I have never read a book that I have been unable to put down, and upon finishing - picked up a pencil, flipped back to page 1 and started again, underlining as I went. I have read the book 4 times now. Terzani is a brilliant and extreemly knowlegable writer who has embraced his love for SE Asia and put it to words so brilliantly. For me, a young Italian traveller living in Bangkok - this book is unsurpassable for ANYBODY who has visited South East Asia and fallen in love with it's charming and heart-warming character (excluding Singapore - Of course!). PLEASE contact me anybody is able to get copies of China: Behind the Forbidden Door, or Goodnight Mr Lenin.

Just wanted to chime in my two cents on "Fortune-Teller"--I've lived and travelled in Asia for the last 3 years, and Terzani's book is the only travel writing I've read that opened my eyes to ways of thinking outside the norm, the mundane, the Lonely Planet view of the world. Extremely worth seeking out.

Naturally, this leads me to wanting to read "Goodnight Mister Lenin", if it can be found. Anyone with a dogeared copy laying around, please let me know!

OK so I haven't ready the Lenin book, but I just finished, A Fortune-Teller Told Me also by Terzani and I would call it my favorite book! On a recent trip to Singapore and Seoul, I was lucky enough to find the book in a Singapore bookstore. It was quite a wonderful surprise as I had been so deeply saddened by the Westernization of the world. I had practiced many Eastern cultural behaviors only to find them worshipping anything Western. I found myself very aligned with Terzani's thinking and longed to go to the same "fortune tellers" as he did. I traveled to each spot with TT and fell in love with every adventure, even the air-conditioned island he was so happy to leave. This is a must read book and I plan to read everything else I can find by TT. I wonder if he ever thinks of coming to the US, although I don't blame him if he doesn't. Brilliant in every way!!!!

Ms. Mazza has written a gem of a book. In today's specialized world her work has universal appeal. Everyone dreams and everyone (with rare exceptions) wants to know what they mean. Here in readable form are the answers - not text book answers, but guidance for self evaluation.Ms. Mazza has that rare quality of explaining in layman's terms what is really going on in the dream world.

I could tell at first glance that Joan Mazza's Dreaming Your Real Self was a credible book about this intriguing topic, that it wasn't one of those silly books that tries to tell you that this means that and no two ways about it. And the further I got into it, the more pleased I was. First of all, she lets readers know that she's only suggesting possible ways to think about their dreams. When it comes to dreams, clearly, what any dream therapist or author claims is only valuable if it helps you understand yourself in some way. Next, I like that her focus is on health and self-knowledge, not merely on diagnosing neuroses or worse. And then, her approach is such a joyful one: she helps us find out how our dreams are very likely making secret rebels of us all.

Dreaming Your Real Self is practical too. For instance, I've been having this recurrent dream about babies (often rather prococious babies), and I checked her section on what this might mean. It began when my nest emptied, so I assumed I had it all figured out. Yet I got some surprising insights, especially that the symbols in the dream relate to what's happening to me NOW, even though my subconscious chose this particular type of dream several years ago. Now I've got something to reflect about and work with. Perhaps I'm actually dreaming of my own untapped potential? The works I haven't yet written that keep nagging at me to be born?

She's got a great section on dreams and creativity too, and since the latter is my own area of expertise (I've written a bestselling book called WRITING IN FLOW), I read it extra carefully. Mazza is right on target here too, right down to her descriptions of creative flow, and thus proves herself to me as a trustworthy guide to the realm of dreams.

In her book DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF Joan Mazza explores the meaning of dreams. Mazza is a psychologist and licensed mental health counselor with a practice involving work with ongoing dream groups. Mazza also leads dream seminars for mental health professionals. To me, Mazza seems like the Dr. Ruth of dreams-incredibly knowledgeable and pragmatic. Her focus seems to be the significance of dreams for individual dreamers, not the neurological underpinnings of synapses. (However, she briefly addresses some ideas on the why of dreams, such as "the meaningless random firing of neurons in the brain..." and "messages from God, guardian angels, the spirit world, the Higher Self, and the Shadow".)

