Indian Books

This extraordinary book written by Ramesh S. Balsekar focuses the seekers mind even more pointendly, no pun is intended, than the spiritual classic, I Am That. Aptly titled, Pointers reduces the whole of the seekers spiritual quest into a finite, simple and yet expansive conclusion of unification. If the reader is ready and intuitive, by this I mean to imply his/her spirit is ripened to be plucked from its vine, then no other words beyond Ramesh's Pointers will ever be needed. I highly recommend that all seekers read I Am That as a prelude to Pointers if they wish for the fullest experience possible, they will be rewarded for their patience.

After reading POINTERS From NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ and JEAN DUNN three books on NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ Talks ( PRIOR TO CONSCIOUSNESS , SEEDS OF CONSCIOUSNESS , CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE ABSOLUTE ) It answered why the body was born or should it be said " What were you before you were born " .

Three good POINTS in the book - Consciousness is the illusion . Second - You were before Consciousness and third- the problem with concepts. Understanding these three POINTS made Knowledge and Ignorance seem the same. Perhaps the pupose of life is to understand that what is creating the illusion is consciousness itself.

In one of the NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ books there was a simple sentence that was so powerful and went something like this " THE SEARCH FOR REALITY IS THE MOST DANGEROUS OF ALL UNDERTAKINGS FOR IT DESTROYS THE WORLD IN WHICH YOU LIVE"

Thank you.

In Pointers From Nisargadatta Maharaj, devotee Ramesh Balsekar provides further insight into the teachings of what many consider a master of Advaita Vedanta. The teachings are both simple and profound -- and often full of paradox. To "understand" them requires the relinquishment of thought. To "explain" the teachings reduces them to concepts which are inherently false. That is probably why the book it aptly titled "Pointers..." The real truth, according to what Balsekar shares of Nisargadatta's teachings, is "apperceived" directly. And it's based on the deep understanding that there is no individual entity at work...

"The main point in Maharaj's teaching is that in this living-dream of life we are not the dreamed characters, which we think we are, but that we are the dreamer, and it is our mistaken identification with the dreamed character, as a separate independent entity as the 'doer', that causes the illusion of 'bondage'". Pages 202-203

If you have read the classic "I Am That", this is an excellent aid in providing further clarification into our true nature. Enjoy it for all the gifts it brings you.

This book has an amazing feature, which is that it conveys the spirit and presence of Nisargadatta in such a powerful way not even I AM THAT does. The pointers are absolutely clear and straighforward, and they deal with a wide range of cases. No doubt can remain as to the nature of our true self after the reading of this teaching. In a misterious way, Ramesh was able to be the interpreter of the teaching without interfeering with it in this occasion. This teaching (and the way it is presented in this book) is certainly far superior to anything the same Ramesh could have written of its own.

If you are ready this book is all you'll ever need, if not it will certainly plant the seeds of awakening. Not only does Ramesh Balsekar translate the words of Maharaj, but goes on to expand and clarify the wisdom of his Guru as only an enlightened disciple can. This is the perfect follow up for Maharaj's classic, I Am That. But Please don't let your mind be put off by Nisargadatta's gritty approach. Because of the Guru's declining health, this book's tone does sound a bit harsh by ignoring common civilities and going straight to the core of truth. Yet that is exactly what we need to realize.

Not so many books became instant "classics", this is one of them. As many people, I've read a lot of books on Buddhism, knowing intuitively that there is something interesting there.

I don't know for you, but for me, this gave me by moments an impression of a course in a complex and sometimes confusing jungle. A territory in which the sources are not always highly reliable or captivating. In such a context, the work of Marvin Levine is THE book which I hoped for years.

I am traditionally not a "fan" of the use of superlatives. But in this case,it would be particularly difficult to react differently: Marvin Levine book is truly an outstanding one.

The reasons are many. Among them,

- the text contain one of the clearest and straightforward explanation of the Core of Buddhism available. I've personally never found something like this and didn't knew it exists.
- the amazing relation between Buddhist approaches and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is remarkably explained. Moreover, Levine is a recognized expert in the field of CBT.
- the source is reliable, which is not always easy to find. No "pop-psychology" or "academic annoyances" will be founded here.
- the overall book style is attractive, in addition to its other qualities, this pure gem offer a real and intense reading pleasure.
- this is the kind of book that one preserves preciously in his/her library < in my opinion,the hard-bound edition, of excellent quality, is worth to be considered >
- I don't know excactly why, but,the reading generate an true impression of personal enrichment. Also, this is the kind of book you "feel good" when reading it. Very Positive.
- The uncommon presentation of the Buddhists and Yogic principles is done is such a way that you can DO something with the material, you can apply it if you wich.
- ...
In one word: Remarquable. I hope that this review will contribute to the share of a rare pleasure.

