Every one who is a follower of any Orisha path should learn to consult and communicate with ones ruling Orisha and the Orisha in general. Everything from small offerings of candles, to coins, and liquor can be given to the Orishas, but first one must consult with them, to see if they except the offerings, and if not, is their anything else, one can give to please them. But not just with offerings, but in life's trivial pursuits one should consult the Orisha before making any serious decision.

Obi is an oracle used buy all followers of Orisha, and many use this ancient oracle to find out yes and no answers to their questions. But Obi divination is more than that, and it is through this book and the help of ones Godparents that one can begin to learn and understand Obi divination.

This book is written in the Lucumi tradition, and it is excellent. In it you will learn the history of Obi divination in the Americas, you will read Patikis on Obi, Biaque, and the Coconut Tree. You will learn some of the various Orishas one can communicate with using this ancient oracle. You learn Lucumi, Mojubares, used prior to consulting with the oracle. You learn the various patterns and their meanings. This book is beautifully written and well researched.

Ache to Ocha'ni Lele, who is becoming such an important voice in the Orisha traditions of the Americas. But as the author will state, this is an oracle that should be learned through the hands of an experienced elder in the Tradition. For further study on this ancient oracle, and for those Aborishas who have the sacred capacity of the orishas, I also recomed these other books on the subject, also sold at Amazon.com.
Awo Obi: Obi Divination in Theory and Practice 1890157295 and The Little Oracle That Goes a Long Way: Ifa's Obi Abata

Ocha'ni Lele's Obi Oracle Of Cuban Santeria focuses on a divination technique known as Obi, which gives the petitioner access to the orisha Obi. It's the only title to narrow the focus on Santeria to Obi, and provides specific divination instructions for casting and interpreting the oracle.

As both a priest of the Orisa tradition and an author of an Obi book myself, I must applaud this latest release by Ocha'ni Lele. His book touches on an area seldom discussed, much less written about the - the Apere Ti Obi. Aside from that, he addresses the issue of casting Obi in a lucid and thoughtful fashion.

This book is written from a Lukumi perspective, but for those interested in learning how Obi is cast in Lukumi I have found no finer text. Obviously traditions vary from house to house and one should always check information in any book, regardless of its quality, with one's elders.

The Obi is a wonderful and powerful Oracle and Ocha'ni Lele has put a significant stone in the path of understanding.

This book is an engaging, no BS, mind-boggling, open-your-eyes seminar on instant enlightenment. Even if you are (to borrow a favorite phrase from Mr. Wilde) thick as two planks, this book will smack you upside the head and make you realize that you possess far more power than you ever realized. The world as we know it is your toy to play with, if you would just acknowledge your inner power. Really, if youre tired of the 9-to-5 drudgery that many of us are hopelessly stuck in, this book is for you (actually, several other Wilde books are just as eye-opening, its just that this one is my favorite). Get yourself a nice cup of of tea, lemonade, a beer or whatever turns you on, and read through this book. POW! What a wake-up call, you'll never be the same.

Shocked at first glance by Mr. Wildes unexpected light hearted and humorous discussion of what was to me a very SERIOUS, sacred path.. a quest NEVER to be taken lightly or joked about. I expected to hear Gods Voice, having called out desperately since birth for A CLUE.. meaning.. The RULES.. a map.. as I was apparently on the wrong planet. Reading the intro to Wildes "The Sacred Self".. (my first "Wilde" Experience) I thought the binder was on the wrong book.. Sacred? His words didn't seem "Sacred" at all.. rather witty, clearly not "religïous".... however very honest, clear and to the point. Following an immediate connection to God within all of us, it suddenly occured to me that God could quite possibly have a sense of humor, since we are created in his image and some of us do display a sense of humor, and so after a short debate with myself and winning the argument, I thanked God for speaking to me through Stuart Wilde and for handing me a very clear and friendly guide.

