B Books

Carbonel took me away when I was a child,I loved every well written detail,and could imagine every event as it took place-the only problem was,when I got older (alot older!!)I had forgotten the title and despaired of ever finding the book again-Imagine my joy when I found a used copy in a thrift store-it looked familiar,could it be....? Hooray!It was!Carbonel!I bought it immediately and read it asap and will never ever let it out of my hands again!This is a fabulous book for children of all ages,and if my opinion counts for anything,I would advise to get a copy of your own right now!Truly a wonderful,wonderful book.

...It was my FAVOURITE when I was a kid - ...Why is this fantastic book out of print??

When I first read this book, I was 10-years-old. I grew up and never forgot the joy that I received from its pages. I kept looking for it when I got older and now have my own copies of all the Carbonel books. I am now in possession of an amazing child's book that deserves to be shared throughout centuries to come. Wonderful book - deserving to be named a favorite classic.

This book captured my imagination as a child and was a pleasure to read again after 17 years. I feared I might ruin a childhood memory by tracking it down and reading it again but it was well worth the effort. I hope it's magic will still reach young readers even though it is now out of print.

My mom gave me this book when I was 8 years old. Hesitantly, I started reading it, and was immediately hooked. It is the first chapter book I remember reading, and I owe my love of literature to Barbara Sleigh and Carbonel. Before the advent of the Internet, I spent many years trying to track down copies of all the Carbonel books, with limited success. Then one day, I discovered that they had had been reissued in the United Kingdom. I was in law school at the time, and my wife told me we couldn't afford them. Imagine my surprise, that Christmas, when I found them under the tree! My wife had called a bookstore in London, and had them shipped to the US just in time for the holidays. I'm now 39 years old, and still reread those books about once a year. I have read them to both my children, and they have read them by themselves. I think we can all look back on our lives, and find one or two events that shape aspects of our future. For me, a British book about a little girl, a witch and a magical, royal cat set me on a road where books became some of my most cherished possessions, and reading my most enjoyable pasttime. Read the books; feel the magic.

Wallace does an excellent job of refuting the fallacious views inherent in realist and instrumentalist views of reality. In providing a clear alternative, based on the Madhyamika Buddhist position, he has written a book full of new insights well worth reading. Buy it now and take a significant step in making your life happier!!!

As both a physicist and a buddhist, this was the book I've spent years looking for. I must admit that I was turned off by the scary guy on the cover, and my previous readings of assorted new-age fluff. Make no mistake however, this book is rock solid. Dashing to bits our untenable "assumptions" of exactly what reality is (for the concept of reality itself is an idea), we develop a clearer picture of exactly what it means to be human.
With a pertinent selection of quotes and ideas from the western world, Einstein, Poincare, Heisenberg, etc., we can clearly see how we have shaped our world from our worldview into what it has become. In the present age, we are the willing slaves of technology. Just as our cells don't know what we are doing, people spend their lives working to buy toys like cell phones and televisions, and have no idea how they work. Yet, because it is 'scientific', technological advancements are greatly praised and coveted. Meanwhile, intellectual, spiritual, and philosophical advancement is shunned as meaningless.
This book deftly points out taking such a stance reflects complete ignorance, since scientific investigation of the mind or the physical world provides no further understanding of reality, just a better "understanding" of our own ideas. Are we to say we are more advanced than our ancestors because we can relieve ourselves indoors, whereas our ancestors didn't care? Our social advancement, which can be seen as that most critical for our own species, has been left in the dust, in lieu of technological advancement--that all too often poisons us and our planet. How is this the rational course of action?
Although the first 9/10 of this book are right on track, I felt like the final portion, in its attempt to reach a resolution, a reconsciliation of western philosphy with Buddhist philosophy fell short. This may be the point. Wallace seems to want (or as the reader we want and assume that's where he's going) to pull us all out of the pit of buddhist emptiniess dug in the first 19 or so chapters. But, as Wallace points out, neither worldview is right, just 'more or less useful' in various contexts. There is no escape from our essential nature of emptiness and, like Descartes, by the end of the book the reader is left feeling like he can know nothing apart from his own 'existence'. But after having read the book, the reader of course realizes this is just an illusion, a particular spin on consciousness we decide to choose out of infinite number of possible interpretations, interpretations in turn all shaped by our cultures, mores, and environment, a.k.a 'reality'. Choosing Reality is a great book, and who knows how much you will gain by reading it.

