Book Description

Rick Warren helps readers to discover, develop, and fulfill God's purpose for their lives.Read by Rick Warren. ... Read more

Reviews (548)

Excellent Supplement to the Bible for Direction and Purpose!
Rick Warrren's new book is an excellent read for the person who desperately seeks direction and purpose for life. At the outset, Warren challenges us to believe that we were created for a far greater purpose than just the pursuit of happiness.

The text is designed to be a 40-day ( a significant number in the Bible) devotion covering a particular topic and with a relevant Bible verse. Each chapter is around 10 pages and covers five major purposes: 1) You were planned for God's pleasure, 2) You were formed for God's family, 3) You were created to become like Christ, 4) You were shaped for serving God, and 5) You were made for a mission.

Warren's purpose is to move the reader from a realization of being loved by God to challenging the reader to express gratitude by loving God and serving others in Jesus' name.

Some of the more compelling topics covered were: developing a friendship with God (yes indeed, God wants to be your Friend!), finding a church and fellowship to belong to, dealing successfully with temptation, understanding how God shaped you, thinking like a servant, balancing your life, and living to please God and not man.

"Purpose Driven Life" is helpful in that it validates what the Bible already said thousands of years ago. I am now in the process of writing what I believe to be God's purpose in my life. From now on, Lord willing, I will read this book starting January 1 of every year while expecting to learn new insights after each read.

All in all, the book is highly recommended and is an excellent supplement to the Bible. Unbelievers will also be challenged to think deeply and critically about why they were created and what their purpose in life is!

Understanding what the fuss is all about....
I have bought five hardcover copies, plus the PocketPC version (for my daily reading). And I will probably pick up more copies.

This book helps to focus your perspective on what really counts:

Day 3: What Drives Your Life?
This chapter sets the tone for the book and should provide the reader with enough information on what the remaining 37 days will hold, such as purpose giving meaning to your life, simpilifying your life, focusing your life, motivating your life, and preparing you for eternity

Day 5: Seeing Life from God's View
Talks of Life on Earth from God's perspective as a test, a trust and a temporary assignment.

For me, the mundane activities of everyday life, that you would not give a second thought, now take on a new light. The simple act of coming to a complete stop at a stop sign now holds greater meaning and insight to my character.

Day 25: Transformed by Trouble
Bring out that everything that happens to a child of God is Father-filtered, and he intends to use it for good even when Satan and others mean it for bad.

For me, this has been a mind-blower to understand that God has actually orchestrated life events that will strengthen my character, not tear it down.

Day 26: Growing through Temptation
For me, seeing temptation as an opportunity for growth in character was freeing. I have always viewed temptation as a deficiency in character, but now I view the decision made at this point to be the true indicator. People with a good moral compass will be tempted, but they resolve it in a manner that will be strengthen their character.

Day 40: The book ends with an encouragement to create a life purpose statement. How working through a purposes statement can really help align your priorities to reach what really matters to you the most--your purpose or, as others have put it, the meaning of life.

The books make strong defense for not focusing on the rat race, but taking inventory of your life to find out what really will matter at the end of your life here on earth in order to gain the fulfillment of a life well-lived.

I hope this review helps to give light to what all the fuss is about...

Unusual
I usually run screaming from the room when self-help, religious, or "inspirational" reads are recommended by a friend. Usually I'm right. But in this case, and a few others, I was wrong. The Purpose Driven Life may not be the best book ever written, but it is full of some great ideas and elements that get the wheels turning. Certainly it's worth the price of admission. While it's not one of those fiction books that are inspirational, books like "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" or "The Bark of the Dogwood," it is nevertheless a good read and I have to also recommend it. Just don't run screaming from the room on me.

Powerful
I think the reason that some people have given this book 1 stars is because it takes discipline; it takes discipline to pull away from the tv set or the pc and read a good book like The Purpose Driven life. It take discipline to design a life of purpose. It take discipline to practice God's word as advocated by Rick Warren.

So I guess 1 star reviewers just lack discipline---too bad for them.

Very Helpful
I love this book. I am a Christian, but this book has helped me delve a little deeper into what God means for my purpose to be in my life and road to a closer relationship with God. I found that chapter 2 so far is one of my favorites. It does help to have a friend reading the book with you so you can discuss some of the questions at the end of each chapter, also just questions and thoughts in general from what you have read. This book also helps those who are looking for a different way to do a daily devotional to God.
Just a suggestion: I went to the back of the book to find what scriptures the footnotes were refering to. I wrote next to eacg each number the book, chapter and verse it was referring to. It made it alot quicker to go through the chapters that way. Instead of focusing on what Bible Warren took the scritures from I just used my King James version. Also in the back are further questions for you to think about regarding each chapter.
I highly recommend this book to Christians who are looking for a more structured way of finding out not only what God's purpose is for them in this life, but a bit more about themselves. This book isn't just a one time read, it is a good book to reread. It is also a good book to give to the Christian friend or family member that is trying to find their path and their personal journey on their walk with God.
Take your time reading and enjoying this book. It doesn't have to be read in 40 days. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Esteemed historian David McCullough covers the military side of the momentous year of 1776 with characteristic insight and a gripping narrative, adding new scholarship and a fresh perspective to the beginning of the American Revolution. It was a turbulent and confusing time. As British and American politicians struggled to reach a compromise, events on the ground escalated until war was inevitable. McCullough writes vividly about the dismal conditions that troops on both sides had to endure, including an unusually harsh winter, and the role that luck and the whims of the weather played in helping the colonial forces hold off the world's greatest army. He also effectively explores the importance of motivation and troop morale--a tie was as good as a win to the Americans, while anything short of overwhelming victory was disheartening to the British, who expected a swift end to the war. The redcoat retreat from Boston, for example, was particularly humiliating for the British, while the minor American victory at Trenton was magnified despite its limited strategic importance.

Some of the strongest passages in 1776 are the revealing and well-rounded portraits of the Georges on both sides of the Atlantic. King George III, so often portrayed as a bumbling, arrogant fool, is given a more thoughtful treatment by McCullough, who shows that the king considered the colonists to be petulant subjects without legitimate grievances--an attitude that led him to underestimate the will and capabilities of the Americans. At times he seems shocked that war was even necessary. The great Washington lives up to his considerable reputation in these pages, and McCullough relies on private correspondence to balance the man and the myth, revealing how deeply concerned Washington was about the Americans' chances for victory, despite his public optimism. Perhaps more than any other man, he realized how fortunate they were to merely survive the year, and he willingly lays the responsibility for their good fortune in the hands of God rather than his own. Enthralling and superbly written, 1776 is the work of a master historian. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A wonderful account
The Revolutionary war is not without its history.However it is seldom a good, well written, flowing history comes along that rouses the emotions and brings the audience closer to the national narrative.Here we have such a rendition of the military issues during the crucial year of 1776, from the battles around Boston to the defeats at New York, and the Howe brothers.We are given portraits of commanders on both sides.The book focuses on the Northeastern theatre and this is mostly military history, told as only McCullough could do it, making the reading fascinating and history accessible.Few will be disappointed with this excellent work and its wonderful subject matter.
Seth J. Frantzman

Rich detail, flowing readable prose
The reviewer who didn't like the book, saying it was a "micro version of a macro event," doesn't get it. That "micro version" is the whole, fascinating point of this wonderful book! I appreciated the in-detail focus on the military side. I liked the fresh perspective, the insights from diaries of the time, and the chance to get another, slightly different look at George Washington and King George. The book is rich in detail yet readable and flowing.I'm just about to finish it, and I'm buying another one as a Father's Day gift.

Highly Recommended
A great historical piece of literature. Equally great military literature.I was captivated from beginning to end. Good Stuff.

Micro view of a Macro event

I was anxious to read David McClullough's 1776, having done considerable research about this singular date in world history, when freedom triumphed with the Declaration of Independence. I attended his first public address tonight at the 92 St. Y, and he inspired the audience with his account of 1776.

However, I must say that I was deeply disappointed to find out that McClullough has mistitled this history. It should be called "Washington's 1776." It's strictly a military history, focusing almost entirely around the career of George Washington and his generals, and the battles of 1776 in Boston and New York. Yet in doing so, he virtually eliminates the critical role other founding fathers played in 1776. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and even John Adams barely appear at all in the pages of McClullough's tale. Certainly we learn nothing about their lives and their characer, as we do with Washington. This book could have been called lots of things, but "1776" is not a fair description of everything that went on in this "annus mirabilis."

It's amazing how provincially focused this history is. Tom Paine's "Common Sense" is only briefly mentioned, even though it galvinized the Americans to support independence. Amazingly, hardly anything is said about the Declaration of Independence and how it came about in June-July, 1776.

The omission of Benjamin Franklin, considered by many historians to be a critical founding father in the American revolution, is truly shocking. Franklin is mentioned by name only three times. His trip to Canada in 1776 is ignored. He gets only one sentence regarding his crucial mission to France in late 1776 to obtain much needed financial and military aid.In one of the most understated comments in the entire book, McCullogh says, "Benjamin Franklin had departed on a mission to France." A mission? Doesn't he mean THE mission to France?

Any one who wants to know the critical role Franklin played as minister to France should read Stacy Schiff's brilliant new work, "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America." It is a comprehensive history of the role Franklin and the French played in the American revolution. It's clear from reading Schiff's history that without Franklin, France would never have provided the massive financial and military aid to America, and in almost every major American victory, it was French aid that made the difference. Most significantly, Franklin may also have been responsible for the French revolution, because France spent so much on American aid that it went bankrupt, leading to the French crisis in 1789.

