Audio Books

This book is great for people who want to learn by themselves our with a teacher. It has real life situations and easy to learn. I recommend buying the textbook for more practice and the CD.

This book is very good, but there are not many to choose from. This was 3 quraters of classes.

Overall a good book!

I learned Japanese as a second language from the Genki books, and now I use them to teach students of my own. This is by far the best Introductory Japanese book out there!

I am teaching myself Japanese and I really like this text. This book has a good collection of vocabulary and is very easy to follow. I recommend this book to everyone. It is excellent! My Japanese friend is very impressed with what I was able to teach myself. I feel very confident in what I have learned. The student CD that accompanies is a little lacking, though. It only covers dialogue and vocab for the book (and workbook), when I really wish the CD included more from the textbook. I also recommend getting the workbook for more practice. You should know that you need the student CD to use the workbook. Genki 1 has to be the best text out there for learning Japanese!

This book may be good for young students who anticipate homestays (and I'm skeptical even about that, for reasons below), but if you're an adult you may find this book excruciating. I recently moved to Japan, and finally determined to take some private lessons to get a more systematic grasp on the language than I have had hitherto. My school uses this text. I can't compare it with other college-style textbooks, which may mostly suffer from the same problems, but among the issues I have with it are:

@ The framing scenario is of foreign students living in homestays and interacting with their homestay families and with each other; there is also a lot of school-related vocabluary. This is largely irrelevant for an adult's experience. It is useless for business, BTW (though in my own case, I was looking more for daily life vocabulary and situations than business).

@ Even within this scenario, the book doesn't teach you how to really have conversation -- all classmates address each other with polite "-masu" form verbs. In real life, this would be distant or even rude with your pals. (Moreover, on the accompanying tapes female gaijin characters like "Mary" and "Sue" address their classmates and homestay parents in that saccharine, squeaky little-girl voice that is normally used by shop staff and female announcers on infomercials, not people talking to friends or family.)

@ In Japan, it is very rare for people to mirror back to you what you say, or for it to be appropriate for you to mirror back to them. This is especially true if your main interactions are with people in shops, where they will use a lot of "keigo" (honorific speech) or other specialized formulas. Simple example: A waitress will bring stuff to your table and ask "Yoroshii desu ka?" (Is that OK?), you don't answer back "Hai, yoroshii desu." Even saying goodbye is highly context dependent; e.g. when someone says "Sorry I'm being so rude as to leave before you," even if you can catch the Japanese phrase you will look like an idiot if you reply symmetrically (been there, done that). This book doesn't give you a clue about dealing with such situations, nor help you to unravel what Japanese people are saying to you when they respond to your questions or remarks. All dialogues and exercises are based on the mirroring principle (as well as indiscriminate use of "wa", the topic particle). So it's pretty useless for practical purposes -- unless you plan to use Japanese in class only.

@ While it's a plus that reading & writing practice are integrated into the text, the reading selections in early chapters are devoid of imagination. After several chapters of reading stuff like "Are you OK? I am fine. It's cold here in Japan. I took some pictures, studied Japanese and took a bath. My father is nice, but very busy," and so on, you just want to scream.

@ Although the publication date is 1999, at which time a dot-com boom was beginning even in Japan, this book is snail-mail all the way: you spend time learning about stamps and postcards, but there isn't anything about email, the Internet or texting. (Forget also about DVDs -- people watch videos.)

@ Japanese verb conjugation has a wonderful regularity, in that almost every verb has a set of stems that are based variously on -A-, -I-, -U-, -E- and -O- (e.g., negative, polite, dictionary, causative and "let's" forms, respectively). This tracks the order of Japanese vowels in the kana writing systems, so it's easy to remember. However, "Genki"'s presentation of verbs obliterates this useful pattern (see, e.g. conjugation chart @ 344 of Vol. I).

@ The book lacks any review chapters, appendices, exercises or quizzes to help you consolidate what you've learned in a chunk of preceding chapters. Schools don't necessarily take the initiative to review the material every now and then, so you may need to request special quizzes to force yourself to review stuff you studied weeks earlier. My teachers were amenable when asked, though my lessons are one-on-one, and this might be more difficult to do if the book is used in a class situation (you might ask about that before you sign up). If you're using the book to study on your own, you're on your own with this too.

