Stravinskas presents a fairly standard view of the history of Fundamentalism, and provides some interesting, if mostly anecdotal, evidence of the increased acceptance of Marian devotion in Protestant Charismatic efforts to proselytize hispanic Roman Catholics. I believe that this is the only source for research on the subject, and thus must reluctantly recommend it to those interested in this new proselytism.

Unfortunatly, the book does not measure up to its title. Stravinskas falls flat on his face in examining Protestant views of Mary, and the reasons for their rejection of the Catholic view.

One wonders how it is possible to write a 230-footnote chapter on the role of Mary in Protestant and Fundamentalist theology without actually presenting a view of what Protestants think. Stravinskas shows the positions of the Reformers as being more sympathetic to the Catholic view, but this is irrelevant to the modern Protestant position. He quotes a number of liberal Protestant theologians who are also sympathetic, but these views are largely unknown to the rank-and-file. Worst of all, when he actually deals with Protestants who are more representative of popular belief, he never actually addresses their arguments!

Stravinskas gets truly mean-spirited here, using [sic] to point out grammatical mistakes and painting his opponents as buffoons. He only quotes objections of the 'Pope=Antichrist' variety, and sources that are at the lunatic fringe of Fundamentalism.

The real pity is that there are serious issues at hand that would be addressed in a more honest work, such as the Protestant view of sole mediatorship and the definition of 'worship'. These must be dealt with, both to defend against sheep-stealing and in ecumenical dialog. Anyone interested in these issues would be better served by works such as _The One Mediator, the Saints, and Mary (Lutherans and Catholics in Dialog No. 8)_, rather than by this hate-filled polemic.

An excellent resource for Marian apologetics. Fr Stravinskas cites numerous objections and answers them. Footnotes provide full information for more research if the reader desires. Great!

Fr. Stravinskas' work here is first rate. It is the best answer to and analysis of the theological underpinnings (ultimately disastrous) of the Fundamentalist and Evangelical phobic responses to Mary and Marian devotion. A must read!

Readers should note that if you do not read Latin (and I don't), you will not be able to read the actual epistles in this book - only the introduction and the commentary. Since I will have to order another version of the Heroides to actually read the ancient text, I cannot yet comment on the English commentary included in this book! I am giving it a two for now.

My Latin class is using this text this quarter, and we find it excellent. It includes a large introduction with explanations of the myths involved, and which tells about Ovid's life. The book also includes many, many notes that give suggested translations for difficult lines and explain ambiguous references. The text includes Heroides letters 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, and the "incerti auctoris epistula Sapphus ad Phaonem". Enjoy!

This commentary is erudite and insightful, full of information that is useful to scholars of all levels. What a fantastic book!

Peter Brown's "Authority and the Sacred: Aspects of the Christianization of the Roman World" is a work well-worth its weight in perspective, since it breaks with the customary norm of interpreting the rise and triumph of Christianity through a medium of objective analysis. Brown ignores the inevitable vicissitudes of recorded history and offers a much more personal, subjective, and systematic account of the triumph of Christianity. To Professor Brown, Christianity gradually emerged and ascended amongst a world deeply rooted in traditional Pagan "common sense" belief systems. This process involved a shift in how upper-class Roman society conducted religious and political institutions; these institutions were in turn viewed by the general public, and at last Christianity was accepted and validated by the consensus of both stratums of society. Brown concludes and confirms his view by pointing out the profound effect that the holy men of the fifth and sixth centuries had upon people of all walks of life. This, from Brown's perspective, proves that Christianity needed to have a firm hold upon the psyche of the late Roman world and not merely upon the social and cultural levels. In other words, Constantine's revolution was only half the story. This work is clear and concise, and definitely has something to offer to both scholars and general readers alike.

A brilliant analysis of the slow process of Christianising the Roman Empire. Brown writes in a learned yet clear manner, and addresses one directly as if in conversation. He guides the reader through his own considerations over the years, and displays not only his incomparable understanding of this topic, but also his interesting shifts of belief in different areas, as well as challenging or developing the theses of other scholars. A deeply personal and stimulting read, especially for those who enjoyed his 'World of Late Antiquity' and 'Augustine of Hippo'.

Connoly's book is a good read that is quick and filled with beautiful illustrations. Details are wonderful, you feel like you are there when you read it. This book guarantees that I will collect the rest in the series.

Michael Huye

Peter Connolloy has again produced a book useful to those engaged in teaching and learning about Roman history. The illustrations are, as usual, both striking and historically accurate.

First and foremost, this isn't scholarly work, an academic won't find anything new here (apart from the fantastic illustrations professor connolly usually give us). He reconstructs(with a good degree of imagination) the life of a legionary in the Dacian campaign...the illustrations even depict the dreaded Dacian Falx (a sort of two handed scythe/sword, famous for severing limbs) and the added roman protections for the right arm and greaves for the legs (like in the Adamklissi monument) that they used in this campaign, he also paint legionaries wearing several kinds of armor, not just the lorica segmentata (as it is usually known today). This little volume have a second part named "the cavalryman".

Anyone who's looking for an introduction or great art on the subject of the roman army should buy this book, it's perfect for what it was made for...but remember this isn't a scholarly work.

