Walking Towards Walden: A Pilgrimage in Search of Place

Customer Reviews:

sunny and surly sauntering.......2004-01-21

Of all Mitchell's works, all uniformly very good and engaging, this one has always had a personal resonance for me. In the spirit of Thoreau himself (Himself?), Mitchell and chums saunter along on their pilgrimage to make sense of place, filled with far-ranging thoughts and comments about their neighbours and civilization in general. Walden Pond continues to draw us in, both for it beauty and historical importance to environmental thought. This book also draws us in as participants on that internal and external journey. For these reasons, the publisher Green Frigate Books recently solicited a front-end blurb from Mitchell for my recently published "Profitably Soaked: Thoreau's Engagment with Water."

A thoroughly irritating book.......2002-12-13

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of Mitchell, and I really enjoyed CERMONIAL TIME. This lead me to look forward to the arrival of WALKING... and at one level I was not disappointed. AS in all his work Mitchell is adept at weaving together diverse strands of history, culture, and place and to get us thinking about the landscape in new ways. His taste in friends (or at least his way of introducing us to his friends) however seems somewhat flawed. While his other books are more solitary ruminations on ideas and areas, in WALKING he brings along two annoying Yuppies, who would serve as comic relief if any was needed. One is an incredibly PC Indian Wannabe, the other is the sort of Birder that gets some of us reaching for the shotgun, between them they serve only to distract the reader from what would otherwise be a pleasant cross-country ramble through a landscape made all the more interesting by Mitchell's knowledge of both recent history and geological "deep time". Overall Mitchell is at his best when he talks about the dead or the non-human, he can be downright cruel in his descriptions of the living people that he encounters as he approaches Concord. For all that I can sympathize with Mitchell's obvious concern for the rampant development that he must deal with I am not sure that this sort of meaness towards folks who may well be Fellow Travellers (in several senses of the word) does the story much good. In spite of my criticism this is probably a stroll worth taking though you may want to stuff two of your companions into a cedar swamp!

Mitchell's Multi-layered Cultural History.......2002-03-10

These 300 pages describe both a physical journey, lasting but a day, overlaid with historical, architectural, artistic, anthropological, and literary musings of a richly cultivated mind. He writes, for example, upon viewing a stark landscape, "...I made the connection...This hollow...looks very much like the fourteenth-century Tuscan forest as envisioned by nineteenth-century French illustrator Gustave Dore."

Making connections is Mitchell's forte. The narrative of a tramp through woods and sloughs brings to Mitchell's fertile imagination scenes enacted in the places they pass. He seamlessly inter-weaves the fascinating story of King Philip's War, described as "one of the first anti-imperialist efforts ... the first American revolution" alongside the war between the colonists and British regulars, "essentially a civil war."

Rather than re-hash Thoreau's meditations in "Walden," Mitchell shares his own stream-of-consciousness, touching on "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and "The Wizard of Oz," "The Inferno" and some of Melville's "chief harpooners." Additionally, he offers an in-depth account of the way that nineteenth-century landscape painters changed the view of society toward their environment, suggesting that "It is doubtful that the preservation of a wilderness park would even have been considered if the painters hadn't been there first." Indeed, his descriptions are painterly, but he also succeeds in carefully bringing his companions and those they meet on the way to believable life.

The book is divided into 18 chapters, fifteen of them given names of places traversed in each of the miles walked. These names, such as "Nonset Brook" and "Nagog" are less likely to register with the reader than the connections these places evoke in the mind of the author. Who can recall, for instance, that the etymology of "Key West" is to be found in "Mile 10: Thoreau Country?" Hopefully, an index in a later edition will make it easier for the reader to re-discover favorite passages.

