Opening

Not only does this book offer wonderful information, but the exercises given are easy to follow and do produce results. Orin and DaBen enlighten with humor, wisdom and sound advice. You'll learn how to meet, speak with and work with your Spirit Guides. But you'll also learn how to speak with other spirits that might cross through your day and learn from them as well. I don't know anyone who has read this book that didn't have it change them in some way.

i have quite a few books on "channeling" in my book collection, but this one takes the gold! It is very easy to understand, and does NOT make the art of channeling anymore complicated than it has to be. The excercises contained within the book are excellent. One of the reasons i love this book so much is because once i started reading the material, mild channeling sessions would just start to come naturally. Not to mention, most of us channel "more than we know".. This book simply makes you aware that you are doing it, that anyone can do it, and just how easy it is....

The text flows beautifully, and the authors are wonderful!
i would reccommend this book to anyone who sincerely wants to learn to channel.

Without sounding corny I hope, I felt that I was guided toward buying this book!...and I bet many others have been too! I do not normally read 'how to' books because I like to try things in my own way, however, this book with another perspective of doing things helped me in many ways. It is easy to read and understand and it explains the sometimes complex methods of chanelling in a straightforward way. What makes it more interesting and convincing is the fact that it was channelled by the authors guide. I recommend it for anyone who is developing their mediumistic gifts.
Ashleigh Stewart
www.freespiritcentre.info

This is a powerful and extrememly helpful book on the devastating effects of child abuse/incest/molestation. It shows the reader how to get the help they need in order to heal within themselves. The healing of this book reminds me of 'Nightmares Echo' (A true self account). The clinical data is like that of 'Father-Daughter incest'. This book, however lends support for all. It is a highly recommended read, and something that I believe will help those that are in the mental health field to better understand

This is a powerful and extrememly helpful book on the devastating effects of child abuse/incest/molestation. It shows the reader how to get the help they need in order to heal within themselves. The healing of this book reminds me of "Nightmares Echo" (A true self account). The clinical data is like that of "Father-Daughter incest". This book, however lends support for all. It is a highly recommended read, and something that I believe will help those that are in the mental health field to better understand

After the press told the story of little Carlie Brucia, I believe this book should have been purchased by everyone. This book gives insight and teaches us caution not just for ourselves but for our children. this is a marvelous book. I want to recommend to the reading audience a couple of other books, NNIGHTMARES ECHO, LOST BOY and THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUTH. Please read and learn what can happen to a child right under our noses and also make sure to read Threshold Of Hope..so you will know some of what is needed to protect.

Though much has been written about the Holocaust, the truly neglected aspect ofthis overwhelming tragedy is the spiritual impact it has had on the "aftermath generation." In her book, God in Hell, Gemma Grott poignantly paints a rich life-sized portrait of the dual process of both her own spiritual maturation and its relationship to the Holocaust experience that she inherited on a cellular level of consciousness. The story is a unique journey into self-relaization adn spiritual development that encompasses both her personal search for self-understanding and an inner desire to work out the cluminating effects of centuries of her people's anguish. It is work of rare insight into the ramifications of persecution and darkness o the human soul. This is a heartfelt work that offers us hope, illustrating the ability of one generation to come to terms with and help heal the terrible wounds of the past. Itis a truly moving and inspiring offering, which provides the reader with a uique vantage point for examintg one of the central issues facing the human race; healing he effects of evil.

With critical insight into the harrowing effects of the Holocaust, as well as the conditions for other peoples, Gemma Grott relates an amazing story. Her captivatiing style propels a remarkably challenging search for meaning in the mystery of life in each chapter of her book. Ms. Grott's account of her spiritual and political journey is an inspiring sign of hope to readers.
-- by Sister Jane F. Garry, CSJ

Ms. Grott has managed to outline a most personal journey and process for recognizing and healing generational wounds - especially the devastating wounds still rocking our world from the Holocaust.

Never have I read a book that so seamlessy traverses history, psychology, social justice, spirituality and metaphysics. The voices of Grott's characters reflect aspects of a fragmented whole, providing the reader with a way to own, rather than dismiss all aspects of our tragic history.

