Gail Straub has written from the heart and from her experience and the experience of those who have studied with her. Her words are practical and the suggested exercises are gentle and revealing. It is rare to find someone writing with such authority on the spiritual questions of our time. And, as a gifted teacher, Gail provides insight and encouragement to her readers. The Rhythm of Compassion is truly a gift to all who read this important book.

Rhythm of Compassion is a must-read for those of us who are seeking an understanding of our purpose and asking 'how in the world can one me make any difference for the world?'

In a beautifully sustained metaphor of breathing in and breathing out, Gail Straub shows us that caring for ourselves and serving others is not an either/or proposition -- that both can be achieved with balance and a sense of rhythm. The gentle but rigorous (for those who venture deep) exercises, along with the touching stories of very real, regular people who seek their truth and place in the world opened my heart to understanding how we all deeply long for our connection to ourselves, one another and our planet.

This book has acquired "permanent resident status" on my night table (along with The Invitation) as a ready source of inspiration and comfort. I re-open it to any page and am touched by the reverent tone and deep truth that it holds. It is at the top of my gift-giving list for this coming year and probably will be for many years to come. It is truly a gift for our world.

Gail Straub has written a truly wonderful book that is so rich it must be read slowly, particularly by those who need to remember the importance of balancing the inner life, and the cultivation of joy, and the need to focus on an outer role in the world that is meaningful and requires real time, and energy investment, and has nothing to do with your bank account or ego account. I would recommend this book to every one in the helping professions, particularly those who "burn out" and want to hear how not to, from a real pro - Gail Straub.

Houses Without Doors presents short stories with incredibly creepy moods. Their creepiness comes not from grotesqueness, but rather, from the very normalcy of the settings that horrid things take place in. You aren't transported to some otherwordly place, rather the terror is brought straight into your personal living space.

Each story has it's own focus, much having to do with the type of horror that children find themselves confronting - and even perpetrating. Those who like Stephen King's child-type characters may also enjoy these. The stories are eerie in their familiarity, but work more on a psychlogical/emotional level than they do through plot. Many of the stories are non-linear, a tool that the author uses to great effect. Not only does it add to the moodiness of the story, it also notches up the emotions that the characters seem to feel. Readers who enjoy non-linear story telling will definetely enjoy this book. Those who prefer a plot-heavy and/or super-suspenseful type book may not like it as well.

Overall excellent stories, frightening characters, and perfect horror mood. Definetely a book well worth the money.

What I loved about this collection of stories was that in every one of them it showed the dark side of people who can at least be consisdered kind of normal. Peter Straub holds nothing back when it comes to his characters and it has always been a great rule of fiction to always tell the truth. Straub has told the truth here and may have dove too deep into it for some people's tastes.

I was glad to see that Peter Straub released this short collection of his work. There are some dark & memorable stories here. Blue Rose and The Juniper Tree are the best of the lot. I enjoyed those especially since they tie in heavily to Koko and The Throat. I was sorry to see that The Ghost Village wasn't part of this collection, but, it did appear later in another of Peter's collections called Magic Terror. The last story in the book, Mrs. God is excellent. Since there is a longer, slightly different version of it, in limited release, I would recommend that instead. There are smaller interludes that divide each story and these interludes make up their own short story as well. All in all, anything by Peter Straub is a going to show what a true Master he is at his craft.

Heads up all buyers! This paperback edition is not the text book that you are looking for. The description does not mention the paperback is just a study guide! If you need the text book buy the hardback!

After having this book for my Intro 1 and 2 Psych classes in college, it reaffirmed my desire to be a psychology major. Now that I'm in the counseling field and about to teach a class myself, I can't wait to use this book as the text in my class and show my students what I learned from this book - just how exciting, interesting, and fun psychology can be!

After completing a semester-long high school psych. course with this textbook, this is the first textbook ever that i am entirely determined to have for myself as pleasure reading. The book was well organised, enticing, entertaining, and astoundingly FUN TO READ. The text is interspersed with colorful illustrations, interesting photos, and comic relief including The Far Side (illustrating hemispheric differences--"Innocent and carefree, Stuart's left hand didn't know what the right was doing"), and Dennis the Menace (demonstrating child developmental stages) comics. It was, by far, the most intellible psychology text i've ever read -- written in a casual, intelligible, conversational tone. This textbook was so enthralling and entertaining that its all i'm asking from my parents for my birthday! Buy it. You'll be amazed that psychology can be so much fun!

