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With The Fifth Mountain, Paulo Coelho turns his talent for spiritual fiction to the story of the Biblical prophet Elijah. Like a blossoming flower, Coelho opens up the brief account of Elijah's flight from Gilead and his time in Zarephath. He deepens the prophet's character by revealing the thoughts, doubts, and discoveries that Elijah must have experienced as he struggled to find his course in life amidst the confusion of war and political turmoil. When being a prophet of the God of the Israelites is like a warrant for your death, concerns about your chosen path are sure to arise. Perhaps it is this believability in Coelho's retelling that makes it so evocative, or it may be the bit of Old Testament wisdom he brings to popular literature of the 20th century: "the words of the lord are written in the world around us. Merely be attentive to what happens in your life, and you will discover where."
Book Description
A Struggle of the Spirit and a Search for the Truth
Written with the same masterful prose and clarity of vision that made The Alchemist an international phenomenon, The Fifth Mountain is Paulo Coelho's inspiring story of the Biblical prophet Elijah. In the ninth century B.C., the Phoenician princess Jezebel orders the execution of all the prophets who refuse to seek safety in the land of Zarephath, where the unexpectedly finds true love with a young widow. But this newfound rapture is to be cut short, and Elijah sees all of his hopes and dreams irrevocably erased as he is swept into a whirlwind of events that threatens his very existence. In what is truly a literary milestone, Coelho gives a quietly moving account of a man touched by the hand of God who must triumph over his frustrations in a soul-shattering trail of faith.
Customer Reviews:
A REVISIONIST BIBLE STORY.......2006-10-09
In the introduction to THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN, Paulo Coelho quotes himself by saying: "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." This is something he believes with all of his heart. This is a profoundly religious attitude, and shows an absolute trust in God. Such a trusting attitude is especially impressive when one considers that Coelho's father dismissed his son's Personal Legend as insanity and had him institutionalized and subjected to shock therapy. Although as this revisionist story of the prophet Elijah demonstrates, it is not what "you" want, but what God wants you to want.
One finds wonderfully pithy quotes in Coelho's books. "Here in this body there was once a man," he writes, describing a soul that has no faith. "Man was born to betray his destiny. God placed only impossible tasks in human hearts." The idea is that what God wants us to want is really what we want. God's way of teaching us this is by inflicting terrible pain on us till we learn to accept the impossible task he has given us with free will. This is essentially the same understanding of pain that C. S. Lewis presents in THE PROBLEM OF PAIN. "God sometimes could be stern, but never beyond a person's capacity." (So why does grief drive so many people to suicide or insanity)?
For the most part, Coelho skims over the story of Elijah that is found in the Bible, and makes up a story of Elijah with the widow and her son in Akbar. The Old Testament portrays God as petty-minded, relentlessly unforgiving, and sadistically cruel - very much like the God of the Taliban. Since man creates God is his own image, we assume that these were actually the personality defects of the prophets. Coelho's Elijah is gentle, forgiving, and loving. He does order the execution of the 450 priests of Baal, but since these Baal demanded human sacrifice, perhaps this was justice. Though I was at first opposed to white-washing the prophets this way, I now agree that since we have created a different God than the monster in the Old Testament, perhaps we also have a right to recreate the prophets also -- providing that we acknowledge that this is what we are doing.
The story of Jacob reminds us that "sometimes it is necessary to struggle with God." The feeling that God is unjust causes a man to choose his destiny. My own observation is that people only acquire free will when life, in the form of pain and humiliation, forces them to see something about themselves to which they had been oblivious. God is not merely inside us; God is the very core of our being. He is not outside of us inflicting pain so we can learn; pain is the only means by which God learns. Our pain is in fact God's pain; and God necessarily shares our guilt for even our worst crimes.
(Peter Payne - CAPTAIN CALIFORNIA BATTLES THE BEELZEBUBIAN BEASTS OF THE BIBLE)
Another Fabulous Read from Coelho.......2006-09-19
I LOVED the Fifth Mountain as much as The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage. This story of prophet Elijah was particularly inspiring and has left quite an impression on me in the months after reading it. While I wonder "why" and "what if" questions in my mind, I am continually reminded of Elijah's struggles and his own quest to understand his larger purpose as Coehlo so artfully portrays it. Coehlo's signature simplicity made this a wonderful, easy read too. Very enjoyable & very highly recommended.
