I read this book as a Graduate Theology student. It was part of a semester course on Thomas Merton. Lawrence Cunningham did a great job compiling this anthology.

Because Merton was incredibly prolific, it's hard to know where to start--so many books, so many topics. Merton wrote on prayer, contemplation, solitude, war, monasticism, art, etc.

I recommend this book as a starting point You can read this anthology and go off in various directions depending on your particular Merton area of interest.

Additionally, Cunningham's introduction is worth the price of the book. He is an astute scholar of Merton and brings much wisdom to Merton's life and writing.

If you like Thomas Merton, buy this book. You won't be disappointed.

The editor chose most wisely--"Thomas Merton:Spiritual Master:The Essential Writings" is an excellent overview of Merton's writing. The book has great appeal to someone who has never read Merton, or to someone quite familiar with his works.The bibliography included is fantastic. Cunningham's work is a lovely and compelling piece of scholarship.

I was first exposed to this book six years ago when I was a freshman in high school. As the primary text for my History of Guam class, this book served as a significant resource. The book is full of color (in the words) and life. It is not a dry review of a people, but tells their story. Rather than just stating facts, Larry told about the culture and the people as a whole. This book truly brings back to life an ancient people.

This is a wonderful book! It is the history of Catholism arranged by grouping the main "movers and shakers" who have influenced the character and events of the church down through the ages. It is very interesting reading; an overview, certainly, but with witty comentary and a really excellent bibliography for further study at the end of each chapter. It is worth having for the information on "where to find more information" alone! I recommend it highly for the neophyte or the scholar.

This is an accessible, sophisticated, and multi-faceted introduction to the law and economics of corporate finance. The book subtly and persuasively connects themes of corporate finance to themes of greater social policy.

This book is one of the best woodworking books I have ever read on any topic. This book happens to be on wood finishes. Not only does the author tell you about various finishes and what they might be best for, but he tells you why! Not only does this extra information satisfy curiosity, but it helps you learn how to pick a finish even if your exact situation is not listed in the book.

The author provides helpfull tricks like how to tell if a can of finish is an oil or a varnish. (let some dry on a piece of glass and check the results). How to treat pine before staining to prevent blotches. He even revleas the ridiculous labeling practices of the finish makers that often make it hard to buy what you meant to buy. Did you know that many rubbing oils are varnishes, not pure oils?!?

The author has clearly studied the science of finishing. He explains the whys and hows with enough detail for an engineer like me without overly complicating matters. The pictures are helpfull and well done.

This book is definetely on my "must have" list for any woodworker. I just can't say enough good about this book.

This book is a GREAT place to start your journey into wood finishing.

Bob starts by systematically explaining the logic and science behind different types of finish, including oils (varnish "oils" too, polyurethane and such), shellac, lacquer, conversion, waterbase, waxes, and more.

He also explains application methodology IN DEPTH, such as, french polishing, brushing, spraying.

He explains shaping tools (these include scrapers with sharpening methods, spokeshave devices, steel wools, rubbing compounds, sandpapers (all types)) and how to use them to achieve results.

He then goes in depth into suggestions for different woods, limited exotics and many domestics, as well as good rule of thumb's.

Main positives to this book: Mr. Flexner has given in depth and yet layman's explanations of how finishes work and the chemicals involved. This is integral to applying a good finish, in my opinion. This book could stand alone as everything a fledgling finisher needs to tackle any project.

Main negatives: Mr. Flexner is very informative and systematic. That said, he is obviously not a writer by trade. You WILL find yourself treating this as a reference book, its not a "sunday read" for the woodworking inclined. Several times (not many, but a couple) he contradicts himself (there is a passage that "debunks" the myth of better protection from thicker film build of a finish, and then later he suggests building the finish to a thicker film for "better protection...")

These negative in my opinion NO way detract from the book. It is an incredible reference tool for the amateur, and marks a necessary item for the professional finisher's bookshelf.

