Book Description
Evan Evans is settling into his role as Constable of Llanfair, a small town nestled in the mountains of North Wales. Here, he has been a mediator of the minor disputes of the locals, between competing ministers, country merchants, and seemingly every Welch eccentric throughout the region. But an unusual series of events brings unseen hostilities to light, and Evan realizes just how deep the townsfolk's passions and hostilities lie. While the village of Llanfair has always been at odds with the neighboring town of Beddgelert, an intriguing archeological find in the nearby hills brings that rivalry to dangerous extremes, and creates a circus of local enthusiasm and gossip. The circus quickly turns deadly, however, when Llanfair's prodigal son, Ted Morgan, announces plans to erect an amusement park over the site's excavation. Soon Constable Evans is drawn into a whirl of cultural pride, deception, and greed, and while he's at it uncovers the town's undaunted ambition - to earn the right to the longest name in the world. With the warmth, charm, and wry sense of humor that won readers' hearts in Evans Above, Rhys Bowen offers a delightful new installment to an already cherished mystery series.
Customer Reviews:
This book made me want to visit Wales.......2004-08-26
That's surprising given I've been to Wales and it was very foggy and damp -- but the Wales described in this book is a wonderful place indeed -- beautiful and filled with kind, caring people (who unfortunately for any outsider speak Welsh!)
This is the second book in the series -- I'm reading them in order -- and I think I liked it better than the first. I thought at first I had everything all figured out, and was disappointed, but as it turned out, I wasn't even close. That's a great mystery. Add to that a wonderful world you enter when you read this book...
The plot involves a summer resident (a retired Colonel living on a pension who comes to this tiny village in Wales every year for a holiday) who is found dead right after he's discovered some ruins. The local constable, Evan Evans, immediately believes he was murdered, but the police higher up the chain of command try to insist it's an accident. Then there is another death -- made to look like a suicide. Is there one killer or two? Evans gets involved in trying to find the connection between these two deaths as the key to discovering what happened.
All in all, a great book to curl up with when you have the time to read uninterrupted -- it creates a wonderful mood.
Second Book as Great as the First.......2002-08-07
Life in Llanfair is about to get another jolt. Colonel Arbuthnot is hit over the head and killed right after discovering an ancient ruin on the nearby mountains. Meanwhile, tensions build in the town when Evans-the-Meat announces a plan to put the village on the map and returning resident Ted Morgan announces plans to turn the old slate mine into an amusement park. Then a second body turns up. Constable Evan Evans finds himself overwhelmed with events and trying to find the pieces to make sense of it all. But if that's not complication enough, there's a new female resident in town, and she also has her eye on the eligible lawman.
I just discovered this series last month, and I've already read two of them. The characters and setting are charming. The author's obvious love of them comes through on every page. The plot is great as well. While I had some things figured out, there were still enough twists to keep me surprised until the end.
Anyone looking for a relaxing cozy mystery would do well to book some time in Llanfair. I'm hooked and look forward to many happy visits with Evan and his neighbors.
Wonderful Series.......2001-02-14
This series is set in the peaceful Welsh village of Llanfair and features Evan Evans, the local constable. When two recently arrived Londoners are murdered, Evans must sift through the rivalries that the victims were involved in. This is a well-crafted series with likable characters and well-written plots. Each entry in the series is better than the one before. If you like British procedurals, add this to your to-buy list.
Charming and Clever.......2000-09-18
After finishing this thoroughly satisfying cozy, you'll feel as if you had an insider's visit to a charming little village of Llanfair in Wales. The characters actually breathe, the language is just plain FUN, these are people you've sure you have truly met. The writing is clever and inspired and the scenes are wonderfully painted. Constable Evan Evans is the policeman with both a heart and a brain, as well as a coodling landlady and enough love interest to keep tongues wagging. Dueling church billboards are a witty and delightful touch.
This reader is delighted that there is more of Evans and Llanfair waiting. If you have made it through the series and wonder what's next - then M.C. Beaton's Hamish MacBeth series of cozies might should be added to your reading list.
So cute and homey.......2000-08-14
This book is cosy and even though I'm a city girl and far from Welsh, the whole thing reeks of Home. It's funny and light and the characters a delight. The mystery is good and the pacing as well, but no: this book is not a thriller or nail-biter or really dumbfounding, shocking or complex mystery. Doesn't make it any less a good book or nice read, however. Try it. I'm enjoying all four books of the Evan Evans series so far.
Product Description
Set of 3 hardcover by Rhys Bowen in the Constable Evans Mystery series. Evans Above, Evan Help Us, Evanly Choirs.
