Creators Books

I like this book because it kind of follows a line Bill Wilson used to take. If Bill didn't like something like the Oxford Group or the Washingtonians, Bill would often say they taught us a little about what to do and a lot more about what not to do. Unfortunately the facts rarely squared with Bill's own life and actions and beliefs, but they served to mollify the critics. In this book, Dick B. has done a terrific job about contrasting the one, true, living God, Yahweh the Creator, with the "other" deities that we hear of more and more in A.A. Yes, absurd names for God, half-baked prayers, and self-made religion have crept into A.A. and into recovery chatter. That's dangerous. That's confusing. That's unfortunate because there are many like myself who are Christians, believers in God, and Bible students; and we are not keen about listening to people talk about their "higher power" who is a rock, a light bulb, the A.A. group, the Big Dipper, Ralph, Something, Somebody, or not-god.
I heard a number of people ask Dick B. to write about the nature and origin and roots of the "higher power" and "Power Greater than ourselves," and "God as we understand Him" stuff. And that is exactly what he does in this book; and he puts it in terms of his own admiration for, and experience in, A.A. It kind of reminds me of the old song: "Trusting in the saviour, I shall not be moved." Dick is not to be moved toward the silly gods or silly names. And he is not to be moved away from the Creator and His son Jesus Christ. From what I see in this book, neither was Dr. Bob. Especially when he wrote: "Your Heavenly Father will never let you down" (Big Book, p. 181). Here's one that helped me answer the "rock," "Somebody," "Great Pumpkin," and not-god stuff with A.A.'s own history and how revisionists have corrupted it. This book is for the sturdy who don't want to be moved from reliance on Almighty God no matter what some therapist, treatment center, or A.A. speaker may invent as a "higher power" to whom you can supposedly pray and from whom you can supposedly expect to receive healing. I think Psalm 115 said it all centuries and centuries ago.

Dick B. dealt with this proliferating "goofy gods" recovery problem straight on. More and more therapists, counselors, rehabs, and even AAs are substituting absurd names for "god" in place on the one, true, living God who was the source of power relied on for recovery in A.A. Reverend Sam Shoemaker--dubbed a co-founder of A.A. by Bill W.--rejected such practices when he spoke to AAs at their International Convention. In this book, the author deals with the originating expressions--higher power, power greater than ourselves, and God as we understood Him--and shows how they were weak and compromising expressions that replaced the Heavenly Father, Creator, Maker, Father, God of our fathers, Father of Lights, and Spirit with plainly Biblical origins and meanings. In keeping with a belated deal made by three AAs--Bill W., Hank P., and Fitz M., the stage was set after the Big Book manuscript was readied for publication. Fitz protested that the change would obliterate the Christian and Biblical expressions which were part of the original program. Fitz lost. The Step language was changed. The original materials were simply tossed out and lost. And if all that merely involved a search for original meanings, the problem would be a tiny one. However, AAs, counselors, and those associated with recovery began calling their "higher power" a radiator, a light bulb, a tree, a table, a chair, Santa Claus, Ralph, Gertrude, a door knob, a rock, the goddess, and many many more idolatrous words and phrases. Such usage offends me because it deceives and misleads. It also clearly violates the Ten Commandments, which were revered in early A.A. And it is best answered, perhaps, by the explanation of such nonsense in Psalm 115. I am delighted that Dick looked at the Big Book titles, the Bible names and titles, and then documented all the places where the goofy god names replaced the Creator. I rejoice too in the careful studies by Stewart C., Dick B., and George T. over the years which showed that the word "God" and Biblical synonyms such as Creator, Maker, Father, as well as descriptive pronouns numbered over 400 in the Third Edition of the Big Book. By contrast, "higher power" is used twice--both times in the context of the word "God." I doubt that atheists and rim-runners will find much comfort in reading the facts as to how far the "God business" has gotten out of line; but I am sure that devout believers--Christians, Jews, Protestants, and Roman Catholics alike will welcome a book that tells it like it was instead of encouraging sick alcoholics to "find" and put other gods before Yahweh, the Creator. There's more to be read also in Dick's titles, Cured; When Early AAs Were Cured and Why; The Good Book and The Big Book; and The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook.