Firstly, I must say that it is very difficult to summarize this book in any way. The complexity (and importance) of the material is such that there is no substitute for a direct, mindful read. However, if you are looking for a very worthwhile attempt at summarization, I suggest you read the review by ABC "bb" (I was persuaded to purchase by this review).

Many reviewers have commented that "Choosing Reality" is an "easy read". While I do agree to an extent, it seems necessary to note that these comments are true only in relation to other books of the same nature. Considering the complexity of the subject matter, yes, this book is an easy read. In comparison to most literature, however, this "easy read" statement is perhaps less plausable. My point is this: do not expect this book to be simple (firstly, because it isn't; secondly, because it shouldn't be). This is of double importance if the reader is of a traditional, Western mindset. The content of "Choosing Reality" (especially the latter chapters) takes time to fully absorb. In fact, this book was, for me, the anti-thesis of a 'quick read'. That said, I must say that I enjoyed every long minute of it.

Wallace does a wonderful job showing the flaws in scientific realism and instrumentalism, chronicaling the histories and the theories of each. He then thoroughly explains the comprimise, the middle way, the Buddhist way: a centrist view of reality. While the presentation of the centrist view was invaluable in its own right, the most enjoyable sections of the book came after this presentation. Wallace undertakes the very difficult task of using language to describe how the centrist view can be applied to our lives. Rather than just offering a theory, he describes how the centrist view deals with the mind, the nature of "physical reality", and the illusory "self". The author earnestly argues that the implications of the centrist view are real; implications that will certainly force you to re-evaluate the world you live in. The beauty of this book is that it caters to any audience. There is enough science to make it rational and reasonable; there is enough Buddhism to make it real and applicable. I consider this book of utmost importance to anyone interested in modern physics, Buddhism, the nature of reality, and/or the self.

Finally, I must note that as much as this book is a religious view of science, it is equally (albeit more subtly) a scientific view of religion. As perhaps Wallace's greatest triumph in this book, modern science and religion are shown to be infinintely complimentary, both ultimately striving to understand the same things: the nature of reality and our role in it. To this end, "Choosing Reality" is a must read.

Summary: Wallace makes a valiant attempt to contrast science & Madhyamaka (Buddhist "centrist" philosophy). He fails because of his limitations. He equates physics, science, & scientists (with human flaws), ignores western mysticism, the value of probability/statistics/circumstantial data, & non-behaviorist psychology but has many flaws in his arguments. Still, many of his observations regarding particular scientists & their misunderstanding of analogies vs. reality are correct. Overall, his viewpoint seems (per Jeff Rubin) Orientocentric. More specifically:

This book criticizes science's methods (vs. achievements) via Buddhist Madhyamaka thinking. It also presents meditative techniques & the 3 Immeasurables in the last 2 chapters. However, as a former physicist/systems engineer & a Dzogchen practitioner, I have problems with its': 1) criticisms of science confuse physics & science--even regarding medicine, 2) confuse science & scientists (with human faults/failings)--though many of his criticisms here are valid, 3) the Philosophy of Science (e.g. Sir Karl Popper) ignores Thomas Kuhn's seminal "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" & scientific life cycle of evolving paradigms. General Systems Theory would extend it to religion too: Madhyamaka (p. 148) vs. purportedly more advanced Mahamudra & Dzogchen, 4) it ignores Change Theory whose unfreezing periods explain science at sea amongst conflicting theories (like Soviets in US supermarkets). 5) per the Myers-Briggs, it seems Sensate--the bark vs. the forest (systems approach)--explaining its ambiguity intolerance, criticism of Quantum Mechanics' probability & statistics, & overlooking Set Theory. Its approach is typical Madhyamaka--based on extremes, Exclusive OR, & a binary assumption (black or white rather than shades of gray--let alone multi-colored). About 100 years ago, Mipham noted this flaw in Madhyamaka philosophical arguments.

