At the age of thirteen, I fell on a beat up copy of Norstrilia, and fell in love with Smith's works. I soon got a copy of "The Best of Cordwainer Smith" and it vanished on a summer camp trip. It took me years to replace it. Imagine my delight to have all those loved stories in one (heavy) volume, unlikely to go astray!

As you probably know, Smith was actually Dr. Paul M.A. Linebarger, a Johns Hopkins professor and specialist in Asian affairs. He was a master of psychological warfare.

His stories fit no easy category. They are not fantasy, they are not hard science fiction, they are not alternative history. They incorporate bits and pieces of Asian culture and myth. They are often troubling, haunting. "The Dead Lady of Clown Town" ends with most of its characters dead or with their minds wiped, yet it is a happy ending for all that, with Joan's views obviously spreading through the underpeople. "Under Old Earth" is a fascinating tale, filled with allusions that must be beyond the scope of this note. Even "War No. 81-Q", the original version of which was written by Smith as a teenager, is an excellent story. "Alpha Ralpha Boulevard" is simply one of the great SF short stories of all time. I could go on, but . . .

The volume also includes the Casher O'Neill trilogy, that I had read of, but not seen before.

If you haven't read Smith before, this is how to buy his stories, so that you have them all. If you have--well, again, you'll have them all.

It's worth it. Buy it.

Cordwainer Smith is one of the most unique and original authors to ever write science fiction, and is definitely among my favorites. These stories are the best of Cordwainer Smith, though he also wrote Nostrilia, a good book that nevertheless pales in comparison to the selections in The Rediscovery of Man. What I like about Smith is that he has a sense of the epic in science fiction, while still maintaining the focus of his writing: humans and near-humans (the underpeople). Many of his stories deal with love, something to be admired in a genre that often ignores this important concept. Especially in "The Ballad of Lost C'Mell", "Alpha Ralpha Boulevard", "The Burning of the Brain", and "Three to a Given Star", Smith shows his competency in this area, giving often heart-wrenching accounts of the survival of love in this far flung future. Other key stories include "The Crime and Glory of Commander Suzdal", the horrifying "A Planet Named Shayol", and "The Dead Lady of Clown Town". Such stories show an incredible depth of imagination, though Smith never loses touch with his characters, imbuing them real emotion and intelligence. If I had one complaint it would be that Smith sometimes lets his imagination run wild, creating a story that is a little too abstract. This is shown in "Under Old Earth", the only story I had trouble finishing. This, however, is a minor grievance, and the pure brilliance of the other stories occludes this one misstep. Give yourself a chance to appreciate this often overlooked genius.

A few years ago I encountered, in an undistinguished anthology of Year's Best Something-Or-Other, a short science fiction story called "The Ballad of Lost C'mell." Love at first sight. I ransacked used book stores, the crowded shelves and dusty boxes of my house, and even libraries to find more short stories written by this miraculous Cordwainer Smith. I managed to assemble eight or nine, all from various anthologies, before my parents took pity on me and gave me "The Rediscovery of Man" for my birthday. Smith's writing is so good, it's intoxicating: you put down his writing with your head full of fantastic images, from underpeople toiling away in the mysterious corridors of Downdeep-downdeep, to star sailors riding the interstellar winds, the indescribable poetry of Space-3 and the strange futile lives of the Scanners. In my eyes Cordwainer Smith has only one fault-he died too soon! How dare he leave such a colorful, complicated, weird and wild future universe unfinished? Fortunately he left these stories, and if you have not already read them, I suggest you waste no further time in discovering the Instrumentality of Mankind and the universe around it. And even if you've read the stories before, read them again. They're just as good the second time around . . . or the fifth . . .or the fortieth . . .

84 Charing Cross Road is a small book of correspondence between Helene Hanff, the author and Frank Doel, a London book seller. These letters chronicle their lives over a twenty year period from 1949 to 1969. Though never meeting, they share a very special friendship, almost a chaste love affair, that extends to his co-workers and family. This is a charming and delightful book about two people you come to care for through their letters and wish you knew in person. A must for your home library. A book you'll read over and over again and share with friends.

This is the story of an American writer (the author of the book) who strikes up a friendship by mail with a bookseller in England. The entire book is a series of unedited and un-commented-on letters exchanged between Hanff and the Marks & Co. booksellers at 84 Charing Cross Road. Her primary pen pal is a man named Frank Doel, with whom she shares a love of old books. [Perhaps this is the point where I should say that I flatly disagree, without reservation, with the previous reviewers who believe there was a potential romantic attachment between the two of them.]

