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Book reviews for "Owen,_John" sorted by average review score:

The Spirit of Anglicanism: Hooker, Maurice, Temple
Published in Paperback by Morehouse Publishing (1986)
Authors: William J. Wolf, Owen C. Thomas, and John E. Booty
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A developing spirit...
William Wolf's book explores the diversity of theological development in the Anglican Communion by bringing together descriptions and analyses of three major Anglican thinkers'Hooker, Maurice, and Temple'to illustrate both historical development and breadth of range of what can be classified as 'Anglican' theology. Wolf concedes that there are many other theologians who might have been included; the Anglican Communion doesn't have a definitive person (apart from Jesus Christ)''the Anglican Communion sets aside no special authoritative place for a great reforming figure such as Luther or Calvin'' (p. 137) Wolf also states that 'the Communion has unfortunately produced no systematic theologians of the first rank.' (p. 137). That being said, the theological thoughts and development presented for Hooker, Maurice, and Temple illustrate the branching streams that feed Anglicanism today, a stream that continues to branch forward.

Richard Hooker
Hooker was alive and active as a theologian during a tumultuous period in the development of the Church of England as a distinct body. Politics entered into church affairs on a grand scale; the idea that church and state issues were one in the same was as strong in England in the sixteenth century as it ever was in any continental kingdom or empire. Religious tolerance was a new concept, imperfectly conceived; the idea that each kingdom must be united in religious practice was strong. Hooker was an active apologist for the Church of England, his main opponent being the Puritan factions. 'Hooker's magnum opus was addressed to Puritans who attacked the church of England in the name of a purer, more scriptural ecclesiastical settlement.' (p. 9)

F.D. Maurice
Maurice would agree with Hooker that prayer is social action. Working in the nineteenth century, Maurice was exposed to the social ills that befell England as an imperial power in simultaneous growth and decay. The situation in society was deteriorating. 'Maurice saw that this social breakdown was rooted in a theological breakdown.' (p. 50) Maurice was unique in that he lived a prophetic life (and, like many prophetic persons, was often disliked for his prophecy). He made 'Christology the starting point of all Christian theology and ethics' and made Christ the central focus of all he said and did. (p. 49) Maurice made the Gospel the centrepoint of his educational philosophy, as well as the call not for revolution, but for regeneration of English society upon a truly Christian foundation. (pp. 64-67)

Maurice's view of theology is, like Hooker and Temple, rooted firmly in the communal action of the Book of Common Prayer. 'The Prayer Book becomes the key for understanding the views of the Church of England on the six signs of the Catholic Church,' these six signs being baptism, creeds, forms of worship, eucharist, ordained ministry, and the Bible. (p. 61) This practical and tradition approach was in keeping with the general spirit of the English society. 'Maurice expressed both English empiricism against the conceptualism of continental thinkers and the Anglican's respect for historical institutions as points of departure for theological analysis.' (p. 72)

William Temple
Temple was, in the words of G.B. Shaw, 'a realised impossibility.' A man born and raised in the church, he rose to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury and made the broad church appeal for Anglicanism that renewed its spirit for the mid-twentieth century. 'The general tendency of his faith and theology was toward a more catholic or orthodox position. But this was always balanced by his concern for freedom in doctrine and by his generally liberal attitude of mind.' (p. 104) Temple saw an intimate connection with God through Jesus Christ, perhaps thinking in proto-process theological terms by believing that 'because of Jesus' perfect union and communion with God, it can be asserted that in him God has a real experience of human life, suffering and death.' (p. 112) For Temple, this communion and experience is worked out both individually and communally''the inner unity of complete personality and the outer unity of a perfected fellowship as wide as humanity.' (p. 117)

Temple felt it important to be open to new ideas and developments modernity (perhaps a reaction to having been raised in an era with the expectation of long-term stability and subsequently living in a world turned upside-down by warfare and other social change). Temple felt that freedom of churches and freedom of individuals for inquiry and development, with the guidance of the Spirit, was more important than a rigid adherence to tradition. 'Temple was quite open to the new truth and insights of the modern world and to the critical and constructive use of reason in Christian faith and life. this can be seen clearly in his commitment to philosophic truth.' (p. 133) This, coupled with his call to social action by the church and the working out of Christian faith in everyday life and action, made Temple a major ecumenical figure.

