Why would you want to buy just one cassette for about $8.00, when you can buy all six tapes for approximately $24.00? But for those who prefer this program to the others, I guess you save some money. "The First Storytellers" conversation explores accepting death as rebirth using the Indian buffalo myth and the Christian story of Christ; the rite of passages in primitive societies; the role of Shamans; and the decline of ritual in modern times. The Indian Buffalo myth is a wonderful metaphor of rebirth, but also highlights the reverence the Indian felt toward the animal. Animal and Human relationships are discussed at the start of the program; it begins with the hunt. The ritual and Shaman conversations are powerful, short pieces. There is a feeling that Campbell (or maybe the listener) needed about 5 minutes more on each topic. Campbell is fluid though; so everything fits and follows. From a business perspective, this tape may be useful for those interested in organizational transformations and cultures; it provides a classic framework. I can't imagine anyone studying either organizational concept without a bit of Campbell background.

This is truly a smashing book, filled with such vision. Cambells five straight years using his reading technique served him right. The content and expressions are so alive. I would reccomend this to anyone.

I teach adult Sunday School and this book has been a valuable companion to the video tapes of the PBS show, Talking About Genesis. The material in the book is very balanced and well-presented. The suggested activities are varied and I'm sure you could find something that fits the make-up and personality of any adult class. Our class has really enjoyed it.

This book is a great resource for more thought. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a prominent Genesis story and features a short essay by authors from one of the 3 "descendent" religions. Some of the more interesting essays included: Reverend Leighton's "The Legacy of Cain", "Arguing with God" by Rosann Catalano on the Sacrifice of Isaac, and Francisco Garcia-Treto, a Cuban-American minister, unique perspectives on the exile. Additionally there are short paragraphs by such authors as Augustine, Solzhenitsyn, and Ellie Wiesel. Finally short quotes provide gems for further meditation. I found this book useful for myself as an individual, but would be great for Bible discussion groups. Though familiar, these Genesis stories never fail to surprise.

This book, which stayed on the bestseller list for quite some time and is the companion book for the PBS special of the same name, sprang from Moyer's friendship with Norman Cousins, author of Anatomy of an Illness and from viewing his father's debilitating headaches that began after Moyer's brother died. Each chapter is an in-depth interview with various healers, some from Western traditions, some with interests in Eastern traditions. The quality of the interviews is sporadic; I felt that since Moyer's doesn't have a medical background that there were times better questions would have elicited a more interesting turn to the conversation. Some interviews will put you right to sleep unless comprehensive discussions of neuropeptides excite the heck out of you! The most informational interviews came from physicians speaking about their fears and admitting to the types of limitations and insecurities they experience in the course of practicing - and how these fears are never discussed with patients in case they should "get too close". For my purposes, the interview with Ron Anderson, CEO of Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas was particularly enlightening particularly his statement that "But as we shift to more chronic disease models, we've got to have people who are able to help take care of themselves when they go home. Chronic diseases have to be dealt with as illness in the community and in the family." (p.33) And I would add, in the workplace. I wouldn't purchase this book, but taking it out from the library for a quick skim would be fine.

With the sad state of health care in this country, Bill Moyers' engaging series looks to be quite prophetic 10 years after it first aired. As a casual observer of illness my whole life, I firmly believe that so much of what ails people is psychosomatic. Understanding how the mind works will be crucial in health care in the 21st century, as the model we currently have just isn't cutting the mustard. The book is a nice companion to the series, but the video of the Chinese lady receiving brain surgery using only acupuncture as anesthesia needs to be SEEN to be fully appreciated. My favorite video part is Jon Kabat-Zinn's use of meditation as a way of alleviating pain. I often show this Episode 3 to my classes and they are certainly fascinated. The book is a good place to start, but try to find the tapes at your local library also. P.S. Bill Moyers deserves some kind of national medal for his sustained excellence as a broadcaster!!!

A very conservative look from one angle of alternative medicene yields opinions from respected medical practioners that there is more to healing then completing your perscription on time. The last section, focussed on traditional Chinese Healing, is the most interesting, although Moyers can be a bit of a dolt with his constant questioning about "chi". Really really gets one thinking about what is health, and what should be the role of physicians today.

Looking back on this book, I guess it's that I wanted to like it so much more than I did. What a great concept! Take a variety of modern poets, interview them and get them talking about their works alongside the poetry. Now you see the expectations in such a book to poetry lovers everywhere. But after owning the book for 7-odd (and they have been) years, I rarely find myself going back to it after the initial read. Why is that? Let me try to tell you.