On a positive note, McClullough has done a masterful job writing and researching the story he does tell, with many fascinating, little known facts and stories about citizen soldiers and generals in the American revolution. He does recognize the miraculous nature of the American revolution.And for that alone, his book is worth reading.

Most Excellent!
AnroVe "Ante" of (Finland) is truly an idiot.All of his reviews are negative.

Wonderful book by Mr. McCullough.Enjoyed the read thoroughly.Not boring at all...neither was the American Revolution I am sure. ... Read more

Book Description

Combine Vital Information and Review Questions for the NCE and State Counseling Exams tapes with the academic best-seller, The Encyclopedia of Counseling for the ultimate review. ... Read more

Book Description

For a man who insisted that life on the public stage was not what he had in mind, Thomas Jefferson certainly spent a great deal of time in the spotlight--and not only during his active political career. After 1809, his longed-for retirement was compromised by a steady stream of guests and tourists who made of his estate at Monticello a virtual hotel, as well as by more than one thousand letters per year, most from strangers, which he insisted on answering personally. In his twilight years Jefferson was already taking on the luster of a national icon, which was polished off by his auspicious death (on July 4, 1896); and in the subsequent seventeen decades of his celebrity--now verging, thanks to virulent revisionists and television documentaries, on notoriety--has been inflated beyond recognition of the original person.

For the historian Joseph J. Ellis, the experience of writing about Jefferson was "as if a pathologist, just about to begin an autopsy, has discovered that the body on the operating table was still breathing." In American Sphinx, Ellis sifts the facts shrewdly from the legends and the rumors, treading a path between vilification and hero worship in order to formulate a plausible portrait of the man who still today "hover[s] over the political scene like one of those dirigibles cruising above a crowded football stadium, flashing words of inspiration to both teams." For, at the grass roots, Jefferson is no longer liberal or conservative, agrarian or industrialist, pro- or anti-slavery, privileged or populist. He is all things to all people. His own obliviousness to incompatible convictions within himself (which left him deaf to most forms of irony) has leaked out into the world at large--a world determined to idolize him despite his foibles.

From Ellis we learn that Jefferson sang incessantly under his breath; that he delivered only two public speeches in eight years as president, while spending ten hours a day at his writing desk; that sometimes his political sensibilities collided with his domestic agenda, as when he ordered an expensive piano from London during a boycott (and pledged to "keep it in storage"). We see him relishing such projects as the nailery at Monticello that allowed him to interact with his slaves more palatably, as pseudo-employer to pseudo-employees. We grow convinced that he preferred to meet his lovers in the rarefied region of his mind rather than in the actual bedchamber. We watch him exhibiting both great depth and great shallowness, combining massive learning with extraordinary naïveté, piercing insights with self-deception on the grandest scale. We understand why we should neither beatify him nor consign him to the rubbish heap of history, though we are by no means required to stop loving him. He is Thomas Jefferson, after all--our very own sphinx. ... Read more

Reviews (88)

Must Read for TJ and US Revolution History Fans
Joseph Ellis projects an interesting analysis of the illusive Thomas Jefferson in "American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson." Brilliant but contradictory, most historians glorified the author of the Declaration of Independence for nearly 200 years. Recently, with the emergence of John Adams as an equally accepted visionary Founder, the strange and conflicting sides of Jefferson have been given equal attention to those that reflect the genius from Monticello, Virginia.

More than any other American historical figure, Jefferson was incredibly aware of his future role in history, and thereby his legacy. Much of the documented historical record, both that written by him and that written to him, reflect the facts that he chose what future generations would see. Ellis breaks down five periods of Jefferson's life: (1) the period around the writing of the Declaration, (2) the years in Paris as American envoy, (3) the years in semi-seclusion during the second Washington administration, (4) his first Presidential term, (5) and his years in retirement the decade prior to his death. The main premises of Ellis' work are that Jefferson was elusive in description, contradictory in philosophy, and often devious in action.

After reading Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis (see my review dated 7/23/01) I had enormous expectations for his previously penned biography of Thomas Jefferson. It is a good scholarly account, but falls short of the enormously readable "Founding Brothers" work that won the Pulitzer Prize. Ellis teases you by revealing the many two-faced aspects of Jefferson's character, but shies away from drawing the conclusions that Jefferson's personality was bizarre. The third President was generally a person who could make himself believe anything he wanted, that his position and beliefs were always righteous, as long as it helped him get or preserve what he wanted.

Ellis does reveal the many aspects that prove Jefferson such a contradiction. Those include his inability to speak in public compared to the tremendous talent as a writer and analyst. The fact that he betrayed one of his most loyal and devoted friends for decades (John Adams), to secure the goals of the Virginians in the roots of the Founding, also speak loudly to his complex nature. What most people do not realize was that though he was extremely reticent that our country not become encumbered to a national financial consolidation, he was among the most atrocious of debtors and virtually ruined his family through decades of irresponsible personal spending. Finally, everyone now knows his amazingly illogical position regarding slavery, and the facts proven by modern DNA mapping techniques that demonstrate that he fathered children by his slave Sally Hemings.

I rate this book most accurately at 4.00 out of 5.00 stars. It is a must read for devotees of the Revolutionary period, and for those interested in Jefferson or John Adams. Ellis could have rated higher by really getting in depth in the many complex facets of Jefferson's personality, ability the author demonstrates better in other works. The book is worth reading and valuable for reference work.

Dry, but overall interesting
This book took me about four months to read. I kept picking other books up and forgetting about this one. So it is not addictively readable, to say the least. In fact, it was difficult for me to read more than 15 pages at a time. I would find my attention wandering or my mind falling asleep.

Dryness and drab writing aside, the book in the end was interesting. It is not a conventional biography. Unlike historians such as David McCulloch, Joseph Ellis digs deep into the story and into the character of Thomas Jefferson. It does not follow Jefferson from birth to death, chronicling life events. Instead, Ellis picks seminal points of Jefferson's life: his move to Paris, the Constitutional Convention, his stint as President, and his retirement to Monticello, and then examines Jefferson's attitudes, actions, and writings from these time periods to create a picture of the man. It answers the question "Who was Thomas Jefferson?" more thoroughly than any biography I have ever read.

Ellis's Jefferson is not hugely likeable, but is very human. Ellis certainly succeeds in knocking Jefferson fro his hallowed pedastal, but only in making him human and fully fleshed, which in the end only can do Jefferson justice.

After finishing this book (finally), I feel I have a pretty clear picture of Jefferson and his legacy, which makes me feel this read was very worthwhile.

a better understanding
I imagine that in order to spend months and years researching and writing about an historical figure you must admire that person immensely, otherwise it would be terribly difficult to retain any interest. In most biographies, this usually translates into a deification of the subject. Not so in Joseph J. Ellis' AMERICAN SPHINX: THE CHARACTER OF THOMAS JEFFERSON.

I'll confess that Jefferson has not always been one of my favorite founding fathers. I have always thought of him as duplicitous, racist, anachronistic in his thinking, vain, and cowardly in a way. As a New Yorker, I've always been irked by his bad-mouthing of the city, and by his insistence that the capitol of the new nation be moved from here to Washington, D.C. [Good riddance, by the way. We did just fine without being the capitol city, thank you very much ;-) ] And as I am a devout admirer of Alexander Hamilton... need I say more?

After reading Ellis' other great book, FOUNDING BROTHERS, I began to get a more rounded look at Jefferson, one that shed a little more light on the human forces that may have been working on him. Then I read McCullough's brilliant biography of Jefferson's close friend (at times), John Adams. This led me to read this biography, and I am glad I did. I finally was given a better understanding of the sage of Monticello. Ellis does an admirable job of conveying an honest and balanced view of the chief author of the Declaration of Independence, without resorting to hero-worship, as do most biographers. At times, the writing was very moving, especially as Jefferson's loved ones began dying around him. I'm still not crazy about the guy, but I have a better appreciation of him.

Ellis' writing is brisk, loaded with telling anecdotes, and never attempts to impress the reader with the research he has done. Other biographers would do well to follow Joseph Ellis' example. And lovers of American History would do well to read this book.

Thomas Jefferson Survives
If you've read about the Founding Fathers, you can't help but notice that Thomas Jefferson has an eerie elusive quality that the others just don't seem to possess. You can figure out Ben Franklin, George Washington, James Madison, etc.. Jefferson, however, seems to be someone who you can't quite pin down or so easily lay claim to by today's standards. As was once said of William James, "He's just like a blob of mercury, you cannot put a mental finger upon him." It probably has something to do with, as Ellis states in the book, the fact that he was far more inclined to rhetoric and theory than he was to the tedious gears of hand-on politics.

I was expecting this book to cross the line in relation to dragging Jefferson into the present and beating him up a bit, but it kept within reasonable boundaries without either unrealistic hero worship or a foolish attempt at character assasination. Very readable and informative.

Sterling Silver
"American Sphinx" by Joseph P. Ellis is sterling silver. It dissects the character of Thomas Jefferson in a wonderfully readable presentation of America's third President. No wonder this book was a prize winning work on history when it first came out. I recommend your making sure you don't miss this one.

I also recommend you go on to read Norman Thomas Remick's "West Point: Thomas Jefferson: Character Leadership Education" for something different both about, and from, Thomas Jefferson. ... Read more

Book Description

DESCRIPTION: Renowned pastor Joel Osteen encourages people to discover their innate strengths and abilities on the road to success.

