This is a great book. It's packed with TONS of useful ideas and pleanty of great advice from Steve Broydrick. A must have for all new buissness owners!!

Simply marvelous buisness advice! Mr. Broydrick has done an excellent job With this book!!

What's nifty about this book is how it contains many "long" poems that never get slack. As a result, in addition to appreciating the narratives, there are many great lines or brief excerpts that make you pause and appreciate them on their own; for instance, "there's a certain/ S and M bureaucratic attitude/ going around." Or, "It was as if he was in the/ dead center of sanity and/ the moderns and ancients/ were playing with mirrors." Or, "I have had nothing to say/ since Italy." (Granted, I love Italy but still!)

Also, while tempting to consider this "wise guy" poetry (and it is), there is an (often subtle) undercurrent of lyricism (e.g. the lines "It touches every facet/ of our lives in a way/ punch cards never could" or "The color of the day expands and springs through the checkerboard/ Where a truck twists in the wind") that is just one of the many ways this book offers a long-lasting, enjoyable resonance through multi-dimensionality.

The participant's guide is designed to be used in tandem with the video;however, it is so comprehensive that you learn a great deal of background just from going through the lessons. It was one of the best workbooks I have ever used to gain a perspective on what life was like in Jesus's time and how actual archeological findings link the truth Jesus portrayed 2,000 years ago and how we can apply this today. Read it and increase your faith. Give it to others.

That Ye May Learn Wisdom is the best commentary so far available for this incredible speech. It provides information from a variety of topics: the temple, coronation, widsom literature, doctrine and also a chapter on the use of King Benjamin's speech in the words of the latter-day prophets and apostles. An invaluable resource on those seeking a more scholarly look at the LDS scriptures.

a difficult book to read, stylistically speaking. the sentences are awkward, and 300 pages later i couldn't adapt to the point that they smoothed out. chapters 2-5, roughly 100 pages, seemed particularly viscous. i went through the entire book without feeling that i really knew what the author meant by the term "daimonic." there's a footnote from the intro that gives a hint, another hint on page 65, but after going through it a third time the best i can do is work backward from terms from freud and jung. diamond provides reasonably informative and entertaining overviews of noted theorists and brief biographies of creative artists. the most welcome line of the book for me was a quote from rollo may: "the task of the therapist is to conjure up the devils rather than put them to sleep." no devils, and few other readers, will be particularly stirred up by the book, i'm afraid, but i give it a four for the revelation that western thinkers have arrived at "confrontation therapy" mere thousands of years after the orient (a zen master shoved his non-swimming student into a deep pond. as the student thrashed, the master calmly asked, "at this moment, what is your original mind?").

I am a clinical psychologist, and in my list of favorite books, I write this:

Diamond writes: "The volatile emotions of anger and rage have been broadly 'demonized,' vilified, maligned, and rejected as purely pathological, negative impulses with no real redeeming qualities. As a result, most 'respectable' Americans habitually suppress, repress, or deny their anger-inadvertently rendering it doubly dangerous." He also clarifies, while developing the ideas of Rollo May, how we therapists collude with our clients and culture, thus depriving ourselves of the value and resources of this normal dimension of our being. He integrates psychoanalytic, Jungian, and existential theory under a new rubric of Existential Depth Psychology. As May states, our job is often "not to still the daimons but to wake them."

In addition, I think this is an important, engaging, and well-written work that I wish all my colleagues would read.

