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Devil May Care
Elizabeth Peters
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Legend in Green Velvet
ASIN: 0380731150
Release Date: 2001-09-04 |
Book Description
Ellie is young, rich, engaged and in love. These are the carefree days before marriage and new responsibility, and anything goes -- including house-sitting at eccentric Aunt Kate's palatial estate in Burton, Virginia. Ellie feels right at home here with the nearly invisible housekeepers and the plethora of pets, but she soon realizes that there are disturbing secrets about the local aristocracy buried in a dusty old book she has carried into the mansion. And her sudden interest in the past is attracting a slew of unwelcome guests -- some of them living and some, perhaps not. And the terrible vegeance that Ellie and her friends seem to have aroused -- now aimed at them -- surely cannot be...satanic.
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Ellie is young, rich, engaged and in love. These are the carefree days before marriage and new responsibility, and anything goes --including house-sitting at eccentric Aunt Kate's palatial estate in Burton, Virginia. Ellie feels right at home here with the nearly invisible housekeepers and the plethora of pets, but she soon realizes that there are disturbing secrets about the local aristocracy buried in a dusty old book she has carried into the mansion. And her sudden interest in the past is attracting a slew of unwelcome guests -- some of them living and some, perhaps not. And the terrible vegeance that Ellie and her friends seem to have aroused -- now aimed at them -- surely cannot be...satanic.
Book Description
Every woman of quality knows that Damien Sinclair, Earl of Blackstone, is a notorious rogue. Every woman knows he called the Devil. Only one woman is about to discover that the . . . devil may care. Lady Eden Spencer has been educated in a convent -- and she has every intention of taking her vows. But opposition from her uncle and the Mother Superior convinces Eden that she cannot dedicated her life to goodness when she has no idea what it is like to be . . . well, bad. Eden knows only one made can teach her the ways of the wicked -- Damien Sinclair. Tall, dark, and quite sinfully handsome, Damien agrees to introduce her to London's every vice -- but Eden never suspects that she will introduce this disreputable rake to something even more tempting . . . love.
Customer Reviews:
Too religious to be sexy!.......2002-11-22
Let me start by saying I liked this book. I certainly didn't love it or became enthralled by it as most reviewers seem to claim. To me the humor was good, especially the dialogues between Reggie and Damian were really hilarious, but otherwise the plot was too contrived. I would also prefer much more, that the revelations about Reggie at the end of the book never took place because it completetely refutes Reggie's character and originality.
The fact that I didn't like at all is the numerous religious arguments appearing in the book. No one seems to mention this fact in their reviews, but if I knew it earlier I would never have bought the book in the first place. I believe they were too many for a romance book and certainly one that claims to have such a hot hero! In accordance to this, the heroine was too good, loving, caring and honest to be true, even for a historical romance where all heroines are always as pure as water. It's the male characters, Damian and Reggie, that keep the story going and the humor floating.
Perhaps, if I hadn't read all those 5 star reviews, I wouldn't feel so disappointed, since it wasn't a bad book anyway but merely an average one.
a good book 1st in the series of Sinclair Brothers.......2002-08-07
I have enjoyed many of Melanie George's books and this was no exception. Its the first of three books about the devilish Sinclair brothers. This one is about the oldest brother Damien. He is a wicked, tall, handsom, rogue that takes on the job of teaching the innocent beauty ...
We get to meet the other brothers briefly and we do gain insight on why the brothers are all "devils". I enjoyed the humor in this book so much that it had me chuckling out loud. The character of Reggie is perfect and quite a suprise. I really lok forward to the others in this series.
Good book to curl up in front of the fireplace with!.......2002-06-05
I simply could not put this book down!
My only regret was that the author did not develop the character of Reggie. Reggie - who pretended to be a popinjay throughout the whole story - ended up marrying a girl, and I still cannot fathom why he would act like a peacock just to spite his father. That was not explained anywhere in the book. Was there some deep-seated hatred between the two?
The heroine was fantastic, the hero dark and brooding enough. Though I would have preferred him to have more of a jealous streak.
A good read. I would recommend buying it, and I would definitely look out for more Melanie George's works.
A fun read.......2002-04-21
I read this book about a week ago and fell in love with it. I hadn't tried Melanie before this, but I'm glad I picked it up. Devil May Care is a light, fast paced read that kept me entertained from beginning to end. Wonderful story. Can't wait to get her next.
Thank Heaven for Devil Sinclair.......2002-04-12
Rich with sensuality and great characters this book shines!!! Simply the best book I've read this year. As an avid reader I continiously search for new and exciting authors-thank you Melanie George. Write more-quickly!! P.S. Richie was fabulous and I found myself laughing out loud. We're "Praying" for more.
