Compiled, written and edited by Barry Alfonso, The Billboard Guide To Contemporary Christian Music presents information on hits, trends, controversies, stars, and more in the world of contemporary Christian music. An A-Z encyclopedia format, The Billboard Guide To Contemporary Christian Music provides basic biographical information on the most well-known artists, a solid history of Contemporary Christian Music since its origin, and a great deal more. The Billboard Guide To Contemporary Christian Music is highly recommended as a resourceful introduction and guide to an increasingly popular music genre.

The three pieces at the beginning of this book (counting the introduction, and the two long essays) are very educational to anyone who has listened to CC music yet never fully understood the historical precedent for its various anomalies. I thought it was key that Mr. Alfonso mentioned the Council of Trent point regarding forbidden images and the spiritual arbiters who raised the alarm to "protect us" from unsuitable art. This attitude still seems to be circumscribing the current, carefully polished CCM image. I also enjoyed the little story about Abe Lincoln's parents at the tent revival-they might have been describing a Benny Hinn revival from last week. I guess there really is nothing new under the sun. The characters the author spotlights in his introduction are all fascinating, or at least he makes them seem so. It's interesting that he chose to trace the baton back to these odd-balls instead of dwelling on the rather banal stories of most of the current stars. His appreciation for the music is obvious, and the generous encyclopedia entries are done with careful sensitivity to the artist's intent. There are no harsh generalizations or condescending cheap shots about the music. Each artist's merit is weighed on singular terms, and each is given credit for his/her/their positive contributions to the genre. I also enjoyed Alfonso's interview with Bruce Cockburn, especially Bruce's funny line about not wanting to be labeled a Christian-artist (hyphenated), "I'm also a Christian who goes to the bathroom". Thanks for the enlightenment. This is a highly readable book, not just a quick reference tome. I hope it sells as well as it deserves to sell. I'll make sure my Christian friends know about it...

This book will almost certainly be compared to mine so I want to be among the first to come out with a strong endorsement of it. Alfonso covers a wide variety of artists in short compass, including all of Christian music's current stars and the most important acts from its thirty year history. A wide variety of styles are represented and Alfonso traverses the varied landscape like a seasoned pro, introducing us to critics' favorites, industry darlings, edgy cult artists, and mainstream Dove Award winners.

The heart of the book is it's A - Z listing of over 100 artists. These entries are well-researched and accurate, written in a lively style that never fails to capture the unique appeal of each performer. Christian music fans can review career summaries of their favorite artists and then browse around in the book to discover new performers they might have missed. Or, the book could easily be read from cover-to-cover to gain a good overview of all that the Christian music scene has to offer. It is organized in a reader-friendly format with photos and discographies that make it fun and accessible.

Note that the book also contains an introductory history of contemporary Christian music, interviews with several artists, and a helpful index. What more could you want? This is a wonderful book! I can't imagine any fan of Christian music not wanting a copy.

(The writer of this review is author of the book Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, published by Hendrickson in 2002).

The story of a 17th century Portuguese nun hardly sounds like inspiring material for a gripping historical novel. Yet Katherine Vaz overpowers the reader with the richness and humour of her writing.

I defy anyone not to fall in love with Sister Mariana de Alcoforado, an aristocratic girl sent to the convent at Beja in Southern Portugal because her elder sister married first. Mariana is still famous in Portugal - as she was throughout Europe in the seventeenth century - for the beautiful, astonishingly frank love letters she sent the French officer who abandoned her after a brief but all-consuming affair. While the letters, in a new translation by Vaz, appear at the centre of the novel and the effects of the affair resonate throughout Mariana's life, the book and Mariana are much grander and more powerful than a simple love story. The book deftly sets the true story of a nun's passion into the richly imagined details of the rest of her life, all against the background of Portugal's desperate struggle to free itself from Spanish rule.

