When Virginia Woolf wrote Roger Fry's biography in 1940, she singled out his monograph on Cézanne as his most successful book, saying that it stood out "like Mont St.Victoire" from his other work. In this case at least, it's hard to disagree with Woolf's judgment. Despite the fact that it was published in 1927, before the artist's work had even been systematically catalogued, 'Cézanne : A Study of His Development' still has a remarkable freshness to its prose, and Fry succeeds in giving the viewer a sense of the excitement he himself felt while looking at the artist's works. ('Critical distance' is an obvious problem for Fry: he had been publicly identified with the artist since including his canvases in the notorious Post-Impressionist exhibitions of 1910-11 and 1912-13.)

Part of the pleasure of reading Fry's book is the way he describes Cézanne's development as if--to borrow another of Woolf's phrases--it were a "double story." In order to explain the radical difference between Cézanne's early works and his mature ones (respectively, before and after his turn to Impressionism), Fry imagines a psychologically troubled artist, who can only find peace by looking outside of himself: that is, away from invented imagery and towards nature. This split, for Fry, corresponds with the difference between the 'Romantic' and the 'Classic' sides of Cézanne's personality; but the schism is never absolute, and even in the artist's maturity, there is always the possibility that the repressed 'Romantic' will return. This, indeed, is how Fry explains Cézanne's continued interest in painting pictures of Bathers and other quasi-erotic subjects.

Such a blend of art criticism and novelistic story-telling makes for a fascinating and provocative read. Certainly that is how D.H. Lawrence seems to have found the book, and his 'An Introduction to These Paintings' is an attempt to wrest Cézanne from the grips of Fry's compelling account.

My mother recommended it to me. Read it while I was in college. Quaint, stereotypical, fairly predictable. But the chain is so symbolic, the message so powerful, it remains with me and guides me still today. I found the copy now in my library in a basement level second hand shop, run by the volunteers, in the hospital where I worked in my first "real" job after earning my degree. Couldn't have been more appropriate. I am neither philosophical or religious. This book is both. Maybe it filled a void.

"Change Across Culture" (CAC) is a masterful exposition of the innate intricacies in transforming cultures using redemption as the "valid basis for cross-cultural ethics." Bradshaw rejects functionalism upfront insisting that for "innovations" to be implemented within culture in a "sustainable way" they must be integrated into the "cultural narratives" of the community.

Bradshaw eloquently defines narratives as the "stories that govern our lives." They (the narratives) "are templates through which we interpret reality and the means through which we seek continuity in our lives." The Christian narrative, says Bradshaw, is centered "on Christ and his redemptive relationship with creation." He further argues that the Bible, rather than being a narrative, is in reality a meta-narrative because instead of making "all cultures look alike" reconciliation in fact is an "effort to offer all people in all cultures values that will empower them to enhance their lives." This is done, says Bradshaw, through the transformation of the "values that shape their cultural narratives."

Bradshaw argues that redemption is "God¡¦s reconciling work in creation" and can be used as a basis for ethics because it is "universally valid and culturally specific." "The validity of redemption," says Bradshaw, "is that it is a unifying theory bearing witness to God as the agent of causation because it bears the meaning of it¡¦s agent."

Using redemption as an ethical basis for cultural change, Bradshaw moves on to tackle some difficult and significant problems facing the world today. He maintains that before cultures can be managed, the "worldviews that are buried within" them "need to be excavated." By "excavating" the worldviews of modern Christianity he concludes that "Gnostic creation stories" have had more influence than the "Biblical creation stories" in shaping contemporary Christian worldviews. He convincingly shows how this "Gnostic legacy" is the root of the "ecological crises in Christianity" today.

In later chapters the author shows how redemption can liberate people from serving their cultures and how positive transformation enables them to become masters of, rather than slaves to, their culture. Bradshaw asserts that "theological doctrine" alone is not able to create sustainable change. "Encounters with people of other faiths," says Bradshaw, "do not begin with discussions of doctrine. Instead they begin when people express their faith through their efforts to cope with the struggles of daily life." He concludes that "lasting change only occurs when people are empowered through the redemptive work of God through Christ to transform the elements within their culture that disempower them."

Bradshaw shows how the powers that be are redeemed when the "Church challenges their authority by exercising their moral agency and empower people to transform the narratives of their cultures to embody the redemptive work of Christ in creation." He argues that this type of transformation can only be achieved through subordination to the authorities and accepting the consequences of exercising their moral agency. Christians and the Church cannot compromise and must be the moral voice that challenges society and governments to act in an ethical manner. Bradshaw shows how redemption has the ability to empower women and to liberate them from cultures that oppress and abuse them. He argues that early Christianity did not discriminate against women but rather enabled them to be leaders in the early Church.

