2 comments about Living With Wisdom: A Life of Thomas Merton.

1. As a Catholic monk living in the United States during the turbulent second world war and the sixties, Tomas Merton's strong faith in his God shines brightly in his writing. While his autobiography, " The Seven Storey Mountain " might be the correct entry point into his more than 50 books, this book summarizes well Merton's life and times, and provides more pictures of of the places and friends that effected Merton than most of his no illustrations books.



2. This is one of my favorite "Merton" books. Other than Merton's own work, this is a real taste of Merton. I loved it! Jim Forest knew Tom Merton and gives a real insight into his life and thought.

5 comments about In Search of the Medicine Buddha: A Himalayan Journey.

1. The text itself is medicinal. The story speaks often of the ancient and rare, but is something everyone struck by the unrelenting madness of the modern world should read. The author's sincerity comes through clearly, and I would be pleased to see more from him. It is difficult to do justice to this book in a short time; it is very rich, even poetic. Do yourself a favor: just trust me on this one.



2. David delves into the subject of miraculous medicinal plants around the world and explains why botanical medicine is so crucial for the long term health and care of our planet, our healthcare system and our economy. David writes about how you can get involved in creating a grassroots healthcare system in your community by growing your own living pharmacy among many other natural wonders.



3. David Crows book is a must read for anyone interested in herbal medicine, Eastern philosophy, and their relevance in todays hectic world--especially for those interested in the ancient yet highly topical teachings of Ayurveda.

   This book is urging us to create a new renaissance in healing, but it is not another superficial New Age book. This book is written with care and depth of heart by someone who is not interested in simple answers to complicated questions. I was struck by the authors integrity and ability to make sense out of such diverse yet interrelated topics as herbs, healing, culture, sustainable economics, and ecology. The authors central theme is that we need to both revive and advance herbal medicine and our own sense of sacred environmentalism in order to live in harmony on this troubled earth.

   In Search of the Medicine Buddha is not only a book about herbal medicine but also about the need to renew our ageold spiritual connection to plants. Moreover, the book is refreshingly honest, rich, and poetic in its descriptions of Nepali and Indian culture. Highly recommended for anyone interested in creating a richer, more fulfilling and balanced life for themselves and all other living beings!




4. To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?(Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.), Roman orator, philosopher, statesman. Orator, 120.)
   
   As humans we not only should look into the future, but into the past. Without considering our past history-how can make appropriate observations, conclusions and judgments? And this is why I find this book of value.
   
   About the Book:
   Crow, a student of spiritual healing, left his acupuncture practice in San Francisco to travel to Kathmandu to pursue the path of the healers in Buddhist and Hindu culture. He discusses his experiences with Nepalese traditional doctors and Tibetan healing practices. Crow believes Ayurveda is the medicine of the future and the antidote to disease caused by our increasingly toxic world.



5. The perspective and insight that this books contains is overwhelming. The content was great, but what struck me most was the nature of the author. He has such an incredible respect and love for the Earth, other cultures, and human beings. If the world was full of David Crows, we'd be in good shape. I recommend this book for the fascinating look at Tibetan medicine, but even more for the spiritual development that Mr. Crow inspires.

1 comments about Horses Like Lightning: A Story of Passage Through the Himalayas.

1. I previously visited Lomonthang in 2006, and will return this September 2008. Dr. Craig's book is a personal treasure of mine. Amplifying and enriching my insights, experiences, and appreciation of new friendships acquired during my travel to this remote, fragile, and culturally endangered region, "Horses Like Lightening" represents the very best of the travel memoir. Her writing combines qualities of personal integrity, open-heartedness, and intellectual acuity-a deeply satisfying combination for this reader. In "feeling" Mustang through the author, I was often reminded of The Buddhist poet Milarepa's "Song of the Galloping Horse of a Yogi", particularly the lines: "...In the temple of my breast, At the summit of the traingle of my heart, The horse which is my mind flies like the wind, He gallops on the plains of great bliss..."
   An intimate, eloquent, and fully dimensional accounting of a remote and wild beauty, teetering on the edge of great cultural transformation. Highly recommended.