I have almost memorized "The Sacred Self" having turned to Stuart many times needing a reminder.. encouragement.. strength to continue on this path which we all share in varying degrees of awareness. Sometimes no path is clear and no one nearby is aware.. His wisdom shared humbly with kindness, lights the way.. a calming voice, a friend.

"The Quickening" is another "jump start" a spark to jolt us back to awareness.. to remember our intention.. causing sight when perhaps we'd prefer to not open our eyes. You can't really see much if you don't open them and there is so much to SEE on this adventure if you face the challenge! "The Quickening" inspires the boldness and courage to look straight at the fear of the unknown and remain AWAKE in spite of the urge to sleep walk through the journey.

Stuart Wilde shares his path in his unique style of wisdom and wit, urging you onward.. like your best friend out for an adventure.. you must see this...wait til you see what's over there.. come on already. WAKE UP.. lets go.. when you just wanted to sit on the porch. You can't for long, the energy is contagious, suddenly a "Quickening" (why am I just sitting here) and you just have to find out what exactly IS over there. The answer is on the path and the path is easier to follow with a friend along. Stuart Wilde is a friend with endless energy to share and he can make you laugh even when you think you're LOST!

By: Janice Curran-Koppell - Publisher

This is the 5th volume in the metaphysical empowerment series after Affirmations, The Force, The Trick To Money ... & Miracles and discusses how one can live your life as a warrior sage instead of in "tick tock." The operation of the life force (etheric) is lucidly explained and many helpful exercises and psychological techniques are provided. Wilde's inimitable style, his humor and his love for the individual against the establishment make his writings a great joy to read. The chapter on turbo throughts (empowering your thoughts with real strength) is especially valuable. Some helpful illustrations are provided. For readers wanting to explore Wilde, I suggest starting with "Affirmations" but the other titles may be read in any sequence.

M. D. Stuart's honest portrayal of growing up "different" taps into that fragile human spot in all of us that makes us realize that despite our differences, quirks, handicaps, limitations, doubts and fears, we all share the same heart that makes us human. Hers is a courageous, humorous, and at times, impish heart--keen on observation and quick to find the joy of life even in the darkest of times. She has much to teach us.

The book is filled with poignant everyday experiences from which everyone can learn. The simple narative is a perfect means of communicating THE MESSAGE.

M.D. Stuart provides a refreshing view of a world in which physical imperfection is too often used to characterize people without regard to other qualities. This book illustrates that, with the proper attitude, how others judge us need not be how we judge ourselves.

There is no self-pity or moralizing in this book. It recounts the everyday experiences of growing up and living, but with the perspective of someone who has had to deal with issues most of us never will face.

The narrative style appeals to all the reader's senses. Stories about visits to the sea shore in the days before air conditioning was widely available are vivid enough to allow the reader to smell the salt air and feel the humidity. Tales of 1950's visits to a doctor's office in the basement of a house evoke memories (at least of this reader)of similar experiences.

All in all, this is a very enjoyable book. It leaves a pleasant after-taste lasting long after the last page is read.

I first read Baring-Gould's biography back in 1975, and it was my first REAL exposure to The Game -- the treatment of Sherlock Holmes as a living person and the art of speculating about The Master's life from the clues dropped by Watson in the original stories. I'm delighted that this book is still available.

Baring-Gould presents as good a chronology of the Doyle tales as anyone, and he "fills in the blanks" delightfully. (Imagine Holmes fighting a prehistoric bird in hand-to-talon combat on the deck of a freighter! It's true!!)

Baring-Gould obviously had a damn good time writing this extraordinary, and definitive, biography of Sherlock. And if you've already devoured the original 60 stories, dive into this book. Then set it alongside your copies of the Doyle books. It deserves a place there.

