Letters To Ted
Daniel Weissbort
Anvil Press
6 West 17th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada, BC V5T 1Z4
ISBN: 085646348, 8.95 Brit. pounds (paperback), 109 pages, www.anvilpresspoetry.com
ISBN: 0856463418, $12.95 (paperback), 112 pages, www.amaonz.com
Ann Skea, Reviewer
http://ann.skea.com
I do not know Daniel Weissbort but I did know Ted Hughes. So, my reaction to these poems is
not impartial and what I like about them is the way in which they prompt my memory and evoke
the man. Anyone who knew Ted Hughes will recognize him here: his height, his physical
presence, his concentration on the task in hand, and his generosity and concern for others: "You
inserted yourself into this life or that", Weissbort writes in 'Silence, Worse', "with care, paying
attention to the surroundings / trying not to disturb them...". And that was how Ted was.
As a reviewer, however, I had to ask myself how those who did not know Ted Hughes, or any of
the circumstances behind Weissbort's poems, would react to them. So, I took Letters To Ted to
my poetry group - a bunch of ordinary Australian women and men who write good, bad and/or
indifferent poetry themselves, who know little about Hughes apart from what I have shared with
them, but all of whom love poetry in all its forms and love to read and talk about it.
I explained, as Weissbort does in his Introduction, that he and Hughes met at Cambridge in the
early 50s and that their friendship lasted until Ted's death in 1989. We read, too, about the
beginnings of the magazine, Poetry in Translation, which Hughes suggested to Weissbort on New
Year's Eve 1963/4, which they co-edited for a few issues, and which Weissbort still edits. Then
we read some of the Letters to Ted, each person making their own choice of poems. Reactions
(predictably) were mixed but on the whole favourable.
"He's very brave", one poet said, "to write in a style that's so similar to Birthday Letters". And
yes, the style is simple, spare, and moving, and the address is direct, just as it is in the poems
Hughes addressed to Sylvia Plath. "Perhaps", I thought, "the first poem 'Getting There' deals with
just that sort of courage": Weissbort writes of his and Ted's shared dilemma of "wanting to please
whoever had a claim" and of the need, sometimes, to ignore that and "not to be afraid to
disappoint". That, certainly, is a brave choice to make, and at the end of the poem Weissbort sees
Ted "nodding, wordlessly, / or just waiting for me to continue". So he does. And these letters, as
Weissbort explains, are "a sort of continuation" of the correspondence that he and Ted had over
the years. Clearly this correspondence involved both letters and conversations, and to continue
conversations with a dead friend or relative is quite a common way of coping with grief. In that
way, these poems were understood by everyone.
Yet, in spite of the informative notes at the end of the book, the very personal or specific
references in poems like 'Betrayal?' and 'The Cure', caused puzzlement and a feeling, in some
members of my group, that there was more behind the poem than Weissbort was willing to share.
And maybe there is some truth in that, for 'Untranslated' begins: "Do I preserve what I know by
not transcribing you?" - as if Weissbort feared that by presenting his memories of Ted too fully, he
might somehow lose them.
Transcription and translation, however, were shared interests for Weissbort and Hughes, and what
better comment on Ted's methods of translation could one get than from another poet (like
Weissbort) who is skilled in that art. 'Translation' comments on Ted's "X-ray vision" (as
Hungarian poet Janos Csokits apparently called it) and on "how clearly [he] heard / how vividly,
vigorously" he translated. The notes to this poem throw further light on Ted's methods, and
'Literalness', 'Narrative' and the note to 'A Translation' tell more. 'A Hypothesis', however,
suggests that Ted's "waxing powers" in translation were what "did [him] in" by demanding more
and more of his energy, like being embraced by a muse with "more limbs than Shiva". Ted himself
thought otherwise but would probably have responded as Weissbort remembers him responding
to the suggestion that he "invented a version of Nature" ('Was it Nature'): "Maybe!". But Ted
would have enjoyed Weissbort's final picture of the Gods, all stirred up by Ted's translations about
them, "almost believing in themselves", and Ted himself, like one of his own tramps, caught with
his "swag" of translations in his hands - in fragrante delicto.
In essence, Letters To Ted, is a very personal, loving memoir of Ted, written by one of those
"three or four" friends of whom Ted wrote in 'Visit' in Birthday Letters - "who stay unchanged /
Like a separate self". Readers looking for gossip about the relationship between Ted Hughes and
Sylvia Plath will be disappointed. Weissbort was there at the fateful St. Botolph's party. Dragged
there from his "bed-of-safety" by Ted, full of cold, he was "that red-nosed piano player" ('St
Botolph's Review'). But his memory of that night has, it seems, survived in far worse condition
than the copies of the St. Botolph's Review which he recently found.
Other poems remember Cambridge University, friends, fishing expeditions, food and laughter, But
most of all, Weissbort's poems celebrate Ted - fisherman, pedagogue, thinker, sharer, poet. For
me, the most moving poems in the book are 'Winter is Coming in' and 'Your Voice in Westminster
Abbey'. The first carries (but sadly) the song of "Dick, Jack, Dan", adapting it to an ancient tune;
the second tells simply and powerfully of the shock of that moment in the Memorial Service when
we heard and recognized Ted's voice, and recognized, too, his absence.
Chasing the Demons
Susan Shelley
The Fiction Works
ISBN: 1581247567, $TBA, 200 pages,
Published September 2002, http://www.fictionworks.com/echasingthedemons.htm
Michael LaRocca, Reviewer
http://freereads.topcities.com/
"Instead of being so amiable and demure on our first date, I should have taken a gun with me and
shot him." Now there's a hook that pulls you in. The author is writing about her future
husband.
"Susan married Frank Perez and began twenty years of chaos and uncertainty with the unstable
man. After two children, a nasty divorce and reconciliation, she agrees to move to Arizona to find
peace in desert living. She cannot begin to foresee the nightmare they will soon be living."
This is a true story from a lady who's been there. A lady with an excellent command of the
language. A lady who can write. A lady with a wonderfully understated style which leaves nothing
out but which makes you think instead of preaching to you. Every victim has his or her own story.
A story which only he or she can tell. Be grateful that Susan Shelley has shared her story with
us.
Susan and Nancy are fraternal twins who were adopted. Nancy dated Frank once and decided he
was a bit too domineering for her tastes. But Nancy thought he would be a good match for Susan.
The rest is an ugly history. Even from the first chapters, hindsight tells us that the signs were all
there. But without the benefit of hindsight, would you have known?
Susan was a good young girl, raised in a strongly Christian home, with a beautiful and naive heart.
She just didn't know what to expect of a marriage. She didn't know that such dominance is
abnormal.
Frank Joseph Perez's family is from Spain and Puerto Rico. His grandmother was born in the
Canary Islands. This does not matter to Susan's domineering mother. As far as she's concerned,
they're all Mexican trash. She has plenty of other ammunition in her arsenal besides blatant racism.
Frank smokes, and he loves guns and hunting.
Just to get out of that environment, Susan made the tragic mistake of marrying Frank. They
changed the planned June wedding to a Las Vegas elopement on New Years Day, 1968. Frank
tells of his first wife, who his father forced him to marry because he got her pregnant. They were
both teenagers, too young, and it didn't work out. But Frank blames his father for that mess.
Remember what I said about hindsight?
Part of what makes this book so special is that it's about life. It's not a simple story of a good
woman and a bad man. He, too, is a victim, and the reader feels his pain. I know this was hard for
the author to write. It is the first book in a three-part series. It works quite well as a stand-alone
novel, and it also makes me anxious to read the next book.
Don't start reading it unless you have time to finish it. Not before bed, not on the bus to work.
You won't be able to stop yourself from turning the pages.
A Pipe for February
Charles H. Red Corn
University of Oklahoma Press
4100 28th Ave NW, Norman, OK 73069
ISBN: 0806134542, $29.95 Hardcover, 1 map 269 pgs.
Meredith Campbell
Reviewer
They're out of teepees and into mansions; not riding ponies but driving Pierce Arrows. Instead of
hunting buffalo they're forced to hunt a murderer. Based on true, Oklahoma crime accounts
reported during the nineteen twenties, this story shows Osage Indians that have college
educations, travel the globe, dress in flapper fashions, and know how to wine and dine. Oklahoma
oil, found on Osage land, has made these Native Americans the first oil-rich population in the
world.
Oil wealth has also made them targets. The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
presumes the Indians are simple and unlearned; hence they need "protection" from those who
would cheat them out of their oil rights. So the local BIA Agent superintends each Indian's
request for funds from the millions stored in the tribal account. The situation practically holds
open the door and pulls corruption inside. The town teems with greedy Anglo wheeler-dealers
who want a piece of the action. To get it some are willing to commit murder.
The grim tale behind the murders unfolds through the eyes of young artist, John Grey Eagle. Two
young women, his cousins, die under mysterious circumstances. As another cousin, Molly, is
threatened and another relative courts what could be a murderous relationship, John sets out to
find the killer or killers. Red Corn takes his time developing this plot line. In prose sometimes
stiff, yet filled with descriptive beauty, Red Corn makes the reader ingest teaspoons of trivia
before the "other shoe'" drops.
As counter point, tribal elders keep alive the old customs and rituals and the young people, caught
up in the Jazz Age, are unspoiled by their wealth but still hear the tribal drums-- particularly John,
who wishes to memorize the old prayers and songs. Red Corn's best writing occurs when he
leaves the white man's world and enters the world of the Osage. The cadence of his writing
changes. Red Corn, an Osage Indian, rooted in Oklahoma, captures the true thought and speech
patterns of his people. Hence, lies the fascination and beauty of this remarkable book.
A Pipe for February is the 44th volume in the University of Oklahoma Press "American Indian
Literature and Critical Studies" series.
Tainted Legacy: Gen-X Inherits The Hangover
David Rumer
Elderberry Press
1720 Old Homestead Road, Second Floor, Oakland, OR 97462-9506
ISBN 1930859139, $29.95, 320 pp. with endnotes and index, www.lakelore.com,
1-800-431-1579.
Linda Robson
Reviewer
Tainted Legacy, a book recommended by a friend in the military, hit home in today's controversy
about teaching of history in American schools. In what amounts to an expose' of 20th Century
Americans missing the truth, while learning deconstructed history, Rumer subtly makes the case
for the "story of old dead white guys."
Recognizing that American history has a taproot in the Magna Carta, the story begins there and
quickly skips through the Reformation and birth of the political philosophy called Liberalism to
get to the revolutionary period. Pointing out the different versions of Liberalism pursued by the
French and American revolutionists, the author answers his own question: "How, after all those
years did it (the cold war) narrow to two ideological adversaries."
The well-written tale that follows covers 29th Century America from the great influx of
immigrants at the start of the century through the strange election that began the 21st Century. A
century that saw Americans, enabled by the wisdom and vision of the Founding Fathers, build the
greatest nation in the world.
At times the story reads like a novel as the author describes profound events in down to earth
terms:
"With a Boomer ascending to the presidency, the Radical Egalitarian Elite were prepared to press
their agenda to trum the evils of a Capitalist Society. Had not their grand crusades over the past
thirty years, Vietnam, Civil and Gay rights, Women's Lib, the Peace Corps, and saving the
environment, demonstrated the righteousness of their compassion?...In spite of past glory, it was
not to be. From the ignominious failure of Hillary to put the Federal Government in charge of
America's healthcare, to Bill's last stand burning the midnight oil dispensing controversial pardons,
Eglite energy was diverted from the dream."
Born in the trailing cohort of the GI generation, David Rumer draws a word picture of the legacy
bequeathed to the "X" generation by the "Boomers." A legacy tainted by a homemade secular
"religion" practiced by an Elite in America, that sees the social order infringing on their exclusive
freedoms. Rumer sees them operating from an exaggerated forum where their "politically correct"
opinions declare everything else irrelevant. Not a pessimist, the author uses the "theory of
generations" to bring a ray of hope to America's future as the "X"ers lead the "Millennials" in
overcoming mega-crisis ahead.
Tainted Legacy brings into focus the need to teach out children the history of America in a
manner that prepares them to evaluate present and future threats to the system our Founding
Fathers gave us.
The Nature of Birth Order
Denny Johnson & Edith Cuffe
Rayid Publications, Inc.
749 Riverside Avenue, Mancos, CO 81328
ISBN: 0917197054, Soft cover, 182 pgs., List Price: $29.95, http://www.rayid.com,
1-800-743-0179
Anyone who is enchanted, or even mildly intrigued by, astrology, is sure to completely enjoy this
book. An instant hit from the moment it arrived, we ended up having something of a "birth order
party" in which everyone sat around trying to figure out how accurately the book described them
or their children.
