Birds of Prey: A Novel of Suspense

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After 20 years in the Seattle Police Department, J.P. Beaumont has been put out to pasture. The hero of 14 J.A. Jance crime novels has called it quits after the murder of his partner. But if Beau is out to pasture, what is he doing out at sea? Beau is on the Starfire Breeze, an Alaskan cruise ship, "for one reason and one reason only: to serve as my newlywed grandmother's chaperon."

He's also getting mistaken for a gold-digging gigolo by a band of middle-aged divorcées, led by one Margaret Featherman, who carries an anything-but- featherlight grudge against her ex-husband, successful neurosurgeon Harrison Featherman. Is it just a coincidence (as both claim) that Margaret and Harrison are on the same cruise ship? Or that Margaret is doing her best to seduce one of her husband's patients, who in turn has a crush on the good doctor's daughter?

But the biggest potential coincidence of all is a horrific one, when Margaret is pushed overboard into the icy Alaskan waters. The only witness to the murder is an Alzheimer's victim. But when Beau starts poking around (after mistaken identity issue number two, in which the captain conveniently assumes he's an FBI agent), he discovers that Harrison was himself the target of a conservative medical ethics group with a deadly agenda. As the ship moves slowly amidst the icebergs, Beau finds out that there's a lot hidden under these particular waters.

When Jance concentrates on the mechanics of her story, this Beaumont novel is perfectly entertaining. But when she strives for sentiment (or humor), her style tends toward an aw-shucks ham-handedness. Here's Beau talking about his partner, killed by an abusive ex-husband: "Her sons are orphans, and no amount of psychobabble from Dr. Majors is going to change that. No amount of talking it over and 'getting it out of my system' will alter the fact that Sue won't be there to see her boys graduate from high school or college. She'll never be the mother of the groom at a wedding or have the chance to cradle a newborn grandchild in her arms." If Beau is thinking about coming out of retirement, one hopes he'll stick to the basics. --Kelly Flynn

Book Description

The Statfire Breeze steams its way north toward the Gulf of Alaska, buffeted by crisp sea winds blowing down from the Arctic. Those on board are seeking peace, relaxation, adventure, escape. But there is no escape here in this place of unspoiled natural majesty. Because terror strolls the decks even in the brilliant light of day... and death is a conspicuous, unwelcome passenger. And a former Seattle policeman -- a damaged Homicide Detective who has come to heal from fresh, stinging wounds -- will find that the grim ghosts pursuing him were not left behind ... as a pleasure cruise gone horribly wrong carries him inexorably into lethal, ever-darkening waters.

Download Description

Special Feature: This PerfectBound e-book contains: " World Famous Beaumont Bromides" a collection of classic quotes and sayings from Seattle Police Department Detective J.P. Beaumont. A survivor of childhood trauma, two marriages, twenty hard years with the Seattle Police Department, and the bottle, Jonas Piedmont Beaumont has spent far too much time trolling the darker waters of human nature. In the wake of a devastating professional tragedy, he has decided, at long last, to pull the pin. But there is no safety in semiretirement for a man who, long ago, chose to make a violent world his home. Temporarily at leisure, Beau has agreed to chaperon his newly wed grandmother on her honeymoon cruise to the Gulf of Alaska. His time aboard the Starfire Breeze is meant to be an enjoyable diversion, a respite to allow some deep psychological wounds a chance to heal in the bright sun and clear, crisp northern sea air. It also places him squarely in the sights of a feisty group of middle-aged divorcées.

Customer Reviews:

A relaxing cruise spells trouble for JP Beaumont. .......2007-09-04

This really wasn't my most favorite books by Jance.

JP Beaumont, retired detective, or so he thinks, is on an Alaskan cruise ship, The Starfire Breeze. He went also for the purpose of watching over his elder grandparents, Lars and Beverly Piedmont.

When Margaret Featherman is pushed overboard by an anonymous killer on the ship, the troubles begin. JP tries to unravel what has happened, and in the next few days after another death occurs with an Alzheimer's patient, Mike Conyers. These two events are seemingly unrelated, as Lucy Conyers was tired of caring for her ailing husband, and JP suspects she pushed him off the train they were on to put her husband out of his misery as well as herself.

JP tries to solve the mystery, while calling in his two detective friends from the FBI to help. Margaret Featherman reappears again, but soon as she does, more danger is lurking around the corner when she is found not to have drowned at all, but is very much alive.

