I will definitely rate the book "Claude the Dog" with five stars. It is the best kids book I have ever read. Not only does it teach a lot in this book about certain things, it also is just a great book to read over and over again and it doesn't get old at all. It is the perfect book for any young kid. it is about a dog named Claude who has a little boy as a master and about another real cute dog. Well the other dog doesn't have a master so he has to sit outside and freeze all winter with no friends except for Claude. For Christmas Claude gets a dog toy and a blanket. Claude sees his friend out side all cold, so he goes outside and gives his friend his blanket and his toy because his friend is lonely and doesn't have anything to keep him warm or to play with. His friend felt bad because he was taking all of Claude's Christmas gifts. But Claude said my best gift is sitting back at home. He was referring to the little boy. I think the story teaches kids that it is a very good thing to share with others. And that if you share it is possible for you and the other person to still be happy with what you have. Yes, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone and if you don't have it, you should run out and go buy it! And if the sharing thing wont get you to like it, the cute pictures of the dogs definitely will!

this is such a happy book, lots of sharing, and two cute puppies

My mom first read this book to me when I was three (25 years ago), and it has been my favorite Christmas story ever since. The message is simple and sweet, the illustrations are charming, and it appeals to all ages.

There is such a wealth of knowledge in this little book and if people were to find out how much was contained therein, it would sell for a million dollars a copy. Unfortunately the world has little interest in this kind of outlook and spirituality. Reading it has changed my life and lives of many others. ... So please...buy the original...Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence and you will have the best one to read and meditate on. Have a good day and God bless!

I have to confess I was resistant to reading Trustful Surrender. I am a yoga meditation teacher and I did not want to read another book on Catholic doctrine. (I love the Catholic mystics however). This book was a pleasant and powerful surprise and it had a surprising influence on me. The basic concept is so simple - trustful surrender as an attitude towards ones life. It seems so simple .....till you try it. I discovered how willful and controling I am...and how this willful attitude caused me tension and suffering.

Whether or not your are a Christian, if you can read this with an open mind the concepts presented are revolutionary. The Yoga Sutras, (the yoga version of the Bible) goes on for 190 + terse sentences about all the different yoga practices that will lead to enlightenment and an understanding of oneself....but then in one sentence it says...... All of this can also be accomplished by surrender to God.

Give the book a try. Its well worth (dollar amount).

I just purchased this book and find that the best way to feed my soul with its wisdom is to read and reflect on a small portion each day. I agree with the reviewer who says that not everyone will be able to accept its truths, but for those who can do so quickly (or eventually) it is one of the most perfect paths to peace one can experience. I highly recommend it. Again, it can be difficult to swallow at times, but with adequate contemplation it will become clearer to the point of making perfect sense.

No matter how many times you have answered this question, in your life, to focus upon this question, is to love yourself.

And don't worry about the answers that come to mind. Whatever answers you arrive at, really represent part of your one life principle, which is what you filter all of your decisions through.

Mine is "Serene Samurai," or, "Creative Self-Expression."

Both terms come down to unconditional love.

And both come down to John Powell's message, "True self-esteem and a true sense of identity can be found only in the reflected appraisal of those whom we have loved."

I especially enjoy reading these 2 messages, in "Unconditional Love:

"There may be days when disagreements and disturbing emotions may come between us. There may be times when psychological or physical miles may lie between us. But I have given you the word of my commitment. I have set my life on a course. I will not go back on my word to you. So feel free to be yourself, to tell me of your negative and positive reactions, of your warm and cold feelings. I cannot always predict my reactions or guarantee my strength, but one thing I do know and I do want you to know: I will not reject you! I am committed to your growth and happiness. I will always love you."

"To choose to love as a life principle means that my basic mind-set or question must be: What is the loving thing to be, to do, to say?"

This wonderful book is a continuation of the ideas in "Why am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am;" also by John Powell, S.J.

I picked this book up on what I figured was a fluke. I was at a used book store and the title seemed exactly what I was looking for. I had no idea how true that was! I definitely believe that this was God's plan, and boy am I glad I listened! :)

This book has completely changed my life, and I am thrilled to recommend it to everyone I know! Just ask my friends... LOL I had no idea what I was getting myself into! I have always had a close relationship with my Father in Heaven, but have struggled with self-esteem my whole life because of abuse issues as a child.

