Books on spiritual direction are usually addressed to the spiritual director, aspiring or practicing, but there are at least four reasons why a good book on spiritual direction like this one would be helpful to the spiritual directee.

First, the book clarifies the ends, or more accurately, the end, singular, of spiritual direction. Many are perplexed, asking what is the point of the whole process, and a gifted spiritual director like Houdek might well provide a sound answer. He carefully expresses this purpose in terms of the transcendent dimension of all human experience: "Spiritual direction is concerned about a person's life in all its dimensions and at every moment because God can reveal mystery at all times and in all experiences" (p. 8). He says more than that, of course, and it's worth the reader's time to go over the exposition.

Second, the book elaborates on the means of spiritual direction, in this case, at modest length but in depth. By reflecting upon tested principles, but more importantly, accounts of actual applications, as well as reports of their beneficial effects in the lives of other directees, the directee grows in an awareness and understanding of the process in oneself and in others and so begins to value the experience of spiritual direction more deeply. Just as significant is that the directee derives the criteria for assessing the quality of spiritual direction, thereby empowering the directee in the process of their own guidance. All in all, this knowledge of spiritual direction not only enriches but also empowers the directee in the subtle, intricate, potentially precarious process of spiritual discernment, in which the ultimate responsibility devolves upon the directee.

Some of the most helpful discussions for me pertain to the author's limited attempt to classify directees into types, so I became aware of the profoundly varied yet distinctively individual quality of the spiritual life. Also important was his discussion of the gifts--theological and psychological awareness, spiritual experience, interpersonal skills--ideally suited for spiritual directors.

Third, the book is itself a helpful source of doctrine on spirituality.

It is apparent from the very beginning that Houdek assumes the traditional model of the spiritual life as a progression in stages, so that the influence of St. John of the Cross is present throughout yet refined--the author's tone is modern, flexible, without the slightest trace of doctrinairism. The author's distinction between "vagueness" and "obscurity," which traces to the Mystical Doctor, is especially valuable.

In what sense does the author disclose a Jesuit perspective, as noted in the title? His focus is on discernment, both as a central topic and a governing paradigm, so that discernment even marks the writing style of the book--reflective, attuned, open to truth, wise.

Houdek's discussion of discernment is so discerning itself that I feel compelled to quote: "Although helpful techniques or methods in spiritual discernment do exist neither ultimately guarantees real success. To explain or expect success we must look toward other realities...First, God's unqualified and unconditional love guarantees divine revelation to each of us. God's Spirit works within each person to validate and perhaps even guarantee that the person can and will arrive at a competent understanding and interpretation of individual personal experience. Second, the predispositions of the persons are far more important and influential than any technique or method for spiritual discernment...The central disposition for discernment is trustful surrender--trust in the love, the promises, the fidelity, and the providential care of God--to the initiatives and actions of God" (p. 116).

Fourth, the book brings up fresh perspectives on old issues or introduces new issues in spiritual direction, matters that may be of greater significance to the directee than the director. Some of these issues include problems arising from transference, gender dynamics, or the supervision of spiritual directors.

One weakness of the book is the relative absence of discussion on many aspects of modern clinical psychology, but this knowledge does not lie within the expertise of the author. However, he recognizes its value as well as its necessity in some cases, so that he gives short advice on identifying the need for counseling and on working successfully together with the counselor.

I highly recommend this book as a wealth of experience and wisdom brought to bear on an important area of the Catholic experience--spiritual direction.

Introduction (What is spiritual direction?) Chapter 1 -- The Directee and the Process of Spiritual Growth (Patterns of spiritual growth and development: Direction for beginners, Being Purified by God, Direction for directees who are moving toward God, Direction of directees who have been purified by God; Growth patterns: awakening to spiritual realities, personal appropriation, commitment to the gifts of God, discerning the voice of God; Emotional fervor, dry prayer, and spiritual awakening; final period of purification) Chapter 2 -- Some Particular Types of Directees and Their Needs (Five types of directees: Beginners, Religious converts, Those having a dry and arid prayer life, Contemplative, Those having a roller-coaster experience of prayer and faith; Issues for Beginners: Fear, Anger, Depression, Sexuality, Authority) Chapter 3 -- Prayer and Spiritual Discernment (The mystery of prayer; difficulties in prayer; personal prayer; spiritual discernment; signs of a "good-spirited" directee; religious movements in the director; strategies for spiritual discernment) Chapter 4 -- The Director and the Process of Direction (Community recognition; Gifts needed for direction: Theological and psychological awareness [a balance of Scripture, the Christian ascetical and spiritual traditions, and recent advances in the human sciences including psychology], spiritual experience [personal experience of the Spirit and personal supervision], interpersonal skills [hospitality], self-appropriation [personal competency, goodness, and vision]; The process of spiritual direction [recognizing the work of God]; The director's genuineness, caring, and understanding; Criteria for evaluating spiritual direction [altruism, hope, emotional expression, trust in God, the awareness of mystery]; Issues of transference in spiritual direction; Gender differences in spiritual direction; Supervision for spiritual directors)

This penetrating book shows how the G8 can make the world run better in the 2000s. It has messages of value for everybody Ð teachers and students, leaders and activists, media people and thoughtful citizens.

