I have just finished reading a small book by Swami Prabhupada. It is perfect for those who are practising yoga but want to know what lies beyond the physical aspect of that ancient practice.
This book expounds on the mystical as well as the metaphysical. Yoga is actually more than just wrapping your legs around your neck. It is slightly more complex than a series of breathing techniques.
The swami has kindly illustrated his points about this marvellous subject by using simple words. Afterall, is it not true that simplicity is the result of profound thought?
I find myself achieving a deeper understanding of yoga after digesting the book's contents. If you will pardon me but some of the written explanations seem amazingly similar to a few tomes on spirituality that I have read.
So is there then a link between yoga and God? According to the swami, yes. I believe so, too. Yoga afterall is the route to sublime meditation.
When one embarks on this journey into the inner self, there lies only one path and it goes straight to the heart of the matter. I wish there is a simpler way of explaining the whole scheme of things but since I am too a novice with regard to matters that touches on transcendantel meditation, I guess that will do.
It is actually not quite relief to learn that a great yoga master like the writer has come up with a treatise on such a popular subject.
The world is so much richer from his distilled wisdom from a lifetime of learning and meditation. Very often, we find that the greatest of teachings are also the simplest to understand and absorb.
There are several coloured pictures on several pages of this book. The pictures are that of various Hindu gods that are held in high esteem by worshippers. They lend a deeper visual understanding of the subjects discussed by the swami.
Personally, I love books that do not run into hundreds of pages because I know the writer is not long-winded. People who can say important things in fewer pages than expected are normally quite intelligent and are better teachers than most of us think.
As an old boss of mine once told me: "If you can tell a story in 15 paragraphs and make everyone understand you, then you have achieved much, and there's little I can teach you hereafter."
Having said that, I urge all those who are reading this to get a copy of this book and digest its words of wisdom with great enthusiasm. We are just actors and actresses on this world's theatrical stage. We merely enter and exit but during that short span of time which we all call life, let's learn as much as possible from all those who are willing to sacrifice their time to teach us.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Friday, July 21, 2006
Legionnaire by Simon Murray
THERE ARE times in a book reader's life when he's browsing the shelves of books in a bookshop and pulls out one with an attractive title or cover.
He then proceeds to read the synopsis. The brief description so gripped him that he just has to buy it, and he does. That was what happened to me several weeks ago.
The book is entitled Legionnaire and the writer is an English gentleman named Simon Murray. Back about 40 years ago when Simon was a young, restless lad from one of the districts of England, he felt the need to prove something to himself.
On an irresistible impulse, he literally marched off to the recruitment office and signed up with the French Foreign Legionnaires. To say that he was foolhardy would be quite appropriate. But then, he was just 19 years old at that time. It was hardly an age of wisdom.
Life wasn't that exciting for him at that time, and he was really up to the challenge or so he thought. Before he knew it, he was off and running, again literally.
Soon he found himself in the company of some of the roughest, toughest guys in Europe. A number of them had shady backgrounds but the Legionnaire club didn't care. If you survive their training and obstacle courses, you will be put to good use, all for the greater glory of the French republic.
If you didn't make it, you will end up as another statistic, and nobody will be the wiser because it was presumed that you were "unwanted and uncared for" in your part of the world anyway.
Simon Murray spent five very long years with the Legionnaires. He had an unforgettable taste of Paris, Marseilles, Algiers and the North African desert. The surprise outcome was not he survived his 60-month stint with the hardcore soldiers but he actually made it out alive and in fairly good shape, too.
Numerous candidates who joined at about the same time as him, perished in more dire circumstances with almost nobody to mourn for them. That is the way of the legionnaire. You joined, you trained, you fought and you overcome.
If you didn't, the corps will bury you somewhere convenient. There was no fuss or muss about where you die. You just die but you were collateral damage. And it was war, Legionnaire-style. That means, you come face to face with Death on many occasions until you two become so familiar, you shake hands after numerous encounters.
Simon relates in graphic details all the trauma he and others experienced in the long trek towards "graduation". Along the way, they party hard, sleep wherever they could. Often, they fell asleep in dirty clothes, caked with mud, sweat and tears.
It wasn't a good life. It was actually hell. That was why whenever they had an opportunity to party, they lived it up.
Tomorrow was just another moment for them. Some of them didn't make it to tomorrow. Everyday seemed a long way from tomorrow.
Some of the training methods were brutal. The trainers were merciless. Not all, of course. But those trainers who were lacking in compassion seemed to harbour a sadistic streak to see the recruits suffer for a long time.
Broken limbs were common. Broken heads were part of the training and extreme fatigue was par for the course.
Fortunately, for the rest of the world, Simon Murray kept a diary when he was with the Legionnaires. He recorded every single bit of unhappiness and moment of hilarity and insanity that dropped on his path.
He named every single commanding officer who blocked his way or gleefully turned his life upside down. However, not all was a nightmare. He made some good friends and they kept in touch for life.
Legionnaire is one of the most arresting reads I have ever experienced. Most men my age would be happy potting around in the garden. Our greatest moment of physical excitement would probably be to watching the final of a football game.
For Simon Murray, he went to the ends of the earth to taste life at its most extreme. Shedding blood, his own, was part of the Legionnaire ritual. He learnt French in a hurry. He became proficient in it and also excelled in parachuting.
He earned his stripes and the honours didn't come easy. Simon's superiors recognised the latent talents of the young Englishman. They groomed him to become an officer.
In the end, he was discharged with flying colours. The last few chapters of this book proved to be the most poignant. He related the years after he left the French Foreign Legion. He went from soldier to corporate figure.
He was lucky. In fact, he was more fortunate than so many others who joined the force with him. Decades later, he bumped into some of his old soldier friends and they relived those Legionnaire days.
They cried even as they hugged each other. They remembered fondly the French songs they had sung and re-sang in celebration of the old days in Algiers and elsewhere.
Some of those shoot-and-be-damned moments could not be erased from memory. Simon Murray relishes in all of them. He tells fondly of two good Legionnaire friends who returned from abroad to surprise and to celebrate with him his 50th birthday.
That episode brought tears even to myself. It was one of those male bonding moments that some men know of.
I truly enjoyed walking down the paths which Simon Murray had trodden on. Even though it was only in my mind, the adventures that became part of his life and formed his character, became part of mine as well in other ways.
Simon Murray has no regrets, as he says. He is proud that he seized the moment and along the way, made lifelong friends that added the special flavour to make a life uncompleted so wonderful.
I would certainly recommend any man of any age to read Legionnaire. It is a magnificent testament of one man's daring adventure at an age when all young men are called to the test. Simon Murray took up the gauntlet and survived, and became the better of it.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun and Paul Hattaway
I JUST read this book about three days ago. It so happened that my brother-in-law returned home from New Zealand after an absence of five years.
Soon after his arrival, he dropped The Heavenly Man on my table and said: "You should read this. It is the story of a remarkable man of God who encountered miracles in his journey to find the Lord."
I put the book aside for a few days until one fine day, the thought of reading it wouldn't leave me alone. I went to find the book but it was not on the table, so I went to my brother-in-law's room. I found it on his bed.
One of the first things I noticed about the book was the blurb on its cover that states that it is Book of the Year (as designated by some Christian association). I normally shy away from reading such evangelical material because normally by the first chapter, I would be inundated by sayings from the Bible and all sorts of "Praise the Lord" references.
I really don't mind being exposed to Christian literature but too much of it in one sitting can be not only a trying affair, it can also be a tiring one. Anyway, on impulse I began to digest its contents.
By the first chapter, I was glad that it is written as a story instead of sounding like a sermon from the pulpit. My guess is the Brother Yun had written it originally in Mandarin and Paul Hattaway translated it into English. The Lord does work in not-so-mysterious ways.