The Nature of Birth Order teaches you about the Rayid Birth Order Model. This is a system
which explains much about a person simply according to where in the family line they were born.
Now it gets complicated as you dig in, and there are a couple of details that can be slightly
confusing. Birth order, for instance, is always based on the father. So, if a man has three children
in one marriage, and then goes on to have two others in a second marriage, the two from the
second marriage are considered to be 4th and 5th place birth order.
To further complicate things, if a child is carried in the womb for 16 weeks, but is then miscarried
or aborted, that unborn child is counted in the birth order. And according to the book, Gender is
not necessarily what you think it is. If a man's first-born child is a male for instance, then each
subsequent child fits into the "boy" positions. So, if the second child is a girl, according to the
Rayid Birth Order Model, her personality will be described in the Number Two Boy position.
The immediate impulse when picking up this book is to jump right to Section 1 or 2 -- Six
Brothers and Six Sisters. By doing this however, you'll find that you quickly become confused by
the previously mentioned intricacies. Reading the introduction first gives you a helpful overview,
but reading Section III -- Family Influences -- really brings it all together.
In Sections I and II, the birth order descriptions are written very well. In addition to the general
description, each birth order listing includes a quick list of common characteristics, nature
symbols, gift ideas to help the child grow, and likely careers they'll have as adults. There are also
quick reference charts at the end of each section.
The entire book is filled with useful, thought provoking information. It delves into family
influences, social influences, how grandparents and even nature all play their part in a child's
personality. I was personally amazed by how accurate the birth order descriptions were --
especially once I understood some of the more detailed factors.
This book is also beautifully put together. Every single page is made of high-gloss paper, and
there are wonderful photographs peppered throughout. It is well written and packed full of useful
information that any parent would dearly love to have. In short, this book is a wonderful piece of
work in all respects.
The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life
Noah Lukeman
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10010
ISBN: 0312284675; HB, 1st edition (Jun 2002) $13.97, (220 p)
Fax: 212-674-6132, http://www.lukeman.com/theplotthickens/
Over the past five years, in his capacity as a New York-based Literary Agent, Noah Lukeman
read over 50,000 manuscripts. It stands to reason that not all 50,000 made the cut and went on to
publication. What does an agent or publisher look for when evaluating a manuscript? What is that
special something that makes a publisher choose one story over another? Clearly, Lukeman's
experience as a reader, agent and successful author himself, places him in a unique position to
provide answers to those questions. He does this, and more, in The Plot Thickens. This is not just
a reference book, it is a hands-on workshop in character and story development.
In his introduction, the author explains that the book will cover the principles of story:
characterization, suspense and conflict. "These principles have sustained works for thousands of
years and can be found at the core of all great writing." He goes on to say: "This book differs in
that it attempts to cover new ground within these topics, to offer examples you will not have seen,
and to offer exercises you will not have previously considered." (p. xvi)
Having read many books on plot and character development, I can say Mr. Lukeman succeeded in
his attempt to provide his readers with creative new ideas within this framework. The exercises
are very thought-provoking and will certainly enhance any writers creativity.
The first 80 pages consist of a comprehensive character development tutorial, complete with
practical, imaginative exercises. Most writers have seen character charts and templates, Lukeman
takes us beyond those and asks questions about every aspect of character. By having the writer
interview the character from the point of view of the police, banker, doctor, matchmaker and real
estate agent, Lukeman shows us how to create characters that are multifaceted and real. The
many faceted questions can help authors to envision character driven story development and
although the focus in this section is on developing character, the reader can't help but see how
answers to the questions can flesh out a skimpy story idea.
The last part of this section covers character action, reaction, and interaction with other
characters. It concludes with a series of exercises that set up circumstances (author suggestions
here) for the character to act upon. Again, it is easy to see how, by doing the exercises, more
story ideas will be generated and action and scene development should flow right along. By the
end of this section, you will have created a scene list and should have a start on an outline of your
story.
Conflict - the most difficult concept for new writers to understand. Lukeman does a masterful job
of explaining this important aspect of plot development. He describes thirteen basic forms of
conflict. Again, just reading the examples will give you clear ideas on what the term 'conflict'
means in relation to your own story. You'll generate ideas for various types of conflict to get your
character acting and reacting and driving the story forward. You'll also get practical experience
and introduce your characters to various conflict situations when you do the exercises at the end
of this section.
It's plain to see: the author has insight into the modern writer as he recognizes that movies and
TV shows can provide relevant examples of the concepts under discussion. He refers frequently to
books, movies and TV shows to demonstrate the various techniques he explains.
Written with clarity, Lukeman never talks down to his reader. His personable writing style
elevates The Plot Thickens from a text on writing to a written version of the mentor you always
wished you could have. By doing the exercises and applying the concepts discussed in The Plot
Thickens, writers new or experienced will be better able to write stories that sell.
Justice Denied: Politics, Perjury And Prejudice In The Lottery
Tina Lewis
Elderberry Press
1393 Old Homestead Road, Oakland, Oregon 97462
ISBN: 1-930859-12-0 $29.95, Copyright 2001, 179 pages
Stuart L. Crossman
Reviewer
J. Blaine Lewis had been head of the Connecticut State Lottery from 1980 to 1989 when he was
fired for refusing to obey an order to lie. This is the story of his ten-year legal battle against the
State in which we gain an insight into the politics of lottery management, the courage and
integrity of a man in a David and Goliath scenario, and the failure of the legal system to provide
justice. Justice Denied: Politics, Perjury And Prejudice In The Lottery is well documented with
quotes from the legal briefs and appeals, court decisions, testimony at trial and an appendix of
important memos and documents. It is also a touching love story of a devoted wife, who in
memoriam, is driven to vindicate her husband. The message conveyed deserves national
recognition.
Flesh Craves - The Vanfell Legacy
Brian T. Seifrit
Publish America
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
ISBN: 1-59129-894-6 $16.95, Paper Back, Pages: 151, www.publishamerica.com
Michael Bogert
Reviewer
Flesh Craves, The Vanfell Legacy tells the tale of a family travelling west in the 1820's to seek an
inheritance left to them. During the course of their long journey, all but a few fall victim to the
elements and attacks. Two adults, Des and Shileen, seek to rescue Honey and Sinclair (Shileen's
children) from an evil Indian tribe. The plot expands as they befriend an indian who introduces
them to his tribe, the Watcheeny.
In reading Flesh Craves, I found several themes that were woven together to bring out the
underlying point of the story. Although the book centers around a curse that gives man and beast
cravings for blood and flesh, (hence the name) the true hub of the story is the indominable spirit of
man. Through all the tragedies and losses they endured, both white man and indian work together
to survive in an untamed and harsh world. I found myself immersed with the descriptions of the
wild, and how life must have been for those who lived in it.
I was pleased with the way Brian interwoved the supernatural into the story. It didn't overpower
the flow of events, as many books do. Although vitally important to the book, it kept a back seat
most of the time (though you could feel it's presence,especially toward the end.)
Some parts of the book are quite graphic, but never get out of hand. Though I must say again that
the story takes place in the wilds of the west, and life was certainly a challenge for those who
braved it. I also liked how the indians were portrayed, instead of the stereo-type descriptions of
butchers and heartless warriors given today.
If I had to label this book, it would certainly not be under horror, but there is an amount of
suspense in it that eats at you until you reach the end. With suprises and twists throughout, I
would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a story they can really get into, but be
prepared for the unexpected!
In conclusion, I enjoyed reading Flesh Craves, and hope that Brian will continue his style of
writing in future books.
How To Start and Run a Small book Publishing Company
Peter I. Hupalo
HCM Publishing
P O Box 18093, West St. Paul, MN 55118
ISBN 0967162432, $18.95, 160 pp., www.hcmpublishing.com
Patricia J. Bell
Reviewer
Prospective publishers have a goodly number of books for learning about how to publish (most
notably Dan Poynters The Self-Publishing Manual and Marilyn Ross The Complete Guide to
Self-Publishing). Whats missing in the how-to literature is attention to the entrepreneurial aspects
of publishing ones book. That lack has been admirably filled by a new book by Peter Hupalo
(HCM Publishing). His new book, How To Start And Run A Small Book Publishing Company: A
Small Business Guide To Self-Publishing And Independent Publishing, fulfills the promise of its
subtitle.
All too often, beginning publishers are more interested in getting their books into print and avoid
thinking about practical matters like inventory management, fulfillment arrangements, pricing their
book, the tax issues (whats deductible? whats cost of goods? why am I thinking about this). Yet
these less palatable topics are served up in discussions that are clear, palatable, easily understood,
and succinct. This book helps the writer-cum-publisher make the transition to
writer-cum-entrepreneur and guides toward a more successful operation. His chapter, Book
Pricing And Book Industry Terms How Not To Lose Your Shirt alone is worth the price of the
book. He begins the chapter by comparing the production costs of a book by an online publishing
company and by a starting publisher. From there he goes on to discuss pricing, the grim facts of
returns, cash flow problems, inventory management and the danger of too much success.
Hupalo very practically leaves many of the details (production, marketing, etc.,) to the established
experts in the field, but with this book, he earns his place among the Must have books of a new
publishers bookshelf.
Hupalo has written earlier on entrepreneurship in his book, Thinking Like an Entrepreneur: How
to Make Intelligent Business Decisions That Will Lead To Success In Building And Growing
Your Own Company, and Becoming An Investor: Building Wealth By Investing In Stocks,
Bonds, And Mutual Funds. Check on it at www.hcmpublishing.com.
Odyssey to Opportunity
Roger R. Fernandez
Elderberry Press
1393 Old Homestead Road, Oakland, Oregon 97462-9506
1930859198 $19.95 elderberrypress.com
Dr. Alfonso Morales, Reviewer
Professor of Spanish language and literature
Written in the third person, Odyssey to Opportunity is an autobiographical story of a boy from a
mountain village in northwestern Spain who becomes an educator in the United States of
America. It recounts a rather unusual but wondrous odyssey sparked by a strong will to achieve
and molded by the tragedies of history. The charming simplicity of its sincere and motivating tale
makes of this book a second opportunity, so that the reader may assume life is beautiful.
Born on the eve of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Dr. Roger R. Fernandez saw his country
engulfed into flames. Daring the new winds of change that were swiftly crossing the Spanish
space in the early 1940's, he lived his life with memory and with hope. When his family had to
move to another village, opportunity and luck knocked at his door. He saw education as "an
excellent opportunity to become someone... a way to happiness and bliss." Thus, he started a
journey that radiates with the aura of a fast moving novel. In reality, though, it portrays the
concrete world of ardent desires, dreams and aspirations in a real human being.
In engaging, candid, understated and, at times, lyrical style and prose, the author strings together
forceful and stimulating memories of his episodic, adventurous and picaresque life. His anecdotal
and pleasant narrative lays out observations and reminiscences that entertain and creates an
atmosphere of global cultural learning. Thus, he offers the reader special insight into the various
cultures with which he comes into contact in his travels throughout Europe, Africa and the
Americas.
Educated in Spain, Italy and the United States by the Marist Brothers religious order, Roger
becomes himself a professed Marist Brother and assumes a new name: Brother Benito Marcelino.
His teaching assignments in Marist schools bring him back to Turin, Italy, after obtaining his BA
degree from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York. A new mission takes him to teach in
Durban, South Africa.
As he prepares to make his perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, he leaves the
Marists to return to secular life. He goes to Cuba where he works, alongside Gabriel Garcia
Marquez, as a translator for Prensa Latina, Fidel Castro's news agency. He leaves Cuba
heart-broken, worried and insecure, but overcomes legal hurdles to work in New York and
marries a daughter of a prominent political figure who was later elected Vice President of the
Dominican Republic. Roger pursues his higher education and obtains a PHD in philosophy and
letters. Subsequently, he is burdened with overwhelming hardships resulting from his wife's
life-style change, after the birth of seven children in their twenty-year union.
Through it all, the author depicts with delight the charms of ordinary life, draws a vivid picture of
his community involvement as he energizes into action his apostolic zeal and sense of duty in an
effort to return to his God what He had so generously given him. His career shows boldness in
candor and dissent. Some of his confessions may lay bare certain norms and links between
political, religious and cultural tendencies which, if stripped of such frankness and spirit of
independence, could appear absurd or unreal.
His yearning for freedom and trust in God is most dramatically shown walking along the shore in
Key West, Florida, while waiting for his flight to New York after he left Cuba. "...He looked
towards Cuba and saw suffering and doom. He looked towards the United States and he
envisioned hope, peace, opportunity... He was happy and yelled out his happiness for everyone to
hear. He was alone, but free. He was poor, but he could think for himself and use his mind to find
opportunity and create... Roger felt so good along that shore that the true reality that was
awaiting him never crossed his mind, so powerful was the sense of freedom he felt... He was
starting a new life, once again, but now he was in the land of liberty and opportunity. That, and
the help of God, was all he needed and hoped for."
