This book was super. Kit Shannon arrives in Los Angeles, eager to begin her law career. However, due to the time period, she encounters several obstacles before she can find a job practicing her profession. While assisting her employer with a murder trial, she keeps a deep faith in God which is refreshing, and helps keep the story vivid and real. I'd recommend this book to anybody who likes historical fiction with a good inspirational plot woven into the story!

I loved Kit Shannon! She immediately captivated me with her spunk and determination. The time period was fresh and new to me as well and the legal side of life in that era was intriguing. This was a new type of story for me and one I'll read over again and share with my friends. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!

This book was very unique and intriguing. It was set in the 1900's in the city of L.A. and contained a little bit of everything; murder, courtroom drama, romance, and happy endings. I love Tracie Peterson and this book was just as good as many of her others. This is the first book by James Scott Bell that I have read, and now I want to read more. I can't wait to read the next book!

I first came in contact with this work as I was preparing a response/critique to James P. Moreland's chapter in _The New Mormon Challenge_ (titled "The Absurdities of Mormon Materialism"). It was suggested to me by one of Moreland's friends and associates, Carl Mosser, as a good introduction to Thomistic dualism (as opposed to the better-known Cartesian dualism). I am now thankful for Carl's suggestion and this work.

The Thomistic view of the soul is, in my mind, more advanced and more cogent than the Cartesian view of the soul. It differentiates between spirit/soul and mind, presenting the latter as a faculty of the soul and not it's very essence. It provides a better explanation of the mind-body (or soul-body) problem by asserting that the soul is the teleological foundation of the formation of the body (i.e., the soul directs the growth and development of the body). Further, this view emphasizes the need for a working brain that can also affect the spirit/mind for cognitive occurrences (this point is argued more vigorously in works outside of _Body and Soul_ by other authors, though Moreland hints at it in this work).

The only disappointment for me was Moreland's insistence on critiquing the reductionistic class of materialism. For me, personally, the reductionists have too many theoretical problems to be a viable solution. I would have enjoyed a further critique of the emergent view of mind that is quickly becoming more prominent in scientific circles (Robert Nadeau, one of the reductionists that Moreland cites, has altered his conceptions towards this view; see _The Non-Local Universe: The New Physics and Matters of the Mind_). Further, I wish Moreland (or anyone for that matter) would recognize panexperientialism as given by David Ray Griffin as a viable alternative to the dualist and physicalist perspectives (see Griffin's _Archetypal Process_ and _Unsnarling the World-Knot_; this is unlikely, even now, since process thought stands under very different metaphysical paradigms, immediately placing itself at odds with much philosophical thought in the last millennia). If anyone has any references of people who have referenced and critiqued this view I would be very appreciative (I can't give money, but my thanks will be sincere).

In line with the above: even though I am not a reductionist I still found some of Moreland's critiques unconvincing (this could be because I was reading my emergent/panexperientialist views into the reductionists' words). This does not mean that they are ineffective, only that I do not believe they hold the logical force that Moreland believes they do. One of the weaknesses of Moreland's words (at least in my opinion) is his bolstering of his own view as nearly impenetrable (he does make admissions, but they are few and not very pronounced) and the view of the materialists as fraught with problems. Both sides have difficulties that they must deal with, some which (admitted by some on both sides) may be unsolvable. Ultimately we probably could say, "Choose your poison."

Overall, I believe this is a wonderful book. I believe that Thomistic dualism is a vast improvement from Cartesian dualism and should be the focus of non-Christian critiques of dualism (and treated with more respect than many, unfortunately, are willing to give to Cartesian dualism).

Kevin Winters

P.S. This review comes strictly from reading Moreland's section of the book. Honestly, I cannot say anything, one way or another, on Rae's section.

In "Body & Soul," authors J P Moreland and Scott Rae present a spirited defense of substance dualism, a model of consciousness that has fallen out of fashion with most academic philosophers. The authors also discuss the repercussions of dualism and its primary competitor, physicalism, on ethics and free will.

