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Book reviews for "Alvarez-Altman,_Grace_DeJesus" sorted by average review score:
A Fall to Grace
Published in Paperback by Moon Tree Rising Productions (February, 1997)
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Plot didn't grab meI started this book thinking it would be a gripping story of healing and transformation. Instead, the plot just never really developed. It read more like a dream sequence than a story, which might be interesting to some folks. But for anyone looking for a good read, in my book, this is not it.
A Story of Sshamanic Vision and HealingThis is another installment of excellent literature from the pen of Sandra Ingerman. I have read many books on my spiritual journey. Sandra's books rate as some of my favorite. A fall to Grace is an excellent teaching story. As story I found the book full of suprises and totally engaging. As a metaphor for "everyone's" healing journey this book excells. Healing often requires a realistic look into the mirror of our souls. A Fall to Grace not only provides the mirror it also points to the road of transformation.
Anyone actively on their spiritual path will rejoice.This fiction story of a woman's awakening to the truth of who and what she is, via a Shamann's view, is for men and women. The lessons learned or relearned will please. I recommend it for people well on their path as well as those just beginning to open their eyes. Thank you Sandra!
Older Child Adoption
Published in Paperback by Crossroad/Herder & Herder (February, 1998)
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Honest but extremeI was glad to read this book AFTER adopting two older children but would hesitate to recommend it right away to individuals considering adopting older kids. The author adopted 3 older children herself and interviewed 17 other adoptive families for this book. Her book is full of true scenarios about family life with older adoptees, and many of them are horror strories about kids with severe behavior problems. (Some of these stories are repeated more than once in different sections of the book, reinforcing the problem aspect of older child adoption.) I had to wonder if the author, Robinson, has described her own experience under the pseudonym of "Hope Walker," a case example in the book, whose 3 adopted children all needed extensive residential care. It would seem her purpose in writing the book is to make a case for the necessity of strong/er supports for people who adopt older children (a stance with which I agree), rather than to provide basic info. for prospective adoptive parents and offer the hope that at least some older adopted children heal and begin to thrive in their adoptive families. (Robinson suggests that kids adopted by their first or second set of foster parents tend to do much better than kids having more placements.) It would have been helpful to find out how Robinson drew her sample of other adoptive families. It seemed to me to be less representative of the gamut of older child adoption experiences than it was cautionary of potential dangers. I also would have liked a summary at the end of the book, indicating how the kids described in the book are functioning currently, or as adults. That kind of info. might have provided a balancing factor, showing that issues treated in childhood or adolescence can lead to healthier functioning in the future. Chapter 8 was outstanding, offering advice on the educational and therapeutic needs of many older adopted children. I'd like to see it used as part of the required training for prospective foster and adoptive parents. We've come a long way from the days of Claudia Jewett's book on older child adoption, which presented ideal (and fictitious) case studies in which problems were not severe and fairly fleeting. Robinson's book may be more realistic, but I found Adopting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck more helpful and reassuring, and more representative of the spectrum of what one may encounter in adopting an older child.
Adopt an older child, its not easy, but it's rewarding!Grace, paints a rather grim picture of what is to come, however, I think many of these are some worst case issues. If the Parent or Parents are informed on the child's issues and have done the needed research on each issue, as well as on what they want and need then it can work out great. Esp if you put the child's needs first, and that is one thing Grace does touch on! The child must be the most important thing in your life at that time. How many parents would hold a 12 yr old and give her a bottle, but with RAD, that is one of the bonding issues, and a way to help the bonding... If this book did not scare you away, then take the next step and start the process of adpting an older child.
Potential Adoptive ParentWow.....my husband and I just started our home study for an older child adoption, and this is the first book we read on the subject. Grace Robinson is very discouraging. She provides NO redeaming reasons why anybody would want to adopt an older child. However, the book prompted us to have many long conversations about this searious endeavour we are undertaking, weather our marriage and extended family could handle adoption, etc. It encouraged us to look for even more books on the subject, and seek an adoptive parent's club for more perspective.