This book is both a wonderful introduction to the psychological frameworks of Buddhism and Yoga (B&Y) and--most importantly--a practical guide to applying these systems to develop greater emotional maturity and overall wellbeing. According to Levine, the path to mature happiness developed in the ancient philosophies of B&Y requires calming one's conditioned beliefs and "passions" to allow greater control by the "anterior mind" (the "mind's eye" capable of observing, contemplating, and directing the mind). At the extreme, an "immature" individual is entirely conditioned by his or her culture, language, and biology--yielding the positive functions of anterior mind nonfunctional. Much like a little child, such a person's mental state is completely at the mercy of the external environment. He/she feels alright when a craving or ego desire is fed--but falls into tantrums and anguish whenever a craving or desire cannot be satisfied. Moreover, perception and interpretation of external events are distorted by the conditioned mind and its many unchecked passions (ego needs, cravings and attachments, fears and aversions, antipathies and resentments). The result is a life filled with suffering and illusion.

Fortunately, children typically do learn to moderate their most selfish behaviors as they grow to adulthood: "[P]art of growing up entails learning some self-transformation" (p. 54). Nevertheless, Levine points out that our American vision of "normal" allows for a mix of mature and immature behavior. "Normal" adults experience disquieting feelings (anger, pettiness, impatience, envy) quite regularly: e.g., when "stuck" in a traffic jam or when passed over for promotion at work. Because such unhappy events are common, many of us spend a great deal of time and energy feeling upset about one thing or another.

Levine points out that we don't have to live that way. Through the cultivation of positive attitudes (harmlessness, truthfulness, trustworthiness, sexual restraint, nonmaterialism) and practices (mindfulness, yoga poses, meditation), the anterior mind is freed more and more to reflect upon one's own mental processes and even transform them for the better. Thus the daily agitations diminish and we feel a greater sense of equanimity and happiness.

Viewing these ancient philosophies through the lens of American "positive psychology," Levine succeeds in developing a powerful "Yogic" model of cognitive processing that shares much with Albert Ellis (e.g., A Guide to Rational Living), Aaron Beck (Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders), David Burns (e.g., Feeling Good), and Martin Seligman (e.g., Authentic Happiness). As such, this highly readable book makes a major contribution to American "Cognitive Therapy." But while mainstream cognitive approaches are limited to diverse techniques for coping with irrational thoughts or troubling events, the Yogic approach described by Levine is comprehensive and holistic. I have began working with these ancient ideas and practices -- my early results suggest a potential to transform every aspect of one's life (mental, emotional, spiritual)!

This book was outstanding! I have been in the martial arts for 33 years and most of that is has been with the study of Buddhism. This book was stellar in clearing up many of the cofusions that I did (and didn't) know that I had. I always thought that Buddhism was a philosophy! Not! It is an empirical study of your own mind. I highly recommend that all students of Buddhism and Yoga add this to your library. Even if you find it a repeat of what you already know you will love it as a 'loner' to friends.

Greg Sluys - Ferndale, WA.

This book does an incredible job of making buddhism and yoga accessible to the average, everyday man or woman raised in the west. The author has clearly spent years studying this material and is able to translate and present important concepts it in a format that is easy to digest but no less profound. Whenever the author presents an important eastern concept, he anchors that eastern concept to a western concept, which makes otherwise foreign ideas easy to relate to. Excellent work. By far this is the clearest, most well written introduction to basic buddhist beliefs I have read.

Not only would you do well to buy this book and read it, you would do better to memorize it. The benefits for your time and effort will be rewarded 100 times over. This is the first book I ever read that when I finished it, I went right back to page one and read the whole thing again.

There are several reasons why I am so enthusiastic about this book. For one, it is the most accessible introduction to Buddhism and Yoga that I have found. Levine keeps the jargon to a minimum and instead gives a sensible and straightforward explanation of subjects that are all-too-often made to sound complicated. The ideas are very simple and very useful, and Levine has a knack for conveying that.

Secondly, Levine is an accomplished researcher in cognitive psychology and he seamlessly blends ancient eastern philosophy with modern psychology. He makes profound philosophical insights sound like the plain common sense that they actually are. His sections on communicaton and anger-reduction strategies are indispensible. Neither venting anger nor suppressing it is effective. The only useful long-term strategy is to reduce it at the source, by changing the way we think about things. Levine has succeeded in making that point clear.

I bought this book for my nephew and it met all my expectations and I am sure he will be quite pleased with it.

Excellent reading. Michael Garrett has become a fine teacher like his father before him. A true student of life Michael takes the Cherokee ancestral stories, mixes in some modern day experiences and relays a wonderful message. If harmony and balance are traits you would like to have within your own life I highly recommend this selection.

If you want to find balance in your life, this book is an excellent way to start on that pathway.

Michael continues his journey of a Helper in the truest form of "being Cherokee". I am amazed at how simple God our Creator is revealed in our self induced complexity of life. Thank you Michael for helping to remove the scales of our heart and spirit. For those of you who are Christians, I would encourage you to use Michael's book as a help in your journey through the Bible.

