Art and Design in Photoshop: How to simulate just about anything from great works of art to urban graffiti Review

Art and Design in Photoshop: How to simulate just about anything from great works of art to urban graffiti
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There are plenty of beginner guides to Photoshop, and even a few dozen decent intermediate books. But, sooner or later, you reach a point when you're asking yourself, "What's next?" This book provides the answer. It's filled with techniques and ideas that will have anyone who's mastered the basics of Photoshop creating works of art. If you want to go beyond the simple tools of correction, compositing, and image repair, start here.

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Three Views on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology) Review

Three Views on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology)
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The book begins with an introduction by Dr. Jonathan Lunde which serves to frame the interaction which follows. He identifies the central question as being the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament authors' intended meaning. Surrounding this central issue he identifies five "orbiting questions":
1. Is sensus plenior an appropriate way of explaining the NT use of the OT?
2. How is typology best understood?
3. Do the NT writers take into account the context of the passages they cite?
4. Does the NT writers' use of Jewish exegetical methods explain the NT use of the OT?
5. Are we able to replicate the exegetical and hermeneutical approaches to the OT that we find in the writings of the NT? (12)
The participants in this discussion (Walter Kaiser, Darrell Bock, and Peter Enns) articulate their positions by addressing these questions and by illustrating how their view works in particular biblical texts.
First, Walter Kaiser argues for the "single meaning, unified referents" view. Whereas many scholars see a problematic disparity between the NT authors' meaning and that of the OT authors, this perspective claims that closer exegetical investigation reveals complete harmony between the two. Kaiser goes even further down this line of thinking by arguing that the Old Testament writers understood where their prophecies were moving. Consequently, he rejects any appeal to sensus plenior or to the use of Jewish exegetical methods to explain any supposed tension.
Second, Darrell Bock argues for the "single meaning, multiple contexts and referents" view. While acknowledging that there is disparity between the NT and the OT meanings, he nevertheless argues that they are fundamentally connected. He makes this move through employing the distinction of "sense" and "referent." While there may be a disparity on the level of "referent," there is a unity on the level of "sense." Therefore, like Kaiser, he seeks to vindicate the NT authors' reading of the OT. However, unlike Kaiser, he is quite willing to appeal to sensus plenior and to the use of Jewish exegetical methods in order to explain what the NT authors were doing.
Third, Peter Enns argues for the "fuller meaning, single goal" view. Out of all three views, Enns allows for the greatest amount of tension between the meaning of the OT and NT authors. Although he affirms that we must factor in the questions of sensus plenior and typology, he rejects the usage of these concepts to attempt to remove this tension. On the contrary, he claims that the NT authors did not always respect the context of the OT passages to which they refer. However, he agues that this isn't a problem because they used Jewish exegetical methods which were appropriate to their time and context, and most importantly, because they properly read the OT Scriptures with a "Christotelic" hermeneutic.
Dr. Kenneth Berding then concludes the book by offering a summary of these three positions (with a very handy summary chart on page 240), by noting the "benefits" and "potential problems" of these three views, and by offering a "probing question" to each of the contributors.
Three Views on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament is an excellent introduction to this topic and I highly recommend it. Dr. Jonathan Lunde and Dr. Kenneth Berding are particularly to be thanked for the following reasons.
First, the project which they have undertaken here is much needed. Those who have given the topic of the NT's use of the OT some attention will know that it is one of the most challenging and yet most fruitful areas in biblical studies. Beyond the obvious essential of doing good exegesis of both Old and New Testament texts, it further requires of students that they give particular attention to textual, hermeneutical, and canonical considerations. Beyond this, beginners are faced with the challenge that there is relatively little introductory level secondary literature in this area. This book helps to fill this gap in the literature by providing students with a substantial yet accessible introduction to this subject.
Second, although books of the "Counterpoint" variety aim to introduce to the major viewpoints rather than to break any new ground on their subject, the framework for this topic outlined by Dr. Lunde in his introductory chapter (i.e., the central question with its five "orbiting questions") provides readers with a new way to break down the issues in order to more effectively organize their thoughts and determine where they stand. This point could easily be overlooked, but it is worth noting. Whereas many of the other counterpoint volumes have topics in which there are already clearly delineated positions, such is not the case with this topic. While there have been some attempts to do this (see, for example, Darrell Bock's own attempt: "Evangelicals and the Use of the Old Testament in the New [part 1]," Bib Sac 142:567 [Jul 1985], 209-223), there have not been many. In any case, I believe that readers will find Lunde and Berding's approach to be especially helpful.
Rather than delve into a few of my somewhat minor criticisms and my general disappointment with Kaiser's contribution, I conclude this already overly lengthy review on a more appropriately positive note--a quote from Dr. Lunde: "If the church wakes up to this dimension of the NT use of the OT, it will recover the profound perspective that the first Christians had in relation to Jesus--a perspective that enlivened a mission that changed the world." (http://www.christiansincontext.org/2008/11/interview-with-ken-berding-and-jon.html accessed on December 1, 2008).

