Average customer rating:
- Absolutely awesome
- Love this Book
- Detailed and Informative
- Gorgeous book
- Re-Print is blurier than the original 1982 print :-(
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The World of the Dark Crystal: The Collector's Edition
Brian Froud
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
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ASIN: 0810945797 |
Book Description
Now 20 years old, Jim Henson's classic fantasy film The Dark Crystal--featuring the breathtaking concept design of renowned fantasy artist Brian Froud--is a soaring work of the imagination. This mystical adventure has such a huge cult following that when the film was recently re-released on video and DVD, it quickly sold a million copies. Just as remarkable is the cult status of The World of The Dark Crystal, Froud's book on the film. Originally published in 1982 and long out of print, this definitive volume--packed with brilliant artwork--has been in such demand that used copies can sell for well over $400.
Abrams is now proudly reissuing this sought-after book in a brand new collector's edition. This beautifully printed reproduction of the original volume contains all of its stunning art and text--plus a new essay by Froud, illustrated with never-before-published paintings, drawings, and sculptures from the film's archives. And this new edition features a facsimile of a 20-page booklet Froud and Henson created to present the film to backers--a gorgeous overview of the story so rare only a few copies are known to exist. This collector's edition of The World of The Dark Crystal, like the re-released film, will truly be a must-have for Henson and Froud fans.
Customer Reviews:
Absolutely awesome.......2007-08-16
This reedition was long awaited and now I see it's simply delightful. Detailed presentation, awesome drawing and descriptions, it speaks for itself it's been compiled and conceived with an exquisite taste. It includes some extra copies from original designs in fine paper into some kind of envelope. This book is a must for everyone who loves "The Dark Crystal" and wants to know beyond and before... I do love this book.
Love this Book.......2007-03-09
I have loved this movie since I was a child and this book brings a new dimension to it. It is whimsical and informative. I keep it out on my coffee table for all to see.
Detailed and Informative.......2007-02-24
If you`ve just discovered "Dark Crystal" or if your already a serious fan then this book is a must have item. And also just a quick mention on the same subject interest for the "Dark Crystal" will increase shortly because in production as I write this the creator of "Samurai Jack" and "Clone Wars" Genndy Tartakovsky is woking on "The Power of the Dark Cystal" slated for 2008. Can`t wait.
Gorgeous book.......2007-01-30
I love the artwork of Brian Froud and have for years. The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth are two of my most favourite movies. I own several of Froud's other books, including Good Faeries/Bad Faeries. The World of the Dark Crystal is just as beautiful as any of his other works. It's absolutely mesmerizing. The thought put in to the history of this world is amazing, although some of the text can be a bit long winded, it's nevertheless an enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Froud's artwork and/or the Dark Crystal.
Re-Print is blurier than the original 1982 print :-( .......2006-09-11
First the good: There is a new 4 page introduction by Brian Froud, with an excellent reprint of the MAKING OF THE DARK CRYSTAL Book cover and an excellent photograph of Jen and Kira in the woods. I've never seen that photo before, but it's very beautifull. I wissh they could make a book with all those unreleased photographs. The Text here is very informative and an excellent read.
There is also a promo brochure reprint included THE CRYSTAL. I don't have the first release but to me the printing quality is very good and it really looks like an original piece from 1982.
Now the bad: The other parts of the book are just a reprint of the old book. There is no new material and some of the text has been newly typographed. The bad thing about it is they just scanned the original book, so the printing quality is of a lesser quality here. Also a bit of the borders are mising due to this technique.
So, if you want true quality get the 1982 printing.
But DC fans like me will get both books anyway.
Book Description
Full-color photos. Learn about the formation and practical uses of crystals, semiprecious stones, and precious metals.
Customer Reviews:
A VISUAL FEAST!.......2001-01-09
The photographs of OVER 200 CRYSTALS AND GEMS is worth the purchase price of this book. And I am not just talking about ANY picture of each crystal, I am talking about a GORGEOUS, AMAZING sample picture of each crystal! Some of my favorite photographs/stones included are: Opals (My personal favorite stone ok, tied with Diamond!), Aragonite, Agate, Tourmaline, Calcite, Topaz, Barite, Hematite, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, The Blue Hope Diamond, Ruskin's Ruby, Moonstone, Spodumene, Blende, Natural Mosaic, Malachite, Gold, Mother-of-Pearl, Turquoise....I could go on forever!
