Book (Re)Marks

2010-06-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

I recently read The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis (CSL from here on). This book was published in England in 1943. It can be a tough little three-chapter book to understand, but if you have a philosophy background it will be easier.

In my opinion, this is a philosophical argument by C. S. Lewis (CSL from here on) in favor of teaching man how to live a life with good moral behavior. I think this book is an argument for teaching traditional morality, and a prophecy about how humanity could end up if we do not instill the knowledge of moral behavior in each child. Further, CSL specifies that the moral behavior he espouses is based on traditional morality (which he generically calls “Tao”).

Ch. 1 Men Without Chests
In the first chapter he shows us what started his thinking (the little green book), why it started his thinking (the authors’ “simple” statement), and what problem he saw in the authors' "instructions." The “little green book” that is referenced by CSL in the first chapter of this book was published as a school text on how to write. However, CSL identifies it, not as a writing textbook, but as a book of philosophy. He points out that the authors are teaching children that to say that the waterfall is "sublime" is really saying that the speaker is speaking of his emotion, not of the value of the waterfall (cascade). Further, the authors of the “little green book” are conditioning the children to discount any subjective statement that involves a value statement because it IS subjective emotion, therefore has no value. Lewis states that the head (of man) is where knowledge is held, and that the gut is where visceral urges are held. The chest is where we put the instruction for how man is supposed to behave appropriately (morally) on visceral urges. If one takes the chest away, we end up with adults (men) who don't know how to act morally upon their urges.

Ch. 2 The Way
In the second chapter, Lewis explains traditional morality; The Way, which he gives the generic title, "Tao." He shows how major cultures have traditional morals that instruct people what it is to behave rightly or wrongly on emotions. He also explains that anyone who tries to work outside the "Tao" is really like a branch on a tree rebelling against the tree. Any argument they make is still based on bits and pieces of the Tao, but they don't see that.

Ch. 3 The Abolition of Man
In the third chapter, CSL goes on to explain that the long-term effect on students will not be noticed by the students, but will turn the students into adults who will not know how to behave properly (men without chests, chapter 1). Taken to its ultimate, logical extreme, the seemingly innocuous philosophical statement made by the authors of “the little green book” at the beginning of their book will end up in the abolition of man.

My Conclusion: Look at the world around us. I’d say that CSL’s prophecy is our reality. What do you think?

2010-06-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last post.

I'm sure you can tell that my website has NOT changed. That's because I learned that the package I thought I was getting was not what I would actually get. My misunderstanding. At this point, I just need to learn how to use the "storefront" software that I'm paying for, and then I'll have some of my books on my site.

Another thing that's missing is the video tour of the shop. I have video, and I have pictures. But I don't presently have the time to learn the editing software. Consequently, I'm looking to a professional to create my video which I will then upload to my site.

Lastly, I have decided that the primary focus of this blog will be reviews of books I've read/am reading. This is the fun part for me!

So, see you in a few days with a new post. And thank you for stopping by.

BookWoman!

2010-04-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

Hope you finished your taxes and have filed them. How many of you believe, as Harry Reid apparently does, that we voluntarily give our taxes to the government? Really.

I saw a very appropriate bumper sticker this morning on my way to the shop. It read, "Don't spread my wealth, spread my ethic." Boy is that a mouthful of truth!

I have learned how to place the pictures on my site so that when you click on them they will get bigger. That should help you see the remarkable chalk artists and their work better. Now, I'm waiting until the 20th for the Intuit folks to get with me to put up my even newer and more improved website. By then everything (incl. the email) should work right. I'm all excited and tingly! I just need to figure out how to put on a virtual "ribbon cutting." We'll see what we can do.

Thank you for sticking with me.

BookWokman

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

Sorry I'm late...but I'm back.

2010-04-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Folks, it's been a while, and I've tried to do a number of things that I've been wanting to do. I have had to rethink some things. And I've decided to make some big changes, as long as I've made the move to the Intuit website hosting.

First, I made a video tour of the Bookshop. I even uploaded it to youtube. However, in spite of the fact that it uploaded, I can't upload it to my website or even put a link to the youtube url for my video because it's 20 minutes long. Yes, 20 minutes. But I told you it would be raw at first.

I've decided that, rather than just putting something together in order to just have anything, I will just redo it. (It really needs editing, anyway...it's way too amateurish right now.) What will eventually come about will probably be a short video, accompanied by a number of still shots. Or, maybe a narrated slide show will make more sense. Chances are it will change a bit along the way, because I'm doing it. And frankly, I'm just now learning how to put up a website, how to use digital cameras to maximize the look and effect of my website, etc.

