I used this book to do some research about early mormon families. It acurately and pictorially follows the early history from beginning to present.

Every other page is a map or chart with a brief overview on the other page.

If you want the facts and nice illustrations of them this is the book for you. Only 150 pages.

Richard Poll was one of the pioneers of "The New Mormon History", the intellectual movement of the '60's and '70's that sought a new openness in writing about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This slim book is his legacy and testament. It includes many of his most influential essays, including "What the Church Means to People Like Me." That effort has inspired whole generations of latter-day Saints to stay faithful to their heritage and to seek out the best of worldly learning (this essay can be found online, but every essay in this collection is a gem. This is an absolutely essential book for anyone interested in Mormonism.

This book is a balm for the Christian who struggles to reconcile the uniqueness of Christ and the need for honest dialog with other faiths. Hughes shows how the Christian message supports openness and honest exchange. Christianity teaches humility (all have sinned...), the value of paradox (Christ as God and human at the same time), and love for others, including really listening to the others' point of view. The book is a gentle treatment of the subject, modeling the kindness and humility that Hughes promotes.

The ending of this book has such a twist, that most children I've read this book to don't seem to get it. Actually, only a handful of parents seem to realize what just happened. But that doesn't detract from the fact the story of one incredibly hungry hen and one slowly starving fox is one of the more entertaining children's books to come out in 2001. The illustrations fit the story well, as does the use of repetition throughout the hungry hen's story. While I'm sure the fun twist can be seen coming a mile away, I won't ruin it here for people who don't read reviews. Needless to say, whether you're reading this to one child, or an entire classroom full of chilren, this simply told story entertains them all.

_Icons and the Mystical Origins of Christianity_ is an excellent introduction to the subject of Christian mysticism, the roots of early Christianity, and the expression of the sacred in the art of the icon. The first half of the book is devoted to a detailed background survey of the mystical roots of Christianity, and the second half of the book is devoted to the analysis and application of these ideas to the icons themselves. Fully rooted in the perennial philosophy, Richard Temple, the author, attempts to outline the mystical developments as they arose in Egypt, Greece, and in the earliest beginnings of Christianity. The author includes a detailed account of the philosophies of the ancient Egyptians, Pythagoras, the cult of Orpheus, the Platonists, and Philo of Alexandria. Involved in this survey are the esoteric ideas of Plato and the NeoPlatonists (particularly Plotinus, Philo of Alexandria from the Jewish perspective, and Origen from the Christian perspective). The early church father, Origen would come later to propose a fourfold interpretation of the sacred biblical texts, which some would regard as heretical (although it would be revived in modern times). Temple also considers the early heretical movement of Gnosticism, which claimed to offer esoteric knowledge of God and often involved elaborate mystical cosmogonies. The early church fathers would come to write against Gnosticism in the most severe manner due to the potential dangers lurking in this belief system. Temple includes a discussion of certain practices in the Eastern churches including the Hesychasm and the text used in the Eastern Church, _The Philokalia_, a presentation of the wisdom and practical mystical advice of the monks from Mount Athos throughout the centuries. Temple also includes discussions of the early Platonist, Plotinus, and his role in the philosophical underpinnings of mystical thought as well as the Christian Platonist, Dionysius the Areopagite, who developed a negative theology in his writings. The second section of this book turns to the discussion of the sacred art in icons proper. Here, the author examines icons through the Fayum portraits and the Sinai Christ and Mother of God. These earliest scenes paved the way for the future artworks which were to come to represent the icons. In particular, the Alexandrian, Cosmas Indicopleustes, explained the origin of the Divine Ray and the Platonic hierarchies as they applied to the Great Chain of Being in the development of the icons. The author examines the role of the Orpheus cult and alludes to Jesus Christ's descent into hell before his resurrection to explain the divine mysteries of certain icons. The author also examines icons revealing Saint George and the dragon, and he shows how these particular icons represent spiritual mastery over lower urges (expressed through the figures of the dragon and the white stead). A distinction is drawn between the inner and the outer levels of man. Thus, various biblical events involve both an exoteric and an esoteric interpretation (e.g. those within the ark of Noah represent the esoteric circle while those outside the ark represent the exoteric aspect). The role of the topographical background to the icon and the divine light emanating from the heavens is explained by the author, including a discussion of the Christ Pantocrater. The author concludes with a discussion of Mary, the Theotokos (the "God-bearer", the Mother of God) and the iconostasis - the screen that separates the nave from the sanctuary in Eastern churches which involves several tiers of icons. Displayed on the iconostasis are the various biblical scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary (the life of Jesus being contained within the life of Mary) which illustrate various aspects of the divine unfolding. This illustrates the ancient principle of unity in multiplicity. The author concludes the book with a discussion of the need for a return to perennial philosophy as an explanation for the icons. In general, icons have played a far greater role in the Eastern churches than in those of the West. Furthermore, the author contends that mysticism has played a more important role in the East than in the West. While icons have been variously condemned and then allowed to proliferate, their role in the earliest developments of Christianity and Christian mysticism is apparent. This book offers not only a useful introduction to icons, but also an introduction to the perennial philosophy that underlies their interpretation. For those seekers after truth who choose to disregard the materialistic drift of modern times, a return to the most ancient forms of Christianity and Christian practice and a revival of its true mystical nature is of the most life-fulfilling importance.

