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"Murder is the greatest aberration of human nature, it brings out some ingenious subterfuges," remarks Inspector Jefe Javier Falcón, as he ponders a series of ambiguously motivated and ostensibly unconnected suicides in The Vanished Hands, British author Robert Wilson's sequel to his haunting 2003 novel, The Blind Man of Seville.
It's the summer of 2002, more than a year after the shattering events recounted in Blind Man, and Falcón, the chief homicide cop in Seville, Spain, has finally regained his confidence and powers of concentration. Still, he cannot fathom why Rafael Vega, a construction company honcho (and recreational butcher), should have smothered his younger, unstable wife in bed, then chugged a fatal draught of drain cleaner. Is there any connection between this tragedy and the disappearance of the Vegas's Ukranian gardener, or money laundering by the local Russian mafia? Can Rafael Vega's demise be related to his distrust of the U.S. government or to a note found in his hand, with its seeming allusion to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks? As Falcón questions the Vegas's suburban neighbors, he discovers one couple linked to the slaying of an Iranian carpet-dealer in New York, and another nearby resident, renowned actor Pablo Ortega, whose grown son is in prison for kidnapping and abusing an 8-year-old boy. Yet these scandals aren't obviously helpful to Falcón in solving the Vega case. Nor do they explain why those first deaths are soon followed by Ortega's drowning in a cesspool, the suicidal leap of an aging child-crimes investigator, and Russian mafia threats against Falcón.
Wilson doesn't exploit Seville's exotic setting so well here as he did in Blind Man, and it can be challenging to follow this sequel's political backstory. However, the author more than makes up for these weaknesses with the depth of his psychological explorations, the ways in which he taunts his police with justice slightly beyond their reach, and a patient storytelling pace that enhances investigative revelations. Falcón remains a potent and pivotal figure, his traumas in the last book being replaced in these pages by personal dramas (three different women tug at the inspector jefe's heart, feeding his hope without depleting his loneliness). Founded in mendacity, fraught with betrayals, The Vanished Hands maintains a firm grip on the reader from its start. --J. Kingston Pierce
Book Description
A suspicious suicide calls Javier Falcón to a wealthy neighborhood on the outskirts of Seville in this sensational follow-up to Robert Wilson's thriller The Blind Man of Seville. Falcón begins to investigate a case with no solid evidence when suddenly, in quick succession, two more suicides occur-one of them a fellow police officer in the sex crimes unit. Left to discover what made life so unbearable for these victims, Falcón must find the connection among the suicides. As his investigation deepens, so too does suspicion that perhaps these deaths aren't suicides after all, and the mystery takes a shocking, explosive turn.
Customer Reviews:
again a novel about paedophilia.......2007-08-17
the start is very promising, and I couldn't let the book down. Great police work. But towards the end, it was found the bad guys were in a paedophile ring with political connections, and nobody could touch them. So overly used in detective novels, so boring, it seems that the author didn't know what to use as a mobile for all those deaths. The end was like a wet cracker. But overall, a good detective novel.
Worthy second in the Falcon series.......2007-05-08
Robert Wilson is a wizard at balancing strong, complicated plot lines with strong characters in most of his thrillers. "The Vanished Hands" is no exception. What I particularly like about the Falcon series is the evocative descriptions of Seville and the context it provides for Wilson's characters and story lines--elements certainly a part of this novel. The plot of "The Vanished Hands" has already been well described by previous reviewers so I'm just joining the appreciative chorus of the book's admirers here, but if you get this title and enjoy it, consider the third of the Falcon series, "The Hidden Assassins." It's first rate.
Vanished Hands, Maybe, But No Vanished Stars!.......2007-02-27
This is my first book by Wilson and I am very impressed. He is one of those few thriller writers who relies on good old fashioned WRITING. No cheap tricks, no serendipitous coincidences, no whiz-bang save-the-world with only seconds to go. No, Robert Wilson takes his time, develops his characters, unravels his complicated plot, leavens each page with great wordsmithing and, in so doing, presents the reader with a treasure. This book, however, is not perfect. There are so many characters that he thoughtfully provides a cast of characters at the end of the book. And the pacing of the novel bogs down right at the outset, but like a big train engine, the novel rolls down the tracks, gaining momentum that, by the end of the book, seems unstoppable. I liked this book because it was a good read and it didn't insult my intelligence.
