Children will enjoy having this humorous tale read to them about a runaway beard's attempts to find a home. Adults will enjoy the simple, well illustrated storyline, especially while wearing the fake beard that comes with the book. A particulary good choice for anyone who enjoys reading to children.

My kids (ages 8 and 2) and I got a real kick out this book! First the beard escapes off dad's face and is befriended by the kids. Then the beard tries out all sorts of very silly new homes until it finally lands on man's bald head, and they both live happily ever after!

This book examines and coveys the creation tales of the Watunna tribe located in tropical rain forest of Venezuela as collected over 15 years by the author. The stories and the descriptions of the story weavers are spell binding. One of the more interesting books I have ever read! See if you can find the connections and similarities between the creation stories of your people and the Watunna!

WATUNNA : An Orinoco Creation Cycle, by Marc de Civrieux, edited and translated from the Spanish by David M. Guss. 195 pp. North point Press, 1980.

I first learned of this book from a review by John Updike, 'Happy on Nono despite Odosha,' which was reprinted in his 'Hugging the Shore' (Penguin Books, 1983, pp.669-75). Normally I don't read much anthropology, and have no particular interest in myths, but Updike's was such an excellent review and got me so excited about this book that I decided to get a copy. It turned out to be the most fascinating compilation of myth I've ever run into, and one with a significant difference.

Rather than being recast in the scholarly prose of your standard anthropologist, the Watunna Creation stories are given to us as they issued from the mouths of the Makiritare themselves, a tribe which lives in the mountainous regions of the upper Orinoco in Southern Venezuela. They were pieced together by French ethnographer, Marc Civrieux, who spent over twenty years visiting the villages of the Makiritare and listening to their vivid and moving myths of the world's creation, and the role their tribe played tribe within it.

The word 'myth' is, of course, a convenient catch-all. In fact it explains nothing. All it does is serve to excuse us from further thought, as does the word 'instinct,' a word which really refers to a kind of intelligence that we do not understand at all. But if even a tiny fraction of what the Makiritare are saying is true - if in fact these stories are not myth, but, as they themselves firmly believe, real history - it would indicate a knowledge of human history that reaches back in time for tens and perhaps even hundreds of thousands of years.

But whether 'myth' or 'history,' the Watunna stories are fascinating, and they have been beautifully rendered into English by David M. Guss. Here are a few lines from the opening of the book:

"There was Kahuna, the Sky Place. The Kahuhana lived there just like now. They're good, wise people. And they were in the beginning too. They never died. There was no sickness, no evil, no war. The whole world was Sky. No one worked. No one looked for food. Food was always there, ready. // There were no animals, no demons, no clouds, no winds. In the highest sky was Wanadi, just like now. He gave his light to the people. . . ." (page 21).

Besides a Translator's Preface, and a 19-page Introduction on the history of the Makiritare and the nature of their Watunna, which in its highest form is communicated from the spirit world in a secret language, and is heard only by initiates while in trance, the book also contains a section of eight interesting photographs of the Makiritare people, a detailed 20-page glossary, and two maps. The book, as is customary with North Point Press, is well-printed on excellent paper, stitched, and bound in a glossy wrapper.

If you're looking for something both different and utterly compelling, and if I haven't succeeded in convincing you, check out John Updike's review, because I'm pretty sure he will. He certainly convinced me, and he was right!

Like always, the Muench's photos are excellent but from the viewpoint of a book; especially, a how-to book, this book has not met its mark.
Lots of rumblings but does not delve into techniques and how-to's.
Conclusions: good coffee table book but it will not be in landscape photography reference shelves.

This is an absolutely EXQUISITE Coffee Table Collectible,! One of the BEST Landscape/Nature Collections Available. Expertly Formatted, with rich, eloquent, narrative and lively expose'. You will find yourself drawn back to this volumne time and again,!!

Unlike most books of natural photography, this one is filled with outstanding essays that explore the ancient beliefs, philosophical observations, and scientific knowledge that have evolved about the fundamental forces of earth, air, fire, and water. The landscapes are often reproduced with colored filters to give them an alien appearance, that makes the images seem stranger and more powerful. Double exposures help reinforce the theme of the compounding effects of these primal forces on one another. This book, as a result, becomes an interesting example of how photography can be used to extend our understanding of a subject rather than just show us examples or beauty. Very high quality paper and reproduction enhance the message's effectiveness.

