Full Books

I can't outdo Peter's review--just want to say that one of my most promising Reiki Classes used her 21-day writing exercise to find very helpful self-knowledge: pick one topic that she suggests, and write on it for 15 minutes a day for 21 days...it's positively AMAZING what you will realize about yourself, your inner drives and how you angle yourself for results; behaviors and deep needs.

The Ultimate Reiki Touch is a moving and inspiring work that explains the essence of Reiki which is the Usui method of natural healing. Reiki is a healing modality in which the healer transfers universal energy to the patient through the laying on of hands on specific chakra points.

Suitable for both the newcomer and the established practitioner, the book is an excellent practical guide that explains the power and application of universal life force energy. It deals with Reiki as a gentle healing art and as a way of life based on love.

The book also provides the healer with multiple ways in which to become more receptive for the compassion and healing force that is the essence of Reiki. The author writes with great insight and skill. Her techniques are easy to understand and apply. The Ultimate Healing Touch is one of the very best works available on this simple but effective healing modality.

I did not know anything about the series when I bought it other than it looked interesting so I am happy to say Until the Full Moon has quickly became one of my favorite mangas. The characters are crisp and very enjoyable and the story line fascinating.
I would like to invite Sanami Matoh, the author, to continue the series beyone the two published volumes. There is so much room for a series of several books and there are many questions that need to be answered.
Overall, I highly recommend Until the Full Moon Volumes.

Well,
This is yet another gorgeously drawn funny manga by the awesome Sanami Matoh.
This is the 2nd and last volume and follows the story of Vincent, a vampire and a lady's man, and Marlo, a childhood friend who turns into a woman on a full moon!!!
In this volume, Vincent and Marlo work through some misunderstanding (Vincent and past female friends) and some freak accidents (Marlo drinking wine that turns him/her into a child)!!!
Also, Vincent's mother's story is revealed...And finally, their wedding day is crashed by the most surprising visitor.
All in all, a great book with great artwork to add to your collection!!!!

This book covers all the aircraft I ever flew as a USAF experimental test pilot. From fighters to bombers to cargo aircraft, any former pilot should be able to find the one aircraft he specialized in. Extensive photos in color show all the aircraft in their most resplendent designs. The author has done an outstanding job of capturing all milkitary aircraft in the fifteen year period described. Fred J. Ascani, Maj.Gen., USAF, (Ret)

This book is an invaluable color photo history of the USAF during its first fifteen years as a separate branch of the service (1947-62). The photos are in many cases personal snapshots collected by the author from various people as well as photos by famous photographers such as William T. Larkins. As a former USAF pilot and avid model builder, I find this book to be a treasure-trove of information on colors and markings, types flown and by what units, and just a wonderful trip back to a glorious period in Air Force history. A must-have for the true aviation historian.

If you see a "brick building" going up today, you might note a couple of things. First, it's almost certainly not really a brick building. It's a building that's using brick as a veneer, instead of using vinyl siding, clapboards, cedar shakes, or another siding option. Second, it will probably be a monotone or close to it, done in a single shade of red or brown, with at best some contrasting bricks added in a random pattern. Third, the walls will be dead flat, having no projections or reliefs, with the possible exception of some uninspired quoins plopped onto the corners. Fourth, everything will be straight and square, with nary a curve to be seen. Finally, the brick will be laid in a simple and boring pattern, most commonly a running bond. It is, in short, little better than drab, something the eye passes over without slowing. Well folks, it weren't always so in the land of brick.

This book shows how brickwork was done a hundred years ago, when some incredibly skilled craftsmen plied their trade. Houses, townhouses, churches, even engine sheds were treated to elaborately designed and intricately detailed exteriors. Somehow, those ugly rectangular bricks were formed into wonderful arches, framing windows and doors. Walls are anything but flat, with bricks courses forming shadow lines that give the humblest buildings incredible character. Terra-cotta was carefully applied like make-up on an actress, to boldly add accent and interest.