Book Description
Stripped naked and pursued across cactus-studded plains by a band of armed Blackfoot Indians, John Colter escaped certain death to become the one of the most durable characters in western American history. But Colter's harrowing tale was not beyond the ordinary when compared to the adventures of other American explorers. In The Devil May Care, popular historian and travel writer Tony Horwitz has culled through the American National Biography and selected fifty stirring biographies of adventurers who had no one's footsteps to follow in--and yet contributed enormously to our understanding of the world. Horwitz introduces us to fascinating individuals such as John Ledyard, the first American to see what would become the Pacific Northwest, and Elisha Kent Kane, America's first arctic hero, who stumbled upon an extremely strange remedy for scurvy while icebound off of Ellesmere Island. Having set off into the unknown many times himself as a foreign correspondent, Horwitz brings a subtle sense of humor and a reporter's eye for detail to a collection that offers a glimpse inside the lives of historic Americans who brazenly challenged danger as they pursued their wanderlust to extreme climates and forbidding environments. Beginning with a short essay, Horwitz seeks his own definition of exploration, drawing on some of his research into the voyages of Captain James Cook and considering its larger implications throughout history. Archival photographs as well as a lively and personal introduction to each story by Horwitz further enhance the appeal of a volume that winds its way through several centuries of American exploration, affirming that the best adventure stories are the true ones.
Customer Reviews:
Just OK.......2004-01-17
I am a big fan of Tony Horwitz's work. Confederates in the Attic may be one of my all time favorite books. Having said that, I would not recommend this book. He did not write this book, and that is clear from the first page! This book is really quite dry. It reads like a textbook, but without the depth.
Average accounts.......2004-01-06
A wonderful account of American exploration. From Cabeza De Vaca to Fremont and beyond this book gives quick sketches of Americas great explorers. Although it seems to stop short and seems to miss a few people this book gives a whirlwind tour of adventure, American style.
Rip Off!.......2003-12-27
How disappointing!
My husband and I have been enthralled by Horwitz's earlier works, witty and entertaining while providing insight and education. The Devil May Care is none of the above.
After reading the preface by Horwitz I was anxious to begin. Two paragraphs into the first biography I was puzzled and then as I scanned the book appalled.
"edited" by Tony Horwitz...not "by" him. The writing is dry and frankly boring. While a number of the subjects could be fascinating, they are rendered lifeless and static. My own children wrote with more color and life in Junior High School than the alledged "authors" of these biographies.
Do not waste your money on this book...it might be worth the money in paper-back at the used book store but not before. And shame on Amazon for promoting this as a Horwitz book. It's not.
Average customer rating:
- Even Devil won't care
- Good writing, dumb plot
- Great Read
- Funny but disappointing ending
- Odd but entertaining.
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Devil May Care : A Novel
Sheri McInnis
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0743464842 |
Book Description
Do you think you could resist temptation? Not a piece of cheesecake. Or another martini. Or a one-night stand. Real temptation. The kind they warn you about in the Bible...
Sally Carpenter is a struggling actress in New York City. She hasn't had a real gig in two years, her agent has stopped returning her phone calls, and she hates her day job. She's just about ready to go home to Wisconsin and finish her psych degree. Then she meets Jack Weaver. Jack's rich, charismatic, gorgeous -- and the president of one of the biggest TV networks in the country. When he starts showing an interest in Sally's career, she's grateful but wary. She's heard rumors about Jack -- he's a bit of a womanizer and ruthless in business. Even so, when he asks her out to dinner, she doesn't say no. Almost immediately, Sally's luck begins to change. Producers are scrambling to hire her, her biggest professional rival lands in the hospital with a mysterious illness, and, best of all, Sally's falling in love with the most wonderful man she's ever met. For the first time in her life, she is happy. Yet she can't shake the feeling that things seem too good to be true. When a series of bizarre coincidences and grisly accidents start happening, Sally finds herself wondering: Has she really met Mr. Right? Or has she fallen for the Devil himself?
Loaded with dead-on comic timing and pitch-perfect dialogue,
Devil May Care stars one of the most exuberantly realized heroines in recent years -- not even Bridget Jones had it this bad. Newcomer Sheri McInnis takes us on a journey that will speak to anyone who's ever had to choose between doing what is right and what feels right.
