A Good Book Cover Design is Key
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By: Rekha Sithta Sithta
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Word Count: 392
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Marketing your Book cover, Spine and Information. Whether you've written your book or are just starting out, having an eye catching cover is a must. Did you know that customers may be looking over your book for 10 seconds or less? A good book cover entices the customer to want to read more information and to result in a purchase. To accomplish this, you need to know what catches customer’s eyes. A good place to start is your friends and family. Ones that you trust. Ask their opinions. If you're uncomfortable with asking your inner circle or would like your books cover to be a surprise, look to the net. You can post your book's cover idea and receive feedback. Only post your idea on the net if you trust it won't be stolen. When deciding to create my book cover for Mysterious Chills and Thrills for Kids, I looked at many other ones in the children's field. I kept in mind which book covers attracted me and for the ones that didn't, why it didn't. Keep in mind that not everyone is going to agree with your taste. The same applies to your back cover information about your book. If the book is fiction, you'll need to ensure the customer that their entertainment dollars are worth purchasing your book. If your book is non-fiction, show the customer the benefits of purchasing. Can it help solve a problem? Many customers want to know that they are buying something that in some form can benefit them. You'll also need to show how your book is better than then next one in it's category. Don't forget the spine and price. If your book is spine out, it'll need to attract the customer's eyes. When they pull out your book, the price can turn a purchase away. Look at other books in the field and price accordingly. Much lower prices than your competition may appear to sell more but may give the idea that your work isn't as good. Self publishing, Small Press or a Large Publishing company, either way your book is competing against others out there. Make it count!
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2008-03-29
Book Review of The Shining by Stephen King
Book Review of The Shining by Stephen King
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By: Allison D
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Word Count: 516
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While many are more familiar with the Stanley Kubrick film of 1980, it is really the King novel that should be placed first in the minds of the literary and film-going public. While there is little debate that Kubrick's adaptation starring Jack Nicholson is a marvelous example of horror filmmaking, it has much to thank Stephen King for the original themes of isolation, alcoholism, and mental illness. Written only three years prior to the films release, King tells the story of Jack Torrance, a temperamental and sometime alcoholic writer who is attempting to rebuild his family after being expelled from the prestigious New England prep school. He decides to take a job as the winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel in an isolated area of Colorado. There, he and his wife Wendy and small son, Danny will spend 5 months alone in the sprawling hotel. His son's telepathy and visions spell trouble for the family, as he is bombarded with negative and disturbing imagery of the hotel and its grounds. Said to be built on an Indian burial ground and possessing strange powers, the Overlook took the lives of the last caretaker that worked the winter, a Delbert Grady. The man, filled with rage and slowly going insane, kills his wife and children with an axe, and then proceeds to shoot himself. Jack dismisses this as an isolated incident, and knows that the secluded winter at the Overlook with be the perfect time to get his writing career back on track. Before they leave, Danny is introduced to the hotel's cook, Dick Halloran, who tells him that others (including himself) have the ability to see things before they happen. He calls this "shining". Before he leaves the family, he tells Danny to shine to him if anything goes wrong (which Dick knew would inevitably happen). With lack of alcohol and the crushing sense of isolation, paired with the monotony of his writing, Jack begins getting wrapped up in the ghost world of the hotel. He makes friends with the Overlook's bartender (who is long dead) and Delbert Grady (who does not remember killing his family). Wendy and Danny notice his decline, and after one particularly violent episode, they lock him in the walk-in pantry. Unbeknownst to them, he is let out by the ghost of Delbert Grady, but on the condition that he will kill Wendy and Danny. He complies, and goes on a mission to hunt them down in the hotel. Danny shines to Dick Halloran, who races up from Florida (where he is staying for the winter). Jack ends up in the boiler room of the hotel and the Overlook explodes, burning everything inside. Luckily, Danny and Wendy are rescued by a fast-thinking Halloran who drives them away from the burning wreckage. Many believe that King has failed in later years, but as his third novel (after Carrie and Salem's Lot) The Shining remains a mainstay of horror fiction.
This review was written by Allison D, who enjoys potential quotes, positive thinking quotes, and a good thought of the day.
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By: Allison D
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Word Count: 516
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While many are more familiar with the Stanley Kubrick film of 1980, it is really the King novel that should be placed first in the minds of the literary and film-going public. While there is little debate that Kubrick's adaptation starring Jack Nicholson is a marvelous example of horror filmmaking, it has much to thank Stephen King for the original themes of isolation, alcoholism, and mental illness. Written only three years prior to the films release, King tells the story of Jack Torrance, a temperamental and sometime alcoholic writer who is attempting to rebuild his family after being expelled from the prestigious New England prep school. He decides to take a job as the winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel in an isolated area of Colorado. There, he and his wife Wendy and small son, Danny will spend 5 months alone in the sprawling hotel. His son's telepathy and visions spell trouble for the family, as he is bombarded with negative and disturbing imagery of the hotel and its grounds. Said to be built on an Indian burial ground and possessing strange powers, the Overlook took the lives of the last caretaker that worked the winter, a Delbert Grady. The man, filled with rage and slowly going insane, kills his wife and children with an axe, and then proceeds to shoot himself. Jack dismisses this as an isolated incident, and knows that the secluded winter at the Overlook with be the perfect time to get his writing career back on track. Before they leave, Danny is introduced to the hotel's cook, Dick Halloran, who tells him that others (including himself) have the ability to see things before they happen. He calls this "shining". Before he leaves the family, he tells Danny to shine to him if anything goes wrong (which Dick knew would inevitably happen). With lack of alcohol and the crushing sense of isolation, paired with the monotony of his writing, Jack begins getting wrapped up in the ghost world of the hotel. He makes friends with the Overlook's bartender (who is long dead) and Delbert Grady (who does not remember killing his family). Wendy and Danny notice his decline, and after one particularly violent episode, they lock him in the walk-in pantry. Unbeknownst to them, he is let out by the ghost of Delbert Grady, but on the condition that he will kill Wendy and Danny. He complies, and goes on a mission to hunt them down in the hotel. Danny shines to Dick Halloran, who races up from Florida (where he is staying for the winter). Jack ends up in the boiler room of the hotel and the Overlook explodes, burning everything inside. Luckily, Danny and Wendy are rescued by a fast-thinking Halloran who drives them away from the burning wreckage. Many believe that King has failed in later years, but as his third novel (after Carrie and Salem's Lot) The Shining remains a mainstay of horror fiction.
This review was written by Allison D, who enjoys potential quotes, positive thinking quotes, and a good thought of the day.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Take The Boredom Out Of Commuting With Audio books
Take The Boredom Out Of Commuting With Audio books
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By: Trevor Kassulke
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Word Count: 486
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For everyone who loves to read, there is a common problem in today's world, and that is how to find enough time. Every morning, I have a forty-five minute commute to work. On the way home, my commute often will take a full hour. A good friend of mine, who also is a huge fan of reading, told me that I should borrow one of her audio books and try it out on one of my commutes. While I wasn’t too keen on the idea of having to listen to a story, I agreed. I let it sit in my car for several days before even attempting to listen to it. I just thought that the idea of someone reading me a story seemed so childish. Finally, four days after she loaned it to me, I found myself sitting in congested traffic. Bored and frustrated, I decided to try it. Within five minutes, I found myself so absorbed in one of my favorite author’s stories, that I lost track of time. I listened to it the entire rest of my drive to work and finished it on my way home from work.When I returned it to her the following weekend, I asked to borrow a few more. Since falling in love with the idea of keeping up to date on all of the books that I’ve been missing out on, I’ve taken to buying and renting audio books frequently. At first, I purchased all of the audio books that I wanted. It didn't take long for the expense to add up. I joined a book club and got audio books at a decent discounted price, which thrilled me. I checked out my local library and would borrow some audio books for a week. Their selection was not as great as what I would like, but you can’t beat something that doesn’t cost a single cent. Before too long, my boring commutes to work were no longer boring. I found myself completely absorbed in my audio books. Interestingly enough, I had thought that someone reading to me wouldn’t be very appealing but instead, I found that the tone of voices that the narrator would use could be very engaging. Their interpretations and readings of certain events within a story could make me think differently than I may have by reading the same event in a book. If you love to read and simply don’t have the time to finish a book from start to finish, make your commute or travels a bit more enjoyable and get yourself some audio books. Whether you purchase them from a bookstore, join a book club to get them at a discounted price or find them at your local library, you’ll find that the expense is worth every single penny.