Like most students of Japanese, I've stocked up on a shelfload of other books of varying usefulness. (Two of the best, Rita Lampkin's "Japanese: Verbs and Essentials of Grammar" and Jay Rubin's "Making Sense of Japanese", unfortunately are exclusively in Roman characters, or nearly so.) You will definitely need to to the same (or at least half a shelfload) if you use this book. But not getting bored by the boook will be a bigger challenge if you're older than 22. One possible tip might be to look for a book that has at least one gaijin co-author. This one is written entirely by Japanese authors; it could have benefitted from the perspective of a formerly-puzzled foreigner.

This is the true story of Brother Andrew and his work in smuggling Bibles to those Christians oppressed by communism. There are many moments of miraculous interventions by God and Brother Andrew's touchingly transparent story will bring a tear to your eye and inspire you to appreaciate the freedoms we have and to help those who do not, even if only in prayer. This is one book that will not dissappoint!

This book is gripping. I started reading it one night and finished it the next afternoon. This is a great story and testimony.

This book by Brother Andrew was Excellent. The story of a European Christian and his attempts to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. Plenty of action and suspense, combined with a motivating personal story. Since its the story of a mans life its also a fairly easy read.

I just finshed reading "God's Smuggler" to my kids, ages 11-16, and they found it absolutely fascinating. I had read it many years ago, and greatly enjoyed it, but had forgotten just how faith building and gripping a story it is. I heartily recommend it to anyone. Even though the story is 40 years old, the principles are timeless.

A wonderful story that demonstrates God's care and protection. I highly recommend this book!

Library Lion.

When a lion wanders into the library, Mr. McBee frowns on the idea, but Miss Meriwhether, the librarian decides that he isn't breaking any rules. However, when story time is over, he roars. Miss Merriweather tells the lion he won't be allowed in the library if he ever roars again.

Miss Merriweather and the children look forward to seeing the lion each day for story time. The lion also helps out by licking envelopes, dusting with his tail and helping children reach books on high shelves.

One day the lion breaks the rules, once again. He leaves the library, knowing that he has broken the rules.

Story time just isn't the same without the lion.

Mr. McBee decides that sometimes there is a good reason to break rules.

How would you feel about having a lion visit for story time?
Do you think lions can be quiet?

This is an entertaining book for children. It will help them develope a love for books, and an excitement for visiting the library.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood, Author
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

My children loved this book. It is one that they have asked me to read to them many times. It's definitely a classic that I will keep for my collection.

My son just turned 2 and received this as a gift. He loves it and so do we. I bought 2 more as gifts.

My daughter loves this book and we read it every night the first week I bought it. It is a sweet story but the illustrations are so dear and charming. She loves it when the Lion ROARS and her eyes sparkle on every page.

I am a teacher of 4 year olds, and Library Lion is simply one of the best books I have discovered in a while. The pictures are beautiful and expressive, and the text poetic. But my favorite part of the book is the emotions. The lion has to learn to "follow the rules" - this is so meaningful for children who are always being asked by adults to follow rules that they don't always understand. One of the biggest rules is "no roaring in the library." Anybody who knows a 4 year old boy knows that roaring sometimes happens just in daily life. When the lion finally breaks the rules (and has a very valid reason), he is scolded and sent away by the prim and proper Mr. McBee. Speaking from personal experience, I have occasionally corrected a child for a behavior and then found out that there was a very good reason for the behavior. As the book states, "sometimes there is a good reason to break the rules, even in the library." This book appeals to most children, and in particular for that child who may sometimes break the rules. It deals with these issues in a caring way, and really puts the point across that taking care of each other as best we can is more important than following the rules. It is a magical book, and I often have to hold back tears as I read it aloud to the children. Definitely a favorite!

All About Ruby
Love Ruby Lavender was the most outstanding book I ever read. I liked this book because it has excitement drama and a whole lot of other things to. The reason I did not like this book was the part when they put the diary entrees in there I did not like them because I do not want to know why they miss each other. Another part I did not like was when Ruby's grandpa and Melba Jane's dad died and Melba makes it seem like its Ruby's grandpa fault and that makes Ruby sad and like it her fault.
This book takes place in a beautiful city, Halleluia Mississippi. It is a small city with a lot of heart. The conflict in this book is Ruby's grandma Miss Eula is going to Hawaii and Ruby is jealous and misses her and does not what to have a new cousin. She fixed that problem by growing up and went on with her life even though she missed her grandma. I did not like how Ruby acted when her grandma left.
I think this book had a really good ending. It was about how Ruby grew up and made other friends. I like this ending because she starts to act more mature and acted more like her age.
There is this one event that happens at the beginning of this book that I think is really cool when Miss Eula and Ruby steal chickens and drives them away in a get away car to rescue them so they can have little chicks.

