Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World

Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World
Average customer rating:

"Science - y " for the Science Type

Signficant and Revolutionary Insights to Human Organizations

Disorganized

Applies quantum theory to management

Challening, Accessible and Interesting

Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World
Margaret J Wheatley
Manufacturer: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1576753441

Amazon.com

When Margaret J. Wheatley's Leadership and the New Science was initially published in 1992, it outlined an unquestionably unique but extremely challenging view of change, leadership, and the structure of groups. Many readers immediately embraced its cutting-edge perspective, but others just could not understand how the complicated scientific tenets it described could be used to reshape institutions. Now Wheatley, an organizational specialist who has since coauthored A Simpler Way, updates the original by including additional material (such as an epilogue addressing her personal experiences during the past decade) and reconstructing some of her more challenging concepts. The result is a much clearer work that first explores the implications of quantum physics on organizational practice, then investigates ways that biology and chemistry affect living systems, and finally focuses on chaos theory, the creation of a new order, and the manner that scientific principles affect leadership. "Our old ways of relating to each other don't support us any longer," she writes. "It is up to us to journey forth in search of new practices and new ideas that will enable us to create lives and organizations worthy of human habitation." --Howard Rothman

Book Description

Leadership and the New Science launched a revolution by demonstrating that ideas drawn from quantum physics, chaos theory, and molecular biology could improve organizational performance. Margaret Wheatley called for free-flowing information, individual empowerment, relationship networks, and organizational change that evolves organically -- ideas that have become commonplace. Now Wheatley's updated classic, based on her experiences with these ideas in a diverse number of organizations on five continents, is available in paperback.

Customer Reviews:

"Science - y " for the Science Type.......2007-08-03

Leadership and the New Science is a hard read unless you are the science type. Each chapter starts out like an introduction to evolution, but the ending (the part that you can actually conprehend) is very thought-provoking.

Signficant and Revolutionary Insights to Human Organizations.......2007-07-02

The insights put forth by this book need not be limited to businesses - though that is the stated perspective (ie applying the insight of the new sciences to business managment theory). I think the insights go far beyond business managment and would be of interest to anyone interested in group dynamics and how humans work together - be it on a local community or national level.

For those who may perceive the book as a slam against newtonian physics (as at least one reviewer simplistically decribed it) I do not believe she was invalidating newtonian physics nor mindlessly framing organization dynamics with simplistic generalizations from the "new sciences". She was quite explicit in her introduction that this book was intended as a reflective piece to see what insights might be gained from applying a new paradigm - legitimized by the insights and advances in physics over the last century - to organizational dynamics. To provide context, she demonstrates how our models for organizational theories have derived from newtonian physics and - just as we have learned that this paradigm is not sufficient to describe all of the natural world - perhaps our perspective into other spheres of human activity can be enhanced by applying the insights of the "new sciences" as well.

In short, this book offers a new way of thinking for any human endeavor and its insight are - I believe - essential for progressing into the next millenium.

Disorganized.......2007-05-26

It's really not my type of book. It was required reading for class. I think it was trying to get at some ideas like field vision and systems theory. I found more substantial info in dalai's books. I think it was called seven ways of Buddhism.

Applies quantum theory to management.......2007-05-12

This book is a challenging read and is a good fit for someone who's both scientifically and management minded. It provides some good links between quantum theory and management, but at times, it is a struggle to understand and one must read the section over several times to fully understand.
The author's work at the Berkana Institute is very interesting which believes that leaders are already present in communities and need to emerge. If you like the book, I encourage you to look up the institute!

Challening, Accessible and Interesting.......2007-04-25

This book is challenging, yet accessible, even if the reader does not posses a scientific background. While Wheatley's observations about organizations and their problems are not unique to her, her approach is, and provides an interesting framework to approach organizational development and design.

Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites & Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order (Llewellyn's Golden Dawn Series)

Average customer rating:

Welcome to New Worlds
This book is an encyclopedia of magick
golden dawn
Isreal lives
An excellent reference, not for beginners

Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites & Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order (Llewellyn's Golden Dawn Series)
Israel Regardie
Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Mystical Qabalah

ASIN: 0875426638

Customer Reviews:

Welcome to New Worlds.......2007-01-09

Not for a rank beginner, this massive opus is a vademecum for those interested in and a desire to explore New Worlds. While basic Qabalistic knowledge is helpful (Regardie's ART OF TRUE HEALING or Dion Fortune's MYSTICAL QABALAH), this is a veritable labyrinth of information for the beginner. The new introductions are extremely helpful. Be advised that this is not a "read cover-to cover" tome, but one which must be carefully studied and pondered. While some suggestions are given for approaching the book, each reader must discover his or her own way into this dense forest of metaphysical -- occult, if you prefer, but with the knowledge that "occult" merely means "hidden" and NOT "Satanic" as fundamentalists would have you believe -- teachings and lore. Not for the abecedarian.

This book is an encyclopedia of magick.......2006-11-30

This compendium of Golden Dawn magick will help the interested magician to learn the basics of the Rosicrucian tradition as well as what is involved in magical initiation. Study of this book alone could lead the devout student to the heights of spiritual transcendence and control of spirits. The whole magical universe is revealed in vivid detail.

golden dawn.......2006-07-31

Very good book - can be called a bible for humans, who are looking for self-awakening. Many interesting rituals and informations about modern magic and The Golden Dawn louge.

Isreal lives.......2005-10-19

What can I say..awsome book by one of the Great Magi of our times!Gives you the complete system from top to bottom as far as the Golden Dawn goes.Beginers could use this book...but Id suggest Donald Michael Criegs "Modern magick" first if your realy new to the system!But just to help give you some foundation before you dive into this complete Tome.Suppliment it with some od Isreal's teachings on CD and youll go far.......fast!

An excellent reference, not for beginners.......2005-10-14

Step by step instruction is lacking and certain fundamental ideas are assumed to be known and understood by the reader... a complete beginner would be lost with this book alone. It is an invaluable reference for someone who has a certain level of practical experience, but a book like Don Kraig's Modern Magick would be preferable to start with.

That being said, it is a virtual "must have" in the library of any serious magician, be they traditional GD, thelemite, aurum solis, or of any other western tradition.

Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance: New Edition

Average customer rating:

In the heat of the meeting, reach for this book!
Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance: New Edition
Parliamentry Procedure at a Glance bu Ossie Garfield Jones
Parliamentary Procedure at a glance
This is the one

Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance: New Edition
O. Garfield Jones
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140153284

Customer Reviews:

In the heat of the meeting, reach for this book!.......2007-06-25

The center pages of this little book are worth the book's purchase price all by themselves. Every kind of motion and amendment are listed in their priority, making it extremely easy to untangle the knots that many of us get into when the meeting we are leading suddenly has a flurry of motions. Keep it handy, open it to the center, and you will see at a glance what to do and who is right in their understanding of the way to handle a particular motion.

