Product Description
Michael is considered the greatest angel in the Christian, Judaic, and Islamic traditions. Throughout the ages, he has appeared as a protector, a messenger, a guide, a warrior, and a healer. In Michael, Richard Webster presents a thorough history of this famous archangel and offers simple techniques for contacting him.

Readers are treated to a detailed introduction to Michael and his many appearances. The rest of this practical guide provides a variety of methods for connecting with Michael, petitioning his help, and creating a lasting bond. Through easy-to-perform rituals and meditations-some involving candle magic, crystals, and dreamwork-readers will learn how to get in touch with the Prince of Light for courage, protection, strength, and spiritual guidance.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Not at all what I wanted
I had this book for quite some time, before I had a chance to read it. It is not ANYTHING I would want in my home. Never had I been taught that St. Michael, the Archangel would communicate with those of us on earth by using, "The magic power of Candles," "Crystals," "Chakras," and other various ways. I will remember not to purchase any book by Richard Webster again. His version of how to communicate with St. Michael will collect dust in the corner of a junk closet.

Readers Beware
Catholic and all traditionally Christian readers should know that this book
encourages un-Christian practices such as candle magic, crystals, and dreamwork.
It is more of a New Age work than an orthodox work of Christian theology
or spirituality.That is simply an honest assessment that buyers need to be aware of.
Those looking for traditional Christian understandings should look elsewhere.
TAN Books and Publishers has a nice mini-book with some solid history of devotion
to Michael the Archangel and prayers.

Wonderful and inspiring!!
Great background on this incredible Angel. I have learned more than expected of Michael and I am using the exercises to communicate with him and I can feel his presense without a shadow of a doubt. This book is not all christian and you should also look into books that are totally christian/judeo based to learn more about Michael imho, but as far as communicating and bringing him closer to you, it's a definite winner!!!

be aware
If you think you are making contact with this powerful angel, yet you don't believe in God, then what you are making contact with is not an angel, let alone St. Michael.

St. Michael is an amazing being...but if you truly want this angel in your life, there are many other good books out there about it (just type"St. Michael" in the search box and read the reviews on other books on this topic - you'll find a handful of excellent reads). Llewellyn is not the publishing company to go to when you want something serious about real, true angels. I had my days of Llewellyn in my teen years. One thing they do know how to do well is make money and mislead people. This book has *some* good and relevant info in it, but it is definitely not one I recommend. I read it out of curiosity, but then realized I wished I hadn't bothered putting my money towards it (and its publisher) at all.

Look for books by non-new-age/pagan authors and you will find some of the most mystical, amazing, and deeply personal spiritual information you could ever dream of, and angels is a great place to start. But not the fluffy stuff. No Llewellyn, no Doreen Virtue or Sylvia Brown. Go to the authors who base their books on research, not imagination or their own "personal visions." Go for the real stuff, and you will be more amazed and in awe than the phony stuff. You will find real substance. And you'llfind yourself really connecting to something meaningful and awe-inspiring. Llewellyn is a joke when it comes to "mysitcal" ~ you don't even know mystical until you dig for the books based on true research and mysteries....they don't fill in the blanks or questions with guesses or their own personal "dreams" and "visions." They will come right out and tell you that parts of it are part of the mysteries. Which is more meaningful and personal to you than someone else's interpretations and imagination.

My Archangel Michael
This book has taught me how to get closer to my Archangel.I definitely recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description

Amid mounting concern over the loss of jobs to low-wage economies, one fact is clear: America's prosperity hinges on the ability of its businesses to continually introduce new products and services. But what makes for a creative economy?How can the remarkable surge of innovation that fueled the boom of the 1990s be sustained?

For an answer, Richard K. Lester and Michael J. Piore examine innovation strategies in some of the economy's most dynamic sectors. Through eye-opening case studies of new product development in fields such as cell phones, medical devices, and blue jeans, two fundamental processes emerge.

One of these processes, analysis--rational problem solving--dominates management and engineering practice. The other, interpretation, is not widely understood, or even recognized--although, as the authors make clear, it is absolutely crucial to innovation. Unlike problem solving, interpretation embraces and exploits ambiguity, the wellspring of creativity in the economy.By emphasizing interpretation, and showing how these two radically different processes can be combined, Lester and Piore's book gives managers and designers the concepts and tools to keep new products flowing.

But the authors also offer an unsettling critique of national policy. By ignoring the role of interpretation, economic policymakers are drawing the wrong lessons from the 1990s boom. The current emphasis on expanding the reach of market competition will help the analytical processes needed to implement innovation. But if unchecked it risks choking off the economy's vital interpretive spaces.Unless a more balanced policy approach is adopted, warn Lester and Piore, America's capacity to innovate--its greatest economic asset--will erode.

Customer Reviews (1)

More Interpretation, Less Problem Solving Helps Innovation
I work in a business that struggles to be innovative. There's many very smart people who are superb problem solvers. This book explains why a problem solving mindset may actually interfere with listening to customers and stimulating new ideas.

By thinking "who else should I invite into this conversation who might have another perspective," and "how can I get these people together and stimulate a deep conversation," I've begun to see another way to work with my colleagues that may help our organization push the envelope more. The authors offered very specific examples of these kinds of interpretative conversations.

This book has good case studies about garment industry, cell phone industry and biotech. Their economic argument pushing for more public spaces where interpretative conversations can occur was of less interest and I thought weaker than their company examples. ... Read more

Product Description
SPECIAL ILLUSTRATED EDITION WITH EXCLUSIVE NEW MATERIAL

“One of the more controversial books of the 20th century.” –UPI

“Enough to seriously challenge many traditional beliefs, if not alter them.” –Los Angeles Book Times Review

Explosive, thought-provoking, fiercely compelling, Holy Blood, Holy Grail breaks bold new ground with its shocking conclusions about the lineage of Christ and the legacy of the Holy Grail. Now this lavishly illustrated
collector’s edition features exclusive new material plus dozens of full-color photographs, drawings, symbols, architecture, and artwork, making it a dazzling feast for the eyes as well as the mind. Based on decades
of research, filled with eye-opening new
evidence and stunning scholarship, this authoritative work uncovers an alternate history as shocking as it is believable–as it dares to ask:

Is the traditional, accepted view of the life of Christ in some way incomplete?

Is it possible Christ did not die on the
cross?

Is it possible Jesus was married, a father,
and that his bloodline still exists?

Is it possible that parchments found in the
South of France a century ago reveal one
of the best-kept secrets in Christendom?

Is it possible that these parchments contain
the very heart of the mystery of the Holy
Grail?