China, as we all know, is still very much a pagan country and I don't mean it in a disparaging sense. It simply is, as I say, a country of Gentiles. China has a long association with Taoism and Buddhism. I really have nothing bad to say about these two beliefs. I think they have fine set of principles and teachings.
However, Brother Yun is certainly one of the most determined Christians I have ever come across. He talks about his initial problems with Christianity and how he doggedly followed the path of righteousness until his journey became clear.
But before heaven could open its gates to Brother Yun, he had to walk into the heart of hell and through it. Prison subsequently became his second home and torture was part of his life.
To read a man's history about the series of torture sessions and the suffering he had to endure before the light of heaven falls onto his path can be an education by itself.
Throughout his long ordeal, Brother Yun hardly faltered. Yes, he had his doubts. There were times when his faith was shaken. There were moments when he questioned God's presence but ultimately he stayed true to his faith. And the outcome was, the truth truly set him free.
The Heavenly Man is for those who have doubts about their Christian faith. It is written to comfort and console all those who are facing challenges in their quest to spread the teachings of Christ.
Somehow I feel the book was written with the aim of telling others who are in the same predicament this message: Don't give up, no matter what. The long may be long for some but God never abandons the faithful and everything seemingly bad always happens for a good reason.
This book is not only written by a Christian for the Christians, it is also inspired and distributed for the benefit of those who are searching for answers. It serves to tell the confused, the meek and the cowardly that if they pray and have faith everlasting, everything that they ask for and pray for, in the end shall be theirs.
Brother Yun has written a most satisfying and inspiring account of his own life. Astounding because its seeds were sown in a country that does not give much space for religion of any kind.
Perhaps with Brother Yun's book, the words and prophecy may be played out eventually. That China will "be the hope of the world."
Friday, May 26, 2006
Touched by Angels by Eileen Elias Freeman
FOR a long time I have believed in guardian angels but I haven't really gone "over to the other side" to get confirmation, until I came across this book and read it.
It's reassuring to know that I am the "oddball who believes in angels". There are many who have actually experienced having encounters with these heavenly beings.
Once we have learnt to accept this fact, our lives become less stressful. We know if ever we experience difficulties, we can always seek the help of our guardian angel who is ready to help.
Remember, in the domain of angels, time is not a factor. You may have aged from 8 to 80 in one short breath but to the angel, you remain the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
In Freeman's books, she relates accounts of those people whose lives have changed for the better because they have had undergone life-altering experiences with entities that don't seem to belong to our dimension.
In the realm of angels or rather when they do appear to us, most of us would hardly recognise them because they look and behave the same as an ordinary person. It is only when the angel has left our sight that we suddenly regain our composure and begin to question the kind deeds and presence of this "strange person".
I have a personal encounter of what I believe even up till today of the celestial kind. This book reminded me of that incident which took place several years ago.
One day after work, I decided to go home because I had finished work early. It was around 7pm or 8pm. I normally finished work around 10.30pm, so I was pretty glad that it was a good day for me.
As I scooted home, I thought I heard a clanking sound coming from the engine compartment of my motorcycle. I ignored it because I thought the chain was loose. Within a few minutes, the irritating sound became louder and I finally realised that the motorcycle is no longer moving on its own power.
I stopped the bike along the shoulder of a very busy road and discovered that the motorcycle chain has come off. I pulled my bike onto the road shoulder and started to attempt a weak repair work.
The hours slipped by when I was trying to re-insert the bike's chain into the proper sockets. All the time, I was praying the good God should help me with this situation.
After about one and a half hours of futile attempts at repairing the chain problem, I was getting a bit desperate. That's I was preparing for a long walk home and pushing the bike all the way. Meanwhile, I was praying like it would be the end of the world tomorrow.
By 10.30pm, I was becoming desperate. I earnestly called on my guardian angel to do something. Before long, I heard the sound of an oncoming bike. It was travelling on the five-foot way, heading in my direction.
It was a young man with a very pleasant personality. He stopped and asked me what was wrong. I told him I have been trying to put the loose chain back into the sprocket.
I quickly asked him if he knew how to repair bikes. He said no but he said he would keep me company. Just then, he said he would lend me a hand in turning the wheel while I was slipping the chain back into its grooves.
I have tried that technique for hours but no to avail. So I thought I would give it a shot. He held the wheel and gave it a slight tug while I was grabbing the chain and trying to put in the chain again.
This time, the chain went in like grease lightning. It was as if the difficulty was nothing in the first place. I was pleased as punch. He bade me goodbye and went on his way after he knew that I was out of the loop.
It was only when I went home that I realised that it was a rather odd incident because normally motorcyclists do not go by the main road from the opposite side. This chap actually was travelling on the Motorists' right of way.
His behaviour also went against the city slickers' nature. They almost never stop and help anyone expecially at night. This young guy however just appeared out of nowhere and travelled to my destination.
Touched by Angels gives excellent accounts of people who were at the crossroads of their lives when they encountered the angels. And each person who has that special experience went on to become better people after those experiences.
This book is very hard to put down once you have started reading it. I am glad that the angels are working their best to help mankind and the task of helping as many people as possible has widened to many lands.
Occurrences are increasing in numbers and all holy encounters have helped bring hope and joy to all those who have experienced their own special angel meetings.
I love reading this book. It is a big source of inspiration and it renews the faith in the reader to understand the dimension that is not ours to go into, and even at this point to understand.
If you are troubled, sick and depressed, read Touched by Angels, so that you also can be part of the angel network that brings you closer to heaven and further away from personal fears and loneliness.
The underlying message in cases like these is that people always will gravitate towards kinds, compassion and love, and angels have all three qualities in full abundance.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra
SOME of us who have delved into various aspects of Eastern mysticism have long suspected that everything is somehow interconnected.
About 30 years ago, a young man by the name of Fritjof Capra experienced a sudden revelation, as he called it, and burst into tears.
Prior to this life-altering experience, he had spent years in analytical thinking.
This book is the result of his personal exploration of the parallels between Eastern mysticism and modern physics.
Capra holds a PhD in theoretical physics and has carried out extensive research into high energy physics at various universities in Europe and America.
Yet this is not a book that will befuddle students of the liberal arts; rather, it will open vistas of knowledge that encompass the ancient world of the East and the modern realm called "new physics".
Capra takes a slow walk along the paths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. He unravels the connection between the enlightenment, the ultimate achievement of the East and the rational knowledge of modern science.
Those from the East probably won't react with astounding surprise at the pervasive harmony that connects the universe. However, when Capra published this book in 1976, people in the West were astonished by the young scientist's revelations.
He talks about the unity of all things that does not seem to be alien to the holy men of the East. The ultimate reality of the cosmic whole, according to Capra, is the oneness of all there is.
This concept is known by numerous names in different religions; the Hindus name it Brahman, the Buddhists call it Dharmakaya and the Taoists proclaim it as Tao.
The Tao of Physics is an exercise in fascination and wonderment.
The quantum theory postulates that "the universe is not a collection of physical objects but a complicated web of relations between parts of a unified whole". In simple terms, we are all one.
Being a man of science, the writer explains quite rationally the avenue
that lies beyond the world of opposites.
Of course, there are passages between the covers when discussion of a
scientific topic becomes somehow out of reach to those from the arts.
The intent is understood and Capra's attempts at simplified explanations are
successful in shedding light on obscure concepts. This book moves from the subatomic world of particles to the Dance of Shiva in Hinduism.
Along the way, Capra draws the parallelism that has existed for time immemorial except that man, for eons, has been unable to understand the symmetry of the worlds foreseen by our wise forefathers of different colour and creed.
The Tao of Physics is still a popular read in many higher institutions of learning around the world. The thesis put forth by Fritjof Capra in his seminal work holds true today as it did three decades ago.
