The Power of Animals: An Ethnography

Book Description

The multiple ways in which people relate to animals provide a revealing window through which to examine a culture. Western cultures tend to view animals either as pets or food, and often overlook the vast number of roles that they may play within a culture and in social life more generally: their use in medicine, folk traditions and rituals. This comprehensive and very readable study focuses on Malawi people and their rich and varied relationship with animals -- from hunting through to their use as medicine. More broadly, through a rigorous and detailed study the author provides insights which show how the people's relationship to their world manifests itself not strictly in social relations, but just as tellingly in their relatioships with animals -- that, in fact, animals constitute a vital role in social relations. While significantly advancing classic African ethnographic studies, this book also incorporates current debates in a wide range of disciplines -- from anthropology through to gender studies and ecology.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful exploration!.......2006-11-25

Brian Morris spent a number of years living among the indigenous people of Malawi in southeast Africa. His focus in this, and a companion volume that I'll be reading soon, "Animals and Ancestors: An Ethnography", is the relationship between the various cultures in Malawi, and the native fauna. "The Power of Animals" specifically focuses on relatively more mundane aspects, such as the hunt and other everyday interactions with animals, as well as touching on moeity in relation to animal-symbolized clans.

The book is divided up into four primary chapters. The first goes into great detail about the basic social structure common in Malawi cultures, and describes its matrilineal nature. Central to this structure is the sedentary village-based lifestyle that primarily involves women, children, and elders, and the mature men who are considered outsiders, and who may have several families in several villages among whom they divide their time. This segues into the next chapter which goes into greater detail on hunting traditions. Not only are older traditions covered, but the changes wrought by European invasion and the rise of capitolism, as well as the overhunting of wildlife by European hunters and the ivory trade in general, are examined as well. Folk classifications make up the third chapter. The taxonomy of animals in Malawi is quite different from Eurocentric taxonomy, and the differences in relationship between humans and animals is made quite clear per culture in this respect. Finally, there's a chapter dealing specifically with the attitudes the Malawi tribes have towards animals, based upon the research done in the previous three chapters.

This is an incredible look at one particular set of cultures' views towards animals, and nature in general. The difference in worldview between these people, and people in post-industrial countries, is at times astounding. Reading this also reminded me of the detachment that American culture has from nature in general. For instance, Morris pinpointed the erroneous argument that meat-eating, and the pleasure derived thereof, is primarily a Caucasian corruption, by exploring the eagerness to procure meat that the people around him studied. Additionally, Morris is careful to point out that his research was done in the field, while digging mice up or otherwise participating in day to day activities with his "subhects of study", and his close relationship shows in his work, which lacks the detachment, Eurocentricism and condescension often found on anthropological work.

The writing is quite academic, and those who aren't used to this style of writing may take a bit to get used to it. However, it is far from being a dry read, and once I got into the rhythm of Morris' writing style I really enjoyed myself. I will say there are a number of typos and grammatical errors, but content-wise this book is excellent.

This truly is a wonderful look at a very complex series of human-animal attitudes. I'm looking forward to reading "Animals and Ancestors" to see what the rest of his research on this says.

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Confusing

A wonderfully wise and inspirational book

A wonderful book, but a TOOL that should be USED

Exactly what pitching is meant to be

College Coach Finds Book Helpful

The Mental ABC's of Pitching: A Handbook for Performance Enhancement
H.A. Dorfman
Manufacturer: Diamond Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books
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The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance

The Mental Keys to Hitting: A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement

Coaching the Mental Game: Leadership Philosophies and Strategies for Peak Performance in Sports and Everyday Life

Heads-Up Baseball : Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time

Nolan Ryan's Pitcher's Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Power, Precision, and Long-Term Performance

ASIN: 1888698292

Book Description

A clear and insightful guide to the art of pitching.

Customer Reviews:

Confusing.......2004-09-17

Just trying to make up a catchy paragraph for each letter of the alphabet does not amount to much. You may get a few throw away one liners from this book, but confusion is assured.

A wonderfully wise and inspirational book.......2001-08-31

This is a really beautiful book to read. It is a must for all pitchers and their coaches. But it is more than that because it is also about life in general though especially relevant to anyone who loves baseball. It is about being philosophical about our failures and being courageous enough to go out to win in the face of them. In that sense anyone who reads this book will feel a little wiser about life both on and perhaps also off-field regardless of whether they are a baseball player or not.

