"Daniel's Gift" is a very unique read that will surely tug at anyone's heartstrings and there is enough romance and plot twists to keep the readers interested. As a result, I couldn't put the book down even if I wanted to, which I most certainly did not. The only thing that it was lacking was an epilogue. I would have loved to see Danny and his two parents a year later from when Danny wakes up from his hospital bed. It would have been nice to see them as a whole and complete family. Other than that, "Daniel's Gift" was perfect.

This book has a special place in my heart, Nine months ago my son also was in the wrong place at the wrong time. And he died of brain trauma. At the time we recieved a lot of books of how to cope with the loss of a child. But Daniel's gift has helped me more to come to term with my loss than anything else I have read. Thank you Ms Barbara Freethy

Unknowingly to me, there were tears flowing down my cheeks as I held my breath reading rapidly in order to learn if Danny lives or dies. The unique gift Danny brings to his mother, Jen, who has raised him since birth without alerting Danny's biological father, Luke, of Danny's existence, is VERY touching. Having children on the brink of teenage years myself and not knowing how they really feel, was accurately depicted in Freethy's development of Danny, a teenage boy who goes in search of his father. Upon returning to his mother from his first glimpse of his father's lavish life, Danny is hit by a car and slips into a coma. The tragedy brings his mother and father face to face. Luke, thinking the baby, Danny, had been aborted, is astonished to learn that he has a son. The devotion and love Jen has for her son makes Luke realize the loss he will have if he isn't given the opportunity to know Danny and re-acquaint himself with his soul-mate, Jen. I am now on a mission to read other books by Barbara Freethy.

Life's prevailing propensity for trial and tribulation set stages to examine real life drama. In doing so, there are compelling and compassionate means in which people have persevered to make meaningful differences through the agony of adversity. The aforementioned is a testament to Montel Williams' attempt along with Daniel Paisner to shed insight to a montage wrought with gut wrenching dilemmas that warrant your attention. Mr Williams has been witness to, have been involved in, and have been the recipient of the type of angst that not only try mens souls, but forces them to be the catalyst for change. As I read this book, I couldn't help harkening back to previous episodes that depicted the caring spirit of someone who truly wanted to make a difference. 'A Dozen Ways To Sunday' and the twelve stories of hope and courage should have a profound effect on you. The authors uses twelve personable points of contention to illustrate exhibitions of clarity to give readers reasons for allowance to step outside of themselves to acknowledge that...no matter how you hurt, there are others that hurt more. This is done by the 'never say quit' attitudes displayed, and the ways they've stressed non verbally the importance of faith. Their messages in each poignant case shows how important to them the need to encompass viable vestiges of strength, resolve, and vision to heal wounds.
Take for example the case of Sulieman Beyah who battled the maladies of Lupus and a kidney transplant to be able to found a nonprofit to help others that shares his plight. Consider too, the story of a couple who felt that no amount of children was too much for them in adopting ten siblings! Then there's the story of Ian O'Gorman. This is a unique trial of how high hopes for a new tomorrow spurred efforts by him to persevere through the ravages of cancer. He accomplished it by keeping a smile on his face, and possessing a winning outlook in being the backbone of ways to help defray costs for cancer patients the world over. You will meet these people and the others as you read on.
I've asked myself who is this book for? And why dramatize in print problems faced by a handful of suffering people? Beyond any doubt, I was able to ascertain that taken together, these stories of hope, faith, and true grit presented a larger than life perspective told through the eyes of one of the most caring television personalities who endeavored to illustrate how certain truths can be attained by believing. Albeit, 'A Dozen Ways To Sunday' may be looked upon as oxymoronic in light of the title, but underneath these twelve profiles the author(s) does nothing to dispell the notion that there would be many more with issues to spur the need to achieve success. I feel that the intent here, as Montel laments, is for us to "learn from these stirring individuals, and make a difference". He goes on to say that, "I've learned from the hand I've been dealt that time is the barometer for change to be able to give something back, to push forward in the name of perseverance".
You'd want to read this book for the passionate insight beneath the surface of the lives Montel has touched---and who touched him--while giving us these heart felt stories. You'd also want to read this book because a part of us always want to be at the forefront of inner peace by making a way for those that are less fortunate. And if by chance you are moved, then you will do what's expected of you. Buy this book there's a message within!

