In "Visioneering," Andy Stanley provides the motivation, the plan, and the encouragement for developing and fulfilling your God-given dreams. Nehemiah's vision for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem is used as a classic example of the things God wants to accomplish in the lives of everyday Godly dreamers. The subject of vision is masterfully defined while practical
steps for vision formulation and achievement are carefully explained and clearly illustrated. The book makes for enjoyable, inspiring, and empowering reading. Visionaries waiting for the fulfillment of their dreams can draw good counsel and encouragement from this book. I highly recommend "Visioneering" to anyone who dares to dream. I would also encourage the serious Christian visionary to read "The Power of Vision" by George Barna. The two works bring balance, clarity, and fullness to each other.

This book is a must-read for anyone who is intrested in living life to the fullest. It gives TREMENDOUS insight on vision, how God can help to steer your life, and more. It is extremely practicle. This work exhibits excellent, easy reading, in a vernacular, down-to-earth style with examples we all can relate to. I would recommend to parents, anyone upscaling their business,and anyone who wants to test their vision. Old Testament character Nehemiah's building project is a well-used example. 'Visioneering' is a definate must-read for anyone with hopes, with dreams, with vision.

"Visioneering" is an outstanding book!!! It has helped me very much in understanding everything involved in receiving visions from God (A vision is God's idea not yours)and in how they are implemented. The chapters dealing with subjects of how visions frequently take a long time to come about and the chapters relating to the leader's moral integrity are worth the price of the book by themselves.

"Visioneering" is highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall, it was very good especially if you can get your spouse to read it with you and actually try the suggestions given. Now if only one of you are reading the book it also works in a viewpoint that you'll understand where you stand and how he/she may be reacting to the discussion, disagreement or whatever. For example, you'll notice that when one of you walks away or stays quiet while the other is trying to solve the problem then instead of thinking he/she isn't paying attention you may say to yourself he/she is now withdrawing so let me put this off until we are both open to listening and discussing the situation. Many points in the book were very helpful in making sense of how men and women view things in a different light of importance. The book is not only good for couples but for singles as well, Marriage is a TEAM that works best when you can communicate and learn that you go from I, ME to US and WE. I recommend it - great insights even better if you can convice the other to join you in reading it together.

My husband and I married in our mid thirties thinking we had a lock on good communication skills and knowing we were mature enough to really make this marriage work. Nonetheless, it wasn't long before we were "mired in muck". When a small conflict arose, we found ourselves so caught up in being right and fighting our point to the death that small events escalated into huge issues. We could feel the good things in our relationship slipping away and felt helpless to fix the problem. (This was AFTER reading probably 20 different books on marriage, doing the Barbara D'Angelis program, the Gary Smally Program, attending several couples workshops, etc.). Contemplating calling it quits on our marriage, I happened accross this book, loved it, then went to a PREP workshop. Our marriage is AWESOME. We actually know how to hear and be heard and have the skills to RESOLVE the conflicts. (By the way, note the "I". My spouse hasn't read the book and refused to go to the workshop.) I learned the skills and used them in our marriage and our relationship changed. It even works with kids, in-laws, co-workers.... Yippee!

This book should be required reading for all couples getting married. If only I had read this book first, I could have avoided a lot of the bumps along the marital journey and saved myself and my spouse a lot of grief. Based on sound research and full of excerpts from real couples' lives, this book is now my favorite gift to newlyweds. It gives you great comfort to know that the arguments you and your spouse have occur in all marriages at different times. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking at making their marriage last for the long haul!

My wife has recently been diagnosed with Lupus with chronic ankle and foot pain and swelling. A friend suggested this book since it had allowed him to continue life without pain from arthritis. This MSM book stated it's case concisely and really motivated my wife to take msm...and there lies the hitch. This natural substance gives her severe stomach pains and diarrhea and the book does not address just how certain sensitive people might vary or otherwise adjust their intake of msm. We know it works for most people...we would just like the Dr. to suggest solutions for people who are more sensitive to msm.

This title by Drs. Jacob and Lawrence is by far the best word on MSM (along with product manufacturers dmso2.com etc).

I, also, prefer the hardback version of this book. It is out of print but I found that it is still available at the distributor (msmsupplement.com as mentioned by someone in another review).

I hope that there is a new, updated version of this book on the horizon, because I know that MSM is helping so many people with a variety of problems (e.g. Arthritis, Allergies, Energy, Joint and Muscle & Nerve Pain, Skin Conditions ...). I even give it to my dogs and cats now!

