Customer Reviews:
Water in the desert.......2001-05-12
For anyone who has wandered out beyond the usual borders of psychology and religion, Richard Moss's work is a pure gift, an oasis, and a place to heal. Despite his extraordinary experiences and profound realization, he is straightforward, unpretentious, and lucid. Better than anyone I know, he brings the transcendent truth into incarnate ordinariness, with humility, humor, and the grace of compassion. I have found his works, particularly this one, to be friends on the path--friends I keep going back to time and again. I cannot recommend his work highly enough to those on the journey of consciousness.
A beautiful experience for any awakening person........1999-06-28
Dr. Moss writes of his own powerful, beautiful, and totally spontaneous awakening experience and how he struggled to understand it and, through it, begin the process of living a life of "radical alivesness". In the book he shares his awakened understandings and the experiences of some of his patients and members of his classes and groups.
I first read the book ten years ago and it had such a tremendous and beautiful impact upon my consciousness that I am still telling people about it today. I was so glad to see it listed on Amazon.com because it was unavailable for awhile.
The message of the book is just as beautiful and important today. Dr. Moss writes that "Awakening is going on in varying degrees in every person. It is not something from which we can turn away".
In the closing chapter Dr. Moss relates the story of a patient whose awakening during a retreat was so powerful that it resulted in a spontaneous healing of cancer and other negative physical conditions.
A must read for evryone who is coming "awake".
Book Description
The police don't show up on Easy Rawlins's doorstep until the third girl dies. It's Los Angeles, 1956, and it takes more than one murdered black girl before the cops get interested. Now they need Easy. As he says: "I was worth a precinct full of detectives when the cops needed the word in the ghetto." But Easy turns them down. He's married now, a father -- and his detective days are over. Then a white college coed dies the same brutal death, and the cops put the heat on Easy: If he doesn't help, his best friend is headed for jail. So Easy's back, walking the midnight streets of Watts and the darker, twisted avenues of a cunning killer's mind....
Customer Reviews:
Interesting, Entertaining read.......2006-04-03
I've fallen in love with the Easy Rawlins Mysteries and this one didn't disappoint. Mosley is a talented writer. Easy is a complicated, honest man with occasional ambiguous views of right and wrong. He's a good man who does what he needs to and tries to be a good black role model.
I like how Mosley takes the detective genre and spins it out of control. It's not the typical detective book. There are always elements of race, questionable legal issues, and what's right and wrong.
I love Mosley's Rawlins books.
Solid Continuation of the Series.......2004-10-23
The third Easy Rawlins book catches up with the proud black hero in 1956. Fairly prosperous due to his hidden real estate holdings, he's got a pretty young wife and a beautiful baby daughter added to his Los Angeles household. The tension between his shady "street" past and his attempts to domesticate himself is a running theme, as Easy struggles with what it means to be in a trusting and open relationship. One morning the police come knocking, and ask for his help regarding a series of murders. Several black "good time girls" have been killed in recent weeks, but now a white woman is dead too. The police like to use Easy as a kind of unregistered undercover agent in the black community (although given the number of times they troop in and out of his house, you would think people might start to wonder about him). There's the standard stuff about racism that one has come to expect from the series (the police never cared about the murders until a white girl was involved), which doesn't make it less true, just a little less powerful. This time, there's even a black police officer involved in the case--although by the end, he admits to Easy that the notion of working to change the system from within is a lost cause (perhaps a statement of Mosley's own sentiment on American society?). As always, the police aren't really asking for Easy's help, so much as telling him he'd better help.
The investigation leads him back into the street life he's been trying to avoid, and inevitably, there's a bit of a fall that pushes him and his wife further apart. He's not a good communicator, and his binge drinking only causes more problems. Indeed, he drinks so much in this book that it's hard to imagine him actually being able to carry out the investigation as well as he does. The plot grows steadily more convoluted, as evidence of police conspiracy mounts, a trip to Oakland with Mouse uncovers even more murders, and Easy's personal life spirals more and more out of control. The resolution to the murders is kind of a lame letdown, but the drama of Easy's own life makes up for this somewhat. A very bitter book, but one that leaves you wanting to start the next in the series immediately to see how Easy is going to handle the changes in his life.
