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Testimonial
Cort Reynolds's Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball is a thorough and wide-ranging trivia game book that will appeal to both the casual fan and hardcore Bird admirer alike. Helpfully divided into categories of difficulty (from lay-ups to three-pointers), this in-depth look at Bird's career as player and coach not only poses questions about particular playoff series and individual games, it also delves into the enigmatic superstar's psyche and sense of humor. By offering 250 mini-categories, readers can choose either to play to their strengths or take their chances on more esoteric matters surrounding Larry Legend. Either way, those who play Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball will come away from this comprehensive game book with a better appreciation for and understanding of one of the NBA's all-time greats.
Dr. Robert Scott, Professor of English,
Ohio Northern University
Insightful new game/book a must for Bird watchers and fans!
ADA, Ohio – Larry Bird’s 1992 retirement left a large void the NBA has never truly recovered from, but his fans now have a chance to re-live the legend’s career via a new trivia game book.
Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball is not just a meticulously researched tribute and probe into the life and career of the all-time hoop great – it is also a fun, multi-layered simulated hoop game played through 1,000 far-ranging multiple choice questions sprung from the mind of a kindred Hoosier.
Author Cort Reynolds has penned five other trivia game books, but feels this is his best one yet. “First of all, Larry Bird is my favorite athlete ever and I feel a close kinship with him,” said the game’s creator, an accomplished player born in Bloomington, not far from Larry’s hometown in the hoops-crazed state.
That kinship, along with a serious, scout’s knowledge of basketball, players and a similar on-court game helped Reynolds gain unique insight to the Hoosier legend, which he tries to convey through his topics, questions and answers. The author’s love of fun competition, games and Bird’s versatile play then led to this unique book.
The questions, with correspondingly insightful and detailed answers on the back of each of the 120 pages, are separated into over 200 four-query mini categories such as Bird Buzzer Beaters, Larry vs. Magic, Terre Haute Couture, and Instant Classic: 1984 Finals.
Many other categories also closely trace Bird’s upbringing in poverty-stricken rural southern Indiana to his aborted stint at Indiana University and onto All-American status at Indiana State, then to his Hall of Fame career with the Celtics and beyond.
“One of the more challenging aspects of writing the book was to come up with good incorrect answers that don’t make it too easy or too incredibly hard,” said Reynolds.
A game board comprises the reverse side of the front and back covers, which are appropriately adorned by a replica of Bird’s front and back Celtic road jersey. The basketball court/game board also features several spots on it that denote exact places on the floor where Larry made some of his most memorable plays such as the steal in 1987 vs. Detroit in the final seconds of Game 5 vs. their fierce Eastern Finals, among his many other great moments.
Reynolds has at least 30 of Bird’s Boston games on tape and has watched and studied everything he can on the enigmatic hoops maven, from several biographies to articles to TV specials and other archives. He used all these and a prodigious memory as fodder for the over 1,000 questions, which are of varying difficulty just like different “shots” in a basketball game (see abbreviated version of rules after this article).
Bird’s repeated late-game heroics, from improbable buzzer beaters to great steals, are the stuff of NBA legend.
“But one of my most respected memories of Larry playing is that after he barely missed a hurried, off balance 24-footer at the buzzer of game 4 in the 1987 NBA Finals (which would have won the game and evened their series with LA 2-2), he was immediately surrounded by celebrating Lakers. He had just made a clutch three from the corner seconds before to give Boston a two-point lead and showed no emotion.
“Instead of crying foul, falling to the floor or throwing a tantrum after missing such a big shot that essentially ended their chance to win consecutive titles (with Boston legendarily banged-up with serious injuries), Larry just walked off the court and never broke stride or made an excuse.”
Bird’s legacy has only increased since his retirement after the 1992 Olympics.
“I think part of why Larry’s legend has grown is that he excelled in areas of the game that were in sharp decline after he retired, such as passing, shooting and unselfish play,” Reynolds offered.
