The book contains beautiful picures of beautiful cars. But the book title was not really satisfied my first expectation - learning the small differences among models.

Being a fan of old VW's and brochures, I bought this book and enjoy it very much. At 96 pages thick, there isn't a whole lot inside. But it's the only book of it's kind I've seen, and the hardback cover is a nice touch. It is all photographs and illustrations from VW Bus ads and brochures, up to 1967. Schiffer has covered other cars in this series. I saw a nice one of the Porsche 356. I recommended this book if you love split window Buses!

You get a taste of the history of the bus along with some pretty good photos of the various models. The book also gets into buying and restoring a bus. With information on customizing. I would recommend the book to someone who is interested in buying a bus, especially if they intend to restore or customize it.

This is a lovely book. It's not only about happiness, but about what makes kids feel sad, excited, bored and other primary emotions. I read it with my two and a half year old son and he loved the illustrations and the rhyming text. Most pages have several intricate drawings which bear close examination. And of course, reading a book about feelings is a great way to discuss feelings with your child.

...
Genesis Of The Grail Kings examines the historical fact that is NOT in question: the Bible has been written, rewritten, translated, and edited numerous times by numerous groups and individuals over the last two millenia. Why? How? What did the earlier versions say? What's the story behind The Greatest Story? Many reasons, both sacred and profane, and you'll find them and the supporting research in this book. Laurence Gardner illustartes this clearly and with considerable documentation. He shows the paper trail all the way back. In the places where he makes a speculative foray, he says so. His material is better written than Zecharia Sitchin's. The book is tighter, with more clarity, and despite being non-fiction, moves along with the taught feel of a well-written mystery novel. If you are a fan of the "ancient astronaut genre" you will really enjoy this as well as his other two books, Bloodline Of The Holy Grail and Realm Of The Ring Lords. For this kind of material, it's just about the best of it's kind.

Sir Laurence Gardiner's 2 works "Genesis of the Grail Kings" and "Bloodline of the Holy Grail" were two of the most interesting, well researched and thouroughly engrossing works I've read in a long long time. Although each works well as a stand-alone book, I thouroughly recommend readers read BOTH works.

Drawing upon ancient Sumerian and Mesopotamian records, in the case of "Genesis of the Grail Kings", and drawing on priveleged genealogical information protected by the various European Royal Houses and the Scots Royal House of Stewart, in the case of "Bloodline"; Sir Laurence backs up his topics with detailed, fascinating research.

I wholeheartedly recommend both books for readers interested in learning true facts concerning such topics as the following:

-An ancient bloodline dating from before Sumerian times was preserved from ancient times, up to Jesus' time, and the present day. This bloodline had been genetically enhanced, firstly thru the ingestion of Annunaki "Star Fire", and later thru the ingestion of alchemically altered monatomic white gold powder. -Gravitational and time/space anomalies presented by alchemically altered monatomic white gold powder, and how modern science is now just beginning to rediscover these ancient secrets. -The nature of Sumerian Kingship. -How the first few books of the Old Testament were recombinations and retellings from far older and more complete Sumerian and Mesopotamian records and legends. -The facts about many of the parables in the New Testament, in that they were coded references to political situations, and not depictions or descriptions of supernatural phenomena. -The true facts concerning Jesus' heritage, birth, upbringing and training, familial relations, and marriage to Mary Magdalene. -The true facts concerning Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. -The role, and original importance, of women such as Mary Magdalene in the Church. -How the Roman Catholic Church was able to usurp unearned, power wealth and authority, and how the Church sought to maintain that hold on wealth power and authority by: preventing the true facts concerning Jesus to be brought to light; suppressing, distorting, and then denying the role and importance of women in the Church; controlling the roles and options open to women in society; suppressing intellectual and individual, and artistic freedoms thru such instruments as the Inquisition.

-The rise of the European Royal Houses, and in particular, the suppression of the Scots Royal House of Stewart, by England. -The role that enlightened, properly instituted, and properly managed government plays in securing the freest expression of individual liberties.

And many more points too numerous to mention.

In short, I hope that readers will take these two books to heart and will find them as beneficial as I have.

