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There's alot of deep readings in this thin azz book.
Those who read to add-on knowledge. VISIONS FOR BLACK MEN is the foundation for provision. EMPOWER self to IMPROVE SELF.

BUILD SUPPORT AND ONLY LEND IT OUT
* use good sense and be slective upon build powers *
* exclude the savage-men and devil-men *

Na'im Akbar did an excellent job of evaluating the black man's growth process from a boy to an adult male. In it, he idenitifies problems associated with a stunted grown. This book is a must read for all black men and young black boys who want to develop fully into real black men. This book not only allows the reader to understand problems associated with black men but it also gives solutions to the problems. I encourage all black men to read this book and to give it to other black men and boys who you are concerned about.

I enjoyed "visions for Blackmen" because it had information that one could obtain only through studying and searching. And I am delighted that someone cared enough to dig deep into the need to help free us men (especially us Blackmen) from our destructive lifestyles. We have been disregarding the real purpose in life because of all these distractions that this material world has to offer. Our blindness was intentionally inflicted on us by people that have no respect for the beauty of life and God. If we were accepted as human beings and was taught how to love ourselves, I am sure this problem would not be as devastating as it is. And "Visions for Blackmen" also taught me that we need to see ourselves for who and what we are, and that is love, spirit and strength.

Jak w piosence, Goralu, po co ci bylo... Mysle, ze Roman madrzej by robil, gdyby wrocil do ojczyzny po wojnie, ozenil sie i mial dzieci, ktore roslyby w slawie ojca. A tak, Polak, wieczny tulacz.. takie wspaniale geny pokolenia znakomitego przepadly, dzieci wyrosly na nie wiadomo kogo, jakichs malo rozumnych Anglikow. W Polsce pozostala niewielka grupa madrych i patriotycznych ludzi i teraz mamy efekty - politycy niezbyt madrzy, wiele glupoty naokolo. Pokolenie wspanialych ludzi albo zginelo w Powstaniu Warszawskim albo zostalo na emigracji. Gdyby wszyscy wrocili zaraz po wojnie, moze nie byloby tak zle i moze nie daliby sie oglupic, takze nie wierze, ze wsadzono by wszystkich do wiezien. Byliby sila moralna i oparciem. Jaka szkoda szkoda szkoda...

Czytalam z duza przyjemnoscia, zainteresowaniem i wiele razy ze wspolczuciem losy przedstawionego bohatera. Nie jest to czlowiek sukcesu w pojeciu amerykanskim, ktore od dawna wysmiewa cala Europa. Jest to czlowiek prawy, szlachetny. Pokazana jest prawda, takie jest zycie wiekszosci ludzi na swiecie, i od jakiegos czasu Hollywood wychodzi takiej prawdzie na przeciw, czym przypomina dobre kino europejskie. Bez upiekszania i makijazu. Dla mnie ksiazka ta pokazuje uzaleznienie czlowieka od historii, jak czasy, w ktorych zyjemy dyktuja nam zycie. Podoba mi sie obiektywne spojrzenie autorki, bez upiekszania, bez podanych gotowych wnioskow. Pokazala jedno zycie czlowieka, ktorego starczyloby na caly film. Wzruszyl, poruszyl i zachwycil mnie opis ziem, opis Kresow, o ktorych tylko wiem troche z historii. Jaka szkoda, ze te ziemie od nas odeszly, z nimi takie rodziny patriotyczne, jak rodzina Rodziewiczow. Przeminelo z wiatrem... Nostalgiczne opisy przyrody, straszna prawda obozow zaglady, smutek emigranctwa. I ciezka praca, rodizna, ktora jest jak wiekszosc, wszyscy sa zajeci soba. Potem na koniec zycia, zycie refleksja, wspomnieniami. Ciekawa jestem, czy bohater zyje.

