I enjoyed reading this book by David L. Holmes. He goes into great detail about the Episcopal religion, and its history from the Anglican Reformation to the present. He not only tells when some Anglican traditions started but what other religions were doing during the same time frame. This book has given me a real hunger for doing more research on the Episcopal Faith

Dr. David Holmes's Brief History is important reading for anyone interested in the Episcopal Church, being engaging in its style and tone, comprehensive in its coverage, and useful in its bibliography. Dr. Holmes helped me, an Episcopalian of 30 years, make fair and caring sense of the many currents of religious thought that I first learned about in the late 1960s, and to place them into their historical and theological contexts both within and outside the Episcopal Church. Those currents too often divide and discourage rather than unite and uplift us, and we Episcopalians could argue a lot less (even about liturgy and music!), or at least argue with more community, if we learned the historical facts and the gently suggested lessons that this book can teach us. We also might come away feeling more kinship, not only with other Episcopalians whose views we may not share, but also with other denominations, with whom we share more than many of us (including this reviewer) probably know.

Good history pairs accurate facts with clear analysis. Great history adds fresh ideas, compelling personal accounts, and a genuine passion for the subject matter. In this engaging book on the Episcopal church, David Holmes has written history of the best kind.

As a professor at the College of William and Mary, Holmes commands knowledge of both church development and European and American history. Yet his simple, direct language makes complex topics clear to readers unfamiliar with church history or religious studies in general. His research also makes Episcopal history relevant to a wide range of audiences.

In a chapter entitled "The Growth of the Episcopal Church," Holmes chronicles the church's post-Colonial development. The diversity in this section shines. With fascinating detail, the author describes Anglican attempts to evangelize Native Americans, touches on foreign missions, and writes about the effect of immigration on the church.

Holmes also deals deftly with the role of African-Americans in the church, beginning with the baptism of an African-American family at Jamestown in 1623. He objectively describes the church's response to slavery and the Civil War, and explains the subsequent disaffection of many African-Americans from the denomination.

Finally, Holmes brilliantly chronicles the little-known role of women in areas such as missionary work and the social gospel movement. The book tells the stories of several women affected by the national debate over women's ordination in the 1960's and 1970's.

Even without the detailed and lively history that comprises its six main chapters, Holmes's book would be worth reading for its fascinating appendix, which chronicles Henry VIII's quest for an annulment from Catherine of Aragon. In an exceedingly well-researched account, Holmes balances historical detail with human interest drama that will captivate readers of all levels.

With lively prose and compelling analysis, this "brief history" will be a delight for scholars, laity, and history buffs alike.

In the early 1950's Dad used to read to us on sunday afternoons.
He found this book at a used book store in WV. Often, as he read it to us, he would start laughing so hard he would have to stop to get his breath. Without a doubt this book is the funniest I have ever had the pleasure to read. Parents don't have to worry about content, but it may be a little difficult for younger children to read, because of the author's spelling . Spelling and puncuation were published just the way he wrote them as a young lad, growing up in New Hampshire during the mid-ninteenth century.Here's a real 'history' lesson to find out what life was like before video games,TV or even radio. My seventeen year old enjoys the book as much as I do.
I believe that 'Brite and Fair' is a sequel to 'The Real Diary of a Real Boy' and that there is a third book in the series. Read them at the serious risk of your funny bone!...

Written in diary form, this book was a sequel to a real diary the author kept in the 1860's when he was a boy. My mom brought this book home from a rummage sale in the 1950's and my brothers, my sister and I read it over and over, taking turns reading as we sat on the front porch one summer. This book was as fresh and funny nearly 100 years later as when it was written. We all loved the adventures of Pewt, Beany and Plupy - who just couldn't keep out of trouble. I especially liked the tale of preventing the cats from eating the 'chickings'. A really likeable and funny book.

My mother was given this book in the 1920's and she passed it on to my brothers and me. We read it many times while growing up. It was still in print about 15 years ago so I bought copies for my children. They also loved it even though it was from another era. What a fun read. You will laugh out loud.

I like the west, and I like reading about the history of the west. Who settled it, why, what they saw/found, and why they wanted to protect it from the other side. This book takes you through a period in the development of the west on horseback, on foot, on a wagon, and paints a vivid, realistic picture of the land and the opposing people who wanted to keep it or claim it.
Rarely is the reader allowed to determine who is right/wrong or who wins/loses in the struggle for ownership of the west by two opposing sides, both committed to their cause and belief in the rightousness of their convictions. The characters are well developed and you can almost see the dust on their clothes, the sweat on their brow, and identify with the motives of each of them. I enjoyed this well researched story and it is obvious that Mr. Chappell has put some boot leather on the ground in the west as evidenced by his very vivid descriptions of the plant and geological aspects of the region.
Highly recommended.

