This is a recycled version of the same book by the same publisher in the Past Masters series. It is a pity there have been no changes if any made to the original work done in 1983 as a few things have changed in Buddhist studies since then. At least the pictures are better and the book looks shorter than the original transmission.

A sharp, highly critical approach with the most important elements highlighted. A coherent essay of depth and rigour. A joy to read and appreciate.

This is the 2nd book on Buddhism in the A Very Short Introduction series (VSI) by OUP. The book "Buddhism a VSI" by D. Keown is also excellent. In fact most of the books on the VSI series seem to be brilliant. To be recommended to anyone, cheap to buy, cheaper to read and the taste is very expensive.

This book, perhaps better than any other I've read, brings to light the unique philosophical position of the Buddha. Carrithers clearly explains how the Buddha stood out from the intellectual background of his time and helps one understand how and why the Buddha arrived at his views. A brilliant account of the Buddha's life and teachings not only for its scholarship but also for its refreshing lucidity. ...

Kis was born in my country. This book is the most beautifool story about growing and knowing what life is. He learned very early that there is no justice in the warld, even in cats warld. It is significant story of meaning of time.

This fascinating book is reading material for all ages andgenders. Kis has managed to bring topics we have long forgotten to ourmind. Is this book for children only? No. This book provides intriguing material for thought especially for adults who have figured out what life is all about.

I don't know what it is about Orson Scott Card -- Before I ever read him, I was prepared to not like him. I'd heard that he was a science fiction writer and that genre isn't a favorite of mine. However, my opinion now is that Card ranks as one of the absolute best and most skillful authors alive today. He has an amazing ability to get inside the person or circumstance he is writing about and make it into something that anyone could understand and be proundly moved by.

In addition, he comes up with some of the most fascinating ideas for a story. The title piece, 'The Elephants of Posnan', is one example. Although there is no doubt that Card wasn't suggesting that the premise of this story is truth, it still left me mulling the entire piece over and over again. He makes such a moving and brilliant case for something entirely bizarre, and insightfully comments on the nature of man in the process. 'The Elephants of Posnan' was positively spellbinding, beginning to end.

I love this collection. Orson Scott Card is a true master of his craft.

In this collection not only are you exposed to Orson Scott's Card's mastery of fiction, but you gain some insight into his creative process as well, thanks to the author's commentary on certain pieces.
The various storys are a joy to listen to and range from science fiction to fantasy, from psychological thriller to love story.
Whether you're a die hard Ender Series fan, a general fan of Card's, or a first time listener to the whole audiobook genre, there's something here you'll cherish.

_The Encyclopedia of the Dead_ is one of the best short story collections of this or any century, I'm not shy to say, and it is my personal favorite of Kis' books (_A Tomb for Boris Davidovich [forthcoming from Dalkey Archive] coming in a close second). Kis' writes in a wonderful type of lyrical documentary style, mixing fact and fiction (though it is difficult to tell sometimes whether the fact is not fiction and vice-versa), reminiscent of some of the contemporary younger western writers (namely, William T. Vollmann, who himself is a big fan). In short, buy this book! (If you don't have a penny to your name and you can't buy one...you should not steal it, thought you would have it and be able to read and devour it like you need to.)

It took almost six months from the day I ordered this book, until it came out of print and I received it in my mail. It took me less than a week to read it...This is a book of stories about people who find their death in different ways. Kis mixes myths and legends of the Bible to: middle eastern legends, female intuition, patriotism, death anticipation due to long and difficult illness. Each story is setup in its own time, century, country and is viewed from different perspective. And all these situations and places combined, make up this wonderful book. My favorite story was "The Encyclopedia of the Dead". It sounds so personal, that anyone who knows a little bit about Danilo Kis' life, can see a lot of Kis himself - in this story. Mr. Heim did wonderful job translating this work. However, I was a bit disappointed that Mr. Haim did not make an effort to write an introduction for this book. Writer's notes at the end of the book were extrimely helpful in understanding stories more deeply and understanding what he wanted to accomplish with this work of art. Many of Danilo Kis' reders like to remember him as writer who had Borges for an idol. Please, let us not forget that Kis had admirerers himself - no one less than Joseph Brodsky, amongst others.