The haunting question, "Where was God", which has spiritually and morally devastated humanity since the Holocaust is engaged with such heart and intelligence as to mend deep layers of suffering on a level much broader than Ms. Grott's own life. Bravo!

Racer Buddies is a perfect book for NASCAR fans and their children. A great story, loaded with racing vocabulary (glossary included) and, best of all, fantastic illustrations. William Harper's drawings are full of action and personality. One can almost hear the roar of the engines and smell the cars' exhaust. I'll be ordering all the NASCAR books for my library. Here's a little secret for readers who are not familiar with Mr. Harper's creative art work - look for the chickens cleverly hidden in the drawings. There are at least seven!

I got this book for several friends to read to their kids...moms, dads, kids, they all loved it. Beautiful illustrations, great story. Hope there will be more to come.

My daughters love this book and my husband loves reading it to them. The characters are interesting, the pictures engaging, and the story keeps us turning the pages. We can't wait for the next one to come out.

The Sicilian Dragon is an exciting opening to play as black but dangerous too. This is an excellent book for those who love to play the Dragon. Dragon players should add this one to their opening collections. It contains some tactical themes too. Shows how to play against whites setups, including the Maroczy Bind. Very solid and theoretical. Advanced players will find this one useful too.

I am one of those people who doesn't play the Sicilian often, because of how sharp and bookish it can be. In particular, the Sicilian Dragon is something I play only in the least important blitz games, as there are so many variations, and one's king gets stormed so darn often. From hard experience, I'd known that the Yugoslav variation stuff doesn't work against the accelerated dragon, but I'd never known the move sequences nor how to deal with all those c4 Maroczy Bind situations. This book capably tells you how to play the Accelerated, how to turn back white's efforts to try the Yugoslav Attack, and how to deal with the bind. It has a nice chapter on the Hyper Accelerated, and a mildly throwaway chapter on the Semi Accelerated system with ...Nc6 and ....g6. This is a good book, easily understandable by a B player like myself. Well done.

I bought this book a week ago. Although I haven't had time to study it all in depth, I already like it more than my other opening books. I already played the accelerated Dragon, without knowing a lot of theory.

Many Whites play some sort of move order to reach the Yugoslav variation of the Dragon. That's not possible against the Accelerated, since Black can play ...d5!. But there are many tactical points in those lines to make Black equalize or win a pawn right away, and I always missed them. This book will allow me to punish mistakes every White seems to make, and I like that most :).

Furthermore, this is an opening book with quite a lot of text. It starts out with an overview of typical plans for both sides, and in the analysis chapters, many moves are accompanied with a small line saying what the idea is. I know I played many moves from other books not knowing why...

And it is complete. Aside from the main Accelerated e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 g6, it also covers lines like the hyper-accelerated (e4 c5 Nf3 g6) which I sometimes like to play to avoid 3.Bb5, in 23 pages!, and things like the dubious e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nc3 g6.

The authors are absolute Accelerated enthusiasts so maybe there is a small Black bias, but I think most people who want to buy this book play it as Black anyway. The opening is completely playable.

The NKJV Women's Study Bible is a must-have for all women who wish to be closer to God. Written by women for women, you'll find this Bible beautifully written and an excellent study aid.

I am the Coordinator of Women's Ministry for a large New York Church and have been a student and teacher of the Word of God for over 10 years. This is the beststudy bible I have ever encountered. I encourage all my students and every woman who thirsts for more knowledge of God to purchase this bible. It is highly readable and easy to comprehend. I have purchased one for home and one for my office. All I need a paperback version to carry with me!

The Woman's Study Bible leads with the words" Opening the WORD of GOD to WOMEN", I cannot define it better. I have found that I am able to develop a relationship with the LORD. It has helped me to open a once closed heart jaded by our times. We do not always want to discuss with others certain issues as we may feel isolated. All these issues have been addressed and have made it easy for one to dig deep within to stoke the fire of GOD in us. The topical notes are inspirational. I am blessed to have a diverse ethinc background. Still, this Bible spoke into my life, it will into yours.