“I have long felt Larry was the last great mythic player in basketball,” he continued. “He played just before the ESPN era started, so he was never on TV until the end of his senior year.
“What made Bird so great, in part, was that no matter how highly he achieved, people always said he wasn’t good enough to make it at the next level. And that really motivated him to practice harder and compete harder than anyone and never give up, through all sorts of adversity and injury.
“I think that constant lack of respect really hit him at his core, being someone who was pretty poor, very skinny, not prototypically handsome and from a very small town.”
The game questions also veer off slightly to Hoosier and Celtics hoop history, into his Boston teammates and biggest rivals. Many questions revolve around quotes by and from other great players and coaches about Larry.
“You could argue that the three greatest all-around players of the first (Wooden), second (Oscar Robertson) and third (Larry Bird) trimesters of the 20th century are from Indiana,” said Reynolds. “I am not sure any other state can legitimately make that claim, and it does not have a huge population base. You know, 17 of the 20 biggest high school gyms in the world are in Indiana, with the largest in New Castle being over 9,400 seats.
“So you can see how a very determined, proud guy from a hoops-crazy state, who suffered some unique problems, used them to motivate and will himself into a great player.”
The game/book should provide countless hours of fine memories and brainteasers for Bird watchers and aficionados.
“I liken Larry to a throwback in terms of his unselfishness, great fundamental skills and willful, no-nonsense, cerebral play – but also as a futuristic artist due to his flair for the dramatic and great improvisational skills when they were needed, especially in his passing and shot-making, his touch, feel and mind for the game.
“Like ex-Olympic coach/Celtic president Dave Gavitt said, no one played the game from the top of his head to the tip of his fingers like Larry. I like to think my book/game is a tribute to all of that, and more.”
LARRY LEGEND NOSTALGIA BASKETBALL
PARTIAL RULES OF PLAY Copyright Cort Reynolds 2008
There are many ways of playing Larry Legend Nostalgia Basketball, which contains over 1,000 probing, knowledgeable and intriguing questions on all aspects of Larry Bird’s career separated into over 200 mini-categories.
The most preferred method of play is to cut out the 50 play cards in the back (plus 10 overtime cards if needed in case of a tie), shuffle them and then place them upside down on the playing court, which is comprised of the detached inside cover. Then to start play you take the top card off the deck, with the younger player going first. They turn over the top card and do what it says as if playing a game of basketball…This continues on until the play card deck is exhausted. The player with the most points wins. Or you can use each play deck as a half, shuffle them again and start over. Questions are given in order throughout the book, with corresponding answers on the back of each page of questions. In case of a tie, shuffle and use the 10 special overtime play cards, with the older player getting first possession.
Sample questions with categories in bold
AMBIDEXTROUS BIRD
Dunk-True or false: Larry was once named the AP Left-handed Athlete of the Year in the late 1980s. A) True B) False
BIRD 7th GAMES
Free throw-Against what team did Larry Legend play his last game against in Game 7 of the 1992 Eastern Conference semifinals? A) Detroit B) Cleveland C) Chicago
NOTES & NUMBERS
Jumper-Whose retired jersey did Bird always stare at during the national anthem at the Boston Garden?*extra point-what number was it
A) Bill Russell B) John Havlicek C) Phil Esposito D) Bobby Orr
KNIGHT SCHOOL
3-pointer-What Hoosier hotshot spurned Bob Knight’s last scholarship offer to Indiana, which only then did he extend to Bird in 1974?*extra point-where did this player go to college instead
A) Roy Taylor B) Steve Collier C) Kyle Macy D) Walter Jordan E) Wayne Walls
Sample answers...
AMBIDEXTROUS BIRD
Dunk-A) True. Although he played right-handed, Larry does many normal everyday tasks left-handed and was a frequent ambidextrous passer and shooter.
BIRD 7th GAMES
Free throw-B) Larry Legend played his last game at Cleveland in Game 7 of the 1992 Eastern Conference semifinals, which the hot-shooting Cavaliers won 122-104.
