en-US Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:07:51 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 11904496 0 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 0451506324 Stephen 4 4.60 1962
author: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.60
book published: 1962
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/10/23
shelves:
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]]> 433339 Book by Berryman, James 191 James Berryman 1902578139 Stephen 5 3.36
author: James Berryman
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.36
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/02/01
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review:

]]> 23433242
Mrs Darley’s Moon Mysteries by Carole Carlton is a celebration of all aspects of the Moon, from her phases and movement, to her influences both on the earth itself and those who live upon her. Her history, geology, myths, legends and effectiveness in magical workings are explored as each chapter unfolds. Explores the myths, legends and folklore that have, over millennia, become associated with the Moon as well as its place in literature and sacred texts.

Very occasionally, we step out under a Moonlit sky and become bewitched by the beauty which confronts us as we stand and gaze at Earth’s only satellite. More frequently, however, we are entombed within our homes and consumed by satellite TV, with very little thought given to the movement and effects of our enigmatic celestial visitor.

As each chapter unfolds, the myths, history, legends, folklore and effectiveness in magickal workings are explored that have, over millennia, become associated with the Moon as well as its place in literature and sacred texts.
]]> 173 Carole Carlton Stephen 5 4.56 2014
author: Carole Carlton
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/02/01
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]]> 16037847
Again, the ever likeable and enigmatic character of Mrs Darley leads the author Carole Carlton further along her magickal path as she reveals some of the Pagan secrets that underpin the workings of real, divine magick.

The word magick evokes an air of mystery, wonder and excitement - but can it really be as simple as waving a wand and chanting a spell? In truth, the practice of magick, which is explored within this book, is far more complex than we might imagine, requiring the practitioner to be both disciplined and dedicated.]]> 161 Carole Carlton 1902578805 Stephen 5 4.62 2012
author: Carole Carlton
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/02/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 12857509 320 Carole Carlton 1902578767 Stephen 5 4.37 2011
author: Carole Carlton
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/02/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 12857510 320 Carole Carlton 1902578651 Stephen 5 4.34 2010
author: Carole Carlton
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/02/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 3789208 180 Carole Carlton 190257835X Stephen 5 4.19 2014
author: Carole Carlton
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/02/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 8108138 180 Carole Carlton 1902578430 Stephen 5 4.40 2009
author: Carole Carlton
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/02/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 61663 384 Carl Sagan 0345376595 Stephen 4
I was drawn to this book when I came across the author's name in my "Cosmos" research, although I must admit that I do not usually read "modern" books ha ha! I prefer Aristotle and the likes, but here goes on the review.

Firstly, you do not have to be an astrophysicist to be able to understand this, although I am conversant with their "shop" talk, I do like books that offer a wider readership level, and this book does give it across in a neat way. A great title too, inspired by the famous photograph of the Earth of the same name. I gather this is, in fact, a sequel to his classic Cosmos, but I haven't read that one.

Here, in this book, Carl Sagan imparts his insights on numerous things from the quantum to the cosmic. When I read it I felt as if Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise was the voice reading it out to me, as it is journey in time and space - a space odyssey!

In essence, after the first few chapters extolling space travel and how we should embark on more investigations, the basic message of this book is that the destiny of humanity is to expand out to the stars.

A lot of what is in this has been covered in greater detail in more up to date research papers, so to some it may have a dated look and feel to it. Admittedly, I did skip or speed read some of it, as I was scanning for the meat on the bone. All in all, a worthy book to read even today.


]]> 4.33 1994
author: Carl Sagan
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.33
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at: 2015/03/01
date added: 2015/05/08
shelves:
review:
I was lucky enough to get the hardback, as that has some pictures in (whereas the paperback one, apparently, does not). However, not having the pictures in would not detract from the read.

I was drawn to this book when I came across the author's name in my "Cosmos" research, although I must admit that I do not usually read "modern" books ha ha! I prefer Aristotle and the likes, but here goes on the review.

Firstly, you do not have to be an astrophysicist to be able to understand this, although I am conversant with their "shop" talk, I do like books that offer a wider readership level, and this book does give it across in a neat way. A great title too, inspired by the famous photograph of the Earth of the same name. I gather this is, in fact, a sequel to his classic Cosmos, but I haven't read that one.

Here, in this book, Carl Sagan imparts his insights on numerous things from the quantum to the cosmic. When I read it I felt as if Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise was the voice reading it out to me, as it is journey in time and space - a space odyssey!

In essence, after the first few chapters extolling space travel and how we should embark on more investigations, the basic message of this book is that the destiny of humanity is to expand out to the stars.

A lot of what is in this has been covered in greater detail in more up to date research papers, so to some it may have a dated look and feel to it. Admittedly, I did skip or speed read some of it, as I was scanning for the meat on the bone. All in all, a worthy book to read even today.



]]> 18602105
This 12 step book will show you how to manifest the wealth you want. Discover how to become motivated again. Find out how to raise your conscious levels into the wealth creation zone. See what’s holding you back and discover fast and easy ways to turn this around.

This book by international best-selling author Stephen Richards succinctly gives you easy to digest information, soon you will see yourself being confident, courageous and in the zone of positivity. Find out what’s been holding you back and what to do to change that into knowing who you really are. Find out what separates big dreamers from mediocre ones! Learn why working 24/7 towards your goal is wasted energy!

You will find your decision-making capabilities will improve and soon you will be boasting of your mastery over failure when you put these 12 steps into practice.

FROM THE AUTHOR STEPHEN RICHARDS
“There may be varying points of view when it comes to true wealth, but it’s undeniable that money plays a very vital role in our society. Like oxygen, money is crucial to man’s survival. Money may not be and should not be the end but a means, in the same manner that we don’t exist to get as much oxygen as we can. Life is not about breathing - we don’t live to breath, we breathe to live. In a like manner, we need money to sustain us, but life is not about money. We don’t exist to get as much money as we can â€� we don’t live for the sole purpose of making money, we need money to make life worth living for us.â€�

CONTENTS
Introduction
Part 1 - The pattern or way or secret
Part 2 - Be conscious or be rich
Part 3- Happiness and success: which comes first?
Part 4 - Security at its purest
Part 5 - Breaking down the emotional walls
Part 6 - Turning your limiting beliefs to empowering beliefs
Part 7 - The golden gate of happiness
Part 8 - Conquering the odds of misguided preconceptions
Part 9 - Developing yourself into a higher self
Part 10 - Monkey business
Part 11 - The eleven ingredients of belief
Part 12 - Building a mindset for true success]]> 56 Stephen Richards Stephen 5 4.33 2013
author: Stephen Richards
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2013/09/30
shelves:
review:

]]> 18592325
This is your turning point! This is your light-bulb moment where you will discover how the cumulative power of karma and the law of cause and effect can work for you. Discover how to start generating positive energy and turn it to your advantage.

No more wasteful thoughts on worrying, now you can banish negative emotions that have held you back from all you ever dreamed of. Now you really can start to unlock the door to all of your desires with what is revealed in this book!]]> 61 Stephen Richards Stephen 5 5.00 2013
author: Stephen Richards
name: Stephen
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2013/09/28
shelves:
review:

]]> 13072505 216 Alfred Nestor 1902578775 Stephen 5 3.62 2011
author: Alfred Nestor
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2013/05/27
shelves:
review:
Awesome account of a childhood nightmare! Such a powerful insight into the mind of a child during wartime and how, now, that child has overcome such atrocities to become a man and now an author. If anything, this is a true story of positivity, showing how if victimship is unclaimed, then the past can become a powerful beacon of hope to many.
]]> 17909346
This adrenaline-charged book starts out just like a simple mountain stream can lull anyone into a false sense of security, and perhaps the reader may be unimpressed by the simple way it evolves. Do not be fooled by the creatively unhurried way Alfred Nestor draws you into a surreal world of demons and gods, for Alfred Nestor’s magnum opus will soon have your eyes glued to every breathtaking page, where the mountain stream becomes a white-water torrent of destruction!

The perilous climax runs into various levels of Heaven, which balances the Universe, and runs into the different dimensions of Earth and a crystal dimension. The two heroes given the overwhelming task of stopping the Devil in his destructive path are the Twin Flames, accompanied by their ever-loyal guide sent to them by the Gods of the Universe.

The message running through the book is about the fight between good and evil. The battle between the Devil and the Twin Flames continues from the depths of Hell into Heaven itself, where the Gods of the Universe themselves become involved in the final war between the forces of good and evil in the race to save the Universe from the clutches of Armageddon!

