Search

The Day of the Dead is the most important annual celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. Skillfully combining textual information and photographic imagery, this book begins with a discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life, and their way of looking at the world. It then takes the reader through the celebration from the preparations that can begin months in advance through to the private gatherings in homes and finally to the cemetery where the villagers celebrate together -- both the living and the dead. The voices in the book are of those people who have participated in the Day of the Dead for as long as they can remember. There are no ghosts here. Only the souls of loved ones who have gone to the Village of the Dead and who are allowed to return once a year to be with their family. Very readable and beautifully illustrated, this book provides an extensive discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life and their beliefs, which make the Day of the Dead logical and easily comprehensible.

About half of the women in the United States and Canada have been physically or sexually assaulted after the age of 16. The figures in other countries are similar. Written by an outsider (an anthropologist) and an insider (a spousal abuse survivor), this book offers a humanistic, rather than statistical, overview of the problem of spousal abuse. It is based on an extensive set of interviews with abused women and individuals who seek to help them (shelter workers, police officers, marriage counselors). More particularly, it follows four women as they move through the steps they must follow to extricate themselves from an abusive relationship and then get on with their lives. The reader witnesses their success and failures as they face a task that is both necessary and daunting, and the effects that spousal abuse (and at attempts stopping the abuse) have on an ever-widening circle of people. This book illustrates how society in general and individuals and organizations in particular help and hinder the process of extrication - often at the same time. By analyzing the solutions, and their implications, that have been offered to and by the abused women, the authors arrive at a set of alternative solutions that could significantly reduce the incidence of spouse abuse in the future.

We're just friends... Fair and beautiful Becca Sloan was used to saying this to people...and it was true. The youngest of Harper's Crossing's Quad Squad, she knew she could always rely on her best friend, Brian. Ever since their first encounter on the slide in pre-K, they'd had each other's backs and were inseparable, through good times and bad. Sexy and charming Brian Scott kept nothing from his best friend, Becca. He knew that she would always be there for him, and she knew that she could always count on him. They had a once-in-a-lifetime friendship that was a constant in both of their lives. When both Becca and Brian are cast in a dating reality show to find love elsewhere, it becomes clear to them that they may have already found it. With cameras rolling, they'll have to decide if they should protect their friendship and live un-happily ever after with someone else--or trust in their amazing bond and live happily ever after with each other in a Fairytale Love. **Author's note: Each book in The Crossroads Series can be read as a stand-alone**

For more than four decades, Trancework has been the definitive textbook for thousands of professionals around the world undergoing training in the art and science of clinical hypnosis. Now in its 6th edition, this classic text continues its legacy of encouraging sound and insightful clinical practice based on established scientific research. This latest edition incorporates “up-to-the-minute” new studies and emerging topics within the field of hypnosis, including new chapters on trauma, dissociation, hypnotizability testing, and age regression and age progression. Special sections called “Frames of Reference” introduce readers to luminaries in the field, providing insight into the forces that have shaped current practice. Readers can expect to receive a comprehensive overview of current developments in the domain of hypnosis, an in-depth consideration of the practical and ethical issues associated with its use, and a greater appreciation for its many therapeutic applications. This thorough, engaging text equips professionals with the essential skills to change clients’ lives by using hypnosis to enhance treatment of both medical and psychological issues.

Based on interviews with abuse survivors, their family and friends, and support services professionals, S.D. Haley (anthropology, Red Deer College, Alberta, Canada) and Braun-Haley, who has a background in journalism, define the abuse problem; examine its societal stigma and impact; follow women through the "breaking away" process; and offer solutions based on a long-term view of domestic peacekeeping. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR

The Day of the Dead is the most important annual celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. Skillfully combining textual information and photographic imagery, this book begins with a discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life, and their way of looking at the world. It then takes the reader through the celebration from the preparations that can begin months in advance through to the private gatherings in homes and finally to the cemetery where the villagers celebrate together -- both the living and the dead. The voices in the book are of those people who have participated in the Day of the Dead for as long as they can remember. There are no ghosts here. Only the souls of loved ones who have gone to the Village of the Dead and who are allowed to return once a year to be with their family. Very readable and beautifully illustrated, this book provides an extensive discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life and their beliefs, which make the Day of the Dead logical and easily comprehensible.

A biography of Jerry Lewis, discussing his varied career as a performer, director, fundraiser, and standard-setting comedian, and looking at the private man and the forces that drive him.