Here are some of the things that happened in the book are Ruby mom always cooks the same food over and over and Ruby does not like that food. Melba Jane and Ruby be come friends and they help each other all the time. One of the chickens had eggs but then they all died but one of them lived and had a good life by its self.
They wrote lot of letters to each other here is one of them.
Dear Ruby
I am flabbergasted! I am stupefied with joy! Bemmie has laid an EGG?? Oh joy and happy day! How lovely that Bemmie and Herman are sweet on each other-Bemmie is woman after my own heart. (Of course, Herman seems to be sweet on just about anybody. Somebody's going to have to talk to that man. He has no decorum.)
Love,
Your (so happy I could go surfing-I think I will!) grandmother,
Miss Eula
So as you can see they really missed each other and keep in touch with each other.
Here are all the main characters in this book:
Miss Eula
Ruby Lavender
Melba Jane
Ruby's Grandpa
Melba Jane's Dad
Uncle tater
Aunt tot
Bemmie
Herman
Dove
Miss Mattie
This book was outstanding and I hope there is another one the author of this book has a good use of words. By. Anthony Brown

Love, Ruby Lavender, is a realistic fiction book. It was written by Deborah Wiles. The story took place in Halleluiah, Mississippi, in the early 1900's. The characters lived a simple life and had ordinary problems, just like we do, today.

Ruby was a nine year old girl, who lived on a chicken farm with her mother and grandmother, who Ruby called Miss Eula. Ruby and her grandmother were very close and spent lots of time writing notes to each other. Ruby loved her three hens very much and spent time in the hen house, which she called the pink palace. Tragedy happened to Ruby's family when her grandfather died in a terrible wreck. He drove his truck off a bridge, killing himself and another man. The other man who died in the wreck had a little girl named Melba Jane. She did not like Ruby and tried very hard to make Ruby's life miserable.

I thought, Love, Ruby Lavender, was a good book to read. I liked it because it talked about family, friendship, helping others, and caring for animals. Ruby's life was not perfect and she learned to work through problems, forgive others, and find happiness in her life. I think girls, ages 9-12, would like to read this book. We can relate to different topics in the story.

Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles is about a girl with fire-red hair named Ruby Lavender. The plot mostly revolves around Ruby and her grandmother, whom she calls "Miss Eula." Ruby lives in Halleluia, Mississippi.
The book begins when Ruby Lavender and Miss Eula drive over to a chicken farm. They plan to just snag a few chickens for keeping. They just drive away with three chickens just as the owner of the farm sees them driving away with the chickens, whom they later name Ivy, Bemmie, and Bess. The chickens become a big part of the story.
Miss Eula and Ruby do not like to use regular mail when writing to each other. They use a knothole in a big, old oak tree that is perfect for climbing. Ruby and Miss Eula write their notes on bright, pink paper and stuff it into the knothole. Every time they walk past the tree, they check their special mailbox for letters.
When Ruby's grandfather dies, Miss Eula and Ruby paint Miss Eula's house shell-shock pink. Ruby lives with her mother, but is closer to Miss Eula than anyone else in the family. Her grandfather loved gardening, so now Miss Eula and Ruby tend to the garden. Miss Eula and Ruby are very close, and so when Miss Eula has to go to Hawaii to visit Ruby's aunt and uncle who are expecting a baby soon, she feels as if the world is going to blow up. Ruby is hiding in her other Aunt's store when Miss Eula gets on the bus to go to the airport. She does not want to see her leave.
Now with Miss Eula whisked away to Hawaii, only Ruby is there to tend to the chickens and work in the gardens. But when the new teacher's niece, Dove, comes to visit until the beginning of school, Ruby's summer gets just a little bit more interesting. Maybe Ruby will survive Miss Eula's going away.
When you are reading this book, you will be amazed about how realistic the book is. You'll think that nine-year-old Ruby is telling the story to you. Deborah Wiles has really out done herself!