Which brings me to the part about the BIG changes I'm having made to my website. I have asked the INTUIT folks to design a storefront for me. I plan to sell used books, obviously, from my own site. Eventually it will include t-shirts, totes, jewelry and such. But my goal is to put my whole inventory on the internet, available to anyone in real time. So whether I sell in the brick and mortar store or from this website, the inventory will be updated in real time.

I covet your prayers to get it right. You might even ask the Lord to make my brain work right so I can understand and learn all that I need to do, yet.

This is all so much fun! Thank you for sharing this with me.

BookWoman

Video Tour Coming Soon

2010-03-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hello again, Good Neighbors,

I made an amateurish video tour yesterday, thinking I could put up the raw tape today. However, the video is 20 minutes long, and that's too long for my web site building package and for youtube. Oh, well.

Looks like I'll have to make changes faster than I expected, if I am to get something up within the next week.

The great thing is that I am learning so much just going through this process. Technology has sure made life more interesting. It's a double-edged sword, but when it is used well, it sure does benefit us.

See you soon.......

BookWoman

2010-03-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

Lord! when you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book. ~Christopher Morley

History is full of stories. In fact, that is how history was passed to us...as stories. Before there was writing, there was oral tradition and cave paintings. Eventually we learned to write and read and we wrote on everything. Stone, sheep skin, papyrus, etc. And the joy of telling nonhistorical stories developed in like manner.

These days, there are millions of stories out there. What amazes me today is that, with all the hundreds of televison channels available to us, how often there truly is "nothing" on TV that's worth watching. Thank God for books! You can always find something interesting to stimulate your brain in a good book.

And at Sleepy Hollow Bookshop, we have over 50,000 used books at your disposal, for half the price (or lower) than new. Drop by, take your time and browse through our offerings.

We're open 10-6 pm weekdays, 10-5 Saturdays, Closed on Sundays.

God Bless.

BookWoman

Are books going to disappear? Watch this, and decide for yourselves....

2010-03-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

Every day someone comes into the shop and tells me that books will some day be obsolete. Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.....literally. Enjoy this clever video.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weq_sHxghcg

God Bless,

BookWoman

Why is St. Patrick so famous?

2010-03-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

The following article was written by Bob Snelling, a Centurion, and he has given permission to have this posted here.

St. Patrick is a fascinating character, and everyone knows he was a Catholic, but not many people know that the Lord used him to save Christianity. The following article doesn't give the complete story, but it does give a good overview of Patrick's impact. Just remember, the real reason he is celebrated is because he not only impacted the wild Druids and Ireland for God, but that God used him to Christianize Ireland, England, and to reinvigorate Christianity in Europe. Because of his influence in Ireland, the Druids also became accomplished scribes and religious artists (as evidenced by their Celtic crosses, and the book of Kells, among other things). In later years, this was proven to have preserved the sacred writings of Christianity.

Now, on to Mr. Snelling's article:

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My quiet moments during the month of March often cause me to reflect on my days in the state legislature. Each year the pace had become frantic by early March as we were concluding our annual session and aiming for the final, "Sine Die", adjournment for the year. Speaker Tom Murphy, whose surname is the most common in Ireland, labored very diligently every year so that we would finish our work in time for him to travel to Savannah to enjoy the Saint Patrick's Day celebration. We had to finish by the 15th!

Saint Patrick's Day is here once again where memories abound of leprechauns, Irish hats, harps, Celtic music and dancing, and even the green beer of Savannah, GA. Why do we celebrate the man? Who was he? Where did he come from? Questions like these led me to find two good books that shed a great deal of light on their answers; "How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill, and "St. Patrick of Ireland" by Philip Freeman.

I found both authors to be honest in that they did not inflate Patrick's story beyond the historical evidence that can be found. Patrick left two letters written in his own hand that include a broad look at his life while omitting much detail. Enough is included, however, that a very accurate biographical portrait is revealed.

While the actual year is in doubt, Patrick was born in the latter half of the fourth century in a town near the western coast of Britain. As a young man he enjoyed a life of privilege in a landowning, aristocratic family when a shocking event changed his life forever. While still a teenager he was kidnapped from his own bedroom by a band of barbaric professional slave raiders and transported to Ireland to be sold as a slave. He served a single master for six years working primarily as a shepherd, often alone in the wooded hills and far from regular food and shelter.

