I read this book from cover to cover as if it were a detective novel, or maybe a Dostoevsky novel that would help me resolve how idealistic characters can actually come to terms with the world they live in and yet try to resist how the world of morality kills the life in us and brings us down. The author leaves the reader in suspense about how Hardy will eventually resolve the man-woman, flesh-spirit love tragedy. It is, in the final analysis, a defense of Hardy's female characters as well.So anyone who is perplexed and yet fascinated by Hardy's novels can not help but be spell-bound by this book. The reader will learn along the way that many intelligent critics have been lured into permanent self-deception about love and sexuality and they have ignored Hardy's working out his own evasions. At the same time the reader will learn that Hardy's evasions are his or her own and that there is another, third way, to resolve the struggle between flesh and spirit, reading and living, thinking and feeling.In order to solve the riddle of "flesh and spirit" the reader must follow the clues left by Hardy and the author until the end of the book.

Serious critical study of Thomas Hardy, that is still an excellent
book for the non-expert. An unusual interpretation which should spur discussions. An extremely well written book by a man who knows
his subject

A "PANZAIC" READING OF HARDY'S NOVELS

On the back cover of this book there is a descriptive publisher's blurb:

Wayne Burns' critical approach to Hardy's fiction has enabled him to present significantly new interpretations and evaluations of Hardy's novels. While some Hardy lovers may find Burns' criticism irreverent, or even outrageous, it is solidly grounded in the texts of the novels themselves, and will bear the closest critical scrutiny. Yet the book is so clearly written that it can be read and understood by anyone interested in Hardy's novels.

While these may seem like extravagant claims, they really are not. The book more than lives up to them. The one point that the publisher has not stressed is the radical nature of Burns' critical approach, which he identifies as Panzaic Contextualist. Although not a weakness, but a strength, ths approach may prove difficult for many readers to accept. Even after Burns' eleven-page Foreword and four-page Introduction, some readers may find Panzaic Contextualism unacceptable: it may seem too Lawrentian, or too Freudian, or too stark, or too much of a departure from accepted critical norms and practices.
But if these readers can put aside their theoretical objections they will discover (in Burns' first introductory chapter, entitled "Dulcinea as the Immaculate Sister) that he is presenting a verifiable scholarly interpretation of the ways in which the Victorians went about living and loving. As Burns explains:
For the Victorians, or at least for nearly all middle- and upper-class Victorians, the war between the flesh and the spirit was by way of being a holy war that had as its ultimate aim the elimination of the flesh from man-woman love relationships [...]. The conflict between the higher and lower forms of man-woman love is everywhere present in the writings of the Victorians. Indeed for many of them the higher form was not merely a moral or literary ideal: it was the love that, in their own lives, they often chose to place above, or apart from, the lower forms of love that they felt for their husbands or wives.

This general statement Burns develops in an extended analysis of the immaculate loves of Dickens and Mary Hogarth, Thackeray and Mrs. Brookfield, Mill and Harriet Taylor, along with, in fiction, the immaculate loves of the hero and heroine of Charles Reade's The Cloister and the Hearth, finally to conclude:
Hardy [...] believed in the higher and lower forms of love. But not in the way his fellow Victorians believed in them-in part because of his growing up the son of a Bockhampton stone mason, in part because of his being as sensitive, and tormented, and courageous as Michael Millgate and his other biographers have shown him to be. As a beginning novelist, however, Hardy's greatest virtue may have been his ability to recognize the realities of his situation. He knew that, whatever he himself felt or believed, he had to comply with the demands of publishers and editors and readers-if he were to become "a good hand at a serial" and make a living by writing novels. And he did comply, though not without difficulties, as the following discussions of his individual novels will reveal. He presented the war between the flesh and the spirit on the farms and on the heath and in the woods of his mythical Wessex, always keeping within the prescribed moral boundaries, until, in writing Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure, he threw caution to the wind-to write two of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century.