As I read Deborah Wile's Love, Ruby Lavender, I laughed and cried all at the same time. This simple, yet complex story about a little girl who faces the harsh reality of death, the challenges of friendship, and the joy of quite possibly the world's best, most-loving grandmother had me hooked from the beginning. One of the coolest parts of this book is the way Ms. Wiles weaves letters from Ruby to her grandmother throughout the story. Ruby writes with such spunk, honesty, and wit that I was disappointed I couldn't write her a letter myself! If you read this book, you will love Ruby Lavender!

This book I think is the best book ever. Deborah Wiles is a great author. and I can say by only reading one of her books. I now want to read more of her books. also if there was ever a sequal I would read in a millisecond. This book caught my heart in the storyline. It made want to keep reading more. this is also a multigenre book. There are letters, and newspaper articles as well as a normal non-fiction story type of writing. i would suggest this book to anyone. Hands down. So heres some advice to you read the book LOVE RUBY LAVENDER.

CHANDLER 13

This is a wonderful and touching story. It is a good read, and I recommend it to anyone who has ever had a pet. I especially like that it has a jack russell in the story.

This book is the story of Willie Morris' childhood companion, a dog named Skip. Willie recounts his adolescent years and all the fond memories of his dog and friends as they grew up together in small town Mississippi. The story is heartwarming and the author paints a very clear picture of all the shenanigans, good times and bad that he and his dog had together over the years. I liked this book; but I think a male reader would appreciate the bond between a boy and his dog more than I can.

This was a great book! It was so touching and heartfelt. I love dogs and this book is an example of someone who loves dogs like me so I can connect! Greatly recomended!

Willie Morris was a truly great author! This story of his childhood with his dog was really heartwarming. It is so simple and warm and humorous, you will just love it. Warning: you will cry your eyes out at the end, but it's worth the pain. One of the best animal stories ever, I hope many kids read this in school. If you loved the movie "A Christmas Story" you will love this book. The movie version of "My Dog Skip" is also quite good, though it is kind of upsetting that in order to create drama the wonderful father of the book is kind of nasty in the movie. Willie Morris was a great author who also wrote a cat book entitled "My Cat Spit McGee" and several books about his life that remind me a little of Russel Baker's memoirs. One is entitled "North Toward Home", another "Good Old Boy" and one is about life in New York City.

Willie Morris has recounted the life of not just a boyhood pet, but a dear and close friend.
The Story of Skip's life as told by his owner is full of mythic adventures of childhood. Where every new day was full of joy and wonder. Morris' storytelling brings the dog, his family and the lush southern landscape into full and brilliant view.
When you read My Dog Skip you can just feel how much this young man loved and revered his dog.
Any of us who have had a much loved pet know that the bond between animal and human can reach so much further than just "pet and owner". Willie Morris makes the statement that Skip wasn't just his dog, but his brother... that is a beautiful thing. Morris grew up an only child but did not feel alone by any stretch of the imagination. He was loved deeply by and deeply loved his dog Skip.
Another great point made in this book is how Willie Morris learned so much from his dog Skip. He clearly states that the most lasting lessons he has learned about love and loyalty came from knowing his dog.
This book captures so well the love a boy or any human being can have for a pet... I loved the story and highly recommend it!

We read this book all the time (in the top 3) to our 15-month-old daughter, even though we do have a conventional family. But I wanted to write this review so other people will know that it is a perfect child's book for a non-conventional family.
There is no gender reference to Small. There is no gender reference to Large. There is not even a reference of Large being a parent. There is no reference to any other family member. This would be fabulous for single parents or for guardians who are not "mom" or "dad".

We've had this book for a few years...my children (no 7 and 6) enjoyed this book during their preschool years. The illustrations are wonderful but most of all, the story sends a message of unconditional love. This booked really helped to solidify the message that no matter how much my children were misbehaving, I always loved them and no matter where I was, I always loved them. I highly recommend this book (as I do almost all the Debi Gliori books I've read!).

This is truly the sweetest good-night book I know -- without being the least bit nauseating. The drawings show the little fox being settled down for the night (dinner, bath, brush teeth, bed) and being reassured that no matter how awful he thinks he is or how terrible he feels, his mom will always love him, no matter what. (The drawings are clever and cute -- I like the "Fango" brand toothpaste for the little fox!)

