I acquired this book after enjoying other books in The West and the Wider World Series (Harris' The Sins of the Father, Seaman's Paper Airplanes in the Himalayas). Unlike the other books, The Cloud and the Light provides little insight into the relationships and the interactions between cultures. In part, this is due to the others being written by children of missionaries, authors exposed to both worlds as a child. A large part, however, seems to be Dr. Kawano's desire to be positive and not critical. He speaks against the horrors of radiation poisoning, suicide and smoking, but seems hesitant to criticize any person or cultural group. The absence of comments regarding America's use of the bomb are notable.

The first chapters of this autobiography provide revealing descriptions of what it was like to live and to provide medical care in Nagasaki during and after the bomb. The middle chapters, however, focus on other aspects of his life - his work in neurology and his support of suicide hotline and anti-smoking campaigns. The final chapters provide more wartime background and address how Dr. Kawano became a Christian.

Readers interested in "inspirational" lives may enjoy this book. Those interested in Japan and Japanese medicine during and immediately after the bomb should read the first chapters. Most will probably find the translated prose readable but dry.

THE CLOUD AND THE LIGHT Memoirs of a Japanese Christian Surgeon from Nagasaki

The West and the Wider World Series, Vol. XII By Martin Kawano, M.D.

In an extended memoir, Dr. Martin Kawano reviews his life from the rare perspective of a Protestant inter-denominational surgeon who, while a medical student, survived the bombing of Nagasaki. This intensely personal account casts more light on the bombing and its immediate aftermath than other existing classic works.

Dr. Kawano had studied Protestant theology, but set these pursuits aside to join the army. Following his stint in service, he began medical studies. He has been a surgeon all his professional life and a crusader against smoking. In his world-wide service as a social reformer he worked with many well-known people such as Maria Von Trapp and the daughter and granddaughter of Albert Schweitzer.

"Like my father Albert Schweitzer, who influenced him, Martin Kawano has made his life his argument. From the time when as a medical student he miraculously escaped death from the atomic bomb which fell on Nagasaki, his life has unfolded in steady service to mankind. From his studies in the USA, Germany, Switzerland and Canada, he has brought back to Japan unique capabilities for helping where he sees the greatest needs, without consideration for his career or his personal life. His story is inspiring, the testimony of a man with unwavering faith and dedication." Rhena Schweitzer Miller, 1996

This book is real! Liberally sprinkled with first hand accounts of the men who were there it brings history to life. This book was given to me shortly after my father passed away by someone who knew he'd flown these missions in WWII. As I read, stories minimized by my father came to me in clearer, more heroic detail. (Not a member in the squadron whose story is told here, he was in a squadron in the same group.) A fun read that puts you there with the day to day doldrums and the excitement of missions as they were flown.

A highly detailed account of the little reported contribution of the men and airplanes which dropped or flew men into battle in WWII --Sometimes using nothing more than disposable wooden gliders -- a little reported feat of courage and daring -- sprinkled with doses of personal accounts of the real men and their real stories - It makes for a very good read.

The adventure and mis-adventures of one young lad during the night and day of the great Peshtigo fire in the late 1800's. Focuses on the bravery and courage of a family and touches on the cowardice of some men during the night. A good look into the fears of men and the strength of one family and their son. Especially good reading for people who live in and around the Marinette, Wisconsin, Menominee, Michigan area including Peshtigo, Wisconsin. The one shortcoming I found was that it never specifically mentioned the Peshtigo fire, only that it was a "great fire". Reading level is about 4th grade.

I've made several recipes from this cookbook and many others from Ms. Simmons other ones. They are all terrific, all work, and directions are clear. This one is great. I made a dessert that is a roll-up cake with lemon curd and strawberries. It was yummy, tart (add a little more sugar if you like it sweeter), and it worked! Served it with the raspberry and strawberry sauce and everybody had two helpings. Low fat, too! I love Marie Simmons; I also trust her recipes. Highly recommended.

Although this book was a bit slow in starting, once it finally got going, I rather enjoyed it. It is the story of a young girl who is forced by her cold and distant mother to travel West with a family she does not trust. She knows she is expected to marry the son, and she is afraid to because he is such a vile person. On the other hand, she is afraid not to, because she doesn't know what would become of his infant daughter (the child's mother has just died). She makes many discoveries about herself and her history, some of which were rather obvious, though others were very surprising. Some twists were a bit too coincidental to be believable, but the book certainly doesn't end the way the reader expects. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy pioneer romances, because, although the book did not really suit my own taste, it was good for what it was.

