The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is a great tool for small groups seeking to understand the Bible from a Catholic perspective.

This knowledge-packed, 82-page paperback, is composed of five major sections:
- Introduction to the Ignatius Study Bible
- Introduction to the Gospel according to Luke
- Outline of the Gospel According to Luke
- Gospel with Commentary by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch
- Study Questions by Dennis Walters

The commentary includes historical background, with maps, and categorized notes. The notes have symbols next to them indicating whether they are:
- content and unity
- living tradition
- analogy of faith

The study questions are grouped by chapter, and then broken down into two sections per chapter: "For understanding" and "For application." The understanding questions are textual analysis questions. " The application questions are pertinent for the spiritual lives of Catholics. However, space was not provided within the questions themselves for notes. There are several notes pages at the end of the book, but white space was not allotted within the questions themselves.

Overall, the organization of this study guide makes it an effective tool for novices, and challenging for for more knowledgeable Catholics.

Discussing scripture with my Protestant friends often leaves me at a loss because there are innumerable annotated and study bibles available to them, but few for Catholics. The Ignatius Study Catholic Study Bible series helps bridge this perceived gap. Of particular help are the frequent notes with symbols (e.g., a set of keys that stands for church tradition, a dove that stands for spiritual tradition, etc.) intended to help Catholics understand the correlation between scripture and the tenents of our faith. Of additional help are the occassional short essays on subjects found in Luke's gospel such as the Census of Quirinius (mentioned in the infancy narrative), the Pharisees and Sadducees that provide in-depth information that assist in gaining a better understanding of the evangelist's message. Also, there are study questions (which are pretty good) at the back of the book plus blank pages for note taking. A valuable resource for Catholics who wish to go beyond weekly homilies for an understanding of scripture.

Curtis Mitch and Scott Hahn have put together a wonderful study edition of the RSV (A wonderfully accurate translation). It offers in-depth notes, maps, word-studies and cross-referencing to magestrial texts and the Church Fathers.

This is a great book for both individual and group bible study. The questions are better than most study questions, but still could be a little more directed.

The one complaint is that we have to wait between series.

Priesmeyer's careful rendering of the tale that ultimately ended Scott's life and career is an engaging read, even for those of us who do not regularly choose true-crime books. If it is true that there are really only ten stories and that we tell them over and over again--then this is the story of crime not paying, and it is told well.
Reading Priesmeyer's detailed depictions of those she interviewed, one has the suspicion that she'd rather be writing poems, but that this story came her way and she was compelled to tell it. And tell it she does.
Dick Clark has said that music is the soundtrack of our lives, and for those of us who came of age during Scott's heyday, it is impossible to read this book without the song playing, haunting the pages.

This was my first true crime book and it took place in my own backyard. This book was well researched and the photos helped to connect to the story line. From cover to cover, Priesmeyer unfolds the story with gripping after gripping chapter. This book was hard to put down. A definite must read for any true crime aficionado.

Compelling, and tautly written by Scottie Priesmeyer, this true-life crime story explores the nature of human evil and takes the reader on a chilling journey into the darkest, most sinister corners of the human mind. Highly recommended. I read it cover to cover in one sitting.

I really looked forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, it is virtually un-readable. There is little insight into the personality of Walter or the times and places he lived. One may say the book is well-researched, but one may also say the authors are [nitpicky]. The book gets bogged down in minutiae such as documenting each take Walter ever recorded and detials right down when, during a recording he changed harps. Sometimes very interesting, but ulimately this over-load of detail makes the book very dry and difficult to read.

The amount of newly uncovered research (and photos) in this biography of the most important blues harp player ever is astounding. Little Walter, for all of his fame in the blues field, was somewhat of a shadowy figure when it came to the facts of his life. No more. This richly detailed portrait leaves no stone unturned, no aspect of his life unexamined, all without ever falling into the trap of being a gushing fan tribute. An outstanding introduction to the man and his music, and long time fans of Little Walter and the blues in general will find themselves returning to this book over time just to reimmerse in the world of the blues.