Exciting Thriller.......2004-05-27
Mosley delivers an exciting mystery novel that once again, centers around the life of Easy Rawlins. Easy is recruited to find the murderer of a young white coed, who happens to be the daughter of a prominent LA Asst D.A. She was also found dead in a mostly black area of Los Angeles and LAPD detectives coerces Rawlins into assisting them with their investigation. Only problem is that Easy is now married with a daughter and has to put his family situation in jeopardy if he decides to offer help. He goes through his usual questioning of witnesses and as usual, he discovers a few surprises in the process.
A good thriller but like most Mosley novels, he has too many characters to keep track of. Also, Easy is a borderline alcoholic in this one as he is always coming out of the liquor store or some kind of bar filled with scotch. It's a wonder how he's able to question his witnesses without slurring his speech or staggering all over the place since he's drunk throughout most of the book. A good novel but not one of Mosley's best efforts.
Strong Plot Strong Characters.......2002-09-12
... Mosley gives us a male character who isn't afraid to cry and when he gets angry he doesn't get violent but does get even. The mystery surrounding the death of the white stripper is cleverly written into the plot and when the clues reveal the killer they all make sense. This series improves with each novel and Easy is turning into a complex person who has demons of his own to battle.
A great introduction..........2000-08-22
This was my first Mosley/Easy Rawlins mystery and I enjoyed it immensely. It had depth of character and interesting plot twists and turns. I also liked the fact that it was a story about African Americans in 1956 Los Angeles and it didn't rely on the 'N' word for shock value (unlike Ellroy and a few others). I think it was a great introduction to the series.
Book Description
"During my boxing career, you did not see the real Muhammad Ali. You just saw a little boxing. You saw only a part of me. After I retired from boxing my true work began. I have embarked on a journey of love."
So Muhammad Ali begins this spiritual memoir, his description of the values that have shaped and sustained him and that continue to guide his life. In The Soul of a Butterfly the great champion takes readers on a spiritual journey through the seasons of life, from childhood to the present, and shares the beliefs that have served him well.
After fighting some of the fiercest bouts in boxing history against Joe Frazier and George Foreman, today Muhammad Ali faces his most powerful foe -- outside the boxing ring. Like many people, he battles an illness that limits his physical abilities, but as he says, "I have gained more than I have lost....I have never had a more powerful voice than I have now." Ali reflects on his faith in God and the strength it gave him during his greatest challenge, when he lost the prime years of his boxing career because he would not compromise his beliefs. He describes how his study of true Islam has helped him accept the changes in his life and has brought him to a greater awareness of life's true purpose. As a United Nations "Messenger of Peace," he has traveled widely, and he describes his 2002 mission to Afghanistan to heighten public awareness of that country's desperate situation, as well as his more recent meeting with the Dalai Lama.
Ali's reflections on topics ranging from moral courage to belief in God to respect for those who differ from us will inspire and enlighten all who read them. Written with the assistance of his daughter Hana, The Soul of a Butterfly is a compassionate and heartfelt book that will provide comfort for our troubled times.
