Whether beginning a Liturgy Committee or reforming an existing one, this book covers the guidelines as to how to accomplish everyone's goal of great liturgy. It re-focuses the energy of the committee from the extreme details to the overall enviroment.

The explanation of what the committee should focus on, how to focus on the selected part of the liturgy, and evaulate how the effect of the focus of the committee, is invaluable to accomplishing the the committee's goals.

The book also addresses what 'everyone' thought a Liturgy Committee was all about and how to overcome those preconceived ideas and communicate the real meaning to the commuity.

Anyone who wants to have a great impact on the liturgy of their parish should purchase this book for each member of the committee.

Due to the complexity of the police organization in contemporary America there is a dire need for a book such as this. A former Police chief (Bain, 1939:5) backs this up by saying:

"The citizen expects police officers to have the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of David, the strength of Samson, the patience of Job, the leadership of Moses, the kindness of the Good Samaritan, the strategical training of Alexander, the faith of Daniel, the diplomacy of Lincoln, the tolerance of the Carpenter of Nazareth, and, finally, an intimate knowledge of every branch of the natural, biological, and social sciences. If he had all these, he might be a good policeman!"

And I add to that, If he had all these there would be no need for a book such as this, but sadly we are both dreamers, hence this book is a necessity for all members involved in law enforcement and or media relations....

This was a very good study guide. I took this course via Independent Study, so it was nice to have a study guide that I could depend on. The book features a summary outline of the key concepts for each chapter along with 10 to 15 true/false questions, 10 to 20 fill-in-the-blanks, 10 to 15 multiple choice questions, and 2 to 4 excercises/problems. The fill-in-the-blanks are somewhat cheesy, but all the other types of questions make you think. There are answer keys for each chapter that even explain why the answer is what it is. The exercises/problems are good because they were usually a different scenario than what was used as an example in the textbook, so you got even more learning out of them before attempting homework problems in the text book. All in all, I recommend this study guide if you are looking for extra help with the answers available or if you are taking this course via independent study.

Mr. Baker was my 9th grade Algebra teacher. Although I think he was more famous for his 5 minute lessons, this book gives great insight to kids in the field of science. Kids love doing these home experiments that teach them how the weather works. This book I highly recommend to elementary school teachers, GATE programs, and after school science clubs. There's so much to learn from this book! Have fun!

As an experienced graphic artist who has had to learn the hard way through trial and error in a foreign land I welcome Stephanie Baker-Thomas's two books Skating Through PhotoImpact 4.0 and subsequently 5.0. It offers one a feeling of enjoyment and relaxation to be able to read and peruse a book on graphic training which is devoid of all the jargon "hype" that one has to struggle through in other manuals dedicated to this task. Stephanie Baker-Thomas writes in a very practical and easy to follow style about a photo enhancement program PhotoImpact 5.0 which is ideal for the "intermediate graphic artist". Neither is the program so complicated as to be beyond the bounds of the beginner nor is it so devoid of filters as to be useless for the professional. I have used the program for the last five years and Stephanie Baker-Thomas has written two excellent manuals which I find enable me to follow her instruction, exercise by exercise (on hand: using the CD which is included) in order to become proficient in this excellent program. I recommend both the books and the program to people who wish to produce highly rated creative work and to enjoy their hobby at the same time. There are some books I would never think of purchasing since they speak in a totally different language: technical jargon which is of no use to the person who takes up graphcs or photo enhancing as a personal and enjoyable form of recreation. Stephanie-Baker does not speak in this boring type technological talk. She has written a very clear and easy to read manual for us all who have not got the time to learn by trial and error, following a stiff and jargon filled tome. I highly recommend Stephanie Baker-Thomas's Book Skating Through PhotoImpact 5.0 and I hope you will agree with my opinion when you have purchased it. Good Luck with photo-enhancing, but avoid the heart attack and the frustration by skating through PhotoImpact 5.0.

I found this book to be very clear and easy to understand; and very thorough. Instead of featuring just a few nifty tricks, this book covers all the features and functions of PhotoImpact, making it a great reference tool as well as a learning guide. The CD includes sample image files, 42 fun tutorials, AND a trial version of the software; a terrific way to get started with PhotoImpact 5!

I have been a PhotoImpact 5.0 user throughout the program's life, and I thought I knew it well, but this book showed me tips and techniques I had never before discovered. It has to be said that PhotoImpact's handbook is not the best, and many of the techniques which make it so powerful are just not documented - until this book appeared. Stephanie Baker Thomas rightly calls PhotoImpact 'the best image editor in the world', but its handbook lets it down and often leaves users floundering. Here every tool, every technique is simply and clearly explained. There are tutorials and exercises throughout the book to increase your expertise with the program, and a cd with many more tutorials and resources. Whether you are new to PhotoImpact and struggling with the handbook, or a long time user like me missing out on things you did not realize it could do, this book has something new for you. And if you have never even met PhotoImpact, buy the book anyway. There is a 30-day trial version of the program on the CD and I guarantee that by the time your thirty days are up, you will be hooked. This is for everyone, beginner and expert alike, a well written and invaluable treasure trove.