If you've been wondering what a particular dream could mean, this book should provide you with a good place to begin exploring the subject. Mazza has written a "user-friendly" text in which she discusses material she collected from various sources including her own ongoing dream groups. Her approach involves facilitating an interpretation, not providing it. She suggests each dreamer must act as his own interpreter and she provides some tools to do so.

Her work has lead her to formulate some ideas about "Common Dreams and Themes" such as falling, running, being in public with no clothes on, etc. which she includes in a separate section. I have not experienced every one of the topics she discusses, but have had dreams about being paralyzed, falling, flying, traveling long distances, being terrified by an unknown presence, etc. I found the thematic section most useful as Mazza provides suggestions at the end of each segment in a "try this" paragraph.

Although Mazza finds dreams often appear to have common elements just as often they do not. Even when the dream seems common, the individual dreamer will have his own interpretation. Each of us has unique dreams. As I read Mazza's book, I kept thinking of the narrator in "Rebecca" who opens with "Last night I dreamt again of Manderlay..." I myself had a recurring dream from childhood on, that only became clearer to me as an adult in my forties--and I am still exploring it. The dream may have been a childhood memory or it a memory from a past life. I told my mother every time I had the dream and she would say, oh maybe you are another Bridie Murphy (a reincarnate writer).

Maybe, maybe not, but as a result of this and other dreams, exploring the meaning of dreams has become a lifelong habit. On more than one occasion discovering the meaning of a dream has proved incredibly illuminating. I will never forget a dream I had where I was "sitting on a fence" talking to my ex-boss. This dream helped me to understand my suppressed feelings about my boss. I was literally "on the fence" where he was concerned. Meaningless random firings of neurons indeed. Read Joan Mazza's book and get a handle on your own dream life.

The hot topic these days for those interested in the abortion debate is "post-abortion healing." And for good reason. According to Planned Parenthood's research department some 43 percent of women will have had an abortion by the time they reach 45 years of age. And who better to help women find hope and healing than two who have experienced the tragedy of abortion themselves.

Synda Masse and Joan Phillips, the authors of Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion, are leading the charge to provide women with spiritual renewal following abortion. Their recently-published book is an excellent guide for women seeking to accept forgiveness and reconcile with God.

Masse and Phillips have written Her Choice to Heal in a workbook style that combines helpful advice and choice Biblical passages with writing spaces where a woman can reflect on her own abortion situation and what she's read.

Speaking about women beginning to come to grips with their abortion, they write, "For months and even years, the only apparent truth is that she made the right decision for that time in her life." Yet women eventually find themselves with overwhelming feelings of denial, anger and tremendous guilt. Her Choice to Heal addresses each of these feelings in various chapters.

Masse and Phillips are intimately familiar with abortion decisions. Both are former leaders of the Crisis Pregnancy outreach of Focus on the Family and have previously suffered from abortion's lasting effects.

Despite attending a "private Christian college," Sydna Masse found herself pregnant. She faced a dilemma that seems to typify the desperate situation young women find themselves in -- one that compels them to feel they have no other choice besides abortion.

Her boyfriend threatened to "turn my whole world upside down" if she chose to carry the pregnancy to term. He threatened to divulge her pregnancy and refuse any support for her and her child, to reveal the pregnancy to her mother (who would likely not support her), and to get Sydna kicked out of school. "You'll be on your own! It doesn't look like you have much choice." Sydna chose abortion and began "drowning my feelings with drugs and promiscuity" -- a lifestyle she would unfortunately "continue for many years."

Joan Phillips' story shocks even readers most familiar with tragic abortion experiences. Following a high school romance that turned into a domestic abuse nightmare, Joan made an appointment for an abortion after gathering her two sons and leaving her husband. But no one heard the "silent screams" she cried during the abortion.

Phillips soon begins a sordid affair with a married man. This produced two abortions but millions of heartaches. By day she became a "supermom" to her kids; by night she'd "smoked pot until I couldn't see, cry for no reason until the tears were gone, and wonder what was wrong with me."

This book is not just for those who have a personal abortion experience or know someone who does. Every pro-life activist needs to purchase Her Choice to Heal for the outstanding explanation, in layman's terms, of post-abortion syndrome. We all should have a working understanding of the types of emotional and psychological torment women who have had abortions face. After sharing their personal stories, the authors outline just that in the first chapter.

