Every father owes it to their children to help them understand who they are and who they where before they became fathers. This message hit home for me after reading Paul's book. Life is short and we have to enjoy it with the people we love and Paul's book reminds me with his near death experiences and love for his wife and children.

I met Paul Sweeney when he was on KXTV Channel 10 promoting his book and I picked up a copy. What a breath of fresh air! His book was action packed but also had some wonderful little tid bits of life's lessons that he is teaching his kids. There are a few things there that I can teach mine. I especially liked to section about "God and the tickets." I recommend this to anyone who likes adventure stories and/or has kids (which is an adventure itself)!

Honestly written from the heart to his two chiledren, this book is a must read for any age. Sweeney's style of writing captivates its audience into exploring his experiences, and gaining insight and wisdom from them.

I have worked in Zimbabwe for two years as a photographer and film maker. Of Spirits and Madness gives western thinking a new vantage point. Remember, there is no reality only perception. One of the best books I have read on Shona culture. The spiritual basis of life forms all other truths in Africa. Great Book, wonderful to read.

I bought this book to be polite. When a friend of 10+ years writes a book... you buy it. And the day before his reading... you start the first chapter. What I did not expect was that I would absolutely inhale the text. My brain lit up with pleasure. There are so many good things about this book. Not only is the writing itself excellent, the information that Paul tucks into the narratives of each patient is downright fascinating. He takes up politics, economics, spirituality, culture, context, and mental health. The story of each patient's illness is refracted through Paul's Western training, his good heart, and his growing understanding of the local explanations for why things happen as they do. Along the way he provides a terrific set of curbside lectures about a wide spectrum of mental illnesses. He interweaves factual information about disease states with tender compassion for and curiosity about the people he served. I learned a lot from this book and plan to read it again. Maybe I should be polite more often....

Dr. Paul Linde's book "Of Spirits and Madness" is a wonderfully entertaining and insightful look into the culture and psyche of the Zimbabwean people. As an American psychiatrist in this third world African country, he becomes immersed in a cultural quagmire of ancestral spirits, evangelical Christianity and traditional healers all colliding with modern Western medical practices. The results, a train wreck of frequently amusing and sometimes very sad situations: experienes which challenged the author's intellectual and medical skills while raising questions in his own mind about the modern world's pursuit of indivudual gain and blatant consumption. This is a great book which will make all readers laugh, think and reevaluate one's own views of what is truly important. The best book I've read this year!

I have just completed writing a three-part article for my company on understanding and dealing with frustration. After weeks of research on the topic, this was definately the most helpful resource I found on dealing with frustration and anger. Instead of being just another self-help book attempting to make you feel better about yourself, it provided concrete steps to change the way you think and feel when confronted with frustration. The idea that you create your own emotions to an event is very helpful. It takes you from where you are today, right now, and gives you a way to be a happier and more pleasant person.

The book contains ideas that (to me, at least) were each "well kept secrets." If you want success in dealing with people for whatever reason and find yourself angry or frustrated with your dealings, this book will help you.

One of the better self-help books I have on my shelf. The words in this one stick with me. I catch myself getting upset over something and some of the author's "tricks" to stop the anger come into thought and it makes more SENSE to not be upset than to be upset. I think the key to breaking the angry habit IS to find a way to short circuit the fuse with practical thoughts that allow you to perceive the situation in a more rational light. This book taught me some of those thoughts which gave me the choice to be angry or not.

I was eight years old. I read the paperback edition of this book every night, cover to cover. The story of the effervescent Plop and the conquering of his fear of the dark is as enduring now as it was when it was first published over 30 years ago.

This version is abridged and illustrated from the one that saw me safely to dreamland as a child. No matter. The spirit is preserved and the illustrations are wonderful. Great for any kid with any phobia. A magical book.