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"Do you think you could resist temptation? Not a piece of cheesecake. Or another martini. Or a one-night stand. Real temptation. The kind they warn you about in the Bible... Sally Carpenter is a struggling actress in New York City. She hasn't had a real gig in two years, her agent has stopped returning her phone calls, and she hates her day job. She's just about ready to go home to Wisconsin and finish her psych degree. Then she meets Jack Weaver. Jack's rich, charismatic, gorgeous -- and the president of one of the biggest TV networks in the country. When he starts showing an interest in Sally's career, she's grateful but wary. She's heard rumors about Jack -- he's a bit of a womanizer and ruthless in business. Even so, when he asks her out to dinner, she doesn't say no. Almost immediately, Sally's luck begins to change. Producers are scrambling to hire her, her biggest professional rival lands in the hospital with a mysterious illness, and, best of all, Sally's falling in love with the most wonderful man she's ever met. For the first time in her life, she is happy. Yet she can't shake the feeling that things seem too good to be true. When a series of bizarre coincidences and grisly accidents start happening, Sally finds herself wondering: Has she really met Mr. Right? Or has she fallen for the Devil himself? Loaded with dead-on comic timing and pitch-perfect dialogue, Devil May Care stars one of the most exuberantly realized heroines in recent years -- not even Bridget Jones had it this bad. Newcomer Sheri McInnis takes us on a journey that will speak to anyone who's ever had to choose between doing what is right and what feels right. "
Customer Reviews:
Even Devil won't care.......2007-09-24
I really enjoyed reading this book at the beginning. Sally is an aspiring actress has no luck getting any roles, her personal life is boring as she is stuck in a relationship without love. Suddenly her luck changes when she meets gorgeous Jack, who happens to be a president of TV network. She unexpectedly gets a role she really wanted...then a part on soap opera. Sparks are flying and she finds herself successful and in love with Jack. While their relationship advances, the series of unfortunate events continue to happen. Accidents and death of people she gets involved with. At this point our main character becomes delusional. She starts questioning her luck and tragic events, associating them with work of Devil. This book started out with a great plot and an interesting style of writing. I was turning pages, waiting for a great development of the story and to find Sally laughing at her accusations, and hopping for "happily ever after" end. Instead I found myself in a mind of delusional character and a very disappointing end.
Good writing, dumb plot.......2006-07-10
I enjoyed Sheri McInnis's writing and style, and up until the "Jack's the devil" bit, I was enjoying the book. Where did that idea come from?? I'd be more inclined to believe that Sally was the devil-- it was the people connected to her who suffered the odd twists of "fate." There really was no plausible reason why she'd go off on that tangent- unless she suffered some kind of a mental breakdown or took some bad drugs! It didn't make sense.
I wish her editor or agent or good friend would have insisted that the "Jack's the devil" bit be changed, or if that's the best plot going, then give me a real solid reason to tell me why she'd think he was. I ended up thinking that not only was Sally a nutjob, but she also lacked the decency to break up with her long-haired loser boyfriend.
The ending was a huge disappointment.
I won't say here how it ends but I was let thinking: That's it? THAT'S how it all ends???? WHY she believed Jack was the devil was never really addressed, and that ruined it for me.
Great Read.......2006-04-16
This is an excellent first novel that goes from laugh-out-loud funny to serious and sinister without effort. The premise that Sally's new love interest might be the Devil himself leads both protagonist and reader to speculate on the true nature of right and wrong.
For me, this was a compelling read--I could hardly put the book down! Rarely have I encountered a novel that touches upon such serious subjects as suicide, death, and evil while simultaneously being great fun and sexy, too. It's a bit like "Rosemary's Baby" mixed with "Bridget Jones' Diary."
The descriptive passages are evocative; for example: "The sky is a strange grayish orange color; it's a color you don't often see, as if a storm's moving in, the kind of color that makes farmers lean on their hoes and peer worriedly up at the sky and say things like "Looks like she's gonna be a doozie."
The Catholic nun Sister Ruth "...had a large jaw and a broad, thin mouth with stiff white bristles above the top lip....Her breath smelled like old-lady things. Hard peppermint candies. Mothballs. Coleslaw."
The love scenes also are nicely written: "Then he pulls out his ponytail, shaking his long hair free. Oh, oh. David always takes his ponytail out when he wants to have sex. The thinks his hair is so irresistible, it's equivalent to foreplay. It's not."
The author's knowledge of the entertainment industry adds welcome realism to the scenes involving agents, auditions, and actors. I enjoyed reading about the ultra-chic restaurants and parties that Sally attended, peopled by real-life stars and made-up ones like "Sabrina Calliope-Clark."
Unlike some reviewers, I found Sally's character likeable and sympathetic. Her tragic childhood and imperfect family help illuminate why she is so anxiety-ridden today. Still, she courageously pursues her dream of being an actress, working in a grimy bookstore to pay the bills while continuing to go to audition after disappointing audition. Her relationship with her boyfriend, a fellow actor, is lukewarm, and she has few close friends or confidants. With all her flaws, she struggles to be a "good" person. Then along comes a powerful man who treats her like a princess, and, understandably, her feelings and loyalties quickly become conflicted.
I do agree that the ending was a little weak, leaving some questions unanswered, which is why I gave the book 4 stars rather than 5. But overall, this is a very worthwhile work of fiction.
Funny but disappointing ending.......2006-01-06
I laughed out loud reading this book until the middle part. I too had hoped that her boyfriend was not the "devil" but from what I gethered in the ending he was. Truly disappointing ending. I would have given it a five had it not been for the ending. How could such a light read become so heavy in the end.