NOTES & NUMBERS
Jumper-D) Bird always stared at the retired number 4 jersey of classy Boston Bruin hockey great Bobby Orr which hung in the rafters of the Boston Garden during the national anthem.
KNIGHT SCHOOL
3-pointer-B) Hoosier high school standout Steve Collier spurned Bob Knight’s last scholarship offer to Indiana in 1974, which the IU mentor then extended to Bird. Collier went to Cincinnati but didn’t achieve stardom. Macy, Walls and Jordan all went to Purdue. Indiana native Macy, who wanted to go to IU but was not recruited by Knight, ended up transferring to Kentucky and leading the Wildcats to the 1978 NCAA title. Knight later said it was a big mistake not to recruit Macy, and chose him to play for his USA team in the Pan Am Games at Puerto Rico in 1979.
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REVIEW:
Today's world is packed with confused and hurting people. People who
live their lives in quiet desperation, people who desire happiness through
self-improvement, freedom from dead-end jobs and unrewarding
relationships...people who long for sound mental health advice, but are
floundering in a sea of pop-psychologists, writers and radio counselors who
offer "quick-fix" solutions to life's problems.
There
are massive numbers of despairing people who want to know: "Where can I find
realistic solutions? Where do I go after I've spent years and a small fortune on
therapy? Which route do I take when every turn ends up a dead-end? What do I do
when I'm finally sick and tired of being sick and tired?"
For everyone who is asking these questions there is something new and
different...in the form of a book written by
Patricia L. Zerman, MS, LPC. Through the comical antics of Rutgar and Rocky,
a detective and his dog, readers are taken straight to the heart of the matter
the same way the "Laser Lady" works with her clients. Those who make the journey
to Misery with the P.I. and his pooch will learn what being selfish with a
capital "S" is all about and come to understand the concept of Self-love. The
book emphasizes the absolute necessity and extreme importance of putting your
Self first...it clarifies what happens when you abandon you!
It's
a book offering effective tools to help deal with and minimize fear, depression,
anxiety, anger, guilt, or any number of emotions that cloud lives. The humorous
manner and light-hearted illustrations show how continued crisis and chaos can
be eliminated and provides a way to experience freedom and fulfillment. It
pushes readers to change by risking... making new choices and doing things
differently. In the final analysis, Twelve Guaranteed Ways To Stay
Miserable (Or Change) helps struggling people discover the truth about
themselves...and if they are willing, leads them to unimagined heights of
personal and spiritual growth.
It's a book that teaches you how to risk being you!
Forward:
“The story of Rutgar and Rocky is about a new way of looking at the
world and yourself. Patricia Zerman cleverly and entertainingly gives you
practical and easy to understand tools that can apply to every aspect of your
life. The cartoons and the large print make for easy reading. If you want to get
rid of being miserable and live a life that demonstrates the truth,
unconditional love, happiness and peace, this is the book that was meant for
you.”
Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D.
Author of “Love Is Letting Go of Fear”
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SYNOPSIS
Sadhana... The Odyssey of a young Westerner who follows the call of his soul to India - the land of ancient and spiritual wisdom of the East.
During the next months, he travels from the hotlands of Southern India to the source of the Ganges river in the Himalayas. Along the way, he meets holy men and spiritual teachers, travels and learns the discipline of detachment with a sadhu, and attends India’s most sacred religious festival, the Kumbha Mela.
The result is a compelling docudrama about India. The scenes shot at the Kumbha Mela offer never before seen footage of the millions of pilgrims and holy men converging at the sacred basin of the Brahma Kund. It gives us a glimpse at the living spirit of Hinduism.
In it’s North American release, Sadhana drew an enthusiastic response. Commentators compared it in scope and impact to such films as Siddharta and Meetings with Remarkable Men. Step-by-step, it takes us all Back to the Source.
