On-the-tape

My copy of this book appears to have been through a flood, a windstorm, or any other event you could imagine simply because I've read it so much that it is practically falling apart. Lavyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors. The way she delves into each charators emotions and thoughts holds me captive. The Gamble, by far, is my absolute favorite book. I want a man like Scott Gandy. It's funny, but when I assess a man, I compare him to Gandy (luckly I found one!). The good boy gone bad can be a hard role to depict, but Spencer does it with taste and dignity and in a way that the reader can almost sense Gandy's upbringing before it is revealed. I adore his gallantry matched by his spirit and mischief. I love the protective nature in him. I admire the way he deals with Agatha on a business level, using not so fair tactics (such as the sewing machine) but being honest enough to admit it. I swoon at the way he treats women and I chuckle at his manner with Willy. Scott Gandy is absolutely my favorite hero. Rhett Butler has nothing on Scott Gandy!

Agatha Downing is, as well, my favorite heroine. Her proper air is not stuffy nor intimidating. She is generally a good, honest, decent women who does not look down on others even when she does not approve of their actions. She admires what others have in their lives rather than be jealous of them (such as the inhibitions of 'the girls') and displays a lot of spunk for such a 'proper woman. The elogance and carriage that Agatha shows, especially when she moves to Waverly, is admirable.

Then there is Waverly. I am always torn about which is my favorite part of the book. I love the feeling of new beginnings and those "first times" of discovering something (or someone) new to love, but Waverly is my fantasy of Southern charm, regal settings and an incredible way of life. I could never move south because all of my pre-ordained notions of Southern living are tied to Waverly Plantation and I could never have that.

All is all, The Gamble has become my comfort zone over the years. I find the need to re-read it at least once a year - like a family reuion. So far, only Lavryle Spencer has been able to cause that reaction in me.

I am currently re-reading Seperate Beds. Although this book is a different era and completely different storyline, I can't put this book down either!

I loved this book. The elegance of the author's description of places and people, interwoven with historical events, brings it all alive. The characters become real. In fact, I cannot stop thinking about "Gussie's" and Scott's happiness, not to mention Willy's. I would love for Lyvyrle to write a sequel. It grieves me that she has decided to quit writing because I have only just "found" her. I have read, besides Gamble, Endearment and Then Came Heaven...and absolutely have loved all three. Maybe after the author has some time off, she will hopefully reconsider. I love the way Lyvyrle develops her characters and their love story. And it is wonderful that she allows her characters to have such insight (and thus gives us insight at the same time). And I love the fact of waiting until marriage for the ultimate sex act, but at the same time evolving the couple sexually. The "awakening" of Agatha, for example, profoundly relit my pilot light! I plan to read all of Spencer's books and probably reread a good many of them! Please don't quit, Lavyrle -- there's got to be many sequels to write.

Oh my, what a book. Lavyrle Spencer creates some of the most realistic and likeable characters Ive ever met.I absolutely LOVED Scott and Agatha together. I always adore Spencer's Heroines;They are flawed and so human. The writing was,as usual,incredible. The books pacing was perfect and the scenery and all of the characters were so colorful they nearly jumped out of the pages. Only one thing bothered me about this book and that was the situation with Justine- it felt thrown in...otherwise...PERFECTION.

Finally a book for the therapist and client to share! Dr. Amen's book breaks down Depression & Anxiety in a way that will help mental health professionals to recognize a person's unique subtype of these disorders. It will also enlighten the average reader about their sypmtoms and provides easy to follow recommendations for healing. By looking closely at the function of the brain through brain imaging scans, Dr. Amen gives us hope into the healing of a complicated disorder. The reader will learn they don't have to be ashamed and healing is possible. Every person who thinks they may suffer from depression, or knows someone who does, should read this book, and share it with a therapist! This is a first, no one has given us these insights in such a readable manner!

The latest release by Dr.Amen is his best synthesis of applying a brain system approach to the symptomatology manifesting as clincial anxiety and depression.

