Books published by Echo Point Books & Media

This foundational study of gemstone lore presents a comprehensive history of precious and semi-precious stones and a survey of their particular properties. Author George Frederick Kunz-America's foremost gemologist, gemstone, and collector of the period-reveals a treasure trove of superstitions, symbolisms, and metaphysical properties associated with specific gems through the ages. In addition to explaining the qualities of each special stone, Kunz explores :· crystal balls and crystal gazing;· discussions of protective talismans and amulets;· illuminating information about planetary and astral influences; · gems for spiritual and healing use.Kunz shares his genuine passion for the subject, bringing with his research a deep, academic, and professional understanding of the wide range of source material. Elements of folklore, cultural beliefs, strange characteristics, occult attributes, birthstone designations, and traditional magical and healing properties of gemstones are all thoroughly reviewed. Illustrated with original plates and drawing from a remarkable collection of ancient lapidary tomes, oral traditions, biblical writings, religious stories, legends, archeological findings, this valuable modern classic makes fascinating reading. This is an essential reference for any gem lover or precious stone collector's library.

Renowned chefs Hair Nayak and Vikas Khanna meld the complexity, the history, the spice and the flavor of Indian cuisine into fresh, simple dishes for a modern culinary taste and aesthetic. Many aspiring cooks wanting to prepare traditional Indian fare at home can be intimidated by a barely-stocked Indian-style pantry. Nayak and Khanna have anticipated this problem. Their recipes are designed for the fast-paced lifestyles of today, with an delightful fusion of flavors that use accessible ingredients and simple cooking methods. Serving familiar favorites with a twist, like Cashew Coconut Meatballs and Radish Salad with Peanuts, the chefs give a respectful nod to their culinary roots, while bringing passion and creativity to the table. In Modern Indian Cooking, Nayak and Khanna deliver an fresh, delicious take on Indian-fusion cuisine. Well-illustrated with color photographs, this beautiful book includes hundreds of fresh, approachable dishes. It is sure to become a favored resource in your own kitchen!

Join in the fun and fulfillment of creating your very own functional and beautiful Windsor chair with the guidance of the legendary Mike Dunbar. This classic instructional returns better than ever, with updated methods and new tips from the author. Loaded with detailed diagrams and photos, this book is a must-have for all woodworkers!

Too often, riding becomes a game of tug-of-war between horse and rider, with each struggling to gain more control over the other.In Invisible Riding, expert trainer Sylvia Loch offers tried-and-tested methods from the classical masters of Europe to improve communication and tune in to your horse, eventually arriving at a point where there are no boundaries. Using these techniques, commands become requests, then whispers, then thoughts, making for a more balanced way of riding based on cooperation and partnership.In 12 chapters, Loch covers everything from transitions to lateral movements, educating the ordinary rider on how to improve in ways that are virtually invisible to the naked eye.Written in an easy-to-understand format, this guide is a must-have for any rider who feels they are no longer progressing, or who wants to learn to cooperate effortlessly with their horse.

Renowned artist Foster Caddell shares the unique methodology which he brings to his paintings, no matter what the subject. In this, his third book of "keys" to improving your work, he stresses the fundamental of seeing analytically what is before you so that you can it render realistically and beautifully in art.Foster Caddell devoted his entire life to his art, beginning with developing a sophisticated drawing technique while in high school. He was employed as a lithographer before serving with the US Army Air Corps in World War II, documenting life in the Pacific Theater with his sketchbook and watercolors. Upon returning to civilian life, Caddell continued working in lithography while engaged with freelance illustrating and portraiture, and he began teaching after being approached by local aspiring artists eager to learn his techniques. From these humble beginnings, Foster Caddell soon became the founder/teacher and CEO of the largest private art school in southern New England, located in Voluntown, Connecticut.Using his own artwork as a visual aid, Foster Caddell begins Keys to Painting Better Portraits by introducing his approach to portraiture, explaining his studio environment materials and procedures for painting in oil and pastel. For Caddell, "A good portrait . . . must please two different types of viewers: those who expect to see a satisfactory likeness, and those who do not know, or particularly care, who the subject is but want a portrait to be a good solid painting and stand on its own." To demonstrate his working methods more clearly, he takes you, step by step, through the process of painting three typical portraits, two in oil and one in pastel. Then, in 30 'keys' to different painting problems, he analyzes the mistakes most commonly made by beginning and intermediate students, with each illustrated key showing a different painting error and a good way to avoid it. He also covers three special types of portraiture: the commissioned, the posthumous, and the self-portrait. This book is a must for any painter wanting to improve and expand their repetoire. Readers interested in related titles from Foster Caddell will also want to see: Keys to Successful Color, (ISBN 978-1-62654-577-9) and Foster Caddell's Keys to Successful Landscape Painting, (ISBN 978-1-63561-042-0).

