Girzone is truly a master at reminding us of the heart of Jesus teaching. He casts the gospel accounts of Jesus' life in a way that is both inspiring and challenging. This is Girzone's best book since Joshua, and in some ways I think its even better, since he talks directly about Jesus instead of through the fictional stories of the Joshua novels.

This small simple book, shows a humble and casual saviour that undertstands human weakness, it also shows that the church has failed in showing grace to sinners, I cried several times throughout reading this book as I realised how much Jesus not only wants to be my friend, but this in spite of my many failings. I am not a catholic, and before reading this I would have thought that Protestant churches were not religious and catholic churches are, both these statements are wrong. Jesus is purely interested in the individual, he accepts us as we are, Girzones simple style makes this easy to read, this book is both simple and profound at the same time, just as Jesus himself is the greatest glory, God himself and and also a humble man all in one. This books shows how Christ treated people and by reading it, the reader can see how the church has fallen way short of what Christ actually taught. "Compassion not sacrifice" Jesus said to the Pharisees to go and learn what that scripture means, that scripture is as relevant today to all denominations, A Portrait of Jesus is a great start.......

Father Joe's humble yet captivating book made it clear to me why God loves us: he created us in His image, he made us capable of great love and He would do anything to keep us close. In "A Portrait of Jesus", Fr. Girzone provided me with a three-dimensional Christ who enjoyed being human, who celebrated it, loved his human family and companions and was not ashamed to live among us. Never before did I understand how God could live with us and yet be misunderstood by man; in "Portrait", Jesus is an ordinary, blue-collar guy, quietly living his life until the Father calls him to his ministry. He is so peaceful about his place in the human world that everyone, including society's outcasts, finds his company fascinating.

Written in ordinary language, this profound little book made me joyful that I, too, am human, and according to Jesus' life, death and resurrection, worth saving and renewing, every day.

Too much religion focuses on shame, unworthiness and our failures to be what God expects. Fr. Joe helps communicate that it is Jesus who makes us worthy, and religion should be a human framework to support our spiritual lives with Him.

In returning to church after decades of abscence, books like this one help keep my spirit united with God, despite all the human difficulties of working within a church organization.

Thank you, Joseph Girzone! Long may you write!

Joseph Balkoski does an admirable job of telling the story of the "29ers" of the "Blue & Gray" division. The shock of first combat upon green American troops and how they learned to fight is vividly told by the author. It shows how American troops waded ashore at "Bloody Omaha" then attempted to adapt to the unique Norman environment (the bocage) while fighting an extremely effective and professional German army. The book is well written, has decent maps, and good photos showing the bocage country most of the battles were fought in.

It is also the story of the biases of the regular army toward the National Guard: Guard officers passed over for higher rank, refusal to elevate Guardsmen to higher command when company and battalion commanders are killed or wounded, and the attitude of the division's regular army commander. Unfortunately, this attitude lasts even today.

One notices a complete absence of expressions of fondness or admiration for Gen. Gerhardt by men of the 29th division while at the same time the reader comes to the obvious conclusion that he was a martinet who simply wanted to be feared by his subordinates. To his credit, Joseph Boskoski reveals Maj. Gen. Charles Gerhardt honestly. One quickly notices that Gen. Gerhardt never talked to his subordinates - he screamed at them, he berated them, he cursed them, and he growled at them.

If one reads carefully, one may detect another story that the author does not intentionally bring to light: the intellectual poverty of American military leadership (especially at higher levels) who, all too often, could think of nothing else but repeated, costly frontal assaults even when it became all too clear that the result would be heavy casualties without any appreciable gains. Gerhardt is often qouted angrily screaming "Let's keep pushing", "We're going to get to that objective or else", "Keep pushing them", "The best defense I know of is to attack", and "Expend the whole battalion if necessary, but it's got to get there" even after units take as high as 60% casualties. The story of American arms in Normandy (not just the 29ers) is one of grinding combat units down in attrition warfare where we finally win because the Allies have more cannon fodder to expend than do the Germans. The battle of the Hurtgen Forest later in the war shows that American commanders didn't learn from the carnage in Normandy.