An intriguing story.......2006-06-26
After having been very disappointed with Robert Wilson's "A Small Death in Lisbon," I really enjoyed reading "The Vanished Hands." It is a psychological murder mystery, set in a sizzling hot Summer in Seville, Spain. The book is well written, with intriguing, mostly believable characters. Once you get into it, it is hard to put down. I highly recommend it.
Another Satisfying Thriller from Robert Wilson.......2005-09-27
I picked up "The Vanished Hands" because I had loved "The Company of Strangers" and "A Small Death in Lisbon." At first I didn't enjoy "The Vanished Hands" as much. I hadn't read "The Blind Man of Seville" and I found the references to it distracting. Also, I prefer historical settings for thrillers and this one is set in July 2002. I couldn't even get much of a feel for Seville. Of course, the barrio where the book is set is described as more like California than Spain, so maybe that was the problem. However, I soon found myself unable to put the book down. Javier Falcon is fascinating, flawed and following his intuition about coincidences and contradictions -- correctly, as it turn out.
Other reviewers commented on Wilson's character development and I agree that is one of his strengths. The murder victim Rafael Vega is dead when the book opens but he becomes one of the most intriguing characters in the book. Falcon's therapist is a blind woman. I loved how she held his wrist during their sessions so she could feel his pulse. But the most riveting character is Falcon himself. He's so thoughtful and subtle. I plan to go back and read "The Blind Man of Seville," even though I pretty much know what happens from having read "The Vanished Hands." I want to know more about Falcon. "A Small Death in Lisbon" is still my favorite, but "The Vanished Hands" is an excellent book.
Book Description
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.
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The Touch of a Vanished Hand
Manufacturer: Bantam Seal
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000CSZMVW |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on February 1, 2003. The length of the article is 530 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: "Oh, For a Touch of the Vanished Hand": Discovering a Southern Family and the Civil War.(Book Review)
Author: Carolyn Earle Billingsley
Publication:
Journal of Southern History (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 2003
Publisher: Southern Historical Association
Volume: 69
Issue: 1
Page: 185(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
Oh, For a Touch of the Vanished Hand" combines the historical and geneological disciplines to produce a case study of an extended family's experiences in the Civil War. The narratives of thirty-seven Mangham Confederates are models for geneologists to use in researching their own families. This book includes helpful research guidelines after each part. The resulting portraits of the Southland at war are endorsed by distinguished historians and geneologists alike
Customer Reviews:
Family and Civil War History.......2003-04-19
As a history and genealogy buff, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only did it contain family information which was important to me, but I enjoyed the details about many different Civil War battles, (such as Peach Tree Creek).
There have been several Units and or battles, I've tried to find details on over the years, and found only spotty information.
I was very surprised to find great details about those in this book. Thank you so much. You really brought these stories to life.
A model of family history writing.......2002-07-23
Like many of his generation, Mangham was first drawn to the Civil War by the books and movies that appeared during the Centennial celebrations in the early 1960s. Family visits to sites like Stone Mountain and Peachtree Creek cemented his interest, as did the many CSA markers in the small country cemetery where his grandfather was buried. (The title of this book comes from the epitaph on his great-grandmother's headstone.) His family also encouraged an abiding interest in his own genealogy. After graduating from LSU, his career path led to the army, the eventual rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and a tour as professor of history at the Military Academy at West Point -- and the confluence of these interests and traditions make him perhaps uniquely qualified to write this fascinating combination of military and family history. The author's grandfather, Henry Gordon Mangham, probably was named for General John B. Gordon, who rose from captain of volunteers to Lee?s only non-West Point corps commander. Henry's own grandfather had served in a Georgia Sharpshooter battalion in the Army of Tennessee and two of his great-uncles had fought in the 13th Georgia Infantry, a unit which not only helped make Gen. Gordon's reputation but which also suffered the second-highest casualty rate of any regiment at Sharpsburg/Antietam. Both uncles, in fact, had been seriously wounded there. Many Mangham cousins also served in the War and at least five never returned home. However, the author goes on to discuss the experiences and activities of dozens of other units from seven Southern states and this fat volume will be of considerable interest to any serious Civil War historian or hobbyist. But that's not all! Nearly half the book presents a detailed and extremely well-documented history of the Mangum / Mangram / Mangham family beginning with the marriage of John Mangum to Frances Bennett in Isle of Wight County, Virginia about 1694, and following their migrations first to North Carolina and eventually to Georgia about 1790, with some branches of the family moving on to Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Some 500 Manghams and their offspring are brought together in a seven-generation Descendant Report, which includes cross-references to the main text, a very handy feature. Col. Mangham has also included a very good glossary to military terminology and a 34-page bibliography, as well as a brief instructional guide to Civil War research.
