This is a great group of children's books. They really are "for" children, to hold, to carry around, to take to bed with them--that's what my children do with them. I have an 18 mo. old and a 4 yr. old. Any of these books really "hold" their interest. My children love the rhyming and spend a lot of time just looking at the books. I think the author has put out a very good series and say Thanks for it.

This series is a fun filled colorful adventure. It was so fun to see my children answering all of the questions and pointing to the fun pictures. It is very interactive! We read them every night at bed time, and the children can hardly wait to enjoy them again.

Wow! My 2 year-old LOVES these books and we think they are wonderful! This is really a cute and creative concept. Jacob is a darling little boy and his grandma takes ordinary things out of the magic box and makes them exciting. These books are favorites and we read them a lot every week at our house. My daughter is always ready to hear her magic box stories. The books keep her interest and she never tires of them. The words are interesting for her and the pictures are adorable. I would recommend these books to anyone looking for an entertaining way to teach young children.

I met Herbert Anderson at a men's retreat sponsored by my church and he spoke on just one chapter of this book. I purchased a copy that weekend and read it cover to cover in a day. I found myself moved by his story and the connections his words, and the story of Jacob, made in my life. I heartily recommend this book to every man who is a father, grandfather, husband, friend, colleague. It is an insightful and compassionate book that will help you along your spiritual journey. Well done Herb!

Anderson does an incredible job of reflecting on the many facets of being a man and a man who loves and serves Christ. He challenges men to delve deeper into their lives exploring relationships,emotions, loves and friendships and their impact on self and others. He challenges common notions of "Christian Man" and their behaviors, feelings and reactions. He examines everyday events that happen to men and opens up a new dimension on how men can learn and interpret from those experiences. It has truly challenged me to examine myself, my relationships and the fullness of being a man, and a man who serves Christ.

I read Jacob's Shadow on the recommendation of a friend and came to it with the scepticism that a man who in fact needs a book like this might be expected to bring to it. I found myself seduced by its clarity and was grateful for its lessons. In ten chapters the book covers ten areas of living in which men might well encounter challenges and benefit from wise advice gently offered. The need for men to acknowlege vulnerability and then confront that vulnerability with courage is both a chapter and an overall theme. In fact, in writing Jacob's Shadow Herbert Anderson made himself vulnerable and in doing so has given the reader a gift which is more than mere words.

This is without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read on prayer. This book will put your prayer life into high gear and have you on your knees in prayer and expectation.

Jim Goll is a talented writer with an urgent message. This book serves as a call for believers to devote themselves to knowing the heart of the Lord, discerning the times and releasing grace through prayer. It is a challenging book if taken seriously. It will stretch many of its readers.

The author is clearly a mature Christian man whose gift for writing and personal walk with the Lord merge in this book and the result is a gift to the reader. I highly recommend this book.

Jim Goll has written an excellent encyclopedia on prophetic intercession. This book encouraged, instructed, and helped me. Great examples! All kinds of aids from book references to suggested actions. No book that I have read covers this subject in the detail that Jim Goll's book does. I have bought several copies for friends.

This book along with Putting on the Mind of Christ (Marion) and the Magus of Strovolos (Markides) is a thorough beginning in esoteric Christianity. If by reading any one of these books you are not moved with an intesne longing and ache for true religion, then you have already found your truth. If not, plunge your life into the way and find yourself.

His main premise is that Christianity has lost any real means of spiritualy transforming people. That the methods that teach us the "how to" have been lost or replaced with emotional indulgance pretending to be spirituality. As Needleman says "all real religions produce results." The inability for mainstream Chrisitian chruches to do that and even keep members is a sobering reminder that something has gone wrong within western Christianity.

So professor Needleman turns to the more intact Eastern Orthodox Church and does this by using several contemporary Christian thinkers and some of the Orthodox Saints like St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Gregory Palamas, Thomas Merton, Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, Gurdjieff, and Father Sylvan (it is debateble if Father Sylvan was real, but if he was, I sure hope Prof. Needleman publishes this man's manuscript, hint hint). To illustrate modern Christianity's plight.

Though I have a problem with his inclusion of Gurdjieff. Gurdjieff teachings were not necessarily Christian per se. Gurdjieff advocated the path of the householder not the monk nor the priest. Christianity has no path for the householder who wishes to pursue theosis.