I am now 13 years old, and I still listen to this classic tape when I have nightmares at night. When I was little I used to listen to it every single night. I listened to it so much that I almost broke it. If you are a parent looking for a good childhood book for your child I highly recommend it, from firsthand experience of being a child. Thanks

This classic book has a new version, just out, published by Mammoth. A shortened text and excellent picture book illustrations makes this a great young childrens book, for the newest generation for whom Plop is a national hero. (ISBN 0-7497-4178-3)

This certainly is the book to get the low-down on contemporary music. However, here a few points of interest:

Firstly, I think the most glaring omission is Louis Andriessen, who not only co-wrote The Apollonian Clockwork, but has also composed some of the most important and exciting non-Webernian music around. What is especially important about Andriessen is that his own 'minimal' style is fully aware of the Modernist heritage at the same time as it critiques or refutes it, as oppoesed to others who just dismiss it outright and have no real understanding of post-Webernian serialism. Also, Andriessen's continuing political ideals make him an interesting study in current musico-poltical relations (now that most are dead: Nono, Cardew; or just write rubbish: Henze).

In fact, while I am no authority on comtemporary Dutch music, I certainly know no more about it through reading this book. Which brings me to my second point: the Anglo-West Europe-American-centricity.

Not only does he leave out the Netherlands, Finland, Scandinavia, South America, as well as the bizarre history of post-war Polish music, but also Australia and (South East) Asia. Now while I am no doubt partisan, his only mention of Australia is one line about the Elision Ensemble in relation to Richard Barrett, Chris Dench, and Finnissy. I think Australia has some of the best composers anywhere (Liza Lim, for instance), writing from a variety of perspectives and a fuller account of these

place-specific musics would have interesting, for instance examination of Australia's liminal position between Europe and Asia and how that affects attitudes to composition.

While his bit on Part is a witty piece of pomo gaming, he sometimes trips himself up in his pomo considerations (as other reviewers have pointed out): for instance, he says that the postmodern condition entails the loss (both through desire and circumstance) of the dominant-central figures crucial to the Modernist project (eg. Boulez) because there are now 'many streams' instead of a river, but he then later complains that no new 'Generals' have stood up to replace the these old ones in terms of central importance to the musical world. In this way, he doesn't really trace many new paths in his last section, but simply rings up his old mates (Boulez, Birtwistle, Berio, Stockhausen, Ligeti, etc) and asks them what they've been up to recently. But, then again, that is really what the book is for and it does it admirably.

And not only is his championing of Barraque timely, but Bill Hopkins too, whose music I was unaware of until reading his bit.

One hopes there will be a 3rd edition after most of the 'peace-time Generals' are gone and a final summation of the lasting effects of the immediate post-war project can take place. Until then this is the book to read if you want to know about the good-old music with no tunes that we all love.

Also the Strings and Knots is organised in reverse alphabetical (very postmodern!)

"Modern Music and After" should really be kept in print, though the market may be small, as it is the best book on the subject. It serves, among other things, as the best record guide to the post-war avant-garde that I've found, although since 95 it has become somewhat outdated.

Griffiths imbues the story of the serialist avant-garde with high drama. The hero of his story is Pierre Boulez. Messiaen is the mentor, and Stockhausen the brother, a source of friendly but intense rivalry. Schoenberg is the father figure who Boulez "kills" even as he carries on his tradition, but of course crediting Webern. The history gives a palpable sense of the excitement of this avant-garde circle, which came together at Darmstadt. Cage and his zen anarchism presents a radical challenge to the integral serialist Project, and begins to explode it.

This takes us through the 1950s. The second part of the book is equally good, as the linear sense of progress unravels in the 1960s and 70s and fragmentation sets in. A fascinating development which Griffiths documents, but does not comment on, is the resurgence of sacred music as the secular avant-garde disintegrates. The Estonian composer Arvo Part is but one example of this trend, what might be called the reassertion of the pre-modern in the context of the post-modern. The third section is not as good, and resembles other similar books in being more an encyclopedia of entries on various composers and trends. There doesn't seem to be much alternative to this for now, but it's interesting to imagine how the present period may be reconstructed in light of future developments...