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EDITORIAL COMMENTS France Lafuste (Le Devoir, Montreal)
“In our increasingly impersonal world of computers, multinational corporations and ecological chaos, it is logical for an individual to search for a meaning in his life. Some will search for it in ritualized religion while others will strive to find it in ancient Eastern belief systems more closely aligned with nature. Sadhana teaches us to understand the world by understanding the self, for while the world may be in turmoil, our minds and spirits need not to be.” Alan Dexter (Festival Review, Toronto) “The film offers some vivid illustrations of Hindu traditions. The visual of sacred Indian people, events, caves and mountains are impressive. Coverage of the Kumbha Mela is especially powerful.” Douglas Todd (The Vancouver Sun) “This movie provides a starting place on the road to inner awareness.” Eric Noll (New Texas Magazine)
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Review
INTRODUCTION
Life after death. What topic has elicited more mystery, fear, wonder and speculation from mankind?
Our earliest recorded history tells of concern with the possibility of an afterlife and what may come after the final frontier of death is crossed. Once mankind evolved to the level of abstract thought (beyond the all-consuming imperative for survival), the human mind turned to the search for truth and meaning. Wondering, our ancient ancestors cast their eyes upward to the heavens. One mystery seemed to lead on to another:
· What were these luminous bodies - sun, moon and stars that established order with their predictable cycles?
· What forces created day, night, and the seasons?
· How did human mortality reflect these natural, but mysterious processes?
· Once swallowed up in death, did the light of human existence remain forever eclipsed, or, like the rising sun and the phases of the new moon, did it return?
· What indeed were birth and death and what came after?
The purpose of this book is to search out the possibilities that such ancient speculation engendered. This investigation proceeds from the assertion that Life itself not only survives physical death, but is in a very real sense the only force and reality. On the soul's emergence from the material plane, far greater possibilities than the conventional notions of Heaven and Hell await.
Many people believe that when the body dies, the soul either proceeds through the Pearly Gates to a blissful, Edenic Heaven or through the Gates of Hell to a far less pleasant destination. The possibility that neither of these places exist as conventionally understood is explored in this book. We will investigate the possibility that an all-loving Source exists, a Being who wants to experience all possible modes of existence and so projects Itself into countless individual manifestations. These modes of existence encompass not only life on this plane and planet, but on infinite others, beyond anything we can even imagine.
On Planet Earth, this Being sent forth fragments and sparks of its own divine energy in order to create this one model, that of human experience.
(Please note: The use of the pronoun "It" for this Supreme Being signifies only that we have no reason to believe that gender is relevant to the Force behind all creation, and thus encompasses, both male and female. It is not used disrespectfully!)
What if, in the beginning, we were divine energy? Sparks from that original Oneness who, in the process of having a Human experience here on Planet Earth, got stuck here? What would that drama look like – and how could we escape the trap?
This book posits the theory that there is indeed the possibility for escape from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. By exploring the history of Earth's ancient mythologies, and the concept of specific roles the Soul plays out here, we can be shown the path of return to our original loving Source.
This is not a book on mythology or astrology, but both will be used to help explain these concepts and connections. Playing the divine role you were originally meant to play, and thus connecting with your true Soul, is of great importance to you as an individual and for all of us collectively as mankind.
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The core of The Lost Mother Ray emphasizes compassion towards the animal kingdom, including his brother man. It states that cruelty and indifference has been meted out to the animals by mankind for many millennia. If this continues there can never be lasting peace.
The Lost Mother Ray has biblical overtones dealing with the very essence of life itself, offering answers to questions posed by many truth-seeking individuals. This is definitely a book for those seeking inner understanding.
Communion with the angelic worlds is second nature to Rosemary Maidwell-Dodd, but she stresses that a quality of discernment is necessary when dealing with the elemental kingdom.
For many years she has been involved in animal welfare, both administratively and practically, and countless rescued birds and animals have spent the rest of their natural lives under her roof if non-releasable into the wild. Angels responsible for the animal and bird kingdom have never failed to respond to her calls for help, especially during a creature’s last moments.