A good orientation, thorough review of the development of existential/depth psychology, with a refreshing, updated point of view. Immediate, practical applications for some of today's most pressing isssues. Good for an educated public as well as for mental health professionals. -- Bruce F. Pither, Ph.D., President, American Mental Health Alliance of California

The author of this book perhaps has come to view himself as thecurrent "specialist" on WWII history. That's fine -everyoneis indeed entitled to his/her own opinion. Though the lives of "everyday" soldiers are well protrayed in this book, the volume includes simply too many inaccuracies regarding basic historical facts to satisfy my standards. For example, the author refers several times to German Tiger and Panther tanks with an 88mm cannon; With regard to the Panther, INCORRECT: The Panther - perhaps the best medium tank produced by any nation during the war - had a high velocity, long barreled 75mm cannon, which was a far better gun tube than the US Sherman's little 75mm - the Panther NEVER had an 88mm gun. The author also tells us that Bayerlein commanded the 12th SS panzer Div., "Hitler Jugend". Incorrect. The HJ commander was Fritz Witt, who was killed by a direct hit on his command center by a large caliber naval shell just after the invasion. Kurt "Panzer" Meyer took command after Witt's death - NO Bayerlein. Also, in his portrayal of the "Battle of the Bulge" - the Germans' Ardennes offensive, the author reviews Kampfgruppe Peiper ("KG" - Battle Group Peiper), which was the German lead attack formation during the offensive led by the dashing young Obersturmbannfuehrer (LTC) Jochen Peiper. This KG was indeed the strongest of several KG formations used by the Germans in teh attack, but it in no way had the personnel figure in the vicinity of 22,000 which the author suggests. This figure in fact, is closer to the personnel figure for the ENTIRE 1.SS Panzer Division "Leibstandarte" - of which KG Peiper was but a small part. The KG on its own, had closer to 4500 men - BIG difference (see the very accurate book "The Devil's Adjutant") for the American defending forces! Had the Germans attacked with a Battle Group of the size the author suggests, the Americans would have been easily thrust aside - the "Bulge" would have burst.

Although "Citizen Soldiers" is interesting, as a former US Army ARMOR officer myself, the sometimes significant inaccuracies that appear throughout this book color my impressions of the whole in a negative shade. END

No one has been more prolific or entertaining in his efforts to bring the gritty, unit-level personal experiences of the Allied drive from Normandy into Germany to the public's attention than Stephen Ambrose. In his series of books including "D-Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War Two", "Band Of Brothers", "The Victors", and "Citizen Soldiers", he has masterfully employed a little-known treasure trove of personal interviews with thousands of Allied soldiers to marshal an absolutely absorbing, captivating, and insightful treatise on the nature of combat as experienced by the men and women in the forefront of action as it transpired all along the front.

In this volume he concentrates on the drive from Normandy all the way into the heart of Germany, and covering as much ground as the Allies conquered in that fateful year is a considerable accomplishment. This makes for fascinating and entertaining reading. A great deal of ground is covered, from the consolidation of the beachheads in Normandy to the relatively quick liberation of Paris, from the ill-fated Operation Market-Garden assault into Holland in September to the disastrous bloodbath in Omar Bradley's catastrophic excursion into the Hurtigen Forest, from the desperate clashes around Bastogne in the wintry Battle of the Bulge to the long, costly drive that unusually cold and snowy winter into Germany itself. As a result, we don't find the level of detail or strict chronology he employed in "D-Day", for example, or the kind of comprehensive coverage of specific events like the Battle of the Bulge that one finds in books like John Toland's "Battle".

This does not mean one doesn't learn a great deal about all these events transpiring during that fateful year; on the contrary, there is much in the way of provocative information and startling perspective offered here on each of these events. Yet it is unfair to expect a book addressing itself to the totality of the Allied campaign to do so comprehensively in less than 500 pages. Certainly anyone reading the corpus of all the Ambrose works on the year 1944-45 as is represented by the books mentioned above gets a very comprehensive feel for the progress of the war effort in Europe. Still, to gain the kind of comprehensive and strictly chronological information a complete history requires, one must look elsewhere, to tomes such as "A World At Arms", or "A War To Be Won", or even the comfortable, veritable, and well-worn "The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich", my own personal favorite.

