Ecstasy Books

While covering an annual rock music festival for the local paper, reporter Alex Bernier interviews eight high school students who had been attending the festival together for years. Alex finds the personalities and dynamics of the group interesting and decides to write a series of stories about the teens. The day the first story appears in the paper, one of the teen-aged boys dies of what appears to be an accidental drug overdose. Two more of the boys in the group die from what appears to be the same drug, and it is evident that there is more happening than a drug overdose.

Running parallel to the drug overdose story line is the opening of a new, environmentally friendly cooling system at the local college. Initially implemented with few protests, a tampering incident turns the water red, forcing the school to turn off the system. Assigned to investigate this story, Alex soon discovers that some of the drug-dealing suspects from the rock festival as well as some local businesses are somehow involved with the water cooling system.

Alex continues her relationship with the teens from the festival to attempt to discover where or from whom they got the highly potent LSD, and to try finding the motive for boy's deaths. Alex's search for the truth becomes personal when her refusal to drop the story threatens her reputation, job, relationship with a police officer and potentially her freedom.

Saulnier offers well-developed characters in Ecstasy, realistically portraying diverse personalities-teens, Alex, police officers, and the local community. Mystery aficionados will guess the culprit about two-thirds into the book, although the motive is not apparent until later. The ending scene is pat and unrealistic, but it should not deter any reader from what is overall an enjoyable mystery.

The prospect of spending four days camping out with thousands of drug-addled teenagers is not appealing to Alex Bernier, so when her editor assigns her to cover the Melting Rock Music Festival she is not exactly happy. But Alex knows how to do her job and she begins nosing around, looking for a story.

That's when she runs into the Jasperburg Eight, a group of teenagers who've been attending the festival all their lives. Against her will she finds herself liking this motley group of kids, so she is shocked when one of them turns up dead.

Then another one dies. Then another one. It seems as though they are dying of LSD overdoses, but then the coroner comes up with some news that is even more disturbing. Someone has doctored the LSD to intentionally make it lethal and that means these kids have been murdered.

Now Alex sets out to find who the culprit is. Along the way she runs up against a host of obstacles: townspeople who don't want to do anything to stop the flood of money the festival brings in, hippies who don't want to talk, a New York Times reporter who is determined to scoop Alex and a killer who may have Alex in his sights.

Ecstasy is author Beth Saulnier's fourth book featuring Alex Bernier as the main character, and it's easy to see why. Alex is smart and funny, devoted to her handsome police officer boyfriend, torn between being a good person and a good journalist. She's the sort of person who will find a dead body and then debate with herself over whether she should report it to the police or keep the information to herself so she can scoop the competition. (She comes up with a compromise in which everyone wins.)

This is Beth Saulnier's 5th installment in the Alex Bernier mystery series and yet another gem. Read the book and discover the twenty-something reporter/sleuth that is Alex living her life and getting herself into all sorts of predicaments - thanks to reporting and eventually self-investigating mysterious deaths at a music festival.

Beth Saulnier again makes the most of referencing all sorts of Central New York area locales - something I really enjoy about her books, being a Central New Yorker myself. This novel is never boring and will keep you turning the pages to find out what can possibly happen next.

I can't wait for the next installment! I thank a local book club for introducing me to Beth Saulnier!

I read the first two books in this series and enjoyed the first one. I picked this one up at a book exchange in the library. It's time for this author to start a new series or write a novel comensurate to her growth as a person. Is she serious? Life is short.

First of all, let's get this out of the way: I think it says a lot about Beth Saulnier's clarity of writing that she did a better job of explaining Lake Source Cooling in a single paragraph than Cornell did in a dozen press releases.

Okay. Now, the book.

One of Saulnier's greatest talents is that of combining seemingly unrelated plots in a way that doesn't seem unlikely. There's a great old poem, "What It's Like to Live in Ithaca," that does a great job of illustrating how interdependent people can become in the town on which Saulnier's Gabriel is based.

If you've ever lived there you'll understand; if it's not outlandish for the pedestrian in your path as you career down Buffalo Street in a brakeless VW Bug to be your ex-wife, it's certainly not that far-fetched that people involved in a university's controversial, multi-million dollar Lake Source Cooling project would cross paths with the people running a hippie music festival, and a group of teenagers who attend the festival every year, in such a way that none of their lives will ever be the same.

As usual, Saulnier manages to have her alter ego Alex Bernier move seamlessly among the various antagonists, learning just enough to confuse her (and us). And as usual, you might think you see the next step coming, but you probably don't. Yet when it all comes together, it makes such perfect sense.

