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It's rare for a book's title to say so clearly what the book is about. In the case of Rupert Sheldrake's latest work, the controversial content is right on the front cover. Pet owners will see it and smile in recognition; skeptical scientists will shake their heads and mutter about "maverick scholars." We all know of cases of dogs (and cats) who know when their owners are coming home, who go to wait at the door or window 10 minutes or more before their human arrives. Conditioned by the tight rigor of contemporary scientific thinking, we either look for rational explanations or we file the phenomenon away in our minds as "unexplained" and are careful not to talk about it with our scientist friends.
Sheldrake has shown in the past that he is not afraid to be labeled a rebel, thanks to his theory of morphic resonance, which suggests the following:
Natural systems, or morphic units, at all levels of complexity are animated, organized, and coordinated by morphic fields, which contain an inherent memory. Natural systems inherit this collective memory from all previous things of their kind by a process called morphic resonance, with the result that patterns of development and behavior become increasingly habitual through repetition.
Sheldrake believes that the "telepathy" between pets and humans, or between flocks of birds or schools of fish that move as a single organism, can be explained this theory. Sheldrake is less persuaded by anecdotes that suggest animal clairvoyance--warning of something in the near future--but refuses to disallow the possibility.
He accepts that the case histories he details so thoroughly in this book are anecdotal, but that makes them no less real; and as a scientist himself he sets up experimental conditions for studying this previously ignored phenomenon that show beyond any doubt that the phenomenon exists. He castigates traditional scientists for their refusal to countenance anything that doesn't fit in with their existing paradigms (or prejudices) and challenges them to come up with some more "acceptable" explanation--but none is forthcoming.
This fascinating book is a first attempt at a scientific investigation into a puzzling but quite common occurrence. One hopes that other scientists will follow Sheldrake's brave lead. --David V. Barrett
Book Description
How do cats know when it's time to go to the vet, even before the cat carrier comes out? How do dogs know when their owners are returning home at unexpected times? How can horses find their way back to the stable over completely unfamiliar terrain?
With a scientist's mind and an animal lover's compassion, world-renowned biologist Rupert Sheldrake presents a groundbreaking exploration of animal behavior that will profoundly change the way we think about animals -- and ourselves. After five years of extensive research involving thousands of people who have pets and work with animals, Dr. Sheldrake proves conclusively what many pet owners already know: there is a strong connection between humans and animals that defies present-day scientific understanding. This remarkable book deserves a place next to the most beloved and valuable books on animals, including
When Elephants Weep,
Dogs Never Lie About Love, and
The Hidden Life of Dogs.
Customer Reviews:
questions which are rarely asked - and an attempt to answer.......2007-07-06
In "Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home" Rupert Sheldrake continues his quest for acknowledgement of phenomena neglected, forgotten or brushed aside by modern science. This time he focuses on the unexplained powers of animals.
Starting with the observations of pets, through behavior of wild animals, to humans, Sheldrake examines the connections and bonds between living creatures, which lead them to feel each other's emotional and physical state.
Probably all pet owners and people fond of animals have observed that some animals demonstrate behaviors that cannot be explained by genes or instinct (or, that would be too much simplified by such explanation). Wondering, how the pets know, when their owners are coming home, when some accident or death occurred, how to find a way home from an unfamiliar place even far away, when the owner intends to give them food or go for a walk, or how to recognize an attack of an illness such as diabetic coma or epileptic seizure, or even the natural disasters, like storm or earthquake, probably happened to all pet owners some time or another - and most of the time these thoughts were probably bagatelized and quickly forgotten in the face of more important everyday events.
The book is very well ordered and organized, very much like a scientific publication. After a short, introductory chapter, summarizing the history of animal domestication, Rupert Sheldrake presents the data gathered during his systematic studies, mostly through surveys in different parts of United States and Europe. The data consists of examples of pets, which exhibited behaviors described above, collected and analyzed in impressive amounts (even with statistics). Not only does he report accounts from the owners of dogs and cats, but also gives examples of horses, rabbits, birds and fish, and negative examples of pet reptiles and insects. He proceeds from these examples to the flocking and migratory behaviors of the wild animals (the linking behavior is the return home) and compares the findings to the human abilities, which, in the contemporary, civilized world, seem ridiculously meager.