Here are the chapters: WHAT IS A CRYSTAL? A WORLD OF CRYSTALS, NATURAL BEAUTY, CRYSTALS-OUTSIDE, ...AND INSIDE, THE COLOR OF CRYSTALS, IDENTIFICATION, NATURAL GROWTH, GOOD HABITS, DISCOVERY-RECOVERY, GROWING FROM SEED, CRYSTALS AT WORK, GOOD VIBRATIONS, QUARTZ, DIAMOND, CORUNDUM, BERYL, OPAL, OTHER GEMSTONES, COLLECTORS' ITEMS, STONES FOR CARVING, PRECIOUS METALS, ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE, WHAT IS IT WORTH?, MAKING THEM SPARKLE, LORE AND LEGENDS, CRYSTALS AT HOME AND INDEX.
This is a must-own if you have any interest in the marvelous beauty of crystals and gems. Not only are the photographs great but the information is succinct and fascinating! I highly recommend this book along with any other of the 109 in the Eyewitness series! Talk about something for everyone! Thanks Dr. Symes and Dr. Harding! Wow!
This book is isn't bad, It's meduim (Average)........1999-09-17
This book had a lot of Crystals and Gems that come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Book Description
Quartz crystal-a technology that changed the tide of World War II
Some of the defining leaps in technology in the twentieth century occurred during the Second World War, from radar to nuclear energy. Often left out of historical discussions are quartz crystals, which proved to be just as pivotal to the Allied victory-and to post-war development-as other technologies. Quartz crystals provided the U.S. military, for the first time, with reliable communication on the front lines, and then went on to become the core of some of the most basic devices of the post-war era, from watches, clocks, and color televisions, to cell phones and computers.
In Crystal Clear, Richard Thompson relates the story of the quartz crystal in World War II, from its early days as a curiosity for amateur radio enthusiasts, to its use by the United States Armed Forces. It follows the intrepid group of scientists and engineers from the Office of the Chief Signal Officer of the U.S. Army as they raced to create an effective quartz crystal unit. They had to find a reliable supply of radio-quality quartz; devise methods to reach, mine, and transport the quartz; find a way to manufacture quartz crystal oscillators rapidly; and then solve the puzzling "aging problem" that plagued the early units. Ultimately, the development of quartz oscillators became the second largest scientific undertaking in World War II after the Manhattan Project.
Bringing to light a little-known aspect of World War II, Crystal Clear offers a glimpse inside one of the most significant efforts in the annals of engineering.
Customer Reviews:
A Major Contribution to Winning World War II.......2007-02-11
Just before World War II the Army Air Corp and the Armored forces ran some tests using crystal controlled radios vs. other typed of frequency control. Their conclusion, without crystals you have radios, with crystals you have communications.
The Army Signal Corp basically had no choice but to agree. Crystal controlled radios were so far superior tht there was really no decision. Except for one little point.
The production of crystals for radios in the United States (and in the rest of the world) was essentially intended for the ham radio market. In the united states this amounted to about 100,000 crystals a year. They were made by small 'mom and pop' companies across the US. Now every airplane was going to need from one to ten crystals, so will every tank. So will every radio from the hand held walkie-talkie up to the search radars. Let's do some calculating, and we come up with needing 2,000,000 crystals per MONTH.
This book is the story of coming up to eventually 2.5 million crystals a month.
It's the story of a couple of youngsters grinding five crystals and taking them for examination at the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation (later to change its name to Motorola). They passed the testing and left Galvin that afternoon with an order in their pocket for 80,000 crystals.
It's the story of the technological manufacturing miracle that went a long way to helping win the war. Think about it. When you see American soldiers in war movies, they talk to each other using radios. The Germans and the Japanese don't.
Splendid book on a little knows aspect of World War II.