The characters are almost all three-dimensional, and only someone who has a truly thorough insight into human nature could draw so many different viewpoints so well. Every character, somewhere along the line, will surprise you. I'm still not a fan of mass-market mysteries. But Beth Saulnier writes really good books.

Medicinemaker is the 2nd book of a trilogy. The first book being "Spiritwalker," and the last one is titled, "Visionseeker."

In Medicinemaker, Hank Wesselman continues to beautifully illustrate his extraordinary visionary experiences with using a writing style which is easy to follow and often peppered with humor. The concepts presented in the book -- such as out-of-body consciousness and shamanism's healing methods, etc. -- are thoroughly investigated and explained to the best of the author's ability, with the Western, scientifically-oriented perspective in mind. Hank's "inner scientist," stemming from his previous education in the Anthropological field, compels him to come up with rational and logical reasons as to how and why these extraordinary experiences are taking place. Using scientific reasoning and traditional Hawai'ian beliefs, he is able to explain (was able to explain to me, at least) what would normally be unexplainable.

The content of the entire trilogy generally includes: 1) his first encounters and reactions to his initial out-of-the-ordinary experiences, 2) his understanding and explanation of these experiences through a scientific and traditional Hawai'ian Kahuna's perspective, 3) an extraordinary account of his repeated "journeys" to a possible future Earth, seeing it through another man's eyes, and 4) several undeniably relevant and important proposals which connect his experiences to our present time and global situation.

I appreciated Hank's openmindedness and sincerity when he approached his difficult-to-explain/understand experiences. Both his experiences and perspective inspired me to look at my life and future in a new way. The Spiritwalker trilogy has made a significant difference in my life. I highly recommend all three books.

Dr. Wesselman's work is getting some better, but is still in need of work.

This book takes up with Nainoa (again, and again, and again....). About a year has passed, and it is time for Nainoa to return to his people, so Nainoa, William (father of Nainoa'a companion Kenojelak (SP), and Williams Son Zaki (if memory serves) and their dogs leave the Ennu camp to return to his people in a precinct ruled by a local chief Kaneohe to report his discoveries while away.

An evil chief had stolen an item of Choef Kaneohe's clothing and was using it in sorcery to make Chief Kaneohe sick; nearly to death.

Nainoa returns literaly in the nick of time. William (a powerful Shaman, and Nainoa set about conducting a healing ceremony for Chief Kaneohe.

Because of success in healing the chief, and the information that horses could be found beyond the mountains. Nainoa is promoted from his commoner class to the Chiefly class, and becomes a healing Kahuna.

Nainoa takes a woman (of chiefly class) as wife, and unconsciously kills the evil sorcerer.

I have MANY of the same problems with this book that I spelled out when I reviewed "Spiritwalker" by the same author. Only that by now; Dr. Wesselman has discovered that a Shaman can initiate a Shamanic journey at will.

Unfortunately; Dr, wesselman buys into the notion of Global warming, and the greenhouse effect hook, line and sinker.

The Earth IS slightly warmer, but nowhere as bad as the NWS stations would imply. The U.S. has become much more urban than it was , and with the effect of billions of tons of asphalt, and concrete acting as a heat sink used for buildings, parking lots, interstate highways, etc; they are encroaching on the NWS weather stations, is causing the weather stations to provide faulty data.

If weather stations in China, Siberia, etc that was showing a similar temperature increase; I would take it much more seriously.

I encourage questions or comments about my reviews; Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

This is the second in the amazing series of books written by Hank Wesselman. Having met the man, and taken a class from him, I can only believe that what he has writen is true. The beauty of these books is that he is a wonderful writer. Wether you take the story as truth, or just an intertaining read, you will not be disapointed. Truely fasinating, and a book that cannot be put down until you reach the very end.

I've read all 3 books in this series. In two places his implies
that his story is not fiction. One was an editorial and the other
was a second hand quote saying castenada's work was fiction (unlike his).

His argument for the truth of his experience is that his KU (our unconscious mind ) by defintion is not creative. Therefore his story as told is true. Yet as a highly trained anthropologist he certainly has sufficient bacground to come with a story that just happens to take place in places that he has lived or is familar.

His female lovers all look strangely similar to his wife, therefore he states they must be future incarnations of her. I don't buy it. Anyone who recalls their dreams know how creative they can be. I have had concious dreams( without the help of my stuffed childhood animal) and have found it interesting how the lanscapes are from 'my memory banks'.

