figures in organized crime. This isn actually a very good book.
Read it.

The wonderful hardcover version is large, 8-1/2" x 11", covering 11 chapters over three parts. Part I, "Driving Force" solidly reveals the growth of the automobile from the horseless carriage up through Chapter 4, "Labor Pains," which narrates the beginning and early history of automobile labor unions. At first, both sides were bitterly opposed. Fighting occurred. Bloodied and bruised, the workers and the unions gradually united and worked out their differences--for the time being. After all, World War II was approaching. "Social Mobility," Part II, starts at Chapter 5, "The War Machine" and describes how automobile production all but ceased after Pearl Harbor. Automobile manufacturing became manufacturing for vehicles of war. Chapter 6, "The Post War Room" and Chapter 7, "The Open Road" take you through this difficult and trying period so well with the photographs that you can almost smell the factory smoke and rubber tires, and hear the wrenches clinking. Part III, "Car Wars" details the post-war priorities of Detroit: retool the factories, design new automobile bodies--with chrome and fins--and develop new engines and conveniences to welcome the new age of freedom.

Without a doubt, this is the best and most complete source of information about automotive development in America. It is a virtual pool of American Culture, brimming with helpful anecdotes and interviews of personalities who were there as they happened. I cannot imagine anyone interested in Americana or cars in general who would not be fascinated and impressed by this monumental and definitive pictorial of automobility. "America on Wheels" should be required reading by all students of sociology and American History, or for anyone who appreciates the art of quality bookmaking. It is well worth the money, a book you'll want to keep as long as you live. Inset quotes in old-time black and white frames are the chocolate syrup on the ice cream. In this sense, you'll eat it up! Highly recommended for all readers over 8 (exceptional reading level). Buy it today!

First, the book clarifies the ends, or more accurately, the end, singular, of spiritual direction. Many are perplexed, asking what is the point of the whole process, and a gifted spiritual director like Houdek might well provide a sound answer. He carefully expresses this purpose in terms of the transcendent dimension of all human experience: "Spiritual direction is concerned about a person's life in all its dimensions and at every moment because God can reveal mystery at all times and in all experiences" (p. 8). He says more than that, of course, and it's worth the reader's time to go over the exposition.

Second, the book elaborates on the means of spiritual direction, in this case, at modest length but in depth. By reflecting upon tested principles, but more importantly, accounts of actual applications, as well as reports of their beneficial effects in the lives of other directees, the directee grows in an awareness and understanding of the process in oneself and in others and so begins to value the experience of spiritual direction more deeply. Just as significant is that the directee derives the criteria for assessing the quality of spiritual direction, thereby empowering the directee in the process of their own guidance. All in all, this knowledge of spiritual direction not only enriches but also empowers the directee in the subtle, intricate, potentially precarious process of spiritual discernment, in which the ultimate responsibility devolves upon the directee.

Some of the most helpful discussions for me pertain to the author's limited attempt to classify directees into types, so I became aware of the profoundly varied yet distinctively individual quality of the spiritual life. Also important was his discussion of the gifts--theological and psychological awareness, spiritual experience, interpersonal skills--ideally suited for spiritual directors.

Third, the book is itself a helpful source of doctrine on spirituality.

It is apparent from the very beginning that Houdek assumes the traditional model of the spiritual life as a progression in stages, so that the influence of St. John of the Cross is present throughout yet refined--the author's tone is modern, flexible, without the slightest trace of doctrinairism. The author's distinction between "vagueness" and "obscurity," which traces to the Mystical Doctor, is especially valuable.

In what sense does the author disclose a Jesuit perspective, as noted in the title? His focus is on discernment, both as a central topic and a governing paradigm, so that discernment even marks the writing style of the book--reflective, attuned, open to truth, wise.

Houdek's discussion of discernment is so discerning itself that I feel compelled to quote: "Although helpful techniques or methods in spiritual discernment do exist neither ultimately guarantees real success. To explain or expect success we must look toward other realities...First, God's unqualified and unconditional love guarantees divine revelation to each of us. God's Spirit works within each person to validate and perhaps even guarantee that the person can and will arrive at a competent understanding and interpretation of individual personal experience. Second, the predispositions of the persons are far more important and influential than any technique or method for spiritual discernment...The central disposition for discernment is trustful surrender--trust in the love, the promises, the fidelity, and the providential care of God--to the initiatives and actions of God" (p. 116).

