Nine Nights with the Taoist Master: Deluxe Study Edition

Product Description

Enjoy this powerful new translation of Lau Tzu's Tao Te Ching woven into a teaching novel set in ancient China. In the midst of war between barbarians and China's feudal states, Lau Tzu travels to a turbulent border city. At the prince's invitation, the sage spends nine colorful nights with the prince, scholars, traders, courtiers and monks explaining the secrets of the Tao's power. In this one of a kind book, the author breaks the secret code of the Tao Te Ching, conveying the oral tradition of lineage Tao masters, and providing over 20 diagrams and illustrations that shed light on the Tao Te Chings's life-changing teachings of mysticism and meditation. This Deluxe Study Edition includes an expanded preface, an interview with the author, and a glossary of terms used by Lao Tzu and their application in meditation. Additionally, the original Chinese text as well as Master Liao's translation of the Tao Te Ching is given in separate appendices in their entirety.

Customer Reviews:

taoist teachings.......2007-08-09

This is an excellent book by a practising Daoist who clearly knows his subject. It is an easy read cast in fictional form, but embeds much deep spiritual teaching and demands frequent re-reading and much thought, followed by putting the teaching into practice. All you need is in this book. For prefernce buy the 'study edition'

Very well done book.......2006-08-28

Laotzu stops in the city of Western Peace for 9 days and offers 9 night of teachings with 9 questions per night allowed for the local ruler. The teachings are on the power of Tao. Between teaching sessions, Laotzu encounters various people and teaches in a less formal manner.

The book is a pretty smooth read, and the idea to cast teachings of Tao Te Ching into a fictional story is a brillian one. Evening teaching chapters are a bit dense - the teachings themselves are full of symbolism and mystery, typical for taoism. The in between chapters often offer some explanation of the teachings in a more approachable way.

The book is very well done. One may enjoy it just for the story and pick up some Taoist principles along the way. In a way the book itself is very Taoist - it tells you that our usual way of learing hardly applies to Tao, and it offers a different kind of a learning vehicle. Some say that no direct writing on Tao is erally possible, so this also offers a more indirect way. Do not expect that after reading the book you will decypher all of the taoist mysteries. You may, however, gain a much better intuitive appreciation of what Tao is all about.

The dimensional translation brought to life.......2005-12-04

Philosophers, scholars and other intellectuals have tried countless times to translate Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. There are so many translations and commentaries. However all of these other translations provide a linear comprehension of the Tao Te Ching. Linear meaning the knowledge derived is thought to be of ideological value. Reason being that all these philosophers, scholars and other intellectuals are not Masters of the Tao and hence they conject based on their inadequate level of realization. Hence providing the linear, incorrect and "missing the point" translation.

Master Liao, being a Grandmaster of the Tao has given the dimensional and applicable translation of the Tao Te Ching. I'm a Taiji Gong practitioner and through my own meditative experiences I can understand and apply the Tao Te Ching as translated by Master Waysun Liao.

If I may paraphrase to help others understand the Tao and the Te is analogous to "part and parcel of the whole" - Te being part and Tao being the whole. This dimensional aspect, that interaction of the Te and the Tao is what Master Liao elaborates on in Nine Nights with the Taoist Master.

I highly recommend this book for anyone studying the Tao. I hope this book becomes widely known as a great translation for the Tao Te Ching because its standard is higher then intellectual.