Having started Lakewood Churchís television outreach ministry, Pastor Joel Osteen has taken a message of hope around the world. Now, in YOUR BEST LIFE NOW, Osteen continues his mission to help others to go higher, rise above obstacles, and live in health, abundance, and victory.Osteen believes fervently that our self image should mirror exactly what God says about us, not what we feel or think. And he encourages readers to be people of faith, for when one can see the invisible, God will do the impossible. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by the Author

"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write."

On Writing begins with a mesmerizing account of King's childhood and his early focus on writing to tell a story. A series of vivid memories from adolescence, college, and the struggling years that led up to his first novel, Carrie, offer a fresh and often funny perspective on the formation of a writer.

King then turns to the tools of his trade, examining crucial aspects of the wriiter's art and life, offering practical and inspiring advice on everything from plot and character development to work habits and rejection.

King was in the middle of writing this book when he was nearly killed in a widely reported accident. On Writing culminates with a profoundly moving account of how his need to write spurred him toward recovery, and brought him back to his life. ... Read more

Reviews (540)

Ideas behind the words
"The story is the most important part of the story" could accurately sum up Stephen Kings book on writing.

The first half of the book is autobiographical. Stephen takes us through his childhood, discussing key events in his development as a person and a writer. This sets the context for the experiences he later writes about.

The second half is the "On Writing" part, where he gives advice to aspiring fiction writers. He covers technical aspects (be concise) as well as tips on the creative process (don't sweat the plot, create situations and be true to what the characters would do in them). He describes the process of writing as "finding a fossil" - the fossil of the story is out there, use the most subtle tools out there to share the fossil.

At the end, Steve covers his current status and recovery from a near death experience at the hands of an errant van driver. Perhaps this is the most touching part of the story.

This book does capture some very useful nuggets of information, and will be especially useful to avid king readers. In that sense, it isn't just a trade book for writers. Enjoy!

Inspiring and practical book for writers
I read this book - my first by Stephen King - after noticing a lot of favorable reviews, and I really liked it. This book has been highly recommended in many different forums for young, aspiring writers, and I can see the reason why.

While the first half of the book is autobiographical, dealing with events that made Stephen King the type of writer he is; the second half deals almost exclusively with King's insights and suggestions on the craft of writing - from vocabulary, grammar, editing, etc., to the nuances of dialogue, description, and narration. Unlike many books dealing with the art of writing, this book has a friendlier, almost intimate approach, and King uses numerous examples from his own work and that of other writers to illustrate his points. Two of the best pieces of advice in this book are: "Write with your door closed, re-write with your door open", and "If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write".

This is a very inspiring and motivating book for anyone interested in writing. King himself never stopped writing, no matter what the circumstances - the abject poverty of the early part of his life, or the excruciating pain as a result of the life threatening accident - and that is the biggest lesson in this book for writers.

Like a school book, but way more fun!
Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, is probably the best advice book you're goin to get.
It has three parts:
(1)An account on his younger life, and why he thinks he came to be the type of writer she is today.
(2)The second part is an absolutely fantastic account on writing. He runs you through Plot Development, Character development, different types of plot eg: Story/Situation, advice on Literary Agents, submitting short-stories to magazines etc etc etc...
(3)And the last 60 pages or so is an account on the horrifying accident he had in 1999 in Maine. He walks through it in detail.

As an aspiring writer myself, I found this book classic. When I think back to before, when I didnt read it - and was writing myself - If found that I really needed it.

So, for anyone who wants to know the low-down on becoming a successful writer, buy the book; for anyone who is a fan this is a must, you will read exciteing stories about his childhood and later life, and read the explicit chapter on his horrible accident.
King, at his best. :-)(-:

Book Review: Stephen King ¿ On Writing
Book Review: Stephen King - On Writing

I enjoyed the first half of the book for the humorous lighthearted approaches Steve takes to his life. One inspiring moment would not leave my mind. I wish that I had one in my own life as significant. As a young boy Steve copied the works of his favorite comic and showed the result to his mother. "Write one of your own, Stevie," she said. WOW! Obviously the seed of a writer was already planted but what fertilizer was that moment in Stephen King's life. Permission to write came at a very significant age. So many writers struggle to give themselves permission to write. A comment like this reminds me how influential a parent is to their child. Imagine what may have become of Steve had his mother been a different woman.

Other enjoyable moments involved poison ivy, a rather naughty school distribution and Steve's bleak telling of his drug and alcohol abuse. With the latter I sat wondering at Stephen's courage. Not just to relate these facts openly and honestly to his readers, but also to step beyond his dependency and hope, perhaps pray, that his writing did not come from the altered state. Some of his readers would see Steve in a darker light when realizing he is a former addict. I know that my image of Stephen changed. I saw in him honor, courage and a great strength to overcome. I admire him for stepping through the fear I can only imagine he must have felt and coming past it into real living. May we all learn from his experience.

When I reached the middle of Stephen King's "On Writing: A Memoir", I could not help but notice the very distinct change of voice between the first section and the second. I wondered how the light hearted man, who wrote about living life even through some very hard moments, could possibly be the same man who wrote in stilted lament. I read feeling rather resentful of the attitude I felt coming from the pages. I wondered how he dared imply that the way he did things was the only way to do them. I was particularly flummoxed at the parts where Steve speaks of plot and how no writer should ever use plot, story is the key element. I agree, story is key, but my current novel is laid out perfectly on a large board with every little plot nuance decided. Of course since I am suffering a serious writer's block with that novel perhaps Steve has merit when he speaks of plotting and the damage it can do to story.

Beyond that single disagreement I found Steve spoke to the readers of "On Writing" with integral truth. He spoke fact, but somehow in the second half of the book there seemed a lot less joy. It is only when I reached the postscript I realized why the two halves of one book seemed so different. You may notice the significance of change yourself when you read this book and you will find as I did that there is an rather extreme reasoning for it. Right where the voice changed is the eighteen months where Steve had been recuperating after being hit by a Dodge van. This life-changing event very obviously changed his sense of self and ultimately his voice, his writing.

The second half of the book involves a lot of helpful advice, but personally I felt that a writer would find the first half much more inspiring. The second half answers questions you might have, but the answers are only helpful if you write in the same way Steve writes. Every writer does things their own way and while you can take his words and mince them in your own mind and heart into something of your own, if you attempt to copy his routine exactly you will loose your self. He admits this also and I thank him for once again being so honest. The second half of the book offers a great deal to aspiring writers but I feel the first half offered twice that again.

Overall this book is a wonderful read for all writers and entertaining for non-writers. I freely admit that I have never read another of Stephen King's books but having read this one I am itching to read some of his fiction. He has a fluid hand that is a delight to read. I did find the profanity scattered across the book grating, but he has a section where he speaks of that also. It says a lot about who Stephen is and how he was raised. The entire book opens him up for readers to really know him, and that is a true connection of minds that shouts the truth he shares of writer's telepathy.

Despite all he has suffered in life Stephen comes out a stronger man. In "On Writing" he offers aspiring writers a wealth of advice the most significant being, "Read a lot, Write a lot." You can only learn your subject by immersing yourself in it and as with all artistic desire to reach perfection the Carnegie hall anecdote comes to mine, "Practice, practice, practice". Thank you, Stephen King, for sharing yourself with me. I am a better person and hopefully a better writer because of your candor.

Rebecca Laffar-Smith

Helpful and Entertaining
I read this book while in the middle of editing a book for publication. It reminded me of many things I had either forgotten (from my days of working with the Chicago Manual of Style or The Elements of Style) and suddenly, my red pen used A LOT more ink.

A highly entertaining read, I recommend for all serious writers. Take a few tips from a true master of the craft.

From the author of I'm Living Your Dream Life and The Things I Wish I'd Said, McKenna Publishing Group ... Read more

Book Description

From National Book Award winner Ron Chernow, a landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father who galvanized, inspired, scandalized, and shaped the newborn nation.

Ron Chernow, whom the New York Times called "as elegant an architect of monumental histories as we've seen in decades," now brings to startling life the man who was arguably the most important figure in American history, who never attained the presidency, but who had a far more lasting impact than many who did.

An illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean, Hamilton rose with stunning speed to become George Washington's aide-de-camp, a member of the Constitutional Convention, coauthor of The Federalist Papers, leader of the Federalist party, and the country's first Treasury secretary. With masterful storytelling skills, Chernow presents the whole sweep of Hamilton's turbulent life: his exotic, brutal upbringing; his brilliant military, legal, and financial exploits; his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Adams, and Monroe; his illicit romances; and his famous death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July 1804.

For the first time, Chernow captures the personal life of this handsome, witty, and perennially controversial genius and explores his poignant relations with his wife Eliza, their eight children, and numberless friends. This engrossing narrative will dispel forever the stereotype of the Founding Fathers as wooden figures and show that, for all their greatness, they were fiery, passionate, often flawed human beings.

Alexander Hamilton was one of the seminal figures in our history. His richly dramatic saga, rendered in Chernow's vivid prose, is nothing less than a riveting account of America's founding, from the Revolutionary War to the rise of the first federal government. ... Read more

Reviews (51)

One of American History's Shining Stars
There have NOT been enough biographies of Alexander Hamilton, and Ron Chernow has restored this often maligned founding father into his deserved spotlight. The marvelous opening passage describes the longings of Hamilton's widow, Elizabeth, for her husband who had died nearly 50 years previously. This romantic image sets the tone for this brilliant book, as it explores the heart as well as the mind of Alexander Hamilton.

