Average customer rating:
- First novel success
- A smooth ride
- Shocking - but thought provoking.
- Not a lot went into this
- all the politicians making busy sounds
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Digging the Vein
Tony O'Neill
Manufacturer: Contemporary Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Mooch
ASIN: 0976657910 |
Book Description
Digging the Vein's unnamed narrator has a problem: He has a burgeoning drug habit and a wife he's only known for two days, but no job, no money, and no way out. As the narrator's life crumbles, the pills, booze, and problems multiply until he hits on a brilliant solution: heroin. Soon the narrator is associating with a cabal of street freaks. Just as the comedy is piling up, things go sour, making Digging the Vein a brutal look at a self-destructed, marginal life.
Customer Reviews:
First novel success.......2007-01-19
One man's account of addiction and his encounters with dealers, pimps, prostitutes and musicians - told with dark humour, style and, above all, honesty.
A smooth ride .......2006-10-16
Tony achieves the impossible: he writes smoothly about the most harrowing amounts of drug ingestion I've ever encountered. It's like watching "Leave it to Beaver" except the family is all shooting themselves up and each other up and yet it has all that tidiness of a 50's American television show. It is just because Tony has such a good command of the language. He obviously had a lot of trouble controlling his drug usage, it almost killed him.
So what does a fine writer like Tony do after writing this book? I mean, is there a market for a book that isn't about ingesting lots of drugs?
I want Tony to do well because his writing is just, well so pleasant. And that is despite the first chapter of this book having more drugs ingested than I've known of being ingested anywhere else in my entire life. Fortunately for me the pace of drug usage slowed down in subsequent chapters or I would have overdosed from the reading.
Tony is a founding member of the Riot Lit Collective, a small group of writers who have banded together on the Internet. Keep an eye on them.
Shocking - but thought provoking........2006-10-09
This is a very atypical book. At first I thought it was going to be a drug memoir type of thing, but opening DIGGING THE VEIN I was confronted with something darker altogether - this is the authors own "Season In Hell" - a pitch black, nightmarish account of the authors heroin and crack fuelled implosion.
People looking for another mainstream recovery memoir will probably find much to complain about here. The actual writing is more impressionistic and poetic than those types of books tend to be - this is more "Junky" by William Burroughs than it is Jerry Stahl's "Permanent Midnight". The sections of the book concerning rehabilitation focus more on the cast of lost souls and burnouts who are in the hospital with the author than any of the actual `process' of recovery. AA and NA are pretty much dismissed out of hand and the thought of being a member of such a group compared to joining the Scientologists. Instead, DIGGING THE VEIN is almost a celebration of the horrors of addiction. And as such, I found the book to be quite shocking. But after I put it down I could not fault either the quality of the writing, or the purity of the author's intention. I can honestly say it is unlike any other books about heroin addiction that I have come across in recent years.
Not a lot went into this.......2006-10-08
On a basic sensationalist level, the book is OK. But it comes to an abrupt, and to me, arbitrary end, and I'm not sure what happens to the author, or even whether I care about him; he never gives me any reason to.
As great reading, it can't touch Hubert Selby's "Requien for a Dream," even though Selby's book is a novel.
I guess people with an axe to grind against 12 step programs will find some fodder here. But imo, it's just ludicrous for a heroin addict to say with any certainty "I was a junkie at 21 and now at 23 I'm all finished with that." Unless he still IS a junkie at 23; the book is not clear on that point whether he's decided to give in to his addiction.
all the politicians making busy sounds.......2006-08-19
3 books matter to me. The Anarchists Cookbook because with all the stuff goin down in the world you better know how to make a molotov cocktail if they wont let ya buy a gun because of a lousy conviction (in 1994!) for possesion with intent. Number two is the Holy Bible, more specifically the book of revelations because its all in there, its spelled out for you and thats why I need the firepower. Number three is Digging the Vein, because it towers godzilla-like over every other book ever written and uses its death rays to blast em all into flames and they are burn baby burning. Maybe books arent yet dead as an artform, or maybe they are and Digging is the writing on the gravestone. Either way as an historical document this can't be faulted. It makes all the pretend writers bust into flames, and their fingers melt off like plastic.