The novel involves a thrilling plethora of ancient legends of Heaven and Hell. Full to overflowing with demons, magic, gods and the Devil himself ... set on destroying everything and anything so long as he wins, and at any cost! The role of the Twin Flames is to reset the balance of the Universe and ensure Earth is saved! Who will be victorious in the tense ending, the Devil or the Twin Flames? Be prepared to be on the edge of your metaphorical seat!]]> 225 Alfred Nestor Stephen 5 4.30 2013
author: Alfred Nestor
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2013/05/11
shelves:
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]]> 17836665 306 Paula Hamilton 071814077X Stephen 4 4.00 1996
author: Paula Hamilton
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2013/04/21
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]]> 17451012
Each eye-wateringly funny script in this ebook is based on real life events featuring Sting, Jim Berryman and related characters. It is set in 60s and 70s Newcastle before Sting rose to fame as the frontman of the band The Police.

Sting once said to Jim, “You’re Falstaff to my Prince Hal.â€� Just as that may be, then it is equally so of the Falstaff persona of Berryman in leading the apparently wayward Prince Hal persona of Sting into trouble. However, in stark contrast to how when Hal eventually becomes king and he disowns Falstaff, Sting’s investiture as king of rock did not change his friendship with Jim.

Each of these real life scripts delivers some really slick comedy, and Jim Berryman’s writing talents bring to each one of them a kind of magic that is totally hilarious and in the tradition of TV’s ‘Only Fool’s and Horsesâ€�, ‘Dad’s Armyâ€� and ‘Fawlty Towersâ€�. The intricate storylines in ‘Three Sumner Talesâ€� are delivered with a sprinkling of slapstick that has been lovingly-crafted. Even though these relate to some years after their setting, Jim Berryman’s writing is evergreen. Revealed within are issues of Sting’s personality, tension and victory, all set against a background that will appeal to any age.

Jim Berryman and Gordon Sumner, also known as Sting the rock star, is as highly an unlikely friendship as there could ever be. From when they were both first year pupils at a rather austere Catholic school for boys, they have remained friends for over 50 years!

STING PROFILE
Residence: 41 room Jacobean castle which he calls Lake House. Others in St James's, London, Porto Fino, Italy, New York and Los Angeles.
Awards: 16 Grammy Awards, 3 Brit Awards, a Golden Globe an Emmy Award and several Oscar nominations for Best Original Song.
Academic qualifications: Honorary doctorate degree in music from Northumbria University.
Professional memberships: Member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Social circles: Performs at places like the Meydan Racecourse launch in Dubai.
Wealth: Estimated to be worth: over ÂŁ200m.
Backroom staff: Collaborated with a Pulitzer prize-winning writer for his play/musical ‘The Last Shipâ€�.

JIM BERRYMAN PROFILE - Slightly less impressive....
Residence: Flat on a working class estate in Newcastle which he calls his spiritual home.
Awards: "Yard of ale drinking champion" at Appleby Horse Fair."Impoverished Bookmaker of the year" 1976-1981
Academic qualifications: Several A and O-levels from St Cuthbert’s Grammar School and a swimming certificate for the 100 yard breaststroke. Institute of Cost and Works Accountancy Parts 1 & 2 (FAIL).
Professional memberships: Former member Northern Bookmaker's Protection Association (asked to leave).
Social circles: Often appears at Innisfree Social Club quiz night and some lavish Sting parties.
Wealth: Estimated to be worth: a right few quid behind Sting.
Backroom staff: Jim Berryman, his fingers and a keyboard to create his TV scripts of ‘Three Sumner Talesâ€�.

NOTE FOR ANYONE WISHING TO USE THE SCRIPTS
Anyone wishing to create a TV sitcom or stage play based on these scripts is welcome to contact the publisher (web address at end of ebook) to discuss the matter further.]]> 148 James Berryman Stephen 5 3.67 2013
author: James Berryman
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2013/03/02
shelves:
review:

]]> 442918 277 Martin Page 9724613135 Stephen 5
What initially attracted me to it was the main title, First Global Village. Hmmm, I thought, looks interesting. Then the sub-title followed: How Portugal Changed the World. Aahhhh, right! Oh well, I may as well read something about the Mediterranean while I was here, although this book was about Portugal I still felt an affinity with it as I had visited Portugal a number of times and, anyway, it was only a stone’s throw from Spain.

I must admit, I was rather taken by the author’s own biographical write-up of himself; in fact he seemed a very interesting character. Alas, that section was short-lived but since I had the book with me on the balcony of my suite, I felt it respectful to continue reading, and I’m so pleased I did.

Wow! Martin Page, the author, reveals a lot of interesting facts about the history of Portugal, and he starts way back in the period of A.D. I must admit that although I excelled at English History as a subject in my later school years, I was not au fait with the history of Portugal, so Martin could have been telling me anything and I would have to take it on board as fact, although after speaking with another guest in the hotel, I discovered that the book apparently has many historical errors! Ah well, that’s always the problem with writing non-fiction! If you get it wrong then you hold yourself up for ransom to the geeks of the world who know it all. But nonetheless, a historical inconsistency here and there didn’t detract from the overall picture the book gave. So with that in mind, I would advise checking relevant snatches you may wish to use from this book against a trusted source before extolling the virtues of your knowledge of Portuguese history.

What drew me in, hook, line and sinker, to the writing within this book, though, was the personal narrative of Martin Page. I think if this were to have been written by an historian with academic letters after his or her name then it may have lost some of the personal translation the author intended. When I say “translationâ€�, I don’t mean in the translation of the language (as Martin was English), what I mean is how it was written from Martin’s viewpoint. The book is more a cosy insight into how Portugal really did change the world.

I had to give a wry smile at how Martin mentioned “soul foodâ€� and how slaves from Africa were fed this offal (well cooked and presented, which is not what I was laughing at), and hence forth was adopted as such and is what it is today because of that (which is what I was laughing at - how soul food originated from Portugal and not Africa). Then we have Japanese sushi, which originates from Portugal! I had to have a great big belly laugh at this. I mean, everyone believing the Japanese designed this fish dish! Also I had always thought that the Emperor Hadrian was Roman - not so! I discovered from Martin that Hadrian was an Iberian, from Cadiz! There were also numerous revelations about Christopher Columbus (Portuguese: CristĂłvĂŁo Colombo), but I will not spoil any of this for the potential reader.

All in all, a book full of idiosyncratic revelations that would score you no points in any conversation, but would, though, make you smile at how the world was, indeed, changed by Portugal.

What I found within the book was akin to my own writing style, in that the grammar and punctuation were somewhat rebellious. However the book is perceived, if you look upon it as entertaining and informative then that is how to read it. And, as such, I was thoroughly entertained by the late Martin Page, rest his soul.
]]> 3.91 2002
author: Martin Page
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at: 2013/01/26
date added: 2013/01/26
shelves:
review:
Most of the UK was snowed in, so I decided to hop a plane to Spain, one of my favorite destinations. At this time of year my usual residence there is just ticking over until it hits March onwards, so I managed to get a booking in a fairly well rated hotel. Of course, off the hoof I didn’t take any books with me, but after trawling the hotel’s bookshelves I decided to pick this particular book.

What initially attracted me to it was the main title, First Global Village. Hmmm, I thought, looks interesting. Then the sub-title followed: How Portugal Changed the World. Aahhhh, right! Oh well, I may as well read something about the Mediterranean while I was here, although this book was about Portugal I still felt an affinity with it as I had visited Portugal a number of times and, anyway, it was only a stone’s throw from Spain.

I must admit, I was rather taken by the author’s own biographical write-up of himself; in fact he seemed a very interesting character. Alas, that section was short-lived but since I had the book with me on the balcony of my suite, I felt it respectful to continue reading, and I’m so pleased I did.

Wow! Martin Page, the author, reveals a lot of interesting facts about the history of Portugal, and he starts way back in the period of A.D. I must admit that although I excelled at English History as a subject in my later school years, I was not au fait with the history of Portugal, so Martin could have been telling me anything and I would have to take it on board as fact, although after speaking with another guest in the hotel, I discovered that the book apparently has many historical errors! Ah well, that’s always the problem with writing non-fiction! If you get it wrong then you hold yourself up for ransom to the geeks of the world who know it all. But nonetheless, a historical inconsistency here and there didn’t detract from the overall picture the book gave. So with that in mind, I would advise checking relevant snatches you may wish to use from this book against a trusted source before extolling the virtues of your knowledge of Portuguese history.

What drew me in, hook, line and sinker, to the writing within this book, though, was the personal narrative of Martin Page. I think if this were to have been written by an historian with academic letters after his or her name then it may have lost some of the personal translation the author intended. When I say “translationâ€�, I don’t mean in the translation of the language (as Martin was English), what I mean is how it was written from Martin’s viewpoint. The book is more a cosy insight into how Portugal really did change the world.