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To read the New Testament is to meet the Old Testament at every turn. But exactly how do Old Testament texts relate to their New Testament references and allusions? Moreover, what fruitful interpretive methods do New Testament texts demonstrate? Leading biblical scholars Walter Kaiser, Darrel Bock and Peter Enns each present their answers to questions surrounding the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament.Contributors address elements such as Divine and human authorial intent, the context of Old Testament references, and theological grounds for an interpretive method. Each author applies his framework to specific texts so that readers can see how their methods work out in practice. Each contributor also receives a thorough critique from the other two authors.A one-stop reference for setting the scene and presenting approaches to the topic that respect the biblical text, Three Views on the New Testament Use of Old Testament gives readers the tools they need to develop their own views on this important subject.The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Bible and Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.

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Fly Fishing Advice from an Old Timer: A Practical Guide to the Sport and Its Language Review

Fly Fishing Advice from an Old Timer: A Practical Guide to the Sport and Its Language
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Ed Quigley has written an accurate practical guide to the sport of fly fishing. As an owner of a fly shop I have many customers looking to take up fly fishing and to learn its intricacies, this is the perfect book for that person. It is ideal for the new angler, and is a great read for the intermediate and advanced angler as well. This would be a great gift for your favorite angler or for yourself. From knots, to insects, to help with gear selection, this book is an asset to the fly fishers library.

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Grace: Quotes & Passages for Heart, Mind, and Soul Review

Grace: Quotes and Passages for Heart, Mind, and Soul
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This is one of those books that you will pick up time and again. It is a collection of passages, all around the theme of "Grace." But it is much more than just a random selection of quotes; considerable thought has been put into grouping them into a series of concepts, such as "Soul," "Heart," "Action." Aronson draws from a very wide ranging set of authors and speakers, from well known historical figures (such as Aesop, Emerson, Dickens) to current day writers and personalities (the Dalai Lama, Arthur Ashe, Leo Buscaglia). This is not at all a set of 'sappy' quotes, but rather a thoughtful compendium of all that 'grace' really is, should be, and can be.
Beautifully laid out, with a simple but very appealing cover, the book will make a great present.

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"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."—Maya Angelou"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace."—May SartonThis treasury of quotes and passages on leading a centered, purposeful, and spiritual life offers the advice and observations of leaders from all walks of life. Included are Ghandi, Lao-Tzu, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, and hundreds of other unique and inspiring voices on subjects like compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and purpose.• Beautiful hardcover gift book, affordably priced at $14.95• For readers of all ages

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From Shakespeare to Existentialism Review

From Shakespeare to Existentialism
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The Princeton philospher was not noted for original thought, unlike other more well known 20th century philosophers such as Russell, Wittgenstein and Sartre. However, what he was good at was being a sort of philosophical "critic." Kaufmann was a very erudite man who wrote lots of great stuff on the arts, history, literature and philosophy as well as the relationship that the three share with each other.
The present book details the infamous existential motif of art replacing religion as the representative of what is most sacred in the human spirit. Kaufmann writes about the joys and knowledge that are offered by great tragedies and the dark poetry of writers such as Rilke.
Kaufmann also does a credible job of critiquing several philosophers, historians and literary figures. Among the people he discusses are Goethe, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, Rilke and Hegel. Particularly interesting is his napalming of Heidegger. I have always thought Heidegger was over-rated & Kaufmann's comical (although valid) tirades were quite refreshing.
Kaufmann ends with a compelling critique of the historian Arnold Toynbee, insisting that Toynbee's attempt to be both poet and historian calls into question the veracity of his exegesis of the facts of history.
This is a great book for anyone who is interested in philosophy & the arts since the time of Shakespeare. This book is especially for people interested in 20th century philosophy & those who ponder its future trajectory.