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The Touch of a Vanished Hand
Manufacturer: Seal Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HWM0W2 |
Average customer rating:
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The Touch of a Vanished Hand
Manufacturer: Seal Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HWO0KM |
Book Description
The Knights Templar
They had all joined taking three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience…for they were monks: warrior monks, dedicated to theprotection of pilgrims in the Holy Land -- until stories spread by anavaricious king who wanted their wealth for his own destroyed the order.
There was one knight, however, who escaped the stake, vowing justiceas he watched his innocent brothers die.
In the Service of the Lord
Simon Puttock has not been bailiff of Lydford Castle long in this year of 1316, when he is called to a nearby village to examine a burned-out cottage and the dead body within. But it is the newly arrived knight, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, who discerns the deceased was no victim of a tragic mishap; he was, in fact, murdered prior to the blaze. Simon would be well-served by accepting further assistance from this astute, though haunted and secretive stranger. For a second fatal burning indicates that some harsh evil has invaded this once-peaceful place, and its hunger has yet to be sated.
Customer Reviews:
Only One Reason.......2007-04-05
THE LAST TEMPLAR is the first installment in what has apparently become a successful series. That fact makes the book worth reading if, like me, you have an interest in getting further into the series. If not, don't waste your time. On a stand-alone basis, THE LAST TEMPLAR isn't very good. It's main value is to introduce key characters and establish the setting for future installments. Hopefully, those future installments will show substantial improvement.
Other reviewers have discussed some of the problems with this book, such as the many typos and the historical inconsistancies, so I won't belabor those issues. I'll just add my view that, beyond those issues, is the larger consideration that the story, itself, is weak. The plot involves three sets of killings, and all three are essentially unrelated. The first, the death of a peasant, is the only one that needs much solving, but it's treated as a side-plot and unravels easily as the facts surface. The second killing, that of the Abbot, is immediately transparent although it's the storyline that is most central to the plot (nor was I, like some, put off by the nature of the killing -- it was richly deserved, I thought). The third killings are uncomplicated and involve simply running the perpetrators down. There's little tension for the reader as you wait for the story to play out.
I found the characters somewhat engaging and the historical set-up of THE LAST TEMPLAR interesting. As mysteries go, however, this one leaves a lot to be desired. If you're planning to go deeper into the series, you'll probably want to read it, but if you're just looking for a good story to pass a rainy afternoon, look elsewhere. I've given it three stars because I didn't actively dislike it, but this is a weak three.
This was appalling.......2007-02-27
I completely agree with all the reviewers who thought this book was terrible. The characters are like emotional dervishes, and Jecks has this thing with anger that, by the middle of the book, crops up about every third sentence. Not only the characters, but the writing itself, is very immature. How did this ever get published? If I had read this book first, I would never had read any of the others in the Knights Templar series.
Not what I hoped for............2007-01-09
I was really looking forward to this book and reading the entire series but after this first one I will have to hold off on the rest.
