Incredibly profound in content.

Having gone through the whole "Conversations With God" (CWG) series as well as "Friendship with God", I wondered how this book would compare in principle--and I'm happy to say quite favorably. It seems truth IS universal, despite varying styles.

Whereas CWG was mind-blowing in it's eloquence, "Living With Joy" seemed almost child-like in it's gentle manner. Like a patient teacher, it takes your hand and walks you through precisely what it means to live a life based on joy. And what a delightful, refreshing, thought-provoking and ultimately life-changing stroll it is.

I especially liked Orin's admonition to take what he says and use what resonates for you, personally, and leave the rest behind. A good principle, I feel, when reading anything pertaining to our individual growth paths. Having said that, I found that almost all of it resonated with me, deeply and profoundly. You may, too.

Read it for the light it can bring. Live it for the positive changes it can invoke. Love it for the joy we can all share and partake of. Highly recommended.

Somehow this simple book manages to take many of the most sophisticated ideas about the nature of reality and state them in the most simple, understandable way possible. It's really enjoyable to read (and keep by your bedside) because although the words are simple, the ideas are not - in fact nearly every sentence in this book can be read and meditated on deeply - and the more you think about what you've read and how it relates to your life the more positive impact it will have on you.

This book has the unique ability to move me into a good, positive space no matter how I'm feeling before I read it. Its description on the nature of life is incredibly positive and uplifting. But, more importantly is that I feel that the information it offers is ACCURATE. I really believe in what the author is saying, mostly because of years and years of reading and studying principles regarding manifestation. What is said in Living with Joy reflects exactly what the great thinkers throughout time have stated.

I'm a happy and successful person and I believe that Living with Joy is one of the key reasons why that it so. If you want to feel happy, secure and free in your life I recommend this book highly.

I read this book several years ago while I was in university and it struck me around that time that in all of my years of studies I had never learned anything truly *important* in school. Nothing compared to this, nothing that added meaning or depth to my life, nothing that helped me to live with more peace, joy, or compassion. In this book I was reading about the importance of looking at all situations in a higher way and finding the good in them, about the importance of self love, self respect, self esteem, gratitude, higher purpose, how to experience more inner peace, balance, security, clarity, and freedom in my life. These concepts and subjects are among the most important things anyone can learn about living and life and *none of it was being taught in schools!*

If you have never read any of Sanaya's books before and are new to the metaphysical field, this book is a great place to start. It discusses down to earth applicable knowledge without dabbling in esoterics. It is completely devoid of dogma and is not based in any religion or philosophy.

A good complement to this book (for me) has been the Conversations with God (CWG) series by Neale Donald Walsch. While Sanaya/Orin speaks of many practical things you can do to make your everyday life work in higher ways, CWG has an in-depth metaphysical discussion of broader spiritual topics. Beware though, these books (the CWG series) may be deep waters for some... if you are not prepared to be challenged in your beliefs and the way you see the world, bring scuba gear or steer clear.

I highly recommend both this and all of Sanaya's books. Some deal with more accessible topics than others (like LWJ and Creating Money), others are more esoteric (Spiritual Growth and Opening to Channel) and others are somewhere in between (Soul Love and Personal Power through Awareness). All are excellent and top notch in quality though and even the ones dealing with esoterics are very clearly written and easy to understand. In each subject area the individual books deal with they are at the top of their field. You simply won't find any better on the subjects.

I wish this author was better known to the public as her books have so much to offer. If this review is the first encounter you have had with any of her books then you have stumbled onto a great (and largely unknown) treasure in metaphysical literature. I wholeheartedly encourage you to dive in and enjoy!

If anyone wishes to discuss her material or metaphysics, please feel free to contact me.

This book is absolutely incredible. I recommend it highly. It is one of the best ever written about the ancient Celts in Wales and in ancient Britain. I had read some of Ms. Gedge's Egyptian books and they were very good, but this one is definitely betterin my opinion. If you can't buy it since it's out of print, try to rent it from you library. Don't miss it! It's the best.

