This book was written to meet the needs of the market place where some of those unique horse problems occur. This book will help you deal with problems dealing with laws, taxes, and solving them in a straightford way.

Avoiding legal and tax problems are important aspects of every horse business. This book, written by an attorney with input from many horsepersons, trainers, attorneys, equine instructors and CPAs, fully explains what a horse business must do to ensure that their business is not ruled a hobby. He fully explains recordkeeping, tax laws, legal considerations including liability and insurance, contracts and even estate planning. Sample forms for sales, leases, breeding and syndications are included. I can't recommend strongly enough that you obtain a copy of this book if you have or wish to start a horse business. You can't afford to run your business or talk to the IRS without this information.

I loved reading this account of the money game in old New York played by the masters Fisk and Gould. The story was gripping and the themes amazingly relevant to today.

An intricately informative piece of work, giving the reader all that is required in the subject. I wish more people would write with the same information quantity and quality.

This is the first scientific study of the Near Death Experience. It is like a breath of fresh air after the anecdotal accounts of men like Raymond Moody. There is a statistical analysis of the aspects of the NDE, and some of the conclusions are rather surprising, but the small sample size is rather upsetting. With the prevalence of NDE's around, it seem rather silly to only use 100 people in the sample. At any rate, let's hope that this book will be encourage other researchers to look at the Near Death Experience a little more citically.

An excelent book. The author writes an excelent study on the human phsychosis after abductions or near death expeariences.

It's welcome recognition of the rich body of American noir writing that the Library of America has decided to gather these novels and include them in it's collection. This volume, along with it's companion, "Crime Novels: American Noir of the '50s", is perhaps the definitive collection of this genre. While this volume is not as strong as the second volume collecting hard boiled writing from the '50s, it more than makes up for it with the inclusion of two seminal novels from the genre: "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "They Shoot Horses Don't They?" The themes that would be later expanded on by Jim Thompson, Charles Willeford, et al. are here: the uncertainty of reality, the indifference of fate, the allegories on the disfunction of mercantilist capitalism, the femme fatale as deus ex machina, the erosion of moral standards...themes that are that much more relevant today.

It's comforting in a way that these novels, which were considered (and still considered by some) as trash, disposable items of consumption, are collected along with the novels of Melville, James and Hawthorne...."elevated" to high brow lit.

Perhaps the original authors of these masterworks would disagree on the modern critical re-assessment, but to readers like myself, it's just confirmation of something we've known ever since we first discovered them.

The Library of America is a first-class organization. The LOA is consistently reprinting volumes of literary achievement by the most notable authors in American history. They have reprinted everything from political speeches to poetry to historical works. This volume is the first in a two volume set dedicated to American noir stories. The stories in this book were written in the 1930's and 1940's in what seems to be the golden age of the genre.

The first story is from James Cain, and it's a whiz-bang of a tale. I had heard of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" before, mainly in reference to the two film versions of the story. This is one dark read. Adultery and murder never seem to mix, and it sure doesn't here, either. Told in first person narration, a drifter gets himself mixed up with a washed up beauty queen who is tired of her Greek husband. The result is classic noir: a conspiracy to murder the poor schmuck and run off together. As usual, the murder brings about tragic consequences. This story has more twists and turns than you can imagine. The ending is especially atmospheric. This is certainly one of the best stories in the book. I always like to see a story where the blackmailer gets a good beating.

Horace McCoy's "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is next in line. This is another great tale that was made into a film in the 1960's starring Hanoi Jane Fonda and Gig Young. The movie is soul shattering, with depictions of dehumanization in the neighborhood of "Schindler's List." The story is not quite as good, but it still packs a heck of a punch. The story is set in Depression-era America and depicts the horrors of a dance marathon. These marathons were apparently quite popular during the 1930's, until they were ultimately outlawed. Contestants were required to dance for hundreds of hours with only ten minute breaks every two hours. The couple that lasted the longest won a thousand or so dollars. The public would come and pay admission to watch this sorry spectacle. It's like poking sticks at animals in a cage. This story is loaded with dark depression and sexual innuendo. The conclusion is suitably depressing to merit a noir award.

"Thieves Like Us" was pretty substandard when compared to the other stories in this book. This one really didn't seem to have those noir elements that I like so much. Actually, it's more of a Bonnie and Clyde type story. A penitentiary break leads to a crime spree across Texas. Banks are robbed and cops are killed while the gang lives on the lam. A relationship between Bowie, the main character, and a girl named Keechie really doesn't add much interest to the story. There is some good dialogue and a bit of desolate atmosphere, but not enough to lift this to the level of noir. I don't know why this story is included here. Try and guess how the story ends (the clue is "Bonnie and Clyde"). I hope that Edward Anderson's other stories are better.

Kenneth Fearing's "The Big Clock" is excellent, and brings the level of the book back up to where it should be. Set in a magazine publishing house, this tale is sleek and smart. The story is told in first person narration, but Fearing shifts the narration to various characters in the story. These constantly changing viewpoints turn the story into a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. An editor at the company makes the mistake of sleeping with the boss's woman. When this lady turns up dead at the hands of same boss, all heck breaks loose. This story is riveting and has a great ending that is all suspense. A must read.