Nauczylam sie z ksiazki wiele o historii wielu Polakow ostatnich lat, znanych nam z ksiazke, albo wcale nie znanaych. I jakby ukorzylam sie przed losem, ktory gotuje takie scenariusze. Moje zycie wydaje mi sie latwiejsze, ale tez burza dziejowa nie przerwala moich planow, co najwyzej, sama jestem za slaba, by je realizowac. W sumie wydaje mi sie moje zycie nijakie. Na pewno mniej barwne, bolesnie mniej barwne, porownujac do zycia bohatera. I jakby ani on, ani ja, nie mamy na to wplywu. Ksiazka jest zrodlem wiedzy na pewno dla historykow, ale takze dla socjolgow i psychologow. Polecam ksiazke tym, ktorzy chca myslec ogolnie o zyciu wlasnym, czy ludzi staszych w naszej rodzinie. Dla ktorych czesto nie mamy czasu lub ich ignorujemy z jakas nasza wyzszoscia pokolenia, ktore nie doswiadczylo wojny. Ciekawe, jaka ksiazke o mnie napisala by pani Aleksandra Ziolkowska? O podworku, na ktorym sie bawilam, ciezko pracujacych rodzicach,o wyjazdach na wies do dziadkow, ktorych to wyjazdow nie cierpialam, i teraz o nijakim codziennym zyciu. Mimo ukonczonych studiow, mimo tego, ze mam mozliwosc lektur ciekawych ksiazek. To, co powiem, brzmi jak herezja, ale taka mysl mi przychodzi do glowy: Moze wojna wywolalaby cos powazniejszego i wazniejszego, znalazlabym glebszy cel w zyciu i jakies wielkie uczucie, chocby roztrzaskane...

O Hubalu slyszalam w szkole, teraz dowiedzialam o jednym z jego zolnierzy. Ale ksiazka jest o losie czlowieka, ktorego jak w harcerskiej piosence rzucalo po swiecie "z miejsca na miejsce". Mysle, ze lepiej byloby, gdyby bohater wrocil do Polski i tam juz zostal. Wzruszylam sie, gdy sie spotkal po latach z dawna narzeczona, i jak to byli juz inni ludzie. Jego emigracja potraktowala okrutnie. Pokazalam moim rodzicom i wszyscy bardzo przejelismy sie przedstawionym zyciem Romana. Pamietam, byl film "Hubal", powinien powstac film "Roman" w oparicu o tej ksiazke. Ma ona wrecz gotowe obrazy, czytalam ja widzac wyraznie przedstawione postaci i sceny. Niezwykle piekne sa opisy dawnych polskich ziem na Kresach i dworu. Przypomina ma ta ksiazka "Szczeniece lata" Wankowicza.

The narrator is pompous, funny, but above all appealing. Think of the best secondary characters/clowns (even Falstaff perhaps?) in Shakespeare -- the "prince" is nearly as asinine and clever as they are. And even as you roll your eyes at him, you have to root for the guy and you certainly care what happens to him.

The heroine is not quite as well developed (I suppose it's inevidable in a first person narrative), but she's still intriguing and a refreshing change from the usual. The secondary characters are all fun. The scenes from another world are also very vivid.

I had planned to take my time but ended up reading it all in one sitting. Very well done -- only complaint: it wasn't longer.

He was only a traveling player. His troop, led by his mother (Leandra), left him with the Masters when he had been raging with fever. He was to catch up to them once well. However, he awoke one morning to find Master Adrian shaking him awake and announcing that he was about to undertake the role of his life!

Prince Melos had been left to the Masters about nineteen years ago, by his aunt, Queen Ffazia the Fourth. Since all dozen or so others of royal lineage had died, accidentally of course, and the Queen was near death as well, the Queen ordered Prince Melos to wed the commander of her majesty's army, Ravyn Malakar. However, Melos had died four years ago and the Masters had never informed their Queen! So now he was to play the part of Prince Melos and to actually take the throne!