Blessings

I came across this book while exploring my recently discovered Native heritage. It fit the bill perfectly, helping me learn about universal Native traditions, practices, and thinking. I could go on and on, but it's enough to say that this book is well written, informative, and enjoyable. Michael Garrett has a lot to offer.

This was my first time preparing Indian food. I found the recipes easy to understand, follow and to prepare. I have since used this cook book several times and now have made a goal to make all the wonderful food in this cook book. Just writing this review gives me the urge to cook Indian food tonight! Enjoy

We've tried a number of Indian cookbooks over the years, and the recipes have always seemed easy but produced very mediocre, often bland, results. This cookbook has the authentic recipes clearly explained. We've made a number of the dishes and they have turned out exactly as the dishes found at the restaurant (i.e., delicious!). I don't have trouble finding all the ingredients at nearby Indian/Middle Eastern grocery stores. But one issue is that there are some classic vegetarian dishes that I wish they would have added: Palak Paneer (spinach with homemade cheese), Chole (curried chickpeas), and Dum Aloo (dry-cooked potatoes with lots of spices). Also, the Aloo Gobhi recipe is quite flavorful, but should be a little less oily in my opinion. Otherwise, this is a really great resource for some classic Indian main dishes, appetizers, and desserts. It's been especially useful since the restaurant is a bit pricey, and we've gone out to eat less frequently now that we have kids. Thanks, Mr. Moorjani!

My first experience with Indian food was back in 94 at Ajanta located on Solano Avenue in Berkeley, and I've fallen in love with Indian food ever since. The problem was, however, everywhere I went-- NOTHING compared to the dishes Mr. Moorjani created at his restaurant and I always craved to return to the area just to try what delightful creations he's created for his ever changing menu. SO I was extremely pleased when he published this cookbook, AND even more impressed when a novice like me tried to make 4 of the dishes and it came out just like the flavors at the restaurant. The recipes seem complicated, but if you enjoy cooking and love Indian food, the directions are detailed, easy to follow and worth the time and effort. The dishes are perfect to feed 4-6 people and I think the appetizer dishes ( i.e. portobella mushroom/asparagus) are ideal for an impressive potluck dish. Not only do you get GREAT recipes, but I appreciate the variety of flavors that reflect the different regions of India.

I have made five of the recipes so far and each has been a complete success. The only challenge, as another reviewer has mentioned, is compiling the necessary spices. Ajanta restaurant sells a spice box called "Shanti's Spice Box" for about $30 which is available on their web site. I've purchased two - one for myself and one for a friend. The ingredients in the box are in quantities proportional to their use in the cookbook, so pretty much everything you'll need is there. The spice box makes following these recipes really easy. The cooking techniques may seem a bit different, but they are well-explained and straight forward. Just read through your recipe completely and have everything ready before you start and it will be a success! Two favorites: the green bean and potato recipe shown on the cover and the prawns bhuna masala.

I bought this book after stumbling into the Ajanta restaurant in Berkeley. My friend and I were incredibly hungry and were craving Indian food- and Ajanta was the only restaurant left open on the top part of Solano Avenue.

I am soooo glad I accidently stumbled into that restaurant! That night they were having a party for Lachu Moorjani, who had just put out his cook book. I remembered really enjoying the cuisine (especially all of the dipping sauces used for the samosas), so I thought I should get the book and try recipes.

Me and my family have tried numerous Indian recipes from online as well as in other cookbooks, but the results are always substandard....sauces are drippy, no taste, spices aren't just right, etc. And when it is so easy to get good Indian food in Berkeley, I would just give up trying to cook my own Indian food...until I found Ajanta!

And now I live in a smaller Midwestern city with limited Indian restaurants (I think there are maybe one or two here)---I am soo appreciative of the book!

The Ajanta recipes are fabulous! Between my sister and I, we have made about 8 recipes- all of which turned out well, if not extraordinary. None were disappointing! And all were so tasty! I am so excited!! If anyone loves Indian food, this is the book for you.

Coyote has always been a special animal to me, so the title jumped out at me. The two feathers and physician's symbol on the cover present a beautiful balance. The physician's symbol has the twin serpents and the two wings of the one. In the background is the four, the Mystery.

Lewis' experiences are related in an interwoven manner. He rushes through life in the quest for medical expertise and validation. In doing so, he trips himself into bouts with infinity as his beautiful plans fall through, day-by-day, year-by-year. However, his rapidly depleted physical/mental being is slowly but surely filling from the inside out. The book is a wonderful, candid sharing of one human's journey to clarify his purpose, his vocation, and to realize such.

He seems like a powerless pawn at times. Have you felt that way? I have. It takes courage to choose the walk toward balance with a fellow being. Lewis had to learn the way of the warrior to survive his path as a healer.

