A magnificent book, a palm grows stronger if one ...
353338
A magnificent book ,a palm grows stronger if one puts a stone on its top,it's a shame that the BOD of equal energy got away with what they did
3794545
from the very first pages I knew that this would be not an easy, fast read, but one that was going to be a careful and informing, stunning one.  As I
Read deeper and deeper, I could not believe that I was so intrigued with the subject matter of mosses!  The continuing telling of Alma's nine decade life kept me interested and wondering what next turn her life would take.  The wonderful writing - so beautiful that I found myself rereading many passages before I could continue - made me slow down so that I would not finish the book too soon.  One of the finest books I have ever read.
3338883
This is an excellant book for people familiar with the basics and  wishing to move beyond "a shrub in a pot."  Adams is a world class teacher of the art and science of bonsai, but his books are hard to get. They are worth the effort.
4188323
A magical book for any age, will bend your brain and expand it into another world.
761325
The book is excellent with a lot of great information on palm trees. It tells about salt tolerance and various palm insects and diseases. I just wish they used color photos instead of drawings of the trees. By Gregg L. Friedman MD, Psychiatrist, Hallandale Beach, FL
1888779
This book grows on you and becomes more wonderful every time you look at it. Sometimes books leave a striking impression on you at first glance and after some time, you soon forget about it. However, this book isn't a one-time-only deal, it has longevity. When I first saw it, I thought it was a good book with beautiful photography, not really exceptional. But with time, the book changed my mind. The book is colorful, fun and so full of life. It captures you and leaves you spellbound. It is a must-have! Buy it now!
301556
Our Lady of Infidelity is a tremendously enjoyable, beautiful book. The child who is its protagonist is a little mystic, representing a little voice deep inside of us. Tying together the rich chords of Western mysticism and our modern, skeptical sensibilities, Jackie Parker is a wonderful writer. The way she weaves themes together, builds the story and its characters, and uses language is magical. The book is an inspiration.
4286531
Shaila Abdullah's My Friend Suhana, co-authored by Abdullah's daughter, Aanyuah, now age ten, is a children's book that challenges every reader of every ability.  What would inspire such a powerful, yet eloquently stated and illustrated book, but the honesty and clarity of a child?  It is not by happenstance, I'm sure, that the book is so beautifully written and expressed with artistic, whimsical flare, that these two children are brought off the pages and into your lap!  Through the honest and wise eyes of a child, we are taught one of the most prominent desires I hear children with varied abilities and ages express, through words or actions, the desire of being accepted.  Acceptance and the desire to be understood are the resounding cries that I have witnessed over so many years, and Abdullah's book, My Friend Suhana, nails it.  Well over 52 million Americans live with some level of disability, presenting unique struggles on all fronts, and the population is growing.  It is more important than ever to learn the powerful message that My Friend Suhana brings to light.  What an honor it is to know and share My Friend Suhana.
Deborah M. Oveland, Founder SpeciaLives and a Special Needs Mom
2274962
The Hand: The Mirror of The Soul by Talma Brill was an interesting story.  I really love palmistry so this book was right up my ally.  I loved the idea that there are different ways to read not just the lines of your hands but also your hand themselves.  This book gives you a great introduction and more in-depth look at what is known as Chirology which is the art of reading hands.  This book is split up very well.  The first and second parts of the book gives you the overview of the structure of the hands and everything that encompasses them. Even down to the things we wear on our hands.  Everything means something.  Which I really enjoyed that.  It speaks volumes for people to understand what their choices mean.  The next parts give you all the information along with illustrations and examples on how to read hands.  I really liked that the book states to read both hands not just one or the other.  So many times within the art of Palmistry the reader will only look at one hand. Normally the one you write with.  Instead of looking at both as a whole of who you are.  This was an exciting book that gave you all you needed to know about reading hands as well as some very interesting scientific researches to boot!!  If your looking for something to spread your knowledge of reading hands or palmistry I say to check this one out!
286877
this book is one of the best books ever written.
1720257
Here are more words by the author of The Other Side of Virtue.

It is hard to give such a huge book four stars. It seems that an author putting out such immense effort should get five stars on general principle. There is much value within these pages. Many years of scholarship and deep understanding are reflected in the pages. The wisdom of many faiths are woven here, certainly not leaving the old Pagan traditions to languish.

However, I must make some distinction. To me The Other Side of Virtue is a life-changing book, a book I hope each of my children willl read at some point as adults. A book I'll buy them and read to them if necessary. It's the kind of book I would pick up and read from at random. It's truly beyond spectacular.

