Mean

To think that Dr. Grothe found the word chiasmus and wrote a book about it is unbelievable. He obviously enjoyed the writing and the research. How did he find all the quotes and express them in such an enjoyable and organized way? His book kept me reading, reflecting,and noticing chiastic quotes everywhere. This book and word should be required reading for English 101. Thanks to Dr. Grothe for a refreshing text for word lovers!

Dr. Mardy Groethe not only introduced me to the literary deviceof chiasmus, but completely engaged and entertained me with his bookon the subject. The book is truly a joy! Dr. Groethe's chiasmi span from old to new, from light to meaningful, from humorous to serious. He shows how chiasmus are used by everyone: from poets to politicians, from writers to actors, from coaches to philosophers. Adding to the book is how Dr. Groethe organizes it, essentially enabling the reader to find a chiasmus for any occasion. It's no surprise to me that "Never Let A Fool Kiss You..." is the 8th best-selling quotation book in amazon.com's history (as of 1/10/00) and going strong!

A new lover of chiasmus, I visited Dr. Groethe's website immediately after reading his book and signed up to receive free daily chiastic quotes directly from him!

For the nutshell skip down to ---THE POINT---. If you like to get lost in circular reasoning, by all means read the whole thing. Just be patient if you do; it may seem as if I've gone off on a tangent, but I promise to come full circle. In order to deal with story problems we are taught that mathematical functions have lingual transitions. An example of this is would be: = means "as", and 2 = terms are said to be "like". As with translations between any two languages inevitably something is lost in the transition. In this instance we see that while = means "as" or "like", neither "as" nor "like" means =. In grammar we are taught that "as" and "like" are keywords for simile (which means comparison, from the Latin "similis" meaning similar). Which leads to the next issue; Do the laws of mathematics have a lingual transition? One of the most fundamental laws of math is: A x B = B x A; which would read: the product of A and B is like the product of B and A. While porcelain is the product of heat and clay, the product of heat and clay is not always like porcelain. The heat and the clay must have the same value in order for the comparison to work. I have never learned the English translation for the absolute value sign used in mathematical formulas, but I would imagine it would be "chiastic". Chiasmus seems to imply in its mathematical similarity that it is a capable vehicle for absolute truths. Certainly this book is an insight into truth, or this book is truth into insight, or maybe this truth is a book into insight, perhaps this insight is a book into truth, possibly this insight is truth into a book, or it could be that this truth is insight into a book. I seem to have gotten even myself confused. Lao-Tzu wrote that "He who talks does not know, he who knows does not talk", he also wrote that "The Way of which we are able to speak, is not the Way of which we speak". So why all the words if they are all in vain? The Buddhists have an insightful metaphor (defined by Aristotle as: The intuitive perception of the similarity in dissimilars) for the reason for words despite their futility "fingers pointing at the moon" (the moon symbolizing enlightenment in Buddhism). ------THE POINT?------ Simply that this is a much better book, than this is a review. Dr. Grothe's fingers apparently do a much better job at pointing to the moon than do mine. Where my words have led you deep into the murky waters of samsara, his become the Jewel in the lotus and the lotus in the Jewel. I hope I haven't driven you away from what truly is an inspired book. *** P.S. Sorry Mardy, I had to, Jer.1:7

I have read this book once before back in 1995. Since then I have learned a lot about shadows. I am aware of my shadows and this book is helping me to be a better person.
I have a friend who is intellegent and smart. However, after reading this book second time I am beginning to know his hubris and. I do not know how to relate with this person.
Knowing my own shadows I am now less critical of others. We all have multi-selves.
The book should be read by any adult who wants to have a balanced perspectives of life and deal with others appropriately.

I first read this book when it came out, at the time of the O. J. Simpson story was breaking. It was PERFECT timing - offering insights into how highly-successful people can have darker sides show up in their lives unless they periodically renew themselves and take stock - whay might be called am "internal audit" of oneself. I've often thought the title for this book could have been "The Shadow Side of Success."