Ultimately, this book exemplifies the human capacity to maintain faith, self-reliance and
determination under relentless obstacles. Throughout Roger's entire existence, his native soil has
become the very rich and extraordinary burrow from where have sprung like a torrent those
religious and human forces that have helped him to prevail over the great difficulties and injustices
along the twisted highways which at times he had to travel. His many painful experiences might
have flattened a man with less forbearance, but like a Phoenix he has been reborn out of each trial
always bolstered by his faith.
Odyssey to Opportunity can appeal to readers of all walks of life and every age, particularly
young readers struggling in their own lives. They may find in these pages the recipe to attain high
cultural ideals, reach laudable goals and achieve a modicum of success rather than succumb to
degradation trying to solve pressing problems. What is indeed evident is that the author tries to
show equilibrium and clarity as a professor who teaches openness and aspires to provoke
willingness to seize a lesson from life.
Sullivan's Bookshelf
Snobbery: The American Version
Joseph Epstein
Houghton Mifflin Company
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
0395944171 $25.00 1-800-225-3362
Epstein, former editor of "The American Scholar," has written an entire book on snobbery. And
it's beautifully, in fact sweetly, written. One wouldn't think the subject of snobbery could hold
one's attention for hundreds of pages, but this book does. In fact, it's downright interesting,
informative, and witty.
In such chapters, as "It Takes One to Know One," to "O WASP, Where Is They Sting-a-Ling" to
"Setting the Snob's Table," the author's punctures those full-of-airs-types, like the descendants of
those who came over on the Mayflower, to those who absolutely must send their children to Ivy
League colleges, even though they may provide little or no better an education than one could get
at a local junior college.
Those people who like to drop names of the famous, those who like to wear the latest fashion,
those who follow the current educational trends, and those who say pasta now when in the past
they said spaghetti are all held up for lacing. Epstein doesn't spare himself a deflating, either. His
tales of a perfectly stylish Burberry raincoat and of his expensive cigarette lighter are most
enjoyable as true self-deprecating humor.
"Snobbery," the author writes in the Preface, "also seems to have existed, in however attenuated a
form, from the Tuesday of the week following that in which God created the universe. A brief
illustration will reinforce my point. For more than a century after the Emperor Constantine moved
the seat of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople, some people would say, with pride
but more with snobbery, that their family had 'come over with Constantine.' Sound familiar?"
The author teaches English and writing at Northwestern University. He's written many other
volumes and regularly contributes articles to The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's
Magazine, and Commentary.
Recommended!
Letters to a Young Lawyer
Alan Dershowitz
Basic Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810
0465016316 $22.00 1-800-242-7737
Though he aims his advice at new lawyers primarily, Dershowitz also gives laymen and women a
thorough explanation of why attorneys, particularly those doing criminal defense work, do what
they do. How it's done is explained, too.
Some of the chapter headings are enticing: "Don't Limit Your Options by Making a Lot of
Money," "Should Good Lawyers Defend Bad People?" and "Your Client is Not Your Friend."
Dershowitz writes like he talks with a lot of interesting facts, anecdotes, and in-your-face lessons
on the law.
The author writes, "Giving advice is among the most hazardous of undertakings. I know because I
have received much bad advice and because I have almost certainly given some. During the
thirty-seven years I have been teaching law at Harvard, I have probably been asked for advice
thousands of times."
Average men and women often see lawyers as disreputable, especially those who take up the
defense of criminals or sleazy clients. The author goes a long way, however, toward defining why
this occurs and how. Under the U.S. constitution and various state laws, having the right to such
a defense is an integral part of America's freedoms.
"Chutzpah," "Reversal of Fortune," and "Reasonable Doubts" are just some of the books
Dershowitz has written.
Recommended.
James C. Sullivan
Reviewer
Harold's Bookshelf
Business: The Ultimate Resource
Daniel Goleman
Perseus Publishing Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
ISBN: 0738202428, $59.95, Pages: 2208
"Business: The Ultimate Resource" takes the reader through a very thorough exposition of
business in all of its forms. Although it is a huge book with a table of contents larger than many
business book indexes, it is well organized and easy to use. The primary divisions of the book
include sections on Best Practice (various essays from business leaders), Management and Action
Checklists (detailed lists of each step to implement or calculate various items), Management
Library (summaries of the most influential business books), Business Thinkers and Management
Giants (profiles of business leaders), Business Dictionary, World Business Almanac, and Business
Information Sources (including addresses, phone numbers, web sites, etc. for additional help
and/or information).
Some of the articles that are on the cutting edge of current business thought include Managing
21st Century Financials, Integrating Real and Virtual Strategies, Making B2B Your New
Operational Standard, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership, and Managing Dynamic
Change.
Checklists include lists in various categories including People Management, Personal
Effectiveness (including excellent checklists on effective communication), HR/Training,
Marketing, Operations, Small Business, Business Planning, E-Commerce, Personal Development,
Accounting and Finance (includes how to calculate just about any accounting ratio or value that
you would need).
The Management Library book summaries are well done in a format that gives the background on
the book along with the key points made in the book. It includes such business classics as Sun
Tzu's "The Art of War" and Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" to more current thought such
as "Blur" by Stan Davis and Christopher Meyer. Although this is a book published in 2002, the
most recent summary is on a book published in 1998. So it does not contain summaries of the
more recent books, but the summaries of books prior to 1999 are excellent.
In short, instead of providing information on a limited aspect of business (such as management or
accounting or personnel) it provides a comprehensive understanding of business as a whole. An
excellent reference for any business professional, the price makes it a steal and a recommended
buy.
The Christmas Star
Catherine Lanigan
Banbury Publishing, Inc.
36148 North Banbury Court, Gurnee, Il 60031
ISBN: 0970600720, $16.95, Pages: 327
"The Christmas Star" is a warm, romantic tale of faith, love and perseverance. Tommy Magli and
Susie Howard fall in love and under a special heavenly phenomenon known as the Christmas Star
they pledge their undying love to each other. Set in 1965, the story line travels through their life
and experiences including total parental rejection as well as total parental acceptance, the Vietnam
war, betrayal of trust, greed, social acceptance and numerous other trials in their lives.
Written by best-selling author Catherine Lanigan (Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile) the
story line moves along well while holding your interest to the very end. No real surprises, no
strange plot twists, just good old-fashioned reading where the reader is drawn into the daily lives
of the characters.
The only annoyance that I found in the text was at the very last page of the book. After
masterfully building a wonderful scene of reunion with strong emotional appeal, Lanigan brings
the reader's attention to the cold-hearted Mrs. Howard and states, "That night, her heart grew to a
proportion she'd thought only angels could have." In an anti-climatic twist the whole mood was
lost as my vision was suddenly transported to the Grinch in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".
Suddenly other parallels stole into the scene including Tommy Magli's grandchild paralleling
Cindy Lou Who and Susie being the always faithful dog, etc. It totally lost the effect that she had
spent so much time building up to. Wondering if it was just me, I let three other people borrow
the book and asked them what happened when they read that passage. They all indicated that it
had the same effect on them before I even mentioned the effect it had on me. A writer of
Catherine Lanigan's experience should be more sensitive to such a potential reaction.
Still, all in all, it is delightful reading for romantics or anyone else wanting a heart warming read
full of faith and unyielding love. A recommended read.
It's Not How Smart You Are, It's How You Are Smart
Jeanne Anne Craig, PhD
Craine Press
218 Main Street, PMB #339B, Kirkland, WA 98033
ISBN: 0971072418, $14.95, Pages: 189 plus index
One of the most controversial areas of intelligence theory these days is emotional intelligence.
People with a high IQ based on standard IQ tests may or may not do well in life. That has made
theorists wonder if there is another way to measure intelligence. The result is EQ or emotional
intelligence. Highly successful people have a higher EQ. The good news is that anyone's EQ can
be improved. In "It's Not How Smart You Are It's How You Are Smart" the author takes you
through detailed descriptions of how to raise your EQ.
Life can be demanding, learning how to raise your EQ and thereby better manage your emotions,
improve your energy levels, direct your energies in positive and fulfilling directions, as well as
improve your life on many other levels can make life much more fun and less stressful.
The book is divided into two parts with the first part an excellent description of EQ, what it is and
what it is not, and the second part the heuristics of how to improve your EQ. Each chapter in the
second part stands on its own so they can be read straight through or you can read them in
whatever order you would like. One of the easier to read books on the subject of EQ it is easy to
understand and apply. A recommended read for anyone seeking to improve their life.
The Alarm Clock of Your Life is Ringing: Time to Wake up to Happiness and Enlightenment
(2nd Edition)
Lisa Miller
Lady Bug Publishing
PO Box 3778, Scottsdale, AZ 85271
ISBN: 0970609213, $12.95, Pages: 128, www.ladybugcorp.com
"The Alarm Clock of Your Life is Ringing: Time to Wake up to Happiness and Enlightenment" is
a book about achieving happiness by reconnecting to parts of your self that have been lost
emotionally and/or spiritually. One of the basic premises of the book is that emotions come and go
and when they rise up they are meant to flow through your body and out. However, that is not the
case for most of us. For whatever reasons many emotions become stuck in us instead of flowing
through. When this is the case, "It is not possible to go back and change what happened. We can
only change the way we feel about it." That is where this book becomes a helpful guide to
releasing those long forgotten emotions that cripple us in daily life and cause us to do things that
are not in our best interest or just plain keep us from being happy.
Through a simple process the author leads the reader a specific technique of recognizing those
feelings, honoring them, and then using sound as a mechanism to release those unhealthy
feelings.
As a result you feel free of these constraints to your happiness, more free and spontaneous and
are able to lead a more fulfilling and happy life. What's that you say? Using sound, or
vocalizations to release stress, emotional stresses and the like sounds a bit strange? To many
people it does sound strange, but it is well documented that music can make a tremendous
difference in our attitudes towards life, stress levels, feelings of contentment, etc. So many older
cultures have used vocalizations to reach places of contentment and peace whether it be the "Om"
of eastern religious mediations, or the chants of Native Americans to achieve altered states. If
vocalization and sound can be used successfully to achieve such altered states then it is reasonable
to believe that, if used correctly, it can be used to release emotional baggage from our past
allowing then to then flow freely out of our bodies so that we are free of them.
Although this is a small book it is still wonderful reading and many will find it very useful to help
move them toward a happier life. So, now the alarm clock is ringing. The question is whether you
hit the snooze button and continue your life as it is currently or wake up and take action to change
how you perceive past harms so that you can go forward in peace. An inspirational book that just
about everyone will find of some value.
The Gorilla and the Fairy
Carol Young
Hara Publishing Group
PO Box 19732, Seattle, WA 98109
ISBN: 1883697530, $14.95, Pages: 19
"The Gorilla and the Fairy" is a beautifully illustrated book with an allegorical story about
domestic violence. For those who are in a domestic violence situation this is probably a very good
book. It details the most common techniques that an abuser uses to separate the victim from their
support system and the common fears and thoughts of the victim. With a positive ending it is an
encouraging book for those in that situation that shows them that they are not the only ones in
that position and there is a choice. It may not be easy, but it is there.
The other group that would probably benefit from this book would be those that have recently
come out of a domestic violence situation and are still in the healing process. Healing can take a
long time and the book provides encouragement to help them heal.
This is a great book to use as a starting place for a serious discussion of domestic violence with
children, teenagers just starting to experiment with relationships and those who are in, just out of,
or know someone in an abusive relationship.
I did find something disturbing about the book but had a really hard time putting my finger on
what it was. So, I asked a couple of people that had been in those situations to read it and give me
their thoughts. I also asked a couple that had been in such a situation and now were happily
married. The ones that were out of such a relationship but now happily married also found
something disturbing about the book but could not figure out what it was. Finally we sat down
and figured out what bothered us about the book. There is absolutely no positive male image in
the book at any point. The picture of the rescuing angels are all female, no indication of a male
fairy also out in the light and helpful and supportive. I can accept that people in that situation may
have lost their faith in members of the opposite sex and need to trust only people of the same sex
while they heal. That makes this book an excellent read for them. However, for those that have
not been in those situations or have come out and are now healed it is more of a good jumping off
point for a serious and animated discussion of the problem.
A very small book that takes a maximum of 30 minutes to read, for those that are in a violence
situation and starting to wonder about the relationship, it could be a wonderful read and is highly
encouraged. For anyone else, it is better as a discussion starting point.
