Balance

I did not get much of value from this book. It never really pushed home its concepts. There were certain important points, but there was not enough development or examples of the points to help much. Yet it was also not the type of book which is full of clever tips for "advanced simplifiers" (to coin a phrase), as the title might seem to imply. At best its a gentle introduction to the subject, to be followed up by a more substantial book or books later.

What a gem of a little book. Packed with usable and sensible information and suggestions and not just pie in the sky ideas. The authors start out with Find your Balance which wise and something that so many (we own dozens) of simple living books never mention. And as they note "Simplicity is not a state of rest. It's a dynamic, ever changing balancing act that occurs on several continuums: financial, business, relationships, kids, spirituality, you name it".

One element I liked seeing written about and something I have come to appreciate and do, is Hire Out. Which means I no longer feel that to be authentically simple living, I must do everything myself. And I have also come to appreciate the fact that in paying someone to do a job that I cannot do, is to hard for me to do, I am in fact providing a self employed person with income that will be used wisely, and I am not the stressed out person I once was.

And for me the section on Give Perfection the Boot was a godsend since I tend to be a perfectionist and one who would fret if I didn't sort all the paper from the plastic, or didn't get all the laundry put away or the floors mopped by 7 PM.

I did like the 23: Keep A Spending Diary since this has been a godsend as well because it allows me the chance to see where I may be spending on things I really do not need. Like buying a bottle of water rather than simply planning better and keeping six refills in the refrigerator and grabbing one as I leave. Which leads in to 24: Take a Spending Break. Which is something most people could benefit by. Sorta like taking a week long back packing trip and not spending any money, etc. It gives you a whole new outlook on how easily it is to just buy things without much thought.

32: Survey Your Tribe reminds me of my friend Nancy;s wise suggestion that I find my own herd. Which has to do with evaluating ones friendships and having friendships that are not draining or shallow, but are life enhancing and empowering. This section (32) is worth the price of the book alone. As is the section 43 which is Let Go of the Past and probably has more life value that one realizes. I wont share much of it here since I want you to read it yourself. Same with the section 36: Think for Yourself. This is a must read section !!!!

43: Exercise Your Breath, Heart, and Mind is excellent and actually has more value when it comes to a healthy happy lifestyle than anything in the book, since this section explains how being physically, and mentally active creates positive change in your life. Something the American populace who tends to turn to food, alcohol, pills, and other quick fixes for happiness should be required to read.

The book is simply a well written, useful gem which I recommend.

This book is inspiring in a really down-to-earth way. I read it several months ago but its overall message and specific suggestions have really stayed with me. The writing style is accessible, to-the-point, and entertaining. Brief and often funny anecdotes illustrate how to put these ideas into practice in your daily life.
I especially appreciated the point that some forms of "simplicity" are harder work and more complex than the conveniences and short-cuts that modern life offers. For example, reading aloud to your child takes more time and effort than turning on the TV. As the authors write, "Do the 'simple' things because they are more satisfying and enriching, and don't expect them to be really simple." This book helps with knowing yourself and making conscious choices instead of succumbing to busy-ness, exhaustion, and chaos. Whether you pick one "way" a day or read the whole book in a sitting, it's a quick read that will lighten your load!

In my collection of Yom Kippur books I bought this because I liked the maps of the Bar Lev line. This books information is dated and it relies on highly dubious sources of information(having been written soon after the war and quoting Egyptian sources, that were not open to scrutiny). We must recall that the Egyptian media was telling the Egyptian people that hundreds of Israeli planes had been shot down in the Six day war, so the authors reliance on figures that are inaccurate "more then 200" is not exceptable.

Nevertheless this book adds to the scholarship on the Yom Kippur war. I recommend this book if you are trying to dig up all the books ont he war, if you are looking for only one book I would guide you towards Harzogs "War of Atonement" or the slightly biased London Times "Yom Kippur War".

Mr. O'Balance did an impressive effort documenting this war. The majority of the books written about this subject are either biased or full of fiction. In his methodology writing this book, Mr. O'Balance follows an objective, yet balanced technique to present an honest and fair historic accounts of this war as we lived it 30 years ago. The fast pace and the in-depth handling of all the subjects contained in this book makes it an excellent reference for any military thinker about how to progress in terms of weapon system technologies, strategic planning, and modern-day warfare.
In short, well done Mr. O'Balance!!!!!!!

