First of all, this is not a Mormon-propaganda book. It is a scholarly work, a study of law. It is an account of the legal proceedings that took place as a result of the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage, Illinois in June of 1844. This book makes no attempt to convert anyone to Mormonism--in fact it doesn't even focus on the Smiths. Instead, it critically examines the trial of five men accused of participating in the murder of these two men.

I cannot praise this book enough for its objectivity. The authors remain completely aloof from bias, and focus instead on an analysis of the trial. One should not read this book with the intent of learning every detail about the Smiths' murder. For those interested in knowing about the legal proceedings that followed their deaths, however, this book will be a valuable tool.

This book is an invaluable resource--it unearths many facts and circumstances that I have not encountered anywhere else, and manages to make sense of just what happened inside the Carthage jail on that fateful summer day. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Mormon history.

The footnotes in this book are extensive and as insightful as the contents. The legal actions and procedings surrounding the trial are given attentive details. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about Mormon history, American legal history, or history of the 1840's in Illinois.

I found this book to be thoroughly researched and documented. Oaks and Hill have written this book in a way that the reader can understand the legal process of the trial of the alleged assassins of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith. With many footnotes to back up their research, Oaks and Hill have effectively given the reader a clear picture of the events that led to the assassination of Joseph and Hyrum and the subsequent trial, without getting too carried away with "legalese" language. My complements to the authors on this excellent book!

I recommend this book to anyone who has interest in Trial Law, as well as Mormon History.

The Color Of My Words By Lynn Joseph is a great book for all ages this book is about a Ana Rose who loves to exress her feelings by writing poems. She is has a crush on her brothers friend Angel. Her parents cant afford money to buy her a notebook so she steals her brothers. In this book Ana Rose goes threw lot from finding her real father and her brother dieing i gave this book 5 stars because it really makes you think of life in a diffrent way.
I would read this book over and over again i am hoping for this book to get lots of awards.

After travelling to the Dominican Republic, my mother bought me this book for Christmas. Of course it's for a younger audience, but none the less I enjoyed it thoroughly! It may be surprising to some, but it is quite an accurate depiction of typical Dominican life in some respects. The desire for the simple things, and the longing for some hope for tomorrow affects so many families in the Dominican. Many issues that plague this country, such as marriage and the family-unit, alcohol consumption, gambling, employment, and economics surround this story. But amongst the struggles, you see the love of a family, finding simple beauties that we as Americans tend to forget. You see into this little girl's heart as you experience the sites and sounds of the Dominican that she SO accurately describes! I can feel, taste and see all that I experienced just by reading this book.

When I first looked for books that might be interesting to read. I would have to admit that at first glance I liked the book, because of its colorful cover, but then I went on to read the reviews and thought it a great idea to buy the book. I believe that it has been the best investment I have made in my life. I didn't like it...I LOVED IT. Its the type of book you hate to put down till your done with it, and the type you can relate to...I was born in the United States but am of Dominican origin and can truely say that this book captures what so many Dominicans have lived through the years. There have been heard times in the Domincan Republic but, but also great times. For there is nothing greater then the way Domincian families just stick together and this book gives a perfect example of how close people are in the Dominican Republic as if everyone was family. The way the author indents the spanish words that seem so familiar to me....and the way she uses quotations makes the book so easy to read. Most of all though its the detail the life experiences she explains in the book, the setting, and the loves shown throughout the book that makes it so great. So great that while reading the book it wrapped me up so much into itself. That I ended up crying not of dissapointment but of how good the book was. On how much I could relate to it from my life experience as a Dominincan girl but also as family experiences. When i suggested it to my friend and cousins they too cried of great joy for the book also wrapped them into its pages its words, but most of all into the life it had captured between the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone...For its the best book I have read so far....So if you haven't read it.....GO and READ IT NOW.....DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT BOOK....FOR IF YOU DO YOU'LL REGRET IT.

This is a great mix of old photos, new photos, and history. It makes a great companion piece to the more popular "Colorado 1870 - 2000" and in some ways it is superior to that book. For one thing, "Colorado Yesterday and Today" costs half as much as the Jackson/Fielder book. Also, Collier takes the time to talk about each and every place that is featured in his collection of photographs, something which is sorely missing in the other book.