Nine Nights Study Edition - a Resource for Your Meditation.......2005-11-29

Nine Nights with the Taoist Master, Deluxe Study Edition

The Deluxe Study Edition includes all 24 chapters of "Nine Nights" and adds an additional 110 pages of appendices and an "afterward". These additions are a fascinating addition to Master Waysun Liao's story of Lao Tzu's visit to a border town in China before wandering across the Western mountains toward India. During the visit he reveals the secrets of living in the Tao. Portions of these secrets eventually become the text of the Tao Te Ching.
The importance of this story is that it lends context to the enigmatic text of the Tao Te Ching. Without this context, the interpretation of this classic will vary widely. With the context of a story, there is a cohesive vision of the eighty-one chapters of the Tao Te Ching which explain how man may live in harmony with the world and the world unseen.
The"Afterword" is a conversation with Master Liao about interpreting the Tao Te Ching, religion, and the practice of Taichi today. He expresses a view that is insightful and controversial.
Appendix 1 is a direct, character by character translation of the latest scrolls unearthed in 1973. These scrolls are felt to be the earliest record of the Tao Te Ching. This translation is keyed, line by line to references in the story. Thus a student of the enigmatic version of the Tao Te Ching can refer back to the contextual meaning given within Master Liao's story. It truly gives the poetry an enriched meaning.
Appendix 2 is the original text, IN CHINESE, of the scrolls. This should be invaluable should an able scholar wish to understand the basis of Master Liao's translation.
The third Appendix is a jewel of a glossary of 23 key terms used by Lao Tzu. Not only is the meaning of each term explained, but suggestions are made on how to incorporate the concepts into the reader's meditative practice. For example Master Liao explains how to use breathing techniques to reunite the mind and body. Appendix 3 will inspire many productive meditation sessions, sessions that hopefully will lead the meditator to experience the power of the Tao.
The Deluxe Study Edition is definitely worth the additional money. With the study edition, the Tao Te Ching goes way beyond puzzling poetry; it becomes instead a resource for your practice, a practice that can guide you towards a life in harmony with the Tao.

Wow....Lao Tzu comes alive..........2005-11-17

I'm surprised nobody ever thought of this great idea.....create a fictional rendition of Lao Tzu's dissemination of the Tao Te Ching. Movies and books have been written about Siddhartha's journey to Buddhahood, about Jesus Christ, about the Dalai Lama, but never about the patriarch of Taoist thought...at least not in English. Absolutely brilliant idea.....

In actual reading, the story is about Lao Tzu spending nine nights with an ancient Chinese prince. On each night Lao Tzu speaks to the prince and his guest and answers questions about life, spiritual truth, etc... On each of the nine nights, Lao Tzu offers, within his answers and conversation, nine teachings of what we now know as the Tao Te Ching (9 nights times 9 teachings equals 81 chapters of the original Tao Te Ching). The actual Tao Te Ching translation is italicized and indexed line for line so it jumps out of the novel's text. The Tao Te Ching translation can also be found in its entirety at the back of the book.

The book contains 24 chapters plus appendices, so there is much more. What happens between each of the nine evening discussions is the adventure story.There are insightful interactions between many colorful characters which provide parables and illustrations of the very lessons Lao Tzu is trying to teach.

While the storyline is easy and holds a few twists and surprises, the teaching sections are quite packed full of keys for inner alchemy, cosmology, and mystic philosophy. The teaching sections are not a quick read and are somewhat challenging to follow, in that Liao is offering a new perspective on Lao Tzu. He is claiming that the Tao Te Ching is actually a guidebook on mysticism and uses the story to explain heretofore unconsidered applications of Lao Tzu's words.

The cosmology of Taoism in this book is somewhat different than that of other commentaries on the Tao Te Ching. Liao's "power of Tao," a concept that he refers to over and over again, is actually the power of an ultimate God that can be accessed and palpably felt through correct meditation and life orientation. His convictions are set forth quite forcefully in the deluxe edition's preface and "afterword" interview. He translates the word "Tao" as the ultimate and orginal creative force of the universe, and "Te" as a piece of that same force contained within each person. Thusly, he offers the title "Tao Te Ching" as meaning the book that will show how to connect the infinite power inside oneself with the infinite power of the universe.

