This book is an excellent introduction to the parallels between Christianity (and specifically, Catholic Christianity) and the world of Middle Earth. However, I was somewhat saddened by its lack of real depth: it skims over a lot of material in its 6 chapters, but doesn't stop to cover many things in detail.

I especially would have loved to have more parallels drawn between characters in the Silmarillion and Christianity, such as the female Valar Aratar, each of whom bears a trait of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Nienna, Lady of Sorrows; Varda, Queen of the Stars (and therefore Heavens); Yavanna, Queen of the Earth. Such things would have added greatly to my enjoyment of this book, and I think to its value. Also wonderful would have been a chapter on Beren and Lúthien and their descendants Aragorn and Arwen, though as it's rather short - the actual text, excluding foreword and glossaries, is only slightly over 130 pages - this book obviously hasn't the room to attend to everything.

However, its somewhat concise format aside, this book should prove of interest to all Tolkienphiles, as it has some very fascinating quotes from Tolkien and his contemporaries on philosophy, the place of religion in our world, and the march of modernity. I give it 4 of 5 stars because it could have delved much deeper into its subject material: perhaps a series could be published?

I found this book fascinating, beautiful, and moving. Mr. Birzer has done a credible job of analyzing and interpreting "The Lord of the Rings" and The "Simarillion" for those of us interested in Tolkien's writings. The reader leaves Sanctifying Myth with a better understanding of the main characters--specifically Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, Faramir, and Aragorn.

I especially liked the depiction of Sam Gangee as the true hero of "The Lord of the Rings." Frodo is important, of course, but he remains somewhat in the abstract as "The Ringbearer" or "The Hero on a Great Quest." I instinctively liked Sam and admired the qualities of loyalty, honesty, common sense, and affectionate humor which Sam displayed throughout all three parts of LOTR.

Gandalf is also explained very well as the saintly emissary of Eru/Iluvatar/God-a Christlike figure "dying" and coming back to life to serve Middle Earth with new powers.

I think Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth is profound and very relevant to our time of secularism, Islamic Jihad, moral distintegration, and crumbling traditional morals.

I hope everyone gets a chance to read this book.

I read the reviews below, and the one from the "English undergraduate at the evangelical Gordon College" caught my eye. Of course, he/she's an undergraduate. How else could one explain their lack of ability to read genius? Reading Milton, Chaucer, etc., is no less troublesome than reading Tolkein, but he/she labels him with bad prose.

I think he doesn't like him because he's Catholic, plain and simple.

Mr. Birzer, however, focuses on this master of the English language and his work, and does an excellent job. Tolkein has been critically lauded not for his association with Lewis, but because of his own artistry. I'd recommend Birzer's book for anyone who wants to truly understand this classic writer.

[Perhaps our evangelical friend would be more happy reading such "excellent" (cough) pieces of fiction (cough) as the expertly written "Left Behind(cough)" series? ;)]

Joseph Pearce has built a strong reputation by writing wonderful biographies of Catholic literary greats. His volumes on Chesterton and Belloc are particularly noteworthy. But in "Literary Converts" we are treated to an excellent survey of the large number of English literary greats who either converted from the Anglican Church to Catholicism, became Catholics after having no faith at all, or otherwise embraced Christianity in the first half of the twentieth century. Evelyn Waugh, G.K. Chesterton, Robert Hugh Benson, T.S. Eliot, Hillaire Belloc and many other colorful characters appear throughout the book.

Perhaps the best way to read Pearce is to begin with Literary Converts and then read his biographies on single subjects like Belloc, Chesterton, and Tolkien for more detail. Once you read one, I think you'll come back for more.

I picked it up over the weekend and was fascinated by Pierce's portrait of the 20th century Christian literary world. I could be very wrong, but I have trouble imagining any of the contemporary Christian writers interacting much with each other. But early in the 20th century, it seems things were much different. I never guessed that writers as diverse as Lewis, Sayers, Tolkien, Williams, Waugh, Chesterton, Greene, and Eliot would interact so much with each other. Just reading the correspondence between these literary giants is a joy.

Intellectual and inspirational too. Packed with info on great authors I was unfamiliar with, like Fr. Knox. Now I want to get one of his books!

I found this book very interesting and helpful, as I was kidnapped, stabbed and raped 12 yrs ago....this book was one of the best I have read since that time....it takes a very strong survivor to write about such an ordeal...I hope to be able to write one someday...this is my goal in life as it may be able to help someone else...we need to get these rapists off the streat and to let everyone know that it is very important to report rapes...once again....thanks for a great book...

