D-A Books

This is a fine piece of systematic theology. Zizioulas builds his reflections on personhood, the church and the ministry on the basis of communion. The importance of conceiving the church as a eucharistic community is at the centre of his ecclesiology. As a Protestant, this work goes behind the the sectarian attitudes that I can see at work in my denomination, and exposes the flaw in seeking unity only through confessional means. I sense a deep sadness in his writing about divisions between Christians, an attitude that I share. I eagerly await his next work on the eschatological ontology.

This is an excellent book. Well thought out, and solid theologically. It was literally a paradigm shifting book for me. While I don't agree with all of his Ecclesiology, his views on the Trinity, Personhood, and "Being" vs. "Function" are excellent.

It takes some getting used to. I had to "wade" through it at the beginning. It's quite technical in language. I would recommend it for some ambitious college students and graduate and above.

Worth having and re-reading.

Every so often a book comes along that manages to rotate and shake up your paradigm in such a way that, after the shift is over, you suddenly see things not only in a new way, but in a new way that makes far greater sense. _Being as Communion_ by Metropolitan John Zizioulas is one such book for me.

It works on several levels, bringing together what are oftentimes considered disparate strands of thought - philosophical, theological and pastoral - into a thickly weaved narrative that shows why an Orthodox understanding of the Trinity as the communion of the three persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is...necessary. For Zizioulas, this communion of the Trinity is the model to be embodied not only by the Church as the communion of all churches, but by the very person as well: we only are who we are when we are in communion with God and one another.

The title of the book is no mistake; Zizioulas puts himself in dialogue with some of the great philosophers of the 20th century (such as Heidegger and Levinas, the latter of whom he praises, particularly his work Totality and Inifinity). The fundamental point that Zizioulas raises about Being is that in the eucharist - in the act of communion itself! - the essential and the temporal become fused into a living harmony. Such was - and is - Christ, and such also is to be the Church and the Christian, participating in the eternal life of God while in the here and now. Being is not static, but in time and in relation.

For those that have found themselves turned off to Orthodox theology in the past due its oftentimes proclaimed self-sufficiency, Zizioulas may very well seem like a theologian that comes out of left field: his *criticisms* of Orthodox theology (and I have never read an Orthodox theologian that was critical of Orthodox theology before) are what many Western inquirers have long wanted to know: can Orthodoxy be constructively self-critical? Can Orthodoxy be open to the recognition of Western churches as viable, even if critiquing them at the same time? Zizioulas presents an unapologetic "yes" to both of these questions.

The most heartening thing about this book, however, is the fundamentally pastoral angle the Zizioulas takes. While he can discuss the Cappadocians, for example, at great length, he also sees the essentially pastoral implications of the relational, Trinitarian God: the imitation of this *as* the relational pastor. He is especially concerned with the rise of anti-clericalism in both Greece and abroad; he sees this anti-clericalism as committing the same fallacy that it seeks to fight against: the reduction of the Church to being first and foremost an institution. Yet, he also sees how the pastoral failures of the past have contributed to this by not seeking to incarnate the fundamentally relational nature of God.

The book ends with a substantive - and crucial - question. If the Church is fundamentally the communion of churches, what do we make of churches that are in ecclesiastical and/or confessional division? It is with this question that Zizioulas quite literally ends; it is an abrupt ending, too, that leaves reader in a state of suspension. Yet, I can't think of a better way to end it. From theology as the contemplation of God to the reality of a fragmented Church (especially with regard to Protestantism/s/s/s/s/s...), there is quite a tragic distance. It is in the recognition of this distance, though, that the real conversation and communication - the very word "communication" being etymologically related to both "community" and "communion" - begins.

This is a book that cuts through dogmatic and ecclesiastical divisions and asks substantive questions that are birthed from the very life of the God who is in communion with himself and, in being so, opens himself to communing with all others. At this time, I know of no other book that more urgently needs to be read; and, I know of no other book that I would more highly recommend.

Being in Communion:
Dr. Olivier Clement, professor at the Institut de Theologie Orthodoxe St. Serge in Paris speaks about human nature, "not the philosophical idea but the revealed truth, cannot belong to a solitary being. It is distributed among persons in all their variety; it resides in the great interchange of life by which each exists for and through all the others. Christian spirituality - life in the Holy Spirit - is of its very nature something that "we" share, our self-awareness being awakened by our sense of being in communion with others."

Renewal in Ecclesiology:
John Zizioulas fresh look at ecclesiology have been with us for twenty years, and has left a dramatic impact on the mind of western neo-theologians. His integral consideration of the major theological basis of orthodox Christianity, the Trinity, Christology, sacramental theology, and eschatology but it is through the Eucharist, that the Metropolitan renews with a fresh understanding, Alexandrine Soteriology and Cyril's Eucharist centered ecclessiology of the one Person of Christ visited by Luther and Barth. He considers the local church as integrally catholic, in this sense. For Zizioulas, the Church Universal is the communion of all Churches, Catholic, Evangelical, and Orthodox.

Trinitarian Communion:
The author represents an ontology of the St. Cyril Orthodox expression of Trinitarian doctrine. He shows in a systematic theology how the unity of the Trinity is within the Trinitarian personshood of the Godhead. Western theology, considers the essence first in its approach to the Mystery. This book cuts through dogmas of ecclesiastical divisions and reaches for the patristic understanding, by asking questions that matter, from the very life of the Heavenly triune God, who in his self revelation, invites his believing sons and daughters to be in communion, sustained through His Holy spirit.
How is the Trinitarian communion defined, and ecclessiastical fellowship experienced within the life of the Church, and the teaching of the Gospels? Evidently, the writings of early Church fathers, starting with the Capadocian and Cyril of Alexandria, should be reexamined in the new ecumenical approach of contemporary ontological theologians from Athanasius to Yannaras.