Trevor Kassulke owns and operates http://www.audiobooksdiscover.com Books On Audio Grab These 12 Secret & Exclusive Audios, That Force You To Come Alive With More Energy, Learn Quicker, Think More Creatively And Focus On Your Work Like Never Before!
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Home :: Arts & Entertainment :: Books & Music
By: Trevor Kassulke
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Word Count: 486
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For everyone who loves to read, there is a common problem in today's world, and that is how to find enough time. Every morning, I have a forty-five minute commute to work. On the way home, my commute often will take a full hour. A good friend of mine, who also is a huge fan of reading, told me that I should borrow one of her audio books and try it out on one of my commutes. While I wasn’t too keen on the idea of having to listen to a story, I agreed. I let it sit in my car for several days before even attempting to listen to it. I just thought that the idea of someone reading me a story seemed so childish. Finally, four days after she loaned it to me, I found myself sitting in congested traffic. Bored and frustrated, I decided to try it. Within five minutes, I found myself so absorbed in one of my favorite author’s stories, that I lost track of time. I listened to it the entire rest of my drive to work and finished it on my way home from work.When I returned it to her the following weekend, I asked to borrow a few more. Since falling in love with the idea of keeping up to date on all of the books that I’ve been missing out on, I’ve taken to buying and renting audio books frequently. At first, I purchased all of the audio books that I wanted. It didn't take long for the expense to add up. I joined a book club and got audio books at a decent discounted price, which thrilled me. I checked out my local library and would borrow some audio books for a week. Their selection was not as great as what I would like, but you can’t beat something that doesn’t cost a single cent. Before too long, my boring commutes to work were no longer boring. I found myself completely absorbed in my audio books. Interestingly enough, I had thought that someone reading to me wouldn’t be very appealing but instead, I found that the tone of voices that the narrator would use could be very engaging. Their interpretations and readings of certain events within a story could make me think differently than I may have by reading the same event in a book. If you love to read and simply don’t have the time to finish a book from start to finish, make your commute or travels a bit more enjoyable and get yourself some audio books. Whether you purchase them from a bookstore, join a book club to get them at a discounted price or find them at your local library, you’ll find that the expense is worth every single penny.
Trevor Kassulke owns and operates http://www.audiobooksdiscover.com Books On Audio Grab These 12 Secret & Exclusive Audios, That Force You To Come Alive With More Energy, Learn Quicker, Think More Creatively And Focus On Your Work Like Never Before!
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This article has been viewed 37 times.
Book Report Writing
Book Report Writing
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By: Sameer Shah
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Word Count: 607
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A book report is an exhibition/essay, presenting a short summary of a book and a feedback to it. It is by and large customized to its readers.Before commencing for writing a book report, one should attempt to attain the grasp of the literature on the techniques of writing a good book report and must also be acutely aware of the meaning and rationale of a book report. Such information is easy to get through public libraries and the Internet. These resources impart different strategies to write a book report.At first, the writer of a book report needs to be conscious of the purpose of writing a book report. He should decide on the book and after doing so, he should study it meticulously. The book should be loom with a particular set of queries and one should undertake to get the hold of answers to this range of questions.In writing a book report, Picking up of subject is the first step. At first, assume about various topics for your report. Make a list of them and than narrow your choice to one subject only.The second step is to obtain notes from the sources of information from which you draw the material for your book report. You can list your sources in parenthetical notes or cross-reference (footnotes) and in the bibliography.The third step is to build up an outline embracing an introduction, three or four paragraphs and a conclusion. After that, the writer can embark on to catalog the first draft of the book report. This draft can be rearticulated again after further questioning whether he has achieved his goal of doing a good book report. It is accepted that outline of the book is an essential part of the book report, for the writer should know the basic thesis and content of the book.However, this is not the only thing that should be taken into a consideration. After endowed with a summary of the book report, the writer should keep on posing certain questions; he also needs to bounce back the reply. The particulars found in the book need to be examined.When writing a book report, one significant approach is to indicate a worth of the book. After reading a book, book report writer will draw an appropriate conclusion and hence, we can uphold different parts of the book report--- introduction, analysis, summary and conclusion. The writer can rewrite and revise the report, a number of times, which will obviously add towards the advance perfection of the book report.The first paragraph should be summing up of the book classified in the same order as the book itself. The next two or three body paragraphs should give explanation of the topics allied to the subject matter.Build up each paragraph with a topic sentence pursued by sustaining details which explicate or prop up the topic sentence, transition words to link the details and a concluding statement.Include direct quotations from the book to shore up the general statements and to provide the genuineness to the report. While writing a book report, the writer should be conscious of the fact that he is not making a replica of the content of the book. He needs to be heedful of this hazard. If he does, it would be term as breach of copyright (illegal use).The writer needs to safeguard himself from this tight spot by presenting the details of the book in his own words. At the concluding stage of a book report, the writer can specify if he has refereed other sources apart from the book in question.
Source: http://www.itmatchonline.com/article/Book_Report_Writing.php ITMatchOnline, an outsourcing hub where provider and buyer exchange their needs. Looking to Outsourcing Writing Services? Visit Itmatchonline.com
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Home :: Arts & Entertainment :: Books & Music
By: Sameer Shah
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Word Count: 607
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A book report is an exhibition/essay, presenting a short summary of a book and a feedback to it. It is by and large customized to its readers.Before commencing for writing a book report, one should attempt to attain the grasp of the literature on the techniques of writing a good book report and must also be acutely aware of the meaning and rationale of a book report. Such information is easy to get through public libraries and the Internet. These resources impart different strategies to write a book report.At first, the writer of a book report needs to be conscious of the purpose of writing a book report. He should decide on the book and after doing so, he should study it meticulously. The book should be loom with a particular set of queries and one should undertake to get the hold of answers to this range of questions.In writing a book report, Picking up of subject is the first step. At first, assume about various topics for your report. Make a list of them and than narrow your choice to one subject only.The second step is to obtain notes from the sources of information from which you draw the material for your book report. You can list your sources in parenthetical notes or cross-reference (footnotes) and in the bibliography.The third step is to build up an outline embracing an introduction, three or four paragraphs and a conclusion. After that, the writer can embark on to catalog the first draft of the book report. This draft can be rearticulated again after further questioning whether he has achieved his goal of doing a good book report. It is accepted that outline of the book is an essential part of the book report, for the writer should know the basic thesis and content of the book.However, this is not the only thing that should be taken into a consideration. After endowed with a summary of the book report, the writer should keep on posing certain questions; he also needs to bounce back the reply. The particulars found in the book need to be examined.When writing a book report, one significant approach is to indicate a worth of the book. After reading a book, book report writer will draw an appropriate conclusion and hence, we can uphold different parts of the book report--- introduction, analysis, summary and conclusion. The writer can rewrite and revise the report, a number of times, which will obviously add towards the advance perfection of the book report.The first paragraph should be summing up of the book classified in the same order as the book itself. The next two or three body paragraphs should give explanation of the topics allied to the subject matter.Build up each paragraph with a topic sentence pursued by sustaining details which explicate or prop up the topic sentence, transition words to link the details and a concluding statement.Include direct quotations from the book to shore up the general statements and to provide the genuineness to the report. While writing a book report, the writer should be conscious of the fact that he is not making a replica of the content of the book. He needs to be heedful of this hazard. If he does, it would be term as breach of copyright (illegal use).The writer needs to safeguard himself from this tight spot by presenting the details of the book in his own words. At the concluding stage of a book report, the writer can specify if he has refereed other sources apart from the book in question.