William Lindsay Gresham wrote "Nightmare Alley" after some discussions he had with some carnival workers. This story is the longest one in the book and is a decent addition to the volume. Full of unpleasant images of murder, swindle, cynicism and downright perversion, you won't be disappointed when this one comes to an end. A scheming magician decides to take his con to the big time by posing as a Spiritualist minister, and as usual, the end result is tragedy all around. This story is downright depressing, and if you don't feel sorry for Gyp, you have got a problem. I didn't really care too much for the (...) addition of the black Communist towards the end of the book. Gresham had a flirtation with the Redski movement, so this apparent insertion makes some sense in that context. It goes nowhere in the story, however. There are some other holes in the plot but overall this is an entertaining story.

The final tale comes from the sumptuous pen of Cornell Woolrich. "I Married a Dead Man" becomes instantly familiar within a few pages, mostly due to the numerous films that have copped the plot. The writing here is far superior to any of the other stories in the book. I'd say it's far superior to most writing in general. The metaphors are extraordinary. Look for the description of Bill lighting his cigarette in the doorway. Wow! The story centers on a case of mistaken identity with a strong dose of blackmail thrown in for good measure. Of course, there's also a murder. This story is outstanding.

Overall, if you are just starting to read noir, start with these two volumes. It is good to see some of the best noir has to offer, and you will find some of it in these pages. The book clocks in at 990 pages, but it reads really fast. There is also a nice summary concerning the careers of each author at the back of the book. Recommended.

I was surprised at how modern the themes and writing of this compendium were. I read "Thieves Like Us" just when the Texas 7 episode was happening and was amazed at how little the views of crime and punishment, justice and desperation have changed since that writing, especially in Texas where the story takes place.

"They Shoot Horses..." was my favorite of the bunch for it's depiction of deperate people doing desperate things to survive in the form of a Dance Marathon. But are they doing this out of deperation (even the winner of the prize money, after months of physical torment , will end up having made less than a dollar a day)? Or becuase there is nothing else to do? What is futile and what is meaningfull, the story seems to be asking.

"Nightmare Alley" brought the Tyrone Power movie back home, only the ending seems more poignant. The author organzies each chapter along the 22 minor arcana of the Tarot, a device used by later authors like Robert Anton Wilson and Umberto Eco.

"The big clock", filmed at least twice with variations on themes, uses a unique writing style of shifting narratives from the main characters' points of view and has an awfully modern motive for the murder (probably a little too modern for that period).

"The Postman.." and "I Married a Dead Man" story were also very dood. The Noir theme of "Crime Does Not Pay" runs through most of theses stories, but when you read them, you realize that it's not as simple as that. In the end, who really wins and loses and does it matter?

I don't think one can do better for reading the greats of American Literature than through the Library of America seri

ONE OF THE BEST NDE BOOKS I HAVE READ. STRANGE THAT THIS BOOK
SHARES THE SAME TITLE AS GEORGE ANDERSONS BOOK WHICH IS ALSO
EXCELLENT---MAKES FINDING IT EASIER.

THE POST LIFE REVIEW AND NON FEAR OF DEATH OF NDE PEOPLE IS
VERY INTERESTING.

I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED AT ALL WITH THIS BOOK AS I HAVE READ
SEVERAL NEW AGE BOOKS THAT FAILED TO HIT THE MARK.

Kenneth Ring has written a masterpiece on Near Death Experiences of many people during the course of his research (he is one of the leading researchers in the field). This book should be read by everyone, and especially those interested in the afterlife/NDE, spirituality, and metaphysics. When reading this book, those knowledgeable about these subjects will find a common thread by other authors/books and a beter understanding and substantiation will result. Other authors/books for those on the spiritual path are:- Sri Chinmoy (all his books, especially "Meditation") ; "KYBALION" - by Three Initiates ; "The Secret Life of Nature" - by Peter Tompkins ; "The Mystic Path"- by Raymund Andrea ; "The Wisdom of the Mystic Masters"-by Joseph Weed ; "Journey of Souls" and "Destiny of Souls"- by Michael Newton ; and "Life between Life"-by Joel Whitton.

After reading books on NDEs for over 10 years, this book is the absolute best one written. After effects cannot be faked and it is not only what we learn from dying but then what we learn about living. This book is a must to read!!!

This book serves it purpose well as an introduction to the NDE. The book is very well organized and well written. As a writing exercise, I would give this book very high marks.

However, I do have one serious problem with this book. The author goes to great pains to present his material in an objective fashion, but this comes off as nothing more than wishful thinking on his part. These experiences, by their very nature, are utterly subjective, and therefore beyond the scrutiny of science. At the end of the book, the author presents a hypothesis to explain NDE's which I find to be frankly ridiculous. It is a wish based on an assumption which is founded on whimsy. This is not science, this is good karma.