Odd but entertaining........2005-11-20
I enjoyed reading this book up until she thought Jack Weaver was the devil. Every chapter after that was her trying to convince that he was or wasn't the devil. The whole thing revolved around that ans not her career as much as it did in the beginning. Basically the book went from a great read to trash.
Book Description
While most of humanity has been decimated in the apocalypse, the hunger for sporting events survives and is stronger than ever! It's race time in Indianapolis, and the only thing hotter than the action on the track is the passion boiling outside of the stadium walls. Local Grendel chief Hack has his hands full. Between the volatile visiting Grendel clans tearing up the town, a mysterious vigilante on a Grendel-killing spree, and forces within his own clan that seek to depose him, there's little room for error or emotion. But when he feels himself falling for Dana, the city hospital's headstrong lead physician, he quickly finds things spiraling out of his control. And he's not the only one with problems. Dana's struggling with her delinquent son, desperately trying to keep him away from the very Grendel that she herself is growing ever attracted to. Something's gotta give, in this tragic tale of passion, love, and betrayal.
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Devil May Care
Riley Evans
Manufacturer: Storywright Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 097414620X |
Book Description
Peace, quiet and religion, those Midwest mainstays, are like a quilt covering the unspeakable in Riley Evan's novel, Devil May Care.
Nikki O'Keefe, a field agent for the Kansas State Police, discovers a hidden grave site with the skeletons of six newborn infants. A day later, hunters in a nearby field find the remains of a teenage girl. Investigating these crimes puts Nikki into the path of The Reverend Jack Jackson, an evangelist and body-builder who promotes a gospel of perfect body and perfect soul.
The book is as much about Nikki's frustrations as about the solving of the crimes. She's tangled in romantic conflicts with two men, haunted by guilt about the damage her ambition has done to people she's loved, and thwarted in her career by the sexist policies of her supervisors.
Revered Jack's delusions bring another force into the book. His belief that he is one of God's anointed clashes with his need for money and illicit sex. When he is forced to confront the disasters caused by his preaching and his transgressions, his disillusionment becomes deadly.
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Devil May Care
Wade Miller
Manufacturer: Gold Medal
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MNJOOI |
Average customer rating:
- Twists and Turns
- Midwest Book Review - imaginative tale of good vs. evil
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The Devil May Care
Mary Hartman
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1403399700 |
Customer Reviews:
Twists and Turns.......2003-05-08
Every 1000 years, one of the Devil's subordinates is given the right to challenge Lucifer for the throne of Hell. This time it is Babbas, whose clever scheme to deliver a fallen angel to Lucifer puts the Devil in the awkward position of defending and protecting one of God's creatures.
Barney, a gentle, aging railroad conductor, becomes the pawn in this contest of evil vs. evil. He tells an innocent white lie and, before he can correct it, dies in a train wreck caused by Babbas. From beyond the grave, Barney must try to right the wrong he has caused so that he can earn his place in Heaven.
Ms. Hartman has filled her first novel with interesting characters, an unusual plot, and enough twists and turns to keep the reader breathless. The Devil May Care (an interesting title, too) offers evil, fantasy, romance - and some delicious humor. I'm hoping for more from this talented new author.
Midwest Book Review - imaginative tale of good vs. evil.......2003-05-07
Mary Hartman's first novel is a lively parable, a fantasy complete with angels and demons, good vs. evil, and a love story that lives beyond the grave.
Once in every millennium, Lucifer must defend his throne against all challengers. God's fallen angel doesn't have much going for him, really, except his reign in hell, and the wily old demon is not about to give it up without a fight. The lesser demon Babbas swears he can defeat the reigning Prince of Darkness by delivering the soul of an angel. The challenge is accepted and the fight is on.
Barney Schmidt is a kindly railroad conductor planning on early retirement. The love of his life - his wife Hannah - has a bad heart and won't live beyond a few more months. Barney is retiring and cashing in every investment and pension fund to take a trip with Hannah while she can still enjoy it. Except for the loss of an infant son long ago, their life together has been blessed. Barney is a simple man with a heart of gold. When he discovers Matt, an 8-year old runaway orphan hiding on the train, he pretends Matt is his nephew and plans to take him home to Hannah.
Matt, of course, is Babbas in disguise and Barney is soon to become the angel soul he seeks to destroy. Barney is killed trying to protect Matt during a train wreck, and the struggle between Lucifer and Babbas begins. Lucifer is forced to play the good guy in this tale. Unless he can save Barney's soul from Babbas, Lucifer will lose the challenge.
Ms. Hartman has a flair for imaginative story telling. She has a long history of creative writing and that experience shows in her first novel.