I had to give a wry smile at how Martin mentioned “soul foodâ€� and how slaves from Africa were fed this offal (well cooked and presented, which is not what I was laughing at), and hence forth was adopted as such and is what it is today because of that (which is what I was laughing at - how soul food originated from Portugal and not Africa). Then we have Japanese sushi, which originates from Portugal! I had to have a great big belly laugh at this. I mean, everyone believing the Japanese designed this fish dish! Also I had always thought that the Emperor Hadrian was Roman - not so! I discovered from Martin that Hadrian was an Iberian, from Cadiz! There were also numerous revelations about Christopher Columbus (Portuguese: CristĂłvĂŁo Colombo), but I will not spoil any of this for the potential reader.

All in all, a book full of idiosyncratic revelations that would score you no points in any conversation, but would, though, make you smile at how the world was, indeed, changed by Portugal.

What I found within the book was akin to my own writing style, in that the grammar and punctuation were somewhat rebellious. However the book is perceived, if you look upon it as entertaining and informative then that is how to read it. And, as such, I was thoroughly entertained by the late Martin Page, rest his soul.

]]> 6898958 The Eyes of the Sphinx. But here is where it all began--von Daniken's startling theories of our earliest encounters with alien worlds, based upon his lifelong studies of ancient ruins, lost cities, potential spaceports, and a myriad of hard scientific facts that point to extraterrestrial intervention in human history. Most incredible of all, however, is von Daniken's theory that we ourselves are the descendants of these galactic pioneers--and the archeological discoveries that prove it... * An alien astronaut preserved in a pyramid
* Thousand-year-old spaceflight navigation charts
* Computer astronomy from Incan and Egyptian ruins
* A map of the land beneath the ice cap of Antarctica
* A giant spaceport discovered in the Andes
Includes remarkable photos that document mankind's first contact with aliens at the dawn of civilization.
]]> 187 Erich von DĂ€niken Stephen 5
Yes, many scientists and historians have rejected his ideas as pseudoscientific evidence, some of which were later demonstrated to be fraudulent or fabricated, and under illogical premises. However, one cannot deny the existence of the pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Moai of Easter Island. Certainly, von DĂ€niken gives us food for thought in that the origins of religions may be reactions to contact with an alien race.

I find von DĂ€niken’s theories to be fascinating mind-openers, even if some may seem far-fetched. Many have rebutted von DĂ€niken’s work in their own best-selling works (Crash Go The Chariots by Clifford Wilson and The Space Gods Revealed by Ronald Story), and von DĂ€niken was even accused of stealing the ideas of French author Robert Charroux. And if that were not enough, von DĂ€niken was accused of plagiarizing many of the book's concepts from The Morning of the Magicians. Even when the “non-rusting iron pillarâ€� in India was discredited as being evidence of extraterrestrial influence, von DĂ€niken simply said, "â€� we can forget about this iron thing."

However, in defense of all of the above, this bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films. Although I do not agree that this is the first book to introduce the theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens, I do give it my support in that it took from a lot of other publications and gave us one “hotâ€� book to stir the mind.

Whether you believe his books to be fantast, science-fiction or fact, you have to at least give him some credit for being brave enough to give us this book, as writing such material back in 1968 was reason enough to put anyone in a padded room. No matter what you think of this man, you have to at least give some thought to the subject of the book, and that is, did aliens visited our planet thousands of years ago? Remember, you can discredit the truth with lies! Therefore do we believe what is written with this book or do we believe those who discredit it? Who is lying, if any, and why?

If this book is so highly discredited then surely the principles of the Law of Attraction as depicted in the film The Secret are equally suspect, yet most sing the praises of such light entertainment as being carved in stone as “life changingâ€�. Some even believe J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books to be based on real life events! Now that would be something!

In conclusion, you either believe in Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy and guardian angels or you do not. The same applies to this book by von DĂ€niken. I believe many of the claims of von DĂ€niken, and some of his claims sees the jury still out. Whatever, it is highly entertaining and is food for thought.
]]> 3.58 1968
author: Erich von DĂ€niken
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.58
book published: 1968
rating: 5
read at: 2005/01/01
date added: 2013/01/17
shelves:
review:
Firstly, I am a huge fan of Erich von DĂ€niken, and although not fully au fait with some of his other works I am deeply moved by this book, Chariots of the Gods (and Gold of the Gods), which I read some many, many years ago and then again in 2005. The difference from reading it so long ago and then again in 2005 was an eye-opener!

Yes, many scientists and historians have rejected his ideas as pseudoscientific evidence, some of which were later demonstrated to be fraudulent or fabricated, and under illogical premises. However, one cannot deny the existence of the pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Moai of Easter Island. Certainly, von DĂ€niken gives us food for thought in that the origins of religions may be reactions to contact with an alien race.

I find von DĂ€niken’s theories to be fascinating mind-openers, even if some may seem far-fetched. Many have rebutted von DĂ€niken’s work in their own best-selling works (Crash Go The Chariots by Clifford Wilson and The Space Gods Revealed by Ronald Story), and von DĂ€niken was even accused of stealing the ideas of French author Robert Charroux. And if that were not enough, von DĂ€niken was accused of plagiarizing many of the book's concepts from The Morning of the Magicians. Even when the “non-rusting iron pillarâ€� in India was discredited as being evidence of extraterrestrial influence, von DĂ€niken simply said, "â€� we can forget about this iron thing."

However, in defense of all of the above, this bestseller has withstood the test of time, inspiring countless books and films. Although I do not agree that this is the first book to introduce the theory that ancient Earth had been visited by aliens, I do give it my support in that it took from a lot of other publications and gave us one “hotâ€� book to stir the mind.

Whether you believe his books to be fantast, science-fiction or fact, you have to at least give him some credit for being brave enough to give us this book, as writing such material back in 1968 was reason enough to put anyone in a padded room. No matter what you think of this man, you have to at least give some thought to the subject of the book, and that is, did aliens visited our planet thousands of years ago? Remember, you can discredit the truth with lies! Therefore do we believe what is written with this book or do we believe those who discredit it? Who is lying, if any, and why?

If this book is so highly discredited then surely the principles of the Law of Attraction as depicted in the film The Secret are equally suspect, yet most sing the praises of such light entertainment as being carved in stone as “life changingâ€�. Some even believe J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books to be based on real life events! Now that would be something!

In conclusion, you either believe in Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy and guardian angels or you do not. The same applies to this book by von DĂ€niken. I believe many of the claims of von DĂ€niken, and some of his claims sees the jury still out. Whatever, it is highly entertaining and is food for thought.

]]> 10791698 English, German (translation) 68 Sigmund Freud 0393011186 Stephen 4
Of course, any book by Freud would not be complete without touching upon the subject of dreams, and he does not disappoint in this short book (which is really an essay). His theory of dreams and its relation to traumatic experiences is touched upon, although I was not too into the examples he gave based on war related trauma. However, it was his take on non-war related trauma which interested me more - neuroses are chiefly brought about by surprise or fright! It would seem to me that Freud is preoccupied with trauma, which is not surprising as this book was written not long after World War One.

The reader is given an example of a child’s (in fact Freud’s grandson) action in repeatedly (compulsion to repeat ) throwing a toy away and then only to retrieve it is the child’s illustrating the absence of his mother and his attempt to return to the situation as to regain control, which Freud’s psychoanalytic theory on this describes it as compulsive repetition - the unlikable situation of his mother’s going away is rewarded by the pleasurable moment of her return.

A distinction drawn on the basis of dissimilarity, compared to the pleasure principle, is how Freud sees it that one regains control by virtue of reliving or repeating unpleasant events, which what the child was supposedly doing with the toy he was repeatedly throwing away and retrieving.

I did not fully subscribe to the biological theory of the death drive, which Freud postulates by virtue of how the psyche impulsively repeats traumatic events.

In short, the book is saying something else which I fully subscribe to, and that is: we can take something negative and turn it into something positive! It is all about control of the situation. We have to weigh up benefit and loss. Then we have the overflowing desire within us, and that, at times, unpleasant acts can give rise to pleasant results. By all means, read it in a different light, but I always look to pull the positive out of a situation, and although this book did not tick all of my boxes I still found something of value within it.
]]> 3.69 1920
author: Sigmund Freud
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1920
rating: 4
read at: 1997/01/01
date added: 2013/01/17
shelves:
review:
Indeed, some may find this to be a pleasure or a pain to read. Given that the theory of instincts was covered by Freud in some earlier works, it was no surprise to find him covering some old ground here. Although I am sure that the pleasure principle is well known, basically it is the suggestion that people have an instinctive urge toward experiencing pleasure and shielding themselves from pain.

Of course, any book by Freud would not be complete without touching upon the subject of dreams, and he does not disappoint in this short book (which is really an essay). His theory of dreams and its relation to traumatic experiences is touched upon, although I was not too into the examples he gave based on war related trauma. However, it was his take on non-war related trauma which interested me more - neuroses are chiefly brought about by surprise or fright! It would seem to me that Freud is preoccupied with trauma, which is not surprising as this book was written not long after World War One.

