a still forest pool ... i like the imagery . it's more than just a title though .

don't expect to find too much guided meditations in this handsomely bound ( and equally handsomely titled ) book . the basics were all there for me to start practicing , but its not a manual on meditation . its much more than that .

i liked the anecdotes , each a gem of wisdom . it verily beckons us to descend off the heady heights of the mountain to start practicing here and now , in the mundane grind of everyday life . this is where it all happens .

mr. kornfield must also be commended for a fine job of putting this book together . each little vignette isn't haphazardly thrown together . this is a book best read slowly , a few pages at a time .

highly recommend it for all those who are really serious about practice .

This book is a collection of short dharma talks given by meditation master Achaan Chah.

Achaan Chah was abbot of one of the largest monastery complexes in the Thai Forest tradition. He welcomed and trained many western seekers who later returned to the west, becoming influential dharma teachers in their own right.

In this book, Achaan Chah largely eschews "theory" in favor of encouraging his students to practice. Don't expect academic discourses on Buddhist psychology or other esoteric topics. These talks are short (rarely more than a couple of pages), direct, and very inspiring.

Take your time reading this book. If you allow yourself a little time to digest the meaning of each piece, you might experience more benefit than attempting to read the book through in one sitting.

Achaan Chah's teachings are like a breath of fresh air floating among some obscure and mystifying old texts. Some of his other books are available on the web at accesstoinsight.org for free, and anyone who is interested in getting a flavor of his teaching should read these.

The measure of any buddhist book meant for people who are practicing buddhists is whether it makes you want to get right back to meditation. This book is very inspiring in that regard. It's message is clear: (and I'm paraphrasing) "Put down this book! There are no answers in it! Go back to meditating!" He says this in a number of different ways, so it's hard to read more than a little bit of it at a time. It's good for when doubts about what you are doing arise. Or when you begin to feel distracted, and perhaps tempted to put your energies into trying to transform the world outside of yourself, or even into trying to transform yourself. Then, it makes you feel like you should stay on your path.

What I find most satisfying about this book is its directness and its deep wisdom about meditation practice. This isn't one of those new-age type buddhist meditation books; it doesn't harp incessantly on becoming one with the universe, and assume that you have already done so. This is buddhism at its finest--a repeated command to find out everything for yourself within yourself, to pay attention, to let it go. His entire teaching is summed up on page five: "Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened. When you sit, let it be. When you walk, let it be. Grasp at nothing. Resist nothing." Those of you who still remember the Beatles might see a similarity to their song: "There will be an answer. Let it be."

Achaan Chah was a monk in the Thai forest tradition, and perhaps the most famous one in the West. In case you are not familiar with the Thai Forest Tradition, it is a tradition that began in the late 1800's that combines the physical rigor of the Zen of the olden days, with strict observance of the precepts and some of the traditional "acetic" practices from the very olden days, such as receiving food by going on alms rounds, wandering in the most fearsome forests, and eating one meal a day. The Thai forest tradition emphasizes meditation for the development of calm and wisdom, as opposed to the study of texts, or other practices.

This book was admirably translated, and the selections carefully culled and arranged. It is one of those books that you will want to read very quickly at first, and then very slowly between times when you meditate, and also a book you will want to refer back to frequently. In my opinion, it is the only book you might really want to own if you are serious about "letting it be." Every time you feel like reading a book, it will tell you in a variety of ways, often warmhearted and humorous, that you are looking in the wrong place if you think there are any answers in books; or that if look for answers in a deliberate fashion, you will find any.

i discovered this book at a museum bookstore and gave it to my nephew, who is 7. i thought it might be too old for him, but he loved it. in fact, he took the book with him everywhere until he had colored it all in. now he carries it around and shows it to
everyone and tells them the story - he is a little art history teacher now. needless to say, his mother and i ordered several copies apiece to give as christmas presents. They arrived quickly.
i can't wait for the next one.

Finally a coloring book that has something more to offer! This ingenious book is great for kids who want to learn more about art ... and for parents who want to teach them. Kids learn about Van Gogh and Gauguin effortlessly by reading the text and through coloring their own pictures. The book looks like so much fun, I was tempted to start coloring myself. Can't wait for the next one in the series!

My 7-year-old was amazed by the colors at the Van Gogh show at the MFA in Boston last fall, but it was hard to find something appropriate to encourage him. This was perfect!