Download Description
"""During my boxing career, you did not see the real Muhammad Ali. You just saw a little boxing. You saw only a part of me. After I retired from boxing my true work began. I have embarked on a journey of love."" So Muhammad Ali begins this spiritual memoir, his description of the values that have shaped and sustained him and that continue to guide his life. In The Soul of a Butterfly the great champion takes readers on a spiritual journey through the seasons of life, from childhood to the present, and shares the beliefs that have served him well. After fighting some of the fiercest bouts in boxing history against Joe Frazier and George Foreman, today Muhammad Ali faces his most powerful foe -- outside the boxing ring. Like many people, he battles an illness that limits his physical abilities, but as he says, ""I have gained more than I have lost....I have never had a more powerful voice than I have now."" Ali reflects on his faith in God and the strength it gave him during his greatest challenge, when he lost the prime years of his boxing career because he would not compromise his beliefs. He describes how his study of true Islam has helped him accept the changes in his life and has brought him to a greater awareness of life's true purpose. As a United Nations ""Messenger of Peace,"" he has traveled widely, and he describes his 2002 mission to Afghanistan to heighten public awareness of that country's desperate situation, as well as his more recent meeting with the Dalai Lama. Ali's reflections on topics ranging from moral courage to belief in God to respect for those who differ from us will inspire and enlighten all who read them. Written with the assistance of his daughter Hana, The Soul of a Butterfly is a compassionate and heartfelt book that will provide comfort for our troubled times. "
Customer Reviews:
The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on a life's journey.......2007-01-11
It is very heartening to feel the gentleness and deep caring for humanity from such a powerful man like Mohamed Ali. Reading of this book fills you with hope, love and light.
INCREDIBLE MAN - GREAT BOOK.......2006-11-03
ln this book we get a look at Ali now, the man he has become over the years.
He reflects back through life and most of all, he talks about his life today, the Parkinson's, and all the things he has learned along the way. This book makes you love him, it really does. lt's sprinkled with little quotes of sufi wisdom and stories, a few photos, poems etc. When you get to the page titled 'happy memories' its very moving....He is the biggest inspiration to me, someone who stood up to everyone no matter what they thought, never let anything get him down, and took pride in his race. lf your looking for the best Ali book, as far as details and tons of info. read 'the greatest-my own story' written by Ali himself. You cant get a better picture of him than through his own words and perspectives. Other books about him tell from the authors perspectives of Ali and his actions, ld much rather see it from Ali's view.
Great journey of a good man (simply).......2006-03-03
I have always been a big fan of Mohammed Ali. I have clearly remember my whole family waking up at 4:00 AM to watch Ali's fight (in North Africa); I was about 10 years old then. At that time I have decided to be like him and join a boxing club, but mom god bless her soul discouraged me. Mohammed Ali to me represents values, inspiration and determination. This book clearly brings the very basic and simple human values in Mohamed Ali; one story that touched me the most is the "Road to Heaven" where Mohammed Ali and his daughter pick up a man in front of a church and drive him home. It shows how far Mohammed Ali goes to help others. We can all learn something from Mohammed Ali. I say god bless you man. I also enjoyed all the Sufi stories mentioned in this book one in particular is about the slave Omer and the king. It shows you how respect and trust can bring people together.
A Very Philosophical Autobiography.......2005-10-04
Published recently in 2004, this is a very inspirational and deeply philosophical autobiography by Muhammad Ali.
I am writing this review after having read "Smokin' Joe, the Autobiography." I honestly feel that both autobiographies must be read to shed complete light on the relationship between the two.
This autobiography, which is an "Ebook" (which I wasn't too happy with) goes into interesting detail about Ali's childhood which for the most part has been talked about in televised biographies. Then, thoughout the book, Ali digresses with Islamic tales in order to make points. I found that distracting and elusive.
Throughout the book, he echoes about the power of love and the instinct of "following your heart" so much that, after awhile, I, the reader, feel as if he's belittling me. I didn't like that about this autobiography.
I was however amazed by his work ethic and when he went into detail, about his principles that led to him being stripped of his heavyweight title for not registering for the draft.
I was disappointed that he did not go into more details about his opponents or about those people in his life.
I found the best part of the reading related to his early years with the Nation of Islam movement. His ability to explain their misunderstood purposes and motives to be quite fascinating.
The most powerful aspect was his story about Malcolm X just prior to his death and how he regretted not saying goodbye to him. It was touching.