My favorite book ever!
If you have ever been transported back in time then you know what it feels like to read this book.When you read the Eagle and the Raven you become a part of the celtic world,you feel the pain of their struggle,you understand their need to remain a free people,and you really start to hate Romans!
It's true,before I read this book I was totaly fascinated by the Roman culture,now it just [makes me mad]
I'm not very good with words so I really can't convey how amazing of a book this is,but I will say that I have read hundreds of books and this really must be one of the best ever writen.I cried in this book,I cry whenever I read it,and I am not a person who cries often.
... if-when-you read it you will understand that that the words of an untrained mind are not able to speak more than simple praise for a book This magnificent.
I'm buying this today and you should too!
READ THIS !

This sweeping saga of Great Britain, known then, as the ancient Albion, chronicles the lives of several outstanding defenders of freedom. First is Caradoc, the son of a Celtic king, who tries to unite the people of his country against the invasions of Rome. It is also about his sister Gladys who stays behind to fight the Romans while her brother escapes to fight them again. She falls in love with a Roman despite her strong Celtic ties. Finally, it is about Boudicca, (everyone spells it differently) and her devotion to carry on the work of Caradoc.

This book was one of the best I have ever read. I couldn't put it down at times (even though I had to force myself to so I could go to sleep at night). You are brought back into time and feel as though you are with these people, silently watching and cheering on the Celts, while at the same time cursing the Romans and their greedy grasping ways. It is a long book but it doesn't seem so as the pages fly through your fingers as you become enveloped in the Celt's cause against Rome. The book is wonderfully detailed with ancient pre-medievalism descriptions of people, places, etc. You just have to buy this book, and read it, to believe how incredible it really is. The characters are so three dimensional and emotional that you feel their pain and their triumphs with unbelievable passion.

Yes, this book is out-of-print, but if you find it, buy it, and read it and treasure it for years to come. You will not be sorry that you turned the first page of the first chapter.

If you enjoyed this book I think you would also enjoy "Warrior Queen" by James Sinclair (also out-of-print but an excellent read), and "Ashes of Britannia" Warrior Queen Series by Haley Elizabeth Garwood. These titles delve deeper into Boudicca's fight against Rome.

I first read this book when I was twelve years old and it affected me so much that ten years later I still have a deep and abiding love of Greek mythology. A ratty, paperback copy I found at Salvation Army still holds *the* place of honor in my Greco-Roman collection, usurping The Odyssey, The Iliad, Edith Hamilton, and Robert Graves.

What originally struck me as so fantastic (and still does) is that the D'aulaires don't write down to their audience or edit out details important to the original myth that some parents might not approve of. The end result? An all ages storybook and mythological primer that no one should be ashamed to own.

The drawings are an acquired taste, falling somewhere between Classical pottery paintings and Art Deco, but they do grow on you. My only quibble is that there's no pronunciation guide, which can really hamper you if this is your first exposure to these stories.

Buy this for for your children or even for yourself, you will never regret it.

When I was in elementary school I found this book at the library. I loved it so much that I did not want to return it. Finally, after several months of renewals, my parents bought it for me. It was one of my most treasured--and worn out--books that I owned.

What made me fall in love the book was the beautiful, large colorful pictures; the easy introduction of the many Gods (to a child with no background in the stories); and, of course, the myths themselves. They were wonderful stories and will pull in readers of all ages.

The book inspired me to read more books on Greek mythology--Edith Hamilton, for instance--and Norse myths (the D'Aularies wrote a book on Norse gods that is unfortunately still out of print) and Asian folktakes when I was still in grade school. In college, however, I learned that these myths in this book had gone through a bit of sanitization, but it is still terrific. I haven't found another chilren's book that treats Greek mythology so well.

This book is one that will keep giving even when the child becomes an adult. When I went to college and was assigned other Greek and Roman poems, plays, and essays, I would be reminded the pictures and the myths found in this book. It would bring back wonderful memories, and at the same time made reading ancient literature enjoyable and easy rather than onerous. To this day, I still remember all of the myths and gods that are in this book, and it gives me a nice referemce to my academic reading.

My parents recently bought the hardcopy edition of the book for me for Christmas. It was the best gift I have received in years!

It is simply a wonderful book!