The correspondence runs from 1949 until 1969, during which time Helene and the people at 84 Charing Cross Road exchange Christmas gifts and news of their families, but never meet. At least in the early years of the correspondence, almost every year Ms. Hanff states her intention to come over to visit England, but something always comes up to prevent the trip.

In 1969, one of Hanff's letters to Frank Doel is answered by another member of the firm, informing her that Frank Doel has died.

This is a beautiful book, which can be read in 45 minutes. I suppose every reader will take his or her own lessons from the book, but here is mine: If there is something you really want to do in your life, then DO IT when the opportunity arises. Time is finite. If you keep saying, "Maybe next year," there will eventually come a time when there IS no next year. It is a painful tragedy that Helene Hanff never got to England to meet Frank Doer and the other people at Marks & Company, and that poignant sadness is what stayed with me after I had closed the book.

March 8, 1999

This is a true story--that's always a plus for me--about correspondence between a New York booklover/writer and the staff of a used and antiquarian book shop in London. These business correspondents evolve over the years into members of a kind of extended family.

The book is rather amazing because it is a quick read yet packs a powerful emotional wallop. To enjoy this book, you have to be open to books that explore compassion, emotions, and human relationships in a non-glossy, realistic manner.

Normally, I'm a one-read guy. I read a book and pass it on. Yet, I've read 84 Charing Cross Road three times -- so far -- in spite of seeing the movie version three times as well.

I'd place 84 Charing Cross Road among my top five favorite books.

Rodney

This is an amazing work when you consider it's Webb's first book. The writing is so compelling you may feel like you've been dropped into a rice paddy with Webb's/Hodges' platoon.

In Robert Timberg's book, The Nightingale's Song, Webb is a featured character. He describes Webb's experiences from the Naval Academy through his stint as Secretary of the Navy. The real people who were main characters in Fields of Fire are discussed. He also tells the amazing story of how Webb read Hemingway at the urging of a law school classmate and decided he could write like that. I'm sure glad he did. All of his books are among the best I've read.

There is an element of truth in every good lie. While listening to a review of James Webb's newest book, Something to Die For, on NPR in May of 1991, it occurred to me that the James H. Webb, Jr. who recently had been SecNav was my Platoon Leader in Vietnam in early 1969 through 1 July 1969 when I was medivac'ed out of the field and into DaNang Naval Hospital for the second time in two months. While Jim had become a fairly successful lawyer/bureaucrat/writer, I returned to Purdue and finished my undergrad and MS degrees in Civil Engineering. Combat gives one a renewed sense of purpose and direction. I picked up a copy of Fields of Fire and noticed that the list of characters, any relationship of which to anyone living or dead being purely circumstantial, included a number of fairly identifiable idiosyncracies. When I located Jim Webb in Arlington, VA, I phoned him and we talked about common experiences and whatever happened to , but we didn't talk about any of his four books, as I had not yet read Fields of Fire (1978), A Sense of Honor (1981), A Country Such as This (1983), or the then-new (Feb. 1991) Something to Die For--a rather prescient fiction about Ethiopia and Eritrea (read "Iraq and Kuwait"). When I later read Fields of Fire, I identified with the character PFC Will Goodrich, as I had been in the Peace Corps before entering the Marine Corps, was booted out of the Peace Corps because my family was "too militarily-oriented", had thought I could get into the Marine Corps Band or the Drum and Bugle Corps (NOT!), and ended up a fairly inept warrier and was medivac'ed out with leg wounds. Having been unable to read books, see movies, or deal with other veterans for some time after my war was over, I appreciated the analysis contained in Fields of Fire. Interestingly, in my mind I created a myth that Jim Webb had simply maintained a journal of our exploits and spilled them out to produce a very readably, terrifying, and realistic tale. My little brother, coincidentally a plebe at USNA and a student of Instructor First Classman James Webb in 1968, sent me a copy of Robert Timberg's "The Nightingale's Song" this year. The segments about Jim Webb and his development as an author are stimulating and enlightening to one who invented the myth of "pouring out a prize-winning book". Because of my exposure to the events and some of the characters, and because of my personal admiration and respect for the author, I rate this book (and his 3 others) very high

I've read Gustav Hasford's "The Shorttimers," and Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried." Both are excellent books and I heartily recommend them, but neither I think can compare to James Webb's classic "Fields of Fire."

