Dreams of the Centaur, a book which I read some 5 years ago and still affects me, tells the story of the ramifications of the miscegenation of the Native Indians and the descendents of the conquistadors. It is a complex tale that incorporates both the heinous massacre of the indian natives and the beauty of the Mexican culture as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well researched and thoughtful commentary on a difficult subject.

I flew through the book, completely engaged in the characters, the period, the politics of the removal of Yaqui indians from their homeland under Diaz. Great prose and a view of a time and place in Mexico we know little about.

Living with the Unexpected is an interesting attempt to examine the continuing volcanic emergency on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, which began in 1995, within the twin contexts of the latest developments in the social theory of disasters and sustainable development. Anja Possekel was awarded a doctorate from the University of Hamburg in 1998, and Living with the Unexpected represents a development of ideas contained in her thesis.

Following an introductory section, in Chapter 2 the author provides a fine and detailed overview of hazard theory. Some of the material has a familiar ring as the author discusses issues such as: the distinction between hazards and disasters and differing approaches to hazard research. Here a well-known cast list of authors makes an appearance as the author contrasts the approaches adopted by the 'founding fathers' of hazard research (e.g. Burton, Kates and White), with more recent development associated with such authors as Hewitt, Susman, Blaikie, Mitchell and Palm. Since much of this material is probably well known to potential readers, much more severe editing could have been carried out, without any sacrifice in clarity. A welcome innovation is that the author also and for the first time in context of volcanic hazards, examines recent developments in complexity and uncertainty theory and links these to a discussion of chaos. For the present reviewer, this section provided an excellent primer to these increasing prominent themes in disaster theory and of itself would justify library purchase of this volume. Chapter 3, which is devoted to strategic planning in disaster zones, also has a theoretical hue. Again the quality of the reviewing is exemplary and, what is particularly noteworthy, is the careful discussion of both the potentials and possible pitfalls of scenario planning. The latter as many practising hazard analysts can attest are often forgotten.

Much has been written about the 1995 eruption of Montserrat, but much of this literature is located in specialised journals and unpublished reports. Anja Possekel is to be congratulated for compiling and editing this material so effectively. Entitled, Montserrat - A Complex System, Chapter 4 first examines Montserrat before the volcanic crisis using notions of certainty and uncertainty as a framework, the author goes on to look at the severe impact of the disaster on the island and, in Chapter 5, outlines various strategies for reconstruction and recovery. A real and welcome innovation of Possekel's work is that her discussion does not conclude at this point, but continues and examines recovery scenarios through a number of workshops attended by both local citizens and decision makers. The author concludes (page 262), that in the context of Montserrat 'resilience is the normative goal of sustainability, whilst sustainability is the process that eventually leads to resilience'. More specifically what us required is a scenario to: 'reduce vulnerability; improve the quality of life, especially with reference to the environment, education, economy and social health care; encourage the partnership between .... individuals, the private sector, NGOs and governments; (and to) blend planning and management'. The author suggest a scenario to achieve these goals, which is acceptable to local people.

Unlike many academic texts, I enjoyed reading Living with the Unexpected and, indeed, read most of it in one session. Although probably too expensive for purchase by any but the most affluent academic, Anja Possekel's book is an essential library purchase for institutions of higher education and government departments. It is a ground breaking work of applied scholarship and is highly recommended.

This carefully written, 287-page hardback book illustrated with many photographs, maps, and charts - a factual book which will appeal particularly to those with a professional, academic, or personal interest in Montserrat's economy, geography, and future development, as well as to people who may be involved in preparation for other potential disasters elsewhere. I don't think it is possible to find a better comprehensive summary of Montserrat's current situation anywhere.

It opens with three chapters which set the stage, rather than being focused on Montserrat specifically. These are of more interest to professional geographers, social scientists, or economists. First, it places Montserrat in the context of the United Nations' International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. The second chapter outlines the theoretical basis of the study, discussing the principle of sustainable development, the nature of complexity and uncertainty, the uses of systems theory, and the tasks of hazard management and hazard planning. Chapter 3 discusses strategic planning in general, and the use of the scenarios in this - the heading to this chapter quotes Pericles: "It is less important to foresee the future than to be prepared for it" - a dictum which would serve everyone well who lives in areas at risk of hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods!

