Retired east coast police detective, David Dean, is at it again-sleuthing, that is. This time he is accompanied by his beautiful new wife, Cynthia, together with an off-beat ensemble cast of characters led by irrepressible mystery fan, Fred O'Conner, Dean's stepfather. The Deans and O'Conner are the new proprietors of Bird Song, a bed and breakfast in the charming, Victorian town of Ouray, Colorado. When their first guest turns up murdered and the second is missing, David Dean is irrepressibly drawn into a scam that involves a wronged widow, suit-and-tied, pipsqueak attorney, tent-dwelling heir to a fortune and a net-surfing cook with a dog named Brutus. Oh, and a legacy of a hundred million bucks, give or take a million or so.

The reader is drawn into the tale, gently at first, then with increasing speed and complexity, much like riding a carnival carousel, where the painted horses whirl faster and faster. Newer, and more bizarre characters, pop out of the woods and the woodwork with increasing frequency. A crutch-toting, inebriated movie star moves into Bird Song's back bedroom. The widow's fake-French boytoy camps out nearby, waiting to start a new hustle with whichever legally recognized "daughter" gets the millions. And Bird Song fills up with lawyers, heirs and contestants to the will of a man who could not have fathered any of the daughters.

The setting is stunning. And, mystery author Ray Derouin, a part-time resident of Ouray and owner of a toy store there, presents the San Juan country well, giving it a sense of character nearly as strong as protagonist David Dean. "San Juan Solution" is fun read, with lots of action, zany characters and great scenery. It's a good book to curl up on the couch with on a snowy evening.

After fifteen years on the Parkside, Pennsylvania police force, Officer David Dean retires. Almost immediately after that, David marries Cynthia Byrne. With those two radical moves to jolt his equilibrium, David makes it a trio of lifestyle events when he, Cynthia, and his stepfather Fred O?Connor move to Ouray, Colorado where they plan to run Bird Song Bed and Breakfast.

Although the B&B is not ready yet for the public, Fred rents the room of David and Cynthia to a guest and his own room to a second guest. However, someone kills their first guest and their second guest expects to be the next victim. Though the cop can leave the police force, police work never leaves the cop and with a little nudging from Fred, David begins to investigate what happened to his guest.

The mystery of SAN JUAN SOLUTION is fun to watch as it unwinds like the mountain paths that the transplanted easterners trek. The lead trio is a hoot, especially Fred and his ability to manipulate everyone and the support cast provides either trouble or local color to the terrific tale. As with the first tale (see the delightfully wacky TIME TRIAL), R.E. Derouin?s novel pays homage to the Colorado Rockies. Readers will feel as if they are hiking the trail along side of David and Cynthia. Mr. Derouin is two for two with both of his Dean novels being outstanding and a ?tri-quel? needed for fans of the series.

Harriet Klausner

To me, trying to lay aside an unfinished David Dean mystery is like trying to eat just one homemake chocolate chip cookie. It can't be done. This is Ouray, Colorado author Ray Derouin's second mystery in what one can only hope will be another in a long series. For the reader not familiar with Derouin, suffice it to say he is no stranger to the written word. He has written twelve plays, all of which have won national awards. His first mystery, Time Trial: A Mountain Mystery, has garnered wide spread acclaim. Thus, it was with much delight and anticipation that I received San Juan Solution. I thought his first mystery was wonderful, and it was, but this latest offering is off the scale. The protagonist, ex-Pennsylvania police detective David Dean, is back with a new bride and his indispensable, unforgettable stepfather, Fred O'Connor. The setting is the incomparably beautiful Ouray, Colorado and the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. Dean, along with his wife and stepfather, have just opened a bed and breakfast, named Bird Song, and plan to enjoy a leisurely life far away from the crime ridden east coast. Unfortunately for the trio, but fortunately for the reader, Derouin's magic and diabolic mind begins to weave a story guaranteed to please the most avid mystery fan. It seems the first guest of Bird Song ends up alone at the bottom of a mountain side ravine in his car...strapped in the passenger seat. What happened to the driver? one might ask. What driver? A good question and, well, somewhat of a mystery. This, in the hands of Derouin, is reason enough to read on. However, it seems the second guest is missing and there is reason to believe her life might also be in danger. A coincidence you say? Perhaps, but the rapid arrival of a host of characters all making inquiries into the whereabouts of the two makes for spellbinding reading. Oh, did I mention the search for an heir to a fortune, which may explain some of these coincidences? This is vintage Derouin but better, much better, than anything he had done before. Having lived in the San Juan Mountain area of Colorado I can assure the reader that the setting is authentic. In addition, the characters are believeable and the writing style is first rate. It is not until the last few pages that the mystery(s) are solved and, in his wonderful style, the loose ends are tied into a honeymoon bouquet, so to speak. If you haven't met David Dean and friends, this is your best chance. It is a delightful book.

