H Books

Mr. Wollman has created what is without a doubt the premiere handbook on astrology. Polished to a high sheen, his impactful wisdom imparts use-full knowledge on a host of topics in a clear lucid style. Since Mr. Wollman's astrological techniques have been TESTED-SELECTED you can be assured as to the quality of his work. (His research also proves that astrology is a powerful tool that can be used to forecast earthquakes.) I cannot wait until he releases the next edition. Bravo, Mr. Wollman!

If one were to look for one specific book to bridge the gap between 20th century understnding of astrology and the way in which the astrological discipline appears to be headed in the new millenium, Mr Wollmann's masterpiece would indeed be that work. Authoratative, innovative and very well reseached, this book will, doubtlessly serve as a model for how astrology books are written in the decades to come.

This excellent work is all it is purported to be! THE first choice of anyone intrigued by Astrology. Have Grant Lewi's "Heaven Knows What" and this wonderful book and you are set for the greatest adventure of your life!! The greatest thing about Mr. Wollmann's writing is his respect for the reader. Always thoughtful and perceptive to provide easily accessed references and a wealth of corroborative information. I cannot say enough good things about this first volume. Mr. Wollmann sets the standard for the spiritual/psychological/astrological paradigm of the 21st century. We can only benefit if there are many more volumes to come!!

This book blends many different philosophies and gives the message that using astrology can be a tool to self-understanding and transformation. I see now, that it is not a mysterious tool of divination but that it can be used to examine our existing beliefs, and that it is up to us what we do with that knowledge.

This is a book I would have liked to have had years ago. The ideas in this book challenge the reader to look at the responsibility they have for their own lives, and begin to teach how to do this using astrology.

The individual interpretations of placements are basic. The author has delved to the core of the meanings of the archetypes from a psychological perspective. The results are dynamic, all-encompassing (yet specific to the placement) keys, with which to begin delineations. This is something that has been lacking in many other astrology books with more shallow definitions.

There are several example delineations of charts which take the reader through the process of using this information in a complete chart, showing how the insight from the previous chapters can be used to "read" a chart.

Definitely a work of text-book caliber, not a coffee-table book.

No Doubt, Hong Kong is facing the Post Industrial Era since year 2000.

After the Rapid changes of Internet Age, Globalization is the next development in the coming decade. But it makes more competition and prices down in the Global markets. All the traditonal and industrial products are over supply than demand in these two years.

When you think back on the rapid development in Computer and Internet business since year 2000, they have over one time growth for every 18 months and the price is down for 50%. Thus, it makes the competition are so quicky and fast in year 2002 or even in the coming decade.

" Post Industrial Era " is coming now. It means that all the industrial products are over supply in the Global markets. Now we are needing the Elite people and knowledge workers to help all industries to re-fresh and re-build their new roads. High-tech skills and people are welcome in the developmet of Globalization.

New Business models and E-business structures are the only way for us to go and keep on running in the year 2003!

In order to keep your business in the rapid growth of the global markets, please try to absorb more Elite people in your Corporation in time.

No Doubt, Hong Kong is facing the Post Industrial Era since year 2000.

After the Rapid changes of Internet Age, Globalization is the next development in the coming decade. But it makes more competition and prices down in the Global markets. All the traditonal and industrial products are over supply than demand in these two years.

When you think back on the rapid development in Computer and Internet business since year 2000, they have over one time growth for every 18 months and the price is down for 50%. Thus, it makes the competition are so quicky and fast in year 2002 or even in the coming decade.

" Post Industrial Era " is coming now. It means that all the industrial products are over supply in the Global markets. Now we are needing the Elite people and knowledge workers to help all industries to re-fresh and re-build their new roads. High-tech skills and people are welcome in the developmet of Globalization.

New Business models and E-business structures are the only way for us to go and keep on running in the year 2003!

In order to keep your business in the rapid growth of the global markets, please try to absorb more Elite people in your Corporation in time.