This book is SUCH an incredible view into the souls of those who have suffered any kind of abuse -- or for any reason have low self-worth. I could not put it down, and learned SO much about myself!

Thank you SO much for writing such a wonderful book! My life will never be the same again... isn't it great! :)

JL

Many years ago, my father read this book, and viewed it as the most important book he ever read in his life. I, however, did not listen to him. I was a young scientist who knew all too well the pain caused by organized religion, and I wanted no part of anything even remotely related to the catholic church, much less something written by a priest. I didn't even believe in God for many years. After going through a particularily difficult time and growing up a bit, I agreed to read this book, but mostly as a favor to my father. I thought it would help strengthen our relationship. I never anticipated it would help me build my own relationship with God. I never anticipated it would give me a whole new way of thinking. This book speaks to the heart. I guess Father knows best.

This book provides an excellent presentation because it smoothes out the Bible and provides a coherent, easily comprehensible, linear framework of understanding. The most helpful aspect of this arrangement of material is that in the section covering the Gospel books, it presents selected chapters in chronological order (Sunday School materials might have set a precedent here).

It's like an ideally arranged compendium of Sunday School booklets, with helpful background sections introducing major parts of the Bible. It uses a classic style of graphics, combined with various types of art as DK Publishing excels in.

Everyone who is studying Christianity should read this first, to set up a basic framework of understanding. This book portrays clearly and efficiently a point of reference to answer "What is the orthodox conventional reading of the Bible?"

This book reveals the anti-Semitism that builds up in the book of Acts; the Jews who supposedly persecuted the Christians are always shown in a two-dimensional, cardboard way, with mean expressions on their faces. This book clearly portrays the conventional Christian reading of this material. It's a good, clear portrayal of the standard orthodox way of reading the Bible.

There is an appendix of people's names in the back. The book lacks, most of all, a set of genealogy diagrams. It has a fairly good map in front, but could use more maps or at least a guide to the little maps that are dispersed throughout.

It has a great index. After reading the book cover-to-cover, I highlighted the 50% of the index entries that are least clear to me, to do a 2nd, review pass. I played a Bible trivia game and was inspired to read this book because I lacked too many of the standard Bible stories. I can tell that I'll do much better in that Bible trivia game, and will do even better after reviewing more of the unfamiliar entries I found in this book's index.

I felt that getting through this book required the most perseverance when wading through the section about the kings who did or didn't worship God, and the section about Jesus' parables -- these are covered well, but these weren't the sections of the Bible I was most interested in. My favorite sections of the book -- the subjects I was already most curious about -- were the stories between Eden and the later kings, and the stories between the Crucifixion and Revelation. The book has a nice treatment of Revelation and explains its political context. In the middle of the book, the parables and wisdom literature is covered.

I treasure this book and am glad to have read the Bible in this clear and understandable form. Next, I may read the Bible Handbook by DK Publishing (John Bowker). I'm reading Bowker's 2002 book from DK Publishing, God: A Brief History. I've also read the pocket-size Bible handbook from DK Publishing, which isn't very enlightening -- it's a tiny, somewhat random subset of the Illustrated Family Bible. I also recommend the books by DK Publishing, which I have read, covering Christianity, Myth, World Religions, and Philosophy.

This book is great because it gives a very readable overview of the main Biblical stories. The illustrations are a plus and make the stories easy to absorb and remember. The sidebars provide very useful information. There appears to be a high degree of scholarship in the analyses. Of course, because this is a "family" bible, perhaps a few of the more sordid elements may not be covered. Still, this is a wonderful way to get an overall feel for the Old and New Testaments

I love this book! When my husband or I am reading out of our regular bible & don't understand something, this book can usually clarify our questions. We have had such a good time just sitting down in the evening & going over a few pages a night. It's plain, simple English. I have such a hard time understanding our other bibles. I highly reccommend.