Moyers indeed takes a variety of poets to interview, from recognized greats such as W.S. Merwin, Rita Dove, Donald Hall, Adrienne Rich, Ocatavio Paz to name a few to lesser known (at least to me) poets such as, Garrett Kaoru Hongo, Dekou Sundiata, and Mary Tall Mountain. Some of the interviews are fascinating as one would expect them to be. But the majority of them drag on. Instead of making the language come alive, the power of the poetry is diluted when it is talked about. Give credit to Moyers for attempting the project and to opening up his purview beyond the academically accepted greats and beyond strictly English-writing poets. For that Moyers is to be commended, but the end effect leaves the reader wanting for more.

I have gotten so much more from any on the "Best American Poetry" series or a little known poetry compilation called "The Generation of 2000," for the sheer love of poetry and learning about poets, than Moyers' book. As for non-English poets, buy the bilingual editions (Paz's collected poems, Neruda's selected poems, etc) even though you don't speak or understand the original language. It's a must to see and hear how the poetry was intended to sound and also be able to read it in a language you understand.

It is almost impossible to please everyone with a collection. Why was this poet included? Or you included him/her and didn't include this poem... Are you insane? The benefit of an anthology is that it can introduce the reader to poets that they may otherwise never come in contact with. To that end, I am thankful to Moyers for introducing me to the work of James A. Autry and Lucille Clifton. I also enjoyed many, but not all, of the interviews. This was a good book. If you are interested in poetry but aren't sure where to start, this collection will introduce you to a wide variety of styles. I am sure you will find something you like, and it will be worth the effort.

I nearly didn't buy this tape series after reading some of the blase reviews. I'm so glad I listened to my intuition (which basically said, "Bill Moyers had broadened your world in the past. Why would he let you down here?") Whew. Always listen to your intuition.

I've listened to poetry tapes in the past but, for me, this fantastic series is a rarity -- it captures the interaction and intimacy of live poetry readings. It's art-in-a-box. Highly recommended to all artists and spiritual seekers..... Another bonus? My husband, who always cast a wary eye toward poetry, is now attending poetry readings after listening to these tapes and finally experiencing for himself the profound power of this medium.

Thank you, Mr. Moyers! And please, please, please come out with another series like this.

This would have been an outstanding environment to have a great discussion over this "Beginnings" of Scripture. I say this because what is missing is a clear "conservative" voice. Certainly there are several whom one might label as providing this side's views. There are many such Old Testament stalwarts who could have did this admirably, e.g. Walter Kaiser to mention but one.

Thus, this book is very unbalanced as the liberal element is so prone to do: ignore the traditional, conservative opinion as well. You find it in all their works. While the conservative side most always reacts and interacts with the liberals, you rarely see it in the reverse. Thus, the poor unknowing layperson sees this as the total picture. Or hopefully not.

"Oh, Lord, open thou our eyes."

Perhaps if you haven't read these since childhood Sunday school, you still think these are simple stories. These compact stories all have deep issues about life and what it means to be human. I was surprised by the feeling that God may be wresting with what it means to be God and allow humans freedom. There almost seems to be a trial and error approach to creation. The people in Genesis are all exposed as being very human, with fractured families. The people on the video are also very human, and at time the discussions are very personal, like sitting in with an old friend. This book and videos offered an amazing number of views, and one shouldn't view them as dogma. I was particularly surprised by feminist and Koran views. I hope to read further by Burton Visotzky who was a participant. For an example of unique reading of Abraham and Isaac see Kierkegaard's "Fear and Trembling".

I don't agree...I found this book exciting. Most books today considering the question of Genesis are generally written by conservative believers and marketed to the faithful. We've been fed the conservative point of view fairly consistantly since the founding of this country. In my experience, I find that the conservative rarely reach out to conduct this kind of inquiry, instead focusing on "spreading the word" they personally endorse with very little time for others' interpretations of the bible's message. They rarely reccomend such books as this to their peers, for fear of the questions which may arise from the text. (this is, as I've said, based upon my own experiences, and doesn't apply to conservatives as a whole, I should hope.) I read and consider both camps, but have always seen the field as unbalanced in the conservative direction, especially here in the south. Welcome this book, read this book, and consider this book. It's a rare thing thoughtfully constructed.

After receiving a few mean-spirited e-mails about my review of this book, I feel I must clarify a few issues.

