I bought it years ago & have tried several times, but I find the writing style nearly impossible to read. At times it reads as if the author is trying too hard to make every sentence convey a deeply profound concept and at other times she jumps erratically to some obscure thought, feeling or concept. Not only did these jumps not move or interest me, I often couldn't even figure out (on either an intellectual or emotional level) what the author was trying to do.

After several attempts at completing the book, and having read only about 50 pages, I could barely bring myself to skim through the rest of the book to try to pick up a few interesting points or stories. I saw nothing to warrant additional attempts on my part.

I bought this book because I love to read about people's experiences in martial arts. I also enjoy poetry (and good writing in general), and Tai Chi is an art that I practiced at one time, so I really thought I would like this book. I love the concept (and even the cover) but this book did not do it for me. Perhaps linguistically and culturally this book works better in French. For those who are looking for a more readable book describing a person's experiences in Tai Chi, I would suggest, "There Are No Secrets" by Lowenthal.

Can we, by practicing a discipline such as Tai-Chi, refine our sense of self, our Being-In-The -World? Catherine David, in this sublime book, investigates the space that is behind the physical movement, behind the conscious mind, at the very core of what constitutes our sense of the Self - that space which gives birth to our sense of beauty and which can be translated through innumerable ways (including the Tai-Chi exercises and piano playing) into wordly manifestations of our uniqueness. In this space imagination and sensation are interlocked, like lovers. Once we realize that Self is just a metaphor and that the mental image can be the impulse to opening of a technical skill , we hold the keys to true freedom. In this society in which the essential is generally considered incidental (which is reflected in the unberable dullness of the contemporary man), Catherine David picks the essence from inconspicuous corners where it has been gathering dust and shows us how she uses it to unlock the gates leading to inner beauty. By doing this she helps us glimpse and perhaps touch that space. This book is a rare treat.

In this remarkable series of 26 linked meditations, subtitled "The Invisible keyboard of Piano and T'ai Chi," the French journalist Catherine David explores the analogies between playing the piano and practicing t'ai chi chu'an. A serious painist and student of martial arts, David draws on a wide familiarity with literary and philisophical texts to evoke the intellectual and spiritual world of her imagination. "A beautiful act is an island of absoluteness in an ocean of chance," she writes, and her essay reminds us that the world vibrates with possibilities, necessities, poetries for those who can focus attention. "Coded meanings brought to light after endless repetitionon" -- that is practice, that is success. It is not a matter simply of what can be seen, for, with Plato, David reminds us that "A sudden light first blinds you." But she steps away from the classical position when she goes on to say that "Then it shows you the world." The world of Catherine David is well worth a leisurely read.

Let me begin by saying that the rating I have given is not comparing Kennedy's volume to other kinds of works, but rather to the half-dozen or so popular textbooks that are similar and that anthologize many of the same works. All have particular strengths and weaknesses; they are all worthy anthologies.

For several years, I have been using the Kennedy anthology to teach the introduction to literature class to university students. I am reasonably satisfied with the current text, although the price seems rather high. I have had some reservations about the selections in poetry because Mr. Kennedy has insisted upon calling popular songs "poetry" and implied that a few of the pop songs by Run D.M.C., Paul Simon, Bessie Smith and Clarence Williams, and the Beatles are the equivalent of real poems. Sometimes a student will become angry because I will not accept a paper on a pop song.

This 60's kind of nonsense (like "The Poetry of Rock") should have remained in the 60's. Shamelessly, however, Mr. Kennedy and his publisher seem to pander to what is perceived as students' tastes. I note that at the back of the volume is a form soliciting students' opinions of the selections. There is no similar form for teachers.

I am especially disturbed by this new edition because the claim to "international and multicultural coverage" has evidently meant the deletion of a great short story, Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych." I guess, in the minds of the compiler and editors, the inclusion of additional "student essays" was more important than the inclusion of a great story. (Frankly,I--and I suspect many others--could do with fewer student essays and more essays by professionals.)

In a recent article in "The Chronicle of Higher Education" (Feb. 12, 1999), Professor James Shapiro (Columbia) laments, "When Brevity Rules the Syllabus, 'Ulysses' Is Lost." He goes on to say that because of the current demand for brevity, we can "forget about 'War and Peace'--'The Death of Ivan Ilyich' is fast becoming Tolstoy's representative work." If Kennedy's 7th edition of "Literature" is any indication, however, we can forget about Tolstoy altogether.

Maybe some caring people could get together and demand that Tolstoy be put back.

The Kennedy Anthology is a decent dependable sampler. I studied from it as an undergraduate and I now use it, as a grad student, to teach introductory lit classes (supplementing it, of course, with outside material)

I'm suprised, however, at the reviewer's comments above. Yes, Kennedy includes rock songs in the poetry section, but claims dismissing their inclusion are faulty for two reasons. 1)Rock lyrics, whether you're fond of them or not, do qualify as poetry (they are verse, after all and whether or not rock and roll lyrics stand as "good" poetry is a completely separate issue) and 2)Despite the fact that popular lyrics are included in the poetry section, the canonical giants are still well-represented (no need to fret, Whitman hasn't gone anywhere). In other words, if you dislike the rock lyrics, well, simply don't teach them.

More importantly, in a field as diverse and (usually) liberal as literature, I'm shocked that people still complain about multiculturalism and international literature "taking away" from established great texts. Isn't this PC debate over? Haven't we all now simply accepted the fact that including diverse texts isn't a PC issue but rather an issue of good old common sense? Does anyone really still question the validity of marginalized (yet talented) voices being heard? Hasn't liberal humanism (at least in its problematic manifestations) been successfully deconstructed? Frankly, I'm frightened to think how there are English instructors out there actually arguing AGAINST diversity. Then again, I'm also incredibly naive.

