Laurence Hull Stookey's book, 'Calendar: Christ's Time for the Church', seems to be written for a primarily Protestant readership. There are many clues to this, but perhaps none more telling than the Appendix subtitled This Book in a Nutshell. As I go through each of the pairs of ideas, I find that my upbringing and training has concentrated more on the right column (the column Stookey invites readers to consider as an alternative) rather than the 'assumed teaching' column. Thus, one of my tasks was to think about how the 'assumed teaching' came about in some traditions, but not my own. Certainly there are historical, developmental reasons for this. As evidenced in class discussions, there can still be a great deal of resistance to ideas such as lectionary cycles or liturgical years. These things seem natural to me, however, and would be greatly missed if not present.

Stookey does not delve too deeply into the historical minutiae of how different denominations' calendrical cycles were shaped. While he does discuss differences in catholic, orthodox and protestant practices at times, these are relatively few in number, and even more rarely presented as part of a developmental line. Does this indicate a anti-catholic bias in the author (which I consider unlikely) or in the potential readership? (Stookey's own preferences sneak into the text occasionally, such on page 143, where rather than stating that Charles Wesley has a separate day from John Wesley in the United Methodist sanctoral cycle, he states that 'Charles is rightly given a separate commemoration...' [emphasis added].)

The overall theological framework for the discussion of the calendar is set out in the first chapter. 'As Christians, we ought continuously to be aware that we live at the intersection of time and eternity.' (p. 17) How this is lived out involves forging a connection with a creator who is always active in creation, not a remote observer. How this is enacted liturgically involves anamnesis and prolepsis. In my Anglo-Catholic tradition, the idea of anamnesis, that 'the liturgical observance of past events somehow brings them into our own time', is strongly maintained in the way the Eucharist is understood as being the real presence, and that the communion service is not simply a memorial or even a re-enactment, but an ongoing participation. (p. 29) The same holds true for prolepsis, that the future is already made real for us in liturgy. 'Liturgical anamnesis and prolepsis constitute a primary means by which we maintain contact with past and future.' (p. 33)

Stookey talks about the yearly cycle, beginning with a discussion the week and of Sunday. Stookey mentions the daily office, but fails to speak of it as a possible practice for those outside of cathedral/monastic settings. Stookey presents Sunday as

'...the first day of the week and the eighth day of the week are the same day. Yet even in that there is meaning: The creation of the cosmos (which God began on Day One) and the new creation are not antagonistic to each other; we do not have to leave the physical world in order to participate in the new creation in Christ...' (p. 41)

Stookey argues for a consideration of the recovery of the Hebraic way of reckoning days (with the day beginning at sundown, rather than sunrise, or some point in the middle of the night), particularly for Sunday.

'Such a reordering of Christian thinking, contrary as it is to prevailing cultural customs, could be the beginning of a new way of seeing the whole of Christian faith as a reinterpretation of commonly accepted ideas and values.' (p. 48)

Could Saturday be seen in terms of being a true Sabbath, and Sunday, beginning the sundown before, as a true day of the Lord? At my monastery in Michigan, Sunday is considered to have begun at sundown Saturday. The evening meal is thus somewhat grander in fare, and things become more relaxed as the community prepares to celebrate the Lord's day the next day. This is easier to accomplish in a monastic community than in a parish or even within a family practice, but is worthy of consideration in such settings.

Stookey's framework of the film, 'Places in the Heart', and his use of hymn texts throughout help shape and support his argument that liturgy is a pattern in which we are connected, past, present and future, to the community and to the divine. 'Events that occurred only once nevertheless become contemporaneous with us because the Risen One holds all time in unity.' (pp. 31-32) This connection can only be lived out in connection with the community (however this may get refined in actual practice), the communion of saints past, present and yet to come.

First, I must admit that I read this book as a student of the author. That said, I have to say that this is one of the most clearly written, understandable, and yet educated discussions of worship I have ever read. If you are an interested layperson, head of a worship committee, in charge of a special service (Advent, Lent, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, whatever), pastor, musician, or all of the above, this book will educate you. Stookey is, I think, on target in his (re)assesment of the relative importance of the various holidays and seasons of the church year. He will make you think and you'll like it!

I have 2 children, ages 8 and 6 and they both enjoyed the book very much. This book is very funny, easy to read and my children spent much of the time reading the book laughing. The book is brilliantly and cleverly written and the illustrations are very enjoyable for the children to look at. My children and I highly recommend this book.

My 8 year old son Juxhino adores this book. He hopes to meet the author in person if this is possible. He would love to get his book signed by Mr Laurence, as he had a teacher at his school in England with the same name, who inspired and intriqued him with his stories of pirates. He talked about it with his learning support teacher (who was much better looking than Mr Laurence!} His best friends Rufus, Stinky and Naylor (the Mother Superior), would also like to recommend this fantastic book.

