Clubs Books

Whenever I hear talk of Walt Whitman, 90% of the time it has something to do with his homosexuality, and very little or nothing to do with his poetry. And when I do hear people talking about or reading writings on his poetry, it is the same cliched talk of the roistering, life-embracing, obscene (for the times) poet of democracy...Whatever exactly that may mean....This deathbed edition gives the lie to this absurdly one dimensional view of a poet who, as it turns out, is actually just as or more concerned with death as with life. Consider some of the following quotes: "And I will show that nothing can happen more beautiful than death"(p.16)..."And to die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier."(p.25)..."Has anyone supposed it lucky to be born? I hasten to inform him or her that it is just as lucky to die..."(p.25)..."What indeed is finally beautiful except death and love?"(p.87)..."O Soul....pondering the themes that thou lovest best, Night, sleep, death and the stars."(p.360)-These are but a few of the quotes that led me to appreciate Walt Whitman as a poet and not some sort of advertising agent for his own ego. The common conception based on a few lines of a few of his poems does him a serious injustice.-This deathbed edition gives us the full scope of his poetic gift. I recommend it to all who are willing to take the time to understand the multidimensional quality of Whitman and his poetry.

not only the greatest selling poet who has been dead for more than fifty years, not only the poet whose translations are regularly read abroad, not only the poet whose name has in-spired countless others, not only the poet who freed us from the manacles of rhyme and decapitated the tyranny of meter but also a man of enthusiasm, a titan, a man whose soul floods with belch, fume and quake, a man who confronts the ravenous centaurs of humdrum and blugeons them swiftly in a spasmo of frenzy-fire, a wanderer, a searcher, one whose mind travels vig-orously throughout the cosmimosa and embellishes it with jac-inths of thought and blooms of popy! not only a man of gargan-tuan passions, one who rages in the face of metallic storm but also a man whose depressions, fogs, glooms and sensitivity to flowers, softness and the defenseless bloom in stark heart-throb. no doubt he is a poet well worth a place beside such other titano-giants such as goethe, milton and homer, for he too sings the song of war, his book is a chanson of bellum for he sings of the battle of the passions, the climaximum of the emo-ceans, he challenges the raw specters of gash, their eyes oozing of slime-drab and rather than succumb to the oxen of indiffer-ence he instead triumphs over the gray and his book thus re-sounds in shinning claria! his is an adventure of thought sur-real in its gusto, jumping in its excitica and wild in its leap of ideas! thank celestium that he liberated us poets from the ab-surd manacles of rhyme and meter and we can now surge through horiza with countless new devices, metaphors and similies awaiting in our platoons! he is the cougar of innova-tion, the lion of spasmo and the giant of vision.

kyle foley, author of Lorelei Pursued and Wrestles with God

Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" took various forms during the poet's lifetime. The 1855 lst edition was a thin pamphlet of 12 poems; the great final edition encompassed more than 300. It is the 1892 edition of "Leaves of Grass" commonly called "the Deathbed Edition"-that remains the bard's definitive version of what is indisputably and American classic. This special edition of "Leaves of Grass has been prepared in observance of the 100th anniversary of Whitman's death (March 26, 1892) and contains the entire "Deathbed Edition."

In Leaves of Grass Witman abandoned traditonal Victorian poetic forms and language, handled decidedly unvonventional sujects & themes, and evoked so personal a tone and so candid a voice that in the book offended the few people who read it in the first voice that the book offended the few people who read it in the first edition. Only Ralph Waldo emerson hailed Whitman "at the beginning of a great careet." Today Whitman is revered for his accomplishment, and many of his poems are admired as among America's finest: the exquisite personal meditation of "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking"; the celebraton of the human body & spitit in song of Myself; the paeans to companionship of the Calamus poems; and the landmark elegy for Abraham Lincoln, "When Lilacs Last in the dooryard Bloom'd. Throughout Leaves of Grass we glimpse the sublime beauty of the natural world and fel Whitman's lovoing embrace of the common man.

This is a lovely story set in a town in Ohio during the '40s. Lentil learns to play a harmonica and there are sweet scenes of small town life as well as a marching band. My 3.5 year old son loves this book, along with all of McCloskey's books. What has been wonderful for us about this book is the character of "Old Sneep", who grumbles and does mean things. This has really hit home with my son regarding our teaching of having a joyful heart and not complaining. Great literature at its best.

