Travelers, spiritualists, and historians will likely enjoy this LA survey.
A tour through the ethereal side of Los Angeles.
Auman’s book takes readers on a free-wheeling tour of New Age and other spiritual sites in and around LA, which some people consider to be a center of spirit energy. The book also features landmarks of traditional religions, such as the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, and sacred monuments of Native American peoples. Auman, a fine storyteller, will engage readers with her accounts of historical events, urban legends, and longtime mysteries—among them, the monthlong disappearance of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, founder of the Foursquare Church. The guide also includes a smattering of homes and haunts of the famous, including those of the late bestselling author Carlos Castaneda. The author takes occasional detours to places with only tangential ties to spiritualism, including restaurants, bookstores, and an apartment building, but most have an otherworldly air to them, such as the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga, a vegan-friendly gourmet restaurant and shop. A few others, such as Canter’s Deli, seem to have been included only because they are popular with celebrities, which seems digressive. Still, some sites are so far off the beaten path they may even surprise longtime Angelenos, and all feature detailed descriptions with often stunning photographs, some full-page. Many of the latter show majestic, architecturally interesting churches, missions, and temples with blooming gardens. The startling Templo Santa Muerte, for instance, features a mural of an oversized hooded skeleton head surrounded by candles and celestial images. Auman often shows respect for the belief systems she mentions, but a few chapter titles, such as “Spirituality in a Speedo,” seem less reverent. Overall, the author’s deep knowledge of LA’s spiritual landscape and you-are-there writing style make this an engaging and informative read.
Travelers, spiritualists, and historians will likely enjoy this LA survey.Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-945085-09-3
Page Count: 264
Publisher: Green Tara Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.
The late actor offers a gentle guide for living with more purpose, love, and joy.
Mixing poetry, prescriptive challenges, and elements of memoir, Heche (1969-2022) delivers a narrative that is more encouraging workbook than life story. The author wants to share what she has discovered over the course of a life filled with abuse, advocacy, and uncanny turning points. Her greatest discovery? Love. “Open yourself up to love and transform kindness from a feeling you extend to those around you to actions that you perform for them,” she writes. “Only by caring can we open ourselves up to the universe, and only by opening up to the universe can we fully experience all the wonders that it holds, the greatest of which is love.” Throughout the occasionally overwrought text, Heche is heavy on the concept of care. She wants us to experience joy as she does, and she provides a road map for how to get there. Instead of slinking away from Hollywood and the ridicule that she endured there, Heche found the good and hung on, with Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford starring as particularly shining knights in her story. Some readers may dismiss this material as vapid Hollywood stuff, but Heche’s perspective is an empathetic blend of Buddhism (minimize suffering), dialectical behavioral therapy (tolerating distress), Christianity (do unto others), and pre-Socratic philosophy (sufficient reason). “You’re not out to change the whole world, but to increase the levels of love and kindness in the world, drop by drop,” she writes. “Over time, these actions wear away the coldness, hate, and indifference around us as surely as water slowly wearing away stone.” Readers grieving her loss will take solace knowing that she lived her love-filled life on her own terms. Heche’s business and podcast partner, Heather Duffy, writes the epilogue, closing the book on a life well lived.
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781627783316
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Viva Editions
Review Posted Online: Feb. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023
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