I'd like to read it with agrand pleasure

This was a beautifully photographed book with lots of great pictures of gorgeous projects. I recommend it for that, but not if you want hands on information on the actual creation process.

I have used this book as a text for teaching grief and loss to naturopathic medicine and midwifery students for the past 4 years. Medical students find the information thorough, and appreciate the biological causes of pregnancy and neonatal loss, and the case studies at the end of every chapter. Midwifery students find that there is not enough information on grief counseling. To fill that important gap I supplement this book with Worden's Grief Therapy and Grief Counseling. This book would be significantly improved if it included chapters on abreactive grief responses, wholistic grief counseling, multicultural mourning practices, and complementary and alternative medicine approaches to the physical, emotional and spiritual experiences of pregnancy and perinatal loss.

World of Chemistry is a good introduction for those who've never taken a chemistry class before. It goes into great detail on how to successfully do everything there is in chemistry: identify compounds, determine atomic mass, and atomic weight, etc. It should be noted, however, that the last few chapteris in the book, starting with Chapter 12 are very confusing and hard to understand. At this point, you'd probably be better off listening to the teacher's lectures, or searching for another similar book. Beyond this point (Chapter 12), the book is worthless. If you want to buy this book, I suggest that you buy it used, or wait for it to go on sale.

Well, I think the fact there are only three reviews of this book before mine pretty much sums up how popular it is.
As I write this, there is a show on TV called "American Junior" -- a take-off on "American Idol" in which children with prodigious singing voices try to become stars. The most striking feature of the show, however, is not the kids' talents but their parents' obsessions. They are trying to achieve vicariously, through their kid's success, the fame and fortune they were never able to achieve on their own. I think you probably get my analogy to Earl Woods.
By the way: I have a point to make about Tiger that has nothing to do with this book, really, but that I want to get off my chest. It has to do with his wardrobe. He is in serious need of a fashion makeover. Here is his customary garb:
1. "Poofy" (i.e., baggy-legged) pants. The effect is a little bit odd.
2. A standard golf shirt -- but with the top, collar button fastened. This is a distinctly child-like feature; normally the only people with top button fastened are little boys dressed by their moms.
3. A cap that is more rounded than that of other players; if you removed the bill and attached blades to the top, it would be a perfect propellor beanie.
What I'm getting at is that his working clothes are childish. When combined with his natural baby face, the effect is comical. I predict that 20 years from now, film of Tiger in his 20s will look as silly as film of golfers in the 1970's with their tight, plaid pants, wide white belts, and super-sized lapels on their shirts.
So Tiger -- please come up with a new look on the course to go with your fabulous game.

Children are first introduced to a particular sport through their parents. If they show promise or enthusiasm in the sport their parents are their main supporters. Eldrick "Tiger" Woods was blessed to have parents who recognized his gifts and supported him in developing his talent as a golfer. You too, as a parent can do the same for your child as you review the lessons that Tiger's father imparted to him.

Earl Woods shares with his techniques in both raising and training his son, Tiger, as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He describes how to start off your child in golf at an early age, developing drills for them in their practice and keeping them focused on their game. What I found most important about Earl Wood's presentation is his stress on building a solid relationship with your child. Once your child learns to love, trust and feel secure with their parent then there isn't anything that he or she can't handle. Golf is just one means of developing the discipline, integrity and positive behavior that one needs throughout life.

This is not a detailed book on how to play golf. Earl Woods doesn't go into an analysis of his son's techniques. He gives the basics and his own methods which worked with Tiger. His voice is one of advice to parents in training your child for golf. It is up to you to accept or reject Earl Woods' pointers.

After reading this book will your child turn into another Tiger Woods? Probably not because each child is unique but you and your child will develop a better relationship with one another due to your mutual love of the game. Incorporating the principles of Woods' instructions can serve as a launching point
in enabling your child to improve on his or her game. Woods stresses throughout the book that as a parent you can use golf to raise a child who will be a champion in life. Golf is the vehicle but the foundation is the love of the parent and child.

If you are introducing golf to your child I highly recommend this book. It gives solid and practical advice in getting your child interested in the game. Earl Woods also provides a list of associations and clubs that sponsor golf lessons and tournaments in developing young players for the sport.

If you've admired Tiger as a golfer, wait til you read his father's account of how he got that way. What a great tribute to the parent/child relationship...a powerful reminder that respect between parents and their children is earned, not given. Also, terrific advice on how to teach your kid to golf at an early age, and wonderful pictures of Tiger and his family

Despite some of this book's expressed opinions to the contrary, what instructions does the Bible give regarding those who should be in a position of leadership and authority in the Church? With so many differing opinions, how do we know what to believe?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 2:15 says to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

1 Thessalonians 5:21 says to "Prove [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] all things; hold fast that which is good."