I don't want to get overly into detail, but all I can say is that I have never, in my years of school work, ever encountered a text book like this. A text book that once I began to read, I couldn't stop.

The brilliance of the insight, and all backed up with actual proof. Objective understanding has never been presented in such a wonderful way. In fact the only people who didn't like this book were my friends and family. As I touted its impressive gate around reading to myself and aloud I learned that most people really do not like to view themselves and humans from an objective perspective, some even find the idea unnatural.

But all I can tell you is that this book changed my life, especially the last half of it, once it got out of the mapping of the physical and got into our social behaviors and mental misunderstandings I really got into it.

I only wish I could convey its power, truly the first enlightened textbook that makes it's reads not only tolerable, but highly entertaining. I emplore you, pick it up!

My AP Psychology class uses Exploring Psychology 4th edition. This book is what the College Board recommends for their AP test. I also took Intro to Psych last year and found the book to be decent, but this one is undoubtedly so much better. Firstly, it's informative. The author doesn't waste a lot of words - every sentence means something (which also means the text can flood you with so much information). Secondly, Exploring Psychology is articulate and coherent; many concepts in psych can be befuddling but Myers does a great job of helping the reader understand. Thirdly, it's interesting. I had senioritis all this year but Psych was the only class that I actually stuck with and it was partly due to this book. Myers includes numerous tidbits and facts that held my attention...As of right now, I honestly cannot think of a significant downfall of this text. My teacher loves it (and she jealously guards the 6th edition with her life), and so does my class...

When I took General Psychology in college last semester, this is the book that I had to use. Let me start by saying that I usually dread having to read an assigned chapter or to review out of a textbook, but Exploring Psychology (Fourth Edition) was an exception.

I'm interested in psychology to begin with, but I thought the book's chapters were well written, interesting, and very easy to understand. There are 14 chapters, and all the chapters have a few main headings, or sections, that relate to what the whole chapter is about, and a bunch of sub-sections. From time to time in each chapter, there is a set of review questions in a box called "Rehearse It!." At the end of every chapter, there is a great summary from each of the chapter's different sections, a few critical thinking exercises, and an answer key to the Rehearse It! questions.

As for what psychological topics are included, this book has a lot to offer. There are chapters devoted to everything that deals with psychology from learning, memory, therapy, how people develop, biology, behavior, and much more. Throughout the text, it mentions and goes into detail about the works of many famous psychologists such as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson, and many others.

Also included in Exploring Psychology are the other things you'd expect to see such as a glossary, two Appendixes, and more. I can't say anything from a teacher's point of view, but for me as a student, this book was fun to read and very easy to understand.

"Shadowland" is two stories in one book. The first is set in a strict prep school, the second is set in the confined house of a madman. Though this book had strong imagery and allegory, I found the story to be too complex. Straub tried to tackle too many issues at once and just barely scraped by. The characters are developed well, but I was unable to grasp the emotion of the love between Tom and the mysterious "Rose." If you'd like to read a book with a well-written love affair that is also black with horror I recommend reading "Wizard and Glass" by Stephen King. Overall, I found Shadowland to be too long, and the ending is unsatisfying and abrupt.

Peter Straub weaves a mind-blowing web of horror and emotion in this unsettling tale of darkest magic. As with his subsequent novel, The Talisman co-written with Stephen King, Straub demonstrates his unnervingly clear vision of magic at its most real, devastating and climactic potency. Quite simply, this is a book that can be re-read just to absorb Peter Straub's mastery of story telling and literary atmosphere.

Rates in my top five all-time favorite books. This one delivers it all. Caught somewhere between a fever dream and the cool, longing whisper of a childhood memory, this book does what so few can: creates a narrative that is truly unique. As a film director, I have watched and read--"absorbed"--so many stories, that it is impossible not to see lazy "cookie-cutter" storytelling in almost everything. How often have I picked up a book or watched a movie with an interesting premise only to find that it is just like every other book or movie. Not so with Shadowland, which kept me forever off balance--but not enough to lose me. I was lost and riveted at the same time.

With absolute precision, Straub brings to life the adolescent's journey into manhood; how even everyday life can be a wonderous, terrifying mystery. By reframing this subtext within the confines of Shadowland itself--the magician's mansion--Straub creates a level of uncertainty and terror that you will feel lingering with you long after you've closed the book.

