When the story opens the protagonist's wife has left him for another man, which triggers a mid-life crisis. The man quits his job and goes off in search of "the ultimate erotic experience." At this point most books like this degenerate into graphic descriptions of sexual encounters, and indeed this book was marketed that way. But fortunately it is much, much more.
Our hero encounters a retired Madame who becomes his guide. She gradually leads him - and us - to discover that the "ultimate erotic experience" is more spiritual than physical - it has more do to with discovering and embracing who we are than it does with simple gratification.
This is a beautiful book that had a profound influence in my life. It is unfortunate that it was marketed as simply an erotic novel. Don't get me wrong, it is sexy, but it should have been hailed as a sort of "Zen and the Art of Sex."
I have lent my copy to many of my friends and almost all of them loved it. I hope that the book is rediscovered and gains the respect it deserves.

I have read many books on this subject from oriental, Hindu and, pop psych, how-to, to scientific treatise.This is one of the few that encompasses the whole range of human emotions an emplicitly seperates lust and love and the sexual meanig of life. I read it about 15 years ago and re-read it in the last few days and again found new meaning. I highly recomment it. 11-15-97

The Wind Singer is a wonderful book filled with adventure, suspense, and imagination. If you liked Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings, there's a good chance you'll like this book, too. Kestrel, a strong individual, is unhappy with the perfect, orderly society she lives in. The wind singer, a peculiar structure that was supposed to at one time sing and bring happiness to the people of Aramanth, has always been a special interest of Kestrel's. The wind singer's voice was taken away long ago by the evil Morah in exchange for his army of Zars to leave Aramanth. Armed with determination and courage, Kestrel, her brother Bowman, and a classmate Mumpo, are set off on a quest to bring the wind singer's voice back and restore happiness and good will to Aramanth.

If you have read and liked The Giver or Gathering Blue, you like this better. Complete fantasy- well thought up- suspenseful and hooking- I couldn't stop reading it. This book has tons of challenges in it and the characters are always in danger- the plot moves fast and it never gets boring- I STRONGLY and HIGHLY recomend this wonderful book!!!!

This book is my favorite book. I remember the first time that I read it. I would have to get up from my desk, walk around my apartment, and digest what I was reading. It was so exciting.

Nicolson brings together Theology, History of Science and Geology, and Aesthetics in such a beautiful way. She describes what was an important change in western thinking about nature that occured at the end of the seventeenth century.

Ignore, William Cranon's introduction that ties Nicolson's work to today's ecocriticism. But find and read other works that study nature and culture; Clarance Glacken's Traces on the Rhodian Shore (1967), Arthur O. Lovejoy's The Great Chain of Being (1936), and Leo Marx's The Machine in the Garden (1964).

Although this book has few pages, the insightful analysis of the miracles occurring during Christ's crucifixion are thought-provoking and drive you back to the Bible to check out the miracles with new eyes. If you thought you knew the story of the crucifixion, the tearing of the veil, the earthquake, the cry of Christ at His death, etc. the reading of this book will reveal many things that have escaped your attention. As many times as I have read the story in the Gospels, this book has shown things I have never seen in the different accounts of His death. We have used this book for weeks of study in our local Bible Study. If the Six Miracles of Calvary gives you a new revelation of only one miracle, the 3 hours of darkness, it is well worth the price. Absolutely fascinating, so glad we were introduced to this small powerhouse. I highly recommend it.

In San Diego, thirteen-year-old Alexis Castille-Reed attends a pool party where the alcohol flows. An accident occurs, but fortunately no one dies. However, her upset mother "banishes" Alexis for the summer to live with her father in International Falls, Minnesota.

Alexis' dad is the authority on the bald eagles. Currently, he leads a study that is banding eaglets to gain research on their natural habitat. Alexis is put to work, but though she loves the birds, she remains angry with her father for deserting her. On a nearby island, Alexis climbs up a tree to remove a fish lure from an eagle's nest. However, when she lifts an eaglet out of the nest, she drops the bird. That error is compounded when she finds herself stranded on the island protecting the injured eaglet from nasty weather and a bear.

