Only Georges Bataille's Death and Sensuality is comparable to the depth and profundity of Davis's elucidation of the darker tensions, meaning and power in sexuality. His division of the three attitudes taken toward sexual energy--Gnostic, Jehovanist and Naturalist--should be common knowledge, everyday language. I've gathered many books on this subject, but have never been instructed to the extent Davis has taught me. And in such "light" prose--perhaps even too light if I'm to press for any objection to this excellent work. A shame that it isn't in print.

This is the most profound book, both philosophically and psychologically, that I have yet seen on the subject of human sexuality. Mr. Davis explores the division between "everyday reality" and "erotic reality" in our experience. He then analyzes the three primary approaches that we take toward this. In a nutshell: The "Naturalist" minimizes this cleavage, sees sexuality as simply a harmless release of tensions. The "Jehovanist" sees sexuality as a dangerous building up of tensions, as a threat to the social or cosmic order or "everyday reality", which must be suppressed or restricted as much as possible. The "Gnostic" also sees sexuality as a dangerous building up of tensions -- and revels in the danger, seeing "everyday reality" as essentially false and "erotic reality" as the essentially true, as "nobly evil". Mr. Davis explores the many ramifications of these three fundamental ways of looking at the sexual experience, and the complex relations between these. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in this complex and controversial subject and what it means to us.

One common thread in all my artistic endeavors has been the idea of transformation. I feel it is a wonderful magic to see something transformed from plain,possibly ugly, into something giving a sense of the beauty of design and color. This author, Lyn Le Grice,a trained designer with highly refined drawing skills, has become an authority in the field of stenciling and its use in interior design. She tells how early in her career she hit on this simple technique of using auto spray paint sprayed through linseed oil soaked manila card stencils to achieve beautiful rooms. In this book, she takes this ramshackle old house in Cornwall, and stencilling walls,floors, furniture, and fabrics, she transforms the place into the most delightful palace. She shows pictures of the Befores and the Afters are astonishing. It seems difficult to believe that just simple stencilling could achieve such a change. The photography of the house is top notch and the book is beautifully printed. It is a delight for decor aficionados like myself to leaf through the book and dream about what we too might do to transform our own rooms.

A true artist and teacher, Le grice inspires and instructs in this supurbly illustrated work. Her original stencils, from simple motifs to full scale murals, and her unusual spray paint method transform a home into a work of art.

This book is a wonderful read. I learned a lot about his career. And it opened up a whole new life to me. For all 20 years of my life so far, I have seen Granddad as only a grandfather, but reading this showed me what his life was like before we grandkids came along. He has done so much more than I could ever have imagined before.
Its an inspirational book from start to finish.

Great doctoring involves a high level of technical skill combined with an ability to treat the patient as a whole, body and mind. Joe Murray's relationships with his patients makes this book a must read for anyone involved with the medical profession, as a doctor or a patient.

I could not put this down. It is a funny, warm, and insightful jam session on the subjects of literature, jazz, and American culture. This is a must have for any student of those subjects. It's also gives fascinating background into the lives and intellectual development of these literary giants.

This is an excellent book. Fans of Ellison and Murray will appreciate the intimate look at the lives of these writers that can be gained from reading the letters published in this work. Moreover, the call and response nature of the letters beautifully mimic that which can be heard in some of the classic jazz and gospel songs of America. You'll have a hard time putting this one down...

G. E. Patrick Murray's latest historical effort is the best small volume of the war in Europe that I have seen. It is a concise reconstruction beginning with D-Day and ending with the Nazi surrender in early May, 1945. The writing, the photo selection and the situation maps are outstanding. The maps are the best I have seen in any history of WW II. If you are a military history buff or know someone who is, the addition of this book is a must.

I look at this review from a differnt perspective from most. Having been a student of Dr. Murray I have see the way that he lectures and is able to get his point across. This book shows the Western Front form the eye of the camera and has a very well writen timeline to go along with it. Unlike most books this one does not stop at the Battle of the Bulge and skip to the surrender of the Nazi leaders. He show the battles that occured all the up to the meeting of the Russians and the Anglo-American forces. This book also includes a very extensive index that makes searching for facts easy. As a student it is nice to see the highlights of the lectures put into print for everyone else. Well done. (Beefcake)

I have finally learned how to sing! if anyone is serious about learning to sing, they MUST get this book.The content of this book contains SUCH valuable information, information that is crucial to know if you want to be a singer. The Cd's have transformed my voice. At first it felt like my vocal chords were getting a good work out, now they feel strong. I can feel them stretch, I use her Cd's everyday to make my voice stronger and to maintain my newly developed singing capabilities! I was seriously considering giving up singing, then I bought her book and finally learned HOW to sing. It did not take a long time and it was easy and fun.Dena is so knowledgable and has such a passion for the voice, she is also such a wonderful person.
Thank you Dena Murray, You were a God Sent.