Joy comes in the mourning. Her Choice to Heal isn't simply a plunge into the roller coaster world of post-abortion emotions. In the final chapters, Sydna finishes her personal story by touching on her newfound Christian life and husband, her work at Focus, and her goal to produce enough "courage to face my emotions and release them" and to "release my long lost baby as well."

The authors define their mission well.

"As two of those who have experienced first-hand the lasting effects of abortion, we believe that Post-Abortion Syndrome does, indeed, exist, but that it can be overcome. To the woman who is struggling, we would like to extend you our compassion -- as well as a supporting arm to guide you along the way to healing through the pages of this book. You are in our prayers as you begin your journey toward peace."

Sydna Masse and Joan Phillips have presented a masterpiece to millions of post-abortive women desperately seeking God's forgiving touch. The brilliant combination of personal testimony, dry facts and Biblical wisdom provides women with a solace many thought they might never find. The book's interactive nature, fostered by the inclusion of "Healing Place" writing spaces for reflection, dramatically enhances women's ability to understand the message and apply it to their own situations.

I encourage you to purchase Her Choice to Heal. If you have had an abortion experience, know someone who has, or simply want to better understand how abortion hurts women and how to help, Her Choice to Heal is a must-read.

As a twice post-abortive woman, this book was an amazing help to me. Before reading it, I'd felt as though God had done much healing in my heart about my two babies...but I found out He wasn't finished with me yet! Now I believe all the corners of my abortion experiences are swept clean and I know I will be reunited with my daughter and son for eternity, because of the forgiveness possible in Jesus Christ. I wholeheartedly recomend this book!

I read this book several years after going through the Bible study entitled "Forgiven and Set Free" by Linda Cochrane. Its contents reflect the content of the Bible study closely, with personal testimonies from the authors interwoven through the chapters. I counsel women who are struggling with the emotional aftermath of abortion, and I reccommend they read it before beginning the aforementioned Bible study with me. I suppose that neither this book, nor the Bible study, would be extremely helpful if a woman does not consider herself a Christian, since they both address the issue from a Christian, biblical perspective. But it is possible, I suppose, to find some measure of comfort in the knowledge that there are others who understand and share your painful experiences. Our grief, guilt, regret, and shame can be common denominators regardless of our faith or lack therof. Therefore, I highly recommend this book for any woman who is struggling with her feelings connected to a past abortion.

Since I am not that interested in the topic and have never had any kind of plastic surgery, I was amazed how wrapped up in this book I was! By page3 I could not put it down! It was like a gossipy novel. Not only does Ms. Kron cronicle her own surgeries and her family's reactions, but she explains, techniques, history and fills in the cracks with witty remarks from Famous stars. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes a good read. This is a must for anyone who's ever had or ever thought about any kind of plastic surgery!

Kron combines her personal research and experiences with history, techniques, and tidbits about famous people. This book is great for anyone with an interest in the subject of plastic surgery. It reads like a gossipy novel, a real page turner.

Of all the books I have read so far, Joan's "Lift" is one of my favorites. She gives that personal touch to the surgery by describing without glory the tedious days and weeks of after care. When I decide to take the plunge, I will no doubt reread this personal and informing book.Believe it or not, I emailed Joan to tell her how much I liked her book, and she emailed me back with encouragement the next day.

. . .and I say this as someone who has spent several years studying military history and is currently going through a period of reading first hand accounts of terrible happenings in Africa (such as "Me Against My Brother"). It adds historical continuity to the Nazi war against the Jews, and unfortunately that continuity leads straight back to Victorian England and other 19th century European powers (and certainly well back into history, but the author doesn't go that far as pointed out by other reviewers) and their "developmental" policies in their colonial empires.

It is an engaging read and structured in an interesting way. I only realized that it was a translated work after I read it, which is a great kudo to the translator. I would actually give it 4.5 stars simply because in many places it is unclear whether he is quoting historical texts without citation or just paraphrasing them, which can be an important distinction to keep clear. But not having so finely a graded scoring system I am erring on the good side.

