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Book reviews for "Belcastro,_Joseph" sorted by average review score:

Bloody Theater or Martyr's Mirror of the Defenseless Christians
Published in Hardcover by Herald Pr (January, 2001)
Authors: Thieleman Van Bragt, Thieleman J. Van Braght, Joseph F. Sohm, and Jan Luyken
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Serious and enlightening-a must read for religious studies
I am reading this book with fascination. It is a must read and an eye opener for anyone who wishes to discover the history of the church of the middle ages. This book will uncover years of history not discussed in most religious universities and churches today. The writers of this book discuss the Church of God and its history. Sabbatarians will find it useful in discovering that the Waldenses and Moravian/Bohemian Brethren were related, actually, the same peoples. There are many references to the church of God and how the church of God was persecuted and pronounced anathema. The number of martyrs are in in the multiples of thousands. 4000 known names, but references to 10s, 20s, 50s, 100s martyred by various methods as horrifying as it may seem, christians killing christians in the name of Jesus Christ who died for us all. Anyone desiring to know the truth about this history, specific facts retold in minute detail about the many who died for their faith. After the Bible itself, this ranks as one of the most important reference works to assist, encourage and enlighten the christian who feels that this time is stressful. Here are people who gave their lives for their beliefs. Their walk with God was one where they literally gave their all.

Fascinating!
This book is full of wisdom, truth and inspiration. Worth every dime spent!

Excellent!!!
Martyr's Mirror is an excellent history of more than 4,000 martyrs, spanning from the time of Christ through the mid- 17th century. The governments, churches, and doctrines of the Anabaptists, the Protestants, and the Catholics are explained through dialogues and commentary. This inspirational compilation not only contains accounts of actual martyrdom, but also letters from the martyrs as well as background information on the era and location. Contrary to Foxe's Book of Martyrs, Martyr's Mirror does not include acts of willful suicide as martyrdom. To see how the Holy Spirit can give Christians strength to "not love their lives so much as to shrink from death," read it for yourself!


Macromedia Dreamweaver MX Killer Tips
Published in Paperback by New Riders Publishing (10 January, 2003)
Authors: Joseph Lowery and Angela C. Buraglia
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Finally! A book worthy of its title!
I buy many (ok, maybe TOO many!) web design and programming books every month. Most aren't worth the high cost of computer books these days, but Macromedia Dreamweaver MX Killer Tips by Joseph Lowery and Angela C. Buraglia is worth the money. The book is filled with wonderful and useful tips for the Dreamweaver MX user. Yes, some of the tips are basic items you would find in a normal users guide, but some are worth the price of the book alone! Save time AND money if you do any serious web development with Dreamweaver MX and get this book!

Outstanding resource!
From the instant I cracked open the book I was finding nifty efficiency builders that I hadn't know of before--and I've been using DW since the first version.

Users tend to get set in their ways and find what works for them, but this takes you to the next level and helps you create, work (and even play) a little quicker.

If you're a beginner, this is an outstanding resource. If you're a little more advanced, you're still going to be surprised at what you find.

Peachy Keen Tips!!
This book is a little gem! Written in a rather tongue-in-cheek style, the authors provide scads of truly useful tips for using and getting the most out of Dreamweaver MX. Some may find the humor a bit silly, but I liked the way it kept the tone of the book light. I know I'll be grabbing this book a million times to refresh my memory on how to do some of the common tasks in Dreamweaver in the easiest way possible. Definitely a "keeper!"


Mother Teresa: No Greater Love
Published in Hardcover by MJF Books (October, 2000)
Authors: Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Thomas Moore, and Joseph Durepos
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Incredibly Inspiring
The title of this review says it all. My husband and I both enjoyed reading it, learning that even Mother Teresa faced challenges and also hearing the advice she offered to others. This is a book I read some time ago, then picked up again this year, and I was amazed at how much I got out of it on a re-read. Some of her words just stick in your mind and come back to inspire and uplift you (me anyway) on challenging days. I recommend this book to anyone, especially anyone who feels they want more of God in their own life.

A fine collection of her teachings
Now in paperwork is this classic collection of the spiritual wisdom of Mother Teresa, a fine collection of her teachings which reveals her insights on love, prayer, service and poverty. All religions will find No Greater Love to be a moving testimony to Mother Teresa's dedication and work.