Amazon.com
Within Tibetan Buddhism, there is a little-known discipline called Dzogchen, the turbo path to liberation. In some traditions, the path to liberation extends over lifetimes of diligent practice, but Dzogchen is an accelerated way to achieve self-perfection. After many years of formal study, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu was initiated into this less-formal practice, which is one of the highest yet most accessible of Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Namkhai Norbu eventually made his way to Italy to teach, where John Shane transcribed and translated Namkhai Norbu's lectures, putting together what is now one of the most popular books on Dzogchen. Namkhai Norbu makes it clear that these teachings are not a handbook for practice but rather an overview of Dzogchen, notably its three divisions: the base, the path, and the fruit. The ultimate and immediate goal is to achieve the primordial state of non-dual awareness, the one taste, and to maintain it. With colorful anecdotes from his own experience (finding an ancient text manifested in a dream, for example, and visiting eccentric cave yogis), Namkhai Norbu's teachings illustrate that Dzogchen is not just theory but the way to a new, and almost incomprehensible, way of being. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Chogyal Namkhai Norbu examines the sprirtual path from the viewpoint of Dzogchen.
Customer Reviews:
His best.......2007-03-22
This is perhaps Norbu's best and most fun book. It has enough of the magical and wonderful in it to give hope to all who read it. We all have to live our own lives. It is great to be able to read a book of good tidings and hope such as Norbu has done here. Some people have great missions in life, and it seems that writing a great book such as this is Norbu's.
great read.......2007-01-14
if you find the subject at all interesting, then i suggest that you read everything namkhai norbu writes about dzogchen
An accessible work of genius .......2006-11-19
As a practitioner of Dzogchen, following the traditional way of guidance and personal practice under a master of that practice, I found this book to be a tremendous help to me. With its concise presentation of the Buddhist paths of Sutra, Tantra, and Dzogchen and the similarities and differences between them, plus wonderfully helpful advice and explanations that will be extremely valuable to someone already having some experience with Dzogchen practice, this book is the best overview I've found yet. Dzogchen is a teaching that is neither magic nor mysticism nor within the domain of scholars - it is simply a teaching to show one how to discover one's true condition, which is the state of Dzogchen, or Great Perfection, itself from the very beginning. Our job is simply to apprehend that state and then, through the use of methods introduced to us by a master, remain in that condition until it is fully and permanently revealed. So, if you would like to know a little at least about what this Dzogchen business is even about, this book will give you a brilliantly concise-yet-thorough and accessible presentation of the most fundamental things you'd need to know before going any further, but its true import can only ever really be comprehended after receiving introduction, in person, from a master. Once you've had some personal experience and the ideas in this book are no longer just ideas, that's when the book's preciousness is actually evident. The Dzogchen path is a vastly profound yet very relaxed, lighthearted, vibrant, and non-dogmatic path concerned with actual experience above all, and Namkhai Norbu is a perfect embodiment of that.
"Into the Lion's Mouth!".......2005-06-21
Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche is a spiritual genius, representing a beautiful and potent spiritual tradition: Dzogchen, or the Great Perfection. This text is an approachable, concise introduction to Rinpoche's teaching and his person, and is valuable as such, even though there really isn't much room here for Rinpoche's genius to broadcast itself en masse.
This text has the advantage of being neither faux-new-age mush nor happy-doodle marketplace Dharma. It makes certain demands on the reader (such as holding a certain amount of precise terminology in mind), but also gives the reader plenty of help keeping it together and in perspective (charts, illustrations, and an index). So, it gives you as gentle an introduction to the Great Perfection one can without doing violence to it.
I just love this author and I am very grateful for his writings. May he live long and his work flourish!
Good, but no where near his best.......2004-12-31
There aren't that many good Dzogchen books available. One of the most prolific writers on the subject is Namkhai Norbu (I've read 9 of his books). His books are very readable and include important descriptions, insights, etc. They serve as, perhaps, the best introductory books (except for the wonderful "Supreme Source" which is more advanced). I also prefer "The Mirror" and "The Cycle of Day and Night" to "The Crystal and the Way of Light." Other books of his of similar value to this one include: "Dream Yoga & the Practice of Natural Light," "Dzogchen and Zen," "Dzogchen: the Self-Perfected State," "The Small Collection of Hidden Precepts" (Manjusrimitra), "and "Teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu." However, I would also recommend the books of Tulku Urgyen which seem a bit more advanced than most of these (e.g. "Rainbow Painting" and "As It Is"). Also, the works of Tulku Urgyen's sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche ("The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" and "Present Fresh Wakefulness") and Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche ("Fearless Simplicity" and "Carefree Dignity"). Also, try some Kagyu Mahamudra books such as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche's or the wonderful commentaries on Karma Chagme's "The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen" (one is listed above) such as "Naked Awareness."
