I had the privilege of reading the first ever copy of The Best of Radio Free Bubba as it came from Pat"Bubba"Jobe's computer. This book had me rolling in a hurricane of laughter for two solid hours. I finally had to stop while the second half of the book printed, and I was afraid that if I didn't go to the bathroom soon, I would wet myself! I recommend this book to anyone who can read, including teens like myself. :)

This book is a joy and delight. Of course it helps to be able to identify somewhat with down-home Southern culture, but most readers will be able to relate to the writers' wisdom and humor no matter where they're from.

Finally, the world can get to know some real "Bubbas." With the publication of "The Best of Radio Free Bubba" by the Hub City Writers Project, the South has unleashed a powerful force and sent it out to create havoc among the prejudiced. For those of us who have been listening for years to "Radio Free Bubba" on WNCW in Spindale, N.C., the book holds no surprises, just 170 pages of some of the best essays we've already heard by four writers who believe in people. Meg Barnhouse, Pat Jobe, Kim Taylor and Gary Phillips share their thoughts on everything from blister packs to making lists. The book's philosophy is summed up by a bumper sticker: "It's Not Up To Somebody Else." Here in the South, we know that "Bubba" is short for "Brother," or rather it's the sound small children make when they call to that older sibling who looks out for them, protects them and teases them. Bubba is the real "good ol' boy" who will haul your furniture in her pickup, pull your car out of the ditch with his tractor, take care of your children in times of distress, and pray for your body and soul.

Realisitic characters that you love to hate and hate to love, Gary Phillips brings them to life with a descriptive style that few could match. The non stop twists and turns in this book kept me turning pages and the descriptions were so vivid I could almost smell the garbage truck! Best of all, I wasn't cheated at the end, Mr. Phillips kept it real.

I haven't read any of Phillips' previous books but this one is compulsively readable. The protagonist is not particularly likeable (he's a sexist, for one) but he has his redeeming qualities (loyalty to his friends), and many of the people he runs into are worse than he is. He's a complex character, a has-been who had it all and threw it away and is trying for a comeback, or if not that, just to survive. If you want an enjoyable read that has sex, violence, drugs, sports, and the inevitable LAPD, pick up this book.

Phillips' first crime novel easily outdoes his previous books. I'm an admitted fan of his Ivan Monk mysteries (especially Violent Spring), but the author's real calling was creating this volatile character, Zelmont Raines, a has-been football star trying to get his game back. Full of action, suspense, and intriguing conflict, The Jook is easily the best book I've read all year (sorry Oprah). If Hollywood had any sense, The Jook would be next year's Christmas blockbuster.

The author sheds light on a side of the beat culture
which has been ignored by the mass media for far too
long. Many a word has been written about the Beat's
frontal attack upon the sleepy surburban world of
America circa late 1950s, but few have bottered to
examine their spiritual awareness as related to Mother
Earth. They were fresh voices who found spiritual
rebirth through nature and were in the forefront of
those questioning the prevalent doctrine of consummerism.
I would heartily recommend this well written book.

Wow- what a book. This book sheds new light on a topic I feel has already been covered. Phillips' personal interviews are fantastic. I would love to have Phillips for a professor, wait- I do. Phillips is the man, and so is his book. If you are reading this Dr. Phillips can I have a 4.0? You know who I am!

Finally, a scholar has dug through the pop culture mud of the Beats to bedrock below: They weren't just citified tea-heads as Life magazine in the Fifties (and too many academics since) would have us believe. These writers were deeply tuned into the natural world and drew upon it for inspiration and some of their best writing--even the seemingly most urban of the lot--Kerouac. Case and point: Kerouac's "greening" in "Dharma Bums." Phillips' discussion of this novel is especially astute; and it sent me digging for my old copy. Similarly, Phillips' treatment of the Beats and Buddhism (Snyder in particular) is also refreshingly clear and original--not an easy thing to do. Phillips' research, including interviews with McClure, Welch and Snyder, is thorough and convincing. Moreover, his prose is sharp and unencumbered with trendy jargon. I predict Beat scholars will reconsider certain assumptions upon reading this book--and Beat fans will find this to be a unique and excellent addition to the ever-growing Beat canon.

for religious seekers, those curious about spiritual
matters, those interested in Florida's history and
any with a mind to understand religious communities,
this book is a MUST read. The varied articles are
revealing, stimulating, fascinating, well-written,
with marvellous footnotes and bibliography. Oh, if
all university, edited publications could be so good.
If this ever makes it to a reprint or paperback,
more varied and colour photos would just be the icing on the cake.