Off to a reasonably solid and interesting start, the book devolves into a series '3rd party testimonials' worthy of the glitziest Hair Club infomercials. None of the testimonials are critical and nearly all of them are fawning and hardly believable as anything more than interesting internal experiences that have been blown out of all proportion by the desire and 'duty' to have 'experiences' as colorful as Mr. Morris'. After all, such experiences only come to 'the special few who are spiritually ready' (NOT a direct quote, but to my view, implied in the text). Talk about complementing the consumer! Unless you are willing to accept that the world is populated by a multitude of sentient spirits worthy of a Spielberg spectacular, you may want to try another title. He comes off to me as a table-tipper with a degree in psychology, which I find to be a sad and potentially dangerous thing. Morris has a good sense of humor, though, which is what keeps me buying his books, but in the end he and his students seem to take themselves and their sleep-deprivation-inspired eye-lid movies distressingly seriously. What he calls 'enlightenment' I consider to be an immature side-show.

I think that he, like all spiritual hucksters, however sincere their intentions, ends up cashing in on our dreams/nightmares that we might be missing out on something amazing or of dreadful importance. We all like to think of ourselves as pretty highly evolved, don't we? And we all want to be one up on the rest. That's why we go after books like this and study martial arts in the first place! Call me Spiritually Deprived, but I don't think you're missing a dang thing. Hang on to your Ego.

Nothing personal, tho'. I still hope to meet the man and share a beer sometime ;)

Here's hoping for a book by Morris containing ABSOLUTELY NO references to Enlightenment, Spirit Guides or the Paranormal. Could he still find something insightful, or at least humorous to say? I think so, and I'd like to hear it.

Whenever I heard of a new Glenn Morris book, I eagerly checked it out, bought it, and usually devoured it in a day or two. Some of the items within his books delve into the metaphysical, paranormal, and sometimes just plain weird. His martial arts insights are equally interesting and as an on-and-off student of Southern Shaolin kung fu, I can understand and appreciate the references to ninpo and Bujinkan ninjutsu.

One of the benefits of his previous books ("Path Notes" and "Shadow Strategies") was his ability to explain a process in which he obtained results- for example, his experience with Tien Tao chi kung in "Path Notes." This time around, he does explain a handful of things, but barely enough to whet the appetite for the true "meat and potatoes" of what he's trying to convey. I think by this point, Morris assumes many of the previous readers and fans know more or less where to go for the answers. If not, they know at least in which direction to look. That is the reason for the 4-star instead of 5 star rating.

I don't think that Mr. Morris is dabbling in BS when he explains the esoteric end of martial arts, or his more mystical results while meditating. For those who experience dynamic meditation, and know what that opens up within them, his experiences are interesting, obtainable, and absolutely worth experiencing. I'm almost disappointed in finishing this book as soon as I did.

On a side note, he has quite a reference and "suggested reading" list in the back of the book that is well worth checking out.

Dr. Morris has written a very interesting collection of essays and exercises similar to his first two books and to top that off has included essays by students on their experiences. The inclusion of students is extremeley rare as they offer a proof that this wierdness is teachable and what is even more interesting he includes quotes from people who tried his meditation exercises out and got results but did not train with him. Very different.

In 1809 in the outer rim of a sprawling London, Vermillion Lee Durant sadly realizes that her training period is over. She must select her first protector as a courtesan chip off the old block as her aunt who raised her did before her. She would rather be Lee, riding horses in the countryside, but she knows that her destiny as the third generation Durant courtesan is to be Vermillion.

Secret Agent Captain Caleb Tanner seeks a traitor. He goes undercover as a groom at Parklands, the estate owned by Vermillion's aunt. Caleb believes that Vermillion is a hardened, avaricious but well paid whore. That is until he meets Lee. As he and Lee fall in love, Caleb knows the mission remains first, but plans to become Vermillion's first protector. However, she needs more from him now that love is part of the relationship.

SECRET WAYS is an exciting Regency romantic suspense tale that sub-genre fans will fully appreciate. The story line is loaded with action, but also slowed down at the bit by the girth of detail on horses. The lead couple is a delightful duo especially the almost schizoid lead female protagonist as Lee battles with Vermillion for supremacy before Caleb's love enables her to enjoy both sides of her complex personality. The traitor investigation adds the depth that will leave readers applauding Kat Martin for a fine novel.

