Book Description
In light of the recent popularity of such movies as Finding Nemo and Shark Tale, and aquariums as elements of interior decor, home aquariums have become all the rage. Since there are so many ways you can design an aquarium today, a little guidance is definitely needed. The Inspired Aquarium is a key tool to use while searching for ideas to help inspire your own home-aquarium design. This complete handbook acts as both an inspirational and factual guide. It shows you the most compatible choices in aquatic creatures, plants, lighting, and more for your chosen setup.
Customer Reviews:
Great pictures but awkward content .......2007-06-11
This book contains many high quality pictures of various aquariums fixture designs. It covers all types of aquarium ranging from fresh water, marine, planted to coral tanks. The knowlege this book provided is broad but scattered and simply not comprehensive enough for advanced aquarist. It is equally confusing and incomplete for the beginner aquarist. It describes VERY LITTLE on everything ranging from the fixtures, filtration system, lighting, the livestocks on both marine and fresh water aquariums. To some extent this book is a disappointment and a waste of paper. For example, one clearly can not depend on the 4 pages information provided by this book on choosing marine fish. This book could have some values to interior designers or architects who wish to incorporate an aquarium in his/her design.
Not for beginners.......2007-03-08
This is not a book for beginners who want to know how to set up a tank. Rather, this is a book for creating a tank that will fit in a magazine such a Home Beautiful. Amano's books give examples of stunning layouts. This book will give ideas of how to plan a stunning layout that blends with the color of the room's woodwork, drapery and lighting. And, it thoughtfully discusses planning where to put the filtration, drains and water source for ease of maintaining the tank. (Gotta keep that carpet clean - these rooms are show pieces, remember.)
Examples are given of neutral color fish that provide background for more colorful fish to avoid a tank that is too 'busy'. Coordination of substrate color is discussed. Reference is made several times to 'the tank maintenance service'. This is, basically, a book on interior decorating that specializes in tanks.
All in all, this is a book that rounds out a library and I have to recommend it to a library that has already covered the basics. However, you will probably not being applying the knowledge unless you either are dreaming or have bucks.
Excellent Reading .......2006-11-10
This book is definately an inspiration, and would recommend this book to anyone that also customisers aquariums to suit customers needs.
This book is a" MUST HAVE ."
An excellent book for practical information applied to aquarium aesthetics.......2006-07-03
The Inspired Aquarium by Jeff and Mike Senske is outstanding IMO. It has a vertical focus - aesthetics blended with practical advice in creating a visually appealing aquarium, broadly applied to every major type of tank. This book is not an "in the frame" aquarium picture book like Amano's, where you get a view of a tank with equipment ripped out, fans across the top to create ripples, and everything but the interior of the tank blacked out. Instead this book is filled with photos showing how lovely an aquarium can be, not just within the confines of the tank, but beautifully incorporated into your home. And it provides lots of practical information on how to make your vision a reality.
It covers fresh and saltwater fish only tanks, along with planted FW and SW reef tanks. It is not a detail technical treatise on any of those types of tank. So a beginner would have to supplement their information to get started in any of these areas, though they would have more than enough information to decide what type of aquarium they want to tackle. While it is not strictly a "how-to" book, it is filled with useful advice that seems to be lacking in so many books other dealing with aquarium aesthetics. It is particularly useful for guidance in the areas of aquarium (and equipment!) placement, plumbing, selection of aquarium and fish, filtration and lighting.
If you want an aquarium, and have set yourself a $175 budget, this is not the book you need. But if you are someone that is interested in getting into the hobby, and are willing to invest a little money and time in creating a piece of living art in your home, then this is the book you've been waiting for! Or if you are trying to figure out what type of tank you want - freshwater with fish? Freshwater planted? Salt? Reef? This provides great detail around the differences and relative difficulty of owning those types of tanks. And for people like myself, already in the hobby, but can't quite afford some of the truly magnificent tanks showcased in this book, it is still extraordinarily helpful for both the practical advice and truly inspirational examples and case studies it provides.
Books like Takashi Amano's Nature Aquarium World only show you beautiful interior pictures of planted tanks, and Cristell Kasselmann's Aquarium Plants only provide scientific information on FW aquarium plants. That is more than enough to justify the purchase of either IMO. But the Senske's The Inspired Aquarium provides both tons of practical advice and inspiring examples of creating aquariums as living works of art in your home. For me, that was enough reason to run, not walk, to go get the book.
And once in my hand, I could not make myself put it down until I had read it cover-to-cover. Actually the first night I had it, I fell asleep with it in my hands...
As far as I can tell, this type of book is unique within the hobby, and long overdue.