No Doubt, Hong Kong is facing the Post Industrial Era since year 2000.

After the Rapid changes of Internet Age, Globalization is the next development in the coming decade. But it makes more competition and prices down in the Global markets. All the traditonal and industrial products are over supply than demand in these two years.

When you think back on the rapid development in Computer and Internet business since year 2000, they have over one time growth for every 18 months and the price is down for 50%. Thus, it makes the competition are so quicky and fast in year 2002 or even in the coming decade.

" Post Industrial Era " is coming now. It means that all the industrial products are over supply in the Global markets. Now we are needing the Elite people and knowledge workers to help all industries to re-fresh and re-build their new roads. High-tech skills and people are welcome in the developmet of Globalization.

New Business models and E-business structures are the only way for us to go and keep on running in the year 2003!

In order to keep your business in the rapid growth of the global markets, please try to absorb more Elite people in your Corporation in time.

No Doubt, Hong Kong is facing the Post Industrial Era since year 2000.

After the Rapid changes of Internet Age, Globalization is the next development in the coming decade. But it makes more competition and prices down in the Global markets. All the traditonal and industrial products are over supply than demand in these two years.

When you think back on the rapid development in Computer and Internet business since year 2000, they have over one time growth for every 18 months and the price is down for 50%. Thus, it makes the competition are so quicky and fast in year 2002 or even in the coming decade.

" Post Industrial Era " is coming now. It means that all the industrial products are over supply in the Global markets. Now we are needing the Elite people and knowledge workers to help all industries to re-fresh and re-build their new roads. High-tech skills and people are welcome in the developmet of Globalization.

New Business models and E-business structures are the only way for us to go and keep on running in the year 2003!

In order to keep your business in the rapid growth of the global markets, please try to absorb more Elite people in your Corporation in time.

No Doubt, Hong Kong is facing the Post Industrial Era since year 2000.

After the Rapid changes of Internet Age, Globalization is the next development in the coming decade. But it makes more competition and prices down in the Global markets. All the traditonal and industrial products are over supply than demand in these two years.

When you think back on the rapid development in Computer and Internet business since year 2000, they have over one time growth for every 18 months and the price is down for 50%. Thus, it makes the competition are so quicky and fast in year 2002 or even in the coming decade.

" Post Industrial Era " is coming now. It means that all the industrial products are over supply in the Global markets. Now we are needing the Elite people and knowledge workers to help all industries to re-fresh and re-build their new roads. High-tech skills and people are welcome in the developmet of Globalization.

New Business models and E-business structures are the only way for us to go and keep on running in the year 2003!

In order to keep your business in the rapid growth of the global markets, please try to absorb more Elite people in your Corporation in time.

I am a 6 grader at Our Lady of The Cape School on the Port -au-port Peninsula, NL.
Jesse Aarons has 4 sisters and he is the only boy. His 2 older sisters are very snobby and he has 2 younger sisters. Jesse does all the work and his older sisters have all the fun.
One day while he was running around the cow field he noticed a tomboy on the fence . They became best friends even though she won all the races at school and is the fastest .They made up an imaginary kingdom called Terabithia. One day Miss Edmunds his music teacher took him to Washington to look at a museum. When he got back home he was all the way into the kitchen before he realized that something was wrong. I would recommend this book to all ages just because someone is different doesn't mean that you can't be best friends.

I am a sixth grade Language teacher and have been using Bridge to Terabithia as a major part of my curriculum for many years. Each year that I read this book it gets better. Each class gets a little something different from the book. The way my students engross themselves with the characters Jesse and Leslie always seems to amaze me!

I am not the greatest book lover. But sometimes I enjoy reading books, and usually if I find a book I like I can't put it down. Well this book I couldn't put down. It shows how Jesse and Leslie overcame differences and became bestfriends. They have a secret place. I think this is kind of how kids are today. This book ends sad though whaen leslie dies so don't read this if you don't want to be sad. I give tis book 4 stars because it is not the best book I have ever read but it's right up there.