4 comments about Aaronsohn's Maps: The Untold Story of the Man Who Might Have Created Peace in the Middle East.

1. Aaronson's Maps" is a misleading and confusing book. It claims to be a biography of an unsung hero of the Zionist revolution in the Land of Israel - Aaron Aaronsohn. A brilliant and versatile man, he won worldwide fame as a discoverer of wild wheat. During WWI, convinced that the British victory over the Turkish army was vital for the Jewish future in Palestine, Aaronsohn organized the NILI group, a spy ring which provided the British army with important information facilitating British victory over the Turks. In 1919 Aaronson joined the Zionist delegation to the Paris Peace Conference where the case for Jewish independence in Palestine was presented to "The Big Four". He died in a plane crash on his way to Paris to present maps of the future Jewish state. His arguments, used by the Zionist delegation, convinced the world that Palestine had enough water resources to sustain large Jewish and Arabs communities. Unfortunately, "Aaronsohn's maps" fails the memory of Aaronsohn and lets down many in Israel who sincerely cooperated with Patricia Goldstone providing her with documents about Aaronsohn and the NILI group. The author, not being a professional historian, displays a cavalier attitude toward historical facts. She reshuffles them with dexterity of a gossip columnist ill-prepared to deal with complex historical situations. The heroic image of Aaronsohn is besmirched by unfounded conclusions. His dreams and ideas of the Jewish revival in the Land of Israel are corrupted by insinuations of Zionist intrigues which allegedly precipitated WWI in Europe and, later, the intervention of the USA in that war. Goldstone fails to present her main claim that Aaronsohn is "a man who might have created peace in the Middle East". Instead she is rehashing the current events in the Middle East trying to prove that the wars between Arabs and Jews are about sharing water resources, not about the attempts of Islam to eliminate the state of Israel. The reader who is interested in an intellectually honest book on Aaronsohn and his times should read "Lawrence and Aaronsohn" - a compelling account written by professional historian Ronald Florence.



2. Goldstone chronicles the life of Aaron Aaronsohn, who carved careers in science, diplomacy and espionage. Furthermore, Aaronsohn does not conform to the standard "Jewish molds" of his era. His numerous and disparate accomplishments and his unique world perspective make his biographer's task all the more challenging. Goldstone says that some of the information was denied to her as it is still classified - complicating her task.
   
   Goldstone's Aaronsohn was a refugee whose parents moved from Romania to Palestine (which was then under Ottoman rule) when he was six. While he was spiritual, he was not particularly religious. He was more liberal - and certainly more tolerant - than most of his fellow Jews. His vision of Palestine was a Jewish state in which Jews and Arabs co-existed. His Palestine would be a Jewish state with adequate civic and political spaces for other groups. Hence, citizens (Jewish or others) would strive for common secular goals. His vision of a state has striking similarities to the Ottoman model of governance.
   
   As a surveyor, agronomist, and hydrologist, he discovered a new variety of wheat, understood farming and compiled detailed maps of water sources in the Middle East. He then used his knowledge to map the boundaries of Palestine based on geographical realities and economic needs. However representatives of Britain and France, who ultimately drew political boundaries, had other considerations. His political career was less spectacular than his scientific one. His religious views fueled his nationalistic passion, and for this cause he sacrificed his life and more.
   
   One may question Goldstone's version of Aaronsohn's life, its historical importance, and its influence on Israeli-Palestinian politics today. However, Goldstone writes a compelling story and should be credited for writing about a less known (but important) figure like Aaronsohn. In the coming years more about Aaronsohn will enter the public domain as it becomes declassified. As additional historical evidence becomes available, and as other interpretations of Aaronsohn's life appear, a different Aaronsohn may emerge. As there is precious little about him outside the specialized literature, it is hoped that Goldstone's contribution will help spur additional work on Aaronshon and Middle Eastern history.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Unique look at one important man.



