La lectura de este libro, como todos los de Og Mandino, nos lleva a encontrar otros campos que son mucho más ricos que aquellos en los que vivimos. La historia es simple, las enseñanzas que esta historia trae, es maravillosa. Yo recomendaría este libro sin más. Es un MUST en la literatura de la autoayuda, y, creo yo, del crecimiento personal.

Este es uno de esos libros que deben acompañarnos en la vida, para releerlos y recordarnos que siempre podemos crecer más, no sólo como profesionales, sino como criaturas de este Universo. Para mí es parte de una trilogía especial que comprende a "Juan Salvador Gaviota," de Richard Bach; y "El Profeta," de Gibrán Jalil Gibrán. Una vez lo presté y no creo que lo recupere, así que vine aquí para comprarlo de nuevo.

Al contrario de lo que yo pensaba. No es un manual de ventas, yo me goze y ,termine en lagrimas...Me senti Hafidal comienzo de mi carrera, el estomago vacio, el caminar,el azote de puertas en la nariz,y el lenguje espiritual-romantico.Siempre han puesto de manifiesto que este libro ha sido el mas vendido en todo el mundo, despues de la biblia...Este libro fue de inspiracionpara conocer mas a fondo de Dios y rendir mi vida a ElOg Mandino sin saberlo se ha convertido tambien en predicador de la Santa Bibliaal poner algunos parajes Biblicos dentro del libro..en exacta concordancia a los hechos en cuanto tiempo y espacio...He leido todos sus libros, lo recomiendo a aquellos que deseanser independientes en cuestion de trabjo y a los estudiantes de todo tipo de estudios...Esta es la inspracion de unhombre en vien de la humanidady nolos esajeros que tratan de ver el comunismo , como una solucion...al bien de la humanidad

Benjamin is one of the few 20th century philosophers who can convey profound thoughts in language that isn't at all opaque. His sentences are always perfectly clear - no pretentious literary or Marxist jargon (thank God). The only thing that makes it slow reading is that you always want to stop, put the book down, and think about what he's just said.

For example, a passage from his essay on Kafka:

'The definition of it which Kafka has given applies to the sons more than to anyone else: "Original sin, the old injustice committed by man, consists in the complaint that he has been the victim of an injustice, the victim of original sin." But who is accused of this inherited sin - the sin of having produced an heir - if not the father by the son? Accordingly the son would be the sinner. But one must not conclude from Kafka's definition that the accusation is sinful because it is false. Nowhere does Kafka say that it is made wrongfully. A never-ending process is at work here, and no cause can appear in a worse light than the one for which the father enlists the aid of these officials and court offices . . . '

This is not opacity for the sake of being opaque; he is trying to get at something incredibly complex, something that (unlike most literary criticism) actually helps you appreciate Kafka and understand him a little better. Benjamin doesn't peel away layers of an onion to arrive at a single shining insight; he presents a simple idea, expands on it a little, and lets you put on the layers of complexity yourself. Read these essays carefully, and it will be obvious why entire schools of thought have sprung up around single paragraphs, why people have devoted their lives to figuring out the ramifications of a single sentence . . .

Benjamin accomplishes something rare: in writing about art, he succeeds in telling us something about life in modern times. And his insights never seem forced; they flow naturally from what he is discussing. For example, his essay on Leskov, "This process of assimilation, which takes place in depth, requires a state of relaxation that is becoming rarer and rarer. If sleep is the apogee of physical relaxation, boredom is the apogee of mental relaxation. Boredom is the dream bird that hatches the egg of experience. A rustling in the leaves drives him away. His nesting places - the activies that are intimately associated with boredom - are already extinct in the cities and are declining in the country as well. With this the gift for listening is lost and the comminity of listeners disappears. For storytelling is always the art of repeated stories, and this art is lost when the stories are no longer retained."

A simple little paragraph on storytelling, but soon you start thinking about how the art of writing has changed since Benjamin's time, and what effect television and the movies have had on the way we live, on "boredom" and mental relaxation . . . anyway, I'm probably starting to get pretentious which Benjamin, thankfully, never does.

Above all this entire collection is filled with something increasingly rare nowadays, a genuine love of books. Forget all the Marxist stuff in other reviews, all Benjamin is really doing, finally, is talking about some books that he likes. That he succeeds in doing much more is a testament to his brilliance.