I also believe the future (especially 5000 yrs from today) is definitly not cast in stone. IMHO the the future is a probability.

To me Hank's 3 books are similar to many new age story's that offer hints of human growth potential to travel in time and space as well as communicate with others (ESP).

"Medicinemaker" is actually the sequel to Wesselman's first book "Spiritwalker". After reading both, I must say that the subject matter is absolutely fascinating, and the style of writing used has made these books both easy and thoroughly enjoyable to read.

"Medicinemaker" is the continuation of a true story re: a series of visions the author experienced, where he actually meets himself 5,000 into the future. Once again, the author takes you on a journey with him - a journey into his amazing, vivid visions - and, just as he actually experienced parts of the life he is living 5,000 from now, you feel like you're experiencing this with him. He does such a wonderful job of pulling the reader in - there were actually times when I could really "see", "feel" & "hear" right along with him - what an exiting reading experience it was!

You may think that since the visions were about human society 5,000 years in the future, that this book will be filled with amazing technology - like the Jetson's - but you'll be surprised to find out that all technology had been wiped out, and the people living at that time were living "off the land" - like our ancestors did many, many years ago.

Overall, if you're looking for a real "page turner", and enjoy books on various metaphysical phenomena, then this book's definitely for you! I can't recommend it highly enough!

I like this book alot because it gives a few secrets and great tips. The only downside I found was that the book is almost too short and it is lackinga few examples but other than those, great book.

Short and sweet. This book gets to the point. Gave me and my husband some new ideas.

I'm not impressed. I also bought Sheet Music by Dr. Leman and that was much more helpful and brought me and my partner much closer and more satisfied!

Wow, short and sweet sections tells u exactly what to do. No matter how experienced, this will make u better (and if u suck, then u'll be reallyyyy good)

Great little book filled with wonderful, tantalizing and DOABLE sexy things to improve your pleasure with your partner. I recommend it to all my girlfriends with flying colors!

I totally disagree with the reviewer from Evanston ,Illinois. The traveling was a big part of the allure and appeal of the story. The exotic locations enhanced the spice of the romantic settings. I loved "Against All Odds" and wondered how Ms. Forster was going to top that, but in "Ecstasy" she does just that. This lady has a way with the interaction between a man and a woman that brings the characters out of print into real life!

ECSTASY is an exceptional story with rich depth in every character and not a one of them is expendable. This is a literary gem. The quality of the writing is superb, with precise meaning to every phrase. But it is also a sensuous, moving love story. You hurt, cry, laugh and dance with this wonderful, seemingly real-life heroine. And the hero - strong, yet gentle; forceful, but tender and oh so human. A man whom every woman would covet.I will read every thing this woman writes. Gwynne Forster should write mainstream, so that more people will get aquainted with her wonderful style and great story telling. It's a very special book. I couldn't put it down.

Once Jeanetta took the journey around the world there was no turning around. She tried to run but she could not hide from the love of Mason. This was an usual journey around the world only to end up back to the beginning. Proving you can run but you can't hide from love.

It is small wonder that the readers of Affaire De Coeur magazine nominated ECSTASY for best multicultural romance in 1997 and Gwynne Forster for Favorite Author. Gwynne Forster can write. I couldn't put this book down until I finished it at 3 o'clock in the morning. She spins a yarn abut peoples'lives, problems and how they deal with them. Her characters aren't perfect; they're human, loveable and you will never forget them. Thumbs up, Gwynne.

Gwynne Forster is a master of description but she can hammer a point into the ground. I almost flung this book across the room because it seems like she makes up extra stuff to get her book a longer length.

I thought this book had very good and thorough information. The irony was that I actually went out on a date with this author many years ago. I got hit in the face when he picked a fight with the man sitting in front of us who has asked that Bernie please stop talking so loud. It's ironic that someone who wrote so many books on inner peace had none himself.

I am surprised that Mr Gunther writes "shakras" for the word "chakras".If he is such an authority on the subject,he would obviously know and use the proper word.In the Hindi/Sanskrit alpabet,both consonants are so different that I find it difficult to understand how someone(who is supposed to know more about this word than others!)could substitute "sha" for "cha".It certainly puts me off reading the book!