This is one of the best books, I've read. The Bible is such a pile of non sense, and finally, Gardner has put all the pieces together, and explained why. This book is fascinating! It reveals the truth about where the stories of the Bible came from, and how they have been so twisted to the point that they are nothing but gibberish. It's a MUST read for anyone that wants THE TRUTH alas!

My 6th grader son was assigned this book to read for a book report. When he said he didn't like it, and why, I thought I would read it for myself. What I found was that I was surprised that a book with profanity won the Newberry Award. The story itself was okay. Although I am totally unfamiliar with the Chinese culture, it did open my eyes to how Chinese immigrants in the early 1900s might have (and probably did) look upon their American counterparts. I did, however, think the characters could have used a little more background, especially in the book's beginning. My main disappointment was with the profanity: it's not what I want my sixth grader reading. Also the mention of prostitution and opium usage was not to my liking - for a 6th grader, mind you - although I know it was factual. Maybe I am "behind the times" in what schools require our children to read, but Dragonwings would not be on my list if I were a Middle School teacher. So my critique? Good story line, weak characters, weaker language! Average rating at best!

Come one! Come all, listen up! I just read a book called......Dragonwings! This book is written by Luarence Yep. The main characters in this story are, Moon-Shadow and Windrider. Moon-Shadow is a boy who tries his best to get used to the American customs. Windrider is Moon-Shadow's father. He dreams that he will one day fly like a dragon like in his past life. Both of these characters are from China. The setting is in California, USA around 1976. I think this is an amazing book, but I'll have to admit the beginning is dull. It's just about stuff you should've learnt in Social Studies, immirgration. The middle and ending is *MUCH* better, it has tradgedies like the 'Great Fire' and other great scenes! Dragonwings is about a boy who immirgrates to the US, but he knows it as 'The Golden Mountains'. He meets his dad in America for the first time, and they both learn to settle in the new world. Soon, both faher and son find out about each other's dreams, the father wants to learn to fly. The son, Moon-Shadow, wants to settle in America, and also learn to fly like his father. I won't tell you the ending. Of course, you could read the other reviews, but why not find out yourself? Purchase it here, Amazon.com, or borrow from your local library!

I am writing and expressing my feelings about what I thought about the story Dragonwings. Dragonwings to me was very exciting towards the middle and end, only because that was when all the action started to begin. To me, in the begining, it was boring because it just talked about Moonshadow, the main character. He moved to live with his father in Gold Mountain, San Francisco. When Moonshadow had moved to San Francisco that was when all the action started having to deal with him and his father working with the Company it was really like a family company tradition. When I first look at this book I was thinking that it was just a waste of my time I don't need to read this, but as I read it I got more and more into it. My favorite character was Moonshadow because he stood up for himself instead of letting some drug-addict let him talk to him about doing the bad things instead of the good things.
I think that who ever read this enjoy this and have as much fun I had reading it. I kind of started off with a bad impression of this book, but I really enjoyed it.

*PEACE*
From someone special..........

For anyone whose ever tried to read "What Color is Your Parachute?" multiple times and has tossed it aside an equal number because it really didn't help, I recommend "How to Find the Work You Love."

Instead of focusing on what color tie to wear or whether to send that follow up thank you card to your prospective employer, Laurence G. Boldt instead starts with the big questions and systematically focuses them down into simple, yet effective criteria to pursue the work you love. The first 2 chapters examine the paradigms and obstacles that get in the way of doing the work you love. The third chapter offers a basic formula for finding the work you love:

-Decide what you are looking for

-Decide to keep looking until you find it

-Decide when you have found it

He then defines "it" with 4 simple criteria: Integrity, Service, Enjoyment, Excellence. The following chapters examine each in more detail, mixing in focusing questions here and there. The questions range from 'When you were a child, what did you most love to do?' to 'What is the purpose of your life?' to identifying ways you can earn a living doing what you love and identifying those in your life most/least supportive of your dreams.

The epilogue briefly guides you on where to go, now that you've found work that you love. This is the best "job" book I've ever read. It never does get to what color tie to where, but I refer back to it again and again for that right-brain focus. If you are more of a left-brain type and prefer more concrete structure and less abstract questioning, I recommend "Zen and the Art of Making a Living" by the same author. It still has the abstract bits, but there are a lot more tools that help you develop specific career strategy and plannning.