Source: http://www.itmatchonline.com/article/Book_Report_Writing.php ITMatchOnline, an outsourcing hub where provider and buyer exchange their needs. Looking to Outsourcing Writing Services? Visit Itmatchonline.com
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Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share (Martha Stewart Living Magazine)
Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share (Martha Stewart Living Magazine)By Martha Stewart Living Magazine
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The perfect cookie for every occasion.Cookies are the treat that never disappoints. Whether you’re baking for a party or a picnic, a formal dinner or a family supper–or if you simply want something on hand for snacking–there is a cookie that’s just right. In Martha Stewart’s Cookies, the editors of Martha Stewart Living give you 175 recipes and variations that showcase all kinds of flavors and fancies. Besides perennial pleasers like traditional chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, there are other sweet surprises, including Rum Raisin Shortbread, Peppermint Meringue Sandwiches with Chocolate Filling, and Lime Meltaways. Cleverly organized by texture, the recipes in Martha Stewart’s Cookies inspire you to think of a classic, nostalgic treat with more nuance. Chapters include all types of treasures: Light and Delicate (Cherry Tuiles, Hazelnut Cookies, Chocolate Meringues); Rich and Dense (Key Lime Bars, Chocolate Mint Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies); Chunky and Nutty (Magic Blondies, Turtle Brownies, White Chocolate-Chunk Cookies); Soft and Chewy (Snickerdoodles, Fig Bars, Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies); Crisp and Crunchy (ANZAC Biscuits, Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti, Almond Spice Wafers); Crumbly and Sandy (Cappuccino-Chocolate Bites, Maple-Pecan Shortbread, Lemon-Apricot Sandwiches); and Cakey and Tender (Lemon Madeleines, Carrot Cake Cookies, Pumpkin Cookies with Brown-Butter Icing).Each tantalizing recipe is accompanied by a lush, full-color photograph, so you never have to wonder how the cookie will look. Beautifully designed and a joy to read, Martha Stewart’s Cookies is rich with helpful tips and techniques for baking, decorating, and storing, as well as lovely gift-packaging ideas in standout Martha Stewart style.
The perfect cookie for every occasion.Cookies are the treat that never disappoints. Whether you’re baking for a party or a picnic, a formal dinner or a family supper–or if you simply want something on hand for snacking–there is a cookie that’s just right. In Martha Stewart’s Cookies, the editors of Martha Stewart Living give you 175 recipes and variations that showcase all kinds of flavors and fancies. Besides perennial pleasers like traditional chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, there are other sweet surprises, including Rum Raisin Shortbread, Peppermint Meringue Sandwiches with Chocolate Filling, and Lime Meltaways. Cleverly organized by texture, the recipes in Martha Stewart’s Cookies inspire you to think of a classic, nostalgic treat with more nuance. Chapters include all types of treasures: Light and Delicate (Cherry Tuiles, Hazelnut Cookies, Chocolate Meringues); Rich and Dense (Key Lime Bars, Chocolate Mint Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies); Chunky and Nutty (Magic Blondies, Turtle Brownies, White Chocolate-Chunk Cookies); Soft and Chewy (Snickerdoodles, Fig Bars, Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies); Crisp and Crunchy (ANZAC Biscuits, Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti, Almond Spice Wafers); Crumbly and Sandy (Cappuccino-Chocolate Bites, Maple-Pecan Shortbread, Lemon-Apricot Sandwiches); and Cakey and Tender (Lemon Madeleines, Carrot Cake Cookies, Pumpkin Cookies with Brown-Butter Icing).Each tantalizing recipe is accompanied by a lush, full-color photograph, so you never have to wonder how the cookie will look. Beautifully designed and a joy to read, Martha Stewart’s Cookies is rich with helpful tips and techniques for baking, decorating, and storing, as well as lovely gift-packaging ideas in standout Martha Stewart style.
The Appeal
The AppealBy John Grisham
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The jury was ready. After forty-two hours of deliberations that followed seventy-one days of trial that included 530 hours of testimony from four dozen witnesses, and after a lifetime of sitting silently as the lawyers haggled and the judge lectured and the spectators watched like hawks for telltale signs, the jury was ready. Locked away in the jury room, secluded and secure, ten of them proudly signed their names to the verdict while the other two pouted in their corners, detached and miserable in their dissension. There were hugs and smiles and no small measure of self-congratulation because they had survived this little war and could now march proudly back into the arena with a decision they had rescued through sheer determination and the dogged pursuit of compromise. Their ordeal was over; their civic duty complete. They had served above and beyond. They were ready. The foreman knocked on the door and rustled Uncle Joe from his slumbers. Uncle Joe, the ancient bailiff, had guarded them while he also arranged their meals, heard their complaints, and quietly slipped their messages to the judge. In his younger years, back when his hearing was better, Uncle Joe was rumored to also eavesdrop on his juries through a ?imsy pine door he and he alone had selected and installed. But his listening days were over, and, as he had con?ded to no one but his wife, after the ordeal of this particular trial he might just hang up his old pistol once and for all. The strain of controlling justice was wearing him down.--From Chapter One of The Appeal
Politics has always been a dirty game.Now justice is, too.In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply, causing the worst “cancer cluster” in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.The Appeal is a powerful, timely, and shocking story of political and legal intrigue, a story that will leave readers unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
In Defense of Food: An Eater's ManifestoBy Michael Pollan
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What to eat, what not to eat, and how to think about health: a manifesto for our times "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." These simple words go to the heart of Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, the well-considered answers he provides to the questions posed in the bestselling The Omnivore's Dilemma. Humans used to know how to eat well, Pollan argues. But the balanced dietary lessons that were once passed down through generations have been confused, complicated, and distorted by food industry marketers, nutritional scientists, and journalists-all of whom have much to gain from our dietary confusion. As a result, we face today a complex culinary landscape dense with bad advice and foods that are not "real." These "edible foodlike substances" are often packaged with labels bearing health claims that are typically false or misleading. Indeed, real food is fast disappearing from the marketplace, to be replaced by "nutrients," and plain old eating by an obsession with nutrition that is, paradoxically, ruining our health, not to mention our meals. Michael Pollan's sensible and decidedly counterintuitive advice is: "Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food." Writing In Defense of Food, and affirming the joy of eating, Pollan suggests that if we would pay more for better, well-grown food, but buy less of it, we'll benefit ourselves, our communities, and the environment at large. Taking a clear-eyed look at what science does and does not know about the links between diet and health, he proposes a new way to think about the question of what to eat that is informed by ecology and tradition rather than by the prevailing nutrient-by-nutrient approach. In Defense of Food reminds us that, despite the daunting dietary landscape Americans confront in the modern supermarket, the solutions to the current omnivore's dilemma can be found all around us. In looking toward traditional diets the world over, as well as the foods our families-and regions-historically enjoyed, we can recover a more balanced, reasonable, and pleasurable approach to food. Michael Pollan's bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we might start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives and enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy.
