Product Description
Book Description:

"Margaret E. Noble was an Irish woman who was converted to Hinduism by the noted Indian Guru Vivekananda during the Victorian era. Under the name Sister Nivedita she devoted her life to selflessly serving the poor of India, particularly women, in Calcutta, providing education and medical care. This is a short book of essays which she wrote dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali. Also at this site by Sister Nivedita are Studies from an Eastern Home, and The Web of Indian Life." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; Concerning Symbols; The vision Of Siva; Two Saints Of Kali; The Voice Of The Mother; A visit To Dukineshwar; An Intercession; The Story Of Kali; Kali The Mother

About the Publisher:

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org

Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes. ... Read more

Product Description
This collection presents 164 brief Bengali lyric poemsdedicated to the Hindu goddesses Kali and Uma by thirty-sevenrepresentative poets.These poems--many of which are presented herefor the first time in English translation--were written from the earlyeighteenth century up to the contemporary period.Included areforty-eight poems by the most famous of all Sakta poets, Ramprasad Sen(c.1718-1775) and ten lyrics by the renowned 20th-century poet KajiNajrul Islam.The book begins with an introduction that places theseworks in their historical context and shows how images of thegoddesses evolved over the centuries.These poems evoke the passionand devotion of the followers of Kali and Uma and shed light on thehistory and practice of goddess worship. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Om Kali Om Durga Om Ma
I am a blown out Sixties Hippie running on an 8th grade education so was not sure if the Barnard scholar's book would resonate with me. It found that it surely did. I have been a western devotee of the this Goddess since I was a flowers in your hair San Franscisco runaway kid. I am not much of a singer and know little Bengali or Sanskrit yet I have repeated mantras and prayers in those languages as the structure of my daily faith since those early years. To find meaningful devotional poerty to the Goddess so well done in English is very rare and really adds much to my life. I read the Lex Hixon translations and found them full of later doctrine and much too wordy and full of Hixon for me to use in prayer. The translantions in M's own 1907 and the latter spruced up Gospel of Sri Ramkrishna are better but IMHO still a tad overdone and therefore rather weak (at least to this heart) Previous to this work by Rachel McDermott I have used devotionally Grace and Mercy in Her Wild Hair by Nathan and Seely which I found match my inner longings and experience perfectly as does this more expansive work by McDermott. I want to thank her for introducing me to a such wider range of voices of this tradition (all so well presented, so very crisp and clear). I am also reading her Mother of My Heart Daughter of My Dreams. I was suprised how much this scholary research has added to my inner landscape. Most other "texts" I have read leave me yawning and very tangled in mind. The author seems to have just the right knack for planting soul into the soil of facts to keep in all in the now and so alive. Her finding of an original oil painting of Ramprasad done in his time blew my mind. He looks just like what every young Haight Asbury yogi was aspiring to be. These short poems are large in number, disarmingly simple, vibrant and full of comlex power. I don't know what they mean for the world of the intellect or historical research but they represent a wonderful freshness of vision: a brand new toolbox containing whole yak load of gorgeous devotional feelings to an average guy like me. Rachel, thank you again, again and again. Joy Ma Anandamoi ... Read more

Product Description
William Dalrymple, who wrote about India in "City of Djinns", returns to the country in a series of essays. Featured in the pages this work are 15-year-old guerrilla girls and dowager Maharanis; flashy Bombay drinks parties and violent village blood feuds; a group of vegetarian terrorists intent on destroying India's first Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet; and a palace where port and cigars are still carried to guests on a miniature silver steam train. In the course of his travels, Dalrymple meets such figures as Imran Khan, Ismail Merchant, Benazir Bhutto and Baba Sehgal, the Indian Gary Glitter; he witnesses the macabre nightly offering to the bloodthirsty goddess Parashakti - She Who is Seated on a Throne of Five Corpses; he experiences civil war in Kashmir and caste massacres in the badlands of Bihar, and dines with a drug baron on the North-West Frontier; he discovers such oddities as the terrorist apes of Jaipur (only brought to book when the municipality began impregnating their bananas with opium); and the shrine where Lord Krishna is said to make love every night to his 16,108 wives and 64,732 milkmaids. ... Read more