After some hesitation and mainly perplexed by some reviewer's intentions I didn't by the book. Then, feeling left out from one of the most important events in the world in the 20th century, I decided to check out the book from public library. To my surprise, Mr. O'ballance, as military writer, proved to be the only man with the 'right story' as we all lived it hour by hour at that time. After 30 years, nothing he told in the book was proved to be otherwise.
Mr. O'ballance has kept it true, honest, and professional yet exciting and fast paced. Had he influenced any event or narration other than just quoting the war's participants themselves, he could have declassified his work as " history", to become may be "fiction". Based on what he set himself to do, from the military stand point, he excelled.
But a war any war, isn't simply about military action alone! In fact, a war is always caused by something and is set out to achieve something! . And no matter what! If the cause is not justifiable and the achievement is not been reached, yes there is NO VICTOR and NO VANQUISHED. But that was not the case in 1973, bridging between the first a few pages in the book and the last few ones. Along, with simple analysis of the war at that time, one could easily say that Mr. O'ballance's work is not complete, as it covers only a narrow aspect of the war, the Military action. Adding together the political, economical and international outcome of the war, along with military one. One could see that, on the personal level or national level, there was YES VICTOR, and YES VANQUISHED!.

This has got to be the most boring book I've ever read. Dr.Taub repeats himself over and over, does not explain things very well, and this book did not provide any inspiration to even want to follow it. The only good thing I can say about it is that some of the recipes look good. Other than that it was a BIG waste of time.

This was an impulse purchase. The slimly-stocked bookstore I occasionally patronize (when I'm not online) had it prominently displayed on the counter. After reading the blurb on the back cover--"most honest, well-researched, informative book about total health"--I felt as though I must be the only consumer on the planet not benefiting from its wisdom.

Now that I've read the book's 400+ pages (many of them taken up with recipes), I'm having difficulty recalling a single fresh insight, useful bit of information, or well-turned phrase about overly familiar, commensensical lore. Nor is there enough information to justify the book's taking up space on my shelf as a reference book.

Dr. Taub's mantra is "Everything in moderation, including moderation." The phrase certainly fits the easy-reading approach of the book, which touts the usual virtues in general, conversational, flaccid prose--eat healthy, supplement with vitamins, exercise regularly, meditate away stress and keep a positive attitude.

In retrospect, two of Dr. Taub's points stand out. First, he's strongly pro-breast feeding and adamantly opposed to anyone of any age drinking cow's milk ("Consumers Reports" has since investigated this issue and exonerated the dairy industry); second, he acknowledges the role of "entropy" in the life cyle of every human being. Comparing human development to the seasons, the stages of human beings to the natural cyles of the physical world, Dr. Taub is able, at least in the early pages, to disabuse readers of any illusions about the extent to which it is possible to turn back the clock. In this respect, perhaps the book distinguishes itself from many competing titles in the cluttered, frequently exploitive, universe of consumer health information.

This book is an honest, easy-to-follow, no-nonsense guide to losing weight without feeling deprived and stressed. I lost 20 pounds a year ago and the weight has stayed off ever since then! My life and my outlook are so changed that I'll never eat the way I did before. Anyone who is not helped by this book has just not read it carefully or with an inquiring mind...sometimes the light of the unvarnished and honest truth can dim a person's perception to the possibility of change. Nevertheless, it's all in this book for anyone who is truly willing to change for the better instead of just talking about it.

This was first Modesitt book in which i was bored from start to finish. seemed to be mainly a repeat of hi sother works, mainly "The MAgic Engineer" using the charactors from "Fall of Angels". Even the ending comes as completely predictable to anyone who has read the rest of the series. Unrecommended. Try his first in the series, best in the series, "The magic of Recluse" instead.

