Each prayer is wonderfully written and Paul Chilcote captures the essence of Wesley's teaching. Praying is not easy for me, and it has been a delight to incorporate the reading of a single prayer from this book both when I first awake and last thing before I sleep. Paul Chilicote manages to write as though his very words are my own thoughts and struggles and brings me to an attitude of reflection and thoughtfullness as I prepare to offer my personal prayers to our Lord. I expect this book will be read many times over.

In the 18th century John Wesley took church to the people. He preached at British coal fields as well as in urban centers. 53 of his sermons became known as the Standard Sermons and were used as teaching tools.

Paul Chilcote distilled the 18th century language of Wesley's sermons (which might take an hour or more if read aloud) into 53 lyrical prayers. Very accessible. Very real. Very much in tune with the language of today's heart. These are prayers to pray daily and weekly, prayers to let grow from the lips and travel to the mind and the heart, prayers to become a part of the soul. Chilcote's work updates Wesley and continues to speak to Wesley's concern for the spiritual formation of all people.

Dr. Westerholm's book is excellently written and easily understood. Anyone who has heard about the "New Perspective" on Paul but does not understand what it is all about should buy this book. Even those who have read Sanders, Longenecker or Dunn on the subject will not be dissappointed in the "Preface to the Study of Paul". There is something about Westerholm's ability to take profound concepts and express them simply that makes him an excellent author and teacher. This book is a must buy.

Westerholm's introduction to Pauline thought succeeds at providing the reader with both the importance for studying Paul and an overview of Paul's beliefs, which come from his "Jewish-Christian horizon" and his personal encounter with Christ. Paul's letter to the Romans is Westerholm's primary reference for delving into Paul's mind. The author begins the "preface" with Paul's view of his calling to show that Paul must be interpreted in his own horizon. Westerholm continues by explaining Old Testament ideas that Paul assumes and uses in Romans i.e. righteousness, sin, moral law, atonement, faith, and the will. Many illustrations that the modern/postmodern person will identify with are used to show the relevance of these ideas. As the book progresses the author seems to believe that he has proved Paul's relevance because the illustrations disappear and Paul's own use of the Old Testament ideas is greatly emphasized. Westerholm's style is so effective that by the end of the book he has taken the reader from ignorance about Paul to the very heart of difficult issues in Pauline theology such as Paul's view of the law, election, and ethics, which he presents with a neo-Lutheran slant. This introduction to Pauline thought is a remarkable achievement that can benefit anyone from the novice to the scholar.

This is one of the most moving books I have ever read. It is the autobiography of Paul Moore, a man born with a silver spoon in his mouth amongst the "horsey set" of northern New Jersey. He went on to become a war hero in the Pacific theater during World War II but, shortly thereafter, found the planned course of his life arrested by an overwhelming urge to devote himself to the work of the Episcopal Church, in which he eventually rose to the lofty position of Bishop of New York. By far the most valuable and edifying portion of this narrative is the section dealing with Moore's days as a young priest in his first parish, Grace Church Van Voorst, in the ghetto of Jersey City. He and another young man assumed the co-pastorate of this church as seminary students, and decided to adopt the radical experiment (for the late '40's) of emphasizing social action in a neighborhood of crying needs. It took several years and much heartache to transform the church from a congregation of fourteen elderly ladies to one of three hundred lively neighborhood residents, and the story of the daily-changing demands of ministry to the homeless, gang members, and drug users would inspire anyone of good will to want to roll up his sleeves, plunge in, and get to work. Something of the challenge of the work and its contrasts is highlighted when Moore speaks of an evening spent at the ballet in New York City, where he was "caught up and swept away in a world of delicate form and beauty." He continues, "All the way back on the Hudson tubes, I lived on in that other world, until I walked up the steps of the rectory and found a dirty, ragged man covered with vomit, lying unconscious on the floor of the porch. I stepped over him, closing my eyes and my nose to his presence. It was too much. Oh, I knew he was more important than the fantasy world I'd come from. I knew Christ dwelt in him, that indeed he was Christ to me. And yet I could not face him, the stench of his vomit, nor my own priesthood, which bound me to him." Social action remained the hallmark of Moore's ministry as he rose in the councils of the Church to the pulpit of the cathedral in Indianapolis, and then to the offices of Assistant Bishop of Washington and Bishop of New York. In New York Moore had two Assistant Bishops under him, and thus was provided with more time for his political activities during the turbulent years of the 1960's and '70's when he became a leader in the Civil Rights and antiwar movements. His life was not without pathos and tragedy as his wife sank into a deep depression and eventually succumbed to cancer and his nine children forsook the Church for the liberated lifestyle of the drug culture. Of course the real tragedy in all of this is to see a life lived for service to man and to the Church but without much of a true spiritual dimension and bereft of the power of the Spirit in a real gospel message. Those who sat under Moore's ministry were exposed to such teachings as, "I believed that all human beings were created good, in the image of God, but often turned violent and cruel....Distortions of human beings, whom we believed were created good in the image of God occurred...through disease and conscious individual sin." Such subjective, relativistic views led to this analysis of the sexual revolution: "If it is loving and does not hurt anyone, and if it is not breaking marriage vows, I do not think sex outside of marriage is sinful per se. The New Testament teaches otherwise, but the Bible came out of a very different culture, where sex was tied up with property rights, where birth control was not reliable, and where women were treated as inferior beings." On one hand, it is refreshing to read the memoir of someone who came out of those radical decades with a sincere desire to change the world for what he believed to be the better. Yet, as the saying about atomic power has it, "If only it could be harnessed for useful purposes!"

I found the book by Bishop Moore to be a story told with beauty, love and power, of a life spent serving others, and making an indelible mark on everyone he has touched, including friends, associates, family, critics, and his Church in many places throughout the world, including his own back yard. As an Episcopalian, I have a greater understanding of the Church, and the challenges and opportunities which are available to serve others. The author's experiences are many, and his journey is told with honesty, compassion and strength. Reading "Presences" is a great way to begin the new year and is a book I strongly recommend. Tom.

It was so good that when I received it, I could not put it down till the end. That night I went to bed at 4:33AM. Mr.Robert Walker, 2 thumbs up to a well documented piece of art. Again THANK YOU for this biography.

He palyed for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the youngest in his family, just like me. His dad made alot of money compared to the others that lived around them. Roberto rode his bike to another town to try out for a softball team. It was only a couple of miles from his home. His school was trying to teach him to speak English, and he didn't do very good, but he tried.

Paul had to do a lot of research to put this delightful story together and she has done a superb job of portraying historic opera stars in a fictional situation. Geraldine Ferrar is the heroine; Enrico Caruso and Arturo Toscanino share the action with fictional characters in this romp through murder at the Metropolitan Opera.

Phillippe Duchon is an annoying, egotistical personality and everyone at the Met has just about had all they can take of him. Suddenly someone replaces his throat spray with ammonia. His vocal chords and his life are finished.

"Rico" Caruso is hard on the trail of the killer but Police Lt. O'Halloran of the NYPD threatens to lock him up if he doesn't quit meddling. Geraldine Ferrar takes over for Rico and the fearless and gorgeous diva throws caution to the wind to find the killer.

This is lightweight entertainment, sheer delight with every turn of the page. Prepare to laugh out loud -- you'll dread finishing it.

This mystery is a follow on to the Cadenza for Caruso mystery. Caruso has been forbidden to interfere in a murder investigation by the police, so he convinces Geraldine Farrar, a soprano at the Met opera, to investigate for him. Narrated in the first person by Geraldine, the novel provides amusing portraits of many famous Met singers and the life they led in WWI New York City. Ms. Paul's portrait of Geraldine is apparently fairly close to the real thing -- a passionate, intelligent, witty, talented, and beautiful woman. Though not a big fan of opera (but a big fan of NYC), I enjoyed this humorous mystery tremendously. I liked it so much, that if I were not an honest woman, I'd have told the public library I lost the book and paid the fine. Hello, publishers! This is one of many vintage mystery novels that deserve to be back in print so a new generation can enjoy them!

True to its fairy-tale title this book takes as its subject matter the most unreal place that has ever existed: Hollywood, California. The tale spans an era during which the dream that was Hollywood wielded its greatest power, the years between the start of World War Two and the early 1960s, when the whole world was star-struck, and the names of screen legends like Bette Davis, Ginger Rogers, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman and of course Marilyn Monroe figured as prominently in most people's thoughts as the names of their own family members. What the book really examines, with wit, savage humour and an irony that ultimately shades into true tragedy, is the notion of "star quality": what is it, where does it come from, what are its components, can you fake it? The book's answer is that in Hollywood you can fake anything, including that. These are people who earn their living by pretending to be somebody else, they do it in front of the cameras and if they want to get anywhere professionally they had better learn to do it when the camera's aren't there as well. Nobody wants reality. Reality doesn't sell.

The two central female characters are actresses, one a "bubbling, cottonheaded southern belle", a "personality actress with no personality"; the other a sophisticated, successful and highly talented diva just a couple of notches below the top of her profession, with a vulnerability that has become her on-screen trademark. The heart of the plot is the relationship that develops between them, and the notion that it might be possible for one woman to don the personality of another and carry it further than she was able to take it herself.

In form the book is a great panoramic overview of Hollywood spanning these years, with many digressions and reflective pauses. It is a work of substance to be savoured for the sheer elegance and wit of the writing as well as the thought and insight it provides into this crazy and fascinating world. Rosner, one feels, wants to create monsters but cannot: even his minor characters when they are behaving at their most petty, truculent and egocentric, soar above stereotype and take hold of our sympathies. Little wonder that this has been hailed as the best novel about Hollywood that has ever been written.

I first read Paul Rosner's showbiz novel, "The Princess and the Goblin" when I first completed college and a friend gave me a copy of the book. I was enchanted to find a story about celebrity and its effect on talent, identity, and relationships that rang completely true. I am delighted that the novel is once again available to current readers. I had as much fun reading it today as I did when I first read it.

The novel spans the lives of its main characters (actors, stars, writers, directors, has-beens, and would-be's) from the late 1930's to the early 1960's. Although younger readers may not identify some references to real-life characters and places in New York and Hollywood, I think they will responde to the book's wit and psychological perception. It is a great read! I also believe the book stands along other great novels about fame, e.g., "The Day of the Locust" and "What Makes Sammy Run?"

Having been a practitioner and trainer in the field of Stress management (even helped develop questions for the Stress Management Certification Exam) it has been my responsibility to learn lots of different models and techniques for helping people understand and manage stress.

This book presents the most important, most effective and powerful models and techniques, many written by their original developers. It is a valuable, unique resource, primarily for professionals and practitioners. It provides both theoretical and practical technique information. But it is probably not the best book for the average layman wanting to deal with stress more effectively. Laymen (and professionals) should consider the Relaxation and Stress Workbook, in that case. But professionals will want the Lehrer Woolfolk, compilation because of the detailed theoretical grounding provided for the techniques, which include Autogenic training, Clinically Standardized meditation, Progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback. And many more.

I can't emphasize enough that these are not just chapters written by anyone. This is the "Woodstock" of stress theory and practice books, with chapters by the "stars" of the field.

This is an excellent book about stress managment. The autors give a cler idea about the use of many stress managment techniques, including progressive muscular relaxation, autogenic training, meditation, yoga based therapy, cognitive approaches to stress, exercise and others. All the articles have a lot of referencces to reserach results with the techniques, wich show us the scientificity of the methods. It also includes some chapters with the comparation of the research results with many techniques and their applicability to clinical problems. I would recomend this book to all psychologist interested in the field.

This book is a terrific resource for new bankers, or even experienced bankers who want to understand more about the teller and payment functions.

This is the text used by the American Bankers Assn. (ABA) to teach beginning bank personnel how banking works. My company, a large banking software company, also uses it to train new employees.

Only the 1st chapter is a sales pitch. The rest is easy to read, comprehensive presentations of teller functions, payments, credit, reporting, business banking, marketing, history and current trends.

If you could only own one book on the subject of taiji, this should be the one. This is not another how to book on forms and techniques, but instead, it is a book on the underlining principles that make taiji work. This book will answer the question "why" with clairity. If you want to deepen your understanding of taiji, or just get an idea of what taiji is all about, then read this book.

As per the summary - very enjoyable and well thought out on the basics of Tai Chi.

It has whetted my appetite and now I am persuing regular classes in Tai Chi. Thank you Mr Brecher

This is the sixth of her Bride series and while all are simply wonderful, I think this may be my favorite.

The Mistress Glenys Seymour is far from being your typical gorgeous heroine and yet Kiernan FitzAllen is your untypical drop dead gorgeous hero with just enough rogue in him to make him to die for. This is why Glenys does not fall for his charms, even though he the abductor and she the abductee seem to get along so well! Glenys just does not accept that he, who could have any number of beautiful damsels, could care for her.

The secondary characters - Glenys' extended family of aunts and uncles who dabble in what could be called - a little bit of magic - lend just enough humor to give you a good chuckle here and there.

This was a wonderful romantic story and although the sixth in the series, I can see so much more happening with the descendants of these two. Great reading. I highly recommend this book.

Lady Glenys Spencer works hard at keeping her eccentric but harmless relatives safe, especially those who would enjoy a witch hunt. When the family resides in Wales, no one gives them a second thought, but the six months every year in London can be dangerous. Though she prefers her extended family remain at home when Glenys goes to London to manage the vast family finances, they all insist on accompanying her.

On this trip to the bank, her relatives provide her with strange items that include a warmer cloak than she planned on wearing and several magical items to protect her on her quest. Though thinking they are kind, benign, but a bit out of their minds, she appeases the brood by accepting everything. However, Glenys will soon be thanking her family as Kiernan Fitzallen kidnaps her. Kiernan does the crime when he learns the identity of Glenys' brother, a powerful knight. He escorts Glenys to his employer, Sir Anton Legasse, who plans to marry THE PRISONER BRIDE. However, neither Kiernan nor Anton counted on love blossoming between the abductor and the abductee.

THE PRISONER BRIDE is a magical fifteenth century romance that historical romance readers will find quite charming. The story line is exciting as the lead couple battles one another even as they fall in love with each other. The secondary cast adds villainy or amusingly loving eccentricity that provides a uniqueness to Susan Spencer Paul's sixth and final "Bride" tale. On a positive note for the audience is that descendants of some of the ensemble will star in a future Regency-based series.

Harriet Klausner