Customs & Traditions Books - Page 9

Wedding Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Love, Marriage and Anniversaries

June Cotner

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A beautiful collection of poems, prayers, and toasts for all marriage celebrations.

Finding the right words about love for a wedding or anniversary can be difficult. In Wedding Blessings, June Cotner has collected perfect selections for the bride, groom, members of the wedding party, and other family and friends to share. From verses and vows to prayers and toasts, the sentiments of Wedding Blessings will help make any marriage celebration more memorable. With selections devoted to "anniversaries" and "Reflections", Wedding Blessings also serves as a tribute to and affirmation of marriage.

Filled with inspiration and timeless words by renowned authors such as Robert Browning, Rainer Maria Rilke, the Persian poet Rumi, as well as many contemporary writers, this spiritual, multi-faith anthology offers true gems suitable for all aspects of weddings, anniversaries, and vow-renewal ceremonies. Wedding Blessings is a wonderful gift for the bride-to-be and others celebrating the union of marriage.

Life in a Medieval Castle

Joseph Gies, Francine Gies

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The best place to start to learn about castle life 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This book is absolutely the best place to start if you want to learn about medieval castles. It explains in very accessable prose how medieval castles came to be, how they evolved, the roles they served in medieval society, what they were like at their zenith, how military strategy through the middle ages centered around the castle, and how their relevance declined with the changes in technology and the political scene that came with the late medieval period. The Gieses give the reader a very clear picture of what life was like for the people whose lives centered in or around the castle, from the nobility at the top down through the staff needed to keep the castle running to the villagers at the bottom. In particular, it shows the various functions that the castle staff needed to serve in order to keep things running smoothly, and the duties of those responsible for those functions, from chamberlains, chaplains, seneschals and stewards down to pantlers, haywards and reeves. In many cases, the best things are the historical anecdotes used to show a particular aspect of castle life, from the manner in which meals were served to the ways provisions were acquired in an era where money was by no means a common exchange, and how matters of jurisdiction often overlapped in problematic ways (a lord might have jurisdiction over a castle but not over the forest surrounding it which belonged to the king). This is not what I would call the definitive text on all aspects of castle lore, but it is probably the single best place to start to get a clear and detailed education on, as the title indicates, "life in a medieval castle."

Editorial Review:

"The authors allow medieval man and woman to speak for themselves through selections from past journals, songs, even account books."--Time

Plain Secrets: An Outsider among the Amish

Joe Mackall

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Plain Secrets tells the story of Joe Mackall's long friendship with his Swartzentruber Amish neighbors, the Shetlers, to create a nuanced portrait of this most traditional Amish sect.

"Mackall does the job beautifully, painting an intimate portrait of the family that leaves the reader feeling humbled by the common thread that's woven into all of us."
—Sarah English, Cleveland Magazine

"Prose as graceful as it is unsentimental . . . Mackall doesn't sensationalize, romanticize, or condescend."
—Brigid Brett, Los Angeles Times

"The book points to a difficult truth: A religious community is bound to be freed. Mackall explores this paradox with rare honesty and insight . . . [and] achieves what he promises."
—Tom Montgomery-Fate, Boston Globe

"Mackall describes the details of family, farming and church life with sympathy, accuracy and good will . . . His particularistic description of one family is a welcome addition to what has often been a sociological literature."
—Levi Miller, Christian Century

Bushido: The Soul of Japan

Inazo Nitobe

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not only historic Japan, but also Japan at present 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 17 people found this review helpful.

I am a Japanese graduate student, aged 24, who studies molecular biology. I would like to add to the excellent reviews so far that this book is full of insights to understand not only historic Japan but also Japan and Japanese people at present.

The first reason is that most Japanese know Nitobe's name, face and act of writing this book. It is because his portrait was featured on the 5000 Yen banknote printed from 1984 to 2004.

The second reason is that many leaders at present, including, as far as I know, Masahiko Fujiwara, a mathematician, who wrote a recent Japanese best-seller titled Kokka no Hinkaku (Style of a nation) and some professors in my department's faculty, admire this book.

The third reason is that, though modernization and westernization wiped out the great fraction of Bushido customs, its spirits prevail in the minds of Japanese people. You may ask 'How is it possible without Bushido customs?', as M. de Laveleye, a Belgian jurist, asked Nitobe in the preface of the book, 'How do you impart moral education without religion?'. The answer, Masahiko Fujiwara points out, lies in people's reading classics, such as Genji Monogatari, Heike Monogatari, poems by Matsuo Basho and so on. In fact, as I see it, Bushido characteristics mentioned in this book, rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor, the duty of loyalty, and self-control, still remain in Japan.