JTAcoustics

A friend loaned me a copy of this book when I was trying to figure how to stain a cherry cabinet without the typical splotchy results one usually gets with this difficult-to-stain wood. This book not only addressed that problem, it gave several techniques to deal with it. Flexner even explained why different brands of stain would have different results. I was so impressed I bought my own copy. No other book I've seen does such a great job of explaining the technical aspects of how finishes work, and what protection each kind of finish provides, while keeping the text easy to follow and understand. This makes it a great book for learning about the many different stains and wood finishes.

Plus, it is more comprehensive than other wood finishing books I've seen. It explains in detail the different application techniques, when and how to use them. There are plenty of helpful illustrations, including color photo examples of different stains and finishes on various woods. So it is a great reference source when working on a particular project and trying to decide the best finish or application technique to use.

I keep looking for other books on wood finishing that would add to what is in this book. But I haven't come across any yet.

Who better than to describe Warren Buffett than Buffett himself? Editor Lawrence Cunningham expertly stiches together Buffett's wisdom and wit (he is genuinely funny) compiled from 20+ years of Berkshire Hathaway annual reports. The triumph is that the result feels like a seamless, oral narrative with Buffett speaking to you one-on-one over hamburgers and Cherry Cokes.

My only problem with the book comes in the form of the rather interminable 24-page introduction penned by Mr. Cunningham. Frankly, I barely made it to the starting line. My advice to you, the prospective reader, is to graze the first *three pages* of the introduction, and then skip right to Buffett. Pages four through 24 feature Mr. Cunningham telling you what Buffett is going to tell you. The only redeeming aspect of this otherwise useless overhead is that it clearly demonstrates the power of Buffett's writing. Cunningham completely succeeds in draining the text dry of Buffett's folksy, accessible style.

Just let Warren tell the story, please.

In the first place, Lawrence Cunningham, whose school it turns out is just a couple blocks from me here in Manhattan, has done a very fine public service in collecting these essays. If you've ever tried to wade through Buffet's annual letters yourself, you know that there are long bits of detailed financial discussions interspersed with the gems of wisdom, aphorisms, and humor that the amateur Buffet-ette is more apt to be seeking. So his collection and coalition, which is well-chosen, well-ordered, and well-edited is a treat for any Buffet fan looking for an accessible volume of the man's work.

Buffet has the strangest of powers in that he comes across as a homespun billionaire. Now that's different from just being homespun, the way Sam Walton was, or just being a billionaire, like Bill Gates. Buffet flaunts his wealth and his professional love of money, all the while expressing essential, eternal truths in simple, earthy phrases. When I saw Buffet speak at business school he tapped on the microphone to test it and said "testing, testing, one-million, two-million, three-million." It is that natural genius for combining wealth, truth and comedy that is most vividly on display in "The Essays of Warren Buffet.".

Of course, these timeless, simple truths are all known - the way we know that "eat less, exercise more" is how to lose weight. And yet, and yet, it takes Buffet to remind us to "think like an owner"; invest only in management that you "like, trust, and admire"; and buy pieces of business (stocks) when it costs less than the intrinsic value.

There are the excellent statements of managerial accountability, business valuation, and capital structure. Helpful warnings on accounting shenanigans, trading costs, and paying heed to Mr. Market. For clarity, brevity, wit, truth, and learning, there is no business writer in the 20th century that compares with Warren Buffet.

Buffet's sayings are irreplaceable (and I am not cherry picking here, but merely highlighting a half-dozen of the hundreds of bon mots in this book):

"On the other hand, working with people who cause your stomach to churn seems much like marrying for money - probably a bad idea under any circumstances, but absolute madness if you are already rich."

"The speed at which a business success is recognized, furthermore, is not that important as long as the company's intrinsic value is increasing at a satisfactory rate. In fact, delayed recognition can be an advantage: It may give us the chance to buy more of a good thing at a bargain price."

"Just as work expands to fill available time, corporate projects or acquisitions will materialize to soak up available funds... any business craving of the leader, however foolish, will be quickly supported by detailed rate-of-return and strategic studies prepared by his troops"

In regard to acquisitions, which usually fail to earn the cost of capital: "The managers at fault periodically report on the lesson they have learned from the latest disappointment. They then usually seek out future lessons."