The main body of the book consists of these examples and this is its strength (as a scientific argument) and weakness (as a popular book, because the lengthy lists of examples can be boring). The conclusions, however, are not very strong. Sheldrake applies here his famous hypothesis of morphic fields, which, in analogy to magnetic and electrical fields, are created by forces - yet undescribed -which are, in turn, created by social influence between individuals. The existence of morphic fields is an interesting hypothesis, but only a hypothesis. Luckily, Sheldrake admits it himself and does not push his hypothesis as a theory or as a universal truth, like some gurus of fashionable, popular "science" books. I have to give him great credit for being a scientist even though what he does is beyond the scope of contemporary science. The same goes for his explanations of animal behaviors by their ability to precognize certain events or by telepathy. Telepathy, or mind-to-mind-communication, seems especially plausible as an explanation of pets knowing their owners intentions before the owner can communicate them in any other way (body language, any sensory signal). Although telepathy is obviously his favorite explanation of communication between pets and owners, between animals in the group, and, almost lost, between humans, Sheldrake does not give it as the only explanation. He always tries to show other ones and, giving arguments for and against each one (sometimes, admittedly, not very strong) dismisses them or not. His approach reminds me very strongly of the approach of psychologists, which very often are vague as well. That is perhaps why I liked the chapters on the migratory birds most, maybe, because, as a biologist, I see most of the ecological and "harder science" in it?
At the end of the book, the methods for investigation of pet behavior are presented, so that the interested readers can try their own experiments, which are very simple and do not require much skill - only perseverance.
I like Sheldrake for pursuing his goal of presenting to the non-scientific crowd of readers the alternative or once studies, but today neglected, scientific questions, without cheap trick or want for fame. He is doing his job and I admire his work, even though I have my doubts about it. I don't think this book was supposed to convince anybody of anything (as some previous reviews suggest), it rather intends to puzzle and ask questions, making the reader realize they cannot be unequivocally answered with the current state of knowledge. This book is not his best (some are really great), mainly because of endless lists of examples, but it is good and solid.
Convincing Research.......2007-03-02
Starts with many natural case histories for psychic pets, then describes his brilliantly simple experiment. I interviewed Dr. Sheldrake on my Skeptiko Podcast. He's extremely well-spoken and likeable.
Amazing, Enlightening, Thought-Provoking.......2006-03-14
Some dogs seem to know when their owners are coming home. No, not when they are walking up the front steps, but when they are still at the office DECIDING to come home. Some animals know when their owners are in distress or dying, far away. Some animals know when their owners are about to have a seizure, or attempt suicide.
Author Rupert Sheldrake has compiled a database of hundreds of fascinating anecdotal reports, supplemented by simple but clever research studies. He challenges us to consider these unusual but intriguing phenomena, that do not depend on physical distance or any known sensory pathways. He has a healthy respect for scientific method (and uses it when he can) but none at all for scientific dogmatism. To skeptics who discount these remarkable observations as mere "selective recall," he says, do the research and prove it.
This is a fascinating and well-written book. It was hard to put down, and in fact, I may read it again. To be sure, Sheldrake can't explain the phenomena he describes. He invokes the concept of morphic fields but can't really tell us what they are. Further research is needed, and, to his credit, Sheldrake is attempting to recruit people all over the world, to participate in just such research. Why, even you could participate. I recommend this book highly. Run out and buy it today. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.
One of the best books I've read lately.......2005-12-09
This book was well-written, engaging, and thought provoking. The research was very well done, and I am usually quite skeptical. But this opened up a whole line of thought of how our minds may work, for me. I definately recommend it.
Telepathy as a Common Biological Function.......2005-08-12
One Amazon reviewer of DOGS THAT KNOW WHEN THEIR OWNERS ARE COMING HOME wrote "Budiansky's THE TRUTH ABOUT DOGS states that other researchers were unable to replicate Sheldrake's amazing results. I like pets just as much as anyone else, though I don't feel the need to glorify them with powers that their small brains are incapable of possessing."
First of all, Stephen Budiansky--whom I admire--thinks dogs are social parasites (though that's not why I admire him; I like his unique approach to the subject matter). And the truth is, at least one other researcher, who was furiously attempting to discredit Sheldrake's theory (hardly an objective approach), actually ended up replicating his results exactly.
And having a small brain has absolutely nothing to do with what Sheldrake posits to be a common biological function of all social animals. He theorizes that it's a fairly ordinary form of communication that pre-dates human language and which doesn't require any kind of highly developed cognitive architecture.
Granted, Sheldrake focused on the dogs who'd been reported to already show this behavior, but the thrust of the research detailed in this book was not to provide definitive proof that dogs are "telepathic", but to start people thinking in that direction. And some of the data is quite remarkable.
By the way, my dog could care less when I'm coming home. He's always asleep when I get there (though he's always happy to see me). But I've had other experiences that show Sheldrake is on the mark. For instance, I found that if I'm walking my dog and thinking about going into a store up the block and picturing the possible behavior in my mind, he'll give up his usual path and pull me toward that store, even if I've changed my mind in the meantime.
I've also found that when teaching the down/stay at a distance, followed by the recall, if I imagine the dog coming toward me before I give him the release and the recall signal, he'll almost inevitably break the stay and come running.
I'm not a complete moron, so when I first noticed this happening I figured that I must have been doing something with my body language to cause this behavior. So I very carefully monitored and controlled my posture, my facial expressions (even though I was fifty yards away), etc. Nope. It wasn't my body language.