Walking towards Walden.......2001-10-21

The readers join Mitchell and his friends as they walk through an historical and artistic region of our nation. We discuss the history, nature, the people and the sights as we meet others along the walk. We walk along with Thoreau as well as Mitchell's fascinating friends. There are few books that I've enjoyed as much as this friendly hike. Mitchell is one of best of the current nature writers because he becomes a participant with the reader in enjoying nature and history.

hypocrisy and/or sly humor?.......1999-08-31

This book operates on at least two and perhaps three levels. The first level is simple: Mr. Mitchell and two friends are walking from Westford to Concord, MA cross-country, trying to avoid roads. His two friends enjoy the out of doors in their own ways and Mr. Mitchell does a lot of daydreaming about the meaning of place in colonial New England and elsewhere.

The second level includes a lot of snotty social commentary at the expense of various parties ostensibly less enlightened than our three sojourners. Barkley is a cynical intellectual who figures that Western civilization is going to hell in a handbasket and he would just like to make it clear that a) it is not his fault and b) he knows exactly how and why it is all happening. Kata is one of those middle class white people who has decided that the Native Americans (and aboriginals everywhere) are a more noble form of human being and so she has decided to remake herself in her Romanticized image of them. Mr Mitchell makes his share of condescending and paranoid comments about the various vernacular landscapes and people that they encounter. His overwrought and absurd fear of three people out target-shooting in a sandpit is particularly ridiculous.

However, there is a third quasi-level to the book that includes Mr. Mitchell's recurring observations of the hypocrisy or at any rate silliness that is inherent in the outlooks of his two friends and, to a lesser extent, his own prejudices. His friend Barkley prides himself on his asceticism, but Mr. Mitchell describes in some detail the lavish gourmet lunch that Barkley brings (eggs mimosa!) and the high tech outdoor clothes that he wears. Kata's perspective is sent up by a hilarious story of the visit of a band of Cree to Concord. A New Age do-gooder invites them to a ceremony only to have them refuse to stay at her house because she doesn't have a TV and they want to see a hockey game and then show up two hours late for the ceremony and have nothing to say except the Lord's prayer. It is this sly knowingness that redeems the book, which would otherwise be annoyingly arch.

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Kibler does it again with Walking Towards Home

Brilliant successor to Child to the Waters

Walking Towards Home
James Everett Kibler
Manufacturer: Pelican Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Child to the Waters

Memory's Keep

Our Fathers' Fields: A Southern Story

How Celtic Culture Invented Southern Literature

The Golden Christmas

ASIN: 1589802268

Customer Reviews:

Kibler does it again with Walking Towards Home.......2005-01-15

If you are of Southern,Scotch-Irish,Celtic ancestry and were raised in a small Southern community you will immediately recognise yourself and those people who loved and influenced you growing up.Like the Andy Griffeth Show Dr. Kibler takes us to a familiar place we often forget in the insane world of survival today. The people in Walking Towards Home may have different names but we see a common connection with our own family,kinfolk and neighbors. We have probably heard stories like this growing up when families used to pass down verbal history before T.V.,computers and video games. This as much a heritage book as it is entertaining and relaxing.So buy yourself and those you love a copy. You, and they, will laugh,reflect and remember and want to read it again.Maybe it will inspire some who have their own family stories to begin to talk about them and give your family a unique sense of place. I know Dr. Kibler would be happy if this book contributed toward that tradition in your family.

Brilliant successor to Child to the Waters.......2004-10-25

I already have one review of this novel online, and will have a more detailed discussion of it in a forthcoming book. Therefore, I can say little here that is specific and Amazon could claim as its own. I will say only that the novel begins to fulfill all the promose shown clearly in Child to the Waters, which promise I expect to see fulfilled in subsequent novels. Kibler calls us all to walk toward home, which, being Southern and culturally Celtic, he knows to be not a house but a community with history, a community based on family and place, reaching across generations to embrace and succor all.