I highly recommend this book for anyone who's in a position of influence, power and responsibility (or who WANTS to be). The author has included a rich assortment of ways one can avoid the egoic pitfalls of success and fame - a real MASTERPIECE!

A MUST BOOK TO READ FOR EVERYONE Each Chapters captures the reality of life and gives insights into achievements of life.

Personally read this book several times and each time, it has help me greatly to understand HOW SUCCESS GENTLY CREEPS INTO OUR LIFES (THIS is in chapter two) and if not careful, 'eats into our minds'

I even notice the how 'the shadow' as the author describes has entangled corporate executives (man and woman) No one escapes this Paradox.

If you are looking for a book to cope in this new millenium buy THE PARADOX OF SUCCESS an investment for a life-time, with no regrets.

Happy Reading

tan

I'm a student at UNC and when I first got here I didn't know much about our basketball team. I thought this book was really cool because it has so many fun facts in it and I learned so much about the proud tradition of UNC Basketball!

First off, I'll admit that I'm biased - I'm a member of the email list-serve that figures so prominently in this book. But the appeal of Thad's work reaches far beyond this core constituency. It presents a scholarly analysis of the good and the bad of fandom, and an insight into how one arrives at the stage where a basketball team can mean so much. Divided into four parts, there's something here for everyone: social commentary, philosophy, statistics, and yes, basketball. Carolina basketball, no less! The combination of the fan diaries and the survey give powerful insight into the UNC fan community - at least, that portion of the community on the internet. To my knowledge, such an honest assessment has never been performed on any team's fans before now, but it's worth the wait. If you've ever felt the Fever, and wondered, even for a moment, whether it was a good thing, pick up this book and let it help you decide for yourself.

Mr. Williamson's unique position, growing up in Chapel Hill with close connections to the Carolina program, provide him with a perfect vantagepoint from which to view and analyze the phenomenon that is Carolina Basketball. Part history, part social analysis, part simple fandom, More Than A Game is an extremely interesting and impassioned book which provides the reader with questions to answer for him or herself about extremism vs. a fun hobby. Particularly interesting is the fan survey which gives us a look at the nuances of everyday life from alumni, fans and those who take it to another level altogether (like myself). Reading the book took me for a stroll down memory lane, comparing Mr. Williamson's view of Carolina basketball history to my own. Sports fans, hoops fans and recruiting junkies will love it.

Me being a proud PuertoRican living in New York City, it's difficult living in the city with the everyday problems in the streets. This book relates to every Latino or African American growing up in the streets. The protagonist Piri is growing up in Spanish Harlem with his family. growing up in the His brother goes through everything with him. If you are ghetto streets of New York you know what is going on and what you've got to live with every day of your life. Piri Thomas lives his young life going through the mean streets of Spanish Harlem. He is a very creative character with knowledge about his streets and he makes positive decisions about the situations he runs into in his life.
This book is very good for anyone to read and realize their life is not to be taken granted, especially if you're growing up in the ghetto of America. I recommend this book for everyone who hasn't read it yet to experience life in the ghetto and walk through Piri's shoes. This book is good. It is one of the best I have ever read and I was hooked on it once I realized that I could relate to it. I was in the mind zone of Piri and it was like I was feeling the streets at the moment and Piri's pain and his way of living and surviving because I know it's not easy growing up in the ghetto. .

I think that this book should be required for all Puerto Rican people who live in New York. This book talks about what it was like to grow up in New York in the 1940s and 1950s. I think that this book does a good job explaining the experiences of a family. Also it talks about what Piri Thomas does and what kind of problems he is involved with, like drugs, in gangs, and that's very similar of what is going on now. I think people who don't want to be in a real trouble should read this book. I enjoyed the when Piri Thomas was sleeping out of his house because I imaging what can happen to me if I do the same things. This is the best book for anyone who is interested in learning about what is like for a Puerto Rican family to live in New York City.