A wonderful book, but a TOOL that should be USED.......2000-09-04

Noooooo !! Don't let the book aside because it seems to be a usual or boring ABC dictionnary. Take your time to look at the content. The paragraphs are linked together with a lot of callbacks. It really forms a great GLOBAL mental APPROACH to the act of pitching and not only a sum of psychological analyses. This book is mainly descriptive, based on experience and examples and that can repulse some people. However if you have the commitment to go further reading, you will profit from the KEY POINTS and PRACTICAL ADVISES given at the end of each paragraph. Put these tips into your practice program progressively, learn them, try them, adapt them, get feedback down the line and adjust. If not used, this reference will be wasted and will only remain a good book that you have read on the sofa. It is said "Every player and coach will HAVE one". Even if it is highly interesting only reading it, I hope that every player and coach will USE it to complement its program in the bullpen. It will be hard to write a better book on the subject before a long time.

Exactly what pitching is meant to be.......2000-02-23

This book gives exactly what is needed to pitchers who have not explored their craft to the fullest. This book gives you, the pitcher, the opportunity to not only get better, but to become a professional at the game you love.

College Coach Finds Book Helpful.......1999-12-17

I am an assistant coach at the University of Virginia and love Dorfman's work (see The Mental Game of Baseball). The information he provides in this book allows pitchers to take control of their performance. So often, players work hard, but cannot figure out why they don't perform better. This book shares the experience of a person who has actually taught major league pitchers how to perform near the highest level that their ability allows. It is well-written and a must for any high school (and up) pitcher who truly wants to find out how good he can be (that is - he is willing to pay the price of hard work for success on and off the field).

Book Description

A popular, inexpensive book designed to capture the entire phenomenon of A Course in Miracles. It presents the story of how the Course was written, a summary of its teaching, selected quotations from the material, frequently asked questions and answers, and a look at the impact the Course has had. An ideal way to introduce yourself or others to A Course in Miracles.

Customer Reviews:

Fairly helpful book.......2007-04-10

It is good as an overview and as an introduction to ACIM, so for $3 it is not a bad buy.

Wonderful Introduction to the Course.......2007-03-09

I am an avid learner of the Course in Miracles. The book has helped me tame my emotions and live my life with more awareness. I bought this Introduction in audio to listen to it while I am driving to work. As with many audio books I listen on my way to work, this one is just as uplifting.

An Introduction to A Course in Miracles.......2007-01-05

Upon becoming a student in The Course, I have found this to be an excellent gift to people who express an interest in this journey. I have been able to provide this for them, instead of my nterpretation, and for some it spoke the right words for them to investigate further.

Let me see?.......2006-11-29

I have just read the numerous reviews on this book and see two sides, the extreme christian view who sees everying as a threat to faith and the extreme liberal new agie side who believes most everything that the other side does not. I find the book well written and coming from a psychology and theology background can see the attempt to marry them up. The author is obviously knolwedgeable about his subject matter and it peaks some interest in me to read some more of his works when I get the time. If this book causes you to fear for your religion you must have a sheltered life somewhere or some insecurities. You do not have to believe everything you read. This book does appear to have a taste of Freud, a smudge of Hinduism and a few other eastern thought ideas. So for those who like this sort of mix, enjoy. The rest of us can look, read and move on.

Scary Stuff.......2006-06-27

"This woman who had written so eloquently that suffering really did not exist spent the last two years of her life in the blackest psychotic depression I have ever witnessed.", these words were spoken at helen schucmans funeral. In the worlds of ACIM, "It would be madness to entrust
salvation to the insane." & "Anyone who elects a totally insane guide must be totally insane himself.".

Also the co-author guy has once worked for MKULTRA (an inhumain CIA mind control experiment(look it up on wikipedia)). Very scary.

This book makes me respect the bible when it says "beware false prophets". So many people seem so false to me.In my short time on this earth I have witnessed two psychologists tell me that people are able to make decisions and change there lifes, both while showing clear body language to the contrary. As people we all try to profit from making up lies/illusions/stories, I fear this book is no exception.

Dont look to the shiny marble institutions think for yourselves.