Book Description

Eric Banyon, also known as Bedlam's Bard, managed to rescue his young brother Magnus from what seemed to be a killer demon (in Mad Maudlin), but now he must rescue Magnus again, this time from their tyrannical parents. Eric does not look forward to the battle, but is confident he can gain custody. His financial sources are virtually unlimited, his friend Ria Llewellyn heads the most high-powered law firm in New York, and in a pinch he and his friends can use to magic powers, even flummoxing a DNA test, it comes to that. What Eric does not know is that his parents are allied with the evangelist Billy Fairchild, who himself is a tool of the evil Unseleighe elves, who feed off human sorrow and suffering. Fairchild specializes in getting "bad" children to shape up, which is accomplished by letting a soulsucker-malevolent creature from the elf world-drain the victim of all talent, creativity, and will, leaving an obedient zombie husk behind. If Magnus and his friend Ace, who is also on the run from her twisted parents, fall into Fairchild's hands, they will join the Unseleighe's zombie ranks. And Eric's bardic magic may not be enough to save them.

Customer Reviews:

wrapping up the adventure.......2007-09-28

Plot: In this final installment of "Bedlam's Bard," three teens, two of whom are mortal and one an elf, struggle to become emancipated from their dysfunctional families. Magnus, a teen with Bardic talent who intends to become a drummer in a rock band, wants to live with his older brother Eric, the titular bard of the series. Their parents have hired an unscrupulous "Christian Family Intervention" program to retrieve them. Ace, a runaway, wishes to escape from her evil, evangelist father. And Jaycie, an elf who has spent time in the mortal world, has ssues that could result in a messy conflict if not handled delicatetly. Other characters from the series such as Ria, Kayla, Hosea and Janette also become involved when the protagonists discover that Ace's minister father is involved in a more sinister than usual scheme that will result in a body count if successful.

Questions that the reader might have had about previous books, such as Kayla's apparent lack of aging, are addressed in this final volume. Also much fewer loose ends are left dangling. At first, I thought this book, as compared to the others, was more preachy than usual, but at second glance, I decided the amount was about the same. If you don't mind very blatant messages - and why would you be reading this series if you didn't - then you should enjoy the book.

Tying Up Loose Ends.......2006-06-22

Music To My Sorrow (2005) is the sixth novel in the Bedlam's Bard fantasy series, following Mad Maudlin. In the previous volume, Eric Baynon had rescued his younger brother Magnus as well as Ace Fairchild from the streets of New York City. At the same time, Eric had offered sanctuary in Elfhame Misthold to Jachiel ap Gabrevys and his protector Rionne ferch Rianten. Since these Elves were from the Unseleighe court of Elfhame Bete Noir, there were some diplomatic aspects to the affair.

In this novel, Eric is called upon to inform Prince Gabrevys of the safety of his son and the desire of Rionne to remain in Elfhame Misthold for a while. Although Prince Gabrevys is not present in his court, Eric leaves his message with the Bard Jormin ap Galever. At Jormin's advice, Eric then leaves the Unseleighe court as rapidly as possible.

Magnus is having some troubles of his own. While he has some minor problems adjusting to the Coenties & Arundel Private Academy, the major problem is the tenacious efforts of their mutual parents to take back Magnus. Although now aware that Eric is not dead, their parents are ignoring his presence per se and concentrating on the circumvention of efforts for Eric to adopt Magnus as his own son.

Ace Fairchild is also having legal problems. She is now living with Ria Llewellyn, the head of a high priced law firm who has helped her file a Petition of Emancipated Minor Status. Unfortunately, her parents have been informed of her actions and have arranged a change of venue to Atlantic City where they are now living. Billy Fairchild is determined that Heavenly Grace will be returned, willingly or not, to continue to sing in his choir.

Unknown to Eric and his friends, Gabriel Horn of Billy's Heavenly Grace Ministries is really Jachiel's father, Prince Gabrevys. Now the Unseleighe has several reasons to force Magnus and Eric into his evil reconditioning program at Christian Family Intervention. He even has parental permission for this treatment, which frees him from the constraints of Elven laws. After soul-eaters have fed on their minds, these victims will not be able to raise any objections.

Ace would be the perfect instrument for implementing the prince's own plans against the humans. Feeding her to the soul-eaters would ruin her special talents, but binding her with ordinary Unseleighe magic would control her without destroying these talents. Of course, Billy Fairchild would have to die, but Gabrevys would not waste any tears over his death.

