My wife and I bought this book for our 10 year old son just prior to Christmas. He absolutely loved it. The characters seem to come alive and often remind you of everyday people. Dr. Bush truly makes the spirit of Christmas come alive in this fasinating fantasy tale that teaches as it tells. The illustrations are great and help your imagination to vividly see the story as you read it. I would recommend this book for all children and any adult who wants a fun read.

I will never be able to look at a tin soldier the same again. Beautiful, with enough fun that you don't realize how many lessons you are learning about how to make it through the tree of your life without falling into the dark pits.

Dr. Bush has created a masterpiece of Christian literature with particular emphasis on the idea of "true magic" and what it should mean to the celebration of the Christmas holiday. It succeeds in portraying the gospel of Christ without falling into the trap of being "preaching" or merely reciting the Romans Road and hoping for the best. Humor is certainly one of the novel's main draws; many of the characters will remind readers of people they know(or wish they didn't know). However, its purpose is to educate the reader about the tradition of Christmas and to ultimately draw them to the value of love and child-like faith. Did I enjoy it? Hey, not every book can give you a reason to believe in Santa Claus again!

This text begins with the theoretical foundations of aromatherapy, including the five elements, yin and yang, and the connection between astrology and essential oils. Attractive illustrations complement an outline of the distillation process for producing essential oils, a chart of application methods, and eighteen steps for a full body sequence of aromatherapy massage. Forty essential oils are included in an alphabetical materia medica, with a review of each essential oil that explains its energy, main element, aroma, health properties, safety information, and preparation methods. Oils include yarrow, sandalwood, lemon, lavender, rose, clary sage, cypress, ginger, fennel, peppermint, caraway, palmarosa, everlasting, bergamot, hyssop, tea tree, rosemary, and patchouli. The text further explains how to effectively blend oils to restore balance and treat or prevent conditions such as depression, indecision, disempowerment, frustration, anger, lack of self-esteem, poor concentration, apprehension, anxiety, worry, agitation, and nervousness. This beautifully illustrated text provides a wealth of information for anyone learning aromatherapy to balance emotional, physical, and mental health.

This book is concise, and offers great information. The format is easy to understand and the illustrations for massage techniques are a bonus!

For me this is a great resource and reference book and I would recommend it for anyone interested in learning about aromatherapy or for those already trained.

I first read this book when it was recommended to me by a Massage Intructor,in Australia, who was an inspiration in herself. It is simple and informative , while insightfull, for both the beginner in Aromatherapy as well as the practitioner. I would recommend it to anyone who is open to wholistic healing, and to those who just aren't sure. Great to have in the house as a reference.
Mojay has simply explained the links between healing the spirit and the body using aromatherapy.

"The Book of Ceremonies: A Native Way of Honoring and Living the Sacred" is a strikingly beautiful gift book. It is filled with quotations, stories, poems, songs, prayers, and lavish illustrations. There are detailed instructions and descriptions for performing your own ceremonies.

The topics covered by this book encompass the entire range of human life. From beginning with an examination of the role of ceremony in our lives and how to incorporate ritual into the things we do to ending with how to do a healing ceremony, all aspects of our daily encounters are discussed. The sections include how to greet each new day, give thanks, get over divorce, welcome and name a new child, ask for a dream or vision, and accept change.

There is a section for each season and the solstices and equinoxes. I was especially touched by the stories in these sections. The winter story follows a boy through his maturity and into his elder age as he sees the winter ceremony. It really hits home about how we come to value the teachings of our elders and our culture as we grow older.

Normally I tell you which part of a book was my favorite, but I cannot select any piece that really stood out from the others with this book. I would think each was the best until I read another. They are all beautiful pieces and are powerfully written in an easy-to-understand and relate to manner. This is just a wonderful book from the first page to the last! There are no lulls or slow parts and it keeps you enthralled with the wonder of life and will likely show you wonder in the most simple of things. It will refresh your appreciation for the little things in life, such as the dawn of a new day or the song of a bird. It is thoroughly enjoyable and is the type of book that you will read over and over, finding that certain pieces are especially meaningful during different situations in your life.

