It's too bad the demons who struck New York on September 11 didn't come from Chelm. Though fools, they'd have learned (from Francine Prose) the utter dementia induced by trying to tackle the New World with the Old.

They'd have been locked up in crates for 50 years, trying to get out. They'd have found that rubbing against party guests in embarrassing places, turning wine into vinegar, curdling the milk and tangling hair doesn't frighten people in a city that knows no darkness, even when the moon doesn't shine.

They'd have known that while gossip was to the Old World "like opening the door and letting the demons in," New World people gossiped all the time. They'd have learned that New Yorkers frightened the demons more than the demons frightened them.

Of course, Francine Prose did not write this story as an allegory about September 11, 2001. The book came out a year earlier. And Sept. 11 was obviously no joke.

Yet post Sept. 11, the New World voice Prose gave to Chelm's mythic Old World laughter and lessons seems addressed to the foolish medieval demons who struck at America's heart without cause: Only those smart enough to adapt survive and thrive. That's why we will win.

It's a good lesson, if only those demons would pay attention. And your kids will understand it, even if the demons don't. Alyssa A. Lappen

This story from Chelm features pictures by Mark Podwal and a tale which requires good reading skills as it tells of the demons of the Polish town of Chelm, where only fools live. The demons decide to move to New York City, but find the big city is more than a match for their spirits in The Demons' Mistake, a fine story of adjustments.

Photographs of everything, including special event pieces not available in retail stores, made this book a gem. It has fair pricing estimates, shows variations of pieces, and is organized in an easy to flip through manner. Makes a beautiful gift that you will page through day after day. A Must for those who collect through eBay or other auction houses. Now you too can be an expert! I'm thrilled with my purchase and know you will be, too!

Concise, easy to read and full of the latest information. I bought it as a gift and liked it so much I went back and treated myself to a copy.

What a wonderful learning experience. With beautifully illustrated scenes of desert life, a perfect way to introduce children to the experience....the lifelike illustrations jump out at you with their canny true to life realism.

This book is not just A - apple, B - ball. It gives detailed descriptions of plants and animals in the desert. This is a great book to read if you want to find out a liitle bit about the desert. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 4.

This book should convince most readers that reading the Desert Fathers (and Mothers) is enjoyable religious reading for the common spiritual seeker. The translations and the art accompanying them create a presentation that will appeal easly to those who enjoy the collections of Anthony de Mello, Idries Shah, various Jewish collections, Zen Buddhist stories ...

The tales and sayings themselves are short and evocative. For example: "Abba John the Little said: We have abandoned a light burden, namely self-criticism, and taken up a heavy burden, namely self-justification." It is accompanied by a picture in Japanese style with two women carrying loads on their head (sticks and basket) and two men with Sumo wrestler builds with large, heavy loads. The picture is as effective as the story at drawing the reader into the story.

After reading these stories, read Roberta Bondi's excellent theological introduction To Love as God Loves and the translations of additional tales by Merton, Ward and others.

Yushi Nomura has put together a collection of roughly 100 sayings from the 4th and 5th century monks that we now collectively refer to as the Desert Fathers. In addition, each saying is illustrated with Japanese style brush drawings, which gives this collection a distinctive flavor when compared to either the collections by Thomas Merton or Helen Waddell.

This is not a comprehensive collection of sayings. Rather it serves as a superb introduction to this body of Christian literature. The sayings of the Desert Fathers are characterized by their pithy and direct nature. You will not find abstract theologizing here; the desert was a place where the hard realities of living the Christian life - humility, hospitality, forgiveness, failure, mindfulness of everyday things - were confronted every day.

Originally published in 1982, this new edition from Orbis includes a wonderful epilogue based on Henri Nouwen's unpublished lecture notes for a course on "Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry" that he taught at Yale in the early 1980's. It was Nouwen's course that introduced Nomura to the literature of the desert and began the process that led to this book.

Nomura's collection was my first introduction to the Desert Fathers back around 1984. The book has long held a special place in my heart, and I am overjoyed to see it reissued.

Normally I read books by authors that I know and trust. I am not familiar with author Jim Horsley. I was hesitant in buying and reading his book. I did buy his book and have read his book--I am glad I did. The content of the book kept me moving through the book. The way his life is now compared to when he graduated from college is definitely an inspiration to me and I believe his life will inspire others as well.

