The Road to Dune

Book Description

Frank Herbert's Dune is widely known as the science fiction equivalent of The Lord of the Rings. Now The Road to Dune is a companion work comparable to The Silmarillion, shedding light on and following the remarkable development of the bestselling science fiction novel of all time.nbsp;In this fascinating volume, the world's millions of Dune fans can read--at long last--the unpublished chapters and scenes from Dune and Dune Messiah. The Road to Dune also includes some of the original correspondence between Frank Herbert and famed editor John W. Campbell, Jr., along with other correspondence during Herbert's years-long struggle to get his innovative work published, and the article "They Stopped the Moving Sands," Herbert's original inspiration for Dune.nbsp;The Road to Dune also features newly discovered papers and manuscripts of Frank Herbert, and Spice Planet, an original novel by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, based on a detailed outline left by Frank Herbert.nbsp;The Road to Dune is a treasure trove of essays, articles, and fiction that every reader of Dune will want to add to their shelf.

Customer Reviews:

book review.......2007-09-26

Interesting book to see the process of the creation of a masterpiece of a book such as Dune. Well written

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

The introduction and excerpts from Dune and Dune Messiah were
fascinating, as was the process of the first book actually being
published, but only serially to start with! Again, the younger
generation's works I can take or leave. However, they do explain how
they were working from a ton of material that Frank left, and how they
went through it, scanned it so they could search it, etc. If you don't
like any of the other 'new' sequels, this one is certainly worth
checking out.

It also includes a 'proto' Dune novel, much shorter, that Herbert shelved and turned into his masterpiece.

Certainly worth a look.

Good Summer Read.......2007-08-10

I must admit that I'm not even CLOSE to finishing this fine book but what I have read of it I do like. Brian has taken up the mantle of his famous father and been able to cope with the inevitable comparisons between the two styles of writing. Both are fine authors in their own right, I recommend any of these books in the continuing Dune universe.

A Treasure in Several Ways.......2007-06-23

I'll leave it to the die hard Dune fans to explain all of the details of what's inside this fascinating volume. I just want to point out three things:

1) Even if you're not a die-hard Dune fan, but at least interested in the history of science fiction, you'll enjoy the book because it details some of the early development of the Dune novel as well as presents a complete novel based on Frank Herbert's original notes.

2) The "new" novel is actually very good, although I am sure some die-hard Dune fans will not like it because it lacks so many of the details - especially about religion - that are present in Dune. Still, I enjoyed the story because it sounded so much like a story from its time. In other words, in itself, it was an enjoyable novel, but it also contrasted dramatically the old style of science fiction with the newer style used by Herbert. The newer style was the complete realization of a different world, culture and environment with almost every detail worked out. The old style was from a time when the publishers simply didn't have the money to allow such massive detail into a novel. Publishers could more easily handle a 200 page sci-fi novel than the massive novel Herbert actually completed.

3) Through the 'new' novel you'll learn some interesting details about the origins of the worms, the huge inter-connected series of tunnels under the surface of dune, etc. Just those details makes the effort of reading the 'new' novel worthwhile!

Road to Dune : Then and Now.......2007-02-14

When reading the reviews I found a lot of criticism about the style of writing. When you compare Frank Herbert's style against his sons and Kevin Anderson all I can stress is the different cultural eras the authors are writing in.

Frank Herbert writes for a world the reads and only has 3 to 4 channels of television available. No amazing special effects in movies, you had to rely on dialogue. Herbert also writes for an educated world. The pinnacle of excellent free education ended in the 1980's. The world Herbert writes for has read all the masters of the English, French, German, Greek, Roman languages...get the picture. I remember reading Homer in High School and Tolkien's Rings Trilogy was something most of us explored sometime in 9th & 10th grade.

Today we have amazing special effects, 500 plus channels of satellite TV, and a world so caught up in itself that it only has time for 30 second sound bites.

If Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson write like screenplays could it be to capture and keep the interest of today's reader. How many of us miss the time when Children played outside, settling down to read a book was not an oddity, but a commonality, and we made decisions after we had read, listened, and explored every side of an issue.

I'd like to thank Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson for taking on the epic that is the Dune Universe. I enjoy their novels and this book gives you an insight on why and how they continue the universe.

