Equinox Books

Aleister Crowley devoted several years to blending the Aim of Religion with the Method of Science, publishing his findings in a ten-volume series Equinox from 1909-13. While his complete production is rarely available, this thick one-volume GEMS FROM THE EQUINOX gathers some of the most important writings from the set, reproducing them for new age collections serious about Crowley's writings. Regardie, Crowley's one-time secretary and biographer, provides an authentic and serious tone to over a thousand pages of writings perfect for beginners as well as advanced Crowley students and any student of Golden Dawn or Occultism.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Hail Brothers and Sisters!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review.

There really is no phraseolgy I can use to adequately tell you how highly I think of Aleister Crowley and what he has done for me and all those who I care about. YOU.

My GOD. My GOD. My GOD! Nothing can be said enough for a hard copy confirmation of your deepest intuitions. This book and the book "YOU ARE GOD, Get Over It" by Story Waters are the 2 most important volumes in my extensive spiritual library, which I've been collecting for the past 25 years. Not including The Bible (I was Christened in the Baptist church as a child).

Aleister - If I may take liberties - Hum! This man paved the way for the Messiah! I like to be called Tony. It's more personnable. When Aleister showed me the way it became infintely easier for me because this man knew what he was talking about. And he still does! I thought I was lucky to be a Probationer when I picked up this book. I was really an Adeptus Exemptus.

Thanks to to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Aethers outlined in the Vision and The Voice I quickly rose up the ranks of Ipussymus. Whoops! I think I mispelled that. Aleister had a great sense of humor and if you read the book reveiws at the back of this tome you will see that.

[...]
The deepest peace unto you, and keep up The Great Work!

Yours truly,

Tony.

Let us tersely and conveniently sum up the virtues...

1. For Golden Dawn people, Regardie describes this volume as the companion to his 'Golden Dawn' collection, whether you prefer the Llewellyn, or the more complete New Falcon Press edition. He does so in his newer introduction to his 'The Tree of Life,' and in another book, no doubt soon to be reprinted, called 'The One Year Manual.'

2. Regardie saw 'Gems' as a permanent addition to the Golden Dawn students shelf. Along with Crowley's original 'Magick in Theory and Practise,' he saw these two volumes as containing an immense amount of worthy material that could take the student a lifetime to assimilate and use. He makes this observation at the beginning of a volume entitled 'Ceremonial Magic,' hopefully soon to be reprinted.
The new edition of Crowley's 'Magick' isn't quite what Regardie had in mind for the student. He used to recommend the inexpensive Castle Books edition of 'Magick,' which still occasionally can be found (there is also a smaller paperback Dover books edition floating around, currently out-of-print.) Regardie really wasn't interested in seeing sincere students 'loading themselves down with lots of expensive books.'
(Regardie also write a short introduction for an edition of the first 2 parts of the currently available blue covered edition of 'Magick,' back in 1969. I am unaware if this smaller book is still in print.)
(Part 4 of Book 4 was 'The Equinox of the Gods.' I am unaware of Regardie ever writing any introduction to this book, in any edition. Sangraal Press may have released one in the late 60s/ early 70s. In any event, Regardie does not seem to consider it absolutely essential to understanding the most useful parts of the Crowley corpus. Regardie mentions 'The Equinox of the Gods' but little in his writings.)

3. 'Gems' distinguishes itself, as is noted above on this web page in the 'Book Description,' as enabling 'the student to find his way through the maze more easily.' It does this by dividing the different materials from the original Equinox into seperate sectioned subject areas within the same volume.

4. It is to be noted that Regardie has pointed out that Crowley's personality (!) made his material difficult to properly assimilate for the beginning student - and perhaps for a few advanced students as well. One will find that, in many cases, this is also true for the way Crowley composed much of the magickal material in 'Gems.' Separating the fiery and uneven Crowley from his material becomes part of the difficulty of the project: 'herein the task, herein the toil.'

