The Brothers Karamazov Audio CD – May 1, 2008

The Brothers Karamazov (Blackstone Audio Classic Collection) Audio CD – May 1, 2008
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky ID: 1433213842

Review

”[Dostoevsky is] at once the most literary and compulsively readable of novelists we continue to regard as great . . . The Brothers Karamazov stands as the culmination of his art — his last, longest, richest, and most capacious book.” —Washington Post Book World

”The Brothers Karamazov is the most magnificent novel ever written.” –Sigmund Freud

”Heartily recommended to any reader who wishes to come as close to Dostoevsky’s Russian as it is possible.” –Joseph Frank, Princeton University

”The Brother Karamazov…is the strongest [novel] Dostoevsky composed, and is where his genius should be sought…he seems to me to have a deeper relationship with Shakespeare than criticism so far has revealed.” –Harold Bloom

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation)

–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Audio CDPublisher: Blackstone Audiobooks, Inc.; Unabridged edition (May 1, 2008)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1433213842ISBN-13: 978-1433213847 Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.2 x 1.9 inches Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #910,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #257 in Books > Books on CD > Literature & Fiction > Classics #678 in Books > Books on CD > Romance #2454 in Books > Books on CD > Literature & Fiction > Unabridged
"I would die happy if I could finish this final novel, for I would have then expressed myself completely."
This statement from Fyodor Dostoyevsky helps elucidate both the theme and purpose of the The Brothers Karamazov, one of the greatest masterpieces of world literature. Superficially, the novel deals with a patricide and how each of the book’s characters contributed directly or indirectly to that murder.
Yet, The Brothers Karamazov, at its heart, is so much more. Its underlying theme deals with the drive for self-redemption in the eyes of both God and man and the role suffering plays in facilitating that redemption.
Fyodor Karamazov has fathered four sons, Dmitri, Ivan and Alyosha, by two wives, and one, Smerdyakov, with a peasant woman known as stinking Lizaveta.
Fyodor Karamazov, a vulgar and ill-tempered man represents, for Dostoyevsky, the Russian government of his times. Like the government, Fyodor shuns his children, preferring instead the materialistic, but joyless, life of wealth and possessions. His union with Lizaveta, who comes to represent all the peasants of Dostoyevsky’s Russia, produces Smerdyakov, a bastard child who, in his own turn, will be raped and pillaged by the government and will go on to give birth, metaphorically, to bastard children of his own.
Karamazov’s eldest son, Dmitri, an impulsive sensualist, finds respect as an overbearing soldier but one whose inability to pay his debts eventually turns him into a poor and irrational man.
Ivan, Fyodor’s second son, is a cold intellectual who finds his fulfillment in his literary and creative abilities. He becomes famous through his writings, especially those concerning the Russian Church.
Anyone interested in the central question facing mankind will find `The Brothers Karamazov’ an essential guide. That question–on man’s capacity for responsibility and the proper role of the state and religion–is posed throughout the story in dialogue and events, and is framed neatly in a 20-page section where Ivan presents a poem titled `The Grand Inquisitor’ to his brother Alyosha. The chapter that bears that title (Book V, Chapter V) is a masterpiece in itself and should be studied for its narrative technique alone. But the ideas it presents are so immense, so mind-blowing and inspirational, that literary criticism is not sufficient.

Indeed, `The Brothers Karamazov’ should not be classed merely as a novel–it is a book of philosophy, theology, and sociology as well that ranks with the greatest documents in those disciplines. There is a fictitious plot, of course, and the characters in the story are some of the most interesting in all of literature, so it is rightly praised as a novel. But the modern reader looking for a plot of twists and romantic intrigues is bound to disappointment. Dostoevsky does not stir up drama through the placement of unexpected developments or improbable character traits. Instead, he relies on the inherent needs and wants of all men to make vivid his story.

The amount of dialogue may be shocking (tedious) to one accustomed to the modern show-don’t-tell policy in storytelling. Today, novelists and screenwriters let a character’s actions speak for them–it is quicker and provides a much more convincing impression. It also limits the kind of ideas that are posed in the story to simple, prosaic ones like `she likes him’ or `he wants to defeat him.
I recently read a book so amazing, so well-written, and so memorable that I simply must tell you about it. It’s The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. After reading another of Dostoyevsky’s novels, Crime and Punishment, a while ago, and thoroughly loving it, I had to get this one, for I had heard it was his best work. And I can’t disagree. To sum up the premise quickly, the novel takes place in Russia circa 1890, and tells the story of four brothers who become involved in the murder of their own father. That is the most basic summary of the plot I can give; but it doesn’t even begin to give you an idea of the territory covered in this massive, sprawling novel. (Over 700 pages of great literature.) There are other things going on besides this murder, and eventually the novel is about so much more than this.
This novel has possibly some of the best characterization I’ve ever seen for any book, period. This is not an exaggeration. First, the four brothers are each given their own distinct personality and background (even though they are brothers they come from different pasts) and become some of the most developed, recognizable, and memorable characters I’ve ever encountered. In addition, the father is one of the most pathetic, funny, and evil characters in literature. But even then, Dostoyevsky does not stop. There are probably ten or fifteen secondary characters that appear a lot, and even more third-tier figures that don’t have much time in the book but are still memorable. This is because whenever a new character is introduced, the author devotes at least a couple of full, developed passages telling the reader about the person, and reveals even more through the many conversations and speeches people have. Remarkably, there are never any repetetive characters.
isoHunt BitTorrent P2P torrent search engine 1 Type isohuntbot in the Telegram search then press Start when found 2 Or may be you know how to make it better Let us know in the comments dla psau edu sa what your people may collection of papers presented at the 32nd International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites January 27 February 1 2008