Wonderful read.......2006-07-23
Coelho's writing can only be described as Genuis. Hes a natural and will certainly touch your heart, mind, and soul. He inspired and motivated me with every word that he has written throughout the years. Word in a review cannot begin to describe the writing of this brilliant man. All of his books are highly recommended.
Another Powerful Book by Coelho.......2006-03-18
I have read quite a few "Coelho" books to date, and am truly amazed by the powerful insights woven within the stories of each and every one! In fact, I have yet to read a book by this author that has not moved me in some way.
"The Fifth Mountain" is a story written about the biblical figure Elijia - his trials & tribulations, as well as his joys, loves & great accomplishments. In a very interesting way, the author guides the reader through the many lessons to be learned through the life of this prophet and all those he touched.
Some of the lessons/insights that I realized/remembered through reading "The Fifth Mountain" include:
*Through every hardship we go through, there is a lesson to be learned - so be on the lookout for what lessons/insights are showing up in your life, and take heed.
*Freedom is the ability to follow your heart without concern for the opinions of others.
*We must CHOOSE rathter than ACCEPT our fate
Overall, I found this book to be an easy, interesting, powerful read - with many great insights woven into a memorable fable-type story. I would recommend this author to everyone!
A Good Book.......2005-12-02
Okay this may not be Coelho's best book but I really like him as an author and this book was different from his others. But it wasn't a bad book. It was an interesting read and a real page turner. They don't all have to be great to be good.
Book Description
On the rooftop of the world, shoe-horned into the Grand Himalayas, Bhutan—or Thunder Dragon—is a fiercely independent kingdom. Isolated, charming, peaceful and religious, the Bhutanese are a pragmatic, sensitive people who take from the West what will benefit their country and leave the rest. Only 4,000 tourists will visit the kingdom in any one year and they are strictly monitored by a government that cares deeply for its people, environment and heritage. The countryside is pristine, the lifestyle and culture have been preserved for centuries, and the love of life is abundant among the people. Few outsiders know Bhutan as intimately as Françoise Pommaret; her guidebook takes you on an incredible journey of discovery and adventure; her love of the people and the place shines through; her in-depth knowledge helps aid our understanding of why this unique land has long remained one of Asia's deepest mysteries and best-kept secrets.
• Extensively revised and updated by the world's leading expert on Bhutan who has many years' experience visiting and working in this amazing kingdom • Essential facts for the visitor including what to bring, how to book, visas, customs, climate, health and money • 67 color photographs • 3 maps • In-depth treatment of each region of the kingdom: what to see, its history and significance • Invaluable guide to trekking and mountaineering • Special excerpts include: national symbols of Bhutan, archery and other sports, ceremonial scarves, the Dzongkha language, chortens and mandalas • Literary excerpts add a historical perspective
Customer Reviews:
Get another guidebook for Bhutan........2007-04-22
This guidebook to Bhutan was not at all helpful. It is filled with tiny details which may be of interest to the devotee, but gives the average traveler very limited background. You can read about the many different kinds of chortens, for example, but you will find the discussion of Tantric Buddhism in general perplexing. The maps are not good, and no attempt is made to separate the spectacular (such as the Punakha Dzong) from the mundane (such as the Thimpu Dzong). The information on trekking is very limited and dated. Get the Lonely Planet guide, along with the Bart Jordan book on trekking-if you intend to do a trek. Bhutan is a very expensive country to visit, and you should have a better guide in hand before your visit.
A book for appreciating and understanding Bhutan.......2006-12-04
I have traveled extensively in the Far East, but have never before to Bhutan, until now (2007). I always like to read up on places before I visit them and generally travel as independently as reasonably possible.
I purchased both this book and the Lonely Planet guide and found the combination excellent. This book has more about the places, the people and their customs and the history. Don't expect it to be a comprehensive list of places to stay and places to eat. It contrasts well with Lonely Planet's backpacker's reference book image.
I think this is a good book and doubt whether you will be disappointed if you buy it.