Webb's book is from the James Jones school of realism. The book has the stinging ring of authenticity and no wonder, Webb was a Marine officer in Vietnam himself and won the Navy Cross, a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars so he definitely knows of what he writes.

But this isn't just a book written by an officer about officers. His portraits of the enlisted men are just as real and are full blooded characters. Some are tough, mean and unlikeable, but hey, that's real life for you.

And just like real life, you'll find yourself bonding and getting close to these characters and when some are killed, you are affected.

Be warned: "Fields of Fire" isn't a happy story. The ending is tragic but given the setting of the story, it's entirely appropriate.

Mr. Webb has done himself and the Marines who served in Vietnam a great honor.

Semper Fi Mr. Webb.

I bought this book for my husband because he likes to fish. I grew up along the banks of the Red River in Louisiana and enjoy fishing, too...so I was a bit curious about this little tome myself. Hubby and I decided to read this book aloud to each other every night before bed, taking turns with chapters. I have to tell you that I have never, ever laughed so hard in my entire life. Reading this book was a blast...a total blast! The story of how his parents met was worth the price of the book, not to mention the story of how his mother shot the dr's dog. Truth IS stranger than fiction. Mr. Duncan's family is one-of-a-kind and about as eccentric as they get in a very readable way. This book is in my 'I'd take with me if I were stranded on a desert island' collection. I highly recommend it.

A few years back, I talked to a friend I hadn't heard from in a few years and she asked how I was doing. I replied, "Pretty good, but I have this incredible urge to go stand in a river for a couple of weeks fly-fishing." (I've never fly-fished in my life.) She said, "You just read The River Why, didn't you?" Duncan is masterful at playing the reader as well as Gus plays a fish. He sinks the hook into you so subtly, you're not even aware it's there and guides you to realizations about yourself. The River Why may be the most spiritual book I've ever read, and yet is never santimonious. When I travel, I take a copy of this book along to read on the plane. More often than not, I wind up giving it away to a perfect stranger in the seat next to me.

This may be the most meaningful novel I have ever read. Duncan's book takes the reader into a deeply touching world of ecology, wit, Spirit, desire and fish. Lots of fish. While I could heave accolades on the author's fabulous dialogues and descriptions or the level of character development, all of that would be to miss, what was to me, the greatest quality of the book. Duncan takes the reader into the searchings (and findings- kind of) of one Oregon soul. The reader will not only laugh, cry and ponder... the sensitive reader will travel with Gus Orviston and encounter life and vibrancy too scarce in our world. It is a transforming book. Read it. Read it on your knees. Read it while dancing. Read it sailing. Read this book.

This novel is about a girl named Phoebe telling the story about her brother Mick's death. This book makes you laugh but also cry. Mick died in a bike accident leaving only Phoebe and her parents to deal with this great loss. Mick's death was very hard for Phoebe to deal with especially when thinking about the memories of her borther. Throughout this novel Phobeb tells all about what it feels like to lose someone in your family.

I thought that this novel was a good, fun, and enjoyable book to read. The book was especially funny when Mick and Phoebe wrote fart in the wet cement. It was very sad at the end when Phoebe wrote MICK HARTE WAS HERE close to the spot of the accident. If you are looking for a easy and fun book to read chose Mick Harte Was Here.

Mick Harte is the story of the memories caused by one boy. He was killed which is mentioned in the very first line. Despite his death, he brought his family great joy. Even if they didn't know it at the time. He did everthing from refuse to dress nice for church to dress up as the inventor of the toliet for Halloween. This book helps you to learn who other people cope with the death of loved ones. This book had to the power to make you laugh and cry, which I did both. It also made me want to treat my own sister with more respect, because you never know what can happen.

Mick Harte Was Here is a story about a boy who died in a bike accident, as told by his sister Phoebe. The book was funny at times but mostly sad. I liked it because it was funny, especially the part when Phoebe and Mick write the word FART in cement. I would recommend this book for other kids to read, and maybe they will all wear their bicyle helmets when they ride.

