From the end of the eighteenth century into the early years of the
nineteenth, Americans crossed the Appalachian Mountains and Northwest
Territory, spreading west. They traveled to find new homes,
new lands, and they brought with them the plain magics of plain people.
It is from these roots of the American dream that award-winning writer
Orson Scott Card has crafted a uniquely American fantasy. Using the
lore and the folk magic of the men and women who settled a continent,
and the beliefs of the tribes who were here before them, Card has
created an alternate frontier America; a world where certain magic
really works and has colored the entire history of the colonies. Charms,
beseechings, hexes, and potions all have a place in the lives of the
people of this world. 'Knacks' abound: dowsers find water, sparks set
fires, blacksmiths speak to iron, the second sight
warns of dan ger, and a torch can read the heart-fire of anyone within
reach. Alvin Miller is the seventh son of a seventh son, born while all
of his brothers still lived. Such a birth is a powerful magic; such a
boy is destined to perhaps become a Maker, even though no Maker has
been born for many a century. But Alvin is something special; and even
before his birth, dark forces reached out to destroy him. Rejoin the
tale of Alvin and his wife Peggy as they work to create the Crystal
City of Alvin's vision, where all people can live together in peace. ORSON SCOTT CARD lives in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Sumptuous color photography combined with comprehensive and detailed easy-to-follow instructions demonstrate a unique way for women to get and keep fit while expressing their sensuality through Belly Dancing. Would-be dancers who have longed to learn the intricacies of this ancient dance form can now experience the pleasure of learning and mastering all the basic steps, putting together an individualized routine and adding magic to their performance with veils, swords, and the tiny finger cymbals known as zills . Each complex movement of the body is painstakingly broken down into concise step-by-step directions that are easy to follow.
