This is a great book. The title is a little deceptive but it calls us to get back to a right perspective on God's will and that begins with understanding what God is really like. Thrasher's approach to the character of God reminds me of books by Tozer and J I Packer. If you like that stuff you'll love this. It is very readable and extremely practical in its suggestions. A must read!

This book is tribute to the love of the land - land that was owned and culivated by the Nearings (The Good Life). It shows in pictures the beauty of the Maine coast land, and what honest labor can bring. It also documents local culture and custom to give a flavor for the year-round life in a harsh winter and short but intense summer.

Joseph Thomas Heath describes in detail the areas in and around Lakewood/Steilacoom in Washington State and the good and bad as a poineering farmer/rancher in the South Sound. Through the eyes of a devout Englishman you will see the Steilacoom Indians, thier friends, and thier foes,the hassles and benefits of living near Fort Nisqually,and the heartbreaking approach and eventual possesion of the Americans from Oregon. This was a Lakewood/Steilacoom full of Prarie lands,woodlands,undeveloped lakeshores,creekbanks,and bubbling artisian wells.A place where wolves roamed and Eagles were "as thick as crows".

I first learned about this text when it was recommended to me by Quentin Smith (Professor of Philosophy, Western Michigan University). I am very grateful for the recommendation, for I have learned much from Professor Ellin's helpful introduction. Here is the table of contents:

Preface
1. An Introduction to Moral Theory
PART I: SUBSTANTIALLY CONCEPTUAL ISSUES
2. Challenges to Ethics: Relativism
3. Challenges to Ethics: Egoism
4. The Foundations of Ethics
5. Moral Facts
PART II: SUBSTIANTIALLY NORMATIVE ISSUES
6. Lying
7. Good Character
8. Utilitarianism
9. Kant: Evil as Irrationality
10. The Meaning of Life
Glossary
List of Abbreviations
Index

I found chapters 4 and 10 to be helpful discussions of topics that are sometimes, if not often, omitted from texts of this type. In chapter 4, Ellin discusses, among other things, the relationship between religion and ethics. In chapter 10, Ellin discusses the question of the meaning of life, including the implications of death, repetitive pointlessness, ultimate insignificance, absurdity for "big picture" meaning and also for morality.

Along with Pojman's _Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong_ (3rd. ed.), Ellin's text offers an excellent college-level introduction to ethics.

The very best of mountain foods with excellent bibliography

This is a brilliant book detailing the very interesting life of the author. It is an autobiography uncluttered by political views, or religious evangelism (as you would expect of a Buddhist author), it serves only the purpose of describing life in Tibet for an Incarnate monk, mostly before the Chinese invasion. It was really a pleasure to read, and frank in every detail. I was left with great respect for the author, who's humble story gives an insight into a way of life that will never be the same again. I have read quite a few books on Tibet and by Tibetan authors and this book is the only autobiography I have read aside from Freedom in Exile by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

Freedom in Exile is a great book also, but His Holiness the Dalai Lama had a far different life to that of an everyday monk (although Khyongla Rato now, is hardly an 'everyday' monk, but indeed a great scholar). I highly recommend this book.

This collection of essays, told from teachers' points of view, is an eloquent, lovely body of work. The various writers reflect on their own experiences as learners, relating them to their experiences as teachers.

For teachers, there are many great ideas for classes. But for the non-teaching reader, it is still a great collection of stories.

The photography in this book is excellent. The book is keyed to the Pacific Northwest, so those who live in or visit the area will find it very easy to use. The descriptors are clear especially concerning edibility. The book fits nicely into a day pack for all you hikers out there. I would highly recomend this book, it is probably one of the best books out there!

I've lost count of the number of copies of "No One Cries the Wrong Way" that I have handed on. I have given the book to people who have just lost a loved one, but I've given it also to those who are dealing with other losses. And it works. Father Joe's words are far-reaching, and he writes with such warmth and obvious love-both for God and for the rest of us-that he touches the heart. Although he centers on death as being the most devastating and universal experience, he does touch on other losses.

Father Joe writes that we-who we are, how we live-are totally intertwined with God. He relates our reactions to His love-that what we do is always a reaction to how we perceive God's love. We each will grieve, no one in the same way as another, and Father Joe teaches us that our grieving is our response.

The book is also practical. Father Joe not only gives us a lot to think about, he lays out concrete rituals that can help both individuals and groups, whether children, young adults or adults. In teaching, I've learned that ritual is important, as it physically ties us to our spiritual journey. I've used several of these rituals in my classes, and the response from the children is often relief, because the prayer services give them a context to voice their feelings, as well as permission to cry out, to ask why, and just to cry.

This is a very even collection of short stories inspired by visits to places protected by The Nature Conservancy. They run the gamut from stories with an environmental message to stories about people set against wild backgrounds, but all are well written and engaging, without a clunker among them.