Sven Lindqvist has created here a fascinating, disturbing collage of history, journalism, and memoir -- a sometimes surreal exploration of the European impulse toward genocide.

Lindqvist develops a few theses, but his primary one is that imperialism leads to genocidal actions, and that no slaughter is completely unique when viewed in the context of history. He writes, "Auschwitz was the modern industrial application of a policy of extermination on which European world domination had long since rested."

This is an invaluable book for anyone looking for perspective on Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" or 19th century European attitudes toward race and colonialism. It gives a damning picture not only of European actions in Africa, but of the educated European public's indifference to inhumanity. The writing is extremely clear and readable, compulsively so, because Lindqvist's technique is to offer tantalizing strands of ideas, all seemingly unrelated, and then slowly and shockingly bring them together as a whole. The organization and balance of the book's many pieces is magnificent.

There are no clear answers here. Lindqvist digs up a history most people would rather let lie. Its implications about humanity, all of humanity, are dark. But without facing them, we will never cease being accomplices to slaughter.

This short book doesn't attempt to say it all about genocide, racism, imperialism or the current state of Africa - but once you've read it, all those subjects will make a lot more sense.

It's beautifully written. In part it is a travel journal recounting Lindqvist's own slow journey across the Sahara. This is the least developed piece of the narrative, but it gives light relief to the other material. More substantial is Lindqvist's deconstruction of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," the iconic European novel of Africa. With a light touch, Lindqvist sets Conrad's writings in the context of Europe's developing ideas of Africa in the 1890s, as a glorious playing field, a treasure-house to be looted, a distant extension of the intrigues of the European capitals.

At its heart, Lindqvist's extended essay is a history of Europe's colonial instinct for genocide. He argues that Hitler's Holocaust was not an aberration in European history, but rather a logical extension of the policies used by the British in Sudan, the Belgians in the Congo, the French in Mali, and so on. Hitler's only difference was that he sought colonial expansion within the boundaries of Europe (a crime against humanity), rather than overseas (the spread of civilisation).

Lindqvist charts how European imperialists seized on the emerging theories of Charles Darwin to justify genocide on pseudo-scientific grounds. And also how Germany, not initially among the imperialists, spawned the most articulate opponents of colonialism. Later, when Bismarck set out to get an empire of Germany's own, funded by Germany's rising industrial might, the prevailing scientific philosophy in Germany became increasingly racist - setting the ground for Hitler.

People argue that since Lindqvist published this book, monstrous slaughters in Cambodia and Rwanda have destroyed his thesis. Not so. It is not hard to argue that both Cambodia and Rwanda's genocides were a reaction, at least in part, to European or American policies. Even if you choose not to accept that argument, there can be no denying that Lindqvist's fundamental thesis remains. Europeans in Africa (and elsewhere, including Australia) brought with them the civilisation of racism and the gun. All else is unimportant.

BRAIN PLAGUE is adroitly written with all manner of biological and technological know-how, but much of the plot depends on keeping track of the nanobot colonies that reside in the humans. The main character is an artist and she takes on nanos to help her with her art (I think). Vampires and arsenic junkies abound in a hugely corrupt techno-culture . . . and all semblence of a plot vanishes about one-third the way through the book. Part of the problem is that it's hard to sympathize with the trials of a visual artist when (the author's use of) language simply fails to convey the uniqueness of the main character's art. That said, it's just as hard to imagine the intelligence of molecule-sized nanobots in Chry's head. They think, speak and emote exactly like humans, but humans are what they are because their brains are made up of densely-packed molecules, billions upon billions of them. I just couldn't buy this conceit. The plot is trivial--and in places makes no sense whatsoever. You can have more fun with Greg Bear's much more original story, "Blood Music".

When I read about this book I wanted to pick it up, just to see how the author incorporated the idea of an intelligent microbe race living in the minds of other intellgient beings. The microbes live in the brains of intelligent beings (as hosts) helping them to become better artists, smarter, etc. I found it a fascinating concept! The main character in the book is called the God of Mercy by her microbes because she tries to treat them fairly. It is a good book, with many new ideas. It is like having an entire civilization living in your brain... and you can imagine what that might mean. The microbe "Characters" have personalities and drives just as we do which makes each new generation (the mircobes have a much shorter lifespan than we do)different. The blink of an eye for us may be a month for them. I recommend this book for its ideas and mystery... some people do not do well with the microbes.. there is an underground.. certain people have addictions. A good book all the way around... and different. I believe Joan (the author who is also a biologist) is a good writer and has incorporated some great ideas in the very interesting novel.