In his introduction Griffiths laments the loss of a sense of shared criteria for evaluating the diverse music of the moment. But of course books like this contribute to the construction of those criteria! Peter J. Martin's "Sounds and Society" is an excellent analysis of how music evaluation is socially constructed -- there are no objective, inherent qualities, and so something like writing a book or even posting reviews to a website serves to shape the reception of the art. An interesting topic to pursue would be the divergent paths of Boulez and Stockhausen, with the former becoming an esteemed conductor and not only championing the avant-garde, but also turning back to the once scorned romantic tradition, while Stockhausen followed an increasingly idiosyncratic path and became a revered figure for the 90s electronica movement, a "Father of Electronic Music"!

"Modern Music and After" is indispensable for anyone trying to understand the rich complexities of contemporary composition. I recommend Morgan's "Twentieth-Century Music" for the pre-WWII period, and Gann's "American Music in the Twentieth Century" for greater detail on the postwar U.S.

My writer brethren here neglected to mention that Griffiths in this reissue,brings us up-to-date a way of completing the tale he began over 20 years ago. Since that time composers have either grown up or become more important, some have fallen from graces completly. Brian Ferneyhough has grown up and Griffiths here gives ample evidence although brief and outlines in form, you read it,and it points you toward a greater exploration of his music. Likewise Morton Feldman became fascinated with the set of problematics concerning longer lengths in music's construction. Likewise the late Luigi Nono, this is the first real description in English of his summary work Prometeo,and gives a good perspective on him.Likewise the late Cage is discussed. Griffiths now writes for the New York Times, and he breathes some new life there of a seasoned reviewer.

I'm not terribly familiar with Gallico. Years ago a girlfriend introduced me to _The Man Who Was Magic_, a delightful allegory I've taken with me everywhere since, but which does not appear anywhere in Amazon's offerings. Only this week I finally picked up _The Snow Goose_, which didn't do much for me I'm afraid, and then this one.

This is a peach! Gallico wants to pay tribute to the elder, working class British woman who cleans other people's homes and is known as a char. Widowed, near or in her 60s, Mrs. Harris one day develops the notion of owning a Dior original, something utterly perfect and beautiful ... but at 450 to 500 pounds (maybe $1200 in the late 1950s when this book was published) far out of her budgetary range.

How she does it, and what happens to her in Paris when she makes a day trip to realize her dream, is the stuff of magic. The characters are all believable; what they say and do in any given situation is completely plausible; and yet the aggregate of events and coincidences that come together to complete this tale are utterly (but forgivably) incredible -- as in any fairy tale.

Being a reader/viewer who has thrilled to Samuel Beckett, Ingmar Bergman, and Harlan Ellison, I tend to avoid the word "heartwarming" like the Black Death. But that's the perfect word for this lovely little book.

The story of a London charwoman who goes to Paris to improbably buy a long-desired Dior dress is a jaunty, light comedy which began a series of pure entertainments. Mrs. 'Arris is an enchanting character in that her fundamental ordinary humanity and decency, rather than any superhuman virtue or penetrating insight, allows her to connect with those about her. This is musical comedy fiction, gently told, well done. All the Mrs. 'Arris books are splendid reads, and deserve at least a reissue, if not a film series.

I picked this up in a library because the title amused me. It's just a little slice-of-life story about an ordinary woman, not stunningly gorgeous, or rich, or romantic -- in fact she's just a Cockney char nobody noticed. Until she did something unexpected just because she wanted to, changing other people's lives in the process. It's a beautiful story.

This book and its companion volume, "A Natural History of Western Trees," are by far the most detailed accounts of the trees of North America. It's truly too bad the author didn't have the chance to complete the third book in this series: "Southern Trees." Never have I read a richer, more lovingly or enthusiastically written description of trees. Aside from being packed with facts, the books offer a glimpse of man's interaction with trees and teaches one how to interact with them and respect them. The author's enthusiasm is contagious!

This is a great book for tree lovers.Though not very good for identification(one of the field guides would be better for that),this is an excellent book for the reader who has already learned to identify the various trees and now wants to learn something about them.The short,non-technical articles cover a host of topics,from botany and historical reports to the author's personal acquaintance with the various trees discussed.

