Fab book

This is only the second book on twins I have bought. The first scared me senseless. This book was excellent. It was informative, and not patronising, and also had a great sense of humour.<br />Loved the fact that it has a british author, and not americanised.<br /><br />Really recommend it.

Excellent history writing

Redworth is one of the most readable and interesting of early modern historians and has a remarkable affinity with Spanish culture. This is another success for him.

How to be in touch with human beings - not least yourself

This was the first book by Rogers that I read. I read it earlier this year, whilst doing my Certificate course in counselling. As someone who was just beginning her long journey into the counselling world, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it - it helped to redefine to me the reasons why I was drawn to the profession in the first place. I think what I'm trying to say here is that I found this book at the right time in my life. <br />As I was reading, I was not just appraising it from the hopeful counsllor in me, but at the time I was experiencing a painful relationship. In this relationship, I felt as though I was never properly listened to - if ever I expressed feeling hurt to my partner, my emotions were used by him as a way of attacking me, thus making me feel even more unloved and unappreciated, but bound to stay so as not to be alone. Reading this book, I began to see how abusive this relationship actually was. <br />I actually think I appreciated this book more on my personal level than on the academic level which brought me to it originally. <br />This book does not really offer advice for new counsellors on how to work with their clients. The only advice it gives about that is that the therapeutic relationship should involve empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard - if these core conditions are present, then the person seeking help is being offered the best environment for change to occur. However, although this work does not necessarily offer a counselling model to work by, what Rogers does illustrate is that people need to be 'allowed' to have feelings in order for them to properly function. If someone feels as though they need to hide or suppress their emotions, so as not to anger or hurt someone else, they are not allowing themselves to be the person they truly are. While clients seeking counselling most likely will have experienced something like this, all counsellors are only human too - before looking at their clients and asking how they cn help them, perhaps counsellors should read this and then ask themselves how they may help themselves!<br />I salute Rogers for writing so honestly, not just about his experiences as a therapist, but as a person too. This book has shown that we would all do well to try and bring his core conditions into our lives as a whole, not just to the counselling room.

Fascinating

Although written for the lay man, this book does take some concentration for those of us who have never studied physics. That said, it is well worth the effort. A fascinating read that will make you look at life, the world and the whole universe in a completely new way

self hypnosis and sleep

This really does make you concentrate on getting to sleep and for most insomniacs that is half the battle. I am really pleasantly surprised by how I never quite get to the end of the CD. It works and I will reccomend it.

Excelent

This is an excellent translation. Its language is simple and dignified.Its a real pleasure to read.