As a retired preschool/ daycare administrator I never hesitate to say that McCloskey is one the all-time great writers . Lentil has always been one of the best books to read at story time . You can't go wrong with buying this story for your favorite 4 or 5 year old, but even my 9 year old grandsons love this tale, and it got them interested in playing a harmonica!

This is an excellent book for the musically inclined child whose singing voice is a little less than melodious. In the book, the vocally challenged Lentil finds his mantra through the harmonica and ends up saving the day with it. My father gave me this book along with a harmonica when I was seven years old in response to my wobbly warbling, and I've been playing harmonica and many other instruments ever since. I just can't 'harp' enough on how great of inspiration this book was to me and could be for other vocally vexed children. -stephen

I've just finished Book I of Cellini's two book autobiography. I have Symonds' translation in a single volume published by the Book League of America in 1937. Having been to Florence, Rome and Milan recently, Cellini's stories about himself and his adventures become truly vivid. At first, I could not imagine anyone being so self-agrandizing and so unabashedly boastful about his intentions, his artistic abilities and his view of his world. The man becomes so endearing through his writing, however, that I was not put off; rather, I found myself chuckling at his gall and style. His relationships and adventures with Popes Clement VII and Paul III, the Medici families, other artists, cardinals, dukes and jailors make for hilarious reading. His genius comes through and lingers as the reader ponders the historic figures and politics of Renaissance Italy. I'm beginning Book 2 today with great anticipation. What an ego! Symonds translation in 1937 is fine. He offers footnotes that aid the reader's following of the chronology. Further, Symonds often gives the phrase as Cellini wrote it, should there be different nuances in translation.

One of the first and yet one of the greatest autobiographies of all time. Any celebrity or would be celebrity thinking of dashing off a quick "life" or apologia pro vita sua could do worse than start by reading or re-reading this fantastically intense and life-enhancing book

This piece is an excellent portrayal of life during the Italian Renaissance, but more importantly, the book is purely entertaining. Benvenuto Cellini tells the story of his life in a vivid tale of kings and prostitutes, artists and dukes, soldiers and necromancers, all the while proclaiming himself the absolute protagonist of his world. Cellini's autobiography is filled to capacity with egotism, but this only makes the story more interesting. In a good piece of literature of this type, a person wants to see a main character with absolute confidence in himself; a superhero if you will. Benvenuto may not be a superhero, but he tells his life story as if he was the greatest of all such legendary folk heroes. If children read this book or were read this book during their childhood, perhaps on the playground at recess, kindergartners would say: "Hey let's play superheroes, I get to be Superman, I get to be Benvenuto Cellini." With the master goldsmith's stories about fending off six armed men with a single dagger, without a thought of fear in his mind, who wouldn't be solidly entertained?

Like the greatest music, the best poetry comes straight from the creator's heart and soul. Luke Kurtis' book is a revealing trip into the author's emotions and lays bare his passion for life and love. "with all the world against my back, and nothing but a prayer in my hand, i walk away in hopes of seeing you." I hope we'll see more poetry in the future by this talented poet.

The next best think to sitting down and having a conversation with Luke, is reading his book. For someone who really is not fond of poetry, I must say, it was a pleasure to read. My personal favorites were: "Welcome Here", "Good Morning Dear Heaven", "Animal Crackers", and "The Timbre of her Heart". There were more, but I can't go on forever. "Like an Angel Dead in your Arms" is a wonderfull addition to my already crammed bookshelves.

Luke's book, his first, is deep and provocative. Since my first inclination when reading poetry is to try and "get it right", I was especially grateful for his "instructions" in the introduction reminding me that there is no right or wrong way to read and understand his poetry. Not only does his work give you an insight into his mind, but it makes you see into your own.

I have finished The Lobotomy Club and Liquid Earth, two of the four books in Pickover's Neoreality series. I can't say which book I like better. The Lobotomy Club was cool. In this book, people perform brain surgery on themselves to allow them to see religious visions and a "truer" or "higher" reality. As they explore a world filled with monstrous Biblical visions, Adam, Sayori, and their friends encounter a vast conspiracy and hellish dangers. Like Liquid Earth, this book had a fast pace and is filled with quirky, serious, and funny tidbits. One of my favorite scenes occurred in Sayori's high-tech apartment in which Adam meets the other members of the Lobotomy Club. They all have special talents, and many seem to be named after items you'd find on a sushi menu! Other favorite scenes involve a large insectile creature that stalks throughout much of the book.