The book is in four primary sections, one each on "earth," "air," "fire," and "water." The essay on "earth" deals with plate tectonics. "Air" talks about atmospheric circulation, storms and how wind affects the land (especially through sandstorms). "Fire" talks about volcanoes, forest fires, and the effect of fires on plant life. "Water" explains about floods, ocean currents, tides, waves, and rivers. The images in each section capture many of the elements in the essays.

In a final brief essay on "The Living Earth" the Gaea Hypothesis is introduced, which is the idea that these forces interact in a way that balances out to keep life viable on the planet.

My favorite images in the book included:

Mount Assiniboine, British Columbia, Canada

Neon Canyon, Utah, USA

Navajo Sandstone, Arizona, USA

Redwood, California, USA

Mono Lake, California, USA

White Sands, New Mexico, USA

Haystack Rock, Oregon, USA

Littoral Cone, Hawaii, USA

Red Rock Crossing, Arizona, USA

Waimea Bay, Hawaii, USA

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Neskowin Coastline, Oregon, USA

I also suggest that you try to find ways to visit these scenes. As wonderful as photographs are, the actual experiences can often be more emotional and fulfilling. Armed with your knowledge of the sites from the essays, you should be better able to appreciate the impact that these forces are having when you are next to them.

Feel and act in accordance to the connections within nature!

As a big Wong Kar-Wai fan, I had to have the book. But most of the "critical analysis" goes way too far in trying to "understand" his films. He must get a great laugh when he reads about these author's claims of knowing the deeper meaning he was going for. Check out the pictures and forget about the articles.

A great book. The photography is well selected. An insightful analysis. A little excessive in intelltualizing the ideas of Wong Kar-Wai's art.

I only wish it would emphasize more on how seductive and sensual his works are, and how skillfully he uses the props and sounds(cigarettes , blood-red bedcover, the Falls, wallpapers etc.), the lighting (mastered by Christopher Doyle), colours (like stained glasses), and the make-up (thick, dark eye-brows rendering a Latin flavour) to exude nostalgia, time, sensuality, sorrow, and romanticism. It's very Hong-Kongish. Wong's art is all about feelings.

(P.S. Try to get Christopher Doyle's Photo Journal on Happy Together. Magnificient photography from the footages. Well written in both English and Chinese).

Every fan of the Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wei should immediatly check out this book. It contains a critical review of all of his films to date, going into depth on the possible meanings and significant aspects of each film. As a graduate of a Film Production program, it can be a bit heady, but still very interesting. The best part is at the end when two interviews with the famed director are combined. It is a real treat to her Wong Kar Wei talk about his own work! The photography, mostly by Christopher Doyle, gives a great glimpse into the world of Wong's films.

It must have taken a lot of courage for David Wienir and his contributors to bare their stories before the eyes of their fellow students and administration at Boalt Hall. You can read it in the writing style contained in these essays. Many of the students are tentative, defensive, overly careful in their prose and in their choice of words. It is possible to infer much anguish in the authors of these chapters.

Recently there have been some exposes of the direction our elite universities have taken. The Shadow University, by Kors and Silverglate; The Killing of History, by Windschuttle; Beyond All Reason, by Farber and Sherry; Literature Lost, by Ellis; and Fashionable Nonsense, by Sokal and Bricmont each seeks to expose the destructive trends of thought control in places formerly dedicated to the pursuit of truth above that of political correctness. David Wienir's book is the first account I know of coming directly from the students' point of view. As such it presents a tragic picture of the decline of a once great institution.

I was an undergraduate at Berkeley during the early sixties. What the students fought for in those heady days is a bygone dream overtaken by anti-intellectual tactics. Read the reviews in Amazon carefully. And read this book to decide for yourself.

The Diversity Hoax is an extraordinary collection of heartfelt reflections on the true meaning of diversity. I have already read this book twice, and I am eager to begin again - the wisdom is endless. Shelby Steele was correct in saying "there is no other book like it." It has deeply moved me. Anyone who attacks such a book or denies its worth must be in league with the arrogant and pretentious left-wing thought police themselves. Shame on them. Their immaturity is hardly impressive. America has spent a long time waiting for such an important book. It is not a book about party politics, but it is a book about humanity itself. There could be no better way to enter into the 21st century then with this courageous book in hand. We all owe our deepest gratitute and thanks to David Wienir, Marc Berley, and the contributors. I would give this book one hundred stars if possible.

