A trivialization in the presumption of simplicity. Speeth's parents were involved in the Gurdjieff Work. She wasn't. She met Gurdjieff as a child, but this book only indicates the shallow surface of the ideas and practices he expressed. This set of ideas is not called "the work" lightly. Speeth seems to have no clue what that means. If the actual writings of Gurdjieff or the highly recommended "In Search of the Miraculous" are too daunting to begin with, try Jean Vaysse's "Toward Awakening" as an introduction that is at least connected with its subject.
--I am not entering my name because I do not wish this to sound like self-promotion, not because I do not stand behind this opinion.

From looking at the reviews here it seems they love this book or hate it. As someone outside of "The Work" and who is collecting data to make a decision to delve into the work I may have a more objective view. This is the second book I've read on "The Work" and have read one more since. This book seems to accurately (although briefly) portray "the work". There are plenty of names dropped in this book as Kathleen explores the ancestry of the work and gives plenty of information on current groups. One tidbit I took away was about the value of the practice of the daily review. By reviewing one's day at the end of it this strengthens the practice of "Self Observation" as being a delayed observation of self.

Writers of spiritual philosophy could learn a lot about communciating their ideas by reading this slender, marvelously clear document. The author distills an enormous amount of complex material in a brief, accurate, and wholly understandable format. Don't let anyone tell you that complex ideas necessitate complex language. When someone really understands a subject, he is generally able to speak about it simply. And this author provides a beautiful case in point.

This book should have been titled 'Being Healthy Through Islamic Sufism'. There is almost nothing on Sufi methods of healing. Since this book is titled 'The Art of Sufi Healing' if you are looking for the actual *methods* or *art* of Sufi Healing, you will be very disappointed with this book.

Very little of the book talks about the nature of the body and the causes of disease and methods of healing. The author does not display any detailed knowledge of Sufi healing methods. Certainly nothing that would allow someone interested in being a healer to be able to apply. Most of the first part of this book is common information in alternative healing circles and available on the Internet. No reason to buy this book for that information.

The majority of the book is a collection of practices, meditation, whirling, stretching, etc. aimed at keeping someone healthy. Again, this information is not about healing. It seems the author had not achieved enough experience in specific Sufi healing methods to arrive at a meaningful synthesis in this book. The information that is presented is cursory, based on an Islamic Sufism order. There are other Sufi orders, including the Sufi Healing order, which possess much more meaning knowledge of 'The Art of Sufi Healing' than is presented here.

When I read this book, I was so at peace with how easy is it to become healthy and happy!!! With this book, those who feel as
though they are always in duress, can see that they don't have to be! I have given this book to many of my friends, most of whom
have never practiced Sufism, or even heard about it, and they seemed to have loved it. Also the recipe for the soup is GREAT!!! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be healthy and happy, and move on from their past!

If only all authors had such a delightful way of presenting spiritual teachings and healing methods. Keep it coming!

I was on the hunt for fascinating tribal stories and I came across this book put together by Marie Meade. Not only did it contain beautiful photography, but the stories that went with the traditional masks were well traslated and I was able to make more sense of the Yup-ik tribes and their ancient traditions. To see the dances in person is one thing that the book may never be able to match, but to read the book and then see the dance lets you read into the stories and become part of them. Great source!

"Boundaries and Passages" is one of the better anthropological texts on Arctic peoples to be found, Fienup-Riordan's text engages Yup'ik culture through context of ritual and shared space.

Detailed and often more of a documentary than an analysis, this text arms the anthropologist and/or interested reader with the context to form their own evaluations and conclusions.

The Yup'ik world is one formed by passages between the natural, spiritual, and human worlds. These passages are bounded, transgressed, and set right by rituals and practices that unite community...in effect creating Yup'ik identity in context of the outside world.

As well, Fienup-Riordan's text is a modern one, and she is clearly capable of acknowledging the changing spheres of influence that constantly create and recreate Yup'ik culture. Nowhere is the staid analysis of the Yup'ik as a dying culture, as a dead culture, as a static culture. Fienup-Riordan's book is a window into the living culture as well as the historical perspective.

