Once again, Robert Rabbin has managed to define the indefinable....to bring understanding to what seems incomprehensible for many of us. His unique and gifted style of turning words into wisdom brings clarity to the silence within us. Echoes of Silence is truly the meditation guidebook for the new Millennium.

These wise poems and aphorisms point to the heart of meditation, beyond (or rather prior to) all technique. Rabbin reminds us that true meditation is simply being the Mystery of who we really are, free from effort and manipulation.

Robert Rabbin drinks from the same well-spring as Rumi. He is a champion like Ali because his words float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. I love Echoes of Silence. I couldn't wait until the next word, the next phrase because they took me to a place I've always wanted to go, but didn't know how to get there. The book is more than words to be read. It is an experience. I was held gently, and I was shaken, but whether resting in comfort or vibrating with what I had just read, I felt closer to the heart of meditation.

The Narcissistic Family is an eye opener. I grew up with a terribly Narcissistic Father. I realize all my siblings and their families have been impacted, some in devastating ways. This book defines Narcissistic family so that anyone can understand where their feelings of no self worth and other destructive behaviors originate. It is written for therapists, but is easily understandable. I am sending copies to all my family and my husband's family.

The Narcissistic Family has been a book of great help and insight to me. Like other reviewers said, the authors are very kind and did not clog up their writing with psychobabble. Now, I finally have an idea of my own upbringing and family. I am from a covertly narcissistic family and many told me about how wonderful my family was when I was growing up. Those people did not know the inside story about what daily life could be life. I have often felt blamed by my family unfairly. Not that I belive I am perfect, but they always seemed to minimize the roles of others in problems/conflicts and maximize mine. If I ever put an emotional demand on them, they often put me down or gave out sterile advice in a rude, condescending way. There was a large lack of communication between my parents and I can remember several instances of verbal abuse between them. Something was not right, but I could not put my finger on it until I found this book
Two techniques that really helped are the "notebook" exercise and the "lavender sapphire." I also have really benefited from the Pressmans' assertiveness model: I feel....I want. Simple, direct and right to the point. This book has really helped me set limits in a positive way as well.
This book is a bit on the pricey side, but well worth it. I recommend it to all who have issues related to family upbringing and in particular to those from covertly narcissistic families so that they may finally be validated and understood.
Once again, such a great find!

Wow. The light bulb went on over my head when I read this book. After years of dealing with depression, anxiety and panic attacks, therapy and prozac, I finally "get it". If you recognize yourself in the description in the introduction, I would recommend this book. It described my covertly narcissistic family to a T. Knowing the sources and causes of misconceptions I hold about myself and the world at large have already begun to help me improve my outlook and my relationships.

In my opinion, the books to date containing the most complicated and outrageous origami models are the following: Kawahata's Dinosaur, Issei's Supercomplex , and this CHAMPION , Lang's Insects. Every model here needs a lot (really a lot) patience and many-year folding experience. Or you MUST fail in folding over half of them. There are lots of unexpected and new technics, every model is in a neatly calculated mathematical proportion and with the exactly right number in every part (eyes, legs, antennas, etc.) In Facing such a book, I completely, deeply, adore the art of origami.

Origami Insects and Their Kin is absolutely my favorite origami book. All but the first model are extremely challenging, and the first one would be given a "complex" rating in any book. I can't stress this enough: if you are bored with the origami books you have because they are too easy, THIS is the book you are looking for. The only downside is that everything else pales in comparison afterwards! The insect models in this book are what one expects of Robert Lang, and then some. They are all beautifully rendered, and amazingly, they're simple enough in design that it's hard to imagine taking any of the details away. The models are so difficult because Lang chooses great subjects, from the exotic-looking Black Pine Sawyer, Samurai Helmet Beetle, and Long-Necked Seed Bug, to the common (but still beautiful) Pill Bug, Dragonfly, and Ant. It's difficult to continue elaborating on Origami Insects and Their Kin, because after several years it still makes my jaw drop, leaving me speechless. This book stands head and shoulders above any other origami book I have seen, for complexity and model quality. If you can't stand insects, perhaps this isn't the book for you. If that's not a problem, then why haven't you already put a good fifty hours into this book?

