THYROID POWER
10 Steps to Total Health
by RICHARD L. SHAMES, M.D.
and KARILEE HALO SHAMES, R.N., Ph.D.
HarperResource
$25 (hardcover)

reviewed by Ariele M. Huff

Two weeks ago, I was seated on the floor of a local bookstore, surrounded by heaps of books and searching for any kind of help with my pesky diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis. I’d found books on simple low or high thyroid problems, but couldn’t find anything dealing with the new issue of autoimmune diseases.

When asked, many of my friends have told me they have fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, Addison’s, or some other autoimmune problem, but when I press them about diets, supplements, or other alternative advice, they’ve all shared that the only source for answers has been experimentation — and word-of-mouth solutions.

WISDOM OF THE ANIMALS
Communication Between Animals
and the People Who Love Them
by RAPHAELA POPE and ELIZABETH MORRISON
Adams Media Corporation
$12.95 (softcover)

reviewed by Ariele M. Huff

If you are an animal lover, the stories in Wisdom of the Animals will touch your heart. If you’ve ever wondered about the way psychics, particularly animal communicators, work, the book is almost a step-by-step travelogue for a journey into that kind of thinking.

The book answers the enticing question, "If animals could talk, what would they say?" Whether you believe that the authors actually communicate with animals or not, asking the question should lead any reader down a fascinating path. Exploring how animals experience our treatment of them and the world around them seems a valid extension of personal spiritual growth work.

LOVE AND THE WORLD
A Guide to Conscious Soul Practice
by ROBERT SARDELLO
Lindisfarne Books
$16.95 (softcover)

reviewed by Christian Malcher

Words are powerful entities. Sometimes they are mirrors that capture time and being; other times they are the beholders of wisdom, magic, and beauty; and, at still other times, they transform and create the world. In the book Love and the World, words facilitate a deep transformation: they touch the innermost part of the self, turning it into consciousness and creating a new way of perceiving ourselves and everything and everyone around us.

The author, psychoanalyst Robert Sardello, defines a new psychology: "Spiritual psychology is an active practice that develops embodied, conscious soul life to make that life open and receptive to the spiritual realms. This is done as an act of love towards ourselves, others, and the world."

MOONLIGHT ON THE GANGA
by CLAIRE KRULIKOWSKI
DayBue Publishing Ink
$14.95 (softcover)

reviewed by Mirra Lee

How does one review a book that’s so lyrical it could have been set to music — in its entirety?

Ms. Krulikowski, a local author and frequent New Times contributor, traveled to India to help prepare an ashram for a dedication ceremony, to write about that event, and to complete final chapters on a biography — or so she thought. She quickly discovered that Spirit had other ideas about the purpose and meaning of her trip. Her insights, written as a series of spiritual essays, are poetically captured in this wonderful book.


ONLINE reviews by Maria Marsala

Would you like to conduct research to help you or your business? The links below are for free programs that will assist you in your Internet travels and computing in general. While you’re at it, visit last year’s "Online" column on this topic at <http://www.thenewtimes.org/issue/0005/online.html>.

Xenu's Link Sleuth™
<http://home.snafu.de/tilman/xenulink.html>
Statistics show that when you have broken links (links to other sites, or pages within your own, that don't work) on your Web site, visitors will leave it. This program will check all your links and report back to you pronto!

Download.com
<http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10000.html?tag=stbc.gp>
Wondering what programs other people are downloading on the Web? This site will give you the answer, and allow you to download these programs too.

Outlook 2000 Personal Folders Backup
<http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/Pfbackup.aspx>
Automatically back up your Outlook files to a zip drive, external drive, or another place on your computer (includes most files, filters, address books, etc.), or back them up to move them to another computer.

The Newbie Club Academy™
<http://newbieclub.com/cgi-bin/sgx/d.cgi?academy-mariasplace>
Whether you’re a computing/Internet beginner or just don’t "get" certain topics, you’ll find free eBooks and e-mail courses that will make a pro out of you at this helpful and user-friendly site.

Free personal development, Internet, marketing tips, quizzes too. E-zine and articles online. By Maria Marsala, life and business development coach, consultant, teacher, and author. Explore <http://www.coachmaria.com/> and expand your world!