Book Description
The Crystal Skulls are considered to be one of the world's greatest mysteries. In this book you will discover information about 8 different crystal skulls, there mystical properties, experiences that people have had with them, their connection with the UFOs and many theories about their purpose and how they were made. This book is out of print but fortunately due to co-author Joshua Shapiro, he is making copies available. This book was a pre-cursor to the book written by Morton and Thomas in 1998 and contains many spiritual and esoteric insights about the crystal skulls. The book also contains over 40 pictures and illustrations, special information not found in any other book on the market. Get this book while the supplies last. Joshua Shapiro, one of the co-authors has recently appeared (April 2001) on Uri Geller's radio show and also in this month gave a presentation about the crystal skulls at Microsoft.
Customer Reviews:
Ancient Psychic Computers???.......2003-04-12
A little flakey at times, but what do you really ecpect. Best when paired against a more 'practical', physical examination of the skulls, for the sake of fact-checking and drama-reduction. Overall, very interesting.
Customer Reviews:
The Seventh Crystal.......2005-10-04
Chris Jimmy and Shown became the three Museteers. The main thing is they were trying to get a crystal, fought the dragon and rescue the princess. This took place in Shans house inside his video game.Chis Jimmy and Shawn had to work together to beat the game and was to rescue the princess from the dragons layer. All of them were trying to think how to beat the game and trying to get out of it and go home. The most thing that inturests me the most is fighting the dragon to rescue the princess. I think it was a adventure becauce of all games are adventures. I feel that I want to read it agian next time.
this book is a really good adventure book........1998-05-07
Seventh grader Chris Masters is having a problem with two bullis in his school. they steal his lunch money and threaten him. His next biggest problem is a video game called "The Seventh Crystal". It came in the mail with almost no instructions. Chris is a video game wizard and he's trying to figure out this new game. Chris and his friend Jimmy are on their way to the store and are chased by Cliff and Shawn, the two bullies. the chase leads the boys into the ancient Valley of Zon. Chris' challenge is to save the Princess Darvina from the evil Mogg. If he can then the boys can return home. Does Chris save Darvina? what happenes to Mogg? Read the book and find out! I think the book's message is that even if someone tries to make you feel like a wimp, you really aren't. We are all better at some things than we are at other things. A person should not be mean to other people because we all have feelings and things that we do well. I like the book because it was exciting. the adventure never stopped and I couldn't put the book down. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an exciting story.
Book Description
Crystal Clear, by the learned and realized Tibetan Master Thrangu Rinpoche, is a companion volume to the classic meditation manual Clarifying the Natural State. In his straightforward and lucid style Rinpoche gives us an indispensable guidebook for insight practice (vipashyana). For people who want more than just theory, this is a handbook that begins with watching the breath and leads practitioners through stages of realization, all the way to complete enlightenment.
Customer Reviews:
loose commentary on Namgyal's "Clarifying the Natural State".......2005-05-22
Thrangu Rinpoche has published commentaries on a number of the finest Mahamudra (MM) works including the 9th Karmapa's "Ocean of Definitive [& Ultimate] Meaning" & "Pointing Out the Dharmakaya" (POD) & this one based on talks he gave on Dakpo [or Takpo] Tashi Namgyal's "Clarifying the Natural State" (CNS) which, unlike the others, is also available in translation. Namgyal's other famed text, "Moonbeams of Mahamudra" is available in English: "MM: The Quintessence of Mind & Meditation." The 9th Karmapa's 3rd text is also available: "Mahamudra: Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance." Along with the 3rd Karmapa's MM Prayer (see Tai Situ's book on this), these are the best MM primary texts available in English translation/commentary. Jamgön Kongtrül (p. 164). said POD & CNS were the most practical & easiest to apply. Thrangu's commentaries tend to be rather loose & not stanza-by-stanza. He attempts to reveal the work's essence & elaborate on difficult points. In this book, he gives the best exposition I've read on the relation between Mind-Only and Madhyamaka/MM views-- p. 72: "The Mind-Only School as well as Vajrayana, teaches that all external perceptions are mind." He also provides information on p. 142: "The 2nd type is the `skipping-the-grades type" (in addition to the instantaneous & gradual types of students) & p. 158: innate vs. imputed emotions. He elucidates Namgyal's expositions on mingling meditation & post-meditation [I'd call it meta-meditation], the 4 MM yogas compared with the 10 bhumis & 5 paths. While the mapping seems a bit contrived to me, these are, after all, simply models. Models are a type of analogy & no analogy is perfect. I do wish translators would avoid negative terms-i.e. "impermanent" rather than "transient" which I find more meaningful. He also makes some controversial, pithy statements which succinctly summarize the text: p. 70: "We have wavelike thoughts." [like an EEG]
p. 73: "Actually the mind and the mental image are of one identity, and cannot be separated."