Emerging research in the cognitive neurosciences adds increasing support to his experience using SPECT. The current tools used at the university level are more sophisticated (Functional MRI, Transcranial Magnetic Imaging and PET )but are not in conflict with his findings.

The graphic and concise presentation of brain images and text allows both the novice and more familiar reader of Amen's works to understand the overlapping features of these disorders. An advantage of his style is that a reader may begin the book from any section or chapter. I found this benefit very useful for myself and amongst my patients in our search for the chapter that is most " Us ".

I highly recommend this book as an addition to the bookshelf of the American public.

www.brain-spect.com

Dr. Amen has changed my life and the lives of several members of my family. The stigma associated with mental illness is deep-seated and difficult to overcome. Understanding the root causes, particularly the genetic predisposition within families, is the indispensable first step in coming to grips with dealing with life-long problems. These problems are often not adequately addressed via behavior modification or cognitive therapies because they get the cart before the horse: they do not deal with the biological root causes. Once those are dealt with, the learned behaviors and habitual patterns can be peeled away to create a whole new start on life. However, without the understanding of the causes and types of underlying brain conditions, one is often doomed to the roll the rock up the same hill only to see it roll down again as we watch. Take my advice. If the brain pattern descriptions look all too familiar, get help as recommended. You will become a new person, the one you were created to be. And that is a wonderful thing.

Don't take this wrong, but I read this book expecting it to be alot like 'Tales of the City' novels. They are incredibly entertaining books but light fare reading. This book was amazingly complex. Mr. Maupin wrote about Cadence with such love and respect. I can tell this novel came from alot of heart. I felt as if I knew Cady and was a close friend. She was far from being a victim or pitiful. She was very witty and although she encountered so much pain in her life, she lived life to its fullest.

The ending was utterly heartbreaking. It reminded me a bit of the movie 'The Player'. Where the production staff has a story re-written because they find a persons appearance offensive or objectionable. By the time the filming starts, the entire story changed from what the author ever intended.

I have this book on my shelf and plan on keeping it there. I do not plan on selling it or re-reading it, however, it made such an impression on me. I think I will keep it for a very long time to remind me to appreciate other peoples differences and be grateful for what I do have.

Armistead Maupin is better known for his Tales of the City series, but I liked Maybe the Moon much better. It is a very clever story of a dwarf who played an ET-like character in a movie years ago, and has not been able to advance her career since. (I heard somewhere that the book is actually based on the life of the short person who played inside of ET.) The character development is great, and the story takes some unexpected turns, including a surprise romance, which I found quite satisfying. My favorite books have sadness mixed in with humor, as does this one. I guess this reflects real life. This book is quick to read and thoroughly enjoyable

This is one of the best fiction books I have read. As an average sized person, I found this extraordinarily enlightening as to the difficulties and prejudices that little people go through each and every day. It was one of the most unique love stories ever and it really, truly made me feel the full gamut of emotions. If you buy one fiction book in your life, this is the one.

This tape set by Carolyn Myss is the best I have heard. I have read her books, seen her seminars and listened to her other tapes. When I got this set, I listened to it once and then started over. Everytime I listen I learn more. I am a RN/counselor and this has been a favorite with my pts also. I can't tell you how positively it has influenced the people I work with.....It puts you in control of your mind and body and ultimately your spirit and overall health in all these areas. A master piece!

I am reviewing the cassette version and it was beyond my expectations. After reading C. Myss's books and seeing her in person, this series of tapes brought it all together. I had an intellectual grasp of energy and the chakra's but now I have a "knowing". I am a counselor and have used some of Carolyn's work in my practice. I now feel, after listening to the tapes, that I will be able to give my pts the information and the tools they need to heal themselves emotionally. physically, and spiritually. Myss is an important voice as we enter this new era and more than likely a paradigm shift in our world-especially healing.