My only disappointment in the book is the author's defense of an American replacement system by proclaiming it "...superior to the German model in many ways." It is if one accepts the premise that Allied strategy was the best way to defeat Germany: "This strategy was based on the premise that applying continuous and overwhelming military force against the enemy's major ground forces was the surest and quickest path to victory." It is purely attritional warfare when it is acceptable if the enemy kills more of your young men than you do his because you can mobilize more to lose than he can. I don't consider treating your own country's young men like cannon fodder a very good strategy.

After reading this book, one is left with a deep respect for the young Americans in the rifle squads who went forward each day, killing and being killed, knowing their chances of survival were low. That the American army performed as well as it did in WWII is a tribute to the courage and tenacity of the guys at the "sharp end of the stick."

At the onset of World War II, men and machines were ill prepared to fight in an overseas campaign against the Axis powers. Yet, the 29th, rose up from a National Guard unit, to a unit representing states all across our great land. Officers were replaced and men were shuffled in and out of duty until the proper man was found for the job.

Men such as General Cota, took it upon themselves to lead charges off the beach and into a hail of bullets. As he leaped and dashed across the road, he yelled for others to follow his example. In doing so his bravery trickled down to the lowest private in line and moved them off the beach! Cota's story and many others truly complete this book.

"Beyond the Beachhead" was hard to put down. In describing the maintaining of spotless jeeps to the specifcs and rigors of training to 20 July 1944, when the 35th Division took over for the 29th for a well deserved eight-day rest; Mr. Balkoski's attention to detail takes you to the point of actually smelling spent powder from the bangalore torpedos as they exploded under the wire.

This book is a must for anyone interested in World War II history, and goes far towards revealing what happened, not only on the beach, but beyond! Thank you Mr. Balkoski for all your time and effort, it's been wonderful reading!

Of the scores of WWII histories I have read, this book has got to be in the top 3 (with Burgetts '7 roads' and Macdonalds 'Company Commander'). It traces the history of the 29th Division (including the Stonewallers of Civil War fame) from training, across the bullet infested beaches of Omaha, to the horrors of the Norman Bocage. It gives a day by day account of the drive for St.Lo that shows WWII combat at its worst. For once I have even found a book that has good maps!

But there is much more than combat recorded here. Like 'The Deadly Brotherhood', this book takes time to describe some of the elementary parts of warfare such as equipment comparisons with the Germans, communication techniques, and infantry tactics unique to Normandy. And it describes these in an extremely interesting manner. So interesting that, despite being very busy I finished it in under a week.

Overall, for a great history of the Normandy campaign and a grisly picture of WWII combat, this book can't be beat!

The crisis in Somalia, the genocide in Rwanda, why do so many well-intentioned development assistance efforts fail so miserably? As America has been drawn in yet another asymmetric conflict with a collapsed state and Western governments are already discussing ways to implement democracy in order to prevent the conflict from escalating Conrad's timeless tale of idealism and greed suggests that changing the world is an almost impossible task. Many articulate magazine articles or specialized books have attempted to explain how a series favorable trade, free markets and respect for human rights can result in long term positive change. Yet, despite the abundance of information we're still left wondering; logical arguments and historical accounts have proved insufficient in satisfying the need to understand why the development process is so complicated. Although written in 1904, Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard represents Conrad's ultimate opinion of the world. It's a long book, 465 pages in the Penguin Classic edition, but it's rich in observations on human nature as well as Conrad's typical lively landscape descriptions. In the former regard, Nostromo is superior to Conrad's more famous novel Heart of Darkness as he tells the story of very believable characters that are familiar to most readers.

Nostromo is a novel that stands comparison with War and Peace. Widely seen as Conrad's greatest work, it contains amazing - one might say appalling - insight into the human condition in the century that was just beginning. Conrad's father had served time in Siberia-like exile with his young family in tow, for participating in revolutionary, patriotic Polish politics. The experience had shortened his parents' lives and left Conrad an orphan at an early age, giving the writer a personal preview of what the new century was going to be like for so many others. The novelist's modern insight was not only on the political and social front but also into man's sense of identity. With Godot-like despair, Decoud, the character closest to Conrad in Nostromo, "beheld the universe as a succession of incomprehensible images." Stranded by himself for several days he becomes suicidal, realizing that "in our activity alone do we find the sustaining illusion of an independent existence as against the whole scheme of things of which we form a helpless part." At the same time it is beautifully written and is a gripping adventure - so can work on many different levels. Anyone who reads novels should read this classic.