Ravyn Malakar did not want to wed Melos. Only to keep him alive long enough to take the throne. Her job (before and after the so called wedding) was, not to sire heirs, but to be his bodyguard for life! Tough job since it seems several assassins were now after Melos. And all the magic in the air simply could not be healthy for a prince-to-be!

***** Hmmm, this one has an interesting twist for an ending! It holds the possiblity of being continued as well. Good thing, since I hope to see more of these characters in the future. Well written and sure to please! K.G. McAbee has written a world that will entrap readers, willing or not! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch

The feeble-minded Prince Melos was entrusted to the care of Master Adrian at the abbey for the last several decades, forgotten by his royal family. One day he wanders into the woods alone, and his blood stained cloak is discovered a week later. Fearing reprisals, the abbey never informs the Queen of her brother's demise. In failing health, her own children dead, the Queen sends a detachment of the royal guard to bring him home again.

When the unannounced guard arrives, Master Adrian and his fellow clerics substitute a rogue actor in the dead prince's place. The new Prince Melos promptly becomes engaged to the commander of her majesty's army, Ravyn Malakar. As he begins his fine impersonation of the prince, this rogue actor quickly learns the dangers and rewards of such an impossible situation. With his irrepressible humor and consummate acting skills, the new Prince Melos entertains the reader with flair.

K G McAbee writes with the wit and farcical flair of a modern day Shakespeare, combining the improbable and the implausible in a delightfully beguiling tale of impossibility. Prepare for the highest hilarity and foolishness, and be sure to cover your giggles or your coworkers will know you are reading at work again. Readers who enjoy this incredible tale will also enjoy her other novels, including ESCAPE THE PAST, THE PLAUSIBLE PRINCE, UNWELCOME LEGACY, and BEWITCHED BY DARKNESS. A FINE IMPERSONATION is highly recommended!

Nichols' translation of Gorgias is indeed impressive. I have heard and read other translations of Gorgias- but the word choice of those other translation is too unadmirable(like "knack"-a word that is not fitted with Platonic dialogues). Nichols keeps consistent and easily understandable words. He doesn't go about saying "smart" words- unlike others who seem to try and exhaust their vocab. before they finish the work.

This is one of my favorite Socratic dialogues. The evidence suggests that Plato wrote it soon after the execution of Socrates, and while I would not say there is a bitter edge to this Gorgias dialogue, I can definitely say that the exchanges do get a little lively at times. At one point, I could almost hear the voices of Socrates and Polus being raised as they argued. Another positive aspect of this dialogue is the fact that it is comparatively easy to understand. Socrates does not start spouting ideas about true Forms or using geometry to prove his points; the more esoteric, more advanced Platonic ideas are to be found in Plato's later writings. In many ways, this dialogue also serves as an introduction to Plato's masterpiece The Republic. Socrates' ideas on some things seem nascent at this point, and he actually contradicts some points he would later make, but the heart of Socratic thought lies within easy grasp in the pages of this dialogue.

The dialogue begins as a discussion about the true nature of oratory. The famed orator Gorgias is in town, and Socrates is most anxious to have a discussion with him. At first, Gorgias' younger friend Polus desires to speak for Gorgias, but he proves little match for Socrates. When Gorgias enters the discussion, Socrates treats him very well, as a respectable man with whom he disagrees, and Gorgias for his part is never flustered by Socrates' description of his art as a knack and as a form of pandering. Later, Callicles bravely jumps into the mix, and things really get interesting. Socrates seemingly admires Callicles' courage to state what he means without shame, yet he winds up getting Callicles to agree with his points in the end. What is it all about? The main points that Socrates makes are that it is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong, and that it is better for a man to be punished for his wrongs than to escape punishment. Implicit in his argument is the belief that all wrongdoing is the result of ignorance; following up on this idea, he declares that dictators and politicians who hold vast powers are the most miserable men of all. He goes so far as to describe Athenian heroes such as Pericles as bad men because the state was less healthy when they left office than when they took office, the proof being that such men eventually lost power and were even ostracized.