This book contains some of the most difficult origami models available. Insane folds requiring large, tough paper are the norm - some of the best origamiist in existance find that the models tend to shatter into shreds from the stress on the paper. The resulting models are detailed in the extreme and very beautiful - if you survive the construction!

Conan O'Brien is one of the funniest men alieve and this book proves that!This book evolved from a sketch on the show(one of the best, other than Pimpbot 5000). He and the Late Night Writers are amazing,they come up with so many diffrent sketches that its not even funny. If you have ever wondered what celebrities babies looked like this book is a must have.
HAIL CONAN!

heart,
ivy the barbarian

The book is funny with hilarious pictures and commentaary. In my opinion Conan O'Brien is the best show between the hours of 12:30 AM and 1:30 AM on nbc.

This is definately a must have for any Conan O'Brien fan. Late Night with Conan O'Brien is simply the best show ever. Conan O'Brien is the funniest man alive and he along with the Late Night writers have only shown that with this hillarious book. I can't wait until In the Year 2000 comes out. Conan O'Brien is truly a genius when it comes to truly hysterical, unique and orginal comedy, I give this book Five Stars. Read over and over again.

A book I'd recommend to everyone. Robert Weinberg is obviously on the shortlist for a medicine Nobel, and with the acknowledged help of his US editor has produced a wonderfully lucid, exciting book about how science discovered what cancer is and how it works. The link to evolution and Darwinism (at the gene level) is perhaps surprising. but utterly crucial.

This is a *fabulous* time to be alive, if you're intelligent and enthralled by knowledge!

No prior knowledge of cell biology or genetics is required. I have gained an appreciation for the complexity of cancer research thanks to the book. I highly recommend it. You also learn a fair amount of the history of the development of cancer research. And don't think you need to read through hundreds of introductory pages to accomplish this. The book is under 200 pages.

Once again: What I found great about the book is it explains very clearly the current thories on how cancer starts and spreads without requiring any prior knowledge in the field.

For the scientifically oriented who are interested in the details, it has a big reference and endnote section. 5 stars for sure.

This a wonderful introduction to how cancer begins. It presents a fascinating history of the research involved in uncovering the underlying causes of cancer as well as acquainting the reader with the genetic underpinnings. Weinberg assumes no prior knowledge of cell biology or genetics and proceeds to skillfully lead the reader into some rather deep waters. By the end of the book the reader will have a very good grasp of what cancer is all about and will have gained an appreciation for the wonderous complexity of the cell's inner workings. I highly recommend this book to anyone blessed with a sense of curiosity. You won't be disappointed.

"Robert Hodgson Van Wagoner has written the first great Mormon novel," according to Martin Naparsteck in the Salt Lake Tribune. Tracing the life and problems of Terry Walker, a mathematics professor at the University of Utah, Dancing Naked is "about the way love manifests itself and how it can turn on us and be our enemy when we don't understand ourselves. It is also about secrecy and distrust and what they do to relationships," said the author, Van Wagoner. The main character's son dies early in the novel by accidental(?) hanging in the family bathroom, the first instance of "dancing naked" in the book. His son's revealed homosexuality, causes Walker to struggle with the results of his own religious upbringing at the hands of his father, a violently homophobic Mormon. Paul Swenson, in the Salt Lake Observor, declared the book to be a "love story, with moments of peace and hilarity, but ... also dense and painful." The appeal of the book extends beyond those in Utah or with Utah or Mormon ties. Anyone with a gay friend or family member will find resonant chords here. And, as with all fine literature, the wordcraft and the insight into human nature speaks to us all

For a first book, Dancing Naked is excellent. In fact, I'd say it would be excellent for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th too.

This story is about a father's difficultly in accepting his son and his son's differences (whether those are the son's homosexuality or even just his 'sensitivity') and ultimately dealing with the poignant results of that rejection. The father's desire for a ordered world is never found.

I loved this book, to put it simply. As a gay Mormon born outside of Utah but having lived there for 5 years, the characters, who are very well developed, rang true. Only one did not seem particularly "Mormon" to me, Terry's father (the father of the main character). I've met many a homophobic Mormon men in my 20 years as a Mormon, but none seem to fit this character. A small point.