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EVAN HELP US -- BARGAIN BOOK
RHYS BOWEN
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Bowen, Rhys
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ASIN: B000U3I7BQ |
Book Description
Now I find myself in late August, with the nights cool and the crickets thick in the fields. Already the first blighted leaves glow scarlet on the red maples. It’s a season of fullness and sweet longings made sweeter now by the fact that I can’t be sure I’ll see this time of the year again....
— from
Learning to Fall
Philip Simmons was just thirty-five years old in 1993 when he learned that he had ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and was told he had less than five years to live. As a young husband and father, and at the start of a promising literary career, he suddenly had to learn the art of dying. Nine years later, he has succeeded, against the odds, in learning the art of living.
Now, in this surprisingly joyous and spirit-renewing book, he chronicles his search for peace and his deepening relationship with the mystery of everyday life.
Set amid the rugged New Hampshire mountains he once climbed, and filled with the bustle of family life against the quiet progression of illness,
Learning to Fall illuminates the journey we all must take — “the work of learning to live richly in the face of loss.”
From our first faltering steps, Simmons says, we may fall into disappointment or grief, fall into or out of love, fall from youth or health. And though we have little choice as to the timing or means of our descent, we may, as he affirms, “fall with grace, to grace.”
With humor, hard-earned wisdom and a keen eye for life’s lessons — whether drawn from great poetry or visits to the town dump — Simmons shares his discovery that even at times of great sorrow we may find profound freedom. And by sharing the wonder of his daily life, he offers us the gift of connecting more deeply and joyously with our own.
From the Hardcover edition.
Download Description
Philip Simmons was just thirty-five years old in 1993 when he learned that he had ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, and was told he had less than five years to live. As a young husband and father, and at the start of a promising literary career, he suddenly had to learn the art of dying. Nine years later, he has succeeded, against the odds, in learning the art of living.
Now, in this surprisingly joyous and spirit-renewing book, he chronicles his search for peace and his deepening relationship with the mystery of everyday life.
Set amid the rugged New Hampshire mountains he once climbed, and filled with the bustle of family life against the quiet progression of illness, Learning to Fall illuminates the journey we all must take -- "the work of learning to live richly in the face of loss."
From our first faltering steps, Simmons says, we may fall into disappointment or grief, fall into or out of love, fall from youth or health. And though we have little choice as to the timing or means of our descent, we may, as he affirms, "fall with grace, to grace."
With humor, hard-earned wisdom and a keen eye for life's lessons -- whether drawn from great poetry or visits to the town dump -- Simmons shares his discovery that even at times of great sorrow we may find profound freedom. And by sharing the wonder of his daily life, he offers us the gift of connecting more deeply and joyously with our own.
"Philip Simmons writes with clarity and a passion for honesty, laced with wit. An extraordinary book."
ELAINE PAGELS, AUTHOR OF THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS
"Generous and genuine, like water from a deep well, halfway between a meditation and a dance, this book is an act of grace."
JACK KORNFIELD, AUTHOR OF AFTER THE ECSTASY, THE LAUNDRY
"Learning to Fall is for anyone who loves life -- or needs to love it more.... A wonderful achievement."
BALFOUR MOUNT, M.D., PROFESSOR OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE, MCGILL UNIVERSITY
"Not only has Philip Simmons figured out the meaning of life for himself; with prodigious literary grace he has figured out how to tell us too. Required reading for Basic Humanity 101."
RABBI LAWRENCE KUSHNER, AUTHOR OF INVISIBLE LINES OF CONNECTION
Customer Reviews:
A Blessing In A Book.......2007-06-24
I was in a book store last evening and this book lay on a display table surrounded by fifty other books. What attracted me to to it? The simple yet beautiful cover art? The title? I'm not sure- but for some reason I picked it up and opened it to a random page, and read, "But maybe we're asking the wrong thing of God. Rhyme and reason, after all, are human values, not divine ones. Wanting human suffering to fit some divine plan is like wanting to fly an airplane over tornado wreckage and see that it spells out song lyrics or a cure for acne." (p.29)
In the words of Jerry McGuire, the author had me at hello. I read no further and bought the book.
I had a million other things on my to-do list today, and taking half the day to read a book wasn't on the list. But I read. And I couldn't put it down. And it's ironic, since the end of the book focuses on our need to practice the art of doing nothing--and in doing what we do with an aware mind. I suspect that if the author were still alive, he would be pleased to know that I stopped my endless tasks and simply read.