For Socrates, happiness comes from being virtuous and self-disciplined. The orator can make a great speech and convince his peers that he is right, but he does this by inculcating belief rather than knowledge in the minds of his audience; he requires no knowledge to win such a debate, and as a result he tells the people what he knows they want to hear rather than what is truly best for them. Right and wrong are immaterial to the orator, Socrates charges. Callicles urges Socrates to give up his immature fixation on philosophy and become a public speaker; were he to be brought to court and charged with a wrong, Callicles tells him that he would be unable to defend himself. Much of the concluding pages consist of a wonderful defense by Socrates of his way of life. He agrees that a court could rather easily try and execute him, but if that were to happen, only his accusers would suffer for it. His thoughts are for the next world, and he has no fear of death because he believes a man with a clean, healthy soul such as his will be given immediate access to the isles of the blessed. The execution of Socrates was clearly on Plato's mind as he wrote this particular discourse.

I would recommend this dialogue to individuals seeking an introduction to Plato's philosophy. The entire discussion is clear throughout and easily comprehensible, and it proves interesting to see how some of Plato's thoughts changed between the years separating this dialogue and The Republic.

The single most impressive aspect of this dialogue is Socrates defense of the "good" against subjectivist arguments by Sophists; arguments which remain with us today albeit in different forms. Thus it is a truly relevant dialogue.

On the one hand, Socrates denies that an individual's supposed superiority determines right and wrong. In modern terms we'd call this the Nietzchean will to power argument. He cleverly kills the might-makes-right argument, by extreme individualists, by showing how ultimately the mob is more powerful than any individual. Thus this reasoning falls through. Yet, at the same time, Socrates denies that truth is determined by mere numbers or by popular vote. After all, Socrates wasn't condemned to death by a dictator or an aristocracy but by a democracy. Food for thought!

This is a nice translation in modern idiom and can be easily read in just a few sittings.

Ksiazka, ktora docenic potrafi jedynie odchodzace pokolenie ludzi, ktorzy sie na lekturze Wankowicza wychowali i ktorych ta
lektura nauczyla kochac Polske. Ale jest to takze ksiazka, ktora
pokolenie naszych dzieci moze sklonic po siegniecie do lektury
pisarza juz ze wzgledow historycznych. Na bolesne pytanie, jakie uslyszal autor tych uwag w jednej z warszawskich ksiegarn: "Prosze Pana, kto dzis czyta Wankowicza" jedna z odpowiedzi jest ksiazka p. Aleksandry. Kazdy, kro pamieta pisarza i jego tworczosc musi ja przeczytac i miec.

Uwazam te ksiazke za naprawde znakomita. Powinna byc podrecznikiem dla studentow. Polecam ja swoim kolegom. Uczy spojrzenia na pisarza od strony autora ksiazek, prywatnej, roznych wydarzen zycia. Powazne rozdzialy przeplataja sie z innymi, tymi, ktore tworza legende Wankowicza. Zrodlowa, doskonale przygotowana, napisana pieknym, jasnym jezykiem. Jakze barwna postac z tego Wankowicza! Podoba mi sie, ze sie nigdzie nie dal przypisac, podporzadkowac zadnym politycznym pradom. Powinno to byc maksyma naszych Wielkich Tworcow - bo w Polsce mamy zbyt wielu ludzi wlaczonych w polityke kosztem swojej tworczosci i autonomii, kosztem swojej niezaleznosci.

I zamiast wszyscy cieszyc sie Noblem Szymborskiej, wydziwiaja na jej wiersze (czy jeden wiersz?) z czasow stalinowskich. Ciekawe, co ci sami przesmiewajacy, zrobiliby majac wokol siebie takie czasy i otumanienie? Teraz wolnosc, a jakie oszolomy wokol nas...

Czytajmy zatem Wankowicza! Nauczymy sie wiele!