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The Life-Giving Sword: The Secret Teachings From the House of the Shogun (The Way of the Warrior Series) Review

The Life-Giving Sword: The Secret Teachings From the House of the Shogun (The Way of the Warrior Series)
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Anyone who looks to a book to learn how to swing a sword will forever be disappointed. Those of us who have actually taken the time train in the sword know that direct transmition is the only way (yes, the schools still exist -- go find one).
What this book presents (along with some very good subtle sword pointers) is the proper mental attitude you must gain in order to progress on the path. Mr. Wilson does a wonderful job translating a difficult text. If you are serious about sword, get this book AND go find a teacher ...

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This is a translation of an important classic on Zen swordfighting. Yagyu Munenori was so widely renowned that he was appointed official sword instructor to two Tokugawa shoguns. (The position was always coveted by Miyamoto Musashi, but he never succeeded in gaining the post). Yagyu's style is known as the Shinkage-ryu style, for centuries the official style of the Tokugawa dynasty. His spiritual mentor was Zen priest Takuan. Here, Yagyu's Buddhist spirituality is clearly reflected in his central idea of the "life-giving sword" - the notion of controlling an opponent by the spiritual readiness to fight, rather than during the fight. His mastery of restraint and diplomacy made him a trusted political and military advisor to the shoguns. This book is a look into a master swordsman's thoughts on nonattachment and even non-violence.

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What Great Teachers Do Differently: 14 Things That Matter Most Review

What Great Teachers Do Differently: 14 Things That Matter Most
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This is the first review I've ever written on Amazon, and I'm moved to write it because I am so astounded at the lack of truth in a couple of reviews for this book. I'm not sure what happened in some of the negative reviewers' lives that led them to write such bitter and inaccurate reviews, but I want to assure everyone thinking about Whitakers' books that they are worth reading, and What Great Teachers Do Differently is one of his best.
On almost every page, there are practical ideas, different ways of perceiving issues and their solutions, and fodder for continued discussion. For example, Whitaker reminds principals that the key to successful schools is not so much its newly added programs as it is the people running the school itself -- faculty and staff. For a lot of school leaders who are so mired in finding the next big fix for their problems and keep looking at new programs and configurations, this section of his book is the catalyst they need to start focusing on the development and experiences of teachers and staff -- if they truly want to affect positive change. Sure, it's common sense and, if we've been in education long enough we've seen some of the ideas before (which we can say about every single education book out there!), but many of us in education are overloaded with burdens and anxiety and sometimes we can't see as clearly as Whitaker enables us to see. Heck, if books only contained ideas outside of common sense, there wouldn't be many books. That's often what speaks to readers. We need a reminder of common sense seen through fresh and insightful eyes, which is exactly what Whitaker provides throughout this book.
Not everything in Whitaker's book is based on just common sense. He provides uncommon wisdom born of many years as a building administrator, a teacher, and as a teacher coach. Whitaker helps teachers take a candid look at what they do. Anyone who has gone through National Board Certification will find many similar themes in this book -- particuarly about being a reflective practitioner and analyzing our own performance when our students fail. He writes very accessibly for teachers at all points of career development; neophytes and seasoned veterans will find something significant in this book.
Whitaker is a serious danger to complacency. In several sections of this book he helps us generate a powerful commitment to students' well being, not just getting through the curriculum, and he makes useful connections between students' overlapping worlds of the affect and the academic. Todd is the embodiment of the great teachers he describes: he makes it cool to care.
I've been in education for 28 years and I'm an education book "junkie," reading and applying everything I can get my hands on, and What Great Teachers Do Differently ranks among the most useful. I'm a teacher coach as well, working with schools around the nation, and I see this book on almost all professional library and principal's shelves. I've been in over 500 schools in the past few years alone and not one of them in which Whitaker's books are used has ever mentioned what a waste of time they were. On the contrary, they found his books very helpful. These are thoughtful, dedicated educators reading Whitakers books; there must be something to them.
What a loss to education to think that someone reading the negative reviews would pass up a chance to really explore great teaching and potentially make changes in themselves and classrooms that will ultimately improve student learning. Without hesitation, I recommend What Great Teachers Do Differently for highly accomplished and on-the-way-to-becoming highly accomplished teachers.
-- Rick Wormeli, Herndon, VA, USA