Amazon.com
A respected Zen master in Japan and founder of the San Francisco Zen Center, Shunryu Suzuki has blazed a path in American Buddhism like few others. He is the master who climbs down from the pages of the koan books and answers your questions face to face. If not face to face, you can at least find the answers as recorded in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, a transcription of juicy excerpts from his lectures. From diverse topics such as transience of the world, sudden enlightenment, and the nuts and bolts of meditation, Suzuki always returns to the idea of beginner's mind, a recognition that our original nature is our true nature. With beginner's mind, we dedicate ourselves to sincere practice, without the thought of gaining anything special. Day to day life becomes our Zen training, and we discover that "to study Buddhism is to study ourselves." And to know our true selves is to be enlightened. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Zen mind is one of those enigmatic phrases used by Zen teachers to throw you back upon yourself, to make you go behind the words themselves and begin wondering. "I know what my own mind is," you tell yourself, "but what is Zen mind?" And then: "But do I really know what my own mind is?" Is it what I am doing now? Is it what I am thinking now?" And if you should then try to sit physically still for a while to see if you can locate it—then you have begun the practice of Zen, then you have begun to realize the unrestricted mind.
The innocence of this first inquiry—just asking what you are—is beginner's mind. The mind of the beginner is needed throughout Zen practice. It is the open mind, the attitude that includes both doubt and possibility, the ability to see things always as fresh and new. It is needed in all aspects of life. Beginner's mind is the practice of Zen mind.
This book originated from a series of talks given by Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki to a small group in Los Altos, California. He joined their meditation periods once a week and afterwards answered their questions and tried to encourage them in their practice of Zen and help them solve the problems of life. His approach is informal, and he draws his examples from ordinary events and common sense. Zen is now and here, he is saying; it can be as meaningful for the West as for the East. But his fundamental teaching and practice are drawn from all the centuries of Zen Buddhism and especially from Dogen, one of the most important and creative of all Zen Masters.
Customer Reviews:
You don't have to understand it to love it.......2007-06-10
I bought this book eighteen years ago. When I bought it, I understood little of it but for the past 18 years it has been my favourite companion book helping me to calm down before I went to sleep. I have never read "a new age book" and pride myself on being hard-headed, but nonetheless the soothing, calm prose was reassuring even if enigmatic. 18 years on, I now actually understand quite a bit of it and read it not only for the prose style but for the meaning.
I personally had to read Joko Beck before I could really understand how zen is integral to my life, as I needed to acquire an understanding that went beyond words before I could appreciate how "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" linked into my life. However I think this book is still a treasure.
How to be like a beginner but not for beginners.......2007-05-18
Despite my unfamiliarity with Zen, the sense did come through to me of an earnest, centered practitioner. I found the philosophical observations in this book more universal, and so more accessible, than the observations about the specifics of Zen meditation practice -- sitting, breathing techniques etc. This book does not lead the reader by the hand from square one, it is, rather, a book of observations transcribed from tape recordings of Suzuki addressing groups of people already experienced in Zen. I liked the book's secular, practical tone, as I can do without the magical thinking that is served up without question in many books by practitioners of Eastern religions, more so, to be sure, in the Hindu than the Buddhist tradition. I concur with reviewer L. A. Allen (no relation) that the title of this book can be somewhat confusing; much of the content doesn't connect well for a person who is unfamiliar with Zen Buddhism and seeking an introduction.
Zen Intro.......2007-05-16
Zazen is zazen, plain and simple. Easy to digest introduction to the practice with minimal amount of Japanese to look up.
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki.......2007-03-29
"Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" is as good a book as any regarding a Beginner's interest in Zen meditation and the proposition of improving one's consciousness.
The text's chapter's are categorized according to (1) Right Practice (2)Right Attitude (3)Right Understanding.
The enigma of Zen meditation is that it has become so popularized in Western culture that people have come to characterize anything weird or odd as "zenny". Moreover, other irrelevant baggage is accrued by the many books on art or other endeavours who employ Zen in their titles as a marketing gimmick. This further complicates popular understandings as to what Zen either is or isn't.
Therefore, it is appropriate that author Shunryu Suzuki targets the subject of "Mind Weeds," from which I quote briefly:
"That everything is included within your mind is the essence of mind. To experience this is to have religious feeling." --p. 35 and also:
""Nothing outside yourself can cause any trouble. You yourself make the waves in your mind. If you leave your mind as it is, it will become calm. This mind is called big mind."--35
The reader will find himself captivated and excited by the author's insight and teaching, and will begin probably to see the world and self in an entirely different perspective.
Its all a state of mind.......2007-03-18
Very interesting book, I'm just starting to get into the whole Zen mind thing and feel this book was a great help. A lot of interesting philosophy and advice. I recommend it for any avid reader that's trying to expand there own mind and reach a higher level of peace and enlightenment.