I have read a lot of spiritual material, and this one has had a continued and lasting impact on me. It has helped to give me an understanding of my chakras and how I relate to the world that fits completely with other spiritual material. This material made so much sence.

I am a healthy person, so Myss's books on healing have never interisted me. This material, however, taught me how to guage my own personal power and understand why I'm weak and why I'm strong. Ever since going through these tapes I have been continually physically aware of my chakras. I can feel when I am working on something that is affecting one of them, and I am aware when I am leaking a significant amount of energy from one (which is pretty much every day, but I'm aware now).

Myss has a system where people can become certified as instructors of her material. I took a local weekly class on this series and it really expanded the material, I recommend it if you can find something like that in your area. Also, once you have used this material to understand where you are leaking energy and why, you can use Byron Katie's 'The Work' to help disconnect from what you are tied into.

Walter Lord follows up his best seller of the fifties-A Night to Remember--with this eighties version on some mysteries about the sunken liner. One learns about the musicians (two groups actually) and what they played that night while the life boats were being loaded. Another story details the negligence of the freighter Californian for not answering the eight rockets of distress from the Titanic. Another story details the shootings and suicide near the end of the launch of the last life boats. Still another story details why there were not enough life boats on the Titanic and most other ocean liners of the day. Walter Lord clears the air about these mysteries with his well informed writing.
If you want to know more about the Titanic, read both Lord's books on the subject (A Night to Remember, The Night Lives On). They will help the reader understand this tragedy. I have seen the movie and I know the producers consulted these books when they made the movie.

A spell-binding, moment-by-moment review of the sinking of the White Star Liner, Titanic, on April 12, 1912. The author reviews all the evidence of that fateful night, including eyewitness accounts of survivors and testimony at both the U.S. Senate subcommittee on the disaster and at the court of the Board of Trade in England. The recent controversy of the discovery and photographing of the Titanic by Robert Ballard is also discussed. This is a remarkable book, written almost like a novel, following the events of that night very closely, but also with much respect given to the conflicting stories of survivors. Walter Lord pieces everything together, and comes up with startling, well-researched conclusions. The era, the people, and the entire tragedy are brought to life as if it had just occurred yesterday.

This book picks up where A Night to Remember left off. It updates information in regards to the ships break-up from the "new" information obtained by Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreck. Some aspects of the sinking are recaped with additional survivor accounts plus much more information is provided of what was happening on the California, how the Carpathia responded, the inquests which followed, etc. Put together with A Night to Remember and you have an extremely comprehensive coverage of nearly all aspects of the Titanic sinking all presented in extremely readable and entertaining format. Highly recommended--a must read for anyone interested in this subject who wants to know all about it. I found it hard to put either book down and, of all the books I've read on the subject, I've found Walter Lord's two books to be the best.

Pilgrim's Progress is without a doubt one of the true classics of time--an allegory that has remained a best seller years after its introduction.

My first introduction to Pilgrim's Progress was as a child in parochial school. I had to do a book report on it in 5th grade and ended up reading numerous times for various projects throughout grade school.

The reader follows the main character--aptly named "Christian"--on his journey to the Celestial City.

Along the way, Christian passes through the many trials of life, symbolized by intruiging characters and places along the way. An early temptation is the "City of Destruction", which Christian narrowly escapes with his life. The various characters are perhaps the most fascinating portion of the book--Pliable, Giant Despair, Talkative, Faithful, Evangelist, and numerous others provide the reader with a continual picture of the various forces at work to distract (or perhaps, encourage)Christian on his ultimate mission.

Of course, the theology (for those of the Christian faith) of Pilgrim's Progress is a constant source of debate, the book is nonetheless a classic of great English writing.

It's not a quick read--that's for sure--however, I certainly would recommend that one read it in its original form. Don't distort the beauty of the old English language with a modern translation.

