"An Instinct for Freedom" is an eloquently expressed and masterfully woven account of one man's personal and spiritual journey, that travels directly through the heart of humanity. While navigating this tender landscape, Alan Clements leads us on an exploration of the essence of consciousness, the surrender of trust, the truth of our fragility, the horror of our darkness, the intimacy of compassion, the power of our choices, and ultimately, the paradigm of grace that shifts when we make the leap from seeing ourselves as separate to honoring our shared humanity. By simply witnessing ourselves in each other, we come to understand what Clements calls "the inseparability of liberation."

Often summarizing in a few short sentences what takes other authors seemingly entire books to express, Mr. Clements encourages the reader to "examine the role of perception as the architect of reality." Lead by his example of courage, ruthless self-inquiry, and unabashed candor, we are left with no other meaningful choice but to do so.

I was so deeply challenged and inspired by this book that any words of praise I seek to offer feel almost trite and wanting. Within its pages there contains every element that one would hope for in a great work of fiction. But fiction this is not. This is the recounting of an extraordinary life. Forged with insight, Clements challenges our invested beliefs, shatters the lies that cage our freedom, and then loving reconstructs the truth of our sameness within a unified heart. This heart, pieced back together in seemingly perfect union, may continue to beat as it once did, but will never again be the same.

Through courageously sharing his own life experiences, Alan Clement's book "Instinct for freedom: Finding Liberation Through Living" adds a wonderful perspective on how we can affect our destiny. In reading Instinct for freedom, I am reminded that the "acts of compassion" through our daily acts of courage and love, truly define our humanity, our strength, our oneness.

In our own Quest for freedom the awakening to our true self, it is ever more apparent how important that the freedom of all people comes into play. Instinct for freedom is a beautiful contribution in a time when the need for hope, courage and compassion is so purposeful......Highly recommended!

Rarely have I come across a book that was as compelling as "Instinct for Freedom". Alan Clements is articulate, courageously honest and expresses his truth in ways that touch the soul and inspire one to take action. His life IS material for a legend, as quoted by Catherine Ingram. His honesty is refreshing, his eloquence is impeccable and his ability to deeply touch his audience is brilliant. This is a book to read and re-read as his words sear into one's consciousness, expressing the profound beauty and the mystery of every moment.

This book is very well done and I cannot understate how impressed I was with the effort that the author put into it. He certainly did his research and does a great job outlining the short but rumour ridden history of the Glock handgun. Typically in this genre of book you find a lot of fluff and no real substance, not the case here. One other thing, I may have changed the title lest the suggestion be that Glock is strictly a combat gun, but that statement is debunked in the book, you have to read it to see what I mean. The book is dated in some aspects- there has been further expansion and development of the product line that is not covered. A followup book is in order here to come current. Interestingly the Glock accessories (E-tool, bayonets, etc.) are covered, many people probably did not know these accessories even existed until seeing it here! From the technical point of view, and speaking as a Glock armorer, the book DOES NOT replace the armory documents and manual and was not meant to do so. While the reader is given a general idea of how the Glock functions and the concept of "Safe Action" I would not tackle disassembly of a Glock firearm without training beyond what is in the book. You will not find guides to parts interchangabilities or quirks that are associated with particular models. Okay, now that the disclaimer is out the way, for the firearms enthusiast this is a great one to have on the shelf. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is one of the best books I have come across on this subject. I don't mean just for the Glock but for fire arms in general. Was straight to the point with sufficient facts and details to illustrate the key points but not enough to bore you. The concepts of the weapon were clearly explained and illustrated. Nice diagrams to support the text as well. If modern weapons are your interest you won't go wrong with this book.

After reading this book I wanted to do two things: sell my revolvers and buy a Glock with the dough, and take my G27 apart and clean it (now that I know what's going on inside). There's nothing quite like learning from a master... and that's what Kasler is: an expert.

While it's clear from the beginning that he is biased towards the Glock, most of what is presented is fact (and verifiable), not opinion.

I could have finished this book a good while now, but it was a book that I enjoyed reading at a fairly slow pace. There is quite a lot to grasp and understand as Max Lucado walks us through The Lord's Prayer, and through the House of God starting at the living room, through to the kitchen, and finally the chapel.

