This was the first qualitative research study that I have ever read. The author did an excellent job getting useful insights from her subjects and then performing her own analysis. I look forward to her next project.

As a Professor, I have put this wonderful and insightful book to immediate use. As a male, it has provided me with insight into women's friendship that I might never have had. My students will benefit from it at least as much as I have. I plan to use it in the classroom, and to give it as a gift to my daughter.

This book made me think about all the relationships I've had with other women--and girls when I was young. Since I have read it, I have found myself examining and re-examining old friendships that have lasted, and those that I have lost. It says a lot, and it stays with you.

I found the translations included in this book beautiful and clear. A good example that narrative poems can also be translated in verse as contrasted to prose, preserving rhythm and imagery. A brief and precise introduction completes the work by helping the reader into the context of the poems and offering a very short but lucid discussion of Greek meter for those who like me can't read Greek. I just pity so elegant a book being less than 100 pages (but this probably contributes even more to its elegance, I acknowledge) and not having found the translation of Theocritus' Idylls by the same Thelma Sargent.

I found "The Homeric Hymns" the most satisfying version of these ancient myths I have read; far superior to modern prose retellings. Thelma Sargent's elegant translations of these poems inspire a great sense of the sacred. The longer poems, especially "To Demeter" and "To Hermes" also develop a sense of the personalities of the gods. Those who love Homer's epics will also love these short poems, even if scholarship has taken the honor of authorship from him.

After reading the Loeb translation of the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, I was inclined to look askance on this slim little volume by Thelma Sargent. Upon opening the cover, however, I found I had been mistaken. Not only are these verse translations of short invocations and hymns to the Greek Gods and Godesses lovely and effecting (to which I will give credit where credit is due to Homer,an unlikely but romantic notion,or whichever ancient bard had the presence of mind to create them), they manage to be quite readable as well (credit for which I am willing to divide up between said bard and Thelma Sargent). The hymns are very straightforeward, utilizing in conjunction with the familiar stories of the Gods and Godesses, imagery common to the times and people for which they were written. Taking this alone into consideration, their beauty is impressive; rather like poetry invoking a Goddess to be present in your daily coffee making and data processing. Then again, maybe not, to have survived two and a half centuries, they would have to be pretty good little poems. I found the Hymns to Demeter, Delian Apollo, and the Mother of the Gods particularly elegant. It is from some of these hymns that we get our primary source material for some of our knowledge of Greek mythology. It is interesting to me, who was weaned on English re-tellings of these same myths, to read them in, at least closer to, their origional form. They are much deeper, the language much more sweeeping, than I had ever imagined- like the Psalms or Song of Solomon. We don't often think of those well-worn myths as religious tales. The way (I guess I mean the words and rythms)in which they were written, and then translated in this edition, makes the fact that they are religious texts decidedly apparant. It was, if not mind-blowing, than at least mind-stretching and intriguing to have them presented in this way.

I only right reviews when I feel very strongly about a book. To keep this in perspective for you, this is the second review I've written.

The first book I read by these 5 ladies - "Joy Breaks" is what prompted me to buy "Overjoyed". I can't stress enough how these are the most wonderful devotional books that I have ever read! Each devotional is very light-hearted and contains humerous situations which I find myself relating to very well. There is a short bibical scripture at the beginning of each devotional which serves as a "preface" for the story. Then there is a short prayer at the end of each story such as: "Lord, thank you for laughter. Help me to see the hilarity of it all and share it today. Amen." (p.52)

Each devotional is not lengthy. That may sound like a shallow comment, but in the past I have found myself painfully trying to get through devotional books that are very lengthy, deep and heavy on the heart, and by the time I reach the end, I have gotten very little out of it. But with "Overjoyed" I find myself reading 3 and 4 each time I pick up the book. And afterward all I can do is smile. I like the length of each devotional (2-3 pages) because sometimes I pick this book up for a quick pick-me-up at work or sitting in traffic, etc. (as you can tell, I like to always have this book on hand) and I don't want to have to read pages and pages to accomplish this. The size of the book is even perfect. It is small enough to fit into most purses (the book is about 5x7 in size).

This book packs a powerful and practical punch in each devotional. When I put this book down, I feel upbeat and spiritually fed. It is definately a high point in my day!

A collection of essays by five different Christian women. The essays are strong and powerful and tie into the everyday life of women everywhere. This book acknowledges that life is hard, but you can choose to smile anyway. I loved it!

This was the best daily devotional I have ever read. I can't wait to start my quiet time each morning to see what happens next! A positive way to start your day.