Other reviwers have said to put on some Little Walter music while reading this book to hear it in a whole new light. I second the motion!

Whether you are familiar with Little Walter's wonderful music, or not this is a great book that will make any reader appreciate Little Walter even more. For a treat, listen to the songs described in the book as you read. The authors point out fascinating insights on many songs, including how Little Walter changed harmonicas and where in each song he changed them. They even explain what keys each harmonica was in. Little Walter deliberately changed harmonicas in mid song to make his records harder for other harp players to copy. Even if you don't play the harmonica, just listen to each song as the authors talk about it and be amazed at how brilliant Walter was.

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is a great tool for small groups seeking to understand the Bible from a Catholic perspective.

This concise, 80-page paperback, is composed of five major sections:
- Introduction to the Ignatius Study Bible
- Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles
- Outline of the Acts of the Apostles
- Acts of the Apostles with Commentary by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch
- Study Questions by Dennis Walters

The commentary includes historical background, with maps, and categorized notes. The notes have symbols next to them indicating whether they are:
- content and unity
- living tradition
- analogy of faith

The study questions are grouped by chapter, and then broken down into two sections per chapter: "For understanding" and "For application." The understanding questions are textual analysis questions. " The application questions are pertinent for the spiritual lives of Catholics. However, space was not provided within the questions themselves for notes. There are no notes pages at the end of the book, and white space was not allotted within the questions themselves, so you may want to use a notebook in conjuction with this study guide.

Overall, the organization of this study guide makes it an effective tool for novices, and challenging for for more knowledgeable Catholics.

Hahn & Mitch have done another fantastic job. They take the data of the biblical book, break down for the modern reader what's happening, how it relates to what's going on before and after, and gives us the theological significance besides.

I love all the Ignatius Bible Study commentaries. As a group there is no modern commentary series that is its equal. They have the depth necessary for scholars looking for an accessible resource and the straight forward approach that American readers long for.

They do an excellent job in particular demonstrating the parallels between the ministries of Peter and Paul while these two carry out the ministry of Jesus in word and deed.

Quentin Durward is good reading, right up (almost) to the very end. It's excellent historical fiction with very rich characterization, especially of Louis XI. Excellent, that is, except for the women. While two of the minor female characters are interesting, the female lead is as dull as dishwater. My real complaint is that the ending is bungled. After the tremendous buildup full of exciting action and convincing sets, you turn the page and...it's just over! Misses the crecendo and the denoument. Still, I enjoyed it, and recommend checking it out of the library, as I did.

I read this novel forty years ago in the Modern Library edition and I am amazed that it is out of print except in expensive library editions. It is one of Scott's finest novels, full of action and with a fine portrait of King Louis. It was the first novel to use a gypsy as a character. It was made into a movie in the 1950's. Scott of one of the most neglected geniuses in literature and the world is the poorer for it.

I've enjoyed Scarborough's previous fantasy works. They're always quite readable and did a fine job portraying ordinary people put into extraordinary circumstances. However, I found this novella particularly predictable. It's not just that the identity of the villain is handed to the reader in the first chapters of the book (no, it doesn't pretend to be a mystery novel), but also all the plot twists and complications are very straightforward and usually loudly heralded before Scarborough brings the reader to their advent. On the positive side, the depictions of Edinburgh are vivid and plentiful, and will strike a chord with anyone who has trod the Royal Mile or gazed on the Salisbury Crags. And, as ever, Scarborough provides likable, lively characters with wit.

THE LADY IN THE LOCH, by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, takes us to early nineteenth century Edinburgh, where new construction and medical science battle with superstition and magic. Sir Walter Scott is the newly appointed sheriff of the city, a position more of esteem than actually responsibility. His vivid imagination leads him to believe the tales of the clever, vivacious gypsy, Midge Margret. She informs him of the disappearances of two other gypsy girls and of her fear that her "ain folk" are being murdered so their bodies could be sold to the University of Edinburgh medical school for research. What neither realizes is that something even darker than they could ever imagine is taking place, and that they will both be drawn into the middle of the horrifying nightmare.