This book also provides insight on his current health and his mind today which is very active and still filled with love.
There are some disappointments, but there are many gems if you are able to read through the overly glossy parts.
Great Read.......2005-09-14
It is a wonderful book to read, it brings into context the man behind that face that shook the world. It is a spiritual journey into Muhammad's soul, a man that has devoted his life to helping others and to standing behind what he believed in. A great book to make you feel good about the world.
Book Description
-Includes information on songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies.
Average customer rating:
- There's only so much one can take
- Let them slice my brain with their black sharpened wings
- Strong stuff, not for the timid or the easily offended.
- disturbing
- The Eerie World of John Shirley
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Black Butterflies
John Shirley
Manufacturer: Leisure Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Shirley, John
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Wetbones
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New Noir (Black Ice Books)
ASIN: 0843948442 |
Amazon.com
John Shirley, often cited as the first writer of cyberpunk, has been for some years a topnotch craftsman of horror fiction. Those familiar with his novel Wetbones and his short story collections, Heatseeker and New Noir, treasure his work for its antic humor, neon intensity, and oddly endearing descriptions of graphic horror. It's an indication of how unique Shirley is that reviewers have compared him to such varied writers as J.G. Ballard, William S. Burroughs, Anton Chekov, Philip K. Dick, Franz Kafka, William Kotzwinkle, Elmore Leonard, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Tom Wolfe.
Black Butterflies is in two parts: eight stories set in "This World" (what we call reality) and eight stories set in "That World" (where the door swings open into the realm of the surreal, the supernatural). In "This World" we meet a middle-class white woman who turns a mugging by two black youngsters into her chance to pursue glory as a criminal; a cop who knows his partner is guilty of murdering his wife; two hustlers who throw a sadistic and drug-infested party at the expense of their bound and unwilling host (believe it or not, it's hilarious); "a girl who died from cum"; and two bike messengers whose fate is to join hundreds of other people in a freak accident so hideous it boggles the mind. Almost all of them seem to find some kind of manic deliverance in the most outlandish and horrific of circumstances. In "That World" we creep down a tunnel into a child's escape from reality, witness more than one scene of surreal cannibalism in the service of sexual pleasure and/or artistic creation, and participate with horror and awe in a religious rite in the final days of the human species.
John Shirley visits some very strange places, but he always comes back to tell of his adventures in a spare, unaffected voice. He can carry you into the edgiest of human situations and bring you back giggling nervously. Take the risk; go on a ride with him. --Fiona Webster
Customer Reviews:
There's only so much one can take.......2007-08-06
About: Collection of horror short stories
Pros: Lots of blood, gore and sex
Cons: One can only stand so much blood, gore and sex
Grade: B-
Let them slice my brain with their black sharpened wings.......2004-10-18
I am a true lover of anthologies. Why? Because the short story fits so nicely into the crevices of my brain that need topping off in between waits at dentist offices and or that fifteen minute break.
Shirley has compiled a mess of colorful and shivering muses here in Black Butterflies, a definite must-have addition to your anthology collection.
Divided into two basic groupings, This World and That World, Shirley separates the more gritty, here-and-now stories (This World) from the more ethereal and imaginative stories (That World). If I looked at them as a whole, I would say I liked That World collection better, having a more modern, cyberpunk edge to it, but there are jewels in both worlds worth drawing your tongue across to savor their flavors.
Too many stories in all to mention, a few of my favorites would be these: "Barbara", about a robbery victim who turns the tides her way to gain her own revenge. "You Hear What Buddy And Ray Did", a brutal but remarkably silly story of drugs, a crazy drag queen, and robbery gone wrong. "What Would You Do For Love", a crazy romp with a real redneck bimbo and the level headed rescuer. "Delia And The Dinner Party", the best imaginary rabbit ever penned onto paper. "Pearldoll", hmmmm, zombie-ism or just plain old absorption? "How Deep The Taste Of Love", a sickening, alien type, cannibal type, gore fest not for the squeamish.
