Students of Napoleonic warfare have always known that the study of Horatio Lord Nelson's life is a stimulating activity. Nelson was a true genius of war, and mainly because, as this book shows, he was an eccentric and very unorthodox character.

But the scarcity of insightful, informed and UP-TO-DATE analyses of his naval strategies, tactics, leadership, command and management has been very frustrating for those of us who believe that Nelson still has RELEVANCE for TODAY'S warriors.

A ceaseless flow of books essentially narrating Nelson's life without thorough analysis has become boring and adds to our frustrations.

Dr Hayward is the first to address our frustrations, and his book does so splendidly.

Hayward demonstrates through a highly unusual, interesting and effective thematic approach that Nelson rivals Napoleon as their era's "greatest champion" and that, even though sea warfare has changed considerably, a study of Nelson's art of war will teach, challenge, enrich and impress today's naval warriors and all other armed forces personnel.

Like in Hayward's ground-breaking STOPPED AT STALINGRAD, the author asks new questions and often presents highly original answers. Even if a few other Nelson experts will disagree with some conclusions, all will be stimulated to dig deeper themselves as a response to this brilliant and long-overdue book.

The author doesn't disparage the works of other Nelson scholars and writers. On the contrary, he acknowledges openly that his book is an attempt to repay the intellectual debt he owes them. He's gracious and not at all dogmatic even when pointing out where another scholar has apparently erred.

The writing is terrific. It is reflective, engaging, informative and fluent. I read each chapter (effectively separate but related, cutting-edge essays) in single sitting.

The book is also very attractive, with fine maps and illustrations.

If you want to read something new and original about naval warfare's greatest admiral, FOR GOD AND GLORY cannot be (NO! MUST NOT BE) overlooked. It is a lovely book and a great step forward in terms of what we know about Lord Nelson as a warrior.

I'm toting this dream of a book around my colleagues at the US Army War College in the hope that they will, like me, use this as a class text.

If books, like bourbon whiskey, were rated according to strength, "For God and Glory: Lord Nelson and his Way of War" would weigh in above 100 proof. It is not a huge book, like the competent new bio. by Edgar Vincent, but it's concentrated and potent. I do not mean that it is arcane or overly meticulous. On the contrary, Joel Hayward writes with striking clarity.

"For God and Glory" is better written and more ambitious than other recent works inspired by Nelson's great victories. It is an originally conceived and richly rewarding work, filled with profundity and felicitous expression, with many flourishes of prose that flow like poetry.

The chapter on leadership, command and management will be scanned or photocopied by students at every military, air and naval academy and used in essays and dissertations for years to come.

And no self-respecting enthusiast of Lord Nelson will be able to escape having to engage the theses put forward in Hayward's compelling and authoritative book. Agree or disagree with his evidence and arguments, but don't ignore them. They blaze a trail.

This book is an instant classic! Nelson books appear almost every year, as do Napoleon books, but few of them say anything new. This book is the most original book on the world's most famous admiral to appear since, gosh, maybe the second world war.

Who has ever before analysed such themes as the impact of spirituality or religion on Nelson's war-making? Who has ever asked whether Nelson actually fought well when ashore? Who has asked whether Nelson made an effective coalition partner or leader? Who has, in recent decades anyway, asked whether Nelson is still RELEVANT to today's navies?

Joel Hayward has answered these and many other unique questions, and has written his book with such mastery of English that his eloquence and elegance make the book a genuine pleasure to read.

I know nothing about the author but I intend to see what else he has written and I'll buy it. He is a powerfully original thinker and has written the best and most analytical military book I have read aside from the masterly John Keegan himself.

This book has my highest recommendation, and then some!!

This book remains on the top of my list of favorites. My wife and I (both fans of the book) have made significant improvements to our financial status in the past two years since reading "The Four Laws". I mean significant! We've paid off $29K in credit card debt, invested the same amount in mutual funds, both are able to max out our 401(k) plans, have met our contribution limits to our Roth IRA's already and are planning our next visit to ski in Austria (...)! That is our story now. It was far from pretty before reading the book. It is important to note, like anything worthwhile, it takes goal setting, planning and follow-through to achieve. This book lit a fire that no other book could. In fact, about 10 of my friends have received a copy of their own as gifts from us. Simply a great feeling knowing that I can control my life and help others to achieve the same experience. Peace, love and happiness!