Average customer rating:
- Loved it!
- TIGER BY THE TAIL!!
- Very Good, Minor Complaints
- My favorite Elizabeth Lowell book ever
- sham package
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Death Is Forever
Elizabeth Lowell
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Lowell, Elizabeth | ( L ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
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philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer
ASIN: 0060511095
Release Date: 2004-11-30 |
Book Description
From New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Lowell, one of her classic romantic thrillers is available again in an exciting new look.
From glamorous San Francisco and London to the hauntingly beautiful Australian outback, this sensational romantic thriller takes you on an unforgettable rollercoaster ride.
Download Description
"
Dear Reader,
Sometimes, if you're very lucky, you can go home again. An earlier version of this book was titled
The Diamond Tiger and came out in 1993 under the name Ann Maxwell. When my present publisher offered me the opportunity of going back to the novel under the name Elizabeth Lowell, I admit that I hesitated. In the years since first publication, the diamond trade has changed so greatly that it would be impossible to update the facts in the book without destroying the very story that had compelled me to write in the first place.
But like the diamond trade, my style of telling a story has also changed over the years. I decided to revisit the novel because I loved it and hoped my new readers would as well.
Death Is Forever is my favorite kind of story, combining elements of danger, greed, trust, secrets, passions, and death. Enjoy!
"
Customer Reviews:
Loved it!.......2006-05-30
I could not put this one down. I have read other Lowell books but don't remember enjoying them as much as I enjoyed this one. Erin, Cole and the hunt for the diamond mine kept me entertained. I anticipate that I'll read more of Lowell's books.
TIGER BY THE TAIL!!.......2006-01-08
Altho some of Ms. Lowell's books are confusing to read, this held my interest from beginning to end. I have read her books on Jade and Amber which I liked, but wasnt too crazy about "Always Time to Die."
Interaction and romance between Erin Shane and Cole Blackburn was intelligent and interesting. Both were strong and well fleshed out. The diamond trade was a fascinating study; not as endless as some of her theses on gems. Altho this book was updated, I accepted the story as it was. Held my interest from beginning to end. I thought the end came too quickly and would have liked a longer solution to the romantic upheaval and final reunion.
All in all, it was not a dull read. That's all I ask!!! :D:D:D
Very Good, Minor Complaints.......2005-12-12
I liked this novel very much. Photographer Erin Shane inherits her great-uncles land in Bumble, Australia. Because of the possible presence of rare, undiscovered diamonds, the land is coveted by key international players, governments, and the diamond cartel. With so many interests at play, it is hard for Erin to know who is a friend and who is an enemy.
Cole Blackburn is a diamond expert, and is hired to help Erin discover her legacy. This is taut storytelling at its finest, with enough intrigue, suspense, and romantic tension to hold the reader's interest throughout. Lowell's knowledge of the global diamond trade, diamond mining, and Australia are impressively researched and expertly woven into the story. This is one of her best contemporaries.
My biggest complaints, enough to dock one star, are that Lowell is too crazy about equating the diamond trade with "riding the diamond tiger" (the original title of the short story this novel is based on). I get the analogy, and got it the first 25 times it was used. Its overuse throughout the story begins to wear on the reader. I also feel that the ending is rushed. After taking the time and building the suspense with Cole and Erin's journey in the harsh terrain of the Outback, I feel let down that a lot of action happened behind the scenes between their eventual emergence from Crazy Abe's land and the ending of the book. I would have appreciated more attention to their struggle to find one another, romantically speaking.
Overall, this one is definitely worth reading.
My favorite Elizabeth Lowell book ever.......2005-03-25
This book grabs you in the begining and pulls you along through the entire 452 pages. It's fast moving with great details, but the story doesn't get bogged down in detailed description of the countryside etc. There's just a touch of romance, but the hunt for the mine is the real story line.
I didn't realize that Elizabeth Lowell was Ann Maxwell so I never would have read this book w/ out it being republished under the Lowell name. Now I will be looking for Ann Maxwell as well.