I am a Reiki Master and recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about energy healing. The book is excellent in terms of staying focused on what you can learn through personal experience. It gives a lot of exercises you can perform to feel the energy very strongly. The book is also poetic and nonlinear in its presentation, and serves to help your mind function in a new groove where new perceptions are possible. There is an abundance of beautiful pictures which resonate well with the text. If you do all the exercises in the book, you will feel surges of new happiness.

this is a wonderful for understanding chakras. very positive, simple, colorful, powerful. get it. i rank it not far below thaddeus golas and ram dass...

I first saw and purchased this book almost 20 years ago, when I was in my early teens. What got me first are the wonderful colored plates; I kept coming back to the book store to view the compelling pictures and eventually bought it. This book has completely shaped my view of mind-body-energy... and I DIDN'T EVEN READ THE BOOK, I just looked at the diagrams, pictures and colored plates. Eventually, over the years I've read the text, but the pictorial information is what has stuck and become part of my world-view. I am glad to see that the book is still in print; I recommend it to all my friends interested in expanding their universes, and can now point them here.

This is a great book that is a little inaccessible to newby chemists, but it's about as simple as the process can be explained. And if you can't understand it you're liable to blow yourself up so I would try something else, theoretically speaking. Since Amazon wont sell this I would direct all interested parties to the Loompanics Unlimited catalog. That's a great catalog in general, and it sells the most updated edition of this book plus others by the author. It also has several other great books. Cheers.

Finally a resource for the "cooks" out there who know absolutely nothing about what they are doing and end up blowing up their house, or worse yet, their children. "Joe Blow" next door decides he's gonna make some meth and then the cash will roll in, ignoring the fact that the chemicals he's bringing into the neighborhood could very well kill. Maybe, just maybe, this book can cut the casualties of production.

This is a wonderful compilation of valuable information by one the great american pioneers of our time! Uncle Fester is the reigning king of the underground enthusiast!

I think the book lacked proper illustrations. In one instance the author refers to a black and white sketch when he says "Making a claisen adapter, as shown in figure 5, is self explanatory". It looks like there is a cork on one end but what material is the rest made of? When working with chemicals, the material your equiptment is made of can be crucial or lifesaving.The author often gets sidetracked with different versions of a recipe. Maybe a different edition would be better?

while the info is really in this book, it is very hard to read an I feel could be written in more of a layman's term.

The fourth book in the Ecstasy series, and another great one by Janelle Taylor. This book was different from the first two especially. Gray Eagle is very respectful and kind to Alisha. So that is a big change from him, he use to treat her horribly. Now he is very loving, nice, and patient through most of the book.
I still feel like the story between Gray Eagle and Alisha should of been over in around the second book, but the author did a great job and made the fourth one very interesting. Its a big change in the storyline, but for the good. I actually liked this book better than the third. The love the h/h have for each other is strong, and nothing will ever break them apart. Through each and every book they overcome their struggles and the bad that happens to them. They will forever remain in love with each other, and they will forever remain in my heart. I wont ever forget the tale of Gray Eagle and Alisha. Great job Ms. Taylor!!! I cant wait to read the next one!

Again Janelle has outdid herself. I loved this story and was fascinated by the colorful disputes betwen the lovers and the shamful Lea. I couldn't put this one down and finished it in 1 day.

For four years, green-eyed Alisha Williams had been Princess Shalee, the cherished wife of the Oglala chief Gray Eagle. Still their love was stronger than the surging white water of a snow swollen stream and more powerful than the fiery crimson sun that commanded the earth. But fate envied their perfect love and swept the stunning Alisha down a raging river and out of Gray Eagle's life.

There was no way Gray Eagle could known that his love was alive when his empty teepee proved she was gone. But the daily torment of his lonely heart and the nightly agony of unfulfilled passion insisted that somehow she had survived destiny's decree. He had rescued Alisha many times before -- somehow he would find her once more. No river was too wide and no journey was too long to find his beloved, to share again their BRAZEN ECSTASY.

Ms. Taylor is fantastic. This story switched gears from the previous two and I liked the changes. The bittersweet trials and tribulations that the characters edured were incredible. I can't wait to read the whole series.

I started out with the first book, "Savage Estasy", which I thought was well written, very entertaining and almost believable (which is of course a stretch for any romance novel!). The second book was OK, the third was getting a little bit stupid and the fourth - "Brazen Estasy" just made me want to throw up! What in God's name was Ms Taylor thinking? Nothing about this book was consistant with the other stories. Grey Eagle suddenly had morals, Alisha had the maturity of a 12 year old and their constant repetative whining was boring. The villianess (Leah) would have been killed in her opening scene if the author was in the same mind-set as she was in the earlier books. At no time did this book touch reality. And, worse yet - even the sex scenes anoyed me. I guess the only reason I continued to read it was because I kept waiting for something to happen that would somehow pull the whole thing together! It never happened. Ugh! I'm done with this series.