For those who have made it their lifelong quest to achieve a deep understanding of the East and the West, this book is a fountain of surprises It is also an oasis of information for seekers of knowledge, ancient and modern.
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
HELEN Keller is probably the most famous deaf-and-blind person of all time. Born in 1880, her world of sight and sound came to an abrupt end when she was 19 months old. For nearly seven years thereafter, Keller existed in a world of silence and total darkness - a fate unimaginable by most of us.
In that initial long, dark tunnel travelled by Keller, there was to be a shining light and it came in the form of Anne Mansfield Sullivan, Keller's beloved teacher. The meeting of the teacher and the pupil was a rendezvous arranged by destiny. It was an encounter that simply could not be avoided.
Anne Sullivan, herself partially blind, was also born into a life of despair and neglect. That she had survived and overcome the great odds made her a most suitable teacher for her young ward.
It took three years before Helen Keller learned to speak. This is a tale of a magnificent journey undertaken with great love and care. It is also about hope,
courage and an unshakeable faith in the human ability to live the best one can under abnormal circumstances.
Helen Keller's story should be read slowly. The pace must be unhurried and the heart at peace with itself. Keller has many valuable lessons for each one of us who has taken for granted all our natural gifts.
The book also contains letters written by Keller to people who met and befriended
her. These are illuminating and insightful, revealing a person who had found strength in her own ability to walk confidently among others endowed with physical attributes superior to hers.
Despite all her handicaps, Keller forged ahead to fulfil her own immense
potential as evident later in her adult life. Her personal story inspired
generations of individuals similarly born blind and deaf to follow in her
footsteps with steadfast confidence.
This is Keller's greatest contribution to society. To all those who suffered physical handicaps, she gave hope. To all those born into a soundless world, she gave encouragement. And to the rest who are blessed with normal functions, she taught us humility, compassion and love.
Helen Keller walked through this world at a time when it was in dire need of a human beacon of hope and joy. It must surely be one of man's greatest lessons to find out that one of the greatest among his kind was a woman who was born with some of life's greatest disadvantages.
This book is a sterling reminder that the rest of us have no cause to complain about life being unfair to us at any stage of our lives.
Helen Keller's story is one of the greatest autobiographies ever published. For her to be able to tell it with a happy ending makes it a treasure to be savoured.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Jawaharlal Nehru - An Autobiography
WHEN a learned person is imprisoned for his ideological beliefs, he has all the time in the world to reflect on his life, especially on events leading to his predicament.
By the time Jawaharlal Nehru found his true calling in life, he had been in and out of prison so many times that he almost treated the jail as his second home.
The once-future Prime Minister of India spent many months during one of his numerous jail terms in then British-controlled India writing this autobiography. The mood that emerges from this 623-page book is almost melancholic.
Born in the latter half of the 19th century and the only son of wealthy barrister Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal was a descendant of the Kashmiri clan and a member of the Brahmin caste.
Even though Nehru modestly recounts his early education at England's Harrow and Cambridge University, the book impresses upon the reader that Nehru felt that he was indeed one of the few lucky ones amid the impoverished millions back home. Understandably, the major portion of the autobiography evolves around his political struggles and the effects of the accumulated years of incarceration on his family.
He shares his thoughts on Mahatma Gandhi with admirable candour. He discloses his doubts about the great Indian leader at certain junctures when Gandhi made decisions that did not seem to coincide with practical objectives.
This reflection and confession of thoughts and deeds cover a wide spectrum of Nehru's early checkered political career when he had to bear great physical discomfort and endure much personal hardship.
If the great Mahatma was the soul of India, then surely Nehru must be her conscience. It takes a man of great character to bare his heart and soul to the nation and the world, to expose his weaknesses and doubts about his own political beliefs and physical limitations. Yes, there were times when the beatings became so severe that even the steely resolve that was part of the Nehru persona began to buckle.
During the 1920s and early '30s, India was caught up in a massive, inexorable wave of nationalism. Nehru walked among the masses as one of the few leaders revered by people from all strata of society. He ate their food, stayed in their hovels and wore the kurta (local native attire) to drive home the message that he was there with them in spirit and in person.
For his courage of conviction and compassion for the people he had chosen to lead, the name Nehru was spoken with great reverence among the common folk, even till today. India should be proud that in her history there once strode a man named Jawaharlal Nehru.
If one desires to understand India, her people, and history, this book will serve as a great introduction. A study of India cannot be complete without learning about
Nehru the politician, the husband, the son and the voice of the Indian masses.
While this is not light reading, those who dare to walk along side with Nehru as he trudges down the long and winding path he once took will find the rewards enormously satisfying.
By the time Jawaharlal Nehru found his true calling in life, he had been in and out of prison so many times that he almost treated the jail as his second home.
The once-future Prime Minister of India spent many months during one of his numerous jail terms in then British-controlled India writing this autobiography. The mood that emerges from this 623-page book is almost melancholic.
Born in the latter half of the 19th century and the only son of wealthy barrister Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal was a descendant of the Kashmiri clan and a member of the Brahmin caste.
Even though Nehru modestly recounts his early education at England's Harrow and Cambridge University, the book impresses upon the reader that Nehru felt that he was indeed one of the few lucky ones amid the impoverished millions back home. Understandably, the major portion of the autobiography evolves around his political struggles and the effects of the accumulated years of incarceration on his family.
He shares his thoughts on Mahatma Gandhi with admirable candour. He discloses his doubts about the great Indian leader at certain junctures when Gandhi made decisions that did not seem to coincide with practical objectives.
This reflection and confession of thoughts and deeds cover a wide spectrum of Nehru's early checkered political career when he had to bear great physical discomfort and endure much personal hardship.
If the great Mahatma was the soul of India, then surely Nehru must be her conscience. It takes a man of great character to bare his heart and soul to the nation and the world, to expose his weaknesses and doubts about his own political beliefs and physical limitations. Yes, there were times when the beatings became so severe that even the steely resolve that was part of the Nehru persona began to buckle.
During the 1920s and early '30s, India was caught up in a massive, inexorable wave of nationalism. Nehru walked among the masses as one of the few leaders revered by people from all strata of society. He ate their food, stayed in their hovels and wore the kurta (local native attire) to drive home the message that he was there with them in spirit and in person.
For his courage of conviction and compassion for the people he had chosen to lead, the name Nehru was spoken with great reverence among the common folk, even till today. India should be proud that in her history there once strode a man named Jawaharlal Nehru.
If one desires to understand India, her people, and history, this book will serve as a great introduction. A study of India cannot be complete without learning about
Nehru the politician, the husband, the son and the voice of the Indian masses.
While this is not light reading, those who dare to walk along side with Nehru as he trudges down the long and winding path he once took will find the rewards enormously satisfying.
A Course In Miracles - by Helen Schucman
IF YOU are faced with a choice of reading only one book for the rest of your life, let it be this one. A Course In Miracles (ACIM) is certainly the most amazing book I have read in my entire life.
It is actually a three-in-one book. The fi rst volume is the Text; the second is Workbook for Students and the third, Manual for Teachers.
Originally, it was published separately in three parts, but ACIM - as it is generally called - has now been merged into one book.
This book was birthed under unusual circumstances. The writer is Helen Schucman, a research psychologist as well as an associate professor of medical psychology. Schucman referred to herself as the "scribe".
Schucman had made public that the writing in this book was through inner dictation. She said she was aided in the process by Dr William Thetford, who was a professor of medical psychology.
ACIM is a comprehensive self-study spiritual-thought system. It does not impose any special conditions on the part of the reader except a willingness to partake in its lessons.
In its introduction, it says: "This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time.
The course does not aim at
teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is allencompassing can have no opposite." Even though this book is all about spirituality, the writer herself is a self-professed atheist.