According to the authors of this extraordinarily provocative, meticulously researched book, not only are these things possible–they are probably true. So revolutionary, so original, so convincing, the most faithful Christians will be moved; here is the book that has sparked worldwide controversy, now newly updated and beautifully illustrated for the collector’s shelf.

“Like Chariots of the Gods...The plot has all the elements of an international thriller.” –Newsweek

“Compelling.” –Philadelphia Inquirer

“An astonishing hypothesis.”
–Publishers WeeklyAmazon.com Review
Michael Baigent, Henry Lincoln, and Richard Leigh, authors of The Messianic Legacy, spent over 10 years on their own kind of quest for the Holy Grail, into the secretive history of early France. What they found, researched with the tenacity and attention to detail that befits any great quest, is a tangled and intricate story of politics and faith that reads like a mystery novel. It is the story of the Knights Templar, and a behind-the-scenes society called the Prieure de Sion, and its involvement in reinstating descendants of the Merovingian bloodline into political power. Why? The authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail assert that their explorations into early history ultimately reveal that Jesus may not have died on the cross, but lived to marry and father children whose bloodline continues today. The authors' point here is not to compromise or to demean Jesus, but to offer another, more complete perspective of Jesus as God's incarnation in man. The power of this secret, which has been carefully guarded for hundreds of years, has sparked much controversy. For all the sensationalism and hoopla surrounding Holy Blood, Holy Grail and the alternate history that it outlines, the authors are careful to keep their perspective and sense of skepticism alive in its pages, explaining carefully and clearly how they came to draw such combustible conclusions. --Jodie Buller ... Read more

Customer Reviews (485)

The Shocking--and Shockingly Bad--Legacy of the Grail
I spent a long time wanting to quest after the Holy Grail before coming to see that to quest after the Holy Grail is to weigh the weight of fire, or measure a bushel of wind, or call back the day that is past. It is impossible: the only game in town is to become the Holy Grail, and that IS possible.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail figured into my research, triggered at first by the da Vinci Code, and then reading the medieval legends of King Arthur and his court.

The modern books really do pick up a thread in the medieval sources--the Historia Regum Brittaniae, or the Brut, made the Arthurian legends popular outside of Celtic culture and could well be called a 12th century version of The da Vinci Code or possibly Holy Blood, Holy Grail. But the medieval sources have more interesting characteristics, and there is something interesting that stands behind, beyond, and before the medieval legends.

To reply to all this, I wrote last work in the collection, The Sign of the Grail.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail Book by M. Baigent
I love this book because it was so thoroughly researched.I first checked it out from the library but thanks to you, I now have a copy for my own library at a reasonable cost.

The Old Testament disagrees with 'Holy Blood: Holy Grail'
As a disclaimer, I actually read the paperback edition that can be found at Border's.

First, let me explain that I am a Master's of Science in Bible student at Philadelphia Biblical University, in Langhorne, PA. I decided to read this book because many who find out about my studies often decide that the best question to ask is 'what are your thoughts on 2012' or 'what are your thoughts on The DaVinci Code?' My usual response to the 2012 question is 'despite what some pre-millennialist dispensationalists will argue, there is no mention of 2012 in the Bible.' My usual response to the DaVinci question has been something along the lines of 'I'm a Bible scholar. So let's talk about the Bible.' With that being said, I decided to read 'Holy Blood: Holy Grail' because it is the source material for Dan Brown's book. Surprisingly, the three authors base some of their biggest arguments on their interpretations of scripture. So if you've ever asked me a question about 'The DaVinci Code' and I told you 'it's not the Bible so I don't care,' I apologize. Anyway, the three authors, in my scholarly opinion, do not do a good job of interpreting scripture. Likewise in the introduction, they claim that Christians have been guilty of being too radical and too speculative in their interpretations. Yet they proceed to do the same exact thing that they criticize Christians for. I would like to address two portions of scripture. I would also like to address the three authors' attitude toward Freemasonry.

One of the major arguments of the three authors is that the Priory of Sion and secret societies that they are affiliated with believe that the kingship of the Merovingian dynasty comes from the 'Judaic' tribe of Benjamin. First off, the term 'Judaic' is a bad term to use when referring to Israel or the Jews as a whole. Judaic generally refers to the tribe of Judah. Second, the authors are essentially saying that the secret societies mentioned believe that the kingship of Israel, in the Old Testament, was given to the tribe of Benjamin. A reading of Genesis 49 reveals that this is not the case. As far as I remember, the three authors do not even mention this chapter from the Pentateuch in their examination of kingship and the Merovingians. Genesis 49 opens with the following superscription: "Then Jacob called his sons, and said: 'Gather around, that I may tell you what will happen to you in days to come." This superscription has widely and commonly been accepted as the beginning of Jacob's blessings on his twelve sons. In v. 8 of the chapter, he begins to address Judah. Jacob says in v. 8 "your father's sons shall bow down before you." And again, in v. 9 Jacob refers to Judah as a lion. This language is referring to ruler ship. But if there is any verse that lays it out most plainly, it is v. 10. Gen. 49:10 says "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and the obedience of the peoples is his." Later in Gen. 49:27, Jacob says "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey, and at evening dividing the spoil." This is not the type of language one would use to bestow ruler ship on his son. The language used to address Judah prophesies ruler ship. If one would want to argue against this, one would look to Joseph's blessing instead of Benjamin's blessing. It is commonly accepted that the ruler ship of Israel belongs to Judah. The birthright belongs to Joseph (i.e. Joseph gets a double portion, 2/13, of the inheritance).

Nonetheless, the three authors cite Saul as the first king of Israel and thus the rightful ruler of the Israelites is Benjaminite in origin. After the Pentateuch, however, the rest of the Old Testament is largely in favor of either Judah's line or Joseph's line. After Moses' death, Joshua and Caleb are given ruler ship of the Israelites. Joshua is from the tribe of Joseph, and Caleb is from the tribe of Judah. Judges 1:1-2 says "After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the Lord, 'Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?' The Lord said, 'Judah shall go up. I hereby give the land into his hand.'" Ruth 4:18-22 gives us a short genealogy. It says "Now these are the descendants of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron of Ram, Ram of Amminadab, Amminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon, Salmon of Boaz, Boaz of Obed, Obed of Jesse, and Jesse of David." All of these folks are from the tribe of Judah. The three authors of 'Holy Blood: Holy Grail' argue that when David becomes king in 2 Samuel, it is a usurpation of the throne. The three authors make this argument because Saul is first king. Actually, they didn't go back far enough. Jacob's word was before Saul's kingship. But this argument goes against the overall grain of the Old Testament. Through a careful reading of scripture, it would not make sense for a secret society to claim ruler ship of France or of any other part of the world because of relationship with the tribe of Benjamin. Rather, you would want to claim descent from Judah. I understand that, with Baigent's concept, Jesus' marrying of Mary would unite the tribe of Benjamin with the tribe of Judah. Still, the emphasis of ruler ship is put on Benjamin. Also, through a careful reading of the Old Testament, it would make more sense if Jesus had married someone from the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim to be exact).