Collier's re-shoots are right on the money, and when they are not, he tells us (access issues pop up from time to time). The connection to his great-great-grandfather is touching. Most importantly, this is a book that you can read and enjoy. It is not a ponderous 'picture book' that won't fit in your bookcase.

Although most people who live in Colorado have a vague idea of how much the state has changed in the past century, to see it shown so starkly in beautiful photographs like this is fascinating. Grant Collier has created an amazing testimonial to the march of history and the turbulent growth of the Centennial State. Collier's love of his subject is obvious on every page and the reader can't help but be drawn into a story, not only of Colorado, but of Collier's search to understand his stoic great-grandfather, the famous pioneer photographer Joseph Collier. Buy it!

Colorado: Yesterday & Today is a truly compelling look at Colorado through the eyes of one of our state's pioneer photographers and his great-great-grandson, Grant Collier. Everything about this book is first-rate, from the then-and-now photos and the text to the very impressive leather cover. I highly recommend this book to anyone who lives in, or enjoys visiting, Colorado.

First of all, I should get the negativity out of the way: I think this deck sometimes does try to do too much (between its yes/no function, spelling out word function, I Ching correspondences, elemental correspondences, astrological associations, Rune correspondences, timeline function keywords, gemstone correspondences, energy chakra correlations, Hebrew alphabet correspondences, and then of course all the pictorial symbolism on each and every card). And I think the card stock itself is a little on the thin side (I like more durable cards).

That having been said, the deck and the book are a tour de force of its subject, incorporating every little bit of Western and Eastern esotericism in a way that's never before been attempted. One could spend years digesting the symbolism and wisdom present in these cards, and we should think of that as a good thing! Why limit ourselves to one spiritual tradition; I admire the effort to incorporate so many different religious paths into a single system, and I'm amazed that it comes together as coherently as it does.

The pictures are gorgeous (if a bit cramped in by all the associated symbolism - though still fully useable). In a way I wish this deck were available in a larger version (made of thicker stock), for then it would be that much more valuable. But even still I would recommend this for any serious Tarot user. The book and deck are worth the price, though I would caution people from being too tied down by all of the symbolism in the cards - I'm particularly suspicious of the bizarre mathematical "timeline" function. Still, despite its flaws, its strengths are such that you should own this deck!

I saw this deck at a con I recently attended and was instantly attracted to it by its beauty. Joseph has put a lot of love and effort into these cards. And not only are they beautiful, they are a kind of "universal divination tool." Not only do you have the traditional cards, including the Major and Minor Arcanas, but also on the cards are either rune symbols, I Ching symbols, astrological signs, and gemstones. The cards have a number of unusual features, such as foretelling time lines and the ability to answer Yes/No questions.

There's also a short section in the book called Tarot Party Games. Can you imagine "Tarot Poker?" Hmmm makes me wonder what happens when you get a full house in your spread. Another section I liked was in the book's beginning where it discusses how to take care of your cards, a nice touch.

And of course the book describes each card of the Major and Minor Arcanas. There's also a blank card, called the Mysterious Blank Card which you can use as your Significator card or as your own "custom card." The Major Arcana also has two "zero cards," The Fool and the Multiuniverse." Very nice.

I really like how Joseph has kept with tradition in designing this set, but added a few extra touches that make this deck really stand out. I have looked at numerous Tarot decks and not felt anything, but as soon as I saw this deck, I felt an immediate and positive emotional reaction to them.

The Quest Tarot has to be one of the most stunning tarot decks I have had the pleasure of setting my eyes on. I have so many Tarot Decks, and this new deck has to be one of my favorites of the Modern Deck. The Art Work has a beautiful fantasy feel to them, and the colors are bright and envelop the interpreter as well as inspire the intuition.

