Princess in the Land of Snows

Book Description

This is the story of a determined woman who overcame great obstacles in order to achieve religious freedom. Born in eastern Tibet, Jamyang Sakya married into the powerful Sakya family, spiritual advisers of Kublai Khan and for years rulers of much of Central Asia. Her engaging personal story evokes a rich vision of Tibet's traditional culture, customs, and religious practices. Jamyang Sakya tells of being the only girls in a monastic private school, of dreams and divinations interpreted by high lamas, of long pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist sites, and of her life as a high lady of Sakya. Her narrative reveals a multifaceted picture, from the intricacies of managing a palace household to the political takeover by the Chinese Communists, who destroyed much of Tibet's religious heritage. It climaxes with the Sakya family's harrowing walk through the Himalayas to freedom, during which they were hotly pursued by the Chinese. After a year in India, they immigrated to the United States, one of the first Tibetan families to do so.

Customer Reviews:

A Touching and Insightful Story.......2004-10-23

You will not regret buying this book!!!

I've lived in Seattle for over 20 years and did not know the true meaning of love and compassion until I went to the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, where I had the honor of knowing H.E. Dagmo-Kushula (Mother of Princes) Jamyang Sayka and her husband His Holiness J.D. Sakya Rinpoche.

His Holines is the Spritual Leader of the Monastery and I knew Him and His Wife quite well. It was there that i received my "refuge" (Basically a loyalty oath, confirming that i have taken Buddhism as a personal course to attain enlightenment); it was also there where i received my Buddhist name, given to me by His Holiness, Himself.

In this magnificient, eloquent and profound book, (With a forward by His Holiness, The Dalai Lama) the journey that She, her Husband and family took to escape the chinese is fully documented by H.E. Jamyang and it is full of laughter, joy and tremendous hardship.

She has the ability to be incredibly sublime in her quips and anecdotes. A favorite accounting of mine is when they were actually in as much danger crossing the Himalayas as they potentially faced with the chinese.

There is a Tibetan word i cannot recall which, roughly translated, means, "look out below,!" meaning that if you were on the downside of a steep slope, you had to watch out for an ox who had slipped and was plunging down the mountain towards you, which to her, was funny in retrospect, but rather alarming at the time.

In this book, H.E. Jamyang has the astonishing ability to actually allow you to see through Her eyes. A rare gift that is continually sought by writers the world over.

You do not have to be a Buddhist to appreciate this wonderful book, and you will discover what love and compassion means to these displaced people, and it not just some fleeting emotion that most feel only over the Christmas holiday. This book will delight and enlighten you, and show you why they had over 1000 years of peace until their ancestral home was usurped by the chinese.

you will never regret reading it, but you may very well regret losing it! it is worth reading time and again, especially when you feel anger towards your fellow human, and, more importantly, when you feel anger towards yourself.

This book is worth far more than its weight in gold.

Loved it.......2003-12-21

Superb narration from one of the rare female Tibetan Lamas, H.E. Dagmo Kusho Jamyang Sakya. Fascinating insight into the political skirmishes of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, from a perspective of privilege and power within its hierarchy. Interesting historical reference of the infiltration of chinese communism into Tibet, as well as much detail about her escape from Tibet with her husband, H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche. They, along with many family members, became one of the first Tibetan families to settle in the United States. This book is well written, with superb detail which makes one feel as if they are taking part in the events as they unfold.

Book Description

Depictions and portrayals of persons who live with disability in motion pictures have changed over time, sometimes reflecting, at other times influencing, societal attitudes and beliefs. Yet disability itself has no easily recognizable form. When isolated from the mainstream of human existence by artistic representations, the disabled individual is effectively transformed into an object of cultural fascination, a fragment of humanity, the Other. The disabled experience, defined only in relation to a perceived lack of human potentiality, becomes significant as a distorted mirror image of what we take to be "human" and thereby reveals our culture's preconceived notions of normalcy. "Screening Disability: Essays on Cinema and Disability" was conceived to provide both an overview of the traditional methods of analyzing portrayals of disability in cinema as well as suggesting new directions for cinema and disability scholars to take. This book not only shows where the study of cinema and disability began, but it also marks a potentially new phase in the study of cinema and disability by incorporating elements of Film Studies that emphasize the priority of reception and the complexity of texts.

Average customer rating:

Good, but not great

Too sensationalistic

A Good Witch...

really disappointing........

Fascinating, but not fair reporting...