Metropolitan Zizioulas of Pergamon:
Zizioulas doctoral thesis, supervised by Fr Florovsky, submitted to the University of Athens, was on the Unity of the Church in the Divine Eucharist was published before forty years. Yves Congar has written that he considers the author to be "one of the most original and profound theologians of our epoch" and that he "presents a penetrating and coherent reading of the tradition of the Greek Fathers."

Let me 'fess up here: I read this book about 5 years ago. Along with many other books about theology.

But it is one of the few that I still remember pretty well, years later.

I'm in no position to say how well Zizioulas represents "orthodox" Orthodoxy, but I can say that in my opinion this is the best presentation I've ever read of Trinitarian theology, ecclesiology, and theological anthropology. Those are some massive areas, and it's remarkable that one book covered them so well.

I'd also recommend Lars Thunberg's study of Maximus the Confessor in "Microcosm and Mediator," as another one of those books that has stuck with me for a very long time. It touches on a lot of these same issues among others, showing that at the very least, Zizioulas is not "out of line."

However, both of these books are quite hard for most people (me included) to read. For a simpler introduction to modern Orthodox ecclesiology, I'd direct you to Khomiakov's essay "On the Western Confessions of Faith," available in a book edited by Schmemann, "Ultimate Questions." Of course, Bishop Kallistos (Timothy Ware) writes very clearly about all this and more in, for instance, "The Orthodox Way." A deeper, yet still crystal clear and refreshing spring is Olivier Clement's "The Roots of Christian Mysticism."

(Mea Culpa / Caveat Lector: I am not Orthodox.)

Mike has been my personal trainer for about a year but I have just recently bought his book. I love it. It is full of great information not just on how to exercise but what is happening to you physically during the process. Although I workout the same amount, I feel my workouts are more efficient and do not seem like a chore because I know what is going on. It also includes information on nutrition, not dieting but eating healthy. I would highly recommend this book to women of all ages and sizes who want to be their best physically.

Better Bodies for Beauties is very motivating and fun. I really enjoyed the real life examples combined with the sarcastic humour. I also caught myself smiling a few times when I identified myself with the woman in the story.

Michael Fifrick's book is written for a wide range of audiences. A woman who has never exercised before can read it and get a lot of great information about how she can start changing her body. Someone, like myself, who exercises on a regular basis can also learn a lot about misconceptions, the fact that even trainers are sometimes wrong, about nutrition, and how other factors, like rest or breathing, are really important, as well.

Better Bodies for Beauties encourages fitness and health. It makes working out fun without trying to push the woman to the extreme. It promotes a healthy body not a super buff or a super thin one. It really helps women feel better about themselves and it guides them step by step in achiving their goals.

As a registered professional nurse, much of what I have been taught in school about fitness and nutrition has been unsuccessful in maintaining a healthy, fit body. It was not until I read Mike's book "Better Bodies for Beauties" that I realized how crucially important cardiovascular exercise is in maintaining proper health and fitness. Cardio is also critical in developing a tight and toned body that looks good in a swimsuit. Proper nutrition or even a diet alone cannot create the shape that the woman of today would like to possess. It takes a combination of nutritional changes as well as good exercise habits to achieve this goal. Mike's book taught me that I have to make some permanent lifestyle changes. Reading "Better Bodies for Beauties" changed the direction of my life forever. Thanks for your candor, although it seemed harsh at times, your brutal honesty with a touch of humor is the element that made this book so remarkable. This should be required reading in every woman's education. You make it seem as though every woman whether she is short, tall, thin, fat, or overly muscular, has the potential to be beautiful both inside and out. With the right attitude, dedication, and now guidance from your book, women can have the beautiful body that they have always dreamed of having.

Change your fitness life forever by reading "Better Bodies for Beauties," the book that makes eating and exercise pure pleasure.

I was impressed with the breadth and comprehensiveness of Fifrick's book, Better Bodies for Beauties. As a former NCAA track and field athlete that has been actively involved in over 5 sports for nearly 15 years, I am always skeptical about getting-in-shape advice offered in many book, magazines, and even on TV. But Mike pleasantly suprised me. I found his exercise advice to be sound and helpful for everyone from the beginner to the professional. In my experience, nutritional advice is not always offered as readily as one may think. Mike's book really broke down the basics. This book is a great starting point for any fitness plan. Definately a must read!

I enjoyed "Better Bodies for Beauties" because it is to the point and easy to understand. Fifrick's lean weight chart has been the most helpful concept to me along with his advice on weightlifting for overmuscled women. As a result, I have been able to simplify my workouts. I don't feel like I have to push myself so hard, and the results have been very exciting for me. My appetite has even lessened.

I have also found that Fifrick's book simplifies some of the other health and fitness authors that I have been reading. In "Better Bodies for Beauties," Fifrick agrees with other experts who teach that excessive protein consumption is not good for your body because, in excess, protein turns into fat, and as a main source of fuel for your body, it does not burn cleanly and can be difficult for your liver to digest. Reading "Better Bodies for Beauties," I discovered that carbohydrates are good for me, and like many other women, I had always believed that carbs were bad for me. I get full much easier now that I eat more carbs than protein, and I actually feel much better.

