A great book for the coffee table or the library. Concise desriptions of built projects as well as conceptual ideas for the City of New York. Focuses on individual neighborhoods as well as the city as a whole.

First of all, the book is just too darned big to handle comfortably. With over 1300 pages, I don't know whether to congratulate the authors on their thoroughness or criticize them for having no sense of self-restraint. This tome could have been divided into three separate volumes, and each would have been a substantial book in itself.

The epic length of the book allows the authors to go into incredible detail. The book is divided into chapters primarily by neighborhood. There are also chapters devoted to the topic of interior decoration, the 1964-65 World's Fair, "Beyond the Boroughs," "Historic Preservation," and "New York and the Arts." The numerous b&w photographs, averaging more than one per page, are stunning.

A chapter titled "Death by Development" walks the reader through the ideology of the era that led to public housing monstrosities, as well as middle-class housing of dubious aesthetic and structural integrity. This same chapter discusses proposals for air-raid shelters, some of which would have had expanses large enough to hold a nine-story building, as well as the 1945 incident in which a US military plane crashed into the Empire State Building. The same chapter shifts to transportation issues, and presents a 1951 proposal for an unconventional "people mover" under 42nd Street, and the beginning of construction in 1972 on the Second Avenue subway (which perhaps, will open sometime in my lifetime). All this in just one of seventeen chapters - gives you some idea of the expansiveness and thoroughness of this book.

Many readers will take special note of the eight pages devoted to the World Trade Center. This book was written before "9-11," and the book's coverage of the WTC is haunting, to say the least.

From our perspective, the era in question (1945-1976) constitutes the "dark ages" of urban planning and architecture. Yet, the beautiful period photographs and accompanying text immerse the reader in the aesthetic mentality of the era. This book is a masterpiece, and maybe later in the day I'll find the strength to move this eight pound book from my table to my desk.

which gets to the core of what metropolitan cities, and specifically New York, are all about. Politics, codes, social agendas, design, and chance mix, struggle and interchange to become Architecture, which in return can be read as the memory and the conscious of the city. Given the sheer amount of information provided by this book, it's almost stunning how easily it reads. Countless anecdotes amuse and surprise through this enormous journey and keep the reader's interest focused and a smile on his face.

The acting with an accent, scottish was a great help. It comes with a audio cassette as well as a book to help you along. It really helped my in my role in Brigadoon.

I am a member of a community theatre troop that is doing Brigadoon this summer and I was desperate to learn the Scottish accent. The book includes good illustrations and practice exercises and the included tape is wonderful! It's amazing to hear David Stern go between standard American speech and Scottish speech with such ease! I think if I keep practicing with the book and tape I will be able to master the Scottish accent.

Come Retribution is opaque, at times difficult but a wonderfully fresh look at the official role of the CONfederate government in the assasination of Abraham Lincoln. Unlike most works on the Civil War, it is not a re-comilation but a new look at an old subject using new evidence. And the evidence is damning -- the authors, all modern day intelligence experts, argue convincingly that the death of President Lincoln was a runaway operation that was designed to kidnap the president and/or blow up the War department. The authors ability to uncover fresh evidence at so late a date is an indication that modern research and analytical techniques used by the intelligence community have a strong and valuable role in historical reseacrh as well. This book is an absolute must read for anyone interested in the assasination of Lincoln, the Confederate Secret Service or historical detective work. MichShul@aol.com

While not as readable as a novel or even a narrative history, this book is fascinating reading for anyone interested in the subject of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. While everybody and his brother has been accused of killing John F. Kennedy, few have questioned the "lone gunman" theory that John Wilkes Booth was a madman who acted on his own. Some years back there was an inept attempt to blame a conspiracy involving Union secretary of war Edwin Stanton, but no one seems to have thought to explore the obvious possibility of Confederate involvement--at least not since Stanton himself gave up trying to pin it on Jeff Davis shortly after the event. Now this book presents a sizable body of circumstantial evidence to show that, at the very least, the assassination was a last-minute perversion of a Confederate plot to capture Lincoln and thus bargain for its independence, or at least for its soldiers in Federal prisoner of war camps. The book is well written, and the thesis it presents is convincing. No one who has not read this book really understands the end of the American Civil War

Having first come across David Stern`s New Testament translation, I ordered the whole bible. The hard back edition makes it a firm but fairly heavy book to hold. I had expected the layout to be in two columns but I have found that I have soon got used to the lack of columns.
The OT seems to have less additional notes than the NT version
but nevertheless it is very useful to have the various Hebrew words, names and expressions included in the text.
I also usually find the personal translation very helpful and insightful. It is good to use in parallel and in conjunction with other translations as well as an authority in its own right.