I was introduced to this book in a parliamentary procedure class - the copyright of my edition is 1971! I have referred to it ever since and given it to many friends and organizations.

Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance: New Edition.......2007-01-10

I found this very helpful and easy to understand.

Parliamentry Procedure at a Glance bu Ossie Garfield Jones.......2006-07-10

Better than I expected. A very good general guide to meeting procedure with some very good ideas and notes

Parliamentary Procedure at a glance.......2005-09-10

I was buying this for our 4-H parliamentarian (10 years old), hoping it was kid friendly.

It is still very complicated and am not sure it will meet our needs.

This is the one.......2001-04-17

This is the one you want if you are a novice at parliamentary procedure. After experiencing several unruly church conferences I began looking for an easy to use book, this is it. The center of the book indexes all the basic procedures you will need. I compliment the author in making it easy to use and not making the reader drowsy.

Self-Initiation Into The Golden Dawn Tradition: A Complete Cirriculum of Study for Both the Solitary Magician and the Working Magical Group (Llewell)

Average customer rating:

Great Book....but what happened to it?
Awesome Course
What is initiation into the Golden Dawn
Excellent resource!
Very complete... but very complex

Self-Initiation Into The Golden Dawn Tradition: A Complete Cirriculum of Study for Both the Solitary Magician and the Working Magical Group (Llewell)
Chic & Tabatha Cicero
Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1567181368

Customer Reviews:

Great Book....but what happened to it?.......2007-08-05

I saw this book when it first came out in 1995 and was thrilled with it. At the time however, I was attempting to go down the road of Wicca. So, I did not pick it up. Eventually, I realized that the path I was better suited for was that of the Golden Dawn and I wanted to buy this book to supplement my studies. One of the things I remembered vividly were the color plates near the middle of the book. I loved them because they were so much brighter and evoked much more emotion to me than the plates in Regardie's Golden Dawn book. So, I ordered the book but it was the 2002 edition and suddenly the color plates were in gray scale?!?! I found the 1998 edition and they too were in gray scale. The current edition 2006/07 does not even include the plates at all, even though the book refers you to them at various points.

To get full use of the book the color plates as they originally were in the 1995 edition I feel are needed. Thankfully you can see these pictures scaled down on the author's website, but they do not hold the same magic to me on a computer screen.

Overall the material is a great reference and I recommend it to anyone. I just don't like the changes that the company has implemented.

Awesome Course.......2007-07-10

Those who wish not to expend serious time and effort into their conscious spiritual awakening need not waste their money on this book. This book is for the serious seekers with an interest in ritual and who feel that "pull" into the GD current. The important factors in a valid initiation are intent and the activation of relevant symbolism within the initiate's sphere. This book supplies the knowledge to utilize the latter - the former is entirely up to the student.
This book contains such a wealth of information on many aspects of the Western Esoteric Tradition. My gripes however are two in number: 1. Towards the back of the book spelling and grammatical errors become increasingly common-not a huge deal (as none of them occur during the rituals) but it's just something that a literally-anal person like myself catches notice of; and 2. Lack of completeness in regards to having everything basic that the student needs (i.e. ritual implements)-they should really have devoted a section in each grade to construction of implements. I understand that they want the seeker to get in the habit of consulting other sources, which is good, but completeness in the basics should be mandatory.
All in all an awesome and wonderful opus by 2 superb writers -- maybe I should take back my first sentence of this review, for even those who are not willing to seriously work themselves into the GD current can benefit greatly from reading the Knowledge Lectures and contemplating the words and readings from the grade initiations. 5 stars was an easy decision for me on this one.

What is initiation into the Golden Dawn.......2007-06-21

This is largely a response to another reviewer who claims it is impossible to "self-initiate" into the GD. That is true, but not for the reasons given. See, the Golden Dawn no longer exists. It fractured into the Stella Matutina and the Alpha et Omega in the early 20th C.; neither of these factions survived very long, except for one Stella Matutina temple in New Zealand which survived until the 1970s. No temple since then has had chartered lineage. There are people around who can claim initiatory succession from original GD magicians, such as the Ciceros who received their initiations through Dr. Israel Regardie. But Regardie maintained that despite the order being dead, it was quite possible to study the system and initiate oneself. Seeking initiation from someone of a higher grade than you is great, but ultimately they are not the One True Initiator, just a handy tool in the process. It's between you and the powers that be.
I should note there is one group who claim to still be operating under an original charter; they claim to have revived a temple after it had been essentially dead for upwards of 50 years. Which seems a bit iffy to me.
So don't be put off by not being "legitimate". No-one is. Just do it. Yes, find someone wise and competent to take you through if you can; that's invaluable, and will save you huge amounts of work. But you can still use this book and work through the grades regardless.

Excellent resource!.......2007-04-07

I originally bought this book back when it was released in 1995. While I thought it was an excellent companion to Doc Regardie's Golden Dawn, it appeared to be a very daunting task. Eventually my original copy would disappear... somewhere.

A few years later a friend who was moving away gave me his copy of the book. He was heavily involved in Wicca and I was, at the time, an initiate of the Society Ordo Templi Orientis and deeply, deeply involved in my A.'.A.'. work. While I appreciated the gift and would occasionally reference it, I pretty much left it sitting on my shelf. In the interveing years I have slowly shifted away from Thelema, not totally, but in many ways I find I no longer feel the strong identification with the Current I once felt. Rather, and from my discussions with other magicians, it seems I have gotten beyond the point where Crowley and Thelema are necessary to my spiritual development while recognizing them as practical tools that helped me to get where I am and define my sense of identity. Thelema helped me to release the Ego in the sense of what I call the "I am the Beast" syndrome. Robert Anton Wilson writes about what I mean extensively in his "Cosmic Trigger". Think of it as a "Psychology of Liberation".

Like many of the reviews here though, I thought Self-INitiation was overly complex, contained too much information and impractical. I am now sitting down with it and rethinking the entire approach.

Anybody who says this book is too complex is simply trying to rush through the material or hasn't confronted their own inner laziness. It is necessary to begin with the introduction which explains the theory behind the book and gives practical instructions on beginning the work of Self-Initiation and explains the various godforms that are assumed in the rituals.

