5 comments about Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions -- A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord.

1. From the Overview on page xxx, you know this book is going to be helpful. There you'll find an easy to read chart showing the various sections of the Lutheran Confessions, the dates they were written, the authors, and a brief summary of their content.
   
   Then there's a Reader's Guide with suggested readings for each weekday over 52 weeks that takes you through the entire book.
   
   That's followed by a Reformation Timeline that covers 200 years of key events in a few, short pages.
   
   Other useful information is packed into the first pages as well. Thirty-eight pages of very easy to access and useful information before you even get to the beginning of the text! I think that the first section is worth at least half the price.
   
   Then you'll find the section introductions, timelines, and outlines throughout the book. I particularly appreciate the introduction to The Formula of Concord, Epitome.
   
   All of that is followed by appendixes and indexes.
   
   So, while the translation is very helpful and readable, the ancillary material alone is well worth getting the book.
   
   This is a book that deserves space on the shelf of every Bible student. Anyone in the Reformation tradition will most especially appreciate having it for regular reading and study.
   
   J. D. Lowitzer
   Collierville, TN



2. If you are a Christian and you want to read a book that explains the Holy Scriptures in great detail look no further than Concordia Reader's Edition. In this reader friendly book you have laid out before you a concise understanding of God's Holy Word - The Bible. In Concordia you will read about the Law and Gospel language that God uses in His Word to convey both the sinfulness of man and his salvation through the Messiah - Jesus Christ. But unlike many theological books, this one brings our heavenly Father's message of sin and salvation to light in layman's terms. In other words, you don't have to be a pastor to understand it. In fact, I have been giving this book to my God-children at their confirmation.
   
   So if you are looking for a good book that explains the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, truly the Christian faith, in terms that are easily understood, look no further than Concordia Reader's Edition.
   
   Rev. Raymond A. Smith
   "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
   John 1:29



3. It's been said that when the philosophers and scientists climb their mountains of knowledge, they find the theologians at the top waiting for them. If this is true then the reformation period represents the pinnacle of human intellectual endeavor, and this book stands at the top of any collection of reformation writings.
   
   I'm not a theologian, I consider myself more of a historian. I don't read that many books on theology, but this is clearly one of the best. Some of it is over my (and I suspect most laymen's) heads. Yes, it can bog down in theological tedium for the average reader, but purely from an historical perspective, the book is invaluable in putting the events and characters of the 16th Century German Reformation in place.
   
   The book is organized chronologically, starting with the Augsburg Confession. This simple statement of belief is a must read for any Christian, layman or clergy alike and frames the questions raised by the Reformation in easy to understand terms. It then goes into Melanchthon's Apology (defense) of the Augsburg Confession. Here it starts to bog down and is meant more for serious students of Theology.
   
   Fortunately, it moves quickly back into laymen's territory with the Luther's Small and Large Catechisms. With no offense to my beloved Presbyterian brethren, the organization of the Small and Large Catechisms is superior to the Westminster Catechism, if not as broad in scope.
   
   At this point I should mention one of this book's real hidden gems. Being simple minded, I like a book with lots of pictures. Most theology books are lacking in the graphics department. This one, however, is loaded with color plates of important people of the reformation, although it lacks color portraits of the opponents of the reformation. The black and white wood cuts and color allegorical paintings are fantastic, full of hidden symbols and nuances of 16th century life (remember - historian at heart). I spent hours just looking at the pictures, never mind the text.
   
   Finally the book concludes with the Smalcald Articles and the post Martin Luther Formula of Concord written to delineate Lutheran as opposed to the "Phillipists" Lutheran/Calvinistic hybrid.
   
   A big book - not easy reading. I bought it intending to keep it as a reference, not thinking to read it cover to cover as I did. But having done so, I recommend it to any Christian wanting to really think about their faith on a deeper, more intellectual level than is common in the 21st Century.



4. Absolutely amazing, wonderful book. Concordia is an absolute must read, whether Catholic, Lutheran, or other protestant Christians. Please read and enjoy.



5. The Concordia book of Concord provides great resource material for working out your faith. It is however, a book for those looking for greater insight into doctrines and passages of scripture, but not a book initially for those unfamiliar with what the Bible says.
   
   Sometimes it is difficult to use this version in a Bible study where other's have previous versions because page numbers do not match up.

4 comments about Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers: Exploring Christian Faith.

1. Along with Richard John Neuhaus, and Jaroslav Pelikan, these three all left the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Is it any coincidence that Neuhaus (Roman Catholic) and Pelikan (Eastern Orthodox) left Lutheranism long ago and Marty resides in a church body that purports to be Lutheran but is in altar and pulpit fellowship with Methodists and Presbyterians.
   