If you are looking for an inspirational gift for the holidays or any special occasion for family or friends, please consider getting them this book. This book contains 12 amazing, inspiring and motivating stories about 12 incredible people who have taken action on some of the worst things life can hand out to make a positive difference for others. These stories will get you fired up and it gives us all examples of what it means to live life with "no excuses and no limits"! (see chapter 12 on Denny Chipollini--that's his motto for living life and once you read his story, it won't be so easy to blow-off exercising anymore!). Do you often find yourself feeling worn down by the daily grind of life? I know I do, but reading these stories helps me to see how to reconnect with the compassion and hope in my life without having to go through any personal tragedies like so many of these people have gone through. It can really make a difference in peoples' lives--thanks for sharing these stories!

If you want to give your family and friends a gift that can change their lives, please consider giving them this book. It contains 12 stories of 12 amazing and courageous people who will help you put your problems into perspective and, above all, help you see how to live life with "no excuses and no limits" (as Denny Chipollini would say--see chapter 12 for a motivating story! You won't be able to blow off those exercises as easily anymore once you read his story!!!!). We all want to enjoy life to its fullest and be grateful for the gifts we've been given, but sometimes in this hectic world it's hard to connect with how to do it. This book helped me connect with the compassionate and hopeful side of life without a personal tragedy. Thank you for sharing these stories!!

This book not only covers Dragon NaturallySpeaking software but also offers several tips and examples on efficient speech recognition. The material is presented in such interesting fashion that makes this book fun to read. If you own Dragon NaturallySpeaking software, this book is a must to have.

This is a really helpful book. I would prefer to read and Dan Newman's book than all the technical stuff in the Dragon manual, because it is so much more user-friendly. I have been using Dragon NaturallySpeaking since it came out in 1995. There is so much to know, and so much you can forget!! By reading this book, I am remembering some very useful tips, and learning some new ones. I would recommend this book to anyone using NaturallySpeaking.

I used Dragon to first-draft Writing Nonfiction: Turning Thoughts Into Books. I was so impressed with the system, I included a chapter on using speech recognition to dictate a how-to book. Then I found Dan Newman's book. I recognized a number of things I had learned and found a whole lot more. Newman made the Dragon even more fun.

If you write a lot and are not an accurate, rapid typist, get speech recognition software. If you are fast and correct, keep on keyboarding. Dragon is good but you will have to make corrections. If you already make mistakes, it does not matter if you talk or type.

Dan Newman takes you step-by-step through using Dragon Naturally Speaking. (For coverage, click on Table of Contents in the left-hand column of this page.) He even includes trouble-shooting tips and resources.

Dan Newman is a great writer, gifted computer expert and a dedicated teacher.

As the author of 113 books (including revisions and foreign-language editions) and over 500 magazine articles, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has to write a lot. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com.

My 5-year-old loves this book. He enjoys pointing to each thing and saying what it is. He also loves the sillyness. The grouping of objects in categories helps children conceptualize how things are similar and different.

This is one of the best books to trigger people's knowledge of how to learn on their own, and where learning is. More than showing what IS in the museum, Grover shows us that the museum is an artificial, tiny part of the whole wide world, and that we can step out into the sunlight. I had mentioned this book months ago and am glad to see it's still in print, still available to make the lights go on in the minds of children and their parents! ... I whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone teaching a child at home!

This book is a must-own! GROVER AND THE EVERYTHING IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD MUSEUM should win an award! It is hard to believe one can find something this wonderful for 3 bucks!

