The Dragon Can't Dance (Karen and Michael Braziller Books)

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A Book With A Great Lesson (And one minor flaw)

Good Not Great Story,

A Luminous Portrait

Double Vision in Carnival

I felt as if I was back In TRINI

The Dragon Can't Dance (Karen and Michael Braziller Books)
Earl Lovelace
Manufacturer: Persea Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The Lonely Londoners (Longman Caribbean Writers Series)

ASIN: 0892552727

Book Description

Lovelace's classic novel of Carnival. Carnival takes on social and political importance in this recognized classic. The people of the shantytown Calvary Hill, usually invisible to the rest of society, join the throng and flaunt their neighborhood personas in masquerade during Carnival. Aldrick, the dashing "king of the Hill," becomes a glorious, dancing dragon; his lovely Sylvia, a princess; Fisheye, rebel idealist, a fierce steel band contestant; and Philo, Calypso songwriter, a star. Then a business sponsors Fisheye's band, Philo gets a hit song, and Sylvia leaves the Hill with a prosperous older man. For Aldrick, it will take one more masquerade—this time, involving guns and hostages—before the illusion of power becomes reality.

Customer Reviews:

A Book With A Great Lesson (And one minor flaw).......2004-11-23

I picked this book by using the "pick a random book with your eyes closed" method at the library.

For an American this book can be tough to start. The "poor talk" that Lovelace used throughout the book can be a little tough to get through, but don't give up! It is too good of a book to let one minor flaw stop you. (And a little secret: As the book progresses, Lovelace seems to have trouble keeping up the "poor talk" and becomes a lot smoother to read).

Lovelace's use of description is almost without comparison. He has Hugo's gift of description without having to use chapters to describe a building, person, or general area. His one line descriptions hit so dead on that you almost feel as if you are standing in "the Hill".

The story itself is also an amazing read, but most reviewers seemed to have missed the biggest purpose behind this book (whether Lovelace intended it or not, it is the overall theme). The major theme is that we all judge people without knowing them fully. We hold people back because we don't like the partial picture we are presented. We never take the time to learn the whole story. As you read the book, you think to yourself how you want to be better. You don't want to judge. You vow to yourself that you will stop, when suddenly the last paragraph hits and you realize, "Wow, I am STILL judging without the whole story, maybe it's not possible to stop." If the last paragraph did not make you think this, I suggest you reread the book and think about each character and how you feel about them.

Overall, an amazing read. Lovelace writes an amazing book, with the only flaw being that the "poor talk" seems a little forced. As the book progressed, he seemed to get into a more comfortable area.

Definitely Recommended!

Good Not Great Story,.......2004-07-08

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this story but in all honesty I thought it was a GOOD but not GREAT story. A little too stiff for me. I did like the characters but at times the reading got a little too much like work just trying to get to another part of the story that was a little more fun and not as much work. [I think I said that right], nothing personal just one reader's opinion.

A Luminous Portrait.......2003-09-28

In Earl Lovelace, without exception, we have the Master Storyteller of the Caribbean. Even years after its publication (1979 and 1998), "Dragon" remains peerless as an authentic, forceful voice of postcolonial Trinidadian society. Nowhere else have the intricacies of carnival been more profoundly explored and dissected than here by the artful mastery of prose in this defining portrait. Lovelace's stinging critique of race and politics is poignant and luminously presented. With heavy symbolism and sensitivity, the story reaches successfully beyond Caribbean life to touch the larger human condition itself. The central figure of Aldrick (whose "mission" is to performa the Dragon dance during carnival) embodies a entire people's frustrations and aspirations. This is an unexaggerated powerful tale by one my absolute favorite Caribbean writers. This story is timeless and one of Lovelace's best creations, far surpassing, in my opinion, his other wonderful novels like "The Wine of Astonishment", "The Schoolmaster", or even "Salt." Anyone sincerely interested in Caribbean culture and literature will find this novel indispensable reading.

Alan Cambeira
Author of AZUCAR! The Story of Sugar (a novel)

Double Vision in Carnival.......2003-04-26

The "double vision" of Caribbean life is portrayed in the life of Aldrick who is caught between generational and cultural conflicts. And all of this during Carnival! The Dragon Can't Dance was almost prophetic in the depiction of the commercialization of Mas. Change always brings choice and Lovelace's characters highlight the necessary pain that comes with any decision.

