This 5-In-1 hardcover includes the following comics: The Mouse Merchant, The Giant and the Dwarf, The Magic Chant, The Priceless Gem and Tales of MiseThis 5-In-1 hardcover includes the following comics: The Mouse Merchant, The Giant and the Dwarf, The Magic Chant, The Priceless Gem and Tales of Misers. Each of these books have been reviewed individually by me. A wonderful introduction to tales that can hold up to anything Aesop ever wrote - should have a much wider readership!...more
A poor man overhears a rich man say that a motivated man could make a profit from a dead mouse in the road. The poor man picks the dead mouse up - jusA poor man overhears a rich man say that a motivated man could make a profit from a dead mouse in the road. The poor man picks the dead mouse up - just as a hungry cat tries to take it from him! The owner of the cat offers the poor man a copper coin for the mouse - and the poor man is on his way to wealth and position! Wonderful tale of perseverance!...more
The Dwarf is an expert archer; but because he is a dwarf he knows that if he tries to become one of the king's archers he will not be considered for tThe Dwarf is an expert archer; but because he is a dwarf he knows that if he tries to become one of the king's archers he will not be considered for the position. He finds the Giant (a basket weaver) and goes to the king's palace, representing himself as the Giants servant. Under the guidance of the Dwarf the Giant accomplishes feats of bravery and is rewarded. Then the Giant decides he really is a brave warrior who no longer needs the advice of the Dwarf. Pride and stupidity soon reveal who is the real 'giant' to the king!...more
The tales in this book center on greed; greed and the way it so often leads to violence. In one tale a man who knows a chant to make it rain gems is tThe tales in this book center on greed; greed and the way it so often leads to violence. In one tale a man who knows a chant to make it rain gems is taken prisoner for ransom. His student is sent to collect the ransom. His student warns him not to let his captors know that he knows the chant. But the man tells his captors and makes it rain gems. A group of robbers then robs the gems from the captors; greed kills everyone because no one wants to share the gems. The student returns with the ransom - only to find a pile of corpses next to a pile of gems....more
This tale encourages rulers to choose wisely who they seek council from. When councilors seek only to enrich themselves through their access to the poThis tale encourages rulers to choose wisely who they seek council from. When councilors seek only to enrich themselves through their access to the powerful the advice they give will often have nothing to do with what is right for society; and it is often the honest councilor who will find that they are in danger for telling the truth. Reminds me so much of the current situation in US politics!...more
This is a wonderful first biography of Rumi (R). R is one of my favorite poets, I am always happy to find a new translation of his work. The illustratThis is a wonderful first biography of Rumi (R). R is one of my favorite poets, I am always happy to find a new translation of his work. The illustrations in this book are exceptional; I am going to look for other works by Rashin Kheiriyeh. I hope to see her work in many future projects. Introducing a child to this great poet is a gift they will thank you for as they grow older. ...more
I think I might get slammed over this by those who like Socrates (S) - but it seems to me that SOMEONE needs to turn the tables on S and and just do tI think I might get slammed over this by those who like Socrates (S) - but it seems to me that SOMEONE needs to turn the tables on S and and just do to him what he does to everyone else: ask questions based on HIS reasoning and see how good he is at escaping from the traps that are set when YOU don't have to be specific, but HE must. Is something 'holy' because the gods love it; or do the gods love it because it is 'holy' - better to ask: are conceptions of what is 'holy' transcendent of time and place; and can temporal beings determine how gods will view a given situation in the year 2525 - lets ask Zager and Evans (Exordium & Terminus)! ...more
A GN that looks at the life of Ai Weiwei. Using the Chinese Zodiac as an underlying theme this book looks at the artist and the man; the different poiA GN that looks at the life of Ai Weiwei. Using the Chinese Zodiac as an underlying theme this book looks at the artist and the man; the different points where both identities intersect, the responsibility of the man and artist when faced with repression. I think I would have gotten much more out of this book if I knew more about Chinese mythology; many of the references made were unfamiliar to me. I still found this a powerful look at artistic vision standing up to autocratic ideologies. ...more
This book has been on my TBR list for SO long that when I found it under one of the many 'book piles' in my garage I finally took it and 'bumped' it uThis book has been on my TBR list for SO long that when I found it under one of the many 'book piles' in my garage I finally took it and 'bumped' it up on my list of books to be read this year. This book (in my opinion) would be of particular interest to individuals who have interview/interrogation responsibilities; JPS presents some very interesting/unique perspectives on motivation. Having said this I would venture to guess that many adherents of psychology would have problems with some of his conclusions. ...more
Biography of the amazing Steve Ditko (SD)! It is about time a book for children addressed SD contributions to Spider-Man (SM). Because SD was an introBiography of the amazing Steve Ditko (SD)! It is about time a book for children addressed SD contributions to Spider-Man (SM). Because SD was an introvert he did not get the attention Stan Lee (SL) got for creating SM. There are so many stories about their collaboration on SM that it is a web that has caught both truth and lies - that will never be untangled. I also shelved this book as philosophy because of SD adherence to the teachings of Ayn Rand. In my opinion it did influence his creative impulse to a large degree....more
