Reviews for 12/03/09
Shambhala, Shambhala Classics
Series, Chögyam Trungpa
A Shambhala Classics edition of the classic guide to
enlightened living that first presented the Buddhist path of the warrior to
Western readers.
In this best-selling guide to enlightened living,
Chögyam Trungpa—meditation master, teacher, and artist—offers an inspiring
vision for our time. In ancient times, the warrior acquired a sense of courage
and power—not through violence or aggression, but through gentleness, courage,
and self-knowledge. Interpreting the warrior’s journey in contemporary terms,
Trungpa shows that through discovering the basic goodness of human life, the
warrior learns to radiate that goodness out into the world for the peace and
sanity of others.
$14.95 -
Order
Online from Quest
Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword of
Avalon, Diana L. Paxson
Marion Zimmer Bradley's legendary saga of Avalon's extraordinary women continues with a tale of fiery visions, a lost king, and a forthcoming destiny.
Paxson, Marion Zimmer Bradley's long time coauthor, delivers a gripping Bronze Age tale in this seventh installment of the Avalon series. Long before the events of Bradley's epic Mists of Avalon, young Mikantor, destined to be a king, is kidnapped from Avalon and sold into slavery. Mikantor learns much of leadership after being bought by a blacksmith prince. Evil sorcerer Galid is determined to dominate the land in the rightful ruler's absence, but Anderle, the Lady of Avalon, holds him at bay. Anderle's daughter, Tirilan, loves Mikantor, but believing him lost, she accepts the power—and celibacy—of priestesshood. Paxson's eloquent, strongly visual writing enhances a familiar but compelling story line; fascinating historical detail enhances the tale throughout. Fans of the series will be well pleased with this volume. (Dec.)
Diana Paxson is author of more than a dozen historical novels with strong spiritual themes including The White Raven and The Serpent's Tooth. She is also the coauthor, with Marion Zimmer Bradley, of Priestess of Avalon and has continued the immensely popular Mists of Avalon series on her own.
$24.95 -
Order
Online from Quest
Brain Training Revolution, Paul E.
Bendheim
Repair, Retrain, and Maintain Your Brain
Age-associated memory loss is the number one health complaint of Americans over 60, but loss of brain cells is not something you have to just accept—mental exercise can create and sustain new cells in 50-, 60-, 70-, and even 80-year-old brains. The result? A reduced risk of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease and more robust memory function overall.
Train your brain with Dr. Paul E. Bendheim's proven mental exercises!
For the nearly 50% of Americans over 40 who worry about memory loss, an innovative step-by-step guide and DVD to help readers boost brain health
The Brain Training Revolution offers readers a unique three-part prescription for brain and memory health based on the latest scientific research. By focusing on certain aspects of nutrition, physical fitness, and mental exercise, The Brain Training Revolution outlines a plan to maintain brain health, blunt the assaults of age-related memory loss, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease—and even restore some memory loss.
No other brain book boasts the kind of bonus DVD included here, featuring an introduction to each part of the program and several interactive cognitive exercises. The book also offers color spreads of cognitive exercises for readers seeking extra mental agility.
With contributions by experts in brain nutrition, cognitive science and physical exercise, this book provides readers with a way to train their brains for better memory, better learning abilities, better decision making and overall better brain function.
Motivated by a professional and personal passion, Paul E. Bendheim, MD, (Phoenix) is an internationally recognized neurologist with 25 years of academic neuroscience research and industry-related drug development in Alzheimer's and other brain degenerative diseases. Dr. Bendheim is CEO and Chief Medical Officer of BrainSavers, LLC, and Chairman of the Clinical Advisory Board, Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. His father, a psychiatrist, died of Alzheimer's disease.
$24.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
Baby Bond, Linda Folden Palmer
Meticulously researched and warmly presented, the most authoritative and persuasive guide to attachment parenting
Dr. Linda Folden Palmer is a doctor of chiropractic, a science writer, a consultant and speaker on pediatric nutrition and natural parenting challenges, and a mother.