Book Description
Rugged and awe-inspiring, Wyoming provides the visitor with a visual feast -- jagged mountains, clear lakes, flowing rivers, and rolling plains -- and Don Pitcher's newly revised Moon Handbooks Wyoming offers all the practical know-how to enjoy a trip to this scenic wonder. This guidebook provides extensive coverage of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, including accommodations in the parks, camping information, up-to-date website listings, and full descriptions of lodgings, dining, shopping and culture in gateway towns. Pitcher expertly guides visitors to these two parks, pointing out their must-see features, both on and off the beaten path. Yes, you get Old Faithful, but you also get great coverage of the backcountry too. Additional sites covered include the Black Hills, Devil's Tower, Medicine Wheel, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
Great book, very helpful.......2005-07-06
In preparation for our two-week trip to Wyoming, I purchased this book and read as much as I had time for beforehand. During our trip, I found it to be a handy reference for whatever area we were in (mostly Yellowstone/Grand Tetons). The detail is great and some of our lodging choices and attraction choices were made with reference to the book and it was always accurate. I highly recommend it for those heading to Wyoming.
Excellent travel book, excellent value.......2002-10-14
An outstanding guide to a wonderful state. One book, of course, cannot cover all there is about any area this big, but this book does an outstanding job for Wyoming's history, lodging, attractions, background information, etc.
As for any area, it's good to supplement with other specialized topic and / or area guides, but for a general guide to a large state, this one does a great job.
Logically arranged, well-written, and very readable, you can almost read it straight through; it's one of the better travel guides available.
Wyoming Handbook - Moon Travel Handbooks.......2002-02-22
I happened on this book in the library and thought it was the best travel book I have ever used. This is nothing missed in this handbook. Great maps and advise.
Yes, the best guide there is to Wyoming.......2001-06-05
Most of the "name brand" travel guides are for fly-by tourists (though I do appreciate Frommer's guides much more than the rest of the big names). Well, if those books are for tourists, then Moon's handbooks (along with Lonely Planet's guides) are for TRAVELERS. And Moon's Wyoming Handbook is, as others here have said, one of their best. It's thick, it's juicy, it's meaty, it's expansive, it's authoritative and wry. So wherever you are in that great big "empty" terrain, it's got some practical information for and historical and cultural insight into places all around.
Wyoming has fewer people than any other state (yes, fewer than Rhode Island and Alaska). But it's places of interest are many and varied, though scattered far and wide. You need a good guide and a GOOD READ to cover the miles and the days. I admire author Don Pitcher's efforts here.
If you choose one guidebook, make it Moon's Wyoming Handbook. If you'd like to get a second general guide to the region for comparison and cross-reference (including more descriptive listings of selected accommodations), I'd add Frommer's guide to Wyoming, which includes Montana as well.
An outstanding guidebook to a beautiful piece of America........1999-10-17
By far the best guidebook to the entire state of Wyoming, with excellent detailed sections on Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The book, which is superior to some others in the Moon series, is a labor of love by the author for the land, people, and small towns of the state. Pitcher provides great detail on what to see everywhere; colorful local and regional histories; and affectionate, slightly tongue-in-cheek descriptions of small towns. Sure to enhance a visit of any length.
Product Description
Three Novels by Paulo Coelho published by arrangement with HarperCollins Publishers
Book Description
A complete guide to two of Texas's most diverse and exciting cities
o Shows visitors how to have a great time in San Antonio, a multicultural city with a rich history (the Alamo) and lots of contemporary attractions (including over forty golf courses)
o Reveals San Antonio's most memorable experiences-from a stroll along the San Antonio River to a mariachi mass at Mission San José-and offers intriguing side trips to the Texas Hill Country
o Takes visitors to the best of Austin, America's second fastest-growing city and the "Live Music Capital of the World," with more than 150 music clubs
o Explains how to make an Austin visit unforgettable, from visiting the state capital and LBJ Library to listening to blues at Antone's, hiking and biking in city parks, and watching the bats at Congress Avenue Bridge
Customer Reviews:
Great guide to San Antonio.......2002-12-31
I took this guide on a first time visit to San Antonio and found it invaluable. Not only was it up to date with info on the latest hotels, attractions, and restaurants, but it contains lots of asides containing interesting information on the different sites that added to our enjoyment at visiting these sites. A first rate job!