Huh, I thought, could it be these mental pictures I'm creating in my mind? So I trained myself not to create those mental images and whenever I kept my mind blank the dogs inevitably stopped breaking the stay until the release signal was given.
These experiences are far from being scientific proof but they do make you think.
I also recommend THE PRESENCE OF THE PAST for Sheldrake's theories on morphic fields.
Book Description
J. Michael Straczynski is a man who has made his mark in many ways whether in the world of science fiction and television with the hit Babylon 5 or in the comic book industry with such books as Rising Stars and Midnight Nation. Now his unique vision comes to the world of Marvel and the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Joining Straczynski is a man of equal legend -- John Romita Jr. Regarded by many as the definitive Spider-Man artist of the last decade, Romita's unique pace and superb storytelling perfectly complement Straczynski's vision.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing!.......2006-06-23
Amazing Spiderman is amazing! I guarentee that if you read the first issue of this series you will not be able to put it down until it is finished!
5/5 - story
5/5 - artwork (John Romita Jr. never fails!)
5/5 - great dialogue!
This series will make anyone a spiderman fan!
Impressive, read them all.......2006-06-12
Through reading these and other recent Spider-Man books (25 issues worth) one thing comes to mind: even through bad stories, Spider-Man is still the man. It may be controversial but I like the idea of Ezekiel, Morlun, the Spider totem, all of it. Spider-Man has to be changed up every once in awhile and this is a much better way to do it then killing people off, or a new costume. As Straczynski's run goes on he shows a new side to Spider-Man/Peter Parker, MJ, Aunt May, even Uncle Ben. Spider-Man is firmly in the Marvel Universe in this series, with random comings and goings from other heroes. On the other hand, Peter Parker is firmly in the real world during this run. Peter Parker in college has been tried before, but Peter Parker (as an adult of course) in high school? Well, that's different and incredibly entertaining. The new villains are memorable and the older cast reminds you why you loved them to begin with.
This is good stuff people!.......2005-10-20
As Spiderman stories go, this is tight. Straczynski's writing is excellent. He gets Peter's babbling and his narrative is strong. The introduction of Ezekiel is excellent and he provides mystery to a series that I often feel is lacking mystery. As always, John Romita Jr's artwork is excellent. He is one of the most underrated artists in the biz. His work is strong, always dynamic, and never unsure of itself.
This is good storytelling, people. Pick it up!
The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1: Coming Home.......2005-10-04
I'll admit it, I've always favored good old Spidey over most other super heroes. And, well, anything J. Michael Straczynski writes turns to gold, so I was expecting big things.
Stracynzki's Spider-Man has been a superhero for quite a while, so he's fairly confident in his routine. None of that "Peter Parker learns how to deal with his newfound powers" jazz. What's so interesting about this volume is that, rather than questioning the origin of the hero, it questions the nature of his powers.
Ever thought about the villains that the webslinger has had to fight over the years? Doctor Octopus, The Rhino, The Vulture, other such animalistic fellows. As the mysterious Ezekiel tells Peter, "the kind of enemy you get tells a lot about the kind of person you are." So Spider-Man is the totemistic reflection of all spiders, and his enemies are all pretenders. Interesting stuff.
What follows is some standard (if not well done and drawn) action, balanced well with the light moments the comic is known for. Not exactly straying from formula, but I enjoyed it.
The beginning of J. Michael Straczynski's awesome run.......2004-10-24
When Babylon 5 creator and Rising Stars scribe took over writing duties on Amazing Spider-Man, he did something that hadn't been done to the title for years. He made it amazing again. Straczynski introduces a new spin on the Spider-Man mythos in Coming Home, in the form of the mysterious Ezekiel who wreaks havoc on the web-head's life. And, as Peter discovers, there is more to his origin than he had ever thought. After years of some lame storylines (clone saga anyone?), Straczynski re-injected the magic and awe into the title, while at the same time putting his own spin on the classic Marvel character. Not to mention the superb art by legendary John Romita Jr. gives the book an ultra slick yet classic look, and fans of his work over the years will surely marvel here. All in all, while Ultimate Spider-Man may try to re-invent the web crawler mythos, it's Amazing Spider-Man that is really the defining Spidey title (Mark Millar's Marvel Knights Spider-Man title is also worth checking out), and any of Straczynski's works on the title is definitely worth your time.
Customer Reviews:
A Confusing Waste of Time.......2004-08-27
Specifically, the wording in the book is very confusing: the author uses the word "love" as a synonym for "compassion," "acceptance," and "light," so the reader constantly has to guess to which meaning she (the author) is referring; as well, she usues the three terms "higher guidance," "true self," and "unlimited awareness" as synonyms for "intuition." In general, this book is very vague and fluffy in it's descriptions, and probably could have been written in twenty pages or less. If you're looking for a spiritual eye-opener, I recommend "Journey of Souls" by Michael Newton, Ph.D. and "Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder" by Marsha M. Linehan--the basic principles of which appy to everyone, not just borderlines.
