This classic Victorian novel popular in its time is a fine example of descriptive writing at its best. It will entertain as well as educate the most prolific of readers with references to world-wide geographic locations, foreign phraseology, and descriptive paragraphs that are refreshing different to 21st century reading. A tale of romance and intrigue woven with Christian morality will delight the reader into imagining themselves present in an era now passed. I can see why it was a favorite of my grandmother and will remain a favorite with me.

Although the book chronicles the life of Edna Earl from childhood into adult life, it was titled, 'St. Elmo.' Edna Earl maintained a very high sense of morality, and strongly valued her belief system and her integrity. It was this sense of morality, expressed through her confident personality, that resulted in the eventual 'spiritual reawakening' of St. Elmo Murray. St. Elmo was truly 'born again' as a man and as a spiritual being. His turnaround from an angry, misanthropic individual into an enlightened individual was remarkable. It was Edna Earl who triggered this awakening in him. Therefore, naming the book 'St. Elmo' was a testament his receiving of grace. Agusta Jane Evans was an outstanding writer, as good as any whose books I have ever read.

I have read this book threetimes. The first was when I was a teenager no more than l4 years. I read it again soon after I was married at twehty three. The first two times were borrowed books - I then found it still in print so I finally bought my own copy. I treasure it and probably will read it again for the fourth time. It is the greatest book I have ever owned not counting the Bible.

This book inspired me to move forward with what I feel is God's call on my life. If you have confusion about reconciling what you feel God is calling you to do because you are a woman, this book will help you see your way clear. Cindy Jacobs combines solid scriptural research with humor and personal testimony to lead the reader through the issues of the taboo of women in the ministry - as well as many other women in Christianity issues. Very readable.

I loved this book. It has been my desire to find out what my destiny in this life is. This book was a wonderful start as it gave insight on what a woman's destiny.

Cindy Jacobs really lays things out in clear view for you to grasp and understand. It is biblically based. She also has her own personal testimonies interwoven in this book.

This book was a gift from my sister. I will cherish it always. If you are wondering what to do or how to go about finding out what your destiny is, get this book. It has truly blessed me.

This is a special treat from Cindy Jacobs. Cindy's bold approach is not to encroach the male domain, but to reposition women roles to where they should belong in the Body of Christ. She, tactfully, defends the spiritual rights of women, giving classic examples of past and present generals of God who have changed the biased views of women role in the church.

She scores great in her personal testimonies. Her transparency and candor will open up more balance voices in today's marketplace where gender is always an issue. Fortifying her conviction with biblical scriptures, Cindy invades the draconian wall of today's belief that women has no place in the House of the Lord.

This book will gag the mouth of those who fight only for their selfish interest. Many like to interpret the biblical scripture according to their one-sided experiences or singular cultures. So you can see how the expansive meaning of the scriptural text was truncated by the lack of depth in interpreting by ignoring the biblical culture and environmental context when the scripture was first penned. However Cindy cleverly treat the situation by responding with well research and cognitive facts.

Cindy's contents is a healing to wounded female who have been kept backstage for too long. In the same tone, this book also alludes that women when co-exist and co-labor along with men will bring the church potential to the maximum that God intended.

So let's take the saddle off the women, they are going places !

I read a lot, but I am still to come across a book that kept me as gloriously absorbed as this. You don't have to be a tennis buff to love this book, all you have to do is have a heart. It taught and showed me things that no living person has been able to do. Not reading this book is something that no person should do. A must read for everyone. Made me a much more broad minded and well rounded person. A rare gem!

I first read this book almost 18 years ago as a teenager. I can honestly say, that this one book, more than any other, taught me about life and it's little miracles. Gloriously written, with it's heart absolutely in the right place. I was able to procure a weatherbeaten copy of this book from a library that was discarding used books, and I still read the book today. Especially, when I need a little reminder or pick me up that things can always get better.

I've read this book over and over (in fact I'm traveling and in the midst of Wimbledon I'm desperate to read it again). A wonderful story that illuminates the history of pro tennis -- but you don't have to care about tennis in the least because it's the characters that are so absorbing. I'm still waiting for my "Christopher."

What's stuck with me -- and, apparently, with other people who have reviewed this somewhat obscure novel -- is the defining morals and character of the "people" in the book. They are incredibly real to me. They remind -- or teach -- the reader that honor is attainable, graceful, worth reaching for even at great personal sacrifice. A great, great novel. It's obscurity, I guess, is due to the tennis theme...but even if I didn't like tennis I'd love this book.

