The Diaries of Adam and Eve is one of my favorite books. It's so gentle, funny, and deeply true I find myself loaning it to friends and giving it as a gift whenever I can. If you've not read Twain since Huckleberry Finn was forced upon you in junior high, this is a wonderful way to start reading Mark Twain's work again. If you've been looking for something to restore your faith in the worth of that whole man-woman thing, treat yourself to this book.

Although Mark Twain uses the story of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis as the framework for these "diaries," the biblical couple and his are two entirely different stories. Having said that, Twain's version is such a touching love story, especially as it is rendered in this recording, it is worth hearing (or reading) without making any comparisons to the first Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

I mention this because a high school student recently inquired with me about Twain's views on religion, and thought that these diaries might shed some light in his beliefs. While I encouraged her to read or listen to Twain's account, simply because of the beauty of the story, I don't think they shed much light on Twain's religious views.

I did find it interesting that Twain's Adam and Eve barely mention God at all. Perhaps that is a notable observation on his views of religion after all.

Twain's tender observations on the nature of men, women and love is what makes this a moving tale. Walter Cronkite's commentary at the end makes one appreciate the story even more.

Even Mark Twain's ephemera charms. This well edited collection of separately written pieces creates the whole that Twain himself might have made. It features his most insightful depiction of a female persona, Eve, who is the one truly engaged protagonist in this glimpse into Eden. She is the seeker, the thinker, and the emotionally active partner -- in short, the whole person. It is no wonder that Eve names the animals and discovers fire, while Adam lolls in a tree and complains about her talkativeness. He is remarkably complacent for a miracle of creation. Twain imaginatively and humorously evokes the naivete and sense of wonder of these two innocents as they discover the world and each other -- learn, even, to recognize that they are human. The fact that God is just a voice, mentioned once or twice, and the Fall is the unfortunate incident that changes their lives demonstrates that Twain was not interested in a religious parable. These diaries are his reflection on the nature of male and female personalities and the bond that draws and keeps men and women together. Though it feels somewhat incomplete, the book is an enjoyable quick read. The editor's afterword recounts the history of these writings and connects the diaries to the author's own personal life, affirming its very personal nature. This is a lovely book to give to an engaged couple, a married couple, or anyone who enjoys Mark Twain's unique genius.

If Nisargadatta had been born in California I would expect him to sound much like Robert Adams does in this book. Robert speaks from the position of someone who knows by direct experience like Nisargadatta or Maharshi. The words mostly are as profound as either. Robert also gives practical advice on Self Enquiry and practice in general. Robert calls himself a desciple of Ramana Maharshi as he apparently had a spontaneous awakening as a teenager. A couple of quotes:

"There is only one I actually. That I is Consciousness. When you follow the personal I to the source, it turns into the universal I, which is Consciousness. Begin to catch yourself. begin to realize your divine nature. You do this by keeping quiet. The fastest way to realization is to keep quiet."

"Grass grows spontaneously, but we can imagine we are making it grow with our willpower. The same with the activities of our bodies."

Recommended

i would strongly recommend Robert Adams' "Silence of the Heart" as one of the clearest and most pragmatic approaches to actualizing Advaita Vedanta as a practice. Realizing that Advaita Vedanta is a practice of no practices, Robert does a masterful job of describing many simple, practical approaches to "Truth", approaches that take one out of the habitual mind games and move one to directly face the reality of the present moment. His voice comes not from someone else's story, but from his direct experience as a reporter and observer of his own. All that Robert reports are what one does really find at the end of the approaches and they are reported with as much clarity and simplicity as possible. Strongly recommended for the experienced "nondualist" or meditator who has moved to the end game that is no end game.

This book is simply very good. Read it, read it slowly, read it again. Advaita, American style. Follow the recommendations, they work. Vol. II to follow, hopefully soon.

The texts of many Eighteenth Century books are full of interpolations by printers and may contain thousands of edits by the author, too. What Dr. Brack has done is to identify and evaluate EVERY variant to assemble a DEFINITIVE TEXT. He's spent a lifetime tracking down what Smollett actually wrote. If you want to know what Smollet wrote, and not his printer, read an edition that Dr. Brack has collated. These volumes are triumphs of scholarship as well as a service to readers.

I read this book for the first time over 20 years ago, and I must admit it shaped my life. When I have kids (twin boys preferably) I will see to it that Machiavelli's Prince, and Smollet's Fathom are mandatory reading.