This is a nostalgic story about love, loyalty, philosophy and naivite. The characters are engaging and the settings well described. The narrative, told in the first person, in the present, flashbacks and dreams, is quite compelling. I could not put it down.

Thank you Matt - what a wonderful book you have written. I too personally know Matt, and our common interest of reading is how we met. He is the member of a local book group that I attend. We were all blessed and honored to share in having Matt's book be our selection this past month...because it is not too often we get to probe the mind of the author behind the work.

We all had so many learning and interesting thoughts from the reading and sharing - and I encourage everyone to get this book and share with family and friends...

(And, as Philip had to learn that even with eyes we do not always see - and from Oliver the lessons may be hidden in the process of art - and for Silva the travels may not end in this lifetime)... may we each walk our paths to enrichment and sight.

This is a book I will always read and re-read and cherish...bless you Matt...and a kiss to Owen... Love, Marsha :)

I must begin this review with the disclaimer that the author is my dear friend, and I was prepared to love this book, in fact I have been waiting years for him to finish it. Disclaimer aside, I have read "The Art of Confession" through three times, and found it far exceeded my expectations. Mr. Baker is a consumate storyteller, and this story has all the elements - love, loss, sadness, friendship, mystery, surprise - a poignancy that brought me to tears each reading, and an ending exquisite in its tenderness and truth. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I am truly hoping for a sequel.

To those who are thinking of purchasing a commentary on Romans, don't buy this one (especially if you're a very traditional Protestant). Schreiner believes that "righteousness" (Gk. dikaios, dikaiosune, dikaioo) is also "transformative" (Romanism) rather than only "forensic" (Luther, Calvin, et al).
His other discussions in the Book of Romans are good (e.g. Rom. 9 and 11 especially), however he denies his "Protestant" and "Reformed" heritage by this fatal error. His view of faith, works, justification, sanctification, and perseverance throughout the commentary demonstrates that he is only a pseudo-Protestant/Reformed. Schreiner is a compromiser and many pastors and lay people thinking of purchasing a commentary on Romans should stay away from this one for their own spiritual health. If one wants a good commentary on Romans from a Protestant/Evangelical perspective refer to commentaries written by John Murray (NICNT), Douglas Moo (NICNT and WEC), E. F. Harrison (EBC), F. F. Bruce (TNTC), Matthew Black (NCB), Robert Mounce (NABC), John Witmer (BKC), Anders Nygren, Martin Luther, and John MacArthur.

Schreiner's work is excellent as the other reviews have suggested. A few comments before you buy it:

First, Schreiner examines Romans section by section, not verse by verse. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you wish to lookup a specific verse you have to read through several paragraphs (or pages!) to find the discussion on the verse. Individual verses are not marked in the text.

Second, a knowledge of Greek is most helpful. When beginning a discussion on a phrase or sentence, Schreiner writes it in Greek and then provides the transliteration and the English in parentheses. For the rest of his discussion, however, he only uses the Greek letters. Often his discussion will go on for a few pages which makes it difficult for non-Greek readers to figure out which words he is talking about. I found myself frequently flipping pages trying to find out what the word he was discussing meant. Students with an elementary knowledge of Greek should not have a problem.

Schreiner's commentary is an excellent presentation of the reformed faith. However, if you have no knowledge of Greek you are probably better off using Douglas Moo's commentary.

As a pastor, I have used many commentaries on Romans in my preaching and teaching. This volume by Schreiner is now the best single volume commentary on Romans. This may surprise many, since Moo's NICNT is also a recent release. However, while Moo is also outstanding in many ways, I prefer Schreiner both exegetically and theologically. While Moo's book is a little larger and more detailed, he sometimes loses the forest by focusing on the trees. Schreiner never loses the narrative progress of the the letter, and thus his discussions of the individual passages is always consciously contextual. Additionally, Schreiner is more nuanced in linguistics and semantics, and thus his exegetical decisions are more discerning. When Moo and Schreiner disagreed, I usually found Schreiner's arguments more compelling. My first pick is Scheiner, but I would not want to be without Moo either. My advice is to consult both (along with Cranfield and Murray) for any in depth teaching or preaching in Romans.