By the way, Dr. Lawrence (on of the authors) is the doctor of the famous actor James Coburn. Mr. Coburn now attributes his recovery from crippling arthritis pain to benefits derived from MSM.

I am a 43 year old female who for 3 1/2 years have been battling with back pain, headaches, muscle pain, fibromyalgia, TOS, tmj and many,many more problems due to many accidents. I throught I was finally to the point of giving up until last week my doctor told me to try MSM. What A Miracle. I started with 1000mg tablets 2 times a day and I am now taking 3, 2 times a day until I get to a level that I can live with. I have been on every medication known to man and I am now cutting all med's in half or not having to take them at all. I would love to get my book signed and after reading it I gave it to my physical therapist to read and all of my friends who also have many of the problems I suffer with. You are a god send for such a wonderful pill. One question after reading the book it keeps telling all about the crystals, is there a difference between the pills, tablets or crystals. The bottle states that it is pure Methylsulfonymethane and nothing else but I would like to no if there is a difference between the three and would like to know who I can ask regarding this. Once again thank you for saving another person who thought all hope was gone.............. Cheryl Thanks-you:)

I had bad stomach ailments (irritable bowel syndrome) that plagued me for a few years. In addition, I was always the first to get sick with a cold, flu, etc. Since I've been practicing the excercises in this book, my stomach problems went away, and now I can't remember the last time I got a cold. Now in flu season, EVERYONE is sick around me but I'm feeling great. I wish everyone would start practicing Qi Gong. I'm not sure why it works -- whether there really is a universal energy field that we draw upon, or whether the deep breathing excercises, slow stretching movements and meditative state release endorphins and boost the immune system. Maybe it's both. It doesn't really make a difference to me. If you want to improve your health in ANY WAY, buy this book!

As a Koreanized version of baduanjin (8 brocade exercise), this book is a good buy and has all the elements of being well written, well researched and personal experience of the author, based on the condition that was helped by this method.
The author goes into the background of the routine, gives an objective view allowing the reader to be open minded and states his case for it being an instrument for increasing his quality of life.

Great buy.

Qi gong can seem overwhelming, which is why this book is a little gem. It gives you the essence of qi gong as well as a valuable start with 8 exercises, all very clearly demonstrated with a series of step-by-step photographs. Whether you just settle for this or decide to take it further, you would not be wasting money on this book.

The In-Touch Ministries version of the NASB is a welcome addition to the NASB Update family of Bibles. I have the Top Grain leather edition, and I have not found a Bible on the market that can match the leather quality of this Bible. The top grain leather is extremely soft and thick. Even the inside of the covers are made of the leather resulting in a Bible that literally "fits your hands like a glove." The paper is of high quality- easy to turn and it does not allow bleed through of ball point pens and some markers. There are extra pages in the front and back for extended note taking. The concordance and maps are standard NASB/Foundation additions. The print is a good size for reading and clear on the page. The Bible should receive a five star rating except for two things: 1) the lack of cross-references is limiting to Bible study; and 2) there have been some quality problems in the printing process that results in page-fold errors throughout the Bible. Lockman and Foundation Press are aware of these problems and they are working to correct these shortfalls. In summary, if you're shopping for a Wide Margin NASB Update, and cross-references are not important to your method of Bible study, this is the Bible for you. The investment in the Top-Grain Leather is worth it just to hold it in your hands as you "taste" the word of God.

I just received my NASB Wide Margin Edition. To me, the aesthetic qualties of a Bible are important. And in terms of the aesthetic qualities of this Bible--well, the leather is a delight to the eyes and feels wonderful as it just lays in your hand like a well-worn baseball glove. The paper is wonderful. [One of the things that bugs me about so many Bibles on the market today is the flimsiness of the paper--with all the attendant problems--bleed through, etc.] The text itself is nice and clean. A comfortable size font that is easy on the eyes and uncluttered in appearance. In short, IN TOUCH MINISTRIES and LOCKMAN FOUNDATION have produced a product that is an absolute delight to the senses.

I have used many translations over the years. But I find myself always going back to the NASB. I just know that when all is said and done, I "trust" it. I use the NIV also, but there are just too many passages in the NIV that, upon closer examination, add or subtract from the text of the original Greek. For example, in Luke 9:62 the NIV translators add two words to the text that are not in the Greek "...no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for SERVICE IN the kingdom of God." The NASB simply translates what the actual Greek text says--"...look back IS FIT FOR the kingdom of God." If I did not know Greek, I would not have known that the NIV adds words that are not in the Greek text. In short, the NAS does not supply so much "interpretation" to the actual Greek text. It sticks to "translation." I just find over and over again, that when I read my NIV I either have to pull out my Nestle Greek text or my NAS to see if that is what the verse REALLY says.