Book Description
Any practitioner, after meditating for some time, inevitably wonders what meditation method the historical Buddha Shakyamuni himself used while beneath the Bodhi Tree. Many people understand that prior to his realization, Shakyamuni Buddha studied with many of great yogis of his time, but most do not know what method he ultimately found leads most directly to Nirvana. In Ajhan Buddhadasa Bhikku's book, Mindfulness With Breathing, the Thai meditation master provides practitioners with penetrating insights into the Anapanasati Sutta, the sacred canonical text which many believe is the most direct transmission of Shakyamuni Buddha's breath meditation methods. Combined with a concise translation of the Sutta itself, Mindfulness With Breathing is one of the best guides to Buddhist meditation practice available in the English language.
Customer Reviews:
The Original Bhuddism.......2007-01-25
I study Taoism, which involves Taoist breathing, so what I am involved with is not exactly the same as the Bhuddist Pranayama presented here. I mention this only to state my objectivity in surveying the techniques of another tradition.
Bhuddism in the West is steeped in cultural misunderstandings, and often a result of this is that people associate Bhuddism with something it is not. This book is invaluable for presenting the practical aspects of Bhuddism that anyone from any culture or religious background can benefit from, while at the same time clarifying what Bhuddism is really about.
This text presents for Western readers the classic approach to Bhuddism, the Pranayama passed down by Gautama Bhudda. It is urgent you grasp the importance of "classical." In the West much of the information we receive is diluted in order to be digestable. This book reveals the complete way the information was intended to be passed on. The inclusion of Pali terms is purposeful; they have no translation in English and are essential to the practice. Serious students should by all means make the effort to grasp these concepts.
Bhuddism was the evolution of balance from Hinduism which is often extreme. In that light, people who practice Indian Yoga forms of Pranayama(breathing) will find this information to be evolutionary. Indian Pranayama often is practiced holding the breath, or while breathing rapidly, or forced breathing. This book emphasizes smooth, long, natural breathing, and shortly thereafter progresses to breathing with deeper and deeper aspects of ones "being" rather than emphasizing the physical breath.
Note that the entire book is a commentary on Gautama Bhudda's "Anapanasati Sutra." It is akin to a work by the Bhudda himself. Don't expect it to be a one time read. Expect to read it ten times, and then twenty times more. At the end of the day, the best way to learn the material is from a qualified instructor or by devoting time to practice in a monastery with qualified monks. Understanding the material in this book will give you the background for such training.
I sincerely hope this review is useful in helping at least one person come closer to finding inner peace.
Excellent book for serious beginners or more advanced students.......2006-03-18
This book is a deep exploration of Insight Meditation based on the Anapanasati Sutra. It is very detailed and contains quite a few Pali terms, but it goes beyond most popular books in depth. It was translated from Thai and is not the smoothest book in the world to read. However, it covers lots of ground in a short space and is a good supplment to other texts such as Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenberg.
Larry Rosenberg's book covers a lot of the same material, but is geared more toward a Western audience and doesn't get as deeply into the Pali terminology, the underlying philosophy, etc. I see the two books as useful and complimentary. Together they constitute a good comprehensive introduction to Insight Meditation.
Should Read From Other Books Too.......2003-07-15
Do not confuse anymore about mindfulness breathing.
I would like readers to read from
Mindfulness of Breathing by Bhikkhu by Nanamoli
and
Manual of Mindfulness of Breathing by Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw
A Model Textbook!.......2000-01-06
The Anapanasati Sutta is a system of exercises and experiments in breathing and awareness applied to the body, feelings, mind, and spirit. It is presumed that by employing this method, the Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is difficult to imagine a more powerful exposition of these steps than that given by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (Ajan Buddhadasa). Buddhadasa Bhikkhu was perhaps the most influential teacher of Buddhism in the history of Thailand. Although he did not have much formal education, he was honored by many doctoral degrees. The translator, Santikaro Bhikkhu, after serving in the Peace Corps in Thailand, returned in l985 to become the translator for Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and today is the abbot of a monostery. From the translator's faithfulness to his task, the personality of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu emerges: clear, practical and posssessing gentle,good humor. Both Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Santikaro Bhikkhu felt that many Pali terms did not translate easily into English. Consequently their inclusion was necessary. The reader is given three ways to grasp these terms; 1). A glossary, 2). In-text definitions and, 3). Grasping the terms in context through reading and study of the text. Through the Pali terms and the clear presentation of the core ideas of Buddhism, the reader if not enlightened, will at least be well-educated. The reader is taken gently and closely through every step of the way, starting with suggestions for reading the text. Always the reader is encouraged to do his/her best with what is available, which is exactly how Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Santikaro Bhikkhu prepared this model of what a text book should be. The lectures this book were based on, were originally given to Westerners, consequently the reasoning behind ideas is emphasized. For instance, it is pointed out that any body process, not only breathing, can be used for this type of study. Should the reader not be prepared to undertake the path of "serious beginner" at this time, other less rigorous methods are described.