There's a major flaw of uni-epistemological systems e.g. philosophy (based only on Rationalism=logic) vs. science's bi-epistemological system--adding Empiricism (data) to create a feedback loop/self-regulating system; thus, science doesn't investigate angels dancing on pin-heads. Other errors include: discounting 2nd hand/circumstantial evidence & iterative/interactive processes (see TV show "House's" iterative, circumstantial diagnoses), overgeneralizations, misunderstanding of analogies (words, models, metaphors--with error factors/partial truths) vs. assumptions, violations of Non-Allness...While a mind set effects one's perceptions, it doesn't totally control them (p. 101, Bruner's quote "unspecifiable degree")--a person wearing sunglasses isn't blind--esp. if properly trained, or there'd be no new paradigms or breakthroughs. It's a matter of degree, not an all or nothing per his p. 128 "whole or parts" analysis approach (ignoring synergy, functionality, & dictionaries). Models are inaccurate but most have referents in nature vs. p. 98. Per Knowledge Management, context is necessary for knowledge--IMHO this includes Levels of Abstraction--the cause of most so-called paradoxes.

Psychology herein is "radical behaviorists" overlooking Freud, Jung, Maslow, Psychology & Buddhism books. Prior to or same year (1996) as this book was originally published (but ignored herein):
Daisetz T. Suzuki, Erich Fromm, & Richard De Martino Zen Buddhism & Psychoanalysis Harper 1960
Alan W. Watts--Psychotherapy East & West, Ballantine NY 1961
Tarthang Tulku--Reflections of Mind, Dharma Pubs, Berkeley CA 1975
Nathan Katz--Buddhist and Western Psychology, Boulder, Prajna Press, 1983
Howard Coward--Jung and Eastern Thought, SUNY 1985
J. Marvin Spiegelman & Mokusen Miyuki--Buddhism & Jungian Psychology, Phoenix Falcon Press 1987
Thubten Chodron--Open Heart, Clear Mind, Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1990
John Suler--Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Eastern Thought, 1993
Mark Epstein--Thoughts without a Thinker, NY Basic Books, 1995
Hayao Kawai--Buddhism and the Art of Psychotherapy, Texas A&M University Press College Station 1996
Daniel J. Meckel & Robert L. Moore--Self & Liberation: The Jung--Buddhist Dialogue, Paulist Press
Jeffrey Rubin--Psychotherapy and Buddhism: Toward an Integration, Plenum Press, NY

Additionally, Western mysticism (e.g. the Rosicrucian Order, Theosophists, Sufis, Kabbalists (e.g. Aryeh Kaplan's trilogy on Jewish Meditation)) are ignored, incorrectly implying a lack of Western contemplatives.

For more specific errors, see pp. 73, 90, 157, 158, & 201. For example, he takes figures of speech literally on p. 158. Maybe it's my work in physics & engineering, but would anyone really think that by mixing equal quantities of 40 & 50 degree water you'd get 90 degree water? Be serious. By the way, p. 201 is wrong: some Tibetan Buddhists use intoxicants ceremonially. This book is an early attempt to contrast physics & gradualist Tibetan Buddhism--an ambitious attempt--but flawed & invalid.. Just because you can't use a yardstick to measure molecules doesn't mean there aren't any molecules. Rather, there aren't any molecules because the concept of molecules is an artificial analogy created to improve understanding and, especially, to facilitate communications between/among people. As an engineer, I like black boxes--like Dr. House, they make my day--puzzles can be fun!