It also has a great long-distance-family angle at the end. "Look up at the stars. They're far, far away, but their love reaches us at the end of each day. It's like that with love. We may be near. We may be far. But our love still surrounds us, wherever we are." It was years before I could read that without tearing up.

My kids love it, and so do I. I think I have literally read this book in my sleep, but I never tire of it.

I have an 18-year old daughter who left for college this year. I also teach first grade. As I was reading this story to my class yesterday,I thought of how my daughter is represented by the character named "Small" and I represent the character, "Large". It is a beautiful story of unconditional love. Not only appropriate for small children, but a reminder for families with children of all ages.

My son enjoys this book almost as much as I do! It just reinforces how much I love him, one last time before bed. Before leaving him with Grandma while I went on a short trip away from him (he was 3), I knelt down to hug him. He asked me if I would cry and I said no, but that I love him so much. He said "I love you Mommy, NO MATTER WHAT!" THEN I cried! He was referring to the end of the book when it says "Even if you're far away, does your love go with you or does it stay?" He always calls out "It stays, It stays!" This is a truly wonderful book with illustrations of a silly fox called "Small" and his mom named "Large," that will keep your child's attention and touch both of your hearts.

You know what ? This is a great book !
Being a french reader, I waited that I'd improved my english in order that I could really appreciate such good novels.
Ian Fleming is excellent at slowly revealing the psychology of his main character. And Fleming write with a skill and sureness of touch that go straight to the essential, without any "fioritures".
I do recommend this book to anyone who simply want to be appealed by good stories.

This is the best by Fleming. A real treat to read! Danger is what Bond gets into.

I've always ranked the first Bond book, "Casino Royale", as the best of the series. "On Her Majesty's..." is also one of the best -- perhaps because it has much in common with "Casino". Bond returns to the gambling tables of Royale; he enjoys various foods and drinks; he falls very hard for a girl, with potentially tragic results; and he comes across as very human, rather than the Superman of the movies (contrast the effortless skiing ending in a parachute jump or some other stunt in a typical Bond movie with Bond's desperate, exhausting downhill escape run that is a highlight of this book).

One of the best Bonds.

In Ian Fleming's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, James Bond is chasing Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the villain from Thunderball. Bond has to do a bit of role-playing in this classic Bond thriller, and he plays the part of a professional from the College of Arms (an organization dealing with genealogies and family trees) with panache. The novel begins with a terrific display of suspense, as Bond is in eminent danger. This feeling also lasts through most of the novel.

This novel is set mostly in the Swiss Alps at a sort of combination ski facility/ scientific lab. Bond is posing as a man from the College of Arms because Blofeld has expressed interest in his heritage. The novel continues as Bond attempts to find out all that he can about Blofeld's strange facility on this Alp.

The first part of the book was not quite as exciting as I had been expecting, but it provided enough humor for me to be satisfied until it got to the more action-filled sections. However, this book provided more than humor and action. The plot was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The skiing scenes were especially suspense-filled and exciting, Bond's romantic interests complemented the plot, and the characters were full and vibrant.

I decided to read a Bond novel after having watched several of the movies (you know how they all come on tv at once,) and I am glad I did. This novel was surprisingly good even though my expectations were high. This book is better than the movies because instead of mere sound-byte-intensive humor, it provides a real humor that I found to be much more affable than the movies. Also, Bond is portrayed somewhat differently than in the movies. I found that the action scenes were just as vivid as they are in the movies, something that is not often successfully managed by authors. I believe that any Bond fan should read the books, not just watch the movies. Trust me, they are at least equally enjoyable.

I think that this book is at least comparable to today's suspense novels, and my only complaint is that I was not around in the 60's to read it when it was a new and, I suspect, rather progressive novel.

