Of course such branching can lead to very confusing jumbles of code unless the programmer makes an effort at structure, clarity and commenting.
If my recollection is correct (and I began programming with Fortran and Algol in the mid 60's), the above was about the only form of branching available in the earliest Fortran, but certainly by the late 60's programmers had less easily abused control statements such as IF..THEN..ELSE, as well as the functions and subroutines that had been used since the beginning or near it. Djikstra's shocking 1968 proposal was that programmers should be limited to a carefully defined set of such 'structured' tools, and the simple GOTO (who the heck knows what or where statement 275 is in the above example?) totally abandoned.
Overall, an excellent book for its history and observations on software development and its problems. I'd give those parts alone 5*, or maybe 4.5* for the occasional statement that seems a bit off, but because the story of Chandler and OSAF itself was mostly pretty dull, or at least unmotivated, to me, I'll knock it down to 4*. If office desktop managers really perk you up, you may enjoy it more fully than I did.
Interesting, but like the project it covers, the book rambles on with little focus.......2007-08-10
I bought this book based on a write-up in one of the trade mags. I found it interesting. It's quite a mix of IT historical anecdotes, project management insights, and programming and system architecture methodologies all woven around the story of OASF's Chandler PIM project. However, in the end, like the project it covers, it suffers from lack of structure and overall focus. It rambles on, and the musings and tangents occasionally stray far. There is a "stuck in limbo" quality to the story telling as there is with the project. Eventually the author has to reach some sort of closure, which is abrupt and forced. Overall, I enjoyed the tale. I have a formal IT background and enjoyed revisiting many of the concepts reviewed. However, by the end, it was getting to be a tedious read.
Amazon.com
Meet Dexter Morgan. He's a highly respected lab technician specializing in blood spatter for the Miami Dade Police Department. He's a handsome, though reluctant, ladies' man. He's polite, says all the right things, and rarely calls attention to himself. He's also a sociopathic serial killer whose "Dark Passenger" drives him to commit the occasional dismemberment.
Mind you, Dexter's the good guy in this story.
Adopted at the age of four after an unnamed tragedy left him orphaned, Dexter's learned, with help from his pragmatic policeman father, to channel his "gift," killing only those who deal in death themselves. But when a new serial killer starts working in Miami, staging elaborately grisly scenes that are, to Dexter, an obvious attempt at communication from one monster to another, the eponymous protagonist finds himself at a loss. Should he help his policewoman sister Deborah earn a promotion to the Homicide desk by finding the fiend? Or should he locate this new killer himself, so he can express his admiration for the other's "art?" Or is it possible that psycho Dexter himself, admittedly not the most balanced of fellows, is finally going completely insane and committing these messy crimes himself?
Despite his penchant for vivisection, it's hard not to like Dexter as his coldly logical personality struggles to emulate emotions he doesn't feel and to keep up his appearance as a caring, unremarkable human being. Breakout author Jeff Lindsay's plot is tense and absorbing, but it's the voice of Dexter and his reactions to the other characters that will keep readers glued to Darkly Dreaming Dexter, as well as making it one of the most original and highly recommended serial killer stories in a long time. --Benjamin Reese
Book Description
The Basis for a New Showtime® Original Series Starring Michael C. Hall
Meet Dexter Morgan, a polite wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’s handsome and charming, but something in his past has made him abide by a different set of rules. He’s a serial killer whose one golden rule makes him immensely likeable: he only kills bad people. And his job as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department puts him in the perfect position to identify his victims. But when a series of brutal murders bearing a striking similarity to his own style start turning up, Dexter is caught between being flattered and being frightened–of himself or some other fiend.
Download Description
Jeff Lindsay lives in South Florida with his wife and three daughters.
Dearly Devoted Dexter, the second novel featuring Dexter Morgan, will be published in July 2005.
From the Paperback edition.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent quick read!.......2007-10-04
Love Jeff Lindsay! He's my new favorite...used to be David Wiltse & Thomas Harris...no more! (But try David Wiltse if you haven't - I recommend starting with Close to the Bone) :) "Dexter" books are a very quick read, but that's okay...with this being a new show on Showtime I'm sure he's gonna be cranking these out @ warp speed, but the quality will not suffer, no doubt. Like Wiltse, he's one of those authors that grab you with the first paragraph and you can't put it down until your finished! AAAAA+++++ Catch DEXTER on Showtime if you haven't already!