Product Description
The Devi-Mahatmya is well-known to both devotes and scholars of the Indian Great Godess. Composed some 1500 years ago it contains a comprehensive account of the Godess in Sanskrit, and it has maintained its centrality in the Godess (Sakta) tradition to the present day. ... Read more

Product Description
"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

Forrest's mama was right. Perhaps today life will offer you some great thrill. Or maybe what will come out of the box is an assortment of heartache—the kind that forever changes the way you live and relate to others. Regardless of the mix, you can always count on each day containing truffles from heaven.

Truffles from heaven are morsels of God's love and comfort that come individually wrapped in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it may be a person divinely placed at a critical moment in your life. Other times, a penetrating verse of Scripture. Occasionally it is something material, like a favorite flavor of yogurt. Whatever the kind, God's truffles all share this in comon: they are choice gifts personally selected from the riches of His grace and gently placed in the palm of your life.

From the gift box of her own life, author Kali Schnieders offers a selection of truffles wrapped in a heart-felt prayer: that you, too, may "taste and see" God's heavenly truffles and know that He loves you.

Customer Reviews (11)

This book is awesome and Kali is a great speaker!
I saw Kali speak at a church function and just couldn't wait to get my hands on her book! What a motivation, she makes you laugh and cry all in the same sentence! You will walk away from this book with a good feeling in your heart, ready to pass it on to the next woman in need of a pick-me-up.

A savory delight!
Like a box of gourmet truffles, find a comfey chair and savor the delight of each individual chapter as Kali shares her ownstories of encouragement.Guaranteed to touch the heart of women, this special little book makes a great gift for women of all ages.Truffles from Heaven is a blessing you don't want to miss!

A mom in Tyler, TX
What an inspiration this book has been to me.I often begin my quite times using it as a devotional to get my mind focused.The words brought encouragement, hope, tears and laughter!

A word from the author--Kali Schnieders
Dear potential reader,

Sorry for the rating.They wouldn't let me send this note without one--so I just went with the average reader rating.

I would like to invite you to taste a sample chapter from my book by visiting my website.By going on line you can determineif my recipe of encouragement, blended with humor is the right gift foryour friend.Yes, your friend who is hurting and in need a morsel ofinspiration--the one grieving the loss of a spouse, a parent, a job, a petor a dream.Your friend who is getting married--or wish they were.We allknow someone in need of a truffle from Heaven, don't we?

The question is,"What EXACTLY is a truffle from Heaven, anyway?"

As any truechocolate lover knows, truffles are delicious, handmade, morself ofchocolate--often a gift between lovers.Truffles From Heaven aregifts...from the lover of your soul.God's truffles are lovingly laid intothe palms of our lives; they're exactly what we need, given in the momentwe need them most and expect them least.

My stories are true, they arepersonal, and they are meant to encourage all readers to search for theevidence of such sweet gifts in their own daily lives.My prayer is thatyou (and your friend) will do just that.

Blessings, Kali Schnieders

"Truffes" provides sweet inspiration!
Kali Schnieders' book, Truffles from Heaven, proves to be a one-sitting read.From cover to cover, Schnieders keeps the reader laughing one moment, crying the next, and nodding in agreement throughout.Withreal-life experiences that many people can identify with, the author showshow God has a hand in every aspect of one's life, truly working all thingsto His good!Her refreshing, open style makes the reader think she'ssitting by your side chatting with you.I look forward to more work fromKali Schnieders! ... Read more