All in all I am pleased with my purchase and look forward to reading the NT Commentary in due course

I've been puzzled for most of my Christian life as to why Judaism has been so forcefully excluded from our thought life; so I went to Israel for myself, to live for a year there and learn all that I could, and found this translation! It explains so much that we've been missing for millennia, key phrases in Jesus's sermons which are linked directly to common Jewish rituals and ways of thought which us Christians have no idea about! For instance, as Mr. Stern points out, when Jesus said "But if your eye is evil, all your body will be dark. If then the light which is in you is dark, how dark it will be!" in Matthew 6, he's actually referring to the Jewish custom that a stingy or ungenerous man had a 'dark' or 'evil' eye. This reference to being stingy goes right along with the rest of the chapter, which talks about good stewardship, but is often mistranslated by our lack of cultural understanding to mean that the fellow with a 'dark eye' is just mean or wicked somehow. What an eye-opener (forgive the pun) to see Jesus from a Jewish man's perspective. My boyfriend, while in Israel, had supper with David H. Stern, the translation's creator; I can testafy that he is as close to an orthodox Jewish man as someone who believes Jesus is the Messiah can get, so I think he knows what he's talking about here. Great translation, easy read, and a lot of really sharp insights. I am looking forward to a commentary volume by Mr. Stern, please don't dissappoint us!

Like Plaut's Torah, this is a reverent, liberal reading of the Haftarah and filled with inciteful and inspirational notes. Probably because there has been less focus on the Haftarah relative to the Torah, there are fewer notes. However, I still think this is a "must" for a Reform Jewish Library and worthwhile for any modern or post-modern person of faith.

Plauts's Haftarah Commentary is a MOST welcome addition to my library of materials for B'nei Mitzvah preparation. The page layout for text and translation is pleasing to the eye and the gleanings and essay sections help to illuminate main ideas to be discussed. In addition, there is a concise and well written bio for each prophet and description of the times they lived in as well as the Torah link. I cannot begin to tell you how much time this volume has saved me when organizing for each student. It is truly the answer to my wish. I highly recommend it to all and especially to those who work with seventh grade Bar and Bat Mitzvah students.

It took man 4,000 years to find remedies that God had already written the prescription to 4,000 years ago. The remedy for many diseases such as leprosy, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and mental breakdowns are all in the "Book of books," if man would only take the time to read the Word. "Only when we do our part in crucifying the inner troublemaker, and in opening the door so that Christ may occupy the throne room of the soul, can we experience real living, new strength and vitality, life and inward peace, and fullness of the promise, ". . .none of these diseases. . ."" Dr. McMillen tells the reader story after story of how many of his patients could have lived happier, healthier lifes if they would just take God's advice. This book was an extra-credit assignment, but if you take the time to read it you will gain extra life!

I thought this book was so good,it is almost everything they are finding out now..In the world of Science and nutrition.

This is not worth having. Those who do own it should toss it. The translation work is done with reliance upon commentaries, and the Ph.D is not in Biblical languages, but an unrelated field of study. The work here is done with a racial bias (which some may find similar to racism), imposing this perspective upon the Greek text.
Words are altered for the sake of making the translation more "readable" by a particular race, thus isolating other groups, esp. when the intent of the New Testament is for all peoples. This results in strange readings, such as changing Greek names to Hebrew names.
The commentary given is focused in reading into the text rather than exegisis.
Even certain concepts are altered with translation work that does not source from the text, but a bias which tries to prove a point. An example of this is how the concept of "law" is handled. Romans 7 has "a married woman is bound by Torah to her husband while he is alive". This is not only a mistranslation, it is a humorous example. Worse, "works of the law" is treated as "legalistic observance of Torah commands" (Gal. 2:16). Another example--"For through the law" is reworded as "For it was through letting the Torah speak for itself" (Gal. 2:19).
The intent of the translation is to allow for readers of the New Testament to keep the Law, going against the message of Romans 7, Galatians, Colossians, Phillippians 3.
Repeatedly the translation is done counter to the majority of scholarship (which is acknowledged in the commentary with statements to the effect of--"even though no one else believes this").

Only two stars (instead of one) due to the fact that the Bible is used.

I highly reccommend this book, the Complete Jewish Bible, and the Jewish New Testement Commentary, all by Stern.

It is in intriguing peculiarity of Western European and American cultural bias that so many people reviewing this product on Amazon.com write that other editions, such as the Authorized Version of the KJV, are "more reliable." What arrogance!

To presume that an outdated English translation of the original Hebrew and Greek is somehow MORE authoritative is laughable when you consider the KJV translators were living 1,500 years after the time the New Testement was written, and by a group of men who were, primarily, antiSemitic Christians.

It is important to remember that the New Testement was a product of first century Jews (just as our Messiah was a first century Jew).

So you must ask yourself, who is more reliable to turn to when seeking to understand the mind of first century Jewish authors... a 20th century Jew, or a bunch of 15th century antiSemites?

