Are you looking for a very good book, one which will help you learn about the history of Japan? If so, there is a very good book I would like to recommend to you, one which is in my personal library, and one that I believe will give you with the overview you need to understand modern Japan. If you don’t understand the history – you probably won’t understand the culture, people, or even how Japan came to be what it is today – the name of the book is;

“A History of Japan – From Stone Age to Superpower” by Kenneth G. Henshall, professor of Japanese studies at the University of Waikato, New Zealand; Published by St. Martin’s Press, New York, New York, 1999. ISBN: 0-312-21986-5.

This is a complete history book of Japan from ancient times, including all of their ancient myths to the present, or the year 2000. It takes us from the very earliest of inhabitants, which are thought to be circa 13,000 BC and all the way through this Stone Age of hunter gatherers. This book is broken into six parts in all. Part two takes us through 700 to 1600 BC where the reader will learn about the Nara, Heian, the warrior state or the Kamakura Period, and the Muromachi Period, as well as the Azuchi-Momoyama Period.

In part three we learn about a closed country, drawn inwardly between 1600 and 1868, and in part four we watch as the nation of Japan is building into a modern country. We watch the economic development as well as the war and the politics. In part five we watch the preparation for war and the lead up to the war; and finally the war itself, which changed the Japanese Empire forever.

Lastly, in this six part we see the incredible resurgence of a strong people who rebuilt their country into the second largest economic power house on the planet, something incredible for an island nation. You will understand why the Japanese are so proud, and how Japan came to be. I would recommend reading this book prior to reading any history in the last decade in Japan. This way you will have an overview, you can understand that context better. Indeed, hope you will please consider all this.

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Tami Brady earned a BA and MA in Archeology before turning her interests to alternative medicine, largely due to her own issues with infertility and being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Today she provides whole health therapy sessions to help people with Fibromyalgia and infertility issues. She is the author of seven books, the latest of which is “Strategies: A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Journey.”

Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Tami. I’m intrigued that you’ve written “Strategies” as a memoir. To begin, will you tell us a little bit about your own journey dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia?

Tami: Great to meet you, Tyler.

In 1996, I was readying myself for a new phase of my life. My children were all now in school and I was planning to study for my archaeology degree. That winter, I had more than the usual number of the flu and colds, which I attributed to stress: my job, readying to go to back to school, and my father-in-law’s impending open-heart surgery.

That spring, I got another bout of what I thought was the flu. This one knocked me completely off my feet. I could hardly get out of bed each morning.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the flu. I spent the next year being shuffled around from one specialist to another trying to figure out what was wrong with me. By the time, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia my health had deteriorated. I hardly slept, I was in constant pain, and my legs collapsed on a regular basis.

It took me a long time to deal with my conditions. I was angry and frustrated but probably my biggest hurdle was all the denial and self judgments. I saw my health issues as a sign that I was weak and a failure. So instead of listening to what my body was screaming to tell me, I just kept pushing myself hoping that the pain and fatigue would dissipate on its own.

Perhaps that’s the most important lesson for those of us who live with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. We spend so much time and energy berating ourselves for what we can’t do and the lives we were forced to leave behind that we forget about the gifts that we are given through this experience. Our fatigue and pain makes us choose what’s really important in our lives. These symptoms force us to be more loving and kind to ourselves. If we allow them to, they can even show us a better, more content, fulfilling existence.

Tyler: Tami, is there a relation between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? Can a person have one without the other-does one cause the other?

Tami: The general definition of Fibromyalgia is chronic pain. One of the diagnostic tests for Fibromyalgia is the presence of pain in a majority of particular trigger points throughout the body. Actual symptoms vary from person to person including localized pain; heaviness or weakness causing mobility issues, swelling of the joints; memory and thinking impairment (fibrofog); and a myriad of other problems. Between four to eight million individuals suffer with Fibromyalgia in the United States alone. Some estimates suggest that 5% of the population actually has Fibromyalgia.

Another million people have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A large portion of individuals who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also have Fibromyalgia. The most common symptom with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is intense fatigue, often coupled with unrecuperative sleep and chronic insomnia.

In my case, my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms often exasperate my Fibromyalgia issues and vice versa. Far too many times a string of sleepless nights has heralded a wave of back pain or intense pain in my hip that has made it impossible to get any sleep.