If she'd just finish out the Donovan family stories.....
sham package.......2005-02-13
when I opened my parcel from Amazon and started to read the back cover blurb on "Death is Forever", I realized that it is an updated version of a book I already had on my bookshelf, namely "The Diamond Tiger". I'm very upset; if I had realized that this book was an updated reissue I would never have bought it. Up to now I bought all of Elizabeth Lowell's books purely on the strength of her name and therefore I'm very disappointed that as a faithful reader of her books I'm not made aware that this book is an glorified reissue. If you look at the official book description on the Amazon.com page you can find nothing there to indicate that this is a reworking of a novel originally published under another title more than ten years ago.
I give the book 2 stars, because I really liked the story the first time around, but I hate to be duped. I don't know if I ever will buy another book of hers. If you like her novels, than try to get your hands on the original, instead of supporting this sham package.
Customer Reviews:
Not What You Are Expecting!.......2006-06-07
Angela Ryan wakes up with a strange woman and she doesn't know what has happened to her and she doesn't remember who she is. Thankfully she and Jane, the woman she awoke with are "saved" by a clan of Vampires. One vampire stands out from all the rest. Sexy, dark Tom Kyd. Too bad he is so Alpha and Angela feels like she's smothered when it comes to his protective nature. Tom thinks she's not careful enough with the danger that surrounds her at every turn. He understands her need to search for her true identity but he's afraid of what they will find when the mystery is solved. Will Tom truly be able to protect his mate or will evil win in the end?
This is a good read but it's short on romance. This is a rather weak stand-alone and although I enjoyed visiting with Stella, Justin, Kit and Dixie I still could not shake the feeling that there was just a little too much here and that it detracted from Tom and Angela's story. This is third in a series and you may want to pick up the previous titles in order to easily follow the story here.
Focus.......2006-05-21
Frankly, I normally like books that are part of a series, but this one just had way too many references to what may have been other books in a series about this vampire clan...and set ups for future books. Umpteen backstories that had nothing to do with the plot of this book. Rather than wanting to buy the other books, it just scared me off. And using the same jokes over and over...ghoulish...girlish. Enough! And then with all these backstories, there are references to things that happened to the main characters that are just jumped over. It will mention when something or other happened, but never described the actual thing happening. Dump the backstories and focus! Could have been a good story if the author had focused, but instead I found myself thinking that the book was just way too long.
Potential was there........2006-04-14
I read the other 2 books in this series and loved them. Be Mine Forever ... had the potential to wow you. The characters were secondary in the last book so their relationship had alread begun. The potential in the book excited me but the reality of the book left me wondering why. The 'big fight scene' was less then a sentence long and there was just no prickly chemistry moments that make you laugh wondering how they are going to get past that. I had hoped for more.
Waste of money.......2005-11-01
I could barely make it through this book. In fact, I skimmed alot of it. It's very shallow with no character depth. I did not care at all what happened to these vampires/ghouls.
Little romance here --- 3.5 stars.......2005-09-27
While I really enjoyed Laurey's previous books in this series, this one left me wanting. The thriller/suspense plot retains reader interest and is certainly complicated. However, it's not very deep (or original). The villain is a truly nasty piece of work (though stereotypical despite being a vampire), yet he is easily dispatched in the end. Not well done.
Worse, there is little romance in this paranormal romance. Angela & Tom argue, but there is no other tension between them. The love scenes are without true passion. In fact, there's little deep emotion (other than fear) for either character. The most emotional scene in the book involves Justin, Stella, and Sam.
This one is a real let down after the other two. Read it if you want to go on with the series (and I definitely advise the others first), but I don't recommend buying it.
Customer Reviews:
three haunting spellbinding paranormal romances .......2005-10-14
"Forever Mine" by Linda Winstead Jones. In life Tony stalked her and when she accidentally killed him while trying to get away from him, he haunts Miranda Garner. In desperation she calls psychic John Stark who immediately knows if he can't get rid of Tony; the spirit will kill Miranda. They try to exorcise a ghost that has killed them through many lifetimes because they were lovers and he wanted her for himself.