Her intuitive understanding of esoteric astrology has been a source of help and guidance to many people.
Rosemary relinquished a career as a professional singer, choosing instead the responsibilities of family life.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Donna L. Murrell-Murray earned her B.S. degree in Management from Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado and then went on to attend law school at the University of Denver. The poet lives in Denver and wherever possible she champions women’s issues at the grass roots level encouraging political participation. She began writing poetry at a very tender age to address and release life’s pressures and to express the beauty of her loves. An Anthology of her Poetry “On The Way Up!” was published and released in February 2006. She states her life goal:
To live congenially with human kind, endeavoring to exemplify Christian courtesy and love to my fellow man. Participate in and contribute to life by being a living example of gentle patience, integrity, and above all love. Contributing wherever possible to the ultimate good of family, community, country and the world so that my presence here, as a Woman, will be a shining light of good and hope for a better today and tomorrow.
Ultimately to self actualize; I desire to perpetuate the cause of my savior Jesus Christ through poetic verse spiritually discerned.
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REVIEW:
87 Things Teenagers Should Know ... is a dynamic book inspiring Teenagers, ages 16 and older, with encouragement and practical reasons to make good decisions in life. It promotes "common sense" and "positive choices" by persuading the conscious to look at both sides of a dilemma and demonstrating what could happen when bad choices are made.
Because Teens are bombarded with movies, television, video games, radio and peer pressure that program them with unrealistic views, these chapters discuss the moral realities of living in this world. It makes them aware of the harmful affects this negative conditioning has had on their future.
The book speaks on topics such as:
Anger, Apologies, Arguments, Body Language, Cleaning, College, Confidence, Credit Cards, Dating, Depression, Drugs & Driving, Fear, Fitness, Gossip, Hygiene, Making Mistakes, Military, Parties, Pregnancy, Role Models, Saving Money, Sexual Exploitation, STD's, Wounded Hearts, Careers and Driving. Other sections include: Helpful Web-sites and Words to know.
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Lindsey Parkman
“Lindsey,” dad said, leaning forward in the recliner with his head down, hands clasped between his knees, “you may not like this advice but I want you to think about it. A woman who steals time away from a man’s wife is just living in a dream world.” He looked up at me as he went on, “You’re only a temporary band-aid on whatever ails the marriage at the moment, you‘re just an assistant wife.”
Sara Winslow
I’m tired of being the other woman. I want to be the one Omar comes home to every night and cuddles up to. I want to be the one waiting at the door to say, “Hi Honey, what kind of day did you have?” We’ll hug and kiss, have dinner, watch t.v., shower together, then go to bed. We’d probably make love four or five times a week, sometimes in the morning before he goes off to work. Yeah, I know, corny crap; But it’s all I want.
Loretta Springs (Whittley)
Did I just tell my husband I want to meet his mistress? Impossible. Is this who Loretta Whittley is? I wanted to find out who Loretta was and what she was all about, but can this be her? A faithful, dutiful wife of 30 years who wants to meet her husband’s mistress who’s pregnant and less than half her age?
Apparently so because Benny was saying how much he wanted us to be able to work out our problems and stay together. He didn’t think he would be much of a man without me. What kind of 63-year old man-shaped bastard would impregnate a toddler and ask his wife to continue with the marriage, workout the problems and stay together?
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REVIEW:
With the recent exposure of "The Secret" and its philosophy on the Oprah Winfrey Show, I am certain that you attracted this information at a great time! We all want to learn more about how to incorporate these teachings into our daily journey.
I am excited to share with you, my new audio program, "How to Heal Yourself Instantly with Results Beyond Your Wildest Dreams. INCLUDING, The 4 Simple Steps to Self-Healing, Abundance and Change!"
With my 4 simple steps, this program goes well beyond the understanding of "The Secret". I become your personal coach as you discover how to heal yourself with ease. You will learn practical tools with powerful and experiential healing processes never before available on CD ... Until Now!
