Amazon.com Review
Opponents of the "Warrior-Statesman of the LakotaSioux" (as the subtitle dubs him) criticized Red Cloud(1822-1909) as duplicitous. In Robert Larson's sympathetic appraisal,Red Cloud's deliberate deceptiveness was part of a delaying tactic tosustain Lakota culture in an increasingly hostile environment. Eventually concluding that the white invaders could not be stopped, the fierce fighter became a wily negotiator who wrung some concessionsfrom the U.S. government as he presided over his people'stransition from nomadism to reservation life. It's a sad story, told with sensitive awareness of history's painful ambiguities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Red Cloud The Warrior & Statesman
Larson has written and published in 1997 a well-balanced biography of one of the greatest Sioux leaders in American history. His tireless efforts to protect the Sioux Lands from Army/US Government takeover and establish fair treaties is worth understanding as part of our history. As I grew up I learned about Geronimo, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse mainly from movies and other stories. Red Cloud was not featured yet played a strong role in the development of the Oglala Sioux nation. He became an intermediary who could work with the US government to fight and negotiate for his people. His attempt at being a peacemaker between his people and the US Government led to disappointment by the more militant members of the Sioux. He eventually filed for reparation payments and when received he was frowned upon. He is remembered by many as the once fierce Sioux warrior who was now at peace with the US government. He was quoted as saying at an event in 1889 "When I fought the whites,I fought with all my might. When I made a treaty of peace in 1869 -- I meant it, and risked my life in keeping my covenant" Much of this criticism came when he decided not to join Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull to fight the continuing breaking of treaties by the US governemnt. Hence, the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876 in which he did not support the effort. Many though remind us that he was the most feared warrior before Crazy Horse and only after he went to Washington and realized the enormous power of the white men did he change his approach for what he thought was the best for the Sioux people.This is not only an interesting read in history but one of leadership.

Red Cloud
This book is a good read.Every collection of American History should have it.

A exciting adventure
The book the Red Cloud is a really good book about the native american period. It talks about the history of one leader, Red Cloud. It talks about his life and his effect on the land and his people. He was a strong and couragous person. He stood up for what he believed in. He was kinda of like the the person in between, that is the person between the government and the tribes. Red Cloud did not favored the separation of people. He believed that we can coexist together. Red Cloud lived a long time for someone back then. This is a good book for educational purposes. It is a great tool for learning about the history of Native Americans. Even though this is an biography, it can still be a great learning experience for all.

For the most part, doesn't avoid the controversy
Along with Crazy Horse, Red Cloud is probably one of the best known
Native American leaders, at least by name.He is also probably the
most controversial.Some see him as a statesman and visionary
who,aware that war against the whites had become pointless, negotiated
in the best interests of his people.Others see him as self-serving
and vain, using white insistance on negotiating with "one true
chief" as a means to his own ends.

For the most part, Larson
weighs in on the side of statesman, but he doesn't fail to show the
other side too.He points out how Red Cloud would often make a point
of a small issue, that would benefit only him, at the expense of a
larger issue that affected his people.One example he uses is when,
on a trip to Washington in 1870, Red Cloud became sullen and withdrawn
until he was assured that his delegation would be given 17 horses to
for the trip from the train to the reservation.However, he largely
ignored the bigger and more important issue, of mining for gold in the
Black Hills.

Unfortunately, though, on the most controversial
issue, how much Red Cloud had to do with Crazy Horse's death, or at
least plans for his arrest, Larson is disappointingly vague.He does
acknowlege that Red Cloud was probably jealous of the younger leader.
Indeed, in the last chapter he notes that "...his role in this
tragic affair is probably the blackest mark against his name."
(p.302) Unfortunately, though, Larson doesn't cover the incident in
nearly enough detail.He implies that Crazy Horse truly was planning
to go back on the warpath, rather than fight the Nez Perce as
requested by Lieutenant Clark.He also makes no mention of any possible
misinterpretation of Crazy Horse's words by the less than reputable
interpreter Frank Grouard.Larson may have had good reason for
choosing to leave out some of this material. Certainly his list of
sources shows that the book is well-researched.Unfortunately, the
choice by the publisher, not to use footnotes in this particular
series makes it difficult to determine on what Larson bases his
assumptions.

On the whole, though, the book is well written, and
easy to follow.It is especially valuable for information about Red
Cloud's life before and after the Indian Wars, a period that is not
covered much in any history books.I can definitely recommend this as
a good introduction for those not familiar with the period, or for
those who simply want to know more about the role Red Cloud played in
those important times. However, I would follow it with a good
biography of Crazy Horse.

Worthy foe for the white man
Traditionally, stories of Indian leaders view them as temporarily dangerous nuisances the whites had to deal with during the reasonable andinevitable process of moving the Indians onto reservations. This book ispart of a new approach of looking at what an Indian leader tried to achievefor his people and assessing how he went about it and how successful he wasin meeting his own goals. There is much detail. Larson has been extremelythorough in his researches, and, though we do not really hear Red Cloud'svoice, we respecfully watch him do what he had to do to further hispeople's best interests. He didn't wear a suit or tie or have an Ivy Leaguedegree, but Red Cloud functioned very well indeed in opposing an alienforce. Anyone who thinks the earth may one day be invaded from outer spaceshould study Red Cloud. Thank you, Oklahoma University Press. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Clouds
Clouds is an excellent book.It gives a thorough background of the many types of clouds and how they affect our planet.I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about climate.The pictures in particular are outstanding and help to distinguish the many types of clouds.