Here, in outline, is the critical argument that Burns carries through to Jude the Obscure. The early novels, including even those which have come to be considered classics (Far From the Madding Crowd and The Return of the Native) Burns treats rather severely, primarily because they do not measure up to his Panzaic Contextualist standards. He recognizes the Hardyean virtues in these early novels-the interesting and charming heroines, the beautiful and sometimes powerful settings, the wonderful rustics. But he finds these aspects and qualities insufficient to overcome Hardy's melodramatic moralizing.
Burns is equally severe in his treatment of The Woodlanders. It is not until Tess, Burns demonstrates, that Hardy escapes from his moral chains-"choosing a forbidden subject, and treating it Panzaically. The differences between the ending of The Return of the Native, in which Clym is lecturing only on 'unimpeachable subjects,' and the beginning of Tess are so great as to seem inexplicable. It is as if Hardy has become a different novelist. As indeed he has." But it is not until Jude the Obscure, Burns maintains, that Hardy manages to give full artistic expression to his chosen subject-the never-ending war between the flesh and the spirit.
In Jude Hardy finally solved his immortal puzzle ["Given the man and the woman, how to find a basis for their sexual relation"] and in doing so created a great novel-only to discover that it was opening him up to criticism and abuse even more virulent than he had experienced following the publication of Tess. For Jude was attacked not only for its sexuality but for the views it expressed on women and marriage and society and the church. In the words of Patricia Ingham, "Contemporary society recognized a revolutionary when it saw one."But that was not what Hardy wanted to be. After The Well-Beloved he wrote no more novels and devoted himself to his poetry.

It is one of the finest critical studies of Hardy's novels that I have read; indeed Burns' chapter on Jude the Obscure may well be the first critical study to do full justice to that novel.
__Barry Tharaud, Editor, NINETEENTH-CENTURY PROSE

This book is one of the most beautiful gift books...great for any household coffee table. More than that, it is full of the beauty and riches of God and how He works in the lives of His children. The author's personal experience growing up on a Vineyard gives him the expertise to help the reader understand the spritutal aspects through the explanation of the practical. It is most definitely one of my favorites and a great gift to give to anyone...whether a believer or not. For the believer it will enrich and enhance his/her walk with God. For the unbeliever it will give a glimps of the God who loves him/her.

I absolutely love this book. I don't read a lot, but this is a book that I belive will help people who want to, to understand more about the Lord Jesus Christ and The Father in the role of Vinedresser... It is wonderful.

The message in this book touched my heart, If you struggle to understand God's perfect plan read this book. The analogies are so beautifully illustrated. You will know how beloved you are by our Father, and how carefully He tends to us, throughout the stages of our spiritual growth. We need tending in order to bear fruit!

It's cute, so your non-hockey-loving wife will like it and it's hockey so it passes the most important test of all.

This book is so enjoyable it really makes me look forward to storytime. The story, based in truth, is one adults can identify with and kids find amusing. The rhyme scheme reminds me of Dr. Suess and the illustrations are first rate. The little girl in the story learns how to help others, in this case the Great Wayne Gretzky, at the expense of her own good fortune. It shows an intact loving family (a rarity in today's culture), shows that little girls can be the star of a story, and can play hockey. If you like hockey, love kids, or remember reading Dr. Suess as a kid, you'll love this book.

My 2 and 4 year old like hockey and they love this book. We picked it up at the library and were very pleasantly surprised to find such a refreshingly modern book. It is about a family that accidently end up buying Wayne Gretzky's hockey stick at an auction. The daughter plays hockey and the stick helps her to play better. But in the mean time, Wayne Gretzky goes into a slump without it. The girl decides she must return the stick to him. I cannot do the book justice though. It is a rhyming verse book that is so easy to read and there is alot of humor in it, yet it has a nice lesson. My kids have tons of books but they love this one and it is one that I do not get sick of reading. Thank you to the author's for something new and refreshing.

As VP of International Development for USANA, a leading direct selling company, I found this book to be one of the most simple and comprehensive books about our industry. I use this book to train new staff and recommend it to any distributors seeking a roadmap for getting started. Mary provides new associates with a clear understanding of what to do (step by step)if they want to be successful in this industry. I would recommend it to anyone seeking to build a network marketing business and I give out copies on a regular basis. READ IT AND SUCCEED!

I was new to a cosmetic network marketing company and had read about 15 books on network marketing and getting started.Most were helpful but not exactly what I needed and then I read Mary and Waynes book. That was about a year ago.It was enjoyable to read and full of all the information I was looking for. At the time I had no upline close to help me. This book became my "upline. I highly recomend it to anyone starting out in network marketing and anyone who has been in for awhile and needs fresh ideas. I have it on my "must have" supply list for all my new distributors. Also by following the book I am on my way to my first million. Thankyou Mary and Wayne

Network marketing is a tough business to start. It tends to rely on one person's skills and enthusiasm. The authors obviously know this and have set out a clear, informative and concise guide to getting it done. The material on getting and keeping new customers - the heart and soul of a network business - is particularly strong. Because it is comprehensive this is the book to get moving with.

Well written, containing all the neccessary information and forms, this book is an invaluable resource for those individuals who are interested in legally changing their name in California.

