The calibar of Pilgrim's Progress. It sweeps you in and lifts you up! Encouraging and full of wise teaching. Even some you may disagree with, but it challenges you to think on deeper things. A realisitc reminder that we are fallible, broken, but of infinite worth and value. It is a great companion to help lead us onward and upward!

We are using this book in home schooling and love it. We've found difficult theological ideas easier to understand and communicate through the story line Jean Nava uses. My children could identify with the characters and were eager to discuss the book with adults. The adults, in turn, were fascinated by the kids' grasp of such "complex" beliefs. We're very pleased with both the book and study guide. They're well-written and interesting.

Life in the Castle puts out a really new perspective about the Christian walk. Many newborn Christians struggle taking the first steps in the "narrow path". This book will help you understand better what Christian life is all about. I highly recommend it, it's great!

Wonderful book which compliments attachment parenting. Baby animal is shown nursing, no bottles to be found. Baby animal is sleeping with his mama. My son enjoys the illustrations while trying to pull it into his mouth. I purchased both this book and the Papa Papa book which is equally well done.

This book is beautiful - the words and rhythym are so peaceful and loving and the pictures are soothing and life-like. This book embraces the delicate and eternal bond between baby and mom. I know this sounds like an awful lot for a [price] board book, but believe me, it is amazing.

I received this book (and the Papa, Papa book) as a gift when my daughter was born. I read the books to her almost every day. The poem is absolutely delightful! Especially the last part -- I almost cry every time I read it (and I'm not generally sappy).
Buy it!

I stumbled on this book in my elementary school library when I was in 4th grade. The book was already out of print at the time, but I loved it.
It was one of the first books that actually caught my attention long enough for me to read it all the way through. Before this book I had regulated myself to the ranks of Sweet Valley Twins books, and the slightly higher quality Baby Sitters Club series. I might go so far as to credit this book as turning me into an avid reader that has resulted in my being an English major today.
This was just such a touching and magical story. I wish they would re-release it so that someday I can share it with my children.

My gosh! I also read this book as a child and it has stayed with me all these years. I am 36, and I've been looking for this book for years. I thought I had the name wrong, I have also thought maybe I dreamt it! I can't believe this book has astounded so many people, yet remains so elusive! Let's all write the Publisher and get this book back in the public again! Our children should be able to get the pleasure we've received from this book. They too would check it out again and again from the library! It feels good to finally find the author and verify the name of this book at least!

My school librarian recommended this book to me when I was in fifth grade, and like others have said, I checked it out over and over again. I just fell in love with it. It was so magical and mysterious and moving. I felt like I was transported every time I read it.
I'd been trying for years to find it so that I could finally have my own copy. I always checked any book store or website I found to see if they had it, but they never did. Then, this Christmas my aunt gave me the best present I've ever received--my very own copy of To Nowhere and Back! She was able to locate it through Amazon.[com.] I was so happy, I literally cried!
I just finished reading it again, and it was just as wonderful as I remembered. It was just as magical, and even better, this time it reminded me of how it felt to be ten years old. The twenty year search was definitely worth it!

There is such a wealth of knowledge in this little book and if people were to find out how much was contained therein, it would sell for a million dollars a copy. Unfortunately the world has little interest in this kind of outlook and spirituality. Reading it has changed my life and lives of many others. ... So please...buy the original...Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence and you will have the best one to read and meditate on. Have a good day and God bless!

I have to confess I was resistant to reading Trustful Surrender. I am a yoga meditation teacher and I did not want to read another book on Catholic doctrine. (I love the Catholic mystics however). This book was a pleasant and powerful surprise and it had a surprising influence on me. The basic concept is so simple - trustful surrender as an attitude towards ones life. It seems so simple .....till you try it. I discovered how willful and controling I am...and how this willful attitude caused me tension and suffering.