As a Sunday School teacher trying to teach young married couples what the Bible has to say about sex, this book has made it much easier. It takes the Song of Solomon and brakes it down into a teaching outline for you with great commentary and examples on the verses.

Wow. This is the best book that I have ever read on the subject of marital intimacy. It covers everything. It is not a trashy or preachy book, it simply shares God's ideas on what marriage and intimacy should be like between husbands and wives. The book is based on the Song of Solomon, which is a book in the bible. The chapter headings are:
1. How to Begin a Love Story.
2. The Power of Praising your Partner.
3. How to Fan the Flames of Love.
4. Man are from Earth, and Women are From Earth...Deal with It!
5. Making Preparation for Marriage.
6. The Case for Marriage.
7. How to have A Great Wedding.
8. The Beauty and Blessing of Sex as God Planned it.
9. How to Avoid a Bad Night in The Bedroom.
10. Put Your Husband Where Your Heart Is and When a Man Loves a Woman.
11. Men Behaving Beautifully.
12. A Wonder of A Woman.
13. Love That Lasts a Lifetime.

The book ends with a marriage covenenant.

This book is written in an easy to read style that works well for both men and women and both will benfit greatly.

I truly appreciate Dr. Scorgies book sharing God's desire for men and women and how we need to reinstate that in our world. I belong to a denomiation that view women as equals and are permited to be Ordained as an Elder and be a Senior Pastor of a church.

I recommend this book. It is culturally relevant and sensitive to truth. The author is innovative yet grounded in dialogue with past and present scholars. Many Christians (and others) have adopted a stance on gender issues without really articulating their own posture. Here a person will find fresh ideas. The book will create tension for one who opposes the viewpoints espoused by the author; however, in considering such perspectives an individual is better prepared for debate, if not a change in outlook. The author outlines several compelling cases for gender equality, frequently using concepts (such as trajectory of the spirit) that have eluded the mainstream. Given that young couples and unmarried individuals often view the gender code through a lens muddled by dogma or a few, partially-explored scriptures (i.e. Ephesians 5:22-33), this insightful exhibit should be added to the public discussion.

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi is one of Japan's most significant yet perhaps least-recognized educators. His fame as the founder of Soka Gakkai has somewhat eclipsed his reputation as an educator. (Soka Gakkai International is now the largest Buddhist organization in the world with over 12 million members in 128 nations.)

Mr. Makiguchi had spent a lifetime developing his "value-creating" educational philosophy from his experience as teacher, principal, and teacher of teachers before he founded the Buddhist lay organization.

A man ahead of his time, Mr. Makiguchi made proposals over sixty years ago that are being made anew today. He was staunchly opposed to the rote memorization that was the backbone of Japanese pedagogy in his day (and largely remains so today), and he called for greater involvement by community members in the education of children.

The author, himself an educator, gives a clear and vivid picture of the magnitude and revolutionary quality of Mr. Makiguchi's theories. Until this book, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi has gone virtually unrecognized in the West because so little information on non-Western educators has been available in English. This work fills a need at a time when Mr. Makiguchi's impact on education and society is of increasing importance.

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi is one of Japan's most significant yet perhaps least-recognized educators. His fame as the founder of Soka Gakkai has somewhat eclipsed his reputation as an educator. (Soka Gakkai International is now the largest Buddhist organization in the world with over 12 million members in 128 nations.)

Mr. Makiguchi had spent a lifetime developing his "value-creating" educational philosophy from his experience as teacher, principal, and teacher of teachers before he founded the Buddhist lay organization.

A man ahead of his time, Mr. Makiguchi made proposals over sixty years ago that are being made anew today. He was staunchly opposed to the rote memorization that was the backbone of Japanese pedagogy in his day (and largely remains so today), and he called for greater involvement by community members in the education of children.