"Haunt Me" by Evelyn Vaughn. His doctor has no hope for David Fields to come out of his coma. His wife Charis does not give the DNR form to the staff so when he seizes they revive him and he is caught in the limbo between death and life. David haunts the hospital while his wife keeps vigil, praying for a miracle. Charis never showed her emotions so David was never quite sure of her love for him until now. He sees that his demonstrative way of showing love ways doesn't mean his wife doesn't feel just as dearly. They meet on the astral plane to say goodbye, banish a soul-eating monster and stop a doctor from acing unethically.
"Soul of the Wolf" by Karen Whiddon. In Ft. Worth a task force is formed to stop a serial killer. Detective Amanda Reilly is a member even though her ex-boyfriend Jason was a victim. She is partnered with Jason's cousin FBI agent Nick Templeton. Amanda knows that he is a shapeshifter like her ex and believes all the victims of the killer were shifters as well. As Nick and Amanda work together they fall in love but first they must catch a killer, prove she didn't kill Jason to the pack and accept she is in love with a creature of the night.
These three haunting spellbinding paranormal romances will send shivers up the spine of the mesmerized reader.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
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Forever Mine (Silhouette Special Edition, 1265)
Jennifer Mikels
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373242654 |
Customer Reviews:
KEEP THIS ONE!.......2001-10-19
WRONG PHOTO, FOLKS! BUT HEY! -------[FROM the back of the book - they sure don't give the gist away] ******* THE RODEO DAD'S RETURN..... Time stood still when Jack McShane gazed into Abby Dennison's beautiful brown eyes. Not only did he still adore the woman he'd foolishly left behind, he felt a powerful kinship to her young son.[Oh, Oh!] And when she finally revealed the boy was his, Jack vowed to set things right......
ABBY'S SECRET SON......Trouble was, Abby had no intention of giving Jack the chance. If he hadn't been willing to stick around all those years ago, how could she trust him with her son's innocent heart now? [what a quandry!] It was virtually impossible to resist his soul-shattering kisses, but Abby needed a devoted family man who would be forever hers. Dare she hope that this rugged cowboy had marriage on his mind? *******
Abby's aunt, Laurel is marrying Jack's father, Sam --- Abby and Jack are finally coming home - for the wedding.
Abby kept an overflowing scrapbook as a record of Jack's whole career as a rodeo star -- their son, Austin was very impressed with his father. Abby was afraid!
Oh, so many tangled tales had to be straightened out -- an excellent book - great story - couldn't put it down.
Book Description
What's fate got to do with it?
Talented artist Jill Amory is tired of her "Jill of All Trades, Mistress of None" reputation. She just can't seem to settle down into the fulfilling, crackerjack career everyone expects from her. So this is going to be the year she decides what to do with her life, traveling across the country to find her bliss. And that means no man -- period! -- until she's landed the perfect gig.
But destiny, in the form of warmhearted, elderly Charlie Hartman, has other plans. Charlie's convinced he's a modern-day Cupid with his eye on Jill for his friend Spence Jegger, Colorado Springs' resident marriage-a-phobe. Convincing Spence he's going to wed the first woman he sees on Valentine's Day might take some doing . . . until Spence takes one look at his intended.
Destiny is full of surprises . . .
Download Description
Talented artist Jill Amory is tired of her "Jill of All Trades, Mistress of None" reputation. She just can't seem to settle down into the fulfilling, crackerjack career everyone expects from her. So this is going to be the year she decides what to do with her life, traveling across the country to find her bliss. And that means no man - period! - until she's landed the perfect gig. But destiny, in the form of warmhearted, elderly Charlie Hartman, has other plans. Charlie's convinced he's a modern-day Cupid with his eye on Jill for his friend Spence Jegger, Colorado Springs' resident marriage-a-phobe. Convincing Spence he's going to wed the first woman he sees on Valentine's Day might take some doing...until Spence takes one look at his intended. Destiny is full of surprises....
Customer Reviews:
A sassy, feel-good story. Well written with excellent characterizations.......2007-02-21
Don't be fooled by the age or size of this book - it packs a huge punch! Cute beyond description; sexy and romantic; full of magic; very likeable and highly principled characters; set against the backdrop of fighting for a worthwhile and compassionate cause; and best of all, showcases that true happiness and meaning in life is uncovered by all the little loving things we do and not by how much money we earn or how prestigious our career is. Vicki Lewis Thompson has a wonderful style of writing that made this story a delightful treat to read.
