I have been a student on the path of mystical knowledge for over 20 years. This is one of the most detailed and enlightening books I have read. The knowledge for true seekers is what this world needs and Joan has not only done a remarkable job at reseaching the subject, her clear and detailed explanations are right on.
This is one book that any true seeker will gain from. The exercises included, when performed, bring lasting and enlightening results.
Any seeker on the path of truth will tell you there is a lot of "shallow" materal on the market today. This book is anything but shallow. Joan's depth takes you places few have journeyed and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it. Make sure you "DO THE EXERSICES". Do not just read them, and I am certain you will be recomending this book to others too. Great job Joan.

This book truly brings to us, the readers, the word of the
Q'ero. After a fair amount of personal preparation, including
previous trips to the sacred lands of the Andes, the author,
along with carefully chosen teachers, guides, and translators,
embarked upon another journey for the purpose of recording the
stories, accounts, and answers to many questions that the
Q'ero paqos (trained spiritual leaders) gathered to share .
It was clear that there was respect, love and friendship between

the visitors from the west and the Andean medicine men and women.
And I use the word "medicine" in the spirit of anything which
assists in giving wholeness, connection, insight and healing,
of body, mind, and spirit.
The book clearly explains various terms and methods within this
cultural system of spiritual connection, growth, and healing.
We are carefully guided into a vision of how another culture
feels, thinks, and acts. Let us not allow this knowledge to
disappear.
Reading this beautifully written book, interspersed with stories,
a bit of historical background, lovely photos, and , above all,
insightful dialogue, I felt that I , too was present and aware
during the heartwarming several days during which the "word of
the Q'ero " was gathered. It is clear that Joan Parisi Wilcox
is a gifted writer, and a person of great integrity, and she
shows us the gifts and integrity of her teachers, companions,
and the Q'ero people, as well. I feel there is great spiritual
energy present in this book. Several months later, I have been
drawn to read it a second time! And for me, it is all the more
insightful and inspiring. I am inspired to be grateful for the
world of spirit available within the world; within all of us!
I am also inspired to visit one day, not for anything lacking
within myself, but to experience and pay homage to this part of
the earth, and to perhaps gain insight and strength for my own
work within the world - for peace, understanding, and healing.
I would recommend this work to anyone curious about any of the
content described above- Peru, the Q'ero, spirituality, energy
medicine, shamanism; it is a meaningful adventure.

Joan Wilcox has done an exceptional job not in capturing the essence of the Q'ero (it is something that cannot be held prisoner) but at taking down the curtain between their tradition and ours. In a time when many profess to be in possession of a sacred knowledge that flows from them, Wilcox has managed to truthfully allow it to flow through her, acting as a conduit and empowering that ancient wisdom to make its own twists and mysterious turns as it will, and as it has for eons. Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge accurately chronicles the inner story of the Q'ero in all that can be spoken, and at the same time allows for all that cannot be told outside of personal experience to begin to shine its light as well. These are words and experiences from the mouths of the Elders, healers and masters themselves, and I deeply admire the objectivity with which she and her cohorts have chronicled the Q'ero's energetic journey.

Reading the book was like uncovering an overgrown ruin, where on the outside the crumbling walls do not meet your lofty expectations, but on the inside the simple truth emerges as something one could have never quite imagined.

There is an immense amount to be said for the starkness and grace with which she has presented such valuable knowledge at such a dire time of need. Any who take the time to read Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge will only be moved positively on their path of understanding, energy work, and enlightenment, and will be aided with extraordinary tools gifted from the Elders, made manifest by catching a privileged glimpse into an ancient tradition, for which Wilcox has provided here an incredibly clear window.

Minnesota Memories includes stories for all of us. Some are funny and some are inspiring. Although the author/editor wrote several of the most pleasurable stories, the most interesting aspect of the book is that she has encouraged average people to write stories about their own lives. Some of the stories are autobiography and some are history. Many of the stories took me back to experiences in my own life. Some made me cry. Most are of universal interest. These are real people.

The Minnesota Memories series reminds me of the old PeeWee's Playhouse TV show. In every episode of PWP, the eponymous host would announce the word of the day, then instruct viewers to "scream real loud" whenever they heard the chosen word. Viewers would be amazed (and possibly irked) at how many times common words like "door", "more" or even "like" would crop up in the course of the show. It sometimes seemed that cosmic forces aligned to push the word of the day to the forefront. But what in heck does this all have to do with Minnesota Memories? Let me explain.

