3 comments about No Common Place: The Holocaust Testimony of Alina Bacall-Zwirn.

1. it made quite an impact on me. emotionally draining. how Alina kept her sanity is remarkable. Stark did not try to editorialize. instead as painful as it was, he let her tell it in her own way, regardless of syntax. i have never read anything like it...in only three hours i experienced an unforgettable voice.



2. This was a difficult book for me to read. It is in the first person style. I can hear their voices. I did an interview three years ago. It is on tape. Yet i can not listen to it.. Such a difficult time in our youth, in our lives. I recommend this book. This one voice speaks for so many.



3. The author recounts her experiences in a form of interviews given in the 1990's, some fifty years after the events. She also expresses anger over those who deny that the Holocaust ever happened, and lists some of her loved ones who perished in this tragedy that supposedly never happened.
   
   Alina Bacall-Zwirn understands the fact that much of the so-called Polish police, in the service of the Germans, actually consisted of ethnic Germans. She comments: "That was the Volksdeutsche, working for Gestapo. That was the Polish police." (p. 40).
   
   She lived in the Warsaw ghetto, and was shipped to Treblinka. She managed to jump from the train, and was aided by a Pole who brought her food (p. 35). She then made it back to Warsaw.
   
   Later, she met with Poles who were being shipped to Germany for forced labor, and Poles who were incarcerated in concentration camps as a result of the failed Warsaw Uprising.

5 comments about Reggie White in the Trenches: The Autobiography.

1. I found this book very interesting I learned a lot about Reggie White. I wish that he was still with the Green Bay Packers. I am a huge Green Bay Packer fan. This book had a lot of interesting stuff in it. For example I never knew that one of his favorite players growing up was O.J. Simpson. Reggie said in the book that O.J. Simpson was like a moving target for defensive linemen; he said, that was one of the reasons that he wanted to play defensive end. I also learned that he really liked his coach Buddy Ryan when he played with the Philadelphia Eagles ,and when Buddy Ryan got fired Reggie couldn't figure out why he got fired; he said Buddy Ryan was a good coach. Reggie also talked about his church getting burned. He also talked about his friend and teammate Jerome Brown who was killed a car accident and he thought he was a really great person and he said he misses him. I learned a lot from reading this book. This book is one of my favorite books that I read. I would recommend this book to every Green Bay Packer fan.



2. "I've never seen any conflict between Christianity and football. I don't see football as a violent sport; I see it as aggressive. And I see Christianity as an aggressive faith." (pg. 189).
   
   IN THE TRENCHES spends tons of time talking about what made Reggie White famous, FOOTBALL, and what he thinks is most important for him to do with his football success, use it to promote JESUS!
   
   "...three words--IN THE TRENCHES--sum it all up for me. I live my life in the trenches. I do my work in the trenches. I serve my God in the trenches. I go to war against evil, poverty, racism, and injustice in the trenches." (pg. 22)
   
   Reggie talks about how he grew up. He was the second son of a teenage mother, who seldom saw his father. He was always much larger than other kids his age, and they called him names like "Bigfoot" and "Land of the Giants." He got saved when he was 13, and he would point out what the Bible said to bad kids who were doing things like always telling lies.
   
   He claims O.J. Simpson as his childhood inspiration and main reason that he wanted to play football, even though this book was written after the famous murders?
   
   He toughened himself up for football, to prove wrong the folks who said he couldn't handle it because he's a Christian!
   
   He talks about playing in the USFL and the NFL, for the Showboats, Eagles and Packers. This book was written before he won the Super Bowl with the Packers. He spends plenty of pages giving many details about many different games. Sometimes it gets a little too long for me, so if you are interested in hearing about his football career, then this is the book for you! "Sacks are fun, man. There's nothing like throwing a quarterback down for a big loss." (pg. 83). He also talks about being one of the first really big stars to go into Free Agency, which was not popular with the team owners of the time! "The owners who screamed the loudest about free agency were the owners of the notoriously tightwad teams--the Eagles, the Bengals, the Steelers." (pg. 127).
   