It is truly a book borne of human spirit and all that is good- love, compassion, understanding, faith. It is about looking at the "bad" and seeing it for what it is-- just part of life. It is funny-- I couldn't stop laughing at some of his jokes and observations. I won't spoil them for you but I hope you enjoy his joke about the turtle and the snail as much as I did. This book will make you laugh and make you cry-- that's a trite comment I know, but it's true. And, to continue my trite comments, I couldn't put it down. I hope you won't be able to either-- because that means it touched you like it did me. I know I will re-read it soon and I hope I remember to re-read it often. As the author would say (but not out loud for fear you might question his sanity) "Namaste."
Recommended suffering the loss of a loved one or going through an emotional trauma.......2007-06-12
This book is one of compassion and caring, without being leaden or self-serving. It is a learned book of considerations of life as a transient condition of being. I have given it to many people who have suffered the loss of a loved one or who themselves are facing great trauma. It is a salve on the wound of self-doubt and loss. I recommend it highly.
Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life.......2007-05-19
Philip Simmons has a very good ability with words and his discriptions of the seasons and his own experience of losing physical abilities. He covers the various religions and the experience of living and dying.
This is for all individuals, those with chronic illnesses as well as for those who live with individuals who have chronic illness.
Beautiful writing.
Good and simple reading.......2007-02-15
I found this book at a mens retreat this past fall. I found his stories very easy to follow and helpful. His new found outlook to life under difficult times is inspiring.
I find myself trying to practice, and using simple actions and opening myself to new ideas very rewarding. Though I am no way going through his personal ordeal, I to am "falling" and hope to fall with grace.
A book for anyone, no denomination required. Enjoy life...look at the alternative!
A good book changes each time read. This is a good book.
Faling with--and not from--grace.......2006-12-31
Learning to Fall is a wonderfully enlightening and amazingly well-written book describing how suffering need not be a fall from grace if it is approached as a means of mindfully falling with grace. Although Phillip is dying from Lou Gehrig's disease, he models for the rest of us how to live more fully. In the spirit of Irvin Yalom's existential approach, by accepting his existential realities, Phillip is able to more fully engage in making his remaining days as rich as possible. May we all seek ways to find perfection in the imperfections of life!
Book Description
This celebration of Galatoire's, a restaurant renowned for its culinary art and French Quarter flair, features photographs, memorabilia, and 25 signature recipes. Presented is a description of Galatoire's appeal for New Orleans locals as well as its attraction to notable diners including Mick Jagger, Jimmy Buffett, Anne Bancroft, Mel Brooks, Richard Gere, U2, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, and Harpo Marx. Recipes for dishes such as Canape Lorenzo and Trout Marguery are included, as are quirky customs known as "the Line" and "Friday Lunch," a local tradition that occurs during the cocktail hour.
Customer Reviews:
Bourbon Street Bistro.......2005-09-06
Enjoyable walk through the long run of Galatoire's. Recommended for anyone who has eaten there as I have a number of times. You don't need to be a regular to savor the stories. Here's hoping Galatoire's returns even better after Katrina. Steve
A New Orleans Classic.......2005-07-17
Burton and Holditch lovingly recount the 120-year history of this famous eatery, synonymous for many with New Orleans itself. Along the way we are regaled with anecdotes about the Galatoire family owners (now in the fourth generation), dedicated staff, and loyal customers. From Tennessee Williams to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, an impressive parade of celebrities, socialites and royalty have dined at this New Orleans landmark. The authors also include some traditional recipes. I recommend this book to anyone who likes good food, good times, and the Big Easy.
Galatoire's: Biography of a Bistro.......2005-07-07
One-hundred-year-old Galatoire's restaurant, the greatest dining institution in New Orleans, where great restaurants are numerous, has at last found its chroniclers. Kenneth Holditch and Marda Burton, authors and long-time devotees of the place, have published Galatoire's: Biography of a Bistro, a charming, gossipy, witty account of the history and character of this famed eatery.
A Taste of New Orleans.......2005-05-27
Galatoires, as Burton and Holditch portray it, is a microcosm of New Orleans traditions reflected in the history of the Galatoire family, the loyal generations of staff, food tastes as they have evolved, and the eccentric, and sometimes famous, patrons throughout the years who have made the restaurant so successful. The layout with photographs and numerous anecdotes convey the vitality of this venerable institution. We even tried some of the recipes and created a little bit of Galatoire heaven in our own kitchen. The many facets of this book will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers. Whoever thought anyone could portray the life of a restaurant so vividly on the printed page!
Savory Read.......2005-05-27
Anyone who has an abiding affection for New Orleans and its layers of tradition should read this book. I loved it. Authors Burton and Holditch observe and participate. In so doing they seem to say to you.....here have a seat. come. dine with us.