One of the last of the original Bond Books, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also one of the best. Picking up a year after the end of Thunderball, this book finds James Bond again battling the nefarious schemes of Ernest Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE and, most importantly, falling in love with the beautiful, resourceful, and ultimately tragic Tracy. Though the usual intrigue is well-presented by Fleming, he also makes it clear that Blofeld's plan is hardly meant to be taken all that seriously. (Without ruining it for those who might never have read the book or seen the surprisingly faithful film adaption, it all comes down to Blofeld hidden away in Switzerland, pretending to be an allergist, and brainwashing English farm girls. No, it doesn't make a lot of sense but Fleming obviously had so much fun presenting it that most readers won't take offense.) The heart of this book -- and this Fleming treats with an admirable seriousness that should take his critics by surprise -- is the love story between Bond and Tracy. In Tracy, Fleming has created perhaps his most fully realized "Bond girl." Vulnerable yet resourseful and more than capable of taking care of herself (and, at times, perhaps even more so than Bond himself), its hard not to fall in love with this character and when Bond finally does decide to reject all others for her, its impossible to disagree with his logic. Its a compelling, rather touching love story and, even though most Bond films know how its going to end, the ending still packs a heavy impact.

As for Bond himself, after being a rather predictable presence in Thunderball, he's back in full form as a full realized, interesting character in this novel. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was written after the release of Dr. No (Ursula Andress even makes a cameo appearance at the time) and one can sense that, with this book, Fleming is reestablishing his claim on the character. From the intentionally ludicrous evil scheme to the frequent excursions into Bond's head (revealing him hardly to be the ruthless, unflappable killer that filmgoers though him to be), Fleming comes across as a reenergized writer in this book -- determind to let all the new Bond fans out there know who is really in charge of their favorite secret agent's destiny. The result is one of the best of the original Bond books and one of the best spy thrillers I've read in a long time.

I read this book to my second grade class, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. I have always preferred Beverly Cleary, but this book may be winning me back to the ranks of Blume.

Sheila is a very funny protaganist. Her constant desire to be popular, adored and liked by everyone fit in perfect with the children. That's exactly the way the kids here at this school work. The book was very funny, I loved the sleepover where the girls secretly shared their opinions of each other. The class laughed and laughed.

I loved that not every question was answered. The book left you to figure out the next chapter. Very nice story, perfect for "summer" reading.

I loved this book as a kid and I still love it now!! It was great to read it again and share in this girl's view of the world and the things that scare her and how she overcomes them!!

This was my all time favorite book as a kid. I still will recall parts of it in relation to my life now (im 39) . My daughter is finally eight and I cant wait for her to read it. Love this book, I could not have made it through childhood without Judy Blume and this book.,

My fourth grade teacher read this book to my class over a course of several Friday afternoons. It was the second Judy Blume book she read to us, the first being, "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing". I was introduced to Sheila Tubman in "Tales", and then we got a chance to really get to know her.

Sheila sounds a lot like me at ten, trying to figure out where I fit in and trying to appear "perfect". Unlike Sheila however, I loved dogs, loved to swim, and I had to kill spiders for my sister, who was deathly afraid of them. I thought Blume dealt with Sheila's story with a lot of love and humor and sensitivity. By the end of the story, Sheila soon learns that when she really puts her mind to facing her fears, they're not as bad as it seems. This is an important lesson for us all and the younger you can get it, the better off you'll be.

Since the fourth grade, which was over twenty years ago, I have read many of Judy Blume's books and have enjoyed all of them immensely. I'd recommend this book for boys and girls alike. If anything, it'll make you grab your side and laugh. :)

One of the things Judy Blume does in her writing is that she makes characters kids can easily and fully relate to, and this brilliant feature of her writing isn't missing in this funny novel that is a must read for all young readers.

Should we "let go and let God", trusting Him to bring us victory in the battle for holiness? Jerry Bridges would answer this question with a firm "no." Instead, he would lead us to "grab hold and let God." In other words, Bridges charges us to take hold of the resources Christ offers us to kill sin's power and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. In Bridges' view, holiness is not a matter of victory or defeat, but of obedience or disobedience. He teaches that victory is the byproduct of obedience, not the aim of the pursuit of holiness. Holiness is still the work of God, but we must actively lay hold of the work of God in our lives to see the fullest possible work of the Holy Spirit in us. As I consider all of the personal commands to action in the Bible regarding holiness, I am convinced that Bridges is right. Commands like, "put off your old self, mortify the deeds of the flesh, put on the new self, pursue righteousness, think about whatever is good and pure, walk in the Spirit" and many more show me that my part in holiness is to throw off everything that hinders and fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. This excellent book is best in its final half, as Bridges deals with some of the details of this walk of faith and the specifics of how to fight sin and cultivate good in your life. Highly recommended.