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This book describes the beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that form the fabric of life in our best classrooms and schools. It focuses on the specific things that great teachers do ... that others do not. Readers of author Todd Whitaker's best-selling WHAT GREAT PRINCIPALS DO DIFFERENTLY asked him for a companion volume focusing on great teachers and their classrooms. This book is his response to those requests.This book focuses on the specific things that great teachers do ... that others do not. It answers these essential questions: - Is it high expectations for students that matter?- How do great teachers respond when students misbehave?- Do great teachers filter differently than their peers?- How do the best teachers approach standardized testing? - How can your teachers gain the same advantages?

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Grand Slams : The Ultimate Collection of Baseball's Best Quips, Quotes, and Cutting Remarks Review

Grand Slams : The Ultimate Collection of Baseball's Best Quips, Quotes, and Cutting Remarks
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let's face it, this is a great gift for guys who love baseball. it's got quotes from the older players that are part of history (like yogi berra, babe ruth, joe torre), stuff that makes you think about the game and quotes that will just make your hair stand up on end (i.e. john rocker)... I'm buying 2 copies as gifts for father's day.

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From Creation to the Cross Review

From Creation to the Cross
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This book is an excellent survey of the Old Testament. Baylis traces each book of the Old Testament in its own theological development of how Jesus is to be the coming Messiah.I highly recommend From The Cross To Creation for college students looking to understand the Old Testament because Baylis' writing style is smooth and easy to read. I also recommend this book to seminary students as a scholarly work because Baylis' footnotes are extensive and provides for wide-ranging supplemental research.As such this book makes a wonderful Bible study. I have used Baylis' work in such a fashion with a college group and his insights were well received. I believe this book is worthy of a five star rating.

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Most Christians don't quite know what to do with the first half of the Bible. Some are fascinated by the historical sweep of the Old Testament. Others are blessed by its poetry. Still others focus on its prophecies. But what are the heart and soul of the Old Testament? In From Creation to the Cross, Al Baylis is a guide who shares with us his love for, and profound understanding of, the Old Testament. He walks us through the Old Testament, pointing out along the way perspectives and insights that leave us with a new, personal understanding of these thirty-nine books -- and more importantly, of the God of the Old Testament, who lovingly prepared the way before sending his Son. As Bruce Wilkinson puts it in the Foreword, 'I could almost picture (Baylis) as a seasoned rabbi surrounded by a huddle of eager listeners. He doesn't simply teach the Old Testament; it's as if he personally reminisces through it.' From Creation to the Cross is one of those rare books that speaks to a wide range of readers, from high school students to homemakers to college professors. This revised and expanded edition of On the Way to Jesus makes this unique and highly readable approach to the first half of the Bible available once again. It is ideally suited for use in Bible study groups.

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How The World Really Works Review