The sweat lodge accounts are beautifully done. I felt it better than any other accounts I have read. Although I have not participated in a lodge, I have experienced years of "spirit stuff". He is talking from experience. Lewis tells us without violating the trust of his friends, manifested or otherwise.

The visions he describes are direct accounts, rather than attempts to relay deep knowings into a form the reader may understand. Visions come in dreams, in rituals, in waking, everyday consciousness, you name it. If we need it and are open to input, we will receive guidance. A vision is experiential, so there is no way to relay the richness and life of such an experience.

Ya gotta walk the walk--it's the only way.

I laughed pretty good at his experience learning to talk with the desert. I too learned this while out alone walking in the desert. At first I thought my spirit friends were nuts--and said so--but I did it and learned a lot. You'll have to read the book to find out.

There were tears of joy and tears of sorrow while reading this book, and a lot of laughter. Thank-you for making the great leap and taking the risk of sharing, Lewis!

This book is a well written merging of two subjects. The first is a personal sharing of Lewis Mehl-Madrona's upbringing and life experience as a half N.A. Native, his pursuit of a medical degree and specialty and his increasing disillusionment with the "science" of medicine as it is now widely practiced. The second is about Lewis' discovery of N.A. Native spirituality and shamani sm. He leads us on a winding path of discovery that introduces us to the intriguing characters who use shamanism to heal others, often while their own lives are in disarray, to those who sought healing and perhaps most importantly, to the spirits who assisted in the ceremonies. While pursuing this path of curing the individual, rather than the symptom, it seems that Lewis will lose site of his original goal to obtain his medical speciality. But, as so often occurs, as he helps others to heal, the path circles around to encompass his own needs and he completes his original path, a more well-rounded and enlightened human. More capable of understanding. More capable of giving what is really required. I found the writing to be powerful, the personal drama riveting and the glimpse into the ceremonies, symbolism and spiritualism of the N.A. shaman both moving and educational. After all these years of hearing the stories shared by N.A. natives, but not really understanding, I finally "got it". This book slaked a thirst I didn't know I had. Lewis not only shared his story but acted as a teacher and I know that I've grown as a result. I highly recommend it and hope that we'll hear more from this writer.

This book blew me away. I have reread much of it so many times and bought multiple copies for friends. I have filled the margins of my copy with notes and filled notebooks with essays and thoughts inspired by Dr. Mehl-Madrona's book. It is nothing short of miraculous itself, in addition to describing medical miracles and how they are brought about by spiritual intervention and Native American healing.

A child prodigy, Lewis Mehl-Madrona hitchhiked to a local college while still in high school, read philosophy science voraciously and was the youngest peacetime graduate of Stanford Medical School. The more impressive since his childhood was at times difficult.

At medical school, Dr. Mehl-Madrona became interested in shamanic traditions and attended some sweat lodge and tipi ceremonies. Here he encountered otherwordly phenomena such as blue light, sparks, sensorial stimulation and miracle cures in cases that were deemed too far gone by western doctors. Most importantly, Dr. Mehl-Madrona learned how shamans talked to patients, asked questions about their families and lives and spent long periods of time with them. The author learned that shamans tap into the inner healer of the patient, and consider themselves only partially responsible for any cure.

At the same time, Dr. Mehl-Madrona was encountering negligent and dehumanizing healing practices in his western medical pursuits. A few spine-chilling tales display the callousness and arrogance that exists in some hospitals and clinics. One example: two obstetricians made a bet concerning the fastest C-Section birth and the winner, very triumphant at seventeen minutes, accidentally tied something shut in the woman's internal organs. It was fixed and the woman even wrote a letter of thanks to the hospital! Such is the blind and sometimes unjustified trust the public has in the medical establishment.

The book is wonderfully woven with many colorful strands of storytelling. On one level, it is a memoir of Dr. Mehl-Madrona's journey to reconcile his western medical training with holistic and in particular Native American healing. He is part Native American, so this pursuit poignantly reflects his mixed heritage. Poignant because Dr. Mehl-Madrona often felt like an outsider in all areas of his life, as a Native American man, as an American man, as a western doctor and as an aspiring and ultimately successful shaman.

Another strand of his story is the Native American tradition of healing itself, which we discover in almost the same timeframe that he does. We are introduced to the traditional practice of storytelling as a healing technique at the same time that he is. Early in the book, when the doctor is a resident, he is tending a man whose medical condition is exacerbated (and perhaps caused) by his intensely critical nature. A wonderful passage in recounts Dr. Mehl-Madrona's tentative attempt at telling a story to the cynical patient, himself a psychologist, who groans with sarcasm as the story begins. As it continued, he was intrigued, however, and even hazards a guess at the meaning, to which guess the doctor gives an ambiguous confirmation. The great part of this passage is how Dr. Mehl-Madrona successfully enacts the role of enigmatic shaman even though he himself is still unsure of the story's meaning.