Tyler: Tami, why do you think it took so long for the doctors to diagnose you with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, and how did you know they were correct when you were finally diagnosed with it?

Tami: At present, there are no definitive tests for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Moreover, since many of the symptoms are shared with other conditions such as accidental poisoning, problems with the thyroid glands, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and the like, it is extremely difficult to determine that someone has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Essentially, a doctor has to discount every other possible physical solution. Then, after psychological evaluations are complete, they can finally look to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, for now at least, it’s just a long frustrating process.

To be honest, when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, I didn’t believe it was a real condition. I thought that it was a made up nonsense that the doctors told people so they could ready themselves for having Multiple Sclerosis. The reason I thought this was because my aunt had recently been diagnosed with MS and her symptoms seemed a lot like mine.

It wasn’t until many years later that I came to accept that I did indeed have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. This change of heart came mostly from reading books about these conditions and interacting with others who have the same issues. Even though some of the actual symptoms that we experienced were slightly different, the locations of pain nodules, the type of pain and fatigue, the progression and duration, and the triggering mechanisms of these experiences were fascinatingly similar.

Tyler: Why did you decide to write “Strategies”?

Tami: Strategies gradually evolved into what it is today. It started out with lists and notes that I took with me to all my doctor appointments in those early years. Later, as I started writing a personal journal, my writing became more about expressing my feelings in a safe way. Finally, I formally began to analyze my symptoms and try to find strategies to deal with them.

It was at this point that I started working on the actual text for this book. At first, I had no intention of publishing my words. I simply needed to understand my own story. I had a lot of deeply hidden emotions and insecurities that I needed to acknowledge so that they could be released.

Being so very open and honest was a pretty scary prospect. In truth, I think I was afraid of who I might find hidden underneath all the overachieving bravado that I had built up over the years. Still, each time I sat down to write, I felt another piece of a huge burden lifted from me. I began feeling content, more peaceful, and even a little joyful.

Eventually, I knew that I had to share my story with others. Not because I was in any way special but to validate the journeys of everyone who has been touched by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Our symptoms and our personal paths might not be exactly the same but having these conditions impacts our lives in a way that we couldn’t have imagined in our wildest dreams (or nightmares as the case might be).

Tyler: Tami, you actually are very involved in the alternative health field. Do you credit your own medical issues with your interest in alternative medicine?

Tami: Yes, very much so. I believe that the universe sometimes gently nudges us in just the right direction. I’m a little (okay a lot) stubborn, so I needed a pretty big push.

I loved being an archaeologist. I really enjoyed traveling around the countryside and hiking in the back country looking for artifacts and remnants of archaeological sites. I also liked the fact that everyone knew what an archaeologist did for a living. I never had to dread the “What do you do for a living?” question. It never failed, the moment I said I was an archaeologist, the person I was talking to would begin telling me about their favorite Discovery episode. It was a great icebreaker!

The major problem with archaeology (apart from the physical strain) was that I had to pretend a lot. I had an image to uphold which was extremely limiting. Not only did I have to fane that I was in perfect physical and mental health, I felt obligated to adhere to a specific range of beliefs and ways of behaving.

As I gradually grew to love and accept myself, I realized that I didn’t have to act a certain way to be a good person. I didn’t have to impress anyone but myself. My opinions counted and my personal truths were just as valid as the next person’s.

This new line of thinking led to experimenting with alternative health methods such as Reiki and various traditional forms of spiritual healing, which eventually led me to whole health therapy. Right now, my practice focuses primarily on Energy Psychology (Reiki and various form of traditional spiritual healing) as relates to Fibromyalgia and infertility. My current Ph.D. research is looking to expand this therapy to include aspects of Jungian Theory (archetypes, shadow work, and dream therapy), Awareness Therapy (meditation and awareness), and Popular Self Help Psychology (journaling, self love, manifesting, and belief analysis).

Tyler: Will you tell us about the worksheets in the book, their purpose, and the best way to use them?

