I cannot praise this book enough for its objectivity. The authors remain completely aloof from bias, and focus instead on an analysis of the trial. One should not read this book with the intent of learning every detail about the Smiths' murder. For those interested in knowing about the legal proceedings that followed their deaths, however, this book will be a valuable tool.
This book is an invaluable resource--it unearths many facts and circumstances that I have not encountered anywhere else, and manages to make sense of just what happened inside the Carthage jail on that fateful summer day. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Mormon history.
I recommend this book to anyone who has interest in Trial Law, as well as Mormon History.
I would read this book over and over again i am hoping for this book to get lots of awards.
Collier's re-shoots are right on the money, and when they are not, he tells us (access issues pop up from time to time). The connection to his great-great-grandfather is touching. Most importantly, this is a book that you can read and enjoy. It is not a ponderous 'picture book' that won't fit in your bookcase.
That having been said, the deck and the book are a tour de force of its subject, incorporating every little bit of Western and Eastern esotericism in a way that's never before been attempted. One could spend years digesting the symbolism and wisdom present in these cards, and we should think of that as a good thing! Why limit ourselves to one spiritual tradition; I admire the effort to incorporate so many different religious paths into a single system, and I'm amazed that it comes together as coherently as it does.
The pictures are gorgeous (if a bit cramped in by all the associated symbolism - though still fully useable). In a way I wish this deck were available in a larger version (made of thicker stock), for then it would be that much more valuable. But even still I would recommend this for any serious Tarot user. The book and deck are worth the price, though I would caution people from being too tied down by all of the symbolism in the cards - I'm particularly suspicious of the bizarre mathematical "timeline" function. Still, despite its flaws, its strengths are such that you should own this deck!
There's also a short section in the book called Tarot Party Games. Can you imagine "Tarot Poker?" Hmmm makes me wonder what happens when you get a full house in your spread. Another section I liked was in the book's beginning where it discusses how to take care of your cards, a nice touch.
And of course the book describes each card of the Major and Minor Arcanas. There's also a blank card, called the Mysterious Blank Card which you can use as your Significator card or as your own "custom card." The Major Arcana also has two "zero cards," The Fool and the Multiuniverse." Very nice.
I really like how Joseph has kept with tradition in designing this set, but added a few extra touches that make this deck really stand out. I have looked at numerous Tarot decks and not felt anything, but as soon as I saw this deck, I felt an immediate and positive emotional reaction to them.
The Major Arcana are the typical but instead of 22 cards there is an extra card, Zero titled the Multiuniverse, actually there are two Zero cards, the Fool, which happens to be my most favorite fool in any Tarot Deck. Each of the cards has a Zodiac Symbol on the top left corner, and an Ancient Rune on the Right Corner. On the bottom center of each card is the title of the Card, with an inspirational key word that would be helpful for the beginner as well as the advanced Tarot Reader. The Fool is "beginnings" The Magician is "transmutation" The High Priestess, "Meditation" and on an on. The Pip or the Minor Arcana are the traditional Wands, Cups, and Swords with the exception of the Coins which become the Stones. Again the Minor Arcana follow the style of the Major Arcana, with a Zodiac Symbol on the top left corner, but this time a I Ching sign is on the Right Corner. Again in the center bottom is a key word to help you along the way. The images of the Minor Arcana is that of the Cups, ects ect. But very beautifully done.
In stead of the typical King, Queen, Knight and Page, this deck uses the Father, Mother, Son and Daughter. In this there was one small problem. If you ever read comic books, every one will remind you of the Silver Surfer Superhero, who flies around in the cosmos in a Surfing Board. They really reminded me of that. But still they are just as beautiful as the rest of the deck.
There is one more thing I like about this deck, the blank Significator Card, you can use it as the siginificator or create your own card.
As a New Age type deck, I really have to recommend it, if you like psy-fi, with a comic book feel to it, then this deck will be fun to use. They really are eye candy, but I am a Traditional pre-Rider-Waite Tarot reading kinda guy, I do not know if I would use them. But I enjoy having them in my collection they are beautiful.
List price: $13.95 (that's 20% off!)
If you are looking for a first birding book, to get you started and familiar with birds, then this is a great start.