C.S. Lewis believed that letters should be about a person's readings, thinkings, and doings, and this nearly half century of correspondence between Lewis and his friend Arthur Greeves richly fulfils all three of these areas. Only a few letters are by Greeves, the rest being Lewis's correspondence to him. Walter Hooper has done a fine job in ordering these letters and writing a fine introduction to fill in the background for these two. The letters are often funny, sometimes pensive, and usually insightful, but they are never dull. I enjoyed them greatly.

As a Liberian, author Kulah has experience all of the devastation of the seven years of internal war and strife that afflicted his country. He knows first hand capture and threats to him personally. He is one who suffered the loss of many of his friends. There is a reality and accuracy about his writing that gives a good history and background to Liberia. Some of this reality I have also experienced first hand by traveling to Liberia. Midst the devastation of his people, this United Methodist bishop is able to make a profound statement of hope. A must read for anyone who seeks further insight into this troubled land.

This book is a list of about 3000 recommended math books, mostly at the undergraduate or early graduate level. The list is divided up into 26 major categories (such as "Calculus and Precalculus") and subcategories (for the Calculus category, the subcategories are School Mathematics, Precalculus, Elementary Calculus, Advanced Calculus, and Supplementary resources). One of the benefits of this books is simply the classification scheme, which gives the reader a good idea of the different topics on which large numbers of books have been published. The major categories are not limited to topics in which there are traditional math courses. For example, some of the categories are "Recreational Mathematics", "Education", "Applications to Life Sciences", etc. The contents of the lists were decided by a committee of active and knowledgeable mathematicians. Books which are considered "essential" are given one, two, or three stars based on their importance for inclusion in an undergraduate library. It should be noted that the list was not intended to be recommendations for textbooks. The books were chosen primarily for their content, not for how easy they are to learn from, or how appropriate the exercises were. But if you're looking for a college-level math book on almost any subject within mathematics, this book is the place to start.

Once again Pink doesn't dissappoint. In this easy to read volume, Pink looks at the events and happenings of the life of Elijah. He analyses these events, drawing attention to easily overlooked details and historical context. Pink then makes very clear application to the life of the Believer. In doing this, the reader is both challenged and stirred. Pink's ability to exergete a passage in this way is a lesson in itself. He relates the Scriptures in the manner in which I'm sure God intended them when they were written. If you love the Word of God, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

The Life of Faith consists of a series of articles mostly taken from various published books by A.W.Pink. The last two chapters were taken from 'The Studies in the Scriptures from which most of the authors books were compiled and published after his death in 1952. In the publihers introduction they assert that the best of Pink's writings are those in which he deals with practical aspects of the Christian life. This book falls in that category. There is much here to help the Christian in his daily walk with God. Mr.Pinks definition of 'progressive santication' on p.62 is outstanding,"If by progressive sanctification be meant a clearer understanding and fuller apprehension of what God has made Christ to be unto the believer and of his perfect standing and state in him;if by it be meant the believer living more and more in the enjoyment and power of that,with the corresponding influenceand effect it will have upon his character and conduct;if by it be meant a growth of faith and an increase of its fruits,manifested in a holy walk;then we have no objection to the term." The last chapter of the book 'Grace Preparing for Glory' has not been published previously in any of Pink's books. It deals with how the believer ought to be living in the light of Christ's second coming. On p.152 Mr. Pink instructs the reader as to what is produced in the life of one who has been a recipient of the grace of God; "Divine grace teaches its favoured recipients subjectively as well as objectively, effectually as well as theoretically. Grace in the heart prevents us from abusing grace in the head: it delivers us from making grace the lackey of sin. Where the grace of God brings salvation to the soul, it works effectually. And what is it that grace teaches? Practical holiness. Grace does not eradicate ungodliness and worldly lusts,but it causes us to deny them." I believe this book if read and taken to heart will under God's blessing promote Biblical holiness in the heart and life of the Christian reader.

The reader will find in this book an excellent overview of the biophysical and metabolic processes that occur in plants, and, refreshingly, the author seems very much involved in his writing. He is clearly fascinated by the biology of plants, and this enthusiasm comes out in the book. The reader is exposed to a lot in this book, and takes away an appreciation of just what plants are capable of from a physical and biochemical standpoint. In addition, the author does not hesitate to interject discussions of the genetic engineering of plants in the book, making its reading even more interesting. It is written for the "popular audience", but anyone with an interest in plants, students or amateur horticulturists, should enjoy the book.