L.E. Modesitt jr's Recluse series is a world of magic and balance. a world that will grab you and make you loss track of time as you are unable to put his Recluse books down. The author, recommends that you read his book in the order of they were published. If you are the person who likes to read the last 50 pages of a book first, and then skip around to different areas of the book as you read it through, then by all means, read the Recluse series in the order of publish. WAIT!..... If you are a reader who truly enjoys finding yourself part of the on going story, as read a series from the start of he story to its end. Then the Recluse series will grab you and not let you go until the conclusion of the series. L.E. Modesitt, jr. has written an 11 books series of the Recluse world so far. This author wrote the Magic of Recluse first. As be has published books, he has jumped around throughout the story time line of the world of Recluse, and put together books of set, and other single books, which he may add another book to that part of the story in a future published book. This author has written the story in books of set, that is the first three book of story: 1st book) "Fall of Angels", 2rd) "The Chaos Balance" & 3rd) "The Tower of the Sunset". Tells the birth and the destruction of kingdom of highly skilled warriors, with the third book leading into the creation of a new kingdom, (Recluse). Then the next book is, 4th book of the World of Recluse) "The Magic Engineer". Then Modesitt, jr. switches to the side of Chaos, and tells a story where the character's of Chaos will became heroes in your eyes too. So with time, you will gain a better understanding of the World of Recluse through the following books: 5th book) "The White Order", & 6th book) "the Color of Chaos". The next set of books that go together in the World of Recluse, are: 7th book) "The Order War", 8th book) "The Magic of Recluse", & the 9th book) "The Death of Chaos". As for the last two book that the author has written, he has drifted into the life of some of the troops found in the World of Recluse. My $0.02 worth.

This book is an exelent follow up on The Fall of Angel. Nylan the engineer of the angel war ship Winterlance in the previous book fell to a world and built a tower of which Ryba the leader clamed the title Marshill of Westwind and brought the power of the Legend unto the world creating a feministic rule on the Roof of the World.

In the Chaos Balance Nylan and his consort Ayrlyn and Nylan's son fled the roof of the world to Lornth where he agreed to help them fight the empire of the white demons Cyador.

Nylan leaves a while to the great forest Naclos and learns alot about Order Magic and goes back to the battle and uses his power with the help of the forest to destroy the white army and all of Cyador. After doing so he settles down with his consort in Naclos while the Forest reclames its original boundaries.

If you already know the history of Taoism and are looking for a more practical, modern guide, this probably isn't the right book. This book takes a much more traditional view of Taoism, teaching the reader about t'ai ch'i and other activities. Presenting Taoism more as a faith than a philosophy, it's just not what I was looking for in a more practical guide to living with balance in one's life.

This book reveals the secrets hidden in the mysterious Tao, Yin and Yang, Te, and the Way of non action. It gives straightforward instructions for chi kung, tai chi, and healing with acupressure. A simple yet comprehensive book that shows you how to use Taoism to improve your life.

'Simple Taoism' is an essential book for the person seeking peace in an ever growing world of technology and distractions. Stuck in a stuffy shopping centre one morning waiting for the car to be fixed, a sudden desire to escape to the library for a bit of peace and quiet brought me to the book 'Simple Taoism'. I read almost half the book in 2 hours and was so taken by it, I spent a considerable some of money photocopying the rest of the book to read later. 'Simple Taoism' explains itself in such a pure and simple way, you can not fail to understand its message. The book fills you with inspiration and helps you realise that you can experience true life-long happiness if you just stop trying so hard. Everyone is lead to believe that they will reach a point in their lives when they will have every thing they need to be happy, but how long will it take? .If you understand Taoism you will realise that you can be happy now. Through this book you will see that Taoism is just pure wisdom. Taoism is simply derived from observing the ways of nature

I just spent my last 2 weekends taking Level I and II of the Touch for Health series of classes. We spent a lot of our time correcting things in the book that have changed since it was last revised. If you do not have the opportunity to take the class and find out about all the changes, I would recommend Eden's book Energy Medecine as an alternative. In fact, I would recommend it as a complement even if you do the TFH class.

I am currently enrolled in massage school, and because I love books so much I am thrilled when a new required book is added to the list. As we are learning accupressure in our school, this book is a major reference point, as it is for most schools, I believe. Yet the instructions and explanations are precise enough that anyone could use this book if they are interested in this work. With a back ground in energy work or cranialsacral this will expand your knowledge immensely.