Baring-Gould is the greatest chronicler of the Holmesian canon. His annotated version is a must for every enthusiast. Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street is the biography of the man, put together from the many stories. "It was the year in which Henry David Thoreau wrote Walden...."."Unaccountably, the Almanac fails to list perhaps the most memorable event of that same memorable year. It was the birth, in the early hours of the morning of Friday, January 6, of a third and last son to Siger and Violet Holmes, at the farmstead of Mycroft in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England, a district famous for its horse-breeding stables and its wind-swept--"wuthering" - heights." You will read about the birth of the man, his family, his brother, etc. You will enter with him into his friendship with Watson (also Watson's youth) and their adventures. Please bring this book back in print. It is a must.

W.S. Baring-Gould's classic biography of Holmes is brilliant from start to finish. Arguably the greatest Sherlockian scholar ever, Baring-Gould assembles the details of Holmes's life from isolated references in the canonical stories and indulges himself in some inferential reasoning as to some of the missing information: he contends, for example, that a certain well-known U.S. consulting detective is actually the child of Holmes and Irene Adler. (Some of his speculations on other matters have been borne out by the discovery of a lost manuscript published by Nicholas Meyer under the title _The Seven Per Cent Solution_.)

Readers of this work will also want to find a copy of Baring-Gould's masterly _The Annotated Sherlock Holmes_ if possible. These kids writing Holmes pastiches today just don't know what the hell they're doing :-).

This is the second of Stuart Wilde's books I have read. The first one being "Miracles." Since reading, I have purchased 7 more of his books. All of his work is truly mind expanding. Stuart has experienced things in his life that I could never even dream possible. In this book, the author gives detailed accounts of life in other dimensions, along with some useful exercises you can try. Of particular interest is a detailed discussion about the "death tube" or what people claim to see during near death experiences. Stuart discusses how one can experience this without having a near death experience. Although to experience most of these things, one needs to be in a meditive state. I would purchase a book on meditation if you haven't already done so. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who would like to expand their mind!!

The Sixth Sense is a special piece of work that has added value and meaning to my life. If it does half as much for you, you've found something special. If you have read many self-help books and personal development books (even the good ones that focus on principle centered living and character development, rather than ego fuelling techniques and quick fixes), yet feel there is "something" missing from the picture, then "The Sixth Sense" is for you. The "missing link" may well be in your spiritual development, as it was in my case, having turned from a determined aetheist to a spiritual believer. To get a grounding I would strongly recommend Stuart's earlier books first, the infamous "TAOS QUINTET"; five books the first one being; "Affirmations". Stuart's friendly, humourous, compassionate, sensitive and practical approach is totally engaging. If the subject of Spirituality is new to you as it was to me, you will find this stuff challenges your core beliefs derived from childhood and mainstream society, but let it. An open-mind that reads this work will be touched and expanded in a most positive way. What have you got to lose? Don't miss out.

It was a surprising read because while you're learning something useful it's also wildly entertaining. He's extremely funny, almost like a stand-up comedian but with empathy.

It's engaging no matter what stage of the game you're in--whether you've been studying metaphysics forever, or you just saw "The Sixth Sense" movie and thought it was cool. The techniques are fun and fairly easy to do. You're not wondering forever "Am I doing this right?"

The book also covers lots of other quirky things like UFO's, the shadow self, fairy kingdoms--needless to say, you're never bored. Also, it seems his intention is not only to teach you, but to help you help others--a nice added bonus. Enjoy it--you'll love it.

The Introduction is masterful. Of books on "Ulysses"--and there are many, let's face it--this one stays close to my heart. A great one to begin your trek through the Dublin of 16 June 1904.