Gabriel Horn is an associate professor. He teaches Native American philosophy, writing, and literature. He is the author of The Wisdon Keepers, Ceremony in the Circle of Life, The Great Change, and Native Heart. His son, Carises Horn, illustrated this book. His work has appeared in numerous publications and has won awards at several shows and galleries.

Alicia Karen Elkins, Reviewer, Columnist, & Editor

Reprinted from Gotta Write Network Online

The Book Of Ceremonies is an intensely sensitive, reverent collection of Native American sacred songs, poems, stories, observations, and ceremonies. It's prayerful tone is beautifully underlined by the delicate, perfect black and white art work by the author's son, Carises Horn. Drawing from a variety of sources, The Book Of Ceremonies unifies and presents thoughts on Preparing, Greeting and Gratitude, Love, Marriage and Divorce, Birth and Death, Dreams and Visions, and Seasons and Healing. An additional list of recommended reading includes Native Heart: An American Indian Odyssey by Gabriel Horn, and other selected books by Kent Nerburn, Jason Gardner, and Loree Boyd. The Book Of Ceremonies is a beautiful book to be treasured and shared.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

The primal wisdom that emanates from these ancient teachings lifts up the spiritual practice of reverence-one that is often lacking in modern times. Horn demonstrates a kind of radical amazement, a deep feeling tinged with both awe and wonder as he sees the sacred in all things. These ceremonies touch the heart because they arise out of a felt sense of participation in the universe, a kinship with all beings and with matter.

I wonder if the good folk at the end of the 19th century when this poem was originally published were just too obtuse to understand the gist of Rossetti's work; if so, we have an innocent artifact that has evolved into something erotic because of our twentieth century sensibilities (we have dirtier minds than our compatriots from the past).

Don't let the word "erotica" scare you away. This is not a blatantly sexual work in its language; it is not a "dirty" book. Just understand that despite what anyone else says or writes, this is about as unambiguously EROTIC as you can get. With phrasing like "Eat me, drink me, love me; Laura, make much of me; For your sake I have braved the glen; And had to do with goblin merchant men."

Since the original work is now in the public domain, if you want to read the full text online just do a search using most standard search engines with the terms "Christina Rossetti Goblin Market" and you should turn up a number of links to the actual poems, go read it, and decide for yourself about it.

This makes a wonderful gift for people you are very close too. However, it is also a very personal poem, and if given inappropriately could actually scare someone away!

A children tale for adults. It's a light and thoughtful reading. The story of two sisters and lewd goblin men. Innocence, temptation and emotions all together. This inspiring story has wonderful work of Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

This tale is not about sexuality but about redemption and the need to help others. Read deep into the story to find the meaning that Rossetti intended.

When I commenced reading The Mask of Time I was tempted to put it down. That would have been my loss, it was a book that has remained firmly entrenched in my mind, since it was published. I recommended the book to everyone I knew who was a reader. It surpassed the expectations of everyone I knew. It has a wonderful plot. This book kept me up for 3days and nights,I took it to lunch, the beach, everywhere I went until I finished it. I was sorry when I had finished it. The end of the tale was a little weak, but despite that, this is one book that should have been a blockbuster.An absolutely wonderful tale. His more recent books have been enjoyable, but he will find it difficult to write a book that will surpass The Mask of Time. When I become a very old person I will always remember this book and I've read a lot of books!!

What more can you ask for, the interwoven stories of WWII, Nazi's, and past and present love affairs. I found it difficult to put this book down and was unprepared for the ending. This is definitely a book to read again at some time in the future. After I finished it, I spent an hour rereading parts that had suddenly become crystal clear. Mr. Gabriel certainly knows his craft well. Before I started this one, I had read "The Seventh Moon" and was worried I would be disappointed that Mask couldn't possibly be as good, I was wrong. Looking forward to his future work.

I was recommended THE SEVENTH MOON by this author and enjoyed it so much I came back for another book. MASK OF TIME is just as good. I could not believe my luck. This is another wonderfully engrossing story, with a huge sweep of history and an evolving mystery that goes back two generations. It is a rivetting story, and I cannot recommend it too highly. I am now going to work my way right through Gabriel's books!

This book is divided into three sections - before the move, during the move, and after the move. Each section contains practical advice for children from packing to things to do on the way to making new friends. The book's interactive design will help children personalize it.