This is the only theoretical text that I have read, with pleasure, in recent memory. Given the conventional prolixity, obfuscation, and circumlocution of contemporary academic prose in the humanities, the fact that you can read Benjamin with pleasure marks him as outstanding.

Benjamin's project was itself outstanding. He aimed at a synthesis of Marxism, mysticism, German romanticism--in a sense, theology, materialist philosophy, and poetry. His critical approaches and thinking embodies the characteristics he praises in literary texts; Benjamin thinks poetically.

This eclectic collection of material, emphasizing Benjamin's later (and more Marxist) ideas, is not unlike a sampler of related but different confections. It's mistaken to think of Benjamin's various intellectual leanings as discrete ideologies or outright contradictions; instead, to borrow from Wittgenstein, consider his ideas to be different members of a family that resemble one another and are clearly related but live different lives in different contexts.

Benjamin's essay "Unpacking my Library," for example, looks on the surface like a confession of self-indulgence, but (in my opinion) deals in a clever and powerful way with the ways in which we inherit, buy, trade, classify, and value our heritage and cultures. This is truly fascinating material!

For Walter Benjamin, the defining characteristic of modernity was mass assembly and production of commodities, concomitant with this transformation of production is the destruction of tradition and the mode of experience which depends upon that tradition. While the destruction of tradition means the destruction of authenticity, of the originary, in that it also collapses the distance between art and the masses it makes possible the liberation which capitalism both obscures and opposes. Benjamin believes that with the destruction of tradition, libratory potentialities are nonetheless created. The process of the destruction of aura through mass reproduction brings about the "destruction of traditional modes of experience through shock," in response new forms of experience are created which attempt to cope with that shock.

Allegoresis and collection are the twin foci around which the elliptical writings of Walter Benjamin orbit. The former, as a mode of criticism, transforms the latter practice into a version of materialist historicism. Instead of constructing further barriers between his own practice and the practices of the historical moment he would transcend, Benjamin embraces the underside of his own theories in "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." There he proclaims the disintegration of the aura and champions the revolutionary potential which is thus released. It will be of use therefore, to look at some of his other references to the aura. It's as though Benjamin takes more seriously than Marx the notion that capitalism contains its own subversion--the path to subversion is not to resist and revolt, but to accede and accelerate...

Anyone who is serious about manifesting the God within, would be wise to get a copy of the book, study it, and join a Transmission Meditation group, or start a group if there are none in their area.

Like Mr. Creme's other books, this one is direct and to the point. It dispells many common misconceptions about meditation and explains the transmission process in great detail. Creme answers many excellent questions about this group meditation in simple English, in that typically good natured, no nonsense manner of his.

The book is essential reading for anyone interested in meditation, from the beginner to the more advanced students.

Benjamin Creme. Center of a worldwide conspiracy of goodness. Accepting no remuneration, making no claims about his spiritual status. Specializing in Transmission Meditation where members of a group use their centers to step down energies coming from the Masters in order to provide a pool of energy useful for humanity. Colin Wilson says that Creme belongs to the same group as Blake, Blavatsky and Alice Bailey: "A man who sees things that other people do not see, and who tells us about it all." Pronto. In unminced words, clearly, and with a passionate amusement. "In the process of evolving back to the Spirit, we spiritualize the matter of our successive bodies, from the first incarnational experience to the last, leading to the resurrection experience which makes us the perfected Master. In that way we spiritualize the planet." ... This is a handbook of Transmission Meditation, with most of the book taken up with questions and answers, the most useful format in these times of involved new age terminologies and beliefs. Creme, now nearly 80 years old, received his first spiritual communication some forty years ago. He lectures widely across the world, participates in TV and radio interviews--and he's definitely an electric presence. Is there a correct way to sound the Great Invocation? "It is so powerful a mantram and so broad in its margin of error that it can be said perfectly, semi-perfectly or very inadequately and it will still invoke the energies." What is the tingling in the top of my head? "99 times out of 100 it's the energy from your own soul." Is Transmission Meditation more potent than other forms? "Yes. In Transmission, the meditation takes place from the soul level, but it is under the control of the Masters, not of the group." What's the difference between imagination and true inner knowing? "Most people are focused on the astral plane. Their knowing is emotional and astral. That is imagination. Intuition is straight knowledge: knowing because you know. It comes from the Buddhic level, and it is always right." Very easy to understand bits of knowledge, given by a wise man with the infinite patience of the true spiritual teacher.

