DD 116-120.999 (Tony) Cycles by Samuel A. Schreiner, Jr. (116 SCH)

The Subtitle of this book reads: " Recurring forces that can predict changes in your health, moods, relationships, financial investments, the weather, politics and the state of the world around you."

Again, we come to another classic example of having to read a book merely for the fact that it was the only thing available in this category. The only catch is: I ACTUALLY LIKE this book! Surprise folks!

I am sure by now, you were getting tired of my bickering over the wonderful selection of tomes available to myself at not one, but two libraries. (Hope your noting my sarcasm) Only this time, I am glad it was the only thing I could read for this section. Had I been able to choose from 5 or 6 other books, I might have missed out of this rare gem.

Section of the 110s in the Dewey Decimal system is about metaphysics: which is a philosopical way of explaining how our universe works. (Again, I just can't free myself from those pesky philosophy books) The book "Cycles" is about periods of time that bring about a cycle of change, only to revert back to its original state after the predicted amount of time has elasped. In other words, there are people out there who really believe " What goes around. comes around." And they use this philosophy to get rich or predict weather patterns (in which they plan on getting rich by taking advantage of floods, blizzards, or tropical storms that have a way of driving the prices of goods through the roof.

When I first perused this book, this was the original impression I got. But then on further review, I found out that the actually was an institute for Cycles in California. Upon which, I got a tad afraid that I got mixed up into a cult.

I couldn't have been more wrong!

It turns out that this Cycles institute has a reputation for being a kind of consultant firm for those playing the stocks market, by issuing reports on political, social, and atmospheric weatcher patterns. Most of the works cited by the author come from the cycles institute. As well as many of the experts interviewed.

The idea of cycles playing a part in history is not a foreign concept to me. I truly follow the adage of "those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." And the chapter on cycles in relation to health, particularly mental health, had the most impact. As a depression sufferer, I have long felt like my mood when in a sort of pattern. It was nice to have that confirmed.

Another thing that helped this book become more valid was it's attempt to prove that cycles are a natural part of our universe, but are never written in stone. In fact, sometimes "close, but no cigar" is not a bad thing.

But the nail in the coffin that made me convinced that the author and his institute of knowledge was on to something coulod only have happened now. Cycles was written almost 17 years ago and at the time of publishing, the many predictions it touted was a main selling point for it's consumers. Cycles makes no excuse to claim that China and the Pacific realm nations of Taiwan, Malay, and Austrialia will become economic leaders in the beginning of the 21st century. Had I read this book at the time of publish, I would not been able to applaud there accuracy.

Last, as I always do with the books I read, I managed to find fault with how it was published or edited. Editing is the culprit, THIS TIME! Many words are misspelled (like some of mine). Some of the sentences lack periods, or other types of punctuation. But the biggest editing goof has to be in the last chapter as no fewer than 4 pages contain paragraphs that stop suddenly, with its conclusion to be found in the middle of another paragraph 2 or more pages later. So be prepared for a massive headache trying to figure that out.

As I close, I too finish a cycle. Like my other entries, I have a beginning, a middle, and an end. This book, like a 70 year cycle on typoons, has come to a close. So too, will this review end. But the concept of a cycle is not linear; it's a circle. So when end this cycle of our Dewey decimal system and begin the cycle anew with a book in the 121-125.999's. However, if our library doesn't get more metaphysic books like cycles, I'll be able to make a prediction, which like Samual Schreiner, Jr., might just come true.

YOU, dear reader, will be reading another review about this book when it comes time for Jan to read this book. How's that for a cycle?