Coyote Medicine also discusses the role of the supernatural in shamanic healing, and the perception of magic and nature. For anyone who ever sat in the woods or even on his aparment steps late at night and felt a mystical connection to something unseen and bigger than himself, Coyote Medicine is a kindred spirit.

At one point the author goes on his vision quest and meets his power animals and is given shamanic healing tools. We as readers are present at many important moments in his life, including personal and family struggles (his first wife, according to the book, seemed to wrestle his children away from him and resented his shamanic efforts), professional travails (Dr. Mehl-Madrona's questioning intelligence, sense of dignity for the patient and also his holistic beliefs created friction with several different western medical institutions). When, at the end of the book, the author finds an accepting partner and on a professional level, a venue where he could combine holistic healing with Western, we feel as thought a close friend has triumphed in the face of great odds.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in healing, either for herself or others, and also about finding one's own individual path, as difficult as and untraveled as it might be, but that is true to the traveler.

Many blessings on this book and thank you Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona.

Robert Murray Diefendorf, Author of Release the Butterfly

"Coyote Medicine" is a tremendous source of insight and experience within the path of shamanism and health. Dr. Mehl-Madrona's story-telling is magnificent and at times very suspenseful hitting directly on our sensitive health and spiritual issues we face culturally. But, he doesn't give you easy answers, because his path to becoming a healer was very complex. For me, this book opened up parts of my consciousness and answered questions I was asking and some of those I hadn't yet asked. This book was truly a God-send and I am savoring every word I read.

I enjoyed this book very much! It is full of truths ! I believe as does this man. I look forward to reading any book he writes.It was a easy read and on a level that I understood completely.I laughed and cried with his stories.I just loved it!

Within the first few pages of Coyote Oak, I was captivated. I felt like I could see this dream world. Then the author managed to bring me back into the real world with the same interest and detail. The relationship dynamics are real and interesting. I loved this book and found it easy to read.

Reviewed by LuAnn Morgan for RebeccasReads (6/08)


James Davidson had a dream. That doesn't seem unusual at first glance, but when he finds out that his wife, Andrea, and hundreds of others had the same dream, it begins to strike him as just a little odd. It gets even stranger when he is confronted by huge talking birds from another world, and then he meets two of the people he dreamt about.

As James begins to transcend dimensions and learns more about the creatures he encounters, his own world is turned upside down. Others who join the group that have gathered on his farm seem to have a connection to the events that is rarely questioned.
Although James is the main person the aliens have focused on, Andrea takes the events more in stride than he does. She develops an almost extrasensory connection with the bird-like beings that appears spiritual in nature.

"The Coyote Oak" is a fascinating study of what transpires when what we have is taken for granted. The reader is taken on a journey that is unforgettable. We learn that everything we do has an effect on the people, plants and animals around us. We also learn the meaning of helping others and the effect that also has on others.

This is a book of compassion, concern and responsibility. Weaving Native American tradition, spiritualism, philosophy, parapsychology, quantum physics and other knowledge and beliefs, Carlisle Bergquist creates a fantastic adventure of the will to survive when the elements are against us. He uses an extraordinary imagination to weave a tale that makes one pause and re-evaluate their own life and the world around us.
Myth and reality combine to bring the reader to a new level of understanding.

"The Coyote Oak" was a difficult book to read. Each page makes you pause and reflect on what Bergquist is teaching you through the characters in this engaging story.
He could very well have created a tale that could rival some of the accounts told by Stephen King, Ray Bradbury and others who have, in the past, woven unique and rare stories.

"The Coyote Oak" is a captivating tale of mystery, spirituality, healing and connection to the Creator. Carlisle Bergquist successfully captures your mind then magically weaves you through the inner workings of his imagination.

This book drew me in immediately. The author's poetic style and vivid storytelling were magnetic. An enchanting tale of everyday mysticism and nature and the power of dreams.

"A fascinating read that takes a leap outside the ordinary, and guides you on a mystical journey that effortlessly stretches ones mind, and shows that life is in fact far from the ordinary. Like the perfect fairy tale, The Coyote Oak is cool drink from a tall glass of creativity, and is a refreshing read where fantasy lightly taps you on the shoulder as a reminder that we are all connected, and that every action prompts a reaction. Best of all, it leads you to a little corner of paradise where one can simply marvel at the magnificent creation of life again - `cause it's a biggie! Read this book, and it will make you glow with excitement, recharge your energy, and will help you make wiser choices in life."
Lisa D. Smith, Southwest Blend Magazine.

December 14, 2005

Woonsocket Harris Public Library Board of Trustees
Diane Rivers, Chair
Dorian Parker, Vice-Chair
Lisa Sparks, Secretary
John Pellizzari
Ernest "Buddy" DiSpirito
303 Clinton Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895-3214
Fax: 401-767-4140

Dear Members of the Woonsocket Harris Public Library Board of Trustees,

On behalf of the 2,900 members of PEN American Center, an international organization of writers dedicated to protecting freedom of expression wherever it is threatened, we are writing to express our deep concern over the fact that the Woonsocket Public Library Trustees are considering a request to ban It Stops with Me: Memoir of a Canuck Girl written by native Woonsocket author-artist Charleen Touchette.