   Lutheran Questions and Lutheran Answers ought to begin by addressing this question, "why not ask a Lutheran instead of a pseudo-Lutheran?"



2. Some people of very conservative leaning are unhappy with this book, because Martin Marty is not Missouri Synod. Nothing in this book ought to offend any reasonably open-minded Christian. And I say this objectively as one converting from the UMC to the Catholic Church. This book is an excellent basic introduction to Lutheran thought by one of the great living Lutheran theologians. If you like this book, check out Marty's contributions to The Christian Century magazine.



3. `On Being Lutheran, Reflections on Church, Theology, and Faith' by the late Timothy F. Lull, former professor of Systematic Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and `Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers, Exploring Christian Faith' by the popularly known writer and Lutheran professor of religious history are both written for the Lutheran laity. And, while they both strongly reinforce what I've always seen as the most attractive aspects of the Lutheran faith, they approach it in very different ways.
   The heart of Lutheranism, in my mind, is a critical appreciation of the 66 canonical books of the Protestant Bible, holding a reading of these as the fountainhead of all our beliefs regarding God, Jesus, and all the theology which has grown up under the Christian name over the last 2000 years. The important word here is `critical'. Luther lead the way in highlighting the fact that some canonical books, such as Paul's epistles to the Romans and Galatians, the Gospel of John, Isaiah, and the Book of Psalms were more important than, for example, the epistle of James and the book of Revelations. Both authors reinforce this, without going into a lot of detail regarding Luther's actual writings or in taking up issues with Biblical interpretation. This, they leave to the thousands of scholarly books on Biblical exegesis.
   Professor Lull's primary emphasis is on the very practical issues of the confession(s) recognized by the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In fact, the book is a compilation of articles Professor Lull wrote for `The Lutheran' magazine shortly after the merger of the several Lutheran organizations, thereby creating the ELCA, the fifth largest organized denomination in the country. Thus, each of the good doctor's short chapters in the first part of the book is an explanation of articles in the ELCA confession of faith. And, of course, `confessions' are a big thing for Lutherans, as the founding doctrine of what would become the Lutheran church at the dawn of the Reformation is the `Augsburg Confession', written by Philip Melanchthon, a theologian and close associate and colleague of Luther's at Wittenberg. This is the keystone of `The Book of Concord', the ultimate authority, short of the scriptures themselves, of Lutheran orthodoxy. As such, the little book takes on something of a legalistic tone, and one finds oneself spending more time reading about church organization and promise than about theology. But then, that's really the title of the book. It deals with what one signs up to when they get their Lutheran confirmation in an ELCA church. So, if you are really interested in the underpinnings of ELCA doctrines and policies, this is the book for you.
   Professor Marty's many `question and answer' style chapters are far closer to the gospel sources than they are to LUTHERAN issues, although the text certainly reads the Bible with Martin Luther looking over his shoulder. Therefore, Marty's book is far more useful to someone, say a person considering entering a Lutheran church from some other denomination. All the answers are in an easy tone, worthy of a writer who has penned over 50 books on Christian subjects. Where Marty raises issues with me is when he states that the book may serve as a guide for an adult study group. On the face of it, the question and page to two page answer seems just right for such a purpose, but there is one problem to my mind. This is the fact that it seems to me that the immensely knowledgeable Professor Marty wrote this book `on the fly' or `off the top of his head', based on his broad range of knowledge stored away in his own memory. The primary symptom I see for this is the number of references to works such as `some author has written...' without going to the trouble of telling us who this author is, and what the name of his book is. A second symptom is the fact that there are very few direct references to scripture, even though most of the book deals with topics taken straight from the New Testament. A third symptom is that there is little or no reference to the works of Luther and his colleagues in grounding explanations for, for example, why Protestants have only two sacraments while Catholics have seven. I only bring these up because of the claim that the book is a good source for study. The book is a very good stand-in for `Lutheranism for Dummies', but I would think twice about using it as a basis for study, unless one took it upon oneself to track down all the sources oneself.
   On the other hand, Professor Lull's book is an excellent basis for a Lutheran study group, as long as the topic of study is modern Lutheran doctrines. Each short chapter ends with two or three short questions, which provide excellent material to engage the study group participants.
   Both books are very good, and Professor Marty's book is quite readable, and both, I am happy to say, reinforce my choice of the Lutheran faith. They are excellent if you want to know about Lutheranism but have no wish to read Luther or modern works on Lutheran theology.



4. Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers: Exploring Christian Faith
   
   This book covers A-Z when exploring the Lutheran Faith through the eyes of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Very easy to read and understand, this book answers most questions and then some anyone would ask about how this church believes. Of course, not everyone is going to believe everything exactly the same, but if your beliefs match well, the ELCA might be for you. Dr. Marty adds quite a bit of humor along the way so that the reading is fun too. Hope everyone enjoys it, like I did.

5 comments about The NAET Guide Book, Sixth Edition.

1. I had reviewed this in the past and given it 5 stars. This is my updated comments. When I was treated with a N.A.E.T. type therapy my doctor actually didn't follow this method used here which may of been less effective for all I know. I didn't find this treatment to be as helpful as I had hoped. It may be in part due to the fact that I have multiple food sensitivies instead of just a few.I strongly feel though that the cause of the problem like a weak immune system needs to be addressed before any other treatment can be lasting. I am going to an Naturopath now and she says that this treatment in the long run hasn't been found to be lasting. Diane



2. I was recommended to "Dr.Devi" by my older sister, who was treated for severe food allergies through NAET. I've been a patient for over a year now, and this book really helps you understand the process and encourages you through your journey of better health.



3. Book was in great shape and was soon in my mail box.
   Thanks.



4. This is an outstanding book and used by the Dr. we are seeing for our kids now. We purchased the book and it was also provided by the Dr. as a reference for us to keep. I would recommend reading this guide book as that is exactly what it is a guide book. Providing the information you require going forward with knowledge.



5. This book is more for the practitioner.
   It has some great information on NAET treatment however, with good style and paperwork for record keeping for other's as well that are interested in dealing with their allergies

5 comments about The Preacher's Daughter (Annie's People #1).

1. The only thing I would recommend before purchasing this book is to buy the 3 volume set of Annie's People by Beverly Lewis. This is a fun, heartful way to delve into the life of an Amish girl who is torn between her culture and her drive to explore beyond the strict rules of the Amish people. I feel like I know the characters in the book, and have enjoyed reading the whole series (I am almost done with the second book). I can't wait to see what Annie will choose to do with her life. It's an easy read. I highly recommend it!



2. "The Preacher's Daughter" is the first book in a new series by Beverly Lewis. It introduces Annie Zook and her friend Louisa Stratford. Annie is one of the Plain People, she and Louisa have been pen pals for years and now Louisa comes to visit Annie. Louisa is a typical, wealthy, middle class woman. However disgruntled with her last relationship, she comes to meet Annie for the first time then stays as she finds the Plain life uncomplicated and calmer.
   
   I find the Amish lifestyle interesting and Ms Lewis' descriptions of their everyday life fascinating. I have read several of her other novels and enjoyed them. This time, however, I found the ending disappointing as she obviously was just setting up the next book in this series. I would have enjoyed it more if this novel had stood alone rather than just being an introduction to the series.



3. Annie Zook, the daughter of an Amish preacher has long maintained a forbidden secret - she loves to draw and to paint, art forms forbidden amongst her people. Louisa Stratford is the daughter of a successful Colorado lawyer, always having all the money she could possibly want, but knowing that there is something missing from her life. Pen pals since childhood, Annie and Louisa will come to rely on each other as they move forward into a future that they little expected.
   
   This is another great book by Christian author Beverly Lewis. Let me first say what it is not - it is not a book of praise of the Amish life, nor is it an expose; it's not a simple story of faith overcoming all obstacles, and it's not a story of finding God and having all problems drop away. Instead, what this is is a realistic story of Annie, struggling to live her faith, and maintain the standards of her church, even when she does not fully agree with them. And it is the story of Louisa, who sees how complicated life can be, and is often surprising in her concrete grasp of what is important.
   
   Overall, I found this to be a wonderfully interesting tale, making me care for the characters, and what happened to them. I think that this is a great story, one that is sure to please the discriminating reader. Is it the story of steadfast faith? No, not really, it's the story of real people trying to live their lives in a world more complicated than they had thought...just like the rest of us.



4. This was a great book! You really feel like you get to know Annie and her friends. I couldn't put it down! I'm currently reading "The Englisher", which is the second book in the series, and I love that one too. If you are looking for good Christian fiction, be sure to read "The Preacher's Daughter".



5. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I loved getting to know Annie and her community. I know very little about the Amish so I was interested in seeing what their lives are like through the eyes of these characters. The first 1/3 of the book was a little slow for me but after that it picked up quite nicely.
   
   The contrasts between Annie and Louisa (main characters) are as big as the Grand Canyon and, yet, as little as their pinky toe. One lives a "Plain" life, the other a "fancy" one. Despite this, both ladies have a strong determination within that transfers over to every decision they make for their lives. They are "sisters" in spirit. A sweet relationship to watch unfold.
   