This is an excellent book. It is less than 120 pages. It reads like a story. Starting with man hacking his fake Xmas tree to bits and ending with financial freedom, a real friend, and a new lease on life! I loved it! I have sent copies to family members who have actually thanked me and implemented what they read! I plan to send out more this year. It's a funny, no-nonsense look at getting out of debt. I think I'll go and re-read it again!

I purchased the audiotape of this book and listened to it on my daily commute. The presentation of the idea was very simple and made me feel like I could follow their suggestions too! I sat down and worked out my tracking, target, trimming, and training goals and realized that with all of my debt...I could be paid off and debt free by April of 2003 (and I had lots of debts from just finishing my doctorate). I also mentioned some of the ideas in this tape to my 13 year old (that if a 15 year old puts $7 aside each month until s/he was 65...and received 15% return...that they'd be a millionaire at retirement). She, too, is excited about the rules given in this book.

Greta Huls has done an outstanding job in presenting the Cornish Rex in this book. She has prepared the reader well for the fun times ahead with this unique breed of cat.

The beautiful pictures in this book show a wide variety of Cornish Rex colors, sizes and types.

Her book is informative to both the novice and the experienced Cornish Rex owner and breeder. I have used information from this book in my own breeding program.

This book should be owned by every Cornish Rex owner and is the ideal gift for every Cornish Rex breeder for the new owner.

when i first got my two cornish rex, i read all that i could find on the cornish rex breed, and i discovered that there were no comprehensive books on them. i really needed some tips + how-to's specific to rexes. fortunately, greta's book provides that. the text is informative and easy to read, as well as entertaining. thanks, greta! from one owner who's happier + a little more confident in her cat care now.

This book is fantastic. It is a wonderful history of the Cornish Rex as well as a great reference about the breed. This is the one and only book about this particular and very special breed of cat. Greta took great care to include all sorts of wonderful color pictures, breed standards, health care, and general information about the breed. I would recommend that anyone who is looking into purchasing or rescuing a Cornish Rex should buy this book. It is also a wonderful resource for those who are already owners. Many thanks to Greta for her hard work on this book - it was much needed!

It is clear the author wants to engage the reader into seeing the excitement of the geologic cycle, and to teach earth science to children using scientific terms. The book is beautifully illustrated, and exceptionally well written It is clear the author has an excellent background in geology.

When I read the book to my grandchildren, they want it read again and again. Looking at rocks, the children and I have a new perspective of what a rock really is and how it came about.

I look forward to other books by this author!

I enthusiastically recommend this book! Who knew that the journey of a rock through time was dramatic AND fascinating? When was the last time you considered how a simple rock came to be? This story is as educational as it is entertaining to the children who have read it in my home. I had a five-year-old guest for the weekend, and THIS is the book she wanted out of all the books in my library. She was drawn to this rock and cared what happened to it. It was fun for her to "find" the rock in every beautiful illustration. Every time I read it to the younger children, I learn a little more, too!

While working at elementary school and public libraries for a number of years, I noticed there were very few interesting picture books on geology for grade school children. Earthsteps meets this need and children love it! The pictures are gorgeous, and following the rock as it journeys through time not only presents an easy to understand introduction to geology, but also keeps kids interested as they find the ever diminishing rock in each picture!