p. 78: "The word `emptiness' is used expediently to dispel the tendency to cling to a concrete nature in phenomena."
pp. 79-80: `We train in innate mind essence as Dharmakaya and innate perception as the light of Dharmakaya...One also trains in seeing that innate thoughts are the expression of Dharmakaya."
p. 100: "Everything is meditation training when you have naturally aware presence of mind, and nothing is meditation when you are distracted."
In summary, it's a fine book-especially if you haven't yet read the original in translation. If you have, it's still a nice refresher-and repetition can be valuable. In any case, it's beneficial to read the original too.
Very good.......2004-11-19
This is a good book. Readers who enjoy this will find
a more direct discussion in "Clarifying the Natural State: A Principal Guidance Manual for Mahamudra
by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal, Erik Pema Kunsang"
Book Description
Minerals of the World is an attractive and up-to-date guide to more than 500 minerals from around the world. The succinct text--covering crystallography, properties, names and varieties, structure, diagnostic features, and occurrence--and the discussion of less common minerals not found in other guides make this an invaluable resource. With over 600 exquisite color photographs and crystallographic diagrams, this book is unequalled. It is set to become the field guide of choice for mineral collectors and students of mineralogy.
- The most up-to-date popular guide to minerals available
- Text covers crystallography, physical properties, chemical properties, names and varieties, diagnostic features, and occurrence
- More than 500 minerals treated with examples from around the world
- More than 600 superb color photographs and crystallographic diagrams
- Tabular overview of common minerals and their properties
Customer Reviews:
Best arm chair guide in years.......2006-09-04
With close to 4000 or so minerals to pick from this one probably covers the more common forms that one might run into at a show or display. It isn't a guide for lugging on an outing due to the world wide coverage.
The sections on Crystallography with its systems and properties of crystal are readable with out the heavy lid condition I remember from college and other mineral books years ago.
The mineral descriptions are grouped according to type with out regard to what section of the world they are found in.
The addition of the tables of minerals and their properties along with the other info and a good glossary round out the book.
The color photos are breath taking, they give the mineral center stage. They all have the size of the specimen in metric. Also the where the sample is from. At the start of each mineral grouping they give a crystallographic diagrams. For the mineral they list the name, chemical form, crystallography, physical properties, chemical properties, names and varieties, occurrence,use and diagnostic features.
Being the book is translated into English there are some minor mistakes that one can over look due to all the other outstanding features of the book. I have enjoyed reading it and still pick it up and page thru it till something catches my eye.
little-known guide outshines the others.......2005-10-04
This little-known, beautiful 439-page guide is one of my favorites, mainly because of the photography. More than 500 minerals are described, and there are 600 color photographs. Unlike some other guides, the color reproduction is wonderful, and the photos are large (some as big as 3" by 5") and clear.
This is more of a "guide to take with you to mineral shows" rather than a field guide. Minerals from all over the world are covered, including interesting rarities such as whewellite, tugtupite, kaemmererite, and cavansite.
I did find a few minor errors. On page 233, for example, the Yukon is described as being in the US (it's in Canada). But generally speaking, the text is well-written and understandable.
Definitely recommended. I'd choose this guide over the Simon and Schuster guide any day.
Book Description
J. G. Ballard’s fourth novel, which established his reputation as a writer of extraordinary talent and imaginative powers, tells the story of a physician specializing in the treatment of leprosy who is invited to a small outpost in the interior of Africa. Finding the roadways blocked, he takes to the river, and embarks on a frightening journey through a strange petrified forest whose area expands daily, affecting not only the physical environment but also its inhabitants.