The next step in today's 'spiritual revolution' is putting the gains of personal development to work for the world, says Benjamin Creme, author of eight books on practical spirituality and life ahead in the new millennium. In a new, expanded 4th edition of his book, Transmission-A Meditation for the New Age, Creme explains that the time is past to focus on one's own spiritual progress without engaging in some form of service. Transmission Meditation, he says, is the simplest way to do both - at the same time. Transmission Meditation is a group service activity which 'steps down' the great spiritual energies that continually stream into our planet, focused by the Masters of Wisdom - our 'Elder Brothers'. This process, which makes the energies more useful to humanity, is like that of electrical transformers, stepping down the power between generators and ordinary outlets. These transformed spiritual energies, Creme explains, are gradually uplifting all life forms and changing our world for the better. "What is unique about this work," says Creme, "is its simplicity. It is a perfect vehicle for the aspirations of very busy people. It is safe, highly scientific, non-denominational, free of any charge, and unbelievably potent. It is a service in which we can involve ourselves for the rest of our lives and know that we are helping in the great transformation to a more just and compassionate world. At the same time I know of no other form of service which makes for such far reaching and fast spiritual growth." The preface includes Creme's extraordinary account of his 40-year collaboration with a Master of Wisdom, and how it led to his primary work of preparing the way for Maitreya, World Teacher for the coming age.

This book is one of the best books on investing I've read yet. It does not give you chart patterns and indicators, but it shows you how the great ones made their fortunes. As I said, "They are legends for a reason."--They set a standard for investors. A definate read.

I have to admire any investment author who starts with the premise that the past is just as worthy of study as the future. We are fortunate to have among us, though not for much longer, a number of living legends in the world of finance -- Fisher, Templeton, Buffett, Tisch and others -- who will one day take their habits, idiosyncracies, and wealth-building secrets to the grave. When they are gone, there will be no one to take their places, or enrich us with their wisdom.

For years, we have been deluged with repetitive texts on how to become a millionaire like your neighbor. Isn't it better to have a manual on how to emulate the titans? There's an old saying in the school yard that if you are going to cheat on an exam, copy off the person who gets the A+, not the C students. Nikki Ross' book has been sorely needed and will prove just as pertinent today as it will in 20 years -- when the memories of these legends grow more faint.

What I liked most about Nikki's work is its translation value -- her ability to condense the lingering, sometimes philosophical synapses of these great men into lingo that lay investors can use practically. She avoids the temptation of delving at length into their biographies (which are rich enough and worthy of a sequel) and instead presents us with step-by-step instructions (almost as if she was taking dictation from Fisher and Buffett themselves).

A savvy stock-picker will quickly pick out the common threads that run throughout the book. All of these titans boiled down investing to a few core principles:

1) They view stocks as pieces of businesses and put all their efforts into determining the value of their prospective purchases. 2) They focus on price but understand that the real value of an investment is procured over time as the company grows. 3) They shun convention and believe today's dissertations on portfolio modeling are recipes for mediocrity. 4) They don't give a hoot about day-to-day fluctuations in the stock market. 5) They are all humble men who delighted in increasing clients' net worth just for the sake of proving it was possible.

It helps that Ms. Ross is a certified financial planner and a columnist. Her experience in giving real-world advice to individual investors lent itself to an easy-to-read, well planned book that any investor -- sophisticated or otherwise -- can use to their advantage. This book successfully bridges the gap between stock-picking and financial planning without coming off as self-serving, as many financial planning books are.

Nikki Ross presents a common sense three-step approach to investing. This approach is based on applying time-tested strategies that five successful giants have applied. Their experience through market crashes and the market highs demonstrate that their strategies are time-less and will be as valuable tomorrow as they were yesterday.

The first step is gathering the information. She shows where the information can be gathered using Internet resources (over twenty-five are listed), SEC reports, annual reports, magazines, and newspapers.

