This was a pretty good book. It`s the story of Jamie MacLeod and her life as she grows up. While not very fast paced, it is well worth the reading and a great piece of historical fiction.

I wanted to prepare myself for Visual Basic 6.0 books and I bought this one, while this book provide good tips and work arounds to arm yourself for the exam. I also recommend Exam Cram book.

Michael Phillips did a good job of bringing the Heathersleigh series to a conclusion in this book. True to his style, Phillips faithfully explored the ideas of the time, whether they're popular now or not. He provided direction for each of the characters' futures, and I liked the further development of Geoffrey and his relationships. Timothy Diggorsfeld's storyline seems a bit contrived. I was satisfied with the way Phillips explored the relationship of God to man and ideas of forgiveness. I felt rewarded by the revelation of the mystery that has built about the Rutherfords' family secrets -- but Phillips told the story in a way that made me feel like I was part of the discovery instead of having him just unload an unsuspected surprise on me at the end. All in all, a worthwhile book for the mind and soul -- as well as being a good read, if you've enjoyed the three preceding books in the series.

This was a really good historical fiction! The plot was good and the characters interesting, though a little bit predictable. But all in all, it is a worth while book to read.

I had the opportunity to read this book and review it when I was a broadcaster working in Christian radio, at the time it was first published. Back then, I was neither married nor a father. Now, married and the father of a wonderful little boy, I find Michael Phillips' Christ-centered fathering advice to be a great help in these times.

Anyone who has been disappointed by other "parenting manuals" will find "To be a Father Like the Father" to be refreshingly different and much appreciated. His stories and examples help me to not only put practical information to use in my life, but also help me to relate closer to my Heavenly Father, and to see the parallel role I am now blessed with.

I'm a user of 3D Studio R4, and so I thought that I could easily transfer the lofting skills into 3ds max without too much of a problem. This book, however, doesn't use many of the techniques used in the Inside 3DStudioR4 book by New Riders. It's definitely not for beginning users looking to learn the fundamentals of using 3DSmax. I was disappointed at its learning curve, but I assume if you're comfortable with 3DSmax1, then this book might be for you. If somebody knows a book for 3DSmax2 that is in the same vein as Inside 3DStudio R4, then please email me ;)

Many books on the market will give you step by step instructions how how to create a scene, or create certain effects. Although this is sometimes handy, it doesn't easially allow the user to incorperate the skills they learned into their own work.

Inside 3D Studio Max shows you the concepts behind how the program works, and allows you to apply these concepts, and skills to your own work, rather than a preformatted tutorial. It is this fact, however, that makes the book not extremely useful for modelers who are new to the program. This book often speaks of the manual which ships with 3DS Max, and the writer made it clear that this was not yet ANOTHER MANUAL. Inside 3D Studio Max explores how to expand your ability.

If you have no prior modeling practice, read the manual which ships with Max, then buy this book. If you do that, you will appreciate what is taught in this massive book.

This is an overall GREAT book, and it has really helped me to become a much better 3D artist.

There's a thing common to all classic books: even if you've read one from cover to cover you discover something new every time you open it. Things that you glossed over earlier suddenly start to make sense. This book is no exception. Since 'Inside 3D Studio Rel. 3' the authors have provided an unique insight into the world's most popular 3D programs. This book raises the standard even further, providing enough grip for the novice and a treasure trove of knowledge of the professional. The best thing about this book is the explanation of the PRINCIPLES behind 3D Studio MAX. Instead of the 'do this-screen shot-do that' methodology, the authors have concentrated in the core ideas behind every tool and procedure. If you want MAX to be an extension to your right brain, get this book. Read it all the time. Do the tutorials. Keep referring to it for ideas. You'll discover what you were missing with other books -- the real goods on making MAX dance to your tune.

GOOD = HAS SOME GOOD TIPS ON BUDGETING,AND BANKING.

BAD = CONSTANT PLUGS, A BIT ARROGANT...MEMEMEMEME!

BORED = BOOK TAPE IS BORING,AND MONOTONED

If you are looking for a book on how to accumulate the maximum number of green backs, this book is not for you. If you want a simple philosophy of money which will make you wealthy in more than just the material sense, buy this book and read it at least twice.

