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This was was very meaningful story for me. My second time through I noticed details I missed before; the reoccuring dragonfly when yawri talked with Moran, the orange light throughout the book including in Pergaine's crystal before and after the battle. So much weaving of images and events. Well done.

Provoking and written with exquisite skill. The book may help to inspire a new perspective about the world and your relationship with it. Read it.

I couldn't put this book down. It's a great story based on soul memory of our human history. I found it touched connections in me that opened my heart to an older part of myself. I can feel the truth of this story, and feel more whole now as a result of reading it.

The premise of John Fischer's book, WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING? is that the Church has abandoned the world and instead of being the salt and light of the Earth as Jesus called us to be, we have created our own little sub-culture, our own little ghetto of safety that the world totally ignores.

The Christian sub-culture is not necessarily a bad thing. We need fellowship with other believers, we need music that glorifies God, we need books written from a Christian perspective. However, we have created these things at the expense of being mediocre and with an attitude of self-righteousness. The world ignores the little ghetto we have created for ourselves because it has nothing to offer them except hypocrisy, condemnation, and mediocrity.

We as the Church have not forgotten we are at war, but we have mixed up who we are at war with. For the last thirty years, Christians have been fighting against the people of the world when those are the very individuals we are fighting to save. We are not at war with the lost, we are at war with the dark forces of the spiritual realm. We have forgotten this and instead of trying to help illuminate the world with the Gospel, we have condemned it with our own self-righteousness.

These are all points the Fischer raises and discusses in WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING?. The book is a great read for every Christian and will probably prove to be an eye opener.

This is the most powerful work that I have read since Philip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace. It spoke volumes of truth to me. Fischer believes that the evangelical community in America has, in the past 25 years or so, developed what can only be described as a Christian sub-culture; one which has had more negative than positive effects. He states that we're raised to believe that if we only act differently from the world then the world will see us and think "man, I wanna be like you." But that hasn't really happened. Instead, in large part to the WAY we act differently, the world views us and sees hypocracy, piousness, and a lack of love. They're not seeing Jesus. Just look at the way Christians are portrayed by the media: intolerant, not full of love. Also, instead of being salt and light to the world, we are in effect no longer even in the world. We have retreated in an effort to avoid being touched by the sinfulness that we see.

Fischer believes that our little sub-culture has totally failed. The church is called to love our neighbors, which requires actually engaging them. The church is not called to impose our morality upon someone who doesn't believe as we do. We are not here to spread Christian conservative principles throughout America. We're here to spread the Gospel of Jesus to people who are without it and lost.

One of the problems is that we so often view others as the enemy. Conservatives look at liberals and think "enemy." Fundamentalists look at homosexuals and pro-choice activists as "the enemy." Fischer says that is dead wrong. The world (the unsaved) is not our enemy. The world is LOST. When we quit looking at the world as something we must struggle and fight against and begin looking at the world through the eyes of Christ and see them as lost, that totally changes our approach. When our attitude changes, we no longer try to set the sinner straight or fix their moral problems. Instead, we try to bring her/him home safely. We don't focus on their sinfulness, we focus on their need for a savior.

Our entire approach must change. To do so, we need to reach the world where it's at. We need to examine their culture: the things that are important to them and the things they spend their time doing. By reaching out to the world with our walls of judgement breeched, and doing it in love, by realizing that none of us are perfect and that world is full of sinners, and I am the worst of them (as Paul himself readily admited), our efforts to reach these people will take on a totally new face and effectiveness. Buy this book. Search for it, if you have to (you may have to order it). It's a great read -- fast paced, due to his writing style -- and you'll finish it quickly. The message here is challenging, no-holds-barred, and urgent; it must be heard and applied. Five Stars.

Fischer has always been a capable writer both of fiction and non-fiction, but "What On Earth Are We Doing" is his tour de force, a brilliant analysis of what is wrong in Christendom. Fischer shines a spotlight on all of the silly arguments that have kept committed Christians from impacting the wider world an culture.

This book deserves a wider audience than it has received so far. Tell a friend!

this story told through the eyes of breeze, a therapy dog is inspirational, funny, entertaining, educational and downright remarkable! the story and events can be absorbed by children, adults, care companions, teachers and just about anyone, this book warms your heart and soul and enlightens you to the healing powers of all God's gifted creatures. thank you lorna and breeze and all you do for all of us.