My husband and I just moved from Florida to Arizona with our five children. The children LOVED this book--and we got some helpful hints as well! Thank you Ms. Davis for making our move so much smoother!

I am the wife of a Marine. Our family moves every three to four years. Thank goodness this book was written. I encourage any military family to buy this book!

hey! i just wanted to say that i really enjoyed "dear kalman". what a clever idea to write to so many people! it's so interesting to read the inspirational advice from such a diverse group of people. i think everyone should check this book out!

How any 12 year old came up with this innovative idea is really attractive. I found the responses really warm,and was picturing kalman reading them in his bedroom! I couldn't put this book down, not even for a hot second! Definitely check out the back flap and if you get bored, read some of the book too.

I know this book must've required a lot of time and effort to publish, and it shows. This is a great book and has advice for everyone. Definitely get it, it's worth the money.

Un gran libro de cuentos, lleno de sorpresas. Lo maravilloso es darse cuenta de cómo lo más simple y absurdo puede convertirse en algo mágico o trascendental, como si descubriéramos el envés de la realidad a través de la mirada de García Márquez.

la forma de escribir de garcia marquez hace que cada cuento se convierta en una historia llena de magia su escritura llega a cualquier persona dejando entrevisto que que por algo fue premio nobel exelente y facinante

Nobel prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez continues spinning his own brand of magical realism into captivating tales with his Doce cuentos peregrinos. The stories border on reality and the unconcious, giving them a "sonambulo" feel. They are also very cinemographic and five have been made into movies and a TV series. Anyone who has ever seen "Milagro en Roma" must read "La santa"--the story on which the movie is based. This collection is a must-have!

Marcus Gabriel makes you fall in love with the feelings between Joel and Eden. Then, when you find out what they are, your stomach swirls around. Great ending though, not the ending I expected, but better. One of the best books I have ever read.

Having had Mask of Time delivered to me accidently, and having read it because I was short on reading material at the time, I became hooked on Mr. Gabriel. I then purchased his earlier book, the Original Sin. I read it a long time ago but I recommend it, and Gabriel, to all my new reading buddies. His style is captivating, his characters real, his plots are intriguing. I absolutely loved Original Sin and did not want it to end. There is nothing I did not like about this book and I look forward to his next book. This is a great read.

Was up all night reading..... just could not put down his book. It was like nothing I've ever read b4. The characters are sooo frighteningly real, the emotions so human and the setting so tangible. I loved Mercedes and Joel... the pain they go thru made me wanna cry... the begining and the body of the story was smashing... the kidnapping, the flashbacks, the war, the secrets, the addiction, the pain, the love... all just bowled me over. Nothing in the story was superficial or far-fetched. BUT, (here it comes)... the begining of the end was a bit disappointing. I felt that the author could have ended it on a whole different note, perhaps what I was looking for, was a longer and more satisfying happy-ending for Joel and Eden. Gabriel kinda ended it abruptly, like he was in ahurry to get it over with! I was hoping for a better reconciliation between Joel and his mother, with a lot more warmth... she treats him in the end like it *was* all his fault that she had an incestous affair with her own father. Since I am an incurable romantic, I was also looking for another couple of pages of "hugging and cuddling" for Eden and Joel after they come to know that they are not brother and sister!!.... Well! It was a very good read anyway.... KUDOS!

Most of the material found in this book is usable, well organized and relevent. If the author would have left out his personal commentary his work could be taken more seriously. This book is worth reading, twice. The first time through it I would recommend scanning sections to get an overall concept of the material presented. The second read should be with a high lighter and a note pad. Take away the best ideas and see what works for you.

I am state certified as an assault weapons instructor and have been tasked with building a patrol rifle team. We utilize semi-auto .223 rifles in selected patrol vehicles. I have used the book in many training exercises. It is easy to read and addresses police tactics rather that military combat tactics which are diffrent. It covers many unusual shooting positions and carry positions. An absolute must read for any Police rifle instructor. Everything is demonstrated with numerous photos.
Buy the book, its well worth the money.

This book is an excellent guide to the fundamentals of employing a tactical rifle. I found it to be extreemly helpfull in training my soldiers and also in selecting weapon accesories. The author has an extensive and well rounded background that he uses to illustrate his teaching points and keep the book interesting. ...