For those who do not know, Hamilton was not merely a capitalist and economist who happened to die in a duel with Aaron Burr. True, he was the founder of The Bank of New York and was America's first Secretary of the Treasury. But Hamilton was also a tireless abolitionist, a brilliant lawyer and writer, General Washington's right-hand-man, a war hero, founder of the New York Post, and a swash-buckling romantic. Taken on their own, these achievements are amazing enough, but given the enormous obstacles and tragedies he had to overcome during his youth, it's just mindboggling. To take it a step further, he accomplished all this in just 49 years, which was his age at the time of his death.

A life as full, as dramatic, as IMPORTANT as Alexander Hamilton's deserves volumes. Ron Chernow's extensive biography is a long book but, even so, the amazing life he is describing requires such length. And, to Chernow's credit, the book achieves just the right balance of admiration and criticism, romanticism and realism, speculation and fact. Hamilton's life swung between often contradictory ideas and emotions, and Chernow presents them all to us, rather than sticking with one overriding image. ALEXANDER HAMILTON by Ron Chernow is perhaps the most important book written about the nascent years of our country since Ellis' FOUNDING BROTHERS, which would make an excellent companion to this book. I would also strongly recommend McCullough's JOHN ADAMS, as well.

The Most Important American Figure Never to Become President
During the 1980s, during the period when Bank of New York launched its hostile take-over of Irving Bank, the following anecdote circulated.

As Alexander Hamilton was getting into the boat to be rowed across the Hudson River to Weehawken where he was scheduled to duel Aaron Burr, he turned to his aide and said, "Don't do anything until I return."

The story concluded, unfortunately, the aide and all of his successors took Hamilton at his word.

The anecdote, though funny at the time of the take-over, could not have a weaker historical foundation. Ron Chernow's biography relates the details of an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan who rose to become George Washington's key aide-de-camp, battlefield hero, Constitutional Convention delegate, co-author of The Federalist Papers, Federalist Party head and the country's first Treasury Secretary.

Hamilton was a rare revolutionary: fearless warrior, master administrator and blazing administrator. No other moment in American history could have better employed Hamilton's abundant talents and energy.

As Treasury Secretary, the country benefited from his abilities as a thinker, doer, skilled executive and political theorist. He was a system builder who devised and implemented interrelated policies.

As in the Revolution, Hamilton and Washington complemented each other. Washington wanted to remain above the partisan fray. He was gifted with superb judgment. When presented with options, he almost always made the correct choice. His detached style left room for assertiveness. Especially in financial matters, Hamilton stepped into the breach.
Washington was sensitive to criticism, yet learned to control his emotions. Hamilton, on the other hand, was often acted without tact and was naturally provocative.

Perhaps the main reason Hamilton accomplished so much was Washington agreed with his vision of 13 colonies welded into a single, respected nation. Chernow presents a well-written and nuanced portrait that arguably is the most important figure in American history that never attained the presidency. Though his foreign birth denied him the ultimate prize, his accomplishments produced a far more lasting impact than many who claimed it.

True Founding Interests
The best all around depiction of a pivotal charecter in the founding of our country. With all of Mr Hamiltons accomplishments and pitfalls of character. Hamilton created almost single-handedly the modern capitalist society in addition to making huge implications into the manner which our government took shape that so many Americans take for granted. I would encourage anyone interested in the formation of the American experiment and a capitalist society read this book.

A Phenomenal Life
After Ronald Reagan died, I recall a TV commentator saying that there was a movement to replace Hamilton with Reagan on the $10 bill. Paraphrasing, "Hamilton was an easy target because he lacks a 'constituency'". Chernow's outstanding biography not only demonstrates why Hamilton is on the bill, but that his constituency should be all Americans. Of the "Founding Fathers", it is Hamilton who, if he could come back today, would be generally pleased at the United States he would find; his vision of capitalism, free markets and a central government has come to fruition.

The book details his youth growing up in the West Indies of questionable legitimacy, emigrating to the "Colonies", receiving an education, serving on Washington's staff in the Revolutionary War, his authorship of the Federalist Papers, his role in the Constitutional Convention, first Secretary of the Treasury, prolific writer, lawyer. His was a truly a phenomenal life. Chernow remarks that "No immigrant did more for the United States than Hamilton." After completing this book you can't help but "second" that statement.

The book paints vivid portraits of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Adams and Burr as well as the political climate. The role of his family and particularly his wife are well chronicled along with his faults. This book adds to the number of outstanding biographies that are being written about this period of our history. Back to Reagan, who quoted Hamilton on numerous occasions, I think if he had a say in who should be on the Ten, he like me would vote for Hamilton.

Stunning
This is the best biography I have read in years. After the wonderful biographies out recently about Franklin and Adams, it was a thrill to learn about Alexander Hamilton, who has been so maligned and sidestepped by history. Buy this book. It is beautifully written, will hold your interest, and you will come away--as I did--with a new take on the founding of this country. ... Read more

Book Description

The first book in a new series by the multimillion-copy bestselling author of Conversations with God.

Neale Donald Walsch has changed the way millions of Americans think about God. His Conversations with God series, book 1, book 2, and book 3, have all been New York Times bestsellers- book 1 for over two years.

The essence of Neale Donald Walsch's message lies at the heart of faith- the sacred place in every person, where he stands alone with his God. Walsch urges each of us to forge our own unique relationship with God, a God who is everywhere and speaks to us in all we do. It is up to us to stop and listen. It is up to us to respond...to begin the conversation. And a conversation is the first step, just as in any relationship, in establishing trust, in building friendship, in creating communion.

In Friendship with God, Neale Donald Walsch shares the next part of his journey, and leads us to deepen and strengthen our own bonds with God. He honors our heart's desire: a closer connection, richer and fuller. A friendship with God.

... Read more

Reviews (90)

Friendship with God:An Uncommon Dialogue
I have read all of THE CWG books by Neale Walsch. It is true that some of the same concepts have appeared in each book, but I feel that each time the insight is presented in a slightly different light. Like Neale, I had a childhood of heavy religious fear-based indoctrination to break out of, and the slight repetition assists me in accomplishing this. The words in this book head straight for the heart and resonate the word TRUTH. Since I was a child, I have always known that God was all loving and nonjudgemental. This book just helped to solidify what I have always known inside. Some of us believe that the Bible was tampered with over time to meet the needs of the state/church run religious heirarchies to keep power and control over the masses. The government still does this today so why should 500AD have been any different? If you have an open mind and are willing to accept the possibility that what your heart has been telling you since childhood is true, that God is an unconditionally loving parent and friend, this book will open windows that you can climb through into fields of light, freedom and the loving presence of the real God.

More outstanding conversations with God
Having read the first three books "Conversations with God" 1,2 and 3 I was totally impressed and grateful for them. I didn't read any other of Neale/God's books for some time. I continually returned to these books for inspiration, guidance and upliftment and they are a great source to help one remember who we really are, particularly at times when life seems a little heavy. I was fortunate to hear Neale speak on his visit to New Zealand and he masterfully reinforced all that he and God had written in books 1,2 and 3. Even after that event I still wasn't motivated enough to read their book "Friendship with God". It wasn't until my wife bought the book home from the library for me unexpectedly that I read it. I must of subconsciously thought that because the first three books were so unbelievably magnificent that "Friendship with God" couldn't possibly be better or contain anything new. Well, it wasn't better, (you can't better the plain truth). But just as inspirational? Yes. Just as helpful? Yes. Just as enlightening? yes. "Friendship with God" is right up with all his other books, simply unmissable if you are seeking the truth about existence. As a bonus their are some really useful tools explained by God to assist us getting in touch with ones true self. And the best of all, God's wit is still there. He has a keen sense of humour which pops up occasionally, and makes this book a fun read. These books have a habit of appearing in your life at exactly the appropriate time. Well done Neale. Well done God. Good effort from both of you. Keep it up.

Not my Favorite
This was my wife's favorite in the CWG series. For me, the material was starting to get a little repetitious after the first three books, at least until The New Revelations came out. However, of greater concern for me is the trend for the voice of God inside the author's head to become progressively more smug and, occasionally, even disdainful towards the human race. Remarks from God regarding our "primitive" species seem to make their way into the discussion with greater frequency. However, I have often noticed the same condescending tone on the CWG website when Mr. Walsch responds to inquiries from some of his readers, so clearly the "filter" that the message is coming through is getting a little clogged with debris from the author's ego.

The author's humility and "wonder at it all" that was evident in the first three books dissipates with every volume of this series and the God that Mr. Walsch is presenting through his books is increasingly not the kind of Supreme Being I wish to speak to much less befriend.

Create your own friendship with God
This book provides a wonderful blueprint for creating a friendship with God. It really doesn't matter whether you believe that Neale is having a conversation with God. Simply use the information from this book and you will find that you can have a real friendship with your God.

All of Neale's books are really written to inspire you to remember universal truths as they relate to you, personally. When you read with an open mind you will feel the truth of what is being said here. The insights you have can be wonderfully enlightening and even transforming for you.