Schucman said: "I do not believe what has been written but I do know the principles work." A strange statement about an otherwise astounding book.
ACIM was published in 1975 and has since been translated into nine other languages with another 11 in the translation process.
This book alters a person's perception of life in general. It teaches you to "see" beyond what is before your eyes. It makes you understand the link of all that exists and what can never die. The whole message of ACIM can be distilled into just a few lines. They are: "Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God." ACIM changes your life if you allow it to. It alters an individual's sense of perception and transports you to another level of consciousness. If you have the discipline to follow the 365 lessons in the Workbook for Students, it will clear your mind, unlock your heart and free your soul to wander to its real home.
In its 30 years of existence, it has spread its message and lessons across the world. This book cannot be found in bookshops. It can only be obtained from its source, the Foundation For Inner Peace, through the Internet.
Thinking About The Unthinkable by Herman Kahn
HERMAN Kahn was a military strategist who played war games in the borderless battlefi eld of his mind. Noted to be one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century, Kahn was an employee of the Rand Corporation in America in the volatile `50s and the rocking `60s.
It has been noted that Herman Kahn had no experience in actual warfare but his contributions as a systems theorist and military strategist at Rand thrust him onto the forefront of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and US in the 1950s and 1960s. Kahn's seminal work on thinking about the unthinkable had probably helped shape America's nuclear strategy for the next two generations.
Kahn was the only strategist at that time who dared to examine the brutal realities of a world gone mad. Thus was born the well-known doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction or MAD. Kahn was also responsible for bringing to the world's attention, phrases like "overkill", and "massive retaliation".
Kahn had earlier gained prominence when he published an earlier work entitled On Thermonuclear War in 1961. That laid the groundwork for Thinking About The Unthinkable in 1962. This book is all about the
shocking possibilities and counter-measures if a nuclear war were to took place between USSR and the US. Kahn's argument for engaging in mental analysis of an extremely daunting subject was that "it wasn't immoral to think about these things; on the contrary - planning for nuclear contingencies in the event deterrence fails is the only responsible, prudent and moral cause".
To help readers and his detractors to emotionally comprehend the concepts of thermonuclear war, Kahn used anecdotal illustrations and "Gedanken" experiments. Gedanken is German for "thought", and a Gedanken experiment is an analytical tool in physics and philosophy. Its aim is to argue to a satisfying conclusion all the potential consequences of an intended experiment in accordance with the laws of nature, in this case, nuclear war.
Thinking About The Unthinkable is for those who want to know the outbreak scenario, earth shock, environmental problems, genetic effects, medical aftereffects and social and political changes concerning nuclear war.
Even though the grim subject and its related topics are unpalatable for most ordinary citizens, Kahn's thoughts and their relation to global political stability in the 21st century cannot be underestimated. A discussion of mass extermination of the human race is not exactly breakfast fodder, but it is definitely food for thought in the context of present political circumstances in parts of the Middle East and Asia in present day.
If mankind were to avert such an outcome or even to think of eliminating the factors that could lead to such a horrific situation, it is prudent that man must cultivate a deep understanding of the complete scenario. Herman Kahn has clearly provided us with some vital tools that would help in defusing such an explosive issue.
The Importance of Living by Lin Yu-tang
PUBLISHED in 1937, this book has found its way into the private libraries of book readers and collectors who consider this tome by Professor Lin Yutang as one of the most enlightening ever published before World War II.
It expounds the simple joys of living that are constantly overlooked by many of us. The answers to peace of mind and to live with a perpetual smile are found in the classic Chinese philosophy of looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Lin has an easy way with English which he uses to communicates his philosophy of life with great finesse. With most books that touch on any philosophy of the gentler kind, understanding of the subject by the reader is crucial.
Lin's clarity of ideas is done with humour that is very much part of his persona. Thus, in a relaxed and easy manner, his ideas seem most logical and agreeable even to the most cynical among us. The writer was born on October 19, 1895, in Fujian, southeastern China. He obtained his bachelor's degree at the St. John's University in Shanghai. His academic excellence earned him a partial scholarship for a PhD programme at Harvard University.
However, he didn't complete his stay at Harvard and moved on to France and later Germany. It was in Germany where he completed his PhD course. Lin then went on to teach English literature at Peking University.
Lin Yutang's childhood memories of his mountainous hometown remained with him his entire life. Much of what he loved about country living was reflected in The Importance of Living.
Metaphorically, this book is like walking on the beach early in the morning and witnessing the splendour of dawn as light peeks over the distant mountain top. Lin has a knack of reminding us of what's really important in life.
Some of the most pleasurable and greatest moments of an individual's life are found in simple activities like hearing the rustling of the wind through the trees, or watching the rain sweeping gently across the land.
This book and his earlier work, My Country My People (1935), established Lin's reputation around the world. Lin once remarked that he was a man whose feet were firmly planted on the East while his head hovered in the West.
Throughout his life, one of his chief aims was to build a bridge over the cultural chasm between the West and the East. His fame stretched beyond the borders of his homeland and lasted longer than his lifespan of 81 years.
The following quotation from The Importance of Living reflects Lin's understanding of life and his countrymen: "One can learn such a lot and enjoy such a lot in 70 years, and three generations is a long, long time to see human follies and acquire human wisdom. Anyone who is wise and has lived long enough to witness the changes of fashion and morals and politics through the rise and fall of three generations should be perfectly satisfied to rise from his seat and go away saying `It was a
good show,' when the curtain falls."
A reader of this book will have the same feeling when he finishes it.
It expounds the simple joys of living that are constantly overlooked by many of us. The answers to peace of mind and to live with a perpetual smile are found in the classic Chinese philosophy of looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Lin has an easy way with English which he uses to communicates his philosophy of life with great finesse. With most books that touch on any philosophy of the gentler kind, understanding of the subject by the reader is crucial.
Lin's clarity of ideas is done with humour that is very much part of his persona. Thus, in a relaxed and easy manner, his ideas seem most logical and agreeable even to the most cynical among us. The writer was born on October 19, 1895, in Fujian, southeastern China. He obtained his bachelor's degree at the St. John's University in Shanghai. His academic excellence earned him a partial scholarship for a PhD programme at Harvard University.
However, he didn't complete his stay at Harvard and moved on to France and later Germany. It was in Germany where he completed his PhD course. Lin then went on to teach English literature at Peking University.
Lin Yutang's childhood memories of his mountainous hometown remained with him his entire life. Much of what he loved about country living was reflected in The Importance of Living.
Metaphorically, this book is like walking on the beach early in the morning and witnessing the splendour of dawn as light peeks over the distant mountain top. Lin has a knack of reminding us of what's really important in life.
Some of the most pleasurable and greatest moments of an individual's life are found in simple activities like hearing the rustling of the wind through the trees, or watching the rain sweeping gently across the land.
This book and his earlier work, My Country My People (1935), established Lin's reputation around the world. Lin once remarked that he was a man whose feet were firmly planted on the East while his head hovered in the West.
Throughout his life, one of his chief aims was to build a bridge over the cultural chasm between the West and the East. His fame stretched beyond the borders of his homeland and lasted longer than his lifespan of 81 years.
The following quotation from The Importance of Living reflects Lin's understanding of life and his countrymen: "One can learn such a lot and enjoy such a lot in 70 years, and three generations is a long, long time to see human follies and acquire human wisdom. Anyone who is wise and has lived long enough to witness the changes of fashion and morals and politics through the rise and fall of three generations should be perfectly satisfied to rise from his seat and go away saying `It was a
good show,' when the curtain falls."
A reader of this book will have the same feeling when he finishes it.