I found this book to be a great help and a wonderful inspiration. It packs a powerful punch for such a small book. There are many useful quotes and nuggets of advice from the greats in history who decided to pursue what they love rather than stay in a 9-5 job that they hated. In our crazy, I want it now, fast paced, materialistic society where money seems to be the bottom line, many of us have forgotten that we all will be dead some day. What a waste of time it is to stay in a job you hate. The author of this book doesn't assume that finding work you love is going to be easy. I can't say that I had a revelation after reading this book (which I first read about a year ago and read again last week) It's not as if you immediately go and find the work you love after reading this book. What is valuable though, is the wonderful insight it gives you on the possibilities. This may be difficult for many who have been weaned on getting everything quickly. I advise you read it, then make up your own mind.

Outstanding! This excellent book helps you clear away all the self-limiting thinking that's keeping you from finding your life's purpose. It will also help you discover your right livelihood through a series of insightful, though-provoking questions. You will love this book; it's fun to read, and VERY inspiring. It's far different from most any other self help book you have probably read before. Also, BE SURE you get the cassette version, too...listen to it in the car, while exercising, or anytime you need a great pep talk. This book gives you more than hope...it gives you a path and vision to achieve your purpose in life. Get it!!

Unfortunately this book gets off to a very weak start by baldly claiming that Moses and Akhnaton were one and the same man, an idea evidently borrowed from the writings of Ahmed Osmand (which I have not read). This not only defies conventional Egyptian and Israelite history (which is OK with me) but also the more logical and convincing chronologies of Velikovsky and David Rhol. Yet having adopted such an unconventional stance, Gardner fails to present any evidence or argument to support the bald claim. This is unfortunate, because no doubt many readers and so-called experts will immediately assume that the entire book is as dubious as this lame assertion. When he gets to the New Testament era he follows the writings of Barbara Thiering and others (haven't read those either) regarding the Essenes, the life of Jesus, etc. Here he is equally at odds with conventional history/religion, but makes a detailed explanation of the reasoning (which sounds better than the conventional "then a miracle happens" story). He again defies both conventional and uncoventional history when he attributes the legends of King Arthur to an amalgamation of two historical princes, one Scottish and one Welsh/Irish, fighting against Anglo-Saxons in post-Roman Britain. (Conventional wisdow sees Arthur as having been a Romanized Briton fighting the Saxons, and an interesting book entitled Guardian of the Grail, by John Whitehead, thinks the legends stem from Caractacus, the Celtic leader who opposed the Roman invasion of Britain.) Gardner is at his best when he reaches the area of his expertise, the geneology of medieval rulers and would-be rulers of Scotland, England and France. He sorts out the characters from Macbeth very nicely, and touches on the persecution of the Knights Templar, the beginnings of Freemasonry (see Born in Blood by John J. Robinson) and the Rosicrucians, the mysteries of Rennes le Chatteau (see the works of Henry Lincoln, et al) and many other interesting topics along the way. Regarding the Templars, he makes the dramatic assertion thata they found the Ark of the Covenant at Jerusalem and transported it to Europe, but then leaves us hanging as to what happened to it after that. Here again he is at odds not only with conventional history (which, for lack of any better idea, figures the Ark was captured by either the Egyptians or the Babylonians when they captured Jerusalem in ancient times) as well as the recent work of Graham Hancock, whose book The Sign and the Seal traces the Ark to modern Ethiopia by way of the ancient Israelite temple and military post on Elephantine Island in Egypt. All in all this is, nevertheless, a very interesting book that gets better as it goes along.

Sir Laurence Gardiner's 2 books: "Bloodline of the Holy Grail" and "Genesis of the Grail Kings" are two of the most interesting, well researched, and worthwhile books I've read in a long long time. Once I started both books I found them completely engrossing, and compelling reading. Although each book works well as a stand-alone work, I really recommend that readers read both books. Drawing upon priveleged genealogical records, protected by the various European Royal Houses, especially the Scots Royal House of Stewart, for "Bloodline", ; and drawing upon Mesopotamian and Sumerian records for "Genesis of the Grail Kings", Sir Laurence backs up his points with detailed fascinating research. Among some of the topics covered in the two works: -The meaning & symbolism of the Holy Grail, or Sangreal, or Blood Royal

-A bloodline has been perpetuated from ancient times to the present, having its origins in Mesopotamia & Sumeria,which was genetically enhanced first thru the ingestion of Annunaki "Star Fire", and later enhanced by ingesting alchemically altered gold that had been turned into a white powder.