A key point in Neale's message is that he does not espouse that this is THE way or even a better way. This is just one way to be and you are the judge of whether it works for you. I personally believe that anyone who uses this information to create their own personal relationship with God will be delighted and amazed at what they experience.

forgive us...
I bought this book because it came very highly recommended by a writer friend. He claimed it changed his life. I've been a Christian most of my life, and I'm always willing to understand more or better the precepts I've tried to live by. BUT!!!! if that's what you are looking for, this is not the book for you. The writer of this book goes into great detail about the religious "guilt" laid on his back by an unmerciful clergy, and then claims to have overcome it by self examination and introspection. He claims god told him that none of what is taught in the Bible is true, nor is anything from the established church to be thought of as truth. Namely, that God is righteous and therefore demands righteousness, or that God abhors sin (not sinners). What he's trying to get across is that GOD JUST WANTS TO BE YOUR BUDDY. There is no right or wrong, no atonement necessary because, hey, we've all screwed up once in a while, right, dude? No worry needed about eternity, for God is there to pat you on the back and tell you no matter what you did, "I love you, man." Schlok and hoo-hah. Skip it. Read INSTEAD: The Blessing by Gary Smalley. That's one that will change your life. ... Read more

Book Description

"Why did crime in New York drop so suddenly in the mid-90s? How does an unknown novelist end up a bestselling author? Why is teenage smoking out of control,when everyone knows smoking kills? What makes TV shows like Sesame Street so good at teaching kids how to read? Why did Paul Revere succeed with his famous warning? In this brilliant and groundbreaking book, New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell looks at why major changes in our society so often happen suddenly and unexpectedly.Ideas, behavior, messages, and products, he argues, often spread like outbreaks of infectious disease. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a few fare-beaters and graffiti artists fuel a subway crime wave, or a satisfiedcustomer fill the empty tables of a new restaurant. These are social epidemics, and the moment when they take off, when they reach their critical mass, is the Tipping Point.

In The Tipping Point, Gladwell introduces us to the particular personality types who are natural pollinators of new ideas and trends, the people who create the phenomenon of word of mouth. He analyzes fashion trends, smoking, children's television, direct mail and the early days of the American Revolution for clues about making ideas infectious, and visits a religious commune, a successful high-tech company, and one of the world's greatest salesmen to show how to start and sustain social epidemics. The Tipping Point is an intellectual adventure story written with an infectious enthusiasm for the power and joy of new ideas. Most of all, it is a road map to change, with a profoundly hopeful message--that one imaginative person applying a well-placed lever can move the world." ... Read more

Reviews (330)

Great Insights into Mass Behaviors
Despite an earlier reviewer poo-pooing this book for shallow insights, I beg to differ. This book is a fascinating and original take on what makes people behave in a certain way en masse. Tying together Paul Revere, Hush Puppies and many other very accessible ideas makes this book, that is in some ways very academic, read like a thriller. I read it in three sittings. It has an impact on several levels. One, as a marketer, it gave me insights into how word-of-mouth really works. I'll be experimenting with these concepts for years. Second, as a member of society, I gained insight into why I am pulled this way and that by trends. If you enjoyed this, you'll also enjoy the groundbreaking book by Robert Cialdini called "Influence, the Psychology of Persuasion." It makes some of the same points. Finally, it makes me think that some savvy activists will find some ways to use these principles to start societal epidemics that will ultimately have a positive effect. I believe Gladwell has introduced a concept, "the Tipping Point," that will have a wide-ranging impact on how we view the world and human behavior.

Bowled me over.
This book is quite wonderful, and it doesn't surprise me at all that it's getting such solid reviews here. Gladwell writes wonderful pieces for the New Yorker (and elsewhere, no doubt), and the craft of the writing here combines with fascinating material to produce a book for the lively of mind.

What is a "tipping point"? Gladwell shows us how concepts and perceptions derived from epidemiology can provide unexpected, but highly plausible explanations for the transformation of a minor phenomenon into a major trend. Gladwell's examples are diverse, drawn from such apparently disparate worlds as policing, fashion, and medical research, but they work well to create a sense that there's a logic at play in the crazes and fads we see turn into cultural trends.

Obviously, this book would be a good read for anyone interested in forcasting consumer behaviour, and other business concerns. I read it, though, as a person interested in culture and the trends which form the fabric of our waking lives. I read it twice, in fact, because it's very well written, and because I used it to teach theories of information to university students, who also really "got" the book. I find that concepts drawn froom the book return to me in unlikely situations, and that's a true test of non-fiction.

My only complaint? It's not long enough!

Esoterica
This is a fun book to read, but the dots remain uncconected.
...
I much prefer works that are more practical, and guide you directly to where you are going, instead of this very indirect analysis.
...
Some examples of this direct approach which are exceptionally well done include the CD "Voice Lessons to go" and the DVD "New Sex Now."
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All of these are fun and enjoyable and will improve your life.

does not disappoint
I rarely pick up a book that holds my interest all the way. This book was exceptional though and I have recommended it to many of my friends. The book discusses what causes an epidemic- how one tiny product, tv show, event, etc influences so many. I was impressed by the number of case studies and research that Gladwell did to back up his point. I really enjoyed learning about the influence Sesame Street had on the literary rate of the children who watched it, while what causes problems like teen smoking and suicide. It was a very interesting read.

Tiresome and Repetitive
Tipping Point is a painful book to read, painful especially to contemplate the patchwork of fill that turns what at best is a pop magazine article into a poor excuse for a book. Gladwell stabs at any theme he can possibly use to support his by no means new theory of tipping points. He hits one, perhaps, when he covers Rudy Giuliani's results in the City of New York, buts the rest are paler attempts. His comparison of Paul Revere with Dawes is over-romantic and downright silly. There's something profoundly patronizing about his tone of writing and his lack of any kind of wit. ... Read more

Book Description

While commuting or exercising learn about battery; assault; false imprisonment; intentional infliction of emotional distress; defense of self, others, property; recapture of chattel, trespass to land, trespass to chattel, conversion, public/private necessity, consent; negligence: duty, breach, proximate cause, joint tortfeasers; damages: nominal, punitive, and compensatory; surviving personal injury actions; wrongful death, wrongful birth/life, strict liability, affirmative defense to negligence with economic advantage, nuisance, misuse of judicial process, products liability, defamation and related torts, invasions of privacy. Information useful to preparing and pressing your case. ... Read more

Book Description

The Power of Now is a guide to spiritual awakening from a man who is emerging as one of this generation's clearest, most inspiring teachers on the subject. Eckhart Tolle is not aligned with any particular religion but does what all the great masters have done: shows that the way, the truth, and the light already exist within each human being. There is no need to look elsewhere. At the heart of the book is Tolle's own story of early despair that culminated in a life-transforming experience of enlightenment at the age of 29. He emerged to share insights on the perils of the mind, the power of the present, and the accessibility of one's true nature. According to Tolle, "To regain awareness of Being and to abide in that state of 'feeling-realization' is enlightenment." ... Read more

Reviews (433)

Listen to your heart, not the reviewers (including me)
I've noticed that some criticize Tolle for "expanding" the book or making it too long. But as Tolle himself notes, the book is written in a Q&A format where he tries to answer the same questions from different perspectives. Tolle also points out that the basic premise is not complicated, it just takes focus and practice. Others criticize Tolle for the impossible task of translating a mystical experience with words. Well, how else was he supposed to do it? Are there "mystical" media channels out there he should be communicating through?

I have read endless numbers of books on finding oneself, reaching enlightenment, and so on, and none have rung true like Tolle's book. I have given it to many friends as a gift and only one found it difficult to grasp, the rest were deeply moved. But don't listen to me or others, check it out at the library, listen to it or read it and judge for yourself. As Tolle notes, he isn't "teaching" you anything - he's reminding you what you already know. Give it a try - it may indeed change your life.

A spiritual Gem--Filled with depth and perception!
I don't know where to begin with this book. I will start by saying that one of the many things that makes the Power of Now a gem of a book is how Tolle has taken the core of ancient wisdom and churned out a real masterpiece without very mystical or religious concepts.
This is definately a book for someone who is into self realization..IT IS NOT A POP PSYCHOLOGY BOOK OR A NEW AGE BOOK as some in the negative reviews have claimed. That is the problem with being on a best seller list like Tolle now is, the book is being read by people who normally wouldn't read something like this and "give it a shot cause it's kind of popular now" and are faced with talk on "Ego, trancending mind chatter, enlightenment, how the past/future are only mental creations etc." This is a book for people who are willing to take a moment to understand the premise...your true nature is beyond body, mind identification/constructs. Not in a very mystical way-in very natural way, one can even say a scientific way, the science of all religions before they became organized religions--the message of true self realization.
Of course the book takes a certain EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE. We hear over and over that we are all ONE and that our true nature is beyond the body but how many of us truly get that in an experiental no nonsense way? Very few. The Power of Now's core teachings are a deep inner path not a quick-pop book.
In conclusion, Tolle has a great ability to communicate with very deep perception and the book is nothing short of brilliant.
The premise is--Suffering is due to the mind made self, the Present helps one transend the false self. Once transended...the discovery of Timeless NOW free of mental anguish...Sorry to sound weird.
Please read this book with patience and keep a Zen like mindset to get into the tone.

Don't Climb the Signpost
Tolle's book is an important one... a much needed reminder that is too easy to forget. All too often people can pass entire lifetimes 'missing the moment.' One can, like the worst type of junkie, become so comfortable with-and so used to-anxiety, worry, and procrastination that to simply experience tranquility in the present becomes an impossibility. For such people, the simple and inspirational teachings that The Power of Now details can incite a revolution in one's experience of being alive. That being said, though, this book possesses flaws and confusions that must be sifted through using a keen sense of criticism (yes, this too, is an important faculty of the healthy human being).

