A wonderfully-written, powerful approach to self-realization. Two main resources have been helping me transform my consciousness and habits into a life of fullness and joy: this book and Pema Chodron's audiotape series, "Awakening Compassion." I recommend both unhesitatingly.

People have been writing manuals for transformation for millenia. One only needs to pick up a copy of the Dhammapada or the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali to find instructions for self-transformation that go back as far as civilized man. A trip to the bookstore can show you that this certainly hasn't changed- self-help books on the shelves today range from the practical ("Achieve Optimal Health in Eight Weeks!") to the unlikely ("Pick Winning Lotto Numbers Every Time!") to the downright wacky ("Awaken your Gerbil's Psychic Powers!"). Many of these books promise change and transformation in a short period of time... a few days or weeks. Instant enlightenment.

Michael Murphy and George Leonard have been watching and inspiring the human potential movement (the fountainhead for the "instant enlightenment" approach) for decades- in fact, they gave the movement it's name. And, in the four decades that have passed since Murphy founded his world-famous Esalen Institute, they've learned an important lesson: there is no quick fix. No instant moksha, no express nirvana, no overnight transformation. Real change takes years or decades of intensive work. To this end, they have founded a new kind of practice for a real new age: Integral Transformational Practice, or ITP- which is introduced in "The Life We Are Given".

ITP is not a seminar, it's not a weekend retreat. You have to be willing to give up, evolve, and let the chips fall where they may. Moreover, you have to be willing to engage in intensive practice over long periods of time- years, at least. Combining a set of physical exercises based upon akaido, tai chi, and yoga, an aerobic and weightlifting regimen, a simple vegetarian diet, meditation, affirmations, visualization, philosophical and spiritual study, and community work, ITP practitioners can make changes in their lives that they never thought possible. Physical changes, improvements in health and fitness, reversing diseases and age-related ailments, improving emotional health and learning ability, and attaining spiritual states of mind are all possible for a practitioner who is willing to work dilligently and intelligently at the practice. Whole new worlds of opportunity are availiable by living the balanced yet aggressively evolutionary lifestyle proposed in "The Life We Are Given".

Recommended as companion volumes to tLwaG are Ken Wilber's "Sex, Ecology, Spirituality" (an important text on evolutionary psychology and philosophy with a focus on transformation), George Leonard's "Mastery", and Michael Murphy's "The Future of the Body". They are all excellent guides to the integral paradigm.

Good luck, and good journeys!

There are lots of books out there that offer hope for genuine transformation. This is one that actually works, because it doesn't pretend that transformation is instantaneous, easy, or without some physical and mental work. However, by applying some discipline, the changes that are possible by following the methods described in "The Life We Are Given" are truly astounding. One way to confirm this without reading anything is simply by being in Leonard's presence. He radiates an extraordinary, palpable vitality that just can't be faked.

This is an excellent book for long distance parenting ideas. Some are rather generic, but you can build on those to make them even more special. I recommend this book to any parent who is away or going to be away from their children for any length of time at all.

I was so impressed that I used this as a recommended book of the week in my [...] newsletter [...]!

I used this book in a college American literature class. It has tons of short stories and full text of a few novels. I forget which are the full text novels aside from "Huck Finn." One thing I like about this book is that it's diverse: it has the "traditional" American literature, but it also includes Richard Wright, Alice Walker, James Baldwin, etc. There are also really helpful footnotes that aide in understanding.

I went right out and bought this one after so thoroughly enjoying "Box Turtle at Long Pond", and it is just as wonderful. Stunningly detailed pictures combined with a very educational story make this a favorite of mine (and my son's!)

Box Turtle at Long Pond is a rarity among children's books - it contains accurate information! It is very refreshing to read a book to children that portrays wildlife in a natural setting rather than wearing clothes, driving cars, etc. Bravo to the authors for combining their artistic and creative talents to create such a treasure. If only other authors would follow in their example. (This book also contains beautiful illustrations!)

In this excellent book, Nina Glick Schiller and Georges Eugene Fouron tackle the question of national identity, transmigration, and the effect that this has had on Haitians. The authors chose to write the text as a dialogue between two separate and distinct voices: the first is a voice of the social scientist, attempting a theoretical understanding of social and political aspects of transmigration; the second voice is the personal, intimate one, encompassing the thoughts and emotions of Haitians. The theoretical points made are underscored by real-life narratives, which add depth to the scholarship. I believe this approach is a successful way of creating a "dialogue" between the authors and the subjects (especially in cases such as this, where Georges fits into both categories).

I especially appreciated Schiller's diasporic perspective as a Jew. Her insights to the experiences and differences between Jewish Diaspora and African-Caribbean Diaspora are illuminating.

If one has a photographic book of the Hamptons, it must be Ken Miller's, The Hamptons, Long Island's East End. The collection of photographs represent the overall feeling of this beautiful area. Wonderful pics with a unique perspective I could'nt be more pleased by my purchase.

This book was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I never read it in English, I did not even speak English back then. I read it in Polish and now I want to see if it's as good in English as well. It's a book that makes one want to be at the places that are described, see and feel, touch and live with people who are characters of this book. I read this book hundreds times and I still grabbed it tonight, even though I am already twenty. And it still takes me into the author's childhood. Not only that, it takes me into my own childhood as well. It is truly an amazing book.

I love *good* seafood and I am very picky about taste. I have a small collection of ~15 cookbooks and I have looked at over 50+ while browsing in bookstores. I got this cook book as a gamble (you can't browse when you shop online) but because I love seafood and the book was inexpensive, I said "What the heck" and brought it. What I've tried from the book was simply delicious. It's well written, easy to follow, and for the real chefs out there, you can either read it for a skeleton for what you want to make or maybe give you thoughts of different combinations of ingredients you didn't think of or have forgotten about. I normally do not rank many things very highly but this is one of the few that made it to the top of my list. Oh yes, did I mention that the book is less expensive and has better receipes than other more expensive cookbooks out there? One thing I should mention is that it's not just a seafood cookbook. Happy Cooking!

This was a great story - especially since it is true. George Rogers Clark was an amazing man. After reading this book you too will have a great respect for him. Mr. Thom writes beautifully and keeps to the facts. I would like to see more books written about George Rogers Clark. Mr. Thom please give us more!

this story shows how the efforts of "george rogers clark" contributed to the growth of this country. we are used to hearing about the exploits of the revolutionary war but not often do we get a chance to know what was going on in the northwest territory. this is one of the best books i have ever read that covers how important a part was played by what was happening there. i recommend this book as an excellent read and most informative.

This is the second book I've read by James Alexander Thom. I love the way this author writes. Like the first book that I ready, Follow The River, this book pulled me in and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it to see what happened next. Thom does a superb job in his research. I read the book over the Christmas holiday when I was travelling. After the holidays I happened to catch a History Channel presentation on George Rogers Clark. To my surprise, Thom was included among the experts that they interviewed. I would recommend that anyone who likes to read about history and have it brought to life in the story read this book. I can't wait to read another book by Thom.