Pokolenie moich rodzicow uwielbia Wankowicza. Ja zachecona przez nich przeczytalam "Ziele na kraterze" i niemal rozchorowalam sie z wrazenia - takie byly silne. Jaki to wielki pisarz umiejacy wywolywac emocje, ile wspolczucia mialam z nim dla poszukujacej ciala poleglej w Powstaniu Warszawskim corki Pani Zofii... O Autorce tej ksiazki o Wankowiczu czytalam w wielu pismach - wywiad z nia m.in. w "Rzeczpospolitej", omowienie jej sylwetki w "Twoim Stylu", takze w "Pani", "Kobiecie i Zyciu", "Zwierciadle". Zaciekawiala mnie bardzo, podobala mi sie jej bezposredniosc, duzy takt i niezwykle ujmujace, takze bystre, patrzenie na swiat i ludzi. Moi Rodzice maja jej inne ksiazki, wszystkie bardzo lubia i cenia. Ta ksiazka mnie zachwycila - dowiedzialam sie o wielkim pisarzu wiele - jako o tworcy, i jako o czlowieku zmagajacym sie z trudnosciami. Po tej ksiazce siegne na nowo po jego ksiazki. Moje uznanie dla autorki, ze potrafila napisac o trudnych jakby polonistycznych rzeczach w sposob przyjemny, bezposredni. Cytaty, zrodla, bibliografie, dyscyplina, a jednoczesnie cieplo, umiar i jakas elegancja stylu pisania. Bardzo mi sie podoba, siegne wiec po jej inne ksiazki.

This is a must read! Many African-American educators are interested in meeting the educational needs of African-American children within the established education system. Dr. Akbar guides educators by creating a working knowledge from which to start. It's difficult to destroy the current system, therefore, our objective as educators is to show African-American students the connections between our past and their present. Through such a methodology, the race problem attributed by miseducating blacks will lessen.

As a teacher of middle school students, I frquently observe that African-American students lack a working knowledge of their history beyond the figures of Dr. Martin L. King, Malcolm X and other popularized black figures. There are others that paved the way, such as Aesop, Hannibal, Cleopatra, Zenobi, and Askia the Great that our students need to know. For it is through the accomplishments of the above and others that will too pave the way for them.

This text along with other text written by African-American authors will guide our needs for developing, building and maintaining an education system of excellence based on truth, rather than mistruths. In short, I strongly recommend this book as a must read and as a keeper to be freely shared with all who are passionately concerned about giving African American children the upward mobility desired to sufficiently compete in this ever changing global world.

This book has changed my life. Living in white suburbia I've been asleep for a while and this book opened my eyes to find out who I really am, how to understand my people and how to do educate myself, my family and my people. I will used this book as a reference for raising my two boys so that they can be proud of where they come from and prepare them to to conquer the racist obstacles that they will face while growing to to be strong educated black men.

This book constructively studies the mis-education of African-American people and provides the process to re-educating ourselves based on African holistic principles.

I have trained in taekwondo for a few years, and bought this book to expand my horizons. Chin Na complements just about any martial style, and this book is an excellent technical illustrated and descriptive guide of Chin Na techniques. I highly recommend it for learning new techniques that complement any martial art style.

I commend Dr. Yang on this well organized compilation that covers the techniques and theories of Chin Na. Excellent illustrations that clearly show the techniques when focusing on dividing the muscle/tendon, misplacing the bone, sealing the breath, blocking the artery or cavity press.

Most of the book concentrates on the defensive chin na against barehand attacks, blocking, kicking knife attacks and grabbing. Since that is where your mind must be focused to react quickly, naturally and effectively.

This seizing art form is explained in an easy-to-follow step-by-step manner. Highly recommended.

