Customer Reviews:
Ourika .......2007-08-26
Ourika, by Claire De Duras, is a unique depiction of an African American during the French Revolution. Previous portrayals of Africans in French Tradition are reportedly vague and are not frequently described as individuals. The story of Ourika is a true story about an African woman who is rescued from slavery at a young age by the governor of Boufflers and is raised in a wealthy aristocratic white family.
Claire De Duras was born in France in 1777 and was forced to flee her homeland shortly after the execution of her father. She doesn't return until 1808 with her French husband, the Duke of Duras. De Duras doesn't have the desire to publish the story of Ourika until she sees what an interest is provoked by telling it orally to the customers in her salon. When De Duras does publish it in 1823, she does so gradually because female authors were not given much, if any, credibility at this point in time. The first edition had no author or date printed on it and consisted of only 25 private copies. The book did not remain a secret for long and several thousand copies were printed over the next few years. De Duras wrote four other novels the same year as Orika, but only two others were published before she passed away in 1828.
The story of Ourika is quite personable. The story is told by a doctor whom Ourika is one of his patients. At this point, Ourika's depression has taken a severe toll on her health and the doctor (who remains unnamed throughout the text) is determined to cure her despite her poor physical state. The doctor is initially taken by her gentle and eloquent manner, curious as to where an African woman had learned to be so proper. She insists that he can not cure her without knowing what troubles have ailed her health. Ouirka tells him the struggles she has had to face as an outcast throughout the course of her entire life as a black woman raised in a white person's world.
As Ourika gets older, she is reminded daily of how alone she is. She has no family and no white man will marry her. She doesn't understand the culture of her own people since she has never experienced it, so she doesn't fit in anywhere. The only male friend Ourika has ever had marries a beautiful wealthy white woman. Ourika is constantly sneered at by those who do not know her, so she limits her time away from home. The accounts of Ourika's life are told in dramatic detail and give the reader much sympathy for her. Her depression causes frequent fevers and she falls unconscious on numerous occasions. All of Ourika's oppression is eventually relieved as she turns to God and becomes a nun, but at this point her body is too frail to continue much longer.
Ourika is a remarkable story for someone who is interested in nineteenth century Europe or studying inequality between races throughout history. Ourika touches deeply on subjects not commonly written about in the early nineteenth century and paints a vivid picture of how difficult life was for women and minorities during the French Revolution.
A tale of an outsider.......2003-03-11
Lillian Lewis, the reviewer, has not read this book if she can call it "delightful." Nor is Ourika's happiness, actually ever "restored." This is a devastating tale about a young woman who hopes to be part of her mainstream culture, only to find that her black skin and Senegalese heritage will forever bar her from the only culture she's ever been a part of--aristocratic France. Duras writes a compelling novella, full of anguish and the unfairness of her contemporary French society (and one that resonates today worldwide). It is an extraordinary tale, but it is absolutely not "delightful."
Ourika Transformed.......1996-06-14
Written by a woman in 1823, Ourika is a fascinating short work set during the French Revolution. Ourika is an attractive, intelligent young black woman who was rescued as a child from slavery. She is raised as any wealthy white child would have been. She excels in her pursuits and charms all. By chance, she discovers who she is, and what it means to be black. The truth changes her. This work raises many questions, and provides some haunting insights into human nature. Highly recommended
Book Description
Two stories of women in need and the men who stand for them. Come back to the very first "Protectors"!
This Side of Heaven
The Protector: Nate Hodges
Coping with her husband's murder, Cyn Porter comes to idyllic Sweet Haven seeking peace. Instead, she finds herself thrust into the path of a stalker. Nate, a former navy SEAL, is determined to defend her -- but doing so left his heart exposed!
The Outcast
The Protector: Reece Landry
Wounded and on the run, ex-con Reece Landry rescues Elizabeth Mallory from a deadly winter storm. A psychic, Elizabeth knows Reece is innocent and vows to prove it, because her sixth sense tells her that he's the answer to her lonely prayers. Will Elizabeth be the one to heal Reece, body and soul?