What are the arguments for dualism? Well, firstly, our mental states possess properties not held by our physical brains. For instance, if I close my eyes and imagine a green pasture, nothing in my physical brain turns green. Moreover, as my thought of a green pasture is not an empirical phenomenon, it cannot be verified by the methods of the hard sciences. It doesn't have an odor, a length, a height, a weight or a physical location in space.

Secondly, I am in a position to know my mental life in a way not available to anyone else. I, and I alone, am privy to my mental states. A brain surgeon may know more about my physical brain and its operations than I do, but he cannot know my mental life as well as I do. He doesn't experience my fear of being operated on, or my hope that I make it through the operation alive. Furthermore, I cannot be mistaken about my mental states. If I have an experience of a grey rug, the rug itself may actually be white due to poor lighting. But I cannot be mistaken that I am experiencing what I take to be a grey rug.

Thirdly, our mental states possess the property of intentionality. The intentionality of our mental states is the most powerful argument against physicalist accounts of consciousness. Our mental states possess the property of aboutness or ofness. We don't just think; we think "about" or "of" something. Our thoughts point beyond themselves to objects and things, even those that don't exist. Intentionality is troublesome for the physicalist, for how can our brain waves be "about" or "of" anything? If a neuroscientist could examine the brains of two classical music lovers, how could he tell one was thinking about the melodies of Bach and the other of Beethoven?

And finally, the most interesting argument for dualism is the argument from qualia. When we see a red apple, it "looks" red. When we taste a chocolate bar, it tastes "chocolatey." When we smell a rose it smells "rosy." Philosophers call such things as the look of red, the taste of chocolate, or the smell of a rose "qualia." Moreland and Rae argue that qualia are experiences within our minds. For example, every time you place a wedge of a lemon in your mouth, you experience the sour taste of lemon qualia. This is a correlation between physical qualities and mental qualia. The physical qualities of lemons are very different in nature from the mental qualia they are correlated with. The "taste" of a lemon is not itself anything like the chemical composition of a lemon -- although it is caused by the lemon's chemical composition.

Physicalism, in contrast with dualism, holds that our mental states are identical to our physical bodies. Some physicalists claim that if the mind is non-physical, it is not scientifically meaningful. But this objection fails for the simple reason that there exist many abstract objects that are non-physical. Numbers, for example, are abstract objects, having no weight, length or location in space. The numerals "5" and "V" each represent the number 5. In this case there are two numerals, but only one number -- the number 5 -- is expressed by the numerals. Also, if we are just matter, then we don't have free will. Our actions are determined by the laws of chemistry and physics, not our own human volition.

A great defense of substance dualism.

This is one of the more difficult books that I have read recently. Sections of the book can be difficult and require focus; this is NOT beach reading.

The authors' intended audience:

"We have chosen to write the book at what we consider to be a fairly high academic level because we are convinced the view of a human person we affirm must be articulated and defended at that level for it to gain a hearing both within the Christian community and in the secular academic setting. Still, we hope a nonspecialist will be able to gain much from the pages that follow." (page 14)

There are one or two sections in the book that defend the existence of an immaterial soul from the Bible (against those Christian thinkers who deny it) however; this book is not primarily an explanation/analysis of Scripture. As the authors themselves state, 'In this work we have attempted to make a case for the view of a human person that is both consistent with biblical teaching and that makes philosophical sense.' (page 343)

To skeptics of the existence of the soul, to those who would argue that science has rendered the concept false, to those who argue that the concept of the immaterial soul is a foreign Greek concept that has nothing to do with the Bible, read this book. Moreland and Rae present a very strong case for the soul (their particular version of this: Thomistic substance dualism), they refute or significantly weaken most of the commonly offered critiques of their view and refute or critique the views that compete against theirs.

There are 521 footnotes spread over 345 pages of text; averaging roughly 50 footnotes per chapter. I really liked this aspect of the book; the authors would frequently refer to other relevant literature and refer the reader to investigate it if interested.