The reader is given an example of a child’s (in fact Freud’s grandson) action in repeatedly (compulsion to repeat ) throwing a toy away and then only to retrieve it is the child’s illustrating the absence of his mother and his attempt to return to the situation as to regain control, which Freud’s psychoanalytic theory on this describes it as compulsive repetition - the unlikable situation of his mother’s going away is rewarded by the pleasurable moment of her return.

A distinction drawn on the basis of dissimilarity, compared to the pleasure principle, is how Freud sees it that one regains control by virtue of reliving or repeating unpleasant events, which what the child was supposedly doing with the toy he was repeatedly throwing away and retrieving.

I did not fully subscribe to the biological theory of the death drive, which Freud postulates by virtue of how the psyche impulsively repeats traumatic events.

In short, the book is saying something else which I fully subscribe to, and that is: we can take something negative and turn it into something positive! It is all about control of the situation. We have to weigh up benefit and loss. Then we have the overflowing desire within us, and that, at times, unpleasant acts can give rise to pleasant results. By all means, read it in a different light, but I always look to pull the positive out of a situation, and although this book did not tick all of my boxes I still found something of value within it.

]]> 3212747 Book by Pusser 120 Pusser 0941404862 Stephen 0 to-read 1.00 1988
author: Pusser
name: Stephen
average rating: 1.00
book published: 1988
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2013/01/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 1533332 217 Robert A. Ferguson 0139387382 Stephen 0 to-read 4.00 1980
author: Robert A. Ferguson
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1980
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2012/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 295954 1 400 Dalai Lama XIV 0007173172 Stephen 4 4.28 1997
author: Dalai Lama XIV
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.28
book published: 1997
rating: 4
read at: 2002/01/01
date added: 2012/08/27
shelves:
review:

]]> 72066 280 Immanuel Kant 0521566738 Stephen 4 3.95 1797
author: Immanuel Kant
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1797
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2012/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> 15756338 133 Stephen Richards Stephen 5
If I seem a little over the top about the Success Plan then that is because I am excited for you! Few other tools will be as beneficial in your life as this Success Plan. Step by step, it offers you the opportunity to take your life that one step higher each time you apply what is within.

My goal is to help you develop your strengths and to overcome your weaknesses. The object is to increase your ability as an individual; it is going to help to improve your self-esteem, confidence, and positive communication and all this will lead to an improved lifestyle for you.

There are numerous plans for success available to buy, however with this Success Plan the difference is simple. I will show you, step-by-step, how to obtain the correct mindset and how to discover how to find out exactly what you want out of life, what you are capable of, and how to get it, and all for free!

Within this Six Part Success Plan I will teach you how to communicate and how to read other peoples communication signals, and amongst other things I will show you, step-by-step with a specific action plan, exactly how you are going to succeed.

When you start to learn the hidden secrets to live a better life you will be able to take control of where you are going, finances and happiness. All of this is just one simple step away. With this Six Part Success Plan, attaining success has never been easier!

I believe that these kinds of principles should be taught in schools, as what better way to educate the young about how to secure success? If you are serious about changing your life for the better then this Success Plan is right up your street.
]]> 4.74 2012
author: Stephen Richards
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.74
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2012/05/01
date added: 2012/07/17
shelves:
review:
I rate this highly, but of course many may say that because I am the author that I would say that. I expect excellence of myself, I would not put my name to something that was not worth your effort in reading.

If I seem a little over the top about the Success Plan then that is because I am excited for you! Few other tools will be as beneficial in your life as this Success Plan. Step by step, it offers you the opportunity to take your life that one step higher each time you apply what is within.

My goal is to help you develop your strengths and to overcome your weaknesses. The object is to increase your ability as an individual; it is going to help to improve your self-esteem, confidence, and positive communication and all this will lead to an improved lifestyle for you.

There are numerous plans for success available to buy, however with this Success Plan the difference is simple. I will show you, step-by-step, how to obtain the correct mindset and how to discover how to find out exactly what you want out of life, what you are capable of, and how to get it, and all for free!

Within this Six Part Success Plan I will teach you how to communicate and how to read other peoples communication signals, and amongst other things I will show you, step-by-step with a specific action plan, exactly how you are going to succeed.

When you start to learn the hidden secrets to live a better life you will be able to take control of where you are going, finances and happiness. All of this is just one simple step away. With this Six Part Success Plan, attaining success has never been easier!

I believe that these kinds of principles should be taught in schools, as what better way to educate the young about how to secure success? If you are serious about changing your life for the better then this Success Plan is right up your street.

]]> 5470 328 George Orwell Stephen 5
Written by George Orwell in a remote Scottish farmhouse, on the remote Scottish island of Jura the central character of the book is Winston Smith. The alternative title for the book was "The Last Man in Europe", and was partly inspired by the meeting of the Allied leaders at the Tehran Conference of 1944. The story behind the book itself is almost as gripping as the story within. Orwell had already written “Animal Farmâ€�, now he was a widower and a single parent of an adopted son, and living in lodgings in Islington, London. So when the offer of a “holidayâ€� was given to him by a friend working for the Observer newspaper in 1946, Orwell jumped at the chance!

Well of course the winter of 1946-47 was terrible, Orwell was not in the best of health and here he was on the Scottish Isle of Jura! What to some may have seemed stark isolation was to Orwell a means to escape the rat race. The success of “Animal Farmâ€� had meant he was in demand from many sources, but in reality all Orwell wanted was some respite from what he called being “â€� more and more like a sucked orange." Jura was a welcome release!

George Orwell explained what writing a book for him was like: "Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven by some demon whom one can neither resist or [sic] understand. For all one knows that demon is the same instinct that makes a baby squall for attention. And yet it is also true that one can write nothing readable unless one constantly struggles to efface one's personality." I too as a writer have some empathy with what he says, hence my being intrigued to see what made the man tick and how this book came about â€� and of course the results of his being driven by some “demonâ€�.

Needless to say, Orwell struggled with the book, taking some two years to complete it. All what Orwell had for heating in the farmhouse was Calor gas, there was no electricity and he often had to burn paraffin lanterns in order to see at night time. As a writer today I still have an affinity with that, as I recall when I wrote one book I did some research on my subject matter by actually having myself locked away in “solitary confinementâ€� so I could get into the head of my subject matter, but it was nowhere near as tough as Orwell had it in his Spartan existence!

When you discover that George Orwell was the pen name of Eric Blair, it makes for more interesting reading! While on Jura, Orwell and his young son enjoyed the outdoor life together, fishing and exploring the island. Eric became increasingly more ill, contracting TB and having a spell in Hairmyres hospital, East Kilbride. In 1947 there was no cure for TB, but there was a new, experimental drug on the market, streptomycin. Astor arranged for a shipment to Hairmyres from the US.

In a bid to rid himself of TB, Orwell took excessive doses of the new wonder drug. The side effects of throat ulcers, blisters in the mouth, hair loss, peeling skin and the disintegration of toe and fingernails were horrific. However, miracles do happen and by March 1948, after a three-month course, the TB symptoms had disappeared.

By now Orwell was being pushed by his publisher for a manuscript ... a place I have also been. Orwell commented, “I am just struggling with the last stages of this bloody book.â€� However, Orwell believed, as many writers do, that it was bad luck to discuss work-in-progress. By 30 November 1948 it was virtually done and was published on 8 June 1949.

Any writer channeling from his or her mind to paper goes through a tough time, and only a writer can know what Orwell went through â€� we’ve all been there at some stage. This is what really interested me, to get into the mind of a top-flight writer, and it is no less than the mind of a writer penning his or her first novel.

George Orwell presents his vision and idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. The world he writes about is made up of three enormous authoritarian states that are constantly at war with each other! Big Brother often uses technological advancements to keep their respective Party members and masses under careful observation and control.

The protagonist of the novel is Winston Smith, a citizen of Oceania, one of the world's three superstates (which borders on what many are now calling NOW â€� New World Order). Obviously the year is 1984, and Greate Britain ha now become known as “Airstrip Oneâ€�. Oceania has a power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people (oligarchy). The Party's three slogans are: "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength."

Winson lives in a dilapidated Party housing building and works in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth, and has never quite accepted the principles of Ingsoc and the Party. There is no such thing as privacy, everyone has a telescreen in their home that sees all what goes on. Winston, though, is fortunate to have a small nook in his apartment out of the view of the telescreen, and it is in this nook that he begins to write in his diary, despite his overwhelming fear of being caught � and eventually he will be caught, but for now, however, he chooses to forge ahead with his rebellion by writing anti-Party feelings in a diary, a relic of the past he obtained from an old junk shop.

Working at the Ministry of Truth, Winston always has to be on guard to prevent his true feelings from being perceived by others. Keen to find out about life before the Revolution, Winston meets an old man in a prole pub, but to his frustration the man focuses on his own personal memories rather than on what Winston is interested in.

