Curran's "In Advance of the Landing..." is a singular book that explores the mythological basis of the UFO phenomenon. Less concerned with the 'proof' of whether or not UFOs exist, Curran sets out to show that the impact of the belief in flying saucers and extraterrestrials (all of them much more clever and wise than mere earthlings) is pervasive and sits entirely within the continuum of Judea-Christianity beliefs.
A revised mythology for a new technological age is beautifully rendered through Curran's photographs and words.

I've read virtually every UFO book that's come out over the past 40+ years, and this remains one of my all-time favorites. I have the original softbound edition, which has become a cult classic and now goes for something like $100. This is more of a sociological document than a UFO book. It perfectly captures the entire spectrum of quirky characters involved in the UFO field, and the photographs are an absolute hoot. I return to this book time and again just for a laugh and to remind myself that there are nuttier people in the UFO field than me. There's nothing condescending about the authors' treatment of their subjects, however. They obviously have a genuine fondness for them -- and you will, too. This is a "must have" for anyone with an interest in UFOs.

In 1983, as my wife Fayaway and I were travelling through Patagonia, I met a man with a penetrating but pleasant gaze, and an inviting grin, in a small village in the middle of the pampas. We shared a table and conversation for an afternoon, discussing a variety of subjects of common interests. I was myself in Argentina on business about which I was rather reticent to speak: my wife and I were travelling to Lago Lacar in the Andes foothills, following reports of a plesiosaur-like creature, which I then believed (and believe still) to be a gigantic species of the long-necked protozoan _Trachelophyllum_ (Kudo, 1966). I was, however, rather shy about admitting to holding such seemingly daft ideas at the time, but the gentleman had such a convincing and genuine air, such a gentle and open manner, that I soon told him my entire plan, and of my hopes of capturing and naming the creature _Trachelophyllum fayawayi,_ after my wife and companion on this and many other journeys. He never laughed at me, never let slip any hint that he considered my dreams to be less than rational, less than realistic.

Thus do I imagine Douglas Curran, the author of _In Advance of the Landing: Folk Concepts of Outer Space_. Judging from the material in this book, he has a way of drawing people out to discuss their dreams and hopes about outer space and extraterrestrials. These stories reveal individuals who hold that humanity's salvation or doom might live in outer space, and that flying saucers are the craft of any number of entities: angels, devils, saviours or invaders. A skeptic might see these folk as possessed by an obsession, but Curran views them as adherents to a variety of new religions, all taking their cosmogonies from the outer dark. Most of these people find hope and salvation in that darkness. Though it is difficult to pick a favorite, I think that the book's representative figure is John Reeves, the gentleman who was taken on a trip in a flying saucer to Venus, and who subsequently erected an obelisk marking the spot where the spacecraft landed. Those readers concerned only with scientific truth might laugh at such a narrative, but Curran's portrait reveals a man full of conviction and dedication to the cause of informing the world about visitors from outer space. The book is full of such unique individuals, all convinced completely of their own particular truths. Curran's journey across Canada and the United States produced a wide variety of charming, fascinating, and unique portraits of adherents to their a new mythology for the Space Age.

Though Mr. Curran would probably deny it, one of the most interesting characters in this work is the author himself. Driven by curiosity and a sense of adventure, he set out on a glorified road trip to discover what people thought about outer space. In doing so, he came to believe that humans need order and hope, and that many of us look to the stars for these normalizing abstractions. It would be interesting to see what sort of book Curran would produce today, now that alien abductions have replaced hopeful messages from space angels as the most common UFO event. Perhaps Curran could not write such a book, since the most important elements in his character seem to be hope and joy, ideas which are rare in the abduction phase of our vision of outer space. There is a real need for voices like Douglas Curran's, and I hope that this book comes back into print soon.

Mr. Kowalski's book is excellent. If your're an animal lover or simply want a great read, you will enjoy this book. It's not just another man's opinion, but a well cited and researched work. Kowalski shows humans are not the only sentient beings on this planet.

I stumbled upon this book on accident. As an animal lover, it looked appealing to me though I expected it to be a generic, feel-good read. I was quite surprised! When I read the information that Kowalski had compiled, I cried. The chapters explore our questions on just how perceptive and emotional animals are. Do they feel a sense of love? Are they aware of death? Why do they play? When I read the stories that the author relates, such as the family of elephants who buried the dead and Koko the female lowland gorilla who learned American Sign Language, I was deeply moved. I had not purchased this book planning a lifestyle change but that is precisely what happened. Knowing what I do now about the intelligence and passion of animals, I am a vegetarian, living a happier, healthier life.

A very caring look at the the world we live in. A classic book on animal spirituality Gary regales us with tales of the lives of some of the creatures with which we share the planet. He ponders and causes us to stop and give thought as well on various qualities of animals. He details and presents instances of playfulness, capacity for love, altruism, and awareness of death, in our animal brethren. Gary is a Unitarian minister and in his book, he teaches us to be more open to the possibility of our biological, cerebral, and ethereal connection with animals

Leslie Blanchard

Editor A Writer's Choice Literary Journal

If you've never seen a cartoon by Tom Wolfe, it's a surprise and a real pleasure to see that he draws as brilliantly as he writes.