Featuring a foreword by Jane Goodall of chimpanzee research fame, Africa: Photography is tremendous, spectacular display of truly lush, wondrous color photographs of natural wildlands and wildlife taken by Art Wolfe . A few pictures of African tribes people are also to be found amidst captures of lions, elephants, monkeys, pelicans, and so much more. Natural splendor abounds in this captivating gallery, and the highly informative text commentary adds depth and understanding to the many eye-catching images. With a foreword by Jane Goodall and an informative text by Michelle Gilders, Africa is enthusiastically recommended for armchair travelers, nature lovers, and anyone with an interest in the majestic splendor and majesty of the African wildlands.

You won't be disappointed. Wolfe is a master, and these images are amazing. Great book, decent price.

This is positively one of the most amazing books I own. The photographs, color and clarity are remarkable -- Art Wolfe truly captures the spirit of Africa. As you flip through the pages, each image more stunning than the next, you begin to feel like you are IN Africa. A must for any safari adventurer, animal lover or anyone curious about the continent.

Drawn from experiences with "Hands on", an after school program, community organizations and leaders, boards of directors, a cadre of staff, interns, volunteers and artists at the Walker's Point Center for the Arts, Art After School by Jane Brite and Marlene Jaglinski is a practical guide to establishing a community program for young people to develop their artistic skills, build self-esteem, and offer a constructive and positive experience especially for at-risk kids. Based on successful experience, Art After School is packed advice for planning the program, keeping costs down, sample art activities, and much more. Enhanced with illustrations by JoAnna Poehlmann, Art After School is a superbly presented and highly recommended reading for anyone looking to create a meaningful, art-based, after-school program open to the neighborhood youth of all ages and backgrounds.

Subtitled A Successful Way to Reach Youth in Your Neighborhood, this guide, training and reference book provides helpful and practical information about establishing, teaching and administering after-school art programming for children and teenagers, with the emphasis on low-income, under served and at-risk populations. The authors are administrators of Hands On, a successful and respected summer and after school arts program that is part of the Walker's Point Center for the Arts, a well-regarded community-based arts center in Milwaukee's large Hispanic neighborhood. The book is reader friendly as it presents suggestions, checklists and examples of how to establish an art after-school program in any community. Areas covered--in common sense depth --include, advocacy rationales, fundraising ideas, budget planning and grant writing advice (with examples), staffing suggestions, artists as teachers, partnerships and collaborations and more. Possible sites for establishing a program include public and private schools, libraries, churches, senior centers and storefronts. Throughout the text are quotations from children, teachers, school administrators and others who testify as to the worth of this program. Highly recommended for any individuals whose school or community might benefit from this type of program.

Kent Anderson, Past President of the National Art Education Association, is the Resource Editor for the national publication, School Arts. His review is scheduled to appear in the December, 2001 issue of School Arts.

In 1987 Jane Brite, then director of Walker's Point Center for the Arts in Milwaukee, initiated Hands On, an after-school and summer art program serving primarily low-income and at-risk children in the neighborhood and using professional artists to teach the sessions. Observing the benefits of the program prompted Brite and her colleague Marlene Jaglinski to write this guide, which describes their experience and advises how to set up and implement a similar program in almost any setting. The authors point out that in addition to the beneficial effects on the youngsters who participate, such programs offer valuable experience and a source of revenue to artists.

If you do not collect books on tea; if you wish to know about tea but not spend your life in that pursuit; if you want a reference guide to tea; if you ONLY want to own one book about tea - this is that ONE book that gives you the most information in the least amount of pages.

As mentioned, there are a lot of books on tea. The trick is finding one that's practical and useful. What makes this special is 1) extra detail about brewing time, temperature, amount 2) clear color photos of the dry and brewed tea and tea leaves 3) clear organization that helps you understand teas by country and variety. I've browsed through lots of books and of the ones I've seen, this is the best. Think of it as a first rate primer (beginner and intermediate level), not a text book, but five stars for what it tries to do.

This is an excellent book! I just recently decided to better understand my appreciation for tea. This book offers anyone a great, quick guide to refer to when purchasing tea, as well as a thorough tea 101 class. Pettigrew delightfully takes the reader down the interesting history of tea (much more thoroughly than other books I have come across). The reader is taken on an "around the world" trip of tea in various cultures. I especially like how she shows pictures of what the tea (loose leaf) should look like when you purchase it, as well as after you have steeped it; and the color of the tea liquor. To me this is so invaluable--when you are purchasing tea, it can be difficult to tell if the product is of quality or not. She also includes a list of mail-order tea companies in the back of the book. Even if you are a tea expert, this is a most lovely and invaluable book to have around. And if you are just beginning your journey, you must take this treasure map with you. Highly recommended!