Scarborough's novel blends history, folklore, and fantasy with touches of Frankenstein thrown in for good measure. The brogue can make reading slow going in places, especially when the dialect of the gypsies is represented. (It is easier to take in all of the phrases at once than to stop and guess at the meaning of each of the words.) The identity of the madman becomes evident fairly early in the book. But the author has drawn such vivid characters that concern and interest in them drive the reader rapidly to the conclusion. Also, the historically factual information about Edinburgh is fascinating. As Midge Margret's people are forced to take shelter in the city from the bitterly cold winter, she is appalled at the stench emanating from the town. Slops were tossed into the streets every night at 10:00 p.m.; overcrowding and lack of proper drainage meant that Edinburgh could be smelled by visitors eight miles away, prompting Midge Margret to exclaim at one point: "And they ca' us dirty."

Imaginative plot, an atmosphere so vivid you can smell it, clever humor, and characters that leave you anxious for a sequel. As with all of Ms. Scarborough's books, open the cover and you fall into another universe...whether you love mysteries or science fiction or historical fiction, you'll be glad you tried The Lady in the Loch!

I found the book wonderfully refreshing. A nice change from the modern versions of the crusades. Also I am curious about the rarity of the particular book I own. Anyone with any info please email me.

This is a wonderful adventure set in the Holy Land of Crusaderfame, a tale of Richard the Lionheart, of his noble knight Sir Kennethof the Leopard (the prince royal of Scotland in disguise) and of the great Saracen ruler Saladin who fought the historical Richard to a stand-still in Palestine and showed his chivalry and nobility in the process. In fact, Scott's tale makes it clear that it is Saladin, not Richard, who is the nobler and wiser chieftain through a series of intrigues which see Saladin playing physician, matchmaker and spy all the while Richard is being gulled by traitors and self-interested allies around him. In fact, the great hearted Richard is moved to condemn to death his greatest knight and supporter, but for the machinations of Saladin and the loyalty of one good dog. This is a fun tale, full of adventure and exotic locales, every bit as strong as Ivanhoe, but, perhaps, just a shade less rich in colorful characters and mayhem. Read it anyway. It's worth it. -- Stuart W. Mirsky

I read this book more than forty years ago and still can see the way men become swayed by religious pressure and how some men see through the politics and remain with clean hands.This and other books cause me to understand how religions fall and others leap to be the next world power.What religion was the father of the muslims before he was a muslim;what religion past did the first pope [not peter] really come from?The TALISMAN is still a good read today.

I would doubtlessly recommend Ivanhoe to read. History may be often dull but Sir Walter Scott makes history extremely exciting by romanticizing his novel. It directly deals with hatred between the Normans and the Saxons, the discrimination of the Jews, chivalry, and politics--but it is a unforgettable tale of heroism, honor, and love. I felt that the characters were so fascinating and fun to read about. I was enjoying and cheering on the good characters like Ivanhoe, King Richard, and Robin Hood to beat the hated and evil villains. I liked the idea of love added in the story, like how Rowena and Rebecca were both in love with Ivanhoe. I even felt a little sorry for Brian de Bois-Guilbert who would do anything for Rebecca's love but is constantly rejected. I thought how it was appealing how the author questions Ivanhoe and Rebecca's feelings for each other. Suspenseful and action sequences also added entertainment to the story. This book may be a little too detailed for some readers, but I didn't mind. I felt that the details were brilliantly used to decorate the story in an outstanding fashion. The old English wording made me feel like I was actually in the medieval England. I have to admit that it took a great deal of persistence for me to finish this book and it was a challenge for me to read. However, I found Ivanhoe to be a wonderful pleasure. It is no wonder that Ivanhoe is such a well-loved tale!

I enjoyed this adventure yarn on many levels.

