Book Review: The Lions of Al-Rassan

I am a huge fan of the fantasy genre and it is usually very rare to find me reading a book outside of this genre. While The Lions of Al-Rassan can be labeled as a fantasy book, it is more closely related to a book in the history genre. Most reviews I have read about it call it a historical fantasy but to me there were few of the elements of fantasy I am used to. No fantastical, other worldly type characters, no magical powers, just real people existing in a world of many religious differences. The Author, Guy Gavriel Kay, describes an unbelievably detailed land based upon Moorish Spain. There are three different religions covered in the book. The Kindath (jews), The Asharites (Muslims), and The Jaddites (Christians) are constantly at battle with each other throughout the book, but the books main focus is on a group of characters from all three religions that have come together to help each other in their times of need. The books message is very powerful. We are all human beings at heart, despite religious differences. If we could find a way to realize that religion does not have to define an individual we could look beyond petty differences and live in a peaceful world. Overall the characters in this book are some of the most intriguing characters I have ever read. Ammar Ibn Khairan and Captain Rodrigo Belmonte become legendary characters in a world filled with powerful men. I would recommend this book to anyone regardless of your affection for fantasy novels. It is well worth the read and could very well change your perspective on life and religion.

-IB

Book Review: Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

For those that didn't read much required literature in high school probably missed out on this little jewel. Siddhartha, written by Herman Hesse, is a narrative testament to the life of the Buddha. Its a novel that attempts to accurately describe the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the first Buddha. For those that are unfamiliar, it is a tale about balance; finding "the middle way" in a life excess and scarcity. Many of Hesse's novels follow opposing paths in an attempt to help the reader understand more about two extremes. Siddhartha is a beautifully written story that goes inside the soul of man; searching for bliss through different paths of life. If you did miss this one high school, it is highly recomended for people that are into any genre of literature.

Book Review: Electric Kool Aid Acid Test by Thomas Wolfe

Keeping on the topic of require reading from middle school, who remembers One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest, by Ken Keesey? Well, for those unfamiliar, it was Keesey's best and most notable work before he got involved with the Merry Pranksters and and journied "Furrther" across America. The Electric KoolAid Acid Test attempts to chronicle the events leading to his creation of that book which involves Keesey experimenting with LSD in a mental clinic which he worked. He eventually was responsible for the Grateful Dead's popularity and became a counter-culture icon even before his own faked suicide in Southern California. The book is a great insider's view of the 60's we all know from the movies. Thomas Wolffe writes about the Merry Pranksters and plenty of their escapades throughout the country and provides an array of humorous anecdotes about the gang, at the same time paints a great picture of the general attitude of the psychedelic movement of that time period.

-Tekst

Book Review: Fabric of the Cosmos by Dr. Brian Greene

This is probably the most concise, layman-friendly explanations of the mysterious world of physics and quantum theory that I have ever seen, read, or heard about. AUTHOR explains the ins and outs of topics such as Einstein’s relativity, superstring theory, and Newton’s laws, among many others. An added bonus is that he uses The Simpsons characters to explain and apply the theories to real world (or cartoon world) situations. I think it just helps it stick better when you can remember, “ok, so bart is traveling on his skateboard at light speed, and Lisa is playing her sax…” when trying to comprehend the timespace continuum.

If you are interested in this kind of stuff, I highly recommend this one.

Book Review: Yoga of Sound by Russil Paul

This is a great book that really helps you see how sound effects our mind and our bodies. Everyone knows about noise pollution, but not everyone would consider the hum of our computers and TVs and trains and cars in this category. On the contrary, AUTHOR explains that even the sounds we can barely hear (or rather can barely recognize in our conscious mind) affects our focus, mind abilities, and even our physical body. This is also a great book that explains the overall reach of the the term “yoga” as it is really meant to be understood. It explains that yoga literally means “the path” and that there are many other forms of yoga than just the Jane Fonda-ized exercise versions we see on TV. Not all yogas pertain to the physical body, some pertain to the mind, some pertain to the senses, and some to the emotions.