This is a wonderful preadolescent to young teen novel that focuses on Alexis, a person in trouble. She needs closure on her younger brother's death from cancer, but at first is not able to find a way to grieve without guilt for living and without alienating her parents also mourning in their own ways. Through the eaglet rescue, Alexis attains an understanding especially of her father whom she previously loathed as well as personal comfort. Though her parents talking with one another following their estrangement feels strained, WHEN EAGLES FALL is a strong survivalist tale that the young at heart will enjoy soaring with.

Harriet Klausner

The Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh...in his 100 Acre Wood Eden...are celebrations of friendship and loyalty. Maurice Sendak's WHERE the WILD THINGS Are, startlingly glimpses into fun; adventure and beckoning unknown dangers inhabiting the seemingly guileless imagination of children. THE VELVETEEN RABBIT might be thought to complement these major modern works of CHILDREN MYTHOLOGY. "How Toys become Real..." is subtitle and theme of this superbly crafted fable about LOVE: its promise; pain and overwhemling power to miraculously transform. Like all great fairy-tales, cuentoes and parables, the story is Once-upon-a-Time simple. It can be read to any child over three, and read by any child eight or older(3.5 g/e). It is told from point of view of a "really splendid, fat and bunchy Velveteen Rabbit...with coat spotted brown and white...real thread whiskers...and ears lined with pink sateen." The toy rabbit "quests" the love of his playmate master(BOY)that can...according to Mentor and friend THE SKIN HORSE...grant REALITY.
"When a child loves you for a long, long time...not just to play with...but REALLY loves you, then you become REAL."

Adorning this story is the wonderous art of illustrator Donna Green. In this 1995/98 edition, the "picture book" is illuminated with beautiful oil, acrylic, and lush pastel paintings that glow, and shimmer Life-like and LOVE-like. It is beautiful art work intrinsically conveying Margery Williams' mythical message to the young and young-at heart. (10 Stars)

Daughter Anna (now 19 years old) loved this book. It was her favorite above all others. As we sorted through some old kid things for give-away purposes, we stumbled upon this old, well worn copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit." She insisted we keep the book for HER children.

This was her book that Mama (me!) had to read to her again and again and again. As soon as the last word was read on the last page, it was "Mama, please read it again!"

(how I miss those days, by the way!)

The book also has a powerful message about Love that children understand and cherish.

This is a wonderful book. No child should be without their own copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit."

This is a heartwarming story about a toy rabbit filled with sawdust that wants to be real. He realizes what the meaning of "real" is when his owner, a young boy, gives him the answer for which he searches. My wife bought this book for me last month. I missed it as a child. I've learned the lesson in this book in traditional ways, by trial and error. I would have loved to have this treasure as a child and thank my beautiful wife, Lori, for giving it to me, now. Only real love has any meaning or longevity, at all. I ask you readers to not pass up this gem of a book. It is a must for children and adults alike.

William Nicholson's "The Wind Singer" tells the story of Kestrel and Bowman Hath, a twin sister and brother who live in the city of Aramanth. Aramanth is a joyless city, divided into color-coded districts, with White being the best and Gray the worst. Families are ranked based on the results of yearly examinations, and everyone is told to strive harder, reach higher, and better themselves.

Kestrel gets fed up and publicly insults the High Examiners, the Emperor, and the whole way of life in Aramanth. This puts her whole family in danger, and she, Bowman and Mumpo (a hapless boy in their class at school) go on a quest to find the voice of the Wind Singer, a strange contraption at the heart of Aramanth, which has been silent for hundreds of years. Meanwhile, their parents are fighting for their dignity and freedom in Aramanth.