Of course there is the history of this great restaurant which fascinted me. But beyond that, I felt as if I have been there: in the kitchen, offices, even the outside alleyways with the smell of oysters wafting through the soft Louisanna air. And beyond that still are the sometimes eccentric and quirky characters that populate the community, the kitchen, and the offices. Its a splendid cook's tour done with integrity and savoir faire.
Book Description
From the tremendously successful "Just Pets" series, abridged and condensed to an appealing 7 x 5 5/8 inch format. The books in our "Half Pint" series have all the charm and appeal of their bigger cousins. 96 pages and 100 color photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect Photo and Story Book For Labrador People!.......2003-03-22
For someone like me who has spent countless hours, days and weeks in the company of four or more Labrador Retrievers, this book is a hoot. It takes light-hearted look at Labradors, sharing a bounty of beautiful photographs of man's best friends with us, and looking at the personality traits and character qualities that make them the single most popular breed in America today. Labs are among the most social of canines, yet they are remarkably calm and pacific once they know you. Which isn't to deny the fact that they are very active and energetic, and that anyone who lives with one needs to ensure the dog and he or she spend sopme time outside in vigorous play every day. But as the author tells us, we love labradors because they seem to represent the best and most admirable qualities we happen to admire.
Labradors are amazingly loyal, and are quite keyed into your emotional state and sense of well-being. As a person who sometimes suffers from migraines, I can attest that the dogs seem to reconize my symptoms and key their own behavior from this perception of the way I am feeling, being much more willing to simply take a nap with me than usual, since they seem to understand from past experience that the migraine will dirve me back to bed. They show many endearing and remarkable traits, and we find ourselves amazed by just how intelligent, perceptive, and attractive they are as a species.
Labradors also live almost exclusively in the moment, and are ethusiastic and energetic in their pursuit of fun and frolic. Anyone living in their company can attest to the fact that you are never at a loss for entertainment when your Labrador friend is around, and he or she are happy to just be with you, and are almost oo willing and too anxious to show you just how excited they are to have you around. Coming home after a long day's work means a kidn of instant celebration, with four Labradors jumping, barking, and wall-banging, so glad are they to have me back home with them. Find a human who is that glad to see you, and you have found true love, my friend. Yet it is all here in spades with the Labradors, and this entertaining little book will seerve to amuse you, educate you, and sometimes surprise you with its nuggets of information, parcels of knowledge, and bits of wisdom about just why it is that Labradors rule the roost around my house! Enjoy!
Dog photos..........2001-05-15
Ask any photography instructor, and he will say, "I don't want to see any puppy and kitty pictures!" How wrong they are. Dale does a great job of presenting the working Lab in everyday situations, from the field trial to the duck blind and the upland field, and he does it with a great sense of humor.
This book, however, is not a training manual. If you're wondering how to train Labs to do what Dale shows them doing, check out Mike Gould's "The Labrador Shooting Dog". Another great look at working Labs is Paul and Julie Knutsons' "The Pointing Labrador." Both books have great photographs of Labs in action, by the way, and the training techniques to back them up.
... hmmm ..........2001-03-15
I was very much taken by the cover shot when I first saw this book on Amazon, the reviews too, seemed rather encouraging ... when the book arrived, I was expecting the rest of the photographs to be of similar or better quality ... am a little disappointed.
If this is an instructional book on how to raise or train Labradors, quality of photographs would not be so critical ... but its a pictorial book, and for some reason, quite a few of the photographs are missing that little extra ingredient which makes for really good photography ... perhaps if the photos had been more tightly edited, it might have made a difference ... At US$35 the book is not inexpensive, and there are better alternatives around ... just do a quick search, under photography and Labradors.
A perfect gift for the lab-lover, and a treasure in our.......2000-07-25
collection. The book is full of great photos paying equal homage to the "field" vs. "English" labs, and does not disciminate over color. His photography skills capture the personalities of the breed, and the depth of the relationships between dog and handler. The captions are perfect, and some will bring a tear to the eye of even the most stoic of us all.
The book is slanted toward field work, domestic life and hunting activities, rather than conformance or obedience work. My husband loved this as a gift, and he is nearly impossible to buy for. All in all, though, it is a beautiful tribute to this remarkable breed.
