This is a classic and priceless work. Along with the other extant works of S.E. it remains virtually the only surviving record of teachings attributed to the very influential 4th c. B.C.E. philosopher Pyrrho of Elis. As such, the book preserves a now largely forgotten body of thought that rivals anything produced in the same vein since. I think there is nothing -- except a lot of multisyllabic obfuscation -- in the works of the phenomenologists, the existentialists, or the usually uneducated and thoughtless so-called "postmodernists" that can't be found in ancient skepticism.

I think this particular translation is also the best for most readers. (If you are a serious scholar and can read the Greek yourself, then you are a better judge than I of whether it's a good translation. What I mean is that it is the most accessible for modern readers.) Numerous other translations are available and several are in print. Annas & Barnes, however, both noted classics scholars and both persons who deeply understand and seem sympathetic to the ancient skeptics, have set out a translation very accessible to modern English readers. They have also set out copious notes and cross references that are very useful to more serious readers.

The previous reviewer from Colorado, incidentally, is off the mark on a few things. First, I doubt that S.E. was really interested that much in "truth." Though he may sometimes say or imply that that is his aim, I think he does so in a catty or coy way. I think he never thought he was going to find the truth; rather, he knew before he started writing that the skeptic simply cannot be answered -- there is no argument the skeptic cannot pick apart. As S.E. -- a professional doctor -- repeatedly says, skeptical arguments are like a doctor's medicine. They go in and dissolve the patient's illness, and then flow out with it to be disposed of. In other words, the skeptic argues not to discover truth, but only to dissect illusions.

Moreover, in the spirit of full disclosure, S.E. is not as timely as the Colorado review implies. S.E. nowhere mentions God, contrary to what the previous review suggests, and is not in this book concerned with scientists as such. Rather, he attacks the prevailing *philosophical* schools of his day, namely the Stoics, the still-lingering corpse of the Academy, and a group he calls the Peripatetics (meaning Aristotelians). This book is largely a technical manual of arguments to be made in response to the arguments of those other groups, which in turn are technical themselves.

That is not to say that this is not a fascinating book. For example, how interesting it is that S.E. solves riddles that would so traumatized Sartre and Camus 2000 years later!

Many books have been written on skepticism. But this one is the best. The author not only outlines what skepticism is,but spares nothing from skepticism. This is a refreshing outlook from the skeptical books published recently that link skepticism and anti-god,psychic powers, and so forth. A skeptic is really a wise man who calls all claims into question including those of scientists and other skeptics. His only goal is truth. Something that the majority of so called "skeptics" today know very little about. This book is not biased, and clearly shows how a true skeptic thinks. Rather than being the kill joy of so many people, the book shows that the true skeptic is not a cynic, but rather a sincere individual who loves truth. This is why so many views on God, dogmatism, and so forth are attacked in the book. The skeptic is intrested in seeing how the claims to truth stand up to his attacks. This book focuses on dogmatism in many subjects. This is the center of the skeptics attacks. We see that many views do not hold up to the skeptics critiques, this includes ironically the views of scientists and other philosophers. This is a classic book and deserves every bit of praise. I loved it .

I'll make this short...For anyone interested in Chinese history, literature, or culture, this volume is an absolutely essential collection of primary sources, and includes prefaces and explanations by China scholars. There is no one better than de Bary, and this new edition includes everything from the 1960 edition up through the Jiang Zemin era.

I've read a little of this and that about Chinese history and religion, and I needed a book to fill in the basics and the details. This was perfect.

First, the selections included excerpts of almost everything I'd ever heard of: Shang Oracle Bones, the Analects of Confucius and the Confucian classics including the I Ching; Mozi; the Tao Te Ching; Zhuangzi (who famously dreamed that he was a butterfly); Mencius; Xunzi; the Zuozhuan; Sun Tzu's art of war; all kinds of stuff about Chinese schools of Buddhism including the Lotus Sutra and the Flower Garden Sutra and the history of Guanyin and Wutai Shan; Li Po (Li Bo) and Tu Fu (Du Fu); and neo-Confucianism (which was so influential in Korea). In short, this is really, practically the "Eatern Canon" and the selections are deserving of such a label. I was in turns morally and intellectually challenged, uplifted, informed and surprised; but rarely bored and never disappointed.