The second portion of scripture that needs to be looked at regarding 'Holy Blood: Holy Grail' is Matthew 19. Of course, for the three authors, the only gospel that can be trusted is John's. Basically, the three authors argue that Jesus is wholly liberal when it comes to marriage. To the contrary, scripture does not support this. In Matthew 19, Jesus presents both his disciples and the Pharisees with strict rules regarding marriage. Basically, those who marry each other must behave and be faithful to each other. In Matt. 19:9, Jesus says "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery." His disciples' response to this in Matt. 19:10 is "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." Jesus then responds in Matt. 19:11 "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given." Essentially, Jesus is agreeing with his disciples. But for those who, in their sexual nature, can't be pious Jews, marriage is acceptable. This portion of scripture flies in the face with the 'Jesus completely supported marriage' view that the three authors of 'Holy Blood: Holy Grail' take. If, indeed Jesus is arguing that only pious Jews can remain chaste, one can come to the conclusion that he was speaking of his intention to never marry.

To conclude, I would like to talk a bit about Freemasonry. The three authors continuously relate Freemasonry with the Priory of Sion and other secret societies. Yet I know many Freemasons who profess that Jesus did die on the cross and was resurrected on the third day. In short, I know many Freemasons who have put their faith in a historical Jesus who saved them from their sins. This presents some implications for the three authors and their treatment of Jesus and secret societies. If, indeed there are secret societies who are linked together, and if one of their major ethoses is that Jesus fathered children and never died on the cross, then why are there Freemasons who profess faith in Jesus as resurrected savior? In essence, not all would be well within these camps. To say the least, the possibility of civil wars erupting in these secret societies would be tantamount. While I was reading 'Holy Blood: Holy Grail' I talked with one of my close friends who just happens to be a Freemason. I asked him about the legitimacy of such secrets. His response was 'in all reality, the big secret seems to be that there is no secret.'

Is it possible to give this 0 stars?
This is the worst piece of journalism ever written. It makes the articles in the National Enquirer look like Pulitzer material.

The book was begun on a claim made by someone who has since recanted about the society that never existed. The authors, realizing they had a great idea on their hands ran with it, but their mistake was that they decided to pass it off as factual, which, in my mind, ended their journalistic credibility.

Don't believe me? Go get the book from the library and look up any Bible passage they quote. See if the explanation they give for the passage makes any sense when you read the section it's from. Then, if you're still not convinced, check out some of the gnostic gospels they quote and see if there's any chance they are being used out of context, like the Biblical passages they used to built their fictitious house of cards.

The entire book is one premise built upon another. "If this is true, then this must be also true". They never discuss what happens when any of their suppositions are false (which most are). It's a well put together ruse.

Still want more proof? Ask yourself why, if they are writing a historical account of an event, they decided to sue Dan Brown for using their "history" as a plot for the fictitious DaVinci Code. If what they discovered was history, it's not intellectual property. If it is intellectual property, as they claimed in their lawsuit, then it's not factual. It's FICTION!

Holy Blood, Holy Grail
A very interesting and educational book - however, a bit difficult to read and follow. Consequently, I had to read this at a very slow pace in order to comprehend.This book did not change my belief that Jesus did not father children.Keep in mind that a large part of this book is based on educated guess or assumption.I think it is an excellent source for historical info. ... Read more

Product Description
A compilation of quotations from Keith Richards which gives the reader an insight into his life, loves and music. Rhythm guitarist with The Rolling Stones for over 30 years, he is also famous in his own right as a solo artist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

He Should Be Knighted
Too often billed as the scruffy-haired, swashbuckling sidekick to Mick Jagger, Keith gets a bum rap. This man is the resident philosopher of the Rolling Stones. Ask him a question and you get an unadulterated answer. For instance: What about the Beatles and their experience with the Mahareshi? "Hey that was their gig but I have to draw the line on swamis."In his own words, glitter rock 'n' roll came to Keith whether he wanted it or not. He is a man who simply loves his craft. Were he not a star, he would still be happy playing for tip-jar money. This is a man who on unencumbered Friday night has bangers and mash and plays dominoes with his dad. This is man of no fragile glamour rock ego. "I think photography is magic. It's even made me look good a couple of times."As for his reputation as reckless drug pirate: "I never turned blue in someone else's bathroom," he says, "that's the height of bad manners."Even behind the basset hound face of age, Keith hangs on to those youthful characteristics that have kept his cylinders firing for lo these many years. He still has his heroes. High in those ranks is none other that another charter member to the World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band - Charlie Watts. "Without Charlie there would be no Stones," he says.So, Keith Richards. Wit and charm. Seem like an oxymoron. Hardly, make yourself "Happy" and don't deprive yourself of the "Satisfaction" that this little book gives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

No matter where you stand on your religious beliefs, this book's motive is to provoke thinking and to question everything religi
Finally, a non fiction research book that explains the mysteries and connections between the Catholic Church, The "Cátaros" (heretics), the Templars, The Prieuré of Sion, The Gnostics, the New Testament, The Holy Grail - and its relationship to Mary Magdalene.

Researches M. Baignet, R. Leigh, and H. Lincoln approach the subjects purely on historical grounds, although they admit that they have no religious affiliation and consider themselves agnostics.

Documentation of the each of these important groups are researched and painfully documented.We learned what's truth and what's myth as best as they can decipher from historical documents.

Their most important conclusions deal with whether Jesus Christ was really resurrected--his divinity is questioned and probed.The New Testaments are dissected and we are shown hoe much manipulation they've suffered to align with the powers that be, and even the four recognized ones have too much conflicting passages among themselves that are irreconcilable

That Jesus married is the most logical conclussion. They even conclude that the Canaan weddings were Jesus' and the Bride was probably Mary Magdalene. They assume that Jesus was very well off and Mary Magdalene was of royal descend.After the "supposed" crucifixion, Mary Magdalene is the first one to see Jesus and aided bythe Templars she escapes to Marseilles where her lineage is protected.Jesus remained in Jerusalem and died at the age of 80 at the Roman siege of Masada.

The Templars first, and later The Prieuré of Sion,protect and nurture thedescendants of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdaleneand nurture them into the Merovingian dynasty in Europe so that when the crusades are won, Godfree of Bouillon regains thePalestine throne as king, and blood descendant of Jesus Christ.

