Lucas Reviews

I loved this book. It's a feast for the eyes, and is a great introduction to Thai style. While Japanese, Zen and Feng Shui styles have been overexposed lately, Thai style is a secret so wonderful, it won't be a secret much longer.

I bought this book in preparation for a vacation to Thailand. We planned to go on a shopping spree for household furniture and accessories while in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Our decorating style is contemporary with an Asian twist. BINGO, Contemporary Thai caught my eye. This book gave me an excellent introduction to the common handicrafts and furniture styles to look for. It includes an up-to-date resource list with addresses and web sites to purchase items shown in the book. If you covet any items but can't make the trip to Thailand, many of the resources can ship internationally.

After spending a month in Thailand, I realized that Contemporary Thai covers the full gamut of what's available there: Jim Thompson silks, basketry, celadon dinnerware, silversmithing, woodworking, woven textiles ... and the book gives you a glimpse of all these things displayed in gorgeous homes, gardens, hotels and restaurant settings. The quality of the homes and photography rivals what you can find in Metropolitan Home and Elle Decor. And, not only does the book show materialistic stuff (hey, I'm honest enough about what this is all about!), but it gives some cultural and historical perspective as well.

If you like Asian style, take a chance on learning about Contemporary Thai style.

I was in BORDERS BOOKS shopping for some audio tapes, and decided to check-out what was in the Home Decorating Section. I discovered this MARVELOUS book. I was captivated by the photographs on each and every page. For those individuals seeking design ideas, color options or furniture placement this is a MUST HAVE! The photographer did a marvelous job capturing the essence of Thai Design in the modern home. This is definately my next purchase when I go back to the book store.

A beautiful book illustrating how to blend traditional Thai architecture, arts and crafts with the contemporary style of living and home decor. Like many others, this book will contribute to the renaissance of traditional arts of Southeast Asia and, hopefully, help propagate the livelihood of traditional artisans. Moreover, the secret is out with the appendix of artisans, companies and shops where one can purchase such materials. This book is a must for someone who has visited Thailand and appreciated the style of the Amanpuri, Sukothai or the Oriental hotels. You, too, can now replicate a little of Thailand in their own home.

For those intrigued by Clemente, this may be the best book. The huge retrospective volume published from the Guggenheim exhibit does not necessarily contain as many of his better works as it should and can really leave you frustrated. There are paintings in here that are quite beautiful and they are often enhanced by the photographs that show them in the studio context. The photography is excellent and the book well done. Highly recommended and a good deal to boot.

Lucia Babini's photos accompany Ricard's essay on the life of Francesco Clemente, published simultaneously with a major retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum. Splendid full-page color photos of his works provides in-depth access to the Italian painter, creating a catalog which stands alone and provides a rare glimpse of the reclusive artist.

stunning pictures offering an intimate view on clemente. A truly beautiful book.

I'm a huge Star Wars fan who was greatly disappointed by The Phantom Menace. However, this small childrens book offers all the detail and backstory to Queen Amidala that was missing in the film. We learn how this 14 year old got to be Queen, the names of her handmaidens and advisors, and most interestingly, the significance of her unusual makeup. All this is presented with beautiful, bright, color pictures, and text that is easy for young readers to comprehend. The clever set up, that Queen Amidala told this story to Alica Alfonsi (the author) who just transcibed it for our enjoyment makes it seem all the more real. This book accomplishes something the film doesn't even pretend to care about, making Queen Amidala human, a person we care about. I recomend this to anyone who liked the film, or is interested in learning more about Amidala. No matter their age.

This book, like the others in this series (I am a Droid and I am a Jedi), combines stunning graphic design with a carefully written narrative to create a book that appeals to a very wide age range.

My three year old niece is fascinated by this book. The large photos give her lots of detail to examine, and the text suggests that being a Queen requires devotion, intelligence, and bravery. Most movie tie-in books are just plain cheesy. The Random House SW line is a real exception. This is a classy, classy book with a message that I can enthusiastically support.

While my niece is younger than the suggested age range, older kids should also find this book fascinating. I also recommend the book to older Star Wars fans; the graphics are stunning and you'll learn more about Amidala. All in all, a terrific job for all ages!