Darkly Dreaming Dexter.......2007-10-01
The book arrived in perfect condition in a timely manner, but just wasn't for me. It was interesting but I was expecting something a little different. However, if you like dry, macabre humor, this is the book for you!
A good friend without human feelings.......2007-09-24
Dexter is a sympathetic character who happens not to have normal human feelings. Moreover, he harbors the Dark Passenger deep in his psyche, and his other persona is a viciouse, libidinal killer. Despite all of this, Dexter is an engaging and interesting person who you will want to get to know.. as long as he's only in a book. Excellent writing, humorous and dark.
DEXTER IS DELIRIOUSLY DELIGHTFUL!.......2007-09-23
Darkly Dreaming Dexter is the first in the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay. The series is a firsthand account of America's first "likable" serial killer. Dexter only kills bad people...and his point of view is so original that it's impossible to not have a fun read.
The story focuses around the mysterious Ice Truck Killer who kills people by disassembling them piece-by-piece. At the same time he's engaged Dexter in a clever game of serial-killing one-ups-manship. Will Dexter save the day before someone close to him dies...by his own hand?
The Dexter character has also translated well to the Showtime series which is a great example of black comedy done to perfection. The novel and the series do share many similarities and some important differences (character deaths, unexplored plotlines). Thus you can read Dexter and watch Dexter and still get the maximum amount of entertainment value. This is a great character who hopefully will have a very long shelf life.
The saga continues, but not as good as the first one........2007-09-21
This sequel to Dearly Devoted Dexter has the witty voice of Dexter, but the plot is not as riveting as the first book. Still, it's a wonderful read.
Book Description
"[A] solid how-to book...For amateur dream researchers, this is a must."
WHOLE EARTH REVIEW
This book goes far beyond the confines of pop dream psychology, establishing a scientifically researched framework for using lucid dreaming--that is, consciously influencing the outcome of your dreams. Based on Dr. Stephen LaBerge's extensive laboratory work at Stanford University mapping mind/body relationships during the dream state, as well as the teachings of Tibetan dream yogis and the work of other scientists, including German psycholgist Paul Tholey, this practical workbook will show you how to use your dreams to: Solve problems; Gain greater confidence; improve creativity, and more.
From the Paperback edition.
Customer Reviews:
Thoroughly researched. Impartial. Immediately applicable........2007-10-10
I've adopted the exercises in the book and am becoming lucid with increasing frequency, now up to one or two lucid dreams per week.
I think that's about the best compliment you can give a book with this objective.
Good reading.......2007-08-25
This book is definetly well written, and extremly interesting. Go's over several techniques to experience lucidity. Easy to follow along with. just spend the 5 bucks and get it.
While insightful, I find this book puts me to sleep.......2007-02-01
I am a semi-lucid dreamer, i.e., I can access memory of previous dreams while dreaming, but I don't know that I'm dreaming, so I have no control over the content of my dreams. This is a good guide to becoming conscious of your dream life, but it is so boring that it puts me right to sleep. Don't expect to be able to start exploring the world of lucid dreaming without lots of dream work, e.g., keeping a dream diary, looking for triggers in your dreams to alert you to the fact that you are dreaming while dreaming. However, the first time you realize that you've "been here, done that" in your dreams, you will never dismiss those hours asleep as a waste of time: Every dream becomes way more entertaining that going to the movies.
best on the subject.......2007-01-22
This one is simply the best book on lucid dreaming i've read so far. It's clear, it gives some solid psychological background, enough information to start and continu with lucid dreaming for a long time. It's got everything i read somewhere else and more in it. If you get one book on lucid dreaming, this will have to be it.
Lucid Dreaming.......2007-01-18
This is a fabulous book for anyone who has ever suffered Sleep Paralysis, or visitations from (seemingly) other worldly demons during sleep - or for those who have enjoyed the wonders of gaining consciousness while in the dreamstate.
It explains all of these phenonema in very simple and logical terms.
It also explains how you can develop and enhance your ability to regain consciousness during dreaming - and thereby opens a whole new world of incredible experiences.
