A Little Piece of Sky

Book Description

A poignant, powerful debut that combines the deep emotion of The House on Mango Street with uniquely creative storytelling.

Unfolding in a series of tiny vignettes, A Little Piece of Sky introduces an endearing new novelist and a truly unforgettable main character. In the first few chapters we meet a little girl named Song Byrd, who keenly reports on the world around her. She is African American (in a mostly Hispanic neighborhood), unwanted (conceived during an adulterous affair), and poor in the material sense but extraordinarily rich in spirit.

In piercingly insightful prose, Nicole Bailey-Williams takes readers on Song’s journey through life as she struggles against outsider status and intense guilt over her mother’s murder. Behind it all, places of pure joy, “dreaming the hurt away,” and glorious little pieces of sky shine through. Song’s tales--and Bailey-Williams’s narrative gift--are truly words to treasure.

Download Description

A poignant, powerful debut that combines the deep emotion of The House on Mango Street with uniquely creative storytelling.

Unfolding in a series of tiny vignettes, A Little Piece of Sky introduces an endearing new novelist and a truly unforgettable main character.

In the first few chapters we meet a little girl named Song Byrd, who keenly reports on the world around her. She is African American (in a mostly Hispanic neighborhood), unwanted (conceived during an adulterous affair), and poor in the material sense but extraordinarily rich in spirit.

In piercingly insightful prose, Nicole Bailey-Williams takes readers on Song's journey through life as she struggles against outsider status and intense guilt over her mother's murder. Behind it all, places of pure joy, "dreaming the hurt away," and glorious little pieces of sky shine through. Song's tales -- and Bailey-Williams's narrative gift -- are truly words to treasure.

Customer Reviews:

disappointing........2005-06-25

I felt that much of this book was predictable and cliche. I did like some parts of the end of the book, but I thought it would have been better off ending a few pages earlier than it did. "Azul, the color of hope" left it ending on a cheesy, overdramatic note.

From the minute that Anthony is introduced to us over the buffet table at a party that poor Song doesn't feel that she fits into, its obvious that he is to become her lover. It did not describe too much, however, about their relationship and the vignettes that involved Anthony were distracting from the rest of the story.

I don't think that Nicole Bailey Williams exhibits much writing skill or strength through this book. The only reason I finished it was because of the wide-set type and the short chapters. By the 40th page, I was ready to give up on it, but figured I might as well spend one more hour to finish it. One chapter angered me in particular-"I wish." Talk about archetypical poor, distressed and diturbed teenager who wants to be worth something. I mean, how many times have we heard the line "I wish I could be enough"? Too many, and that line certainly did not help me have more compassion for the protagonist.

I thought many aspects of this book were immature-the order of the chapters, skimming the surface of many subjects, but not going into depth. I certainly don't have a problem with a writer changing subject often, impulsively-Sylvia Plath was a master at it. I think Williams still has a way to go as a writer, however. I didn't feel that we learned that much about Song Byrd's troubles and fight against herself. Some of it sounded like something I would have written in 7th grade.

Overall, I was not impressed.

Enchanting..........2004-03-06

A Little Piece Of Sky, from the title to the text works. It is the story of Song Byrd from childhood to adulthood. It speaks of Song's tribulations and triumphs in a heartfelt connected way. The story poignantly expresses how the trajedy of our past can still haunt our present and hinder our futures if not for hope. Song's hope came from seeing her life without limits through, A Little Piece of Sky. My only reason for giving 4 stars instead of 5 was because the book had to end. I really wanted more. The author's writing was so good and intriguing that I would have loved to have read this as a full blown novel with more details.

I so look forward to this author's next piece of work.

When hope isn't enough.......2004-01-22

As a forewarning to readers who decide to pick up Nicole Bailey-William's A Little Piece of Sky: this is not your average piece of fiction. The 155 page book is centered on the troubled female character named Song Byrd, and the novel is put together in much the same lyrical and poetic way as the character's name. The chapters are short, metaphorically deep, snack-sized morsels that the reader is treated to as they read about Song's struggle to overcome the ghetto of Philadelphia that has made her who she is.

