This is without a doubt the most hauntingly beautiful
music I have ever heard. This CD is of such powerful
yet understated quiet beauty and grace, that anyone
who listens to it cannot help but feel moved by the
sheer beauty and emotion conveyed.

In my moments of quiet desperation I have listened
to this CD, letting the music comfort me in times
of reflexion and solitude.

I Will Not Be Sad In This World is a CD that should
become mantra for those seeking shelter and refuge
from the noisy cacophony and sometimes overwhelming
realities of life. This music has such an incredible
pull of hypnotic qualities, and of such rare and
exquisite beauty - that I find serenity again whenever
I listen to it.

The artist Djivan Gasparyan and his music first came
to my attention while listening to the soundtrack from
the movie "Gladiator". When I heard "Now We Are Free"
for the first time, I immediately took notice. I was transfixed -
and I knew I had found something so unique;
so completely unlike commercialized Euro-trance
or hyped-up westernized uber-dance "world music"
- that it left me with a yearning to know more
about this wonderful artist and his unique musicianship.
His instrument of choice is his duduk - an oboe-like
instrument from his native Armenia.

There is something deeply restorative when listening to the
music of Djivan Gasparyan. In fact, this album is dedicated
to the victims and survivors of the devasting earthquake
that struck Armenia Dec 7, 1988. His dedication conveys an
enduring theme: through hardship and struggle, humanity will
prevail - his message gently defiant: I WILL NOT BE SAD
IN THIS WORLD.

The world has given us poets, bards, artists and musicians
throughout history that have inspired and moved us all.
Djivan Gasparyan may well our muse to take us into the next
century.

This CD is a keeper.

Incidentally, you will have a hard time finding this CD
in North America ( I had to order mine all the way from
Belorussia). Now out-of-print, this CD was originally
released on the Russian Melodya label in 1983 and
subsequently carried by the "Landy Star" music company,
Russia (www.Landy.ru) - although they too, no longer seem
to be carrying this item. You may have success finding
this CD on eBAY or a used/second-hand copy from amazon.com

This is without a doubt the most hauntingly beautiful
music I have ever heard. This CD is of such powerful
yet understated quiet beauty and grace, that anyone
who listens to it cannot help but feel moved by the
sheer beauty and emotion conveyed.

In my moments of quiet desperation I have listened
to this CD, letting the music comfort me in times
of reflexion and solitude.

I Will Not Be Sad In This World is a CD that should
become mantra for those seeking shelter and refuge
from the noisy cacophony and sometimes overwhelming
realities of life. This music has such an incredible
pull of hypnotic qualities, and of such rare and
exquisite beauty - that I find serenity again whenever
I listen to it.

The artist Djivan Gasparyan and his music first came
to my attention while listening to the soundtrack from
the movie "Gladiator". When I heard "Now We Are Free"
for the first time, I immediately took notice. I was transfixed -
and I knew I had found something so unique;
so completely unlike commercialized Euro-trance
or hyped-up westernized uber-dance "world music"
- that it left me with a yearning to know more
about this wonderful artist and his unique musicianship.
His instrument of choice is his duduk - an oboe-like
instrument from his native Armenia.

There is something deeply restorative when listening to the
music of Djivan Gasparyan. In fact, this album is dedicated
to the victims and survivors of the devasting earthquake
that struck Armenia Dec 7, 1988. His dedication conveys an
enduring theme: through hardship and struggle, humanity will
prevail - his message gently defiant: I WILL NOT BE SAD
IN THIS WORLD.

The world has given us poets, bards, artists and musicians
throughout history that have inspired and moved us all.
Djivan Gasparyan may well our muse to take us into the next
century.

This CD is a keeper.

To me, this book came across more like a personal memoir rather than the latest trend in horse-training techniques. I thoroughly enjoyed the book soley for the author's personal insight, observatons, and his remarkable kinship with horses and animals.

What most folks in the equine industry don't realize, is that Monty has a special gift & kinship with horses - unique to him only. What works for one trainer, does not neccessarily work for another.

What I see in horse-related magazines and in the equine industry per se, makes me shake my head. The media is all to quick to pick up on the latest flavour-of-the-month trainer & training techniques; re: John Lyons, Lynn Salvatori-Palm, Pat Parelli, Richard Shrake, etc; (the latest trend seems to be shifting to Australian cowboys, re: Clinton Anderson, et al) - then drop it as quickly until the next training fad becomes the new vogue. Folks then jump on the flavor-or-the-month bandwagon, and think that "what works for him, will work for me", without taking into account one's own personal dynamics, mood, personality, character, temperment, metabolism, etc.

It kinda reminds me what Dr. Benjamin Spock said about parenting and on becoming a new parent: "Trust yourself, you know more than you think".

THAT being said, I wish I could go to one of Monty's "join up" clinics - if only to observe man & horse communicate, and watch Monty work his magic.

THE FOUNTAINHEAD's protagonist, Howard Roark, is loosely based on the life of maverick architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and many of Roark's buildings are patterned after Wright's works.

Howard Roark is a fiercely independent architect who would prefer obscurity and anonymity over wealth and popularity by not conforming to the common expectations of a collectivist society.