Prayer: Manifest a State of Grace
Published in Audio Cassette by Brain Sync (December, 1998)
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New Age Drivel at its WorstSloppy, sappy, insulting to the intelligence, having nothing to do with prayer and everything to do with New Age feel good imagery, spoken by an insipid voice with bad diction, backed by gooey-morphy synth chords and a singer who sounds like an out of tune 9th grader. If you are truly interested in prayer (regardless of your tradition), please take the time to read something of some substance (the work of Father John Main or Eknath Easwaran's excellent book, "Meditation" come to mind) and don't waste your time on this garbage!
Enchanted Re-awakeningThis tape was just what i needed to help me recover from bitter experiences with religion. This tape is completely spiritual and Kelly Howell does her very best to keep it *universal* not tieing it to any one religion. Before the end of this meditation i was swept away in feeling's of bliss and love from the higher planes. i highly recommend this tape to anyone who is trying to reconnect themselves with Divinity and its many possibility's and potentials......
An Enchated Reawakening......This tape was just what i needed to help me recover from bitter experiences with religion. This tape is completely spiritual and Kelly Howell does her very best to keep it *universal* not tieing it to any one religion. Before the end of this meditation i was swept away in feeling's of bliss and love from the higher planes. i highly recommend this tape to anyone who is trying to reconnect themselves with Divinity and its many possibility's and potentials......
The Soul of Soil: A Soil-Building Guide for Master Gardeners and Farmers
Published in Paperback by Chelsea Green Pub Co (June, 1999)
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The Soul of SoilVery informative book but it is a little technical for home garderner.
For master gardeners and farmers, but also good for basicsThis is truly a good book. It is short, simply written, and very informative. However, it is a little technical for the average Gardner. I personally picked-up this book to gain general knowledge about soil, and I found everything I asked for and more. Nevertheless, there were things that I felt were not explained enough, but that's not the fault of the author because I am neither a master gardner nor a farmer. In the begging of the book it almost seemed like the author was one of the environmentalist extremists, however as I continued reading I found the author to be a responsible writer with no extremism. As a matter of fact, on several occasions the author offered advise to non-organic farmers. Overall, a great book and coming from my non-farmer background I would give it 4 stars.
Soil Basics and MoreThe Soul of Soil
The Soul of Soil
Understanding our soil is essential to successful gardening and farming, as well as to building a sustainable future for the planet. Grace Gershuny and Joe Smillie have devoted decades to unlocking the secrets of this mysterious and often maligned substance and they share their wisdom with us here. Includes descriptions of the major soil types, nutrient cycles and physical properties of soil, as well as lessons on composting and cover cropping. This book gives us the tools we need to understand the complex interactions that take place below our feet as we work to turn the tide against the erosion, pollution and outright destruction of our precious earth.
What Color Is a Butterfly
Published in Paperback by Xlibris Corporation (September, 2002)
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What Color is a ButterflyI found the author's lack of writing skill distracting. Many sentences were awkwardly written. At times it is confusing which character she is writing about since she assumes the identity of each character with the pronoun "I." The redundancy of information given is appalling. Information in one paragraph is repeated in another paragraph a few pages later, almost word of word. This happens several times in the book. Did anyone edit this book?
From Switzerland:"Your Mother was an admirable lady. She mastered her fate with determination, great willpower and a positive attitude and she was always aware that she was so fortunate to be born into this family, giving her so much love and understanding and support to develop her special talents. It was useful to me once to realize, what it means to be blind, because I really never thought of such a situation."
Wonderful Story of Creative CourageA child without sight grows up to be a talented musician, complete homemaker, career woman and mother of three. The story of her training and over-coming visual imparement is an inspiration to everyone who reads this carefully crafted biograpy. What Color Is A Butterfly is an ispirational journey into the qualities of perception, courage and creativity. Humor softens the sadness and hope strengthens the drive to "be normal." A book that will give a lift to all who read this story.