In Our Time has 89 of his cartoons (and a couple essays). You'll want to save it and look at the cartoons every couple of years -- "The Maternal Instinct," say, or "No. 1 The Modern Churchman," or maybe "The Man Who Always Peaked Too Soon," or the cartoon of a hugely fat Edward Kennedy wearing a tiny bathing suit, with a roach clip, a sacred heart locket, a coke spoon and a crucifix, each one dangling in his chest hairs, on its own separate chain.

You'll have your own favorites. Possibly the two cartoons about Jimmy Carter. They're especially sweet.

"In Our Time" examines, through essays and sketches, the fluxtuating cultural norms of 1970's America. It is a sort of logical literary culmination of Wolfe's "Me decade" works: The onservations of "Radical Chic," "Mauve Gloves and Madmen," and even bits of "The Painted Word" resonate in this more succinct and cutting collection. The "Me Decade" spawned countless small groups of so-called free thinkers, self-healers, and folks liberating themselves from the brutal tyranny of the worlds most prosperous economy. In "In Our Time," Wolfe is most interested with these people, whether they be the newly prosperous prole tearing up the roadways in monstrous autos, the bell-bottomed middle manager smoking marijuana during the lunch hour, or the literary, artistic, and political elements who fashioned themselves in response to wanton secularity. In addition to short essays, some pulled directly from his earlier books, Wolfe compiles and adds to his earlier drawings. These are wonderful to see in a large format, where Wolfe's rough, yet funny and insightful observations on the human body (specifically an American one) become all the better to revel in. Wolfe wonderfully expresses the basic silliness of fashion consciousness in the 1970's through sketches of hopefully hip septegenerians and young punks as dandies. In addition, the short essays, especially the opening comments on the end of the decade, are vintage Wolfe. Unfortunately, this edition is out of print and hard to find. However, it is the coffee table accesory for any fan of Wolfe or of that bitter pill of a decade we call the 1970's.

I used this book as a basis for all my carvings, This book actually started me in the buisness of woodcarving and I created my first Walking stick from the instructions therein.

Two years ago I purchased this book and a set of six tools. My goal was to create a hobby that was rewarding and relaxing. I can truthfully say that I have never been more satisfied with any purchase. I have found a world of enjoyment from the simple act of cutting wood. In three days, I will exhibit in my first show, The Tupelo Gum Tree Festival, Tupelo, MS. I have never been more relaxed and proud of anything I have done before. Thank you Tom Wolfe! Dennis Renfro

I have been a sculptor in clay for many years and do casting of my work in pewter. Recently I decided to take up wood carving as well. The first Tom Wolfe book I read I borrowed from a friend. It was this book. It is easy to understand and Mr. Wolfe takes you thru each step. It was so helpful in learning to carve with pen knives I had to buy my own copy to keep as reference and will use it for many years to come. This is a wonderful book for beginners and great for long time carvers as a reference. He uses simple terms and easy to understand directions. The first carving I did following his direction is beautiful and sold for $90.00!

I loved listening to this book on tape. Many of the characters use black ghetto dialect, which is pretty hard to hear in your "mind's ear" if you read this book on printed page. After listening to this fantstically read book on tape, it is well worth the time to re-read the book. The book has really changed the way I view many black leaders, the financial gurus, and the press. Incidentally, I read the book "A man in Full" the same way - first by ear then by eye and that added to my enjoyment. Tom wolfe has remarkable insight into American society.

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The reason I really liked "Carving Bears and Bunnies" by Tom Wolfe, was the step-by-step instructions and color photographs.As a beginner they really helped me to get the proportions right on the carvings. I really enjoyed this book of Tom Wolfe's and I am hoping to get some other ones of his.

This is a wonderful black and white photographic history for anyone with ties to the beautiful city of Richmond. I particularly enjoyed Tom Wolfe's magical preface. Our family received this book from friends who currently live in Richmond. It will be the perfect birthday or New Year's 2000 gift for my siblings and parents. This book truly celebrates so many of our family's traditions and the landmarks of our special birthplace.

If the current population in Washington isn't doing much to make you feel good, harken back to the days of yore with this audiotape made at a benefit for the homeless at Symphony Space in 1989. The Symphony Space (un Upper Westside institution, for those of you unfamiliar with Manhattan) is an auditorium where readings and other artistic events supplemented the theater of the streets of the Upper West Side before no one could afford to live in this neighborhood anymore unless they were over 70 or had made a pact with the devil.

Tom Wolfe, Calvin Trillin and Garrison Keilor all read very pithy stuff but Calvin Trillin's deadpan annecdote, based on a fait divers about Ronald Reagan's address in Bel Air, is priceless. Maya Angelou is fascinating and compelling, but it is Laurie Colwin's performance for which I bought this tape because I wanted to hear if she sounds as wonderful as she reads.

Colwin died only three years after this recording was made, quite suddenly. Although her name was known to me, I only began to avidly read--and appreciate her books over the past year, surprisingly as a result of having read her food essays--a genre I seldom touch. They were so great they inspired me to read the novels and short stories.

Finding this tape was like winning a treasure hunt--it far exceeded my minimal expectations and has become my favorite driving excuse.

Laurie Colwin reads an excerpt from "Goodbye without Leaving" that almost had me wetting my pants in the car without leaving--it was that funny--and her delivery was as good as the text.

For Laurie Colwin fans this tape is a collector's item. The more I read her work and read about her, the more I miss her--I never saw or met this woman but I intensely love her. If you can still get a copy--grab it!!