Monday, January 23, 2006
The Railway Man by Eric Lomax
PUBLISHER: BALLANTINE BOOKS
PRICE: RM48
SOME books leave readers with a feeling of exhilaration at its
conclusion. Other books inspire, encourage, motivate or even frighten
readers.
Then there are books that leave their readers in tears, and The Railway
Man is one such book. It is about a young Englishman who found himself in
Malaya just before the outbreak of the Second World War. His experiences
as a soldier and then as a prisoner of war in Malaya, Singapore and
Thailand left psychological scars so deep that it took almost half a
century to heal.
Eric Lomax's gut-wrenching story was written as a balm to heal his own
soul. Lomax was one of the tens of thousands of British and Australian
soldiers who found themselves living out the war years behind barbed wire.
In Lomax's case, his PoW experiences led him to work on the infamous
Burma-Siam Railway and then sent him straight to hell. The Death Railway
as it was called was responsible for the deaths of thousands of war
prisoners. The writer's survival from such an ordeal is in itself a
miracle. But the core of Lomax's horrifying wartime experiences is the
almost unbelievable torture by the Japanese Kempeitai. Beaten by the
Japanese military with pick-axe handles for hours until his arms and hips
were broken, Lomax miraculously survived, only to be later subjected to
several rounds of water torture. In the midst of all that unimaginable
pain, Lomax was denied the luxury of death.
He recounted that two of his army friends were also beaten in much the
same way. Their mangled bodies were left out in the hot sun for days.
Somehow they survived, much to the surprise of their torturers. However,
most of them eventually died but not Lomax, who returned to England, got
married shortly afterwards and settled down to a mundane career. But the
hell from which he escaped followed him. Decades later, he would wake up
in the middle of the night screaming. Each time, reliving the agonies of
prison torture and visions of friends dying horrible deaths.
Wondrously, this book is not about retribution but about forgiveness and
courage. Decades later when most of the world have forgotten about the
war, Lomax carried with him the image of one man who came to symbolise the
cruelty of the enemy. The enemy was Nagase Takashi, the interpreter who
was assigned to the Kanburi prison camp where Lomax was held. Lomax hated
his tormentor with a bitterness that turned him into a walking shadow of
fear and self-doubt.
Nagase was the enemy who was constantly in Lomax's presence when he was
questioned and tortured. Call it a miracle of fate, but the two men
emerged from the war, physically intact but victims of painful memories.
In his unbridled account of his PoW experiences, Eric Lomax has
unchained himself from a lifetime of pain, sorrow, misery and nightmares.
This book is as much about the healing power of forgiveness as it is about
the miracles of compassion and love. It is one of the most heart-rending
accounts of wartime experiences that I have ever read. It has blessed the
writer for finding the courage to bare his soul, thus making him whole and
it also blesses the reader who learns that forgiveness is the key to peace
of mind.
PRICE: RM48
SOME books leave readers with a feeling of exhilaration at its
conclusion. Other books inspire, encourage, motivate or even frighten
readers.
Then there are books that leave their readers in tears, and The Railway
Man is one such book. It is about a young Englishman who found himself in
Malaya just before the outbreak of the Second World War. His experiences
as a soldier and then as a prisoner of war in Malaya, Singapore and
Thailand left psychological scars so deep that it took almost half a
century to heal.
Eric Lomax's gut-wrenching story was written as a balm to heal his own
soul. Lomax was one of the tens of thousands of British and Australian
soldiers who found themselves living out the war years behind barbed wire.
In Lomax's case, his PoW experiences led him to work on the infamous
Burma-Siam Railway and then sent him straight to hell. The Death Railway
as it was called was responsible for the deaths of thousands of war
prisoners. The writer's survival from such an ordeal is in itself a
miracle. But the core of Lomax's horrifying wartime experiences is the
almost unbelievable torture by the Japanese Kempeitai. Beaten by the
Japanese military with pick-axe handles for hours until his arms and hips
were broken, Lomax miraculously survived, only to be later subjected to
several rounds of water torture. In the midst of all that unimaginable
pain, Lomax was denied the luxury of death.
He recounted that two of his army friends were also beaten in much the
same way. Their mangled bodies were left out in the hot sun for days.
Somehow they survived, much to the surprise of their torturers. However,
most of them eventually died but not Lomax, who returned to England, got
married shortly afterwards and settled down to a mundane career. But the
hell from which he escaped followed him. Decades later, he would wake up
in the middle of the night screaming. Each time, reliving the agonies of
prison torture and visions of friends dying horrible deaths.
Wondrously, this book is not about retribution but about forgiveness and
courage. Decades later when most of the world have forgotten about the
war, Lomax carried with him the image of one man who came to symbolise the
cruelty of the enemy. The enemy was Nagase Takashi, the interpreter who
was assigned to the Kanburi prison camp where Lomax was held. Lomax hated
his tormentor with a bitterness that turned him into a walking shadow of
fear and self-doubt.
Nagase was the enemy who was constantly in Lomax's presence when he was
questioned and tortured. Call it a miracle of fate, but the two men
emerged from the war, physically intact but victims of painful memories.
In his unbridled account of his PoW experiences, Eric Lomax has
unchained himself from a lifetime of pain, sorrow, misery and nightmares.
This book is as much about the healing power of forgiveness as it is about
the miracles of compassion and love. It is one of the most heart-rending
accounts of wartime experiences that I have ever read. It has blessed the
writer for finding the courage to bare his soul, thus making him whole and
it also blesses the reader who learns that forgiveness is the key to peace
of mind.
BASIC JAPANESE VOCABULARY AN EXPLANATION OF USAGE
AUTHOR: Toshiko Yamaguchi
PUBLISHER: Pelanduk Publications
PRICE: RM23
LEARNING a foreign language is the dream of most people. We all wish to
be able to speak Spanish, French, German or even Arabic fluently. However,
most of us also do not have the determination of a champion or the
tenacity of a world-class marathon runner.
This book by Toshiko Yamaguchi is a supplementary guide for those who
are in the initial stages of learning the Japanese language. If you have
no basic knowledge of the language, it's time to say "sayonara" to this
book now.
The author holds a PhD in linguistics. Her years of experience in
teaching Japanese to students in Singapore and Malaysia have helped her
understand the problems of learning the language among locals. Japanese
language students will be pleased to know that the book deals extensively
with the subtle differences between various Japanese words. This book has
seven chapters that elaborate on the seven characteristics of the
vocabulary. As in any other language, the nuances are hard to grasp by
novices. So many students make the mistake of using some words in
different situations, thinking the meaning is the same. That is not true.
Yamaguchi explains that many words have multiple meanings. Just like
Chinese characters, each word can convey a different meaning in a
different context. The trick of the trade, so to speak, is to learn the
useful phrases early at the elementary level. So one day if you happen to
be walking in downtown Tokyo, you may want to say "Anata wa eigo o
hanashimasu ka?" (Do you speak English?) to a stranger on the street. If
he replies "Hai, sukoshi hanashimasu" (Yes, I speak a little), then it's
your lucky day.
Those who already have a working knowledge of Mandarin will find it much
easier to master the Japanese language because of certain similarities.
Those who do not have this advantage may find it a bumpy road ahead. The
point is not to give up. This is where Yamaguchi's diligence will come to
play. She has expertly placed, side by side, the explanations in English-
to-Japanese words.
There are the glossary, grammar and answer sections to help students
understand the overall structure of the language. As with most challenging
tasks, everything begins at the most basic level. This guide will shine a
bright light on the path for those who wish to learn and speak the
Japanese language well. The explanations are simple enough to grasp and
important words are marked in bold. With Yamaguchi's well-structured
chapters and the student's perseverance, mastering the Japanese language
should not be too difficult.