Vaz's imagination and the extraordinary mixture of believable reality and wild spirituality match the best of Isabel Allende. Like Allende she leads us tenderly but mercilessly from scenes of delicious humour - the resurrection of drunken plucked geese, to wrenching courage - the old nun who goes blind playing her beloved organ all night during the plague. Throughout, the character of Mariana is indomitable, grabbing at joy, pain and love with arms wide open, as she inspires and enriches the lives of all those who come into contact with her, including this reader.

I found a copy of this book in a small bookstore in the Middle East. Little did I know that it was out of print and that it would become such a treasured find. I bought it because I couldn't forget the haunting words on the back cover of the book that said "...this nun with that ardent soul whose fiery mark is left for us in her letters." Once I started reading the book, I found I couldn't put it down. It's so easy to relate to Marianna, as a woman, as a seeker of love, of God, of what we all want....complete unity. This is much more than a love story, much more than love letters sent, only to be rejected. It is a story about finding our divinity in life. If you are at all interested in these subjects, you will not only love this book, you will cherish it as a gift. ( For anyone who is interested in related items to this subject, there is a movie available on DVD called, Anchoress. It's all done in black and white and has haunting poetry in its imagery. )

A truly remarkable and well-crafted book. The novel is based on actual love letters that were written by the nun Mariana Alcofardo. Katherine Vaz is an academic but writes pure poetry painting a vivid picture of life in Portugal during the 17th century. I learned about the food , customs,life as women and daughters of wealthy landowners and above all an intimate insight into life in a convent. As the story is set during the prolonged war with Spain the love affair itself is fascinating between Mariana( a Nun) and her french soldier. The love affair is more about Mariana's desperate and all-consuming passion, she is rightly described as the Nun who loved too much. A beautiful, beautiful story well worth reading. Something to sweep you off your feet.

This is a well written group of trickster tales. It gives us a glimpse of what the Native Americans used to teach their children. The Trickster Tales gives the average person the ability to enjoy a piece of Native American culture. Pick up this book and you will read about a trickster tale lesson!

For many years the "Trickster" and it's charecteristic was unknown to me. I heard this name everywhere when it came to native american studies, but I never knew how important is to get to know my own Trickster. this book help us all to find that within us.

Where was this book published? That is what I was asking myself after seeing this book at a local bookstore. As an avid collector of interior design/architecture books, I was stunned to see the quality of the photographs in the pages of the book. Some of the designers I have never heard of, but others are very respected individuals in their profession. I initially thought the $45 was a bit steep, but after owning and enjoying this book for the last couple months, I must say it is a very worthy purchase. Even the Design Diva Perla Lichi is in this book! Buy it, you won't be disapointed.

I didn't expect this book to be the beautiful publication that is is. I read a very favorable review of the book in local paper, so I decided to buy a copy for myself. I was very surprised by the editorial quality of the book. I am bilingual and the writers of this book are top notch, in both languages. The book is in english and spanish, which I love because I know both languages. The photographs are really stunning, and give some remodeling ideas as well. In fact I recently moved into a new home and I use some design ideas from the book! I loved reading the projects about the interior designers in this 2000 version of the "Design" series coffeetable books. I am sure that if you purchase this book, you'll be very happy with your purchase. According to the book, there is a DESIGN 2001 coming later this year, along with an ART 2001 book as well. I look forward to these releases with great anticipation. Meanwhile this book replaces my previous home design book on my coffeetable.

I left Cuba 40 years ago and reading Cuba Natural has brought me memories that were buried by time and distance. The bilingual approach helped me identify the flora and fauna of Cuba as it relates to names I only knew in English. The book is extremely entertaining and well written and I recommend it to anyone interested in the animals, and plants in the Cuba.

This is a fun well made book that anyone can read and apresiate. It's in spanish & english half & half. The pictures that are in the book are mind blowing. The author Silva Lee who is also the fotographer seems to have a divine touch with a camara becouse some of the pictures in this book are godly. I was given this book as a gift when it came out three years ago. I still don't grow tired of looking at the picture. If you like cuba and/or are from cuba this is a must have.