Pro's and con's are examined about Court Ordered Name Changes and Common Usage methodologies. Well thought out and written in a very readable and comprehensive style...this book answers almost any question you may have regarding the implications of changing you name.

Highly recommended....by far, the best book I have seen on the market around this issue.

This book packs a wallup!
It was complete, concise, and easy to follow.
I definately could not of made the change without the help of this book.
I do not recommend trying to change your name without this - it walks you through from A to Z, not missing a beat.

Excellent book.

clear, concise...a pleasure. made my name change easy. thanks nolo!

This is the follow-up to 1989's Medjugorje: the Message. I loved the book. It is a personal account of what Mr. Weible has endeavored in his mission to spread the gracious news of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Weible takes the reader from the end of his Protestant days into his full communion in with the Catholic Church. He chronicles the happenings in Medjugorje and gives updates on the lives of the visionaries. He has committed himself fully to MAry's message of peace and gives the reader a most exotic and exciting trip around the world documenting the fruits of his work and Mary's call. I couldn't put it down.

This book and others from Mr Weible have changed my life forever. It truely has brought me closer to GOD thru the Blessed Virgin Mary. What better way to come closer to our savior than tru his holy mother. And for all people who may not quite believe or have a doubt because of what the bible says, I just have to say that why would it be kinda weird for bad angels bringing people closer to the Son. Open your heart to God and dont let your mind get in the way. God will not let you go astray!! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL THE WORLD!

yes the spirit being calling herself the virgin mary is doing signs and wonders. purchase the bible (here on amazon of course) it warns of angels of light doing signs and wonders in the end times but these miracles are not from the god of the bible.catholic teachings on MARY are in direct conflict with the bible...

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Mr. Williams' first foray into literature. Ordinarily, a Western is not the type of book that I would choose to read - I tend more to modern-day fiction (such as A.S. Byatt), grocery store thrillers, and historical non-fiction. A variety circumstances lead me to purchase The Mortal Coil, and as it turns out, I finished most of the book in one evening's reading - it was simply too hard to put down. I was quite impressed at the depth of his characters and his narrative abilities. Here, Here! to Mr. Williams. I hope there is another effort forth-coming in the not too distant future!

Wayne Wlliams has taken a page out of the Louis Lamour story telling book! His description of the old west is captivating and he does an outstanding job of developing the characters. The plot develops quickly making the book hard to put down. However, the story is not too predictable and once again the accurate descriptions of life in Texas in the late 19th Century were wonderful!

Mr. Williams is, in my opinion, the best Western writer since Louis L'Amour! He brings the Old West to life with very vidid characters and highly detailed action. His descriptions bring his settings to life better than most Western authors in the modern era. Each of his characters were not only vividly drawn, but also highly original. I recomend this book to all lovers of Western novels and stories. I hope this novel helps bring this dying genre back to life!

While the author is redundant through-out the book, he has certainly brought to the public the oppor- tunity to look into the case of another "trial of the century". In taking the position that Richard Hauptman was wrongfully exicuted, Mr. Jones does show much evidence to demonstrate his claim, and I have been moved into the same opinion. The book is over 1200 pages, and at times tedious, but I found it to be well worth the time spent. Mr. Jones is into his eighties,and I think he should be commended for the accomplishment of his life's goal.

Jones documents more information in his book than any other thus far. While he presents his conclusions about who was responsible for the kidnapping, he leaves many avenues for other verdicts that may eventually come along. While the book is difficult to put down, there are times when the author presents needless details. On several occasions, he leads us through several pages that eventually go nowhere when a brief paragraph would have been sufficient. I have read dozens of books on the Lindbergh kidnapping case but this is the most complete so far. The book will make the reader very cautious concerning police and prosecuting practices in capital cases.

Sad to report that Mr. Wayne Jones passed away on Saturday, July 4, 1998. Although at times this book is tedious reading and, when needed, repetitious, it is a book that must be read if one is interested in the true story of the Lindburg kidnapping.

Apparently, some magical force is invading Greyhawk, a fine medieval city. It kills some of the famous and dignified seers of Greyhawk. The murders aren't random and it seems that the magicians who cast the murders don't want the seers to tell the future - some kind of scheme is being plotted. Garett Starlen, head of the Nightwatch of Greyhawk is troubled by the murders and plans to investigate the happening together with his comrades. A sense of helplessness prevails in Greyhawk and Garett is the only one who can save it from being.......

The book is very fun to read and altough it's fiction, it's classic fiction (dragons,wizards,magic). Until the end it keeps you wondering what is the force who bothers Greyhawk. The book is written in a rich language and gives you the feeling you're actually in that era. The only thing that made me give this book 4 stars is that i expected a more sophisticated or rather longer ending. GREAT BOOK - READ IT !!!