On a side note Chilton published automotive repair books and most people worked on their cars, they changed oil, spark plugs, carburetors...etc themselves. We Dune fans owe them a debt of gratitude that they had the foresight to publish Dune.

I first read Dune in the 70's, we waited in line for gas and only on the right day according to our license plate numbers, we celebrated a bicentennial, and had a scandal in the White House, we lived a life outside of the box, and we wanted to change the world...well we changed the world...is it better or worse?...maybe the answer is in Dune itself.

Every decade I read Dune and I discover new depths I had unknowingly missed the 1 through 4 time around. This is a keeper and even though my books are tattered and creased they are loved and a new shiny novel adds itself to the collection ever so often.

Read Dune and fall into the Dune Universe.

Average customer rating:

A comprehensive guide to Dune buggies.

Dune Buggy Handbook
James Hale
Manufacturer: Veloce Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1904788211

Book Description

At last! The complete A-Z guide to American & British Volkswagen-based Dune/Beach Buggies for all VW enthusiasts. Over 100 individual makes of Buggy described and pictured. Each entry gives model description, technical specification, identification tips & historical information. Many previously unpublished photographs. Written by a leading authority on Buggies, who also gives an introduction to the Buggy cult. Contains archive material including period ads and sales brochures as well as related toys. Contains an appendix detailing current manufacturers' addresses. Not only has James Hale designed and produced Buggies for a leading manufacturer, he's also the resident Buggy expert for Volksworld magazine; his own car is a faithful reproduction of the Steve McQueen Thomas Crown Affair Corvair-engined Buggy.

Customer Reviews:

A comprehensive guide to Dune buggies........2007-09-02

The first book on dune buggies I've bought and I thoroughly enjoyed it.This is a factual book on dune buggies and one of many written by author James Hale.This book covers the various designs of dune buggies throughout the years.Plenty of photos and text throughout.

Dune Buggy Phenomenon 2 (Those Were the Days)

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Dune Buggy Phenomenon 2 (Those Were the Days)
James Hale
Manufacturer: Veloce Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Pictorial | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1904788661

Book Description

After their initial advent in the 1960s, dune buggies continued to grow in popularity, and many diverse models evolved. In the 1970s they were a worldwide phenomenon. This book, a follow up to the hugely successful first volume, documents·in words and stunning archive photos·the development of the buggy into the 1980s and also features unique reproductions of product advertising using buggies, promotional material, and buggy ephemera. This book is a must have for enthusiasts.

Dune Buggy Handbook: The A-Z Vw-Based Buggies Since 1964 (Reference)

Average customer rating:

An excellent guide to fiberglass buggies
Dune Buggy Handbook best buggy book yet!

Dune Buggy Handbook: The A-Z Vw-Based Buggies Since 1964 (Reference)
James Hale
Manufacturer: Veloce Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Pictorial | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual

ASIN: 1901295656

Customer Reviews:

An excellent guide to fiberglass buggies.......2000-06-01

This is the best (and only) guide I've seen to fiberglass buggies (Manx & knock offs.) The only regret I had was that my own buggy was not represented, even though it was mentioned several times with buggies that were 'sired' (copied) from it (the Balboa Lido). But overall it is a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Fiberglass buggies.

Dune Buggy Handbook best buggy book yet!.......2000-02-13

James Hale hits a home run with this book. It is the first of my knowledge to ever attempt to organize and sort out all of the dune buggy makers. We have waited a long time in the VW hobby for the 'glass buggy to recieve recognition. You get to see everything from the original Meyers Manx buggies that started the fiberglass dune buggy revolution, to the hundreds of clones that were later spawned. Hale does a great job of mixing in facts and photos. This is also a pretty complete look at the rise and later fall of the buggy industry.

There were only a couple of things I didn't like about the book. First of all the organization of the different UK and US models was thrown together by alpha listing only. The problem here is a US buggy owner only gets confused while looking through the UK pictures while trying to track down his buggy. A seperate US UK directory would have kept things easier to follow.

Secondly, there are probably as many models that were left out of the book as ones that appear. I spoke with James after the book was finished. It was a shame the dune buggy archives website has twice as many US models Id'd. I was expecting Hale to have many models the archives website did not have. James had colaborated with many people to write this book and I congarulate him on it's success.