In MM1, the word "kickerino" appeared in more than one essay, written by more than one author. Why? Cosmic forces? Who knows? In MM2, the word of the day is "Odin". Odin, a tiny town by anyone's reckoning, accounts for more than its share of ink in this edition of Minnesota Memories. The Odin stories are not only compelling, but they allude to other, equally compelling tales. We all have stories, and publications like Minnesota Memories allow them to be heard and celebrated. Who knows? Perhaps something near and dear to you will be the "word of the day" in Minnesota Memories 3. If it is, you can count on me to scream real loud!

Joan Graham grandly succeeded with her sequel to Vol. I of Minnesota Memories. She remembered her first ski lesson so vividly that I laughed until I cried as she related the frozen tundra on which she stood, her attempt to be "cool," and shopping for that perfect outfit that would make her ski as well as Billy Kidd. Her book also includes memories by 34 others whose lives have been impacted by living or working in the North Star State. Let's hope Joan has the stamina and sales to continue collecting even more Minnesota Memories--it'll become a state treasure!

This is an incredible book. I gives som many interesting ideas and examples.

So many times, before I know it, I'm launching into telling my son what to do, how, where, why... Without giving him a chance! And I've already read most of the book! It is so important how we talk to our kids. If we say the wrong words too often, we build up a wall in them. They need to express themselves and work out their own problems and feel SAFE expressing EVERYTHING with you and TRUSTING YOU while not compromising your morals and beliefs. It's amazing how much happiness there is between parent and child. It's the best thing in the world! Yet I fear, it is so easy to watch it all disappear without knowing why. This book gives you a chance NOW, to hear yourself and gives you the instructions to hold on to that joy and pride. I KNOW when I have said the RIGHT thing. This book taught me things you just don't get with trial and error! Instead of grasping at the vapor fumes of youth's departure, I know, I'm doing the best I can to be there always, with love being true. Do NOT forget this: #1 ALL PARENTS MUST ALWAYS READ ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN. (Trust the wealth of literature! Really! Don't fool around with trial and error. A child is NOT your first model airplane where you didn't read the instructions beforehand!) #2 THIS BOOK SHOULD BE ON THAT REQUIRED LIST!

Thanks for reading! Take the stand. Be there for your kids.

You can find a lot of books about parenting, but many of them are just pop psychology, the solitary opinion of the author.
Gottman is definitely not one of them. He is known as one of the leading psychologists in the area of family and marriage psychology. This book presents the essence of his research findings about raising emotionally intelligent children.
His advise is surprisingly easy and is based on a 5 step model:
1. Be aware of your child's emotion
2. See your child's emotions as an opportunity to be close together
3. Actively listen to your child and validate the feelings
4. Help your child to verbalize his feelings
5. Help your child solve problems, while setting clear limits

Gottman clearly explains how you can implement this 5-step-model in daily life and what to do when problems arise. His real life examples make reading really fun.
All in all, an excellent parenting book! As a supplement, I can also recommend the book by M. Seligman: "The optimistic child"

This book has given my daughter an understanding of the job I do as a K-9 handler in a way that makes reading fun for her. I have chosen this book for our donations to area school that I visit to enhance their library.

A wonderful 'grandfather' book. My younger grandchildren want me to read it over and over. I enjoy the well written story and the photographs are excellent. Actually, all ages can appreciate this quality book.

Enjoyed the book so much that I bought two extra
copies and donated them to my neigbhorhood public
library and elementary school....two places that
always have tight budgets. Buy one for Christmas,
your kids will love you.

I very much enjoyed this delightfully personal and emotional journey through the backroads of a France not previously known. The beautiful illustrations by one of my favorite artists gave the reader vivid images of this gorgeous landscape. For a non-artist, it was especially interesting to experience the journey through an artist's eye...an artist very worthy of the invitation to paint Monet's gardens. The book is a wonderful collaboration by a gifted painter and a talented writer.

Already in love with Margaret Hall Hoybach's painting style, I should have known that once I opened her book, both the words and the brush strokes would carry me, faster and faster, through to the very last page. Margaret enables the reader to see, hear, smell, taste, and experience her weeks traveling and painting across France.