GETTING HOOKED: FICTION'S OPENING SENTENCES 1950s-1990s
Edited by Sharon Rendell-Smock
Now for something completely different. Editor Sharon Rendell-Smock provides the opening line from some of the major novels of the past four decades. It is the first sentence that typically sets the tone for the rest of the book. Readers browsing in book stores are hooked (or turned off) by that opening act.
GETTING HOOKED: FICTION'S OPENING SENTENCES 1950s-1990s is broken into the five post-World War II decades. Within each decade is a brief outline of key events, entertainment highlights, major films, important cultural figures, and notable other events and people. This helps the reader understand the historical background to the fiction of that decade. Following the historiography, the opening gamut of fifty years of fiction are divided in to several genres: mystery, science fiction, mainstream, banned, western, and romance. There are also many sidebars, trivia questions, and a trivia game.
Though not everyone's reading material, this is a fun book that reminds readers of some of the best stuff written in the second half of the twentieth century. The compilation is done in an entertaining yet educational way, turning into a pleasing reading experience.
Harriet Klausner
harrietklausner@paintedrock.com

I've never really seen anything like this book. What seems onthe surface as a sort of "one-shot" idea (listing theopening sentences of famous and not-so-famous books from the '50's to the '90's) turns out to have surprising depth and diversity. Use it as a trivia tool, a writer's guide for good and bad openings, or just to peruse for pleasure. Reading some of the opening sentences she lists wanted to make me run back and read some of the classics I hadn't picked up in years. . .or missed the first time around! I found this book because, believe it or not, Rendell-Smock writes a weekly Health column at the Sideroad. which only goes to shows her range as a researcher and a writer. Given that her other book, "Living With Big Cats" is on yet another totally unrelated subject, I'm VERY interested to see what project she'll tackle next! This a great birthday or Christmas gift for either a writer, or a reader. . .especially if you DON'T KNOW what they have or haven't read.

GETTING HOOKED is everything that I expected it to be - almost. I award it 5 stars, so my reservations are not serious ones; nonetheless, my review does consist solely of gripes, hoping that Sharon Rendell-Smock will be inspired to improve this otherwise excellent volume in subsequent editions.

First, by her own admission, she chose entries from "both obscure and popular authors, from best-sellers, genre recommended reading, and Hugo, Nebula, Edgar, and Pulitzer winners." And: "A few famous novels open with mediocre sentences." Great, so she chose sometimes obscure books with great opening sentences over popular books with mediocre opening sentences, but couldn't she have included both and let the reader compare? Further, I would have liked it if she had identified the best-sellers and the award winners.

Wow. Two minor complaints, and the book still rates 5 stars. My advice, especially to the aspiring author who wishes to see how the professionals hook their readers, is to buy this book immediately, read it cover to cover, and then get back to writing!

It's the night of Maggie Kean's first opening. Her sculptures will be on display for the public. She is very nervous. Mark, the manager and overseer of the Outlook, the upscale gallery for her show, introduces her to Henry Duran who is interested in her sculptures. But, he wants something with a little more edge to it. She takes him into the studio in back to show him one of her sculptures that didn't make it into the show. She feels it might be just what he is looking for. On their way back there, she smells something burning. Without thinking, she opens the peephole on the kiln in the firing room and finds a man curled up in the kiln, dead.

Maggie's boyfriend, Detective Sam Villari, is in charge of the investigation. While he is working, she is questioned by another detective.

Maggie and Villari have a very volatile relationship. He loves her and readily admits it. Maggie isn't sure what she feels and definitely can't voice it.

Mark and his wife Jamie seem to be having trouble. Mark says Jamie is distant and won't talk to him. Maggie has spoken to Jamie about it, and she says work is just busy. Maggie does not believe this to be what is causing their trouble, but she isn't certain what is. Then Maggie follows Jamie when she gets into a black car with another man. Unfortunately Maggie's car is not very good. She ends up losing them.

She, Duran and Maggie's friend Lisa begin investigating. They are looking into various leads to determine who killed Jeff Riley and why. They find themselves in some very interesting predicaments and often in danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Maggie Kean is the girl next door, but she has her own baggage as well. Her relationship with Villari is on again, off again. You never really know what's up. Her car really adds to the story as well. Her friend Lisa is terrific and sticks with her through thick and thin. Duran is a character in and of himself. He is so well written and described. I wonder if he'll be in future books.