Grover is so entertaining as we follow him through 1) THE THINGS YOU SEE IN THE SKY ROOM, 2) THE THINGS YOU SEE ON THE GROUND ROOM, 3) THE THINGS YOU SEE ON THE WALL ROOM, 4) THE THINGS YOU SEE UNDER THE WATER ROOM, 5) THE LONG THIN THINGS YOU CAN WRITE WITH ROOM, 6) THE CARROT ROOM, 7) ALL THE VEGETABLES IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD BESIDES CARROTS ROOM, 8) THINGS THAT MAKE SO MUCH NOISE YOU CAN'T THINK ROOM, 9) THE SMALL HALL, 10) THE TALL HALL, 11) THINGS THAT CAN MAKE YOU FALL HALL, 12) THE HALL OF VERY, VERY LIGHT THINGS, 13) THE HALL OF VERY, VERY HEAVY THINGS, 14) THE THINGS THAT CAN TICKLE YOU ROOM, 15) THE THINGS THAT ARE CUTE AND FURRY ROOM where Grover decides to display himself.

I know that all the above sounds like alot of reading but I'll let you in on a little secret: [whispering] it is not everything in the whole wide world! [Ha!] Grover notices this too and says "Where did they put everything else?" He comes to this giant double-door with a sign above it that of course says "EVERYTHING ELSE." "AHA!" says Grover and enters.

This is one of the best, funniest books we own that my daughter and I BOTH enjoy. There are plenty of objects for her to learn and it is great entertainment reading a book with the charming, loveable Grover in it and laughing at all of his antics! Every family should own this book! I wish more books were this funny and entertaining yet a learning experience at the same time! 10 STAR BOOK FOLKS; IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS! BUY IT!

Every Christian should read this autobiography. It will help you understand what you might expect and how you should react in future persecutions, which might come from the populace (as Hollywood and the media stirs public hatred against Christians, especially Catholics), expansionist totalitarian regimes (now that they have found easy access to so many of our military secrets), or militant religious fundamentalists (as they are in Africa and Malaysia).

Fr. Ciszek is being investigated for possible canonization. He would be a saint along the lines of St. Peter, rather than along the lines of St. Therese of Lisieux. He volunteered for service in Stalinist Russia. He had always wanted to do the will of God, until he was severely challenged by repeated interrogations in prison in Stalinist Russia. His realization of his weakness was the turning point in his life, much as St. Peter's was after he denied Christ.

What we learn from this book is that we should accept and rely on God's will, with our eye on the ultimate goal (union with God), even in our seemingly insignificant daily activities. Now that you know what you would learn, you may decide that you need not read the book. Don't be deceived. You will not learn the lesson from reading that one sentence but rather by reading Fr. Ciszek's own account of his failings, his humility, and his reaction to adverse conditions in prison and out. His experiences, and his insight into his behavior, will burn the lesson into your brain. We all experience the same challenges and frustrations, albeit to a lesser intensity. For example, we are all sometimes placed with people who are obnoxious and overbearing, but not to the intensity of Communist prison guards. You can see how Father turns such circumstances into an opportunity to accede to God's will.

Father will teach you much about life. He will convince you that people can become so imbued with sin that they feel that society owes them something, thereby justifying their actions against society. He will also show that all work, even forced labor, is ennobling; that suffering is good; and that elaborate surroundings are not necessary for a devout Mass. He will show you that keeping people busy is effective in keeping them from a spiritual life - a lesson we might apply to ourselves or to our media-swamped teenagers. He also shows that the atheistic Communists were able to devise an effective moral code by brainwashing everyone, from childhood onward, to believe that living for others is what is good. Their moral code was not far from the mark, being the second great commandment. If they had included the first, reason rather than brainwashing could have been used.

With this book, you will humbly see your human weakness in the awesome sight of God.

Fr. Walter Ciszek's story of 23 years in Siberian prisons seems at first as if it will be a dismal tale.

Rather, Fr. Ciszek embraces his time in prison as God's will. His utter reliance on prayer and on God are truly inspiring.

Each chapter is not only moving, but provides the reader with a different lesson in faith. This book is powerful reading. You will not be disappointed.

Here are the reflections of an American Jesuit priest imprisoned in the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1963.He grew from a self-seeking creature into an inspiring priest. Early in his confinement he painfully learned how to pray. He learned how to be utterly submissive to God's will. This early experience transformed him and prepared him to dispense the forbidden Holy Mysteries to the Orthodox and Catholic "Church of Silence" imprisoned in the Siberian concentration camps. He became a true ikon of Christ! He fearlessly baptized and chrismated; heard confessions; celebrated the Divine Liturgy; distibuted communion; preached sermons, and prayed for the dead. Wherever he went, the people flocked to him. Very Orthodox and very American.

