Eyes on Jesus is a wonderful book, especially for those looking to deepen their sense of spirituality and relationship with Jesus. The meditations following each Bible passage depict the experiences and miracles of Jesus in a way that allows the reader to relate and enter into the experience themselves. When I pick up the book and read a section, I have a greater sense of the humanity of Jesus, while at the same time feeling more amazed at his words and works. Through the meditations I have a clearer sense of Jesus' mission, a mission which I am then able to contemplate in relation to my own life. While Eyes on Jesus challenges me to answer Jesus' call (a very exciting feeling), it also leaves me with a sense of peace. I am left feeling the strength of Jesus and the power of faith. This is a book I would highly reccomend to anyone, but especially to those looking to grow closer and develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

Michael Kennedy's Eyes on Jesus is a wonderful way to meditate on and contemplate about everyday struggles and joys. I have used this book in private and on retreats. The best part about it is that his words and reflections on the Gospel passages really bring you into the scene. The Gospels are immediate because you are there, you are taking part, you are the one Jesus is talking to. I have never felt "a part of the Gospel". In fact, the readings were always very distant and disconnected from my life. Eyes on Jesus, has allowed me to connect with Jesus, the Gospels, and my inner self through its creative imagery and poetic nature. Thank you, Father Kennedy.

Robert Royal deserves resounding applause for having taken on an important, difficult, and outrageously neglected subject. To be sure, Mr. Royal's heart is in the right place -- which is more than one can say for his writing skills. Is this book terribly written? By no means. Nevertheless, Mr. Royal has a rather pedestrian and awkward style. And there are some unbelievable errors: People are hanged, Mr. Royal, not hung. In addition, there are many passages that fizzle out, that never really go anywhere. And I had very little interest in the rather lenghty and tedious biographical information on several of the martyrs. Their martyrdom, the circumstances leading up to and surrounding it, and the ultimately beneficial results for the Church is where the focus should have been. Finally, Mr. Royal's selection of Marie-Michel Marcel Van surprised me -- "At one point, Christ even asked Van to tell him some funny stories." Uh-huh. And the same is true of his selection of Archbishop Romero. Mr. Royal does not persuade that the Archbishop wasn't a Marxist wedded to Liberation Theology. The Archbishop was brutally murdered, to be sure. But was he also martyred? Did he die for the Faith or for a bankrupt ideology?

Despite these and other imperfections, I do indeed recommend this book -- it is something of a monument to those who paid the ultimate price or at least suffered greatly as witnesses to the Fullness of Truth.

Royal's book is an eye-opener that enables us to look at recent history and also current events with greater interest and concern. The newspapers do not read the same after reading this book.

I am reading the book with a group and we find it to be informative, inspirational, and leading us to want to learn more about the people, history, and events. We are glad to be reading and learning from it.

We are finding inspiration that does not require perfection. There are some mistakes of fact in the book, showing that Royal is not always a master of the history of the countries he discusses. There is also a tendency to emphasize the Catholic merits and accomplishments in a way that does not speak of Catholic misdeeds. A little one-sided.

Our readers would also have appreciated some maps.

Still, this book does open up stories that need to be told and better understood and appreciated, stories not only of faith and courage in the face of vicious persecution, but also of the frequent extreme animus of modern movements and tyrants against Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.

I urge all to read Catholic Martyrs of the Twentieth Century. However, have patience with the introduction as it is sometimes tedious and difficult. Although, the introduction is invaluable in understanding the stories that follow. The book is a fantastic tribute to the people who became heroes in the face of great oppression. This book gives historical facts and inspiring true accounts of extraordinary people caught up in overwhelming situations. The author brings the Martyrs to life with logic and research. Read this book and you will glimpse the faith that was an inner force that guided the lives of these great people. By their examples our beliefs are strengthened and our faith enriched. I enthusiastically recommend this book!

The theory sounds like it would work: take the basics of how a monasatery is run and apply it to raising a family. I don't think the author pulls if off well. I was especially affronted at his ideas about using separation as a means of discipline for children. His use of the concept is not like, the same thing as a time out for a three year old. It's not an awful book or anything, he just didn't convince me that the monastic life is transferrable to a family situation.

What a fresh perspective on family life. Having read a number of books about family life and raising children in a messed up world, this book has given my wife and I a new look at being a family.

Combining the tradition of the Benedictine order and his own experience, David Robinson's first book challenges the hectic lifestyle which so many families are caught up in today. It suggests a framework within which to truly be a family.

Habits shape our lives. And this great book, suggests we create wonderful habits to shape our family life. I'd like to say more, but as this fine work encouraged me, I am off to spend time with my family