The book is divided into two sections:

Part 1: Metaphysical Reflections on Human Personhood (about 66% of the book)
Part 2: Ethical Reflections on Human Personhood

The Chapters:
1. Establishing a Framework for Approaching Human Personhood
2. Human Persons as Substances or Property-Things
3. Human Persons in Naturalistic & Complementarian Perspectives
4. Substance Dualism & the Human Person: Free Agency
5. Substance Dualism & the Human Person: Personal Identity
6. Substance Dualism & the Body: Heredity, DNA & the Soul

7. The Moral & Metaphysical Status of the Unborn: Abortion & Fetal Research
8. Reproductive Technologies in Substance-Dualist Perspective
9. Genetic Technologies & Human Cloning
10. Euthanasia, Physician-Assisted Suicide & the Care of Persons at the End of Life

Chapters 1-3 lay out all the necessary philosophical distinctions (this section is probably the most difficult to follow, but it is worth it. Many of the concepts used here come up again and again later in the book) to discuss personhood. The relevant philosophical options of personhood are laid out and explained

Chapters 4-5 constitute a defense of the substance dualism view; which basically says that in addition to physical bodies, human beings have a non-physical essence (i.e. soul). Chapter 4 argues that only substance dualism can make sense of the reality of human free will. Chapter 5 argues that the fact that you are the same person at ages 3, 10, 30, and 50 (this is the briefest way to attempt to explain their arguments) is only adequately explained by substance dualism. Taken together, the authors argue that only substance dualism can make sense of the moral and legal responsibility that we intuitively know we have.

Chapter 5 discusses the relationship of the soul to the body, specifically DNA. The authors persuasively argue that personhood is NOT reducible to DNA or the body; the authors discuss the Human Genome Project and other relevant scientific discoveries and experiments.

The Ethical Reflections section shows the implications of concluding that substance dualism is true. It is shown that many debates (especially abortion) surrounding life and death issues are, at their most basic level, based on one's view of personhood.

My only disappointment was that the authors did not discuss how the view that the soul does not exist developed, who the originators of the idea were, the relevant philosophical ideas that led to this conclusion; basically some historical background would have been helpful.

All in all, this is a difficult book but it will improve and clarify your thinking not just in metaphysics but also in the raging moral debates of the 21st century.

This is a what if legal thriller that demands you pay attention!

This is the nightmare "what-if" scenario for the radical left. Suppose a liberal Supreme Court justice had a religous experience (or to put it blunter, she becomes a born-again, Bible-reading believer).

Go further and explore the impact her conversion has on her pro-abortion, establishment clause and "living constitution" vs. original intent beliefs.

Add one last goodie. While she is examining her positions, a liberal president (Al Gore, perhaps) nominates her as Chief Justice.

Now you've got the pot boiling.

The pro-abortion lobby has built an entire industry atop a fragile, and increasingly frail legal latticework. Should that ever truly be threatened, then are there any limits to politcal attacks or has the division between left and right gone too far?

I finished this one around 2:00 AM. You might want to start this on a Friday night so you can sleep in on Saturday.

This was the first book that I have read from Mr. Bell. It is a riveting yarn about the power of politics over the duty of the Supreme Court.

What happens when a liberal Justice is made Chief Justice and gives their life to Christ? This is the key question addressed in this book.

Mr. Bell does an awesome job of writing about how the heart can be changed by a saving knowledge of Christ and how this change is often received by others.

I plan on reading other books by this author. If you are looking for a good suspense read, with a realistic glimpse into the politic of the pro-abortion crowd, this will be an excellent read.

I discovered Jim Bell a few years ago when a friend suggested Blind Justice. Having enjoyed that one, I recently bought Deadlock. I found Deadlock to be very enjoyable as its highly possible storyline is quite engaging. There's an interesting twist, too. A good read!

Deadlock also ignited my real-life concerns about upcoming Supreme Court nominees.