The book follows the The Prieuré of Sion to the modern days and they include Boticelli, Leonardo Da VCinci, Robert Boyle, Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, Claude Debussy, etc.

No matter where you stand on your religious beliefs, this book's motive is to provoke thinking and to question everything religious.i found it a fascinating read and i conclude that it is responsible for many recent works of literature.Among these: "The daVinci Code" by Dan Brown, "The Secret Dinner(La Cena Secreta)" by Javier Serra, "The Gospel" by Wilton Barnhardt, "La Sangre de lo Inocentes (The Innocent's Blood)"and "La Biblia ge Barro (The Clay Bible)" by Julia Navarro, and "The Last Templar" by Raymond Khoury

El Enigma Sagrado
This book was excellent. I bought if for my husband who is a Mason and he could not set it down.

you got questions, they got answer.
excellent book, all that you need to know about many things that have been hidden to us by many centuries by religion and things that shoundn't been hidden because they belong to humanity, to history, to everybody;it make you wonder how we been used and been confused century after century.

Simply excellent! tanys alfonso, west palm beach,florida.

Heavy reading, but an awesome book
Now this is a really heavy book, there is so much information its amazing! Lei esta version en el original ingles y luego en castellano.Poniendo religion a un lado este libro es espectacular, tiene tanta informacion que tienes que tomarte la lectura con tiempo y calma. Las posibilidades son increibles, y muy logicas si piensas abiertamente y dejando dogmas de lado.Este libro es definitivamente de esos que guardas y relees mil veces.

EL ENIGMA SAGRADO
iT IS A VERY GOOD BOOK IF ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SIMILAR AS A DA VINCI CODE. PLEASE READ IT AND YOU WILL SEE HOW ENGROSS YOU WILL BE.
INGRID ... Read more

Product Description
Holy Blood, Holy Grail rocked the very foundations of Christianity. Now four more years of research have uncovered shocking material — and its earthshaking consequences.

• What extraordinary meaning lies behind Jesus' title — "King of the Jews"?
• Was there more than one Christ?
• Who really constituted Jesus' following — and what were the real identities of Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot?
• Who now has the ancient treasure of the Temple of Jerusalem?
• What is the true source of today's Christian "Fundamentalism"?
• What links the Vatican, the CIA, the KGB, the Mafia, Freemasonry, and the Knights Templar?
• What is the stunning goal of the European secret society that traces its lineage back to Christ and the House of David?

The Messianic Legacy. Here is the book that reveals the answers to these intriguing, potentially explosive questions. Utilizing the same meticulous research that catapulted their first book onto the best seller lists, the authors again bring an enlighteneing message of truth — and urgent importance — to Christians and non-Christians the world over.


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Messianic Legacy
Book was in really good condition - Looks like it had hardly been used!!!Awesome!!!

The reference standard for Christian Messianic research
I've done a lot of research on the Jesus phenomenon and I have yet to find any other work to be as encyclopedic in its thoroughness.The depth that the 3 authors went to in order to get their data exceeds anything else I've found.Referencing 'The Messianic Legacy' is a sure way to gain credibility.If you're looking for one volume to both give you the greatest insight into the birth, life and death of Jesus, as well as the a single book to launch you on other research you had no idea existed, here it is.

HBHG was much better than Messianic Legacy
I enjoyed HBHG which traced the Merovingian bloodline. However, Messianic Legacy was a bit of a let-down after HBHG. The authors attempt to search for the historical Jesus rather than the Gospel-inspired son-of-God version of Jesus. The obviously arrive at a version that is significantly at odds with the Church. So far so good (in fact, Part One which deals with this is very well written and is written using many sources that have been used in another fiction novel that I recently read, The Rozabal Line). The problem is that the Prieure de Sion is a joke. And hence it become difficult to digest part three of this book. My personal opinion: Read HBHG but not necessarily this book.

An Interesting Sequel
I purchased this book with some trepidation, why? Well I wondered whether the authors really needed to write this book, particularly as they had just republishedThe Holy Blood and The Holy Grail, or were they simply riding the crest of the wave of publicity surrounding the court case brought by themselves against Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown.

In fact this book does have new facts to compliment their previous efforts and new investigations into the society of the`Prieure de Sion' The Guardians of the Holy Grail. They also delve into the world of politics, Freemasonry and religion.

If you say it sincerely and with conviction you can make a lot of people believe a lot of things. I am not saying that the book is not factually accurate, only that it is down to the individual to put their own interpretation on to the facts that are placed before them. The thing about books like this is that if you do not read them you cannot form an opinionone way or the other.

3 in 1 - More is Less
The follow-up to best-selling Holy Blood, Holy Grail continues the search for the historical Jesus, at least in Part 1 of the book. Part 2 begins to disassemble and discuss Messianic trends in general, and Part 3 deteriorates completely into a rant about a unified Europe and all sorts of conspiracy theories, as well as the now familiar Priory of Scion. Let's look only at the first 130 pages (Part 1).

Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln cover much of the same ground they did in their previous book, dispatching the obvious myths and lies about the life of Jesus. If you enjoyed the previous book, you will also enjoy this one. They rightfully point out that his name wasn't Jesus, he didn't live in Nazareth, he wasn't the peacenik he was portrayed to be, the family weren't peasants, etc. If you like this line of thinking, you should also look at http://www.jesuspolice.com which provides a more evidentiary approach to the same issues.

Readers of Baigent's 2006 book The Jesus Papers will see that The Messianic Legacy is a transitional piece, somewhere between HBHG and The Jesus Papers in its portrayal of Jesus as a Zealot. What the authors suggest in this book, Baigent runs with in his recent book. While you might disagree, they do provide more than a sufficient amount of evidence to suggest that Jesus was certainly aligned with the Zealots in many of their aspirations, even if he wasn't a card carrying assassin.

There are some obvious errors in the book. For example...

- The authors claim that "Herod felt threatened by a recently born child" (p. 30) of the Davidic line, but this seems strange since, by logiocal extension, he should have been afraid of Joseph, who shared a similar heritage, or Joseph's father, Jacob, who also came from this line.

- They claim that "the three wise men" (p. 29) came seeking Jesus, when in fact a careful reading of the gospels shows that there were not three nor were they wise: they were an unspecific number of magi that tradition has transformed into three wise men.

But the few errors contrained therein are far outnumbered by the myths/errors that they correct.