I agree with Dr. Fujiwara in general, but, I regard Manga (comic books) and Anime, now summed up as Otaku or Akihabara culture, as the main source of the Japanese moral for the younger generations. People of my age did not read much of original classics, when they are children. Instead, we have been surrounded by and soaked with many classics reproduced as Manga or/and anime (eg Nihon Mukashi Banashi (Japanese folklore), Asaki Yumemishi (Genji Monogatari), Vagabond (the story of Miyamoto Musashi, a famous Samurai), and so on). Some people despise Manga as picture books, but it is not. It is a powerful media of information that is easy to read and, therefore, rapidly, widely, and voluntarily read. So, Bushido spirits prevail in the minds of Japanese people much more deeply than you imagine.

For the reasons above, I assure you that reading this book will greatly enhance your understanding of both historic and present Japan and Japanese people.

Editorial Review:

Bushido: The Soul of Japan is a book written by author Inazo Nitobe and is a well-known work that explains the Japanese outlook on ethics. This book delves into indigenous traditions such as Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism. Bushido: The Soul of Japan teaches the moral guidelines that have been handed down over centuries by the sages and samurai of Japan.

A Foxfire Christmas: Appalachian Memories and Traditions

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Outstanding. 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This book along with the nine preceding this one, should be required reading for anyone interested in the day to day living of early days in the south.

Cozy Christmas reading! 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Every Christmas, I read a book in the month of December about Christmas. This was my choice for 2006, and it really is a wonderful little book. The authors provide us with accounts from Appalachia's older folks who recall the Christmasses of their childhoods. It is almost like listening to them speak as we are told of a more innocent time in America, and the simplicity of their Christmas, which focused on the Lord. We learn about their gifts, which aren't much compared to today, their meals which sound delicious, games they played, church, and social gatherings. Recipes are included, as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to incorporate more peace and simplicity into their Christmas season. Merry Christmas!

Editorial Review:

This captivating book of recollections celebrates the holiday traditions of Appalachian families as passed from one generation to the next. Based on Foxfire students' interviews with neighbors and family members, the memories shared here are from a simpler time, when gifts were fewer but perhaps more precious, and holiday tables were laden with traditional favorites. More than just reminiscences, however, A Foxfire Christmas includes instructions for recreating many of the ornaments, toys, and recipes that make up so many family traditions, from Chicken and Dumplings to Black Walnut Cake, and from candy pulls to corn husk dolls and hand-whittled toy cars.

Suicide

Emile Durkheim

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

PIONEERING WORK IN SOCIOLOGY 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.

This is the work considered the pioneer of modern sociology, with its author hailed the father of sociology. The innovative nature of the work lies in putting together all the methods of social analysis available at his time and providing a comprehensive view of the nature of suicide in society.

Mixing quantitative and qualitative methods, Durkheim provides the basis for the future development of sociology. He brings science to the study of society, by developing a hypothesis, gathering data and testing the hypothesis. He proves the powerful influence of society on the behavior of individuals, which, though obvious today, was not a clear conclusion at the time.

This is a basic reading for anyone interested in sociology. However, anyone interested in the application of scientific methods to society and other non-traditional fields for science would also find it very useful.

The best and first tutorial to the sociology 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Durkheim says at the beginning; the sociology is the current science, but nobody knows what it is. Even now, his words sound contemporary. This study aims at introducing the necessity and importance of the sociology to the public, but not at sophisticatedly professional people.
It matches the orientation of the primary students to study the sociology, because the preliminary knowledge isnft necessary. Actually, I could read this book at the first year of the university without any sociological knowledge. After finishing to read the first part, which proves that the suicide isnft the psychological phenomenon, but the sociological, you can investigate the present situation as he did in the 19th century by using the statistics of the international organization like WHO. You will find the manipulation of the statistics not only easy, but also important with Durkheimfs tutorial. It may be your first experience of the scientific study at the society.
I can recommend it to the youth.

Editorial Review:

One of Durkheim's most important works, serving as a model in social theory.

Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France

Kristin Espinasse

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Imagine a former French major getting vocabulary tips from her young children! That was the experience of Kristin Espinasse, an American who fell in love with a Frenchman and moved to his country to marry him and start a family. When her children began speaking the language, she found herself falling in love with it all over again. To relate the stories of her sometimes bumpy, often comic, and always poignant assimilation, she created a blog called "French Word a Day," drawing more admirers than she ever could have imagined.