Patrick himself wrote that during those long and tiring years he began to pray and, for the first time, slowly adopted the Christian faith of his youth against which he had rebelled while living at home. One night he heard a message from God telling him that his "ship was ready". He escaped and found his way to a port quite a distance away and was offered passage back to Britain where he subsequently was reunited with his family. But Patrick was not settled and began to sense that his purpose was to return to Ireland and share the good news of his newfound Faith.

He responded to that inner calling and returned to Ireland. During his years there he dealt with local kings, Druids, those engaged in a variety of agricultural enterprises, and others. His task among the Irish people involved taking many risks and the very shrewd ability to make deals sometimes to stay alive. But, Patrick did just that. History shows that the pagan Irish became a Christian people as Patrick lived his entire life devoted to the calling he first sensed in the renewed comfort of his home in Britain. It wasn't until centuries later, after the Barbarians moved to control the European continent and ransack Rome, that the Irish, now civilized because of Patrick, found a way to preserve in art and literature many of the cultural and religious artifacts so important to the historical record of western civilization.

Patrick's unswerving commitment to his call certainly deserves celebrating as has been done in one form or another since 1737 in the United States. The holiday is also observed throughout the entire British Commonwealth and beyond. Tradition holds that March 17th is the day Saint Patrick died.
Speaker Thomas B. Murphy, the well-known Irishman now deceased, knew he had a very good reason to finish lawmaking in time to celebrate the life of the Patron Saint of Ireland. And, I'm certain that he would join me as I close in good Irish fashion offering my Irish blessing to you as we once again remember Patrick.

"May love and laughter light your days and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!" Happy St. Patrick's Day all!

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Yes, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

BookWoman

2010-03-16T18:41:00.003-07:00

2010-03-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

Sleepy Hollow Bookshop's website has successfully changed hosts. I plan to post a video tour of the shop on my website within the next couple of weeks, so be looking for that.

St. Patrick's day is two days away! If you're looking for something Irish to put you in an Irish mood, Sleepy Hollow Bookshop has books on and about Ireland, novels with Irish attitude, and more. So get your green out, and don't forget that necklace with the flashing green lights you bought last year!

May the Lord bless you until the next time!

BookWoman

Glitches

2010-03-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

Well, every time I get on my site I'm encountering glitches. I hope that's not the case with you. However, I will be dealing with these things tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience, and God Bless until tomorrow!

BookWoman

2010-03-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

Yay!. I was just informed that my website has officially been transferred! And I'm glad they did it without taking me offline during the entire move.

So welcome to my new, improved and updated website. I'm still working through a few minor things, but for the most part, I'm thrilled to be with my new host.

Pretty soon I'll actually have pictures, a video tour of the store, and an internet storefront of my own!

Thank you again for visiting this site.

See you soon!

BookWoman

Both Sites Still Up, for now

2010-03-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

Good day.

It looks like both Sleepy Hollow Bookshop sites are still up as the processing continues on the transfer of my web hosts. Thankfully.

Well, Midland seems to have come into about four or five warmer and sunnier days. It's a nice respite for those with cabin fever. I must say, though, that we really can't complain about our winter. We've had a fairly mild one here, even while many other areas of our country have had to endure a heckuva lot more snow than we've had.

Enjoy your days. And we look forward to seeing you soon!

God Bless,

Book Woman

2010-03-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

March 4, 2010

I'm back, and in the process of transferring my website from one hosting company to another. It looks like the site may be unavailable for a few days while the site is in transition, but I hope not. However, I am sorry for any inconvenience it might be to you, our potential customer.

We'll see you as soon as possible.

Thanks again,

BookWoman

2010-03-03T20:31:00.000-08:00

Good day to you!

This is the first of what I hope will be a long-term relationship with the friends and neighbors of Sleepy Hollow Bookshop.

First, I want to thank all of the Angels of Midland's used book shop, who have shown their passionate support of a quality, local book store. I am grateful for your unsolicited and passionate support of this enterprise. I thank you for your donations.

And to all of you who have exchanged your used books for in-store credit, I appreciate your support of this business. I love that the business model used for this enterprise results in a scenario where everyone involved wins. I get operating capital, the trader gets up to 1/2 of my prices, and the purchaser of the used book(s) gets a great read for 1/2, or less, than the publishers SRP (suggested retail price).

Thank you to everyone who supports Sleepy Hollow Bookshop! And I look forward to meeting every one of you!

God bless your generous hearts!

BookWoman