My one and only hang up; I don't really care for the pictures. While they are fine pictures of procedure, they seem to be taken from an original idea that happened in the 70's or something, and I feel it detracts from the modern, educational feel of the book, but in no way does it compromise the information- which is vast!

Also included are great protocol tips, an extensive bibliography and suggested reading list and good anatomy diagrams. Information is presented in a nice sized text, in easy column format with room for highlighting and notes, if needed. As far as information and diagrams go, this book has everything you need for accupressure!

We learnt the Touch For Health system several years ago and have been impressed with its effectiveness. We also teach Reiki, chi kung and other forms of energy work. Understanding the way energy flows through the body and where the blockages are is key to Touch for Health. We have yet to find anyone it did not help. As for the placebo effect, well, ask my dog....

I am an experienced reader of history. Mr. Dallas' work is indeed meticulously documented, but that very meticulosity renders his story line exceedingly difficult to follow. Most of the book attempts to help the reader understand the antecedents of Waterloo through the Congress of Vienna. The account of the Congress was disjointed. Characters were introduced with little context.

The description of Waterloo itself seemed to me to be a very short leap preceeded by far too long a run.

I just didn't like the book. It did not capture my interest and drag me to the end . . . it was a tough slog.

Congress of Vienna is always obscured by the Battle of Waterloo, probably the most overrated of all events in world's history. The diplomatic conference held in Austrian capital few months earlier, although less spectacular than Napoleon's last battle, had more lasting impact on the future of Europe. While political and diplomatic intrigues might not arouse readers' imagination with same intensity as the drama that unfolded in Belgian battlefields, book by Gregor Dallas actually turns out to be not only very informative but also a very exciting and entertaining read. Mr. Dallas approaches this subject by putting the Congress in the broader context of early 19th Century Europe and treating the conference as nothing more than a chapter in the story that began with Napoleon's abdication in Spring of 1814. Diplomatic drama that occurred in Vienna is accompanied with short biographies of all major participants, as well as numerous vignettes, anecdotes and accounts of economic, social and political conditions in major European capitals. The well-known protagonists of these events - Alexander, Metternich, Castlereagh, Talleyrand and Napoleon - are portrayed with great deal of detail, but even the minor or less known characters receive the same treatment. Love life of European elite is given the same attention as the diplomatic intrigues, and in many ways reader, as well as the characters, can't make a clear distinction between the two. In segments that deal with British internal politics reader might even find some interesting parallels with most recent events in Britain, thus making this book much closer to the modern audience than its subject might indicate. Because of all that, this book is not only very informative, but also very entertaining and exciting. However, at times a reader might get impression that British politics and British personalities receive too much attention at the expense of rest of Europe. I was also somewhat disappointed when I didn't find the actual text of the treaty. However, despite those minor flaws this book is a must-read for anyone interested in early 19th Century Europe or foundations of modern diplomacy.

Though the abdication, exile, return and ultimate fall of Napoleon is well covered by a vast range of both popular and scholarly histories, less is available to the general reader on the political and diplomatic manoeuvrings of 1814-15, usually under the generic title of "The Congress of Vienna." This colourful historical narrative, which is enlivened with countless vignettes and anecdotes, brings the whole period to life. While Napoleon, for once, is a mainly background figure, albeit a menacing one, three larger than life characters dominate the story - Metternich, Tallyrand and Alexander I - but it is to Mr.Dallas's credit that he breathes life and interest into the fourth main player, Castlereagh, a much less charismatic personality. The secondary cast includes Britain's Prince Regent, France's Louis XVIII, the monarchs of Prussia and Austria, Wellington and Blucher, Austria's spy-network (with the ace spy still today identified only as "**"" ),a host of mistresses and courtesans (often closely related, despite differing political affiliations) and a plethora of diplomats, while the walk-ons range from Ludwig van Beethoven to minor Austrian civil servants. A surprise is the extent to which the gouty and corpulent Louis XVIII, briefly returned from his travels, only to be sent packing again within months, emerges as curiously attractive and sympathetic. As in his splendid biography of Clemanceau, Mr.Dallas excels in breathing life and interest into bygone crises - notably, in this case, the near collision between Austria, Priussia and Russia over the fate of Saxon. A particular triumph of the book is the extent to which the climax of Waterloo is not allowed to dominate the narrative to the detriment of less well-known events. For the general reader interested in the Napoleon period this book is indeed a treat - highly recommended.