The rest of the book takes on a new twist when a seemingly a violently loyal Party member, a dark haired female, slips him a note which says “I love youâ€� on it! However, sexual repression is a tenet of Ingsoc. Of course, they eventually fall in love. Soon hopes of an underground movement called the Brotherhood transpire and become a real part of Winston’s life; here his true path towards rebellion has begun.

As with most of these sorts of plots, there is a conflict that arises in the hero’s life, and that is in the guise of the Thought Police when they storm a hideaway apartment Winston shares with his girlfriend Julia. At this stage the plot was readable, but still I had hopes of Winston winning the day. Winston and Julia are arrested, separated, and brought to the Ministry of Love. When the torture begins, Winston is forced to admit to a litany of crimes he did not commit, including murder and espionage. Broken to the core, Winston finally submits to his re-education.

Eventually Winston, a damaged, changed, empty shell of a man, is released into the world and obtains a somewhat trivial, meaningless job that pays surprisingly well. Te ending is not as ne would expect it to be � certainly not a happy one. Read it and find out for yourself, it enthralled me but for many different reasons than the actual content. For as I read it I entered the head of the man himself � George Orwell!]]> 4.15 1949
author: George Orwell
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.15
book published: 1949
rating: 5
read at: 1999/01/01
date added: 2012/07/03
shelves:
review:
Although this is a work of fiction, there is an intriguing reason within me as to why I read it � it seems to mirror our society! I had heard so much about this book that I felt it may be worth looking into. I mean, how could a book written in 1948 (published on 8 June 1949) evoke such thought and have such an accurate prophecy? I had to find out!

Written by George Orwell in a remote Scottish farmhouse, on the remote Scottish island of Jura the central character of the book is Winston Smith. The alternative title for the book was "The Last Man in Europe", and was partly inspired by the meeting of the Allied leaders at the Tehran Conference of 1944. The story behind the book itself is almost as gripping as the story within. Orwell had already written “Animal Farmâ€�, now he was a widower and a single parent of an adopted son, and living in lodgings in Islington, London. So when the offer of a “holidayâ€� was given to him by a friend working for the Observer newspaper in 1946, Orwell jumped at the chance!

Well of course the winter of 1946-47 was terrible, Orwell was not in the best of health and here he was on the Scottish Isle of Jura! What to some may have seemed stark isolation was to Orwell a means to escape the rat race. The success of “Animal Farmâ€� had meant he was in demand from many sources, but in reality all Orwell wanted was some respite from what he called being “â€� more and more like a sucked orange." Jura was a welcome release!

George Orwell explained what writing a book for him was like: "Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven by some demon whom one can neither resist or [sic] understand. For all one knows that demon is the same instinct that makes a baby squall for attention. And yet it is also true that one can write nothing readable unless one constantly struggles to efface one's personality." I too as a writer have some empathy with what he says, hence my being intrigued to see what made the man tick and how this book came about â€� and of course the results of his being driven by some “demonâ€�.

Needless to say, Orwell struggled with the book, taking some two years to complete it. All what Orwell had for heating in the farmhouse was Calor gas, there was no electricity and he often had to burn paraffin lanterns in order to see at night time. As a writer today I still have an affinity with that, as I recall when I wrote one book I did some research on my subject matter by actually having myself locked away in “solitary confinementâ€� so I could get into the head of my subject matter, but it was nowhere near as tough as Orwell had it in his Spartan existence!

When you discover that George Orwell was the pen name of Eric Blair, it makes for more interesting reading! While on Jura, Orwell and his young son enjoyed the outdoor life together, fishing and exploring the island. Eric became increasingly more ill, contracting TB and having a spell in Hairmyres hospital, East Kilbride. In 1947 there was no cure for TB, but there was a new, experimental drug on the market, streptomycin. Astor arranged for a shipment to Hairmyres from the US.

In a bid to rid himself of TB, Orwell took excessive doses of the new wonder drug. The side effects of throat ulcers, blisters in the mouth, hair loss, peeling skin and the disintegration of toe and fingernails were horrific. However, miracles do happen and by March 1948, after a three-month course, the TB symptoms had disappeared.

By now Orwell was being pushed by his publisher for a manuscript ... a place I have also been. Orwell commented, “I am just struggling with the last stages of this bloody book.â€� However, Orwell believed, as many writers do, that it was bad luck to discuss work-in-progress. By 30 November 1948 it was virtually done and was published on 8 June 1949.

Any writer channeling from his or her mind to paper goes through a tough time, and only a writer can know what Orwell went through â€� we’ve all been there at some stage. This is what really interested me, to get into the mind of a top-flight writer, and it is no less than the mind of a writer penning his or her first novel.

George Orwell presents his vision and idea of a society in a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. The world he writes about is made up of three enormous authoritarian states that are constantly at war with each other! Big Brother often uses technological advancements to keep their respective Party members and masses under careful observation and control.

The protagonist of the novel is Winston Smith, a citizen of Oceania, one of the world's three superstates (which borders on what many are now calling NOW â€� New World Order). Obviously the year is 1984, and Greate Britain ha now become known as “Airstrip Oneâ€�. Oceania has a power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people (oligarchy). The Party's three slogans are: "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength."

Winson lives in a dilapidated Party housing building and works in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth, and has never quite accepted the principles of Ingsoc and the Party. There is no such thing as privacy, everyone has a telescreen in their home that sees all what goes on. Winston, though, is fortunate to have a small nook in his apartment out of the view of the telescreen, and it is in this nook that he begins to write in his diary, despite his overwhelming fear of being caught � and eventually he will be caught, but for now, however, he chooses to forge ahead with his rebellion by writing anti-Party feelings in a diary, a relic of the past he obtained from an old junk shop.

Working at the Ministry of Truth, Winston always has to be on guard to prevent his true feelings from being perceived by others. Keen to find out about life before the Revolution, Winston meets an old man in a prole pub, but to his frustration the man focuses on his own personal memories rather than on what Winston is interested in.

The rest of the book takes on a new twist when a seemingly a violently loyal Party member, a dark haired female, slips him a note which says “I love youâ€� on it! However, sexual repression is a tenet of Ingsoc. Of course, they eventually fall in love. Soon hopes of an underground movement called the Brotherhood transpire and become a real part of Winston’s life; here his true path towards rebellion has begun.

As with most of these sorts of plots, there is a conflict that arises in the hero’s life, and that is in the guise of the Thought Police when they storm a hideaway apartment Winston shares with his girlfriend Julia. At this stage the plot was readable, but still I had hopes of Winston winning the day. Winston and Julia are arrested, separated, and brought to the Ministry of Love. When the torture begins, Winston is forced to admit to a litany of crimes he did not commit, including murder and espionage. Broken to the core, Winston finally submits to his re-education.

Eventually Winston, a damaged, changed, empty shell of a man, is released into the world and obtains a somewhat trivial, meaningless job that pays surprisingly well. Te ending is not as ne would expect it to be � certainly not a happy one. Read it and find out for yourself, it enthralled me but for many different reasons than the actual content. For as I read it I entered the head of the man himself � George Orwell!
]]> 865 197 Paulo Coelho 0061122416 Stephen 5
I feel we can compare ourselves to the character in such a way that we can superimpose the template of the story over our own lives, we are all in search of something.

There are just so many metaphysical props that we cannot ignore its relevance to the New Age that has dawned upon us. Pyramids, crystals and plenty of embedded commands go to shoring up the unlikely tale of a shepherd boy in search of his fortune, a rather updated Jack and the Beanstalk!

The moral of the story is simple; the treasure we seek lies in our own hearts! But on the way to discovering this, like ourselves, the shepherd boy is on a journey of discovery. A great book to lose yourself in ... try it! ]]> 3.85 1988
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1988
rating: 5
read at: 2006/01/01
date added: 2012/06/28
shelves:
review:
Simply written, yet enthralling. Perhaps some may have wished for a different literary style, but when you consider the story then it becomes apparent that the style meshes well with the central character ... a young Andulasian shepherd boy.

I feel we can compare ourselves to the character in such a way that we can superimpose the template of the story over our own lives, we are all in search of something.

There are just so many metaphysical props that we cannot ignore its relevance to the New Age that has dawned upon us. Pyramids, crystals and plenty of embedded commands go to shoring up the unlikely tale of a shepherd boy in search of his fortune, a rather updated Jack and the Beanstalk!

The moral of the story is simple; the treasure we seek lies in our own hearts! But on the way to discovering this, like ourselves, the shepherd boy is on a journey of discovery. A great book to lose yourself in ... try it!
]]> 12206461 "Republic" presents Plato's philosophical views on the nature of
justice and his vision for the ideal state.
THIS ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION - A concise introduction that gives the reader important background information - A chronology of the author's life and work - A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context - An outline of key themes to guide the reader's own interpretations - Detailed explanatory notes - Critical analysis and modern perspectives on the work - Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction - A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience
Simon & Schuster Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.]]> 568 Plato 1613820151 Stephen 5
I have to agree with some reviewers that there is a much needed update to the coherence of the fundamental ideas of Platoâ€Čs main argument. My main view is that this book does have some relevance to the modern world. Plato sets out to define what justice is, covering political to individual justice.