The thing I find most amazing about Scientific Advertising is how few people seem to have read it. I came across it when I was a teenager, and it changed the way I look at the world. Hopkins was a true business pioneer, inventing (or substantially forming) so much that we take for granted today: the coupon, the "valuable free gift with purchase", direct mail, using style to sell mundane products (like exotic wooden handles for carpet sweepers), and so much more. Just as we live in a world made by Henry Ford, we also live in a world made by Claude Hopkins. For ten bucks, with such an easy writing style, everyone should read this book.

The advertising profession of late has fallen off the shoulders of its giants Hopkins, Caples, Bernbach, Burnett, Rubicam, Ogilvy and others. Even direct marketing, the profession that most closely adheres to Hopkins' crystal clear, succinct approach, is often in danger of taking the road most travelled and following its advertising brethren into the heart of the woods to wander aimlessly.

I'm a direct marketer and adjunct professor at a nearby university. I not only see the value in what Claude Hopkins wrote nearly 80 years ago...I also see what happens when his simple formula for success is ignored, forgotten or never learned. We get Got Milk? ads (a waste of hundreds of millions of dollars that didn't sell one single drop more of the lactose-laden beverage)...ladybugs on rose petals and singing coyotes to sell a once-proud line of cars...and print ads that contain no copy and bewlidering images. We're not only not selling; we're no longer even communicating.

Hopkins to the rescue.

If you're a copywriter in the profession of marketing or advertising, or if you're a student wishing to gain the best education possible, Claude Hopkins' Scientific Advertising should be in your hands daily. Underline it. Quote it. Memorize it. Pledge allegience to it. Defend it at all costs.

This book will help you write more clearly, sell more powerfully and make more money for your clients than ever before.

This is the best direct mail book ever, I've worn out two copies and I just ordered another 3. One for my press agent, one for my Sales Manager, and another one for me.

Mr. Hopkins tells it like it is, if you do direct mail order, buy this book now. You will not regret it.

My mother bought this book for me over 20 years ago. I have a photo of me reading it to my younger sister when I was 7 and she was 18 months old. I loved the book back then, and I love it equally now. The message of giving love freely and universally is beautiful. The illustrations are also lovely. I look forward to the time when my own son is old enough to enjoy the Warm Fuzzy Tale. I'm so glad that it's still in print! The story might be geared toward children, but even adults can find something meaningful and reassuring within its pages. Something that will make you feel, well...warm and fuzzy!

I received this book when I was 5 (20 years ago) and loved it growing up. It tends to be one of things that helps me still. I reccomend it for kids of all ages. Some might call it a hippy thing, but in this day and age it is even more neccessary.

I absolutely love this book! Growing up hearing the "warm fuzzy story" told to me by verbal storytelling, I was delighted to find this book in print. I have used it to read many children to sleep at summer camps and overnights and have bought several copies to give away. This is an endearing story with a wonderful, positive message that kids CAN change the world and the illustrations are just TOO cute!

I have read several book recently that explain the impressionist art work of Claude Monet, and "Linnea in Monet's Garden" is certainly one of the most creative and interesting of the bunch. Originally published in Swedish as "Linnea i malarens tradgard," this exquisite little book tells of the adventure of young Linnea to Claude Monet's garden, where she gets to stand on the Japanese bridge overlooking the lily pond that Monet often painted. Linnea also gets to visit many of Monet's actual paintings in Paris, accompanied by her friend Mr. Bloom, a retired gardner who knows a lot about the life and art of Monet. The story of "Linnea in Monet's Garden" is told by Christina Bjork, with drawings by Lena Anderson. The book also includes both black & white photographs of Monet and his family, but color shots taken by "Linnea" on her trip or Monet's home and paintings.

The other books I have read this week about the art of Monet have focused more specifically on explaining his art in terms of subject, color, perpsective, tone, etc. "Linnea in Monet's Garden" covers these topics in a more offhanded way. This hardly matters because the strength of the book is in how in capture's the young girl's joy in actually going to the places she has read about and getting to sit in Monet's kitchen, walk on the Japanese bridge, and take photographs of the water lillies in his pond. There is also the fun of getting to see the actual paintings that she has only seen in books. This story is told as if it were a true adventure (they have to be allowed into the Water Lily Rooms at the museum because they are under repairs and Lineea bursts into tears when they discover the rooms are closed to the public). If you have ever had the pleasure of a finally seeing a great painting in person (for me it was Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" in Chicago) or visiting famous places you have read about for years (pick your own example), then this charming book will speak to you.

