A great book, providing a very human view of the development of higher education. Andrew Rice is the perfect vehicle to explore Oxford, Tulane, and several experimental curricular attempts at collegiate education. Reynolds is a gifted writer. Her research is deep, her charactors compelling.

An amazing glimpse into the world of medicine.. this book isn't just for medical student but for everyone. There isn't a single person alive who hasn't lost a loved one, or been through ones own or others illness... a must read for those looking for perspective

...the science of health. The art and science of the human spirit.

These are given every year to first year students by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and in my opinion, it is like a trusted physician's black bag in which you have the practitioner's stethoscope and blood pressure cuff and plenty of simple pharmacies for a house call--one in which the doctor is not in a hurry to run.

Let not the title catch the layperson off kilter--it's chocked full of good stuff for the rest of us humans who just like to read classic and near-classic works. Like some of my favorites: Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Dickinson, Larynx by Neruda, House Calls by Lewis Thomas and A Summer Tragedy by Arna Bontemps. There's a superb essay on wonder and the evolution of the human spirit by Melvin Konner. There's a Vonnegutian reworking of Frankenstein ( "a crass medical genius" with my real supervisor's first name--I'm grinning as I type this). There's a Chekhov piece on the loss of hope and sadness when one loses a child. Then there's copies of art--Munch, Rockwell, Fildes. Plus, lots, lots more.

First year medical students who usually are to busy to read anything for enjoyment, are missing out on a great collection if they don't stop to smell some of these literary roses. We lay folk with a taste for a great read or two will take us this slack and pass the word on how superb is this collection.

Reynolds, Stone and (new to this edition) Nixon have produced an almost magical book. I've used the previous two editions of this anthology in a seminar with third-year law students and fourth-year medical students ("Law, Literature & Medicine") and look forward to using this new edition in 2002. The impressive literary range represented here -- from the ancients to the most modern (including a little gem from an 11-year-old poet) -- captures the perspectives of patient, healer, family member and others who must deal with illness or death. Many of the classics are collected here (Dylan Thomas (Do not go gently), John Donne (Death be not proud), O.W. Holmes (The Stethoscope). In addition, the editors' command of modern texts -- especially short stories and poems -- gives fresh voice to up-to-the-minute versions of ancient concerns. This book gives new meaning, and new signficance, to the idea of "the art of medicine." Anyone who is facing or may face illness or death, or knows someone else who will face these inevitabilities (that is: ALL OF US) will be enriched by this unique and valuable collection.

The true life story of Bjorn Ortenheim has enough rich material to span several books and whilst some of the detail of his spiritual encounters with the 'Power of Light' were too far removed from my own beliefs, the message was as striking as it was stark. I can't recommend this book enough, it completely engrossed me and after finishing it in one sitting, I know I'll read it again. It hasn't changed my life, but it has made me sit up and take a good look around me at the world and my place in it. Utterly fascinating.

Readers of Ruth Montgomery's books on walk-ins were introduced to this Inventor-Scientist and his drive to create a polution free technology. Pattents for electric cars, hybrids, energy recovery devices and water purification are only a hint of his efforts to bring us into the 21st Century. This humanistic biography reads like an adventure novel- but its all true. A remarkable life! A necessary follow up to Ruth's final book, "The World To Come". Read and change!

Bjorn also wrote a novel, the Crystal City, just published, and has a children's book in the works. Use a search engine to find more!

A fantastic and very inspiring book that deals with the
underlying forces of nature. Bjorns guide "Power of Light"
gives us so many clues of why nature acts as it does and why
"the creator" probably will have to shake us up a bit in order
to get our priorities right.
As far as I can understand, we don't have very much time left
to change direction if mother earth is to survive.
-And of course the creator won't let the planet die, so guess
who will have to take the blow...

Obviously those who created the mess which we're in, we ourselves.

So maybe we should stop fighting for oil and gas, like now in
the middle east and focus our attention on alternative energy
solutions, as one example. Something Bjorn has spent many years
on with new inventions and good results. But with very poor
backup from the industry.

Albert Einstein once said something like that humankind won't
really gain anything from the modern western science until it
meets with the eastern spirituality and wisdom.

"POL" puts it very simply.
-Enter a dark room, light one small match, and the darkness
is gone.

-A must read for all interested in our very near future!!!

Top Secret is about a boy named Allen Brewster who has to do a science project for Miss Green. Allen wants to do his project on discovering human photosynthesis. He discovers it, but noone believes him. Allen writes to the President for help and then things get Top Secret. I recommend this book because it is funny and crazy .It has plant.

Top Secret is a very interesting yet funny book. The characters are amazingly funny. Have you ever heard of HUMAN PHOTOSYNTHESIS? Well you will now! Read this book and you'll find the best science project. Please read this book. P.S. Say that this is a useful review!