With an approach that is as charming as it is practical, Espinasse shares her story through the everyday French words and phrases that never seem to make it to American classrooms. "Comptoir" ("counter") is a piece about the intricacies of grocery shopping in France, and "Linge" ("laundry") swoons over the wonderful scent the laundry has after being hung out in the French countryside while "Toquade" ("crush") tells of Espinasse's young son, who begins piling gel onto his hair before school each morning when he becomes smitten with a girl in class.

Steeped in French culture but experienced through American eyes, Words in a French Life will delight armchair travelers, Francophiles, and mothers everywhere.

The Essential Event Planning Kit

Godfrey Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

For Amatures Only 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This little book may be helpful to amatures, but certainly not for anyone wanting to become a real professional event planner.

Realy a nice junk book 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Nothing inside, nothing usefull, 9$ for nothing.
All my applause to be such a good salesman, you could sell fridge in north pole ! But for event planing.....
All what is essential in this book is to not buy it!

Very helpful 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This kit is an excellent tool for actually physically mapping out your event. In saying that I did return it because it was not the tool I was looking to purchase.

Disappointed 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I was very disappointed with this "event planning kit." It did not contain any useful information at all.

event planning 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This kit is very handy with the forms in it that you can copy and use for event planning. It is worth the price

Editorial Review:

Eleven easy-to-use, freely reproducible forms and simple instructions -- developed by a former US diplomat with professional protocol experience --account for every activity, keep track of every detail, visualise every moment, and plan every detail to create a memorable and successful function -- on time, without stress and within budget.

Future Shock

Alvin Toffler

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 34 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Amazingly Accurate! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I read Future Shock immediately before reading Alvin and Heidi Toffler's latest book: Revolutionary Wealth. I am fascinated with thoughtful predictions of the future. Knowing the accuracy of the predictions he made about the future in Future Shock (which was first Published in 1970) would provide a good indication of how accurate
I found the book extremely interesting, insightful, and well researched. It was scary at times, but upbeat at others. It discusses where we are headed as a society (from a 1970 perspective), and what lies ahead. It covers subjects such as: the throw away society, the fractured family, education of the future, the diversity of life styles, the origins of over choice, cloning and much more. Many of these topics are today's headlines...not bad for peeking into a crystal ball back in 1970!

At times I caught myself thinking "there is nothing new here; Toffler is just eloquently describing today's society." Then I realized when the book was written.

Toffler has an amazing ability to look at the very beginning of trends and then extrapolate a future out of those trends. His predications come from interviews with many world experts. Toffler then uses his critical thinking skills to integrating everything he has learned. From this knowledge he constructs a vision of the future. Not only that, he provides options we should consider to create a positive future for ourselves.

It is amazing enough to predict the future relatively accurately. By providing us with options, Toffler completed this masterpiece of writing.

Some of the predications Toffler made didn't come to pass. That's to be expected. There are so many that have come to pass that it makes this book a powerful work.

Flash forward:
When I read Revolutionary Wealth I paid close attention to what is in store for us in the next 30 years. Once again Toffler hits a home run. The future will be amazing and we have more control than we think to make it great!

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

Revolutionary Wealth

Editorial Review:

Examines the effects of rapid industrial and technological changes upon the individual, the family, and society.

Sarah Ban Breathnach's Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations Of Comfort & Joy

Sarah Ban Breathnach

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Authors, A-Z -> Ban Breathnach, Sarah -> Hardcover

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Preserving family memories 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

It is Thanksgiving Day as I write. I have used this book extensively over the past week as I write down the activities we will do as a family this holiday season. We are a family with young children (8, 6, 3, baby), so we are only now starting our family traditions. It is VERY important to me that the children have family memories to keep them reminded of their happy childhood. This book has been a wonderful keepsake. I have already started purchasing it for others, as it is beautifully written and breathtakingly beautiful. Do not hesitate to buy this book. It will enhance your library like few others. I am wishing for another book like this one, but have not found it yet.

Editorial Review:

The seeds for the ground-breaking Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach's hugely successful bestseller, were first planted in Mrs. Sharp's Traditions. In this revised, redesigned edition of her charmingly illustrated Victorian style- and sourcebook, Sarah introduces to her legions of new readers the old-fashioned pleasures of family, customs, and home.