This storybook is written by Queen Amidala and she tells allabout her life, where she lives, what she travels in, who helps herbring peace to her planet, her age, clothing, and many of the people in her life, including her 5 handmaidens. The book is loaded with great pictures taken from the movie and photoshoots. It is a great investment.

What I love about this play is that every time you read it, you find new tidbits to muse over. It's twisted, unexpected, and you should be reading it now instead of these schmucky reviews.

I've just finished acting in this play. I played Rachel, the Alice in Wonderland-esqe protaganist who keeps getting tossed and turned, from Springfield to Springfield, until she is finally forced to make some very interesting conclusions about the reckless world she discovers she is living in.

RECKLESS conveys such a wide range of emotions, and any reader who can remember the magic of Christmases past, the glorious expectations of childhood, the DREAM of what life was supposed to be, will enjoy this play.

It also happens to be one of the funniest plays I've ever read, and even if you're not acting in it or directing it, it is a play that you will enjoy reading, because it is so well-written and elegantly crafted. In fact, it is a very intricate text, with so many hidden meanings and word plays, that a close reading of it IS necessary if you are going to act it as it should be acted.

Touching, beautiful, sad and true, RECKLESS is a gem of a play.

The play is existentialist in nature, but not unapproachable. It is funny and sad, lighthearted and dreary. It layers daily, late 20th century, silly modernisms and affectations with subtle philosophical ponderings. Rachel is delightful and strange. The audience feels for her as she endlessly quests from one Springfield to another, realizing that Santa and Satan are inherently related and that you can never really know anyone . . . not your husband, your son, your assasin, not even yourself. A must-read. A must-perform. You'd be "reckless" not to. A comedy, with some serious edges.

Just magnificent. A piece of art by one of the greatest artist of the asian continent.

Finally, we can have the last of the three parts of the Manga Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. As always, spectacular drawing and the best version of the Donald F. Glut script ever made!

Just when we were enjoying the marvelous comic book of A NEW HOPE, the manga version, Toshiki Kudo strikes back with this spectacular version of the sequel of the trilogy created by George Lucas. The price is a little elevated, but the drawing is excellent. A must-buy book!

I love all the John Sanford Prey Books. They keep you reading and on the edge of your seat, Lucas Davenport is someone I would want on my side.

I'm collecting all the hard backs, and love to get the three in one books.

Excellent purchase, spent days reading about Davenport and crew. You can't co wrong purchasing this collection, genually entertaining and well worth the price.

Major John Sanford fan - so far in the "Prey" series, I would have to say that "Mind Prey" was by far the most suspenseful and enjoyable of the books. John Sanford keeps the pace going throughout the entire book (3-in-1 here). Wish there were more books printed with more than 1 story in it. Excellent bargain.

It has lots of ideas on how to communicate to your children and how to have fun with your kids while raising them at the same time

"1001 Ways to Connect With Your Kids," is one of the easiest, most enjoyable "how to" books I've read in a long time. James Lucas' approach to connecting with children jumps way beyond psychology and lands right in the practical. The more I read, the more I realized it was about spending time, talking, and getting creative. With this book, you'll never run out of ideas on how to make your children feel special. Long after reading it, you will want to keep it around as a reference, pull it out from time to time, and use these ideas. This book is a must for any parent who wants to be and stay close to his or her children.

ALL CHILDREN WOULD ENJOY READING THE BIBLE IF THEY KNEW OR HAD A CLUE OF SOMETHING TO LOOK FOR. WELL THIS BOOK DOES THAT. IT ALSO TELLS THEM WHY THAT CERTAIN BOOK WAS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE, TELLS THEM WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHILE READING THROUGH THE BIBLE, OLD & NEW TESTAMENT. I THINK THEOLD TESTAMENT GETS A LITTLE BORING FOR OUR YOUNG ONE, THIS BOOK WILL HELP THEM, BECAUSE OF WHAT I SAID ABOVE. I
COULDN'T PUT ITDOWN MYSELF WHEN IT CAME, & I AM FAR FROM THE AGE OF A CHILD. I DO HOWEVER: WISH I HAD THIS WHEN I TAUGHT SUNDAY SCHOOL YEARS AGO. ... IT IS A VERY GOOD HELP BOOK!