Fans of Carlos Castenada will love it.
Average customer rating:
- Into the Dreaming
- GOOD READ
- Teeeeeny Little Book
- Absolutely enthralling!!!!!!!!!!!!1
- Previously published
|
Into the Dreaming
Karen Marie Moning
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Time Travel | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Time Travel | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
-
Darkfever
-
The Highlander's Touch
-
Spell of the Highlander
-
The Immortal Highlander
-
To Tame a Highland Warrior
ASIN: 051514150X |
Customer Reviews:
Into the Dreaming.......2007-09-10
This is short story. So just keep that in mind when you buy it. I was disappointed when I recieved it becasue I thought it was a full novel. I haven't had a chance to read it yet as it is in line waiting but I've never read anything from Karen Marie Moaning that I didn't like.
GOOD READ.......2007-09-07
As always Ms. Moning delievers excellent writing. The only substraction from this book is that its very short. Its a good book to travel with though and a good addition to toss into your order for a quick good read on the fly. If you are a moning fan its definately worth the search to get this booklet!
Teeeeeny Little Book.......2007-08-31
Although I am a big Moning fan I must admit I am dissapointed. This is more of a pamphlet than a book and I'm not even excited to crack the cover. I'm sure it will be great as I just love the Highlander Series but sheesh- 102 pages for 3 bucks!
Absolutely enthralling!!!!!!!!!!!!1.......2007-08-15
This was a great book: short, sweet and straight to the point. I am in the process of reading all of Karen Moning's Highland series and I would recommend this as a starting point for anyone interested. It was a wonderful story with just enough of everything to keep you glued to your chair for the entire reading
Previously published.......2007-07-17
This was a good story but not worth as a 5 dollar stand alone. I recommend finding the anthology it was previously published in and enjoying all the stories therein.
Customer Reviews:
God Bless and has Blessed Bill Johnson.......2007-08-23
Bill Johnson has tapped into how to walk in the gift of healing just as Jesus
did when He walked on earth,He is a highly favored man of God who teaches how
to heal people just as Jesus did. How blessed we are to have his teachings
and heart for God and people! I can never get enough of his teachings, I have
a lot of his books and cd's. Wonderful faithful servant of Christ. Highly recommended!!
Brenda from MD.
I have tears in my eyes as I am writing........2007-08-08
I am an avid reader. I read every good book I can get my hands on. But this book is different. I has the power to open up a new realm of existence. To tear down the old way of thinking and give you permission to live the good life God intended us to have. Deep down we all crave and hunger for the good life, for good things. But through years of mans tradition we somehow think we are serving the Lord through being defeated, poor and beneath. I am so happy to say that God's Master Plan is very different. Don't take my word for it! Get the book, and then don't take his word for it, but open up the Bible and you will be surprised what you find. Do it for you, for your kids and generations after you. You have that responsibility.
Why this Book is important in your spiritual growth........2007-05-13
Bill Johnson explains why allowing God's creative flow to work through you is so important. You don't have to be in a ministry or be a missionary to have God's creative flow working through you. In fact, it's just as important that God-inspired dreams are developed in Christians as they walk in all facets of society. And, that's what makes this book so special. Understanding that there are no limits with God when you're walking in His purposes.
Dreaming With God by Bill Johnson.......2007-05-13
Deep calls unto Deep! I liked how Bill uses others as well as his insights that God has revealed to him to share the things on God's heart to Call His Bride to a position of Faith and Victory.
God as artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.......2007-04-11
Bill Johnson does an amazing job in this book of casting God in a whole new light: not as a stuffy old sod who frowns on our creative dreams and passions, but rather as a cutting-edge genius who encourages them and even gives us the inspiration we need to be successful! If Heaven is the most creative realm imaginable, and it must be since God is the most creative being imaginable, then we can tap into that realm and bring real art, meaning, and solutions to earth for the culture around us.
If you are of the "emerging/missional" church movement, or if you are more in the charismatic/revival stream, or if you are just sick of going through the Christian motions and wondering why church life is so boring, then this book might just be the nudge you're looking for to start dreaming with God.