The book is a wonderful fantasy, very inventive. In addition to the thoroughly unpleasant culture of Aramanth, we meet the mud people who live under the city, the Baraka and Chaka who travel the desert plains in great wheeled ships, the disturbing "old children," and the unstoppable Zars, who serve as the army of the Morah, an evil being who holds the voice of the Wind Singer. Unfortunately, the later stages of the quest, once Kestrel, Bowman and Mumpo leave the plains, are not nearly as detailed and absorbing as the first two thirds of the book.

"The Wind Singer" is a lovely, fun book, which manages to deliver a message without beating readers over the head. Though it's the first book of a trilogy, it stands very well on its own, leaving only a few dangling hints unresolved. However, it's aimed at people between 8 and 12 years old; adults and teens should adjust their expectations accordingly.

The wind singer is a wonderful book filled with adventure, suspense, and imagination. If you liked Harry Potter, or The Lord of the Rings, there's a good chance you'll like this book, too. Kestrel, a strong individual, is unhappy with the perfect, orderly society in which she lives. The wind singer, a peculiar struture that was supposed to at one time sing and bring peace and harmony to the people of Aramanth, has always been a special interest of Kestrel's. But the wind singer's voice was given to the evil Morah long ago in exchange for his army of Zars to leave Aramanth. Armed with courage and determination, Kestrel, her brother Bowman, and a classmate named Mumpo, must bring the voice back in order to restore happiness and equality to their home and its people.

The Wind Singer takes you into a world where anything can happen. It's about Kestrel and Bowman, twins, that can secretly somehow talk to eachother through their heads. It is also about Mumpo, who is a drooly geek with a big secret. They live in Amarath and it is not how they want it to be. They set out on a seemingly endless journey to fix their community. They meet friendly foes and evil villains along the way. Will they conquer their goal while still conquering their fears? Will they stay together and find knew friends and meet somepeople that they thought they would never see again? Will a legendary story turn out to become true? Read The Wind Singer and find out the misteries and excitment of this thrilling book that you won't be able to put down.

Hey! i loved this book! When i bought it, i couldn't stop reading it! i lent it to my friend and she and i can't stop talking about it. The book is the second book of a Trilogy, called The Wind on Fire. Throughout this book, as well as the first one, we follow twins Bowman and Kestrel, who are as similar as they are differet. They are very close. At the begining of this book, The Mastery invades Armamanth destroying the city and enslaving it's people. Kestrel avoides this capturing and watches as her family is led off with the rest. She leaves her city still burning, and follows as the Mastery leads her people away. She vows to follow them and avenge the death of so many of her people, so she follows as they march. She eventually finds a caravan of people going to the Mastery to wed their princess to the Master's son. The book takes you back and forth through the eyes of both Bowman the slave and Kestrel the avenger, and tells their tales. It is a very good read, i recomend it! It is amazing how close Bowman and Kestrel remain throughout their seperation. they both long for each other in such a way it's amazing. I love the characters and the faith they heve in eachother. Just an overall good read!

The day I bought this book I sat down on the couch and read for the rest of the day. William Nicholson's Slaves of the Mastery isn't just a book for children and teens. It deals with mature issues such as slavery and violence. If you read The Wind Singer and didn't like it enough to read the sequel, reconsider, because this book is so much better. Kestrel, Bowman and Mumpo are unique, appealing characters and there is always a new spin on the story. As for me, I'm anxiously awaiting the third book in the trilogy. Read this book- you won't regret it!

Slaves of the Mastery was a great follow-up on Kestrel and Bowman Hath who are 15-year-old twins that can speak with each other telepathicly. One day at dawn the people of the Mastery come and enslave the people of Aramanth. They burn down the whole city and for the first time Kestrel and Bowman are seperated sot they can't talk to each other with their minds. Bowman goes with the rest of his people to Mastery to be a slave while Kestrel follows her people planning to avenge the people of the Mastery. While following her people she runs in to the Johdila (Sisi) who is the Princess that has to marry Ortiz, the son of the Master. The book goes back and forth between Kestrel and Bowman and how they plan to avenge the Mastery and free the slaves.
This book was great. I could not put it down. Like the Harry Potter books when I finished I got mad because the third one wasn't out yet. I do have to admit that I really didn't like the first couple of chapters, but after that I couldn't stop reading. It kept me on the edge of my seat 85% of the time. This book isn't just for kids I'd suggest this book to people of all ages.