My review is based on, not only the book, but on real
life events that me and her have faced together. Hi, im the stepdaughter of Leisha Joseph. I'm not only giving the book 5 stars because she's my stepmom but, because i have read the book, and it seems, even to a 13 year old like myself, interesting. I think she deserves the 5 stars for, all the hard work she's ever done in her life. Writing a book, writing tons of childrens books like her new Christmas one that just came out. Basically, going on with her life no matter what challenges lie ahead of her, Leisha, is the most loving person i have ever met.

Leisha, I went to convention this past week in Knoxville, Tennessee and on Saturday night when you spoke, it was such a wonderful yet scary story. I was touched by how strong you are. God has been there for you a lot and I hope that if I am ever in a situation like that, I will have the Faith to do what you've done. Thanks for speaking to us.

Rubino takes the approach of a fable to instruct and guide us in seven key principles which can make one's life full of happiness and prosperity. This book contains much of the same message as in any good personal development book. Yet it's presented in a format which is refreshing. An easy read, I found it to be enjoyable. I thought of children reading this as I read. I think it's a great potential read for the 10 - 18 year old, as well as for adults.

If you are in an MLM, this is a must read.

I read it in less than 2 hours, and was very pleased with the messages contained within.

Want to be a leader to your downline? Read this book!

Scott Cook
Home Business System
Fire your boss! Work From Home!
(...)

As a personal success and effectiveness coach, my commitment is to empower people to possess the fundamental success principles that will support them to be most effective in their communications and relationships while being most productive and abundant in their business and lives. I wrote The Magic Lantern to give people an easy to understand access to being happy and successful while realizing their magnificence. The principles highlighted in the book are the same ones we support people to fully understand and manifest in their lives through our 3-day Conversations for Success Courses, which have been described by many as life-changing and responsible for countless business breakthroughs.

Though an interesting fable about dwarves, elves, goblins, trolls, dragons and wizards, the book shows people how they can be the best they can be and take on a leadership role in their own life, work and with their family and friends. The book's message is simple. If we live our lives from a decision to create empowering interpretations about all of life's events, strive for excellence and contribute to others with a firm belief that we can impact people and the world around us, we will step into leadership and make a difference. The book also provides the secrets to achieving business success, impacting people effectively with our communication, increasing our charisma and leading ourselves and others to achieve a life of harmony and happiness. The Magic Lantern shows how putting yourself in the other person’s world while attaching meaning to words and events so that they empower you and your relationships instead of making you angry, sad or afraid can cause your relationships and business success to skyrocket.

The Magic Lantern is a book about the art of leadership. Leadership stems from a decision to lead and contribute first of all. It is an act of courage. No prior evidence is required to give one the right to lead. Leaders are always self-appointed. Leadership means acting from your values and honoring your commitments at every moment that requires a decision. It is about standing at a fork in the road and choosing between actions that honor your excellence and your decision to contribute to others, to risk and do the right thing as opposed to doing what is convenient at the time, acting in a self-serving way, taking the easy way out, playing it safe or selling yourself and others out because of weakness.

When readers decide to take on the lessons and success principles outlined in The Magic Lantern, their lives and businesses will transform. Life will work as they will possess the skills necessary to bring about the rich relationships and material abundance that naturally comes about as a result of living in harmony with these proven principles.

--Dr. Joe Rubino CEO

Gene Spaziani and Ed Halloran have written a book that needed to be written. The first three chapters are the obligatory "how to make wine" chapters ("Getting Started," "Essential How-Tos" and "Wine from Kits"). These have been done better by others, but the book would be incomplete without them.

The meat of this book begins with chapter 4, "Wine from Concentrates." And what a chapter it is, covering 13 specific white wine concentrates (Chenin Blanc to Vino Blanc) and 13 specific red wine concentrates (Barbera to Zinfandel), with recipes and step-by-step instructions for each (all suspiciously similar, but if the shoe fits....).

Chapter 5 is "Wine from Juices," and it does a superb job with 15 white grape juices (Chardonnay to Vidal Blanc), 15 red grape juices (Barbera to Zinfandel again, but many in between are different) and one blush.