The book is well written and generally accurate, at least for the first 130 pages. Readers who enjoyed their other books will enjoy this one too. If I was only rating Part 1, I would probably give it a 4, but the inclusion of Parts 2 and 3 cause the rating to go down. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Mary Booker and Richard Hillary
The title refers to Mary Booker and Richard Hillary.Richard Hillary is famous in his own right for being the author of "The Last Enemy" which describes some of his experiences as a Spitfire pilot in the early years of World War Two as he fought against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.His book has become a classic of aviation literature and he is commemorated in the Richard Hillary Trust.

This book came about after the author Michael Burn (who married Mary in 1947) found a collection of Mary and Richard's love letters after she died in 1974.The book is very evocative of the era and is an intimate and romantic story of the love affari between a young pilot and a beautiful older woman.It reminds us of the courage and endurance of the young pilots, and the fears and hopes of those that lived through those times. ... Read more

Product Description
Known for making furniture sculptures out of laminate and painted wood, Richard Artschwager here picks up a pencil and draws. For the first time, a large selection of the artist's works on paper appear in print, testing his object-based criticism of illusionism and symbolic meaning. Made between 1960 and 2000, these drawings and paintings range in subject, including recent portraits that bear an unsettling intensity.Essays byDieter Schwartz and Michael Semff.Clothbound, 9 x 12 in./120 pgs / 45 color 5 BW0 duotone 0 ~ Item D20036 ... Read more

Product Description
Born to T'siyiak, a champion horse racer and Com-mus-ni, the daughter of Chief Wiya´wiikt, Kamiakin from an early age helped relatives tend his family's expanding herds. He wintered with relatives in tule mat lodges in the Kittitas and Ahtanum valleys. Other times of the year he shared in communal spring root gathering, summertime salmon fishing, and autumn berry-picking and hunting.

Kamiakin adhered to ancestral tradition. Alone as an adolescent on Mount Rainier's icy heights, he dreamt of the Buffalo's power, completing his quest for a guardian spirit. Muscular and sinewy, he became a skilled horse racer and competitor in feats of agility. He married and established a camp on Ahtanum Creek, raising potatoes, squash, pumpkins, and corn in irrigated gardens.

As Kamiakin matured, he rose in prominence among the Yakamas; leaders of both Sahaptin and Salish bands sought his counsel. Through personal aptitude as well as family bonds, he emerged as one of the Plateau region's most influential chiefs. He cautiously welcomed White newcomers and sought to learn beneficial aspects of their culture. His dignified manner impressed the Whites he knew--traders, missionaries, and soldiers.

In the 1840s, the arrival of unprecedented numbers of Oregon Trail immigrants stirred a cataclysmic upheaval threatening his people's retention of lands and their ancient customs. On May 29, 1855, the Walla Walla Treaty Council commenced with a gathering of government officials and Plateau headmen, while some 5,000 Indians camped nearby. Two weeks later, Kamiakin signed the Yakima Treaty of 1855 with great reluctance; but he also resolved to resist threats to his people's freedoms and transgressions on their lifeways. Finding Chief Kamiakin is his saga. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great book
Great book on history of Northwest from Indian point of view. Well written book with good pictures and maps.

Black-and-white and a handful of beautiful color photographs illustrate this gorgeous and in-depth biographical account
Finding Chief Kamiakin: The Life and Legacy of a Northwest Patriot is the true-life story of Chief Kamiakin (1800-1877), a Native American leader of the Yakama, Palouse, and Klickitat tribes of the Columbia Plateau. He would experience the cataclysmic influx of waves of white settlers, forever changing the way his people lived; he may be best known for reluctantly signing the Yakima Treaty of 1855. Yet he retained the will to oppose threats to his people's freedom and traditional ways. Black-and-white and a handful of beautiful color photographs illustrate this gorgeous and in-depth biographical account, sure to intrigue scholars and lay readers alike. A welcome addition to Native American biography and history shelves.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Really enjoyed
I always wondered about Michael Jordan's golf gambling issues that NBA covered up real well.This book will blow you away about how out of control he was.Great insights on the addiction of gambling.Surprised at how much I liked this book.Get thru the first 60 pages and then you can't put it down. ... Read more

Product Description

This issues reader presents current information on critical trends and developments in literacy education to help teachers choose and articulate their own informed approach to reading education. Now in its Fourth Edition, Issues and Trends in Literacy Education continues to present a wide variety of opinions and positions in all crucial aspects of reading and writing education. This new edition includes up-to-date discussions on current topics such as fluency, the use of technology in reading, and multicultural literacy, among others. Renowned authors Dick Robinson, Mike McKenna, and Judy Wedman gear students to success by presenting scrupulously researched material that meets the NCATE/International Reading Association requirements for accreditation of graduate reading programs.

A Letter to Students from the Authors

Dear Reader,

The authors of this literacy education textbook welcome you to the study of this important aspect of instruction. You are probably quite aware of the many current controversial topics in literacy such as assessment, the use of technology, and approaches to the teaching of reading skills. This new edition of Issues and Trends in Literacy Education was organized around a number of the most critical questions in the current field. Articles in each of these areas were selected primarily on the basis of providing you, the reader, with the latest information as well as varying opinions on a wide variety of literacy topics.

One of the primary goals of this book is for you to use these readings as a “springboard” for further investigation in topics that interest you related to effective literacy instruction. Each of the chapters includes a selection of related readings for additional study in a particular area of reading education. These can be used for in-depth study as well as a basis for personal research and writing of related class papers and presentations.

The field of literacy education is a rapidly expanding and changing area in education. We hope you find the materials in this book to be both challenging and interest as you continue your study of this field.

Thank you,

Dick Robinson

Mike McKenna

Customer Reviews (4)

A Timely Discussion of Current Issues For Literacy Educators
Now in its fourth edition, this collection presents various perspectives of the current issues and trends faced by literacy educators. Both editors have excellent credentials in the field as described in the biogrpahical overview. The comments they make at the beginning of each chapter help establish context for the contributions that follow. In the preface they point out, "in many literacy areas, either because of recent research or relevant classroom experiences, instructional strategies that were once considered appropriate are now being challenged by new ideas and pedagogy.

Chapter nine, which covers writing is particularly pertinent. It's noted that "reading and writing are now viewed not as opposite processes, but as complimentary activities (p. 278). Michael T. Moore traces the history of the teaching of writing. He knowledges that he entered the field with not much precedence to follow, consequently he helped establish a pattern that others would later follow.

Chapter six talks about the balance between public accountability and assessment driven instruction. The complexity of this issue is handled diplomatically. Chapter seven, literacy coaching, addresses another emerging field. The contributors in this chapter are carving a niche and describing what they're doing in their pioneering roles. This book fills a gap in the literature from authoritative sources. It is a good addition to the library of anyone in the field of literacy education or any related arena.

