I've read, studied or watched all of these recommendations and own a copy of them all. They are not for sale on this site and I get and want nothing for these recommendations. Amazon is probably your best bet, or order through your local bookstore.

- Rainforest - A Photographic Journey
Author - Thomas Marent
DK 2006 - ISBN 1-4053-1530-X

Rainforest- A Photographic Journey
This is an exquisite 'coffee table' style photographic book, about exactly what the title states, the Rainforest. On every page you can see the dedication Marent had in capturing the most difficult shots imaginable, from close ups of tiny animals to flowers and plants that look like they're from another planet. This book also gives a great feeling of the terrain Trails of the Spirit Journey offers as we travel into the Peruvian Amazon. If you want to get the definitive 'coffee table style' book of photography on one of the most amazing places on our incredible planet, then this is the one. B.


- What should I do with my life?
Author - Po Bronson
Secker and Warburg 2003 - ISBN 0436205904
'
What Should I Do with my Life?
The true story of people who answered the ultimate question'.
Thought provoking book made up mainly of 54 true stories of people who 'changed direction' in their life. Bronson reports on each case with what seems like a fair balance and is not afraid to report on the more challenging aspects of change. I like his style of writing, rich and engaging. B.





- Crossing the Unknown Sea - Work and the Shaping of Identity
Author - David Whyte
Penquin, Michael Joseph 2001 - ISBN 0-718-14510-0
Crossing the Unknown Sea

Beautifully written book (Whyte is a poet), it focuses on the meaning of work from a perspective of the self. Very inspiring and insightful. It's a mix of poetry, gifted storytelling and his personal experience. As a result of reading this book I purchased a set of tapes read by David Whyte, from Sounds True publishing and was not disappointed. B.





- Nature Cure
Author - Richard Mabey
Pimlico, Random House 2006 - ISBN 1844130967
Nature Cure by Richard Mabey

Written as a novel, Richard Mabey is one of Britain's foremost nature writers. In 1999 he fell into a deep depression. It was through moving to the open flatlands of Norfolk that he once again found fresh insights into our place in nature. Beautifully written, can be dipped into. I found myself taking it with me in my shoulder bag and reading it in the cafe and at my studio during tea breaks. Rich like Belgian chocolate. B.




- Beachcombing at Miramar - the Quest for an Authentic Life
Author - Richard Bode
Warner Books 1996 - ISBN 0-446-67276-9

beachcombing at miramar

It's a small paperback with an easy to read contemplative style of writing, gentle and observant. Richard went to a beach in California to discover the truth about his life. His writing is captivating. B.








- Writing Down the Bones - Freeing the Writer within
Author - Natalie Goldberg
Shambhala 2005 - ISBN 1-59030-261-3

Writing Down the Bones - Natalie Goldberg

I've always found writing, especially journalling, to be very clarifying. No matter whatever is going on in my life to have a daily writing practice seems to have crept in all by itself. I miss it when I don't write. This book is encouraging, helpful and somewhat of a classic of its type. It's not about becoming a 'professional' writer. It's about writing for whatever reason. Natalie, for many years has been a student of Zen and it shows in her writing. (For the better). An inspiring book to help you explore your world through writing, even if it's only you who reads it! B.




- STOP! Break free from the Tyranny of the Urgent
Author - Barry McCullough
Collins Press 1999 - ISBN 1-898256-43-8

STOP! Break free from the Tyranny of the Urgent
I'm the author of this one. It's a novel about how the owners of small businesses can quickly become overwhelmed by the task of running their business to the point were it consumes their whole life. Most people start a business because they are good at something specific or have a great interest in a particular subject. At the beginning they build the business around this 'good idea'.

Soon running the business takes over and they spend less and less time actually doing what they really love and instead they become managers which was not the purpose at the beginning. This novel is about this process and how to climb out from underneath the burden of it all. It's about how to take back your life. Barry


Trails of the Spirit facilitates Sketching Workshop Adventures in Peru and Ireland

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