The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice
Kay Lindahl, Amy Schnapper (Illustrator)
Skylight Paths Publishing
Sunset Farm Offices, Rt 4, PO Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
ISBN: 1893361446, $16.95, Pages: 140
Don't you just hate it when you are discussing something important and you can see that the
person you are talking to is planning their response instead of listening to what you are saying?
What about when you do the same thing? We all have a tendency to do this. Or what about when
that small inner voice tells you that you should or should not be doing something? Do you listen?
For a deeper more meaningful relationship both with others and with yourself you need to be able
to listen and listen well. Listening is not the same as hearing. Sometimes I hear crickets at night,
but I am so used to it that I have to actually stop and listen to really hear them and enjoy it.
Listening then is one of the key factors to positive, healthy relationships with others, yourself,
your God, nature or whatever you want to have a relationship with. True listening requires
practice. It requires slowing down and not responding immediately to a question but stopping to
listen to how you really feel about the question. It requires a recognition that silence is just as
important a part of a conversation as is speaking.
"The Sacred Art of Listening" contains forty meditative reflections about listening. For those who
meditate deeper or better with an anchor on which to focus, each reflection has a mandala
illustration on which to focus.
The author states that there are basically three qualities of deep listening. First is the recognition
that silence is important. You can't listen if you are talking, even if you are talking inside your
own head and planning what you will do later that day. The second quality is reflection. To listen
well you have to reflect on what was said and what it means. What are the nuances of what was
said? Was what was said the same as what was meant? The third quality is presence. You cannot
listen well if you are not there. If your mind is somewhere else you are not present and therefore
are not listening well.
Listening needs to be a part of a person's life if they are to have deep, meaningful relationships.
The book is an easy read with well thought out reflections that are concise (two pages each) and
yet insightful. A recommended read.
Where's Daddy?
K. C. Wilson
Harbinger Press
2711 Buford Road. #383, Richmond, VA 23235
ISBN: 0967473659, $26.50, Pages: 184 plus appendices
"Where's Daddy" looks at the current situation in child custody, access, and support. An extensive
exposition, it examines the historical factors that brought us to where we are now as well as the
myths and assumptions that are part of that history. The author also examines current research in
the area and how that information points to both the fallacy of many of our assumptions as well as
a direction to a more positive approach for the child(ren).
The book is written in an easy to read style and the arguments are presented well. With such a
complex subject and so much evidence to present, if the author had included it all in the text it
would have rendered it a burdensome book to read. To overcome this the book is heavily
referenced and annotated at the bottom of the pages with some pages having more area denoted
to annotation than to the actual text itself. In addtion, there are several appendices in the back
with verious reports and studies.
This is a book that should be read by all of those involved in the family practice area of law -
judges, lawyers, psychologists, social workers. If you are really concerned about the children of a
broken marriage and not driven by vendictiveness then this book deserves a solid read.
The Great Courses: The High Middle Ages
Professor Philip Daileader
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
PC869, $49.95, Format: Audio Lecture, Number of Lectures: 24,
http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp
Another winner from The Teaching Company. Through a series of 24 well crafted lectures Philip
Daileader, a professor at the College of William & Mary, leads the listener on a fascinating trip
through the facts and fables of the history of the High Middle Ages. The time from 1000AD to
about 1300AD is often referred to by historians as the High Middle Ages. Professor Daileader
skillfully covers the background demographics, climatic conditions and technology that allowed
Europe to change from a series of backwater, agrarian communities to powerful nations.
Every aspect of the High Middle Ages of Europe is covered from feudalism to artisan guilds, from
the Crusades to the Magna Carta, from William to Conqueror to Thomas Aquinas and just about
any other major person, event, or practice of the time period you can imagine. An excellent
lecturer whose knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject shows through at all times it was a
pleasure to listen to the lectures. By the end of the series you will have an understanding not only
of the history of the time period but how various people, events and practices came about and the
effect they had on that era as well as how they affect us today.
The Great Courses: Great Writers: Their Lives and Their Works
Professor John B. Fisher
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
PA209, $39.95, Format: Audio Lecture, Number of Lectures: 12,
http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp
Professor John B. Fisher of Rollins College has put together an excellent series of lectures on
Great Writers. These are not a critique of specific pieces that the writer produced but background
information on the writers that helps the reader to understand them. Many of our favorite writers
have a fascinating history. Among the most interesting were Beatrix Potter, Oscar Wilde, and
Emily Dickenson.
Each lecture details the author's childhood, education, problems that they overcame to publish
their works, and other details that help the reader understand the author. The most well known as
well as some of the lesser known works of the author are discussed, not from a critical view, but
from the point of view of how the author's background affected each work.
Other authors covered in the lectures include H. L. Mencken, Robert Burns, Maurice
Maeterlinck, Victor Hugo, St. Augustine, Ulysses S. Grant, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Plutarch, and
Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
After hearing these lectures you will not be able to view your favorite authors in the same light as
before. You will read them with a greater depth of understanding and appreciation for their work
than ever before. A must have for serious readers of any of these authors.
The Soul of the Child: Nurturing the Divine Identity of Our Children
Michael Gurian
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 0743417046, $25.00, Pages: 202 plus notes and index
"The Soul of the Child: Nurturing the Divine Identity of Our Children" provides a new way of
thinking of our children and how to help them grow. Over the years science has provided more
information about how the body functions on a physical as well as emotional level. The end result
has been that science has continued to confirm many of the precepts of even the earliest religious
thought about the soul. Almost all religions refer to the soul, God, and truth as "the light".
Perhaps this is more than just a metaphor. Michael Gurian leads the reader through a convincing
presentation of evidence that our souls and God are indeed light. In fact, the soul and the body are
one where the soul can exist without the body but not vice versa.
In our children we see the light of God but we often tend to darken this light. The basis of the
book is how to nurture this divine light within ourselves and our children. A road map for how to
nurture the divine spirit of a child this is possibly the best single book on raising children from the
perspective of parenting as a divine calling. Sure to change the way that you view children of all
ages it is a wonderful and highly recommended read.
First French Kiss
Adam Bagdasarian
Farrar Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0374323380 $16.00, Pages: 144
Adam Bagdasarian offers up several short, wonderful tales of the trails, indecision, fears and
strange motivations that make being a teenager such a strange and magical time in anyone's life.
Whether you are a teenager going through those times or an adult who can now look back at
them in humor, "First French Kiss" is a delightful read. With stories depicting such common
problems as social acceptance, camping, and an overactive imagination, the memories just come
flooding back. Every reader will find at least one of the short vignettes that will speak directly to
them. For me it was the experience of Little League, Going Steady, and, of course, that First
French Kiss. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip back to my teenage years and the traumatic (but now
humorous) times. A fun read for teenagers and adults.
What would Joey Do?
Jack Gantos
Farrar Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0374399867 $16.00, Pages: 240, Ages 10 and up
"What Would Joey Do?" is part of the continuing saga of Joey Pigza, a young boy with ADHD.
In this book he is ready to try being "Mr. Helpful" and focus his energy is positive manners. The
problem is figuring out how he can help everyone while still moving forward with his life. His
parents fight regularly and engage in dysfunctional actions, his homeschool partner is a blind girl
who is full of mischief, and her fundamentalist mother has a total inability to deal with reality as
every contact is focused on "What Would Jesus Do". His Grandma wants him to have a good
friend other than his dog and seems to be the only one really concerned about the Joey within.
However, she is dying and won't be there for him very long.
A real survivor, Joey's story is one of struggling and perseverance that pays off in the end. A story
with several twists and turns it can be humorous reading. The greatest value of this book would
be for parents to read the book and use it as a springboard for discussion of kids with ADHD. It
teaches some things about children with ADHD as well as some aspects of how to deal with them.
However, the book should be used as a catalyst for family discussion to prevent misconceptions.
Before writing this review I let two fourth and fifth graders read the book to see what they
thought of it. I found that they were getting some wrong impression from the book. It seemed
that they thought that Joey's antics were in large part due to his family problems and that kids
with ADHD all had dysfunctional families. Joey is a kid who tries as best he can to do the right
thing and struggles through his problems to rise above them and that is a good story, just be
careful of inappropriate inferences that children can make. It is a great platform for opening up a
discussion about children with ADHD.
It's Our World Too!: Stories of Young People Who Are Making a Difference
Phillip Hoose
Sunburst/Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0374336229 $13.00, Pages: 176
"It's Our World Too!" takes its title from an incident where a child was told that they could not
sign a petition against the spread of nuclear weapons because he was too young. So he started his
own petition for children because it is their world too. This book contains the inspiring and
motivating true stories of children who are making a difference in their neighborhoods and the
world. Each story is well told with pictures of the young people involved. The stories are
organized into sections on Taking a Stand, Reaching Out to Others, Healing the Earth, and
Creating a Safer Future. In a society where only the bad young people make the news, it is
refreshing to have a book that shows there are those that are making a positive difference.
The second portion of the book is an instructional guide and handbook for anyone who wants to
follow the path of the young people in the book. It is full of detailed suggestions on how to
organize, plan, and carry out programs for social change.
A must read book for teenagers and adults these people and those like them are our hope for a
bright future.
Power Reading
Rick Ostrov
The Education Press
PO Box 195, North San Juan, CA 95960
ISBN: 0960170618 $14.95, Pages: 203 plus bibliography and index
To put it bluntly, "Power Reading : The Best, Fastest, Easiest, Most Effective Course on
Speedreading and Comprehension Ever Developed!" is one of the best courses on speed reading
and comprehension available. I can't say that I doubled my speed or anything like that but then
again I was considered a fast reader before reading the book and doing the excercises. Still I
moved from 450 words per minute to just over 650. The information is up to date and if you
follow the instructions exactly then you can achieve a gain in speed and comprehension whether
you are a slow reader or already a fast reader. It was fast, easy and effective, what more could
you want from a course such as this? It takes thirty days to complete if you follow the book
exactly. Whether you read for business, school, or pleasure, the book is highly recommended for
anyone wanting to increase their speed and/or comprehension.
Present Moment Awareness
Shannon Duncan
Present Moment Incorporated
1010 University Avenue, #576, San Diego, CA 92103
ISBN: 0971414904 $19.95, Pages: 116
"Present Moment Awareness" defines the philosophy of not allowing the past nor the future affect
your enjoyment of life today. Not only does the author present the tenets of "Present Moment
Awareness" but also walks the reader through a series of exercises and techniques designed to
help you achieve that state. The bottom line of living in the present moment means that emotional
baggage from your past and/or concerns about the future are not allowed to destroy your bliss of
the present. If you want to achieve peace and bliss in your life "Present Moment Awareness" is
one of the best ways. Too much time is spent thinking about things that occurred in our past or
worrying about what might happen in the future. In concentrating on our past or future we lose
the time that is passing by right now. Once the present is gone it is the past. The only time we
really have to choose how we will live is the present. The past is gone, the future not here yet, so
live in the present, which is the only place you ever really live.
A great book to help anyone learn to accept life and live for today, it is a highly recommended
read.
Veils of Separation
Rabia Erduman
Rabia Erduman
19393 Stinson Road, Middletown, CA 95461
ISBN: 0970526091 $18.00, Pages: 241
Rabia Erduman calls "Veils of Separation" a fairy tale journey. It is the story of Babla and her
experiences as she meets outer and inner guides and works her way through the problems of her
past. In actuality it reminds me less of a fairy tale and more of the powerful, life changing
metaphors that Milton Erickson used to create to help others heal themselves and work through
problems. It is no surprise then to find that Rabia Erduman is not only experienced in psychology
but also hypnotherapy.
While the author states that Babla's tale is the story of her journey to self-discovery and growth,
the path is a familiar one that will provide insight and assistance for many people. One of the
reasons that people are often haunted by the past and cannot seem to escape is because the
subconscious understands things only in the form of symbols. By embedding the symbols into a
fairy tale the end product is a story where the very act of reading it and mentally going along on
the journey affects the inner self of the reader. By the end of the book she fully integrates the best
portions of all that she has learned and can now live a full and happy life, unaffected by the chains
of the past.
Definitely a new age book, with tantric principles, inner guides, outer guides, healing circles and
similar items built into the story, readers from the highly conservative religious left will have
difficulty with the book. For anyone else it is a wonderful and insightful read.
