I do not expect a fairy tale, like that of Cinderella being carried off by her Prince Charming but I was quite disappointed that at the end of the story, John Eames had not managed to win the heart of his lady.

In my opinion, Trollope was unkind to portray too much of the hobbledehoyness of John Eames. He did not quite elaborate much of how John Eames came to become a man since he should be our hero in the book.

I really admired Eames's unquenched love and loyalty to L.D. Seldom we find such great exertions in men nowadays. At the same time, I do feel that Eames was a people pleaser to an extent except the time when he thrashed Apollo Crosbie and when he insisted on Sir Raffle Buffle giving him an extension of leave to stay in Guestwick Manor.

About Lilian Dale, I have to say she was a strong woman because to be jilted in the age where she existed was a great disgrace. How she managed to still sustain her love for the man who hurt and abused her, I cannot comprehend.

In conclusion, I think the book is quite okay even though it doesn't have the 'Oomnps! ' as it should have but it's sure a good way to pass your time.

Too much, probably, is made of this being one of "the Barsetshire novels," seeing that Trollope did not at first include it with the five others classed in that category, and that there is no need whatsoever to have read any of them to be drawn deeply into the world of its characters -- characters the creation of whose palpable, individual realness is the author's great gift. *The Small House at Allington* is remarkable for the balance accorded to six different social strata: (1) the upper reaches of the aristocracy (the De Courcy family and also the first appearance of Plantagenet Palliser); (2) the minor gentry, represented by the squire Dale of Allington and his presumptive heir; (3) their respectable but somewhat impoverished dependents (Mrs. Dale and her two daughters, Bell and Lily, whose love interests provide the main substance of the plot); (4) the world of men who must work to make their way in the world (in which category fall most of the suitors of the novel); (5) those on the fringe of "respectability" (Mrs. Roper's boarding house in London); and (6) the class of domestic servants (especially one Hopkins, head gardener at Allington -- but Trollope seems to make an effort to portray other members of this class when the occasion provides an opportunity). Dozens of other minor characters appear briefly and vividly in the spotlight, each animated with the spark of life.

The plot is unspectacular in the extreme, but for lovers of Trollope, the ability to understand the drama and heroism of ordinary life, as well as its tedium, pettiness, and villainy, will always be his special appeal. This novel is slow, perhaps, to seize the reader's interest -- at least, so I found it -- but in the end the volume acquires a remarkable momentum from the progress of its various subplots and possesses in the final two hundred pages a sort of urgency in its narrative momentum that carries it briskly along. For me, the "hobbledehoyhood" of Johnny Eames is sometimes hard to bear. Trollope even says at the end of the novel that "I feel I have been in fault in giving such prominence to a hobbledehoy." But biographers tell us that such was Trollope in his youth, so a grateful reader is, I suppose, bound to cherish a special feeling for Johnny Eames also.

At one moment a character arrives at his sister-in-law's house in London and is obliged to wait several moments while the servant changes into livery before answering the knock at the door -- for it is thus that the daughter of an earl clings to the trappings of her rank. I love such glimpses into the ways of a vanished world, and they are one of the charms of reading Trollope. But the ways of the human heart have changed less than its outward customs, and the twenty-first-century reader will encounter the shock of recognition several dozen times in the course of reading *The Small House at Allington*.

The handsome Oxford University Press edition, a bargain at the price, has an insightful introduction by James R. Kincaid. If only it were presented as an afterword! Is there really any point in giving away the plot of a novel?

The Small House at Allington, one of Trollope's Barsetshire novels of provincial life, does not require a familiarity with the other books in the series. Its plot device, much like the slightly superior Framley Parsonage, is to show the effects of poor choices and the way in which life sometimes gives folks pretty just desserts for the silly choices they make. As with all Trollope, though, the plot is a jaunty cover for his real theme, which is a social satire of his era in an effort to illumine human nature. Sometimes Trollope's plot devices had a different effect on the reader than he intended. Lily Dale, placed in the novel largely to illustrate the consequences attendant to self-willed dedication to victorian ideas of true love, in fact became a celebrated character in her time as an example of a perfect jilted lover. It is somewhat amusing reading the novel today, seeing how Trollope showed Lily as a stubborn girl from a stubborn family, stubbornly devoted to "Love", and then to think that in his time, Lily was seen as a perfect avatar of true love.

