Brain Tumors: Leaving the Garden of Eden--A Survival Guide to Diagnosis, Learning the Basics, Getting Organized, and Finding Your Medical Team

Book Description

A guidebook for the 150,000+ people/ year and families affected by brain tumors. This book will help you learn the basics about diagnosis, getting organized and finding your medical team. Included are chapters on all major types of brain tumors & metastases, glossary, medications, using the Internet to search for information, and getting a second opinion.

"Brain Tumors:Leaving the Garden of Eden" is all about improving your odds by gathering information, & assessing your situation: What you need to do; what you need to know; what you can do now!

Customer Reviews:

A book of hope.......2006-09-04

This is volume 1 of a two-volume set. Buy them both. Just like the second volume, it is an essential "navigation" guide for patients with one of the deadliest cancers. The book is logically organized, gives all the necessary information and almost nothing is missing. I am brain cancer patient and I recommend this book. This book and a book by Ben Williams, Surviving "Terminal" Cancer should be on the bookshelf of every GBM patient. This book gave me hope and the strength to endure. Mine arrived with Dr. Zeltzer's dedication, "Knowledge is power". How true!

Brain Tumors - a complex diagnoses made simple.......2006-05-06

This is a good book for anyone who needs to understand the complexity and diagnosis of a brain tumor. It will give you the facts to help you or a family member make intelligent decisions when faced with this medical diagnosis. My identical twin brother was diagnosed with a rapid growing tumor that was affecting his vision. We are both software engineers not doctors. We need facts with absolutes. Not probabilities. He was admitted to the University of New Mexico Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery. His wife and 1 year old daughter were at his side waiting for the operation. I found this book at the medical school bookstore. I thumbed through it and could not put it down. The book carefully explained in detail exactly what the medical staff was saying. It was not a solution for the emotions we were going through but at least I understood the complexity of the brain and impact of tumors. He had two major operations, including a craniotomy. Thankfully, he pulled through. That was a year ago. He will be on medicine from the tumor operation for the rest of his life. But he is alive. There are other books I might suggest for the emotional impact on a family, but this review is just for the understanding of the medical diagnosis. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a brain tumor I suggest this book.

Absolutely essential.......2005-08-14

If you or a loved one are newly diagnosed with a brain tumor, this is the book you must read immediately and use as a reference throughout the process of dealing with the disease. I wish that it had been available when our daughter was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme early last year. With a disease of this complexity, you and your family will ultimately be responsible for coordinating treatment options, anticipating and managing side effects of medications, etc. To be an effective advocate you need to learn as much as you can as quickly as you can, and this book is the place to start. The medical care that our daughter has received has been uniformly excellent, but a vigilent and informed caregiving team is a vital component in managing her disease.

"Surviving Terminal Cancer" by Ben Williams is also excellent -- both books are required reading.

The quality of the information available and the dedication of the people who provide it is truly amazing. Dr Musella's website, www.virtualtrials.com, is another essential resource, particularly for information about the many new developments in brain tumor research and treatment. I believe that there is much reason for optimism, and that an empowered and informed community will play an important role in conquering this terrible disease.

A must-read for anyone dealing with a brain tumor.......2004-12-22

This book helps guide you through the turmoil that comes with the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Unlike most diseases where you go to your doctor and let him / her make all of the decisions, dealing with a brain tumor is very different. You will be dealing with up to 20 different types of health professionals. You will be given choices that your doctor doesn't even want to make for you. Decisions that you make can greatly affect your chances of being a long term survivor.
You need all of the help you can get.
This book was written by one of the best neuro-oncologists in the world, drawing not only on his professional experiences dealing with his own patients at some of the most prestigious brain tumor centers in the USA, but also on his many years of participating in online support groups and answering questions from my website, Clinical Trials And Noteworthy Treatments For Brain Tumors.

Al Musella, DPM
President
Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc
Virtualtrials.com

Marines in the Garden of Eden: The Battle for An Nasiriyah

Average customer rating:

amazing detail
Thought provoking material
Well written combat narrative with a personal touch.
"Marines in the Garden of Eden" is a must read
Poor Writing Obscures Marines Accomplishments

Marines in the Garden of Eden: The Battle for An Nasiriyah
Richard S. Lowry
Manufacturer: Berkley Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Iraq | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0425209881

Book Description

The true story of the bloodiest battle in the campaign to oust Saddam Hussein.

