Book Description
Volume 1 of two-volume work. Almost single-handed discovery of Maya culture; exploration of ruined cities, monuments, temples; customs of Indians. Total in set: 115 drawings.
Customer Reviews:
Thoroughly enjoying this book for the second time...........2006-11-23
I realize that not everyone shares my taste in literature, but if you are an armchair adventurer (or a real adventurer) with a refined sense of humor, I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy this book, as well as Volume II. Many evenings, after a grueling day in the office, John L. Stephens transported me to another place and time with his excellent gift for writing, eye for detail and sense of humor that frequently had me waking my poor spouse with irrepressible laughter. As an author, explorer and humorist with the subtlest of wits, I place Stephens in the ranks with Mark Twain, and that is the ultimate compliment. Enjoy.
Good Read.......2006-07-11
Havnt quite finished reading but this is an interesting journal of the events experienced, people encountered and travels of Mr. Stephens as he visits Central America.
A glimpse in Central American history.......2005-07-26
I think this book is fascinating for two types of people:
- Those who are interested in the history of Central America, who will see in Stephens a witness of time
- Those very familiar with Central America's geography (specially Guatemala's), who will enjoy reading Stephens' descriptions of many places that (in their majority) still exist
In 1839, at 34, John L. Stephens was appointed as "United States Minister" - a sort of US envoy - for Central America (which at the time was still one country). Stephens was a serial traveler: 5 years ago, he had visited Eastern Europe (Greece, Turkey, Russia and Poland) and the Middle East (Egypt and Syria), and had already published a couple of books about these trips.
Stephens decided to combine his diplomatic duty with his interest in searching for Mayan ruins in the region. By October, he embarked with his friend Frederick Catherwood (another extensive traveller) in a trip that would take them to what was (already) a politically convulsed region.
At the time, Central America was filled with political turmoil. The largest state of the country, Guatemala, had basically fallen in the hands of Rafael Carrera, a non-educated peasant. Carrera refused to recognize the authority of Francisco Morazán who, based in San Salvador, was at least in theory, the President of the Central American confederation. Rumours, political intrigues and suspicions abounded at the time.
And so, in this setting, Stephens got into a boat, and after a few days in Belize, travelled (by boat again) to the Caribbean shore of Guatemala. He entered the country through Rio Dulce and touched land in a small village in the shores of the Izabal Lake.
Starting there, Stephens made a trip, generally by mule's back, that took him to Zacapa, Chiquimula, Copan (in Honduras), Esquipulas, Guastatoya, Guatemala City (already established by then where it is now), Antigua Guatemala, Escuintla, Iztapa (in the Pacific shores) and Amatitlán. He later took a boat and went to El Salvador, and then to Costa Rica, where he disembarked and returned to Guatemala by land.
Apparently, Stephens was one of the first "adventure tourists" of modern times. He ascended many volcanoes and spent a considerable time in Copan, cleaning up the forrest that was still covering the ruins and helping his friend Catherwood to draw reproductions of the ruins (these drawings are included in the book). In addition, and as part of his diplomatic duties, he met some of the leading political figures of the time, like Carrera himself.
Stephens not only did all the above, but ended up writing a very nice and enjoyable book that describes very well what he saw and thought at the time.
In short, this book is a rare jewel that allows the reader to better imagine how was life and nature in Central America in the middle of the XIX century.
(Note: the review above is based on Volume I - a book that curiously did not exist in Amazon's inventory at the time of my reading in 2005. Being respectful of my own past review, I havent' changed it. The next paragraphs though, are 2007 additions in which I comment on Volume 2)
If the reader enjoyed Vol 1, she/he will surely find Vol 2 a satisfying read. Vol 2 starts in Nicaragua, and continues in El Salvador, where Mr Stephens continues in his search of a Central American government. I will not delve into the details of all of Mr Stephens' adventures. Suffice it to say that he gets to meet the recently defeated Francisco Morazán, meets Rafael Carrera (again), travels through the Guatemalan western highlands, gets to know the story of the Los Altos state, crosses the border to Mexico, visits Palenque and Uxmal, finally returning to the US.
Its particularly interesting to read Stephens' account of Carrera and his young government. The fact that Carrera was even known at the time as the King of the Indians is an interesting point to notice -any reader knowledgeable with Guatemala's history and societal dynamics could extrapolate this to many events of the past 50 years.
Also interesting is Stephens' rebuttal of previous accounts regarding the difficulty of visiting ruins like the ones in Palenque. The more widely known stories at the time created the impression that visiting the ruins was full of dangers. Always the practical and matter-of-factly adventurer, Stephens bluntly says that they are (were) untrue, and that the greatest hardships he and Mr Catherwood endured were due to the unstable revolutionary state of the countries.
If the reader is interested or has knowledge of archaeology, he/she must also know that Vol 2 has plenty detailed descriptions and diagrams prepared by Mr Catherwood (who in my opinion was a very gifted artist, being able to draw the intrincated details of many Mayan ruins).