Waste of money
I had to have this book for a class but never read it at all. It is just alot of journal articles. I found it a waste of money.

OK, if You're Forced to Read It
I had to use this book for a college class.This book was very dry and uninteresting compared to the other one we were required to read.I believe that I did not learn much from this book because of this.I basically just skimmed what I had to in order to do the work required, so that I did not have to waste my time.

Literacy
Thorough text discussing literacy. I needed this text for language arts and this book focused heavily on what is occurring in literacy education. I will be keeping my text as a reference, it will come in handy!:) ... Read more

Product Description
The years 1936-1945 in Spain saw catastrophic civil war followed by fierce repression and economic misery. Families were torn apart and social relations were disrupted by death, exile and defeat. This study attempts to show how the Civil War was understood and absorbed, particularly by those who could claim themselves as "the victors," during and in the immediate aftermath of the conflict, taking as its main focus the repression and violence of the period, and the role of Catholic and Fascist ideology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A must for the student of Franco Spain.
Richards is a British academic of the highest order and this is an amazing work. This is a work biased against the Franco regime; however, it is pivital in helping understand the extraordinatry lengths that Nationalist Spain went to wrangle control of Spanish popular culture in the Civil War through the end of the Second World War.

My only question is why on earth is this paperback edition so over-priced?It's a shame because it lessens the ability of the casual reader (although this is certainly more of an academic work) to take an interest in this subject.

A brilliant portrait of fascist evil
A reader may be a bit disconcerted on first reading this book.There is much talk about "discourses" and "symbolism" and "ideology" and one might conclude that we are about to read abook of cultural studies on Francoist Spain.It is not so much thatcultural studies are bad as that before we talk about perceptions of anevent it might be a better idea to have a clear idea of what actuallyhappened.As it happens such fears are groundless.What we have here is abrilliant portrait of the cruelty of Franco's regime.It is amazingly welldocumnted, with 95 pages of notes to 174 of text.

Richards argues thatthe ideology of the New State had two basic components.On the one handthe state had to purge Spain of the half of it who were secular, liberal,socialist, or regionalist.In a sense Franco's Spain would have to wage apermanent civil war against half of its own population.The other prong ofthe ideology was that Spain would follow a firm and ruthless policy ofself-sufficiency.It has long been a cliche of much conservative andcentrist discourse that notwithstanding the aid Franco got from the Axis,he should not be viewed as a fascist, but more as a classically"authoritarian" ruler, and therefore setting the stage for theproperly pro-Western democracy that was to follow.Franco's goal werefundamentally traditional, as opposed to the radical ideology of theworld's totalitarian regimes.Indeed, one could say the Nationalists werepreferable to the Loyalists, who were now little more than Communistpuppets.Such a thesis will soon appear next year when a book on thatsubject will be published by professional anti-communist Ronald Radosh. After reading this book, such complacent views will be placed firmly on thedefensive.

For Richards starts with a chapter on the Francoisteliminiation of dissent.On the Loyalist side much of the violence wasspontaneous in the aftermath of the breakdown of establish order in thewake of the coup.Juan Negrin, so often and so falsely dismissed as aCommunist puppet, actually went of his way to patrol with militias in orderto prevent political assasinations.On the nationalist side, by contrast,there was constant talk of extermination, liquidation, of an utterlyuncompromising crusade from politicians who were proud of and not ashamedof the Spanish Inquisition.The Nazi press praised the Nationalists fortheir vigor:"The Marxist parties are being destroyed andexterminated down the very last cell far more dramatically even than herein Germany."Perhaps 6,000 were summarily executed in Seville alonebefore February 1937.(Richards adds "This was not violence which was`necessary' in any military sense:there was no organized armed resistanceto speak of." )In Granada perhaps 8,000 were killed, and perhaps4,000 were killed in the first week at Malaga.A thousand were killed inthe conquest of San Sebastian in the Basque Country, and another thousandat Bilbao.There were fourteen concentration camps in the area of Valenciaalone, while Mussolini's son in law, Count Ciano, believed that there were200 executions daily in conquered Madrid in the summer of 1939.

Thiscruelty was encouraged by an ideology that had a misogynist contempt forindependent woman, and had a morbid support for "chastity" and"purity."But should also read Richard's chapters on autarky. Much of Franco's support came from smallholders, and Franco spoke offreeing Spain from the noxious influence of the cities.But in fact thepeasants would be rendered powerless by Franco.Wheat production was lowerin 1949 than at the end of the war, and what wheat did exist was guaranteedat high prices for rich producers, and subjected to speculation and theBlack Market.Consumption of wheat fell by more than a quarter in thefirst decade of Falangist rule, as officials refused to upset theirautarkic dreams by importing wheat to a country that could not feed itself. Indeed scarce food was shipped to Germany and Italy.While overcrowdingand poverty increased, profits boomed and industrialists strengthened theirprivileges.All in all the first two decades to the New State were a totalloss.A 1991 article by Giovanni Arrighi in the New Left Reviewdemonstrates this.In the thirties Spain per capita wealth was about 40%of the European core.By 1959, Spain's wealth was less than 20%.Onlyafter the economic boom did it rise again to pre civil war levels.Inother words, a total waste. ... Read more

Product Description
Using widely scattered and previously unknown primary sources, Parrish's biography of Confederate general Richard Taylor presents him as one of the Civil War's most brilliant generals, eliciting strong performances from his troops in the face of manifold obstacles in three theaters of action. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Mansfield revisited
Richard Taylor was one of the very best Confederate Generals ,but little known--Warren Hunt III M.D.

Read as a prelude to Destruction and Reconstruction
Before reading the personal memoir of an historical figure, I always make an effort to first read a scholarly biography of that person if one is available.Since Richard Taylor's memoir"Destruction and Reconstruction"is often highly ranked among the suggested reading lists for the Civil War, I planned to read it, so I set out to first find a bio.That's when I found Parrish's "Soldier Prince of Dixie."

Through Parrish's depiction of Taylor's life we are given a front row seat first into the making of an aristocratic, Yale educated, slave-holding planter, and a son of a president no less.By following Taylor we see in microcosm the story of the late antebellum South and its destruction.

He became a planter by inheritance when his father died.He went from being an elitist Whig to being swept into the torrent by fire-eating democrats.With no prior military training he became an outstanding field commander for the C.S.A.; among talented amateurs he was surpassed only by Forrest and perhaps Cleburne.Early on he served in the east in the Valley with Stonewall.Later he returned to the Trans-Mississippi and eventually reached the pinnacle of his achievements by stopping Banks in the Red River campaign.