$16.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
Over the Counter Natural Cures,
Shane Ellison
Over-the-Counter Natural Cures is your insider guide to the inexpensive, easy ways to dramatically boost your health in less than 30 days...and stay fit and lean forever!
A rogue chemist turned consumer health advocate, Shane "The People's Chemist" Ellison has a bachelor's degree in biology from Fort Lewis College and a master's degree in organic chemistry from Northern Arizona University. He is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his studies in biochemistry and physiology and has been a contributor and quoted by USA Today, OnFitness, Woman's World, Women's Health, and Women's Day.
He has served as guest lecturer for large corporations like BP and appeared in the award winning documentary Prescription For Disaster by Gary Null and Associates, as well as Cut, Poison and Burn by Joe Bink Films and Making a Killing by The Citizens Commission on Human Rights.
Shane is the founder of ThePeoplesChemist.com, which provides hard-to-find "nutrition boosters" for optimal health and sports performance and teaches people how to activate hormone intelligence therapy (HIT) to easily and inexpensively lose fat, build muscle, and boost energy in ninety days with his The AM-PM Fat Loss Discovery. His free, monthly column is read by over 400,000 online readers.
$15.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
To Catch the Lightning, Alan Cheuse
Poignant and funny contemporary romance. A 36-year old widow and mother of two finds her way back to La Dolce Vita with the help of a gorgeous 25-year-old Italian immigrant, whose name just happens to be-Leonardo da Vinci.
Longtime NPR commentator Cheuse returns with his ambitious if not entirely successful ninth book, a novel based on the life of Edward Curtis, the photographer who in 1904 dedicated his life to creating a pictorial record of Native American tribes. Narrated by Curtis's assistant, William Myers, the novel also tells the story of Jimmy Fly-wing, a Plains Indian who leaves his tribe to learn the ways of the white man and aids Curtis in his quest. Curtis's passion for his project is palpable, and his dedication forces him to choose between his family and his work. Though he becomes estranged from his wife, Clara, he is rewarded by the faith and gratitude of many of the peoples he photographed and by glimpses into secret tribal traditions. Though the historical material is often compelling, the novel's focus can diffuse as Cheuse moves between the narrative strands and struggles to keep the story moving over 50 years. When not stuck in the doldrums, the narrative brims with keen insight. (Oct.)--Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Novelist, essayist, and story writer Alan Cheuse (Washington, D.C.) has been described as "The Voice of Books on NPR." The author of A Trance after Breakfast, he has also written three novels and a pair of novellas. He is the editor of Seeing Ourselves: Great Early American Short Stories and co-editor of Writers' Workshop in a Book. He teaches writing at George Mason University.
$16.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
Pendragons Banner (Pendragon's
Banner Series #2), Pendragon's Banner Series, Helen Hollick
Who was the man
... who became the legend
... we
know as
KING ARTHUR?
This colorful second installment of Hollick's King Arthur trilogy (following The Kingmaker) continues the bloody legend as the young king of Britain tries to keep his throne amid traitors, rivals and deadly treachery. This is a period of savage brutality, deceit, feud, greed and lust for power, with Arthur, the Pendragon, as merciless and cunning as his challengers. Arthur is 24, married to his second wife, the beautiful Gwenhwyfar. His hostile first wife, Winifred, schemes to unseat Arthur and put her own son on the throne, but other women are also pregnant by Arthur, and familial royal murder plots abound. When Arthur is not bedding his wife, mistress, prostitutes or female spies, he is busy chopping up foes with sword and battle-ax, while doing his own scheming to outwit and destroy his arch enemy, Morgause, who harbors a bitter hatred for Arthur and his family and is the only enemy Arthur fears. Refreshingly, Hollick's Arthur is no Hollywood hero; he's a vicious opportunist, devious and manipulative, a lusty master of expedient decision and action. (Sept.)
Helen Hollick lives in northeast London with her husband, daughter, and a variety of pets, which include several horses, cats, and two dogs. She has two major interests: Roman/Saxon Britain and the Golden Age of Piracy—the early eighteenth century.