Linnea in Monet's Garden is one of those books which will be loved by all ages through the ages. The reader journeys along with young Linnea and her neighbor, Mr. Bloom, first to Paris and then Giverny to see the painter Monet's home and gardens. Providing the story of Monet't life with words and wonderful illustrations, it is as if the reader is standing on one of the bridges viewing the water lillies in person.

For those readers who have had the opportunity to see Giverny and the gardens in person it will be a special treat to read this book and reminisce. And for those who haven't been there and read this book, certainly it will provide a wonderful travel destination in the future. At the very least I imagine it will have most readers looking for an art book to view more of Monet's paintings or visiting a musuem which has his works.

Linnea in Monet's Garden is a book written by Christina Bjørk, and illustrated by Lene Anderson, both come from Sweden.

The book tells the story of Linnea, a small Swedish girl, and her old friend and neighbour, Mr. Bloom. Linnea and Mr. Bloom share a love for paintings and for flowers, and Claude Monet is a painter they both love. Together they decide to visit Paris, and Monet's garden in Giverny, and with the help of this book we can go with them on this journey.

The book is first of all a beautiful, everyday story about two friends visiting the house and garden of a beloved painter. But it is also a masterpiece in the way it is built up. The way the story, the information about the impressionist period in art, the pictures and paintings all melt together. I and my 6 years old daughter can never get tired of the book, and after reading it an uncountable number of times we both felt that we knew the garden in Giverny. It was a very special day for us then, last summer when we were able to visit Giverny, the house and the garden. We could walk around seeing the same sights as Linnea had seen, sit on the bench together with both Monet and Linnea, walk over the Japanese bridge, and take pictures of all the flowers Linnea had also photographed.

Though this book is first of all a book for children it is a treasure for all ages. A pure joy to read over and over again.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

This is by far the best Mentor book I have read to date. A little expensive and i was prepared to return it but I discovered I love it.

The story of the slob who has nothing and finally gets it all through his teacher. I read it in one night and since my purchase have read it several times. There are some very radical ideas here; it's not the same ol feel good stuff you read.

Great value- a keeper

If all books were this easy to read, I'd be reading more often! Excellent guideline for developing success and a balanced lifestyle, built into a great story.

The book is based around a guy that we all can relate to. He is stuck in a rut, and learns from the Mentor about the 10 rules to success while traveling around the country meeting other sucsessful past students of the Mentor.

Claude Diamond is a amazing guy to talk to as well! A one hour Mentoring session comes with the book! Great Value!

I found this book to be a pleasure to read from the first page. The narative tapes by Mr. Diamond tapes great for my Dad who has sight problems and loves books.

The story seems to weave around a self pitying character named Ralph who discovers the secrets of success fromThe Mentor Max while jetting all around the world meeting other millionaires .

Good value

Joe

This book is a vital book to read for those in search of an inner strength. The true story of Claude Brown growing up in the tough streets of NYC makes you think how well you have it going for all those living in a quaint sheltered life that doesn't have to deal with guns and murder everyday.

I read this book a little while before Claude Brown passed away. I loved this book. I also read his book, Children of the Ham, and I found this book in my closet. Truly a lost treasure. I loved this book. It was so real. It's like I could see him living his life just the way he described it. I suggest everybody- no matter whether you're black, white, purple, green -read this book. Youwill not be disappointed. Trust me.

Reading Man Child in the Promised land is inspiring. It is a story about hopelessness, and struggle. It is a story where a man who shouldn't go anywhere but to jail, or a one way road to hell finds his way out of Harlem, and makes to a law school. The book explains everything in detail though, it is sensed that Mr. Brown doesn't really regret what he did because it got him where it did, and as such is an inspiration for other black boys in the ghetto, knowing that they can amount to something better.