Product Description
8 massmarket paperback Titles By Thompson - Nerd in Shining Armor - The Flip Side - Loverboy - Operation Gigolo - Stuck with You - Forever Mine, Valentine - Your Place or Mine - Impulse
Average customer rating:
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Be Mine Forever
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739455591 |
Average customer rating:
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Forever Mine
Charlene Raddon
Manufacturer: Zebra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 082175193X |
Customer Reviews:
Characters to remember!.......1999-05-27
Ariah and Bartholomew are characters who come to life on the pages. Hester does, too, but I really just wanted to wring her neck! Ms. Raddon's gifted writing weaves a poignant web of angst and emotion as well as paints vivid pictures of the seaside setting. Lovely, lovely storytelling. I will definitely read more of Ms. Raddon's stories. I'm sorry to see Forever Mine is out of print.
Average customer rating:
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Forever Mine
Naje'
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 059533850X |
Book Description
Louis “Blacky” Myers and
Reema Moore were people of the streets who were lost in their own self-preservation until they found each another--rescued one another. Raised in the midst of pimps, pushers and hookers, all odds were against them. Fate put them together, but love and determination made them inseparable.
Rudy Cameron, Godfather of cool, built an illegal but lucrative empire with the help of his son and confidant, Louis Blacky Myers who idolized him and served time to protect him.
Josephine “Josh” Taylor, Reema's best friend, loved her above and beyond the natural realms of affection, defending her fiercely against hurt, harm and danger.
Nevertheless, neither of them were prepared for
Doll Flemmings, the psycho-hooker, who was hell bent on destroying them by any means necessary.
Download Description
Louis
Average customer rating:
- A Must Read for any Flash, Teen Titans, or Overall Fan of Good Comics
- impulse rox
- Before There Was Buffy and Giles, There Was Impulse and Max
- Hillarious
- Be impulsive and buy this book!!
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Impulse: Reckless Youth (Impulse)
Mark Waid
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1563892766 |
Amazon.com
Amid the hype for "popular" superhero characters, every once in a while there comes along a real sleeper--a genuinely well-written and well-drawn superhero book. Such is the case with Flash. And from the pages of this increasingly popular series comes a new character, Bart Allen, the grandson of Barry Allen, the original Flash. Bart was born in the 30th century and raised in a virtual-reality playpen where his super powers had no real consequences. Now, relocated to 20th-century Alabama where he must train to become Impulse, Bart realizes that his reckless streak can lead to real trouble.
Book Description
Amid the hype for "popular" superhero characters, every once in a while there comes along a real sleeper--a genuinely well-written and well-drawn superhero book. Such is the case with Flash. And from the pages of this increasingly popular series comes a new character, Bart Allen, the grandson of Barry Allen, the original Flash. Bart was born in the 30th century and raised in a virtual-reality playpen where his super powers had no real consequences. Now, relocated to 20th-century Alabama where he must train to become Impulse, Bart realizes that his reckless streak can lead to real trouble.
Customer Reviews:
A Must Read for any Flash, Teen Titans, or Overall Fan of Good Comics.......2006-04-20
I must say that I've been avoiding buying this comic and after reading it am kicking myself. This is an amazing book! I'm a big fan of Young Justice and the Teen Titans team that sprang from it, mostly because I got into Young Justice when I was younger and the group grew when they became the Teen Titans. It's like I was growing up with Robin, Superboy and Impulse (and later Kid Flash II). So why would a such a self-professed fan put off getting this book? Simply because of the 3 of these young champions, I thought Impulse's character led itself to be the least likely to hold it's own solo. Boy was I wrong. I've read solo works from all three, and while Tim Drake is by far and away the best developed character of the three, Bart is not far behind. Superboy's character can't even match the charm of this character, and Impulse at times is more entertaining then Robin because of his light-heartedness. The one advantage I would give him over Robin is that his character doesn't change in his solo title like Tim's does. Tim is less mature and less serious in his solo title and I feel it takes away from him generally. Really a must read for a fan of either of the two young champions mentioned above.