Product Description
From the darkest depths of artistic angst, from the steaming pits of punk-rock putrescence, from the grinding gears of the Kustom Kulture Krypt comes The Workshop of Filthy Creation: The Art of Johnny Ace and Kali Vera.Beginning with his career as an official Big Daddy Roth artist, veering through the birth of punk poster art, and now surfing on the cutting edge of lowbrow art and the new "Kustom Kulture" explosion, Johnny Ace (and his studio cohort, Kali Vera) has taken art by the throat and taught it a lesson itill never forget! Eye-wrecking posters, Fink-tastic sculptures, voodoo pin striping, and every manner of doodad, gimcrack, and unholy talisman imaginable are on display. So get some culture, why don'tcha, and appreciate some art, eh? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Johnny Ace's "Workshop of Art of Filthy Creations"
My life was turned around in the summer of 1963 ...at the age of 13 I saw my first Rat Fink ...been a FINKSTER ever since. I have seen Johnny Ace's work for quite a few years and he is one of the best FINK artists around. I bought this book to read more about him and see more of his art. It "hit the spot" for me ...and if you like RAT FINK stuff ...it'll hit yours too!

Weldon (weldonmc)

GASOLINE GALLERY SAYS "BUY THIS BOOK!!!"
I OWN GASOLINE GALLERY IN EL SEGUNDO CALIFORNIA & WE LITERALLY RE-ORDER THIS BOOK ONCE A MONTH BECAUSE OF IT SELLING OUT!! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY BEHIND THIS LIL' SCENE KNOWN AS KUSTOM KULTURE, THIS BOOK IS A MUST!! JOHNNY & KALI WERE TAUGHT BY THE BEST... BIG DADDY HIMSELF & IT SHOWS IN ALL OF THEIR ARTWORK.
AMAZING ARTISTS, OUTSTANDING BOOK. WHY ARE YOU STILL READIN' THIS? GO BUY THE BOOK!!!

An Insider Look at Amazing Artists
How often after making a purchase do you really feel like you've gotten your money's worth ? I'm happy to say that this book is worth every penny......and more. Not only is the book itself of high quality but the insider look and fantastic artwork are a showcase for the many talents of Johnny Ace and Kali Verra.

Taking a gander through the pages one might get the impression that their bristles, airbrushes and other tools have a life of their own. One possessed of magic and obsession , the result of which is exhilaration for any who stumble upon it.

As an owner of numerous works of art by Ace and Kali, some of which are shown in this book, I can personally testify to their amazing talent and dedication to their craft. Not only is the Kustom Kulture a better place because of their presence, so is the art world itself. But it's not "just" posters and cars and motorcycles, sneakers and t-shirts they've subjected to their mastery....it's sculpture too ! And what fantastic figures they are ! Creatures reminiscent of the 60's and 70's featured on stickers and comics, model kits and posters, come to life in wondrous 3-D form begging to be mass produced and unleashed on the world....

A real joy to pick up and peruse again and again, you will not be disappointed by an insider look at amazing artists.

Rat Fink's of the World Rejoice!!!
Big Daddy shall not die! (buy this book and see for yourself!)

Before his death, Big Daddy must have instinctively realized he needed to pass the Rat Fink torch to a new generation.

Wise move.

The husband-wife team of Johnny Ace and Kali Verra have the unique distinction of having been blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view), and officially sanctioned, to work with Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. Credit Roth's ability to seek, find, and anoint those talented few who 'got' him.

Ace and Kali not only picked up the Rat Fink torch, but held it high, igniting and channeling the crazy-classic sixties Roth Studios sensibility.

This book is a full-color tour-de-force, chockablock with monster gig music posters, album covers, hand-sculpted monsters, kustom airbrushed monster shirts, sick tattoos, and perverse pinstriping.Most appreciated is the interview with Ace and Kali, recounting their history with Roth, as well as influences, and even a list of their artistic tools! Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention the sexy sexy photos of Kali in various states of undress! Do we envy Johnny Ace? Yes we do.

Ace and Kali are already moving above and beyond the fly-specked shadow cast by Ed Roth, cementing their own well-earned reputation as kustom kraftsmen of the highest kaliber. See for yourself.