The authors Scott Mitchell and James Atkinson definitley deserve high praise for working on this book. These guys KNEW what they were talking about. Coming from a background with Java and JSP (with a little VBScript), I was expecting to take a while learning ASP. WOW WAS I WRONG! These guys did an amazing job preparing this book. I was able to breeze right through the book with ease. Everything was short and to the point. They didn't bother you with explaining what every single letter in the code does and why they have what they have etc etc. I can't say it enough...GREAT JOB GUYS! (I bet you hear this all the time)

From start to end, these guys explained the material well. They didn't bother the reader with detail and over extensive code analyzation. The examples were clear and to the point. There was no extra fluff that some of the other books that I've seen have.

The authors covered the basics, from VBScript to ASP development (without Databases and with them).

I can see why everybody loves this book, BECAUSE IT'S GREAT.

Don't just go on what I'm saying, look at the other reviewers. They will definitley agree with me.

The book helped me make the transition from an HTML hack to an ASP coder. I have been working with HTML, JavaScript and Perl since 1994, and a year ago, I became involved in a project that required learning ASP quickly. I purchased this book along with Active Server Pages for Dummies and Beginning ASP, and this one was by far the best. It says 21 Days, but working around the clock, I got through the book in about a week.

If you are a web developer, this book explains 95 percent of

the stuff you need to know - like how to set up database connections (DNS and DNS-less), how to code pages to add, update and delete items from a database, how to use the many VBScript functions in ASP, ASP components, and a great chapter on debugging ASP. (Every code example in the book works!)

There are only a few minor shortfalls, like there is nothing on how-to add password protection, security, and the database examples are primarily based on Access rather than SQL Server, but this information is freely available on the web and shouldn't stop anyone from buying this book. Even though it has been months since I worked through the tutorials, I still find myself using it several times a week as a reference.

This book has helped add ASP to my programming skills and it ranks among the top five computer books that I have purchased.

This book teaches you basically everything most people need to know about ASP. It is an incredibly easy read, with lots of the material repeated to make sure that you remember things. Absolutely know programming, VBScript or HTML knowledge is required to follow this book. It'll teach you everything that's necessary.

Being a Delphi programmer, I was horrified at the untidiness of VBScript. Fortunately, the authors really try to teach you how to write relatively readable VBScript code.

If you are a professional programmer, you might find the book too simple. I, however, enjoyed the fact that I could read the book in a half-doze - nice for a change. You don't need to re-read things as you often need to in the really hardcore technical books, because the authors revisit most topics in other parts of the book.

There are several small errors, but they don't affect the technical validity of the content. For example, the comments in some examples are often just copied and pasted from previous examples, and sometimes do not reflect what the script actually does.

All in all, I think it is a good read for almost anyone, with the exception of existing ASP developers.

I was really looking forward to this book coming out ever since I read the first in the series. However, I'm sorry to say that while I'm pleased with the story line and the "courtroom drama" part of the book, I'm extrememly disappointed with the depth of the characters. I felt like I had missed a huge step in the relationship between Kit Shannon and Ted Fox. There wasn't the normal feeling of knowing the characters and feeling emotions along with them. You almost don't have any reaction to situations in the book that should have effects like shock, hurt, joy, and torn feelings. Instead, you're left saying, "Okay, when did this develop?" I felt like I had been left out of a big part in the characters lives in the beginning of the book and that ended up ruining the rest of my emotions and perspective on the characters for the rest of the story. Now that I've completely bashed the character relations, I can say that the actual storyline is very interesting and suspenseful. Kit Shannon always keeps you guessing as to how she's going to prove this or get out of that. If you've already read City of Angels, then you must read Angels Flight just because of the whole courtroom message.

...

