When they read accounts of western near-death experience to the Dalai Lama all he had to say was that he didn't believe them because the people who experienced them reported being greeted by dead relatives and dead relatives "would have to have taken rebirth in some realm long before." He went on to say that this was "only barely possible." He didn't claim to have any firsthand knowledge of this whatsoever, and in fact when once asked if he could point to anyone he actually knew who had attained enlightenment all he could say was: "There MAY be someone in caves somewhere."

He also didn't buy that the light people see in near death experiences was the same as the "clear light of the void." He politely only said they could be considered "analagous" or something of that sort. And when asked in this book to point to even just very advanced meditators who could go into the "clear light" at will, he only said it would be very difficult because "they are all so scattered" and also that such people are uncooperative because they are "stubborn."

So, honestly, at this point one might as well be talking with the Pope or a methodist minister in the sense that here is someone with a belief system who never seriously questions it. In other words, his belief system is "gospel" which is of course a way of saying it's beyond question. Ok, everyone get angry at me, because I'm asking if we in the west haven't overrated the tibetans because of their huge reputation for esoteric knowledge bestowed on them by such questionable people as Madam Blavatsky and Gurdjieff. Thankyou and I apologize to those of you who are now angry because I have questioned the unquestionable.

Several moderm day researchers spend a week with the Dalia Lama and discuss the topics of the books title. The material delivered from the Dalai Lama himself is the best part of this book.

Can you imagine a conversation about the essence of art taking place between, oh, say, Picasso and art therapists who treat mental patients, and some chemists who concoct formulaes for oil paints? Something like that is taking place here. The title alone is enough to pique your interest, but the content is less than secret-divulging. If you're not a neurologist,or a specialist in a related area,then much of the material presented by the neurologist will be for all practical purposes useless. If you're not familiar with the basic assumptions of esoteric buddhist psychology, then much of what HH Dalai Lama has to say will sound like so much dogma or articles of faith. I know next to nothing about brain sciences, but am academically acquainted with the buddhist conception of reality, so I found what the Dalai Lama had to say both interesting and amusing. Interesting, because he speaks as plainly as he can about things that are usually wrapped in some hairy buddhist language. Amusing, becuase the Dalai Lama would show utmost courtesy in listening to all the dry academic presentations, which even I found somewhat tedious, and then offer his views about the matter at hand by often beginning with what sounds like a gentle correction rather than a positing of difference of perspective only. I paraphrase from memory: "Well, your numbers and theories are all very nice, but no, it's actually like this." Some of the discussions on REM, and animal responses to dream states are interesting, but just merely interesting. Better on the Discovery channel. Much of the philosopher Charles Taylor's presentations concerning the Western/Christian conception of the Self is reliable but elementary. And dealing with the subject matter at hand, even an eminent philosopher can do only so much with Ratio alone. The book is of some value if one is willing to be open to the possibility that the Dalai Lama may be speaking of things that are real but not measurable, at least not with knobs and dials. Not yet. He never mentions it specifically in the book, but the idea of rebirth and the attendant conditions are indirectly there, for example when he questions the authenticity of the phenomenon of seeing one's departed ones in a near-death experience. He says, "Maybe the person is hallucinating at that point or projecting a wish. They (the loved ones who departed long ago) would have found new bodies by then." Taken as an record of an encounter with the Dalai Lama, this book sheds some light into that aspect of the man that won't show up when he is on Larry King or speaking of compassion to the multitude in Central Park. The guy is a professional in his own field, after all, and he knows his chops. Here, refreshingly enough, he sheds some of his avuncular "hey, be cool, people!" image and divulges some of his professional knowledge at a speed and intensity of delivery considerably higher than the mass media have shown him to be capable.

This is not a reference text, rather an idiosyncratic outline of one clinician's practice. As that it is fine. But recommendations are not really state-of-the-art and there are numerous subjects inadequately covered. My criticism might be too harsh for something labelled "Fundamentals," but the introduction and table of contents imply a depth this book does not have.

Dr Taylor wrote the book for physicians who take care of their psychiatric patients. I use it in my practice as a superb resource of advice based on years of clinical experience, scientific research and ... common sence. Perfect for you, if you are the person who desires to take care of patients in the best way - wise and humane. Have fun reading it !

I recently read this book for a paper i had to write for a class dealing with the Middle East. Alan R. Taylor goes into great depth about the history of power in the Middle East. The book with the origins of the Arab system and ends with the dilemma of the Arabs fighting over land and natural boundaries. The book is a little outdated but still has a lot of great information about the early shifting of power in the Middle East. I'd would recommend this book to anyone interested in the government and politics aspect of the Middle East.

AJP Taylor's "War Lords" divides each into his own chapter, including Mussolini, Hitler, Churchill, Stalin, FDR, and a back section for Tojo, etc. I first read Taylor's book in college, and upon re-reading it, i noticed it is full of his own opinions, verging on egoism. The best thing about the book is actually the photos and captions; it is also divided well and easy to read. The rest is fact sprinkled throught Taylor's opinions, which he quotes his opinion as being "the right one." Don't waste your money on this, check a library first.

Here's a prime example of an author who should not confuse sex for insight. Just being graphic does not accord you the respect of, say, a Henry Miller or an Anais Nin. This was banal at best.

Lucy Taylor's second novel is not one to like. I couldn't find one character that I thought was worth rooting for. They all were a little bit evil. But this is no tale of supernatural evil, oh no. This is about the evil of addiction; be it alcohol, drugs, love, sex, violence. Whatever vice you've heard of, it's in here. Jessie, a recovering alkie, hooks up with Simon, a power junkie. Match made in Hell, right? Yep. Jessie and Simon's past are ripped right from the Dysfunctional As Hell Family Handbook. Simon wants Jessie pure, so he decides to eliminate all of her previous addictions...like sex, like group sex. It all ends with Jessie trying to save her father and son from the maniac Simon...but then the question is, "Who's gonna save us from Jessie's kid?" Again, this is an unflinching look at everyday horror. Lucy's strength is that she does not pretty up the problems with these people. She wallows in it, shows us the pain and torment with an unflinching eye to detail. The art inside the book is very well done by Jamie Oberschlake. And the cover and author's picture is done by Alan M. Clark, a very nice job! I, personally, did not buy into Jessie's ongoing attraction to Simon. But as I discussed this with someone I respect, he said it's probably because I was lucky enough never to have been involved in that kind of relationship. All told, a novel that I can't say I liked, due to it's graphic nature. If you liked Jack Ketchum's THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, then this is right up your garbage-strewn alley. Recommended but with warning.