Italian Days is one of best travel narratives about Italy that I have read. The anecdotes are interesting and ring true. Her impressions of the famous places she has visited were very similar to my own. Venice, Florence, Rome, the Vatican, Naples and Capri are lovingly described. Capri really is the most beautiful place on Earth.

Harrison writes with a woman's voice that is spontaneous and uninhibited. Unfortunately this sometimes comes across as fatuous. Women are defined by how attractive they are. An octogenarian aristocrat is described as looking to be decades younger. The old lady then goes on to tell a younger women how important it is make a good marriage with a wealthy man. A pretty young friend picks up a stranger she meets on a bridge in Venice; the author is abandoned while her friend goes off for a bout of casual sex. Harrison's attractive young daughter is accosted by men in the streets of Naples. Harrison herself is quite proud that she is still attractive to men at her age (around forty). The men she encounters are clichés. The vast majority are childish sex-crazed brutes with a few lovable little old men thrown in for variety. I don't regard this point of view as a fault but rather a heartfelt putting to paper of the author's own inner dialogue.

Several reviews have commented that the book is poorly edited. This is true. This is not a novel. The book is more a series of essays that all have in common being about places in Italy. The chapters mostly do not flow from one to another. Travel narratives are a curious class of writing in that they need not have a storyline. They assume more knowledge in the reader than would a guidebook. The travel books of Paul Theroux are similarly choppy.

This book had an excerpt in Travelers' Tales Italy which is also an excellent source for many more books about Italy.

"Italian Days" is a book for reflective readers--those who love to ponder beautiful language and beautiful things. It is as much a guide to the author, Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, as to Italy, and I gladly could have continued my journey with her for another thousand pages. I made my first trip to Italy this past autumn, and although I knew and loved the book before I left, I was amazed at how accurately she captured the look, smell, feel--and taste (she writes mouth-wateringly of her Italian meals) of the country. I gave this book as a gift this year, and I certainly will do so again.

Preparing for a trip to Italy last fall I purchased a number of books on the country -- mostly personal travelogues, essays, historical tomes. It was quite accidental that I picked up "Italian Days" and due to its sheer weight I can only surmise that my instincts told me to take the book home. Six months later I am back from Italy and just now reading Harrison's incredibly visual book -- it is like looking through my photographs and rereading my own journal. Harrison is the most sensual of writers approaching her subject with a woman's sensibility. The ruins of the Forum get no more attention than the flavors of gelatto near the Pantheon or rush of navigating the treacherous Roman streets. It is all true to the experience of Italy.

I wonder how such a book could be out of print and what a disservice that is to readers. I treasure my copy even more and can only recommend that readers grab Harrison's latest "An Accidental Autobiography" while they can -- her writing is a necessary addition to anyone's library.

Just to let you know, since the photo is not included, the stones in this kit are gold tiger's eye & sodalite. The wheels in the mini-kits use different symbols than the larger Crystal Wisdom Kit (which has 3 wheels & 12 stones)

i got this book from a local bookstore - mainly because of the crystal which has captured my heart. going through the book gave me very special feeling - trusting it right from the very start. the book is in easy to read format and easy to understand and follow. anyone looking for an extra confidence would find by wearing the crystal. very informative book.

This is a GREAT introductory kit. The astrology & chakra info is superbly handled. Anyone who has experience with the runes or crystals may find some of their correspondences/keywords a bit off. There is a reference to a UK-based company (out of date address) that offers an extension set of 7 stones; but it is no longer offered. The 12 stones are small (about half to three-quarter inch size) but good quality. You may want to laminate the approximately 9" square cardboard wheels to preserve them. A new set "Power Crystals" ISBN: 1840134399 published by Grange Books combines all 4 mini-kits (5.5" wheels)

Everybody & anybody will has been fascinated by crystals should give this kit a try. There is so much to learn from it. Because of the organization the book it allows you to use the crystals the same way as Tarot cards. This kit is unique in including astrology(twelve houses), rune symbols, five elements, chakras, planets, and its own symbols on 3 different boards. Onto which you cast out crystals to heal, divinate, and also get immediate, direct answers. Even though it is packed with such information, it is demonstrated in a way that beginners can interpret. I recommend this kit to beginners, such as myself, who feel a strong connection to these long-lived crystals.

