To merely say that the prose is lyrically buoyant is not enough, to say that the writing is merely insightful is not enough. I'd probably need the gifts of Paul West to be able to adequately get across to you just how beautiful the experience of reading this book (3x) was for me.

For me to comment on the book's story or plot would be a waste of time, because turning the pages for me was not a matter of what will happen next but a matter of what deftly rendered prose was waiting. You can get lost in it like a Faustian moment, a Coltrane solo, or an inspiration that makes you miss every exit home.

This is West's best work by far, as well as one of the best works to come out of 20th century literature. He is in absolute command of his voice, of his subject, and of his characters. If you love to read for the sake of reading, read this book. You won't be disappointed.

Back in the fifties, a writer named Jack Green wrote a series of articles blasting the critics for ignoring the genius of William Gaddis's 'The Recognitions'. By and large, the reviews were incompetent and had been cribbed from one another-most reviewers had not even read the book. Green went so far as to take out a full-page ad in the Village Voice, at his own expense, exhorting people to buy 'The Recognitions'. That is the way I feel about 'The Place In Flowers Where Pollen Rests'. The reviewers were anything BUT incompetent-all the reviews I have read have extolled its lyricism, its out-and-out originality and the sheer vision of the author. Readers, however, seem not to have given it its due.

Set on the Hopi mesas of northern Arizona and in the jungles of Vietnam, the book is told alternately by George The Place In Flowers Where Pollen Rests, his nephew Oswald Beautiful Badger Going Over the Hill ("not so much a name as an expedition") and even Sotuqunangu, a Hopi god. "Unhandy names, these," West writes, but they bring something to life on the mesa: a touch of color, which is the obvious thing to say, but also, to the very act of naming, something narrative, as if all of nature had been in motion at the moment of your birth. It was."

Oswald, who has learned to speak English and made his living in Los Angeles as a porn actor, returns after the accidental death of one of the actresses he was working with. He tries to re-establish the relationship with his "uncle", George, a carver of one-of-a-kind kachina dolls (a kachina is a kind of Hopi angel) who is considered the Picasso of his art. Nearly blind and hampered by a failing heart, George, for the first time, has need of Oswald-who is in fact his son-not only as someone to guide him through his perpetual dusk, but to listen to his stories of Hopi gods, Jimsonweed girls and the ghosts of his past. Ironically, it is Oswald who, in his confusion of two cultures, receives guidance and it George's voice, perhaps, that is Oswald's salvation while fighting in Vietnam.

Returning to the mesa after his tour of duty, Oswald tries, after his uncle's fashion, to get up-close and personal with stone formations, with the desert wind and even, after picking up a book on astronomy, with the stars.

There is no page you can turn to in this book where you will not find a sample of an extraordinary prose style or an observation that a lesser novelist would have saved as the punchline to end the book. For example, on the topic of happiness, West writes, "Don't try. Don't try not to try. Happiness is an incidental thing like feathers falling from a bird in flight. Fly, be a bird, and feathers will fall." In these few sentences West has captured the essence of the Baghavadgita and its "Way of Right Action." The book is simply loaded with stunning insights and beautiful sentences--the kind that put many younger authors of "Big Books" (Franzen, DeLillo) to shame. One of the absolute best novels I have ever read, readers have far too long ignored this masterpiece.

PS -- the Voyant edition has two previously unpublished essays at the back of the book; "The Backlash Against the Novel" is a fascinating read all by itself.

Back when the now-infamous Top 100 Books of the Century list was proposed, there were a number of glaring omissions, including Djuna Barnes's Nightwood, William Gaddis's The Recognitions, Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow and, yes, The Place in Flowers Where Pollen Rests. With the exception of William Gass's The Tunnel, I have never read such stunning prose so effortlessly rendered. The book centers around Oswald Beautiful Badger Going Over the Hill; too primitive to adopt white mentality, he is "too tainted with book smarts to be at ease among this tribe." He is overshadowed by the looming presence of his uncle, George The Place In Flowers Where Pollen Rests, a legendary carver of kachina dolls. Haunted by his involvement in the death of a porn actress, Oswald is forced to leave the low-budget film industry. A short time later, the Vietnam War pushes him to the perimeter of sanity. Whitmanesque in its simplicity and affinity for nature, West achieves a lyricism that brings concepts as overarching as constellations into the drawing room and hangs them there like bright mobiles. So detailed and incisive are West's descriptions-whether of life on the mesa, George's carving or Oswald's thoughts-the book is more an experience than a piece of literature. Uncle George tells Oswald "a doll covered with chisel scars is not more beautiful than the universe, of course not; but it is cut to our size, like the television." So West takes art, myth and Hopi cosmology and gives them to us in something handy enough to carry on the subway or leave on the bedstand. West's inexhaustible imagination and uncanny skill with language make the reader realize, as Oswald does, that she or he is part of something as eternal as the seasons and as incalculably vast as what surrounds us.