Riveting autobiography & illuminating history

It's rare to find autobiography as absorbing as this. Not only because of the author's unusual path from the desert of Somalia to the USA via the Netherlands, but also on account of the absorbing writing style. Clear and descriptive, the narrative of her eventful life had a profound impact on this reader. Born and raised in Somalia, Ayaan spent part of her youth in neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Kenya, recounting what it was like to live there through the eyes of a child. <br /><br />She gives a lively account of the history of Somalia under the dictatorship of Siad Barre, explaining the clan system and comparing the relaxed Muslim practice in that country with the rigidy of Saudi Arabia and the hypocrisy and racism that go along with it. The short experience of Ethiopia and later the long stay in Kenya, both predominantly Christian countries, were different again and she really captivates with her descriptions of places and people. One of her most salient memories is the obsessive Antisemitism in Saudi Arabia. Where her family lived in the city of Riyadh, Jews were blamed for everything. <br /><br />A sub-theme of the book is the increased radicalization of Muslims, partly because of the failures and the suffering brought about by Barre and the chaos of the civil war that unseated him. She noted this radicalization taking place amongst Somalis and others in Kenya where she spent most of her adolescence. This radical strain was brought to Africa by Arabs and Iranians, both Sunni and Shia, also reflecting the failure of secular ideologies and bad government in the dictatorships of the Muslim world. <br /><br />There are sympathetic but honest portrayals of her family and friends: her mother who showed healthy signs of independence early in life but eventually lost hope and became embittered, her loving and tolerant but mostly absent father, her brother who stayed in Kenya and her sister who, when she couldn't cope in Holland, died tragically after returning to Kenya. <br /><br />Far from stirring up feelings against Islam, this book makes one contemplate with empathy the location of each individual's birth, how little free choice there really is in a closed society, the powerful hold of your community's history and culture, the difficulty of resisting brainwashing and how grateful people in free societies ought to be for the blessings that a lot of us take for granted. <br /><br />Infidel is also about a second journey: A journey of the mind from the strictures of stifling, oppressive faith to the liberation of enlightenment and the embrace of Western values like individual freedom, freedom of speech and the rule of law. The fact that the individual mattered and had a right to life, to choice and freedom, was a joyful discovery. <br /><br />This theme interweaves with the history she so deftly chronicles: the collapse of Somalia, the slow decline in Kenya, Dutch politics in the face of dysfunctional multiculturalism that however well intended, harms individuals in the immigrant communities and society as a whole. More information of these developments in The Netherlands and Europe as a whole is available in While Europe Slept by Bruce Bawer and Menace in Europe by Claire Berlinski. <br /><br />It is humbling to read of the author's wonderment and appreciation when she discovered Dutch society where even the police were friendly and helpful and where everything worked. Ayaan clearly loves The Netherlands; her words radiate with gratitude and appreciation of the culture and society. I especially enjoyed the account of her studies at the University of Leiden where she studied the great Western philosophers. <br /><br />Sometimes harrowing, the story of Infidel includes innocent childhood memories, mutilation, war, deprivation, tragedy, adventure, drastic adaptation and inspiring achievements. It is clear that Ayaan Hirsi Ali is an unusually courageous, empathic and resourceful individual. There are 11 black & white plates of family and other people who played a part in her life. As far as the religious aspect is concerned, I recommend the following informative books by two equally courageous women: Because They Hate by Brigitte Gabriel and Now They Call Me Infidel by Nonie Darwish.<br />

Ask and you shall receive!

Well this is a nice read. Just got it the other week, and I recall in a previous review saying that I wished for more writing about the experiences of the show, Sixth Sense, and here they are! Hence, the title. Again this book is such a good read, nicely well written, with both the sense of humour and compassion that people are used to coming from Colin. His heart is in the right place, and for that I am forever thankful for his work. Now, if only we could persuade him to come to Adelaide! Or even Australia. New Zealand is just across the waters, a quick detour wouldn't hurt. But yeah, really good book, nice read, and one to go back on to remember certain things. One: life is worth living. Two: Challenges are there to only show you how strong you really are. This is what I got from the book, and for me that's all that's needed. Thank you again, Colin, for your work. Looking forward to the next one!<br /><br />Blessed be you all.<br />Katherine.

A must for all Reiki practitioners

A valuable insight into the true roots of Reiki before it came to the West. The book is packed with photos and diagrams for treatment of all manner of mental and physical ailments and so in some ways could be seen as little more than a reference book. It does provide more than that though with information on Reiki's beginnings and newly re-discovered practices of Dr. Usui, the man who discovered Reiki.

Truth is stranger than fiction

If this was a work of fiction you would have a hard time suspending disbelief to enjoy the amazing cast of characters, the strange alliances,the actions and inactions that decorate the plot. You would also be dismayed at the contrived outcome of the Siege of Malta.<br />BUT<br />This is an amazing true story told using a page - turning cracking narrative. I regret that I have only read half of the book but am glad I have half left to read. <br />Read this book and get swept away on the raging tide of history.

I'm OK -- You're OK

I read this book back in the '60's and it has been a great help in my life. I am giving a book report on it next week in class. I have just recently returned to school at the age of 59. Career Management Class is requiring a short book report on self-improvement. I sincerely believe that this book is a great asset to help anyone with self-improvement, ant that's the reason I have choosen it for my report.

Llewellyn have done it again.

I have been buying these calendars for years now and they just seem to get better. The artwork is beautiful, the tips and hints on each day are handy and there are always some interesting articles at the back of the calendar itself. The only thing to remember if you are working with the phases of the Moon is that the calendar is set to EST not GMT. Obviously being US made it does not show our public holidays etc., but this is a small price to pay for such a lovely calendar.

Subtle or subtanceless?