The fourth chapter gets into the meat of the subject of Montserrat, starting with a comprehensive description of Montserrat. It quotes Davy (John Davy from 1854? The reference is not included in the bibliography):

"No island in these seas is bolder in its general aspect, more picturesque and I think I might add without exaggeration, more beautiful in the detail of its scenery - indeed might be tempted to say considering its fortunes, that it has the fatal gift of beauty".

The settlement, geological, and ecological maps of Montserrat are excellent, and the summary of Montserrat's history from pre-Columbian times, through a detailed description of the recovery from Hugo, up to the present, is very informative - it includes details and histories of the social, demographic, economic and political structure of Montserrat which are summarized better than I have ever seen elsewhere (where else can you find a diagram of the political structure of Montserrat, with the names and village of origin of every senior civil servant and the location of the 23 departments under the four ministries?). This chapter, like much of the book, also reports the findings of surveys and interviews conducted with a substantial number of people in Montserrat.

The chapter gives a blow-by-blow (or should I say flow-by-flow?) account of each stage of the volcanic crisis, with reproductions of every one of the series of risk zone maps produced by the MVO, together with an account of the economic, social, and political upheavals, and several photographs by the author, Doug Darby, David Lea and others. For anyone who wants a review and summary of the events, this must be the best account yet, and it combines on-island and off-island sources in a very useful way - with quotations from interviews with ordinary people, lyrics by Arrow, Cupid, and Rachel Collis, poems, and charts to boot!

Chapter 5 sets the scene for the author's "scenarios" methodology in hazard management, and Chapter 6 starts by describing a "dry run" of this methodology using a group in Hamburg, before it gets down to the nitty-gritty, exploring the different development scenarios envisioned for Montserrat by a varied group of Montserratians who were convened for the purpose. The scenarios included such varied vision as Montserrat as "the small Caribbean Jaguar", "Business as usual" (if only that were possible! It is accompanied by a drawing of taxi drivers playing dominoes by the War Memorial) and "Sustainable Development". Political scenarios, including independence or closer integration with the UK are also explored.

I'm not a geographer, an economist, or a planner, so I don't feel equipped to pass judgement on this book in any way. I'm left with the feeling that there are some great techniques and great ideas out there, but that the powers that be in Montserrat - and indeed the people as a whole - are just going to "muddle through", and that without deciding on even one of the possible scenarios or road maps outlined in this book, Montserrat will just flounder, economically, politically, socially, and environmentally. If a country does not know where it wants to go, it is unlikely to get there, and I see no sign that there has been much thought to where the country wants to do, all the platitudes of the Strategic Development Plan notwithstanding. A book of this sort does not have the immediacy or focus of something as specific as the Wadge report, but that makes it no less important, but I think it will be relegated to the same dusty shelf as the Wadge report was, and with the same kind of consequences.

Guibernau achieved in this book what so many other authors on nations and nationalisms have been unable to do. The author writes about the phenomena of nationalism without falling into the easy, theoretically lax discourse that condemns nationalism as being inherently racist or xenophobic, while still addressing this potential within nationalism.

The author treats nationalism of Nation-States separately from the nationalism of Nations without states. She thus avoids many of the theoretical pitfalls that plague the theories of nationalism.

Although the book reads like a doctoral dissertation (appropriate since it was an adaptation of her dissertation), one can appreciate the careful exegesis throughout the book and especially the excavation she conducted of classical social theory on nationalism. It thus serves as a friendly introduction to nationalism.

The organization of the book is one of the more appealing aspects. Guibernau allows nationalism to unfold historically and then conceptually in the book. The reader is guided through the complexities of nationalism from the earliest theories that deal directly and indirectly with nationalism to the current situation of nationalism. She directly addresses the current situation of nations without states in Europe and the future potential to resolve some of the conflicts between nations within the developing European Union.