Book Description
In print for more than 15 years, this popular, comprehensive guide recommends the best restaurants, inns, and attractions in New York's historic Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains—and provides a wealth of information about everything a traveler will want to know.
In this dynamic, historic region, quaint villages, small wineries, and pick-your-own farms coexist with gourmet restaurants and world-class hiking, rock climbing, and fly-fishing. Rich in history and travel opportunities, the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains are an essential destination for travelers from New York City, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Boston, and beyond. The area is also one of the fastest-growing vacation and second-home destinations.
Joanne Michaels, the most widely respected travel writer on this burgeoning region, has updated, revised, and expanded The Hudson Valley & Catskill Mountains: An Explorer's Guide. Now in its fifth edition, she includes hundreds of places in which to eat and stay, along with many things to do. Throughout, you'll find "author's choice" entries featuring her personal picks for don't-miss lodging, dining, and attractions. Handy icons even point out family-friendly activities and lodgings that accept pets. Travelers, transplants, and locals alike will value this authoritative resource that should be taken in the car on both weekend excursions and longer vacation trips. 60 black & white photos, 15 maps, index.
Customer Reviews:
Hudson Valley, Saratoga Springs.......2007-03-23
Bought this first for Saratoga Springs where my daughter attends college. Best that I have found browsing booksellers. Not the greatest travel book but the best available. Best feature is that it is comprehensive for small towns and locations all the way up the Hudson. Quite valuable in looking for stores or eating places in Newburgh, Nanuet, and small towns off the NY Thruway. Indeed, I lost the first copy of the book I bought and purchased a replacement from Amazon.
Ranks among the best travel guides .......2006-11-13
This is a thoroughly enjoyable guide book. It was invaluable in helping us plan and enjoy our week in the Hudson Valley. It is so well written and the descriptions of restaurants, attractions and inns are so personal that it inspired us throughout our trip. We enjoyed our tour of the Hudson infinitely more because of the heartfelt enthusiasm that came through from the book's writer.
Product Description
This is a basic "how to" gardening book, and yet has all the analysis and research typical of a PhD thesis. This book focuses on Northern California "mountain gardening" between 2,000 and 7,000 feet elevation, where growing seasons are short and winters are cold. It could also be used in similar areas that have snow. There are many pen and ink drawings, charts, diagrams, maps, and poems. It is fun and informative for green or brown thumb, professional or layman.
Average customer rating:
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Fifth Mountain, the
Paulo Coelho
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0732262178 |
Book Description
Feasts, banquets, and grand dinners have always played a vital role in our lives. They oil the wheels of diplomacy, smooth the paths of the ambitious, and spread joy at family celebrations. They lift the spirits, involve all our senses and, at times, transport us to other fantastical worlds. Some feasts have give rise to hilarious misunderstandings, at others competitive elements take over. Some are purely for pleasure, some connect uncomfortably with death, but all are interesting. Nichola Fletcher has written a captivating history of feasts throughout the ages that includes the dramatic failures along with the dazzling successes. From a humble meal of potatoes provided by an angel, to the extravagance of the high medieval and Renaissance tables groaning with red deer and wild boar, to the exquisite refinement of the Japanese tea ceremony, Charlemagne’s Tablecloth covers them all. In her gustatory exploration of history’s great feasting tables, Fletcher also answers more than a few riddles such as “Why did Charlemagne use an asbestos tablecloth at his feasts?” and “Where did the current craze for the elegant Japanese Kaiseki meal begin? Fletcher answers these questions and many more while inviting readers to a feasting table that extends all the way from Charlemagne’s castle to her own millennium feast in Scotland. This is an eclectic collection of feasts from the flamboyant to the eccentric, the delicious to the disgusting, and sometimes just the touchingly ordinary. For anyone who has ever sat down at a banquet table and wondered, “Why?” Nichola Fletcher provides the delicious answer in a book that is a feast all its own.
Customer Reviews:
My 2 cents.......2006-11-11
I enjoyed this book very much. Should be interesting to not only folks that enjoy period cooking, but tidbits of history as well.