I read this book over ten years ago and have never forgotten it! It gave acounts from so many and made me feel as though I were sitting in on the interview. I have read many books on this subject, but I cant wait to read it again! Now if only I could just find it!

Dr. Ring was my advisor at school (Connecticut) and being ableto see him at work and pick his brain on a regular basis, I can saythat he is greatly underappreciated as a scholar and scientist (albeit a "social" scientist, with all of the stigma that such a title undeservedly carries). Heading Toward Omega and The Omega Project are tremendous contributions to the literature of the Near Death Experience in particular and Consciousness Studies in general. Although the dire predictions of global change in the later chapters of H.T.O. seem a bit goofy from our 1998 vantage point, Ring nevertheless forged new ground with this book that remains, I believe, the best "second" book to read on the subject (after Moody's Life After Life). It is intellectually challenging, thought-provoking, life-affirming and just a darn good read...on every page, no less. High praise, deserved high praise. Not to mention, you'll pick up a few dozen groovy vocabulary words along the way.

The NDE stories of the blind in this book are not that strong, such as a blind person saying, "I was this person do [something unique]," and having that story backed up. Most of the stories are old and could only be loosely verified. In one story, a man had his sight before the NDE or incident, but subsequently lost his sight just before the NDE or afterwards. Perhaps the strongest story was one of a blind woman who saw her friend throwing up in a bathroom in another house. However, as with all the stories in the book, the authors attempt to verify the stories many years after the incident happened when some of the witness aren't even alive, so they take the person's word for what happened.

All in all, I would say this is a quick attempt to make a buck, and jump on the NDE-Death-Reincarnation bandwagon. The book only has value if you are looking for a book on NDEs of the blind which cannot be verified thoroughly.

The book is an important contribution to the subject for a number of reasons, one of which is that some of the so-called skeptics have dismissed NDEs as evidence in favour of the survival hypothesis on the grounds that the NDEs of the blind differ from those of the sighted. This book firmly puts that myth to rest.

The book consists mostly of reviews of various cases of OBEs and NDEs in the blind, and one of the strongest concerns a woman blinded during surgery who apparently left her body while she was dying on a gurney with a breathing apparatus over her face. She seems to have seen her boyfriend and former husband standing speachless some distance away down the hallway. Seperate interviews with the two me support her story.

I predict more cases like this being made public in this decade. We could use a book on the cases of NDEs occuring during times when the patient's EEG recording was flat.

If you are even remotely interested in the NDE, this book will not only provide you with thorough evidence and annecdotal science, but the descriptions of the study participants' NDEs will leave you breathless. This book is superbly written and reads like a novel, although it is definitely a scientific text. The participants in the study are presented with the dignity and professionalism they deserve - not as freaks being prodded in the name of science. Quite seriously parts of this book made me want to cry out with joy for the potential it lays at the feet of humankind. I was so taken by this book that I finished it in a few hours in one sitting. Although the authors steer clear of sentimentality and "lessons from the light", etc., this book will provide riveting and rich lessons to anyone who dare pick it up. Highly recommended for ALL readers, especially the bereaved or those facing terminal illness and their families.

I can't say I intensely enjoyed reading this book but then I've never had a near death experience. However it does stay consistent with the title. This book is not about describing near death experiences although some are described, mainly the author's. It's about understanding the experience and making recommendations about how to deal with the affects of the experience. There's quite a bit of material about philosophy and making correlations between main stream religious or philosophical ideas and the near death experience. I would say a near death experience is consistent with the belief systems of most religions including Christian religions. The individual's entire life flashes before them instantly and they understand how everything they did affected any other person. The author came close to dying several times I think and describes her experiences and tells how she attempted to deal with and understand these experiences. She also tries to find similarities with others who have had similar experiences. These experiences are much more common today than in the past due to the ability of doctors to revive people who are almost dead. I believe nowadays for some delicate medical procedures people are almost put into a death state to greatly reduce blood flow. I'm still looking for a good book about people who went to hell for awhile and came back. However if I recall the author suspected that maybe people don't often talk about going down there. Going to hell is an indication that a person's life has truly been a failure and that the person is bad. This book is mainly positive. The author believes in God.

Having myself had an 'NDE' in 1975 without any actual outer danger to threaten my life, and being on a spiritual path since 1972 without belonging anymore to any religion, I have been especially happy to find this book, which has the widest perspective among the many others I have read on this topic. I have also been very happy to 'meet' Mrs Atwater through her book, for her delightful sense of humour and her down-to-earth simplicity about it all are quite refreshing and encouraging for those who, like me, are trying to be honest and sincere researchers, without being stuck into sterile 'scientific' intellectuality. I would be most happy to be able to communicate with her personally, even though I could not yet get copies of her subsequent books on the same topic.

I very much enjoyed this book because it validated my own experience that happened due to a medical problem when I was young. The whole profile really fit me. It also presented other ideas to spark one's curiosity on the subject. This is one of those things that you almost can't fully appreciate unless it's happened to you, and that's one of the reasons why the scientific community hasn't treated it with alot of credibility. If you, or someone you know has experienced a NDE then this is a must-read.