Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement A (Crystals and New Age)

Book Description

The first supplement to the internationally acclaimed, best-selling Love is in the Earth series. Over 100 "new" minerals with photographs, and updates of "old" minerals. The most comprehensive reference book addresses the metaphysical properties of hundreds of minerals, correlated to the astrological signs. The book takes the reader on an intimate journey into the subtle realms of crystal energy. Find the configurations, numerical vibrations, master numbers, preparatory methodology, and practical applications of all the minerals from A-Z.

Internationally known, best-selling author of the "Love is in the Earth" series, Melody was born in Cumberland, Maryland, and now resides in the Rocky Mountain region. She is a scientist and holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Art degrees in mathematics. She has been working with stones since she was a child, always evidencing an interest in the geological and mystical properties of these children of the Mother Earth. Due to the desire to share her research and knowledge with her brothers and sisters of the planet, and due to the need to make the information available at the onset of the "Age of Love", she has updated this popular book. In addition to her work within the United States, she has taught crystal workshops in Brazil, the Republic of South Africa, and Australia, and has held private consultations in India and Nepal.

Customer Reviews:

Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement A (Crystals and New Age).......2007-07-05

Excellent!!! Full of needed and important information about crystals and their healing properties and metaphysical uses... A must for anyone serious about learning mineral and crystals!!!!

Love is in the Earth Kaleidoscope Pictorial Supplement A.......2006-11-03

Again another great book by Melody. A must have for all crystal users. It provides us with more crystal and mineral information not covered in the original. Use it all the time.

Happy Camper.......2006-03-28

Book arrived in good condition, in a timely manner and at a good price.

Lovely.......2003-04-07

A great little supplement to the Love is in the Earth series. Nice pictures!

Love is in the Earth : Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement A.......2000-06-26

Wow, yet another amazing book from Melody, a fantastic add on to her first book, I take them with me everywhere. The most complete books I've found.

Average customer rating:

Different
Rip Off of "Wuthering Heights"
Not exactly a love story
Terrible!
Here on Earth

Here on Earth (Oprah's Book Club)
Alice Hoffman
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

A Virtuous Woman (Oprah's Book Club)
Black and Blue (Oprah's Book Club)
While I Was Gone (Oprah's Book Club)
Drowning Ruth (Oprah's Book Club)
She's Come Undone (Oprah's Book Club)

ASIN: 0399143130

Amazon.com

In this first-rate "tape turner" Hoffman once again proves her powers as a storyteller. Dialogue rings remarkably true in this reading by Susan Ericksen, which also brings out the incisive details and keen observations on nature, both human and otherwise, that Hoffman carefully deploys in this masterful narrative.

When March Murray travels East with her teenage daughter to attend the funeral of the beloved housekeeper who looked after her when she was growing up, March's past comes rushing up to meet her. The present is quickly dominated by the lurking presence of her former lover, Hollis, who has patiently awaited her long overdue return. The tale is populated by those for whom love brings more sorrow than happiness: a woman afraid to commit to a relationship, a husband in love with someone other than his wife, two young people who fall for each other only to find they are close relatives, and the self-destructing love of Hollis and March. While love has the power to transform those who fall under its spell--devotion to an old racehorse turns March's daughter, a sullen teenager, into a strong young woman--the love March herself suffers robs her of nearly all sense and goodness. Hoffman deftly weaves her characters' stories against a vivid New England landscape where the past always has a grip on the present. And the listener is left at the end both satisfied and longing to hear more. --Anne Depue

Book Description

After nineteen years in California, March Murray returns to the small Massachusetts town where she grew up. Here she will encounter Hollis--the boy she loves so desperately, the man who has never forgotten her--and the past will collide with the present as their reckless love is reignited.

Alice Hoffman's hearbreaking, wise, and complex novel reminds us that in heaven and in our dreams, love is simple and glorious--but it is something altogether different here on earth.

Customer Reviews:

Different.......2007-09-19

Hoffman's book is a great introduction to her writing style.