I think at this point anything I say will be redundant. All the other reader comments cover my sentiments exactly. I loved Gabrielle as a strong, determined, intelligent woman and they are both wonderful characters. She also irritated me that she condemned him without knowing or giving thought to it but then there wouldn't have been a story. I agree also that 2 of her Charm Bracelet series were not my type of reading. But she made up for it with the first one "The Emerald Swan" which is my absolute favorite, as I wrote in my comment. I was also thrilled to find another beautiful step-back by Pino Dangelico in this book. He has done so many for her books and I wonder sometimes if I buy them as much for her great writing as his beautiful step-back illustrations. Buy this book, you will love it.

I love this story , it's wonderful , he was so full of things .. he is gentle when he should , angry when he must ,loving too .Her love for him was great and their lifes wasn't important like their love.. Read it and thank Jane for writing such a lovely story

The actress I have in mind for the part of Gabrielle is Kate Winslet. What I like about Gabrielle is that she's strong, passionate, adventurous, and very caring. What I don't like about Gabrielle is that she accused Nathaniel of murdering her lover without knowing the truth. My favorite part was when she warned Nathaniel about Talleyrand's letter, despite being pregnant, and then they had to fight those after them aboard the ship along the French coast. This begins on page 411.

This book was well written. I think the title should have been "Yes I Can, if Frank Sinatra Says It's Ok". Cause Frank calls the shots for all those guys. You can't read this book unless you understand a life like Frank's. When you've loved and lost the way Frank has then you'll understand.

I first read this book when I was 12 years old and was in awe of how someone could achieve so much after so many trials. As an adult, I have searched for years for a copy because of how much it moved me. I can still remember the pictures and some of the facts even after 26 years.

To HELL with TD Jakes, Ilyana Van Zant, and all those other so-called self-help quickbuck gurus. You want inspiration? READ THIS BOOK! When I was 14 and going to a hellish jr. high school and dealing with bullies and home problems, I checked this out of the local lie-berry and I felt that if the "Candy Man" could go through TENFOLD the hell I was going through and still become the King of his field by believing in what God had given him, then DAMMIT, so could I! I have managed to overcome most of my childhood difficulties, thanx largely to this book and Louis Armstrong's music for getting me thru those tough times! Read this and you'll see what I mean.

I ordered this book because the cover looked so inviting, but the rhyming text and warm, fuzzy illustrations are what endears it to me. My two year old and my five year old have it memorized, and my husband picks it to read every other night at bed time. Their favoite part are the faces made by the hare! I was so excited to see that there is a new installment for "Bear" and his friends (Bear Wants More), and I am ordering it today!

A very hungry bear awakens in spring to find roots to eat - but he wants more. Berries, clover, and fish aren't even enough, and it's up to caring friends to nourish his huge hunger in this enchanting picturebook story. The bear drawings are both whimsical and appealing.

"When springtime comes,/in his warm winter den/a bear wakes up/very hungry and thin!" He lumbers outside and begins to look for food, eating the new shoots of grass that have popped up outside his front door. But that barely begins to satisfy his hunger, and the bear wants more. Fortunately his woodland friends, Mouse, Hare, and Badger pass by, glad to see him after the long winter, and help him find food... strawberries, clover, and fish in the stream. But the bear's still hungry and wants more to eat. "Meanwhile.../back at the big bear's den/wait Gopher and Mole/with Raven and Wren.// They bake honey cakes./They decorate the lair./It's a springtime party/for their good friend Bear!" Bear smells the party foods wafting in the air and hurries home to his big surprise party. But he's eaten so much today, that he's too big to fit into his den and gets stuck in his own front door. Now with a party inside just waiting to begin, what are Bear and his friends going to do..... Author, Karma Wilson and illustrator, Jane Chapman are back with a joyous springtime sequel to last year's marvelous Bear Snores On. Ms Wilson's rhythmic, rhyming text is engaging, and little ones will revel in reading the oft-repeated refrain, "But the bear wants more!", along with you. Ms Chapman's bold, bright and expressive artwork is filled with vivid color, eye-catching detail, and endearing characters. Together word and art usher in the spring with humor and fun. Bear Wants More is a winner, and a charming, read-aloud, preschool crowd-pleaser that shouldn't be missed.