This prayer which is said by millions all around the world every day, is sometimes said in ritual style with the deepness of it taken for granted, though not intentionally. But Mr. Lucado uses Our Lord's Prayer as a floor plan of the House of God, with a step by step description of how God meets our needs when we dwell in him, and how we can live our lives completely in God's favour as we obey this great Prayer.

As Christians with our sins forgiven which Jesus paid in full on the Cross, we must act accordingly as the prayer directs us. Not wanting to give too much away let me encourage you to read this book soon and cherish the lovely way it is written. It has truly blessed my heart and I know it will yours too. Mr. Lucado.....thank you once again for the wonderful revelations of this book. I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family, and of course your literary work.

Heather P. Marshall

Max Lucado is possibly the best christian author I have ever read. He takes bible stories and breaks it down so it is easier to understand. The Great House of God is about the Lord's Prayer and all the names given to our heavenly Father and this book helped me see things in the Lord's prayer that I have never saw before and I didn't realize all the different names the Bible has for God. It is an great book I highly recommend this book. It is the type of book you read and will want to share with others, but yet you hate to let go of your copy because this is a book that you will want to read over and over. If you buy this book I don't think you will be disappointed.

In this book, Lucado leads us through the Lord's Prayer. He has very creatively taken phrases of that prayer that we all learned as children to take on the characteristics of certain rooms in the Great House of God: the home that the Lord has constructed for each of us to share in. While I have studies religions for several years and been a Christian all of my life, I never understood the prayer that I recite every night until I had read this book. Littered with scriptural references, humorous anecdotes and even stories from his own life, Lucado illustrates his descriptions of the various rooms of God's house in a way that every one can understand. This book provides a way for those seeking God to see what He has done for them. and for those who already recognize Him as our Supreme Leader, Lucado gives a way to know him more. There is even a Study Guide in the back to use this book in a small group study, or even on your own. I would recommend this book to anyone who was seeking to know God for the first time, and for those who want to be closer to Him.

Why 5 stars?:
This is a book that deal less with inspiration and more with an understanding of who God is and why he has done what He has for us. Moreover, it does an acceptable job at explaining how we can get closer to God, because He wants us to be. The reader will understand who God is, what He gives us, and how we can show our appreciation.

This book is important, and maybe even vital, in spite of itself. Lomax is the real thing: He knows his material incredibly well, and even his most offhand paragraphs on anything at all related to African influences on American/southern culture are right on the mark. His field recordings were/are an incalculable contribution to American music. Some of them brought major artists -- Muddy Waters being the most obvious example -- from total obscurity squarely into the mainstream. He was a true scholar, and a kind of cultural hero. That said, this memoir/history was not exactly a joy to read. Lomax has a terrible weakness for lyrical language, but he just doesn't have the chops as a writer; his story is so good he should have been as plain in the telling as possible. His overheated romance with the black American male is often embarrassing. Maybe the best part of the book is a long passage when he simply gets out of the way and we hear directly from one of his subjects for many pages. It's not that Lomax had no right to do a book like this -- he had every right to. And even at its most purple, what he has to say is crucial if you want to understand American music. I just wish he could have spared us some of his attempts at heightened language and overwrought description. Complaining about white rock musicians, he writes, "To my jaundiced Southern ears .. many rock guitarists are more concerned with showing how many notes they can get off and how many chords they know tan what the song has to say or how the guitar can speak for them." I would say something very similar about the way Lomax wrote this book -- he should have been less concerned about how many phrases he could get off and how many words he knew, and just let his wonderful story tell itself plainly.

So powerful is the writing of Alan Lomax that one cannot help but be moved by the trials of the African American, which gave birth to the Blues. I read through this account with equal parts shame, empathy and admiration for the people who found hope through their music. I've been a listener and aspiring musician of the Blues for many years. With reading Mr. Lomax's account I feel my education has been grounded in the truth of what makes the Blues so uplifting and expressive. When all hope and opportunity were removed from the negroes of the Jim Crow South, they turned to their instruments, and driven by subconscious inspiration of their ancestoral past, were able to find something to sing and dance about. Through this singing and body-embracing rhythm-making the Blues becomes a means of making peace within their lives, within our lives. This much I've learned from reading the narration of Mr. Lomax. His work will always be with me.