Here are some phrases you may want to memorise in case you make an
unscheduled stopover in Japan sometime in the near future. They are "Sore
wa ikura desu ka?" (How much is it?), "Toire wa doko desu ka?" (Where is
the toilet?), "Iie, wakarimasen" (No, I don't understand) and "Tasukete!"
(help!).
PUBLISHER: Pelanduk Publications
PRICE: RM23
LEARNING a foreign language is the dream of most people. We all wish to
be able to speak Spanish, French, German or even Arabic fluently. However,
most of us also do not have the determination of a champion or the
tenacity of a world-class marathon runner.
This book by Toshiko Yamaguchi is a supplementary guide for those who
are in the initial stages of learning the Japanese language. If you have
no basic knowledge of the language, it's time to say "sayonara" to this
book now.
The author holds a PhD in linguistics. Her years of experience in
teaching Japanese to students in Singapore and Malaysia have helped her
understand the problems of learning the language among locals. Japanese
language students will be pleased to know that the book deals extensively
with the subtle differences between various Japanese words. This book has
seven chapters that elaborate on the seven characteristics of the
vocabulary. As in any other language, the nuances are hard to grasp by
novices. So many students make the mistake of using some words in
different situations, thinking the meaning is the same. That is not true.
Yamaguchi explains that many words have multiple meanings. Just like
Chinese characters, each word can convey a different meaning in a
different context. The trick of the trade, so to speak, is to learn the
useful phrases early at the elementary level. So one day if you happen to
be walking in downtown Tokyo, you may want to say "Anata wa eigo o
hanashimasu ka?" (Do you speak English?) to a stranger on the street. If
he replies "Hai, sukoshi hanashimasu" (Yes, I speak a little), then it's
your lucky day.
Those who already have a working knowledge of Mandarin will find it much
easier to master the Japanese language because of certain similarities.
Those who do not have this advantage may find it a bumpy road ahead. The
point is not to give up. This is where Yamaguchi's diligence will come to
play. She has expertly placed, side by side, the explanations in English-
to-Japanese words.
There are the glossary, grammar and answer sections to help students
understand the overall structure of the language. As with most challenging
tasks, everything begins at the most basic level. This guide will shine a
bright light on the path for those who wish to learn and speak the
Japanese language well. The explanations are simple enough to grasp and
important words are marked in bold. With Yamaguchi's well-structured
chapters and the student's perseverance, mastering the Japanese language
should not be too difficult.
Here are some phrases you may want to memorise in case you make an
unscheduled stopover in Japan sometime in the near future. They are "Sore
wa ikura desu ka?" (How much is it?), "Toire wa doko desu ka?" (Where is
the toilet?), "Iie, wakarimasen" (No, I don't understand) and "Tasukete!"
(help!).
The Master Plan To Success andrew carnegie
Publisher: Napoleon Hill Associates Creative Vision Sdn Bhd
ABOUT 100 years ago, a young journalist, Napoleon Hill, was assigned to interview a list of famous personalities. The year was 1908 and on top of his work list was Andrew Carnegie.
Carnegie was in his 70s at that time. He was the founder of the United States Steel Corporation. He was also one of the richest men in America. The great industrialist is famous for the Carnegie Public Libraries which are scattered throughout the world today.
During the interview, Carnegie said: "It's a shame that each new generation must find the way to success by trail and error when the principles are really clear-cut."
Carnegie then urged Hill to draw up a practical philosophy that the ordinary man in the street can use. He then sprung a surprise on Hill. He asked if the young man was willing to devote the next 20 years of his life to this monumental task.
The catch was the tycoon would not be funding the project. Hill would have to find his way to the so-called Rainbow's End. Except for the financial incidentals like the occasional pocket money and travel expenses, Hill was very much on his own.
In his lifelong quest, Hill interviewed, among others, John D.
Rockefeller, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Thomas
Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, George Eastman, F.W.
Woolworth, Charles M. Schwab and William Wrigley Jr.
This book was originally titled How To Raise Your Own Salary. It has 17
principles of success. All the wealthy and famous men whom Hill
interviewed over two decades had freely given their formulas of success
so that future generations the world over could benefit from their
accumulated experiences.
The 17 principles are Develop Definiteness of Purpose, Use the Master
Mind Principle, Develop An Attractive Personality, Employ Applied Faith,
Go The Extra Mile, Use Organised Individual Endeavour, Cultivate Creative
Vision, Exercise Self-Discipline, Organise Your Thinking, Learn From
Defeat, Seek Inspiration, Control Your Attention, Apply The Golden Rule,
Cooperate, Budget Your Time And Money, Make Health A Habit and Benefit
from Cosmic Habitforce.
This book is a treasure trove of some of the finest gems in life. If it
is at all possible, it should be made standard text in all Malaysian
schools at secondary level.
Its purpose is clearly to inculcate in Malaysian youths some of the
best values ever developed by masters who have walked the earth long
before many of us were born. The number of youths willing to absorb and
practise these principles is not as important as their awareness of these
values and virtues that can be adopted and developed by everyone.
The world has moved on since Hill's death on Nov 8, 1970. In his 87
years on earth, Hill wrote a number of significant books that have left
an indelible mark on many successful individuals who were fortunate
enough to read them. These books are Think and Grow Rich, Law of Success,
Napoleon Hill's Science of Success and Master Key To Riches.
Among these, of course, is The Master Plan To Success. It shall remain
one of Hill's most stirring personal statements on how to achieve success
in life. It is his great discovery after interviewing so many masterminds.
The entire project was destined to be Hill's work because those
historical figures lived during his time. It was also fated that he met
and talked to them.
This book is then the culmination of 20 years of hard work, from which
today we all are the beneficiaries.
After we have become successful, and lest we forget our humble
beginnings, Carnegie says: "Humility of the heart is the result of a true
understanding of man's relation to his Creator, plus the recognition that
the material blessings of life are a gift of the Creator for the common
good of all mankind."
ABOUT 100 years ago, a young journalist, Napoleon Hill, was assigned to interview a list of famous personalities. The year was 1908 and on top of his work list was Andrew Carnegie.
Carnegie was in his 70s at that time. He was the founder of the United States Steel Corporation. He was also one of the richest men in America. The great industrialist is famous for the Carnegie Public Libraries which are scattered throughout the world today.
During the interview, Carnegie said: "It's a shame that each new generation must find the way to success by trail and error when the principles are really clear-cut."
Carnegie then urged Hill to draw up a practical philosophy that the ordinary man in the street can use. He then sprung a surprise on Hill. He asked if the young man was willing to devote the next 20 years of his life to this monumental task.
The catch was the tycoon would not be funding the project. Hill would have to find his way to the so-called Rainbow's End. Except for the financial incidentals like the occasional pocket money and travel expenses, Hill was very much on his own.
In his lifelong quest, Hill interviewed, among others, John D.
Rockefeller, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Thomas
Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, George Eastman, F.W.
Woolworth, Charles M. Schwab and William Wrigley Jr.
This book was originally titled How To Raise Your Own Salary. It has 17
principles of success. All the wealthy and famous men whom Hill
interviewed over two decades had freely given their formulas of success
so that future generations the world over could benefit from their
accumulated experiences.
The 17 principles are Develop Definiteness of Purpose, Use the Master
Mind Principle, Develop An Attractive Personality, Employ Applied Faith,
Go The Extra Mile, Use Organised Individual Endeavour, Cultivate Creative
Vision, Exercise Self-Discipline, Organise Your Thinking, Learn From
Defeat, Seek Inspiration, Control Your Attention, Apply The Golden Rule,
Cooperate, Budget Your Time And Money, Make Health A Habit and Benefit
from Cosmic Habitforce.
This book is a treasure trove of some of the finest gems in life. If it
is at all possible, it should be made standard text in all Malaysian
schools at secondary level.