First of all, becoming present is a practice-not a realization. I'm not sure Tolle makes this clear. Like any 'new thing' the appreciation of the present moment can seem novel and exciting but if one doesn't make it a practice and use discipline to habitualize the practice, then one will have merely another gimmick, a spiritual toy to play with for a while and then put aside. The reason why all the schools of enlightenment require masters and students and instills its practitioners with discipline and a set of methods is because nothing in life comes all at once but must be cultivated with care over a period of time. Because of this truth, I genuinely doubt Tolle's claim that after his midnight awakening he was-all-at-once-transformed, never to require further training or practice. The experience he describes at the beginning of the book might just as well be labeled a psychotic break as a religious experience. Either way, the genuine appreciation of the moment can neither be totally 'on' nor totally 'off.' It is a variable experience that can be developed but will always remain part of the organic experience of being alive. Be wary of those who seem to show no anger, no sadness, no flaw... such people are usually very good actors and nothing more. Spend time with such people, in different types of contexts, to reveal the true human being. No unidimensional personality can exist in reality. We are always part of our context and environment and no matter our training or character can be expected to occasionally fall short of others' expectations.

A guide to enlightenment, then, should teach us that enlightenment is neither a great distance away nor too near. It is thoughtful experience revealed through action and word. I have seen car mechanics who are enlightened beings when they work on cars but atrocious when with their families. I have met novelists who convey all the wisdom in the world through a pen but seem haughty and fractured in normal human conversation. And I have met spiritual 'masters' who secretly creep away to have sex for the sixth time in a day or to check their stocks on the internet. Enlightenment is a myth, and some people treat it like a commodity to purchase or sell. To live well requires the experience of the present-often-but not all the time and in all situations.

Joseph Campbell once expressed the opinion that the type of enlightenment we have become familiar with is unique to a conception of self that was once fairly common in Asia. The type of self most moderns live by, especially we very 'special' Westerners with our love for 'Individuality' and 'Self-Expression,' excludes the possibility of such an experience. Perhaps it is time, then, we drop this idea and redefine what enlightenment should mean now-and to people like us.

Use this book as a pointer and compass, not as a map. The Buddha said it best, Be Lamps Unto Yourselves. I would add-and don't hide from the dark when it comes.

Yes, Good book, but..
I was inspired to make a comment here with regard to the person with the headline:"Be wary of the Master" I think this person needs to be heard. Part of the problem with the fanaticism that grows out of great works like this is the DANGER of forgetting that the "teacher" is indeed, very human,if not flawed. It is important to know where Tolle is as far as "walking his talk". If you can't demonstrate the virtues of compassion, right action, right deeds, etc. then what is the damned point? Being "CONCIOUS" or writing a brilliant book is not enough. Putting it into your deeds, is. I'm glad that person spoke up.

The best explanation of conscious existence yet...
The review titled "Be wary of the Master..." reveals more about its writer than about Tolle. It is ultimately unimportant to me what kind of person Eckhart Tolle is. His work speaks for itself.
"The Power of Now" is the most brilliant explanation of consciousness and existence I have read to date. It is stated so simply and eloquently, and effectively, that, if you settle down in a quiet space before you open the book, resist the temptation to use your intellect (to rationalize, compare and contrast), and just take in what is underlying his words, you may partake of the richest experience and deepest insightful 'aha's' you've ever gotten from a piece of writing.
And do get the book: put off getting the CD or tape until you've experienced the entire book in a quiet space. You shouldn't be multi-tasking when you read or hear his words, otherwise you will shortchange your experience. Lastly, do observe his pauses. They're placed where they are for good reason. This is the moment where you let the sense of what you've read sink in more deeply.
Then you may finally 'get' how to be present, to experience the vast and powerful "being" that underlies all our busy thoughts, awaiting our conscious awareness. And then, just maybe, we can heal this world. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of Gary Zukav's many gifts as a speaker and bestselling writer is his ability to present complicated metaphysical and spiritual themes in a way that is simultaneously down-to-earth and spine-tingling. How does he do it? Through story--the oldest and most powerful form of teaching the mind and touching the heart. As a frequent guest on Oprah, Zukav has also discovered that the American public is starved for grounded information on ethereal topics such as intuition, soulful relationships, and nonhuman teachers.

Soul Stories is a collection of true tales that speak to themes such as "Reincarnation," "A Higher Form of Reasoning," "Psychic Archaeology," "The New Female," and "Universal Humans." Some stories come from Zukav's personal experience, like his sister's auto accident and his mother instantly knowing that her daughter was hurt even though they were 100 miles apart. It is tempting to view these 52 tales of fate, coincidence, and sixth sense with an air of doubt. "You have to decide," Zukav warns. "That means thinking about it and, even more important, discovering what you feel about it. Eventually, you might find that what you feel about a Soul Story is more important to you than what you think about it." No matter what you feel about the individual tales, you will leave this book trusting that the best way to understand the meaning and mysteries of life is through story. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (78)

Some good spiritual advice
In Soul Stories, Gary Zukav (author of The Dancing Wu Li Masters and Seat of the Soul) guides the reader on a spiritual journey towards greater openess and a feeling of connection with the world and one another. The stories range from personal experiences to parables. While all of them teach valuable lessons, I was not always comfortable with the way he tells them. As another reviewer pointed out, Zukav often writes as though his audience were young children. It's one thing to put a message simply and concisely, but to put things too simply can seem condescending to the reader. For example, in the section about how "new" men and women differ from "old," he goes on at great length describing how men have traditionally been protectors and providers and women have been concerned with raising children and taking care of the home. I think most people in their teens or older are aware of this and are also aware that these roles have been changing. In one story, there is a confrontation between an "old" style man and a "new" style woman (I put these in quotes partly because I'm skeptical of such neat categories); the woman wants to go back to school and pursue a more independent lifestyle, while her husband cannot understand this. This would have seemed more dramatic thirty or forty years ago than today, though there are people who still adhere to traditional roles. Zukav also describes emotionally charged workshops where people share and explore their various feelings and relationships. His style is very much in the spirit of such human potential workshops where the goal is to evolve or expand. I am somewhat skepticalof this approach, as it can give people a certain conceit about their spirituality compared to supposedly less evolved people (e.g. the comparison between old and new style men and women). I have been mainly criticizing the book, but I also found enough in it to recommend it to anyone interested in...yes, evolving and expanding their consciousness. For example, I liked a story about a man struggling through a barren desert until he finally finds a lush land with abundant food and water. A simple parable, but effective and well told. Gary Zukav writes with quite a bit of optimism about how quickly people are changing. Looking at the world, it often seems as though we aren't changing quickly enough, but I hope he is right. And following the advice in books such as this can only help.

Mental confusion
These are, in the main, interesting stories, well told. That said, it is important to remind the reader that they are stories in the sense that Carlos Castaneda's stories are stories, and J. K. Rowling's stories are stories. But while readers read with the knowledge that Rowling's Harry Potter is fictitious, and that Castaneda's Yaqui mystic is at the very least wildly mythologized, many readers are not that clear about some of Zukav's material. Why is that? It's because Zukav's material is presented as though inherently plausible.

But the central fallacy around which the tales are built is that definitions and inherited concepts are presented by the author as if they were factual reality. "Soul," "God," "reincarnation," life as path, life as school, etc., are in reality simply definitional constructs that have originated and changed over the millenia as the concepts to which these definitional labels are applied have evolved. When a life is viewed as a journey from point A through B & C to D, it can be mentally back-constructed and viewed cognitively as a "path." If D can be seen as worthwhile in relation to earlier A, B and C, then the life to which this is applied can be retroconstructed to see A, B and C as a "school" for said life regarding what happened in this life at D. The book does not help the reader realize that patterns are not just found, they are often simply unconsciously postulated and constructed from elements of wishful thinking.

Thus, these are interesting stories for fictionalized story readers, especially for those of relatively low awareness of the nature of definitional constructs as cognitive virtual reality and cognitive retromapping, but Zukav's stories are certainly not what would strike careful and knowledgeable readers as being credible accounts. This difference in types of reader-awareness and degrees of clarity may be seen as you compare other reviews here.

Maybe I've read too many of these books!!!
I read this book with an open mind; however, I found it getting more and more discomforted as I read each little sound-bite anecdote. I found this book to present nothing new regarding human nature or understanding.This does not discount other readers who may find useful things here, but my fear is that they won't read the truly thoughtful works of people Like Thomas Moore or James Hillman or Joseph Campbell, or a host of other true intellectual/practioners who have a profound and innovative approach to understanding the concept of soul.Each of the mini-narrative in this book deals with common issues as awareness, jealousy, fear, relationships.There are a few koan-like truisms thrown in as though they are the last word in human understanding.This might be a nice gift for a high school student or someone with no background whatsoever in addressing quasi-spiritual ideas, but any thinking, reflective adult, I would hope, is past the stage at which these obvious parables would be of much use.Apparently, Ophrah was so taken by the author she invited him for a segment on her show, and it was expanded to a full-length Christmas program.Need I say more?

Sleepy Stories
I enjoyed Seat of the Soul much more than this work, due to the repetition in concepts.The stories help explain Zukav's concepts for someone that has not been exposed to much metaphysics, but a more versed person could find it to be overly worked and lacking of inspiration.There will always be a new author on the block reworking the same concepts with new fluffy words; unfortunatly, Zukav could have left this one off the public printer.Good for bedtime reading, you'll be out like a light in no time.

Not bad
This is not a bad book. I really enjoyed "The Seat of the Soul" and "The Heart of the Soul" a lot more than this one though. I expected a bit from this book than it gave. ... Read more

Book Description

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

This is Morris's highly acclaimed account of Theodore Roosevelt's life, encompassing the years from Roosevelt's birth to his service in the White House.