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2006-03-28
I had read Ms. Barton's last 3 books and enjoyed them very much. She has mentioned her Protectors series on her web site.
So, I ordered this book with no hesitation. I did have to buy thru an Amazon.com 3rd party. And I'm so glad that I chose the cheapest book available and didn't pay $14 for it.
I tried both stories and could finish neither one! I really, really tried. After struggling with all the angst in the first one, I went on to the 2nd one. It was no better. Total wallbangers for me and into the library donation box it went.
I'm sure some of her fans enjoyed them when they were originally published. And others will love these 2 of the first stories in that series. I'm just not one of them. I didn't like any of the characters. They just didn't take shape in my mind as I read about them. If that doesn't happen, it's a real struggle to finish any book.
Customer Reviews:
Star Trek Calendar.......2006-03-24
I buy the Star Trek Calendar, so that I can take it to Star Trek conventions. Then I have the actors autograph the calendar.
Beam Me Up Enterprise.......2006-02-24
The 2006 calendar is my fave calendar to-date. I ordered one, then ordered two more for friends, after seeing the quality and choice of photos. The pictures themselves are bright and bring out the character's best facial traits. This sexy crew has a calendar to match.
Permission to come aboard, Captain Archer.
Product Description
This fully illustrated book is the most complete text available on the theory and practice of Kriya Yoga. The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga takes the student step-by-step through the eight stages of Patanjali's Kriya Yoga system and contains extensive chapters on hatha yoga pranayama, mantra, meditation and samadhi. Goswami Kriyananda explicitly teaches how specific asanas can be used to balance each of the seven charkas. If you could only have one book on yoga, this would be it!
Customer Reviews:
comprehensive discussion of the eight limbs of yoga.......2006-06-15
this remarkable book remarkable is the only one I have found in English that presents and discusses the Eight Limbs as an interconnected system. it shows how the goal of each limb is to mobilize and transform energy inside the body in order to create the necessary conditions -- sattva -- for the attainment of cosmic consciousness. for this reason, I think this book ought to be read by all students of hatha yoga. I think it is the most comprehensive modern book on the esoteric (spiritual and energetic) side of hatha yoga practices that are becoming increasingly common in the West.
many other reviewers complain that this book does not teach kriya yoga. if by kriya yoga they mean the initiated teachings of paramhansa yogananda, they are correct. since kriyananda would be breaking his vows to include such teachings in a book he can hardly be blaimed; furthermore, kriya yoga lineages contend that initiation is an absolute necessity for the correct practice of those techniques.
if you want to learn the inner medititative teachings of yogananda's lineage, this is not the place to do it. unfortunately, since the publication of yogananda's autobiography a huge market has sprung up of people attempting to make a profit by claiming to offer a short-cut around the SRF's laborious route to yogananda's "secret" teaching. this is not such a book.
however, the contention that this book is not about kriya yoga, or that kriyananda fails to properly emphasize devotion, shows a lack of understanding about the philosophy and practice of kriya yoga in India. the word "kriya" means "activity" or "movement." it refers to the inner meditations of kriya yoga, but also to a number of cleansing techniques considered a part of hatha yoga. techniques in Yogi Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga are also called "kriyas" -- meaning a series of movements.
this book teaches a system of yoga that is in a kriya lineage. it is kriya yoga insofar as the teachings are presented as contributions to the evolution of a whole. it is the whole system that is "kriya," not the individual components. kriya yoga is not a mystical tradition distinct from other yogic teachings; they are part of the same complex mosaic.