More than an A to Z compilation of over 250+ films, Garcia-Osuna casts an intellectual's perception over every entry, examining each film for its cinematic and ideological values. A very valuable text for its perspicasity, the author sees Cuban film as part of the cultural fabric of the nation's political history, pre- and post-Castro. Gorgeously illustrated and the only one of its kind published by McFarland in English, I would recommend this book for all cinema buffs, library collections and especially to Hispanic readers who have very little knowledge of Cuban films from the turn of the century to the present.
Dr.Ronald Schwartz, Prof.of Film, Department of English
Columbia University

This book includes everything. It is a great reference book. The author's critiques are very useful. The summaries don't ruin the endings, but do give the reader an overview of the movie.

It is an exceptional, and very rare scholarly work of incredible science that tries to avoid human biases that can easily creep into
the evaluation of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, and other therapies. As other good reviewers have said this book is very
comprehensive and written for the advanced reader but it is a MUST for ALL and should be mandatory reading for any
progressive school or person. The book discusses several human brain conditions from anxiety all to way to schizophrenia, and
discusses their definition, diagnosis, origins, prevalence, reasons for existing, etc.... What I specifically noted about this book,
apart from all the good that has been written, is its attempt to remove, as much as possible, human biases in the science of
psychology, and psychiatry and to just state "Just the facts mam". They even admit to the pitfalls of the traditional fields of
psychology, and psychiatry (e.g. psychoanalysis). A MUST for those wanting to move on beyond the traditional psychobable
and self-help; towards real science.

An extremely interesting book detailing evolutionary human behavior. Covers a very wide range from the history of evolutionary
thinking to the latest views. Includes: kin selection, friendship, family, group, and tribal behavioral dynamics as viewed from an
evolutionary point of view.

For further reading:
The Moral Animal : The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology by Robert Wright
Charles Darwin by John Bowlby
Evolutionary Psychiatry : A New Beginning by Anthony Stevens, John Price
Darwinian Psychiatry by Michael T. McGuire, Alfonso Troisi

The authors are accomplished psychiatrists who here bring together the wealth of information from contemporary biology, studies of animal behavior, and evolutionary theory, to consider their impact on the practice of psychiatry. Darwinian Psychiatry is an amazing book for its scholarship, erudition, and comprehensiveness. It shows decisively how the mind/body and nature/culture dichotomies are not only pointlessly wrong but scientifically and medically dangerous. It is by no means a simple book to read because of the density of technical information. But it is relatively jargon-free and designed to be helpful to medics interested in treating sick people as well as scientists pursuing fundamental studies. It is a work of quite bewilderingly impressive skill.

I was first assigned this book as required reading by one of the authors, Dr. Alfonso Montuori (who also happens to be my academic advisor). Now that you know my relation to the author and my possible bias, let me tell you how wonderful this book is.

From Power to Partnership offers an inspiring glimpse at how people across disciplines are enacting the Partnership way of being as espoused by Riane Eisler in the Chalice and Blade. The authors describe Eisler's basic principles of Partnership Social Systems and then proceed to offer examples of Partnership ways of being and doing in relationships, culture, education, and in connection with the environment. This book brings to life the Dominator-Partnership paradox and continuum.

Interviews with real people are eloquently weaved with factual information and the author's own voices to keep the reader interested in- and reflective upon- the world situation today and the impending paradigm shift in how we relate to one another. My husband, a musician, found the book extremely interesting and motivating. He passed the book along to other musicians, several educators, and a few home school families. All of those folks have found the information both eye opening and reinforcing of their own values.

Though the book was written some ten years ago, the information remains extremely relevant. As we continue to live in a world plagued by war and disease we are more in need of Partnership values and ways of being then ever before.

A must read!!! The authors are brillant in mapping out the roadmap to successul partnership. A partnership between you and any other, being a company (alliance, joint venture, acquisition) or you and a loved one. Check out Fast Company Magazine in November 1998 -- which Partnership will be featured.

This is the most complete book I've ever read about the Mother of God. Saint Alphonsus Liguori analyses with great detail and precision, but always using a perfectly clear language, the decisive role of Saint Mary in the salvation of human souls and her essential contribution to keep them away from sin and eternal condemnation. It is deplorable that the post-Vatican II modernist Church has almost forgotten these fundamental teachings.

