In his first novel, set in the cafes and nightspots of Paris during the beginning of the twentieth century, Wyndham Lewis presents the reader with a gallery of figures who live as a master race of artists. The action consists mostly of rows, one culminating in violence, during which the cast of poseurs and atavists engage in esoteric debates, which enable Lewis to weave in his own political and artistic concerns into the manifold of polemic. Typically of his novels, with their Fascist, racist, sexist, elitist biases, "Tarr" pulls no punches, assailing conventional bourgeois values in art and culture and proclaiming the figure of the artist as supreme. Along with Ezra Pound, Lewis was the founder of Vorticism, the British counterpart of Futurism, and also the joint editor of Blast!, the magazine in which Vorticist views were enunciated. With its glorification of velocity, violence, modernity and the machine, Vorticism's major tenets are consistently applied in the novel, with its brutal, striking, seemingly spontaneous prose style and its portrayal of the artist as a sort of automaton who will risk everything to attain his end, regardless of the damage that this may cause to others. However, the novel is let down by its lack of incident and the way in which the author blatantly allows his characters to act as mouthpieces for views which are clearly his own. A minor, and now almost forgotten, classic.

With Tarr, Wyndham Lewis drags the reader through a few months in the lives of a collection of relentlessly self-absorbed and repulsive expatriates infesting the cafes and pensions of Paris just prior to the First World War. Cynicism and fermenting racial hatreds simmer just below the surface of a stew of intellectual banter and social intrigue. Conspicuous in its absence is any sense of sincerity or personal integrity of feelings. When a sincere response does erupt, it results in absurdity as when Tarr attacks the hat of his opponent in frustration after failing to win his point in a philosophical discussion. All of the principal characters are obsessive poseurs whose every behavior towards one another is propelled by a calculated maneuvering designed to improve one's position in an informal, but powerful, pecking order. The machinations are as complex as the motivations are shallow. More often than not, an agenda outruns the control of the agent who sets it in motion and the character then watches helplessly as events destined to blight his life unfold before him. Depressingly, the players do not appear to gain any insight from their foibles regarding the error of their ways and Lewis' dim view of the character of his fellow man is unleavened by the humor that finds its way into his later novels. The greatest flaw I found in Lewis' Tarr is one typical of the first novels of writers possessing an active intellect. The narrative flow is occasionally disrupted by the author's attempt to incorporate his own social and philosophical theories into the dialogue of his characters. And although this volume lacks the imagination and sophistication of Lewis' later works, there are a number of finely wrought passages which foreshadow the talent he is beginning to develop. My favorite;

For the last hour he had been accumulating difficulties, or rather unearthing some new one at every step. Impossible to tackle "en masse," they were all there before him. The thought of "settling everything before he went," now appeared monstrous. He had, anyhow, started these local monsters and demons, fishing them to the light. Each had a different vocal explosiveness, inveighing unintelligibly against each other. The only thing to be done was to herd them all together and march them away for inspection at leisure.

Tarr, The 1918 Version is an enjoyable and worthwhile read if you have the time, but if you will read only one book by Lewis, leave this one on the shelf and, instead, make a grab for The Apes of God.

Wyndham's power derives from his tendency to be reactionary. Orwell, Pound, T.S. Elliot and Lewis all began with leftist tendencies, and evolved into a realization of the folly of superimposed mind control as practiced by the left. This novel is a stark satire of these "artistic" propoganda aspects as channeled through art. To attempt to label Lewis with all the ghastly "--isms" is to attempt to superimpose a like kind of modern leftist template over a wonderful '30's rebellion against exactly this kind of labelling. Hard as it may be to believe it, this putative thought control was even worse then, during the political ascendancy of communism.

I thought the writing was cliche-ridden and the characters were one-dimensional. I suggest Mr. Bishop read some Ridley Pearson or James Lee Burke to see how characters should be drawn. I will admit the plot idea was pretty good.