The title of the book comes into play when Song divulges to the reader that her mother, who birthed four children from four different men, used to lock Song into the roach infested bathroom of their apartment when her mother was unable to attain a babysitter. Song would look up to the sky as a symbol of hope and day dream to pass the time away. A tragic event occurs, which rattles Song's foundation and makes her decide to never look up ever again.

Fast forward many years later and Song is a graduate of Spelman College with a great job giving back to the community and a man who adores her, but she's still holding on desperately to her past. Despite her personal uplifting experience of no longer relaxing her hair and the education she has under her belt, there are many old issues of hope and self-esteem that she has to struggle through before she can truly move on with her life.

Works of fiction of this sort are great for those who are looking for a profound, triumphant story. This novel does not skimp on major issues like classism, race, intra-racism, and the power of the human spirit to overcome. This should be required reading for every woman of color before heading off for higher learning.

Anna

R.E.A.L. Reviewers

Average book - More like poetry - hated the Spanish.......2004-01-04

The book had it's moments. It's not very in depth at all. Its more of poetry than a novel. It beats around the bush. Chapters that are one page long. Such a short book. Also I don't understand spanish and hated her usage of spanish all throughout the book. It's annoying not to know what the people are saying. She could at least have followed up the spanish with the english translation in parenthesis. Average book.

We Shall Overcome.......2003-06-27

While structurally different and small in stature, A Piece of Sky by Nicole Bailey-Williams is a poignant novel of a young girl's pain, guilt and survival. Song Byrd is the youngest, illegitimate daughter of a prostitute. Included in this family are three older siblings with their own demons. In addition to her family, A Little Piece of Sky reveals the relationships that Song has with others such as her neighbor, Mrs. Olga and her biological father. It is through them and their offerings that Song comes into her own.

Told in Song's voice, the chapters are titled after her thoughts while giving the reader a look into her life. Two chapters that really stood out were "I Wish." Song wished that she were not poor; that she lived in a better neighborhood with less noise, but for some reason unbeknownst to Song, her mother needed the noise. Song's ultimate wish was that she would be enough for her mother. The other captivating chapter was "A Little Piece of Sky." Representing Song's hope for a better future, this chapter captured the essence of Song's pain in which she vowed never to look up at the sky again. Each chapter is lyrically written and tells a hopeful story of Song while exposing some character revelations. Add to the fact the social and economic commentary throughout and you have a wonderfully written story of a young girl's life in a low-income section of Philadelphia followed by her life as a middle income resident and the transition that followed. Beautiful!

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub

Average customer rating:
Little Piece of Sky

Manufacturer: Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0606290907

Customer Reviews:

Getting near the end (and it shows.).......2007-03-24

In this penultimate volume, you can see the series was showing its age. Art by Irwin Hasen and Arthur Peddy allowed for consistency, but the thrill of seeing the different art styles was gone. The stories here range from a convoluted mystery set in Hollywood to an adventure in the Old West; you can see Broome is starting to run dry of ideas. It's still fun to see the "Atomic" Atom in action and Wonder Woman continues as an active member instead of the secretary (One of the silliest conventions in the series was having its most powerful member function as archivist.)But you can see the series is losing steam.

Average customer rating:

Loved it !!!!

Can we say biased???

Personal favorite of mine

Even better than the first book!

Even Better Than the First book!

Bureau 13: Doomsday Exam
Nick Pollotta
Manufacturer: Wildside Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Pollotta, Nick | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Bureau 13: Judgment Night

ASIN: 1587154676

Book Description

PROTECTING AMERICA FROM EVERYTHING...Robot kidnappers, poltergeist weapon-smugglers, demon terrorists, gremlin moonshiners... 'Bureau 13' is the ultra-covert branch of the FBI assigned to handle supernatural criminals. The public doesn't know they exist, the President denies any knowledge of their actions, and not every Bureau 13 operative is a human being. Yet these heavily-armed federal agents are America's first, last and only line of defense against the growing tide of monstrous evil. SILVER BULLETS ARE USELESS Hell is literally set loose on Earth during a massive jailbreak from the Bureau 13 Holding Facility. Among the horde of unkillable creatures is a madman with a plan to siphon off all of the magic in the world and become a god! Not good. Fighting every inch of the way to track the lethal escaped lunatic, Ed and his team of Green Berets and wizards grab some students from the Bureau Training Academy to replenish their weakened ranks. But the last to graduate is often the first to die.... "High adventure!" -Locus "Really funny," -SF Chronicle "Great!" -Dragon Magazine

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Bureau 13 is the ultra-covert branch of the FBI assigned to handle supernatural criminals. The public doesn?