The second step is the evaluation process. Here she brings to life some of the insightful questions applied by Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Phil Fisher, T.Rowe Price, and John Templeton. The quantitative aspects of the evaluation are addressed (such as the company's sales, profit margins, and earnings). In addition the qualitative aspects (the company management's abilities, products and policies, market position, and company life cycle) become part of the investigation that leads to the third step, making a decision. In reading Nikki Ross' "Lessons from the Legends of Wall Street" I found questions of these legends most valuable and applicable in the evaluation of my own portfolio.

The third step, making the decision, requires that the investment meet a personal set of criteria before making a purchase. This also would be applied when making the decision to hold or sell the investment.

Nikki Ross presents these same strategies of the legends (that are used even today by mutual fund managers, money managers, and investment counselors) in an useable format that can be applied by the reader. In comparison to some other investment type books, this one cuts through the complex theory and offers common sense strategies for investing.

This interesting book is well written and timely. I would recommend this book for reading to help develop a solid investment strategy.

Philip Boudreaux, MBA

Everybody knows this kid. He was either in our class or in the family. Great storytelling. I think I married him as well. Have given this book for graduation, teen's birthday and now father's day. Good for all ages.

Mr. Benjamin spoke at my school today on his tour for this book, and I had the chance to speak with him beforehand. His speech was engaging, and at the lunch prior to the event he had a chance to talk on a more personal level about "Last Kid Picked" and sumo wrestlers. I recommend this book as well as his short "screeds," vignettes about his childhood in Tomah.

This is a must read for all of us the wished that we were the best jock, but only measured up to normal. It tells just how good we had it and really how funny life is after a few years.

Carol Lea Benjamin has been a dog trainer and private investigator. Her heroine, Rachel Alexander, a dog-trainer-turned-PI, comes from a traditional Jewish family that disapproves of both her occupations. Like Rachel's family, and like Rachel herself, we readers find ourselves asking, "How did she get into this?"
The Long Good Boy is sixth in the series featuring Rachel and her sidekick Dashiell, a superbly trained pit bull, with guide dog certifications that let him stay close to Rachel wherever she goes. And Rachel needs help when she enters Manhattan's meat-packing district to help three transvestite hookers find out who murdered one of their friends -- and whether one of them might be the next victim.
Rachel learns that another murder took place nearby, just the night before "Rosalinda" was murdered. Coincidence? Not likely. Determined to unearth the connection, Rachel goes undercover in a part-time sales job at Saks, finds creative ways to, um, release the files she needs from the meat company, and takes to the streets for a brief but memorable stroll.
Benjamin always plays fair. Dogs don't talk or solve crimes. Any top-dog trainer could turn Chi-Chi's tiny dachsund, Clint, into a competent burglar when Dashiell turns out to be the wrong size. Dog lovers will recognize Clint's expression after the first training session: "Thank goodness somebody finally realized I have a brain."
Benjamin's vividly depicts a world most readers would just as soon not know about: "tranny" hookers trying to earn money for dope, getting into strange cars, negotiating with "pimps" who are not much into employee relations. Yet the characters are portrayed three-dimensionally, sympathetically but not sentimentally. And somehow Benjamin manages to maintain the style of a "cozy" mystery in this totally un-cozy setting -- the sign of an author who is very much on top of her craft.

Carol Lea Benjamin has been a dog trainer and private investigator. Her heroine, Rachel Alexander, a dog-trainer-turned-PI, comes from a traditional Jewish family that disapproves of both her occupations. Like Rachel's family, and like Rachel herself, we readers find ourselves asking, "How did she get into this?"
The Long Good Boy is sixth in the series featuring Rachel and her sidekick Dashiell, a superbly trained pit bull, with guide dog certifications that let him stay close to Rachel wherever she goes. And Rachel needs help when she enters Manhattan's meat-packing district to help three transvestite hookers find out who murdered one of their friends -- and whether one of them might be the next victim.
Rachel learns that another murder took place nearby, just the night before "Rosalinda" was murdered. Coincidence? Not likely. Determined to unearth the connection, Rachel goes undercover in a part-time sales job at Saks, finds creative ways to, um, release the files she needs from the meat company, and takes to the streets for a brief but memorable stroll.
Benjamin always plays fair. Dogs don't talk or solve crimes. Any top-dog trainer could turn Chi-Chi's tiny dachsund, Clint, into a competent burglar when Dashiell turns out to be the wrong size. Dog lovers will recognize Clint's expression after the first training session: "Thank goodness somebody finally realized I have a brain."
Benjamin's vividly depicts a world most readers would just as soon not know about: "tranny" hookers trying to earn money for dope, getting into strange cars, negotiating with "pimps" who are not much into employee relations. Yet the characters are portrayed three-dimensionally, sympathetically but not sentimentally. And somehow Benjamin manages to maintain the style of a "cozy" mystery in this totally un-cozy setting -- the sign of an author who is very much on top of her craft.

