I first read Talking to the Moon when living in Oklahoma's Osage County, only a few miles from where it was written. John Joseph Mathews, the author, was a native of that beautiful, rugged, still sparsely populated country. The scion of a locally prominent part-Osage family, he attended the University of Oklahoma and Oxford University, fought in WWI, and then came home to live alone for 10 years in a house he had built on his father's ranch. This book is the fruit of that time; it recounts his experiences and observations of the people, wildlife, and flora of that unique place. I found most of his observations to be accurate and pertinent 45 years later, except that if anything there are fewer people and better environmental conditions than there were in the 1930s and 40s, when Oklahoma's oil fever was still in full swing, and the Osage country was a hotbed of petroleum exploration and exploitation.

The book's structure is based on the Osage's concept of the moon's cycles as the basis of their year. The opening sentence of the third chapter, "Just-Doing-That Moon", says: "The Osage say that the moon is a woman and that she makes her appearance twelve times a year." Each of the moon's appearances has a name and, in the book, a corresponding chapter.

Mathews was deeply involved in Osage tribal politics, attempting to safeguard their lands and mineral rights from encroachment by state and federal government, and also attempting to preserve tribal history. He founded the Osage Tribal Museum in Pawhuska, and one chapter of the book is mostly devoted to his successful effort to have portraits painted for the museum of the leading elders of the tribe. This was in the summer of 1936, which still stands as the hottest on record in this area. His tales of dealing with the proud, recalcitrant elders and the somewhat clueless portraitist are both humorous and moving.

Mathews was a sophisticated, cosmopolitan intellectual, but he loved his people and his land, was always concerned with their welfare, and in writing this book, gave us an affectionate and clear-eyed account of the beauties and terrors to be found among the blackjacks and canyons of the land that Woody Guthrie called "the great Osage."

This book offers some great advice about how to choose a tattoo design and a tattoo artist that will ensure that you are happy with the results. It dispells some of the myths of getting a tattoo, eg being drunk and not remembering the experience. The TBG will help make sure that your whole tattooing experience is a positive one and should be read by everyone considering going under the needle

This booked of essays by leading Japanese and American authorites in the field, is highly recommended for anyone seeking an informed understanding of Chanoyu.

I've been studying French for about 5 years now and this book has been extremely helpful. Like the book "501 French Verbs", this book contains french verbs and a table of conjugations for every possible tense that the verb can be used in. Although it doesn't have quite 501 verbs, it does have every verb that a student would ever use. One reason why I like this book far more than "501 French Verbs" is that this book contains example sentence for the more common tenses. It also includes translations of these sentences. "501 French Verbs" does not do this. The price of this book is also a lot nicer than 501's book. Again, this is a great buy!

This book is jam-packed with thoughtful advice for teachers who are teaching about adolescence. As someone who teaches adolescent development in a pre-service teacher education program, I have found it a rich source of ideas for approaches and strategies. I highly recommend it.

Following up on the concise and informative views of Teaching As Jesus Taught, Roy Zuck has taken the next step. Many students of the Bible really do not think Paul a teacher, but well, how else could he have helped established Christianity in Europe and Asia? Zuck details almost exactly, the strategies and methods used by Paul and how we can learn and use these tools!

A great book to have if you have kids or spend time with kids. Has great activities for children of all ages (and even adults). Not only have I gotten great ideas for things to do with my young son from this book, I have also learned alot myself. Every parent and teacher on my shopping list is going to get a copy of this book for Christmas this year.

Teaching The Dead Bird To Sing: Living The Hermit Life Without And Within is the memoir of theologian and former social activist W. Paul Jones, who describes the phases of his life and meditations as he progressed toward an internal and external retreat from the evils of the world and the self. Teaching The Dead Birth To Sing is highly recommended reading as a deeply spiritual and inspiring autobiographical treatise about embracing a solitary life for greater understanding and clarity.

I have recently read a number of books on Buddhism, and returned to this philosophy (not faith) after it helped me years ago. This abridged guide is an excellent place to begin the subject or introduce someone else to it. It is a much easier read than the original, which is written in somewhat stilted language in an attempt to emulate the bible. Both versions contain many essential elements of Buddhism written in the form of a continuous story, which make them very easy and enjoyable to read. Pausing in the story allows you to ponder the important truths which are clearly presented. I recommend this abridged version rather than the full because I see the book best used as an introduction to the philosophy. A great way to probe further into doctrine and meaning is to read "What the Buddha taught" by Walpola Rahula. A very valuable portion of this latter book is the section containing translations of the original Pali recitations of the Buddha's words, the earliest known record of his teaching. In the end, its best to go to the source...

This is the most illuminating and informative book about teapots that I have ever read.