I strongly recommend Vol 2 to anyone interested in Central American history, archaeology, the mayans, or true old-fashioned adventure travel.
timless classic.......2003-03-15
This is a Must read for anyone with even a passing interest in the mayan culture. Still easy to read even though it was written over 150 years ago! Imagine you are one of the first explores to adventure into the the jungles of the Yucatan and vist the ancient cities hidden in the jungle. I wish I had read this book before My trip to the Yucatan, would have made my trip that much more enjoyable! The Catherwood engravings are spectacular! I also recomemend the The Thriller A Tourist In The Yucatana modern day adventure amoung the same ruins!
ADVENTURE TRAVEL WRIGHTING AT ITS BEST!.......2002-12-07
This is a must read for any one with an interest in the ancient Mayan culture an ruin sites. the other reviewers have summed this book up great, but I just wanted to throw in my two cents.
Book Description
Volume 1 of 2-volume set. Classic (1843) exploration of jungles of Yucatan, looking for evidences of Maya civilization. Extensive accounts of 44 Maya sites as well as of Yucatan folkways, manners, dress, ceremonies, amusements — all of which makes this a great travel book. Total in set: 127 engravings. 1 map.
Customer Reviews:
Dover Edition Much Better.......2006-05-29
The two volume Dover edition is much much better. This is watered down, and doesn't contain the important details that make it so interesting. It has very few of the illustrations found in the two volume set. This was a big let down. I bought this thinking it was similar to the Dover addition which a friend of mine owned.
Gutted by Ackerman.......2005-05-05
Now here's a publishing phenomenon. Stephens publishes his first book on the Maya and it is hailed by Edgar Allen Poe, among others, as "perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published". His second book on the Maya, the one for sale on this page, was called "better than its brother" by William Hickling Prescott. 153 years slip by, and a new edition of "Incidents of Travel in Yucatan" is published by none other than Smithsonian Books.
I made the mistake of assuming the new edition, coming from Smithsonian Books, would be of high quality. How wrong I was.
Mr. Ackerman, in his own words, has reduced the text of this classic "by two thirds, but aims to preserve the spirit and essence of the original work". That's right, this "editor" cuts out 67% of one of the greatest works of literature in history, and has the impudence and effrontery to say he aims to preserve the book's spirit and essence. Then, taking the concept of hubris to a new level, he puts his name on the cover under that of the author--as though he had actually added something.
He has added nothing, only subtracted. Besides the 67% of the text, he also removed the name of Frederick Catherwood, who did the marvelous drawings, from the cover.
In the introduction, there is not the slightest hint of shame for the gut job, which he describes: "I have eliminated Stephens' description of the journeys to and from the region...I have tightened Stephens' prose, eliminated the detailed measurements of buildings and mounds, and excised long historical digressions and anecdotes...I have not used ellipses to indicate compression..."
With all the eliminations and excisions and hackings, Ackerman elects to leave in place misspellings because they "reveal Stephens' character and time". Let me get this straight. Historical digressions and anecdotes, admired by the likes of Poe and Prescott, must be cut. But misspellings must be preserved to reveal character and time? What sort of a wacky caricature of a scholar did the Smithsonian Scholarly Book Fund give a grant to?
I have tried to fathom why a person with an interest in archaeology and history and literature would maim a book in this fashion, but I'm at a loss. One would expect this sort of thing if Spielberg were making a biopic about Stephens. Then, the cuts would be necessary to fit the story into a 90-minute slot while keeping enough space for a sassy love interest and a talking jaguar. But this is a fantastic book that eight generations of readers from around the world have loved in its entirety.
Where is the Dover edition?
Stephens, "et al..." a disappointment.......2001-12-15
(Is there a way to give it no stars?)
A great disappointment to fans of Stephens and Catherwood. If you're looking for the real thing - this isn't it.
More properly titled:
"Karl Akerman's Unfortunate Abridgment of Stephens' and Catherwood's Incidents of Travel in Yucatan," this 286 page compilation is abridged, elided, and largely meaningless for anyone wishing to get the look and feel of the 600 pages of the two original volumes brilliantly written and illustrated by John Lloyd Stephens And Frederick Catherwood.
This book barely resembles the two original books, as it's missing a tremendous amount of historically styled and interesting text - and around 100 of Catherwood's exquisite drawings.
Go hunt down the Dover two volume edition - gladly pay the price - and settle in for a stunning read that hasn't been repurposed as an overview for the modern casual traveler to the Yucatan.
Amazing journey.......2001-11-20
I cannot believe that I read this book. I started because of a long trip and there was nothing else handy. Take my word for it, as travel memoirs go this one is among the best; Lewis and Clark included. I was quite ingrossed with the whole story.
Excellent and amazing.......2001-03-14
If you have ever been or are planning a trip to the ruin sites of the Yucatan this is a must read book! written over 150 years ago it still holds up today. It is a fascinating look at the early exploration of the Ancient Mayan cities lost to the jungle. Reading this book will make your trip much more enjoyable and educational. On a lighter note, I also recommend the thriller "A Tourist in the Yucatan" set in the modern day yucatan--nothing to heavy, but a good beach read.