Clouds by Eric Wilcox
This is a beautiful book and Eric's scientific input is concise and understandable for the layman.I thourghly enjoyed it and so do my guests that see it on my coffeetable.
Victoria Murphy

Nice combination of art and science
The pictures are big and the scientific/technical explanations are concise yet clear to the layman.This is a coffee table book - drink your coffee, look out the window, and think about how the cloud was formed and the physics of the atmosphere.

Nicely done.

Poor photos, an overpriced book
I know clouds are, by definition, "fuzzy". But this book seems to glorify that fact. I've seen many cloud books that have sharp photos, but perhaps shooting in UK, the air is kind of muddied. Very disappointing.

I didn't buy this book, but cataloged it for my library. ... Read more

Product Description
A practical handbook on positive confrontation by the authors of the award-winning and best-selling BoundariesSuccessful people confront well. They know that setting healthy boundaries improves relationships. They have discovered that uncomfortable---even dangerous---situations can often be avoided or resolved through direct conversation. But most of us don't know how to go about having difficult conversations. We see confrontation as scary or adversarial. We're afraid to ask a boss for a raise or talk to a relative about a drinking problem, or even address a relational conflict with a spouse or someone we are dating.In Boundaries Face to Face authors Cloud and Townsend take the principles from their best-selling book Boundaries and apply them to a variety of the most common difficult situations and relationships.* Explains why confrontation is essential in all arenas of life* Shows how healthy confrontation can improve relationships* Presents the essentials of a good boundary-setting conversation* Provides tips on how to prepare for the conversation* Shows how to tell people what you want, how to stop bad behavior, and how to deal with counterattack* Gives actual examples of conversations to have with your spouse, your date, your kids, your coworker, your boss, your parents, and moreFrom the BookSometimes people get confused in a confrontation because the other person gets them off track. If that happens, remember this formula. Empathize with their feelings or position, and return to your issue. Here's an example.Joe: 'I can't believe you were offended by my comments. You joke around more than anyone here. That's pretty hypocritical.'You: 'I understand it's hard for you to see, and I'm glad you meant it as a joke and weren't trying to be hurtful. What I'm telling you, though, and what I don't want you to miss, is how it affected me. It hurt me and I don't want to be talked to like that.' ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Easy Confrontation!
And you thought there wasn't any such thing as "easy confrontation".That's what we thought, but found confronting others can be not only easy, but also very peaceful and successful.Why get angry, look foolish, and get nothing settled when you can learn to confront people and situations as they occur in a way you're bound to be most satisfied with.Stop going home and wishing you'd said this or that.Learn what to say, when to say it, and how to be most successful with problem people and situations.Then you can go home satisfied with what you said and how things were handled, and get on with your life without looking back.

Knowing you are doing itright!
Having stepped in numerous cow pies over the years in my attempts to resolve people conflicts, I GREATLY appreciate a thorough, valuable guide to getting it right. I have found this to be a great reference book as I continue to practice the sensible, sensitive and solid advice offered in this book.

Best "Boundaries" Follow-Up So Far!
Many people would think by now the authors had gotten all the mileage possible from the "Boundaries" theme.After writing a best-selling book by the same title and a number of follow-ups, surely there is nothing left to cover.Cloud and Townsend here however, hit another home run by providing precious insights on how to have difficult conversations with the people around us, confronting others with the truth in Christian love.I won't go into detail with all the many positive aspects of this title -- I just realize as a pastor who has dealt with difficult people situations for over 25 years, this book is a God-send.I wish I had read it years ago.

I've read all of the "Boundaries" titles that build upon the original, and this one is the best of them.If you haven't read "Boundaries", read it then read this book.If you have read "Boundaries" then this volume is the one to read next.Obviously, I recommend it highly.

Speaking the truth in love
This book is a wonderful supplement to Boundaries!For those who are involved in learning how to set and live by boundaries, Boundaries Face to Face gives practical ways of handling inevitable challenges to your newly established boundaries.As always Drs. Cloud and Townsend explain their points from a Biblical perspective and they help their readers grow by challenging us to focus our attention upon the importance of the relationships we share with Christ and others.Since relationships are so vital to the Christian life, particularly in regards to spiritual growth, this book gives exemplary examples of how to mix grace with truth in our conservations so that we can speak the truth in love even in the midst of difficult conversations.

very practical and useful
This is a very useful, practical book on one of the most difficult areas of relationships:how to have open, productive, constructive conversations about relationship problems.The authors outline the benefits of a good confrontational conversation and then explain how to distinguish your real purpose for wanting to talk to someone, how to confront in a way that balances grace and truth, how to stay on-topic when discussing a hard issue with someone, and why and how to get ready in advance for difficult conversations.These down-to-earth practical skills, accompanied by many examples and case studies, are extremely helpful.

The last section of the book has separate chapters on how to engage in difficult conversations with parents, children, people in authority, spouses, etc.The omission of a chapter on friends is the only real fault I find with the book; I think people often have difficulties dealing with friend issues and some attention to this would have been extremely useful.

