This book was so well written that it did not hit me until half way through that a man was writing in first person of a teenage girl. The main character is fun loving and going through so much that you hope that everything turns out for her. A shocking twist that you don't want to tell anyone, but demand that they read for themselves.

this is a wonderfully deep and interesting book, that asks a lot of questions about what really matters in life. Laura's search is more about finding out who she really is than finding out who her real parents are. This self-searching renders the book a different read for everyone, as each individual reader fills in the gaps for themselves, in their own way. This is certainly a book I shall return to, and would encourage anybody with a penchant for soul-searching to make their next book.

The story of an adopted girl seeking her real mother is only the beginning. Stanley Gordon West explores what it means to be adopted, and what families are about, in such vivid, tender, emotionally rich prose that this book simply glows.

The late Paul Ramsey continues to speak to our situation today. This book, originally published circa 1950, provides an outstanding introduction, not simply to Christian ethics, but to Ramsey's way of thinking. Especially thought-provoking is the section "What the Christian Does Without a Code."

This fascinating look at the basic tenets of Christianity is both powerful and enlightening. It should be required reading for anyone studying ethics or theology as well as christians who want to come to a greater understanding of their religion and faith. Particularly noteworhty is the chapter called "Christian Love in Search of a Social Policy" which discusses, among other things, the concept of rights in the framework of compassion. This book has helped me come to a deeper understanding of my own faith and values and has transformed my perspective on a number of issues.

I have never read a book like this one before.
So well written and illustrated. It is forwarded
by Vladimir Ashkenazy. The book starts with a section
about music in non-western civilizations, there it
explains the role of music in early cultures of the world,
From Ancient Egypt, to China; from the Ancient American
cultures, to Africa; and from Oceania to the near east to
the Holy Roman Empire, this section of the book has it all.
Then the book is divided in by order of musical periods
thru the ages. Starting with the medieval era, it lists
key events of this period, starting in the 800's. It mentions
and tells about the great names of the era in music,
including de Vitry(1291-1361) and Machaut(1300-1377).
It also explains such teaching devices as the 'Guidonian Hand'.
Then comes the Renaissance, here, it explains the rise
of humanism, it speaks also of major events of the time.
It also tells a bit about the Reinassance courts of Europe
and the composers of the time:Cristobal de Morales(1500-53)
Thomas Morley(1557-1602), Orlande de Lasuss(1532-94). This
section also speaks of the rise of instruments.
One to the Baroque where the where we are start seeing the
the start of new musical forms and procedures, sucha as the
masque, the music drama, the French grand motet.Also music in tenary form etc. The section on the classical period again famous
composers and musicians, explinations of classicism, rococco, and the instruments of the time.More on composers, specially Mozart and Beethoven.On to the the romantic period where we start
to see development in musical instruments, and styles, we also
see how the orchestra gets bigger. Finally, the book comes to
the early and late 20th century. The book does a wonderful job, pictures and tales of 20th century composers. This is the first
book that I have where I find a picture of John Adams and Sofia Gubaidulina in in the same book, in this book, for the first time also, our contemporary composers are treated with great respect, and as equal to their counterparts of the bygone ages. I picture that I like very much is in PG.324 where Cage, and Boulez shake hands in fron of Massien. The art work is of the best quality.This is indeed a good book that I recomend to every classical music lover, and friend. The amazon.com price is so
affordable, and competitive.

A team of writers and scholars compiled the Encyclopedia Of Classical Music, an in-depth encyclopedia of classical music which packs in over 900 color illustrations to accompany a thorough history and survey which extends from ancient through modern times. Introductions for each major period includes surveys of key composers, changes in musical styles, forms, and analysis of instruments. Recommended CD listings, a glossary and extensive discography and bibliography, and subject and name indexes make this valuable both as a reference and for browsing.

Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life, by Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton, Colorado Springs, Navpress, 1992, 252 pages. Reviewed by J. L. Lee

Paul Stanley has over twenty years experience in leadership development. He has served as the international vice-president of the Navigators. His ministry has taken him to a variety of international locations where he has done both leadership training and consulting.

Dr. Robert Clinton has served on the faculty of the Fuller Theological Seminary as an associate professor of leadership for the school of world mission. He has completed extensive research in the field of leadership and specializes in leadership training, selection, and emergence patterns.