   He details the times when God pulled off public miracles to heal him to play. He also discusses how God used his football fame to bring to the public eye the problem of church arsons in the South, by having Reggie's church get burned down, which brought national media attention, and plenty of extra love and support from Green Bay fans, and from across the nation.
   
   There are many b/w photos in the middle of the book, so you get to see many of the family and friends discussed.
   
   This book is better than Reggie White's later book, BROKEN PROMISES, BLINDED DREAMS, which is mostly about his thoughts concerning African-Americans in the USA. BROKEN PROMISES focuses mainly on what's wrong with the immoral US culture, these days, so you should read BROKEN PROMISES if you are interested in social activism and the African-American experience, from Reggie White's perspective.
   
   He only briefly touches on the culture wars in this book, IN THE TRENCHES, "Nobody's preaching abstinence today because nobody's figured out how to get rich off of other people's abstinence--but there's plenty of money to be made from other people's sexual activity...[...]..sexually transmitted diseases...aborting unwanted babies...Much of the money spent on various aspects of people's sexual behavior is TAX money--money you and I shell out to the government, money that is spent without our say-so!" (pg. 217).
   
   At the end of the book he give tips on how to be a good role model.
   
   I am a Reggie White fan, because I like what he did with his football fame, using it to promote Christianity throughout his entire career, and way before and after his pro football days, as well!
   
   I think this is the best Reggie White book that I have read, though I can also recommend BROKEN PROMISES for anybody who is intrigued by the activist aspect of Reggie White's life.
   
   There is also a pretty decent book of photos called REGGIE WHITE: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, 1961-2004. This is slim on text, but has many interesting photos of his pro football years.
   
   "When I face the final judgment, God isn't going to ask me how many Pro Bowls I played in or ask me to recite my stats. He's going to ask me if I knew Jesus, and if I helped to bind up the wounds of people." (pg. 195, IN THE TRENCHES).



3. THIS IS THE STORY OF REGGIE WHITE FORMER NFL GREAT. THIS IS A GOOD READ FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST FOOTBALL FANS. REGGIE TELLS US OF HIS LIFE AND CAREER WITH THE EAGLES AND PACKERS, ALONG THE WAY HE HAS SOME GREAT STORIES ABOUT FORMER COACHES AND TEAMATES. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IN THIS BOOK IS HOW TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE. REGGIE WAS A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN AND SPREAD THE WORD. HE NOT ONLY TALKED THE TALK BUT WALKED THE WALK. THE LESSONS AND MESSAGES IN THIS BOOK ARE WELL WORTH READING AND USING IN EVERYDAY LIFE. I WAS VERY SHOCKED TO LEARN OF REGGIE'S DEATH. HE WAS A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR EVERYONE. I RECOMMEND THIS ANYONE AND EVERYONE TO READ. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH REGGIE WHITES IN THIS WORLD.



4. I don't know where I'd be today without the witness of the late Reggie White. I suppose the answer is that God would have used someone or something else to crack open my hard heart, but I will still be eternally grateful to Reggie - not only for writing this excellent football book, but more important for always wearing his heart for the Lord on his sleeve, in plain sight for any observant fan.



5. Let me start by saying that I'm a 13 year old boy and that Reggie White is my hero. I bought this book looking to learn more about my hero's life and I really struck gold.
   
   Reggie White tells you about his entire life in this autobiography. He starts with an Introduction called "Promise Kept", which I particularly enjoyed. He then tells about his childhood, College days with the University of Tennessee, his Memphis Showboat Days, the USFL's fold and his move to the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles (my favorite team), and then his move to the Packers.
   
   In between that though he tells stories of God and his miracles on the football field and about Buddy Ryan and the players he would go into the trenches with any day.
   
   He also writes about the death of Jerome Brown, stories of God, how he didnt want to leave his teammates of the Eagles but had to because of the ignorance of Norman Braman, and much much more.
   
   This is perhaps my favorite book I've read so far, and I enjoy reading.
   I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the NFL in general. Reggie White is a true NFL Legend and my hero.

No comments about Solomon: His Life and Times.

1 comments about Severus of Antioch (The Early Church Fathers).