Rachel Alexander is on her strangest case yet. He is hired by three transvestite hookers to find the killer of their friend Rosalinda. The manager of the local meat plant was killed the same night, and Rachel thinks there is a connection.

This is a very taut thriller. I couldn't put it down. The characters are bizarre and very real. I can't wait for the next Rachel and Dash mystery.

Maitreya's Mission, Vol. II is a chronicle of the work and thought of Maitreya, the Christ--the World Teacher for the Aquarian Age--since He entered our physical world in 1977. Its author, Benjamin Creme, says that His presence is the fulfillment of Christ's promise to return. Although He has, until now, worked quietly and out of sight with His group of Spiritual Masters, with each year His influence has expanded to affect world events ever more profoundly.

In 1988, through a close associate in London's Asian community, Maitreya began to impart a body of lessons for our time--teachings of economic, political, and spiritual import. Central to our future lives, He says, must be an acceptance of sharing--an assumption by all nations of the duty to feed and cloth the brothers and sisters dying of starvation throughout the world. When this burden is assumed, then all of the earth's inhabitants can enter the divine path of self-realization, finding and exhibiting the spark of Godhead within the soul.

Maitreya has given, as well, a series of predictions about world events--the freeing of Nelson Mandella, detente between East and West, the collapse of communism. Their accuracy has proven His keen insight into the affairs of humanity.

An appearance 'out of the blue' in Nairobi, Kenya on June 11, 1988 began a series of similar appearances on a worldwide scale. Wherever He appears, claims Creme, there will eventually be discovered a water source with healing properties. Furthermore, Creme relates, His presence has brought with it a worldwide phenomenon of miracles: healing waters, visionary appearances, crosses of light, the beneficent work of the 'angels' among us. These are transforming the face of the earth. The book offers, in addition, guidance for any who choose to respond to the challenges offered by Maitreya. Of particular import are excerpts from Creme's lectures on 'The Call to Service' and 'The Overcoming of Fear.' Several sections are teachings about group work, described as a necessary emphasis for the coming age, because the energies of Aquarius work most efficiently through groups, not individuals.

This book is a challenge to those who would predict catastrophe and doom for our planetary existence. It offers, instead, a future that is filled with hope. It envisions the beauty of a world in balance and at peace with itself, once again.

Open Maitreya's Mission, Vol. II at random and you will, more likely than not, find a pearl of insight somewhere on the page: On the economy (p. 131): "Capitalism, in its pure form, is at an end in Europe. It has no future whatsoever. Instead, countries will model their governments on a form of democratic socialism. Gradually, this will become the model for all nations as the most effective way to ensure that the voice and will of the people is properly represented." On service to others (p. 613): "The basic impulse behind all evolution is that activity of the soul which we call service. Service is nothing less than the demonstration in relationship of the Law of Love." On overcoming fear (p. 287): "If we can simply look, without condemning at what *is*, without judging, making comparisons, without feeling superior or inferior... then I believe we can enter into communion with the Self, which is all Being, and know from then on the absence, the overcoming of fear." Such blending of spirituality and practicality is typical of Benjamin Creme, the British artist, author and esoteric scholar, whose previous books, The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom and Maitreya's Mission, Vol. I, are in circulation worldwide. The Scottish-born artist says that the chaos and turmoil now occurring in the world are the birth pangs of a new and brilliant civilization in the making. "We are standing at the beginning of an extraordinary period in the history of the world, a time when the true, spiritual nature of humanity will become manifest for the first time." In his books, as well as lectures worldwide, Creme says that the birth of this new civilization is being assisted by a group of illumined spiritual teachers known as the Masters of Wisdom. The presence of such teachers was first written about in the West in the late 18O0s by Theosophist H.P. Blavatsky and later by Alice A. Bailey. Creme says these Masters, long the inspirers and protectors of humanity from behind the scenes, are now returning to the everyday world. At their head is Maitreya, the World Teacher, the one awaited under various names by many religious traditions. When humanity, via its representatives, the world's media, invite Maitreya forward, according to Creme, Maitreya will begin to work openly, inspiring humanity to create a world based on sharing, social and economic justice, and global cooperation. Whether or not one agrees with Creme's views on Maitreya and the Masters, this tome is a treasure-trove of practical information on a wide range of topics, including: "The Art of Self-Realization", "Disease: Causes and Cures", science and technology in the New Age, meditation, the environment, global economics and politics, and the international drug problem. With corruption and crime reported ad nauseam these days in the newspapers and on television, Maitreya's Mission, Vol. II provides a needed antidote - a healthy dose of hope and more than a measure of insight.