Book Description

MURDER BY MARRIAGE introduces the socially prominent Lawrence family of Boston whose daughter, Angela, is soon to be married. When her parents, Andrew and Julia, arrive to open their beach house on Cape Cod for the gala pre-marital parties, a gruesome spectacle greets them in the high domed foyer. The body of an elderly stranger dangles from the second floor railing! This railing, carved over a hundred years ago for Andrew's grandfather, gave the house its name: Scrimshaw House. Terrified and bewildered, they listen to the police describe a crime which apparently happened weeks earlier. No motive for the crime seems evident. The house had been closed for the winter with only an old caretaker nearby. He recalls nothing out of the ordinary other than a few people stopping by to look at the place which was put up for sale by the Lawrences in recent months.

With impressive strength and fortitude, the Lawrence family decides to continue plans for the wedding parties, and try to forget the unpleasant death of a strange man in their home. However, this is just the beginning of a string of what appear to be random killings in their small town of Sakenett. The nightmare continues with horror gathering about each tragic death. Are the events related somehow to Scrimshaw House and the Lawrences? If so, how and why? When Angela's beloved art teacher is ruthlessly killed, the pressure becomes almost unbearable. Although no immediate pattern emerges to explain the murders, more than one of them does occur at Scrimshaw House. Fear oozes into the community with the fog.

Twists and turns of the plot guide readers of MURDER BY MARRIAGE to a startling final chapter before revealing why death stalks Angela's wedding plans that fateful summer at Scrimshaw House.

The Road Guide: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Sleeping Bear Dunes)

Average customer rating:

Not recommended
This little book made our vacation to the Dunes a delight.
clear, concise, intriguing

The Road Guide: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Sleeping Bear Dunes)
Susan Stites
Manufacturer: Arbutus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0966531604

Book Description

The Road Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a handy reference that includes driving directions and mileage to popular locations within the Park. Locate the hiking trails, secluded beaches, maritime museums, campgrounds, exhibits and scenic vistas easily. Read the geology of dune formation and descriptions of regional endangered plants and animals. Learn about local lumbering and shipping history. The book includes history of the U.S. Lifesaving Station and a map to shipwrecks of the perilous Manitou Passage. The story of the Ghost town, Glen Haven revives images of the company town and families who logged the region to help build the expanding nation.. Included are ferry schedules for both South and North Manitou Islands with a quick summary of sites to visit on the islands. This guide book contains the information needed to fully explore and enjoy this National treasure. The memorable legend of the Sleeping Bear is written in full text as it was told by Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indian member Kenny Pheasant. Photos, maps, contact phone numbers, hours of operation and other necessary information are packed into 60 pages.

Customer Reviews:

Not recommended.......1999-09-07

I'm sorry I can't be as glowing as the other reviewers. This is the worst "guide" book I have owned. Some basic facts are incorrect, maps are unreadable and very small. More information is given through the park service - and it's free!

This little book made our vacation to the Dunes a delight........1999-08-23

We used the guide book to plan the "hike of the day" and saw more of the Park than we ever would without it. We enjoyed the story on the U.S. Life-Saving Station and were able to witness a re-enactment of a rescue. This book is a gem.

clear, concise, intriguing.......1999-08-03

Read the book, took the tour,was extrememly informative. One of the best tours to take, also guide book was impeccable, insights were extremely valuable. definitaly will want to return to explore.mws...

Quantifying off-highway vehicle impacts on density and survival of a threatened dune-endemic plant [An article from: Biological Conservation]

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Quantifying off-highway vehicle impacts on density and survival of a threatened dune-endemic plant [An article from: Biological Conservation]
J.D. Groom , L.B. McKinney , L.C. Ball , and C. Winchell
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000PC6L38

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Biological Conservation, published by Elsevier in 2007. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation impacts species and ecosystems around the world, and is particularly prevalent in the United States. Our study examines the impact of OHVs on one of several species restricted within the United States to the Algodones Dunes, California. This dune system attracts many OHV enthusiasts annually, and interest in determining the impact of OHVs on Astragalus magdalenae var. peirsonii (Peirson's milk-vetch) has motivated multiple investigations. Several of these investigations have arrived at seemingly contradictory conclusions. Our study objectives were to quantify the degree by which A. m. var. peirsonii densities differed between high- and low-OHV use areas and determine whether OHV impact was a plausible factor for affecting plant density. Density estimate comparisons indicated 4-5 times fewer plants occupied a study area open to OHVs relative to two nearby study areas legally closed to OHVs. A manipulative mark-resight experiment compared the survival probabilities of control plants to those purposefully struck by OHVs and found that, for plants with canopy diameters of <50cm, OHV impact reduced survival by 33%. Density estimates from one of the study areas recently closed to OHVs were surprisingly large, which may suggest that periodic closure of occupied habitat during favorably wet years would assist in ensuring A. m. var. peirsonii productivity and thereby persistence. An improved understanding of this phenomenon may indicate a dunes-wide management strategy that would allow OHV activity to coexist with A. m. var. peirsonii.