Some of the more interesting discussions in the book include: 1. The rising of the carbon dioxide content of the Earth's atmosphere, particularly since the beginning of the industrial revolution, and the need therefore to retain as much as possible the forests on the planet. 2. The 2/5 phyllotaxic leaf arrangement of the tobacco plant, the goal of which is to optimize the amount of light falling on the leaves. The author throughout the book emphasizes the clever evolutionary strategies of plants. 3. The Priestley experiment showing the opposite effects of animals and plants on enclosed atmospheres. 4. The use of electron-spin-resonance spectroscopy to decipher the sequence of events in photosynthesis. 5. The efficiency of photosynthesis in the creation of a molecule of oxygen: eight photons to release one oxygen molecule, a doubling of the number needed from the theoretical value. 6. The ability of chloroplasts to change their orientation to obtain maximum exposure to light. 7. The overwintering strategies of plants. 8. The ability of the cocklebur to flower if the photoperiod is less than 15.5 hours per day, but not if it exceeds that value by more than a few minutes. 9. The absorption spectra of phytochrome. 10. The measurement of the circadian rhythms. 11. The use of transgenic plants to study the control mechanisms of phytochrome. 12. Growth hormones in plants, particularly the discussion of gibberellins. 13. The phototropism of plants. 14. The mechanism by which plants form chemical toxins in response to injury. 15. The production of ethylene after damage to the plant, activating cell division. 16. The reaction of plants to excessive salinity of the soil. This discussion is very important in the context of recent attempts to develop salt-resistant tomatoes. 17. The ability of a single protoplast to produce an entire plant. 18. Recombinant DNA technology and the production of transgenic plants. This discussion is by far the most fascinating in the book. The recent developments in the genetic engineering of plants has to rank as the most interesting in all of scientific endeavor. 19. The ethical considerations involved in modern biotechnology.

In the last sentence of the book the author states that "Plant science has matured, and the age of innocence is over". Indeed his words are a modest reflection of the importance of botany in the world today. Botanists, through the use of genetic engineering, have made incredible discoveries in the last two decades, and will no doubt make many more in years to come, especially in the agricultural sector. But horticulturists, professional and otherwise, also have many things to look forward to in botanical research. As a lover of plants and as an owner of hundreds in my home, I look forward to the new varieties of plants that will be developed in the future using the techniques of genetic engineering.....

"There is a solid moral and practical basis for the laws against assisted suicide that now exist," argues the author. This brief volume (110 pages) seeks to make that case.

In this book, Dyck, a Population Ethics professor at Harvard university, examines the various legal and philosophical arguments thrown up in favor of physician-assisted suicide (PAS), assesses different types of treatment available for the suffering and terminally ill, establishes the religious and moral framework which upholds the sanctity of life, and concludes with a look at Christian concerns over sickness and dying.

On the philosophical front, Dyck details recent defenses of PAC, and shows how major moral and philosophical shifts have taken place to allow such defenses to take root and flourish. A major shift in how we view human nature undergirds much of the euthanasia debate today. That is, we have shifted from an emphasis on the sacredness of human life to autonomy as the highest good.

For example, thinkers such as Hobbes, Locke and Kant understood human nature as including a strong sense of self-preservation, not just of the species, but of one's self. Mill, on the other hand, adopted an autonomous hedonism: self-happiness is the goal, regardless of how that is played out. Unfortunately, the thinking of Mill and others has tended to win out over the traditional view.

That, coupled with the rise of secularism and the collapse of religion, has led to a quality of life ethic replacing the sanctity of life ethic. These differing views of human nature and the social good underlie the differences found in the euthanasia debate today.

These differences take practical expression when we decide whether to utilise palliative care or simply administer a lethal injection. The two different actions reflect two different views of humanity. Dyck's second chapter examines the moral differences between comfort-only care and PAS. While there may be some overlap (pain relief can hasten death), the two are quite different in moral terms.

A major difference has to do with intent. What is the primary goal: to preserve life, or to end it? A lethal agent is introduced into the latter, making it ethically very different indeed.