The author, himself an educator, gives a clear and vivid picture of the magnitude and revolutionary quality of Mr. Makiguchi's theories. Until this book, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi has gone virtually unrecognized in the West because so little information on non-Western educators has been available in English. This work fills a need at a time when Mr. Makiguchi's impact on education and society is of increasing importance.

This biography of Mary Shelly offers very moving insights into the life (sorrows, defeats, triumphs) of the young enfant terrible who brought us the world's first truly "modern" monster, literature's most famous abandoned child. Nichols deftly conjures the fears and desires that allowed young Mary to dream such a terrible vision, and offers invaluable insights into the legacy Mary would ultimately sow. Strongly advised for all fans of Lit, Horror, Gothic Romance, and good old fashioned storytelling.

Couldn't resist the temptation to write that headline. It's true that this book brings Mary Shelley to life as a fascinatingly modern person; it shows the world she grew up in and how it ended up in Shelley's most famous book; and it brings up, through Shelley's concerns, questions of very modern import. As an adult I enjoyed this book thoroughly and hope it finds a variety of readers who will find in Shelley a kindred spirit. I thought the reading level was pitched a little low for teens, but that shouldn't bother them and the content is definitely appropriate for Young Adults. In fact it will probably offend a lot of parents who are not, shall we say, on Shelley's level... Shelley and her circle of friends might have made some mistakes; they took lots of risks; but they did all this in attempting to be true to their own ideals. A great story which has fascinated scholars for years is made accessible here, in all its gory detail, to teens (and, as I say, adult readers can enjoy it, too).

This is a terrific resource book! As a public library children's librarian, I am so often asked if I know anything about the kids' favorite authors. Now I have a reference book that helps me answer those questions! Many of our favorite authors are included, such as Tomie dePaola, Steven Kellogg , Chris Van Allsburg, and my personal favorite, Jean Fritz. "Meet the Authors and Illustrators vol I" has a wonderful, unique feature. The book is divided into two sections: Picture book authors, and Intermediate authors. Sixty authors are included! I can't wait to get Volume II!

"Meet the Authors and the Illustrators, Volume One" is both a mental and a physical tool for young readers because it has the potential to either spark or further encourage their interest in books. Photocopying individual worksheets is not prohibited, as noted in the copyright information, and would be instrumental as a classroom reference for every child. Suggested activities proposed by the featured professionals, coupled with the insight each has volunteered in their previously presented interview, foster an atmosphere of literary acceptance. A definition of writing styles, solutions for writer's block, the importance of researching and rewriting, as well as the source of an author's ideas are presented with each profile in a transcriptual style, answering the intuitive reader's silent questions. Favorite childhood authors, such as Dr. Seuss, produce juvenile memories, while more advanced novels invite the reader to explore for himself. One of the most valuable assets of this collaboration is its tangible insistence that authors and illustrators are indeed ordinary people, coping with the challenges of creativity in the same ways as young people. Photographs, biographical synopsis, and bibliographical summaries also provide familiarity, reinforcing the concept of average people with extraordinary talent. If an open book is an open mind, "Meet the Authors and the Illustrators" is an essential introduction to the halls of literature.

What an exceptional book this is! I haven't been able to put it down. Without a doubt it's the best exposition of musical theatre creation that I've ever read - and I've read many! Not only does it tell you about the amazing lives of the two Frenchmen who wrote Les Misérables but, with a series of exclusive personal interviews, it details exactly how they did it. Not just Les Mis but all their shows, and there's long interviews too with all their co-writers, directors and producers. Vermette's skill in presentation is magnified many times by her ability to pull nuggets of wisdom out of such talented and diverse people, such as Trevor Nunn, Cameron Mackintosh and Herbert Kretzmer as well of course as Boublil and Schönberg themselves. It's a tour de force of form and substance and a fascinating read.
I discovered this book through the brilliant website which is colourful, informative and gives news and updates to the book[...]

This book is a wonderfully insightful book to some of my favorite musicals! I really enjoyed the background information as to how some of the musicals came to be, the processes that were followed...everything! I highly recommend this book!