Customer Reviews:
A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ILLUMINATED MAN.......2006-01-22
Owing more than a passing salute toward Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS, J. G. Ballard's THE CRYSTAL WORLD also resembles a more obscure work by one David Lindsay, A VOYAGE TO ARCTURUS. Just as in Conrad's masterpiece, Ballard's complicated protagonist Dr. Edward Sanders must venture up a West African coastal river to discover not only his own fate, but the fate of the world. Once a devoted caregiver to lepers in a hospital in Fort Isabelle, Sanders goes to find two friends, Dr. Max Clair and his wife, Sanders' ex-lover and aide-de-camp at the leproserie, the lovely but dark Suzanne, living now at a jungle clinic in a remote outpost far upriver. He has received a strange letter from Suzanne in which she describes the great forest as "glistening like St. Sophia," herself as "becoming excessively Byzantine," and the native peoples as "walk[ing] through the dark forest with crowns of light on their heads." Understandably, Sanders is both intrigued and distressed--and, we soon decipher, still very much in love with Suzanne, or at least his memories of her.
First Dr. Sanders, who appears to us as something considerably less than Burrough-esque but more than a mere clod, is forced to wait in the river station of Port Matarre for someone willing to take him further up the Matarre River to the almost mythical Mont Royal, where the Clairs may be found. Port Matarre is an exceedingly strange, purgatorial place, steeped in shadow, a place where, as Sanders remarks to a traveling priest, "The sun seems unable to make up its mind." Here he meets a young journalist, Louise Peret,who bares more than a passing resemblance to Suzanne Clair, although Louise is lighter of complexion, a somehow brighter version of her "somber twin" Suzanne Clair. This play of contrasts, of light and dark, good and evil, perfection and corruption, is maintained throughtout Ballard's work here.
Sanders does finally locate a willing host to take himself and Louise Peret upriver to Mont Royal. There they find the military has been busy attempting to cordon off huge tracts of the forest in an attempt to slow the creeping transformation of it into a world of bright crystal-like encrustations, beautiful, we are made to understand, even beyond Ballard's brave and incessant attempts to describe. (This same phenomenon is being reported in other parts of the world, notably Miami, FL.) This veritable cancer of crystals proves too malignant for all the men and their science to withstand, and soon Ballard's story itself seems hopelessly trapped inside it. The claustrophobic quality here is palpable and disturbing. In the end, we are confronted with a fantastic vision of Sanders tramping through a jeweled nature, glittering in crystalline petrifaction, bearing a large wooden crucifix encrusted with crystal-solvent gemstones, which he desperately waves around like some mad Christian. Suzanne, having contracted some latent form of leprosy, has been lost to the forest, "frozen like an icon," while two men Sanders can never really know are locked in battle over the fate of a dying woman, until the forest claims them too.
Just as in Lindsay's A VOYAGE TO ARCTURUS, Ballard has given us metaphysical allegory dressed up as science fiction. While Ballard's work seems to me more Christian in its manifest accretions than Lindsay's more gnostic, Blakean rendering, still they tell much the same story: The hero's journey through a world of opposites, constantly in flux, always toward something not yet seen, that, once envisioned, proves powerfully seductive, yet noble enough to cause our hero to sacrifice himself or herself to it completely, to dissolve back into that world that was always there but never fully realized until the end.
J. G. Ballard's THE CRYSTAL WORLD is science fiction genre writing about as much as Plato's REPUBLIC is a tableau about table manners. Good writing always transcends genre. (For myself, genre has ceased to exist. There is only good writing, bad writing, and everything in between.) In the end, what is truly remarkable about THE CRYSTAL WORLD is Ballard's deftness to ally ourselves with him on Sanders journey into light and darkness. In very short order, we are swept up, unquestioning the astonishing, deeply disturbing world he creates for us. And that, my friends, is just good writing.
A Fragile Tale of Good and Evil.......2005-03-01
Ballard's The Crystal World is more Christian allegory than science fiction. In it, Ballard presents the theme of man's spiritual and psychological struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, Heaven and Hell, and, especially, perfection (symbolized as crystals) and corruption (symbolized as the flesh, especially leprous flesh). Ballard's tone is subdued, his characters more derived more from archetype than reality ('The Woman of Darkness,' 'The Woman of Light,' 'The Pilgrim Journeying to the Sacred'), and his images beautiful. It is Dante journeying through a leprous Hell and a crystal Paradise, attempting to find meaning in his life.
The only flaw in the book is that, in places, Ballard feels the need to point out the symbolism in this book and translate its meaning. This is the job of the critic, not the writer, and one suspects that Ballard was instructed to do this by a nervous editor who was afraid the book was to 'literate' for a mass audience. But whatever the reason, it is a flaw of the book that detracts from its crystal perfection.