I don't know about all of you, but Greek Mythology is something I just can't live without! I pondered long and hard over many other volumes that were of the same material, but VERY longwinded. I don't have a lot of time on my hands, but I was just dying to learn of the famous Zues, Hera, Aphrodite, Ares, Athena, and all of the other gods and goddesses who governed the world high atop Mount Olympus. Also of Cronus, Rhea, Gaea, Uranus, and other gods and goddesses I never knew about. Then I found this book, this treasure amongst literature. The artwork alone is enthralling and the detail in which the stories are told is absolutly mesmerizing. The book is one of the best and one would certainly advise a friend to read it if one is streched for time yet has an incredible lust for Greek Mythology. The stories are easy to understand and yet so graphical that even the simplest child could lose themselves in the stories of Eos, Hercules, or Heracles as he is called in the book, Persephone, Demeter, and Phaethon. If you love Greek Myths, this book is an absolute must

Sr. Emmanuel NEVER disappoints - this is a lovely, unaffected book that tells a beautiful message. We all know someone in Purgatory - maybe someday we'll have an address there ourselves! Maria Simms gives her information and thoughts in a simple and direct manner. The book is written in conversational style and is so easy to read that you feel you are there. Even small children will pick up on the points in an instant and without scaring the wits out of them.

I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS HIGHLY ENOUGH AND NO READER WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.

I would also recommend Medjugorje - the 90's to you - also by Sr. Emmanuel. Another inspired book that gives you a feeling of being treasured by Heaven long after you have finished it.

"The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory" by Sister Emmanuel of Medjugorje. Book's subtitle is "An Interview With Maria Simma". Queenship Publishing company, Goleta, CA 1997.

This is a very short (58 pages) book, relating the interview of Maria Simma, a devout Catholic, who, for many years, has visits from the souls in Purgatory. These souls will ask Maria Simma to have prayers said for them: a Mass, or a Rosary, or the Stations of the Cross. The author, Sister Emmanuel, interviewed Maria Simma through an interpreter, and," for the sake of brevity and clarity" (page 3), Sister Emmanuel summed up some of Maria's answers.

This book is not a summary of the Church's doctrine on the issue of Purgatory. Rather, the book recounts the answers of Maria Simma to the questions asked by Sister Emmanuel. That Maria Simma has been visited by the souls from Purgatory is confirmed by incidents (not fully documented in this book) of a deceased person relating details to Maria Simma, and her telling the family of the deceased these details. Maria would have all the details concerning the field, or the exact amount of money, or the property and..."the family would be staggered to discover that she knew all these details". (p. 38)

For anyone wanting to discover what Purgatory is like, this small book gives a description of that place by one woman who has had visions for most of her life. Maria must be approaching her 90s, since she was listed as 82 in the year of publication (1997).

The last few pages are a call to prayer for the souls in Purgatory by the author, Sister Emmanuel. The book is well worth the small price, and ... delivered the book quickly.

This short little book takes no more than an hour or two to read, but it is packed with good information. In addition to showing how important it is to pray for the deceased, it shows how merciful God truly is. Even the most hardened sinner can be saved if he has some small amount of repentance before death. Sin doesn't send people to Hell, impenitence does. Highly recommended.

Cardinal Bernardin talks candidly about dealing with a false accusation of sexual misconduct, his panceatic cancer, and his later terminal illness and preparation for death. He talks about surrendering to the Will of God and how to do this. I found it helpful in finding peace within crisis, and hope within despair. I recommend it without reservation

Recently I lost my father to a 10 year bout with cancer. This book provided me with joy, tears and abudance within a month of my own fathers death. Cardinal Bernardin was a remarkable man who had the courage to face his accusers, his illness and ulitmately his death. He has reconfirmed that faith, hope, love, forgivenss and kindness is the very essentials of what life needs to be about. It is clear from the Cardinal as it was from my experience with my own father that even when you think you are at your darkest human hour you need to reach out and make a difference every single day until your final moment in this part of your journey here on earth.

This book is a must read for anyone who has doubted that there is peace in death. He reconfirms that the lessons most important in life are to continue to give of yourself every day despite the adversities you face. In his illness, through his false accusation and his wonderful rediscovery of a deeper faith in Christ it makes accepting God's plan for you important.

Anyone who has an ill parent or someone close to them should read this book it will give you a much clearer spiritual understanding of illness, death and living every moment under God's plan.