It was a rich entertaining book it kept me in Suspence the whole way through it, it is about 2 friends and the decide that they will build a magical country in the forest. The two of them are the rulers of this magical place.

I am not the greatest book lover. But sometimes I enjoy reading books, and usually if I find a book I like I can't put it down. Well this book I couldn't put down. It shows how Jesse and Leslie overcame differences and became bestfriends. They have a secret place. I think this is kind of how kids are today. This book ends sad though whaen leslie dies so don't read this if you don't want to be sad. I give tis book 4 stars because it is not the best book I have ever read but it's right up there.

This love story of eternal beauty guides us in the natural evolution of our loving relationships. We are encouraged to consider the boundless possibilities of 'love' and 'relationship'. With that comes the profound responsibility to recognize how vastly important each individual is in the grand scheme of life. The combination of the scholarly and spiritual delving in this story is such a workout that I would suggest reading the book once for the love story, and again and again for an ever-deepening exploration of our relationship to one another, to the earth, and to whatever lies beyond. Of paramount importance we must learn to listen and open our hearts. Cynthia Bourgeault offers a way to follow this simple yet challenging path.

I happen to have known the author very well for several years. She is audacious in nature, and her spirituallity is mixed with great ambition. A careful look at her personal past, her three marriages, and intense desire for spiritual recognition all suggest care should be taken.

Essentially a powerfully moving love story of two aging individuals, Love Is Stronger Than Death: The Mystical Union Of Two Souls by resident teacher for the Contemplative Society and spiritual retreat authority Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, is drawn from the life and experiences of Brother Raphael (Rafe) Robin, an Episcopalian priest, author and a Trappist hermit. The ability of human and spiritual love to transcend death and open the way to joyous bliss is superbly presented in this highly recommended and heartwarming tale of building an emotional, personal, and loving relationship for the future that transcends all earthly limitations.

There are few books to compare with this one. The nature of death and the power of love are explored from so many directions that, in the end, we are given a spiritual guide through life and beyond. Ms. Bourgeault shows us that we do not need to be limited by the generally accepted truths of the major spiritual traditions, nor by those of various esoteric teachings. Her personal experience speaks in every word so that, instead of an abstract treatise on inner work, we are shown a road map marked out by someone who has been there. This is the perfect book for anyone who has recently lost a life partner. It is also the perfect book for anyone who has just found a life partner.

Who could resist reading this book after seeing that awesome subtitle of "The Mystical Union of Two Souls?" Especially when it is told from a perspective of such compelling Theology as this intimacy of love between two persons! From the beginning of the "Preface to the Second Edition" by Cynthia Bourgeault and the Introduction by David Steindl-Rast, OSB, I became aware of her depth of this "Mystical Union of Two Souls!"

Nothing said by friends who recommended and loaned me their book even slightly prepared me for the powerful building blocks of this book! It kept me leaping from one level to another, almost as thrilling as shooting the rapids or going from low altitudes in a Jet Fighter Plane up to 35,000 feet level, without getting the bends! I ran through several examples of descriptions:

Chapter 3 on the "Mystical Completion of Souls": "These building blocks come mostly from the Christian esoteric (inner) tradition-- The Fourth Way of G.I. Gurdjieff--plus Christian hermeticism coming further from Jacob Boehme. The four building blocks are: 1) The union of souls 2) The idea of second body 3) The vow, or promise 4) "The wonders."

Later in the same chapter she describes "the time of bodily life the soul has earnestly pledged itself [to another] but has not forsworn that promise." During the last few weeks of Rafe's life before his death, he began "his crash course in enhancing his second body-- primarily through practice of "true resignation!" Although she describes theirs as a Physical Love story, it is totally without maudlin, syrupy-sweet, love scenes or the usual sexuality.