How lucky you are if you're young and you've found this book! It contains so much wisdom -- stuff that took me years to learn or figure out through pain and trial. She shares so much good info! And she has such a good heart -- she keeps emphasizing the good for you and how to see and get rid of the negative in your life. It's obvious that Sylvia was chosen for this divine work. We are blessed to share in the eloquence of her gift. And it's so well written -- so easy to read and understand.

Here Sylvia talks about health, relationships, angels, religion, reincarnation, death, the other side, protecting ourselves from the negative, creating joy, identifying our purpose in life, and on and on. This is a practical guide with simple exercises and reasonable explanations. It also includes many beautiful, powerful affirmations to apply to our daily lives.

Sylvia is NOT some silly "nutcase psychic." Yeah, she's really funny, but this lady knows whereof she speaks. What a delight! Thank you, Sylvia!

This has quickly become one of my most treasured books on my bookshelf! The notion that we are all spiritual beings here to learn lessons makes tons of sense. Sylvia's writing has reinforced my belief that we all continue on forever. The 'real' us is spiritual. Apparently, even Hollywood is open to this concept with their recent hit movie 'The Sixth Sense.' There are many parallels between what Sylvia writes and what was presented in that movie. Sometimes a spirit loses its way and lingers on the earth plane, thus becoming a ghost. A line from the movie goes: 'They don't know that They are dead.' This parallels Sylvia's experience with the Sunnyvale, CA, haunting of the Toy's 'R' Us store where a ghost won't leave there because he doesn't know he's passed on. I have a cousin who lives in Sunnyvale and she confirmed knowledge of that haunting. You will acquire new insight after reading this book. It's an enjoyable and educational read that will change the way you view life.

I had never heard of Sylvia Browne. I've never seen her on tv or read her books. I was drawn to her current Bestseller but put it back due to financial constraints.

On my next trip to the library, something made me remember her. I asked about her book and got put on the waiting list. On my next trip, I grabbed this book. All I can say is "WOW"!!!!

Sylvia's book opened my eyes to a completely new way of thinking. I've always been more analytical than spiritual. What she says makes sense to me, though. She explains terms like coincidence and deja vu like no one I've ever heard before. The book calmed me and helped me realize my purpose on this Earth. I chose this life, this family, the illness of depression. They are all part of my "Blueprint" that I wrote before I came here.

One problem that I have with her writings is that they are too Christian based for my taste.

Harrison's book is a potpourri of insights and reflections on the life of an educated American woman, literature, art, culture, and travel.

In many places, I felt that Harrison repeated the obvious, reiterating the messages of earlier and equally (if not more) perceptive writers. For example, commenting on Fay Weldon's insights about women and fat, Harrison writes: "Fat is a dulling wall between you and the pain of reality; fat is a comfort, an excuse, and an escape from sex." I know this. I've known it for decades. I'm a voracious reader, writer, and connoisseur of insights. I get irritated when people explain things at length that I already know or have figured out on my own.

On the other hand, I was extremely moved by her descriptions of her mother--so much like my own bitter, critical mother. And I found her revelations about her long-standing relationship with a black man riveting and comforting. It shed light on a failed long-term relationship I had with an African-American man. It explains to me why this love will always be in my heart, even though the man is gone.

I have to conclude that the parts of her book that irritate me (much of it) reflect my own issues more than Barbara Harrison's skills as a thinker and writer. Otherwise, how could the other parts have hit home so accurately?

This is one of the finest collections of essays in contemporary American letters. It has guts and razzle-dazzle, honesty and passion. I love the risky leaps Grizzuti Harrison takes.