as far as devotion, "Bhakti," in India it is viewed as technique among techniques. each student is expected to follow the predelictions of his or her own karma. Yogananda was devotional by nature, and so emphasized Bhakti. he is a Bhakti teacher and so he attracts students who are themselves Bhakti, hence his success among Christians. kriyananda seems to be more of a "Jnana" ("learning") teacher, so his writing will appeal to people with logical, scientific or musical temperaments. this is why there are many teachings. no one teaching is appropriate for all individuals.
these days, the inner "kriya" techniques of the Babaji/Yogananda lineage have the reputation of being some kind of spiritual magic bullet. whether or not that is true I do not know; I have not received them. this book does not claim to offer a magic bullet. instead it presents simple, direct steps to point you in the right direction. if you enjoy hatha yoga and have committed yourself to its study, you will be grateful for the insght contained in this book.
One of the best in the market but NOT THE best on the science of kriya yoga.........2005-07-10
This book by Goswami Kriyananda describes the philosophies and disciplines of yoga. But this book does NOT reveal the actual technique of Kriya Yoga which is provided in the Self-Realization Fellowship lessons. And this is actually a positve situation because it forces the sincere student to spent his money and develop his patience in receiving the actual technique of Kriya Yoga. It separates the sincere students from those who wish to receive this ancient science for curiosity sake. Thus the actual technique should NEVER be revealed to the general public.
But this book gives the reader an exhaustive description on hatha yoga and the benefits of practicing the postures correctly. It also discourages people with poor health from doing the more advanced postures. This shows that Swami Kriyananda is not a megalomaniac when it comes to yoga, but advices the student to do his meditations and postures without any strain or discomfort.
The reason I gave this book a 4 rating and not a 5 is that the author failed to deeply emphasis on the importance of devotion in the spiritual path. At most, he gave a scant report on the path of devotion by the spiritual seeker. Paramhansa Yogananda ALWAYS emphazised on the importance of devotion to God in his writings. Thus, the average reader might find this book a bit "dry".
In short, sincere seekers who wish to know the Truth should turn to other reading materials in the market today. Books such as the "Autobiography of a yogi" and "Christ Consciousness" will provide much inspiration on the novice's spiritual quest for Nirvana. For those interested in developing their intellect and body only, this book is a sufficient reading material.
I don't think this is a beautiful book.......2003-10-12
This book is from a person who claims to be a disciple of a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda ( and surely it is true... ). As the teachings given (in my opinion) seem to be 2nd hand ones; the worst thing of this book is that it contains a strange (and apparently wrong) form of kriya yoga which, I think, it may be either delusive (if it is a fake) or dangerous (if for some reason it really works). I think that kriya yoga is a holy science and maybe it should not be taught this way. Furthermore other techniques, mudras and so on are described, but as far as I know all these things do not belong to the kriya yoga tradition of Paramamhansa Yogananda.
I suggest you should read some book of Paramahansa Yogananda, Roy Eugene Davis or Swami Kriyananda instead of this one.
"Don't Judge A Book By Its Title".......2002-10-14
Kriya Yoga refers to a specific meditation technique popularized in American by Paramahansa Yogananda in "Autbiography of A Yogi." Maddeningly, that book never reveals the technique, leaving the interested reader to send away to Yogananda's ashram for months of preliminary lessons before he is eligible for "initiation" into the core technique. I bought this book, "The Spiritual Science..." hoping the technique would be explained. It isn't. He explains pretty much everything else in Yoga, and does so quite well; the book is a good compendium of techniques. But the actual Kriya technique is only taught if you go visit his ashram in Chicago, according to a wispy-voiced woman I spoke to there. If you want to learn a straight version of the actual Kriya technique, buy The Sacred Science by Norman Paulsen. He's thrown in a lot of Christian theory and jargon, but the technique itself is what he learned from Yogananda, and he gives it to you in a clear and practical form.
Top Quality.......2000-04-02
Comprehensive coverage of yoga as a health-creating and sustaining system, as well as fulfilling practice. The author's warm humor and deep wisdom is evident throughout. The book contained practical and highly beneficial information that I was able to apply immediately to life improvement. This book tremendously impacted my life. Highly recommended.