This book is fantastic. As an engineer, I understand the concept of a model. A model is only as good as the application it is used for. Unfortunately, I think some scientists and physicists, most teachers and all media have gotten the concept of the model confused with true reality. Just because a system that accurately describes the working of physical reality works well (using concepts such as atoms, molecules, electrons, and nuclei) does not mean that this is what reality actually is. Science and physics is a model of reality, not reality itself!
For those delving deep into meditation, for those looking for those deeply entrenched assumptions of science, mathematics and medicine this book is a must.

I picked up this book after I read "Wooden" (recommended by friends... prior to that, I have to say that I've never even heard of Coach John Wooden). He is the most amazing person I have ever read about... so inspiring! I couldn't put this book down... it's easy to read, it's to the point and every page is motivating and inspiring! I highly highly highly recommended!

As Peter Drucker was to management, John Wooden was to coaching. A master at mentoring his teams during his 40-year coaching career from 1948 to 1975, Wooden's UCLA basketball teams won 10 NCAA national championships, including seven in a row! ESPN named him the Greatest Coach of the 20th Century. He preached team spirit. "The star of the team is the team. `We' supercedes `me'."

Recently the Los Angeles Times asked sports readers, "If you could have dinner with a local sports personality, whom would you choose?" Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Tom Lasorda, USC football coach Peter Carroll, Serena and Venus Williams, David Beckham and Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully all made the Top 10 list. But it was former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, now 97, who received the most votes!

Co-authored by Wooden and Jay Carty (read Jay's hilarious account of his brief Lakers career), this wonderful book includes 60 one-page insights from the Coach, with 60 one-page color commentaries by Carty.

It's the perfect book for leaders-on-the-run, who need just the right snippet for a staff meeting, motivational talk or article. Topics include: First Things First, Powerful Principles, Overcoming Adversity, Everyone's a Teacher, Buts and Promises, Going Beyond Good Intentions, After You've Learned It All, Avoiding Burnout, and Making the Right Mistakes. The book includes Wooden's famed Pyramid of Success chart.

Having read other Jay Carty books, I knew I had to read this one and I was not disappointed. This is the sort of inspirational book that one can cycle through over and over and never cease to be inspired.

My husband and I read one each night and then read the related bible verses. It is great book for relection and discussion.

Having read several of Jay Carty's books now I have to say he is an incredibly inspiring writer and person to say the least. I am so excited each month as I check for new "stuff" from Jay Carty as it is always refreshing and different yet always connected to God with a three stranded cord. If you haven't been a reader of his books for long there are many to choose from and this writer never stops searching for Gods will in his daily efforts to continue to provide hearty reading material for all groups and all stages from salvation, and growth to a mature level of one's spiritual walk. I highly recommend anything he puts his hands on because I know the hand of God is on him. Some of what I have read and or listened to on tape are:"Discovering your natural talents", "Counter Attack: taking back ground lost to sin", "Playing with fire", "Something's fishy Getting rid of the carp in your life","Coach Wooden One on One", "Coach Wooden's Piramid of success", Darrell Waltrip - One on One, "Mike Singletary- One on One" all keeping me captivated from cover to cover!

Dora Wolfe - CA

The Cranium Big Book of Outrageous Fun is great because it has all sorts of different things. Anything from planning birthdays, to making maps, drawing & even creating your own castle. It has a fun mini-conga game, and so many activities that my kids keep going back and reading and playing with this. A great buy that you really get your money's worth out of!

Our famiuly loves the entire line of cranium games. It is a fun time to spend with our children.

This book is great! I bought it for my 6 year old. She loves all the cranium games and books. We have the original cranium, but when I saw this I thought it would be perfect for her. She can do some of the activities on her own and there is also a game to play. It is fun and easy.