This is the fifth book in the Liam Rhenford/Fanuilh (Liam's dragon familiar) series and continues Daniel Hood's fabulous fantastical mystery series. In this tale, we join Liam in Torquay, the nation's capitol. He has been charged with delivering a package for the Duke and rather resents his position of errand boy. But Liam quickly realizes that this is no ordinary package. In short order he is accused of two murders, the disappearance of his friend, attacking the Chief of the Peacemakers (Police), treason and much more! When Liam realizes that he is carrying one of the legendary treasures of the Empire, the King's Cure, and that it may be the only thing standing between the dying King and death's door, he is in a race against time to get the potion delivered to the King. The only problem is - who is his enemy and who can he trust?

This is simply a fabulous book. For those of you who enjoy mysteries, this is a great fantasy to start with. And for those of you who enjoy fantasy, this is a great fantasy and a great mystery. Daniel Hood has a beautiful writing style, very clear and easy to follow, yet full of evocative descriptions and details. Hood's characters are very well developed and the reader can immediately identify with them. Although this book is part of a series, this one can easily stand on its own as all of the characters (except Liam and Rhenford) are new and Hood does an excellent job of giving just enough background information for new readers to understand, but not so much that dedicated fans get bored. Most of Hood's books are out of print, but they are readily available through used books stores and are well worth the little bit of time and effort needed to hunt them down. Buy this book - you won't regret it!

"The King's Cure" is the third in Daniel Hood's series, starring Liam Rhenford and Fanuilh, his dragon familiar. It opens with Liam's arrival at Master Cade's home in the capital city of Torquay, to deliver a package from Liam's employer, Vespasianus, Duke of the Southern Tier. Whatever the package is, Cade inspects it and then promptly asks Liam to carry it one step further. This time Liam is to take the packet to a man named Bairth, and he is warned to avoid notice.

Liam's irritation at running errands vanishes when his visit to Bairth's house puts him in the midst of a murder from which he barely escapes with his own life, helped considerably by Fanuilh's facility with spellcasting. As Liam avoids the Peacekeepers, he discovers that the package is a small vial containing the King's Cure, a remedy specific to those of royal blood. King Nicanor's health has been failing quickly and apparently the Duke had decided to offer aid. Unfortunately, someone else is determined to prevent the vial from reaching the King, and has set up Liam as the scapegoat.

Violent death seems to pursue Liam everywhere as he tries to resolve the crime and deliver the vial. Not only does he face betrayal, but his every move seems to be anticipated by the Pacifex Warden. He and Fanuilh are driven to the most extraordinary measures to avoid capture as they flee from place to place in Torquay. Rarely is there enough time for Rhenford and the dragon to formulate a workable plan of action as they are foiled repeatedly by the brilliant Pacifex.

I wish that Liam's relationship with Fanuilh was a bit better developed. The little dragon has considerable intelligence and many glints of personality. But Liam shifts from affection to master/servant with little rhyme or reason. Given the size of Fanuilh's part, more character development is called for to avoid him becoming a deus ex machina.

King's Cure is not really a true mystery story, but more of a fantasy adventure tale with a bit of a mystery at its inception. This hardly harm's the plot, but the reader should not anticipate another Lord D'Arcy. Instead enjoy it for what it is. Daniel Hood spins an inventive and engaging tale. Liam Rhenford is a character with depth as well as resourcefulness, much enhancing the tale. The reader will also enjoy the vivid scenes of the city of Torquay. The story stands quite well on its own. Recommended.

Dan Hood is one of three authors on my "must buy" fantasy list. The others being Steven Brust and George R.R. Martin (Though I will say that George has the potential of going the way of Robert Jordan and taking far too long to tell his story). His world is skillfully developed and feels both real and fantastic at the same time. His characters are interesting and well defined but remain mysterious - leaving a reader with the desire to learn more about them. (I REALLY want to know more about Liam's past as the scion of a noble house fallen on difficult times...)