Customer Reviews:
Red Star or Stars & Stripes?.......2007-07-24
Wall Street & the Bolshevik Revolution is a fabulous book. It underpins the facts rather than widely misinformed fantasy about world history. Sutton doses a superb job.
Business Is Business.......2007-04-18
Communism is monopoly Capitalism. That seems to be the conclusion reached by famous, powerful US business chiefs. And where there's monopoly there's a trapped market. In the early 1900s Russia was a market ready to be exploited, rich in mineral wealth. Sutton presents his case that the Russian revolutionaries were basically puppets of American imperialism. On the first page is a cartoon from a 1911 edition of the St. Louis Post-Despatch depicting Karl Marx being congratulated by a crowd of Wall St financiers plus president Teddy Roosevelt.
The book is only just over 200 pages long so obviously it doesn't provide a full picture of the circumstances of the revolution, and there are a few factual errors, which another reviewer pointed out.
For further reading about the life of Lev Bronstein (a.k.a. Trotsky) in New York, see Danger My Ally by F.A. Mitchell-Hedges. In that book it is revealed that Bronstein knew diamond merchant Mike Meyerowitz (Hedges' employer at the time) who was based at 120 Broadway (that address is the subject of a whole chapter of Sutton's book). Apparently, in 1916, Bronstein was half-starved and had been sleeping in a doorway for 3 nights when Hedges bumped into him in November of that year. Hedges then put him up in his NY apartment for 3 weeks. At that time Bronstein had recently been sacked from his job working for a small Jewish newspaper on the East Side. After 3 weeks, Hedges returned one day to find Bronstein gone with a note left behind saying, "I must go without saying goodbye. I will not forget. Bronstein." During those 3 weeks, Hedges says that Bronstein spent his time drinking pints of coffee and writing. Later, in 1919, Hedges says he was approached by UK intelligence chief Basil Thomson to spy on Trotsky and that it was considered a matter of vital importance by the UK government: "There are a great many things we want to find out urgently," but Hedges refused. He didn't like Bronstein's cooking.
Big Capitalism Loves Big Communism.......2007-02-20
Anthony Sutton's WALL STREET AND THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION is a series of case studies of powerful U.S. executives catering to the Bolsheviks or Communists beginning in the early 1920s. Sutton cites U.S. business leaders from the budding electronics industry, oil, agriculture, etc. who worked to subsidize the Communists and literally saved the Communist Revolution which tragically ruined the Soviet people and later those of Eastern Europe and Asia.
Sutton explores a supposed Red Cross mission which was political and not humanitarian. These people helped to provide food and business connections to Lenin & co. at a critical time when the Bolsheviks faced civil war with the Whites and a Polish invasion. The fact is that without U.S. business executives both in the "private sector" and government, the Bolshevik Revolution would have failed. Lenin's only solution to the bitter protest to his revolution was the use repression and concentration camps. Readers should note that Lenin had more political executions his first year in power than all the Czars, including the tyrannical Nicholus I (1825-1855)had in the 19th. century.
One interesting anecdote is Sutton's comments of the General Electric executives bankrolling the Soviets' hydroelectric projects beginning in the 1920s. One of the largest if not the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world was/is in the old Soviet Union. This facility helped the Soviets industrialize their empire quickly even at the expense of the poor souls who had to work on it.
Sutton is clear that Wall Street executives worked tirelessly to uphold the new Soviet regime. One wonders how the Soviets ever paid for any of this largesse of technology, industry, and huge projects. The fact is, the U.S. international business executives were most likely paid via the sucker U.S. taxpayers.
One of those corporate executives who was close to Lenin was the oil tycoon, Armand Hammer. His help was indispensable to Lenin and his supporters, and Lenin had Armand Hammer's portrait in his office. The Bolsheviks and later the Stalinoids were only too glad to do business with "The Running Dogs of Yankee Capitalism."
The agrument may be posed that the Cold War is over. Sutton's book is still useful. During recent U.S. military capers in Iraq and Afghanistan, some alert folks have cited the fact that America's wicked enemies are using U.S. made weapons and technology. This is exactly what Sutton alludes to regarding the death of U.S. military personnel re the Korean and Vietnam wars. While the names of the players (the enemies) have changed, the pattern is the same. There is credible evidence that the Saudi ruling family are arming Sunni insurgents in Iraq. This is similiar to the American authorities arming, directly or indirectly, the North Koreans,the Chinese Communists, and the North Vietnamese during the Cold War. Another interesting anecdote is the fact that during the build-up to the recent Iraq and Afghan Wars, a U.S. business executive was asked about the morality of arming and supplying "the other side." His response was that he would sell to anyone as long as they could pay for it. One should note that Reagan and Bush both supported Osama Bin Laden in teh 1980s when the Afghan rebels fought agains the Soviets. Then Pres. Reagan was warned but to no avail.