Fifrick's book is interesting, educational, and motivational, and I like his sense of humor, too. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 9) for Reader Views (5/07)

So many times kids think that they are too little to be important. "The Biggest and Brightest Light: A True Story of the Heart" deals with this same topic. Amanda is afraid that since the new teacher has doctor in her name, she will give her a shot. Dr. Malko is a doctor of education but she does deal with a medical crisis. Amanda is just 6-years-old, but she makes an impact on her teacher, Dr. Malko, that will last both of them a lifetime.

Amanda sees a need in her teacher's life and does something to help her. Dr. Malko's daughter Elena is very sick. Amanda comes up with an idea of how she can raise money to help Elena and her family with all of the medical expenses. It's heartwarming to see the love this girl has for her teacher. Amanda is excited to get to meet the young Elena. Amanda has a big heart and it shows even more when she goes to work making cookies for the nurses in Elena's hospital. She enters a contest and wonders if she could win. Dr. Malko is very encouraging for Amanda.

Some teachers make a big impact on their students! This story shows that students can make a difference in the lives of the teachers as well. I have been encouraged and showed love by a couple of teachers in my life and I wish I could be like young Amanda who brightens her teacher's days. I am a few years older than the young heroine in this story, but I loved the story. The pictures by Amanda Perlyn bring the story to life. It's a feel-good story even though there are some sad parts in it. The fact that this is a true story makes me enjoy it all the more.

Note from Brianne's mother: "The Biggest and Brightest Light" brings out the light in a little girl's heart and caring for her teacher. Brianne loved the story and said that she wishes she could somehow bring more smiles to her favorite teachers. She already is expressing interest in being a teacher because she would like to encourage youngsters to be all that they can be.

This true story, of six year old Amada, demonstrates the impact a young child can have in making a difference in the lives of others through acts of kindness and loving concern.

Dr. Malko, Amanda's first grade teacher, told the children of her daughter's illness. Amanda was concerned when she learned of the hospital expenses. She thoughtfully considered how she might help. An idea came to her. She made and sold holiday ornaments to help provide for this need.

Dr. Malko expressed her appreciation this way: "...You know, Amada, when children do such special deeds, they are like angels...Thank you my little angel." This gave Amanda the best feeling that she had ever had.

As the stars shimmered in the nighttime sky Amanda glowed with pride knowing that no matter how old you are, you are old enough to make a difference in someone's life.

This wonderful story will tug at your heart as you share it with your child. Children ages four through eight will be delighted by the eye-catching color illustrations created by Amanda Perlyn.

"The Biggest and Brightest Light" is inspirational and full of seed thoughts, of kindness, and thoughtfulness, to sow and nurture in your child's mind.

NOT ONLY WILL THIS BOOK TOUCH YOUR HEART, BUT, OVER AND OVER AGAIN IT CONTINUES TO REMIND US THAT ONE SMALL GESTURE OF KINDNESS, CAN LAST A LIFE TIME!!!!....IT IS BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND WONDERFULLY ILLUSTRATED...A MUST READ FOR ALL AGES...THANK YOU MARILYN AND AMANDA FOR SHARING YOUR STORY!!!

The Biggest And Brightest Light: A True Story Of The Heart is a rich and meaningful picture book about the greatest treasure anyone can share. Written by Marilyn Perlyn, The Biggest And Brightest Light features very simple yet moving illustrations by Amanda Perlyn. Six-year-old Amanda wants to help her teacher with a problem, but this problem is so big that it cannot be solved... for the teacher's daughter is very sick. Sometimes the best thing one person can do for another is simply to be there, and care. More than gifts or pleasantries, the biggest and brightest light is love, compassion, and the warm feeling one gets from helping someone in need, a lesson that bears remembering in this timeless tale about making a difference.

This heartwarming book is a beautiful and true story that will inspire parents and children alike. It is an effective tool in helping children to understand how to help others. It is rare to find a book such as this that appeals to all generations and it will definitely become a treasured gem in any childs book collection.

As a teacher, I found this book valuable because it has activities that I can use over & over to present these lessons. A lot of people say they want "Black History" in our schools--but we do not have a clue as to how to present it--or how to make a good learning experience from all of the information. I do not have to go take another semester of college to learn inspiring ways to teach Black History.And I think it will be usable for any age group. That is really valuable!

This book seems so simple, but it is has enormous power to uplift people, to inspire, and to educate. All ages can benefit from it. I am impressed.

This 44-page book is unique and very attractive. It is not another "run-of the mill" long, narrative about slavery. It is 44-pages of powerful dynamite! This author has done an effective job in making this complicated topic simple but yet educational. I am White and I really like this book, because it has opened my eyes to reality. I think all people should read it and use the activities to learn more. This author has some great stuff in this book.

BLACK HISTORY TREASURY emerges as a book filled with some of the best teaching exercises and material that I have ever seen pertaining to this issue.All races and ages should use this book. Melvia Miller, I applaud your ingenuity!

Reading about Black History will make us aware of how people who lived under horrible circumstances rose above the problems and became great inventors, athletes, artists, politicians, etc. I hope a lot of teachers, parents and other people who work with children will get this book and use it. We have so much crime,ignorance, hatred, racial division, gang-banging, and self-destructive behavior in this country. Maybe Melvia's inspiring book can open some eyes & cause people to think!

I feel very fortunate that I read Miryam Williamson's Blood Sugar Blues first on my search for insulin resistance. She was able to put together pieces of the health puzzle that even my doctor did not see. She is able to clearly convey a lot of complex metabolic issues so that everything starts to make sense. One of the best chapters is the one on choosing a low carbohydrate eating plan, in which she reviews five different plans, pros and cons. This saved me a lot of time and experimentation and was therefore successful from the start.