Tami: The worksheets at the back of the book are copies of those resources that I originally made for my own use. I have found them invaluable for keeping me organized, getting me through my worst days, and gaining some understanding about the progression of my symptoms. For ease of use, I have organized these pages into three types: strategy forms (to help keep track of various symptoms and strategies to alleviate these issues); keeping upbeat (to record inspiring quotes, affirmations, and anything else that will help on those tough days); and getting organized (to combat the effects of fibrofog and reduce the frustration of looking for important information such as types of medications, health care contacts, and doctor’s appointments).

There really isn’t a right or wrong way to use these forms. I have included copies of my own completed forms at the end of the book if anyone wishes to see the types of information that could be included in these charts. However, my best advice for readers, especially when using the strategy forms, is to fill out the sections as honestly as possible in order to gain some understanding of the various symptoms and what types of things work for them.

Tyler: What are some of the most prevalent symptoms a person will notice if they have Fibromyalgia?

Tami: Unfortunately, the symptoms of Fibromyalgia (such as localized pain, muscle weakness, and memory issues) are shared with a number of other conditions ranging from accidental poisoning and problems with the thyroid glands to Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus. It really isn’t easy to determine if a person has Fibromyalgia. It is for this reason that most individuals with these kinds of symptoms have to endure a battery of tests and examinations before any sort of diagnosis is determined.

Tyler: Our reviewer, Paige Lovitt, mentioned that she also has Fibromyalgia, and that like yourself she was an overachiever, which seemed to exasperate the situation. Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia something people can create for themselves due to pushing themselves to do too much?

Tami: This is one of those things that no one seems to know about these conditions. It seems to me that the majority of individuals I talk to with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are extremely busy, overachievers. For a number of years, I actually believed that I had somehow caused myself to become ill.

Then, I came upon some material that looked at other conditions that are commonly associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. The ones that stuck out for me were Endometriosis, Renauld’s Syndrome, and allergies. I suffer from all three of these. Suddenly, I realized that I might have actually had a predisposition to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. It became clear to me that even though my overachiever attitude obviously made my symptoms worse, I hadn’t caused myself to become sick.

Tyler: Paige also mentioned that some people in the medical field still tell people that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are only in their heads. What response would you give to people skeptical about the existence of these disorders?

Tami: This is probably one of the worst parts of living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Often the symptoms of these conditions are invisible to the average person so most people don’t even realize that we are sick. Therefore, when we mention we have health issues most people are shocked. The first reaction for many people is disbelief, even within the medical community.

My advice to all individuals with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia is to talk to others facing the same issues and arm yourself with knowledge. Join a discussion group or a local support group, read whatever books or articles you can find. You will soon realize that you are not alone; remember there are millions of us out there. Make use of these resources to build yourself a solid support system and above all keep looking for health care options that will fulfill your needs.

Tyler: If a person thinks he or she does have Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, how should they go about getting diagnosed with it? Should they start with their local doctor, or are there specialists or specific hospitals a person should visit for treatment and diagnosis? Where did you finally get diagnosed with it?

Tami: Most people do start with their family doctor and are then referred to various specialists as they go through the testing process. Afterwards, some individuals team up with medical professionals who specialize in Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia for their care and management. I personally started the process with my family doctor who referred me to a variety of different specialists. The final specialist, who gave me my diagnosis, was a Sports Medicine professional.

The sad truth is that at present going through the process of testing and getting to the heart of your health issues can be a very frustrating experience. So my best advice to people who think they may have these conditions is to find a health care professional with whom they feel comfortable. Having someone who will really listen to you, answer your questions, and work with you is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to look around for someone who fits you and your needs.

Tyler: What sorts of responses have you received so far for the book? I know you received an endorsement from Bob Rich.

Tami: I have been overwhelmed by the positive support from both the medical community and people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I have received numerous emails from people, who like myself, pursued medical or alternative medical careers because of their own Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia experiences.

I’ve also had the privilege of having others share their stories with me. Some lift my heart: those who found the courage to leave a loveless marriage, left a stressful career behind, started a business, let go of grief, and found the courage to face childhood abuse. Others make my heart ache: people feeling frustrated, completely alone, and unsupported by the medical system.

Tyler: Will you explain a bit about whole health therapy? Are you an advocate of holistic health practices? I think some confusion exists about holistic medicine as being outside accepted medicine. What concerns if any, should people have about holistic medicine?

Tami: Whole health therapy is a methodology that works in conjunction with other forms of health care. In my practice, I focus on Energy Psychology (Reiki and various forms of spiritual healing) which is useful not only as relaxation and coping techniques but also as a means to enhance self healing.