Harriet Klausner

Courtesy of Love Romances

Vermillion Lee Durant is approaching nineteen and it is time for her to choose a protector among her admirers. An orphan at the age of four, her aunt Gabriella took Vermillion under her wing and trained her to be the third generation of Durant courtesans. Vermillion doesn't like herself to be the seductive 'Vermillion' but the plain 'Lee' who dressed like a lad and rides like the wind on her horse.

Captain Caleb Tanner tries to catch a traitor and suspects that the Durant women are selling information to the French. By arrangement, he works undercover as the head groom in the Durant's stable to observe the people and the activities within the Parklands estates.

Caleb believes that 'Vermillion' is a seductress and a power-hungry female until he meets 'Lee'. The more he gets to know 'Lee', the more he wants her. As the head groom at Parklands, he has no way to get inside the house to search and find evidence that he wants. When Vermillion's birthday comes near, he can't stand the idea of Vermillion having another man to be her first protector other than himself.

SECRET WAYS is an exciting tale full of action, suspense and romance. As always, Ms Martin is comfortable in penning sensual romantic love scenes that never disappoint and leave readers breathless. Moreover, the leading couple are delightful and the investigation adds a certain spice to keep readers turning the page. Another enjoyable read that fans and readers of Kat Martin's books must not miss!

Vermillon 'Lee' Durant is preparing to follow the destiny of all the female Durants as a courtesan. By day she is Lee, a carefree innocent who loves horses and kittens. At night she transforms herself into Vermillon, a seductress that needs to choose her protector by her nineteenth birthday. Though she thought she had come to terms with her destiny, she soon finds that she is far from sure if she wants to spend her life as a mistress. When she meets Caleb Tanner, the new head groom at Parkland, she finds someone who can ignite the fire deep within her. As the weeks pass, she realizes that she has to be independent, even at the cost of her aunt's dissapointment.

Captain Caleb Tanner has been assigned to Parkland in as a groom to try to uncover a traitor to the Crown. He didn't count on meeting someone as seductive as Vermillion nor as innocent as Lee. Though Vermillion and Lee are one and the same, only Caleb has uncovered the true person she is.

Though Secret Ways isn't has emotional as Martin's previous historicals, it is still an easy read that you will want to finish. Caleb and Lee work together to uncover a traitor which is a little unbelieveable, but the sexual tension between them is undeniable. Also unbelieveable is the fact that Lee is a virgin, which is what all our heroines in historicals are. It was a change from historicals where the heroines were a part of the ton, as Lee had more freedom to do what she wished. I have had a hard time lately getting into historicals, but I'm glad I took a chance on this one!

This was not Kat Martin's best book, but it was entertaining. The plot moved quickly, but at times very predictable. Good for a plane ride, or vacation reading. Easy to put down and come back to later. Worth picking up to read.

Really old romance book premise. If you are a fan of Kat Martin, I would read Hot Rain. This is good and entertaining, but it is total mind candy. It goes fast, and you forget it equally quickly. I read this last night, and I already had to review it a bit to remember the plot line.

Charity is bored w/her life, and decides to move to the Yukon to prospect for Gold for 6 mos. She thinks this will give her what she feels she has been missing before she finds the guy to settle down with and have a family. She wants a grand adventure 1st. There is some talk of her 2 sisters looking for the same thing, so we may see their stories in the future.

When she goes to the Yukon, she conveniently bought a plot of land right next to a brooding tall gorgeous guy w/attitude (sound familiar?). Anyway this guy doesn't want her there, but wants her, and also convient, happens to be a retired billionaire. (I really could have handled a millionaire) Of course you can not tell it by the way he lives, he is obviously comfortable, but not to that extent. He is also way moody, (what billionaire isn't) and goes back and forth with the way he feels about Charity.

She is not a wimp, and after finding out that he had sex w/someone before he had her, she makes him sweat it out for 2 weeks, before he get back in her "good graces". Can we say who cares if he got a hummer from someone before they were?

Anyway, it is o.k. KM tries to liven the plot w/a neat little twist of this guy who is trying to kill them, so there are a lot of accidents. Hoky, but a good read. I have not read this much of a romance in awhile, and it was a nice change of pace, but I could not read too many in a row. Overall, this book is a good time filler, and well written.

I loved this latest romance from the talented Ms. Martin! Set in a location that is not given much attention, (Yukon, and Alaska), and containing such topic's like the gold rush, inherited memories, and sizzeling romance, and suspense make this a fast paced, page turning read!