5. New Falcon, at one point in the 80s, reprinted 'Gems' minus a certain amount of Regardie's introductory material. I think this is a mistake. I hate to sound purist, but we ultimately have little enough Regardie material as it is. We are all thankful, however, for New Falcon's Regardie efforts. See my recent review for 'The Complete Golden Dawn' volume published by New Falcon.

6. Thelemites will no doubt find 'Gems' useful. The bulk of them, however, will probably opt, at least eventually, for the full set of 'The Equinox' volumes entire.

7. As he reprinted much of Crowley's work, Regardie was often consulted or referred to as a Thelemite. Regardie objected to this, and clarified: 'I'm a Golden Dawn man !'

8. Many will be glad to know ahead of time, that the version of 'The Vision and the Voice' reprinted in 'Gems,' is not the annotated one that was released later, both in a smaller Regardie edition with intro., and in the later, oversized Weiser Publishers edition ( probably with intro. by the OTOs Hymenaeus Beta.)

9. Finally, some of the magick material reprinted in 'Gems' is actually available in the back of the different editions of Crowley's edition of 'Magick.' This makes no difference, as 'Gems' will organize the material more effectively, in the long run, for many students.

The above should serve, along with the rest of the present reviews, in encouraging the Golden Dawn student to procure this book as soon as he can, and gradually study it as he would his 'Golden Dawn' material.

Remember : sorting out the material is the real challenge here, and gradually assimilating it. One shouldn't rush the process.

So, forewarned is forearmed! Get a copy !

The greatest thing happened when Israel Regardie selelcted these papers from the original Equinox- he made available the most important magickal writings of that enormous first volume of ten installments to the student in one comprehensive collection.

This is sort of a textbook of the Magickal Orders AA and O.T.O., as many of these teachings apply to both orders. Although the author assumes the reader to have a good familiarity with some of these topics, ideas, and practices, much is to be gained in these writings for the complete beginner. A few of the many subjects include basic yoga postures and breathing techniques, various ceremonial rituals, meditations, an Enochian Magick Primer and a guided tour of the Thirty Aethyrs, The Book of The Law and various papers surrounding it - the list goes on. There is something here for every student of Occultism, Mysticism, Magick, Comparative Religion, Theosophy, ad infinitum. This book belongs in the library of every student of the Western Tradition.

If you can only own three books associated with Crowley and his teachings, they would have to be "Magick: Liber ABA," "Magick Without Tears," and "Gems from the Equinox." This is a well organized synthesis of the most highly regarded contents of The Equinox. The reviews at the end are also good reading if you're looking for books on the occult or a good laugh.

Equinox Zero is another excellent entry in the Outlanders series, this time featuring a lost race of Vikings under the polar ice cap.

Lots of action and adventure in this one!

Recommended!

I know bad Outlanders novels are possible but thankfully, they're not frequent.

Equinox Zero is about as good as the series gets, fast-moving, two locales which are about as different as they can be (a tropical Pacific island to Antarctica)with several surprises along the way.

The return of the mad Zakat was a big surprise, since he was one villian I never expected to show up again. What was even more surprising was who he showed up with--not just Vikings, but a lost race of Norse warriors. They are very portrayed very dramatically and colorfully and I wanted to see more of their culture.

The heroes are in fine form, and even Philboyd (one the immigrants from the Moon colony) gets a chance to shine both as an ally of Kane's and possibly a rival for Brigid's affections.

Equinox Zero is winner on all counts.