Good introduction and inspiration.......2006-06-24
If you think you want an aquarium, this is a great introduction to how to do it right, as well as an inspiration with great photos and ideas. As an aquarist with some years of experience, I didn't expect to learn much new here, and didn't, but still picked up some useful information. I bought the book because I'm redesigning my reef aquarium and couldn't seem to decide on what I wanted to do with cabinetry and sizing.
One thing the book makes very clear, and which is helpful for beginners or those who have done some reading but are having trouble sorting it all out, is that there are various categories of tanks. What works for a planted freshwater aquarium is not the best approach for an unplanted one. What works for a fish-only marine is not the same as for a reef. The book breaks it all down by type of aquarium, makes clear which ones are the most work, and explains the equipment basics. There is an excellent resources section at the end for learning more.
Book Description
We can't help but want to be like her: Exuding unmatched poise and style, Jackie O continues to fascinate women and men of all ages. But how would Jackie have handled the twenty-first century? What would she have thought of a society defined by casual rules of conduct? Gathering intriguing research, commentary from today's experts, and fond reminiscences about the first lady of perfection's day-to-day decisions, journalists Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway offer a sparkling answer to the question: What Would Jackie Do?
Applying Jackie's philosophies to every aspect of contemporary life, including relationships, office politics, family matters, household bills, and entertaining, What Would Jackie Do? is a trove of advice, featuring:
• Noblesse oblige for beginners
• How not to be an interchangeable woman
• Mastering the effortless rich look
• The art of attachment: lessons on sex, marriage, and men of consequence
• Career whirls: pearls for getting ahead
What Would Jackie Do? portrays the practical wisdom behind an icon. The next best thing to having Jackie O as a personal adviser, What Would Jackie Do? gives readers a piece of the Jackie mystique.
Customer Reviews:
LOVES It!.......2007-07-04
This book was amazing, and everything I expected it to be. If anybody wants to be like Jackie, or just plain proper, they should definitely read this book. It wasn't bratty or over the top at all. :]
disgusting.......2007-06-06
I'll flat-out say it. This book is a waste of paper and ink. It makes me cringe.
Now, I certainly wasn't expecting a Pulitzer Prize effort or anything, but I thought, maybe, it would be cute. I came by the book for free, and figured I could browse through it after a long day at work when I didn't want to have to think about anything important for the rest of the day. You know, like "What Not to Wear" or "Mean Girls" in book form. Cheesy, but cute, and relaxing.
Instead of being called "What Would Jackie Do," this book could have been titled, "How to Be a High-Maintenance Rich Brat (I could probably find a more suitable word here, but I'll keep it PG)." It spouts out many oh so helpful tips, like - make sure the designer logo "H" on your belt stands for Hermes, not Hilfiger. After all, Jackie would never be caught dead in such low-end fashion. It even gives priceless insight to the kind of life Jackie led. Apparently she would have a maid drive around the block in a convertible and report back on what type of "hair weather" it was. Hmm.
The real gems of the book, however, are the namesake of the book - What would Jackie do? Each chapter has a set of questions, to which the authors provide their expert opinion on how Jackie would respond. For example, would Jackie shop at Target? Gasp - of course she would never wear anything with Target logo on it, but since she did like a bargain, she would probably get her yoga gear there. And my personal favorite - Would Jackie ever pick up the tab on a date? Oh dahling, of course not! Isn't the price of a hairstyle and manicure and new outfit enough to make the man pick up the check? Oh alright then, you are allowed to pay for a few drinks if you are past the dating phase and think the guy might be real marriage material. Seriously. The book even suggests giving Botox a whirl before committing to a facelift. Duh - it's what Jackie would do.
Great Read!!.......2007-01-18
Great book to share with a friend, my sister and I read it together while on vacation. We loved it and purchased additional copies for family members. A must have for the book shelf.
One Star is Too Many.......2007-01-10
WWJD has some good advice here and there: a little mystery and privacy is more intriguing than telling all, it's not all about you, practice noblesse oblige. At the same time, a woman can't let herself be treated like a doormat. All are sound principles.
The book even has a chapter on investing. But with what? An average gal--even many above-average gals--can't afford the Brahmin lifestyle Jackie led and that the authors seem to take for granted. Solution: marry a wealthy man (even if he's a philanderer), "not a dentist from New Jersey." One has to wonder what a man would think of a woman who loved this book.
Jackie apparently knew when to tone down the appearance of great wealth: she wore simple clothing at her publishing job, for example. The authors don't seem to know when to quit going on about money and things, though. The topic permeates every paragraph. They may point out that money won't buy class, but the idea they get across is that it will make most of the payments on it.
For etiquette advice, I prefer "Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior" by Judith Martin.