-The true facts concerning Jesus' parentage, familial relationships, Davidic descent, and marriage to Mary Magdalene. -The true facts concerning many of the parables of the New Testament, in that they were coded references to political situations, not supernatural or spiritual phenomena. The evidence that many of the stories in the Old Testament are retellings and recombinations of elements from much older, more complete Mesopotamian and Sumerian records.

-The true facts concerning Jesus' birth, death and resurrection. -The importance and prominence of women such as Mary Magdalene, in the original church. -How the Roman Catholic Church rose to power and authority and wealth, and then how it sought to maintain that usurped power and authority and wealth by: Preventing the true facts on Jesus' parentage, birth, training, marriage, and resurrection to be brought to light; Suppressing the expression of intellectual and individual freedoms in Art, Literature, learning thru various instruments as the Inquisition; Denying and suppressing the importance and access of women to roles in the Church, and society.

-The rise of European Royal Houses, and in particular, the suppression of the Scots Royal House, by England. -The importance of how properly managed and properly instituted government can secure the greatest individual freedoms and liberties.

And many other points too numerous to mention.

In short, I wholeheartedly recommend BOTH books to all sincere seekers,and hope that they will find these two lifechanging works as beneficial as I have.

"WOW", was the word I most often uttered when I read this fascinating book. If you ever questioned your faith as a Christian, this book will shatter all the myths that you learned. The premise of the book is that Jesus was married (to Mary Magdalene) and fathered children. His older brother (Joseph of Aramathea)also had children and after the crucifixion(Gardner dispels the dogma that Jesus died on the Cross) settled in Britain. The book peers into the lives of the Apostles(how they came to afford walking the countryside with a rogue rabbi), the historical lives of Mary's parents, the virgin birth and the explanation of many of the miracles. He delves into the reasons why the Vatican would only permit MAry to be depicted in blue and white and Joseph as a doting and tired old man. He further uncovers the mysteries of the KNights Templar, the Holy Grail, the Rosacrucians, and the Freemasons. He finally sums through genealogical scholarship that direct descendants of Jesus and his brother, are alive today and rule as Royal families in Europe. "Wow" is what you will say as you turn each page.

For several years now, I've grown increasingly discontent with Calvinist theology and have been looking for a good treatise to systematically present the alternative viewpoint. I was excited to hear about this book that is now in its second edition.

The book certainly is comprehensive and covers all the important material. Early on the book seems to put too much emphasis on criticizing Calvin's life (especially his involvement in Servetus' death), but at least he does set everything in a historical context, including the roots of this debate with Augustine and Pelagius. The book does a fine job of quoting both sides of the debate. In fact, to his credit, I think Vance quotes more from Calvinists than Arminians in trying to disprove Calvinism!

While much of the book is informative, particularly the numerous citations of Calvinist beliefs, I am disappointed with much of it. My main criticisms would be the following:

1. Be prepared for a book by a "KJV only" person. Vance quotes from the bible often, even when the KJV translation is clearly inferior. For example in talking about Total Depravity, Psalm 39:5 is cited in the KJV, which reads, "verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity." This reads like a pro-Calvinistic verse, but every other translation shows that this verse should read differently. For example the ESV reads, "Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath." Vance could have remarked on this to help his case, but shows zero interest in looking at any other translation. In some instances, anti-Calvinist verses are cited that are actually not so. For example to show that all people are made not as elect/reprobate, Vance quotes Psalm 33:15 which reads, "He fashioneth their hearts alike." But again, modern translations based on better Hebrew scholarship show that this is not the best translation of this verse. The NASB renders the same verse, "He who fashions the hearts of them all." A totally different meaning! So I found myself constantly having to check other translations to make sure that the KJV was an accurate translation. Besides these examples, sometimes I found myself just confused at some KJV translations that he lists. Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at." Winked at?! Again, the author's KJV only stance forced me to look up almost every important verse to get another perspective.