Some of the patterns shown are a bit too intricate, with the contrasting colours becoming garish and distracting, subtracting rather than adding to the building's beauty. Terra-cotta, like make-up, can be over-applied or misapplied, again to ill effect. Still, if you're considering a building with a masonry exterior, and prefer attractive to drab, you really want this book. No, you really *need* this book. A couple caveats though. There aren't a lot of folks left who can do this kind of work, and if you can find someone qualified, they won't be cheap. Also, if you really like the terra-cotta, you may be out of luck. From a thriving industry in the 1800s, it's nearly disappeared today. There are a few manufacturers left in the U.S., but they mainly cater to commercial development. You'll have your work cut out for you if you want terra-cotta on your new residence.

One note, there is very little text to go with the plates. Not a lot should be needed, but when you give a plate of "Styles of Brick Bonds", you really should label each. Not every reader is going to know the terminology. There are plenty of other places where a few words of explanation would come in handy. Over all though, this book occupies a unique niche, and fills it very well!

This is a pattern book of architectural designs in brick, with essentially no accompanying text. Another wonderful Dover production. Lovers of 19th century architecture -- like myself -- should have it in their libraries.

The title, however, is completely misleading. To call French architecture from the 1880's "Victorian" is bizarre. Although there is a handful of examples from Belgium and Holland, there is nothing from Britain and its Empire (that is, where Victoria reigned), from the US, from eastern or southern Europe, etc.

So do buy the book and enjoy the architectural renderings, but don't expect a general survey of Victorian brickwork!

I enjoyed this audio book. Listened to it in the car in preparation for a field trip to Antietam. It is not an in-depth report but it is interesting and goes by quickly.

This audio book was absolutely brilliant. The characters so aptly described what it was like to be there at that time and place. It was incredibly easy to follow and a great book to listen to!

Wow! Most art books are like the ones you remember from college--sky high prices and nothing but print. Art books need pictures, and this one has plenty of them in color--no guessing as to the artist's tecnique. You can use it as a reference, or start from scratch. It gives you sources for everything you need. A must have for any artist's library.

Watercolor Painting for Dummies is a great book for both beginners and artist who just need to brush (no pun intended) up on the fundamentals of w/c painting. If you're looking for a book to give you all the information you need because you are just beginning, this is it. This book is chock full of everything you need to know and everything they teach in art class.
Another good thing about this book is you don't have to start from the first chapter and read from there (unless you are a beginner).
And there are several projects you can paint "along" with.
This is a good book to have and refer back to again and again.

This book is what I have been waiting for: a way to explain to everyone and anyone why InterPlay(R) is so much fun and why I keep running around the country to do more of it. Thank you Cynthia for taking the time to put your wisdom about MOVEMENT and stillness... stories and playfulness...ease, fun and affirmation... into words - you have DONE it: WHAT THE BODY WANTS sings and moves!

Cynthia Winton-Henry and Phil Porter, the creators of InterPlay, and "body intellectuals" from Oakland have done amazing work for 25 years in formulating a set of principles and philosophies to support people in integrating body, mind, and spirit with EASE! This book contains the beautiful "Like Breathing" CD, and the stories from dozens of people sharing the many ways that the forms of InterPlay are being used in 40 cities and many countries to create grace-full, diverse and mutually supportive communities. I've been using InterPlay to build community in Nashville and doing a leadership training program here for 3 years. Our motto is "Life Doesn't Hafta Be So Hard!" Using the InterPlay practices of simple story, voice and movement activities as described in the book, we have discovered community, connection, artfulness and joy. This book is an "Artists Way" for discovering your creativity and your capacity to connect with others as you create dance, stories and songs out of the issues that come out up in your life! This book will help you exform and inform yourself and gain insights and tools for accessing your creativity, releasing fear & stress and living with more ease & spontaneity.
Also, I know the authors and dozens of the InterPlay practitioners personally, and they are all GREAT people! You can learn more about the whole system they have developed by seeing their website. If you know in your body that there is a relationship between art, spirit, creativity and personal/political change, then this is a "cookbook" of ideas and practices that will support you in changing yourself and changing the world!!