This book is for free thinkers. Leaders who are unafraid to follow their hearts and not the crowd. Each page is a Spiritual discourse providing a direct map for one's growth. Want to be a more loving and capable spouse, parent, employee, neighbor, friend Etc? This book has the answers for more rewarding spiritual and daily living. An unsurpassed tool for meditating, prayer, and overall insights into how to more effectively and gracefully flow through life.

Also recommended: 35 Golden Keys to Who You are & Why You are Here; Art of Spiritual Dreaming

This book is unforgettable after you've read it.It haunts you and leaves you feeling light and so at peace with yourself. The best way of enjoying this book is to give it to someone that you know is in difficulty and needs to find a source of energy within Himself to carry on. This is THE proof of Love..

I was given this book over 25 years ago. My life then was like the northern european weather - prone to long grey periods with the occasional patch of sunlight. Stranger By the River is a book of the heart. It transcends religious denominations as easily as time itself. Wherever your Spiritual Path takes you, this book will ensure you have plenty of light and sound to show you the way. I read a chapter at a Catholic funeral of an old friend not so long ago. Amongst others, even the Priest wanted to know who wrote the words. They are indeed a gift of love.

After Business Buy the Bible, I would rate this book; Success: American Style as Cook's most important book to date.

This is why foreigners have saved and planned to come to America.
It's SUCCESS: AMERICAN STYLE.

This is why we have FREE ENTERPRISE here.
It's SUCCESS: AMERICAN STYLE.

This is why Americans are far wealthier than people in any other country. It's SUCCESS: AMERICAN STYLE.

And this book tells me and all of us a lot about Mr. Wade Cook,
SUCESS: AMERICAN STYLE and a very proud American no doubt.

Notice there are no negative reviews here. I guess that tells us a lot about the bashers. I seriously doubt if Wades ever present bashers will ever read this book. Too bad--It's their loss!

And what a great book to shut Wades ever present detractors up. Only in this great country, does anyoe and everyone have the opportunity to reach the stars.Success American Style: Unfortunately terrorists and Wade bashers will never read and benefit from this outstandin work.Great book Wade. Keep em coming.

America is truly the land of opportuity.I found this book very motivational, inspiritional and rekindled my faith in the American Dream.This may be Mr. Cooks most important book to date (especially after 911). I also recommend Business Buy The Bible and Don't Set Goals The Old Way.These books will get your attitude tuned and help you reach those lofty goals that all too often lay dormant inside you.

Now in a completely updated and expanded third edition, Bonnie Dahl's Superior Way continues to be the premier cruising guide to Lake Superior for recreational sailors and their onboard guests. A definitive and detailed guide to cruising Lake Superior, this superbly presented guide offers more than 350 new GPS Waypoints, information on improved harbor passages,. as well as new marinas and anchorages. Enhanced with more than 300 diagrams, charts and tables, this "user friendly" volume is spiral bound allowing it to be laid out flat next to the helm. If you are planning a cruise anywhere on Lake Michigan, whether as an afternoon's outing or for an extended vacation, begin your preparations and planned itinerary with acquiring your own copy of Bonnie Dahl's Superior Way!

March 22, 2001 Obviously this is not a review. I've been searching everywhere for this book without sucess. Please if you have an extra copy you would be willing to part with send me an e-mail MJBahr007@aol.com Thank you! P.S. I'm planning on bringing my 26' sailboat with a crew of 3 or 4 to the Apostle Islands the first week in August 2001. If anyone else that reads this is going to be up there during this period of time please feel free to send me an e-mail and maybe we can raft up some evening and swap dinner and tales! It does not matter if you are a power or sailboater all are welcome!

Cruising Surperior has always been a goal for my husband and myself. Three years ago I bought 5 copies of the book for ourselves and friends. We studied and planned and charted Superior the first year. The book gave us a very detailed description of approaches, anchorages, bottom holding, alternative anchorages depending on wind. We found our first summer 1999 sailing Superior a very rewarding experience and in a large way "Superior Way" gave us the confidence to approach seemingly unapproachable anchorages. In many instances we seemed familiar with the areas, having read, studied Bonnie's book. We circumnavigated Superior that year and vowed to return in 2000. We did and again Bonnie Dahl's book was invaluable. We are going again in 2001. Lake Superior is a formidable lake by many accounts but having good Navigation skills and equipment, charts and Bonnie's book; Your experience will be the highlight of your cruising experience for years to come. Motor or Sail - - BUY THE BOOK!!