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American DreamBy Barack Obama
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“A government that truly represents these Americans–that truly serves these Americans–will require a different kind of politics. That politics will need to reflect our lives as they are actually lived. It won’t be pre-packaged, ready to pull off the shelf. It will have to be constructed from the best of our traditions and will have to account for the darker aspects of our past. We will need to understand just how we got to this place, this land of warring factions and tribal hatreds. And we’ll need to remind ourselves, despite all our differences, just how much we share: common hopes, common dreams, a bond that will not break.”–from The Audacity of HopeIn July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. One phrase in particular anchored itself in listeners’ minds, a reminder that for all the discord and struggle to be found in our history as a nation, we have always been guided by a dogged optimism in the future, or what Senator Obama called “the audacity of hope.” Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls for a different brand of politics–a politics for those weary of bitter partisanship and alienated by the “endless clash of armies” we see in congress and on the campaign trail; a politics rooted in the faith, inclusiveness, and nobility of spirit at the heart of “our improbable experiment in democracy.” He explores those forces–from the fear of losing to the perpetual need to raise money to the power of the media–that can stifle even the best-intentioned politician. He also writes, with surprising intimacy and self-deprecating humor, about settling in as a senator, seeking to balance the demands of public service and family life, and his own deepening religious commitment.At the heart of this book is Senator Obama’s vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. He examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats–from terrorism to pandemic–that gather beyond our shores. And he grapples with the role that faith plays in a democracy–where it is vital and where it must never intrude. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, even the president, is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus. A senator and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Senator Obama has written a book of transforming power. Only by returning to the principles that gave birth to our Constitution, he says, can Americans repair a political process that is broken, and restore to working order a government that has fallen dangerously out of touch with millions of ordinary Americans. Those Americans are out there, he writes–“waiting for Republicans and Democrats to catch up with them.”From the Hardcover edition.
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5 Dynamite Ways to Generate Ideas for Parenting Articles & 2 Best Places to Submit Your Articles
5 Dynamite Ways to Generate Ideas for Parenting Articles & 2 Best Places to Submit Your Articles
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By: Rahul Chauhan
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Word Count: 581
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The key to selling reprints to parenting publications is the creation of dynamite ideas followed through with professional writing. Here, I’m focusing only on finding those lucrative topics. Most topics in regional parenting publications are straightforward: finance, parenting tips, health, sports, and education. The trick is to twist them in an unusual way. 1. If you’re a parent, what do you wish you knew about a topic? Write down questions that you have as you go through the day. When I was driving the other day, I complained to myself about bad teenage drivers. Then I wondered, "What can parents do to encourage good driving?" If you already know the answer to the question, it won’t make a good article unless you’re an expert on the subject. 2. Take a generic topic and make it seasonal. Choose a season about four months away, because the lead-time for parenting publications is 2 to 6 months. Four months from now is April. What happens in April (or would be published in April) that I can combine with a topic like health? In April, parenting publications start printing their summer guides to camps. What can parents do to make sure their children stay healthy at camp? What are the traits of a safe camp? Change to camping plus another topic like education or finance to create unique articles. 3. Who do you know who has an unusual or remarkable story – something that affected children? What did the parents learn? Write an article using the anecdote as an introduction to the information you want to give. A great anecdote can sell a story. 4. Visit online parenting forums and read the questions people ask. Use some of these as a basis for your article ideas. 5. When you research a piece and talk to experts, look for what you don’t know. "Joe says insurance is important for families," won’t make an article interesting. Too many people know that insurance is important. But a quote like, "Joe says disability insurance is the most neglected area of insurance, but it protects young families from the biggest threat to their security," will make parents keep reading. If you give editors timely articles that readers will want to read, you’ll sell your work over and over again. 2 Best Places to Submit Your ArticlesYou know that writing articles is the best free way to promote your business and gain credibility. You understand the importance of articles containing actual information and not being just long sales letters. Do you know the absolute best places to submit all of those wonderful articles you have written? Here is your list of the top 2 places to submit your articles: 1. Article Announce This group has 2,712 subscribers (June 2004). Provides content to hundreds of newsletters, magazines, and websites 2. Free Content This group has 1,557 subscribers (June 20046. Publisher Network This group has 686 subscribers (June 2004). Lets you swap articles with other newsletter publishers By all means, submit your articles anywhere and everywhere it is appropriate. But there are certain websites that should always be included on your list. These places have a high number of visitors and/or subscribers.
For More Free Resources visit www.onlinepublishingsite.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Home :: Arts & Entertainment :: Books & Music
By: Rahul Chauhan
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Word Count: 581
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The key to selling reprints to parenting publications is the creation of dynamite ideas followed through with professional writing. Here, I’m focusing only on finding those lucrative topics. Most topics in regional parenting publications are straightforward: finance, parenting tips, health, sports, and education. The trick is to twist them in an unusual way. 1. If you’re a parent, what do you wish you knew about a topic? Write down questions that you have as you go through the day. When I was driving the other day, I complained to myself about bad teenage drivers. Then I wondered, "What can parents do to encourage good driving?" If you already know the answer to the question, it won’t make a good article unless you’re an expert on the subject. 2. Take a generic topic and make it seasonal. Choose a season about four months away, because the lead-time for parenting publications is 2 to 6 months. Four months from now is April. What happens in April (or would be published in April) that I can combine with a topic like health? In April, parenting publications start printing their summer guides to camps. What can parents do to make sure their children stay healthy at camp? What are the traits of a safe camp? Change to camping plus another topic like education or finance to create unique articles. 3. Who do you know who has an unusual or remarkable story – something that affected children? What did the parents learn? Write an article using the anecdote as an introduction to the information you want to give. A great anecdote can sell a story. 4. Visit online parenting forums and read the questions people ask. Use some of these as a basis for your article ideas. 5. When you research a piece and talk to experts, look for what you don’t know. "Joe says insurance is important for families," won’t make an article interesting. Too many people know that insurance is important. But a quote like, "Joe says disability insurance is the most neglected area of insurance, but it protects young families from the biggest threat to their security," will make parents keep reading. If you give editors timely articles that readers will want to read, you’ll sell your work over and over again. 2 Best Places to Submit Your ArticlesYou know that writing articles is the best free way to promote your business and gain credibility. You understand the importance of articles containing actual information and not being just long sales letters. Do you know the absolute best places to submit all of those wonderful articles you have written? Here is your list of the top 2 places to submit your articles: 1. Article Announce This group has 2,712 subscribers (June 2004). Provides content to hundreds of newsletters, magazines, and websites 2. Free Content This group has 1,557 subscribers (June 20046. Publisher Network This group has 686 subscribers (June 2004). Lets you swap articles with other newsletter publishers By all means, submit your articles anywhere and everywhere it is appropriate. But there are certain websites that should always be included on your list. These places have a high number of visitors and/or subscribers.
For More Free Resources visit www.onlinepublishingsite.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Audio Books -The History Behind The Technology
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By: Madonna Jeffries
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Word Count: 579
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One of the very first cases of audio books being recorded in America happened way back in 1933 when award winning anthropologist, John Peabody Harrington (1884-1961) recorded the histories, rituals, songs and languages of many native American tribes. Whilst this audio book was a very basic example it helped develop an interest in ‘talking books’. If you have elderly relatives they are, at some time during their youth, sure to have listened to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) which pioneered the broadcasting of regular readings of classic novels. It was about this time that the American Congress identified potential users who were in great need of the audio book - the tens of thousands of blind citizens who were not able to read regular book publications.Congress developed the "Books for the Adult Blind Project" and it wasn’t long before the National Library Service had millions of audio books covering literally every conceivable type of subject available to the blind public.These early ‘talking books’ were quite cumbersome to play as they were typically played on ‘reel to reel’ tape players or were recorded onto Long Player (LP) records. They were usually quite low budget recordings and consisted of a basic narration of the book.The audio book concept took a massive change for the better during the 1960’s principally due to the invention of cassette player/recorder equipment. Because of this technological advancement in recording music and talking books it brought the audio book format into the realm of popular culture as it appealed to consumers on mass. The development of the cassette player recorder allowed ease of use through the portability of the cassette player. This coincided with the universal interest in self-improvement subjects and this in turn lead to cassette recordings of an instructional or educational nature becoming incredibly popular. The cassette style recordings reached a peak with self-help audio-books and then expanded to include a wide range of general topics such as those addressing the humanities. Further, the audio book format became even more popular with the public following the advent of the compact disc. This innovation further developed the audio book market as it allowed people to listen to their audio book whilst travelling to or from work on the bus or train or while engaged in physical exercise.The audio book business is now a billion dollar industry with literally thousands of retailers and audio book rental and hire companies springing up everywhere. Many people are today choosing to listen rather than read their novels, and most of these industry specialists provide excellent service delivering your selection of books directly to your door.Modern audio book publications are a far cry from the early low budget one narrator efforts. Today audio book publishers use high tech studios in which they produce high-quality recordings. These audio books feature large character casts who really put on a show and make the book exciting and well worth listening to. With the hectic lifestyle that the majority of people today seem to have, the option of being able to listen to your favorite novel on your MP3 or iPod is a very appealing, yet simple option. Audio books can now be downloaded in just a few minutes and at a very low cost. They are the perfect choice for mixing business with pleasure and making the most out of the limited free time that many of us have today.