I'm currently ordering my 3rd copy of this book: my mother stole my 1st copy and my older brother got the 2nd. This one will never leave my library! Most of the stories in this collection are intriguing but not particularly of consequence. The exception is 'Melodies of the Heart'. Read it. Read it again. Read it some more. It doesn't matter how many times you read this story, you'll keep crying harder every time.

"You are my sunshine... my only sunshine..."

_Forest of Time_ (the book) is a collection of classic Michael Flynn stories. Most selections are powerful stories that still satisfy even after rereading. (It was my second time for "Melodies of the Heart" and I cried as hard this time around as the first.) This is an excellent book from a master of the craft.

Michael Rosen's five stories have captured the ephereal quality of the 'tween' age. The 11 and 12 year old main characters are no longer children, but not yet adults. One moment they are still childlike, the next moment they show great maturity and foresight. My 11 almost 12 year old daughter loved them as much I did... Our favorite was the first story of the boy who copes with physical problems as he swims with dolphins...

This book is great for older kids--all the stories are about people their age overcoming some sort of disability/shortcoming, etc. to make the world around them a better place. These five stories are wonderfully spun by Rosen in a way that are inspiring without falling into the trap of sappiness. I believe there needs to be more fiction like this for kids--material that teaches them about the unlimited capabilities of the human heart.

Smart, to the point and funny. Book of life in the sense. My favorite story - "Steffi Speck in The Jaws of Life". Ms. Ugresic's power of the observation is amazing. She has a way of presenting sad and ironic experiences of every day middle class life in hillariosly funny terms. Her "patchwork" (of stories) book is so true, no wonder she can move any reader. I am looking forward to reading her "Fording the Stream of Concioussness" book. Hopefully, there will be more books coming from this talented writer

What a pity Ms Ugresic is not known in this country - or if she is, as a Yugoslav/Croat, with all the heavy baggage that implies nowadays. These stories are absolutely delightful -- I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud when reading. Nothing escapes her wit and derision -- love affairs, relationships, writers, serious literature -- and we come out of one of her stories (in particular Hot Dog in a Warm Bun, Lend Me Your Character or Kreutzer Sonata -- not to mention the title novella)-- tonified and with our faith in life restored, as after a sauna or a refreshing cold shower. Ms Hawkeworth's translations are excellent too, it's hard to believe this wasn't written in English. Let's hope Ms Ugresic has kept her sense of humour, and that a major publisher will make her prose known to more of us..

This book is one of Grace Livingston Hill's best. I love the fact that Michael keeps his word about helping other "street kids" like himself. The romance eliment is subtle, but it's very powerful and touching.

This book was really powerful. I am not a crier, but I found my emotions touched by this beautiful story. One can almost see the author's love for humankind shining through. The main character was a wonderful man, suitable for being a hero to any little boy. I think the author truly must have been inspired to write such a magnificent piece of literature. This book was so good, I wish that everybody could truly appreciate it like I do. I have several friends who have also discovered the beauty in this long-forgotten book. I am hoping to read more of this author

Parents will want to use this as read-aloud material: it provides a thick treasury of Paddington Bear stories, accompanied by Peggy Fortnum's line drawings watercolored by her step-granddaughter. Paddington Bear is always in trouble, and this provides an excellent, whimsical set of adventures for newcomers and prior Paddington fans in a fine keepsake edition.

Paddington, a small bear from "darkest Peru," definitely needs looking after as he always finds himself in one sticky situation after another. I discovered P. only a few years ago. I had MEANT to read the P. books for YEARS, but somehow hadn't gotten around to it. After I finally read A Bear Called Paddington, frequently laughing out loud at Paddingtons' "situations," I immediately found the next three books, then the next three...

I am delighted that the Paddington books have now been bound in one volume and am equally delighted to be adding this to my collection.

Living in the Unites States, the war in Lebanon was what I saw on TV. Perhaps because of our bias media, I never felt pity like I did during the Kosovo problem. Reading this book made me realize what the war did to a wonderful people, the Lebanese. The author is brave and does not hesitate nor spare your feelings.

This is an amazing book, outrageous, fun, heartbreaking and poingant. It is very different than the writer's Koolaids. I could not put it down. The title story shook me to the core. Great book.