Miryam Williamson's book is well researched, well written and couldn't have come at a better time in my life. I've been suffering for years with unexplained body pain, headaches, blood sugar crashes, IBS ... the list goes on ad infinitum. Not until I read Blood Sugar Blues (in late February 2004) did I finally find answers to the mysteries of my health issues and can discuss this information with my health care professionals. Her comprehensive book details symptoms of insulin resistance (which I had never heard of) and clearly differentiates between Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I'm now adhering to a well-balanced, low carb diet and am feeling so much better. Shortly after changing my diet and living a far less driven life, I lost 14 pounds, am sleeping far better and the fatigue and body pain are barely noticeable. I'm convinced that I'm on the right track and will continue to improve.

This book is for both low carb newcomers and veterans alike. It covers the basics for the new folks while keeping us veterans engaged with lots of new little "nuggets," peices to the puzzle of why this way of eating improves health in so many ways. For me, reading books like this keep me motivated and on track. I probably have 30 low carb books, and this is one of my very favorites.

I'm 44 and I've been low carbing for 21 months.I have lost 80 lbs. through diet and exercise, and have reversed all of the following conditions: acne, leathery skin, overgrowth of moles, high blood pressure, painful legs and feet, anxiety, brain fog, PCOS, IBS, asthma, allergy to pollens and nuts, and heart palpitations. I feel like twenty years have been erased.

Miryam E. Williamson is a very intelligent and caring author as you will discover if you read her book. She is commited to this way of eating because it saved her as it as saved so many of us. Add this book to your library and enjoy.

Gave this to my neighbor and she has followed it with great results.

Miryam Williamson's "Blood Sugar Blues" is an excellent book for people who find themselves suffering from a multitude of health problems that are often difficult for mainstream doctors to diagnose.

Although insulin resistance is often the culprit, it is frequently overlooked by traditionally trained internists who, when all common blood and other testing comes back normal, don't understand the condition enough to explore it as the possible answer to their patients' complaints.

Williamson does an excellent job spelling out symptoms caused by insulin resistance-- which makes it easy for the reader to discern if this, in fact, is his or her problem. Her writing shows she has researched this condition thoroughly and understands how it can lead to severe illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer-- and she writes in such a way that her research is easy for the lay person to understand. While the book does provide a good bit of scientific information about disease processes, she has written a book that is highly accessible to most anyone who reads it.

She also clearly presents strategies for altering one's diet and lifestyle to reduce damage caused by systemic dysfunction that leads to the body losing its ability to produce, process, and use insulin the way it is supposed to. She offers concise advice for helping restore the body to its healthier state and offers a comparison of 5 different popular diets in a way that helps the reader choose which one may be best for him/her.

Williamson obviously believes that, with proper information and guidance, many of us can make changes in our lives that will help us feel better and ward off serious disease, and she does an excellent job passing along that hopefulness to her readers.

Finally, she provides lists of 'safe' foods for people suffering from insulin resistance and a number of simple and tasty recipes that incorporate foods in combinations that help relieve symptoms of the disorder. "Blood Sugar Blues" is a well-written and easily understood primer for anyone dealing with insulin resistance and the ills it can cause.

John is not an Amazon customer so I've entered his review for him.

The end result is that I have read a good book (thought provoking and an enjoyable read) but can't give it public praise. There should be a copy in all Board rooms--not only for the Directors but anyone who wants to combine accountability and responsibility with that of a trusted position. Bill is at the forefront of combining the ethical with the daily governance of a business. A very refreshing concept!!! Kudos to the author.

An excellent, thought-provoking book written so anyone -- director and investor alike -- can understand its profound messages. Another outstanding work from Dr. Brown.

Scorn and ridicule for Directors of such august institutions as the Red Cross and the Smithsonian warn members of Boards of non-profits that they must exercise the same -- nay, more intensive -- scrutiny as Directors of commercial corporations. Responsible leaders of non-profits should see that this book is studied by every Director: non-profit Boards are too easily led and mis-led, prone to confuse over-seeing with over-looking.

Just perfect for a businessman to carry in his briefcase so he can read it while waiting in the airport lobby or flying off to an important meeting.
And he needs to keep it in that briefcase!

Even directors of nonprofit organizations need to pay attention to the material in this book. With plenty of examples it explains the responsibilities of directors, officers, auditors, and counsel, and predicts how things will evolve.

In 524 AD Boethius was confined under severe house arrest while awaiting trial for treason. The imprisonment did apparently permit access to some books and writing materials. He had been a very honored Roman aristocrat, and had received an excellent classical education in his youth. He had translated several Greek books into Latin.

His present situation left him very depressed; it was not at all the future that he had expected. Then Lady Philosophy appeared in his imagination. She was commanding, and chased away the muses of the theater who had been occupying his attention with tragedy and superficial entertainment. He at first did not recognize Philosophy. Then he remembered her as the teacher of his youth. She had come to claim her own, and to nurse him back to mental health.