Alan Lomax has done more than any living man to unearth the powerful African music heritage that lives in many different genres of American music. This book is only part of the wealth that he has dug up and offered to us, so that we may better know ourselves. Check out the 4CD set of his recordings "Sounds of the South" for a soundtrack to this book. But no book, no acetate, no film, can adequately depict the pain and suffering that Africans were subjected to in the US. Lomax's work, though, brings us closer, by bringing us the voices of the prisoners, the fieldworkers, the muleskinners, and the roustabouts who lived in a world we can scarce imagine today. Life was cheap then. People were brutal to one another. By Lomax's account, sex and violence seem to be more unrestrained in the first half of the 19th century than in the second. Today, Arnold kills people with laser guns to make a couple bucks for Hollywood. Then, Boss White would kill a man with a shotgun to the skull, just for complaining. After having read the book, I caught myself being hopeful for humanity. Maybe we are getting better

Reading this book, once again, I was very touched in so many areas. But I was especially touched by his analogy of how many people set goals to accomplish material landmarks, people who continue to work towards those goals, until they have surpassed those goals. But, who have you ever met who sets a goal to have one confidant to tell everything to, who also tells everything to that person? Who sets a goal to have friends on various levels, besides that one confidant?

Not many of us do this, because this means exposing parts of ourselves that we have spent our lives running away from, and filling up with material possessions.

But if you will just visualize yourself setting this goal, and all that this will mean to you, you will get more than you expect, and all that you can handle.

Read this book because you are a human being, worthy of being listened to, while you experience your soul connecting to another's soul, as you feel safe to be who you are, right now.

You will grow beyond your wildest dreams.

I believe that if the entire world read this book we would be a happier, healthier, friendlier, more supportive, more understanding and a more tolerant planet. I think this book should be required reading in schools!

This book is as applicable today as it was when it was written over 20 years ago. Maybe even more so. Even if you think you have the right approach to people and relationships and even if you feel all your relationships are healthy... you could learn from this book. I guarantee there are things in this book that you have not thought of.

I love this book and I highly recommend it because I believe it will benefit you and make you a better person. It had a great impact on me. I intend to read it annually.

The author gives ideas on how to deepen friendships. These include: 1) Assign top priority to your relationships 2)Dare to talk about affection 3)Learn the gesturs of love (i.e appreciating someone offering help and graciously accepting this help) AND 4) CREATE SPACE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP (in other words don't CONTROL, don't strangle ~ let them grow and breathe!!!

The author also gives pointers on cultivating intimacy. He suggests that you 1) Be liberal with praise 2) Learn to LISTEN (such as asking questions the other will enjoy answering, get the other to talk about themselves and dispensing advice SPARINGLY) 3) Use your body to demonstrate warmth AND 4) Talk freely about your feelings (Dare to need the other person and let them feel that and benefit from it)

A quote from the book that I especially like is: "Don't stop expressing needs because of occasional disappointment - you'll end up bedding down with disappointment as your constant companion."

You will also find ideas on how to handle negative feelings w/o destroying the relationship; how to disagree and understand at the same time and alternative methods of ventilating your anger.

Another quote I appreciate: "If you dish it out - you have to take it" !!!!!

Other interesting subjects in this book are: 1) The art of creative forgiveness 2) Eros - It's power and problems and 3) Loyalty, an essential ingredient.

The author writes in an easy to read fashion and backs up his suggestions and ideas with many quotes from people far and near, young and old and from other books. If you have not read this book yet... do so now. I suspect that you will find it as wonderful and helpful as I did. You and your relationships will be the better for it.

What is better in this world than people and healthy relationships with them. These are the things that matter. All else is dust in the wind.

This book was recommended to me by Richard Weylman. He makes alot of money teaching people how to be successful, and he said this book was worth his time. It turned out to also be worth mine. Friendships are so vital to our lives, but most of us maintain them by reflexes which are not always healthy orconstructive. This book has no great insights, it just points out some very practical ways to make and maintain friendships. That's why it's so valuable. You'll remember something you read every time you interact with someone, and that simple suggestion will make a difference you can feel. Just the small adjustments you make to the relfexive way you used to deal with others can strengthen friendships, soothe hurt feelings, and help you reach out to those who need you. And the whole book took about two hours to read. Buy it, read it, and then give it to a friend.