This latest OL novel features the return of a character that has not been seen for almost five years and was presumed dead. I enjoyed this novel for a number of reasons. First and foremost is that the characters right now are in the midsts of an avalanche of emotional and phsyical changes, that are not going to be easily solved or solved in the near future, which is great. This particular novel in typical OL fashion took of like a cannon shot, on the fourth or fifth page, and didn't seem to slow down at all, until the last three or four pages when the story was wrapping itself up. With a trip to the South pole and a dino hunt that is one of the best written scenes in the entire OL series in my opinion, Equinox Zero has something for everyone. Starting off with Dino hunt that was like something out of Jurassic park only better, and ending in a climatic battle in the middle of the South Pole, this novel couldn't have been better. More of the secrets surrounding Thunder Island are revealed, as well and we learn a bit more about the Cube (the redoubt on Thunder Island.) Secondly this novel returns us to one of my favorite settings, the Artic redoubt on the South Pole which was first introduced in Hell Rising. With the discovery of an old enemy lurking in the shadows, sightings of Vikings raiding all up and down the west coast, and information that the artic ice sheet that makes up most of the south pole threatening to break away and slip into the ocean as cause a new ice age, this novel accelerates to a break neck pace that leaves the reader breathless and somehow feeling satisfied but with the nagging doubt that they missed something in all the excitement. There is bit of rehashed material in this book, but it is information that is essential to the plot, and a bit of a refresher about past novels that have an impact on this latest plot. All in all this book was a great read, which is what most of us have come to associate with Mark Ellis. This one gets a 10 out of 10 from me.

Equinox Zero is a nice filler novel, one where there really isn't anything as drastic as we had with The Dragon Kings and previous novels.

Sure the novel revolves around another world-threatening event, but it's resolved quickly and quite memorably at the end.

We need the occasional -breather- novel as we have had with this one. There is plenty of action, to be sure, but at the same time, there is even more character development, which compliments the action quite beautifully.

The novel begins with Kane and Domi hunting for a prehistoric monster on Thunder Isle, to make the violent and primordial island just a little bit safer for the Cerberus exiles, while they explore the ruins of the Operation Chronos facility.

The author gives even more depth to the outlander girl, Domi, and adds a little tension between her and Kane, as she makes it quite clear that she is interested in him, despite the relationship that has blossomed between her and Lakesh, after Grant rejected her.

Speaking of the ebony giant, he has decided to leave Cerberus, as he is tired of all the fighting and the near endless stress that he's been subjected to. He really doesn't believe that it's his fight, and he just wants to retire, to settle down with Shizuka and the Tigers of Heaven on new Edo.

Another old enemy has apparently arisen from the grave, a man we haven't seen since Iceblood. He managed to find his way to Utlima Thule, a haven of Vikings that has remained essentially untouched for thousands of years. Using his influence, he is trying to take over the isolated civilization, and to bring about another great Deluge, not quite of biblical proportions, but one that would destroy the emerging civilization, plunging the already fragile planet back into another dark age, of which it might not ever recover.

Zakat and a ship of the people from Ultima Thule raid a ship belonging to the Tigers of Heaven, all the while being witnessed by Grant and his new love. That prompts him to return to Cerberus to ask for Kane's help in tracking down the criminal and putting an end to him and his plans once and for all.

Bringing Philboyd with them, they jump to the gateway that was first discovered in Hell Rising. They find the entrance to Ultima Thule and make their way to the underground city. It is very much a lost civilization, even though the Nazi's tried to take it over nearly 250 years previously. Tried, but failed miserably, and paid for their efforts with their lives.

Here, Kane is forced to fight Zakat's lover, a Valkyrie named Sif. It is truly a memorable battle, one which Kane nearly loses his life, but as is the case, the hero triumphs, and not only defeats the woman, but spares her life. Zakat meets his end in a very appropriate manner, and the threat to the world is neatly dealt with.

Keep them coming!

I always wondered by Grigori Zakat never returned after his first appearance in Iceblood, considering the obvious effort involved in creating him.. Now the twisted Russian priest is back to bedevil the Cerberus warriors as they learn Zakat's ultimate goal is to trigger a another ice age and unite the survivors under his rule, his edicts enforced by Norse warriors from the lost land of Ultima Thule!

The set-up for Equinox Zero is terrific, featuring a Kane and Domi team-up on another "Lost World", Thunder Isle which is populated by all sorts of creatures pulled from different epochs of time. I think this element of the Outlanders saga is wonderful, offering many story springboards.

The scenes of Zakat's piracy with the Thulians are exciting. A standout sequence is a sea battle between Zakat's forces and a trading ship from New Edo, which tips off the Cerberus warriors that their old foe is back. Grant's anger directed toward Kane when he learns this is very realistic .