Essential Mother Teresa.
This book contains Mother Teresa's reflections on spiritual subjects like prayer, holiness, forgiveness etc. They are classified under different heads. To the modern sophisticated mind her ideas may look naïve and old fashioned, but her faithfulness to Jesus Christ her Lord was the utmost ideal in that life. And that is what raises her to the level of a modern saint. Her simple stories narrated with some sense of humor demonstrate her earnestness and zeal. Her simplicity and depth of faith are evident through these reflections. The book also contains an interview with Mother Teresa and a short biographical sketch. There is also a thought provoking forward by Fr Thomas Moore.


Creative Mythology (The Masks of God, Volume IV)
Published in Paperback by Arkana (November, 1991)
Author: Joseph Campbell
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The Genesis of Mythology
In this wonderful book, the first volume of Campbell's monumental Masks of God series, we are given a look at the earliest myths and beliefs of man, from the cave dwellers to surviving indigenous tribes of today, and how these myths changed and developed over time, influencing later myths. While I might disagree somewhat with the title (since "primitive" is a fairly relative term anyway), I cannot deny that this is a superb and well-researched book and is amongst the greatest of Joseph Campbell's work. Early on, the work goes into the development of animistic world views, followed by some information on the religion of the Neolithic agriculture socieites. From this, we are given insight into both the "sacred kings" and the ritual of love-death, both central to agriculture people to this very day. The beliefs of the Polynesians, Native Americans, peoples of the ancient Near East and many other societies were given to show the relationships of these myths. Following this was another section on hunting societies, which explained the role of the shaman in great detail. Again, this ties directly to modern day cultures and peoples, as many cultures both in Siberia and further afield still rely upon Shamanism. From that, we go on to animal masters (a central concept in shamanism), the buffalo dance, bear worship (this can still be seen today amongst the Ainu, Siberians and other Arctic people) and cave paintings. The next section of the book "The Archaeology of Myth" was also particularly interesting, showing various stages of both Paleolithic and Neolithic mythology. Ultimately Campbell closed out the book talking about the functioning of myth and such. Over all, this is a wonderful book and I simply cannot repeat that enough. It shows the development of myth and religion in our earliest ancestors and ultimately how universal the legacy that they left us is. The beliefs of ancient people, both agriculturalists and hunter-gatherers, are still with us today. Shamanism, bear worship, animism, the great serpent, death-rebirth myths. All of these things are universal phenomena, showing up amongst cultures as far afield as the Saami, Arunta, Kikuyu, Karen, Cree and Yanomami. Just think about how the serpent shows up in mythology, from the rainbow serpent of the Koori to Damballah in Voudon to the Aztec's Quetzalcoatl. Or about how the Saami and Ainu have similar bear worship ceremonies. This book shows the common origins of mythology, and I strongly recommend it. I found the chapters of shamanism and the early hunter-gatherers to be particularly interesting, but the whole book is just a great read. And Joseph Campbell is (or rather was) a superb writer, as well as being an expert on comparative mythology, so this book is enjoyable to flip through. If you have an interest in mythology, religion, anthropology, history and/or archaeology, this book is a must. In fact, if you enjoy this book I recommend the remaining books in the "Masks of God" series.

A true mythic masterpiece
The master of Comparative Mythology delves into the themes, that underlie the art, beliefs and literature of the Western Soul. The third volume explains why the Western culture is so much different from the Eastern Way.

It enables the reader to step back and review his/her own culture from a more objective point of view. In the West, it is about the monotheistic belief, about God and Man as a seperate being. Therefore occidental myths establishes a means of relationship between God to Man and vice versa. He also shows up, why Christianism, Judaism and Islam are so similar and the fight over the "true God" is so ridiculous.

If you haven't read the first two volumes "Primitive Mythology" and "Oriental Mythology", go for them first!

ancient and universal
Primitive Mythology is the first book in Campbell's great and sweeping study of myth in the world, starting from his neo-romantic viewpoint of myth as a necessary (and currently missing) factor in life. He embarks on a globally comparative and ultimately reconciliatory survey of kinds of myth and their relative societal roles. Please note that there is a fair amount of debate as to both the accuracy and ethics of trying to mine the universal from global myth in this fashion, but however you come down in that particular debate, The Masks of God is, on its own terms, a monumental achievement.


Defining Moments: When Managers Must Choose Between Right and Right
Published in Hardcover by Harvard Business School Press (September, 1997)
Author: Joseph L., Jr Badaracco
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Required Reading
Great choice for any manager or business administration student.

Tackling the Dilemmas of Ethical Choices
A few weeks ago a customer of mine asked my assistance to help his organisation to write an ethical code. I knew he had been "working" on this topic for the last 2 years and that he had been applying some of the principles I teach in my emotional intelligence classes. Apparently, this hadn't been enough to solve his problem, but it was enough to come back to me to seek my advice. This was one of the books I bought to document myself on the issue.