It began on March 23, 2003, a clear, sunny Sunday morning in the city of An Nasiriyah, Iraq, where members of the 507th Maintenance Company were stationed during Operation Enduring Freedom. The enemy ambushed the 507th at first light, killing and wounding twenty-one soldiers and taking six prisoners, including the now-famous Private Jessica Lynch. When night fell, 18 marines had given their lives in what would become the battle for An Nasiriyah.

For the next week, An Nasiriyah was rocked with gun and mortar fire, as the marines of Task Force Tarawa fought to wrest control of the city from Saddam's fanatical followers.

This the story of the battle for "The Nas," as seen through the eyes of the Marines, soldiers, and newsmen who made it through those terrible seven days, and would never forget what they experienced, what they learned-or those they lost in the name of freedom.

Customer Reviews:

amazing detail.......2007-06-27

an amazing book. very good read. only complaint is that at this level of detail and intimacy, it is hard to keep track of who is who. author literaly has the minute to minute movements of like 10 different battle groups dialed in and well narrated. all the same... it is a great military NF history read.

Thought provoking material.......2007-01-24

This is a book that shows the acts of heroism of our young men and women that serve our country and look at their military service as helping others. It gives a true feeling of brotherhood between our military armed forces. "Marines in the Garden of Eden: The Battle for An Nasiriyah" brings to question of how ill prepared we truly were in going into Iraq and how our young men and women had to overcome obstacles that were unnecessary. I read this book with pride in our young people but saddness that as a Nation we sent them into battle when it appears that with all the high technology available, we left them hanging out there. I read these accounts of the Battle with great interest as three of my sons are serving in the Marine Corps and I knew several who were mentioned in the book. It is quite clear that the author was giving the true accounts of what happened and was not looking through tinted glasses that showed a bias one way or another.

Well written combat narrative with a personal touch........2006-11-23

Richard Lowry's book is a very well researched and well written combat narrative about the battle for An Nasiriyah. He follows several company, battalion, and regimental size units from their deployment in theater through the battle, describing in gripping detail not only the courage and dedication of those involved, but also the chaos, confusion, and "fog of war" that is part of any battle in any age. Lowry spends equal time covering the good and the bad that was the battle, from well-executed movements to friendly fire incidents, combat deaths to humanitarian assistance, treating each with the same level of attention to detail. I particularly like the way Lowry catches the human side of the Marines involved by noting particular quotes or actions in the heat of combat that makes the Marines come alive and puts a human face on the struggle.
Through the highs and lows, the average grunt Marine shines through, and learning about the "ordinary" heroism that carried the day makes this book one of the better combat narratives I have read.

"Marines in the Garden of Eden" is a must read.......2006-11-12

Mr. Lowry's care and consideration for the Marines he depicts is exemplary. His research and attention to detail gives credence and depth to the story of An Nasiriyah. "Marines in the Garden of Eden" is a must read. I couldn't wait to experience the story as it began to unfold.

Robert Elliot
Associate Producer
"Still There"
[...]

Poor Writing Obscures Marines Accomplishments.......2006-11-05

This is poorly written, with excessive use of adverbs and adjectives intended to portray gallant troops versus evil foes. A straight telling of the story would have been interesting, but the continued effort to bias the reader in such a childish manner caused me to give up after about twenty pages. Of course we are on the side of the troops, but let the events speak for themselves.

The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights

Average customer rating:

Faye Kellerman leaves little to the imagination.
Terrible, terrible and more terrible
A somewhat uneven, mixed bag of stories
The Big Question: How Much Of A Kellerman Fan Are You?
Surprising writing styles

The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights
Faye Kellerman
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0446530395

Book Description

Here the backdrop of contemporary California becomes fertile ground for Kellerman's riveting tales of murder, mystery, and family ties most sinister and deadly.... Among the first-rate short mysteries in this collection, the brand-new "Garden of Eden" and "Open House" feature the famous sleuthing duo Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. "Bull's-Eye" introduced Cindy Decker to the crime-fiction world, and "Mr. Barton's Head Case" appears here for the very first time in English. In addition, two rare personal essays allow readers glimpses into Kellerman's private life, revealing her true grit in "Small Miracles" and childhood memories of working in her father's deli in the exquisite "Summer of My Womanhood." Compiled at last in one volume, the seventeen pieces in this book feature new introductions by the author and contribute to a unique, compelling portrait of one of America's top masters of suspense. A must-have collection for all mystery fans, The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights showcases how ordinary everyday experiences can be the genesis of extraordinary tales that unveil the darkest sins and secrets of the human heart.