I suppose it is pretty hard to add anything to this monstrous string of reviews. But I will comment because (obviously like so many others) I found this book to be very important. The fact that so many reviews exist shows that this book has effected a lot of people (enough to expend their precious energies writing about it). As you can see, not many really ride the middle ground about it. People seem to love it passionately or they hate it passionately. This should be enough to recommend it to anyone. We all should be after books that are going to change us, challenge us, effect our lives and loves. This is a book that has done that for a great many people. If you have not read it, take the time. I do not think that you'll sit in your easy chair and say 'well, it was okay,' and flip on the television.
Personally, I found the book to be lively and entertaining. It was also challenging and arduous. Sometimes I couldn't put it down and sometimes I couldn't pick it up. Sometimes I thought it was a stupid book and sometimes I thought it was the best work of fiction that I had read. Ulysses is overall 'real.' It discusses truth, it changes a lot, like life. All the characters can be seen as stable in their lives, yet metaphysically sort of lost and wandering. That is like Ulysses. It is also a lot like you and I. There are jarring events, changes of style, unexpected devices and layers and layers of erudition. There are also normal everyday joes going about life as usual, to which we can all relate. It was not easy, and that is like life, also. Like life, it has a lot to teach you. And you can come back to this book many times and still find it fresh. It probably will seem an entirely new beast when you return.
Unlike some of the reviewers, I wouldn't recommend annotations. Trust yourself and trust Joyce in undertaking the work. Perhaps you'll miss things here or there. That is okay. You'll still 'get it,' in the end, if you make it. Part of it is seeing if you can make it, so you sort of fail in your test of yourself if you immediately resort to consulting some sort of 'dictionary of Joyce.' For anyone that sees this book as too daunting, let me just say that I'm not an English major or in a literature related field. I'm a music student, just a plain old undergraduate joe that read this book. I read the book without annotations except for one period where I was stuck and thought I didn't understand. I checked the annotations out from the library and I found that I did understand (at least as well as the annotator) and that I just needed to keep going to figure it out, just like in finding out how a Dickens plot is going to unfold. I would recommend against taking that step. Leave the annotations on the shelf. I'd recommend that you, another plain old non - literature joe or jane, try it. Trust yourself and try it.

Gilbert has written a classic analysis of Ulysses . This book provides both the initiate and the fanatic with a broad basis for comprehension of Joyce. It include historical documentation of the settlement of Ireland, connections of Troy and Ireland, an interesting view of Viking/ Greek parallels, aspects of occult knowledge. Failure to read this and you will not get 1/3 of the intricacy of Joyces works.

Treat yourself to listening to this during your commutes and I guarantee, your attitude toward money will increase in the positive and you WILL see an increase in cash flow!

In this valuable little book, Wilde reveals the psychological aspects of the money game, as well as the deeper metaphysical secrets of prosperity. Understanding the flow of money in our lives is one of the great spiritual lessons, as is a thorough understanding of the dynamics of love and interpersonal relationships. Many of the great teachers of mankind have taught that abundance is spiritual - that it is one's feelings and the power of one's thought that create wealth, and Wilde casts new light on these ideas in his witty and engaging style as he discusses the ten laws of abundance. He refers to the works of other great writers like John Randolph Price, Catherine Ponder, Ernest Holmes and Deepak Chopra and has some very interesting views of how manifestation takes place by the power of thought out of the quantum possibility into our three-dimensional reality. Ultimately, it's all about energy and how to cultivate a prosperity consciousness. Wilde is a brilliant writer and this work of his is no exception. As he says: "There's no reason why you can't be very rich and still be an extremely spiritual and wonderfully generous person." I highly recommend this excellent guide to bring those streams of plenty into your life. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

You could seriously get away without having to read his larger book on money, The Trick To Having Money Is Having Some, and come away from reading this small one, supercharged with many, many improved ways of looking at money and the consciousness of wealth. (but I have to read all of his books, i love this guy's books). I feel a need to re-read this particular Wilde masterpiece to remind myself that:
1. .. the freedom I give myself by knowing that my Divine-ness is so beyond money or attachments IS the very freedom to just play with my creativity and make lots of money!
2. .. how ego interferes with money
3. .. of the point that the first reviewer mentioned: Give people what they want, and put your own LIGHT into it,
4. I can't be insecure
(Page 95: "if you are solid and contained and secure, it helps them feel more solid, so they transfer their cash more readily")

This has to be part of your "prosperity-consciousness" collection! (Even though this would be very helpful even without his "Trick To Having Money.." book, I wanted to add before leaving that I'd really recommend reading that one too. There's too much to miss there.)