A Natural History of Trees is a compilation of a rich resource of material on native U.S. Trees. While you'll do better with a Peterson's Field Guide for identification, I don't think you'll find more fun.

Grouped by Family(beginning with Pines and ending with the Ashes) the stories are king here. Just pick your favorite tree and sit back and enjoy. The history of the White Pine, for example, seems almost mythic in its sheer height and size back in colonial days. It very well helped build near most of colonial America, too!

From White Pine to White Oak to Redbud to Sycamore, this is a fascinating and informative read. There is an index of both scientific and common names, plus a glossary and a section called Keys to Species and Genera (which is much easier to decode with a Peterson's Guide at hand).

Also recommended, Petrerson's Field Guide to Eastern Trees(ISBN: 0395904552) and National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees(ISBN: 0394507606) for IDing and Trees in my Forest(ISBN: 0060929421) and the Man Who Planted Trees(ISBN: 1570625387) for more great stories.

I work for the publisher of this book. There aren't a lot of our books that I get a chance to read, but this one has been a best-seller for 25 years now. So, of course, I have also read and enjoyed it. I'm pleased to spread the word that this book was a resource for the upcoming MGM movie, WINDTALKERS. Of course, the movie is a story, but the book is a historical account of how the intelligent, fierce-fighting Navajos became an invaluable resource to our military during WWII. Indeed, they helped go a long way toward swinging the tide of the war in the favor of the US.

If the release of the Code Talker-based movie was raised your interest in this subject, look no further than The Navajo Code Talkers by Doris A. Paul. This book was first published in 1973 and was the first, and is still the best, source of information on this subject. Learn the story behind the story. This is a must-read book. Do not accept imitations (or imitators)!

To say that the United States mistreated the Native Americans has already been established. This book shows that regardless of any mistreatment, the Navajo code talkers fulfilled their duties with honor and without question. This book shows the reader clearly how the Navajo language was used to help the United States defeat Japan during WWII. The recollections of their service to the United States are honest as well as very descriptive of the Navajo Indian's experience in WWII. This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in this often neglected chapter of WWII.

The book I'm reading is called Pony pals I want a pony.Lulu the girl in the book went to her grandma's because her dad had to go to the airpart.Lulu loved ponys.Then a pony came into ther yard.Lader in the book Lulu sees the pony agan.I recmmend this book for 7 and up.

Beauty, Ms. Wiggins' pony, is expecting a foal! The Pony Pals get to sleep in a tent outside the barn. They each take turns staying up during the night to watch the expectant mare. They bring along a tape of BLACK BEAUTY, some brownies, and an alarm clock. Then, during Lulu's watch the mare begins to foal. Lulu quickly alarms the other Pony Pals and Ms. Wiggins! The foal is born, but something is wrong with him! Is he going to die?!! Can the Pony Pals save him? Find out in this exciting book! This is one of my favorite books in the series.

In this book the Pony Pals plan to stay up late. While it's Lulu's shift Beauty starts to give birth to a healthy bay colt, but before they name him, Snow White notices something wrong with the colt. He's caught pneumonia. Will he surive? read this book about an amazing miracle.

This book fills a glaring need in history books. Not many people know more about Susan B. Anthony than she was one the dollar coin. This book corrects that oversight, and then some. Not only does the book give a balanced and well thought out look at Anthony and Stanton, the reader is also introduced to many, many other women who worked so hard for women rights.
I especially liked that the book didn't shy away from some of these women's more controversial stands, such as taking on the black person's cause.
All in all, a very good book.

This book provides insight and history on the struggle that women went through to get the right to vote. It includes all kinds of interesting background and perspectives. It was a real eye opener for me and I'm giving it as a gift to all the young women I know.

This book was an eye opener for me. Every woman should read this book to understand the fight for our right to vote. These women devoted their lives to something they knew they would never even see in their live time! Its a story of courage and strength. It's makes one feel proud to be a woman.