Overall, an excellent resource that provides encouragement and practical advice to anyone who has been putting off talking to someone about a difficult matter. ... Read more

Product Description
Andrew's father died when he was a baby, his mother is away all day at work, and now his beloved grandfather must go to the hospital. Upset and worried, Andrew begins to soil. With a visit to the pediatrician and to a therapist, Andrew gets the treatments he needs to feel better and start using the toilet again. This book contains a Note to Parents by psychologist Virginia Shiller, PhD, on the topic of soiling (encopresis), its causes, and its treatment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A story for kids who soil
I purchased this book for my six year old son who for the past few years has had serious stomach problems. After his doctor constantly reassured me that he was "perfectly" healthy I decided to get another doctor. We now have a correct diagnosis of endocresis and I bought this book to help him face first grade this coming Sept. It is a really touching story and shows that other kids go through the same thing. Highly recommended.

Normalizes the issue.
We were sent this book by our pediatrician and it was very helpful to our 8-year-old.The reading level was easier than she is used to but she was able to identify with Andrew.The book normalized her issues (hiding panties, accidents at school) since she feels like she's the only one, no matter how much we tell her she isn't.There's a book about it!

Great Help
My son really enjoyed this book.It helped him see that he was not alone.It also seems to have helped with the soiling.

Tender and uplifting, but aimed at much younger children
This little book is short and simple.The main problem is that it is clearly aimed at children who may not even be old enough to read it for themselves.Not that there's anything wrong with a grown-up reading to them, but encopresis affects many children that are over the first-grade reading level.(The little boy in the book appears to be approximately first or second grade.)

Unfortunately, there is very little out there in the way of useful, informative literature that addresses the medical and psychological aspects of these problems.Dr. Galvin is to be commended and congratulated for his efforts and insights on how to comfort, encourage, and challenge children (and parents) who deal with encopresis.Believe it or not, with patience and perseverance, this problem does end, and there is life after it.

My Son Got Instant Results From This Book
I read the story to my 4 1/2 year old son, after months of fruitless efforts to help him.He immediately identified with the boy in the story.I took him into the bathroom, intending to start with the first step suggested, however, my son proceeded through all the steps right then and there, and has not had an accident since!I couldn't believe it!I recommend this book to anyone with a child who has this problem. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Good Text Gets Even Better!
By revising and republishing this text, the Cistercian Studies series has done a great favor for those who need a solid yet understandable introductory text.It it used in all of the introductory theology courses as Spring Hill College, and students usually admit that the chapters are interesting and easily digested.The style is predominantly narrative, and periods of great theological consternation are highlighted with accounts of interpersonal conflict and even a touch of intrigue (a la Nestorius vs Cyprian).David Bell does a good job of maintaining objectivity in these debates, opening the murky world of what we would now call "heterodoxy," but which earlier antagonists referred to as nothing short of "heresy."Entering the details with enough depth to preserve accuracy yet still maintaining the level of an introductory text, the author demonstrates that all theological fighting is not necessarily fair, nor is it always accurately remembered.It is, after all, questionable whether Nestorius was actually a Nestorian.And the Arianism of Arius didn't always match the Arianism of the Arians!From this text your students will get a richer understanding of the historical, social, and theologial process by way of which the great Christian doctrines emerged.A brief caveat:if you're in search of detailed footnotes to assist you in deeper research, this is not the text you need.Bell avoids footnotes in order to keep the chapters "short and sweet."That's why I prefer it for an introductory course on Christian theology.It's best understood as a starting point, but for the college freshman or freshlady, it's a great place to begin.It's also a terrific text for clergy or religious educators who wish to introduce the topic of doctrinal development to the good folks in the pews.I recommend it often to friends who work in pastoral or educational settings and they have confirmed my positive opinion of the text. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by an anonymous English monk during the late fourteenth century, The Cloud of Unknowing is a sublime expression of what separates God from humanity and is widely regarded as a hallmark of Western literature and spirituality. A work of simplicity, courage, and lucidity, it is a contemplative classic on the deep mysteries of faith.

"Lift up your heart to God with a humble impulse of love and have himself as your aim, not any of his goods ... Set yourself to rest in this darkness, always crying out after him whom you love. For if you are to experience him or to see him at all, insofar as it is possible here, it must always be in this cloud and in this darkness." -- The Cloud of Unknowing ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The Cloud of the Unknowing
It was a joy to receive this Classic spiritual tome in such pristine condition.Thank you for the prompt delivery.

Great Spiritual Aid
I have read the first seven chapters of THe Cloud of Unknowing. It is a great spiritual aid for anyone interested in meditation or contemplation.

What's considered good spiritual reading these days?
This little book can be a spiritual director for you if you don't have one and feel called to contemplative prayer.

Read the whole book
If this is the book for you to read, be sure you read the whole book.

Strange and Intriguing
This is the strangest book on spirituality that I've read, but also one of the more intriguing.The author advocates approaching God by forgetting who you are and lifting up your heart in a humble impulse of love for the God who cannot be known at all.The book acknowledges traditional spiritual practices, but these are a prelude to the deeper union with God that happens only in darkness, in a cloud of unknowing.This book could be a powerful corrective to the certainties that often characterize religious people, if at the heart of the matter there is only unknowing. ... Read more

Product Description
Seven month of small reprisals since the Fetterman massacre had passed. Sergeant Seamus Donegan of the Army of the West had witnessed proud leaders--both Indian and White--steel themselves for the withering clashes to come. And on two consecutive summer days, battle erupted--drowning the Dakota Territory in a damburst of bloodshed: the Hay Field Fight and Wagon Box Fight of 1867.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

nice!
In new condition as advertised

As with most of his series could do without the main character's sometimes blatantly silly musings which interrupt an otherwise good account.