For a book that sets out to reconcile the differences between science and `belief, `faith', `religion', it makes a poor start that shortly declines into liquidation. By page thirty Collins clearly details a fundamental: `...I was beginning to understand from looking into my own heart, the evidence of God's existence would have to come from other directions, and the ultimate decisions would be based on faith, not proof.' This contradiction of reconciliation, at least in its literal sense, can be overlooked. What I was less willing to accept was laborious metaphors based on reality no less, yet designed to explain a metaphysical concept, which runs counter to the above. <br /><br />The whole issue of Moral Law I thought was by far and away the silliest of ideas, suggesting that we can thank God for our sense of right and wrong. I suspect that Mr. Collins would have read Christopher Hitchen's God is Not Great where he explicitly tackled the issue that religion has given us moral guidance as one of its virtues. Because Mr. Collin's is wanting for explanation of why it is he is a Good Samaritan, I, by contrast, wish to believe that socio-biology, Freud, anthropological evolution, and a smattering of other factors are responsible for me jumping into a freezing lake to save a drowning soul. Mr. Collins touches on some of these theories, but fails miserably to linger with enough depth of conviction to get at the truth. With such personal whimsy - which is mostly what this book is - Collins describes the Moral Law as highly exemplified in the figure of Mother Teresa. In the `House of the Dying' in Calcutta she attended the sick and dying; cheered on by the Catholic Church she was also a hearty campaigner against prophylactics and abortion. For every soul she tended under the media spotlight she killed as many if not more in worn-torn and famine ridden countries further blighted by AIDS and the plague of Catholocism. Lest forget either she was flown into Ireland in 1996 to veto a referendum against the Church's long and sinister hold on the everyday lives of the Irish people. If she and the Catholic Church had had their way wife-beating drunks would remain `married' wife beating drunks, as divorce equates to hell, apparently. Hardly an exemplar of Moral Law handed down from God to one of the good guys/girls. But Collins answers this by the analogy of pure water and rusty vessels; Mother Teresa was rusty then...<br /><br />In all I'm happy that Mr. Collins can make sense of his own notions of faith; it should be noted, however, that he is very much in the minority as a scientist in religious garb. As expected by such a personal account it lacks weight, and by his own admission he's not a philosopher. But he is a scientist and one with a warm glow in his heart; for me I'd put any such sensation down to heartburn. The Language of God is hardly a feather blow against the pugilistic reality of current atheology doing the rounds. Some would interpret this book as subtle and refreshing, I would not. <br /><br /><br />

View the world through new eyes

This book describes Nonviolent Communication - a process for attaining a heart connection between people (free from judgement and blaming), so that all needs can be met. This book describes the theory behind it, and the steps to practice NVC. It's kind of the NVC bible! My opinion is that I reckon it could be quite hard to learn the process from the book alone, but there are online support groups, websites, and courses all over the world to support the learning and transformation. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommended if you want to have more peace within yourself and with others. The more you use it, the deeper into your needs you can go - truly transformational.

Amazing Deck!

This is my first and only angel deck, but before this, I own the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. As an amateur user, I would definitely prefer this set because they are far more easier to interpret (and won't confuse an already confused mind). Don't get me wrong, they can still get very deep into the issues concerned. Since I was a bit anxious lately, so I kept asking the same question day after day. The"horrifying" thing is, every time, after considerable shuffling, I get exactly the same cards (this never happened if I use Tarot cards). <br /><br />This deck is very beautiful and easy to use. Most of all, it's accurate and left you feel healed and connected with your angels. Highly recommended!

health warning only read if you are prepared to be challenged

this book came at a time when in my journey I was looking for a deeper walk with God. A chance meeting with an old friend who gave it to me to read. I am challenged about my church life, I am challenged about my personal walk with God through the meetings of Jake with John. Through out the book the meetings give much to think about our attitudes and mindsets, whether they are really what God wants. Read and be challenged!

