I know it's not a usual literary effect, but when reading sweet Mary Jo's memoir, one can feel actual love being actually tugged from well within one's actual heart. She is blessed with an extraordinarily Affective manner of writing, and boy, does it feel good--this is prose that's a sight for sore eyes.
This unusual minister provokes not only joy, but feelings most tender and dear, especially with her (get this:) IRRESISTIBLE (I swear they are) sermons. Reading 'Grace' caused me to say about a Reverend something I've never said before: "I ache to hear Mary Cartledgehayes preach." And yes, as you've heard, she likes getting laid as much as you do.

I thoroughly enjoyed Grace by Mary Cartledgehayes. It was recommended by Jill Connor Brown, the Sweet Potato Queen herself so I had to buy it. It is a true look at the life of a spiritual woman who is VERY human. Cartledgehayes shares her life story and I feel I know her as a friend. She deals with major changes in her life such as divorce, remarriage, step-parenting and seminary studies with dignity and grace. She never attempts to fit the image of what a minister "should" be but puts her own stamp on everything she touches. Read this if you are a spiritual person looking to connect with other people of faith or if you are on your own faith journey.

I'm a fast, fast reader. Most books that are about a journey are maddening to me -- I'm impatient, too! I usually want the answer, the puzzle to be solved, or the next exciting thing to happen. Mary Cartledgehayes made me read slow so that I wouldn't miss a single part of her journey. The most important thing I heard from her: Be part of the human race and risk pain of love, or you're wasting oxygen. If you've ever struggled to know yourself (and who among the reflective has not?), or if you've struggled to know God and His leading (and who among the human has not?), this book is for you. Mary is real. And she's funny. I hope she comes to Indianapolis so I can ask her to dinner. Yep, I'd sure as hell go to her church, too.

If you're learning Koine, this helps when your brain shuts down and you have absolutely NO clue what form that word is or what the lexical form is and your dictionary has failed you. With this, like Kubo Sakae's handy-dandy Reader's Greek-English Lexicon, you can look up book & verse! :D It gives you Greek idioms, too & sometimes commentary. :)
This book will make you want to cheer!

After I finished first-year NT Greek, I used this precious gem of a tool to read Colossians with significant understanding in about four hours! This is better than ANY of the computerized Greek NT study helps.

Use this tool with Zerwick's excellent little grammar book, to which it's keyed. In the few places where I've found that my biases differ from Zerwick's, his have always been easy enough to isolate and think about.

Use this tool for quick reading; don't use it for exegesis papers, and don't let it become a crutch for verb forms.

I took first-year and Intermediate Greek; we used the Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek to get our vocabulary down to 10x word occurrences in the Greek New Testament. Yet doing this, you only cover roughly 99% of all words in the Greek New Testament. There are many, many words in the Greek New Testament that occur quite often, and it's good to have this book to look up what they mean. Alan Wong (one of the reviewers) also told me about this book, and it is fabulous!

Especially when reading Paul where there are many hapaxlegemons, it is essential to have a good dictionary around, and "Max and Mary" (as this is nicknamed) is very good to have around, especially that it is layed out verse-by-verse, parsed. I use this book quite regularly when I'm in the Gospel of Luke or in the Acts of the Apostles, or in the Epistles. (The book of Hebrews is another matter altogether!)

In addition, the book also covers a number of textual variants, grammatical constructs, and idioms, all very helpful. It is bound in vinyl (I think to be lightweight), so unfortunately, if you use this heavily, it may fall apart over the years.

It's worth it for the student and pastor who has learned a good amount of Greek grammar, and wants to do some Greek translation and exegesis, and is a great tool to have when beginning exegesis. In addition, I'd also recommend Daniel Wallace's Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics (which was our Intermediate Greek textbook), which explains a lot of the more advanced Greek constructs and grammar.

However, as a good working translation is important in exegesis, this book is invaluable.