Hood's plots, however, are the real reason you should buy his novels. He combines logical mysteries with the fantasy world he created and weaves puzzling and challenging plots which leave a reader always wanting to keep on turning pages. One reviewer of an earlier novel (Fanuilh - Hood's first) said it was predictable. I disagree, there were always several possible murderers until near the end - at which point the focus was more on how Rhenford was going to handle the situation.

These novels are great for fantasy enthusiasts and mystery lovers alike. Those who are both are in for a rare treat.

Unfortunately Mr. Hood has recently noted on his website that his publisher is suspending the series due to lower than expected sales. For this reason I suggest that all lovers of good fantasy get out their wallets and buy King's Cure - it is a great read and maybe we can get Liam Rhenford a second chance.

My reason for this is, of course, purely selfish: I want to read more Daniel Hood novels!

Mom always said to eat your vegetables. But if she failed to convince you, "The Color Code" takes up where Mom left off. This book is a compelling and well-researched argument for the many ways in which vegetables-and fruits-contribute vitally to health.

We should all eat a rainbow of 9-10 brightly-colored fruits and veggies daily, explain co-authors Joseph, Nadeau and Underwood-not just strive for "5 a day" while repeating the same limited repertoire of pale foods. Color matters because many of the most amazing nutrients are in the pigments that color fruits and vegetables.

You may have heard of some of these pigments, without realizing they were actually pigments. Beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps the body manufacture Vitamin A, is the orange pigment in carrots and sweet potatoes. Lycopene, touted in the media with headlines like "tomato sauce prevents prostate cancer," is the red pigment in watermelon and pink grapefruit as well as in tomatoes. Lutein, which studies recently tagged as key to eyesight, is found in greens like spinach, kale and even parsley. Once the authors explain that each pigment color has different health-giving properties, it's easy to understand why "eating the rainbow" is important.

Most of these pigments are antioxidants. If you've heard this term before but have had trouble understanding what antioxidants are and why so many diseases are linked to oxidative stress in our bodies, read "The Color Code." It caps a very understandable section on antioxidants with the following paragraph:

"If you want to see antioxidants at work, one place to look is your own kitchen. If you've ever sliced an apple and watched it turn brown, you've seen the effects of oxidation. But what if you dip the apple slices in lemon juice first, as many recipes recommend? Then you can boldly let the apple slices sit out and dare them to turn brown. The vitamin C in the lemon juice is a potent antioxidant, and it will intercept the oxygen before it can strike the fruit. [p. 12]"

As this example hints, "The Color Code" is well-structured and engagingly written. The three authors-Jim Joseph, a nutrition researcher at Tufts; Dr. Dan Nadeau, a diabetes specialist; and Anne Underwood, a Newsweek health reporter-introduce themselves early on, giving the text an approachable personality. Tight writing and solid scientific references balance the folksy tone, ensuring that "The Color Code" doesn't read like a fad diet-guru book.

After the introductions and overview are chapters on each of the four pigment-color groups: red, orange-yellow, green, and blue-purple. Within each of these chapters are separate entries for 8-14 different fruits or vegetables. Each entry lists the food's pigments, its other phytonutrients, and its vitamins, then proceeds with a sales pitch including everything from scientific research to cooking tips-whatever the authors think will convince you to Eat This Now. Who knew that blueberries could reverse the effects of aging in rats, or that lemon-zest may prevent skin cancer?

While the book recommends a "semi-vegetarian" diet, its authors readily admit that you should eat more than just fruits and vegetables. A general chapter on nutrition advises that whole grains should cover half your plate at mealtime, with vegetables making up another 30-40% and the remaining 10-20% given to healthy proteins (legumes, fish or poultry). Sensible advice on essential fats, portion control and exercise rounds out this chapter, which ends with a sample 7-day meal plan.

Since it's easy for good intentions to slip away from us, "The Color Code" includes a scoring system to help reinforce new "rainbow eating" habits. The goal is to score 100 Color Points every day. You get 10 points for every serving (serving sizes are roughly 1/2 cup). But, since variety is important and some foods are healthier than others, you get 5 bonus points for a) eating something from the authors' Top Ten list b) covering all four color-groups in one day c) drinking two cups of tea or d) eating a fruit or veggie you haven't had in the previous year. It's a catchy system that may appeal to some folks, but others may prefer the simplicity of just remembering to eat lots of different brightly-colored fruits and vegetables.