Coming Home.......2001-03-05
This is one of those books that will come to you when you are ready. It is a book about our birth right to be in touch with our true self. To be able to look to no other for anwsers that have always been there. To be able to have and more correctly to allow ourselves to have every desire. It is a book to help you see that you have always had your higher self/God within not more than a breath away. The book is just the start of endless information that will set you free. Free from your inner torments of critism, to know that you are the pure spirit that you came into this world. I would recommend this book for those who are tired of depending on others to for answers and peace of mind. I have spoken to Marsia Nelson (a session), she is warm and wonderful. She is very efficient and gets to the heart of the matter. She is therapy at warp-speed at a level of safety.
Coming Home, Martia Nelson.......2000-10-06
Martia Nelson is a gifted writer unmatched by most. In her riveting book, Coming Home - a return to true self, she captures vividly the purpose of our being on this planet and how to best use the time that we have here. Martia is truly a spiritual teacher in the purest sense of the word. Many cheers for this wonderful work! Ten stars! Rodney Groves, author Journey to Enlightenment, Jacaranda Press, Nov 1998.
Inspirational.......1999-09-19
Reading this book has helped me to change my perspective which I have been trying to do for some time. I immediately could relate to and understand the truth in Martia's words and am greatful to her for sharing her knowledge with the rest of the world. Thank you so much.
Powerful!.......1999-03-28
If there is any one book that you should get on starting your spiritual quest, this is the one! Ms.Nelson covers everything in her book, from opening yourself up to recieving love, to addressing anger in your life! This book is filled to the brim with meditations, and attunements that will start you on the path to wholeness!
Customer Reviews:
let down.......2007-10-03
This book killed all of our excitement about coming home and offers no usefool tools or resources. The author states the obvious and basically drones on on an about how horrible it is to come home. If you want to be depressed then buy this book. Poor writting, no content, and not as exciting and essential as it claims to be. It's a big NO NO!
much appreciated.......2006-07-26
Craig Storti has made an important contribution to both people going to work in another culture and those returning to their home culture.
Insightful!.......2003-03-06
If you spent months in Paraguay or Latvia longing for modern supermarkets, octo-plex movie theaters and mega-malls, coming home will surprise you. All that consumerism, all those different breakfast cereals, all that plenty and pizzazz may not play as well with you as you had remembered. Never mind. Eventually youýll again expect to be offered 15 different kinds of herbal tea with your $18 lunch, but when you first return and the deprivations of your overseas station are still fresh, reentry can include a big shot of culture shock. Companies pay plenty of attention to executives and workers who need help and advice when theyýre given an overseas assignment. But Craig Storti thought it was time to address the needs of those same expats when they return and face the challenge of readjustment. He does so expertly in this practical guide, which includes hard logistics and some soft psychology. We from getAbstract highly recommend this book to homecoming expats and to those who play crucial roles in managing their reentries.
A decent resource..........2000-08-06
Of no surprise to anyone who has lived overseas and then attempted a successful 're-entry', coming home is tremendously more stressful and difficult than leaving home. Storti directs a company that designs and delivers seminars in cross-cultural adjustment, repatriation and multicultural diversity. Most striking about this book was how complex the issues are surrounding the re-entry of a family or person into a society and culture that no longer feels like his/her own. One of the most remarkable results of living overseas is that you come to understand your own culture much better and more clearly then those at home who are 'in' it. We experience this when we come home even for brief periods - the US is so enveloped in its high-consumerism that an outsider has difficulty finding value in the every day. While Americans have learned to absorb the 1000 cable channels, and 800 varieties of dog foods in the supermarket aisles, expatriates find it highly stressful to come back to a country where abundance, waste, and intense material comforts are the norm (after they've lived in places where all of these things are harder to find and they've adjusted thusly). Storti is also careful to speak to the frustrations that the homebound friends and family experience when their loved ones decend upon them after what they see as tremendous opportunities for cultural and personal growth. I found this book a very good resource and will likely pick it up again every time I am heading home - for a new series of stresses - to help remember why these stresses exist and how to soften them.
Rings true to my repatriation experience.......2000-06-20
This book captured and helped make sense of the unsettling experiences my wife and I had in returning to the US after four years living and working in England. I think the best time to read it might be before you leave, but I only found it after returning (and hearing the author speak to a group of repatriates).
The book includes good practical insights and suggestions for employees, employers and co-workers, spouses, families, and teens/kids experiencing what the book calls "reverse culture shock."
Average customer rating:
- Deeply moving!
- Coming on Home Soon by Julia P
- Heart Breaking and Heart Warming
- A warm and reassuring masterpiece
- Coming On Home Soon-to teach with!