I first heard this man, Mr. Piri Thomas, speak in the spring of 1993 at Cal State University at Hayward. I was so moved (as a high school student) that I had our school (California High School) invite him to speak at our "Free Your Mind" day on June 4th, 1993. I loved his poetic 'realness' - and it was the first time I felt really empowered as a person of color living in a largely suburban environment.

His experience and insight was so raw and so 'real'. In this autobiography, Mr. Thomas addresses issues of racial identity (he was dark skinned, but his brother was lighter skinned/more white looking) and how racism affected him as a Puerto Recan. It describes him growing up in Spanish Harlem, NY, moving down the coast, meeting friends and some crazy situations. I remember him really hitting rock bottom, and then coming out in the end. I always looked forward to reading on.

I read somewhere that R&B singer Brian McKnight considers this his favorite book. That's when I knew I just wasn't being easily impressed. This is an excellent life story, well written, and a must read for anyone interested in the topic of racial identity. Yes, we are all individuals, but we should never deny our heritage...thank you Mr. Piri Thomas. I feel nothing but the deepest respect for you...thanks for your vision, insight and generosity.

Knyte (Trust Me)

P.S. If I could give more than five stars...I would

NEVERMIND THE BOOK. THIS DUDE WAS ON THE TV SHOW "CHIPS". THATS TOO COOL. 7 MARY 3 LEWIS, WHERES BARICZA?

I thoroughly enjoyed the poetry contained in this book. I found the poetry to be insightful, emotional, thought-provoking, informative and enlightening. This should be required reading for every woman and man (in or out of a relationship). I was entralled by the poetry because it provided me with a better understanding of what men go through when embarking upon new relationships, ending relationships, etc. I appreciated the poetry because it demonstrated that it is okay for men to share their feelings. The author was masterful in his ability to convey the emotions of men.

I "HIGHLY" recommend that you read this wonderful collection of poetry in addition to sharing the book with family and friends.
Ladies, if you truly want to understand what men want, think and need-this is the book for you!!!!

The soul touching poetry of Lewis Saunders is a therapist's couch bound into a book. Lewis Saunders touches the core of your emotions that have been adversely impacted by the malice of words and actions of those we love or have loved or even worse, by the pain we have inflicted upon others. I walked away with a better understanding of the emotions men experience in the face of painful good-byes and separations.

I was a little hesitant on ordering this book, but since he is a local Charlottesville author, I decided to take chance.

While the book is rather thin, it will take you sometime to digest the material between the covers. I am on my third reading.

WARNING - if you are deeply "religious" then this book is not for you. While Hurt is not scalding of religion, he takes more jabs at it than say, your parents who formed some of your thinking habits.

It is an excellent read. Many thought provoking questions, and if you take the time, many could lead you to look at your life, and to see if you are heading down loser avenue.

Highly recommended, and that is rare for me, as I am pretty critical on most books.

Three cheers for Floyd Hurt! He has really given us a lot to ponder in this catch all guide to making the best out of the here and now. I was surprised that in such few pages he was able to make me stop and think, and I mean really THINK, so many times. This book is condensed down to core questions that many of us are afraid to ask. In my opinion it ends up asking "who is responsible for how I act and feel?" I highly recommend this book with one word of warning, be prepared to accept answers about yourself and truths about the world in witch you live that you may find challenging to deal with and perhaps even more challenging to change.
If you feel up for the adventure though, here's you ticket.

Floyd Hurt's book emboldens the spirit and stirs the juices. Remember when we were told that fulfillment came when we tried to convince ourselves that "I'm o'k" or "I'm worth it"? Not much to go on with that approach. In this book there are no gimmicks for feeling good, no mantras that pump you up for a day. Hurt's work focuses on philosophical thought (centuries of it)and pairs that with useful, life altering behaviors. The philosophical aspect grabbed my attention right away. He has taken other's brilliant minds and complicated ideas, added his own, and pulled together a simple and realistic way for each of us to view our experiences. In this well written and well organized book, he reminds us of the importance of the struggle to make sense of our life; and whatever our beliefs, to remember that ultimately we need to be the brains and emotions behind our own actions. His is the convincing concept that we have tremendous power to live our life exploring, discovering, learning and enjoying. That is truly an exhilarating idea.