I enjoyed this book more than I originally thought.

The story takes a twist, which I did enjoy.

Rip Off of "Wuthering Heights".......2007-06-11

Do yourself a favor: read the beautifully written classic "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte instead of "Here On Earth". The first is a work of genius; the second is a BLATANT rip off without the talent !! There is a slight difference in plot,a "what if" question one which every "Wuthering Heights" fan probably wondered, but that's it. Note the dedication page : "To E.B." I think Ms. Hoffman should have paid a TRUE homage to EMILY BRONTE , and the original story WUTHERING HEIGHTS. How can you basically take someone else's idea and not give them proper credit or homage????

Not exactly a love story.......2007-05-21

I've read many of Ophra books and generally you cannot go wrong, but this was a frustrating book in a lot of ways. It begins by talking about how scary a certain part of the town is. Maybe it's going to be a ghost story. Then it talks about a family, not exactly happy where the daughter, who becomes the main character doesn't particularly like her friends, hates her brother and adores her lawyer father. Maybe it is going to be a coming of age story. It goes on where Dad brings home a juvenile delinquent who sculks about but eventually begins sleeping with the daughter. The brother and his bully friends stalk the jd, tie him to a tree, beat and abandom him. Maybe it's a story about hard life and hate crimes. That is getting closer. The two young lovers, the daughter and the young boy become obsessed with each other and then the dad dies leaving an old will which gives the evil son everything. (I guess the author didn't realize that a testator cannot disinherit by fiat, but that's another story.) The brother sends the young boy to live in the attic, where he and the sister are having plenty of sex and becoming more obsessed than before. The boy leaves and makes a ton of money in various illegal ways, but doesn't stay in touch. The girl waits for him by her window for several years before marrying and moving to California. One of the characters, who I think isn't given a large enough role to care about her, dies and the young girl, who by now is a woman with a teen age daughter, returns to the spooky town. The young boy, who has grown older and bitter has returned to the town to buy up most of the property. He marries, beats and maybe or maybe not, kills his wife. The old girlfriend and he meet once again and renew their obsessive relationship. The story evolves into a stupid woman being brutalized by a psychopathic man. The brother becomes the town's drunken failure. Most of the characters are despicable but they all get their comeuppance. Pretty predictable.

I realize that this is an oversimplication, but the book really doesn't deserve more.

Terrible!.......2007-05-11

I was stuck with this audiotape on a long trip, otherwise I would not have bothered to finish it. Dull plot, flat characters, and uninspired prose characterize this book. Annoying writing, too, like continuously calling one character "The Coward" instead of by his name. As an exploration of abuse and doomed love, this falls way, way short.

Here on Earth.......2007-02-25

I found this book to be very boring. The main characters were not very interesting with the exception of the daughter. I just never really felt very invested in the plot. It was a very slow and forgettable read for me. It was also a bit too simple for my tastes, it belongs in the young adult genre.

Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement Z (Crystals and New Age)

Average customer rating:

Love is in the Earth A Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Suppplement Z
Mineral Pictures and Mineral Nonsense
Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement Z
The crystal healers bible...
OOPS -- **NOT** "really" the "PICTORIAL SUPPLEMENT"

Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement Z (Crystals and New Age)
Melody
Manufacturer: Earth-Love Publishing House, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

New Thought | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Parapsychology | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement A (Crystals and New Age)
Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals (Love is in the Earth)
Love Is in the Earth - Mineralogical Pictorial: Treasures of the Earth (Love is in the Earth)
Love Is in the Earth: Laying on of Stones (Crystals and New Age)
The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to Crystals

ASIN: 0962819050

Book Description

Over 120 NEW Minerals with photographs, and updated old minerals. The update to the most comprehensive reference book addresses the metaphysical properties of hundreds of minerals, correlated to the astrological signs. The book takes the reader on an intimate journey into the subtle realms of crystal energy. Find the configurations, numerical vibrations, master numbers, preparatory methodology, and practical applications of all the minerals from A-Z. This book is the last supplement to the internationally acclaimed best-selling Love is in the Earth series.