$16.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
Frenchman's Creek, Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek is the scandalous tale of one woman's will to seize adventure by the horns and become the fugitive of her own fate.
Daphne du Maurier was born in London in 1907, the second daughter of a famous stage actor and actress. Her first novel was published in 1931, but it was her 1938 novel Rebecca which made her one of the most successful writers of her time. Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of the book won the Best Picture Oscar in 1940, and he used her material again for his classic The Birds. In 1969, Du Maurier was created a Dame of the British Empire.
At the age of 81, Du Maurier died at home in her beloved Cornwall, the region that had been the setting for many of her books.
$13.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
The King's General, Daphne du
Maurier
"Daphne du Maurier has no equal."
Sunday Telegraph
As civil war rages across England, the weak prove their courage and the privileged become traitors
Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel Rebecca made her one of the most successful writers of her time. Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of the book won the Best Picture Oscar in 1940. He later used her material for The Birds. In 1969, du Maurier was created a Dame of the British Empire.
$14.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
My Cousin Rachel, Daphne du Maurier
From the bestselling author of Rebecca, another classic set in beautiful and mysterious Cornwall.
Du Maurier was a very popular writer during her lifetime, but after she cashed in her chips in 1989, many of her books have gone out of print. This 1951 story is told by young protagonist Philip Ashley, who is cast together with Rachel, his uncle's widow, whom he comes to suspect might have played a role in the man's demise. Is Philip next? Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Daphne du Maurier was born in London in 1907, the second daughter of a famous stage actor and actress. Her first novel was published in 1931, but it was her 1938 novel Rebecca which made her one of the most successful writers of her time. Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of the book won the Best Picture Oscar in 1940, and he used her material again for his classic The Birds. In 1969, Du Maurier was created a Dame of the British Empire.
At the age of 81, Du Maurier died at home in her beloved Cornwall, the region that had been the setting for many of her books.
$14.99 -
Order
Online from Quest
Calling UFO's, Momo Radovanovic
An intriguing true story of a man who succeeded in inviting extra-terrestrials to visit our planet. A man who convinced skeptics with his ability to communicate with these beings. This is also the life story of a man and his family who made a new home for themselves in South Africa. A story of hardship and triumph.
$16.95
Tarot, Robert Place
The Tarot is one of the few books that cuts through
conventional misperceptions to explore the Tarot deck as it really developed in
the Middle Ages and Renaissance Europe-not, as some would suggest, in the far
reaches of Egyp-tian antiquity. Mining the Hermetic, alchemical, and Neoplatonic
influences behind the evolution of the deck, author Robert M. Place provides a
historically grounded and compelling portrait of the Tarot's true origins,
without overlooking the deck's mystical dimensions.
Indeed, Place
uncommonly weds reliable historiography with a practical understanding of the
intuitive help and divinatory guidance that the cards can bring. He presents
techniques that offer new and valuable ways to read and interpret the cards.
Based on a simple three-card spread, Place's approach can be used by either the
seasoned practitioner or the new inquirer.
The origin of the tarot is a topic often clouded in mystery. There are numerous theories regarding which culture, country, and time period produced the first tarot deck. Place (Buddha Tarot), a recognized expert on the Western mystical tradition, has written a solid history of the tarot, drawing from both historical information as well as studies from various Kabalist and occult traditions that have influenced its symbology. Charts of correspondences and various illustrations of cards and ancient artwork enhance the examination of spirituality depicted in the tarot, using both ancient and modern philosophies. One entire chapter seeks to interpret the most influential tarot deck: The Waite-Smith Tarot. Place, an internationally known artist himself, has designed and/or codesigned four published decks: The Buddha Tarot, Tarot of the Saints, The Alchemical Tarot, and The Angels Tarot. This well-written book makes the rich history of the tarot accessible to even the novice tarot reader. Recommended for tarot collections in both public and academic libraries.-Kimberley Robles-Smith, California State Univ. Lib., Fresno Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Robert M. Place, an internationally recognized artist, illustrator, and teacher, has designed and codesigned some of the most acclaimed Tarot decks of our time, including The Alchemical Tarot and Tarot of the Saints.