Whether or not your are a Christian, if you can read this with an open mind the concepts presented are revolutionary. The Yoga Sutras, (the yoga version of the Bible) goes on for 190 + terse sentences about all the different yoga practices that will lead to enlightenment and an understanding of oneself....but then in one sentence it says...... All of this can also be accomplished by surrender to God.

Give the book a try. Its well worth (dollar amount).

I just purchased this book and find that the best way to feed my soul with its wisdom is to read and reflect on a small portion each day. I agree with the reviewer who says that not everyone will be able to accept its truths, but for those who can do so quickly (or eventually) it is one of the most perfect paths to peace one can experience. I highly recommend it. Again, it can be difficult to swallow at times, but with adequate contemplation it will become clearer to the point of making perfect sense.

No matter how many times you have answered this question, in your life, to focus upon this question, is to love yourself.

And don't worry about the answers that come to mind. Whatever answers you arrive at, really represent part of your one life principle, which is what you filter all of your decisions through.

Mine is "Serene Samurai," or, "Creative Self-Expression."

Both terms come down to unconditional love.

And both come down to John Powell's message, "True self-esteem and a true sense of identity can be found only in the reflected appraisal of those whom we have loved."

I especially enjoy reading these 2 messages, in "Unconditional Love:

"There may be days when disagreements and disturbing emotions may come between us. There may be times when psychological or physical miles may lie between us. But I have given you the word of my commitment. I have set my life on a course. I will not go back on my word to you. So feel free to be yourself, to tell me of your negative and positive reactions, of your warm and cold feelings. I cannot always predict my reactions or guarantee my strength, but one thing I do know and I do want you to know: I will not reject you! I am committed to your growth and happiness. I will always love you."

"To choose to love as a life principle means that my basic mind-set or question must be: What is the loving thing to be, to do, to say?"

This wonderful book is a continuation of the ideas in "Why am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am;" also by John Powell, S.J.

I picked this book up on what I figured was a fluke. I was at a used book store and the title seemed exactly what I was looking for. I had no idea how true that was! I definitely believe that this was God's plan, and boy am I glad I listened! :)

This book has completely changed my life, and I am thrilled to recommend it to everyone I know! Just ask my friends... LOL I had no idea what I was getting myself into! I have always had a close relationship with my Father in Heaven, but have struggled with self-esteem my whole life because of abuse issues as a child.

This book is SUCH an incredible view into the souls of those who have suffered any kind of abuse -- or for any reason have low self-worth. I could not put it down, and learned SO much about myself!

Thank you SO much for writing such a wonderful book! My life will never be the same again... isn't it great! :)

JL

Many years ago, my father read this book, and viewed it as the most important book he ever read in his life. I, however, did not listen to him. I was a young scientist who knew all too well the pain caused by organized religion, and I wanted no part of anything even remotely related to the catholic church, much less something written by a priest. I didn't even believe in God for many years. After going through a particularily difficult time and growing up a bit, I agreed to read this book, but mostly as a favor to my father. I thought it would help strengthen our relationship. I never anticipated it would help me build my own relationship with God. I never anticipated it would give me a whole new way of thinking. This book speaks to the heart. I guess Father knows best.

This is a lovely book of twenty-one maps presented using the conventions of an atlas, but each map depicts a fictitious area and covers a theme: Secrets, Knowledge, Bad Habits, Home, Boredom, Health, Frozen Wastes, Stream of Ideas, The Isles of Forgetfulness, Mountains of Work, Growth, Chaos, The Void, Adversity, Haute Cuisine, Pleasure, Change, Mortality and Elsewhere.

Each map is preceded by one-and-a-half to two pages of commentary, including quotes, musings and anecdotes. These pages are worthwhile and add to the book's concept. After reading the pages, one can peruse a map and really contemplate its details with a pleasant and unique mix of pleasure and insight.

A loose composite map of all twenty-one areas is included.

This book makes a wonderful gift for those who love maps or for those who are creative and love something imaginative and different. It's beautifully done and the content - the place names, the quotes, the ideas are all something good and interesting.