Maybe Sutton's book is an exposure or Orwellain wars and political machinations. The fact the Soviet authorities continued a Cold War for so long enabled U.S. authorities to spy and persecute U.S. citizens while for being Communists while doing big business with Big Communism. Pres. Nixon made a political career attacking Communists here in the U.S. while extending diplomatic and political overtures to the Communist Chinese and the Soviets. The wicked Communists did not play fair. The worst thing happened to the Communists when peace broke out, and they did have the Yankee Imperialist Devils to fear.
Anthony's book is instructive in that the examples and case studies sound all too familiar given the continuation of war scares and shooting wars. The only difference is the change of the enemies. Anthony Sutton's book is still relavent.
The most ridiculis thing I have ever read.......2007-01-22
This book not only streches conspiracy to the limit but it certanly distorts the Russian Revolution itself. Apperantly the American elite funded the revolution to build and control its economy, why than was there no economy to speak of after 14 different armies from 14 different capitalist countries attacked the Russian working class to strangle the revolution at its birth from fear that people in their own country would rise against them. Dear ignorant people until then the country was controled by the working class politicaly and economicaly after that Stalin took control of the state smashed its socialist qualities and built a government and economy not at all socialist but state owned capitalist and so forth rose the abomonation called Stalinism not to be mistaken with socialism. The auther is one of many who immediately assumes that communism is "bad", but if any of you were simply to pick up the book "Das Kapital" writen by Karl Marx the inventor of socialism and see what socialism is you would be stearing at a wall in dismay thinking what is all the hype about. Poeple democracy is a socialist idea hellllooo before socialism it did not exist. I do not see at all how the elite supporting the revolution was to profit since the revolution itself was about ending supression of the working class, which is really how the elite profits, and returning not only political power to the people but also giving them full control of the economy and abandoning private and government ownership the latter was brought back by Stalin.
Sutton deserves more credit than he gets!.......2006-11-29
Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution uncovers and documents the how the richest of the rich wall street bankers and business people funded the bolshevik revolution. Sutton follows the paper trail and shows how people who on the surface would be seemingly at the opposite end of the spectrum covertly funded and promoted communism. Further proof that the left/right divide at the high levels is a total hoax.
Sutton deserves more credit than he gets because he actually did much of the research and leg work that has helped expose the new world order conspiracy. His stuff is often rehashed in other, much more well known, peoples work.
Customer Reviews:
Could it be true?.......2007-05-12
This book puts forth the argument that during the 1910s, a small group of big financial players in the US lent material and financial support to the Bolsheviks in Russia. The big financial players include J. P. Morgan, J. D. Rockefeller, General Electric, Chase Bank, and several members sitting on the Federal Reserve Board. The support they provided included money, documents to facilitate travel thru specific countries, weapons, medical supplies, and access to confidential information. This support was provided via discreet and sometimes illegal means; i.e. money transfers via front companies, etc... The support essentially served as bribes. Specifically, these big financial players wanted access to both the natural resources and markets of Russia regardless of who was in control. Therefore, the support lent to the Bolsheviks was bribe money in case the Reds took over Russia. The author clearly states that this support was NOT meant to assure Bolshevik victory in Russia or anywhere else.
The book is fairly short for such a controversial topic; under 200 pages excluding appendices and references. It is divided into chapters, with each chapter focusing on a specific event or person in this process. For example, one chapter focuses on Leon Trotsky's stay in the US and how wealthy, politically-connected Americans facilitated his travel from the US back to Russia; against the wishes of numerous government agencies including the US State Department. The book is well referenced, and lists as sources numerous personal notes, diaries, and biographies. The author takes care to separate his thesis from other "conspiracy theories". For example, one appendix is devoted to refuting any Jewish conspiracy in the Russian Revolution.
All in all, this book is quite easy to read, and very interesting. I am no expert on Russian history, so I will not vouch for the validity of this book's argument. I will only say I found this book worth reading, and I recommend it for all history buffs.
Average customer rating:
- a must for all Bankers who shy away from IT
|
Managing the New Bank Technology: An Executive Blueprint for the Future
Marilyn R. Seymann
Manufacturer: Glenlake Publishing Company, Limited, the
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Banks & Banking
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1888998121 |
Book Description
Managing Bank Technology is a pragmatic action-oriented guide for bank CEOs, executives and boards. The book is aimed at educating bankers on the key technology issues facing the industry.
Chapter "quick-reference" guides are a special feature of the book---blueprints which offer bottom line summary suggestions for bank CEOs and executives. Topics include:
Banking as Retailing
The Internet and Financial Services
Strategies for Future Payment Systems
Risk Management Technology
Protecting Technology Investments in an Age of Rapid change
Negotiating Outsourcing Contracts
Developing an Information System Plan
Organizational Strategies to Manage Technology
Battling Fraud and Security Issues
Selling Your Bank's Technology Vision
Customer Reviews:
a must for all Bankers who shy away from IT.......2001-12-18
being an IT professional and new to banking technology, the book gave me a good understanding of the areas where information technolgy is useful.It also gave me an idea of how to make the top business executives in banks, aware of their roles in the technolgy revolution. The book stresses on the need for mutual understanding and appreciation that should exist between the business executives and the IT professionals in the banks. This has been explained quite well. The action plan checklist given at the end of every chapter is an excellent idea.However, I found the various architecture principles and models quoted in the book a bit vague and brief.