I find the climax, (a very weak one), disappointing in the end. It was boring at the beginning, got a bit better in the middle when Naomi, another suspect comes into the picture and whom JP falls in love with, actually, but then the plot just dies from there and is not exciting at all. I've read other books that were better.

Definately not on par with other J.A. Jance novels.......2006-03-29

Boring!! I was disappointed. In fact, I disliked it so much, I only finished about 3/4 of the book. That is very uncommon for me as I alway push through as I want to give the author a chance to turn it around. I just could not do it with this book.

Decent but Different.......2005-09-20

I've read this book a couple times and it really isn't Jance's best. Actually it doesn't even come close. Beaumont, the main character is still present but that's where the similarities to a lot of the other books really end. I do have to recognize the author's talent in capturing a cruise along the inside passage from Seattle to Alaska. Jance did a great job of portraying the sites and sounds of the cruise as well as some of the little cities along the trip. Overall though it was not enough to make up for the struggling storyline that this novel provides. As a long time fan of Beau and Jance I know I will probably read this book again, just probably not in the near future.

Disappointing to say the least!.......2004-11-05

If you are an avid Jance fan and have come to like and expect fast-paced action and lots of excitement from the "Beaumont" books, don't buy this one. I usually can't quit reading a Beaumont book. I've stayed up well past my bedtime on many, many, many occasions because I just couldn't put the book down. I will usually spend hours reading the whole book in one setting. But this book.....well, it just doesn't cut it. I've started and stopped it on several occasions to read something else and only came back to it when I needed "filler" reading. For one thing, several characters have undergone major personality changes. Beverly, who was previously sort of a mousy, quiet, obedient character has suddenly become fiesty and mouthy and full of independence. And I scarcely recognized Lars. And the plot is too contrived and the whole Kiksadi, Quicksady, Quixote thing is really stupid. If this is the first Beaumont book you've read, please read some of the older books. You will enjoy them. But don't read this one.

Praying for More.......2004-09-27

J.A. Jance has assembled a very formulaic, almost made-for-tv suspense story. If Jim Rockford had been willing to go on a cruise to Alaska, this thin story could have been filmed thirty years ago.

The characters are stereotypical and the whole plot revolves around clumsy situations of mistaken identity. The protanganist is Beau Beaumont, straight from central casting, a washed-out police detective, who lost his partner and two wives, but appears to be winning a battle with sobriety.

Unfortunately for the reader, but perhaps fortunately for Beau, he agrees to chaperone his ancient grandparents on a cruise. Of course, the trip includes stops in places where his grandfather had fished commercially 50 years ago, and old friends are found on every street corner. Next a murder occurs on the ship, but it is not really a murder, as another of Beau's new forty-something friends seems to have aquatic abilities, on a par with Mark Spitz, and finds her way to safety.

Of course this thing is full to the brim with tales of adultry, jealousy, new love, dementia, substance abuse, domestic abuse, right-wing conspiracy, and seasickness, much of which happened many years ago, or is totally irrelevant to the plot.

Birds of Prey might be suitable for very light beach reading, especially if you have a lot of kids to watch and find it difficult to concentrate, as this does not require much effort. By the middle of the book, you will have it figured out, and be wondering what is taking Beau and Jance so long to wrap it up.

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Birds Of Prey - A Novel Of Suspense
J. A. Jance
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IX0630

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Birds of Prey: A Detective Novel
Lawrence Kinsman
Manufacturer: Abelard Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0964881756

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Birds of Prey: A Novel of Suspense
J.A. Jance
Manufacturer: HarperLargePrint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEFFA2

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Van Giesen's characters drive the suspense-driven plot

Raptor: A Novel of Suspense
Judith Van Gieson
Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0060161671

Book Description

A steady law practice, a stash of tequila, a lover she calls the Kid—only a debt of the heart to her dear, dead aunt Joan could compel Neil Hamel to leave Albuquerque for Montana in search of a bird. No ordinary winged creature, the Arctic falcon is a near-mythic figure, a cool killer who likes the meat around the heart.

In pursuit of this elusive species, Neil witnesses a sight even more awesome—a body plunging off a cliff. Soon she is swept into a murder case that brings together militant environmentalists and high-stakes poachers, federal investigators, and even an Arabian prince. Suddenly, in a wilderness where she has no shelter and little chance for survival, Neil is the target of human predators.

Lawyer/sleuth Neil Hamel is swept into a murder case that involves militant environmentalists and high stakes poachers.