This is not meant as an attack upon Christians or even the KJV translators, but simply a challenge to divorce oneself from the cultural bias, completely baseless, that the KJV translation is somehow flawless, holy and uniquely inspired. It is not.

Stern makes no pretensions of this edition of the New Testement being the result of a "committee of translators" as one reviewer on here charged. He freely admits it is solely his own work.

But does single-authorship of a translation make it less valid? If so, perhaps King David, Moses, Paul and other Bible authors should never have set pen to paper without calling together a meeting of all the Biblical apostles.

Now, I'll admit the tone of this review is a bit combative, but I was reacting primarily to certain other reviewers. Do not let that affect how you approach this fine work; although he is the sole author, Stern's Jewish New Testement has its basis in millenia of Jewish thought and really does away with some "commonly accepted truths" embraced by Christians worldwide that are actually textual misunderstandings lost over the centuries due to the widening crevice separating Christians from the Jewish roots of their faith.

Definitely worth your time and serious study.

THE JEWISH NEW TESTAMENT MAKES A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY SPIRITUAL LIBRARY. IT IS A WONDERFUL, AUTHENTIC TRANSLATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
THE HEBREW LANGUAGE BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES AS I PICTURE JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES AND ALL THE TOWNS THEY TRAVELED TO.
OUR 10 YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER, ARIEL JOINED US FOR A BIBLE STUDY TONIGHT AND WAS SPELL-BOUND BY THE LANGUAGE.

Mr. Sterns' book is a good reference for people who have a working knowledge of Jewish-Christian issues. The author shares some good insights. However, there is too much emphasis and leaning towards Christian fundamentalism in the book for anyone to use it as a difinitive guide in this crucial spiritual area. Balance this book along with works by R. Kendall Soulen, Marvin Wilson, Mark Nanos, Harvey Cox, and a myriad of other Paulist Press releases that shed a more accurate light on the realities of the Jewish roots of Christianity.

I've studied the Jewish roots of Christianity for some time now, and I still found some surprises in this book. For the sake of those new facts and insights, it was worth it.
On the other hand, he argues way too hard that the law is still to be observed, to some extent even by non-Jewish Christians. He argues too hard that the scripture doesn't really mean what it says in too many instances. He has the idea that certain promises are only for Jews; my interpretation of scripture differs somewhat.
All in all I still enjoyed this book thoroughly, and I look forward to additional works by this author. He has definitely done his homework.

This book is short and enlightening. It is a wonderful start for the person beginning to seek understanding of the Jewish context of Christianity. You will see the story unfold of the "church" Jesus intended to establish; of the Jewish origin of Christianity; and of Jesus' life in the Jewish culture. Then, learn how Judaism and Christianity can and will be restored as one. Lastly, learn why your wrong if you think the "law" was the old testament. Order "The Parables" by Brad Young or "Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus" by David Bivin, with this book, because you will be thristy for more truth.

David Stern has done a remarkable job intepretting the New Testament from a Messianic Jewish perspective. His expertise in Jewish culture, tradition, and belief bring fresh insights to the student of the New Testament.

He sometimes quotes from the Talmud or other ancient sources that help amplify New Testament comments. His understanding of Jesus, Paul, and the Apostles as Jewish help us discern what was in the author's mind, one of the goals of good interpretation.

Though the commentary is not thorough or greatly detailed, many of its insights are not just the same old recirculated ones found in most commentaries. Stern's work is not just a large research paper, but offers material that is unique.

As a pastor of over 20 years and a serious student of the Word, I consider this work invaluable and would not want to be without it.

This is one of the finest commentaries and New Testament scholars I've seen. It is one of the FOUNDATIONAL books to Messianics everywhere, and a MUST read--and reflects not just Stern but the views of many many Hebrew Christians and Messianics that influenced Stern. There are volumes and volumes of "lukewarm" largely incorrect commentaries out there written by Christian theologians that both knowingly and unknowingly BUTCHER (yes indeed-amen-that is an understatement) the Jewishness out of the New Testament and Yeshua(Jesus), which is in fact not a seperate book but only a continuation of TANAK. It amazes me continually how so few people deal with Scripture on the correctly Jewish levels David Stern and other Messianics like myself do and beyond. Barely handfuls of CHRISTIANS OR JEWS are fully aware of what is really going on in the TANAK and New Testament, because of false interpretations ignorant of context and the times, and because the Jewishness has been stripped from it for millenia. If you have fully read this commentary, I don't see why anyone in their right mind who is Christian (or not a Christian) would not realize they should be Messianic. Yet only God can save Israel. An outstanding work, it is better than a large very many whole sets of New Testament commentaries combined, better than attending many seminaries or Bible Institutes even (unfortunately that is harsh reality as few if any Christian seminaries etc. emphasize Jewishness of the Scriptures.)
Shalom Alecham to all those who seek righteousness and wish for the Kingdom to come quickly in fullness.