Customer Reviews:

Faye Kellerman leaves little to the imagination........2007-04-01

Faye Kellerman, is one of the best authors i have read. Her diversity in this book of short stories, shines through impeccibly.
She not only writes about Peter Decker and Rina Lazerus, but other stories, such as a touch on Jack the Ripper, in my opinion!!
She puts such detail, in such a small story, that it's not overwhelming. Like many authors, we are left sitting there after reading, thinking and pondering what we have just read. Sometimes we even have to re-read a passage or two.
But with Faye Kellerman's novels all you have to do, is sit back, read and enjoy!

Terrible, terrible and more terrible.......2007-03-30

I agree with previous reviews and am sorely disappointed in the latest works of the Kellermans in general. Clearly, they've entered a comfort zone...

A somewhat uneven, mixed bag of stories .......2006-12-07

Faye Kellerman's novels of crime and psychological turmoil have earned a permanent spot on my reading shelves, albeit I've noticed a general slide towards a flat, repetitive style in the last few novels. But now she is taking a slightly different turn with this collection of short stories from throughout her career.

Several of her stories feature her most popular characters, those of Peter Decker, and his wife, Rina Lazarus. Others feature historical figures, characters on the edge, and all sorts of human nature. There isn't any sort of linking theme here, just that they are stories by Kellerman, and several either co-written with or inspired by her children or husband. And as usual with short story collections, several are downright creepy, a few are very good, and one or two fall short of the mark.

The Garden of Eden
This one, and the next three, are stories that feature the Deckers, a married, Orthodox Jewish couple that are very real, and good to read about. In this one, Rina and Peter have a problem at home when Rina's indoor gardening starts to get out of hand. Mixed in with this is the death of an elderly friend that has hints of foul-play and a stash of money that is missing. How both problems are resolved is done with Kellerman's deft hand at suspense.

Open House
A dead body turns up in a vacant home, and it's up to Decker and his officers to puzzle out the how and why. It's a sordid little tale of a man who gets caught with his pants down and the girlfriend is getting a little too annoying. While it's a simplistic tale, I was glad to see more of the policemen that Decker gets to work with.

Bull's-eye
This one features Decker's daughter, Cindy, who is a chip off the old block when it comes to solving crimes. This time, the murder is particularly close when one of Cindy's instructors at the police academy is gunned down in front of witnesses. But the question is who and why. Kellerman kept this one from getting too stale by tucking in a twist or two, and it's a good, tight story, perfect for your coffee break.

A Woman of Mystery
This is one of the saddest stories that I've read in a long time. Rina has an encounter with a young, troubled woman without a name or past, and it's a tale that will make all of us wonder how far we should visit the sins of the past onto the future.

The Stalker
For every woman who has been the victim of an abusive relationship, this one is sweet, sweet revenge. While I wouldn't recommend being this drastic, it's certainly soul-satisfying.

Mummy and Jack
Cowritten with her son, Jesse, Kellerman takes on the old Jack the Ripper story, but this time with a twist or two that makes it unique. And actually, it's not too bad.

Bonding
Told in first person, this is a tale to make your blood run cold at a teenage girl who's bored with her life, and decides to make mischief. The body count rises, the sins are unthinkable, and it's one of those stories that makes you wish you didn't read it. Not that it's bad, it's just that horrifying.

Discards
A female private eye takes on a case that looks simple enough -- find a cleaning woman who has vanished over several days, and the employer is concerned. There's always a deeper motive, of course, and this one turns into a question of poverty and morality over a diamond ring.

Tendrils of Love
If this tale doesn't turn you off of internet chat rooms, nothing will. There's all sorts of reasons for a woman to turn up dead in a quiet backwater in Missouri. How it all fits together is the appeal of this one.

Malibu Dog
We all know them. The neighbor with the dog. The monsterous fanged horror of both the canine and human species that has turned your little slice of paradise into an absolute hell. But as with all Kellerman stories this one has a twist.

The Back Page
It's a cute story on an old urban legend, but I found it to be a little too much. Set in a newspaper, it's the story about a reporter who always seems to be first on the spot.

Mr. Barton's Head Case
It's a tale of true love, between a man and his car. This is one of those stories that makes me wish that Kellerman used more humor in her full length novels, as when she does it, she is very good at it indeed. This one was also based on one of the more interesting bits of lore out of the Bible, updated for the modern age.

Holy Water
More humor here about a rabbi who is kidnapped during Purim in a clash of corporate giants. It's a cute tale, and it made me chuckle a bit.