Book Description
No country inspires as much fascination as Italy, and no region in Italy inspires as much adoration as Tuscanyâfor its interior design, art and architecture, fashion, artisans and crafts, food and wine. In Dreaming of Tuscany you'll experience the essence of a place that dreams are made of, ensuring you'll get the most out of your experience. Sharing her recommendations of favorite insider places and word-of-mouth gems, best-selling lifestyle author Barbara Milo Ohrbach acts as a guide to food markets, exquisite shops, overflowing antiques markets, not to mention cooking courses, outdoor painting classes, ancient palazzos and small museums. And you can live like a Tuscan once you return home, with this book providing sources for everything from luscious bed linens to peppery olive oil. Dreaming of Tuscany is illustrated with three hundred sumptuous images by photographer Simon Upton. Don't dream of visiting Tuscany without first reading this book.
Customer Reviews:
Dreaming of Tuscany.......2007-06-07
As a frequent traveler to Tuscany, I find this book one of the best. It reflects the romantic and unique part of the world known as Tuscany. Wonderful coffee table book, resource for Tuscany and reading for rainy days.
Dreaming of Tuscany.......2007-01-15
Since my daughter and I are going to be in Tuscany in the spring, I found the book to be a great resource for the area. I'm looking forward to seeing things firsthand...but so glad that Ms. Ohrbach has done the groundwork for us...a much more efficient use of our limited time there!
Book Description
She stood at danger's threshold––
then love beckoned her in.
In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Feilding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well–bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven––and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.
A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from, poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gambling house––a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world––with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow–realm of ever–shifting fortunes, even a proper "mouse" can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress––and a world–weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion. . .and the promise of love.
"A Real Joy . . . Hard To Put Down"
–– Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
"Wonderfully Refreshing . . . I Enjoyed It From Beggining To End."
–– Johanna Lindsey
"Lisa Kleypas is more than just a fine writer of rich and passionate historical romances, she's a genuine phenomenon."
–– Heart to Heart
Download Description
Sara Fielding is a prim and proper gentlewoman. But when Derek Craven opens the door to his dark world of gambling and danger, he finds that even an innocent "mouse" can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress -- and a cynical gambler can be shaken to his core by the power of passion and love. She stood at peril's threshold --then love beckoned her in. A prim, well-bred gentlewoman, Sara Fielding is a writer who puts pen to paper to create dreams. But now curiosity is luring her from the shelter of her country cottage into the dangerous world of Derek Craven -- handsome, tough, and tenacious -- and the most exciting man Sara has ever met. Derek rose from poverty to become the wealthy lord of London's most exclusive gambling house. And now duty demands that he allow Sara Fielding to enter his perilous realm of ever-shifting fortunes -- with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But there is a hidden strength and sensuality to the lady that captivates him beyond his better judgment. And in this world, where danger lurks behind every shadow, even a proper mouse can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress -- and a cynical gambler can be shaken to his core by the power of passion and the promise of love.
Customer Reviews:
Dreaming of you.......2007-08-19
Lisa has a wonderful way of writing for this era that keep you reading till your done with this book! I love all of her books!
Great sequel!.......2007-08-07
I just finished 'Dreaming of You' and absolutely loved it. Derek Craven was introduced in 'Then Came You' (*please read before this novel...it sets up Derek's character enormously*). In that novel, he positively stole the show for me, because LK potrayed him as a bastard at first but then we saw some hint that maybe there was more to him...
In this romance, I found something very rare in Regencies- character development. Sara was stiff and prim at first however with her relationship with Derek, we see something unfurling in her character...it's not a dramatic change that leaves the reader wondering if there is a split personality, but slowly we see her questioning how she lived her life before and relationship with Perry (the almost fiance she has in the country). Derek , of course, gradually thaws and understands how to love and be loved.
This was all done without some silly misunderstanding or Derek lashing out at Sara. To both protagonists credit, they did their requisite stupid acts at the beginning and then got on with it. Sara made some silly decisions (going to the ball and then going off with Jenner), and Derek did something questionable (he slept with Tabitha, a house wench because she looked like Sara). In his defense, he thought she was going back to the country to wed Perry. I hardly think he would have become celibate forever after that. And as Tabitha stated, he pretended she was Sara. It was more pathetic than wrath provoking in my opinion.