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Coming On Home Soon
Jacqueline Woodson
Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0399237488 |
Book Description
Ada Ruth's mama must go away to Chicago to work, leaving Ada Ruth and Grandma behind. It's war time, and women are needed to fill the men's jobs. As winter sets in, Ada Ruth and her grandma keep up their daily routine, missing Mama all the time. They find strength in each other, and a stray kitten even arrives one day to keep them company, but nothing can fill the hole Mama left. Every day they wait, watching for the letter that says Mama will be coming on home soon. Set during World War II, Coming On Home Soon has a timeless quality that will appeal to all who wait and hope.
Customer Reviews:
Deeply moving!.......2007-07-20
A deeply moving story of love between a child and her mom.
Drawings are pieces of art.
I read it to my 5 and [...]daughters... supposedly! I enjoyed it much more than they did.
Coming on Home Soon by Julia P.......2007-03-21
Coming On Home Soon
By Jacqueline Woodson Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
War ruins everything! At least that's what Ada Ruth thinks.
The book Coming On Home Soon is about a little girl named Ada Ruth. Her mom has to go get a job far away to get more money while World War II is going on. Sad Ada Ruth has to stay with her Grandma.
Ada Ruth is determined to keep writing to her mom even though she is not writing back. I think this book is really good but is also sad. I would recommend this book to people who are close with their family.
I think Jacqueline Woodson is a fabulous author and E.B. Lewis did a great job on the paintings. If you had or even have a loved one in war you should read this book!
By Julia P
Heart Breaking and Heart Warming .......2005-09-11
Coming on Home Soon is a wonderful story about a young girl Ada Ruth dealing with separation from her mother. The story is set in a time of war and her mother leaves to find work in Chicago. Ada Ruth meanwhile stays at home with her grandmother and they both miss mama very much. While waiting for a letter from mama saying she is coming on home soon a small surprise arrives at their door. This surprise helps Ada Ruth and grandma cope with the emptiness they feel in their hearts. Finally Ada Ruth and grandma receive a letter that mama is coming on home soon.
This story is heart breaking because you can feel the sadness in Ada Ruth's heart. She misses her mother terribly and she waits so patiently for her return. Finally when mama returns home the story becomes a heartwarming reunion.
A warm and reassuring masterpiece.......2005-08-09
This marvellously written and invitingly illustrated picture book is already a favorite. The spare, meaningful story coupled with the expressive paintings tell a story that is at the same time filled with tension and uncertainty, along with love and assurance. We know that Mama's decision to journey up to Chicago to work on the railroad was a hard one to make, and we know that Ada Ruth and Grandma will have a hard and uncertain time in her absence. We also know that Mama will return, and that there will be joy in their tiny home when she does. The final illustration, showing Mama's back as she heads toward the house, warms the heart; you can almost feel the hugs that will begin as soon as she walks in the door.
Jacqueline Woodson knows just how to tug at the heartstrings. When Mama's letter arrives, after so many days of the mailman bypassing the house, there is almost breathless anticipation as Grandma whispers, "Thank you, Lord." At this point as I'm reading the book to my kids, I have to stop and compose myself. This is a powerful book that demands to be read again and again. My daughter is constantly asking to read "the book where Mom gets a job." I eagerly pick it up and pull her onto my lap. And we hug. "Thank you, Lord."
Coming On Home Soon-to teach with!.......2005-07-05
I purchased this book because The Other Side is by far my favorite book to teach my elementary students with. We read it at least five times a year and each time we are able to gain a deeper understanding. Jacqueline Woodson and her illustrator have created another book I will use over and over. Coming On Home Soon is a great story that will allow me to discuss history, letter writing and many comprehension strategies with my students!
Book Description
Imagine a peaceful, tranquil haven far from the everyday stresses of high-tech modern life. Coming Home: Spiritual Interiors is about finding peace and comfort in your living space, and offers dozens of inspirational, creative ways to experiment with unusual artifacts, vibrant colors, and cultural icons to nourish a unique spiritual style at home. Marrying spiritual concerns and interior design, Coming Home gives the readers the solid information they need to put care of the soul at the heart of homemaking. Inspiration and ideas can come from many places. Coming Home investigates the beauty of other cultures, and shows how readers can benefit from the uplifting effects of the colors, artifacts, and crafts associated with those cultures. Readers will explore the richness of Thai teak furniture and African mud cloths, and indulge the spirit by following Asian beliefs of meditation or the ancient powers of Ayurvedic healing. The 180 luxurious, full-color illustrations show readers the tools they need to create their own spiritually uplifting sanctuary. From the gentle freedom of Tao followers to the colorful worshippers of Sun Power, Coming Home is a guide to the endless possibilities from which you can create an exceptional home environment where the spirit runs free.
Customer Reviews:
Lives up to its title.......2006-02-14
Love this book simply because as someone who loves to travel it was a book I needed to help me find a non cluttered way of showing off items I have acquired while retaining the Zen or quiet spirit I wanted in my place. Also like that a variety of styles are shown, that I call Jamaican, Latin, Indian, Zen and European.