"One of the ironies of the stock market is the emphasis on activity. Brokers, using terms such as 'marketability' and 'liquidity," sing the praises of companies with high share turnover... but investors should understand that what is good for the croupier is not good for the customer. A hyperactive stock market is the pick pocket of enterprise."

On acquiring bad companies for cheap prices: "In my early days as a manager I, too, dated a few toads. They were cheap dates - I've never been much of a sport - but my results matched those of acquirers who courted higher-price toads. I kissed and they croaked."

Buffet is approaching literature here - the nuance involved, and the delicious counter-pointing of toads, dates, sport are pitch-perfect. The payoff - "I kissed and they croaked" is as fine a line of found poetry as exists.

Buffet, having studied at the feet of the master of investment literature for the first half of the 20th century, has ascended to become the master of investment literature, unqualified. This is a book that will please Buffet-maniacs, investors, finance newbies, and anybody with an interest in the articulated evolution of managerial capitalism that has separated the finance and capital allocation specialties from the operational and day-to-day specializations.

In closing, it's appropriate to quote America's great investing wag quoting America's greatest political wag - the subject is, as always with Buffet, simple maths and simple truths:

"Managers thinking about accounting issues should never forget one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite riddles: 'How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg?' The answer: 'Four, because calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg'."

Enjoy this book.

Larry Cunningham is one of a handful of Warren Buffett aficionados who truly grasps what Buffett is all about. Too much attention has been paid to Warren the stock picker, and very little to Warren the business analyst and corporate manager. To be a successful investor, you first have to be a successful judge of businesses, which Buffett has been exceptional at.

That is the key legacy of Larry Cunningham's Essays. He has artfully stitched together Buffett's musings over the past 20 years and created an extraordinary primer that both individual investors and corporate managers will find extremely useful. I will resort to this book time and again for illumination and refreshment.

While Christian Spirituality is a fairly basic book about the spectrum of the spiritual life,its main focus is spirituality developed within the Roman Catholic tradition. Cunningham brings his description forward to the 21st century keeping the roots connected to the future. I particularly liked his chapter on Friendship and how it relates to one's spiritual growth. That is one of the more unique contributions this book makes. Cunningham's foundational approach is a good start for someone initially exploring this topic. He presents every chapter in a chronological manner, describing first the scriptural basis of this aspect and then bringing it forward through the history of Christian history. Obviously this is not done in depth, but provides a reader with many footnotes, bibliography and some exercises to help the reader look for his/her own nuance.

I have read and heard many of the things Cunningham wrote, but I found his presentation be to be a concise and terse one. I enjoyed that. It is the kind of book one can go back to find something quickly for further exploration.

Leisurely to read, commodious in depth and breadth, this book is a showcase of the learning and expository ease of two well-respected professors of theology and religious studies. For anyone who wishes to acquaint themselves with major themes in the Catholic spiritual tradition in painless indulgence, I highly recommend this book.

Each chapter focuses on a theme, such as the spiritual journey, meditation and contemplation, asceticism, living in the presence of God, solitude in community, or friendship. In the selection of themes and in their treatment, the discussion leans heavily towards established monastic, medieval, or post-Reformation traditions. This holds true even though the authors may take up modern innovations, such as Gustavo Gutierrez' liberation spirituality or Thomas Keating's centering prayer. Unfortunately or not, given this tendency, very significant modern developments get short shrift--for example, the "little way" of St. Therese of Lisieux.

I was delighted to see the authors pick up shiny gems from the Catholic classics like shells on a beach stroll. Turning the pages, I happened upon the penthos of the desert fathers, the epektasis of St. Gregory of Nyssa, the schola of St. Benedict, the contemplatio of St. Dominic, the discretio of St. Ignatius Loyola, and the gustos of St. Teresa of Avila.

Interspersed throughout the text I came across citations of the likes of The Brothers Karamazov, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, or Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, making the book an engaging display wherein the modern is lightly hung upon the traditional like decorations.