The Voice of the Soul: A Journey into Wisdom and the Physics of God
Judith Pennington
1stBooks Library
2595 West Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404-2782
ISBN: 0759605432 $18.67, Pages: 259, www.1stbooks.com
"The Voice of the Soul" is an autobiographical account of the journey of the author, Judith
Pennington, from a hostile attitude toward religion to one of acceptance and belief in God. The
first part of the book goes through her history and how she developed such an antagonistic
attitude toward church and religion. The rest of the book allows the reader to follow her through
her growth process. Most of her growth process seems to be based on "writings" where she sits
down and just starts to write things that come from deep down in her soul where one's higher self
resides.
She stresses that this was her path that she took and that it may be very different for others as we
all have our own path to follow. The final portion of the book is a collection of her "writings"
organized in the natural order of the growth experience, from "The Call", to "The Path", to
"Self-Knowledge", to "The Struggle", to "The Soul's Mountaintop".
Strongly New Age in format, many traditional Christians and other fundamentalists will have a lot
of problems with many of the concepts in the book. Others that embrace the possibilities of New
Age thought will find it a delightful and inspiring book.
The Voice of the Soul: A Journey into Wisdom and the Physics of God
Judith Pennington
1stBooks Library
2595 West Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404-2782
ISBN: 0759605432 $18.67, Pages: 259, www.1stbooks.com
"The Voice of the Soul" is an autobiographical account of the journey of the author, Judith
Pennington, from a hostile attitude toward religion to one of acceptance and belief in God. The
first part of the book goes through her history and how she developed such an antagonistic
attitude toward church and religion. The rest of the book allows the reader to follow her through
her growth process. Most of her growth process seems to be based on "writings" where she sits
down and just starts to write things that come from deep down in her soul where one's higher self
resides.
She stresses that this was her path that she took and that it may be very different for others as we
all have our own path to follow. The final portion of the book is a collection of her "writings"
organized in the natural order of the growth experience, from "The Call", to "The Path", to
"Self-Knowledge", to "The Struggle", to "The Soul's Mountaintop".
Strongly New Age in format, many traditional Christians and other fundamentalists will have a lot
of problems with many of the concepts in the book. Others that embrace the possibilities of New
Age thought will find it a delightful and inspiring book.
Windows XP Power Tools
Jim Boyce
Sybex
1151 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda, CA 94501
ISBN: 078214067X $44.99, Pages: 848, 1-800-227-2346
"Windows XP Power Tools" is a fantastic collection of tips and tricks for really using Windows
XP to it's fullest potential. Each of the advanced techniques is fully explained in a way that you
can feel comfortable implementing it without concern that you will be breaking something else.
Topic coverage is extensive and includes advanced setup information such as startup and
shutdown control, networking, OS components, FTP hosting, hardware, remote access and VPN
connections as well as maintenance information on items such as the registry, security, automated
tasks, the command console, policies, and recovering from disasters.
If that weren't enough reason to purchase the book (which, believe me, it is), it also has a CD with
many useful utilities. If you want a book that is well written and comprehensive with detailed
instructions to make you a real power user and troubleshooter then this is an excellent choice - A
highly recommended book.
Mastering Windows XP Professional
Mark Minasi
Sybex
1151 Marina Village Parkway, Alameda, CA 94501
ISBN: 0782129811 $39.99, Pages: 1200, , 1-800-227-2346
Mark Minasi is considered by many (including myself) to be the preeminent authority on the
Microsoft Windows operating system. In "Mastering Windows XP Professional" he takes on the
monumental task of documenting Windows XP Professional for the new and experienced
Windows user. Because it focuses on both experienced and new users, the first section has
detailed instructions for such mundane tasks as starting Windows XP, opening programs,
minimizing and closing screen windows, etc. From there it moves to more and more advanced
topics as he teaches you the details of the system from beginning to end.
One of the problems with a book of this size and ambition is determining the goal of the author
and from there determine if the book meets that goal. To this extent, the title "Mastering
Windows XP Professional" should cover the details of the operating system. In this text Mark
Minasi at times gives too much detail on items that are, and should be, covered well in other
books (for example, HTML programming) and at other times properly keeps the coverage at an
overview level because there are exhaustive texts available (for example, Windows Scripting Host
or configuring IIS).
The book does what it promises in allowing a new or experienced user to master Windows XP
Professional without trying to make them an IT, Networking, or Integration professional by
covering many topics outside the realm of the basic XP operating system. Also, as is common
with Minasi's books, this is not designed to be a study guide for certification but a reference for
real-life users to deal with and resolve real-life problems.
Does this mean that this is the definitive text on Windows XP Professional? No. While it is an
excellent text, it does not rise up to the level of Mark's other books. There seems to be a pattern
developing in his works. For example, "Mastering Windows 2000 Professional" was somewhat
disappointing, but the second edition became the definitive text. He is obviously listening to what
people say about the books and incorporating their comments into the second and successive
versions.
All-in-all it is well worth the money and a great reference book. It is well organized and covers
several areas that are skipped over or minimally covered in other books. For example, Internet
Connection Sharing is better documented here than in any other text I have seen to date. A
recommended buy, but expect the second edition to become the definitive text on the subject
when it comes out (as they always do).
Miss Bumples moves to Bumpleville
Jennifer E. Sheehan
Bumples
37 Naromake Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
ISBN: 0970095201 $15.95, Pages: 48, www.amazon.com
"Miss Bumples moves to Bumpleville" is a delightful children's book (ages 4 to8). With well
defined animals that exhibit traits children can relate to, the characters work together to overcome
all obstacles as they try to solve a mystery of a problem in their forest, try to stop the problem and
then try to find an alternative place to live.
The story points out that different animals (or people) have different abilities but by working
together they can achieve their goals. The illustrations are very simplistic in nature but that seems
to be one of the things that young children like, the illustrations look to be drawn by a young child
like them.
A delightful book with good positive values, it touches on a wide variety of subjects that parents
may want to discuss with their children. A recommended book.
First Aid to Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Michael G. Rayel, MD
Soar Dime Limited
PO Box 1834, Clarenville, NF Canada A0E1J0
ISBN: 0968781659 $19.95, Pages: 166 plus appendices, www.amazon.com
To those experiencing minor problems or who have to deal with someone with a mental illness,
"First Aid to Mental Illness" can be a Godsend. The whole concept of first aid for the mentally ill
seems to have eluded the medical establishment until now. Written for the lay person to help them
understand the signs, symptoms and early intervention techniques, it is an invaluable
resource.
Initially the book covers three basic frameworks within which first aid is possible. These
frameworks are represented by the acronyms CARE, HELP and HEAL. CARE is the initial
response and stands for Checking for the presence of the mental illness, Anticipating possible
complications, Remedy with early intervention, and Educating yourself about the illness. EAL
framework depending on whether you are the caregiver or the patient. The HELP paradigm is for
caregivers. It stands for Help patients through the basics of first aid, Empathize generously, Listen
actively and Prevent yourself from getting sick. HEAL provides the framework for a patient. It
stands for Help youself through the basics of first aid, Encourage yourself, Address the issues and
Learn to cope.
After discussing these basic frameworks the book goes into the basics of mental first aid followed
with developing coping skills to deal with the illness. Then the rest of the book deals with
applying the techniques to specific conditions including depression, mood swings, panick attacks,
phobias, obsessive and compulsive problems, trauma, anxiety, psychosis, dementia and
others.
Filled with various scenarios to help you learn how to recognize and deal with the ilnesses and
concluding with an extensive section on Resources and References it is a valuable guide for
everyone.
High Doses of Wisdom, Low Doses of Advice
Marian, Ph.D. Chiesa
Independent Psychology Press
PO Box 12, Stockton, NJ 08559
ISBN: 0966914643 $12.95, Pages: 165
In "High Doses of Wisdom, Low Doses of Advice" Dr. Chiesa provides a concise series of essays
on living an ethical life as well as dealing with some of life's problems in a mature, ethical and
positive way. For example, she has an excellent essay on dealing with the death of a child. How
would you feel? How can you be truly helpful and understanding if it happens to a friend. Digging
deep into the reality of the situation, she offers positive, effective wisdom. How long should it
take for the person to recover and get back to a normal life? There are no rules, some may not
take but a few months, others may not recover for years, some may not recover at all. The chapter
defines how to be a real friend.
Other essay subjects include solitude, friendship, listening, generosity, alcohol, betrayal,
psychologists and other mental health providers, etc. Throughout the text her values come shining
through - commitment to family and friends as well as responsibility for your behavior.
Strong, effective and yet sensitive reading, it is highly recommended to anyone interested in
improving themselves or their relationships with friends and family.
Juggle: The Passing Zone Method
Owen Morse, Jon Wee
Pangaeus Companies
PO Box 670127, Dallas, TX 75367
ISBN: 096536609X $19.95, Format: VHS, http://www.pangaeus.com/
If you ever wanted to learn how to juggle this tape will show you how. In "Juggle: The Passing
Zone Method", award-winning jugglers Owen Morse and Jon Wee treat the viewer to the basics
of
The Passing Zone technique of juggling. From simple single ball juggling to learn ball control to
two, three or more balls, from one club to multiple clubs, the tape covers it all..... how to juggle
just about anything. With some practice (and many tips on how not to get discouraged when
practicing) it is not difficult to learn how to juggle and have a lot of fun in the process. Full of
humor as well as instruction, it is a great way to get introduced to the art of juggling. Pick up the
tape, have some fun, learn a new skill.
Defying the Odds: Sharing the Lessons I Learned As a Pioneer Entrepreneur
Marcia Israel-Curley
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
ISBN: 1585673072 $24.95, Pages: 262
"Defying the Odds" is an autobiographical account of Marcia Israel-Curley's trials and triumphs as
she founded and grew the "Judy's" line of specialty clothing stores. A highly successful chain that
was founded in late 1940's, it set several precedents that are still followed today by most specialty
chains.
But this was a time when a woman working outside the home was not totally accepted, a woman
at the head of a successful corporation was pretty much unheard of, and the average retail store
lasted only three years.
The author starts with some background on her family and her childhood. She follows that with
how and why she started the clothing chain and then delves immediately into the ups and downs
of the business. From the first small store that was so small it would only allow one customer in it
at a time while others waited outside, to 104 stores, it is the story of strength, perseverance, and
common sense. An encouraging read for anyone in business for themselves or thinking about it, it
is a recommended read.
Semi-Homemade Cooking: Quick Marvelous Meals and Nothing is Made from Scratch
Sandra Lee
Hyperion
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
ISBN: 140135923X $19.95, Pages: 203
Delightful, delectable, quick meals that taste like they were made from scratch. Most, if not all, of
these meals can be made in thirty minutes or less and nobody will know that you didn't spend
hours in the kitchen. The recipes are clearly explained and easy to follow so that anyone can be a
success in the kitchen.
Divisions include breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, cocktails, soup, salads, snacks, gravies and
sauces, and even a short section on pet foods. Try the biscuits and gravy for breakfast
(preparation time of about 15 minutes) or the Dijon Chicken and Mushrooms for dinner
(preparation time of about 30 minutes) or perhaps the Cheddar Potato Soup (preparation time of
about 15 minutes).
If you find yourself often in a hurry and trying to put together a delicious meal in a short time then
you will not be disappointed in this book. Granted it takes a lot of short cuts to get you to the end
result with a minimum of effort, but it does not sacrifice taste to do so. The only thing that I did
not like about the book was that it was not spiral or comb bound. So, it was hard to keep it lying
flat so you can actually read it. Still it fills such a unique niche that it is a recommended read.
The Art of War: In Sun Tzu's Own Words
Sun Tzu, Gary Gagliardi (Translator)
Clearbridge Publishing
PO Box 33772, Shoreline, WA 98133
ISBN: 1929194005 $9.95, Pages: 141
Gary Gagliardi is considered by many to be a leading expert in understanding and using the
competitive methods embodied in Sun Tzu's treatise on the Art of War. A short visit to the
Clearbridge web site is all it takes to understand why. Still, I wonder what I might be missing in
the translation of the book. In this particular book (the author has written several based on Sun
Tzu's work), the left hand pages have each Chinese character with the translated word next to it
so that you have a word for word translation. The right hand pages contain a translation of the
words into everyday English.
The problem with a translation of this style is one that has plagued translators for centuries and is
the reason why there are so many slightly differing translations of Sun Tzu's work. If the author
sees one Chinese character and wants to indicate the English word that this character translates to
then what word does he pick? After all we have a Thesaurus because there are often many words
that mean the same thing or almost the same thing such that choosing one over the other
automatically colors the translation. What if there is no exact word in the English language? Well,
you have to choose the closest one and that affects the translation. Sometimes words, even if
translated exactly, do not give the whole essence of the concept in the original language due to
cultural or other differences. Translators can't even seem to agree on something as simple as Sun
Tzu's name! Is it Sun Tzu or Sun Tsu? You will find it transliterated both ways. With this in mind
I was glad to see that the purchase of the book gets the reader access to the Clearbridge web site
where they can see much more exhaustive analysis on the treatise.