Free Parking
There isn't any crime in this one, just a cozy tale of elderly women and a youngster gathered together for a family ritual of playing Monopoly.

The Luck of the Draw
Kellerman co-wrote this with her daughters for an anthology. It's an ok story, but it's such a painfully 'goody-goody' tale that I had a hard time taking it seriously.

Small Miracles
This one is a recounting of an actual event in Kellerman's life involving her mother and her children. Just a few pages long, it's still a treat.

The Summer of My Womanhood
This one is a story about Kellerman herself, working in the family business. I found it to particularly poignant and wonderful to read. It made wading through all of the other stories worth it to get to this point.

Each story comes with an introduction, where Kellerman talks about what influenced her to write the story, and some of the underlaying themes and ideas. It's a nice touch, and it helps to understand where a writer can get their ideas and topics in both fiction and non-fiction. As a collection showcasing Kellerman's talent, it's not bad, but I would only suggest it to those who are already fans of her work, and it wouldn't make that good of an introduction to her work. For that, I would recommend her earlier Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus novels.

Overall, about four stars. While mystery fans will enjoy it the most, the final stories in the collection are accessable to anyone and are very heartfelt.

Recommended

The Big Question: How Much Of A Kellerman Fan Are You?.......2006-12-02

Not everything written by well-established authors should be published. Never was this truer than when Stephen King came out with From A Buick 8 and the coauthored Colorado Kid.

Faye Kellerman has been delighting readers with her Decker/Lazzarus crime fiction novels for many years now, and most will probably snap up The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights, a mish-mash collection of short stories (and a few inspired by and coauthored with some of Kellerman's close family members).

Short story fans will be as equally delighted and chagrined as Kellerman's fan-base, as this collection runs from quite good to downright terrible. The most notable are the final two stories, "Mummy and Jack" and "Holy Water."

"Mummy and Jack" was a coauthored piece with Kellerman's older son Jesse. Wickedly dark in tone, the story takes the Oedipus complex a bit over the edge and plops us uncomfortably in the middle of adult son Jack's desire to please his mother by any means necessary ...including killing.

"Holy Water," the longest story in the collection, is a hilarious romp via a Rabbi who's hijacked by some prosperous thugs that demand the formula for a rival cola company's soda. Since the Rabbi confirmed the ingredients for kosher reasons, he's on their list of men whom they need to "talk to." But the Rabbi is smarter than the thugs and twists their plans until even the bad guys come around to his way of thinking.

But from here the stories take a serious nosedive. Several of the Decker/Lazzarus stories fall flat or conclude in very ho-hum fashion. One story that focuses on Decker and his now grown daughter who's entering the police field, goes absolutely nowhere while trying to show the strains of the father/daughter relationship during an accidental shooting. Two stories were cowritten by Kellerman's other children and they read, unfortunately, more like poorly put together streams of consciousness.

If it weren't for "Holy Water" and "Mummy and Jack," this collection would be easily forgettable. But the big question: Is it worth the price of purchase just for those two stories? That probably depends on how much of a Faye Kellerman fan you are.

Surprising writing styles.......2006-11-05

Reviewed by Lynn O'Connell for Reader Views (10/06)

Crime and mystery tales, short stories and autobiographical essays are all part of this collection of works by Faye Kellerman. In all, the book contains 17 stories. Four stories, making up more than 100 of the book's 327 pages, feature Kellerman's husband-and-wife duo, Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, from her full-length novels. And, two of these pieces are published here for the first time. One is the title piece, "The Garden of Eden," which has Lazarus and detective Decker exploring the death of their next-door neighbor. In the other new work, "Open House," Decker and police department colleagues investigate the mysterious death of a woman who was killed and left in the closet of a house for sale. Daughter Cindy makes her first appearance in "Bull's Eye," as a rookie in the police academy.

Two of the short stories are collaborations between Kellerman and her children. "The Luck of the Draw" is co-written with Kellerman's two daughters. "Mummy and Jack," written with son Jesse, is a dark tale reminiscent of Jack the Ripper.

One of my personal favorites in the collection is "Holy Water," which involves the kidnapping of a Rabbi by a soda company in an effort to discover the secret Coca-Cola formula. "Discards," featuring Kellerman's first private detective, Andrea Darling, was another favorite for me. Both tales had some mystery as well as a somewhat light and humorous ending.

The last two works in the book, "Small Miracles" and "Summer of My Womanhood," are autobiographical essays. "Small Miracles" describes Kellerman's successful capture of a mugger, while "Summer of My Womanhood" provides a look into her teen years as she worked in her father's deli.