I picked up this book because of the title, how we think and why is an interesting subject, but this book goes beyond that. I loved how the book immediately went to the point of it's subject. It explains how we as human thinking machines can alter our lives for the better just through our thought process, James Allen gives a simple explanation on how what we think is what we are. As deep and way out there as it may sound, he doesn't just babble, he gets to the point with examples and explanations of why this is so. The book just gives you the key to this power we all have and can easily develop by just changing our thoughts. There's a chapter for different aspects of our lives, and it's easily read in a short time, I've read it 5 times myself, and love it everytime. It's a very positive and inspirational book, and written decades ago by a man "I Beleive" really cares, and was not out just to make money on this "New Age Generation" (with no offense to other authors, there are good ones out there)

It is a joy to see there are others that found this book to be a Masterpiece. I found it right after I finished high school and have read it no less than 100 times. It is like an old friend who reminds me that my life is what I make it, without exception. It helped me learn that I could not blame anyone else for the condition of my life, I was sololy responsible and therefore only I could change it. I finished high school in 1984 with a C average (I thought I was quite stupid) and in 1997 I finished my Ph. D. in Computer Science with an A average. I believe the ideas that James Allen wrote in this short Masterpiece with all heart and these ideas helped me change my life, drasticly. James Allen was a very wise man, anyone could learn something from him! I will close with some of my favorite quotes from this Masterpiece, "You can not travel within and stand still without.", "There is effort and there are results, chance is not.", "Dreams are the seedlings of reality.", and "You will receive exactly what you earn, no more, no less."

This excellent compilation of essays by James Allen truly holds the key to success, amongst other things! I feel so inspired after reading this book, so ready to put into practice what this powerful, little book is teaching. This "classic" has been around since the turn of the century and it seems to be even more relevant in today's stressful and competitive society. I underlined so many wonderful and inspiring passages that I intend to refer to on a daily basis. As Allen states, "a man is literally what he thinks", or as the saying goes, garbage in, garbage out! Or put another way, "All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts."

I have learned that I cannot blame others for my life, or my state of affairs - they are my creation, the end product of my thoughts and actions. Allen states that man makes or unmakes himself by the thoughts he keeps and cultivates. Man is truly is his own worst enemy!

I really resonated to his quote on fear, "Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplish anything, and never can. They always lead to failure. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in." How profound and how true. How we let fear run our lives - again proving how powerful our thoughts can be. Allen further expounds by saying, "He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure."

The garden of our mind is only cultivated by us. What kind of crop we want to consistently yield is solely determined on our positive, enriching, and encouraging thoughts or on our doubting, destructive and negative ones. We alone hold the key to our future, and our success, and our attainments in life. We can either have a feast or a famine - it is only up to us.

This highly inspirational book cannot help but to motivate you in some degree. I feel like I have been given the keys to a door that was once rusty and would not open, but now will yield freely in my hand. Another great quote is, "The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, this you will become." This is one book that you will want to keep constantly by your side, especially for those times when you get discouraged, or when the road seems rough. Just reading one page will have you having a change of heart, with its motivation putting you back on that right path.

This book is a MUST read if you are desiring to change your negatives into positives! The power of the mind is incredible - in all areas of our life!

Author Robertson is not only a great historian, he is also an incredibly good wordsmith. Seldom in an historical biography have I seen such excellent writing combined with such in-depth and (relatively) unbiased research. This book is jammed with detailed information about Jackson: socially awkward, agonzingly shy and diffident, odedient to orders to the point of insanity, absurdly religious.Yet, this is my "take" on the book. The author never literally comes out and states this. He presents information. It is up to the reader to form his/her own opinions......After 40 plus years of studying Civil War history, I am long past hero worship. I never saw Jackson or Lee or any other general as a god - and I do not now. I don't believe that was the author's purpose. I believe his pupose was to present all the facts he could about Jackson in an organized and entertaining fashion. That the author is also a great writer makes this work all the more enjoyable. .......This is probably the BEST biography I have ever read, both in terms of scholarship and the quality of the writing. My only regret was that I did not get to read the many items that were left out of this already lengthy book by the authors and editors. I was not quite ready for Jackson to go.

Robinson has done with Jackson what Shelby Foote did with the Civil War: generate an incredibly well researched work that is a requirement for any student not only of the Civil War, but of military history, tactics, and doctrine in general, Southern history in general, heroes in general. Robinson adeptly debunks old myths and explains in a very clear way why this man rose to the status he did in the South, in the United States, and in Europe. Additionally, Robinson paints such a clear portrait that by the time Jackson is killed, one cannot help but feel, at the very least, a twinge of pain at his loss. Jackson's youth, adolescence, VMI years, and war years are all presented in great and honest detail that does not attempt to praise Jackson, but generates praise nonetheless. Still, though, the General's faults are recognized, explained, or accepted, whichever is appropriate. Totally unadulterated. Aside from (but not beneath) Foote's Civil War Narrative, the finest work relating to the Civil War I've read to date. One of the finest books I've read. Don't miss this one!