The exotic scenes in the timeless world of Ultima Thule are extremely well- wrought. Mark Ellis portrays the city from the days of ancient Norse mythology with colorful splendor,

There are a lot of high points in this novel: a great villain, excellent characterizations, a fast-paced plot, and incredibly exciting action sequences. Add them together and you have a superior Outlanders novel on every level. A must-read!.

I've never hunted before - game or fowl. I grew up in the city, and have never held a shotgun in my 40 years. I had no understanding of hunting - it's potential for beauty and forging a connection with nature - until I read Dan O'Brien's Equinox.

Dan's connection with nature through falconry is moving, and at times tangible throughout Equinox. He reveals hunting as a truly noble sport - if approached with reverence for nature and respect for predator and prey.

Dan's prose is straightforward, without frills or fancy, well-suited to the rustic life he describes, stalking grouse on the South Dakota plains with bird and dog.

I think most people will enjoy Equinox, regardless of background, but I especially recommend it to people who have negative feelings about hunting but are open to thinking about it in a new way.

I just finished reading the book in two settings, spending most of a Sunday afternoon and Monday evening enjoying this excellent novel. I was captivated by the people, dogs, birds, and environment. This is a must read. I loved it.

I liked this book. At times, there may have been too much emphasis on the dogs, or too much on just falcons (red-tailed hawk coverage would have been great, but the author caters to peregrine falcons, so it is obviously his choice). Regardless, the amount of detailed coverage is impressive and written very well. Fortunately, the author eases you into the detail and doesn't toss it in your lap like some books. Whenever a new falconry term is mentioned in the text, there is a small side-bar definition of that term.

Some have said that the author's attitude gets in the way. When I read the few pages from the website, I also got a little of that. However, when I read the rest of the book, I did not get that at all. Often, appearances can be deceiving.

I was surprised at how good this book was. I expected it to be a primer for my interest in falconry but found it to be so much more. It is a fantastic account of the training of a raptor and the relationship between man and bird. Obviously passionate about his undertaking the author describes the training process in vivid detail making a compelling story to the end. With an equally interesting personal story that parallels his bird of prey adventure this book makes for a very enjoyable read.

Having begun working with birds of prey (in a rehabilitation center) in the last couple of years I have searched for books that gave more personal insights into the practice of falconry. Mr.O'Brien certainly knows his subject and does a fine job of describing the sport and the birds themselves. His accounts of hacking (early training) young peregrines in particular are excellent. I found his descriptions of what can go wrong, as well as right, in the caring and training of these birds quite illuminating and engrossing. His use of falconers-speak is well balanced with the story and the annotations quite helpful for those unfamiliar with the sport.
I unfortunately found the overall concept of a man in midlife attempting to convince the reader that he is on a quest for some sort of middle age epiphany a bit trying. His relationship with his wife - an anesthesiologist who spends the majority of her time in a sleep deprived state, taking hospital call, and generally supporting his rather indulgent and self-centered lifestyle- frustrated me and was distracting from an otherwise interesting story about the training of a gifted young peregrine falcon.
I give much credit to Mr. O'Brien for being a man in touch with nature and clearly environmentally sensitive and conservation oriented. But, as my wife said after finishing the book, he comes across as something of a jerk in his personal life. Given that Mr. O'Brien's skills in describing the beauty of the land he lives on and the animals he has the great privilege of interacting with are most enviable, it's a shame that this aspect diminishes an otherwise excellent story.

Published and updated for the year 2000,this book is nevertheless another "stellar" contribution by author Terrence Dickinson.Spiral-bound,it is easily transported and accessed while out "seeing." Well-presented, and down-to-earth(pardon the reverse pun) for those of us who are newbies to this most wonderful adventure of amateur astronomy.Dark skies!