The Current Spirit of Anglicanism
A key word for the current spirit of Anglicanism is comprehensiveness. Anglicanism incorporates catholics and protestants, literalists and agnostics, high church, low church, broad church, in all ways these terms can be defined. 'The Anglican synthesis is the affirmation of a paradoxical unity, a prophetic intuition that Catholicism and Protestantism'are not ultimately irreconcilable.' (p. 143)

The current spirit of Anglicanism is largely based upon Scripture, tradition and reason, with definitions of these three varying a great deal. The authority of Scripture is important, but this does not mean a literalist view. The authority of tradition, best summed up by adherence to the Book of Common Prayer's liturgical forms, is locally adaptable. Reason is used to interpret both the authority of Scripture and of tradition, but must be held in restraint by these as well. 'The spirit of Anglicanism ought in its rich resources to find the wisdom to retain its identity and yet to develop through constructive change to meet the demands of the fast-approaching world of the twenty-first century.' (p. 187)


To Be Gifted and Learning Disabled: From Definitions to Practical Intervention Strategies
Published in Paperback by Creative Learning Pr (1991)
Authors: Susan M. Baum, John Dixon, and Steven V. Owens
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The book gives you a better understanding of this phenomena.
Susan Baum's book helps parents, teachers, and other interested parties understand the gifted/learning disabled phenomena. Being "tiwice exceptional" is frustrating for all involved, but especially for the student. This book details diagnosis and intervention suggestions that help immensely. This is one of the best of the few books available concerning this learning problem.


Wilfred Owen: Selected Letters
Published in Paperback by Oxford University Press (1986)
Authors: Wilfred Owen, John Bell, and M. Bell
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A Poet's Journey
Anyone with a passing interest in writing or soldiery should read this book. Owen's passions, ambitions, times, the arc of his life, they're all here. Biographers analyze, novelists rearrange for dramatic impact, Owen wrote for no public audience and yet these letters beat them all. The equal of Keats' letters on poetry. Underappreciated and miraculous.


The World's Greatest Buildings: Masterpieces of Architecture & Engineering (Time-Life Guides)
Published in Hardcover by Time Life (1900)
Authors: Henry J. Cowan, Ruth Greenstein, Bronwyn Hanna, John Haskell, Trevor Howells, Deborah Malor, John Phillips, Thomas A. Ranieri, Mark Stiles, and Bronwyn Sweeney
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Great Guide to the world's greatest architectural designs!
This book is indeed a masterpiece and it is great for someone who is studying to be an engineer or is interested in architecture. It is fantastic and has everything from the Lovely Louvre to the palace at Petra, from the Great Golden Gate to the construction of the Chrysler. It shows fine examples of art deco, modern, classical, Greek, Muslim etc. architectural wonders. It not only explains and shows the construction of these great buildings, but for certain buildings it also shows their plan, it's legends, along with information about who built it, why did they build it, whom did it build it for, when was it built, and where it is. It also has sections showing the greatest styles of architecture ever used along with a series of historic sites in the world. All in all this is a fantastic and very useful guide to the masterpieces of Architecture and Engineering.