Pretentious Fluff Jackie would have abhorred this book.......2006-08-11
I do not recommend this book. None of the so-called tips are even relevant to regular people and only apply to Jackie. In my opinion the authors did not cast her in a favorable light and this book only serves to make her appear spoiled and a snob, which from what I have read about her in other books, I know is not how she was.
Also, it is one thing to admire her and take inspiration from her life, but it is not acceptable to try and BE her. No one can be like her and this book gives the impression that you could clone yourself into being another Jackie. Be yourself and do not aspire to be something you are not. That is exactly what Jackie would do, be herself, and she certainly would not reduce herself to read a book on how to be some other woman.
Book Description
Country Living editor Niña Williams had never visited Provence, yet visions of that fabled French region permeated her dreams. And so, with a little help from some talented artists, she transformed her own simple Denver home (inside and out) into a small bit of Provençal heaven. Everywhere trompe l'oeil murals turn the walls into a storybook peopled with imaginary characters and landscapes from a tiny imaginary Provençal village. And each detail, from the ceramic dishes to the small soaps in the bathroom to the wrought iron furniture on the patio, has the perfect Provençal touch. Williams herself explains her inspiration, and the reasons behind all her choices. A pure delight and true original, this blend of romance and design primer also includes tasty tidbits like Provençal recipes (Garlic Rabbit) and information on the Provençal crafts of lacemaking, enamelware, and more.
Customer Reviews:
a decorative fairy tale............2002-01-22
As stated in the book's introduction, the decoration of this
house does indeed capture the mood, spirit and colors of
Provence. Anyone looking for ideas or studies of trompe l'oeil
will totally enjoy the art on every page. I remember the
first time I saw the art of Fisher and Chappell in an old issue
of Country Living magazine. They artfully painted a garden
shed and it made the cover of the magazine. A story unfolds
as you go room to room in this house, the walls are the illustrations. French tiles, a mouse on garden tools, rabbits
in a hutch, windows to lavender fields, murals of glorious
Provencal landscapes, a broken plate on the floor, pearls on the stair steps, rose petals on a window sill: are they
real or painted? An excellent addition to a collection of
interior design books. You can't go wrong here. The resource
guide in the back features decorative sources, fabric and upholstery sources, garden catalogs and graphic designers.
Lots of garden pictures too as Nina Williams was the founding
editor of Country Living Gardener. From the kitchen to the
atelier, the boudoir to the foyer you will find inspiration!
Thumbs up!
Lovely,dreamy.......2002-01-11
This book, although not practical, is lovely and dreamy. Great for thumbing through on a weekend afternoon. The author has tapped into my psyche by fueling my dream of having a getaway cottage. We want a dreamy place not in Europe but close enough to home so that we can escape every weekend if we want to. Fortunately, that is possible in our part of the country where vacation homes are common. I've searched for vacation homes and cottage books, and the best are:
SECOND HOME. Rating: 10. This gorgeous coffee table book is also practical. Great houses, dreamy photos of locations, but the homes, which are in all styles from cabins in the woods to big family homes on the Atlantic, aren't out of reach. The book has tips on finding a location and that sort of thing as well as decorating. Nice resource list with internet sites for more information. Blends dreamy beauty with information.
THE CABIN. Rating: 6. Another pretty coffee table book. Not practical in any way but nice to look at. More of an architecture book than anything else.
COTTAGE STYLE. Rating: 8. All about decorating any home so it looks like a weekend cottkage. My decorating "bible."
ADIRONDACK STYLE. Rating: 5. Good pictures of homes and interiors. But it's limited to one rustic style, of course.
HOME DECOR. WITH A STORY TO TELL.......2001-12-13
I can't finish this book. It's so good,
I want to leave some for other days.
The decor is fasinating.
Cottage Art at its best.......2001-10-31
Nina Williams has created a gift for those of us who are artists who like to make our homes or in my case my cottage a day to day living canvas. Not only did I appreciate the "theme" which is basically a young girl flowing into adulthood but like Ms Williams I have a serious free spirit mode that is very Bohemian.
The photos are wonderful and one sees how an artist creates beauty that is a mix of fairytale and reality. And I am also a grower of French lavender and could almost smell the lavender tucked in the curtain or in the mural of the French lavender fields that seemed to stretch for miles.
And the whimsy of the strand of pearls broken and dropping down the painted stairs of her home, the mouse on the stairs the looks so lifelike and the flowers...oh my they look so real, as if freshly picked. And the young girl at the window, caught in a far off thought with love letter in hand.
And the colours and hue are so vibrant and I so love the way the artists creates smiles on peoples faces. How you open a door and see a painting on the other side. How rooms blend paintings with tile work and furniture.