He's right in my opinion, if you examine the Philokalia, though comments from St. Maximus the Confessor, or St. Symeon the New Theologian supports Needleman's assertion that methods once existed for transformation. Though not couched in our modern day verbage, but it's there if you can see. BTW Needlman illustrates this via St. Symeon's understanding on how to fulfill the Sermon on the Mount show just how far away we are from being Christians.

But as Needleman implies it is not a continuous or living tradition like Sufism or Buddhism where the teachings can be passed on from teacher to student. Instead it is lost and sometimes someone is able to reconstitute "lost Christianity" though it dies again with the teacher. This is still the crux of the matter.

He does'nt offer a solution to this though. He essentially puts the onus on the seeker.

This is no "new age" tract by any means nor a how-to book. It is more along the lines of a question and search. Prof. Needleman does a fine job footnoting, and referencing writings for his argument. Not to mention being a fine writer to boot. But this book is a slow read because he covers concepts that quite unfamiliar to most. If you want easy to read get Chopra.

I'd recommend this book to any Christian who's curious as to what happened to spiritual component in Christianity. He does not try to steer you to another religion as some suggested. But to re-examine it in a new light.

Sadly like so many books of this kind it is out of print and instead we get Chorpa, Redfield and the Prayer of Jabez (sigh).

I'd also recommend
Man and Nature by Hossein Nasr for overview of what's happened to the west and modern Christianity.
Waking Up by transpersonal psychologist Charles Tart on the pychology and mechanics of human perception, understanding, and waking up.

Prof. Needleman clearly outdid himself in this highly detailed account of the search for meaning and mystical experience in Christianity. Definitly a modern spiritual classic which is written with honesty and respect for the reader. A must read for anyone interested in spirituality!

What's so truly impressive about Jacobs' book is the way in which he demonstrates that math is all around. His choice of subjects provides the reader with a broad introduction to the mathematical sciences, including geometry, probability, combinatorics, statistics, topology and more. More importantly, his examples and explanations make it relevant and fun.

Jacobs' writing is clear (which cannot be said for many books on math at any level) and his organization sweeps the reader right along. Though technically a textbook, this is excellent reading for anyone who's interested in learning about math. I read it in junior high school, and have re-read bits and pieces as I progressed through college and graduate school. His subjects are complex enough to merit rethinking, yet his explanations clear enough to be grasped by the first time reader.

Truly one of the great introductory math texts -- especially for those who think they don't need to know or can't understand math.

I'm a 36-year old homeschooling mother who had done calculus in high school and college, and mechanically got some right answers, but never knew why. I hadn't bothered to slow down and notice the beauty and power of the language of mathematics. In his textbook, Mathematics: A Human Endeavor, Harold Jacobs smashed my lack of confidence into a million pieces. He showers the student with so much real-life relevance and humor, that even a slight amount of curiosity about the subject bears delicous fruit. Working through this book will convince any human being, of almost any age, that he or she is a born mathematician.

I stumbled across this book when I was 17 whilst rummaging in my school library. It was too late for me to use it as my workbook but I enjoyed reading it nevertheless. My sole regret was that had I found it earlier than I might have had success in teaching my fellow students the joys of mathematics. The book is beautifully designed with gorgeous graphics to demonstrate mathematical ideas. There are also wonderful cartoons that people on this side of the Atlantic may never get to see otherwise. This is the book (with its companion "Geometry") that I give all my nephews/nieces on their 10th birthday so that they may not claim that they were deprived of good maths tuition.

I am French and was born in Provence, so I have spent most of my days there, except when I travel and when I was modeling in the world of high fashion. I know every village, and I fly my plane over Provence many, many times. I bought this book because it is so beautiful and shows the many wonderful places in my part of France. I am not good at taking the pictures, like these men do, and besides, I always do the flying. My sister would have to do the picture making. If you buy this book, you will be able to see my beautiful Provence in the pictures whenever you want to. Provence is very old and very picturesque, that is why the photography is so good. If it was not a most beautiful place in the world, it could not be so beautiful of a book. I am French and so I know it is this beautiful. It is more beautiful in the real world, if you can even think that. We have lots of cobble streets. Everyone loves the flowers, so you will see most beautiful flowers everywhere you look in Provence. We have hidden waters that come out into our special fountains. Every village must have their fountains and some are very, very old and are more special than any place else in the world. We like things to be beautiful, so you never see anything ugly in Provence. The earth is very good to us. We have herbs growing everywhere in the countryside. Lavender, Rosemary, and Thyme, you can find just walking in our wonderful hills. We love colors in Provence. Blue, yellow, ochre,green, we like all of those colors. Marcel Pagnol lived in Provence, too. He made his films and his books because he loved Provence. He was French. If you want to see a beautiful book that will make you smile and smile, get this book, and then come see for yourself that I am lucky to be French and live in Provence most of the time...................... ................Presented to you by Summer