Peterson and Bell have crafted another highly suspenseful novel. It will definitely keep you asking, "What really happened" and the courtroom scenes are some of the best in the book. Kit is, as always, an inspiring female character with admirable convictions and enviable smarts. Although the "love" side of this book definitely took a back seat to the "courtroom" aspects of it, I thought that that was understandable and realistic. It is hardly like Kit is going to be searching for Mr. Right and evidence for her case at the same time, and it is made clear throughout the series that Kit feels God leading her to practice law at this time in her life... Read this book-and have the third book in this series ready for after you turn the last page of "Angels Flight".

This is a really great series judging from the first two books. I love the setting of Los Angeles in the early 1900's, and Kit Shannon is a wonderful character. She is inspiring and strong, but not in a false way (which is how I feel about too many of the women characters in novels today).

All in all, this is a terrific saga and I hope it continues (I know there is at least one more book to come, and I hope it's soon!)

This guide is a very useful resource when wanting to find the values of international stamps. Every country within the specified letter category is covered along with all the stamps. I have found the values of the stamps in the guide are very accurate. If you're wanting to find the value of any stamps you have, this guide would be very helpful.

This book is the second volume, but the whole catalogue is great for referencing the stamps you have. It also lets you can also find out what you are missing in your collection.

These is the most popular stamp catalog in the world. You will find all the stamps issued by these countries and their market value. A must for the stamp collector, even a beggineer

It was this copy of Peter Pan that, when I was young, attracted my attention in the library and made me want to read the story. The illustrations are stunningly real, capturing the magic of Neverland, the ferocity of Jas. Hook, and the cunning of Peter. The earlier British English in which the book is written is delightful to read, and the story itself is chock-full of thrilling adventure. I read the library's copy three times and now I want my own.

I chose this particular edition, illustrated by Scott Gustafson, because the illustrations are rich and vibrant, in a word - gorgeous!. I never read Peter Pan as a youngster, but my mother-in-law read it to each of her children so I have continued the new family tradition, reading it to each of my children and thoroughly enjoying it along the way. The British expressions are a bit difficult for the youngest to understand, but the story is full of adventure and challenges to keep everyone coming back for more - and begging for just 5 more minutes before bed please!

I read this book just this year when my Language Arts teacher told us to read a book that had "good ideas". I've seen and loved the Disney version of this classic and wanted to read it. This book is so funny and enjoyable! It is about the adventure the Darling children (Wendy, John, and Michael) have when Peter Pan show up one day in their nursery room looking for his shadow. He takes them away to Neverland and they have all sorts of wonderful adventures. This is a great book for all ages! Enjoy!

I'm not usually a fan of legal dramas, but then I'd never read James Scott Bell before. This striking, well-written novel will keep you turning pages well after lights out! Set in L.A., Final Witness deals with the Russian mafia, a subject I'd never read about before. Fascinating detail, well-rounded characters and colorful description are obvious trademarks of this author. But it is his fabulous dialogue that elevates this fast paced novel to a higher level of fiction writing. Should most definitely be a movie! You won't be disappointed.

This book had me hooked from the first sentence. It was a great read and I'm looking forward to Mr. Bell's next book! This guy knows how to keep his readers in suspense while writing well (excellent dialogue for example), and I learned more about the legal system without feeling like factual data was being crammed down my throat. I'd definitely recommend!

This book takes you on a ride. Strap yourself in and wait for the Final Witness to appear.

James Scott Bell does many of the things that Grisham does so well: tight plotting, believable motivations, crackling dialogue. Like "The Great Divide," by T. Davis Bunn, Bell reaches for the top rungs of legal thrillerdom and succeeds. The narrative is leaner and less colorful than Bunn's, but this only allows it to race faster.

While working in some valid Christian themes, often based on legal examples, "Final Witness" tells the compelling story of Rachel Ybarra, a young paralegal working on a case against the Russian mob. The details of the courtroom seem well-researched, and the struggles that Rachel goes through--with her alcoholic father, her boss, her FBI friends, and particularly her nemesis "The Man"--move credibly to a very satisfying end with a few surprises along the way.

Bell's other books are going to the top of my wish list.