How The World Really Works
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I am going to put my reputation on the line, and the 850+ non-fiction books I have read that make me the #1 Amazon reviewer for non-fiction (and to my great surprise, today #49 over all fiction, movies, music, and software as well as non-fiction) for the simple reason that too many people discuss books such as this by labeling it "conspiracy theory."
It's not a conspiracy theory if it is true. I will try to be brief as well as illuminative.
First off, the author has culled a handful of books that support his case against a global financial elite, and these tend, with the exception of the Quigley book, to be left of left of center. I am however happy to add a number of books that support his essential theses that a handful of banking families control the central banks which are NOT government banks, and through loans, control governments, impoverish the middle class, and harvest profit without conscience from the "working poor."
Try these on for size:
1) Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins. 85% rock solid, 15% flakey, but in my view, a perfectly reasonable slam on the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund as instruments for impoverishing lesser developed countries, not empowering them.
2) The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey Sachs, another slam on the WTO/IMF, which he relegates to third rate out-dated economist ranks, not at all focused or able to achieve what he calls "developmental economics."
3) The Global Class War: How America's Bipartisan Elite Lost Our Future - and What It Will Take to Win It Back by Jeff Faux, a fine discussion of how our elites bribe the elites in other countries, and the both screw the public by looting the commonwealths of gold, oil, etcetera, without returns to the people whose families have lived on top of these resources for centuries.
4) Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It, by Paul Peterson of the Council of Foreign Relations (which the author hates, in my view it has two types of members--one manipulative like Henry Kissinger, another honest, like Paul Peterson), in which both the Republican and the Democratic parties are lambasted for being the ignorant slaves of the ultra-rich elites, and hopeless out of touch with reality and unable to represent We the People.
5) War Is a Racket: The Anti-War Classic by America's Most Decorated General, Two Other Anti=Interventionist Tracts, and Photographs from the Horror of It by General Smedley Butler, the highest decorated Marine of his time, who complained about being an enforcer for banks and businesses that lent money to the Third World then sent the Marines to get it back for them.
There are many other books that support this author's book reviews in great detail and from many varied perspectives. I refer you to my various lists, including the list on "Screwing the 90% that do the work."
The author has some pretensions and some slop, his arguments are not always consistent, but then neither are mine. On balance I regard this book as a first rate personal effort that should be read by every middle class person wondering, as Lou Dobbs on CNN has wondered, why we are exporting middle class jobs and importing poverty in the form of illegal aliens.
The author wraps up his varied reviews with a focus on the relationship between organized crime and the super-elite as well as their political elite (e.g. the Bush family, the best of the servant class), and on the relationship between drugs, covert operations, and Wall Street. Here again the author draws on a very tiny sub-set of books while not listing many others that support his thesis so I will mention a few here.
Having been through both Viet-Nam as a youth and the Central American Wars as an adult, I am quite certain that there are at least four different slices of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where I served for ten years as a clandestine case officer:
A small slice does what the White House wants, including black bag jobs.
A small but more important slice does what Wall Street wants, and helps Wall Street with access to financially relevant information that the public which pays for the CIA does not get. Buzzy Krongard, until recently Executive Director of the CIA, comes to mind as the most recent leader of this section.
A larger slice, that does covert action off the books with funding from Saudi Arabia and others, sometimes called the Safari Club, sometimes having off-shoots like Ted Shackley's Southern Air Transport, and so on. This slice can provide the intersection between criminal activities, white collar crime profits, illegal White House activities, and plain profiteering.
Finally, 90% of the CIA, folks like me that did not realize they were simply going through the motions and giving the local counterintelligence service a full-time rabbit to follow while the commercial clandestine boys and girls looted the bank in bright daylight.
I have two intelligence lists that can be helpful here, but I have not focused on creating crime lists. I'll just say that between the books on the The Working Poor: Invisible in America and on being Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in Americaand books on immoral predatory capitalism and unilateral militarism of the Dick Cheney variety (I have compiled a list of 25 specific impeachable actions by Dick Cheney based on three books:
The One Percent Doctrine: Deep Inside America's Pursuit of Its Enemies Since 9/11
Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency
Crossing the Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil
There is a very clear-cut and direct relationship between dictators, transnational organized crime and terrorism, and Wall Street as well as the Republican and Democratic National Committees (see Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It)
That reminds me: there is an entire literature on petroleum, peak oil, petrodollars, and so on. Americans have been betrayed by their government since at least 1975, and more likely, back to the 1950's when naiveté about international affairs was replaced by active complicity.
Good news. 1) Internet leveled playing field. 2) Not enough guns to kill us all. 3) A few of the really rich have realized they need to help us create infinite wealth for ourselves, or lose all they have to locusts. Read, be vocal, be active, we're going to get a grip on our commonwealth soon.
Tip of the Hat to Jere for the following added links:
When Corporations Rule the World
The Road to Serfdom: Text and Documents--The Definitive Edition (The Collected Works of F. a. Hayek)
Money Masters of Our Time


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Swindoll's Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes: Over 1,500 Ways to Effectively Drive Home Your Message Review

Swindoll's Ultimate Book of Illustrations and Quotes: Over 1,500 Ways to Effectively Drive Home Your Message
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Speaking in seminars and at roundtable groups, I found this book to be very helpful for ice breakers and discussion ideas. An informative approach to naritive speaking.