Customer Reviews:

Loved it !!!!.......2005-10-18

This one is a keeper. I've read it twice, and I'm holding on to it to read again someday.

This novel was my first exposure to the Bureau 13 books, and I went on to collected the others after reading it.

Many writers take a couple good ideas and reveal them slowly in a story. You're often left feeling short-shifted until you find that the writer was simply saving additional ideas to miserly hand out in future novels.

Not Nick. In this tail, he starts the concepts flowing and doesn't stop until the final page. He does this with the confidence that he'll simply come up with new ideas when he goes on to write future stories.

Bravo.

Can we say biased???.......2002-05-14

I enjoyed the first book and was surprised to see me in the next two (no, I'd never run the games with him). Definately a cousin of X-Files and MIB and would be a great movie. If you like his stuff, you should look for more under his other aliases: Nick Smith and Jack Hopkins (there are more, but even I can't keep track of them all )

Personal favorite of mine.......2002-04-27

I'm a huge fan of gaming novels and this one series is at the top of my favorites list. If you ever wanted to read a novel of a great gaming session this series has that in spades. I, too, find this one even better than the first book (though the still out of print third book "Full Moonster" is my all time favorite). If you've read the Crimson Skies novels or the Dragonlance Chronicles than you know what I'm talking about. That sense of action and adventure you ususally only get by playing the damn game yourself.

Do yourself a favor and sit down and enjoy this fun read.

Even better than the first book!.......2001-08-09

Studying to become one of America's defenses against the paranormal, federal agents at the Bureau 13 Academy are thrown into the real world when a mysterious enemy lets loose every monster the Bureau ever had captured. And that was only to cover up the real crime...

Even Better Than the First book!.......2000-05-19

Wow. These just keep getting better and better. I really didn't think Mr. Pollotta could top the first book, BUREAU 13, but he did it in this one. The big fight at the secret jail was funny and exciting (yes, I did recognize most of the monsters used), and the vampire football team was the most hilarious thing I ever read. And the terrible events at the motel had my heart pounding. For Fantasy humor novels, these have some really scary scenes in them. With things like BLADE and X-FILES on the big screen, why haven't these wonderful books been made into movies yet? Any chance there is a Bureau 13 fan club out there on the web?

Bureau 13 Double: Judgment Night / Doomsday Exam

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Bureau 13 Double: Judgment Night / Doomsday Exam
Nick Pollotta
Manufacturer: Wildside Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0809500280

Amazon.com

A paean to the Indian tradition of truth-seeking, India My Love tells the stories of the great masters of the magical subcontinent. Osho (formerly known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh) introduces us to his spiritual heroes--Muslim fakirs, Hindu yogis, Jaina ascetics, and Buddhist monks--men and women who transcend the boundaries of convention to attain a bliss that is beyond happiness. And since Osho is an entertaining speaker, these transcripts of his talks do more than relate ancient tales, they narrate competitions, journeys, and the exploits of kings, prostitutes, and musicians. Taking the theme of meditation and the goal of liberation, the stories are woven together with snippets about the mystical energy of India and interspersed with beautiful photos of temples, statues, and religious devotees. Carefully edited, this Osho is thoroughly mainstream and India My Love eminently palatable. --Brian Bruya

Book Description

India is not just a geography or history. It is not only a nation, a country, a mere piece of land. It is something more: it is a metaphor, poetry, something invisible but very tangible. It is vibrating with certain energy fields that no other country can claim.For almost ten thousand years, thousands of people have reached to the ultimate explosion of consciousness. Their vibration is still alive, their impact is in the very air; you just need a certain perceptivity, a certain capacity to receive the invisible that surrounds this strange land.It is strange because it has renounced everything for a single search, the search for the truth.In these pages, we are treated to a spellbinding vision of what Osho calls "the real India," the India that has given birth to enlightened mystics and master musicians, to the inspired poetry of the Upanishads and the breathtaking architecture of the Taj Mahal. We travel through the landscape of India's golden past with Alexander the Great and meet the strange people he met along the way. We are given a front-row seat in the proceedings of the legendary court of the Moghul Emperor Akbar, and an insider's view of the assemblies of Gautama the Buddha and his disciples.In the process, we discover just what it is about India that has made it a magnet for seekers for centuries, and the importance of India's unique contribution to our human search for truth.

