. I think it could have been written so that it is less verbose and easier to understand. This book was written in the 70's when this kind of information was new and hard to find.

Don't get me wrong. All the Seth books by Jane Roberts are worthwhile. And given recent global events, this book is more timely than ever. So I highly recommend that at some point you purchase this book so that you can read and reread it many times over. You should definitely aim to have all the Seth books as part of your personal library. I surely do. And I can pick a Seth book at random, turn to any page, and come away with a fresh insight. But if you are not sure who or what Seth is? Then this book may only confuse and perplex you. If you are new to Seth, I highly recommend that you start with "The Coming of Seth," followed by "The Seth Material," and then the must-have-Seth-book-of-all-time, "The Nature of Personal Reality." Then you will most surely want to read "The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events." My only complaint about this book? The "current" events referred to in this book may seem like ancient history to some. Oh, how I wish Ms. Roberts were alive today for Seth to comment upon such things as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the more recent terrorist attacks. But indirectly, this book will help you come to terms with all these events and more. So in this respect, it is more important now than ever before. And one of the reasons that I include it on my list of "Timely Tomes for Troubled Times."