Customer Reviews:

Van Giesen's characters drive the suspense-driven plot.......2003-02-07

In this Neil Hamel mystery, the death of Neil's distant aunt leaves Neil with a diary and a plane ticket to observe an environmental miracle, the white Arctic falcon. But instead of seeing the glorious falcon, Neil and her birding party see a body flying off a cliff. Little does Neil realize that the trip she decides to take to Montana to see this bird will turn out to be a search for a murderer:

"'It wasn't a falconer, I'm tellin' you. There are plenty of other people around who hated Pederson's guts. The man had it comin' and goin'.' He climbed down from the fence. 'You give my best to March. Goodness is a rough trail, especially where he is. And don't forget to say hello to that girlfriend of his, Kate.' He grinned. 'Now there's a woman with spirit. She can park her boots under my bed anytime she wants to.'"

Van Giesen moves Neil and her mysterious love, the Kid, from Albuquerque: where if the hot sauce isn't burning your throat it has no taste; to the dangerous regions of Montana, where the greatest danger can be anything from a snowstorm that catches the birders unaware; to the horrible traps used on beautiful, unsuspecting, and diminishing animals for profit; to the people themselves, whose motives are hidden by the wide-open skies and mountains. Neil tries to adjust as she sleuths for March, the wrongfully accused ranger. Van Giesen's characters drive the suspense-driven plot; at the same time throwing in quirks of Neil's which make her all the more human. Neil is a lovable neurotic: from her smoking and drinking habits, to her "inappropriate" relationship to the Kid, to her turning her nose up at anything that remotely resembles food. The reader pictures an Ally McBeal galloping around the hillsides with heart and clothes flapping. But somewhere she finds the strength to get the job done, before she resumes her nonconformist lifestyle. Raptor is a delight, and Neil does it her own way.

A very popular mystery writer from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Judith Van Gieson is an author who has a plethora of information on the web, and enough name recognition so that her author bio simply includes the names of some of the catalog of mysteries she has written, including: North Of The Border, Confidence Woman, and Vanishing Point. Van Gieson is

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

Book Description

Is her heart pure enough to survive the necklace's curse?

Knowing that she alone can protect her sister from the Baron Harwood, their lecherous stepfather, Victoria Temple Whiting snatches the family's heirloom necklace, believed to hold the power to bring great happiness or terrible tragedy, to pay for their escape to London. Terrified that the baron will find them, Victoria poses as Tory Temple and finds employment as a servant in the household of handsome Cordell Devlin, the scandalous Earl of Brant.

The sisters' arrival couldn't have been more welcome. In need of a new mistress, Cord turns to Tory, whose wit and intellect intrigue him. But when the baron discovers the girls' whereabouts, Cord learns Tory's secret--her noble birth. Furious that he has compromised the daughter of a peer, Cord must decide--marry Tory and keep her safe, or allow his stubborn pride to deny his heart.

Customer Reviews:

Shocked!!!.......2006-06-28

I am a Kat Martin fan, but this book was a shock. This book had some interesting events, but Martin's abrupt ending to those scenes only made the book worse. The main man was not someone I would consider a hero, because of his mistrust of the main heroine. The main woman was constantly lying, which always made the situation worse... I mean, man she couldn't confide in someone she loved, and that only made him mistrust her more, making her lies annoying. My opinion would be to get this book at a local library, insteading of buying it if it is one that you really want to read.

The first of the Necklace Trilogy.......2006-05-17

The Bride's Necklace by Kat Martin is fun historical mystery romance novel. Tory and Claire escape their abusive step-father and find themselves servants for the Baron Harwood. Cord the Baron Harwood is the market for a new mistress and find himself with two young options living in his own home. This book has some great twist and has some amazing heartache. Enjoy!
Check out The necklace trilogy:The Bride's Necklace (1), The Devil's Necklace (2) and The Handmaiden's Necklace (3).

The end made up for a slow start.......2006-04-13

I will skip the plot review because there are so many here. A friend gave me the entire Necklace trilogy, so I was very disappointed when i could barely get through the first book in the series. The first half was painfully slow with too many characters. Victoria's sister, Claire, just seems like a complete waste of time (other than serving a quick reason for Tory to run away). The hero was fairly one dimensionsal (and has been done before too many times to count). The story was just too predictable in general. It seemed that Ethan's story was just thrown in to get us ready for The Devil's Necklace and didn't really fit with the rest of the story. I doubt I would read another Kat Martin book if I didn't have the whole series already here, but I have read so many good reviews of her that I am determined to give the next book a shot. If you are a fan of her writing you will probably like this novel. If you are new to Kat Martin, some other amazon reviews could probably point you towards a better book of hers.