Book Review: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche

This is an updated and thoroughly-explained version of the classic book The Tibetan Book of the Dead. As Rinpoche explains, the TBOTD (as us cool kids call it) is meant to be used and discussed with a guru, who can expand and extrapolate on the concepts that are so beautifully written in the book. This prevents misinterpretations and confusion in regards to the esoteric topics covered, including those on the true nature of mind, what happens to the body, the soul and the mind after death, compassion, and how to truly practice faithfully in our busy and hectic world. Rinpoche uses a mix of jokes, anecdotes, and teachings of his masters and his masters’ masters to explain and convey the truth found in the TBOTD.

This book is not only for the Buddhist looking for information and inspiration, but it is also very helpful in dealing with they dying and their relatives, both before, during, and after death has occurred. This will assist anyone in hospice care, and will help you be a strong shoulder for the bereaved, or help you through troubles you yourself are having in dealing with the loss of a loved one.

This is one of those books that I know I will be rereading over and over again, each time cementing new info and thought into my head. I must quote Talib Kweli whenever anyone asks what my religion is: “Information is the newest religion.” And if that doesn’t satisfy them, I tell them it’s still under investigation as I am still collecting data.

-Matty J

Book Review: The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino

This is a book that my father had around the house my entire life. It was small so i would pick it up and read a little bit from time to time. It was a fictional story about a rich merchant in the middle east circa 0 BCE who, upon getting of retirement age, tells his most trusted advisor the secret to his success. He has a chest of scrolls that show the secrets of doing good business and getting rich.

The middle part of the book are the actual scrolls, and if you go by what the book says, you are supposed to read the first scroll 2 times a day for 30 days before moving on to the next scroll. Obviously, being young i didn't have that type of commitement to growing myself into a super salesman, so i just read it how you normally would. Same diference.

I'm gonna cheat and summarize each scroll here. Holla.

I - today i begin a new life, filled with opportunities.
II - I will greet this day with love in my heart.
III - I will persisit until I succeed.
IV - I am a unique creature of nature. I am nature's greatest miracle.
V - I will live this day as if it is my last.
VI - Today I will be master of my emotions.
VII - I will laugh at the world. I will cultivate a habit of laughter.
VIII - Today i will multiply my value a hundredfold (I guess this one is the real KEY, huh? What it means is to focus on your goals all day everyday)
IX - My dreams are worthless unless they are followed by action. I will act now.
X - I will not pray for material things, I will pray for guidance.

It's a small book, only 111 pages long. Enjoy.

Book Review: Be Here Now by Dr. Richard Alpert (AKA Baba Ram Dass)

Dr. Richard Alpert, more affectionately known as Baba Ram Das, is one of Ken Kesey’s famed “Pranksters,” one of the pioneering groups of the hippie movement. To read more about them, check out The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (review forthcoming). But this book is split into three parts. The first is Alpert’s personal journey into the realm of enlightenment. He describes amazing, interesting, and at some points hilarious contact with beings who taught him either by tale or by trial. At one point, one of the monks he was studying with in India demanded that Alpert give him all of the LSD he had brought with him. In one fell swoop, the man swallowed ALL that Alpert had brought with him. And over the next few days, Alpert kept a close eye on the man, in order that he could help him should he overdose or freak out. But he never did. Furthermore, Alpert explains that it seemed as if NOTHING had happened to the man. He continued to practice his meditation and prayer, and Alpert continued to watch in disbelief.

The main part of the book comes next. This section is composed of about 70 pages of drawings and teachings by Ram Dass. Some of it gets VERY heady, but it is a very personal explanation that he is giving about his experiences on the quest for enlightenment. Some pages must have taken him hours to draw, as there are no formal text boxes or typewritten letter in the entire mini-book. It is profound, with a child-like wonder to it that draws you in and makes you realize that there truly is a path to happiness.

The last section is entitled “COOKBOOK FOR A SACRED LIFE”. In this part, Ram Das has created a textbook-like description of how to bring the perennial philosophy into the many aspects of your daily life. Detailed explanations of yoga postures and breathing exercises will help any true practitioner correctly place their mind in the right position as well as their body.

This is an amazing book. GET IT.