Anyone reading this book for the first time has to think what it was like when Plato was alive, far from where we are in society now. It is easy to fall into the trap of feeling that what he writes of is archaic and out of date � but if you can put yourself in his shoes while reading it then there is some sense in what he writes.

Admittedly, Plato does throw up some ideas that on immediate reading are rejected by the sane reader � abolishment of the family is one of these ideas, which is what life is based on, well sociologically speaking that is. However, when we see how society has developed today in the Western world then, perhaps, there was a need for stricter censorship of certain things. I walk into homes of people and find children, young children, in the presence of an adult playing a PlayStation game for over 18s! Little regard is given to the welfare of the child or children while the adult is playing such a game, all censorship has gone! Perhaps to some extent Plato had some meaning in his take on this subject of regulating.

We can take a stark warning from this book of what we have become, in a better way, than we would have had we followed the ideology within it, that is why I consider it a masterpiece! Yes, some of what you read is disturbing, and isn’t that so of modern art and the likes? I mean, look at some of the artwork installed in modern art galleries!

Regardless of the radical and impassioned disagreement about this book, or the enormous and disapproving audience of the works of Plato � Plato is a dealer in abstractions. As a philosopher and writer, Plato cannot be denied a place in history.

I have not read this as a Platonist, but as someone sorting the chaff from the wheat. Putting the zany things to one side, so long as such a book can evoke thought (free thought) then that Is a good thing, this is why I give it five stars � so that people like Socrates can give us the hope that this book does not, that is how I read this book.

The dialogue within the book is outdated, but we can imagine how Plato feeds words into the mouth of Socrates in order to get his ideas across to the reader. The analogies within are all graspable and give meaning to Plato's text. Should anyone seek a good translation of the original Greek text then may I recommend "Plato: Republic", which has been translated by George Grube which is the edition of choice for scholars of humanities. Certainly, love it or hate it, this book is food for thought!
]]> 3.90 -400
author: Plato
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.90
book published: -400
rating: 5
read at: 1996/01/01
date added: 2012/06/27
shelves:
review:
For many, Plato’s The Republic is, in my humble opinion, a masterpiece. Admittedly, it may be a difficult read for some to grasp but that may be due to the many subjects covered within, as each subject could warrant a book on its own. If a better understanding is sought then it may well help the reader to read Understanding Plato's "Republic" by Gerasimos Santas, as this analysis of the text has an emphasis on getting the reader involved in its debates and arguments.

I have to agree with some reviewers that there is a much needed update to the coherence of the fundamental ideas of Platoâ€Čs main argument. My main view is that this book does have some relevance to the modern world. Plato sets out to define what justice is, covering political to individual justice.

Anyone reading this book for the first time has to think what it was like when Plato was alive, far from where we are in society now. It is easy to fall into the trap of feeling that what he writes of is archaic and out of date � but if you can put yourself in his shoes while reading it then there is some sense in what he writes.

Admittedly, Plato does throw up some ideas that on immediate reading are rejected by the sane reader � abolishment of the family is one of these ideas, which is what life is based on, well sociologically speaking that is. However, when we see how society has developed today in the Western world then, perhaps, there was a need for stricter censorship of certain things. I walk into homes of people and find children, young children, in the presence of an adult playing a PlayStation game for over 18s! Little regard is given to the welfare of the child or children while the adult is playing such a game, all censorship has gone! Perhaps to some extent Plato had some meaning in his take on this subject of regulating.

We can take a stark warning from this book of what we have become, in a better way, than we would have had we followed the ideology within it, that is why I consider it a masterpiece! Yes, some of what you read is disturbing, and isn’t that so of modern art and the likes? I mean, look at some of the artwork installed in modern art galleries!

Regardless of the radical and impassioned disagreement about this book, or the enormous and disapproving audience of the works of Plato � Plato is a dealer in abstractions. As a philosopher and writer, Plato cannot be denied a place in history.

I have not read this as a Platonist, but as someone sorting the chaff from the wheat. Putting the zany things to one side, so long as such a book can evoke thought (free thought) then that Is a good thing, this is why I give it five stars � so that people like Socrates can give us the hope that this book does not, that is how I read this book.

The dialogue within the book is outdated, but we can imagine how Plato feeds words into the mouth of Socrates in order to get his ideas across to the reader. The analogies within are all graspable and give meaning to Plato's text. Should anyone seek a good translation of the original Greek text then may I recommend "Plato: Republic", which has been translated by George Grube which is the edition of choice for scholars of humanities. Certainly, love it or hate it, this book is food for thought!

]]> 818557 192 Stephen Richards 1902578244 Stephen 5
I have to admit, the parts in the book relating to the author (me) look to make him out to be a little abrasive and forthright. When you get through what is partly an autobiography, which is when the finer details of Cosmic Ordering are revealed, but revealed in a roundabout way ... and by use of various stories, which on first sight may seem irrelevant.

Written for the mass market, this book has a general readership in mind as opposed to the hardcore follower of Cosmic Ordering. This is a good grounding for anyone wishing to make inroads into the law of attraction. With a smattering of this and that, the book makes for an easy read.

The easy to follow instructions for preparing to use Cosmic Ordering are laid out quite well, and anyone with a modicum of intelligence will find them easy to follow. The parts relevant to Cosmic Ordering can be easily marked up for future reference, as no one wants to keep reading about how the author changed his life through Cosmic Ordering when, in fact, it is about the reader wanting to change their life!

I found this to be a fascinating read and still read some of the content I have marked up, and the follow up e-book (Kindle version) of the same title has been published as a radically re-written second edition. This means that it's easier to skip the chapters about the author, where he goes on about his poverty-stricken past. Is the author a man he himself would like to meet? Hmmm, I guess so! ]]> 3.70 2006
author: Stephen Richards
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2006/01/01
date added: 2012/06/27
shelves:
review:
Of course I like the book. I mean, I wrote it. So does this mean this is an unbiased review? Hmmmm, probably not, as Cosmic Ordering is a rather self-centered discipline! I know that some would not take into account the author's own review, rather preferring to take the view of an outsider, and I cannot blame them if that is the case. For many it may not seem right to write a review for their own book, but when you get to understand Cosmic Ordering and what it's all about then you will find that you do in fact think highly of yourself and have the confidence to believe in yourself and that your work is brilliant ... that is the strong belief Cosmic Ordering instills.

I have to admit, the parts in the book relating to the author (me) look to make him out to be a little abrasive and forthright. When you get through what is partly an autobiography, which is when the finer details of Cosmic Ordering are revealed, but revealed in a roundabout way ... and by use of various stories, which on first sight may seem irrelevant.

Written for the mass market, this book has a general readership in mind as opposed to the hardcore follower of Cosmic Ordering. This is a good grounding for anyone wishing to make inroads into the law of attraction. With a smattering of this and that, the book makes for an easy read.

The easy to follow instructions for preparing to use Cosmic Ordering are laid out quite well, and anyone with a modicum of intelligence will find them easy to follow. The parts relevant to Cosmic Ordering can be easily marked up for future reference, as no one wants to keep reading about how the author changed his life through Cosmic Ordering when, in fact, it is about the reader wanting to change their life!

I found this to be a fascinating read and still read some of the content I have marked up, and the follow up e-book (Kindle version) of the same title has been published as a radically re-written second edition. This means that it's easier to skip the chapters about the author, where he goes on about his poverty-stricken past. Is the author a man he himself would like to meet? Hmmm, I guess so!
]]> 716696
RENDERED INTO ENGLISH VERSE By EDWARD FITZGERALD. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS By EDMUND DULAC. GARDEN CITY, NY 1952.]]> 184 Omar KhayyĂĄm Stephen 5 4.35 1120
author: Omar KhayyĂĄm
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.35
book published: 1120
rating: 5
read at: 1982/01/01
date added: 2012/06/23
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The RubĂĄiyĂĄt is not just full of poetic expression, it is a depiction of a deeper joy within ourselves. It does not just delve into the limited control we have over our destiny, it shows that life is to be enjoyed ... as death is inevitable. This is food for the soul.
]]> 132464 Totem and Taboo was first published in 1913, it caused outrage. Thorough and thought-provoking, Totem and Taboo remains the fullest exploration of Freud's most famous themes. Family, society, religion - they're all put on the couch here. Whatever your feelings about psychoanalysis, Freud's theories have influenced every facet of modern life, from film and literature to medicine and art. If you don't know your incest taboo from your Oedipal complex, and you want to understand more about the culture we're living in, then Totem and Taboo is the book to read.]]> 224 Sigmund Freud 041525387X Stephen 4 3.86 1913
author: Sigmund Freud
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.86
book published: 1913
rating: 4
read at: 1999/01/01
date added: 2012/06/23
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]]> 7613
The book tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. Ultimately, however, the rebellion is betrayed, and the farm ends up in a state as bad as it was before, under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon.