America was drawn to the story of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin when he publicly shared with the community of the Archdiocese of Chicago the news that his liver cancer was inoperable on August 30, 1996. The Cardinal wrote The Gift of Peace to share his thoughts on the last three years of his life. His writing reflects the principal role of a Roman Catholic bishop - - the teaching office, to nourish within the community the principles of faith illustrated by the realities that present themselves in the course of everyday life.

Like most Americans outside of Chicago, I first learned about the Cardinal in the news coverage that accompanied his last year on the front pages of the newspapers. He wanted to walk with the community as he confronted his death. Sharing with the community both the pain of his illness and the discoveries of the intellect that bridged for him, first acceptance of his terminal illness, and then the process of personal reconciliation of his life journey.

There are so many books upon the shelves of Amazon.com on the topic of Death and Dying. None of them adequate to the task of being "how to's", but offering reasonable guidance for that most personal of tasks, confronting personal death and death in the family. Yet, I keep coming back to The Gift of Peace. Perhaps, because of the Cardinal's one-to-one conversation by which he engages the reader.

For those of us that can prepare for death, a struggle may develop as we form a personal inner conversation to embrace with grace and maturity and purpose our changed fortune. The Cardinal models in the journey of his illness the direction our own path may take.

Upon hearing the first fateful news of his illness, the Cardinal experienced a feeling of helplessness. The same helplessness I nervously experienced when the heart specialist began taking my history. The Cardinal acknowledged then, as I did also, the state of great anxiety as patients wait to hear from doctors what their fate will be. "God was teaching me yet again just how little control we really have and how important it is to trust in him."

The Cardinal describes how terrible illness changes lives - - not only the life of the person carrying it, but also the lives of friends and family members who love and care for that person. We follow in the book's narrative the Cardinal's trajectory along illness as described by Therese A. Rando: keeping alive, understanding and acknowledging the illness, experiencing the pain, framing realistic expectations and completing unfinished business.

And in the midst of the Cardinal's struggle, he continued his own ministry to others with cancer. "Somehow when you make eye contact," he says, "when you convince people that you really care - - that at that particular moment they are the only ones that count - - then you establish a new relationship." It is all about entering into an intimacy with those we minister to, however brief, forever permanent.

Jesus learned this lesson from the Canaanite woman to whom he first avoided, saying he was sent to minister only to the house of Israel." She continued to confront him, to engage him. She established a relationship that from that moment forward propelling Jesus' ministry beyond Israel to embrace all the nations. For ministry, the Cardinal concludes, is about imparting a sense that "somehow you truly care and have somehow mediated the love, mercy and compassion of the Lord."

Ministry to the dying is all about strengthening the relationship between each person and God. I understand that each of our ministerial encounters is unique. Our need for healing is no different in dying than in living - - however the more apparent and actively sought out for. I strive to go to the bedside with practical skills fashioned around a dynamic toolbox of appropriate pastoral applications.

A dynamic shaped by what the Cardinal would call prayer and prayer's search for peace. Peace that accompanies recognition, acceptance, reconciliation. And as a pastor, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin offers us a simple prayer that we may find the gift of peace. It is in the journey toward death's great mystery that we call out to the Lord for peace. The peace that finds voice in prayer. Prayer that nourishes. Prayer that heals. Prayer that reconciles. Prayer that brings us to salvation.

Life of the Beloved is among the final books published by Nouwen, and in that way is kind of a culmination of much of his life and thought and is thought by many to be his "flagship" work. Truly, it doesn't get much better than this. Reading this book as a Christian can be a mind and, hence, life altering experience. It was written to some of Henri's non-Christian friends about how much God loves them (which is certainly true!). And from the way Henri's life consistently pointed towards Jesus and the Gospel, I am sure that his friendship, love, and words to them in conversation were used by God for the good of the hearers. On that note, I would caution using this book alone as something to give to your non-Christian friends; because as Henri used it, it is best backed up by your life, love for your friends, and pointing them towards Jesus in your day to day life, and not as a gift without a relationship.

The book is clear, and ultra-concise (you could probably read it in a day or two); yet, the message, of how to live as the Beloved of God amidst a world where there are lies about your identity at every turn, could not be more fundamental to how a Christian lives their life. I wholeheartedly recommend and in fact strongly encourage all Christians to read this book.

Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved provides the reader with a look at how we are all blessed, broken, and given in the Name of the Lord. He originally wrote the book for a friend who asked him about God and spirituality. Nouwen provides the reader with an insight into how God's choosing each one of us as His beloved does not necessarily mean anyone is excluded, a paradox which our society fails to understand and thus rejects. A very insightful book, that is very imporant to me in my journey of faith. Nouwen was a Catholic priest, and I recommend his works to all, especially Catholics.

This is an excellent book for someone who has never read Nouwen's writings. The book carries a great message of hope; that God, who created us in his image and likeness, calls us to live our lives with the knowledge that we are His "beloved" children and that He is always calling us to a deeper love and intimacy with Him.

In response to negative reviews of this book because it doesn't beat you over the head with purely Christian messages, there is much to be said for Nouwen's reaching out to people of all faiths and gently leading them to think about what God's will is for their lives, and how they are called to live - in love and in loving others. Isn't that Jesus' ultimate message to all of us?

This was one of the first books that introduced me to the splendors, excesses, and cruelty of the Roman Emperors. Truly an easy to read, concise, yet full account of all of the emperors and the significant events that happened within their reigns. the book has lots of cool pictures and diagrams that let you visually realise what these people were like. Be warned, once you read this book, you'll be hooked on the life and times of the Romans!

You will enjoy this book tremendously. Written for the casual reader, this effort details the accomplishments, personalities, depravities, and personal relationships of all 80 Roman emperors. Also includes photographs of ancient ruins and of the busts/statues of each emperor. Be forewarned, the hedonistic tendencies of these ancient rulers is covered here. Some of their behaviors (sexual and otherwise) ranged from simple narcissism to outright perversion, which makes this entertaining book inappropriate for children.

For anyone who likes ancient history, this book is for you. It is an excellent reference for the Roman Empire and a jolly good read as well. The pictures also add a great deal to this awesome book. Being a confirmed history freak I often enjoy just reading the small biographies presented in this book and looking at the pretty pictures. I especially enjoy reading about some of the kooky things those wacky emperors do like when Caligula declared himself a living god(Caligula, you so crazy). To sum up this book is totally sweet and Chris Scarre is the biggest stud in the whole world. In fact in my book 5 stars aren't enough for this amazing book I think it needs like a million stars(yeah definetely a million).

Henri Nouwen has a way of making us look into the places that we would rather not look. When we are drawn into this study of the Rembrant painting we find a darkness that leads us to an illumination of our own lives. In this book it is with great joy that we discover love and forgiveness as well as hope. This book is a must read for all Christians. In going to the place that I did not want to go I found the place that I needed to go. This is the best spiritual book that I have read in years. I wish we had published this book.

The Return of The Prodigal Son is one of those books with a special message that made me want to be a better person. If only it was that easy.

Henri Nouwen used his experiences and feelings surrounding the Rembrandt painting "Return of the Prodigal Son" coupled with time as the father at a group home for the severely handicapped as a back drop for this book. But it is not a book that is about his time at the home, nor it is a book that really reflects that he is a catholic priest. It has a universal message and is based squarely on scripture revolving around the story of the prodigal as well as insights gained from Rembrandt's painting

The pleasant yet challenging surprise of the book is how Nouwen takes the logical path from rebellious son through older brother and landing finally at the role of father and how the Father Himself calls us to become as He is. It is the first time I have read or heard a teaching that moves from the unrelenting love that the father has for the son in the story to the idea that God is calling us not just to accept His love as the younger son does once he realizes how lost he had become, but how God is calling us to become like Him and love the rebellious and lost as He does.

I found it very interesting how Nouwen see parts of Rembrandt's work as being reflections of or symbols of something great and true. These insights made the book more interesting than just a simple bible lesson on an old and familiar story.

Whether you find yourself in a foreign land or just outside the Fathers House, or whether you tend to feel a bit resentful that you're "following all the rules" and yet things just don't seem quite right this book has something important and powerful to say to you. If you are a leader in the church and want to be compelled to try a little harder and move a little closer to being the accepting and loving father that God calls you to be; this book has something for you.

I enjoyed reading this and can highly recommend it.