Spellbinding.......2004-07-30
This is an interesting piece of literature, not quite a fantasy story, but not quite within the bounds of reality. The characters are normal people, the setting is a small town with nothing special about it, except that it is beside a jungle where jewels grow out of the ground like weeds, and as a tumor, overtake anyone or anything in their way. If you can find your way out, before becoming a frozen statue of gems, the crystals melt away as you cross an invisible threshold. It's mesmerizing, and out of this world.
What I liked most, is that Ballard never offers an explanation for this garden of jewelry. The rather simple story takes our characters on adventures in and out of this jungle, where some move swiftly enough to make it through with only a thin layer of "frost" on their clothes, while others find themselves trapped, and eventually buried under a rising ocean of diamonds and sapphires.
The prose is simply wonderful. Ballard is a master of language. It is a joy to find yourself tangled in the elegance of his wording, so simple and so fluid, yet as enchanting as the jewels of his strange, dreamlike jungle.
If you are looking to read a story with a clear, structured plot, where event A leads to event B and is resolved by event C, then avoid this book. This does not build up to a climactic revelation, and the mystery is not solved by a dramatic courtroom confession. But if you're hoping to find yourself lost in another world, then imagine the possibilities of a place where you can fill your pockets with opals and rubies, and where lepers grow emerald limbs glazed with topaz! Definitely something I plan to read again.
Mark McGinty is the author of "Elvis and the Blue Moon Conspiracy"
Lost in a Crystal Haze.......2004-07-01
This brief novel offers a rather pointless speculative fiction take on Conrad's Heart of Darkness. A ridiculous and under-explained premise is used to prop up some equally under-explained ruminations from Ballard on the human condition and spirituality. Here the action takes place in an African jungle that is becoming crystallized, as all objects slowly become encrusted with luminous jewels. Ballard doesn't explain how this process works except for some weak references to the "crystallized" time and space aspects of relativity. This implausible premise leads to curious changes in the people who also find themselves crystallized, with some sort of inner peace and spiritual fulfillment being found in the process, though Ballard leaves this aspect of the story anemic as well, other than some flimsy philosophical ramblings. Meanwhile, the action of the story mostly involves a pointless chase sequence connected to a blood feud between two shallow supporting characters, which is never resolved within the story. Add to all of this the book's outdated colonialist conceptions of the third world and its inhabitants, and the weak premise and theme of this novel retreat further into the crystal haze. [~doomsdayer520~]
It's barely science-fiction but who cares?.......2002-11-28
Even by the most basic definition of "science-fiction" this book barely makes the cut . . . it doesn't really take place in the future, doesn't feature new technology, doesn't try to rewrite the laws of physics, you can even understand it without a degree in higher mathematics. Ballard's always been too concerned with the psychological and what lies inside the human heart to be a real SF writer but in the end, it's the story itself that counts, whatever genre label you want to slap onto it. What makes this book so effective is the calm contrast of the utterly unfathomable with the completely normal. Dr Sanders receives a letter from friends in a part of Africa saying really weird stuff about everything turning to crystal . . . curious, he travels there and finds that there weren't speaking metaphorically . . . everything, trees and all, are slowly being converted to crystal, and there's mounting evidence that the rest of the world is going to soon follow suit. Against this backdrop Ballard lets Sanders attempt to make some sense of what's going on. The unwaveringly calm tone of the novel only accents the subtle creepiness of the whole affair and every time you think Ballard's run out of ways to describe crystals and jewels, he figures out yet another one. Symbolism and imagery run amok in this story, there's definitely some sort of quasi-religious (or at least good/evil) aspect to all the crystalization going on but I'll be darned if I can figure it out. Which is another good thing about the book, unlike most SF writers Ballard doesn't take the conceit that everything we encounter in this Universe we can understand and while possible explanations for what's happening abound (most of which don't make any sense anyway) there's never a definitive reason given, so at the end of the book you're left with a lot of questions, but the good kind, the kind that make you think. Thus readers expecting neat and tidy endings are advised that will be disappointed if they go into this book with that sort of attitude. In the end it's Ballard's realistic tone set against fantastic events and his ability to draw the reader into his world and make it come alive (even while the world itself is fossilizing) that causes the book to linger in your mind. His haunting depiction of a crystal world won't be something you'll easily forget.