A major collection of work on current challenges of global governance. An exciting and insightful source for participants in the design of a new global institutional architecture.

The story of Joseph is well known. What is not well understood is how God was directing Joseph in every circumstance of his life. The way Alistair presents the story of Joseph, will let you see in your own life how God is also in control of ALL of your life's circumstances too.

You will see your life and your future from a more relax perspective once you realize and understand that God is in control making the decisions that are best suited for you. I truly recommend this book for anyone interested in finding God's providence in his/her life.

To be honest, when our assistant pastor announced that our study group was going to use this book, I didn't think that the book had much to offer me. I was VERY wrong! Alistair Begg does a wonderful job of telling the story of Joseph, Jacob's favorite son. (Anyone thinking that today's families are all mixed up should see how Jacob's family beats anything we hear about in our day.) Many of us have been through hard times, but I doubt any of us have experienced the hardships that Joseph dealt with. Every chapter is full of lessons for our lives, no matter what problems we are struggling with. Begg's writing is clear and easy to read, yet very convicting. Highly recommended!

World War II in Micronesia laid a foundation for hundreds of books and thousands were written. For those of us who were there right after the war few books have recorded what it was like. This author, a naval captain of a Destroyer Escort, told his story and wove in history and the continuing story of the people. And he told the story we lived. Casual inspection tours of twenty islands in fifteen days. Landings that started in a small boat and ended swimming in across a rocky beach. Local administrators who had shamefully little support from the US government and still carried on trying to do a decent job. Priest and missionaries who carried on in the wake of war, building communities with Navy discards. Hopeless ocean searches that sometimes were successful. And a little boredom. For those who were there, a very true book.

I ran across this book looking for information about the USS Hanna (DE 449), a WWII Destroyer Escort ship named after Private Billy T. Hanna USMC, who died on Guadalcanal in 1942.

I highly recommend reading this to anyone interested in Micronesia and War in the Pacific. It is very readable and well worth the effort. Written by the USS Hanna's captain, Joseph C. Meredith, the book details the ship's patrols of Micronesia, and the Bonin and Volcano Islands in 1953-54.

Captain Meredith describes the seven patrols he captained, giving intimate observations on the islands they visited, the people, history and geology. The stories of the attempts of foreigners to discover, exploit and dominate the islands, provide a real understanding of the islands and their people.

His emphasis on Japanese influence on the islands gives a real understanding of WWII and the Pacific, of what it was like to be there, and of the reasons and strategy of the War in the Pacific.

He researched the history of Micronesia in great detail, providing an accurate view of how Micronesia became what it is today.

In volume 2 page no. 1678 chapter 295 on Acute Viral Hepatitis, The figure 295-2 we think has an error. IgM anti HAV is described to increase first & IgG is to increase later. In diagram, both have been labeled IgG.

This is an excellent comprehensive medical text covering practically every aspect of Internal Medicine.
A must for the Primary Care Physician.
Personally, I would get the two volume set as the single thick back has a tendancy to break away from the binding.

Even if you have seen Hawks interviewed on "The Men Who Made the Movies," or have read other interviews with him, HAWKS ON HAWKS is still quite interesting and enjoyable. If you need to understand the essence of Hawks quickly, this is the book to read. We get Hawks' account of his career, the moguls he dealt with, the stars he liked and disliked, his thoughts about movies after he became inactive. Todd McCarthy's Howard Hawks The Gray Fox of Hollywood is a more thorough portrait of the man, and it is good to check Hawks' stories against the research in that book, but HAWKS ON HAWKS is still very charming.

Overlooked for years by the Hollywood establishment, today Howard Hawks is remembered as one of the cinema's greatest artists. The candid interviews contained in this book are funny, insightful and just plain enjoyable. Hawks discusses Bogart, Wayne, Bacall, and numerous other actors he worked with during his career, as well as commenting on his most famous films including Red River, The Big Sleep, and Bringing Up Baby. Especially noteworthy are the sections where he discusses the "Hawksian Woman", the Western and his fellow director and friend John Ford. A must for Hawks' fans.