Aloha ka kou, Kevin

I found this book very practical, especially in comparison to some other books by the author I have read. The techniques are well described, with good foto's, so that one can practice them easyly. I think a background in a locking-art, like mine in aikido, is important for the basic handling of joints, since the locks can be very dangerous. The book gave me very many variations in my aikido and I liked the many fingerlocks, which I was not familiar with.

Author Al Arsenault offers a complete view of chin-na (gripping/grappling) techiques for the ground, from initial standing position to the ground application. The level of this book is basic to advanced--a person with little experience (you'll likely need some grappling experience to understand any book on ground or throwing arts) can hone their understanding through practicing and studing the explanations in the narrative. Advanced concepts are also demonstrated and explained in an organized manner.

The format in this book endears itself to study, with photos and diagrams clear and easy to comprehend. Arsenault goes beyond simply showing a technique which might be difficult to apply without an experienced instructor by explaining through detailed narrative precisely how one must manouver and position oneself. We also learn WHY the techniques and positioning are done as they are done, how they work, and how to get the most out of a technique. This practical and sensible approach can be appreciated by grapplers and strikers alike.

The square construction of this thick book makes it less likely to flop shut when you spread it on the mat to experiment with the techniques shown within. All in all, a straightforward offering which can offer new ideas and applications regardless of one's style of practice.

This book is extremely well written and well photographed. Any and every person, both martial artist and lay person, will be able to learn directly from this book. This is a "must have" reference work. The material is well organized. The text is very complete and nearly exhaustive in presenting the principles, theories and submission holds of ground fighting chin na. This is a truly remarkable "martial science" reference written by true scholar/warriors. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to broaden their knowledge base for truly fast, effective and powerful martial arts techniques. I eagerly await Al and Joe's next book.

This book is invaluable to any martial artist who wants to expand they're ability.. As someone who has studied this type martial art for over 30 years, its the first of its kind to "bridge the gap" on paper. Al Arsenault has taken the art of control and restraint to another level, most haven't experinced. His explinations are clear, concise, easy to understand. So many books written are full of "filler jargon", this book is exploding with factual, practical information. I have recommended this book to all my students and all my friends that practice martial arts. One of the best martial arts books I've ever read. John Cox- Greenville, S.C.(inheritor of Shou family system of Chin Na) rating- 5 stars PLUS!!

While reading this book, I was unable to put it down. I felt like I was right there with the crew. I laughed aload and I cried while reading this book. It just kept you reading. I can not say enough about this book. I would refer this book to anyone to read.

I have read alot of books pretty much a book or two a week. this is the first book that made me cry. Pat takes you threw that hard times and the good times being a Flight nurse. This book Is a Must read if you want to go into the Emergance Feild, to be a Cop, Doctor, Paramedic, EMT, Fire Fighter, Its a must read.

Want to take a look at the insides of a Flight Care program and the lives of the medics/pilots/nurses? This is the book, a near to true life account that is wilder than any rollercoaster ride you have been on. Great book, a must for any one interested in EMS. Trauma Junkies absolute must read!

Ms Mercati gives the reader a good overview of this style of massage. One problem many books on Eastern medicine concepts is that the scientific paradigm of qi, yin-yang, etc is difficult to grasp for someone who has been educated on Western scientific principles. This book starts with an introduction to the Eastern principles in a more understandable, concise fashion. This makes it good for a massage therapist who wants to expand his repertoire. At times, the anatomical descriptions are inaccurate eg: referring to the malleolus as an "ankle bone"; however, the informal style of the book keeps it interesting and readable, as well as informative.

I am a massage therapist and found this book to be very helpful as reference for the non-western portion of the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. It had lots of information on meridians and the five element theory. It was also written quite clear and was quite easy to clear. I also used the followng which is also on amazon:
The Ultimate Study Guide for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Key Review Questions and Answers by Patrick Leonardi (Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3).
The last 3 books were right on target with the type of informatioin ask on this national test. All 4 books are must buys.

I loved the different techniques in this book. It teaches the the law of the five elements and it presents detailed diagrams of the meridian channels.