The NIV is a great translation in many ways, but for serious Bible study, the NASB is, I believe, the most trustworthy translation on the market. And so, if you are going to go with the NASB text, why not get one with the best aesthetic qualities as well? This Bible has it all!!!

Only 3 drawbacks: I wish this Bible had included:
1. the cross-references found in most editions of the NASB
2. ALL of the footnotes that appear in most editions of the NASB (this one is pretty bare-bones), and
3. a little more margin space on the inside margins (not a whole lot of room to write on the inside margins).

But on the whole, I love it and am glad I purchased it. It's my favorite Bible (and I have many Bibles).

The In-Touch Ministries edition of the NASBU is a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind Bible, with buttery-soft calfskin leather in your choice of navy blue, burgundy, or black. It even excels the Cambridge editions. It is smyth-sewn, and has quality paper.
Unfortunately, all the Bible has is text and concordance with coloured maps in the back, and wide margins. No helps whatsoever.
I would even hesitate before I marked up the Bible, that's how beautiful it is. However, if all you want is a pretty cover, buy it. Otherwise, forget it. Other NASBU reference or study Bibles in genuine or top-grain leather are available at lesser cost. So, save yourself a few bucks and get yourself something that has more information.

Strawberry Road is about a normal family man, Rome living the life of a successful advertising executive. He is worried that at 49 he is too old for the business. He is flung into a situation which makes him redefine his values, his family and his career. By helping his fellow man, he puts his family at risk. He must decide which to put first before it is too late. Rome is forced to evacuate his office because of a bomb scare. He meets Malcolm, an agent investigating Rome's employer. He recruits Rome as his inside source. Rome is unwittingly thrown into an investigation of 401K retirement plans and anthrax. When Rome begins to uncover the truth, he must decide to protect his family which includes an autistic son and let the conspiracy continue or continue to work with Malcolm who he doesn't totally trust. In the middle of all this intrigue, Rome continues in his work in advertising, putting together a campaign to sell cat food. The plot takes some interesting twists which makes the reader think of his own life and values. As the plot unfolds, there are many twists until the surprise ending. It is an enjoyable and interesting story which makes one consider personal choices, loyality to an employer and the strength of the family. It makes one think how fragile things can be when choices are made.

Stanley R. Moore is an ex-Secret Service Naval officer, actor,race-car driver, advertising writer, in general, a jack of all trades.His first novel was Nightshade, and he also wrote a screenplay for "El Monosabio" which became a feature film.

Moore introduces the reader to Jerome Joseph Jordan, Rome for short. At age 49, Rome is terrified of losing his advertising position. He is receiving fewer accounts, and the business just hasn't been the same since the disappearance of his friend Murray. Unusual things begin to happen to Rome: a bomb is found on the floor of his building; a man named Harrow blackmails him into snooping into employee records and passing information; someone sends him a dismembered thumb in the mail; and he and his autistic son find a woman's dead body at a soccer game his daughter is playing in. Murray's wife keeps asking "why can't we live a normal life like everyone else?"

Indeed, Rome's life keeps taking on new and devious paths. He continually thinks of Murray, and how his friend would have handled the situation. And he worries that the increasing number at deaths at his company and the information he is uncovering in his search of employee's files might be connected. He is continually followed by people trying to kill him, the police seem to be constantly on his tail, and he doesn't know which side of the fence Harrow is really on. And then there is Pamela, the new young suit clawing her way to the top of the company:

"Pamela tossed her head back and laughed a long and bawdy laugh. She pushed her plate away and tucked her knees up on the chair. Her expression grew more serious. 'I like you, Rome, I really like you.' Uh-oh. Here it comes. The moment of truth. 'Thank you,' I said. 'I like you too.' I tried to say it as I meant it. With sincerity, not sexuality."

Strawberry Road is the ultimate industrial espionage story, in which moral decisions must be made by a man who is in the grips of his own personal crisis. His work and family are falling apart, a situation brought on by the greed of corporate America. He must make the choice between his helpless son and the killing of millions of people. Moore's experience and maturity produce a novel with heart, conscience, and supreme entertainment value.