-------------------------AHMED MASHHOOD--------------------------


The Best 311 Colleges: 1998 (Princeton Review Series)
Published in Paperback by Princeton Review (1997)
Authors: Edward T. Custard, Christine Chung, John Katzman, Zachary Knower, Tom Meltzer, Eric Owens, and Princeton Review
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very uneven in accuracy and emphasis
Much of the data, SAT scores and other info, was at least a year or two out-of-date. The preface stated the SAT scores would all be on the newly recentered scale, but were not.The narratives are often not changed much, if any, from year-to-year, so how up-to-date are they?The weighting system for evaluation favors Princeton U. strengths, so Princeton U. came out as best overall undergraduate experience (no surprise for Princeton grad editors!!) And, the book devotes as much space to schools of 500 as it does to schools of 50,000! There is a huge amount of variation between the academic experience of a P.E. major and a nuclear physics major at these big schools, and I'm sure one number rating for academic quality cannot do justice to both. But the book gives a good overall flavor, and I hope (presume) the numbers are overall reasonably accurate. If they gave one overall rating and publicized it, this would be more cited, I believe, than the U.S NEWS survey.

The Best College Guide to Competitive Colleges
Of the 6 guides we used in our college search, we found this to be the most complete and useful with unbiased information about academics, quality of life and admissions. The Fiske Guide to Colleges was probably the second most informative.

A good resource for finding the perfect college
I thought that this book was perfect!! I've seen others of its kind and there is no comparison because it offers how the students view the school


Little John
Published in Audio Cassette by Publishing Mills (1994)
Author: Howard Owen
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Highly Recommended !
Owen writes an interesting story told from several views, about an elderly man reflecting on the past and his indiscretions. The tale is rewarding and emotional...an excellent book!

An overwhelming read that will touch your soul.
I was a bit apprehensive when someone first told me about this book. Normally, I read action and adventure thrillers but I was convinced to read this book. By the time I finished the book, I was overwhelmed at the life that Littlejohn lived. This book is a fascinating read for anyone who wishes they could take something back that they did wrong in their lives. I know I wish I could take certain things back but after you read this novel, you will have a new perspective on your mistakes. Definitley a must read.

A moving look into a life that we have not seen.
Lttlejohn is a man with a past. He feels a guilt he carries with him all his life. Howard Owen gets into this man and gives him to the reader as a man you would love to know, be with, talk to and love. The insight into how he has to live with his memory of shooting and killing his brother, his unknowing marrage to his brother's child and the shame of going through most of his life not able to read and write. Intertwined are reflections from his daughter about her life and her life with her father and her love for him. We meet his 15 year old grandson and are treated to the thoughts and reactions of his short time with him and with the problems he has with his own life. Grandpa teaches him in a kind understanding way. This book has had a stong impact on my life and how I now look at older people and wonder about stories they could tell. Howard owen has done us all a great service by giving us Littlejohn.


A Prayer for Owen Meany
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (1999)
Author: John Irving
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A wonderful book
Q: Why do I think John Irving is a genius? A: Because I read A Prayer for Owean Meany about 5 years ago.

This is absolutely the best book I have ever read. This novel reminds me of Flannery O'Connor's literature, but I never found a character in her works that I fell in love with like I did with Owen Meany.

Some of my friends said the book drags too much in the middle, so if you lose interest in things easily, I wouldn't imagine you would be patient enough to finish this book. Granted, there are some scenes that are slow moving, but I enjoyed every single page in this book.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under 17, only because you need to be at least that old to understand the Christian imagery which is so important to the novel. But even as an adult, each time I read it, I find something I missed before. That's the beauty of truly good writing.

Yes, a great book, but not everyone agrees.
I discovered Irving when Garp was published and became an instant fan. I went back and read his earlier novels (OK, but nothing really special) and went forward as new novels were published. From _Hotel New Hampshire_ to _Cider House Rules_ to _Owen Meany_, they just seemed to get better and better. (_Son of the Circus_ was a major disappointment, but he can't always top himself) However, although Irving has the rare ability to combine wonderful storytelling with profound ideas and present them in wonderfully crafted prose that appeals to a broad range of readers, I *have* met a few people who can't stand the book. I hesitate to recommend it--or anything--too highly, having been greatly disappointed myself after listening to someone's rave reviews of, say, _The Horse Whisperer_. All that aside, however, Owen Meany is one of the finest novels I've ever read, on my Top Five (which I'm simply going to have to expand to a Top Ten--I'm just not sure I could get them all to the island. I'm not a very strong swimmer.) Irving's heavy use of coincidence, which has bothered me a bit in some of his other works, operates in Owen Meany to support the whole idea of destiny. Perhaps this is a sub-text of all of Irving's work (intentionally or not), but it is certainly most effective in Owen Meany. I've read this novel several times and always find something new in it