The mystery itself was OK at best but what really bothered me was the supposed historical setting. The characters are far to progress and "PC" for the 14th century. There is a whole section where the villagers are being questioned about what they were doing one evening and over and over again they refer to time like "seven o'clock", "a little past eleven" and "couldn't have been later than eleven thirty"....sorry but villagers in 1316 didn't think in terms like that. They knew sunrise, sunset, moon rise and moon set they would be lucky to have ever seen a clock or time candle. BTW this isn't London this is a village of 7 homes in the middle of nowhere. That really bugged me and showed no research was done on this.
I agree on the typos comments and the phrasings used again and again.
Finally what I really didn't understand was when the author used terms from that time period but then dropped it without explanation. An example was when he talked about a character's daughter's favorite game; he named the game and then moved on. I would have loved to have heard a little about the game. He could have easily slipped in a brief description of the game. "The pegs tumbled as my horse piece moved over the wooden tray." Instead we're left wondering what the heck this is. It would have added a lot to the book.
I will probably read the second in the series but I'm in not rush. (I didn't like O'Brian's first book but ended up loving the series)
First Knights Templar Mystery!.......2006-11-04
Having sampled other Sir Baldwin Furnshill/Baliff Simon Puttock mysteries, I felt the need to find out how the Furnshill/Puttock saga got started. LAST TEMPLAR has been out since 1995 and many others have reviewed the book so, for what it's worth,...
As the story opens, a villager has been found burned to death in his home and newly-appointed baliff Puttock, with the assistance of the knightly Furnshill, who has returned to his ancestral home, are unsure whether it's accidental or murder. Then a second, horrifying murder of an abbott followed by equally savage attacks by wandering bands of brigands leave Puttock with a full platter.
Puttock occupies stage center in this book unlike succeeding volumes. What we see of Furnshill however makes for a fascinating character nevertheless, a man of of mystery still troubled by past events.
As first novels go, I thought LAST TEMPLAR was great. I was hooked from the start. Jecks' recreation of 14th century English life was wonderfully done. I enjoyed learning about the characters. I thought the plot moved along nicely. I tumbled to who killed the abbott about 1/2 way through the book but kept reading to make sure I was right.
Other reviewers have picked out various flaws which is well and good. But I enjoyed the book and wanted to read more of the same after I was done.
At $7.50, how can you go wrong?
Great attempt with some first-book flaws.......2006-09-01
The Last Templar was first published in 1995, but I only came across this series recently. I have always been interested in medieval mysteries (a la Cadfael) and in Templars in particular, so this immediately struck my attention. I have no doubt that this series was restocked on bookshelves due to the Da Vinci Code book / movie and subsequent interest in this topic.
This is clearly a "setting up" book - i.e. you're introduced to the main characters, their relationships are established, their world is established. I was willing to cut the book some slack therefore, in the sometimes tedious descriptions and motive-explaining. Like with any series, you have to learn who the people are in the beginning, so that their actions and reasons in subsequent books make sense to you.
You have a Templar who has hidden out after the infamous Friday the 13th mass destruction of his order. He's returned to his family holding in England to retire there in anonymity. You also have a 30-something local authority person who is married with a young daughter, who handles all law issues in the land. Just like in Cadfael and other mystery series, the two team up to figure out "who done it". The Templar - Baldwin - is world wise and very intelligent. The local - Simon - is a bit dense but has a good enough heart and wants to plow through to bring justice.
I love the medieval era so I did have several issues with historical accuracy here. I like to be immersed in the "time culture" when I read about olden times - but it's often more like modern people had time-travelled to the past and were living there. The wife harasses the husband for doing his job - tracking down a murderer, remember - rather than playing with the daughter. People always seem to know exactly what time it is, when many people didn't have access to a town clock, never mind personal timepieces. There are many other issues like this. It's not that they were huge, gaping holes - but it was more like water torture where each little thing struck you to build up.
I did notice the typos and such, but I don't mind those. It did seem to indicate that a better editor was needed for the series.
In general my big issue is how characters quickly dismiss important clues, or completely give up on certain issues, when we're talking about murders which are very rare (according to the characters). Surely they should care about each clue! Also, the Abbott's murder seemed rather extreme in the context of this situation. The long winded explanation for it was also a bit much. I agree that the Abbott needed to be punished, but I can imagine many scenarios where his punishment was done in a way that was proper for the story setting, instead of coming across as a raving lunatic attack.