I am allergic to gurus of any sort and many could set Brendan Myers up in that light. But The Other Side of Virtue earned him out of the pretender category. Loneliness and Revelation isn't quite in that category. It is beautifully written. It has great nuggets hidden within it. But it also reads like the inspirations of many times, as if it was collected from writings and journals over years of solitary contemplation and study. It certainly has spirit and yet it does not grip in that intense way. I cannot read it in one sitting as I did with The Other Side of Virtue. There are sometimes too many pretty words and not enough clarity. Sometimes it is a matter of reading for the aesthetic rather than drilling down to the core of truth and spirit. Only a little and it is no great sin. But it ears the book four stars instead of five.

For those who wish to study Myer's ideas further, this is a valuable addition.
2969072
This is a GREAT gardening book.  If you live in Palm Springs, or Phoenix, or Las Vegas, or Tucson or any other subtropical hot-summer mild-winter climate this is a must-have book.  I have a ton of regional gardening books for the desert southwest and this one is really wonderful.  Beautiful, evocative photographs and a clear explanation of style, and what makes a Palm Springs style garden a Palm Springs style garden.  The author adds colorful, fun commentary and tips and tricks that really show she gardens in a subtropical desert.  Little habits of how plants behave, which do well and which don't, plus how to arrange them, and some architecture into a cohesive look.  She also does an excellent job of breaking down the components of the climate and how it helps or hinders certain garden styles.  I really, really like this book and utterly recommend it for anyone interested in gardening (not just Palm Springs style gardening) in the desert southwest or any subtropical desert.
4277389
Superb! Clear information, very well organized for all types of readers, and with many great pictures. This book is a must if you appreciate palms--even if you don't, it's lovely for your coffee table.
1427195
I don't know why, this book is the best that I loved, maybe because of the beautiful concept of an image living in a diary, mesmerising the reader, just as the book had mesmerised me. Or maybe because the author was brilliant in depiciting the maturity of the protagonists, who are one year older now after their first year in the wizard school (and this perfect imaging of gradual maturity with age becomes the norm of the series, one of the most difficult accomplishment of the author). A wonderful book that not only lives upto its expectations, it oulives it. Very rarely a sequel comes out so good, if not better.
1532466
This book is a must have for any palm enthusiast.  Well written, good scientific descriptions, and great photos of the wonderful palms of Cuba.
1727121
Michael Pollan is a very fine writer and also a gardener. As a writer he is infinitely curious about all things, and in this book he asks us to follow him through an explication of evolution as seen from the point of view (more or less) of the four plants whose products are mentioned in the title of this review.
It is a very exciting trip he takes us on, for as lay people, if we think about evolution at all, it is primarily about the descent of this animal from that other one, or about chracteristics that make this creature, and not that one, survive genetically. Seldom do we think about the co-evolution of plants with man, and that is what this book is all about. Some plants have latched onto man and given him sweetness, or beauty, or food, or pleasing brain alterations. In exchange man has protected, and nurtured, and chosen those plants who please him; and in the process the genetic material of the plants has been given additional chances to survive in this world. Humans have cut trees to help weeds become stronger and livelier; and weeds have given wheat and oats; humans have irrigated vast fields for other weeds, and they have produced rice with more and bigger grains.
This delightful book has apparently irritated many people. Scientists find it incomplete, or superficial, or a document wrongly popularizing scientific facts; those who oppose the very notion of evolution find the book presumptuous and wrong. Others just plain don't like its tone, or its friendliness towards cannabis; but those of us who are neither scientists, nor bigots, nor carriers of axes in need of grinding, find the book quite stupendous in the amazing things it brings to light.
I don't think I will ever treat an apple without admiration, or pass by a tulip and ignore it, or demean a potato; not being a fancier of cannabis, I'm not sure what I'll do if I come across one of those plants during a quiet walk in the country. At leat, I'll doff my cap.
This is a great book to give to gardening friends, or to anyone who toils the land. Or even to those who are simply still in awe about anything having to do with nature.
3194112
This superb, lavishly produced landscape-format book from Olivier and Danielle Follmi's "Offerings for Humanity" series is a beautiful artefact to grace anyone's living space, workspace or sleeping room. It's the size and shape of a large brick and its subject matter is the wisdom of East Asia: Buddhist, Confucius and Dao.

A double-page is used for each date on the calendar, with a thought or saying from one of the great oriental masters written on the left page and a high-quality colour photograph on the right side. The paper quality used is very high and the pages are not numbered, but there's obviously more than 365 (x2), hence the brick-like thickness. The photographic subjects are all contemporary and range from the stunning landscapes of China, Japan, Laos and other places in SE Asia from every season; temples, shrines, schools and street scenes. The best pictures are of the people of the region whether laughing children, young monks in study or simple portraits of an older person with a face full of character. Occasionally both pages are used for a long, landscape photo.

All in all this is a great book to own and have close to you every day. It's the perfect gift for the right person who will appreciate its quality, depth and permanence. Think of it less as a book than a work of art.