This is one of the richest and most vivid Marian texts I have read in a long time. I highly recommend this text to anyone interested in Marian theology or anyone devoted to the Rosary and Marian piety. It is a classic.

It includes meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary, sermons on the primary liturgical feasts of Mary and prayers to Mary. It is thorough. Each expositional section concludes with a prayer and example.

If you enjoyed Thomas A Kempis' Imitations of Christ, you will love this book.

After reading "Flanders" by Patricia Anthony, and loving it, I decided to read another of her books, and "God's Fires" was the one I found at the bookstore. The decision to purchase it is one that I will not regret, for it is a wonderful, and well-written, work of fiction. The year is 1662, and a feeble-minded but good-natured teenager reigns in Portugal, but the Inquisition actually rules. In a remote village strange sights appear, and an "acorn" crashes to earth, leaving two live, and one dead, "creatures". But what exactly are these beings, and what about the other signs and wonders appearing in the area? The Holy Office of the Church will get to the bottom of the mystery, or people will burn. This book shows the fine line between faith and fanaticism, courage and foolishness, and love and lust. The language is all that I had expected from the author of "Flanders", and the pure emotion of this book practically leaps off of the page at you. The Church, and certain clergymen, do not fare well in their portrayal, but then, the Church has much to apologise for concerning the Inquisition. As I said when I reviewed "Flanders", read this book!

A "star" falls from the sky near Quintas in Portugal during the days of the Inquisition and the town is shaken by rumours of miracles and an outbreak of blatant heresy---all of which we folk of the 20th century might instead leap to interpret in terms of a clash between modern science and our own popular UFO mythology, although of course our theologians and politicians would also find plenty to say. Likewise, Quintas becomes the focus of an urgent Holy Office investigation conducted by an incompatible, bickering team of harassed priests and secular lawyers whose views range from the skeptical to the credulous, the politically expedient to the mystical. The mentally retarded, adolescent King Afonso sets up camp near the fallen "acorn", convinced by telepathic dialogue with the damaged space-vessel's failing computer that God is granting him personal revelations about the nature of the universe. While the confused young king shocks the assembled clergy with his Galilean heresies, including a quaint though accurate (according to current astronomical tenets) description of the formation of the solar system, his brother Pedro mounts an efficient political coup and wrests the regency from Count Castelo Melhor. And two silent, passive, enigmatic aliens docilely allow themselves to be imprisoned, gazing upon their captors with huge, unfathomable black eyes. Imps, demons, angels, pygmies from Africa or Borneo, strange New World animals "catapulted" into Portugal by the Spanish foe in a fiendish plot to sow civil disorder?

Anthony's ruthless and provocative account of the imaginary happening provides a lucid demonstration of how the unprecedented and the mysterious can only be analyzed and (mis)understood in terms of the prevailing beliefs of the time---its religious and philosophical convictions, the state of its scientific knowledge, its political prejudices, its popular myths and superstitions.

But this is also a novel of great humanity, with a cast of well-drawn, sympathetic, and lifelike characters whose interplay is both tragic and exalting: the soul-searching Jesuit Manoel Pessoa, a rationalist without faith, who hopes at first to defuse the dangerous situation with a cursory proforma inquiry sparing the Quintans dire consequences; his lover Berenice, a herbalist of Jewish origin, who cures the town's sick and is shunned as a witch; the kindly old Franciscan Soares, who believes in the angels; the selfish and gluttonous Inquisitor-General Gomes, who overrides the tribunal with his authority to light the pyres; the tense mystic Bernardo; the enchantingly quixotic King Afonso. "God's Fires" is a story of passion and doomed lives written with insight, biting humour, and bitterness---a far larger book than its disguising science-fiction component would immediately suggest.

What a fine (if lengthy) novel. High themes and low farce combine in this genre-busting book. It ain't quite science fiction and it ain't quite historical fiction, but who cares? I would guess that fans of this book will enjoy "An Instance of the Fingerpost," and vice versa.