Customer Reviews:

India's connection with spirituality........2007-09-27

This book is a great work of art, it shows the significance of India's contribution to the world of spirituality; spirituality at its pinnacle, not magic or the occult arts. Enlightenment, the greatest contribution of India to the world. It's a good book for any reader from any part of the world to read, easy reading and great illustrations.
Something not to miss out on.

Truly Indian Vision.......2004-08-14

India My Love is one book that shine out in my Osho collection. The very fact is that I been sometimes gifting this book to people who are fond of Osho Discourses. This book is a gem of Osho Insight and truly Indian vision because no other spiritual leader has so vividly introduced the Real India and the spiritual beliefs. Osho speaks of yogis, fakirs, buddhist monks, jain gurus and all about ancient India. This book is not only about stories of saints and osho transcript of talks but also has great illustrated pics alongwith snippets about mystical India. The Krishna tales and Atista are topics that create a lot of interest to read and the liberation goal of osho is defined as one read through these pages. Osho unfolds cultural and spiritual aspects of the golden past of India. A good & Must Read for an Osho Fan. Great Pick.

An Amazing Book - Osho's brilliance is beyond ordinary words.......2004-06-08

"The real India is a quest of the inner most soul of man - not the geography, nor the political history, but the inner journey. The journey of meditation is the real India. Mahavir represents it. Buddha represents it. Krishna, Christ and Nanak - they represent the real India. And I have the heritage of all of them and much more," declares Osho.

A Pilgrimage to Real India with Osho.......2004-03-12

The very word "India" sounds differently to different people. Most of us may get an immediate view of images like one of these: a herd of skinny cows scattered all over a barren, over-gazed field; people lined-up to a remote water tap to fetch drinking water; trains and buses over crowded with people on its roof; naked yogis and sadhus in eye-unpleasant figures and shapes; etc, etc.

Osho, in this book, India My Love, takes us to a totally different pilgrimage of India: the India of enlightened mystics and of spiritually awakened people. Osho unfolds the golden past of India by picking one story at a time, and explaining it in light of its spiritual and cultural values. There is no doubt that Osho has been one of the most brilliant educators and storytellers of our time. The West has not fully recognized his teachings and legacy yet.

India My Love, on the one hand, samples the wisdom of Osho, unsurpassable by any, and on the other hand, provides with a glimpse of an India, rare and unknown to many, that has a continuum legacy of 5000 years-old search for the enlightenment during all phases of the Indian history.

A mystic journey.......2002-08-12

If you have been to India, you have to read this book. You'll find the echo to bring you back to India. If you have not been to India, you have to read this book. It will bring you to India, the real India. Everyone has an inner yearning to go to India, at least once in your life time. Don't delay. Start the spiritual journey led by OSHO.

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India My Love (A Spiritual Journey)
Osho
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Average customer rating:

India My Love A Spiritual Journey
Osho
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews:

Most Entertaining.......2007-05-13

This book was purchased as a gift for my sister who is a formidable cook. This book quickly became one of her favorites. The recipes are great, but the stories surrounding them are great!

Wonderful Recipes.......2001-10-20

If like me, you enjoy cooking, old style southern meals, you will enjoy this cookbook.

Average customer rating:

Everything you want to know about Dy-Dee Baby........

Effanbee's Dy-Dee: The Complete Collector's Book
Barbara Craig Hilliker
Manufacturer: Reverie Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1932485163

Book Description

Known as the "almost-human" doll, Dy-Dee was produced continuously by the Effanbee Doll Company form 1934 through the 1950s, and became one of the most-loved baby dolls for several generations of little girls. One of the earliest "drink-and-wet" dolls, she was available in several sizes. Layettes, clothing patterns, furniture and a multitude of accessories were produced for her. In this comprehensive collector's reference, Barbara Craig Hilliker, author of Bleuette: The Doll and Her wardrobe, traces Dy-Dee's history, providing identification information for the doll as well as for all the materials associated with her. The book includes hundreds of color photographs, including original advertising and publicity materials, guidance for care and restoration and a bonus pattern section. The year 2004 marks the re-introduction of Dy-Dee by the Effanbee Doll Company, which has been documented in step-by-step production photos featured in this book.