Unimpressed..........2006-02-23

From the back cover:

Is her heart pure enough to survive the necklace's curse?

Knowing that she alone can protect her sister from the Baron Harwood, their lecherous stepfather, Victoria Temple Whiting snatches the family's heirloon necklack, believed to hold the power to bring great happiness or terrible tragedy, to pay for their escape to London. Terrified that the baron will find them, Victoria poses as Tory Temple and finds employment as a servant in the household of handsome Cordell Easton, the scandalous Earl of Brant.

The sisters' arrival couldn't have been more welcome. In need of a new mistress, Cord turns to Tory, whose wit and intellect intrigue him. But when the baron discovers that girls' whereabouts, Cord learn Tory's secret--her noble birth. Furious that he has compromised the daughter of a peer, Cord must decide--marry Tory and keep her safe, or allow his stubborn pride to deny his heart.

And my review:

This was the first book that I tried to read by this author, and if I didn't have a couple of other novels by Kat Martin on my 'to be read' shelf, I wouldn't give her another try. This novel was uninspiring, uninteresting, and downright annoying at times.

My problems? First: the author's writing style. She wrote this book in tons of tiny little sections and pieces. Just when things would start to get interesting, the section would be over and the story would jump to the next day. The focus was so choppy that I was never able to get drawn into the book.

Second: the hero was nothing more than a sex fiend, in my humble opinion. Honestly, he seemed to think about nothing but getting laid! A healthy sexual appetite in a hero? Fine. A hero who thinks about nothing but getting a woman (any woman, it seems) horizontal? Gross. This just made him into a lecherous scum, to me. I couldn't like him. Put it this way: I want a hero who thinks with the head on his shoulders, instead of the one...well...you get my drift.

Third: the heroine's constant lies. I know that she felt it was necessary to lie in order to protect her sister, but this just got to be really grating after a while. In fact, the only character in this book that I liked was Tory's sister, Claire.

Fourth: the whole reason that they have to get married made me hate the hero even more. He's seduced the daughter of a peer, and he's angry because he has to make it right. Oh, I see: if Tory was really a servant, then his seducing her would be okay? What a revolting attitude. Every woman deserves respect, not just the ones of noble birth. Yes, I know that this is a historical novel, but this attitude of the hero's really spoiled the book for me, and I quit reading it. After reading the other reviews, about how Tory and Cord love each other, but won't admit it (I HATE that in a romance novel), I'm glad I didn't waste any more of my time reading this. Even the lure of finding out about the curse of the necklace wasn't enough to inspire me to finish this book.

I will try some more of this author (since I bought a couple of her other books at a garage sale) and see if she can redeem herself. Unless you're a die-hard fan of this author, or of books where no own can ever say what they mean, I wouldn't recommend "The Bride's Necklace".

Exciting Reading set in 1800s England.......2006-01-18

The first of a trilogy by Kat Martin set in the early 1800s in England. It was unusual for women to have much spunk in that day and age, but Ms. Martin gives us beautiful women with plenty of sass and handsome men to chase after them. The Devil's Necklace, second in the trilogy is also good reading. I'd recommend them both for a cold rainy afternoon and a warm fire.

3 PBs by Kat Martin: The Bride's Necklace, The Handmaiden's Necklace, Heart of Honor

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3 PBs by Kat Martin: The Bride's Necklace, The Handmaiden's Necklace, Heart of Honor
Kat Martin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VHNDYC

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Paperbacks

The Necklace Trilogy: The Bride's Necklace, The Devil's Necklace, The Handmaiden's Necklace (Set of 3 Historical Romance Novels)

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The Necklace Trilogy: The Bride's Necklace, The Devil's Necklace, The Handmaiden's Necklace (Set of 3 Historical Romance Novels)
Kat Martin
Manufacturer: Mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000W0ZBXE

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Bride's Necklace

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1417666412

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The Bride's Necklace
Kat Martin
Manufacturer: Mira Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000KMDADM

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The Bride's Necklace
Kat Martin
Manufacturer: Mira Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NP3UH2

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The Bride's Necklace #2
Kat Martin
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0743482190

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The Bride's Necklace #3
Kat Martin
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0743482204

HANDMAIDEN'S NECKLACE (BRIDE'S NECKLACE, NO 3)

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HANDMAIDEN'S NECKLACE (BRIDE'S NECKLACE, NO 3)
KAT MARTIN
Manufacturer: Mira Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J3IJPQ

Necklace Trilogy - The Bride's Necklace - The Devil's Necklace - The Handmaiden's Necklace

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Necklace Trilogy - The Bride's Necklace - The Devil's Necklace - The Handmaiden's Necklace

Manufacturer: mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000IAIVP8

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Three (3) massmarket Paperbacks.