Susan O'Neill's collection of short stories DON'T MEAN NOTHING is more than isolated thoughts about what being in Vietnam as a participant in that bloody political blunder. This book reads like a novel in that the same characters weave in and out of these short thought/experiences and it does begin as a year of combat duty for a nurse and ends as that nurse goes back stateside. Perhaps the term 'Short Stories of Vietnam' references the way life was lived during there - moments in between Incoming shellings, explosions, overwhelming Medevacs, moments when there was time for the simple acts of being alive like sex, comradery in the hooch bars, momentary communication with soulmates dressed/talking/feeling/fearing like you.

O'Neill is a master of terse statement; her economy of words, richly descriptive as they are, can click a photo thought or memory so precisely that even a few pages can burn an experience on your psyche that is indelible. O'Neill knows her material, having served as a nurse in Vietnam in 1969-70. Obviously a bright thinker and writer, she has elected to wait 30 years before committing to paper her responses to that most unpopular of 'wars': that distance adds a more sensitive quality to her stories than would an immediate visceral response after returning to the States, a time when absolutley noone wanted to hear about Vietnam, much less try to understand it from a participant's point of view.

Although the entire 'collection' of stories is well done, there are bound to be tales that hurt the heart more than others. For this reader the Introduction is the most powerful of all, carrying with it flashbacks and images, thoughts and words that are so powerful they re-kindle nightmares. 'The Boy from Montana', 'Medcap', 'Prometheus Burned' are cogent, painful, and magnificent. But O'Neill can also write comedy, especially the sick type of humor that maintained sanity in Vietnam. All of these stories, ending with a terific 'Commendation', flesh out the details of the history of the Vietnam conflict. O'Neill is up there with Philip Caputo, Stewart O'Nan, Tim O'Brien and others who have dared write the truth. Here is not just the feminine input, but the nurses' or noncombatants' view. An excellent book by a sensitive, fresh writer.

The stories are fiction, but the experience is real. You can see through the eyes of the characters and sense some of their experiences, the good and the ugly. They came to life to such an extent that I found myself wondering what became of the survivors after the war. Stories with characters who are so alive must be worth reading. For non-veterans, this book may change your outlook on veterans, nurses, and the Vietnam War forever.

Susan O'Neill wrote this collection of stories long after her tour in Vietnam. The author served in Vietnam as a nurse from 1969-70. Since I met her at a book reading at the Library of Congress, I got the straight dope on this book.

O'Neill decided to write a collection of stories similar to Tim O'Brien. It would be a collection of different stories that would reflect her tour, written chronologically. What is rather clever is that the author broke the book down into three parts. Each part regards where she served: Phu Bai, Chu Lai, and Cu Chi.

The fact is these stories just can't be faked. The first story,"The Boy From Montana," is basically an initiation. You learn the reason not to get too close to wounded soldiers. Just how do you cope, as a nurse, with seeing young men die every day? In this story, there was no conversation per se, as the wounded man made only one reply to a question. If you take this story in combination with "Prometheus Burned," you really understand the psychological pain nurses suffered by having the soldiers die literally in their arms.

The fun part was the recurring character of SP4 Scully, the devious company clerk. The protaganist, in "The Exorcism," is harassed by a ghost. The author takes you back to Vietnam with her ridiculous discussions with the young female Catholic Vietnamese girl who tries to help her get rid of the ghost. Only Scully can swing the deal--at the cost of her prized pizza mixes. Scully surfaces a couple of more times but the end, when he gives her a "big hand" for her tour, is priceless.

Other reviewers have written about the monkey, starting in "Monkey on our Backs." These things really were a menace. Some guys thought they were just so cute, getting them loaded, then watching them hop around throwing excrement at us. Yeah, real fun. The only "trained monkey" I remember was in the 2nd Bn, 5th Cav, when I went to visit a friend. I wasn't the only one who wanted to kill the monkey that day. (I am a cat person anyway.)

