Expeditions is the second book in the Corvidian Trilogy. I Battleground presented the predicament that the crow was born into, as well as, his travels throughout inner universe. Before blasting into outer space, Hosanna decided that he will meet the Master Within; and so it is that Expeditions begins. He links up with the Elder Crow who guides him throughout universal travels, filled with adventurous contact with mundane and ascended beings: They introduced him to a way of being in life on worlds that the little crow never before dreamed existed. This continuous journey is important as it is a combination of inner work and concrete experience that brings about the personal victories that transform our lives. Before Expeditions comes to an end, the low-down truth that torched humanity before the ancient erthe world transition is revealed. Though teachers now do abound, and encircle the crow all around; the phantom is still large and in charge, encouraging him to do that which he should not do, urging him to act in ways that would surely cause not only his own premature death but also the demise of others - taking systems and worlds to the brink of destruction. Hold on little Crow. This battle is bigger than and beyond yourself The Corvidian Trilogy: II Expeditions is a spellbinding read. It's an allegory of the spiritual/moral development of a preadolescence boy who is mentored by a wise, patient, and much older male. The two principle characters are represented as black birds, specifically very intelligent and articulate crows. Indeed, almost all of the human characterizations in this story are portrayed as birds. Using birds as stand-ins for humans enables the writer, I believe, to engage young readers in developmentally important listening and talking relationships with elders that is often neglected by parents and not likely to be encouraged by peer groups. As a reader, specifically a black 65-year old father of two adult sons, I found myself fluctuating between identification with the naive younger crow and with the older crow. This is a book that I think will appeal to early teen readers who are looking for adventure. The elder crow guides the young crow on a magical sequence of settings and challenges in learning to use his mental powers. One of the early challenges is how to levitate. Another challenge is how to recognize negative thinking and learn to control the "Nasties." Writer JoAnne McKnight uses dialogue, poetry and prose to paint colorful, vivid images that are worthy of Disney animation. In some scenes the writer invokes ancient mythological bird images and meanings like the Phoenix and the Hathor as the elder gently instructs the young boy crow in what I will characterize as "beatitudes." The most common device used to move the narrative is interplanetary space travel. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, the two crows are magically transported from one world to another. But Expeditions offers no witches to represent evil and good. The young crow is taught that good and evil emanate from within. Mental/spiritual education enables him to align his mind and behavior with what is universally true and loving. The book's cosmology is modern and mythological. Using insights and images from the physics of energy and a blend of Christianity and Buddhism, the crow elder instructs the young male about the "Master Within," the consciousness of each person, and the all-encompassing "Divinity." The youngster's lessons include instruction that there are other sentient beings besides humans, and that planet Earth possesses an intelligence that enables it to protect itself against a species that threatens to destroy its own niche and the stability of the planet's ecosystem. Expeditions teaches readers, old and young, that humans must learn to love and respect all humanity and all creation. We are part, not Lords of creation. Dr. James Pitts, Sociology