   There are many different characters in this story and some of them I wouldn't have expected to find among the Amish community. Like any story, some you love and some you hate. Throughout, I found myself cheering for Annie. She has so much promise and passion and, unfortunately, at the same time, opposition.

1 comments about Daily Learning Drills Grade 6.

1. I bought this drill for my son who is going to be 7th grade. It has a lot of pages to last for the entire summer vacation. Some pages were not able to finish because you had to write about 2 weeks vacation trip or you had to research (which was a little too much to do). But other than that, this will keep my son busy every day.

3 comments about Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens.

1. This book offers much more than ways to live. It provides a way to survive - for teens, families, youth pastors and lay leaders -by giving those in the trenches of everyday life a practical way to live that puts Christian faith into action. Combining ancient practices of faith with contemporary realities, it offers an invitation for us to try something new, deliberate and life-giving. As a long time youth pastor, I've seen many resources. This one is outstanding. "Way to Live" isn't just a way to live, it isn't just a way to survive, this book offers us all a way to THRIVE.



2. As a ten-year youth minister of a mainline protestant church, I find this book to be a welcome addition to the loads of books available for youth ministry. I've used it as a supplement to a service learning camp, and a year-long confirmation program for older youth (supplemental). We've also done youth gatherings and adult trainings with workshops on the different practices. Each chapter is written by a young person and an adult--including Mark Yaconelli and Susan Briehl, plus a chapter written by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls and her father, Don Saliers, a Methodist minister. Each chapter hits on a different daily life theme, and its connection to faith: food, stuff, play, work, time, welcome, creativity, creation, justice, music, etc. It has great stories in it that help process Biblical lessons in today's world, and great practices to live out your faith. My favorite suggestion was a practice of giving up one thing a day for the 40 days of lent, and donating it all at the end of the season. It also has little sidebars with things to consider: "Go through one day paing close attention to how you act toward others. Are you welcoming to everyone? If not, think about why you act as you do and how you might act differently." Use this book if you care about your young people finding a way to live that lives out their faith in grace-filled ways.



3. There are several kinds of books available for Christian youth and youth pastors. First is the "idea book"--full of activities that usually fall flat on their faces without extensive retooling. Second is the "theory book"--books that explore the theology of youth ministry. Way to Live is something relatively new--strong, solid spiritual practices for Christian youth and anyone who works with them. Rooted in Christian tradition, these practices are great for retreats or for the individual youth who wants to go deeper with their faith. It's a good read for adults, too. In Way to Live, church history, tradition, and ancient spirituality are combined with the modern faithful as well as pop culture icons. This book helps make spirituality accessible!

5 comments about Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings (w/ CD-ROM).

1. this book is an excellent encyclopedia of luther's most famous works. Luther was a theologian for the people and his paradoxes and ironies are easy to understand. Luther's intoxication with the proper understanding of the Law & Gospel thrilled his soul and he shows how it affects the sacraments, the church, the government, and of course, justification of sinful man before God. if you do not have 44 volumes of Luther's works in your library, this one is a good start.



2. This is an incredible volume and, in my opinion, a better introduction to Luther than "Selections From His Writings". It contains a number of his better-known works including the infinitely worthy "Smaller Catechism," the infamous "95 Theses," and the thesis chapters from his personal favorite, "The Bondage of the Will." Alongside these monumental works are set lesser-known, but equally powerful writings. "A Meditation on Christ's Passion" held me near tears for its whole length and "The Freedom of a Christian" is (in my humble opinion) one of the greatest pieces of Christian literature ever penned. It would be too great a task to examine the whole of the contents of the book, but I would like to look in more detail at my personal favorite of the works in this anthology, "The Freedom of a Christian."
   
   Martin Luther's treatise "The Freedom of a Christian" is perhaps the most powerful and concise presentation of the Christian life ever written. I cannot recommend this work highly enough. I rank this among the very best of Luther's works (and that is really saying something). If an inexpensive copy were still in publication I would buy every copy to give as gifts to friends and family. The power, discernment, brevity and readability of this work make a true gem among Reformation writings (and Christian writings in general). Here you will find the essence of the spirit of the Reformation distilled into a guide for practical, biblical living.
   
   With the clarity and bold authority of a true prophet, Luther sets forth the whole of the Christian life in two theses: "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all." We are free from sin and the law (subject to none) but slaves to Christ in love (subject to all). As Paul writes in Romans 6:22, "But now...you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God."
   