Second, the introductory essays were exactly what I wanted to know: who might have written it, and when, and who read, and what it meant to them. For all that information, they were still brief and the bibliography was sufficient to help me chase the points that left me curious. An important thing these essays did was to cover the political, historical and social backgrounds (and foregrounds) of the texts, so I learned about Chinese history as well as literature and religion. If that is what you want to do, this book will serve you well.

The binding is excellent, and while the price might look steep I have to say it's a bargain considering what you get.

I didn't read Volume Two, and so I don't know if it is as good. It is certainly a lot smaller!

This second edition of a classic provides an update on a reference recommended for college-level collections specializing in Chinese literature. Sources of Chinese Tradition has been recognized already as a scholarly staple: in its new form Sources of Chinese Tradition has been extended to include the Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin eras of China and includes invaluable source readings on history and literature of the times, from the 18th-century Qing civilization onward.

In STABLE RAT, Julia Cunningham is at her poetic best. Here, her unique voice is evident, singing strong and clear. Cunningham has an astonishing ability to see the world from an animal's point of view. Even a lowly rat is elevated to beauty as he shares the holy stable on the night of Jesus' birth. "I am a shadow, gray, gray, gray--never lightened by scarlet or splotched gold or even a dot of the green I see when I gaze from the cracks peering out of my necessary night." Another poem in the collection, "A Sheep Speaks", and a personal favorite of mine, begins: "I stand within my wool and wonder. There's been a great scurry ever since the sky blued and the wind stilled. Our leader looked up, pointing his nose at a star." Anita Lobel's astonishingly vivid illustrations make a perfect match for the poetry. Both are reverent and lyrical. Both leap beyond the limits of the expected and flash into brilliance.

This is one of the most beautiful children's books I have ever seen. Showed it to a friend (aged 45) who then went out and bought a copy--for herself. It really is a book for all ages. Wonderful poetry, gorgeous illustrations.

Fiona Phillips has the knack for finding strange things...or is it the other way around?
In 'Strangling', Fi and the others visit an aunt who happens to be performing in the play 'MacBeth'. Fi and her cousins somehow manage to release a dragon that was bound to an old spell book. Can they get it back where it belongs while also trying to keep above the teasing done by Fi's brother, Jack?
Based on the Disney Channel series, I think SO WEIRD was one of the most intelligent children's shows on television. Though the series did end without explaining a lot of things. Imagination!

The band stops to visit Fi's aunt and cousins while at their theater. Fi's cousins , Miranda and Maggie, are fans of Fi's site. They take Fi on a tour of the place. While they are watching the rehearsal for the play, Fi spots a book her aunt is using as a prop on the stage. Miranda and Maggie notice her looking at it and pick it up and give it to Fi thinking she is a witch too. Fi opens the book to find an array of spells and in play to pretend to turn Jack into a frog. Just read the book to find out what will happen next...

I've been reading several books on the history of mathematics lately. This one is the best! It makes concepts so clear by the marriage of text and illustrations. For example, I've read about Thales solving how high the Great Pyramid of Cheops was in two other books. This book used four diagrams and several pages of text to clearly explain how Thales answered his own question. Author Julia Diggins goes into depth on geometry but on a level children can understand.

Proceed slowly, letting your children try to solve a problem before reading about its solution. For example, pose the problem of drawing a perfect circle using a string. Once they have solved the problem or given up, read that part of the book. Then go to the beach or a park and use a volleyball pole and a rope to draw circles in the sand with your feet.

Then set them to figuring out how to divide a circle into six equal parts using the string. After they solve or give up, read that part of "String, Straightedge, & Shadow." Let them follow the instructions and illustrations in chapter six to reproduce the results. Play with a Spirograph, too.

