I'm impressed by this somewhat small book on knots. Clearly, it was written by someone who has used rope and understands the topic. (Sadly, many knot books seem written by much less qualified authors--some spitting out quite a few!) The book's illustrations and guidance are good and clearly given. I recommend this book for those needing general or sailing-specific knot knowledge; for climbers/cavers, fishers, this book isn't good.

No church is immune to the problems that can arise when parishioners misbehave. Responding to such situations with self-awareness and in a manner true to one's faith tradition makes the difference between peace and disaster. In Never Call Them Jerks, Arthur Paul Boers, author of Justice that Heals, uses stories as teaching tools and examines how a better understanding of difficult behavior can help congregational leaders avoid the trap of labeling parishioners and exercise self-care when the going gets rough.

Boers, who has written three previous books including On Earth as in Heaven and Lord, Teach Us to Pray, tackles the controversial issue of uncivil behavior in congregations and asserts that Jerks will demonstrate responsible leadership; encourage leaders to face tough situations; and address the essentials of attending to, focusing on, and taking care of oneself. "Several recent books on the subject have lost their poise when it comes to dealing with those whose actions are annoying, disruptive, or evil," notes Speed B. Leas, Alban Institute Senior Consultant and author Congregational Conflict. "Boers has kept his and given us a thoughtful and useful approach to dealing with those who act in ornery and malignant ways."

"Arthur Paul Boers pours a wealth of pastoral wisdom and clinical insight into his book...he helps us to see how our 'worst' members, our most trying congregational crises, can, by the grace of God and our skillful and caring leadership, be transformed into opportunities for redemptive ministry," says William H. Willimon, Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry, Duke University, Durham, NC.

According to Dr. Wayne E. Oates, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, "Never Call Them Jerks is thorough, well researched, and well illustrated...This is the best book I have read on this important subject-even better than one I wrote."

David W. Augsburger, a professor of pastoral care and counseling at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, and author of Conflict Mediation across Cultures and Helping People Forgive, writes in the foreword that Boers has the gift for "bringing issues that we consent to leave invisible into the clear."

Arthur Paul Boers is a Mennonite pastor in Waterloo, Ontario who has served rural, urban, and church-planting settings in the USA and Canada. Boers has an MA in Peace Studies from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, an M. Div. from McCormick Theological Seminary, and an M. Th. in Pastoral Counseling from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. For many years he served as columnist and editorial advisor for Christian Ministry and as a contributing editor to The Other Side. His articles and reviews have appeared in popular magazines including Christianity Today, Leadership, St. Anthony Messenger, and Sojourners.

I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE CONTENT OF THIS BOOK AND THE SINCERITY OF THE MATERIALIn a lot of cases I find that channeled material can either be very dull reading, to philosophical ...or at best lack any real substance.The beings channeling the messages may be aliens or angels....but often they just dont cut the mustard when it comes to giving us something tangible to think about. Some of the material in this book may be a wee bit dated but it is in my opinion among the best channeled spirituality you are likely to come across.If you are into the Ashtar Command or Space Brothers get this book.Chances are you will read it over and over and tell your friends.

I gave this book 4 stars because it is the only one on its subject anywhere. Smith gives a good general history of the Patrol, and fire salvage in general, but many photos are of poor quality, and there are no shots of the Patrol's more recently-purchased trucks.

Smith also writes in an interesting manner.

Every sentence is its own paragraph.

As you can see, this can be a bit annoying.

Despite its shortcomings, the book makes an important contribution to local history, and to the story of firefighting.

There are some wild readings of Nietzsche out there (nothing wrong with that), but in this book Danto works out of the British/American more conservative school of philosophy and tries to discover if there is a logical system to Nietzsche's works. Danto is one of the most readable philosophers out there, and is sensitive to the problems of systemizing Nietzsche. Overall a nice antidote to give to overzealous intellectuals who read a little Nietzsche and then feel qualified to start calling themselves one of the ubermensch.