THE HAMMER OF GOD [Original: STENGRUNDEN (1941)] has been rightly called "the best Law/Gospel narrative ever written" (The Rev. David Mulder, Director of Leadership Development for the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod). At the tender age of 36, and as an associate pastor in rural Småland, Sweden, Bo Harlad Giertz wrote a book which battles those forces which would seek to destroy historical Confessional Lutheranism then and now. Through the stories of three young pastors from different time-periods, he "earnestly contend[s] for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (p. 321, see Jude 3). As such, Giertz fights heterodoxy through three novellas and in three foms: neology (p. 40), New Evangelicalism/Pietism (pp. 147-148), and Liberalism (pp. 267-268). With Henric Schartau's (1757-1825) doctrine of the Order of Grace as the foundation (see the first novella, pp. 3-131 [especially pp. 116-117], as well as pp. 202ff., p. 267, p. 295, p. 334, etc.) and Augsburg Confession IV & V as the backbone, Giertz shows what it is to be a "rätt präst" ("true/right pastor"): one who is a believer himself, preaches the Gospel in its purity, and administers the sacraments according to the Lord's Word (Augsburg Confession VII). A "true pastor," standing firm in the time-tested Holy Word & Holy Liturgy of the Church (p. 201, pp. 210-211, p. 332), is equipped to care for souls by rightly dividing Law and Gospel (p. 124). To be such a pastor is the prayer of Pastor Torvik in the third novella (p. 335; an autobiographical character?) and should indeed be the prayer of every pastor. The theology of the book is summarized in a fantastic & powerful sermon (pp. 313-320) that every pastor could fruitfully borrow for some Sunday morning Divine Service ("gudstjänst"). Also, every pastor (and lay person) should read this stunning work regularly, though it is rather strange that the last chapter ("I syndares ställe" ["In the Place of Sinners"]) was not translated.

Mainly due to his writings, such as THE HAMMER OF GOD, Giertz went on to become the Bishop of the Göteborg Diocese (1949-70). Both due to his age and position, this was a shock: bishops were commonly selelcted from among Cathedral Deans and University Chairmen of Theology. He also became the leader of the Confessional movement in Sweden ("Kyrklig Samling Kring Bibel o. Bekännelse" ["Churchly Gathering Around Bible and Confession"]) and served as vice president of the Lutheran World Federation (1957-63).

"Hammer of God" is a touching portrayal of the lives of three new pastors coming to terms with how orthodox, Biblical faith can anchor us securely in Christ when rationalism and pietism finally reach their dead ends. In an age where so many fads and philosophies for "growing the church" vie for a pastor's attention and allegiance, "Hammer of God" helps us to come to grips with our calling and our duty to God and His people to bring them the historic, fundamental truths of Christ and His Word. I have read this book a number of times and am always refreshed and renewed again in my desire to be a faithful pastor in Christ's Church.

"Hammer of God" is set in Sweden, when the Swedish Lutheran Church was struggling for its identity. There were many who felt that the "rigid/dead orthodoxy" no longer served a purpose in people's lives. Naturally, nature abhors a vacuum. In place of orthodoxy came two schools of thought: rationalism (scientific thought) and pietism. This masterful volume follows three recent seminary graduates serving their first parishes. Obviously, their mentors are of the "dead orthodoxy" bent. The young pastors feel that the people should be more scientific or live more perfect lives. Needless to say, the new approaches do not work out. Touching is the old soldier, in the throes of senility, barking out fighting orders and using profanity. The young pastor soon realizes that it is by God's grace that we are saved, not in building a better life to become more perfect. This book was required reading at a small Lutheran seminary I attended in Mankato, MN (as was Walther's "The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel."). I will forever be indebted to the professor who required us to read this book. It was very enlightening and graphically displayed Christian faith in action in everyday life.

"This book is a GREAT contribution! It is practical, funny, and outlines an objective approach to shopping for a husband. It provides the brain with a role in the selection process instead of leaving matters to the hormones. My step daughter needs this book to prevent another disaster."

"A terrific book: Not only is it charming and funny, witty and clever, but in between the chuckles and outright laughs is the kind of down-to-earth advice that truly changes your life and improves all relationships."

Susana McMahon, Ph.D. Psychologist and author of "The Portable Therapist"

Although I've been happily married for 16 years I thoroughly enjoyed The Consumers Guide to Husband Material. I found the comparison of "husband" shopping and "car" shopping to be quite entertaining. I would broaden the catagory of "hunter" to include the "hobbiest." The book was very frank in telling the reader what she would get if she chose a specific brand. These brands are very accurate in their portrayal of the male species. I immediately passed this book onto a member of my church who is having difficulty in selecting prospective mates or even dates.

Anyone interested in the modern view of the Jewish faith and the Jewish people must start in the past, and this book is the canonical reference. In addition, anyone who is interested in Biblical history and apologetics will be interested in the reading of this book, as well as those involved in the study of the ancient Greek language. The translator includes passages in original Greek for these readers, and as one who was learning ancient Greek at the time I read it, it was helpful to have these included in the book. It would take an established expert however to judge whether the translation of Whiston, who lived in the time of Isaac Newton, is in any sense an adequate one.