A Talk Given on 'A Course in Miracles': An Introduction

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I See the Light
I loved the very last chapter
A simple overview of "Course" theory
I loved the very last chapter

A Talk Given on 'A Course in Miracles': An Introduction
Kenneth Wapnick
Manufacturer: Foundation for a Course in Miracles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0933291167

Book Description

This book provides an in-depth introduction to the principles of "A Course in Miracles." It first explains the central ideas in the ego's thought system of sin, guilt, and fear, and its defenses of denial and projection. Next, the Holy Spirit's thought system of forgiveness is explained, showing specifically how it and the miracle undo the ego's chief defense against the Love of God: special relationships. Included also are chapters on the purpose of Jesus' life, and the story of how the Course came to be written.

Customer Reviews:

I See the Light.......2007-01-19

I have been a student of A Course in Miracles (ACIM) for almost a year and a half. So you can see that I'm very new at it. It's not the easiest book to understand, but before I began I had read Gary Renard's Disappearance of the Universe. I recommend his book unconditionally, by the way. But there were still gaps in my understanding. This tiny book by Wapnick is a perfect gem. He takes very complicated issues and breaks them up in such a way that my reaction was - "Of course!". For instance, he talks about how the course represents three different thought systems: One-mindedness (Heaven), wrong-mindedness (ego), and right-mindedness (Holy Spirit). Then he talks about the course being written on two levels (the difference between the One Mind and the split mind, and the difference between wrong and right-mindedness). He also uses wonderful images. One of my favorites is where he talks about the mind being healed gradually, but us not being aware of it and getting discouraged. He says, though, that we must think of it as going around and around a well. We are getting closer and closer to the bottom, but to us it seems that we are going in circles. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I'm on my second time thru it, and figure that I will reread it at least one more time after that.

I loved the very last chapter.......2002-09-03

The very last chapter is about Jesus, forgivness, and the crucifixion. For the first time, I understand how transcending effect can undo cause. By forgiving, I can undo the effect of an attack. A cause which had no effect wasn't actually a cause, now was it? If I can undo cause, I have erased guilt. Without guilt, there is only innocence. This is how we can absolve the world we see of sin. Amazing!

Now, consider this. This principle has to work both ways. If I can undo cause by not being effected, then I can create cause by being effected. I can feel loved, and elect you as the cause of it.

(Yes, it's still illussion, but what a delicious illussion. The reason it's illussion, is that in either case, I am secretly the cause... shhhh, don't tell anybody).

A simple overview of "Course" theory.......2002-04-29

This is a 135-page transcript of a May 9th, 1981 workshop led by Mr. Wapnick in Madison, Connecticut. It is broken down into five chapters:

CHAPTER ONE: "The Story of A Course In Miracles" - In this chapter Kenneth Wapnick gives an overview of the "scribing" of the Course and the two key characters involved: Drs. Helen Schucman and William Thetford. My favorite part of this chapter is the retelling of the highly symbolic dreams Helen had before the scribing began, and the trip that Helen and William took to Chicago. "And this is my true church," Helen heard when she offered to help a young lady she met in the airport; this lady was afraid because she had just left her husband and was about to take her first flight.

CHAPTER TWO: "One-mindedness: The World of Heaven" - In this chapter, Mr. Wapnick tells the reader that A COURSE IN MIRACLES represents three different thought systems: One-mindedness, which represents Heaven; wrong-mindedness, which represents the thought system of the ego; and right-mindedness, which represents the thought system of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, it is the thought system of Heaven - One-mindedness - that is discussed here.

CHAPTER THREE: "Wrong-mindedness: The Thought System of the Ego" - In this chapter the thought system of the ego is discussed. This includes: sin, guilt, fear, denial and projection, the attack-defense cycle, and the "special relationship" where one loves in another what appears to be lacking within oneself.

CHAPTER FOUR: "Right-mindedness: The Holy Spirit's Thought System" - In this chapter we learn that right-mindedness is based on viewing this world as the classroom in which we learn the lessons of forgiveness. The relationship between anger and forgiveness is discussed, as well as the meaning of the word "miracle" as used in A COURSE IN MIRACLES (the Course has its own unique definition of the word).

CHAPTER FIVE: "Jesus: The Purpose of His Life" - Jesus' role as the symbolic source of A COURSE IN MIRACLES is discussed. The Course's reinterpretation of the crucifixion is also discussed. What I found most interesting about this chapter is Mr. Wapnick's interpretation of Jesus' anger in the Temple. And I like this line: "Ultimately, we cannot accept the Course if we do not accept the fact that death is an illusion."