"The Callings" is a great read!!! I couldn't put it down. I recommend it to anyone that loves a well written story, westerns, or historical fiction. This is a compelling story that plunges the reader into timeless personal struggles between main characters while capturing the real struggles between two cultures on the Great Plains in 1873.

It gave me a historical perspective from both the Comanche and the buffalo hunters that is realistic and truthful. I wasn't sure which side should prevail at the end of the story which is a fresh viewpoint in our politically correct world of today.

This is a great story told without ethnic bias. The author helps us understand the cultural differences that led to the near extinction of the bison as well as the native peoples that depended upon them. The author does not take sides but presents the differences through the eyes of his characters via a well told tale that will keep you reading past bed time.

This is really an instruction manual on how to play golf. I can bet you've never seen golf played this way before!

The pictures are great, and the explanations are truly hilarious. Recommended for every golfer with a good sense of humor.

Leslie Nielson, the king of slapstick comedy, has come out with one of the funniest books that I have ever read. BAD GOLF MY WAY is one of the greatest golf instructional books ever written for the masses...well, minus those 2450 people who actually wish to improve their game.

This book is hysterical and the illustrated pictures are a riot. In this instructional book, Nielson pokes fun at golf by sharing his views and unorthodox approach to the game. His off-the-wall swing and mental aspects are hilarious. He truly is the "Arnold Palmer of Bad Golf."

This book will make you laugh out loud. It is a very quick read, and one of pure enjoyment. This is a must for any golfer. BAD GOLF MY WAY is a hole in one.

A spoof on the typical golf instruction book, this book is organized by chapters such as "The Address" and "The Swing." Here the similarities between other "instructional books" and this one end.My wife hated me while I was reading this book because the shaking bed due to my laughter kept her awake night after night. This and "Missing Links" by Rick Reilly are clearly the funniest golf books in print.

The poetic description of sadness at the heart of this short novel is very moving.

Within the pages of this book, Tisma has brought to life a small part of the world which, at the time, was sadly caught between the clash of two ideologies that were slowly descending, like dark clouds, upon Europe - communism and fascism. The consequent racial suspicions, which leave no one untouched, are real: Hungarians, Jews, Serbians, all are caught in the ideological swirl which, as we know, had devastating consequences for the people of the region: pogroms, the invasion by Arrow Cross Hungarians, the murder of communists (Blam's sister)...

The novel also delves into the unconscious of violent retribution, something which, as we have learned in recent years, only leads to the perpetuation of violence. Mr. Tisma must have had the wars that raged throughout the 90s in mind (i.e., Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina) while he was writing his novel. (The precariousness of the region, of which we are all aware, is in part the result of a failure to put the past behind, to let go, to forgive.) The dream-like scenes, where long-dead friends of Blam's pay their executioners in kind, are harrowing.

A short novel about a region of the world whose history we unfortunately know too little about, and but one tiny chapter in the book of horrors that were visited upon the European Jewish community.

The Book of Blam is a wonderful book and an important book. It recounts the events during the Holocaust period in what is now Serbia. After reading this and Tisma's Kapo, he has a style of writing that is unlike most writers that I have read from Eastern Europe; concise, flowing storylines and easy to read. His story has been told many times before but there is something to Tisma's writing that makes Genocide appear as normal to these killers as washing their hands or going for a walk. His is a voice of reason in Novi Sad, a city with little tolerance then and now. After the events in the Balkans during the recent past, sad to say, not much has changed.

This is the literary equivalent and then some of the photographic essay "A Vanished World" and Anne Frank's diary in 1950, had she survived. And an all too useful exploration of how survivors of the abyss might look at the world. I can't say I'm looking forward to reading Tisma's other work, but read it I must.

Though it is now out of print, this book has over 100 color prints from the Book of Kells and is one defininitely looking for. The essays raise some interesting points, though not the most current points of dispute among scholars. The book would be wonderful for students, copyists, or anyone interested in a beautiful presentation of information on the most ornate of insular manuscripts.

One must actually see large color plates or the Book of Kells itself to know what all reviewers are talking about, when they, like myself, call this book "the most beautiful book in the world." It is really incredible, a most fascinating and comprehensive piece of work from an ancient period of time. And has life changed so very much since then? Reading this book with many descriptive illustrations, one might know.

To really understand the incredible drawings, also purchase the newly released video "The Book of Kells - The Work of Angels?" which tells what the illustrations were about and how they were created... many of the designs date from the Celtic gold work that was done at the time, and there are many interesting stories about life in the abbey, political intrigues, and other goings-on during this period of time.

