A lot of people suffer -- and I do mean suffer -- from one or more phobias, and a lot of techniques are offered by various therapists to treat phobias. Unfortunately, while some of these treatments may reduce phobic symptoms somewhat, relatively few phobics are actually cured. In this excellent book, Dr. Harold Levinson explains the reasons for this situation. One is that there are three different types of phobias, a fact not generally recognized. About 5% or so of phobias are caused primarily by a neurotic condition of some sort. These phobias often respond to conventional psychotherapy whereas most phobias do not. Another 5% or so of phobias are caused by a severe trauma, such as being bitten by a dog or being in a plane that almost crashes. These phobias are often helped by desensitization therapy. But if phobias that are caused primarily by neurosis or trauma account for only about 10% of all phobias, what is the primary cause of the other 90%? Dr. Levinson's brilliant discovery is that the root cause of most phobias is a disorder of the cerebellar-vestibular sustem, called in lay terminology "the inner ear." Dr. Levinson also found that inner ear disorders are the primary cause of dyslexia and that there is a very high correlation between dyslexia and phobias. About 90% of people who are phobic or dyslexic are both phobic and dylexic. Fortunately, Dr. Levinson has found that about 80% of cases of both phobias and dyslexia respond to at least one of the inner ear medications currently available, including dramamine, scopolamine, and Benadryl. Inner ear disorders are relatively easy for trained audiologists to detect and verify by the battery of tests available to them, but they seldom are detected by routine examinations made by general practitioners or even ear, nose, and throat specialists. If you suffer from phobias and/or dyslexia -- as I do -- please read this book with an open mind. It may literally change your life for the better. In my case, thorough audiological testing -- as described in this book -- revealed that I do indeed have an inner ear disorder which was not detected by routine examinations. Based on this finding, my physician tried the inner ear medications listed by Dr. Levinson and found one that has given me significant relief. Therefore, I am recommending this book from personal experience.

I Have been phobic for the last five years, i've been hospitalised and housebound. My phobias started on a day trip in the country with what I know now as a panic attack,it was the most frightening exprience of my life as I thought I was going mad and or had a brain tumour. After psychiatry, hypnotherapy,counciling and reiki healing. After numerous amounts of medication and none to my relief,my phobias incresed and I was desperate I could see no way out of this living nightmare. I got the book and finished it in an evening it was brilliant I'am now on the medication 3 weeks and everyday I lose a phobia its a miracle and I would just like to thank Dr Harold Levinson for giving me what i can only say is my life back--

This is beneficial information for those suffering from OCD. Dr. Levinson's theory has led to my complete recovery. His theory attributes the disorder to a "medical" condition of the inner-ear called a cerebellar-vestibular dysfunction and is easily treated and corrected with a combination of antihistamines, antimotion-sickness, and antianxiety medications that he prescribes. Soon after starting the medication, the disorder was gone. Calmness and total control were shortly established. Prior to this were many months of unsuccessful behavioral therapy treatment with no relief occuring. Dr. Levinson's treatment doesn't just give some relief from OCD, it rids it! His book "Phobia Free" is extremely helpful and describes in depth how the cv-dysfunction is related to all anxiety. It describes why obsessive thoughts occur and how they are thoughts that are just not being properly filtered. The title of this book, "Phobia Free," is truly ! ! a perfect description of how an OCD sufferer feels after being treated by Dr. Levinson for this "medical" condition called the cv-dysfunction.

The Prayer Tradition of Black People by Reverend Harold Carter of New Shiloh Baptist Church (Baltimore) is an excellent study, based on Dr. Carter's dissertation. (St Mary's Seminary & University has a copy of his dissertation, but of course regrettably it cannot be borrowed.) It is also regrettable that this scholarly book that examines the prayers and prayer life handed down by nineteenth-century enslaved American blacks probably has not been issued anew since its publication in 1976.

Dr. Carter reproduced copiously the prayers that were copied by folklorists or prayers secured from interviews of religionists or recalled by observers of religious services of postbellum and Southern blacks in the 20th-century. The Rev. Dr. Carter provides an excellent analysis of the form, technique, biblical source, and style of these prayers. Many of which are still in use today because they have been passed down orally in the rural districts of the South from one generation to the next during the annual summer revivals.