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The Road to Dune (Unabridged)
Anderson, Frank, Brian, Kevin J. Herbert
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000BDC8GK

An annotated bibliography of the effects of off-road vehicles and pedestrian traffic on coastal ecosystems: Final report (UM-NPSCRU report)

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An annotated bibliography of the effects of off-road vehicles and pedestrian traffic on coastal ecosystems: Final report (UM-NPSCRU report)
Alan J Steiner
Manufacturer: The Environmental Institute, University of Massachusetts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Tidelands | Ecosystems | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00072XQXE

Beaches and dunes vs. off road vehicles: A discussion of legal alternatives (Community resource development information)

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Beaches and dunes vs. off road vehicles: A discussion of legal alternatives (Community resource development information)
Ronald D Donohoe
Manufacturer: Sea Grant Advisory Service, Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Auburn University
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

Many non-Muslims have no idea that Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews, and that Islam preaches compassion, charity, humility, and the brotherhood of man. And the similarities don’t end there. According to Islamic teaching, Muhammad founded Islam in 610 CE after the angel Gabriel appeared to him at Mecca and told him that God had entered him among the ranks of such great biblical prophets as Abraham, Moses, and Christ.

Whether you live or work alongside Muslims and want to relate to them better, or you simply want to gain a better understanding of the world’s second largest religion, Islam For Dummies can help you make sense of this religion and its appeal. From the Qur’an to Ramadan, this friendly guide introduces you to the origins, practices and beliefs of Islam, including:

Muhammad, the man and the legend
The Five Pillars of Wisdom
The Five Essentials beliefs of Islam
The different branches of Islam and Islamic sects
The Qur’an and Islamic law
Islam throughout history and its impact around the world

Professor Malcolm Clark explores the roots of Islam, how it has developed over the centuries, and it’s long and complex relationship with Christianity. He helps puts Islam in perspective as a major cultural and geopolitical force. And he provided helpful insights into, among other things:

Muhammad, the Qur’an and the ethical teachings of Islam
Muslim worship, customs, and rituals surrounding birth, marriage, and death
Shi’ites, Sunnis, Sufis, Druze, and other important Muslim groups
Islam in relation to Judaism and Christianity

In these troubled times, it is important that we try to understand the belief systems of others, for through understanding comes peace. Islam For Dummies helps you build bridges of understanding between you and your neighbors in the global village.

Customer Reviews:

Informative and factual.......2007-08-11

The coverage was very straight forward and provided basic information for someone who was not familiar with Isalm. It is a good book to become familiar with Islam and to understand basic beliefs. It is a good basic refernce book.

Islam.......2007-07-03

I thought this book was great for providing information on not only the religion but the culture of Islam. It does not try to prove or defend the religion, just provide information.

It's for dummies. Which is why I like it........2007-06-30

I read this book before deploying to an Islamic country in an effort to understand Islam better. This book was perfect for someone like me, who knew a tiny bit about Islam from briefings and history channel and didn't know any actual Muslims or ever read the Koran, etc. It provided a good starting off point to learn the basics of Islam. I was surprised to learn the author was Christian from reading the other reviews here; I could not tell the author was not Muslim from reading the book itself. He was very respectful of the faith. You're not going to find a book about religion that is going to be completely unbiased or an "incorrect interpretation/representation" to some of the more knowledgeable readers particularly if they are Muslim themselves. I'm sure not all the information in this book would be agreed upon by 100% of Muslims everywhere... but it was a great starting point for me. It was well organized by topics and chapters and included history and references to the Koran. One of my favorite features was the references listed at the end of each chapter for more information on a topic. This book covered the basics in each chapter and directed the reader to other sources for more details. This book is also great for providing recommended readings for works cited pages for college paper on this topic. I checked out some of the recommended readings and the ones I tried were very helpful. Since buying this book, I have studied Islam in more detail and spent some time in the Middle East. I still reference this book on topics I am hazy on or want further recommended readings for. When it comes to religion, you can't please everyone, but this is definitely a good book for dummies like me.