The love and companionship of my "best friend" Whitney,
a Golden Retriever has been the one who gave me the strength to
survive very serious episodes of severe depression. Many times,
very close to the point of suicide, I would look at her, realizing her love and need for me in her big, brown loving eyes.
She would ALWAYS be lying right beside me giving her unconditional love, never leaving me. Sharing this with others
is a beautiful thing, as shown in this book, and needed for anyone who is hospitalized or handicapped. It will bring a smile to the face of a child or adult to have the opportunity
to pet a dog, and feel the love each will give. This program
expresses the kindness and caring for others, and I plan to become involved in this program with my best friend, Whitney.

A must read for anyone interested in people and pets!! Lorna Stanart stands out from the usual dog writer in giving a prospective of how animals nourish and bring out the happiness and love in people from the dog's eyes. Her book is not only a guide on how to become involved in people-pet therapy, but also a warm and loving look into the warmth dogs bring into the lives of the saddest and loneliest individuals; people who primarily relate through the senses rather than through the spoken word.
Although the patients are beseiged with medical disabilities, the book radiates such heartfelt love, one forgets about the sad and only remembers the glad. Everyone should give his child and friends this book. A+

This book is great and give lots of great info on how to take care of your guinea pig.

This is a wonderful resource book for new AND experienced guinea pig owners, fanciers and breeders. The information is easy to find, easy to read and yet comprehensive.

The book is very useful for any guinea pig owners. There is a section on how to groom long-hired species. The most useful part is the section on illnesses and what to do in the event of the illness. Very Helpful!

Using what I've learned from reading all of Robert Fritz's books, and especially Your Life as Art, I've seen changes that are nothing short of phenomenal with clients in my psychiatry practice, and in my own life. After years in therapy trying to "fix themselves," often without success, I hear clients newly introduced to this work say, "Oh! You mean creating what matters in my life is what it's about!?!" It often doesn't take them long to put this into practice, with gratifying results.

Having trouble creating the life you want? Or are you already creating results that matter personally, but want to improve your effectiveness?
'Your Life as Art' may be the next book you should pick up. It is packed with clear, insightful information, and doable experiments that can put your life on the fast track to the achievement of your dreams. Fritz is a life-long creator, and draws from his extensive experience in this very practical book. This is his best effort to date, and creators of any experience level should find it helpful.

Very few books can inspire you to create a higher vision for your life. Robert Fritz's latest book not only inspires you to do this, but also gently coaxes you with all the tools necessary to make this vision a reality.

To find out how you can use the power of structure to create the life of your dreams, as an artist or a painter would, read your "Life as Art", a masterpiece by Robert Fritz.

This sounds just like my book I wonder if it was copied? I wrote it a long time ago and it has just been repubished. I have never read this book but it sound pretty terrible.

This is the best book! It is really amazing when you actually know the author personally! Not only in Jacquie Harvey a really good writer, she is the best teacher I have ecver had!

The book is about a girl, whose parents are divorced and all these cool and wacky things happen to her, her friends and her dog Roll-up, Rolly.

'Also Known as Snot' follows the adventures of 10 year old Penelope Estella Grace Scott, as she tries to find her divorced mum a new partner. She has a gorgeous dog called Roll Up and two of the best friends a girl could ever want. The book is set in a sleepy seaside town called Dolphin Shores (which Snot calls Dolphin Snores) because according to her nothing exciting ever happens there! Snot is a really fun character with loads of energy. I think this is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I can't wait until it comes out and then the sequel after that. You see I'm lucky because my teacher wrote it and I've already heard this one and the next - it's called More Snot. But all of you kids out there who haven't read it should make sure that you do.

David's love of iguanas in general and Anna in particular comes through loud and clear in this touching story and helpful guide to caring for iguanas correctly. Anna my green friend discusses food, housing, bedding, disease prevention and treatment, basking lights, and much more that the novice iguana owner should be familiar with before they go out and buy an iguana.
It's a must-read for anyone considering adding an iguana to their household.