Sun Tzu's treatise on The Art of War is really a treatise on competitive advantage that applies not
only to actual war but such things as getting a job, marketing, and any other competitive situation
that you might come across. A deep understanding of competitive advantage, it is still the
definitive text for understanding the concepts of how to come out on top in such situations. An
easy book to read and understand on a basic level, it can take a lifetime to truly appreciate in on
all levels and apply it to the various areas of your life. This translation still seems to be one of the
best that I have seen. It is internally consistent between the translated concepts and so shows a
level of knowledge and detail that is not present in some other translations. As a translator the
author obviously sees the big picture.
The Amazing Secrets of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War"
Sun Tzu and Gary Gagliardi
Clearbridge Publishing
PO Box 33772, Shoreline, WA 98133
ISBN: 1929194072 $14.95, Pages: 141
In "The Amazing Secrets of Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War'" Gary Gagliardi provides a highly
interpretive analysis of Sun Tzu's masterpiece. The text contains Gary Gagliardi's translation of
"The Art of War" on the left side of each page and his interpretation of that translation on the
right side.
I don't know that I would consider any of the information "amazing secrets" but the principles are
strong and sound. Basically Gary Gagliardi has taken the competitive philosophies embodied in
"The Art of War" and placed them into a visual diagram. This diagram is then used to explain
many of the more subtle aspects of Sun Tzu's work.
If a picture is worth a thousand words then the use of the diagrams to explain many of the subtle
aspects of "The Art of War" makes this a very useful book for most people seeking to understand
and apply Sun Tzu's work.
Give to Your Heart's Content: Without Giving Yourself Away
Linda R. Harper, Phd, Paul Keenan
Innisfree Press, Inc.
136 Roumfort Road, Philadelphia, PA 19119
ISBN: 1880913526 $14.95, Pages: 153
"Give to Your Heart's Content: Without Giving Yourself Away" is one of the best books available
on the subject of giving. Continuous giving without taking time for yourself leads to exhaustion,
frustration, and burnout. The book has some self-assessment exercises that can be used to help
determine the type of giver you are. Do you give expecting something in return or do you give
without expecting reciprocation? Do you take on more than you can do because you find it
difficult to say "no"? Do you give so that you will be recognized for your giving or do you give
silently without requiring recognition for your gift?
Once you know the type of giver you are the authors lead through several ways to change your
giving patterns to ones that are more holistic in nature. Give authentically, give from the heart,
give wholly, but learn where you have to draw the line so that you can continue to give in the
future. In a society where we are taught that to give to yourself is selfish many people find it hard
to take care of their own spiritual and emotional needs, but if we don't then our value to others is
decreased. It is only by taking care of ourselves that we are able to truly help others. This is the
basic message of "Give to Your Heart's Content" and it couldn't be more true. Highly
recommended reading.
Eating Well Through Cancer
Holly Clegg, Gerald Miletello, MD
Holly Clegg
13431 Woodmont Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
ISBN: 0961088877 $19.95, Pages: 254
A durable hardcover book with spiral binding completely inside so there is no problem with food
getting inside the spirals or the book not lying flat, "Eating Well Through Cancer" is a top level
cookbook. When someone goes through chemotherapy many changes take place within their
body. For many they become nauseous after treatment, experience lowered white blood cell
counts, diarrhea, constipation or other side effects. The recipes in this book are specifically
designed to help with these and other problems.
Recipes are organized by symptom (diarrhea, sore mouth, etc.) and by treatment stage (day of
treatment, post treatment). Each one that I tried was easy to prepare and absolutely delicious.
There is definitely no sacrifice of taste for the sake of nutrition in these recipes.
The author answers questions such as "What should I eat prior to treatment?", or "Is there a
certain time of day that is better for eating?" and similar concerns of the cancer patient. The final
chapters include changing eating habits to a healthier style post treatment or prior to having
problems.
Whether you are undergoing treatment or just want to eat healthier as a preventative measure, this
book has it all. With cancer being as prevalent as it is today, even if you don't know someone with
cancer sooner or later you will. When they return home after a treatment and you want to help by
taking something over for dinner you will be glad you have this book. It belongs on the bookshelf
of everyone who loves to cook for others.
Meals on the Move: Rush Hour Recipes (Trim & Terrific Series)
Holly Clegg
Holly B. Clegg
13431 Woodmont Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
ISBN: 0961088869 $19.95, Pages: 254
"Meals on the Move: Rush Hour Recipes" is sure to delight the tastebuds of anyone who tries the
recipes. And the best part is that they are not only delicious but can be created in thirty minutes or
less. The American Institute for Cancer Research was consulted on the preparation of the meals
and many of the recipes designed to include extra fruits and vegetables. Quick, nutritious, healthy,
tasty; what more could you ask for from a recipe book?
The front of the book has "Mix and Match Menus". For several given categories of menu types
(Italian, Casual, Greek, Mexican, etc.) there are suggested Starters, Main Dishes, Sides, Salads &
Breads, and Desserts so it is easy to plan a complete meal of complementary dishes easily.
Extras include a comb style binding so the book will lie flat when used, notation for several
recipes on how to alter the recipe to make it even more healthy, nutritional facts, and Tips and
Tricks.
Some absolutely fantastic choices include Spinach and Tomato Crustless Quiche, Mushroom
Barley soup, and Potato Pizza (an excellent heat and eat breakfast too if any is left over).
A fantastic recipe book that should be in everyone's kitchen in today's hectic world. A highly
recommended buy.
The Torah Lifestyle: Finding Meaning and Purpose in a World Transformed
Rabbi Barry Shafier
Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc.
2131 Hollywood Blvd, Ste. 305, Hollywood, FL 33020
ISBN: 0883910446 $16.00, Pages: 224
In "The Torah Lifestyle" the author chooses the format of a Jewish man seeking answers as he
considers marriage in order to walk the reader through understanding the traditional Jewish
lifestyle. Rabbi Shafier successfully uses simple reasoning and insightful comments to help the
reader understand such difficult topics as personal happiness, who you are as an individual,
thinking patterns and how they affect our view of life as well as a myriad of others. The most
impressive thing about the book is the simple, insightful and at times beautiful ways in which he
explains basic Jewish thought. A highly recommended read for anyone seeking answers about
Jewish thought and the meaning of life from a traditional Jewish perspective.
Harold McFarland
Reviewer
Shelley's Bookshelf
Tahoe Ice Grave
Todd Borg
Thriller Press
PO Box 612711, South Lake, Tahoe, CA 96152
ISBN: 1931296138, $16.95 (US)/$22.95 (CAN), www.thrillerpress.com
Todd Borg is a Tahoe resident and small businessman. He also teaches part time at Lake Tahoe
Community College. TAHOE ICE GRAVE is his third Owen McKenna and Spot mystery. Mr.
Borg's first two novels in the series, TAHOE DEATHFALL and TAHOE BLOWUP, won several
awards, including "Top 5 winner of Bay Area Independent Publishers Association" and
"Librarian's Choice, Best Fiction 2001" by the Cincinnati Public Library.
Thos Kahale's body is found naked near Rubicon Point in Lake Tahoe, his clothes neatly folded
onshore and a bullet through his head. Thos's mother, Janeen Kahale hires Owen McKenna to
look into the death. Thos was an upstanding young man with a successful business and a discreet
nature, and there is no apparent reason for his death. Owen has to dig deep to find the reasons,
and in the meantime the Kahale family seems to be dying at an alarming rate. All Owen has to go
on is a suicide note left by Thos and his family history:
"'Janeen, Thos's note says he was responsible for the deaths of three people. Jasper's father and
brother have died in the last few weeks. Could they be two of he people Thos referred to?' 'Of
course not. Jasper's father died of lung cancer. His brother in a car accident. Obviously, Thos
could not have had anything to do with either death.'"
One of the real strengths of the Owen McKenna series is the characterization. Mr. Borg has a
knack for telling a "tall tale" with larger-than-life characters. Owen himself is 6'6", and his dog
spot is a Great Dane who is perfectly tuned to Owen's commands. McKenna's girlfriend Street
completes the triad; an entomologist (science of insects) who deals with the grisly forensic side of
murder. Together the threesome make for a winning combination of grit, intelligence, strength,
and tenderness that is captivating to the reader. But Mr. Borg's plots are also super-twisters that
take the reader back and forth, into and out of the mountain scenery at a dizzying rate. TAHOE
ICE GRAVE is as compelling as any of Todd Borg's tales to date. With each book his writing
advances to a new level, much to the delight of his growing audience. A big thumbs up.
Parental Source - The C.C.D. Series
Chris Freeburn
Quiet Storm Publishing, 8202-B Corpus Christi, TX 78412
ISBN: 0971429618, $24.95, 1-361-992-5587, GOTOBUTTON BM_1_
marketing@quietstormbooks.com
Chris Freeburn launches her CCD Series with Parental Source - The C.C.D. Series. Chris
Freeburn is a graduate of the Prince William County Police Department's Citizen Police Academy.
Chris also has experience as a legal assistant in the JAG section of the US Army. The CCD Series
is a strict interpretation of police procedural.
Rayven Forrester has been hand-picked by the Governor of Virginia to lead the newly created
Child Crimes Division of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Her brother, Quinton acts as lead
counsel, and their childhood friend Detective Preston Richards has been assigned to work in their
division. The newly created bureau is controversial at best, and when a child is found brutally
murdered, the apparent incompetence and lack of cooperation begin immediately:
"'Some books that belong to the dead girl are in that truck. I saw some books that looked like
they had dried blood on them, so I smashed the window to check and see if there was a name in
them. It's there all right, on the inside front cover of every book.' 'You smashed the window!' The
shouted sentence reverberated from Preston's
throat to the officers. The sergeant winced. Montgomery squeezed his eyes shut and planted his
feet on the ground."
Ms. Freeburn makes it clear from the beginning that she has a dual purpose in the writing of this
series...that of entertaining and fighting child abuse. She infuses her characters and plot with a
sense of urgency that we all should have...of wanting to save the children. She injects realistic
police procedural based on personal experience, and justly is proud of her experience and
expertise. She has much to teach mystery writers about what actually happens during a day in the
life of a police officer, and the correctness of the police experience shines through.
Parental Source is a quick and suspenseful murder mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of
their seat. Ms. Freeburn offers up a brother-sister-childhood friend combination that is as deadly
as they are talented. Her series could easily become a classic.
Uncle Henry's Ghost
Ben Wofford
Parkway Publishers, Inc., Boone
PO Box 3678, Boone, NC 28607
1887905588 $14.95 1-800-821-9155
A World War II veteran, Ben Wofford grew up during the Great Depression. He served in the
Navy and was able to earn his way through Medical School. He practiced medicine for forty years
as a family practitioner. His avocations include farming, flying, and sailing. He sounds like my
dad.
Set in 1933 in the rural outreaches of Catawba County, North Carolina, Wofford's Uncle Henry's
Ghost is a whimsical narrative of country life through the eyes of a boy growing up on a farm.
There's been a murder, or what looks like a murder. A school house has been burned down. Close
by is an old roadhouse called "The Moon Palace," and some say it is haunted. Certainly there are
stories about a cache of money being hidden in the old place:
"It was commonly believed that Sheriff Canter . That was his name, Canter. It was commonly
believed that Sheriff Canter was getting rich off the Moon Palace, paid by the owners to look the
other way. That may or may not have been so, but when it came time to read his will, there wasn't
much left for his widow and she had to take in boarders to make ends meet. Some people
maintain that he got rich all right, but lost it all in the Stock Market."
Uncle Henry's Ghost is a tale that makes the reader feel like they are sitting on their grandfather's
knee. Wofford's background as a general practitioner gives him a special compassion for what
medicine represented back in the first half of the Nineteenth Century...when there was a standard
system of ethics in all things. Growing up during those times meant that one understood what the
rules were...and how everyone helped out their neighbor without the necessity of a lot of money
changing hands. For us as readers it represents a simpler time...a time of family, church, and
working hard.
Wofford spins a fairly lively yard, even as he shows us what life was like before the advent of
computers, video games, and plastic food. We need more of these types of tales to show us the
way during the present state of confusion in our world. Wofford gives us a nice, safe place to
hide...a place where a boy can still take his dog out for a swim and stick frogs in his teacher's
desk. An excellent tale from a man who was probably one heck of a doctor. Thanks.
Blackflies Are Murder
Lou Allin
Napoleon Publishing/RendezVous Press
1005-3266 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, CAN M4N 3P6
ISBN: 0-929141-93-8 $12.95 CAN/$10.95 U.S.