This book was intended as an introductory overview. For a fuller discussion, the reader should consult the original texts and scholarly works, for which the authors provide a modest bibliography. Excluded as an important reference is Jordan Aumann, O.P.'s Christian Spirituality in the Catholic Tradition (1985), which I would strongly recommend as a historical survey.

I have read this book three times. Every time I wish to send a gift to a Catholic friend, this is what I send. Why? Because it is loaded with the best stuff the Catholic Church has to offer. That may be a drawback. It is unlikely that readers who aren't Catholic would be familiar with many of the experts on prayer who are quoted and interpreted. Persons who aren't Catholic, however, who are seeking to grow in their spiritual life, will have a hard time finding a more useful method to pray the psalms than what is offered here. The entire Bible, of course, is presented as our first source for prayer and meditation, but the specifically Catholic traditions may be offputting to some. For over a year now, ever since I read this book for the first time, I have been spending an hour with God in the morning before I do anything else. It has changed my life.

This is a very good book for introducing students to art, literature and music from the beginning of the Renaissance until the 1990s. Many illustrations are included which help the reader comprehend what the text is saying about works of art. Selections from works of writers studied are included in the back of the chapters in which they are mentioned. However, no footnotes, commentaries or definitions are included in these selections by the authors, which may sometimes be frustrating because some writers are harder to understand than others. As a student who used this book in my humanities class, I would have to say that overall this book is an excellent survey of humantities because it provides good information not only about the writers, artists and musicians but also a good background of the social/political events of the times during which these people lived.

I, as an undergraduate student studying culture and civilization, was very impressed by the content of this title. It covers everything from the effect of the Mona Lisa on society to Guernica. It goes into great detail about how art, music, and archetecture has affected society throughout modern times. The quality of the book is unprecidented as the photos and painting prints in it are beautifully presented in a very aesthetically pleasing fashion. This is a must buy for all interested in the affect of the arts on society and culture. As this is the only textbook that I am keeping this year, I completely recommend it for those who may not be taking any subject associated but are just interested in its subject. If I could I would give it 1000 stars.

Doesn't this book sound like a battle plan for investment success, maybe one filled with value-based accounting lessons? It's not.

In fact, we are spared math, and we are not given practical counsel, either. That was what I looking for, as the title suggests. The title should be How Can The Smart Money Be So Dumb.

Instead, this is an interesting run-through of recent horror stories on Wall Street from the Internet bubble to IPO's to pro forma accounting and Enron. Behavioral finance is discussed here, but Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes by Gary Belsky and Thomas Gilovich is far superior.

Or read Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein. Or John Neff On Investing instead.

Mr. Cunningham is one of the new wave of Buffett explainers. (Where were you people 15 years ago when there was money to be made buying Berkshire?) And why does someone so incisive, so downhome funny as Mr. Buffett need so much explanation?? (Try Cunningham's The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America or the Berkshire Hathaway annual report.)

Unfortunately, the author lets slip his idea of a five-year holding period for stocks. That may turn out to be good advice, but which stocks would he choose to hold? We have no idea. (Tech stocks, big winners 2 years ago, have crashed back down to their 1997 prices. And non-tech Walt Disney is well below its 1997 prices.)

I think Mr. Cunningham is an extremely brave and patient investor.

I read Cunningham's book based on the review in Barron's rounding up the best investment books of 2002. They were right. The book is a eye-opening intro to the psychology of investing, important to investors and market observers/regulators. (Cunningham's other books have more of the basics for investors--also very good books.)

Awesome. Cunningham dissects the woes besetting corporate American using lucid, concrete examples, with boundless energy and enthusiasm, endorsed properly on the back cover by those who take behavioralism seriously, including Gary Belsky, who wrote the top-seller "Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes" (which is about general habits, not investment philosophy of which Cunningham writes) and Robert Hagstrom, prolific author (who writes about investment philosophy, and sometimes behavioralism). What an astonishing record Cunningham has developed as a writer and expert in invesetment theory and practice! A better title for this book would be Rational Investing in a Hair Brained Environment; the one chosen is unduly flashy for the seriousness of Cunningham's pursuits (he's a professor of law and business!).