   Luther writes as a shepherd of the common people and the tone and content differ greatly from his better-known debate-oriented works (ie. Bondage of the Will, 95 Theses). The doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone is the heart and soul of Luther's message, founded upon a firm conviction in the authority of scripture alone.
   
   He writes, "One thing, and only one thing, is necessary for Christian life, righteousness, and freedom. That one thing is the most holy Word of God, the gospel of Christ."
   
   And again, "It ought to be the first concern of every Christian to lay aside all confidence in works and increasingly to strengthen faith alone and through faith to grow in the knowledge, not of works, but of Christ Jesus, who suffered and rose for him.... No other work makes a Christian.... 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent' (John 6:29)."
   
   And regarding our service to God, "...In this way the stronger member may serve the weaker, and we may be sons of God, each caring for and working for the other, bearing one another's burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ. This is a truly Christian life. Here faith is truly active through love. That is, it finds expression in works of the freest service, cheerfully and lovingly done, with which a man willingly serves another without hope of reward; and for himself he is satisfied with the fullness and wealth of his faith."
   
   Luther has been described by some as "abrasive" and "crude." O, for more abrasive, crude, Spirit-filled men of God like Luther. He speaks in the manner of Peter--both as a man of the common people and as a prophet of the Most High God. Here is the heart and soul of the Reformation. Luther's heart is poured out in his writings and his heart is filled only with the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, which is the power and the wisdom of God.



3. The reason Luther remains a puzzle to some is that his theology did have development. This book has selections from all periods of his career. When you get to "The Babylonian Captivity of the Church," there can be no question as to where he stands-- also with the "Smalcald Articles. This book does have some summaries and explanations at the beginning of sections that explain the historic background. A good summary of the 55 volume "American Edition."



4. This work is a great compilation of the works of Luther. It is fair and and also a great start in understanding and reading Luther's works. The one thing that I really like about the editor is that he gives a small introduction to each writing, the when and why the particular writing was written.
   
   The book starts off with Luther's major theologies in the 97 Theses, 95 Theses and the Heidelberg Disputation. This compilation of the 97 theses was nice to see since it is so unfamiliar to most people but was Luther's first cry against Aristotle's theology. Most people have heard of Luther's famous quote, "Reason is a whore!," well the 97 Theses: Disputation against Scholastic Theology, gives you the full reasoning for this cry.
   
   The book then materializes Luther's thoughts on the Power of the Word of God, The righteousness in Christ (which includes excerpts of his famous work, The Bondage of the Will), The promise of the Sacraments, The Reform of the Church, and the living and dying as a Christian. These are all done as not only formal works but also in some of his sermons.
   
   I would definitely recommend this book as it will start the reader off on the right foot of Luther's theology and then you can decide where you would like to find further insight.



5. This is an excellent book, but I did want to give readers a heads up: the included CD only works on a PC. Thus, it will not work on a Mac computer. Again (and despite this shortcoming), I have found this a very valuable book.

5 comments about The Pelican Brief.

1. Washington wakes up to the gruesome news that two members of the Supreme Court have been murdered overnight. The shocking part was in their diversity. The old, should have retired years ago, Democrat Justice Rosenberg and the younger Republican Justice Jensen. The fact that they were almost always on opposite sides of any issue left law enforcement with no clear political motive. The only clues left behind seemed to be ones of the killer's choosing. A nylon cord used to garrote Jensen as he sat in a movie house watching a porno film. The Rosenberg affair was messy - three people dead, three 22-caliber bullets to the head of each victim Rosenberg, a guard and an aid.
   Down in bayou country Tulane University law professor Thomas Callahan on hearing the news got roaring drunk to ease the pain. Rosenberg was one of his idols and he couldn't believe the end had come.
   While the whole country pondered the reason behind the killings Darby Shaw, a bright law student and bed partner of professor Callahan turns sleuth. Ms. Shaw pores over the current Supreme Court docket and eventually comes up with a promising case. And for the next four days she shuffles through pages of affidavits detailing lies and abuses by lawyers and their clients.
   In the end Darby Shaw writes an eight-page draft of what will later be called the Pelican Brief. Shaw is only half convinced that she is on to something, however, in spite of her skepticism she turns the pages over to Callahan.
   Callahan attends the Rosenberg funeral in Washington and passes the brief along to a colleague. And once copies of those pages get into the wrong hands Darby Shaw becomes the hunted.
   John Grisham takes us through a fast paced cat and mouse investigation, and in the end solves the puzzle to everyone's satisfaction.
   
