This book is a highly personal and terribly moving look at therelationship between profound stress and cancer/cancer treatment. Theauthor tells the story of his wife, Jeanette Rowan, who was a prisoner of war for three years in Manila during World War II. In late mid-life Jeanette developed breast cancer that ultimately proved fatal. While never stooping to vilify the physicians who cared for her, the author does a wonderful job of using Jeanette's experience to set forth some interesting questions about what the optimal approach to cancer treatment might be for someone who had been so systematically, traumatically, and completely stripped of control during her formative years. William Rowan writes beautifully as Jeanette's husband and helpmate, and his writing is wonderfully informed by his own professional understanding of microbiology. *On the Spring Tide* would be very valuable for cancer patients, for their friends and families, for oncologists, and for therapists. Highly recommended!

This large and heavy two-volume set is the largest and most complete reference that I know of dealing with Philippine orchids. It was published in Pasig, Metro Manila in 1984 by the Eugenio Lopez Foundation Inc. The set weighs in at a hefty 17 pounds and measures 14" x 10.5" x 3" in the slipcase.

Volume 1 (360 p.) features predominantly text, but contains a a few photos and a lot of line drawings. There are six chapters, three appendices, a bibliography and index. Chapter 1: About Orchids (p.1-6); Ch. 2: History (p. 7-14) and A Folio of Botanical Paintings and Drawings (p.15-49; very lovely); Ch. 3: Geography and Climate (p. 49-57); Ch. 4: Endemism and Distribution of Philippine Orchids (p. 57-77); Ch. 5: Orchid classification (p. 77-83); Ch. 6: Philippine Orchidaceae (p. 83-328); Appendix 1: Orchid Authorities (useful list); App. 2: Changes in Nomenclature; App. 3: Glossary. The Geography and Climate chapter (3) includes maps of Soil Cover, Climate, Humidity, Rainfall, and Temperature. The maps in Chapter four are very pretty, each two full pages, and they include Distribution of Aerides,Vanda, Trichoglottis & Renanthera in Southeast Asia and the Philippines; Bulbophyllum; Dendrobium; Eria; Phalaenopsis; and the Southeast Asian Region Showing the Asiatic and Australian Continental Shelves with Wallace's and Weber's Lines. Individual species descriptions in Chapter 6 comprise the bulk of Volume one. There are four to five species on each page, with plant description and measurements, original publication information, locality and altitude. A very attractive feature of this volume are the large, stylized, dropped/descending initials with orchid background motifs, used in the text section headings, Index, and Bibliography.

Volume 2 features 260 full-page color plates, two appendices and an acknowledgements section. Appendix 1 covers the Flowering Seasons of Philippine Orchids (p. 253-310); Appendix 2 provides columnar tables of the Distribution of Philippine Orchids (p. 311-374). The photos include 21 Aerides, 38 Dendrobiums, 61 Phalaenopsis, and 10 Trichoglottis, and 31 Vandas. Other genera are represented by fewer than 10 photos each, giving you an idea of the variety of Philippine orchids. Many of these photos are truly stunning anlarger than life-size. In particular, there are several two-page photos, such as Trichoglottis brachiata, Vanda Merrillii and Vanda Sanderiana. The distribution tables identify the altititude range, general location of the species in Luzon, Visayas, Palawan or Mindano, and occurences in any foreign countries.

Available for US$358 from Koeltz Scientific Books in Germany, or US$250. from Tecson Orchids in the Philippines (plus postage).

This review is published in the monthly newsletter of the Houston Orchid Society, Houston Happenings. The Houston Orchid Society is sponsoring a workshop on Philippine Orchids, 3-4 August 2001. See our website for details: ...

Amante Marinas is an amazing martial artists. He is the most published fillipino martial artist, and reading this book will tell you why. Master Marinas is clear and to the point. He does not waste any time teaching or showing "pretty" moves. Just as "PO" says, "I teach my student things that they would use for a free fight." A MUST READ!!!

Just finished the book, and it's pretty hard to put into words what I feel. If I were Japanese, I would be ashamed, humiliated, and very concerned that my culture could/?can reach the depths of depravity that Dr. Bumgarner so matter-of-factly describes. The treatment of their POWs is almost beyond belief, as is the fact that any of the prisoners survived at all. The book is well-written and engrossing, with a physician's eye for detail. No exaggeration nor hyperbole creeps in -- none are needed -- the story speaks for itself. You'll read the book and wonder "Could I have lived through this?" I'm sure it was not pleasant for the author to dredge up these remarkably clear memories and write about them, but we owe him a debt of gratitude for doing so.

I want to have alot of reciepe!

Philippine Coral Reefs: A Natural History Guide is an excellent reference for beginning and intermediate marine biology enthusiasts. The author provides an in-depth discussion of the natural history, progression, species biodiversity, and inter-relationships of the coral reef ecosystem.

While it focuses largely on examples and situations found in the Philippine Archipelago, it discusses many biological concepts and processes that are common to most tropical coral reef systems.

It does all this in a language that is very straightforward and easy to understand, yet does not over-simplify highly scientific concepts. The author is an excellent communicator, in addition to being a very thorough scientist.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to presenting the "remarkable diversity and biological interaction" of the coral reef's inhabitants. One-hundred and ninety (190) pages of the book are devoted to extensive write-ups and beautiful color photographs of numerous genera and species of flora and fauna.

The book serves as an excellent and comprehensive field guide to the coral reef system as well as a general reference on the biological processes of the coral reef ecosystem.

A definite gem of a book that I would strongly recommend to SCUBA divers, snorkellers, marine biology enthusiasts, and anyone who is interested in the beauty and science of the Coral Reef.

taj d. professional diver and underwater videographer

A very interesting and informative guide to the gay culture of this island nation.

If you must read only one book on Philippine food and culture, this is it! The book is a real tease. It tells you a little about textures of food and the weave of Filipino life and leaves you hungering for more. It contains many vignettes on regional food in the Philippines and the quaint practices of the people who belong to that region. This is not a recipe book. If you have read The Man Who Ate Everything and enjoyed it, then this is for you. Caveat emptor: You may want to purchase a ticket on the first flight to Manila once you've read this.

PHILIPPINE HOSPITALITY is quite a revelation, a stunning book on how the Filipinos are as a creative people,not only with their lifestyles, but also in the many interesting occasions that would call for a celebration. This is a festive book and gives a wonderful window of opportunity to showcase Filipino table settings from the traditional to the very sophisticated and modern. The settings tell a story and the themes reflect the many unique traditions of a people and how all of these are religiously followed through the years. The recipe portion is very useful and can be a hit with Filipinos living abroad as these foods are the popular dishes that they would usually miss and would like to try out in their private kitchens. I tried some of the recipes which were quite a success! PHILIPPINE HOSPITALITY is a must for every Filipino living away from home.

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