As a teacher and mother of three, I am always on the look out for good picture books. I love almost everything that the Anholts have done, but Chimp and Zee is SENSATIONAL, (and no I'm not a relative or a publisher!). My class absolutely squeal with delight when I get out this huge brightly coloured story book... then as soon as I get home, my own kids, aged 3,5 and 8 are begging for Chimp and Zee too. I do hope there will be more adventures about these adorable twin monkeys. Without exaggeration, this is the best children's picture book I have ever seen.

We bought Chimp and Zee whilst on vacation in England and our three kids went MAD for it! We have since bought at least ten copies for all the kids we know. It's a HUGE, brightly colored story about two wonderful twin monkeys...you just have to see it to get the idea.

This handy paperback volume is a true gem on collecting late 19th/early 20th century souvenir china. The numerous color photos and informative text make this an excellent addition to any collector's bookshelf. Highlights include wholesaler marks and information on manufacturers.

This edition promises to be the corner stone for the souvenir china collector!

This 1998, 232 page book features more than 500 full color, large photos of a great variety of collectible souvenir china. 1998 values are shown. There is a nice introduction to the topic and plenty of descriptive text throughout. It's well indexed for easy item location. Major topics include, Collecting Souvenir China in the U.S., Golden Era of Souvenir China, The Pioneers, Identifying Producers, Shapes, Forms and Styles, and related items. A nice bibliography is provided. Collectors will love looking at the great photos provided. A useful reference.

each and every day we take the world in and we make a very crucial decision: is this or that true? is this or that false? and if we take a step further we might find ourselves using the word "why" more often than usual. Why is this true? how do i really know? This is exactly what Descartes is getting at with Meditations on First Philosophy. The first time I read it, I found myself re-reading again and again; underlining portions to make the very act of re-reading easier. One must posess maticulousness and great patience to truely envelop the concepts brought forth by Descartes in this work. If you read it not to understand what is behind truth and error, then read it to experience the drama and beauty that Descartes employs to present the logic that founds his conclusions. If you wish to explore what one man found when he asked, "how is it that we can distinguish between reality and dream, and why is it that humanity is plagued by error?", then you must immerse yourself in this book, and pay it the maticulous attention that it demands.

This is the preferred choice of teachers and scholars seeking an English language translation of this central text of philosophy. Not only is the text extremely readable, this translation comes with an excellent introduction written by a highly regarded scholar in the field of Descartes scholarship. If you're looking for a first-rate translation of the Meditations (and a great introduction to the writings of one of the best philosophers of the early modern period), you can't go wrong with this choice. Although it is a little more expensive than some of the other available translations, I recommend it above all others.

This is a great story for children and grown-ups. Adults will enjoy reading this book to their children. A nice story from China.

An excellent book on Chinese fairy tales about a Prince/Dragon and a poor, but skilled and beautiful peasant girl. It contains exquisite illustrations that captured my preschool and grade school daughters attention. I highly recommend this fantasy book for preschoolers, through grades three. The reading level and some content (reasoning) for older grades. Recommended for students, teachers, and parents.

Larry Karp has presented for us beautifully many tales that many of us collectors go through regularly. While I consider myself an advanced collector, I still find that there is a lot to learn about collecting, and about musical boxes themselves. Well done, Larry.

This is a perfectly wonderful book filled with life and integrity. Larry Karp writes extrmely well and is able to convey his passion for music box collecting in a way that even noncollectors such as I can find extremely thrilling. How great that the book is now available in reprint. Anyone who is entertained by Dr. Karp's fiction--along with those who are not yet acquainted--will love this book. The book is simply for readers and humans.