Yet, this book is more than just a book about Mormons and homosexuality, like any good literature it is about something universal, set in a very specific situation, of Mormon Utah. It is about parenthood and the struggle to accept our children when they 'disorder' our world.

I agree with an earlier assessment, it is rough in parts, mainly the flashbacks are a bit heavy at times, but overall the writing is excellent, the story enthralling and the characters well written.

I really hope this book gains a wide readership.

Trey

P.S. As to the one review with a "Brodie" recommendation, seems like the reviewer has an ulterior motive in the review. The book does portray Mormons quite well and relatively balanced (but it can never be a broad portrayal, it was not meant to be at all, the reviewer missed the point of fiction).

I have been looking for a book about the Mormon culture that would be interesting to non-Mormons. I think that the Mormon culture is fascinating in its idiosyncrasies, and I have been excited for a long time at the prospect of someone writing a book about its idiosyncrasies.

Most Mormon literature that I have read is very preachy in nature. The climaxes have been that the protagonist realizes that the Mormonism is for him or her, and the main struggle has been about whether or not Mormonism is true. While this can be a good subject, it is entirely overused in Mormon fiction.

This book is different. It is a book about the complex relations between Terry-the disturbed mathematics professor, Blake-his gay son, and Terry Sr.-his homophobic ultra-religious father. That is why I say that it defines a new genre, because it is a well-written book about relationships inside of a Mormon culture, not about a book about Mormonism.

He has a very good vocabulary, and is very good for a first time novelist.

The following paragraph of criticisms made a very minor impact for my appreciation of this well-written book:

If you don't like flashbacks in books, then this book is not for you. The book is mostly a series of flashbacks. It contains flashbacks within flashbacks, and contains an every-other-paragraph-is-a-flashback scene. Also, the narrator uses words and phrases that are unique to the Mormon culture such as "beseechingly," "murmurous," and "bear testimony to this truth." The use of these phrases is not extreme, but may make this book a little hard for a non-Mormon to read. And even though the characters in the book that are gay are very complex, the discussion of the nature of homosexuality is relatively simplistic.

Also, if you are offended by swear words or by frank discussions about homosexuality and stories of a sensual nature, then you will be offended by this book.

What is good about this book is that it not only covers the familiar bad boys like Bogart and Mitchum but also such lesser known but nonetheless fascinating men like Tom Neal and Lawrence Tierney. And it covers the entire history of Hollywood from Wallace Reid of the silent era to Robert Blake who is in today's headlines. Anyone who knows Parish's books will want this one. And anyone who doesn't better start.

This is a fascinating look at Hollywood history. Bad behavior is as old Hollywood and bad boys go back to the earliest days. But this is not a simple recap of tabloid stories; this is an indepth look the backgrounds and careers of these bad boys. It also traces the consequences of this bad behavior. The book could also serve as a cautionary tale; much of this bad behavior is the result of booze and/or drugs and in many cases derailed or completely destroyed promising careers. I recommend this highly interesting book.

Hollywood has a long history of bad boys as this fascinating book shows. Bad behavior is as old as Hollywood,but this book is not a simple recap of tabloid stories. It gives an interesting background to the actors' careers, their missteps, and the consequences of their bad behavior. It can also serve as a cautionary book. So much of the bad behavior is a result of booze and/or drugs and in many cases derailed or destroyed very promising careers. I would definitely recommend this book.

I had previously read all of the Cordina triliogy some years ago when I rented them from the library as part of Nora Robert's Language of Love series. I never bought them though, so I was escatic when they were rereleased in one trilogy. My favorite story is The Playboy Prince. I love the characters of Bennet and Hannah. Command Performance is also a great read. The only story I wasn't so fond of was the rirst one, starring Garbriella and Reeve, Affaire Royale. But, like all of Roberts stories, the characters and plot are wonderful, and she does a good job (in my opinion) of portraying what royal life would really be like. If you are a fan of Nora Roberts you are going to love these stories, and even if you aren't a fan, this trilogy will still amaze you.

These three in one novels featuring the 2 brothers and sister of the Royal Cordina family are examples of Nora Roberts at her romantic best. Unlike many reprints of older works, these books read well for the present and don't seem dated by annoyingly passive and helpless heroines. The characters are interesting and nicely done; the plots have lots of palace intrigue; the romance is fun; and there is the added bonus of enjoying the same lovable characters as they develop in the three stories. A fast and fun read.