TSR obviously did not know how a good stuff when they see one. Some of its best books were published in innocuous covers with hardly any marketting support while it pulled out all stops for a number of its worst written drivels.

Night Watch, written by Robin Wayne Bailey (Thieves World), was published in 1990, just as TSR was experiencing a lot of difficulties (which they oft do but that's another topic). Gary Gygax, founder and anchor writer for the Greyhawk series, had left and the company turned to other writers to carry on the Greyhawk series, the results which was so bad that it cancelled the series before Night Watch was printed. As a result, Night Watch was published without the customary Greyhawk logo.

Despite not being a role-playing gamer, the author took painstaking efforts to study the Greyhawk setting for his first and only (to date) Greyhawk novel. The results produced should put to shame the works of many other TSR authors who began with greater familiarity, both past and present.

Instead of trying to ride on the formula of previous Greyhawk writers, Bailey created his own - a detective thriller in a fantasy setting. The novel was placed in an undefined time in Greyhawk, and without contradicting any canon, could be fitted almost anywhere in the Greyhawk timeline except the major wars.

Rather than revisiting the same scenes mentioned in the earlier Greyhawk book (Saga of the Old City), Bailey made his main character, Garett Starlen, captain of Greyhawk's Night Watch. He gave a brief glimpse to Garett's past, just enough to present him as an honest man, educated and competent in his duties without unjustified idealism, and was good enough to inspire loyalty from other competent subordinates - Blossom, a seven footer amazonian, Burge, a half-elf who hated his faerie ancestry, and Rudi, a short fighter sensitive to his height (or lack of).

Greyhawk, in an ordinary day, was bad enough. The poor had a hard life, regardless whether they had an honest job. The rich, protected by the privilige of wealth, spent their hours protecting their wealth. The district for temples were lined with religious institutions of varying, even opposing, dispositions. The city was governed by the Directorate, composed of various factions of power, including leaders of the Thieves Guild and Assassins Guild. All were aware that orderliness, with a smattering of chaos, was in their best interests and hence the Watch was not merely an instrument of the elite.

Magic was very much part of life in Greyhawk, and the story opened with the successive murders of the city's fabled seers by their own instruments, all within one night despite being quartered in different parts of the cities. It fell to the captain of the Night Watch, Garett, to investigate those murders, which were certainly caused by magic. While the Watch could normally seek help from the Wizards' Guild, there was no response at the Wizards's Tower, and no sane person would intrude a wizard's lair, much less the Tower of the Wizards's Guild.

Further disturbances in the form of unusual flocking of black birds, inexplicable departure of the city by elves, warned Garett that an approaching danger, which was why the seers had been killed. Garett could get no help from the Directorate, whose members were more keen in protecting or promoting their own interests than the city's. It would take an intercession from one of Oerth's legendary Circle of Eight to provide Garett with the clue to the threat and the instrument to overcome it.

Readers familiar with Dungeons and Dragons or Greyhawk settings might be put off by the portrayal of magic in this book. Instead of the usual spells like wands of fireball, the investigating characters were virtually bereft of magic. Instead of an adventuring group mixture of paladins, clerics and magic users, they were all fighters belonging to the Night Watch. And when contact with the Wizards' Guild was lost, there was no other magic-user in the city of Greyhawk they could turn to, a phenomena any Greyhawk fan would vow as impossible.

But as someone who appreciates the essence of fantasy more than game-mechanics or statistics from RPG supplements, I really like what the author had done.

The clues were well laid, but it took the main character to act upon his gut instinct and against incompetent superiors to get anywhere. Critics who say this is another Thieves' World novel in Greyhawk guise are probably right, but it should not mar the enjoyment of the novel. I need only to point to the Knights of Crown series by Roland Green, set in Dragonlance setting, as another example of enjoyable fantasy novels borrowing an established setting but lacked the distinctive "essence" of the setting. Even the recently published novel Keep on the Borderlands which was based on a well-known Greyhawk classic had hardly any Greyhawk-ness in it.

Having said that though, while I regret there is no sequel to Night Watch or Garett Starlen, to date, any further work should include more of Greyhawk-ness.

I read this book 8 years ago and I enjoyed it a lot! The action takes place in the City of Greyhawk, but not the City of Greyhawk you're used to. It takes place in the future, a future where the mayor Nerof Gasgall and the Circle of the Eight had misteriously disapeared. The captain of the City Night Watch must investigate several murders to prevent a civil war between the city's temples. Great book!