Boethius and Philosophy had an extended discourse. Boethius recorded it in "The Consolation of Philosophy" (translated by P. G. Walsh, Oxford, 2000). He was troubled by the frequent apparent absence of justice and goodness in human affairs. Boethius was a Christian, but this book utilized dialectics as practiced by Socrates and recounted by Plato in his "Republic". The Christian point of view is founded on faith that God, goodness, and a final purpose exist because they are revealed in the Bible. In the Platonic view taken by Boethius, the presence in human affairs of God and purpose ("purpose" appears in Richard Green's translation of "The Consolation of Philosophy".) can be established by reasoning. The reasoning does require faith in something, namely in the orderly and lawful progression of events in the natural world, as suggested for instance in the orderly motions of the heavenly bodies (Walsh, p. 17, "...this tiniest of sparks will cause life's heat to be resuscitated in you."). In the language of the time, orderly progression was determined by divine reason.

"The Consolation of Philosophy" was little noticed in the turmoil following the final collapse of the Western Empire. But it was transcribed under Charlemagne in the eighth century, and it remained thereafter a very influential book for a thousand years. Chaucer translated it into English. One can imagine that its very deterministic outlook was too constraining as the later Renaissance burst forth and demanded unbounded freedom for the individual.

We may be entering more sober times. Some of us may find that our present realities do not meet our expectations. We share this with Boethius. If we have never achieved the success or fame accorded Boethius, we still may have reverses due to the economy or old age. Can "The Consolation of Philosophy" help us? If we turn to it as a reasoned approach, does it hold up in the light of modern science?

Our most highly developed science is physics. How does a modern physicist regard the world? Based first of all on quantum mechanics, he is apt to feel that reality at the fundamental level is probabilistic rather than deterministic. But there have been those who seem to disagree, most notably Einstein and Schrödinger. Einstein's vision of reality involves a space-time continuum. Doesn't this imply that any part of the whole is predetermined by the requirement that it fit adjacent parts? This corresponds with the medieval belief that the world, present, past, and future, is known to God. Boethius felt that this is compatible with free will for humans, in a way that is not immediately evident to out human reason. He resolves this after finding why human affairs do not seem to be guided by the hand of God, as is the material world.

Physics is not the only science. Biology is much closer to human concerns. The most spectacular aspect of modern biology is the discovery of the structure of DNA and the mode of its expression in the body. DNA bridges the gap between organismic biology and evolutionary biology. The structure of DNA is described with a mechanistic model, and its expression results from causal relationships. This is very deterministic.

In organismic biology perhaps the greatest accomplishment in the twentieth century was the theoretical and quantitative explication of the firing of the giant neuron in the Atlantic squid, since the same model can be applied to many other neurons and species simply by adjusting parameters. Eric Kandel has extended the quantitative and molecular understanding of neural behavior further in his work on synapses. This establishes the molecular basis of memory. In his Nobel address ("Science", 2 November 2001, pp. 1030-1038), Kandel noted that the solution of the general problem of neural functioning in memory will require a systems approach, and he is confident that this and other questions in the biology of learning will be addressed in the near future. I wonder if Kandel is too optimistic?

A neuropsychological theory of memory and learning was advanced by Donald Hebb in 1949, and used by Hebb in his teaching of psychology (Hebb, D.O., "Textbook of Psychology" (3rd Ed.), Saunders, Philadelphia, 1972. See also Hebb, D.O., "The Organization of Behavior", Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002.). Hebb's theory introduced cell assemblies in neural networks, but was nonmathematical. Hebb was not a mathematician, and in addition the tools for putting the theory in mathematical form were not available. Powerful computers did not exist (a modern PC would suffice for a small idealized network), and the mathematical field of nonlinear dynamics was relatively undeveloped. Now those tools exist, but apparently the approach has never been tried. Has contemporary science gone beyond such fundamental things?

Now let's consider a bit of social science. Going back 56 years, the Second World War had been over long enough to give people time to think about how to change human culture and prevent another war. One idea for changing social behavior was offered by the behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner. He presented it in the form of a novel, titled "Walden Two" (reissued 1976, Prentice-Hall). Walden Two was an imagined utopian community. The description and history of such communities is interesting in itself, but my purpose here is to compare the formative influences in Walden Two with those that our society has brought to bear in recent decades. Walden Two had been in existence for ten years, and its population after the war was about 1000. At that time its educational procedures for children had been worked out. They began at birth, and were so thorough in instilling cooperative attitudes that male aggression never appeared in early childhood. I wonder whether that might interfere with normal male hormonal balance. Maybe, if the cooperative attitude is desirable, training should begin after proper male development. At any rate, if we aimed to develop a socialist society, training for reduction of male aggression should be introduced at some age. We are now going in the opposite direction. In our society, fathers encourage aggressive behavior in their sons, so that they will be able to get their share in the capitalistic culture. The development of aggressive instincts does not stop there. The influence of television on all ages promotes violent attitudes. Whether Skinner considered this in his later years I don't know. He did not live long enough to see the development of violent computer games, but surely he would be appalled. As things stand, we appear to be committed irrevocably to an unrestrained capitalistic society, in which waste could be unbounded. Can we halt this with recycling? Or are we headed for social disaster? The wise course for the individual is to prepare for acceptance, whatever comes.

Coming back to the present, many of us are disappointed, and are looking for encouragement or consolation. Some will find it in religion based on faith, especially the forgiving Christian faith revealed in the Bible. There will also be mystics, who have a direct experience of God, and therefore don't need a conscious act of faith. Others may turn to a more secular view. Notable is the outlook expressed by Stephen Jay Gould in "Wonderful Life" (Norton, 1989). Gould sees precious value in human life precisely because its origin was dependent on contingent events, and hence was so unlikely. This is very different from the deterministic view I have taken. Gould draws further assurance from the apparent release of the free will from determinism.