In a later chapter Bradshaw tackles economic exploitation and acknowledges that "people who have any hope of achieving economic viability in the modern global economy can no longer assume that nature is the source of their wealth." He argues that Small Enterprise Development (SED) is the way to tackle exploitation and that "Christians establish SED programs on the assumption that the redemptive work of God is embodied in the mundane structures of society." Bradshaw affirms that SEDs can be redemptive and can contribute to the well being of the whole community.

CAC is a book that addresses a broad range of problems but retains the centrality of Christ and never loses focus on God as the agent of redemption. Throughout this volume the central role of Christ in the transformation of demeaning and oppressive cultural values is never lost.

CAC is a stunning achievement written by a man of experience. It is not a theoretical treatise, but an intelligent, practical aid to understanding how to achieve sustainable transformation of cultural ethics that disempower, degrade, deceive, control, and exploit millions of people today. Bradshaw writes with compassion that is rooted in reality. He has been an eyewitness to some of the most devastating human tragedies of our era. By using specific examples of real people he returns humanity to those who have been downtrodden and abused by the cultures in which they live. His understanding and desire to help change those things that de-humanize humans is a lesson to us all, and should be heeded. Whether we like it or not, we all live within narratives that govern our lives. The only question is will we have the courage to change those values within our own narratives that de-humanize others and make us slaves. Will we, as individuals, allow the redemptive work of God to redeem not only ourselves but also those values that destroy us, our friends, and even our enemies?

Ms. Howe takes you through the sacrifice, rigors, humility and discipline of what it takes to become a professed nun. She shares her deep devotion and duty to God as a member of the 'religious', a Roman Catholic nun. But she senses something is missing from her life spiritually. So she seeks the truth that shatters her beliefs that have been a part of her for so many years.

Changing Literacies is composed of three parts: (1) critical literacy and cultural perspectives; (2) literacy and social justice; and (3) literacy, new technologies and old patterns. Within these three parts, the book explores inter and trans-penetrations of the pedagogical and the popular. Locating "critical" as "an essentially contested concept" (p. 42), Colin Lankshear presents an impressive work on post-critical perspectives. Post-critical because the book moves beyond an analysis of the ways in which human possibility has been impeded by educational theory and practice. The book provides a deep analysis about the ways in which capitalism swallows any attempt of democracy and social emancipation and how this process is connected to the new "work" order. At the same time, the book offers new horizons of critical perspectives in which language, technologies, and re-conceptualizations of social constructions move us beyond the realm of realities. Colin Lankshear and co-authors James Paul Gee and Michele Knobel deserve, without hesitation, outstanding recognition for this book.

This wonderful volume provides a holistic collection of Einhard's writing with a detailed and indepth introduction. Dutton provides a solid historical background for Einhard and the society he lived in. Einhard's works offer a wonderful view of life in the middle ages. His biography of Charlemagne is stylized, yet demonstrates the concerns of state, the expectation of an emperor's subjects, and the role of the courtier in Carolingian Gaul. Einhard second major work, a treatise on the holy martyrs, brings the faith and practice of medieval Christianity to life. All of the works are tied together by Einhard's touching letters. These letters bring the man's character to life. They demonstrate not only the responsibilities of a courtier, land owner, and abbot, but also his love for his family, his faith and the religious crisis he experienced when the two clashed. Every student of medieval history will benifit from reading this book.

A very useful compilation of most of Darwin's notebooks. Essential for any serious Darwin student. Expensive but good value. Entertaining in parts! Best read in small instalments.

An excellent, digestible description and history of the Chautauqua Institution. This book is filled with wonderful photos -- both current and archival -- and a succinct text describing the 126-year history of this remarkable cultural, recreational, educational and religious center. If you've experienced Chautauqua, it's a wonderful description of the ups and downs and ultimate success of this education-vacation community. If you've never been to this Western New York State landmark, read this book and start packing your bags.

In The Check Book, authors Nicholaus and Lowrie, have produced an upbeat, entertaining collection of original inspirational suggestions for making the most of each day. The book will appeal to every reader who loves a quick, positive jumpstart to begin the day or a reflective respite in the midst of a busy one. The Check Book is an over-the-counter prescription for putting a smile back on your face and restoring your sense of wonder in the world around you.

Paul Green's study of checks and their place in today's market proves that the more things change,(e-funds,debit/smart cards,ACH payments), the more things stay the same. Paul's research and gathering of statistics is presented in a style that is both engaging and purposeful. The charts and graphics used are easy to read and supportive of the conclusions drawn by the author. This book is an exception in comparison to most research materials and should be considered a "must read" for anybody in the payment industry field.