Book Reviews
by Rachel Marks • Huntington, NY

SEVEN MINUTES OF MAGIC: The Ultimate Energy Workout
by Lee Holden with Doug Abrams
Avery/Penguin Books, May 2007
Anything promising to dramatically change your life in minutes a day would raise even the most unsavvy brow. But don’t let the title of this book fool you. 7 minutes is a unique, practical blend of Eastern and western mind/body exercises designed to enhance daily vitality and evening relaxation by cultivating energy from within.

Drawing from studies in Asia and personal practice, renowned meditation, tai chi, Qi gong instructor, Lee Holden distills the essence of energizing ancient routines and western strength and fitness exercises into easy to follow bite-sized “flows” digestible for even the most attention and time challenged Westerner, at any age or fitness level. Clearly illustrated (with step by step photos), this simple guide includes useful nutrition and lifestyle tips, motivating health facts and nifty postable pages. With excuses aside, this tome won’t be finding its fate on my dusty fitness bookshelf. It’s got magic to do.

WHEN PRAYERS AREN’T ANSWERED
by John E. Welshons
New World Library, 2007
www.newworldlibrary.com
269 pgs. $22.95
The Secret is out: our intentions shape our reality. But if one can manifest a Mercedes, how can we explain when even fervent prayers--focused intentions–go unanswered? Using grounded wisdom, stories and practices, noted speaker/grief counselor John Welshons provides a fresh look at this age-old theological dilemma. Without ignoring the tragedy in the world, he explores alternate ways of perceiving life’s trials in this insightful, thought provoking “beginners manual” for being happy in a world of unpredictable, unexpected and unwanted change. No stranger to misfortune, Welshons comforts those in pain, gently guiding us to view thwarted desires as openings to deeper love and spiritual understanding. Warmly and wisely, he shows us how to stay connected to God in good times and bad.

THE SPIRIT OF WATER: The Hidden Message for all of Us
by Lawrence Ellyard
O Books, November 2007
www.o-books.net
161 pgs. $24.95
It is rare to find a book that appeals to both your right and left brain. Uniquely, science, philosophy and metaphysics are skillfully woven together in this easy to read package on a fascinating topic. Building on Mashuro Emoto’s ground-breaking research on frozen water crystals and consciousness, Lawrence Ellyard delves deeper into its application in daily life and global implications. Through a combination of captivating images, fascinating facts on worldwide water supply, its healing and religious aspects, meditations and traditional wisdom, he reveals our interconnectedness with this precious resource, and how we can relate to water and thus our world. Included are never published Ice Crystal images and pioneering research results. Recommended for the diehard skeptic.

Rachel Marks has worked as an editor of community newspapers, trade magazines and in public television, and is active in social justice and environmental campaigns.