Finally there is the path chosen by Boethius. It is the way of a rational mind that has been confronted with the harsh reality of reversals or deprivations. It is the path of acceptance, as a higher value becomes evident. Again we question whether this view makes sense in the light of modern science. Is there something about the human mind that makes it override material values? Many have tried to define the source of the difference between human perception and that of other animals. One current view is that consciousness is the special human resource. But do we really know that other animals don't possess consciousness?

The difference between humans and animals may be that humans have passed a threshold in symbolic activity. When our ape-like ancestors left the forest, and began hunting on the hilly savannas, they became more social, both to hunt big game in groups and to prepare food at the camp. This promoted a dramatic development of language. Brain regions involved in symbolic activity expanded. It became possible to tell stories of hunting adventures. Stories cultivated imagination, and imagination led to visions of what might be over the next hill. This in turn led to the concept of a space beyond all hills, an abstract space. The regularity of the Sun and Moon demonstrated order in the abstract space. Maintained by what agency? There must be a divine will that promotes order. At that point our ancestors were DISCOVERING the spiritual realm.

Ages later writing appeared, which made it possible to transmit precise knowledge, and so led to advanced culture. We discovered mathematical relations, and made a start in learning physical laws. These developments depended on the conscious mind, but also involved the subconscious in an essential way. The subconscious is not limited by sequential logic. Like nature, it considers everything at once. And so we draw closer to God. It is the above characteristics that make the individual human mind precious. It depends on culture, but rises above culture. The individual mind comprehends a whole world. Except perhaps when we pass our threshold of tolerable pain, the mind is able to rise above physical discomforts and deprivations, and find refuge in comtemplation of the world within.

The next time you have a bad day and get mired in self-pity, think about Boethius. Born into a wealthy Roman family around 480 C.E., Boethius was a successful scholar and politician. Early in his career, he wrote influential treatises on Aristotle's logic and Christian theology. He became a senator and found favor with the rulers of the Roman world, ultimately taking the highest post in the Western government (then located in Ravenna, rather than Rome). But his world fell apart when his king, Theoderic, charged him with treason. Confined to his house and awaiting a particularly gruesome execution (you don't want to know), Boethius comforted himself with philosophical reflection. Working partly in verse and partly in prose, as translated by P.G. Walsh, Boethius crafted a long dialogue with the goddess Philosophy, who slowly convinces him that happiness based on worldly things is fleeting and false, and that true happiness can come only from knowledge of God and his goodness. getAbstract is glad to offer a look at this classic work, which inspired people from Dante to C.S. Lewis, even in their darkest hours.

The particular edition I am reviewing is the Oxford World's Classics translation by P. G. Walsh.

This is one of those classics that can catch an unsuspecting reader completely by surprise, especially if one has read many other works by near contemporaries. The circumstances under which it was composed are legendary, and lend the work a legitimacy granted to few other works. Boethius was among the foremost government officials in what was essentially the successor government to the end of the Roman Empire. Rome and much of the rest of what would later become Italy was under the control of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric. A product of one of the leading Roman familes, Boethius ascended to a power of great honor and authority under Theodoric, only to be accused of treason late in the latter's life, at which point Boethius was imprisoned and condemned to death. While awaiting his fate (including whether Theodoric actually intended on carrying out the sentence), Boethius wrote this remarkable dialog between a prisoner whose situation closely resembles Boethius' and Philosophy personified as a woman. Although many topics are discussed, the heart of the dialog is the nature of true happiness.

Although few of its readers are likely to face circumstances as dire as Boethius', the work remains remarkably pertinent in an age where ideals of happiness are dictated almost entirely by our modern consumer society. Philosophy carefully explains to the prisoner that that happiness can never be found in such things as fame or power or riches and other things that are confused with the true source of happiness. For Boethius' Philosophy, happiness is ultimately rooted in the Christian God, but even for non-Christians, the lightly theological tone of the work provides much reflection on the nature of happiness in almost any kind of situation.

The Walsh edition of this work is, in my opinion, the finest readily available edition in English. The notes are marvelous, both providing overviews to each upcoming section as well as providing detailed comments on specific lines in the text. The introduction gives any new reader of the work all the context and background that he or she would need to digest the work. Best of all, the translation is exceptionally readable, and the translations of the many poems far above the average for most academic translations of verse.

I recommend this work strongly to either of two kinds of readers. First, for anyone who is a student of intellectual history the work remains for an understanding of a host of writers in the middle ages, as well as for many 19th century poets. Second, anyone interested in devotional or reflectional works, whether religious or philosophical, this remains one of the most essential works in the history of thought. By almost any standard, this is a work that demands careful reading and study.

For a long time, this would stand as the last major work in which philosophy played the role it was accustomed to play in Antiquity; most medieval thinkers would make philosophy the servant of theology and strip it of its profoundly ethical roots - after all, Christianity became the philosophical way of life par excellence. By using philosophy as a character, Boethius emphasizes its vital role in everyday life and the choices that life entails. Although Boethius is usually mentioned in conjunction with Aristotelian and Christian thought, this work is especially linked to Platonism, Stoicism and Neoplatonism: a) it follows the progression of Socratic discourse in a journey that leads one from the suppression of false beliefs towards a gradually clearer approximation of what Good is, and Philosophy is akin to the priestess Diotima of Plato's Symposium; b) the harrowing context in which it was written mirrors the composition of Seneca's Letters to Lucilius; c) its frequent allegorical use of poetry and myths follows the path set forth by the Stoics and Neoplatonists. The first few books free Philosophy's interlocutor from his errors, and Boethius then explores the work's central subjects: justice, the nature of good and evil, providence (themes that also intensely preoccupied Plotinus late in his life). Treating 'Consolation...' only as a compendium of ancient Greek philosophy would be doing it a major disservice, as it would underscore the personal dimension lying at the very heart of the work. Those who forgot that philosophy is a lot more than the mere juggling of concepts should definitely read this key book.