This may be the all time best Travel Guide. What is really fantastic about this book is not necessarily the Specific places it describes, but the doors it opens that leads you to a Greater understanding of the whole of GOD (Sugmad). Another great factor is it even introduces You to a guide (Mahanta) who can assist you in your journeys, right now!

I have hundreds of books on philosophy and religion, and this is Easily my favorite book of all time. Profound and beautiful in meaning and descriptions of the higher planes of existence. I have read this dozens of times, and it has served as a guide to my own spiritual journey. If you have not read this book, open your mind and heart to God and read this.... this will direct you onto the next level of your journey to God.

Paul Twitchell's 'The Tiger's Fang' has exposed some of the most hidden secrets of God. Secrets that were only passed in the most sacred and revered sanctums, always from Master to the most worthy of students. Knowledge concealed in elaborate ceremonies, trappings, symbols and a life-times maze of deliberate false leads. This book is presented as a sublime dialogue between Chela and Master, an inner journey that is distinctly Twitchells'. A detailed and graphic description and road map to the inner worlds of God. Twitchell opines that this inner journey may differ from person to person depending on the prerogative of the Guide and Spiritual Master. These guides are souls that have traversed the road to the deepest Heavens, and whose only concern is to assist us in realising our God-like nature throughout eternity. Gods in their own right, they belong to no religion, race, nor social persuation. Forget the stiffling ignorance of orthodox religion, this is the most sought-after acrane knowledge presented to you litrarily on a platter of gold. The idea is to doubt this knowledge, then prove it to yourself, your expiriences will then become a basis of your authority as you gradually join this species of Homo'immortalis'. Dare to explore your self!!

I cannot add anything descriptive to the previous 5-star reviews, but out of gratitude for this book, I had to come and add my quantitative vote. Ward does not take a position on anything, except perhaps to warn you when he is risking oversimplification, for the sake of clarity. His sole purpose is to explain the positions of other writers. So now if I come across a reference to any of these writers, I really have a fair idea of what is being referred to, which is a great leap forward for me. Also, there is sufficient depth on these writers to guide your future reading interests. Now I am going to order several books by Baudrillard.

Whipping-boy of preachers, or the coolest of cool labels, "postmodern" keeps popping into my life unbidden. Frustrated over my own ignorance of the term, and unable to pin down a common definition, this book was a simple solution.

Understanding modernism as the Enlightenment ideals of progress, optimism, rationality and the search for absolute truth and the true self, Ward sees postmodernism as the contemporary antithesis embracing exhaustion, pessimism, irrationality and disillusionment with absolutes. On the surface this comparison may appear to put postmodernism in a negative light, when it has much to commend it.

For example, in architecture (chapter two) the modern perspective was utilitarian. Form had to be functional. The result was inhuman sameness. Postmodern architecture emphasizes form, not function, and borrows/blends architectural themes from various places and times to create an eclectic hodgepodge more representative of human diversity and experience. This democratization of architecture is mimicked in literature and the arts (chapter three) where critics are dethroned as arbiters of taste and culture in favor of mass appeal and acceptance.

Chapter four titled "The Trouble With Reality" is simply marvelous, and sets the tone for the remainder of the book. Postmodernism changes the very essence of reality. Just as quantum physics explains that my desk if more "space" than matter, postmodern thought sees reality in form, not substance. The conviction that "image" must rest upon something "real" is contrary to postmodernism, since image is reality. Television is the primary medium; Jean Baudrillard a primary figure.

Chapter five builds on four with poststructural conceptions of language and meanings. Positing that language is self-referential and, accordingly, never reflective of essential reality, postmodernism replaces the author's intent with the readers' insight; meaning with interpretation; facts with relationships.

In chapters six and seven Ward explains the postmodern reworking of personal identity. Rather than the unveiling of innate essence, the postmodern self is fundamentally social. Constructed, not created, the postmodern self "becomes" through social interactivity. Postmodernism rejects a whole, unified or coherent psyche in preference for a "fleeting, unstable, incomplete and open-ended mess of desires which cannot be fulfilled."

In chapter eight Ward summarizes postmodernism as against depth and essence, totality and universality; but for the superficial and provisional, fragmentation and difference. He concludes with applications of postmodern thought in both science and politics.