I can't imagine that this book will suit everyone's taste; but for anyone who likes their fiction to remain elusive, revealing, suprising, this is a book that will haunt you for years to come.

What I really liked about this book was the characters. Straub took settings and situations that mostly are reserved for female characters and filled them in with men. The range of emotions displayed by each male in this book was unique and refreshing to see. Now, as for the story, it was okay but again I was let down. this book does connect the other two together but mystry and Throat failed to keep up the suspense that was evident in Koko. I read or in my case listened to all three back to back and each could have stood on its own. Again, if you enjoy mysteries, read this one as well, but not for strict horror fans. Out of all the books I have listened so far by this author, Ghost Story is the best followed by Koko and then Houses without Doors where all this Blue Rose business begins.

I have just started reading Peter Straub, and must say, I thoroughly enjoyed The Throat. I have only read Mr. X and Magic Terror, and was excited to discover that the character of Fee Bandolier, whom I was first introduced to in "Bunny Is Good Bread", appears in this novel. I had some ideas about who Fee was in The Throat, but was left guessing until the end of the book. I would have given this story five stars, but I was a little disappointed by the ending, kind of a letdown. All in all, this book has a very satisfying plot and good characters, but I felt the character of Tim Underhill was a little vague. I suppose I will read "Koko" and "Mystery", so that I can get to know him and Tom Pasmore a little better.

I've read and re-read this book and each time I get something different from it. It's a richly textured story with characters that I found compelling and involving. Some are horrible and repugnant and some, like the Tom Pasmore character, I yearn to learn more about. I can see how that book just wouldn't be some people's cup of tea but I loved it. Also, I loved the whole story of Fee Bandolier and the mysteries Tim Underhill confronts. I'm actually quite comfortable with some of the mysteries and contradictions of the story. I think it mirrors things I've encountered in my own life.

The first of Straub's "Blue Rose" murder mysteries, and my least favorite, though it is - like all Straub's novels - very well written. Koko is often reminiscent of The Deer Hunter, a film I frankly didn't care for at all, and is all about the Viet Nam war, which I care for even less. The book is far too long for the simple serial killer story it is, and isn't terribly involving if you're not into the military or Viet Nam.

I liked Straub's other "Blue Rose" books, but this one took me years to finish and I wasn't glad I did - in fact, I didn't read another Straub book for years, afterward - however, if you're into Viet Nam or military matters, you might enjoy Koko a great deal.

"Ghost Story" ranks as one of the most terrfying novels I have ever read and I picked up "Koko" with expectations for a sequel in intensity, prose and effectiveness. Although it has its moments, "Koko" is two stars down from my favorite Straub novel.

It is way too long to endure for the 100+ pages of brilliant writing. I understand that the writer takes his time on detail and background to introduce real and complex characters involved in the story. But still, I think it was way over-written and yet the ending seemed as a result of pages running out instead of what was being told...

Still, Straub makes up for some of the time you spent with him in the last chapter. He, too, is relieved that the book is over and lets his talents out. You might try to read this one from page 500 to the end.

I can count the books I've felt the urge to read twice on one hand...Koko is one of the elite few. Vietnam vets go in search of a man from their old unit after hearing about a series of murders in the Far East. Koko is a well-written, terrifying journey into the lower depths of hell on earth. Be warned, this book does start off rather slow(I almost didn't keep going), but the rewards are more than worth your perseverance. It was released the same year as Silence Of The Lambs...it is a superior novel. The shared Vietnam experience of the main characters gives this book a believability that is absent in many thrillers. This is the first, and best, entry of a trilogy that includes Mystery & The Throat. I have turned my mother, old girlfriends, and other friends on to this experience. They all thanked me afterwords. You will too. I was eighteen the first time I read this. I was twenty-five the second time. Nothing was lost, it was even better the second time. This is a mature adventure through a nightmare psychological landscape. Do yourself a favor...READ KOKO! For Straub, this is the pinnacle of a wonderful career.

First off, I should say that "Shadowlands" and "Ghost Story" were two of my first forays into horror and that Peter Straub has always been near the top of my list of favorite horror writers. But...

I found this book a tough read, with a confusing opening and cartoonish characters. It only becomes interesting with the introduction of Dick Dart who energizes things around page 160. But this leads to one of the fundamental flaws of this book.

As described in other reviews, the main character, Nora, is raped by Dart in a vividly written scene. Yet even though Nora starts the book still unable to cope with her being raped during military duty decades earlier, she doesn't even spend ONE PAGE dealing with this new assault.