I felt as if I was back In TRINI.......2002-03-04

I loved this book so much that I recommended it to all my family and friends. Earl Lovelace captured everything that Carnival means for Trini people. The characters are so real that the faces that I chose to see them as, were faces of people that I actaully knew in my family. LOL. This novel will make all readers want to take a trip to Trinidad and experience life there. This book is just too sweet for words!!!!

On India: Who Says The Elephant Can't Dance With The Dragon?

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On India: Who Says The Elephant Can't Dance With The Dragon?
Debasish Sahoo
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595457525

Book Description

Powerful images of India have emerged during the last fifteen years, after the country's economy was opened up in 1991. The economic rise of India started to grab the attention of global policy makers and economists recently. Little more than 15 years ago, this giant was virtually off the radar of many western countries. The era of skepticism is now over and the era of awe has begun. The global competitiveness of Indian industry and the role its knowledge capital is playing in the process of globalization and structural change in the world economy are the visible signs of India's empowerment. India is transforming the global economy in many ways that could not have been conceived a decade earlier. The world is coming to understand its success in information technology, off shore centers, and above all, the contributions of Indians in the hi-tech start up arena. India today is at the cusp of a paradigm change in its growth trajectory and its position in the world. This text is a discourse on India's recent rise, its present competencies and the future challenges the country needs to overcome, if it has to live up to the reputation as the next economic power house.

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Dragon Can't Dance

Manufacturer: FABER & FABER
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H98WEK

Customer Reviews:

Great Leading Lady.......2005-09-07

I really loved this book, in fact, I read it in one day! The book had all the requisite romantic suspense elements, but what I really loved was the heroine - Allie. Allie was awesome! Here was a woman who had no clue what she wanted to do with her life, yet was written in such a way that she did not come off like some helpless ditz. This was a woman with brains and courage and the daring to try new things. I just thought she was excellently written and developed. Allie is a woman who knows how to rescue herself. I highly recommend this book.

Ken Follett meets Harlequin.......2005-04-27

If you are one of those who like exotic, steamy jungles that are alive with the sounds of heavy breathing, you will enjoy `Hot Rain'.

Kat Martin has deftly spliced together her two lead characters: a spunky, lithe, tenacious female, and a too good to be true, "hard muscle with curly black chest hair" undercover ATF agent on an adventure that tramps through Central America.

The hero, agent Jake Dawnson, is a man with moral values that will dwarf any normal, red blooded male . The only mystery in the book is what took Jake so long to get his libido focused. Allie Parker; is the willing to take risks, ultramodern, young beautiful heroine, who struggles against Jake until their lips meet.

Of course there is an ultimate objective, but it is interrupted by frequent episodes of passionate sex. Allie's character keeps the adventure (and Jake) moving forward at a hot pace. To say, as Kat Martin did, that "Allie shoved the bacon around the skillet" is an understatement.

Though `Hot Rain' offers no new twists, and has few surprises, and though it uses the happy sunset ending, the story is none-the-less an enjoyable and engaging read. You will find this romance/suspense novel a great `escape' read.

oops.......2004-01-16

One of the characters in this book states that they are sailing south (from California) to Belize. . .except you can't do that because Belize is on the Gulf of Mexico. Why don't editors catch this sort of thing? It ruins these books and helps to give romance a bad name. Other than that: 3 out of 5 for a cardboard-cutout banana republic and its bad guys, a predictable plot, and a main character with all the spark of a dim bulb. But, Jake's a hunk!

This book is a keeper.......2003-07-22

When I read this book I actually felt for Allie of what she was going through with losing her best friend. Know when Jake came into the picture I thought man what an attractive guy. I rate this book five stars I couldn't put it down.