My wife and I had some extra time on a combination work/pleasure trip recently. We picked up this book before leaving based on the reviews and found several places that had exactly what we were looking for. Wish Sue would publish a version for Colorado!

The Great New Jersey Shopping Guide has been very helpful for me. I have lived in New Jersey all my life and I still learned new places to go and new sources for shopping. This book is not only good for the serious shopper but also for those who want to try someplace new.

As a seasoned shopper, I thought I knew just about every worthwhile retail destination in the state. I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up this book and discovered interesting locales even I wasn't aware of. Everything is included--from shopping malls to museum shops to gourmet food stores. Best of all, The Great New Jersey Shopping Guide isn't written in standard guidebook form, but rather includes personal anecdotes from the authors, which are quite enjoyable to read. I especially liked Sue Bruskin Clarke's tales of mall shopping in the '60s and '70s and I related to her downtown shopping experiences in towns like Hoboken and Princeton.

This book is a must have for all New Jersey shoppers.

This was my absolute favorite book when I was in elementary school. Now that I have 2 small children of my own, I have rediscovered it with them. The poems are soothing to hear on a lazy afternoon and the colors are as fresh as watercolor can get. After reading it to the kids, I go back and indulge myself and read it again. Definitely a rainy day pick!

This slim book was originally published in 1961 and by now, we may safely call it a classic. The title is taken from her poem "What is White?" A series of poems each entitled "What Is--- (Green, Gold, Red, Blue, etc.)" describes in ways you have never thought of what exactly the color is. I have never found the child who was not fascinated by the ideas presented and usually had a few additions of his/her own to add. I always thought this vivid book would bring much pleasure to a blind person who had never "seen" a color. Ms. O'Neill brings the feel, the taste and the mood of each color to a shimmering life of its own.

--the purple feeling

is rather put out.

The purple look is a

Definite pout.

But the purple sound

Is the loveliest thing

It's a violet opening

In the spring.

As a teacher I have struggled to find new and innovative ways to instill a love of poetry in my students. This wonderful book of poems was such a big hit with my students that I bought extra copies for our classroom library. Mary O'Neill's style of writing introduced the concept of poetry without overwhelming the children. They were eager to write and share their own color poems after listening to this collection of easy to follow poems. They also couldn't wait to take the book home to share with their families. This is a great choice to use as a read aloud or as part of a poetry unit for grades 3 and 4.

What a fine collection of stories, strung on an idea but brilliantly distinguished from each other. O'Connell has a great ear -- perfect pitch. I haven't seen a false note there. I hope we'll see more of her stories, soon.

The best debute I've ever read from a new writer. The stories are not only original, but moving, funny entertaining, etc..

If you love a good read of short stories, then this is a must for you.

I was initially ...[pulled] in by the fabulous cover (the Australian hardcover edition) and was even more impressed by these immensely satisfying stories. I was moved to laugh, cry, be surprised, but stilled by the gentleness of the stories. I suppose being raised as a Catholic, and having left that doctrine, has put me in a good position to enjoy the stories. Whilst some may feel shocked by the treatment of the saints I felt that I got to glimpse the humans behind the myths. I was also pleased by the variety of female characters that the author created. They all felt genuine.

If you're looking for intelligent, well-crafted short stories that sparkle with wit then look no further.

I bought this set on tape for my son's 6th birthday so we could listen to them in the car while travelling. The stories are well-done and made him use his imagination. We enjoyed trying guessing what dinosaurs were being described and he wondered if the kids could see the moon and stars while they were in the castle. Even my 3-year-old had a good time listening. They can't wait to go on another trip to hear more of the stories.

I AM A GRANDMOTHER OF A 7 YR OLD BOY. I WISHED THAT I COULD
DEVELOP A LOVE OF BOOKS IN HIM LIKE I HAVE. THE TREE HOUSE SERIES HAVE DONE JUST THAT. MY GRANDSON AND I TAKE TURNS READING EACH CHAPTER. I AM NOT SURE WHO ENJOYS THE STORIES MORE ME OR HIM. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE WEEKENDS SO WE CAN READ TOGETHER.