"Your decision to change your life and obtain this program today will be the precursor to your immeasurable success!" ~ Joshua Bloom
As a client, this program will help you heal yourself naturally as it teaches you how to do Quantum Healing. As a healing professional or coach, it will help you to enhance your skills with cutting-edge practitioner tools.
Actually learn Quantum Healing through a method created by Joshua Bloom called, Quantum Energy Transformation™, an amazing Drug-FREE approach to cellular change at Quantum Speeds!
Joshua has learned what truly makes healing happen and has taken the powerful components from various healing modalities to create Quantum Energy Transformation™.
He has created a collage of healing concepts and
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Whether you are someone who requires healing or a person who wants to help others, this program is for you. All other books and programs just talk about Quantum Healing. This is one of the only audio programs available today about Quantum Healing that actually teaches you how to do Quantum Healing!
You will get 4 audio CD's filled with information and experiential learning that will teach you how to heal yourself and guide you to create ultimate success.
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You will also get a set of eight and a half by eleven "information cards" that will be useful to you as you learn the process and will serve as great reminders for you later. No need to take notes!
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As humans, we feel safe when we know what to expect. This CD trains your unconscious mind to expect what comes next, which brings us into a deeper relaxation and openness, which is useful for Quantum Healing. It can also be used as background music while you work in an office, while engaging in self-healing and when working with others.
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Review:
A tragedy like 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina can severely impact a person's life. How are people that are inflicted with a disease able to deal during a tragedy and get their needed medication? This is a step-by-step guide for a company to build a plan to take care of their patients during a time of tragedy. There will be No Excuses when it comes to people getting their much needed medication during a tragedy.
From my perspective No Excuses! is a book that provides answers instead of playing the blame game. Today many people focus on who to blame after a tragedy strikes, whereas this book provides an answer to a tragedy before it happens.
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I’m a substitute teacher in a large American city, mostly at inner-city schools. Probably because the students are all about the same age and, except for the few who work minimum wage jobs, are equally without income, occasionally (and cautiously for fear the school authorities will suspect my subversion) I’m able to imagine a classless, egalitarian community with sufficient vividness to convince myself as well as my students that what I have merely imagined has actually come to pass, namely, that the students seated before me and I have somehow dissolved the world of rank and social status that hamstrings our attempts to deal fairly with each other and, along with everyone else, cooperatively own the global enterprise called life on earth. For several minutes the class and I exist in a state of trance. I present my case so simply and eloquently to them that I cannot believe it is I who speaks. And they on their part listen and respond so generously and articulately that they cannot believe it is they who attend. And although our camaraderie is transient and unconsecrated no one leaves the room without feeling that for a few moments we attained a high spiritual state.
That I can invoke a few moments of classless society by merely imagining it gives me a glimmer of hope that the various social, political and economic institutions all of us create in order to tolerate living together are shaped by different spiritual ultimatums we deliver to ourselves from which we imagine there is no appeal. That means to me that however massive its public edifices; however myriad the megatons of brick and marble, granite and concrete that reify the political state and make it a colossus, the entire conglomeration floats precariously inside a bubble of faith such that should the bubble burst, the state turns to rubble. Sermon On The Flats is my attempt to prick that bubble.
My thesis is that universal belief in fortune or luck constitutes the primary religion of mankind. The universality of the belief is, I think, beyond question. Moreover, I strongly suspect that when the people of one culture or another worship the gods or God–and I include here secular concepts such as manifest destiny and personal fate–they in fact are worshipping fortune under one guise or another. Since an examination of the various cultures of the world is beyond my competence, I have focused primarily on ancient Roman culture–supplemented by references to ancient Greek and medieval history–because, thanks largely to the detailed narrative of the Roman historian Livy, the domination of the idea of fortune as the primary object of worship in all periods of Roman history is, in my opinion, clear beyond doubt.