Another thick complex Conrad adventure has a great vivid setting and his usual playful narrative style that exposes the same story at different times through several different points of view, all which clash over the big silver mine in the center of everything, which seems to control every action in the plot. The most riveting aspects of the tale (outside the revolution and the tortured bonds between the characters) happen but briefly on the water. Comparisons to Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness are inevitable though this one stands out on its own, provided the over detailed writing doesn't off put the casual reader. Once again, as with every Conrad piece, you have to read carefully, and be on the look out for abrupt changes in time, place and thought, which he purposely intertwines to expose a larger picture: a rather effective way to unleash the English language, considering that it wasn't Conrad's original native tongue. Title character Nostromo stands out as the key tormented romantic "hero" but the rest of the abundant cast each have their dramatic moments near and around, and before and after him as well. JC weaves all their lives into the same colorful pattern. The silver mine by the time all is finished has power over each of them, a very hypnotic and manipulative symbol of greed and loss. Don Martin Decoud, next to Nostromo himself, makes an impression as the story's most heartbreaking character. He becomes the most tragic person in the book.

I am incredibly anal about formatting my papers correctly, because it represents easy points to me. As most of you know, a large portion of almost any grade on a paper is format. I have bought many handbooks and guides for the MLA format, and I can say with absolute certainty that Joseph Gibaldi's is the best. Of course everyone has their own format, and as you become more specialized in your education you will no doubt be prodded away from MLA into that of your own niche (APSA modified version of CMS for me... ~groan~), but this book will prove most valuable for the majority of your undergraduate education. It has basic tips for research and the mechanics of writing; which, unless you slept through all of your high school English classes (or, as in the case of myself, have an emnity with commas), you'll probably know already. Where this book is indespensible is in its exhaustive documentation listings. To date, I have never found a source which this book doesn't list. I thought I had it stumped this morning when I needed to know how to cite an online congressional record of a speech, but to my surprise it was there, prompting me to write this review! This book has been a lifesaver many times; every college student needs it. Sit down, follow the instructions in the book (well first make sure your instructor wants your paper in MLA format!), and I promise you that you will receive full marks for the format portion of your grade! My only quibble is that it says you don't need a title page, yet I have never had a professor that didn't require one. However, that is an issue for the people who sit around and think up the MLA rules, not with the book. I do believe this has been the most useful book of my college education!

I recently had to write a 10 page research paper for a Greek history course I was taking. One of the required books to use when writing this new style of paper was the MLA handbook.

At first glance I thought that this book would be a rough overview of things I already knew since that is what most books of this are. However, the MLA is much different, I am convinced, after 7 months of use, that this is THE PERFECT format book ever.

If you are trying to write a well written and comprehensive paper, this book is a must. If you are trying to pull up your grade with perfect formatting and source citing, this book is a must. If you want a good grade period, this book is a must.

Do not brush this book away, buy it, keep it, and cherish the tons and tons of information it gives in a very readable manner.

The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is the de-facto standard for citing sources within a research paper. The other guidelines in the book are good also, but the citation examples and formats are what I used the book for most. If you cite using the MLA format, it is hard to go wrong. I had several of my teachers in high school ask to borrow my MLA Handbook so they could refer to it. It is one book that will be used over and over again, throughout high school and into college, and then perhaps on to graduate school.

That's the best way that I can describe the context of this book. It's definitely a reality check and a look into the minds, hearts, and emotions of Men. If you are a MAN...YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. Through his use of well developed characters and an instaiable plot, Dwayne sets this book up to be not only a INCREDIBLE READ, but a MORAL guide. One that will help all men begin the process of digging deep and getting to the root of certain issues that if not dealt with keep us incapacitated and void not to only our feelings, but to those who are around us....mainly the WOMEN that we LOVE!!! I see this "specific" depth of writing as being one that will separate Dwayne from the rest of the mainstream black fiction authors and into a category all of his own. It's good to see a Man writing to express REAL and SINCERE "MEN" issues and if captivated in thought one that will change lives for the GOOD!! WELL DONE!!!

The Choices Men Make was a interesting book to read.

It allowed me to got into the mind,heart and feel the emotions
these three friend felt.

I agree it was a good book on friendship, and the relationships and the drama they shared.

I did notice Vic and Roy's wife had the same problem which is why she hated him soo. He had the courage and was brave enought to do what she never could until the end.

I could not understand , at first why she was so angry with him until the end when her secret came out.
That was something I never expected.