This is a book I would recommend for all my fellow artist friends who love creating and are not afraid of working on non canvas surfaces.
Provence Captured.......2000-12-03
Owning a residence in Provence, We werelooking for inspiration for a redesign. This will be my bible. She perfectly captured the mood and colors of Provence. The Trompe L' Oeil work is some of the finest I have ever seen. It weaves the tri-themes of the book together perfectly. Personality makes a room.
Book Description
Every creative spirit whether painter, writer, sculptor, or designer craves inspirational settings in which to exercise his or her craft. The right physical space can conjure up the artist's muse, stir up new ideas, and ignite passion for one's work.
This unique volume is a celebration of the important relationship between artists and their environments. Written by a veteran photographer and editor, Artists' Interiors features intimate, visual profiles of international artists working in a range of mediums and disciplines. Get inside the stylish flat of jazzy Parisian painter Francoise Biver. Be amused by the fabulous, fanciful, phantasmagoric Luna Parc home of the New Jersey multimedia artist Ricky Boscarino. Be inspired by the San Francisco chic of Brazilian-born sculptor and painter Silvia Poloto.
Filled with beautiful photographs and inspirational insights from each artist's unique world, this is a book for every artistic spirit who wants to create a space for creating.
Customer Reviews:
Read This Book and Be Inspired!.......2005-10-21
What an exciting book! I learned about it when I toured one of the featured artist's apartments, purchased a copy, and found the book enchanting. The featured artists and their spaces are down-to-earth and accessible, truly creative, but never in an untouchable, "Architectural Digest" way. The color photographs are beautiful and I especially liked the personal interaction of Laurie Dickson with each artist.
An amazing showcase of diverse homes.......2004-01-15
Artists' Interiors: Creative Space, Inspired Living by professional photographer Laurie E. Dickson is an amazing showcase of diverse homes created by living artists worldwide. Ranging from Parisian painter Froncoise Biver, to New Jersey multimedia artist Ricky Boscarino, Artists' Interiors is give full justice through full color photography embellished with a descriptive text will leave the reader breathless with admiration for the daring, varied, bold, inspiring, and unforgettable living spaces. Artists' Interiors is a quality addition for any personal, professional, or community library Interior Decoration reference collection.
Book Description
Pulse is not about dance music, not about heart rates—and not about electromagnetic fields. What it does describe is a sea change in human affairs, a vast and fundamental shift that is about to transform every aspect of our lives. Written in lively prose for lay readers, Pulse shows how ideas that have shaped Western science, industry, and culture for centuries are being displaced by the rapid and dramatic rise of a “new biology”—by human systems and machines that work like living things.
In Pulse, Robert Frenay details the coming world of
• emotional computers
• ships that swim like fish
• hard, soft, and wet artificial life
• money that mimics the energy flows in nature
• evolution at warp speed
And these are not blue-sky dreams. By using hundreds of vivid and concrete examples of cutting-edge work, Frenay showcases the brilliant innovations and often colorful personalities now giving birth to a radical new future. Along the way, he also offers thoughtful conclusions on the promises—and dangers—of our transformation to the next great phase of “human cultural evolution.”
Customer Reviews:
Futurist speculation based on the metaphors of ecosystems and the human brain.......2007-07-06
This sprawling and fascinating book explores biology, technology, agriculture, neurology and economics, among other disciplines. It contends that systems and ways of thinking based on the machine age must and will change in light of new discoveries in biology. Robert Frenay provides prodigious research and some impressive reporting. One caveat: His discussion of economics and the monetary system seems to be based on somewhat arguable information about the workings of the Federal Reserve and the Eurodollar market. The author's passion for the subject of biology is clear, and we find that much of what he says is interesting. The book is not so much a narrative as a catalogue of facts, experiments and initiatives in various fields, with an accompanying argument against today's corporations and monetary systems that will challenge executives and economists.
a good tech reviewer with a zealot's politics.......2007-05-08
Frenay is an excellent writer when it comes to his coverage of technology and his linking of the philosophy behind complexity to other fields, but he takes a polemic view of politics devoting nearly 300 pages to far leftist rhetoric that isn't popular even in Europe. This book would have been better marketed as a treatise on politics and also Frenay would have been better recommending the anti-wto, anti-corporate, media which he heavily qoutes from than trying to summarize and paraphrase it. The first 150 pages are nice and some of the better tech reporting I can think of, the rest is interspersed with good ideas, but depicted in skewed arguements with few accurate summaries of the opposition and often a looping repetitive prose that seems more like an attempt of the author to convince himself of the validity of his views than a proper arguement. Frenay quite rightly notes the WTO's rules are universal and including human and environmental rights would mean everyone would be on the same playing field and the world shouldering environmental and moral costs they'd probably be more than happy to pay also seems like a good idea along with many of Frenay's numerous political points, however he then goes on to espouse Europe as a norm to emulate and while Europe has high GDPs and Denmark is very environmental, it's important to remember many of the problems Frenay is rallying against affect European business and society too, while most American businesses obey UN human rights charters for instance, Ikea has refuysed all human rights inspections, etc. It's not a balanced arguement, but it catches many of the world's major problems quite easily.