Book Description
24 high-quality sheets of authentic origami paper, 7" x 7", come in 2 different patterns and a rainbow of colors — from subtle designs fading from pale yellow to bright green, to papers with shimmering bands of pink, yellow, and orange. Ideal for creating a variety of objects with unusual colored patterns.
Customer Reviews:
Rainbow Patterned Origami Paper.......2000-04-21
There were 24 sheets in this package, however I believe that the quality of the paper, the color variety, and quantity you receive could be better. For the beginner, who is just trying things out it may be perfect, however, seasoned Origami workers might look to something more sophisticated.
Average customer rating:
|
Trees, Shrubs & Flowers to Know in British Columbia and Washington
Chess Lyons
Manufacturer: Lone Pine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Plants
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Trees
| Plants
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Botany
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Earth Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
| Atmospheric Sciences
| Cartography
| Climatology
| Crystallography
| Earthquakes & Volcanoes
| Ecology
| Environmental Science
| General
| Geochemistry
| Geography
| Geology
| Geophysics
| Meteorology
| Mineralogy
| Natural Disasters
| Oceans & Seas
| Prospecting & Mining
| Rivers
| Rocks & Minerals
| Seismology
| Weather
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1551050447 |
Customer Reviews:
Great Organization.......2000-04-12
This book is organized for the beginner (by color) but it is one of the most acurate field guides I have found. The evergreen and broadleaf keys are worth the price of the book.
Book Description
Chess Lyons' update of his classic guide on Washington and British Columbia for naturalists and nature enthusiasts alike.This guide identifies more than 600 common trees, shrubs and flowers. Line drawings, distribution maps and a wildflower guide are included.
Customer Reviews:
Mediocre.......2006-07-10
Although the plant descriptions are good, as is some of the other ancillary information, the line drawings are downright terrible-- terrible to the point that some plants are unidentifiable in the field based on the drawings. Admittedly, the photographic plates have some nice photographs of some of the species covered in the book, but given the limited photos and the fact that they are confined to plates and not adjacent to the plant descriptions, I expected much more. This is a decent book, but its drawbacks are too great.
The best field guide for NW plants.......2002-05-02
I am restoring 72 acres of wetlands on South Whidbey Island, WA - Earth Sanctuary. We have just put in over 4,800 plants, 59 species, as part of a 500-year plan to restore the property to mature old growth and promote maximum biodiversity. This is our guide for identifying and learning all the trees, shrubs, and flowers.
The best field guide for NW plants.......2002-05-02
I am restoring 72 acres of wetlands on South Whidbey Island, WA... We have just put in over 4,800 plants, 59 species, as part of a 500-year plan to restore the property to mature old growth and promote maximum biodiversity. This is our guide for identifying and learning all the trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Book Description
Buddha Never Raised Kids and Jesus Didn't Drive Carpool: Using the Wisdom of Masters to Keep Your Sanity on the Homefront The Voice of the Baby Boom Generation, Vickie Falcone, Sheds Light on Ways To Conquer Fussy Eaters, Bedtime Battles, and Sibling Rivalry
Buddha never raised kids. Jesus didn't drive carpool. And it's doubtful the Dalai Lama ever changed a dirty diaper at dawn. Yet, these and many other spiritual masters have provided timeless principles to assist parents in the day-to-day challenges of childrearing.
In this from-the-heart book, Vickie Falcone, founder of the Positive Parenting Network, translates the sometimes lofty ideas of the world's great spiritual teachings into seven easy-to-understand principles. While many of these wise spiritual leaders may never have had to worry about achieving peace and centeredness while driving a carload of screaming children through a traffic jam, there is profound wisdom in their teachings that we as parents can apply to the everyday challenges of modern parenting.
In Buddha Never Raised Kids and Jesus Didn't Drive Carpool: Seven Principles for Parenting With Soul (Jodere Group, March 2003, ISBN 1-58872-062-4, Hardcover, $24.00), Falcone shows parents how to apply the teachings of these enlightened masters to the hectic and sometimes exhausting parenting world. Using her own stories and those of parents and educators she has taught and coached, Vickie illustrates each of the seven principles with several practical methods to help parents of infants to preteens create happy, connected families. Packed with useful exercises, checklists, and resources, Vickie sheds light on:
· The Secrets of Becoming a Peaceful Parent
· Connecting with Your Child and Creating Mutual Respect
· The Seven Deadly Disconnects and Their Six Second Cousins
· The Big Four Negatives: Criticism, Worry, Fear, and Guilt
· Summoning the Power of Silence
· The Recipe for Peace: Embracing What Is
This book will leave you with the tools and self-assurance to be the parent you desire to be. Anyone involved in the life of a child will benefit from this timely and exceedingly practical message set to a spiritual underscore.