Spent a whole day with 5 granddaughters ranging in age from 5 thru 12. The book was appropriate for ALL of them!!!
I highly recommend it

I'm a pretty big fan of Cranium's games, and since this was touted as a write-it, draw-it, sculpt-it, act-it game for ages 7 and up, I was looking forward to using all my talents. The first thing I noticed is that this probably isn't a book/game for anyone over 15, and my guess is even early teens won't get much use out of it. Once I got over my disappointment that it was truly geared for a much younger audience (than me, anyway), that's when I let go of my preconceived notions and started to play around with the game.

I particularly enjoyed the "Data Head" section as they had lots of fun "science" activities for kids, including a mold experiment that calls for the study of mold in various stages. Your kids can then rank the mold on various sub categories, including a "Stink Factor." Parents may be none too thrilled with this activity, but it should make for an interesting couple of days.

The book also contains a game (get it game in a book in a game) the "Conga Mini Guessing Game." The game is also somewhat simplistic so adults probably only want to invest them time if they're joining their younger family members, but in all this is a nice, self-contained package that has a lot of fun activities and room for creative expression. This is a must-have for your child's bookshelf/playspace, and it also does carries well on the dreaded road trips.

"Dance" by Elisha Cooper is a triumph. The illustrations have a wonderful grace and style sure to delight children of all ages. I treasure my copy.

I LOVED this book! I have ten kids to give holiday presents to this year and I'm getting Dance! for all of them. It's the best of what a kid's book should be -- mind-expanding and entertaining for the child, and just as entertaining for the adult who has to read it to them every night!

Cooper does what I didn't think was possible--he captures, on the page, the beauty and fluidity of dance. His exquisitely simple watercolors--and exquisitely spare prose--take us from the dancers' studio, to the neighborhood in which the dancers live, to the opening night stage. His artwork evokes rather than dictates, his prose suggests rather than explains. It's a gorgeous book. And my kids, the most important judges, loved it.

Three of my four children are or were involved in dance. After reading the review for Dance in the New York Times, I bought it for my youngest for a birthday present. I quickly found myself back in the bookstore buying copies for my other children (and for my sister's kids, and the author's Baseball book for my son) for Christmas. It truly was a wonderful find, and I'd suggest it to anyone who knows kids--or adults, for that matter--with an interest in dance. Highest recommendation.

Elisha Cooper's book Dance! is wonderful for what it says and shows but also for what it does not spell out. He shows us some of the exquisite details in the daily lives of the dancers, in the practice studios, posing and touching and relating to each other..walking on your partners back for example. But I'm pleased to say he stops before you get the big show, just when the curtain is about to go up. Now young and old a like will stretch their creative imagination to envision the performance. Almost like the good old days of radio shows when you listened carefully and visualized what was going on. Maybe Elisha Copper will someday give us Act I so we can compare it to ours. He gets better with each book.

Join author, Elisha Cooper, as he pays tribute to the marvelous world of dance. This is a unique book about the process, not the performance. Arrive at the studio and warm up with the troupe, stretching and working at the barre. Meet the choreographer and watch as he demonstrates steps and teaches the new dance, bending bodies and correcting positions "as if he were molding clay." Then practice, practice, practice. "The dancers rehearse until their arms and legs remember the steps." There are costumes to fit, tickets to sell, programs to print, and advertisements to write. Lights, music, and scenery need to be coordinated with the dance and dancers, and even flowers need to be bought to give to the dancers after the performance. So much to do in only four short weeks... Mr Cooper's lyrical text is filled with imagery, magic, and passion as it creatively mimics its subject and dances across the pages. His simple pencil and watercolor artwork dazzles, complementing the prose beautifully, and captivates with grace, energy, and motion. Perfect for youngsters 8-12, or as a read aloud for younger children, Dance is an evocative and exciting experience that builds with each page turn. "Opening night. A crowd forms outside the theater, bustling for tickets. The dancers gather backstage. They can hear the buzz of the audience finding seats, the beating of their own hearts. They hug. The choreographer tells them they are wonderful. The lights go down. The curtain goes up."