The book concludes with about 75 recipes and a bibliography detailing the many research studies referred to in the color chapters. My few minor criticisms of The Color Code stem from these two sections. The recipes are simple and easy, reproduced from other sources in most cases (appropriate, since the authors aren't dieticians or cooks). But I'm surprised to see white rice-even high-glycemic sushi rice-included several times despite the authors' earlier exhortations to eat whole grains. The recipes are sometimes a bit hard-core satfat phobic, too, calling for egg substitutes and no-fat salad dressings, where I'd be inclined to use a real egg and a dash of olive oil. As for the bibliography, it's useful but actual footnotes or page references might be even more helpful, allowing those intrigued by the text to more readily research the original study.

I highly recommend "The Color Code." While its authors readily admit that some of the research cited is preliminary-scientists are just beginning to learn about plant pigments and phytonutrients-I'll happily eat more fruits and veggies now, rather than waiting for long-term double-blind studies to be completed.

The authors say it best: "...if greengrocers had the marketing muscle of drug companies, we would all be racing to try this miracle regimen. Patients would demand that their doctors prescribe it. Consumers would flock to the produce aisles to snap up these lifesaving foods....Again and again, the same bottom line emerges: whole foods-colorful foods-deliver protection against a broad range of ailments."

This book is so simple to read and once you start you don't want to put it down. The first few pages make you want to run out to the grocery store and hit the produce isle. It honestly makes you change your entire way of thinking when it comes to eating. You'll want that fruit salad rather than the candy bar. It's just such' a GREAT and easy to read and so easy to absorb book! Everyone is getting one for christmas!

Happy eating-

I see Dr. Nadeau for assistance in my weight loss & I use his book as my guide when he is not available for answering my questions. It is an awesome book. I am losing weight with excersizes he has recommended for me & the diet he has worked out for me personally. You will not be disappointed in purchasing this book.

This lightweight (literally, if not figuratively) story of the hapless farmer Jabez Stone, of Cross Corners, New Hampshire, and his rescue from a cavalier deal with the devil by Daniel Webster is an entertaining, patriotic lark. Although Webster was a lawyer, the narrator tells us, and the "the biggest man...next to God...He never got to be President." Published in 1937, and with a homespun Twain-like love of freedom and the wry vigilance which watches over it, Stephen Vincent Benet's entertaining lark, set "in the border country, where Massachusetts joins Vermont and New Hampshire" is patriotic without being jingoistic or nationalistic. At the end, after the narrator informs us that devil keeps clear of Marshfield and hasn't been seen in New Hampshire he concludes: "I'm not talking about Massachusetts or Vermont."

A young nation, built on reason and skepticism, America doesn't have a whole lot of myths and legends. With the possible exception of Parson Weem's tales of
young George Washington, the stories of Washington Irving, and a few tall tales like Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, and John Henry, the best might be found in Stephen
Vincent Benet's Faust-influenced but distinctly American short story and screenplay, The Devil and Daniel Webster, which has also been adapted for the stage and
turned into an opera.

Jabez Stone of Cross Corners, New Hampshire is a man of little luck, until, with his wife and children ill and a whitlow on his own thumb, he barks :

I vow it's enough to make a man want to sell his soul to the devill And I would, too, for two cents!

With that, a stranger appears and Jabez makes a deal, signing it in blood, which changes his luck drastically.

Over the next ten years, Stone prospers, becoming wealthy and an important man in politics. But with his mortgage to the stranger coming due, Jabez Stone regrets
the deal he's made and pays a visit to his neighbor, Daniel Webster, of Mansfield, NH--the nation's greatest lawyer and New England's most revered citizen--to see
if Mr. Webster will take him on as a client and see if there's not some way out of the deal. A lesser man might balk at the prospect of such a fight, but Daniel
Webster has a special regard for his constituents and cheerfully assures Jabez that they'll prevail :

For if two New Hampshiremen aren't a match for the devil, we might as well give the country back to the Indians.