Finally, I liked the book because there was no mention of the ton. Sara and Derek are two commoners who found love with each other. That , to me is extremely more believable than some trite plot where a Lady falls in love with him and the entire book is about their social class. Dereks struggle was that he thought himself morally inferior to Sara, and not being loveable. Sara, knowing what love is, without riches, was able to show him what unconditional love is.
All in all, a great follow up, and an excellent showing on LK's part.
Loved Derek.......2007-07-28
Was so glad to read about Derek. He intrigued me in "Then Came You", and was hoping to get a bigger piece of him. Loved that you could read about Lily and Alex from "Then Came You". Just a good book!!!
Wonderful..........2007-07-25
i've always thought that derek craven was lisa kleypas' most intriguing characters--i've had a little crush on him since discovering in earlier kleypas novels...and this book doesn't disappoint! I adore "female writer" characters, and thought Sara made a wonderful heroine--perfect for the dark, troubled Craven--who's just yummy. Enjoy!
My favorite Kleypas book ever!.......2007-07-16
IF you've ever read any of Lisa Kleypas's books, you know she is a wonderful writing. So to say this is my favorite...well you know it must extraordinarily great! My second favorite kleypas is "when strangers marry". If you enjoyed this book you'll enjoy "Devil in winter" b/c it's pretty much Derek craven reembodied in the hero.
Book Description
"Remarkable...An intricate weaving of dramatic events with the supernatural and the cosmic...Evocative and lush...A rich and haunting narrative, an excellent new voice in contemporary fiction."
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Now available in a Spanish language edition from Ballantine Books.
Here is the dreamy and bittersweet story of a family divided by politics and geography by the Cuban revolution. It is the family story of Celia del Pino, and her husband, daughter and grandchildren, from the mid-1930s to 1980. Celia's story mirrors the magical realism of Cuba itself, a country of beauty and poverty, idealism and corruption. DREAMING IN CUBAN presents a unique vision and a haunting lamentation for a past that might have been.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting Story, but a cumbersome read.......2007-10-04
I found Dreaming in Cuban to be a cumbersome effort to read. Almost from the start I was beginning to lose track of the characters and I was beginning to think that I would need a score card to keep track of who was who. In this novel the author did create interesting scenes that centers around the Cuban family, and culture but there were so many loose ends when I finished reading the book that the overall story just didn't connect with me. It's not a terrible read, maybe just an entertaining story.
Fragmented.......2007-08-23
Disjointed segments come together to form Dreaming in Cuban. A series of letters, switches between first person and third person point of view, and an unclear ending result in a bewildered reader.
it was ok- what a let down.......2007-07-13
I don't know what the big deal was for this book.
I waited many years to read this book.
To me what a let down.
I expected much more. I lived in Miami's Cuba, so I expected more.
It was soooo depressing to live in Cuba. The daughter were so different like night and day. One sister was in to Santaria,( african voodoo) that she died because of it. Another sister was in the USA, and she went to Cuba and then decided she wanted to save her nephew.It was just too outlandish. And not realistic. The end was disappointing.
Tastes of Perfection...........2007-04-27
While it may sound like an overstatement, this book really does taste of perfection. The fact that Garcia began it as a poem which blossomed into a novel is apparent. The language is simply beautiful. Garcia tracks the del Pino women through their different experiences with exile, showing us both extremes (the pro-Castro, anti-American and the assimilated immigrant who hates communism and loves American democracy). However, Garcia does not leave us with merely polar opposites. She fills in the gaps with the angst ridden one-and-a-halfer Pilar (Life on the Hyphen), the male-dependant Felicia, and the repulsive men who walk in and out of the story. Garcia puts her money where her mouth is revealing that "no two exile experiences are the same."
The interweaving of letters from abuela Celia to her lost lover are a wonderful reinforcement (and even enhancement) of the narrative. If you are interested in Cuban American Studies, this book is a great outlet to see the effects of exile.
Whether you want to learn more about exile and Cuban-Americans or you just want a solid, entertaining novel, I highly recommend Cristina Garcia's masterpiece, Dreaming in Cuban.