Just for your Enjoyment.......2000-07-25
Just Labs is a book of few words an magnificent photography. This is not a book that will tell you how to raise your dog, or what kind of food to feed it, or what dog won best of show 10 years ago. It will amuse you and is guaranteed to sit on your desk at work, your coffee table, or your nightstand as a book that will make you smile. It is very easy to read and quite humorous. One section reads:
"Someone once said that it's possible to train a Lab by treating him like a three-year old child; if so then it's no wonder Labs and kids are so inseparable. Imagine a guardian who never sleeps, one with the eyes and ears to rival the best security system ever devised, one that knows roads are bad things and will steer your youngster away from them. At the same time, they realize that a short little kid with an ice-cream cone is like a gift from God."
If you want a fun book to just make you smile, this book is for you.
Book Description
The Labrador retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the country, according to the AKC. And no wonder: Labs are big, beautiful, and all personality. Each picture captures Labs being Labs - at home, at play, and in the field.
Book Description
The Labrador retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the country, according to the AKC. And no wonder: Labs are big, beautiful, and all personality. Each picture captures Labs being Labs - at home, at play, and in the field.
Book Description
The Labrador retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the country, according to the AKC. And no wonder: Labs are big, beautiful, and all personality. Each photo captures Labs being Labs - at home, at play, and in the field.
Customer Reviews:
Labs, the Best Dogs.......2007-02-12
My wife never had a dog until we got Skippy, a black Lab who was supposed to replace my late, lamented Roy, a Shepherd mix who died at fourteen. She haas been very happy with his happy-go-lucky ways and extended puppyhood. This calendar gives her a different way to look at himn every month, and she likes that.
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Just Black Labs 2008 Calendar (Just)
Manufacturer: Willow Creek Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar
General
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ASIN: 1595434690 |
Book Description
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the country, according to the AKC. And no wonder: Labs are big, beautiful, and all personality. Each photo captures Labs being Labs - at home, at play, and in the field.
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Just Chocolate Labs 2008 Calendars (Just)
Willow Creek Press
Manufacturer: Willow Creek Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar
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ASIN: 1595434860 |
Book Description
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the country, according to the AKC. And no wonder: Labs are big, beautiful, and all personality. Each picture captures Labs being Labs - at home, at play, and in the field.
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Just Lab Puppies 2008 Calendar (Just)
Willow Creek Press
Manufacturer: Willow Creek Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar
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ASIN: 1595435212 |
Book Description
Chubby, soft, playful…all the charms of Labrador puppies are captured in these 12 adorable photos.
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JUST LABS
Manufacturer: Willow Creek Minocqua, WI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 064158038X |
Product Description
From the Publisher -- The Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the country, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). And no wonder: Labs are big, beautiful, and all personality. They are also friendly and loving, courageous and proud, tenacious and athletic. And, most of all, they are loyal. -- Now these remarkable dog-companions are celebrated in a book as big and beautiful as the breed itself. Just Labs is a lavishly produced photographic tribute to these unique animals and their masters (who number in the millions). More than 200 color photos, accompanied by warm and insightful text, depict Labs being Labs-at home, at play, and, especially, in the field where the breed's attributes achieve epiphany.
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Just Labs 2006 16-Month Wall Calendar
Willow Creek Press
Manufacturer: Willow Creek Press
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Binding: Calendar
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ASIN: 1595430954 |
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American Iridescent Stretch Glass: Identification & Value Guide
John Madeley , and
David J. Shetlar
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1574320327 |
Customer Reviews:
An interesting read.......2007-09-28
This is a detailed and fun book. It's probably what you're looking for. It contains clear descriptions, many quality pictures, suggestions about variations among species, safety considerations, and a helpful rating scale of very low to very high potency, also making it clear when the potency is unknown. For me, I chose to partner this book with a larger book which includes all species, just so I'm clear what I'm looking at and for, especially when it comes to ingestion, better to be extra careful, right?
Completes the collection.......2007-09-02
Most mushroom guides don't include these specimens, so a good addition to your field guides....
Why this book is vital to humanity as a whole.......2006-06-12
So many people are utterly consumed with their work life that they are avidly avoiding a spiritual experience, which is at the heart of what is ideal. This book may help serve as a gentlemenly guide to embarking on an organized hunt for fungi and an organized understanding of how to incorporate them into personal experience. Although some may argue with me, I would say this is actually high level reading.
The book provides the following:
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms
How to identify them while hunting outdoors
Tips on ingesting them and experiencing them
Pictures and diagrams to help identify them
Individual species descriptions
Poisonous look alikes
Includes a forward by renowned physician Dr. Andrew Weil
There is a wealth of info in this book and it is the best book on this subject.
This is the one..........2006-05-18
...you're looking for. I've read a few books on the subject. If you want to hunt with confidence, than here ya' go.