Webster's first ploy is to challenge the stranger's right to prey upon Americans :

'Mr. Stone is an American citizen, and no American citizen may be forced into the service of a foreign prince. We fought England for that
in ë12 and weíll fight all hell for it again!'

'Foreign?' said the stranger. 'And who calls me a foreigner?'

'Well, I never yet heard of the dev -- of your claiming American citizenship,' said Dan'l Webster with surprise.

'And who with better right?' said the stranger, with one of his terrible smiles. 'When the first wrong was done to the first Indian, I was there.
When the first slaver put out for the Congo, I stood on her deck. Am I not in your books and stories and beliefs, from the first settlements on?
Am I not spoken of, still, in every church in New England? 'Tis true the North claims me for a Southerner, and the South for a Northerner,
but I am neither. I am merely an honest American like yourself--and of the best descent--for, to tell the truth, Mr. Webster,
though I don't like to boast of it, my name is older in this country than yours.'

This prompts Webster to recourse to Stone's rights as an American :

'Aha!' said Dan'l Webster, with the veins standing out in his forehead. 'Then I stand on the Constitution! I demand a trial for my client!'

'The case is hardly one for an ordinary court,' said the stranger, his eyes flickering. 'And, indeed, the lateness of the hour-'

'Let it be any court you choose, so it is an American judge and an American jury!' said Dan'l Webster in his pride.
'Let it be the quick or the dead; I'll abide the issue!'

And so begins a trial, presided over by Justice Hathorne, who likewise oversaw the Salem Witch Trials, with a jury made up of the likes of Walter Butler, Simon
Girty, King Philip, Reverend John Smeet, and Morton of Merry Mount. Inevitably, even these dastards are swayed by the rhetorical power of Daniel Webster and
Jabez is released from his contract. The stranger good-naturedly conceding :

'Perhaps 'tis not strictly in accordance with the evidence,' he said, 'but even the damned may salute the eloquence of Mr. Webster.'

Despite this graciousness, Daniel Webster grabs and threatens him, but then relents to his pleading. In exchange for being let go, the stranger predicts Webster's
future for him. The stranger well knows of Webster's desire to be president one day and of his pride in his speaking ability. He warns that the dream will never come
true and, perversely, the ambition will be thwarted by Webster's own talent :

'[T]he last great speech you make will turn many of your own against you,' said the stranger. 'They will call you Ichabod; they will call you
by other names. Even in New England some will say you have turned your coat and sold your country, and their voices will be loud against
you till you die.'

Webster takes the news surpassing well and in turn receives an assurance :

'So it is an honest speech, it does not matter what men say,' said Dan'l Webster. Then he looked at the stranger and their glances locked.

'One question,' he said. 'I have fought for the Union all my life. Will I see that fight won against those who would tear it apart?'

'Not while you live,' said the stranger, grimly, 'but it will be won. And after you are dead, there are thousands who will fight for your cause,
because of words that you spoke."

'Why, then, you long-barreled, slab-sided, lantern-jawed, fortune-telling note shaver!' said Dan'l Webster, with a great roar of laughter,
'be off with you to your own place before I put my mark on you! For, by the thirteen original colonies, I'd go to the Pit itself to save the Union!'

Sure enough, Webster's great speech in favor of the Missouri Compromise in 1850 would ensure its passage but with its provision for admitting a new slave state to
the Union would make him anathema to hardcore abolitionists and doom his presidential hopes.

Benet helped adapt this story for the screen and it made for one of the really underrated great American films. With sterling performances by Edward Arnold as
Webster and Walter Huston as the stranger, here called Mr. Scratch, the middle portion of the story, detailing Jabez Stone's rising fortunes and declining character,
is greatly expanded. This is problematic because James Craig as Jabez is pretty nondescript, but Jane Darwell as his mother and Simone Simon as a sultry vixen who
becomes the Stone's housemaid help to carry us through until the trial starts.