I highly recommend this book. I have recently become interested in contemplative prayer, and as usual I purchased several books on the topic. This is the only book I found that bridges the gap between the depth of the topic, and the distractions of contemporary life. I have trouble quieting my mind, so I needed help in that area.
Thelma Hall proposes a four step process, in which you
-READ a Bible passage
-MEDITATE, or think about what it means
-PRAY about it,
-and then finally enter into CONTEMPLATION.

Somehow, this progression works. Try it. The book is very short. In fact, most of it is actually a collection of scriptures that have been arranged thematically for your convenience in finding a scripture to start reading.

I AM AN INCAPABLE OF WRITING A REVIEW THAT WOULD CAPTURE THE NATURE OF THIS WORK. THE BEST COMPLIMENT I CAN GIVE IS THAT I WILL RE READ IT OFTEN AND I HAVE GIVEN A COPY OF IT TO FRIEND. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EXPANDING YOUR PRAYER LIFE THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT AND READABLE RESOURCE FOR ANY CHRISTIAN, REGARDLESS OF DENOMINATIONAL BACKROUND.

I have used "Too Deep For Words" for over a decade. It is a concise and well-written introduction to one of the most ancient forms of Christian prayer - and one of the most simple.

In Hall's book, she clearly lays out the theory and methodology of the prayer. In the second part, she lists by theme various scripture quotes and references for use in prayer.

In an age of workshops, conferences, and the like, this book is a refreshing and accessible means for people to grow in their spiritual lives.

I use this book on a regular basis to help with ideas for activities for my preschooler. It is so well organized with great ideas and easy activities. I have a stack of preschooler idea books at home and this is the one that gets the biggest workout! I plan to buy the next one in the series, too.

This is a popular one at the center that I contract out of for family child care. It's a worthwhile book. It's a great series. I like knowing that the activities are specifically catered to an age group. It helps with family child care and daycare, too.

At first when I read this book I thought I would differ with the author due to our different political beliefs. However, I could not have been so wrong, Mr. Williams just explains that so many of todays youth want the easy way out and get rich quick by any means necessary. I agree with Armstrong that you have to understand the value of hard work in order to succeed legitimately in America, and just because we grew up poor and black is no excuse. The liberals of this country really hurt our community more than helping us by saying we as black turn to crime, because there are no alternatives. I grew up in a small city in Illinois, but I saw so many opportunities for myself to succeed and it did not come from wearing Tommy, Polo, DKNY or other top designer clothing. My success came from my knowledge through education, because education creates options not a life of fast living sell drugs.

Williams describes a "bad" young black man in Washington DC, who asked for help, and Armstrong wrote him insightful letters, giving ideal advice that, if followed, would "save" the young man and his posterity. I now greatly admire Williams and hope he can communicate his beliefs to many more "Brads" who need this help, who will change their lives for the better.

The 60s, the era of Camelot, serves as the backdrop to the novel: Kennedy was in the White House; Martin Luther King, Jr., led the Civil Rights Movement; the youth and drug cultures emerged. In Riverdale, NY, the planned mega-complex and self-contained cummununity--here called Viva-Vista--had just been completed, and it is here to where the main character and protagonist, Toby, and her family move and face a variety of challenges as a kaleidescope of characters enter and exit their lives. (I loved the array of characters and their descriptions!) A particularly important and influential friendship is formed with Doris, Toby's next-door neighbor. This friendship would last a lifetime. The novel works on many levels, but it is the especial bond between these two women which I found particularly touching. Few people live in our hearts forever.

The author opened up the world of high-rise living in a
large metropolis which was new to me. I also enjoyed the study
of development of a close relationship between two women in this
environment. Their backgrounds and experiences were so different
that the the story introduced the reader to many exotic insights
including-for me- the feminine mindset.

I WAS SHOCKED AT HOW BLACK SUN SIGNS REVEALED WHO I WAS IN VARIOUS WAYS. WHEN I BEGAN TO READ ABOUT THE PICSES I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN, I BECAME MORE INQUISITIVE AS I SAT THERE LAUGHING IN AMAZEMENT. I SHARED THE BOOK WITH MY MAN AND MY FRIENDS AND THEY WERE SHOCKED TOO. THELMA BALFOUR IS A GREAT AUTHOR AND I PLAN TO READ MORE OF HER BOOKS. THIS BOOK DEFINITELY TALKS ABOUT THE REAL YOU!

This book is very good it seem so true it draws a lot of atention towards it. I personaly recommend this book to any one who want's to know about there sign and want to read and find out who they are most compatible with.this book and the other books made by this lady make's all the other books I've read seem so fake. I wish I can read more of her books!