Its purpose is clearly to inculcate in Malaysian youths some of the
best values ever developed by masters who have walked the earth long
before many of us were born. The number of youths willing to absorb and
practise these principles is not as important as their awareness of these
values and virtues that can be adopted and developed by everyone.
The world has moved on since Hill's death on Nov 8, 1970. In his 87
years on earth, Hill wrote a number of significant books that have left
an indelible mark on many successful individuals who were fortunate
enough to read them. These books are Think and Grow Rich, Law of Success,
Napoleon Hill's Science of Success and Master Key To Riches.
Among these, of course, is The Master Plan To Success. It shall remain
one of Hill's most stirring personal statements on how to achieve success
in life. It is his great discovery after interviewing so many masterminds.
The entire project was destined to be Hill's work because those
historical figures lived during his time. It was also fated that he met
and talked to them.
This book is then the culmination of 20 years of hard work, from which
today we all are the beneficiaries.
After we have become successful, and lest we forget our humble
beginnings, Carnegie says: "Humility of the heart is the result of a true
understanding of man's relation to his Creator, plus the recognition that
the material blessings of life are a gift of the Creator for the common
good of all mankind."
BELIEVE AND ACHIEVE
By W. Clement Stone
Publisher: Napoleon Hill Associates Creative Sdn Bhd
FORTY-ONE years after Napoleon Hill's historic meeting with Andrew Carnegie the American steel industrialist, another man walked into Hill's life.
Clement Stone was 50 years old when he met Hill who was then 69 and semi-retired. Hill was enjoying the fruits of his labour from a lifetime of lecturing and writing. Stone was the head of his enormously successful insurance company called Combined.
The meeting between Hill and Stone took place in Chicago at a Kiwanis Club. The organiser thought it would be interesting to arrange the meeting of the two of the best minds in America. It triggered a collaboration of works that spanned over a decade.
They found in each other a common ground that success can be achieved if only a person believes in his own abilities and in his own potential to achieve success regardless of the odds stacked against him.
Their combined efforts were seen in a long series of "Positive Mental Attitude" lectures held all over America. One of the keys to the success of their long association was enthusiasm. To keep the zeal burning and alive in the hearts and minds of their audiences, Stone and Hill founded the magazine called Success Unlimited.
Stone's Believe And Achieve also has 17 principles, much like Hill's earlier work The Master Plan To Success. Many of the principles mirror Hill's success formula. However, Stone has given this book a more contemporary flavour.
Stone discusses case studies of Americans who rose from poverty to enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and famous, among them country singer Merle Haggard who emerged from San Quentin Prison to become one of America's best-loved singers; talk-show host Larry King who was fired from his job, sank deeply into debt and almost gave up on life until he decided to claw his way back to the top; and Carl Perkins, the man who overheard a boy telling his girlfriend at a dance party to "stay off his
suede shoes".
Perkins couldn't forget the conversation and later wrote the song Blue Suede Shoes that was made famous worldwide by Elvis Presley.
Stories like these give Believe And Achieve a very real touch of credibility that readers will find most endearing.
What Hill wrote about decades ago in his Master Plan to Success has been expanded and elaborated upon by Stone to suit modern times. The formula is still there. It has been finetuned and some minor touches have been added and adjustments made.
This book is a moral booster for those who may have been lamenting that life has often left them holding the short straw. Stone's self-help guide should be the "kick-in-the-behind" that procrastinators and laggards need urgently to propel them to the forefront of the rat race.
In the process, those who abide by Stone's principles will learn that it is much better to associate with those people who are optimistic and enthusiastic and it's often wiser to budget your time and money.
In the final chapter, Stone has this to say to his readers: "In order to attain any goal in life, you must first learn to recognize, relate, assimilate and apply principles from what you see, hear, read, think, or experience.
"When you read an inspirational, self-help book, for example, you will not receive any benefit from the words unless you study, understand, comprehend, and apply the principles it sets forth." There you have it, now you have no more excuses.
Publisher: Napoleon Hill Associates Creative Sdn Bhd
FORTY-ONE years after Napoleon Hill's historic meeting with Andrew Carnegie the American steel industrialist, another man walked into Hill's life.
Clement Stone was 50 years old when he met Hill who was then 69 and semi-retired. Hill was enjoying the fruits of his labour from a lifetime of lecturing and writing. Stone was the head of his enormously successful insurance company called Combined.
The meeting between Hill and Stone took place in Chicago at a Kiwanis Club. The organiser thought it would be interesting to arrange the meeting of the two of the best minds in America. It triggered a collaboration of works that spanned over a decade.
They found in each other a common ground that success can be achieved if only a person believes in his own abilities and in his own potential to achieve success regardless of the odds stacked against him.
Their combined efforts were seen in a long series of "Positive Mental Attitude" lectures held all over America. One of the keys to the success of their long association was enthusiasm. To keep the zeal burning and alive in the hearts and minds of their audiences, Stone and Hill founded the magazine called Success Unlimited.
Stone's Believe And Achieve also has 17 principles, much like Hill's earlier work The Master Plan To Success. Many of the principles mirror Hill's success formula. However, Stone has given this book a more contemporary flavour.
Stone discusses case studies of Americans who rose from poverty to enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and famous, among them country singer Merle Haggard who emerged from San Quentin Prison to become one of America's best-loved singers; talk-show host Larry King who was fired from his job, sank deeply into debt and almost gave up on life until he decided to claw his way back to the top; and Carl Perkins, the man who overheard a boy telling his girlfriend at a dance party to "stay off his
suede shoes".
Perkins couldn't forget the conversation and later wrote the song Blue Suede Shoes that was made famous worldwide by Elvis Presley.
Stories like these give Believe And Achieve a very real touch of credibility that readers will find most endearing.
What Hill wrote about decades ago in his Master Plan to Success has been expanded and elaborated upon by Stone to suit modern times. The formula is still there. It has been finetuned and some minor touches have been added and adjustments made.
This book is a moral booster for those who may have been lamenting that life has often left them holding the short straw. Stone's self-help guide should be the "kick-in-the-behind" that procrastinators and laggards need urgently to propel them to the forefront of the rat race.
In the process, those who abide by Stone's principles will learn that it is much better to associate with those people who are optimistic and enthusiastic and it's often wiser to budget your time and money.
In the final chapter, Stone has this to say to his readers: "In order to attain any goal in life, you must first learn to recognize, relate, assimilate and apply principles from what you see, hear, read, think, or experience.
"When you read an inspirational, self-help book, for example, you will not receive any benefit from the words unless you study, understand, comprehend, and apply the principles it sets forth." There you have it, now you have no more excuses.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR FOR EVERYONE - MASTERING ENGLISH GRAMMAR
By Milon Nandy Publisher by Pelanduk Publications
THAT there are numerous books on the teaching of English in book stores is a fact. Many are not only good but also important for imparting lessons and tips towards mastering a language that is also probably the most relevant medium of communication today.
Milon Nandy's English Grammar For Everyone was first published in 1999. This is a revised edition, updated in keeping with the latest developments in the use of the English language in the 21st century.
Those of us who can speak and write English will no doubt think we have learnt all that could be learned about the language. This comprehensive self-study guide will surprise even the most learned among us that there are many aspects of the language that we have overlooked.
Truth be told, grammar is not exactly the favourite subject for many of us. It can be taxing on our attention span and it may even be confusing after a while, for those who have not dedicated their lives to becoming grammarians.
This book is all about grammar. It has been designed and written in a manner to be readerfriendly. So you may approach it without any fears of experiencing a sleeping-gas effect.
Those readers who went to school in the `50s and `60s would experience a dintjwill vu with explanations of abstract nouns, intransitive verbs, present perfect continuous tense and types of conjunctions.
Experts in English grammar are now a rare species. Those who have a natural inclination towards mastering grammar are shrinking in number because the language has gone through a process of evolution that has surprised many old timers.