Buy this book, because you won't just read it once.
I had been a John Irving fan, and I still contend that "The World According to Garp" is the perfect novel, but I wasn't at all prepared for the soul jolting effect of "A Prayer for Owen Meany." I agree with others reviews which state that the modern-day sections lag way behind the flashbacks, but isn't that really an intentional thing? Showing how adult day-to-day living pales to the memories of discoveries from our youth? In particular this character's youth. For anyone considering reading this book, know one thing. It's 673 pages long, and on page 670 something happens which changes every single word, every idea, every facet of all the characters in the book. You close the book shell- shocked from the effect. You simply must tell someone- Right Then! - about it. Find that someone and read the book at the same time.


The Pk Man: A True Story of Mind over Matter
Published in Paperback by Hampton Roads Pub Co (2000)
Authors: Jeffrey, Ph.D. Mishlove and John E. Mack
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A compelling and entertaining read!
This case study, told by psychologist Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, would be impossible to believe -- if it were not for the fact that the author has been known to me, and millions of others, for over a decade as the dignified and intelligent host of the national, public television series, Thinking Allowed.

PK Man deals with phenomena that are mostly relegated to fictional accounts like Harry Potter, Star Trek or the X-Files. But, Mishlove's documentation is impeccable in convincing me that the events he describes actually did take place. And, as Mishlove concludes, the case deserves further study because phenomena of this type are rare.

The book is about Ted Owens, who died in 1987 and who was studied by Mishlove for more than ten years. Owens claimed that he was in telepathic contact with hyperdimensional beings he called the "Space Intelligences." By virtue of this connection, Owens attempted to prove -- over and over again -- that he could control large-scale events such as hurricanes, climatic changes, UFO sightings, poltergeist phenomena, and power blackouts.

Ted Owens called himself the "PK Man." PK stands for psychokinesis, the parapsychological term for mind over matter. Typically, Owens would produce his forecasts, in writing, to Mishlove and other scientists in advance of the actual events. Newspaper descriptions and eye-witness accounts would follow. The events forecast by Owens (who claimed he would actually be "causing" them -- with the help of the Space Intelligences) were quite unusual and highly unlikely. That any of them at all happened, in fact, is strange enough. But, Mishlove documents dozens of such events. So, the big questions are: was this mere coincidence? Did Owens actually cause the events as he claimed, or did he predict them? Either possibility is extremely interesting.

The events that Mishlove describes are highly dramatic. I imagine some Hollywood studio will want to create a feature film about this book. The special effects would be incredible. And the story is very compelling. But, more important, the book raises significant issues about the nature and power of human consciousness itself. This is the part that is intriguing to me, as I imagine it will be to many readers of this book.

Ever since the days of William James, America's first psychologisy who lived a century ago, researchers have been presenting their case for the existence of paranormal abilities. I think that Mishlove's book may well be the most forceful account available and deserves careful reading.

One more thing. In addition to raising all sorts of compelling questions, the book is well written and is an excellent read.

Everything in this book CAN and HAS be done.
Many people will become VERY angry about this book.

Some will become angry because they assume they spent money on trash.

Others will become angry because they will begin to understand that they have denied their God given power for years.

I wish to give Dr. Mishlove two thumbs up for his masterful research and doccumentation.

Ted Owens lived far from a saintly life, and had a fragile ego, and used his power for both positive and negative ends, and he will be held accountable for the way he used or misused this power.