Some books are fun to read, and some books teach. " Anna my green friend", DOES BOTH! I really enjoyed reading this book, and you will too! Please read this book for your Iguana's sake, that is, if you want a happy and healthy green friend too.

I would highly recommend this iguana lovers of all shapes and sizes. Its a great book to non-iguana lovers to read as well as it is very informative and interesting. I am very glad that I purchased it.

SO far, so good! My students enjoy these "proverbs" and lively discussion ensues. Some of the example scenarios using the expressions aren't that great - sometimes a bit elevated for intermediate ESL sudents. So just make up your own...

This book is really cool. I am very pleased indeed to recommend it for those studying proverbs. The author of this book, Mr. Harry Collis, is so smart. He presented a very good number of common English proverbs in a genius way of learning. It is to learn and have fun in the same time. He really wants his readers to sit down, relax, read, learn, and laugh!!!

He, first, had had his book illustrated with vary funny cartoons, which make the readers zealous to read and read. Secondly, the readers, then, will read a dialogue and within each dialogue they will learn and comprehend a proverb in the same time. Namely, both the proverb and its meaning are clearly explained inside the dialogue, not to mention, they are bolded.

I am sure that those whose mother language is not English will find studying proverbs as well as idioms is much easer than learning English vocabularies.

(...)

It's a good book to learn both English language and English way of thinking.

And with beautiful illustration by Mario Risso.

Anoulih's version of Antigone was adapted for the time in which he lived. It contains hidden symbols to, at the time, both get the book past the censors and give the french audience moral and courage to stand up to the Nazi's and follow their beliefs. The characters are adapted slightly to fit his version, ie Tieresas is left out and a nurse is introduced. He also had to adapt the personalities of the characters, for instance Antigone develops a whiny habit, and Creon is seen as a "good guy". This was also done in order to get the play by the sensors. It is a well-written play with rounder characters than the original. This version would be better read after reading the original.

Ok, I'm french and I'm VERY surprised AMAZON sells some of our books... Anyway, Antigone is my favorite story, I'll read it everyday if I could. It makes me cry everytime and it's the coolest story about life.

Jean Anouihl is a very good writer. He did an excellent job with this play. And to the person who said Antigone was selfish, she is not selfish, why would the author paint his hero to be selfish?

Arcana is a book that you will go back to again and again.Whether it is to look at Fred Friths notes on composing and playing ( great fun for Frithophiles deciphering the music involved)or the fingering techniques of Bill Frissel this is a book that inspires the act of making music.All of the contributors have uncovered some real gems and John Zorn has done a great job editing this book.
This is not a how to book by any means, in fact Arcana offers far more than that.This is a what if book, a glimpse rather than a map.
If you are a musician I feel you will find lots of things in this book to inspire, and for music fans we have a history of sorts that I am sure will enrich your listening pleasure.
Highly reccomended.

largely this is a oblique promo book for Zorn & Company,and other CD labels Tzadik,Hat Art, RecRec, Avant,Atavista etc., as already noted in other reviews, well the avant-garde gotta survive, some do and some don't.
Some are erased from history,
Most of the contributors here play outta The NYC Big Apple,anyway,although writers were selected from all over.It'll be interesting now to see how the cultural scene in NYC develops in light of the World Trade Bombings,especially the free improvisors.
Zorn's a good editor,however, and books like this bring a sense of solidarity in what remains a asymmetrical culture, with no one knowing what each other does and responds to. The musical world is notorious for this social/cultural fragmentation.
I suppose George Lewis,who doesn't now live in Chicago represents the Midwest since his long time,'lontano' long ago association as a kid with Chicago's own AACM. Well that don't cut it.There are other in Chicago who contribute greatly to the scene as the CUBE Ensemble,and Chicago free improvisors. I guess we should get our own promo book.
Garland,Ochs,Rosenboom represents the West Coast, Yeah I guess!Bill Frisell offered renderings on different guitar fingerings was useful, although quite brief,like something he wrote on the bus on the way to the Gig.Likewise Guy Klucevek,Accordeonist/composer as well added some notes,real music notes,I never read anything he wrote,but again something on timbral poossibilities of the Squeeze Box for composers might have been incredibly useful. and,pianists S.Drury and Marilyn Crispell should of talked more about how they play,they play great!, and varied,I'd like to know in print what excites? them why they choose the music they do?, Yes we all know why they choose it, but a little explanation for us unwashed- dispossessed out here who pluck down our Bucks to buy the stuff would have been helpful, a little.