A WONDERFUL BOOK, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN AND I AM FAR FROM THE AGE OF A KID. THIS BOOK WOULD BE PERFECT HELPING OUR YOUNG ONE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE. IT GOES THROUGH EACH BOOK, TELLS WHAT TO WATCH FOR, WHAT THE PURPOSE OF EACH BOOK OF THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN' FOR, POINTS OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH PERSON. IT IS JUST THE BEST BOOK YOU COULD GET FOR OUR YOUNG ONES.I WISH I HAD THIS WHEN I TAUGHT SUNDAY SCHOOL. IT IS VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER& WILL MAKE READING THE BIBLE MORE INTERESTING, I THINK IT WILL KEEP A CHILD INTERESTED TO READ MORE & MORE, BECAUSE IT ENCOURAGES THEM TO LOOK FOR CERTAIN THINGS. IT WAS WORTH EVERY THE PRICE!!

This book should be in every school library.

I tutor mathematics on the side, and there is great joy in seeing the facial expressions of students go from absolute misery to joy. I am a very strong believer in math tricks.
First, they are fun and magical. Second, they build confidence and curiosity to learn what is behind the magic. And, third, it has much to do with "thinking outside the box". And, contrary to the old stodgy idiots who cannot think out of the box and want to make sure nobody else does either, I think it is time to give students the opportunity to learn and have fun doing so for a change. (Sorry if I offended anyone. On second thought, no, I'm not sorry. Those people deserve to be offended.)

One thing about this book, though, is that it takes a little to digest what is there. Many of the skills there take much practice. There are a few similar books, but I have also considered writing a book that might take various math tricks and bring them out a little more slowly with a little more attention to each one with practice problems, etc.

Thank you so much, Jerry Lucas, wherever you are, for having the wisdom, courage, and love for others to bless others with this book!!!

This book would be great for gifted junior high and high schoolers, and smart, interested math-savvy adults. It is not for the faint of heart.

The calculations Lucas expects you to perform and remember are not easy. For example, he asks you to calculate the logarithm of, say, 17 (base 10) by applying a Taylor series approximation in your head. I've been able to do it, but not without a fair amount of practice. Mathematically gifted children will love it for stretching their abilities, but this 36-year-old loves it as a way to improve his calculating abilities, impress his nerdy friends, and improve his memory of numbers.