Feasting and fasting, reflection and spontaneity, fellowship and solitude - all the elements of a pilgrimage are contained in this intimate account of Margaret Hall Hoybach's journey to paint Monet's gardens. Her sketches and paintings convey the wonder of her journey. Joan Brown captures the creative spark that propels an artist forward and the moments of conversion that await those willing to embrace their dreams. Colors of France is filled with rich, inviting textures arrayed for any traveler, regardless of destination. Hoybach's willingness to share her experience leads me to examine my own path. A good book to share with a friend.

This is an interesting and fascinating memoir of one man's life who happens to love sailing and who is also a gay man living in a caring and loving relationship. You don't have to have a knowledge of sailing to enjoy this book. Although I have gone sailing a few times, I wasn't familiar with a lot of the sailing terms, but the author explains them very well. The author writes with dry wit, a questioning self-analysis, and deep passion. It was a pleasure to read his story, and it was never boring. This is a true-life story that will have broad appeal to many people.

Storandt tells in vivid detail the story of his transatlantic sailing adventure from Saybrook, Connecticut to Ireland, then on to Scotland aboard his 33-foot cutter named Clarity. He made this journey with his longtime partner Brian, and their friend Bob. It's an adventure that turns out to be exciting, unpredictable, and even life-threatening. They certainly get to test their sailing skills through rough seas, gale force winds, and a fierce storm. It's not "The Perfect Storm", but it's close. Interwoven throughout his sailing adventure we learn all about Storandt's earlier life; his marriage, being a freelance musician, living in the Vermont woods in a geodesic dome, leaving his marriage, coming out, and meeting his soon to be life partner, Brian, a Scottish doctor.

So whether you're hooked on sailing or just want to read a well-written passionate coming out story, this book is for you. I was disappointed when this adventure ended. As good a writer as he is a sailor, Storandt tells a wonderful story I couldn't put down till finished.

I bought this book because I was blown away by Storandt's first fictional novel, "The Summer They Came." However, as a straight male who does not know the first thing about sailing, I did not know what to expect from this work. My enjoyment of Storandt's effort is all the more impressive, given my lack of knowledge about the subject matter. Like all master story tellers, Storandt lets the reader enter his world by describing the situation in detail, with references to more familiar subject matter. For instance, when explaining why he cannot get out of bed during a severe storm, Storandt says that he can no more get out of bed than a potato worm can unfold in your hand ... brilliant! Storandt has 2 running stories in this book. In the foreground is his gripping account of his sailing adventure to Scotland (the homeplace of his life partner) across the Atlantic. In the background, is a discussion of his and his life partner's lives up until the time of the trip, with particular focus on how they came to realize they were gay. I highly recommend this book to even the most staunchly conservative "straights," and to the landlubbers most prone to sea-sickness!

Crossing thresholds, living dreams, staying steady and listening within! He did it! He writes it as only a person who has felt it all deeply and directly can do-it's not an "about" something book! So glad he wrote it for all of us-couldn't put thebook down!!!! Spellbound by all the possibilities it opens for each of us!

This book is adorable. It was just right for my sister's 3 and 5 year olds. It was nice to give them a Halloween gift that's not candy! Cute ending.

The title of this book is so clever because children have to guess what or who will be under each flap when they open it. And it's always a Halloween character. My 3 and 5 year olds both love the book, especially the end. Very cool.

My 3 1/2 year old son adored this book. Since I had to read it to him over and over, I'm glad it's one I liked to.

Andrea didn't want to accompany her aunt and a group of privileged people on a boat trip to the Bahamas to look at a valuable artifact. But she's stuck there now, and angry when she realizes that this is a stolen artifact. All the adults want to own it, but Andrea knows it should be returned to the Peruvian government. Then the object disappears... and someone is found murdered. Who will be next?

Andrea Ryan is the 17-year-old protagonist in "The Island of Dangerous Dreams". She's being sent away to her Aunt Madelyn's in Palm Beach so her parents can save their dwindling marriage. Andrea isn't too thrilled about the arrangement, to say the least, but she's cooperative. She doesn't like her aunt very much, who reminds her of "the wicked queen in Disney's Snow White" with her designer clothes, black hair, and thin frame. Her aunt is also a maniac about collecting valuable art, and one in particular: a Peruvian artifact which belongs to a close friend of hers, Judge Justin Arlington-Hughes.