Customer Reviews:

Love is in the Earth A Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Suppplement Z.......2006-11-03

This is a fine follow up on Melody's other books. I did find that the pictures left a little to be desired, but still there were pictures which do not feature in her original book (a pity I thought). Again I feel that if you are interested in Crystals then you can learn from this book as well. I would recommend that you add this book to your collection I have.

Mineral Pictures and Mineral Nonsense.......2006-03-31

This book and the similar one, supplement A, have additional mineral photographs and discussions of the minerals that were not in her earlier, larger book with a similar title (Mineralogical Pictorial). The photographs in these two supplements are of lower quality than in her main book but are still useful, along with brief descriptions of the mnerals. There is far more text describing the Nonsense attributes of minerals. For example, "Friedelite has been used to assist in the study of the French language (to expedite studying and comprehension of details) and in managing situations with the French populace when one does not speak the same language (to increase knowledge associated with aesthetics)." It is not clear to me how close to the mineral you have to be to get the best French learning effect. Do you eat the stuff? If the mineral effect is good for several hundred yards distance then it might be useful in schools. Also, "In addition, it has been used by many soccer players to advance agility, gain, and acumen during the game, It tends to act as guidance in instinctual actions, providing 'the edge'." "Vibrates to the number 3." ????? There are plenty of medical uses claimed but there are NO references to actual uses. For example, "The mineral [Fossil Algae] has been used to transmute of disordered energy into healing energy. It has been used in the treatment of infection, scleroderma, and high cholesterol, to assist in spinal alignment and assimilation of iron and Vitamin A, and in the elimination of toxicity from the body." Consider buying the book only for the mineral pictures. If you buy only one in the series buy the "Love Is in the Earth-Mineralogical Pictorial. Howard McPherson

Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement Z .......2005-07-27

This book was very informative as well as interesting. Well written and the pictorials were excellent. If you'e interested in this subject,I highly recommend it.

The crystal healers bible..........2002-05-21

A must for all healers, enthusiasts and anyone with an interest. Really informative and covers just about everything you'll ever need to know. I refer to this book all the time, if you have an interest in healing then you MUST have this book.

OOPS -- **NOT** "really" the "PICTORIAL SUPPLEMENT".......2002-02-06

I ordered this book thinking it was the "pictorial supplement" to Melody's challenging (read: "pictureless") five-star original sensitive-gal **Love is in the Earth** encyclopedic guide. This is a thin book of leftovers on glossy paper with one small and really lame picture on each two page spread. NOT WHAT I HAD IN MIND. In truth I wanted the much larger, similarly named: **Love Is in the Earth - Mineralogical Pictorial : Treasures of the Earth.** Gee -- is it me? That's minus one for stupid title breeding, -1 for using a scanner to take pictures of the rocks, and -1 for for not coming out with a new edition of **Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals,** instead.

Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals (Love is in the Earth)

Average customer rating:

Top Three Favorite
Unusual & Just Excellent!
Great Reference book
Don't be fooled.
The Hidden Meanings

Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals (Love is in the Earth)
Melody
Manufacturer: Earth-Love Publishing House, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Parapsychology | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to Crystals
Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement A (Crystals and New Age)
Love Is in the Earth - Mineralogical Pictorial: Treasures of the Earth (Love is in the Earth)
Love Is in the Earth: Laying on of Stones (Crystals and New Age)
The Book of Stones: Who They Are & What They Teach

ASIN: 0962819034

Customer Reviews:

Top Three Favorite.......2007-05-14

This book is a MUST for any crystal lover! The book contains the widest variety of crystals write ups contained in any one book!!! If you want to find rare stones or combinations of stones - look in this book. Beautifully written with love and easily used - many cross references of the multitude of variations found in rocks. This is a must have reference book for all collectors!!!

Unusual & Just Excellent!.......2007-04-08

I love this book for its metaphysical information. Unlike any other. Highly recommend.

Great Reference book.......2007-03-31

This is a great reference book if you are interested in stones and crystals and their meanings.