If you would like more information on a Free Audio Book Club trial then go to Audio Books Retreat
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Home :: Arts & Entertainment :: Books & Music
By: Madonna Jeffries
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Word Count: 579
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One of the very first cases of audio books being recorded in America happened way back in 1933 when award winning anthropologist, John Peabody Harrington (1884-1961) recorded the histories, rituals, songs and languages of many native American tribes. Whilst this audio book was a very basic example it helped develop an interest in ‘talking books’. If you have elderly relatives they are, at some time during their youth, sure to have listened to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) which pioneered the broadcasting of regular readings of classic novels. It was about this time that the American Congress identified potential users who were in great need of the audio book - the tens of thousands of blind citizens who were not able to read regular book publications.Congress developed the "Books for the Adult Blind Project" and it wasn’t long before the National Library Service had millions of audio books covering literally every conceivable type of subject available to the blind public.These early ‘talking books’ were quite cumbersome to play as they were typically played on ‘reel to reel’ tape players or were recorded onto Long Player (LP) records. They were usually quite low budget recordings and consisted of a basic narration of the book.The audio book concept took a massive change for the better during the 1960’s principally due to the invention of cassette player/recorder equipment. Because of this technological advancement in recording music and talking books it brought the audio book format into the realm of popular culture as it appealed to consumers on mass. The development of the cassette player recorder allowed ease of use through the portability of the cassette player. This coincided with the universal interest in self-improvement subjects and this in turn lead to cassette recordings of an instructional or educational nature becoming incredibly popular. The cassette style recordings reached a peak with self-help audio-books and then expanded to include a wide range of general topics such as those addressing the humanities. Further, the audio book format became even more popular with the public following the advent of the compact disc. This innovation further developed the audio book market as it allowed people to listen to their audio book whilst travelling to or from work on the bus or train or while engaged in physical exercise.The audio book business is now a billion dollar industry with literally thousands of retailers and audio book rental and hire companies springing up everywhere. Many people are today choosing to listen rather than read their novels, and most of these industry specialists provide excellent service delivering your selection of books directly to your door.Modern audio book publications are a far cry from the early low budget one narrator efforts. Today audio book publishers use high tech studios in which they produce high-quality recordings. These audio books feature large character casts who really put on a show and make the book exciting and well worth listening to. With the hectic lifestyle that the majority of people today seem to have, the option of being able to listen to your favorite novel on your MP3 or iPod is a very appealing, yet simple option. Audio books can now be downloaded in just a few minutes and at a very low cost. They are the perfect choice for mixing business with pleasure and making the most out of the limited free time that many of us have today.
If you would like more information on a Free Audio Book Club trial then go to Audio Books Retreat
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
he Arrogant Writer: Five Ways to Nurture and Defend your Muse
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By: Dolly Kapil
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Word Count: 1070
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Wannabe writers, are full of excuses as to why they aren’t writing yet. Many of these excuses can be changed to proactive statements with a mere switch in attitude and perspective. How many times have you read an article, and said to yourself, "I could have written this." Well, why don’t you? It took me a long time to discover that my passion in life was writing. Even though, as a teenager, I filled a whole blank book with poetry, which I wrote while trying to recover from the "first love’s" broken heart type of feelings. It wasn’t until I made it a habit to start writing in my journal every morning, that I found out just how easy it was to get the writing juices flowing. Below is a list of some common excuses writer wannabe’s make for not writing. You will find suggestions along with each excuse on how to counteract those excuses and move forward to success. 1. EXCUSE #1 I don’t know where to start, or what to write about. ---Just get up each morning a few minutes earlier than the rest of the household, and start writing in a journal. Write about anything and everything that pops into your mind. Try to write at least 3 or 4 pages. Devote at least 10 minutes each morning to this ritual. Do it with a pen and notebook, rather than the computer. There is a physical connection between the brain and your fingers on the paper. Keep your statements positive. Try to eliminate words like, "I need to" or "I should" or "I have to" replacing them with more affirming phrases. Using "I am" and "I can" changes your whole focus. I find just replacing the three phrases above makes the writing process much more positive and results oriented. You will be amazed at the material that you can pull from this journal that can be used in your daily projects. 2. EXCUSE #2 I don’t have any experience or formal schooling in writing. ----With the internet, and all the writing books available today, it is easy to teach yourself what it takes to write successfully. Just jump in and get your feet wet, give it a try. Have someone you trust read over your writing, and then give you their opinion. But don’t stop with one person’s point of view. Some of the best feedback I have received, has come from people wanting to use my "free to reprint" articles. I remember one lady email me saying, "I really enjoyed reading the passionate article you wrote on this subject." Up to that point, I had never looked at my writing as passionate. 3. EXCUSE #3 I don’t have enough confidence in my writing abilities, I can’t measure up to what is already out there. ----Following the same advice as above, as you jump in and do it, your confidence will grow. Publish some free content articles, to promote a website, and discover just what people like and don’t like. With feedback comes confidence. It is hard not be confident in your writing abilities when you get showered with requests to use your articles in others ezine’s and on their websites. :o) 4. EXCUSE #4 Writing will take too much time away from my family and other responsibilities. ----On the contrary. Writing can actually benefit and help you with your other responsibilities. By establishing a morning routine of writing in your journal, you will get to know yourself better, and grow both in professional and personal development. These positive changes to you will affect everyone you come into contact during the rest of your day. This includes members of your family. 5. EXCUSE #5 I am not very creative. ----Everyone has creativity in them. Some people have a harder time tapping into it than others. By creating a time and space for writing in your life, you are giving yourself permission to tap into your own creative subconscious resources and intelligence. You may be surprised and amazed at your own creative results. 6. EXCUSE #6 What I know has already been written. ----Did you know, you could give 5 writers an assignment on the same subject and each one of them will come back with an article with a very unique and different focus. It is because we all look at things from different perspectives. Our perspectives are developed by our own individual life experiences and the lessons we have learned. You can take what is out there and put your own unique slant on it. 7. EXCUSE #7 I am scared, not sure I can handle criticism and rejection. ----As mentioned already, by just doing it, jumping in and giving it a try, you will gain confidence and grow. Rejection is just someone’s opinion. Get another opinion, and then another. Some of the best books published in history were rejected dozens of times before someone took a chance on them and would eventually hit the New York Times bestseller’s list. So there you have it. Stop making excuses and jump in the water and get wet. It will be more fun, rewarding and maybe even profitable for you once you actually take some daily action steps. Who knows, you might even make a big splash upon entrance to the pool of what's floating around. . :o) As you begin getting your work out there, ideas will come to you so quickly it may be overwhelming at times. Just remember to write down your ideas, keeping notes on topic ideas, titles, and themes to research. The list will be endless. Use these intuitive thoughts to spark your thought process when you actually sit down with pen to paper. You will find many stories, experiences, and lessons learned that can easily be incorporated into a promotional article. "So start writing now, may the force of your creativity be with you!"