Prepare to learn Pali !.......1999-06-17
As a newcomer to Buddhism and meditation I found this book rather difficult to get through due to the extensive use of Pali terms. There is a glossary which gets much use as one reads along going ,"now what did this word mean again?" It makes for very choppy reading and understanding , the concepts do not flow when you have to learn foreign terms every sentence. It is a very thorough explanation of the anapanasati sutta.
Product Description
The beginners mind of Zen Buddhism appears as the blank page awaiting your alert presence in this new journal based on the best-selling 2005 wall calendar. Interspersed throughout the journal are sixteen wisdom quotes from the classic best-selling book, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki paired with stunning Zenga art masterworks from the premier collection of the Gitter-Yelen Museum in New Orleans.
The 128-page journal is 6" x 8.25" and has a high-quality hardbound cover with an attractive Wire-O binding. The journal has blank pages on the left and lined pages on the right, while evenly spaced throughout are selections of meditative text and zenga brush drawings. The journal has an elastic band closure.
Customer Reviews:
Need to use it.......2007-05-07
It's a book of blank pages which is hard to critique. Nice hard cover, though and elastic band to keep book closed. It is to be used in conjunction with Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind which I'm just starting to read.
Book Description
Shunryu Suzuki’s extraordinary gift for conveying traditional Zen teachings using ordinary language is well known to the countless readers of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. In Zen Is Right Here, his teachings are brought to life powerfully and directly through stories told about him by his students. These living encounters with Zen are poignant, direct, humorous, paradoxical, and enlightening; and their setting in real-life contexts makes them wonderfully accessible.
Like the Buddha himself, Suzuki Roshi gave profound teachings that were skilfully expressed for each moment, person, and situation he encountered. He emphasized that while the ungraspable essence of Buddhism is constant, the expression of that essence is always changing. Each of the stories presented here is an example of this versatile and timeless quality, showing that the potential for attaining enlightenment exists right here, right now, in this very moment.
Book Description
Zen from its foundation in China of the 6th Century AD, has always been more than a religion. It is an intriguing system of principles and practice designed to give each individual the experience of eternity in a split second, the knowledge of divinity in every living thing. To create a book about Zen, however, is risky. It is one thing to describe the factual history of this exotic strain of Buddhism. It’s quite another to successfully convey the crazy wisdom of the Zen masters, their zany sense of their uncanny ability to pass on the experience of enlightenment to their students. The authors of Zen For Beginners have clearly overcome these considerable risks. The books uses an engaging mix of clear, informative writing and delightful illustrations to document the story of Zen from its impact on Chinese and Japanese culture to its influence on American writers such as Japanese culture to its influence on American writers such as Ginsberg and Kerouac.
Customer Reviews:
Most Accessible Basic History of Zen.......2004-02-20
Surprisingly, this volume in Documentary Comic Books Series from Writers and Readers publishers turns out to be a pearl of great price: a readily accessible, fun to read, History of Zen Buddhism. In a delightful series of line drawn cartoons (which the subject lends itself to) we follow Gotama Buddha through his magistral Life, Nagarjuna thru his teachings, Bodhidharma into China, Dogen back to Japan, and every major figure in between. The contributions of these great teachers and patriarchs are reduced to a few key sayings, koans, and concepts. In 160 pages, mostly pictures, the reader garners a coherent picture of the history, identity, meaning, and purpose of Zen, that would otherwise have taken the reading of many volumes, thick ones, to imbibe. This effort is a brief, informative recovery of the original face of Zen history and a wonderful teaching tool. My friend, the late Paul Reps, would have LOVED this slender masterpiece. Or, as Ikkyu puts it in the book:
'And what is it, the heart?
it is the sound of the pine breeze
in the ink painting.'
A delightful, quirky introduction.......2001-02-20
If you like your religion serious and grim, this probably isn't the book for you. But if you are drawn to Zen Buddhism in part because of its warmth, humor, and apparent contradiction, it's an excellent place to start.
The authors make it clear from the start that although they have studied Zen for many years, they are students, not enlightened masters. For some writers, this would be a liability; their humility transforms it into an asset: their willingness to admit their imperfect knowledge make this much more approachable than other Zen books I have read. They impart a fair bit of basic information, while also conveying the flavor of something that "cannot be described in words [...] an experience more basic than the level of conceptual thinking."
The book, like other books in this series, is a quick but broad introduction to a complex topic. If you are looking for a serious, detailed reference book, look elsewhere. But out of the dozen books on Buddhism on my shelf, this is the one I first loan to friends who are curious about Zen.
A Good Intro.......2000-02-04
This work by Blackstone and Josipovic is an adequate introduction to Zen Buddhism with some nice history. When it gets into practice and study is where I stumbled. In the discussion of the koan, the authors read off a few that I am familiar with, but then this one, which I found strange they would include it:
"One day he [Choa-chou] fell down in the snow and cried out "Help me up, help me up!" A monk ran over and lay down beside him. Choa-chou got up and walked away. (If you can guess who learned what in the above situation, you are doing better than the authors). pg 100
I felt the authors should have left that out, for it made me suspicious of the rest of the book. A fun book otherwise and good for someone who knows a little more about Zen than just a beginner, for they will have a more refined view.