Many today are backing away from A.A. This happens, as I have experienced, because religious leaders see the idolatry in today's recovery language, or see the absurd names for a "higher power" or believe A.A. is not "of the Lord." On the other hand, many in A.A. are backing away by saying A.A. is too religious, has "too much God," and is too Christian oriented. My own experience is that you can be in A.A. or in recovery or in a 12 Step program and still: (a) Believe in God. (b)Be a Christian and thus a child of God. (c) Study the Bible. (d) Pray. (e) Seek God's guidance. (f)Fellowship with like-minded believers. (g) Lead others to Christ and help them get straightened out by the power of God. And all this is exactly what Dick B. has told me in his history titles about the early A.A. Christian Fellowship, its 75% to 93% successes, and its simple Christian technique. Now---is A.A. Christian today? No. Are Christian AAs banned from A.A. today? No. Is there room for Christians and those who want to come to Christ to do so in A.A. today? Yes. This book explains the "way out" of the cross-fire from anti-A.A. churches and ministers and anti-A.A. humanists and atheists and unbelievers. The way out is the Way. Learn the history. Stand on your beliefs. Apply the A.A. principles from the Big Book and Twelve Steps. Look to God for protection and cure--even while the bullets fly. As Dr. Bob said on the last line of his story in the Big Book (p. 181). Your Heavenly Father will never let you down. You can be a victorious Christian in or out of A.A. All you need to do is stand, obey, and walk to the glory of God in love and service for those who still suffer IN A.A. This book is an inspiration for me and can be for the reader. I certainly endorse it.

Reviewing Dick's new title A New Way In, I pointed out that it dealt with the need for an effective way of presenting early A.A. history and successes to the newcomer today in such a way that he or she would see their value, learn their content, and use them in recovery. The way in is the way in to the heart of the suffering newcomer or old-timer who, despite Christian beliefs, feels uncomfortable in the backwash of "higher powers," "spirituality," and absurd names for a deity that predominate in 12 Step thinking today. Now--in A New Way Out--Dick explains how to keep the newcomer and oldtimer comfortable within A.A. today, rooted in, and practicing their own Christian beliefs just as the founders did. To be sure, the newcomer Christian needs to know that the early fellowship was a Christian one, studied the Bible, had prayer meetings, and relied on the Creator. And teaching him those facts is paramount. But the next task is preventing him from splitting for the door and joining a humanist or religious fellowship because of the spiteful things he hears in the rooms about his own religion and belief, about religion in general, and about A.A.'s own shortcomings. How do you show him the way out of the "way out inclination?" You do it by showing him the successes, rates of cure, and precepts of pioneer A.A. and then persuading him that the way out is not the way out. The way to stay in and profit and love and serve is either to ignore or repudiate those who seek to intimidate with wrong ideas. Religion and churches and clergy often spurn A.A. by saying it is godless and lacking in specific references to God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ. And that may be the case at times today. It was not in the 1930's. But religion and churches and clergy need to know that a Christian in A.A. today can stand on the rock of Christ, knowing that his predecessors did likewise with great success and that A.A. cannot and does not prohibit one from believing in God, in accepting His son, and in studying the Bible. Now what about the humanists and atheists who hit him from the other side. Oddly, they say that A.A. is religious, that it fosters cultlike and prejudced religious views, and that it offers little in the way of success when one turns to God for help. Now what's the answer? The answer lies in telling it like it is: God is, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:16). God heals those who believe. The answer for me is not to flee, not to cut and run, and not to allow myself to be intimidated by those who don't know the real A.A. The real A.A. today still has a glowing history, it has an early success rate, and today it has adopted universalist and secularist ideas to the point that many think A.A. is a queer religion and that it discriminates against the people of other lands and creeds. Not so. A.A. is not going to change or be changed. The changing took place after the first twenty years. But you can't change God, can't change Jesus Christ, and can't change the truths in the Bible. They were the standards for success for the pioneers. And anyone in A.A. or a 12 Step Fellowship today needs to know that he doesn't need to flee from A.A. to find religious comrades and escape atheist badgering. He needs to stand for what he stands for and let others do likewise. Love and tolerance are our Code, wrote Bill Wilson. And that still holds today. Dick's two books present the problem and the solution for the devoted Christian who wants to get sober, who loves the fellowship of A.A., who is quite willing to read its text and "work" its Steps, and who sees the importance of placing the Good Book right beside the Big Book without feeling guilty.