1. This book is a comprehensive look at the life and newly translated works of Saint Severus of Antioch, who is revered by the non-Chalcedonian (or, as this book calls them, the "anti-Chalcedonian") churches for his defense of Saint Cyril's christology.
   
   The author deals with Saint Severus's life and the society over which he was a patriarch in excellent detail. I felt I had a good grasp of the political and ecclesiastical trends of the day. More importantly, she gives Saint Severus a fair, accurate, and unbiased historical profile as a Church Father dedicated to the preservation of Saint Cyril's accurate Christology of "one incarnate nature of God the Word," which was unfortunately neglected by those at the Council of Chalcedon and later twisted by neo-Chalcedonians who sought to reconcile the Council's inaccurate christology with Saint Cyril by every means necessary.
   
   Moreover, the translated homilies and texts, such as portions of Ad Nephalia and Philalethes are excellent works worthy of study by all Christians.
   
   Overall, Routledge has a winner in this series and in this particular book. Highly recommended!

2 comments about Clare and Her Sisters: Lovers of the Poor Christ (Prayer and Inspiration).

1. On pages xxvii and xxviii of the Information for the Reader section of Clare and Her Sisters, a Catholic lay association called the Brothers and Sisters of Penance is mentioned and contact information given. That group has been refounded as the Confraternity of Penitents with a new web site at http://www.penitents.org The web site and one of the addresses and emails mentioned in the book are used by another group whose name and Rule are similar to but yet different from the original vision which is being followed by the refounded organization called Confraternity of Penitents. Thank you for allowing me to provide this updated information.



2. I love reading about the saints. Some biographies, though, can be somewhat dry. This is especially the case with saints such as Clare of Assisi who lived many, many years ago. With these saints there are often a lack of verifiable facts that have been passed down to us through the centuries with which to work.
   
   Historical novels, on the other hand, while not dry, leave the reader wondering how to separate truth from fiction. Ms. Nugent has bridged the two genres in a wonderful way. Though the story flows like a novel there is never any question as to which characters and events are fact and which are used just to facilitate the telling of the story. She accomplishes this by adding chapter notes to the end of the book. In these notes she clearly and scrupulously separates know facts from fiction.
   
   Well done! I've just ordered the St. Anthony book and expect yet another fun read.

2 comments about The Gift of Sam: A Story Of Unspeakable Grace.

1. This is a fantastic book - a powerful resource written specifically with birth parents in mind. A great perspective for adoptive parents and professionals in this field. Through her own story, the author gracefully addresses the difficult struggle of her unplanned pregnancy and shares her journey through the decision to place her child in an adoptive home.



2. As a recent adoptive parent through domestic adoption, it was very helpful to grasp (or at least attempt to) what our birthmom may or may not have gone through. What I like most about this book is the author's willingness to bring God into EVERY inch of her journey, and she wasn't afraid to express her struggles - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I wish more of us were as real as she was in this book. I couldn't put this book down. Oh, and have the tissue box close by.

3 comments about Of Fairy Tales & Happily Ever Afters: My Story of Breast Cancer.

1. This book is remarkable because it is so incredibly personal. Terri tells the true story of her life and specifically her experiences while battling breast cancer. It is obvious when reading the book that Terri is a REAL person. She sheds the walls of privacy in hope that the telling of her story will help others. Yes, this book has a specific religious tone, as Terri reconciles most everything to her religious beliefs. However, the reader need only make a small jump to make application to their own beliefs, and any reader can understand the benefits of faith, friends, and family when faced with the challenges described in the book. Her positive spirit and determination to help others is an inspiration to a wide audience.



2. I've purchased a number of copies of this GREAT book! I'm donating copies and putting them in the waiting rooms at doctor's offices!
   This book is not just for those with cancer, but for anyone that may be experiencing one of life's trials! It proves that, by focusing on something Other than the trial, we are more than conquerors!
   Writing a book is difficult enough, but to do so while battling for her life....wow! Terri and her family are being used as a Light, showing many that there truly is HOPE!



3. As someone who is also battling Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), I was reluctant to read this book when I learned that the author passed away in April 2006 of IBC. However it helped me to see how someone with metastatic breast cancer can live each day fully and with joy, relying on the support of family and friends, along with a complete trust in God.
   