3. Pearls don't live in shallow waters and this author really dove deep to get the historical story to the surface. It really is a necklace of creative and powerful events... a treasure trove of adventure and political manipulation. Goldstone smartly sets the fiery events up on page two, stating that Aaaronsohn was the product of big events and big changes. And...WHAM!...the adventure begins. "If we fail", Aaronsohn states "we alone shall suffer". And that's exactly what happens...and we are now living with the results. Of course we have the war which exposes all kinds of political foolishness as well as deft triumphs by the power players of the era. I especially enjoyed the fact that Aaronsohn really got Churchills guts in an uproar. I'm sure some of the basic truths are going to really upset a few...but...so what...the truth is often hard to swallow. I guess that's what I really enjoyed the most. See for yourself. When you're finished think about what the middle east might be now if only half of Aaronsohn's work and vision became reality. Adios. Enjoy.



4. It is rare to have the pleasure of reading a serious work of scholarship which excites the imagination as well as informing the intellect. Patricia Goldstone has done an enormous amount of work in digging out the facts about a little-known figure who in the early part of the 20th century set out to map the water resources of Palestine and neighboring territories. The subtitle of her book: "The untold story of the man who might have created peace in the Middle East" makes her thesis clear: if Aaron Aaronsohn's advice had been accepted the continuing Israeli/Palestinian conflict might have been averted.
   
   In documenting Aaronsohn's life and work Ms. Goldstone has dug deep in archives, which have also revealed the story of Aaronsohn's unbelievably brave sister Sarah, who before her early tragic death after torture at the hands of the Turks, may have been the lover of another much discussed player in the Middle East, T. E. Lawrence.
   
   Without ever over-pressing her case for her new interpretation of their intertwined lives and with scrupulous attention to the surviving documents, Ms Goldstone vividly transports us into a world of spies, betrayals, and heartfelt devotion to a cause that holds our attention, while raising new questions about a much-disputed series of events in Middle East history.

4 comments about The Life and Times of Constantine the Great: Third Edition.

1. This is history writing at its best. I had read in the past other books on Constantine, including Burckhardt, and I can say that Kousoulas takes a page in history - a subject many find dry and even boring - and breaths life into it. This book shows that extensive research into the life of a towering historical figure does not prevent a capable author from writing a fascinating story that an ordinary reader can enjoy while learning at the same time. For anyone interested in Constantine the Great and the time when human history took a new direction, this is the book to read. The author writes with equal candor and intimate detail about Constantine's accomplishments and his acts of cruelty, but also about the men and women in his life, not as cardboard characters but as human beings with their own virtues and foibles.



2. An excellent detailed and riviting account of Constantine, his childhood and rise to power, the Roman empire in general before and after Constantine took power, and how Constantine converted to Christianity and what he did for Christianity afterwards. I highly recommend this book to two categories of people: those interested in Roman history and those interested in the early history of Christianity.



3. I disliked it, even though it is patently written to amuse the general reader, because it stresses the issues that I don't care about. Just like it was a biography of a modern celebrity, the author goes on about the private life, loves, cares, deeds of this man.On the background are these things that were going on in the world and that happened to cross the paths of our "heroe". These other issues are dismissed almost as a bother. And I should think it was the other way round. If Constantine's life matters today is because of the times he lived in, the spread of Christianity into Europe and European history in general.
   
   A completely flawed book because it takes the leaves for the carrot. Even worse: being a highly reader-friendly book, it becomes a rather obscene exercise of history, an object of riducule for achieving the hardest thing but missing the target totally. Well-told; only the wrong story. The title is absurd and misleading.