A letter to Marvin Minsky about this book:

I urge you tolook at a remarkable book by the English Puritain John Bunyan(1628-1688), "The Pilgrim's Progress", which is one of the great evangelical Christian classics, though clearly that is not why it interests me and should interest you (although I AM interested in the puzzle that is the religious sense, which even the irreligious feel, and this book can give remarkable insight into that as well).

Rather its fascination lies in the pilgrimage it depicts, or in the fact that human traits, vices, virtues, &c are PERSONIFIED as particular individuals who are their living and speaking epitome, and who are encountered along the way in revealing situations.

Bunyan's hero is appropriately named Christian. Someone once wrote that "Christian's journey is timeless as he travels from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, meeting such characters as Pliable, Talkative, Giant Despair, Evangelist, Worldly-Wiseman, Faithful, Ignorance and Hopeful."

At first this personification is merely amusing, even a bit annoying (as caricatures or truly stereotypical people can be); but after a while I found myself enthralled because I realized that the effect of this odd literary device was to give unmatched insight into the nature of such traits. The force of the whole thing comes from the fact that one journeys about in - literally INSIDE of - what is both a comprehensive and finite moral and psychological landscape (a "psycho-topography"), very much as though one were INSIDE the human mind and your "Society of the Mind" was embodied in the set of actors. This is more or less the opposite or an inversion of the 'real world' of real people, who merely SHARE those attributes or of whom the attributes are merely PIECES; in "Pilgrim's Progress", by contrast, the attributes are confined in their occurrence to the actors who are their entire, unique, pure, and active embodiment, and humanness, to be recognized at all, has to be rederived or mentally reconstructed from the essential types.

The effect, for me, was something like experiencing a multidimensional scaling map that depicts the space of the set of human personality types, by being injected directly - mentally and bodily - into it by means of virtual reality technology.

So Bunyan's book has something of the interest to a psychologist, neuroscientist, or philosopher that Edwin Abbot's "Flatland" has to a mathematician.

I don't mean to overpraise "Pilgrim's Progress", of course; it was written for theological rather than scientific purposes, and has conspicuous limitations for that reason. But its interest to a student of the mind who looks at it at from the right point of view can be profound.

- Patrick Gunkel

This book is a true classic. John Bunyan spins a wonderful tale of the spiritual walk to heaven. The language may be a bit hard and it won't be that easy of a read, but it is definately worth the while!

It is spiritually edifying and also quite captivating.

A must read!!!

There's no doubt about it. Frederick Forsyth knows how to spin a yarn. This international thriller takes the reader on a roller coaster ride that doesn't stop until the very last page.
If, as many believe, The Day of the Jackal is the greatest novel of international intrigue ever written, The Devil's Alternative cannot be far behind.
Maxim Rudin is the President of the USSR and General Secretary of the Communist Party. He's having a very bad year. Not only is his health failing but his country faces an impending famine. His enemies within the Politburo are plotting to oust him from power even as a group of Ukrainian nationalists plan murder and mayhem to embarrass the regime. The US President, Bill Matthews, has come to the realization that only a massive infusion of American grain can prevent a starving Soviet Union from starting World War III.
Superimposed on this backdrop are a number of other interesting subplots. These include a forbidden romance between a British intelligence officer and a Russian woman and the maiden voyage of the largest oil tanker the world has ever seen.
Forsyth seamlessly weaves together all plot elements in a way that captures the reader's imagination and holds it at gunpoint. Throughout the book, there are a number of genuinely surprising twists which are really quite remarkable to behold.
The meticulous attention to detail that characterizes all of Forsyth's writing is very much alive and well here. It's hard to imagine the scope and depth of research that went into bringing this book to life.
The Devil's Alternative is a monumental achievement. Highly recommended.

It's the early eighties and group of radical Ukranian nationalists have a debt to settle as The Soviet Union is facing a possible famine. After a Ukranian nationalist is found barely alive floating in the black sea, the stage is set for a plot which involves numerous european countries as well as the US and Israel.