My understanding was a bit illuminated from reading from both Jacob Boehme and G.I.Gurdjieff. It came again from, "the laying down of one's personal will, in order to be unconditionally present to the will of God. [Not all-together new!]

After three short chapters in "Wrestling with an Angel" she uses a profound quote from a distinguished Psychaitrist, Helen Luke, saying, "Wholeness is born of the acceptance of the conflict of human and divine in the individual psyche." Immediately, she quotes Dylan Thomas: If the principal office of "love in this life is to unbolt the dark," to release its prisoners of shame, it seems that our wedding garments in eternity are spun... Here I glimpsed her hazy picture of that second body as a spiritual body close to the description of St Paul in I Corinthians!

Cynthia stretches us into her own understanding of "The Mystical Union of Two Souls," from her deepening spiritual love for her Hermit Monk, Raphael Robin. Joyfully, Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

When I didn't even know who I was, a smart person had me read this book. It changed my life. I thought I was liberal because I didn't have any problem with "those people." I was in such denial that I couldn't recognize that they was me! Don Clark, in his gentle and understanding manner, helped me look at myself and realize not only that I was gay, but that it was OK and I could find a way to make it work. I first read this decades ago. I still recommend it to everyone I know who needs to learn about gay people.

One of the biggest ah-ha's from the book was about acceptance of differences. How could I be so judgmental of those who were different and then expect others to accept me? (I thought I was accepting but deep down inside I was hating who I was.) This book opened the door to a life of loving and cherishing differences in all people. Most importantly, I learned to stop hating the essence of who I was. This book is literally one of the biggest reasons why I am so positive and proud of being different and of being gay.

I am deeply moved by Dr. Clark's courage, honesty, and passion to give voice to gay men and women who bear emotional scars due to ignorance and rejection. What's more, his faith in the potential of education and overall caring - shown from both gay and straight people, are an inspiration. This is a book for everyone, as gay men and women are our neighbors, relatives, children's teachers, etc.. I intend to get the word out and recommend this book to both gay and straight people in my life.

I guess you have to learn how to love yourself first. This is one of the most powerful, liberating and sensitive texts written and now updated for all of us who have had to deal with 'coming out' and living our lives to the beat of a different drum. Only another soul who has experienced this journey could write with such simplicity and honesty and with such compassion and hope about the gay experience. Wherever you are on your own journey of gay self discovery, this is a 'must have' and 'must read' book. It is written for everyone who might be dealing with someone being gay - Don Clark has written this for you, your wife, your children, your parents, or your friends and workmates. You will not be able to put it down, I guarantee if you read this with an open and honest heart, it will help you find the courage and peace you are seeking.

This was the first book I read when I was coming out. I learned that the "someone" I needed to learn to love was me. This book taught me how. I wrote the author in gratitude, and years later, still recommend this book to people just coming out, as well as to people just discovering a friend or loved one is Gay.

I FOUND IT MOST HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GAY. I HAVE SHARED IT WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

I have read all in this series and they keep getting better and more meaningful. This is truly beautiful, but not much about fairies. It's more about a girl making a tough decision. Her friends struggle with the decision too, after the fact because she keeps it secret from them until it's all over.

This touched my soul and my heart. Most people know someone who has died of lung cancer. While I was reading this I felt an ache for the loss of friends and loved ones who have passed on from that horrible disease.

This is a beautiful fairy tale. I love the way it made me feel. Mimosa has a good heart and finds a way to make a big difference in the world. I liked learning in the end what happens to Alexandra in the future. We get a small preview of some of the events in her life after she gives up her fairy spirit. I think this would be a great book for any child to read. It will let them know they are important to the world and it might help them make good life decisions.

I knew this book was going to have a serious theme. (Along with the fairy mission to save the nymph and the River of Wisdom, Mimosa wants to help her mother quit smoking.)
I thought this was going to be an anti-smoking book but it is not. It is not judgmental of smokers. The writer of this book makes it very clear that Mimosa's mother wants to quit smoking very badly and would probably avail herself of a magical solution if she knew one was available. I am pleased with the tone of this book is not judgmental, but it might have been a good thing for a stronger anti-smoking message to be placed into this book. This is just my opinon.