For all the molecular biology students out there, here is the scoop. If you are working on or planning on working on some aspect of molecular biology and dont know where to start this is the book for you. If you want to become a serious investigator of biochemistry and molecular biology, and dont know what scientists in your specialized field did before you, this is the book for you. Remember, you cannot make an original contribution to science unless you know what has already been contributed!

The book is similar to the higly acclaimed "eigth day of creation" by H.Judson in that it nicely describes the history of what happened in the field of molecular biology in its earliest years and I bet it will be a lot of fun for someone coming into this field. Where the book differs from the other book is when it looks at events that happened much later in history - more recent events. For example, how did the discovery of ribozyme happen? The book goes into the various experiments that were performed in collaboration with other researchers working in related fields. Whats most impressive to this reviewer is that the book cites specific original research articles everytime it makes a bold statement like "this is how the discovery of ribozyme was made" which makes it very easy to get the article and put things in historical perspective (look at the extensive "Notes" section). You will also remember both the experiments that were performed to derive at the original contribution and the scientist. you can take my word, you will not forget either!

Last but not the least, the book has nice pencil illustrations of scientists who made the big contributions and it is essential to relate the scientists with the science. For someone that is not in science, this book will take some effort to read but is definitely not overwhelming. There is a glossary at the end of the book which I bet will be extremely helpful for the non-specialist reader. Overall this book is a gem and will be in my permanent collection.

Hatch Echols was a well-known biologist. He spent years working on a personal history of his field. After his untimely death, his widow completed the manuscript. This book is the result. It is a history of molecular biology from about 1948 to about 1990. By molecular biology he means the attempt to understand biology using the tools of physics and chemistry. It is a superb book, as makes a fine compiment to the OTHER definitive history of molecular biology, Horace Freeland Judson's "Eighth Day of Creation". Judson's 1979(I think) book was a detailed account of three or four episodes in molecular biology, and stopped at 1970. Echols'book gives a much broader overview, focusing on the questions that arose and the people who answered them. The margins are graced by line drawings of the the major actors, done by the author. The result is a fine account of both the science (briefly) and those who made it. Most of the participants were his friends, and it shows. On the other hand, unlike most books, I am unaware of any animosity or basic unfairness towards any of the participants. Those of you looking for revelations of scandal had best look elsewhere. This is an idyll of discovery. Having studied the subject through textbooks, I enjoyed finding out about the twist and turns, the false starts and blind alleys and leaps in the dark that really lay behind the development of the most exciting science of the last half of the twentieth century. Highly recommended.
This book seems to be languishing in obscurity, and I think Judson's book is out of print. This is deplorable. Another reason to purchase it is because feel Operators and Promoters is a good book to dip into and read a few chapters here and a few there, so you will want to have a copy about the house.
Worth purchasing? Definitely

Professor Knox offers a splendid overview and critique of contemporary Oscar Wilde criticism. She illustrates how "-ism-guided" approaches tend to utilize Wilde for their own agendas rather than trying to come to terms with the contradictory and fascinating nature of his oeuvre. This book is a must read for any Wilde scholar as well as for advanced students pursuing work on Wilde or on approaches to literature.

I greatly enjoyed both the thorough examination of many important Wilde critics of the 1990s and the sensible point of view. The author defends clear writing and makes a forceful defense of biographically and psychologically based criticism, enlisting Wilde's own remarks in her argument. Her criticism of literary jargon is occasionally biting, and justifiably so. This is a book not for the politically correct, but rather the openminded scholar or student of literature. It is safe to say that Wilde himself would have enjoyed it.