Shelly Glodowski, Reviewer

Stanley R. Moore is an ex-Secret Service Naval officer, actor, race-car driver, advertising writer, in general, a jack of all trades. His first novel was Nightshade, and he also wrote a screenplay for "El Monosabio" which became a feature film. Moore introduces the reader to Jerome Joseph Jordan, Rome for short. At age 49, Rome is terrified of losing his advertising position. He is receiving fewer accounts, and the business just hasn't been the same since the disappearance of his friend Murray. Unusual things begin to happen to Rome: a bomb is found on the floor of his building; a man named Harrow blackmails him into snooping into employee records and passing information; someone sends him a dismembered thumb in the mail; and he and his autistic son find a woman's dead body at a soccer game his daughter is playing in. Murray's wife keeps asking "why can't we live a normal life like everyone else?" Indeed, Rome's life keeps taking on new and devious paths. He continually thinks of Murray, and how his friend would have handled the situation. And he worries that the increasing number at deaths at his company and the information he is uncovering in his search of employee's files might be connected. He is continually followed by people trying to kill him, the police seem to be constantly on his tail, and he doesn't know which side of the fence Harrow is really on. And then there is Pamela, the new young suit clawing her way to the top of the company:

"Pamela tossed her head back and laughed a long and bawdy laugh. She pushed her plate away and tucked her knees up on the chair. Her expression grew more serious. 'I like you, Rome, I really like you.' Uh-oh. Here it comes. The moment of truth. 'Thank you,' I said. 'I like you too.' I tried to say it as I meant it. With sincerity, not sexuality."

Strawberry Road is the ultimate industrial espionage story, in which moral decisions must be made by a man who is in the grips of his own personal crisis. His work and family are falling apart, a situation brought on by the greed of corporate America. He must make the choice between his helpless son and the killing of millions of people. Moore's experience and maturity produce a novel with heart, conscience, and supreme entertainment value.

Shelly Glodowski Reviewer

Life at college isn't easy. Between classes, labs, and papers, there is hardly any time to cook a decent meal if you don't like the dining hall options. Three students at Williams College realized this, and co-authored a new cookbook designed for college students. Recipes in the book range from "Ants on a Log" to "Steak a l'Orange", providing options for both those who are willing to try some easy adventures in cooking and for those who wish never to use an appliance. The cookbook offers a slew of recipes, from soups and snacks to dinner dishes of chicken and fish. Vegetarians will find a variety of options; one-third of the recipes are vegetarian, with an entire chapter devoted to vegetarian cuisine in addition to other recipes that fit the vegetarian bill scattered throughout the book. With many recipes that take less than half an hour to prepare and require few ingredients, this cookbook is perfect for today's college students. .

I am a recent college graduate and have received the "HEALTHY COLLEGE COOKBOOK" as a graduation gift. Having lived off campus my senior year, I know how hard it is to cook for myself while at the same upholding a busy schedule. This book would have been perfect to have had this past year. Instead of resorting to take-out food I could have cooked quick, healthy meals for myself. Clearly, the authors spent a good deal of time testing their recipes, for the dishes I have tried thus far have been delicious. I am also impressed with the variety of recipes such as vegetarian dishes, and quick appetizers. I especially recommend Anne's Veggie Lasagna and Chicken Santa Fe. Finally, a great cookbook for non-cooks!

This cookbook is good for anybody who has never cooked in their lives. From the beginning, I was making excellent dishes, with very little preparation time. This book has done wonders for me: I dont eat fast food anymore, I save a lot of money, and I enjoy good meals that are a lot healthier than what I used to eat. Recommended to anyone who is just learning how to cook.

This compilation of Oswald Chamber essays and sermons was originally captured by his wife after his death. The format of a daily devotional provides an excellent daily read for the avid and growing Christian.

The individual devotionals are not easily devoured in one reading, generally requiring a second or third reading to fully grasp the depth of Oswald Chambers' deeply Christian messages based on Biblical scriptures. This is not light reading, but in the small fifteen minute devotional increments daily, this makes for excellent reading and provides specific daily focus for the Christian reader. This thought-provoking book can easily become a favorite habit, and it also makes an excellent evangelical gift to those who are new to Christianity.

If you buy only one Christian book this year, buying Oswald Chambers' 'My Utmost for His Highest' would be an excellent choice.

Each morning I read this book, I find myself drawn to a place of accountability and yet filled with a desire to worship and commune with my Lord. Oswald Chambers has a way of opening the reader's eyes to the plan that God has for each one of us individually. Combining this book with reading the scriptures included for each day has expanded my morning devotional time to a depth and breadth I could not have imagined before.

