Once again, Joe Stowell has brought the gospel to life! This book came along at a point in my life when I really needed to be reminded of the importance of developing that intimate connection with God. I needed to be reminded that God has not moved, it is we humans who have drifted off of the path that God has designed us for. I appreciate the conversational and heartfelt tenor of this book. A must read for anyone who is looking to recapture the orignal passion of the Christian faith, or for those who are struggling to discover the central issue of the faith... that being finding our home with God and no where else!

This book is a wonderful synopsis of the true meaning of a relationship with the living God supported, not just by the author's experience, but based on scripture. Few seek after this type of intimacy and it is sad because few find it as a result and this is stated through out the book. It is a wonderful book of encouragement for those that know or want to know the loving God that we have and how much He has invested so that we can have a relationship with Him. All we need to do is "draw near to Him and He will draw near to us". A simple but profoundly true statement

I would read this to a class or child and then enjoy listening to the work. It's a very nice introduction to Haydn and the humor he used when composing. Wonderful book and it comes with a nice performance of several of Haydn's Symphonys.

I do collect children's books and take into consideration the illustrations as well as the story. I rate this book excellent, the story is True, based on documented evidence. A CD is also included of the complete "The Farewell Symphony'" and I replay it ad infinitum. Excellent investment in quality entertainment. The illustrations are delightful! Dorothy Hope

Joseph Gustafson has moulded the pain of the loss of his father into a powerful, evocative tribute to the love that bound them, discovered only during the process of his father's death. If you can, read this book while your father is still present on the planet to hear of your love for him. If your father has already crossed over, this book will bring comfort and inspiration to your soul.

For anyone who has lost a Father, this book will comfort and inspire. It goes straight to the heart.

I must say, that when I first picked this book up, I was a bit skeptical. It was wrapped in plastic giving me no idea of what was in it, and it was by some publishing company I never heard of. But, being an impulse buyer, I paid for it, and brought it to a coffee shop where I continued to read and read, on the way home, while watching television, and even when I went to bed, and did not put it down until I read the whole thing. As a writer and fellow fan of Faulkner, I highly recommend this book to any student or fan (what's the difference, though?) of Faulkner's writings, and especially to any writers out there, and most of all, any Faulkner teachers. Faulkner is asked any question you can think of in this book, from certain meanings in his, "The Bear", to the long time controversy about the order of sections in "The Sound and the Fury", to the Adlers in "As I Lay Dying", all the way to why he prefers the Old Testament to the New. He even puts down Henry James in this book, and talks about his greatest influences on his writing, his favorite books (such as Cervantes' Don Quixote) and even puts in some good advice to aspiring authors, and how they should take writing, and even advice on how to write in the traditional Southern Gothic style. Truly a magnificent book that deserves top priority to any fan or teacher of Faulkner, or any writer in general! A masterpiece!!!

(. . .) I highly recommend this book to any student or fan (what's the difference, though?) of Faulkner's writings, and especially to any writers out there, and most of all, any Faulkner teachers. Faulkner is asked any question you can think of in this book, from certain meanings in his, "The Bear", to the long time controversy about the order of sections in "The Sound and the Fury", to the Adlers in "As I Lay Dying", all the way to why he prefers the Old Testament to the New. He even puts down Henry James in this book, and talks about his greatest influences on his writing, his favorite books (such as Cervantes' Don Quixote) and even puts in some good advice to aspiring authors, and how they should take writing, and even advice on how to write in the traditional Southern Gothic style. Truly a magnificent book that deserves top priority to any fan or teacher of Faulkner, or any writer in general! A masterpiece!!!

In FEUDALISM, Joseph Strayer defines the underpinnings of the institution of feudalism and then, with the use of primary documents, elaborates on it's development and growth. He states that the basic characteristics of feudalism in Western Europe are a 1) fragmentation of political authority, 2) public power in private hands, 3) and a military system in which an essential part of the armed forces is secured through private contracts. Feudalism is a method of government and a way of securing the forces necessary to preserve that method of government. To Strayer, it was the political-military structure which made the society and age feudal, thus the attempts to use social and economic factors to define feudalism fall short in that such a template can be applied not just in the MA, but in many disparate times and places, which would not be of much use in historical analysis.
Strayer starts by detailing how armed retainers evolved to vassals and the origin of fiefs and subsequently feudal principalities. He details how the counties in France began to crumble as effective governmental entities and how the tiny castellany became the only working unit of government. He then details how the stronger principalities, such as Normandy, Anjou and Flanders maintained unity and developed into strong feudal states. He states how the economic and intellectual revival of the 12th century assisted in arresting the political fragmentation, but primarily credits the development of feudal institutions and customs into a system. By this, he means the fact that a governmental hierarchy among the politically powerful was developed and general rules defining the relationships between the members of the political class were made. The most important rule was the Theory of Delegated Powers, the theory that all political power was delegated from a higher to a lower lord. God to king, king to count, count to baron, baron to knight. Any subordinate could be punished by immediate superior if he did wrong. There were gaps in the system, but the theory justified existing powers and opened the door for new ones.
Strayer also details how the emphasis on personal service from vassal to lord was de-emphasized in favor of actual money, scutage and aid, which eventually led to taxation. Then an examination of the rising social and political influence of the knight class is examined as well as how the developing bureaucracy took away much of the administrative power of the lesser lords. He concludes with the aftermath of feudalism and the development of the feudal courts into parliamentary bodies. This is all in part 1. Part 2 contains over 50 primary source documents, almost all translated by Strayer himself, which help the reader to understand the context of the times.

