5 comments about Sister Wendy's Book of Saints.

1. If the rating had 10 stars, i would have given it 10. Sister wendy provides lucid and clear pictures and text, good book for all ages



2. Sister Wendy's Book of Saints By Sister Wendy Beckett.
   This is a beautiful little book (96 pages), all bright and shiny paper with brilliant colors that almost leap off the page. Sister Wendy, the nun who has made a trade mark out of her running in and out of art museums, has collected the images of saints to support both her love of art and her orthodox views on Catholicism. The book begins with St. Peter (Petrine privilege?) and works its way down to lesser-known saints.
   With each portrait, Sister Wendy points out an interesting tidbit. For example, with the Evangelist, St. Mark, (page 17), Sister Wendy indicates that the artist has portrayed the saint forming a cross with his pen and his sharpening knife. She lightens the mood by describing the lion, in the painting, as resembling "... an imbecilic sheep gazing in wonderment..." at St. Mark. This lightening of the mood is intentional as Sister Wendy repeats it (page 24) when she describes the ox in St. Luke's portrait as "...an almost goofy ox".

   Despite this levity, Sister Wendy comes across as quite serious about both the art depicting the saints and the theology of the saints she has chosen. In summary, I would be very happy to have this book given to me.




3. Sister Wendy Beckett is a gifted story teller and artist. Her delightful paintings and her wonderfully original expressions bring Catholicism to all readers. This delightful book is truly one of a kind. Sister Wendy shares her love for painting and her gift for this medium in this work. Her loving recounting of the accounts of saints' lives will touch, amuse and delight all who are fortunate enough to encounter this wonderful book.

   Sister Wendy shows a light touch, a gentle approach to imparting her faith journey and the information she has gathered over the years. The bright colors emphasize the light, bright, upbeat tone of this wonderful book. I can't recommend it highly enough. This is truly a keeper.

   God bless Sister Wendy!




4. A beautifully constucted book for as far as it goes, but we Sister Wendy lovers are left wanting more! If anything, it seems too small in scale. Like a delicious meal that we're only allowed to take a couple bites of. This is actually a great thumbnail introduction to saints for all us non-Catholics. The usual great paintings with Sister Wendy's wonderful, insightful commentaries. But we wish for bigger visual and literary feast. Everything about the book is small scale. Some of the illustrations should have been blown up to a larger size. We wish Sister Wendy would have gone on longer in her commentaries. At 93 pages, we wish for at least 100 more. She shouldn't have limited her selections to paintings from just one Italian exhibition. For all its brevity, I highly recommend the book. Lasty, don't pass up any chance to snag a copy of the video version of this book which aired on PBS.



5. Sister Wendy has put together a great book on Saints. I really enjoyed that she placed the saint's feast day, attributes, and what the saint is a patron to in the margins. Lovely stories and paintings. It's only fault is that it could have been much longer with more saints included.

No comments about Hudson Taylor: Founder, China Inland Mission (Heroes of the Faith).

1 comments about Meet Saint Faustina: Herald of Divine Mercy.

1. Saint Faustina received the message of Divine Mercy and passed it on using many methods. First, she recorded information about the message in her Diary, which became available for all to read. She also spread the message through prayer and sacrifice. Another method for spreading the message was through her conversations and other communications with others. However, Fr. George Kosicki has captured in a wonderful and effective way her most effective way of spreading the message of Divine Mercy-by her example. By living it!

2 comments about A Spectacle Unto God: The Life and Death of Christopher Love (Biographies).

1. Kistler may be a very capable writer, but this book doesn't prove it.

   The book has an interesting format. The chapters alternate between historical details and letters to/from Love from prison. Christopher Love was an amazing man whose love for Christ is truly seen and felt in the letters. However, the chapters written by Kistler are often not very informative. This may be a result of the lack of details in Love's story, but whatever the reason it does not make for very interesting reading. The longest of Kistler's chapters is actually a very long-winded sermon from Love at his execution. And despite Love's deeply rooted passion for Christ, even this chapter can be laborous to read, as Love repeatedly and emphatically claims his innocence.

   The most interesting part of the book were chapters two and four, as Kistler speculates on Love's education. This was an eye opening look at 17th century, Puritan England and the rigorous education the Puritans went through. I had respect for the Puritans before, but these chapters grew that respect exponentially.

   What also made the book worth the read was the last chapter, which is Thomas Manton's funeral sermon for Christopher Love. In puritan tradition, Manton delivers a great sermon, focusing on a holy God and His just wrath. Great stuff there and that makes the book an overall fair.




2. This is the sad story of a courageous Puritan minister, Christopher Love, who got tangled up in the political upheaval in England during the time of Oliver Cromwell. Love stood by his convictions (the divine rights of kings) which were distorted into treason, resulting in his execution in 1651. The bulk of the book is made up of letters to and from Love's wife and other friends. What stands out is not only sorrow but the great faith that Love and his peers had in the face of death. Love's funeral sermon, preached by famous Puritan Thomas Manton, is also included and is a powerful biblical treatment on the subject of death. You won't hear sermons like this at funerals today. Very interesting short biography.

No comments about The Theology of William Porcher Dubose: Life, Movement, and Being.

1 comments about Ignacio De Loyola, Solo Y a Pie.

1. It's a very fidelity biography tahat talks about the personlyt and way off life off a saint. You can aprecciate the dedicattion and mystic off a company with almost 500 years of life and what means to work for others and God.

2 comments about William and Catherine Booth: Founders of the Salvation Army (Heroes of the Faith).

1. This book is a must have for anyone in the Salvation Army. You will enjoy the great story of the beginnig of the Salvation Army as you learn about the lives of the William and Catherine Booth. This book touched my heart and I'm sure it will touch yours. I give this book 5/5 stars.



2. I was pleased at the way this book chronicles the lives of William and Catherine Booth. What a pair! I mean this man had a very hard life and basically was an indentured servant during his apprenticeship. They both new the meaning of self sacrifice and being our brother's keeper. What an awesome couple. Definitely read this one. It will give you a new perspective on your own life.

No comments about Bad Boys of the Bible: Exploring Men of Questionable Virtue.

5 comments about Tears of My Soul, The: The Story of a Boy Who Survived the Cambodian Killing Fields.

1. Sokreaksa was an eleven-year old Cambodian boy when the Pol Pot regime took over. His parents and nine siblings were killed before his eyes. The Communists thought that he was dead as well. After they left, he got up and managed to survive. He eventually immigrated to Canada in 1989. He became a Christian and wrestled with the problem of pain and the nature of evil. Sokreaksa returned to Cambodia in 1999 to teach at a Bible School. The story was gripping and sad. The details of the Communist's cruelty was horrifying. Fortunately, the book does not end on a sad note. It has an uplifting ending.



2. An unusual account of life and loyalty under the Khmer Rouge, and afterwards.



3. A great read for all, for it reveals the truths of actual events of the killing fields in Cambodia. We cannot be blind to world events and history. For this book brings insight on human nature and the power of evil and love. And How utimately love wins out!



4. I met Reaksa accidentally a few days ago after returning from my first visit to Cambodia. Amazing but true. I was given his book and finished it almost immediately. Cambodia has a history that I believe very few truely know and almost no one understands. I strongly recommend this book. It is so difficult to believe that these events occurred so recently.



5. I found this book to be heartbreaking, thought provoking and wonderfully inspiring. What this poor child went through and how he came out of it are a true inspiration for any surviving victim of any crime. Shows us what true forgiveness is ...

No comments about Won by Love.