2. Probably because of the author's KJV-only beliefs, he seems to care much more about it than the underlying Greek or Hebrew. He constantly asks questions about how often a word is used, a word like depravity, elect, predestined, etc. There is almost no care for the Hebrew or Greek underlying it, just how the KJV reads, even if it translates different Greek or Hebrew words with the same English word, or if the same English word had multiple Hebrew/Greek equivalents. This was extremely frustrating and really diminished the scholarship of the book.

3. The author often attacks Calvinistic interpretations, but often does not provide an alternative one. This was very frustrating. Many times he would do a good job showing how Calvinists read their own interpretation into verses, but does little to construct an alternative interpretation. Sometimes the attacks he makes are based on downright flimsy argumentation. Sometimes however, Vance is brilliant in his arguments.

4. Sometimes the book is too caustic or just outright bizzare. Talking about the famous TULIP acronymn, the books reads, "The five points of Calvinism are commmonly given under the acronym TULIP. To those in the medical profession, TULIP is a reference to a form of laser surgery for prostate problems (Transurethral Ultrasound-guided Laser-Induced Prostatectomy). To the average man, however, a TULIP is just a flower." (p. 145) What!?! I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be funny or not, but there are strange things like this throughout the book.

There are some definite strengths of the book. He points out that Calvinists often artificially dichotomize everything, and Vance provides insight into the real significance of their buzzwords. For example, he correctly points out that the most important aspect of Total Depravity is "Total inability."

On the whole, there were some good things in the book, but the presentation was just not good enough for me to recommend. I'm still searching for a good, comprehensive anti-Calvinist treatise. I actually think this book has the potential to be it, so I'm hoping that Vance makes a third revision of this book. It certainly has the potential to be an amazing book.

There are many good things about this book. It is a tour-de-force of Calvinist intelectual history, particularly within the Baptist worldview. This material is rich, highly educational and comprises the bulk of this very large volume.

Unfortunately, Vance's conclusions are not part of the good things about this book. I am writing as a Pentecostal who is totally non-Reformed in his soteriology, just so you know where I am coming from. I absolutely and categorically reject all 5 points of T.U.L.I.P. en-toto, but especially the doctrine of preservation of the saints [A.k.A. once saved always saved]. I know for a fact that its is entirely possible for truly born again individual to apostatize and be damned to hell eternally.

Vance is basically an Amyraldian, who believes that you are eternally secure the moment you first believe, no matter what you might do subsiquently. No sanctification? No problem! Unforgiving? Never you mind! Sexually perverted? It is of no consequence. Did you commit murder or suicide? Don't worry about it! Once you are saved by faith alone you are always saved. You have been given an inexhaustible grace budget. You cannot sin your way out of it.

These false notions constitute a completely wrong view of sin and of God's grace, and are totally unsupportable based the Old or New Testaments. They constitute a logical Platonic philosophy, not a Biblical soteriology. We are forever showing them the same deadly biblical verses that destroy this bankrupt philosophy, and yet they continue to deny that which is obvious.

The only thing Vance wants to do is show you that unconditional election and reprobation are not true. Consiquently, neither is limited atonement, or definite atonement, or particular redemption (whatever you want to call it).

He dismembers these doctrines well. This is not very difficult to do because (of course) these doctrines are wrong. He bombards the Calvinist with many of the scriptures they never like to read, and always hate to stumble across.

He sharply criticizes Primitive Baptists and Reformed Baptists for denying that we need to make a full and free offer of the gospel to all people everywhere, and for denying that they can be saved. He ridicules them for insisting on something as extra-biblical as the 5-Points of Dort. He challanges them to put their false doctrines to the test.
Unfortunately, as I said before, the author remains a Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) kind-of-a-guy. This conclusion is wrong, totally unwarrented, and dangerous. There are only about 100 NT passages that are totally irreconcilable with this position Matt 25:30, Hebrews 10:26 and all of Matthew 18:31 and forward do away with this notion. There are many other classic passages such as Hebrews 6, Romans 11, and Philippians 3 that ...[foul up] the doctrine of eternal unconditional security

Coming from a reformed background, and now as a Southern Baptist, I'm pleased to say that Vance's arguments are very convincing. My pastor is active in "The Founders," a Southern Baptist organization formed to promote Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention. Since I gave him this book he has been engrossed in it. Vance has caused him to reevaluate his position.