This is a good read--lots of rich satire of persons of both high and low station. It is not Trollope's best, but it is a good read, and well worth a Sunday afternoon read. If you have not read Trollope, prepare for a richly human story laced with satire. If you have read Trollope, then expect a wit slightly less sharp but a story a bit more engaging than his others. His character Crosbie, the "villain" of sorts, is a fine creation, and this one is worth a read.

Jounalist 'London' Tony Holden, clearly no slouch at the poker table, is emboldened by a boss placement at the World Series of poker (he finished ninetieth). He decides to see if he can 'run with the big boys,' or become a professional poker player. Thus begins a year of much intercontinental travel and poker play. Reading this account, it helps to be familiar with card games, especially Texas Hold 'Em; if you're not you might be perplexed or just bored by the play-by-plays of various hands ('the flop was a Qc-Kh-7c... Did the river hold an ace?'). But you need know nothing about gambling to enjoy Holden's breezy writing style: within these pages lie more than a few telling and insightful remarks on the foibles of gamblers, on his own gambling obsession (courtesy of a shrink Holden hires for that purpose), on the history of gambling and cards, especially in America, and the crazed capitalism concentrate that is Las Vegas. It's good stuff, delivered with the wisdom of a seasoned traveler and the self-effacement of a confirmed Briton. The book probably isn't representative of what might happen if Joe Public were to start mixing it up with the pros of poker; given the ease with which Holden mops up most of his competition, and regularly busts out old pros, he must be one of the better players out there. But if you're looking for a book that takes a hard, sympathetic look at the culture of gambling, this is a good one.

Okay, I'm not a regular poker player, but after reading Holden's delightful book, I'd like to become one. His stories jump off the page and suck you in. You'll feel like you're right there with Holden, sweating the size of your bankroll, taking on the likes of Johnny Chan, and making your way through the World Series of Poker.

You don't need to know a great deal about poker to enjoy the book, but a rudimentary knowledge of Hold'Em would certainly make the poker-table anecdotes even more exciting. Either way, you'll be exhalting over Holden's wins and cringing through his bad beats right along with him.

Holden is an exceptional writer with a dry sense of humour that will have your friends wondering what the heck is so funny about that book you've been chuckling your way through for the past few days.

If you like poker, you will love this book. I did!

If you wasted your money on Bellin's Poker Nation, redeem yourself by picking up this previously out-of-print classic. You will not be able to put it down. Holden is one of the few serious poker players who comes off like a genuinely humane and funny person in print. You'll learn quite a bit about how to play, but this is really a book about the culture of the game. And when it comes to that topic, it has no equals. Alvarez's Biggest Game in Town came first, and is also well worth buying, but Big Deal has better pacing and a more personal touch that makes it compulsively readable.

I've never written a review before, but I really think this book is worth rooting for. You won't be disappointed.

This is a solid book with lots of good insight from Campolo. My complaint would be that Campolo is such a great speaker, one that pours out emotion and feeling, and his writing falls short of that same intensity. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone that is advanced in their Christian reading, reading such books like 'The Divine Conspiracy', but for the less intense it is probably a good choice for "How such I live?" kind of reading. I'd also recommend Yancy and Manning.
Campolo does a good job of putting the hard questions right out there: "Are we doing what we should/want/dreamed of doing?" This would be a good book for a high school or college graduate, just to remind them that ten or twenty years can blow past and one can find oneself in a fenced in yard of regret.
Campolo offers a good elbow to the ribs and gives some practical advice to getting or staying on track in living ones life for Christ.

Campolo has dozens of books out there; his writing style appeals to lots of readers. This one focuses on passionate enjoyment of life. After discussing the problems of materialism and life disillusionment that are predominant in our culture, Campolo unpacks the solution: living as God created us to. He challenges his readers to dream dreams and dare to live them out, embracing the fullness of life, including God, nature, work, and all the things around us.
Good: As with Johann Christoph Arnold's book _Seventy Times Seven_, this one has a lot of good stories and illustrations that powerfully convey the themes of the book. One example is of a man who has turned down high-paying opportunities in legal work in order to live in a one-room flat while working for civil rights - the very thing he enjoys doing. Another is of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who, when facing a mock execution, learned to savor every bit of life around him.
Bad: This book might be a bit cheesy for some people. Also, the danger with this kind of teaching is that some may interpret it to mean, "If it feels good, do it." This is not Campolo's intention, but it could be read that way. It's important to interpret a vision of fulfilled living within the context of the reign of God.
Opinion: My fourth-grade teacher once said to our class, "Today is February 6, 1980. This day will never happen in history again." She tried to teach us to appreciate everything around us and enjoy the offerings of each new day. It took awhile, but I've finally caught on to this truth. In this book Campolo has successfully delineated what it means to be truly "living".