Here you find the unequivocal declaration that not riches, not high position, not fame, not physical pleasure are worth pursuing in-and-of themselves. Such things are of value only if they are obtained in the pursuit of the highest Good. This highest Good is demonstrated to be God. Moreover, Boethius points out that when evil men succeed in obtaining such goals over the righteous, then they cease to truly be men- they are beasts and subhuman. This is a refreshing reminder in the modern world, a world not unlike that of late Roman times.

All happyness, all worth, all reason for being, lies in the One and the Good. Even when we commit immoral acts, it is a result of ignorance on our part in seeking this ultimate goal. Indeed, to turn from the quest of finding the One is to cease to exist at any meaningful level. There is no "fire and brimstone", or talk of eternal torment in hell here. There doesn't need to be. As long as you willfully or ignorantly stray from the Path then you are in hell. And to not find reconnection with the One and the Good is to cease to exist. All of our earthly existence is for the purpose of reawakening to our true nature. This truth lies within all of us and it is only reached by personal introspection (Know thyself.) Only in this way will we return to the eternal Source that lies beyond time itself.

The consolation of the Consolatio lies in the fact that suffering serves a purpose if it puts us back on the true Path. Moreover, earthly recognition of virtue is irrelevent. God always recognises the man of virtue if the masses do not.

This book is obviously extremely well researched, and the narrative is easy to read, but only 100 pages into it I am finding it necessary to make my own lists, timelines, and charts to keep track of the players and events. She failed to provide any, even though she introduces multiple threads. She discusses at least three sets of victims (DeSalvo's, Nassar's, and the Boston Stranglers'); several players at several levels of police, judicial, and political jurisdictions; several attorneys, and several different political factors, including cross-jurisdictional squabbles and who gets what kind of publicity. Nevertheless, the reader is given no tie-backs to help keep all of those straight, including which names belong to which set of victims or law enforcement agency, even though 50 pages and multiple other players frequently separate references to specific individuals or significant factors.

Susan Kelly has produced a very thoroughly researched and documented book on the subject of the Boston Strangler case of the early 60's.

The Preface tells of the circumstance that led to the author's interest in the case.

She describes the political and public pressure to solve these cases. The media distortion was a major problem.

The author frequently references books by Gerald Frank and F.Lee Bailey as well as numerous newspaper articles.

A few things brought up in this book make a very strong case that Albert DeSalvo wasn't the strangler. His confession in it's entirety would have exonerated him. There is evidence strongly suggesting that some of these cases weren't even related by M.O. or victim type.
DeSalvo was the "Green Man" guilty of sexual assault but the leap from that to the Strangler was tenuous at best.

Susan Kelly makes a strong argument that Albert Desalvo was looking for fame for himself and financial security for his family. He was offered a chance at both by one of his attorneys and he was no doubt coached by nore than a few people, one being the man that killed some of the "Bostan Strangler" victims. Another factor was that details were published in the newspapers regularly. A casual reader could pick up enough information to make a more compelling confession than DeSalvo did on some of the cases.

The author examines some of the prominent suspects known to be in the areas of the killings, as well as information on the victims, their actions and crime scene details.

"The Boston Stranglers" is an excellent book on the subject and characters involved. It is well written and I highly recommend it.

I read a number of books about this subject, and this is one of the best written. Susan Kelly interjects humor and irony at just the right moments and for a true crime account, it reads more like a novel. I truly enjoyed this book.

I was blown away by the last chapter, which describes in detail....wait, I don't want to spoil it. Read it for yourself!

This book is very well-written and documents years of painstaking research.

Particularly fascinating to me was the section on how the film version got it entirely wrong. It makes me wonder how many other films embedded in our consciousness are wildly different from the true events that took place.

I very much enjoyed this extremely well-researched, suspense-filled account of the saga of Albert De Salvo. The writing is marvellous - one forgets that this is non-fiction, as it runs as smoothly as a novel from evidence to evidence and crime to crime. It really reads like a superb piece of detective fiction. I am impressed by the research involved, and by the wealth of detail that never bogs down the reader, but rather keeps us turning pages. The "Update" is particularly interesting, as it combines a suspenseful journey with gruesome detail and real hillarity. This is a standout in the works of true crime.

The Burning Plain is about fifteen emotional stories. The stories give the reader a lot to think about. Many of these stories are short interesting stories that give the reader what to think about, action, sad parts, and contains nasty events when people are killed. We recommend the book to the readers because it is a very interesting book because the way many short stories are put into one book. The book will make the reader feel grossed out because in the ways some people are killed. All of these stories take place in a rural place. For, example Talpa takes place in a village as well as Luvina. In the story Macario the setting is in a house.