Lou Allin originally hails from Toronto; but grew up in Ohio and earned a Ph.D. in English
Renaissance Literature before moving back to Sudbury, Ontario to teach at Cambrian College.
Blackflies are Murder is her second Belle Palmer mystery
Belle Palmer is a real estate agent living in the north, where it is easy to trip over bears; bait;
hunters; and unmerciful Ontario winters. Belle's primary occupations besides her business is
looking after her aging father and taking long walks to commune with nature. Belle's love of
nature is shared by her friend Anni, a reclusive retiree who suddenly turns up dead in her home.
Newcomer Charles Sullivan, buys a property close to Belle's and who turns out to be delightful
company and a good neighbor. But things are not what they seem on the surface, and Belle finds
herself the disconcerted discoverer of dead bodies, including Charles. Is it murder, or is there
another explanation? When Belle is almost run off the road and her new neighbor is almost
poisoned, she is convinced that these events are not just accidents:
"Sorry, Charles. No time for niceties. Your line was busy. You haven't tasted that gift yet, have
you? He pointed to the sizzling pan, the air rich with butter. 'Why? What's wrong? I was calling
the weather line, or as they call it, da wedderline. That dialect tickles my ear.' She flopped into a
chair, her breathing returning to normal, noting the chopped mushrooms still on the counter. 'Oh,
nothing. Just gastric upset possible leading to convulsions. Probably survivable, health man like
you. Jack O'Lanterns aren't as deadly as the infamous amanitas or the corts."
Lou Allin raises the bar on mystery writing. Her almost contemplative style is heavy on character
development and local color. Her style is almost scholarly, so that the reader has to pause to fully
appreciate the flavor of her metaphors. But it fits with the Canadian "slow down and take a look
at what's around you" attitude. No rushing around in screeching cop cars for Ms. Allin, but she
gets the point across just the same. Blackflies are Murder is a book to be savored, rather than
rushed through. Ms. Allin is a nature connoisseur, with much to teach us.
Guide to Writing with Depth
Joyce Armstrong Carroll
Absey & Co.
23011 Northcrest Drive, Spring, TX 77389
ISBN: 1888842385, $23.95
Joyce Armstrong Carroll is the CoDirector of the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas. She has
written several books on writing, mostly aimed at the K-12 population. Her writing is full of
humor and is aimed at improving the quality of writing.
Dr. JAC's Guide to Writing with Depth is meant to take up where other writing books leave off.
Most people have learned the mechanics of writing, but few have an idea of what writing in depth
is all about. Dr. JAC makes it easier...writing is never easy. She takes on what others fear to talk
about, or just don't want to talk about. After all, these are the tricks that make for the best sellers!
She tackles such subjects as humor; dialogue; setting; showing versus telling; repetition; and many
other subjects that writers struggle to comprehend:
"No one really wants to experience drowning, but if the writer crafts the experience by showing
not telling then we experience the virtual reality of drowning. It works this way because of the
sensory signals the words conjure, the brain makes a connection and consequently makes
meaning. Since our senses are the primary information gatherers, constantly sending signals to the
brain, Hobbs invites you to stimulate all five senses through the power of words. That way, after
the brain has reconstructed and synthesized the signals, it identifies and we understand. Helping
that connection equates good writing."
Ms. Carroll strives to make writing fun. Her book is entertaining and accessible. Most
importantly, she encourages us as writers to find our own style, or voice. This is a very powerful
message in the midst of so many writing books that demand narrowly crafted rules, producing
many books that are simply replicas of one another.
Ms. Armstrong Carroll performs an invaluable service in the crafting of this highly useful writing,
that of good, sound advice that most writers can understand and identify with. This reviewer
means to keep this book within handy reach when writing. Ms. Carroll deserves a note of thanks
for writing an honest "how to write" bible for those of us who are ready for the next level of
writing expertise.
Blood and Bone
Austin S. Camacho
Infinity Publishing.com
519 W. Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041-1413
ISBN: 0741401444, $13.95
Austin S. Camacho works for the Department of Defense as a public affairs specialist. He is a
New York native, but grew up in Saratoga Springs, NY. He attended Union College in
Schenectady, NY. He has had training in psychology; as a broadcast journalist; and as a soldier
(where he was on assignment for a few weeks in Desert Storm). He currently writes military news
for the Defense Department (as a civilian), and has added mystery writing to his impressive list of
accomplishments.
Hannibal Jones takes care of people's problems. His uniform is a suit and a pair of sunglasses. His
girlfriend is high-powered lawyer Cindy Santiago, and her mentor is Gabe Niesewand, whose wife
Abby has a shadowy past. Niesewand's client is Harlan Mortimer. His son, Kyle Mortimer, is
dying of leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant in a hurry. Niesewand and the family
doctor, Lawrence Lippincott, explain Kyle's predicament and ask Hannibal to find Kyle's long-lost
father, Jacob; Kyle's only possible hope for a match and survival. Hannibal can see that the case
will be one of his worst, but can't turn his back on Kyle:
"'Fake an investigation?' Hannibal asked, slowly rising to his feet. Lippincott nodded. Hannibal
stepped close to the doctor and slid his dark glasses away from his face. His eye flared deep green
and he pressed one fingertip deep into Lippincott's chest. 'Listen well, Doctor,' he said through
clenched teeth. 'I might not take this case. If I figure it's hopeless I'll say so. Or, I might give it a
shot, and if I do, I'll do my very best to find the boy. But understand there is no third option for
me. I work in two modes. The best I got, or not at all.'"
Blood and Bone is an action-packed, sensitively written thriller. Hannibal Jones is a hero whom
anyone would want on their side. He and his girlfriend Cindy make one heck of an investigative
team. Mr. Camacho creates so many twists and turns that the reader can only hang on until the
exciting crescendo. Each lead Jones turns up exposes another thread, and even the good guys and
the bad guys keep switching roles. The action spans continents; the characters are chameleons;
and the plot is a real corkscrew. A great read from a talented story craftsman!!
Shelley Glodowsky
Reviewer
Harwood's Bookshelf
How We Believe: The Search for God in an Age of Science
Michael Shermer
W.H. Freeman and Company
41 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
ISBN 071673561X, 302 pp, hc, $24.95 (paperback available for $5 from Skeptic.com while
stocks last)
Michael Shermer writes (p. x), "If, in the process of learning how to think scientifically and
critically, someone comes to the conclusion that there is no God, so be it-but it is not our goal to
convert believers into nonbelievers.... I would have thought that God's existence, from a scientific
and rational perspective, remains an open question-it cannot be "proved" one way or the
other."
Wrong! Religion does not stand or fall on the veracity of the claim that an entity exists with
sufficiently advanced understanding of the laws of nature that it would seem to us not to be bound
by those laws, a claim that indeed cannot be falsified. Religion stands or falls on the claim that a
god has revealed its existence, and that it has specific qualities such as omniscience and
omnipotence. All such claims have been traced to the same bible authors who also assured their
readers (in seven places) that the earth is flat. The unsubstantiated testimony of the
Judaeo-Christian Bible has as much credibility as the testimony of Baron Munchausen or Richard
Nixon. Believing that God, the protagonist of a work of fiction, might exist, is no different from
believing that Brobdingnagians, Lilliputians or Houyhnhnms might exist. And since omnipotence,
the ability to create a number that is more than ten but less than nine, and omniscience, knowledge
of future events that have not yet been caused and are not predestined, cannot exist, it follows
that an entity possessed of such qualities cannot exist. And that which cannot exist does not
exist.
The accusation that an agnostic is really a chicken atheist tends to come from dogmatic theists,
persons who believe that anyone less brainwashed than themselves is lacking a positive quality
that they equate with courage. In fact a better explanation for agnosticism, the view espoused by
Michael Shermer, is political correctness, a desire to avoid appearing intolerant by admitting that
he knows he is right and believers are wrong. Alternatively, he could be genuinely ignorant of the
reality that religion has been as objectively falsified as Martian canals, even though the arguments
in the opening paragraph of this review proves that point by itself.
Shermer certainly recognizes the "god" hypothesis as indefensible. Yet he defends believers' right
to hold dissenting opinions, as if knowledge and ignorance were equally meritorious. At least his
unwillingness to offend the terminally ignorant does not go to the incredible lengths of Stephen
Jay Gould, whose imbecilic Rocks of Ages categorized science and superstition as
Non-Overlapping Magisteria, perspectives that could not be harmonized but were not really
incompatible. Ignorance and knowledge are incompatible. The only true agnostic is someone who
is unfamiliar with the falsifying evidence. Self-proclaimed agnosticism by anyone else is pure
political correctness.
The inside cover of Shermer's book states that "Recent polls report that 96% of Americans
believe in God." While I could conceivably have missed it, I certainly found no statement by
Shermer supporting that statistic, and it is more likely that the publisher was inserting the result of
incompetent research. The actual number of believers is no higher than 70 %, and as many as
one-third of those are merely reporting an alleged belief that has no relevance to their everyday
lives. More significant is the finding of a study of 1,000 scientists that only 40 % expressed a
belief in a personal God, while only 30 percent believed in immortality. Among physicists and
astronomers, belief was below 20 percent. And among National Academy of Science members,
when "doubt" or "agnosticism" was factored in, belief dropped to 7 percent. In short, the
scientifically illiterate tend toward belief in a god, and the scientifically educated do not.
Nor is religion the only contrary-to-fact belief system that is widespread in a continent in which
schools have been babysitting rather than teaching institutions for more than fifty years. "A Gallup
poll conducted in 1991 revealed that half of all Americans believe in astrology and almost as many
believe in extrasensory perception, or ESP; a third believe in the lost continent of Atlantis and in
ghosts; and a full two-thirds believe they have had a psychic experience." (p. 35) Since ignorance
and fuzzy thinking explains the prevalence of belief in parapsychology, it seems reasonable to
conclude that the same qualities explain widespread belief in religion, even if Shermer is too
politically correct to spell out such an implication.
In Shermer's appendix, he lists statistics on why people claim to believe in their particular god, or
claim not to. The only surprise is that a mere 1 percent of believers attribute the distinction
between good and evil to a deity, meaning that without a Lawgiver to tell them which is which,
evil would prevail because the masses would not know that there is a difference. That figure
differs by 99 percent from the belief of religious nut cases like Falwell, Robertson and Bush Junior
that only belief in their God can prevent the triumph of evil.
How We Believe is partly autobiography, partly a survey of religiosity in America, and partly an
examination of human thinking. While it is flawed, it is generally accurate and not always
trivial.
The Secret of Happiness
Billy Graham
Word Publishing
PO Box 141000, Nashville TN 37214, 1955
reprinted 1985, reprinted 2002, paperback, 200 pp, $12.50
Nobody with a functioning human brain could expect a book by Billy Graham to be anything but
superstitious drivel, and that is exactly what it is. And since Graham utilizes educated editors
(ghostwriters?), it would be unrealistic to expect his own books to expose him as an ignorant
hillbilly with all the sophistication of Gomer Pyle and Jed Clampett, even though that comparison
is if anything unduly flattering.
Graham's second chapter is titled "Happiness through Poverty." Enough said.
In chapter three, "Happiness while Mourning," Graham states, "Nowhere has God promised
anyone, even His children, immunity from sorrow, suffering, and pain. This world is a 'vale of
tears,' and disappointment and heartache are as inevitable as clouds and shadows." To Graham the
infliction of pain and suffering by an omnipotent god with the capacity to annul such evils is "his
mysterious ways." And the Holocaust was Hitler's mysterious ways.
In chapter four, "Happiness through Meekness," Graham acknowledges that, "To most people
today the word 'meek' brings to mind a picture of someone who is a weak personality, someone
who allows everyone to walk over him. Meekness, in fact, in the popular mind is not seen as a
desirable personality trait." But to Graham it is a desirable personality trait. Why? Because his
imaginary playmate said so, therefore it must be true. Since the same bible that touts meekness as
a virtue also states in seven places that the earth is flat, presumably that also must be true.
In "Happy though Hungry," Graham rationalizes, ""Well, to begin with, hunger is a sign of life.
Dead men need no food, [sic] they crave no water." In other words, Graham's god inflicts hunger
instead of death because he is a really nice guy. And if you believe that, I have a bridge for sale in
Brooklyn that I think will interest you.
Graham touts "Happiness through Showing Mercy." I have no problem with that one. But in
"Happiness in Purity," he equates purity with mindless, masochistic conformity to taboos on
joyful, victimless behavior that god addicts view as sinful simply because "it's in the book."
"Happiness through Peacemaking" is likewise evidence that even a religious nut case can be right
sometimes. But "Happiness in Spite of Persecution" is another apology for a god that allows mass
persecutions even though it has the power to prevent them.