Top Hokum

This book has inspired a plethora of tv and film adaptations, and it is through these that most readers will be familiar with the plot and characters. Admittedly the majority of these have focussed on the part in the story where the character of Jesus is crucified; but this is a shame as the book has a true epic sweep which encompasses an abundance of sophisticated plotting, laden with metaphorical detail. It is true that some of the characters are, sadly, rather briefly drawn and for this reason lack the emotional depth which could have been so compelling. The character Lot being a case in point (some have suggested that the same criticism could be applied to the 'God' character - but i think this is unfair and that a closer reading of the text reveals a multi-facteted sophisticated characterisation). <br />Utilising a clever literary joke, the author goes one step better than writing under a simple pseudonym by incororating the pseudonym 'God'into the story itself thereby creating a whole dimension of reality, on which the book is presented as the ultimate treatise. <br />This being a very long book ('war and peace' resembles a pamphlet in comparison) space here does not permit a fuller account, but suffice it to say that this book definately warrants a quick flick through at the very least... and if there are any film makers out there i always thought that the life of Mash deserved a fuller treatment on the silver screen.

readable, a must read.

Having read earlierl translations before, this is writen in a refreshingly easy and accesable way. There are no"thee"s or"thow"s the language is modern without being"slang or street."<br /> The power of the"word" is retained and this"translation should be added to the list of books to read before you....if you were afraid of buying or receiving a bible try this one.<br /> A small, two collum edition is available which is hand-bag bumbag sized.easy to dip into. (I keep one in the car.)

Travelling mercies...

In Chaucer's work, 'The Canterbury Tales', perhaps the greatest of English literary works from the period of the language known as Middle English, there is one particular piece that have always stood out for me.

'A Clerk ther was of Oxenford also,'

This is perhaps my favourite character, as when I first read it, it seemed to epitomise what I hoped for in my own life.

'That unto logik hadde longe y-go.
....
For him was lever have at his beddes heed
Twenty bokes, clad in blak or reed,

Of Aristotle and his philosophye,
Than robes riche, of fithele, or gay sautrye,
But al be that he was a philosophre,
Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre,
But al that he mighte of his freendes hente,
On bokes and on lerninge he it spente,
and bisily gan for the soules preye
Of hem that yaf him wherwith to scoleye.
....
...gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche.'

Every now and then I cannot help but re-read this part of the Prologue, for a reminder of what I'm aiming for in my own life.

Chaucer was son of a wine merchant, something near and dear to my heart. Chaucer was well-read, well-phrased, well-mannered, industrious in literary and legal/administrative pursuits, as I trust I will become, if not already so qualified.

As one can see from the above examples, English has changed much over the past 600 years, but not so much as to make these passages unrecognisable. Compare for yourself with a modern translation, and see how much you can decipher.

Chaucer is one of the first great English authors of name; most (but not all) literary output in English prior to this time was anonymous. Living in the 1300s, he held administrative posts of importance under Kings from the time of Edward III to Henry IV. Never one to shrink from spending too much money (he had to reapply for pensions and ask for advances several times in his life) or shying away from controversy (he fell out of and came back into favour several times). When he died, he was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, in a section on the south side that has since become Poet's Corner, largely due to Chaucer, the first great English poet, having been buried there.

In addition to his magnus opus, 'The Canterbury Tales', a collection of stories with prologue told by pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury (car radios and in-flight movies were rare in those days), Chaucer wrote minor poems to suit various occasions (his first record as poet comes from having written a poem as elegy on the death of John of Gaunt's first wife, Blanche, in 1369), and the major work for which he was noted for 'Troilus and Criseyde', which showed his sense of humour, power of observation and attention to detail, and keen dramatic skills in language. This work is often compared to Dante and Boccaccio, perhaps the most famous poets of the day. 'The Canterbury Tales' is actually intended to be much longer - 120 tales told by 30 pilgrims (two each on the way to Canterbury, and two each returning). As it is, there are only 24 tales plus a prologue - had it been completed, it would be by far the longest poem in the English language.

There is a strong, practical side to Chaucer's writing, sophisticated yet not aloof and removed from the affairs of the world, cultured yet in tune with the better (and more interesting) aspects of the common people, too.

This edition by A. Kent Hieatt and Constance Hieatt is designed for those who want the major portions of the Canterbury Tales. Be advised, this is not a complete or annotated set, and the translations from Middle English to modern idiom, while good, do not come with notes to explain possible choices and phrases. This is a book to give the flavour of the major stories, and is designed for readers who want the story rather than the details. As a Bantam book, it is designed for the undergraduate or general reader, and serves this audience well.

For those who want the Canterbury Tales in basic form, this might well be the volume to get.