Mr. Shine has written an excellent natural history of Australian snakes that will be appreciated and enjoyed by those who are knowledgeable of this aspect of Australian fauna as well as by those who experience this volume as a first introduction to this subject. In fact, it is an excellent introduction to snakes, in general, except for its omission of the viper family(i.e., rattlesnakes, copperheads, etc.) which are not found in Australia. This large, softcover volume contains beautiful photographs illustrating just about all the snake species.For those who have never been exposed to the subject, it will spark an interest which will lead to further study.

This book is a must for anybody interested in Australian snakes. It covers in detail the feeding habits, sex lives, habitats and natures of all sorts of snakes. It is also full of all kinds of useful information and facts, and covers evolutionary adaptaions from a very logical and scientific view point. It contains many spectacular photographs and fascinating anecdotes which make it a very enjoyable book to read. Useful for anyone with a budding interest through to those with a full blown passion. This book is much more than just a field guide and I strongly recommend it.

As a recent recreational licenced holder for reptiles this book gave the information in detail on every aspect regarding Australian snakes.It has a fresh, relevant approach to understanding our native reptiles. I found it very easy reading. It will be a wonderful reference guide and Im sure will be used regulary not only by myself but the whole family. It kept the interest of this household from a five year old to mid 40's, including changing the attutude of my wife who always had a fear of snakes. She read the book.The book starts with the Anatomy of snakes through to their habitat, behaviour, eating ,breeding and relationship both past and present with humans. Each page contains beautiful photographs on equal standing with any other publication.Sensational. Good enough to purchase two books. One for constant use, another to keep on the shelf. From a subject that is difficult to find much written about in this detail (Australian Snakes), this book covers most information without adding in other countries that for Australian purposes would not be of much use.

What does it mean for the Christian to be "in the world, but not of the world?"

Mouw's treatment is very balanced and christocentric. He avoids the pitfall of a separatist fundamentalist approach that would have the church isolated in a Christian ghetto for the sake of some well-intentioned, yet misguided, notion of purity. At the same time, he avoids the temptation of many Christians today who uncritically accept the ethos of an increasingly secular society.

Mouw's solution to the question of how we as Christians relate to the surrounding culture is through the classic Reformed doctrine of common grace. Even though non-believers do not participate in God's saving grace, they do participate in God's grace that is common to all of humanity. On the basis of common grace, a Christian may enter into friendships with non-believers, appreciate the beauty of art produced by non-believers, and partner with non-believers for the improvement of society. The difficulty, that Mouw recognizes, is in discerning the appropriate type of involvement with persons in the non-believing culture. Sometimes we can draw too far back from being a witness for Christ, and sometimes we can get unnecessarily entangled and even seduced by the culture. Nevertheless, the task of every Christian is to "make disciples of all of the nations", and that requires engaging the culture at some level. In the end, Mouw would have us err on the side of the "wideness of God's mercy" as opposed to living in isolation.

I never had the privilege of meeting Richard Mouw when I was a student at Fuller, but I wish I did! If you are familiar with the themes and history of Dutch Reformed theology, you will benefit greatly from this book. However, even if your knowledge of Reformed thought is sparse, you will still profit. Even if you do not know all of the thinkers that Mouw discusses, you will appreciate how he explains the issues in a biblical manner that impact all Christians everywhere.

My only qualm with the book is that I wish Mouw had spent more time doing exegesis of the Scriptures, but I think that was partly due to the fact that the book was originally a set of lectures meant to address theological themes. If one reads the references mentioned in Mouw's footnotes, then you will find plenty of Scripture to work with.

I purchased this book after hearing Dr. Mouw's presentation at a conference at Calvin College. In it, he accomplishes much: he delivers a brief but cogent explanation of common grace, fairly represents the alternative argument against common grace, and encourages the reader to consider the importance of so-called "common grace" ministries. Any controversy as Mouw describes it between common and particular grace is rooted in differences primarily among Dutch reformed congregations. However, the differences have wide cultural implications and strike at the heart of how the Body of Christ responds to the non-Christian world. Theological nuances aside, Mouw encourages us to consider all that God creates to be fully worthy of our respect and compassion - including those who do not appear to be among the elect.

The beauty of this book is in its brevity. Mouw provides an excellent introduction to the theology of common grace, a brief explanation of supra- and infralapsarianism (an important but obtuse theological distinction), and most importantly, how common grace translates to the exercise of compassion through common grace ministries like psychotherapy. I highly recommend this book.

In this short volume (100 pages), Richard Mouw discusses the roots and implications of the doctrine of Common Grace. Though written for an audience familiar with Reformed theology, Mouw's defense of Common Grace should be required of all (especially evangelical) Christians who struggle with the implications of what it means to be "in the world but not of the world." The author's argument is sophisticated and he makes a powerful case that there is much in God's creation that Christians should embrace.

The strength of any spiritual teaching is it's ability to both inspire and challenge an individual to look deeply into his or her own life with ruthless honesty. This is a book that can potentially illuminate and support the awakening soul; in reading this book one gets the sense that the author lives through what he writes giving the exposition a real heart and depth. "Words That Shine Both Ways" are aphorisms on life culled from the teacher's work over the last twenty or so years. When I use the word "aphorism" I don't want to give the impression that this work is stolid, it is in fact poetic and highly lyrical; it captures the essence of Richard Moss's teaching and so is an excellent book for those that know him as well as providing a good introduction to those that don't. If your perturbed by life and seek a more meaningful relationship to the suffering then this book will refresh you.

This book is for everyone and anyone! It is important to read Dr. Moss's quoted statements from years of his seminars in one small book.

Somehow the title reminds me of another very important book, The Little Prince, which years after my children are grown they've told me how much paragraphs from that book have stayed with them. Dr. Moss's book is like that for me. In fact, whenever I pick it up, I just turn to a page at random and there is a new heartbeat, even though I may have read it before, it seems new to me.

I always felt that about Maslow's writings, every paragraph, every line was the epitome of what TV newscasters now wish their soundbits could achieve. So, too, with Word That Shine Both Ways.

The title is interesting, because it gives one the freedom to take Dr. Moss's loving, kind, insightful messages and utilize them in any way that is needed. I've quoted him so many times I could not count, to others in crisis, to those in love, to steady and calm my own times of pain, fear, confusion. My own physician recommended the book to me, and loaned me his (I let him know he wasn't getting it back!). Only a fool would let go of something so profound, unique, filled with an obvious love for humankind, and a higher spiritual appreciation. This book should be publised in the thousands, and promoted. I certainly am promoting it - and when I loan mine now, it is only with a signed "Book Check!" Maybe I haven't reached that trusting, loving plan Dr. Moss exudes, however, I do believe he would expect me to protect myself, too.