For over 50 years, a Canadian nurse named Rene Caisse treated thousands of cancer patients with her own secret herbal tea named Essiac - Caisse spelled backwards. She originally obtained the natural formula from native Ojibway Indians and brewed the remedy herself in her kitchen. Caisse was a devoted healer and tireless champion of using her nontoxic treatment for cancer as an alternative to destructive radiation and chemotherapy.Caisse fought for decades to have Essiac recognized and accepted by the broader medical community, but - constantly challenged by large powerful pharmaceutical companies with political influence - the treatment continued to remain controversial and illegal. Believing that promoting and using her cure to be her true calling, she continued to treat patients for free despite threats of imprisonment. Her patients, many of whom believe that Essiac helped drive their cancer into remission or cured them entirely, spoke passionately about her and came to think of her as an angel.In Calling of an Angel, Dr. Gary L. Glum tells Caisse's inspiring story and presents the argument for allowing this long-suppressed treatment as an option for patients and families currently battling cancer.

In his acclaimed Dictionary of All Scriptures and Myths, G.A. Gaskell offers authoritative definitions and clear explanations for over 5,000 terms used in sacred texts of the world's religions and mythologies. The origin, nature, and metaphorical meaning of each concept is thoroughly explored in context, supported with numerous quotations from both ancient and recent sources and authorities, and carefully cross-referenced to other examples. Part dictionary and part encyclopedia, this oversized book is packed with illuminating information and will satisfy the curiosity of spiritual and cultural seekers. Gaskell is a masterful interpreter of sacred symbols and symbolism, and he explains all the key ones in detail while noting which ones have deeper underlying meanings and how they vary between different religions and countries. Meticulously researched and attractively presented, this invaluable guide is a must-have for comparative religion teachers and scholars. Dictionary of All Scriptures and Myths belongs in the library of anyone studying sacred writings or reading them as literature, and is an enlightening read for any layman.

The hundreds of millions of years of history folded within Pennsylvania's rocks tell a remarkable story of destruction, creation, and transformation. With an assortment of maps, diagrams, photos, and expert descriptions, Roadside Geology of Pennsylvania is the ultimate travel companion for those who have little or no training in geology.Bradford Van Diver expertly guides the traveler through the wonders of Pennsylvania's complex geology seen from the road. Like a lively storyteller, Van Diver keeps jargon to a minimum and translates intricate geological processes into basic explanations so you can understand the events that shaped the landscape of Pennsylvania.Highly useful even for those who are just passing through, this guide makes the science behind this state's geology more accessible than ever. Roadside Geology of Pennsylvania has a place in the library who are interested in understanding and seeing firsthand the forces that have shaped the Keystone State.Bradford B. Van Diver (1927-2002), was professor emeritus of Geology as SUNY, Potsdam. He began a history of rock climbing while studying at the University of Colorado and later he earned his PhD from the University of Washington. He taught at a number of institutions and was a member of several associations, including the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Colorado Hiking Club, and the Carolina Mountain Club. Van Diver was an avid mountaineer, hiker, photographer, woodworker, kayaker, skier, and world traveler.

That intrepid Siamese cat Henry is off on another adventure as he stows away for a sail. He not only gets to see the shiny sea, with its gulls and cormorants and dolphins, from a perch high atop the mast, but, when events take an unexpected turn, participates in a man-overboard rescue. Calhoun's telling of this rollicking story is an exciting adventure at sea. Illustrator Ingraham's watercolors highlight the beauty of sailing the sea with realistic detail. The sense of adventure and clear resolution make this story a natural read-aloud.

"Anyone who can work through the labyrinthian directions for sewing that accompany the commercial pattern can surely learn the comparatively simple and clear rules for pattern making," Adele P. Margolis, renowned sewing expert. Overflowing with useful information, this primer offers simple instructions for converting your own designs into working patterns. Written by Adele Margolis, a nationally-acclaimed expert in pattern making, tailoring and dressmaking, this must-have guide will take you step-by-step through darts, sleeves, necklines, closings and silhouettes. With Margolis's guidance, you will quickly learn how to use this information to create your own custom-made patterns.Applicable to every type of fashion, and featuring more than 1,000 illustrations - from skirts and dresses to sportswear and jackets - How to Design Your Own Dress Patterns will help you easily shape your fabric to your figure, creating fashionable necklines, mastering the art of flares, flounces, pleats and so much more.