The Great American White Woman reflects perceptions of an uncertain society. The story chronicles the life and death of Niece Thompson. Niece suffers a tormented childhood and witnesses her younger sister killed by a drunk driver. Through her adolescence, she endures an abusive mother that hides behind the veil of Christianity. To establish a sense of self, Niece runs away from home, but her experiences have virtually shaped a delusional and skewed view of the world around her. Homeless and struggling, Niece meets Hope Andersen. They fall in love, but as a young woman Niece’s sexuality and personal identity fall victim to her past. As they plan for a future together, Hope’s deepest carnal desires mark their relationship with a degree of darkness and turmoil. Niece’s worst fears manifest in the graceful form of her adversary, a blond-haired woman named Casky. The ensuing conflict between Niece and Casky is a portrayal of self-serving corruption in pursuit of an overwhelming desire. Combining elements of suspense and romance, the literary contribution is designed to capture the imagination with a polemic challenge to race, religion, and relationships. The story in its shallows examines covetousness, worship, desire, and praise. However, in its surreal depths uncovers the idolization of the blonde, the brunette, and the redhead. Very different, the work travels through the Church of the Great American White Woman and takes us to the door of Pandemonium. Filled with unique and memorable characters, the story is an intricate web of life and human nature.

“A sensitive and vivid study of early female stand-ups… [Levy is a] painstaking, knowledgeable guide.” —New York Times Book Review A hilarious and moving account of the trailblazing women of stand-up comedy who broke down walls so they could stand before the mic—perfect for fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Hacks Today, women are ascendant in stand-up comedy, even preeminent. They make headlines, fill arenas, spawn blockbuster movies. But before Amy Schumer slayed, Tiffany Haddish killed, and Ali Wong drew roars, the very idea of a female comedian seemed, to most of America, like a punch line. And it took a special sort of woman—indeed, a parade of them—to break and remake the mold. In on the Joke is the story of a group of unforgettable women who knocked down the doors of stand-up comedy so other women could get a shot. It spans decades, from Moms Mabley’s rise in Black vaudeville between the world wars, to the roadhouse ribaldry of Belle Barth and Rusty Warren in the 1950s and '60s, to Elaine May's co-invention of improv comedy, to Joan Rivers's and Phyllis Diller’s ferocious ascent to mainstream stardom. These women refused to be defined by type and tradition, facing down indifference, puzzlement, nay-saying, and unvarnished hostility. They were discouraged by agents, managers, audiences, critics, fellow performers—even their families. And yet they persevered against the tired notion that women couldn’t be funny, making space not only for themselves, but for the women who followed them. Meticulously researched and irresistibly drawn, Shawn Levy's group portrait forms a new pantheon of comedy excellence. In on the Joke shows how women broke into the boys’ club, offered new ideas of womanhood, and had some laughs along the way.

This book is intended to assist individuals in dealing with change occurring externally to the person, as well as change that the individual attempts to bring about in themselves. The approaches taken attempt to organize the concepts of change within a broad framework, a continuum (or gradient) which will enable the person to see changes in life as existing on a spectrum from those change phenomena which are external to the individual (e.g., economic or environmental events) to those within the person (e.g., stopping smoking or changing one’s behavior). Within an overarching framework of general systems theory, which emphasizes a holistic view of change, the book describes a number of conceptual structures or what are conceived as “models.” The volume focuses on helping the reader to recognize the way these models appear in the person’s environment, as well as in the individual’s own functioning. Further, the book indicates how the person can apply these models in his or her own efforts to deal with life and change. Thus, each chapter describes the essential idea of a particular model and then provides a section on the applications of that model. The beginning chapters describe several abstract “models” followed by a chapter which presents John Bowlby’s attachment theory and his concept of “internal models,” which reflect individuals’ core perceptions of themselves and others; finally, the book includes a discussion of James Prochaska’s stages of change model which describes the ways in which individuals proceed to make changes in their own behavior and functioning. The book presents a unified view of change in life as it occurs external to, and within, the person and concludes with a discussion of ways the individual can consider these various concepts in efforts to make change. The book is appropriate for three audiences. First, the volume is suitable for mental health professionals for whom the book can provide a unique view of the change process in the treatment they offer and they might request that their patients read the book. Second, the book is relevant for individuals interested in a process of self-change, whether they are contemplating or are in a psychotherapeutic relationship or simply want to make changes in themselves on their own. Third, the book is also relevant for managers in organizations who deal with the concepts of change in the individuals they supervise.