Davies book is an excellent read. It is short (about 150 pages) and clear. Davies investigates three reformation figures on the authority to exegete Scripture for the formulation of doctrine: Luther, Zwingli and Calvin. Davies is a sympathetic investigator and gives the reformers a charitable read. He finds that for Luther, the criteria of what amounted to doctrine was if it measured up with his Law/Gospel distinction. Davies finds that this proposal is inadequate since it is either grounded in Luther's subjective experience or is question begging. (How does one know what the proper relation is between Law and Gospel prior to exegeting Scripture?) He moves on to Zwingli who's proposal is simple and elegant but highly implausible. Zwingli knows what is or is not the the proper exegesis of Scripture and thus what is doctrine by God audibly telling him so. Lastly, Davies examines Calvin's appeal to the inner witness of the Scriptures and the claim of Scripture's self authentication. He argues rightly that such claims ultimately reduce to appeals to private and internal psychological states, rather than public, normative, objective processes by which claims are adjudicated.

While this is a small book its worth should not be seen as low because of that fact. It is a most valuable work and is completely ignored in numerous Protestant works (even though the author was a Protestant)on Sola Scriptura. For example, in the entire three volume work of King and Webster (Holy Scripture) there isn't a single reference anywhere to Davies' work. The same can be said for numerous other Protestant works on the subject. And this fact alone makes them inadequate as a comparison between the two works will make apparent. Davies book is a necessary work for sorting out debates on Sola Scriptura and Church Authority.

This book has been a constant companion on nearly all of my fishing trips, regardless of location. I am currently on my second copy- the first was worn out from repeated use ! When a question arises about habitat,water preference, etc., we whip out the ole' McClanes to settle the argument.The pictures offer a true rendition of the fish which aides in rapid identification.The descriptions give vital information, while remaining brief enough to allow the book to function as a true "field" guide.I highly recommend this book to any angler or saltwater fish enthusiasts in need of a pocket guide.

This book is very useful in every facet of salt water fishing, from fish physiology and habits to tackle selection. A must for every salt water fisherman.

McClane's saltwater fish identification guide is a must for every angler -- sunburned beginner or salty old pro -- who casts a line into our bays and oceans. The most outstanding among this guide's many strengths are its clear, concise writing in the description of each fish, and the strikingly life-like, full-color artistic renditions of most of the fish. The fish are organized by family; so where there are related species on the Atlantic and Pacific sides (e.g., among sea bass), the book does jump somewhat to and fro. However, with its thorough index and vivid illustrations, any saltwater angler should be able to locate that "mystery fish" in McClane's within less than a minute. This book accompanied me on every fishing trip in my years of angling in South Florida and the Keys; and many an unknown fish was revealed through McClane's pages. With this book, the difference between sheepshead and spadefish (for example) is obvious -- in feeding habits, location, water preferences and any characteristic of appearance. Whether you catch a Spanish mackeral, ladyfish, jack crevalle or even the ugly (but tasty!) guitarfish, McClanes can teach you all the important information about it, quickly. It's the perfect size for the tacklebox; but be sure to put it in a freezer bag to keep it dry.