Speaking as a monster kid and artist who grew up loving Big Daddy and all things Finkoid, this book will sear your retina's and turn your brain to green Jell-O. In a good way. Buy an extra copy for the bathroom!

buy it now!!!!!!
If you know anything at all about kustom painting ,ed roth,Von Dutch, or the hod rod art of the 60s rod culture,then you must have this book! If you only look at the pictures you will get your moneys worth! ... Read more

Product Description
Kali's Blade is a unique collection mixing poetry, prose, and collaborations to bring martial arts to the page, creating a tapestry that attempts to capture this elusive spirit known as Kali (a martial arts form). Kali's Blade is like walking the edge of a knife between reality and myth, strength and frailty, the physical being and the written body. As Bautista writes in, "How to Battle a Wind Goddess," the only real way to win is to inhale her, for "where she became my flesh / I became the wind goddess." ... Read more

Product Description
Worlds of Hurt presents a coherent rendering of the relationships between individual trauma and cultural interpretation, using as its focus the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, and the phenomenon of sexualized violence against women. Survivors of these traumas constitute themselves as unique communities and bear witness to their traumatic experiences both privately and publicly. The survivors themselves write a "literature of trauma"--born of the need to tell and retell the story of the traumatic experience, to make it "real" to the victim, the community and to the larger pyblic. ... Read more

Product Description
Oh Terrifying Mother is an anthropological exploration of a South Indian ritual in which male actors become possessed by the fierce goddess Bhagvati as a divine offering. By providing an on-the-ground look at the many meanings of Kali to those who worship her, this book fills an important niche in the burgeoning literature on Hindu goddesses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

excellent ethnographic work on muttiyetu and related culture
This book is an excellent example of critical ethnography, exploring the depths of the ritual art of muttiyetu, the theatrical ritual event in which male dancers become possessed by the deities they portray. Caldwell's multifaceted approach is by all means controversial - she employs a variety of methods to paint a full and in-depth portrait of this intense, arresting art form.

Each chapter unfolds like one of the ritual powder drawings created at the beginning of every ritual performance, as Caldwell employs both technical skill and personal insight through her field journals to show the entire process of research as well as the result of the research itself. In so doing, this is not a typical ethnography, but instead a rich and compelling story of both the subjects of her research as well as her own journey and transformation as the researcher. The start of each successive chapter brushes away the assumptions created in the last, just as the powder drawing is destroyed as part of the ritual, yet still creating a more complex and full picture of the world of muttiyetu in the process.

Caldwell's findings have certainly upset some right-wing Hindus, particularly when she uncovers some culturally uncomfortable behaviors that seem to be rather common amongst young Keralan men, and employs Freudian analysis to connect and extrapolate the tense and complex relationships between men and women into the dance itself. But Caldwell herself writes in the introduction to the book that she doesn't know if this is successful, and that each reader has to make their own judgment from all the evidence presented.

Contrary to what another reviewer wrote here, I find Caldwell's knowledge of Hinduism and Keralan culture to be very solid, as she demonstrates with her writing. However, her controversial findings may cause discomfort to some readers. I encourage a close reading of the text in its entirety, which will reveal the book as a suggestion of several perspectives, rather than a declaration of absolute fact.

This is a must-read for anyone interested in this art form, but also for those writing critical ethnographies and interested in organic inquiry as part of the ethnographic process.

Do not buy this book.
Completely inaccurate. The author does not understand Hinduism and nor does she understand the worship of the Goddess.

Very nice book
This book is very nice. It talks about the problems that mothers have in their life. Kinds, Husbend and many other problems mother has. A very intresting book. I strongly recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description
Mary Cassatt is most famous for her paintings of mothers and babies, and that's what first attracts "Claire" because she has a new baby sister. But through research for her class report Claire learns many surprising facts about Mary: she was an American who lived in France nearly all her life, she never married or had children herself, and she became a professional artist at a time when respectable ladies simply did not do that! With beautiful reproductions of Mary Cassatt's best-loved paintings as well as lively childlike pictures that illustrate her life, this Smart About Art book gives children a wonderful "portrait" of a great artist and fascinating woman.

Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Terrific Children's Book about Mary Cassatt!
This is a wonderful book about Mary Cassatt.It is done from the perspective of a child who admires Mary Cassatt paintings and is in the process of learning more about her.She even copies some of her paintings in photography and drawings.Very sweet and helpful in motivating a child about painting or learning more about painters.They no longer have to fear being a nerd, learning about painting is cool!

Charming introduction to Mary Cassatt
I thought this book was really charming and that its combination of prints by Mary Cassatt and the line drawings of the child who is telling the story made this very appealing to me. But I am an adult and don't know how a child would react to this. Perhaps I can field test it on a great-niece. ... Read more

Product Description
This is one more Book in the basket of Books by the Author on the subject of TANTRA.a must for any serious student of Hinduism ... Read more

Product Description
In India, dusk is the most holy hour.Colors fade, cows return from grazing fields, village fires ignite, while dim yellow lights of a city flicker against approaching night.Many pause to pray at this hour, to reflect upon the day.Kali Sunset is a novel about an elderly Bengali woman, a grandmother, named Mrs. Sona Choudhury.She is living out her last days in a Kolkata, India apartment.Sensing the approach of death, Mrs. Choudhury considers the milestones of her life: a teenage romance with the boatman Taro, her sister Bel’s wedding during the Great Bengal Famine, the assimilation of her bitter in-laws after the 1947 Partition, the arranged marriage of her brilliant daughter Meera, and the burial of her rebellious youngest sister Rani.Through these reflections, Mrs. Choudhury searches for fundamental truths of Hinduism and motherhood.Personal doubts challenge Mrs. Choudhury, as night falls upon the landscape of India. ... Read more

Product Description
"I don't like it," said Raymond Vernon. "I sense a strangepresence here."

"Steady, old chap," said the inspector. "I know you've had a scare, but it'sall quiet now."

"Too quiet," said Raymond Vernon grimly. "Kali-Ra is here. I know it!"

Suddenly, Nick heard a shattering crash and a woman's terrified scream. Henearly dropped the book in his hand. He must stop reading these damn Kali-Rathrillers; they were beginning to seem real. But then he realized he hadheard an actual scream outside the mansion doors...

Super-bankable, way-hot movie star Nadia Wentworth has found her dream role:the all-powerful, eternally beautiful Kali-Ra, Queen of Doom-one of pulpfiction's most famous characters. Even better, no one stands between Nadiaowning all the rights to the Kali-Ra novels. As far as Nadia's assistant,Melanie, can tell, Kali-Ra's creator, dissolute 1920 s novelist ValerianRicardo, left no heirs. So, it seems that no power on earth can stop thereturn of Kali-Ra-or prevent Nadia from gaining untold profits and worldwidemega-stardom...

That is, until a cast of mysterious characters descend on Nadia's exoticBeverly Hills mansion-putting the level-headed Melanie in a scenario weirderthan anything even she's ever seen. Nick Iversen, Valerian'sgreat-great-nephew from Minneapolis, wants the truth about his dubiousheritage. The writer's wacked-out widow, Lila, hungers to spread the "divinepower" of his words and control his new fortune on the earthly plane.Haplessly sleazy lawyer Quentin Smith is out to claim the profits of Kali-Rafor his unscrupulous employer. And the mysterious Callie might have a moresinister connection to her Valerian Ricardo's creation than anyone canguess.

Determined to uncover the truth about Ricardo's legacy, Melanie attempts tountangle a web of events as fiendishly difficult as any Kali-Ra herselfcould devise. But from the moment one of Nadia's unwanted guests turns upstabbed and dangerous forces-including obsessed Kali-Ra Internet fans-stalkthe scented night, Melanie must put her own final cut on this deadly script.Even if she must confront the most terrifying perils of celebrity ego,big-studio moviemaking-or the unholy powers of Kali-Ra herself... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

I'm glad I discovered k.k.beck
I came accross my first k.k.beck book in a used book store. I have started collecting them. The Revenge of Kali-Ra is a well crafted tale, a very enjoyable read. Slightly different in style than her books set in the 1920's, Kali-Ra grabs you at the very beginning and I couldn't put it down.