The book was written at the end of the dot com era, perhaps as a reaction against the intense high-tech stress undergone by many people. It is now 5 years later, but the text is still relevant. After all, while the dot com era is now clearly seen as overly inflated, the technology did not go away after the crash. In fact, it has continued to improve, and no doubt the stress levels are still present for many people.

So the book's advice about maintaining a balance between your professional and social lives is very germane. It is also worth keeping in mind, when, and not if, another cycle of high technology frenzy spins up.

It was great finding a book that offered helpful suggestions in a very readable style to the problem of staying in touch without getting overwelmed by our high-tech world. Best of all was the insightful nature of the book. The distinction between balance and congruence was so important. The authors recognized the reality of human spirituality and the blows it can suffer in our wired world. A fine book for anyone who has caught the wave of techno-communication but still wants to stay sane.

The frantic pace of our world is overwhelming. Technology is able to keep us connected 24/7 and many of us have allowed it to invade every minute of our lives. No wonder we experience personal systems overload! This book really delivers what is implied in its title Dot Calm. We are all seeking to balance our work, home, family, community....you name it. Dinnocenzo and Swegan have done their research and offer practical advice on how to discover and reconnect with what is important. We can choose a better way and this book guides us in that process. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to reclaim their life.

Just as Ms Dinnocenzo introduced me to sanity and organization trying to be a telecommter in a wired world in her 101 Tips for Telecommuters, I realized a missing piece. And I found it in Dot.Calm. She explained problems that I could not put into words. But the best part of the book was her and Rick's four specific solutions for dealing with technology when you must be able to communicate with others you don't see. She addresses the real human problems in this techno world. Now I feel like a survivor who can communicate successfully and make money doing so!

I can not count the number of products and services that have come my way heralded with much hype and false promises of their value to the user. That's been especially true of self-help guides. You know the ones that promise you'll be a changed person, if only you buy the book and implement its recommendations. Well, at long last one of those books delivered on the promise. The foreword states that "you'll find these pages to be filled with practical, how-to advice .... step-by-step formulas for finding ...and keeping balance in your life." As a poster child for the insanity of the wired world, I really did not know how to break out of the strangle hold it had on my life. It became easier and easier to rationalize absolutely crazy behaviors related to my out- of- balance existence. The authors of Dot Calm were surely writing about me or so it seemed. I expect many of its readers will feel the same identification with the analysis of being over-connected, over-worked,over-scheduled, over-informed and ultimately OVERWHELMED. It's a book you'll read in one sitting and then reread many times as you take back control over your life. Thanks to the authors for delivering on their promise.

I bought this book when it was first published because I had worked with the author. I expected to find insights but I didn't expect that it would change my life, after all an expert MUST be from at least 50 miles away and I knew the author. Now years after it was published I have realized I need to read it again. Things the book taught me have stuck with me during my changing life and my relationships with my family, and how I view myself as a wife, mother, daughter, co-worker and friend. Since I gave my copy away to someone I knew needed the book, I am coming back home so to speak to read it again and examine myself and love in my Christian life and the love that surrounds us. I am going to recharge my batteries.

This book has totally changed my life. Jim is a great guy with an evident passion for God and the things He is about. Jim speaks straight to the heart though this book. It is a great, fast read but also carries a ton of depth. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. But fair warning...don't be surprised if Embracing the Love of God completely changes your life!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to understand and receive God's love and forgiveness. This book is written especially for believers who are honest enough to admit they have a problem in this area. James Bryan Smith writes in a way that is simplistic and yet profound based on truths from the Word of God. He shares about his own struggles and how he came to a place of acceptance of God's grace and love for him. If you have a desire to be transformed by the love of God, take the time to read this book.