Fourth, the book brings up fresh perspectives on old issues or introduces new issues in spiritual direction, matters that may be of greater significance to the directee than the director. Some of these issues include problems arising from transference, gender dynamics, or the supervision of spiritual directors.

One weakness of the book is the relative absence of discussion on many aspects of modern clinical psychology, but this knowledge does not lie within the expertise of the author. However, he recognizes its value as well as its necessity in some cases, so that he gives short advice on identifying the need for counseling and on working successfully together with the counselor.

I highly recommend this book as a wealth of experience and wisdom brought to bear on an important area of the Catholic experience--spiritual direction.

The book starts with his examination into the background, and possible historical uses of the famous Mitchell-Hedges crystal skull, which he studied for six years. He is the one who brought the skull to the Hewlett-Packard lab to be studied. He documented his efforts and observations and it makes interesting reading. This led him to close his successful business and devote his time to researching the historic and traditional uses of electronic quartz crystals. What stands out for me, is how he ties traditional, shamanic / magical practices in with the modern 'scientific' usage of quartz in electronic devices, etc. He paints a convincing picture for there being a logical reason, (and not just superstition or placebo effect) why specific types of crystals have consistently been used the world over by 'healers and adepts' for augmenting and accelerating the effects of healing, meditative states, etc. If you have an open mind, but don't buy every idea that comes 'from the ethers' as being valid, this book will appeal to you. He makes a good case for all but the most dedicated of skeptics to take another look at how quartz crystals can be useful. For those people who already use crystals or are interested in possible 'metaphysical' properties this is a must read for anyone of rock quartz. You may learn a thing or two.

Finally an actual book without mumbo jumbo on ROCK CRYSTAL. How to use it and why it works.
Photos, examples and how to acquire one of the crystal carvings.

I have read it several times and find something new each time.

A touch of Mysticism with alot of fact should be the way a book is written on such an important subject.

Previous volumes in the series are: Dostoevsky: The Seeds of Revolt, 1821-1849; Dostoevsky: The Years of Ordeal, 1850-1859; Dostoevsky: The Stir of Liberation, 1860-1865; and Dostoevsky: The Miraculous Years, 1865-1871.

It was during the final decade of his life, 1871-1881, that Dostoevsky wrote Diary of a Writer and his greatest novel, The Brothers Karamazov. Many pages of Frank's fifth volume deals with analzying these two works (140 pages for The Brothers Karamazov alone).

With impressive literary scholarship, Frank throws light on the historical, political, economic, social, cultural, and literary setting within which Dostoevsky created his works of art, novels of great psychological depth.

For example, Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: "Dostoevsky, the only psychologist, by the way, from whom I had anything to learn; he is one of the happiest accidents of my life, even more so than my discovery of Stendhal."

Dostoevsky traced the roots of the evils in Russian society to a loss of religious faith. By "religious faith" he meant specifically the Christian faith of the Russian Orthodox Church. He thought the Roman Catholic Church was a distortion and perversion of true Christianity. (See the harangue Dostoevsky puts into the mouth of Prince Myshkin in Part Four, Chapter VII, of The Idiot.

Of particular interest is Frank's discussion of Dostoevsky's philosophical thinking (framed, of course, within a Christian worldview), such as his ruminations on Russian nationalism, rational egoism, and the freedom of the will, and his grave concerns over the adverse moral and political effects of atheism and nihilism.

Frank soft-pedals Dostoevsky's notorious anti-Semitism, seeking to exonerate his hero as being simply "a child of his time."

Although one finds many things to dislike about Dostoevsky, one cannot help being impressed by his literary genius. Recognizing the excellence of Dostoevsky's art, Frank devotes the lion's share of his volume not to the man himself but to the man's literary production.

While this is surely not the fault of Joseph Frank, one is depressed by the seemingly endless fare of Russian sectarian bickering and murky political maneuverings. One breathes a huge sigh of relief to escape this oppressive atmosphere.