I like Betty Neels and I find her books addicting. When I read her books I just can't put them down until I have finished reading the last page and Off With The Old Love was definitely a book that I couldn't put down until the end and I loved every little detail she put in her story, those details made it seem more real to me and I found it to be an interesting and entertaining book!

Off with the Old Love is a wonderful book, Betty Neels always writes wonderful sweet books that have nice, simple characters who aren't over-the-top ultra glamerous and fussy but more like real people. I love romance books where I feel I can somehow relate to the heroine. Some people especially the ones who only like their romance books to be steamy dislike Betty Neels books because she doesn't have sex scenes but even though I like to also read steamier romance books I also like books like this that are just as good. Too detailed? Not for me, I like how detailed her books are about English hospitals, stores furniture, food, etc. And I also love her details about Holland, it's all very interesting, but History was one of my favorite subjects in High School so I like Betty Neels History book type details which I don't think over shadows the romance parts of the book. And of course I have to very highly recommend this book!

This book is very good! It's so refreshing to read a clean and wholesome romance book that isn't sexually graphic, don't get me wrong, I do like to read romance books where the man and woman have sex but a book like Off With The Old Love is a nice change. Maybe it's just me but I wasn't disappointed with this book or it's ending, it's kind of implied in these romance books anyway that the hero and heroine will get married and if the writer doesn't write about the wedding and you you have a good imagination you can mentally picture a wedding. I have read some other books written by Betty Neels and I have enjoyed all of them and I am always looking for her older books in used book stores and they are so hard to find, I am always told that her books are so popular that most people keep them and when they do get any they sell out, they also have long waiting lists of people wanting her books, I think that says something about what a good author she is and how well liked she is, and I'm glad they are reprinting some of her older books, and I hope they reprint all of her books not just some of them!

In order to understand this book you must have some knowledge on Buddhism or else you will be completely lost. The book has many eye opening thoughts that will make you say, "Wow, that is so true about society." I think it was a great book and recommend it to anyone who wants to understand a little more to what they already know. This is a great mind-opening book that will make you think twice about all those beliefs you've been taught, for example religious.

This was probably a nice little introductory book for those unacquainted with Buddhism, Tibetan or otherwise, thirty years ago, but there are much better primers available now. Its claim that these are somehow "secret oral teachings" was not true even back then, and I doubt anyone in Tibet would have thought these teachings secret at any time in their history. Indeed, these are largely introductory teachings on the abhidharma and other Intermediate Scope topics that have been a common foundation for all schools of Buddhism for 2500 years. A few peculiarly Tibetan notions are thrown in at the end, but nothing "secret" as far as I can tell. You will do well to look elsewhere for your Buddhadharma.

A great quote from the book "Doubt is an incitement to research, and research is the path to true knowledge."

Paraphrase between A David-Neel and her teacher as reported in the book (Note similarities to dialog of Don Juan and Carlos): "Why are these teachings secret? Does that mean I can't write and tell about them?" "No, Alexandra, these teachings are not called 'secret' because it is forbidden to talk about them. They are 'secret' because so few who hear them understand."

Back Cover description: Calm and capable-those were the words used to sum up Francesca. Certainly, she had plenty to cope with, looking after the home she shared with tree elderly aunts and working at the local hospital. Yet she dealt with it all with her usual quiet efficiency and believed her life was complete...until the arrival of Dr. Litrik van Rijgen! Having taken the trouble to track her down while she was enjoying an occasional holiday in Holland, he seemed to have other plans for her. But was she really willing to let him take over her life and possibly her heart?

This was her first holiday, she has known Litrik since she was a student nurse and she knew her life wasn't complete, but was caught by her aunts. This is not an easy book; Litrik has a dying child he wants Francesca to care for. Also, Ms. Neels makes the story so that one-minute you dislike Litrik, the next you don't, and so forth. It's as though she can't make up her mind. If it wasn't for how Litrik's character was unsettling; especially after the death of his daughter, I would have given this plot four stars

Although not emotionally gripping enough to rate a 5 star -- never the less Betty Neels stories are good clean reading and very fascinating. I love her characters.
[from the back] **********SHE NEEDED TIME -- AWAY FROM HIM!
Likable, sensible Francesca seldom met anyone she didn't get along well with. In fact, as ward nurse of a Cotswold village hospital, she was considered perfect.
Except, it seemed, in the eyes of Dr. van Rijgen, an arragant specialist, whose manner often sparked feelings in Fran she couldn't always fathom or control.
But now, on vacation in Holland, Fran felt free from those unsettling encounters. That is, until the eminent doctor tracked her down...... **********
This is one author, that no matter what, I will keep her books --- they can be loaned to anyone without fear of content.
Her doctors always seem arrogant but hide strong feelings and it takes a wonderful woman to awaken him to love.
The Secret Pool is #1 for appearance in other books -- #2 is The Girl With Green Eyes #3105 and possibly #3249 [I find this important to my reading enjoyment]
You will enjoy these great books.