This book is about a child named Allen Brewster that discovered the mystery of HUMAN PHOTOSYNTHESIS.Nobody believed Allen except for grandpop.Ms.Green, Allen's teacher won't let Allen do his science project on HUMAN PHOTOSYNTHESIS.Instead Ms.Green wants Allen to do his science project on lipstick.One day,Allen went to the library to do research on human photosynthesis. The next day, Allen wasn't allowed to go to the library because he was there too long. One day, Allen went to a hotel that was supposed to be in. When he got up to the room, he met the President's advisor, Mr. Kirby. Mr. Kirby told Allen that his discovery was Top Secret. So, Allen had to change back and the President sent Allen the project he was supposed to do. If you want to know what happens next, then you should read the book.

There is a good deal to recommend this book. It is for the most part well-written, and the idea behind the book is outstanding. However I have quite a few problems with it. The opening tale by John Tynes is somewhat too short to overcome by backstory and characterization a rather ugly incident that takes place within it, equating experience with the Deep Ones to a version of combat syndrome, and that taints the rest of the book. Other tales fare somewhat better, and have some very thought-provoking concepts, adding a bit of science fiction to the world of the Mythos. One can become a ghoul, for instance, by reading a certain book, and a certain Great Old One can tear holes in the spacetime continuum in order to attract males for her followers (kind of silly, but effective within the tale). On the whole, I liked it, but for me that is the crux of the biscuit-I wanted to love it, and did not. Fell far short of the expectations that were engendered in me by the blurbs on the back cover and the front cover recommendation from Lucius Shepard. Can't give it a thumbs-up, but worth looking at if you have the money. Slim for the price.

I really enjoyed reading this book. As with any collection of short stories, I liked some more than others, but there were none in here that I didn't like. There were a couple that I consider to be real gems. My only real complaint is that it's not much book for 12 bucks. It's about half an inch thick, with eight stories in it. I guess maybe it's priced higher than most paperback books because of the cost involved for a small company to have smaller quantities of a book like this printed, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed with it in this respect.

I have always been a fan of way-out-there lunatic sci-fi/horror but unfortunatly most of the sci-fi and horror out there is just really insipid banal mainstream garbage. This book is different, the stories pull no punches and will blow you away. There is some violent violence and BIZZARE sexual stuff in this book so it is probably NOT for kids. Highly recommended and far better than the other Delta Green fiction "Rules of Engagement."

This is a beautifully put together book of interpretations of translations of some of Rumi's work, though I do think other scholars, Nicholson comes to mind, have gotten much closer to the essence of Rumi. Nicholson doesn't water Rumi down; often, very often, Rumi's work was incredibly rambling, and extremely hard to follow--but delightful and compelling nonetheless. Though I do immensly enjoy Barks' work, he makes Rumi too tidy, and much of Rumi's brilliant essence and expansive mind is missed.

I recently stumbled across an absolutely engaging biography of Rumi, and which is a popular, short form account. Why the heck did it take so long for this? is anybody's guess. There is one other very good biography out there by a scholar named Iqbal, but even this is still too academic. This new book, Rumi: A Spiritual Biography by Leslie Wines though is a vigorous and ambitious little book and I think a must read for all those with a real love for this most incredible man and poet.

At the risk of cliche, if you only buy a single book this year, please do yourself a favor and make it "The Essential Rumi." Rumi is for Americans who think that Islam is all about harems and terrorists. A sultry serenade to God, Rumi's poetry explodes in the soul with a beautiful force that tears down the wall between the individual and the Divine. Jelaluddin Rumi was a 13th Century Sufi mystic, the founder of the so-called "whirling dervishes", whose inner exploration allowed him to attain a rare level of enlightenment and connection with God. His poems resonate with truth and wisdom so earnest that it is impossible not to be swept away on a tide of pure spiritual longing and fulfillment. This is a book for anyone who loves poetry, religion, God, or love. And if you don't love these things now, you will by the time you finish "The Essential Rumi."

This book may well become an American classic of poetry someday. It is by far the best English collection of Rumi's poetry, done by his most able translator.

Although Rumi's poetry -- as with most poetry -- is at core untranslatable, Barks has done a fine job in rendering older technical translations of the Maulana into poetic English. What one encounters here is not just Rumi, but Rumi filtered through Barks. If you object to that go learn Persian because no translation will be able to capture the subtle nuances conveyed through the original language.

Barks should be commended in showing us another face of Islam, and revealing, in the process, the timeless, universal and transreligious teachings of one of Islam's greatest saints.