What is sad is that this book suffered from bad timing. It was released around 9-11, which meant nobody was paying attention to it. When the author got a call from England, her "good luck" held out and the Queen Mum died during O'Neill's book tour. So...we all have to buy this book in order to override the bad mojo of the author.

Needless to say, this FoxTrot comic book is very funny. Needless to say, if you are a fan of comic strips of any kind, I would quickly usher a large amount of FoxTrot books your way.

The outrageous series in this book include:
-Sportschatter vs. Duke Nukem
-Titanic Craze
-Valentine's Day
-Power shut-out
-gotee magic
-finals week (always a FoxTrot staple)
-BittyBaby Craze
-X-Men the movie
-Jasondows98
-Football training
-mutant zucchini
-Tomb Raider 2
-Babysitting (for Mrs. O'Dell)
-Airguana
-First day of school clothes
-The 97-panel comic
-How to promote your comic
-Wind essay
-POST-Halloween craze

Now, you SHOULD just be imagining in your head right now the funny twist that Bill Amend puts on these. If not, well, you should!!!

Great job Bill Amend, you rock!!!!

If you don't think that getting 369 good laughs for 10 bucks is a good deal, don't buy this.

This book is soooo hilarious! The "Titanic"-themed strips are really good, but my favorites are probably the ones about Jason's nightmare encounter with Lara Croft of "Tomb Raider" fame. A few other good cartoons: Andy's mutant zucchini (sp?) crop, (Man, can I indentify with that! I haven't touched one of those things in over a year, when MY garden went beserk with 'em. If I never see one again, it'll be too soon!) Paige and her uncaring biology teacher, Peter's obsession with summer football training, and Roger's inabilty to watch football at Super Bowl week, due to Jason's playing of "Duke Quackem" on his "Jupiter 64". In this story, Rog tries to hurridly get Jason a memory cartridge to save his game, but gets him a "Rambo Pack" instead. Any video-game-system-literate person will find this series of strips hysterically funny! Great book, Mr. Amend! Keep 'em coming!

Great book! One of the best, actually. As I said in my other Fox Trot review, I just can't get enough! I dread the day Bill Amend decides to retire. May that day never, ever come!

This book is must for your collection!

Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever is written by Lurlene McDaniel. This book is about a girl named Melissa who is a high school junior. She is sick with leukemia and lives with her mother and brother. Melissa was so excited and prepared about getting a National Merit scholar ship to a great college. Melissa has a best friend named Jory who means a great deal in Melissa's life, she is very wealthy.
Melissa is nineteen and is suffering with her relationship with her friends. Jory tries making fund-raisers to help pay for the medical payments. She hates seeing Melissa go through that and not really be able to help. She also suffers from a bone marrow transplant and dies.
Lurlene's writing style makes it seem like were in her book that she has written. It would have been cool if Lurlene would have told us more about the relationships with the other people in her life and included them more.
Through reading this book I learned a lot about the disease, leukemia and how a best friend tried helping her brother and mother get through it. I could relate this book myself by the relationship of seeing a loved one die, I watched my friend Christine die from leukemia that's why I wanted to read this book.
I thought that this book was an awesome book and many people should read it. It is a book about loss, friendship, family and compassion.

Lurlene McDaniel is my favorite author. I love all of her books, and some of them make me cry, but Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever left me sobbing, literally. It's sad, but it gives hope and describes how families feel when this happens to their children. It also made death seem like just another adventure, not a finality. This book left me with hope and tears. My grandfather passed away recently. I was very close to him. The way Lurlene McDaniel describes Jory's feelings for and about Melissa made me remember. When Melissa died, Jory's reaction was like my own and made me feel less alone. It also made me remember that he's my guardian angel, always with me, and I'll see him again. That gave me hope and helped me. The part of Melissa's letter that said, "I'll be watching you! And when you least expect it, you'll hear me call you in the wind. I promise.", I sobbed. I realized that my grandpa's not gone forever and I'll see him again. Basically, it's not only well-written and a tear-jerker, but it gives help to those who need it-emotional help. For me, it was like she had read my mind and heart. My feelings were Jory's feelings. IT'S A EXCELLENT BOOK! KEEP IT UP!