Not In Kansas Anymore : A Curious Tale of How Magic Is Transforming America
Christine Wicker
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic: A Materia Magica of African-American Conjure

ASIN: B000GG4LOO

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not great.......2007-08-25

I thought this book was good, but not great. I think the only reason I did not give this book a higher rating is because this author almost totally dismissed Wicca, the Strega, Slavic Sorcery & Shamanism, Druidry & cerimonial magic .... Their are more forms of magic out their transforming America besides Hoodoo... Don't get me wrong, I practice many different magical traditions, and one of them is Hoodoo, but their is more out their than this... She met up with a group of witches in Salem, wasn't impressed -- so she pretty much left them where they were at without exploring any further ....

If it wouldn't have been for that fact, this book would have totally been a 5.

Too sensationalistic.......2007-05-11

I first encountered this book when doing research on the Otherkin community. I'd heard that the author had a chapter on Otherkin, and that was the first part I read. I wasn't particularly impressed by what I found; it seemed a bit touristy and sensationalistic, though well-written.

Now that I have time to just read for the fun of it, I decided to give the entire book a chance. Unfortunately, my initial impressions aren't that much different from how I feel now that I've seen the whole thing.

Wicker is a journalist, and it shows from the very beginning. She talks about her peers' worries that she'll "go native", and her attempts not to do so are quite obvious. At least she's honest, rather than pretending to be a member of a group to try to find out more about it. She states clearly where she's coming from-not magical, pretty much an atheist, and seriously squicked about certain things.

The book seems largely dedicated to three subjects: Hoodoo, witchcraft and its variants, and Otherkin and vampires. She visits Zora Neale Hurston's grave to get grave dirt, hangs out a bit with the Silver Elves, and gets witchy in Salem. In fact, she gets to have all sorts of experiences that numerous pagans and magical folk would love to have.

Granted, it does seem that she learns something from the experience. The book is a journey for her, from superstition to magic. Unfortunately, this is bogged down by numerous descriptions of various events and people that seme to be purposely slanted towards the extreme. She freaks out about every single instance of BDSM she encounters, describes in great detail just how bizarre everyone looks, and spends pages upon pages relaying the absolute worst of the paths she encounters. And while some of the people she interviews seem pretty down to earth and informational, others appear to be whoring for attention. Whether that's the actual case, or just how Wicker chose to portray them, isn't made clear here.

And everything is taken out of context, with the exception of some of the Hoodoo and witchcraft. Background information on the various topics she covers would have helped to ground her writing and make it seem less sensationalistic. For instance, all she really says about Wicca is that it's white-light and not every pagan likes it. And she leaps from topic to topic fast enough to make my head spin.

I appreciate what Wicker was trying to do: present the magical fringes of society in a manner that the mainstream can palate. Unfortunately it feels more like a patchwork of whatever she happened to find; from reading this book one might assume that all vampires are into BDSM, all witches are tacky, kitschy, weird people who wear too much eye makeup, and that Hoodoo seems to be the only thing discussed that has any redeeming value. While it's not as horribly sensationalistic as some of the "occult expose" books out there, there are better "outsider" views of magic and paganism out there and go in more depth; I recommend "Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves" by Sarah M. Pike, an academic look at the neopagan festival culture by someone who is not pagan but who manages to cover the material in a respectful, even-handed manner while writing at a level that non-academics can easily digest.

A Good Witch..........2007-04-15

What I love about Christine Wicker is the sense of humor that she brings to each side of the arguments she chooses to write about. I read "Not in Kansas Anymore" shortly after it came out, and was horrified when I realized I hadn't left a review. What endeared me to Ms. Wicker when I read "Lily Dale" is the tongue-in-cheek approach she makes to the entire idea of magic and what it means to different groups, to individual practitioners, and ultimately to her. I loved this book, but I was surprised by it at the same time, because it was not what I expected it to be.

Much of the book concerns hoodoo which is a very difficult subject to research. Indeed, the only reliable information I have ever found is basically the only information available, provided by the proprietor of the Lucky Mojo Curio Company who plays a large part in this book. I was surprised because so much of the book concerns hoodoo and relatively little touches on what many would think of in terms of modern magick- the Neopagan population, and specifically the beliefs and practices of the different Wiccan traditions. There is talk of sigil magick and mojo hands and conjuring spirits, there's graveyard dirt and goofer dust and interesting revelations all around. But I was impressed by the fact that Ms. Wicker took what has been talked about so little concerning magick and wrote an entire book about it, setting this account apart from so many others that might stick with the "safe" subjects- the New Age, dimestore magick that is so easy to find now.

