In "Francis & Edith Schaeffer," L.G. Parkhurst gives a brief (143-page) account of the Schaeffers' lives. Parkhurst, himself a committed Christian, became close friends with the family several years before Francis' death in 1984. In the book, he does an excellent job capturing the couple's great faith and obedience to God, as well as some of the many ways God intervened in their lives. The book really helped me in my Christian walk and I recommend it to any believer who is in search of a good devotional work. My only complaint is that the book is so short that it fails to delve deeply both into the Schaeffers' lives, and Francis' philosophical and theological teachings. For a more thorough treatment of the couple's life, I highly recommend Edith Schaeffer's "The Tapestry."

In "The Curse of Treasure Island" Francis Bryan- whoever that may be- has crafted a sequel certain to please hordes of Stevenson fans, and infuriate just as many more. Some will appreciate the opportunity to sail once again with such favorite characters as Jim Hawkins, Ben Gunn, and Long John Silver, while others (and I must include myself in this category) will find the revival of these classic characters almost sacrilegious.

In novels such as this, an author will customarily throw in everything up to, and sometimes including, the kitchen sink, to titillate fans of the original work. "Bryan" proves no exception...

Now a young adult, former treasure hunter Jim Hawkins manages the Admiral Benbow Inn following his renovation of the former dive. However, the twenty-one years old Jim spends a lot of time boasting about his island adventures over a drink or two. Grace Richardson hears about the brave Jim's incredible escapades with pirates on the high seas and Treasure Island. She, accompanied by her son, beseeches Jim to find the pirate Joseph Tait, whose last known residence is Treasure Island.

Jim rejects her plea, but that fails to stop menacing thugs from harassing her and him forcing the retired adventurer back into the action hero role. This time Jim kills a noble, and is forced to flee for his life when the law accuses him of murder. Accompanied by Grace and her preadolescent son, they begin a trek that will take Jim back to the "accursed island" that he last stepped on a decade ago in search of the meanest of Long John Silver's former associates.

THE CURSE OF TREASURE ISLAND is fast-paced and loaded with action, starring a mature Jim as a young adult whose potential relationship with Grace adds a romantic flavor to the adventure. The story line is very exciting, but the flaw remains that men risk their lives, but none know why as Grace keeps secrets that everyone seems to allow her to do while they blithely venture to death or near death. Still Francis Bryan furbishes a strong tale that pays homage to the grandmaster Robert Louis Stevenson while setting the seafaring further adventures of Jim and company.

Harriet Klausner

I imagine Robert Louis Stevenson would approve of this exciting tale. It measures up well to the original novel in all aspects. In fact, I found myself enjoying "The Curse..." more than the original. As a boy I recall wishing for Jim Hawkins' courage and nobility of spirit. And now, two decades after I first read "Treasure Island," I find myself thinking these same thoughts.