Full of Grace : An Oral Biography of John Cardinal O'Connor
Published in Hardcover by Pocket Star (November, 2001)
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A Man of Conviction; A Poor BiographyJohn Cardinal O'Connor was undoubtedly a man of conviction. He was a colorful poltical heavyweight; a significant player in worldwide Roman Catholic politics and in American affairs in general. Sadly, while O'Connor might be commended for his loyalty, he is not a man who should be exalted as one of the great spiritual leaders of the 20th century.
John O'Connor could have been great! He could have been. Instead he chose a different path - favored son in a "family" (in this case an institution) out of touch with the world.
He could have dared to speak up for those who were marginalized.He could have told the poor faithful people of his church that he understood their need to practice birth control. He could have advanced the recognition of women as full and complete members of the church. He could have recognized that so many American Catholics felt out of touch with the message of their Church. While he visited dying gay men and opened places where they cold die with dignity, he continued to deny their legitimate place on the earth.
Perhaps the greatest lost opportunity was the fact that John O'Connor could have changed the Church -- but didn't!
I finish this book sadly feeling that here was a man who had the forum to do great things but sadly chose not to. It is the sadness of "the could have ... but didn't".
A Man of Conviction is small book which poorly conceived and dully written. If this book is some effort to advance O'Connor's spiritual legacy in the hope that he will yet again be promoted, perhaps to Sainthood, it is a bad start.
Lovely book, terrific writer,fawning memoriesJohn O'Connor,late Cardinal Archbishop of New York, was a large figure on the political and religious landscape for almost 17 years. One time Hawkish military chaplain{his pro military stances influenced many of the documents that came out of the bishops conferences],he became bishop of scranton, Pa.,then very quickly{I mean real quickly} Archbishop of the largest archdiocese in North America. He sparred with polticians early{Publicly berating democats Mario cuomo and Geraldine ferraro for their pro-choice stands}though not republicans{though he did criticise R Guliani 's policies as viscious against the poor}, so often putting his foot in his mouth that all three of the major dailies began putting reporters at the Sunday 10 am mass. This collection, has nomne of that. O'connor was a vociferous supporter of the state of Israel, and is warmly remembered as such. He was also an avowed opponenet of homsexuality, and some of his worst moments came in trying to defend his position. He was also a man of great generosity, refusing to close any schools{no matter how poor they were]. begging, literally, begging some of the moneybags catholics{Simon, Grace, et,al. } for donations.He opened doors of catholic hospitals to aids patients{while condeming thier lifestyle. }In short, a man of immense contradictions, who died a slow, painful public death, and did so with great dignity, and without some of the macabre operatic flourishes of so public a demise. The best of these remembrances come from ordianry folks,not the politicians nor clergy{what on earth do youthink a priest of another bishop would say about him? Now if they gave archbishop rembert weakland of Milwaukee a free hand to discuss OConnors lack of support for him with this problems with rome, that would have been interesting]. In all, a well done,though curiosly unsatisfying collection, too much warm fuzziness, not enough exploration.For those who admired him,a very good book. see also Nat Hentoff's ear;lier Biography{also very flattering] for more sources. A loyal soldier of the church.
Enduring devotion has made me biasedI am admittedly a very devoted friend of the late Cardinal. I miss him greatly as a former regular Mass-goer at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the late 90's. I miss him still more as my old guardian angel who did more than one favor for a skinny little kid from Brooklyn, without recompense. Nor did he seek it, except for my soul, and the hope that I would always love Jesus. So if you ever admired this man, his honesty, his frankness, his gift for trying his best in every circumstance, even if you did not agree with everything he said, you will indeed like this book. He was, as his friends reminisce, a mensch. You will hear his words, recognise his wit, recall his stature. I miss him too much, this man who fought tooth and nail, for whatever he thought was truly important for the well being of body and soul of his flock. But then, anyone in New York, or anyone in his line of sight was his flock. Oh, I miss him, and I am glad to hear from him again. Requiescat in pace.