Other stories include: "The Stalker" and "Bonding," both very dark tales with somewhat disturbing endings; "The Back Page," based on the years-old legend about fillings picking up radio transmissions; and, "A Woman of Mystery," in which Lazarus solves the mystery of a student without memories.

This collection is truly an anthology of works by Kellerman, as it includes stories from numerous genres - not just the crime/mystery stories for which she is best known. The book is also a wonderful way to get to know Kellerman and her writing style.

Each of the stories has a wonderful ending; albeit some are humorous, while others are dark and unsettling. It is amazing to see the range of Kellerman's writing capabilities all together in one book. Each short story has a very short introduction which I found interesting as I tried to put each vignette into perspective as to Kellerman's purpose and the timeframe where it fit in her writing career.

Kellerman fans will probably all enjoy this book, particularly those who are eager for another Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novel. (The last one came out in 2005.) However, it is important to realize that this collection is not all crime and murder mysteries; fans should read the book as an opportunity to see a new side to Kellerman. I was truly surprised by some of the writing styles, including the personal essays, in the book. The book is a great read for those first-time readers of Kellerman, who then can decide if they want more.

In all, "The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights" held my attention, and each story was a quick read. Some I liked, and some I didn't. But, with such a diverse range of genres represented, every reader is likely to find at least a couple of stories that will leave them wanting more writing from Kellerman.

Gardening in Eden: Seasons in a Suburban Garden

Average customer rating:

Dated writing and an unsatisfying book
Loved this little gem
Great Reading After a Long Day in Garden
A Gem of a Book for the Gardener in Everyone!
Winter Tonic for the Gardener

Gardening in Eden: Seasons in a Suburban Garden
Arthur T. Vanderbilt II
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Essays | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1416540636

Book Description

"Though an old man," Thomas Jefferson wrote at Monticello, "I am but a young gardener." Every gardener is.

In Gardening in Eden, we enter Arthur Vanderbilt's small enchanted world of the garden, where the old wooden trestle tables of a roadside nursery are covered in crazy quilts of spring color, where a catbird comes to eat raisins from one's hand, and a chipmunk demands a daily ration of salted cocktail nuts. We feel the oppressiveness of endless winter days, the magic of an old-fashioned snow day, the heady, healing qualities of wandering through a greenhouse on a frozen February afternoon, the restlessness of a gardener waiting for spring.

With a sense of wonder and humor on each page, Arthur Vanderbilt takes us along with him to discover that for those who wait, watch, and labor in the garden, it's all happening right outside our windows.

Customer Reviews:

Dated writing and an unsatisfying book.......2007-08-03

This book was somewhat interesting, but it was too full of fluff for my taste, and I felt about 20 years too young to connect with the author's point of view. His observations meandered through his (very dated) memories of gardens past, with no conclusions drawn, no linkages to culture, no gardening advice, and so on. While some of the stories were amusing enough, it left me unsatisfied, like eating cotton candy when you are really hungry: a sweet taste but no substance. Unfortunately I can't recommend this one at all.

Loved this little gem.......2007-04-01

This little book did what my husband has been trying to do for years-make me appreciate gardening. Mr. Vanderbilt has written a beautiful, funny book on his love of gardening. His writing style is friendly and conversational-you never feel as though he is trying to talk down to you. I can relate to some of his funny stories of animals invading his garden and he has some fun anecdotes about his goldfish and frog pond, which I enjoyed since we have a pond as well. If you are into gardening, or even if you are not-you will enjoy this fun, well written book.

Great Reading After a Long Day in Garden.......2004-06-22

I love to garden. I can't get enough. But when there's too much sun or too much rain, I usually pass my time reading a good book. Recently, I came upon "Gardening in Eden" by this young author from my own home state. What a pleasure. Get a copy and read it after a long day in your garden. You'll find yourself appreciating your garden 10 times more!

A Gem of a Book for the Gardener in Everyone!.......2004-03-25

As an amateur gardener myself, Mr. Vanderbilt's book hit home with me. From going to the local nursery to the smell of freshly mowed grass to the lonliness of winter this book expresses the multitude of emotions gardeners experience throughout the year. A very delightful book! This is one book that will be reread by.

