easy to read and beautifully written in novel form, this story of the life of Francis as a true follower of Jesus is perfect.
a must read for followers of Francis and those interested in his story and ministry

Probably one of the best 10 books I've ever read. You almost feel like you're walking and living with St. Francis, sharing his spiritual quest at every turn. Historical fiction and writing at its best.

Pablo Medina sets up a hypothetical and visionary scenario. What if Fidel Castro died (El Campion) and one could travel to Cuba (Barata) freely? Intelligently and creatively written, the main character, a Baratan exile, (Felix Nogara) draws you in to his plight. I couldn't put this book down. While reading this book I kept making analogies between the ficititious island of Barata and Cuba. Mr. Medina obviously has a solid grasp of Cuban history and uses it as the foundation for this compelling story. The chapter that tells the story of El Campion's death is well worth the price of the book! A must read for anyone who has ever wondered, "what if?"......

Pablo Medina, an exile from Cuba, brings a solid knowledge of history and politics, a wide-ranging imagination and a deep understanding of the human heart to his second novel, "The Return of Felix Nogara." The title character is a rootless fifty-year-old man returning to his island homeland of Barata (a thinly disguised Cuba) after 38 years in exile. Nicolas Campion, the feared dictator of Barata, has recently died, and exiles are flocking back to the island, hoping to regain what they lost when they fled. The only things Felix Nogara hopes for are a reunion with his long-lost mother and a sense of closure with his past. Unfortunately, he discovers there can never be any closure with a country in which there is no difference between past and present--only a change in the names of dictators and revolutionaries. Pablo Medina knows well what exile does to the human spirit--both good and bad--and the history he has invented for Barata, while fantastic and outrageous, is grounded in a thorough understanding of both Cuban history and basic human nature. His writing is lean and elegant, his storytelling full of astute and satisfying surprises. Most of all, he makes you care very much about Felix Nogara and the people of Barata--a people who, though they prefer romantic illusions to truth, nevertheless have learned to endure whatever Fate throws at them, and thrive in spite of it. In its combination of magic realism, bawdy black humor and high moral seriousness, "The Return of Felix Nogara" combines the best of Gabriel Garcia Marquez with the best of Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh.

Looking for something new to do? Something out of the ordinary? Something inexpensive and relaxing?

Maybe its time to collect suiseki (soo-ee-sek-ee).

Felix G. Rivera, founder of the California Suiseki Society, explains how to collect and appreciate suiseki in his book, Suiseki: The Japanese Art of Miniature Landscape Stones.

Rivera began collecting more than twenty years ago. Since then he has written and lectured internationally about the centuries-old art of suiseki collecting.

New and experienced collectors alike will find his book interesting and helpful.

Although they may look like nothing more than plain rocks to the casual observer, suiseki are very special stones. The forces of nature have carved them into miniature mountains, islands, waterfalls, and other landscapes. Some suiseki resemble humans or animals. Suiseki collectors are simply people who search for intriguing stones, which they bring home, clean, and display.

Among the benefits of collecting suiseki is time spent enjoying the outdoors and a fascinating stone that reminds you of the good time you had finding it. Rivera says "the true spirit of suiseki is a shared experience," and for many,the search is as pleasurable as finding that one perfect stone.

Suiseki are never machine cleaned or polished; collectors spend many relaxing hours lovingly hand-rubbing their tiny landscapes. Other than perhaps grinding off the bottoms so that they may be displayed, suiseki are not altered in any way by humans.

Rivera writes that "a suiseki may be viewed quite simply--as a pretty stone with a nice shape--or it may be viewed at various levels of complexity that embrace art, philosophy, or mineralogy or that serve as a metaphor for the connections between one's private world and the universe." He says that the various levels at which one can enjoy and appreciate suiseki make them not only art, but also enable collectors to "achieve personal satisfaction and peace."

He has filled his book with tips on where to search, what to look for, and how to clean and display suiseki. Rivera provides general and introductory material for new collectors, and detailed references for the more experienced. He includes drawings and photographs, including 32 full-color plates with detailed captions. The appendices include a glossary, bibliography, and lists of where to obtain more information, such as maps and collectors clubs.