Chapter 6, "White Wine from Grapes," covers 20 great grapes, from Aurora French-American Hybrid to Vidal Blanc French-American Hybrid, with some real classics in between. Chapter 7 is predictably "Red Wine from Grapes," covering another 20 grapes from Alicante-Bouschet to--again--Zinfandel, but the in-betweens are both classic and unusual.

Chapter 8, "Wine from Fruit," offers up 14 classic non-grape wines--from Apple to Strawberry. I found some of the ingredients thought-provoking(Epsom salts, for example, in fresh-crushed apple juice), but I found their choices of yeast less than inspiring (their heavy reliance on sweet mead yeast was a bit unimaginative, in my opinion).

Chapter 9, "Sparkling and Fortified Wines," offers a very good primer on these subjects, with more emphasis on the latter than the former. Chapter 10 is "Trouble-Shooting," but this, like the first three chapters, has been done better by others.

Criticisms aside, this book is a valuable adjunct to any winemaker's library. Where else can you find recipes for Cayuga French-American Hybrid, Lemberger red or Morio Muskat, all in the same volume? You can bet my copy is already well-thumbed....

We are the owners of Maltose Express, the largest winemaking and homebrew store in Connecticut. Whenever a winemaker is looking for a winemaking book, whether the customer is a novice or an experienced winemaker, this book is the one we sell them. It is written by a home-winemaker who knows his craft; after all, he has been making award-winning wine for over 40 years. Not only is Mr. Spaziani a past president ot the American Wine Society and teaches college classes on winemaking and appreciation, but he is also ranked as one of the top ten national home wine-makers ever! This is one author of a winemaking book that doesn't just sit in front of a computer and write. He makes alot of wine and has the purple hands in September and October to prove it! Follow his advice, methods and use his expertise to make your own luscious and award winning wines. Buy this book, your next wine might be a gold medal winner!

I am a newer wine maker and as such, I found this book to be just what I needed to help get the job done! Other books I own were much more difficult to follow or they went off on some tangent or were incomplete. The Home Winemaker's Companion achieves exactly what is needed to help anyone make good drinkable wine and have fun. Thank You!

This collage of independant stories revealed the courage of ordinary Americans doing extra-ordinary things. In each of these stories, the indiviuals challenged their own personal beliefs, and cultural and ethnic diffrences, to come together and build alliances that transcended race. This is the ideal of what true Americans are and the values of real patriotism and heroism foiled up into an amazing hardcover, that all peace-loving humanitarians should own. The NY TImes and Joseph Lelyveld, You get 2 thumbs up for this incredible work of art. My gratitude to you,
Sincerly, Malik Padgett

How race is lived in america deals with the issues of race that we are still dealing with today and how race still does matter. The collection of new york times pieces deals with how race is played out. From race being a straign on frienships (a group of inter-racial friends making the transition from middle school to high school and two cuban friends-one white and one black-coming to america and facing different challenges) to race in the work place (looking at race relations at a tyson factory in north carolina to a black-white owned internet company). The book gives a rather good detail of where are in terms of race now.

I picked this up last night and couldn't put it down. Not only that, but after each chapter I just stopped and thought for a minute or two. Just incredible.
Get it and read it.

This is yet another book out to defame both the Church and Joseph Smith, its founder. I cannot believe that some people would stoop this low and try to destroy any person's religious beliefs. That's just wrong, and so is much of the information in this book!

This book shows the author's extensive research in the subject. He has fully documented his material and presents it in a informative manner. The parallels he presents between the Book of Mormon and View of the Hebrews are very extensive and quite convincing. That, along with the revealing and documented material he presents on the early years of Joseph Smith, can result in but one conclusion: the Book of Mormon is a product of the early nineteenth century. One of the reviewers said there is much wrong with the book but she did not say what it is. Despite what she says, religion is a subject for critical analysis.