This book was a good resource by providing me different points of views concerning the question, and by pointing out that it's not a simple matter of making a choice (for instance, one lead by intuition and emotions, as is recommended sometimes). The cases presented point to several kinds of dilemmas: the personal ones (choosing between what's right for you and for the organisation), the managerial ones (choosing between the organisation and the people that ore working for it) and the social ones (choosing between the organisation and the larger social system it's a part of). The book also points out different sources we have for basing our decisions on.

The problem remains that values and principles often point into different directions. Ethical choice techniques such as the "sleep-test", the "golden rule" and other sources of inspiration do not solve this.

Learning from that, it becomes clear why one should not expect to find the answers to your ethical problems in this book. Finding "the" answer is "impossible". In a "defining moment", you will have to examine which values you are committed to, these values will be put to test (will you go for their implications) and they will shape your future. I believe (with the author) that there are no easy answers to the *real* issues we are faced with. That's why this book shows in what way you have to search for your answer. Reading this book will at least allow you to ask the right questions and to look at various aspects in order to make a personal choice.

If I would have read this book earlier, my own book would certainly have included a reference to it.

What will I tell my customer? Well, writing the "code" won't be enough, in stead we should focus on teaching people how to make an ethical choice.

Patrick E.C. Merlevede, M.Sc is the main author of "7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence"

Excellent Book on Ethics (for everyone)
While this book may seem catered towards business management issues (and the examples given in the text are), the ideas, values and approaches presented within the text are universal. I, myself, am not a "business person" or "manager" and found this book extremely enlightening and helpful, and can apply the values and examples to my own life and work.

The basic premise of the book revolves around (what Badaracco calls) the "defining moments" of an individual's life; these are instances in which a person is faced with a decision that has no clear "right vs. wrong" answer (which he calls a "right vs. right" question), yet the decision the individual makes will define who the person is in times that follow. He uses three different examples of real-life quandaries that managers have faced in the past (as well as their conclusions). Badaracco does not tell his audience how they should act in a given situation, but instead, gives the audience the introspective tools needed to make better decisions that support who they are as an individual.

Again, terrific book and well worth anyone's time who is interested in the ethical decision making process.


The G8's Role in the New Millennium (G8 and Global Governance Series)
Published in Hardcover by Ashgate Publishing Company (May, 1999)
Authors: Michael R. Hodges, John J. Kirton, and Joseph P. Daniels
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Significant contribution
The G8's Role in the New Millennium makes a significant contribution to our understanding of an important institution.

Authoritative!
This publication is a succinct but authoritative primer on this organization's role as a potential policy-making alternative body for managing global financial challenges.

Lifts the curtain
This book goes a some way to lifting the curtain on the secrecy that surrounds the operation of a body that has no charter, no headquarters, no secretariat. --Business Worldaware


Introducing Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Published in Paperback by Thorsons Pub (November, 1993)
Authors: John Seymour and Joseph O'Connor
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Just What It Says!
I know understand myself, and others more than before. If you think this is some book that will help you control people's minds, this isn't what you are looking for. This will help you understand the sub-concious subtleties that everyone has. It also helps you to excersise your brain power to acheive excellence.

It's the Best
Of the many books published on Neuro-Linguistic Programming, this version tops the list. I say that because it does such an effective job of simplifying a complex set of processes and helps the reader understand its applications. Bandler and Grinder's earlier publications brought the concept to life; O'Connor and Seymour make it far more usable.

A Fantastic Introduction
I do very highly recommend this book. It is enjoyable to read - considerably moreso than other books of it's kind. From this book you will get a very good background in the field. I believe this book serves much better for background information than to give you a set of techniques... if you want to learn techniques --- DO IT AT A SEMINAR --- nevertheless it is very useful to learn them ahead of time.
This book is a good precursor to The Structure of Magic and Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. both by Richard Bandler and John Grinder -- which go much more indepth into the linguistic portions of the NLP model.


Judgment of the Wolves
Published in Hardcover by Access Publishers Network (September, 2000)
Author: Joseph M. Taraska
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Judgment of Ourselves
I read the other reviews and agree with all who placed this book in the "best read" column. However, my take on the book takes on a different perspective. Mr. Taraska takes us beyond ourselves. As one who cherishes stories of recovery, this book should be required reading for all those who struggle with addictions of any sort and those who continue to work toward their own recovery. Bravo! I look forward to Mr. Traska's next book.