Don't be fooled........2007-01-27

The one and only place to look for original, real, concrete information on crystals and crystal healing is in Katrina Rapahell's books. Be careful because it is quite dangerous to get information from biased sources as this one.

The Hidden Meanings .......2006-11-19

This is a pretty comprehensive book about the meanings of various stones. Although it is not all-inclusive, it covers far more than most people will ever need. It is the best of this type I have ever seen. There are no photos, but the book describes the stone, it's appearance, color ranges, vibrational numbers, astrological signs and all the stones' properties. More importantly, it goes into significant detail on the health (helps with anxiety, blood pressure, etc.) and metaphysical properties of the stone (assists in clarvoyance, etc.). The book includes precious and semi-precious gemstones (diamond, topaz, peridot), as well as other stones (jasper, etc), even metals, such as gold and silver.

Even if you want to stay on the basic side of life, there are plenty of good energy stones, like rose quartz or amethyst. I recently gave rose quartz to a co-worker who was getting a little too stressed and told him to keep it on his desk. Now, you can "poo poo" me all you want, I see a huge difference. I used to laugh at this stuff too, till I realized I was wrong.

I have friends who cut, polish, and wrap various stones. I like to select a stone (or a combination of stones), have them wrapped, and then look them up in this book to see "why" I bought it/them. Whether you believe that stones possess and carry certain energies or not, you can have fun with this book. Personally, I've found it to be quite educational and revealing.

Love Is in the Earth: Laying on of Stones (Crystals and New Age)

Average customer rating:

The Definitive Crystal Therapy Text
More like Crystal Grids for Adepts
Come, see for your self
To lay the stones
BUY IT

Love Is in the Earth: Laying on of Stones (Crystals and New Age)
Melody
Manufacturer: Gem Guides Book Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Reference | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

jp-unknown2 | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals (Love is in the Earth)
Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement A (Crystals and New Age)
Love Is in the Earth: Kaleidoscopic Pictorial Supplement Z (Crystals and New Age)
Love Is in the Earth - Mineralogical Pictorial: Treasures of the Earth (Love is in the Earth)
Crystal Enlightenment: The Transforming Properties of Crystals and Healing Stones

ASIN: 0962819018

Book Description

A guidebook for laying-on-of-stones-including a mineralogical update, information addressing master numbers, and a cross-reference index of astrological signs and their associated minerals. Information is derived from "hands-on" experience by the author, historical research, and experimentation; any channeled information included was first validated via experimentation. "This book is meant to facilitate the continuance of ones intimate journey into the subtle realms of crystal energy, via the application of "laying-on-of-stones" in symbolic arrays from ancient times. The combinations bring one toward additional avant-garde adventures in the world of the mineral kingdom."- Melody

Internationally known, best-selling author of the "Love is in the Earth" series, Melody was born in Cumberland, Maryland, and now resides in the Rocky Mountain region. She is a scientist and holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Art degrees in mathematics. She has been working with stones since she was a child, always evidencing an interest in the geological and mystical properties of these children of the Mother Earth. Due to the desire to share her research and knowledge with her brothers and sisters of the planet, and due to the need to make the information available at the onset of the "Age of Love", she has updated this popular book. In addition to her work within the United States, she has taught crystal workshops in Brazil, the Republic of South Africa, and Australia, and has held private consultations in India and Nepal.

Customer Reviews:

The Definitive Crystal Therapy Text.......2006-11-05

While some have labelled these instructions as complex, I call them thorough. The diagrams are easy to read and the instructions are comprehensive. If you've been wanting to try this on your own, this is the book for you--with or without prior experience.