Whether or not you can digest the entirety of his message, the book holds something for everyone who is interested in eastern religious thought, Taoism, Taichi, meditation, or who just likes a good Chinese martial arts/mystical master kind of story

Customer Reviews:

Good selection of stories.......2004-08-31

"Catwoman: Nine Lives of A Feline Fatale" presents some of the best "Catwoman" stories from the sixty-some years of the character's existance in the world of the Batman. While Michael Uslan gives a pretty decent introduction for this particular Bat-foe, and a quick mention of the upcoming movie, the stories do the best job for presenting the different interpretations of the character.

One note. It would have been nice if someone had mentioned the previous Batman trade paperback, "The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told, Volume II" which was split between Penquin and Catwoman stories when Batman Returns came out. That collection also had some landmark stories for the felonious feline, that also deserved mention in this volume.

Still, an excellent selection that shows the character evolution from a mostly romantic adversary for our favorite masked dark knight detective to a fully developed character in her own right. Though, I do somewhat cringe with the dialogue in the earlier stories that almost seem embarrassing to hear (much less read). For an example of this, check out "Catwoman Sets Her Claws for Batman" and see what I mean. It's almost like its from the Adam West television program. Not that is totally bad, I loved the sixties show,but still . . you find yourself wondering how Mr West could say the dialogue straight and not break down laughing.

Both collections have missed out on one of my favorite stories from 1974, the title to that classic tale, "Catwoman's Circus Trap." I loved that story, it pretty much summed up Batman's/Bruce Wayne's problems with women. Great quote. Dig it up, if you can find it.

As mentioned by the previous reviewer, it does have an excellent cover done by Brian Bollard, though the white background seems a bit off to me.

This collection, was released to tie into the recent Halle Berry film version of the character, which has since bombed at the box office. If the average comic reader wants to get introduced to the character, they can't do better than this selection and DK's visual guide to our favorite Bat-villainess.

Sincerely,

JThree
carolyn@dia.net

Nine lives of Selina.......2004-07-12

It's almost worth buying for Bolland's great cover. But inside are some other nice pin-ups by various artists touching each phase of Selina's costume's and stories. I actually prefer the "Cat", thats the first story she's in with Batman saying "papa spank!!" So you get one story from each costume you see on the cover. I admit the mid 60's Catwoman brought this book down from 5 stars. But the early and later versions are a hoot!! Between Selina and Bruce, the never consumated love affair reads from the last story to the first. She's always been a great character and this is a good read and fairly priced. Hey, it's been put out to catch the new Halle Berry movie readers. But the dyed in the wool older fans know that there is only 9 versions of Ms Kyle, check it out!!!!

Book Description

Ever wonder what it would be like to walk into someone else's mind and have a look around? Well, what if that person happened to be a brilliant storyteller whose imagination has captivated millions of readers over the past five decades? In the award-winning anthology Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor, we have had both the privilege and peril of rooting around in the eponymous fellow's noggin to see what makes him tick - and what engrossing stories have been hidden away in the cracks and crevices of his gray matter. The words of world-renowned science-fiction author Harlan Ellison are once again translated onto the page by top comics creators, including Paul Chadwick, Neal Adams, Steve Rude, Gene Colan, Steve Niles, Gerard Jones, Richard Corben and the legendary Oz illustrator Eric Shanower. Most of these stories have never before seen print!

Customer Reviews:

!!!!!.......2007-05-23

An EXCELLENT collection of hardcore fantasy and science fiction. Harlan Ellison is the master of his trade. Here, like before, he's the tour guide, giving tidbits of information about who drew and penciled what, his inspirations, autobiographical details, etc. It's a good selection of stories; each one is imaginatively illustrated in a different and distinct style by top notch artists, providing for an unpredictable, sometimes disturbing, sometimes whimsical journey. I think Ellison is best when visualized like this, and Dream Corridor (both volumes) is some of my favorite work by the author. A great buy for both fans and newcomers.