For fans of Rumi/Barks, I suggest Winkel's new book: Damascus Steel. Its a work of fiction exploring contemporary political themes through sufi lenses, and was written before (!) September 11th.

I received the book and read it in one day. The book was well researched and acurate but for only a couple of indescrepencies that did not effect the outcome. The author described the victim very well considering he never met him. I should know, the victim is my stepson whom I love and miss dearly. I read the book with tears in my eyes as I relived the hellish account of the murder and trial we went through. I could see each character and events vividly in my mind. Now when our friends ask many questions that arise, we simply tell them to read the book for all the answers. The reality of it is shocking to our family, friends, us and especially the greatest victims of all-our grandchildren. The first murder in Sevierville, Tenn. in 33 years. Hopefully the last - anywhere!!

I RECEIVED THE BOOK AND READ IT ALL IN ONE DAY. I FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING AND FACTUAL EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF INDESCREPENCIES THAT DIDN'T EFFECT THE OUTCOME. IT WAS WELL WRITTEN AND WELL RESEARCHED. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE AUTHOR GAVE A EXTREMELY GOOD DESCRIPTION OF THE VICTIM CONSIDERING HE NEVER MET HIM. I SHOULD KNOW --- THE VICTIM IS MY STEPSON WHOM I LOVED DEARLY AND THE OTHER VICTIMS- OUR GRANDCHILDREN !! THE DESCRIPTION OF SHAYNE IS QUITE ACURATE AS WELL AS THE FACTS OF THE TRIAL. OUR FAMILY RELIVED THAT HELLISH EVENT ALL OVER. NOW WHEN OUR FRIENDS ASK DETAILS WHICH ARE HARD TO TALK ABOUT, WE JUST ADDRESS THEM TO READ THE STORY. IT HAS ALL THE HORRIBLE TRUTHS WE LIVED THROUGH.

Mr. Reynolds keeps you right there to the end. Even if I was not from Sevier County, I couldn't put this book down. The Rae family moved in across the street from me in the 80's. I quickly became friends with Lana, Brett's sister. They were a very nice family and I enjoyed spending time with them. This book gave me a better understanding of one of the most tragic stories my hometown has ever known, possibly since the tragic "Tattoo Eddie" murders. I will read this authors other books and would love to talk with him!

Compared to Murray's Flyfishing for Smallmouth Bass, expect vague generalizations without enough specifics to sink your teeth into.

I had the privilege to work on a TV show called HIGH COUNTRY OUTDOORS with Barry the same year he and John wrote PIKE ON THE FLY. I devoured this book and still have it on my shelf in close reach. The techniques aren't just old hackneyed phrases but are true tested tactics gleaned from Barry's experiences. I know of no better way to understand the ways of flyfishing for pike and other large gamefish than to read this book over and over. I refer to it for much more than just pike and muskie, its a great handbook to have when I want to think like a fish.

I read this book then went to Canada fly fishing for Pike. I found out that Barry Reynolds knows fly fishing for Pike. Take the advice of this book and you WILL catch Pike, lots of Pike on a fly rod.

Whether you are new to Rumi or a devotee, whether you are a seeker of truth and wisdom, or you would simply enjoy a book of wonderful poetry, this is a book you should buy.
First if all, I should explain that I love Rumi and recite Rumi, and do it well enough, that listeners often ask me which book should be chosen. Since the publication of The Soul of Rumi, I find myself saying that if one were to choose two books that are the best of Rumi, the first is the Soul of Rumi, and the second is the Illuminated Rumi. Coleman Barks translations of Rumi have a spirit and beauty that truly reflect Rumi's vision and clarity. Coleman's accompanying dialogues give us a glimpse into Rumi, 13th century Turkey, and Shams, Rumi's mystical friend and teacher.
Coleman makes it easy to understand Rumi's poetry; not just as a translation from the 13 century, but for the wisdom and guidance it offers to all of us, living in the 21st century. The poems in the section on Human Grief were one of the ways I managed to get through this last September.
What is most wonderful for lovers of Rumi, is the order and sections that Coleman chose in this book. This presentation is a wonderful format to help the reader understand the passion and the soul of Rumi. The sections are divided into 'wisdom categories' (my interpretation). The names of the sections communicate the viability of Rumi for today's important life questions. For example, "Living as Evidence", and "The Banquet - This is Enough was Always True", and "The Joke of Materialism". Some sections reflect Sufi concepts like Fana (Dissolving beyond doubt..) and Baqa (reentry into the world, " the Arabic word for living within, ...life lived with clarity and reason, ...the absorbing work of this day"). And for those of us, like myself, who recite Rumi, it is very helpful to have the arrangement by what, in effect, is topics. This book offers insight into Sufism, which in turn can help in the understanding of Islam. But as always, Coleman skirts the links of Rumi's poetry to a particular belief system, and in so doing, keeps Rumi's message in a form most appropriate for today. Rumi himself claimed he bore no label - "Not Christian, Jew or Muslim, not Hindu, Buddist, Sufi or Zen".
And there are so many poems that even I, who usually would sit and devour a Coleman Barks translation, in a day, must go slowly, must savor every moment; and I am so grateful to Coleman for his work and his gift of the Soul of Rumi.
Buy a few copies, the book is beautiful and would make a great gift.