Difficult, but interesting.......2006-12-12
I read this book for a graduate level class on Latino-American literature. It was the last book we read in the semester, so I have a lot to compare it to in the category. It was not my favorite. While fragmentation is a common theme and technique in writing literature of this genre, the fragmentation in this novel is felt more than it is observed. Readers experience some of the lost feelings and confusion that we would suppose modern Latin-American immigrants would feel in America. The writer's technique is so effective that it makes the story less compelling than others I have read that present fragmentation clearly and cleverly. Nevertheless, I learned something about Cuba, and generational conflicts, and about people when I read this book.
Book Description
What if right now, reading these words, you suddenly realized that you were actually dreaming - and that in this domain you could do anything imaginable? That is what it's like to dream lucidly, teaches Stephen LaBerge. In this new book/CD, he teaches his simple, proven methods for becoming fully conscious in the dream state.. with expert instruction gleaned from LaBerge's 20 years of pioneer in research at Stanford University, now anyone can learn to consciously explore and use their dreams for self-discovery, creativity, fantasy fulfillment, emotional healing, and profound spiritual insights. CD includes two complete guided dream induction sessions.
Customer Reviews:
Take This One Minute Test.......2007-08-26
Look around and observe your environment. Now ask yourself, "Ask I dreaming or am I awake?" Now look at the time on your watch. Let's say, it reads 3:25 p.m. Now look away for a moment. Now look again. If it says 9:55 a.m. then in all probability you are dreaming. This simple reality is one of the techniques that you train yourself to do while you are dreaming a regular dream. When you remember to do this reality check during a regular dream, the chances become very high that you will realize you are dreaming while you are dreaming. This all things impossible become possible. You can fly. You can make love to anyone you can conjure up in your imagination, real or fictional. You could talk to Einstein about the nature of the universe or you could walk with the Buddha amongst fragrant garden in the Orient and discourse on the meaning of life. Once you are lucid, everything you can imagine can become real!
Stephen LaBerge is world authority on this phenomenon, and he has helped thousands to develop the ability of lucid dreaming. This book is a must have read for anyone interested in lucid dreaming.
After you get this one, the others that I recommend to follow are:
Creative Dreaming: Plan And Control Your Dreams to Develop Creativity, Overcome Fears, Solve Problems, and Create a Better Self
Teach Yourself to Dream: A Practical Guide to Unleashing the Power of the Subconscious Mind
The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep
Thank you, Mr. LaBerge for your work.
All you need is here.......2007-08-24
If you want a more in depth and scientific book about lucid dreaming, Laberge's Explore the World of Lucid Dreaming is better. This short book contains the techniques you need, and all of the most relevant information.
The cd is good, not great. Laberge did not need to put some of the introductions on the tracks which take away from the exercises, and instead should have been printed in the book. The two trance tracks are identical except the day track tells you to wake up at the end, and I personally don't care for the lotus visualization--I always get confused as to how to visualize a lotus in my throat--do I look at it from where my eyes are, or look at me as though I am another person... Not clearly defined. He also varies his vocal volume too much--so you can't set an ideal volume because he mumbles at times and is too loud at others.
Overall a good book. I also liked The Art of Dreaming, The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep, and Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light. All this reading means little if you don't practice though.
Don't Buy This Book By the Original.......2007-03-08
I bought this book not realizing it was just a condensed version of the author's book Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming. There is nothing new here except a CD you don't need. If you are new to ludid dreaming you want to stick to Laberge's previous work. If you have already read that, you won't need to spend your money on this. It's like the cliffnotes version with pretty packaging and a CD thrown in to make it sound worth the money. It's simply not.
Be on your way to lucid dreams.......2007-01-10
This is one of the most interesting books I've read in awhile. It's not very long, it's a quick read and the author does a good job of providing a background to lucid dreaming and explains the benefits that are associated with lucid dreaming, as well as providing a guide to becoming lucid in your dreams. The book comes with a CD to help you become lucid in your dreams and the CD contains several exercises that are all narrated by the author. The exercises on the CD are easy to follow and the quality of the recording is very good. Some tracks also contain meditative music in the background. There are some topics in relation to lucid dreaming that were not covered in the book that I would have liked to see the author comment on, such as the variety of available legal herbal supplements that are supposed to promote the occurrence of lucid dreams. Although I cannot say that the book has helped me become lucid in my own dreams as of yet, the author's techniques that are taught in the book and on the accompanying CD have already helped me go from not remembering any of my dreams to being able to recall several dreams per night with increasingly more detail.