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The Undefeated Mind Free Download

The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self Paperback – November 6, 2012
Author: Visit ‘s Alex Lickerman MD Page ID: 0757316425

Review

“Alex Lickerman mines life’s greatest challenges with an artist’s eye, a scientist’s rigor and a Buddhist’s wise hand. The result is a book that I could not stop reading. Alex’s unique gifts as a writer, doctor and scientific thinker make for an epiphany-studded quest to tame his own mind and to commune with the minds of others. He has produced a book that is profound, compassionate, and triply inspiring.”

–Kaja Perina, editor-in-chief, Psychology Today

“Buddhism and Western medicine would seem an incongruous mixture, but in the hands of Alex Lickerman they meld seamlessly into a recipe for overcoming life’s hardshipsindeed, for turning them into advantages.  An accomplished physician, Lickerman has no truck for the supernatural, but recognizes that the tenets of Nichiren Buddhism have been honed over centuries to help alleviate life’s inevitable sufferings. The Undefeated Mind is a deeply engaging story of how Lickerman has fused modern medicine with ancient wisdom to heal his patients both physically and psychologicallylessons that apply to all of us.”   

–Jerry Coyne, professor of Ecology and Evolution at University of Chicago and author of Why Evolution is True

“Eastern religious practices such as chanting are often brushed aside as ‘mysticism’ by Western science. In this highly original book based on extensive case studies, Lickerman effectively bridges these two great traditions, providing novel insights along the way on how we can all triumph over the psychological impact of adversity and live joyfully, even in this ‘vale of tears.'”

–V. S. Ramachandran, director of the Center for Brain and Cognition at University of California San Diego and author of the New York Times bestseller The Tell-Tale Brain

“Dr. Lickerman’s wisdom and compassion are evident on every page of this outstanding book. Inspired by his many years of practice in the Nichiren Buddhist tradition, Dr. Lickerman, a practicing physician, sets forth nine principles for developing an ‘undefeated mind.’ An undefeated mind is not a passive mind that is sometimes associated with Buddhism. It is a mind that never gives up the search for solutions to life’s inevitable obstacles. It is a mind that knows that peace and happiness are attainable even in the midst of hardships, such as rejection, illness, and loss. It is a mind that treats adversity as an opportunity for growth.

By sharing personal stories of how he and his patients have benefited from these nine principles, Dr. Lickerman turns them into easy-to-apply tools that everyone can put to use immediately.

Incorporating the nine principles of The Undefeated Mind into your everyday life will open the door to limitless compassion for others and to unshakeable happiness for yourself. This profound book has the power to change your life.”

Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers

The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self Alex Lickerman.
HCI Books, $15.95 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-0-7573-1642-5 

    When life brings adversity such as profound loss or illness, we may sometimes feel defeated and powerless to change either the circumstance or our emotional response. Physician and blogger Lickerman tells us that things are only as bleak as they seem, and, using actual conversations with his patients, reveals the process of achieving an “inner life state” that mitigates suffering. More than presenting just a good theory or interesting stories, he interweaves compelling scientific research and core tenets of Nichiren Buddhism to flesh out this inner life state: nine central principles that moderate physical and emotional pain. The point of eIDg suffering is “not for solving problems but for establishing a life state that makes all problems solvable.” The interplay of dialogue, narrative, science, and faith flows effortlessly, interrupted only by thought-provoking observations such as “research suggests that the more we use our willpower, the weaker it becomes,” and “our expectations profoundly influence our responses to our experiences.” The principles are well constructed and the book well written; the author not only describes an undefeated mind but also teaches the thinking that yields one. Agent: Stephany Evans. (Nov.) (Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly)

“One of my favorite new books is The Undefeated Mind.  It’s a powerful book that helps you cultivate your inner strength to face hard times with a fearless heart. It’s more than a book. It’s a set of tools for life.”