This has been a favorite gift of mine to give to many people, who have seen the book in person in Ireland, but never really knew what it meant, until they saw the tape. The two go hand-in-hand together, and are worth any price.

There is also a new CD out with Kells images as well, which may well be worth purchasing ...

The original 1974 large edition book in a fabric slip case is the one I saved up all year for when I was a very poor college student, and started my life-long love of calligraphy.

This book is well worth any price, when Inspiration is your need or your calling.

A beautifully illustrated book, finely detailed, a wonderful source of inspiration for those interested in illuminated manuscripts and Celtic decorative art. Author Henry's years of research are evident: she knows her subject well. A lovely study of this original c. 9th century manuscript, often described as "the most beautiful book in the world."

Born To Trot is one of my favorite books! I have read this book twice and it's one of the best books I've ever read! It's based on a true story and I think you'll enjoy this book a lot.

From the moment you pick up "Born To Trot" you can't put it down! Your instantly transported back into time and stuck by Gibson White's (stories man charecter) side. It's packed with a ton of horse info, about history's greats: Hambletonian, Rosalind and Greyhound. But this book, you won't be disappointed!

This book is insanely wonderful!I love it!I liked how it was two stories in one.This book is a perfect example on M. Henry's wonderful writing ability.This book,King of the Wind,and Black Gold are my hands-down favorite Marguerite Henry books.

There will come a day when Mankind (the Duo Pods) is extinct and the insects have inherited the Earth. The Earth Mother has allowed the Duo Pods' chemical wastes to change the ants and roaches into self-aware beings with unique and viable cultures. Plastics mined from ancient waste disposal sites are essential food supplements for the proper growth and development of these sentient insects. Vying for access and ownership of the plastic mines has created decades of intense animosity, exacerbated by occasional military actions between the ant and roach nations.

This book chronicles four generations of dairier ants and two generations of adopted roaches, who reach out to the roach community to end the hostilities. The ants strive to create common ground in mining, construction, trade and law. Among the roaches, there are those who savor their privileges and will go to any lengths - even murder - to maintain the status quo. If the ants fail, both species will pass away, just as the Duo Pods did.

I had trouble starting this book, because I'm a cat person, not a roach person. However, by the time I got to Chapter 11, I was cruising. Looking back, I think I'll miss Anthony. It takes a very special ant to adopt a roach, because his mate can't have any children of her own. I thought of this book as "The Hellstrom Chronicles" meets _Watership Down_ and I hope you enjoy it too.

Deborah Frontiera has written a book that will appeal to both adults and children. While it is a story of two waring insect factions, it could as well be a tale of human frailties and emotions. A delight to read; it is easy to lose yourself in this make believe world.

I haven't had a chance to read the book, but based on the cover illustrations, I suspect it will be great. I'm not sure I've ever seen this illustrator before in print, but I look foward to seeing more of his work. If anyone knows the illustrator's name, could you please email me? good work, christin

A good book about orthodontics, but Graber's is more complete.

It's the bible of Orthodontics written by the man himself.

An Excellent Book for General Practioners contemplating orthodontics in their practice who want to understand more deeply the treatment they deliver.

Not recommended for undergraduates as is too detailed.

This book provided hours of fun for my four-year-old. We were pleased that we always had simple household items and paper to complete the projects.This book can be used as ajumping off point to many other creative projects.

All that is needed are these three items, and you can make the cutest crafts! Because of the easy supply list, we use this book so much more often than other books that you might not have the needed supplies on hand for. This one we keep right in the kitchen and the children can make things whenever they like! we just got it for Christmas and have already made lots of the projects! and there is room to be creative - just using the ideas as examples and taking it from there.

For the last several years my summer school has included art every day for students whose ages range from 6-13. This book has an excellent selection of art projects that are appropriate for all these ages. Everything is made using construction paper, scissors and glue, which are readily available in the school supply room, are inexpensive and easy to work with. The projects turn out bright and colorful. My class has just completed a lively mural of a pond habitat after making fun frogs, fish, turtles and other aquatic creatures and plants, using ideas from the book.

I love the instructions and lay-out of the book. The steps and resulting project are clearly shown in large drawings with minimal text, so it just takes a few minutes to read through each project.

Some of the projects feature geometrical designs and patterns, which allow substantial room for creativity, some fold and curve paper to make them three dimensional. There is a good variety of themes including animals, seasons, nature, a still life, a robot, and a couple of cultural items. Although I haven't done it yet, the Panamanian mola looks like it will turn out stunning.

If I want to stick to using paper, glue and scissors for my art classes, this book will give us plenty of fun and attractive projects to do for several weeks. Parents will also find it a great source for young artists at home.