For those seeking the eternal, this book's introduction is comfortable and familiar. It is filled with threads of ancient wisdom and clearly tries to tie together the universal element's of the "razor's edge". I recommend the introduction alone to anyone searching for answers to the eternal questions. I am writing this because my Mom inspired (and still inspires) me to do my best and read good books. There is great truth and solace in the words of Saint Teresa: "No sisters, no;our Lord expects works of us". With the foundation most seeking out these texts already posess, I believe this translation of the Upanishads will always bring courage and contentment. I take this one book with me whenever I feel doubtful or uninspired.

Nice to know that some things that you have, or may have, experienced, have been around for over 2,500 years. This mind expanding translation can help one to regain focus and balance in today's much too hectic living. Putting the trivial in perspective, this is one that is not only useful in everyday life, but will stick with you forever; and then some . . .

This is undoubtedly one of the pearls of the world's religious literature. Only a few Upanisads are included, with mere excerpts from the longer ones, but it is still well worth anyone's time. Personal union with all of being is the central theme, which will come as a welcome change from the more presriptory religious teachings of the Vedas and Hebrew Bible.

Worry Wart Wes, is definitely stressed. Tolya L. Thompson deals with the realities of today's children in bright, bold, and successful colors. The color draws the children in and keeps them wanting more. If you are looking for pastel baby blues in soothing colors in a book, then this book is not for you. The pictures are wonderful and almost realistic. Have you ever seen an appealing wart? Well you won't see it in this book either. The rhyme is designed to develop phonemic awareness, and it works. The children walk around repeating phrases in the book; which ultimately helps them retain and recognize words in the future. If your child doesn't sit through this story write the author and get some tips on how to utilize the book. The children are entertained until the end of the story, and always ask you to "READ IT AGAIN!"

In Worry Wart Wes, Ms. Thompson is able to capture the mind and imagination of young children, particularly when they are faced with everyday stress. She brings this to life with her words and rhymes and with the colorful and imaginative illustrations. The smartie series is a fun and creative means of helping children deal with physical and mental changes in their life

I highly reccomend Tolya Thompson's books Loud Lips Lucy & Worry Wart Wes. Her unique rythmes are complimented by colorful & fun illustrations. The books are extremely entertaining as well as eductational. The smartie at the end of the book explaines the medical problem that her character has. This promotes health & awareness from a young age. I have never before read a childrens book which incorporates such important topics.

It would be an injustice to call this book a photographic essay. Instead I prefer to call Alta Colombia: Splendor of the Mountains, "a work of artistic brilliance." This book is a stunning and powerful portrayal of Colombia's mountains. Unfortunately few people outside the borders of Colombia are aware of the "summits and perpetual snows that crown the great mountain range of the Andes."

To that end, Cristóbal von Rothkirch and Juan Pablo Ruiz are knowledgable environmentalists and expert mountain climbers who mangage to capture breathtaking scenes from remote areas of Colombia. We have had this book on our coffee table for years. And it always manages to get rave reviews. With the holidays coming up soon...I think it is a great gift idea.