I've been reading this author forever. Between my sister, my mother and I, we own every Betty Neels ever put out by HQ and MB. And I've read all of them at least twice. Some of them far more than that.

THE SECRET POOL is one of her best. It is certainly--hands down--the most emotional. Skip the tissue, go directly for the paper towel. But of course there's a happy ending. Hear, hear for Dutch professors and English nurses.

This new monograph has been released to coincide with the Whitney's retrospective. Both the long over due retrospective and the new monograph are lacking in quantity and depth needed in doing justice to this amazingly prolific and important artist. Abrams' previous Neel monograph had many more images and excerpts of important interviews with Neel throughout the book (provided by the forsight of Patricia Hills.) The new book, under the Whitney museums' auspice, includes interviews with some of the sitters. While these anecdotes are interesting it doesn't make up for the total superiority of the 1983 monograph (reprinted in 1995.) If you can find a used version of the previous monograph, you would be wise to aquire it. I also recommend Pamela Allara's "Pictures of People, Alice Neel's American Portrait Gallery" which puts Neel's work in a cultural context (from the depression through the feminist movement.)

Alice Neel has certainly inspired me to paint again. The book is wonderful and chronicles her personal story, along with paintings corresponding to those periods of her life and essays by those who knew her well. It's also a treat to get the insight of many of her famous sitters, including "Nancy". This book is also a catalogue of her work which accompanies her centennial exhibition touring the country. I can't wait to see her work up close and personal in 2001. This publication has wet my appetite to experience more and more of the artistry of Alic Neel.

I've examined this edition virtually plate by plate to the previous (1983- Patricia Hills) edition and I must say that I find the selections as well as the quality of the color printing to be far superior in this edition. Perhaps if one found a first edition of the Patricia Hills publication this would not be the case. But I far prefer this edition and can find no reason to criticize it, other than having a vested or political interest.

The reviewer from GA has the plot description. In this book Lucius is a businessman and Katrina is a book illustrator. I find that I dislike Ms. Neels' stories when the nasty, and in this one the sister is nasty, relatives are catered to. Not only that but Katrina loves her despite the sister's selfishness. When I read Betty Neels' books with this type of relative I just want to scream. If that doesn't bother you, give it another star.

Back Cover: "WILL HE EVER SEE HOW SHE REALLY FEELS?....Katrina Gibson has known Lucius Massey all her life, and her childish hero worship has grown into a comfortable, warm friendship.
They're so at ease in their friendship that a pretend engagement to each other to teach Katrina's selfish (spoiled) sister Virginia a lesson strikes both as a worthwhile but harmless idea.
Yet as more and more people congratulate Katrina on her match, a mysterious sadness begins to creep into her heart...."

This book is especially pleasing because it is like a breath of fresh air while still being a satisfying example of Ms. Neels' artful formulaic writing. The heroine in the story is the familiar older sibling who has taken on responsibility beyond her years, and who has done so without hesitation or complaint and with grace, courage, warmth and humility. This heroine, however, comes from a family with sufficient money and has a longtime best friend who is the hero....and the hero ISN'T A DOCTOR ! :) The hero has of course seen her great heart and worth and uses his wits and his patience to await her awakening to her true feelings for him.
Though deviating substantially from her more familiar formulas, the book is completely charming and fun.

This is my very favorite Betty Neels book. I have read it many many times.

The author is at her best when she recounts the adventures, both mundane and spiritual, that she encountered during her amazing life and travels. When she expounds on spiritual teachings and doctrines, she is not so skillful.

Given the brevity of the book, one can hardly expect a complete and systematic exposition of the views on the topic of immortality and reincarnation found in China, Tibet and India. Still, the work is so idiosyncratic and choppy that it will be of limited value for anyone seeking an introduction and overview of the teachings and insights offered by these diverse cultures. That is unfortunate, such a work is much needed.

Yet, with these limitation in mind, this work does offer some value for the discerning reader.

Important insight into various interpretations of what it means to be immortal,covering Tibetan and Indian beliefs. Alexandra David-Neel seems, to me, to be not only scholarly but also truly spiritual in her approach to this question of what it means to be re-incarnated. The work is intended for serious seekers. It is inspiring, and provocative. It does not set out with any agenda other than to give Westerners a glimpse into the mind of the oriental. It gives no comfort or answers. This , to me, represents its greatest value.

Back Cover description: After the hurly-burly of the big London hospital where she had been working, Judith found it a very pleasant change to be offered a private job looking after a charming patient, Lady Cresswell, in the Lake District. Her patient gave her no trouble at all-which was more than could be said for her son, the disagreeable Professor Charles Cresswell. He seemed to have taken a dislike to Judith on sight-a dislike which, it must be confessed, Judith returned with interest. And now he was turning up to spoil their pleasant holiday in Portugal as well!

Fine Betty Neels story. In this one, Judith is attractive and has a family. Charles in not a doctor, but a professor. He does have money though. Ms. Neels' stories always have that edge to them--someone is sick or dying. It gives her plots that extra dimension, an edge, that make them so readable. She might be writing a fairy tale that has a happy ending, but reality is always there.