However, this book is a little like drinking wine. Once, you know what you are drinking and how it has been processed and matured, you will appreciate it more. In this case, English grammar comes across as a challenge to those who desire to know more about the language. The fact that the standard of English language has been declining rather rapidly not only in this country but also in other English-speaking countries is cause for alarm.
Hence, it is appropriate that this book on mastering English grammar be found in those households that value the language as an important tool in the advancement of career in most professional fields.
Those who currently "speak no England" are strongly advised to purchase this wonderful book by Milon Nandy and make it their English language bible. Some familiarity with the contents will hold the reader in good stead in future years.
Sometime in the distant future, if you are in the company of about 30 people at a function and find yourself the only one who can speak grammatically-correct English without any unconscious lapses into local lingo like "shioklah" or "tak boleh tahan", you may just end up in the A-list of guests for the next big party.
THAT there are numerous books on the teaching of English in book stores is a fact. Many are not only good but also important for imparting lessons and tips towards mastering a language that is also probably the most relevant medium of communication today.
Milon Nandy's English Grammar For Everyone was first published in 1999. This is a revised edition, updated in keeping with the latest developments in the use of the English language in the 21st century.
Those of us who can speak and write English will no doubt think we have learnt all that could be learned about the language. This comprehensive self-study guide will surprise even the most learned among us that there are many aspects of the language that we have overlooked.
Truth be told, grammar is not exactly the favourite subject for many of us. It can be taxing on our attention span and it may even be confusing after a while, for those who have not dedicated their lives to becoming grammarians.
This book is all about grammar. It has been designed and written in a manner to be readerfriendly. So you may approach it without any fears of experiencing a sleeping-gas effect.
Those readers who went to school in the `50s and `60s would experience a dintjwill vu with explanations of abstract nouns, intransitive verbs, present perfect continuous tense and types of conjunctions.
Experts in English grammar are now a rare species. Those who have a natural inclination towards mastering grammar are shrinking in number because the language has gone through a process of evolution that has surprised many old timers.
However, this book is a little like drinking wine. Once, you know what you are drinking and how it has been processed and matured, you will appreciate it more. In this case, English grammar comes across as a challenge to those who desire to know more about the language. The fact that the standard of English language has been declining rather rapidly not only in this country but also in other English-speaking countries is cause for alarm.
Hence, it is appropriate that this book on mastering English grammar be found in those households that value the language as an important tool in the advancement of career in most professional fields.
Those who currently "speak no England" are strongly advised to purchase this wonderful book by Milon Nandy and make it their English language bible. Some familiarity with the contents will hold the reader in good stead in future years.
Sometime in the distant future, if you are in the company of about 30 people at a function and find yourself the only one who can speak grammatically-correct English without any unconscious lapses into local lingo like "shioklah" or "tak boleh tahan", you may just end up in the A-list of guests for the next big party.
Thinking Smart - You Are How You Think
Applying The Theory Of Constraints In Developing Thinking Skills
BY KHAW CHOON EAN
EVEN though this thinking guide can be read by anyone, regardless of
age, I believe it is primarily aimed at schoolchildren. Thinking has long
been considered a skill that is generally ignored by a large section of
society.
Anyone who has a tertiary education believes that he can think for
himself.
Unfortunately, that is not the case, otherwise society will not be beset by so many common problems that could have been solved with some common sense and a little bit of critical thinking.
Thus, it is apt that writer Khaw Choon Ean has taken upon herself to render unto a permanent form, her thoughts and experience with this Theory of Constraints. The moment an individual reaches the age of reason, problems whether perceived or real will begin to set in. Hence, there will always be problems pertaining to various aspects of life as we move through the various passages of life.
How we handle these problems will determine our level of self-confidence and maturity in adulthood. In this book, defining problems, making the right decisions and accepting responsibility are discussed openly and realistically.
The thinking tools applied in the context of teaching and learning are called the Cloud, the Branch and the Ambitious Target Tree. The discerning reader will realise after a while that there's a similarity between the tools used and mind-mapping as created by mind-master Tony Buzan.
However, the Theory of Constraints for Education has been tailor-made for schools since 2001. Today, the tools are being used in the teaching of civics education and social science subjects.
Writer Khaw, who is also an educationist and a trainer in sports, has used innovative ways to make her ideas clear to all concerned. She uses simple charts and diagrams to shed light on subjects that can sometimes become complicated issues.
Part of this TOC process involves total understanding of the subject matter and putting forth your thoughts in a logical manner. Hence, actions and ideas have to be explored thoroughly so as to envision the consequences of wrong decisions.
In the whole scheme of things, students who wish to make full use of the Theory of Constraints have to execute systemically and strategically their plans of action.
On first reading, the book may be perceived to be rather quite simple in its approach to the subject, but then thinking is always a simple process if you know all the rules of clear thinking.
Khaw has done a fine job of illustrating her ideas of thinking out-of-the-box and developing win-win solutions in a systematic manner.
The writer has had a long career in the field of education. Her experience in education began with the years in Universiti Sains Malaysia where she had exhibited enormous talents in various fields.
This book is but one of her many achievements in the field of education.
That she is dedicated and immensely creative is without a doubt. With this book, she has made another significant contribution to the development of young children in this country.
Parents who are concerned over their children's education should take a closer look at this book and its relevance to the maturity of young adults in their own homes.
BY KHAW CHOON EAN
EVEN though this thinking guide can be read by anyone, regardless of
age, I believe it is primarily aimed at schoolchildren. Thinking has long
been considered a skill that is generally ignored by a large section of
society.
Anyone who has a tertiary education believes that he can think for
himself.
Unfortunately, that is not the case, otherwise society will not be beset by so many common problems that could have been solved with some common sense and a little bit of critical thinking.
Thus, it is apt that writer Khaw Choon Ean has taken upon herself to render unto a permanent form, her thoughts and experience with this Theory of Constraints. The moment an individual reaches the age of reason, problems whether perceived or real will begin to set in. Hence, there will always be problems pertaining to various aspects of life as we move through the various passages of life.
How we handle these problems will determine our level of self-confidence and maturity in adulthood. In this book, defining problems, making the right decisions and accepting responsibility are discussed openly and realistically.
The thinking tools applied in the context of teaching and learning are called the Cloud, the Branch and the Ambitious Target Tree. The discerning reader will realise after a while that there's a similarity between the tools used and mind-mapping as created by mind-master Tony Buzan.
However, the Theory of Constraints for Education has been tailor-made for schools since 2001. Today, the tools are being used in the teaching of civics education and social science subjects.
Writer Khaw, who is also an educationist and a trainer in sports, has used innovative ways to make her ideas clear to all concerned. She uses simple charts and diagrams to shed light on subjects that can sometimes become complicated issues.
Part of this TOC process involves total understanding of the subject matter and putting forth your thoughts in a logical manner. Hence, actions and ideas have to be explored thoroughly so as to envision the consequences of wrong decisions.
In the whole scheme of things, students who wish to make full use of the Theory of Constraints have to execute systemically and strategically their plans of action.
On first reading, the book may be perceived to be rather quite simple in its approach to the subject, but then thinking is always a simple process if you know all the rules of clear thinking.
Khaw has done a fine job of illustrating her ideas of thinking out-of-the-box and developing win-win solutions in a systematic manner.
The writer has had a long career in the field of education. Her experience in education began with the years in Universiti Sains Malaysia where she had exhibited enormous talents in various fields.
This book is but one of her many achievements in the field of education.
That she is dedicated and immensely creative is without a doubt. With this book, she has made another significant contribution to the development of young children in this country.
Parents who are concerned over their children's education should take a closer look at this book and its relevance to the maturity of young adults in their own homes.
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