It is likewise my contention that the fortune worship of ancient Rome is an early example of the veneration of fortune that continues unabated today not only privately among individuals but publicly among nations. Fortune worship is the state religion of every nation. For if history is the blow by blow, war by war description of the scramble to control the limited resources on earth, then whichever nation or block of nations finally monopolizes those resources will be hailed “Champion of History,” not because it enjoys moral superiority over other nations (although no doubt it will lay claim to it) but because it has the good fortune to possess the physical capabilities required and to deploy its forces with the timing necessary to conquer the planet. Lady Luck crowns the winner. And because she rules history and hence determines which nation survives and which goes under, she, as it were, holds the patent on the adoration of public officials (and their constituents) the world over, while the founders of the afterlife religions like Moses, Buddha, Jesus and Mohammed merely possess the franchise for dominion over the fortuneless and unextraditable dead. For this reason I believe that the fortune worship of Rome is merely an early phase of the fortune worship of the planet Earth.
Because the natural resources of the earth are limited, but in every generation everyone engages in pursuing their happiness to the fullest extent, a pursuit whose expense is charged against those very resources, then, inasmuch as the scarcer the resources the stricter will be the control over them, with the upper limit of control being perfect monopoly, the planet seems destined to submit itself to and be ruled by the fortune of a single person or group of persons at the head of a single institution which monopolizes those limited resources, backed up by a massive military force. The alternative to fortune worship (and to the dictatorship of the planet Earth) is fairness worship–that is, that as the result of a spiritual upheaval occurring at the same time as a social one, blind faith in fortune which fuels fortune worship will dissolve into a sense of camaraderie in the face of existential incomprehensibles equally dumbfounding to all, a spiritual egalitarianism which will express itself in an economic one; in the universal cooperative ownership of those precious resources. Fortune versus fairness: the history of the world is the story of this conflict which has yet to be resolved.
Shakespeare characterizes our general situation as full of sound and fury signifying nothing. It can also prove to be full of sweetness and light and still signify nothing. We freely choose how the nothingness is to feel depending on how we feel about merging our fortunes into one and owning it cooperatively as against having a single fortune imposed on us from above by a superior. Each pursuing his or her happiness independently of all others (as everyone has always done in every period of history) is a luxury the earth can no longer afford. Be that as it may, because everyone has always done so, it follows that by vicariously experiencing in hindsight the history of any culture to which one is attracted–in our case Rome–one steeps oneself in the very same brew that threatens daily in our own time to boil over and annihilate us. How to consolidate the fortunes of all without subordinating one fortune to another: that’s the real question posed to the modern Oedipus by the sphinx. But because of our infatuation with luck we are no closer to addressing the problem–not to mention solving it–than the Romans. It is the primitiveness of our own times that keeps ancient history current.
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REVIEW:
At Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, stands the Portland Head Light. This spectacular lighthouse is the granddaddy of all lighthouses and one of the most recognizable historic structures in the U.S. With its cupola-like top and whitewashed stone base, it stands as a powerful beacon—one with a long history.
Timothy E. Harrison, the cofounder and editor of Lighthouse Digest and the president of the American Lighthouse Foundation, is a particular fan of the Portland Head Light. In Portland Head Light: A Pictorial Journey Through Time, he has created a charming and comprehensive scrapbook. A compilation of letters, photos, architectural drawings, historical documents, and memoirs from keepers who lived there, the book explores the rich history of the lighthouse beginning with its construction in 1791.
This full-color, paperback book includes information on the building and various renovations of the lighthouse and its accompanying keeper’s house; surprisingly, the tower was lowered by twenty feet and returned to its original height, twice. Harrison also tells the stories of the keepers at Portland Head Light: their uniforms, their duties, and the difficult work necessary to keep the light shining brightly. Three generations of the Strout family served as keepers here, and Harrison relates their stories, along with those of later keepers. His respect for those who kept the light burning is palpable.