Doesn't know what he's talking about.......2007-03-27
Although this book does explain some things well in basic terms there is a serious problem in that the author doesn't know what he's talking about. I found his basic wrap-up of AI worthwhile because it's a subject that no one seems to be able to explain, but when he tries to do details he's plain wrong. He spends a lot of time on parallel computers which he calls pdp and he bunches in with AI and neural nets. Most parallel computing is simply dividing up large problems into identical smaller problems which is not AI. He gives all sorts of examples of systems that use parallel computers but most of them are not AI either. Neural nets in terms of computing are math rather than biology.
inspiring & thorough, so far.......2007-01-10
more exhaustive and more exciting read than any book on the subject of biology and complexity. esp, it can play a role of a guide for those who are seriously interested in those subjects. also, it shed an insight on what'll be the next new tool for advancing the knowledge in a variety of academic disciplines.
A type of 'new biology' in which human systems and machines meld to form new possibilities.......2006-06-17
Can genes challenge machines? Author Robert Frenay is a former contributing editor of Audubon magazine and in PULSE: THE COMING OF AGE OF SYSTEMS AND MACHINES INSPIRED BY LIVING THINGS, he charts the shift from machines to biology bolstered by computers: a type of 'new biology' in which human systems and machines meld to form new possibilities. From robotics to materials science he considers industrial ecosystems in which waste products from manufacturing become the new materials for another endeavor, considering the changing relationships between mechanism and biology in the process. Supporting these observations and contentions is a history of such relationships and their changes, areas in which biology can be seen at work, interviews with scientists and researchers, and observations of mechanisms actually produced which support his positive visions of future industrial endeavors. His single idea comes from a researcher's perspective and reflects on the cultural philosophy and pressures shaping technological change.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Amazon.com
Vivid colors, bold simplicity, textural contrasts, stone, tile, and stucco--these are the hallmarks of this refreshingly unpretentious style, which is easy to live with and surprisingly simple to evoke at home. Vibrant photos and detailed, practical text explore all the elements of the look and explain what to do with your own walls and floors, windows and doors, furnishings and accessories to re-create the look. And the 12 step-by-step projects (including sand-textured or distempered walls, a pebbled floor, a fretwork window screen, studded doors, and a mosaic tabletop) prove that it doesn't take a huge effort or a huge budget to achieve the relaxed grace of this popular decor. The sun-drenched rooms filled with natural materials and accented with the occasional exotic touch (a filigreed lantern, Moroccan dishware, a kilim rug, Moorish arches, Spanish-style wrought ironwork) are extremely inviting--you'll want to sprawl on a cushy divan and sip a cool beverage as you drink in the enticing warmth of this wonderful style. --Amy Handy
Customer Reviews:
I had to purchase this book.......2005-11-15
I've checked this book out of my local library three times. We've been working with an architect to design a French country house, very simple. No amount of pictures has conveyed the message of simplicity to our architect. He kept giving us elaborate Palladian designs, and I kept saying, "French Mas". not "French Chateau" and certainly not some Monster House version of an Italian Villa. We've decided to end this expensive misunderstanding and begin again with another designer, this time showing the simple pictures in "Mediterranean Style" to convey the simple rusticity that we desire.
Simplicity, Warmth and Inspiration.......2005-02-04
Due to unforeseen circumstances whereby my lower living area was suddenly subjected unceremoniously to several feet of murky moisture, I found myself in need of a partial home makeover, but with a shoestring budget and a short time frame.
Fortuitously, this book came through it unscathed, and I took it as an omen that Mediterranean was the way it should be.
The pictures are strikingly beautiful, the colors breath-taking, and my family may not be over-excited to hear that the foyer will now be a washed purple color with an earthen colored roof, accented by a canary yellow metal staircase. The book banishes all fear of the lavish use of color, clearly illustrating how color can enhance your surroundings, making a cozy nest of warmth and harmony.
The furniture and accessories are all rustic and simple, the formula being wood, iron, stone, tile and carpet.
If you're the Victorian or romantic type, there's no toile de joie in lavender and pink in this book, no overstuffed chairs or furniture bearing the legs of any deceased monarch. If however, you're into relaxed, simple, harmonious, rustic and durable decor, this is a good book to use as a guide.