ANGST. This is the best word to describe the human landscape that Rulfo has portrayed in this collection of short stories. A lanscape of extreme sorrow that blossoms over the arid plain, where poverty, opression and ignorance intermingle with faith to shape the tragedy of the post-revolutionary rural Mexico. A tragedy that has lived over 70 years and that may help explaining the nature of the mexican people, their doings and fears. But moreover its social meanings, Juan Rulfo, has created a masterpiece of storytelling, not only at the Latin-american level, but rather as an universal gift. This is not magic realism alà Garcia Marquez or Isabel Allende. This is bare boned reality, told with the beauty and the ease that just a master can reach, in which the words mix perfectly for creating short bursts of narrative, perfectly solved stories, that will fill the mind, the mouth and the eyes of the reader with the burnt sand of the plains, with the ashes of the dead, with the tears of the desperate. If you're ready to follow Tanilo's bloody footsteps toward Talpa, to hunt toads with Macario, or to fall under the spell of Niño Anacleto's preaching, or under the spell of misterious rural Mexico, dive into the pages of this collection of short stories, and compare it with any other you have already read, and you will understand why Rulfo never writed any further. Because he almost reached perfection.

One regrettable consequence of Garcia Marquez's fame is that Latin American literature has come to be identified exclusively with "magical realism". Everything has to be extraordinary, epic, full of tropical lust, palms, jaguars, people having sex in every corner, flying to the sky with a pineapple on their heads. But Latin America is a vast continent producing artist of universal stature, even if the rest of the world decides (to their disadvantage) to ignore all but the folkloric.

Well, Juan Rulfo is a master of the highest sort and this book is NOT magical realism, but pure, hard realism. He only wrote two books, this one and "Pedro Paramo", another masterpiece which I also don't count as magical realism, although some do, as well as a few lesser works. He didn't need to write much. His is a literature worked and reworked restlessly, until reaching perfection. Every single word fits perfectly with the rest. There are no digressions, no philosophy, no theories or grand landscapes. All his tales develop in Southern Jalisco, in a poor, dry, vast, sunburned and sad land. The prose is also dry, precise, economical and to the point. The characters are ignorant, miserable, but conscious and courageous. The titles say much: "It's because we are so poor" is one of them. However, you will not find self-pity or corny sad tales. Only bits of human misery perfectly narrated. By the way, this is the first review I write for Amazon in which I use the word "perfect". Probably it won't happen again, with one or two exceptions.

The Burning Plains is a compilation of short stories that Juan Rulfo published on diferent publications at different times. it's also at the moment, besides his masterpiece Pedro Paramo, the only material available.
The shorts stories are chilling, incledibly well written. It's superb, and the english translation more than acceptable.
To me the highlights of the book are "Talpa" and "they have given us the land" (the opener on the spanish version, but some reason is not on this english edition)but the whole book is amazing.
I bought this book for my girfriend as an exorsism from jennifer Wiener's "Good in Bed" I was worried about the translation but it didn't dissapoint me.
the ideal way to read The Burning Plain is in spanish, but since this book is not that surreal as pedro paramo is, this tranlation works just fine.
I hope this brief note helps you to choose a good book.

Rulfo's style, like his stories, is sparse, quiet, and often harsh. He offers disturbing tales of miserable people in barren places; yet there is also a strange beauty to be found in his work. I can think of few, if any, examples of such perfect prose. The characters--though they suffer--seem close at hand and perfectly real, and he gives the most incredible descriptions of landscapes that I have ever read in my life. It is easy to see his connection to "magical realism"--it is largely in the way he sets the tone of the stories, and in those unbelievably vivid descriptions--but his work does not fall into that category. There is no escaping the terribly blunt reality he creates.

Whether you are interested in Latin American literature or not, if you are at all interested in prose, you should read this book.

Clearly written with beautiful photographs to illustrate topics discussed. As a hobby bee keeper, I have found it wonderfully informative and have sent a copy to my daughter who teaches biology at the University level in the UK. I highly recommend for anyone who is interested in bees, nature, and/or our world.

It is said that if Bees were to suddenly disappear from the earth, a mass extinction would occur. "The Buzz About Bees: Biology of a Superorganism" is a complete and comprehensive study on this fascinating species. Offering his own revolutionary opinion, Tautz does not describe the bee hive as a group of creatures living socially, but instead a single superorganism spread over many bodies. Arguing his unique stance, "The Buzz About Bees" is utterly intriguing and a very high recommendation for both etymologists and non-specialist general readers alike.

I'm just a regular person who's interested in the world around her--not a beekeeper, scientist, or teacher--and I found this book absolutely fascinating. It is filled with remarkable, and sometimes groundbreaking, information about honey bees and bee hives. It's written at a level that is suitable for scientists and bee professionals but is also understandable for lay people. The images are sharp and absolutely stunning. I think about this book every time I see a bee-like insect or a group of plants being visited by pollinators. It's a wonderful addition to any nature library.

My Master Beekeeping Mentor recommended this book and having started this year with my bees I found this book very helpful. Dr. Tautz has a wonderful way of explaining how bees live and make their way in the world. The discussion on bees sleeping habits was especially great! It seems that only a child would ask such a question but therein lies the mastery of his approach. We need to observe this miracle with a child's eye in order to really appreciate this. I couldn't put this book down. The beautiful photographs are as wonderful. I know how patient she must a have been. I've sat for hours with my camera near my hives with little success. Great insights, helpful research and an appreciation for the natural world - Thank you for your work, effort and vocation!

I have been teaching beekeeping for the last 8 eight years. I search and search for reliable material to put into the class. I have found numerous books over the years that have been written by good beekeepers and professors but none write about the inside of the hive. This book is about the hive, the bees in the hive and how they interact with each other. The German's are renouned for their accuracy and research. I believe that they have outdone themselves this time. If you want to understand what happens in the hive this is the book for you. It is written clearly with lots of related pictures. I thank Juergen Tautz for his time and effort in writting this book.