The material is very moving and deep seated. I am not a deeply religious person, but this book has touched me. Elaine Stone presented facts about Mother Theresa of which the average person has no knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Virginia S. King, secretary NLAPW Inc, Cape Canaveral Branch

Elaine Murray Stone has the rare ability of bringing our saints and heroes to life. It is good to see her "Mother Teresa" living vividly in her pages, and so soon after that great saint's death. Perhaps we needed a princess and a saint, and how extra-ordinary that they died the same week. But Elaine Stone writes not about a dead saint, but a vibrantly living one, and in a style suited for both student and teacher. This is a beautifully crafted biography, and a needed one. It will be around for a long time. Madeliene L'Engle Newberry Award author

Dr. Stone's book does much to lead her readers to come and know the Mother Teresa of these qualities; a holiness that was rooted in joy, humility that was rooted in an openness to all God asks of her, and a humor that never allowed her to take herself too seriously. This book leads us through the journey of Mother Teresa's life when the dream of the young girl to be a missionary folds into "the pencil in God's hand" that comes to write God's loving signature on the minds and hearts of millions throughout much of the twentyth century. Father Michael Mannion, former chaplain of the Catholic University, Washington, D. C.

With the mass of Oriental rug books that have been published in the last ten years (let alone since the 1960s, when writing about Oriental rugs became the raison d'être for collecting them or dealing in them), it seemed almost impossible to hope for a *Good* general book on the subject ever being attempted again - there was simply so much information that had become critical to even a broadly accurate understanding of the subject that one couldn't imagine the surface even being scratched by anything less than a proper ten-volume "Survey".

But Murray L. Eiland - one of the authentic Big Daddies of the early Oriental Rug Book Revival - hit on the brilliant idea of taking as a starting point his distinguished standard work 'Oriental Rugs - A Comprehensive Guide', published in the high scholastic manner and drab production values of the early 1970s, and then re-engineering it in co-authorship with his aptly-named son Murray L. Eiland (who says No Man is an Eiland?), to produce, against the odds, what must surely be The General Oriental Carpet Book of our time.

Iconoclastically renamed 'Oriental Rugs - A Complete Guide', 'Oriental Rugs', as the new baby will undoubtedly become known in the footsteps of its parent volume, not to mention of the Eilands, incorporates the bulk of the most interesting and important new discoveries, attitudes, nomenclatures, theories and attributions of the past 25 years and packages it all up in the definitive Major Oriental Rug Book De Luxe Coffee Table Edition format, the identifying attribute of which has increasingly become those huge and stunning full page bleeds depicting in the most intimate close-up detail some isolated felicities of colour and ornament extracted from appropriately major examples, which serve here to introduce each of the book's main sections.

Within each such section, the work is lavishly endowed with a wealth of richly glowing colour plates illustrating many of the best and most legendary rugs that have been on the world markets over the past two decades, these punctuated by a scattering of excellent maps, diagrams and well-chosen atmospheric pictures of weavers, deserts, mountains, animals, old paintings and the like. The thorough and well laid-out text is similarly interspersed with those entertaining anecdotes and telling on-the-spot findings gained from field-research trips by both father and son to the rug producing countries of the kind made famous by Mr A. Cecil Edwards, although in the hands of the Eilands this documentary evidence is timed and honed for optimum impact with a post-CNN suavity noticeably (some might say, regrettably) absent from A.C. Edward's chapter-ending 'Conversation Piece' cliff-hangers.

The result of all this lavish and entertaining mixture is a truely fin de siècle book on Oriental carpets, encompassing outstanding print and paper quality, superb colour illustrations of many of the 'keynote' rugs of the past twenty years that any budding rugaholic simply has to know about, the whole held together - and God bless the Eilands for this! - with a wealth of real, useful, accurate information, this given added interest and relevance by the penetrating and often gently provocative personal opinions of the authors.

For anyone wanting access to as wide and accurate a knowledge base on Oriental rugs of the 19th and 20th Centuries as could possibly be wished for within one book, there has been nothing remotely approaching this 'Oriental Rugs' of the Eilands since Ian Bennett's 'Rugs and Carpets of the World'.