The Knowledge lectures, outside of the addition of more complete material on Astrology, are expanded versions of the same knowledge lectures presented in the Regardie books. While Regardie's work just listed symbols etc. the Ciceros have explained the symbols and expanded on them in interesting, if not always necessarily useful, ways. The expansion of the Astrology material alone is excellent. The key here is to take time with the material and to absorb it, not simply memorize the material. If you were going through a traditional Golden Dawn group these are the very same things you would be learning and using in your advancement through the grades and it seems, reading reviews and based on my own experiences, that many people just want the quick fix via a book rather than taking the time to absorb the material. The Ciceros suggest a 6 months period between the taking of each of the grades but this is based on the Self-Initiation rituals presented in the book. I think the material contained in the expanded knowledge lectures could be absorbed in a month or two quite easily, but take about 3-4 months just to be thorough.

The presentation is excellent and I wish this was how Regardie's book were laid out with each knowledge lecture preceded by the grade ritual corresponding. Also there is expanded ritual work when compared to the traditional Golden Dawn material that I think overall adds to the system in very positive ways. Also included are wonderful and updated reading lists reflecting modern developments in psychology, philosophy, science and occultism.

If anything in this book can be considered a flaw it is the Self-Initiation rituals themselves. They are almost exactly the original rituals with some modifications for self initiation but they require so much material to be constructed that they are not financially sound and the space required isn't always practical. I think that they should have stripped the rituals totally or used the Z documents to construct new self-initiation ceremonies that aren't nearly so verbose and complicated. While I don't think initiation should be a simple or easy affair, it is evident that simpler versions that are as effective as the original GD rituals are possible and do exist such as Crowley's Liber Pyramidos as published in the Equinox vol. IV no. 1. The elemental rituals also could have been reworked easily. The Watchtower ceremony could be used as the basis for this process with the elemental symbols of each grade worked into the candidates aura in the course of that ritual coupled with the Middle Pillar ritual to balance that energy.

As far as I care though, the rituals are unnecessary for advancement if the aspiration is pure. There is nothing like just doing the work to begin the process of initiation. The time period the Ciceros provide, 3 months for the beginning work, 9 months for the Neophyte and then 6 months for each of the elemental and portal grades is far longer than necessary for proper self initiation. Regardie in his Complete GOlden Dawn System of Magic writes that he thinks the performance of the Watchtower Ceremony and Middle Pillar ritual can self initiate a person and surmises that someone he knows that has performed this combination about 50 or 60 times has the credentials of a full initiate. This tells me that much could have been done with the Self Initiation rituals themselves. This system of self initiation is best done in a group.

But as I said, outside of the rituals themselves, the knowledge lectures are the best published, practical and thorough. You can not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the amount of material contained in the book, just take it one step at a time.

A final note on the question of self-initiation. There have been long standing debates on whether self initiation is possible and I have to ask... how did the first Master become a Master is there was no one to initiate him? The debate has really raged about the 5=6 ritual. I don't think it is self-initiation that is at question but the experience of the ritual that can not be conferred. Self-initiation is not based on system, it isn't based on orders, it is based on personal aspiration in the face of the darkness.

Very complete... but very complex.......2006-08-20

A excellent and serious book about self initiation in the Golden Dawn magic system. But it's very complex too. This big book will teach you a lot of details about magical things and cosmogony, through a one or two year's "evening class".
But it doesn't explain you the spirit of this magic and the GD philosophy.
It's not a easy understanding book, and definitly not a fast magick grimoire :)

Narrated Bible in Chronological Order (New International Version)

Average customer rating:

Linda from Missouri
The Narrated Bible
The Narrated Bible
Excellent reading Bible
Narrated Version - Great Resource

Narrated Bible in Chronological Order (New International Version)
F. Lagard Smith
Manufacturer: Harvest House Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0890814082

Customer Reviews:

Linda from Missouri.......2007-09-29

I was so happy to come across this Narrated Bible in Chronological order. I have always wanted to know when things happened in bible in order to help me better understand where things happend time. I love that there is commentary and that all the scripture is written all across the page it makes it easy to read. I love the NIV bible so it is a package deal. I actually think I can read the whole bible for the first time in my life all the way through and understand when and where it took place. The only thing that would have made this bible perfect would be to have tabs or thumb nail to find scripture faster as the table to find scripture is the the back of book and takes a little longer to find.
I would recommend this book.

The Narrated Bible.......2007-09-16

I have just started to read this so I'm not very far along in the book, but in scanning, and what I have read so far, it is excellent.

The Narrated Bible .......2007-08-01

For those who would like to understand, and know more about God, His word, His people, His character, His LOVE, and the LOVE he has for each of us.

The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life

Amplified Bible

The Pressure's Off: There's a New Way to Live

Excellent reading Bible.......2007-06-11

My wife and I have been reading the Bible roughly once a year since we were married in 2000. We have read it from several versions, in various formats and arrangements. The Narrated Bible is our favorite. When my wife's brother got married this summer, we couldn't think of a better way for them to start their marriage, so we bought them a copy too.

Narrated Version - Great Resource.......2007-02-07

This narrated Bible is a nice resource for reading and understanding the Bible. Both the chronological order, the context of associated verses, and the narration make this a nice way to read and to understand some of the themes, and events in the Bible. A great resource!

Webster's New World Robert's Rules of Order Simplified and Applied

Average customer rating:

excellent companion volume
Essential reading material!
Great for beginners and experts alike!
Robert's Rules of Order Simplified and Applied

Webster's New World Robert's Rules of Order Simplified and Applied
Webster's New World
Manufacturer: Hungry Minds
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Book Description

This is the clearest, most useful guide to parliamentary procedure, now with new information on effective and reliable procedures for nominations, elections, ballots, balloting, and ballot counting.

Customer Reviews:

excellent companion volume.......2007-06-13

Do not be confused. This book is not Robert's Rules of Order (RROO). It is a companion volume designed to explain RROO. It is, however, a very good companion which I found to be very easy to understand and contained some very up-to-date information like how to vote by e-mail.

It has some other nice features like scripts to use in meetings. However, it lacks a simple table of motions, something that is included in most versions of RROO.

Unfortunately, the most up-to-date official version of RROO (the Newly Revised, 10th edition) is a huge book compared to the original volume that Mr. Robert wrote in 1876 as a pocket guide. To me, the large size makes the newest edition virtually useless. If you are interested in parliamentary procedure for a PTO, club, or church business meetings, you are also unlikely to need the most recent edition.

The last edition that Robert himself was personally involved in before his death was the 1915 Revised edition (not to be confused with the Newly Revised versions). This was the official version for many decades and I think is still good enough for most users. I purchased a paperback re-print of this edition from 1970 which also added a new preface by Robert's grandson.

