This book is more than just a price book. It uses a series of questions to help you nail down just what you are looking at. In the BASICS section you find the different types of inlays as Line inlay Marquetry, Parquetry, and Oyster-veneering. The book is small enough that I carry this with me.

Some of the highlights are:

Uses a unique question-and -answer approach to help you identify and date genuine antique glass

Deals with fakes, copies, condition and other factors that may confuse even experienced collectors

Analyses typical items that collectors can find in shops and auction houses

Gives Guidelines to values

Contains a wealth of background information, including an extensive glossary

Is a thorough introductory course for the beginner and also a superb refresher for those with some collecting experience.

This would have been an outstanding environment to have a great discussion over this "Beginnings" of Scripture. I say this because what is missing is a clear "conservative" voice. Certainly there are several whom one might label as providing this side's views. There are many such Old Testament stalwarts who could have did this admirably, e.g. Walter Kaiser to mention but one.

Thus, this book is very unbalanced as the liberal element is so prone to do: ignore the traditional, conservative opinion as well. You find it in all their works. While the conservative side most always reacts and interacts with the liberals, you rarely see it in the reverse. Thus, the poor unknowing layperson sees this as the total picture. Or hopefully not.

"Oh, Lord, open thou our eyes."

Perhaps if you haven't read these since childhood Sunday school, you still think these are simple stories. These compact stories all have deep issues about life and what it means to be human. I was surprised by the feeling that God may be wresting with what it means to be God and allow humans freedom. There almost seems to be a trial and error approach to creation. The people in Genesis are all exposed as being very human, with fractured families. The people on the video are also very human, and at time the discussions are very personal, like sitting in with an old friend. This book and videos offered an amazing number of views, and one shouldn't view them as dogma. I was particularly surprised by feminist and Koran views. I hope to read further by Burton Visotzky who was a participant. For an example of unique reading of Abraham and Isaac see Kierkegaard's "Fear and Trembling".

I don't agree...I found this book exciting. Most books today considering the question of Genesis are generally written by conservative believers and marketed to the faithful. We've been fed the conservative point of view fairly consistantly since the founding of this country. In my experience, I find that the conservative rarely reach out to conduct this kind of inquiry, instead focusing on "spreading the word" they personally endorse with very little time for others' interpretations of the bible's message. They rarely reccomend such books as this to their peers, for fear of the questions which may arise from the text. (this is, as I've said, based upon my own experiences, and doesn't apply to conservatives as a whole, I should hope.) I read and consider both camps, but have always seen the field as unbalanced in the conservative direction, especially here in the south. Welcome this book, read this book, and consider this book. It's a rare thing thoughtfully constructed.

MORE THAN A MIRACLE was a very touching story of a single father looking for his lost child.
Gabriel Channing has spent a year of his life looking for his lost son.

In finding his son, Gabe also finds love and a family. Maureen O'Rourke and her daughter, Kathleen renew the teachings that Gabe had learned -- Put family ahead of material gain.

Well developed story, again much too short, but wonderfully inspireing, leaving you with a very good feeling.

CHRISTMAS WISHES is the story of Abbie Doyle and Jack Graham and his little daughter, Natalie.
Abbie has trained to be an accountant - but is hired on as a social secretary [for which she has no knowledge] but she is trying to become an accomplished lady [victorian style].

Jack Graham is in construction [wealthy it seems] but cannot abide Abbie's employer. He needs help to find out what his little daughter wishes for Christmas.

Jack finds himself intrigued with Abbie but does not want to fall in love with her and it all starts with a kiss.
Will Abbie be able to find out for Jack what his daughter wants for Christmas? Will Jack get what he wants for Christmas?
Abbie gets her wish.
A delightful story in keeping with the novello style.

WISH UPON A STAR is the story of Anna Tanner -- sister of Wes Tanner -- adopted daughter of Gabrial and Rosemary Tanner.
The story was exceptionally good but my only complaint is it was much too short.

It covers, very well, the misundetstandings between Anna and her employer Morgan Brady with his inept attempt of a proposition.
Being a young woman of moral integrity, Anna takes off for home, in Edgewood, Texas and family support.
Wes and Gabe are more than happy to protect Anna while Rosemary, very gently, helps Anna to face her decisions.

Morgan's son Jamie learns what it is like to be included into a loving family and he becomes Gabe's and Rosemary's first grandson along with Wes and Angelena's little daughter, Joy Marie, the first granddaughter. What a loving family.
Definitely needed to complete the trio of stories of the Tanner family.