Grace Livingston Hill Collection: Collection No. 1 (1)
Published in Paperback by Barbour & Co (April, 1999)
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Isabella Alden, Christian?This seems to be a pathetic attempt at Anti-Mormon Literature, made worse as it is from a popular Christian writer who gave only one case and only one side of that case. To have re-printed it without an explaination of the true history of Polygamy is to hit the LDS Church again. Most reading this book will have never met a 'Mormon' and this will be all the exposure they get. Is that a Christian way of doing things. By the way, the LDS Church is the 5th largest religion in the USA and most of its members live outside of the USA. Very poor writing and re-printing. If you write anti-Mormon lit. at least be up front about it.
3 good books, 1 not-so-good bookI loved "Aunt Crete's Emancipation" and "A Daily Rate," both books containing mistreated aunts who still stayed "Christlike" throughout the story. "The Girl From Montana" is a similar plot to another Grace Livingston Hill book, "Ladybird," in that both books are about young girls who have lost their families in the mountains and go east to find relatives.
I agree 100% with the review created by another reader from Utah. I purchased this collection from Avon several months ago, and was very displeased with Isabella Alden's false information about Mormons - I received credit from Avon, but as they didn't want it back, I removed the slanderous Isabella Alden story and "blacked out" all references to it elsewhere on the cover. NOW it's a good book.
A delightfully clean collection of religious romanceThis book actually contains four different novels: 1-Aunt Crete's Emancipation covers to touching store of a young nephew who takes over the care of an elderly spinster aunt. The aunt unselfishly serves the whims of her sister and niece at the expense of her own happiness. The story is a wonderful example of how we should treat others how we would like to be treated. 2-A Daily Rate is the winsome story of a young girl who is trying to earn her way in the world. When she comes upon an unexpected inheritance she uses it to help guide the lives of those around her so that they might find some happiness. 3-The Girl From Montana seemed a little contrived but still entertaining. The girl in question comes from the rough and tumble of the West to the refinement of the East. There she learns that people have different perspectives on what is right and what is wrong. 4-Mara by Isabella Alden is the touching account of four friends and how their lives change after leaving college. One faces the death of her fiance and another faces the devastating lies of her beloved. The final part of this story details the reunion but under the sad circumstances of one of them who has been betrayed and tricked into marriage. Be aware that the last part of the book is racist in its views towards The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, often known as the Mormons for their belief in The Book of Mormon. The guy is a jerk and a slime but some of the religious references are not true and very slanderous in tone. The story started out so nicely and wound up like a vendetta against the mormon religion that was not based on fact. I would recommend that people find out the truth themselves from the Mormons.
Linux to Go (Practical Distilled Expert Advice... to Go Series)
Published in Paperback by Prentice Hall PTR (July, 1999)
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Poorly edited and missing important information.This book is just a rehash of existing Linux documentation and HOWTOs, but with more typos. It had a handful of new insights, but not enough to warrant buying this book. Instead, I highly recommend Matt Welsh's "Running Linux (3rd Edition)".
Some useful tips, but disappointing and too many typos.This book looked great in the bookstore. However, it is a strange book. It feels very rough, rushed. It assumes the reader knows some techy stuff about GCC and compiling kernels, but then assumes the reader doesn't know what 'ls' does! In many places, this book tries to cater to two audiences (newbie and advanced), but misses the mark. To be fair, I have found some useful new tips. Unfortunately, there are serious typos on seemingly every other page.
Lots of miscellaneous tipsI saw the book on the shelf and noticed it wasn't the same old "here's Linux and here's what it does" stuff. There's a wide range of material here, some rather elementary, some advanced, almost all suitable to everyone working with Linux. I learned quite a bit from the advanced stuff and a friend used the early chapters to help get going.