Hi, I am Ian Guthrie, nephew of the late John J. Guthrie Jr. I have read this book, i even did a report relating to the occurences and information in it. it is a great text, and it is soooooo good. and my uncle john was a great man. so i would highly reccomend this to people of all ages and all interest. Thanks. -ian

The text is a thorough examination of worldviews...from a Biblical worldview. Presenting composite definitions of all worldviews, the authors then examine them in light of a Biblical worldview. The book is both thoroughly objective and thoroughly apologetic in nature, utilizing their own Biblical bias as the frame of reference for tying up loose ends and bringing every examination full circle.

The book is (1) objective in that it presents every possible worldview, recognizing major categories (i.e. Naturalism, trandscendentalism, thiesm, and a Biblical worldview) and minor subdivisions of the respective worldviews, allowing the case for each to have its place. It is (2) apologetic in the sense that its sole purpose is to, once again, bring every examination full circle back to a sound defense of a Biblical worldview.

The text presents and examines: (1) The concept of worldview; (2) The world of worldviews, when, and how they collide; (3) The case for a Biblical worldview; (4) The essentials of a Biblical worldview; (5) What's wrong? The problem of evil; (6) Who's right: The problem of pluralism; (7) A view for the self; (8) A view for the family; (9) A view for the church; (10) And, a view for the world.

One of the text's greatest strengths is its utilization of practical graphs and illustrations that serve to map out comparisons and contrasts of concepts, among other information. Such graphs include: (1) A classification of major worldviews; (2) Some transcendental distinctions; (3) Theistic religions; (4) Comparisons of worldviews; (5) The canon Jesus affirmed; (6) The canon Jesus anticipated; (7) Ancient texts and the New Testament; (8) And, explanations of personal suffering.

William E. Brown is a professor of Bible and President of Bryan College. W. Gary Phillips is a professor of Bible and Philosophy, Chair of the Division of Biblical Studies at Bryan College, and Pastor of Signal Mountain Bible Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Making Sense is an excellent source for those wishing to study world views. It is a clearly written and well-documented book, which demonstrates the validity of the Christian world view as the thinking person's world view. In preparation for world views presentations, I have gone back to this book several times over the last few years. Making Sense is the best all-around book covering the pivotal issues of world views.

The Postmodern Bible provides what is as close as anyone will ever get to a contemporary handbook on "postmodern" methods of approaching, reading, using and interpreting the Bible. One might ask why such a book is needed. I would reply that this book is needed because it implicates the readers of the Bible in the matters it wishes to bring to bear in biblical study. This book attempts to show (in my estimation) that reading the Bible is a social act, a personal act, a political act and a cultural act. And this book preaches what it practices for it is written by a self-styled "Bible and Culture Collective", a group of scholarly "young turks" no less, who amply demonstrate that projects worked on together need not end up being mish-mashes of the wants and desires of those composing them.

This book has both direction and drive. In seven compact yet thorough discussions we are introduced, in theory and practice, to seven contemporary approaches to the practice of biblical reading. Many, if not all, of these (reader-response criticism, poststructuralism, feminist and womanist criticism) are hardly novel outside of the biblical field but then that seems the point of this book; that is, to attempt (or continue to attempt) to intergrate biblical studies ever more closely with, or into, literary studies and cultural studies. This seems the pervasive agenda of this book.

I must admit that I have an interest in reviewing this book, however. I was taught for three years as an undergraduate by one of the "Bible and Culture Collective", Stephen D. Moore. I can confirm that the Collective, if Moore be an example, do indeed practice what they preach in this book. I have to say it sets the Bible on fire in new and exciting ways. If you want to engage the Bible from some new angles or just want to get up date and clear in your mind on contemporary methods of biblical interpretation then get this book. It has no serious challengers in its field to date.

If you've ever been puzzled by the formula of 'post-modern' and 'biblical studies,' then you'd be wise to pick up this exhaustive and personable piece of academic fervor. Among others, The Postmodern Bible fuses epistemological, religious, and cultural frameworks into a textual craft that will keep you poised with more questions. I recommend this book to anyone who takes the Bible seriously - whether you're a theologian, academic, or a heady poser, you'll want to have this book on the shelves of your mind.

Los Angeles is shocked by the fire bombing death of the Cruzado family in the multi-racial Rancho Tajuat housing projects. Just about everyone including the police and the tenants feel that the Ra-Falcons, a Black Muslim group who provide security to the complex, killed the Mexican-American family. The leader of Ra-Falcons, Minister Antar Absalla decides to hire South Central private Investigator Ivan Monk to uncover the identities of the killers.