What an incredible book. What a simple message, deeply explored and wonderfully exposited.

Henri Nouwen is a master of reflection, study, self-knowledge, and of writing beautiful, profound books. This book is amazing, perhaps life-changing. It has spoken to me in profound and deep ways, and I am deeply thankful for it.

Nouwen's main message, I think, is the unconditional, unfailing, all-surpassing love of the Father, this love that meets all needs easily. He puts himself in the place of the younger son, the older son, and the father, and considers this love - and the things that keep us from fully experiencing it - in all of these places, places that ring universal.

The media of realization here is the parable of course, but also Rembrandt's painting, Return of the Prodigal Son. It is profoundly helpful, fun, and provoking to consider this representation of the story and let it work spiritually in us, as it has in Father Henri. This book has more than opened my heart to the love of my Father, it has given me a new love for art, and a side education on Rembrandt and one of his most famous paintings.

In short, this is another truly rare, truly wonderful book from a modern mystic. Nouwen will be remembered, I hope, alongside Augustine, Lewis, and others I have yet to discover but now believe exist.

A sample:

"Home is the center of my being where I can hear the voice that says: "You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests"-the same voice that gave life to the first Adam and spoke to Jesus, the second Adam; the same voice that speaks to all children of God and sets them free to live in the midst of a dark world while remaining in the light. I have heard that voice. It has spoken to me in the past and continues to speak to me now. It is the never-interrupted voice of love speaking from eternity and giving life and love whenever it is heard. When I hear that voice, I know that I am home with God and have nothing to fear. As the Beloved of my heavenly Father, "I can walk in the valley of darkness: no evil would I fear." As the Beloved, I can confront, console, admonish, and encourage without fear of rejection or need for affirmation. As the Beloved, I can be tortured and killed without ever having to doubt that the love that is given to me is stronger than death. As the Beloved, I am free to live and give life, free also to die while giving life."

If you'd like to discuss this book with me, or recommend others, or just chat, e-mail me at williekrischke@hotmail.com. I'd love to talk with you.

Dr. Hahn has summarized his lectures and tape conferences in this amazing "user friendly" book on the Holy Bible. It is an excellent guide for anyone who finds the Old Testament confusing. Hahn clearly shows the unity of the Old and New Testaments and how the Bible is a family narrative of God the Father's love for His children. Once you read this book, you will see the Bible in a whole new light; and appreciate the Divine plan of God in salvation history. Noteworthy especially is Hahn's excellent synthesis and orthodox interpretation of the Book of Genesis; perhaps one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted Biblical books in the last few centuries. Non-Catholics will benefit from reading Hahn's book, for it shows how the Catholic Church has correctly interpreted scripture throughout the centuries; and it clears up misunderstandings that some non-Catholics have in regard to the belief that the Catholic Church "downplays" the Bible. This book shows the love and reverence that the Catholic Church has always had for Sacred Scripture.

Dr. Hahn once again has brought new insights into scripture for us all. His book is not hard to read but also allows our minds to dive into covenant theology. His presentation style is straight-forward and scholarly, but also entertaining.

I used the book as an outline to teach a religious education class and it went over great with the kids. To understand the relationship that God has built throughout history with his people and then how it all comes together in Jesus is really a necessity for all Christians to understand. Dr. Hahn has made this both fun and easy to do.

This is a great book! It is very readable and helps people understand so much of the Bible! The chapter on the Eucharist is great as well! It helps in defending the belief in the Real Presence (though this book is not an apologetics book). I do, however, want to correct a statement written by a reviewer on April 9, in which that reviewer said Hahn thought that the idea of the covenant was a completely Catholic one. I don't know how the reveiwer got that idea. This book does not say or imply this at all. In fact, read another of Hahn's books, Rome Sweet Home, on page 27. There he describes how while a Protestant he saw a Catholic book on covenant theology. At that time he thought "I looked at it and thought, Liturgical Press? This guy's a Catholic! A Papist! What was he doing hijacking the Protestant notion of the covenant?" Of course, Hahn wouldn't write this if he believe the covenant was just a Catholic idea. Sorry about so much time on this; I just think it's an important statement to correct. Anyway, read A Father Who Keeps His Promises. It is a great book for any Christian to read.