Some supposedly modern editions of RROO are really just re-writes of the original 1876 version. I assume that as the original book is so old, it has long run out of copyright, so anybody can publish their own RROO. This may be a good thing as people looking for a more slimmed-down book may be happier with a modernized version of Robert's original pocket version. However, the 1915 edition, while expanded significantly over the original, is not so huge and I think a reasonable compromise.

So, to make a long story short. I would recommend purchasing some official version of RROO (again, I like the 1915 edition) along with Webster's book.

Essential reading material!.......2007-05-17

I accepted a position as Board Administrator in a charity organization in Seoul, South Korea. Prior to that, I had heard about Robert's Rules of Order, but had never used the book as a reference. In my time as a Board Administrator, I referred to this book often for a proposed amendment to our Constitution and By-Laws, procedures for notifying members of the Annual General Meeting, and to clarify the motion-making procedure for Board members. Robert McConnell Productions uses sample scripts to give readers can get a sense for how to conduct a board meeting (Chapter 2, "A Business Meeting in Action"), how to debate a motion (Chapter 4, "Rules of Debate"), and how to vote (Chapter 5, "Ways the Vote Can be Taken"). I passed my copy to the next Board Administrator and just ordered a new copy for myself. Board members have a significant advantage in Board negotiations if they are intimately familiar with RRO.

Great for beginners and experts alike!.......2001-03-19

This book is great for people of all ages and experience levels! It combines the information from Robert's Rules of Order with the author's own tips to deliver one of the world's best reference materials. It presensts strategies for using each motion and gives examples that make writing a meeting script much easier!...

Robert's Rules of Order Simplified and Applied.......2000-04-04

I used this book extensively this year. It is extremely easy to use and follow. When my other copy and edition failed me, this edition was always useful. The index in the back makes it very easy to find exactly what point of order you are looking for. Also, the book gives real life, present day examples. I highly recommend this version of an old standby.

Twice Blessed: Everything You Need To Know About Having A Second Child-- Preparing Yourself, Your Marriage, And Your Firstborn For A New Family Of Four

Average customer rating:

Disappointed
Easy read
A bit disappointing
Realistic view, good coverage, I feel much more prepared now
Review

Twice Blessed: Everything You Need To Know About Having A Second Child-- Preparing Yourself, Your Marriage, And Your Firstborn For A New Family Of Four
Joan Leonard
Manufacturer: Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press
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Binding: Paperback

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Amazon.com

Less time, more demands, jealous siblings, displaced spouses, bigger bills, and bigger automobiles: given all these cons, why on earth would any sane couple consider having more than one child? Author Joan Leonard deals readers a rather loaded deck of cards as she succinctly describes the joys--but mostly the burdens--of "welcoming" a second child to the family. Despite its sweet title, this little book takes a rather acrid look at the unique challenges second-time moms and dads encounter. Luckily for the reader, Leonard presents plenty of advice from pediatricians, gynecologists, family therapists, and parents who have been through it themselves. Topics cover changes couples face during pregnancy, birth, and all of baby number two's first year.

A confessed firstborn herself, Leonard openly admits she did not enjoy being knocked off her proverbial pedestal when "The Other One," her own baby sister, arrived. Perhaps that's why this former contributing editor to Parent's Magazine and author of Tales from Toddler Hell seems to take such glee in reporting the many stresses and strains caused by adding to the family. Don't expect any gloppy, saccharin-tainted anecdotes from Leonard's contributing parents, either. Their "Tips from the Trenches" offer important food for thought about maternity leave and treating your spouse as a mate rather than as a business partner. Some of Leonard's own advice about appeasing the oldest child--like asking if the newborn can wear his or her outgrown clothes rather than just making it happen--lean a little too far toward spoiling. Most helpful are Leonard's chapters on assessing the first labor and delivery and taking steps to ensure a better one the second time around and her final chapter on effective family management. --Liane Thomas

Book Description

Just when you thought you were finally adjusting to being a parent-your stretch marks have faded and you've packed away your nursing bras and maternity clothes-you decide to have a second child. And although you may feel like a parenting expert, the second time around brings its own set of questions, quandaries, and chaos, from tighter finances to new routines. Drawing on the expertise of pediatricians, gynecologists, and family therapists, as well as the anecdotes of mothers everywhere, Twice Blessed covers how to prepare yourself for a different pregnancy and birth, your marriage for another dramatic change, and your child for a new brother or sister. With warmth, inspiration, and humor, Leonard carefully examines the brand new family of four and what to expect as it evolves during the first weeks, the first months, and finally that first year.AUTHORBIO: Joan Leonard is a former contributing editor of Parents magazine and the author of What to Do to Improve Your Child's Manners and Tales from Toddler Hell. Her articles have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers including Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Glamour, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Parenting, Child, and The New York Times. She lives in Northport, New York, with her husband and two children.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed.......2007-09-15

I bought this book in eager (happy!) anticipation of my second child. However, after only reading the first 7 pages of the book, I stopped. The Author seemed to hyper-focus on all of the negative aspects of being pregnant and took the attitude "why would anyone ever do this again!" I find that pretty silly and immature. You're a Mom. Being a Mom is tough. Get over it, honey.

I wanted a book that talked about some serious differences between my first and second pregnancy - not a book that talked me INTO having the second one. I'm already pregnant... and HAPPY about it!

If you were one of those women who complained about every aspect of being pregnant and then complained about every aspect of being a new Mom, this book is for you! You will be in good company. If you are a strong woman who is confident in your mothering skills and family planning choices, you will find this book negative, trite and immature.

Easy read.......2007-08-19

This is a great book that is easy to read. It helps you get ready for the new little one!

A bit disappointing.......2007-03-08

As I was reading this, I kept waiting for the part where I was going to feel better about having a second child. Instead, I was laid in bed with eyes wide open. It seemed to be all truthful, but I was looking to set my mind at ease and it never happen.

Realistic view, good coverage, I feel much more prepared now.......2006-08-25

I read the other reviews before purchasing the book and was drawn more to it because of the great difference in opinions, either hating or loving the book. I think the book is very good and provides a realistic, balanced view. Instead of being more anxious, negative or even regretful after reading it, I felt calm and more prepared.
Good coverage and worth reading several times. I'd highly recommend it.

Review.......2006-07-27

some very useful hints for older child when bringing baby home. most of it is common sense, but there are some good ideas i am using. Some of the anecdotes are comical.

Note, the content is almost identical to "And Baby Makes Four".