Harrison delights in sharing tales of the lighthouse: how it absorbed a 60-foot tidal wave, how Henry Wordsworth Longfellow found his inspiration for the poem “The Lighthouse” here, even stories about the dogs that belonged to the keepers. This wealth of information compliments the many photographs of the lighthouse, both historic and contemporary. Those by Maine photographer Michael Francis Berry are particularly spectacular. A spread of historic advertising featuring the lighthouse backs up Harrison’s claim that the Portland Head Light was used to promote more products and services than any other lighthouse in the world.
While Portland Head Light makes for a delightful browse, Harrison’s nearly overwhelming attention to detail ensures that it offers the most to those with an interest in maritime history or historic preservation. It is a worthy addition to the coffee table or the bookcase.
BookWire Review
September 18, 2OO6
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Review:
PLANET EARTH IN THE YEAR 2035
faces problems ranging from global warming and rising sea levels to overpopulation, hunger, corporate greed, and religious and political strife. One night a glowing blue-white cloud appears in the sky. In the same direction, a mysterious source of deadly gamma rays is detected. Are these signs of the Judgment Day, an alien invasion or something even more catastrophic? Join mild-mannered astronomer Dr. R. Cooper Smythe as he journeys to the outer reaches of the solar system in search of an answer.
“The Cloud of Doom is a fast-moving sci-fi adventure that has serious points to make, as well.”
– John Keenan, Book Review Editor,
“[The Cloud of Doom is] a highly compelling story . . . The dialogue is superb, and the narrative is a lot of fun as well as being intellectually intriguing.”
– Stanley P. Baldwin, freelance editor and co-author of
“If you like unconventional heroes and villains, an original plot and colorful descriptions, then The Cloud of Doom is the book for you.”
Kay Oswalt, writer and critic
“The Cloud of Doom is a page-turner. The vile Rev. Bobby Summers/Winters is a truly evil character, and Randall Cooper Smythe is a subtle, thinking-man's hero. I hope there will be a sequel. I want to know more!”
Richard W. Hungerford, Jr., genealogist and financial services representative
In The Cloud of Doom, a threat from outside our solar system causes a world-wide panic. People react to 'The Cloud,' often in destructive ways, based on their personal, ethnic, religious or philosophical biases. In addition, we become aware of the prevalence and magnitude of the worsening environmental crises. Will civilization survive? What will happen to the main characters, Coop, Moira and Gupta? I'm looking forward to a sequel.”
– Dr. Janet Waage Lingren, psychotherapist
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REVIEW:
Marian Publications Presents:
The Conflict Between the North and the South
Part I:
The North & the South and Secession
Who Was in the Right?
A unique examination from a traditional Christian (and Biblical) view of authority.
Despite the other issues involved, the conflict between the North and South was fundamentally and primarily about authority. Where and/or in whom does political authority actually reside?
· Was Abraham Lincoln correct when he stated that the Federal government possessed the constitutional authority to keep (i.e., coerce) the States from seceding?
· Did "honest Abe" misrepresent the facts when he declared that the Southern States had no constitutional right to secede?
· If the States had the right to secede, was it because of the idea that sovereignty resides in the people? Or does sovereignty (i.e., authority) reside elsewhere?
· Did Lincoln deceive the American people when he insisted that the war was to "preserve the Union"?
· Would the Union really have been destroyed had the Southern States successfully withdrawn?
· Did Lincoln misrepresent the facts when he declared that the Southern States had established a "force employed for the destruction by force" of the Federal government?
· Did "honest Abe" misrepresent the facts to justify his aggressive war policy against the South?
· Who was the true aggressor, the South or the North?
· Is aggression determined only by gun fire?
· Was the war really fought over slavery as most Americans think?
In this concise examination of cause and right, Adam Miller, using the traditional Christian and biblical principles of authority, answers these and other questions concerning this pivotal conflict in U. S. history. This is the first of a four part series on the conflict between the North and the South.