In any case, I do like the setting and always have hope for an author to learn as he goes, so I will plow ahead with the series!
Average customer rating:
- Templar Disappointment
- Entertaining
- The Last Mass of the Knights Templars
- Good story of the church and knights
- This well-meraning book is a mess and a waste of money
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The Last Mass of the Knights Templars
Judithe Long
Manufacturer: Vantage Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0533126568 |
Customer Reviews:
Templar Disappointment.......2005-04-27
I was prepared for a rousing adventure in Templar history. Instead I was served up a poorly written tale. The verbage is child-like and too grammatically correct. The phrasing seems as though it was translated from another language and didn't make sense in English. The plot trods along and never builds to any excitement.
Entertaining.......1999-12-06
I enjoyed The Last Mass of the Knights Templars a great deal. I have done some reading about this period since I find it interesting. The history in this novel seems accurate. Likewise, the history and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church are appropriate. I learned history, plus found the author's view of the motivations and emotions of the principal historical characters fascinating. Finally, it is simply an entertaining story.
The Last Mass of the Knights Templars.......1999-12-04
What a great add in the N.Y. Times! Now, if only the book lived up to the hype. The story has great promise, and the research is great. The last book I read that was written in this style, started of with "See Spot run". I hope if Ms. Long ever writes another book, it will be written for adults. You really have to want to read this book to wade through its poor prose.
Good story of the church and knights.......1999-12-03
I thought the book was very well reserched. Along with the historical information on the Templar Knights, a winsome group of present day Crusaders set out on the Adventure of a lifetime. I think the blending of Church history and knighthood with historical events provides a beautiful backdrop for a superbly written story. I found the story very interesting and informative, especially in regards to the Templar Knights.
This well-meraning book is a mess and a waste of money.......1999-11-20
Despite the large ad in the NYTimes, this book disappointed me grievously. It seems written by a high-schooler for high-schoolers: Limp, fuzzy prose; foggy history. A key name spelled variously; a century wrongly named; Avignon moved to northern France. A mess! I think the publisher is one of those self-publishing outfits. I should have been on my guard.
Product Description
Set of 3 paperbacks - first 3 in the Knights Templar series. The Last Templar, The Merchant's Partner, & A Moorland Hanging.
Book Description
Something The World Hasn't Yet Seen -- You Can Forever Be More Flexible.
The Technique: RESISTANCE STRETCHING® offers immediate, cumulative, and permanent increases in flexibility, takes the pain out of stretching, and protects you from injuring yourself by overstretching.
The Program: THE MERIDIAN FLEXIBILITY SYSTEM® provides stretches for sixteen unique muscle groups with physiological and psychological benefits.
Customer Reviews:
Stretch Your Body, Mind and Spirit.......2007-07-30
I picked up this book while wandering through the bookstore one day. I looked at the cover and my intuition told me that this book was going to dramatically change my life. I have been using the Meridian Flexibility System for 3 years now and every stretch is still an adventure. I would say this book is but a brief overview when you contrast it with the transformational possiblites it brings to your life. The personality aspects have given me another tool to understand how we "be" in this world and has brought a new level of compassion and understanding for myself and humanity. My only complaint is that Bob is not releasing the sequel fast enough! I have benefited athletically, physiologically and spiritually from this book. It does require you to expand your mind in ways you haven't before and to really get to know and feel your body at a deep level. This is different from a "core" concept because you bring emotionality to the experience-something those from the "physical" world might have a more challenging time tapping into. I work in the field of natural medicine and have used this system with my clients...for athletic rehab, sport training, psychological and physiological therapy. While the system can at first seem difficult to understand you can intuitively and with a little common sense see life altering results. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to do this per se. Many people don't know about meridians or muscle groups the beauty of this system is that you don't need to know. Just start resisting and watch the beautiful transformations that will occur to your whole being. So here's a tip for those that are scratching their heads about the pics, muscles, meridians etc...start with an area of your body that you know to be tight start moving in the direction that FEELS the tightest and RESIST-use your own body, someone elses or a door, floor or anything else that you can leverage to create resistance, have fun and be creative-the key is to RESIST during the entire motion whereever it is on your body that is tight. For all of you in the "mental/thinking" world-you will receive the benefits whether you UNDERSTAND all of it or none of it. Once you try this "free-form", where you don't rely on the book or diagrams but just get down on the floor and start resisting where you are tight you will then be able to go back to the book, if you want and the pieces of the puzzle will start to fit together because you will have already EXPERIENCED what he is talking about! Most of the MF trainers will do inexpensive workshops for small/large groups some will even travel to your area. Bob does an amazing job of tying together lots of persoanl experiences,systems and methods for personal growth and transformation in a short book.It's a STARTING point for something that is largely experiential and unique to each person and that is the beauty of what he is trying to convey. Much of the book's concepts are ideas that we have been trying to implement and understand universally for a lifetime. I think Bob has made huge strides in tying it all together into a comprehensive system. I can only hope that he will continue to document and release his findings so that we can all share in the many possibilites of our own multifaceted transformation. If you are looking for a technical manual on anatomy and muscle groups and want to stick with traditional fitness only concepts this book doesn't fit in that box. If you want to explore more possibilities for powerfully STRETCHING yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually than this is the book for you!!!
Much love and respect to Bob and the whole Meridian Flexibility Family.
Rehashed hype.......2007-07-26
There is no "genius" to this system except getting an endorsement from an Olympic swimmer.
The author contends that he healed himself through stretching. In the process, he also seems
to have found the answer to Life. Just do his program and you will become enlightened in the
process. As a former gymnast and professional dancer who has experienced many systems of stretching and bodywork, I find the book terribly tedious and difficult to follow.
Mr. Cooley does not name the muscles of the body and shows no diagrams for people to
follow. Almost all his stretches come from yoga. A lot of them need partner assistance. That stretching assists meridian flow is obvious to anyone who has studied yoga and hardly a new concept. The book seems geared to selling his rather expensive sessions and getting people to
sign up for his workshops. When I checked his website I found his associates do not seem to
have formal training or degrees other than what Mr. Cooley himself offers. His training seems
to be limited to his own healing which we are to take on faith. If you really want to learn about flexibility check out Pavel Tsatsouline's work. He's funny, down to earth,no-nonsense and has solid credentials. Other great books: Kit Laughlin's Stretching and Flexibility and Sang Kim'sUltimate Flexibility. These are people with solid backgrounds and their books show clear and concise ways of stretching without any snake oil promises of metaphysical rapture. And you don't have to go organic either.
Nothing New.......2007-07-19
I read the book and found nothing new in this book that you wouldn't find in the book Accu-Yoga by Michael Reed Gach which came out in the late 70's or early 80's. Accu-Yoga broke down the effects of Yoga on the physical body and the meridians which are expounded in the TCM system. A lot of the exercises in Mr. Cooley's book are straight from Hatha yoga, although from what I understand the way Hatha yoga is taught today is much more physical, and outward than in the time I came to yoga. Most yoga asanas[poses, postures], naturally have the stretch and resistance aspect built in to them, if you practice them in an concious way. Paying attention to the breath and the inner movement of the body, is the way that I thought yoga was suppose to be. Nothing New!
Stretching Breakthrough!.......2007-06-28
Bob Cooley's, The Genius of Flexibility: The Smart Way to Stretch and Strengthen Your Body, has been a "breakthrough" manual for myself and my patient/clients. As a doctor of chiropractic, I have integrated neuromuscular therapy techniques with chiropractic adjustments for over 30 years. The past 5 years I have added yoga to my own fitness routine and encouraged others to take it up in their's. Stretching has always been in the mix as well, yet I never could "see" how to get past or through the stretch reflex of contraction we all seem to arrive at. Bob Cooley's "aha" during his own journey to health, spoke to me immediately. As I put his technique of "The Principle of Resistance",(contracting the muscle you are lengthening while stretching it) to work, the "aha" happened in me as well! His basic 16 stretches are as far as I've been able to comfortably go during this 1st month, however I look forward to the greater flexibility I know I am moving into. Yes, he does go in a multitude of directions in his book, yet I've never encountered anyone who has experienced life altering experiences not to rebound in ever expanding directions during and following their recovery.