$16.95 -
Order
Online from Quest
Sufi, Art and Imagination Series,
Laleh Bakhtiar
A beautifully illustrated introduction to Sufism, the mystic tradition of Islam.Sufism is the inner dimension of Islam, expressing hidden archetypes in concrete symbols. To the Sufi, both the ritual of the worshipper and the work of the craftsman evoke the life that resides within all things: the preparedness of matter to answer the call of God. The basis of Sufism, as of all Islam, lies in the twin doctrines of the Unity of Being ("There is no god but God") and the Universal Prototype ("Muhammad is the Prophet of God"). Through the Sufi themes of the descending arc of Creation, the foundation of the human soul, and its return through the ascending arc of the Quest, Laleh Bakhtiar brings to light the spiritual reality that underlies the forms and rhythms of the Islamic tradition. Her introduction is suitable for both novice and experienced readers. 137 Illustrations, 30 in color.
$19.95 -
Order
Online from Quest
Kabbalah, Art and Imagination
Series, Z'ev Shimon Halevi
Kabbalah is the mystical aspect of Judaism. In biblical, metaphysical and practical terms, it formulates a personal teaching: the attributes of the Divine, the nature of the universe and the destiny of man.
$19.95 -
Order
Online from Quest
Freemasonry, Art and Imagination
Ser., W. Kirk MacNulty
"Visually sumptuous and impressive . . . contains a preponderance of rare, beautiful and newly-seen plates--Gnosis
"A look at the history, philosophy and symbolic imagery of the Masons." Washington Post
W. Kirk MacNulty was Initiated, Passed and Raised in Carson Valley Lodge #33, Gardnerville, Nevada, in 1961. He retains current membership in three Lodges in England and the US and has written several books on Freemasonry.
$19.95 - Order Online from Quest
Dawn Light, Diane Ackerman
Short of all those thanatosomniphobiacs out there -- the folks who fear dying in their sleep -- few hail the dawn with as much gratitude as Diane Ackerman. In the gathering light, her senses are alert and receptive to a parade of glories: mind-bending colors in the sky, the smell of a lover’s skin, the ruckus of birdsong, the morning glory itself -- not the flower (though that too), but a meteorological event: long rolling clouds, rushing forward while spinning backward, a nursery for thunderstorms and awe. She is also happy to have made it through another patch of dangerous darkness, and we nod in agreement, remembering how vulnerable we feel, how our skin crawls, when night is truly pitch black. Our reptilian core has not surrendered its dread of night, even in these light-polluted times. "It’s as survivors that we greet each day," she writes in this collection of luxurious, whither-where-I-wander meditations on the break of day. Then again, dawn is the time of duels and the clash of armies, when predators do their best work. Beauty, danger, sensuality -- just Ackerman’s cup of tea.
A celebrated storyteller-poet-naturalist explores a year of dawns in her most personal book to date.
Diane Ackerman wants us to slow down and pay attention. Human beings are "creatures stricken by meaning, afflicted with purpose," she laments; that's why it's essential to stop and savor those instants when "time suddenly snags on a simple Wow!" It's easy to live in the moment when you're immersed in Ackerman's glorious prose, studded with arresting phrases and breathtakingly beautiful images…"I love being part of the saga of life on earth," she writes, "and both suffering and change feature large in that adventure." Yet the impressions that linger after closing her book are not of suffering but of joy, not of change, but of the flow of incident halted, over and over, by the masterful hand of an artist who sketches with tender words the small miracles of a vast universe. "Just show up," she urges us. "Presence is always a present, a gift." Her gift to us is the sheer pleasure of seeing the world through her loving eyes.-The Washington Post - Wendy Smith
Diane Ackerman is the best-selling author of A Natural History of the Senses and many other books, most recently the best-selling The Zookeeper's Wife. She lives in Ithaca, New York, and Palm Beach, Florida.