The book is truly a Blessing from the Adonai. Although one can feel the intense pain from the author in calling one a Christian after all the many horrors that have been done to the Jews in the past under the title of "Christians", not only the holocaust but many other times in history as well. i believe this book to be a MUST for everyone. It states and is true in saying, the Bible was written by Jews, including the New Testament. The world would not have a Bible at all if it had not been for the writings and preservations by God through the Jewish people. Therefore it would only make sense to look at from the perspectives and the interpretations from a Jewish (beliver's) viewpoint and knowledge of the Jewish history, meanings of phrases, words, and customs of the times. It is very inspiring and refreshing. It is also true, there may be times i disagree with his writings, yet there isn't any Commentary in the world i 100% agree with either. There is so much more to learn. Thank you and God Bless you David H. Stern! And may God bless "Shalom" to you all! : )

I was slightly disappointed with this novel.It seems to shift back and forth,from being overly brutal to extremly sentimental.It's one of those "man vs. nature" with a bit of genetical engineering thrown in.I groaned when Comm. Stone found that his "soul mate" was a Wild Thing.This is so typical of "man vs. nature" books.And it definatly would have been more dramatic if Stone had died(yes,Picard and Deanna would be staying about how strange yet amazing Stone was...but...).I expected more from Peter David,who usually writes more interesting things,but this IS a good book for Riker fans,as it shows some of his past and explores his personnality,and that's why I decided to read it.

Star Trek-The Next Generation: A Rock and a Hard Place written by Peter David is a double plotted book. As Commander Riker is given leave of the U.S.S. Enterprise to help with the terraforming of the planet Paradise and his replacement on the Enterprise is Commander Quintin Stone.

Only Peter David could write such a compelling story with a double plot and keep the reader's intrest till the blockbuster ending. First off you'll be reading about the terraforming of the planet Paradise where it's Commander Riker vs. Nature storyline. We get a fleshing out of the character of Riker and we get to see how he does without of the influence of Captain Jean-Luc Picard looming overhead. As Riker is pitted against an unforgiving environment where unter the best of circumstances "unforgiving" would be a mild term.

We alernate plotlines to the next confrontation, that of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise vs. Quintin Stone. Stone is considered here as the prototype for Peter David's Captain Mackenzie Calhoun in the ST-New Frontier series. Rough around the edges, quite strong-minded, with a quick wit, and radically novel solutions to problems, this is how Quintin Stone is portrayed.

David hasn't lost his wit either as he pulls off the double plot with an ending the is both clever and stunning. You've got to read it to believe it. Confrontation between Store and Riker is all I'm going to tell you the rest you'll have to read for yourself. This book is a solid 4 stars, not quite as good as "Imzadi" but close.

Both plots keep the reader's intrest and I'd like to see further Quintin Stone books as he seems to be a very intresting character... a kind of by the seat of your pants, guy. This is a good read and you'll finish it wanting another story with the same character called Quintin Stone.

I have considered Peter David the best writer of Star Trek: The Next Generation novels for quite some time, with "Imzadi" the cream of the crop. In "A Rock and a Hard Place," David presents Commander Quintin Stone, who is quite possibly the most original and fascinating character created in a Next Generation novel.

Commander Riker is given temporary leave from the Enterprise to help the terraformers on the brutal ice planet ironically called Paradise deal with problems maintaining their schedule. Stone arrives to take Riker's place despite the insistence of his former captain that the man is a "loose cannon," "space case," and completely "impossible." It does not take Captain Picard long to see why. When Stone leads an away team to deal with a hostage situation on the planet Culinan, his outrageous solution has Captain Picard convinced the man is insane, Counselor Troi insisting he is not, and Dr. Crusher wondering about the massive scarring on the Commander's back.

The book basically alternates chapters between Riker on Paradise and Stone aboard the Enterprise. The latter plot line is so fascinating that you begrudge spending time on the other one, although you know in the end the two men are going to have some sort of confrontation that will solve the mystery of Quintin Stone. All we know is that Stone tells everybody a completely different story regarding his past and that he has a really big chip on his shoulder about the Prime Directive. All you need to know before you read the book is that the payoff for this mystery is an absolute stunner.

"A Rock and a Hard Place" is also worth a second look because Quintin Stone is obvious prototype for Captain Mackenzie Calhoun in Peter David's Star Trek: New Frontier series. Granted, Calhoun is not as psychotic as Stone, but each shares the ability to find creative ways of getting things done. Stone was always the one character from a Next Generation novel that I would have liked to have seen pop up again, and this is sort of like getting my wish granted.