What if there were intelligent microbes? What if they could communicate with us? What if they could inhabit the human brain and offer to enhance our mental capacity? Would you accept the offer? Once accepted, what could keep the microbes from doing with you as they please?

These are the complex and puzzling issues raised in Joan Slonczewski's latest novel Brain Plague. In the far future, humanity has spread throughout the galaxy. In addition to normal humans, there are "elves" (genetically engineered near-immortals), simians (human/ape hybrids), sentients (artificial intelligences), and a variety of other creatures (including organic, self-aware buildings who negotiate rental agreements with their tenants).

Despite the advances of technology, all is not well in the universe. Humans still suffer addictions and homelessness. Violence still occurs all too often. And in the background, a terrible plague has been raging through space - a "brain plague" in which intelligent "micros" invade human hosts and turn them into slaves. But just like human beings, there are good micros and bad ones. The good ones are part of a carefully monitored program in which human hosts are matched with colonies of microbes. The resulting symbiotic relationship provides the microbes with an ideal living environment (and a "god" to worship); it provides the host with the equivalent of a million microscopic parallel processors to apply to any task he or she might imagine.

Chrys, a young and talented (but starving) artist volunteers for the "brain enhancer" program, accepting a colony of microbes. They communicate with her via nanotechnology implanted in her optic nerves. Thus begins Chrys's journey, learning to live with her new partners, suffering through the prejudice and hatred of others, reaching self-actualization in her art, and risking her life to discover the truth about the Brain Plague.

Joan Slonczewski (author of six previous novels) has drawn upon her background as a molecular biologist to bring us something very different from the usual science fiction tale. While many SF novels find ways to bend the rules of physics, Brain Plague finds ways to bend the rules of the mind, and tinkers with our concept of individuality.

If any complaint can made against this novel, it's that so much is thrown at the reader in the first chapter it can be overwhelming. This is partly due to the fact that this novel, while not technically a sequel, is based in the same universe as her previous novels (thus some prior knowledge of these would doubtless be helpful); and partly due to Dr. Slonczewski's extremely active imagination. Nonetheless, the tale is well-told, drawing the reader in despite its complexity. All in all, it's an engrossing novel.

For 90% of the book, "Dreamfall" is every bit as good as "Psion", moments are as good as "Catspaw". Then, in the last chapter, she blows her dismount and landing very, very badly. It's almost like she hit a time or length limit and said "and now, it's over", tying up the remaining loose ends with a couple of totally unbelievable ham-fisted gestures. Ms. Vinge then has Cat surrender to authority and walk away from everything he loves without a fight (completely out of character), presumably to rid him of complications that might hinder future sequels. It really pissed me off, because I had really been enjoying it until then.

I have read all of Joan D. Vinge's books, and my favorite is probably Catspaw, the predecessor to this book. Dreamfall is intense and engaging, like all of her work, and I would recommend it to anyone. But I don't like it as much as Catspaw, because although the protagonist, Cat, is a very real and sympathetic character, the supporting characters are not as well drawn. Catspaw had a much stronger and more exciting cast of characters. In Dreamfall, the chemistry between Cat and Miya is not very convincing, because Miya does not seem like a real person; she is more like a Dickensian paragon of virtue (I felt the same way about Moon in The Snow Queen and The Summer Queen). The relationship between Derek TaMing and the symbplayer in Catspaw was much more believable and much more interesting, even though Derek was a jerk. All this being said, Dreamfall is still an exciting read, and Ms. Vinge is a vivid and talented writer.