I consider myself fortunate to have had opportunities to study organic synthesis from some of the better contemporary organic chemists in the world. Here are some truths about it, regardless what was said in other comments.

1) The book presents a dissection approach in organic synthesis; that is, starting with the target compound, students learn to "go backward", "simplify", hence "dissect" the compounds into several moeities (precursors), whose precursors, in turns, can be obtained by further dissections, and so on and so forth. The process is continued until simple, common, commercially available chemicals are recognized as precursors (or starting materials). The task is then to recreate the synthetic scheme(s) to prepare the target compound, starting with these commercially available chemicals. So the comments about the book on this approach are correct.

2) In order to recognize the precursors, and recreate the synthetic schemes, students DO HAVE TO KNOW AND REMEMBER ORGANIC REACTIONS AND RELEVANT REAGENTS before they can establish a reasonable and workable dissection. So the comment that thanks to this method, students can get away with memorizing numerous organic reactions, is INCORRECT. The dissection approach simply helps us to START WITH WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE, and SYSTEMATICALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE AS STARTING MATERIALS.

3) Information in the book is somewhat outdated, due to rapidly increasing number of papers published in the field of organic synthesis. However, due to limited availability of textbooks that discuss the dissection approach in organic synthesis, this book is certainly a big help for students in chemistry and chemistry-related majors.

Warren's Organic Synthesis-Disconnection Approach focuses on retrosynthetic analysis in organic synthesis. Some of the central concepts introduced in this strategy book are synthons, target molecule, FGI (functional group interconversion), disconnection, and reagent.

Synthons: an idealized fragment, usually a cation or an anion, resulting from a disconnection. Synthons may or may not be an intermediate in the corresponding reaction.

Disconnection: the reverse operation to a reaction. The imagined cleavage of a bond to "break" the molecule into possible starting materials.

Functional group interconversion: the process of converting one functional group into another by substitution, addition, elimination, oxidation, or reduction, and the reverse operation used in retrosynthetic analysis.

Reagent: Warren introduces a formal and rigid definition of reagent in this book. Reagent is a compound used in practice for a synthon.

Warren's treatise of organic synthesis emphasizes visualizing and choosing not only the most obvious but the most efficient disconnection (retrosynthesis) in synthesizing a target molecule. The book is set up in a fashion such that synthetic strategies and organic reactions are presented in alternating chapters. Strategies aim to enforce tricks and concepts of organic synthesis like stereoselectivity, control of regiochemistry and stereochemistry, control of carbonyl condensation, order of events in synthesis, rearrangements, use of ringed molecules. Reaction chapters present some of the most significant reactions in organic synthesis, with an emphasis of those involve carbon-carbon formation.

Topics of Warren's Organic Synthesis:
Synthesis Strategies
-The Disconnection Approach
-The Order of Events
-Chemoselectivity
-Reversal of Polarity, Cyclization Reactions
-Protecting Groups
-Choosing a Disconnection (General Strategy)
-Stereoselectivity
-Regioselectivity
-Use of Acetylenes
-Introduction of Carbonyl Condensations
-Control in Carbonyl Condensations
-Use of Aliphatic Nitro Compounds in Synthesis
-Radical Reactions in Synthesis
-Reconnections
-Introduction to Ring Synthesis, Saturated Heterocycles
-Rearrangements in Synthesis
-Use of Ketenes in Synthesis
-Pericyclic Rearrangements in Synthesis
-Special Methods for 5-Membered Rings