I also loaned my copy to a professor at the reformed college I attend. After looking at the table of contents, he refused to read it! This kind of willful blindness from Calvinists is one reason I changed my own views.

Calvinists who think Vance is unkind had better read some of their own writings. Vance is much kinder than most, especially Calvin himself. The comment from another reviewer that Vance takes things out of context is simply untrue. This is exactly how I used to respond when confronted with an argument that I couldn't answer.

Any Baptist deceived by John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul or any of the avant garde Calvinists that I was weaned on should get this book and read it carefully. Vance also discusses John Gill's theories on limited atonement and shows that they are unbiblical. Free will is also covered with Vance showing as illogical and unbiblical the arguments of Sproul, Jonathan Edwards, and the rest.

With the glut of Internet sites promoting Calvinism, this is one of the most valuable books any Baptist could have in his library.

I've read the other reviews and would warn anyone wanting a fair evaluation to consider the source. One negative reviewer actually has "tulip" in his e-mail address! Another is a big supporter of "The Founders." Calvinists are obviously mad at Vance. If read by a few, this book will set back "The Founders" radical agenda by years. If read by many, it will stop them cold.

Anyone who reads Vance with an open mind will see that Bible doctrine and Calvinism are polar opposites.

The Stone Angel is a book that I felt compelled to read--it is one of the most prestigious titles in the CanLit canon. Unlike many of the "great works of literature" I've read lately, this one didn't disappoint.

The Stone Angel is the story of Hagar Shipley's life, told in her own voice. Hagar is a ninety year old woman living with her son and daughter-in-law. She is rampant with memory. Her struggles for independence are interspliced with vivid recollections of her past.

The narrative voice of The Stone Angel is astounding. Laurence is a master of the simile and provides the reader with beautiful descriptions on nearly every page. At the same time, the narration, from Hagar's lips, constantly provides insight into Hagar and the people that surround her. At times, Laurence is able to tell you more about characters by their grammar than many writers are able to tell you in entire novels. Laurence has a particularly keen sense of diction. Her dialogue reveals mountains of insight about generations gaps, economic divides, and the walls that pride builds.

Overall, this is technically one of the best books I've ever read, and one of the most pleasing.

Though I'm not Canadian, I too feel great shame for those Canadians who dislike Margaret Laurence and have no apparent literary taste. However, I find this book to be absolutely stupendous and absorbing. I have read it 4 times, and it only seems to get better with each read. I am not just saying this.

Never has there been a more realistic and likeable character than Mrs. Hagar Shipley, someone everyone should be more like. Her unabashed honesty is truly heartwarming. If this is not a feel-good story, then I simply don't know what is!! This is the feel-good book of the year.... This is no overstatement.

Yes. It is sad that people die. But if people did so with as much dignity as Hagar, the world would be a better place. And, no, I am not just saying that, again.

Why hasn't this fine novel---this vanguard story--been adapted into movie form? I see the unflappable Glenn Close playing Hagar--with courage and grace. She's divine.

Those who did not like the book likely did not understand its messages. Uninformed readers are the worst.

As you can probably tell by some of the other reviews, this book will NOT be for everyone. If you're looking for a quick escape, lots of action or a strong romance, this is not the book you want. However, if you enjoy books that aren't your usual fare and are strong on psychological tension, this is an excellent choice. I absolutely loved this story of an elderly woman, a rather judgmental, cantankerous person. I like novels that show how a person grows and changes and I find slow change to be most believable and true to life, as it is in this book. Many readers may have found Hagar Shipley's life to be rather mundane, even dull. But I didn't - her marriage to a man she eventually saw as inferior and coarse, her relationship with her children, her desire to make a proper home and better herself - were all quite realistic to me. As she becomes increasingly frail and dependent on her son and daughter-in-law, she also comes to see her life in a different way. I won't reveal more but I do urge you to read this one and stick with it. Odds are, you'll want to read more by the gifted author, Margaret Laurence.