The book, does tend to be a bit eurocentric (something that is practically unavoidable giving the differences of nationalism between the East and West and the limitations of one human to study both)focusing primarily on examples that are closest to the author (Catalonia).

This book is undoubtedly one that belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in nations and nationalism.

Paulo refleja en esta obra parte de su vida. El describe parte de si mismo reemplazando personajes y lugares .... pero muy en el fondo el habla de si mismo y, quien sabe, también de nosotros. Por eso no se sienta aludido si en algún momento se identifica con uno de sus personajes. Paulo tiene esa magia en las manos que saben como decirte las cosas cotidianas, aquellas que cuando lo lees te preguntas: alguien me dijo esto alguna vez antes?.

Veronika es una joven cuya vida, según su particular punto de vista, se había tornado monótona y al percibir que no habrá un cambio contundente en un futuro cercano decide suicidarse porque ya nada tenía sentido. Había planeado todo friamente pero las cosas no salieron como ella lo deseaba y sobrevivió. Entonces es internada por su familia en un Sanatorio para enfermos mentales en donde es tratada por un psiquiatra que trataba de probar una teoría sobre la locura. A pesar de haber sobrevivido al suicidio es informada que de todas formas morirá inevitablemente porque parte de su corazón quedó inerte. Ella es desahusiada y solamente le quedan unos pocos días más de vida.

De esta manera ella prefiere no relacionarse con los enfermos porque no quería tener ningún enlace con la vida puesto que la muerte estaba cerca, y ella quería irse sin remordimiento, sin tener a nadie a quien extrañar, ni por quien aferrarse a seguir viviendo. Sin embargo no puede evitar relacionarse con los enfermos de ese lugar y estos episodios hacen que su concepto sobre la vida cambien rotundamente. Se da cuenta que no había vivido lo suficiente y vuelven a ella los deseos de no partir al más alla. Conoce el amor que hasta entonces le había sido esquivo, un amor en silencio pero que hablaba con los ojos. Considero que nadie debe atreverse a contar el final de la obra pues acabarían con su magia . Desea saber Qué sucede con Veronika?, pues leala. Pienso que es una de las mejores obras literarias de Coehlo. Emplea un lenguaje sencillo, sin enredos, pero con pensamientos sabios que a muchos, como a mí, les cambiará la vida. Gracias Paulo

Como siempre, Paulo Coelho nos da otra leccion mas acerca de la vida y lo que debemos hacer de ella. Veronika, una chica joven, linda, sin mayores problemas ni preocupaciones, un dia decide que ya se canso de esta vida y opta por suicidarse...No comentare mas sobre lo que trata el libro en si, sino mas bien de lo que Coelho nos quiere transmitir por medio del mismo. Quede fascinada con el mensaje principal de esta obra: Solo cuando nos vemos ante la muerte es cuando valoramos la vida. Me hizo reflexionar muchisimo y por ello estoy eternamente agradecida. Este libro, como todos los que he leido de Coelho (El Alquimista, La Quinta Montana y otros) encierra muchas lecciones y yo se que a usted le gustara tanto como a mi. Lealo y no se arrepentira!!!

Veronica es una joven que lleva una vida normal como cualquier otra perzona, y llega al punto donde deside morir porq esta arta de la vida. Todos los seres humanos pasamos por este momento alguna vez en nuestras vidas, y algunas veses llegamos a tomar desiciones equivocadas. Este libro te enseña que cuando mas cerca tienes la muerte, mas razones encuentras para vivir, pero ya no le puedes dar vuelta a la hoja,y es cundo te das cuenta q vivir vale la pena. Pablo no solo nos cuenta de la chica, en cada libro q el escribe, tambien nos dice verdades de la vida y tambien consejos que son muy ciertos, y es eso lo q lo hace ser un autor estupendo. YO recomiendo los libros de este autor por ser basados en acontesimientos de la vida cotidiana q todo ser humano vive.