This book was sooo good...Please don't hesitate to get it! Take your time, and drink in the love of God that comes through the pages...
Nothing can separate us from the LOVE of GOD! That is what James Smith explains so well in this book. I just finished it, and know I will read it again. This book encouraged me and lifted me up. He definitely has a gift from God...to teach, help, and encourage...with references throughout, to the Word of God. I look forward to reading more of his books. As another reader said, this book will probably become a classic.

Embracing the Love of God is thought provoking and is,in my opinion, a potential "spiritual classic". Mr. Smith's extended essay is organized around three topics: Knowing God's Acceptance, Receiving God's Forgiveness and Experiencing God's Care. Read it, and keep it to re-read, when you need encouragement. Embracing the Love of God was a blessing to me, and I recommend you buy it.

I don't have the third book. I enjoyed the first 2 books. I wished they woild have made another movie reguarding book 2 and 3.

N. L. Bowden

The first part of this all-in-one volume is The Talman, the Holy Book of the alien Drac race. The Talman is the premise for the rest of the three novels that follow in the volume. I consider scripture to be inspired search for truth, including the true definition of the relationship between man (or Drac, in this case) and God (or other Higher Power). While reading The Talman, I had the distinct feeling that I was reading real scripture disguised as fictional scripture. Mr. Longyear's insight was thought-provoking as well as entertaining. The series is a worthy entry among the classics dealing with the problem of the relationship between theology/spirituality and science, such as James Blish's A Case of Conscience and Robert Sawyer's Calculating God.

The first part of this all-in-one volume is The Talman, the Holy Book of the alien Drac race. The Talman is the premise for the rest of the three novels that follow in the volume. I consider scripture to be inspired search for truth, including the true definition of the relationship between man (or Drac, in this case) and God (or other Higher Power). While reading The Talman, I had the distinct feeling that I was reading real scripture disguised as fictional scripture. Mr. Longyear's insight was thought-provoking as well as entertaining. The series is a worthy entry among the classics dealing with the problem of the relationship between theology/spirituality and science, such as James Blish's A Case of Conscience and Robert Sawyer's Calculating God.

Rumor has it the tenitive title for this book was "Enemy Mine Omnibus", but in the long run I'm glad they didn't call it that.

"The Enemy Papers" is a collection of stories having to do with the war between the Dracs and Humans. The collection starts with an "abridged" version of the Draconian Talman or holy book.

A revised/extended author's addition of "Enemy Mine" comes next in line with contains a closer look at Shigan and Davidage's relationship and, later, the relationship Davidage has with the Jeriba family.

"The Tomorrow Testement" is the story of a human female soldier who gets taken to the Dracon as a POW and how she caught the eye of a leading Draconian offical and helped bring an end to the war. Bear this in mind; "Enemy Mine" and "Tomorrow Testement" occur at the same time.

"The Last Enemy" takes place around 30 years after "Enemy Mine", only this time from the point of view of a Draconian terrorist living on the planet that started the entire war. This unique view into the after effects of the peace treaty and the universal mindset of a war weary soldier is a nice addition to this collection.

The collection is completed with a set of essays about writing alien languages, Longyear's experiences writing the stories and a small Drac/English-English/Drac dictionary for those of us who are obsessed with these stories. Longyear does admite that, with a little persuassion, he might continue the series, complete the Talman and lenghten the dictionary.

With a little persuassion.

The Enemy Papers is a compilation that includes three novels, Enemy Mine, The Tomorrow Testament and The Last Enemy, as well as The Talman, an alien Bible. Barry Longyear's trilogy of the war between humans and the alien Dracs was always a fantastic story, philosophically deep while entertaining to read, but today the story is even more timely. In this world of renewed terrorist activity and threat of war, a well-thought-out treatise of unrequited hate, fierce nationalism and the horrors of war reads like a world relations primer. The issues of how to establish and keep peace are dealt with honestly and with human (and alien) nature always considered. Nothing is easy, and nothing is straightforward. Longyear is a spectacular writer and this is one of his best. I guarantee that the ending to the last novel will knock your socks off, whether you are wearing socks or not. I promise. Read this book, it will engrave itself on your soul.