4. I got the book because of a recent fascination with Roman political history and because Constantine was the first "Christian" emperor. I also wanted to do a pre-read of the history before my wife and I head to Rome/Greece/Israel later this year.
   
   The book was highly enjoyable and readable for a lay person like myself. It gave me a real flavor for the political ebb and flow that was empire politics, how emperors came to the purple and how large the empire of the period (AD 300-350) was and how complex to govern.
   
   I wanted to know why and how Constantine came to embrace Christianity and the writer successfully conveyed the degree of religiosity of the public. He also gave brief explanations of the more significant of the competing "non-main stream" sects that were around at the time and how Constantine came to favor Christianity among them. Finally, there is a fair amount of detail provided around the subject of early church history, issues and personalities.
   
   Where possible, the author uses citations from the actual writings of Constantine - which gives some texture to the subjects and brings the times to life. Overall, this was one of the books which, once completed, I was glad that I had picked up.

5 comments about This Our Exile: A Spiritual Journey With the Refugees of East Africa.

1. What a wonderfully inspirational read !! We follow a young Jesuit to Kenya, where he works for two years ministering to the material and spiritual needs of East African refugees from Rwanda, Somalia, the Sudan and other strife-torn areas of the continent. We share his small triumphs as well as his disappointments and frustrations as he labors against frightful odds to help the refugees start up modest income-producing projects.

   The author, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School who joined the Jesuits after working for six years in industry, went to Africa to learn and help in some small way. Instead, he wound up the student, learning from the refugees about the true meaning of dignity and perserverance.

   Buy it...Read it..You'll feel fulfilled by it.




2. In this engaging book, a young Jesuit recounts the trials, tribulations and rewards of his two-year stint among the refugees of East Africa. He describes in vivid detail true-life vignettes of strength and hope in the midst of grinding poverty. But this book is far from somber--rather, it's full of laugh-out-loud humor combined with an evident love of the author's fellow man. A great book!!



3. I'm planning on going on a missions trip to Kenya this summer, so I was really searching for a book that would give me insight on the people of that region, not just the normal tourist information. This book blew away all my expectations. Not only did I meet the refugees through James Martins engaging narratives, I also felt like I knew them and could really identify with their hardships. The stories grew depressing at times, but such is life in East Africa, and that fact only made their faith and hope more amazing and inspiring. Martin was often humorous and candid, and I felt myself trying to cheer him along on his journeys as if I was right there with him.
   This our Exile is a good read for anyone interested in East Africa and it's people who are often ignored and under represented. 2 giant thumbs up.



4. Father Martin has written a very good book. The strength of the book lies in the way that the refugee's stories are presented. Father Martin does not parade their hardships and poverty before us in an attempt to provoke our sympathy or guilt. Rather, Father Martin presents us with real people who love and live. We come to know the people in the book as people, no different in their humanity than you or I. On the surface, this is no great insight, but I think we tend to objectify the exiles of the world in order to keep our distance from them. Father Martin does not let us do this. We come to know and care about the people in this book very deeply. Of course, this opens us up, as readers, to a deeper sorrow and (hopefully) a deeper understanding of how too many people live. But it also opens us up to a greater experience of God and how God works in the world. This book is a slim volume and easily read, but the spirutual insights are deep and meaningful. This book should be read by all of the idle and self-involved inhabitants of the "first world." You will never be able to look at a disposable plastic cup in the same way again.



5. This is one of James Martin's earlier works and what a wonderful presentation of a lived experience in East Africa working with refugees. Martin takes the reader along for a front-seat journey through his experience of a two-year formation internship in Kenya. Filled with true stories of the people he journeyed with, your heart will be touched by the relationships Martin formed over the course of his stay.
   
   Not knowing much of the situation of East African refugees (in the 1990s), I found this book educational in addition to the spiritual focus that comes forth naturally in such a work.
   
   This is just an all around great book from the excellent and engaging writing style of Martin to the retelling of the journey walking with refugees in Africa; read this book.