I enjoyed the characters, the descriptions of Scotland and the upper crust country life, and the dialogue. The premise disturbed me, thus the lower rating. It is apparent from the moment Lorna enters the picture that she is determined to wedge herself in between her sister, Isobel, and her sister's husband, Giles. "Why let her stay?" is my question. If someone is endangering your marriage and upsetting your children, why allow them to remain among you?

I absolutely love this book. It is beautifully, even elegantly, written (except for a few phonetic errors such as "poured" instead of "pored"). The scene is vividly and appealingly set, and the characters finely drawn. Quite simply, I want to live in the world of Isobel and Giles and those around them. I want Isobel's spirit, her equanamity, her capacity for loving, her energy, her dog, and her household help. This is very much a testament to Ms Sheepshanks' evocative writing skills. I did not want the book to end.

What truly sets this book apart, however, are the twins, Edward and Amy. It is rare to find such wonderfully handled ten-year-olds. Amy is brilliant, loyal, challenging, and musical, and clearly feels all the pressure to succeed that the gifted sibling of a disabled person is bound to experience. The portrayal of Edward is perhaps the most sensitive and understanding portrait of a handicapped child I have ever encountered. There is no attempt to sentimentalize him nor to get inside his mind, something no one would be capable of doing. But he is so beautifully depicted that he becomes real in a way rare in any writing.

I am desperate for another novel by Mary Sheepshanks. I love all four of her books, and I REALLY want to find out what happens when Lorna drops her bombshell on Giles and Isobel. I do not hope for a sequel (although I would love one): another skill mastered by Ms Sheepshanks is her ability to tell her readers what has become of the characters in her earlier books even while she is writing about different people. For example, one learns about Flavia, the heroine of Facing the Music, in Off Balance, in which she is a relatively minor character.

Please, Ms Sheepshanks, keep writing your fabulous novels!

"Off Balance" did take a few pages for me to get into it. But after that I loved it I still love it. Mary Sheepshanks did a wonerful job with this book. I had so many feelings for the wonderful characters that I really thought they were real people. I felt like it was happening in my life. The end made me so happy with relief. The epilogue stunned me! I almost fell out of my chair. I cant wait for the next. Please let there be a next.

"Disconnecting...." is a bit of a jumble. This awkwardly written, weakly edited book is a retrospective on the author's sudden exit from her career in her 30s due to a sudden illness. Written in a conversational style that lapses at times into exhortations to "...GET YOUR LIFE IN BALANCE!" it is part confessional, part prescription and part research report. The author has studied a number of self-help books and integrates their theories into her own diagnositic framework, a condition called the Work Identity Syndrome. Her solution to syndrome sufferers is an approach she calls "intentional living," a way of radically reorienting ones life. Worksheets and examples are provided for those who want to follow this path.

Statements from the publisher and book jacket hype are a bit misleading, perhaps a result of the author's background in marketing. Despite the hype, the book is targeted to women who are in mid career and looking to sort out the very real conflicts of work/life balance. If you aren't in that cohort, spend your book budget elsewhere.

Many of us get so caught up in the pursuit of "succes" that we don't realize that we are losing ourselves in the process. It happens very gradually and before we know it we are overly identified and dependent upon our work. Ms. Edmondson has done an excellent job of illustrating how it is we lose track of ourselves and what can happen to us if we have not planned properly for when we are no longer working. She offers insightful thoughts on assessing our current situation and explains the steps which need to be taken in order to make disconnecting from the workplace a smooth and rewarding life transition. Expertly reminding us of what is truly important, Ms. Edmondson provides a set of useful tools to help us rebalance our lives and live intentionally, and well. I recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about retirement, but also, anyone who is experiencing burnout or just generally unsatisfied in their professional life.

