Product Description
1995 was, for Julia Sweeney, a truly horrible year. She got a divorce (amicable), bought a small bungalow in Hollywood, and looked forward to a life that said, "Here dwells a happily single young woman!" But then the ax fell. Her younger brother Mike was diagnosed with terminal cancer and moved in with her. Her parents came to be with Mike--and moved in with her. Suddenly her tiny bungalow for one was filled to the rafters with Sweeneys.

Here she was sleeping on her pull-out sofa bed while her father walked around, his Walkman on all day and her mother marveled at Julia's lack of such staples as stroganoff mixes. Every day was spent bringing Mike to and from chemotherapy, every evening watching "Chicago Hope" or "E.R." Julia was now on seriously intimate terms with the people she had spent half a lifetime growing up away from.

Just weeks before Mike died, Julia was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer--what Mike called her "sympathy cancer"--and within days of burying her brother, she underwent a radical hysterectomy, beginning her own journey through "the International House of Cancer."

From these Job-like travails, Julia has written a remarkably funny and touching memoir about a family in extremis that manages to persevere with humor, grace, and love.Amazon.com Review
A truly horrible story is told very well in this memoir of family tragedy and recovery from life-threatening cancer. After leaving Saturday Night Live, comedienne Julia Sweeney was newly divorced and looking forward to a new life in Los Angeles. But her optimism was shattered when she learned that her brother had been diagnosed with cancer. He moved in with her, and before long Sweeney found out that she was suffering from a rare form of cervical cancer. The story of Sweeney, her brother, and her parents (whose moving in with her gave odd comic relief to all the health problems) is a moving tale, tragedy leavened with moments of good humor and uplifting insight. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Great book!
I don't know how I happened upon this book, but I've read it several times now and it always makes me laugh. It's funny in the since that bad things happen to all of us--but humor helps you to deal with it better. What family hasn't been touched with cancer among other illnesses? PS The book store chapter always makes me laugh out loud! THanks Julie

"A MUST READ"
What a book! You will adore Julia Sweeney! My daughters and myself flew through this book and was sad when we finished! Julia, with her incredible way of looking at every situation, whether it be the worst on earth or happy times really makes the reader appreciate her humor and candid way of dealing with it all!She is an asset to earth, and I am glad God sent her here to help us look at life and do one of those great big "HA, HA, HA'S" too!

Love it...
In the vein of Spalding Gray and his one man shows (Swimming to Cambodia, Gray's Anatomy), this film shows Julia Sweeney at her most personal, honest, and creative as she talks though the death of her brother from cancer and her own experience with the disease. The film catches every range of emotion, but has an honest humor to it that finds an interesting balance in happiness and sadness.

Great Shirt!
I only wish I had known how much I would love this shirt because I would have bought several more. When I went back to buy they were all gone. Please get more.

I get it
I really laughed out loud at certain parts of Julia's monologue. What I love is that she can be a well known "star" and yet still weather the emotional day to day-ness ofliving with her brother's diagnosis.......knowing full well that humor can get us all through life's worst curveballs! I thought this dvd was great...a realtreat .... very human! ... Read more

Product Description
Pastor Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life has been both a commercially successful best seller and a widely influential book in the Christian community. As a rejoinder to the fundamentalist assumptions of Warren’s book, Robert Price, a biblical scholar, a member of the Jesus Seminar, and a former liberal Baptist pastor, offers this witty, thoughtful, and detailed critique. Following the concise forty-chapter structure of Warren’s book, Price’s point-counterpoint approach emphasizes the importance of reason in understanding life’s realities as opposed to Warren’s devotional perspective. Price, who was once a born-again Christian in his youth, is in a unique position to offer an appreciation of the wisdom that Warren shares while at the same time challenging many of his main points. In particular, Price takes issue with Warren’s use of numerous scriptural quotations, demonstrating how many of them have little to do with the points Warren is trying to make. An important section of the book shows that the popular evangelical notion of "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ" is utterly without any scriptural basis.Besides criticism, Price also provides many persuasive arguments for the use of reason as a tool for developing moral maturity and an intelligent, realistic perspective on life’s highs and lows. Ultimately, the reason-driven life offers a healthier, alternative approach to wisdom and motivation, says Price, than the simplistic answers and feel-good emotionalism at the heart of Warren’s prescription for life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

