In this book a professional scientist writes about religion, specifically, about Jesus. It is a spectacular accomplishment, totally honest in its outlook and impressively comprehensive in its scholarship.

I must admit that I am only halfway through its thousand pages. I am not reading it rapidly, but am annotating the margins of each page, in ink! It may take me the rest of my life to finish it (I am 77 and I read it only on Sundays for an hour or two), but already I know that I will never find a more scholarly and insightful work which honestly seeks to discern the true character of Jesus.

Perhaps because I share the same scientific temperament as the author, we have a common bond that unconsciously brings us together. Davidson has studied and written exactly as I would like to, provided I could commit myself to devoting the immense amount of time and energy to meticulous scholarship, as he had done.

In this book the character of Jesus is incomparably broadened and sharpened by bringing in many sources that were ignored by the political and administrative forces that finally determined the content of the New Testament. There are hundreds of lengthy quotations about Jesus from over three hundred sources that were written in the first five centuries after his death. Furthermore, each quotation is rephrased by the author for further clarification.

Here is an example: "Jesus said, 'If the flesh came into being because of the spirit, it is a wonder. But if spirit came into being because of the body, it is a wonder of wonders. Indeed, I am amazed at how this great wealth has made its home in this poverty.'" This is quoted by Davidson from the Gospel of Thomas which is rejected by fathers of the Christian Church, for it suggests that the soul may have derived and evolved from its life in the body, rather than vice versa. I find that "twist" fascinating!

Frankly, I find it difficult to believe that the historical Jesus actually spoke this thought, but somehow it does not matter. The Bible is a collection of many noble, and some not so noble, thoughts of human beings, but it has been edited for "proper" content by many biased editors with tunnel vision.

In this book many insights are given that point toward the existence and the character of the divine in human life. And I find them inspiring! Nowhere else have I found any writing on religion that approaches the dedication and illumination of this book. Page after page I am enthralled by my introduction to many obscure and unknown writers who, in their admiration for Jesus, have put their inspired words into his mouth in much the same way as the New Testament writers have done.

It is clear that I cannot praise this book enough. However, it is written for the seeker, not for the believer.

John Davidson has written a masterpiece on the esoteric meanings and mystical teachings of Jesus in the Gospels of the New Testament. Only a fellow soul on the spiritual path could reveal and convey the real meaning of the Gospel of Jesus as it was truly intended. Mr. Davidson illuminates not only the New Testament but other important spiritual and mystical writings and mystic teachers throughout the ages (Mandatory reading for everyone, not just Christians, scholars/historians of the Bible, and mystics). ...
When the inner esoteric meaning of the Gospel of Jesus is revealed to the reader by Mr Davidson (a mystic), profound revelation will be the result. Most books on the Gospels/Jesus are written by scholars with little spiritual awakening and acumen, and hence scholarly and sectarian dogma results with little understanding of true spirituality.
The only two caveats of Mr. Davidson when reading this book are, that he is an avid vegetarian and proponent of Gurus/teachers to help guide us (no doubt from eastern teachers influences on him). Further study of true mysticism without sectarianism for readers on the spiritual path is the Rosicrucian organisation AMORC, which is whole-heartedly recommended.

I found this book to be an amazing collection of the words of Jesus. It helped me to hear these words again. It validates my own mystical experiences. Ever since I was a small child, I had this feeling that something was missing in my religious teaching. When I read books like this, I have this feeling that I've known this before. The only problem I had with this book was the second to the last chapter in which the author tried to make a case for vegetarianism by insisting that Jesus was a vegetarian. I had a hard time swallowing the "evidence" for this. My question is, what difference does it make? John Davidson spends 900 pages showing us how the "kingdom is not of this world," and reveals a mystical and spiritual message. Then in the last hundred pages, he tells us that mystics shouldn't eat meat. Well, how spiritual is that? If reality is spiritual, then it shouldn't make a whole lot of difference whether we eat meat or not. If this book is ever revised for re-publication, I would strongly suggest that the chapter on vegetarianism be removed. It is not only out of place, but it detracts from the whole spiritual message. There might be a place for a discussion about vegetarianism in the Old and New Testaments. I know I wouldn't buy it, because I'm interested in the mystical and spiritual, not people's diet preferences. I think that readers of this book would also find *A Course in Miracles* inspiring and mind-changing.

My husband and I read "The Complete Wilderness Paddler" before we went on a three week canoe trip north of the Great Slave Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. It contained exactly what we needed to learn. We even ended up singing the authors' "Little Black Flies" song a few times ourselves--see Chapter Nineteen, "A Disquisition on Some (Justly) Unsung Creatures of the Woods." This chapter not only contains the black flies song ("Black flies, little black flies/ Rum bum umble dum little black flies...") but also charts a technique for unobtrusively shagging your black flies off onto an unsuspecting decoy, e.g. your husband or the guide. Priceless. This is the kind of stuff you really need to know if you're planning any kind of camp-out north of Indiana.

The authors had to portage around thirty-two sets of rapids (not easy with a canoe balanced on your head) on their trip down the entire length of Labrador's Moisie River. They include invaluable information on trail-finding (if there is a trail) and bushwack portages, accomplished with "compass, map, and horse-sense." (Nowadays, one might also use a GPS device). One of the suggestions if you happen to be looking for the next lake across the watershed, is to head for the point on the horizon where the trees dip the lowest, "but not if the topo shows it to be the Dismal Swamp."

