Book Reviews (Jan 2009)

Nicholson Baker, Human Smoke: The Beginnings of World War II, the End of Civilization
New York: Simon & Schuster 2008    536 pp  $30.00

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul.Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind.Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.– Jawaharlal Nehru

At some point, peace has got to become our firm and stated commitment, not the semblance of peace but a true peace in heart, mind and soul, and yes, in our actions and behaviors as well. We look to the heroes of our past to find some of our answers, and then we simply have to step past them, to dream the world anew.  As Nathaniel Hawthorne put it, “Let us thank God for having given us such ancestors. And let each successive generation thank Him not less fervently for being one step further from them in the march of ages.”

      (Read more in IJHC January, 2009)

Bob van Overbruggen, PhD. Healing Psyche: Patterns and Structure of Complementary Psychological Cancer Treatment (CPCT.
   

Frances Vaughan. Shadows of the Sacred-Seeing Through Spiritual Illusions. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books – The Theosophical    


Julie Roberts; PhD. Change Works with CLEAR, Clearing Limits Energetically with Acupressure Release

    
Ellen C. Braun, The Animal School (video)
The animal school video by Ellen C. Braun is a wonderful rendition of this classic fable. On the one hand, it brings to sparkling life the benefits of individualizing educational programs to suit the needs of each and every student. On the other hand, it points out the soul-destroying erosion of individuality that can occur when all students are forced into standardized educational molds. This is a video that can enrich the lives of students and teachers at all levels of education.

Read more in IJHC January, 2009