–J.D. Meier, Sources of Insight

About the Author

Alex Lickerman, MD, is a physician and former director of primary care at one of the world’s most prestigious universities, the University of Chicago. He is also a practicing Nichiren Buddhist and leader in the Nichiren Buddhist lay organization, the Soka Gakkai International, USA (SGI-USA). Dr. Lickerman is a prolific writer, having written for medical textbooks, national trade publications, and even for Hollywood with an adaptation of Milton’s Paradise Lost. He has extensive speaking experience, having given lectures at high schools, colleges, and medical conferences, and was recently selected by the Consumers’ Research Council of America as one of America’s top physicians in their publication Guide to America’s Top Physicians. Dr. Lickerman’s blog “Happiness in this World” is syndicated on the website of Psychology Today, and receives over one hundred thousand unique visitors per month. Please visit his website at http://ift.tt/2ii5QyS.

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Paperback: 288 pagesPublisher: HCI; 1 edition (November 6, 2012)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0757316425ISBN-13: 978-0757316425 Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #5,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #37 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism #58 in Books > Self-Help > Spiritual #244 in Books > Self-Help > Personal Transformation
I rarely see the point in giving something a three-star review. It basically tells readers that the book, CD or movie is "average," so what’s the point?
However, this book has a lot of plusses, as well as some "not-so-plusses," so I figured that a review might be of use to people to decide whether they would find the book to be of value or not.
On the "not so plus" side, the book is basically "Self-Help 101." In other words, if you are new to self-help books, then most of what is in this book will be new to you. However, if you are a "veteran" of such books, you will find very little new information or insights in this book. In fact, the author cites hundreds of journal studies. This isn’t necessary a bad thing. The only problem is that, if you’ve read many self-help books before, you will recognize dozens of these studies. They are the exact same ones that hundreds of authors have cited before in hundreds of other books. (You probably have a lot of these studies memorized.)
On the plus side, there are a few new and interesting insights, most of which are contained in the first couple of chapters. After that, though, in the remaining chapters, it’s pretty much "more of the same" that you’ve read in every other self-help book over the years.
Where the book really shines, though, is in the compassion that literally exudes from every page. It is obvious that this author is genuinely a caring and loving individual, with a great deal of compassion for his patients in specific, and people in general. As a result, by the time you are finished reading the book, you may not have learned anything intellectually, but you do end up with a really warm feeling – a true emotional high.
We all grew up listening to fairy tales. For the most part, the story plot provided a dilemma, a solution and usually ended with "and they all lived happily ever after." I think we came to believe that after reaching certain points in life, after completing school, getting married, establishing a career, we would enjoy the fairy tale of living happily ever after.

For most of us, it did not take too long to realize that was not the way life is. While our innate drive is to seek to maximize happiness, for the most part we are not given very good directions. For a time we were led to believe that achieving certain materialistic goals would bring the happiness we longed for. But we soon learned that no matter what material goals we achieve, we soon habituate to them – the new wears off and their ability to satisfy us diminishes.

Clearly we need a better approach to life and its ups and downs if we are going to lead a happy, productive life. Dr. Alex Lickerman, the author of The Undefeated Mind has provided us an exceptionally well written book which gives us the tools necessary for a better approach.

The first lesson we need to understand and accept is that we need to "… stop hoping for easy lives and instead to focus on cultivating the inner strength we need to enjoy the difficult lives we all have."

We have grown up thinking that things will bring us happiness. But the more things we acquire and the more attached we become to these things, the more vulnerable we become. Our attachment to things increases the possibility we will experience suffering.

According to Dr. Lickerman, what we need is the wisdom to deal with life the way life is.
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The ABSITE Review Fourth Edition Free Download

The ABSITE Review (American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination) Fourth Edition
Author: Steven M. Fiser MD ID: 1451186908

Series: American Board of Surgery In-Training ExaminationPaperback: 328 pagesPublisher: LWW; Fourth edition (July 22, 2013)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1451186908ISBN-13: 978-1451186901 Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #15,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #4 in Books > Textbooks > Medicine & Health Sciences > Medicine > Clinical > Oncology #9 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Internal Medicine > Oncology #11 in Books > Textbooks > Medicine & Health Sciences > Medicine > Clinical > Surgery > General

Why I’m reviewing: The ABSITE Review was my bible throughout residency, and I thank Fiser. I scored >90% on the ABSITE in all but one year, and I just passed the real board exam. That’s not bragging, that’s credentialing.

Also why I’m reviewing: this edition is almost exactly the same book as the past two editions.

Fiser’s ABSITE Review is the single best book for studying for the ABSITE. I’ve read it since it’s first edition when I was a 4th year med student. I upgraded to the second edition, skipped the 3rd after seeing few changes, and only got the 4th to get it on my Kindle and to study for the real board exam.

This book has hardly changed since the 2nd edition.

In many ways, it’s a compliment to Fiser he wrote such a strong initial review book. But now the publishers are targeting anxious residents by rolling out a 2010 car and simply relabeling it a 2014 with the new car price.

So if you can buy a 3rd or even a 2nd edition cheaply, go for it. Study it hard, daily, and well. It’s akin to an athlete’s daily workout. Augment it with clinical experience, a good clinical text (Cameron’s or ACS Surgery), and UpToDate if you have it or eMedicine if you don’t. The ABSITE Review covers all the basic sciences, stats, and pharmacology any clinically oriented resident can tolerate.