3 comments about Roger Williams: The Church and the State.

1. Williams is shown as uncompromising in the pursuit of the correct way to live. Even when it was unpopular (even dangerous) Willams said what he felt was the truth -- and lived up to his own standards. He is too often overlooked and too important not to teach our children about.



2. The book is both an overview of religious developments among the English in the 16th and 17th century and an examination of the extremist thought of Roger Williams, a Separatist-Puritan who came to the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1631. Religion in England had transitioned from Roman Catholicism to the Protestant Church of England to the Puritans by the end of the 16th century. The Separatist-Puritans were unwilling to compromise with elements of the Church of England and were forced to emigrate either to Holland or the New World. Key concerns were the inclusion of both believers and lesser believers and the administration of sacraments to all, as well as a priestly hierarchy.
   
   Williams, in his insistence on enforcing a purist interpretation of Separatist-Puritan principles, incurred the disfavor of all varieties of Puritans in New England and as a consequence was forced to relocate several times before being banned from Massachusetts Bay. He ended up in Rhode Island as a relatively young man, but the author gives no indication of how his life proceeded from that point on.
   
   Williams questioned the legitimacy of self-selected, so-called elected, individuals to form churches and elect ministers. In addition, he disagreed that a civil government formed by a people ruled by divine right. What was the process whereby God extended authorization and legitimacy, he asked. His views undercut the Massachusetts General Court, which took on the responsibility of enforcing religious standards in the colony along with the ministers. According to Williams, a civil government was only about protecting the bodies and property of subjects. While fundamental morality was also of concern to governments in so far as immorality affected community peace, enforcing religion interfered with liberty of conscience concerning religion. In other words, religion could not be coerced. It was these fundamental views as well as his criticisms of practices within churches that exasperated authorities sufficiently to exclude him from the colony.
   
   The author gives high marks to Williams as an uncompromising thinker. But with Williams there seems to be a fine line between intellectual integrity and self-indulgent nit-picking. As a religious man, where was he going with his view that no true churches existed or his idea that ministers could not preach to the unconverted? On the other hand, his ideas of separation of church and state were remarkable for the times. The author perhaps should have paid more attention to the practicalities of Williams' unfettered thinking. In this era of inclusion and acceptance, Puritan exclusiveness and rigidities are hard to grasp. This book helps.



3. In this book famed historian Edmund S. Morgan summarizes and organizes the philosophies of Roger Williams and his contemporaries. The work is organized topically, and in each subject the views of Roger Williams and the Puritan mainstream are described and compared. Roger Williams held radical positions on the separation worship for "regenerate" Christians, the need for divine authority, the separation of Church and State, and other issues, but Prof. Morgan shows such stances to be logical extensions of widespread Puritan assumptions.
   
   The writings of Roger Williams and those with whom he corresponded compose most of the source material, but the language and organization are modern. Prof. Morgan's paraphrasing and interpreting reveal stunning reasoning.

4 comments about History of Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Smith: The Unabridged Original Version.

1. As a faithful LDS member, I have long been troubled by Brigham Young's attempts to destroy the original copy of this book that Lucy Mack orated, then reviewed, and finally approved. If he claims it had probs, that's fine, but you don't rewrite history or rewrite a book that someone else wrote as her own autobiography!
   
   I have tried for a long time to get my hands on an original copy to see what B.Y. had felt was so threatening to the church that he would threaten church members and forced destruction of every copy he could find. This book, FINALLY has been released with not only the church-approved print, but the author has also added in the the stuff that was deleted by B.Y. (and the committee he formed to deal with it), but instead put the deletions in brackets [like this] so you know what was deleted and can skip over them if you want the church authorized version, read them if you want the original version approved by Lucy Mack, or simply notice what was taken out because it was somehow considered threatening or incorrect.
   Also, the author has gone the extra mile and included all the extra stuff from the rough draft (there were 3 drafts and a final total) in italics. There are so many other things that you can learn from Lucy's original Manuscript. Lots of details were removed in the latter drafts (to conserve space, make it flow better, and make it less conversational, as well as details that the editors decided weren't necessarily significant as well as other reasons I don't know).
   