This is a very important book
This is an amazing book that fully analyses the psychology of Christian Fundamentalism.I have not yet come across such an intelligent, thorough and well organized approach that completely discusses the currently ubiquitous trappings of Evangelical Christianity. Price makes his case in straightfoward language that is convincing in the very first chapters, offering a delightful new approach that is so spiritually appealing, he subtly offers a marvelously new world view in its stead. He is not a crank, or even annoyingly intellectual, although his book is a work of extensive scholarship.I marvel at his knowledge of Christianity, philosophy, and other world religions, and his simple delight and curiosity for life, living and people.It is the intelligent philosophy that he offers in place of Evangelical Christianity that in fact shows Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" for what it is--a dead philosophy of fear and self-preservation.I challenge anyone who counts themselves as "born again" to read this book seriously and not have a change of faith.

DECONSTRUCTING ANOTHER PUFF EVANGELICAL "BEST SELLER"
Price does a masterful job of deconstructing the assumptions and leaps of faith that is found in the evangelical publishing world; where depth of thought is shunned in favor of bold assertions of faith.I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It is also a good introduction to the flimsy world of constructs that the evangelical worldview rests on.While reading this book, it took me back to the 70s when I hungrily devoured all the best-selling books cranked out by evangelical publishers.Now, I see these same tomes in used book stores; I flip through them and shake my head at the simplistic views they present.At the time, I though such books were spiritual "deep" and profound. I wish I had had someone like Price back then who could have helped me to work through the layers of theology that otherwise took me years to discard.

Excellent Analysis of the Psychology of Fundamentalism
As always, the first thing I read were the negative reviews. After reading Price's work, it is obvious that neither (although one freely admits this) actually read the book. Price is a Biblical scholar, not a theologian. He is very open about being a nontheist, refers to himself as a humanist, and sings in his church choir. The reason? Unlike most people, when it comes to the Bible, this guy really knows his stuff! Therefore, Price does not feel the need to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'. Price loves the Bible, loves going to church, and laughs at those of us who feel like we have to pick a side.

However, this is not what the book is about; it is a critique of the tenets of modern, Christian fundamentalism. First, the idea that the purpose of everyone's life is to worship the god of the Bible! Next, he breaks down the 'us v. them' mentality by addressing the issue of denominations. To paraphrase Price, everyone wouldn't fit under the same roof anyway. After that, he continues on to the myth of the inerrant Bible. This is where Price makes, in my opinion, his most astute observation: the scriptures have been copied, translated, and come from a culture and era that are far removed from our modern world. Therefore, there's no way to avoid interpretation.

Finally, throughout the book, he discusses the downright wishful thinking that is at the heart of fundamentalism and how it stifles the personal growth and maturity that lead one to wisdom - spiritual or otherwise.

Solid
This book is a hybrid, of sorts. On the one hand it serves as a direct response to The Purpose Driven life, very clearly and effectively rebutting claims that a fundamental Christian life is the only happy one. On the other hand it gives an independent guide to living a fulfilled, meaningful life from a completely secular angle. I recommend it.

Healing after The Ministry
If you have ever been disillusioned by God's representative, the church...this book articulates what you have gone through. Using Rick Warren's book, the most popular read for the surburban white american christian movement, Robert Price deals with hard issues left in the wake of church leaders. Price's book is a resource! The first 15 chapters are by far the best commentary on the modern christian movement I have ever read. Wish I had this information years ago.A must read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Underrated Book of the Year
Ever watch, "Who's Line is it Anyway?" and wonder how the heck these people can think so fast?

Improv comedy players use conversational rules, tools and tactics in their performances so that they don't trip each other up and so that, conversationally speaking, they end up going down the same path and end up at the same point.

This book explains each of these rules and tools and shows how their use can benefit anyone, in any conversation, although, the author's particular emphasis is on the work place.

The core of this book is excellent.It shows in concrete terms how socially adept people quickly create rapport.

Why do some people get along so well with many others, while others get along with just a select few?

I believe this book indirectly answers this question.

It allowed me to see the weaknesses in my communication style and now I invariably cringe when I see these weaknesses in others.

I do have a few gripes about the book though.The marketing for this book is very poor.DO NOT judge this book by it's cover.Or its title for that matter.