Since this book is out of print, try to locate it at a thrift store or library sale; it is worth the effort. But I hope I find it before you.

This is a wonderful book, filled with great stories and information. I have gotten it from the library and used it with my Montessori elementary class, and am searching for a copy of my own.

This book was my older son's favorite books growing up. Lauremce Yep's thoughtful tale of a human boy whose simple life on a distant world is shattered by the appearance of an native alien who not only opens his eyes to the reality of prejudice but also shows him the courage to defend and be proud of the most important things in his life, especially his family.

Get this book for you young teen, and they will thank you for it.

This was one of my favorite books growing up. Lauremce Yep's thoughtful tale of a human boy whose simple life on a distant world is shattered by the appearance of an native alien who not only opens his eyes to the reality of prejudice but also shows him the courage to defend and be proud of the most important things in his life, especially his family.

Get this book for you young teen, and they will thank you for it.

The best cook book you can buy! even if you're not dieting. They're easy healthy recipes easily adapted for singles, couples or families. It's great to have recipes that include foods that I actually eat. normal food for normal people. I like it that she includes a shopping list; it makes it so much easier! Cleverly designed book, too. A must have! The book is organized by meal, so you can quickly find what you want to cook. This set up makes it easy to figure out what to cook for dinner when you run out of ideas. She's a genius!

Julia's book has inspired me to get back into the kitchen! Not only are the recipes easy-to-follow they are affordable! Finally! And best of all, they are healthy. I also love the way her book is bound. It sits up on a convienent, built in, stand. I do not have to continually look down and flip pages any more. Make sure and try the Seafood & Veggie Quiche! Thanks Julia!

Whether you are a fan of Edgar Tolson's work or of woodcarving in general, this is an essential book to have if you are interested in folk art of the 20th century. The thorough research done on Edgar Tolson is fascinating and through his art and career the world of 20th century folk art is examined. From key folk art collectors to various museums and institutions, the 20th century folk art movement was created and sold to the buying public. By the time the "important" artists were established all of the "important" early work was already in the hands of a few collectors and the museums. It's no accident that Tolson's work ended up in a prestigious Whitney Biennial and his artwork sky-rocketed in price. The same with Howard Finster. By the time his work was presented as being important to the general public, a narrow group of collectors and critics had already hoarded the first few thousand of his numbered pieces which the critics then deemed as the most important of his career. And the story continues to this day with collectors / critics buying early key works, then recommending them to the general folk art buyers. This book is perhaps the best analysis of why and how a folk artist becomes "important" in the 20th century. It may or may not sour your view on 20th century folk art but is a great read either way. As with all art or decorative objects, if you just buy what you like and ignore the critics, you'll be happy. Who's to say 10, 20 or 50 years from now if anyone will even care about "20th century folk art."

Ms. Julia S. Ardey has put together an extraordinary work -- filled with stories and pictures of a poor Kentucky man who whittled stuff to which other folks took a liking. My grandfather Edgar Tolson will always remain an elusive character both in life and in death hard to explain and to understand. As all great artists he was not one dimensional. Ms. Ardey did a fine job of grasping enough bits and pieces of his life, through the eyes and hearts of those who knew him, to give a reasonable representation of who Edgar Tolson was and why he whittled. Ms. Ardey interviewed scores of people and personalities who all have their own opinion of Edgar Tolson the Man and Edgar Tolson the Woodcarver and the times in which he lived. Ms. Ardey managed a remarkable feat in compling those interviews into an a very good work. She included many pictures that give insight into an artisan and his art. Many pictures capture Edgar's soul in his eyes -- others show a family life of just real folks who just have a Daddy that whittles in the living room and lets the shavings fall to floor. As a granddaugther of Edgar Tolson, beloved Kentucky woodcarver, I am very pleased with the work Julia S. Ardery managed to put together on his life and extraordinary talent. With a family as large as he had I am sure that this book will be debated into generations, however, it is a real good starting point at which to kick off the debate of fact or fiction. The papaw I knew was a wonderful minister; he loved his God, knew his bible and had a passion for sharing the Biblical Truths of his God with others through his work. He managed to reach the very far corners of the earth with his renditions of Adam & Eve in Garden of Eden, Their Fall, and Noah's Ark among a few--how many ministers can stake that claim. He carved what was upon his heart to carve. He was discovered by others who marketed it to a world who craved his carvings and what they represented to them. I am so pleased that Ms. Ardery managed to compile so much ! of his life and work into this book. It makes for really good reading and gives the reader the opportunity to linger with story and photo's of Edgar Tolson and his artwork long enough to gain an understanding of why so many are so drawn to it, him and living upon this earth. Thank you Ms. Ardery for a job well done.

