Hengeyokai is an expansion to Werewolf the apocalypse. Hengeyokai is two books in one, first on the ways and culture of the eastern changing breeds. (werewolves, wereravens, weresharks, weredragons, wererats, weretigers, werespiders, and weresnakes) along with new merits, flaws, gifts, auspices (oriental auspices - leaf, steel, lantern, etc..) along with how to combine a western based game into an eastern campaign... or the other way around. The second half of the book is all about the Kitsune, or werefoxes. The mystery makers of gaia. They do not cause the delerium, they have nine tails, and their gifts of paper folding are unique to them. The reason that the two books are combined in one is simple: you can play a Hengeyokai without knowing anything about Kitsune, but you can't play a Kitsune without knowing about Hengeyokai! Two books in one is an excelent deal and a wonderful suprise to those who don't know.

This supplement to Werewolf: The Apocalypse is absolutely the best book in the series, if only because the elusive Kitsune are given the full coverage of a Breed Book. The other breeds appear, with a twist making them very different from their Western relatives. It's a perfect setting for mixing shifter types what would automatically attack each other in a traditional werewolf game. Take your gaijin Garou to Tokyo, or your Japanese Kitsune to San Fransisco...

What can I say? This is a big must-have for ANY player, it has tons of nifty little fetishes (Of the item variety) and tons of other cool crap. I mean, what can beat people who turn into dragons? Huh?

This book correctly asserts that we have more liberty than we often consider. In it, Harry outlines important freedom-enhacing principles that propel the reader toward self-determination and thus a fully-actualized life. This valuable book merits my highest possible recommendation. It is a virtual handbook on personal freedom.

I have owned this book for twenty years, and I still read it regularly. The opinions and guidelines on dealing with other people are the most usefull that I have ever found.

My father passed away when I was at the age of 6. In his will he left this book,"How I found freedom in an unfree world" to be given to me at the age of 18. This book is the only thing that I have that may tell me how my father would have offered advice to me in growing up. Every sentence I read feels like it is coming from the lips of my father. Thank you Harry Brown for your contribution and completion to my life.

Benjamin is one of the few 20th century philosophers who can convey profound thoughts in language that isn't at all opaque. His sentences are always perfectly clear - no pretentious literary or Marxist jargon (thank God). The only thing that makes it slow reading is that you always want to stop, put the book down, and think about what he's just said.

For example, a passage from his essay on Kafka:

'The definition of it which Kafka has given applies to the sons more than to anyone else: "Original sin, the old injustice committed by man, consists in the complaint that he has been the victim of an injustice, the victim of original sin." But who is accused of this inherited sin - the sin of having produced an heir - if not the father by the son? Accordingly the son would be the sinner. But one must not conclude from Kafka's definition that the accusation is sinful because it is false. Nowhere does Kafka say that it is made wrongfully. A never-ending process is at work here, and no cause can appear in a worse light than the one for which the father enlists the aid of these officials and court offices . . . '

This is not opacity for the sake of being opaque; he is trying to get at something incredibly complex, something that (unlike most literary criticism) actually helps you appreciate Kafka and understand him a little better. Benjamin doesn't peel away layers of an onion to arrive at a single shining insight; he presents a simple idea, expands on it a little, and lets you put on the layers of complexity yourself. Read these essays carefully, and it will be obvious why entire schools of thought have sprung up around single paragraphs, why people have devoted their lives to figuring out the ramifications of a single sentence . . .

Benjamin accomplishes something rare: in writing about art, he succeeds in telling us something about life in modern times. And his insights never seem forced; they flow naturally from what he is discussing. For example, his essay on Leskov, "This process of assimilation, which takes place in depth, requires a state of relaxation that is becoming rarer and rarer. If sleep is the apogee of physical relaxation, boredom is the apogee of mental relaxation. Boredom is the dream bird that hatches the egg of experience. A rustling in the leaves drives him away. His nesting places - the activies that are intimately associated with boredom - are already extinct in the cities and are declining in the country as well. With this the gift for listening is lost and the comminity of listeners disappears. For storytelling is always the art of repeated stories, and this art is lost when the stories are no longer retained."

A simple little paragraph on storytelling, but soon you start thinking about how the art of writing has changed since Benjamin's time, and what effect television and the movies have had on the way we live, on "boredom" and mental relaxation . . . anyway, I'm probably starting to get pretentious which Benjamin, thankfully, never does.

Above all this entire collection is filled with something increasingly rare nowadays, a genuine love of books. Forget all the Marxist stuff in other reviews, all Benjamin is really doing, finally, is talking about some books that he likes. That he succeeds in doing much more is a testament to his brilliance.