Now to Mr. Owens idea that he communicated what he wanted done to Space Intelegences (SIs) Twitter and Tweeter, and they were the ones that carried them out. In my opinion; Tweeter and Twitter did not actualy exist. I believe they were only figments of his imagination in an attempt to seperate him from the responsibility of what he did.

Rabbi Yonasson Gershom wrote a terific review below. However; he is in error about one thing. It IS possible for mankind to affect the weather. The American Indian has influenced the weather for Millennia. I say weather modification can be done because I have done it myself.

I have doccumentation where I have taught students to direct this force (Akasha, Ch'i, Itaki, Ki, Mana, Manitou, Nuwati, Orgone, Orenda, Ruach and many other names) and punch holes in clouds, affect candle flames, and more.

I also have doccumentaion where I have affected the energy field of people from thousands of miles away.

The good Rabbi is absolutely correct about evil and negative entities. I also have doccumentation where I have performed house blessings and exorcisms.

In "Chi Kung: For Health and Vitality" Sifu Wong doccuments sending ch'i to a person 2000 miles away for healing.

In one chapter of this Book Dr. Mishlove doccuments a sudden onset of a severe sore throat immediately following a heated telephone discussion with Ted, then Ted calling Dr. Mishlove two hours later appologizing, and promising never to do that again, and the sore throat left as suddenly as it appeared.

This also can be done. In several of the case reports of "Recovering The Ancient Magic", and "The Secret Science Behind Miracles" Max Freedom Long doccuments some Hawaiian Kahunas using the death prayer and killing people in a matter of days, whether the intended victim was aware of the curse or not.

Dr. Alberto Villoldo a deffinate disbeliever at the time doccuments where he tests a Shaman to affect his health negatively from thousands of miles away, and doccuments it in his book "Shaman, Healer, Sage".

I only hope that people will raise the blinders and become aware of the power given to us by our Creator, and use it for the betterment of mankind.

We should use this power to heal mother earth and all of our relations.

Please E-Mail me if you have questions or comments about my review. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

An amazing story
This is a story of a PhD candidate's interaction with a unique man, Ted Owens. He claimed to influence weather, fix professional sporting events, and remotely influence people and things. Unfortunately, the combination of Ted's personality and the narrow studies of those with whom he interacted, there was no true scientific study on his psycho-kinetic abilities.

This a is great intermittent story about a man who no one took seriously. Although I would like to think that this world is more open minded now than in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, I still believe that if Ted Owens brought his story to these researchers again, the only one who might have studied him would have been John Mack, and only due to the extraterrestrial claims.

This is a great read. Dr. Mishlove leaves you wishing that someone had actually sponsored a scientific study of all of his claims.


Frozen In Time: The Fate of The Franklin Expedition
Published in Paperback by Greystone Publishing (2000)
Authors: Owen Beattie and John Geiger
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Good book, not great
I would use this book to complete a collection on polar exploration and the search for the Northwest Passage; however, this wouldn't be my starter book. By itself, the book unravels a great historical mystery, of why the Franklin crew vanish so mysteriously. However, I rap the book for failing to fully exploit the potential tail before it. With the loss of 129 lives, abandoning the ship, and eventual cannibolism, there's a great story waiting to be told. Alas, this book does not do it. Instead, it concentrates on the archeological aspects of uncovering the mystery of why the Franklin expidition vanished, which is only semi-interesting.

Graphic and Chilling
While not perhaps a "must-have" for aficionados of the field of polar literature, this is nevertheless a very good book and is well suited as a sort of primer to those who have only a casual interest in the subject.

The book provides a brief outline of disappearance the Franklin Expedition on its quest for the Northwest Passage in the early 1800s and the aftermath of the search conducted by various international parties, government and otherwise. It then relates the events of three research expeditions undertaken by the author, a forensic anthropologist who was interested in finding and reviewing various skeletal remains originally discovered decades after the loss of the Franklin party.