A good historical novel western
The second book of the Plainsmen series is really a payback story of the white man's revenge in Wyoming in the summer of 1867. Following the debacle of the Fetterman disaster the previous winter, the military regrouped to hand the Indians two good whippings on two successive days in early August. Both battles are explained in great detail as well as the major players on both sides of the conflicts. The odds were far from even as the Indians greatly outnumbered the soldiers who were determined to sell their lives dearly at all costs. Circumstances have Seamus Donegan, the author's hero, on hand to play a major part in the Hayfield Fight but in spite of this oafish, heavy-handed fictional character, the book is an entertaining slice of western history.

Read 'em all........
If you like some fiction thrown in with your history, this is the series for you, read them all and read them in order, as the series will take you on a ride through the Indian Wars and when you are finished, you will feel like you where there, in the snow and the rain and the 100+ degree heat, as all the while you were being stalked and hunted by the best of the Indian warriors......

Hope you will survive......

Review Red Cloud's Revenge by T. C. Johnston
Interesting and a pleasure to read.Have trouble putting the Plainsmen Series down as I begin to read each new book.What rich writings Mr. Johnston has left to us that have just discovered this treasure.

BIG BATTLES THAT DID NOT LAST LONG
THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE REVIEW JUST BEFORE ME HAS IT RIGHT ABOUT THE THOUSANDS OF WORDS NEEDED BY jOHNSTON NEEDS TO GET HIS POINT ACROSS. I DO LIKE HIS STORIES BUT I'M NOT A SPEED READER NOR DO I ALWAYS COMPREHEND EVERYTHING THE AUTHOR IS TRYING TO COMMUTE.THE TWO BATTLES IN THIS BOOK, "THE HAY FIELD FIGHT and THE WAGON BOX FIGHT " only lasted but just hours.I have read about these by other authors and they took only several pages and gave me just as much fact. ... Read more

Product Description
Cloud's Legacy continues to chronicle the saga of Cloud and his family on the wild slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Emmy-winning producer and author Ginger Kathrens tracks the life of Cloud, the stunning white horse profiled in the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary series, NATURE. Through harsh winters and glorious springs, Kathrens tracks the stallion and his band by combining extraordinary photographs with stunning imagery to tell the tale of one amazing animal's struggle to survive.

This book is perfect for both new fans and for those who wondered what happened to Cloud after the first book ended. Children who are interested in horses will be thrilled by this educational tale of wild horses and their hardships. Parents and teachers will also be intrigued by the dynamics of the wild horse bands living high up in the Rockies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Love it!!!
I love reading and looking at theCloud series books. I wish I was there.

Great!
A great book, it has even more information than the movie does about Cloud and his family. A must for Cloud fans and horse lovers.

Cloud the Wild Stallion
This is a marvelous book and companion to the video which deals with wild horses in the Rockies.The photography is superb and the author's style is easy reading while capturing the beauty of the wild horse.I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in horses, both domestic and wild.

Fabulous Book
The book is wonderful. Beautifully written and photographed. However, people should know that Cloud's herd of wild horses is in great danger of being rounded up and permanently removed from the Pryor Mountains in Montana which has been cleared of all other herds of Mustangs. The Bureau of Land Management has caved in to cattle and sheep ranchers who want all wild horses removed from the range, including Public Lands and areas such as the Pryor Mountains where cattle are not grazed.

Cloud Wild Stallion of the Rockies
The heck with being a book for teen girls ----- it is a book for all horse lovers and non horse lovers alike!Beautiful photos and a GREAT TRUE Story! It is WONDERFUL! ... Read more

Product Description
Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us, mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts, emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Must read
Everyone should read this book.I cannot express how eye opening it is.I learned so much about myself and my husband.We learned how to communicate effectively and respect each others boundaries.I suggest this for anyone who wants to learn how to communicate appropriately.

Should Have Read This Years Ago
Eye-opening book. I should have read this years ago. I have found new freedom from the knowledge in Boundaries, and have had several opportunities to help friends who were struggling because of what I learned here. I also notice in all the TV shows how poor the people's boundaries are...I am aware now. Recommended for all people who can read. ... Read more

Product Description

Do you feel that if you could get rid of some of the chaos in your work life, you could take your performance to a greater level? Do you stay late at the office many nights, trying to empty an inbox that never seems to diminish? Do you have difficulty dealing with cantankerous bosses or passive-aggressive coworkers? Do you find yourself checking your BlackBerry—almost against your will—during dates, family dinners, or your children's soccer games? If you've answered yes to any of the above, chances are you feel fragmented, pulled in too many directions at once, frustrated. Your work life has taken over your personal life.

Customer Reviews (10)

Great Book On Having a Successful Career Without Compromising Your Personal Life
"The One-Life Solution" by Dr. Henry Cloud is a very timely title in times like these:an ever-increasingly competitive market wants to force employees to work longer hours just to keep a job at the expense of family and personal life.

Cloud covers some important topics such as:

1.Learning to say no when necessary.
2.Have time for yourself (family, friends, hobbies, community involvement, etc.).
3.Do a personal audit and consider what area(s) of your life may need change.
4.How to make sure technology (email, voicemail, Crack/Blackberry, etc.) does not impose on your personal life).
5.Take steps to add value to your personal worth (education, etc.) and improve yourself so you may have more bargaining power with others.

A great and timely read.Read and enjoy and be challenged!Highly recommended.