This is the only theoretical text that I have read, with pleasure, in recent memory. Given the conventional prolixity, obfuscation, and circumlocution of contemporary academic prose in the humanities, the fact that you can read Benjamin with pleasure marks him as outstanding.

Benjamin's project was itself outstanding. He aimed at a synthesis of Marxism, mysticism, German romanticism--in a sense, theology, materialist philosophy, and poetry. His critical approaches and thinking embodies the characteristics he praises in literary texts; Benjamin thinks poetically.

This eclectic collection of material, emphasizing Benjamin's later (and more Marxist) ideas, is not unlike a sampler of related but different confections. It's mistaken to think of Benjamin's various intellectual leanings as discrete ideologies or outright contradictions; instead, to borrow from Wittgenstein, consider his ideas to be different members of a family that resemble one another and are clearly related but live different lives in different contexts.

Benjamin's essay "Unpacking my Library," for example, looks on the surface like a confession of self-indulgence, but (in my opinion) deals in a clever and powerful way with the ways in which we inherit, buy, trade, classify, and value our heritage and cultures. This is truly fascinating material!

For Walter Benjamin, the defining characteristic of modernity was mass assembly and production of commodities, concomitant with this transformation of production is the destruction of tradition and the mode of experience which depends upon that tradition. While the destruction of tradition means the destruction of authenticity, of the originary, in that it also collapses the distance between art and the masses it makes possible the liberation which capitalism both obscures and opposes. Benjamin believes that with the destruction of tradition, libratory potentialities are nonetheless created. The process of the destruction of aura through mass reproduction brings about the "destruction of traditional modes of experience through shock," in response new forms of experience are created which attempt to cope with that shock.

Allegoresis and collection are the twin foci around which the elliptical writings of Walter Benjamin orbit. The former, as a mode of criticism, transforms the latter practice into a version of materialist historicism. Instead of constructing further barriers between his own practice and the practices of the historical moment he would transcend, Benjamin embraces the underside of his own theories in "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." There he proclaims the disintegration of the aura and champions the revolutionary potential which is thus released. It will be of use therefore, to look at some of his other references to the aura. It's as though Benjamin takes more seriously than Marx the notion that capitalism contains its own subversion--the path to subversion is not to resist and revolt, but to accede and accelerate...

Just before he sang "Circle" in concert, he usually played "30,000 Lbs of Bananas." On cue, the crowd greeted the songs with a hearty: "Harry, it s---s!" It wasn't true of that song, and it SURE isn't true with this book. The lyrics to some of Harry's songs make up a small part of the book (including the unreleased "Pigeon Run"). His poems, written between the late 60's and mid '70s, range from funny to scary to darkly beautiful. A must-have for any Chapin fan. But, "keep the change," and find it at: harrysfriends.com/hcf (they also sell lots of collectibles, all proceeds going to the foundation created in his memory. This book, at ten bucks each (a fraction of the usual internet price)--will enable you to get copies for yourself and all the other Chapin fans amongst your family and friends. ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!

In this self-published book, one of the 20th Century's finest storytellers unleashes the poetry written before and after his commercial success, reprints some of his finest song lyrics and even includes one of his finest, never-released songs, "Pigeon Run." Other Amazon reviewers sum up its impact better than I can--but, I would like to say a word about Rob White's illustrations: Fantastic. (In both conventional uses of the word: "exceptional" and "evocative of places beyond human experience.")I hope Amazon will make this book available to the public, as it has remained in print since 1975, now distributed through the Foundation set up in Harry's memory by his widow and collaborator, Sandy Chapin: harrysfriends.com/hcfKeep the change!

Like the other reviewers have stated, this book is an unbelievable treasure. I got my copy at a college concert in 1977 where he sang solo with only his guitar. It was the greatest experience of my life (and I've had some pretty wonderful ones). My copy is autographed: Larry, "keep the change", Harry Chapin.

The exercise for developing compassion is worth the price of the book. I think that these exercises are really good, and will be valuable to most people reading the book.

There are plenty of books that tell you what's wrong with you, or give you suggestions for fixing it. This book is different. ReSurfacing is a series of 30 exercises that give you the EXPERIENCE of being in control of your consciousness, rather than just adding more words to the words you already know. If you're ready to wake up into your real self, and take the steps that will move you forward, buy this book and do the exercises. You will feel different - more deliberate, more alive, more awake. There is also an audiotape version of the ReSurfacing Workshop available through Star's Edge International, the publisher of the Avatar materials. I also recommend doing the workshop with an Avatar teacher. There is a list of teachers available on the Star's Edge website. The ReSurfacing Workshop is the first two days of the nine-day Avatar Course. I've gotten so much value out of this training that I've begun to teach it myself. I recommend reading Living Deliberately, also by Harry Palmer, which is his story of his own awakening and the philosophy behind the training. Good stuff!