Poor art work, confusing text.......1999-11-20
I am just a beginner in the study of buddhism.After reading "Buddha For Beginners"( a book in this series),I thought this book would be a good next choice. I was wrong! Although the historical text was informative, the text about theory and teachings was mostly quite confusing. The art work was not good.The illustrations' humor was witless and sometimes in poor taste. Had this been the first book I read about buddism it may have been my last
A very enlightening book on the basics of Zen Buddhism........1999-03-01
I really enjoyed reading this book. The reading went quickly, because there are pictures as well as words to express ideas. The illustrations were well done, and usually quite humorous. The book does not go into any serious dogma, just explains at a very basic level what Zen is and where it came from. I'd recommend this book to anyone; I can't pick out anything I didn't like.
Average customer rating:
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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
Shunryu Suzuki
Manufacturer: Walker/Weatherhill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Suzuki, Shunryu
| ( S )
| Authors, A-Z
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B000PNIGJY |
Product Description
134 pages. Pictorial boards with Japanese-style calligraphy design on front board. Dust jacket features the same design as the front pictorial, and there is a large photograph of the author taking up the entire back of the the d. j.
Average customer rating:
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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind 2005 Calendar
Manufacturer: Amber Lotus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar
Zen
| Buddhism
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Calendars
| Formats
| Books
| Block Calendars
| Engagement Calendars
| Advent
| Animals
| Architecture
| Arts
| Astrological
| Automotive
| Boats & Ships
| Business
| Children's
| Cooking
| Crafts
| Diet & Health
| Family & Relationships
| Flowers
| Foreign Language
| Games
| Garden & Home
| General
| History
| Humor & Comics
| Inspirational
| Lighthouses
| Maps
| Movies
| Multicultural
| Music
| Nature
| Photography
| Pop Culture
| Quotations
| Readers & Writers
| Regional
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Sports
| Television
| Trains
| Women's Interest
ASIN: 1569374236 |
Book Description
Featuring Zenga Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection
Text by Shunryu Suzuki
The beginner's mind of Zen Buddhism is revealed through authentic sacred art and profoundly simple wisdom. Zenga art, Zen-inspired brushstroke art, surprises and confounds our expectations, and yet, created by 17th and 18th century monks who were amateur painters, has a startlingly modern appeal. The Gitter-Yelen collection of Zenga painting is widely regarded as one of the preeminent collections in the West.
Each month, the Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind 2005 wall calendar features a Zenga masterwork paired with quotes from the best-selling classic, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki (1905-1971), which has sold over one million copies since 1970. Suzuki-roshi was considered one of the most influential Zen teachers of his time and was a direct spiritual descendent of the thirteenth century Zen master, Dogen.
Sample caption:
Each one of us must make his own true way,
and when we do, that way will express the universal way.
This is the mystery.
Average customer rating:
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Zen Mind, Beginners Mind 2004 Calendar
Manufacturer: Amber Lotus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Zen
| Buddhism
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Zen Philosophy
| Buddhism
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Calendars
| Formats
| Books
| Block Calendars
| Engagement Calendars
| Advent
| Animals
| Architecture
| Arts
| Astrological
| Automotive
| Boats & Ships
| Business
| Children's
| Cooking
| Crafts
| Diet & Health
| Family & Relationships
| Flowers
| Foreign Language
| Games
| Garden & Home
| General
| History
| Humor & Comics
| Inspirational
| Lighthouses
| Maps
| Movies
| Multicultural
| Music
| Nature
| Photography
| Pop Culture
| Quotations
| Readers & Writers
| Regional
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Sports
| Television
| Trains
| Women's Interest
ASIN: 1569371695 |
Book Description
The beginner's mind of Zen Buddhism is revealed through authentic sacred art and profoundly simple wisdom. Each month of this calendar features a Zenga masterwork from the world-renowned Gitter-Yelen collection paired with quotes from the best-selling classic, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki. Mr. Suzuki (1905-1971), author of Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, which has sold over 1,000,000 copies since it was first published in 1970, was a direct spiritual descendent of the thirteenth century Zen master Dogen.
Zenga art (Zen-inspired brushstroke art) surprises and confounds our expectations, and yet, these artworks, created by 17th and 18th century monks who were amateur painters, have a startlingly modern appeal. They represent the "transmission beyond words" that is at the heart of the Zen tradition. The Gitter-Yelen collection of Zenga painting is widely regarded as the one of the preeminent collections in the west.
Sample caption:
In the beginner's mind there is no thought, " I have attained something."
All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind.
Average customer rating:
|
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
Manufacturer: Weatherhill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Suzuki, Shunryu
| ( S )
| Authors, A-Z
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B000HVTXLO |
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