So, for anyone who has a basic knowledge of their body and is led to the concepts of stretching, this is a must read! By the way, page 255 will help one focus on muscles and any specific areas of injury.
this book was the key to recovering from knee injuries/pain.......2007-06-01
This book introduces stretches and strengthening exercises unlike any other I've come across. It is easy to follow, a delight to read and apply. Filled with anecdotes, pictures and a lifetime of research this is a gem for anyone in any shape/size body! It has been the key to heal my knees (from mulitiple injuries), and has helped me recover without needing surgery. The book is practical, eye opening and useful. Truly genius!
Book Description
300 tasty time-saving recipes that keep you trim and fit!
Want to lose weight and indulge in easy-to-make, great tasting food at the same time? With The Everything Healthy Meals in Minutes Cookbook, you're on the path to quick cooking and good eating. Packed with recipes that suit any taste, this cookbook offers meal alternatives low in calories, carbs, and/or fat.
You'll find tons of recipes that use all of your favorite ingredients without tempting you to deviate from your diet. Delicious appetizers and entrees will satisfy all your cravings without adding the calories you don't want.
From salads and seafood to meaty meals and desserts, you have hundreds of options for any time of day, including:
Scrumptious appetizers, such as Shrimp Skewers with Pineapple
Light salads, such as Arugula Salad with Summer Squash
Easy lunches, such as Pan-Seared Veal Chops with Spinach
Dishes for one, such as Chicken Apple Sausages with Dijon Glaze
Family dinners, such as Thai Inspired Spicy Beef Lettuce Wraps
Delicious desserts, such as Chocolate Fudge Mousse with Coffee Whipped Cream
Complete with a nutritional breakdown of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, The Everything Healthy Meals in Minutes Cookbook is all you need to satisfy your hunger the smart way-at home or on the go!
Customer Reviews:
Delicious meals that will promote fitness and a trim figure.......2005-04-10
One of the key secrets to successfully losing (and keeping lost!) unwanted weight is the creation of nutritious, delicious meals that will promote fitness and a trim figure. That is the premise of The Everything Healthy Meals In Minutes Cookbook by Patricia M. Butkus (head chef and owner of Fritz and Zoe's Inc., a catering establishment servicing Chicago's North Shore and Gold Coast area). Ranging from Spicy Fiesta Chicken in Cucumber Cups; Spinach Salad with Shrimp and Roasted Pepper Vinaigrette; Whipped Goat Cheese with Chives and Lemon; and Fried Ham Steak with Cider Glaze; to Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut; Filet Mignon with Horseradish Cream; Pork Medallions with Jalapeno Mustard; and Caramelized Pears with Toasted Almonds, each recipe comprising this outstanding and enthusiastically recommended "kitchen cook friendly" compendium features a nutritional breakdown of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Books:
- The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin Mysteries)
- Thirty-three Teeth
- Tree of Hands
- Trial by Fury: A Mystery
- Tried & True All Season Grilling & BBQ: Top 200 Recipes
- Winter of the Wolf Moon: A Mystery (An Alex McKnight Novel)
- Winterkill (Joe Pickett Novels)
- A Fine And Bitter Snow (A Kate Shugak Novel)
- A Grave Talent
- A Place of Execution
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Recommended Books
- Mississippi Sissy
- History: Fiction or Science
- Development, Function and Evolution of Teeth
- Dynamics of Bone and Cartilage Metabolism, Second Edition: Principles and Clinical Applications
- History: Fiction or Science
- Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change
- In the Miso Soup
- Understanding Quality Assurance in Construction: A Practical Guide to ISO 9000 for Contractors
- Domestic Architecture of H.T. Lindeberg
- The Robert Olen Butler Prize Stories 2004
The Hidden Assassins
The Blind Man of Seville
A Darkening Stain
Blood Is Dirt
Instruments of Darkness (Harvest Book)