This is one of the few stories that brought me to tears for reasons other then sadness.

I'm a horsewoman, but I don't often find a good story with a horse as a main character. The authors don't often get their facts straight. This one did. Every detail that was explained was correct down to the smallest little thing.

Old Black, the book, was a bigger book than it seemed. I counted about 35 characters counting Sam the Rodesian ridgeback dog, and, of course, Old Black himself. Not one character escapes my mind's eye. I knew them every one. Even the reporter, Paul Hardesty, was memorable, and had only a cameo (but important) appearance. Oscar and Ruby, I fell for them hard. Salt of the earth. And how I cried when ... but read it yourself. I could see why the author took that route, it was a big step up the ladder to adulthood for Jim. It took me a long time to read the whole scene because I had a hard time seeing anything.

The author truly introduced every character. And that isn't so often the case.

There was some extravagant adventure in this story, but I never once had to suspend disbelief. Old Black the horse was not overplayed into a super horse, either. Nor was that wonderful little boy Jim. And wasn't Alexandra something? Uncle Harry was right, she's a little princess. And speaking of Uncle Harry and Aunt Hazel, everybody who knows someone who has a loved one with Alzheimer's should get a copy of this book. I know in my heart that Jim's therapy would be beneficial.

There are some real heartbreaking scenes and events in this book. And some funny ones too. I thought I'd die laughing over Mr. Mehlman's "theoretical last days." And the incident involving the snake in the bathroom. My husband came in to see what I was laughing about. I told him I had been bitten by the fabled laughing snake. (Of course, he didn't get it until HE read the book.)Wasn't Harry's reaction something a man with a good sense of humor would come out with? And I can understand Matt and Jim laughing themselves sick.

I finished Old Black, lay back on the pillow and relished it a while, then started right back on page 1.

A wonderful story, and told in just the right voice. When I began the book I thought it was only a contemporary boy-and-his-horse story. But unlike most of the genre, it is much, much more. The boy and his horse are the cornerstone, but the story expands way beyond them to involve an interesting variety of people. This is not a children's book, but my 11-year-old daughter was soon captivated and sailed through it in good time. ("Is Old Black going to die?" she asked, teary-eyed. "Read on," I said.) One does not need an interest in horses to love this book. Readers with a keen eye will savor the precious little clues planted along the way, like Easter eggs hidden for the purpose of being discovered. The dozens of illustrations are simply marvelous. Early in the story, Old Black, the horse, is being readied to go off to his new life with the boy Jim Bradley. The part where the cowboy Buck Jones (I just loved him!) is stoically, silently bidding farewell to his dear, longtime friend, the horse displaying his own feelings about their parting, is as touching as any scene I've ever read. It was some minutes before I could go on. You will not miss the absence of profanity, sex, or unnecessary violence here, although that long, dreadful scene in the woods ends with violence aplenty. I found it completely called for and applauded when the criminals got what they deserved. I was drained at the end of the ordeal in the woods, and Aunt Hazel and Uncle Harry strolled onto the scene just when I needed an uplift. I still laugh when I replay that scene in the bathroom: a furious, hissing snake, two grown men and a boy "overcome by the most sustained and idiotic laughter Norma had ever heard." Like another reader, I felt that the scenes arising from Aunt Hazel's Alzheimer's disease were handled with sensitivity and good taste. My grandmother had the disease and I really believe I could have applied some of Jim Bradley's instinctive strategies to bring her some happiness if I had read OLD BLACK while she was still alive. Uncle Harry's exasperation with his wife's condition, his inability to deal with it effectively until Jim showed him the way, was sadly familiar. I feel sure that the author has experienced the anguish of being close to someone with Alzheimer's, to write about it with such delicate insight. The scene at Richter's store where likable old Walter Mehlmann gleefully rehearses how he will waltz through his theoretical last days was a fine piece of humor. Walter's influence on the other men present was hilariously realistic. So realistic, in fact, that after reading that part I found myself rummaging the kitchen for junk food, the more cholesterol laden and otherwise unhealthy the better! I wish I knew where to get some real country cracklings. Fat ones, Reinhard. I like FAT ones! Every character in the book played an essential role. They were so well developed that I could clearly see them in my mind as they came onstage, always true to their distinct characters in actions and speech. Old Black was not a superhorse, as so many fictional horses are. He had limitations and faults, which only made him more "human". OLD BLACK breathes with vibrant life, and did so even while I cried during that sorrowful part with the death and the funeral. It was an experience that gave Jim Bradley (and me too) a better, if bitter, understanding of life. The story is uplifting, happy, dreadfully sad and hilarious, and the ending is just perfect. Throughout, this intricate novel is entirely credible. I agreed to some extent with one critic below - that the book suffered a little in organization. But that defect was overwhelmed by a superb plot, clearly drawn characters, vivid action scenes, settings (I was right there in every scene: seeing, smelling, feeling), and the author's often touching insight into people and horses, especially that lovable Old Black. This is the kind of literature (I call this book literature) that can put a teeny edge on the reader's good side. It is the kind of story (too rare, today) that can open the eyes of young people to the reality that being good, responsible kids can be rewarding, and they can still have fun. This story is much too special to be confined to adult fiction. I would love to see an edition of OLD BLACK written especially for young readers.