Thelma Balfour has taken African Americans to and through the solar system and imparted her knowledge and wisdom of the messages written in the stars. For those of us confounded by the cement jungles, ungodly laws and chaotic chemistry of our lives, Miss T. has given us a reason to look up. She helps clarify what we want, where to look for it and to ensure us that we are in fact worthy and destined to have it all. Black Sun Signs is wonderfully and intelligently presented to minds that are hungry for the light of understanding.

It's almost overwhelming. There is no way you can spend this much time teaching everything, but it's nice to be able to pick and choose fun things to do with your baby. It's easy to use in a well thought out layout from birth on, divided by sensory perception.

As a first time mom,of a child with special needs to boot, I had no idea. This book and the others in the series are great resources for finding things to do with your child other than watching Teletubbies for the thousandth time. If your child needs extra help in a certain area, like fine motor or listening skills, you can easily find a variety of exercises to help here. The later books in the series (Threes, Fours, and Fives) would also be a great resource for a homeschooling parent.

Not just for daycare! I am a first-time, stay-at-home mom and needed a way to tell if I was "doing all the right stuff" in regards to play, development, speech, music, etc. This book gives you exercises that are so easy for each stage of the first year of life. There is not a lot to read like a typical baby care book, but each section outlines what the child should be accomplishing and gives you exercises to ensure that your child reaches those development milestones. If you can look past the idea that it is written for daycare providers, you will find this book extremely helpful. I knew I was giving my child all he needed because I had these exercises to use as a handy guide. Good luck to you!

This book is dope.

This book is disturbingly on point. Hands down there is no better astrology book related to african americans. Oops... hands down there is no better astrology book.

I get calls from friends Long Distance asking me, what does "the book" says. I get calls from friends on dates, asking me what does "the book" say. Having this book is a statement. It's not saying you are into hocus pocus. It's saying I am as an adult trying to understand other mature adults around me.

I recommend this book and I have bought it several times as a gift for friends and lovers. I can't really stress how dope this book is. I shudder to say, it can even help you in giving you insight to your current or future relationships.

Deep. I don't mean to make it soud like a secret society but everyone in the know whipsers about this book. Thelma.. you go girl!

I thought the book was a great read, the signs are pretty true to people. I like the different categories such as the compatabilty area, and the gift ideas. I let all my friends read the book. It is a good read! I would buy it all over again, I would however would have liked the book more, if they had a friendship section, because I would like to see If I'm compatible with my friends.

I was initially introduced to "Black Love Signs" on my 25th birthday as I called myself escaping to another city from a recent, confusing heartbreak. As my cousin allowed me to thumb through his copy, I became mesmorized and relieved. The guy I was dating was a Scorpio man, and though I am a Cancer woman and we were compatible, I ended up with a broken heart. But what was killing me the most was I didn't know why it ended and so suddenly!It had only been a month long liason. So as I read about the Scorpio man, I saw what I was dealing with unfolding before my eyes word by word. I was already mind blown and then I reached two life altering sentences which stated, 'If you're left holding the bag, without so much as a word of warning, it may be a relief to you and a blessing in disguise. In short, you ain't gettin' out of this relationship until he decides it's over...' Though the pain remained, it was lessened. I realized that in this case the situation was beyond me and that his actions were totally in his nature. At this point I was hooked, so I began to read my true love's sign, Virgo man. This truly took my breath away even moreso. Not only were we compatible, we are a true match! I was reading validity in black and white. Reading our signs matched up against each other made my stomach tingle like a child waiting to open gifts on Christmas Eve. My inquisitive hunger was fed indeed. So to further solidify this, I wrote him and gave him an outline of the Virgos and the Virgo man. He returned a letter to me stating that I had to have added to what I said the book was saying or he knows the author personally. He said that it was all too true to have all come from this book. I did not vary from Thelma's words. And then it hit me! Deep in my heart I know this Virgo man is my soul mate, but I have to wait for him to return to me from his unjust incarceration. All this time that he has been away I was falling into unfullfilling off-the-beaten path realtionships. After licking many, many wounds I now see that the solution for me is to exercise patience and to avoid my anxious nature that kept me in these repetitive heartbreaks. This book was the revelation I needed at a perfect time in my life. Since my eye opening experience, I have been in everyone's face about this book. It has been mind blowing to all of them (with the exception of two or three closed minded individuals). This book has become a guide to understanding past and current relationships and in some cases future ones that may or may not be depending on their sign. I would never meet another man without asking him his birthday and/or sign. This book has really brought to light the notion that people are who they are and there is nothing you can do about it. It's just a matter of, if who they are is what I'm willing to allow in my life. This book is a life changing winner and Thelma has me as a deovted fan forever.