The best part of this book for me was the section called "Coming Alive While Making a Living" Part 9. This part contains chapters called "This Job is Killing Me" and Community in the Workplace. These are chapters contain stories about how labor-management differences have been solved with words like...."everything would change if you guys would just treat one another like the other person is Jesus !"

I wish I had the courage to say these words !

The "value of the person" (VOP) and building character would be interesting to hear more about these seminars.

There are heart warming stories about Habitat for Humanity and Cardone Industries.

As a former sailor and current resident of Virginia Beach, I was stunned to learn that much of this entire story happened in familiar places surrounding me. The author spares no details and does not hesitate to give addresses, places, names, etc. to make the story come to life.

I read this book over a weekend because I simply could not put it down. I enjoy the way the story was told. Our country should thank the FBI, Bob Hunter, and his team for their professionalism in catching America's most damaging spy.

Excellent true spy story from the justics side of the case. Other books ont his case don't cover this much at all. The author (and case agent) is a good, unpretentious storyteller.

Espionage stories like this are usually fiction! The author tells his story in a casual way, like he's talking to you personally over a glass of ale. He's a character himseld!

I'll start out by saying I was a huge fan of Stackpole's ongoing 'X-wing Rogue Squadron' comic series and I found the fact that it was cancelled due to low sales to be shameful. And by no means am I a fan of the New Jedi Order series, especially its beginnings. So you can see why I wasn't quite going into this with an open attitude.

In any case, this start to the new ongoing SW series its obviously different than the XWRS one. I'm pretty sure its the first Episode-I era comic, and it holds its own. It's a small-scale story, wich I tend to like, ostly based off of the planet Cerea. Its a pretty good glimpse into Ki Adi Mundi and makes him into more than a coneheaded freak. I was familiar with Strnad from the XWRS comics, and the overall writing is the same as it was in his arc there- good but not great. The art is a bit too jerky for my tastes, but it, too, holds it own overall.

One flaw I have here is that so much of it is action. The new ongoing series based on the Jedi are very different from the XWRS series in this aspect. In here you get whole pages devoted to single shots, whereas in XWRS they litereally crammed in everything they could to make it all work out and move along numerous storylines and characters.

The Jabba-Ephant Mon connection is pretty good also, and helps set up for the next piece of the Ongoing series. The main reason to read 'Prelude to Rebellion' would be to set up Ki Adi Mundi for his roles and learn more about what was once a background character. (One of the things I really do love about 'Star Wars.') The next installment, 'Outlander' is very good, so I reccomend this as a prelude to that. Not anywhere near the quality of the XWRS series, buts it just starting out. 'Outlander' points it in the right direction.

'Prelude to Rebellion' is the first story-arc of Dark Horse's ongoing Star Wars series. This book introduces us to Jedi Knight Ki-Adi-Mundi (the conehead on the Jedi Council in 'The Phantom Menace'), before he's been raised to the Council. It is an interesting story of political intrigue, corrupt Republican senators, the criminal underworld, and the trials of a Jedi. It is fairly well illustrated, and quite well written too.

In the days before The Phantom Menace, the Republic is trying to convince Ki's backwater homeworld of Cerea to become a member. The elders of the planet, including Ki, do not want this change - they like the peaceful, beautiful, idyllic nature of their world. But the youth, of course, see the fancy offworlder technology, and they want it. When Ki's daughter's boyfriend accidentally kills another, the boy goes into hiding in one of the Republic's "Outsider Citadels" on Cerea to hide from local justice. There, Ki's daughter and several of her friends are "befriended" by Ephant Mon, an associate of Jabba the Hutt, and proceed to get into even more trouble. Ki finds himself having to track down his daughter, while dealing with domestic disputes and a world that's tearing itself apart.