Shirley is talented with words, and is able to take a queasy tale of squishy, nasty things and inject just enough humor into it to make it go down sweet. His characters are never flat and horror in his tales range from mild shivers to a couple of downright convulsions.
Not as gory as Edward Lee, nor as creepy as Conrad Williams or Brian Lumley, Shirley still holds a firm footing that slides down that edge of insanity that us horror aficionados tend to travel nightly, whistling happy tunes as we read of death and destruction, despair and grief. Ah. Great Collection. I highly recommend it. Enjoy!
Strong stuff, not for the timid or the easily offended........2004-01-03
This collection isn't for the faint-of-heart, nor for the easily offended. John Shirley holds nothing back, and these stories are thoroughly chilling, sexually perverse, and from a world we don't really want to know. We meet characters we don't really want to know such as the title lady in the first story, "Barbara", a victim of a carjacking who in her weirdness takes over the situation and takes her carjackers into her own perverted world. Then there's the cop who suspects his partner has murdered his own wife. A subway trip during an earthquake. A probing into the psyches of slasher movie fans. A televangelist telecasting from one of the most satanic appearing rock cafes. An immortal slaughtering Earth's remaining population. These are stories to be taken one at a time. Maybe they're not all great, but you'll find several you won't forget.
disturbing.......2003-08-14
This book of short stories is divided into two sections, This World and That World, which deal with everyday horrors and otherworldly horrors respectively. Of these two sections, the first is the most successful, which mostly involve the shocking realities of the underbelly of society, evoking a hybrid of John Rechy and Stephen King, and hitting you with the impact of a screwdriver to the kidneys (the best of these, "Cram", will have you thinking twice about ever getting on the subway again). The second section, comprising more outright horror, is less successful (By far the best of these is "Delia and the Dinner Party"). Though Shirley is a very vivid writer, the shocks in these stories seem mostly arbitrary and forced compared to those in the first section. Still worth checking out, though. I also docked him some points for using rock lyrics as titles-- he's much too good a writer to be slumming like that.
The Eerie World of John Shirley.......2002-09-27
"Black Butterflies" is a short story collection from horror/science fiction author John Shirley. Shirley, who also wrote the excellent gross out tale "Wetbones," is quite adept at charging his stories with equal parts sex, horror, and suspense. It seems that Shirley spends more time working on science fiction novels, but occasionally, he churns out something like "Black Butterflies." When Shirley delves into horror, look out. He likes to write them lean, mean, and sick as you know what.
"Black Butterflies" is divided into two large sections. The first section is entitled, "This World," probably because the stories deal with everyday reality (I use the term "everyday reality" loosely in reference to some of these stories). The type of stories found in this part of the book varies widely. One story tells the bleak tale of a cop with profound suspicions of his partner. Two tales show the importance of screening people before fooling around with them. Stories about a horror film that is a little too real, an answering machine message one hopes never to hear on their own machine, and the after effects of an earthquake round out the first part of the book.
The second section, entitled, "That World," deals with stories involving supernatural elements. Arguably the best story here is the first one, concerning a little girl and her imaginary friend viewing a side of family life that is both disconcerting and extremely gross. Other stories deal with the end of the world and its aftermath, a sculptor looking for inspiration, an encounter with alien beings who pick up victims in bars, the grim results of mixing [narcotics] with industrial strength insecticide, and a funny story about a battle between good and evil that takes place in a heavy metal/thrash bar.
Again and again, Shirley digs deep into the depths of depravity and despair with this collection of stories. What becomes most apparent as the book unfolds is the intimate knowledge Shirley seems to have with the dark side of human existence. When Shirley writes about the dangers of [narcotics], it seems like he knows about it from first hand experience. There are many authors that festoon their books with endless pages of violence and gore, but few do what Shirley does: create the starkest, grittiest atmospheres in which violence and gore not only unfold, but seem natural to the environment.