Amazon.com
Does it matter where our food comes from? Do we, our communities, and the planet do better if we choose food grown by local sources we trust? Exploring these and other questions of dietary and spiritual subsistence, Gary Paul Nabhan's Coming Home to Eat presents a compelling case for eating from our "foodshed."
Nabhan, a subsistence hunter, ethnobiologist, and activist devoted to recovering lost food traditions, gave himself a task: to spend a year trying to eat foods grown, fished, or gathered within 250 miles of his Arizona home. His book, both personal document and political screed, details this experiment from the moment Nabhan purges his kitchen of canned and other processed foods ("If this year could resolve anything for me, perhaps it would rid me of the desire to ever again buy any packaged food that boasted of its homemade flavor....") to a final food-gathering pilgrimage. That journey underscores Nabhan's conviction that we have too easily believed "the vacuous nutritional promises of the industrialized food that has sold our health down the river." In fact, the book encompasses an ongoing pilgrimage, during which Nabhan explores, for example, the near loss of saguaro cactus fruit as a dietary staple due to saguaro's use for "local color" in shopping malls, golf courses, and retirement centers. Readers, converted, skeptical, or just curious, will find Nabhan's book a source of many simple and stirring truths. "Until we stop craving to be somewhere else and someone else other than the animals whose very cells are constituted from the place on earth we love the most," he writes, "then there is little reason to care about the fate of native foods, family farms, or healthy landscapes and communities." But care we must, as the book shows so enlighteningly. --Arthur Boehm
Book Description
Issuing a "profound and engaging...passionate call to us to re-think our food industry" (Jim Harrison, author of The Raw and the Cooked), Gary Paul Nabhan reminds us that eating close to home is not just a matter of convenience—it is an act of deep cultural and environmental significance.
Embodying "a perspective...at once ecological, economic, humanistic, and spiritual" (Los Angeles Times), Nabhan has dedicated his life to raising awareness about food—as an avid gardener, as an ethnobotanist preserving seed diversity, and as an activist devoted to recovering native food traditions in the Southwest. This "inspired and eloquently detailed account" (Rick Bayless, Chefs Collaborative) tells of his year-long mission to eat only foods grown, fished, or gathered within two hundred miles of his home. "A good book for gardeners to read this winter" (New York Times), Nabhan's work "weav[es] together the traditions of Thoreau and M. F. K. Fisher [in] a soul food treatise for our time" (Peter Hoffman, Chefs Collaborative).
Customer Reviews:
Great topic--but why so much Spam?.......2007-08-15
I completely honor the impulse behind this book and believe in the importance of eating local. I also applaud Nabhan for thinking and writing about these issues before so many others (yet I'm also happy for the influx of recent local eating books and articles from Pollan, Kingsolver, McKibben, Alisa Smith & JB Mackinnon, and the blog by "No Impact Man"). Some scenes are powerful: eating ripe peaches, the short Thanksgiving section, reconnecting with family. The history and science sections are good too.
What surprised me, though, is that it seemed like throughout much of the book, Nabhan was in his Blazer, on a plane, or somewhere nowhere near home. Although he carried his fried grasshoppers and tortillas with him, I was longing to read more about the actual practices of growing and preparing local food (there is, however, plenty on roadkill). What surprised me more: the continual references to Spam, especially in relation to the sunset:
"As a Spam-colored sunset blanketed the western sky, the sweat on my back chilled" (40).
"At dusk they [mechanized dairy farms] took on a sickly greenish cast, the color of modly Spam" (158).
". . . each afternoon until the sun went down, gaudy as a thin slice of Spam" (276).
Why so much Spam? He buys a can of Spam in another odd section of the book where he spends $50 on a strange combination of food for a brunch that he and his partner, Laurie, don't eat. In another section, he throws a bunch of food in the compost bin because it uses cactuses in the advertising but doesn't contain cactus juice. I was puzzled by the waste. Why not eat the food and not buy it again? (Or in the supermarket venture, why not buy foods suitable for a decent brunch?)
In terms of the time in the Blazer and the time away from home, I understand that Nabhan's work and activism demand travel--and sometimes you see "home" more clearly when you're away from it. But I can't think of any reason for all the Spam.
A Great Book For Anyone.......2006-10-13
Coming Home to Eat is easy to read, enjoyable, and packed full of interesting details on a myriad of topics. This is the type of book you can give to almost anyone, and they will enjoy reading it. I'm a biologist with a background in conservation, and I really enjoyed reading about the natural history of many of the plants and animals in the book. I've given the book to two other people, and they both loved it, but for completely different reasons. One enjoyed all the detailed descriptions of cooking and meals; while the other was more interested by the social and economic aspects of the book. The author does a great job of weaving together several fairly disparate topics into a very entertaining narrative.