One also learns briefly of the life of Josephus, and gains an insight as to why Josephus chose to write this lengthy history of the Jewish people. What is most interesting about the reading of Josephus is his reliance on Jewish scriptures for delineating the history of the Jewish people before his time. He departs from this however when discussing the events of his own time. In addition, the reader obtains a discussion of the famous passages in Josephus on the historical authenticity of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, these being questioned by some scholars of Josephus.

This is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in Palestine as it was during the intertestimental period. Himself a Jew who was taken captive by his Roman conquerors, Flavius Josephus became an accomplished historian of his day and his writings demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the Romans and Jews of his time. His writings offer insights into Jewish history, religion and customs as well as the war which ended Jewish independence for nearly two thousand years.

As with any account of history, this one bears its own biases and preferences. Begin with a personal study of Josephus and his background and what we know of the production of his historical accounts. From this starting point, however, nothing will prove more satisfying than reading the words of Josephus (in translation) for yourself! This volume begins with the historian's own autobiography and it only gets better as one continues to read.

The value of this volume is threefold, and all are noteworthy.

First, Josephus' account of the historical events and people in Judea during the 1st century A.D. has no peer. Josephus' facts are the most reliable from any secular historian during that period.

Second, Josephus' histories corroborate the Biblical accounts. Josephus, a Jewish general captured by the Romans during Judea's struggle for independence which ended in 70 A.D., mentions John the Baptist, the Herodian rulers of Judea, Pontius Pilate, and Jesus Christ. Josephus "fills in the blanks" by supplying detail not mentioned by the New Testament authors and gives flesh, bone (and blood) to the characters the Gospels and the Book of Acts relates.

Third, the translator, William Whiston, adds insightful and invaluable footnotes throughout the text. Whiston corrects Josephus where necessary or gives the reader more detail in support of Josephus' assertions by reference to other primary sources, many of which are no longer extant. Where Josephus refers to Jewish customs, Whiston explains them for the Gentile reader.

Thus, this book is best used as a reference book, though reading through Josephus' complete works is fruitful. The book is fairly compact for one containing 1000 pages. The pages are thin, which allows for its compact size, but which causes any highlighting or margin notes to "bleed" through to the reverse side of the page. The font size is 10 point, which makes for comfortable reading on the eyes. The appendices contain very helpful charts, including one which lists those excerpts from the Bible which run parallel to Josephus' chapters.

This is a great source book for any historian or Biblical scholar.

The rise of department store culture in late 19th century Paris is the subject of this wonderful novel. It's quintessential Zola, in that the book is a top-notch combination of realistic writing and soap opera. Like other classics by Zola - "L'Assomoir," "Germinal" - "The Ladies Paradise" uses a somewhat overheated storyline to comment on social change and how a rapacious capitalism changed the lives of everyone it touched. The novel is especially poignant in its depiction of small, family-owned businesses which are eventually destroyed by the kind of modern marketing techniques that created the department store. A real page-turner, "The Ladies Paradise" works as both exceptional trash novel and social critique. Zola is a real genius and this, one of his more obscure works, is also one of his best.

"The Ladies Paradise" or "Au Bonheur des Dames" is the continuation of Zola's Rougon-Macquart series. The series' purpose, according to Zola, is to study how environment effects the character of one family line. Three "environments" have appeared in Zola's work: the first is the idyllic countryside, the second is the harsh countryside, and the third is Paris--the city. "Au Bonheur des Dames" is situated in the third of the "environments", Paris.

From his previous works, Paris is already known for its potential as a corruptionist of morality and goodness. Thus, the heroine already is facing an insurmountable task of remaining adverse to Paris' degradation of moral values. She is the ultimate martyr: her sacrifices to her younger brothers seem endless. She scrapes money together to have the youngest in a boarding house for children, and always manage to find money (even in desperate times)to give to the other spendthrift brother. All of these sacrifices she did out of love.

With such heart and of such noble spirit, she enters Paris. She is struck by the first sight she sees in Paris. A gigantic structure has swallowed an entire block of old and fading smaller stores. She is astounded, awed, and fascinated by it. Her loyalty is divided between her Uncle's small clothier and her fascination and desire to work in the store.