As with Liquid Earth, Pickover's books make you question reality. The books in the series also make you wonder about religion and how we might open our minds so that we can reason beyond the limits of our brain. Pickover has a way of getting inside your head and scrambling it. Quirky, mind-expanding, emotional, creative, fun. (People who like The Lobotomy Club will also like Pickover's Liquid Earth, Heinlein's Job and Number of the Beast, Greg Egan's Diaspora, Philip K Dick's Ubik, and Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash.)

Lobotomy Club is a wonderful sci fi novel that will attempt to entertain you and push your notions of reality all at the same time. The subtle blending of truth with fiction will leave you contemplating how much of what you have read is true, and how much is part of the wonderful environment you have been drawn into. One of the greatest parts of this book is its strong use of allusion which displays Pickover's adeptness with more subtle humor.
This is a wonderful read for most levels. You can take it at face value for a wonderful ride through a bizzare sci-fi adventure, or you can delve deeper and be rewarded with various little treasures for your efforts.

In The Lobotomy Club, a "cerebral Mobius strip" (brain rewiring) lets people have strange visions. This book has something for people with different tastes, from UFOs to insectile aliens to prodromic dreams, to reality shifts. The lead woman has an artificial arm that is quite versatile, as you'll soon find out. I'm trying to determine which member of the Lobotomy Club intrigues me most -- probably it's the woman who always wears sushi jewelry.

To appreciate the Neoreality book series, I found that I had to open myself up to the strange sensations I felt while reading them. Go with the flow. Enjoy the oddness. Don't bother reading these books if you just want a standard novel. But if you enjoy fun and strange concepts, these are certainly a delight.

Steven Hammond is a Gifted Writer. The Craft Community is lucky to have such a gifted author among its ranks. This book is a Must Read for Everyone who is in the Craft or thinking of joining the Craft. In fact it's a Must Read for anyone who Likes Fiction!
Looking Through The Horns is written in the format of Fiction but based on Life Experiences. This book is so well written and gripping that I was unable to put it down once I started reading it! So- 48 hours later with very little sleep I finished reading this MasterPiece! I believe that this book has the potential to be the first Craft Authored Book to make the New York Times Best Seller List! -No JOKE - It's that good. If Steven Hammond starts writting main-stream Fiction, Steven King and Dean Koontz are likely to be blown out of the water!

Steven Hammond is a most gifted and honest writer. The work he has produced with his book has been written as a fiction, however, it is the truth and very factual in its presentation. If any attempts to publish this work in its true raw form would have been set forth, it would have never been published. It was politicially correct to write and publish this book as a fiction. The advanced aspects of the 'craft' in this book have never been published by any other auther. Only a teacher, healer and a true 'Witch' in the craft, approching Elder status could write and publish a true work of 'fact and 'truth' as Steven Hammond has. This book should be considered a best seller and I would be surprised if it does not make the 'Times Best Seller List'. Thank you for such a wonderful work. Eye opening, could not put it down.

Steven Hammond is a Gifted Writer. The Craft Community is lucky to have such a gifted author among its ranks. This book is a Must Read for Everyone who is in the Craft or thinking of joining the Craft. In fact it's a Must Read for anyone who Likes Fiction!
Looking Through The Horns is written in the format of Fiction but based on Life Experiences. This book is so well written and gripping that I was unable to put it down once I started reading it! So- 48 hours later with very little sleep I finished reading this MasterPiece! I believe that this book has the potential to be the first Craft Authored Book to make the New York Times Best Seller List! -No JOKE - It's that good. If Steven Hammond starts writting main-stream Fiction, Steven King and Dean Koontz are likely to be blown out of the water!

Love, Miracles & Medicine Men is an energetic account of how two spirited friends explore the unfamiliar. Their extraordinary journies lead them to incredible encounters with the yet inexplicable. Their Medicine Man possesses benevolence as well as a sence of humor. With love, respect and much perserverance these brave women find vision, trust, confidence and truth in miracles.

If you are a non-fiction reader that enjoys a true human experiece that opens doors for you that you didn't even know exsisted. THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I read the book in 1 day on an airplane in flight. Now I think my next trip will be going out to the Native American Grounds to visit with some of these fascinating people.