We understand that a citizen request to ban the book was made at the Library Trustees' September meeting. The Library Trustees removed the book from the Woonsocket Harris Public Library shelves after the September meeting pending a decision.

It Stops with Me: Memoir of a Canuck Girl, the latest work by author-artist Charleen Touchette, invites you into the provincial world of a French Canadian girl in Rhode Island who cannot tell anybody her family secrets. Years later when she has her first daughter she must relive her childhood to heal the future generations of her family. It is a story of survival and triumph as a victim of childhood abuse and was written for an adult audience. The novel tells a realistic story with complex figures. Such books help readers approach sensitive topics and figure out how to deal with them. Even if the novel's themes are too mature for some, they will be meaningful to others. No book is right for everyone, and the role of the library is to allow community members to make choices according to their own interests, experiences, and family values.

Author Charleen Touchette, a member of our colleague organizations PEN USA and the Author's Guild, advocates for the freedom to write worldwide. It Stops with Me has been praised by authors Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Louise Erdrich, Margaret Randall, Ana Pacheco, and Winona LaDuke, and received a Foreword Book of the Year 2004 Finalist Award.

PEN American Center respectfully asks you to deny the request to ban It Stops with Me: Memoir of a Canuck Girl and to return it to library shelves. By doing so, you will be upholding a fundamental principle of freedom: the right of all Americans to read, inquire, question, and think for themselves.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Hannah Pakula

Larry Siems
Chair, Freedom to Write Committee Director, Freedom to Write
and International Programs

"This book is incredible." Louise Erdrich
"beautiful book." Lawrence Ferlinghetti
"Tough, evocative, border-crossing, honest, unflinching...large enough so it can embrace its readers. Margaret Randall, Author. PEN NM Lifetime Achievement Awardee 2005
"An emotion-charged story of initial struggle and ultimate success...a must in any library collection." Book Wire
"magnificent in its courage and decency." Sam Ballen Author Without Reservations.

Great Reads - New Mexico Magazine, April 2005 p. 45.
Personal Journeys: More Than Just Survival by Michelle Miller Allen
"Our girlhood years, formed in various cultures and family configurations-from the most abusive to the most loving-and tempered by the social prejudices and taboos of one's time-are where we begin our journeys into adulthood. These factors have much to do with whether we will just survive or become empowered by the most demanding, even devastating, events on our individual paths.
It Stops with Me: Memoir of a Canuck Girl by Charleen Touchette (TouchArt Books 2004) Touchette's memoir opens the doors into the lives of women who shaped her childhood into adulthood-the healers, storytellers, homemakers, and artists. This most compelling book includes fascinating color and black and white reproductions of the author's artwork over three decades. The book charts Touchette's journey from a French Canadian/RhodeIsland childhood at the hands of an abusive alcoholic father, to Wellesley College, to New York City's culture of arts, to Minnesota and Indian Country.
Touchette combines the voice of the reminiscing adult writer/artist with that of a child obsessed with "making things" as a survival mechanism. Abusive parents seem to bank on the false assumption that their children, as adults, will not remember abuse. Yet anyone who doubts the intelligence and level of awareness in a young, abused human being should read the end of Chapter "Forsythia Blossoms": "I do not know when I started fighting back. I do not have a memory of when Daddy started hitting me. I was too young. But I do remember clearly the moment when I looked up at my dad's face, and realized he was a fool. I was seven."

Reviewer Jennifer Lefkowitz chose "It Stops with Me" as the Book Special for "Girlfriends Magazine" November 2005 issue, p. 58 with two color photos of Touchette's art.

"It Stops with Me: Memoir of a Cannuck Girl"

"Charleen Touchette's memoir is healing and cathartic, a story of survival and triumph as a victim of childhood abuse. The author is an artist, and throughout the book she showcases her paintings, which resemble the work of painter Frida Kahlo. Like Kahlo, Touchette survived vehicle collisions; after a spine injury she is able to connect her past to her present. This compelling memoir dives into the dark trenches of that past, confronting memories with ancient practices. "I learned it is the task of all human beings to cut through the fog and illusion of maya, and reconnect with the light." A - Jennifer Lefkowitz

"Water Illumination" (top) and "Boom Boom Boom" are two of the many paintings which illustrate the author's journey."