More like Crystal Grids for Adepts .......2005-05-17

Melody is probably the most well known expert on crystal properties. The advanced practitioner will probably enjoy this book. This is not her best work for beginners. This is really a book about crystal grids rather than classic laying on of stones. Many of the patterns are rather complex for most practical applications. Very elaborate esoteric grids are probably best suited for really advanced formal metaphysical and crystal practitioners. Many of these Layouts are better when a huge supply of crystals of all kinds is available. Beginners and people who want to learn some simple laying on of stones patterns for work in crystal healing and meditation may not find the information in this book clear enough to follow easily.
If you are an advanced practictioner of esoteric Crystal work or metaphysics then this book may bring you great pleasure. It could become a valued addition to your references. If you are a beginner or prefer plain language You will probably get more value from other books on crystal healing.

Come, see for your self.......2004-09-14

I have read some of the other reviews on this book saying that it lacks in many areas. Frankly I fail to see how it could lack at all. Melody presents a manual for the neophyte or adept alike. The volume is filled with many many illustrations of patterns and diagrams for the placement of stones. The author also includes an updated mineralogical appendex which expands on her main book. Also contained in this volume are detailed explaination of major and some minor chakra centers, many beautiful poems and sayings at the start of each chapter and placement of stone diagrams for astrological, planetary, spiral, cross, and many more arrays. There is also a very detailed listing of which stones correspond with what zodiacal signs. How anyone could give this practical and highly usefull book anything less than 5 stars is beyond me.

To lay the stones.......2004-09-08

This is a perfect companion piece to the large LOVE IS IN THE EARTH book. The drawings are so clear and concise that one could'nt go wrong. If you are like me and love our stone people friends then buy this book.

BUY IT.......2004-08-27

This is a wonderful book filled with much crystal wisdom. I live in new orleans and have met a woman whos both a HooDoo root worker and a follower of Melody's. The diagrams in this book are wonderful and the techniques are amazing. Many people are thrown by the patterns saying that there are just to many crystals needed but the author clearly states that you can use any number which works for you. Please buy this book and support a wonderfull author and learn about stones at the same time.

Average customer rating:

A great book for anyone who has kids.

Teaching Kids to Love the Earth
Lachecki Marina , Ann Schimpf , Joseph Passineau , Paul Truer , and Paul Treuer
Manufacturer: Pfeifer-Hamilton Pubs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0938586424

Customer Reviews:

A great book for anyone who has kids........1998-11-25

A great book to have if you have kids or spend time with kids. Has great activities for children of all ages (and even adults). Not only have I gotten great ideas for things to do with my young son from this book, I have also learned alot myself. Every parent and teacher on my shopping list is going to get a copy of this book for Christmas this year.

Average customer rating:

"I Love Our Earth" is an amazing little book

I Love Our Earth
Bill Martin Jr. , and Michael R. Sampson
Manufacturer: Charlesbridge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Customer Reviews:

"I Love Our Earth" is an amazing little book .......2007-08-07

Dan Lipow's visually impressive photography combines nicely to illustrate and showcase the informed and informative text co-authored by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson in "I Love Our Earth", a 32-page introductory survey to the wonderful sights, sounds and colors of the earth for children ages 3 to 6. From deep oceans, blue skies, and blowing winds, to the snows of winter, to the sunlight of summer, to the multicolored leafs of autumn, to the palate of colors in the budding blossoms of spring, "I Love Our Earth" offers a cornucopia of celebrations with respect to what the Earth has to offer as experienced through the eyes and imaginations of children. "I Love Our Earth" is an amazing little book that should be a part of every elementary school and community library Nature Shelf for young readers.

Men are from Earth, Women are from Earth: A Guide to Winning Cooperation from Your Spouse (Developments in Clinical Psychology)

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Men are from Earth, Women are from Earth: A Guide to Winning Cooperation from Your Spouse (Developments in Clinical Psychology)
Kenneth Wenning
Manufacturer: Jason Aronson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Men and women are more alike then they are different. They share common hopes and fears, the capacity to engage in dysfunctional behaviors, and the ability to change. Dr.Wenning helps spouses master skills in communication and conflict-resolution and corresponding behavioral strategies.