I am not an art fan, but this was such an enjoyable read, that I never really thought about it. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more!

She's at it again! Magnificent, and sometimes mysterious, Maggie Keane tries to live a normal life. All she wants to do is build a reputation as a respectable and talented artist, while cuddling up in her favorite sweatshirt with the love of her life. Never mind that the sweatshirt has seen better days and that she is completely blind to her feelings for Sam. She's just going about her business the best way she knows how and wham! A dead body appears in the middle of it.

Well, this is, unfortunately, normal for Maggie, as those of you who have read 'A Dying Art' already know. And as Sam tries to keep her out of danger, Maggie only manages to make matters worse for her man and herself, finding herself in situations that are alternately hilarious and terrifying. Ms. Davis has created a delightful central character who will amuse you and frustrate you, but definitely keep you turning the pages!

An Opening for Murder is the second Maggie Kean mystery and returns the character of the spunky artist/sleuth to new audiences. Here Maggie's involvement with a homicide detective brings new romance, while her professional life is enhanced by a showing of her art - until a body is discovered at the opening, burned in the studio's kiln. Suddenly Maggie's back in the middle of a murder mystery in this compelling mystery.

This story is the tragic account of the completely unneccessary death of a young child because of an airbag. I often found myself crying as the author spelled out some of the details of the ordeal that he and his family lived through as a result of that car accident. I found myself crying both for them and for me (because I, too, have suffered loss because of an airbag). I think that this book was probably a tremendous avenue for the author to deal with his grief, and I applaud his courage for doing so. At times, I found myself to be disturbed by the descriptions of some of the things that the family chose to do related to final arrangements for their daughter. Everyone, however, deals with grief and loss in his/her own way...and has the right to do so. Once again, courageous, but disturbing. Overall, a pretty well-written story - almost more of a journal,really. I found myself wanting more to be said about the dangers of airbags than was said. I realize, however, that the author's focus was honoring the loss of a child in his life....not "righting the wrongs" of the automotive industry. And in that, he did a good job.

Facing the unthinkable--the sudden death of a child--this thought lurks uncomfortably in the corners of my and every parent's mind. What is the big picture of life and death, destiny, the love and role of parent and child, family, and the friendship of others? Alison's Gift is the story of the sudden death of a child of a mother that could easily be in my own circle of friends. Beth Sanders, with the support of her friends and family, follows her own intuition about how to handle the physical, emotional, and spiritual details of the crossing of her child from this life into the next. I found myself fasciinated, touched, and, yet, strengthened by the telling of this story by author, Pat Hogan. The results were a sense of inner calm and that "unthinkable" feeling subsiding. This book has that ability to show the reader how to tread down a path that we all are unsure of. It is a book to read and pass around.

Alison was a delightful and loving little girl who lost her life all too soon. Fortunately, Alison's mission, her song of peace, her vision of helping other people realize their potentials was her legacy. Although we paid the highest price with the loss of this wonderful, gifted, loving child, we did inherit her legacy. We love Alison.

The Boy Who Loved Windows is beautifully written, informative, educational, inspiring and moving. It explains the world of a child with sensory integration problems better than anything I have ever read, as well as the link between sensory integration and autism spectrum disorders. All of this information is delivered through the compelling story of a boy threatened by autism and how his family helped him ultimately escape that threat. The book not only offers great insight to other families who might benefit from the Floortime method, it is also a story worth reading in its own right. A book any parent would enjoy.

The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening the Heart and Mind of a Child Threatened With Autism by Patricia Stacey is a wonderfully rich, poignant book that is compelling and beautifully written. As a clinician working with children and families on the autistic spectrum I have come to know and work with many children and their families. This book gives a clear picture describing the components that make up the autism spectrum and gives hope to all of those who are diagnosed.

Ms. Stacey describes what happened with her own son and family in beautiful prose while giving clear, practical information on how to help and work with all children. We need to follow their lead, encourage them to be engaged with us and help them to grow using the developmental model. The method that Ms. Stacey chose to use with her son (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship Based) helped him to engage, attend and enjoy relationships and the world around him.