For More Free Resources visit www.onlinepublishingsite.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Home :: Arts & Entertainment :: Books & Music
By: Dolly Kapil
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Word Count: 1070
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Wannabe writers, are full of excuses as to why they aren’t writing yet. Many of these excuses can be changed to proactive statements with a mere switch in attitude and perspective. How many times have you read an article, and said to yourself, "I could have written this." Well, why don’t you? It took me a long time to discover that my passion in life was writing. Even though, as a teenager, I filled a whole blank book with poetry, which I wrote while trying to recover from the "first love’s" broken heart type of feelings. It wasn’t until I made it a habit to start writing in my journal every morning, that I found out just how easy it was to get the writing juices flowing. Below is a list of some common excuses writer wannabe’s make for not writing. You will find suggestions along with each excuse on how to counteract those excuses and move forward to success. 1. EXCUSE #1 I don’t know where to start, or what to write about. ---Just get up each morning a few minutes earlier than the rest of the household, and start writing in a journal. Write about anything and everything that pops into your mind. Try to write at least 3 or 4 pages. Devote at least 10 minutes each morning to this ritual. Do it with a pen and notebook, rather than the computer. There is a physical connection between the brain and your fingers on the paper. Keep your statements positive. Try to eliminate words like, "I need to" or "I should" or "I have to" replacing them with more affirming phrases. Using "I am" and "I can" changes your whole focus. I find just replacing the three phrases above makes the writing process much more positive and results oriented. You will be amazed at the material that you can pull from this journal that can be used in your daily projects. 2. EXCUSE #2 I don’t have any experience or formal schooling in writing. ----With the internet, and all the writing books available today, it is easy to teach yourself what it takes to write successfully. Just jump in and get your feet wet, give it a try. Have someone you trust read over your writing, and then give you their opinion. But don’t stop with one person’s point of view. Some of the best feedback I have received, has come from people wanting to use my "free to reprint" articles. I remember one lady email me saying, "I really enjoyed reading the passionate article you wrote on this subject." Up to that point, I had never looked at my writing as passionate. 3. EXCUSE #3 I don’t have enough confidence in my writing abilities, I can’t measure up to what is already out there. ----Following the same advice as above, as you jump in and do it, your confidence will grow. Publish some free content articles, to promote a website, and discover just what people like and don’t like. With feedback comes confidence. It is hard not be confident in your writing abilities when you get showered with requests to use your articles in others ezine’s and on their websites. :o) 4. EXCUSE #4 Writing will take too much time away from my family and other responsibilities. ----On the contrary. Writing can actually benefit and help you with your other responsibilities. By establishing a morning routine of writing in your journal, you will get to know yourself better, and grow both in professional and personal development. These positive changes to you will affect everyone you come into contact during the rest of your day. This includes members of your family. 5. EXCUSE #5 I am not very creative. ----Everyone has creativity in them. Some people have a harder time tapping into it than others. By creating a time and space for writing in your life, you are giving yourself permission to tap into your own creative subconscious resources and intelligence. You may be surprised and amazed at your own creative results. 6. EXCUSE #6 What I know has already been written. ----Did you know, you could give 5 writers an assignment on the same subject and each one of them will come back with an article with a very unique and different focus. It is because we all look at things from different perspectives. Our perspectives are developed by our own individual life experiences and the lessons we have learned. You can take what is out there and put your own unique slant on it. 7. EXCUSE #7 I am scared, not sure I can handle criticism and rejection. ----As mentioned already, by just doing it, jumping in and giving it a try, you will gain confidence and grow. Rejection is just someone’s opinion. Get another opinion, and then another. Some of the best books published in history were rejected dozens of times before someone took a chance on them and would eventually hit the New York Times bestseller’s list. So there you have it. Stop making excuses and jump in the water and get wet. It will be more fun, rewarding and maybe even profitable for you once you actually take some daily action steps. Who knows, you might even make a big splash upon entrance to the pool of what's floating around. . :o) As you begin getting your work out there, ideas will come to you so quickly it may be overwhelming at times. Just remember to write down your ideas, keeping notes on topic ideas, titles, and themes to research. The list will be endless. Use these intuitive thoughts to spark your thought process when you actually sit down with pen to paper. You will find many stories, experiences, and lessons learned that can easily be incorporated into a promotional article. "So start writing now, may the force of your creativity be with you!"
For More Free Resources visit www.onlinepublishingsite.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
2008-03-27
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our DecisionsBy Dan Ariely
Product Description
- Why do our headaches persist after taking a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a 50-cent aspirin?
- Why does recalling the Ten Commandments reduce our tendency to lie, even when we couldn't possibly be caught?
- Why do we splurge on a lavish meal but cut coupons to save twenty-five cents on a can of soup?
- Why do we go back for second helpings at the unlimited buffet, even when our stomachs are already full?
- And how did we ever start spending $4.15 on a cup of coffee when, just a few years ago, we used to pay less than a dollar?
When it comes to making decisions in our lives, we think we're in control. We think we're making smart, rational choices. But are we?
- Why do our headaches persist after taking a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a 50-cent aspirin?
- Why does recalling the Ten Commandments reduce our tendency to lie, even when we couldn't possibly be caught?
- Why do we splurge on a lavish meal but cut coupons to save twenty-five cents on a can of soup?
- Why do we go back for second helpings at the unlimited buffet, even when our stomachs are already full?
- And how did we ever start spending $4.15 on a cup of coffee when, just a few years ago, we used to pay less than a dollar?
When it comes to making decisions in our lives, we think we're in control. We think we're making smart, rational choices. But are we?
The SecretBy Rhonda Byrne
Product Description
Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it.
In this book, you'll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life -- money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You'll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that's within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life.
The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers -- men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.
function registerNamespace(ns)
A Thousand Splendid SunsBy Khaled Hosseini
After 103 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and with four million copies of The Kite Runner shipped, Khaled Hosseini returns with a beautiful, riveting, and haunting novel that confirms his place as one of the most important literary writers today.
2008-03-26
Product Description
It's no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 30 foreign languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on an inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light. In the first chapter, Tolle introduces readers to enlightenment and its natural enemy, the mind. He awakens readers to their role as a creator of pain and shows them how to have a pain-free identity by living fully in the present. The journey is thrilling, and along the way, the author shows how to connect to the indestructible essence of our Being, "the eternal, ever-present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death." Featuring a new preface by the author, this paperback shows that only after regaining awareness of Being, liberated from Mind and intensely in the Now, is there Enlightenment.
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #3 in Books
Published on: 2004-09-29
Number of items: 1
Binding: Paperback
224 pages
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Ekhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, supportive voice, and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for anyone who's ever wondered what exactly "living in the now" means. Foremost, Tolle is a world-class teacher, able to explain complicated concepts in concrete language. More importantly, within a chapter of reading this book, readers are already holding the world in a different container--more conscious of how thoughts and emotions get in the way of their ability to live in genuine peace and happiness.
Tolle packs a lot of information and inspirational ideas into The Power of Now. (Topics include the source of Chi, enlightened relationships, creative use of the mind, impermanence, and the cycle of life.) Thankfully, he's added markers that symbolize "break time." This is when readers should close the book and mull over what they just read. As a result, The Power of Now reads like the highly acclaimed A Course in Miracles--a spiritual guidebook that has the potential to inspire just as many study groups and change just as many lives for the better. --Gail Hudson
From AudioFile The author shares ideas about personal integration with uncommon eloquence and a deep understanding of the human condition. Our true identity is in our moment-to-moment experiences rather than in our past or future. Concern about anything but the present is an unhealthy identification with the mind that can only cause pain and an illusion of control. Being totally aware of ourselves in each moment actually requires little effort or direction if we stop our thoughts long enough to find the pure consciousness that exists in the gaps between them. These ideas will be radical for most Westerners, but they are so smoothly elucidated that almost all seekers of inner truth will find something of value in the program. T.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Russell E. DiCarlo, Author of Towards a New World Conversation at the Leading Edge. By living from the depths of this Greater Reality, Eckhart clears an energetic pathway for others to join him.