Average customer rating:
- Great Beginner's Guide
- Crystal Curious
- The Illustrated Guide to Crystals
- Basic guide to crystals
- My Constant Referral!
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The Illustrated Guide To Crystals
Judy Hall
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0806936274 |
Book Description
Born deep within the earth, and hardened to transparent, multifaceted beauty, crystals radiate power--the power to heal illness, attract love, release emotional blockages, and give protection from negative energies. Never before has there been such a wide range of gems available, and in this lavishly illustrated guide is all the information needed to choose, cleanse, and program these gifts of nature. Along with a colorful crystal directory and an explanation of the different types, see how to use your own special stone to find a soul mate, and improve relationships. Restore the body with the ancient art of crystal medicine, work with the chakras, and relieve mental and emotional stress. Safeguard your space and aura; turn stones into talismans and amulets, and perform crystal divination. Find the right crystal for increasing self-worth and intuition, recalling a past life, or even contacting the angelic realms. Bonus: includes gem therapy remedies. 128 pages (all in color), 8 x 10.
Customer Reviews:
Great Beginner's Guide.......2007-09-28
I think this book is an excellent beginner's guide to crystals, what they do, and how they can benefit a person. There are some brief sections about crystals in our world, what crystals do, and how to go about choosing a crystal.
There is also a nice little section about cleansing your crystals and programming them also.
This book also explains a bit about the chakras, their functions, and what crystals/stones that work with each chakra. There is also a very nice guide in the Crystals and the body section, which displays two illustations of the body. Each part of the body has several crystals which help with each specific part. It also talks about which crystals help with the Endocrine system, Immune system, Digestive Tract, Back, Lower back, and Capillaries.
Also in this book is a basic guide to crystals that aid physical conditions, you won't find every single thing one can think of, but it is a good and basic introductory.
Crystal Qualities is a great chapter that lists several stones for each section: Grounding, Dispersing negative energy, Creativity, Vitality, Peace and relaxation, Confidence and self-worth, Meaning and purpose, Opening the intuition, Past-life recall, and Abundance.
There is also a nice crystal directory that lists stones by their color. In my opinion it is not the best type of directory you could find. If that is what you are looking for in a book, then this wouldn't be the best buy. If you want a summarized verison of a list of crystals and more information on their uses and what they can help with, then I would recommend this book.
Crystal Curious.......2007-07-19
The Illustrated Guide To Crystals was informative about gems and crystals and their uses. I found it to be a tad shallow and had hope for more details. It is an excellent "Beginner Book" for those wanting a quick look at crystals and their proprieties.
The Illustrated Guide to Crystals.......2006-07-13
This is one of my favorites books-
It's laid out well, every page is filled with clear, concise,
easy to understand information. The photographic images are top quality.
It's a must have for any beginner interested in living with crystals. It also makes a great accompaniment for the
crystal enthusiast
Basic guide to crystals.......2004-04-25
Because of their beauty and qualities, crystals have been used by mankind for many millennia. Nowadays they are used for decoration, in industry and in medicine. This book is a simple but beautifully illustrated guide to these gems.
In the chapter Living With Crystals, the author gives advice on choosing, cleansing and programming your crystals. The subsequent chapters deal with the use of crystals for a variety of purposes and include lists of helpful crystals in every case. These purposes include healing: physical, emotional and mental and how to make gem remedies; protection: safeguarding the aura and how to make talismans and amulets; divination with crystal balls; the qualities of crystals in dispersing negative energy, inducing peace, vitality, grounding, intuition and abundance; astrology: the crystals of earth, water, air and fire; wisdom, including crystals of vision, insight and wisdom for use in meditation.
Then follows the crystal directory that provides photographs, the source, appearance, properties and position in which to wear more than 150 stones. There are beautiful colour illustrations and photographs throughout the book and it concludes with an index and a list of suppliers of crystals and gem remedies. This book is a basic guide; for a more comprehensive treatment of crystals, I recommend this author's The Crystal Bible or Love Is In The Earth by Melody.
My Constant Referral!.......2004-04-16
I have an extensive collection of crystals, but where would I be without this guide? I constantly refer to this book. I just can't wait to get Judy Hall's, "The Crystal Bible", that's next!
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