In this new collection of his poetry, as the "moon and evening star do their slow tambourine dance to praise this universe" (p. 201), Rumi tells us, "it's time now to live naked" (p. 32). I've revisited Coleman Bark's popular collection of ESSENTIAL RUMI many times after it was first published in 1997. It became one of my favorite books of poetry, and offered a good introduction to Rumi's intensely spiritual poetry. With this new, equally stunning collection, Barks triumphs again in sharing the ecstasy of reading Rumi.

These days many people associate Afghanistan with terrorists rather than spiritual poets. Born in Afghanistan (p. 3), Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-73) was a thirteenth century Sufi master, and a devout scholar. It was the work of his dervish community, and the aim of his poetry to "open the heart, to explore the mystery of union, to fiercely search for and try to say the truth, and to celebrate the glory and difficulty of being in a human incarnation" (p. 4). Barks' translations succeed in capturing the divine spirit and earthly joys of Rumi's ecstatic verse. In the "forty sections" of poetry collected here, we observe the mystery of gnats becoming buttermilk (pp. 8, 113, 200), chickpeas disappearing into the flavor of soup, a dead mule decaying into the desert, an infant turning to the breast, and moths transformed into candle flames (p. 124). "The same way a branch draws water up many feet," Rumi observes, God is pulling our spirits along (p. 204). He encourages us to polish our hearts with meditation and quietness. "When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy" (p. 79).

Rumi's poetry will appeal to anyone interested in what it means to be fully alive and fully awake, and the poems contained within this new 425-page collection soar from their pages just as high as the poems in Barks' previous bestseller.

G. Merritt

Jelaluddin Rumi has become familiar to Western readers who seek out ecstatic poetry, as more and more translations and commentaries are offered on perhaps this greatest of mystical writers. But as they say, it takes one to know one, and Coleman BarksÕ masterpiece is the obvious product of an attuned heart and poetic soul.

This volume is one of the clearest and most vibrant illustrations of the Ôwild heartÕ Rumi was and is. It is difficult to find superlatives which do justice to the beauty and towering vision this work contains. Every verse, every line seems to open, in some disarmingly simple way, vast new vistas of possibilities for the human spirit.

How good is this book? The highest accolade that can be given Barks is that his brief section introductions, frequently fodder in other volumes exploring Rumi, here are powerful and transformative in their own right. Each one sets up the following verses in a natural and seamless flow. BarksÕ light shines brightly, even in the rarefied company he keeps.

Get this volume and devour it. Then get another copy and give it to someone who is ready for the infinite freedom it open-handedly offers...

Reynolds Price is a brilliant, prize-winning writer, an ancient languages scholar and Christian, apparently. His approach, from the literal translation of two gospels, to the writing of his own, is fresh and eye-opening. Highly recommended to those who choose to look deeper into Christianity and its founding texts.

Reynold Price's translations of Mark and John are good in that they try to transliterate the style and feel of their Greek originals, but truth be told they just don't read as well as the translations to be found in other Bible tranlsations. But Price's commentaries on these two Gospels are the main factor in this book. He utilizes something that's missing from the "detective kits" of most other Biblical scholars: common sense. I've read a great majority of the books on the "Historical Jesus," each of which - as the old saying goes - reveals more about the author than the subject. Instead of going off into groundless supposition, as most other Historical Jesus questors are known to do, Price gives us the evidence that we have and makes common sense conclusions on who wrote the Gospels: when, where, how, and why. He doesn't make any mention of the so-called "Secret" Gospel of Mark, true; but I think this is less Price being unaware of it and more of him just realizing it's a phony and unworthy of mention. Read Akenson's Saint Saul, which brutally brings this forgery to light. Price's extra Gospel, which he wrote himself, is interesting, but ultimately the selling point of this book are his commentaries to the two ancient Gospels themselves.

Ahem.Mr Price is not the Editor. He's the author! (I wonder if any one reads these reviews and notes its contents). Its still a wonderful book, with a fresh new look at the Gospels of Mark and John. And frankly, after reading it, one gets a new perspective of the relationship between God and man. It certainly gave me a stronger foundation and background to the two gospels and an insight into Christ.