Parker Wheatley finds the Heavenly Grace Ministries to be a new source of revenue for his Defense Initiative. Wheatley has never really been certain of the origins on his enemies, so calling them demons is not too much of a stretch of the truth. Besides, it allows him to use the equipment that he appropriated out of the hidden cache for its intended purpose. Once he has gotten a foot in the door, Wheatley will screen the staff of the Ministries for demonic infiltrators.

This novel binds together several threads from prior works in this series. Indeed, most of Eric's foes have been brought under the same banner and arrayed against him. Still, there is a large potential for discord within their ranks.

Highly recommended for Lackey and Edghill fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magic and adventure among contemporary Elves.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Readable, but overly simplistic.......2006-05-24

Last year I picked up Mad Maudlin on a whim. I did not realize that this was an installment in a series. After reading it, I was curious to see how the story of Ace and Magnus turned out. So I picked up this novel.

First off, I found the writing and characters to be bland. The ideas behind the characters were interesting, but the whole book reads like a shadow of a story that could be great. All the characters are either completely good or evil, with no complexity. Each character is basically a cardboard stereotype: the tough-as-nails businesswoman, the greedy televangelist, the good-old southern boy, the teen angst, etc, etc.

Secondly, if you accidentally get into the middle of a great series, the first time the novel alludes to an event in a previous novel, you want to immediately go buy the previous novels and catch up. That doesn't happen here. Prior events are mentioned, but I just didn't really care. They didn't seem to have too much impact on the current story.

Lastly, the climax was just a little too neatly wrapped up. It was just like "TA-DA!!! everything is great now" Suddenly every single problem in the novel was wrapped up nice and neat, and everyone lived happily ever after.

The good side of this novel is that it is devoid of any adult themes. I have an extensive library of fantasy novels which my 11 year old son wants to read. Most of them are too adult for me, but I would not hesitate to let him read this novel or Mad Maudlin. These novels would be a great beginning point for younger readers interested in unique fantasy.

Eric Banyon is back and as good as ever.......2006-05-03

Misty is my second fav author (number 1 being Tamora Pierce) and the Bard series is one of many great works by Mrs. Lackey.

This book number eight in the series I believe returns us back to New York. We meet Eric and everyone else who have stuck by him (Kayla, Ace, Ria, etc.). More humor is abound as well as more detailed info on the teen dark elf that Gus met in book seven. And of course old enemies come back to bite poor Eric on the backside. That is not all. Remember a Bard can be evil or good it's their choice so (grins) the fun begins when good Bard vs. bad one. All that I can say is it's about time!

Laughs. You will enjoy the book if you try not to dissect it too much. It has its writing faults but I try to overlook them. Overall, a good read with a satisfactory ending.

feast for readers.......2006-03-07

The Bedlam Bard books have it all---believable paranormal juxtaposed with "real" life; beloved characters who grow and change; characters to loathe; plot lines that you don't see coming...they are wonnnnnderful. If you're new to them, start from the beginning and work your way to this one.

It's a bummer to read other reviewers and see that this may be the last in the series. That will suck. However, if this IS the last one, it did a great job of wrapping up long time characters' issues...

These characters have stayed with me for years...love them! Even the "car elf" Tannim shows up in this one! And Ria Llwellyen is used perfectly...alot is revealed about her and yet she doesn't figure nearly as prominently in this book as others.

Fantasy fiction just doesn't get any better. Mercedes Lackey rocks.

The Best of Darrell Evans - Trading My Sorrows

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The Best of Darrell Evans - Trading My Sorrows by Darrell Evans

The Best of Darrell Evans - Trading My Sorrows
Darrell Evans
Manufacturer: Integrity Music
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0634060953

Book Description

The matching folio to this long-awaited release features a new collection of songs from award-winning worship leader Darrell Evans. With new songs like "All We Want Is You" and "My Home Is You," plus favorites like "Trading My Sorrows," and "Let the River Flow," this collection combines live and studio performances with uplifting lyrics and passionate vocals to create an engaging worship experience. Includes piano/vocal arrangements and guitar chords.