Reaction Methods
-One Group C-X Disconnections
-Two Group C-X Disconnections
-Amine Synthesis
-One Group C-C Disconnections: Alcohols
-One Group C-C Disconnections: Carbonyl Compounds
-Alkene Synthesis
-Two Group Disconnections: Diels-Alder Reactions
-Two Group Disconnections: 1,3-Difunctionalized Compounds and alpha,beta-unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds
-Two Group Disconnections: 1,5-Difunctionalized Compounds, Michael Addition, Robinson Annulation
-Two Group Disconnections: 1,2-Difunctionalized Compounds
-Two Group Disconnections: 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds
-Two Group Disconnections: 1,6-Difunctionalized Compounds
-Three-Membered Rings
-Four-Membered Rings: Photochemistry in Synthesis
-Five-Membered Rings
-Six-Membered Rings
-Aromatic Heterocycles

The book teaches retrosynthetic analysis in organic synthesis. The ability to recognize an obvious and/or obscure disconnection facilitates organic synthesis tremendously. The methods and strategies presented in Warren gives advanced undergraduate students, graduate students and practicing chemists an overview of the most significant retrosynthetic pathways. Exceptional work.

The book treats the subject of organic retrosynthesis in a very clear fashion. It will be a perfect companion for students taking sunthetic organic chemistry course.

Security Transformation is an excellent book for a manager, "C" officer or other less technical readers. The authors take care to present the issues of digital security in an easy to read, non-jargon laden manner. And for the jargon that is put in the book, there is a glossary at the end to help keep everyone on the same page. This is the book you hand on to executives who just don't understand why security is important. It looks at the effect technology security has upon the ability to secure business and the ability to not be part of a larger problem, such as a Distributed Denial of Service attack. The warnings are real, but are not played for sensationalism, cooly explaining what threats are out there and what they mean to "you." I don't think I learned much I hadn't known already, but I did find a nice coherent package to introduce others to the risks, with significantly less amounts of techno-jargon or offputting technical details. A quick read and a good overview.

Mary Pat McCarthy and Stuart Campbell provide just enough technical information to help you understand the electronic security risks your company faces without falling into a complete course in computer programming and Internet data transmission. The authors' most valuable contribution is their structured plan for evaluating your computer system's security and creating security architecture. We [...] direct those who want a more advanced treatment of computer security issues to the book's two appendices, which review some of the same ground in more detail. This book is an important read for CEOs and an essential resource for anyone responsible for corporate security or risk management.

When I read the first chapter, I thought I had picked up a Clancy novel by mistake. The first section says "Are you scared yet?" You better believe it. The good news, though, is you can do something about it, and this book helps you make informed decisions about what to do. Definitely worth the price and more.

"To Love a Dark Lord" is my first Anne Stuart book. I have to tell you..I'm thrilled that I have discovered her and I cant wait to dive in and read her other stories!! Girls, This book was fabulous!!!..I enjoyed the storyline and the H/H immensely. There were also some of the most wonderful secondary characters in this book!! Killoran is so romantically tortured and Emma is his perfect match..I was up so late reading this..I couldnt bear to put it down!! DEFINITELY a MUST READ!!!!!!

This book is my absolute favorite Romance Novel. I have not found any Romance before or since that I have liked better. This book should have been available in hardcover as well as paperback. I really can't say why I singled this book out of all the others that I have read but my fantasy is that one day they will make this book into a movie. I don't understand why this book is no longer in print. I fell in love with all the characters in the book. I cannot express enough how much I love this book.

Anne Stuart is one of my favourite authors, I admit that, but for a reason. She is simply one of the best either for comptemporary or historical and as usual she delivers - this time one of her best historicals ever!

She is the Queen of creating bad boys with blackhearts and souls. This time the scoundrel is James Killoran, who has a heart and soul so black he himself knows there is only one reason to lives and that is revenge. But then revenge, can be a bloody dull and boring reason to live, since he cannot find the right weapon to extract it, so he uses people to relieve the tedium of his boredom when he is not drunk - and sometimes when he is! As he continually rescues poor Emma Lagolet from some of the most amusing and yet dangerous situations, we know the Irish Lord has met his match. He believes he has found the perfect instrument to form his vengeance, and will not let his attraction from Emma stand in his way.

It is funny, with strong characters, proving once again, Stuart is the tops. One of the Best!!