Outstanding guide by one of the world's leading mycologists.......2005-03-04
This lavishly photo-illustrated and smoothly-written book details all of the psilocybin-containing mushrooms generally known up to the date of publication, including those outside of the species Psilocybe and some extremely rare ones known only from a single location or from a single event (sometimes mysterious magic mushrooms crop up after storms but are never seen again unless spores are taken from them and grown under controlled conditions).
Stamets explains the often-conflicting taxonomy of Psilocybe mushrooms (one species, for example, received two different names because two writing teams who had travelled together wrote it up separately -- one published first and *their* name has "priority," even though some people use the name given by the other team; despite the name difference the mushroom described is the same species).
Stamets is no prude. He writes quite bluntly about psilocybin-containing mushrooms (including his own tripping on them), and he is EXTREMELY (and justly) critical of other mycologists who not only refuse to describe such mushrooms, but, in one case Stamets cites, have said that it is better for people to die from eating poisonous mushrooms than for people to be able to safely identify psilocybin-containing mushrooms! Stamets gives descriptions and photos of poisonous look-alike mushrooms and gives a step-by-step identification procedure for the psilocybin 'shrooms. In most cases identification is straightforward and can be done within a few minutes; in other cases look-alikes can be lethal and suspect mushrooms have to be carefully gone over to avoid poisoning.
One extemely curious phenomenon which Stamets describes are cases in which people have "tripped" on mushrooms which are generally considered non-poisonous and which were from species which are not supposed to contain *any* psychoactive chemicals; Stamets speculates that if these cases are genuine, they may represent instances in which the biochemistry of one individual reacted in a completely unpredictable and near-unique way to a "normal" mushroom. (I have heard of some people whose bodies can *naturally* manufacture ethanol from the ordinary sugars in food in sufficient quantites to become drunk without ever having consumed liquid alcohol; these freak instances of people tripping on non-pyshoactive mushrooms may represent something similar -- rare individuals whose bodies can convert innocuous chemicals into psychoactive ones; since the reported cases have been people who didn't intend to eat a magic mushroom in the first place, and who have probably sworn off mushroom eating forever as a result of their experience, the likelihood of a repeat occurence with a given individual is probably close to zero. Still, the fact that such an unexpected event has occurred at all underscores a couple of points which Stamets makes again and again: don't eat any wild mushroom which you have not positively identified, and don't gorge yourself on a species which you *have* identified until you have taken a small sample to see how your own body reacts to them.)
One interesting feature of the book is an estimate of the relative potency of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and an explanation of why some cultivated mushrooms differ widely in potency even though they belong to the same species. Some members of the species Psilocybe actually don't contain any psilocybin at all, but apparently all members of the species either taste bad or are too chewy to be used for food, even the non-psychoactive ones.
The only weakness of the book is that it does not contain a section describing the numerous cultivated varieties of P. cubensis, which vary greatly in appearance and growing requirements (and, according to the vendors, at least) in potency. Many of these varieties have doubtless "gone wild" (Stamets says that the grounds of universities and the outside of courthouses are two of the best places to hunt "wild" psilocybin mushrooms!), but there is only one listing for the species with photos of what are presumably wild varities not derived from artificial selection by growers.
Stamets is a true fan of mushrooms and his commercial website (he doesn't sell psilocybin mushrooms, by the way) gives examples of how mushrooms can be used in bioremediation of polluted lands and used to improve the yields of crops. Stamets points out that one of the best places to look for wild muchrooms is on land which has just been hit by a storm or where humans have just ravaged it to put up or tear down a building. Although Stamets has not gone as far off the deep end as did Terrence McKenna and his brother (writing under their own names or as "Ott and Osric"), it is apparent that he, like many other partakers of magic mushrooms, believes them to be a vital part of Gaia and their spread by humans to be part of planetary evolution. As a simple example, those hunting for "magic" mushrooms will (whether deliberately or not) carry magic mushroom spores back from where they are found, but they will also carry the spores of other species which grow nearby and are, in their turn, vital ecological components even if they aren't psychoactive: just growing *near* a psychoactive mushroom gives other mushrooms an evolutionary advantage as their spores are dispersed by primates anxious to go tripping but whose hair or fur or clothes brush against other species of mushroom and carry their spores to another location. It becomes easy to see why some people believe that psychoactive mushrooms (especially the Psilocybe species) have co-evolved with humans as a means to enhance the biosphere of Gaia.