This is a wonderful book. Bonheim helps us to understand that "our hunger for ecstasy is not a problem demanding a solution, but a sacred force humming with intense energy and vitality...a sign of health...Although it causes us to suffer, it also keeps us alive..."

When we begin to see desire as sacred, it becomes our "pathway to the Divine...the great hunger...the magnet that attracts us to God, the fuel that drives the spiritual quest, and the compelling force behind our immense appetite for life, love, and adventure."

We live in a culture that still has deeply Puritan repressive roots. This book has important timely insights into our real freedom. Bonheim affirms ecstasy (not the drug! ) as our "birthright.

This is a brilliant restatement of the ecstatic path of devotion, tailored to modern times with reference to, but without reliance on, established religious traditions.

The book is written more for the very religious person. The book summary is mis-leading in a sense that it makes you believe it is more a self-help book. It is more a soul searching book.

Finally we're given permission to honor our desires and pursue them to our heart's content. Jalaja interweaves an historical perspective on our patriarchal culture and its influences, and calls a spade a spade without slamming men or organized religion. The book includes a number of practical, very helpful exercises for exploration. I got an extra copy for the new man in my life.

Jalaja's approach to intimacy and passion is heartwarming. Her book "the Hunger for ECSTACY" describes what we all yearn for and so often don't get because we lack the courage to strive for it. This book is full of "hints" for the alert reader to look at their own life and start on our way to paradise, which is within reach for all of us.

This is a book for lovers and partners as well as for those who try to make sense out of their own life. It is written with such Love For Life and will surely warm every readers heart, but more than that it give guidance to the inner being of every reader. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

As with every other bok I have read by them Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy make a fabulous team, this is no exception. Easy and enjoyable to read this book gets into both of their very different mind on the spiritul side of BDSM. lots of personal acounts and break downs of how different experiences moved them. A difficult to explain topic somewhat explained.

This book is a brilliant book for the leather loving enthusiast. I enjoy the fact that they are willing to share their experiences and insights on a very real but not very much talked about spiritual side of the things we know and love.

This book takes a look at "altered states," BDSM and sacred sex practices and the route that the authors take to get to these "altered states." It is in some ways a journey the two authors made while writing this book to get to the core answer of "what truly is radical ecstasy." And yet the impression I get from reading this book is that what it truly is differs for everyone. Having been exploring alternate forms of spirituality over the past two or three years, quite a bit of what the authors speak of hit home for me. The book also has a number of vignettes of scenes the authors did with one another, their reactions and feelings during and after the scenes, as well as their use of breathing and visualization to reach "spiritual highs."

At times you may find the authors delving into areas that seem a bit hard to follow, but there will also be times reading about areas where you nod your head in acknowledgment. This is not a book for the "novice player," but rather for those who've been exploring consensual power exchange play for at least a little while and are looking for ideas or thoughts about how to make their scenes more spiritual.

If you're looking for a how-to book of tying up your partner, techniques for using tools, what parts of the body are safe to strike, etc., you'll have to look elsewhere in other books that cover these subjects. If, on the other hand, you want to know why on Earth would anybody want to do this in the first place, you've hit the jackpot in "Radical Ecstasy."

If you think BDSM is all about cruelty, Dossie and Janet will convince you otherwise. They are incredibly articulate about psychological processes that are nearly impossible to describe. Come along with players on their journeys to the darkest, scariest parts of their minds and watch them emerge cleansed, whole, free, and (most importantly of all) LOVED by their play partners. Their role-plays may well be more effective than hypnosis or years of therapy on a shrink's couch. The authors feel their words do not do the experiences justice, but truly they are too modest.

I had the good fortune to meet Dossie and Janet at a Polyamory convention, having already read their classic "The Ethical Slut" which is far-and-away the best and most practical book about the dynamics of Polyamory. They are cool ladies who would be mistaken for ordinary vanilla if you didn't know otherwise. "Radical Ecstasy" is every bit as revelatory as "The Ethical Slut," opening up a whole new world for me.

