Brian Bates

For thousands of years, in traditional societies around the world, actors were seen as the guardians of intuitive wisdom, and the way of the actor was a path to knowledge and power. Brian Bates believes that this is still the case today - that actors and actresses fulfill an important function in our culture as modern-day seers and shamans. He portrays the actor as a creator of visions who transports spectators out of their habitual ways of being and leads them on a journey of self-discovery. Personal magnetism and charisma, intense body awareness, and psychic sensitivity are among the special powers that contribute to the actor's mystique. Citing the observations and experiences of over thirty famous performers - including Meryl Streep, Marlon Brando, Glenda Jackson, Liv Ullmann, Jack Nicholson, and Shirley MacLaine - the author also draws on extensive research in science, psychology, parapsychology, and Eastern and Western mysticism to explore the significance of the dramatic art. He not only shows how the magical world of stage and screen mirrors our lives, but also reveals how actors and actresses point the way to self-transformation for everyone. For, as he writes, "the way of the actor is not an esoteric discipline divorced from everyday life. It is everyday life, heightened and lived to the full, with an awareness of powers beyond understanding"

Sent on a mission deep into the forests of pagan Anglo-Saxon England, Wat Brand, a Christian scribe, suddenly finds his vision of the world turned upside down. The familiar English countryside is not what it threatening spirits, birds of omen and plants of power lurk in this landscape of fallen terrors and mysterious forces. With Wulf, a sorcerer and mystic, as his guide, Brand is instructed in the magical lore of plants, runes, fate and the life force until finally he journeys to the spirit world on a quest to encounter the true nature of his own soul.

Tolkien readily admitted that the concept of Middle-earth was not his own invention. An Old English term for the Dark Age world, it was always assumed that the importance of magic in this world existed only in Tolkien`s works; now Professor Brian Bates reveals the vivid truth about this historical culture. Behind the stories we know of Dark Age king and queens, warriors and battles, lies the hidden history of Middle-earth, a world of magic, mystery and destiny. Fiery dragons were seen to fly across the sky, monsters haunted the marshes, and elves fired poisoned arrows. Wizards cast healing spells, wise trees gave blessings, and omens foretold the deaths of kings. The very landscape itself was enchanted and the world imbued with a life force. Repressed by a millennium of Christianity, this belief system all but disappeared, leaving only faint traces in folk memory and fairy tales. In this remarkable book Professor Brian Bates has drawn on the latest archaeological findings to reconstruct the imaginative world of our past, revealing a culture with insights that may yet help us understand our own place in the world.

The companion volume to the August television series on The Learning Channel takes a close-up look at the human face to reveal a myriad of complex expressions that shed light on the nature of human personality.

An exposition of the cosmology and shamanism which dominated northern and western Europe in the first 1000 years AD. The guide explains how these can still provide a path to psychological health and spiritual wholeness today and includes practical techniques and meditations.

Rokugan has never belonged to humans alone. Ages before the dawn of the Empire, great civilizations built by non-human races, such as the naga and ogres, marked the land. Though their civilizations are gone now, their descendants still dwell upon the earth and in the seas. Since the catastrophic Fall of Fu Leng, oni - spawn of Jigoku - and their terrible offspring have walked the Shadowlands and warred against the Empire without cease. A dazzling variety of creatures great and small have always been a part of this world - some fearsome, some benign, some visitors from Spirit Realms. No understanding of Rokugan would be complete without them.Creatures of Third Edition is a comprehensive catalogue of the remarkable creatures and monsters that populate Rokugan and the Shadowlands, presented to conform to Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game Third Edition rules. You will meet all manner of creatures, spirits, oni and ghosts here, from the sorcerous ashalan to the bizarre Over 200 entries, including some creatures never before described for any edition of Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game. Rules for creating naga and nezumi player characters. Detailed discussions of naga and nezumi history, society and culture, including their relationships with the Great Clans. Rules for creating shapeshifter player characters. Standardized sets of traits and abilities for various classes of creatures, to make them easier to use and remember. This book is a must-have resource for every Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game campaign. Creatures of Third Edition is a rules supplement, and its use requires the Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game ThirdEdition core rulebook.

In The Real Middle-Earth, explore the magically enchanting early-English civilization on which Tolkien based his world of The Lord of the Rings.Tolkien readily admitted that the concept of Middle-earth was not his own invention. An Old English term for the Dark Age world, it was always assumed that the importance of magic in this world existed only in Tolkien’s works; now Professor Brian Bates reveals the vivid truth about this historical culture. Behind the stories we know of Dark Age kings and queens, warriors and battles, lies the hidden history of Middle-earth, a world of magic, mystery and destiny. Fiery dragons were seen to fly across the sky, monsters haunted the marshes, and elves fired poisoned arrows. Wizards cast healing spells, wise trees gave blessings, and omens foretold the deaths of kings. The very landscape itself was enchanted and the world imbued with a life force.Repressed by a millennium of Christianity, this belief system all but disappeared, leaving only faint traces in folk memory and fairy tales. In this remarkable book Professor Brian Bates has drawn on the latest archaeological findings to reconstruct the imaginative world of our past, revealing a culture with insights that may yet help us understand our own place in the world.