The authors' breadth of knowledge and eclecticism of taste allow them to range wider and deeper, untroubled by the blur of bias effecting their focus, than the incomparable Bennett. Thus they provide a deeply knowledgeable, balanced and scrupulously fair examination and appraisal of virtually every type rug and flat-weave that is both worth bothering about, and remains (however intermittently) available.

'Oriental Rugs - A Complete Guide' is also - and this may come as a surprise to anyone who doesn't buy Rug Books on an acceptably regular basis - quite reasonably priced for a work of such size, quality, and number of colour plates, especially when written by so eminent an authority as Murray Eiland Senior. The whole thing is a joy to look at, and succeeds in communicating the unique beauty possessed by the best knotted-pile Eastern rugs as much through its overall 'look and feel' as by the brilliance, elegance and subtlety of the individual items depicted. And then on top of all this is the substantial textual content, all of it pertinent, up-to-date, and attractively written. If 'Oriental Rugs' doesn't in fact come up with anything exactly groundbreaking in the issues it addresses, perhaps more helpfully it judicially and accurately records the real groundbreaking stuff that has set the tone and temperature of the rug world in recent times. Verdict: Extremely Desirable, if not quite Absolutely Essential, and with its truth and taste entirely uncompromised by the opposing forces of ego or e-commerce.

Murray Eiland set the standard for general, all-purpose oriental rug books back in 1973 when he wrote "ORIENTAL RUGS: A Comprehensive Guide." In one volume he swept away generations of romantic-rug-dealer-folklore and consolidated/expounded the best of what was at that time the current research. In the intervening years this book has seen two revisions, each of which were basically up-dates of new information.

This edition, just out, is the fourth. It has a new name, though: "ORIENTAL RUGS: A Complete Guide." A subtle change to be sure, but an important one - one befitting a significantly revised text and any number of new pictures. And no false modesty here: for most purposes this is indeed a "complete guide."

Anyone who is just starting out to learn about oriental rugs should own this book. For that matter, anyone who is less than a world-class expert on oriental rugs would benefit from a close reading of Dr. Eiland and his son's easy-to-read, easy-to-understand prose. (Even the experts are going to want to find out what he's thinking.) It is the sort of book that will spend more time in use than on the shelf.

Twenty-five years have passed, and once again he (and his son) have set the standard for general oriental rug books. It belongs on every rug aficionado's bookshelf along with Peter Stone's "ORIENTAL RUG LEXICON" and Marla Mallett's "WOVEN STRUCTURES: A Guide to Oriental Rug and Textile Analysis" - to pick two more "must-haves" published in the last year.

With wonderful full color reproductions of the subject, this book is a piece of art in itself. After a wonderful introduction, the chapters are regionally oriented, making it easy to access specific information, or get an in-depth history. I can imagine myself returning to this book again and again, for many years to come.

This is a great book. It rings true. It deals with things that others do not want to deal with.

This is a very good book. Some of the quotations are in old English and may appear to be spelled incorrectly when they are not.

People That Anthropologists Do Not Like To Study is certain to be controversial, also provided that the author has no credits to his name, no notes on research sources in a handy index, and the book contains misspellings throughout. Despite these problems, any with an open mind will find the basic contentions intriguing: there are some primitive caucasians living in tribal conditions which anthropologists shun from studying or misrepresent. Chapters do refer to studies and provide the references on resources consulted throughout despite the lack of the information in footnotes or an index, and the concepts are intriguing and challenging.

I don't believe in trying dozens of recipes to the same item to the the best one. This collection is truly a collection of the best and FOOLPROOF recipes, and the only recipes I use over and over again

Many of us are short on time when it comes to cooking and baking. When I want or need to bake - whether it be for a special occassion or no reason at all, I want my recipe to turn out great. The confidence I have in the recipes in this book assure me every time, that whatever I choose to make - it will be fabulous!

How many cooks make lavish chocolate terrines, but would be stumped by lemon meringue pie? How many different gourmet shops do you go to when you want to make something special? It's time to put away your pastry bags and your ramekins -- you need look no further than Murray Jaffe's new book for simple, scrumptious desserts.

The array of recipes in "The Perfect Recipe Baking Book" is wonderfully refreshing in its simplicity. The classics are all here: coconut macaroons, devil's food cake, blueberry pie. Jaffe, a self-described obsessive baker, provides foolproof directions for perfect desserts. His apple pie can beat the pants off of any hazelnut praline cheesecake. And best of all, the ingredients are guaranteed to be available in your local grocery store. No more scouring the city for Poire Williams or dried golden cherries! This really is the only dessert cookbook you will ever need.

I've been following the advice in Dr Murray's books for years and I trust him more than any other source. His recommendations are based on what has been proven to work and he adds lots of common sense. This book, along with his Encyclopedia, are all that you need to seperate the truth from the hype.

The popular Pill Book Guide supplemental sibling is compiled by one of America's leading authorities on natural medicine, Dr. Michael Murray. The 1074 page book is an up-to-date guide on the effectiveness and safety of herbs, vitamins and other natural products. The book is easily laid out in clear language with information of what each product is for, how it works, with safety and effectiveness ratings, side effects, drug and food interactions, dosages, cautions and warnings.

The purpose of this book is to help the reader who use nautral products make wise choices on natural supplements and to save one's health. It also includes Dr. Murray's recommendations for the prevention and treatment of common conditions from acne and congestive heart failure to diabetes and stress. The book answers some questions, on the subject what is all hype and what is science? What do we really know about natural remedies?

It answers questions like, can symptoms of menopause be relieved without hormone replacement therapy? Black Cohosh (Remifemin) performed better than hormones and had an A (excellent) rating for safety. What is a safer way of halting macular degeneration over Lasik sugery and save ones' night vision? Bilberry has proven in historical cases to stop the formation of cataracts and improves night vision. During World War II the British Royal Air Force gave it to their pilots who had to fly night missions! To get relief from insomnia without dangerous prescription drugs take your pick from Valerian (rated A for effectiveness), Melatonin (rated B+) or 5-HTP (rated B+). One concern, there were some herbs that were omitted from the book I'd like to have seen listed, e.g. Raspberry Leaves. But if you would consider research and natural remedies change on the market from time-to-time. I'm sure in the future that more will be added. Other than that I definitely believe this to be the best natural reference book out on the market at this time.

This book is highly informative of popular, and lesser known herbs. It provides helpful, and relevant information about natural medicines. Dr. Murray refers to real-life scientific studies to proof the effectiveness of natural medicines.

The book is more encyclopaedic, his opinion is not noted at all.
This is excellent, since there are currently far too many auteurs who simple give their 'belief' or 'feeling' about herbs. The book is fairly thorough, up-to-date, and very well organized.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the facts about natural medicines, or even the expert who needs a reference source at times.

"...And you are at once free. I do not ask that you place hands on the tyrant, but merely cease to obey him, and you will see him, like a colossus, fall of his own weight and break into pieces." So begins this short classic. It reads as if written with words of fire. Astonishing clarity and moral certitude bathe the ideas expressed. There is no room for temporarizing in La Boiete; the breathtaking clarity of his ideas blew cobwebs from my mind. It was like learning to walk on two legs instead of four. Some toung in cheek references to how his rhetoric does not apply to the France of the Capetian dynasty merely add flavor and wit to his insights. Non-violent resistance and civil disobedience both trace their modern pedigrees to this work. This is a book for the ages, and it is a shame that it is not widely available in English. (Knowledge Products excerpts it on tape in their, "Giants of Political Thought" cassette series.) I wish every student could be given a copy of this book; then, our liberty would face a brighter future than now appears to be the case. -Lloyd A. Conway

"The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude" has influencedsome of the world's greatest social thinkers; from Leo Tolstoy toMohandus Gandhi to Ayn Rand. Written in the 1550s, as something of an underground tract or pamphlet by a young French student and friend of essayist Michelle de Montaigne, this short work remains a timeless expose of the psychology and inherent corruption involved in social or political power. The work has been in and out of print in English (Some of its various titles over the years were "Slaves By Choice," "Anti-Dictator," "The Will To Bondage," and "The Politics of Obedience: The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude"). In North America it has been out of print for some time now, unfortunately. Since its original circulation in the early 1550s as "de la servitude volontaire ou contr'un," this short but powerful work seems to find its way back into print whenever the winds of social change began blowing toward tyranny.