I received this book as a Christmas present and in the month and a half that I've been reading it on a daily basis, it continues to speak to my spiritual condition in a way that's almost eerie. Not every day hits but those that do shock me back to my faith journey and remind me about where I should be focused. How could He/he (God and Oswald Chambers) know so accurately what I need to hear? As a committed Quaker (Religious Society of Friends), I have been surprised to find that "My Utmost" transcends the unfortunate Christian political divisions and meets us as followers of Christ. This book had become as central to my daily routine as brushing my teeth but far less rote!

Given that Mr Sienkiewicz won the Nobel literary prize for mainly this work, that alone is a pretty good bet for reading it. Written in the 1890's, this book is seen as one of the world's first "bestseller" novels, and is definitely an epic of, well, epic proportions.

Unfortunately, the book does suffer slightly as a result of the translation, as noted by an earlier reviewer, so if you can read Polish, do get the original version. Nevertheless, although the book starts off a tad slow, think of the beginning as a push off from a cliff, because after that it's as fast paced a thriller as money can buy.

A basic exposure to Roman and Christian history will make the book really come alive. Although certain "facts" are not correct, or have been omitted, remember that the book is meant to be fiction. The historical events are merely a platform for a passionate love story between a pagan Roman and a Christian girl. However, it is the seeming impossibility of this love, together with descriptions of the nearly moronic Roman "royal court", keeps you reading well into the night. The emotional roller-coaster makes you, the reader, feel exhausted.

Definitely recommended, and one of the most enjoyable books I've read.

If you liked this, do check out his other novels - especially the brilliant "Teutonic Knights" which is another epic of a young Polish knight (and of course a lovely maiden or two thrown in for good measure) and the history of middle ages Poland up to the battle of Grunwald where the Teutonic Knights were defeated.

This novel has ideas, romance, violence, adventure, mysticism, and politics, so it can't be boring even if some reviewers complain about its slow start. Set in the middle of Nero's tenure in power, in the First century AD, it tells the story of Vinitius, a Roman military officer from a Patricious family with good standing at the court. He has the friendship and protection of Petronius, the Arbiter of Elegancy, a sensual, rich and cultivated man with much influence in court. Vinitius falls in love with the beautiful slave Ligia, who is a Christian living with a Roman Patricious family also converted to Christianity. Through his obsession with her, he gradually discovers the new religion and realizes the moral pit in which his culture has been decaying. Then Nero sets Rome on fire and Vinitius finds out that he'll have to rebel against the State in order to gain love. He is baptized and suffers persecution. Then he has to rescue his beloved from the Colliseum, just when she's going to be throwed in to the lions. The end is mystical and completely beautiful, and that's when you understand the title, which means "Where are you going, my Lord?", and is pronounced by St. Peter as he is fleeing Rome.

A very entertaining and rewarding novel, it is also a fictional testimony of the early years of Christendom. My favorite character is Petronius, a liberal, magnanimous and "cool" Pagan Roman who finds disgrace for protecting those he loves. very recommended.

I must confess that I started reading this book only after having enjoyed the film "Gladiator"...the book starts off slow but I promise, once you settle into the story,this novel will draw you in with it's vivid descriptions of the melting pot that was Rome...the heart of the story is romantic, the love of a Roman for a Christian girl...the main character goes through a touching transformation, which made me think of the soul alot...and the porttait of early christianity is very moving...I've since drifted from this faith, but the book reminded me that Christianity also had it's past full of sufferings-a fact I overlook from the comforts of my home...it shows early christianity, persecuted, hidden and striving-even with men of different temperaments-there is a hell fire preacher who annoys, another like Peter who speaks of Love...i found the modern translation very appealing- I once tried this novel in it's more archaic language and found myself quickly bored....this modern translation drew me in and has some beautiful expressions found throughout...my favorite character was Petronius, an endearing pagan Roman who delights only in the beautiful but has a heart enough to risk his own life for those he loves...he is sarcastic and witty and his influence over Nero borders on the humorous....great historical novel, perhpas one of the best I've ever read..if any customers out there don't seem to get enough of the film "Gladiator", please read this book...you will not be disapointed!!!

Chernow excellently portrays our country's most famous banking dynasty from its formation during the early 1800's to the late twentieth century. Throughout the book, readers are entreated with not only the history of the Morgan family but also the transformation of American banking and finance of the past two centuries.