James I. Robertson, Jr.'s biography of Stonewall Jackson will long stand as the definitive summary of the life of this extraordinary military commander. Exhaustively researched and gracefully written, Robertson's biography portrays Jackson as he was - a deeply religious Sunday school teacher in Lexington, Va., a loving and devoted husband and father, and a stern and feared commander in battle. Based almost entirely on primary sources, Stonewall Jackson challenges many of the myths and misconceptions that have surrounded the general. This book also represents the culmination of Robertson's long and distinguished career as one of this country's finest Civil War historians. Without question it is his finest effort and the best biography of Jackson ever written

I picked this book up one day with no clue as to what it was. After having read it I've concluded that it's the best story that I've read concerning animals (excluding animal farm). It also helped me understand life as a veternarian (at least some fifty years ago!) I've also come to the conclusion that Herriot has created a brilliant novel in his first try that have taken so many others years to complete. Synopsis: A heart-warming true tale of a veternarian named Dr. James Herriot in the late 30s in Yorkshire, England.

This is the first of a series of sort-of-autobiographical books written by "James Herriot," a real-life country veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. The first book covers his arrival in "Darrowby" in 1937, when new research and new technology were just beginning to change both farming and veterinary medicine. We meet James' boss, Siegfried Farnon, and Siegfried's fun but irresponsible brother Tristan, as well as a wide variety of local farmers and pet owners. As good as the BBC series is, the books are so much more. I think readers of any age (these books are perfectly suitable for older grade school age children) who like animals will enjoy the stories here, as will anyone with an interest in English country life, or stories of days gone by.

I recieved this book as a gift then it was first published in the 1970's. I have read it at least five times. Each time I read it I am delighted all over again.

This is an animal lover's delight - but it's much more than that. Follow the young James Herriott as he starts his adventure as a country veterninarian. You feel his pain and joy as he experiences failures and successes. His courtship with his wife-to-be Helen is poignant. Herriott tells it like it is: there's no fancy stuff. Don't let that make you think this is dull. Herriott's descriptions of the landscape and characters make you feel like you're there: the sights and smells he describes tantalize your senses. You can smell the fresh country air, the hearty farm meals, and so much more.

This is a book that will delight young and old alike. Read a chapter and it's a mini-book in itself, or curl up for the long haul. I found it very hard to put down.

You'll be enchanted by Herriott's adventures (and misadventures) and find yourself laughing and crying. Even after 5 reads, I'm ready for another. This stuff never gets old.

The Grinch and Scrooge seemed linked during the December holiday season, but "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" is not just for Christmas, but all year round. How often do we have people who tried to spoil our enjoyment because they do not understand the joy of giving or the joy of family from a particular event?

Dr. Seuss weaves a tender story how Grinch plans to steal Christmas from the people of Whoville. Why? Maybe because he (the Grinch) was miserable, and he might feel better by making the town feel miserable too. Does this remind you of some people?

So, the Grinch, disguised as Santa Claus, steals the presents, the food, the trimmings, and anything else associated with Christmas...except the true meaning of Christmas within each Who. When the people of Whoville come together, the Grinch learns that the most important part of the season was the togetherness--not the presents. The theme of the season becomes a greater power than the evil of the Grinch or even ten Grinches and two! In the end, the Grinch becomes an annual part of the Christmas celebration.

Share this book with others, even the Grinches in your life. Maybe, they too, will have a heart that grows three sizes that day.

The Grinch story is a different story from the other books that I have read. It was easy to understand and it was so interesting to read. The common Christmas day is a happy day for children, but the Grinch hated Christmas so he would do anything to stop Christmas from going on. However finally, he accepted and found the true meaning of Christmas. Cindy Low has a good character filled with intelligent, humor, and innocence. She was very young for her age, but ready for anything that could happen to her life because she lived in an adventure. She reminds me of when I was little innocent girl that loved to have fun. She was my favorite character in this book. The end of the story was very touching and it ended happily. My feelings for the ending were happy for the Grinch.
I thought this novel wanted to tell us that we should search for the truth because we thought we know everything about ourselves but we really didnft.
I knew this book has a power of knowing our personalities in our hearts. I think it might have a great influence on you.