If you want to upgrade your 2nd or 3rd edition, fact check it with UpToDate or get Fiser’s comprehensive ABSITE review (Fiser, Comprehensive Absite Review). The latter really does pack more info, and some of it is both testable and clinically relevant.

This is the most comprehensive ABSITE review available to date.
It helped me score 99th percentile last year.
A must read for junior and senior residents.

Some out-of-date info from the previous version was corrected, and some new figures were added. However, some nice tables and figures from the previous version were also removed. The font size has been reduced significantly, making the text blocks look significantly more monolithic and thus more intimidating to read. It’s still a good reference, but I think the old version was friendlier to the eyes.
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The Velveteen Rabbit – Illustrated, January 6, 1958 Free Download

The Velveteen Rabbit Hardcover – Illustrated, January 6, 1958
Author: Visit ‘s Margery Williams Page ID: 0385077254

.com Review

A stuffed toy rabbit (with real thread whiskers) comes to life in Margery Williams’s timeless tale of the transformative power of love. Given as a Christmas gift to a young boy, the Velveteen Rabbit lives in the nursery with all of the other toys, waiting for the day when the Boy (as he is called) will choose him as a playmate. In time, the shy Rabbit befriends the tattered Skin Horse, the wisest resident of the nursery, who reveals the goal of all nursery toys: to be made "real" through the love of a human. "’Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’" This sentimental classic–perfect for any child who’s ever thought that maybe, just maybe, his or her toys have feelings–has been charming children since its first publication in 1922. (A great read-aloud for all ages, but children ages 8 and up can read it on their own.)

From Publishers Weekly

The beloved tale of the stuffed bunny who becomes real is complemented by delicate pastel drawings. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Age Range: 3 – 7 yearsGrade Level: Preschool – 2Hardcover: 33 pagesPublisher: Doubleday; Reissue edition (January 1, 1991)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0385077254ISBN-13: 978-0385077255 Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.4 x 9.7 inches Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #1,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Alphabet #3 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Publishing & Books > Authorship #3 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Communication

I seldom write reviews on children’s books, although I love them with a passion. My children are now mothers and my grandchildren are past young childhood. However, I believe that somewhere deep inside each of us remains a small child that still loves fairy tales, cotton candy, and walking barefoot in the grass. This book was one of my children’s favourites, along with "Charlotte’s Web;" both were also my own personal favourites. When my children were six years old reading this book became a nighly adventure until I knew the words by heart. For the reviewer who rated the book with a one star due to a spelling error, my heart goes out to you; you have sadly missed something very important – the message. The book is not about spelling, editing or lack thereof; it is about encouragement and love.
The book tells the story of a toy, sawdust-filled rabbit who wishes with all his heart to become real. The message contained in this book is poignant, heart-warming and touching, and one that you will never foreget as long as you live. It is a story of beauty, wonder and love. Any child who misses out on "The Velveteen Rabbit" is missing out on one of life’s greatest lessons. I cannot say enough good things about this wonderful, wonderful book and highly recommend it to children…and the grown-up child in all of us.

I must say that I am amazed to find myself the first to comment on this edition of this jewel of a "children’s" book. Along with the Bible, Great Expectations, The Power and the Glory, The Experience of Nothingness, The Stranger, Hamlet, The Once and Future King, the Quest for the Historical Jesus, Either/Or, Letters and Papers from Prison and The Cost of Discipleship, this humble "children’s book" still stands as one of the most important books of my life. Odd?
I did not get books as a child — we were far too poor. After barely surviving poverty and all that it sires, I found myself on my own at university in my mid-twenties amidst the confusion and tragedy that was the "60’s". Getting out of the poverty trap had only introduced me to greater questions of being, choice, and action.
For my twenty-fifth birthday a particularly beautiful soul gave me a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Nothing could have been a more fitting and benefiting gift. The conversation between the little rabbit and the wise old Skin Horse quite literally reduced me to tears — the simple truth, life-long truth struck deep and stuck deep within me — no sharp edges, no excessive needs…. In truth, even now as I await the tear-fairy for my own final transformation, I read it with the same pain in the throat and often give way to the tears as I read to the children in my life.
I cannot honestly say how many copies of this treasure I have owned and given away only to replace one with another to give away in time, as well. And I continue.
This edition, the first, has such beautiful illustrations so carefully placed as to shame all the late-comers with their "updates" which the gentle Miss Margery Williams would have no doubt kindly "set aside" in favour of the originals done for her with a quiet passion and dignity of the story itself.

These are the days of Sony Playstation 2 and Harry Potter, activites that do not really ever try to tell a great story that also gives a lesson without being preachy.
The Velveteen Rabbit is heartwrenchingly beautiful. The Rabbit who yearns to be Real and whose love for the boy was unconditional is both imaginative and sad. I cannot read this book without a lump coming to my throat and being transported to simpler days when the love of a toy was the greatest thing in the whole world.