Winter Tonic for the Gardener.......2004-01-29

I read Arthur T. Vanderbilt's book, "Gardening in Eden" as a nor'easter raged outside, blasting our house with a vile wintry mix, and his book brought inside the wonderfully soothing world of the garden in all seasons. With a roaring fire and a hot cup of tea, it was the perfect way to forget the storm and to remember how much fun it is to work outside. Now, I can't wait to get out there again!

Average customer rating:

Quite boring...
Garden of Eden
Hemingway and Eros: A Complex Combination
Diamond in the rough
Should You Or Shouldn't You Read It

Garden of Eden
Ernest Hemingway
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0684804522

Book Description

A sensational bestseller when it appeared in 1986, The Garden of Eden is the last uncompleted novel of Ernest Hemingway, which he worked on intermittently from 1946 until his death in 1961. Set on the Côte d'Azur in the 1920s, it is the story of a young American writer, David Bourne, his glamorous wife, Catherine, and the dangerous, erotic game they play when they fall in love with the same woman. "A lean, sensuous narrative...taut, chic, and strangely contemporary," The Garden of Eden represents vintage Hemingway, the master "doing what nobody did better" (R. Z. Sheppard, Time).

Download Description

A sensational bestseller when it appeared in 1986, The Garden of Eden is the last uncompleted novel of Ernest Hemingway, which he worked on intermittently from 1946 until his death in 1961. Set on the Cote d'Azur in the 1920s, it is the story of a young American writer, David Bourne, his glamorous wife, Catherine, and the dangerous, erotic game they play when they fall in love with the same woman. "A lean, sensuous narrative...taut, chic, and strangely contemporary," The Garden of Eden represents vintage Hemingway, the master "doing what nobody did better" (R. Z. Sheppard, Time).

Customer Reviews:

Quite boring..........2007-07-04

Hemingway failed to engage me in this particular story.

Perhaps, in this day in age, the antics of this goofy sexual saga, lacks enough juice and shock value to carry us through it with interest or enthusiasm.

In addition, I found that his writing style was quite different than in his other works...

Somewhat boring and disappointing

Garden of Eden.......2007-03-08

This is Hemingway's worst book. It's hard to know if he was going for the "titillation factor" or if he was simply this jaded, cynical and without compassion. If "three ways" thrill you, this is your Hemingway book; otherwise, it simply illustrates how superficial and careless he could be -- and his writing in this one is pitiful.

Hemingway and Eros: A Complex Combination.......2006-08-23

This is one of those books, published posthumously, that encourages readers to go back and read all of an author's previous works in its light. It's essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the psychology of Hemingway's work--and especially for anyone who thinks he already understands it. The games Hemingway's characters play with gender and sexuality in this novel cause us to reconsider the role of gender--and gender AS a role played by characters--in much of his earlier work. It's not surprising that this book was greeted with slight embarrassment upon publication. It reveals a Hemingway whose view of sexuality is much more complex and Modernist than that of many of his more conservative readers.

Diamond in the rough.......2006-06-07

I loved it. That said, I understand why it is in some sense unfinished - by which I mean 'not polished,' instead of incomplete. The story is fantastic and the characters some of the best Hemingway ever created. Perhaps the most enjoyable is the meta-writing: his writing on writing through the main character, who is forced to confront that many of his ideas about what he is doing and how it is to be done are too rigid - perhaps even totally wrong. Then again, the steamy affair and brutal exchanges leading to the climax ... masterful. None of his other books got me as hot or as emotionally involved as this one. Another 15 years and this might have been the best thing he ever wrote. Enjoy.

Should You Or Shouldn't You Read It.......2006-03-22

Yes, you should. It is strange and it is racy and the safari stuff does not really fit but this is a great book. It is closest to The Sun Also Rises and if he had written 100 books about people who just seemed to hang around I would have read them all.

Also, do not be scared off because it says "unfinished work". The ending works perfectly as is.

4 1/2 stars!

At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew's Search for God with Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land

Average customer rating:

An honest, humble, inspiring adventure
A study in courage
Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew's Search for Hope with Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land
Hope
What real faith is all about. Amazing.