I got my copy of Dreamfall on reserve and waited on pins and needles, and I wasn't disapointed. Another fine chapter in the dramatic life of Vinge's amazing character Cat. I was very curious to see how he would fare among Hydrans. Now the burning question - how would he react if he ever met another halfbreed like himself? (hint, hint, Ms Vinge) :-)

I checked all my local bookstores for the right book to give to a friend who is always asking me for "horticultural advice" on his collection of houseplants. I grew up in a family of wholesale flower growers, and have 30 years of experience with my own houseplants. This book is the best I've seen. It has a very complete (about 125 pages) section on cultivation, light, water, placement in the house, patio, or balcony, containers, re-potting, nutrients, overwintering. It's wonderful for neophyte houseplant enthusiasts, and has much to teach me as well. I especially liked the extensive pests & problems section, which had actually recognizable pictures of plant symptoms, and charts of how to solve the problem. A unique addition are very useful non-chemical alternatives, including herbal concoctions, to getting rid of pests & diseases, (essential for pet lovers like me who love their animals as much as their plants). After all of this, there are the photographs! Not just the usual plants for beginners, but also a separate section of 150 "Specialties & Rarities". Each picture has info on flowering time, placement, care, propagation, pests, & uses. Throughout the book are prominently placed concise "TIPS" for quick & easy reading both in the general info section and amongst all the photos. Now that I've got one for my friend, I need a copy for myself. An incredible book for the price!

The one indispensible item this book provides that I have not found elsewhere, is a listing of which plants are poinsonous to pets and people, and which are not. I always review this book when I am considering bringing a new plant into my house. If it says they're not poisonous to my pets, I bring it on home. If it is poisonous, I avoid it. I have not found as comprehensive a list any place else.

This is the most comprehensive, enjoyable and infinitely readable book on indoor plants I have been able to find in my long period of searching. The first section of the book is a joy to anyone trying to find all the data relevant to the upkeep of indoor, patio and greenhouse plants, with a superb section on all tools, growing media and placement of all these plants. Green issues are tackled in an informative manner, and the detailed explanations of general plant care are suitable for both the expert and beginner. The section dealing with the actual identificaion of the plants is comprehensive, dealing with every aspect for care of each individual plant shown, and the subject matter is immense. This book is written in a friendly, uncluttered manner, and is a total joy for someone like me, who has scoured the bookshops of the UK to no avail. I would recommend this book to anyone.

When the tall, rugged stranger stepped out of the shadows and rescued her from a fate worse than death, Katherine MacKinnon knew she had found her bodyguard. With his steely arms and reckless courage, he would shield her from her clansmen, who refused to accept her as laird, and from the hated Duke of Blackthorne, who controlled her family's lands. As her desire grew for the mysterious man who was constantly by her side, she had no idea that she was falling in love with the enemy himself. Was not as good as the previous one in the series but a good read none the less. I can't wait to see what will happen to Blackthorne's daughters in the next one.

Even before she became the new head of Clan MacKinnon, Katherine had heard all of her life about the dastardly deeds of their enemy, the Blackthornes. Katherine makes a death bed vow to her father that she will continue the fight against the sixth Duke of Blackthorne, Alastair Wharton. When Katherine claims a choice Scottish estate as being owned by her clan, Alastair sets sail to Scotland to put an end to this nonsense. However, after nearly dying in a shipwreck, Alastair scores a job as THE BODYGUARD to the fiery Katherine, who has many enemies.

Alastair stays close to Kitt to protect her and learn her plans on how she will gain control of the disputed lands. However, their proximity leads to a growing love. Still, he is the very enemy that she has sworn a sacred vow of vengeance towards and this doesn't make their chances for a lifetime of happiness seem very possible.

The third novel, starring the popular Blackthorne family, is a well written, very interesting Regency romance. Like its two predecessors (CAPTIVE and AFTER THE KISS), the story line is filled with action and vibrant characters that bring to life early nineteenth century Scotland and England. Fans of the series and historical romances in general will joyfully want to read Joan Johnston's latest fascinating romance.

Harriet Klausner

I have read all the captive heart series. I look forward to seeing more about the Blackthornes.(the Texas ones) I'd like more about Reggie & the Earl of Carlisle. Also there must be a story about Becky and Mick and their children. It wasn't hard to follow the story line from AFTER THE KISS to BODYGUARD. Although I was looking for the title of the book to be "Blackthorne's Bride", I think that would have been a better title for the book, instead of BODYGUARD. I just read "Bridegroom" about the TWINS. Is there still a story line for MARCUS & ELIZA and their family ? Since it started in AFTER THE KISS...I'd like to see it go on.