I am a steadfast Neels fan and own ALL of her books, even the anthologies. This is one of my favorites which I've read many time, and my heart still aches at certain places, as well as, soars with glee in other places. I love how Judith and her eminent writer dislike each other at the start, but his mother, who is not well, recognizes that they would be good for each other and sets the stage for their ultimate happy ending. Their journey towards discovering how much they care for one another is a fun read peppered with Neels' style of tender care for an ailing person, hero/heroine's pride and stubbornness clashing, misunderstandings, and ultimately, the realization of love.

Read the other review for the plot description from the back cover. This is a run-of-the-mill Neels story. This heroine is really a little too meek, but she is caring, kind and loving, all the reasons why we read Ms. Neels books. The hero is a gentleman who also cares about those around him. The best thing about the story is how he slowly comes to realize he loves Deborah, and tries to do the best for her. If you like Betty Neels, this is typical of her--OK and heartwarming.

COVER: Deborah knew that she wasn't glamorous......
Even if she had all the time and money in the world, nothing was going to alter the fact that she was skinny with hair the color of carrots. So it was hardly surprising that attractive consultant Sir James Marlow viewed her as a waif and stray to be rescued, rather than as a woman he could love. And yet he must feel something for her. Why else should he keep turning up on her doorstep?

Deborah Everett is one of Ms. Neels' most appealing Cinderellas. She is a wonderful warm and caring person with the patience of Jobe and the gentleness to match. She is truly one of God's gentle creatures put on earth to spread her boundless healing warmth to any unfortunate creature she comes in contact with. Because of this, this story is chock full of all the deliciously evil people in the world who constantly try to take advantage of gentle little ladies and the hero is the knight who swoops in just in the knick of time to snatch her to safety. You will become enthralled in the warmth and characters. There are the requisite selfish nasty stepfather, stepbrother and stepsister, as well as other petty selfish grown children who abuse their older loved ones who are temporarily infirm and who Deborah nurses and warms back into full life. It is a true pleasure to read this story from start to finish. It will reach into your chest and squeeze your heart.
Loyal Neels readers will savor every page in this book and new readers will wonder how they ever missed reading books by this incredible author!

OK, the plot description is given in the editoral review. The professor is not a doctor, he's in finance and Deborah is a nanny. The professor, a widower, has a young daughter. Deborah marries him, and then they fall in love. One of the better stories from Ms. Neels and interesting in that the heroine comes from a loving family, and is not dirt poor.

Desert Birds

Birds of the Lahontan Valley: A Guide to Nevada's Wetland Oasis.

Graham Chisholm and Larry A. Neel
(University of Nevada Press, 2002).

reviewed by Joe Eaton

If Faultline is about California, why are we reviewing a book on Nevada birds? Well, as the bioregionalists have been saying for years, political boundaries don't always reflect the way the world really works. The straight line stateline between California and Nevada is a case in point. Tahoe aside, the high desert ecosystem is pretty much the same on both sides of the border. The wetlands Chisholm and Neel describe are fed by the Carson River, rising in the Sierra Nevada; and the migratory shorebirds that stop there to refuel are travelers on the Pacific Flyway, like the ones that visit San Francisco Bay.

However you draw the lines, this is a handsome and useful book, a model for regional bird studies. Both authors - Chisholm is now with the Nature Conservancy, Neel with the Nevada Division of Wildlife - know their area well. The species accounts for each of the Lahontan Valley's resident and migrant birds cover seasonal movements and conservation status. Birding sites around Carson Lake and Stillwater Marsh are described, with excellent maps. An appendix contains 15 years of Christmas Bird Count data. The book is profusely illustrated with line drawings by Mimi Hoppe Wolfe, and Bolinas artist-naturalist Keith Hansen contributed the cover art.

The Lahontan Valley wetlands have a fascinating history. Along with Pyramid Lake, they're remnants of Pleistocene Lake Lahontan. Flocks of flamingos fed along the shores of the periglacial lake, and teratorns - giant raptors with 17-foot wingspans - wheeled overhead. As the lake waters receded, the ancestors of the Toidikadi Northern Paiutes settled its fringes, harvesting marsh plants, fishing, and hunting waterfowl. Altered by irrigation and hydropower projects, the wetlands were never completely destroyed, and restoration efforts are underway.

Today the Lahontan wetlands host 30 percent of the world's population of long-billed dowitchers, a snipelike member of the sandpiper family, on their northward and southward journeys. Because of this, the marshes have been designated as part of the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network and proposed for international recognition under the Ramsar Convention. They're also important for nesting birds, with one of the Great Basin's largest white-faced ibis colonies and a handful of western yellow-billed cuckoos, an endangered subspecies. Winter brings bald eagles, northern shrikes, and other predators. The Lahontan Valley sounds like a great place to bird, and the authors of this book have done a commendable job of documenting its avian riches.