I am an advocate for finding what works for each person. Some individuals will feel quite comfortable looking to complementary, alternative, and holistic health care options. Others may find it a little uncomfortable or ill suited to their personal beliefs. My best advice is to follow your intuition and do whatever works for your particular situation.

Tyler: Tami, I know this is not your first book. Will you tell us a little bit about some of the other books you have written?

Tami: “Strategies” is my seventh published book and my third title with Loving Healing Press. My first book was “The Complete Being: Finding and Loving the Real You.” “The Complete Being” is a guide to the healthy development of the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of the self. Readers are encouraged to use the included exercises to understand their genuine nature and move towards fulfilling their dreams.

My second and third titles, “Blame and Judgment” and “From Lost to Found” were books of poetry. As a way of sorting through my feelings, I write poetry. Sometimes dark, sometimes full of hope, these pieces illustrate my personal journey thus far.

My fourth book was “Regaining Control: When Love Becomes a Prison.” This resource was made specifically for those suffering from dependence issues. This issue is near and dear to my heart. Due to my health issues, I’ve often worried about keeping my independence while accepting appropriate help. Moreover, I come from a long line of strong women who found themselves in abusive situations due to unhealthy dependence.

My fifth and sixth books are training manuals for the first and second levels of Usui Reiki Ryoho, the traditional form of Reiki. These books include full instructions and the attunement needed to undertake Reiki sessions. The final two books in this series are set to be published by this summer.

Tyler: It sounds like you will be busy for a while, but once your two more books on Reiki are published, do you have plans to write more books, and what are your professional plans in terms of your medical practices?

Tami: I will most definitely keep on writing. Writing is one of the many gifts that I uncovered while on my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia journey. It allows me to be creative and share my life experiences with others. I actually start to feel like something’s missing in my life when I’m not writing for an extended period of time.

In the meantime, I will be completing my Ph.D. research and will look to integrate my findings into my current whole health therapy sessions. Likely, this will include meditations, journaling, awareness therapy exercise in association with my current Energy Psychology sessions and the use of techniques such as dream work, shadow work, belief analysis, and manifesting.

Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Tami. Before you go, will you tell our readers about your website and what additional information they can find about “Strategies” and your other books?

Tami: Thanks so much, Tyler. You can find out more information about me, whole health therapy, and my books on my website at http://www.tami-brady.com. My books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and other fine retailers.

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to be joined by Tami Brady, who is here to talk about her new book, “Strategies: A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Journey,” Loving Healing Press (2008), ISBN 9781932690484.
About the Author: holiday party favors

Every man in the course of their existence wonders about many things in their life. The impacts they have had on others and the impacts that others have had on them. There are even some that question the wrong events that have transpired in their short history here. But if I had to recommend anything to any man it would be to read this book by John Eldredge, “Wild at Heart.”

This book, “Wild at Heart”, should be considered the handbook for men and their sons. There are many aspects and feelings that revolve around a mans mental psyche. Why do we do what we do? Why do we feel the way we do?

John Eldredge has written a book that gives men and their sons a way to look at their won lives. In my own case, it gave me the inner perspective that I was missing on issues that related to my family and how I interacted with them. Clearly, John has his pulse on how the male thinks and acts. His book also advises women and mothers that boys will be boys and to let them grow.

The case was made clearly, that in our modern day we place too many boundaries and restrictions on our sons to the point that the man inside is sequestered or belittled to the point that manhood is sometimes compromised. Is that right? Are we as men subdued to the point that our manhood has been neutered? I believe so.

Unfortunately, we cannot rear our girls and boys in the same way. Girls are girls. Boys are boys. We want our girls to grow up to be great ladies. But rearing our boys in the same way as our girls takes away part of their manhood.

Read the book. You will agree.

Erik Larson’s 2006 non-fiction work chronicles Guglialmo Marconi and the development of the wireless ‘telegraph’, which we now refer to as radio and its importance to shipping in the first few years of the twentieth century. The advances Marconi made, although impressive, were fraught with controversy, opposition and accusations of stealing secrets. However, none of the noteworthy ups and downs of the wireless did as much to bring it to the public eye and success as its use in tracking a fugitive for murder and planning his capture while he was crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Like his two previous books, The Devil in the White City and Isaac’s Storm, Larson relies on exhaustive research of documents, historical records and eyewitness accounts to piece together two meticulously written stories that finally cross paths in an exciting finish.