River Phoenix: Hero and Heartthrob
Published in Paperback by Bantam Books (September, 1988)
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Good pictures; poor writingI am a huge River Phoenix fan, and I think that he was one of the beautiful souls of our time. This book had some excellent pictures of both River and his family, but I thought that its content was pathetic. It was written by Grace Catalano, the woman that writes those mindless biographies about Hanson and the Backstreet Boys today. There were some good quotes from River (of course, he always seemed to have a good quote on the tip of his tongue), but aside from that, it's just a teenybopper POV bio, and anyone with an IQ of -41 can read it. It makes River seem so clean-cut and perfect, he doesn't seem human. And he was human. Unless you know nothing about River Phoenix and are desperate, I wouldn't recommend this book.
this book is allright but i have mixed fealingsabout itthis book is ok but it was published so early in rivers career I think it was just to satisfy teens.
<P> I LOVED IT! THOUGH IT WAS OLD AND OUT OF DATE INFO!I HAVE FOLLOWED RIVERS PAST FOR NEARLY A YEAR NOW AND EVEN THOUGH THE BOOK WAS OLD IT HAD AN EXCELLENT BIOGRAPHY OF HIS YOUNG LIFE IN SOUTH AMERICA, AS WELL AS PHOTOS OF HIM AND HIS FAMILY. I WOULD RECCOMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN RIVER, BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE REAL HIM, REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT HE TOOK DRUGS. BRIDGET
Twisted Web
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Pocket Books (01 April, 2003)
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Weak, very weakAt some point, no amount of technological posturing can save a novel; Tom Grace overreaches that point. The hero extricates himself from laughably dire situations, not by his own wits, but by the petty stupidity of his adversaries. This does not make for a satisfying read.
The pacing is obviously abetted by a good editor, as is the dialog, but, like a remake of "The Bad News Bears," even Scorcese could only do so much with bad raw materials.
I tend to alternate between non-fiction reading of some weight and light fiction in the thriller genre. On the light side, I'm generally not too picky. With this prententious drivel, however, I draw the line. Only if you think random, illogical aggregations of high-tech buzzwords are "cool" will you find this engaging.
strong thrillerKillkenny travels by air to the Lake Vostok research center in Antarctica. Scientists are elated over discovering new life in this isolated ecosystem more inclusive than any other found on the planet. Killkenny tests some new equipment so he sky dives, but seconds after leaving the plane, a surface to air missile destroys the transporter. Killkenny lands safely and manages to disrupt the terrorists who have taken control of the research station. Though he stops one air transport from leaving, the other escapes with the prize of what was found deep in Lake Vostok.
Killkenny informs the CIA even as he begins tracing ice ski planes and investigating a murder by a business associate in which the evidence, including DNA, proves he killed his partner and his ex wife. The CIA assigns reluctant CIA Agent Tao to come in from the cold and work with Killkenny. As the duo begins to follow the international money trail, they realize DNA and immortality is what the bottom line is all about as the murder and the stolen life forms tie together like the double helix.
TWISTED WEB is at its exhilarating best when it is a DNA espionage thriller. When the story line (near the end) turns into a macho action thriller (to include females), the plot remains exciting, but loses some of the edge that made the novel different. Still fans will receive immense pleasure from Tom Grace's adventure novel.
Harriet Klausner
Tom Grace Writes Another Page-Turner!I loved Tom Grace's first two Nolan Kilkenny adventures and Twisted Web shows this writer is really hitting his stride.
This time around, DNA is root of Kilkenny's problems - some of it new, and some older than mankind itself and worth billions. Like Grace's previous novels, Twisted Web races all over the world: from research stations in Antarctica, to pharmaceutical labs in New Jersey, to the French countryside.
Well developed characters, an intricate plot and pacing that keeps the pages flying from cover to cover made this book well worth the wait.
As a librarian, Tom Grace is an author I delight in recommending to all of our adventure/technology/suspense book lovers. They're already asking for his next book!
Twisted Web - a great book that would make a great movie.
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