Hollywood likes to make films based on best-selling books because they come with a built-in audience. However, in the case of Ayn Rand's epic; "The Fountainhead", translating a novel replete with lengthy didactic speeches into a Hollywood blockbuster proved extremely difficult, especially since Rand wrote the screenplay herself and insisted that no dialogue be changed without her approval. The result, while a failure at the box office, continues to be one of the most noteworthy of American films.

The lasting power of the film lies not in the quality of acting or cleverness of plot, but in the power of Rand's message: that all progress and achievement come from the independent mind; and that NO one should be forced to work for the "common good" or conform to the wishes of others. It is this message to which all other elements of the film are subordinated.

MOVIE SYNOPSIS

Roark meets architecture critic Dominique Francon while she surveys her father's stone quarry. The two fall in love but Roark suddenly leaves for New York to take a commission. Dominique decides to marry Gail Wynand, the arrogant, rich publisher of " The Banner", a newspaper that delivers to the public what they want to hear. Within these pages Roark is initially attacked for his radical designs. Eventually Wynand realizes Roark's talents.

Peter Keating, an unscrupulous architect, hires Roark to ghost-design a public housing project for him. Roark agrees on the condition that the building be built *exactly* as he designed it and never to be altered from his designs. When it becomes clear that the plans were modified, Roark blows up the unfinished buildings, preferring to go to jail than to see his vision and his integrity compromised.

In the end, Roark heroically and symbolically rises above society as the final shot zooms upward with the architect perched above all else: his direction comes not from the opinions or values or expectations of others, but from the integrity of his own inner vision, values, and commitments; and to keep faith within the best of oneself at all costs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rather than define her characters, Rand makes each one an analogy for different parts of her thesis ­ the conflict between individualism and society's need for order and conformity: Roark symbolizing freedom of choice, reason, human ability and achievment through individual rights, political and economic freedom - while the ruthless reporter Ellsworth Toohey represents the collectivist-socialist who preaches self-sacrifice, altruism and charity as a means to power over other human beings. Other characters represent varying degrees of the theme; their role is to challenge Roark's strength and courage of mind. As such, this film is a useful teaching tool for a discussion of Rand's theory. But behind the primary theme of individualism versus collectivism, Rand also presented her readers and viewers with two other topics to consider: the nearly absolute power of the media in a free capitalist society, and the intricacies of romantic relationships between uncompromising people.

IN CLOSING

Despite its failure with audiences and critics, "The Fountainhead" takes its place among the literary classics as it forces us to confront and examine the role of the individual in our society.

Henry David Thoreau's famous line, "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

Since pictures & illustrations are as much a part of a child's imagination as the written word, then this book beautifully combines both, with the abundant B&W line illustrations by illustrator Lucy Kemp-Welch, in addition to the 12 colour plates included - all in keeping with the time period this novel is set in. A wonderful edition to any child's library. I've been reading horse-topic related books for as long as I can remember; but the very 1st horse story that left an indelible impression on me was ANNA SEWELL's " BLACK BEAUTY ".

It really openend my eyes as to the abuse and cruelty - and majestic fraility - that these wonderful creatures suffer at the hands of their human counterparts.

Ms Sewell opted to write this book from " the horse's point of view " and she was one of the very few authors that was able to pull this off with such great success.

This book also, laid the cornerstone for the ASPCA aims and goals, and brought to light the conditions and treatment of working horses in 20th century London, England ( and elsewhere ).

The story is such a wonderful tale of a horse's life from start to finish; told with a quiet dignity and warmth - and serves as a successful analogy also, as to how humans should interact with one another.

This book also laid the cornerstone for my interest and love of horses, and further spurred my interest in reading about all things Equine.

From there, and I went on to read all of Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion" series ( I used to collect the hardcover editions), and Marguerite Henry's books, and National Velvet(which really wasn't about a horse per se, but more about a little girl who's dreams come true), and anything else I could get my horsey-hungry hands on!

I now keep a copy of Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" in my library at home, and have given a copy to my daughter to read.

This is a tale that sensitizes the reader to the plight of horses at the hands of their human caregivers, trainers, etc - all told from the horse's mouth ( so to speak )..!

And lest we think that the inhumane treatment of horses has abided since this book was written - one only has to follow the controversy surrounding the use of "Premarin", or abusive training methods of gaited horses, or the Thoroughbred racing industry, or rodeo...etc.

There is still much to be gleaned about the exploitation and abuse of animals from this book - which will always remain a timeless classic.

Kim C. Montreal, 05/2000

Having not seen the cover - or a copy - of this book - I cannot comment on the contents as to illustrations or pictures, etc.

However, I am very familiar with the story, as I've been reading horse-topic related books for as long as I can remember. The very 1st horse story that left an indelible impression on me was ANNA SEWELL's " BLACK BEAUTY ".

It really openend my eyes as to the abuse and cruelty - and majestic fraility - that these wonderful creatures suffer at the hands of their human counterparts.

Ms Sewell opted to write this book from " the horse's point of view " and she was one of the very few authors that was able to pull this off with such great success.