As a result of the war his plantation was destroyed, and he endured the death of his young son.Still, he retained some national influence.He advised President Johnson on cabinet appointments and was a personal acquaintance of Henry Adams, author of "The Education of Henry Adams."

For anyone planning on reading "Destruction and Reconstruction,"Parrish's work is valuable for its maps, especially the ones that show the Trans-Mississippi areas like the Red River Valley and the Lafourche and Teche bayou regions.

Interesting read on an interesting man
It is hard to believe that other people have not written about Richard Taylor, but they need not bother now that Parrish has written this book.This book on Taylor is engaging and interesting, but also very scholarly.Although Parrish's writing style can be dry at times, his topic does not allow the book to get mired in details or become boring.Instead, Taylor's life jumps off the pages and Taylor led such a life that we, the reader, get a great overview of pre-Civil War politics, the war in the Trans-Mississippi, and the Reconstruction Era.Normally, I find the pages on the time before and after the war somewhat boring, but this was not the case with this book.The whole book really kept my attention and was very interesting.Thinking back, I really cannot think of any criticisms of this work.Just a good, solid history book.

Excellent bio
This is the best bio I have read to date of General Taylor, although sometimes one must wonder if Mr. Parrish had much sympathy for his subject, with his sometimes disparaging remarks about Southern patriarchy. Perhaps he was simply trying to be PC on the slavery issue, but this didn't add much to the book for me. Still, serious students of General Taylor's exploits and the Western theater of the war will find this book an excellent resource

Excellent Biography on a Fascinating Man!
In my humble opinion, Parrish's is one of the best biographies I have ever read.Admittingly, the book is about a fascinating person:the son of a US President and Mexican War Hero who continues his family's military heritage by becoming a Lieutenant General in the Confederate Army without the benefit of a West Point education and becomes power in pre and post Civil War Louisiana.Writing a book about such a person should result in an interesting read!

Throughout the book, Parrish maintains an excellent balance in presenting Taylor's life, including:early life and pressures as the son of a famous hero, early indifference to formal education, success as a wealthy plantation owner, relationships with slaves, views of slavery, entrance into Louisiana politics, CSA military service eventually leading to the rank of lieutenant general, post Civil War years, and later years.Parrish does an excellent job of covering each area and as a result, the reader learns the many sides of a fascinating character.

Particularly interesting to me were the descriptions of Taylor's relationships with several noted Civil War personalities:Lee, Davis, Beauregard, Johnston, Jackson, Grant, Sibley, Smith, Forrest, Bragg, and others.With few exceptions, Taylor was able to get along with most of the people he encountered during the war - a rare accomplishment indeed.Parrish does an excellent job or summarizing Taylor's valuable service to the CSA and the book contains excellent maps of the battles Taylor participated in.

All in all, an excellent and highly recommended read of one of the Civil War's most fascinating personalities! ... Read more

Product Description
This book introduces music education majors to basic instrumental pedagogy for the instruments and ensembles most commonly found in the elementary and secondary curricula. This text focuses on the core competencies required for teacher certification in instrumental music. The first section of the book focuses on essential issues for a successful instrumental program: objectives, assessment and evaluation, motivation, administrative tasks, and recruiting and scheduling (including block scheduling). The second section devotes a chapter to each wind instrument plus percussion and strings, and includes troubleshooting checklists for each instrument. The third section focuses on rehearsal techniques from the first day through high school. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Book for those looking to be instrumental teachers
This book is full of information, from teaching methods to information on each instrument and instrument family commonly used in school music programs. It has just about all you need to know about each instrument to teach beginning students, and is a great resource for aspiring and current instrumental music teachers, especially at the secondary level (Jr. High/High School). If you're looking for books containing actual music, look elsewhere, but if you want information on the instruments and on teaching music, this is one of the best comprehensive resources.

The Teaching of Instrumental Music(3rd Edition)
This 450-page book is a music education textbook which covers the basics of teaching instrumental music for would-be or present teachers.It has become known as an essential "core text" for teachers of instrumental music.

The first three chapters of the book discuss general background:Chapter 1 gives a short history of instrumental music, while Chapters 2 & 3 deal with the objectives and evaluation of music.This material is O.K., but wasn't especially useful for me.

The largest section of the text devotes a whole chapter to each of the instruments commonly played in a student band and orchestra.I found this detailed information to be very helpful.The middle section also includes separate chapters on the "Principles of . . . Winds, Brass, Strings, Percussion, etc.," which introduce the chapters about specific instruments in each of these categories.

The most "down-to-earth," practical chapters are Chapters 4 & 5, which discuss how to motivate students and how to work effectively with administrators, and Chapters 24 & 25 at the end of the book about rehearsal routines and how to rehearse concert literature.I read these chapters first because they seem the most essential for a new instrumental music teacher.

comprehensive for methods AND techniques courses
Designed for use in both an instrumental methods course as well as woodwind, percussion & brass techniques courses.Newer edition will include strings and expansion of first 7 chapters. ... Read more

Product Description
"Blessed Art Thou: Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen" features vibrant contemporary art of the Virgin Mary by renowned artist, painter, and author Michael O’Neill McGrath, OSFS, of Washington D.C., along with prayers written by Richard Fragomeni, priest of the diocese of Albany, New York and associate professor of Word and Worship at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.Brother Mickey also contributes his own writings and reflection that inspired the creation of each of the individual works in the book.The book is not only a beautiful addition to a library and art collection but one that can be utilized to aid in ones own prayer, imagery and reflection.

The original paintings were created with acrylic paint on watercolor paper, creating a soft yet vibrant color effect, and then beautifully reproduced and artfully integrated with the text and prayers. Many of the paintings in the collection are the result of McGrath's loving fascination with black pilgrimage Madonnas.Mary is presented throughout as an inclusive and unifying figure in an increasingly diverse church.

The titles in the book which inspired each of the paintings are from the Litany ofLoreto, one of the oldest prayers of the Catholic Church, and passed down through the ages from sources like scripture’s Song of Songs and the Agathistos (a Greek litany dating from the sixth century). These 20 images celebrate various loving and reverent names for Mary: Our Mother, Our Lady, Our Mystic, Our Queen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A welcome addition to personal reading lists and church library collections
Combining Michael McGrath's ethereal and lovely acrylic paint on watercolor paper artworks with Richard Fragomeni's beautiful prayers, "Blessed Art Thou: Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen" is a superlative celebration of the loving and reverent names for Mary, the mother of Christ. The twenty memorably impressive images comprising this coffee-table style book make it an inspired and inspiring assist for readers seeking contemplation and reflection. Highly recommended, " "Blessed Art Thou: Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen" will prove to be a welcome addition to personal reading lists and church library collections.