This short book, probably about 145 pages, has no rivals. Few if any have performed or continued Dr. Carter's study. This book indeed should be read and that if it is out of print Dr. Carter and the publisher should be encouraged to bring out another edition.

This is an excellent work for seminary or bible students or just regular lay people or for students interested in the linguistic or literary history of African-Americans. Even an old copy is better than none at all. Grab a copy, even one that has been marked up, and check out this wonderful work on black religious life.

This was a very popular novel of 1896, and is considered by many to be a literary classic. Theron Ware enters the scene as a small town Methodist Minister. He and his wife seem to be humble folk and settle into a small house near his church. Soon he meets a Catholic priest, an atheist physician, and a beautiful Irish lass. They make quite an impression on him. They are sophisticated, well educated, and quite worldly. Alas, they are such a strong influence on him that he starts playing the worldly role, and begins to look down on his job and his religion. He also finds himself strongly attracted to the lovely Celia Madden. I should mention that in those days the Irish were assigned to the caste of untouchables.

Theron acts as if he is now a man of the world, although he knows nothing of the literature, music, and philosophy discussed by others. He becomes a boring, mean minded buffoon. The book continues with his steady degradation, a preacher who has become a victim of that secular humanism that our current day fundamentalists complain so much about.

The novel provides an interesting view of religion and culture of the late 1800s. It was somewhat difficult for me to understand how such a seemingly pious man could turn into such a churlish fellow. Perhaps his upbringing was quite religiously strict, and he developed a strong reaction formation to it all.

I found this book on my father's bookshelf and brought it home to read. I'm not sure why I picked it--nothing about the title or description excited me too much, so it sat on my own bookshelf forgotten for several months. Finally, hurriedly getting ready for a vacation I needed a book to read and found Theron Ware. I loved it so much that I went right out and bought my own copy. I recommended it to my 21 year old son and he loved it too. One caution though, do NOT read the introduction first--it gives the entire plot away. Save it for after when you can savor the analysis.

IMHO, this novel can and should be included with the other American novels that we cram down the throats of high-schoolers: Moby Dick, Scarlet Letter, Huckleberry Finn, etc. This is the almost painfully realistic story of a preacher who discovers that there is another world outside his previously sheltered existence. For many of us, this sort of discovery is a happy and broadening experience. But in Ware's case, his new discoveries cause him to reject all the good things about his old life, and to build fantasy castles in the air of his imagination. In his increasingly desperate attempt to escape into a fantasy life, he leaves behind many of his values and ethical standards - not least his responsibilities to those he loves.

This book will hit a nerve for many readers - it did for me. It is easy for the reader to identify with Ware and realize only too late, as Ware did, that he is embarking on an illusory and self-destructive quest. Frederick constructed both the plot and the character of Ware perfectly, and this novel is worth everyone's time to read. You will keep thinking about it long after you have closed the book for the last time.

"Not Without Scars" is a journey of inspiration. It reaffirms that lives can change for the better and that one's past does not have to hinder them forever. I plan to send copies of this book to two wayward young men soon to be released from prison. "Not Without Scars" will not only be of benefits to them but to all who take the time to read this book. I was moved by its content.

I was throughly impresssed with this book. I knew Mark Olds and his family. His parents used to visit my grandparents (William & Essie Streeter). His brother (Aaron) married one of my aunts. I knew of the teachers he spoke of in the books because they both taught me in school as well. I knew of Edwin Gay. So in reading the book about his life for me was just as I remembered things about him in his younger years. I couldn't wait to share the book with other people to read. It was a great inspiration because he told things just as they were.

I just want to say Good Job Mark Olds and glad to see that things finally turned around in your life. You truly had angels watching over you. It is much more fun reading a book when you know who the person is. Would love to read more of your writings.