J.E.
outstanding!!!!.......2006-05-15
this book is MUCH better than the author's earlier book(exploring the world of lucid dreaming)for three reasons.(1)it is WAY more comprehensive.(2) the exercises are simpler and easier to understand.(3)it has up to date information.the previous book was written sixteen years ago and this book has a lot of recent research results/techniques.i highly recommend it for anyone who really desires to use this valuable skill.
Average customer rating:
- Castaneda
- To Carlos, with gratitude
- Words cannot explain
- Dreaming truly is an art...
- Buy it
|
The Art of Dreaming
Carlos Castaneda
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Shamanism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Castaneda, Carlos | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Dreams | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
Power of Silence
-
Fire from Within
-
The Active Side of Infinity
-
Separate Reality
-
The Eagle's Gift
ASIN: 006092554X |
Book Description
Bestselling author Carlos Castaneda introduces readers to the worlds that exist within their dreams.
Customer Reviews:
Castaneda.......2007-07-01
Not the greatest but who's to say. Lists some practical guides for dreaming and is still a bit criptive to those not fully involve with the sorcerer's path. Still a recommended read for those not too inclined but interested. Don't know what else to say.
To Carlos, with gratitude.......2007-06-22
Carlos Castaneda was one of the most controversial writers of the twentieth century. Some in academia branded him a fraud for claiming his stories were biographical rather than fiction, while lauding him as a great novelist for exposing a mass audience to otherwise inaccessible philosophical abstractions they claimed were largely plagiarized. Each of his works is a piece of a larger puzzle, which makes it impossible to critique any one book without addressing the larger context into which it fits.
His first two books, "Teachings of Don Juan" and "A Separate Reality" describe experiences induced by ingesting psychotropic hallucinogenics prepared by a Yaqui Indian shaman from Sonora, Mexico he called don Juan Matus, and accounted for his becoming a guru to a generation seeking short cuts to spiritual enlightenment, as well as his lifelong interest in the relationship between perception and reality, a theme now explored in many popular books on consciousness and quantum physics. Unfortunately, these books remain his best selling works, in spite of Castaneda refuting their importance in his later works. Readers would be best served to skip these and avoid the risk of being turned off to Castaneda and missing the more stimulating works that followed.
His third and fourth works were "Journey to Ixtlan" and "Tales of Power." In Ixtlan he admits to over-estimating the value of his drug experiences, which caused him to overlook the more profound teachings of don Juan which became the focus of future writings. What emerges is a spiritual discipline dating back to the Pre-Colombian Toltec sorcerers of Latin America, culminating with don Juan's departure from our world, effectively ending Castaneda's direct affiliation.
In his fifth and sixth works "Second Ring of Power" and "Eagles Gift" Castaneda suffers strange flashbacks of what seem to be memory fragments of events he is unable to fit into any logical time sequence. In his seventh and eighth works, "Fire From Within" and "Power of Silence," Castaneda succeeds in reconstructing his lost memories, which derive from teachings previously administered by don Juan while Castaneda was in a "heightened" state of awareness.
In books nine and ten, "Art of Dreaming" and "Active Side of Infinity," Castaneda focuses on what he describes as inorganic predators from another dimension, some having the power to imprison humanity in "ordinary reality" so they can feed on the dark emotional energies we produce when succumbing to the negative thoughts they insert into our minds.
In later years several seemingly substantiating works appeared by two of Castaneda's female apprentices, Taisha Abelar and Florinda Donner-Grau. In addition, two scathing exposés were also published by two of his ex-wives. The first, "Magical Journey with Carlos Castaneda" by first wife, Margaret Runyon, offers little corroboration, since her marriage pre-dates the time when the bulk of Castaneda's adventures were claimed to have occurred. While steadfast that Castaneda was a sorcerer, she doubts the existence of don Juan, even claiming authorship of many of the concepts Castaneda ascribed to him.