This is the best book I've ever read for personal transformation. It contains very simple exercises and tools that can be done solo or with a group that have made a major difference to the quality of my life. I can pull out one of the exercises to regain control when I'm feeling overwhelmed/stressed out at work. I can use others to simply still my mind. I've used them to shift my perspective on painful experiences - both past and present. I've used them to look at feelings, beliefs, and memories in a different way, to see them from another's perspective, and not to be controlled by the emotions they have usually generated. I've learned thorugh this book to easily slip into an observer's point of view, and then to move into a more universal perspective. The results I've achieved since reading the book in April 99 are life-changing, and I continue to get more out of them every time I use them. I would recommend this book for any use in your personal or working life. I can't begin to explain how wonderful the book is. I can only recommend that you buy it and try it for yourself!

I would have given 5 stars if only..........the Author had given us even more details about Atwood's flying, inventions and more documentation (patent records, court records, stock market records, etc.) to support his research. It is anyway a great book considering also how difficult it must have been to find material about such an interesting and "slippery" character. Being an aircraft builder myself, I would have also liked to learn more about the process he used in the construction of his "composite" airplanes and if any artifact has survived the inventor. Buy the book, you won't regret it.

Mansfield does a great job on this book and since Harry Atwood was my grandfather I have some knowledge of Harry's background. A well done, informative publication.

A tour de force of research and provocative writing. This how history should read and be taught. Among the supposed saints and heroes there is plenty room for the occasional showman and rogue. That's what Harry Atwood was. Thanks Mr. Mansfield for a real pleasure of a biography.

Harry Turtledove wraps up what may be his best series ever written in this, the fourth book of the Videssos Cycle. It is a classic tale of good and evil, light and darkness. Dr Turtledove brings to life the medieval Byzantine Empire in a fantasy world through his Videssos. As a lover of Byzantium, I have had few good fiction works to read about it. Dr Turtledove gives us a brilliant picture of this fabled-yet-neglected city in all his Eastern Roman works. He should be commended highly for bringing to the forefront this forgotten city.

A great fantasy story by one of the genre's finest masters. The story is fast paced, intriguing, full of interesting twists. A Roman legion and a Barbarian army unit are magically transformed into an alien world where Magic is a common thing. The legioneers try to blend in with the locals while preserving their own culture at the same time.

Harry Turtledove has said that his life was shaped and molded by reading "Lest Darkness Fall" by L. Sprague De Camp. To my mind this first series by the master of alternate history is a time travel book based loosely upon that previous classic. Elements of one of Caesar's legions are transported forward in time to the Byzantine Empire. Only it's not the Byzantine Empire, it's the Videssos Empire in another universe where magic works. Aside from that, it's the Byzantine Empire written by a Byzantine historian. Aside from just surviving, the hero must prevent his new homeland from being overrun by barbarians "Lest Darkness Fall". For this reason I consider this the best time travel series to a fictitious universe ever written, as well as the best series about a Roman Legion. It is a must read for anyone interested in the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, or time travel.

One of the many things which make this series interesting is that the heroes are from Caesar's Rome. Rome is young energetic vibrant and, most of all, expanding at this time. They are transported to the Byzantine/Videssos Empire while it is in a period of decline. (If it were the real Byzantine Empire, it would be the final decline, but we can still hope for a revival of the Videssos Empire.) The decadence brought by a thousand years of Empire is sharply contrasted with the vibrant patriotism of our heroes who remain unknowing that this is the destiny of their empire too.

This isn't just a military book where the legion moves from battle to battle. This is a much more realistic and complete world where the hero is thrust into the middle of court politics, and has to fight to overcome the shear inertia of the Empire's slide towards collapse. The hero spends more time facing corruption, political intrigue, distrustful monarchs, intolerant monks, and tax collectors than he does facing mounted cavalry units.

I don't want to repeat the excellent review about the warfare in this series written by Robert, 12 MAR 99, under "The Misplaced Legion" (Videssos Cycle, Book 1). I would like to add though, that this is not a series about a general. This is not a David Drake/S.M. Sterling series about Belisarius. As Robert points out, the hero of this series stands in the middle of the battles, and seldom knows more of what's going on than immediately to his left and right. The battles themselves are mostly standup fights where two sides hack at each other. This is really much more realistic though. Most battles, especially in the Roman era, were fought this way. Even though nowadays it seems like every book we read is about Belisarius, brilliant generals with innovative battlefield ideas come along only once in a thousand years or so. Most battles are fought without them.