Amanda Richards, February 3, 2005
Little bit too rustic for my taste.......2002-12-17
I just got this book, and although lots of others rave about the photos, the style is a little bit too rustic for my tastes. If you are looking to decorate your home a la small Mediterranean village style, this is definitely for you. However, you won't find any luxurious palaces or mansions here. This book primarily appeals to those who prefer the simple, assymetrical, and distressed look that evoke a centuries-old Mediterranean charm. If your home has fitted carpets or wooden walls as is typical in the San Francisco Bay Area, the style just doesn't seem to fit. I am also far from impressed with the text as it's kind of repetitive, the author mentioned so many times that the Mediterranean style is simple, open, and it evolved due to the balmy Mediterranean climate! As if mentioning the very obvious once is not enough.
Magnificent!!!.......2002-11-05
This is a wonderful book, filled with pages of beautiful pictures and creative ideas. It is a book that will inspire you to redecorate your home a "La Mediterranea" or maybe even send you off on a trip to visit such magnificent places. I highly recommend anyone interested in Mediterranean design/decor to get this book, as it not only gives you ideas, but also some easy-to-follow steps on achieving certain effects as pictured. Thumbs up for this one.
Beautiful and Useful.......2002-05-26
I have the highest praise for this book and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates and wishes to decorate in the Mediterranean Style. I agree with another reviewer that many of the ideas can be easily and inexpensively implemented. The ingredients of style are all there, making it possible to create a Mediterranean atmosphere in just about any home or apartment.
Book Description
Parker J. Palmer--who for forty years has written and spoken about subjects ranging from contemplation to community, the inner life to public life, education to social change--is known as one of the nation’s most thoughtful voices, calling us all to ways of being in the world that honor the human heart and promote a humane society. Living the Questions, a celebration of Palmer’s long and distinguished career, explores the dynamic interplay between the inner life of spirit and the outer life of work. The equally distinguished contributors, who come from a wide range of professions--university presidents, scientists, physicians, religious leaders, business consultants, public school educators, philanthropists, and community organizers--bear witness to the depth, breadth, and reach of Palmer’s work. All of them have been personally touched by his courage and determination to live a life congruent with the ideas and principles he writes about and by his candor in acknowledging his own flaws.
Customer Reviews:
Guides for living into the answers .......2005-11-21
Through his many books, teachings and the Courage to Teach circles, Parker has been a significant influence in my life. He has opened up my eyes to ways of thinking that have resonated deeply with my own, often unnamed, philosophy of life. His call to live "divided no more" is one that accompanies me throughout my days. This, and many other ideas - the authentic self, circles of trust, right action - are not necessarily new, but with Parker's writings and open and joyous spirit, they are brought down to earth and presented as immensely doable - well worth incorporating into one's life and work.
Living the Questions is a collection of essays of how people from many walks of life - physicians, business leaders, educators, activists and others - have taken Parker's ideas and applied them to their life and work. While I have long known of Parker's work, until working on this book, I had no idea of the scope of his work. The book is proof that Parker's ideas and words touch a universal need and desire to live "divided no more." The essays in Living the Questions are testaments and guides for how to bring these ideas into our lives - something we all could use.
Will You Join the Conversation?.......2005-10-18
Will you accept the invitation? Sam M. Intrator has gathered together, for the benefit of all, the deep reflections of a remarkable cast of characters. Their essays form the book entitled, Living the Questions. These individuals are joined, like the individual lines of a mandala, through their connection with educator, author, and seeker of justice, Parker Palmer.
The journey for the reader is one of mystery, discernment, and surprise. Palmer's ideas may be familiar but there is new information about medicine, intriguing insights about science, and questions to ponder about the relationship between politics and the spiritual life. There is a diversity of disciplines and a variety of voices. However, all share the desire to connect their inner life with their outer work and all dare to wrestle with essential and perplexing questions.
One can picture a grand round table filled with friends and the day's dialogue featuring questions such as: What does it mean to be human? The invitations have been sent, responses pondered, and the feast is ready to begin! The question remains: will you join the conversation?
A Journey of the Heart.......2005-10-15
From the first book that I read authored by Parker Palmer years ago to "Living the Questions", each time there has been a sense of homecoming. I have been a teacher for almost 35 years and have often struggled to find ways to keep my head and heart connected, in balance, and in service to children and families. Palmer's work has helped to inform and shine light on that journey. In "Living the Questions", not only did I learn more about his life and work, but also about others whose work has been enlightened by his example. I was especially taken by Sally Hare's vision for teacher education. If we are to ever see true educational reform, we must begin by honoring the hearts of teachers! Thanks to Sam Intrator for bringing together this collection of beauty and possibility at a time when it is easy to be discouraged.