Stories:

The Silver Corridor
Opposites Attract
Djinn, No Chaser
One Life, Furnished in Early Poverty
Goodbye to All That
The Voice in the Garden
The Discarded
Gnomebody
Moonlighting
Eyes of Dust (fragment)
Rock God
Are You Listening?
The Lingering Scent of Woodsmoke
The Man on the Juice Wagon

Adaptations by:

Mark Wald, Ty Templeton, Tony Isabella, Gerard Jones, Jan Strnad, Bret Blevins, Steve Niles, John Ostrander, Diana Schutz, Elliot S! Maggin.

Illustrations by:

Gene Ha, Rags Morales, Jay Lynch, Paul Chadwick, Kent Bash, Bret Blevins, Gene Colan, Neal Adams, Terese Nielsen, Richard Corben.

Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor Volume 1 (Dark Horse Comics Collection)

Average customer rating:

Quite a treat
Not good, not bad ...
Could be much better
This book is borring dribble
"...a jolt to the brain and a feast for the eyes!"

Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor Volume 1 (Dark Horse Comics Collection)
Harlan Ellison
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1569712107

Amazon.com

Unlike authors who agree to have their work adapted to comics yet remain distant from the finished product, Harlan Ellison loves comics and loves that he has his own comic book. Dream Corridor is essential for die-hard Ellison fans, not only because of the 14 adaptations of his short stories, but also because it contains 5 all-new prose pieces. One of the prose pieces, "Chatting with Anubis," won the Deathrealm Award and the Horror Writers Association's Bram Stoker Award for best short story of 1995. If you're not familiar with Ellison's work, Dream Corridor is a great sampler, and it's loaded with a diversity of art styles with illustrations by top-notch artists, including Doug Wildey, Michael T. Gilbert, Gary Gianni, Teddy Kristiansen, and David Lapham. "The End Time of Leinard," "On the Slab," "Knox," "The Rough Boys," and "Cold Friend" are just a few of the stories adapted.

Book Description

Harlan Ellison is surely one of the most creative thinkers of our time -- his stories of the fantastic have captured the imaginations of millions of people over the last four decades. In this trade paperback, some of the comics industry's wildest and most original talents adapt Ellison's greatest stories to the comic-book format. Such renowned writers and illustrators as Len Wein, Pat Broderick, Doug Wildey, Phil Foglio, Gary Gianni, Teddy Kristiansen, Max Allan Collins, Tom Sutton, Skip Williamson, Peter David, Mike Deodato, and David Lapham bring to life such award-winning stories as "The End of the Time of Leinard," "Rat Hater," "Knox," "The Rough Boys," and "Catman," as well as nine others. Ellison's interstitial pages -- introducing and commenting on the adaptations -- transmogrified into art by famed OZ artist Eric Shanower -- are included in this 192-page collection, as are the five short stories Ellison wrote especially for the Dream Corridor series (one of which, "Chatting with Anubis," recently won both the Deathrealm Award and the Horror Writers Association's Bram Stoker Award as best short story of 1995). Includes an art gallery by Michael Whelan, Stephen Hickman, and Overton Loyd, and features a cover by Leo and Diane Dillon. If you've ever wondered what preoccupies the mind of a creative genius, just take a walk down Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor.

Customer Reviews:

Quite a treat.......2001-09-07

One of my favorite comic books. I read it weekly. Anything by Ellison is worth buying and this collection is definily worth it. The best story is probably Rat Hater.

Not good, not bad ..........2001-08-31

What we have here is Harlan Ellison having some of his short stories (of which he has written over two thousand) adapted into being graphic stories.

An illustrated character (Ellison himself) takes the reader into his "corridor of dreams" where all the stories he ever wrote are stored in departments. He guides us through the humungous building and opens a department every now and then. Everytime he does the tour is interrupted and we get to read a selected short story ( a window-tale if you will), adapted into comicdom by different people (Len Wein, Michael T. Gilbert and others).
In this particular book are five of those short-stories which vary in quality. I definately want to point out "Rat-hater", a story about a guy taking revenge in the most gruesome way he can think of on a guy who is responsible for his sisters death. To my taste this is the best story in the book (both the story as the painted art are not to be missed). Some of the others are nice (The Len Wein story and something called "On the Slab") but there's also a story done by Phil Foglio about which you'll probably feel sorry you took the time for it afterwards.
Between the several short stories, in the sequences where Ellison takes the reader from one department to another, Ellison uses some pages to take some personal shots at people who in his eyes wrongfully criticezed his work, in a pretty chauvinistic way.
The last two pages contain part of a new never-printed-before piece of proze by Ellison.