   The preface of this book has the full detailed history of the book. It explains every edition it's been through (I think like 14 editions), the differences, where the copyrights went to, why they were released and by who (not all of them were by the LDS church). It also explains what B.Y. found so upsetting and why. Apparently there were only like 9 mistakes (a couple dates were wrong, and few names were mixed up, but no real big deal, at least nothing worth throwing a fit over and making threats). The preface is amazing, at least find the book and read the preface and you will understand why this book goes on my top 10 LDS books list.
   
   This is the BEST version ever written if you are going to read Lucy Mack's version of what happened, I would strongly suggest you get this version whether you are LDS or not! Even reprints of the original cost upwards of $200, and this book has both that, and stuff nobody has ever read before from the roughdraft (not to mention everything is seperated out so you can tell what goes with which version - Rough Draft, Original, or B.Y. Edited version)!!!



2. Regardless of how you feel about Joseph Smith, this book, written from the point of view of his mother, reveals a very human side to his life. The majority of her history consists of the many, many trials and persecutions her family and early Church members endured over the years, resulting in the death of her own older sons.
   
   Lucy has revealed to the world her impressive recollection of the history of her family, with a strong focus on her son Joseph. While there are many gaps not documented by her account, what she does retell, is in good detail and easy to understand.
   
   The book has a preface plus introduction, which explain what the many different versions of Lucy's biography are, and when they were written, by whom and how they differ. The changes in what was published and what was not are highlighted via different font use, [bracketing] and footnotes. I don't believe there is anything found in the other editions of her biography available today, that is not contained in this version.
   
   For me, my expectation was to see controversial topics removed. Having now read the book from cover to cover, I am puzzled as to what Joseph's successor, Brigham Young had problems with. I searched through all the main text and footnotes for controversial commentary, but found...none. For example, I was expecting to read a deleted chapter on Lucy's view of the leadership succession after Joseph's death, as that topic would understandably be a touchy subject that Brigham would not want readers to see. Surprisingly, there is no mention at all of this in any of the different versions. In fact one can only make the assumption he never read the book when he pronounced it was a "tissue of lies", and then a year later commissioned that it be republished "to the world".
   
   While this book does not come close to the historical coverage of the life of Joseph Smith that other biographies achieve, it is still an important, soul touching work. The details that this book covers, form the foundation of almost every other historical effort produced on the life of Joseph Smith, and hence cannot be ignored.
   
   I highly recommend this book.



3. I highly recommend this book. Lucy Smith's perspective provides a singularly unique window through which to view not only the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith but also the lives of her other family members and of the early Latter-day Saints.
   
   Lucy was somewhat advanced in years when she undertook writing this history. Being primarily retrospective in nature, the dates and exact circumstances surrounding some of the early Church events are not always completely accurate. (Perhaps this was part of the basis for Brigham Young's original dislike.) Despite this, the vantage point offered through Lucy's eyes lends invaluable insight and understanding that is not afforded by a purely academic study of the facts. After reading Lucy's report, one is left with a conviction of its veracity and in humbling astonishment of what she, her family members and other early Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") experienced, sacrificed and endured as they strived to fully embrace Jesus Christ and His Gospel as restored to the earth through her son, the Prophet Joseph Smith.
   
   The reader will find this particular edition/version of Lucy's account extremely valuable because it not only includes what was written prior to earlier abridgements but also includes a vast volume of Lucy's personalized thoughts and insights written in her pre-publication rough draft.



4. This book is great. It provides such a background to the life and experiences that Joseph Smith and his family went through to be able to be called of God and perform the works that he did.