A Life Undivided.......2005-10-10
Since the initial publication of To Know as We are Known (1983/1993), Parker Palmer has been inviting us to explore our own inner landscapes and to envision our lives in their entirety as a "Hidden Wholeness" and not as divided parts. This invitation is an invitation to a journey; but Palmer does not invite us to the journey from the position of mentor or even of guide, but rather as a fellow traveler. In this book, Dr. Sam Intrator has done an amazing job of both chronicling the nature of journey Palmer invites us to share, and of exploring, through the essays of various other travelers, the impact this journey has had on the world.
The book starts with a short, well-crafted and engaging overview of the life and works of Parker J. Palmer. The book then moves into six sections, each composed of a series of individual essays, about the impact Palmer's words, deeds and example have had on ideas, programs and people. Each essay is carefully crafted and chosen to put in the center of our attention, not Palmer himself, but the ideas and personal experiences that Palmer has opened up for each essay author. The essays deal with issues of learning, teaching and leadership in the context of core identity and integrity as they manifest individually in each of us. The clear thread holding the book together, that Intrator skillfully brings out, is the quest of a less-divided, more authentic way of being as learners, teachers, leaders and human beings. Contributing essayists include well-known writers and thinkers such as Margaret Wheatley, Chip Wood, Jane Tompkins, Michael Lerner, Russ Moxley, Sharon Daloz Parks and Peter Senge. For anyone interested in the dynamic of identity and integrity - of soul and role - of who we are and what we do - this book will prove a joyful and illuminating experience.
In one particularly striking essay, Jay Casbon cites Thomas Merton in saying, "The humble person receives praise the way a clean window takes the light of the sun. The truer and more intense the light is, the less you see of the glass". This is a pure and graceful metaphor for this book. Intrator has provided us with a window into ourselves, through the work of Parker Palmer, with a glass so clean and bright that the light dazzles the spirit.
- Dr. Mike Poutiatine
Inspiration on the Journey.......2005-10-06
Author of seven books over many years, Parker Palmer has long challenged us to seek wholeness and integrity in connecting who we are with what we do in the world. This wonderful volume is a sourcebook of essays exploring the gifts and challenges of "living divided no more." The authors represent a wonderful diversity of professions, styles, and perspectives about this topic. This is not a book that you will read from cover to cover, but one you will pick up again and again for inspiration on the journey.
Book Description
Exploring everything from personal growth and well-being to relationships and career, this journal helps plant the seeds for a more fulfilling life. With affirming text, fill-in prompts, and colorful illustrations, it's the perfect tool for inspiring a life worth living.
Book Description
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the words and tunes of Christmas carols run through our heads, cheering us on and reminding us of the joys of celebrating with friends and family. These beloved songs are the theme for this book, a wonderful collection of craft, cooking, and decorating ideas. The fun starts with “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a project based on the memorable gifts presented in the song. “Deck the Halls” focuses on using holly in unusual centerpieces and decorations. And whether they listen to Bing Crosby crooning in the background or create their own chorus, families will enjoy preparing a classic “White Christmas” aglow with white decorations and featuring white foods. As always, color photographs and clear directions make every project a joy to create.
Customer Reviews:
decking the halls, Martha style.......2003-08-24
The beauty of this book is in the colors; celebrating the Christmas spirit with exquisite combinations of creamy winter whites, blues, and golden yellows.
The ideas for ornaments, wreaths, and ingenuous ways to wrap money as a gift, are not slap-dash "quickies", but designs for objects that would be kept and enjoyed for many seasons to come. Standouts include the gorgeous Damask stockings, made from vintage fabrics, the wonderful fruit wreath in warm pastels, and my favorite, the "Ladies dancing and lords a-leaping" strung across the fireplace.
The recipes are sumptuous and shown in elegant settings, and very special is the sheet music that has the look of antique reproductions, of many familiar carols.
In the back of the volume there are templates for the many craft objects in the book, making the construction of them simpler, though you will obviously need a scanner and printer if you want to vary the size of the items, and many look like one would want to enlarge them.
As one would expect from Martha, the photography and layout is excellent, with thick, glossy pages. Even if one does not follow the patterns or recipes to the letter, it is a good "idea" book, and it's strength is its subtle color palette, used to great effect.
Pass On This One. There are better books........2003-01-10
Try Carolyn Bell's book, Gooseberry Patch Old-Fashioned Country Christmas: A Holiday Keepsake of Recipes, Traditions, Homemade Gifts, Decorating Ideas & Favorite Childhood by Vickie Hutchins or the wonderful Gooseberry Patch series of books which are delightful. I always love the Gooseberry books.