Customer Reviews:

Everything you want to know about Dy-Dee Baby...............2004-10-04

This is a great volume for anyone who had ,has, and loves Dy-Dee Baby. I was amazed at the attention paid to details like clothing and 'baby stuff'. I had a lot of baby stuff for my Dy-Dee and her cousins, but there was a whole lot more available than I ever dreamed. That so many of these dolls have survived, is a testement to Dy-Dee's ability to inspire maternal love and nurturing. It's not only a book for collectors, but also an interesting look at marketing techniques and our culture.
Robert Tonner's motto, 'Believe in the power of play' is illustrated profoundly in this volume, and his reproduction of the Mold 1 Dy-Dee Baby, to be relaeased this fall, is a most fitting tribute to the baby doll that has captured so many hearts over the years.

Product Description

In step-by-step fashion, the reader will be guided from concept to finished drawings to detailed instructions for building each of these seven sensational tables. This book demonstrates that furniture design does not have to be complicated. Design is all about personal taste, says the author, and there is no "wrong" way to design. Novice and experienced woodworkers alike will enjoy learning the elements of good design and practicing on these unique tables

Customer Reviews:

Simple step-by-step.......2004-01-19

The book is an extremely clear, simple, ste-by-step explanation of ACAD 2002. Skills are taught primarily through easy to follow exercises that build on each other, primarily the drafting of a room, its furnishings, etc... Some additional text is included regarding, plotting, layers etc... I will be using this as the text for my Intro class, primarily due to its legibility and clear graphics. While recommended for the designer who has bever used CAD, those with any experience or interested in an in-depth look at the software or its advanced features should look elsewhere.

Book Description

Graphic designer R. Roger Remington and art historian Barbara Hodik have collaborated in this splendidly illustrated book to profile the careers and contributions of nine men who shaped the graphic design profession from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Nine Pioneers in American Graphic Design explores each designer's milieu education, philosophy of design, body of work client relations, and problemsolving approaches. The more than 200 illustrations, 55 in color, are drawn from almost every medium of graphic expression, including posters, advertising magazines, book jackets, business graphics, and signage.

Remington and Hodik's carefully researched work brings an important part of graphic design history to life and provides a better understanding of contemporary graphics through a comprehensive look at these pioneering designers:

Mehemed Fehmy Agha, who introduced bleed photographs and the duotone; Alexey Brodovitch, known for his liquid sense of motion and always changing graphic composition; Charles Coiner, the first American graphic designer to address the needs of the US. government with innovative design; William Golden, most famous for designing the CBS "eye"; Lester Beall, proponent of the "new typography" and known as the "businessman's designer"; Will Burtin who designed several Worlds Fair exhibits; Alvin Lustig, a noted designer and art educator whose career was cut tragically short by blindness and death at age 40; Ladislav Sutnar, renowned for his work on the McGraw Hill "Sweet's" catalog, and Bradbury Thompson, who designed many publications including Smithsonian Magazine and the Chicago Daily News.

Both authors teach at Rochester Institute of Technology. R. Roger Remington is Professor of Graphic Design and Barbara Hodik is Professor of Art History.

Customer Reviews:

Seminole Work Defining The Profession.......2000-09-22

Nine pioneers of graphic design was the first complete attempt at defining those who set the standard in the developing profession of graphic design. Paul Rand, William Golden, Lester Beall and Saul Bass are all examined. Fairly complete bios begin at birth and explore the origins of these masters to desires to become graphic designers and what influences led them to develop their own unique theme as a designer.

A must have for any serious student of graphic design. Required reading for all others.

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Nine Pioneers in American Graphic Design
R. Roger & Hodik, Barbara J. Remington
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OR3DT4

Average customer rating:

Vexing read

A startling shamanic journey

Fascinating

A traveler's guide to the mysteries

A good read -

Becoming the Enchanter: A Journey to the Heart of the Celtic Mysteries

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IOEW20

Book Description

At the age of thirty-one, Lyn Webster was leading an average if slightly numbed existence, assuaging the grief over her fiancé's death with alcohol and carrying on her busy career as a producer for British television. One day in Liverpool, however, all of this changed when she unleashed her fury upon a group of mischievous boys and a coworker recognized her as one of her own kind, a woman warrior.