After thoroughly enjoying James Scott Bell's "Final Witness," I was a bit let down with this book. I'd rate it 3 1/2 stars if I could. Bell's use of first person never reaches the level of Lawrence Block, whom he admits to emulating to some extent. Block's humor is sharp and dry, whereas Bell's seems semi-sharp and semi-dry--at least in this story. The lawyer, Mr. Denney, is the stereotypical hard-drinking lawyer, fighting his inner demons. I've read enough legal thrillers to have tired of this character. Nonetheless, by the end of the story, Bell gives Denney depth and creates sympathy and...I found myself caring.

The story revolves around Howie Patino, a simple-minded man and former schoolmate of Denney's. Howie is charged with the brutal murder of his wife and Denney comes to his aid. Along the way, Denney struggles with his belief, or lack of belief, in God, and his burgeoning feelings for Howie's sister. Many potential conflicts are presented. Not all of them are carried out, but at least the book doesn't present all easy answers. Denney's struggle of faith is credible and I found myself warming to the story even as it ended.

Bell has a great ear for dialogue, and manages to make me laugh on occasion. I'll keep reading his work, and hope that this is not a departure from the finer qualities I enjoyed in "Final Witness." Just my opinion, but there it is.

Well, I can't rate this book a "10" so I'll settle for a "5". I truly appreciated not having a lot of fluff to sift through; everything was relevant to the story.

The main character, Jake has a strong sarcastic wit. The author does a great job portraying him as being consumed with alcohol. It shows how his law practice, family and his life suffer at the hands of his addiction. He's definitely not the "good guy" in the story - a nice change from the typical novel.

Jim Bell's writing is polished, funny and ever mindful of the story. For a rollicking good read, Blind Justice is the book to buy. Lisa Samson, author of The Church Ladies

This fast-paced, incredibly well-researched book changed my view of American history. I never appreciated that the War of 1812 was, in fact, our second war of independence, one which we came close to losing. I never knew that the terrified U.S. government, in fleeing Washington, allowed the British Army to literally amble into town virtually unopposed and burn most of the government buildings (yet treat the populace with unimagined civility!). I never knew much about the inspiration and writing of the Star Spangled Banner and the importance of the Battle of Baltimore. And I was fascinated to learn that the Battle of New Orleans, in addition to being one of the worst defeats ever suffered by the mighty British Army (mostly at the hands of Andrew Jackson and a bunch of Kentucky and Tennessee hillbillys, no less), was a battle that never should have been fought. I have generally found history books to be ponderous reading, written more for the benefit of academic historians than for popular consumption -- often only giving me added details about things I already knew about. This book is different. It's crisp, fast-moving and very authoritative. Anthony Pitch has written a focused and important book about a pivotal period of American History about which most Americans, I suspect, know little. And after you read it, when you sing "The Star Spangled Banner", you'll appreciate with greater depth, possibly for the first time, what you're singing about. I loved the book!

Anthony Pitch has written a memorable account of a seminal event in American history. His portrayal of the British burning of our nation's capitol is an exciting, fast-paced description of events which catch and hold the reader's attention from the first to last page. Pitch's suspenseful story captures the essence of what is best in historical nonfiction - the ability to depict events in an accurate and yet dramatic style, painting word pictures in a crisp, authoritative fashion which entrances the reader. This book is a must for the library of every history buff, and for that matter, for every civic-minded citizen. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be made into an intriguing motion picture.

Based on countless personal stories that Anthony Pitch uncovered in his extensive research, this book reads almost like a novel. It races along through familiar territory; marches through the Maryland countryside, incursions on Capitol Hill and the President's House, Baltimore and Fort McHenry. By focusing on eye witness accounts and the lives of private and public figures (both British and American) and their roles in the handful of days of the Washington campaign, the narrative has an intimacy and immediacy that involves the reader, placing him or her in the midst of the historic seige. There are heroes and scoundrels on both sides. It's a fascinating read and a wonderful way to absorb history.