Larry Orchs of Rova Sax Quartet, gets into it, ya might think its pedantic to give licks, noodles and fragments of it, as he does but its a world of use,I sat down ans played all of it, loved it.
Some get into philosophy and the results are abysmal like David Rosenboom's shibboleths,too much science sometimes is a bad thing, and he's a great contributer to the electronic thinking of music,computer base pieces,But I'd rather read Kristeva,Derrida,Baudrillard,or Habermas on the Public Sphere if I wanted to read philosphy.But there was a practical side to his essay on the idea of propositional music.
A bit more useful was Miya Masaoka "Notes from a Trans-Cultural Diary". Since the real operative term is multi-culturalism not postmodernity, this was infinitely useful to read other persepctives, and means of performing and improvising with non-Western instruments.

The most political here was Pauline Oliveros's Questions answered by David Mahler, on how we all survive??, what our music is suppose to do???, how happy are we with the results??, who listens to our stuff?, all this throws quite directly the political question into the discursive/dialogue mix. Whom do we Serve? I believe Rzewski asked many many years ago.
There's also some neat goin exegetical excursions into the real sound timbre experience as Elliott Sharp's CARBONic History, Hey man whatever floats yer boat.
I know it's easy/facile playing 'Monday Morning Quarterback-Composer', But there was nothing on the Voice,Diamanda Galas,or Anna Homler,or Carol Genetti,should have written,scribbled something for this.
Peter Garland,the man of the Desert, is always interesting to read, another who has the guts of throwing the political question into the mix. Since Mickey Mouse and Bill Gates won the Revolution, he has some great stuff to say.
I think there should be more writing like this,no matter what the price, Again the greatest observations of Oliveros is that the avant-garde should serve itself first, we should all help each other work at each other's music,Yeah Right! Well not in this best of all possible Worlds.But it's a neat profound concept to contemplate
I think Charitable behemoths might loosen up on their tight purses for more writing emanating from improvisors,pianists,thinkers,composers,conceptualists, as those in 'Arcana' here,of course, ya all have to learn how to wryite, not like me,ee,Charitable people like to hold onto the objects they throw bucks at(not their's) than the music they will never hear, nor go to a conceert anyways,Music is toooo much part of the ether,rareified air,and it's all part of the hypocrisy we all live by and with.

As John Zorn outlines in his introduction to the book, he assembled this project as a reaction to the lack of insightful critical writing about the generation of adventurous musicians he is a part of. This group of artists and their work is not easily defined, although critics have tried applying ambiguous terms like 'comprovisation,' 'postmodernism,' and 'totalism." Anyone familiar with the output of record labels like Tzadik, Avant, Atavistic, and Knitting Factory will recognize several names among the contributors. Unlike the usual music essay which dissects an artist's recordings, most of these are very informal and intriguing peeks into the thought processes and compositional practices of the musicians themselves. Bill Frisell provides an approach to guitar fingering, Marc Ribot talks about earplugs, Ikue Mori discusses how she works with drum machines, and Bob Ostertag details how he adapted the sounds of a queer riot for string quartet. There's a discussion on plunderphonics with John Oswald, an overview from Elliott Sharp on his group Carbon, and David Mahler expounds his responses to a set of nine questions posed by Pauline Oliveros. The writings range from brief 2 or 3 page entries (Mike Patton's "How We Eat Our Young," Marilyn Crispell's "Elements of Improvisation") to long and elaborate essays (Scott Johnson's "Counterpoint," David Rosenboom's "Propositional Music"). Some of the contributions are more unusual, such as Zorn's "Treatment for a Film in Fifteen Scenes," Fred Frith's notebook extracts, or Peter Garland's journal of his trip to Australia's Northern Territory. All of them provide for inspiring and thought-provoking reading, making this an invaluable book for both fans of these artists and aspiring musicians of the avant garde. An appendix of brief bios for each artist ends the book, along with short lists of recommended listenings.