   Tom Barnes author of:
   `The Goring Collection'
   `The Hurricane Hunters and Lost in the Bermuda Triangle'
   `Doc Holliday's Road to Tombstone'
   The Goring Collection
   The Hurricane Hunters And Lost in the Bermuda Triangle
   Doc Holliday's Road to Tombstone: The Life and Times of John Henry Holliday



2. Rather shocked to see any negative reviews. This book is a wonderful page turner. I was lost in the world of small intelligent law student, fighting for her life inside the world of DC powerhouses and the elite rich. Gripping. I still think about the book often, and I read it about 6 years ago. Great read.



3. If you are thinking about going to law school, this wouldn't be a bad novel to read to get a sense of what the profession is all about before you commit yourself to three expensive (and potentially boring) years of education. I don't recall a book that displays so many of the corrupt sides of legal practice and education in a single fictional tale. If that weren't enough, the book also delves deeply into the international assassination genre and creates a modern-day fictional version of investigating a government cover-up at the highest levels, a la Watergate.
   
   But a pure heart among all the jaded ones can make a difference . . . that's the morale of this story as beautiful, dedicated, and brilliant law student Darby Shaw speculates on what motive might tie the assassination of two Supreme Court justices back to a pending legal case. Improbably (the weakest part of the story), she sniffs out the potential that no one else does -- that this is an attempt to fix an appeal.
   
   The Pelican Brief as a title is a misnomer. Darby writes her thoughts (a crude essay, not a brief) about what might be going on and shares them with her professor lover who passes them along to a counsel for the FBI. Pretty soon someone is taking her ideas seriously, and the pages will fly through your fingers as fast as you can read until you get to the end.
   
   John Grisham doesn't quite have his genres down in this book, and apparently the success of The Firm meant that his editors were more interested in getting The Pelican Brief published than making it better. You could fix this novel into a five-star effort with about two hours of editing to reduce the improbabilities and speed up the slow parts.
   
   But if you don't mind having unlikely events pull a riveting story together, you'll have a lot of fun with The Pelican Brief. I listened to the reading by Alexander Adams and felt that the story worked better listened to than it would be if read silently.
   
   I admire John Grisham for the imagination to conceive of such a wild story. He kept surprising me with his plot developments, and the trip was almost all fun.



4. Grisham is a great writer and started great with his first three novels with this being his third. I give a five star rating when I can't stop turning the pages and do not want to put the book down. The story has backgrounds in New Orleans. Washington, D.C., and New York City.
   
   This story was non-stop action and suspense with rivetting excitment. It has a heroine, Darby Shaw, who is beautiful and smart. She is a law student who does a Brief on the murder of two Supreme Court Justices. This causes a lot of people to be murdered and puts Darby on a run for her life. This all started with an injunction to stop oil drilling in the marshes of Louisiana and try to save the home of the Brown Pelicans.



5. I like John Grisham about every 4th or 5th book. His Rainmaker was terrific, and The Firm was rather sweet too. This novel, his third after The Firm and A Time to Kill, was crap--serious diarrhea. Grisham has stated in interviews he writes a book every six months. Reading the prose of this novel, I'm surprised he didn't do it in six weeks or even six days.
   
   Where do I start in listing all the horrible aspects of this novel? I don't know but here goes:
   
   - The flat, flat characters. None of the characters have any personalities to speak of--no distinguishing traits, no quirks, no hobbies, nothing. They simply exist to move the plot along.
   
   - The boilerplate, cliched dialog. This is the novel where characters say stuff like "Let's go for a walk," followed up, "Wow, this is a nice walk." It's THAT bad. And when people get mad, they say stuff like, "I'll sue you for a million bucks if you touch me." Ohh, God, reading the dialog must've lowered my IQ to Forrest Gump levels.
   
   - The dead prose. Buildings are either "small" or "big." And people, when mad, "snort" and "sneer." Of course, some people might say, "Well, Grisham's going for a minimalist approach." Well, there's good minimalist prose and there's crap minimalist prose--Grisham's the latter. If you want GREAT, unique minimalist prose, read James Ellroy. If you want to read prose apparently written by a high-schooler, read Grisham here.
   
   - The plot. This story is essentially one entire chase sequence, and not a very interesting one at that. I won't dis the totally unrealistic nature of this story--it goes with the thriller territory--but I don't want to spend how many hours reading about flat characters hiding in hotels and saying stupid, kindergarten stuff that are in really bad B-list movies.
   
   So . . . in conclusion, this is a really terrible, terrible novel. It's not as terrible as, say, a James Patterson novel, but it's close. If you haven't read Grisham before, stay away from this novel and read The Rainmaker instead. And The Firm and The Innocent Man. Everything else you can pretty much ignore. And if you're a masochist, well, why don't skip Grisham altogether and read James Patterson or Clive Cussler or Allan Folsom.