Best Work Life Balance Book I Have Ever Read
As an aficionado of both business books and of self development books, I have long been interested in the intersection of these two worlds. Author Dr. Henry Cloud has written the best of the many books I have written about this intersection.

There is so much I liked about this book. First, I so like the thoughtfulness with which the author relates the challenge that we face as our work world and our personal life have merged together due to the instant communication that has become such a part of our lives. Second, I found the author to provide a wonderful balance between a scientific response and a pragmatic response to this challenge. This is not some "happy talk" book. Nor, is it a dry academic piece. Dr. Cloud is a clinical psychologist who communicates in a way that makes his prescriptions both enlightening and interesting. Third, the author strikes a beautiful balance between offering us hope for a better balance and not promising nirvana.

Not surprisingly, central to Dr. Cloud's philosophy is using "boundaries" to create a life that effectively weaves together work, family and spirituality. I say not surprisingly, because Cloud is author of an earlier book devoted to this subject. I have not read that book, but it is my next step in absorbing the exceptional wisdom of this author. Having personally learned and begun harnessing the power of boundaries over the last decade, I feel a kindred connection to the author's pragmatic use of this important psychological technique.

This book has quickly become my personal favorite to give as a gift to friends suffering overwhelm from the stresses of their work life. It really is that good!

It's not the economy; it's your "boundaries"!
Henry Cloud (a psychologist who did his dissertation on "leadership personality" - a concept that has no meaning in the actual field of psychology) tells us that, in an era of increasing work hours for decreasing pay, our problem is our "personal boundaries."We need to stop thinking about workplace reform, unionization, or a living wage and start drawing pie charts about our values and "planning conversations about our conversations."Extra bonus: The first person to blurb this book was Dr. Phil.

I've turned my life around....
As an owner of my own design business I cannot express, both the business and personal benefits of this book. It will make you more profitable, more fufilled, less stressed and all around ahead of where you were before....

Dr. Cloud has an impeccable ability to communicate to the reader in a straight forward, no bull kind of manner .... perfect for the multi-tasker, busy professional.

A must read!

Interior Design Professional

Getting it all together
Henry Cloud once again gives a fine exposition on how to live your life without inherent conflicts. ... Read more

Product Description

On Cloud Nine presents a unique program of math instruction that uses manipulatives, mental imagery, and specific language to help students develop the underlying math concepts necessary for reasoning and problem solving with numbers.

On Cloud Nine® is outlined here in its sequential steps: beginning with the most basic concepts of counting, adding, and subtracting, the program progresses to word problems, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals. On Cloud Nine® instruction can be used for first-time learners or as an effective intervention program for students who have long struggled with math skills. This manual provides sample lessons, instructional theory, and useful techniques for implementing On Cloud Nine in one-on-one or group settings.

Product Description
In 1851, Elanor Creesy, in a position almost unheard of for a woman in the mid-nineteenth century, served as the navigator on the maiden voyage of the clipper ship Flying Cloud -- traveling from New York to San Francisco in only eighty-nine days. This swift passage set a world record that went unbroken for more than a century. Upon arrival in San Francisco, Flying Cloud became an enduring symbol of a young nation's frontier spirit. Illustrated with original maps and charts as well as historical photographs, David Shaw's compelling narrative captures the drama of this maritime adventure.

Though spotty in its documentation and full of invented dialog,Flying Cloud is a spirited and capable reconstruction of theclipper's voyage, and an interesting glimpse into the days of the tallships. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Interesting read but too much fabricated dialog
This book contains some very interesting factual information, but unfortunately too much fabricated and romanticized dialog.The author obviously has a great knowledge of sailing and the sea at the time of the clipper ships, but I found myself frequently skimming through the book to avoid the tedious fictional content.

Good Book, Good Read!
This is not a history book, nor does it claim to be. So if you are a sailing purist, looking for a true history of what actually happened on Flying Cloud's maiden voyage, you will be disappointed.

If, however, you are looking for a good historical novel, and there is nothing wrong with using a novel's format to teach truly GOOD history, then you will be delighted. Based as much on fact as could be assembled, this is a story about the remarkable accomplishment of an excellent navigator who utilized as much of the scientific advances of her time as was then currently available, to achieve truly remarkable results.

I think most reviewers miss the point of this work. Eleanor Creasy, the story's pivotal character, was likely the first navigator on a truly fast ship to incorporate Matthew Fontaine Maury's, Physical Geography of the Sea. This compendium of seasons, winds, and currents flew in the face of all previous navigational works back to the beginning of time. It was the most remarkable sailing advance ever. Its impact on sailing was akin to the impact the Internet has had on the world over the last 20 years. Eleanor's adoption of it, her use of the most advanced scientific navigation tool of her time, is the reason HER achievement, not Maury's, stood for over 100 years. Her drive to win, to succeed in the great sea races of her time, her willingness to take risks no one else took, is the true essence of her story.

And those characteristics, when combined with what had to be her own innate excellence as a navigator, are why her achievement stands so tall.She really had to be quite remarkable as an 1850s navigator: Why else would she have been entrusted with her ship's owners and her husband, the captain's, complete confidence. She simply had to be darn good before this trip. Thinking outside the box, as she likely often did, is what made her great.

This is a good book. Don't miss it.

The invented bits ruined it for me.
Normally I will read and enjoy just about any non-fiction concerning the age of sail, but the non-fiction in this book gets drowned out by the (painfully obviously) contrived 'inner thoughts' of many of the participants.