The second, and more credible work, is "Sorcerer's Apprentice," by well-known writer Amy Wallace, daughter of the late best selling novelist Irving Wallace. Here again, we find little corroboration since the time of the events she describes is well after the period when Castaneda's relationship with don Juan is alleged to occur. What the book does provide is a troubling look inside Castaneda's final years, a picture of descent into what seems sexual addiction and possibly madness, leaving one to wonder if Castaneda was just one cup of cool-aid short of a Jonestown.
Many have asked why I put any stock whatsoever in Castaneda. A story from my autobiography, "The Vortex" may shed some light. A year before Castaneda published his first book I had an experience that would remain a mystery until Castaneda published "Power of Silence" twenty years later.
For a brief time, in my youth, I became a practicing Muslim, meticulously performing the complex prayer ritual five times a day. Then one night, sitting in my car, frustrated and complaining at not being able to find the address of my next sales appointment, something inside me snapped. It was as if some part of me had disconnected from my body and assumed control, lecturing me about my lack of discipline. A profound calm settled over me, rendering me simultaneously detached and engaged. For two days my sales figures soared. It was as if no one could say no to me. On the evening of the second day I decided to put my new state of being to the acid test by visiting my parents. Their behavior was so uncharacteristically supportive I hardly recognized them. It was enough to convince me that I was now living in an altered reality. But by the following morning I had returned to "normal." So distracting had this event been that I completely forgot to perform my Muslim prayers, and in fact, never did so again.
Twenty years later, in a chapter of "Power of Silence" entitled "Place of No Pity" Castaneda describes a very similar experience. In the aftermath of the event don Juan explains that humans are like televisions stuck on a channel called "self-preoccupation," lacking the energy to tune into any of the vast array of other channels available to us. To change channels, he explains, we first need to accumulate energy, by practicing rituals that are deliberate, precise and repetitious. Do this long enough and eventually our stored energy precipitates a shift to a channel where self-importance and self pity become impossible. Once this happens we connect with the force that controls the entire universe, a force don Juan called "intent," and everything can be bent to our will and even more channels can be opened, assuming we remember to keep practicing the rituals that save our energy.
This one realization alone was enough to inspire me to dedicate my autobiography "To Carlos, with gratitude."
Maxwell Austin van Lack, Author of The Vortex: A True Story of Passion and Karma
Words cannot explain.......2007-02-05
The art of dreaming is a book that can help you understand an increase your awareness into the world of dreaming. Once you begin down that path you will never see things the same or experience things with quite the same thoughts or perception. If you can become aware of your dreams you will enrich a large part of your life you once thought of as nothing more than sleep or time away, after you master dreaming... you will never truly be asleep, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to approach the world of dreaming for knowledge and perception and a life long journey.
Dreaming truly is an art..........2007-01-10
Castaneda has shared again the Don's teachings, this time on the dream realm. Other than a dream guide, it is an unusual journey, and reveals a path for shamanic dreaming. This book could put you to sleep - if you want to test his words.
Buy it.......2006-11-17
Buy this book, RIGHT NOW. After you buy it, go buy THE Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Then go buy whatever looks good after that. These books are ESSENTIAL. I NEED CAPS TO EMPHASIS THIS!!!
Books:
- Drug Information Handbook: A Comprehensive Resource for All Clinicians and Helathcare Professionals (Drug Information Handbook)
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream
- Flowers for Algernon: In this beloved novel-the basis for the
- For a Few Demons More (Rachel Morgan, Book 5)
- Ford: Tempo/Topaz 1984-94 (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manual)
- Forever and Ever, Amen
- French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes, and Pleasure
- Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise
- Girl in the Mirror
- God Thinks You're Wonderful
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Baby Bargains, 7th Edition: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on baby furinture, gear, clothes, toys, mat
- The Elric Saga: Part I
- General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry Essential
- Shadowpact Vol. 1: The Pentacle Plot
- Paint Watercolors That Dance With Light
- Soil Mechanics and Foundations
- Standard Catalog of Ferrari 1947-2003
- M/E/A/N/I/N/G: An Anthology of Artists' Writings, Theory, and Criticism
- Inside Today's Home
- Molecular Biology Of Pseudomonads
Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days
Beautiful Code: Leading Programmers Explain How They Think (Theory in Practice (O'Reilly))
Smart and Gets Things Done: Joel Spolsky's Concise Guide to Finding the Best Technical Talent
The Soul Of A New Machine
Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager
