Margaret Clarkson's book, Grace Grows Best in Winter, is one of the finest I have ever read on the subject of personal anguish and suffering. Christian author and speaker Joni Erickson Tada was greatly helped by this book when she first became a quadriplegic, and she writes a brief introduction. The author states her goal: "to lead sufferers to discover and to embrace the character of God that they will be enabled to live triumphantly within the hedge of suffering wherein He has placed them, which in His inscrutible soverenty He has not yet seen fit to release them..." and I believe this is precisely what she does. I think any reader will be greatly affected by her work, either introduced to or reminded of the greatness and nearness of Christ to him or her in times of loneliness and personal toture - whatever the experience may be.
Clarkson is a hymn-writer as well as literary author, and her sense of the aesthetic is evident in her own words but also in the quotes throughout the book. She pulls from Christians throughout the ages: Juliana of Norwich, John Bunyan, Samuel Rutherford, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Christiana Rosetti, Amy Carmichal, The Nicene Creed, The Westminster Shorter Catechism, Thomas a Kempis, Horatius Bonar, Fanny Crosby and more. The quotes alone are worth the entire book - but one of the best features are her very short chapters. They are pithy and intense but also encouraging - and for one who is suffering and without the mental energy or physical stamina to focus for very long, these chapters are perfectly suited. They are not too short, though, for others who have the time and the privilege to delve deeply into what she is saying. My copy is used and was loaned to me by a friend who has read and reread this book with various-colored highlighters over the years. The corners are dog-eared and there are some tear-stains, some of which are mine more recently added. But again, I would recommend this book to anyone, particularly those who are hurting and hungering to know God's hand and presence in the present experience.
Clarkson writes from a Presbyterian perspective, but I think anyone - whether he or she is of any demonination or religious background, or even without a religious background or articulated faith - will benefit from this book. Even if it only raises more questions about God, they will be questions that every living soul is challenged to ask when one crashes into the cold and frightening world of personal suffering - be it suffering of your own or the suffering of a loved one whom you are caring for.
Don't pass up this opportunity to hear from Clarkson. She will be a helpful guide on the long and often tumultuous path to healing. Her wisdom far surpasses many in the present age of TV talk-show sound bites with self-help tips that have to be interrupted by commercials. Even if you are not a Christian and struggle with or don't agree with what she says, you will appreciate the time and effort she has put into this work. A must read for all who counsel those who are suffering.

Not only gorgeous to look at, but a definitive work on this artist. Includes fine color reproductions, not only of her work as an abstract expressionist in the 1950's, but work of the next 35 years. We see the early works that brought her fame and those that followed. Hartigan's favorite statement made, originally by Marilyn Monroe, "Fame may go by - and so long, I've had you." becomes the chapter title "Fame May Go By: the 1960s."

The early work evolved into less popular paintings, heavy with symbolism. The reader is led through the years. We see her working process. Constantly painting, she didn't hesitate to use an historical painting as a point of departure. Her paintings, and their sources are shown side-by-side, whether the source be a classic by Caravaggio or a photo Hartigan had a photographer take of a group in bizarre costumes as for a wedding.

Illustrations (mostly color, some black and white) show the evolution of the painter as she left fame behind, but continued as an artist who answered only to herself, refusing to bow to popular demands.

It's always interesting, in looking at the work of an acknowledged artist, to learn about the life, too. We're party to her wild younger years and love affairs - including name artists - and to her final enduring marriage, a great love that brought happiness, contentment, ending only with her husband's death after a very long illness.

For an artist this book is a source of encouragement, for an art lover it is a work of art in itself.

This book chronicles John Leax's attempts to reconcile his identity, vocation, and faith. It is a fascinating success. While it is surely priceless for aspiring Christian writers, it is wonderful for anyone interested in art and religion.

Collection 5 contains four stories. I consider this the best of the Collections I have read so far, and I've read most of them.

The Enchanted Barn by GHL is a story of an oldest daughter, Shirley Hollister, who finds herself supporting her ill mother and younger brothers and sisters after her father's death. She works as a poorly paid stenographer, and learns that they must vacate their tiny dark house in the city. She uses her last dime to ride a trolley into the country to find a home, and discovers a beautiful old stone barn in an idyllic setting, with a stream, fresh air, trees, and sunshine. The handsome young wealthy owner, Sidney Graham, agrees to rent it to her -- and then proceeds with some modifications. When the family moves to the country, the mother starts to recover and the children grow stronger. Young Shirley is asked to the city to work with some important governmental papers, and is kidnapped by evil men. Sidney Graham sets out to find her -- and you will have to read the story yourself to learn the ending. The story is pure fun, especially the part about fixing up the barn, and one of the best GHL has written.