I cannot recommend you buying this book if you are hoping for a factual account of the construction and maiden voyage of a famous clipper (even though the actual reasearch that was done is adequate, if only just) , and, honestly, I cannot recommend this book to someone looking for a romantic fictionalized version of the same thing either. The romantic fiction stuff, in addition to being such pure invention, clunks something awful.

A must for Clipper Enthousiasts
Sitting in my reading chair with my 3 feet Flying Cloud model (which took about 18 months to build) beside me, the story of the record breaking journeyto San Fransisco became really alive. With the detailed descriptions of all things happening on board it seemed as if my scale model came to life. I really enjoyed reading it!

A Renaissance woman in Victorian times
A very informative and gripping story about sailing clipper ships "around the horn" in the 1850's.Ellen Creesy was truly a woman ahead of her time who, as navigator of the Flying Cloud, stood along side her husband, Perkins, in setting a world record of 89 days for passage from New York to San Francisco.This book gives a good idea about what life was like aboard ship, not just for the officers and crew, but also for the passengers.It took an intrepid person to embark on such a journey, willing to face unknown dangers and take enormous risk.David Shaw has done an excellent job in a compelling and well-written account of one such voyage. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

A Remarkable Mystical Work
This is one of the most beautiful and spiritual uplifting works I have ever read!

Good writing, lousy edition
Although the work itself is magnificent, this particular edition of it is very disappointing. It looks nothing like what's pictured here (and I checked the link to make sure I ordered the right one). The one I received is an oversized purple volume. It appears that someone just xeroxed an earlier edition of the work and bound it together. Also this edition has almost no footnotes or translation, and some of the medieval text is a bit difficult to understand. I'd recommend the penguin edition.

Gem of Western Spirituality
A very interesting description of a contemplative discipline conveyed intimately from an unknown teacher to an unknown student. The text is a mystic exploration of the divine that rejects the use of the intellect and the imagination, preferring an inner knowing, like a numinous experience based on feeling, a gnosis of the heart. An important theme is the difference between the active and the contemplative personality; others include the awareness of self, death of the ego, and advice on leading the contemplative life. Although this writing is deeply embedded in Christian tradition and I disagree with many of these beliefs, I still admire the author's gentleness and sense of humor. All spiritually-minded people will benefit from a study of this almost poetic text. The most beautiful sentiment is this: "For it is not what you are nor what you have been that God regards with his most merciful eyes, but what you would like to be."

Breathtaking
This is a beautiful translation of one of the most exceptional surviving mystical works.

What words can capture the breadth of a mystical work that, five minutes into reading it, brings forth tears of ecstasy running down the reader's cheeks?

Whoever wrote these words was most certainly one close to God, and Underhill's translation is incredible.

Read it. The scope is breathtaking.

Oh Heavenly Father, I beg you:fill me with your Being!

Blessings,

Stephan Vrudny

A Mystic in the Mists
This very gently edited version of The Cloud of Unknowing is a must readfor aspiring mystics or those who seem to be becoming mystics throughlittle intent of their own.The language of this edition captivates byretaining many of the 14th century original phrases and is easilyunderstood, despite antiquity, by any reader who already feels to be withinGod's mists. ... Read more

Product Description
The poverty-striken village of Golema Mmidi, in the heart of rural Botswana, is a haven to the exiles gathered there. When a political refugee from South Africa joins forces with an English agricultural expert, the time-honoured subsistence farming is challenged. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Thoroughly enjoyed this book
I had purchased this book years ago while in college and it was just taking up space on my bookshelf.I finally got around to reading it and I am so glad that I did.It is a wonderfully written and poignant story.That love prevails at the end is just icing on the cake.Highly recommended.

rare portrayal of African village life
A story about a black refugee from South Africa who finds a new home and the meaning of life in a small Botwana village.This book is a rare contemporary well-written portrayal of African village life, values, and impediments to progress.

A new perspective, but could be improved
"When Rain Clouds Gather" follows an African refugee named Makhaya across the border from South Africa into Botswana.He settles in the village of Golema Mmidi, where he starts life anew.Makhaya meets and Englishman by the name of Gilbert Balfour, who Makhaya joins to help ameliorate the life of the villagers.

The book concentrates mainly on the agricultural aspects of this rural African life.This subject was quite irksome at times, including several pages devoted to the subject of the grain millet.Those pages provided a very relevant point regarding the fact that many Africans wouldn't eat millet, because it was eaten by "lesser" tribes, even though it was a much tougher crop than what they were growing at the time.The author Bessie Head also provided a different perspective from the normal American viewpoint on political and social relations in this southern African country.

Notwithstanding the good description on life in a different part of the world, this book was quite platitudinous in nature.The writing lacked originality and style, which may discourage a reader.Admittedly, there may not have been any kind of action in rural Africa, but the plot line of this book went at a lethargic pace.Many of its subplots died off into nothingness, not to be mentioned again.For example, the political advisor to the chief of Golema Mmidi was mentioned a few times in the beginning of the book, giving the impression that he would play an important role later on.But partway through the story, he departs to a different part of the country, never to return.The book also lacked a definitive ending.

Generally speaking, "When Rain Clouds Gather" offers a good view into bucolic Africa.However, this fresh perspective does not make up for the lack of plot.

Poorly written, random digressions, and very boring
When Rain Clouds Gather has to be one of the most boring books I've ever read. The structure is way off as the author randomly describes different parts of the story that have long been forgotten or are irrelevant. Descriptions of characters, places, and background information occur way too often, sometimes taking up more than half of each chapter.