This book has a lot to say. I don't think it's a simple fairy tale, not that many fairy tales are, but this definitely takes on a serious subject -- that of smoking. The title character takes on a challenge -- that of figuring out what she can do to help her mother quit smoking. Most people would probably agree Mimosa's mother should figure this out on her own. I think kids often feel helpless when they see adults struggle with problems like this. This book doesn't say that kids can solve their parent's problems. I think it more says that they can help in ways they might not have imagined and that they do have a say-so in things like this and that they can and should get involved. I applaud Mimosa for getting involved. Though we can't employ her solution to the problem of smoking addiction, there might be other ways we can help people who struggle with this if we are creative and willing to get involved.

Mimosa's real name is Alexandra Hastings. Her spirit is from a mimosa tree blossom and she smells like peaches. She carries a feather from an emu for her wand and her fairy gift has to do with caring and sensitivity. However...we discover that she has a few human gifts that come into play as the story progresses.

Madam Toad, leader of the fairies, makes two kinds of appearances in this story. When Mimosa breaks the fairy rules, Madam Toad meets with Alexandra in regular woman form to counsel her on the rules and consequences. Later in the book, Madam Toad chooses Mimosa to lead the mission to the River of Wisdom to rescue a nymph from the evil Spirit of Ignorance. After the fairy mission, Mimosa makes a fairy move to put a plan into action that will change her life, and her mother's, forever.

This touching story is beautifully written and is a clever mix of real-life and fantasy events. I think this proves there is magic everywhere in the world, even in everyday events and the actions of others, whether we notice these things or not. My kids and I loved this book and will be sharing it with others.

The illustrations in this book are very colorful and are full of exquisite detail. This is appealing to all readers, not just young children.

I know a lot of people who home school in the Houston area, and some of them are using the books of this series. They are good as learning tools because of the nature information in the back and the positive messages about recycling and helping others. They are also good to use as incentives because the books are so much fun to read and contain exciting activities like recipes and patterns for friendship bracelets.

T. W. Hunt has done a good job of combining personal experiences with Biblical references to convey the process of attaining the mind of Christ.

I titled this review Expose because I think this is just what this book does. It exposes your inner nature. This is not for the NEW Christian. It would be a bit overwhelming.

As I went through the workbook I began to learn my pattern and ways of thinking. The book urges us or suggests ways that we can began to be more Christ-minded and it breaks down through scriptures Jesus Christ's ways of thinking. The author even gave some examples of his personal life experiences. There are activites in there that you can do to help you see your thought patterns. I think it made me more aware of how I really am. It's a growing tool for a Christian's walk, I would say, which is a lifetime process. Definitely a keeper that you can hold onto and refer to from time to time to re-evaluate where you stand and sort of check yourself.

I highly recommend if you are tired of drinking milk and are ready for solid food! Even for the seasoned saints out there, it really makes you check yourself if you allow yourself to be transformed and renewed.

This is a book that you need to take time/days/weeks/months to study, hand-in-hand with the bible. The Holy Spirit will convict you on what ever sins or weeds that need to be pulled from your garden.(mind) The lists that are recommended by Hunt, are an awesome tool to really get at those sinful thoughts and wants. Pray for courage to be fully honest with your thoughts and allow the Holy Spirit to do the awesome transformation of your mind and heart- to be closer to the our Savior.

This book is at the top of my "highly recommended" reading list. But, you don't just read this book - you get lost in it. The truths that are written within this book make you stop and pause in wonder. There is much to meditate and reflect on as you take in the words. A must read!