Charleen Touchette's story "The Pie Religion" is online in the May issue of Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines

"What a loving, touching article! I could see, smell, hear everything, thanks to your beautiful descriptions. And what memories of my own childhood you brought back; we, too, had a pie religion among the women in our large family. My mother even had a modest business of making pies for the restaurants and the hotel in our little Northern Vermont town.
Indeed, the secret to pie-making is passed on from mother to daughter to daughter as a sacred tradition.
Thanks for a great read!
I've recommended your article to several people, with my comment that if I could write as well as you, I'd give up quilting and stitching...and making pies!"
Louise Dubrule

An autobiography of a spunky Franco-American woman from Woonsocket, Rhode Island gives cultural storytelling multi-generational appeal. Too many Franco-Americans (with ancestral roots in French-Canada) are quickly amalgamating into the mainstream of American culture without writing their special family stories. Fortunately, Charleen Touchette, a Woonsocket, Rhode Island writer and artist now living in New Mexico, puts both of her pleasingly creative talents together in "It Stops With Me: Memoir of a Cannuck Girl".
Touchette writes about her Franco-American roots by relating simple, often bittersweet and even brutal experiences growing up as a typical French Catholic girl in Woonsocket and later as an accomplished artist.
Moreover, Touchette energizes her autobiography's prose with a series of original black, and white and color print blocks. In other words, "It Stops With Me" expresses Touchette's Franco-American creativity using prose accentuated by her surprisingly cutting edge original art describing absorbing coming of age experiences. Her journey from a parochial Franco-American into her adult life is fraught with opportunities, along with unexpected harsh challenges. Her life is ordinary in some ways but hardly a nostalgic cake walk.
"It Stops With Me" is at its best when Touchette looks back and elevates normal Franco-American experiences to familiarities we can identify with. For example, she describes cooking with her "Ma Tantes" or getting ready to receive First Holy Communion at Woonsocket's Eglise Précieux-Sang (Church of Precious Blood).
Discord arises at a young age. Growing up as a French Roman Catholic girl is an underlying theme. Touchette's typical childhood is without the benefit of feeling safe at home, as she depicts in one of her portraits of a "Not a Picture Perfect Family".
Rather, Touchette's absorbing life story endures familial stress, social and personal conflicts, even leading to physical ailments, which haunt her into adult years.
Touchette's hard hitting narrative is set apart from others of the modern autobiographic genre by the intimate and complicated relationships she shares with her family. Delving even deeper into her private spiral are the intense personal investigations Touchette undertakes with regard to her sad relationship with her father.
Nevertheless, in spite of the particular circumstances, it's typical of Franco-Americans to harbor deep attachments for their relatives and parents regardless of obvious flaws, shortcomings or even family violence. Female family role models are especially strong in Touchette's life. "Although my Maman was a devout Catholic, she was a strong supporter of my right to freedom of expression," writes Touchette. In fact, her female relatives were outraged when Touchette even considered not going to college after high school. In her Woonsocket Franco-Americans world, Touchette writes about how curious it was to be singled out for college when no other woman in her family ever went beyond a high school education.
Throughout the autobiography, her French heritage is front and center, even when she embraces the peace of Judaism.
Many of the book's chapters are charmingly led by simple French titles.
Touchette's talent as a creative writer moves the reader beyond the dark side of her autobiography. Using the power of words, she inspires us to learn more about her as an individual woman with a spellbinding story to tell. Touchette does a good job explaining the pros and cons of the personal contrasts she inherited from her religious and ethnic roots. This is a well written autobiography, nominated for book awards, with a progressive social focus.

I first read this book many years ago and bring it out every so often to refresh Two Trees' persona in my mind. This book is full of the author's love for his subject and he passes this on to the reader with great art. The story is in some ways so terribly sad that it is almost unbearable, but Two Trees and his love for nature and his dog can really only ultimately express joy and wonder. I just love this book and hope everyone who reads it follows Two Trees' wish to pass this extraordinary story along.

Some people talk about spirit like it is taught in "Indian 101", but you can experience something very soulful and ancient in the words and earth here.

Joe Two Trees is the last of his tribe. New York in the early twentieth century is not for him. Or is it? As a native New Yorker with a passion for the past, I loved this beautiful story. Whenever I return home, I can no longer visit the Bronx (especially Pelham Bay) without thinking of Joe and his relationship with Theodore Kazimoroff's father. The writing is lovely, and the story evokes all sorts of feelings at so many levels. It was my Aunt, a former teacher, who told me that I should read this book. It has become one of those novels that I recommend to others regularly.

The Last Algonquin is a sad but heartwarming story about a man and his attempts to come to grips with his place in the world. The fact that this man, Joe Two Trees, is the last of his tribe of the Algonquin's makes his journey that much harder and more interesting. If you are looking for an official history of the American Indians, this isn't the book for you. However, if you are looking for a deep and touching story of one American Indian, and what we as a nation have lost by ignoring the heritage of American Indians, then you will enjoy this book. Mr. Kazimiroff has done an excellent job of preserving the story given to him by his father and keeping the memory of Joe Two Trees and the Algonquin Indians alive.