I was in a bookstore and happened to pick up "Cordina's Royal Family." I'm really glad I did. My favorite story was "The Playboy Prince." I love Bennett and Hannah. I also liked "Command Performance." The first story, "Affaire Royale," is not the best; each one just gets better. I liked this trilogy so much that I bought "Carolina Moon" by Nora Roberts. However, from page one I saw that "C.M." was waaaaay different from the Cordina trilogy--not that I don't like it so far (I'm in the middle of reading it); it's just different. So I'm going to agree with another reviewer and say that Nora Roberts's early works are the best--more romance, less murder/mystery stuff.

My husband lost his father a few years before we got together, but in reading this book, I think I was able to understand better much of what he went through and what forces have made him the man he is today. I'm the author of "Fatherless Women: How We Change After We Lose Our Dads" (Wiley) and I was struck by Chethik's handling of an (obviously) related topic -- particularly by the similarities and differences he uncovered in men's experiences as opposed to women's. All of this, by the way, comes in a lovely, readable book -- making it useful for those of us who live with fatherless men, as well as for the men themselves.

First, I am pleased to see the 5-star reviews dominating the customer reviews. I finished reading FatherLoss about three weeks ago, but I had to wait to write this review because something was going on as a result. Since reading FatherLoss, I have had talks with my wife and my mother and sister that I never thought I could have. And my brother, who I never talked to about such things, opened up to me for the first time in 36 years. We lost my father suddenly in 1965 -- at a very young age for all of us. I truly wish now that I had this book back then, even at a young age. How helpful it would have been for my mother, to give her guidance, to read to us for reassurance and understanding of our emotions. So many things I thought were wrong about me turned out to be "normal." Thank Mr. Chethik for making his book available now. For all persons who have suffered loss, or who know somebody who has -- get this book; get it for a friend, a spouse, any relative. All aspects, all ages, all problems, all relationships can be found in FatherLoss as it relates to a son's loss of his father and all consequences for all persons associated with the suffering son. It is for women in love with such sons, for their sisters and mothers -- and for the son himself. I have seen Mr. Chethik present a reading and discussion at the Unitarian Church of Evanston. Beyond the hard work and thoughtfulness of his book, Neil Chethik is a kind man. For all he has done for me because of the words in the pages of his book, and for countless others, we should all thank him, and wish him great success -- I have no doubt, Mr. Chethik, that your son looks at you and thinks, "My father -- he's MY father." Thank you and congratulations.

My father died when I was 14. He was as guiding, caring, and as thoughtful a person that had ever been. I could not call it love then. Most men my age(43) had fathers raised in the "old" tradition of the depression era- common sense, integrity, honesty. When we lose Dad, the person who represents all we hope to be, it is devestating beyond description. Neil Chethick helped me understand this.
To lose a father at any age is a transformation we cannot understand by ourselves. This book will help take the sad edge from that loss. I had the pleasure of communicating with Mr. Chethik about his work and have shared the copy I had with other men of varied ages. Read Fatherloss if you have lost your Dad. Thank you Neil again.

This was my first origami book. It flows from simple to intermediate to complex with no problem. The diagrams are the clearest there are (although I wished they ALL showed shading, only reason why I'm not giving five stars), and the models range from the cute (Penguin) to the original (Dog in a Doghouse) to the complex (Praying Mantis) to the REALLY complex (Crab). If you're a beginner, pick this book, and slowly evolve as you turn each page. Trust me, you'll thank me for it!

Even though the final models are *extremely* complex, the book begins with very interesting texts about origami origins, evolution and approaches to creation; and the models go in progression from the very simplest ones. So actually this is an excellent "transition" book - if you have some experience with origami and have the ambition to try more complex stuff, there cannot be a better book than this one to guide you. The diagrams are crystal clear, and so are the indications. I got this book when I was 11 (I'm 24 now), and it is still every bit as amazing an enjoyable as back then!!

This book contains dozens of charming animals, from high-immediate to complex models. Instrucions of diagrams in this book are neat, a novice folder may feel a little hard to follow. But for experienced folders, this is a wonderful book.