The original Italian title of this book is "Credere di credere" (Believing that one believes).
"Belief" - which is the English translated title - is perhaps more succinct, but it's also one sided, and misses the philosophical and theological double intention of the Italian.
"Believing that one believes" is paradoxical because it means both to have faith, conviction and certainty in something, but to also think uncertainly about something.
In a chapter entitled "The substance of faith", near the end of this book, Gianni Vattimo - a professor of hermeneutic philosophy at the University of Turin (Italy), member of the European Parliament, and a framer of the European constitution - writes of how he came upon his book's title.
Vattimo describes how one hot afternoon he made a telephone call, from an ice cream shop near a bus stop in Milan, to Gustavo Bontadini, "a distinguished representative of 'neoclassical' Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophy." The phone call regarded the competitive examination for a university chair. Since both Vattimo and Bontadini were members of the examining commission, they had some confidential academic business to discuss.
It was an enjoyable conversation. The two philosophers had not seen each other for awhile so they played catch-up. At one point during the conversation Bontadini asked Vattimo whether he still believed in God. Vattimo, aware of the paradoxical moment in which the question arose, noticed next to the telephone a table of women eating ice cream and drinking orange juice in the midday heat.
Vattimo responded "I believe that I believe."
Stylistically, Vattimo's book is written in an engaging, personal and informal (although not "chatty") fashion -- similar to the a mood and spirit of the reader sitting at a cafe table in an ancient dusty, sunwashed Roman piazza and drinking Cinzano in front of the Colosseum, or St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, or the Spanish Steps, and perhaps throwing some coins for good luck into Trevi Fountain, all the while listening to one of Italy's best and brightest philosophers candidly talk about his philosophy and rekindled faith.
Intellectually, for Vattimo, an Italian Catholic, raised in the post Second World War milieu, it surely must have been a circuitous route with many spiritual meanderings, before settling into some serious philosophy study in the university. It was there, in the halls of academia, where Vattimo was swayed away from his christian faith by the nihilism of Nietzsche, Heidegger and others who were antimodern and anti-Christian, before cozily settling into hermeneutics.
Now comes Vattimo's "rediscovery" of Christianity. Through studying Nietzsche and Heidegger, Vattimo is paradoxically led back to Christianity.
Vattimo asserts that once again there is room for faith, now that the "end of modernity" has been ushered in. Those philosophies such as scientific positivism, Hegelian and Marxist historicim, which claim to be able to prove the non-existence of God, and have done away with religion, today are no longer strong reasons to be an atheist. For Vattimo, we are free again to hear the words of the Scripture. Christianity is under reconsideration. A postmodern-faith (belief) arises - an authentic christian philosophy for post-modernity.
What sort of belief is possible in these times? For Vattimo, it is "weak belief."
Drawing on his own interpretation of contemporary hermeneutical ontology, Vattimo acknowledges a positive tie with nihilism - meant as the weakening of metaphysical categories - in which God is dead (as Nietzsche states).
"Weak ontology" finds a connection to Christianity specifically through the lowering of God to the level of humanity, which is called "kenosis" in the New Testament.
In Philippians 2:7 one may read that Christ "emptied himself." Most kenoticists believe that by becoming incarnate, Christ gave up his sovereign dominion. Some Protestants view the Incarnation as a Divine self-emptying, and a self-limitation of the God's omniscience and omnipresence.
Kenosis is an idea that never flourished under classical metaphysics - but in our new, post-metaphysical age, Vattimo has conceived a secularized interpretation of Christianity thanks to kenosis.
Vattimo spends much of his book fashioning a secularized outline for contemporary belief out of Heidegger's "weak ontology" - the undoing or "weakening" of Being in the classical metaphysical sense. For Vattimo, Heidegger's concept of "weakening" parallels the essence of the christian message. Through charity - via kenosis- christian belief and its spiritual structures are secularized Kenosis itself is viewed as the act of charitable self-exhaustion.
Christianity and its very grounds of belief are weakening. Since the idea of a universal truth is abandoned, spirituality is now seen as a personal sense of being, as opposed to the grandiosity of revelation. What matters is a personal sense of satisfaction rather than the belief of a universal truth. Man is urged to find security and connection through charity. This notion of charity is very hermeneutical - meaning that it is provisional, never absolute or ultimate, and interpretive of fragmentation in its search for wholeness and unity between disparate entities or bodies of knowledge or the sacred and secular, etcetera.
For Vattimo the essence of belief is the continual secularization of spiritual structures. Belief is the "weak belief" in the possibility of belief.
Considering that Vattimo is presently a functional member of the European Parliament, it should be interesting to see whether any of his hermeneutical studies of Nietzsche, Heidegger or Gadamer should trickle their way somehow into European law and edict.
Perhaps in the future this author will also write books on government, genealogy and power.
Meanwhile, we readers should keep throwing our philosophical coins into Traki Fountain - legend has it that it's good luck and may help guarantee safe passage to whatever world or worlds are out there beyond the stars after this one.
Bon Voyage! Ciao!
-- Alex Sydorenko

I must begin by pointing out my own prejudice: this is the book that introduced me to postmodern philosophy and, as such, it will always have a special place in my heart. That being said, this text is a fascinating glimpse inside the mind of a philosopher "returning" to Christianity. Vattimo begins by tracing his path back to Christianity through Heidegger and Nietzsche and the formulation of "weak thought." He presents a challenging critique of demythologization in a time in which that term is still being widely used in theology (one need only refer to the ever-increasing number of "historical Jesus" texts out there). Vattimo goes on to explore the role of charity and even promote the (heretical?) idea that secularization is a trend arising from the Christian understanding of the Incarnation as the kenosis or debasement of God. Throughout there is a strong critique of institutional Roman Catholicism and "tragic" existentialist Christianity.
Vattimo writes here in a very accessible first-person style that reinforces the view that religion is never something that can be discussed "objectively" but is of existential importance.
I would strongly recommend this book for both philosophers and theologians (and Vattimo appropriately weakens these distinctions). I found it to be more engaging, if less systematic, than his later book After Christianity.
Pax tecum!