Light and Breezy and Very Entertaining
Actress Nadia Wentworth, well-known for her popularity and anatomy, has found the role that she deeply believes she was born to play: the evil, eternal and gorgeous goddess Kali-Ra, of the now-forgotten, wildly popular pulp fiction series from the '20s. Little does Nadia know that by bringing Kali-Ra and her creator Valerian Ricardo back into the public eye, she'll be setting the stage for. . . a lot of people to come tramping into her life with demands!

Nick Iverson, average guy with a philosophy degree, has just discovered he's Ricardo's heir. Or would be if Ricardo's wife, Lila were dead. Which she isn't. She's very much alive and trying to spread Valerian's "message" to the masses. But that won't benefit either of them monetarily as the book is public domain now and no one owns the rights.

Or do they? It appears some heavy handed fat guy in a Speedo living in some foreign county not only has the rights, but he's sending his goons--a nervous lawyer and an aged lounge singer to be exact--to get his money.

Into this mix, add one Doctor of Literature, who wrote his thesis on Valerian, one burnt-out script writer who just wants some peace and a good drink, a mysterious hot young thing named Callie, and Melanie, Nadia's manager and general dog's body--the only really sane one of the bunch. Stir in one murder, a missing security man and some cheesy pulp fiction and you've got The Revenge of Kali-Ra!

In this tongue-in-cheek, laugh-out-loud novel, Beck manages, easily and credibly, to bring together all these bizarre and seemingly unrelated characters. The story generally flows well and employs a few twists and turns that would have made any pulp author proud. Over all, this is a fun, breezy book and well-worth a read.

This is what I think of when some one says "a good read."
I was recently given a copy of THE REVENGE OF KALI-RA by a friend who thought I would enjoy it, knowing my fondness for Pulp fiction (and all things Pulp related).

Being unfamiliar with the work of K.K. Beck, I added this novel to a precariously balanced stack of other books that had already accumulated in my bedroom that has come to called my "BOOKS TO BE READ...SOMEDAY" stack, figuring that I would get to it "eventually". But, every time I glanced at the mockingly large mound of books in the corner, the gaudy red book cover with the 30's heroine in peril on the top of the pile kept egging me on, "Pick me up and read me," it said, "thrills, spills & chills are waiting for you beneath my tawdry red cover."

Finally, unable to ignore it's lure any longer, I picked up this book hesitantly, unsure what to expect from this intriguingly titled book by an author with whom I was completely unfamiliar...and am I glad that I did.

This story revolves around a hot young Hollywood starlet who stumbles across a long out of print pulp novel written by a long forgotten 1920's hack by the name of Valerian Ricardo (Uncle Sid to his family back in MN). The starlet, Nadia Wentworth, decides that she must play the main character featured in a series of out of print books written by Ricardo about a femme fatale character called Kali-Ra, Queen of Doom (think Fu Manchu in a dress). Out of this simple premise follows a rollickingly good story about a flaky Hollywood starlet and her level-headed but put upon assistant, a hectoring old harridan of a widow clutching for control of her husbands memory, a drunken screenwriter being held against his will, a shady off-shore money man living in exile, a possible illegitimate child, a senile old crooner and his mountain of a chauffeur, a directionless great-great-grand-nephew from MN, and a mad dash to claim the copyright to the long forgotten, but now much in demand, writings of Valerian Ricardo. It all leads to a bevy of twists and turns, a few good laughs, and a very satisfying ending.

This humorous, light-hearted send-up of Hollywood and the self-absorbed characters that live their may not be Shakespeare (or Hammett or Chandler for that matter), but if you're looking for a well told story and a memorable cast of characters, I can sincerely recommend this book.

Great book, though mystery plays second fiddle to comedy
This is not a mystery in the traditional sense.In fact, the crime is committed surprisingly close to the end of the book (and don't be let down by the solution).The real focus here is the wild sendup of trashy pulpnovels from the '20s-'40s, vulturous heirs, crazed cults, and modern-dayHollywood and the idiots and sleazeballs that surround it.