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Gary Gygax's Living Fantasy: Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds, Vol. 3
Gary Gygax , Matt Milberger , Brian Swartz , and Jason Walton
Manufacturer: Troll Lord Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Gary Gygax's World Builder: Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds Vol. 2

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Gary Gygax's Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds Volume 6: Nation Builder (Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds)

Gary Gygax's Extraordinary Book of Names (Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds Volume IV)

The Canting Crew (Counter Pack Series, 1)

ASIN: 1931275343

Book Description

This second volume in the Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds series marshals a veritable host of information for the game designer. Unburdened with flavor text this tome is a collection of militantly organized definitions, lists, tables and charts with an army of information from the mundane to the extraordinary. The World Builder covers outdoor settings, indoor living settings, merchandise with a completely illustrated armor and weapons section and everyday facts from the government structure to the tensile strength of rope.

Book Description

This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. This new deluxe printing of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again by seekers treading the spiritual path. The classic Sutras (thought-threads), at least 4,000 years old, cover the yogic teachings on ethics, meditation, and physical postures, and provide directions for dealing with situations in daily life.

Customer Reviews:

Patanjali's yoga sutras brought to life by a modern master.......2007-08-20

The collection of concise yoga sutras, put together by Patanjali are an important read for any yoga practitioner--teacher or enthusiast. Swami Satchidananda has translated the ancient text into meaningful and practical explanations which really apply to modern living. This is not just a one time read, but rather a wonderful guide to reflect upon often. The text is organized into four books geared to inspire and teach a yogic way of life. Yoga is not a religion of any sorts but rather an eight limbed path leading us from suffering to freedom. The details of how we develop this peace are all included in the book. I highly recommend this book in particular because of its clear and thoughtful translations.

easy reading, great comprehension.......2007-05-07

I love this book! Easy to read, simple explanations from Sri Swami Satchidananda, allows you to dive deeply on the true meaning of each Sutra. Truly a book commented by an enlightened soul.

Wonderful book!.......2007-04-11

I enjoy reading this book! The author quite obviously knows what he is talking about. He gives wonderful explanations and provides insights to the Yoga Sutras. I am learning a great deal from his commentaries on Pantanjali's humanity-benefiting work.
Thank you, Swami Satchinananda!

Could it be more condescending?.......2007-02-06

I have two other versions/interpretations of the yoga sutras. I was actually quit surpised by sutra 2 of this book. He refers to the "chitta vritti" as "mind stuff." Mind stuff? Please. How about a real explanation. Definately written for an American audience whom he regards as very simple. I read a couple more sutras but really couldn't take it as it was just ridiculous.

If you are the type of person who would be happy being told that there is "mind stuff" taking place inside your brain and it is far too complicated for you to understand then by all means buy this book. Otherwise, try the Four Chapters of Freedom. It offers much more thorough explainations and it treats its audience with respect.

How to tell a good commentary on the Sutras.......2007-01-04

How to choose a useful commentary on the Sutras? A rule of thumb is to examine the author's take on the first five sutras. These are the ones in which Patanjali defines what Yoga is and in a nutshell points to what the enlightened state is. Authors who have no idea either don't get this, or are not able to explicate it well. Satchidananda is one of the happy few who are able. An illustrative comment is on P7, in reference to Sutra 3: "You are that true Seer. You are not the body or the mind." The thing that makes the Satchidananda commentary reliable is that he never loses sight of that intrinsic point of the first, definitional sutras. Beyond a certain cultural context, Satchidananda does not abandon "no-body and no-mind" for a moralistic exhortation. He keeps clear sight of the concept-free nature of universal reality.

This version is not as good as the out-of-print The Authentic Yoga Sutras of P Y Deshpande, nor does it have the clarity of Osho's limited commentary - but it is miles ahead of commentaries of some of the more famous names in contemporary Yoga.

Jani Baker
Principal, Australian College of Classical Yoga.

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