Provence is heaven to me.I love the hills, the variety of plant life, and the exquisite villages with their definitive shuttters and dove cotes. The fountains bubble with life. The cobbled streets lead to some of the most fetching homes and buildings in the world. The Provencal people dress their windows in lace and paint the exterior and interior of their homes in the colors found in the Provencal landscape: blue, yellow, ochre, greens. Terracotta roofs provide the most wonderful color and texture to the landscape. Somehow everything blends wonderfully! The creators of The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence capture the essence of this southern region of France. The photography vividly presents the viewer with a panorama of gorgeous scenes: fields of lavender, geraniums in pots leading to a beautiful door, roof top views that are breathtaking, undulating paths that take you to splendid spots, aerial views of villages, an old roman road and bridge. A friend of mine, who was born in Provence, gave me this incredibly beautiful book; the only thing better, she says, is to be there! I plan to take this book with me to Provence next summer!! After seeing this book, nothing can keep me away!

In my opinion (and in the opinion of my wife!), Provence is the most beautiful place on earth, and the most romantic! My wife and I spend two weeks every year just traveling through the little hill towns and villages with no agenda other than to just enjoy ourselves, eat wonderful meals and luxuriate in the landscape. Besides getting a firsthand view of the most gorgeous place on earth, we find there is no better place than Provence to renew the love and friendship between us. If your ready for romance, then buy this book and take off. If not, you'd better stay at home.

A beautiful book. Learned all about cheese, what to do with it, how to choose the right ones, how to serve it, how to store it, and even what to do with it when it gets to almost the point of no return.Wish I had been able to read it 60 years ago, never knew what I was missing.

I saw this author and cookbook on FoodTV. Have a wonderful gourmet store nearby which carries some of these cheese producers. Wonderful that this book showcases and promotes these talented producers who further America's cheese industry.

Maybe like what our wine producers have become, this book will aid the aritsan cheese community.

Besides all the wonderful knowledge of types and production, etc., what I am about is taste. This book has delightful recipes using these producers. To date the Goat Cheese, Apricot, and Sage-stuffed Chicken Breasts, Spinach and Fromage Blanc-Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Goat Cheese Cake with Peaches and Blueberries, and Herbed Sugar Snap Peas with Goat Cheese.

In support of these wonderful cheese producers!

If you are wondering who would think to write a book about cheese, just read the Introduction written by Ms. Werlin, and you will see her enthusiasm for cheese is quite real. She isn't the only one with an infatuation for cheese. I found the New American cheese to be a fabulous book stuffed full of information about our American cheesemakers along with some scrumptious, tempting cheese recipes, and if that isn't enough, she has also included some vivid, delicious-looking photos by Martin Jacobs to tempt us even more.

The book begins with the evolution of cheese. It goes into the types of cheese, such as cow's milk, sheep's milk, and goat's milk cheese. She explains to us where cheese came from and how it grew in America. Then she follows through with a page of descriptions and even lets us in on how to pair the right cheese with the right wine. On the informative side, there is a reference guide pertaining to the types of cheeses presently being made from the fresh to the very hard. She also includes a glossary and a list of cheesemakers around the country. The author, with pictures of the different cheesemakers' labels, briefly tells of each one and includes some mouth-watering recipes. Some of the recipes are new to me, and I definitely plan to try them. My favorite recipe is the colorful and delicious "Marinated Pepper Goat Cheese and Roasted Tomatoes".

It's a fresh, wonderful book, and I encourage you to include it in your kitchen library.

Carisa @ MyShelf.Com

Although some articles have been written about what is happening to my people regarding the drugs, lumbering and violence, only Don Jacobs has captured the spiritual understandings that have allowed us to live in balance for thousands of years. As a recipient of the Goldman Environmental Award, as the Directorof the Sierra Madre Alliance and as a half-Raramuri Indian, I can say without reservation that Primal Awareness will help make the world a better place if enough people read it. I agree with Dan Millman's review of the book when he said it is a 'suspsne story that embraces realms of psychology,anthropology and magic.'