Vickie Falcone speaks from experience. As mother of two, she embodies the parenting principles she teaches every day. Vickie founded the Positive Parenting Network in 1993 and is the author of the Twelve Months of Positive Parenting audio subscription series, as well as numerous articles. An in-demand speaker, Falcone has spoken for the International Network for Children and Families (INCAF), among others. Formerly the youngest real estate broker/owner in Aspen, Colorado, Falcone has merged her skills as seeker, mother, and entrepreneur, creating a unique blend of practical inspiration that leads to lasting change.
Customer Reviews:
Full of Life-Changing Wisdom.......2007-03-03
As I commented, I was very surprised by the reviewer who said the book didn't have specific exercises to bring the work into her life. That's what the book IS to me!
I love this book. The main thing I got from it the first time I read it was my needs are important, and if I don't meet them or find ways to get them met, I'll "sneak" ways to do that, which makes me less available to my kids. And each time I've read it, I've gotten different things from it - the mark of a really great book for me. I recommend this book frequently to all the parents I know!
Helpful for Grandparents, Too!.......2005-07-16
Vickie Falcone's book helped me understand what I was already doing right and the specific behaviors that were getting in the way of closeness with my grandchildren. The sections on breathing and connecting were especially rich. I am raising a granddaughter now who had a number of meltdowns the first five months we were together. By setting my intention, staying present and breathing, I experienced constant miracles. We now have a comfortable, loving and close relationship. Thank you, Vickie!
excellent book on parenting with spirit and soul!.......2004-02-07
I bought Vickie Falcone's book "Buddha Never Raised Kids ..." as a treat for myself and now I want to buy it for all my friends who are, or will be, parents of young children. It is beautifully written, warm, inclusive, and funny. This is not a book about religion, but about parenting with love, patience, respect, joy, and soul. Vickie takes the wisdom of religious/spiritual leaders throughout the ages and applies their words and thoughts to parenting. She includes her own high and low points as a mother of two, as well as a few fun exercises that help you get in touch with what your needs and goals are as a person and a parent. Whether it was advice that helped me get to that place I have wanted to be as a mother, or the pat on the back of reading things that I already believe in or practice, this book has had a profound affect on me. I can't recommend it highly enough!
HANDS DOWN BEST PARENTING BOOK ON THE MARKET!!.......2004-01-01
A fabulous title for a fabulous book!! Every chapter of this book is to be savored - Vickie Falcone inspires while giving practical suggestions for connecting with your children and yourself on a daily basis. I can't wait to read this book again and again and put new exercises (she recommends at the end of each chapter) to use!! I have bought this book as gifts and highly recommend it!! Learn to parent and live with more soul and enjoy the ride.
AuthorZone.Com Book Review.......2004-01-01
The Review
The Seven Principles for parenting with soul put forth by the author are the Section Titles for the work. Falcone lists eight chapters under PRINCIPLE 1 CONNECT, two chapters comprise AWAKEN YOUR INTUITION, BECOME A CONSCIOUS CREATOR, LIVE IN INTEGRITY and TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH GRATITUDE each are covered in one chapter each. CREATE ABUNDANCE is explained in two chapters and INFUSE YOUR LIFE WITH PEACE is defined in three. An Introduction, glossary, resources and information pertaining to the author round out this just under 300 page work.
I knew I would enjoy the read when looking at the inside book cover. These words not only piqued my interest but brought a smile to my lips: Buddha never Raised Kids, Jesus didn't drive carpool, and it's doubtful the Dalai Lama ever changed a dirty diaper at dawn. In her work Buddha Never Raised Kids Writer Falcone offers concrete suggestions to new and laboring parents of older kids for how to connect with self. Falcone suggests that it is important for parents to take time for themselves. She suggests writing/posting and following suggestions listing how to be a happy parent as well as offering fifty ways to calm the self. Falcone goes on to state that once connection with self is established it is time/possible to create the parenting vision. Chapter two is filled with suggestions for parents as they seek ways to improve parenting and gain peace in their lives.
I especially like the works offered at the beginning of Chapter 6: Move toward your child with love: how to connect with your child. The PHIL: Powerful, Heard, Important, Loved concept offered in the previous chapter is now embellished by writer Falcone with workable suggestions for parents to use as they endeavor to create the home peace and close relationship most of us envision when we first view our newborn child.
A quote by Pope John 23 gracing the heading of chapter 8 is the tenet I have long believed and used in my career as a teacher and as a parent: See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little.
Actual case studies and comments gleaned from seminars and motivational groups held by writer Falcone on the pages of Buddha Never Raised Kids add interest to the various chapters. Reading about the struggles of real people are often something helpful for the rest of us who also struggle with a particular problem. Falcone's easy writing style, her ability to list successes and some instances of not quite so successful add to the believability of her assertions. Parenting is hard work, Falcone herself a parent of two children has provided a valuable tool for parents in Buddha Never Raised Kids.