Force Heretic II: Refugee (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 16)

Average customer rating:

book 16
Three-sided storyline that I found rather enjoyable
2.5/5, An improvement, but not enough...
Ugh.
The Truce is Broken

Force Heretic II: Refugee (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 16)
Sean Williams , and Shane Dix
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Force Heretic III: Reunion (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 17)
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Destiny's Way (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 14)
The Unifying Force (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order)

ASIN: 0345428714
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Book Description

Swift and deadly, the Yuuzhan Vong have blasted their way across the galaxy—and now stand on the threshold of total victory. Yet a courageous few still dare to oppose them. . . .

Rife with hostile cultures and outright enemies, the Unknown Regions holds many perils for Luke Skywalker and the Jedi, searching for Zonama Sekot, the living planet that may hold the key to dealing once and for all with the Yuuzhan Vong.

Meanwhile, on the edge of the galaxy and in the heart of a trusted ally, old enemies are stirring. The Yuuzhan Vong have inflamed long-forgotten vendettas that are even now building up to crisis point. And as Han and Leia journey on their quest to knit the unraveling galaxy back together, betrayal and deception await them. . . .

Customer Reviews:

book 16.......2006-10-22

this book couldve been half as long had all the nonsense been cut out.theres a lot of politics and ceremonies and the like.i think the author was going for drama,but it came out more like over-detailed and uneventful.there are just certain things people have come to expect from anything star wars.like a light saber battle,a super weopon,the sith,ise of the main characteres in meaningful and interesting events.this book lacks all these qualities.you will,however,have to trudge through it if you are reading the series.now i will give you the low down.the good guys,for some reason,are looking for a living planet instead of fighting the vong.anakan solo is still dead.which still makes me mad.landos super cool droids arent around and niether is the coolest sith since darth vadar in lord nyax.heck,even han solo ,luke skywalker and thier families dont see much action.luke spends the book in a library.oh thats so cool.[ugh].all the real cool stuff happens in like the last 70 pages.there is a assassination attempt on someone important.so the other jedis,not in danger,gave to twart the attempt.i feel so sorry for poor old tahiri.shes not only hopeless about the future but severely depressed and now gas an alternate persona.my heart really goes out to her.nom-anor is hiding beneath coruscant trying to get the shamed ones to revolt.the good guys do find a planet full of droids powered by souls.a terrorist assassanation attempt gets an ok air battle towards the end.jacen solo spends most of his time in the library also.ho-hum.but danni expresses her true feelings for him.lastly,theres the living planet.it is said to ne inhabited by insects.theres dense oxygen.every 3 years a fire god burns up its surface.a prophetess from there is said to have created the force.the planet can jump through hyperspace also.thats all they find out in over 400 pages.they never did find the planet either.

Three-sided storyline that I found rather enjoyable.......2005-12-27

I read the other reviews and I wonder if I read the same book that they did. I genuinely enjoyed the complexity of the book. Perhaps for the Star Wars fan who enjoys duels and battles, this book isn't for you. However, I enjoyed the political complexities present in the book on all three sides of the storyline.

In one, Luke continues on his mission to find Zonama Sekot and hope that it can make the difference in turning the war around. Contrary to one review, the conflict at the end is a huge benefit in their effort to get access to Chiss space, but I will not spoil how. Also, I believe that there is a very good reason that we don't have the map, that is because the Chiss are very secretive and even though Luke, Jacen and the others are looking at records, I am doubtful the Chiss are actually letting them look at star charts showing exact locations. Remember, many were VERY skeptical of their arrival and mission. Not providing us the map makes it more realistic for us in following the story.

The second side is the continuing mission led by Leia and Han to bring the distant regions of the galazy back into the fold. They are taken to Bakaura on the edge of the far reaches of the galaxy, bordering on Ssi-Ruuk space and the Unknown Regions. The political turnabouts in this theater are complex and telling. I agree with one reviewer that the whole ruse was completely predictable, but the subtle mechanisms are intreging as is the climax to the incident.

The third theater is on the planet formally known as Courscant, now the headquarters of the Yuuzhan Vong in the galaxy. Nom Anor is trying to lead a cult based on the Jeedi to being about his revenge on the leadership of the Vong. This is the least interesting of the three, but has some long term potential. Anor is trying to take advantage of the fact that the Shamed Ones have been put down for so long and that they have a desire for something more. This is, of course, a theme seen throughout the world at different stages of history. However, this isn't as well developed as the other two theaters of the book, but hopefully will be in book three.

If you are only into battles and lightsabre fights, this book isn't for you. However, if you are into a more in depth look at various facets of the ongoing galactic war along with the political intrige implicit in it, enjoy!

2.5/5, An improvement, but not enough..........2004-08-09

To say the first "Force Heretic" novel was a monumental dissapointment that made me want to rip my eyes out, would be a minor understatement. Which made it all the more surprising to find that I actually enjoyed this second book in the Williams-Dix composition for the New Jedi Order series.

In all honesty, it appears as though one of the writers (I can't tell which) wrote the first book, and the other one wrote this one, so different did I find the styles. Gone were the plaguing problems of incoherent sentences and paragraphs, stuttering storylines and lack of involvement in the characters. As well, I found most of the intrigue laced in this book to actually work. Previously, I staunchly believed mystery and Star Wars don't mix - they didn't in Episode II, on film, they definitely won't on paper - but at least in the case of Bakura, with so much back-stabbing and betrayal going on at once (even the Yuuzhan Vong get in on it) I was genuinely pulled into the book. The whole plot on Csilla seemed like an afterthought however, and the conflict that occured there seemed a little too mainpulative and coincidental. It would've been much easier for Jacen, Luke and Co. to learn Zenoma Sekot's location without an overly done powergrab. Just my opinion. The plot with Nom Anor as Yu'shaa, the Prophet, also worked well, and helped advance the Yuuzhan Vong side of things with surprising clarity.

Of course, the book still wasn't that great.

The lack of chapters will bug me forever, I'm sorry, it probably sounds petty, but it just doesn't work for me. Call it a stylistic choice if you want, I hate it. The characters were absolutely stupid on occassion (even if I feel Dix and Williams did an ok job of molding them this time), a good case of which is with Jaina. She has ample opportunity several times to free herself from Harris (the Vice-President) and his cronie's grasp, yet waits until possibly the worst time to do so, after two backup character's unneccessarily die. I mean, she only has to fight two guys, and at one point one of them is knocked out of the equation and Jaina isn't even bound by cuffs (as she is when she eventually does break free) and yet she still doesn't act, instead choosing to allow another person to die. Horrible plot-manipulation, flat out. Time and time again, I saw character's make hideously foolish choices that no Star Wars hero or heroine would truly make, just to make the plot advance. It came off as downright lazy to me. That being said, I still enjoyed the plot - go figure.