This is by far the most detailed analysis, from an historical point of view, of the character of the founder of the Mormon Church, along with a careful study of how he created THE BOOK OF MORMON. After reading this book, one has to be pretty much convinced that Joseph Smith was a thorough con man, deceiver, liar, and egomaniac. He even wanted to be declared a king. Like his counterpart in Waco, Texas-- he used his power and authority in his church to fulfill his lusts, marrying at least 30 women.
Most of the early chapters deal with Joseph before he conceived how to create THE BOOK. Here he is shown to be lazy, shiftless, unreliable; but he had the gift of a colorful storyteller and the ability to fool people; for example, he deceived many into thinking he could find buried treasure if they paid him a fee. Though illiterate, he tried with great persistence to produce a writing that would make himself wealthy;
and he was able to use several contemporary sources and the BIBLE to borrow many ideas and even words and phrases. Persuitte does a marvelous job of tracing the manner in which Joseph plagiarized concepts. He uses the newspapers, journals, letters, affidavits, and court records of Joseph's times to back up his conclusions. And although it is not his major thesis to attack Mormonism or ridicule current-day believers, by his thorough scholarship he (in effect) makes it clear that the foundation of the Mormon Church is based on a scoundrel who cheated on his own wife, cheated acquaintances out of their money, and died in prison at the hands of a public that could no longer tolerate the threats he made to society.
It's an account that is both fascinating and convincingly presented by Persuitte.

you took English in college! The first thing I noticed about this book was the lack of punctuation. The author fails to use quotation marks when characters are speaking, there are many sentances with no periods. I haven't finished the book yet, and I'm having a hard time getting through it because I'm so annoyed by all the errors. If these things don't bother you, read the book. The story line is intriguing, it's just hard to concentrate on it because of all the mistakes. I don't understand how this book was published like this. Didn't anyone proofread it?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author has managed to give the readers a simple breakdown of how the American anti-terroists work. The chapter on the torture of a captured terrorist was especially poignant, and shamefully, a thought that surely was in the back of many American's minds today. A totally feel-good ending with plenty of suspense , twists and surprises throughout. After all we've been through this week, (September 11, 2001) Joseph Marino's novel is a band-aid for the mind. If we are to totally defeat the middle-eastern terrorist, this is the way we should deal with them. Highly recommended to all ex-military and concerned citizens. Fiction that rings loudly with the truth of today.

Hostile Intentions is a fiction work obviously based on fact. The tragedies in New York City and the Pentagon underline what this book is all about. The story line was chillingly and remarkably on target! It shows that the U.S.A. is diseased with terrorists and shows how. I was impressed with the reality. America now needs to "feel good" about itself! This is the book to read. It will re-light the fires of patriotism in your soul. The chapters that take place in New York City are nothing less than chilling. Order it, take it home and really read it. The author has hit the nail on the head regarding the operations of terrorist in America and around the world. Mr. Marino is relatively unknown. But, that is sure to change and soon. He is a patriot and has restored my faith in the United States military, special operations and intelligence services. DO NOT MISS IT.

Excellent faced paced mystery/thriller. State Supreme Court judge is married to the President of the US. She is blackmailed by the attorney for a mafia "businessman" on trial in her courtroom for murder of another judge. A real page turner! Highly recommend.

This is a great book, well-written, with a well-developed plot, and compelling characters.
Just two minor bloopers -- the bed in the White House Lincoln Bedroom does not date back to Lincoln's presidency, and it's unlikely that a federal trial judge would rotate courtroom observers every 15 or 30 minutes during a trial. Courtroom attendance is usually first-come, first-served, with space reserved for press (which would probably be on a pool basis).

From the author of "The Acolyte" (aka: Executive Sanction), this well-researched thriller set in Washington D.C. is a great read! Fast-paced, interesting characters with some great plot twists.

This is truly an oustanding book on MCMC methods for Bayesian
computation. The authors present a nice balance between technical
developments and applications. It covers several topics not covered by other MCMC books, such as HPD regions, model selection, and density estimation. This book is world class.

This is an outstanding book on MCMC methods. The book presents
novel and sophisticated methods for carrying out posterior
computations and summarizing posterior quantities of interest using novel MCMC techniques. The authors present a lot of their
groundbreaking work as well as summarizing the work of many others. The book presents a number of complex models used in real and interesting applications in the biomedical sciences. Two of the authors also have wirtten another outstanding book titled Bayesian Survival Analysis (Ibrahim et al., 2001), which presents modern methods for Bayesian survival analysis and provides a comprehensive and thorough treatment of the subject. The authors are to be congratulated on writing two very fine books. Both books get 5 stars from me.

This is a great book by the authors, covering a wide range of
topics in MCMC. The coverage of the material is deep and novel.
Two of the authors also have published another outstanding book
titled Bayesian Survival Analyis, by Ibrahim et al., which presents
cutting edge and novel methods in the analysis of survival data.
Both books get 5 stars from me. A splendid job by the authors
in writing two very fine books.