Everycharacter is memorable, as well as a loving parody of some cliche,celebrity, or character type.In disagreement with one of the belowreviews, the fun of the book is that all the characters are one-dimensionaltypes.The best mysteries are usually written that way (even AgathaChristie did it with "And Then There Were None!"), so that theirone domating personality trait (often the one that makes them look guiltyfor one reason or another) can be emphasized and the story, which surroundsthe murder, is not clogged up by character development.Sure, we all lovebooks rich in character, but mysteries often shouldn't be that way.Somewriters (like Sue Grafton) can pull it off, but for most of us, it's justfine.The one side of the characters we see are always uproarious, and thecharacters are very well-drawn: SSelf-absorbed, dumb Nadia; resourceful,studious Melanie; eager, giddy Nick; mysterious, sexual Callie; bitter,drunken Duncan; abrasive, demanding washed-up crooner Vince; hapless,loveless Quentin; sneaky, calculating Lila; and the list rollson.....

It's the most humorously well-written book I've read, too.Theprose is laced with sour humor, even in simple descriptions of charactersand items, and the dialogue is witty and vital.(And the pulp novelsegments are great!)The pacing is fast and interesting, never slowing toomuch to lose interest.All the plots weave together quite nicely, andthere's even an all-around happy ending that could only happen inHollywood.By no means your conventional murder-mystery, and moreresembling some wild satire along the lines of "Soap," this bookjust screams "MOVIE!"This could easily be done with an obviousall-star cast; one's brain automatically fits celebrities into the roleswith no trouble.A fun, light summer read, I picked it up one Sunday inJuly and had devoured it by Friday night.Tuck your cares away and readthis book.you won't be disappointed.

I can think of plenty of funnier writers
I saw the cover of this book and smiled.I used to read Fu Manchu novels and the mysteries of Seabury Quinn when I was a teenager (and this was in the 1970s!) and loved all the trappings of ersatz Asian occultism and thearmy of thugs and dacoits armed with daggers and blowpipes with poisondarts.But Beck's novel is not about those writers' creations nor is it avery good parody of what it attempts to poke fun at.Donald Westlake isfar funnier at the comic crime novel, so is Carl Hiassen.They know theirworlds.Beck seems to have done some cursory research (certainly Rohmer'sseries is evident as well as references to Haggard's Allan Quartermain andShe-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed) but there's more contempt for the genre than anyreal love of the pulps. And any true parodist really loves the subject he'ssending up and doesn't use that subject as a target of moralizing.Beckseems to be one of the writers who jumped on the bandwagon of the popularcomic crime novel because, at this time, it's a moneymaking genre.Hercharacters are lifted out of the realm of cliche (the bimbo starlet; thefailed lawyer with an equally failed love life; the alcoholic, sex-starvedscreenwriter; etc. etc.) and can be found in any number of ho-hum popularcrime novel writers' books.Finally, had I bothered to read the wholeblurb I would've learned this book was more about moviemaking (a topic Iloathe) and the moronic minds in Hollywood and I would've avoided itcompletely.I stayed for the pastiche of pulp writing which IS funny andright on the mark.Overall, this is pretty run-of-the-mill.But foranyone who lingered over the pages of a real trashy pulp thriller from the30s or 40s, craving the action and melodrama of the evil East battling therighteous West, it might be worth a read. ... Read more

Product Description
San Francisco attorney Kali O'Brien returns to her Sierra hometown because of her father's death and finds herself coping with a pregnant and grief-stricken dog, the murder of an old high-school friend, and a sexy local journalist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Shadow of Doubt
I discovered Jonnie Jacobs about 2 years ago and I wait with great anticipation for all new products from this author.I am an avid reader and she kept me spellbound with the first selection I purchased with this author and continues to keep me there.