Suzanne Streeter Swain

iT IS NOTHING EARTH SHATTERING. iN FACT, i WAS KIND OF SAD BECUASE i WANTED IT TO BE THE CAUSE OF MY PANIC ATTACKS. hOWEVER, MY INNER EARS ARE FINE AND i STILL SUFFER! iT IS INTERESTING THOUGH AND MAYBE WORTH READING.

I am a highly successful 37yr old patient of Dr Levinson for over sixteen years now.I would be delighted to email anyone a copy of a testimonial I wrote about him-I am still on the inner ear meds & I get re-tested by him every nine to twelve months. I would be delighted to answer any questions - Marsha Lampert MBA MS Mrshangel@aol.com Wantagh Long Island NY

A lot of people suffer -- and I do mean suffer -- from one or more phobias, and a lot of techniques are offered by various therapists to treat phobias. Unfortunately, while some of these treatments may reduce phobic symptoms somewhat, relatively few phobics are actually cured. In this excellent book, Dr. Harold Levinson explains the reasons for this situation. One is that there are three different types of phobias, a fact not generally recognized. About 5% or so of phobias are caused primarily by a neurotic condition of some sort. These phobias often respond to conventional psychotherapy whereas most phobias do not. Another 5% or so of phobias are caused by a severe trauma, such as being bitten by a dog or being in a plane that almost crashes. These phobias are often helped by desensitization therapy. But if phobias that are caused primarily by neurosis or trauma account for only about 10% of all phobias, what is the primary cause of the other 90%? Dr. Levinson's brilliant discovery is that the root cause of most phobias is a disorder of the cerebellar-vestibular sustem, called in lay terminology "the inner ear." Dr. Levinson also found that inner ear disorders are the primary cause of dyslexia and that there is a very high correlation between dyslexia and phobias. About 90% of people who are phobic or dyslexic are both phobic and dylexic. Fortunately, Dr. Levinson has found that about 80% of cases of both phobias and dyslexia respond to at least one of the inner ear medications currently available, including dramamine, scopolamine, and Benadryl. Inner ear disorders are relatively easy for trained audiologists to detect and verify by the battery of tests available to them, but they seldom are detected by routine examinations made by general practitioners or even ear, nose, and throat specialists. If you suffer from phobias and/or dyslexia -- as I do -- please read this book with an open mind. It may literally change your life for the better. In my case, thorough audiological testing -- as described in this book -- revealed that I do indeed have an inner ear disorder which was not detected by routine examinations. Based on this finding, my physician tried the inner ear medications listed by Dr. Levinson and found one that has given me significant relief. Therefore, I am recommending this book from personal experience.

This could have been a great book. The story of a daring attempt to find polar explorer Sir John Franklin (analogous in importance today to finding lost astronauts) based on the personal journal of an officer in the rescue expedition's company, R. R. Carter. So many interesting aspects could have been explored: the collegial but competitive feeling between the ill-equipped US expedition and the advanced Royal Navy counterpart; the escapist focus polar exploration enjoyed on the eve of the Civil War; Carter's personal evolution. Instead, the author merely wraps Carter's Spartan journal in a perfunctory introduction & summary. Drama aside, this is no scholarly reference either. Not one map to help the poor reader trace the expedition's progress; no helpful amplifying commentary that could have helped the reader put Carter's often esoteric colloquial references into context. A work of FICTION (Yoyage of the Narwhal, Barrett) is a more interesting and scholarly work about this subject.

This could have been a great book. The story of a daring attempt to find polar explorer Sir John Franklin (analogous in importance today to finding lost astronauts) based on the personal journal of an officer in the rescue expedition's company, Randolph Carter. So many interesting aspects could have been explored: the collegial but competitive feeling between the ill-equipped US expedition and the advanced Royal Navy counterpart; the escapist focus polar exploration enjoyed on the eve of the Civil War; Carter's personal evolution. Instead, the author merely wraps Carter's Spartan journal in a perfunctory introduction & summary. Drama aside, this is no scholarly reference either. Not one map to help the poor reader trace the expedition's progress; no helpful amplifying commentary that could have helped the reader put Carter's often esoteric colloquial references into context. A work of FICTION (Yoyage of the Narwhal, Barrett) is a more interesting and scholarly work about this subject.