Also, the examples that are presented before and after each chapter, although very helpful to demonstrate the author's point, are cheezy and contrived.

But these are minor things compaired to the invaluable knowledge presented. ... Read more

Product Description
Foreword by Julia Sweeney

America may be the land of plenty, but in the midst of our Walmarts, enormous supermarkets, and other signs of material surfeit, it seems that many are experiencing a gnawing spiritual hunger. New religions, spiritualities, and religious therapies attract throngs of believers to megachurches, Yoga classes, and the bestseller bookshelves. The latest popular fad in spirituality is Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, which promises both success and spiritual fulfillment, and is endorsed by no less than Oprah Winfrey.

If you're trying to make sense of all the offerings in this confusing spiritual wonderland, Top Secret is just the book for you. Noted religion scholar Robert M. Price examines the historical roots and the current appeal of today's pop mysticisms. Critical and appreciative at the same time, Price applies his impressive background in theology and biblical criticism to put these trends in perspective. Among other popular movements and books, Price discusses:

.Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
·Rhonda Byrne's The Secret and New Thought
·Helen Schucman's A Course in Miracles and the popular works of Marianne Williamson
·Deepak Chopra's How to Know God
·James Redfield's The Celestine Prophecy
·The Jewish Kabbalah, recently made popular by Madonna
·Joel Osteen's Prosperity Gospel and his popular Your Best Life Now
·Diedre Blomfield Brown (AKA Pema Chödrön) and American-style Buddhism

Whether you're a skeptic looking for a rational approach to understanding current religion or a seeker in search of a deeper, more informed understanding of popular spiritualities, Top Secret has much to offer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

As another reviewer commented....
I refer to Annie Oakley's review, especially the point made regarding ad hominem attacks and a point made toward the comment that Mr. Price has an "agenda".I agree with your criticism.Price's ad hominem attacks in this book are not the product of scholarship nor objective analysis and this sort of criticism does not belong in any scholarly work.I think I understand his personal agenda.He appears to suffer from enormous anger and disappointment, the result of his scrutiny of those beliefs upon which his entire scholarly life was built.I can draw this conclusion because I, too, have experienced a terrifying reevaluation of my "spirituality" after years of study: the discovery that the underpinnings of scripture are myth, midrash, intuition.However, there are further steps to be taken on this journey-- myth and intuition are part of human culture and consciousness.Myth does not translate into "nonsense", midrash or parables are not unworthy of examination and intuition not only exists but is a powerful manifestation of consciousness.Unlike Price, I was fortunate to not get locked into my anger/fear/horror.I was able to transcend it.I agree with Price's evaluation of certain belief systems ("Conversations with God" et al) but that does not mean I am able to determine the nature of, let alone the existence of, a "creator".Mr. Price, you've missed the bus.There's much more of this journey but you seem stuck in a dark place.I suggest you attempt to get past your cynicism.One does not have to believe the obvious (at least to some) nonsense being purveyed by these "gurus" of enlightenment to catch a glimpse of the extraordinary in this creation for which there are not even sufficient words.Even though you have spent an enormous amount of time and effort pursuing your atheism, it's not too late to step around this stumbling block and well worth the effort, no matter how frightening.

The Price is Almost Right
I had mixed feelings while reading this book.For one, Price is an incredibly knowledegable scholar who has a broad and deep knowledge of many religious systems as well as philosophy.He has a sharp wit and can elicit a chuckle as he points out the flaws in some of the guru's systems.And pointing out the flaws is something that he is very good at, particularly at dismantling some of the notions passed on as truth by the targets of his book, among them Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson and Joel Osteen.As a mainstream Christian, for me this book contains a lot of powerful refutations against some of these purveyors of New Age and New Thought beliefs.In addition, reading through some of the text is like taking a mini, high-level course in comparative religion and philosophy, as Price covers some key teaching from Hinduism, Bhuddism and others.At the same time, I am afraid that Price probably loses a lot of his audience as he writes matter-of-factly about terms like nondualism and other religious and philosophical technical terms.Price is also objective as he notes some of the positives in the belief systems that he is criticizing.