McCall Hawkins has come to the Yukon to heal after the death of his wife and child. He has been hiding for four years and really perfers the peace and quite of his mountain hide-a-way. That is all about to change when Charity Sinclair arrives.

Charity has left everything behind in New York in order to realize her dream of going to the Yukon and mining for gold. She isn't doing it to get rich, but more because she has always felt an unusual draw to the mountains. What she doesn't count on is her cranky but sexy as sin nextdoor neighbor, or her attraction to him or his attitude about her arrival. Well, Charity has come to stay, at least for the 6 months that she set for herself and she won't let Call buy her off any sooner then that! Oh, and she plans on mining for gold, so goodbye peace and quite!

Soon she finds herself being rescued by her sexy neighbor from bears, and a nasty neighbor whom works for her in her little mining operation, and as a result they find themselves fighting a loosing battle with the attraction that they feel for each other. Eventually Call learns to love again, and Charity, well, Charity learns a lot about her past, her present, and gold mining, as well as what it feels like to fall in love totally and completely.

This is not a high suspense novel, suspense is involved but not the driving force behind the story. Still love romance between these two very different people was entertaining and fun. Do yourself a favor and get the book, you won't be disappointed!

This was a very hard book for me to read. I read mostly non fiction, and have admired and learned from Dr. Chopra's knowledge of the mind-body-spirit connections. I'm not clear as to how much of the material in Lords of Light is factually correct, since there are glaring mistakes, as some have mentioned. And lots of typos in a book published for world wide consumption. The authors do take a courageous leap into the realms of evil; I found myself feeling like I had fallen into a mudhole. The pace of the book is similar to suspense novels; even though it was making me very uncomfortable, I couldn't put it down, hoping that things would begin to make sense. Bottom line, the authors must have been drinking more coffee than the protaganist, and writing in some free association form. There is too much going on that is not explained, too many leaps of faith that the reader is asked to endure. The good/bad thing is, the book has sent my beliefs into a downward spiral. I am not clear if Dr. Chopra really believes some of the things Solomon and Rakhel(who have the role of teachers/elders) say. Especially te part saying that life is for being human, it isn't good to be too good...he seems to be saying it's fine to steal and lie a little, hey , it's "just the human condition"....For a man who is known world wide for his wisdom and teachings, this feels like the shadow side of Depak having its 2 minutes in the spotlight.

This new genre of "spiritual fiction" has many more misses than hits. I would call this one a near hit. Near because it starts out great and had me right with it until the last few chapters, then I sorta lost interest. The story takes some odd turns and although it does make some important points, it seemed to miss others. If you are interested in a good spiritual novel, check out "The Destiny of Miro" by Julie Rae Rickard. It is a great combination of spiritual ideas in a fictional format. A great read.

Let it take you on a journey of the fantastic! I do not typically enjoy reading, but I found Lords of Light to be a very intriguing and very enticing book that includes fantasy and wonder! It also includes historical facts that have been blended into the writing, but you don't realize that you are learning while you are following the fantastic story of good and evil, dark and light...determining what is good and what is evil is the true creative twist Deepak Chopra creates in this fantiastic novel. Try it, you'll love it!

The manual goes into too much detail about repairs that a typical consumer would never attempt at home and provides almost no detail about routine maintenance. I bought this manual and kept in my garage for reference and tried to use it yesterday to guide me through flushing my cooling system. I could not locate the radiator drain plug. There is no index item for "radiator" if you can believe that. But, I did find "cooling system." Now, this is verbatim from the manual: "2. Place a fluid catch pan under the radiator, open the radiator drain valve and drain the coolant from the system." There is no diagram or narrative overview explaining the cooling system components. There is nothing showing the location of the drain plug! This is typical of this manual. Want another example? Here is everything on removing the thermostat: "3. If using a flushing solution, remove the thermostat. Reinstall the thermostat housing." Again, no location and no diagram. Yet, if I wanted to fix a "crankshaft damper," the manual has a 14 step procedure and a nice diagram.

I have a 1995 Cadillac Deville which keeps stalling on me. I discovered it had no spark, so it wasn't a fuel problem. I have brought it to 5 garages and no one can figure it out. Every time I get it to the garage, it will run fine. I am a college student who inheritted a nice vehicle. I can't find a book anywhere that will show me anything electrical in it

I have used many Chilton repair manuals in the past. I need one now for my 1994 Cadillac concour. I have an oil leak around the oil pan. I need to have a manual that show's how to remove the oil pan.