One night, all the animals at Mr. Jones' Manor Farm assemble in a barn to hear old Major, a pig, describe a dream he had about a world where all animals live free from the tyranny of their human masters. Old Major dies soon after the meeting, but the animals � inspired by his philosophy of Animalism � plot a rebellion against Jones.

Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, prove themselves important figures and planners of this dangerous enterprise. When Jones forgets to feed the animals, the revolution occurs, and Jones and his men are chased off the farm. Manor Farm is renamed Animal Farm, and the Seven Commandments of Animalism are painted on the barn wall...]]> 129 George Orwell Stephen 5 3.90 1945
author: George Orwell
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1945
rating: 5
read at: 2003/01/01
date added: 2012/06/23
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]]> 85413 560 Sigmund Freud 0140137912 Stephen 3 3.89 1917
author: Sigmund Freud
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1917
rating: 3
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]]> 132436 The Ego and the Id ranks high among the works of Freud's later years. The heart of his concern is the ego, which he sees battling with three forces: the id, the super-ego, and the outside world.


Of the various English translations of Freud's major works to appear in his lifetime, only one was authorized by Freud himself: The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud under the general editorship of James Strachey.


Freud approved the overall editorial plan, specific renderings of key words and phrases, and the addition of valuable notes, from bibliographical and explanatory. Many of the translations were done by Strachey himself; the rest were prepared under his supervision. The result was to place the Standard Edition in a position of unquestioned supremacy over all other existing versions.
]]> 87 Sigmund Freud 0393001423 Stephen 3 3.85 1923
author: Sigmund Freud
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1923
rating: 3
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]]> 28862
1. So it is that to know the nature of a people, one need be a Prince; to know the nature of a Prince, one need to be of the people.
2. If a Prince is not given to vices that make him hated, it is unsusal for his subjects to show their affection for him.
3. Opportunity made Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, Theseus, and others; their virtue domi-nated the opportunity, making their homelands noble and happy. Armed prophets win; the disarmed lose.
4. Without faith and religion, man achieves power but not glory.
5. Prominent citizens want to command and oppress; the populace only wants to be free of oppression.
6. A Prince needs a friendly populace; otherwise in diversity there is no hope.
7. A Prince, who rules as a man of valor, avoids disasters,
8. Nations based on mercenary forces will never be solid or secure.
9. Mercenaries are dangerous because of their cowardice
10. There are two ways to fight: one with laws, the other with force. The first is rightly man’s way; the second, the way of beasts.]]> 144 NiccolĂČ Machiavelli 0937832383 Stephen 4 3.85 1513
author: NiccolĂČ Machiavelli
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1513
rating: 4
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]]> 7624251 Plato Stephen 5
We can take a lesson from this book, that if your beliefs drive you toward your dreams faster, then you should encourage them, entertain them, and enjoy them. They will inspire you and give you the strength to go on even when the obstacles seem insurmountable. They give you the power of confident righteousness, they arm you and give you the courage to go on.

Sadly, however, such beliefs are known to only a few, or are obeyed by so few. The vast majority prefer to wallow in self-restricting beliefs. They allow negative beliefs to build walls around themselves, cutting themselves off from wonders.

The Greek philosopher Plato illustrates this point perfectly in his book “The Allegory of the Cave,â€� and in it Plato describes a group of people who have been chained in a cave their whole lives, facing a blank wall. Behind them is a great fire which casts their own shadows on that wall before them. Because they know no better, the chained people believe those shadows are real, have form and independent existence.

He suggests that the true philosopher is someone who has freed themselves from their chains, is able to turn around and see the fire, and, through correct reasoning, is able to discern the true nature of the world. This philosopher is not fooled by the shadows, therefore, understanding that they have no independent existence beyond the people whose shadows they are.

As a consequence, I believe, one must ask oneself, therefore, which of our own beliefs serve us, and which hinder us. While one has the power to change one’s life and world for the better, we must also accept responsibility for those things which have hurt us and kept us back. Such beliefs have created mental obstructions which keep us from our true potential, arising as they have from one’s own negativity and ignorance.

They have kept us from seeing the many opportunities that are already there, and that have always been there for the taking. But like those people in Plato’s cave, we have turned ourselves from the light, and believe the shadows of ourselves to be the true nature of the world, believing that they are real and absolute. No one but our self chained us to that dark place in our mind. Only we have done that. Therefore, only we can free our self as do the true philosophers.

Unless we do, we place upon our self such self-restricting beliefs which are very destructive, and which result in idleness and in procrastination. We may not always recognize it as such, however, as we make excuse after excuse to put off till tomorrow what you can start doing right this very moment. Such a powerful message from Plato warrants five stars from me.
]]> 4.28 -380
author: Plato
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.28
book published: -380
rating: 5
read at: 2000/01/01
date added: 2012/06/16
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I rate this book by one of my favorite authors so highly because it examines belief in some detail. Belief in and of itself is neutral, but when they either help or hinder the fulfillment of your dreams, then they are either positive or negative, respectively. Beliefs that empower you or allow you, drive you forward, while those that do otherwise, hold you back.

We can take a lesson from this book, that if your beliefs drive you toward your dreams faster, then you should encourage them, entertain them, and enjoy them. They will inspire you and give you the strength to go on even when the obstacles seem insurmountable. They give you the power of confident righteousness, they arm you and give you the courage to go on.

Sadly, however, such beliefs are known to only a few, or are obeyed by so few. The vast majority prefer to wallow in self-restricting beliefs. They allow negative beliefs to build walls around themselves, cutting themselves off from wonders.

The Greek philosopher Plato illustrates this point perfectly in his book “The Allegory of the Cave,â€� and in it Plato describes a group of people who have been chained in a cave their whole lives, facing a blank wall. Behind them is a great fire which casts their own shadows on that wall before them. Because they know no better, the chained people believe those shadows are real, have form and independent existence.

He suggests that the true philosopher is someone who has freed themselves from their chains, is able to turn around and see the fire, and, through correct reasoning, is able to discern the true nature of the world. This philosopher is not fooled by the shadows, therefore, understanding that they have no independent existence beyond the people whose shadows they are.

As a consequence, I believe, one must ask oneself, therefore, which of our own beliefs serve us, and which hinder us. While one has the power to change one’s life and world for the better, we must also accept responsibility for those things which have hurt us and kept us back. Such beliefs have created mental obstructions which keep us from our true potential, arising as they have from one’s own negativity and ignorance.

They have kept us from seeing the many opportunities that are already there, and that have always been there for the taking. But like those people in Plato’s cave, we have turned ourselves from the light, and believe the shadows of ourselves to be the true nature of the world, believing that they are real and absolute. No one but our self chained us to that dark place in our mind. Only we have done that. Therefore, only we can free our self as do the true philosophers.

Unless we do, we place upon our self such self-restricting beliefs which are very destructive, and which result in idleness and in procrastination. We may not always recognize it as such, however, as we make excuse after excuse to put off till tomorrow what you can start doing right this very moment. Such a powerful message from Plato warrants five stars from me.

]]> 13508767
Whether you know who you are or have a reluctance to stand out from the crowd, this challenges you to determine what your personal internal commitment to success is. Anyone with a dream and the will to commit can apply these rules to anything at all. This book, a metaphor for success, is a maze of ideas that will help you turn your dreams into reality in whatever you want to achieve, whether in sport, business or in everyday life improvement.]]> 200 Steve Backley 1902578783 Stephen 5
The Olympic ethos used to be one of taking part and that anyone having done so should be happy at that. Well all of that has now changed, now it's all about the "S" word. Yes, you've guessed the word, SUCCESS. But not just success in the Olympic arena, but success that continues on into many other fields.

This book really does something for almost everyone, you don't need to be an Olympian to gain from this book. Whatever walk of life you are in then this book really can show you the way to success in such a way as to make reading about it enjoyable.

So flex your armchair and take in this far-reaching book, savour the words and go for gold.]]> 4.11 2012
author: Steve Backley
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2012/03/08
date added: 2012/04/20
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This is Olympic year, a time to flex our armchairs and watch the best of sports men and women from around the globe compete for a chance to make it big.

The Olympic ethos used to be one of taking part and that anyone having done so should be happy at that. Well all of that has now changed, now it's all about the "S" word. Yes, you've guessed the word, SUCCESS. But not just success in the Olympic arena, but success that continues on into many other fields.