This is an adorable story about two "Goodparents" agonizing over what to get their son for a present. They make guesses based on hints from their son. My three year old loves to squeal "no!" every time the guess is incorrect. I like reading it to her because it's very easy to become animated while doing so.

I like this book so very much, with its warm and beautiful message of love. Specially in these hard times. The story and the illustrations are simply wonderful.

Great book about what really matters. Time, affection, guidance,etc are the real values that can't be replaced by all the toys and trinkets in the world!
Should be required reading for parents!

I am a high school student and was given this book to read for school. At first I thought that it would just be an average book... but it turned out to be the best book that I have ever read. For many reasons: I could really realate to it, I have met the author, and it seemed to make a lot of sence. I would just like to thank the author so much, she has inspired me to write a boo. i really think that everybody should read this book.

Readers will have a tough time putting this one down at the end of the night. Each chapter begs to be read and explored. This author has created a gripping story with depth and charged emotions. Andrea and Victor still linger in my mind. Read this book. It is incredible! I came upon it by chance so take one and pick this up.

This was one of the most surprising stories I have ever read. Most fiction stories based on non-fictional lives are quite trite and unmoving. This captures it all. Society, the gender gap, the ever changing world, new and old conflicts, and religious strugle. I fully recomend this novel.

Este es el primer libro de Paulo Coelho que leo y la verdad me dejo un buen sabor de boca. El libro narra la historia de Santiago un pastro español en busca de su "leyenda personal".
Realmente este es un libro muy motivante, el cual desde que comencé no lo pude dejar hasta que lo terminé, un libro muy recomendable.

It is a terrific book about a boy who gave up his sheep and searched the treasure in his dreams. Along the journey, he met a lot of people, some helped him; others were mean. But he persisted to find the one universal language,and listened to his heart. He went through a lot of trials and unexpected situations. I admired his courage and faith. The story is mysterious and I recommend it to all my friends!

This book is a wonderful fable in itself, as well as easy to read. I would recommend reading this to children as well as adults. It's definately a book to ponder the meaning of, and makes you think about the mysteries that remain outside of our "ordinary" world.

One does not read fantasy for forty years without developing a good working knowledge of the various aspects of dragonology. There are countless theories that attempt to explain why the image of the dragon is so endemic, but I prefer the simplest - once upon a time dragons walked the earth. Not those wimpy prehistoric lizards, but serious, flying, magic using critters that finally left in disgust with the mess us humans have made of the world.

In an effort to clear up any confusion, Montse Sant has endeavored to create a compendium of dragon facts and fiction. Sant almost succeeds. Unfortunately, the author shows a decided propensity for making too many things up when the literature fails to come through. Thus, we have a fiction about a fiction of all things. This is not a book about dragons, but a book about Sant's vision of what dragons should be. All very well if you happen to agree with Sant's ideas. The author is a dragon apologist, who spends so much time chattering about how wonderful dragons are that we never really find out how terrible they are as well.

This thin tidbit is lavishly illustrated by Ciruelo Cabral. He is capable of a variety of styles, which keeps the work from feeling repetitious. Some of the work is quite good, and the rest is more than satisfactory. Indeed, I like the imaginative artwork more than I like the prose. Ciruelo seems to have a solider idea of the draconic nature than Sant does. There is enough here to fire the imagination of even the most mundane of dragon lovers, although it still leaves me a bit dissatisfied.

I'm a collector of dragon statues, some toys, and various publications. I also enjoy sculpting and illustrating. From time to time I look for good books to use as reference. Although I've only scimmed through the book a couple of times in a retail store, it has a great variety of dragons and informative reading. I was hoping to order it today, but it seems it's not available. I'd recommend this to other artists, or person who loves whimsical drawings of dragons.

this has got to be the best collection of stories and artwork i have seen! a must have for the dragon enthusiast.... if only they would republish it.