As I've said, the art in this comic is pretty good -- while I've seen better, I've also seen much worse. The writing and dialogue are fairly crafty and effective, and this book presents an interesting take on the Republics politics that I'd not considered before. There is a fair amount of action - hand to hand, ship to ship, and some lightsaber slaying of some stupid creatures torn out of the movie 'Aliens.' Some of the scenes in this book came as close as a Star Wars comic ever has to tearjerker status (not that any has come *that* close). We get to see a little of Ki's background, we are introduced to some semi-interesting new droids, and we finally see a human, fallible Jedi. My biggest gripe about this book is that the beginning is too boring. I often have tried to re-read this comic, only to be dissuaded within a few pages by the slow moving opening. Unfortunately, this "collected edition" fails to collect the special online Issue #0, which had been promised by then-editor Peet Janes, a promise that was reneged because they didn't want to go to the trouble of reformatting it to fit the printed page. :(

In addition to the main story, we get a mini-comic entitled 'Vow of Justice.' Originally included in the releases of the comics to take up some extra space, this short tells a bit about Ki's youth (which contradicts some of what we learned in the main story), and introduces us to a mysterious Jedi known only as the Dark Woman, a Jedi who we will see more of in future comics.

Overall, 'Prelude to Rebellion' is a big, satisfying story. Fun to read, and introducing various ideas and concepts to the Star Wars mythos, this is a good addition to your Star Wars library. Recommended.

Okay, I do not normally read SW comic books, as they are now too complex and too tied to the books. I've read the old "classic books" and I treasure my TPM book. Now, finally they've churned out a good one!

It follows the Jedi Knight Ki-Adi-Mundi from the planet Cerea, who has some definite differences to other Jedi Knights: for instance, he has multiple wives and daughters. (Some of the scenes make me wonder if that's why some Jedi don't marry) This isn't all that's occupying Ki-Adi's very tall brain--a rebellious bunch are stirring on Cerea, and the treacherous Trade Federation from TPM is included in the mix. Worst of all, his daughter is swept up as well.

This particular author managed to create an unusually enjoyable adventure--action and character development (Ki-Adi and his bond-wife and daughter) are balanced very well. The drawings are slightly sub-par, but I'm willing to overlook that as some of the previous comic book stories have been rather grimly drawn.

It's not a lost chapter in the SW saga, but it is an enjoyable story that gives you the writer's insight into an important Council member. Wonderful!

As a seasoned human resources professional, I was looking forward to reading this book. This author takes an extremely negative approach and bashes human resource professionals in the process. This author clearly sees the glass as "half empty." Very disappointing.

This book skillfully deals with the social taboos of racism and sexism that our society fails to address. It is revealing and on point while providing practical solutions to the problems.

Breaking The Glass Ceiling by Anthony Stith is a very useful class. He got right to the point about racism in business. I believe that he conveyed his point very clearly and in an easy manner to read.

This is supposed to be part 3 of the trilogy, but it has VERY little to do with the first 2 books (both of which I loved, BTW). The only thing in common with the first books is the character of Titus (who was a baby in the first book, so was really only a character in the second book). The first 2 books spend much (most) of their time in a rather enchanting world that is confined to a castle and the immediate area around it, yet none of this book takes place there. Much more disturbing, however, is this volume takes place in a VERY different time period than the first two books. The first 2 take place in a castle that is lit by candles and has no visible technology (the only thing that is described that was invented in the last 800 years is a reference to "guns", but they are never used and it is unknown how primitive the "guns" would be). In this book they have cars, airplanes(!), and tiny self propelled spy devices that don't even exist today! (Not to mention helmets that give you superhuman strength, and other fantastic future things - it goes from medieval castle straight to comic-book future). It is not even internally consistant - one woman flys an airplane to visit a ruin she last saw during a failed expedition to explore the unknown in one direction, an expedition that had to quit because of an unpenatratable LINE OF TREES (were the trees so tall they could stop the airplanes?). At "plot" is barely in existance, and has lots of people doing things for no rational or decernable reason (really a stark contrast to the first 2 stories, which went to some length to give you insight into the characters).
Read the first two, then skip this one - it is not only not in their league, it will actually diminish your remembered enjoyment of the first two.

I enjoyed this book very much but it IS rather different from the preceding novels (Titus Groan, Gormenghast), which are really complete as a pair. Though related it is not necessary to have read them in order to follow the action of this story.