On the other hand, Price does not let the reader know that he is something of a strong agnostic bordering on atheist.It's not really clear what he ultimately believes, but that's the best I can muster from viewing his web site and reading testimonials from his supporters.He's written a book that apparently argues that Jesus didn't exist and he is a member of the Jesus Seminar, which, as I understand, is an organized effort to refute much of Christian "organized religion".I mention this because as you are reading along, absorbing the critiscisms of his subjects, Price suddenly whacks you with an anti-Christian left hook to the head.You feel somewhat betrayed and a little guitly, as you are enjoying Price taking down Chopra and others, when he brings you down as well, not hurt by the shrapnel of his attacks on the others, but by a direct hit.I think it would have been more honest if the author, editor and publisher had put Price's worldview up front, so as to at least be prepared for his treatment of mainstream Christian beliefs.If you are strong in your Christian faith, I don't think that Price's attacks will more than shock you, so that the critical material of the other views that he covers is worth reading.

Disappointing
With all of the pop psychology and positive visualization books currently on the market thriving on the large demand for spiritual and material searching, having a book that compares and critiques the most popular ones seems timely and relevant. I was disappointed that this book was not more academic and was turned off by the author's extreme use of ad hominem attacks, which I found to be distracting. He did make some worthwhile comparisons and similarities between different philosophies, at least superficially. He seems to have some personal agenda which I wasn't able to quite figure out, but I don't intend to spend any more time or money on any other of his writings.

New Age, Same Old Stuff
There's no such thing as a free lunch.Similarly, when it comes to dealing with the problems in life, there are no easy answers.In the cold, cold world, it's not surprising that some people are spiritually hungry, and there are plenty who are willing to feed that hunger.Unfortunately, many of these people offer the equivalent of junk food, briefly tasty and filling but with little long-lasting positive effect.

In Top Secret, Robert Price deals with such junk food vendors, starting with the most popular one of the moment, Rhonda Byrne and The Secret.As with many of the works, Price sees a little value in Byrne's book, but overall is very critical of it and its central thesis that we can affect the physical world through positive thought and that if negative things happen, it's the victim's fault:he or she was asking for it, if even subconsciously.

Price treats Deepak Chopra as little more than a con artist, James Redfield (The Celestine Prophecy) as a hack writer and Helen Schucman (A Course in Miracles) as an author of boring claptrap.All the works mentioned offer those easy answers, but they accomplish little.In fact, soon enough, most people go on to the next guru when the present one fails to satisfy anymore.

In an interesting and lengthy set of appendices, Price deals with cults, first defining them (and contrasting them with churches and sects) and then showing that they are not necessarily as dangerous and evil as people perceive them (although there are notable exceptions).I'm not sure how well this section fits with the rest of the book, but it is interesting and counters the preconceptions many people have about cults.

Price is a knowledgeable person and has a substantial background in studying religions.Unfortunately, he is almost too knowledgeable at times, as the information he presents interferes with the flow of the writing in places.He is almost the opposite of a Carl Sagan or Martin Gardner, who may not have Price's expertise in theology, but are more skilled with communicating their ideas.Nonetheless, the message of Top Secret is important, though I doubt that those who most need this message will ever get it.

A fine pick for both new age and spirituality collections.
Millions have or have read THE SECRET, a spiritual survey that captured American attentions. But what is the secret within The Secret? Robert Price blends his knowledge of theology with spiritual wisdom and biblical criticism to analyze Rhonda Byrne's best seller plus other popular spiritual books that have promised American spiritual revitalization. From old traditions to new doctrines and the differences between them, TOP SECRET is a fine pick for both new age and spirituality collections. ... Read more

Product Description
An up-close and personal peek into the life of America's favorite androgynous person reveals Pat's favorite songs and movies, among other items. Original. 150,000 first printing. Tour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Pat is a classic character
Julia Sweeney is a comical genious for giving us such a funny character. There is a guaranteed laugh on every page of this book. I LOVE how just when you're about to find out what Pat is, SOMETHING comes up to prevent it. The whole joke will never get old to me. I'm also a big fan of the movie about Pat. I love how Pat thinks it's attractive. Pat's so ugly! It's so hilarious, I love it! I only wish they'd make a movie called "It's Chris". Personally, I think Pat is the guy and Chris is the girl. Just because I see men wear the blue shirt and slacks, never women. And Chris is real feminine, with "it's" clothing. Perhaps I just spend way too much time thinking about it. Ha ha. Anyway, it's a great book!