I would have found this book shocking, but every story in it has happend to me and any friend outspoken enough to express their moderate (sometimes liberal) to conservative views on diversity, and I'm only an UNDERGRAD. The book shows wonderfull diary like stories that will allow the reader who somehow missed out on this experience in college to see what it is really like. Excellent reading for any student interested in law school. Excellent reading for anyone who wishes to get motivated to fight the hypocracy of diversity (by the radical liberal definition) and PC. A must read for any rational logical human being.

In brief: Just a little too simplified a world view for me. A wonderful "thinking method" that makes you able to perceive things in their true light. How? Just seems to work.

The view that engineers are the pinnacle of societal evolution. Yes, engineers are on average smarter and such than most people, but last time I checked no halo. There are reasons (other than an evil cabal of tobacco, unions and bureaucrats) that engineers are rarely world leaders.

My least favorite scene involves reprogramming hundreds of MIRVs while they are in rentry. Ones that (unless it happened out of POV) had no communications ability.

If you liked it I suggest Ayn Rand. She had a simmilar feel.

David's Sling was written in 1988, and it still holds up well in 2002 with the idea. The Information Decision Duel idea is amazing. Basically a slashdot where two people have a debate online as a way to make a decision, with a neutral referee. Politics don't age as well, but in 1988 who knew the Wall would fall freeing Eastern Europe from Soviet rule.

Ray

This book develops one of the clearest visions of an information age society I have yet seen. A group of intriuging characters, interesting military and political concepts, and interesting social scenarios makes for good reading. It leaves you wishing for more.

Some nice pictures and does provide the Zen philosophy, but cannot be used to provide ideas nor gives a "how-to" to implement the Zen design into your home environment.

When I realized I had borrowed this book 6 times from the local library I decided it was time to buy it. Not encyclopedic, but captures the spirit and the tone with lots of nice ideas to fit into whatever you are doing at the moment. Graceful and thought provoking with beautiful pictures. This is not step-by-step how-to-look-Zen. This is how Zen feels when it touches the things around you.

As a beginner decorator in Zen design, this booked helped me understand the concept behind why Zen is Zen, and how I can incorporate this into my home decorating. If you want a more indepth look at the meaning behind Zen decorating, while giving you ideas along the way, this is the book for you.

With the Cisco certification craze in full swing, there are any number of study guides that purport to help one pass the CCIE written exam, the required first step to becoming a CCIE. Most take the approach of following the published exam blueprint, supplemented with excursions into the actual test, then tailoring the content around a best guess as to the actual exam contents.

Not so with the Certification Zone materials. Here a candidate will learn to master protocol behaviour, and to think through the implications of situations posed. One learns to read questions carefully, and to examine the answer choices with a critical eye. Trick questions? Only to those unwilling to take the extra step necessary to become expert.

The Certification Zone materials are not meant to be the only study aids for the CCIE candidate. They are designed to provide the finishing touches to the preparation required to pass this exam. As such, the materials are probably more difficult than the real thing. The questions can be frustrating to those who think they know enough just to get by.

Among the nice features of this CD format are the ability to choose from among several full blown simulated CCIE written exams, as well as the ability to focus on particular topics, such as LAN protocols, WAN protocols, bridging, or routing protocols.

There are plenty of other study materials available. But for those willing to accept the Certification Zone challenge to become a master of networking technology, this CD is a definite must and a valuable part of any preparation effort.

I used the Certification Zone CD extensively in the three weeks prior to my taking the written test, and I passed with miles to spare. I believe I had an edge because I accepted the Certification Zone challenge, and used the materials to help me hone my critical thinking - something quite valuable in a test as challenging as the CCIE written.

I should add that although I did not use the materials for the CCNA, this CD also contains an extensive set of test questions and practice tests for the CCNA exam as well. So an investment by those just starting their certification pursuits can serve candidates well at both the beginning and end of their certification pursuits.

All in all, I have to say that the Study Questions 2000 CD is most definitely a good addition to any Cisco certification candidate's toolkit.

As usual, David and Marc Muench have published a fairly solid photography book. However, this is by no means their best book, and it's not even David Muench's best book on Colorado. It appears that Marc Muench took the photos for this book over the last few years, whereas David Muench's photos may have been leftovers that weren't included in 'Colorado II' (which was published before 'Colorado'). After seeing this book, I still rank Colorado II as the #1 book in my list of 'Best Colorado Picture Books' (which can be seen by clicking on my name), and I therefore recommend that book over this one.