Buddha Never Raised Kids is not a heavy tome filled with `pie in the sky' type oughta work but probably don't with real people type work. It is a must have for the home library of those who seek to improve their own lives.
Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.
Book Description
A leading scholar offers fresh insight into one of the key moments in modern art history
During the fall of 1888, Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin lived and worked together in Provence. There in a yellow house at Arles, they changed the course of modern art. The relationship between the two painters came at a critical point in each of their careers, and began as a plan for a new community of artist-brothers, who would flourish in a harmonious condition of mutual support. While the two painters never achieved the goal of brotherly harmony, they nonetheless found their creativity spurred by association.
Until now, the Arles period has been interpreted in the light of the temperamental differences between the artists, culminating in the famous incident in which Van Gogh cut off part of his left ear lobe to spite Gauguin. In the shadow of the drama, their larger intellectual and theoretical debates at Arles have been neglected. Debora Silverman demonstrates here for the first time the great significance of their religious backgrounds and conflicts, with important new research on Van Gogh and Gauguin's respective Protestant and Catholic origins and formations, and fresh readings of the major pictures of the period. Both artists emerge in startling new ways, as the paintings they produced at Arles are reevaluated in the light of their divergent attempts to create a new sacred art.
Customer Reviews:
Sacred cows and eternal weavers...........2001-11-13
I collect art books and am particularly fond of Vincent Van Gogh, the fabulous Dutch artist of the 19th Century, who is probably the most popular of all artists--EVER (certainly my favorite!!). I have taken several art history courses with Van Gogh as subject, seen all the "Van Gogh" films, etc. I own many books about Van Gogh including a few I picked up in the Netherlands. What could anyone else possibly say about him that I have not already heard? The answer as it turns out is plenty. I had not yet read Debora Silverman's VAN GOGH AND GAUGUIN: THE SEARCH FOR SACRED ART.
Silverman has taken a different tact in writing about the artists Van Gogh and Gauguin--who will linked together through eternity if for no other reason than the episode in Arles with Van Gogh's "earlobe" (not ear). Like many, I have wondered just why these two men behaved so antagonistically towards each other. I have heard about personality conflicts, differing life styles, and mental illness, but somehow these reasons have never resonated with me. The explanation for the Gauguin-Van Gogh conflict according to Silverman was owing to nothing less than their conflicting interpretations of the meaning of life.
Gauguin was raised Roman Catholic and attended a Catholic boys school where he was taught the theology of bearing one's cross and dying to the material world to attain the transcendent good--paradise. Van Gogh came from a humanistic Dutch Reformed background in an era when this church was focused on the need for a consolatary religion in the face of EVOLUTION. Their conflict seems to have been a feud of a particular kind as both men attempted to understand the eternal truths, grapple with the new reality of science, and abandon their relgious upbringings.
While Gauguin's paintings reflect the transcendent as "otherworldly" and point the way for later abstract symbolists such as Picasso, Van Gogh's works are tied to the sacred presence of the eternal in the natural world. In painting after painting, Gauguin flattens the canvas, uses paint sparingly and depicts scenes of misery and suffering, sin and redemption. On the other hand, Van Gogh focuses on the sacred nature of work and rural life--threshing, weaving, milking, and rocking the baby by the fireplace. Where Gauguin creates angels strugging with men and flying cows, Van Gogh paints wheat fields and grape vineyards filled with sowers, thrashers, and harvesters. Where Gauguin sees classical elements such as the three muses and a Greek temple and admires Delacroix, Van Gogh sees bridges, sailboats, looms, and walls, and adores Millet.
During their short time together in Arles, Gauguin sought to influence Van Gogh--to have him paint from memory, flatten surfaces, and introduce overt religious symbolism into his work. Van Gogh did partially adapt some of Gauguin's techniques such as cloisonism (black outlines separating flat patches of color), but while Gauguin continued to tackle the sinful ways of man (and apparently sin quite heavily when he wasn't working) Van Gogh adapted Zenlike techniques reminiscent of Hiroshege and other Japanese artists who saw no boundary between the divine and natural worlds.
Silverman writes beautifully (I read every word..this is a powerful book) and there are hundreds of drop-dead beautiful facsimilies of the works of Gauguin and Van Gogh. I think Silverman favors Van Gogh, and I do too so I was not disappointed (though she covers Gauguin quite well). She spends a great deal of time on style and technique, which I also liked very much. She is not merely pointing out technical differences, however, she is showing how their respective techniques were tied to their philosophical outlooks. Several "sets" of paintings by both men are discussed in detail--Van Gogh's Langlois bridge paintings (all nine are reproduced) and the Berceuse paintings (she who rocks the cradle); as well as Gauguin's repeated use elements such as the women of Brittany, cows, angels, and "the dead."
This is a wonderful book and if you love Van Gogh and want to better understand his painterly ways, you must have it. It will enrich your life.