Thomas was given access to the church archives when researching this book, but then he was denied permission to quote from anything he read there. (At least according to a letter the author published later in response to an unfavorable review--Thomas ought to have clarified this issue in his preface to the book.)

The result is a book full of broad claims resting precariously on slender evidence. Thomas' overly vague descriptions of archival material cannot support his conclusions.

If you're interested in learning more about Eddy (as opposed to learning more about what Thomas *thinks* about Eddy based on secret information), don't waste your money on this book.

This book is supposed to be a psychoanalytic study of Mary Baker Eddy. It is anything but that.

The authors appear to be non-Christian Scientists have looked into Christian Science and decided that it is the correct explanation of Jesus's works and teachings. Although this book offers some wonderful intellectual insights into Mrs. Eddy's life and career, it is far more praiseworthy than antagonistic.

Strongly recommended, whether or not you're a Christian Scientist.

I am one of relatively few people who have had the enormous privelige of being taught by Robert Thomas - "Doc Thomas", as he was universally known. He is a man with an extraordinary and profound intellect, and an unparalleled ability to illuminate complex and intricate issues. If you desire an intellectual thrill, buy the book. Better still would be to take a class from him, an experience which in the course of nine months taught me how to think and write. He could sell tickets to his dissection of Dr. Strangelove. It was truly that fascinating.

Doc, if you read this, I want to say now that you are unequivocally the most brilliant, effective and entertaining teacher I have ever had the privelige of learning from. You have taught me more than any person ever has, and given to me the art of analysis. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My only regret is that you didn't stay one more year. I know dozens of us would have been lining up for Am Cult, myself included.

-David (no, not Big Hands who forgot his notes for the final)

This book takes AD&D too far for it to handle the situation properly. Each of the rules is tweaked to such absurd degree that I at times lost all recognition of what exactly I was reading. Unlike Skills and Powers which expands on the previuosly available data, Combat and Tactics adds far too much of the new and the unexpected. The mix of the combat rules is almost intolerable if you know of a game that used these rules first. It is as if TSR is trying to capture the popularity of other games by mimicking them. On the other hand, Combat and Tactics contains many useful materials - the much-needed critical hits table which allows for detailed damage, updated weapons tables ( sadly, these are less extensive than those in the Arms and Equipment), and several interesting variants of the initiative rules are explained in greater completion than they are in PHB or the DMG. But by the time the book is finished you will feel that now the combat is too drawn out and it becomes so much more of a chore - nothing of the elegant simplicity of the original rules. My advice - give Combat and Tactics a try, borrow it from a friend, copy the tables into your little notes folder, and use your judgement during combat.

This book and all the player's option books should be renamed to "Dungeon Master's option" While the book allows better unarmed combat rules, this book and the others allow the players creation of the "Super Character" and in the wrong hands and experienced player could walk all over an unexperienced Dungeon Master and make his job more difficult..However the fine points to this book are the Critical Hit tables make combat more effective to the players in thinking that their character is seriously injured as opposed to losing a few hit points, and for the descriptive DM monster Deaths can be quite gruesome and epic. Plus for the PC's that are tired of the standard sword and bow, there is a veritable plethora of odd weapons to choose from, that are arranged by "Age Periods"(i.e. Golden Age, Bronze Age, etc,etc..) This also includes firearms. All weapons listed come with speed and damage stats. This book can definately add some spice to the average joe adventure..

This is a very good book, I believe that everyone who wants more realistic Combat Rules and new Strategies, Proficiency's and Tatics will enjoy a lot this book. Many things is incluided like the new Critical Hit's System and table's of critical Hit's Severity. Ignore The guy that gave 1 star to this book, he probaly never read it or even have played AD&D because if he had, he will not say a stupid thing like a Goblin with a dagger taking off a arm from a Human. So if you want good and realistic Combat to your campaign you should already had this book! GET IT!

I liked this textbook because it is nice and clean and uncluttered inside, however I think that the content could have been better. I had trouble with the first chapter having to do with business combinations in that every time a journal entry was recorded, I had no idea whether the author was referring to the common stock of the purchasing company or the common stock of the selling company. After a while, I finally figured it out, but I thought the problem could have been avoided by being more clear. There are many more examples that I have like this one. I may be being picky about the book seeing as how I took this course via independent study, so I did not have the ability to ask an instructor specific questions. I just think that the authors could have done a better job being more clear on many things. In the end, I did end up getting a A in the course!

I have used this book in conjunction with Gleim's CPA review books in preparation for FARE section of the CPA exam. Excellent supplement especially if you look for technical aspects of purchase/pooling accounting. The chapters on consolidation are truly outstanding. Very thorough and comprehensive. The only drawback as with many other textbooks is the lack of answer keys at the end of the chapter. Overall, I would definitely recommend getting it.