Once again a wonderful litte booklet in addition to Connolly's "The Cavalryman" concerning the life of a soldier in the legions during the time of Trajan. Vividly illustrated in great (and accurate) detail based on archeological finds this book would be enjoyable just for the drawings, but in fact its the story of the life of Tiberius Maximus which draws the attention taken from his gravestone depicting his accomplishments and service in the Roman army. The only complaint that comes to mind is the shortness of the book which could have been very good indeed if it had been fleshed out somehwat.

A great title to this series. All ages will want to inter-actwith the many activities offered on the CD that accompanies the seriesbook.

A great springboard for: research, intelligent play, and further reading.

Only drawback: it may seem that the sound should be more robust - not a worry for our family, it forced our children to take a more active role in reading - not just playing through this learning tool.

A comprehensive study companion for the students or families learning more about Ancient Roman Society.

Please do not assume that this nicely packaged CD-ROM and Book cover all areas that you need to know. It is a wonderful springboard for inquiring young minds.

The activities are engaging, and encourage revisiting of all the areas offered in the book & CD. It would be difficult to stay in just one area without investigating the other areas.

My 7 year old son wanted to keep playing the Time Trek adventure, & guess which answers were correct. The adventure ends when an answer is incorrectly answered, forcing the player to go do a "little" research in other areas offered. Some areas seem silly at first, like the Mix & Match. But once the match is completed correctly information on a specific Roman person is provided. Silly isn't so bad either!

I found myself drawn to the screen as my son was playing, & really wanted to give him the answers. I held back but snuck back to the computer after he was in bed.

I also teach an introductory Latin Class to 5th graders, and will incorporate this package as a reward for other good performances in class. Oh, did I mention that successfully answering questions in the Time Trek Adventure produces a certificate? My students will be recognized for this accomplishment as well.

The only initial drawback is that the sound could be better. On further consideration, I like the fact that my children & students will be forced to read. After 10 minutes my son really didn't mind - although it forced me to teach him correct Roman pronunciations.

I have enjoyed this package. I am now deciding which other packages offered by this company I will try next.

Peter Scagnelli is a Roman Catholic priest and a longtime associate of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL). In the early 1970s, he composed a series of Alternative Opening Prayers for the celebration of the Mass. Recently, a translation of the Psalms made by ICEL has fallen under the scrutiny of a Vatican department called the Congregation on Divine Worship (CDW). The CDW had a few questions about the accuracy and the orthodoxy of some of the ICEL renderings.

The Vatican scrutiny inspired a May 19, 2000 letter by Fr Scagnelli to the National Catholic Reporter, a periodical known for its hospitality to dissent from the Catholic magisterium. In his letter, Fr Scagnelli compared the CDW to agents of Hitler's Gestapo, and sarcastically wondered if public burnings of the ICEL Psalter were to be held in front of Catholic cathedrals throughout the world.

Persons who are loyal to the Catholic magisterium need to ask themselves if they wish to avail themselves of a Liturgy Sourcebook authored by someone capable of such rancorous insolence toward his ecclesiastical superiors.

SOURCEBOOK 2000 by Peter Scagnelli is a wonderful resource, a MUST HAVE for every person directly involved with the planning of liturgy. I recommend this book to my students as an excellent introduction to the meaning of the Church Year. Each section helps the reader to understand more deeply the meaning of the named liturgical season and how to allow that meaning to unfold by means of the church's liturgy. Scagnelli uses a very helpful formula to unfold each season for the reader: every section contains sections on A SETTING of..., A sense of ...,the Look of..., the Sounds of ..., the rhythm of ... Substitute Advent or Christmas or lent etc for th three dots

Furthermore, practical suggestions are made for each Sunday and feast, as wella s the various weeks. Finally, useful bibliograph references are included with each section.

This book was ok. If I had seen it before I purchased it, I probably wouldn't have bought it. It does give a good overview of how to decorate a church for all seasons, but I think for an established church with established ways, it won't help. However, it would give one fresh ideas.

It gave me lots of wonderful ideals to use in my decorations. I liked the history and background it gave and the different meaning behind past trends. It was very helpful and I know I will use it as a reference guide for years to come

If Mr. Craughwell had just given a collection of statements from the popes over the last 2000 years this book would be great. If one is looking for a collection of statements by the popes then buy this book. The problem that I have with the book is the introduction/commentary that Mr. Craughwell offers at the start of many of the chapters, especially the commentary at start of the chapter on the Mass. In the prior chapters he showed how the popes have always helped the Church understand in a new way the truths that have been revealed to the Church since the begining. But in the chapter on the Mass he how the post Vatican II Mass has been a mistake by Paul VI and has led to a decline in the Church. I personally don't think he is right but that is another matter. So my suggestion is buy the book and skip the commentary/ introductions.

Papal proclamations, encyclicals, and meditations have fathered and fostered what is Western culture. Thomas Craughwell has compiled a splendorous and thematic bouquet of the spiritual and political positions of the Popes throughout the last two millennia. His masterful creation serves as a roadmap for anyone who wishes to trace the true influence of Catholicism upon the formation of the modern world.

From the stalwart simplicity of Peter and the prosaic acclaimations of the goodness of God penned by Clement I, down to the more recent and politically volatile legacies of Paul XI and Pius the XII, Mr. Craughwell artfully crafts an enthralling, intriguing, and inspiring legacy of the Pontiffs that will undoubtedly become a standard household reference for all Catholic families.

In depth, well researched, and well written.