I love all of Lurlene McDaniel's books, but Goodbye Doesn't Mean Forever is one of my favorites. I literally SOBBED when I read it. The way Mrs. McDaniel described everything that happened is really good, especially Jory at the very end. This book is extremely well-written. It's really sad, but it's really, really good. You'll be crying!

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel)
By Ellen Raskin
Review by a cool Someone

I have read many great books including, The Harry Potter Series, Which Witch, Island of the Aunts, Because of Winn Dixie, Time Stops for No Mouse and many others. Now I have a new wonderful, thrilling book to add to my list.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel), is the story of Mrs. Dumpling Carillon and her search for her missing husband, Leon Carillon (or should I say Noel Carillon). The main characters were; Mrs. Carillon, Tina & Tony, Augie Kunkel, Mr. Banks and others.

Mrs. Carillon is part owner , along with Leon, of the Carillon soup business, When Mrs. Carillon doesn't receive anymore letters from Leon (Noel), she becomes suspicious and sets out for New York City. There she meets two orphan twins by the names of Tina and Tony, and decides to adopt them. Tina and Tony help Mrs. Carillon decipher the last letter that she received before Noel had disappeared. The strange message stated "Noel glub C blub all...I glub new." Mrs. Carillon ran into many other predicaments, but their main problem is deciphering the message and locating Noel.

I can relate to Dumpling because of her love of horses. In addition, I like the color yellow, and Mrs. Carillon does too. There are no other connections between the characters and myself, with the exception, that, I too, have felt the same way as Tony. At one point in the book, he finds out something very important. Tony couldn't wait for Augie Kunkel, who was a friend of Mrs. Carillon when she was a kid, to come back home so he could tell him. I once had to tell my dad something important and I couldn't wait until he came home from his meeting.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel) is very exciting. I was caught up in the plot and could not put the book down. The story was so great because I was able to solve the mystery while reading the book. My favorite part would have to be when Tina tells Rosemary Neuberger to wash her face daily and not to eat as much junk food as usual, so she could get rid of her pimples. That is my favorite pat because it is very funny to read. Also because Tina hates Rosemary and finally she gets to diss Rosemary. If I could change one part in the book, I would choose the section where Seymour Hall, the horse jockey, dies. I was sad when he passed away.

I would highly recommend this thrilling and funny book to anyone who enjoys being kept on the edge of their seat. I wanted to keep reading the story all night. This book would be enjoyable for someone who likes mysteries, horses, puzzles or just a great read.

Without the illustrations, this book wouldn't be half as good as it is. It is quite amazing how the illustrator incorporated aspects of the plot for quite a visual display of word play. This is a mystery novel, however not one you can really solve on your own. You figure it out along with the main character, Mrs. Carillon. She is searching for the love of her life, who disappeared off the side of a boat and sputtered some unintelligable words which she then tries to figure out in the coming decades, as she knows those words are the clues to his disappearance. Along the way, she meets wonderful characters, including a pair of fraternal twins whom she sort of adopts. When I first read this book, probably around the age of 12, I couldn't believe what I was reading. It just charmed me and I fell in love with it. I already knew of Raskin through her other children's books, but this is quite different (I again think it is the illustrations). It is sort of a psychedelic detective book for kids. Psychedelic in the illustrations and oddness. But it's just sososososooo good. Well worth the $5 here at amazon.com, and even more. You will cherish it!

This was a fantastic book! It had a little mystery, some fantasy, and some adventure. I couldn't stop reading it! You should definitely read this book because its the best. It gives the phrase "page-turner" a whole new meaning!