Excellent!
Excellent, unique images, beautiful prayers, inspiring reflections by the artist. I would recommend this to anyone who has a devotion to the Blessed Mother as well as an appreciation of artwork of the highest caliber.Liz

living tradition
This book presents images and reflections on the Blessed Mother that take rich traditional language and imagery for a new day. Michael McGrath's paintings particularly are beautiful, playful, devotional.The whole book inspired me and connected me with Mary --and throught her to the living Church and to God.
The book reminds me of the value of beauty as a gateway to God.

Author makes Mary personable...
Beautiful artwork, fascinating personal insights by the author, and meaningful prayers. Taking numerous names given to Mary (Queen of Angels, Gate of Heaven, Virgin, etc.) the artist (and author) created pictures and his own modern, personal view of how Mary fits these titles and what they mean. The author shares how he chose to do each picture (inspiration, colors, etc.) and it's wonderful to look at the picture and feel what he was trying to express. The author makes Mary more personable and down to earth. For example-instead of Mary sitting on a throne as other artists have been wont to do, this artist places her in a rocking chair. He brings her to us where we are. Wonderful book.

Mixes Age-Old Tradition with Bold New Interpretation
Both the art work and the prayers in this book are beautiful. I like the way the authors see Mary as a kind of symbol of the Holy Spirit, reminding us of God's feminine dimension. As the artist states, this book is for those "who find delight in a God who is more than white and male." It is inspired and inspiring. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
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Product Description
Employing artificial materials to create simulations of nature, the 18 artists featured in UnNaturally explore the ways in which the boundaries between nature and culture are sometimes blurred. Works by Tim Hawkinson, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Roxy Paine, Marc Quinn, and Francis Whitehead play on our nostalgia for an idealized pre-industrial past in which man and nature coexisted harmoniously in an unspoiled landscape, the same nostalgia that has given rise to constructed environments in malls, zoos, and other themed "entertainment destinations" where nature is tamed and packaged for consumer use. Through an art of studied verisimilitude, impressive craftsmanship, and occasional deadpan use of irony, the artists presented here suggest that the natural world can be reproduced with man-made materials just like any other mass-produced commercial product.

Artists Include: Chris Astley, Gregory Crewdson, Jacci den Hartog, Keith Edmier, Eva Leitolf, Tony Matelli, Jason Middlebrook, Nicoletta Munroe, Roxy Paine, Michael Pierzynski, Marc Quinn, Michelle Segre, Alyson Shotz, Yoshihiro Suda, Mike Tyler, and Francis Whitehead.

Essays by Mary Kay Lombino and Barbara Kingsolver.
Foreword by Judith Richards. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

More than just a book
I picked this book up in Kansas City where the art exhibit "Unnaturally" was on display. While the book and essay are fantastic, it pales in comparison to the exhibition which was sublime!!!

I don't know where the show is going to travel (I heard it was going west) but do yourself a favor and check it out. One of the best art shows I have seen. If not, check out the book with wonderful reproductions and thoughtful insights on the work.

Authors listed erroneously
This is a beautiful book - the pictures are delightful, but it does not have an essay in it by Barbara Kingsolver.I bought it for a friend because we both love her writing and I'm disappointed to see that there's no work of hers included.Fortunately my friend loves art and I think this will still be a nice gift for her, but it's not what I expected. ... Read more

Product Description
iLife 08
iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD

Inthe only Apple-certified guide to iLife '08, the authors have youworking miracles with iLife within the first few pages. Featuringfootage and images from around the world, this book/DVD combo usesreal-life material and practical lessons that you can apply immediatelyto your own projects. Focused lessons take you step by step through allaspects of iLife '08--everything from organizing and sharing your photo library to creating polished video and soundtracks. Along theway, you’ll produce podcasts, websites, blogs, video blogs, and customDVDs.

Customer Reviews (8)

Great Seller
Everything I thought it would be.Now I will never have to have a girlfriend.Product as described in great condition.

A good book for beginners
I went through the entire book without the least difficulty and got a lot out of it. It is well organized going through a logical workflow of iPhoto -> iMovie -> Garageband -> iWeb and finally ending with iDVD. If you have never used iLife before, then this book is an excellent first step.

Solid Introduction to the iLife 08 suite
It's not too difficult with the iLife suite to open up the apps and work your way around: connect a camera and phots import, open GarageBand and you can generally work out how to play a note. But the iLife suite, with just a little more research, becomes much more powerful and each application becomes far more productive.

Each iLife application is, in this publication, discussed: you begin with the very basis and, by the time each application has been reviewed your in a position to understand what each can do to the point where you're at that 'comfortable' point of being able to do the majority of things you'd like to do on a daily basis. Edit photos, print them, etc. Know how to edit a movie and burn it to DVD.

While those with particular interests are likely to move to titles focused on a particular application, if you're interest is in just using the iLife suite to more fully utilise the applications that come with the mac then this is a book well placed to help you achieve that.

Great Book
Since iLife 08 comes with very little documentation, it is necessary to purchase something to help you along.This book is very good at getting you started.I am sure there are more in-depth books about certain subjects of iLife 08, but this is a great overall book that includes follow along lessons in each chapter.Very good book.

Did other reviewers even read the book description?
According to the description, this book is a training tutorial to familiarize new users with the product suite. Complaining that it is not an in-depth iPhoto reference indicates that the reviewer didn't even read what the book is supposed to be. (Yes, Pogue's Missing Manual is a better fit as an in-depth iPhoto reference, but that's not the point.) The authors do a good job of introducing the products and their functionality to the reader and show how the applications interact. While I might quibble with the approach of focusing on the end-to-end integration, at least I knew that approach was being taken before I got the book. The book delivers what it promises. ... Read more

Product Description
A fascinating, headlong dive into the world of starlets, directors, and drinking that defined Burton's rise to the top.From the depths of a small mining village in Wales to a star of Hollywood's silver screen, Richard Burton broke every rule in his quest for the American Dream. Burton made sure that he sipped the cup of life at its fullest. Twice married to Elizabeth Taylor, he is now revealed to have been one of Marilyn Monroe's secret lovers. The details of these licit and illicit relationships with Hollywood's most iconic stars will titillate and shock both newcomers to Burton's story and those already familiar with his fame. Munn's biography covers everything from Burton's early days on the London stage, to his star performance in Broadway's Camelot, to his wild nights in Hollywood with the likes of Errol Flynn, Peter O'Toole, and Frank Sinatra. Burton was known for his charisma, his explosive temper, his excessive carousing, and, above all, his stunning command of stage and screen. This first-ever look at the real Richard Burton is a must-read for any follower of film, history, and the rise of celebrity in America. ... Read more