All in all, this novel was a definite improvement on the previous Williams-Dix endeavor, but still failed in far too many aspects to be worthy of joining the likes of Traitor, Star by Star, or any of Aaron Allston's or Michael Stackpole's novels. 2.5/5 stars.

Ugh........2004-07-15

Whose idea was it to let this slop stretch into a trilogy? All of the important points could have been condensed into a single novel (or maybe even a short story). The New Jedi Order does bring an exciting new plot arc to the Star Wars universe, and there have been some great books in the series, but once we get toward te end, the true marketing genius becomes clear; a reader who has already read a dozen novels and gotten caught up in the story of the war with the Vong, will work their way through even the worst book to make it to the end of the series. Or indeed, the worst three books. Only a couple of interesting bits (like the Tahiri subplot) save this from a 1 star review.

The Truce is Broken.......2003-12-31

The second novel of the Force Heretic trilogy encompasses three story lines. The first story line follows Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker, Jacen Solo, and other Jedi as they enter Chiss space in search of the planet Zonama Sekot, in hopes that the planet will hold the key to winning the war against the Yuuzhan Vong. While an interesting tale, it is really a secondary story to one of the other story lines. However, this book does move the story along for Luke and Co.

The second story line is also a sub-story. Nom Anor is the fallen Executor of the invading Yuuzhan Vong race. He has been banished as a Shamed One. Not satisfied to sit back and accept his fate, Nom Anor has begun a heresy of sorts by establishing a cult amongst the Shamed Ones that reveres the Jedi, and looks upon them to free the Samed Ones of the shackles of oppression.

The main story follows Leia and Han Solo, their daughter Jaina and Jag Fel as they return to Bakura. Bakura was the subject of the novel 'Truce at Bakura,' which takes place immediately after 'Return of the Jedi.' In that novel, an alien race called the Ssi-ruuk were threatening to 'entech' an entire planet. Entechment is a process of stealing the souls of a sentient being and using it to control a machine.

Bakura appears ready to sever its ties with the New Republic and form an alliance with a race once subjugated by the Ssi-ruuk. There is more than meets the eye though. The Prime Minister is missing, but then suddenly reappears. The Deputy Prime Minister suspects something is up. Malzana Thanas, the daughter of a political hero of Bakura, is being tried for treason. Intrigue abounds.

Overall, this novel was pretty clever. The story on Bakura had many layers, but about two thirds of the way through, the pieces fall into place rather obviously for most readers. It was interesting, and a bit refreshing, that most of the action took place away from the war against the Vong. However, there is a bit of a surprise near the end of the book that will cause most readers to scratch their head a bit.

Tahiri has an interesting role in this triology. She is dealing with an inner demon, and after this novel, she may never be the same again. This sub-plot has alternated between being interesting and annoying. Hopefully, it will reach an interesting conclusion in the third installment.

I'd recommend this novel to anyone that has been reading the New Jedi Order. I would not recommend starting with this novel. Go back to the beginning and read 'Vector Prime' and other novels in the series first.

Force Heretic I: Remnant (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 15)
Average customer rating:

the lowest rating ive given one yet book 15

A new front for the war against the Yuuzhan Vong

sort of dull, but still entertaining

Eh...it was all right

Pretty bad... 1.5/5 stars.

Force Heretic I: Remnant (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 15)
Sean Williams , and Shane Dix
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Force Heretic II: Refugee (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 16)

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Destiny's Way (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 14)

Traitor (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 13)

ASIN: 0345428706
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Book Description

As the bloodied and weary galaxy faces battle once more, the Jedi take on the formidable task of bringing the last of the Empire into the light. . . .

From the ashes of the New Republic—torn to shreds by the savage Yuuzhan Vong forces—the newly formed Galactic Alliance has risen, determined to bring peace to the entire galaxy. But first the Yuuzhan Vong must be contained once and for all. And so Luke Skywalker seeks a world long lost to legend: Zonama Sekot, a sentient planet believed to have repelled an invasion by the Yuuzhan Vong decades ago. Deciphering the enigmatic secrets of Zonama Sekot just might turn the tides of a relentless war.

Aboard the Jade Shadow, Luke, his wife Mara, Jacen Solo, and other Jedi head off into the Unknown Regions, where rumors and clues suggest Zonama Sekot might be found. Yet the mission has barely begun when the searchers stumble into a horrific battle. The Imperial Remnant, in retreat from the mighty Yuuzhan Vong, is about to be destroyed. It would seem those aboard the Jade Shadow have little choice but to leave the Empire to its fate. But these are no ordinary space travelers, they are Jedi. . . .

Customer Reviews:

the lowest rating ive given one yet book 15.......2006-10-13

ok,first of all,im still po/d that the most dangerous sith ever was introduced 3 books ago and still hasnt been used by book 15.so i guess either the new writers have no respect for the previous books in the series or for some reason they chose not to use a god-like sith .this goes back to my points from before.everybody loved anakan solo and chewbacca.both get offed.and both of the solo twins went down the dark side earlier but the dark side was gone by the next book.not worked out just simply dismisssed.thats why i gave this book a lower rating than the previous 14 books in the series.the republic and empire are working together in this one.but theres a ton of poliyical bs they have to bore the reader with 1st to get to that point.jacin solo and a much older danni start a romance.the vong are out being vongs and blowing up planets and sacrificing prisoners.tahiri is still very much depressed over anakan solo even to the point of having schizophrennic-like episodes.nom anor is realizing some mind blowing truths about the vongs spiriyual beliefs the hard way.a lot of interesting stuff happens with him in this book.there is a search going out for a living planet.a new characheter is introduced.hes chewbaccas son,lumpawarrump.not that that makes them killing chewbacca in book 1 ok.an air battle pitting the republic and empire vs the vong goes down along with 3 battles for planets.the vongs lowest caste "the shamed ones" began questioning the truths about the vong gods,threatening to destroy thier most fundamental beliefs.so the vong began slaughtering them.thats about it.of course.I LEFT YOU MANY SUPRISES.anyhow,this book is really hust a jumbled mess.its somewhat interesting but not all that exiting.its a 400 plus page story that couldve been told in 250.and its slow to read,as was book 14.i hope this isnt a trend developing.with only 4 books left,somebody better start picking up the slack or i will be very disappointed.

A new front for the war against the Yuuzhan Vong.......2005-11-29

I really enjoyed this book. Sure, there is some review in the beginning of the book, but not as much as some reviewers would have you think. There is plenty of new material as the main protoganists go off in two different directions on two very different missions, but both designed to ensure the survival of the newly formed Galactic Alliance.