As you are lead through the life and adventures of FCF, you realize just how villanous a handsone dandy can be. Whistling as he makes love to your daughter so as not to let on that he is picking the lock on your safe with a toothpick between his toes definately displays a sense of arrogance that one must admire!

This work is the best overview of classical architecture that the reviewer is aware of. While most such works concentrate on the five orders, usually in traditional "parallel" format, this work shows all five orders, variations of each, and how each is used. The work shows the various other pieces making up the "kit of parts" of Classicism, and how they are used. In short, a one-book guide.

This is the best recent book I've seen on classical architecture. It doesn't get into every possible nuance, but is graphically very rich and clear... well worth the price.

This is a brilliant book. Derek Brentnall's illustrations are superb. What makes this book a joy is that it really opens a world for anyone who wants to know more about why so many of our banks, office buildings, schools and halls of government look the way they do. And it really gets detailed - not in an overwhelming or pedantic way - but in a fun, informative and artful style that calls out the venerable ghosts of our classical past for a festival of discovery.

Ansel Adams expressed more with B&W then most can even DREAM of doing with color...

This is my second foray into learning the basics of exposure through the Zone System, and who better then The Master himself to lead. He has taken a fairly technical system and made it a breeze to grasp. No misleading sidebars or relationships here. Just the facts. Much better then my first indoctrination. No matter how deeply you wish to delve into his techniques, even a redimentary understanding of previsualization before exposure will improve ones photo making, even in color. An outstanding reference. The entire series, Book 1: The Camera, Book 2: The Negative, and Book 3: The Print are invaluable additions to a personal photography library.

The book were Ansel Adams explains his well known zone system.

It is the best book of the three books of the series "the camera", "the negative", "the print". The camera book is more interesting to someone using a view camera. The print is more interesting for someone doing a lot of photography printing. But the negative I found it interesting for someone interested in advance photography and that wants to learn how to better control exposure. In that area this book is a classic.

It is not a simple book for a beginner, so if you are picking a camera for the first time and just want to know how to load the film there are better books in the market to fulfill with that purpose.

This is the only book I've ever read that explains a concrete scientific system for controlling film exposure and processing. This book does not cover the artistic process, but instead the chemical/physical process. Ansel Adams explains in great detail the process of visualization of the desired image and a scientific method for achieving that goal through use of the Zone System.

A must read for any aspiring b/w photographer.

I'd say that the Horseclans novels are some of the best action fantasy ever written. I'd put the Comming of the Horseclans as the best of the series. I found the characters to be well developed, the pace to be fast, the plot both exciting and engaging, and finaly the action to be non-stop and realistic. If you can find it get it.

Robert Adams really knows how to build a complete world all his own! A post-apocalyptic realm of nomads and Ehleenee lords, he brings it to real, and sometimes all too graphic life. A wonderful escape into a strange and almost familiar world. If you ever find a copy of this book, HOLD ON TO IT!

The horseclan series books are among my favorite books in the world. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read, it is fantasy at its best, immersing the reader in realistic detail in a world where anything is possible and science has gone wrong.If you need more try David Eddings!

The Horseclans series will hopefully live on as the classic extended trilogy. In all my reading over the years of extended trilogies, including Abbey, Hubbard, Anthony and Pournelle, has a writer been able to give such a rich tightly woven narrative. He has history that is consistent, and a timeline that moves forward and keeps the reader hooked.

I too wished that the story lines had been cleaned up, but alas, Mr. Adams has allegedly passed on. I say allegedly because I have not been able to find any definitive information. The most probable reason for no future releases or reprints is probably due to probate or rights of the descendents.

Good bye and thank you for all of the adventures with Milo, the Clan of the Cats and Bili the Axe.

I have the complete set of the Horseclans series. I was very dissapointed that it just ended with several plots left hanging. I have frequently checked book stores and the Internet for new releases. I have not even been able to find the fan sites that were up several years ago. The author actualy lived less than an hour from my home town. Of course I didn't know it then or could drive anyway.

It seens if their are only 18 books in the set + the one's not numbered I have the hole set. I injoyed reading the Houseclans, it was hard to put the books down. Wish there was more.