Filled with provocative quotes, intriguing demographic data, and regions like Mountains of Work, Chaos, and Elsewhere - The Atlas of Experience brings us into a fictional world that is very funny, while also being rich in depth and detail.

The book really does look and feel like an atlas - the maps are beautifully drawn, and the various landmarks have names that are appropriate and reveal considerable thought. For instance, in the region of Adversity, it is possible to stop in at Adrenaline while climbing the Peaks of Euphoria. Of course, you may wind up at the end of a road and find yourself in Exhaustion or Consequences. When you visit Knowledge, you'll find that the Forest of Curiosity is very close to Fantasy and Intuition.

I purchased the book as a gift for a friend who is a geography buff with a creative streak, but now I'm thinking about keeping it for myself. I've enjoyed thumbing through it and discovering mysterious locales like Secrets, Growth, Pleasure and Change. This book would be wonderful for someone who loves maps, travel, geography, or someone who has a rich imagination and who can appreciate Experience and Life being depicted in cartographic form.

Sweet and naive Sandy tries to save his parents and pet chicken from being killed by his greedy and sinister uncles who are after the family money. When this means moving the comatose chicken and parents into the neighboring hospital for the mentally challenged, they will meet and befriend a cast of very endearing yet neglected people. A very warm-hearted story with humor, adventure, and suspense all in one cover. Great imagination!

The book I read was "Love Among the Walnuts" written by Jean Ferris. The theme of

this book starts out in the city with a man named Horatio Alger Huntington-Ackerman. Then the

book ends up in the country where Horatio had married a women named Mousey Malone. The

lived in a huge house they built 40 miles away from Jupiter city. So you think this is a happy

story well your in for a treat this happy story turns into a suspense drama about twenty years

after Horatio and Mousey moved to their house. Yes the word Walnuts is for the mental hospital

called the Walnut Manor that is 1 mile away from the eclipse (that's what Horatio and Mousey

called it).

The first thing I would like to say that this was a enjoying book. My reason is that I liked

how the author gave each character such character. In the book she put so much description and

enthusiasm in her characters. I find that each character has a huge part in this book.

The genre of this adventure/ romance/ and Drama. What I liked about books writing style

is how the author kept you up and ready for the next part that's what I enjoyed mostly about the

book. Her writing also gives you clues and in the end gives the answers part by part. The

author's voice is calm and surprising and I mean that by how she writes this story. Some quotes I

would like to share with you are "It's rather toughing" and " Isn't that sweet". I chose these

quotes for the reason to show how the author portrays her characters and

shows the love between the characters them selves.

Well how I felt about this book is that it was a very calm, easy and soothing book with a

little excitement. I found wanting to read more and more of it when I began. I just wanted to

know happened to these characters and how they handled through any problems or hard ships.. I

would recommend this to anyone with the interest in drama stories.

Wow, Jean Ferris must have some imagination! They book flies with you and you just can't put it down! It definitley deserves more than 5 stars!

Horatio Alger Hungtington-Ackerman has a fortune. Because of his great amounts of money, his two brothers bond in mutual envy. They bring a poisonous cake to dinner one night, and Horatio and his wife Mousey fall into comas. (So does their pet chicken, the subject of many experiments.) Lucky for Mousey and Horatio, their son is there to save the day. If he only knew what to do next. Mousey and Horatio are forced to recieve medicial care, so they are transfered to Walnut Manor, the "loony bin" next door. With the help of his crazy butler, and the not-quite-right residents of Walnut Manor, Sandy eventually saves the day.

The book was hilarious and very compelling. I just couldn't wait to find out what was the next plan of revenge that Sandy's uncles would attempt. I could definitley picture this book as a great movie. I can't wait to read another book by this obviously fantastic author!