If you're looking for a recipe book of different spells and incantations, you will be disappointed. What this book does offer is a very different experience of magick than you're likely to get from a majority of the other available sources. It's the experience of a warm and open skeptic and it's fascinating in not only it's approach, but also it's honesty. I love this book and recommend it to anyone who believes in magick, but especially to those who don't.

really disappointing...............2006-12-30

I was looking forward to reading this book and getting a better idea and more understanding of the various non-Judeo-Christian religious groups
in this red state-God-and-guns climate we are currently enduring. But this book is so poorly written and disjointed. The author talks a little about 1 thing and then leaves the subject for several chapters. There's no real detail, history or explanation of ideology of the few groups she does address. Only 2 individuals are given any real depth. And as far as the author's claim of open-minded reporting,she seemed to have made up her mind about alot of ideas before she even started.All in all, not a good book- this one went into my rummage sale box.

Fascinating, but not fair reporting..........2006-11-07

As someone who is pagan, it is difficult to know how to assess this book fairly, which may be why pagans are not reviewing it positively, or shying away from reviewing it at all. The author does an excellent job of showing us how the tolerant outsider views magical belief; they are close-minded when it comes to accepting it as a possible paradigm for reality, but open-minded enough to actually experience its effects from time to time, and report on it honestly.

Wicker, a former religion reporter for the Dallas Morning News, does some wonderful profiles of people she spent some time with - Dr. Kioni, the Florida rootworker, Catherine Yronwode and her husband Siva, the "blood-pact" Satanist, and the Goth pagan vampire set. She also did some thorough research on some of the quirkier historical roots of magical belief, and reached out to a broad sample of believers within the magical community. She even does a good job of careful criticism in an area where we need a few more checks on our behavior - witness her compassionate elucidation of the "fantasy biography" phenomena, something that pagans are often a little too prone to committing.

The trouble is that she often fails to report what we believe, confusing it with what she thinks is more important - what is appropriate to believe about us. Other American religious minorities wouldn't tolerate this sort of sloppy bias; why should it be any different for us?

Despite her efforts to be objective, too many ideas are left out, concepts that would have given people who don't believe in magic a better chance of understanding who we are. She describes Siva as a "blood-pact" Satanist. What is a "blood-pact" Satanist, and how does this differ from a more ordinary, garden-variety Satanist? She doesn't elaborate - was the sensationalist label only supposed to reinforce how different his life path is from her own? From her descriptions of his activities and attitudes toward life, it is clear that he is emulating Lucifer, the light-bringer, who brings the forgotten truth to light in subversive ways. This is how many of us actually view Satanists - why couldn't she report this?

It is easy to sympathize with her when she writes that the magical walk that she took with guidance from chaos magician and Open Sourcer Joseph Maxx "discombobulated me in a way that none of the other magic had". Many believers of magic initially go through a period of time of being very afraid of how magic will change their minds. Sanity is a construct, and if you violate too much of the construct, you are judged insane by those operating under the predominant framework of what constitutes sane reality. Rather than realizing the universality of this conflict, and interviewing magical believers in how they manage to integrate their belief with rational interaction in the everyday world, or what types of activities they themselves may choose to avoid because of the same fear, she treats this fear as if it is the sole province of the rational disbeliever. Wrong again.

She writes of Wiccans as being adamant about doing only good magic, while failing to recognize or report that the term Wicca itself has become an umbrella for many believers of other pagan traditions who affiliate under the label of "Wiccan", largely because it has become a media label that outsiders recognize and identify with. Ten or fifteen years ago, many of these people took cover under the umbrella of Universal Unitarianism, a faith which includes believers who are not magical and do not share the polytheistic world-view of neo-pagans. Today, they "take cover" under Wicca, which makes Wiccan practice more diverse, and more likely to engage with darker paths than non-believers may realize, even if those same people are proud of the Wiccan emphasis on a bright, "white light" path.

A little more explanation of some of the major traditions within magical belief would have given the non-pagan, non-magical reader a better understanding of who we are. Some of us are not pagan; there are Christians who quietly believe in and work magic.

Vampires often identify as being Goth pagan, a minor but significant tradition within our conglomerate of believers. She mentions the chaos magicians, the fey-and-dragon believers, and devotes a significant portion of the book to the mesopagan traditions of voodoo and hoodoo, without giving an unfamiliar reader a framework to "hang their hat on". Neither the Asatru nor the Druids make it into this book at all, even though their scholarly approach to reconstructing ancient belief systems has had a strong impact on contemporary pagan thought. The outside reader doesn't learn much about our internal structure after finishing this book, and isn't that the purpose of writing a book on a largely unknown group of spiritual believers?

Instead, what we get is a simplistic paraphrasing of Pascal's famous pensee, "My magical experiences were too little to convince me and at the same time too much to dismiss." One suspects that she simply doesn't want to identify with us too closely because of her devotion to conformist, upper-middle class social values and sensibilities. In the end, it becomes more important to ultimately repudiate our beliefs by reassuring her readers and herself of the supremacy of rational thought.