I've used many vocal method books, some with tapes or CDs, over the last few years - Jeffrey Allen, Seth Riggs, even the classic Marafioti, etc., - and this one is the best. The explanations are clear and helpful, giving you simple objectives to concentrate on while singing along with the exercises on the CD. The section on breathing is revolutionary. It is different from the other methods and seems to result in better pitch control.

The exercises on the CDs are very intense and get your cords warmed up & stretched out quickly. I recommend this book for anyone who's serious about learning to sing.

"Where's Murray Ross" is one of the first books I've read in years that made me laugh out loud. Mick Zatarain has an angle on all of us and cuts through the crap of life and business. This is a must read for anyone needing to look at themselves and realize we are all not perfect.

Absolutly hilarious. This man can cook a portabella

White Fire has everything I look for in a novel--engrossing plot, characters that come alive, and a vividly drawn setting that allows me to escape for a few hours while learning something new. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Stuart Murray.

Author, journalist, and editor Stuart Murray has written a superbly crafted historical novel capturing the yesteryear feel of 1828 in southern Africa. Dirk Arendt is guiding an archaeological expedition toward a lost city near Zululand. One of the part is an agent for a ruthless secret brotherhood in search of an ancient amulet, thought to be in the hands of Shaka, founder and lord of the newly unified Zulu nation. Dirk's expedition arrives just as rebels are about to overthrow Shaka, and the rebels also desire to posses the Amulet of White Fire. Meanwhile to the southwest, the first Cape Colony Dutch pioneers have launched a journey northward into the wilderness in search of the Promised Land. These independent minded Boers include Dirk's own parents and Rachel Drente. These "voortrekkers" are marching straight into the turmoil and civil war between Zulu regiments and the conspirators who are seeking to overthrow Shaka and seize the amulet. White Fire is a stirring, very highly recommended, action-adventure oriented historical novel which is enhanced for the readers pleasure with a meticulous attention to accurate detail throughout.

This book is by the world's whisk(e)y expert and it shows. Unlike many books on whisk(e)y that limit themselves to Scotch and maybe Irish, this book also includes extensive sections on Bourbon, Tennessee Whisk(e)y and Canadian. Mr. Murray does not categorically state that Scotch is better than Bourbon or vice versa. He understands that each has their own particular qualities.

Mr. Murray has visited all of the North American distilleries as well as the Irish and Scotch distilleries and he describes them all. He gives one a feel for each distillery. He also offers some of his suggestions for the best whisk(e)y of each type. This is truly an outstanding guidebook to the whisk(e)y industry and its products.

One Note: The text in this book is essentially the same as his The Complete Guide to Whiskey : A Guide to the Worlds Best Scotch Malts, Irish Whiskeys, and Bourbons (Pocket Guide Series). Admittedly this is a much prettier book though. Enjoy

Okay, maybe he's not a poet, maybe he's a whisk(e)y writer, but Mr. Murray has a poet heart. In my opinion, and I have read all the whisky books I can get ahold of, Jim Murray is the quintessential whisky writer. No library is complete without his books. With Mr. Murray, you're not just reading about the characteristics of a whisky, you're being teleported from your arm chair to the distillery with first class grace and charm. You won't just find out how the whisky tastes, you'll feel warm sunshine on your face, you'll smell heather as you stroll the Highlands in search of your favorite dram.

Prepare to be baptized: this man knows that a bit of countryside is in every bottle, and he will immerse you in the total whisky experience. He may wax poetic, but as he readily confesses, "I do have a passion."

So will you, if you get this book.

Having been plunked in as editor/writer of my organization's quarterly newsletter, I searched the book shelves for some quick reviews of Writing 101. Since the newsletter is only one of my many responsibilities, the title, Writing to DEADLINE, certainly caught my eye. The explanations and examples of the news writing process will be beneficial in shaping my news stories. Couldn't wait to finish the book so I could get on with my next pub and use my findings!

I'm a PR person who wanted to know more about newswriting, so I purchased this book looking only for a comprehensive, helpful introduction to writing for print journalism. What I found well exceeded my expectations.

Murray gives all the advice you'd expect--about inverted paragraphs, writing process, and, as the title would suggest, "writing to deadline," but he does it with candor, humility, and a sense of personality missing from most books that cover similar territory. He likes writing and he likes this kind of writing and that comes through.

What's more, Murray includes interviews with other journalists whose personalities he conveys with the skill of a ... good reporter.

I must say that part of my appreciation for the book stems from my familiarity with his work. I live in Boston and I've read (and admired)his writing and the work of the other journalists interviewed.

I have to say, he's chosen some of the Globe's best reporters and asked them the right questions. Someone totally unfamiliar with the Globe and its writers may not, then, have a history of reading Kevin Cullen or Richard Saltus, but I think that person would still benefit from the advice and enjoy perhaps looking at some of their work having "met" them in Murray's book.

I couldn't recommend it more strongly. This book takes its reader not only into the newsroom, but into the minds of journalists--different journalists--and reveals in concrete detail what it's like for them to write under pressure and how journalists write to deadline again and again and again, and how very much they all enjoy it.