At one point in reading it, I collapsed in cathartic laughter that made tears stream down my face, when I suddenly realized that I had always been fascinated with bondage games, even as early as age 8. My obsession with "Perils of Pauline" scenes became a source of enormous ridicule from my schoolmates, so embarrasing I never dared breathe a word of it to anyone for more than 30 years. At long last, Dossie and Janet proved that there was nothing wrong with me after all! I was merely trying to act out a logical resolution to the school-bully problem. My first-ever night at a BDSM club saw me tied to a St. Andrew's Cross while wearing the most demure, innocent, Victorian-vintage lace dress imaginable. Eventually, I might finally get to act out a resistance/takedown/rescue scene where I get chased all over the dungeon . . .

THANK YOU, Dossie and Janet, for sharing your amazing love with the world.

Radical Ecstasy is a book that's difficult to define. Is it a BDSM-manual? Is it some kind of feminist manifesto about women's right to live out their sexual fantasies? Is it a diary, combined with relationship-stories, written by the two authors strictly for their own personal satisfaction? Or is it simply a combination of all of the above?

Well, probably the last alternative. Probably. Because I'm not that sure, despite the fact that it's only been five minutes since I (finally) finished the piece. I add "finally", because it wasn't the greatest book I've ever read. Especially since it felt like such a lengthy book; page after page was turned without anything really happening, but no. The only thing one can do is keeping one's fingers crossed that the authors will get to their point, whatever that is, but the wait is long and extremely frustrating. And frustration is never a good thing.

Many different parts of the BDSM-scene are investigated, for instance various bondage-scenarios and various domination/submission sessions, many of which Easton and Hardy themselves have experienced together with their numerous male and female lovers. Time and again they emphasize the phenomenon, or state of mind, known as ecstasy (not the drug), and try their very best to explain to the reader how to experience it. But the question remains: what's the difference between ecstasy and an orgasm? Well, you tell me. The book sure doesn't do it, and whenever it's mentioned it's mostly written for a female audience. This doesn't mean that the role of the men is trivialized or overlooked. However, though, it's definitely a book written by women and mostly aimed towards other women.

Still, the book has its good sections, too. Especially the part where they discuss how a ritualistic setting can enable people to act out and deal with their inner pain. But overall, Radical Ecstasy comes out as yet another mediocre New Age book found in the self-help section of your local bookstore. With the exception that this one contains detailed sexual scenarios. (Not extremely detailed, though. It's not an XXX-rated book).

Finishing the book I couldn't help but feeling that perhaps the authors wrote it due to their exhibitionistic natures, and not because they wanted to help people. I'm probably wrong, but that was nonetheless the feeling I got.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book cover to cover. It is written in a smart, savvy and wonderful style. I was sad to see it end! Plenty of stories, tales and elucidations on the various aspects of Shiva. Provides both the experienced reader and newbies to Shiva excellent background on the beauty, power and deep meaning of Shiva as a force in our everyday lives.
I highly recommend this book!

This book is an excellent introduction to Shiva and, through him, to Hinduism and even Indian philosophy in general. Designed for a Western audience, the book is divided into sections about different aspects of Shiva and his worship. Wolf-Dieter Storl approaches the subject as an anthropologist, giving historical and cultural background to this Hindu God. In addition, he intersperses his analysis with stories from the great Hindu books of mythology as well as anecdotes from his time in India. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a serious, in-depth look at Shiva.

Its unfortunate that one of Hindu religions most revered God is being presented to the outside world through the eyes of a westener based on a few years of stay and study in India. I dont think it is possible to understand the hindu philiosphy and Shiva based on a few college lectures or research papers in a University. On top of that comparing Shiva to European gods of yore is the ultimate and classical European way of seeing things, as it always has been the European propensity to appropriate everything to ensure that everything began in Europe or has roots in Europe and Wolf-Dieter Storl approach is nothing new.

I believe sometimes its better not to write about subjects one does not understand or probably has half baked ideas or an inkling. You wont see a Indian write a books on Jewish or Christian beliefs which basically should convey how this should book be viewed.

Any person who does not want to be misled sould steer clear of this publication. There are better books which do the subject jutsice.

This book brings to life many of the stories of the Hindu god Shiva in an easy-to-read (no dry academia here) yet highly informative romp from the creation of mankind to the intoxicating bliss of life on Mt Kailash. It also eloquently relates many themes to European mythology and shamanism. This makes this book an excellent read for those already familiar with Shiva as well as a great introduction for those who are not. I highly recommend it!

Easy to read. Author makes the reader feel engulfed in the story of Shiva. Wonderful.