"The Misplaced Legion" (Videssos Cycle, Book 1) is followed by "An Emperor for the Legion" (The Videssos Cycle Book, 2), "The Legion of Videssos" (Videssos Cycle, Book 3), and "Swords of the Legion" (Videssos Cycle, Book 4). There are two prequel series about Videssos. The first is the Tale of Krispos series, beginning with "Krispos Rising." This is actually a two book story, which is excellent, and a third follow on novel which is very good. The other prequel, The Time of Troubles series, begins with "The Stolen Throne". This series is entertaining, but not really as good as the first two series.

Although there are ten other books about Videssos, there can never be enough. And there are only four books about the Misplaced Legion. There needs to be a sequel series not another prequel. Perhaps "Legion of Videssos: Next Generation" where Marcus's son, born and raised in Videssos, can become Emperor, with Dad and his Legion helping out of course. This could lead to a new golden age for Videssos, and maybe even . . .

I would suggest this book to anyone who has ever read anything published by Harry Crews; specifically to those who haven't read anything by him, but who are interested in this magnificent author. After reading it, I found myself wondering how Crews was able to escape childhood, much less become of the the greatest Southern authors since Faulkner. Truly a fantastic book that will stand the test of time and inevitably cast Crews as one of the greatest authors of the 20th century!

I was assigned this book in a tutorial class on the "mind of the south" by a professor during my senior year of college. I was immediately drawn to the author's experiences with tenant farming; being the son of a mother whose own father was a farmer that oversaw several tenents to his own farming operation prior to, and shortly after WWII. Crew's accurate depection of tenant farmer life was valididated, to this reader at least, by his portrayal of an agricultural system that was difficult to not only rural agricultural African Americans, but their white supervisors. Crews has done a wonderful job of incorporating the distinctly southern phrases and dialogue of the rural, agrarian south. I though my own mother was the only person who pronounced "hurricane" as "harrakin". Charachters such as Willalee Bookatee and his family were strikingly similar to those poor blacks, and whites, described in my mother's stories of working in the tobacco fields of rural NC. This book will shed some much needed light on the fact that the hard-core, rural south is not so far removed from the remodeled "New South".

Although this book is not a typical work by the literate master of the hard South, it is a testament to his talent. This book made me see and feel the life of a 6 year old dirt farmer in Bacon Co, Georgia, and also give some insight into the basis of characters in Crews' fictional works. This is one of the best quasi-memoirs ever written, and even has a slight belief in human goodness not seen in his other work. Mr. Crews' more typical works (such as Feast of Snakes or All We Need of Hell) are very good novels in their own right, yet Childhood stands apart and above all of his other books combined. If you read nothing else by Harry Crews (which is not a good idea--you should read many of his books), this is the one to choose.

Wonderful book that I discovered in junior high. Several years later I bought a copy and this novel has become one of a treasured few I read again every year. The central character (indeed, practically the only character for most of the book) grows so much during her experience that you remember her life changes long after you put down the book. As always, great fast-moving, realistic storytelling from Harry Mazer.

I loved this book, it was great. I was reading it for school and i lost my copy! I have to buy two more, one for me and one for my teacher! I love how Cleo's character evolves and how she thinks. I recommend this book for everyone!

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it a week ago and finished it in 1 day. It was so intresting. Odd how someone like Cleo would just run away. She uses so much of her resources that its so amazing how she survives. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes nature, geography, etc. Actually, it's good for anyone practically.

I didn't realize the transforming power of this book til some of its lines stopped me in my tracks for a frozen moment in time, the auspicious statement: I am a belief that believes. What is he talking about, I thought? Further reading yields more gems: ...reality is anything we believe it to be! Then: we create possibility by believing ourselves into it, and we dissolve limitation by believing ourselves out of it! This is so contrary to what life supposedly had taught me. Then the author describes how we can encounter word lessons daily but what about world lessons, actually carrying out and applying it, to see if it is so. I tore out the card in back and took my course of Resurfacing for this world lesson recently. It exceeded my expectations! And I am feeling on top of creation and enjoying creating ever more. I highly recommend this book. I gave it a 4 and you can get the other 1 point by taking the course and then give it a 10!

This book tells the story of Harry Palmer and his journey to higher awareness. It is filled with interesting stories. I thuroughly enjoyed it. I'm not convinced that his training is worth $2,400, but I liked the book.

If your interested, there is also a book called Resurfacing which has many of the exercises from the first couple of days of the Avatar training.

Harry Palmer has discovered the secret of how to live life in a deliberate way. In this delightful, entertaining narrative of his own explorations in consciousness he tells how he discovered the insights to develop a course which offers experiential tools that everyone can use to create the life they prefer. The book is easy to read and offers much food for thought. I have read and reread it. Every time, I take away a new "word" lesson which deepens my understanding of my self. Very worthwhile reading for anyone who is searching for a way to create happiness in their life.