Customer Reviews:

The Best of Darrell Evans - Trading My Sorrows by Darrell Evans.......2006-11-07

Darrell Evans music is uplifting, powerful and refreshing. The songs on this CD take you from dancing before the LORD to worshipping on your knees. As A Praise and Worship Minister, I found The Best of Darrell Evans - Trading My Sorrows songbook to be very useful, it has both piano score and guitar charts with finger positions. The music is so good we have used nearly every one of these songs in Praise and Worship services. If you like Darrell Evans' music - this book is a great find!

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Music To My Sorrow
Mercedes and Rosemary Edghill Lackey
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUGY4I

Sorrows of My Heart Are Enlarged (Church Music Society)

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Sorrows of My Heart Are Enlarged (Church Music Society)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Sheet music

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0193952734

Baen Books.(Emerald Sea)(Demon's Gate)(Castrophes, Chaos and Convolutions)(Conrad's Lady)(Bridge of the Separator)(Music to My Sorrow)(Masters of Fantasy)(The ... review): An article from: The Bookwatch

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Baen Books.(Emerald Sea)(Demon's Gate)(Castrophes, Chaos and Convolutions)(Conrad's Lady)(Bridge of the Separator)(Music to My Sorrow)(Masters of Fantasy)(The ... review): An article from: The Bookwatch
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000FDFQDI
Release Date: 2007-07-11

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Bookwatch, published by Thomson Gale on March 1, 2006. The length of the article is 690 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Baen Books.(Emerald Sea)(Demon's Gate)(Castrophes, Chaos and Convolutions)(Conrad's Lady)(Bridge of the Separator)(Music to My Sorrow)(Masters of Fantasy)(The Wizard of Karres)(The Two-Space War)(Blood of the Heroes)(Princess of Wands)(Blackcollar)(Book review)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: The Bookwatch (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: NA

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Trading My Sorrows

Manufacturer: Lillenas Music
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VRKDV8

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Trading My Sorrows
Dennis Allen
Manufacturer: Lillenas Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Sheet music

Book Description

Inviting us to "look" at the moon as the old ally she is," renowned feminist witch Zsuzsanna Budapest shows how to tap into the moon's power for peace, health, and energy. With delightful wit and wisdom, she shares practical and entertaining lunar lore, from ancient moon-based rituals to lunar cycle diet tips. Budapest reveals how, by acting in harmony with the moon, women can balance everything from their mood and weight to fertility. Here is a spirited illumination of the natural cycles that influence our lives.

Customer Reviews:

Not Just granny Tales.......2004-08-06

I have had this book for 3 years, I love it and it made me an instant fan of her writing style.

Religions must relate to the age in which they belong. They need to be every bit as organic as society. There is no universal truth. Witches perhaps are one of the most acutely sensitive groups of spiritualists that will absolutely agree there is no universal path as they had been persecuted for so long by those that would and literally burned them at the stake touting such nonsense.

But when I read the reviews on here about this book, some are just abrasive and non-contributory to a forward moving objective review.

So here's my shot. About me:

I am a male, and Z. pulls no punches that men are not her target audience. But I got into spells by a friend that referred me to her books and they sung out to me.

Am I gay and a wonder woman fan who staunchly feels that the Amazon can take down superman? YES.

Am I also completely masculine human service worker with a history of helping unprivileged mothers and a skilled martial artist who has volunteered his time and assisted women in self-defense programs recover & from the trauma of abuse or rape? Yes.

Female role models have taught me the inherent strength in compassion. In peace through wisdom and strength, not the peace of the prison house that so many abused women and girls live in.

Biased? No, just more informed than the average Joe on the legitimate plights of women.

That all being said...

FLAWS

*Not as user friendly as "Grandmother of Time."
I missed the pictures in "Grandmother of time" Z. I missed the spell index as well. It is irritating having all these sticky notes everywhere for each spell.