This is an excellent book! If you are a beginner and just starting out like I am, this is the book for you. The topics are excellent. They are written in easy to read and understand words and terms. This book covers all the topics including what to look for in your first telescope. The charts are wonderful and easy to read. The pictures are awesome. In addition, Terence provides a list of stars and constellations along with their pronunciation and meaning. Terence shows and explains how to use major constellations to find other constellations and stars. I found that I couldn't put the book down. This book will hook you on backyard astronomy.

After perusing a number of books, I found this one to be the best. It is the easiest introduction into astronomy and star gazing that is offered. Many of the confusing explanations of other books are ommitted. Moreover, the essentials of finding the constellations are easily explained and easily followed. Lastly, the book had a great further reading and information section that was very helpful. I recommend this book to anyone with a budding astronomy interest.

This is the first book I've read explaining the universe that keeps it simple enough for a beginner to understand. I checked the book out at the public library and can not wait to get my own copy and a highlighter. Fantastic!

While echoing the positive comments of all other reviewers, the reader should be cautioned that the new Third Edition (1998) has been released.

The planetary tables in the back of the "New Edition" (1989) only go through the year 2000; those in the "Third Edition" are good through 2010.

Make sure that you are ordering the Third Edition!

I read this book after my lumpectomy for breast cancer. My doctor was asking me to consider chemotherapy due to lymph node involvement. Since I have other health problems, I was questioning if the chemo would be a wise choice for me personally.
This book gave me alot of information and answered alot of my questions. I felt by reading it I gained alot of knowledge in regards to my health decisions.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is dealing with cancer.

If you or someone you know has cancer, get this book.

My mom was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago. Her oncologist tried to manipulate her into getting chemo and radiation. Even the radiologist who had been consulted said that radiation would not help her cancer.

He had an agenda. He didn't care if it would help her at all. He was the director of the cancer center, you see. He was motivated by greed and the desire to make everyone bow to his wishes.

She still refused chemo due to the information I gave her.

A few years after her diagnosis, she was written up in a journal because her cancer was so rare. In this journal they said that her kind of cancer had NEVER responded to chemo or radiation!

There was no known evidence of chemo being a help to her, yet he was determined to shove it down her throat.

It is 5 years since diagnosis and she is fine. She takes a lot of cleansing herbs and Chinese herbs and is healthier now than she was 5 years ago.

Do not let the cancer industry manipulate and scare you into taking POISON. Chemo is not medicine. It is poison. It is a race to see if the chemo kills you first or if the cancer does.

Usually people die of the effects of the chemo and radiation, not the cancer. Yet family members are so misinformed that even if the patient does not want chemo, the family begs them to take it.

Dr. Moss reveals the real effect of chemotherapy far removed from the advertised benefits that are promoted by the medical establishment. It can open up a whole new world for the reader, one the drug companies would like to leave closed.

This book explains how chemotherapy is a poison and how it is truly ineffective in the majority of cancers. With a few exceptions of some very rare cancers, chemotherapy in fact often kills the patient - even before the cancer itself does. I feel very relieved after reading this book that if I were ever faced with this dreadful disease that I would know there are other options. This book alludes to that, as the author apparently has written several others books about alternative, non-toxic treatments. I am going to read his recommended cancer prevention books. I have heard doctors say that in many cases cancer CAN be prevented through diet and excercise as well as through cancer screening and regular health exams. I am going to do all that is within my power to live a healthy life, and this book is one step in validating that people do not always need to resort to poisons in order to live.

It takes a lot of courage for a cancer patient to challenge the "expert" knowledge of his or her cancer doctor. This book gives you that ability. Life-saving? Indeed.

Before you submit to any cancer treatment, you need to read all of this book. It is comprehensive and detailed about every type of chemotherapy and every type of cancer. Side effects are horrific and natural substances which offset them are actually discouraged. Virtually nothing has changed since this book was published in 1995 except some of the drug names.

In 2002, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that in the previous year, the average oncologist had made $253,000 of which 75% was profit on chemotherapy drugs administered in his/her office. Yet, surveys of oncologists by the Los Angeles Times and the McGill Cancer Center in Montreal show that from 75% to 91% of ongologists would refuse chemotherapy as a treatment for themselves or their families. Why? Too toxic and not effective. Yet, 75% of cancer patients are urged to take chemo by their oncologists.