5 comments about At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years, Book 1).

1. Wonderful book. Best fiction I have read in many years. Light, friendly reading about a town you would love to be from.



2. I was looking very forward to reading this book and desperately wanted to like it. I threw in the towel three quarters of the way through. I respect Karon's goal and believe it was sincere, but the novel fell extremely short in many ways. Mitford is a picturesque town filled with people that ALL get along. There are no disagreements among them. Every thing is sweet, too sweet, right down to the dialogue between the characters. They speak too perfectly. Everything seems to work itself out in an almost perfect way. I understand that this is a Christian based novel, however as many Christians know that prayers aren't always answered in the way we expect or want them to be. Answers to prayers don't always come wrapped up and neatly tied with a bow. One of the deciding factors for me to give up reading this book involved Barnabas the big black dog that bounded unexpectly into Father Tim's life. Father Tim finally takes to him and adopts him. Some time later, the dog is snatched into a car (appeared to be the possible owner, may not have been- didn't read any further to find out). Everyone in the town begins to contribute to a reward fund. Okay fine. Father Tim adopts the dog, never trying to locate the dogs possible owner. Even when the reward money is being collected no one mentions this. This town of hypocrites is collecting reward money for a dog that doesn't actually belong to the "church" rector. Nobody ever gives a thought that there could be a little kid crying his eyes out because his dog ran away. I'm sorry if I gave some of the story away, but in all honesty, consider it a favor. This book is just a poorly written adult fairy tale. I give it one star that is on the brink of burning out! If you must read it, save your money and borrow it because if you make it through, you're not reading again.



3. I'm giving this one five stars even though I did not personally care for it. Why? Because the author has rendered a magnificently-written, coherent story (albeit, a pretty unreal one) which achieves a high enough level of literary excellence that I'm compelled to call it "American Christian Literature". I believe that the writing is equivalent in quality to that of some past great American authors, say James Thurber, Lloyd C. Douglas, etc.
   
   Some people are simply tired of reading filth and trash (not me -- I LIKE filth and trash in terms of seedy characters, furtive activities and lewd language, except I'm not a fan of pornographic writing nor do I like stories where anything bad happens to kids). If you are a person who's had enough of smutty dynamics and you'd like, for a change, to read a story of fiction that is targeted for adults and yet does not contain foul language or deviant characters, then "At Home in Mitford" might just be for you.
   
   Of the various dillemmas which arise for "Father Tim," I can definitely state that I'd personally solve them all in 30 seconds without a second thought, although not in the thoughtful, concerned, sensitive way that he does *.* These are NOT monumental problems that we're talking about here... they are (from the reader's view) humorous little enigmas for the most part, but clearly important to the lives of the potentially affected characters in the book. The level of melodrama in this book definitely did not make my heart pound but that's what comes of my having worked in law enforcement for over 25 years -- I've seen it all and have pretty much gotten numb to the worst of it.
   
   So, this is a nice, charming, warm, little story which I think many life-long Christians will find some relief in. The moral lessons do not really interfere with the story and, in fact, provide more of a "covert undertone". And the good news is that this one is but the first entry of a series. Some might compare this author's literary posture with that of C.S. Lewis -- I think that Karon's work here is far superior to anything that Lewis ever published -- that's just my opinion and perhaps Lewis fans would not agree.
   
   In summary, for me, this book was as boring as a box of Quaker Oats. BUT, my tastes in fiction are hardly in line with those of regular, normal people (I loved "Fight Club"!) and I must, to be fair, award credit where I feel it is due. This work is nicely presented and I would highly recommend it for appropriate readers... those Christians (or other spiritually-oriented people) whom are seeking some really light escapism.



4. I am currently working on finishing the rest of these series, but I must say this one is a total and complete charmer! Being a fan of the whole small-town vibe I was very much taken in by the pure sweetness and hilarity of this book. Jan Karon is rather sentimental in her writing, but if the reader is all right with that then this book will be sure to please. Its lead character is a priest of a quirkly little town that does not even have a Wal-Mart. His life is changed when his a new neighbor enters the town--not to mention the quirky lives of a dozen loveable characters. It's smartly written and a pleasure to read.



5. It's an endearing series about christian faith and small town living. I have read the entire series. The characters become more and more lovable as you go along.

5 comments about Crystal Enlightenment: The Transforming Properties of Crystals and Healing Stones.

1. This book goes in two directions.

   1. Channeled information about a sub set of stones.

   2. The book is more about crystal healing, and has some VERY complex crystal layouts.

   This book only deals with 40-60 different stones, and you wll not find information about many of the popular stones; such as Chevron Amethyst, Ametrine, Angelite, Blue Quartz, Green Quartz, Labradorite, Moldavite, etc.