While Marconi was busy establishing trans-Atlantic communication from the British Isles to North America, Larson follows the crumbling marriage of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen and his wife Cora. Crippen was a diminutive introverted milquetoast while Cora was a brash, over-bearing, limelight-seeking shrew. She bullied her husband into financing her life dream (obsession, rather) to become a star on stage. Crippen quietly dished out copious moolah to satisfy her wishes.

Their marriage continued to deteriorate while Cora faced failure after failure. Then Crippen met Ethel Le Feve who was the exact opposite of his wife. Their relationship flourished.

One night following a fight between Crippen and his wife, Cora disappeared. Crippen first said that she had left London for America, and later that she had died. Cora’s friends were increasingly suspicious and contacted Scotland Yard. Crippen and Ethel fled London, finally booking passage on the Montrose to Quebec City, Canada.

By now, Marconi had successfully established trans-Atlantic communications, and Scotland Yard, having found Cora’s brutalized body and following clues, contacted the Montrose’s captain via the wireless.

News of Crippen and the hideous murder spread around the world, thanks to wireless. Thousands of people followed the Montrose’s progress across the Atlantic day by day, while Crippen remained fully confident that his escape was successful. Until he arrived in Canada.

Larson effectively builds suspense in telling of the demise of the Crippen’s marriage and the events leading to the murder of Cora. However the rich detailing of the Marconi story has a tendency to slow the story, but only a bit. The number of players in the wireless arena is substantial and it becomes difficult to keep track of who’s on whose side as loyalties change with each page. History buffs will find the book fascinating. I also enjoyed it immensely but based on the subject matter alone, I preferred Isaac’s Storm, the story of the 1900 hurricane that struck Galveston, Texas to Thunderstruck. However, the latter is one of the finest and well-written books I have ever read.

I look forward to reading The Devil in the White City, the story of a serial killer at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and eagerly await Larson’s next work.
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I have shown in this series of articles that there are several pieces of evidence that the Persian Empire did not last the 200 years proposed by historians but only 21 years as described in the Old Testament. This is an idea I presented in detail in my book, The Fourth Day: Why the Bible is Historically Accurate. My article, “Old Testament History Revised-Jeremiah’s Eclipse” provides astronomical evidence from the Bible for this idea and my article, “Old Testament History Revised-The 390 Days of Ezekiel” provides evidence from a famous prophecy from the biblical book of Ezekiel for this idea. This article provides archaeological support for a “short” Persian Empire based on information described in Peter James’ book, Centuries of Darkness.

Archaeological Findings of the Babylonian and Persian Empires

Recall that earlier in this book I proposed that the Babylonian Empire’s reign over Judah occurred about 180 years later than the Conventional Biblical Chronology dating. The Conventional Biblical Chronology dates the Babylonian captivity of Judah as 585 B.C. while the Fourth Day Biblical Chronology places it in 401 B.C. If the Fourth Day Chronology is accurate shouldn’t it be reflected in the archaeology? What about Judah’s migration from Persia in accordance of the edict by Cyrus II to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem? According to the Conventional Biblical Chronology this would have occurred in 539 B.C. however the Fourth Day Biblical Chronology dates this event in 350 B.C. Let’s allow Peter James’ book settle the matter. According to the Biblical record during the reign of King Cyrus the Persian it was a very active time in Israel. Those that acquired wealth in the Babylonian and Persian reigns of Babylon returned home. The land was resettled, the Temple rebuilt and walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Despite all this activity Peter James records that there were few findings for the 539-332 BC timeframe in the region. (Centuries of Darkness, page 170)