This book is not limited to mountains. It also includes impressive frames of giant condor's, other rare birds, rocks, fields, native indians,plants and much more. "Alta Colombia: Spendor of the Mountains" is a book filled with a wide display of colors, some are soft and while others are quite bold. It also boasts some great photographs of nature's intimate relationship with the sun. Colombia is blessed with great beauty. This book captures the majestry of Colombia's natural treasures.

What a beautiful book! The pictures of the High Andes in Colombia are exquisite and moving...
By far one of my most valued books on photography from Los Andes. If you can't take a visit to the region in person, buy this book and let the spirit of Los Andes overtake you....Another excellent--although difficult to find--photography book of this region is LOS ANDES VENEZOLANOS by Gabriel Gazso.

ALTA COLOMBIA is a beautifully done book. It illustrates Colombia's magnificent countryside with a superb photographic work. Just by seeing the front page, you can tell Cristobal von Rothkirsch is an artist of great talent, but overall a being with enormous sensibility, who has been deeply in contact with the mountains'spirit. I was very lucky to meet him here in Guatemala, and have not lost hope that he may come back to climb and feel our unique volcanoes, so we can get them printed for the world to enjoy...

Beyond doubt it is a interesting and provoking book. But if you really want to read something radical about the Christian relegion and its origin you should read a greek book called "M to the N" by the notable author Mimis Androulakis. It contains shoking information on the Christ`s private life.

just when i thought i'd found a separate publication of the antichrist, it's in spanish. i figured "antichristo/the antichrist" meant untranslated and translated versions in one... ugh. i was wrong.

IS it in english

I love this book. The fotos are exellent and the quality of print is good too. I also liked Alta Colombia.

This book displays the manicured gardens of the privileged and the magnificent natural beauty of simple country farm houses. It also includes outstanding photographs of titan trees and lush tropical vegetation. However, a special quality of this book is that it captures the careful planning of home and garden in Colombia. Some of the gardens in "Gardens of Colombia" are very old and offer wonderful views of mature walkways, paths and streams. My favorite pages are those that show unique Colombian courtyard gardens. In short, this Villegas editores publication is a paradise of garden landscapes and a perfect coffee table book.

mr. cobo borda has chosen an excellent photographer in claudia uribe

Buy this book. Buy it new, buy it used, buy it for your friends, buy it for your enemies. Petersen has written a thoughtful and thorough examination of recent grizzly bear management policies (or lack thereof) in the San Juans of Colorado. The book is a pleasure to read.

As someone who occasionally sees grizzers on his property, I can't conceive of living in an environment that doesn't have a population of apex predators to keep things interesting. Petersen masterfully chronicles how government funded assassins with the support of short-sighted local ranching communities and clumsy land managers, managed to kill virtually every grizzly in Colorado. He also accurately details how Western ranchers have come to view public lands with more than a sense of ownership but rather with a sense of absolute entitlement. This has led them to run their stock on federal land at ridiculously cheap rates, ignore even the most commonsense principles of husbandry, and push bears and wolves into the zoos and picture books while trying to keep everyone else out. Also to blame are the Baby Huey-like semi-rich, who hack 20 acre ranchettes out of the diminishing habitat and in the process are strangling the thing they profess to love most.

Petersen manages to stay somewhat balanced, using an essay by the outspoken and bearlike Doug Peacock to say what is probably really on his mind regarding sheep ranchers and development dingbats. In the course of researching the book, Peterson also forges unlikely friendships with former (but not reformed) professional and amateur bearslayers , including Ed Wiseman, who killed the last known Colorado grizz in hand to hand combat in 1979.

There is the general belief in the book that the great bear still lives in the San Juans but has become more nocturnal and reclusive as it adapts to its shrinking habitat. There are certainly drainages wild enough to support a grizz but I personally don't believe there are any left. My heart tells me that any state with a wildlife management policy as pathetic and dumbheaded as Colorado's can't have allowed for even a single surviving great bear. Also, I am reminded of a story in Scott Weidensaul's recent (and excellent) book on vanishing species entitled "The Ghost With Trembling Wings." Weidensaul tells the story of an animal who escapes from a European zoo and whose likeness is posted on the news. Consequently, hundreds of eyewitness calls come flooding in from all over the country, each caller claiming to have personally seen the critter. It turns out that the koala had actually been run over by a train several hundred yards from the zoo immediately after escaping. Weidensaul's point is that people WANT to believe something so badly, they convince themselves of its existence. And I'm afraid that is what we are doing with the Colorado grizzly.