Medicore Romp Through the Steamy Jungle..........2003-07-15

I am a huge fan of action-packed romances, especially ones with rainforests and badguys, etc, and I thought I was getting another winner here, but nah...
Boring and so typical at times that I wondered if I was becoming a mindreader and could foresee the plot. The heroine was definately not worthy of the hero and I even felt sorry for him. He on the other hand 'in real life' could not have been a real agent with the way he gave himself away so many times and did things so 'not in the rules of conduct'. In other words, I WOULD NOT want these two romping through the jungle in an effort to thwart the badguys for the good of this great country. I would rather I go instead. They were far from capable of doing the job or anything romotely dangerous or risky IMO.

The heroine Allie goes on a quest(she's kinds ditzy and the blonde jokes the author tells inbetween ironically fit her to a T, go figure...) to find her best friend's killer. She ends up an unwilling passenger on a boat carrying deadly cargo and deadlier men on their way to God only knows where. Her only hope? A mysteriously great looking guy who tries to keep her safe named Jake Dawson.
Jake isn't what he seems immediately in the fact that he protects her and tells her the only way for her to survive is to become his bedmate. In theory that is. When in fact its a facade.
Before she knows it, Allie is becoming way too attracted and dependent on Jake. Running for there very lives in the steamy Mexican jungle and dodging bullets and revolutionaries, these two must trust the other to make it out alive.

Allie does some really dumb things at times and you start to pray that Jake throws her overboard in an attempt to save himself. What made the story so irritating was the fact that the heroine was so unbelievably weak and needy. Not to mention ditzy and just downright stupid(sorry to be so blunt).
And he end doesn't get any better. She just causes more trouble and does more ridiculous stuff and then she actually tries to get us the reader to believe that she is so bright and belongs in this line of work? God I hope not. I would hope the government and the powers that be keep people like her out of this line of work for our safety, if not just hers, lol.
In short, this is an 'okay' read and probably better picking it up used and not new.
If you're looking for action-packed jungle romps try out Linda Howard's 'Heart of Fire', now that is definately worth the $ and time and by far a shelf-keeper.

Book Description

New edition of an 1891 classic chronicling all of the major storms, natural disasters, and mysterious meteorological events in New England history from 1635 to 1890. Includes 15 b/w illustrations.

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Animals in Hot Places (Looking at)
Moira Butterfield
Manufacturer: Raintree
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Fire and Rain, Dark Fire, Too Hot to Handle

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Fire and Rain, Dark Fire, Too Hot to Handle
Elizabeth Lowell
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000TOCQUE

Product Description

Too Hot to Handle: With her beautiful blond hair and a body that wouldn't quit, Tory Wells was the kind of woman who made men think of sin. She arrived at the Sundance Ranch with a battered suitcase, two dollars in her pocket and hopes of a job to get her through the rough times. But she never expected things to get this rough. With his bold presence, cold gray eyes and explosive passions, rancher Ethan Reever could only be one thing-the devil himself. Tory vowed to stay away from this darkly enigmatic man, but something made her keep coming back for more.Dark Fire: Trace Rawlings was a man who lived by his own rules. Ruthless, domineering, he took what he wanted, no questions asked-and he wanted Cynthia Ryan. He knew she was a pampered princess: his pleasure would come in watching her fall. But he never expected that the passion he'd find with a rich man's daughter would rule his will, and claim his very soul.Fire and Rain: Luke MacKenzie had always longed for Carla McQueen. But she was too young, too innocent; and he'd sent her away from the Rocking M Ranch, telling her to forget him. But now Carla was back: a woman grown, with a woman's wants; a woman's needs. And Luke couldn't help but give in to the power-and the passion-of a love that could never be.

Going Home (The Little Stories of Manoosh & Baloosh)

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Going Home (The Little Stories of Manoosh & Baloosh)
Lavinia Branca Snyder
Manufacturer: Aurora Libris Corp New York
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Product Description

Manoosh and Baloosh, two adventurous peas, have a new friend - Nuno, a little seed. To find Nuno's lost home, they all go on a fun-filled hot air balloon journey to the Equator. FOr ages 3-6 Grades PreK-1 Lavinia's WOrld is a company dedicated to teaching children about the world around them and making learning fun.