Leia is leading one expedition to reconnect severed links to the Galactic Alliance. They will find surprises on the way. The suspense is evident in several instances through the first stage of this mission and a familar enemy along with a stange alien will make their presence felt.

On the other side of the (not the MLS champion L.A.) Galaxy, Luke is leading another expedition to the Unknown Regions with a stop at the Imperial Remnant. Surprise, surprise, they too will meet with a familar enemy. Political intrigue and a very Latin Americanesque approach by the Grand Admiral typify the reaction of the Empire to the unwanted visitors.

Along the way, we see the continued struggles of Tahiri as well as the development of the young Jedi. There is some repetition of information worked into the story in the form of informing new protoganists of what is happening. However, if you haven't read previous books, you will really miss out on much of the storyline.

sort of dull, but still entertaining.......2005-09-03

this is the first adult star wars book i have read. it took halfway through the book just to get to the first lightsaber duel, which wasn't really a duel at all! had good cover art, though.
there were good things about this book and bad things. entertaining, but if you want a better read, i recommend destiny's way.

Eh...it was all right.......2004-12-17

What was going on in this book? Some character development and then none at all. Complete luck that Luke's party stumbled onto the Battle of Bastion. This whole book was very up and down. First 60 pages it took me three months. Then I started to ease my way through it. It was a rough read. Definitely could have been better. And it's way to long for so much nothing. It was very average and my lord what do the Ryn have to do with anything? Plus these two authors need to quit it with calling Han and Leia "Anakin's Parents" nonstop. Plus this whole thing with Tahiri is quite annoying. And don't Han and Leia and the military Twin Suns Squadron have more important things to do than go to small insignificant planets and stop them from falling to the Vong? Shouldn't they be fighting the true war? What is going on? The next two better explain what's going on...

Pretty bad... 1.5/5 stars........2004-07-24

Of all the New Jedi Order books I've read, I must say this is by far the worst.

Where to begin? Well, the plot itself isn't really that bad - Luke and company go to find Zenoma Sekot, while Leia, Han and the others go to round up support for the Galactic Alliance - as I said, not bad. Even this has problems though. Based on the occurences in the novel, the Yuuzhan Vong are obviously expending a fair amount of resources to defeat possible attackers on their borders - and what is the Alliance doing while this is going on? Nothing. No offense, but after scoring a huge victory in Destiny's Way, the Alliance appears to be back to the New Republic's way of sitting there and doing nothing until they are attacked. The logistics just didn't make sense to me, and it wouldn't have been that difficult to include a new section devoted to say Wedge or Cal Omas or even Admiral Ackbar.

As the plot is really the work of LucasArts though, and not of the writers themselves, any failings in the overall story department can be forgiven. What really made the book dissapointing for me was the writing style of the authors.

In my opinion writing teams rarely work, as authors simply have different views, goals, opinions and thoughts - combining the work of two authors into a single book (or set of books) is a bad idea, in my mind. This is just the start of the problems however.

Firstly, there were no chapters in the book. I can't understand the purpose of this besides forcing the reader to see the "Part" that they are currently reading as a single collection of actions and thoughts - which they really weren't. The lack of spacing between the four sections (not to mention a long prologue and longer epilogue) was offsetting to me, and I missed the deliberate pacing of chapters that all the other New Jedi Order books have. Heck, most books have them. As I said, unless it was some failed attempt at novel artistry, there was no point to it, and just aggravated me.

Secondly, the book went far too much in spurts and stops. Almost useless portions of the plot would be given huge amounts of space, while the conclusions to battles and character depth were rushed, barely mentioned, or forgotten altogether. While I did enjoy the burgeoning love relationships between Jag and Jaina and Jacen and Danni (though I still believe Jacen and Tenel Ka should be together), nothing else really seemed all that well done to me, almost as though the writers were looking to find a niche in the story where their talents could shine.

Thirdly, I found it nearly impossible to follow the flow of the writers words. A paragraph of character thought, for example, would follow normally through a pattern of logic, then suddenly, the character would arrive at a totally different conclusion than I would have ever thought of, or what I thought Williams and Dix were leading me towards. It felt as though the two writers were either confused in the writing of the book, or still attempting to discover their characters and those characters' place in the novel. A prime example (on a larger scale) is with Saba, who, from the prologue, I thought was going to be a main character throughout, but eventually only showed up in any importance at the very end, once again, like the writers just weren't sure what they wanted to do with the characters. For such an important area of the arc plot (ie. finding Zenoma Sekot and possibly dooming the Yuuzhan Vong), it was dissapointing to see the writers meander their way through.

Lastly, the imprecise battle tactics. I had absolutely NO understanding of what was going on during the space battles. None whatsoever. It was really quite sad that the only description of the battles was "The Empire was winning," or "they were on their heels" (those aren't real quotes obviously). It really hurt the book on the whole, as it was practically a nail in the coffin.

I have several other points which also bothered me, but there is a word limit to this review and there's no real point in going on, as anyone reading this will get my point. I didn't enjoy the book at all. I'm almost certainly going to skip over the next two novels as well and pick up with The Final Prophecy, in the hopes of some restoration of the series before Dix and Williams completely destroy it. No offense intended.

Book of Life: Ascension and the Divine World Order

Average customer rating:

Ascension and the Divine World Order
Michael Sharp doesn't waste any time in impressing the import of his theories
Christ Consciousness Ahoj!
Loving Spirit, Black Hawk, SD
Read with caution; continue on your own path...

Book of Life: Ascension and the Divine World Order
Dr MichaelSharp
Manufacturer: Avatar Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0973537906
Release Date: 2006-03-10

Product Description

Finally, here is the Truth in a form that everyone can understand. Michael Sharp has done a spectacular job of presenting the deep spiritual truths of creation and of this planet in an accessible, direct, and no-nonsense format. In The Book of Life learn all you need to know in order to understand and navigate the dramatic global changes now unfolding. Everything from the energetic nature of the universe through karma, prophecy, the Annunaki, the failed ascension attempts of Atlantis/Lemuria and our current (and successful!) ascension work is laid out in appealing fashion. Once you pick it up, you cannot put it down. The Book of Life: Ascension and the Divine World Order is the definitive guide to the new age and the end-times unfolding. A must read for anybody anxious to understand the events unfolding around the

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Customer Reviews:

Ascension and the Divine World Order.......2007-09-07

It is time people wake up and quit watching TV and read the books
that are available about the coming 5 year period. We are in a very
very important period in "Time" and Dr Michael Sharp is excellent at
presenting some of the information.