Interesting book detailing the life and thoughts of Leonardo Da Vinci. Historical context of the period and biographical information is included. Reading gets a little dry at times. Excellent resource book. Specific topics can be looked up to discover da Vinci's wisdom and insight.

if you are a Da Vinch zealot, you should have it. but, if you need some drawings to study or copy it. don't buy it. the quality of print is not that good, there's a bunch of Da Vinch's memos though...i doubt it's useful for a drawing enthusiast..pretty sure that it's invaluable for people who are studying "Da VinchSTICS".if you are a drwaing enmthusiast you'd better buy da vinch's another drawing books.....

if you are a Da Vinch zealot, you should have it. but, if you need some drawings to study or copy it. don't buy it. the quality of print is not that good, there's a bunch of Da Vinch's memos though...i doubt it's useful for a drawing enthusiast..pretty sure that it's invaluable for people who are studying "Da VinchSTICS".

This is everything a bilingual dictionary should be. Simply the best French/English dictionary out there. I'm really impressed.

This is the only French dictionary you will ever need. It is so thorough, it's unbelievable. I found words that I couldn't even find in my English Random House or Merriam Webster dictionary - amazing! Including a plethora of slang expressions, as well.

The OXFORD HACHETTE bilingual dicttioary is a superlative work. I am using the 1997 edition and it serves me well as a language enthusiast and a translator. It provides many, many different examples of translations, always easy to find and in the idiomatic language. In the French-English section for instance, the development given under the word TEMPS is just oustanding. One learns new ways of saying things: "Ils sont cruels, témoin le massacre de tout un village." - "They are cruel, as evidenced by the massacre of an entire village." This was interesting: "They have been badly serviced by their advisors" -"Les conseillers ne leur ont pas été très utiles." The various encyclopedic features such as the subject and grammar boxes are very useful. One would have liked a more North American approach, or even Canadian, but that does not distract from the overall quality. It is interesting to find a word such as DÉPANNEUR (convenience store), while one cannot find GUIGNOLÉE or BANC DE NEIGE. It is a modern dictionary, with equivalents given for email (one slight mistake there... MESSAGE PRÉCÉDENT given as NEXT) and such things. Verbs, model letters, etc. One would have liked the use of colour, but the dictionary is still well presented. I have used the Harrap's Shorter and I have the Collins Robert on CD-ROM. This is equal to any of them, it is perhaps even superior. Do not hesitate to buy it.

Blue Guitar is a sweet tribute to Jimmy D'Aquisto as a guitar maker and to Scott Chinery as a collector of fine instruments. The impeccable workmanship of the instruments in this book is a small oasis of patience and craftsmanship in a fast-food culture. It provides an insight into the type of people that create these wonderful pieces, as well as the zeal of one person whose passion was acquiring the best of examples of this art form. You don't have to be a guitar junkie to enjoy this book. It's fun to read and real easy to look at.

The book is an execellent reference to anyone interested in the making of guitars, and to know who presently, are among the "elite of luthiers".

Scott Chinnery, an avid collector of guitars, was instrumental in re-igniting a passion for the revival of the arch top, semi-acoustic guitar. It was Chinnery, that approached twenty two of the finest luthiers, and inspired them to the task of creating an eighteen inche (wide) semi-acoustic guitar. Chinnery also requested the guitars be made "blue" - all luthiers used the same color, yet were free to formulate and apply the color as they indivudally desired. The results and finding of this work becomes the topic of the book.

The text presents a challenge to continue the work initiated by these craftpersons. It is "inspirational", and very informative.

What does the ultimate blue archtop guitar look like? 22 master craftsmen were posed with this challenge: "make an 18 inch wide acoustic archtop guitar...make it any way you want, as long as you make it blue."

A virtual competition ensues as the top 'luthiers' get down to business creating their personal vision of the finest blue archtop. Scott Chinery, a collector of fine guitars had amassed a collection numbering over a thousand pieces when he had the notion to commission the best craftsman to make a blue archtop. You don't even have to love guitars to appreciate the wonderfully varied interpretations that came about as a result. The pride of craftsmanship shines through on each and every meticulously crafted piece. This is a handsome book richly filled with photographs of these masterpieces in blue, and the talented men and women behind them. This book is a gem for the price.