My copy of this book is dog-eared and worn-out after all my readings of it and loaning it to others! David Peterson is one interesting writer. I had visited the San Juan Mountains prior to reading this book and explored the area where the Wiseman grizzly was killed. At the time I thought the Wiseman griz was the last in Colorado. This book inspired me to return and do a little searching of my own. Found some bear sign but was really amazed by how spectacular the high San Juans are in July. I think this book needs another postscript wherein "the search for survivors" is updated!

This book is one of the best books I've ever read. David Petersen does a fantastic job of educating the reader while involving them in some exciting adventures. While searching for grizzlies in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, David fills you in on grizzly natural history, the history of the San Juans, and the need for preserving wilderness in North America. This is a must have book for all who are interested in grizzly bears, the Rockies, wilderness, and the outdoors in general.

against all the bad lawyers!
The jokes against them are cruel but true and funny

when you could do nothing to get back the money he grabbed from you?
Yeah, I KNOW THE SENSATION!
But I got rid of it laughing at him a thousand times with this very funny jokes..!

So high quality and sometimes rash HUMORISM ABOUT JUST KAWYERS... The plague of Earth !!
Laugh and laugh

That's why I gave it four stars. This book is amazing. If you've ever read anything by Dan Millman or Ken Wilber, you'll like this. A lot of the same stuff, and a lot of it is really hard to understand. I've read it once, and I didn't get it too well, but I'm about halfway done with yet again and it really is a great book. This is the first Castaneda book I've read, and I think that maybe I should have started with The Teachings of Don Juan, because alot of this subject matter is way out there, but I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to see things differently.

This book chose me to read it and became a savior. Never a adamant reader how ever finished this book in a few days. As it turned out this book brought light to my shadows of darkness and showed me that I am not alone but rather part of all that is. Teaching me how to stalk myself was like finally getting a major obstacle out of the way. Still if one has not attained an understanding of certain fundamental & spiritual concepts and incorporated them into a quest for at least a basic quest for knowledge, the book can only serve as entertainment.

By far one of the best Castaneda`s books revealing very profound and important explanations. Useful only if the one who reads it has certain achievements in "stopping the world", "seeing", etc. Otherwise save it for later - don`t think upon it,won`t help you. Just read it and wait till you get positive results in your own practice. The book is very clear to understand with one`s mind but as always that doesn`t help at all - the problem in achieving practical results remains. If you are looking just for another interesting book - well, I guess you`ve found it. But if you are serious about it I hope my comments might be of some use to you.

This book is not simply an introduction to South American plants and animals. It is a fascinating journey through Mayan culture, with the role these elements played for the ancient Maya. This book is equal parts history, medicine, education, and adventure. I got it for Christmas and couldn't put it down.

(Planeta.com Journal) - One of the best books of the past year, this work combines the details of a scientific field guide with anthropological research. The result is outstanding.

Author Victoria Schlesinger tells the story about the animals and plants most commonly seen in Mundo Maya -- Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. The book provides a synthesis of current research and will delight specialists and travelers alike. Chapters focus on Pine-Oak, Cloud and Tropical Forests, Savannas, Mangroves and Coral Reefs.

The book is well illustrated with line drawings by Juan C. Chab-Medina. This is a beautiful book which would make an excellent holiday gift. I'm trying to think of a book that has piqued my interest as much as Animals and Plants of the Ancient Maya, and I'd have to put this a category with Lane Simonian's Defending the Land of the Jaguar. Excellent!

This is one of those incredibly rare guidebooks that pushes past the confines of the genre and brings something totally fresh to the endeavor. I am not a Maya scholar, but Schlesinger's writing is so evocative that I couldn't help but be totally pulled in by her descriptions of the plants and animals that inhabited the Maya world.