Being a Southern California-based mystery writer, I recently sat beside Paul Bishop during the first Men of Mystery Day in Orange County. During that hour or so, one person after another asked Mr. Bishop to sign TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD, most praising the title. The book does have a great title, but it is also a fine mystery. The plot involves the murder of a member of LAPD's anti-terrorism unit, and Fey Croaker's search for the truth. The plot takes many unexpected twists and turns, and soon Fey is struggling to protect Los Angeles from an international terrorist attack. Paul Bishop is a pro, and TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD is a top-notch book. There is much to savor in TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD in addition to its clever title.

Bishop's value has writier has hit the bull's eye with this one. As always, he speaks the truth about fiction. A great work by L.A.'s finest.

this book does not fit into an undergraduate program. it is much to detailed and quite boring for the undergraduate and most graduate students. this book has content but no deliverance for the masses to comprehend.

it is a good resource book but a poor text book for the university undergraduate or graduate. jemery

Paul Basch's new edition of his Textbook of International Health must be read by any people working in the field of Health, being it international or not. His historical review is fascinating and you cant stop reading it because it is so absorbing.

The name of the book, containing the word Textbook can make people think that it is boring as many "Textbooks" are, but this one is not. The reading is really pleasant and you will certainlly finish it in a few hours. I just can agree with Ned Wallace.

Ricardo Ossanai, MD

Paul Basch's new edition of his Textbook of International Health is a winner! It features a readable style, a comprehensive perspective, timely factual information,and a fascinating historical background of health problems and the multitude of issues and efforts, past and present, to improve the health of populations. Must reading for any and all who plan to work within the health sector of countries in the developing world and for those who seek to understand and appreciate the many determinants which impact the health of a population.

The final section provides insights of importance to anyone considering short or long term work in the health sector of developig countries.

I would not buy this version of the old classic for very young children. In this version two of the pigs get eaten by the wolf, and the wolf gets eaten in the end by the last pig. When the pigs ask for the materials to build their houses, they do not offer to pay, trade or work for the straw, sticks or bricks, they are given the materials. What kind of message does that give our youth?

This version of the Three Little Pigs is excellent. The original tale with the actual eating of the pigs and wolf. My tot is the sweetest kid in the world, and he loves this book. Definitely his favorite for a few weeks. I don't have the audio cassette version, but I recently bought the audio version of Rumplestiltskin, and it's great too. I'm actually on here now to buy more audio cassette books, as many Paul Galdone books as I can find.

My child loves this book/cassette combo. He loves it more than the so-called 'friendlier', non-pig eatin' versions that currently on the market. This, of course, surprised me...but I guess it shouldn't. This version is richer in conflict; and in turn, more thought-provoking than the other versions. If you think your child would enjoy this type of story line, like mine has; then by all means, purchase this combo for him/her! Only you know what is/is not suitable for your child.

My child fell in love with this combo when we checked it out at our public library. So much, in fact, that I had to find a way to purchase it.

During my many years as an Amway distributor, we were taught to idolize Charles Paul Conn and his writing about the Amway business. However, as I learned to my chagrin, there is a lot going on behind the scenes that Conn wasn't privy to, or was forbidden to write about.

Conn presents a glowing testimonial to Amway by presenting participation in the "business" as the path to "true freedom" -- economic, political, spiritual, and most of all material freedom. He uses "real life" examples of this freedom. However, the reality is far different: a failure rate in excess of 99%, broken marriages, families and relationships, bankruptcies and financial disasters. The few "successes" he writes about constitute about 0.01% of all distributors.

One wonders how a writer as obviously intelligent as Conn could have accepted anecdotes as "evidence" without any substantive proof about what really goes on behind the scenes, and been taken in by the surface glitz and glamour without seeing the seamy underbelly.