He was one of our most vibrant presidents; his image still haunts our past and our present. This fascinating and comprehensive biography of the extraordinary naturalist, adventurer, soldier, and politician, tells the improbable, but very real, story of a man determined to get what he wanted, an American who helped define our century and our very character. ... Read more

Reviews (113)

Unmatched detail, Hyper-scrupulous research, VERY readable
Morris somehow manages to bring TR to life to the point that he practically stands up and walks out of the book into your living room. Even more impressive, Morris does this while dutifully retaining objectivity, giving equal and judicious space to the man's (relatively few) shortcomings and quirks. The result is that the reader lives through nearly every fascinating detail of how a real human being named Theodore Roosevelt surmounted his very human hurdles ultimately to develop into the true larger-than-legend icon he was and is. As much as I have enjoyed other TR biographies (e.g. by McCullough, by Miller) these do not quite reach the level achieved by Morris. The only disappointment is that the book focuses only on his life to the point of ascending to the Vice-Presidency, but after all the title is The RISE of Theodore Roosevelt . . . On rare occasions, the most detailed and honest truth is the most interesting story to read; this is one of them, don't miss it.

Not much to add, a well deserved 5 stars (and Pulitzer too!)
This biography is one of the most thorough and enjoyable I have read. If there has been controversy over Morris' Reagan bio, at least it brought attention to this book. Morris drew a portrait of Roosevelt and his era and it came to life for me. I particularly enjoyed the description of the political scene of the time, especially the New York State assembly and further on to Boss Platt, Senator Hanna, and the other backroom operatives. Morris does not hide the negative side of TR, the snobbery, the hypocrisy, and the naked jingoism. As a Canadian, Roosevelt took Manifest Destiny to extremes and one sympathized with those who considered him a loose cannon. At the same time, this book shows his drive, energy, and his willingness to put himself face-first into anything, be it the Spanish American War, the unpopular anti-saloon enforcement in NYC, or any of his western adventures. I highly recommend this biography to anyone interested in history, Americana, or the times of the later 19th century.

dscyoung
Outstanding! McCullough and others have done wonderful things with Presidential biographies; however, Morris has brought Roosevelt alive like no other. The struggles young Roosevelt endured are a inspiration. His genius is detailed in true color. I couldn't wait to pick up Theodore Rex. Looking for a hero in todays rough and tumble? Look no further than TR.

Wow! An outstanding story about an amazing person
Teddy Roosevelt is surely one of the most captivating figures in history, and this book is an incredibly lively and vivid chronicle of his rise to the American presidency. Edmund Morris writes in delightful prose with colorful imagery and funny stories, and provides an astounding level of detail. You will not want to put down this book; it is as mesmerizing as Tolkien's Ring. It is hard to imagine a better-written story. Mr. Roosevelt is abundant in charisma, intelligence, and drive. If you can only read one book on the man, choose this one.

A Rising Start!
"The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt" tells the outstanding story of the pre-presidential years of this remarkable individual. In an attention-holding style, Morris relates the anecdotes known to all TR fans. In addition to the well known facts, Morris reveals lesser known facts which help us to understand TR and his career.

Beginning with he President's New Year's Day Reception of 1907, the book quickly jumps back to a very youthful TR. In the following pages we read of the close relationship between TR and his father. We read of the father who, by example and word, taught TR his greatest virtues of honesty, social responsibility and concern for others. It was this father who drove him through the streets of New York to get him over his asthma attacks as well as the one who told him that he "had the mind, but not the body" and that he must build his body. When TR was contemplating a scientific career, it was this father who told him that he could pursue such a career, "if I intended to do the very best that was in me; but that I must not dream of taking it up as a dilettante", but that he would have to learn to live within his means. Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.'s payment of a substitute during the Civil War left his son with a sense of guilt which could only be assuaged by his own military service. We learn of the shattering effect that this father's death had on the Harvard student. As president, TR would remark that he never took any serious step without contemplating what his father would have done.

Much attention is given to the "Roosevelt Museum of Natural History" assembled by the young taxidermist. This was the first of three career paths considered by TR, scientific, which he abandoned, literary, which supported him for much of his life, and political, which became his life work.

We learn of TR's loves, both of Edith and Alice. We learn of how TR pursued love with the same vigor and intensity that he pursued everything else which he desired. The death of his mother and Alice on Valentine's Day, 1884, which drove him into ranching in Dakota, would be almost as shattering as the death of his father.

There are details of TR's young life of which I had been unaware, prominent among them are his extensive travels in Europe and the Middle East.

In the course of this book we see the step by step maturation of TR from the snobbish Harvard freshman to the inclusive leader which he later became. College, romance, politics, ranching and war all played their parts in the development of the character of TR.

During his political career, TR's outlooks on issues developed, but his core values never wavered. From his first caucus meeting, uncompromising honesty was a trademark of TR's character and his demand from others.

TR always walked a tight rope between independence and party loyalty, earning both the support an enmity of reformers and the organization alike.

After having established himself as an unrelenting foe of corruption during his service on the U. S. Civil Service Commission and the New York Board of Police Commissioners, his appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Navy enabled TR to act on the world stage. Taking advantage of Secretary Long's frequent and extended absences, TR prepared the Navy for its spectacular successes in the Spanish-American War., a war which TR had worked so hard to bring about.

The war gave TR the opportunity to pay his inherited debt by service in the Rough Riders. Organizing a volunteer cavalry of westerners, Indians and Ivy League athletes, TR had to work to get his men equipped and to the front. Their heroic charge up San Juan Hill is the stuff of which legends are mad and TR made his legend as a Rough Rider.

Exploiting his martial glory, TR road into the Governor's mansion where he continued to walk the fine line between independence and party loyalty. His successes he won and the enemies he made lead him to the vice-presidency.

I have mentioned just a few of the highlights of TR's young life, but this book covers many more. Morris employs a talent to tell the details without becoming bogged down. Read "The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt" to learn of TR's early life and character and then bring on "Theodore Rex". ... Read more

Book Description

America's number-one bestselling crime writer is back with another scorching thriller featuring medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

Unabridged * Ten Cassettes * 14 hours ... Read more

Reviews (529)

Poor contination of the Scarpetta/Chardonne ugly soap opera
That we've had to wait a few years since the "Last Precinct" [skipping the wretched non-Scarpetta "Isle of Dogs" and Cornwell's non-fiction book about Jack the Ripper] made us anxious to devour Kay Scarpetta's return. Alas, Kay is little more than a bit player as first niece Lucy, as head of her own investigative firm, then a resuscitated Benton Wesley (what a rip-off!!) steal most of the scenes. Pete Marino is around for little more than overweight color; and a few Louisiana characters trying to solve a series of killings there also play minor roles. If anything, the horrible Jean-Baptiste Chardonne, back from "Black Notice" is the star. While supposedly he was blinded in his unsuccessful attack on Scarpetta, he looks out windows and reads notes, so what gives? He manages to escape from prison while on death row (seriously?!) and apparently is still at large at the end, so something tells me we haven't seen the last of him.

This dark work sees Scarpetta as just a shell of her former self; dwells on Lucy as some sort of goddess; and disappoints from short chapter to short chapter (124 in all). We sensed with few pages remaining that the end would be just a brush-off -- and it was. "Blow Fly" is hardly entertaining, poorly written, uninspired, and uninteresting -- maybe the worst Scarpetta of all. For our money, we think the publishers owe the public a closer scrutiny of this author's future work and see if it really warrants publication. This one will soon go to the overprinted bin, along with Isle of Dogs, where it belongs.

Not worth reading
SPOILERS AHEAD

I normally enjoy Cornwell's novels as light relief on a plane, but this one was seriously disappointing. There's only one crime scene investigation, towards the end, of a largely irrelevant murder, and the rest of the book seems to be made up of the guilt and neuroses of the central characters as they all move away from the professional orbits that (once) made them so interesting. The Wolfman (yawn!) and his twin brother Jay are trotted out YET AGAIN as the bad boys of the piece, only to be despatched 'offscreen' at the end. I agree with other readers that the ending was sudden and flat - I convinced myself that I had missed a chapter and resorted to shaking the novel to see if the extra pages would suddenly materialise, explaining what went down at the shack and how Benton killed Jay and what happened to the Wolfman. No such luck. This didn't seem like a cliffhanger, more like a "I can't be bothered" from the author. I shall seriously debate buying any future Cornwell books - "Jack The Ripper" was a shoddy piece of scholarship, and this was lazily written throughout, lacking the taut plot and original characterisation that made the others in the series so enjoyable. A real shame.

Ugh!
Early Scarpetta novels were gruesome yet literary. Kay was likeable, human. In this latest novel, Cornwell seems absolutely obsessed with torture and sex, preferably together. I couldn't finish this and I usually have a pretty strong stomach.

Not half bad
I had a difficult time figuring out if I liked this novel or not. On one hand, I felt that many events were just excuses for not having enough to write about (like Benton being alive afterall). I also was getting tired of the Wolfman storyline and all the characters involved. But I really feel that Blow Fly is one of the better written novels, mostly because of the third person style. I liked knowing about other people's feelings, along with Kay's. Like everyone else, I didn't like the ending, but I am looking forward to her next novel (that I read somewhere is coming out in September!). It is a good in between novel that is going to lead to something great! I'm usually not disappointed with Cornwell's work!

Ending is HORRIBLE
This book completely drags through the chapters. The characters are maudlin and fail to even encourage involvement with their varying emotional traumas. Then you are rewarded for hanging on through the entire book to an ending that makes you want to throw the book through the closest window.