The story also switches focus randomly and way too often with no transitions and characters pop up out of nowhere. Most of these characters have no relation to the main story and I feel that they were just added in to make the book longer (for some stupid reason).

When Rain Clouds Gather is incredibly boring and I'm sorry to say that I would NOT recommend this book to ANYONE.

A compelling look at life in rural Botswana
"When Rain Clouds Gather," the novel by Bessie Head, tells the story of a black South African refugee named Makhayo. He crosses the border into Botswana and becomes part of the village of Golema Mundi, whose members are experimenting with new agricultural methods under the tutelage of a white Englishman named Gilbert Balfour. Makhaya quickly becomes entwined in the political and social lives of Gilbert and the villagers.

This book offers a fascinating look at rural African life. Head's topics include social and political change, conflict between science and traditional ways, tribalism, the role of traditional African chiefs, religion, race relations, and male-female relations.

Overall, a compelling story. The author bio at the beginning of the book notes that Head was herself born in South Africa and eventually was granted Botswanan citizenship. For a good companion text to this novel, try "the Villagers," by Jorge Icaza. ... Read more

Product Description
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Alaska in the waning days of World War II, The Cloud Atlas is an enthralling debut novel, a story of adventure and awakening—and of a young soldier who came to Alaska on an extraordinary, top-secret mission…and found a world that would haunt him forever.

Drifting through the night, whisper-quiet, they were the most sublime manifestations of a desperate enemy: Japanese balloon bombs. Made of rice paper, at once ingenious and deadly, they sailed thousands of miles across the Pacific...and once they started landing, the U.S. scrambled teams to find and defuse them, and then keep them secret from an already anxious public. Eighteen-year-old Louis Belk was one of those men. Dispatched to the Alaskan frontier, young Sergeant Belk was better trained in bomb disposal than in keeping secrets. And the mysteries surrounding his mission only increased when he met his superior officer—a brutal veteran OSS spy hunter who knew all too well what the balloons could do—and Lily, a Yup’ik Eskimo woman who claimed she could see the future.

Louis’s superior ushers him into a world of dark secrets; Lily introduces Louis to an equally disorienting world of spirits—and desire. But the world that finally tests them all is Alaska, whose vastness cloaks mysteries that only become more frightening as they unravel. Chasing after the ghostly floating weapons, Louis embarks upon an adventure that will lead him deep into the tundra. There, on the edge of the endless wilderness, he will make a discovery and a choice that will change the course of his life.

At once a heart-quickening mystery and a unique love story, The Cloud Atlas is also a haunting, lyrical rendering of a little-known chapter in history. Brilliantly imagined, beautifully told, this is storytelling at its very best.


From the Hardcover edition.Amazon.com Review
In his gorgeous debut novel, The Cloud Atlas, Liam Callanan merges fact and fantasy in a dual narrative set in Alaska amidst the waning days of World War II. In a hospice care facility Louis Belk is an aged priest providing religious comfort and confession to a dying friend, a Yup'ik shaman named Ronnie. But, as Ronnie reaches the final stages of life, Belk begins a confession of his own.

The narrative turns back to young Belk's career as a bomb disposal specialist during the war. When Belk witnesses a bizarre balloon explosive kill several soldiers at Fort Cronkhite outside of San Francisco, he is summarily shipped to Alaska to join a top secret military unit dedicated to uncovering the mystery of what turn out to be Japanese balloon bombs (Callanan based this story on an actual Japanese program that was largely covered up by the US government during the war). Belk's commanding officer, Captain Gurley--a cross between Conrad's Colonel Kurz and Melville's Ahab--is a disgraced former OSS man with a Princeton pedigree and an artificial leg. The leg is a permanent reminder of his failure to defuse his first balloon bomb, and it fuels an obsession to discover and collect all such bombs in the future. In possession of a captured leather-bound atlas filled with maps and neat Japanese script, Gurley is also convinced that the Japanese are about to launch far more deadly cargo on the balloons, perhaps spies or plague virus. Meanwhile, Belk and Gurley become embroiled in an explosive love triangle with the local fortune teller, Lily, a woman with an uncanny ability to read people's lives but unable to understand her own destructive passions or escape her demons.

In unfolding this complicated story, Callan manages to keep the development of Belk, Lily, and Gurney in an almost perfect balance with the telling of a well-paced and compelling war-time narrative. Callanan enriches the novel with details of 1940s bomb disposal procedures and provides a thorough anatomy of Japanese balloon bombs. He also establishes Alaska--a place seemingly caught between American and Yup'ik culture--as a space for American magical realism, where spirit animals and Catholic mysticism can cohabitate. As a first effort, The Cloud Atlas is all silver lining. --Patrick O'Kelley ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

The Cloud Atlas by Liam Callanan
I thought the little-known fact of the Japanese Balloon bombing was very interesting, and I believe it alone could have supported the entire story line without all of the added mysticism, introspection etc. (Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction) Also the book contained way too many flashbacks (back stories). I was at times confused then bored by the 'First Person' presentation, however some scenes in the book captured my complete attention.