*Any reprinted editions absolutely need a spell index and table of contents that is more detailed so that the stories and interviews with goddesses are indexed correctly and easily."

*But those are really the only flaws.

STRENGTHS

*This book is detailed. It reflects folk traditions and an array of goddesses with revamped post-feminist messages in a picture free tome.

This is a spirituality book. It is not proclaiming universal truths. And if you really think garlic juice will cure cancer because it is written then go sit in the corner. Come now.

But, again it is anecdotal and garlic juice has many healing qualities. I would encourage Z. to back up some of her healing information with references in the future. Otherwise her books will read like old wives tales and their relevance will be minimized and that would be a true tragedy.

HOWEVER

***The spells work. The good ones work and the not so good ones work too. Some of them are nice and some of them are not so nice, but they work as written.

The only other criticism some of my friends have mentioned is that they argue one cannot detail spell wordings so clearly for people, but I disagree... They are merely templates and everyone needs someone to help guide them and Z's book does that fabulously (as do all of her others).

Some of her autobiographical/anecdotal stories were particularly intriguing, "the Custody of Emily and Interview with the Goddess of Love."

If my grandmothers could have provided this kind of salient wisdom to me they would be blessed be indeed. A great guide, it's not the bible people and not a scientific book, but a fantastic 5 star read.

re:whatever.......2004-02-22

It's naive, not nieve, which is Spanish for snow. If you're going to criticize those of us that do believe that the goddess is in each of us, at least do it in a gramatically correct fashion.

Over the Moon with Grandmother.......2002-12-06

When I first picked up Grandmother Moon by Z Budapest,
I found in it, the same song that my soul had been singing
for years. Just about everything that Z had to say about
Witchcraft, The Moon, The Goddess and Women's issues
resonated with me on a deep level.

How delightful to see the celebration of women, volumptuous
women, strong women, earthy women, women comfortable
with their bodies and sexuality. The celebration of Goddesses
in print.

And this book, more than any other I have found, captures
the pure energy of the Moon's Magic. The gentle feminine
mystery unfolds more and more with each chapter. Z softly
takes her readers by the hand and allows them to feel the
powerful yet peaceful energy of Grandmother Moon.

It is wonderful to read how Z transforms many patriarchal
words to being woman friendly, like 'Queendom'! I have
embraced her terms into my vocabulary with joy.

Z's 'words for The Goddess' are also with me at all my Full
Moon rituals.

I bought this book ten years ago and after initially reading it
from cover to cover, I don't think a month has gone by over
the years, without me dipping into its luscious pages. A true
Goddess send!

Lea Rebane
Priestess and Founder of Coven of the Blood Moon
Australia

Whatever.......2001-06-25

I bought this book when I was in my "Discover the Goddess within yourself" stage in life. However, Ms. Budapest does little to further the possibility of a female deity with her moonlore. Mostly post-hippy new age remakes of stuff that has no credence in this world, but helps the old getting older feel better about turning away from Christianity and into something a little daring....like the old pagan gods. Hey, how about that God of Lightning!? Yeah, he really does something for me! Must be nice to create your own "moonworld" and market it in paperback form. Nieve people eat this up; however, I will search for the Goddess elsewhere. With more credible nonsense! No offense to the author intended!

Take what this book has to say with a grain of salt........1999-01-02

The spiritual comments are marvellous, but the factual content is dodgy. Z. seems to think that a woman will always get her period at the same phase of the moon. But the typical 28-day menstrual cycle is *shorter* than the moon's cycle of 29 1/2 days, so it won't stay in step. (Besides, many women's cycles are a few days shorter or longer than the average.) Z. also says the Earth and Sun are getting closer together at the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice; that's actually close to aphelion. (It's the tilt of the Earth's axis that causes the seasons, not our distance from the Sun.) And as for astrological birth control, and garlic juice as a cure for cancer...! An inspiring book - but take it with a grain of salt.

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