The detail in this novel is wonderful, a truly inspiring read!

I really enjoyed Paul Pioszak's novel Plank Fence. Being a frequent visitor to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and a lover of the nature, I really found his attention to detail and his ability to weave the novel's storyline in with the dynamics of the great outdoors appealing. Excellent book. I highly recommend Plank Fence and I am looking forward to Pioszak's next novel.

For those who want to get away from the mass amounts of legal thrillers, mysteries and romance novels, Plank Fence is a great option. Pioszak's attention to detail, vivid descriptions and top-notch character development make this a rare gem in modern literature. Its obvious that this new author has studied the fine points of the masters of American literature (Hemingway, Faulkner, etc.). I am one who will keep my eye out for his next book!

This is an excellent guidebook to the flowers, shrubs, trees and plants of the entire Rocky Mountain chain. I tested this book in the meadows and streambeds near my home in Wyoming and discovered that the photos are clear, colorful, and aid in identification of species. Each listing features a general description as well as data on the leaves, flowers, fruits, and range. If you read the description closely and match it with your subject it's difficult to misidentify the species. Not every wildflower is included here but 95% of what you might find in Yellowstone or RMNP is here. Also, there's a brief bit of lore on most of the more common plants and flowers to help the reader understand the historical medicinal uses, as well as which ones make a refreshing tea and which ones can leave you paralyzed and impotent if ingested at toxic levels.

Not to be underestimated is the sturdy construction of this book - I carried it on a 2 week backpack earlier this summer and found the cover virtually indestructible and waterproof.

"Plants of the Rocky Mountains" is by far the best all-around field guide for Rocky Mountain trees, shrubs and flowers (with some grasses) that I've yet seen, and ranks right up there with classics like Newcomb's Wildflower guide for the northeast. Kershaw et al. provide simple, easy-to-use keys and organize plants by growth form (trees, shrubs, flowers), family, and color, so that both beginners and botanists can navigate with ease. Photographs are typically small, but the entire plant is shown, usually in its native habitat. Descriptions typically include relatives, uses, and occasionally an amusing anecdote.

As a cautionary note, "Plants of the Rocky Mountains" is intended to be used in the mountains, and is less useful in deserts, basins, or canyon country. That said, this is the ONE book that I take with me on weekend jaunts in the high country. -William Adair, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University

The guidebook by Kershaw, et al is an excellent reference to plants of the Rocky Mountains. It has quite representative color photos of almost every species mentioned, and there are handy tools to help identify unknown species. The quality of the paper and binding allow for continued use in the field. When I take only one reference guide into the field, it is this one.

Paul Debello's Pocket Clinical Guide & Drug Guide simply put is the best pocket guide ever written. While in my internship program, I purchased numerous books including many pocket size guides and never found one that came close to the this excellent book. I have continued to use it through my medical career and still find it to be a very valuable source of information.

Excellent book. Has the most common medical problems and treatment for them. It has served me well through Medical School, Internship, and Residency; now in private practice, I continue to use it as a reference. I understand that the publishing company is no longer in business and that as such, there will no longer be updated editions; this is a tragedy, every medical person should have this book.

Debello's clinical and drug guide has a mundane name for a very concise pocket text cram packed with clinically useful information. It served me well during residency. Unfortunately, it seems that there is as of yet no 3rd edition out. Indeed, it is uncertain if there will ever be. If not, it's a loss to all those who wanted quick yet strangely complete medical information at their fingertips at 3am on call on the wards or ICU.

One day my Language Arts teacher said that we would try something fun today. Yeah right I thought, but he read us some lateral thinking puzzles, and I just loved trying to figure them out. I bought this book and read every one, some were hard, and some I could figure out after thinking for about 5 minutes. It is a perfect thing for boredom, and is just fun and interesting. A man was born before his father, killed his mother, and married his sister, and was perfectly normal. What was going on?

This book is a very big challenge. It is great for rainy days, summer, vacations, trips & etc.

One day my Language Arts teacher said that we would try something fun today. Yeah right I thought, but he read us some lateral thinking puzzles, and I just loved trying to figure them out. I bought this book and read every one, some were hard, and some I could figure out after thinking for about 5 minutes. It is a perfect thing for boredom, and is just fun and interesting.

A man was born before his father, killed his mother, and married his sister, and was perfectly normal. What was going on?

Hi!I love this book because Acorn and I go camping too!In this book Anna,Lulu and Pam plan a camping trip.They will camp out on the Wiggens Estate then go trail riding with Acorn,Snowhite and Lightning.But after Pony Rides at the fair a little girl called Rosalie keeps following Acorn.She hugs him,feeds him and says they are best friends[which is not true Anna and Acorn are.]She wants to go on the trail ride and camping trip[you can have the most turns on Acorn cross my heart]but the Pony Pals say no.So she runs away!Will the Pony Pals find her?And will her mum ever let her ride horse-back again?Find out!