But the magical community as a whole had the right to expect more of religious investigative journalism. When I went to look up a source for Eric Vogelin's work on Hegel, or check the publication date for Francis King's Ritual Magic in England, neither of these sources was included in the bibliography after being mentioned in the text. Even the bibliography could have been checked more carefully for sloppy errors prior to publication.

Not In Kansas Anymore: A Curious Tale of How Magic Is Transforming America

Average customer rating:

Not In Kansas Anymore: A Curious Tale of How Magic Is Transforming America
Christine Wicker
Manufacturer: HarperSanFrancisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0739467301

Product Description

Wicker soon set out to discover what was so compelling about the philosophy and practice of magic, or witchcraft. From the moment she introduces a group of self-professed vampires, who challenge her as to whether she is a victim, she sweeps us into some seriously cobwebby corners of the American psyche. Impeccably researched and filled with details on the prevalence of magic throughout American history, the book could be ponderous and freaky, but that Wicker's delightfully self-abnegating tone never allows. When she attends a ritual in Salem, Massachusetts, where historic witch-burning is the basis of a profitable commercial cult, her over-the-top costume makes it hard for her even to walk. Offered a chance for some good mojo to spice up her sex life, she decides to let well enough alone. Wicker never mocks the magicians' and witches' beliefs or their sometimes-extreme personal habits but rather constantly seeks the reasons for belief and the context for personal choice.

Average customer rating:

Not In Kansas Anymore: A Curious Tale Of How Magic Is Transforming America
Christine Wicker
Manufacturer: Harper San Francisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUMLDQ

Amazon.com

It's been a long time coming, but SimCity 3000 is finally here. The latest installment of this classic series offers a ton of new features, much-improved graphics, and the trademark addictive gameplay that made SimCity famous. With Prima's guide to the game in hand, you'll have a thriving metropolis on your desktop in no time. Beginning with a rundown of the series and the new elements in SimCity 3000, this book offers a wealth of information and guidance for any prospective SimMayor. The book covers topics such as connecting to neighbor cities and negotiating business deals with your fellow mayors, as well as more mundane items like where to dispose of your garbage (or to be more specific, where not to dispose of your garbage). Of course, the book also offers helpful advice for balancing your city's finances and provides a thorough description of the game's ordinances and their effects on your population. This is simply the ultimate guide to the ultimate city-building sim. --Michael Ryan

Book Description

Tips for negotiating business deals with neighboring cities
Tactics for balancing your Residential, Commercial, and Industrial zones
Hints for managing city services
Strategies that allow you access to reward features
How to provide efficient and complete utility distribution
Insights into keeping the city finances in order
Suggestions for creating eye-pleasing custom landscapes

Customer Reviews:

Sim City 3000 States the Obvious.......2002-01-10

This book tells you what you can learn in a couple of hours playing the game. The chapters have little real helpful information. The obvious is stated rather dryly and with little creativity. My previous experience with this series has been very good. I expected more. I wish I had checked this site before buying this book. There are a few interesting facts, very few, and the price of the book far outweighs the small bits of usable information.

Save your money!.......2000-03-14

The eye-catching "Official Strategy Guide" and Maxis-style front cover promise much, but this book is a grave disappointment. While it may be of use to those who have never used SimCity before, anyone looking for the in-depth information which is alluded to will be left wanting.

The few titbits of useful information which are provided, such as the land value calculation on p68, are poorly explained and make one wonder how much the author actually understands his subject.

Chapter 3 is pure padding - it just lists Maxis' own table of differences between SC2000 and SC3000. A useful-sounding appendix giving a list of power consumption values (p94) and "specific consumption figures" (p132) is alas missing from the book entirely. The number of fundamental errors which should have been caught by even trivial proofreading is _awful_: 3x3=16 (p57); 5x4500=4500 (p58).

Put these things together and you have a complete waste of money...

Prima Scores a Failing Grade!.......2000-02-21

Okay, Prima is one of the a respectable company that produces great game guides. While reading this guide I discovered that Prima is perfect either. This book was lacking in the accuracy department and should be improved, though we all know that will never happen, D---!

Good info, but errors make it confusing.......1999-12-31

This is better than the other SC3k guides out there, but it's hardly great. Some of the charts such as NIMBY and land value effects are great, but they can also be contradictory, probably due to stupid mistakes that should've been caught in editing. They really should fix all the problems with this guide and re-release it. A game this good deserves a better guide and a game this difficult warrants one.