Old Black is the most wholesome, absorbing, exciting, touching book I have ever read! And that's going back through a lot of books! Everything in the world that should be in it is there. Old Black the horse was as wonderful as his master, Jim Bradley.

I loved the old black couple, the Jacksons, who lived on the lane to the Bradley's little weekend ranch, and was truly touched by the genuine friendship between that couple and the Bradley family. All of the characters in the story, and there are quite a few, come vividly to life. You never have to think back and ask yourself, "Now just who is this walking on stage?" You know every one of them as if you had known them a long time.

The chapters involving the visit of Jim's Aunt Hazel and Uncle Harry are precious. Aunt Hazel has Alzheimer's disease and Uncle Harry is allowing her condition to get to him. It took the intuitive therapeutic interaction of a boy with compassion for his ailing aunt to show Uncle Har! ry, by examples, how to mitigate her suffering, how to lift her spirits. There was hilarity galore in those chapters, much of it at Aunt Hazel's expense, but it was never once in bad taste.

The rescue of Sheriff Martinez in the woods by Jim and Old Black, which consumed several chapters, was an endless stream of excitement that continued to escalate right up to the very last page of chapter 24. It was a tough job for both the boy and his horse that almost proved to be impossible, but every bit of it was entirely credible.

Old Black is a beautiful piece of creative writing. The story moved. It had a start, a middle, and definitely an ending, an ending that swept along through several chapters in such a rewarding way for the reader. Briggs never takes the writer's easy way out of a single scene or event, but works his plot with fascinating detail and excellent execution. The story was a fine blend of happiness, sadness, tragedy, and humor. Every aspect of the ending was perf! ect -- all the little loose ends that had collected along t! he way were neatly tied up in the most satisfying ways one could imagine -- even better than I ever imagined.

Without giving away the REAL treat at the very end, I will say I loved the way the jealousy toward Jim by the boy on the flashy horse was disposed of. That scene was a magnificent stroke! Then there is a very nice vignette involving that same boy at the very end that had best be left for the joy of reading it first hand. At that last horse show in the Astroarena, I swear I could hear the bawling, cackli! ng, mooing, crowing, grunting . . . of the animals, I was aware of the constant announcements over the loudspeakers, I smelled every aroma of the place, saw and heard the hay carts buzzing around, felt the presence of the activity going on all about -- I was THERE!

Old Black is a fairly long book --387 pages of text -- but I flew through it way too fast to suit me. We should be able to give an extra star to special books for appearances. This one is a beauty, with a nice oil painting for the cover, a pretty full-color map of "Old Black Territory" on the front and back endpapers, and at least five dozen gorgeous illutrations, which is why I presume the book was printed on such fine paper.

When you buy Old Black, you may as well buy two and get it over with. You'll just HAVE to let certain friends read it, and you'll sure not want to part with your own special copy.

(This review was provided by the reader, who does not have a computer, to the publisher for sending on to amazon.com.)