All in all the conclussion I must come to is that this is not a spectacularly good book. There are some nice (not great) stories in here and there are some lesser ones.... As it is it's quite enjoyable but only worth the money for true Harlan Ellison fans who can't get enough of him.

Could be much better.......1999-06-30

This collection has so many problems - mainly, the selection of stories. These tales are by no means his best, or even his better ones. They seem like second-hand-twilight-zone stories: extremely predictable, and might I say... amateurish? Also, the artists chosen for these adaptations could have used some reconsideration. "Knox" has some interesting (?), abstract work, and "On the Slab" is beautiful, but the rest can go. Plus, several prose pieces are included, and if I wanted that, I'd buy one of his novels! Finally, "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream", part of the original comic series, and probably the most well-done, is not included. Boo, hiss.

This book is borring dribble.......1999-06-17

If the reader wants a series of borring, unimaginative, and childish "stories" this is the book for you. Harlan has a way of boldly stating facts and ideas in this book as though they are his own when in reality, they are the same tired old stories, ideas, and viewpoints you have heard from many many other people over the years. In the end you kind of feel sorry for the guy. Doesn't Harlan know what this makes him look like?

"...a jolt to the brain and a feast for the eyes!".......1997-11-13

Ellison once wrote that there are "five native American art forms that we've given to the world: Jazz, of course. Musical comedy as we know it today. The detective story as crafted by Poe. The banjo. And comic books." On display between these covers are some of the finest examples of comic book art and writing. "Dream Corridor" sprang to life after Showtime and HBO (having solicited him for an ongoing series) balked at paying Ellison for typing up proposals for a cable TV show. Still intrigued with the thought of having his tales transformed into the visual medium, Ellison came up with the idea for this ongoing series of quarterly comic books. Then he had them adapted by some of the finest writers and artists working in the medium (Faye Perozich, Peter David, Max Alan Collins, Doug Wildey, John K, Snyder, Mike Deodato, etc.). And to make the package twice as enticing, each issue of "Dream Corridor" included an original piece of cover artwork (beautifully drawn by the likes of Leo and Diane Dillon, Stephen Hickman or Sam Raffa)around which Ellison would write a brand new story. Not a few of those stories are already considered some of Ellison's best work in recent years: "Pulling Hard Time" is a hard-hitting, futuristic tale which begs a closer examination of our penal system and the often lopsided scales of justice. "Chatting With Anubis," a recent winner of the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers of America, is a sly rumination on gods and what happens when the believers stop believing. And "Midnight In the Sunken Cathedral" is a haunting story about a son who transcends time and space to confront the father he never knew. This collection of the first year's output from "Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor" is a jolt to the brain and a feast for the eyes! It's sure to attract new fans to a much maligned form of art.

Average customer rating:

Harlan Ellison`s Dream Corridor

Manufacturer: Dark Horse Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1569711976

Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor Issue 1 (Issue 1 Volume 1)

Average customer rating:

Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor Issue 1 (Issue 1 Volume 1)
Harlan Ellison
Manufacturer: Dark Horse Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

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ASIN: B000P1APZO

Product Description

The first issue of Dream Corridor.

Average customer rating:

Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor Special
Harlan Ellison
Manufacturer: Dark Horse Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

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ASIN: B000NOU3P0

Product Description

Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor Special. January 1995. Four stories by Harlan Ellison.

Average customer rating:

Great Book - Things I never thought of!!

Not For Purists!