What a great book! Philosophy as a winding river; Heraclitus as your guide, stopping along the way to talk to Socrates, Plato, Kant, Aristotle...and tWhat a great book! Philosophy as a winding river; Heraclitus as your guide, stopping along the way to talk to Socrates, Plato, Kant, Aristotle...and then off you go to hear contradicting arguments! This was a very fun book to read - lots of facts mixed with just the right amount of humor - makes this book a really neat way to 'get your feet wet' (sorry Heraclitus) in philosophy! ...more
I have to admit that I do not know enough about Buddhism to really make an educated review of this work. What I was able to take away from this work iI have to admit that I do not know enough about Buddhism to really make an educated review of this work. What I was able to take away from this work is that there are many illusions that try to lead us astray; and we must always be on guard to make sure we do not become victim to our desires. This book was bilingual (English/Vietnamese) and I was only able to read the English text....more
What do you get when you cross Sturm und Drang with Bildungsroman - this book! Peeling the Onion is the story of how a young Günter Grass found himselWhat do you get when you cross Sturm und Drang with Bildungsroman - this book! Peeling the Onion is the story of how a young Günter Grass found himself adrift in Germany after WW II. This is the most detailed book I have ever read that covers what happened after Stunde Null (Zero Hour - the end of the Nazi regime in 1945 and the formation of a new Germany) when Germany had to rebuild in the shadow of occupation. The 'onion' of being has to be peeled; to get to the core of the transition of a young man to the winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Literature. He is in a country adrift; no officials able to guide the people through the rubble of 'total war' that was called for. Heartbreaking and humorous - contrast this book with Journey to the End of the Night by Louis-Ferdinand Céline - to get a view of traumatic ideation and how leaves a mark on everyone....more
Excellent first book on philosophy! Just the right 'depth' for children! Philosophy is a tricky subject to teach; if it is taught in an overly abstracExcellent first book on philosophy! Just the right 'depth' for children! Philosophy is a tricky subject to teach; if it is taught in an overly abstract way it can actually discourage you from further studies. This book uses very relatable examples of core concepts in such a way as to encourage continued interest. The 'root' of all STEM education!...more
Really good introduction to conflict resolution. This would be a great book for a first time manager to read; many of the conflicts that arise are dueReally good introduction to conflict resolution. This would be a great book for a first time manager to read; many of the conflicts that arise are due to the fact that common ground is not looked for and differing perspectives become more and more polarized. Lots of good advice - really helpful book! ...more
This was such a hard book to get through - but well worth the effort. One of the rare occasions when someone looking 'in' at a culture (that they do nThis was such a hard book to get through - but well worth the effort. One of the rare occasions when someone looking 'in' at a culture (that they do not come from) can 'see' things that are 'invisible' to those within the culture. This book covers so much; all I can say is that this book should be read by anyone wanting to get to foundational issues of 'Democracy in American' - should be required reading for anyone holding public office....more
This book really hit me hard: something has to change. Every day I watch the news there seems to be another mass shooting; and I am so tired of 'how mThis book really hit me hard: something has to change. Every day I watch the news there seems to be another mass shooting; and I am so tired of 'how many angels can dance on the head of a pin' arguments that seem to get regurgitated after each event. Paul Auster does a very good job of 'framing' the problem in a way that is easy to comprehend. When I was in the military I was trained to use an M-16 (AR-15 is the civilian version). Maybe more politicians should be taken to a military range and fire this weapon: forget the movies - see what it can do yourself....more
Ok - I'm going to totally geek out on this review! On the splash page (1st page) of this comic Stan Lee (SL) writes the following...'non-existentialisOk - I'm going to totally geek out on this review! On the splash page (1st page) of this comic Stan Lee (SL) writes the following...'non-existentialistic' - published date is given as 10/1/65. Jean-Paul Sartre (JPS) was not widely read outside of philosophical circles in America as of this date; his declining of the Nobel Prize for literature happened in 1964 - true, he was gaining a wider readership at this point in time. My point is that this is further evidence of how widely read SL was - could SL have been referring to Albert Camus (AC)? He received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1957. It really doesn't matter: my point is the same: SL was a uniquely well read for someone in the comic industry at this (or any other) time. Couple this with Steve Ditko being a follower of Ayn Rand - KAPOW!...more
Wow - reminded me of a cross between The Trial and Colossus - a very timely look what AI sentience might become. Adrian Ross is a Silicon Valley 'everWow - reminded me of a cross between The Trial and Colossus - a very timely look what AI sentience might become. Adrian Ross is a Silicon Valley 'everyman' who becomes targeted by forces that have determined he is a threat; and it just gets worse from there. One of the aspects that is covered in this book is the 'enmeshing' that AI would use to 'hunt' prey. The perfect SF rollercoaster ride that is ripped from real issues being debated right now!...more
Ria Thundercloud tells her story in this wonderfully illustrated book. A member of both the Ho-Chunk Nation and Sandia Pueblo she recounts how dance hRia Thundercloud tells her story in this wonderfully illustrated book. A member of both the Ho-Chunk Nation and Sandia Pueblo she recounts how dance has been a journey she has embraced for many years. Grounded in the traditional dance of her people Ria then goes on to train and master Western dance forms; but she is always centered in the traditions that she learned from performing at powwows as a little girl. A very inspiring story!...more
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