Dr. Moss includes information on which cancers, all of them rare, chemotherapy works. This list has not changed since it was published by the National Cancer Institute in 1971. One of these is Embryonal Testicular Cancer, for which cyclist Lance Armstrong is the poster boy. Another is Wilm's Tumor. My 3-year old daughter was completely healed of Wilm's Tumor by removal of a kidney and treatment with chemotherapy 45 years ago.

Don't be fooled by terms like "response rate" or "5-year survival." For metastatic cancer (the only kind that kills), the success rate of chemotherapy (defined as long-term remission) is 3%.

Get Dr. Moss' book and dramatically improve your chances of recovery with the knowledge he gives you here.

This book offers some major insight into his ritual of the 30 Aethyrs. It includes several other workings in much detail, and has so much symbolism in it just like the rest of his books. Check it out for a good read and valuable insight.

This is more esoteric philosophy than religion or magick. Philosophy is the reasoning behind things and deals a lot with morals. This is more occult oriented and harder to find. I noticed in this book several innuendos used by gimmicky shock rockers. It is worth getting just to see a different side of the beast besides the religious aspect.

Liber 418 takes over where Dr. Dee and Mr. Kelly left off. One of the great works of Aleister Crowley. Put this on in your Shopping Cart, it's a long read, but worth every hour!

This is a must buy for those whom wish to travel the Aethyrs from TEX to LIL, as it is very descriptive of the sign posts that one must correctly identify. You can be well assured it is worth the money if one is rise upon the Aethyrs, and it is obvious that no other man but the Beast himself has writ such a book, as there are no others out there in resemblence.

I think this book should belong in the Library for all those whom practice the wondorous magick of the Enochiana. If you ever wondered what it was like traveling the Aetheyrs from TEX to LIL, then this book is un-equaled in it's class. If you ARE to travel the Aethyrs, this book gives each practitioner each of the necessary guide posts, that are unique to each Aethyr, that you should look for. It was well written, and gives you insight on what to expect and what you should avoid. On a side note, I think that you should find your own means of traveling to ZAX, pushing aside the rather dangerous method that is given in this book.

I see this has been revised and is now entitled "Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt" which makes sense because it is really is focused on how the culture of Egypt is a reflection of the geography and natural environment and how humans learned to adapt it to them. This was one of the books we used in a course I had back at Columbia University and I've kept using it ever since. The maps are wonderful, the insets about the society are great, and the pictures both drawn and photographs of surviving artifacts are very useful. I plan on using the updated version of this for my own class on Egyptian history.

I see this has been revised and is now entitled "Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt" which makes sense because it is really is focused on how the culture of Egypt is a reflection of the geography and natural environment and how humans learned to adapt it to them. This was one of the books we used in a course I had back at Columbia University and I've kept using it ever since. The maps are wonderful, the insets about the society are great, and the pictures both drawn and photographs of surviving artifacts are very useful. I plan on using the updated version of this for my own class on Egyptian history.

Having visited Egypt during January, 1998 and travelled through Cairo, Alexandria, El Elamein, Hurghadah to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbal I have found the book very interesting. Contains excellent photographs, text and explainations.

A great book for anybody proposing a trip to Egypt or having been to Egypt to re-inforce where they have been and what they have seen.

Highly recommended.

Research on my first novel--COME KILL THE PHARAOH, published in Germany as DER GELIEBTE DER NEFROTETE and in France under the title L'AAMANT DE NEFERTITI--depended heavily on this excellent atlas. It saved me hundreds of hours of additional research, and brought into focus the geographical history of ancient Egypt. See Amazon in Germany for review.

The first part of the book introduces a comprehensive, condensed yet accurate summary of Ancient Egyptian history. The second part presents archaeological details and plans of the main cities of Upper and Lower Egypt, as well as Nubia. The last part offers a description of Ancient Egyptian society, with its scribes, its army, its religion, and its gods. The authors have also included a list of kings and pharaohs. Readers will see how the pyramids were hypothetically built through reconstructions and diagrams. Excellent maps, a glossary and a bibliography are to be found at the end of this wonderfully illustrated book. Highly recommended, it makes a good reference for all.

