A marvelous book, a wonderful book
923907
I never felt that I "knew" Jaco Pastorius, despite ripping off every bass riff I could from him.  In truth, not many, though..."All American Alien Boy" is STILL kicking my ass, so we'll kind of not think about "Donna Lee" for awhile. BIll Milkowski knew his subject, the one and only Jaco, on a first name (indeed, "I'm in jail, come get me out" basis, too!), and...well, read all the other reviewers, I'll just be being redundunt.  Here's to you, Bill.  Only two not so minor gripes about the book, though:  Ingrid, Jaco's second wife, has raised almighty hell about a few passages, and I ain't going to arouse her ire.  And secondly...in the back of the book, sort of a pun on Jaco's composition, "3 Views Of A Secret," Milkowski has some "Sixty Three" views...all reflections on Jaco by his - ASTOUNDING - peers...you know the names, Zawinul, Hancock, Santana, Erskine, Acuna, Berlin; but for some indefinable reason, Milkowski trouts out that incredibly insipid, vapid bass player for the Police, Gordon Sumner ("...oh Sting, where is THY death?") to..."reflect;" and "Sting" babbles an entire paragraph, then closes, ever-so-poignantly, "...he was my friend, my teacher..."  RIGHT, Gordon:  tell us the truth, the closest YOU ever got to Jaco was in traffic or your airplane trips were...uh..."similar" or something.  Ian Hunter's reflection about how "Jaco blew Mick Ronson's sox off," or drummer Brian Melvin's sad - CHILLING - comment on how Jaco lost his life - and his murderer's subsequent release from incarceration after serving but 4 months: "You can get away with anything in this country, including murder.  And that is a very heavy statement, indeed" - EITHER of those two statements bear infinitely more merit and perspicuity than "Sting."
But just get the book for Jaco's sake - and BTW, there's an incredible CD included, courtesy of Bob Bobbing, Jaco's bass-playing friend, that provides teasing snitiches of some of Jaco's music, and - more importantly - some VOCAL comments, by the likes of Zawinul - again! - Jaco's Dad, Herbie Hancock, and a heart-tugging account by Jaco's first wife, Tracy Lee, of how she & Jaco met.  IT's almost worth the price of the book!
1953458
This is a wonderful book. Well written, engaging, appropriate, true to life plot lines (with some exaggeration for readers entertainment), funny, sad, and heartwarming. A book for all ages.
2807631
This book is so great I bought 4 more for family and friends. I suggest you buy at least 2 of these books, one for yourself and one for a friend, or if you don't have a friend to give it to, just leave it somewhere for someone to find and keep. It is a pure delight.
2591183
This is a beautiful, wonderful book.  Immersed in the Orthodox phronema or mindset, it follows the spiritual journey of a single soul, and explores the way in which holiness affects not only Laurus, but those who come into contact with him.  If you are Orthodox, you will immediately recognize and understand what Laurus is experiencing.  If you are not Orthodox, it is a wonderful introduction to a spirituality which is shared by hundreds of millions around the world.  The story is Russian, but also universal.  You will find Laurus throughout eastern Europe and the middle east.  You will also find him (rarely, sadly) in North America, and elsewhere around the world.  The book is moving, and deeply inspirational.

This book also struck me in another way.  While the story of Laurus in some respects resembles a hagiography, it is also a story of humility, fear, and even failure.  All humans know these things, and saints know them acutely.  We sometimes miss this truth - that all saints are human, and the road to holiness is one that is arduous.  Laurus teaches us that side of faith as well.
1942148
This is an absolutely delightful book, easy to read, and inspirational.

The stories Jane Knuth tells capture both the joy and heartache that often accompany working to help make the lives of those on the margins of society more bearable.  Sometimes the joy and heartache are found in the same individual!  Those who have worked with people seeking help, whether through the St. Vincent de Paul Society or another means, know that there are many colorful characters who come seeking help.  Knuth shows that some are as honest as the day is long, some are practiced schemers who know the ropes, and many others fall at some point along the spectrum.  We meet all types in this book and are often left with amused amazement at the people the author  introduces to us through the stories she recounts.