This book is a wonderful ending to the brilliant trilogy William Nicholson has written. The characters are createed with so much history, they seem real. The whole story has a depth to it that I have never encountered before, not even in Lord of the Rings or the Robrt Jordan trilogy. As you read, questions pop up into your mind, but it is almost garaunteed that if you don't get an answer right away, you will come up with one on your own by the time you finish the book. My only complaint is that it is so short!

Ok im only 13 years old and it wasnt a struggle to read at all. I cant write very good rewievs, so make sure you read all the other ones written by intelligent and extremely helpful people. I just want to say if you are thinking of buying this book go RIGHT AHEAD! i guarantee you will not be dissapointed. The characters are all brilliant. I have written books myself but i have never got so involved witht he characters emotions and feelings before. It even made me cry- which i dont often do. I keep reading it again and again and again. Im still not bored of it just sad that it's ended.I rate this book a well deserved 5 out of 5! It is extremely gripping, adventurous and jam packed with stuff. PLEASE read it, especially if you have read the other two in the trilogy. If you like teen books like artemis fowl, his dark materials ect you will LOVE this. It is even better! The ending isn't absolutely great as it is a bit soppy but who cares??? Its... its... its...amazing! INGENIOUS!!!

This is an excellent book. It has no weaknesses and proves to be an excellent sequel to the other two books in the trilogy; The Winsinger. Slaves of the Mastery. Anyone that enjoyed these two books would enjoy this one. The characters are very realistic and you can relate to some of their dilemmas. It is a great book for all ages even though it says it is for the younger reader. It is just as enjoyable for adults. It is very easy to understand and i couldn't put the book down, i was literally glued to it. Even though it is 340+ pages, it is exceptional.

William Nicholson's Shadowlands (adapted for a radio theater production by Jenny Sullivan and Martin Jarvis) is the story of C.S. Lewis and the American poet Joy Gresham. Lewis, famous for his "Alice In Wonderland" fantasy for children, was a teacher at Cambridge and Oxford Universities, and an avowed atheist throughout his early life. But in 1931 Lewis converted to Christianity and became an outspoken defender of the faith until his death in 1963. Shadowlands is based upon this his meeting Gresham and how their lives became entwined with a shared love that transformed all of Lewis's relationships, including his relationship with God. A full cast that included Martin Jarvis as C.S. Lewis and Harriet Harris as joy Gresham, under the direction of Jenny Sullivan, makes Shadowlands a superb acquisition selection for personal, professional, academic, and community library collections.

Shadowlands is my all-time favorite play to read on a rainy day, on a lazy Sunday, and even on a rainy, lazy Sunday! The story of the famous Christian writer, C.S. Lewis, moves the reader to tears, laughter, and reminds us that life is a precious gift. Lewis marries a divorced woman named Joy, which creates a conflict with his solid religious beliefs. Joy's severe case of bone cancer causes Lewis to question the God in whom he has so firmly belived, despite his famous speeches written about the purpose of pain and suffering. As Lewis is forced to grow up through experience, one can share his emotions and close the book with renewed faith and hope for our own lives. Nicholson writes eloquently, bringing to life Lewis' speeches on pain and suffering within the play. The play is based on the actual lives of Lewis and Joy.

A perfect play! Something that one could really relate to. Love & pain and the connection between them...you can't get one without the other! Also, great ideas on God's infliction of suffering, something very believable for me. "We're like blocks of stone, out of which the sculptor carves the forms of men. The blows of his chisel, which hurt us so much, are what makes us perfect. The suffering in the world is not the failure of God's love for us; it is that love in action." How true!