This is a book with an ending that is mixed, that touches on the ambiguity of life and loss. But there is also hope of a new beginning. And I think children can understand that and grow from it.
I cherish this book deeply.

Amazon com the velveteen rabbit The Velveteen Rabbit Jan 6 1958 Illustrated by Margery Williams and William Nicholson Hardcover The Velveteen Rabbit Illustrated Jun 11 2015 Amazon com the velveteen rabbit book Amazon com the velveteen rabbit book The Velveteen Rabbit Jan 6 1958 The Velveteen Rabbit Illustrated Aug 26 2015 9780385077255 The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams and a great selection of 9780385077255 The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery The Velveteen Rabbit Illustrated Hardcover Velveteen Rabbit Board Book by Margery Williams The Velveteen Rabbit Illustrated Edition Illustrate The Velveteen Rabbit Hardcover with Plush Rabbit Pub The Velveteen Rabbit

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The Book of Life

The Book of Life: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy) Paperback – May 26, 2015
Author: Visit ‘s Deborah Harkness Page ID: 0143127527

From Booklist

Dedicated scholar, reluctant witch, and seasoned time traveler Diana Bishop returns to wrap up the wildly popular All Souls trilogy. After a supernatural “meet-cute” in A Discovery of Witches, and a time-traveling adventure in Shadow of Night, Diana and vampire/scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present, continuing their pursuit of magical alchemical manuscript Ashmole 782, aka The Book of Life; but before the secrets contained within the manuscript are revealed, Diana and Matthew must navigate the peculiarities of their essentially forbidden union. As the stakes grow increIDgly higher, they prepare for a showdown in the demon world that could have directand possibly dire­consequences for their own families. Harkness herself proves to be quite the alchemist as she combines elements of magic, history, romance, and science, transforming them into a compelling journey through time, space, and geography. By bridging the gaps between Harry Potter, Twilight, and Outlander fans, Harkness artfully appeals to a broad range of fantasy lovers. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: With the first two volumes in this trilogy selling more than one million copies, and the movie version of A Discovery of Witches currently in development, the conclusion of this paranormal adventure is guaranteed to fly off the shelves. –Margaret Flanagan

–This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Praise for The Book of Life

“Weaving an extraordinarily rich story of magic and science, history and fiction, passion and power, secrets and truths, Harkness delivers an unforgettable and spellbinding finale that’s not to be missed.”
—USA Today

“Juicy and action-packed.”
—People

“Pure escapist summer fun.”
—Jodi Picoult, Parade

“The epic and erudite vampire-witch romance comes to a thoroughly satisfying conclusion in the action-packed All Souls trilogy ender.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“A stirring, poignant saga.”
—Us Weekly

“The charm in Deborah Harkness’s wildly successful All Souls trilogy lies not merely in the spells that its creature characters cast as they lurk pretty much in plain sight of humans, but in the adroit way Harkness has insinuated her world of demons, witches, and vampires into ours. . . . From the novel’s poignant opening, Harkness casts her own indelible spell of enchantment, heartbreak, and resilience. . . . She is terrific at bringing her magic world to life, maintaining a fast-paced, page-turning narrative.”—The Boston Globe

“This trilogy is a superlative example in a subgenre you could call realistic fantasy—think Harry Potter but for grown-ups or Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Witches, vampires, and daemons exist, along with time travel. But this world also is recognizably ours, not a wholly made-up setting like George R.R. Martin’s Westeros. When done well, as it is here, this sort of fiction provides characters who are recognizably human in their desires and actions even if most of them are creatures with supernatural powers. Through them Harkness succeeds at the hardest part of writing fantasy: She makes this world so real that you believe it exists—or at the very least that you wish that it did.”
—Miami Herald

“Harkness has immersed and spellbound readers with her alternative universe. . . . Her ambitious melding of scientific and historical detail is inventive and brings surprising depth. . . . The Book of Life brims with sensuality, intrigue, violence and much-welcome humor.”
—Los Angeles Times

“Secrets and mysteries are finally revealed in the entertaining and satisfying conclusion. . . . The entire trilogy is a delightful plunge into the world of magic, witches and vampires, where love breaks all rules and happy endings are possible.”
—Shelf Awareness

“There is no shortage of action in this sprawling sequel, and nearly every chapter brings a wrinkle to the tale. The storytelling is lively and energetic, and Diana remains an appealing heroine even as her life becomes ever more extraordinary. A delightful wrap-up to the trilogy.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Harkness herself proves to be quite the alchemist as she combines elements of magic, history, romance, and science, transforming them into a compelling journey through time, space, and geography. By bridging the gaps between Harry Potter, Twilight, and Outlander fans, Harkness artfully appeals to a broad range of fantasy lovers.”
—Booklist