Customer Reviews
The peace and joy of conscious presence On one of the online forums to which I belong, whenever anyone asks for book recommendations to help them with personal development, spiritual growth, becoming more intuitive, meditation, relationships or the Law of Attraction, the first book recommended and endorsed over and over again, is Eckhart Tolle's The Power Of Now. This book has clearly had a profound and powerful effect on many people's lives, including my own. Like Tolle himself, this is a quiet book. And it is in this quietness, in the spaces between the words, that the book's power becomes apparent. The book gently and lovingly, yet firmly, deconstructs our egoic minds and allows us to experience the pure spiritual presence that lies behind the identities created by our egos. Letting go of the incessant chatter of our analytical minds, and living in The Now, is far from being an empty and boring place to be (as many people starting out on this journey imagine). Instead it is a rich and fulfilling experience, full of intense joy and peace. It can be quite overwhelming the first few times you experience this - I dipped in and out when I started, each time increasing the length of time for which I was able to sustain such presence. The concepts Tolle discusses are both profound, yet simple, but it can be a challenging process to implement. Our egoic minds are strong and they do not give up their hold on us easily! But, the more you practice the principles, the easier it does get. It is worth persevering - the rewards for doing so are enormous. For example: * Going about daily life with a strong background hum of joy and peace is infinitely preferable to one of anxiety and stress. And this is noticeable to others as well - people have often said things to me like "I enjoy being around you, you have good vibes". * You are able to focus on tasks before you with much more clarity. The full strength of your mind is brought to bear on your work (and play!) as it is no longer cluttered with unrelated issues. * You feel alive and your health usually improves. You glow with vitality. Tolle himself is one of the best examples of practicing his own teachings - he looks about 40 years old, but is actually in his early 60s! * Your life circumstances change to reflect the abundance of love, joy and peace to which you are connected. Life flows more smoothly, problems seemingly disappear, and new and exciting experiences and things are drawn to you.
The Power of Now I finished reading The Power of Now some weeks ago and then moved onto Tolle's book, A New Earth: Awakening Your Life's Purpose. So I'm a bit mixed up considering some of the same information can be found in both books. However, The Power of Now is a great stepping stone to A New Earth... I found The Power of Now to be helpful in showing the reader how to free ones self from the mind and its constant flow of thoughts and images it presents to us, either about the past or the future, both which are illusions considering the only real moment in NOW. The content of the book can seem a bit confusing, but don't let the mind try to make the information harder then it is. Tolle also touches on the Ego and one's need for identification with form. Overall, I enjoyed the book thuroughly. It made me very much aware of the importance of the Now and gave me an opportunity to become aware and conscious of my thoughts, my ego's need for identification with form, and so much more that you'll have to read the book to understand.
ancient wisdom, modern twist Each person looking for a way to make it through our so-called lives can find something inspiring in this book. It rings true, and can be connected to our Judeo-Christian core values, if that is important to you. Even if it isn't, thousands of years of wisdom are concentrated in the author's words, and useful for finding some calm in this disturbed world.
Product Description
The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2,000,000 copy bestselling inspirational book, The Power of NowWith his bestselling spiritual guide The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of readers to discover the freedom and joy of a life lived "in the now." In A New Earth, Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world. Tolle describes how our attachment to the ego creates the dysfunction that leads to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness, and shows readers how to awaken to a new state of consciousness and follow the path to a truly fulfilling existence.The Power of Now was a question-and-answer handbook. A New Earth has been written as a traditional narrative, offering anecdotes and philosophies in a way that is accessible to all. Illuminating, enlightening, and uplifting, A New Earth is a profoundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life—and for building a better world.About the AuthorECKHART TOLLE is a contemporary spiritual teacher who is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. In his writing and seminars, he conveys a simple yet profound message with the timeless and uncomplicated clarity of the ancient spiritual masters: There is a way out of suffering and into peace. Eckhart travels extensively, taking his teachings throughout the world.
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #1 in Books
Published on: 2008-01-30
Released on: 2008-01-30
Number of items: 1
Binding: Paperback
336 pages
The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2,000,000 copy bestselling inspirational book, The Power of NowWith his bestselling spiritual guide The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of readers to discover the freedom and joy of a life lived "in the now." In A New Earth, Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world. Tolle describes how our attachment to the ego creates the dysfunction that leads to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness, and shows readers how to awaken to a new state of consciousness and follow the path to a truly fulfilling existence.The Power of Now was a question-and-answer handbook. A New Earth has been written as a traditional narrative, offering anecdotes and philosophies in a way that is accessible to all. Illuminating, enlightening, and uplifting, A New Earth is a profoundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life—and for building a better world.About the AuthorECKHART TOLLE is a contemporary spiritual teacher who is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. In his writing and seminars, he conveys a simple yet profound message with the timeless and uncomplicated clarity of the ancient spiritual masters: There is a way out of suffering and into peace. Eckhart travels extensively, taking his teachings throughout the world.
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Amazon Sales Rank: #1 in Books
Published on: 2008-01-30
Released on: 2008-01-30
Number of items: 1
Binding: Paperback
336 pages
Brisingr
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OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices— choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?
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Amazon Sales Rank: #13 in Books
Published on: 2008-09-20
Released on: 2008-09-20
Number of items: 1
Binding: Hardcover
896 pages
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
2008-03-16
« Rococo
Ballet
Ballet dates back to the 16th-century French courts. In 1581 Catherine de Medici brought a group of Italian dancers to the court to provide entertainment for a wedding; the spectacle was called Le Ballet Comique de la Reine (The Comic Ballet of the Queen). Based on the kind of performances given in Italy since the Renaissance, ballet caught on as a favorite court entertainment in France. For its first 100 years ballet was performed by male courtiers as an amateur entertainment.
In 1661 French king Louis XIV—a major supporter of ballet—established an Academie de Danse to train professional ballet dancers, appointing Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632–87) its first director; women also entered the profession at this time. In 1588 Thoinot Arbeau’s book Orchésographie was published, the first French book on ballet technique, and in 1725 Pierre Rameau’s Dancing Master outlined the “five positions,” the basics of ballet technique. The last great 18th-century book on ballet, Letters on the Dance by Jean-Georges Noverre, appeared in 1760, emphasizing the importance of dramatic movement. In 1786 choreographer Jean Dauberval created La Fille Mal Gardée, the first ballet with a plot drawn from “peasant” life, and the oldest ballet still in the repertoire.
Meanwhile, news of the development was spreading through Europe. After making a tour of Europe in the late 17th century, Czar Peter the Great returned to Russia and began a process of introducing the contemporary arts to his homeland. French ballet teacher Jean Baptiste Lande came to Russia, and in 1738 established the first school there, the Imperial Theatre School in St. Petersburg. Several French masters followed in his wake, and the seeds of the great age of Russian ballet were planted.
This will be the last entry of Essential Knowledge of the Day. We hope you enjoyed it. For more essential knowledge, grab yourself a copy of The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge, 2nd Edition.
Ballet
Ballet dates back to the 16th-century French courts. In 1581 Catherine de Medici brought a group of Italian dancers to the court to provide entertainment for a wedding; the spectacle was called Le Ballet Comique de la Reine (The Comic Ballet of the Queen). Based on the kind of performances given in Italy since the Renaissance, ballet caught on as a favorite court entertainment in France. For its first 100 years ballet was performed by male courtiers as an amateur entertainment.
In 1661 French king Louis XIV—a major supporter of ballet—established an Academie de Danse to train professional ballet dancers, appointing Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632–87) its first director; women also entered the profession at this time. In 1588 Thoinot Arbeau’s book Orchésographie was published, the first French book on ballet technique, and in 1725 Pierre Rameau’s Dancing Master outlined the “five positions,” the basics of ballet technique. The last great 18th-century book on ballet, Letters on the Dance by Jean-Georges Noverre, appeared in 1760, emphasizing the importance of dramatic movement. In 1786 choreographer Jean Dauberval created La Fille Mal Gardée, the first ballet with a plot drawn from “peasant” life, and the oldest ballet still in the repertoire.
Meanwhile, news of the development was spreading through Europe. After making a tour of Europe in the late 17th century, Czar Peter the Great returned to Russia and began a process of introducing the contemporary arts to his homeland. French ballet teacher Jean Baptiste Lande came to Russia, and in 1738 established the first school there, the Imperial Theatre School in St. Petersburg. Several French masters followed in his wake, and the seeds of the great age of Russian ballet were planted.