ON TRIAL
WHAT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR MY DAD.HE IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF OUR LORD CAME BACK TO US.
THIS BOOK TELLS US ABOUT A HOMELESS STRANGER SHOWING UP IN OUR TOWN, AND CLAIMING TO BE JESUS. FOR HIS GOOD DEEDS HE WAS PLACED IN A MENTAL WARD, AND WAS PLACED ON TRIAL.THE BOOK MAKES US WONDER HOW WOULD WE TREAT JESUS TODAY. WE ALL LOVE THE BABY JEUSE, BUT THE MAN JESUS WAS PUT TO DEATH.

Great twist to legal thriller
What a great fast paced read! This is a great legal thriller that questions the message of God and Jesus. Benm who usually only defends rich clients, agrees to take a pro bono case for David who allegedly has the spirit of Jesus in him. A wonderful way to show God's message through legal terms. Highly recommend!


The classical style : Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
Published in Unknown Binding by Faber ()
Author: Charles Rosen
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If this is a three star book what's a five star book?
This is a beautifully written and illustrated book on a noble subject. On the basis of that rarity alone it deserves five stars.

Great Place to Start
This book stimulated my interest in trying to figure out how music works more than anything else I have ever read. Sure, it is not the latest word, the most comprehensive or closely argued, but to get the interested amatuer started down the path of analysis of musical forms, why it sounds good, and what the big three Classical Era composers did to create a large chunk of our western musical heritage, this is the place to start. Rosen steered me toward many, many other books, cited in his bibliography and notes, on related topics, such as sonata form, how it works and does not. Sure, scholars can quibble and somebody else could and should write a followup to answer the complaints, but until then, Rosen is the place to start. His other books are just as good, but not as enjoyable. Dense, you bet, but worth it.

Tough sledding, but worth it
As a music lover with a superficial knowledge of the technical aspects of music-making, I found this book to be a real challenge. It took me several attempts over the course of a couple of years to get through it. But having expended that effort, I can say that every minute was worth it. I now have a good understanding of what "classical" music (in the stricter definition of "classical") is about, and why its three great Viennese exponents were such masters. I now can listen classical music -- indeed, to any common-practice period music -- with much more insight, understanding, and enjoyment than I could heretofore.


The Final Superstition: A Critical Evaluation of the Judeo-Christian Legacy
Published in Hardcover by Prometheus Books (August, 1994)
Author: Joseph L. Daleiden
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Provacative
His take on the American religious types like the JW, Mormons, SDA's are excellent. Sometimes people simply need to be given digestible simple examples that speak volumes and not a lengthy dissertation. The author does this well. And I like that he uses the term superstition well.

Those who hold onto religious beliefs because of fear of being ostracized, or because they need to "belong" or because this is the way it has always been will feel some pain when they read the book. The same way an alcoholic hates to be told he is an addict. In fact that's what this book basically points out. Addicts who are afraid to be healthy.

Biting...and painful...
Joseph's book was the first one I read when I was questioning Christianity. Needless to say, it provoked me to not only read other books, but started me on a road I never dreamed I would be on. A book of this proportion carries a lot of weight, and unfortunately, responsibility. I say responsibility not because I feel he has an obligation to you, I, or anyone else, but at the same time, his words are so provoking, that in a sense, there is responsibility on the reader's part to exam what we will learn from them. Joseph does a phenomenal job in presenting his case concerning many aspects of Christianity. He is astute, easy to read, and very well researched. The topics in the book hit hard and ruthless in some areas. At a few points I was afraid he came across as an angry, bitter, atheist. Atheism is anything but that, and I see now the areas in question were simply tougher issues we need to deal with.

Whether you accept Joseph's view or not, I feel this book is an excellent look at why many do not accept Christianity in any form. The issues are very real, and the presentation is very smooth. If you need a look into the logical mind of those who do not accept Christianity at face value, then this is an excellent, unsung hero for the part. I encourage you to explore your beliefs.

Excellent resource
Joseph does a great job of showing how the christian religion has distorted the concept of god, and how it picks and chooses what it will and will not accept in the bible. He shows that, at best, the bible is a group of texts that simply contradict themselves through and through. I recommend this book to anyone who is willing to seek truth with an open mind. As someone already mentioned, the people who NEED to read it, will never do so, because they will scream in anger as their 'house of cards topples'. Although you can not simply take one book only to base your beliefs on, Joseph does a fabulous job of research and has a 38 page bibliography. He is well read and very astute. Bravo Joseph!


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