If the Fourth Day Biblical Chronology is the correct model this lack of archaeological findings is easily explained. Persia was only present from 352 B.C. to 331 B.C. so there should only be about either 21 years of artifacts present. If you believe the Conventional Chronology there would have been 207 years (539-332 B.C.) to indicate the presence of the Persians. The Persians were just not there for much of the period in question. Peter James states that information is lacking on many levels. A Persian strata is difficult to see and few architectural remains are present. Those strata that are present are of the timeframe after 450 BC (there is almost no evidence of finds prior to this period). According to Peter James other archaeologists have lamented the fact that to be such a relative recent timeframe in history there is surprisingly few finds for this period. (page 170, Centuries of Darkness). All these observations just enforce the observation that the Persian Empire was a short-lived event in the history of Judah. Peter James doesn’t have much better news about the Jewish Exile to Babylon. James paints a bleak picture for archaeological findings in the timeframe 587-539 BC that represents the Babylonian Conquest. More than one hundred years of Biblical history is barely evident in archaeological evidence. Peter James poses the question: does the time period from 587-450 BC in Palestine represent some kind of dark period in Israelite and Babylonian history? (Centuries of Darkness, pages 170-171). Indeed not. Since, according to Fourth Day Biblical Chronology, the Babylonians and the Persians did not show up in the lives of Judah until after 450 B.C. there is certainly no reason to believe in a ‘Dark Age’ in Palestine. The evidence speaks for itself, the Babylonians and the Persians were just not there from 587 B.C. to 450 B.C. They were not there because the Persian Empire only lasted twenty one years, not the more than 200 years that the conventional chronology model claims.
About the Author: practical favors

The Rape of the Lock portrays the fashionable world of the early eighteenth century London, and its title page describes it as a heroic-comical poem. Pope remarks that “the use of pompous language for low actions is the perfection of the mock-epic.” The mock-heroic is singularly effective in exposing the follies of the fashionable society without betrayal of rancour.

Lord Petre had, in an amorous prank, cut off a lock of hair of a society beauty, Miss Arabella Fermor, to her great indignation. Out of this trivial incident, Pope makes an epic with Invocation, supernatural machinery, battles, and other epic paraphernalia. The Invocation is the conventional epic address to the Muse

Say, what strange motive, Goddess! Could compel

A well-bred lord to assault a gentle belle.

What was merely a social frivolity has acquired the lofty note of a classical epic. The slight digress being that whereas the world of epic poems was predominantly masculine, the world of the mock-epic The Rape of the Lock is feminine. The setting is the fashionable London society of the Augustan Age. The heroine, who is a type rather than a representation of Miss Fermor herself, is Belinda.

Her day starting at around noon, gives the poem its basic structure – her dream before waking, her toilet, her cruise up the Thames to Hampton Court, her card game, the outrageous clipping of her lock of hair, her hysterics, and the final battle to recover the lock.

Belinda is repeatedly compared to the sun. This suggests her brilliance and beauty as the central and focal point of her little world. It also suggests general munificence on her part, because, like the sun, her eyes “shine on all alike”. It means either that she is shallow and flirtatious, or that she distributes her largess impartially like a great prince.

The exaltation of Belinda into something more than mortal is also seen when she is at her toilet, which appears to parody a religious ritual. The dressing table is a kind of altar on which the cosmetic pots are set out like sacred vessels. At first, Belinda the nymph is like a priestess, robed in white worshipping the “cosmetic powers” as she bends to her various items of make-up. Then it is her own “heavenly image” in the mirror which becomes the goddess, the object of her idolatrous worship. Finally, Belinda herself is unabashedly referred to as a “goddess”, arming for battle.

There is a comic element in the elevation of the make-up process into a religious ceremony, and the ridiculous conglomeration of the objects on the dressing table

“Puffs, powders, patches, Bibles, billet-doux”.

In Belinda’s scale of values the items (including Bibles) are of about equal importance. Clearly there is a social criticism here, but there is also a sense of fascination and, indeed, admiration for Belinda.

Belinda is, in some sense, a goddess, the personification of Beauty. And, in keeping with this view, her ravished lock attains immortality by being transformed into a shining star in the heavens. Yet, at a number of places she is less than a goddess, inasmuch as she is subject to human limitations. Thus, she fails to foresee and to foretell the ravishment of her lock, and also fails to recover her lock even after her victory in the battle. Moreover, she is subject to old age and death like mortals, though she is promised poetic immortality by Pope. Belinda’s status, as to whether she has been portrayed as a goddess or not, is ambiguous, and the question admits of no categorical answer.