The character development in this novel is excellent. Frederick Forsyth has a way of bringing out the personalities of the main characters very well. His knowledge of geography really shows that he does his research before he writes. I like the way the book goes from one country to another carefully discribing what is going on but not always telling the reader how it's related to the plot until later. There are quite a few surprising moments which keep your attention. There are points were you may think the story is going nowhere and then there is an abrupt change of pace with no warning.

It is books like this that can turn one into an avid reader of espionage novels.

Another solid job by this author who I have always liked. This was another of his fast paced, easy to read stories with a good long story. I love the detail of the USSR government, you really feel like it in a non-fiction book at times. He has always used a lot of good factual details to make his books solid. Like the work of all good authors, you really grow to know the characters, like some and hate some - they have solid reasons for doing what they are doing in the book. There is a lot going on but the way he writes it you do not have any problems following the action. A great book that is well worth the time.

I am the wife of a Vietnam Vet. I have read hundreds of books about War written by the men and women who were there. Though all of their stories are deserving of great respect some stand out like the North Star on a black night. "Guns Up" by Johnnie M. Clark is one of these outstanding books. This book takes you to war in Vietnam and it doesn't let you come back the same person. Read it.

I have read GUNS UP! several times and keep returning to it. I have read several accounts of Vietnam, but I keep returning to this one. The way that Mr. Clark is able to take his readers through the gamet of emotions and glories of comradeship felt by Marines in Vietnam makes this book a tribute to the men who fought and died when their country called - whether they believed in the war that they were called upon to fight or not, they were truly "forever faithful".

This is an incredible read. I was given GUNS UP in paper back several years ago and just couldn't put it down. I made the big mistake of letting a friend borrow it. I never saw it again. That book got passed around and I just lost count of who had it last. I finally found a hard back of it and didn't tell anyone that I had it.

Life of the Beloved is among the final books published by Nouwen, and in that way is kind of a culmination of much of his life and thought and is thought by many to be his "flagship" work. Truly, it doesn't get much better than this. Reading this book as a Christian can be a mind and, hence, life altering experience. It was written to some of Henri's non-Christian friends about how much God loves them (which is certainly true!). And from the way Henri's life consistently pointed towards Jesus and the Gospel, I am sure that his friendship, love, and words to them in conversation were used by God for the good of the hearers. On that note, I would caution using this book alone as something to give to your non-Christian friends; because as Henri used it, it is best backed up by your life, love for your friends, and pointing them towards Jesus in your day to day life, and not as a gift without a relationship.

The book is clear, and ultra-concise (you could probably read it in a day or two); yet, the message, of how to live as the Beloved of God amidst a world where there are lies about your identity at every turn, could not be more fundamental to how a Christian lives their life. I wholeheartedly recommend and in fact strongly encourage all Christians to read this book.

This is an excellent book for someone who has never read Nouwen's writings. The book carries a great message of hope; that God, who created us in his image and likeness, calls us to live our lives with the knowledge that we are His "beloved" children and that He is always calling us to a deeper love and intimacy with Him.

In response to negative reviews of this book because it doesn't beat you over the head with purely Christian messages, there is much to be said for Nouwen's reaching out to people of all faiths and gently leading them to think about what God's will is for their lives, and how they are called to live - in love and in loving others. Isn't that Jesus' ultimate message to all of us?