Graham is a monster. He preaches a god that tortures taboo-breakers with flamethrowers for
billions and billions of years in an underworld that can only be described as a sadists' dream, as
well as executing a quarter-million men, women and children each and every day in reprisal for the
alleged offence of their distant ancestors, but is nonetheless more admirable than Adolf Hitler.
And he is on record as supporting a death penalty, an atrocity abolished by every sane government
on earth, for persons who indulge in the victimless, non-procreative, purely recreational activity
that he mistakenly calls adultery. In fact, when the Torah author's "ten commandments" were
composed, adultery was defined as the fraudulent impregnation of another man's wife, and was
still so defined in the 1450s when Thomas Mallory had Lancelot copulating with Guinevere but
not committing adultery with her, since he practised "courtly love," otherwise called coitus
interruptus. One has to wonder if Graham's wishing for the permanent cancellation of such
competitors as Jimmy Swaggert is purely self-serving? Or perhaps the target of his hatred is closer
to home?
The Secret of Happiness was mind pablum for the brain dead in 1955, and it is mind pablum for
the brain dead in 2002.
Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People
Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking
None of the above-listed books is out of print-and that is a pity, since it provides further proof
that the gullibility that gave the world theology, astrology, UFOlogy, psychoanalysis, Shirley
MacLaine and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is alive and well and not hiding in Argentina.
How to Win Friends and Influence People is a prescription for lying, sycophancy and
manipulation. Carnegie's recipe for success can be summarized in two words: Suck up. But he
simultaneously denigrates flattery: "The difference between appreciation and flattery? That is
simple. One is sincere and the other is insincere." (p. 58) In other words, kiss butt, but do it
sincerely. And never, never criticize anyone, in case he might challenge you to a duel. (p. 37) To
make people do your bidding, "Bait the hook to suit the fish." (p. 61) If the truth is not what
someone you wish to manipulate wants to hear, then lie-but lie sincerely. (p. 119 and elsewhere.)
No doubt that advice has created a lot of used car dealers, televangelists, and hotline
psychics.
Since Carnegie urges his readers to adopt the same uncritical, self-denigrating, brown-nosing
posture toward their fellow humans that they already practice when dealing with their gods, it
should surprise no one that a whole generation accepted his advice at face value. That such
sycophancy has never elicited a single positive (or for that matter a negative) response from any
god, was unlikely to be noticed by persons pre-conditioned to view themselves as the
domesticated livestock of a higher life form.
Carnegie's book is a collection of "Rah! Rah! Go, team!" cheerleading chants. Unfortunately, it is
also a very readable collection of interesting anecdotes, capable of convincing the impressionable
that it is a useful instruction manual. In fact, in the few places where Carnegie's clich‚s are valid,
such as "Let the other person save face," (p. 248) and "Ask questions instead of giving direct
orders," (p. 247) anyone who does not follow such procedures instinctively is unlikely to learn
them from a book.
In reading Think and Grow Rich, I found one word continually springing into my mind:
infomercial. The entire book is a promotional blurb for a book called Think and Grow Rich. For
example (p. 30), "Little by little, the truth has unfolded itself, until it now appears certain that the
principles described in this book hold the secret of mastery over our economic fate." And on page
47, "How can one harness and use the power of desire? This has been answered through this and
the subsequent chapters of this book." (No, it hasn't.) From page 50, "By following the
instructions laid down in the chapters on autosuggestion, and the subconscious mind, as
summarized in the chapter on autosuggestion, you convince the subconscious mind that you
believe you will receive that for which you ask, and it will act upon that belief, which your
subconscious mind passes back to you in the form of "faith," followed by definite plans for
procuring that which you desire." Following what instructions? "Faith ... is a state of mind which
develops voluntarily, through application and use of these principles." What principles?
And on page 52, "Surely enough has been stated to give a starting point from which one may,
through experiment and practice, acquire the ability to mix faith with any order given to the
subconscious mind. Perfection will come through practice." If you say so, Maharishi.
From the same page: "In language which any normal human being can understand, we will
describe all that is known about the principle through which faith may be developed where it does
not already exist." What does "faith" have to do with growing rich?
Pages 135-136: "The purpose of this book ... is to present to all who want the knowledge, the
most dependable philosophy through which individuals may accumulate riches in whatever
amounts they desire." What philosophy?
Pages 148-149: "The power which gives this nation its freedom is the selfsame power that must
be used by every individual who becomes self-determining. This power is made up of the
principles described in this book." What power? What principles?
Page 221: "Before you can put any of this philosophy into successful use, your mind must be
prepared to receive it." Again: WHAT PHILOSOPHY?
Pages 253-254: "Previously you may have had a logical excuse for not having forced life to come
through with whatever you asked, but that alibi is now obsolete, because you are in possession of
the Master Key that unlocks the door to life's beautiful riches." WHAT Master Key?
Every word, sentence and paragraph in Think and Grow Rich is designed to delude the gullible
that it actually says something. Anyone who has read it and failed to recognize it as contentless
gibberish probably owns a lot of swampland in Florida.
Norman Vincent Peale was kind enough to begin The Power of Positive Thinking with a warning
that it was not written for persons with functioning human brains (p. xv): "This book teaches
applied Christianity, a simple yet scientific system of practical techniques of successful living that
works." Christianity a "scientific system"? Oh come now.
From that point on it is all downhill. For page after page after page, Peale reiterates: Got a
problem? Pray. Feeling down? Pray. Can't sleep? Pray. Got arthritis? Pray. Not getting anything
out of this book? Pray.
Peale does occasionally get specific: For problem A, read Bible passage A. For problem B, read
Bible passage B. For some reason, the recommended Bible passages are always fatuous clich‚s
such as, "If God is with us, who can be against us?" "He gives power to the faint, and to those
who have no might he increases strength." Nowhere does Peale cite Jesus' fable whose moral can
be summarized: "Cheat those who are no longer useful to you, and use the stolen money to bribe
those who can do you good." (Luke 16: 1-9) Nor does it occur to him to cite the seven Bible
passages that describe a flat earth.
Peale's last chapter is titled "How To Draw Upon That Higher Power." Enough said.
When it first occurred to me to include Peale's book, which I had not previously read, in a review
with two compilations of secular gobbledygook, I was unaware that it adhered to a purely
religious viewpoint. I ultimately decided to leave it in, in case others interpreted the title as simple
cheerleading, as I had done, and wasted a trip to the library.
The three books described here remind me of nothing so much as the "motivational seminars" in
which I was forced to participate during the few unpleasant weeks I worked as a professional liar,
otherwise called a commission salesman. I recognized then that the ritual was designed to coerce
salesmen into hypnotizing (for want of a better word) themselves into believing that the seminars
served some useful function, so that such salesmen would keep selling beyond the point at which
they became aware that they were working for less than minimum wage. And I recognize now
that the reviewed collections of doubletalk were designed to create the illusion that their gibberish
made sense, inducing purchasers to believe they had learned something and encourage other
marks to buy the books.
Don't.
The Koran
anonymous
First published in American Rationalist, Mar/Apr 1998.
Anyone who wants to know what is in the Koran is advised to read the Penguin edition. Unlike
the Authorized English Version, which suppresses unpleasant passages by misleading
interpretations that render them innocuous, the Penguin has the advantage of being translated by
scholars who, not being Moslem, have no axe to grind and are willing to call a spade a spade.
And the Koran, like all sacred writings composed at a time when the human race was less morally
evolved than it is today, is a grisly, gruesome paean to intolerance, sexism, ethnocentricity, and
theofascist hatred of all who failed to submit to brain amputations and think only what Mohamed
wanted them to think.
Making adherence to the wrong mythology a capital offense was not new. The author of
Deuteronomy did likewise (20:16), as did the author of John. (3:18) Mohamed was merely being
fashionable when he, or his posthumous scriptwriter, wrote, "For the unbelievers we have
prepared fetters and chains, and a blazing fire." (76:4) "The unbelievers among the People of the
Book and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell." (98:6) "They (the Jews) are the heirs
of Hell." (58:17) "He that chooses a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him,
and in the world to come he will be one of the lost." (3:85)
The Koran in several places responds to allegations that Mohamed was a madman, leaving little
doubt that such allegations must have been widespread. Typical passages include, "Has he
invented a lie about Allah, or is he mad?" (34:8) "Are we to renounce the gods for the sake of a
mad poet?" (37:36)
The Koran is unambiguous concerning the subhuman status of women: "Men have a status above
women." (2:228) "Call in two witnesses from among you, but if two men cannot be found, then
one man and two women." (2:282) "Men have authority over women, because Allah has made the
one superior to the other.... Good women are obedient.... As for those from whom you fear
disobedience, beat them."(4:34)
Like Paul of Tarsus, Mohamed believed that anything his god did could not be evil, including
creating humans predestined to damnation "Allah misleads whom He will and guides whom He
pleases." (74:31) "We have predestined for Hell many jinn and many men." (7:179) "None can
guide the people whom Allah leads astray." (7:186) Mohamed (or his scriptwriter) endorsed
slavery: "You are also forbidden to take in marriage married women, except captives whom you
own as slaves." (4:24)
Perhaps inspired by the Talmud, which decreed that, "One who, intending to kill a gentile, kills a
Yisraelite, is to be deemed guiltless" (Sanhedrin. 78b), Mohamed similarly prohibited only the
killing of fellow believers: "He that kills a believer by design shall burn in Hell forever." (4:93)
And he ordered, "Do not kill except for a just cause." (25:68) No doubt fundamentalist terrorists
consider the massacre of tourists a just cause.
Unlike the Pentateuch authors, Mohamed preached long after Aristotle had proven that the earth
is round. But like those authors, he continued to believe in pre-Aristotle cosmography: "Let them
reflect on ... the heaven, how it was raised on high; the mountains, how they were set down; the
earth, how it was leveled flat." (88:17-20) "He raised [the sky] high and fashioned it, giving
darkness to its night and brightness to its day." (79:27-29) "We built the heaven with Our might,
giving it a vast expanse, and stretched the earth beneath it." (51:47-48) "We spread out the earth
and set upon it immovable mountains." (50:7) "He set firm mountains upon the earth, lest it
should move away with you." (16:15)
Recognizing Christianity's mistake in offering potential converts an afterlife of harps and celibacy,
Mohamed gave them a real incentive. In Mohamed's heavenly gardens of delight, he promised,
"They are to cohabit with demure virgins ... as beauteous as corals and rubies ... full breasted
maidens for playmates." And for converts of the other orientation, "They're to lie face to face on
jeweled couches, and be serviced by immortal youths ... young boys, their personal property, as
comely as virgin pearls." And to make clear that the playmates were not mere well-stacked mortal
women: "We created the houris and made them virgins, carnal playmates for those on the right
hand.... We are going to wed them to dark-eyed houris." (55:56, 55:58, 78:33, 56:12, 52:16-17,
24, 56:35-38, 52:20). That Mohamed's houris resembled Norse mythology's valkyries was
undoubtedly no coincidence.
Given the spate of atrocities currently being committed by Moslem fundamentalists, the obvious
question is: Does the Koran encourage random violence against heretics, infidels and
non-fanatics? And the answer is No. Fourteen hundred years after the founding of Christianity,
that religion was engaged in one of the worst atrocities of human history, the Crusades. Fourteen
hundred years after the founding of Islam, that religion is showing signs of going the same way,
not because the Koran so orders, but because, like the Bible, neither does it discourage heretic
hunting. The Koran is not more obscene than the Bible. But neither is it any less so.
Franquin: Master Showman
Jennie Rowley Lees
Currency Press Ltd
PO Box 452, Paddington, NSW 2021, Australia
ISBN 0868195197, ppb, 245 pp, $29.95 from bn.com
The preface of Jennie Lees's biography of stage entertainer Pat Quinn, "Franquin," describes how
he became interested in hypnotism after his mother the psychic had a vision of a fatal accident
thirty minutes before it happened. Lees describes the fable as if were a true story and as if
"psychic" were a legitimate concept. After a scientifically illiterate opening like that, I "foresaw"
that Lees's book would be a gullible paean to a performer whose whole show depended on
deluding the masses that his stooges were in a state of "hypnosis" that is now known to be
nonexistent, and that is what it turned out to be. Whether Pat Quinn still believes, or ever
believed, that hypnotism exists, the book does not make clear. He may well have recognized Lees
as an uninformed ignoramus and fed her a line of bull, on the ground that one does that to any
sucker. But his superstitious biographer certainly believes it.
In chapter two Lees credulously repeats Quinn's fantasy that his success as a cricketer