Book Review - "An End to Global Warming" by Laurence O. Williams

Laurence O. Williams' book, "An End to Global Warming" foretells of a not-to-distant future in which global warming and melting of ice caps due to fossil fuel consumption will submerge most of the worlds coastal cities. We have all heard predictions of Armageddon from impending environmental disasters and in some cases, have learned to take these predictions with a grain of salt. However if one proceeds through this book with this superficial approach a feeling of uneasiness soon begins to take over.
Williams has laid out his premise in a very logical systems analysis approach starting at the component parts, taking time to define scientific terms and concepts, construct relationships based on tables of relevant data, and extensively referencing pertinent results and extrapolations.
Societies increasing output of carbon dioxide and the correlation's of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere and global temperature changes are frightening. This data, along with observations of recent climactic changes and ice shelf effects, provide support to the seriousness and urgency of this global problem. Although one could possibly argue with the author's timelines as to future environmental disasters, the inevitability of these occurrences if we proceed down our current energy usage pathway is well foretold. As the real and projected effects of this warming on the earth are described and supported one is caught up in an appreciation of the magnitude of this problem could have on our future generations. The comprehensive analyses given to the many elements considered in this book may slow the reader slightly, but the author does an excellent job of putting concepts and terms in simple understandable descriptions. Time is taken, to the author's credit, to point out the colossal waste in burning our limited petroleum products which could be used for the production of needed medicines, polymers and other valuable organic industrial materials.
However, the pivotal concept that makes this book important is that Williams does more than bemoan a bleak, energy restrictive future, he offers us a well thought out solution. This solution, which is based on a clean primary energy source, and a clean transportable fuel, is based on technologies that are themselves not completely new, but on the coalescing of concepts to accomplish this unique energy revolution.
Williams gives a detailed approach for implementation of this concept and it is persuasive and elegantly constructed. The case is made for the need of a transportable fuel, and alternate fuels are compared. However, the choice of the primary transportable fuel is well supported. As a mater of fact, it is not only the optimum fuel it is probably the only choice for a transportable clean fuel. The considerations for the practical utilization of this fuel in domestic and industrial uses are studied in detail.
A new energy source is boldly presented by the author as the primary energy source for the production of electrical energy and transportable fuel. Seawater would provide all of our clean envirinmental needs. It would be utilized in this new low pollution society to more efficiently clean up polluted water and more completely destroy organic wastes. The development of a new power system is the cornerstone of this clean energy concept, and the one that makes to conversion to a pollution-free environment a possibility. More available alternate energy systems, such as solar and fission, may still allow the transition to a clean energy society and afford an interim approach to phase out carbon dioxide producing systems. However, I believe Williams is correct in emphasizing the urgency for an all out Manhattan-type project to develop this new clean power system.
The logic of the overall approach is undeniable and the insight into why, how, and when is sobering, but also interesting and exciting. Larry Williams' enthusiasm and urgency to implement an immediate change in how we look at our energy future and our environment is apparent. This book is worthy of our time to read and our commitment to do some deep thinking on the implication of these concepts on society. Hopefully this concept will motivate us all to become personally involved in the implementation of change to a more pollution-free, energy-rich, future environment.
David W. Neiswander Ph.D. - Environmental Consultant - Knoxville, TN.

Mr Williams has produced here a thoughtful study of what is perhaps the most important scio economic and environmental problem of our age. This is not an overstatement and this work deserves to be read and pondered.

The problem is energy. In this age a large reliable and safe source of energy is a necessity. It is not a luxury that can be forgone and the demand for energy will increase as more of the worlds populations come to demand the fruits of civilization--all of which, from agriculture to cell phones, require energy.

What is urgently needed is a comprehensive scenerio by which this can be accomplished. This Herculean task is what Mr. Williams has attempted--with considerable success.

It is difficult to cover all of the facets of this work in a short review, however,as an overview, Mr. williams concludes that the only vible approach will be to accept the inevitablilty of hydrogen as the portable fuel of choice and--shocking as it may seem to some--nuclear power as the original source of energy.

Along the way to reaching these conclusions, he has found it necessary to evaluate various alternatives--including the popular one of widespread conservation, which would be helpful of course, but is unlikely to be achieved on any broad basis. Mr. Williams give many of these ideas--such as solar power and a host of others--serious and courteous consideration. They all have a place--in this reviewers opinion at least--nevertheless, when examined in depth (as he does) inevitably fall short of promising a long term, ultimate solution. This part of the book is, by itself, worth reading.

The next stumbling block in accepting Mr. William's thesis is his insistance that nuclear power must be the primary source for energy. He envisions large plants producing the hydrogen from water and and, of course, there is a strong cultural bias in the general public agains anything nuclear. The foundations for this bias are dealt with convincingly. The radiation bugaboo is examined as well the general hazards which, as he shows, are no more extreme than in any energy realte activity on a large scale. Suffice it to say that coal mining and drilling for oil present similar hazards and hydrogen as a portable fuel is no more of a hazard than gasolene--although we are accustomed to the latter and familiarity breeds a level of complacency.

One starts reading a work like Mr. Willliam's rather cynically, expecting a grandiose plan for a perfect world--knowing that the devil is in the details, which are usually not provided. I am pleased to report that in this case, many of the details are identified and dealt with in an orderly fashion with a convincing candor. The plan presented here is intriguing and well documented and worthy of serious considersation.

Recommended reading.

To understand capitalism, read the Wealth of Nations. But, to really understand it, as well as the other ideas of Adam Smith, read his essential works. This book allows the reader to fully grasp the concepts of capitalism and get a clear picture of how and why it works. Thankfully, Heilbronner did not dilute the works of Smith, he just condensed them for the modern day reader. With this book you can cut through the jargon and see the real points that Smith was trying to get across.

After reading Heilbroner's The Worldly Philosophers, I decided to read Smith's Wealth of Nations, but found myself daunted by the length and language of the book. Then I discovered Heilbroner's Essential Adam Smith and was hooked. The book offers the essential parts of Wealth of Nations, as well as a good sampling of some of his other works. As a result, I have not only read the entire Wealth several times, but have also read everything by and about Smith that I can find. Heilbroner's book is a good way to get to the heart of Smith's thinking, but, like me, you will probably find yourself wanting to learn more about the man, his ideas, and his life. Enjoy!