“The witch Diana’s and the vampire Matthew’s quests to discover their origins and confront the threats to their star-crossed union tie up as neatly as one of Diana’s magical weaver’s knots. . . . As in the previous two installments, there are healthy doses of action, colorful magic, angst-y romance and emotional epiphany, plus mansion-hopping across the globe, historical tidbits and name-dropping of famous artworks and manuscripts. . . . It’s still satisfying to travel with these characters toward their more-than-well-earned happy ending.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“The adventure never lets up. . . . History, science, and the unpredictable actions of paranormal characters with hidden agendas all swirl together to create a not-to-be-missed finale to a stellar series.”
—Library Journal

 

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Series: All Souls TrilogyPaperback: 576 pagesPublisher: Penguin Books (May 26, 2015)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0143127527ISBN-13: 978-0143127529 Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.2 x 8.4 inches Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Best Sellers Rank: #6,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #95 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Occult #643 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Paranormal & Urban #924 in Books > Romance > Paranormal
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness is the third and final book in the All Souls Trilogy, following the earlier two books in the series – A Discovery of Witches: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy) and Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy, Bk 2). After two years of impatient but excited wait for readers, witch Diana Bishop, also a historian, and vampire Matthew Clairmont, who is also her husband and a scientist, return from the past to the present to continue their all-important search for the crucial but long-missing pages of Ashmole 782, an enchanted alchemical manuscript, commonly known as the Book of Life. This is no ordinary book as it holds the key to the origin of all supernatural beings. Its massive importance is widely known and a lot of evil forces are also searching for it.

Set in Matthew’s Sept-Tours chateau, the duo had to deal with teething troubles brewing among the vampire family. Benjamin Fuchs, the vampire son of Matthew, is stalking them with intent to cause them grievous harm. In order to protect everyone, Diana needs to sharpen her skills as weaver, which is one of the rarest but most effective witch powers. Added to this is the advancing pregnancy of Diana with twins which upset the Congregation of vampires, witches and daemons. It is a ticklish situation because relationship between vampires and witches is considered unacceptable and against the covenant. Dark forces are at work seeking to destroy or separate them.
** ABSOLUTELY NO SPOILERS AHEAD **

I was a big fan of the first two novels in this series, A Discovery of Witches: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy) and Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy) and waited with exciting anticipation for The Book of Life: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy) to be released. I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced readers copy from the publisher last week and was not disappointed.

I’m not going to rehash the publisher’s summary by restating the plot of Book of life, but believe me – the journey Deborah Harkness takes us with Diana and Matthew is wholly amazing. Their search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages becomes tantamount into understanding what the witches have known for centuries and how to save their future. Although it has been two years since Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy) was released, you will find it very easy to get back into Matthew and Diana’s storyline. And seeing how things are settled with Benjamin was definitely worth the wait. There was plenty of action and suspense to keep you turning the pages.
What a huge let down this book was. I’m talking EPIC proportion let down.

First of all, I am shocked at all the positive reviews I’m seeing. I feel like we didn’t read the same book.

A Discovery of Witches was one of my favorite reads of 2011. I wasn’t as much into reading then, and I stumbled across this one while randomly perusing my library for books. I fell in love with the story, the characters, and the magic of it all. I felt like the story was building up for something important, something powerful.

The second book was also pretty successful for me. It was lovely in the way that historical fiction is pleasurable for me. I also have a deep love of time-travel books, so I was practically guaranteed to fall head over heels.

A lot of time has passed since the second, and my expectations were sky high for the third. Unfortunately, the careful world-building fell to crap in the final installment. I’ll try to break down my main issues with the story without giving away any spoilers.

1) The POV switches: I have very specific opinions about lots of POVs in the a story: Namely, I hate them. This book had at least 5 different points of view, which irritated me to no end. Why not just two? Those extra points of view just seemed lazy to me, just a way for the author to do some "telling" and less "showing" about the characters. To make matters worse, the author switched from 1st to 3rd person throughout the book! Talk about a headache. It was a terrible choice, in my opinion.

2) The number of characters: This book was like a who’s who from the previous two books. I swear, no one was left out. There were so many people re-introduced that I had a hard time keeping track of everyone. The story felt so… cluttered.
Predestined by Abbi Glines 9781475102543 Paperback as normal as life can be when you can see souls and Book may have writing I loved the second edition of the Existence Trilogy Predestined This book Illuminate Gilded Wings Series 1 by Aimee Agresti NOOK Book eBook Paperback Hardcover Illuminate Gilded Wings Series 1 Pub Sun May 24 00 00 00 EDT 2015 Everyman s Library Strand Books The Blue Flower which won the National Book novel and it displays not only all of its trilogy received a Hugo Award for Best All Time Roddy Doyle Family matters ndash and an old soul If there has always been a streak of optimism in Roddy Doyle s work from the aspiring Dublin soul band of his debut novel The The third in his trilogy

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The Fourth Turning

The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy Audible – Abridged dged
Author: William Strauss ID: B00005UPTV

