This book provides a concise and very readable summary of John Paul II philosophy of the human person. The main section of the book presents John Paul's philosophy of education by gathering together his many written thoughts on the matter -- works from both before and after becoming pope.
The entire book is very readable and understandable for all, whether or not you have a good grounding in philosophy. It gives some good "food for thought" for all educators.

John Quincy Adams blends history and biography in presenting a new study of the statecraft and life of John Quincy Adams, policy-maker in the early American republic. It's recommended reading for high school and college undergraduate students, as well as any non-specialist general radeing studying early American history and politics.

Zachary Kent provides a more than solid introduction to John Quincy Adams in this volume in the Encyclopedia of Presidents series. The story begins with Adams as the most hated man in Congress because of his insistence on presenting the House of Representatives petitions by citizens demanding an end to slavery. Kent then covers Adams's distinguished career as a diplomat which saw postings in Prussia, Russia and Great Britain before he became James Monroe's Secretary of State. His one term as President actually becomes the least important part of his political career. Adams actually died in the House of Representatives, collapsing before a vote in 1848.

Kent does a nice job of making it clear that for John Quincy Adams duty and character were more important that popularity. When he was elected to the Senate as a Federalist, Adams often supported the policies of President Thomas Jefferson, such as the Louisiana Purchase. When his party actually nominated somebody else to run for the Senate in his place, Adams immediately resigned. This episode is certainly representative of the quality of the man.

This is not a slick looking book but it does provide more than adequate coverage of the life of its subject, which is supposed to be its purpose. There are better looking juvenile biographies of Adams, but they do not provide the amount of information students will find here. This volume is illustrated with dozens of black and white illustrations, mostly engravings and paintings from Adams's lifetime, as well as maps, pamphlets and signatures. The book contains a detailed Chronology of American History that lists virtually ever year from the birth of Washington in 1732 to the crash of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986, when this book was published.

This is certainly not one of the more insightful books on the subject, and is unfortunately attuned only to those topics of influence that have been better covered elsewhere. For the beginner, esp. those who do not have access to the better studies, this book is not without value. Somewhat recommended.

I have read many commentaries and Barclay and John MacArthur are the best in my opinion. Barclay is the easiest to read. He aims at the people to which it is written, the culture in which it is written and the language at the time. Barclay is the most quoted in terms of history. Very, very interesting reading.

These messages are still as fresh, helpful, and appropriate as they were when he initially spoke them. I have never met a man who could open up the Word of God in such a way to our understanding. Witness Lee was a man full of the Holy Spirit who truly knew the Word of God. His speaking on each book of the Bible helped me tremendously in my understanding and my christian walk. The reader is in for a real feast when he comes to these writings.

I had this book when I was a child, and although we lost our copy a few years back, I still remember both the words and the pictures in almost perfect detail- it's that amazing. "Listen to the Rain" is evocative and beautiful. Captivating paintings interweave with words which are utterly beautiful in their rhythms and their fanciful, yet dead-on descriptions of the rain. This is an absolutely wonderful book, for both children and adults. When I was young, it was one of my favourites; I would read it with my sister, over and over, and it was one of the books which our parents actually enjoyed reading to us. It's one of the best children's books out there; not silly, not serious, just real.

De Caro & Jordan have selected a range of travel accounts that manage to capture the diversity, contradiction, and character of Louisiana, from colonial times to the present. Their contemporary travel updates make this book useful to modern-day trippers, and the inclusion of selections by literary luminaries such as Steinbeck broaden its appeal beyond Louisiania lovers.

The McArthur Topical Study Bible is an excellent tool for students of the Bible who are preparing for sermons or who are plainly looking for passages on the Bible regarding certain topics. John F. McArthur, a well-known Bible enthusiast, presents an innovation on Topical Concordances by including the direct passages themselves on the text (which merits its title, Topical Study Bible, rather than Topical Concordance). This feature saves a lot of time and makes immediately accessible the particular verse that a serious student of the Bible needs. Ideal for Bible studies and for Pastors preparing sermons.

Try to imagine that someone captured all the stars in the sky, molded them into straining human and animal shapes and then sealed them beneath a glistening coat of spring rain. If you can fix that image in your mind you have some slight idea of the power of the sculpture of Luis Jimenez. This artist uses materials that you'd expect to see gracing the clear-coated skins of street rods to make amazing sculptures of men and women who work hard for a living, play hard for life and face Death like a long-lost lover. In his book "Man on Fire" you see a collection of the various stages of the ideas that have sprung from this creative man's mind. It is fascinating to see the pencil drawing receive color, then go on to a maquette and finally a finished sculpture that more often than not looks like liquid fire trapped momentarily in solid form. It is equally fascinating to see and read about what inspired Mr. Jimenez to combine such diverse influences to create uniquely new works. Having seen several of Mr. Jimenez's pieces in person, I can say that the pictures in this book pale in comparison to the real pieces but then a pale reflection of near-perfection is still near perfection. I'd recommend this book and this artist to anyone interested in something beyond the usual and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.