Product Description
"Nothing separates us from God. It is only the acquired habit of identifying with modified mental states and objective phenomena that causes and sustains the illusion of independent existence. When this error in perception is corrected, our awareness is immediately restored to its original, pure wholeness.---Roy Eugene Davis "In this new translation of Patanjali's yoga-sutras, the timeless, universal teachings of spiritually enlightened saints and sages are clearly explained." [from back of jacket] "The first chapter provides a detailed explanation of superconscious states and the various ways by which they may be realized. Kriya yoga lifestyle regimens and meditaion practices are explained in the second chapter. In the third chapter, exceptional powers of perception and extraordinary abilities that one can use to nurture spiritual growth are described. The means by which soul capacities are actualized and indications of stages of spiritual awakening are presented in the fourth chapter. Kriya yoga 1. "To do." To perform an action. 2. Intensive spiritual practice that results in uniting (yoga) attention and awareness with supreme Consciousness. 3. Self-discipline, study and analysis of higher realities, and surrender of the illusional sense of self that allows one's true nature and the reality of God to be realized (experienced and known). Science: The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena and higher realities. Self-realization: Conscious experience with knowledge of one's true essence of being. Sutras: Concise "threads" of concepts and teachings of a theme to be contemplated until their meanings are intellectually comprehended and intuitively discerned." [from front flap] "Roy Eugene Davis has taught spiritual growth processes for more than 50 years in the U.S., Canada, Japan, West Africa, Europe, and India. He was ordained by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1951." [from back flap]
Product Description
yoga therapy encompasses various practical aspects for each and everyone, yoga, basically for disease free perons, can also be of great help for people suffering from various diseases so as to maintain good health.
it is equally beneficial for children, adolescent and women in general. even for elderlies. yoga therapy can help alot in keeping them fit. in real sense for mental. physical and spiritual fitness.
yoga therapy plays very important part. As man is a physical, mental and spiritual being, yoga helps to promote a balanced development of all the three state above.
Yogic excercises help to promote an all round well being in individual. they help to recharge the bodywith cosmic energy. this helps to attain perfect equilibrium and harmony.
yoga helps the aspirant to channelize and harness the cosmic energy for self- healing. consequently it produces peace and positive feelings in the mind of the aspirant.
Regular pratice of asana, pranayams and meditation can help such diverse ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure, digestice disorders, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, asthama, varicose veins and heart conditions.
Laboratory tests have proved the yogi's increased abilities of consciously controlling autonomic or involuntary functions such as temperature, heartbeat,and blood pressure.
according to to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all the other systems and organs of the body.
yoga acts both as a curative and preventice therapy, the essence of yoga lies in attaining mental peace, improve concentration powers, a relaxed state of living and harmony in relationship
Book Description
Rockingham ware was an inexpensive brown-glazed ceramic that was ubiquitous in America from the mid-nineteenth through the early twentieth century. Popular as an antique today, it is regularly sold at venues ranging from flea markets to antique shows. Despite its prevalence in American life for nearly a century and its continued presence as a collector's item, little has been written on this subject of vast interest to collectors, museum curators, historians, and archaeologists.
Jane Perkins Claney has written the first and only full-scale study of Rockingham ware to consider not just its history as a manufactured object but also its role in domestic life. Both an artifact study and a case study in material culture interpretation, this volume offers a totally comprehensive approach to the study of Rockingham ware and serves as a model for future studies of similar objects.