Which goes to proves sometimes we have the same issues as men. It's just how we choose to handle them.

While I agree this book was a good and I post it 4*

I really felt it was between 3.5 and 3.8 , more than 3* but less than 4.

The Choices Men Make is an impressive book! I loved the characters. Hell I knew the characters. That's how realistic Dwayne's writing is. The plot was off the hook with enough drama, and comedy and surprises to keep the pages flying. I couldn't put it down! If you want a book that's up there with Dickey, Baisden and Tyree, read thi novel. I recommend it to EVERYBODY!!!

i love this book. it is stark, uncompromising and even made me cry. I also love it for its realism, and have replaced it more times than i can think because people kept nicking it. I'd like to point out i'm british and female and I dont think the crudity was a problem, I think it was realistic and helped with the being made. If you want sanatised views of a cop's life, watch us prime time tv, otherwise read the choirboys

OK kids, take it from a cop, although this book is fiction it hits pretty close to home. The strange misadventures of the police, the horsing around and the problems inherent in "the Job", they're all here. Wambaugh does a great job telling a number of chapter-long stories of LA cops and their partners in this book. Some of the stories will cause you to laugh while others will cause you to commiserate with the officers. Wambaugh has written some great books, but "The Choirboys" stands ahead of the rest. If your idea of what us cops do is formed by network television, then read this book and see that NBC has nothing on Joseph Wambaugh.

Despite what other readers may say about this book being too crude, I am convinced this is by far the most gripping police story ever written. From stories of on the job chaos to the ways these officers "wind down" after work, this book keeps you interested all the way through. Even if you don't usually read police books, I highly recommend that you read this and other Wambaugh novels.

I felt that Boss of Bosses was a great Mafia book. If you enjoy The Godfather then you'll love Boss of Bosses. I think my favorite part of the book was when the FBI had to plant a bug in Castallano's house. The tricky part was that Paul never left his house. One thing that was nice knowing, was that the authors were the actual detectives assinged to the case. This means it's true to life, no embelishing! One slow part in the book was the hours of tapes that were meaningless to the story that the FBI explianed. This is what kept me from giving the book five stars. I love hearing about mafia and this book was great for that. I knew I wasn't getting rumors I was getting the real scoop on things. I think everyone should read Boss of Bosses by Andris Kurins and Joseph O'Brien.

Thanx to these two FBI agents, I have a pretty good idea now on how this agency works. I approve of the tactics used when it comes to bring to justice this organizations of crime. Joe and Kurins sure knows how to get your attention. Their book, based on a real story is addictive. What in the world were they doing chasing people instead of writing. If they worked like they write, they gotta be the best the FBI had to offer. They must keep writing. Not only was their book an encyclopedia on how the FBI does their work, but also on the sacrifice an agent has to put and go through to get their work done. Thanks to these 2 pro-writters, for sharing with the world what it takes to be the best in your class. KEEP WRITING GUYS, PLEASE...

I have read alot of mob related books over the years but Boss of BOSSES is one of the best.It is written so well you are drawn into the story and can feel like you are there.I was so drawn into it i read it in one night and i am ready for more.Joseph O`Brien is truly a sensational writer.Keep them coming please.

This is one of the cookbooks I turn to often. Most of the recipies are easy to prepare, and absolutely delicious! Naturally, my favorite is Shrimp Scampi Gambino Style, but any of the recipies in here are sure to get you rave reviews. This is my second copy...like a fool I loaned out the first and never saw it again! The stories in it are cute, but a little on the made-up side, sort of like he's telling you what he thinks you want to hear. But none-the-less, an indespensibe book!

I first heard about this book in 1993, when Hefner's mag Play-Boy (sorry about the hyphen--this is an adult publication and my review usually edits it out) published an excerpt from the book. I thought it was so great, I immediately went out and bought a copy, and everyone I've shown it to has wanted to steal it from me. Although my edition went out of print, they came back with this version, which includes 37 more recipes. I bought it as a gift for a friend of mine and I hope it stays in print for awhile because I want a copy for myself. Joe Dogs has some very interesting stories, not for the squeemish, about his time in the mob and his relationship with his boss, Tommy Agro (rest in peace), and ultimately, the Feds. The mob is full of scary people, like any organization, but they share one common trait that we can all identify with--the love of a good meal. Since they lived their lives on the edge, where every meal could be their last, they wanted it to be the best last meal that it possibly could. I've used numerous recipes from the book on dates at home, when I've cooked for my girlfriends, and I always get praise, both verbally and horizontally, capish?