Follow One Man's Intense One Year Journey to Eat Locally.......2006-08-30
This book was, simply put, a joy to read, a veritable cauldron of ideas explored and fleshed out for the reader. It may be because I lived for 8+ years in the same general areas as Nabhan that I can get a feel for what he is talking about more easily, but more likely than not, it is not that which endears Coming Home to Eat is that Coming Home is more of a philosophy than anything else and Nabhan's enthusiasm is certainly catching, though some of his methods and ways are not for everyone (eating road-kill for instance).
This book is really an intimate look at one man's passion for eating as locally as possible, a goal I have long thought of as a grand ideal but more and more, it is something I would very much like to do and while I don't have a great deal of knowledge about where exactly to start...reading Coming Home has really given my ideas wings. Nabhan certainly brings to the fore wide ranging topics, touching on the "health" of our food supply, genetically altered seeds, ect...and really brings home the interconnectivity of the local, regional, national and global food chains. What this book doesn't cover in depth, one can certainly get by reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Pollan and I can honestly say, having read both, I am a better person for it.
I plan to buy a copy of this for my permanent library and would heartily recommend it to anyone! It's well written and while one gets the sense that Nabhan is on a personal crusade, it's not preachy or elitist in any way. It almost reads like a novel and I would caution that Coming Home to Eat does NOT provide any type of resource for eating locally (as in a formula for doing so), but it DOES provide inspiration and some very cool laugh out loud moments. A+!!
A Life-Changing Book.......2006-01-08
Quite simply, Gary Nabhan's Coming Home to Eat is one of the best books I've ever read, and one of the most important. I know of nothing else like it.
Nabhan's writing is engaging and moving, even poetic at times. He deals with the most serious of issues-the degradation of our environment, lifestyle, and health by the greed and power of giant corporations-with a deft use of humor.
The book skillfully interweaves his personal experiences in seeking local-grown or foraged foods with compelling analyses of how modern agriculture and marketing is destroying healthy traditional ways of life.
He ties together politics, ecology, anthropology, economics, history, and spirituality, using the stories of his family and his Native American friends and neighbors. Although there is much anger and sadness in the book, there's also much hope as well for a revival of traditional ways of feeding our bodies, our spirits, and our communities,
I'm grocery-shopping and eating differently since I've read Coming Home to Eat, and it's extraordinarily satisfying when I know what I've putting into my body, and where it came from..
I read a lot of nonfiction books, and many are informative and well-written. But this was the first one that impelled me to write an Amazon review.
Eating locally ain't easy.......2005-04-18
The premise is interesting--eating mainly foods grown locally. It's hard to know where our food comes from. But the book makes the case that learning more about where our food comes from is important. That we should carefully consider how our choices affect the environment and the economy. Not written in a way that makes you captivates you--but interesting all the same.
Average customer rating:
- An Inspiring Tale
- An Emotionally Satisfying read
- A true gem!
|
Coming Home
Emily Brevard
Manufacturer: The Wild Rose Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Fiction
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1601540132
Release Date: 2007-01-26 |
Book Description
Jenna Wade thought she had everything in life when she married Daniel Prescott. But when her marriage fell apart and she lost the child she was carrying, along with her dreams she lost her faith. Returning home to Cypress Creek, she built a wall between her and the rest of the world. Jake McConnell had faced his own challenges, but his faith had carried him through his own personal crisis. Now he wanted to help Jenna find her way back to God and see if they could build a future together. Can he break through her barriers and convince her they can have a future or will she keep her back turned to everything she believed in?
Customer Reviews:
An Inspiring Tale.......2007-07-09
This review can be found in its entirety at ROMANCEJUNKIES.COM.
Genealogist Jenna Wade thinks her life is perfect when she marries Daniel Prescott after a whirlwind courtship. Two years later her marriage falls apart and she suffers a traumatic miscarriage. Jenna's dreams have been shattered. She has also lost her faith in love and in God. Upon returning to her childhood home in Cypress Creek, Texas, Jenna erects a barrier in her heart to keep out the rest of the world. When she first meets Jake McConnell, Jenna senses that this sexy man is a danger to her self-imposed isolation. The attraction she feels for Jake could tear down the wall Jenna has deliberately built inside herself to keep others at bay.
Jake McConnell has faced challenges of his own. Unlike Jenna, Jake's faith has carried him through adversity. His faith has helped him to build a better life. Jake knows after taking one look at Jenna that he wants to help her find her way back to God. After getting to know Jenna better, he also hopes they can build a future together.
Jake introduces Jenna to his client, Fancy Stevenson. Fancy wants Jenna to research the Stevenson family history. Fancy desires a detailed genealogical history to leave as a legacy for her family. Jake hopes, with Fancy's help, to bring Jenna's emotional barriers crashing down. Can Jake break down Jenna's walls and convince her they can have a future together? When Jenna's past rears its ugly head, will Jenna be able to hold on to the fragile peace she has found in Cypress Creek?