I pondered the idea of writing this review like Dr. Seuss would, but I didn't want to try and fall on my face. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is one of those children's books that are almost flawless (right up there with "Where the Wild Things Are"). The Grinch has spent years looking down at Whoville and hating the Whos for their joy, and especially at Christmas time. He decides to put an end to their joy by masquerading as Santa and stealing Christmas. Of course, it doesn't go exactly the way he planned.

The story's beauty comes from three sources: the heart in the story, the way it's written, and the maturity of the approach. By "the heart" I mean that it deals with a transformation of the Grinch that could be called an epiphany. It ranks right up there with the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol". The character finds a much better way to live.

I think everyone knows what I mean by "the way it's written" but, just in case, I'll say a little on the subject. Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) wrote some of the best, most lyrical, most amusing poetry in history. The only reason he isn't routinely grouped with The Great Poets of History is that his poetry was very (and beautifully) simplistic and designed for children.

By "the maturity of the approach" I mean that this is a children's book that hits the perfect tension level for children. It does not treat that them as totally fragile (Santa gets kidnapped, Christmas almost gets sabotaged, Max the dog is treated as a slave) but it also relieves them and rescues them from their fears in a well-paced and realistic way that mirrors how parents can talk to their children about real-life fears and scary incidents.

Conclusion: One of the top two children's books. In my opinion, this is the best of Dr. Seuss.

I love the New King James Version, put out by Thomas Nelson, but I loath Thomas Nelson Bibles. This is how I happened upon the Thompson a few years ago as I was relieved to find a NKJV not made by T.N. I first bought an NKJV in bonded leather. After 2 years of very heavy use, I bought an NKJV in genuine leather, and later a handy size KJV in genuine. All three of these Bibles are wonderful in every way.

The Thompson Study system is very helpful and they've graciously spared us from a myriad of religious cliche and personal opinion. The page layout is smart. The Bible text actually fills the page and all study helps and references are relegated to the side margins. There are so many ways to use the studies and references, I am unable to number them here. The concordance is as extensive as any I've seen. The 14 maps are colorful and very well done. Simply put, it's a complete, Jesus-exalting study Bible designed with excellence.

The construction of these Bibles is equally impressive. The paper is just right--not too thick, not too thin. The print is dark and sharp. Their font is subtil and very appropriate for the Bible, if you ask me. The red words of Jesus are RED. They're not muddy brown; they're bright, deep, beautiful red. They are printed consistantly page to page, not some pages lighter or misprinted, as the Thomas Nelson folks are plagued by.

Now that I own three Thompsons, I feel about them the way a good ol' boy down in the South feels about shotguns. "I have more than I need, but not as many as I want!"

I use the Thompson NASB and it is great. I will just echo other sentiments that the layout of this Bible is great. This Bibles greatest strength is that it uses Scripture to teach Scripture. There are no notes on the page. If one wants to dig into a specific passage or specific book the references will take the student into the Bible as deep and as far as they want to go. This is my main Bible, along with the Dickson New Analytical KJV, to read and study God's words. There are too many specialty and study Bibles on the market. All the major publishers bring them out each year like boxed cereal. I too own and use some specialty study Bibles for specific purposes. These are great if you want to study from a specific point of view, like Dispensational or Charismatic, or understand what an interesting teacher of the Word may have to say like Tim LaHaye, John MacArthur, RC Sproul, or Henry Blackaby. But on a daily basis the Thompson Chain Reference is the one that can bring the best out of the student of the Word.

I purchased my first Thompson Chain Reference Bible as a new believer back in the 70's. It was and continues to be the best study Bible for those who desire to search out the Word for themselves and compare scripture with scripture. And, the extensive Bible study helps in the back of the Bible do add a rich dimension in addition to the topical chain references.

I was a little concerned about the "new" TCR's as several reviewers mentioned degradations in quality and I certainly didn't like the thin glossy paper I saw in the hardbacks in the bookstore. I was delighted today when I received my large print deluxe leather edition Bible.

The Bible I received has excellent flat, opaque Bible paper perfect for note-taking. And, the binding appears to have stitching in addition to the glue, so I'd say the quality of the binding is fine and should serve one well for years.

One caveat in regard to the large print edition--It is LARGE! Not the print (it's 9 point instead of the regular 8), but the Bible itself. It's not so unwieldy that I would think twice about using it, but if size is an issue for you, check the dimensions and choose accordingly.

I can't say enough good things about this Bible. It has my highest recommendation; you won't be sorry in choosing this Bible.