This book really does something for almost everyone, you don't need to be an Olympian to gain from this book. Whatever walk of life you are in then this book really can show you the way to success in such a way as to make reading about it enjoyable.

So flex your armchair and take in this far-reaching book, savour the words and go for gold.
]]> 11707648 Stephen R. Covey Stephen 4 4.04 1989
author: Stephen R. Covey
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1989
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2012/04/09
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]]> 17297 176 Albert Einstein 0807615323 Stephen 4 4.52 2000
author: Albert Einstein
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.52
book published: 2000
rating: 4
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date added: 2012/03/28
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]]> 10073649 72 Albert Einstein 1445507838 Stephen 4 4.00 1983
author: Albert Einstein
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1983
rating: 4
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]]> 839556
Redesigned inside and out to have a fresh, appealing look, this new edition of a classic Crown Trade Paperback is a collection of Einstein's own popular writings on his work and describes the meaning of his main theories in a way virtually everyone can understand.]]> 208 Albert Einstein 0517884410 Stephen 4 4.14 1916
author: Albert Einstein
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.14
book published: 1916
rating: 4
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]]> 7062843 Assembled during Einstein's lifetime from his speeches and essays, this book marks the first presentation to the wider world of the scientist's accomplishments in the field of abstract physics. Along with relativity theory, these articles examine the methods of theoretical physics, principles of research, and the concept of scientific truth. Einstein's speeches to audiences at Columbia University and the Prussian Academy of Science appear here, along with his insightful observations on such giants of science as Johannes Kepler, Sir Isaac Newton, James Clerk Maxwell, Niels Bohr, Max Planck, and others.]]> 128 Albert Einstein 0486470113 Stephen 3 4.07 1934
author: Albert Einstein
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.07
book published: 1934
rating: 3
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]]> 712135 The first, third, fifth, and sixth lectures present his account of the revolutionary developments occasioned when he first applied the quantum hypothesis to blackbody radiation. The reader is given a valuable opportunity to witness Planck's thought processes both on the level of philosophical principles as well as their application to physical processes on the microscopic and macroscopic scales.
In the second and fourth lectures Planck shows how the new ideas of statistical mechanics transformed the understanding of chemical physics. The seventh lecture discusses the principle of least action, while the final one gives an account of the theory of special relativity, of which Planck had been an early champion.
These lectures are especially important since they reflect Planck's reconsiderations and rethinking of his original discovery of quantum theory. A new Introduction by Peter Pesic places this book in historical perspective among Planck's works and those of his contemporaries. Now available in this inexpensive edition, it will be of particular interest to students of modern physics and of the philosophy and history of science.]]> 176 Max Planck 0486697304 Stephen 3 4.22 1985
author: Max Planck
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1985
rating: 3
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]]> 1421031 English, German Max Planck 0470691050 Stephen 4 4.50 1972
author: Max Planck
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.50
book published: 1972
rating: 4
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date added: 2012/03/28
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]]> 11049127
Imagine getting four of the greatest minds of modern physics in a room together to explain and debate the theories and innovations of their day. This is the fascinating experience of reading Letters on Wave Mechanics , the correspondence between H. A. Lorentz, Max Planck, Erwin Schrödinger, and Albert Einstein.

These remarkable letters illuminate not only the basis of Schrödinger’s work in wave mechanics, but also how great scientific minds debated and challenged the ever-changing theories of the day and ultimately embraced an elegant solution to the riddles of quantum theory. Their collected correspondence offers insight into both the personalities and professional aspirations that played a part in this theoretical breakthrough.

This authorized book features rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.]]> 122 Albert Einstein 1453204687 Stephen 4 4.00 1963
author: Albert Einstein
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1963
rating: 4
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]]> 9399147 Buddhist Scriptures will satisfy your curiosity about the origins and meaning of Buddhism while revealing the faith's 2,500-year-old tradition of providing universal insights on how to lead a balanced, mindful life. Drawing from various teachings, quotes, and commentaries, this book is both an enticing introduction for newcomers and a reliable refresher for students of Buddhism.

]]> 116 Buddha 1567318290 Stephen 3 4.14 2006
author: Buddha
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2006
rating: 3
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date added: 2012/03/18
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]]> 14572
World-renowned Zen master, spiritual leader, and author Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how to make positive use of the very situations that usually pressure and antagonize us. For him a ringing telephone can be a signal to call us back to our true selves. Dirty dishes, red lights, and traffic jams are spiritual friends on the path to “mindfulness”—the process of keeping our consciousness alive to our present experience and reality. The most profound satisfactions, the deepest feelings of joy and completeness lie as close at hand as our next aware breath and the smile we can form right now.

Lucidly and beautifully written, Peace Is Every Step contains commentaries and meditations, personal anecdotes and stories from Nhat Hanh’s experiences as a peace activist, teacher, and community leader. It begins where the reader already is—in the kitchen, office, driving a car, walking a part—and shows how deep meditative presence is available now. Nhat Hanh provides exercises to increase our awareness of our own body and mind through conscious breathing, which can bring immediate joy and peace. Nhat Hanh also shows how to be aware of relationships with others and of the world around us, its beauty and also its pollution and injustices. The deceptively simple practices of Peace Is Every Step encourage the reader to work for peace in the world as he or she continues to work on sustaining inner peace by turning the “mindlessâ€� into the mindFUL.]]> 134 Thich Nhat Hanh 0553351397 Stephen 3 4.32 1992
author: Thich Nhat Hanh
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1992
rating: 3
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]]> 57854 Tao Te Ching, the esoteric but infinitely practical book written most probably in the sixth century B.C. by Lao Tsu, has been translated more frequently than any work except the Bible. This translation of the Chinese classic, which was first published twenty-five years ago, has sold more copies than any of the others. It offers the essence of each word and makes Lao Tsu's teaching immediate and alive.

The philosophy of Lao Tsu is simple: Accept what is in front of you without wanting the situation to be other than it is. Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it, for to try to change what is only sets up resistance. Nature provides everything without requiring payment or thanks, and also provides for all without discrimination—therefore let us present the same face to everyone and treat all men as equals, however they may behave. If we watch carefully, we will see that work proceeds more quickly and easily if we stop "trying," if we stop putting in so much extra effort, if we stop looking for results. In the clarity of a still and open mind, truth will be reflected. We will come to appreciate the original meaning of the word "understand," which means "to stand under." We serve whatever or whoever stands before us, without any thought for ourselves. Te—which may be translated as "virtue" or "strength"—lies always in Tao, or" natural law. In other words: Simply be.]]> 184 Lao Tzu 0679776192 Stephen 4 4.33 -350
author: Lao Tzu
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.33
book published: -350
rating: 4
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]]> 12651
These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has not ceased to stir vigorous debate since its first publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to wield authority over others, Rousseau argues instead for a pact, or ‘social contractâ€�, that should exist between all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of sovereign power. From this fundamental premise, he goes on to consider issues of liberty and law, freedom and justice, arriving at a view of society that has seemed to some a blueprint for totalitarianism, to others a declaration of democratic principles.]]> 168 Jean-Jacques Rousseau 0143037498 Stephen 2 3.80 1762
author: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.80
book published: 1762
rating: 2
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]]> 695125 348 Gilbert Ryle 0226732967 Stephen 4 3.93 1949
author: Gilbert Ryle
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1949
rating: 4
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]]> 19068 ‘One swallow does not make a summer; neither does one day. Similarly neither can one day, or a brief space of time, make a man blessed and happyâ€�

In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle sets out to examine the nature of happiness. He argues that happiness consists in ‘activity of the soul in accordance with virtueâ€�, for example with moral virtues, such as courage, generosity and justice, and intellectual virtues, such as knowledge, wisdom and insight. The Ethics also discusses the nature of practical reasoning, the value and the objects of pleasure, the different forms of friendship, and the relationship between individual virtue, society and the State. Aristotle’s work has had a profound and lasting influence on all subsequent Western thought about ethical matters.

J. A. K. Thomson’s translation has been revised by Hugh Tredennick, and is accompanied by a new introduction by Jonathan Barnes. This edition also includes an updated list for further reading and a new chronology of Aristotle’s life and works.

Previously published as Ethics]]> 329 Aristotle 0140449493 Stephen 4 4.00 -350
author: Aristotle
name: Stephen
average rating: 4.00
book published: -350
rating: 4
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]]> 12214795 192 Voltaire 2701159709 Stephen 3 2.98 1759
author: Voltaire
name: Stephen
average rating: 2.98
book published: 1759
rating: 3
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]]> 825452 James Surowiecki 0316861731 Stephen 4 3.76 2004
author: James Surowiecki
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2004
rating: 4
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]]> 7624 182 William Golding 0140283331 Stephen 4 3.70 1954
author: William Golding
name: Stephen
average rating: 3.70
book published: 1954
rating: 4
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date added: 2012/03/17
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]]>