A Magnificent Achivement, Worthy of Its Subject.......2001-01-11
Although a non-scholar, I have a keen interest in art history and thus was delighted to receive a copy of this book as a holiday gift from my daughter. The subtitle indicates Silverman's thematic objective: To examine "the search for sacred art." She provides her reader with a brilliantly written narrative during which she shares a wealth of information about Van Gogh and Gauguin, of course, in combination with hundreds of illustrations (many in full-color) which are skillfully correlated with the text. Here is how the material is organized:
Part One: Toward Collaboration [two "Self-Portraits"]
Part Two: Peasant Subjects and Sacred Forms [eg Van Gogh's "Sower" and Gauguin's "Vision After the Sermon"]
Part Three: Catholic Idealism and Dutch Reformed Realism
Part Four: Collaboration in Arles
Part Five: Theologies of Art After Arles
Part Six: Modernist Catechism and Sacred Realism
Silverman carefully identifies and then eloquently explores all manner of comparisons and contrasts between the lives and art of Van Gogh and Gauguin within an historical, theological, and anthropological context. Hers is a magnificent achievement.
best book of the year.......2000-11-06
a work of genius and a pleasure to read. this book is essential for any museumgoer and the general reader with any interest in either artist. revealing the mutual respect and support between two very different men, with outstanding illustrations and insightful prose. i cannot remember any art history book so erudite and approachable.
When protestant modernist meets secular egotist.......2000-11-03
"Christ alone -- of all the philosophers, Magi, etc. -- has affirmed, as a principal certainty, eternal life, the infinity of time, the nothingness of death, the necessity and the raison d'etre of serenity and devotion. He lived serenely, as a greater artist than all other artists, despising marble and clay as well as color, working in living flesh. That is to say, this matchless artist, hardly to be conceived of by the obtuse instrument of our modern, nervous, stupefied brains, made neither statues nor pictures nor books; he loudly proclaimed that he made... living men, immortals. This is serious, especially because it is the truth." Vincent van Gogh wrote these words in a long letter to Emile Bernard, his close friend and painter. He wrote them in Arles, where was working particularly hard, at the end of June 1888. The greatest artistic achievements where still before him, as well as unexpected illness and pity death. Debora Silverman exhibits to us another great event of Vincent's life: short and vehement artistic friendship with Paul Gaugain, that inspired Vincent much and may be even more costed. They knew and write each other for some years. They spent together same weeks in Arles working and fiercely discussing many artistic topics. Unexpectedly, in a while of serious depression Vincent decided to punish his comrade. With dark intentions in the mind he even picked up a razor. But his own illness won. Next day Gaugin found him laying unconscious, all in blood, with one ear cut. Silverman asks how possible was this strange and strangely fruitful friendship. She explores complicated cultural and religious background of both the painters. "I was intrigued -- writes in the Introduction -- by how Gauguin may have assimilated from his seminary training certain mental habits and attitudes toward the visual that were profoundly discordant with those I had identified in van Gogh's formative period in his Dutch theological culture, and I suspected that these distinctive mentalities had implications for the form and content of their work". There have been no similar studies up now. Religious life of Vincent van Gogh have been explored only very recently by Tsukasha Kodera (Vincent van Gogh. Christianity versus nature), Katheleen Power Erickson (At Eternity's Gate), Cliff Edwards (Van Gogh and God) and others, but never in relation to the southern France Catholicism, in atmosphere of which Vincent spent his recent years. Catholic background of Gaugin himself is even less known. Their mutual cultural and religious interferences, and their own personal achievements of this field finally received an abundant and complete description grace to Silverman research.
Average customer rating:
|
Skelligside
Michael Kirby
Manufacturer: Lilliput Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Irish
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| British
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Classics
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Letters & Correspondence
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ireland
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 094664053X |
Books:
- Timber for Gold: Life on the Goldfields Woodlines
- Transport Of Molecules Across Microbial Membranes (SYMPOSIA OF THE SOCIETY FOR GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY)
- Trees and shrubs of the Witwatersrand: An illustrated guide
- Trees of New York State, Native and Naturalized
- Trees of the southeastern states,: Including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and northern Florida,
- Vegetation Science in Forestry: Global Perspective based on Forest Ecosystems of East and Southeast Asia (Handbook of Vegetation Science)
- Victorian Wildflowers Photograph Album
- Volvox: A Search for the Molecular and Genetic Origins of Multicellularity and Cellular Differentiation (Developmental and Cell Biology Series)
- Wayside Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest
- Wild flowers of the North country: northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Multiple Streams of Income
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- Grunt: A Marine's True Story, Viet Nam 1967 to 1968
- How to Run for Local Office : A Complete, Step-By-Step Guide that Will Take You Through the Entire P
- History: Fiction or Science
- Make Every Girl Want You
- History: Fiction or Science
- 145 Things to Be When You Grow Up
- Image Matters! First Steps on the Journey to Your Best Self
- Holy Joe: Joseph W. Folk and the Missouri Idea