In Acts 17:11, the Apostle Luke wrote about the noble Bereans: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

So, what does God's Word have to say about homosexuals/lesbians in the pulpit?

In 1 Timothy 3 (see Titus 1:5-16 as well), Paul instructed Timothy about those who should hold the office of a bishop or deacon: 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour...

10 And let these [deacons] also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

So the bishops and the deacons (those who are in charge) must be "blameless" and of "good behaviour". They must set an example for others to follow. Would God call abominable sin (Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 20:13) "good behaviour" and those that commit such acts "blameless?" Should we also arbitrarily promote the idea of drunkards, fornicators, adulterers, extortioners, and pagan religions in the Church pulpit as well, despite God's strongly expressed will and commandments to the contrary?

Paul writes in Ephesians 4 that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, are given to the church for the 'perfecting of the saints' (v.12), among other good things.

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Ephesians 5 says: 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person...hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Reprove, means 'to rebuke' or 'to correct', not 'to promote, partake and fellowship with'. Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Titus 1 says: 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers... 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not...

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

In Revelation 2:18-23, we read how the church of Thyatira had allowed an adulterous woman named Jezebel to teach in the church. As a result of her influence, we read the Lord's servants were seduced into committing fornication and idolatry. Jesus rebuked this church and warned that failure to repent would result in judgment. There is hope though. Jesus gave even this false teacher space to repent of her deeds.

2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (turning away from sin...a change of mind). Unfortunately, many will reject God's Word, choosing rather to stubbornly remain willfully ignorant, continuing on in their sin. There will be no hope for them in the Day of Judgment. Hebrews 9:7 says it is given unto men once to die, and after that the Judgment. Jesus said in John 14:28 that in the last day, people will be judged by the Word which He has spoken. Therefore, our emphasis should be on His Word, as opposed to the fallible opinions of men.

Ministers in the pulpit teach not only by word, but by deed. They are an example to others. If I call myself a minister of the Lord, and condone living in open sin, this sends a strong message to weak believers. They would become emboldened to go out and sin, and if continued in, would eventually perish. Jesus said in Matthew 18:26/Mark 9:42/Luke 17:2 that it would be better for a millstone to be tied around a person's neck and them flung into the sea, than for them to offend [literally meaning to 'cause to stumble'] someone. Are these matters left up to opinion? Do vain words of fallible men outweigh the Word of God? Sadly they will be held accountable for not only their own actions, but the influence they had on others on the Day of Judgment, unless they repent.

I strongly urge the reader to search the scriptures daily! See if the opinions and interpretations you read and hear from others line up with all of the Word of God. And finally, we should follow the instructions written in Romans 3:4, "..let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

This review is in response to the issue this book raises in advocating the acceptance and promotion of open sin into the church. When professing Christians depart from the truth and seek to elevate those living in open sin into a position of authority, then it suddenly becomes a serious issue that needs to be responded to. In the quest for truth, one can either turn to man's opinions, or to the source itself: God's own Word.

The church was warned early on about the rise of this kind of anti-Scriptural theology. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, "3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

And also in 1 Timothy 4:2 he writes, "1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"

In 2 Timothy 3:4-5, Paul warns Timothy of those who are, "4 ...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Paul, writing to Titus in Titus 1:16 said, "16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus said, "15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Are those who call themselves Christians, who are living in open sin, bringing forth 'evil fruit'? By continuing in open sin and thus setting an example for others to follow, are they doing what Jesus would call the 'will of my Father which is in heaven'?

Galatians 5:7-10, "7 ... who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 ... he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be."

2 Peter 2 says, "1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

"14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;"

"17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

How can it be any more plainly stated? Who are the "wolves in sheep's clothing" and the "false prophets"? How can they subtly gain entrance into the Church? By simply turning people away from the authority of the Word to the vain opinions of fallible men. Much of what they say is dressed in religious sounding terms.

Not everyone who claims to be speaking by the leading of the Holy Spirit is speaking by the leading of the Holy Spirit. That is why we are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to "Prove [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] all things; hold tight that which is good", and in 1 John 4:1 to "Test [examine, scrutinize, verify] the spirits (to see) whether they are of God..." After comparing the liberal theology espoused in the pages of this book to the clear commandments in the Bible, we clearly see the two cannot be reconciled. So when man says one thing and God says another, who are we to believe?