“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it”, quotes James Bryce. This adage is applicable for academic and hobby reading as well. The reader gains insight into diverse range of subjects and is in control of utilizing the knowledge, thus gained. The ideal ways in which mental interpretation may be presented include speech and writing. The advantage of having thoughts, knowledge and interpretability in the written form, provides scope for long term reading and one may preserve the literature for centuries.

Books that divulge details about exotic locations, travel options and most suitable methods to plan a tour are included in this specific category. Travel books offer a fascinating experience of knowing the pros, cons and the best things to expect after getting there, not to mention the typical weather, landmarks, festivals and other significant events. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to traverse the globe through books? There are different categories that cater to a wide range of travelers and they are explored as follows:

Adventure:
Books in this category, incorporate details on a wide range of adventure travel destinations. Readers may avail information on the exotic wildlife safaris of Africa and the expeditions of Antarctica. A comprehensive data on exploration of countries like Vietnam, China and Japan or the islands of Lakshadweep and the Andaman are incorporated. All this and more, are included in books that deal with adventure travel. Information on trekking, hiking, water rafting, snorkeling, shark diving and much more may be availed from this category.

Culture:
Culture is a wide subject that is seldom encompassed in a single book or volume and is best when read in categorically earmarked pages. Most travel guides that take you on a cultural expedition are magazines that deal with cultural predispositions of a defined region, in the most elaborate and enthralling manner. Cultural adventure is ideal for travelers, keen on participating in the cultural extravaganza of a chosen destination. These books deal with time and season bound events and the detailed information provided, makes it an ideal choice for travelers.

Recreational:
Recreational travel is the most popular category as it can be held any time of the year and is not limited by geographic boundaries. Each destination is blessed with its own unique culture. Travel to amusement parks and nature’s very own paradises across the world, is made easy with travel books. You may get a glimpse of Tarzan’s tree house or take a trip to the wondrous Egypt. There is a surfeit of information available on the ‘how’ and ‘where’ of tour planning and the places to avail best deals. The type of journey and the ‘must-see’ places are lucidly presented in travel books.

The most well known publication houses that deal with travel books include ‘The Lonely Planet Guides’, Michelin Guides and ‘The Moon Guides’ which are apt for an adventure loving traveler. The internet is another important source for availing information on the most visited tourist destinations. Reviews from travelers offer detailed preview on the pros and cons of the trip and help the reader plan one that is ideally suited. Books on travel may have been replaced by the electronic media which is the present trend, yet exclusive books on travel will never go out of style.
About the Author: personalized favors

“Every chapter taught me something new and unexpected,” reads one of the reviews on the back of the book 33 Questions about American History You’re not Supposed to Ask, by Thomas E. Woods, Jr. This is as an appropriate summary of the book as one could expect, as Woods sets out to revisit some of the most common myths of American history and look at them in the light of non-politically correct thought. As the description of the book states, “there’s the history you know and then there’s the truth.” It is this not so idealized truth that Woods presents to answer his thirty-three questions.

As a whole, the book is quite enlightening and filled with conclusions supported by numerous citations of books, various government and private studies, and scholarly articles. In a book this short (around 260 pages), having nearly thirty pages of endnotes and citations shows that Woods has done a fair amount of research and fact-checking. Thus, while the discussions of questions that are presented may contain much information contrary to conventional wisdom, the book encourages readers to verify the correctness of every chapter. Assumptions are not made when discussing facts and historical events, but Woods does draw out some overarching themes throughout the book, in addition to dispelling some commonly-held myths about American history.

One of the themes that Woods discusses in several chapters of the book is the issue of small government and free markets versus big government and a command-type economy. Woods shows that the “Wild West” was not really all that wild, despite a marked absence of government institutions and protectors. Instead of lawlessness and violence, “even in the absence of government, the old West was far less violent than most American cities today. Frontiersmen developed private mechanisms to enforce the law and define and enforce property rights.” Another example of big government interference in private enterprise is the example of Hoover’s and Roosevelt’s interactions in the economy during the Great Depression. Woods shows that both presidents intervened in the market, enacting controls and spending programs that only caused the Depression to become longer, deeper, and more financially ruinous to the general population.