In his forward to Rivera's book, Arishige Matsuura, Chairperson of the Japan Suiseki Association, writes "all that is required to enter the world of suiseki is to find something intriguing about the stone." Rivera opens the doors to that enchanting world with his comprehensive, but easy-to-understand book.

I own all the other books listed in the suiseki section, and have read numerous descriptions of the art of Suiseki as they appear in books on Bonsai,and I feel that Mr. Rivera's book was the first to help me understand what makes a suiseki different than any fascinating stone that I might pick up. The sections on aesthetics, and display were extremely helpful. And lastly, the photos were of terrific quality, and variety.It would be the first book I would buy on the art.

This is a picture book the highest quality. It is a bit like Little Red Riding Hood, except instead of a little girl, there is a little boy. Instead of a hood and a basket, there is a Tuba. Instead of grandma, there is a Tuba instructor. Instead of the wolf, there are a forest full of animals, all enamored by the tuba. And there is no bloody ending.

Ok. It is nothing like Little Red Riding Hood. But it is a lot of fun. I recommend it highly.

On his way to his tuba lesson, a young boy is swept up by the magic of a woods full of singing animals. Is it real, or is it a dream? Share this beautifully illustrated picture book with young children and creative adult friends and see what they think. This charmer will pull you back into the wonders of being a child. Beautifully illustrated. Surely a classic. Great gift book too.

This book is an excellent beginning book on the theory (and some practice) of acupuncture. The concepts are very easy to grasp, but you don't get the feeling that you are being "spoon-fed". Dr. Mann has a real talent for taking complicated (for most Westerners) concepts and putting them into a frame of reference where we can easily understand them. It's very easy to read, and I highly recommend it.

Twenty-first century is the age of innovation.It is important to know how to meet the challenges posed to innovation management.Felix Janszen in this trendsetting book tells you how to do it.The most brillint spot of the book is that it is based on the latest research in the fields of biotechnology,information technology,bio- informatics and combinatorial chemistry.The book describes the concepts of new product development(NPD) and new business development(NBD) with great clarity and takes the reader to the basic processes of innovation through these concepts.It illustrates graphically the seven generic processes .Starting with the management and decision making process,it goes to prototyping to knowledge generation,acquisition and exploitation process.It then moves on to the generation of ideas process,team building and finally to the two stages of implementation I was quite fascinated by the four phases of team formation which are forming,storming,norming and performing. It was interesting to know how the generation of new ideas is hindered by a critical attitude while generation of new knowledge is facilitated by the same.The book has opened new frontiers of knowledge for me and for the first time ,I have been able to understand the need,meaning and importance of innovation in business and life.IT IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING THE COMPETENCE OF INNOVATION IN BUSINESS AND PROFESSION.

I don't always like to read classics, but when a friend of mine suggested that I read this book, I decided to try it, and I am very glad that I did. Irving's words, though written so many years before now, still paint eloquent pictures of the Spain of his time. I could almost see what he was seeing. The stories and legends are also wonderful and fascinating. An antique copy of this book is one of my most treasured gifts.

it's very good for research in the third world.

YTour Web Site is great altho I can't figure out how to cancel an order in spite of finding "click on the order number to cancel". You've already sent me Arabia Felix, a lovely book, so please take it off back order. Thanx.

This book is the debut of the series of great books which attempt to chronical the rebuilding and reunification of BERLIN, Germany. If you can't fly to Berlin, this is the next best thing. The book includes floor plans and sections, city plans, photos of architectural renderings and models, interior and exterior photography, candid interviews. The projects in the 1996 book are numerous and include FRIEDRICHSTRASSE (Jean Nouvel's Department Store Kaleidoscope of the Galeries Lafayette) (Pei, Cobb, Freed and Partner's Mozart at Place Voltaire) (O.M. Ungers' Office Building), GENDARMENMARKT (Kleihues, von Gerkan Marg und Partner, Kohlbecker, Schuh, Pleuser, Kollhoff, Sawade, Dudler, Maeckler, Nettbaum, Volf) OBERSCHOENEWEIDE, NEW BRIDGES including the two by Santiago Calatrava, Perrault's Velodrome Steel Roof. There is an excellent timeline. There is also a comprehensive listing of Project, Architect, Client, Cost, Address, and Years built. To equal this book, you would have to buy one each from 30 architects. The construction site photos and people behind the construction really make you feel a part of the city-even if you are far away, like I am.