Pat
It's Pat is a great book, and if you haven't read it, you should.I also suggest that you see the movie.You won't be able to breathe.It's Pat, it's funny, it's worth it.

P.S.I love cheese. ... Read more

Product Description
Word count: 1011. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Julia Anne Sweeney (born October 10, 1959) is an American actress, comedian and author best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and for her autobiographical solo shows. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: David Rakoff, Dan Savage, David Sedaris, John Hodgman, Sarah Vowell, Ira Glass, Jon Ronson, Julia Sweeney, Jonathan Goldstein, Curtis Sittenfeld, Jake Warga, Davy Rothbart, Mike Birbiglia, Karen Sosnoski, Sandra Tsing Loh, Jon Langford, Shalom Auslander, Jack Hitt, Scott Carrier, Alex Blumberg, Dishwasher Pete, Jay Allison, Heather O'neill, Nancy Updike, Starlee Kine, Annie Baxter, Adam Davidson. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 156. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: David Rakoff (born November 27, 1964) is a Canadian-born writer based in New York City who is noted for his humorous, sometimes autobiographical non-fiction essays. Rakoff is an essayist, journalist and actor and is a regular contributor to Public Radio International's This American Life. Perhaps mocking the unimaginative pigeonholing of his work, Rakoff has described himself as "a 'New York writer' who also happens to be a 'Canadian writer', a 'Jewish writer', a 'gay writer' and an 'East Asian Studies major who has forgotten most of his Japanese writer'". David Rakoff was born (significantly, by caesarean section) on November 27, 1964 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is the youngest of three children: his brother, the comedian Simon Rakoff, is four years older than David and their sister Ruth was a chef and is now a family-conflict mediator, is the middle child. David Rakoff has said that he and his siblings were close as children. Rakoff's mother, Gina Shochat-Rakoff, is a doctor who has practised psychotherapy and his father, Vivian Rakoff, is a psychiatrist. Psychiatry and psychology are common themes in David Rakoff's work, both in his journalism and in his autobiographical essays about his lengthy experience as an analysand and his long-time role as a confidante. Also, his knowledge of psychiatry played ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=2508913 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ordered the wrong thing
When I looked at your web site I thought that I was ordering a book of recipes that was part of a Time-Life series published in 1968.Instead I got an old picture book with a few recipes thrown in.

That still leaves me with the desire to complete my set of Time-Life cookbooks with my favorite - the Cooking of Italy. ... Read more

Product Description
Nearing forty, Julia Sweeney realized that something had to give-like now, please. Raised seriously Catholic, she had always believed that God (or a deceased nun who recalled her fondly) would see how hard she+d been trying and come through with the picket-fence thing-a husband and a truckload of kids that she could instill with her family+s neuroses. Yet perhaps, Sweeney thought, she had offended God. (Not to mention the nuns.) She was a successful actress and TV writer (Sex and the City), but suddenly she was only playing mothers-a role she never got in real life. And dating-wise, she+d been out there slugging, but love had never knocked, and suddenly she felt scared, sad, alone, and, well . . . older. After a few couch-bound months, seeking comfort from her new friends on the Food Channel, she knew she was facing some sort of serious personal crisis. So she got off the couch. And she went back to church-only to realize that maybe God wasn+t going to throw down the picket fence. And maybe-could she even say it?-there was no God taking note of her good deeds and watching out for her. Maybe she was going to have to rethink things, and get a new dream that didn+t look at all like what she+d been raised to expect. That is only the beginning of the story of how Julia Sweeney found a home (no fence, no prince, no God) with a child she traveled across the world to meet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

was release delayed ?
I never received this book. was the release date delayed ? ... Read more

Product Description
124 Pages, Fully Illustrated.Topics: Chicago's Next Hot 'Hoods, Renter For Life, Condo-Buying Expenses, International Pillow Fight Day, Moveable Bridges, Jim Sturgess, Humbolt Park: Paseo Boricua, Fifty/50, Milwaukee's Cult Coffee, Healthy Carrot, Girls Gone Mild (not "wild"), Museums, Feminist Art, Jamaica, Stay Smooth Djs, Amy Poehler, Links Hall: Holocaust, The B-52s, Funny Games: Michael Haneke, Room2Play, SXSW, Golden Gloves, Teddy Pendergrass, Miss Guided, more. ... Read more