Theo, a ten-year-old boy, is an orphan who lives with his brother. He, his brother, and his brothers friend try to survive through the Nazi occupation in WWII. When the three join the resistance, Theo's brother doesn't have much time for Theo anymore. So Theo finds a puppet that his dad made before he dided, called Karageosis. Theo uses Karageosis to share his feelings with--almost as if he's real.
The book is exciting because of the resistance acts the brothers perform. It can aslo be a little sad at times, though, you can really get into it.
This book would be good for a reader that can be patient and wait for the excitment. They must also have some knowledge on the whole Occupation to understand where Theo's feelings are coming from.

Theo is a well written, sensitive and appropriately painful historical fiction. Harrison conveys the terrible impact on Greek Life during WWII Nazi occupation,written from a Christian orphan's (Theo} perspective. Theo demonstes the fact that to survive, one must possess bravery and fear simulataneously. Harrison uses the Karageosis, the historically correct puppet to express Theo's strong will, bravery, sadness and humor throughout the story. Theo also is protected my a Priest and his saintly wife, who dedicate their lives to saving Greek Jews from deportation and extinction. This book is an important work since it accurately conveys the war's impact on all Greeks-Gypsys, Chrisitans, Jews, city dwellers and countryfolk alike. The young reader, to fully understand, must have general knowledge of the holocaust, Nazi Germany, and WWII. The story is sad, but worth the pain. The adult reader will be reminded of the many humans dedicated to help eachother despite their religious/cultural differnces during WWII. This provides inspiration and comfort.

The 2 stones included in this kit are rose quartz & amazonite. The wheel that you "cast" the stones on for a reading uses different symbols than those included in the larger Crystal Wisdom Kit (3 wheels & 12 stones). The authors (UK) are releasing a new set with new wheels & 8 stones- 5 of which will be different from the large kit.

This book is about John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The authors Barbara Harrison and Daniel Terris do a good job making this book seem like we really meet John. A Twilight Struggle describes John's hopes and dreams. After the first few pages it is a page turner.

Of the five books I bought about Internet dating, I ranked this one four or five. It has the word "online" on the cover, but it seemed to me that most of the material and experience was "pre-Internet", i.e., personal ads in newspapers and that "online" was added to make the book seem current. That said, however, it did have some good horror stories to serve as a warning of what could happen with personal ad/Internet dating.

Times have changed and so should online free personals. Some match making sites are re-inventing the free personal ads business using new technologies that are a breakthrough in the online dating singles market. I found this book to be current with this new trend. After reading it I developed the courage to place an ad at one of these single online dating sites found on the net, Love At First Click, otherwise known as loveatfirstclick.com. The book gave me the much needed skills to sort, search and find romance and excitement. The book and the effectiveness of loveatfirstclick.com will help you find a community featuring sincere and honest single individuals that are looking for other like-minded people that are quite eager in meeting their match in this fun world of online free personals. It helped me meet plenty of hot women. I'd recommmend this book, and Loveatfirstclick.com too!!

This smart book is about the challenge of being over fifty - and of writing a good Personal Ad: one that accomplishes your goal - of ultimately meeting prospective dates, and mates. The author's focus on age fifty and over is sensible, too. She assumes (not unreasonably)that middleaged singles are serious about finding a partner, know themselves reasonably well, and can put this self-knowledge to good use in the writing of a good ad.

The author takes a thoughtful and systematic approach; she begins with chapters that invite readers - men and women - to figure out at least the beginnings of who they are, the sort of person they are looking for (an exercise that can save you a lot of wasted ad space, time, and money), and what kind of relationship you are looking for. Refreshingly, she steers clear of sappy "success" stories in favor of useful information (on safety, "red flags," personal appearance, manners, and more.)

Harrison shows you how to write an ad that really expresses who you are, while avoiding pitfalls (such as negativity and too much generality.) She is encouraging and stresses truth-telling, and a positive approach. It's a mini-course in effective self-advertising, and as such it's very useful.

I've had some varied experience with Personals and was gratified to read Harrison's book, which reinforced much of what I had suspected. (Men appreciate some friendly personal information, and they are drawn to the word "fun-loving"). In addition Harrison provides useful tips on screening respondents, selecting, meeting, dating.

A compassionate, helpful, and very worthwhile book.