Chapter three deals with moral rights and human right in the PAS debate. Traditionally it was held that we all have a moral responsibility to preserve life - others and our own. Suicide (and PAS) thus was seen as an abrogation of that central moral responsibility. Counter-arguments about autonomy and freedom of choice do not however curtail that responsibility, argues Dyck. The over-emphasis on choice and freedom may sound good, but it often leads to disastrous outcomes.

That is, what a society allows intellectually, and more importantly, legally, will impact on how individuals respond to those conditions. One study found, for example, that not one AIDS patients in England who wanted to end their life did so, while 30 % did in the Netherlands. The reason? PAS is illegal in England and hospice care widely available, while the exact reverse is true in Holland. So those who wish to legalise PAS will inevitably see a rise is such cases. Bad thinking leads to bad laws which leads to bad outcomes.

The better way is to show real compassion to the sick and dying, instead of wishing them a speedy exit. Dyke concludes this volume with a look at how Christian beliefs and practices are the best response to suffering and death.

The Christian world view has always had a high view of human life and its inherent dignity. This shows through in many ways, from missions of mercy to the establishment of hospice care. Indeed, both hospitals and palliative care largely spring from Christian roots.

Genuine compassion treats all life with respect and dignity, and does not judge life on the basis of functionality or usefulness. It is the harder, more difficult path to follow, but is the more loving and just path.

The transformation of our thinking on human worth is accelerating apace. So too are the corresponding calls for PAS and a host of other anti-life initiatives. Calls to legalise euthanasia will only become louder and more frequent. Those who seek to uphold the sanctity of life need to be ready for these challenges. Becoming informed about the euthanasia debate is part of the preparation. This important volume will help greatly in that task.

Reference books are easy to review. They are either good and useful or worthless. We are in the first category here. The authors chose a by author system to review the main operas, for each of which a good synopsis is given. One could rise an eyebrow at some inclusions or gasp at some omissions. But Opera has its fads and fashions and the choices of the authors reflect certainly the ideas of opera in 1964 when the first edition came out. One would have liked a little bit more of musical notes but that would have perhaps scared away the neophyte. As it is, the book is an excellent introductory book, and always a convenient reference for the more knowledgeable opera fanatic. A must have book, even if you already own other opera books.

This isn't for everyone. Arthur Plantagenet, Baron Lisle, Henry VIII's maternal uncle and the illegitimate son of Edward IV, became governor of Calais, the hotly contested final British stronghold on French soil, in his old age. It was a time of social unrest and the perilous birth of Protestantism. He was accused of treason, and his letters were subpoenaed. Thus, they survive to this day. Muriel St. Clare Byrne edited them into six volumes that tell a narrative tale and paint a genuine portrait of a highly placed Tudor family stuck in turbulent times. Fortunately, there is this one-book abridgement for those of us who don't quite have the stamina to read the whole six volumes.

This can be a difficult read, as you would expect. Some of the legal and real estate squabbles are obscure. On the other hand they involve people like John Dudley, father of Robin, who also turns out to be Plantagenet-Lisle's stepson, and Edward Seymour, brother of Queen Jane. (Both these men, incidentally, become Lord Protector during Edward VI's reign.) And it's fascinating to read genuine letters written by the administrative power, Thomas Cromwell, who is probably the best writer of the lot, though clearly very calculating and political. We also watch as two of Arthur's stepdaughters, through his second marriage to Honor Basset, are forced to vie for positions as ladies-in-waiting to Queen Anne Boleyn, his stepson James Bassett vies to get into the college of Navarre so that he'll be hobnobbing with Princes, future Kings and Cardinals, and a perfectly ordinary courtship between his sister Mary and the son of a French business partner goes sour because of the Reformation. Meanwhile the daily routine of ordinary life shows through with everyone throwing gloves and lace and coats and animals, some as pets, some to eat, at each other, and describing the various states of lands--that they're fighting over, live on, or are absent from. Different readers will get different things out of the wealth of material here. Though everyone will learn a little bit more about why Cardinal Reginald Pole was so important to the machinations of Tudor times. There's even a nice picture of him.

Has a great definition for every thinkable literary term. A must have for any English student