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that as a junior literature major, this is the first time I have ever read The Iliad all the way through. Though I can't compare the Rouse translation to others, I can say a few words based on my perception of it. First, you'll notice that it is a prose, not poetry. This did not hinder the experience for me, but individual readers may wish to experience this classic the other way. I found it to be much easier reading than I expected, with the central characters easy to remember and follow. The story clips along rapidly and is rarely boring. The introduction states that much of the repetition that would be necessary for oral storytelling has been removed for the benefit of the reader, which I found to be a positive. However, there is still plenty of repetition of certain phrases ("and darkness covered his eyes" or "rattling armor" come to mind) and there is no shortage long lineages or lists of previously anonymous characters killed in battle. Still, it is worthwhile to get to know Homer and this seems like a reasonable translation to begin with.

I have been reading two translations of Homer's Iliad over the past several weeks: Robert Fagles' 1990 translation and Alexander Pope's 1743 translation. I have read the two translations in tandem, one "book" at a time. I first read Mr Fagle's translation, then the notes of Mr Pope, and finally his translation. I would call this one of the finest reading experiences of my life. I read both translations out-loud, or at least in a whisper. This winter-time reading experience has been, for me, a labor of love, a stimulating intellectual experience, a study in contrasts, and a return to the sources of Western Literature. I find Homer as fascinating as Alexander Pope claims him to be. Although his long narrative describes only a few days of the ten years war between Greece and Troy, he makes it interesting by his variety of metaphors, his close description of characters, and his attention to detail. Every man who dies is a person, with family, friends, history, and personality. Some are likeable, others are not; but in any case there are no ciphers in Homer's war. I am fascinated too by the developing theological issues of this six century BCE civilization. We might have to worship these meddlesome gods and their All-powerful Zeus, but do we always have to respect them? They seem to be all too human. In fact, the gods themselves seem to be trapped in an eternally frustrating struggle. Zeus is condemned to defend his sovereignty against a panoply of gods who must always resent his authority. Meanwhile, he is lonely, and he cannot stop himself from occasionally confiding in "that bitch" his sister and wife, Hera. She reminds me of a woman in a recent movie who said "Sometimes being a bitch is the only way a woman can save her self-respect." (Or something to that effect.) "Hera" represents that eternally angry woman who will not and cannot buckle under male domination. I find myself being grateful to this western tradition which has honored and preserved the memory of Homer and kept these ancient books in tact. I grieve at the thought of ancient celtic, african, and native american epics that have been lost or so badly mangled that they cannot be restored. I understand that there has been an enormous flurry of excitement over Mr Fagles' translation and I am certainly caught up in it as well. He tells these stories with excitement and conviction; they are as plausible and coherent today as they must have been to the privileged listeners who sat at the feet of Homer. But I am also grateful to Penguin Press who last year celebrated their 50th anniversary by republishing this magnificent translation by Alexander Pope. I only wish more of the reading public had heard about the celebration. I hate to admit that I was an indifferent student in college. I had other things on my mind. But now, in my middle years, I am glad to have the time and opportunity, to curl up with two great translations of Homer's Iliad on a winter's evening, to discover again the joy of reading superb English.

The version of the "Iliad" that I read was the prose translation by W. H. D. Rouse (those of you interested in the verse translation should see the edition provided by Robert Fagles). Agamemnon holds a Trojan captive as his concubine, Chryseis. He refuses to release the girl to her father Chryses, a priest of Apollo, for ransom. Apollo sends a plague as punishment and Agamemnon finally relents. But, he replaces her with Briseis, the concubine of Achilles, the leading Greek warrior. Achilles now refuses to fight. His closest friend, Patroclus, dons Achilles' armor and goes to battle, hoping to rally the Greeks against the Trojans. He is killed in combat by Hector, son of the ruler of Troy. Achilles is furious. He obtains new armor, is reconciled to Agamemnon, and goes to meet Hector in battle. Hector is killed and the epic ends with Hector's funeral. This is one of the great classics of literature and should be required reading for every College student. Unfortunately, it isn't.