Again, I've gone through nearly 30 books about 9/11. After you get past the austere black cover, this paperback falls with a thud.

Simply put, this book tries too HARD to be profound. You see images you've seen before, such as the sequence of shots of one of the jets slamming into the south tower of the WTC. Nothing new.

Two things bug me: Layout and content.

In the layout, you get the feeling the editors are trying to SLEGEHAMMER the reader with the obvious. I hate this. For example, in some essays, certain words and phrases are laid out into single lines, as if they are poetry. Then there is the awful decision to use fonts of varying sizes to EMPHASIZE certain passages. This is a pretentious device that, I'm sorry, calls TOO MUCH ATTENTION to itself. It is completely unnecessary and smacks of a patronizing tone intended to magnify the depth and gravity of what occurred on 9/11. We all know about that dark day. We DON'T need it pushed into our faces under the umbrella of "literary art."

Meanwhile, about the Chomsky essay: It's short but it's awful. It's laid out, again, in a way that feels like "padding." His message reads like an "I told you so" lesson. Here's what he does: He points to America's "sins" of the past and then turns them around in a way that makes you want to believe that it's NOW THE UNITED STATES' TURN TO SUFFER. This is horrible. His opinions are the stuff of fiery pamphlets handed out on street corners. (BECAUSE WHO WOULD PAY FOR THIS?)

OK, what's good about this book? Well, some of the transcripts of phone calls and a handful essays from victims and witnesses are well done. Why? Because they ARE NOT pretentious. But when others try to be "inspirational," they end up stating the obvious. I can't help but feel most writers were given an outlet to "vent" their own emotions, which have more relevance to the writer than to the reader.

If you want more for less, pick up the December 2001 issue of American Heritage Magazine. There you get five-star opinions about 9/11 from individuals of world repute. It has a "permanence" this book lacks and it doesn't feel rushed together.

In sum, it's fine to read what people like Joan Rivers, Deepak Chopra, Richard Dreyfuss and others "feel" about 9/11. But is it worth PAYING for? You can't judge quality by "good intentions." This is a rush-to-market volume featuring opinions from most who have (or who will have) little if any impact on our lives. Why not opinions from Giuliani, Bush, Blair, Sharon and Arafat, even those recorded by the news media in the AFTERMATH of 9/11? Why not more views from individuals who can effect CHANGE? This book could have been GREAT.

Trust me, this is NOT the definitive book of "think pieces" about 9/11/01.

If you disagree, fine. It's your money. But my advice is to borrow before you buy. There are other books worth buying. This one isn't.

Features a collection of moving photos and thoughtful essays, which capture much of what the world saw and felt September 11, 2001. Notable contributors include Deepak Chopra, author; Gary Fabiano, photojournalist who was trapped under the rubble; Robert Kennedy, Jr., politician; Liam Neeson, actor; Shashi Tharoor, Senior UN Official and author; and more. . All proceeds from this book will go to support the International Red Cross Federation.

This book is not easy to find. I finally ordered it from Amazon.com and I was amazed by it. I read all the critiques to this book. I usually like or do not like a book. I love this book, it is very factual, accurate and explores the feeling of about 30 people that had somenting to say about 9-11. It does not matter to me who they are and what they do, what matters is that the essays touch on fears that I had and still have. I do not pretend this book to change the world but to give me feeling and images to hang on to. On each essay I can find someting I can relate to and this makes the book special, it makes it personal. Highly recommended.

This book is truly for idiots. It assumes that you were in a coma or a recently thawed/reanimated caveman who is unsure what those noisy things in the sky are. The "Gliding" in the title refers to one thin chapter of the most basic info. This book would be entirely suitable for a precocious toddler or any elementary school child interested in writing the most basic of book reports.

The chapter in this book on JFK Jr.'s crash last summer had me reading from paragraph to paragraph like I was locked into a suspense novel.

Oh sure, we all know the awful conclusion, but what is so riveting is how author Bill Lane walks you through all the details of the fateful flight, and adds in logical, well-explained theories about what may have happened -- down to how the red and green lights from the control panel of JFK's craft may have been reflecting off the inside of the windows, further reducing visibility that foggy night. Reading each detail, I got goosebumps, and felt like I was right there with JFK and the Bessettes, getting more and more tense as more and more things went wrong on their trip to Cape Cod.