Romans 3:4 answers, "...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

James Wood has written the definitive book for our time showing how the homosexuality debate within the mainline churches (specifically the United Methodist Church) exemplifies how the churches have always interpreted the biblical witness within the surrounding culture's ethical and moral understandings. Wood shows how a person can be both a committed Biblical believer and understand "the role of culture in mediating God's revelation." Wood's sociological-organizational-church polity understanding of the issues is must reading for anyone who wants a specific vision of how the mainline churches can live in unity and avoid schism during this crisis. The depth of understanding and the wealth of specific information contained in these 144 pages is astounding.

some really really great descriptions here, of forest and sabbaths. the greatest i have read in fact. a priest tries to persuade his congregation to become good christians. some worship ancient religions. there is a coven performing rituals in the woods. if only Buchan would have sticked to that. but no. intrigues, a love story, doubts, and worst of all: another story completely different than this is formed, and this story is boring. for political reasons the priest needs to defend an action. and that destroys the previous story. in the end it all becomes a mediocre blur.

Not one of Buchan's more rewarding works, this novel finds the author in a mournful and disappointed mood. Largely concerned with the doings of a Scots minister in an impoverished lowlands town in the mid seventeenth century, we are tortuously given a social history in microcosm. David Sempill is involved in plots of witchcraft, rural poverty and a bizarre epidemic, Anglo-Scottish border wars and ultimately flight over the seas.In no sense are we swept up into the life or adventures of the hero, as we are say with Richard Hannay in 'Greenmantle' or Dickson McCunn in 'Huntingtower'; both very different classes of hero but both extremely engaging. David Sempill fails the test of engagement and we remain sharply on the side lines, slightly uninterested observers of a time we can hardly credit occured

A good, engaging read. Well developed characters and an excellent insight into a peculiar time of history. Also, a healthy examination of the religious doctrines and culture that define the Scottish Presbyterian presence in what is now referred to as the Reformed Faith.

At first the book is interesting and will keep you reading, but it is to technical in the explanation of the law for the paints, that is really boring, and at the end, is like you never read this book, you will have absolutely nothing, everybody did what he wants no matter if it was against the law, and everybody win, could be that possible?

Morris West's "Master Class" paints a vivid, if not overworn, plot of an American concubine Max Mathers living in Italy under the shadow of Pia, his elder lover. Upon her death, her will gives him access to any 2 of her antiquities. His knowledge of art finds him 2 rare Rafaels. After that, the plot becomes watered-down to its lowest common denominator. Writer Morris West, however, is incredibly well-knowledgeable and versed in international history and geography. His brush paints vivid charecters within concise arenas. His 'Gisella Mund' is a perfect charecter with incredible insight and depth. Kudos to his genuinity in writing. I only wish the plot equaled his charecters!

The story of an art hisorian's personal growth and transformation into a better person than he was previously. Masterful development of characters, and a moderately interesting story, but I never felt like I couldn't put the book down. The ending was realistic, and moderately satisfying. A well-written book, but not as good as some of his other books.

This book attempts to cover what is a very wide-ranging and complex subject in a format suitable to the lay reader or electronics/space enthusiast. It's doubtful whether professional engineers working in the field of satellite communications would get much out of this publication.

Although there is something to be said for the layout and the easy-to-find reference material, it is disappointing to see that much of the book is composed of cuttings from various "fact sheets" and brochures produced by space organisations. This results in numerous minor inaccuracies and use of data which is now rapidly being overtaken by events.

That said, it's an inexpensive and readable little book which, despite its shortcomings, might appeal to the non-specialist.

I bought this book thinking that it was a collection of short stories by some favorite authors. Boy, was I wrong! I was unpleasantly surprised to find out that they were just condensed versions of previous published novels, one that I know for sure I already own. The stories have been distilled down to just basically dialogue and sex scenes - any meaningful character development has been cut out, along with descriptions of settings and motivations. The sex scenes lose much of their impact when you don't really know enough about the characters to even care what they're doing.

The hatchet job done to Jayne Ann Krentz' two stories (one as Stephanie James) was horrible (and the Krentz original story to begin with wasn't one of her best anyway). Continuity was the worst with the Stephanie James story. The Sherry Woods story tried to fit too much into too small a format - a lost love, losing the family farm, a tornado, a child falling down a well, etc. - all that in forty pages! Probably the best of the collection were the stories by Candace Schuler. They seemed to fit the format the best, but still, the conflicts were reduced to their most simplistic terms - white woman fitting into the Navajo world and lust, ex-spouses finally learning to compromise and lust.

My recommendation? Don't Take 5 - take your five and buy full-length novels.

This book has 5 condensed versions of previously published books (meaning old). I bought it thinking it was a new collection of stort stories. Not only were the stories previously (and I do mean previously) published, they were condensed to the point that they were silly. As I was reading, it was very obvious when the story was being condensed, as the continuity of the story was ruined. If you like Jayne Krentz, and/or the other authors in this book, buy the previously published non-condensed works. They are easy, quick reads anyway!