Jane Knuth is a good writer and has an wonderful ability to catch the irony, delight, and challenge of working with those on the margins of society.  This book is appropriate for a wide range of age groups, from teens to the elderly.
4704266
A wonderfully written book that is a pleasure and a joy to slowly read.  More than 1/2 way through it now, and enjoying every word and every minute.  We are reading it as a family, and it is all the more amazing having just returned from traveling in Japan for a month.  This book is for anyone that wants more out of their life, or who is dissatisfied with what's happening in today's society, and would like to make changes.  It is a very uplifting read, and something to savor rather than to rush through.  The individuals he profiles are really fascinating people living wonderfully rich lives.  Thanks for writing this terrific book!
2275782
A beautiful book which is a joy to read, right up to the wonderful ending. It left me wanting to read more - I couldn't wait to get to the end, but I wanted it to never end. Definitely a book to read more than once, it's beautifully written but doesn't overdo the descriptions and detail. I just loved it. Every book should be as good as this one.
1515671
This is a great book.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.
2282833
This book is wonderful and is an informative refrence to life.
2900717
This was a great book and a great read by author who is marvelous.
3581532
A magnificent book!  I highly recommend it.
1436299
This book is in the best tradition of the book beautiful.  A wonderful looking book that also is a joy to read.  Do not mistake this for a coffee table book. You will want to read the well organized and readable text as well as revel in its vivid illustrations.

 Carol Flores skillfully escorts us through the artistic life of a colorful and influential 19th Century English architect/designer who is almost unknown in the U.S. despite the fact that his book, "the Grammar of Ornament", a collection of designs from earliest civilizations to the renaissance, is still in use (and print).

  Not only can we easily absorb Jones' artistic philosophy which aimed to awaken a new era  of English architecture and design, the reader can  understand the influences that shaped it, see the drawings of his many projects, and enjoy his spectacular textile and wallpaper designs.

I loved it.
3073993
A great book - thoroughly enjoy from start to finish.
2271682
This is a wonderful, inspiring book.  I have read it many times.  It is full of wisdom, but very practical.  I can't recommend it too highly.  It is not just about healing bad eyes but many other physical problems.  Meir  Schneider is a humble genius.
4424066
I read this book with my ten year old.  It is a beautiful book with a wonderful message.  I think this helped my son understand the nature of the universe and taught me some things too.  I cannot recommend this book enough.  Lovely to look at, fascinating to read.  A true masterpiece.
1495377
A wonderful book...I couldn't put it down.  I want more to read.  I laughed, I cried, I learned a lot!  I feel I know this man through this compassionate, wonderful book.  I grew up in southern Ohio and found the book to be a wonderful read historically.  It's a book I will read again and again.  I have recommended this book to everyone owning a pet or not ever owning a pet.  It's a good read for everyone.  Please give me more!!!!!!
479745
This is such a wonderful book that I completely understand why the New York Times Book Review chose it as a "Notable Book" of the year. This is science woven into life and reflections on life, and written with a poet's enjoyment of language and using language to evoke an experience.

Air was simply a delight to read. I also learned things I hadn't known (like the origin of the phrase "beeline" - bees are determined and focussed flyers) and had some of my assumptions shaken up a bit. I love when a book can do that.

Part of what made the book so accessible was William Logan's use of his personal experiences. Then he'd reflect on them, and on occasion, widen them out to philosophical musing.

"Active, responsive, not reactive. These are the qualities of a good pilot. You must give up assumptions and live alert to the slightest nuance that comes into the five senses, responding not as your supposed self, but as your wings. It doesn't sound like a bad way to live: without complaint, fantasy, or demands, but in conversation with the moment." pp. 190-91

"A person wears so many grooves (habits) during a long life that eventually the deep-worn grooves begin to dig a grave." p. 216

Overall, the "Air" read to me like an appreciation of life and a challenge to adventure. Pretty good for a science book.