Made It FINALLY happen

It doesn't get any better!

This book rocks.

The Art of Pizza Making: Trade Secrets and Recipes
Dominick A. Deangelis
Manufacturer: The Creative Pizza Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

Pizza | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza

How to Open a Financially Successful Pizza & Sub Restaurant

Getting Your Slice of the Pie: A Definitive Source for Prospering in Pizza

Pizza: More than 60 Recipes for Delicious Homemade Pizza

Pizza Pizza

ASIN: 0963203401
Release Date: 2007-01-01

Product Description

This book is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of pizza making, for both the amateur pizza maker, and for those who would like to open their own pizzeria. It contains additional information not normally found in a cookbook such as trade secrets, where to buy ingredients wholesale (e.g., the high gluten flour), and comparisons and instructions for special preparation and baking equipment such as baking pans, baking stones, pizza screens, commercial pizza ovens, mixing machines and proof boxes. It also contains my unique collection of over 40 pizza recipes such as barbecue, breakfast, Buffalo, calzone, cheeseburger, deep fried (a.k.a. Old Forge style ), dessert, Hawaiian, Indian, mac-n-cheese, mashed potato, Middle East, pesto, red, roasted red pepper, seafood, Sicilian, Southwest, stromboli, taco, tuna melt, vegetable and white, with preparation instructions for stuffed, rolled or open-faced style. All the recipes in this book have been perfected, and all the details have been included so that even the most amateur pizza makers can get professional results. Not only does this book include proven recipes, it provides all the tools necessary to create your own masterpiece. I've tried too many recipes that show beautiful pictures of pizzas, but once created are displeasing to the palate. This book is for genuine pizza lovers who are willing to take the time to do-it-right. Creating pizzas can be as much fun as eating them!

Customer Reviews:

Great Book - Things I never thought of!!.......2007-09-26

This book explains pizza from a whole different point of view. It has really helped us in knowing how to make a great pizza in different ways.

I really enjoyed this book and will use it forever.

Thanks

Not For Purists!.......2007-09-15

I'm very disappointed in this book. DeAngelis suggests using not only MSG, but includes sugar in all the dough recipes! Even the Margherita! Zowie. My search continues for the perfect at-home pizza book. This is definitely not it. Peter Reinhart comes close.

Made It FINALLY happen.......2007-08-03

This book is all you'll ever need to make great pizzas. I had tried several times over the years and each result was gross. I chose the author's simplest method ( a perforated pan, he offers several equipment-related techniques ) and I even used store-bought pizza sauce ( Ragu Homemade style as I wanted to get the pizza crust working before I tackled making my own sauce ) AND MY FIRST PIZZA WAS DELICIOUS ! Pay attention to Dr DeAngelis's basic rules and you can't miss. No other cookbook has brought me such sucess --- Bravo !!

It doesn't get any better!.......2007-07-06

I tried the recipes in many Pizza books before I bought this one. None of them helped me to make Pizza that was worth the effort. This book changed everything. I am now making Pizza better than anything I could buy and best of all; my family thinks the Pizza I make is the best! You will never find a method for a better crust than the one in this book.

All the secrets to making incredible Pizza are in this book. If you follow the author's recommendations as written, you are guarantied to make delicious, incredible Pizza. Tomato sauce pizzas, breakfast pizza, black bean pizza, Buffalo wing pizza (my favorite) and many, many more!

This book rocks........2007-06-02

I was thrilled to find this book (thanks to Amazon reviews) after years of struggling to make satisfying pizza at home. King Arthur Flour's Bakers Catalogue has high gluten flour available in smaller quantities, a purchase worth the effort. I finally have a crust I'm really proud of--kneeding by hand or with mixer--and his tips for sauce and mixing cheese (mozz AND prov together) have also improved our final product. I've adapted the crust recipe and have one I love. Now I just want a pizza oven! Oh well--Dominic helped us make the best possible pizza one can make at home. Highly recommended.

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