Unlike a previous reviewer who said that "..as an AMWAY distributor, he was taught to idolize Charles Paul Conn, I am saddened that this was his experience. I, too, had many years of experience with AMWAY, and we were not taught to do this. He is a man with a mission, and just because he thinks highly of the company should not make him someone who is not credible. Yes, he highlights stories which inspire, and gives facts which should encourage the distributors. Maybe the failures in the business are attributable to other facts (i.e., lack of motivation, poor performance, an "I quit" attitude, not being teachable, etc.) For those who succeed, I salute them, as should others. No one forces anyone to get into the AMWAY business, as no one forces anyone to be a dentist, mechanic, or prison guard. You make your choices and live with the consequences. Charles Paul Conn shows the consequences of Devos and Van Andel, and the fruit of their hard work. It's a good book. Read it and get informed.

There are many controversial opinions about the Amway business and the chances of success or failure. The simple fact remains that the Amway business is a business that you can start with a very small capital investment and become financially successful far beyond what a traditional job will offer. My personal experience with the Amway (Quixtar) business is one of financial success, rewards, and many great friendships. Charles Paul Conn depicts this business venture as a great ray of shining hope. It has been just that for me and my family.

The authors make a very good point that Biblical prophecy must be interpreted 'literally' as is all the Bible.

With that in mind I had hoped to read a book that would actually 'explain' the Revelation. However, reading further I discovered the authors merely reiterate the same old information; although they did it very well and at a level which is easily understood, I think that is commendable.

I know God did not give the Revelation to John as a cruel joke to humanity, something we could never possibly hope to understand correctly. The authors do explain that God is perfect and so His word is perfect, therefore, if there are inconsistencies in teaching it must be human beings who make the errors because God does not make mistakes. It was refreshing to hear it from that perspective because then at least I have hope there is an answer to this current enigma in God's word.

A quick and easy run down of the basics of Eschatology. Mr. Benware did a fine job providing us with a concise "map" of the end times.

This book addresses issue of differing views of future events (end times) with the readability of a typical high school book. Dr. Benware manages to be thorough while at the same time to keep moving.

He begins with a basic review of the principles of interpretation and why people's views differ. (If you have always assumed that scriptures are difficult to understand, otherwise there wouldn't be such varied opinions, this section will be very valuable to you. Scriptures are not so difficult to interpret; it is simply that each person approaches scripture with a particular set of rules for interpretation. Different rules give different results.)

Next he goes through all the major issues of end-time prophecy, presenting each significant view of the issue. For each view, he presents the arguments for it, and why others reject such an argument. While he treats each view evenly, he makes no pretense of hiding his own opinion. This frankness allows the reader to understand clearly what is being said without needing to wonder about hidden agendas. It seems to me that he is fair in his assesments, but I admit to being of the same school in terms of rules for interpretation.

(Dr. Benware approaches scripture assuming that it says exactly what it means. This literal approach permits figures of speech when obvious and allegories where indicated. However, if the plain sense of a passage makes sense, then the approach is not to seek some mystical meaning instead of what it plainly says. The first section of the book gives the clearest explanation I've ever read of how the allegorical approach to scriptural interpretation developed from an effort to reconcile Biblical teaching to Greek Gnosticism. This section alone is worth the price of the book, without consideration of end-times prophecies.)

With a Catholic background and strong interest in Buddhism, I was really looking forward to reading this book: A Buddhist scholar explaining his preference for Catholicism.

I really have given this book lots of thought and with all respect I have for Paul Williams work, I just cannot help being dissappointed by it. I think I can claim to have some understanding of Buddhism and I just feel that his presentation of Buddhist ideas in this book is too literal and simplistic, as if Buddhists had not been aware of some implications. In my eyes, Buddhists will object to many of his statements. This is all the more puzzling to me since he is a Buddhist scholar, having written good books on Buddhism.

My guess is that Williams must have intuitively found out that Catholicism does fit him best and now tries to find a justification for this. In doing this, his Catholic view is a rather conservative one.

My strongest criticism is that being a Buddhist scholar, his words do have a stronger weight. Those people unwilling to find anything good in Buddhism will uncritically take quotes from this book and cite the expertise of a Buddhist scholar to support common prejudices against Buddhism. In times of interreligious dialogue, this is a step back.