It was also a junior high library copy that I read - possibly my first science fiction book. That was over 35 years ago for me but I have told scores of people about this impressive book. Perhaps the most intriguing thing about "The Universe Between" was the descriptions of things not possible in our world. The turning of a corner in space that would move your across galaxies and the geometric-sounding but impossible explanation of this "other diamension" was fascinating. If you enjoy mental gymnastics this book is a great adventure!

I read this book when I was 12 years old and checked it out from my school library. From that point on I have been very interested in Science Fiction. I have read Asimov and even written some short stories of my own, but have never found a book that affected me like this one did. I have searched for this book to purchase it for the past 12 years. It's such good material, I can't believe it is out of print! I hope that some day it will be in reprint. Until then, I'll be visiting The Universe Between in my dreams.

I can't believe how similar the experiences I read are to mine. I, too, borrowed this book from my junior high library. It left such a mark that two decades later I returned to the school in hopes of finding it still there. Unfortunately it was listed as missing. I have searched used book stores many times since for a copy. It is truly a book that can set a young mind in motion to produce many eureka experiences as it explores the mysteries of science.

What a truly great reader this book turned out to be. Easy to pick up, difficult to put down, and filled with inspiration. While a small percentage of war techniques do not transfer to the business world; Axelrod pulls concise information and quidance from a library of the General's quotes. Wars are won by making the enemy die for his country. Always move forward. When in doubt, attack. The soldier is the army. Gather accurate information and make decisions quickly. And take the high ground.

My only complaint is with the author's desire to open the book with political-correctness and apologies for Patton's frank language.

This book will spark you up and fill you with pride, boldness, and audacity! I have found my Covey books and Minute Mangers have collected dust where "Patton on Leadership" is starting to look like a well worn Bible.

Frederick the Great may have said it, but George "Blood 'n Guts" Patton lived it. What a remarkable man, and what a remarkable presentation about that man, his life and his leadership skills. One should read this book just for the hell-of-it if not for any other reason. What a great first read for anyone wishing to know more about the General.

First of all, this book reads well and fast, and it's hard to put down. Mr. Axelrod tells a great story, conveys the essence of Patton's Generalship and Management styles, and along the way adds some very good history. Axelrod clears up the legends and myth surrounding the famous slapping incident, and details the campaigns into Bastogne and to Berlin in short, clear and entertaining fashion. It was truly enjoyable to read this book.

To keep the record straight, the format of the book allows for a 3 - 4 hour total read time due to the fact that many of the pages have only 18 - 25 lines of print on them, where as others are in standard layout. The stories will excite, entertain, and cause "out-loud" laughter. The language is harsh sometimes, but perfectly appropriate to the original situation.

I say get the SOB book and read it "...every God damn night", and smile.

Frankly, I had some reservations as I began to read this book. By now I have become weary of so many books with gimmicky concepts (eg Chicken Soup for Dummies, Caligula on Management) and was pleased to find that Axelrod has skillfully correlated Patton's expressed ideas on leadership with key issues in the contemporary business world. Many of those ideas probably reflect the influence of Sun Tzu and von Clausewitz whom Patton no doubt studied while a student at V.M.I. (for one year) and then the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from which he graduated. In any event, this is a well-written book with solid substance. After a Foreword and Introduction, Axelrod organizes 183 "Strategic Lessons" within ten chapters:

1. What He Did and Who He Was (Patton's Achievement and Background)

2. "A Commander Will Command" (On the Dimensions of Leadership)

3. "Always Attack, Never Surrender" (On Developing a Winning Attitude)

4. "How Do We Know That?" (On Fact Finding, Preparation, and Planning)

5. "Speed -- Simplicity -- Boldness" (On Execution and Opportunity)

6. "The Soldier Is the Army" (On Training, Mentoring, Motivating, and Inspiring)

7. "Letters of Instruction" ((On Communication and Coordination)

8. "Only One Direction -- Forward" (On Creating Efficiency)

9. "Success Is How High You Can Bounce When You Hit Bottom" (On Courage and Character)

10. "Audacity" (On Managing the Impossible)

I provide the chapter titles and subtitles to suggest the specific areas in which Axelrod examines Patton's ideas. Patton remains one of the 20th century's best-known and least-understood military leaders. Mention his name and most people immediately conjure an image of George C. Scott whose inspired portrayal provided an accurate but incomplete representation of Patton. It is worth noting that Patton's strategies minimized casualties of his own troops while maximizing destruction of those whom his troops opposed, that he assembled an extraordinarily talented staff to whom he delegated effectively and whose members remained steadfastly loyal to him, and that under his leadership his troops achieved truly stunning results, often with severely limited resources and under political constraints. There is a great deal to learn from this man...and Axelrod has done a brilliant job of suggesting what that is.