The thesis of this book is to show leaders a method they may use to "finish well." That method is to use mentoring as a leadership tool. The authors define the tool of mentoring in relationship terms as an experience where one person empowers another using divinely provided resources. The authors also clearly state the four objectives of the book on page 13.

1.)"How to be mentored even though there aren't enough mentors to go around"
2.)"An explanation of what makes mentoring work"
3.)"A balanced model of mentoring relationships"
4.)"Illustrations and ideas on how mentoring can work for you"

They answer the first objective in the first ten chapters of the book. This is accomplished by breaking down the task of mentoring into seven functions, Discipler, Spiritual Guide, Coach, Counselor, Teacher, Sponsor and Model. Model is further sub-divided into Contemporary and Historical Models. The first three mentoring functions are grouped together under the supra heading of Intensive Mentoring. The fourth through sixth functions are likewise grouped under the heading Occasional Mentoring. The two sub-types of models are considered under the heading Passive Mentoring.
The authors also define three essential dynamics of the mentoring process as Attraction, Responsiveness, and Accountability. These three dynamics are of greater importance in the more intensive types of mentoring. The three dynamics also address the second objective of the book, "what makes mentoring work."
The introduction of the seven mentoring functions and the three dynamics begins in chapter two, especially pages 41-45, and form the backbone of this book upon which most of the rest is expansion and elaboration. Chapter 11, especially pages 161-168, describes what the authors term the "Constellation Model" of mentoring. This model attempts to set forward a framework for the seven functions of mentoring detailed in chapters 3-10. This Constellation Model is defined in images of upward mentoring, downward mentoring, and peer co-mentoring. The peer co-mentoring is further described as either external (outside your organization) or internal (inside your organization). Peer co-mentoring is also described in terms of "close buddy", friend and acquaintance.
The fourth objective of the book is met throughout the book in the numerous illustrations and tidbit ideas for practical application of the mentoring concepts presented. This reviewer found chapters 13 and 14 to be especially helpful in meeting this objective. Chapter 13 listed "Ten Commandments of Mentoring" as well as insights from the mistakes, which the authors have made in mentoring. Chapter 14 presented five characteristics of leaders who finish well.
The book closes with an appendix that describes four principles of adult learning. The appendix is followed by a section of notes from the text. This section in turn is followed by a list of references cited in the text and an annotated bibliography.

Chapters three through ten form the core of the book and develop the material about the seven different functions of a mentor. These can also be understood to be seven different types of mentors.
Chapter three begins this section with a discussion of the Discipler Mentor. The chapter is descriptive and presents the basic growth habits of discipleship and a section of "hints for discipleship mentoring" that apply to both the disciple and the discipler. This chapter does not conclude with a chapter summary.
The second type of intensive mentoring, the spiritual guide, is described in chapter four. Again this chapter is descriptive with the major definitions being easily recognizable in boldface type font. This chapter delineates the functions of a spiritual guide and also gives a means of determining the need for a spiritual guide. It also does not conclude with a chapter summary.
Chapter five concludes the intensive mentoring functions with a development of the role of a coach. This chapter offers the mentoring dynamics, functions, and hints for the coach.
The idea of occasional mentoring is introduced in detail in chapter six with a discussion of the counselor mentor. Of special interest are the eight major empowerment functions of the counselor mentor as well as a section on hints for the counselor.
Occasional mentoring continues into chapter seven when the teacher is described as a mentor. Hints for the teacher-mentor and a section of tips to turn your teaching into mentoring are key sections of this chapter.
Occasional mentoring concludes in chapter eight when the sponsor is described. The sponsor functions and empowerment together with the practical hints on sponsor mentoring are useful listings. It's interesting that this chapter together with chapters five and ten are the only chapters dealing with the seven types of mentoring that offer chapter summaries at their conclusion. Several of the chapters do conclude with a section titled for further study. Chapters nine and ten take up the concept of passive mentoring by describing the role of first the contemporary model and then the historical model in the two chapters respectively.
As noted above, the heart of the book is found in chapters three through ten and each of these chapters in turn addresses the stated thesis of the book which is to present a method which leaders may use to finish well. While the concept of finishing well is not specifically addressed in great detail within the core of the book, in fact it is addressed most significantly in the final chapter, the methods presented in the core build up to and support the conclusion of the book with this thesis.
The book is very systematic and analytical in presenting a theory of mentoring. The structure appears easy to discern and the descriptive material tends to hold the reader's interest. It is a relatively easy read that seems to accomplish the purpose well which the authors set forth for it. This reviewer would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject of mentoring.