"The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude," written by the young French student and friend of Michelle de Montaigne, Etienne de la Boetie during the 1550s, is now a much neglected work (in English). The work's importance and timeless quality is comparable to that of Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince." It is a very brief work of about 40 pages in length. This brevity is part of the work's power. In these few pages, the author is able to explain the origin and inherent corruption of the tyranny of all government. The work is a classic in civil disobedience; I suppose you could say it defined the term. It should be read by all who value their freedom and view tyranny -- in any form -- as an abomination.

Until reading this book I did not believe in pleading the blood of Jesus. I guess I thought to do so would be tantamont to engaging in a practice that was nothing short of evil. You are thought to fear the sight of blood as it represents likely death, black magic or doom.

Having read and having experienced an outpouring of the blood of Jesus in my life and that of my family I am indeed enlightened and empowered. Today I boldly claim the gifts, blessings and mercy that God has promised and have bestowed onto me. Today, I can claim my rightful inheritance as a child of the king of Kings.

The author does a wonderful job introducing the subject matter and in confirming its biblical autenticity from the Old Testement to the new Testement age. He removes the veils and misconceptions surrounding the practice and the need to plead the blood of Jesus on ourselves,our family, our possessions and even our vehicles and pets. This book is a "must have" for all believers in the Almighty GOD and the gift of deliverence and salvation through Christ.

I can't say enough good about this book; it is literally the book I have been waiting and praying for, for a great number of years now. If you are at all lacking in faith, this book will turn it all around for you. The pastor who wrote this book (H.A. Maxwell Whyte, now deceased, the book out of print I was told)was Benny Hinn's pastor as a young man, and this book was one which was highly recommended by him on his TV show. You will not be dissapointed by this book if you are a believer of God and a follower of Jesus Christ.

In a day when the blood of Jesus is being removed from the very translation of the Bible itself, when the mention of the blood of Jesus is considered offensive even in the churches, this book and Murray's other, "The Blood of the Cross," are God-sends for those who are willing to accept the ways of God without cringing. Though the blood of Jesus is not in any way magical, it is nonetheless crucial and foundational to receiving ANY benefit whatsoever from God. If one could list all the spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3), and then search out the sole reason why these benefits are available to born-again Christians, and only to born-again Christians, they would find that every single one without exception is only available because of the shed blood of Christ. Murray clearly shows this truth in his books and mentions over a hundred benefits (between the 2 books) that are only available by Jesus Christ's shed blood. If you want to get back to true biblical Christianity, you must get back to the centrality of the precious blood of Jesus. Otherwise, you have no source of heavenly, spiritual, benefits from God, inlcuding salvation itself. Hebrews says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." Murray shows clearly that within that statement is included ALL the resulting benefits of forgiveness, as well.

I highly recommend the book! This book is a strong experienced based program that guides you through the Consulting Process. The tools are ready to use; I really enjoy that. I put this book on the same level as "Operational Profitability;Conducting Management Audits." John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Powerful Professionals is well designed for the specific needs of internal consultants. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. It's easy-to-use, providing lots of partical tools and advice. Organized into a user-friendly handbook, it covers everything from establishing your credibility to managing change and resistance.

Written with a healthy does of humor, there are plenty of practical, step-by-step models supported by checklists, worksheets, assessment tools, and examples--rather than long- winded discussions on theory.

I STRONGLY recommend this book for anyone dealing with the day-to-day challenges of an internal consulting organization.