I haven't been a big fan of things flight-oriented. But this book is written in a way that makes you realize that deep down somewhere on some hidden level, you have all these questions about flying that you didn't even know where there. Oh yes -- it had me saying to myself -- I guess I have wondered what demographic it is that ends up crashing their own planes most, and oh yes, I have wondered what physical phenomenon it is that makes pilots become so disoriented when flying at night. This book puts you in touch with that curiosity, then cheerfully answers the questions for you.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Flying and Gliding is written in a tone that's very familiar and explanatory. Thankfully, it never talks over your head leaving you confused -- but it doesn't condescend, either. It really hits the spot for people who are curious about the ins and outs of flight -- from actual aerodynamics, to the psychology of pilots -- but have been too afraid to ask about it all.

What keeps planes in the air? Do acrobatic pilots ever pass out from all that pressure when they turn upside down? What's "get-there-itis"? What's "nose art"? What does it feel like when a small plane hits the water at a 5,000-per-minute descent?

You have to pick up the book and find out!

A very readable, friendly introduction to aviation. The perfect gift for anyone considering getting a pilot's license.

The subject of this book--who gains admission to America's colleges and universities, and why--is very important to all citizens, not simply prospective college students and their parents. The author, Angela Browne-Miller, explains why her subject is important but then spends most of her book detailing the highly complicated and idiosyncratic admissions' policy of one school, the University of California, Berkeley.

The book suffers from Bay Area-itis, the belief held by some residents of the San Francisco Bay Area that they are at the center of the universe, the prophets of all that is new and about to become significant in American culture. The author lives and works in the Bay Area and constantly extrapolates lessons from the local university to "everywhere." Not surprisingly, the book is published by a Bay Area company. (As a professor at Indiana University, Bloomington, I can assure her that most of her points about admissions' policy do not apply here, nor at other public universities in this area, or at most schools in many other areas of the country.)

The book is also badly organized and the author often does not follow some interesting leads, instead she lapses into highly opinionated diatribes. Ironically, I should have been more interested in her comments about Berkeley--I hold two degrees from the school and spent almost ten years of my life there--but her discussion is often so convoluted that I became bored and skipped pages.

The book contains a few good nuggets--e.g., a nice summary of the history of women's education in the U.S.--but, on the whole, it delivers none of its promise: to inform the reader about the important subject of college admissions.

As an admissions professional, this is one of the best books to start with regarding the struggle with promoting diversity on college campuses. The case study of UC-B shows how intricate the issue is and how much it permeates other issues on campuses--retention, student services, alumni giving, etc. Its a fairly easy read and one I recommend to all colleagues. Add this one to your shelf!

This amusingly misunderstood book (and major record of our times) pretty much says it all. People are so stuck in their ways of analyzing social problems and politics that they can't see the forest through the trees - or the truth through their delusions. It seems that many readers place the blindingly colored glasses of their personal biases and expectations over their eyes before reading. Tell these readers that this is not a book of the left or the right. It is most likely closest in foundation to libertarian underpinnings. This is not a book favoring the SF (California) Bay Area view that it is the center of the world. This is a book revealing the mess that higher education has stumbled into and is now blaming on funding, affirmative action, and so on. Bureaucracy is the problem, not social policy, the author writes. Experiments in education are wonderful, but these experiments become fixtures - expensive institutions that do not change well when times change - like universities. How expensive such a poor use of brainpower and taxpayer money and student time these experiments are becoming! This book proposes we look for the truth about supposedly democratic higher education and dig for reality regarding the cancerous bureacracies growing out of colleges and taking them over. Bureacracies do nothing for social programs such as admissions but stifle their value and waste their funding. The individual stories in this book are enough to make the read worth it. Keep the book - it will feel like a scrapbook of this era only a few decades from now. The author's true-to-the-truth weaving line of assessment of the wandering history of admissions policy demonstrates that the messy implementations of great social experiments are enough to make disbelievers out of even their own inventors.

James Dunn was a flake who alienated everyone in the Baptist Joint Committee for Public Affairs, and he may have even fatally wounded the body now that the Southern Baptist Convention no longer participates. The blames rests solely on his shoulders for demolishing the BJCPA and causing friction within Baptist life in North America. He was perhaps the most disasterous president the BJCPA ever had.

I wouldn't read ANYTHING by Bill Moyers. He is your typical narrow minded liberal with absolutely no contact with the real world. He thinks he is a god. Sorry Bill you are the biggest jerk on the face of the earth. Hey, God's gift to the human race, watch out there...don't hit your head while you try to go through that door, Bill.