The Morgan history began with Junius Morgan. He was concerned with establishing America's financial credit with European countries, which were very reluctant to lend money to a country that had been recently formed. Their doubts were reinforced when several American states repudiated payment on loans. In his efforts to preserve America's credit worthiness with Great Britain, Junius Morgan created a financial link between the Anglo-Saxon countries that would influence Morgan politics for the next century.

The most famous member of the family was J.P. Morgan, who presided over the bank during the Age of the Robber Barons. During his tenure, the Morgan bank would play the role of lender of last resort for America. Because laissez-faire capitalism was the prevalent practice during this era, only the Morgan bank under the energetic J.P. Morgan possessed the financial and political clout to organize efforts to stop widespread bank failures and catastophic stock declines. Despite being portrayed in the media by Populists as crooked and elitist, the Morgan bank continued to play this important role for the American economy and remained influential nationally even after the creation of the Federal Reserve System.

Although the Morgans were economically powerful, they possessed many human frailties. Many of the Morgan men were reluctant to participate in the family business. Even J.P. Morgan, despite his fame and power, was for most of his life fearful of his father and felt constantly nervous about the imperfections of his nose. Chernow is lauded for depicting the personal lives of the Morgan family.

Despite desperate attempts by the Morgan bank to remain influential and anonymous, the combination of the American public's demand for accountability, its fear of elitist organizations, and the rise of international finance and trade, divided the Morgan bank and forced its successors into such mundane practices as the public listing of its financial records and the offering of common stocks. The abandonment of such traditional practices as the Gentleman Banker's Code culminated in the merger mania of the 1980s, as Morgan Guaranty, Morgan Grenfell, and Morgan Stanley each sometimes assisted one client in acquiring another of its client.

From cooperation to cutthroat competition between bankers, the House of Morgan is filled with triumphs and tragedies of Morgan and American history. It is recommended for every American adult. I am looking forward to reading Titan.

Ron Chernow's "The House of Morgan" is both an engaging history of the Morgan banks and a brilliant account of the growth of global finance from Victorian times through the late 1980's. It's every bit as enjoyable as Chernow's "The Warburgs," but provides a better analysis than the Warburg book of key business and political developments of the 20th century.

No one should be intimidated by this book's length or the complexity of its subject. Its pages are rich with lively portraits of the sometimes quirky men who ran the Morgan banks, the high and mighty of the world with whom they did business, and the world's many critics of such concentrated economic might. Pierpont and Jack Morgan and their successors at the top get the most detailed treatment, but figures as diverse as Brandeis, Mussolini, Lindbergh (the son-in-law of a top Morgan partner), Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt and Margaret Thatcher all play a part in the story, not to mention interesting but lesser-known figures like Ferdinand Pecora, Judge Harold Medina and central bankers from Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan.

As a backdrop to the Morgan saga, this book includes accounts of the main events of 20th-century financial history, such as the Panic of 1907, the creation of the Federal Reserve system, the Crash of 1929 and the depression and bank failures that followed it, the New Dealers' attack on banks led by Pecora that resulted in the Glass-Steagall Act and the separation of commercial banking from investment banking, and the rise of hostile takeovers, Eurodollars, petrodollars, Latin American lending, junk bonds and the securitization of debt, all refreshingly written for laymen rather than experts.

"The House of Morgan" has perhaps two overriding themes. The first is that as the years have passed, and the Morgan banks have faced increasing competition, the Morgan bankers' need to maintain their global preeminence has led them to take bigger and bigger risks. Some of these risks have resulted in large financial loss, but more often they have resulted in a loss of both public and customers' confidence, which has eroded the very preeminence that the banks seek to maintain. The second theme is that the top Morgan bankers have consistently underestimated the power of government to control what they do, and even make their lives miserable. From Pierpont on down, they have ignored government at their peril. It's almost a certainty that with the next big economic downturn, the Morgan banks will be attacked again, and I hope that Chernow will be on the scene to provide an account of it.

Chernow vividly portrays the influence that the Morgan banks have had on the history of the Western economy since the late 18th century. The epic story of the development of the American industrial experience is inextricably related to the history of the Morgan banks. Though this fascinating story is virtually the same as that told by Kathleen Bunk in Morgan Grenfell 1838-1988 ( LJ 12/89), Chernow adds color and personality with an emphasis on the 20th-century development of the bank. Working with recently discovered Morgan archives, he reveals institutional details long hidden by the protective secrecy of the family. This superb history will be an important book. BOMC, Fortune, and History Book Club featured alternates.