Between the two I was simply engrossed in the books. Even when I was reading for the second time I still didn't want to stop. Though the vocabulary sometimes can get fairly high, it doesn't take away from the book, but helps you expand your own vocabulary. The time period is in the 5th Century AD, a time often not written about and riddled with themes, religions, and social issues of the time giving me a greater knowledge and desire for knowledge with each page read. It had romance, was funny, action packed, descriptive, and filled with change and faith in Jesus, as Aerick encounters Jesus and learns to put his faith in Him.

these two books are simply my favorite. i had everything ive ever wanted in a book. Romance, alot of action, Vhristian Principles. I twas amazing read this series!!!!!!

is that the sound of footsteps behind me, or just the pounding of my racing heart? ... i was so deeply engrosed in this book i wasnt able to tell the difference! this book (like the previous) is just AMAZING! when is #3 coming out?

Mark Twain promptly proves with this volume that he is, indeed, as the title states, "America's Master Satirist." Having grown up in a fundamentalist Presbyterian community, Twain knew his Bible well; and, like any thinking person, his beliefs and attitudes relating to it changed as he grew older, wiser, and more experienced. Although Twain - due to many factors, such as the death of several children and his wife and his failed investments - grew famously bitter towards the end of his life, his vision remained remarkably clear-headed, though clearly suffued with pessimism - indeed, his zest for the truth and absolute intolerance for mankind's accepted irrational beliefs became even more razor-sharp during this period. Although there are writings in this volume from all phases of Mark Twain's career, the majority of them do come from that latter period - a period in which, indeed, the exploration of these themes was the main facet of his writing. Included are such well-known items as the Diaries of Adam and Eve (as well as several other Old Testament characters), Captain Stormfield's Visit To Heaven (published here in full for the first time ever), and, of course, his masterpiece, Letters From The Earth. In these, and the other, oftentimes more obscure pieces, Twain burlesques and satarizes freely, calling mankind on both his steadfast taking to irrational and illogical beliefs, as well as on his sheer stupidity and gullibility. If one is looking for a satire along the lines of Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn, then this is DEFINITELY not the place to look; however, if you have a fondness, as I do, for the darker, more probing side of Twain, then this is a volume that you must most definitely pick up.

I am a very religious person, and I was somewhat skeptical about reading this book when I received it as a gift. My husband and I read each other the diaries of Adam and Eve, and by the end we were both so moved we cried. True, it is excellent satire, but it is hardly offensive. Mark Twain manages to weave in sincerity and bits of truth with his masterful parodies.

NEWSFLASH: I am a very religious conservative (aka "right-wing nut") who believes in the Bible and other books of scripture as the word of God, yet (unlike another reviewer would predict) I love Mark Twain's religious satire. I think that he has a keen eye for truth -- he sorts out the garbage of man-made religious fluff from the stuff that really matters. In many ways, his religious writings actually support my own beliefs in his tongue-in-cheek way. I don't think this book has any use if you intend to "bash" right-wing religionists with it. Anyone who would be shaken by Twain's writings probably doesn't really believe what they profess anyway...

I have read most of the writings in this book, although not in this edited compilation, so I cannot give my rating based on that. The five stars I have given in my review are for Mark Twain's works themselves.