Michael Sharp doesn't waste any time in impressing the import of his theories.......2007-08-27

Michael Sharp doesn't waste any time in impressing the import of his theories upon a reader, as the first sentences of The Book of Life: Ascension and the Divine World Order make clear: Welcome to the most significant event in the history of creation. I tend to be skeptical of statements like this, but I kept reading and I found something surprising a clear explanation of New Age concepts offset only slightly by outlandish ideas.
The Book of Life is centered on helping its reader understand the path to Ascension, which Sharp describes as the act of gaining understanding and welcoming a higher consciousness into your body. He argues that as the universe is comprised of energy, it is our goal to learn how to let this energy flow through us and alter our perception to expand within the physical universe.

These theories on the Ascension are easier to process than many New Age texts, chiefly because I recognize several of them from existing mythologies. The concept of the yin-yang, the golden rule, the serpent devouring its own tail, the Indian chakra system and the Jewish Tree of Life are all seen as interpretations of the universe balancing energy. It's refreshing to read such a comprehensive belief structure, and Sharp presents each part with equal seriousness.

However, when it comes to explaining the historical background of Ascension I found Sharp sounded more like a science fiction writer. The possibility that the mythical societies of Lemuria and Atlantis failed because of poor energy distribution and we are shouldering that karmic fallout is a bit outlandish, but when Sharp suggests that our spiritual growth was subjugated eons ago by an alien race known as the Annunaki he begins to forfeit his credibility.

Sharp wins back some credibility later in the book when he discusses how society is moving towards the Ascension naturally, citing such strides as the Internet and the spread of science and literacy. He offers several techniques for coming to the Ascension face your fears, expand your chakra, seek out your spiritual guides, adopt a life view on par with the Greek Stoics which are somewhat bland next to his buildup of the process but useful advice for daily life.

His urgent tone detracts from his idea of awakening, but there is enough information in "The Book of Life" to help with personal understanding. I found several of its suggestions useful, and would easily recommend it to anyone looking for a nudge in beliefs.

Christ Consciousness Ahoj!.......2007-08-21

If there is one book which really and truly demystifies the process of ascension and puts in perspective, the enormous emotional charge associated with the prophesied event, it must be Michael Sharp's 'The Book of Light'. This event, also known as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, has been prophesied to take place, sometime after December 23rd, 2012. This date also coincides with the end of the Mayan calendar and signifies the end of our civilization, as we know it. Many mystics and channeled sources have taken up this topic for discussion, stating that the 'end times' would be a time when people would stop regarding his/her neighbour as a distinct 'other' and 'do unto another as s/he would have done to him/her self'.

This book is the first of a series by Michael Sharp. The author affirms that he is one of many who have been assigned the task of making accessible to the general public, the genuine facts behind the Ascension Project, underlying the spiritual history of this planet. To this end, he reveals a certain amount of information on the Lemurian and Atlantean civilisations, during both of which, attempts at ascension failed. In this book, the author goes deeper into the spiritual reason behind the present ascension attempt, the physical implications for us as earthlings, and the kind of choices and decisions specifically required of us as we experience a gigantic transiotion of this kind. As mentioned in the beginning of this review, seldom has material as esoteric as this, been presented in such a lucid, concise and incisive fashion. Some of the material is clearly channeled from a source outside the physical. This 'inside information' is something we are intuitively aware of, but, as beings on the physical plane, we cannot access this 'long term perspective' directly. In the vision presented in this book, Michael Sharp paints a picture, that for me, fitted effortlessly with my own view as to what to expect when the 'end times' come calling.

The first in this series, this book deals with the nitty gritty of the event per se. It says clearly that the event is one of 'grounding Christ Consciousness', after achieving which, we embrace our collective transcendental destiny as fulfilled human beings, working in concert with each other (instead of in competition) and with All That Is. The Second Book, called 'the Dossier of the Ascension', is an elaboration of the last two chapters of the first book. In this book, more specific and detailed instructions are given as to chakra activation and the reason behind the blockages that are commonly experienced. I have yet to read the third book in this series, 'The Book of Light', but it deals with the nature of our consciousness and how it is, in essence, a 'body of light'.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you're wondering why you are here, who you really are, why you have been held back from achieving your objectives, read this book.You will recognize this information, it will resonate with what you already know, deep in the confines of your own heart (as it did with me). It will light a candle within you, wake up dormant memories.Your programmed responses to trying situations will begin to change, they will be more awake and more aware. And perhaps, you will have begun your own journey, at an accelerated pace, to Christ Consciousness.

Loving Spirit, Black Hawk, SD.......2007-08-01

Michael Sharp has given me so many answers to questions I have had all my life. He repeats that there are many paths for an individual to achieve awakening and ascension. He believes his books are the fastest way to achieve this. I know that since I started reading Book of Life I have moved forward faster and further than in my 42 yrs of searching and working toward my highest spiritual self. As in all things, the individual will know which path to enlightenment they need to take. Due to this book I have made the choice to take the Lightening Path. Thank you Michael for sharing your loving energy with all of us.

Read with caution; continue on your own path..........2007-07-07

It is with caution that I am checking out this author's book and writings. Like many on this quest, I have seen my share of willful charlatans, along with plenty of purported channelers seeking only to sell their books and other products, plus those who are well-intentioned but simply deluded and ensnared in their own illusions or concoctions of Truth.

To the list of "I do not believe" items in the intro of The Book Of Light, Volume One (free download from Sharp's website), I add these two: I do not believe in a single answer or universal path for all persons given our individual stages of development on the karmic walk, and I do not believe that anyone walking this Earth has sufficient spiritual clarity to be consciously aware of the entire spritual truth of the planet, as Sharp claims.

Those of us who walk this path in earnest understand that we create our reality, and that we each must walk an individual path to rediscover our Unity, our Oneness with/in God. It is a welcome respite if we find useful resources along the way that speak to us, and sometimes a book can really seem revelatory to person(s) who have never heard such words before. But I have great reservation about anyone who presents him/her self as a spiritual teacher but uses an academic title such as "Dr." for apparent validation (did Gandhi or Krishnamurti or Jesus or Gautama do this?) and purports to know it all, no matter how sensible-sounding some of his/her writings may sound. And I am immediately put on guard when any book starts with "Hello Dear One" as though spoken from a place of benign superiority.

Advice to all readers: Continue to seek your own Truth, don't buy into another's version. If the words in this book speak to you, that's wonderful. Use them as a guidepost to continue your quest. Don't fall into the trap of guru or dogma worship or into the illusion of having "arrived" because something in a book resonates with you.

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