Gifted writer
I had read this author's "All Saints" recently and so looked for another of his books.Although I preferred the emotional content in "All Saints" and his success in seeing through a woman's eyes and speaking in a woman's voice, the psychological and cultural material in "The Cloud Atlas" was mesmerizing !The author did a magnificent job of weaving a dramatic story line and interesting little-known-to-me factual information of the Japanese balloon bombs that landed in the USA during WWII. He definitely added an important page in Alaskan history and geography.His characters in both novels are well-developed and maintain the reader's interest throughout.I now am anxiously awaiting Mr. Callanan's next book.Hurry !

Fantastic buy.
This incredibly low priced book arrived in a timely matter and in even better condition than I expected.

The Bookschlepper Recommends
[Two books by the same title were published the same year; the other of this name went on to the best-selling list. I bought this one in error but, as it was about Alaska, I kept it and have now read it.] During WWII, the Japanese bombarded the US mainland with incendiary balloons. This campaign was not revealed until after the war. This is the story of a young man sent to defuse the bombs; he also needs to defuse his commander. A local Yup'ik woman fortuneteller is involved with both men as well as a Japanese spy. Lovely scenes of Alaska but also new information on the balloon campaign. Well-written and suspenseful, the book adds a hint of native spirituality to the mix and the story moves along nicely.

Great Book
This book is about a priest sitting by his dying friend, who happens to be a Shaman.Much of the book is set in Alaska during World War II.The main character is about a young man who was disposed of balloon bombs during the war. It turns out this really did happen, though I had never heard about this fascinating part of our history.It is hard to explain the book really and it isn't the type that I usually read. I was afraid I'd be turned off by the war setting because that really isn't my thing but I LOOOVVVEEDD this book.It is moving, dramatic, and was one of the best books I've read in a while. To me, this book deserves 5 stars. ... Read more

Product Description
"Green" has gone mainstream, and for many companies caring for the environment is not just a philosophy, it’s a marketing strategy. So how does a company that’s genuinely committed to green principles differentiate itself from its greenwashing competitors?

Customer Reviews (35)

The Gort Cloud
I have always been interested in books about marketing and economics and I have always been interested in helping save the environment. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this book but was pleasantly surprised. People and companies have been dropping the word 'green' lately but few probably walk the walk. This book profiles those that do, my favorite chapter was the one about Spencer Brown and Earth Friendly Moving. After realizing what a waste corrugated cardboard had become when moving, Spencer literally went green, painting converted bio-fuel burning Mercedes bright green to promote his brand of for rent, reusable, recycled plastic totes. It took a few first adopters, an e-mail list and some trade shows and now Earth Friendly Movers is an award-winning company. It is nice to see people get rewarded for doing good, honest work. And as a consumer who has purchased Ben & Jerry's and Stonyfield Farm products before, now I am slightly more aware of how committed they are to environmental causes. And they have done it all along because it is the right thing to do, not just because it was the hot button topic of the hour. I hope they can remain true to their roots even though they have been bought mostly by multinational corporations. The actual Gort Cloud inside the front and back covers gave me some helpful links as well. I try to be conscious of decisions I make relating to the environment, I am not claiming to be green, but I can claim to be aware and this book is a great read.

What makes a 'green' company?
What makes a company green?How are green companies different from mainstream companies?This is what the authors of The Gort Cloud set out to discover. The book has over 30 interviews with leaders of the green business movement, including Seventh Generations Jeffrey Hollender and Stonyfield Farms Gary Hirshberg, among many others.

What is The Gort Cloud?It's what the authors call the 'green network' of companies, educational resources, green business news, etc. that form to help the green movement and green companies thrive. Each case study has detailed information on how each company made it's way to success.

A great book for anyone interested in starting a green business, making their business more green or just reading about how other's have done so.

Green affects everyone.
Being in the health care profession, my clinic is serious about minimizing our environmental impact, specifically- reducing our medical and biohazardous wastes which is always professionally disposed by a "green" waste management co.We're emphasizing the usage of recycled paper products and biodegradble supplies.We're also interested in the networks that has enabled companies to create their successful green brands.

"The Gort Cloud" has provided us with twelve extensively researched and clearly documented (real not hypothetical) case studies detailing a variety of companies and their green protocol which involves vast networks of people, companies, organizations, government agencies, media, etc. This is an informative book that has provided my clinic with enlightening perspectives on how companies can be successful yet still care about the ecological future of our planet. It's hip to be green.

more marketing than science
This book contains great case studies of a number of companies and the forces that guided their decision making towards green branding.It is not much of a case study towards objective "life cycle analysis" of what goes into every product we consume and the supply chain that creates it.The faith that the "invisible force" puts into its own knowledge pool is highly dependent on objective information that is often too complex to drop into a paragraph or two.I was expecting a bit more science from this read, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

The Gort Cloud is the real "Green"
This book was of particular interest to me as I am currently working
on a small business that has a "green" element. I have always
disliked all of the companies that produce products, and make the
packaging green, and call it "good for the environment." However, on
the other end of being a consumer it is very difficult to select
products that are truly green with out doing research on the company's
practices.I really enjoyed reading the individual companies stories
and found myself more inspired to be "greener" in not only my life but
in my business. ... Read more

Product Description
Ideal for small groups, this DVD helps husbands and wives move beyond the friction points and serious hurts in their marriages to build a stronger, more loving and intimate relationship. Designed for use with the Boundaries for Marriage Participant’s Guide, the DVD includes eight interactive group sessions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Marriage Boundaries
An excellent tool to help each partner decide what is theirs to do, and what needs to be left to their partner to do.This reduces fighting (if they both view this and agree to it), and could lead to a better marriage! ... Read more