On a bit of a side not, this book made me realize how much I really enjoy the three mentioned above as a team. With the recent events in Infinate Crisis claiming Connor and Bart's whereabouts being unknown I feel that DC is losing a major asset. I certainly hope that Robin's attempts to re-clone Superboy bear fruit and that one of the magic based heroes can restore his memory. As for Bart, my fingers are crossed that when this new Flash emerges from the speed force, that it's him and not Wally West. I've never like West's character, and since he parallels my all time favorite hero, Green Lantern, I feel he was weaker then Kyle as a person and as a character, even though he's had many more years to be developed. In general I felt these new heroes brought much needed refreshment to their mentors. I was hoping that someday not so long from now I could see Superboy becoming Superman, and even though I know Tim did not want to be Batman, I had hopes for him going more solo then he already is, either as Robin or as something else, since Tim, I feel, is a better hero the Dick Grayson ever will be. But of all of the group, Bart was the one I held out for the most because it was his destiny to be the next Flash, a better Flash. With any luck, someday the JLA will be run by young heroes such as Tim Drake, Kyle Rayner, Bart Allen, and Connor Kent, because they are heroes that we have been growing up with, watching them come into their own at the same time we have, and great books like this one show that.
impulse rox.......2004-08-09
impulse is one of the most fun new comics ive seen in a while...and i dont just say that because i've grown up knowing his writers. Todd Dezago ( who we all seem to be ignoring, yes Mark created him but he wouldn't be Impulse with out todd.)is a friend of mine and he brings copies of alot of the current issues, and i have to say that a lot of them suck!! Impulse is a great comic, bart's just a regular kid trying to survive high school and have to keep his secret identity. which can be kind of hard when superman or the green lantern stop by...
Before There Was Buffy and Giles, There Was Impulse and Max.......2000-09-29
Way back in the mid-1990s, Mark Waid was brilliant (as opposed to now, when he's just quite good). And he and Humberto Ramos took an old concept - the teen sidekick of a major hero - and reinvented it with wit and style. While knowing the backstory helps and while the three issues of The Flash includes spell most of it out, I think anyone who likes superheroes or action comics or teen sitcoms or just good stories will like Impulse's adventures.
DC has had great success with its reimagining of the classic teen heroes - Superboy, Robin and this one - and it's hard not to be hooked even if you are an adult. Plus if you try to find the nine comics included here, you'd never get them for this price!
This is a near-must for comics fans past and present.
Hillarious.......2000-01-11
Mark Waid can be funny. Who knew?
This stuff is laugh-out-loud milk-through-the-nose funny. I'm serious, you'll laugh so hard you'll embarass yourself. You should probably read this when you're alone, so as not to offend anyone.
There are some moments of genuine storytelling too, like the child abuse story. I was surprised to find that, under all that goofy exterior, Impulse really is a hero.
You'll find some great artwork here, too. The issue of Flash with Wieringo is some good stuff, and Ramos and Pacheco out do themselves here. You'll love it, trust me.
Be impulsive and buy this book!!.......1999-02-04
This collection reprints the early adventures of DC's coolest new superhero -- Impulse!! Super speedster Barry Allen (The Flash) may be dead, but his grandson Bart lives on. Tranported from the 30th century to the present day, Bart must learn to cope with both his powers and the perils of the 20th century including (Gasp!) Junior High School! Helping him along the way is the mysterious Max Mercury. Bart always looks before he leaps and lands in all sorts of adventures. But it isn't just adveture that has made this comic so great. This comic is very character driven and it's easy to feel for Bart -- outside an outgoing, try anything sort, but inside misplaced and lonely. Plus, Humberto Ramos' art alone is worth the price of the book. Well, what are you waiting for? Be like Bart! Don't hesitate! Buy this book! Right now! Yes, right now!
Book Description
Collection of Dharma teachings addressing issues of common concern to Buddhist practitioners from all traditions.