"Canonized in 1999, Champagnat was an early member and priest of the Society of Mary and founder of its Little Brothers (the Institute of the Marist Brothers). Author Sammon is the Vicar General of the Marist Brothers and he presents in an easy-to-read manner the difficult times and life of St. Marcellin Champagnat. Born during the Revolution in France, he lived only fifty-one years. In the seminary, he was part of a group "made up of seminarians who were a familiar sight in the taverns of the town." Sammon writes for the modern temperment that needs to know the warts along with the shining myth. The heresy of Jansenism, a moral theology for the elect, influenced Marcellin's study for awhile. He began teaching and "by February 1822 the Institute was made up of ten brothers." There is the miracle in the snow, a serious illness from which he recovers, persistent financial problems for the schools, and an environment of increasing bitter anti-religious sentiment during the revolution in France. Simplicity and humility were Champagnat's outstanding virtues. This is the tale of a man growing past his problems to sainthood. Sammon writes with that same simplicity and humility, and with a fine erudition that moves comfortably from prayer to revolution, from submissiveness to the cry for social justice. Illuminating."

Sean Sammon's short biography of St. Marcellin Champagnat is definitely worth reading for anyone who is interested in the life of the Catholic Church and the people they call "Saints".

Sammon is able to describe, in a very uncomplicated way, the historical, sociological and theological background of this man who was born the same year as the French Revolution. Marcellin Champagnat started his life with little education, and through hard work, eventually studied and became a priest and founder of an international Congregation of Roman Catholic teaching Brothers, the Marist Brothers of the Schools.

The book details the life of this very down to earth man. Champagnat was a priest who sometimes defied the stereotypes of priesthood of his day, even to the point of actually building the houses his Brothers would live in. He had an undying love for young people and strove to do all that he could for them, and to lead them to know and love God. The book describes the difficulties St. Marcellin had along the way, and how he overcame them all with determination, prayer, and hard work.

Sammon's treatment of him goes beyond what many biographies present. He not only describes his life and mission, but delves into the psychological motivations that moved him. What emerges is a clear and informative life of a saint who is a very real person, not just a plaster image of what a saint should be! I highly recommend this book.

Cooking with solar energy is really simple, and VERY satisfying -- why have so few of us tried it? Do we own stock in the energy companies? Joe Radabaugh's little book is full of sensible solar cooker designs, advice, and good stories from around the world -- a fun and useful book.

first half of book reviews the history of solar cooking with many interesting photos. second half gives detailed plans for cardboard solar oven that will reach in excess of 350 degrees! author states he has been using his solar oven design for years and from the looks of it i believe him! will try it myself. book is in print and available from home power magazine

For several years I had been trying to find some books of valid and substantial merit dealing with Yisra'elim or Jews in West Africa. Truly, this books is a very good collection of various accounts of people who professed to believe that varioius peoples in Africa were of Hebrew or Yisra'elee stock.

The accounts of the various customs of the Ashanti were very interesting. The story of Eldad ben-Mahli the Danite was also very insightful. The Ntora account....fascinating. The letter from the Ashanti queen mother to the queen of England concerning the Seventh Day (Shabbat) being the day of the Creator....WOW! This book really helps my research in this area. It is interesting that once I got this book, other sources started to open up to me, and to think this book was published in 1930! How has this book been overlooked for so long?

The book also does not go down the path of claiming that all Africans are Hebrews or Yisra'eleem, and does not get into a racist flare either. This book goes down the path that some or many Africans could be of Hebrew or Yisra'el stock because of the type of contact that existed in ancient times between peoples. The conclusion is very interesting also.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seriously researching this subject of early accounts of Yisra'eleem in Africa. After reading much of this I had to proclaim, "Barukh attah Adonai Elohim Melekh ha`Olam!"

This book is a goldmine of information that uncovers Hebrewisms in African rituals and history all over Africa. It is also connected with some very recent research by antoher Amazon.com writer, Dr. Linda Thomas of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. As an anthropologist/theologian, she studied water purification rituals among Africans in Uguleto, South Africa. These rituals are very close to those in the Old Testament. The content in Dr. Williams' book further connects these types of rituals as they occur throughout the continent Africa. It is an amazing breakthrough in research.

I have used the contents of this book in many interesting ways. Just the other day, I was talking with an 80-year old woman at church, whose mother came from Madagascar, as a slave. I was able to share with her some of the information in the book about the Hebrewisms found in the Africans of Madagascar (some of whom were brought to South Africa as slaves by the Dutch). I was able to tell her that it may be possible that her ancestors might have descended from the ancient Black Jews of Canaan, who migrated down through Africa at various points in their history, and whose Jewish rituals were discovered by various historians at various periods. She is an African American. This is not the first time that I have presented this information in order to establish the fact that Jesus Christ, and the Jews of the Old Testament in many ways, were ancestors of the Africans who were brought here, from all over the continent of Africa as slaves.

It should be in the collection of every researcher into the history of Africans on the continent and throughout the Diaspora.

I am a business minor and this book has helped me greatly. It has served as a terrific resource to me.

Great book for anyone interested in hedging or finance. It helped me a great deal.