Trusteeship of America's not-for-profits is the cornerstone for the whole edifice known as the Third Sector. Trustees ultimately determine the mission, establish both philosophy and policies, and select the CEO of a not-for-profit organization. A tall order? Yes, but all the more understandable and exciting as a calling with the reading and applying of Art Frantzreb's eye-opener "Not On This Board You Don't".

Calling on five decades of professional experiences among hundreds of agencies and organizations committed to the well-being of others through formal organizations, the author shakes the reader with viewpoints and assertions that will make a difference when applied to an organization and its trustees. The book is bound to influence the immediate and long-term achievements of your entity.

Successful leaders govern most effectively through example. They inspire others by what they do, by how they advocate and live the noblest of ideals. The author lists nine responsibilities and calls on trustees to respond responsibly to the challenge of leadership. Six characteristics to be found in a trustee all add up to an honor that brings obligations and responsibilities.

Philanthropy - called a "ministry" --- urges trustees to recognize it as a process that not only contributes directly to the mission financially, but more importantly involves people in a voluntary way to enhance the scope of the agency. The author challenges trustees to think in terms of millions, not thousands. Providing motivation for giving is an important part of the process which falls squarely on the shoulders of trustees. The management process is also covered.

Managing the process and outlining some methods of accountability provide the reader with a plethora of guidelines and policies. Criteria for investing policies are reviewed.

In conclusion the point is made that as a trustee you give freely of time, talent and treasure and you invite and urge others to do the same.. You hold yourself and the board to the highest of personal ethics and public service.

Not On This Board You Don't is a volume every trustee will want to read, re-read, and keep handy for frequent reference. Brief and candid, it provides America's trustees with a dependable fountain of knowledge and information which will help every trustee be effective and pleased with his/her contribution to society.

This book provides an excellent account of the Mexico city earthquate. Yet what is most poignant about it is that it describes the events through the eyes of the urban poor. IT is very detailed in description, and at times graphic. Some of the accounts are inspiring, while many of them reveal the true nature of the Mexican ruling class. If anyone is interested in urban poor in South America, this book is a must read. It will have you cheering the silent heroism of so many poor Mexicans, while at the same time arousing a feirce anger towards the government that let so many of them down.

The book also conveys to the reader a sense of the magnitude of Mexican city and how devasting the earthquake was. It reveals how the poor are so dramatically affected by such an event, yet how they are so often forgotten. Literally, to the point of death. This is an excellent book.

Most of Arthur C. Clarke's nonfiction books are collections of scientific articles he has written. This collection of some of the first emails ever made is a great read. It gives a great insite into the production of the film version of 2010. Some of the best parts are from writter-director-cinematographer Peter Hyams as he struggles to find dophines, sattilite dishes, actors, heat sheilds, money, spacecraft designs, and other such things. If you like Arthur C. Clarke's books or like Peter Hyams' films, you should definetly get this book.

It's always nice to see an old classic back in print. Originally planned as a continuation of Charles Patton Dimitry?s _Louisiana Families_ series (published in 1892), the authors augmented that work by extending the coverage to English, Scots, and Irish family lines, as well as adding French and Spanish families omitted by Dimitry. There's a great deal of compiled material here, but no source citations. It would also have been useful to include an every-name index in place of the original index which lists only "stem" surnames. Likewise, the prose can be a bit florid for modern tastes, but Louisiana researchers will want to begin much of their research on new families with this volume.

If you like learning about different cities histories and how they have developed into the successful city that they have become today, this is a book for you. This book definately helps the reader understand the history of San Francisco and how it became a great city with many different componets. A city with excellent artist, journalist and even what the locals think the city is all about. This city in the autors words is a city with class. I really truly believe this after reading this book. However there isn't much direct wording from the author. He just gives you stories from other journals or writers that help you understand how this great city came about. This is a great book one should read it.