An utterly persuasive prophecy about a new American era that begins just after the millennium, The Fourth Turning illuminates the past, explains the present, and imagines the future.William Strauss and Neil Howe base this vision on a provocative new theory of American history. With intellectual audacity, the authors look back 500 years and uncover a distinct pattern: History moves in cycles, each one lasting about the length of a long human life, each composed of four eras – or “turnings” – that last about 20 years and always arrive in the same order. First comes a High, a period of confident growth as a new order takes root. Next comes an Awakening, a time of spiritual exploration and rebellion against the now-established order. Then comes an Unraveling, an increIDgly troubled era as individualism triumphs over crumbling institutions. Last comes a Crisis – the Fourth Turning – when society passes through a great and perilous gate in history.Strauss and Howe locate today’s America as midway through an Unraveling, roughly a decade away from the next era of Crisis. They show how generational dynamics are the key to understanding the cycles of American history and draw vivid portraits of all the modern generations: the can-do G.I.s, the mediating Silent, the self-absorbed Boomers, the pragmatic 13ers, and the child Millennials. Placed in the context of history’s long rhythms, the persona and role of each generation becomes clear – as does the inevitability of the coming Crisis.By applying the lessons of history, The Fourth Turning makes some bold and hopeful predictions about America’s next rendezvous with destiny, and shows us how we can prepare for what’s ahead.
Done.
Audible Audio EditionListening Length: 6 hours and 5 minutesProgram Type: AudiobookVersion: AbridgedPublisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell AudioAudible.com Release Date: December 7, 2001Language: EnglishID: B00005UPTV Best Sellers Rank: #2 in Books > Audible Audiobooks > Politics & Current Events > Current Events #197 in Books > Audible Audiobooks > Nonfiction > Social Science #1157 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government
I picked up a copy of "The Fourth Turning" because to refresh myself on the generational differences of donors. I was hoping to help a colleague wrestle with how to apply fundraising techniques with attention to these cohorts. Having read the authors’ 13th Gen a few years ago, I knew this would be an erudite review. I got what I was looking for and much more! "The Fourth Turning" is actually a compelling look at human history, especially Western history since the middle of the fifteenth century!
Howe and Strauss have amazingly taken the most recent 20th century generations (GI, Silent, Boomer, Xer, and Millennial) and found corresponding generations for the last few hundred years. From this, they’ve developed a convincing rubric of generational archetypes-GIs and Millennials are the "Hero," Silents are the "Artist," Boomers are the "Prophet," and Xers are the "Nomad." Moreover, they’ve revisited the millennia old theory that time moves through seasons in a cyclical pattern, one that corresponds with the seasons of the year. The post-WWII era was our "High" or spring; the Consciousness Revolution was our "Awakening" or summer; the 80’s and 90’s was our "Unraveling" or fall; and we’re currently headed for our "Crisis" or winter. They chose to label the seasons "turnings" and the time encompassing the four turnings as the "saecula," a label used by the ancients that roughly corresponds to a century.
With an amazing attention to detail, a scholarly eye to history, and a wonderfully readable writing style, Howe and Strauss show the interplay of the generational archetypes and the turnings.
The book _The Fourth Turning_ is a history combined with prophecy written by generational sociologists William Strauss and Neil Howe. This book is inspiring and provides interesting explanations for why things are the way they turned out to be, but it still doesn’t have all the answers.
The theory is basically that history goes through four types of turnings: a conservative High, in which institutions are stable after the success of a major war (the Era of Good Feelings, the Victorian Era, the ’50s), a spiritual Awakening in which young people scrap convention for religious discovery (Ben Franklin’s Great Awakening, the Transcendental Awakening, the turn-of-the-century Muckrake reform era, the ’60s), a wild Unravelling (the colorful Gold Rush, the roaring twenties, and the current era that began about 1984), and a fourth turning — or Crisis (the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the Great Depression and World War II were the last three examples). A catalyst will spark the Fourth Turning that will become around 2005. These turnings change when each generation enters a new phase of life.
After you read this book, it’s one of those books that completely transforms your mode of thinking. Both the present and the prophesied future are explained by means of generations — fit into four different types ("archetypes") that shift along with the turnings. The authors identify the Lost Generation (born 1883-1900), the G.I. Generation (born 1901-1924), the Silent Generation (born 1925-1942), the Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960), the 13th Generation (born 1961-1981) and the Millennial Generation (born since 1982). They explain how these generations relate to those throughout history, and date the historical generations born all the way back to 1433.
Member of the 13th Generation? Millenial Generation? The Boomers? Care to track your own development through the maze of historical events to find out where you’ve been, and more importantly, where you are going? Where our country is going? Then pick this book up immediately. Simply put, the "Fourth Turning" is THE most important book written in the last twenty years, and a book that should be required reading.
Strauss and Howe apparently have devoted their lives to the study of history and the development of generations in societies. The book is loaded, and I mean, loaded with historical references, some of which I wasn’t familiar with until now. By looking at these events, and more importantly, looking at the people that went along with those events, Strauss and Howe noticed some recurring patterns in generations over the centuries. Apply this pattern to our country, and to our future, they have correctly predicted that we are headed for a "Fourth Turning", a time of great criss and peril.
Normally, I shun books that people claim to have "visions of the future" involved with them. They are frequently erroneous and based on the whims of the author. However, "The Fourth Turning" is different. By bIDg their theories of the future on past events, they offer support and credence to their thoughts. The effect is both enlightening and chilling, but it is one that we simply cannot ignore.
I found every single page of their book fascinating as a study or recent history and future history. Also, I personally found self-enlightenment in reading about the generation in which I belong, the long lost "Gen X" crowd, or the title they label it, "13th".
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Small Steps for Catholic Moms: Your Daily Call to Think, Pray, and Act Kindle Edition Free Download