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No one tells a story like Charles Swindoll. This book is the perfect companion for pastors, teachers, ministry leaders, writers, and speakers. It is full of poignant tales, real-life funny stories, and perfect punch lines.

The book includes a lifetime of Chuck's favorite stories, illustrations, anecdotes, poems, and quotations.

Over 1,500 entries
Organized in A-Z format by topic
Extensively cross-referenced

It's now easier than ever to find the perfect story or anecdote to hook listeners and hold their attention.Listeners and readers will laugh, cry, think, and get the point'and remember it.

If you need just the right illustration to illustrate a biblical truth, to capture the audience's attention, to clarify a point, or to draw a conclusion this book will help you find it. With the right example, you can turn hostile skeptics into interested participants and turn people around spiritually.

Truth made clear through the use of just the right illustration, anecdote, story, or quotation is applied more quickly and remembered long. - Charles Swindoll

Publisher's note: This book was previously published as The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart.


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From the Mouth of the Monster: The Joel Rifkin Story Review

From the Mouth of the Monster: The Joel Rifkin Story
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It is very rare to see an author transform himself during the writing process. Mladinich, a seasoned NYPD Detective, lures the reader in with the gripping details surrounding the well-publicized slayings of serial killer Joel Rifkin. In the true form of a master interrogator, Mladinich draws Rifkin out of his "sociopathic lair" but at the same time enters the domain of a murderer's psyche. He succeeds in drawing parallels between his own seemingly "normal" life and that of a confessed executioner of innocent young women and asks, "what makes an individual cross the line?" It is a must read for any student of psychology as well as fans of the old-fashioned murder and suspense fiction novel ... only this story actually happened. Gripping, insightful, and intelligently written ... I anxiously await Mladinich's next book.

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Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life Review

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
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This is the sort of book that you want to give to all of your family members who have reached the age of 45.
The author captures the way Western society works, with its focus on the first half of people's lives. This percipient sociological analysis is just a starting point for his exploration of the second half of life.
As an aside, our obsession on the first half of life is growing stronger -- we care about courtship, career choice, finding a mate, establishing ourselves, and this is the subject that too many 60 year old people worry at, fantasize over, concentrate on, well past the day that they should let this half of their lives go... and think about the second half.
In this second half, people know they will suffer, that they will enter the "shadowlands", that this part of life can be about suffering and diminution. This author outlines how this half of life can be about joy, about falling upward in a spiritual sense, about the second half of life being about opening yourself. A book like this can help center a reader on the need to get past embarrassment, get past a concern for the material, and begin to understand what faces you, and what you are...
There is God in this book, and the book is frank about being a guidebook, a road map, towards salvation. That is inherent in the entire theme, the idea that a second half of life, with travails, can open to something more.
So many people I know are concerned with retirement, but not what to do in retirement, about a lake home, but not a better self... There is a sense that an obsession with retirement, in this second half, will then relegate health problems, money problems, pain, the death of friends.. into painful shocks. This book tells you that these painful days can be something more, a new journey.
Well written, with a gentle, funny, and open style, this is a book that actually can change your life.

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Gold Fever: Tales from the California Gold Rush Review

Gold Fever: Tales from the California Gold Rush
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The story of the California gold rush is told through (short) actual quotes from those involved, arranged in a sequential manner. This non-fiction book is entertaining and informative and reads like a comic book. It is a historical edition and has excellent color illustrations. Recommended reading for 1st through the 6th grade, as well as the teachers of these grades,

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Love's True Home: 1,300 Original, Inspirational Quotes, Prose, Poetry And Humor From The Mystic Of Mayhem Designed To Blow Your Mind, Tickle Your Heart And Give Each Day A Loving Kick-start. Review