Mr. Ambrose has become a virtual cottage industry in the World War Two section of your local bookstore, while he has also published works such as his recent best seller on explorers Lewis and Clark. Meanwhile, he has become phenomenally successful because many of his books have captured the public's imagination by being so readable, entertaining, and informative. While popular success doesn't always equate to critical worthiness, in his case it consistently seems to. This is a wonderfully worthwhile, eminently researched, exhaustively documented, and superbly narrated book on the most critical last year of the war in Europe. Enjoy!

While standing in line for a book-signing at a local book store, I picked up "Citizen Soldiers" to quickly flip through. I was immediately pulled into the book and couldn't put it down. Ambrose's writing style made me live the dread, horror and aching cold the front-line infantry went through, particularly through the Winter of 1944-1945. My father was a medic in the 87th Division of Patton's Third Army and was actively involved in the Battle of the Bulge. He rarely spoke of his experiences during the war and now I guess I understand why. I believe he had experienced enough and didn't really care to relive a very difficult time. However, Dr. Ambrose masterfully conveys not only the trauma of battle, but also the strength of the human spirit. This book has compelled me to investigate other literature about World War II, particularly those works that tell the story from the people on the front line.

I have always loved war novels and movies, however, I failed to ever learn about the facts of what really happened. All I ever learned was fiction. When I started reading this book, I found myself shocked, proud, disturbed, but moved. It takes you from the foxholes of the Bulge to the doctors in the field hospitals. Filled with first person accounts and photographs, Citizen Soldiers portrays life for the average soldier. It is also filled with intersting tidbits. Although it is a history book, it doesn't read like a textbook as Ambrose is a brilliant writer and historian. Even if you do not like history or war, I think you will find yourself intrigued. Thank you for reading my review. :-)

For getting under the skin of the front line soldier and experiencing what it was like, this book takes you there and you come as close as it is possible to feel what they felt. Filled with remembrances and wonderfully researched details this book is filled with the details of actual combat conditions and honours the life of the front line soldier like know other I have ever read. I felt humble, sad and glad, very glad that they were there for us when it counted. Thank you Stephen Ambrose.

This book is capable of changing the way you look at yourself. The way in which the hellish reality of front line war was brought to life through accounts from veterans depicting the fear, cold and fatigue, coupled with the underlying tone that most of the soldiers who endured this were very young men from ordinary backgrounds, was profound. The accounts of medics and nurses, logistics, tank units etc were equally fascinating. The book had the strange effect of making me think that I have been living most of my life in a void by not knowing any of this. This is a must read for anyone looking for an honest account of the ground war in Europe and is truly a masterpiece.

What we have here is a book that clearly shows its author has talent and skill. But the voice is not that indistinguishable from dozens of other poets all wanting to be the next Mark Doty. This is a safe collection--not that it avoids risky subjects--but that all of its subjects (art, fashion, AIDS)fall into the careful boundaries expected of a gay poet writing today. You could do worse. . . .

I loved this book because, simply put, Stephen McLeod has a crush on the world. Like a lot of crushes, this one breathes it all in. With startling detail it records all it sees, invests emotional risk at the least prompting, and generally rockets like a Texas bareback rider through the exquisite and beautiful sadness of it all. As I said - a crush. Thrilling, the nearness of the intoxication, the pure living breath of the beloved. But, unlike a lot of other crushes, this one is actually requited. Requited by the poems that result from this enamored encounter with the world. Poems whose mere existence is proof of what the beholder receives from the beloved. That chance to gaze without apology on beauty incarnate. Line after line confirms this love affair consummated by the poet's fluent observation of the world in which he lives. McLeod's is a poetry of style and wit, and yet it's constantly open to the weak-kneed sweet surrender of the human heart as it travels toward its inexplicable destiny. Seventy-five years after Hart Crane wrote, "Permit me voyage, love, into your hands..." Stephen McLeod's poems complete that journey.

"The Borgo of the Holy Ghost" like all books comes from the experience and the expression of the writer. Stephen McLeod connects with the reader. All Roads Lead to Kansas uses a poem to say something that couldn't otherwise be said. McLeod's poetry is spiritual. His 25 years of writing have put him in an enviable position. I look forward to his next book.