The Major Arcana are the typical but instead of 22 cards there is an extra card, Zero titled the Multiuniverse, actually there are two Zero cards, the Fool, which happens to be my most favorite fool in any Tarot Deck. Each of the cards has a Zodiac Symbol on the top left corner, and an Ancient Rune on the Right Corner. On the bottom center of each card is the title of the Card, with an inspirational key word that would be helpful for the beginner as well as the advanced Tarot Reader. The Fool is "beginnings" The Magician is "transmutation" The High Priestess, "Meditation" and on an on. The Pip or the Minor Arcana are the traditional Wands, Cups, and Swords with the exception of the Coins which become the Stones. Again the Minor Arcana follow the style of the Major Arcana, with a Zodiac Symbol on the top left corner, but this time a I Ching sign is on the Right Corner. Again in the center bottom is a key word to help you along the way. The images of the Minor Arcana is that of the Cups, ects ect. But very beautifully done.

In stead of the typical King, Queen, Knight and Page, this deck uses the Father, Mother, Son and Daughter. In this there was one small problem. If you ever read comic books, every one will remind you of the Silver Surfer Superhero, who flies around in the cosmos in a Surfing Board. They really reminded me of that. But still they are just as beautiful as the rest of the deck.

There is one more thing I like about this deck, the blank Significator Card, you can use it as the siginificator or create your own card.

As a New Age type deck, I really have to recommend it, if you like psy-fi, with a comic book feel to it, then this deck will be fun to use. They really are eye candy, but I am a Traditional pre-Rider-Waite Tarot reading kinda guy, I do not know if I would use them. But I enjoy having them in my collection they are beautiful.

"The Divine Initiative is an invaluable resource and a major contribution to Lonergan studies... Stebbins has laid out [the] material...with a thoroughness and clarity that will be extraordinarily valuable to many people."

From: Robert Doran, Lonergan Research Institute, University of Toronto

"The care with which Michael Stebbins has exposed Lonergan's method and its results...makes Lonergan's sometimes cryptic remarks accessible to all those who have the stamina to explore these issues, and so leaves both philosophers and theologians without excuse for attending to so demanding a synthesis."

From: The Thomist, 60, 1996, pages 484 - 488

"In my judgement, this book is wonderfully accurate as an account of Lonergan. Stebbins analyzes and synthesizes with great skill. In his treatment of the operations of intellect (in chapter 1), right through to his concluding remarks about Lonergan on actual grace (in the latter half of chapter 8), he is extremely sensitive to details and distinctions that others often overlook or misunderstand. Moreover, he not only explains accurately, he clarifies. He understands the material so thoroughly that he is able to link Lonergan's claim in fresh ways, offer original examples, and thus teach the reader what Lonergan really is getting at. Given the challenging technical character of the material, this is a stellar achievement."

"I deem the book to include features of interest to systematic theologians in general, historians of theology, philosophers of religion, metaphysicians generally, persons interested specifically in Lonergan, and persons interested specifically in Aquinas. I commend it to them all."

From: Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies, Volume 14, Number 1, Spring 1996 Published by the Lonergan Institute at Boston College

This well told story of a man's struggle to overcome his dark past, and persevere through great personal loss is something we can all identify with. It is a fast paced, enjoyable read, and recommended to all. Inspirational, to say the least.

This author has a style that takes a reader to the sharp edges of realism. Crisp, clear emotions and descriptions put you right in the scene - whether you want to be there or not! There's a depth to this story that shouts the consequences of morality and choice.

This author has written a fast-paced novel that is at the same time thought provoking. As the reader turns the pages he accompanies Roger, the author's protagonist, on a journey, which is not dissimilar to the ones all us are on. Roger struggles to overcome a childhood of poverty and gain those things that will make his life happy and fulfilling - and he achieves them, only to have them taken from him. They are like carrots being dangled in front of him only to be snatched away. His struggle on his yacht is reminiscent of the dark night of the soul. The good news is he "conquers his demons" and gains maturity and peace through the process. This is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page.

This is an old book, but none has surpased its scope since. Readers will find simpathy for Casey, but still Patrick Leahy and Monyihan both give good reviews for its accuracy. The bottom line that Persico threads is that Casey always wanted to be a foreign affairs statesman but was never given any credit for his abilities because he was too ugly and incoherent so when the best Casey could get was the DCI, then Casey turned the intelligence community into his own little state department to live out his dream.