Customer Reviews:
A Practical Guide to Enlightment.......2007-05-21
Venerable Tenzin Palmo describes in a very clear prose the benefits of meditation, its difficulties, how to overcome them, and extend this practice to our daily life. It is a book to be read more than once, and a must for those in quest of enlightment.
Reflections On A Mountain Lake : Teachings on Practical Buddhism.......2006-02-11
Reflections on a Mountain Lake is composed of Tenzin Palmo's talks to audiences of Western lay people and Buddhist nuns and monks. The talks cover a whole range of subjects on Buddhist teachings, practices and spiritual life. Reading her words of openness, warmth and fluidity, I felt as if I was with her in the audience. She begins with the story of her twelve-year retreat in a cave in the Himalayan mountains, and the words that fill the books seem to flow from that deep place of concentrated practice.
The book is lively, intelligent, practical and straightforward. Each chapter end with questions from the audience, such as: Where do thoughts arise from? Is it a good idea to take political action to right social evils? What's the process of making amends if you have acted unethically at some stage in your life? What happens if you don't keep your commitments?
One of her consistent messages is to keep it simple. She advises people not to be overcome by ambition to do more, or get more initiations and teachings. Tenzin Palmo has gained many insights and much wisdom from her practice and commitment, as if she has dug a deep, deep well from which she can bring up what is clearly needed in each different situation with people.
We all start with an undisciplined mind, and Tenzin Palmo has many excellent examples of how to approach spiritual practices and what these practices are all about. The mind has to be relaxed yet alert, and needs to be tuned like an instrument, with the knowledge of how to return to a clear place. It is then we can be of benefit to other people.
Tenzin Palmo is an example of how women are re-establishing the lineage of yogic practice for women. She is developing a Buddhist retreat for nuns and making available the teachings of Drukpa Kargyu lineage, which has a strong tradition of fully ordained female practitioners. Because of Tenzin Palmo's work, in 1995 nuns debated publicly for the first time in Tibetan history. "There is nothing that women cannot accomplish and have not accomplished in the past. It is up to us to support them...it is time to appreciate the whole picture and bring the two sides together."
I enjoyed Reflections on a Mountain Lake because Tenzin Palmo is a storyteller. Like all great teachers, she uses her personal life and traditional stories to engage us in the teachings. It seems somehow easier for the mind to catch hold of profound ideas if they are told as myth and metaphor. And because she tells many personal stories - from her home life as a child, her searching as a young woman and her times with her guru - she becomes human and accessible, as well as an example of dedication.
Practical and relates Vajrayana to the West.......2005-02-26
This is a great book for Western Buddhists, especially useful as a loaner to friends seeking to understand Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana). It includes extensive Q&A; 8 photos, and a great number of quotable quotes. Ani Palmo (Ani is an honorific for a Buddhist nun) is VERY down-to-earth and realistic and relates a considerable about of advice and commentary from her Lama. She points out that Tibetan mythological themes should not be taken literally-even Tibetan teachers indicate this. For example:
pp. 61-2: "Shantideva says, `Who made the red-hot iron floors? All this is a projection of the personal mind.' Even if we don't believe in the physical reality of the hell realms, we can definitely believe that a mind filled with anger, which loves harming others and takes pleasure in cruelty, could easily project a paranoid environment for itself...the content of our inner mind is projected outward and becomes our entire reality." Furthermore, she invokes valid psychological principles such as: p. 67: "Those who deny the shadow are in a very insecure and precarious position...It is hard to develop true compassion when you are continuously blanking out all suffering from your own life." Also, Sociological principles: p. 81: "Today the West is making a significant contribution to the way the Dharma is presented. Every time the Buddhadharma travels to a new country, that country gives it something of itself."