I wasn't going to write a review for this book until I read all of the others. Of course this is a marvelous story and a great work of literature, which I have come to expect from Stephen Lawhead. But I decided to write this to point out to any who read reviews before buying books that almost without exception, the people who wrote the negative reviews following prove themselves fools. One reviewer actually read the whole book and completely missed the significance of Taliesin's death (Taliesin was already dead before the arrow struck him. I won't be any more specific for the benefit of those who haven't read) and another insists that potatoes were invented in America in the 1800's! So please READ THIS BOOK! You won't be sorry unless you are really, really dumb (as folks sometimes are!).

I have read quite a bit of Arthurian literature, fictional and research oriented. That said, TALIESIN is one of the better works of fiction that I have read (though by far not the best). Lawhead's knack for description is his greatest strength as an author...you can actually "see" the land, the people, even the Otherworld while reading. I'll admit, Lawhead plays fast and loose with history (Taliesin didn't even exist till AFTER the time of Arthur), and at times the motives of the characters are unclear...except for Charis, who is probably the SECOND best character he has ever created. By the way, Lawhead's focus on Christianity during the Roman Britain era is not as unbelievable for the time period as some reviewers have opined. Overall...TALIESEN is a good novel, though if you would like to read his best work, read MERLIN...probably Lawhead's finest creation.

In his stunning five-volume "Pendragon Cycle" series, Stephen Lawhead weaves together the two independent legends of the lost kingdom of Atlantis and that of King Arthur with sparkling originality and breath-taking colour. Although the premise of these two legends being concurrent is historically impossible, one has to grant Lawhead this freedom because he clearly intends his book to be read as fantasy, not as historical fiction. "Taliesin" is the first book in the series, and consists of two separate story-lines, one introducing us to Charis, princess of Atlantis and one of its few survivors, the other introducing us to Taliesin, prince of one of the British tribes. Towards the end of the book, the twin plots merge with the romance and marriage of Charis and Taliesin, leading to the birth of the remarkable Merlin, thus setting the stage for the rest of the series about the legendary King Arthur.

Lawhead's fantasy is not altogether without flaws. I did not feel I truly knew the characters and scenery in the same intimate way as in Tolkien and other fantasy greats. The plot is not always consistently paced, and occasionally seems to degenerate into an aimless history without a real sense of an obvious conflict that needs to be resolved. But Lawhead's fantasy world is still dazzling, and the further I got into his world, the more I found myself drawn in by a convincing, compelling, and enthralling story-line. On the one hand Lawhead has created something heroic and noble, but the heroism is accompanied with an equal measure of tragedy, thus evoking emotions in the reader that range from ecstasy to genuine grief.

One of the highlights of this fantasy work is that Lawhead writes as a Christian, seeking to present a consistent Christian world-view in the course of his writing. The sorrow one inevitably feels at the destruction and decay in the lives of individuals and societies eventually proves itself to be a sorrow over the destructive effect of sin. Over against the empty paganism and rituals of polytheism, Lawhead presents the worship of the true God, the Creator.

Lawhead's theology is not altogether free of criticism. I am not inclined to give pagan religions and prophets as much power and credibility as Lawhead does, since I think Romans 1 teaches us not to regard them as imperfect "shadows" of the pure religion (p.371), but perversions which are little else than the worship of powerless wood and stone (Isaiah 44:6-20). Although Lawhead clearly acknowledges God as the True God, it seemed to me that his focus on God as Creator comes at the expense of a recognition of God as Redeemer. Certainly there is ample reference to Jesus Christ, but Lawhead seems to have overlooked a wonderful opportunity to present the gospel of Jesus Christ's work as a payment for sin. Perhaps this is not surprising given that he portrays the Christian religion in the form of Roman Catholicism, mirroring its emphasis on outward rituals that dispense grace (p.403). However, I must concede that Lawhead could simply be reflecting history in this respect.

