This book is a collection of primary sources about Joseph Smith, his family and his friends and detractors. The book recreates the original language, which makes it hard to read sometimes, in order to give us a picture of Early Mormonism and Joseph Smith. The book also has several Journals written by Joseph Smith about his life and the early LDS church. The book is well organized and well footnoted making it easy for any researcher or the curious person to find where the actual documents are located. It is recommended to anyone interested in the Mormon Church or is studying it.

A fine study of the transcendental turn in Thomism---intelligent and sympathetic study of the philosophy of Rousselot.

This book is a wonderful glimpse at the final days of one of America's most prominent Catholic leaders. Cardinal Bernardin embraced his trials with grace and dignity, and thus set an example for all of us. For those who would like a glimpse at the death of this great Catholic leader, I really can't say enough good about this book.

The most memorable lines from my first read of this smart work are from the second sermon, first page, quoted as follows: "A man can as little doubt whether his eyes were given him to see with, as he can doubt of the truth of the science of optics deduced from ocular experiments. And allowing the inward feeling, shame, a man can as little doubt whether it was given him to prevent his doing shameful actions, as he can doubt whether his eyes were given him to guide his steps. And as to these inward feelings themselves - that they are real..."

Cardinal Ratzinger has produced a small and worthwhile book consisting of short lectures and articles presenting his insight into the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In the preface, he notes with satisfaction that the Catechism has been enthusiastically adopted by the Christian public although some establishment academics hold it askance. In this book, he assists those eager to embrace the Catechism with his accessible commentary on various aspects of the Catechism. In my view, the most significant chapter deals with the "biblical realism" of the Catechism which treats the Jesus of the Gospels as the real Jesus, in contrast to the absurd reconstructions of idle professors who peddle their fictions as the so-called "historical Jesus." He also has a chapter on the relation of Judaism and Christianity which is in welcome contrast to the recent defective and mediocre reflection on the issue by a group associated with the U.S. Bishops' conference. We are fortunate to have the quality work of a distinguished theologian like Cardinal Ratzinger when we are deluged by so much mediocrity from academia.

I have read a number of works on revivals and this revival in particular. This is the one book on the subject that I have gone back to time and again. It is both scholarly thorough and devotionally helpful. As I read of the changes in the lives in the villagers of New England I became more and more impressed with how true revivals are such awesome and precious things.

This book is very helpful for our day as well. In describing the excesses of this revival (especially those that had to do with Davenport) and in the detailed accounts of unwanted side-phenomena, we see sad similarities to what has been experienced in some of our churches today. This book shows what a true revival looks like.

The writing is sometimes a little stilted (the book was first published in 1842), but this is a minor price to pay for all of the good information it brings to the serious reader. I certainly recommend it.

The complete title is:

The Harmonia Sacra, A Compilation of Genuine Church Music: Comprising a Great Variety of Metres, Harmonized for Four Voices: Together with a Copious Explication of the Principles of Vocal Music. Exemplified and Illustrated with Tables, in a Plain and Comprehensive Manner. By Joseph Funk and Sons.

In her introduction, Mary K. Oyer writes:

"We hope this new edition will help perpetuate community music-making among Mennonites by reinvigorating traditional Harmonia Sacra singing."

Amen, sister...and among singers everywhere!

You may email me for current information on where and when you may join those singing from this hymn book.

The hefty price tag of this history may keep it from all but the most specialized Catholic library collections, but it continues the coverage of Vatican II begun in previous volumes, with this covering the mature council, second period and intersession from September 1963-1964 - a period in which the Vatican II began to assume its character. From the debate of collegiality to the Council's completion of the first two documents, chapters cover its revision of major texts and its political involvements. Recommended for college-level students of Catholic history.

Paul Wilkes, often seen in the pages of the New Yorker or the New York Times Sunday Magazine writing on issues of faith in the modern age, turns in a compelling biography of a modern-day Catholic cleric. Entering the priesthood in the idyllic 1950s, Joe Greer's expectations were completely upturned by the dramatic changes of Vatican II and the wrenching realities of ministry in inner-city Boston. Rather than enjoying the peace of a well-appointed rectory, Fr. Greer winds up riding the stone-pelted school buses of Boston during the angry days of desegregation. Never claiming sainthood for himself, Greer struggles with very human temptations -- and occasionally falls to them, only to repent and try again. Finally, as the pastor of a suburban Boston church, Joe Greer faces the greatest challenge to faith anyone can confront -- he is diagnosed with a rampant and unyielding form of cancer. How this good man of a faith always open to doubt deals with the most dangerous temptation -- the temptation of despair -- shapes the crux of this well-told spiritual biography

As the table of contents show (above), Allen's work is detailed and attuned to the life-giving tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy. As an Orthodox under the direction of a Father, I can attest to the reality of such an approach in tangible terms. Whatever tradition you come from, this book will give you insight into our collective tradition and hopefully encourage you to seek out someone with whom you can struggle and grow. "The man who chooses himself has chosen a fool."

Other books of interest in this regard are: "The Orthodox Way" by Bishop Kallistos Ware, "The Psalms", "A different Christianity" by Robin Amis, "Beginning to Pray" by Archbishop Bloom, and Colliander's classic, "The Way of the Ascetics". Pray. As Bishop Ware has said, the devil says 'tomorrow,' The Holy Spirit says, 'Today!'