I give this book five well-deserved stars. I know of know other book which contains so much information about magic mushroom history and mycology and provides such clear-cut and easy to follow steps for identifying the psilocybin-containg species. If nothing else it is beautiful to look at. *****
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Ready-to-Use Art Deco Alphabets: Eight Decorative Faces in Three Sizes (Dover Clip Art)
Dan Solo
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
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Book Description
Each volume features eight complete alphabets, most in both upper and lowercase plus numerals and punctuation marks, in three convenient sizes — 24, 36 and 48 point — instantly usable without statting.
Book Description
METAFONT is a system for the design of symbols and alphabetic characters suited to raster-based devices that print or display text. The construction of a typeface is an art form and this manual is written for people who wish to advance the quality of mathematical typesetting.
The METAFONTbook enables readers, with only minimal computer science or word processing experience, to master the basic as well as the more advanced features of METAFONT programming. With this manual, readers will learn how to write a program using METAFONT that can customize a type design that already exists, create an entire alphabet from scratch, and create logos or special symbols.
Customer Reviews:
Well, if you care about archaic technology.......2000-12-13
Once upon a time, MF represented the best hope for outline font technology. Then came PostScript, Type 1 fonts, ATM and it became moot. It's a nice graphic programming language and for some mathematically-derived designs it's easier to work with than is, say, Fontographer or Fontlab, but the output is mired in the bitmap world (valiant MF2PS efforts notwithstanding).
Serious students of MF will also need the Computer Modern Typefaces book. And possibly a healthy dose of liquor. But as I said, the language is actually kind of nice (and MF can be used as a simple algebraic calculator if you're so inclined).
It's really paperbound.......2000-12-04
Most of the people who order this book will already know quite a bit about it, so I won't say much about the book itself. I will point out, though, that it is softcover, not hardcover. (The book linked to by the "softcover" link is spiral bound.) On the other hand, I haven't succeeded in locating any copies of the "real" hardcover edition.
Book Description
LaTeX is the premier software system used for presenting scientific and technical information on the printed page, being the system of choice for writers in mathematics, the sciences, computer science, and engineering. It is also increasingly used by nontechnical writers interested in superior printing and document presentation. Authors wishing to take full advantage of this powerful software often have questions that go beyond how to use the basic style files or commands. For example, how can you integrate any of the high quality commercial fonts that are available? How can you typeset mathematics in anything other than the original TeX fonts? How can you generate complex graphics for use in a LaTeX document? What Internet resources are available to a LaTeX author? How can you connect TeX and LaTeX to everyday office software? In general, writers need clear, accurate, and concise instructions, solutions, and explanations for common problems and situations. This unique book provides this assistance, containing many examples and summaries of procedures to follow. TeX Unbound will be the reference of choice for every writer wishing to express technical information.
Customer Reviews:
MetaPost fans will *love* Chapter 13!.......2001-12-05
Alan Hoenig's book is a real tour-de-force when it comes to discussing TeX's arcane font-handling. If you want to learn how to install fonts for use with TeX, this is the book for you. Virtual fonts, PostScript fonts, MetaFont +... they're all covered. Want to mix-and-match new maths typefaces -- you'll find nearly 30 pages of examples (the "Rogues' Gallery").
It is quite apparent, to me anyway, that the author has a love of typography and you'll find lots of examples and hints for good "typographic style".
The book abounds with examples of what is possible -- if you think "TeX = Maths only", think again. As this book shows, TeX is about fine typesetting -- whether mathematical or straight text.
It is, as others have commented, quite an eclectic mix of topics, but, for me, one topic makes the book's price worthwhile -- the coverage of MetaPost (John Hobby's graphics programming language). MetaPost is a little "tricky" to learn, so the fact that the author devoted a whole chapter to it (Chapter 13 -- some MetaFont too), is what made me buy the book.
Personally, I would like to see more MetaPost at the expense, perhaps, of some of the more exotic font material, but that's a personal preference. The MetaPost examples are well chosen, and well explained. If this book comes out in a second edition, I'd ask the author to (at least) double the size of the MetaPost chapter -- good introductory information on MetaPost programming is very hard to find :-(. Publishers, please publish a book about MetaPost!
Overall, this is not the sort of book you'd read in one sitting, but you'll certainly find yourself dipping into it on a regular basis to make use of the wealth of ideas, tips + tricks.
Nice one Professor Hoenig, but more MetaPost, please :-)
Best discussion on TeX/LaTeX and fonts yet.......1999-08-10
I'll agree that this book is a bit of a hodgepodge of issues on the TeX/LaTeX typesetting systems. One of the various topics covered, however, and as I recall it's also the most extensive part, is a comprehensive discussion on one of the most arcane of all TeX issues, that of fonts. Even after many years of experience as a fairly advanced end user, I realized, while reading that book, that there were, to my shame, countless details I had up-to-now failed to _really_ understand. The discussion on the use and installation of type-1 fonts alone, to my mind, is well worth the price.