Another theme that is present in various chapters is that of the powers of Congress and the Presidency, and how they have changed over time and their original intents in the Constitution have been distorted. Woods examines the claim that the US Constitution is a “living, breathing document,” by showing that this is exactly the result the framers wanted to avoid: the British constitution was considered to be a living, breathing entity that forced itself upon the colonies. The Founding Fathers wanted a Constitution that was a written agreement between the people and the government and was able to be changed through various methods, but would not just change with the times. The book also looks at the interstate commerce clause, which the federal government now uses to regulate all gainful activity, which was not the founders’ intent. Woods argues that the phrase “among the states” refers to “commerce between one state and another, not commerce that occurs in one state and merely concerns of has effects upon others,” although the government has distorted this into regulating everything and anything that may affect commerce, which have granted it “extraordinary power to interfere in Americans’ lives.” The role of the government was meant by the Constitution to be small, although it has taken on more and more powers to legislate the lives of Americans.

The powers of the president of the United States are also examined by Woods, who determines that the president now wields much more power than was originally granted. Theodore Roosevelt is seen as the instigator of the rise of the “imperial presidency,” due to his increased visibility in Americans’ lives, and the extraordinary use of presidential executive orders (1,006 total). However, Congress has also transferred the power to the president to send troops anywhere in the world without a declaration of war. This transfer of power is now so complete, according to Woods, that “In 2002, on the eve of war with Iraq, Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) insisted, as he had throughout the Clinton years, that if the country were to go to war, the Constitution required that Congress approve a declaration of war… He was told by prominent Republicans that his position was outdated and that things weren’t done that way anymore.” In his discussions of questions relating to the theme of the Constitutional powers of the federal government, Woods demonstrates that powers originally granted to the states have been usurped by the federal government, which has resulted in a consolidation of powers in the Congress, judicial branch, and especially the presidency.

There are a number of other themes that Woods examines, such as civil rights myths, government welfare programs, and the legacy of President Clinton’s intervention in Kosovo. Many of the questions raise issues that are little-discussed in mainstream accounts. The root of the problem, according to Woods, may be traceable to the public school system, which teaches students the same myths and the same one-sided stories. This racket can only result in the propaganda of the greatness of big government, the evils of the free market, and the godlike status of presidents. As Woods states, “the same group of people who hold a monopoly on the power to tax and the power to initiate force also wield an effective monopoly on the power to educate future generations of Americans.” Thus, a healthy skepticism is recommended for all official party-line type discussions of these programs and roles.

The book, in the end, is an invitation to critical thinking of some of the major myths of American History. Woods does not attempt to denigrate his targets or examine the issues in minute detail, instead offering a second look at American history. Even though everyone may not agree with Woods’ on all of the issues, it is more important to him that people know that there is another side to many of the best-known stories of America, and draw their own conclusions, rather than take the official public school-taught propaganda at face value.
About the Author: mom blog

A Danish Scientist, Doctor Tyge Krogh from Rigsarkivet, has found a group of murderers from the 18th century that he calls “Melancholy Murderers”. When I read about his research in an article in the newspaper Politiken (11 October, 2009) it made me think of the Muslim terrorists who set out to kill as many as possible of their said enemies in a spectacular suicide which they believe will bring them numerous rewards in the afterlife.

In the 18th century several gruesome cases of murders in Denmark without a tangible cause have indicated that they were means to attain a wonderful afterlife. In this I find that they resemble the Muslim terrorists who make a short cut for “the pleasures of death” by murder of strangers who never personally offended them. Most of the Danish murderers were unhappy soldiers, prisoners and young women. Most of their victims were children whom they did not know.

For instance, when the servant girl Birthe Catrine Joergensdatter was beaten by her employer in 1784 she felt so miserable that she decided to kill herself. However, she knew full well that suicide led to damnation because that is what the Church taught. Because of this she decided to commit suicide by execution: If she killed somebody she would become executed after a time period of being pampered by the priests who worked hard to make her regret her crime and save her soul by penance of some sort. However, her decision cost a small, innocent boy his life as she cut his throat without knowing him. This murder sets the pattern of this type of killings as someone innocent becomes the key to the murderer’s access to Paradise.

The Melancholy Murderers committed their crimes in order to secure a place in Paradise, not because they hated their victims. I propose that this way of thinking may be part of the Muslim ideology so that suicide bombers, etc. may very well be depressed people wanting to die more than vindictive ones wanting to kill.