This book also, laid the cornerstone for the ASPCA aims and goals, and brought to light the conditions and treatment of working horses in 20th century London, England ( and elsewhere ).

The story is such a wonderful tale of a horse's life from start to finish; told with a quiet dignity and warmth - and serves as a successful analogy also, as to how humans should interact with one another.

This book also laid the cornerstone for my interest and love of horses, and further spurred my interest in reading about all things Equine.

From there, and I went on to read all of Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion" series ( I used to collect the hardcover editions), and Marguerite Henry's books, National Velvet(which really wasn't about a horse per se, but more about a little girl who's dreams come true), and anything else I could get my horsey-hungry hands on!

I now keep a copy of Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" in my library at home, and have given a copy to my daughter to read.

This is a tale that sensitizes the reader to the plight of horses at the hands of their human caregivers, trainers, etc - all told from the horse's mouth ( so to speak )..!

A wonderful book, and will forever be a timeless classic.

Kim C. Montreal, 05/2000

Since pictures & illustrations are as much a part of a child's imagination as the written word, then this book beautifully combines both, with the abundant B&W line illustrations by illustrator Lucy Kemp-Welch, in addition to the 12 colour plates included - all in keeping with the time period this novel is set in. A wonderful edition to any child's library.

I've been reading horse-topic related books for as long as I can remember; but the very 1st horse story that left an indelible impression on me was ANNA SEWELL's " BLACK BEAUTY ".

It really openend my eyes as to the abuse and cruelty - and majestic fraility - that these wonderful creatures suffer at the hands of their human counterparts.

Ms Sewell opted to write this book from " the horse's point of view " and she was one of the very few authors that was able to pull this off with such great success.

This book also, laid the cornerstone for the ASPCA aims and goals, and brought to light the conditions and treatment of working horses in 20th century London, England ( and elsewhere ).

The story is such a wonderful tale of a horse's life from start to finish; told with a quiet dignity and warmth - and serves as a successful analogy also, as to how humans should interact with one another.

This book also laid the cornerstone for my interest and love of horses, and further spurred my interest in reading about all things Equine.

From there, and I went on to read all of Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion" series ( I used to collect the hardcover editions), and Marguerite Henry's books, and National Velvet(which really wasn't about a horse per se, but more about a little girl who's dreams come true), and anything else I could get my horsey-hungry hands on!

I now keep a copy of Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" in my library at home, and have given a copy to my daughter to read.

This is a tale that sensitizes the reader to the plight of horses at the hands of their human caregivers, trainers, etc - all told from the horse's mouth ( so to speak )..!

And lest we think that the inhumane treatment of horses has abided since this book was written - one only has to follow the controversy surrounding the use of "Premarin", or abusive training methods of gaited horses, or the Thoroughbred racing industry, or rodeo...etc.

There is still much to be gleaned about the exploitation and abuse of animals from this book - which will always remain a timeless classic.

Kim C. Montreal, 05/2000

If you are looking for a discography of Louis Armstrong, don't look to this book. However, if what you want is the life and times of the man - then this is the book for you. Personally, this is what I want in a jazz biography - I'll listen to the CD's or radio for a discography. Mr Bergreen describes in telling detail the early stages of Louis's life in New Orleans - and believe me, it was no paradise! He (Bergreen)is also adept at giving the reader the overall feel of New Orleans at the turn of the century. So at the beginning we get a view of Louis hauling coal to make money for his mother amidst abject poverty and racial discrimination. It is really beyond belief that Louis - at the very bottom of the heap - was able to struggle through this and become an American icon. We are also introduced to a cast of characters that entered or played significantly in Louis's life. None of these people were angels - so in effect they all make for interesting reading. And although Louis is "King of Jazz" he is no saint himself (his 4 wives could attest to that!). This book is a great read - not only if you are interested in the rise to fame of a great African American, but it truly captures the spirit and tough times of that era from New Orleans to Chicago to New York.

Kim C.

I've always enjoyed a good travelogue book or two, as well as social satire & commentary(aka Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities", or Nelson DeMille's "The Gold Coast" ..for example) - so it was a complete surprise when I picked up author Bill Bryson's book " The Lost Continent" which hilariously combines the above two genres. This book had me laughing every where I went with it - on the subway, buses, waiting lines (much to the raised eyebrow glances of onlookers) - and I find myself returning to it every now & then for the razor-sharp wit, the hilarious observations, and Bryson's sharp eye for the absurdities in the commonplace.. This book is so enjoyable that it has become dog-earred from being passed to family members, (my 14yr old son enjoyed it during a long bus trip), friends and associates. It was my pleasure to hear Bill speak and meet this very charming and quiet-spoken man in person during one of his book-signing tours here in Montreal (and no, he is not as wickedly sarcastic in person as he appears in his books!) A real gem of a book!

Kim C.

Just finished reading Wally Lamb's "I Know This Much Is True", which which I found to be remarkably touching and poignant without being overly maudlin. Quite a remarkable insight into the frailties - and strengths - of human nature. Wonderful book. I enjoyed his first book also, "She's Come Undone".

Kim C.