I didn't know much about Whalen's poetry until he died this year, but the terrific memorial reading for him here in San Francisco drove me to "Overtime" and man, what a find. The Beats were more learned than the 'first thought, best thought' aesthetic suggests, and Whalen's poems balance religion, philosophy and cranky Zen insight with a casual, conversational Americanese in a way few of his more famous contemporaries could touch. His poems draw from a deep past that embraces everything from ancient Chinese verse to classical music, but insist that it walk down the street in T-shirt and jeans. Whalen spent the last three decades of his life at the San Francisco Zen Center--his particular brand of Buddhism, so generous to human failings (starting always, comically, with his own) and never, ever doctrinaire, has to be one of the most attractive spins on Eastern religion I've read. Whalen was in it and of it, never above it. He gives the moment plenty of wiggle room in his writing, so that cats, friends and silly thoughts can all stray into the poems without being shoo'd out for art. Whatever Beat meant, Whalen shows it in about its best light. Poetry's a little thinner and more straight-laced with him gone.

This isn't some crumbling, dry keeper of the hallowed institution that is sometimes "poetry." It is sad that Whalen's works are so hard to come by these days.

Why aren't you reading this?

Philip Whalen is a national treasure, one of our most important living poets. This collection, masterfully assembled by Michael Rothenberg, is a great place to start if you're not familiar with Whalen's work, and a glorious visiting ground for those of us who have already discovered him. Don't let the word POETRY dissuade you. You will not be bored for a minute.

Anybody interested in public policy, urban/suburban settings, politics, sociology, urban studies, business, political science, and/or regional socioeconomic betterment must read this book. Growth and Convergence analyzes demographic, social, and economic data from across the country. Her research is strong and conclusions tangible, logical and helpful. Pack offers real, concrete solutions to urban problems such as improved, more effective regional planning and macro-level public policy geared towards bettering the socioeconomic condition of both city dwellers and suburbanites.

J Pack looks like a chicken. Hence her lovely nickname "chickenhead." Oh, by the way, loved the book.

Truly Yours,
Baby Huey

J. Pack looks like a chicken! Hence, her lovely nickname "Chickenhead." Oh, by the way, loved the book.

Truly yours,
Baby Huey

"From the Heart is where Michael tests his sincerity, indeed, where else? This thoughtful, heartful, plant lover and naturalist expresses himself with 'no pretense to divine, 'just women and a hundred thousand sea birds in the pages of this poetry, 'finding time to consult the better part of himself."

"For sheer scope and clarity there's nothing like Favorite Songs, the poems range from a fantasy for the American Surfer to an elegy for an extinct sparrow. In these poems there's a fine interlinking of autobiographical perceptions with acccurate imagery and, at the same time, the author is engaged sending his rhizomes into the broad world of thought and travel."

Punk Rockwell is a fantastic book. I really enjoyed it. It made me laugh and shudder. Just what a good raunchy book is supposed to do.

Lyn Hejinian

After reading Punk Rockwell you'll want to spend some more time living inside Michael Rothenberg's head to see where all the fireworks come from. He's got a dazzlingly wild and shiny mind, full of nifty words and complex circuitry. You'll need plutonium-powered roller blades to keep up with his pace and quick shifts. Go get them. This is a ride you must be on. I loved every minute and took my own advice and ordered twelve.

"A Parliament of Minds: Philosophy for a New Millenium," provides a wonderfully speculative endeavor into the universality, of the timeless tradition of philosophy. Conducted in the medium of informal interviews, twenty-three of the world's most notorious contemporary thinkers, identify there own interpretations of philosophy and it's role as humankind concludes yet another millenium. For too long, the average conception of philosophy that has passed through the streets, is that of a detached, lofty and abstract discipline that can not breathe outside of the "ivory towers" that it has confined itself to. In other words, philosophy has gone for too long without a human face. Having said that, it is apparent that such a long over-do journey too "demystify" and "humanize" philosophy is an uphill climb, however, how better to facilitate such a transition then by capturing the philosophies of a diverse range of today's leading philosophers and social thinkers? A wide variety of approaches are documented in "A Parliament..," including political philosophy, classical and ancient philosophy, feminist philosophy, Eastern, African and Islamic philosophies, environmental philosophy, aesthetics and much more, all being analyzed in a uniquley applied manner. Aside from the books easy accesibility to the philosophical novice, it likewise can provide a stimulating read for the philosophical or socially aware academic, in that it probes the depths of philosophy's duty in a seemingly collapsing world and inspires us to turn the scope of philosophy away from hair-splitting problems relevant only to itself and back in the direction of humanity, which is after all it's origins. I highly recommend this book to anyone out there in the information age, who still cares about how they should live their life.