Like other reviewers, my copy of The Mind of Christ has been highlighted so many times, the pages look like they are in technicolor. Which is appropriate for how enlightening I found this book. T. W. Hunt uses examples from the lives of real people (including himself) to illustrate the life-changing principles taught, and lived, by Jesus. It helped me unlock not just the power of prayer, but the power of actually living the life of an empowered Christian. As a man thinketh in his heart, so also shall he live. I was particularly moved by Pastor Hunt's vivid description of the betrayal, trial, death and resurrection of Christ. Throughout his book, Pastor Hunt shows that our life won't always be fun and games, that real troubles come to one and all, but that having the Mind of Christ can help us successfully come through the rough (and good) times. Thank you for a helpful, inspirational book! Blessings to you!

This was such an excellent book. I picked it up at Urbana 2006 and read it that summer. I am working on going through my notes to teach a class on the subject of this book. I have recommended it to many people, but it is weighty. It is sad that so few people are familiar with Wright's work. He has done much in taking us back and grounding us in the story of the OT. For those interested, I highly recommend "Old Testament Ethic for the People of God." Again, weighty, but excellent.

I especially appreciate that this book takes into account the whole of the scriptural perspective, tota scriptura. I heartily recommend it.

a thorough approach to mission theology with Biblical explanations for the Author, characters, and setting

This is certainly the most impressive book on Mission to be published since Bosch's 'Transforming Mission' and will surely be Dr Wright's 'Magnum Opus.' This outstanding tome entitled `The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative' contains 581 closely reasoned pages and maintains that equally, the `proper way for disciples of the crucified and risen Jesus to read their Scriptures , is (both) messianically and missionally. ( p.30)

It should be noted that most books on Mission fail to provide an adequate O.T. basis for mission. David Bosch for example in his excellent book `Transforming Mission' gives us little if any. In this book however, Wright ( also a noted OT scholar as well as Missiologist) goes a long way to rectify this imbalance.

'The Mission of God' is not a light read but should be of great interest to all missionaries and Pastors as well as to theology and Bible students. Chris Wright has also designated that the royalties from this book will go to the to worthy charity Langham Literature.

John Goldingay, the author of Old Testament Theology, and professor of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary writes of it:
"This marvelous book is all I hoped and expected, and more. . . .We are so fortunate to have the mature fruit of a lifetime's reflection on the missional nature of the Bible by this outstanding teacher, scholar and missionary theologian."

If you want an outstanding book on Mission which will be around for years to come: This is it!

I wish that I had had this book in hand many years ago. I've been on a journey of learning and discovery regarding the "metanarrative" of the Scriptures, and having reached a tentative understanding, I buy Christopher Wright's The Mission of God, and find that he has it all laid out for me. One of those books that makes you wonder why no one wrote it before and then makes you wish you had written it yourself. I have translated the New Testament into two indigenous languages of Mexico and have been forced to ask the big questions about what on earth God is doing anyway. It's been a great experience, and I think I'm finally coming to an adequate understanding of the good news of the Bible. I have read a lot of books related to the topic of The Mission of God, but none as exciting and stimulating as this one. And I don't consider Wright to be a great writer. What's great is the maturity and comprehensiveness of his thinking. A new perspective on almost every page. Wright has put it together for me. I'm reading it through the second time and have bought two copies to give to friends. All right, you may not be as excited as I am about the Bible's message about the coming of the kingdom of God, but if you are half as interested as I am, read this book.

This is a very cool book, chock full of wild and creative illustrations. A quick, but fun read.

Reading this book, I felt like I could see the movie in my mind. The vivid descriptions and word play are incredible. The book is filled with awesome illustrations to accompany the equality descriptive words. This futuristic adventure is mildly paranoid while still touching on enough reality to make you think. It is almost like a cousin to a comic book. It was incredibly well written and engaging. I highly recommend this book.

Similar to Jack Kerouac's seminal beat novel On the Road, Montauk Babies is the story of Al Leedskalnin and quantum physicist Peabody Freeman, who are traveling across country in 2011 in a '73 Buick Riviera, on a mission to keep time-space from imploding in on itself.