Forget all of those bogus, would-be "shamans" and read this book if you want to viscerally understand what primal people have to teach a civilization too far from its roots to heal itself. Don Jacobs is the most courageous human being I can imagine - from his daring "horse-whispering" exploits with wild mustangs and his death-defying vision quests in the land of the Raramuri to his theories and propositions which boldly challenge all of our assumptions. He reminds us that we are literally "this close" to being fully- realized. even psychic, humans, our main impediment to our greatness being those comforts we cherish. Having read this book, I know that I will never be the same.

At times I was saddened to tears, other moments I was inspired. This is truly a unique book, combining a remarkable true life story with a more "scholarly" analysis of the thinking processes that differentiate between indigenous thinking and traditional wetsern thinking and how we can all regain our amazing "primal awareness' to help us live a full and balanced life.

Courtesy of Love Romances

Jake Danforth was the class Romeo in high school... and the love of Julie Sommerfield's life back then. Until the disastrous event which happened at the senior prom, changing her mind about him for good... or so she thought.

Now they are all grown up and Jake is going through a rather public divorce. He's got a morning radio show, which his callers seem to think makes his private life public. When he insults Julie on his show, she's had enough. She had been the counselor/psychologist his wife had seen before the divorce, and Jake twisted everything around that his ex-wife had said about her, to make it material for use in his show.

Julie agrees to an interview on his show, after he basically cons her into it, but wears a disguise so he won't know who she really is. Things get ugly and she is even more embarrassed after the show. How could she have ever thought Jake was any sort of Romeo?

When Jake discovers who she really is, he is floored... she's "the one that got away" for him, and he has never forgotten her. When he tricks her into helping him with his dating techniques, for discussion on his show, Julie finds herself been drawn even more under his spell. Until the day comes that they both realize it is a new game they are playing, one they are playing for keeps.

Until Jake's ex wife gets involved, deciding maybe she wants to keep Jake after all. Will Julie and Jake ever get together to act on their feelings for each other?

This was a cute story, with quite a different spin on the Romeo and Juliet story. Things always seem stacked against Jake and Julie, always interfering with the powerful attraction they have for each other. Neither one has ever forgotten the other, nor the event which happened on prom night, changing their lives forever. Jake is determined to win her over for good this time, and has quite a time proving to her it's worth it.

There was also a nice additional side story, one involving Julie's best friend and a business rival. All of the characters in the story are so lively; one can't help but love them all. The reader gets to know some of Julie's clients rather well also, adding another level of depth to the story. The whole thing is laugh out loud funny, providing many moments of entertainment. But there is a level of high school silliness to the plotline, which can get slightly annoying at times. All in all, however, this was a fun read, worth the time taken to indulge in this humorous tale.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2002. All rights reserved.

The world's crabbiest man versus the world's most optimistic woman. There's bound to be conflict, and in Holly Jacobs's NOT PRECISELY PREGNANT, you'll find comic strife, plus plenty of smiles. It's fun to see the hero hide his true nature while the heroine does her best to uncover it. And if you think you've been on some bad dates, check out the one in this book. It'll make you feel much better about your own relationships.

Not Precisely Pregnant is about two people who seem so wrong for each other, but are really so right. From faking a pregnancy, to a mean cat, to a dog on deathrow, their courtship is a laugh a minute!

I know Mary Ellen Johnson personally, and I am v. good friends w/ Jacob Ind. While there are some inaccuracies in Mary Ellen's book, it is a tremendous accomplishment. This book needs to be read by anyone w/ ties to the judicial system so we can get Jacob out. More harm is being done to him in prison than if he were out. Please get everyone you know to read this book and join the fight to free Jacob. The atrocities his "parents" put him (and his brother) through should excuse him from prison. Today is the 10 year anniversary of when he killed them...let's band together and get the judicial system to stop punishing him for just protecting himself.

First of all, the book is well written. Mary Ellen Johnson has a natural flow to her words. More importantly, however...everyone must read this book. The story of this poor boy is horribly tragic. Even today, he suffers for the sins of his parents. More people need to know about the case so that more pressure can be brought to bear in freeing Jacob Ind. If you find true crime interesting, I recommend this book highly.

This book by Mary Ellen Johnson is remarkable, heart breaking, tearfull and a must read, finding it hard to put down. It details this boy's (Jacob Ind) life of physical, mental, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse handed out by his mom and stepfather and now by the American Criminal Justice System. I highly recomend and suggest everyone read this book. 'The Murder of Jacob'