Underwater to Get Out of the Rain: A Love Affair With the Sea

Average customer rating:

A joyous celebration as well as a scientific investigation and a fine leisure read
Rara avis: an eloquent marine biologist
Funny, Fascinating, Educational and Entertaining
The Funny, Informative Life of a Marine Biologist

Underwater to Get Out of the Rain: A Love Affair With the Sea
Trevor Norton
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Stars Beneath the Sea: The Pioneers of Diving
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The Handsomest Man in Cuba: An Escapade

ASIN: B000M8MGQG

Book Description

The treasures of a lifetime of marine research and intrepid diving around the globe are gathered in this celebration of life underwater.

Customer Reviews:

A joyous celebration as well as a scientific investigation and a fine leisure read.......2006-08-17

As a young boy author Trevor Norton was fascinated by water: a fascination which would continue into adulthood, and which serves as the foundation of experience of UNDERWATER TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN, a blend of natural history and memoir. Norton's fascination would lead him to travel oceans of the world, to study the science and history of oceans, and to probe both the surface of the ocean and the world of a submerged laboratory. UNDERWATER TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN is a joyous celebration as well as a scientific investigation and a fine leisure read.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Rara avis: an eloquent marine biologist.......2006-08-17

Trevor Norton is a very gifted man: he is undoubtedly a first-rate scientist, who enjoys his profession inmensely, but he has other virtues as well. First, he can write: every page is elegantly crafted, with a knack for the telling detail and a gift for the essential. In a few pages you are there with him, becoming acquainted with an underwater scene, or with a long-deceased biologist. Second, Norton is interested in everything, from science to history, reminding us how fascinating life itself can be, if only we care to look. And he has a sense of humor.

Funny, Fascinating, Educational and Entertaining.......2006-08-09

As the sub-title says, this is the story of a love affair with the sea. The author confesses to be an unruly child until he found the sea and then became too busy to be bad. His love has taken him to academic heights, to strange and exotic parts of the globe and to the depths of the ocean.

The book is part the natural history of the ocean, part the story of man's interferrence, part just stories, and part science. More perhaps than any of these, it's a vision into his own philosophy of life, the fascination that both he and the surface of the world is seven tenths salt water.

All in all, this is a delightful book. It is great to see that someone who starts out with a fascination about something is able to work in that area as a career and now many years later still holds that fascination. This fascination he then combines with the skills of a natural born story teller to produce a volume as entertaining as this.

The Funny, Informative Life of a Marine Biologist.......2006-06-02

Trevor Norton is one of those lucky men who picked up an enthusiasm when he was a boy, nurtured it through his schooling, and kept at it through a happy lifetime of academic involvement within it. In _Underwater to Get Out of the Rain: A Love Affair with the Sea_ (Da Capo), he lets us in on why he has spent as much of his life as he could under the water, and whether you want to join him there or not, he does make a convincing case for a life passionately and usefully spent. After all, how many other experts on kelp do you know who may have changed the tactics of a war? In 1982, when British troops were dispatched to the Falklands because Argentina had invaded them, Norton was called up by an official from the Ministry of Defense: "'Are you the seaweed chappie?' said a man with a pound of plums in his mouth. 'Just a wee enquiry. I've been led to believe there are exceptionally large seaweeds off the coast of the erm... Falkland Islands.'" Norton confirms this, and explains that stems of the kelp might tangle the propellers of landing craft, but that there would be less of it in sheltered coves and inlets. "Really, by Jove, is that so?" came the reply, and so perhaps kelp and Norton's advice determined the landing places. It's one of countless odd and amusing stories, dished out with plenty of fascinating marine biology, in a thoroughly readable and enchanting book.