Love's True Home: 1,300 Original, Inspirational Quotes, Prose, Poetry And Humor From The Mystic Of Mayhem Designed To Blow Your Mind, Tickle Your Heart And Give Each Day A Loving Kick-start.
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The dude is oooooon. Imagine Gibran on double chocolate mocha; Hafiz after pounding back a dozen DQ butterscotch sundaes, and you will begin to see the wry, effervescent genius of Sri Gawn Tu Fahr.
This is the Gita for the gigabyte generation, folks, yet depite the pop culture feel of the man's anchoring wit ("Human beings are living proof that God has an incredible sense of humor"), there is much timeless wisdom afoot in these endlessly flowing lines. "Why waste your life chasing dreams? Set yourself free and let them catch you."
Over and over again, and in many forms, Sri unfolds the ultimate Truth, that there is nothing separating you from that which you seek, nor from the Creator, nor indeed each from other. Do not look for salvation or Truth from others - or, in the words of Sheldon Kopp, If You See The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him. "Love is always beautiful. Gaze into the mirror and see for yourself" - Sri Gawn Tu Fahr.
The sensual way he writes about love and togetherness, especially in the smokin' Divinity of Woman chapter, echoes Rumi's countless references to The Beloved, which is a composite entity, comprising one's human lover and the Consciousness that manifests in all beings. "The sweet nectar lies within thee, precious woman, and flows like a majestic waterfall from your heart into mine."
There is just so much to revel in as one reads these insightful chapters, that a review simply cannot hope to do the book justice. In his use of metaphor, including his use of the ocean as a representation of Consciousness, Sri explores a place that lies somewhere between the Sufi poets and T S Eliot... "Hand in hand, we walk along the shores of life; whitecaps foam and whisper tales, then disappear again."
Since Sri Gawn Tu Fahr has dedicated his book to Oprah, I will end with the Oprah quote with which I began my novel One Star Awake... "With every experience, you alone are painting your own canvas, thought by thought, choice by choice."

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Gifts of Unknown Things: A True Story of Nature, Healing, and Initiation from Indonesia's Dancing Island Review

Gifts of Unknown Things: A True Story of Nature, Healing, and Initiation from Indonesia's Dancing Island
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While exploring the uncharted islands of the Javanese Atoll, Dr. Watson's boat is unexpectedly caught in a typhoon of incredible ferocity. When the storm abated, Dr.Watson and his crew discovered they had been carried nearly four hundred miles off their original course. With their boat badly damaged they headed for the first land they saw and discovered not only a refuge from the sea, but an island whose inhabitants possess an exceptional connection to the environment that surrounds them.Here were a people whose primary language is dance, who interpret sound as color, and who displayed a profound understanding of the power within everything that surrounded them; whether it be rock or tree, wind or sea. This is a journal of a personal odessey that changed the life of the author and will influence the life of everyone who reads it. The power of this book is not in its words but in the understandings that will resonate within the reader as the story of this incredible experience unfolds.

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Discover the extraordinary island of Nus Tarian, in Indonesia, where everyday reality contains terrifying, inexplicable, and miraculous phenomena. Magical feats, extrasensory perception, and psychic healing are commonplace in this land where the natural and the supernatural coexist and challenge our beliefs about reality. At once a scientific exploration and an imaginative adventure, Dr. Watson's astonishing and life-transforming journey becomes our own, challenging many of our fixed beliefs about the "real world."

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The Spy Who Came in from the Sea (Florida Historical Fiction for Youth) Review

The Spy Who Came in from the Sea (Florida Historical Fiction for Youth)
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This is a great story about an eigth grader named Frank Hollahan who stumbles upon what he believes to be a spy one day at the beach. Unfortunately, he's got a reputation for telling "whoppers" all the time. Nobody thinks he's really telling the truth, so he decides to prove it himself. The story is set during World War Two, and is based on real happenings about German spies landing on U.S. shores near Jacksonville, Florida. The book does an excellent job incorporating history with fiction. But don't get the wrong impression; readers will find themselves carried along by the mystery and action itself. The author is definitely able to capture the unique feel of the World War Two era.Readers are sure to find themselves relating to events in the story that are as true today as they were then, such as Frank's struggle to make friends in a new place, dealing with a single-parent type of situation, as his father is away fighting the war, and striving to be taken seriously by adults and peers alike.
If you're looking for a good mystery adventure, this is a sure pick indeed.
As a teacher, I would recomend this as a good selection for an entire class to read together, and a must-have addition to the school library.

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