At the same time that Ivan begins to investigate what really happened to the Cruzado family, his significant other, Judge Jill Kodama is under recall pressure for not enforcing the three strikes and your out rule. However, Ivan has little time to provide her comfort as he has his own worries because he is now under indictment for murdering a gang member. With his priorities starting to shift, Ivan knows that while he tries to clear his name, he must discover the real culprit before more trouble leads to a racial civil war in the LA projects.

In his third appearance (see VIOLENT SPRINGS and PERDITION), Ivan Monk remains a great private investigator, who brings to life the mean streets of LA. BAD NIGHT IS FALLING is filled with the usual tremendous characterizations and two interesting story lines that actually work well together. Though at times the vernacular is difficult to follow, Gary Phillips continues to rise to the top of the ethnic who-done-it sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

In Los Angeles' Abyssinia barbershop, Marshall Spears is the oldest of the regulars who meet there. When he becomes excited over a radio interview of former Negro League baseball player, Kennesaw Riles, Ivan Monk takes notice especially since the interviewee is a relative. However, everyone in the shop that day takes notice when Marshall suddenly drops dead.

Monk and his associates try to do the right thing for Marshall, but are amazed to learn that he was a former baseball player. At his funeral, several of his old teammates including Kennesaw arrive to pay their respects. A few days later, Kennesaw is dead and police officer Rogers believes someone murdered him because he died from taking too much dioxin. Since it appears that the culprit knew the victim, Rogers turns towards Monk's mother Nona who had the motive and the means. Nona, a nurse, never forgave Kennesaw for lying on the witness stand against a rising black politician. Monk, a private detective, begins to make inquiries into the death of his relative.

What makes the Monk mysteries magnificent is the rich characterizations that allow the audience an opportunity to deeply look inside an African-American community. Besides telling a fabulous investigative tale, Gary Phillips talent lies in his ability to bring home the needs, desires, and ambitions of that community through the real people he describes. The latest tale, ONLY THE WICKED, contains a superb story line that includes a well written sleuthing adventure and homage to the Negro Leagues with references to baseball players like the original Flash, Cool Papa Bell. As usual, Mr. Phillips provides fans with a great trash-talking novel.

Harriet Klausner

Always my favorite painter, I was lucky enough to see an exposition of his work at the National Art Gallery in London in 1999 and his more famous works on constant display the Louvre in 2000. While his historical and allegorical paintings are impressive, his talent with portraiture is unmatched. I am particularly struck by the detailed imagery. It feels like you are looking at a photography, the realism is so intense. Yet as the book demonstrates, numerous studies were done before each painting, trying to determine how best to capture the subject.

The book is a large format, with numerous full color, full plate images. Personally, I did not find the accompanying essays particularly interesting but thought that the notes on each specific work more compelling. The choices of artwork included in the book is primarily restricted to portraits, but not only paintings but paper drawings and minatures also.

Portraits By Ingres: Image Of An Epoch showcases odalisques and dramatic historical scenes painted by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) and are justifiably considered to rank among the master-pieces of nineteenth-century French art. The superbly reproduced paintings are enhanced with informative contributions on Ingres' life and work by Philip Conisbee, Rebecca A. Rabinow, Christopher Riopelle, Robert Rosenblum, Andrew Carrington Shelton, Gary Tinterow, and Georges Vigne, as well as drawing entries by Hans Naef. With its photographs of the artist and his sitters (and caricatures from contemporary journals) Portraits By Ingres is a seminal, scholarly, beautifully presented, landmark publication that will secure Ingres in his proper place for students of art history.

I have been waiting for a first-rate work on Ingres portraits for many years and now it is finally here! This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone who admires Ingres. The book was published in conjunction with the wonderful exhibition of Ingres portraits which played in London, New York, and Washington DC. I attended the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and this book does justice to what I saw in person. Since not every work of art was seen at each venue, the book provides reproductions of several works which were not made available for viewing in the United States (such as the great Rothchild portrait). I have the books on Ingres by both Robert Rosenblum and Georges Vigne. Although both of those books were good, this new book surpasses them due to the quality of the writing and the superb reproductions. There are enlightening essays by both the exhibition curators together with outside experts such as Rosenblum and Vigne. The reproductions are plentiful and very good quality. In addition to the oil paintings, there are dozens of high quality reproductions of the superb portrait drawings. Each portrait is accompanied by an essay together with the provenance and exhibition history of the work. The book also deals with the thorny issue of collaborators. Although the book is fairly expensive, it is well worth the money. Perhaps one day we will have similar books published on other great portrait painters such as Holbein, Moroni, and Bronzino. Anyone in the museum or publishing world listening?