5 comments about Forever Young : The Life, Loves, and Enduring Faith of a Hollywood Legend ; The Authorized Biography of Loretta Young.

1. This book is written through Ms. Young's eyes and appears to be her somewhat romanticized and (more importantly)spiritualized take on life. She tends to gloss over the tawdry or questionable aspects while dwelling on the spiritual aspects. Having read her daughter Judy's book, I can clearly see that there was a lot of moral conflict in her mind and this book was clearly a good way to absolve herself of most of the negatives in her life. That said, the book is an o.k. read once you begin to differentiate the truth from the romantic fiction.



2. She is not like you would have imagined from the TV Show. She had a lot more going on than the glamour that she displayed with her swirling entries each week.
   She was not the angel one might think either but she was human and she faced it, or not, within the pages of this book. She sometimes came off as a saint and sometimes as naive but you did not always believe she could be THAT naive. Other times she came of as competent and adult, which, in my book makes her as real as a Hollywood siren can be.



3. Whilst Loretta Young unquestionably lead an interesting life, you would not know it from this whitewashed, saintly version. This book would have been far better promoted as a commentary on Loretta Young and her relationship with god. Certainly those readers wanting to know about her experiences in Hollywood in the 1930s would be disappointed. Her screen career was largely glossed over - we are talking about a woman who worked with pioneers such as Lon Chaney - you'd barely know it from this book. Similarly, there was little on her relationship with her sisters or any comments of substance about their lives or careers. Even the more 'scandalous' elements of her life were only worth a couple of pages - the rest of the book was more like a conversion exercise. Whilst the religious element was obviously something that influenced who she was as a person, the author did not delve beyond this. It is an injustice if this is the best that can be offered in her memory.



4. The book was interesting and I learned more about Loretta Young's life. I agree, it was a bit "candy coated", but I think it explains the "sign of the times" and that is where she was in her life. I think it is great that she had such a strong faith in God and that her religion played a very important part of her life. Her life is a good example for others. In this day and time, we let too much just "hang out there". It would be nice if our world was a little more "reserved".



5. This book is pretty straight forward. Like the title says this is a book about Loretta Youngs life; loves, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracey, Tom Lewis, etc, etc.; and faith one of the mainstays in her life threw all the good and bad times she experienced.
   
   All in all a very good book about Loretta Young. The best part about it is that finally Loretta admitted that Judy Lewis was her biological child with Clark Gable.

2 comments about Martin Luther 1521-1532: Shaping and Defining the Reformation.

1. This definitive bio of Luther in three volumes, is here in the second volume capturing the middles period, 1521-1532. Here the implications of the theological reform were being carried out.

   Amazingly, the impact of the freeing of the monasteries and nunneries is immense. From there the liturgical reforms and political with the Phesants War loom large as well.

   All culminates at Augsburg, with the remarkable Confession, weak Confutation, and subsequent Apology to the Augustana.

   Brecht certainly is meticulous and careful historian, whose documentation is precise and enormous in its breath and depth. This set will stand the test for years and be of great asset to all those seeking to follow this amazing follower of Christ to the life of the world.




2. This is the second of a trilogy covering Luther's life. (The other volumes are: "Martin Luther: His Road to Reformation," and "Martin Luther: The Preservation of the Church.") This edition takes us from the posting of the 95 Theses, the debate with Eck, the Diet of Worms and the major events of Luther's reformation. One gains great respect for the depth of Luther's insights and his courage in standing up for his understanding of the Gospel.
   
   The author summarizes the content of many writings against/by Luther during this period. Particularly fascinating to me was the exchange between Erasmus' "The Freedom of the Will" and Luther's "On the Bondage of the Will." Two master theologians go at it head to head, describing the heart of the Gospel teaching, and whether we can do anything to merit salvation or whether it is all by God's grace. This is truly "meat" and not "milk" for the seeking reader, with enduring relevance for modern-day Christians.