From the moment I cracked this book open I knew I was in for a great read. The author knows how to grab hold of the reader's attention and keep it throughout. I enjoyed the stories about Horsley's military training and his exploits in VietNam. The book is loaded with all the testosterone things most guys only dream of doing. The writing of the book gives the reader a way of living vicariously thourgh Jim Horsley as he navigates his A-6 Intruder through the triple-A fire of VietNam. The extreme concentration necessary to land a jet on an aircraft carrier. And, probably my favorite stories were of those while Horsley was a member of the Blue Angels. I think every guy wants to be a Blue Angel and perform some of the incredible manuevers they do. This book gives you an inside look at what it takes to be a Blue Angel and just how good these men are. But, the book is about more than just guy-stuff. It gives a person a great example of how life can be rewarding even when you are not the envy of most people. It shows that a relationship with God and your family are the two most important things in a person's life. Once those relationships have been cemented, then it becomes eaiser to help those around us and make a difference in someone else's life.I was able to relate easily with many of his experiences in coming to know the Lord. The "mistake of going to church" was dead-on, as well as many other things he encounters on his trip to being saved. This book has inspired me to re-assess my own life and what God has in store for me. It is also helping me look for someone for whom I can make a differnce in their life. This book is a great read for anyone who wants to get an inside look at one of the greatest jobs in the world: Being a Blue Angel. But, more importantly, this book and it's author set an excellent example for people to follow. I strongly encourage this book be added to your collection.

Marseilles Chavez Sacramento, Calif.

As a therapist I have found this title to be very helpful in counseling grieving clients. I haven't found another book like it on the market because it's so practical and yet has a depth to it which only a person who has experienced grief can express. A grieving person can use it at any step in their grief recovery--whether they have just lost a loved one or are still grieving a death which occurred years ago. The way the author uses the seasons of the year is quite extraordinary. I use it in conjuntion with the author's "Bereavement Handouts" and have recommended this book to clients, other mental health clinicians, and even my local funeral home as an expression of sympathy to a grieving individual.

As a clinician, I have found this book to be helpful with my clients who are grieving--no matter what stage they are in. It's very practical--going through the seasons of the year. The author has obviously had extensive experience with grief, both personally and professionally.

Small enough to fit in your pocket, but full of glossy full color pages of useful information, maps, and pictures, this guidebook is quite nice. Not as thick as the other PV guidebooks, but just as useful (or more so), and easier to carry around. Highly recommended. I liked it better than the other "big name" PV guidebooks.

OK, the restaurant list is a little out of date, but then I've never found a guide that wasn't out of date the moment it was published. What really makes this book special is that the author has clearly taken the time to look around. The walking tours ("If you have one day...") are simple to follow and lots of fun. The photos are often stunning, and here and there are amusing bits of information. Best of all, this slim guide will fit easily in your pocket (I hate dragging around a big book filled with mostly useless information). Discover Puerto Vallarta cuts right to the chase. No wasted space. Highly recommended.

The book was very detailed and interesting. I knew some things about the TITANIC but not as much as this book tells me!!!! This is a great book. I am looking foward to reading all the others Eyewitness Books.

This book is one of the nicest books I have found for children on the Titanic. The pictures are beautiful and it's nice to have an early reader book that is non-fiction.

It is difficult to come by this book at the price tag on a limited budget, but the read is well worth it. Grotelueschen displays a firm grasp of military theory and how that theory is applied or in some cases misapplied. The voice Grotelueschen captures is one of an insider no doubt learned in the hallowed halls of West Point. His firm grasp of all things army belies a thorough understanding of how artillery played a role in the stalemate of World War I trenches. It is a voice to be listened to and heeded.

We reach out to history to not repeat the mistakes of the past. If we ever get involved in stalemate trench warfare again in the wine country of France, let's hope that all artillery commanders have this book on their reading list.

Bottom line, this author Mark Ethan Grotelueschen is brilliant.

This author puts tremendous effort and thought into his writing. An exceptional product from a talented professor.

As Dr. B says it right on Page 1: "Healthy parent-child relationships don't just happen, they are created. Like any worthwhile endeavor, raising responsible & responsive children requires dedication, hard work & a willingness to experiment with creative approaches to parenting challenges."

Instead of simply bossing your kids about, throwing as many orders at them as they throw tantrums at you, try a little cooperation - you'll be as surprised as they with the results!

This easy-to-read, enjoyable little book, explains the ins & outs of the impasses parents get into with their children, & then gives you lifelines of ideas & scripts with which you can transform the quality of your relationships with your spouse, as well as your kids.

Worth every penny you spend. I highly recommend you give copies to every parent you know who is underwhelmed by the joy of parenting, overwhelmed by their ratpack, or looking forward, with either dread or exhilaration, to becoming parents.

This highly entertaining book deals thoughtfully with the most precious of relationships - that of parents and children. It provides realistic approaches to improving family communication, cooperation and harmony. Dr. Berkowitz presents valuable insights and advice in a straightforward yet humorous fashion; his techniques are appropriate for dealing with children ages toddlerhood through adolescence. Dr. Berkowitz's tools can be effectively introduced into any family, helping families to modify their own personal style, while retaining their own special uniqueness -- unlike many parenting books which dictate the latest current "parenting fad".

Okay, so I loved the book. But what really counts is this: I have used several of Dr. Berkowitz's approaches with my own children, ages 3 and 5 years. Results: successful cooperation (with some surprised looks on their little faces!). My 3 year old daughter has even begun anticipating my intentions and will repeat something I have previously said to her (that came straight from Dr. B's book), before I get a chance to say it! She smiles knowingly and is proud that she can sometimes be responsible for her own self-discipline.

I highly recommend this book to parents, grandparents and to all of those who give care to children.