This grand dinner can be YOURS!.......2006-03-13
Plenty of history cookbooks have been written on early dining, but CHARLEMAGNE'S TABLECLOTH: A PIQUANT HISTORY OF FEASTING goes a step further than most, narrowing the focus to the feast or banquet tradition and surveying a history of grand dinners through the ages - both successes and failures. Ceremonies accompanying such feasts around the world are surveyed, explanations of great feasting purposes and operations revealed, and special ingredients. A 'must' for any who would understand the history of elaborate feasts.
Book Description
Glasgow, 1492: Gil Cunningham remarked later that if he had known he would find a corpse in the university coal house, he would never have gone to the arts faculty feast. But then—as Alys his betrothed replied—he would never have met ... Socrates.
In this mysterious adventure, Gil Cunningham and his colleagues are entertained by a play presented by some of the students at his old university for the Nicholas Feast. One of the actors, William Irvine, is later found murdered, and Gil, fresh from his success in solving the murder of the harper’s quine, is the obvious person to investigate. Assisted by Alys and her father, Pierre, he begins to disentangle a complex web of espionage and blackmail involving William’s tutors and fellow students.
First one chamber and then another is ransacked before Gil himself is attacked. It appears someone is looking for missing papers. Oddly, the late William’s wolfhound pup, Socrates, now becomes a focus for attention, and matters are complicated by the arrival of Gil’s formidable mother, who is determined to inspect his betrothed. Little do Alys and Gil realize that it will be she who provides the vital key to unmask the murderer and his motives.
Customer Reviews:
A feast for sore eyes?.......2006-08-12
"Oh what a tangled web we weave," Shakespeare would write some 100 years later. In the meantime, Pat McIntosh gives us a taste of what he might have meant in her second of a series featuring Gil Cunningham in "The Nicholas Feast."
Set in 1492 (a convenient year for any historical writer!), "The Nicholas Feast" finds young (and still single) Mr. Cunningham, student of law and nephew of a local official, embroiled in solving his second murder in less than a month (The first being "The Harper's Quine"). Gil is on hand to observe academic ceremonies of his alma mater during this church holiday and it's now time (hardly before lunch) that a murder is committed. Young William Irvine, one of the students and an actor at the pageantry observance, is found in the coal house with lots of clues and non-clues scattered about his person. He is the bastard son of the influential Montgomery family and Gil discovers that he is even more than that. He's a 16-year-old extortionist, who many at the school would have motive for his death. Complications, indeed, arise. And Gil is given two days to solve the case. Or else.
McIntosh clearly demonstrates her knowledge of historical Glasgow (which apparently was no more beautiful than it is now) and following the success of her first Cunningham novel knows how to create a readable historical murder mystery. Her style is terse and moves quite easily--except for the fact that, in order to accentuate the local color, she drops into too much Scots dialect for most American readers, anyway. Some would be fine, but too much is, well, too much and it becomes a stumbling block at times.
The plot moves quite well, despite that, until the climactic scene (ah, yes, Ms McIntosh has read all of Agatha Christie's works, it seems) and relies upon the old "gather everyone in parlor and I'll tell solve the crime while surrounded by all the characters who COULD have done the deed." Sigh, indeed.
Character-wise, though, the author gets a good mark here. Clearly, she's entranced by her central character (as she should be) and Gil Cunningham has the makings of a fine 15th century sleuth and academic. His romantic interest, Alys, though comes across a bit syrupy but credit goes to the author for providing us with a 15th century woman, ready to jump into the 20th century: she can read; she has a mind of her own; she's ready to act independently; and she's also likeable. I suspect Ms McIntosh will wed the two sooner of later.
A third in the series is already out (a good sign). "The Nicholas Feast" is a good read. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)
All right.......2006-07-18
The author obviously knows a great deal about the era.
With that said, I found the "brogue" (I guess it was Scots)very distracting and I really couldn't follow many of the character conversations. One of the pleasures of reading is the interplay/interaction of the characters themselves-since I couldn't understand much of what was written (although I could get the gist), it wasn't as enjoyable as it would have been otherwise.
Good but not as good as the first book in the series.......2005-11-14
While I liked this book, I did not feel it was as well written as the first book in the series. It felt as though the author was pushed to have a second in the series too fast to do as complete a job. Hopefully, the next book will match the quality and detail of "The Harpers Quine."
Average customer rating:
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Nicholas Feast
Manufacturer: CONSTABLE & ROBINSON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GR5EYE |
Books:
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