The title comes from the 1930s secret government experiments in invisibility, time travel, and mind control, when Nikola Tesla and several other physicists undertook experiments in multiple realities, eventually creating a "time tunnel" between 1943 and Montauk Island of 1983. According to the story, Leedskalnin was a subject of the Montauk experiments and is thus acutely aware of how these interdimensional gaps threaten to destroy humanity. And only a "Montauk baby" is spiritually equipped to save the earth.

Montauk Babies could loosely be called a graphic novel because of its lavish illustrations, though the narrative is in text form, albeit printed, at times, on the horizontal and even upside down, in a font that is nigh impossible to read clearly. While this may echo the plot conceit of a world falling apart and of events dislocated in time, it is also downright impossible to read.

Even with this in mind, Montauk Babies is an entertaining and provocative read, of interest to science fiction buffs, conspiracists, and comic-book lovers.
[...]

This is a really well done graphic novel. The story is exciting and keeps you glued from beginning to end and the beautiful color illustrations are unlike anything I have seen in other graphic novels.

Great read and cool art. This book is really unique. Lots and lots of depth to these characters. I can really see this being made into a movie. I'll be the first in line. Best graphic novel to date that I've come across.

This is one of my favorite books that I have ever read. Some of the charm it held for me may be that it describes life in towns in the North part of Ohio, and I grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Powell's narrative of events and places made me feel like I could imagine my own ancestors experiences in this part of the country. I think that the times were the times of my grandparents, and great grandparents.

The telling of the sequence of events showed the differences between daily life of the late 1800s-early 1900s and our own time in a way that changed my consciousness of those times, so near, so different, and so expository of the attitudes and personalities of my own grandparents. There is a lot of hardship, by today's standards, but it seemed to be taken as a matter of course in the times.

The personalities and foibles, concerns and coping mechanisms of the characters, at the same time, were so recognizable in the people and lives I know today. Dawn Powell's story, and Dawn Powell's way of telling her story, have stayed with me for many years after having read the book.

Dawn Powell was no whiner- and as this highly autobiographical novel attests, she had plenty of reason to complain! The story of her turn of the century Ohio childhood, is told through the viewpoint of Marcia, the gifted, plain, middle child of three motherless sisters. Despite a neglectful, absent and grandiose father, ( a child himself,) and a host of inadequate relatives, the girls are largely delighted with their world, which by modern standards is one of poverty and neglect. The book is an object lesson in attitudes and expectations that become reality.
This was an era that discouraged pity, and would have been dumbfounded by modern 'confessional' trends. The attitudes toward children, would be barbaric today. The girls remained loyal to their father, even as they grew to understand his weaknesses, and they found delight in characters that would be considered dangerous and forbidden today. Their own grandmother, refusing to attend to fire safety, managed to burn down four houses, including her own, from which weeks before the girls had just been removed. This is a story of a triumph of childhood with nothing of the tone of the adult looking back in a lament. In some ways, it is similar to "Angela's Ashes," another horrible experience of childhood, that uniquely avoids the subject of depression and rage. This even holds true for the archetypical wicked stepmother, an unrelenting, hateful woman who sadistically confiscated or forbade any object or activity of pleasure.
The most amazing part of Marcia, is this 'game' she played, when she was in the midst of an ordeal. She could reach down inside of herself and become the person who was devoid of reactions to the current stress and be completely strong and capable of enduring the trauma through to the end. It is a testimony, spoken by a child, of the human spirit, and the infinite manifestations and sources of power by which mankind survives. I will definitely read this book again, for its fresh outlook and restrained economy.

I finished reading this in one day -- that's how gripping I found it. It's literary in the way that F. Scott Fitzgerald and Willa Cather are literary -- the diction and syntax are polished, the setting is captured with precise details, but the plot comes through clearly -- and it's hard to put this down once you start to read it. This is my first Dawn Powell novel, but I intend to read all of her works after this amazing introduction.