Ms. Cornwell sadly uses Marketing 101 tactics to pump up sales for the next Scarpetta novel with an abrupt, "cliff hanger" ending that seems to almost stop midsentence. I've been a devoted reader but, honestly, don't know if I'll buy the next one. It's too bad Ms. Cornwell that you're willing to sacrifice the excellent writing skills that brought us to you in the first place just to meet your publishing demands. Am I the only person out there who thought a natural progression for Kay would be to join Lucy in her "below the radar" organization to begin solving some really interesting crimes? Ms. Cornwell I truly hope you are reading your reviews and comments from readers--we deserve better than "Blow Fly." ... Read more

Book Description

This series of fourteen medical terminology videotapes is designed for allied health and nursing students who are enrolled in medical terminology courses.The videos may be used in class to supplement a lecture or in a resource lab by users who want additional reinforcement.The series can also be used in distance learning programs as a telecourse.All tapes are self-contained and may be used in any order to meet the needs of the student.The videos simulate a typical medical terminology class.The on-camera "instructor" leads students through the various concepts, interspersing lectures with graphics, video clips, and illustrations to emphasize points.Tapes one and two contain introductory material to get students started on their study of medical terminology.The remaining twelve tapes each focus on the terminology related to specific body systems.This comprehensive series is invaluable to students trying to master the complex world of medical terminology.(medical terminology, med term, prefix, suffix, word building, basic word structure, Integumentary System, Musculoskeletal System, Nervous System, Blood & Lymphatic System, Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Digestive System, Endocrine system, Urinary system, Male Reproductive System, Female Reproductive System, Special Senses, body systems, videos, distance learning, telcourse, anatomy, physiology, health occupations, allied health, nursing, EMS, Respiratory Care, Medical Assisting) ... Read more

Book Description

This Sum and Substance Audio Set allows you to assimilate the essentials of agency and partnership law at your convenience. Agency topics include types of entities involved, independent contractors, scope of employment, rights of third parties, authority and apparent authority, types of principals and agents, and more. Partnership topics include Uniform Partnership Act, definitions, relationships of partners, duties and authority, formal and informal accounting, equitable remedies, assignability of interests, dealings with third parties, contract and tort liability, dissolution of partnerships, rights of withdrawn/retiring/deceased partners, winding-up, order of pay-off, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Messy tapes on easy subject
At first, I was afraid of agency & partnership, then later I realized that these subjects are covered already in torts and corporations courses. This lecture series is long even though the material is quite simple. I have two problems with this product. There are four tapes on agency and partnership, respectively. First, for each subject the professor spend three tapes telling the rules and then the last tape saying, "Okay, now here are the rules from the new Restatement." They should have said the most updated rules from the start. Second, (and please forgive the age-ism here), the back cover shows the Munch is an older gentleman. When you listen to the tapes, you will learn that he has an old man's voice. Whereas other tapes have younger people cracking jokes because they know many of these law subjects are tedious, here you have the kind of old professor that will make you go to sleep. Again, please forgive the unintended courseness of that observation. But honestly, his voice will be an impediment to listening to this series. ... Read more

Book Description

Now revised and expanded, this edition of the splendidly detailed and lively history of the Middle Ages contains more than 30 percent new material. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Breezy Introduction to the Middle Ages
This book reads as if it were compiled from Prof. Cantor's lecture notes.This gives the book a breezy, brisk tone; it reads quite quickly.It is not a reference-quality history, lacking footnotes or even a bibliography of primary sources.There are no illustrations or maps.Surprisingly little feel for the flavor of medieval life comes through.The basic history of kings and popes and wars is all there, however.For readers not yet familiar with the historical period, this book would serve as a decent introductory overview.

Great Read, Great Overview
The confusion with all of the different opinions on this classic college introductory European medieval history text are clearly due to the differences in the backgrounds of the various readers.

Cantor has produced a book that is absolutely wonderful in it's ability to pull together the twisted history of both major and minor events throughout Europe and relate them to one another.Being able to understand how Papal politics impacted the Germanic Princes and then caused reactions in England and the Low Countries, which then produced French political events that influenced the Papacy.....great stuff when it can all come together like this!

Cantor can read like an enjoyable novel if you have an active interest in the medieval period, he points out the seeds of feminism and does a good job of placing them in the context of the period, he does the same for heresy, piety and the monastic movements, law and politics, the development of monarchism, the growth of the bourgeoisie, and a host of other factors and elements from the middle ages.

There are valid criticisms of his work though....some of his facts are wrong (some he should have know and others have now had additional historical thought added to them)....for example, the Turks taking Constantinople and the details of the death of Thomas a Becket.More serious to me though is the lack of footnotes (which are so essential to credibility that the readability issues must take second consideration) and the total lack of maps to help with orientations (especially important for those not intimately familiar with medieval European geography).

I've created lists that provide Amazon links to Cantor's top 10 medieval books and top 10 films, if you want to continue to follow the syllabus for medieval understanding that he lays out in the book.

Needed a grad student to edit his MS!
Haven't even READ the book yet, but the errors fairly drop from Cantor's pen ... Adrianople was "the first defeat of Rome by Germans"?What about Arminius's taking out 3 legions in A.D. 9?The Arabs took Constantinople?That would've surprised all the Turks who were there!And it's not "just" military history.A medievalist who can write that in Jesus "the Holy Spirit assumed form" is woefully confused about Christian dogma, which (however vain a discipline) is kind of important in writing about "the civilization of the Middle Ages."

A little Googling yields several examples from other books of Cantor's carelessness with facts.I don't mean to impugn his grasp of his specialty, but don't trust any "fact" in his book unless you find it confirmed elsewhere.

Time Well Spent
Cantor's book covers the civilization of the Middle Ages from ca 300 CE to 1500 CE but most of it is spent in the period from ca 500 CE to 1450 CE.It does provide, however, a good chapter on each of the following: (1) a very short summary of the classical Greek, Roman and Hebrew heritage, (2) a very short history of the early Christian church plus (3) an overview of the Roman Catholic church through Pope Gregory VII, and a short overview of the barbarian invasions that helped bring down the Roman Empire.He then used the remainder of 443 pages to describe what his view is of the process of building a civilization in Europe from the ashes of the Roman Empire and the largely illiterate population of Europe.

His practice is to look at several different periods of time from both the government building,the development of the Roman Catholic church and human developments in literature, philosophy, the arts, etc.This leads to some repetition as the same people have an impact in more than one topic. For me this repetition was good as it reinforced my learning about some of the more important people and movements of the Middle Ages.

It was my impression that Cantor is inclined to be much easier in his judgement of the failures of the officials of the Roman Catholic church and kings in the roles they had in suppressing the people of Europe as they pursued a goal of controlling temporal as well as the spiritual lives of Europeans.He is a good historian, however, and as he describes the activities of kings and popes, their oft times ruthless actions are detailed to the point where he contradicts his claim that historians in general have been too severe in their judgements.He clearly shows how these leaders at times formed unholy alliances for mutual support.At times he seems Nietzschean in his defense of ambitious popes, the Inquisition, and kings who were ruthless in the pursuit of their
goals of nation and church building.He does a good job of showing how the ambitions of kings and popes influenced the course of civilization.However, after having read about the horrendous behavior of the kings and nobles of England and Germany and their impact on the peasantry of France during the Hundred Years War as detailed by other authors, I was surprised that Cantor almost dismisses it as just another war in an almost continuous state of war during the Middle Ages.

Like too many good books on history, this one could use some maps and some tables summarizing developments.Overall, however, this un-professional history reader enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot from it but not always from the same viewpoint as that of the author.

For a specialized audience only . . .
For the most part I enjoyed the book, but I started with a strong interest in the history of the middle ages.This book absolutely does NOT read like a novel as other reviewers state."Stong narrative flow" according to one of the editorial reviews?Pullease!If so, I'd hate to read a book with a weak narrative flow.If you aren't already interested in the middle ages, this book is not for you.It is not a good survey or introduction, as other reviewers state.It focuses deeply and narrowly on church history - specifically the Roman Catholic church.It is extremely western-european centric.My goodness - the Mongols, who conquered a greater percentage of the globe than any people in history, are dismissed in 2 sentences as "the latest Asian horde" as if they were of little importance.I guess that's because they didn't conquer Western Europe?I don't mean to be overly critical, but I stress these points since I find many other reviewers to be unbalanced in their remarks in favor of the book.If you already appreciate the history of the middle ages, you will likely enjoy this book and find the author's obvious fascination with the topic and unconventional approach infectious.If not - stay away. ... Read more

Book Description

Already a proven home-study program, the Language for Children series is making noise with this updated, integrated book-plus-audio edition. Along with its charming visuals and lively activities, the series now provides in CD format the stimulating sounds of language to entice preschoolers through primary graders into learning a second language. Cute, catchy songs and the humorous, serial adventures of SuperCat are sure to captivate the imagination and foster language acquisition. Each set in the series contains an 80-page full-color activity book coordinated with two 60-minute CDs as well as a Parent/Instructor CD packed with helpful tips.

Together children and parents can master basic language skills, including making introductions, counting from 1 to 20, and describing objects. The perfect package for parents and teachers who want to familiarize three- to nine-year olds with foreign languages and cultures.

Reviews (2)

Learn Italian!
I have been searching for an easy way to teach my daughter, age 4 who has grown up only speaking english, my native Italian. I have tried various computer programs, books and tapes, and other teaching methods. All were rather boring and unhelpful, my daughter soon lost interest. This system is wonderful! The lessons are interesting and fun. They are blended wonderfully with songs and activities that keep a child's attention. I highly recommend this program. I do recommend that someone in the family practice with the child and participate with them while they listen. This is by far the best children's language packet I've seen.

An engaging and informative program for learning Italian.
My son and I enjoyed the music, activities and games provided in this learning program. The use of children's voices for the cassette was very effective. A great starting point for both children and adults alike.

It would be great to have this program on video.

's ... Read more