Ani Palmo, in a highly readable and understandable style, provides pithy advice to practitioners: p. 93: "We need to dissolve the boundary between the subject and the object. In other words, we need to become the meditation" & p. 102: "Worldly desires are like salty water. The more you drink, the thirstier you get...The problem is the way we cling to things" & p. 141: "Our problem is that we believe our mind and identify with it." She also provides logical explanations for many Vajrayana practices: p. 95: "intricate visualizations of mandalas...totally occupy the mind so that there is no room for distraction." She provides considerable, pragmatic material on relationships between Vajrayana and Western religions: p. 96: "All true religions seek to gain access to that level of consciousness which is not ego-bound. In Buddhism it is called the unconditional, the unborn, the deathless. You can call it anything you like. You can call it atman. You can call it anatman. You can call it God." She also provides a number of intriguing teaching stories such as p. 103: monkeys captured by refusing to let go of a sweet--: "If you want to hold water, you have to hold it with cupped hands. If you make a tight fist, it runs away" and of a king unattached to his palace with a guru attached to his gourd. She also observes that the movie "Groundhog Day" can be interpreted as a Buddhist film about reincarnation and karma.
And, best of all, Ani Palmo provides quotes which defuse misconceptions concerning Buddhist doctrines: p. 156: "The Buddha said, `I too use conceptualization, but I am no longer fooled by it."
pp. 159-160: "Difficult Points for Westerners" chapter: "The Buddha replied, `do not take anything on trust merely because it has passed down through tradition, or because your teachers say it, or because your elders have taught you, or because it's written in some famous scripture. When you have seen it and experienced it for yourself to be right and true, then you can accept it.'" However, the one criticism might be that she fails to apply this regarding: p. 238: Eastern images & p. 241: Tibetan lineages.
p. 166: "According to the Buddhadharma, the most important component of any action of body, speech, or mind is intention."
p. 168: when asked about hell, her "Lama just laughed and said, `Oh well, we talk that way in order to frighten people into being good. Actually, it is very difficult to be reborn in hell. You have to be especially evil, and particularly, very cruel.'"
p. 169: "My Lama once said, `Not everything you read in the sutras is true. You don't have to believe everything you read.' ... The Tibetans took from that huge ocean a few drops of this and a few drops of that and put it together into a mixture which was helpful for Tibetans. Much of it is relevant for the rest of us as well. The ways they present the Dharma is wonderful. But there is no doubt that certain aspects, although helpful for them, are not very helpful for us. We can leave those aside." Higher teachings often contradict lower teachings and not everything is appropriate for everybody.
p. 191: "Some Tibetans say it's almost impossible to realize the nature of the mind without a teacher. I don't think that's true. Some people do realize the nature of mind spontaneously without a teacher. But a good teacher helps."
She also provides valuable observations and techniques on Vajrayana practices: pp. 179-180: in utilizing tonglen - "black pearl-like seed of self-cherishing at our heart center...sometimes instead of a black pearl...we can visualize a crystal Vajra which represents our innate Dharmakaya mind. The dark light absorbs into this and is instantly transformed into radiance, since no darkness exists within the pristine nature of the mind." p. 235: "My Lama always said to me, `Don't undertake big commitments. Keep your practice very small and simple, but do it.' ... I have always been very clear with lamas when it comes to initiations. Sorry, I am not keeping this commitment. I say this before taking the initiation, then they can decide whether or not it's okay for me to take it. Usually, they say its okay."
Highly recommended.......2004-10-12
If I were to be stranded on a deserted island and could have but one book along, it would be Reflections on a Mountain Lake. With her lifetime in spiritual pursuit, twelve years as a woman in male dominated Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and another twelve years alone in a cave in the Himalayas, Tenzin Palmo indeed has something to say. Our good fortune is that she is a talented orator and expresses herself with dazzling clarity and wit. Her persective on life (before, here and after) is deeply wise, casting welcome perspective on what It All is truly about. In the West we are proud of how many books we consume. In the East, the intense study of one magnificent book is revered. This is one such book.
A lifetime of meditation, retreat, and learning.......2002-09-07
Reflections On A Mountain Lake: Teachings On Practical Buddhism is a compilation of the wisdom and Dharma teachings of Ani Tenzin Palmo, who was born in London in 1943 and become one of the first Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. Her writings comprising Reflections On A Mountain Lake, gathered from a lifetime of meditation, retreat, and learning, wonderfully communicate her understanding of holistic and profound principles relevant to Buddhism and to the commonplace struggles of daily life. Reflections On A Mountain Lake is a welcome and very highly recommended addition for Buddhist Studies reference collections and reading lists.
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