Ken Wilber is a mystic-par-excellence and he lets you know it from the first page. For those unfamiliar with his work, he basically launched the transpersonal psychology movement back in the late 1970s with his "Spectrum of Consciousness" book; here he tackles that controversial of all topics, human origins--not just anthropological evolution, although he definitely covers that; but CULTURAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, and SPIRITUAL evolution. As noted by others, he definitely buys into some of the work of Joseph Campbell (read: Carl Jung mark II); he synthesizes this perspective with some remarkable insights not only on how human consciousness evolved, but how this process is traceable through the archaeological record and through the myths of our distant, proto-human ancestors. He also highly touts (with good reason) the "perennial philosophy" of mysticism, and uses it in tandem with existential, psychological, and anthropological insights. What is slightly difficult about Wilber is the way he treats the major world religions, however. I'm not saying I think he'll go to hell, I'm not a dogmatist by any means nor do I believe in a hell; but as a former theology student I do find some of his terms puzzling. He consistently uses the words "Atman" as representative of the "Ground of Being" (ie. Paul Tillich's term for "God"), and talks about Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, and many strains of Hinduism as essentially the same. If he'd done his homework he'd know that "Atman" is not the Whole; that's BRAHMAN, as any Hindu will tell you! And the key to salvation in Hinduism is the enlightenment that the Atman-self inside the human soul and the Brahman, the Universal Self, are one--he alludes to this idea but uses the wrong terminology. His understanding of Judaism and Christianity are also somewhat skewed; he basically sees Jesus of Nazareth being at heart a Gnostic and somewhat divorces him from Jewish ideas, and chooses to take the esoteric, symbolic ideas of the Gospel of John rather literally, making Christ seem a lot more like Buddha. I greatly admire and respect both Buddha and Christ, but I think Wilber does a small disservice to both traditions by assuming they are essentially the same. Nonetheless, these are merely academic differences of opinion; I think Wilber has made a significant stride towards healing the split between the rational and intuitive natures of humanity, and this book is a solid contribution to an emerging body of holistic literature which is helping us all become more integrated, self-aware human beings.

After the success of his initial works (The Spectrum of Consciousness and No Boundary), Ken Wilber gave his "spectrum" model a serious reappraisal and found it woefully lacking. It seemed that he had made a mistake that he goes on to chide others for in his later books- he confused prerational myths with transcendental truths, and confused the spiritual fall with the scientific fall. He makes up for his previous errors with "Up From Eden: A Transpersonal View of Human Evolution".

In UFE, Wilber covers the historical development of consciousness, from the animalistic/uroboric level to the typhonic, and then to the development of the Solar ego, the disassociation of the mind from the body, and the development of the rational mind. But he takes it a step further as well, discussing the development of transrational consciousness throughout history, and discussing the differences between magical fetishism and psychic Nirmanakaya and between mythic religion and subtle archetype. Drawing upon Freud, Jung, Campbell, and a ream of Anthropoligical and Archaeological data, Wilber paints us a fascinating picture of society, it's history, and it's discontents. Lastly, he finishes the book by discussing his ideas for a politics of the transrational, in a fascinating chapter titled "Republicans, Democrats, and Mystics".

As far as Wilber's older books go, this is one not to be missed. Although some concepts are better elucidated in Wilber's later "Sex, Ecology, Spirituality", nowhere does he draw on more anthropological support for his theories than in "Up From Eden".

What a great book. It's the human evolution of consciousness. Ken has shown in his other books how we progress through several, well defined, stages of congnitive growth. In this book he discusses the same stages but with the period in history that they are associated with. He also keeps track of the highest achievers of each period.

I hate to go against the crowd here, but I detested this book! I thought what romance there was, and there was I won't dispute that, was offset by the careless treatment of Strong Bear and his behavior. For example, on the same evening he brings Pamela to his village to rest after her family was murdered, he swore he'd use restraint sexually, but then soon was coming on to her. She spurns his advances, and what does he do? He runs right out to his first wife, who he dislikes incidently, and has sex with her. I'd have been able to accept that, except in his mental dialogue he said he would have found any squaw that night to bed, if she hadn't been there. I guess were supposed to forgive this act because Strong Bear was thinking of Pamela the whole time. So, why then did he do it at all? Some love he has for Pamela, huh? Her family gets murdered, and she had to sleep with him?? Strong Bear says he has insatiable needs and obviously, unlike the warriors in other of Ms. Edwards books, this warrior was never taught restraint. Srong Bear then expected Pamela to share him with another women, and I felt Pamela than accepted this too easily without complaint. She started out as a strong character then ended up a weak-willed women, willing to accept things she normally never would. I found the death of Strong Bear's first wife too contrived as well, how convenient!! If I were Pamela, I would never trust this man to remain faithful to me! Also, a word to the wise, if you are a lover of dogs, don't read this book. There's a ritual inside you aren't going to like. NO recommendation from this reader, sorry Ms. Edwards.
Cyndi

I have read so many of your book,s. I have not read one I did not like. I am having trouble finding your books here findlay ohio were i live.I love the way you fall in to the story it grabs you and you do not put the book down, you have to know what is next I just love all her books thank you.