I LOVE this book! I encourage you to pass this along to mothers, daughters, sisters, friends...everyone will love it and be enriched greatly just by reading this sweet, funny, thought-provoking book by the incomparable Beth Moore!

I'm a parent of 2 little ones, and I've been reading one of her essays each morning. They're sweet and real and funny (just like Beth Moore always is) - and they're a real encouragement to me to see the long view of godly parenting, rather than getting stuck in the preschool weeds. I also gave it as a gift to my mother-in-law whose chicks are long gone from the nest, and she loved it too.

Very touching...touches all emotions. I bought three more to share with other family/friends who are mothers. Great choice as a gift for moms whose children are leaving for college.

This wonderful little book about Beth and her husband going thru empty-nest made me feel a wide range of emotions. She is a brilliant writer and always amazes me how she can be a faithfull follower of Jesus but still have so much FUN!! What a refreshing christian woman..Buy the book.. you won't be disapointed.. Beth allows you a 'peek' into her private life. If you have taken a bible study that she wrote you will get snapshots of her life.. this book fills in the holes a bit..Great reading!

I read Beth Moore's book after experiencing two miscarriages and trying to get pregnant for the third time. Her Godly approach to motherhood made me realize that God gives us children as gifts and blessings - regardless if it is for a few months in utero or for decades on earth! She gives a personalized insight on how to try to raise children to love Christ - in a world that often makes that difficult! I would highly recommend this book to any woman - moms, daughters, moms-to-be, or as I was when I read it, a mom wanna-be!

Is this is a great book or it is just the right book at the right time? I'm living under conditions that I have no control over right now, and I had already realized that it wasn't my fault and I couldn't do anything to fix it. This book confirmed that I was entitled to feel happy anyway. That I needed to find the joy that existed in my life anyway, and acknowledge it, and enjoy it.

Nothing can make you unhappy except your own attitude. Here are the tools to recognize that and do something about what is going on in your life.

If it is time for you to take control over your own emotional life, this might be the right book for you too.

Anything written by Michael Neill is superb! He walks his talk and his words can change your life.

Feel Happy Now is a great reference book to have in your personal library. I can easily see myself re-reading this material as needed.

Thank you for sharing Michael!

If you want a book you can pick up to find wonderful approaches and ideas to maximize all parts of your life this is it. The quotes engage you and the stories compel you to look at your work and your life.

One of the many beautiful quotes hit me: " The central method of achieving a happier life is to train our mind in a daily practice that weakens negative attitudes and strengthens positive ones."

Amazingly Mike shows us the way to do just what the Dalai Lama suggests. With his profound wisdom and easy-to-put-into-action guidance and advice this is a great read. For years I've loved the way that Mike shows us the way as he deconstructs great ideas in his daily and now weekly tips on the internet. His writing pulls me in and reveals new sides to ideas I thought I'd visited before. You can open his book to any section to learn anew. Each chapter is a stand alone guide to something very important in your life and finding your purpose.

Dr. Karen Otazo
[..]
The Truth About Being a Leader (Truth About)

The Truth About Managing Your Career: ...and Nothing But the Truth (Truth About)

Don't be put off by Michael's ability to convey complex concepts simply and with humour. The techniques detailed in this book ACTUALLY WORK. Unlike many books that want to show you how you should live, this one offers you the opportunity of real positive change. I end up using these techniques almost subconsciously, probably because Michael, as an NLP master, knows how to get the point across, and I find myself putting into practice what I read quite effortlessly. Its actually quite a fun book to read, even though it does offer you the opportunity for deep lasting change. The thing is Michael keeps telling us that we can have success while having fun and doing it the easy way. Its hard to beleive at first, but in my experience that's exactly what ends up happening! Happy AND Successful? I did not know it was possible, but this is what this book is all about. Highly reccomended.