One slight problem with the stories in this collection is that many of the stories aren't very original. The horror film story concept has been done, along with the bad relationship/horror story. This tends to blunt some of the book's punch. Shirley certainly has the right to attempt to redo a certain storyline that's been done to death in the past, but more originality in doing so would have elevated this book above the merely average.
... But for a quick dip into this author's eerie work, "Black Butterflies" will certainly do the trick.
Book Description
A visionary quest for personal and planetary transformation.
Sacred tablets (based on the Hopi Life Plan -- Prophecy Rock petroglyph) are discovered in the mysterious Four Corners area that foretell America's destiny. It is a divine blueprint for the future interwoven with Hopi prophecies, transpersonal psychology, quantum physics and holistic medicine.
The Touchstone is for those who enjoyed stories like: The Celestine Prophecy, PsyEarth Quest, Balance Point, Earthfire and Queen of the Sun.
Customer Reviews:
Lovely and gentle.......2003-05-01
My daughter has requested this book over and over again from the library, so much so, I just bought a used copy! We love the last page and she can recite the text by heart. She is 2 1/2 and we've been reading this book for the last year.
A Rare Gem.......2000-12-05
My daughter is now 9 months old and this has been one of her favorites since birth. She is definately a "daddy's girl" and it's wonderful to read about the relationship between a child and their father. I wish there was a "My Mommy and I" book in this series, but I guess I'll just have to let the two of them have their moment (smile).
Customer Reviews:
Let's make some noise!.......2004-05-12
"I Make Music," by Eloise Greenfield, is illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. The text is a simple poem, told in the 1st person by a child character. The narrator expresses her joy at making music in a variety of ways: playing a toy xylophone, simply slapping her thigh, and more. Sample text: "I make good music/ on my drums,/ I make good music/ with my thumbs." The bright, colorful artwork is effective although not especially outstanding. Overall, a fun book.
Great story.......2002-03-19
I love to see positive Black Books and Eloise Greenfield fits the bill. This story tells of a toddler and the various ways she makes music. The pictures are simple yet full of life and the story really flows. My Maddie requests this book over and over so I think this is the perfect book for any toddler.
Average customer rating:
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My Doll Keshia (Black Butterfly Board Books)
Eloise Greenfield , and
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
Board Books
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General
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African-American
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ASIN: 0863162037 |
Customer Reviews:
My Doll Keshia.......2005-04-08
Two children "teach" Keshia how to jump, walk, dance, wave, sing and talk before she is rocked to sleep and put to bed. Babies and pre-schoolers will recognize the many things they are learning to do. Lively illustrations and a hint of rhythm and rhyme make this a fun book to read over and over. It is refreshing to note that the children playing with Keshia, the doll, are sister AND brother.
Average customer rating:
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Big Friend, Little Friend (Black Butterfly Board Books)
Eloise Greenfield
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
Board Books
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Fiction
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| Ages 4-8
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General
| Ages 4-8
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ASIN: 0863162045 |
Books:
- The Business of Writing for Children: An Award-Winning Author's Tips on Writing Children's Books and Publishing Them, or How to Write, Publish, and Promote a Book for Kids
- The Disposable Male: Sex, Love, and Money--Your World Through Darwin's Eyes
- The Essential Arthritis Cookbook : Kitchen Basics for People With Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Pain and Fatigue
- The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
- The Great Bust Ahead: The Greatest Depression in American and UK History is Just Several Short Years Away. This is your Concise Reference Guide to Understanding Why and How Best to Survive It
- The Grief Recovery Handbook : The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death Divorce, and Other Losses
- The Harriet Lane Handbook: A Manual for Pediatric House Officers, 17th Edition
- The Invitation: The Secret to Creating Your Best Life
- The Mother of All Pregnancy Books: The Ultimate Guide to Conception, Birth, and Everything In Between (U.S. Edition)
- The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and Other Holistic Choices
Books Index
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