Eventually, he concentrates his efforts on exhuming the frozen bodies of three crewmen who had died in the Franklin Expedition's first icebound season, before they had well and truly plunged irrevocably into tragedy. These men had been buried in well-prepared graves on a small island north of Canada's Hudson Bay. Even to this day, the bodies remain fantastically preserved, and the author was able to uncover intriguing evidence that suggests that the expedition did not succumb in a heroic struggle against the large and grand forces of nature, but rather fell to altogether more pedestrian and minute agents.

The exhumation and autopsy processes are well described, and the theory that later develops is explained simply enough for the layman to follow.

Perhaps the biggest strength of this book is the beautifully composed color photos that show the gravesites and the actual bodies. These pictures are truly stirring and invocative.

The maps are also nicely done. However, the book would have benefited from a timeline and from an additional map showing the location of various Franklin party remains and artifacts. It sometimes becomes difficult to recall who was found where and when, since as it turns out, the expedition members covered a lot of ground and some of them split up. With that exception, though, this is an interesting book and a quick but thought-provoking read.

Amazing and Factual Read!
I loved this book! Well written for even the historical novice. Fascinating tale of hardship and tragedy from both historical viewpoint and human frailty. The additional trips made by the author, Owen Beattie, and company showed a true respect for humankind. His written words regarding the excavation and autopsies of the lost men, was both rewarding in explanation and thrilling in discovery. This historical book drew me in and I couldn't put the book down. I've become so fascinated with the fate of the Franklin Expedition that I am reading other books relating to this and other failed Arctic expeditions. Who knew history could be so fascinating? Highly recommended!


The Virginian (Classics)
Published in Paperback by Penguin USA (Paper) (1988)
Authors: Owen Wister and John D. Seelye
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When you call me that, smile!
This is the classic story by Wister (1860-1938) of the ranch foreman, known only as the Virginian, his courtship of Molly Starkwood, the "schoolmarm" from Vermont, and his conflicts with Trampas. In 1977, the Western Writers of America voted this novel as the top western novel of all time. It probably started the whole genre (even if one counts the pulp fiction popular in the late 19th century). Historians have always pointed out that there never really was a "Code of the West." This was just something thought up by writers, journalists, and film makers. The West was made up of both good and bad men, just as today. But, in my opinion, this book challenges that concept. Wister based his characters on real people he interacted with in the West a few years earlier. There really were men like the Virginian. There really were people who, unknowingly, followed a Code (just as there are today).

notyouraveragewestern
The book "The Virginian" being a western book, I was initially skeptical of it being any better then shoot em up giddyup types of books. However I was quickly taken aback by the fact that they never fully identified the background of the Virginian.
Throughout the entire book he remains a mystery, his whole life a mystique aside from what everyone knew which was he came from the eastern part of the country. With a persona that screams Mad Max "The Road Warrior" he is a modest person who goes for the gusto in his ventures during the book. Working in Wyoming his boss Judge Henry, is not very strong as far as standing up for himself is concerned. When a rival rancher hires some bandits to rob a couple of horses from Henry's ranch, it's the Virginian to the rescue. Eventually the book which includes many other swashbuckling adventures, waters down to a duel between the leader of the Bandits and the Virginian. He even has time for a lovelife in the craziness of the west when he hooks up with a school teacher by the name of Molly Stark. The wedding does not go quite as planned though and I suggest you read the novel to eventually find out what happens. A terific story that has been made into two motion pictures, the plot in Owen Wisters story has more twists then a hostess truckload of strudel. For the person that liked the "Lonesome Dove" mini series this book is for you.

Unsung classic, unsung hero. A unique character.
The Virginian is a classic because of the superb characters who fill its pages. The protagonist, known only as the Virginian, embodies a code of manly virtue. He is unique. Without Mary's civilized purity or the Virginian's wild perfection, the book would be a dry, uninteresting Western, full of stereotypical cowboys swaggering around with their pistols on their hips. Instead of a Buffalo Bill, Wister gives us a young man who loves Shakespeare and Dostoevsky and who does unpleasant things because he must, not because he enjoys them. I really enjoyed this book.


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