Stanley and Clinton have written a very practical guide to developing mentoring relationships. By addressing several kinds of mentoring (from intentional discipleship to passive mentorship) they have digested sophisticated theory into reasonable methods. Throughout the book they also offer their own personal experiences as examples of the principles they wish to bring out, which adds a very readable flavor. At times the authors seem to treat the topic of relationships with a sterile pragmatism, which is my only complaint about the book. Perhaps Stanley and Clinton would do well to spend time reading Larry Crabb's book by the same name! Overrall, I appreciated this book and I am using some of the principles in my own ministry at Biola University.

Although some of the recipes contain exotic ingredients that may be hard to get in some areas, many are relatively simple and incredibly delicious! Amazingly, they are also all low-fat. Plus, the book benefits a good cause. I've never gone wrong cooking something out of here--always raves from the guests!

Fabulous recipes for a great cause. A mouth watering guide to the Bay Area's finest chef's and restaurants. The book contains short biographies on each contributing chef.

A great book for those who want to spend a few months covering the entire region. Though a few geographical and historical errors are there, the good tips and listings give a great start for the intrepid traveler.

I am stationed in Germany and therefore have the opportunity to travel frequently throughout E. Europe. For several years now I have been looking for a travel guide that offers detailed travel info as well as historical and regional information. I finally found it all in Lonely Planet's E. Europe. Although it was an older version (1995) with often outdated prices, it provided an excellent source of maps, key sights, as well as a good, country-by-country historical brief. This book was so good, in fact, that someone in Ljubljana, Slovenia, decided they needed it more than I did, forcing me to buy the latest edition. I'm looking forward to seeing this updated edition.

The title may be slightly misleading and even off-putting but do not put down this book. The authors summarize several years of research done at Colorado State University. This reasearch has allowed them to develop some powerful process models which explain the evolution of fluvial systems over time. These models, while derived from flume work, apply well to the real world. Observations discussed and inferences put forth by the authors have been documented in the field by researchers for companies such as Exxon. They fit quite well with the sequence stratigraphic ideas found in the professional literature published by AAPG and SEPM (to name a few). Every geologist who wishes to become a competent stratigrapher should read this book. A great follow-up to Schumm's earlier book 'The Fluvial System.' CJ

There have been so many management and quality theories over the years - but nobody has told us how they all fit together - in fact they always bad mouth different programs. This book tells how different quality philosophies build on one another. It also has real world examples of how to effectively implement ISO, Six Sigma and "Fusion Management". With the current economy and layoffs I'm ready to use the roadmap to get my company back on track. It is a good quick read, with interesting case studies (I read it on a four hour flight). It may be the most usable business book I've read in quite a long time.

Great if you would like to understand the pros and cons of matrix organizations -- when to use them and when not, as well as how to implement them and pitfalls. Includes case studies.

A symphony of one of Chicago's most famed room, told by none other than whom indulged in the exotic temptations, mystical delights and heavenly atmosphere provided by the playground of Hollywood Midwest created by Ernest Lessing Byfield. Thank you Stanley! Many have no idea, the glitz and glamour were had right here in Chicago. Take my advice Stanley's experiences are truly a delight to be had by all.

Slap a Sinatra tune on light a fire, mix a martini and grace the pages, it's gonna knock your socks off... don't forget the cigarette!

I recently attended a book-signing here in Chicago and listened to Stanley Paul tell his stories as he's never told them before, and believe me, we've all heard most of them before. But now Stanley's on the road telling his tales the way his author wrote them and what used to border on boring is absolutely wonderful! I would heartily recommend this book to every Chicagoan for sure, and anyone else who likes to read a well woven series of stories. I even ordered two more of them myself as Christmas presents. Great job!

I have enjoyed Stanley Paul's music, especially the CD which arrived with the book. Now I can enjoy his stories. The man is simply a natural born story teller and all you need to do is listen to him to know that this is a book that would be eminently successful if it were merely transcribed with little or no ghost writer interference. Paul brings an era back to life with unforgettable stories. Thank you.