I was lucky enough to get a copy last month and read it straight through in one evening. It was recommended to me by a friend who had read it and was amazed at what insights into healing the Native American Culture has to offer. Above all, it was very informative to the non-native American. I grew up trusting in doctor's and hospitals, not knowing about any other alternatives. Native American's treat illnesses in a holistic way, healing the mind, body, and spirit. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in how other cultures approach the healing process. Especially to non-native American's such as myself who grew up without a clue to alternative medecine.!

This book is actually a reprint of an issue of a literary and political journal called Wild Duck Review which focused on biotechnology. The writing is top-notch and some of the discussion is downright scary. For example, some people have proposed the creation of a new species of human being that has an extra (24th) chromosome that would contain specially engineered genes. The so-called GenRich people could only mate with their own kind, and could not reproduce with the so-called Naturals. As author Richard Hayes notes in the book, "Few people outside the science and biotech community are aware of this." Highly recommended.

I had to read Made not Born for a class in Biotechnology and although I liked it, I hope I will not be tested on it. Made not Born offers plenty of deep but simple analysis of biotechnological controversies - from religion to genetically modified games - which are in the forms of essays, interviews and even poems. The major ideas are sometimes repeated in the essays and interviews which further emphasizes the conclusion of the book - that we are tampering too much with nature and this process may have become irreversible. One of the greatest thing about Made not Born is that you do not have to be a biology major to understand the text.

Casey Walker has gathered intelligent and insightful essays and interviews about a technology that has arrived and has awesome implications for the future of life on earth as we know it. Having poisoned the very biological ground of our being with persistent organochlorine pollutants like dioxin, having adversely altered global climate with our fossil fuel pollution, having created nuclear wastes nobody can abide and that remain deadly for 20,000 years, corporate science is now poised to tamper with the genetic codes of life itself. Intuition should tell you this is not wise, but effective opposition requires more. Casey Walker succinctly outlines the issues at hand and the arguments that matter. This is a must read, a cogent primer, and a thought provoking tour de force.

Chapter by chapter, volumes 1 and 2 just get better and better and I can hardly wait for volume 3! I'm torn between wanting to read on and on past my bedtime (uh oh!) or limiting myself to one delightful chapter at a time. If you've ever found a spanking story arousing -- or have wished to be involved in adult spanking -- this is the series for you. The spanking activities and reactions of all involved are quite realistically presented and the characters grow and achieve more depth throughout the series. The author really does understand the female point of view, but I can attest that it comes from his being a wonderfully bright and funny, safe, sane, and consensual, experienced male top who definitely knows how to spank a bottom!

Devlin's first novel is a definite 'must-read' for the spanking fan. The characters are believable, as is the dialogue. You'll laugh and cry with Lisa...and you'll feel every swat she gets.

Now that the book has been selected for book club distribution by Venus Books and Doubleday Books, I'm sure that it won't be long before Devlin O'Neill becomes a best-selling author.

Keep up the good work, Devlin!

The Maid for All Seasons series is an exciting blend of erotica and fetish based in a plot line that is written not to frame the sexual scenes but to drive them. O'Neill has taken a taboo subject and written it not only for men but for women as well. Not crass or harsh it focuses on those subtle nuances that will appeal to women, though men will enjoy the theme and detail given to the story's more basic desires. Written the way foreplay should feel this series should establish a fan base that crosses gender and lifestyle boundaries.

If you are at all interested in bibical history, then this book is for you. Mr Yadin writes extremely well and there are innumerable pictures to support the text

This is an excellent book about the "dig" at Masada and the history of that dominant piece of rock in the Judean desert. I have been there and "kicked the tires" in May 2007 and was interested in expanding my knowledge of what has transpired there over the centuries. Excellent historical, archaeological narrative and pictures and as the Israeli Soldiers say when taking their oath on the rock..."Never Again".

Yigael Yadin is a gifted author who narrates history with captivating excitement. I have read several books and articles on the subject of Masada over the past several years and would recommend this as the most informative and understandable of them all. The before, during and after, excavation photos are amazing and contribute volumes in giving the reader the "Masada Experience." This book is valuable for both the novice and the scholar. It's an excellent introduction to what Masada is all about for the novice. The scholar will find Yadin's love of history details and his awesome photo illustrations compelling and helpful for instruction as well as understanding.