Just remember that you may be bushwacking the next body of paddleable water with the center thwart of a canoe across your shoulders. You won't have a lot of energy for sight-seeing.

If you are going to traverse a well-known river, you might not have to read the chapters on "Scouting" and "Lining." However, it might still be a good idea to know the information they contain, just in case your 'well-known' river is running high or very low.

Jim, Rug, Joe, and Peach (the 'wilderness paddlers') also spend a great deal of time demonstrating via diagrams and text, the tactics and strokes for handling all conditions of still and wild water--the Moise River had them all--not to mention ice, haystacks, eddy lines, souse holes, curlers, and roosters.

There is also advice on bailing techniques, and how to recover when your canoe capsizes.

This book is 'the' classic for anyone who wants to take off into the Wilderness and do some heavy-duty paddling. It's authoritative, extremely detailed, and also enormously fun to read.

I first read this book over 15 years ago and the wisdom it contains is as timely as ever. Not only is the book a thorough education in wilderness exploration and paddling, it provides entertaining look into the distinct personalities of two enthusiasts. If you like to laugh while you learn, this book is for you.

I gave a copy to my fiance before we went on our first river adventure last year and would reccomend it to anyone who is trying to prepare for a canoe trip. The book coverse everything from basic wilderness orientation and safety to paddling techniques and scouting. While the equipment available to canoeists has dramatically improved in the 30 (?) years since this book was written, the techniques and advice they provide are timeless. Even the experienced paddler will enjoy this quick and entertaining read.

A wonderful story. The title is wrong; this is not an instruction manual. This is a true story of four young men who find the headwaters of the Moisie River and then canoe its entire length. But it is a story written with wit and sensitivity, from the finding of the Coke bottle in the wilderness of Labrador to the final shoot to the St. Lawrence. Get it. Don't hesitate. you'll love it.

If you are looking for a picture laden book with short commentary, then this book, i.e., 99 : My Life in Pictures
by Wayne Gretzky, et al. The text is short and sweet and there is a plethora of well taken pictures.

This is a very nice coffe table book. Many pictures of Wayne from his years in Edmonton to New York coupled with qoutes. A must for any Gretzky or hockey fan.

This book is a worthy tribute to the greatest hockey player of all time. Breathtaking photos capture all the emotion of an unparalleled life and career.

This is a book of high interest to my 5th and 6th grade students. Benjamin Franklin came alive on the pages of this book, and even inspired one young man to do further research into the life of this truly amazing American. The language is simple and straight forward making comprehenshion possible even for my students who are struggling with a very limited knowledge of the English language. I believe that this book is not only appropriate for children, but also an enjoyable reading experience for adults that are reading along with their children, or adults who are building their own reading skills. It never "talks down" to the reader. The world is hungry for heroes, and leaders who live and teach old-fashioned virtues. This book meets this need in an entertaining way.

This book has been very informative for both my 6th grade and my college-aged ESL students. It brings to life one of the most inventive and creative personalities in American history. He is presented in a very positive way, making him a role model that can be an example to younger and older people alike. This book is written in language that is easily understood by young or foreign readers. While it uses vocabulary that stretches the limits of a young person's ability, it also gives explantion for difficult passages. It gives thoughtful insight into American history preceding the Revolutionary War and the reasons for the War.

Outstanding reference and teaching volume. Well organized, thorough, nearly-comprehensive, authoritative.

This book is necessary for all true hockey fans. The book tells the stories of some of the great stars of the game from today and yesterday. The best part of the book is that it is written in their own words.

The most wonderful book on the hardest working, most underrated HD - the 45. This book does what most fail to do, it recognises the effect this small unassuming two wheeler has had on the lives of so many for so long.

Family transport during the depression, defender of the free world, mobile shop (servicar!), post war family transport, race bike, police utility, brakedown vehicle, Europes post war intro to the HD breed, and the ultimate custom canvass. The 45 has lived many lives with reliabilty (!), dignity, and pride.

John & Garry do a superb job, and its good to see a book that contains so much UK homegrown content. - Especially the 45 once owned by Krazy Horse Kustoms very own Steve Studd (its still going strong after many years too!!).

Spare and muscular, this life of Jesus is beautifully written. This is the perfect book for the irreligious or the inchoate Christian or the youthful Christian to read in order to understand the life of Jesus Christ and His importance to the world today.

This book provides introductions to a wide variety of topics in Australian history. It has been edited by three of the most eminent Australian academic historians and many of the entries have been written by experts in their respective fields. The entries themselves deal with events, people, noted historians and current issues in Australian historiography.

This is a good old fashioned adventure story-- right along with lines of "King Soloman's Mines", "Allen Quartermain", "Beau Gests", "The Sea-Hawks","She", "Scaramouche","The Scarlet Pimpernel", etc.

"Prester John" is based on a character/myth of the same name. Thoughout the Middle Ages it was rumored that a priest named "Prester (Father) John" had traveled to Africa to convert the natives. But instead emassed a huge fortune and made himself king of this mysterous part of Africa. So as you can expect this story is full of lost civilizations, hidden treasures, deepest-darkest Africa, great friendship and ruthless betrayal, explorers of spooky places, tigers and lions, witch doctors, and just plan good old fashioned late-victoria adventures. And despite it being written 100 or so years ago, it is still very,very readable.

So if you just want 100% escapism, or to introduce a child to the joys (and excitement) of reading, you can't go wrong with this story...esp. at this price!