In the midst of the theological quagmire of the American religious scene, this book stands tall. I read this book as a part of a Modern Theology class in college. I was amazed at its clarity and its directness.

Anton Ugolnik is a gifted writer who takes you on a journey through Communist Russia, showing examples of Christians who kept their faith in the midst of overwhelming repression. But he also shows quite well how Orthodoxy "fits" in America. It is a rich book, covering areas as vast as theology, political theory, hermeneutics, and the like. After reading this book, I finally understood the doctrine of the Trinity.

It is not a Summa of Orthodox thought, or even Father Ugolnik's Magnum Opus, but it is a true diamond in the rough-- a refreshing break from the soulless theological meanderings that have overridden the Christian thought in America.

Buxton's small book is big on theory and thus truly useful only to scholars interested in Greek mythology, especially as a social or intellectual phenomon. While one may not agree with everything Buxton has to say, his theories are well supported by the evidence he uses and he has a firm grasp of the ancient Greek mind and culture. A must have book for the serious scholar. The only thing that might make it better would be a more general approach since that would make it accessible to a wider audience.

Collaboratively written by C. Richard Wells (President and Professor of Pastoral Theology, The Criswell College, Dallas, Texas) and A. Boyd Luter (Dean of Faculty and Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, The Criswell College, Dallas, Texas), Inspired Preaching: A Survey Of Preaching Found In The New Testament is an exciting and innovative treatise on Evangelical Christian theology focused on interpreting the essence of Biblical preaching. Drawing upon the work and wisdom of great biblical preachers such as Jesus, Paul, and Peter, Inspired Preaching offers the Christian reader a vision and testimony for bringing the Bible's words into the context of modern daily life.

I borrowed this book to find out about the history of the English county Kent. What I got was history, imagery and absolute poetry. The author leads one through Kent with reminiscences of his childhood, anecdotes of famous "Men of Kent and Kentish men" and tells us what the distinction is. He rambles on as if setting out for a destination and is distracted by landmarks which he describes with marvelous charm. It is a gentle, old-worldy type of narrative. Published in 1948, it is natural that is quite different from what I otherwise read but I enjoyed letting myself be drawn into his obvious love of his homeland. It has taken me longer to read this book than any I can remember because I keep stopping to go back and re-read passages which delight me - even to the extent of reading them aloud so that I can hear the words rolling of my tongue. I got the history, both ancient and modern; I got a travelogue and the mood of the people. It also has pictures of many of the places. Not only do I want to read it again, I want to go there and experience some of these places for myself. Even with the changes of the intervening years, there must be some of Richard Church's "Kent" left to see.

Hola somos unos amigos españoles de Galicia, concretamente de Santiago de Gustei (Ourense). Confíamos en que Su Santidad se digne a visitar nuestro pueblo algún día