How would you like to ride on a pteranodon? Now you can! You could ride a pteranodon when you read magic tree house dinosaurs before dark. Annie's brother Jack did. Jack and Annie were also chased by a Tea-rex, and Annie tried to make friend with a duckbilled Dinosaur she was trying to talk to the Dinosaur. Jack kept taking notes. Jack and Annie now there is a magical witch or wizard because Jack found something that had an M on it.

Jay B. Barney has written an enduring, understandable user's guide to corporate strategy that is a must read for any business student. Barney helps would-be business leaders frame their strategic decision-making process. Barney first explains to his audience the concepts of strategy and performance, and their relevance to the corporate organization both internally and externally. Barney then explores the different strategies that the corporation can adopt in dealing with its competitive environment: Cost leadership, product differentiation, tacit collusion, and alliances. The author does a very good job in demonstrating to his readers that the four strategies are not mutually exclusive but occasionally complementary. Finally, Barney explores how a company can structure itself across markets over time. He successively addresses the issues of integration, diversification, mergers and acquisitions, and globalization. Gaining and Sustaining Competitive Advantage has been one of the most influential business textbooks that I have ever been asked to read.

This is a great book - more for what it organises than what it adds as new ideas.

Barney sets a model for Competitive Advantage (VIRO) and them compares strategic models as potential sources. It places many of the modern attempts in perspective. Without this starting understanding, the modern gurus (Hamel) are almost impossible to apply as their ideas lack the perspective on the role of strategy within an organisation and within all of the other management tools.

It places Michael Porter within a framework where his work can be better used.

For managers and post graduates, this book sets out the fundamentals of strategy and where it can take you.

Not cheap (by a long way) but a fair price for the knowledge.

This is a very concise and interesting book on competitive and corporate strategies. It compiles all the main issues regarding studies on competitive advantage withouth losing focus on the specifics of each different kind of strategy.

I would recommend using the book only after a review of microeconomic concepts. This will allow graduate business students coming from other areas (like engineering) to grasp the strategy concepts more easily.

One suggestion: it would be nice if the authors included cases at the end of each chapter. Since the book presents the theory from a basic up to a more advanced level, this would let students to quickly fix the concepts by applying them in real world situations.

Mallory is having a hard time at SMS so she goes on the net and search for schools she could enroll in snd she's been accepted. But Jessi's mad that Mallory told Mary Anne first rather than her To tell you the truth this BSC book wasn't really what I expected. I expected Mallory to change her mind like any old book but she''s leaving I'll miss her like the BSC

Poor Mary Anne! Being stuck in the middle isn't what she had in mind! With Mallory going off to Riverbend Hall the BSC is upset. Jessi is heartbroken, after all she's losing her best friend. However Jessi shows her sadnness through anger, especially since Mal concults Mary Anne first about her problems. Will Mal go away? Will Mary Anne solve the feud? You HAVE to read this book!

Mary Anne in the Middle was a very good book. One of the best BSC books written so far. Mallory hates SMS, and wants to go to a boarding school. When she gets accepted, she tells Mary Anne first. Jessi finds out, and now she is furious at Mallory. Mallory is angry at Jessi for not understanding. Poor Mary Anne is stuck in the middle. Besides Jessi, Mallory's siblings are all mad at her as well! And how will the BSC go on with another member too short? Will Mallory and Jessi make up before she leaves? Can the BSC find a replacement for Mal? Will Mary Anne be stuck in the middle forever? You've got to read the book and find out!