Not long after Andrea arrives in Palm Beach, she's brought to an island in the Little Bahama Banks with her aunt to see this artifact. Andrea is upset because she knows the gem belongs to the Peruvian government, not smuggled overseas and sold to the highest bidder. However, nobody wants to listen to a self-righteous 17-year-old, and she's quickly snubbed by her aunt and the other three artifact-enthusiasts on the trip.

At the island, everyone gets the chance to see the incredible jewel in an after-dinner exhibition by candlelight. However, within seconds, the show turns fatal when the judge is electrocuted while plugging in a worn lamp that appears to have been tampered with. And to top everything off, the jewel is missing. Yet they have no way of contacting authorities because there is no phone or way off the island. So, they are trapped together with a killer and thief until the return boat arrives to save them. But that's several days away, and in the meantime, another guest is killed.

Because nobody suspects Andrea, she's able to explore the island on her own and try to find an escape. What she finds, though, is a stranger (Pete Michaels) wandering the island. His boat was damaged, so he decided to anchor it in a nearby cove and look for help ashore. Although she is wary of him, Pete's her only hope of escaping the island. But can she trust him?

As a mystery, I would have given this book three stars. There weren't a lot of scares for me, but at least I didn't figure out the culprit until the end. So, even though I wouldn't say it's the best mystery I've ever read, it's certainly a good young adult book, and anyone who likes mysteries, islands, and young female sleuths will probably like it.

This book was written very well, and I am really glad I chose to write my book report on it!! It kept me guessing until the very end! A must read for anyone even remotely interested in mysteries!!

I visited the Salton Sea to photograph birds and found it impossible to describe, telling friends they had to go there themselves to experience the place and the people. Now I tell them to read this book. From the creation of the Sea to the creation of Salvation Mountain, deBuys tells it's colorful history in a prose that fills you with the sounds and smells and people of the Sea and Imperial Valley. Anyone with an interest in man's unlimited folly, vision, corruption, and the coming environmental train-wreck in southern California needs to read this book.

Bravo! Salt Dreams is the first of its kind to wrap up all of the issues surrounding the Salton Sea and Colorado River delta in one volume. The best since Cadillac Desert in its cinematic portrayal of a complicated host of issues. Awesome writing on the heroism of US Fish and Wildlife staff. My only criticism is that Congressman George Brown is slighted; Sonny Bono often called him "Mr. Salton Sea". Certainly, a book Mr. Brown would have loved.

Superlative read revealing the vast natural beauty of the desert and its inhabitants and man's irreversable errors in judging it as a fallen Eden. Together with Cadillac Desert it ranks as a southwest water classic. Beautiful writing and stunning photographs.

This is a truly brilliant Heyer with an adorable and very real heroine and a hero who is very human! Sparks fly, humour abounds and the lesser charcters are masterfully portrayed. Improves on second and third reading too. A wonderful book.

The Duke of Salford wasn't arrogant, he was just brought up that way. It takes a hoydenish schoolmiss with few prospects to take him out of his cold blooded existence. Of course theresa the unfortunate sister-in-law you can't help but dislike, and her foppish suitor who is a ready laughing stock. And theres the adorable and adoring nephew. Theres a graceful Dowager, a kidnapping, an assumed elopement, a gothic novel and enough humour to actually make your eyes water.

Sylvester, the Duke of Salford, needs a wife, and is convinced that he only has to ask to be accepted. He compiles a list of suitable candidates, some of whom he has not even met, and is persuaded to meet Phoebe Marlow, his godmother's granddaughter, who is a late addition to the list.

But Phoebe is not at all impressed at being considered for the honour of becoming Salford's wife, and runs away! Part of her problem is that she's just written a gothic novel which is in fact a _roman a clef_ in which Sylvester himself is cast as the villain, though she also found him overly arrogant when she'd met him before.

Then Sylvester finds her after her carriage had overturned, and they're forced to spend several days in each other's company....

As usual, Heyer throws in plenty of witty dialogue, an assortment of hilarious and/or likeable supporting characters, and fast pacing as events begin to spiral out of the control of even the supremely confident Duke.

A wonderful novel, worth reading over and over: as with the best Heyers, there's plenty of subtleties you'll miss the first time and will spot on re-reading.