Ward does an exceptional job of selecting representative postmodern voices, letting them speak for themselves, and then also giving voice to their critics. This style of writing is a little choppy, but is well worth the added insight it provides.

Now if I can just find a similar book on chaos theory and quantum physics!

This book is great as an introduction to such a complex subject as postmodernism. Its focus is really on the ideas behind postmodernism as they appear in different areas such as architecture, visual arts, film, and literature. By doing so, one is able to see the threads common to all of these disciplines , allowing a grasp on what postmodernism is all about. The (often obscure) work of the major thinkers is summarized in a way that can be more easily understood. A critique of these thinkers usually follows these summaries, which gives the reader a better perspective and balance. I highly recommend it.

This book is an excellent resource for anyone studying terrorism. I used it as part of a bibliography for my final Army War College paper. Though the paper was about National Missile Defense, I found an incredible amount of data I could use. It is sober, insightful, and easy to read....unlike many books on the same topic. I have loaned my copy to other Army officers as a primer for curent events. Hope I get it back.

This is not a book about secret operations or police actions against terrorism. This text is about the phenomenom of terrorism, its different manifestations and the kinds of groups related to this activities. Mr. Pillar explains the methods for answering the terrorist threat and -contrary to what many may think- he relegates military actions to the last place of the list. This book was written before September 11, 2001, but certainly it helps explain why the attacks took place and sets the path to prevent such acts in the future. This book is also important for those interested on the legal aspects of terrorism, because it deals with different instruments adopted to combat this threat. For every person who would like to form his/her own opinion on how to fight terrorism, this text is a must read.

Unlike many recent titles that sensationalize the threat of terrorism, Pillar's book is a sober and insightful analysis of a complex problem that defies easy solution. A highly respected specialist from the top ranks of the US intelligence community, Pillar brings a unique perspective to a controversial topic that combines the insider's experience with the scholar's analytic skills. The book is not intended as a comprehensive blueprint but as a guide to constructing and executing an effective counterterrorist policy, by integrating such policy into American foreign policy making. Pillar argues that the purpose of counterterrorism is to save lives without unduly compromising other national interests and objectives. Thus, terrorism is expected to persist into the future, since it cannot be solved but only managed, reduced, and controlled by sound policies; i.e., pay attention to the full range of threats; disrupt terrorist infrastructures worldwide; use all available methods to counter terrorism; tailor different policies to meet different challenges; give peace a chance; legislate sparingly; encourage state sponsors to refrain from terrorism, not just punish them; work with allies; and keep the American public informed. Must reading for policy makers, academics, and analysts. Upper

The blurb on the back cover of this book has a slight understatement... It begins, "A landmark in jazz studies,"
Not since the advent of the long playing record and the publication of Leonard Feather's "Encyclopedia of Jazz" has anyone made such an enormous, substantive, light shedding contribution to Jazz (outside a recording studio.) This book is a must for everyone... and in fact, its divided into two parts... one which *is* for everyone, and goes into how musicians come up, hone their skills, learn to interact, develop and whatnot, and then the second half, which is more for musicians and features close to 400 pages of musical examples - - a text book in musical studies itself.

As a musician myself, I have long suspected that Jazz isn't just a bunch of patterns and scales. It is a culture, an attitude, an approach, and way of thinking... this book not only confirms it, but it substantively will take you into the mind of its foremost vetarans and practitioners. With its balance between information that's anecdotal as well as analytical, and Berliner's excellent writing style (despite the size of the book, he just draws you in the pages flow by one by one) - - this is must reading...

Almost a half a century ago Leonard Feather told us about the masters, now Berliner draws us into their minds. It is my hope that Jazz students (and fans) alike will begin taking up this book as they begin their journeys, and as a result, it invigorates and revitalizes the music as its never been before !

This is the single most comprehensive study that's been done of jazz improvisation, and perhaps of any kind of improvisation, period. Berliner interviewed over 50 working jazz musicians-including name players such as Gary Bartz, Lou Donaldson, Tommy Flanagan, Lee Konitz, Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach, and Red Rodney. He's also transcribed hundreds of musical examples, including rhythm section parts. Berliner discusses every fact of improvisation, learning the craft, influences, practice and rehearsal, riffs and patterns, repertoire, interplay, comping and soloing, emotional impact of performance, venues, the life of working musician, etc.

Requires the ability to read music if you want to follow all of the examples, though there is much you can follow otherwise.