I love to sew...and I love great patterns. This book provides a wonderful place to start. I took the patterns and added my own special touch to each. The designs of each animal are sweet and so easy to put together. Patterns included in a nice envelope to keep them all in one place -- beautiful photography and instructions that are easy to follow. Cute, cute creations can be started from the basics provided in this book. I wish the author would provide another book just as great as this one. I'd give it 10 stars if that option were available!! Great investment (though the price is more than reasonable for what this book will add to your creative endeavors).

I just bought this book at hobby lobby over the weekend and I was so excited by it I had to write a review.
First there are plenty of pictures and text to help you make the toys. The patterns are FULL SIZE in an envelope in the front of the book. No resizing necessary. Also the directions are easy to follow. Which is a plus for me as I am a visual learner. Pictures are required for me to follow directions.
Also the toys made in the book are created with fleece and felt. The two easiest fabrics to work with *in my opinion*. And also some of the simplest to find in just about any fabric store.
I highly recommend this to those who want some sweet animals to make that look cute and realistic.
Some are more complex but there are plenty that are simple! I highly recommend to the newbie sewer and those of us who have been sewing for years!

As in all of his works, McQuinn works on many levels in this book, from the trenches to the thrones. The central character, Captain Lannat, is a complex and compelling mixture of sensitive man and steel warrior. All of the characters are developed with care and skill. The distant future galactic empire depicted allows for full expression of both satire and serious commentary on real human history. And, of course, as in all of McQuinn's books, the combat sequences are outstanding. Most highly recommended.

Civilization is complex, as are the motives of the men and women who form it, and transform it. McQuinn has the depth of knowledge to know (1) wars are fought for various reasons, (2) the true reasons are rarely, if ever, disclosed, and (3) what are usually seen as Governments - near monolitihic entities, as usually described - are unstable coalitions, usually with aristocracies in fact if not in name. This book's depth is only exceeded by Dune, and the Foundation series; complex religions, well developed and remarkably complex plots, strong men and women, craven politicians, and those trained to rule, regardless. The eternal theme of the limits of governance and the skillful use of the mailed fist by the Elite is well drawn, and skillfully developed. The archetypal theme of the student defeating the teacher is very well developed near the book's conclusion, as are the themes of Boy becoming Man, and Soldier becoming Warrior, as Man and Warrior become Prince. The only military scifi that comes close in terms of dealing wisely with the complex relations discussed is Stirling's "The Domination" trilogy. This should be required reading at any position where you move into leadership responsibilities - from Parris Island to IBM. Students of the game "Civilization" might also find this very interesting... I can see a new type of that game coming from this. It's that good.

You'll get you're money's worth if you buy any carving book by Mary Duke Guldan. Unlike many other carving books this lady gives you wonderfully artistic and accurate patterns showing top, side, back and front views. In addition she gives you detailed drawings showing feet and facial characteristics of animals. Plus, this author shows you how to piece together 1" thick planks of wood to make a good size carving. (This is a great help to people who can not find, or afford huge blocks of good wood, like basswood.) I also appreciate the author's suggestions of how to vary the poses of animals, and other ways of using her patterns, like for mantelpieces. This book may be a little over the head of brand new wood carvers, but if you're beyond the very beginning stage and interested in carving something besides birds, this is the book for you!

I found "A Woodcarer's Workbook" to be an excellant source of inspiration to my carving. The patterns set forth in this issue are well laid out and easily explained. Although the author assume's that the reader has some experience with woodcarving, I found the emphasis the author puts on the most critical parts of carving (eyes, ears, feet, etc.)to justify the lack of concentration on the body. Thumbs up to Mary for a wonderful book, I'll defininately be buying the follow-up to this book.