Thus began Lyn's journey into a magical realm deeply rooted in Celtic myth and tradition, an underground network of sacred practitioners who maintained the secrets of the old wisdom while leading normal lives in the everyday world.

Becoming the Enchanter is an artfully told work of narrative nonfiction that reads like a fantastical novel, complete with magical interludes and a fast-moving plot that builds as Lyn pursues the mystery of the riddle given to her by a godmother figure, Eleanor, on her deathbed.

As the author illustrates, the tradition of which she became a part dates back to the Neolithic era and contains a deep knowledge not unlike that which Carlos Castaneda encountered in his experiences with the Yaqui Indians.

Customer Reviews:

Vexing read.......2006-05-04

While at the end of the day I recommend this book to those interested in Celtic mysticism, I found this book to be frustrating and vexing at times. I alternated while reading between enjoyment and wondering if the author was deluded or deranged in some way. It could simply be an overexuberant writing style where metaphors are typed onto the paper as if they are real-- for example, did the author really see seaweed turn into gemstones, or is it just a way of describing the look of the seaweed? If literal, then she has more visions, out of body experiences, trances, etc. than might be good for you.

However, I did find things which resonated as true-- especially when compared with works of others purporting to practice the ancient Celtic mysteries (such as the late Robert Cochrane). While the philosophy and rituals are not necessarily the same, I found something that resonated as similar with these other practitioners, which leads me to believe this book might contain things that are worth knowing.

A startling shamanic journey.......2005-12-17

This was an interesting book in that it shows the journey of one woman through the British Mysteries as she is shown and experiences them. Lavishly detailed, this journey is shamanic, though I don't think she ever uses the word intentionally. She seems a little arrogant to neo-pagans, basing it on one experience of a crowd in a bar, but her abstract insights are worth pondering, especially in regards to becoming a woman warrior in the spiritual sense. I especially liked how she detailed the process of really getting into the "guts" of a myth and working with it, beyond it's value as story.

Fascinating.......2004-02-17

This book hit home in a way that very few books have. There's nothing "fluffy bunny" or New Agey about it--it's an intensely realistic (sometimes excruciatingly so!) portrayal of a modern person being drawn into the mysteries, somewhat like Curott's "Book of Shadows," but wilder: rather than showcasing, say, the ways in which this process has improved her day-to-day life (a la Curott's stories of workplace foes she used magic to protect herself from, etc.), it simply describes how harrowing and fascinating it is to go through this process. Unlike many Pagan/Wiccan/etc. books, it's not ABOUT improving her everyday life: it's about coming into contact with something bigger than oneself, and figuring out one's own small role within that.

A traveler's guide to the mysteries.......2004-02-04

The author has a talent for describing something that is nearly impossible to describe in words - the mysteries. They must be experienced firsthand, and even trying to describe them in mundane language can cause one to lose the essence of the experience.
The author continues on with her sacred work despite the fact that some of the people she works with decide to move on - she doesn't take it personally and realizes that she has no control over the will of others.
I wasn't at all offended by the author's reference to Pagans, she described some of the people she worked with as Pagan. Pagans are just like anyone else of any other faith - some are more committed and aware than others, and some have issues that get in the way.
A seeker who has studied and has reached a point of saying, "Is that all there is to this path?" might find this book encouraging and inspiring. It's full of valuable nuggets of wisdom from the author's mentor, and it isn't another one of those "how to" books. She reminds us that the knowing isn't in the books, it's in the doing.

A good read -.......2002-11-13

Maybe the neopagans won't like it (the author makes an offhand comment about
a neopagan gathering in a bar) but I thought this was one of the most solid,
realistic books dealing with magic and finding a way back to ancient wisdom
I've read in a while. The characters were ordinary types, and I found it to
be accessible in a way that a lot of books with heavy mystical content
aren't. It's a fast-paced read and the author's a great writer--pretty
perceptive in her descriptions of the other characters, and often herself. I
I thought it was a fortifying read overall, and a fair portrait of the
excitement and problems that go along with the spiritual path. The ending's
significant, but I won't say more...

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