This colorful book is a backward counting book using roses asthe items to be counted. As the roses are taken by the children,their names rhyme with the number of roses left. A good book for kindergarten and 1st grade use. Contains good color illustrations and will be a good book for the teachers to use.

The text is catchy; the illustrations are bright and clear. This is a high-energy counting book that also teaches the concept of subtraction. A bonus is that it shows the numbers as red dots (roses) also, a concept that is recommended by Glenn Doman's "Teach Your Baby Math" book.

Babies are ready for this book from very early on. Highly recommended as part of baby's first library. And my friend's 6-year-old still enjoys reading it.

Although, as an artist and just a person who is still breathing, I could use a dose of hope and inspiration once in a while, I can no longer trust the sincerity, integrity, motives and qualifications of 99.9-percent of authors whose books line the shelves of the self-help, inspiration, or psychology sections. This stems not only from multiple, deep disappointments with this kind of book, but also from enough personal interaction with a couple of extremely high-profile and well-regarded (and rich) writers of this genre who clearly are complete frauds. Moreover, I've had scary experiences in real life with bad shrinks, one of whom was a psycho who lost his license for molesting female patients. And I'm especially skeptical of how-to books on "creativity" and "writing," which are inevitably written by people who are neither, read by people who, if they actually have to be told how, never were and never will be. But in this sea of insincerity, there's Julia Cameron. I don't know anything at all about this author as a person, but all of her books shine with an honesty and compassion that delivers substance. The reader takes away something both useful and inspirational. The prayer books in particular are far from the same old thing. Only someone who lives and believes in what she writes could convey these thoughts to others in such a beautiful, unique way. Note that one does not have to have a particular faith to get a whole lot out of these little books. Reading Cameron is like talking things over with a compassionate, QUALIFIED therapist or who is neither preachy nor Pollyanna.

Julia Cameron's books of prayers, declarations, affirmations (whatever one chooses to call them, depending on one's spiritual point of view) are very good ... but 'Transitions' is the best & I believe that's because of the format & the subject matter. The format differs from the other two books (they are 'Heart Steps,' which is focused on creativity, & 'Blessings,' focused on heartfulness) in that it has an affirmation followed by a simple suggested action (the others only have affirmations). The suggested actions aren't difficult--they require just a little mental effort or resolution. The subject matter was a great choice. It is, as the title implies, change. The book is ideal for anyone facing a major event such as a death, wedding, move, career change. ... All three of these books, even in paperback, are very nicely presented, with sturdier covers & higher quality paper & printing than is typical & this is a good thing because they're the sort of thing you'll want to keep around & savor repeatedly. ... If this is the first Cameron effort you're considering, you're in for a treat: with almost no exceptions (but avoid the over-priced, poorly conceived 'Artist's Way Creativity Kit') Cameron's stuff is outstanding & a great asset to anyone in recovery, expanding or trying to change, especially in creative directions such as writing. You'll get the most out of the affirmations if you also buy, ideally, 'The Artist's Way' & perhaps a Tim Wheater album ... & start Cameron's suggested practices of 'morning pages' & a weekly 'artist date.'