I recommend this book for any reader. I have enjoyed this book. I`m looking forward to reading the rest of the books that she has written.

Starr Ockenga's newest book is called "Eden On Their Minds," a playful reference to the title of her recent companion volume, "Earth On Her Hands." Any gardener (or wanna-be) glancing through "Eden On Their Minds" will soon be transfixed...and transported.

I don't have a garden of my own - I have to rely on New York City's parks and mid-highway "malls" for my greenery. Somehow, though, Ockenga's gorgeous book takes me from concrete-bound trees to a world of sweet-smelling, dewy expanses of Iowa grass; the world of moss-hung live oaks lining a centuries-old Louisiana lane; the world of a sage-and-lavender-smelling "gravel garden" in New York State; the world of the proud almost haughty precision of Neville Bryan's Chicago flower garden. Magical.

This is the gift book I gave my mother for Christmas, knowing she would eat up every photograph. This is just the book for those frosty mid-winter nights when you lounge in your favorite armchair, surrounded by garish, boasting seed catalogs, planning your spring. "Eden On Their Minds" is a book that invokes new life, encourages those of us with less than a green thumb, and reminds us that the Earth is struggling to amaze our humble human species, even as we pollute and destroy and ravage.

A helpful addition at the end of every chapter is a list of the plants grown in that chapter's featured garden; both common and botanical names are given, along with a brief description of the plant. An excellent index completes the book.

Starr Ockenga's latest book does amaze us. If you are not already a gardener, after reading this book you will want to be one when you grow up.

As we await the arrival of the first of the spring catalogues,three of my gardening friends and I have been purusing the contents of Starr Ockenga's wonderful new book, Eden on Their Minds, marvelling that the author has come up with a gem equal to its companion book, Earth on Her Hands. Whether we are consulting the wealth of information contained in the detailed plant lists; being transported from the cold and dark of winter by the breathtaking images of Eden that fill the book; daring through the inspiration of these visions to be more adventurous in our own gardens; or imagining a conversation with any one of the gardeners who are introduced to us so engagingly in striking black & white photographs, we agree that this book--a bargain at its retail price, not to mention the [Amazon.com] price--deserves its honored place on our horticultural library's shelves and on our laps as we meet, talk about gardening, and look forward to spring!

I just bought this book for my wife, an avid gardener, for her birthday. I had no idea if she would like it, but based on the publisher's write-up and the contents I thought she might enjoy it. Well I hit a home run! Not only did my wife love the book, but apparently she has another book by this same author. Now we are all happy, my wife loves this book and I scored some brownie points for "paying attention" to my wife's likes and needs!

The tone of this story is very melancholy but poetically so. I certainly wouldn't call it a romance, but it is a love story, and I applaud the craftsmanship required to pull off something this unique. I also admire the beautiful prose, the incredible historical detail, the way the author breathed life into her characters and wove her setting so tightly into the story. The book made me grateful for my own life and made me want to be happy for the sake of others, if not myself. That says something--when you apply what you've learned from a work of fiction to your own life. It means what you read was powerful. The closest thing to it that I recall is Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath."