Ms. Edmondson's writing deals with her experience as a woman facing the challenges of balancing career and personal life. Although told from a female perspective, there are striking similarities with what males also encounter. I found Disconnecting extremely enlightening not only to better understand my own connection with career - but to see it through the eyes of my partner. A must read for men and women alike.

As the pastor of a small church for internationals - most of whom are from the People's Republic of China - I read this book with personal interest. It concerns many of my friends and their country - which at times I think of as "my" country.

Let me begin by emphasizing the positive dimensions of the book. Its survey of the history of Christianity in China, its focus on individuals especially of the 20th century and mostly in the house church movement, its (inconsistent!) efforts at balance. It is worth reading, and we need to hear the stories of suffering, courage, faith, and triumph that are found therein.

The book does have flaws which center on three loci:

1) Its persistent bias against the Three Self Patriotic Movement and persons/groups associated therewith,
2) Its casual and uncritical assumption of Christian "orthodoxy" as more or less coequal with conservative evangelical Protestantism [in my opinion its largest and worst flaw],
3) Its hypocritical(?) stance(s) on the relationship between Christianity and politics/capitalism.

1) I have persons who have become Christians while attending TSPM churches, and persons who became Christians through house churches. American Christians should categorically call for full religious freedom in China - no one should have to register with or work through TSPM. But we also need a little more understanding of Chinese Christians who choose to worship/minister "above ground".

2) Aikman uses the word "orthodox" a great deal - and clearly by it he means conservative evangelical Protestant theology. Aikman paints with far too broad a brush "Modernism" as the opposite of authentic Christianity (see pages 147, 156-157 et passim). Not everyone who rejects "conservative evangelical Protestantism" is a modernist, or a liberal, or "not a true Christian". I think Aikman too often presents us with a false dichotomy - either you are a "fundamentalist" and orthodox, or you are a "modernist" and liberal. He needs to allow a bit more room for other faithful and committed understandings of the Christian faith.

3) Aikman loves to criticize those Chinese who try to blend Christianity and politics. Who say, "Make Christianity serve socialism/Communism". Fair enough. Meanwhile notice how much Aikman tries to sell the "benefits" of Chinese Christianity in terms of capitalism, a pro-Western China, a big ally against radical Islam. How often do American evangelicals wed pro-American patriotism to their Christian faith? (If you don't know what I mean, look for cars with stickers that have an American flag draped over the cross. We sing patriotic songs in our churches while some Chinese Christians get in trouble for refusing to do just that.) If Christianity should not be twisted into the handmaiden of Communism, perhaps neither should it become the herald of Western capitalism.

I read with interest the stories and information about Christian brothers and sisters in China. The body of Christ in China has been through, and continues to go through, much travail and persecution. Their faith, and the miracles and healings that occur, make the Chinese Church much like the first century Church under the Romans.
I have lived in China recently and fellowshiped at a Three Self Church in a large central China city. It was a church with a strong evangelical sense. Most worshippers carried their own Bibles, they prayed fervently, sang heartily, and took notes on the sermons. They welcomed foreigners.
Reports of other Three Self Churches in other places were variable, however. There is apparently quite a range of vitality among the Three Selfs, and so a broad characterization of them is not fitting.
Aikman's subtitle -- How Christianity is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power -- had led me to expect a much greater analysis of transformation and balance than actually occurs in the book. These topics are treated mostly in the last chapter.
Overall an enjoyable, and informative read.

Aikman's text is an excellent field ehtnography of Christianity in China, with a particular bias towards Chinese house churches and the growing evangelical movements in China. This text, however, does not give an unbiased view of Chinese Christianity (it tends at times to be somewhat disparaging of the Three Self Protestant Movement and Bishop Ding), nor does it answer the question about the global transformation of power (my guess is that this was an editorial choice of titles to makimize book sales). What Aikman DOES do, however, is provide a sweeping view of evangelical Christianity in China, giving us a birds' eye view of some of the challenges and problems of China's church today, while documenting major leaders of the autonomous house churches. I heartily reccomend this book for anyone desirous of learning more about evangelical Christianity in China today.