Across the Emerald Empire, the greatest servants of the Emperor make their homes in ancient castles, elaborate courts, impregnable fortresses, venerable dojo, and majestic palaces. Some exist in the wilds of the Empire, while others mark the center of great, sprawling cities. Some are centers of trade and artistry, while others exist far from any other sign of civilization. And yet, despite their many differences, it is in the heart of each of these bold strongholds that the heart of the samurai dwells.Strongholds of the Empire explores a handful of the many unique cities throughout Rokugan, seeking out those with particular interests for the different Great Clans. In addition to new mechanics for each of the clans as well as for each individual city, this book contains information on the following:• The Crab’s economic powerhouse, Clear Water Village• The extensive holdings of the Crane and Lion clans in the Imperial City, Toshi Ranbo• The tradition of the Dragon Clan’s smiths in Water Hammer City• The mainland Mantis port of Broken Wave City• The diplomatic endeavors of the Phoenix centered in Nikesake• The illicit interests of the Scorpion at Zakyo Toshi• The Spider Clan’s sinister secrets in the ruined city of Otosan Uchi• The dueling traditions of the Unicorn at Dark Edge Village• And more!

The second novel in the Law of the Raccoon series finds Burke on the move once again. To escape the hired guns out to kill him, Burke is forced to leave the Washington DC region. With the DMV no longer an option, Burke travels to Northern Michigan to help an old military buddy who finds himself protecting his family from unknown assailants. Once in Petoskey, events take a dangerous turn and Burke enlists the help of his girlfriend, Trish Ruiz, to unravel the mystery. Keeping his tortured past and personal demons at bay, Burke and Trish find their relationship growing stronger as they endeavor to uncover the people responsible and mete out their own brand of justice.

The wait is over! The powerful, third book of the “Law of the Raccoon” trilogy is here. New author Brian Bates has just released “Ghost of the Raccoon,” a suspenseful, action-packed novel not to be missed. Following on the successes of “Law of the Raccoon,” and “The 2nd Law of the Raccoon – Everything is Connected” comes “Ghost of the Raccoon.” From Page 1, the reader is in for a white-knuckle thriller, as the fate of Burke, a bounty hunter with his own brand of justice, and his foes are revealed. Buckle up for a mesmerizing, thoroughly engrossing tale.

This is the first book to give a detailed description of what life was like in a British POW camp, during WW1. Dorchester was one of the largest of the British camps, with a population of over 4,000, in April, 1919. As well as describing life inside the camp the book shows how the local population reacted to the enemy in its midst. It contains many anecdotes, some tragic, some humorous and some of bravery.

Examining counterproliferation as a global phenomenon, the authors use an in-depth analysis of the Counterproliferation Initiative to develop a theoretical model of counterproliferation for the 21st century. Arguing that existing counterproliferation policy is the product of bureaucratic competition, the authors propose several modifications of existing policy. In the second half of the book, they use four case studies (Cuban Missile Crisis, Persian Gulf War, Osirak Reactor Raid, and Sudan) to identify factors that might contribute to an effective counterproliferation strategy. More specifically, the authors explore the relationship between the strength of an intelligence-gathering apparatus and the successful or unsuccessful elimination of weapons of mass destruction. The study concludes with observations and limited predictions regarding the future of counterproliferation.

Brian Bates worked for nearly 20 years in corporate America before he launched a career in stand-up comedy. His experience in the working world gives him a unique perspective on stage that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.

Harry, a Toronto Detective, has a theory about a serial killer. He has no firm evidence and his theory is debunked. He is assigned a new partner Cassie who, to Harry's surprise, believes in his theory. They reinvestigate cold cases and disappearances. Their searches uncover new evidence that convinces their Boss to approve their travel to B.C. to follow a lead. There they uncover proof of the identity of their prime suspect and his earliest victims. The search extends to Montreal and the two detectives fall in love whilst following his trail. In a thrilling finale Harry meets the serial killer face to face in a deadly chess match.

This exciting romantic and funny story traces the travails of a naive English schoolteacher Jeremy Lloyd- Davies who inherits shares and the Presidency of a New York stock broker. Follow his fight against the increasingly vicious attempts to sabotage him by the Vice President of the company, who with his wife the old presidents daughter hold a large block of voting shares. The Presidency he inherits is for one year only it is conditional and will be made permanent if Jeremy meets certain criteria. Jeremy fires his secretary who was transferred to him by the VP purely to seduce him He begins to find success the VP becomes more desperate, finally he hires a Hit Man. .In an exciting finally every thing depends upon the vote by the Board on Jeremys performance. If he wins approval he becomes permanent President and retains his shares if he loses he walks away with just memories.

Autor kreśli pasjonujący obraz zdumiewającej wizji świata, jaką stworzyli nasi przodkowie. Baśniowe opowieści, mity i legendy dowodzą, że plemiona północno- zachodniej Europy nie zasłużyły na miano "ludów wieków ciemnych". Z mroków historycznej niewiedzy wyłania się obraz niezwykłego świata i życia duchowego przodków. Książka pozwala odkryć dziedzictwo i ocenić wartość mądrości sprzed wieków dla współczesnego człowieka.

During the Great War of 1914-18 over 1100 men enlisted from the small market town of Dorchester. They served in such diverse theatres of war as France, India, Mesopotamia and Russia. Most of them survived that terrible conflict and returned home to tell their own unique stories. Those who did not are commemorated on the Borough's war memorials and in its two cemeteries. Dorchester Remembers gives a voice to those men and one woman who did not return. Through their poignant personal stories, the effect the war had on each individual and their families is revealed. But more than this, their stories weave together into a fascinating social history that shines light on the impact the war had on the very fabric of Edwardian Dorchester. The town once had the largest prisoner-of-war camp in Britain and an important military presence, yet signs of this have all but disappeared. This book brings it all to life, with an endearing look at the community of Dorchester through the Great War years.