This will be the last entry of Essential Knowledge of the Day. We hope you enjoyed it. For more essential knowledge, grab yourself a copy of The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge, 2nd Edition.
The Dance Card
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Published: March 16, 2008
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'The Race Card,' by Richard Thompson Ford: The Big Blind (February 10, 2008)
Orlando Patterson, in his review of “The Race Card” (Feb. 10), writes, “Consider this: The great choreographer George Balanchine held that a ballerina’s skin should be the color of a peeled apple, a view shared by many in ballet circles.” He then conflates this with “an artistic director’s refusal to hire a talented black ballerina because ballerinas are expected to be white, thin and flat everywhere.” A number of points need to be made to correct the misapprehensions here.
According to Arthur Mitchell, founding artistic director of Dance Theater of Harlem, Balanchine’s line about a ballerina’s skin ideally resembling a “peeled apple” applied to Suzanne Farrell alone. Certainly Balanchine — who had been years ahead of most artistic directors in ballet in hiring black male dancers (Mitchell was not the first of these) — assisted and encouraged Mitchell’s work with Dance Theater of Harlem in the 1970s, and he invited its ballerina Lydia Abarca to dance with the New York City Ballet. In the same decade, he promoted the black dancer Debra Austin in the New York City Ballet, both making a solo for her in his new “Ballo della Regina” (1978) and casting her as one of the four ballerinas in his white-tutu ballet “Symphony in C” (among other occasions, on the opening night of the company’s 1979 season at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden).
In earlier years, before he had a company of his own, Balanchine had worked with Katherine Dunham on the all-black musical “Cabin in the Sky,” and before that had worked closely with Josephine Baker in both Paris and New York. In the 1940s he used Betty Nichols at Ballet Society; in 1960 he used Mary Hinkson. Because of his use of Mitchell with the white ballerina Diana Adams in its pas de deux, his ballet “Agon” (1957) could not be performed in the South. It is hard to think of another white ballet choreographer of his generation so enlightened.
It seems likely that relatively few black parents choose to send their children to ballet school. (In 1933, Lincoln Kirstein and Balanchine planned to make their new American ballet company 50 percent white and 50 percent black. Such proportions, however, were never remotely achievable even at the student level.) One reason for this must be the considerable expense of ballet training.
It is sadly true that very few black female dancers currently appear in our foremost ballet companies. The reason, however, is unlikely to be color prejudice on the part of artistic directors: the presence of black dancers makes for good public relations. In the 1990s, City Ballet made a point of casting a black dancer as the first Snowflake onstage in “The Nutcracker”; and today it makes prominent use of Albert Evans in photographs promoting the company’s seasons.
Alastair MacaulayNew YorkThe writer is the chief dance critic of The New York Times.
•
To the Editor:
What is Orlando Patterson’s evidence for his unqualified assertion that the idea that a female ballet dancer should be white is “a view shared by many in ballet circles”? It is my observation that the rarity of black principal dancers in American ballet companies is the result of a complicated set of interacting circumstances — the product, in turn, of a history of racism — but that current racism on the part of ballet directors and the audience plays a relatively small part in it. If Patterson has evidence to the contrary, he should please provide it.
Joan AcocellaNew YorkThe writer is The New Yorker’s dance critic.
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Published: March 16, 2008
To the Editor:
Skip to next paragraph
Related
'The Race Card,' by Richard Thompson Ford: The Big Blind (February 10, 2008)
Orlando Patterson, in his review of “The Race Card” (Feb. 10), writes, “Consider this: The great choreographer George Balanchine held that a ballerina’s skin should be the color of a peeled apple, a view shared by many in ballet circles.” He then conflates this with “an artistic director’s refusal to hire a talented black ballerina because ballerinas are expected to be white, thin and flat everywhere.” A number of points need to be made to correct the misapprehensions here.
According to Arthur Mitchell, founding artistic director of Dance Theater of Harlem, Balanchine’s line about a ballerina’s skin ideally resembling a “peeled apple” applied to Suzanne Farrell alone. Certainly Balanchine — who had been years ahead of most artistic directors in ballet in hiring black male dancers (Mitchell was not the first of these) — assisted and encouraged Mitchell’s work with Dance Theater of Harlem in the 1970s, and he invited its ballerina Lydia Abarca to dance with the New York City Ballet. In the same decade, he promoted the black dancer Debra Austin in the New York City Ballet, both making a solo for her in his new “Ballo della Regina” (1978) and casting her as one of the four ballerinas in his white-tutu ballet “Symphony in C” (among other occasions, on the opening night of the company’s 1979 season at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden).
In earlier years, before he had a company of his own, Balanchine had worked with Katherine Dunham on the all-black musical “Cabin in the Sky,” and before that had worked closely with Josephine Baker in both Paris and New York. In the 1940s he used Betty Nichols at Ballet Society; in 1960 he used Mary Hinkson. Because of his use of Mitchell with the white ballerina Diana Adams in its pas de deux, his ballet “Agon” (1957) could not be performed in the South. It is hard to think of another white ballet choreographer of his generation so enlightened.
It seems likely that relatively few black parents choose to send their children to ballet school. (In 1933, Lincoln Kirstein and Balanchine planned to make their new American ballet company 50 percent white and 50 percent black. Such proportions, however, were never remotely achievable even at the student level.) One reason for this must be the considerable expense of ballet training.
It is sadly true that very few black female dancers currently appear in our foremost ballet companies. The reason, however, is unlikely to be color prejudice on the part of artistic directors: the presence of black dancers makes for good public relations. In the 1990s, City Ballet made a point of casting a black dancer as the first Snowflake onstage in “The Nutcracker”; and today it makes prominent use of Albert Evans in photographs promoting the company’s seasons.
Alastair MacaulayNew YorkThe writer is the chief dance critic of The New York Times.
•
To the Editor:
What is Orlando Patterson’s evidence for his unqualified assertion that the idea that a female ballet dancer should be white is “a view shared by many in ballet circles”? It is my observation that the rarity of black principal dancers in American ballet companies is the result of a complicated set of interacting circumstances — the product, in turn, of a history of racism — but that current racism on the part of ballet directors and the audience plays a relatively small part in it. If Patterson has evidence to the contrary, he should please provide it.
Joan AcocellaNew YorkThe writer is The New Yorker’s dance critic.
Jazz Writers
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Published: March 16, 2008
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'Bass Cathedral,' by Nathaniel Mackey: Jazz Man (February 24, 2008)
In his review of “Bass Cathedral,” by Nathaniel Mackey (Feb. 24), David Hajdu writes, “We are unlikely to think immediately of jazz when we think of contemporary literature.”
For his information, there are about three generations of contemporary African-American and Hispanic writers who have successfully captured the rhythms of jazz in their work. Not just one. Many of these writers (myself included) will be performing at Town Hall in Manhattan on May 3 as part of the 35th anniversary of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, which runs a weekly jazz series directed by Rome Neal, star of the one-man show “Monk,” about Thelonious Monk.
Ishmael ReedOakland, Calif.
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Published: March 16, 2008
To the Editor:
Skip to next paragraph
Related
'Bass Cathedral,' by Nathaniel Mackey: Jazz Man (February 24, 2008)
In his review of “Bass Cathedral,” by Nathaniel Mackey (Feb. 24), David Hajdu writes, “We are unlikely to think immediately of jazz when we think of contemporary literature.”
For his information, there are about three generations of contemporary African-American and Hispanic writers who have successfully captured the rhythms of jazz in their work. Not just one. Many of these writers (myself included) will be performing at Town Hall in Manhattan on May 3 as part of the 35th anniversary of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, which runs a weekly jazz series directed by Rome Neal, star of the one-man show “Monk,” about Thelonious Monk.
Ishmael ReedOakland, Calif.
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