No doubt = very good!
This was a first read for me.Heroine was likeable. Mystery was interesting. Solution was not easy.
Kali goes home to clear up her father's estate without help from her siblings. Her 'boyfriend'was a jerk and you welcomed a new interest for her. Loretta was adorable. An old and dear friend inadvertently nets her into involvement with a murder and its solution.
This book was pleasant, a quick read. I might try another.

A great mystery!
What a great mystery! I like this book very much! Until the end, I couldn't find who the murderer was. It's the second book from Jonnie Jacobs I read, both are great. I will read all the others. (Please excuse myenglish, I'm French!) ... Read more

Product Description
Who could forget their own mother, what to speak of the Mother of all souls? Kali, the Divine Mother of the Universe, emerges from these pages to engulf one with infinite love in this extraordinary description of Her many divine aspects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I loved this book!
This book really helped me to connect with Ma Kali and begin to understand the multitude of symbology around her form and history.I recommend this book to anyone who feels a connection to Divine Mother. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Impressive: "the ever-changing same"
I once heard that criminal justice is the top growing major among American college students.I've also been told that it's not a very rigorous major and that graduate schools, and especially law schools, look down upon it.This book dealt with both criminal justice and history; however, it's a rigorous text more related to the latter subject.Based on the title, some may presume that this will be a repetitive account of crimes committed by some Black women of the time; it is not.Dr. Gross describes just a few cases to point to larger dynamics facing the subject population.In Catherine Fisher Collins' book "The Imprisonment of African American Women," she states that statistics on female prisoners rarely break down those numbers by race.Dr. Gross never states that she had problems finding information specifically about these African-American defendants and inmates.

Conservatives often complain that African Americans "always play the race card."Dr. Gross' book deftly spells out why that may be logical.She details thoroughly how Philadelphia could be a racist place even though it was in the North.She points to how Black women were only allowed to be domestics, and usually low-ordered ones at that.She points to how crusades to help poor, Southern, Black, female migrants were often patronizing and had mixed motives.She paints a picture so effectively of the oppression that Black women faced in that time and place that the fact that some in that group committed crimes becomes unsurprising, if not reasonable.Still, she never once says this group should not be responsible for their individual choices.

While Dr. Gross does describe how white women and Black men faced advantages that Black women didn't, it's the racial inequality that dominates.I am quite sure that a historian could investigate African-American men of that time and would conclude that they did not have a crystal stair either.Some criminologists state that women face chivalry from judges and police officers who downplay their bad actions, but this is treatment that Dr. Gross and many others have said only gets delivered to middle-class, white women.In addition to detailing the double oppression faced by Black women, Dr. Gross still admits that the poor, immigrants, and gay men and lesbians also faced injustice simultaneously.

At one point, Dr. Gross quotes a term "the ever-changing same."As informative as this book is, it may be irritating to many readers.African Americans are still stereotyped as criminal.Disproportionate numbers of female prisoners are still African American.The powers-that-be still fear and attempt to control Black female sexuality.I liked this book, but others may not want to learn that some barriers are age-old.

I thought the last two body chapters were the weakest.I'm not sure if Dr. Gross wanted to bury them by placing them near the end.I almost wondered if they could have been put in the beginning so that the book would gradually improve.Many chapter titles use alliteration.Many people accuse Blacks of constantly rhyming; be it rappers, the late Johnny Cochran, etc.I wonder if Dr. Gross is trying to be different by using the opposite poetic technique or go with the flow by doing something a bit stereotypical.

I'm still scratching my head as to why this was limited to 1880 to 1910.She discusses crimes before that period.1910 was post-Civil War but pre-19th Amendment.The modern Civil Rights Movement wouldn't arise until approximately 50 years later.Some potential readers may say, "Oh, I don't care about those decades" even though they would be thrilled by the discussion.Not sure why that decision was made.

Interesting book...
Different history for sure.Packs a lot into a readable, interesting narrative; provocative arguments too.Overall, I really enjoyed it and have to admire the research put into it.Great for anyone interested in crime, history, women, and race. ... Read more