Best available...but that isn't saying much.......1999-10-28

This is probably the best strategy guide available for SimCity 3000...but that isn't much of a compliment. Considering what an excellent game this is, I find this surprising. The guide did provide a lot of indepth and technical information about the game--I'm not sure how useful it is but it's there anyway. However, the book reiterates a lot of info over and over again which makes for tedious reading. I'd recomend this book only because there isn't really a better alternative...a better effort should have been made.

SimCity 3000 Unlimited: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Average customer rating:

SimCity 3000 Unlimited
Popular game explored in depth
Very Helpful!
Very Helpful!

SimCity 3000 Unlimited: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
Greg Kramer , and Prima Temp Authors
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Video Games | Games & Strategy Guides | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Video & Electronic Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0761529845
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Book Description

The possibilities are unlimited.

SimCity has been the flagship and cornerstone of simulation gaming since its introduction in 1989. Now, SimCity 3000 Unlimited is the hot new follow-up to 1999's successful SimCity 3000. The new game features all the great gameplay of the original plus several new features, including two new building sets, thirteen challenging scenarios, and a scenario creator. Now with SimCity 3000 Unlimited: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, you'll get:

• Coverage of both SimCity 3000 Unlimited and SimCity 3000 for PC and Mac
• Exclusive advice from the Electronic Arts testers
• Secrets for novices and seasoned mayors alike
• Detailed instructions for earning all rewards
• Tips on dealing with natural disasters
• Strategies for new scenarios
• A graphic directory of North American, Asian, and European building sets
• Comprehensive appendices including all buildings and landmarks

Customer Reviews:

SimCity 3000 Unlimited.......2002-11-07

I have had MANY computer games (about 20,ALL of them EXTREMELY complex.),but NONE have had problems like SimCity 3000 Unlimited.I am not able to save my games.

Popular game explored in depth.......2001-12-13

The popular simulation game has many fans and now with its third update comes a revised SIM City Strategy guide. This exhaustive revision comes on the heels of the original guide for the 3000 version of the game. The Unlimited SC3K guide still applies to users of the regular 3K, but now contains a more more in depth coverage of the Building Architect, the new scenarios, and the ins and outs of building the best cities. There are many redundancies which actually help the user of the game understand what's happening. Additionally, the guide also serves to educate users on the principles of real city planning. Considering the length of this volume, the reader may feel qualified to work in city hall after digesting it all.
For anyone who loves their SIMCity 3K this book is just the icing on the cake.

Very Helpful!.......2000-07-13

This book is very different then the SimCity 3000 guide. It has double the pages and detailed information on SimCity 3000 Unlimited. It has a building your first city section for beginners, all of the buildings and pictures, walkthroughs for scenarios, all the new rewards, what is new and different from SimCity 3000, tips, and so much more! I would recommend this for any SimCity 3000 or SimCity 3000 Unlimited player!

Very Helpful!.......2000-07-13

Book Description

College is not the automatic answer to "What happens after high school?" In order for college to be the answer, many steps must be taken: forms have to be filled out and submitted, and long range planning needs to occur. The planning actually needs to start as early as the eighth grade! College Countdown is a survival kit for teens and parents who are struggling to get through this intense and confusing process. It is designed to help families organize all the stuff required by college admissions. This helpful workbook includes: tear-out timelines and checklists; financial aid ideas; internet resources; inside advice on admissions essays and interviews; and much more.

Customer Reviews:

A must read!.......2002-04-12

As a professional interested in helping teens get their maximum potential out of the pre-college experience, I found this book to be most helpful and timely. Whether you're a high school student who is just beginning to think about college or a parent who is confused about all the new procedures and time tables, this book will guide and inspire you throughout the entire process. With expert information, a great, reader-friendly layout, and lots of practical advice, this book is the only resource you'll ever need to navigate the waters of the college admissions process!

hi.......2001-08-17

I havent read this book but my Aunt Jill wrote it and i am sure its good

College Countdown.......2000-03-10

I recommend this book for all of my students who are planning to attend college. The book is comprehensive, easy to follow, and unlike other books on college it has handy examples of sample resumes, worksheets for listing college visits and contacts, sample questions for interviews, timelines for scholarships and applications, and a sample of a thank you note for recommendations. The book is easy to follow and is based on Mrs. VonGruben's own personal experiences with her children. The college industry has become a big business and wise students and parents need to explore all options. This book will help them to know when to begin the college planning process, how to go about it, and enable students and parents to make wise decisions regarding college.

A Must Read!.......2000-02-21

VonGruben crafts a must read for any graduating high school student or high school parent. From Financial Aid to Admissions, this is an invaluable tool. Hats off to VonGruben!

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