Young Titus Groan, Lord of Gormenghast after his Father's assassination and the death of the villainous Steerforth, decides to set out to see something of the world beyond the eccentric traditions of his decayed and moribund realm. He finds a decaying and eccentric city, where he makes some allies as he becomes a nine-days wonder.

Peake excelled at depiction of a monstrous and decaying world filled with wierd eccentrics. If you like that kind of thing, you'll love this book!

To my knowlege, the only thing ever written in the English language that even comes close is Shakespeare's latter plays. For characterization, plot, description, humor, pathos and sheer gothic intensity and wonder, Peake's Gormenghast trilogy may be without parallel in all of human literature.

Read it and find out what the English language is capable of.

and as typically unrecognized for its new levels of depth by some

In Swell Foop and Up in a Heaval, we continue the challenges of the demons.
actully its not a new theme
its been visited many times throughout the history of xanth, so how this can be a shocking new twist for some longtime readers of xanth is beyond me.
I think the past two novels added an interesting twist to Xanth books up to this point.
we went from a typical fantasy world that left its dark age into a period of adolescence. everything was sweet and interesting and new. now it enters its teen years, where xanth as a world it seems finds direction. fine maybe i'm looking too into it but stay with me here
the xanth stories often detail the journey of a single man or women on a tale of self-discovery, love, and adventure
it was very personal, very specified to the world of the individual
Swell Foop and now Up in a Heaval show a new aspect
That is the aspect of the demons and their games, related to Xanth, mundania, and such in a way that is analogous to the nature of the greek pantheon and the lives of men in Greek mythology. yes yes, i know Xanth is much more fun and less bloody then that but hang with we, i'm still building up to my point.
the interesting aspect i found everything BUT shallow is it added the element of a greater force
a divine guidance
this notion that we may be the people of the world, but there are greater powers that guide our existance (or at the very least toy with it)
this is what the past two Xanth novels introduced to me
to make the parallels even stronger in my opinion is the way Swell Foop left the Demons intrigued by emotion, something they did not understand but now want to feel to its fullest. similarly the greek gods were known for their indulgences.

so that brings us to the background bones, i won't bore you with specific details (though i prolly bored you with others), but this new territory of human (in level, not necessarily in species) characters caught in a game of greater divine powers adds an interesting new backdrop for Xanth. we always knew of Demon earth, but now the game is larger, more complex, making the individual human character seem that much smaller in relation. yet ironically, like in old tales of epic heroes, it comes down to thw human characters to decide the outcome.

as a person who likes to see a series of literature grow and develop, especially since its been bless with series longevity, i see this new twist as something interesting to see. to se how piers anthony uses it now, and to see how he builds upon it, to create a Xanthian version of a epic hero perhaps

but, like any greek mythology, to start in the middle of the tale is difficult, so you may wish to go back to the beginning verus starting here

and for those who absolutely cannot change and wish to remain in stasis with the fond memories of the way it used to be. i say this is different, and may not please you as the lder novels did

A bet between Demons Xanth, Jupiter, and Fornax sends Umlaut on a quest to deliver messages sent from our Earth to Xanth. Although Umlaut is a construct, he is endowed with excellent ethical judgement and good luck in finding friends. Demoness Metria will do anything to stop the quest because her son's soul is at risk.

Umlaut's quest takes him through Xanth and into contact with characters familiar to readers of the Xanth series, as well as introducing new characters. Author Piers Anthony delivers a rich assortment of the bad puns that readers of this series delight in. The Xanth series is also known for its sexual teasing (say PG-13). I thought that UP IN A HEAVAL did a good job delivering the tease without dramatically overstepping the bounds of taste. Umlaut's romance with Surprise was teetered at the edge between sweet and sensual--about right for a teenage relationship.

Umlaut was an interesting character because of his compassion. Although he lacked a lasting reality (being a construct of the demons for the sake of their game), Umlaut had a conscience and a drive that made him sympathetic.

Up In a Heaval is the 26th Xanth novel. As usual, the plot is just a framework for the characters and puns. The hero is Umlaut, a facsimile, whose talent is emulation.

Umlaut "accidently" takes shelter at the Zombie castle. As he is mucking out the dungeon, Umlaut uses 19 questions to discover that the male dragon is really Sesame, a female Sea Serpent. They also discover a pile of long overlooked Snail mail and meet Sammy the Cat. Umlaut is charged with delivering the mail and both Sesame and Sammy join him in an extended tour of Xanth locations and personalities while the demoness Metria tries to distract and obstruct them.