"Au Bonheur des Dames" has two stories: (1) the spread of the popularity of department stores and the death of smaller family owned stores in "modern" Paris, and (2) the noble heroine. Will the heroine be crushed by Paris and swallowed up by the department store? Will her nobler spirit defeat all the odds that have been predestined to be against her?

The most surprising event I find was that I did not have to answer with pessimism about "Au Bonheur des Dames". The usual gloom and sense of helplessness and resignation of being human did not reverberate in this novel. Yes, the department thrives and therefore consumed all the "moms and pops" stores along its path, but our heroine conquers that depraved city Paris with her courage, innocence, and nobility.

What a truly remarkable book, as all of Zola's magnificent work. I find this book different from any of the series, because there is more than a sense of hope for humanity in our struggle against corruption, against technological advancement, and our own weakness of spirit.

With his Rougon-Macquart series, Emile Zola established the family saga. He put into naturalistic prose and photographic narrative the tales of a family and how their lives are affected by their surroundings. In L'Assomoir, he focused on the lives of the Provencals, those who live in the French countryside, whose lives may appear peaceful and orderly but might not be at a closer look. In Nana, he wrote about the world of the courtesan or high class prostitute operating in the beauty and sex-obscessed French culture of Paris. In "Au Bonheur Des Dames" (The Lady's Paradise) Zola exposes the capitalism and consumer culture of fashion, as expressed in the sales at the department stores.

It was the time of Karl Marx, a time when conservative elements came into conflict with those of individual expression and equal rights. Previously, Emile Zola's novels were bleak, Dickensian and depressing, making a cynical social commentary that progress and idealism is stifled under staunch older generations of Republican power (in this case the French Second Empire under Louis Napoleon III). He conveyed so much pain and suffering in "Germinal" about the coal mine workers in rural France. Like John Steinbeck of the 19th century, Emile Zola immersed himself in what he wrote, treating people as humanly real as possible, touching a chord to so many for his unabashed truths.

In The Ladies Paradise (the title refers to the name of the high class department store in downtown Paris), Zola portrays the fetish and profitable business of women's fashion. Octave Mouret, who at fist comes off as a money-loving, greedy, corporate seducer learns the value of progress and the rights of the individual. Where as he had always dominated women, manipulating them to buy his endless carrousel of hats, silks, gowns and shoes, he cannot win the affections of the newcomer sales girls Denise.

Denis eyes become our eyes as we see into the sexist world of consumer capitalism. Even today, this holds true. Women are encouraged, enforced and expected to be beautiful and attractive, with 0 size dresses, with fashionable tastes and so forth. Those who cannot meet society's self-imposed ideals of beauty crack under the pressure, becoming anorexic, anxious and sick. Super models, department stores, fashion magazines and the latest trends to look like Britney Spears (and behave just as shallow and air-headed) is the way to happiness they say. Emile Zola completely transports you to Paris of the 1870's and 1880's a time when the world seemed to be losing its better values. Is it still losing its values ? Only through advocating women's rights, individual expression, equality, and less stifling elements in society are we truly to be happy.

Unlike most "religious" category books, this book lacks the preachy quality that causes most readers to not absorb the text. This book insightfully breaks down barriers between different religious beliefs and simply brings forth the universal belief in a higher power. The people that Larry King and Rabbi Katsof chose to interview are made more personable and are made more tangible through their everyday prayers, which are similar to ours, and their quest to be closer to God. This book would make a fabulous holiday gift that is sure to please a recipient of any religious background.

Mr. King delved into the foundation of Spirituality and Religion and made simple an otherwise complex and controversial issue. The book focuses on the individual and his or her communication with God, while setting aside religious beliefs. I would like to recommend to friends who are too formal about prayers and to those who maybe agnostic such as Larry King in his book.

Powerful Prayers is a Must Read Reading Powerful Prayers provides you amazingly simple examples of commuincating with God through personal everyday prayer. It opens the door to an otherwise complex arena of thought. The discussion between Larry King and Rabbi Katsof is sensitive and thought provoking. The interviews add incredible depth to the discussion. They also legitimize informal prayer, and the many different ways people have found to communicate with their respective spiritual beings. I recommend this book to everyone who is open to exlporing their individual communication with God. It is a must read. It has changed my entire understanding or paradigm in regards to my relationship with God outside of a house of worship.