Persico has done a wonderful job of capturing Casey's magnificent complexity and intellectual voraciousness. Oddly enough the best quote in there, part of a really excellent over-all description of why the DO does not succeed, comes from Herb Meyer when he was a special assistant to Casey: "These guys have built a system that shuts them off from any intelligence except what you can steal. These people needed to be reconnected to reality."

This is a great book that not only documents the life of one of our importatnt leaders but it documents very clearly the thought process used by Casey to find and work his magic in the "gray" areas of politics, business and the law. The book provides insight into the real world of politics from Nixon to Reagan and right through Capitol Hill.

The book Children of the longhouse is a great historical fiction book by joseph Bruchac. Even though i'm only eleven years old it is a greatbook for all children, even adults. My mom read the book with me and thought it was a great book too! Well the Children of the Longhouse is about a boy and girl twins, like me. Other Native Americans and the boy love Tekwaarathon (Day-ghaah-la-lot), also known as lacrosse.I gave Children of the longhouse four stars because it was not the best book of all but it was the best book I ever read!

Children of the Longhouse is a thrilling book about a Native American boy named Ohkwa're and his twin sister Otsi:stia. Ohkwa'ri overhears some boys planning to start a battle with the Anen:taks, a neighboring tribe. He told on them and saved his village from a war. Wanting revenge, the boys bully him and soon put his life in danger. You should read this book because it's exciting and I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. Also, I learned about the daily lives of the Mohawks. It was interesting how they played sports, how they used plants to make medicine and how they celebrated holidays. The end was suspenseful and I would recommend this book for kids to read.

The Children of the Longhouse is a great historical fiction book by Joseph Bruchac. The Children of the Long house is about twins. The main two characters are the to twins they are boy girl twins. The boy loves love Tekwaarathon also known as lacrose. Even thuogh I;m only ten years old, my mom and I read children of the Longhouse together. my mom and I loved the book so I gave it 5 stars.

Lucifer's Halo is the remarkable story of one man's spiritual battle with religion. Michael Joseph Lisner's striking art, incomparable symbolism and dialogue, provocative enough to startle, enhance the epic. Darrian Ashoka lives in a surrealistic New York City where the lower class is left to its plundering and filth by an elitist church who have moved to the city's outskirts. During a weekly Saturday night riot, Darrian is approached by Dawn, an enigmatic feminine deity, who invades his bed and provokes his intellect. On their next meeting, Dawn gives him Lucifer's Halo, remaining from his days as an angel. It is a dangerous bridge between Heaven and Hell and Darrian soon finds himself hounded by both sides in a bid for it. Darrian's fight to keep his gift is one of fright, confusion and reckoning. He must overcome fear and anger towards the other side and look deeply into his human soul for strength, truth and the right choice.

There are few graphic novels in my vast collection with such lush, visually appealing illustrations as JML's. Dawn is the most beautifully rendered (caucasian) vision of the Goddess ever captured on paper, and to quote the foreword, few artists have reflected such a love for his main character as Linsner. His hard rock/heavy metal heritage is plain to see throughout the book, but it does not diminish the fact that Dawn is alive in his mind and on the pages. The written story itself isn't as solid as it could have been, but Linsner's skills as a graphic storyteller more than compensate for any shortcomings one might find. Any serious lover of art, fantasy or mythology should own Lucifer's Halo. PAGANS RULE!

There are four gods above all others, Allah/Adonai/Yahweh the god of order, rigid and merciless; Lucifer the cast off angel who now commands chaos, mercurial and chaoitc; Dawn, the mother goddess of birth and rebirth; and her husband, the horned lord of the hunt and death, Cerennus. The story follows Dawn as she attempts to reawaken her lover to his divine nature, in his mortal incarnation of Darrian Ashkova. She gives him Lucifer's Halo so that he can see and interact with the people of Heaven and Hell, and learn his own place in the scheme of things. A definite must for anyone into great storytelling.