Paul F Berliner is an ethnomusicologist at Northwestern (his previous book was _The Soul of Mbira_); here he turns his methods to the realm of jazz. His book is organized according to the learning process through which jazz improvisors proceed, from their first picking up an instrument to becoming masters of their art; rather in the mode of an ethnographer, Berliner learned a lot of this first-hand, picking up the trumpet again (he had been a classically-trained trumpeter when younger) to gain experience of how one goes about learning to play jazz. He also interviewed dozens of musicians, both famous players (Max Roach, Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Fred Hersch, Kenny Barron) & little-known journeymen (usefully, there's a lot of stress on bassists & drummers, who are often overlooked in writings on jazz in favour of charismatic soloists). These interview materials are quoted extensively in the book, & it'd be valuable enough just for that, but it's also a thoughtful, expansive account of how jazz, and jazz musicians, are created. My experience is that the uninitiated tend to either treat improvisation too casually (assuming that anyone with adequate instrumental technique & musical theory can automatically improvise), or with excessive awe: this book is useful for anyone curious about improvisation, & indeed even experienced players & teachers will find it interesting.

One nice feature of the book is the clarity of its organization. The main text is about 500pp long, written in clear, untechnical prose, with only a few illustrating diagrams or musical examples. The majority of the musicial examples are instead placed in a succeeding 250pp section: the high point of this is a series of four _full_ transcriptions of classic jazz recordings. By "full" I don't mean from end-to-end (indeed usually they're only a few choruses): rather, I mean that they are transcriptions of the entire band's activity, not just the soloist's line. The recordings transcribed are: Miles Davis's versions of "Bye Bye Blackbird", "I Thought About You" & "Blues by Five"; & Coltrane's version of "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise".

As those names suggest, this book's aesthetic range is fairly narrow: basically bop & hard bop, whether filtered through the classicist bop aesthetic of Barry Harris, the pianist-pedagogue who is one of the book's touchstones; or through the neo-conservative aesthetic of Wynton Marsalis. (The book's other real touchstone, though not actually interviewed, is Betty Carter--a large percentage of the musicians interviewed were at one point Carter's sidemen.) The avantgarde, for instance, only gets a few peeks, notably in the figure of Ronald Shannon Jackson...though again, he's more often cited for his work with Betty Carter than with Cecil Taylor or Ornette Coleman! There is one engaging heart-on-sleeve affection here that upsets this neoclassism, though: Berliner is a big fan of Booker Little, & the text & musical examples frequently turn to his work. Nice to see Little get such sustained attention.

The book is written, as I've said, quite clearly: the downside is that it's a little bland & studiedly impersonal. The interviews are also evidently cleaned up a bit: no humming & hawing or grammatical errors, very little slang, no swear words. While jazz musicians are a very articulate bunch, I somehow doubt the original interviews were quite this smooth.

That's really the only criticism I have of the book. It does of course have its limits--one can imagine a very different book might have resulted if musicians like Charlie Haden, Paul Bley, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell or Sam Rivers were interviewed--but is nonetheless about as accurate an account of the informal, often very much heuristic educational process that leads an aspiring musician from his first efforts towards a mastery of the idiom.

A symphony of one of Chicago's most famed room, told by none other than whom indulged in the exotic temptations, mystical delights and heavenly atmosphere provided by the playground of Hollywood Midwest created by Ernest Lessing Byfield. Thank you Stanley! Many have no idea, the glitz and glamour were had right here in Chicago. Take my advice Stanley's experiences are truly a delight to be had by all.

Slap a Sinatra tune on light a fire, mix a martini and grace the pages, it's gonna knock your socks off... don't forget the cigarette!

I recently attended a book-signing here in Chicago and listened to Stanley Paul tell his stories as he's never told them before, and believe me, we've all heard most of them before. But now Stanley's on the road telling his tales the way his author wrote them and what used to border on boring is absolutely wonderful! I would heartily recommend this book to every Chicagoan for sure, and anyone else who likes to read a well woven series of stories. I even ordered two more of them myself as Christmas presents. Great job!

I have enjoyed Stanley Paul's music, especially the CD which arrived with the book. Now I can enjoy his stories. The man is simply a natural born story teller and all you need to do is listen to him to know that this is a book that would be eminently successful if it were merely transcribed with little or no ghost writer interference. Paul brings an era back to life with unforgettable stories. Thank you.