Following a chapter on her methods of identifying and interpreting historical evidence, Claney describes the physical characteristics of Rockingham ware and its production history. She places Rockingham ware within the context of nineteenth-century design and discusses its "Americanization" by U.S. manufacturers. Turning next to usage and meaning, Claney shows how certain Rockingham-ware vessels were used in the expression and maintenance of cultural identity and the enactment of social roles. Exploring gender and class ramifications, she demonstrates that although the ceramic was used at all social-class levels and in all types of communities from urban to rural, the choice of vessel forms and decoration differed markedly. Rockingham-ware teapots, for example, were favored by working-class women and rarely appeared in middle-class homes, while middle-class men living in cities formed the market for Rockingham-ware pitchers decorated with hunting scenes. Rockingham-ware spittoons, on the other hand were used universally--even by women. With the specific cultural roles of Rockingham-ware vessels so clearly understood, the vessels themselves become texts through which to interpret the past.
The book features fifty halftones, fourteen of which are presented also in color, and an extensive archaeological database.
Book Description
IT’S SHEER BALLOONACY!
Everything needed to create dozens of festive balloon characters, creatures, fashions, and accessories, in no time
Clowns do it. Your Uncle Charlie did it. Steve Martin got his start doing it. And now with these allin- one balloon-arts packages, anybody can make hundreds of fanciful, bendable, twistable, wearable, popable balloon sculptures, guaranteed to light up the faces of kids from 3 to 103. Written by the world's acknowledged balloon artist par excellence, Aaron Flanders, these books help make any reader the life of the party with this unique form of performance art.
Each package contains everything needed to create dozens of balloon masterpieces, including:
- Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions
- 150 black-and-white photo illustrations
- Complete supply of pencil balloons in various rainbow colors
- A sturdy balloon pump for easy inflating
Kids and fun-loving adults will marvel as the reader, with a few simple twists, deftly re-creates everybody's favorite cartoon characters, including Snoopy, Curious George, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mickey Mouse, Popeye, and a dozen others.
Average customer rating:
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Laura Ashley Color: Using Color to Decorate Your Home
Susan Berry
Manufacturer: Harmony
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Interior Design
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
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Decorating
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
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General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
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Painting & Wallpapering
| Interior Design
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ASIN: 0517701901
Release Date: 1995-11-14 |
Book Description
Beautiful, sophisticated, and lavishly illustrated, this book demonstrates how Laura Ashley's magic with color can enliven and add drama to every room in any home. Inspirational photographs and practical decorating projects make it easy for readers to create a range of exciting new effects.
4-color photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Coffee Table Delight.......2004-01-28
This is a wonderful coffee table book that explores the world of color in decorating. It shows vivid pictures of decorated rooms with planned color schemes & has a chapter on each color group. Wonderful!
Average customer rating:
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Passionate Observer: Eudora Welty among Artists of the Thirties
Eudora Welty , and
Rene Paul Barilleaux
Manufacturer: Mississippi Museum of Art
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
History & Criticism
| Arts & Photography
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| Criticism
| General
| Regional
| Themes
| Women in Art
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| Museums & Collections
| Arts & Photography
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| Museums
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General
| Exhibition Catalogs
| Museums
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General
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Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions
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Similar Items:
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Eudora Welty Photographs
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One Time One Place: Mississippi in the Depression : A Snapshot Album
ASIN: 1887422064 |
Average customer rating:
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Charlie Chaplin and His Times: Library Edition
Kenneth S. Lynn
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
Entertainment
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| Humor
| Movies
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ASIN: 0786113405 |
Books:
- Pirate's Gold: A Teen Love story that includes Pirates, Pirate Treasure, and Sailing in the Caribbean!
- Pylon: The Corrected Text
- Remembering Babylon: A Novel
- Rendezvous With Fate (Indigo: Sensuous Love Stories)
- River of Hidden Dreams
- Searoad
- Sor Juana's Second Dream: A Novel
- Still Mostly True: Collected Stories & Drawings
- Story of General Dann and Mara's Daughter, Griot and the Snow Dog: A Novel
- Texaco: A Novel
Books Index
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The Ghost of the Executed Engineer: Technology and the Fall of the Soviet Union (Russian Research Center Studies)
Letters from a Peruvian Woman (Texts and Translations : Translations, No 2)
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