I bought the original publication of this book at an auction in Phillipsburg, Ohio. It was the summer of 1980. The property and all the household goods of an Mennonite family were being liquidated. The book was a signed gift dated September 21, 1950. Upon opening the book, I discovered it was loaded with clover leaves. Those weren't the only treasures in the cook book. It was loaded with lots of easy recipes that could be used to create home style meals. I am buying another copy now so I can retire the book I have come to depend on. The only regret I have is that I didn't buy the old applesauce pot and the recipe file. The recipe for apple sauce read.. "fill the pan with apples", "cover with water", "cook until the sauce reaches the mark on the stick"... there was no stick to be found.. I wish the cook knew how much her recipes mean to me.

I love this cookbook from the Mennonite Community. The meals are hearty and delicous. I much rather take the time to make these meals then to eat processed and store bought foods.

I've grown up eating recipies from this cookbook--my mother cooks from it more than any other cookbook she owns. My grandmother used this cookbook, all my aunts use it, and many of my cousins use it. Some of my very favorite meals are from recipies in this book.

This is real, down home Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. It may not be fancy gourmet, but it's just good food. If you only buy one cookbook, The Mennonite Community Cookbook is the one to get.

Move over, Paul Bunyan, there's a new tall-tale hero in town.

Well, not exactly a new hero.

In the New York City of the 1840s lived a legendary firefighter named Mose Humphreys. Standing eight feet tall, with "hands as big as Virginia hams," he fought fires all around the great city, striding towards danger with his flaming red hair under his stovepipe hat. Whether rescuing babies from flaming tenements or bankers from burning hotels, Mose was beloved by all New Yorkers for his bravery and selflessness.

Mary Pope Osborne's story, in true American folktale tradition, renders a loving portrait of a man who symbolizes all that we respect and admire in firefighters: courage, willing sacrifice, tireless service to others. These traits were never so dramatically demonstrated as they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, and the story is a fitting tribute to the 343 New York City firefighters lost on that tragic day.

Though dedicated to the memory of modern firefighters, the gritty tones of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's illustrations remind us that this is also a tale about firefighting in a city overcrowded with wood-framed buildings and illuminated by oil lamps, when water had to be physically pumped out of tank trucks with enough force to reach the upper floors of very modest buildings, and when firemen needed the strength to carry grown adults rung by rung down wooden ladders. The nineteenth century was a time when fire was a very real possibility, not an unfortunate occurrence that happens to others and played out on our TV screens.

Together, the text and illustrations bring Mose Humphreys to life brilliantly, and make him a potent symbol of the strength, valor, and sacrifice of all firefighters--in New York City and around the world...

I found this book at my 9 year old daughter's school bookfare. While she no longer reads picture books, I am enthralled by them and this one caught my eye. Like another reviewer, I had trouble choking back tears as I read the tale of Mose Humphrey's firefighting in the late 1800's of NYC. I bought the book and passed it on to a gentleman who is a volunteer firefighter, ems worker and full time police officer for his two young sons. A work of art, both with its sparse, yet moving prose, and beautiful paintings. Recommended highly for ages 4-7.

"New York's Bravest" combines text by Mary Pope Osborne with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The book begins with a historical note in which Osborne describes the background of her tale. In 1848, a heroic firefighter character first began appearing in stage productions. This character was based on a real-life New York City firefighter named Mose Humphreys. In 1915, historian Herbert Asbury included some Mose stories in two collections of stories about old New York. As Osborne observes, firefighter Mose is "America's first urban folk hero."

Osborne's story takes place in a past era where newsboys sold papers for a penny each. The story's hero is Mose, an eight foot tall firefighter with superhuman strength. Sample text: "'Come on boys!' said Mose. Mose was the most famous firefighter in New York City."

The story is well enhanced by colorful illustrations that are full of great details. There are some exciting firefighting scenes, as well as some nice pictures of Mose engaged in less dangerous pursuits (such as eating a hearty meal).

The book has the following dedication: "To the memory of the 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others on September 11, 2001." It's a beautiful tribute that I recommend to readers of all ages.