I was glad to learn about the Knights of Templer and that they were crusaders. I always wondered how Sam Spade in the Maltese Falcon knew that and it is because of this classic.

I was surprised that it talked so much about Robin of Lockesley. The story of Ivanhoe seemed to be the same only told by Ivanhoe's friends and not Robin's.

I thought that the DeBracyn and the Knight of Templer Brian de Bois Guilbert were pretty evil guys which made the story interesting. They were weasels when they had their backs to the wall but did preform with honor when required like when Richard gets DeBracy.

I guess I did not understand the prejudice of the time because they treated the Jews like dirt and they were so sterotypical. I really thought that the Jewish girl Rebecca was going to end up with Ivanhoe instead of that Saxon Lady Roweana. I guess you have to appreciate the times that they lived in.

It was a different look the Richard/Prince John history.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but this book, by Sir Walter Scott, was the progenitor of what was to become a venerable tradition in English letters (and in other European literatures as well): the historical romance. There have been many after IVANHOE, and frequently with a finer eye to the period in which the tale is set (for IVANHOE contains quite a number of anachronisms -- even Scott acknowledged it), but few have done it quite as well as Scott. He uses an archaic English to give voice to his characters, but one which is readily absorbed because of the speed & quality of the tale. So, though these people certainly wouldn't really have spoken as he has them speaking, they yet sound as though they should have. Peopled by many 'stock' characters and situations, this tale was fresh in its time & still reads well today -- a testament to Scott's skills as a teller of tales and a sketcher of marvelously wrought characters. In this tale of the 'disinherited knight' returning home to find the world he left turned upside down, young Ivanhoe, after a stint with King Richard in the Holy Land, must fight the enemies of his king and kinsmen anew. Yet the hero is oddly sidelined for much of the tale as events swirl around him and the brilliantly evoked villain, Sir Brian de Bois Gilbert, in the pay of Prince John, struggles to win treasure and the beautiful Rebeccah, who yet has eyes only for Ivanhoe, a knight she can never hope to win herself. There's lots of action and coincidences galore here and Robin Hood makes more than a cameo appearance, as does the noble Richard. In sum, this one's great fun, a great tale, and the progenitor of a whole genre. All those which came after owe their form to it. Worth the price and the read.

I find "Redgauntlet" one of the less satisfactory novels in the Waverley series. Certainly, it has the local flavor, the dialect, the imaginative description of evocative landscapes all his novels have, but it is not a blast as some of the others are. The plot involves a fictitious third Jacobite rebellion, and it is interesting to see how Scott (especially in the notes from the Magnum edition, included in this edition) argues this time not for the historicity but for the historical probability of the events described. While Scott is often hailed as the inventor of the historical novel, "Redgauntlet" also shows him to be a forerunner in the historically probable novel--a genre practiced to great effect by our present-day history buff, Umberto Eco.

But probability alone does not a great novel make. Darsie Latimer's character is even less probable than his semi-historical counterparts, such as Edmund Waverley and Henry Morton. And this is strange, since moving further into fictionality, one could argue, a writer might allow themselves more latitude to make a character interesting, even if certain circumstances remain historical. Is this a conscious effort on Scott's part to show, after the fictionality of history, the fictionality of fiction?

Scott disturbs narrative conventions even further when the conspiracy against the Hanoverian King George III completely fails to materialize--ironically, for what seems to be the silliest of reasons: the Pretender (or the Chevalier if you're a Jacobite), Charles Stuart, refuses to give up his mistress. Thus, the main plot of the novel sizzles out and really not much happens in these 400 pages. Mind you, I personally don't need much to happen, but the 19th century novel did. Scott as a postmodern writer? That is pushing it too far, but this novel awaits a postmodern critique enlightened by a reading of Eco and Bakhtin.

That said, there are some really interesting things going on. Apart from the "regular" set of characters of Scott's Scottish novels, this one features an orthodox Quaker who is the epitome of anti-militant mercantilism. The form is also quite new for Scott--the novel is an epistolary, a set of letters between Darsie Latimer and his friend Alan Fairford. Thus, the novel's first-person point of view is split, and this provides for interesting contrasts.