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Hot Lava, Cool Rain
Waiakea High Writer's Group
Manufacturer: Authorhouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Literary Criticism & Collections | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Hot Rain
Kat Martin
Manufacturer: Zebra Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MKGVBU

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Hot rain
Howard N Portnoy
Manufacturer: Putnam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0399119205

Night Terrors of Johnny Brown and Day of the Hot Rain

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Great stories

Night Terrors of Johnny Brown and Day of the Hot Rain
Raymond Moore , and Therese Moore
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1403350132

Customer Reviews:

Great stories.......2005-01-18

After reading Night Terrors of Johnny Brown and Day of the<br /><br />Hot Rain,I must say that these stories kept me in suspence<br /><br />from the beginning to the end.

Rain Forests: A Pro/Con Issue (Hot Pro/Con Issues)

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Rain Forests: A Pro/Con Issue (Hot Pro/Con Issues)
Linda Carlson Johnson
Manufacturer: Enslow Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Natural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Ecology | Science & Technology | Teens | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0766012026

Book Description

Sven Hassel's books have sold 52 million copies worldwide. The critically acclaimed Legion of the Damned has already been translated into 15 languages, and will soon reach the attention of even more readers when it becomes a movie. Hassel, a Danish volunteer who served in the German army throughout WWII, based this story on his own horrific experiences fighting on the Russian front. Never before has violence been described in such graphic and realistic detail.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Space Opera
"space opera" at its finest
A good read, but no Hammer's Slammers...
Good Sci-Fi
from cover to cover, an exciting adventure

Legion of the Damned
William C. Dietz
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0441480403

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Space Opera.......2007-02-12

This here's a classic in the making. If you're looking for an exciting space opera/military scifi adventure with a great cast and superb pacing you can't do much better than this book. Highly recommended.

"space opera" at its finest.......2006-10-04

On the back cover of this book, a magazine reviewer calls this book "a good, solid space drama". Yet "Legion of the Damned" goes far and beyond typical 'space opera' fare. The author manages to make you feel right in place in the story, and I felt like I could see the issues at hand from all the races point of views equally. The Hudathans are interesting, they could have been explained better but you get what you need to know. The love affairs could also have gone more in-depth but they were touching nonetheless. The only two complaints I have are these:
1) there is a LOT going on, and sometimes it is hard to keep track of all of the characters. an index in the front listing everyones rank, faction, etc. would have been helpful. it isnt too much of a problem, since everyone is memorable enough

and 2) the end was too fast. it all built up to this seemingly huge battle but the battle itself was anti-climatic. plus the battle's outcome is already given to you in an advertisment in the back of the book. i just felt like he wrapped it up too quick. but apparently it continues in a sequel, "the final battle", which I will definitely pick up.

A good read, but no Hammer's Slammers..........2006-02-24

Plenty of action, but it lacks the detailed account of armed combat. It also gets a little weird towards the end, what with alien-love and all... I'll take 200 ton iridium hover tanks punching holes in enemy armor any day...

Good Sci-Fi.......2005-06-10

This book is very good, with only a few flaws. The characters are deep and complex, the action is exciting, and the ideas presented throughout the book are fascinating. There are only two flaws I can think of. The first is that many sentences read along the lines of "Yes, this was how it should be", or "No, it was better this way", which gets annoying. The other flaw is that there is too much sex. Other than that, this book excels! Be sure to pick up the sequels, too, the series only gets better.

from cover to cover, an exciting adventure.......2004-12-04

I've read all Dietz's books from "legion" to "for more than glory" and i must say that each novel has been a non-stop page turner. The writing style isn't bogged down with too much techical explanations, just enough to give the reader a basic idea of how things works. Fast paced action scenarios are easy flowing and don't give a forced or rushed feeling. Dietz is able to encompass both sides of action so the reader can easily understand what's going on without losing the intesity of the situation. i've highly recommended reading his books to everyone i know and do so to whomever i meet.

Cohort of the Damned (Fifth Foreign Legion)

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Good Book with action and plot
Entertaining. A must for hard core military sci-fi fans!

Cohort of the Damned (Fifth Foreign Legion)
Andrew Keith , and William H. Keith
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Honor and Fidelity (Fifth Foreign Legion)

ASIN: 0451452275

Customer Reviews:

Good Book with action and plot.......1999-07-05

Reminds me of 19th century europe. But gives you a futuristic view of things.