There has been a glut of books on 'how to be a consultant' that have been published in the last few years. I have become frustrated with the increasing quantity and decreasing quality of such books. All that changed with my reading of "Powerful Professionals". Finally, a superb book! "Powerful Professionals" is grounded in experience that I can relate to, and offered excellent, immediately useable advice for me as a professional. I also liked the easy-to-follow formatting and mix of text and graphics. There is also the behind-the-scenes theory for us who like such stuff. Chapter 15 of the book is "Putting It All Together". Well, the author and editor certainly have put together an all-encompassing and all-powerful book for all professionals. Bravo! Books of this quality are not often found by me. But when I do find a high-utility book like "Powerful Professionals", it becomes a jewel in my collection.

Iain Murray once again has done a marvelous work by his juxtaposition of genuine revival and man made attempts at revivalism. He carefully traces the history of such human inventions and carefully treads along a rather slippery slope. Murray is unafraid to go counter to much public opinion.I consider myself a reformed pentecostal and I am aware that my position is quite tenuous. However I concur with Murray's finding and advocate his position. Truth may cause sentimental ideas to crumble but it will not destroy a genuine work of God. This well written tome should be read by all who are interested in revival. Even if one does not believe in revival for today, this book is a wonderful piece relating to church history.

This is an excellent book, having major implication both in my personal life and in the church at large. He chronicles the rise of "revivalism" and its attendant effects on the church both then and now. Read it to understand the failure of the modern day church to truly experience revival, having substituted it for a sham emotional, pie-in-the-sky experience that can be produced at will. You will also understand some of the deleterious effects that Charles Finney's ministry had, along with the effects that it continues to have. This book was an eye-opener to me, and I highly recommend it for your consideration.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in decisional theology--from either side of the issue. If you've wondered about the "strategy" of Campus Crusade, about Billy Graham's percentage of truly born-again converts, about how Calvinistic theology deals with evangelism, about whether you're born again if you "decide" for Christ and walk down an aisle one day (and go on living just as before), about fruitless Christians, about preachers who don't preach, about manufactured revivals (e.g., the "Toronto blessing"), you need to read this book. It's steeped in history, great quotes, and inspiring historical analyis. It left me with a deep sense of sadness at what a superficial, misguided job most evangelical churches and preachers do in raising up the standard of Christ. It deals with fundamental errors of our times--cheap grace, superficial Christianity and the failure to preach the law and the gospel. I've been a Christian 25 years or so. I read all the time. This is one of the 3 most important books I've read; it changed my outlook on fundamental things.

A fascinating biography. This book inspired the film with Liam Neeson, but is so much more than a glimpse of the incidents chronicled in the film. W.H. Murray has given a well-researched, well-documented look at highland life that enables the reader to step into the shoes (or lack thereof) of the Scottish highlander. Everything from the clan structure, rivalries, English oppression, how to carry a handful of oats dipped in a stream for daily ration; it's all there. Mr. Murray gives us very detailed information on the subtleties of the constantly changing political climate and the MacGregor's sense of injustice.

This book is a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in Scotland, the MacGregor Clan, or Rob Roy himself.

This is a book for a scholar or a person dipping into Scottish history for the first time. An excellent book about Highlanders and there are precious few books available on the topic. The author has considered vast quanitities of sources; the only books lacking are Gaelic language sources such as those bilingual editions published by the Scottish Academic Texts Society. The author shows a broad understanding of the politics and economics of the period; what is unique is an attempt to understand Gaelic society. The "creach" or cattle raid is explained from a Highland point of view; it's a custom sanctified in the great Gaelic epic "Táin Bó Cuailgne". The format is very appealing as historical events are related to the colourful life of this one honourable man.

This is an elegantly written, thorough, balanced and fascinating account of a deservedly highly admired man.

The author provides a comprehensive historic and social background and a detailed biography. Real history, not the current hip Celtic fashion or Braveheart drivel.

I found the book moving and inspiring. A picture of an honourable, intelligent and courageous man, living his life by the laws of his time; a man who deserves to be remembered.

The film Rob Roy with Liam Neeson, runs amazingly close to this book. If you were inspired by the film, I think you will greatly enjoy this biography.

I'd also recommend John Prebble for his classic works on Culloden and Glencoe and the Highland Clearances.