Too Hard To Make The Crafts.......2003-01-08
I tried a few and it took hours to do. I guess I need the staff she has on her show. I think you can do better.
You'll never fake your way through carols again!!!.......2002-10-30
Though the piano music is not useful for me (don't have a piano), I like seeing the acutal words to the Christmas songs, and believe their presentation in the book, with burnished corners and pretty fonts, greatly enhances the product. As for the crafts that go with these traditional songs, they are a joy to behold, and not all that difficult or time consuming to make.
Martha's books are by far better a product than her "By Mail" or "Catalogue for Living" kits, so if you're interested in putting out some money to have beautifully elegant Christmas decorations like her own, go with the book and assemble your own materials.
Great Christmas Book.......2002-10-23
I think this is such a great book if you're trying to decorate your home for Christmas without spending a fortune, which is important, especially when you're a young wife like me! (It takes a little more time to make stuff, but who really wants store-bought decorations anyway? It seems to mean more when you make it yourself.) Some of the recipes are a little tricky, but they look beautiful when their done and are great for entertaining. The crafts are mostly very simple and fun. Fabulous book!
Product Description
Shows how an understanding of some of the deeper ideas and patterns of Torah thought can illuminate our everyday experiences.
Customer Reviews:
Discover the secrets of Traditional Judaism.......2004-02-05
To the uninitiated, Traditional Judaism appears to be a dead religion filled with empty rituals. However, nothing can be further from the truth as these rituals are pregnant with deep and hidden meanings that can transform individual lives. So deep do the riches of Traditional Judaism lay that one can hardly fathom that it is possible to present key Jewish concepts in only one book. Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz, MD, nonetheless, masterfully presents Traditional Judaism as a way of Living Inspired through revealing some key concepts that bring to life rituals and animates the Hebrew Bible so that it palpitates. This read and reread book is for anyone who wants to explore Traditional Judaism in a nonthreatening environment.
Encouraging, but not pushy..........2003-06-17
My ultra religious sister gave me this book to read. It's easy to read and very thought provoking. During/after reading Tatz's book, I find myself becoming more and more interested in practicing Judaism.
I was always afraid of Orthodox Judaism because i didn't want to "just trust some old rabbis." But Tatz gave me the spiritual insipiration to learn more and practice more (during which i found that Orthodox Judaism doesn't simply "trust some old rabbis.")
I feel good after reading this book. I read a lot on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and felt like I was reading a book from one of the Lama's! Both Judaism and Buddhism have a lot in common, making for some great guidance and reading material.
Highly recommend "Living Inspired" for anyone, especially those who want to know more about Judaism but don't know where to start.
The Torah way of seeing the world.......2000-06-30
In this book the author,based on the classical Torah sources,defines and analyzes how the pattern of the mystical,higher world is expressed in our lives.He uncovers the superficial way of looking at some of the key concepts in life,and shows the deep meaning in them.His explanations about what is the higher pattern in life,doubt and certainty,time,the root of evil and other topics are deep,clear,and well-connected. I find this book to be an aid in being connected to the spiritual,and reread it often - to recall its points and to renew my inspiration.
Inspiring ideas based on traditional Jewish texts........1997-02-18
This masterpiece by Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz is sure to become a favorite. The ideas on life, living, happiness, inspiration, etc. contained in this book will have you re-reading it for the second, third, and fourth time. The deep philosophical ideas presented in the work are a culmination of thousands of years of information from Jewish knowledge treasure chests, such as the Bible, Talmud, Zohar, early sages such as Maimonides, later wisdom by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin to recent sages like Rabbi E. Dessler. Also see Anatomy of a Search, Worldmask, and Reb Simcha Speaks by the same author
Books:
- The Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew
- The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale
- The Meditative Mind
- The Osha: Secrets of the Yoruba-Lucumi-Santeria Religion in the United States and the Americas : Initiation, Rituals, Ceremonies, Orishas, Divination, Plants, s
- The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
- The Practice of the Presence of God
- The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Third Edition
- The Reality of God And the Problem of Evil
- The Seat of the Soul
- The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras
Books Index
Books Home
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- Pokemon Diamond & Pearl: Prima Official Game Guide
- International taxation taxes of foreign- and U.S.-controlled corporations : fact sheet for the Honor
- Mad Travelers: Reflections on the Reality of Transient Mental Illnesses
- Guide to American Business Schools, The Penguin
Fish & Aquariums
| Animal Care & Pets
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Nature Aquarium World Volume 2
Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature
Nature Aquarium World: Book 3 (Nature Aquarium World)
The Reef Aquarium: Science, Art, and Technology, Vol. 3
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist, Second Edition