During a time of personal uncertainty, emptiness and sadness, the mere title of this book moved something inside of me; enough to purchase it with the strong intent of reading it, later that evening. Needless to say, I tried several times, but never felt in the mood, although, I knew it would be a good read.
Six months later, experiencing the same feelings, I took a trip to visit some terminally ill, elder family members and carried this book, as part of my reading.
Well!! A good read doesn't begin to describe this book!! It is powerful, enjoyable, moving, easy to read, entertaining, thought provoking, emotional, educational, nurturing and full of love. WOW! All that packed into 119 pages! It is simply written, as though, the author was conversing with me and yet, in other parts, I could hear the Voice of God telling me very simply, that I was BELOVED, a child of His. The power of this book is so Amazing!! As, I write these words, I have an intense feeling of being loved, emotional stirrings in the bottom of my gut and goosebumps on my arms. I am more in touch with God in my daily life, His loving and tender Presence and Voice everywhere, in everything. This book has changed my prior feelings of emptiness, sadness and uncertainty to a more joyful, simple, thankful, childlike approach to living, a sense of peace within myself, a clarity and certainty of my path in life and a powerful, moving love for God in my moment to moment living. Is my life 100 % perfect? Yes, and No, but as I work with God towards that moment of Utopia; I am thankful, centered and at peace in the knowledge that I am BELOVED, safe in God's Love for me and that everything will unfold, exactly as it is meant to be for me, with my prayer,love,faith and willingness to see God's message for me. This book has not only energized my faith, but also my life perspective, direction and relationships. Please note, as a Renaissance type of person and avid reader of all types of books, never before have I felt the need to review a book. This is a timely and perfect book for our high anxiety modern times. This book is on my gift giving and sharing list. Life of the Beloved by Henri J.M.Nouwen is a MUST for all, who believe in God or the Universe or a Power greater than us, whatever your faith...This Book will touch Your SOUL and Change your Life!!

Mark Salzman invites the students at the LA Youth Authority to express themselves in writing and he records their reflections in TRUE NOTEBOOKS. In their own words, they voice their love for the mothers, their anger at their absent fathers, and their remorse for their mistakes/crimes. Most believe in God and are committed to changing their lives for the better. But, most won't get the chance because today's juvenile justice system is not about rehabilitation; it is about punishment. And, most comment that their "home" environments have contributed to their criminal behaviors, so going home is not an answer for a "homie."

The boys' conversations describe the monotonous routine of the monastic, sterile detention center where they feel like rats in a failing experiment and showing emotions is not allowed. But, all the boys cry in their cells and their sorrow turns to anger. Tao says that society will face the consequences of the "benefit of lockin' kids up and throwin' away the key." When these adult prisoners are released, they will get "revenge."

So, why do Mr. Sills, Sister Janet, and Mark try to do anything positive for these kids? After all, making them feel special is dangerous because it creates an individual who may resist the "program." Salzman asks, "What is the value of a positive experience if it is only temporary?" His answer is simply this: " ... a little good has got to be better than no good at all."

Mark Salzman has recorded the students' dialogue and selected writings that accurately describe our present juvenile justice system. They ask the important questions that society needs to reflect on and answer.

At the end of the book, Salzman gives a website for the InsideOutWriters program. You might be interested in checking that out. You might also be interested in reading about my personal experiences teaching in a juvenile detention center at my personal website. Look under teaching strategies/archives/juvenile justice?.

Mark Salzman deserves kudos for the honest portrait he has drawn of his time teaching creative writing to inmates in L.A. County's juvenile hall. What I appreciated most about the book is the way it exposes our country's failings toward at-risk youth without being preachy or overbearing. It presents individual situations and allows the reader to draw their own conclusions about what is wrong with the juvenile correction system in America. I am a voracious reader of both fiction and non-fiction, as well as an emotional person, but very, very few books have moved me to tears and laughter, sometimes within a few moments of each other. This one did: it reminded me of how important human connection is to each of us, as well as the power of caring to heal damaged souls. Mr. Salzman was clearly moved by his time with the kids in his class, and it shows in his spare, clean writing about his experiences, as well as his descriptions of the inmates' relationships and methods of communication and self-protection. Included are examples of the writing done by his students; some of them will make you laugh, and some will break your heart. I highly recommend this book.

I love Mark Salzman. I've enjoyed all his books and a couple of readings. True Notebooks reads like a novel. A very compelling novel. While the author in no way beats us over the head with the tragedy of these lost and discarded kids, it is what we remember when the back cover closes on this book.