A better editor perhaps would have helped streamline this extremely extensive biography of Caballe's carreer. It is a chronicle of almost every appearance she ever made, though there is little analytical detail of even her most legendary and important performances. The word that comes to mind is "homogenized" - all the stories and information just seem to run together year after year. More anecdotes, deeper analysis of performances, and cutting of much extraneous text would have made this a better read. There are still some interesting stories, though I did have the feeling throughout that the authors didn't want to include any negative remarks regarding collegues, impressarios, or opera companies unless it was absolutely neccessary. That might be a fair and safe way to write, but it is not very interesting in a carrer retrospective like this. However, better that we have at least this less than perfect document (which, incidentally, has been totally approved and authorized by Caballe herself)than to have nothing at all, since this is really the only biography available about her entire carreer.

The authors of this book are worshipful, but that's about all. What a disappointment, especially as it's the only extant full-length biography of one of the colossal singers of the twentieth century. The first third of the book concerns itself with Caballe's beginnings, and for the most part is interesting enough, at least to the hopelessly seduced fan, but it soon becomes a week by week itinerary diary of the most mundane kind. Madame sang such and such at this place, caught a plane to such and where, sang this and that at such and such opera house....on and on. Only occasionally is there even an apparent flash of genuine interest on the part of the authors. A writer of conscience could certainly create a worthy biography of Montserrat Caballe, after all, her body of work is the stuff of legends, but this half-cooked effort really demeans the biographer's art. The elements of abiding interest surrounding Caballe, the voice itself, her miraculously docile character, among a number of other standout elements are treated shabbily in this book. A useful complete discography is appended at the end.

Maria Callas is quoted in this book as advising Caballe that "When you stop arousing controversy, Montserrat, go home. Until then, let the cat fight the dogs". Probably the Spanish soprano didn't need Callas' advice in this regard, but in any event, like all great artists, she has aroused great passion and divided opinion. Few, however, who know anything about the art of great singing, would deny her place as one of the greats of the 20th Century. My admiration for her is based, first and foremost, on the artistry: her's was one of the most beautiful voices, but rarely did she just rely on this fact. Rather, she would time and again find the very centre of a character through imaginative phrasing and peerless use of colour and shading. Vocal acuity was also a notable feature of her art - one that critics more and more are recognising when they return to her recordings and find within them levels of artistry that they took somewhat for granted in the past.

For such an important singer, we have waited a long time for a biography. It might have been expected that she, like most singers, would have received a 'pop' version of a book, one that skated over the surface and which, once read,would be left to languish on the shelf pining for a more detailed and serious treatment to come along by someone with an historical perspective in which to place the artist's contribution to the great lyric tradition. What is impressive, however, is that the Spanish soprano has been fortunate to receive a worthy treatment in this, the very first major book about her.

In my opinion (and in the views of the several friends I have leant it to), Pullen and Taylor's biography manages to be both entertaining and packed with important detail. From all this emerges an engaging portait of Caballe both as as an artist and as a private woman. This achievement should not be under-estimated given the problems of dealing with a living person and one who, in common with all major artists, undoubtedly has a vulnerable ego to protect. I have superficially enjoyed many of the portraits about other living singers - Tebaldi, Domingo, Bartoli, Te Kanawa, to name but a few - but this book serves as an historical document: it provides the detail that is necessary for the book to become a work of reference, and it is also written in a lively and knowledgeable style, so that it can be enjoyed in its own right as an highly entertaining read. Because of the density of detail, it's possible to take the book down from the shelves and dip into it to discover facts and anecdotes that have been forgotten since the last read. And the authors' observations in the extensive critical discography that concludes the book reveal them to be perceptive connoisseurs of the lyric art of singing. They assess Caballe's greatness without blindly singing her praises for everything she does.

I would unhesitatatingly recommend this book, which I have read in the German and English editions.

A beautifully witten short novel about a man who believes he is a prophet of God. The story's a little off beat and relies on the reader's belief in a higher being, but it doesn't really matter because the beauty of the novel lies in its language.