I first read this book almost 20 years ago, and every time I got greedy, and broke one of the Seven Laws of Money, I paid dearly for it.

I first read this book several years ago and not too particularly impressed I put it on my bookshelf and forgot about it. The other day it literally fell off the shelf and landed at my feet. I had completely forgotten about the book. It's a short book; why not read it again I thought. I did and was captivated. What happened? I would have given it two stars before, now I'm giving it five. I changed: In the intervening years I have become somewhat financially successful. Back when I first read it I was looking for some method to make money and didn't find it in that book. Now I know there is none. All books are mirrors of their readers as are these reviews. You have learned more about me than you will ever learn about The 7 Laws from reading this review. What can I tell you? Read the book or don't. When you find that no method or technique ever really works then you won't need this book or any other.

A negative review of a book is not something that I enjoy giving. However, in order to spare others the expense of buying a book and then feeling sorry about it...here goes.

This book, evidently written from an evangelical viewpoint, attempts to communicate values and a Christian message while also telling a story. Unfortunately, both the theological slant and the story itself suffer from some problems.

Beginning with the story, it has a simplistic storyline, a predictable plot and it is too sweet to be real. The storyline was so transparent that I suspected several times that I was mistakenly reading a book written for young teenage girls. I still have my doubts. The action in the story was too neatly tied up, and the heaviest action was taken care of in a couple of chapters near the end of the book.

On the doctrinal side, one can say that there wasn't even a drop of water involved in the plan of salvation presented in this novel. This is in stark contrast to the Book of Acts in the New Testament, where we find EVERY DECISION to obey Christ followed by water baptism. In the rest of the New Testament, mentions of forgiveness of sins without baptism are addressed to Christians who were already baptized into Christ. This isn't to say that it is the water that regenerates, but rather that water baptism is the point at which God has chosen to promise forgiveness of sins to those who truly repent and place faith in Christ.

The author clearly means well, but this book was hard to read all the way through and take seriously. It could just be that I'm too critical, but I don't think so.

This book is recommended for girls ages 13-18, and pretty much no one else.

I didn't really know what to expect from this book when I got it, but I enjoyed it. I didn't get into the story until after the first twenty pages, but when I did I was hooked. The story moved along well as the characters grew, and went through many challenges. I really identified with Mercy when she knew she wanted to believe, and learned to make her own relationship with God. Anyway, basically the story is about Mercy Randolph and Jeremiah Eagleflight as they build a relationship with God, and each other. The make some friends and enemies, and they learn a lot about life and what is important. I recommend this book to everyone.

This book was not what I expected, but it was very well done. The characters and writing were simple, but the issues they struggled with were real and easy to understand and symathize with. As they sought and found their answers, I found a lot of wisdom that I could apply to my life. It was excellent and uplifting reading, and I highly recommend it.

After reading Book One of this trilogy, Book Two was a disappointment. The Christian bias that was present, yet tolerable, in the first book became overwhelming in the second one, overpowering what otherwise could have been a wonderful bridge.

Specifically, the authors express the Christian bias in several unbeliveable ways. First off, they insert two male characters into the story who talk about religion in every conversation. When one stops to think about this, one must ask, how many men really sit around and talk about nothing but God?

The authors also characterize a major religious conversion in too trite a manner to be believable. A major character is able to forgive all of a family member's past transgressions all in one moment. It's awfully hard to believe that a lifetime of hurt can be forgiven within a few moments. How many people's lives really work out that way?

To say one good thing about this book, the authors did the best job with the character of Ian. Although the religious bias does bleed over with the detective who interacts with him, the description of Ian's situation and state of mind is chilling and does elicit sympathy from the reader.

On the whole, it seems that the main purpose of this book, more than any other in this trilogy, is to advance the cause of Christianity. If that was the authors' main purpose, they should have simply written a book praising God and promoting religion, instead of attempting to wrap that purpose around a plotline. The combination does not work, and it only weakens the trilogy.

Michael Phillips is a Christian writer. He weaves parables in with a solid storyline every time! This book is really good. It leaves you on the edge of your seat, brings tears to your eyes, and gets you really involved with the characters. The lessions I learn about Christian faith are always well worth the read! Thanks Mr. Phillips, and keep up the great work. This book is not biased because that is what the stories are meant to do, teach Christian faith.