LOVELY.......2007-01-10

THIS BOOK IS LOVELY AND SO VERY HELPFUL TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I AM ALSO VERY APPRECIATIVE OF HAVING IT AVAILABLE TO ME AT ALL TIMES VIA INTERNET. I HAVE READ IT VIA INTERNET AND THE ACTUAL BOOK AS I HAVE A VERY BUSY LIFESTYLE.

Islam for Dummies.......2007-01-10

Gives a great insite to the islamic people in an easy to understand context. Answers questions you might be hesitant to ask of Islamic people.

Average customer rating:

The Koran for Dummies
Koran for real dummies who can't think
Good but missing a few points
To be considered very carefully.
My thoughts on the koran

The Koran for Dummies
Sohaib Sultan
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Quran | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0764555812

Book Description

With the current turmoil in the Middle East, there is a growing interest about Islam—the world’s second largest religion and one of the fastest growing—and its holy book, the Koran (or Qur’an). Now, with this easy-to-follow, plain-English guide, you can explore the history, structure, and basic tenets of Islam’s sacred scripture.

The Koran For Dummies is for non-Muslims interested in the Koran as well as Muslims looking to deepen their understanding. Islamic scholar Sohaib Sultan provides a clear road map, revealing:

The meaning of Koran and its basic message
The Koran’s place in history and in Islamic spiritual life
Explanations of its language, structure, and narrative style
How to live by the Koran’s teachings
The Koran’s role in key global issues, such as Jihad vs. terrorism
Different interpretations of the Koran

No other book provides such a straightforward look at what the Koran says, how it says it, and how believers live according to its guidance. From how the Koran was received by Mohammed and how it was compiled to how it’s interpreted by Islam’s two main branches, you’ll see how to put the Islamic faith in perspective.

Plus, you’ll discover:

What the Koran really says about women and civil law
How Islam relates to Judaism and Christianity
The Koran’s view of God, prophets, mankind, and the self
How its teachings are lived and recited every day by devout Muslims
Common misconceptions of the Koran
How to raise a family the Koranic way

Complete with lists of important passages, Koranic terminology, famous quotes, and further reading resources, The Koran For Dummies makes it easy and enjoyable for you to grasp the teachings and significance of Islam's holy book.

Customer Reviews:

The Koran for Dummies.......2007-07-03

I did not find this book to be at all useful or helpful. I found it impossible to cross reference from the book to the Koran. None of my questions were ever answered.

Koran for real dummies who can't think.......2006-09-30

For the first time since buying a book on-line I was tempted to wrap it up and send it back, this book was that terrible. It went out of its way to avoid any negativity or criticism about the Koran or about Moslems, whether mainstream or fanatical. This is a very sanitized version of this holy book, and unobjective to the extreme. I was searching for true meanings of the Koran elements but reading this version was a complete waste of time.

Good but missing a few points.......2006-05-24

This is a very good book but I believe it is missing a few points to understand the Quran clearly. When a person having no background in Arabic reads the translation of Quran he finds the writing to be boring and dull. He also fails to see consistency in text, one time the text says one thing and then it abruptly changes to something else.

Considering the first part of the question why a user finds Quran to be boring and dull, the basic reason is that the style of Quran is spoken (more precisely extempore speech) not written. It actually talks to the reader. If care is not taken while converting this vocal style to written then the whole text loses its charm.

The listener will even better understand the speech given at a particular time if he has some idea of the circumstances under which it was delivered. But if that same speech is broken down into small chunks and then translated into another language it will loose all of its beauty and charm. The same is with Quran. The translation must have to be so good that it should preserve its extempore style, otherwise the reader will find it dull and boring.

As per my knowledge there is only one translation in Urdu by Maulana Moududi that addresses this issue. There seems to be no translation available English that compares with it.

So in essence till such time a better translation ( I don't mean word by word or verse by verse) is available in English, to get to the sprit of Quran one must have a basic understanding of Arabic language. On internet there are several courses available that claim to teach Arabic within a very short span of time.