An excellent text!

Not many novels stand out from my child hood. But Cadre One for some unkown reason is a fixture in my mind for some 16 years now. I find myself suddenly reliving the incredible experience over again, fired by a trigger I cannot explain. In short I probably can't tell you the specifics of the writing, but only vauge mental pictures of the boy and his grandfather both with incredible ability. This novel is a must have, and one of the only novels I can remember that held me captive throughout the entire life cycle of the main character. I will try and find a copy from a used dealer, and further pursue the two following novels. Until now I had no idea that a triology had ever existed. In short, if you are a sci-fi fan, and inspired by child prodigy and characters with incredible qualities....then you will enjoy Cadre One.

Who invented the transitor? The answer to this question is in the book. What is the transitor? The answer is in the book. Understanding the answer is another, more personal, matter. Why was the transitor invented in the US, when it was? This facinating question is well explored in the book. One may be surprised to see the names of Hitler, Einstein, Salvador Dali and Picasso mentioned in the same breath with the inventors. Which co-inventor of the transistor went on to win a second Noble prize for superconductivity? The book does not play favorites among the three co-inventors but the work of John Bardine on the transistor and superconductivity is reason enough for the biography fan to read this book instead of watching the biography of the "Hamburger Barrons" on TV. The story is not an "easy read." But cheer up, there are great pictures.

I posted the only other review of this useful book. I would just like to make a couple of emendations. The author of this book compiles useful graphics and charts to explain why every 18 inches of topsoil will reduce radiation in a shelter by a factor of ten. This is helpful, as far as it goes.

I would just like to point out something that he doesn't go into in much depth, namely the fact that a shock wave from a nuclear blast could very easily blow away a lot of that topsoil, even if you were a few miles from the blast center. Also, he should go into more detail about the fact that the guidance systems of Russian, Iraqi, etc. missiles are not very well tested, thank God. The problem with this is that there is considerable uncertainty about where they might actually strike. We just can't be sure -- they could be "off" their intended targets by a matter of miles. Therefore, if, like me, you are absolutely terrified of the very high chance that this kind of war could happen in the not-necessarily-very-distant future, you should try hard to procure shelter AS FAR AS POSSIBLE from cities, oil refineries or military targets. Ever consider buying yourself some real estate in Saskatchewan? How about Manitoba? You might want to give the idea some careful thought. And once you've bought it, try building your shelter a lot more than three feet underground. Personally, I hope to build mine at least ten or fifteen feet down, when I can afford it. Finally, don't forget about HYDROPONICS. There are a lot of ways you can grow food in a shelter, if the outside environment should become lethal for crops. Please do as much research as you can about hydroponics online -- unless, of course, you don't consider having a reliable food supply after civilization falls apart to be a high priority. Good luck.

I decided to "settle" on this MIS text in the absence of the one I was looking for, took it home and almost reluctantly began to read it. But it is exactly what I had been looking for! It is clear, precise and comprehensive. It combines some of the traditional aspects of Systems Analysis and Design with the more current focus on the use of information systems for strategic advantage, process reengineering etc. Liberal reference is made to case information and case studies. I would, however, have preferred a greater utilization of colour throughtout the text, and I missed the inclusion of a glossary. All in all, a worthwhile investment.

A comprehensive book in ophthalmology, It deals with a wide variaty of topics and have the classic Appleton and Lange format. although it contains too much information to learn in a rotation but it serves excellent as a reference.

Dr. Kathleen Riordan Speeth was in contact with Gurdjieff as a child. She studied Skinnerian behavioristics psychology and Buddhist and Sufi traditions.
This book has a very good bibliography made by J. Walter Driscoll and contains 500 entries, including recorded and sheet music.
The book is illustrated with beautiful ptotographs and paintings from Alexandropol to Bukhara and many places in between when the author is tracing Gurdjieff's search.