I picked this book up after I read "April 1865" because I wanted to know more about the assassination of Lincoln. The book is a very interesting account of what took place. This is a reprint of a book that originally came out in the 1920's and that made it even more interesting. I enjoyed the book on two fronts. First the author does a very good job of detailing out the plot to kill Lincoln, the actors involved, the reasons behind it, the actual event and then the capture of the assassins.

There is just a great amount of details that, being an American; I am ashamed I did not know. Overall this was not a lone gunman, but a large-scale plot to kill the top three members of the U.S. government at the time. Sure the group performing this assassination was not the best and brightest, but they got the job done. The details of the escape, flight and then capture of Both is also full of detail that really brings the story to a new level. The added information about the capture and punishment of the rest of the group was also very interesting.

On the second front, what I also enjoyed about the book was the view of the 1920's through the writing of the author. When someone writes a book like this, there are bound to be examples and coalitions to the "current" day and in the case of this book it was the 1920's. That was very interesting and an added bonus to the book. Overall I enjoyed this book and learned a great deal from it. I would suggest it.

Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra wrote the Beginning of Wisdom in 1148 AD as a basic introduction to astrology. While Ibn Ezra was Jewish, this text is an excellent introduction to medieval Arabic astrology. The 12th and 13th centuries saw many Arabic texts, not just on astrology, brought to Europe and translated into Latin. Medieval and Renaissance European astrology was largely derived from sources in the Arabic world.

This edition translated is from the original Hebrew by Meira Epstein and edited by Robert Hand, one of the foremost traditional astrologers practicing today. It discusses the fixed stars and constellations, the signs, houses, aspects and provides an excellent basic introduction to traditional astrology. Epstein and Hand provide copious annotations which are both interesting and useful.

This version of the Beginning of Wisdom is superior to the earlier Levy-Cantera translation because it was done by actual astrologers whose practical knowledge of the subject is combined with extensive scholarship.

The Beginning of Wisdon is a helpful reference text for practicing traditional astrologers and a useful introduction to the subject for those starting their studies in this area.

This close reading of the Genesis story and the mishna relating to the sacrifice of Abraham of his only son has unique reverberations in the Islamic context because of the retelling of the story by the Prophet Mohammed, preserved in a hadith. The authors translate primary documents about this the first holocaust. Traditionally the story has been explained as the substitution of human sacrifice for animal, but as any open-eyed reading suggests there are greater ambiguities in the stark trial of a father willing to kill his only son in order to obey his God. "The first chapter presents a translation of the biblical narrative, followed by a compendium of the Jewish oral traditions that developed over a period of more than fifteen centuries relating to and investigating the meaning of the story of Abraham and his son, Isaac... The following chapters show the tale's transition from its Jewish roots into other religious milieu. Chapter two attempts to scrutinize the actual process of transition, drawing in materials related thematically across three traditions and more than five centuries. Chapter three returns to focus on the Islamic versions of the Binding and its narrative themes." Recommended. The true hero of the Aqedah was the ram Unaware of the connivance of others It is as he volunteers to die in Isaac's place. I want to sing a tribute to its memory Its curly wool and its human eyes And its horns that were so quiet on its lovely head Which after its slaughter were made into trumpets To the sound of their war Or to the blast of their vulgar joy... And behind them, as a colorful background, the ram Caught in the thicket before the slaughter, And the thicket was his very last friend. The angel went home Isaac went home Abraham and God went a long time ago But the true hero of the Aqedah Is the ram. -from of a poem by Yehuda Amichai, "The True Hero of the Aqedah" cited from Caspi & Cohen: The Binding [Aqedah] and its Transformations in Judaism and Islam, The Lambs of God

First, I hope I'm reviewing the right book!! My book is Children of Abraham Judaism Christianity Islam, Both of these were listed as separate books by this author, but the one called Judaism, Christianity, Islam was too long to be the one I have.

Anywayssssss..... I enjoyed reading this book. But don't expect any more than what the title says or any controversial arguments. Its just an informational source comparing the 3 Abrahamic world religions. Though the layman can read it, and its nothing difficult, its not exactly an introductory book either. I suggest you already familiarize yourself with the 3 religions prioring to using this study.

But it does a good job presenting the history, theology, and rites of the Children of Abraham. =)

An excellent way to review the material learned through a whole semester. Easy to read and very helpfull.

The book is a nice, quick way to cram all this information dealing with the AP american history exam. Its very much too the point, and doesn't add superfulous information. I would definatly buy it!

This is a much less extensive commentary than Cassuto's sadly unfinished commentary on Genesis - it covers the whole of Exodus in one volume, whereas he seemed to be aiming at 12 volumes of that size for Genesis. However, it has in miniature most of the good features of his larger work. As expected from this author, he marshals strong arguments against the Documentary Hypothesis but does not adopt a fundamentalist position on Mosaic authorship. While not such a must have as the two completed volumes on Genesis, it is still valuable.

Jaffa's work on "The Crisis of the House Divided" is amazing. The breakdown of the very essence of what the debates were about is made crystal clear. Elegant arguments is made for the views held by Lincold AND Douglas regarding the issue of slavery and the very nature of what the American Republic's ideals and virtues are: freedom for all. Never have I read a book that so clearly and intelligently presents the differing views on the nature of freedom. It is a must read for all those who are poltical science, history or law students.

If you are specifically researching the Dominican Intervention this is a terrific resource. It uses an extensive bibliography, including numerous personal interviews with all the key players. Lowenthal is a trusted source on Latin American politics. I wouldn't recommend this book for a history buff or someone looking for a good read. A broader book on relations between the U.S. and the DR would be more entertaining. However, if you are seeking specific info on the intervention, it is the perfect place to start. It offers lots of citable facts and it easy to follow and understand. My only complaint was that it lacked description of the events directly preceding and following the intervention, which made it feel a little incomplete.