COMING HOME is an emotionally inspiring story about a woman endeavoring to find her way back to God. Emily Brevard has written a strong character driven book with an amazing amount of heart and soul. The honesty of the emotions touched me very deeply. This delightful story stayed with me long after I read the last word. COMING HOME is a new, refreshing genre for me. I fell in love with Jake and Jenna's story. Secondary character Fancy is the perfect example of a grandmotherly woman who entertains visitors with homemade cookies and lemonade. I adored Fancy and felt she added a tremendous amount of heart to this already wonderful book. I could not put COMING HOME down until I found out how it ended.
This sweet, touching romance is more than just a love story. It is the journey to re-discovery of God and self. However, the end of Jenna's voyage is just a new beginning. Come along for this incredible trip. You won't be disappointed. In fact, you might be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
An Emotionally Satisfying read.......2007-02-27
Emily Brevard draws her readers into the lives of her characters and holds your attention captive to the very last page. I loved Jenna, the main character who is trying to find her way back from a devastating situation. Ms. Brevard skillfully balances her emotions between understandably angry and depressed and wallowing in misery. And who couldn't fall in love with Jake who is patient and gentle with Jenna's bruised heart as well as being her tower of strength when ex-husband Daniel oozes back onto the scene. Daniel, in contrast is the guy you love to hate. In addition the setting of the novel is well drawn and it is obvious that the author loves her home state of Texas. I'm only giving this four stars because I'm sure there is more and better yet to come from this author.
A true gem!.......2007-02-22
Jenna Wade Prescott's disastrous marriage to Daniel had a high cost; she lost both her unborn child and her faith in God. Jenna couldn't understand how God could allow this to happen. Fleeing back to the safety of her mother's home in Cypress Creek, Texas, Jenna is now merely going through the motions of life. Jake McConnell is determined to change that and intends to help Jenna rediscover her faith in God and her zest for living. Will Jenna find both God and love when COMING HOME?
Emily Brevard's tale of loss and redemption will leave the reader in tears on more than one occasion. Jenna's painful situation is heart wrenching, perhaps even more so because it is very realistic. The depiction of Jenna's anguish and her feelings of emptiness truly demonstrate a life separate from God. Emily Brevard does a fantastic job at portraying the positive role of faith as well as well as the peace that comes with faith.
Jake McConnell and Fancy Stevenson truly embody the traits one expects to see in people with a strong faith in God. Their steadfast faith demonstrates the characteristics inherent to a Christian. By their examples and their continued caring, Jake and Fancy give Jenna a glimpse of the true heart and soul of the Christian faith. Emily Brevard's beautiful characterizations make this a strong inspirational story and one that is guaranteed to touch hearts.
Emily Brevard's gift at creating a story with a strong emotional impact is very evident in COMING HOME. This story packs a very powerful punch and gives readers a lot of food for thought with the overall inspirational message. Emily Brevard's tale is one to be treasured as COMING HOME is a true gem.
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
Book Description
MERIDIAN is the story of Sephie, a sheltered young girl whose life resembles nothing so much as a fairy tale. The beloved only child of the Minister of Meridian, she grows up with an entire floating city as her playground. Then her father dies, and she inherits a sigil imbued with the power to create. So does her wicked Uncle Ilahn, except that his powers are bent on destruction and domination. Suddenly Sephie finds herself at the center of a power struggle, and quickly she learns that there is more than love in the world. Meridian V. 4: Coming Home is a floating sky island of shipbuilders ravaged by the occupying forces from Cadador, the island of merchants and contract holders. The Minister of Meridian, Sephie, has survived a trial by fire. Returning home, Sephie will use the strange healing powers she's been given to banish the Cadadorians from her island. Unfortunately, her Uncle Ilahn was also given a sigil and its wonderful ability to manipulate energies - but his power destroys. Merdian is a coming-of-age story that appeals to the audience of "Harry Potter" fans with its magical battles and fantastic setting all narrated by Sephie. Featuring first Associate Artist program graduate Steve McNiven's latest work, this book spotlights the work of an artist destined to be one of comics' greatest.
Customer Reviews:
can't wait for the fifth book!.......2003-06-09
With the great art, young woman focus, and advanture storyline, I have just now gotten into comic books! I can't put down each book that comes out until I finish it. I definitely recommend this series to any teen-age girl. Doing what must be done, Sephie is moral and brave. Like I said, I can't wait for the fifth book!
Books:
- Dos mundos Student Edition with Online Learning Center Bind-in Passcode (McGraw-Hill World Languages)
- Every Secret Thing
- Exile
- Flannery O'Connor : Collected Works : Wise Blood / A Good Man Is Hard to Find / The Violent Bear It Away / Everything that Rises Must Converge / Essays & Letters (Library of America)
- Flesh and Blood
- For a Few Demons More (Rachel Morgan, Book 5)
- For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Justice
- Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God's Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People
- Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, 5th Edition
- God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer
Books Index
Books Home
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A New Science of Life
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Chaos, Creativity, and Cosmic Consciousness