You must read the 1st book (Heather Hills of Stonewycke) and the 3rd book (Lady of Stonewycke), not this 2nd book alone! The trilogy is wonderful, with intriguing characters spanning over a significant period of time. It will definitely capture your attention!

The author presents a fairly unique thesis that the Lochner Court was actually more progressive than is commonly assumed. To support this he classifies all substantive due process cases and boils them down to numbers from which he spins off statistical analysises.

Here is the problem, much of what the Supreme Court does is not really easily classified as a set of numbers. Saying that because the court reject more substantive due process claims than it accepted does not really prove that the Court was progressive. Actually, how the Court reaches a decision is often as important as the result and Phillips only measures the later. A case in point: In Muller v. Oregon (1908) the Court uphelp a maximum hour law for women. Now Phillips would apparently call this progressive but in actuallity the reasoning forced the state to jump through a number of constitutional hoops that the Court itself had been creating. Essentially the justices made it clear that they thought the law was good policy and that was the only reason they upheld it. Also, Phillips's model does not adequately account for repetitive cases, where well settled law is challenged repeatedly and the Court summarily ignored them. Additionally, the model fails to take into account doctrinal shifts on the Court over time; the "Lochner Court" was not a stable, unified whole. During the teens, a small but noticible shift towards a progressive outlook was experienced and was followed during the twenties by a strong conservative reaction.

The most damaging fault with this book is the fact that Phillips seems to suggest that the conservative economic activism of the Lochner Court is justified by some extent by the liberal activism experienced during the sixties and seventies. This is a bad position for a scholar. Phillips even seems to admire the Locher era's activism, such as when he notes that the invalidation of rate fixing was OK because they were bad policy anyway. Perhaps this is a byproduct of his status as a Business professor. Phillips fails to realize that activism does not cancel activism and bad policy does not equal unconstitutionality.

While this work presents valid questions concerning the Court's history and how it is viewed by scholars, it is hardly the final and authoritative voice on the subject. I hope that one day a much better study is undertaken.

Professor Phillips punctures several myths regarding the Lochner era, and does so through a surprisingly underused methodology: he actually read every case purportedly involving substantive due process during the Lochner era. Among the myths shattered by Phillips: "The Lochner era Court was practically out of control; it struck down approximately two hundred economic regulations on substantive due process grounds." "Economic substantive due process was a radical innovation supported only by reactionary Justices." "The Lochner era Court's substantive due process decisions overturned 'social legislation' that would have aided the poor and necessitous at the expense of the wealthy and powerful." "The Lochner era Court's reactionary nature is demonstrated by the fact that it limited its concern for 'liberty' to 'liberty of contract.'" "Most, perhaps all, of the regulations invalidated by the Lochner era Court served the public interest."

This book does have its weaknesses. First, it gets repititive frequently, and could have used better editing. Second, Phillips never gets beyond his internalist perspective and fails to relate the Court's actions to what was going on in the outside world, to state and lower court decisions, or to much of anything else. Nevertheless, the book is a welcome antidote to the silly nonsense that has been propagated about Lochner by historians and law professors for generations.

Professor Phillips punctures several myths regarding the Lochner era, and does so through a surprisingly underused methodology: he actually read every case purportedly involving substantive due process during the Lochner era. Among the myths shattered by Phillips:

"The Lochner era Court was practically out of control; it struck down approximately two hundred economic regulations on substantive due process grounds." "Economic substantive due process was a radical innovation supported only by reactionary Justices." "The Lochner era Court's substantive due process decisions overturned 'social legislation' that would have aided the poor and necessitous at the expense of the wealthy and powerful." "The Lochner era Court's reactionary nature is demonstrated by the fact that it limited its concern for 'liberty' to 'liberty of contract.'" "Most, perhaps all, of the regulations invalidated by the Lochner era Court served the public interest."

This book does have its weaknesses. First, it gets repititive frequently, and could have used better editing. Second, Phillips never gets beyond his internalist perspective and fails to relate the Court's actions to what was going on in the outside world, to state and lower court decisions, or to much of anything else. Nevertheless, the book is a welcome antidote to the silly nonsense that has been propagated about Lochner by historians and law professors for generations.