The discussion on graphics, while interesting, cannot obviously be compared to the definitive work by Goosens, Rahtz et al., but it doesn't take anything away from my general appreciation: it's one of the few books on TeX/LaTeX in recent memeory that made me feel I was actually learning something I didn't know. Hoenig makes a point of using a rich, fluent, and extremely acurate prose which further enhances the reading enjoyment.
Is it a beginner's book? Is it an advanced text? I dunno........1999-06-10
I'll admit I'm just a LaTeX junkie who doesn't have a lot of time for plain TeX commands. I picked up this book because it looked as though it had some LaTeX stuff on fonts in it, and I was bored. Once again, I had recently skimmed my way through Knuth's "TeX Book" in yet another ill-fated effort to motivate myself to learn some plain TeX commands. ("\hsize" in TeX, "\hspace" in LaTeX--oh, I'll just confuse myself.) The short Appendix in this book (for which Hoenig is way too apologetic) which starts the reader out on TeX was much more fun to read, and I immediately sat down, picked up Knuth's bible to use as a reference, and re-coded some of my LaTeX documents into plain TeX, all the while muttering, "This isn't too onerous. Hmmmm, maybe in a couple of weeks I'll write my own TeX style set." The LaTeX Appendix is less successful as a primer, but that's okay because you aren't really buying this book for the appendicies. Or are you? The rest of the work deals with advanced topics regarding fonts and graphics and is set forth in lucid fashion with a good and concrete discussion of the NFSS. (Why is it that most of these TeX/LaTeX books are so vague and nebulous concerning fonts? This book proves that you can concisely write about TeX fonts without forcing the reader to read between the lines or piece together nuggets of wisdom from multiple sources.)
Sure, it's geared toward advanced TeX users, I think. But LaTeX afficianados should give it a look or at least buy it and photocopy that little Appendix to pass around to friends.
A great resource for the font freaks.......1998-07-22
Alan Hoenig's "TeX Unbound" is a very remarkable book which differs greatly from any other TeX-related book seen so far. This is not a book about using TeX or LaTeX; it is about related topics that are equally important to good typography, namely setting up and making proper use of PostScript fonts, and creating high-quality graphics illustrations with TeX-friendly methods.
The first five chapters provide a brief but comprehensive overview about TeX, LaTeX, METAFONT and METAPOST, with particular emphasis on how it all fits together, how the production cycle works, and what kinds of files are involved. While the material is generally adequate, it might be a little terse at times, and the coverage of recent TeX distributions and Internet resources is not quite as up-to-date as one might have wished.
The second part, comprising chapters 6--10, is one of the greatest strengths of "TeX Unbound" and delves deeply into the topic of fonts. Starting fr! om the basics of setting up a standard font family, it moves on to more and more fancy and extraordinary applications, covering a wealth of material you don't find anywhere else. For example, it explains how to generate special effects fonts, or how to set up a font family containing alternate character sets or symbols. This part is rounded off by a chapter on math fonts, followed by 30 pages of examples showing how various combinations of well-known text typefaces might be used together with the few choices of math fonts currently available.
Finally, the third part of _TeX Unbound_, comprising chapters 11--15, discusses graphics applications, with particular emphasis on TeX-friendly methods such as METAFONT and METAPOST, the PSTricks package, PicTeX, or MFpic.
If there is any other book that covers a similar range of topics as "TeX Unbound", it might be "The LaTeX Graphics Companion" which, however, sets different priorities.
In the area of fonts, &! quot;TeX Unbound" is clearly the winner. While "T! he LaTeX Graphics Companion" has a good coverage of the basics, "TeX Unbound" goes far beyond that, providing the deepest and most comprehensive coverage of the topic ever published so far.
In the area of graphics, both books are about equally good in their coverage of some of the best methods, but "The LaTeX Graphics Companion" covers a wider range of graphics applications, including quite a few methods you don't find in "TeX Unbound". Nevertheless, "TeX Unbound" provides enough to get you started.
In summary, "TeX Unbound" is a great resource if you like playing with fonts (and if you have a sufficient range of typefaces at your disposal). If your primary interest lies in designing graphics illustrations, "TeX Unbound
<" does a good job of what it covers, but it is not the most comprehensive reference available.
Book Description
"Diner has neither idolized nor debunked the Jewish leaders who sought to help blacks achieve a better life. What she has done, and this should be a model for others writing ethnic history, is to examine the complexities that motivated one group of individuals to help another." -- Labor History
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