My mom read this to me. It was great. I have found more "Pony Pals Stories'' for her to read to me. I really love Acorn and all the pony pals!

I thought the book was great. The best part was when the girl was rescued from the woods. Good thing she wasn't injured. My favorite characters were Anna and Acorn because they were doing more action. I think other girls my age should read it.

Pooch Cafe remains one of the most genuine comics available today in our papers and one of the funniest.

The most heartening thing about the strip is that Poncho knows what he's doing when he's drinking out of the toilet, or doing all the other things that a dog does and yet he can't help it. Because its in his nature. He is a dog and unlike make strips in which Cartoon dogs become mini-humans, Pooch Cafe retains the basic spirit and nature of the characters it protrays, letting each part stay true to itself.

It is lovingly illustrated and ultimately it has soul - a rarity in syndicated strips today.

A superb buy! Watch out for this man!

I've been a fan of Pooch Cafe since I saw it in my local newspaper over a year ago. Poncho and company are a consistently funny part of my day and I'm thrilled to see him finally in book form for me to enjoy even more.

Mr. Gilligan's illustrative training reminds me of Bill Watterson's work; really great artwork combined with hilarious writing. A lot of comic strips fall flat once in awhile, but I've never been disappointed by Pooch Cafe! This is a great compilation for pet owners and comic fans.

Poncho may be one of the funniest comic strips characters ever. I had never seen this strip, but I picked up a copy of the book by chance.

Well, let us just say that I want to see this strip everyday! Why isn't this in every newspaper?

"In reviewing this new colorful pictorial biography of Pope John Paul II, I felt immensely inadequate to express myself, something which comes strangely to someone who has been in the publishing business for over 40 years. Jo Garcia-Cobb has entwined dates and facts of Pope John Paul II with sensitivity and an insight one rarely sees in recent publications. To say that this new coffee table pictorial is outstanding would be selling it short indeed. As owner of a bookstore, I can tell you that the copies have literally flown off the shelves."

My good friend and I are happy to be a part of a very special
display on Pope John Paul II. The exhibit features 25 six foot tables with over 500 pictures and over 50 books. This book just added to our collection is oustanding. A great and easy read with wonderful pictures. I have been a radio announcer for over 20 years and we always had a top 10...this book would be in our top 5. Congratulations Jo Garcia Cobb...John [ Jack ] Allaire
Holy Name Parish....my mailing address:
24 Duncan Ave. Kirkland Lake, Ont. Canada
Phone & fax..1-705-567-1100

This is probably the best of the Pope picture/biography books. I've never seen Pope John Paul II pictures as good as this. This is a must buy for all you fans of the the Holy Father. I strongly recommend it.

Fresh and enjoyable read. This book is a great companion to a solid Javascript reference after you have dabbled in some Client side scripting.

A task oriented book that, notwithstanding a small number of pages, manage to break some new grounds and cover a few advanced topics. Not suited for a complete programming novice, but if you have some programming experience and want an intelligent introduction it may be a great choice. Also recommended to JavaScript freaks looking for some refreshing material

JavaScript is one language that all too frequently is taken too lightly by too many people. Harder-core programmers frown at it, while in reality, they more frequently misunderstand it or under-value its powers.
If you need to learn JavaScript, have some programming experience and want an intelligent introduction, this book is what you want.
Unlike many other books I looked at when examining JavaScript, this one is new, is not condesending and has all the information needed to get you going in utilizing JavaScript in your web projects.
JavaScript can provide a very fast alternative to thing that hard-core programmers do on the back end, and can also utilize new technologies, like document manipulations without the use of frames. The book contains an exploration of the Document Object Model (DOM) and its more recent incarnations, and provides examples from people who are at the frontlines and know what you will need when you will venture on your own.
The book covers JavaScript's primitive objects, the creation of object classes, and shows your way through dynamic menus and many other exciting features of the language.
I will not recommend this book to people who come from the design angle of things. It does not explain too much on what is programming or on basics that designers need to know before stepping into the fold.
All in all, I liked this book a lot. In my eyes, it is better than the O'Reilly fare and when matched with a reference cheat sheet (like the one from O'Reilly), it can be all that you need.

There are so many books now on "Prayer" but one that you should treat yourself to is Prayers Jesus Prayed. Mr. Jones did a great job in writing this book. Do yourself a big favor and buy this book and then get one for a friend too.

Timothy's book brings prayer into focus with a style that I can understand. The book has helped align me with my Master. As I strive to become more Christ-like I see how Christ, in an intimate way, communicated with His Father. I am transported, in my mind's eye, to the personal lives of what ordinary people might have been like when Jesus walked the Earth. As I read God's Word now and review how Jesus prayed, my prayer life has become more effective.

This book was amazing! It helped improve my prayer life and made a lasting impression upon me. The author demonstrates remarkable knowledge on the subject and is well versed in the various aspects and approaches to prayer. A must read for anyone!