Small Steps for Catholic Moms: Your Daily Call to Think, Pray, and Act (Catholicmom.Com Book) Kindle Edition
Author: Danielle Bean ID: B00FOLJBHS

Done.
File Size: 3953 KBPrint Length: 417 pagesPublisher: Ave Maria Press (September 9, 2013)Publication Date: September 9, 2013 Sold by:  Digital Services, Inc. Language: EnglishID: B00FOLJBHSText-to-Speech: Enabled X-Ray: Not Enabled Word Wise: Not EnabledLending: Not Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled Best Sellers Rank: #186,891 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #151 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Roman Catholicism #190 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Family #243 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Devotionals

Small Steps isn’t a tome about how you can be more of a super-mom. This isn’t a book that will unlock the secrets of momhood and give you the elixir of needing less sleep.

What you’ll find, which is better, is a daily dose of inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement from women who know how lonely and hopeless it can be in the trenches of motherhood. This isn’t preaching, this is touching and giving in the most beautiful of Catholic traditions. This is a cup of tea with friends, a hug from a fellow trooper, an embrace from God Himself.

In Small Steps, you get just what it says: a quote from a saint, a short prayer, and a to-do item. Every month is centered around a virtue, even as each day of that month takes you on a small step toward that virtue.

Small Steps is a lesson for all of us: we don’t reach sainthood in giant leaps, unless we look back over our entire lives. Instead, the road to heaven is a series of moments, of small steps we take, holding on tight to the hands of those who have gone before us and who are carrying us when we fall.

The hugely successful Small Steps for "Catholic Moms: Your Daily Call to Think, Pray, and Act" by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss was originally published in 2010, but fell victim to a publisher closure and went out of print. Ave Maria Press has re-released this popular book as part of the CatholicMom.com series of books.

It is an understatement to say that Danielle Bean, editor of Catholic Digest and host of The Gist as well as mother of eight children, and Elizabeth Foss, award-winning writer and mother of nine, know what it means to be busy moms. The duo has put together a devotional to help mothers easily work prayer into a hectic life.

"Small Steps for Catholic Moms" offers an entry for each day, but Bean and Foss are adamant that there is no one "right way" to use this book. One may follow along day by day or pick it up when the need for inspiration arises and study a few pages. Each month is dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, such as joy, simplicity, courage, humility, and peace. Each day features something to think about, pray about, and act on. Quotes from scripture and the saints offer the day’s food for thought. The prayers are simple, yet profound, and the actions are practical ways to live out one’s faith.

Any Catholic mother searching for a quick spiritual pick-me-up will find great value in the pages of "Small Steps for Catholic Moms."

Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss give moms the gift of time management in their new book, "Small Steps for Catholic Moms: Your Daily Call to Think, Pray and Act." This truly is a daily call, formatted almost like a daily text message. Because the messages are succinct, focused, and efficient, I am drawn into the book’s daily messages with true implementation plans of developing virtue in my busy momma day. I am able to read the daily message either in the morning before rising from my bed, in the middle of my day, or when I return from work (while cooking dinner!).

In the introduction, Danielle and Elizabeth give us permission as busy moms to use this book as a tool. As a busy working Catholic mom (outside of the home), I am always looking for tools to help me on my faith journey. I don’t have lots of moments of silence for reflection and prayer, and this book gives me the snippets I need to continue a journey to sanctity. By focusing on specific virtues in our motherhood, we are able to journey with other busy moms (that includes all moms, I do believe!), and balance duties of being a mom with the relationships that sustain us most: Father, Son, Holy Spirit – and our Blessed Mother Mary.

By using quotes from the saints of the Church, Danielle and Elizabeth bring the concepts to life. The prayers offered are quick, yet heart-felt and thought provoking. The actions suggested are specific, challenging, and able to be completed. As a working Catholic mom, Small Steps is a daily tool for me to keep moving forward on my faith journey. I expected the same ole devotional. What I found was a gold mine of advice, as if I were sitting down for coffee with my girlfriends. Thank you, Danielle and Elizabeth!
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