Throughout all of the above chapters, questions and answers are exchanged between the audience and presenter. I like this because it gives the feeling of having been there, as though you are not reading this book by yourself. This "conversational" format also provides an occasionally much-needed breath of air, since the topics covered can be very intense and the ego has great resistance to listening.

As with almost all books published by Foundation for A Course In Miracles, this book ends with a vision statement for the Foundation as well as an index to all Course references and their place in the Course proper. There is also a catalogue of other Foundation publications.

This is a cute little book with some powerful teachings, and is available for a very low price. I recommend it to students of the Course, or anyone wondering what the Course is.

I loved the very last chapter.......2001-08-19

Now, consider this. This principle has to work both ways. If I can undo cause by not being effected, then I can create cause by being effected. I can feel loved, and elect you as the cause of it.

(Yes, it's still illussion, but what a delicious illussion. The reason it's illussion, is that in either case, I am secretly the cause... shhhh, don't tell anybody).

Average customer rating:
Betrachtungen Uber Ein Kurs in Wundern (Translation of Talk Given on a Course in Miracles : An Introduction)
Kenneth Wapnick
Manufacturer: Foundation for a Course in Miracles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0933291124

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AN INTRODUCTION TO A COURSE IN MIRACLES
ROBERT PERRY
Manufacturer: MIRACLE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S9MEKC

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Introduction to a Course in Miracles
Gerald Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Random House Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 0553745204
Release Date: 1989-08-01

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An Introduction to A Course in Miracles
Unknown
Manufacturer: Miracle Distribution Center
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MKTQXU

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An Introduction to the Course in Miracles
Diane V. Cirincione
Manufacturer: Soundworks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 0873200438

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Miracles: Introduction to Using "The Course" (Sound Horizons Presents)
Diane Brook Gusic
Manufacturer: Sound Horizons Audio-Video
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 187932329X

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A Talk Given on a Course in Miracles: An Introduction
Kenneth Wapnick
Manufacturer: Foundation for a Course in Miracles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NJD5MS

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Introduction to A course in miracles
Robert Perry
Manufacturer: Miracle Distribution Center (1141 E. Ash Ave., Fullerton, CA 92631)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B00072FAUQ

Book Description

This is the story of Kirby Puckett and his remarkable journey from the projects of the south.

Customer Reviews:

Kirby, best Twin ever.......2000-06-06

The book is a very basic story of Kirby Puckett that leads much to be desired by the more mature fan. The book while a good read, seems to be written more for kids. As the other reviewer mentioned, a good read but for a better biography we will have to wait for Puckett to come out with his own later in life.

The story of the man before his image was permanently tarnished. Brings you back to his simpler days when people smiled when you mentioned his name.

Puck is a glimpse into the real story yet to be to told........1998-01-25

If baseball star Kirby Puckett were a biblical figure, he would be a cross between David, of David and Goliath and Samson, of Samson and Delilah. Unfortunaely Puck: Baseball's Last Warior doesn't approach the telling of the whole story. It is too much of an abreviation of his life and efforts. It may be that the public will have to wait for Kirby Puckett to publish his own more autobiogrphical life story for us to know what makes the man so generous, likable and thus so tragic to have had to leave baseball playing in his prime. Until such a book is published Puck will have to do for those interested in an abreviated look into the life of Kirby Puckett.

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The Warrior and the Wise Man
David Wisniewski
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0688161596

Book Description

The emperor sets a nearly impossible task to decide which of his two sons should next rule Japan. Is Tozaemon brave enough to seize the five eternal elements from the demons that guard them -- and is Toemon wise enough to know how to use the elements once he has them?

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Twin Warriors
Ronnie Smith
Manufacturer: Writers Club Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0595184715

Book Description

Little Eagle and his twin sister, Late Fawn, were inseparable as youngsters.

Late Fawn became skilled at the warrior games along with her brother. Nearly identical in size and appearance, they delighted in dressing alike. As they grew to be young adults, the girl proved herself as both a hunter and fighter. With the white man trying to eliminate the Indian, the twins began a crusade to confound and confuse the enemy. Wearing identical clothes with each one riding a black pony, they would attack and harass many miles apart.

Thus was born the Legend of Little Eagle, the mystical warrior who was often in two battles at once, and could not be killed.

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