Norton had been an unruly child, "but as I learned more about living things, I became too busy to be bad." And he used his fascination for the sea to power his academic efforts (he is now Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Liverpool). The many chapters here cover Norton's underwater life all over the world, and convey his fascination with the creatures he sees. Barnacle mating, for instance, is extraordinary: "The bold, bisexual barnacle has a prick up its sleeve; its enormous penis is three or four times taller than the shell. Out it leaps, thin and arching, and dips into an adjacent barnacle as neat as a nib into a surprised inkwell." The creatures are amazing, and so are the odd people who come into Norton's life, or historical figures who inspired him. Pages here are devoted to Ed Ricketts, the marine biologist of Cannery Row and John Steinbeck's pal. Norton describes Liverpool in the sixties, but explains, "People have often asked me what it was like to be there. If only I'd known it was going to become 'Liverpool in the sixties' I'd have paid more attention." It was where he met his wife (who has done the charming illustrations for this book): "She was obviously bright and I would like to say that I was first attracted by her intellect, but in the age of miniskirts there was so much to admire that I got distracted."

Norton realizes his own good luck in timing. "Yesterday's expedition is today's excursion and tomorrow's package tour." He has been able to see pristine reefs and to write about them, but then faces the dilemma that since complex reef ecology is damaged by human visits, to celebrate the beauty of a specific reef is to "expose it to the dangers of excessive admiration." The coral reef state park in Florida, for instance, gets thousands of visitors a day, as well as damage by pollution and careless boat usage. It isn't the only instance Norton describes of the encroachment of the modern world into the oceans. Overfishing has changed the oceans forever, with much bigger nets, spotter planes to locate schools of fish, and sonar mounted on the nets to guide the skipper in enclosing his prey. "Fish have as much chance of evading a net as a tree has of dodging the ax." Especially distressing is his description of ruin within the waters of the Philippines by such fishing techniques as dynamiting and poisoning by bleach and cyanide. This is far too lively and cheery a book, however, to be overcome by such reflections. Norton is a witty writer with a fund of good stories to tell and a delight in the surprises of the human and the marine world, a delight that any reader will enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Loved this book after reading Song of the Axe
Song of the Earth
Romantic fiction but poor history.
You better be really bored....
Fine storytelling

Song of the Earth
John R. Dann
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Family Saga | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Song of the Axe
It Sleeps in Me
People of the Moon (First North Americans)
Sacred Ground
The Blessing Stone

ASIN: 0765311933
Release Date: 2004-12-23

Book Description

In John R. Dann's thrilling and romantic prehistoric saga, Song of the Axe, the tribe's chieftain was called Grae, after a famous ancestor. Now Dann returns to tell the saga of the wanderings of one prehistoric tribal family over several generations, always led by that famous, original Grae, and by his children. The powerful daughters of River Woman saved young Grae from a flooded river after a volcano erupted and destroyed their tribal home. Then they made him chief, but that's almost the last thing they agree on before the tribe splinters.Grae leads the main group out of Africa ever northward, into central and eastern Europe, always searching for safety and a better life. Challenged by truly monstrous evil tribes, but guided by spirits, they survive. It takes three generations, and three chieftains named Grae, before the tribe comes to rest. Their story is an adventure on the grandest scale, full of dangers, romance, and beguiling mystery in an exotic setting. A rich and complex story told with simplicity, authenticity, and vigor, Song of the Earth is a worthy companion to Song of the Axe.

Customer Reviews:

Loved this book after reading Song of the Axe.......2007-07-14

I love to read all types of books, and happened to come across this one and Song of the Axe at the library. It is recommended to read Song of the Axe first. I read that one and could hardly put it down, then followed with Song of the Earth. It is a real treat to have questions answered from reading the Song of the Axe. It goes back in time several generations, explaining how the tribes evolved and split and in some cases, met again. Interesting is how they developed new words, tools, and traditions. I don't know how it is if you approach ths from purely a historic view, but if you want a terrific set of books for entertainment and a unique perspective, you may very much enjoy these. It is enlightening to read how these early people used instinct, creativity and trial/error to survive. I am just hoping there are more than these two books that tell of these specific tribes.

Song of the Earth.......2007-04-12

If one likes history from what thinks might have occurred at the beginning of time this book is for you. You may not believe what happens with the prose, but it will make think. What is better then the making up your own mind?