At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew's Search for God with Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land
Yossi Klein Halevi , and Yossi Klein Halevi
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688169082
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Yossi Klein Halevi, born in America and now an Israeli citizen, embarked on a spiritual quest in order to appreciate the religious dimensions of conflicts in the Middle East. Beginning in 1998, he undertook "an attempt at religious empathy" in order "to test whether faith could be a means of healing rather than intensifying the conflicts in this land." Halevi, author of the critically acclaimed Memoirs of a Jewish Extremist, chose "to pray and meditate with my Christian and Muslim fellow believers," as "a conscious refutation of the way we religious people of different faiths have always judged each other--by what we believe about God, rather than how we experience God's presence." The holy days of each religion form the structure of At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden, and Halevi's encounters with Sufi dervishes, Muslim sheiks, monks, nuns, and laypeople are entertaining, poignant, and sometimes fearsome. The stories do not separate "spirituality" from "politics"--or history, psychology, or theology. His commitment to describing an integrated experience of the many aspects of religious life helps to make the book a successful exercise in empathy, and a book of lasting literary value. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

Yossi Klein Halevi's first book, Memoirs of a Jewish Extremist, a remarkable coming-of-age story, was lauded by the New York Times as being "of burning importance ... a drama central to the very soul of Jewish life." Now, in At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden, Haleví describes his unprecedented and extraordinary spiritual journey to discover, as a religious Israeli Jew, a common spiritual language with his Christian and Muslim neighbors in the Holy Land.

While religion has fueled the violent conflict plaguing the Middle East, Halevi wondered whether it could be a source of unity as well. To find the answer, he began a two-year exploration of the devotional life of Christianity and Islam. He followed their holiday cycles, befriended Christian monastics and Islamic mystics, and joined them in prayer in monasteries and mosques -- searching for wisdom and holiness in places that are usually off-limits to outsiders of other faiths.

In this gripping work, Halevi candidly reveals how he fought to resolve his own fears and anger as a Jew and came to relate to Christians and Muslims as fellow spiritual seekers. He chronicles the difficulty of overcoming obstacles -- theological, political, historical, and psychological -- that separate believers of the three monotheistic faiths. And he introduces a dynamic range of fascinating individuals attempting to reconcile the dichotomous heart of this sacred place -- a struggle central to Israel, but which resonates for us all.

Written in lyrical prose, Halevi takes his search for God into the heart of the Middle Eastern conflict. He insists on a spirituality that isn't escapist but instead confronts the wounds of history. The result is a book startlingly original and bold, one that embraces and transcends the categories of politics and faith.

Customer Reviews:

An honest, humble, inspiring adventure.......2006-09-08

I just love this guy. Starting with a simple urge to connect with his neighbors, Yossi Halevi embarks on an awkward, fascinating, dangerous journey through Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. He discovers a series of surprising characters who dream, not just of peace between Jews, Muslims and Christians, but of spiritual friendship. And the story of these fragile, budding friendships becomes an adventure of almost overwhelming power.

I want to quote from one episode, where Halevi and a madcap Jew called Eliyahu Charanamrit McLean attend a mosque in Karawa village on the West Bank:

"This mosque was a family project: Everyone here belonged to the Abu-Laben clan. They were working class people; the shaykh himself was a car mechanic.

"What do the other Muslims think of you?" Eliyahu asked.

"That we're crazy," replied Saud's father. "They think we chant the name of 'Abdallah' instead of 'Allah"". Laughter.

I asked Saud what he experienced during the zakir [or dance of remembering God]. "That our hearts kept getting closer and closer to God," he said, with the Sufi vagueness I'd so often encountered from Ibrahim. ...

Ibrahim, not to be poetically outdone, added "Our souls went up to heaven like clouds".

"When you pray together," said the shaykh's father, "you form one heart".

I felt sad for this forlorn Sufi Shteibl. Here was an Islam with which we could make peace, yet it was almost absurdly perepheral. Still, maybe the fact that a handful of Muslims and Jews had danced together was enough for God to work with; perhaps He would magnify our prayers, widen the circle of ecstasy." (p. 104-105)

Halevi is realist enough to claim no easy victories. As the level of sectarian violence rises again, his network of friends retains little but hope and prayer. It's a marvelous book.

A study in courage.......2006-05-17

One problem with writing intelligent books on religion is that religion demands the author experience it. Halevi takes this difficult challenge and seeks common ground with Christians and Muslims. To find this common ground he is willing to push his boundaries, go beyond his fears to find a common ground.

In his efforts he encounters a Catholic order of religious that seeks to return to the Jewish roots of Jesus as a common ground for Jewish-Christian relations; a Catholic monk of the Melkite rite (Jerusalem rite) seeing Arab-Jewish understanding through the Arab Christian; a common ground of genocide with Armenian Christians; a common ground of love with Sufi sheiks ...