I am a frequent business traveler to Bangkok and this book opened my eyes to many angles of the city I had never noticed or understood before. The authors have really explained just about everything we encounter in this chaotic and confusing metropolis, and they do it in the most entertaining way - with witty prose, humorous anecdotes and many insider tips on what really makes things move. Bangkok Inside Out in at once a light read and an in-depth study of a city, and that's what impressed me most about the book. Few books would think to include 'Seven Eleven', 'Indie Music', 'Pha Yen (Wet Face Cloths)' or 'Taxi Radio Stations" as part of the cultural landscape they describe, but these writers demonstrate why it's precisely such little day-to-day things that shape this city's unique vibe. The accompanying photos are terrific, and successfully portray Bangkok's dark and light moods. I'd strongly recommend this book to anybody wanting to move beyond the Grand Palace and Floating Market version of Bangkok and learn what to really look out for.

I have read it all and heard it all about Thailand, mostly banalities: "It's so nice and peaceful, the people are so nice and smile all the time, I love the food!"
Finally, someone wrote something different about Thailand that pays tribute to its complexities and nuttiness. "Bangkok Inside Out" by Daniel Ziv and Guy Sharett is an engaging, easy-to-read book that covers the less-covered aspects of Thailand that make the country and the people so lovable. From transvestites to beauty contests for chubby women to more serious aspects like amulets and the street dog problem, the book is perfect for the well-seasoned traveler or arm-chair one. I am half-Thai, half-American, which doesn't necessarily make me an expert on Thailand or the culture; however, anyone attempting to learn more about it must read "Bangkok Inside Out".

This appears to be a good book..BUT the list price of this book from the manufacturer is actually $19.97 and NOT $27.99 as Amazon would have you believe.

I actually wrote to their Customer Service and they said it doesn't matter because their final price is cheaper.

Anyhow, just don't pay attention to that false 34% discount price.

I've been in and out of Bangkok many times, done most of the typical travel guide must-do's, befriended many Thais in the process and still found in this book page after page of new information about my beloved City of Angels. Bangkok Inside Out is an irreverently fun, funny and informative homage to SE Asia's most quirky capital. Written for the novice as well as for those who have trod the steamy sois night after night, it captures the essence of a unique place and the people who make it so. Whether you're making your first or fiftieth visit, this book is essential.

After just a couple of hours with this book, I learned more about the culture of everyday citizens than I did in two days of exploring on my own. Quick and insightful bits about the city, it's customs and people. The end essay, while interesting did not fit the same format of the other entries.

If you are visiting this marvelous city, this book is a must. I hope the authors plan on doing the same for other Asian cities.

This is a fab book reprinted by dreamcraft who now do all the mel keegan books http://www.dream-craft.com/melkeegan/
they even have an unabridged copy of deaths head replacing the 20,000 words left out of the original and also the latest narc book scorpio printed in 2004

After Death Head, I have been desperate to get this sequel.
Thanks to the writer's website, it finally arrived by mail. And it was a wonderful read, as good as Death Head. Just could not put it down. Jarrat and Stoney are gorgeous characters, the more so because they are lovers. The plot just flew by, one rip roaring adventure after another. This is what a great romantic sci-fi is all about. Plenty of action, fascinating world building and of course intense loving which knows no bounds. Glad to have acquired Scorpio, the third book. But will hold on to the week end to start because I do not wish to be interrupted. Mel, Cheers!

book two of the jarret and stone series ( the firsr being deaths head ) picks up were jarette and stone last left off there new empathic abilitys are being tested in the lad to see if there still fit for duty when they finaly get back abored the athena they must once again battle an angel sindicate equinox a huge corperation who allso builds the very technolgy in there ships if i say much more i will be giving plot away acording to mel keegans websight book three should be out soon called scorpion keep a look out !!