It is with the characters that Straub lets us down here. Why Nora cares about anything but killing Dart is a mystery. And Straub doesn't seem to really know what to do with Dart himself, smart and one step ahead of everyone for most of the book. He provides two small glimpses at an Achille's heel, but doesn't really follow up on it. Nora's husband is possibly the character who gets the worst treatment. The reader never really gets a grip on who this person is.

The story itself concerns the origins of a beloved fantasy trilogy. Think Lord of the Rings. And yet, as seen through the eyes of Nora, Straub doesn't encourage us to have the same good feelings toward this book that many characters have. The followers of the books are given full geek/nerd treatment for the most part, which undermines the reader caring about who ultimately wrote these classics.

This is the best book that Peter Straub has written in a long time, I couldn't put it down. I had to find out how it ended, and I didn't even cheat. I have been reading true crime books trying to figure out why a serial killer does what he does, but in this book you really get behind the mind of a serial killer and know he is pure evil. I recommend this book highly to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or a good horror story

There are a few things that appear to be rock solid in this world. Gravity, time, and that Peter Straub never disappoints. The Hellfire club is another in a long line of books that justifies the latter. Peter Straub uses a technique in this book, which is sometimes known as a story-within-a-story, to complement and to enrich the story. While it is a difficult technique to pull off, Peter does this seamlessly and effectively. The book is heavily layered, and can be read and understood in a variety of ways, in which the description 'a modern day crime story' is not the least of them. I could not find a single flat character in this story nor could I find a single hole in the plot. Midways, there appeared to be so many loose threads you'd never believe they all would be resolved, but Peter delivers! The book's main antagonist is the most vicious, yet almost unbelievably charming murderer I have ever known of -- and Nora Chancel is the single most complete heroine this genr! e has ever produced. In short, it's fair to say that The Hellfire Club is the most enjoyable and thought-provoking crime story I've read in years.

Having read 'Ghost Story' and 'shadowland'I guess I'm on a downward slope with Mr Straub and this book proves it. The horror (or gore) is OTT and unnecesary in a lot instances but the main problem with this book is it just doesnt have a coherent plot There are too many distractions that contribute nothing to the story and just leave you thinking just what is the story ? As usual with Peter Straub the book is intelligently written and he 'jumps' you around the way he likes to which is a particular Straub-ism that he is known for . But at the end of the day this book has been 'over written' and doesnt contain strong enough characters or a streamlined plot to make this a memorable read

This part of the review is intended for people who like to read fast entertaining books.

I first read this book in 1986, I thought it was a little confusing, but being as young as I was (14) I finished it. I figured it must be my immaturity, that I didn't follow the story well. So jump ahead to 2000, I just happen to come across my dusty Hard cover that I had and decided to give it a retry. Now I am almost 30 and I feel I have some comprehention of things so I read it over. Well I was right, the premis of the book is great, it's just that Straub was having a hard time putting it into words. The book was too long and wordy with too many unimportant charactors we didn't need to hear about. I found the main charactors very 3 dimensional, as well as the description of the town, but the story runs along at a bumpy pace. It's not a lite read at all. You'll need to put your thinking caps on for this one. But Straub is not a King or Koontz more like Henry James. Now on a positive note; mind you Floating Dragon is not a great book, but Straub is a great author.

Straub to me is a literary Horror writer, he doesn't write fast books with happy endings. His books make you think and contemplate. He is in a genre of his own.

On a personal note in 95 I was in Manhattan at the Pennsylvania Hotel. While in the elevator traveling down to the lobby a man was standing in front of me. Turns out this was Peter Straub. He was plugging his new book Hell Fire Club. He turned out to be a very nice guy. So I felt a personal bond while I was reading his book if you can believe that.

If I could give this book 4 1/2 stars, then I would. It is some of the best work Straub has produced. He should be wearing the mantle for gothic horror author master. Straub reminds me of Nathanial Hawthorne with this story. He tells the tale of an area dying into madness and the horror the various individuals have to face including people that are dissolving into water. The only complaint I have is that Straub writes in a very disjointed style that jumps around the plot and can be hard to follow. I think he chose this method to enhance the suspense. If you have read either Shadowlands or Ghost Story, then you will love Floating Dragon. It is a harder read, but it is ceratainly worth the effort. It is my personal favorite of his books.