When I started reading this book I had the "fear" that true "holiness" was something I could never achieve. Yet scripture calls us to be holy (1 Peter 1:13-25) so it must be possible. As I went through this book and examined my heart, I realized the obstacles that stood in the way of holiness and came away from the book with a whole new understanding and sense of hope and purpose. I now encourage other men to step up and TRULY pursue a life of holiness.

Don't read this book unless you are ready to be convicted and own up to your responsibility as a Christian! I have read this book twice and am reading it again (along with the Study Guide) with my church's women's Bible Study. It is a provocative book to study alone or with a group. It lends itself to wonderful group discussions. Jerry Bridge's book, very practically written, is an aid to Christians in our understanding of God's grace on one hand and our obligation to live a life worthy of His calling on the other.

I highly recommend this book and the study guide as essential to every serious christian's library. Jerry Bridges gave me an entirely new perspective on living life as a christian that has led to a lot of positive changes in my attitude and actions. I also recommend the companion to this book, "The Practice of Godliness".

Very good book for anyone who wants to become a more mature Christian. It really helped me understand the differense and interrelation between God's provision and my responsibility for addressing sin. Direct, practical, and "to the point".

Actually sought this out to give as a gift to a very big fan of Shelby. This work is tremendous and for the fan or the enthusiast a brilliant read.

Bought this after I went on a self guided tour of Gettysburg one gray winter day, and wanted to learn more than I did or could remember from Elementary/High School.

Wonderfully written. I just wish there were more of the maps in the book to refer to as he talks about the movements.

Highly recommended

I could write a long review about how good this book is but that would be a diservice to the author. We lost a great historian when Shelby Foote passed. He was a historian who prefered to be remembered as a novelist. As a proud Vermont Yankee, professional historian, and living historian of that period, I tend to get cranky about revisionist views or the whole Sourthern "lost cause" foolishness. However, Mr. Foote, a proud southerner, wrote about the most important event in our nation's history without the prejudice or regionalism, so many bring to the topic. He could write excellent history and tell the story with the readability of a novelist.



We are poorer for his passing but the body of work he left behind on the Civil War will remain some of the must have items in any serious collection of books about that second birth of our nation.



We'll miss you Shelby but thank you for what you left behind.

Imagine, if you can, a book written by a modern historian that actually seeks the truth. Imagine a book written by a modern historian that is not slanted to promote his/her politics. Imagine a 20th century historian that does not even mention the sexuality (alternative or otherwise), of any historical figures in an entire book.
If you are looking for "the truth" at Gettysburg, "Stars In Their Courses" is for you. Shelby Foote is a fine author, and has written the book in a captivating manner that I highly esteem. Pick this book up and give it a try, one chapter should do the trick. You will have a good feeling afterward that you have learned something worthwhile about American History.

Heth upon hearing a rumour that Early's men had over looked a suppy of shoes (many of his men were barefooted) when they passed though Gettysburg the week Sent his lead brigade under Johnston Pettigrew to investigate. Johnston Pettigrew returned on thr 30th of June, mindeful of Lee's warning not to bring on a battle till the whole army was at hand, prudently withdrew when he encountered Federal troopers along a creekbank west of town.
Heth still wanted those shoes so he took Pettigrew with him to repeat what he had seen to Hill. Hill responded "The only force at Gettysburg is calvalry, probably a detachment of oberservation. Mead's infantry are still down in Maryland and have not struck their tents." Heth was quick to reply "If there is no objection, I will take my division tommorrow and go to Gettysburg and get those shoes." "None in the world" said Hill.

Thus what started out as a movement for shoes ended in prehaps the most important battle of the War!

Sheby Foote is a master story teller who turns history in to classical literature. He includes many maps to help understand the grand movement of both armies.

Standing in the way of Heth's men to'get those shoes' was John Buford, a tough, Kentucky-born regular with a fondness for hard fighting. Though Hill was correct that at the moment there were only cavalry in Gettysburg, these troops (two brigades) were armed with the new seven shot Spencer carbine. They belong to Reynold's Corps who's infantry were that night camped just six miles from Gettysburg.

What would you do to 'get those shoes'?

*The title is from John Buford addressing his troops on 30 June 1863. "....You will have to fight like the devil until supports arrive."