This collection of Phoebe Gloeckner's comics is definitely not for the faint of heart, but it's worth a reading. If you haven't read her novel, Diary of a Teenage Girl, I think you will find this book a better introduction to her work. The themes are much the same and the comic art is very well done.
The subject matter is pretty bleak.

I can't say enough about this author/artist. I've just finished reading the book and am almost speechless. For anyone out there still dealing with demons of their own less than perfect childhoods, this book takes on the feel of a close friend in the same situation. The author, in a semi-autobiographical fashion, recounts a childhood of sexual abuse, drug abuse, and general coming-of-age well before it ever should. Full of amazing illustrations (Gloeckner is a lauded medical illustrator as well as excellent cartoonist), this book is sure to please anyone looking for something different, and in my case, cathartic. I don't think I could begin to recommend this book highly enough. I'm just glad that I live in a day and age where this book is not only allowed to be published, but can earn accolades as well (the least of which is from me). Thank you, Phoebe!

A Child's Life is hard to read but even harder to turn your eyes away from. Her child-like drawings combined with adult events and content perfectly express the difficult adolescent limbo between girl and woman.

X-Presidents is a strange, screwy parody which mixes bad 1970s Saturday-morning cartoons, Marvel comic books, and politics into a pastiche of weirdness like none other published to date.

There's a fine line between parody and parroting the liberal party line; unfortunately, while X-Presidents hits the mark most of the time, the authors can't help but devolve into Bush- and Reagan-bashing from time to time. For example, the "From the X-Presidents' Mailbag" section consists of nothing but cheap shots against the three Republican X-es -- and in predictable ways, too: Reagan, Iran-Contra and firing the air-traffic controllers; Bush, Iran-Contra and son W.; and Ford, stupidity.

Also, there are multiple gratuitous sexual references that are simply nonsensical. True, the whole book is gratuitous, but seeing Bush having sex with Babs on every page, or Carter having a threesome with Imelda Marcos and a mystery mullet-dude, lends little to the plot except to make it strangely embarrassing.

These aside, X-Presidents did contain the most hilarious bits of humor I've read in this dark post-September 11 world. Best of all were the peculiar "Archies"-style interludes wherein the X-es play and sing various tunes (yes, they even play the same instruments that the animated Archies did) summarizing the plot action.

This is a bizarre little book, no doubt.

Taken by itself, this book is a masterpiece of sophisticated humor *and* political relevance masked as a "Super Friends"-like cartoon book knock off. There are obscure references to famous utterances associated with each of the ex-Presidents that I hadn't thought of in 25 years or more. To see Jimmy Carter taking on a villian with the line "I have lust in my heart...to kick your ass." Man, that's funny stuff.

But now, after the terrorist attacks on NYC and the Pentagon, there it is right on Page 1 of the New York Times: "Bush Appeals to Ex-Presidents for Coalition-Building Efforts." Life imitates art to a 'T'. Absolutely amazing.

Even though I'm not a big comic book fan, I instantly knew that I had to buy "X-Presidents" when I heard that my four "favorite" American heroes had set out to conquer an alien race that was being hostile to the U.S. of A. Needless to say, I immediately fell in love with this comic and finished it in one sitting, laughing from front to back cover. Complete with political jokes and sexual innuendoes, this one has a little something in it for everyone, much like the show where it originated, Saturday Night Live.

I highly recommend this comic to anyone, especially people who enjoy shows like SNL. The laughter and enjoyment that abounds from it is definitely worth the money!!

This book though dry and technical has plenty of information that is a must have for any aspirinf photographer who wishes to push their black and white print skills furhter. Given that digital camera sales are now out stripping analog cameras will this book still have relevence?

The last of a three book series, this volume provides comprehensive instructions detailing the developing process. Chapters on mounting and displaying photographs are at the books end completing the readers education. This book written by Ansel Adams, made famous for his B&W photographs, will disapoint any reader interested in the art of color photography. This three book collection is a must for any B&W photographer.

Despite the heavy emphasis on chemical and paper, this book's essentially about cropping, contrast control, and presentation. These are the core topics you'll need to master even if you only do digital photos. All the better if you use PhotoShop, because it recreates the controls (like burning and dodging) of a darkroom.

One thing that may be disappointing is the focus on black and white. Color control is crucial in making color prints and intimately tied with contrast.

The three books in this series can be read independently, but together provide a complete clinic from positioning the camera to displaying a final print.