Romantic fiction but poor history........2006-03-16

I tend to agree with your first reviewer as to the "Adam and Eve"
features of this novel.
It is quite readable and fast paced, but its picture of 30,000 BCE
is "way off base" by the standards of modern knowledge.
As far as I can find there is no trace whatever of the "wide men"
(Neanderthals) in Africa.
There is no indication of Neanderthal stupidity, savagery and endemic canibalism ( they had bigger brains than Homo Sapiens sapiens).
"Modern man" dates back far beyond 30,000 years even according to the somewhat discredited "Eve" hypothesis.
For example Australia was actually settled as early as 80,000 BCE
by the Aboriginals, who are effectively modern man biologically.
As to the protagonists inventing clothing for the first time as recently as then, well that is farcical.
Neanderthals in Europe were living on the edge of the ice sheets for a whole ice age before then!
Perhaps they were very hairy indeed!!!
Over all the cover very much sums up the book.
Jean Auel did a much better job, especially in her later books.
Eurokiwi

You better be really bored...........2006-02-17

It began nicely with a grandmother telling the story of how it began in their tribe. I contributed the fact that it was being told by another character to reason for the quick pace of the story and the lame language. The story continued though with mild language in the simplest of forms. The story was very faced paced and could easily be noticed that a man wrote this book. The entire village located in a paradise where killing was not necessary and everyone ran around naked and had sex whenever and with whomever they wanted and jealousy was never an issue. The entire village was soon destroyed by a natural catastrophe and all that remained was one boy and seven women, all who were sisters. Each woman paired with him and each had children. It had the whole Adam and Eve thing going on which is completely wrong for the type of book that it is. This is way before Christianity and like beliefs. It was a time of spirits and earthen ways. Within the first 50 pages every woman had already birthed a child. Without problems, the people learned to hunt and quickly developed new words. They learned quickly to develop knives without painstaking labor and frustration. There were hardly any conflicts that the people of the story didn't quickly overcome. The story flowed so swiftly that before I read even 100 pages most of the children were grown. No personalities were developed very well. The Arthur told you who it was and that was it. There was no beneath the surface look at the characters. To put it simply, the story was very blah. The story ran too quickly to get an idea of the surroundings and the events happening around them so you could never step inside and really become part of the story. I had to put it down and find something else. Maybe it gets better I don't know. I will probably go back to it when I have ran out of other prehistorically fictions to read. Try a Charlotte Prentiss, Jean M. Auel, Sue Harrison, Linda Lay Shueler, or a Gear's couple book, William Sarabande or see one of the other books in my reviews. This one is definitely one of the worst ones I have read. It would have been better if the author took its time developing the surroundings, characters and the events so that the reader could visualize it. This book could have lengthened itself to several books, which would have made it much better in my opinion.

Fine storytelling.......2004-11-16

Circa 30,000 BC (plus or minus a millennium or two as only word of mouth records handed down by generational storytellers exist) the Young Grae became a great chieftain due to Erida at his side (see SONG OF THE AXE). His father Eagle needed Flower and his grandfather Old Grae had the seven daughters of River Woman to aid him.

The seven sisters, sired by different men, were the only friends of the weird looking and constant jabbering Old Grae when he was a child. Having learned to swim when their mom tossed them into the nearby river, the sisters saved Old Grae when a volcano destroyed their Eden and almost led to his drowning.

The tribe splinters with Old Grae taking one group with him that includes three of the magnificent seven (Spirit Dancer mother to Eagle, Sun Hair, and Lilith) on an Exodus through the wilderness guided by spirits talking to him. As three consecutive generations wander northward, they battle with tyrannical tribes threatening their existence. Old Grae never sees the promised land, but his ancestry the Tribe of Grae continue the quest seeking a land of milk and honey to call home

This prequel is a terrific look at prehistorical society done with a biblical context. The story line grips the reader who obtains a deep look at the wandering tribe's struggle to survive in a harsh environment. The biblical references add an odd intriguing spin, but also slow down the action when enhanced by insightful anthropological concepts on wandering life in 30,000 BC. Still fans will believe that Old Grae, his peers and his ancestors existed in ironically a well written prehistory tale.

Harriet Klausner

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