But although I do not share all of Lawhead's religious convictions, this did not prevent me from finding this book both profound and stimulating. In fact, the wonderful imagery and the complexity of Biblical allusions frequently astounded me. The Biblical imagery is exceedingly subtle and skilfully woven into the story-line, soaking the novel and giving it richness and depth rarely found in fantasy. The astute student of Scripture will notice veiled references to the Great Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God's questions to Job, Satan, John the Baptist, the Person of Jesus Christ as described in Revelation, the work of Jesus Christ as prophet, priest and king, the heavenly temple and kingdom, and more. Lawhead's positive portrayal of sexual purity, his beautiful picture of marital love and faithfulness, and his delightful portrait of the unique roles of husband and wife are solidly Biblical and particularly touching.

If you are a fan of profound Christian fiction or else simply enjoy reading original and thoughtful fantasy, you will find this book a real treat. If you enjoy both categories, this is a must have.

Let me begin by saying that I'm a huge fan of the authors' work. I own every episode of "Strangers with Candy," and think that the humor in the show is wonderfully twisted. I love it.

Wigfield, however, is a totally different animal.

Throughout the book the protagonist, Russell Hokes, repeatedly drones that his sole goal is reaching the 50,000 word minimum required by the publishing company he fooled into signing him. It seems that Sedaris, Dinello and Colbert had the same goal in mind. The book consists of little more than an assortment of grotesque, thinly developed caricatures (like the characters in Jimmy Buffett's "Who is Joe Merchant," but less engaging) piling non-sequitur upon mixed metaphor with little comic effect. While past works prove that the authors have the skills and intelligent wit to to this inspiringly well, "Wigfield," sadly, falls flat.

I hope to see these comic Gods put out something worthy of their combined names in the near future, but as Jerry Blank might remark, "This book is all shake and seeds."

But then again, maybe I just miss Tammy Littlenut, that li'l spitfire ...

I love Stephen Colbert. He's the funniest guy I don't know. I bought this book solely because he had a hand in it. As expected, it is full of intelligent humor. Here's the premise: Russell Hokes decides to become a writer, exploring the dying small-town America. He is a terrible writer. You have to know great writing in order to recognize deliberate bad writing. Between his terrible writing, and his ignorance of what is happening in front of his face, this book is laugh-out-loud funny! The only drawback I found was that the joke runs a little long. But please, BUY THIS BOOK! You'll be letting Stephen eat for another day. And I care about the welfare of Stephen. I really do.

Want to take a trip to a bizzare little town full of weirdos, tons of strip clubs and lots of used tires? Make plans to visit Wigfield...a quarter mile stretch of land that came into being because of an unneccessary dam that is now in danger of being destroyed by the government. This horrible act will flood the "town", which sprang up in the river bed and force the tenants of this loveable slum to move from their beloved homes/shanties. You'll meet people like Cinammon, a stripper, who uses hush puppies in her routine in a very unusual way; Julian Childs, an "confirmed" bachelor and theater owner, who uses rabbits in all his productions; Mae Ella Padgett, who in her 40s, proudly claims to be the oldest person in Wigfield--a claim disputed by Dottie Fore, who makes her claim as the elder; and many more. Guided along by Russell Stokes, the author, who stumbles upon this intriguing drama, desperate to find a subject that could help him start the 50,000 words required for the book he must write to meet his publishing deal with Hyperion publishers. Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert, of Comedy Central's brilliant cult series, "Strangers With Candy", are totally insane and that's what makes the book so much fun. Its dark, bizarre and a hilarious read that makes you laugh out loud. Complete with pictures of the wacky trio as the townsfolk, taken by Todd Oldman. If you love "Strangers With Candy", you'll want this book. If you want a good laugh this summer, you'll want it as well. PS---buy the new "Strangers With Candy: Season One" dvd too----So FUNNY!