Now coming to the second part of the question when one reads Quran he fails to find consistency in the text as the topics change rapidly. It is basically due to the fact that Quran is not like any other book. If a user knows these three questions: What is its topic? What is its main subject? And what is its aim and purpose? He can find the consistency in thought and theme.

The topic of this book is us, the humans. It explains the purpose behind our creation and it also explains in detail the gauge of our success and failure.

Its main subject revolves around correcting the misconceptions humans have about this life and hereafter.

Its aim is to call upon everyone to the righteous/lawful way of their Lord which mankind has obliterated/lost.

Whosoever reads Quran keeping in view the abovementioned points will clearly see that its all seemingly different subjects revolve and refer to the main topic in a very consistent and coherent way. You may envisage it as all kinds of pearls, diamonds, rubies and emeralds enhancing the beauty of a necklace.

To be considered very carefully........2006-03-14

This books gives an insight into the Qu'ran and the Islamic religion. It is broken into sections that explain various aspects of life using the spritual and life practice guidance of the Koran. The author repeatly explains that the laws and language of the Koran is misinterpreted yet one cannot help but feel he is rationalizing. Still, I believe we get a good sense of Islamic law and the Koran, and frankly, some of the core concepts make much sense as the true words brought forth by Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed. I have bought a translation of the Qu'ran and following the reading of Dummies, will begin to tackle it. I would suggest to readers to find other sources to compare and contrast opinions; The complexities of the Islamic tradition need to be examined through the eyes of more than one source.

My thoughts on the koran.......2006-02-08

I agree with the reviewer below...the koran is a dud of a book. I can't believe people are willing to kill, rape, and destroy over this turgid tome. It has NO STRUCTURE! The suras are all jumbled together with no cronological sequence or order at all. There is no consistancy in thought or theme - one minute the text says one thing then it switches to another subject that has no relation to the previous statement. From what I have read of Islamic history...mohommed (though he claimed to be a prophet) did not or could not even predict his death (unlike the prophets of the Bible and the teachings of the divine Buddha) so the koran was not even in a organized state when he died. So if this book was supposed to be handed down from heaven perfect to mohommed...why did it take so many years after he died to fix the koran in the state we find it today.

Average customer rating:

Islam Fur Dummies (Fur Dummies S.)
M. Clark
Manufacturer: Wiley-VCH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 3527702156

Spirituality For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality))

Average customer rating:

Really liked "Spirituality for Dummies"
Great introduction to spirituality!
This book was EXACTLY what I was looking for!!
Good Book - Bad Music
Gets a point across

Spirituality For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality))
Sharon Janis
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0470191422

Amazon.com

Spirituality for Dummies is for smart souls who know that we are all really beginners when it comes to understanding spirituality. Like all books for dummies, the layout is filled with lots of information boxes, bulleted lists, humorous cartoons, quick tips, and pithy quotes (from Marcus Aurelius to George Carlin).

Fortunately, author Sharon Janis put a lot of research into this informative discussion on spiritual growth. As a result, she maintains a solid voice that transcends the cluttered and sometimes superficial format. Spiritual practices, such as yoga and mediation, are briefly explained along with how to cultivate spiritual values and rise above suffering. At times she offers the kindly voice of experience: "When I'm able to give something to another person, I know it is God giving through me. Then, rather than expecting anything in return I am grateful for having been of service." At other times she is the voice of a well-educated teacher: "Ex means 'out of,' while status is a 'fixed condition.' This means that, in a way, the more fixed conditions you have to move out of, the more ecstatic you can become. Therefore every trouble in your life is really a beautiful gift to be unwrapped." --Gail Hudson

Book Description

Spirituality For Dummies, 2nd Edition, gives you the necessary steps and tools to recreate and transform your understanding and your life. This easy-to-follow guide gives you an enlightened spiritual perspective about who you are and why you're here, so you can do more of what you're supposed to do.

Explanations of universal spiritual principles and practices are generously backed up by brilliant and insightful quotes of great thinkers, spiritual teachers, scriptures, and texts from many different religions and traditions.

Spirituality For Dummies, 2nd Edition, gives access to some of the most profound spiritual wisdom in the friendly and familiar style of "...For Dummies" books, complete with humor and icons. However, in this book, instead of warning icons telling you what not to do with your computer, are warnings about traps that keep you from achieving your highest spiritual and personal goals -- such as, "Be yourself, but not your obnoxious self!"