At the isle of cats, the trio meet Claire Voyant, the knowing cat, who also joins them. In Euphoria, they meet Surprise, the daughter of Grady Golem and Rapunzel, who becomes Umlaut's sweetheart and keeps visiting him in various ways during the journey.

Umlaut is faced with many temptations and doubts in his travels, but perseveres despite all. Of the many puns encountered, Ptero-bull stands out, but other groaners abound. Naturally, Anthony tells all, or at least enough, in the Author's Note.

This book is for Xanth fans and those who are not too proud to groan at a real stinker of a pun. A really fun book.

I'm not sure how to feel about this short book of burgess. i admire the man and his work, but you have to wonder about some of his choices. there are so many great books and authors that aren't included in his choices, though i could see the difficulty in picking one book a year. it is interesting to see how burgess' mind works, and the choices he makes, but it is only of interest of a burgess scholar.

I happened upon 99 NOVELS THE BEST IN ENGLISH SINCE 1939 last week as I browsed my library network's catalog. I devoured this book in a matter of a few hours.

The book consists of one introductory essay and 99 very brief book reviews. According to Burgess's introduction, for poetic reasons, he restricted the scope of his list to novels written after the beginning of WWII and before "the nonfulfillment of a nightmare" (l984). His definition of "novel" is narrow. For example, in his review of George Orwell's l984, he notes that ANIMAL FARM was a much greater work and goes on to state that he couldn't include it in his list because it is a fable rather than a novel. Ironically, Burgess does include William Golding's LORD OF THE FLIES and Malcolm Lowry's UNDER THE VOLCANO, both of which are allegories.

I don't agree with all of Burgess's selections, nor do I agree with everything he writes in his reviews. Regardless, his reviews are outstanding, enjoyable, often hilarious and always intellectually stimulating. Two very interesting aspects of Burgess's reviews are, first, that he sees intellectual value in everything he reads (I envy him) and, second, he finds something similar to Joyce's ULYSSES in everything he reads.

What I like best about Burgess's reviews is that I kept thinking to myself "I've gotta read that book". My list of "must reads" is now twenty-one books longer than it was two days ago.

I found this book in the early eighties, while living in New York. I loved Anthony Burgess for his erudition, his musical background, his love of Joyce, his brilliant, playful writing (Clockwork Orange) his knowledge of history and his ability to go on talk shows in the seventies and be smarter then anybody else but also completely down to earth. In the pages of 99 Novels are just those qualities.

This book -- a kind of "minute history" of literature since 1939 -- sent me scurrying into used book stores like a field mouse. His brief, paragraph long summaries of the "most influential" books since WW2 (starting with Finnegan's Wake) are provocative,funny, opinionated with a look to the long view as well. How broad was his taste? The Joyce scholar makes an argument for Raymond Chandler's Long Goodbye as the best American Novel of the nineteen fifties. He also covers Norman Mailer, Brian Aldiss, Mary McCarthy, Brian Moore, Ian Flemming, Orwell, Ballard, Huxley, Murdoch, Roth, Greene...etc.

In short, you can take this as a brilliant and unpretentious field guide from a writer who loved and knew literature and the English language quite unlike anybody else around. Burgess never lost sight of the fact that the novel is one of mankind's greatest inventions,and he proves it with this book.

Portaro's book is a prime example of projecting pop psychology and poorly thought out theology onto a subject where it couldn't have less relevance. The biographies of these people are largely unknown and filled with fiction; loading these biographies with more fiction in order to illustrate tenuous and trite points is simply not worth the time or the effort.

This book works best when used as exactly what it says it is-a companion to Lesser Feasts and Fasts, an Episcopal Church liturgy book which gives all the background information which Brightest and Best lacks. This book has interesting and thought-provoking meditations on how the lives of each of the Episcopal saints (many of whom are also Catholic saints) relate to life in the modern world. Some of them seem somewhat far-fetched, and the author's politics come through occassionally, but for the most part, this is a wonderful book.

I keep this book by my bedside and read it often. It's best when you can also read Lesser Feasts and Fasts along with it. By itself, it's thought-provoking and stimulating.