Axelrod includes a Recommended Readings section to which I presume to add Puryear's 19 Stars (A Study in Military Character and Leadership). In it, Puryear examines the careers of George S. Patton, Jr., Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and George C. Marshall. You may also wish to check out Sun Tzu's The Art of War (Oxford University Press) and von Clausewitz's On War (Penguin).

This amazing book introduced many topics that I was totally unfamiliar with. The historical relationship with Haiti, for instance, was definitely enlightening. I was slightly embarrassed by my ignorance on the subject of a culture located so close to mainland USA, and with a resident Dominican population numbering in the thousands, sharing our communities! We need to learn more about this country with such a long and turbulent history. The Dominican Republic is of course much more than the wonderful Sammy Sosa.Cambeira's book places in firm historical and cultural perspective the meaning of Caribbean identity. This is truly a haunting tale, written in a magnificent, untraditional style that readily appeals to persons like myself...who usually found history texts boring. Cambeira's work is far from boring... this is outstanding.

This book presents much fascinating information about a culture and its people we here in the States know very little about....because of our own stubborn and narrow ignorance. The author interpretes the cultural evolution of his native land in such a way as to make history exciting to read. This is certainly a fresh approach.

Never have I read such a rich historical and cultural perspective of a country as what I have encountered in Quisqueya . The book is Excellent. Once I began reading it, I couldn't put it down. Before reading Quisqueya la Bella, I knew very little about the culture or people from La Republica Dominicana. Now, after having read the book, I am enlightened. Because everything was an issue of interest to me, I will highlight those issues that were most fascinating to me: *The miscegenation of the people of Hispaniola >The African influence of the people. *The great divide between the two countries of Hispaniola >The disdain of Haitian by the Dominican. *The US's influence throughout the entire book >The Us invasion and influence in the political arena.

I will be definitely reading the book over and over again., because to me is as oustading job. Dr. Cambeira you go, Excellent Book.

I think that Ramona the Brave was a really good book.It was funny in some parts of the book.I am nine years old and I think that other nine or ten year olds would really like it!Beverly Cleary has been through alot of books especally Ramona books.Her books are one of the best books that I have ever read !!!!!!!!!

Boy, Bev knows what she's talking about! This book is very realistic. I remember reading it in 3rd grade a long time ago (the Ramona series were the first chapter books I ever read! ) Reading it and about all the injustices Ramona suffered, I could really identify with her! First grade was not easy for me, I was always in trouble for things I didn't start, and felt so picked on and misunderstood! Poor Ramona, I felt so bad for her and knew exactly how she felt!

Ramona is a truly realistic character that is brought to life by the believable writing of Beverly Cleary.
Still trying to grow up as she proceeds into grade one, Ramona can't help but continue to fall into trouble.
One entertaining, true-to-life moment after another... Reading about Ramona's antics is very enjoyable.
From being embarassed by her older sister, to being embarrassed by her friend Howie in front of her class, to dealing with Copycat Susan and her copied owl, and many, many more funny and frusturating things... You'll have fun reading this book. And you can't say that for a lot of books.
Told in a way that you can really understand this first grader, Ramona The Brave will remind you of when you were a child. And what it felt like.
Readers will pity Ramona when she's upset, they'll understand what she does and why. They'll feel her anger, and her happiness.
Definetly a great book, and definetly worthy of 5 or more stars!
Enjoy!

An Insider's Guide is a excellent book for any RW fan. It has tons of info on the Boston cast. This is what made me decide to try out for the Real World! A great book for all RW fans.

This book is very interesting and a must for any Real World fan. It gives great info about the casts from New York to Boston. The coverage is very complete and it's a book you'll come back to again and again. I have!

This book is perfect for any Real World fan as it gives you tons of good info on the seasons 1-6 (there are 8 now). If Boston is your favorite season this is also for you as it has nearly 100 pages on it!