A Season in Eden is a painful read filled with heartache andgrief. It is not the type of book I, the love and laughter type,normally choose to read. Written in first person it is the story of Lora, a young woman whose dreams have been shattered by tragedy. It is the story of her coming to terms with her grief, facing it, and reestablishing a relationship with her husband Eli who loves her more than his own life. Although not a typical love story, this book left an emotional impact on me like very few do and I ended up finishing it in one tear blurred sitting. I was wholly satisfied and give it my highest recommendation.

but nothing Megan Chance writes could be called "typical" she continually pushes the envelope of the romance genre and gifts readers with something special and original every time. With A SEASON IN EDEN she gives us a book written in first person. To see how Lora grows as a person and somehow overcomes her grief with the aid of a most unlikely friend, results in one of the best historical fiction books of the year. This book deserve a much bigger audience than it will get marketed only as a "historical romance." Megan Chance's books more often than not transcend the genre. Her publisher should realize what a gem of a writer they have and give her the boost she deserves. I agree with the quote from Kristin Hannah, if you read one historical romance this year, make it A SEASON IN EDEN. If you are a member of a reading group - this book is one that cries out to be discussed. I loved everything about this book -- from the first person POV, the subject matter, and the setting (my husband's grandparents homesteaded in the very area this book is set). I look forward to the next innovative novel from Ms. Chance.

Maybe I'm being unfair to Harrison, but I can't help but feel that he would have been better off leaving the Eden series at one book. West of Eden is such an incredible read that anything following it must, of necessity, fall short by comparison.

Return to Eden is by no means a bad book. It is, like every Harrison work, an enjoyable read that holds the attention well. Unfortunately, it accomplishes almost nothing. When the book ends, all is pretty much the same as it was at the end of Winter in Eden. Humans and Yilane continue to live separate lives, trying to avoid each other as much as possible. There are hints early on in the book that we might be about to see a revolution in Yilane society, with the Daughters of Life on the verge of making a philosophical breakthrough and proselytizing male as well as female young (why else spend so much time showing how a male Yilane can develop into a mature individual if freed from the harem?). But nothing comes of it, nor does anything of significance come from Kerrick's resolution to break with his Yilane past. Return to Eden is a pleasant read, but anyone looking to experience the magic of West of Eden will be disappointed.

This third volume of the Eden trilogy brings everything to a satisfactory but predictable closure. There is enough left open to hope for a possible "Back to Eden" in the future.

The relationships between the Yilane(dinosaur) and Tanu (human)are almost as good as the Lizard/Human relations in Harry Turtledoves' World War series. The story is much richer simply because there are not as many story lines as Turtledove keeps going.

A really good read but I think only available in pricey trade paperback. I was able to easily find all 3 in used shops with very little trouble.

The bueauty of Harrison's Eden series is how much he draws you in to the point that the entire world seems as if it could really exist somewhere. Think 'Lord of the Rings' without all the UNNECESSARY details, and a story that moves muvch quicker.

As one would expect from Harrison, Winter in Eden is well-written, and attention-riveting. Its biggest failing is that it follows West of Eden - an incredible novel in all respects. Winter in Eden, while worth reading, seems undeveloped, less focused. Perhaps it is the absence of the Vainte/Kerrick dynamic. Perhaps it is that the Yilane are now familiar and no longer wonderous strange. Or perhaps it is simply that perfection is seldom captured twice.

I enjoyed this book better than the first. Maybe it's the development of the story, or just revisiting an incredible alternative world. Harrison is a master storyteller and the concept of dinosaurs not going extinct, and making slaves of humans, is mind-boggling. Like other readers, I wish the series were longer.

Happily, I have found another series that is remarkably similar: the Dinosaur Wars series byThomas Hopp. Written recently, they have one advantage over the Eden books. The intelligent human-sized dinosaurs are feathered and bird-like. This is more realistic according to modern science, but Harrison couldn't have known what would later be discovered in China while he was writing of scaly, almost amphibian dinosaurs in these books. Ah, well, everything evolves, including our view of what an intelligent dinosaur might be like. Also, Hopp writes of dinosaurs returning to the present-day world we live in, not an alternative. So there are some cool tank battles and cruise missile counterattacks. Again, an evolution of Harrison's concept.

Hooray for both authors. Long live the subgenre!

This is truly first rate sci fi, with grand conceptions and epic sweep, fascinating characters, and a sense of wonder. All this is deepened in this volume, but it is less fun than the first, as sequels usually go. It also depends on a bluff that I found disingenuous.