This book is simply amazing. I was just developing a taste for cooking when this book was purchased for me, and I originally thought it was just supposed to be funny - which it is, certainly. Each recipe is followed or preceded by an interesting story that relates, somehow, to the delicious dish. I realized, though, that the dishes were good enough that even a novice like me could make delicious, Italian-American meals.

While the recipes are not authentically Italian and may call for some non-traditional but readily-available ingredients, do not let this turn you off from the book. The recipes all turn out exactly as described, and yes - they are almost all very fattening and very, very tasty. Even the side dish recommendations are good.

Not all the dishes are specifically Italian - cheesecake, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Lobster Newburg are all particularly good, non-traditional recipes. The instructions are clear and easy to follow for every item, and there are enough recipes in here to last quite some time. I highly recommend this book; I have seen many cookbooks since I was first introduced to cooking, and this is still one of my favorites.

An inspiring look into the mindset and intimate thoughts of John Zebedee - the Apostle. Joseph Albiani does an excellent job of interviewing John Z. (as channeled through Gerry), and walking the reader through the events leading up to and through the crucifixion of Jesus. I guarantee you will be awe struck with a few of the revelations in this account! There are numerous new discoveries and accounts, of the life and times of Jesus, becoming available to seekers. This book is a definite asset to that growing body of evidence and knowledge. Please take Joe up on his offer to send him questions for John Z. that will appear in future books. I will be looking forward to the next in the YESHUA BEN YOSEF SERIES.

The Crucifixion brings to life Jesus the man, in a fresh, intimate, and profoundly moving way. Reading the first-hand account of events in the life of Jesus as witnessed by the Apostle John brought me to tears and reminded me yet again of the ultimate Truth and Purpose of God in our lives. Many new details and circumstances surrounding the life and teachings of The Master Jesus are brought forth in a personal and effective way through the dialogue between the Apostle John (John Zebedee) and Joe Albiani. I highly recommend this book to all who might wish to know more about the life of Jesus, and/or who seek to find God within their own lives

I got a copy of the book this week and couldn't put it down once I began to read. The first hand account that John shares is powerfully moving. I felt as if I was transported back through time and space and was actually there walking beside him, witnessing these events first hand, learning from the master Jesus. It often moved me to tears, with emotions that can't be expressed in words. The sense of communion with and gratitude for this being was completely overwhelming. It has not been often that a symbol in this world has brought me to a direct experience of the christ within, this symbol did. I can't thank you both enough for your commitment and persistence in making this book a reality. It is something I know I will reference time and time again to re-kindle that spark of truth. I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially to those who have a curiosity about or are in any way drawn to the Christ. This book, this symbol, resonates and stirs the soul in such a way as to cause the reader to remember her/his connection with the christ, ever living in our hearts.

This is the perfect coffee table book. Not only will it be a conversation piece, but it will be the life of any party with its humor.

Loaded with "read between the lines" type humor, THE PENIS BOOK proves to be quite insightful, answering some questions that you were always too afraid to ask. From ancient Japanese fertility rituals to modern-day circumcisions, this book has it all. Hilarious pictures, funny captions, and a few entertaining stories grace the pages of this short book. It is very easy to read, and on the whole, the book is designed nicely.

THE PENIS BOOK is done very tastefully, and you can't help but be intrigued by the incredible facts presented. It is a very entertaining read that is sure to make you laugh out loud.

The Penis Book by Joseph Cohen is clever,amusing, and very informative. It offers everything you wanted to know about the male organ, but may have been afraid to ask. It even includes information you never would have thought to ask! The book's graphic design is sharp and modern, which is appropriate since parts of the book are quite graphic! It's a great book for fun for yourself, and a humorous gift for others--not for the kiddies, though.

My girlfriend gave me The Penis Book for my 40th birthday and it was the hit of my party. Everybody started passing the book around and reading their favorite section out loud. We all thought the penis man stand-up comic was terrific. The centerfold was a real eye-opener. And the entry about the great circumcision controversy triggered a pro and con debate that went on for over an hour. There's an incredible amount of information in this book. The photos and artwork are a real class act. The Penis Book is a lot more than its title might suggest.