   The book is comprised mainly of e-mail updates that the author sent to her family and friends over the course of 2 years. It is a very detailed and personal account of her journey fighting breast cancer with numerous chemotherapy treatments. At times it was difficult for me to read, knowing that the author passed away at the age of 44, less than one year after completing the book. But as the author would frequently close her e-mails by saying "May I be a blessing to you in each word I write today", I can say that she has been to me.

1 comments about The Other Side of Welcome.

1. An excellant book, very well written, you can feel the abuse and tension. I am applalled at the way the Christians in Palastine have been treated...this book brings a new understanding to the history of the modern Middle East and the persecusion of Christians.

No comments about WALKING INTEGRITY.

5 comments about Simon de Montfort (British Lives).

1. Great but tragic story of a strong character who wanted too much and lost everything. Facinating story of an educated man in a uneducated time. Inside into the economic circumstances and its motivation in the 12th century. Highly recommendable but also higly difficult to read.



2. A very fair account of a truly remarkable individual. It presents him as a man dedicated to his ideals and as a man utterly obsessed with his well-being, even at the cost of his losing credibility for his government and the provisions he fought so hard for, making him believable as a real man. It is a shame so few people know about him. Highly recomended!



3. This book proves to be a well-written if not very complex biography of Simon de Montfort, a revolutionary mediveal baron who dares to challenged the King of England about the limitation of the royal powers. While initially successful, he allowed that success to go to his head and he was finally defeated and killed.

   The book revealed a highly complex character, its superbly researched, readable to a those who knoweledge of the period is pretty good, bit hard on those who may be entering this subject for the first time. The author managed to intergrate all elements of de Montfort's life, as a great soldier, as a politican, a man of God with a look of idealism and above all, a family man. Along with his strengths, lies his weaknesses, his ruthless ambition, self-centered on family promotion and wealth at expense of others and his overwhelming sense of pride that borderline on sheer arrogance. The book clearly show how his strength gained him his victories while his weaknesses sent him into defeat.

   With great insight, perception and scholarship, I would say this biography of Mountfort is probably the best on the subject and one of the best on any mediveal personalities of the time period. (Although Michael Prestwich's biography on Edward I is also quite excellent.)




4. J.R. Maddicott brings a lively and informative narrative with "Simon De Montfort". This mid 1990s 404-page (paperback) book is popular with four reprints by 1999. Maddicott is thorough in this presentation. He searches many, if not all, documents from the era for composing the dramatic and interesting life of medieval England's most famous Frenchman.
   
   With documented history Maddicott persuasively argues that De Montfort was a powerful pioneer for English baronial liberties. The book answers many questions about Simon's life, politics, religion, victories and defeats (in the political arenas and on battlefields). The reader also learns about Simon's family life (he married the king's widowed sister- Eleanor- without royal permission and had duplicitous sons), the life long quarrel between De Montfort and King Henry III, how the battle at Lewes brought Simon to the pinnacle of governmental power, and about his disastrous defeat and death at Evesham.
   
   If you like medieval pageantry and romance, you will appreciate Maddicott's presentation with "Simon De Montfort". French aristocrat De Montfort arrives to England in 1230 to begin his colorful baronial career. At first Henry III warms to the young aristocrat. Soon their relationship sours and De Montfort diligently works to depose Henry and gain royal power for the remainder of his life. It is a gripping interesting story.
   
   Although Maddicott tends toward run-on sentences and sometimes tediously examines each source (multiple footnotes appear on almost every page), this book is a good read. It opens with a helpful abbreviations list, presents an informative family tree, supplies more than 20 photos and maps, offers an exhaustive 12-page bibliography, and closes with a useable index.
   
   This book is recommendable particularly for English history buffs, medieval scholars, military historians, and constitutional history students. The specialty reader and the general reader will find, through this text, Simon De Montfort exciting and well worth the price.



5. It took me ages to wade through this but I am very pleased that I did. Its very comprehensively written and I appreciated the lengths that the author undertook in his research.
   
   This book was a bit serious for me but I enjoyed the learning experience that it provided.