Spirituality For Dummies, 2nd Edition, includes more than 25 percent completely new material, and the entire book has been revised, updated, and polished to be a blockbuster spiritual guide for modern times. New topics address current spiritual fads, the scientific power of prayer, surviving and thriving through adversity, looking at the world with intelligent optimism, and using spiritual principles to understand and improve your life and the world.

Included with every book is an audio CD with inspiring spiritual music from the author, the Agape International Choir, Erik Peterson, the Desert Fathers, Swami Nirvanananda, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Really liked "Spirituality for Dummies".......2007-06-22

Sharon is humorous as well as informative and wise...definitely this book is a keeper. That's all I have to say for the spitiual seekers out there.

Great introduction to spirituality!.......2007-06-08

This book is a great introduction to spiritual concepts which has helped me begin a spiritual journey. The book presents a different way of looking at the world, which is helpful to me since I was raised in a traditional Christian environment.

This book has given me enough background information to understand more complicated texts, which is exactly why I bought it.

The author does a great job of incorporating traditions and sayings from many different religions. It is well written and easy to understand - even humorous!

This book was EXACTLY what I was looking for!!.......2007-02-07

After years of wondering what the meaning of life was, and what my purpose here on earth is, I found this book! It helped me uncover the world of spirituality, which in turn helped me answer some of these most fundamental questions!

The book is such an easy read, and the author has a brilliant sense of humor. I often reference the book over and over, for information on certain specific subjects, which is very easy to do in the "Dummies" format. It is also written to embrace all religions, non-religions, races, genders, etc. It truly is a book for everyone!

I recommend this book to anyone seeking to grow spiritually, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (and still do)!

Good Book - Bad Music.......2006-11-04

I found this a good read in better understanding of the subject. It is a good beginning.

BUT the CD is worthless. The music is an insult to all the wonderful types of music that could have been included to support the search for a more spiritual life. Where is Mozart, Japanese flute, or Tibetan, etc.?

Gets a point across.......2006-09-13

While I was hoping for a more traditional, religious description of spirituality in Spirituality for Dummies, the end result that I found was also fairly illuminating. One of the common themes in many religions is a quest for what we call spirituality, roughly meaning a sense of universal connection and enlightenment. Author Sharon Janis has described this phenomenon focusing on spirituality directly rather than as an aspect of some particular religion or by comparison to any theology, though she does relate it somewhat more to Eastern traditions than to Western ones.

From the start her focus is on the ordinary, individual practitioner. In the context here, spirituality is a somewhat new-age experience (however old the traditions are elsewhere in the world). It relates to a notion of letting go of physical and material attachments. The word `attachment' is key, and Janis reiterates the common notion that anything in moderation is probably unproblematic. It boils down to the notion that if one never expects anything, one is never disappointed. Put another way, you can't take it with you. Put another way, ... the list of well-known sayings is quite long and familiar. Janis organizes her words well, and tries to relate an abundance of suggestions and ideas to a wide variety of issues in life. She does fall into the common-enough habit of `reminding' the reader of how unhappy he is with a `materialistic' or `consumer' culture. We can infer then that the target audience is one that has already accepted, implicitly or otherwise, that several aspects of Western Civilization are known to be flawed, harmful, or unproductive of overall happiness. Anyone satisfied with his or her own life is unlikely to be swayed by the book. On the other hand, many of these sayings, expanded and commented upon here, can provide some concise reminders that we should occasionally step back and examine our priorities. Sometimes thinking about our position in the universe and our relation to other people can serve as a reality-check. That much I think is accessible to any reader. For the rest, I'd venture to say that the reader will get out of Spirituality for Dummies as much as he is already ready to take in.

Islam for dummies; Thumbnail sketch of the religion.(Focus): An article from: Winnipeg Free Press

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Islam for dummies; Thumbnail sketch of the religion.(Focus): An article from: Winnipeg Free Press
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000UWX820
Release Date: 2007-08-08

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Winnipeg Free Press, published by Thomson Gale on August 8, 2007. The length of the article is 1101 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Islam for dummies; Thumbnail sketch of the religion.(Focus)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Winnipeg Free Press (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 8, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: a11

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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