The Love Gift by GHL is a story of young milliner living in a cheap boardinghouse, who can make beautiful hats. And of a poor young minister who goes in search of a respectable hat for his older mother. The two become friends after the beautiful poor young milliner sells him a beautiful hat for a very low price, and the minister shows her about Jesus. Do they fall in love? Read the story yourself to find out.

Miranda, by GHL is part of a sequence of stories that began with the book "Marcia Schuyler." It takes the story of Miranda Griscom and her own secret love, young Allan Whitney. Years ago, Allan had been wrongly accused of a crime and had fled out west, with only Miranda believing firmly in his innocence, and helping him to flee. When he returns to town years later after cleared of wrong-doing, will he remember his long-time faithful friend?

Agatha's Unknown Way is a story by Isabella Alden. Young Agatha Hunter grew up in India, and returns to the states to stay with her Aunt & Uncle for health reasons. While in the states, she attends a city missionary meeting, hoping to be inspired and encouraged and to be able to encourage her parents who are still in India. When she discovers only apathy, she is pushed beyond her usual shyness to help change things. A chance encounter and a mistaken identity change not only her life, but the lives of those around her.

Collection #6 includes three stories by Grace Livingston Hill: The Best Man, The Big Blue Soldier, and the Witness. There is also included one story written by Grace's aunt, Isabella Alden: As in a Mirror.

The Best Man was all right. The plot twists strangely and unbelievably, and amazingly ends well. Not Grace's best work, but not too awfully bad.

The Big Blue Soldier is some better, dealing with the sad plight of a soldier returning from the war. He receives aid from our young heroine Mary Amber (reluctantly) and her Aunt Marilla. This story is quite short; only 7 chapters. It makes you think about guys who have to come home after a war only to fight new, small personal wars with their failing health or their relationships with loved ones and strangers.

The real jewel in this book is The Witness. I found it a moving, though fictional, account of a Christian man's testimony of faith through his life and family, and then his shocking death. His testimony affects the life of at least one of his former torturers. If you haven't read this story yet, you must get this collection for this story alone!

The last story, As in a Mirror, is sort of a Prince and the Pauper remake. A rich society man decides to test whether society is so far advanced as he thinks regarding the issue of homelessness. So he dresses like a tramp and sets out on foot to see if there are any kind people in the world. After months of travelling on foot, without money, he finds employment, eventually, with a family on their farm, his questions are answered, and he finds a way to reveal his true identity. This is a pretty good story, but not as good as The Witness!

Keep in mind that Grace wrote her stories in the first part of the 20th century. Her stories are old-fashioned, but her characters show the timeless quality of living their faith in Jesus Christ.

This is an important book, which should be of interest not only to those interested in the socio-economic and political advancement of Canadian women after WWII, but also in the history of Canadian democratic socialism and Canada's twentieth century politics in general. Thoroughly researched and well argued, but lacking an index, this biography tells the story of Grace MacInnis, Canadian federal Member of Parliament (MP) from 1965 to 1972, and the sole federal woman MP in 1968-1972 (who had previously been elected to the Legislature of British Columbia). Though she didn't call herself a feminist, MacInnis was a spokeswoman for an improved status of Canadian women. She was the daughter of J.S. Woodsworth, the founder of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which was transformed in 1961 into the New Democratic Party (NDP), and wife of Angus MacInnis, a prominent CCF MP. "If she had lacked ability their names would not have been enough to raise her up, but the connection gave her the initial boost enabling to bring her talents and capabilities into view. Grace didn't understand that her success was due to an accident of birth and to the fact that she got her husband's old riding... She deserved to get elected but that was not why she got elected."

This is a very sweet book of reflections on everyday life
and on finding Christ in all things. There are questions
to ponder following each chapter, making it an ideal
choice for church study groups and/or personal
lectio divina/spiritual reflection. Well written,
subtle, and graceful. And very inexpensive (another
plus for church study groups)!

Nothing compares to hearing Grace Paley read these stories herself. You will care about these characters, you'll understand them and what motivates them and you will think you know them from somewhere. Deeply moving, and not to be missed.

Gary Miranda's book "Grace Period" is one of the finest, most beautiful collections I have read. Mr. Miranda has a talent that few poets have--he can take words, and place them next to each other such that they make the space between thought and expression somehow implicit in the language. It is a true shame that this work is out-of-print. It includes some of the most wonderfully crafted pieces of poetry I've ever encountered--"Hungers" and especially the book-opening "Visibilities" stand out. "The World That Is Offered," a long poem of reflection and advice directed to his son, Nicolas (one of my good friends) is among the most gripping and graceful extended poems I've read. This is a beautiful book.