Throughout his search runs a thread of the common monotheistic underpinnings of the three major religions of Israel. A second thread is a more universal acceptance that includes the great Eastern traditions - Buddhism and Hinduism. The third thread is the history of the Jewish people and the reality of strife in Israel. Through these threads, Halevi challenges the reader to confront his or her prejudices in the political and religious arenas.

The net result is not a great book, but one I highly recommend because of the issues raised and the author's personal willingness to share his experience in addressing the issues.

Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew's Search for Hope with Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land.......2005-10-08

This is a must for all ethnic groups to read.

Hope.......2005-09-10

The title is exact. Halevi is an extraordinary person: a mystic deeply rooted in his Jewish faith but who can share a common search for peace and religious experience with Christians, the historic persecutors of Jews, and with Muslims, who have now become the "enemy." I know three of the communities of Christians he shared with and the descriptions are accurate so I can assume the Muslim sections are just as fair. Anyone searching for religious and mystic truth that is non-violent but serious about faith and God will love this book.

What real faith is all about. Amazing........2005-02-14

Yossi Halevy thinks he is only writing about interfaith connections in the holy land, but in fact the most inspiring aspect of the book is the delicate portrait of his own faith in God, where this deep faith takes him, and the grace of goodwill and wisdom that it creates inside his soul.

Hemingway: The Postwar Years and the Posthumous Novels (Cambridge Studies in American Literature and Culture)

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Groundbreaking Study

Hemingway: The Postwar Years and the Posthumous Novels (Cambridge Studies in American Literature and Culture)
Rose Marie Burwell
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521565634

Book Description

When Ernest Hemingway committed suicide in 1961 he left four unfinished works--A Moveable Feast, Islands in the Stream, The Garden of Eden, and an untitled work on his travels in Africa. The edited versions that have come down to readers and scholars of Hemingway appear as distinct, disjointed texts that fit oddly into his oeuvre. Through extensive literary detective work Burwell has uncovered substantial evidence that Hemingway in fact designed the three published works as a trilogy, what she terms "his own Portrait of the Artist."

Customer Reviews:

Groundbreaking Study.......2005-09-28

This is the only in-depth scholarly work extant on the mass of unfinished books Hemingway left behind in 1961. Besides that, it is fluidly written, thoroughly documented, thoughtfully analyzed, and excellent in all respects.

It matters not whether or not the thesis -- that the posthumous works constitute a loose unified work -- holds up. To state it and explore it, as the author does, is to cast a lot of light on the very complex issue of Hemingway's last works and their difficult manuscripts. No one had even gone as far as to lay the groundwork for such a question before Burwell. Indeed it was doubtless necessary to proceed on some sort of hypothesis to go through these widely divergent manuscripts chronologically, as the author does, and to then present a coherent text of her own regarding her studies.

The author also has a great openness and sympathy for Hemingway and his tortured, insistent aestheticism. It shines through the entire work and raises it to a very rare level in modern literary criticism.

A Patch of Eden: America's Inner-City Gardeners

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A Patch of Eden: America's Inner-City Gardeners
H. Patricia Hynes
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
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Binding: Paperback

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Garden Weasel Gold Garden Claw Cultivator #91306

ASIN: 0930031806

Amazon.com

This is the delightful story of the resurgence in urban community gardening, describing the rehabilitation of jail inmates through raising organic vegetables, teaching inner city youngsters where food comes from, and laying out an inspirational plan to help all of us world-worn urbanites get involved once again in raising delicious food in the midst of our paved-over, formerly bleak, urban landscapes. This is about making the World a Better Place, about getting our fingers in the dirt, touching our planet with loving hands, and creating a vision of hope for our cities and our children.

Echoes of Eden: Genesis 2-3 and Symbolism of the Eden Garden in Biblical Hebrew Literature

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Echoes of Eden: Genesis 2-3 and Symbolism of the Eden Garden in Biblical Hebrew Literature
T. Stordalen
Manufacturer: Peeters Bvba
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 9042908548

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An Inventor in the Garden of Eden
Eric Laithwaite
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521441064

Book Description

We oftentimes think that human inventions are an improvement on nature. In fact, many of humankind's most clever inventions have been anticipated by nature. In this book, Professor Laithwaite takes a new look at the natural world from an engineer's point of view. He questions conventional science in such fundamental topics as logic, habit, memory, simplicity, experience, absolute size, wisdom, and civilization. On the way to arriving at his conclusions, Dr. Laithwaite crosses the boundaries of engineering, biology, religion, economics, and cosmology. Filled with truly fascinating anecdotes and examples, this thought-provoking book will have special appeal to the general reader with an inquiring mind.

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