This is a great book. I was Jewish and I read this book just from curiosity. It turned me into a complete Christian. This book is just not for Buddists, it will work for any religion. I recommened it to anyone and everyone.

'The Unexpected Way' is a fascinating and thoughtful account of the author's conversion from Budhism to Catholicism, approaching it not only from a personal point of view, but also from a philosophical perspective. He explains what led his to Buddhism in the first place, the important spiritual and philosophical differences between it and Christianity, and why he ultimately decided that the Christian claims and view of life was preferable. In the course of the book he tackles the nature of God in the theistic religions; the nature of the 'self'; animals and reincarnation; the problem of evil; and the claims of a historical Church.

Williams is a long-standing Budhist scholar, and his perspective on these issues, while personal, is heartfelt and profound. The book is well written and often humorous. The attractiveness of Eastern religions has never been greater in the west, and anyone interested either in them or in their growing role in western culture would do well to read this book.

Some people will write anything to sell a book! Don't waste your time. After reading "Earth Under Fire" I was more than ready to read something else by the free-thinking Paul LaViotette. The assumptions Paul makes in this book are BEYOND anything I'd consider scientifically proven. The crowning touch was the chapter about Crop Circles! Come on Paul . . . just making money??

Dr. Paul LaViolette makes an astonishing assertion: pulsars are not what we thought they were (spinning neutron stars) but are white dwarf stars fitted with synchrotron generators by an astro-engineering galactic society specifically to transmit information to us.

Anyone can make astonishing assertions; we encounter them every day. But LaViolette supports his hypothesis with extensive research data published by established astronomers, and a broad understanding of physics, astrophysics, and relevant areas of engineering.

It is not necessary to take LaViolette's ideas on faith. Pulsars ARE strange and becoming more and more difficult for astronomers to understand, the more they learn about them. The facts about pulsar behavior and their spatial distribution that LaViolette has culled from the research literature cry out for a new interpretation.

Anyone who has followed the field of SETI - the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - and grown weary of the endless decades of futile searching for that narrowly-defined needle in the haystack, will find in "The Talk of the Galaxy" an extremely exciting revelation.

Amazing book. The author seems to have gone to lengths to meticulously and thoroughly research and detail the thesis he presents. There is an extensive volume of data printed here that makes it very difficult to refute his assertion. If what LaViolette is saying is true (and I believe there is every indication that it is), this news carries profound implications and should get the front-and-center attention of every astronomer, especially those involved in the search for extraterrestrial life.

We have to use this book for a technical writing class in school. Don't even bother reading the text--the headings will suffice. There's nothing in here that you don't already know.

this text is a bit droll, but what do you expect when considering the topic. it contains a lot that you should already know, but it makes a nice backup reference for writing tech papers or resumes, etc. it's not a must-have book, but it is a good one to own.

I simply cannot say enough positive things about this book. It is exhaustive in details and examples, but easy to read and use. It also covers the entire technical realm - with the exception of on-line help systems. This book is not an advanced course on word processing or using RoboHELP, but rather is an advanced course on the entire technical writing profession. (From the Tech-L listserv.)

The novel was originally serial fiction. When it was compiled for the novel, it remained something light and mildly amusing for the coffee and crumpet reader.

Our 'Hero' investigates hauntings and in this book he gets plenty to look into, including self-playing harps, dematerializing nuns and a house full of people on edge. The book is written in a light, airy manner, and is not for readers looking for spine-chilling horror. But it is fun and an easy read.

I remember reading this book when I was in high school and just falling in love with it. It's not a gory thriller and it's not a deep psychological thriller. What it is is an engaging tale of a psychic investigator trying to sort out the many ghosts - both earthly and unearthly? - haunting Paradine Hall. Paul Gallico has a magic to his writing and it's very apparent here. The characters are engaging, infuriating, and every emotion in between. This is a great read if you're looking for something enjoyable yet with a little suspense and mystery. Wonderful tale.