Refreshing that Michael Rothenberg has written the 'Paris Journals' ...as a relative novice to Euro travel (I spent a month or two in the Greek isles) I found that reading this great book made me want to find out for myself. It's like an open doorway leading to the psyche of an interesting friend. From beginning to end, well worth the trip...

A must buy for every traveler to Paris. Wherever Michael Rothenberg goes you want to go with him. He sees it all in every exhibition. Behind each painting another imagination conjured in penetrating reflection. He has poetry by the throat and drags it around with him. Genius and tenacity. He is the troubadour.Not cool objectivity but personal obsession. Brandishing a baguette as he mounts the Eiffel Tower to call out his own liberation. There's something to discover here and Rothenberg makes it seem easy. With Rothenberg, it's always Romance. and always the first time.

This book is a real trip and apparently so is the author. I read his novel Punk Rockwell and was sorry it ended so took a chance on the Paris Journals. The trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower from where he calls his mother and then takes you home to bed with him is alone worth the price of admission. Rothenberg displays his appropriately maladjusted relationship to a world that is not quite ready for someone with his degree of insight.

Dr. Spock was considered the baby care guru in the 1950's and many parents took his advice as the word of the Lord. I have no doubt that after years of research, and of practicing pediatrics, that he is very knowledgeable in the field of baby and childcare. However, the revised edition of his once revered book is not my first choice for obtaining information.

This book covers everything under the sun, but perhaps it is too comprehensive and not detailed enough as some of the other books out there. Dr. Spock writes in a condescending tone that sounds more like he is talking to his young children, instead of adults with children seeking information. He is preachy, instead of informative, and speaks in absolutes and generalizations.

Getting your baby to sleep through the night is a hot topic where everyone claims to have the solution. I believe that many of the methods have the potential to work, but Dr. Spock's suggestion is cruel and may even border on child abuse. He suggests that you let your baby cry in their crib for as long as it takes until they fall asleep, and that under no circumstances should you go in to check on them. The clincher is his advice that you should not go to your baby even if he vomits because he gets so upset. He says you can clean it up after your baby falls asleep! Maybe Dr. Spock should be claiming he has frontal lobe disorder!

If you are looking for a reference book that touches a little bit on everything you can imagine, then this may be the book for you. Otherwise, I think your money is better spent elsewhere.

I own both of these books, and I've read Sears too. I think they are all a little extreme in their beliefs. I don't believe in letting your child sleep with you, so that's why I put a cot in my twins' room and slept with them the first 3 months. I believe in teaching good sleeping habits because I know that it is BEST for my child, and I'm willing to look at their long-term happiness and not just their short-term happiness, and ways to ease MY conscious. I pushed my children a little every night to sleep further and further, and it was not a traumatic experience at all. Once they proved to me that they could do it we never looked back. My twins have slept from 8pm to 7am since 3 months of age, and only get up if they are sick. I've not let them get sick often so I haven't had to worry about them forming the habit of waking up. They are extremely secure with putting themselves back to sleep without my assistance if they happen to wake up for no reason. My kids take wonderful naps because I truely believe that a well rested child sleeps better at night. I certainly agree with the other reviewers that you should never let your child scream until they vomit. That is just cruel! I just feel sorry for people who have 2 and 3 year olds who still get them up during the night. Shame on you PARENTS, for not doing your job!!!

Any "Star Trek" fan would not want this book! It turns out it's not about "Star Trek"! It's about Childcare! Who would have guessed? We're loosing power, Scotti!