Strayer's book is a response to Marc Bloch's Feudal Society. Strayer argues for a narrow definition of feudalism; a definition that can be practicle. His writing style is wonderful and lucid. Almost 200 pages of the book is primary source material. This book is definitely worth tracking down if you are serious about medieval studies.

Fictions is by far one of the best compilations of stories I have ever used in a class. It starts off by reviewing the 5 basic elements of a story then pairs two stories together which deal with each of the themes. The rest of the book is composed of several stories, each grouped appropriatly according to theme; making it very useful and easy to navigate through. Even if your not using in class, it contains many timeless classics which every literature fan should read.

Wonderfully integral as well as useful to the student and leisurely reader alike. The book is comprehensive and easy to use as a college text book while the myriad of stories make it worth the money. It's eclectic nature is intimidating at first, but an easy reference section, located in the front, helps the reader find what s/he is looking for, even if they don't quite know themselves. From Hemingway to Tolstoy and Carver to Godwin, this is one college book you should hang onto.

The first thing you have to realize is that this book is better performed than read. The amazing writing style makes you want to read it to the end. I recommend this book 100% to anybody that is interested in reading about a crazy village, a crazy family, a crazy man, an ofcourse a crazy tradition.

I loved the play. It it written with an ease and style that is not only pleasing to read, but also very smooth to perform. It is an eloquent statement about families and, of course, tradition. It offers us a view of the necessity of change and the importance that it has in society, not only then, but now as well. I would recomend that anyone interested in the Jewish way of life in the 20s and 30s in Europe, American musicals or simply in families, read this play; it will be well worth your while!

It was a great story. I recomend it to everyone. It tells about how the Jews go through there life with all maragies. It's a sweet book.

Fiddler on the Roof is in my opinion the best thing to ever to hit broadway. Joseph Stein has combined comedy and heartbreak in an inspiring story about Tevye, a humble Russian Jew, living in opressing times in Russia and his struggle to hold on to his tradition and the love of his family.

A great book. A fantastic book. It's slightly larger than what one might expect for a field guide, but the difference is put to good use. Not only are the excellent photographs printed at such high resolution that you expect to see these scaled beauties slithering off the pages, but the accompanying text is so easy to read that you might find it to be a page-turner that ranks with some pretty good novels. This book is crammed with really useful or, at the very least, interesting info -- like the relative potencies of venoms from different snakes. (You might be surprised...) A detailed discussion of the mechanisms associated with different snake venoms and what might be done to counter them is really fascinating. The text for each species is accompanied by a distribution map; that text includes information on whether the snake in question is venomous, its behavior, reproduction, abundance, size, etc. I can't say enough good stuff about this book. If you live in a state adjacent to Texas and Mr. Tennant hasn't written a book about your snake population, it would well be worth getting this one. He also wrote the "Field Guide to Snakes of Florida," so you guys in Florida are lucky, too! This book made me want to head out at night to the local megapuddles that form near my house south of Houston to see what might be after those little frogs that seem to appear out of nowhere in the spring. Now, that might seem to be a little strange, but if you've read this book, you probably know what I mean.
Come to think of it, I'd like to give this one 7 stars...

I am not a "herpetologist" - - I don't like snakes, but I am trying to tolerate the beneficial types. It was about dusk a few weeks ago when I stepped inside my storage shed to close the door. My first reaction was, "I don't remember leaving a hose on the floor." I flipped on the light and about two feet from me was the meanest biggest snake I ever saw (actually, it was only about 42" long). Was it deadly? - - I guess so 'cause it nearly gave me a heart attack! After that experience, I knew I needed a fairly complete book on Texas' snakes in my library, so I purchased the above book. It has over sixty pages of full color pictures (that's over 120 snakes) with a commentary on each one as to its type, size, general location, habits, food preference, etc. I took a picture of the snake in my barn - - and when the book arrived, there it was in living color - - "Texas Rat Snake." Harmless....and beneficial. The key to a great book on snakes for the common layman, in my opinion, is clear, colorful pictures. I remember checking the public library for such a book as this 10-15 years ago, and couldn't find one. So, I reinterate, for everyday identification of Texas' snakes, you'd be hard pressed to beat this book!

Joseph Hurka has written a very touching memoir of his father's valiant fight against fascism in his home country. This rings especially poignant in the troubled times now facing America. I purchased this book the Saturday before the vile terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center. I began reading it, thinking it was a wonderful memoir of a bygone era. Now, post-attacks, upon my finishing this book I have a renewed sense of just how precious freedom is and what so many other people have been willing to do to secure it. Bravo to Hurka Senior, for all the proud fighting he did to do his part to keep the hope of freedom alive; we owe him and all those like him a great debt of honor. And also bravo to his son, this book's author, for writing such a powerful story of real heroism so well and so vividly. Truly, a joy to read, and in times such as these a must-read. I highly recommend this book.

Mr. Hurka tells the story of his father, a hero, with the rhythm of a poet. Unlike many sons who have written about their fathers, this isn't about that author. Mr. Hurka allows his father's amazing life to shine through his own talent as a writer and lets the reader get to know a true patriot hero. With his lyrical tones, the reader can only hope they will be allowed to know more of Mr. Hurka himself in a future book.