   Personaly I would recommend that you get a copy of "Love Is In The Earth...." by A. Melody.

   Contact me via E-Mail if you have questions or comments; Two Bears.

   Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)




2. This is one of the first books I have read about Crystal healings and I hope they all aren't like this. The information on about the healing properties of the crystals is acurate. I found a lot of her other information odd. Such as when she states that a type of crystal is made in secret labritories by higher beings and then placed inside mineral mines. Very interesting thought but not very believable. I don't know why our earth as beautiful as she is can't make her own powerful light sorces with out labritories full of higher beings to do that for her.



3. I have been interested in alternative healing techniques for almost thirty years, and in the past three years I've come to focus increasingly on the human energy field and its role in healing, which has led me to investigate chakras, kundalini, and reiki. I'm therefore not a diehard sceptic, and I certainly don't believe that the only reality is the one that Western science thinks it has uncovered. However, I need a cogent basis for what I believe, and as I'm new to crystal healing, I was hoping that this book would provide one. Unfortunately, it doesn't. To be sure, it does contain clear and understandable information about what the author asserts are healing properties of crystals, but it mixes this information with allegations that crystals sometimes materialise out of thin air to those who need them (page 65), and claimes that there are higher life forms working in laboratories deep within the earth to create crystals that they then place in mines in South America just so we can discover them (page 120).

   the book provides no basis for supposing that crystals can and do heal other than that the author says they do. I'm afraid that, for me, this is not convincing, and I finished the book feeling very dissatisfied,especially as I have bought the other two books in the triology (Crystal Healing, and Crystalline Transformations).




4. Use this one as a good basis for learning how to commune with manyh different crystals. Katrina introduces many stones of value to the practitioner, though she has yet to create a comprehensive list all in one volume.
   
   This book also introduces the art of laying-on-of-stones. Although this is one that requires a little more patience and practice, it can be a very useful tool with which to become acquainted.
   
   I highly reccomend this volume to all students of crystal healing, but for those more interested in more advanced practices, feel free to move on to the other books.



5. This is the 1st in a series of 3 crystal books by Katrina. They are well written, easy to understand, and provide very useful information. The other 2 books are Volume II "Crystal Healing" (1987), and Volume III "The Crystalline Transmission" (1990). If you are really interested in stones and crystals and their possible relationship to healing (yourself or others), knowledge and so much more, I suggest this series of all 3 books by Katrina. You probably want to read these volumes in order unless you already know some of this energy and crystal stuff. (Many people who are into crystal knowledge will tell you that crystals are used in healing to direct the flow of energy and/or to store and pass on knowledge. Many people feel the energy in crystals, and have received a variety of experiences with their use. I know this may be difficult for some of you to believe, but open your mind to the possibility and believe as a child, at least long enough to explore the possibility.)
   
   Katrina explains what crystals are, physically and esoterically and how they are formed and mined. She then goes into how to use them, meditations, cleaning and recharging the, and healing layouts. She talks about several kinds of crystals, such as the Record-Keeper (which I was pleased to find one in Alberta Canada) and other crystals such as amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, etc. as well as other healing stones: bloodstone, malachite, lapis, etc. Of course, I've heard it said that a Record Keeper finds YOU.
   
   The final chapter includes several charts:
   Astrological Trinities Chart (associated astrological signs with planetary influences through related stones--example: Heart Chakra, sign-Cancer, stones-moonstone, opal, purpose-balance or intention of emotions, etc).
   
   Table of Remaining Healing Stones
   (example: WULFENITE-orange-energizes and purifies physical body)
   
   Table of Color Chakra Stones
   (example: 1st charka, "Muladhara", physical areas of anus, rectum, colon, adrenal gland, color black or red, stones-bloodstone, etc, energy-ground spirit forces in body. Gain ability to work lovingly on the physical plane.)
   
   Diagram of Main Chakra Points for Stone Placement
   
   This book is a nice addition to my library, but I also like Melody's "Love Is In The Earth". It provides a lot more information on each of a lot more stones, not just crystals. Still, Katrina Raphaell does give a lot more information on crystals. I was exceptionally pleased with her explanation of the Record Keeper crystal. She also explains good healing techniques in using stones, such as how to use rose quartz on the heart charka, and other healing techniques with other stones. As I said, her books are a welcome addition to my library. If you're really interested in stones and their metaphysical uses and qualities, I would suggest buying both Raphaell's series of 3 books and Melody's "Love Is In The Earth".