Maitreya's Mission is a three-volume tour de force of commentary on social, religious and metaphysical matters.

I was addicted to this book once started reading. I found it exciting as I was unable to anticipate the story. I will try other books by David Benjamin later on.

this book was so cool it had everything that a book needs. it was a mystery and science fiction all in one.

I love "The Sixth Sense-Secrets From Beyond" book series. I think that this is probably the best one yet(but that depends, because I still have not read the 3rd book "Hangman"). This book was kind of darker than the first book, but that just makes the book more exciting, because it is a Sixth Sense book. I highly recomend this book for young readers.

The Blueprint for My Girls is just as the title connotes, a blueprint filled with advice on daily living for young African American girls. The book is structured in an easy to read format with each chapter consisting of an expression, advice, the author's personal testimony and a blueprint. The expression is essentially the overall theme or thought of the chapter. It is followed by a section called "For My Girls" which contains advice relating to the expression. Next, the author shares "My Testimony" where she shares an example of how this particular expression has impacted her own life. Finally, the chapter is concluded with a "Blueprint," which serves as an affirmation relating to the theme. The author covers a vast array of topics including developing a good work ethic, trusting in yourself, appreciating personal strength, handling life's frustrations, and determining self worth.

Yasmin Shiraz has written an excellent book filled with everyday wisdom and common sense advice. She openly and honestly shares both her good and bad experiences and uses them to give life to her advice and affirmations. Although this book would be great for any woman to read, it is a must for teenagers and young adults. This book would make a wonderful gift for all the young women in your life. Check out The Blueprint for My Girls, you will be amazed how much wisdom is packed into such a short book.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

This is more than just a book of wisdom for young girls - this book has heart! Yasmin has created a useful guide that takes a look into the trials and tribulations many young women face today. She guides you through those curves that life seems to throw, shows you what happens when you respond to negativity, how to rise above and beyond problems and she gives HER story, when she was at that point, what she learned from it. I found this guide to be more of a personal journey from one women to another. A guide that will take young girls over the humps and let them know, someone was there before they were, that they are not alone in what they feel at times. The book is full of wisdom and encouragement. A very useful guide every young woman should own, This isn't just another self help book, this book has heart !

Reviewed by; Dawn
Jan.2003

I am in a scholarship program for African American teenagers called Jabberwock and one of the things on our itinerary is to read a novel. The Blueprint fo My Girls was chosen as the book for the 2002 particiapants. Upon reading the first few pages of this groundbreaking novel, I was instantly attached. Being 17 and going through those life changing issues is hard enough. So, to have someone who has not only experienced similiar suituations but can give advice on each dilemma is very comforting. Another big plus, is that recently I had the chance to meet the author through the Jabberwock program!!

was left out as a co-author, please remedy this oversight.

Any serious Tai Chi practitioner will know that Tai Chi is more than just movement. This book presents the original Tai Chi texts translated into english, which allow the reader to think and feel each movement in a new, more intense manner.
Each sentence is a lesson in itself. While some are easy to understand, others will not be so clear in the beginning. I am sure that you will read this book more than once, reflecting on the movements and thoughts behind each form.

I recommend this books to any Tai Chi practitioner who wishes to understand the roots of the discipline.

This book is a new translation of a number of classical tai chi texts. The translations are clear, and the language flows well. The translators also included brief explications of difficult terms withing the text itself so as not to disrupt the flow of words. The presentation of the book is well done, with many illustrations and pages of calligraphy. While fairly short, this book is very nice introduction to the classic Chinese texts on tai chi.