This is a must read, especially for those of us raised in the Pelham Bay section of Bronx. The tale of The Last Algonquin is inspiring and heartwarming. And, I hope that Mr. Kazimiroff realizes that he has given The Bronx, the Algonquin Indians and his father the immortality they truly deserve.
Remember as long as someone tells( hears or reads) this tale, the story of Joe Two Trees will continue to live on among the rocks and trees of Pelham Bay Park.

I'm obsessed with books. I read everything. I have my splurges; when buy a lot, so much in fact, that I lose track. This book came in a whirlwind of other books, and I have to admit I put it down at first. After reading some flowing, poetic literature, I had a hard time to get into this simple, raw writing style that cut to the heart of the matter. So, I put it away after a while and eventually forgot about it.

A year --yes a year, can you imagine it?!-- passed and a lot of things happened. My mom got very ill (she's completely disabled now) my dad got heart problems and my autistic brother became quite a handful. I have always been a very active person, in school as well in sports, but health problems have left me always tired, out of breath. My grades are going down the drain and I haven't had the strength to participate in sports for over 3 months. I had a meltdown.

Tonight, I was looking through my books --I have insomnia as well: many books of mine have been read twice or more because of it-- and the white cover of Petra's book caught my eye. I decided to give it another chance, and read all of it in one sitting. It's 5 am now, and I'm getting headaches from sitting behind this laptop, but I felt I had to share the impact such a small book made on me.

Up until 10 pm, I was sulking in my situation, wondering all these vain things like "why did this have to happen to us?"

Petra's book shows me that you can always move forward no matter what the circumstances are. Her childhood in the then communist Chech republic was tough, but she focussed on the small treasures of life. She took a chance with modeling, and persisted even though it sometimes meant traveling for hours and being sent home after not getting much more than one glance cast her way. She moved to Milan without knowing the language and she kept positive even though she worked long hours and ate like a bird.

Then she met Simon, and he brightened her life--and the book-- if even only for such a short time. Losing such a wonderful man must've made it made it even harder for her. The book is written in great detail, but it never lingers in insignificant things. It's a truly inspiring story, about the treasures of life, and how great tragedies can bring people to do great things in the most unexpected moments.

For me, it was a kick in the butt telling me make something of my life. I've been tired for ages, but I'm full of energy now. I'm 20, supposedly in my prime. I better make it so. With all the health problems going on in my family, this grey sadness has swept over us, dragging is in one by one. I'm not going to let it happen. Neither did Petra. She's a wonderful woman and I hope that one day she might find a man who fills her with as much love as Simon did during the short time he was in her life.

5 stars for this book!

This book was a great read. It's very intense and it describes everything she went through with great detail. I first saw Petra on tv and on the Oprah show, she as well as many others went through a lot during that horrible ordeal. She was brave to live this experience all over again while writing this book. The story takes you from where she began her life to the horrible day of the tsunami. It is written with such detail that your imagination just takes you to the place & time of this disaster.

I have this book for a while now and still haven't wrote a review on this book yet. I have been reading this book more than once, it simply moved me. The love story between Petra and Simon is written so beautifully. I feel so sorry for Petra for losing such a wonderful man. She is really a strong woman, after having to go through so many downs, she is still positive in life. I really admire her for this, thank you Petra for writing such a wonderful book.

This is not your typical 'Romance" book. This is a true love novel! This book has everything~from the first spark of innocent love to the full blown tragedy of a broken heart of the worst, unimaginable kind! The story of the author is one of bravery, steadfastness and determination, thankfully unknown to the majority of readers. Yet the author continues to show grace, while enduring the worst of situations...only to be rewarded life's greatest gifts! She is indeed and inspiration to all...to remember that after all tragedy....comes hope.

This book is heartbreaking, and very moving. Petra did a great job on her first novel. This isn't all about the tsunami, and the aftermath, as many reviewers have showed it to be. Many chapters deal with her life before the tsunami, and her road to becoming a model. She certainly had an interesting life! It is a quick read, but I recommend it!

I loved this book. It has made an excellent addition to my library of Native American spirituality and practices. There is much in it that is relevant and useful. The Cherokee have a beautiful way of looking at the world.

I have read several books by the Garretts and find them all to be wonderful sources of information and brings my Cherokee heritage home to rest in my heart. Thank You.

The Garretts pull from their experieces from the "real world," as well as their healings and practical experience with the Cherokee to give us excellent starting points in helping ourselves and others. For such a thin book, there is a lot of advice hidden in the stories and accounts, if you know what to look for.

I really enjoyed reading this material and consider it the best for Individuals of Indian ancestry who still believe in the Traditional Ways.

This is a must read book for first time people into the world of the Native americans. It will open a whole new door that you will bring out of it is the respect for all living things and for Morther Earth. The book helps you understand that certain things are sacred to the Native Americans and how it ties into their beliefs. Once you read this book you will begin to see things through the eyes of a different race, but from the point of a Native American. You will learn differemt ways of praying and saying thanks to mother nature. You will take things from the book and apllied to your everyday life. Wah Doh.