For me, Scott sort of shot himself in the foot with this novel. His earlier novels ("Redgauntlet" is the last of the Scottish novels, written eight years before his death) lead one to expect a major action to happen before the denouement, and this one avoids that a bit too artificially. It seems that Scott was at pains to stick to history, and his own political convictions, a bit too much: a fictitious Jacobite rebellion is OK as a narrative vehicle, but it shouldn't interfere with the peaceful Great Britain (in which Scotland was in many respects subsidiary to England) that Scott himself inhabited and advocated. And so narrative excitement has to give way to Scott's pacifist politics--an honest choice, which Scott consistently maintains in all the Waverley novels--and character development and politics take precedent.

A final note: Scott has always proven himself a masterful and honest critic of royalty and nobility, especially of those characters he seems to love. "Waverley"'s Mac-Ivor is chastised for his political obstinacy, in "The Fortunes of Nigel" King James I (a Scot) is rebuked for his fickleness and corruption, and in "Redgauntlet" the formerly charismatic Stuart proves effeminate and tragic (dying an impoverished alcoholic, in the footnotes). And often enough, these tragic characters are of more interest than the somewhat ineffectual and sometimes foolish main characters: something for readers of literature to sink their teeth into.

I agree with other reviewers who said this is slow going. Don't expect a thriller that takes 2 hours to read. I've been slogging away for days, although overall I enjoyed it. Not since Shuuuuhman McCoy (Bonfire of the Vanities) have I read such a memorable portrait of a flawed main character. My favorite part of the book was Turow's incredible creation of Robbie Feaver. At times you'll hate him, at times you'll sympathize with him. His absolute egoism combined with his sensivity and personal values make him fascinating as a character study.

Turow provides such a detailed legal background that it almost overwhelms the reader. I can't help but think this book would have been stronger if it were a tad less overburdened by realistic details. Still, Turow does all his research and gives many readers a feel for the cruelest disease, ALS. The other villains and heroes are all interesting creations and well described. If you like intricate legal books, you won't be able to put this one down. You'll need to carry it around for awhile though to finish it.

First, I don't know how to review a book that you can't describe with simple words. Scott Turow is one of those rare authors that knows how to handle the craft of writing perfectly well. More than just a good plot, Scott Turow's legal thrillers books have very well developed characters. All of his characteres are completely flawless. But not to the meaning that they are perfect human beings - much to the contrary, what's interesting is that the good people are not that good and that the bad have often more to be discovered about than you think they have - , but that his characters invariably are deep people. They have self-wish and complex ideas and thoughts. That's what makes Scott Turow's characters differents of the #1 legal thriller author John Grisham - and I still wonder why he is so famous, since his books are nothing more than caricatures and books outlines or wanna-be-books. The sum of good plot and wonderful characters couldn't result in anything different than an excellent book. And that's what Scott writes: excellent and entertaining books that you read and feel satisfied and glad for having done it.

I'd highly recommend another wonderful legal thriller author: Lisa Scottoline. Her books are just amazing.

Marco Aurelio

Scott Turow does not write John Grisham novels. Many of us who read Turow read him because he doesn't churn out the the lowbrow, predictable pablum of other popular genre writers. Personal Injuries is magnificent - filled with complex, multi-faceted characters who are never entirely good or evil but, like most of us, somewhere in-between. The character of Robbie Feaver kept surprising me and challenging my initial perceptions (kinda like some of the people in my own life, how 'bout that!). I found the plot involving corrupt judges to be absolutely compelling and helped immeasurably by Turow's obvious experience with similar circumstances. I finished the novel last night and couldn't help but weep while reading the final 20 pages. Not only did I find the conclusion moving but the novel and the challenges of its characters left me with questions about my own life to think about. Now, what more could I ask of a piece of fiction?