Six years ago, my priest used this book with a group of seniors at Gordon College to help us learn more about listening to God in the context of testing our call to ordained ministry. This book is simply incredible. God used it powerfully in my life!

The issue of discernment, or attempting to understand God's will for us in our lives and the direction it should take, is one on which regrettably too little attention has been spent in the Church until recently. This book answers that dearth of material by presenting what proves to be both an emanently practical and highly instructive method and motive.

The method was developed in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland with great assistance and input from members of the area Quaker community. The Society of Friends influence shows prominently, as the main focus of the process (and it is a process, as opposed to a goal in and of itself) is to discover and arrive at consensus regarding God's revealed will through reflective prayer rather than convince anyone of anything via cerebral justifications. For this group, the method became the first step in the ordination process, though they are quick to note that the method need not be limited to those seeking ordination, but rather can be used by anyone seeking a discernment of God's will for his or her life.

Listening Hearts is replete with quotations and an exhaustive bibliography. At the very least, it serves as a starting point for someone considering a time of discernment. The book is not discouraging of ordained vocations, but instead acknowledges that often discerners too quickly latch onto ordination as the only answer to a vocation in the Church. The method emphasizes prayer and heartfelt reflection as the main means of determining God's will, which is as it should be.

Those seeking a time of discernment should read this book for "the other side" of the discussion -- a viewpoint which urges caution, deliberatation, and openness to the multiplicity of God's purposes. It provides a strong balance, essential to any spiritual journey.

The method used in creating this book is as moving and powerful as the material itself. The authors centered on prayer and meditation and worked with the Holy Spirit to create a book of sayings that ring true at every turn. But, the book is much more than a group of sayings. It lays out a path for discernment that begins with God, and leads through the self to the community. This path is clearly paved with the Holy Spirit and is ready for all who are willing to make themselves available to God's will.

Okay, it's not totally 'PC', but this book is true to the spirit of childrens stories. Along with the classics (e.g. Jack the Giant Killer and Tom Thumb) there are lesser-known tales full of real suspense, action, ghosts, magic, realy wicked stepmothers, love lost, imps, and fairies. And no guns. It provides the little stressors that Disney doesn't, so that the effect is genuine - real anxiety, and real relief at the point of resolution. You can never be sure that there will be a wedding at the end of any story.

The book has beautiful word-play and rhythm, along with classic sketched illustrations - A keeper for all time.

I'll let you in on a little secret. This is actually two of Jacobs' books published together in a nice hardbound edition from the Everyman Library. This edition includes both "English Fairy Tales" and "More English Fairy Tales." Jacobs collected and adapted many tales in his lifetime and made contributions to the field of fairy tale studies. This is one of the most popular of his collections. Variations of well-known and lesser known tales are available in this book such as Cinderella and Tom Tit Tot (similar to Rumpelstiltskin).

Worth reading if you are eager to learn of accounts from various sorts of the Great Army's soldiers: this book provides interesting inputs and backgrounds on the bavarian army that sided Napoleon during many years against Austria. However, the reading may be difficult for the vast public to whom I recommend to start reading the memoirs of soldiers Bourgogne, Coignet, Tirion, etc. who demonstrated great narrative skills compared to this book which is more a diary.