Dawn Powell (1896 -1965) wrote novels about her youth in small town Ohio at the turn of the century and about New York City, where she spent most of her adult life. In general, Powell wrote the New York City novels, such as "Turn Magic Wheel", and "The Locusts Have no King" later in her career. They tend to be sharp satires. Her earlier Ohio novels, such as "Dance Night" and "Come Back to Sorrento", are marked, I think, by a depiction of small town life which is critical and bittersweet, as well as somewhat satirical, and by a restlessness and sense of frustration, ...

Powell worked for three years on "My Home is Far Away" which was published in 1944. She had difficulty with the book, writing and rewriting the various scenes as she tried to fictionalize her biography and turn it into a novel. The book appears in the midst of her New York novels, and it is a throwback in to her earlier books with its setting in Ohio, its focus on childhood, and its bittersweet tone. Powell intended this novel as the first of a three-part trilogy, but the other two volumes never materialized.

Most of Powell's novels seem to me distinctly autobiographical in tone and "My Home is Far away" is particularly so. It tells the story of a family, focusing on three young sisters, Lena, Marcia, and Florrie, their father Harry, their mother Daisy, and, after Daisy's death, their stepmother Idah. There are basiclly three parts to the story: the period leading to the death of Daisy, and intervening period in which the three girls are raised by their father and assorted other relatives, and a the period after their father remarries and the girls are subjected to a cruel stepmother. When they find they can no longer take the abuse, they leave home and come into their own lives.

The title of the novel, "My Home is Far Away" derives from an Irish song that the girls sing with their mother. The title well captures some of the rootlesness of the family as they move from here to there. It also evokes well the longing for a home life and for a stability which the family, and Dawn Powell, never had.

One of the problems with this book is diffentiating the characters of three young girls. On the whole, this is handled effectively. The Dawn Powell character is the middle sister, Marcia, who is plain but highly precocious. The older girl, Lena, is much more sociable and outgoing.

The family moved a great deal from one small Ohio town to another and to different places within various towns. The most effective scenes in the book for me were the pictures of many dingy, run-down hotels and small town back streets during which the girls spent much of their childhood. The father, Harry, was a travelling salesman who, for most of the book, has difficulty holding a job and spending time with his family. He professes to love his family, but doesn't provide well. He spends his time and money hanging around with his friends and, apparently, with women in various towns.

One key moment in the book occurs rather early in it when the girls' mother dies. This scene is beautifully told. Then we see Harry trying to shunt the girls off to various relatives until he finally attempts to care for them himself. The marriage to Idah brings Harry some stability, but at a terrible cost. Idah is a shrewish, jealous stepmother. The two older girls both leave home to get away from her.

This book has some slow moments, but it is a wonderful coming-of-age novel and gives a good picture of the rural midwest. It is good that Dawn Powell's novels are in print and readily accessible. It is intriguing to think how she might have proceeded in the remaining two projected volumes of her autobiographical trilogy.

I have only recently begun to hear about the little-known American author Dawn Powell, and this is the first of her novels that I have read. It is so hard to believe that Ms. Powell's work has been largely ignored for decades--she writes so beautifully, with wit and pathos in equal measures. Dawn Powell's passion for writing comes through on every page, her characters lively and real, their adventures and personalities engaging, and her descriptions of turn-of-the-century Ohio vivid. She captures the points of view and imaginations of her child protagonists (the three sisters, who are central to the story) with complete accuracy--I found myself smiling in recognition at what it was like to think like a child again. And what's more, this is largely a true story--based on Dawn Powell's own sad childhood, when she lost her mother and gained an abusive stepmother (and seemed to be mainly neglected by her ineffectual father). All in all, a moving and enthralling story--the main character reminded me of Little Women's Jo as well as Jane Eyre, at times. Highly recommended.