This early entry in the Apollos Commentary Series has set a high standard for future volumes. The series features a new translation by the author (including footnotes); a section on Form and Structure which is largely concerned with the literary features of the text; a Comment section in which the text is exegeted; and an Explanation section where the author traces the "passage's interpretational development in Scripture and the church" in order to provide a theologically informed conclusion on the meaning of the text and suggested avenues of appropriation. Lucas has accomplished each of these tasks admirably.

Daniel is a difficult book to comment on because it has been the subject of much heated debate between conservative and liberal scholars, its visions have been wildly and carelessly interpreted, and its stories are familiar to the point of meaninglessness. On each of these points Lucas has provided a sane and helpful alternative.

While remaining somewhat noncommittal about the authorship and date of the book, he intelligently interacted with the most recent critical scholarship on Daniel and presented a reasoned defense of generally conservative positions. He leaves open the possibility that chapter 11 may be pseudonymous in keeping with the typical conventions of that genre.

Regarding the visions Lucas presents interpretations that are well informed by his familiarity with ANE parallels and relevant historical background. He takes the culmination of all the visions to be the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. His approach to these texts is strengthened by his sensitivity to the apocalyptic genre and its effects on the meaning of the language employed.

In dealing with the stories, Lucas employs the tools of literary criticism to great advantage. The result being fresh and deep interpretations of the text that can take the typical reader beyond the simplistic readings she is probably familiar with from childhood.

The commentary is highly recommended. The series is aimed at both scholars and pastors, so the discussions can get a bit technical for some, but generally they will be understandable to most lay people. As with any book, no one commentary can say everything nor get everything right. The reader may want to compare other volumes such as those by Collins, Goldingay, Baldwin, Lacocque, or Longman.

Dr. Stephen Miller of Midamerica Seminary is an expert on the languages used in the Book of Daniel and he is well read on the past commentaries on Daniel (both conservative and critical commentaries). He backs up his views with the latest archaeological findings available. His commentary surpasses the excellent commentary by Gleason Archer on Daniel in the Expositor's Bible Commentary series.

This is an excellent exegetical study of the first six chapters of the book of Daniel! Rich in historical background and word studies! Highly recommended!

This book was uplifting, urgent as well as graphic. Not an easy read if you have experienced rape or abuse. Very thoughtful in it's approach to fear and self esteem.

I would recommend this book for all prison libraries. The victims point of view has never come as full circle as this before.

This book can only be described as pure, magical reading. Athough set in the period of the second world war, the focus of the story lies on the two title characters Daniel and Esther, and their relationship which developes amidst the uncontrollable circumstances they find themselves in. Although it may appear to be the usual story of childlike love developing against all odds, do not be misled. It is written with such insight and delicate, spellbinding ease - you cannot help but become totally involved in this story.The characters are so real and their developement (personally and in their relationship)throughout the story is tenderly orchestrated to perfection. The only thing that I regretted after I finished this book was that it wasnt any longer and that I didn't have my own copy. It will enchant and surprise anyone and i highly recommend it.

This book finds Daniel (of the lion's den) and Nephi (of the Book of Mormon) meeting up as young children in a great adventure. It is well written and fun for both LDS members and non members. The author narrates the cassette versions and they are great.

This book helped me in a time of doubt about there being anything "out there" with meaning. I was comforted and was reminded of what I knew inside to be true of God, the Saints, and my Guardian Angel. Reading it absolutely put a halt to my agitation and reassured me that I have help. Daniel and the Lion will surely help many. It is sure to be an Orthodox classic - not only for children!

Daniel Boone is an iconic figure in early American history, immortalized in legend and the famous painting "Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers Through the Cumberland Gap" by George Caleb Bingham. However, this juvenile biography by Patricia Calvert goes well beyond the figure of legend. The story of Daniel Boone begins with his family sailing from England for the New World because of the desire to own land. Daniel Boone was born in 1734 in western Pennsylvania and as he grew up it was clear this was a man to whom something beyond the mountains always whispered. As much, Calvert presents Boone as embodying the frontier spirit that would come to define the American character.

Calvert provides a comprehensive look at Boone's life, both as an explorer and as a family man. This is not an idealized version of Boone's life; Calvert covers such details as his problems with debt and the fact that during one of his long absences his wife, Rebecca, had a child by another man (Boone considered the child his own and she ended up vowing never to stray from his side). Young readers will learn about Boone's experiences in Braddock's War (where he served with George Washington), his early trips to Kan-ta-ke, the establishment of Boonesborough, and his capture by the Shawnees. It is easy to understand why Daniel Boone became the first truly mythic figure in American history.

"Daniel Boone: Beyond the Mountains" is illustrated with a few pictures somewhat contemporaneous to his life (e.g, the title page from "Life & Times of Col. Daniel Boone"). Calvert certainly manages to put together a complete picture of his life, although the documentation on Boone is rather scarce. I think young readers who are assigned to find out about the real Daniel Boone are going to be surprised at how much they learn from this book. Other volumes in the Great Explorations series are devoted to Captain James Cook, La Salle, Lewis and Clark, Ferdinand Magellan, and Robert E. Peary.

I have purchaed a 16 volume set written by Daniel Dafoe. the titles are "The Romances and Narratives by Daniel Dafoe" Edited by George A Aitkens. The first vol. is entitled " The Suprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe"

Please give me some information as to the rareness and the value of these antique books.

This is a book whose value goes way beyond its subject matter. This book is so valuable because Dennett's participation in fundmental issues of cognitive science, evolutionary theory, and philosophy of mind have drawn comments from so many other leading intellectual figures. By looking at what different authors think of Dennett's various distinct ideas in basic issues of philosophy of mind and evolution, it is possible to learn more about their own, and that seems to be part of what the editors intended to do. That makes this examination of Dennett's ideas, and especially their influence outside of his field, a kind of rosetta stone for understanding many current issues in philosophy and biology.

For example, there is a chapter on the evolutionary psychologists' critique of social sciences, showing how it builds on Dennett's evolutionary cognitivism but strays from it at some points. The contrast helps point out the strengths and weaknesses of both the evolutionary psychologists' and Dennett's views, as well as helping clarify what might remain of the foundations of social sciences once the smoke clears. Similarly illuminating is the chapter on Dennett's participation in debates with Stephen Jay Gould over the search for adaptations in studying human evolution.

Dennett's ideas are presented very clearly in a way that non-specialists can appreciate, and the choice of authors who are experts in other fields (rather than solely philosophers) works well in most cases, showing that ideas do matter, and that good philosophers sometimes do have an identifiable and positive impact on other areas of culture.