I find that this book is many things. It is mostly about possibility for change and growth. When a child is diagnosed with having an autism spectrum disorder it affects the whole family system. The hopelessness and despair that parents feel upon having their fears confirmed can be, and often is devastating. In many areas of the country older intervention methods are relied upon and people are not aware that newer methodologies exist-let alone work. Ms. Stacey gives her readers many gifts in her book. She gives clear information on Sensory Integration, Autism Spectrum Disorders, courage and hope.

This book is a must read for parents, family, friends and professionals. Whether you know someone on the spectrum or not, you will gain a new level of understanding on what it is like to live the life of a parent of a child with autism, what a child with autism means to the family and community and that there are wonderful new interventions available to help the child (or adult) to change and grow in a positive way.

Ms. Stacey's book is not about shunning the autism community or those on the autism spectrum. Stanley Greenspan, M.D., puts it beautifully when he talks about working with those with communication and learning disorders-"redefining potential". It is about giving hope and help and that there is potential for each child on the spectrum-and that each of us can do better, can climb the developmental ladder and be more comfortable within ourselves, in the world and with one another. This is the message that comes through in the book and it is an amazing gift to readers.

The Boy Who Loved Windows engages the reader at every level - as a personal memoir, a family chronicle, a medical narrative, and a philosophical meditation. Like a master photographer, Patricia Stacey moves confidently among these genres, zooming in until we feel ourselves inhabiting the same space as Walker and his family, then pulling back to give a panoramic view of the medical research and philosophical questions underpinning the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Stacey's "voice" rings with such clarity, curiosity and compassion that it brings to mind the wonderful work of Oliver Sacks, the renown neurologist, professor, and author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars. Like Sacks, Stacey honors what is unique to each individual while extracting what is universal about all of us. By so vividly imagining herself inside Walker's autistic body and mind, she enlarges our understanding of what being human is essentially about. No matter what disease, disorder, defect or disability may befall us - early in life or later on - we all strive for greater self-awareness even as we reach out to the world around us.

If you approach this book with an expansive mind, it will reward you with fresh insights and intuitive leaps. In my case, I was struck by the author's description of Greenspan's presentation of floor time as a "philosophy of moments." This is the essence of the practice of mindfulness - being open to an awareness of the moment. It occurred to me that floor time is to a child with autism spectrum disorder what the practice of mindfulness is to an adult with an acutely sensitive nervous system. Whether child or adult, many individuals have nervous systems that often cause them to feel overwhelmed by the world and stymied on their path to self-discovery. For them, the practice of mindfulness leads to a relaxed state of attentiveness to both the inner world of thoughts and feelings and the outer world of actions and perceptions. Like floor time, mindful engagement not only increases connection with words and objects, but also increases connection with people. Along with a focus on moments, the themes of joyful learning and empathy building are prominent in both floor time and mindfulness. Stacey puts it beautifully when she writes that floor time is "about two things, about building tolerance and about building humanity."

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has come to understand him/herself (or a family member) as having a highly sensitive nervous system. Whether you've come to this realization through an experience with autism spectrum disorder, developmental language disorder (like dyslexia), attention deficit disorder, or affective spectrum disorder (like migraine, obsessive-compulsive or panic disorder), this book will enlarge your understanding of that experience. As Stacey observes near the end of the book, our culture has long neglected the development of highly individualized nervous systems. Through the introduction of floor time, she writes, Greenspan has taught us "that playing to the nervous system of a loved one is a matter of being mindful and watchful."

There is no known cure or quick fix for autism or any of the other spectrum disorders that have a significant sensory processing dysfunction. Contrary to what a previous reviewer writes, Stacey never claims there is cure for autism. A close reading of the book shows clearly that Stacey herself questions the use of the word "cure" in relation to autism as she struggles to better understand what differentiates autism "that is treatable from autism that isn't." Through her extensive social science research and her deep philosophical questioning, Stacey tries to bring some clarity to the medical nomenclature of diagnosis and treatment and she courageously approaches the essential mind/body problem that continues to divide psychologists and philosophers around the nature of Self and Other; Perception and Language; and Emotions, Behavior, and Cognition. What Stacey conveys so beautifully in the telling of Walker's story is stunningly simple and resoundingly true - we all want to feel at home in the world.