Lastly, I like lit textbooks that include examples of student essays. I employ a workshop method in my class and my students and I look at a variety of essays throughout the term--from established professionals, from students, and from me. Students are too often bombarded with "professional" examples of what they are expected to produce. Why not include examples of reasonable essays that are more or less within their rhetorical reach?

... First of all, it is massive and contains three books in one - fiction, poetry and drama. Each section includes a plethora of selections as well as longer works (like the full length plays of Hamlet and Macbeth). So one is really getting quite a library from this one book.

Even better, the sections are organized along themes in order to teach the student (or interested reader) how to appreciate the various forms. So the poetry section has sections on sound, figures of speech, rhythm, closed and open form, etc. I suppose this comes from it being a textbook for undergraduate courses - in any case, it pays off. I've learned a tremendous amount already. It's all in very easy to understand non-technical language, too.

At the end of the book, there is even a brief section on various forms of literary criticism. The book contains numerous student essays, brief author biographies, reflections by the authors on their own works (this is really great), and it reflects a really broad range of genres and time periods (unfortunately the section on haiku is plagued by bad translations, and there aren't enough examples of Chinese and other Japanese poetry... oh well!). There is also an emphasis on getting the reader to practice (and write for him or herself) what is being taught. So if you want to be a writer, this is great.

If you're a beginner interested in getting into literature, this is really a great way to do it. Don't be put off by the massiveness of this book - it's really a resource. Just start in one small place (I started in 'poetry') and work your way around. It will definitely increase your appreciation for literature.

I LOVE Ann Kiemel Anderson, but was disappointed by this book. It was missing Ann's usual verve. In recounting someone else's story, her personal touch seemed to be missing. It still is worth reading, but is similar to an organ donor story that might be found anywhere.

Ann tells the miraculous story of her cousin who recently experienced a modern day miracle. It includes the theological questions one encounters when the heartbreak of another results in the someone else's unspeakable joy. Perhaps Ann's experiences as an adoptive mom have helped to build perspective on this issue. This book is a beautiful story told as only Ann can tell!

I was extremely touched by this book due to the fact that I have the exact disease that David Nash had. I am currently waiting for a liver transplant. My prayer is that God will be glorified and that He will use my experience to touch others just as He did through David Nash.

Milton doesn't put people into a trance all the time, many times he just uses it ability to establish rapport and asks the client to do something. Not much about trance, but covers the non-hypnotic part of Erickson.

The book examines patterns in Dr. Erickson's creation, organization, and utilization of therapeutic interventions. What makes these patterns valuable is that they work - if you learn and use them you will be able to reproduce in your own therapeutic work many of the seemingly magical outcomes that are characteristic of Erickson's work.

Brogan and Haldane are invited by Captain Podly to join him and other Creons on an island where they take part in initiation rituals. Based on masonic rituals, some of these are strange. They also have to contend with Jane Castle, who is on the warpath having discovered that these rituals are only open to male Creons. The angle on feminism is rather dated, but it is an enjoyable piece of farce nonetheless.

Thomas Sullivan provides a clear, consise, and easy to use reference guide for anyone to use. This book not only contains actual text of some major environmental laws, but it also sites case studies and court decisions, all in an easy to read format. This book is a must for anyone dealing in environmental matters, and is a good source of reference for anyone concerned with the environment and public policy.

I read this book sometime back...and I haven't yet found a copy of this marvellous book. Infact a couple of years back, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association gave a free copy of this book to all its subscribers to Decision magazine. Lynn Anderson takes us the through the life of King David and practically he helps us to explores the trials, predicaments and fallacies of our lives....together with studying King David's life. The complete study when you take it helps you to find the heart to go on in this troublesome world - whatwith all the temptations of flesh and the idiosyncrasies of our own making. A wonderful book for any believer aspiring to get practical insights into David's life.

THE KEY INTO WINTER opens with Clara begging her mother to tell (one more time) about the time she almost lost forever the key that would turn autumn into winter. As a little girl, Clara's mother hoped that if winter never came, her beloved grandmother would not die. She learns, though, that not only does the order of the world depend on the seasons, but that grandmother herself is eager to move through winter so that she can have one last spring. In simple and powerful language, Janet Anderson addresses many themes: the need for natural order, reconciliation iwth death, the longing to control time and hold fast NOW when it seems so precious, and the powerful inter-generational bonds in a matristic culture. Although the author does not say so explicitly, the constantly recurring constellation of grandmother-mother-daughter is a living representation of the Triple Goddess as Crone, Mother and Maiden. David Soman's gorgeous watercolors illuminate the text with their own beautiful rhythms and depictions of rural African-AMerican family life. The interrelationship of text and pictures makes this an astonishingly powerful book.

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The moment I saw this book, it went into my shopping cart. I was not disappointed. Neil Anderson's insights on Christian identity have been life-changing for me, and this book was full of great, Bible-based, ideas for conquering depression.

I especially loved his balanced viewpoint on treatment for depression. He defines it well as an emotional disorder (with a self-test if you didn't know already you were depressed)and says that the causes are not solely physical, or psychological, or spiritual, but all at once. This isn't another book that tells you to throw your medication in the trash and have more faith-- it explains how you can heal, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I do, however, have two small gripes. One is that, although it is made clear that healing from depression is often a gradual process, most of the stories in this book involve miraculous and instant turnarounds. Although it is possible, I doubt that is the experience of the majority of believers, and it makes the rest of us who struggle feel left out. The other gripe I have is that for the number of times the Steps to Freedom in Christ are referenced in the book, they really need to be included in the book itself. I found them in The Bondage Breaker Youth Edition, but for those people who pick up this book as their first introduction to Neil Anderson's ministry, they need to be there.

Overall, though, I would recommend this book to pretty much every teen and youth leader out there.