Entertaining. A must for hard core military sci-fi fans!.......1999-03-11

An aristocratic soldier is shown what it is like to start at the bottom after a retreat in shame from a command he lost thru fear. Joining the Legion he learns hard lessons about honor, teamwork and life.

When All Seems Lost: A Novel of the Legion of the Damned

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When All Seems Lost: A Novel of the Legion of the Damned
William C. Dietz
Manufacturer: Ace Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0441015247

Book Description

The national bestselling author of For More Than Glory and For Those Who Fell presents a thrilling new novel of The Legion of the Damned-dispatched on a mission that will determine humanity's future in a galaxy full of unpredictable enemies...

As interstellar war rages, the President of the Confederacy is captured by the Ramanthian enemy. But the aliens don't realize the prize they have taken, since, at the suggestion of young diplomat Christine Vanderveen, all the captives have agreed to hide his identity.

Then the prisoners are taken to a brutal slave labor camp-and Vanderveen is concerned that there may be some among them tempted to reveal the ruse. Determined to protect the President, she must face down opposition, both alien and human, all the while hoping for rescue.

And rescue is on the way-an unauthorized effort, organized by General Bill Booly, manned by a team of volunteers with nothing to lose-and headed by Captain Antonio Santana, Vanderveen's former lover, who must try to set aside his personal feelings for the sake of the mission...

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The Legion of the Damned

Manufacturer: Fawcett Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000BXSRFG

The Damned Die Hard The colorful, true story of the French Foreign Legion

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The Damned Die Hard The colorful, true story of the French Foreign Legion
Hugh McLeave
Manufacturer: Saturday Review Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I3ASQU

The damned die hard: The story of the French Foreign Legion

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Le Boudin!

The damned die hard: The story of the French Foreign Legion
Hugh McLeave
Manufacturer: Saxon House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0347000223

Customer Reviews:

Le Boudin!.......2002-10-22

This is a fine book chronicling the history of the Legion from its beginnings in 1830 to the present. The author writes in a popular, readable style which should make this subject very approachable to the average reader. The book moves quickly through the history of the Legion giving special emphasis to some of the amazing characters who have served with it over the years. Some famous people have served in its ranks, and all have become strangely devoted to it one way or another.

This book would have been greatly enhanced with maps showing the areas the Legion has campaigned in. Without maps it becomes often hard to keep track of all the locations the author is referring to. The book takes the history of the Legion up to only the 1950s. The author rather abruptly ends the story with the loss of Algeria to the Independence Movement. For a more up to date and comprehensive history with perhaps less colorful narrative the reader might try Douglas Porch's recent history of the Legion.

This book should nonetheless appeal to devoted diehards of the Legion. It is written to draw the reader into the personalities and lore of one of the World's most famous military units. You can almost hear the magificent Legion band playing "Le Boudin" as you read it!

Average customer rating:

Hard to find but a goos SF warstory

Damned If We Do... (Renegade Legion)
Peter L. Rice
Manufacturer: Fasa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Frost Death (Renegade Legion)

Monsoon (Renegade Legion, 5604)

ASIN: 1555600999

Customer Reviews:

Hard to find but a goos SF warstory.......1999-11-29

I have re-read this book at least 4 times, not because I have nothing to read, but because I like the story. A bit dry in places, but somehow always holding your attention. This is the best of the three books Rice wrote for the Renegade Legion Series. If you like David Drake or S.M. Sterling who will probably also like this book. Recomend.

Average customer rating:

The Legion of The Damned
Sven Hassel
Manufacturer: Langer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GR9ZH6

Average customer rating:

The Legion of the Damned

Manufacturer: Fawcett Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HTZT4Q

Average customer rating:
Infinite LIfe Seven Virtues for Living Well
Robert Thurman
Manufacturer: Riverhead Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Thurman, Robert | ( T ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0965904784

Product Description

An inspiring guide to incorporating Huddhist wisdom into daily life. Thurman shows how self-examination can lead to an expanded sense of connection with others. An introduction to the entire sweep of Buddhism, pointing out its continuing powerful relevance for today's world.

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