Captains Kevin Jarratt and Jerry Stone are back and continue the battle against evil drug "lords." This time they take on Equinox Industries a commercial monopoly mining the gas giant Zeus, and suspected of manufacturing the lethal drug Angel. If fighting for truth and justice wasnýt enough, the two lovers also have to deal with the empathic mind bond they developed during the adventures in the first book (Deathýs Head). This is a wonderful action-packed sequel, with a lot of romance, and itýs hard to put down. I am happy to hear that, according to the authorýs web page, this book will soon be back in print. Not only that, there may be a third book in the horizon. Letýs hope so!

When I started reading this, I didn't want to put it down!! It was nice to see a couple of gay heroes who were not written as stereotypes. Ive be reading Sci-Fi for 20 years and this one can keep up with the big boys.

Isaac Asimov normally writes science fiction or about science. So, why would he have written a whole book about the Bible? Especially when you factor in that Asimov was an avowed atheist. The short answer has to do with two things, 1. He wrote about whatever caught his interest, and 2. the Bible is read by a lot of people who think that it gives them then answers to all questions, including questions having to do with science.

Basically, Asimov was trying to show that the bible was written with certain ideas in mind. It does not answer all the questions of the world, like some right wing ideologs like to think it does.

His commentary on the bible also goes to show what a lot of things really meant. Like Shakespeare, the bible can be a little difficult to grasp in the beginning. Certain words have different meanings than they do in general use. Place names are sometimes different today, then when the various books of the bible were written. Asimov goes a long to explaining a lot of those things.

Asimov opens by stating that what most of us know of world history comes from the Bible and then in a tour-de-Asimov introduces the reader to thousands of details concerning the little we know. Very thorough, very informative and above all, very readable. As a coincidence, I had just finished reading Mark Twain's "Innocents Abroad," which includes Twain's visit to the Holy Land, when I began "Asimov's Guide to the Bible." The two books form a pleasant symetry of knowledge and perception concerning those ancient times and peoples.

Asimov presents the Bible in a manner not often done; with historical insight.

Think about it, to enjoy any great work, from the Divine Comedy to Less than Zero one has to understand the social / political environment the author was exposed to at the time of writing.

The book is written from a secular perspective, so if you are looking for someone to beat the drum for your believe system, look elsewhere. That isn't to say that this book is not written for the faithful. Asimov does a good job of presenting the historical facts, and when delving into speculation, either his own of that of biblical scholars, he is sure to mention it.

Reading this book will only enhance your biblical knowledge by giving you a better understanding of the Bible. Use it as a reference to formulate your own beliefs.

I will say that I have fended off quite a few born again Christians who felt the need to align me with their belief system by using some of the facts and insight this book has given me.

I love Asimov's writings. His Science Fiction has helped create the genre. His History works are always insightful.

I also love the Bible, and knowing old Issac is an Athiest I bought this book with a degree of trepidation.

My trepidation was unfounded. Asimov treats the Bible with respect and understanding. He recognises many of the Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus (another point that concerned me, knowing of Asimov's Jewish heritage).

He puts the Bible into its wider historical perspective.

This isn't the first book I will refer to to understand a part of the Bible, but it is one to which I will often refer.

The Christian bible is a fascinating document, and the contents are open to a vast array of interpretations. In this book, Isaac Asimov examines it from a historical perspective. Despite the enormous attention that it has received from scholars of all types, the authorship of many of the sections has not been established, and Asimov makes that very clear. What is the most fascinating aspect is the interpretation of some of the passages based on the social and political conditions of the time. Whatever you may think about the early leaders of the Christian church, one fact remains very clear. They managed to take a small movement and turn it into an international one that survived fierce persecution by the Roman Empire, the greatest and most long-lived political power the world has ever seen. This is most impressive, and those who accept the Christian religion will find Asimov's descriptions supportive of their beliefs, even though he was a secular humanist.
A book that describes the beginnings and growth of a powerful institution that outlived and outgrew all others that tried to destroy it, as a popular record of the history of the movement it has no equal.