One interesting aspect of Benet's tale is his refusal to let his countrymen off the hook; the Devil is obviously integral to the American experience and though Webster
matches the Devil in the end, he too hears the siren call of Mr. Scratch. In the end though Webster is redeemed by his all consuming love of the nation :

And they say that if you go to his grave and speak loud and clear, 'Dan'l Webster--Dan'l Webster!' the ground'll begin to shiver and the trees
begin to shake. And after a while you'll hear a deep voice saying. 'Neighbor, how stands the Union?' Then you better answer the Union stands
as she stood, rock-bottomed and copper-sheathed, one and indivisible, or he's liable to rear right out of the ground.

What a worthy legend for America and for one of the greatest of her citizens.

GRADE : A

Daniel Webster might be a Yankee New Englander, a politician and peddlar. This fictious short story by Stephen Benet utilizes a great American statesmen in a great legal case, albeit a fictious one. I first read this in the 8th grade for a book report. It stands out as an entertaining classic of American literature. I also recommend books by James Fennimore Cooper.

Sometimes it is just fun to read a really good mystery, one that mixes humor and intrigue in an historical setting. The Dime Museum Murders is a good old-fashioned whodunit which stars Harry Houdini along with his more sensible brother Dash, each offering up his own particular set of talents to help crack the case. It gets right to the crime, offers a variety of suspects and an ingenious ending. What more could one ask for? I bought this book with the Floating Lady Murder and the Houdini Specter and can't wait for more. Bring them on!!!

An unbelievable account of two brothers in the greatest profession on earth! The relationship and "banter" of these two is at times comical and frustrating. Houdini has never become more real and human and the love and comraderie of Houdini and his brother has never before seemed so vivid. Congratulations Mr. Stashower! Excellent! Excellent!!

Mr. Stashower has written an exceptional mystery which is not only engrossing, but realistically captures the essence of Houdini as the main character.

Houdini appears not only as an exceptional escape artist and magician, but also as a somewhat inept detective as he tries to emulate his hero, Sherlock Holmes. The effect is not only occasionally humorous, but very engaging!

Read this book! You won't be able to put it down (even if you can pick handcuffs).

I read this book back in the Spring of 2001 after reading "The Orthodox Way" by Bishop Ware. In my serach about the Orthodox faith, I found after reading this book I was indeed searching for teh Orthodox faith. This book was a good influence in my conversion, because Clendenin, a Protetstant - the tradition I was currently in - wrote such a objective and endorsing work, I found it hard to not go to the Orthodox Church and expierence it for myself.

Compared to most Portestants who examine the Orthodox faith, Clendenin seems to "get it." He is respectful, if not appreciative of the Orthodox liturgical expierence.He is aptly able to inform others on how the Orthodox Church understands scripture and tradition as the "witness of teh Spirit." His chapter on theosis is very good and his last chapter tries to evaluate the Orthodox perspective.

Like another reviewer, I ended up converting to the faith a few months later. If a Protetsant wants to get an idea of Orthodoxy, but does not want to read works by Orthodox Christians, then this is a good place to start.

I have a particular interest in Patristics (the Fathers and early Christian studies), and this book was an invaluable tool in exposing this branch of Christianity to me for the first time. It is (1) easy to read, (2) extremely irenic in tone (see other reviews), (3) doesn't delve into intricacies beyond an introductory level without oversimplifying, and (4) presents a cogent case for Orthodox's relevancy to Evangelicals. For those seeking to add to their faith in a substantial way, as well as broaden one's perspectives a little on ancient Christianity, this book cannot be overlooked.
I look forward to reading his (edited) Orthodox theology reader!

Daniel B. Clendenin does not that much give an introduction into orthodoxy, as do a marvellous job in exploring the differences between eastern and western theology and a fair and (though nmot enough) critical assesment of it.
As a western convert zu the orthodox church I was delighted and fascinated to find many of my perceptions so exquisitely put. His exposition of the different approaches when it come to eg. rationalism as main theological instrument versus the experience and Union with god are well observed and touch fundamental issues.
His critisism of Orthodoxy is very mild. the reason for this might be, that he does not dare zu critisize to much, being an evangelical, or that his critics got lost on me, because evangelical thinking is very alien to my perspective.
So if you are interested in the differences, go for it, if you are interested in a critisism of the way we orthodox sometimes treat our own tradiation, read Alexander Schmemann.