The focus of this novel is a Christian church in Rome during the time of Nero. Most of the members are slaves, the others are poor, though free. Part one gives us the background of some of the church members: where they came from, how they got to Rome (if not born there), and how they became a Christian. The second part deals with the fire and the beginning of the persecution of the Christians, who were blamed with starting it. The last part details how individuals responded to the persecution. Among the Christians, there is heroism and cowardice - mostly the former. Among the non-Christians, there are those who become Christians because of the witness of those killed for an IDEA.

Although Paul, Luke, Nero, Claudia Acte and other well-known historical people appear in this book, the main characters have humbler backgrounds. With one exception - Beric, son of a British king and adopted by Roman Senator Flavius Crispus. However, he was subject to humiliation like the others which opened the door to his salvation. Manasses, Lalage, Euphemia, Phaon, Persis, Niger, Eunice and the others showed the roots of the Church: the poor, the outcasts, the uneducated. This novel allows us to see underneath: they were individuals with different strengths and weaknesses, personalities and talents.

It was refreshing to read a novel set in ancient Rome that focused on the lower classes. Life was hard, perhaps unbearable, but these people had the Kingdom to look forward to. Far from being victims, or seeing themselves as victims, they were victorious in Christ. Forgiving those who hated and/or persecuted them was not always easy, but gave them a freedom and a joy that others could not know or understand.

Originally compiled by the Science and Technology Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and now in a thoroughly revised and substantially expanded "Centennial Edition" collaboratively edited by James E. Bobick and Naomi E. Balaban, The Handy Science Answer Book is an impressive, 660-page compendium of easy-to-understand definitions and explanations, and is packed from cover to cover with answers to common questions and puzzles relating to a wide variety of scientific and technological fields. From how fiber-optic cable works, to why the Hindenburg exploded, to the average weight of the human brain, to why golf balls have dimples, to how many bees are there in a bee colony, to why leaves change color in the fall, The Handy Science Answer Book entries are arranged in seventeen broad categories and is very highly recommended for family, school, and community library collections as an outstanding, "user friendly", educational, enlightened and enlightening science reference resource for readers of all ages.

This book is fun and educational at the same time. It shows the lives of different women ocean explorers. I loved this book especially, because I want to be just like those women. The ocean is probably my favorite thing in the whole world. I advise all to read this amazing book!

after having meet mrs james at a chicago lunch i was moved to read her book about her single handed trip around the world. her strugles and fight againist the sea as well as her own mind were delightful to read and a real insight to such a long hard isolation at sea

I read this when it first came out & have never forgotten it. I was just learning to sail & it really stuck with me. I am in the process of trying to find the book. I have told so many people about I want to loan it to friends.

In the preface, the editor explains that this collection of essays arose from a "brainstorming session for a conference of the same name." As you'd expect with over a dozen authors, the results are uneven. If you're involved in software development, the following chapters will justify your purchase of the book:

- Don Gray: "Solving Other People's Problems"

- S.M. & K. Roberts: "Do I want to Take This Crunch Project?"

- Gerald Weinberg: "Congruent Interviewing by Audition"

- Johanna Rothman: "It's Just the First Slip"

Although the critical reader may find some other sections offering commonplace or occasional misguided advice, the whole book is stimulating and easy to read in one sitting. Recommended for your project-management shelf.

Since it is not possible to extend the length of the day, the only hope to improve your efficiency is to improve what you do with this most limited of resources. Working extended overtime has proven to be a short term solution only, as with few exceptions extended overtime leads to a general drop in productivity. The only situation where extended overtime does not appear to be a self-defeating condition is when the work is challenging enough so that it becomes a legitimate combination of livelihood, hobby and recreation. Tall order indeed!
However, the situation is not impossible if you simply take the time to explore the ways in which you can save time. The first and foremost way is to reduce the number of simultaneous projects. Study after study has demonstrated that the term momentary distraction is a gross misnomer. Any interruption takes us off task for at least ten minutes and the best essay in this book describes the plight of a man named Sam. Overseeing several projects that would each individually take only a few weeks, the constant switching created a near deadlock state in his managerial life. The simple solution is to declare one the highest priority and concentrate on it alone until it was complete. Repeating this simple process removed the deadlock and all projects were completed in a short time.
The simplest way that work can be made fun is to make the surrounding interpersonal interactions pleasant. The most interesting work in the world will not make a job fun if the interpersonal atmosphere is poisonous. This involves both selecting the right people as well as helping them enjoy each other through the emotional ups and downs of the long haul of building a major project. In my experience conducting technical interviews, the advice here of having candidates audition is the right way to select the people you want. If someone cannot handle the auditioning of their supposed skills, then it is difficult to see how they can survive the pressure of working closely and intensely with others for months at a time. The second and by far the most difficult is how to walk the fine line of allowing for individual differences without letting the differences become too individual. The advice here is good, but one could write volumes on how to practice this critical art.
As a group, IT workers commonly work 50-60 hour weeks filled with "crisis" after "crisis." The only hope to break this destructive cycle is to either cut the hours or make them more fun, and there is sound advice in this book that will help you do both.

This young Lass from NZ finds her "course" in life with a little help from some UK friends (incl. 53 foot of boat) and sets off to circumnavigate the globe. She was the first woman to do it (and female around the Horn alone) and that is maybe a much greater feat than by first man. Why you ask? Hint? This circumnavigator was learning EVERYTHING on the go.. very little previous experience. Reading the book also brings back that only a "few years ago" sailers must cope with sextant, "dead reckoning" and radio. No satelite allerted helicopter rescue or 24 hour pin-point GPS navigation. Naomi was not only the first female long-distance hero, but maybe she was the last of the real "classic" navigators. What makes her book special is her very lack of experience and her disarming honesty about everything. When reading her account you too learn as you go and soon you can't help feeling as you are the lone sailor onboard "Express Crusader" forging ahead. One of the most memorable books in this field I think. Recommended! (I am Swedish learning English)

This cassette presents a excellent variety of thought on the mysterious concept of soul mates. Deepak Chopra, Thomas Moore, Barbara De Angelis, John Gray and Erica Jong all contribute penetrating insights into love, the nature of relationships and how soul mates are manifest into our lives. These top contemporary thinkers provide deep thought provoking ideas into this often mystical area. I find myself discovering something new and moving each time I listen to this tape. A good one to further your spiritual growth.