Audio Books

The Weeping Chamber was one of my first Christian fiction reads. And it surprised me. This genre is very A-typical. But this book takes you on a historic journey with enough weight and mystery to keep you turning the pages. I liked everything about it, especially when the past becomes unraveled and we see the pain our character is hiding. I've loved this book for 10 years and still do.

THIS BOOK IS VERY WELL WRITTEN. I LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTER BECAUSE HE IS HUMBLE AND DOWN TO EARTH. JESUS IS VERY WELL DISPLAYED. YOU WANT TO STEP INTO THE BOOK AND MEET THESE CHARACTERS. SCRIPTURE IS PLAYED OUT PERFECTLY.

For years, I've enjoyed Brouwer's mysteries and thrillers. His prose is tight, and he creates memorable characters. I picked up "The Weeping Chamber" wondering if his style would be complimentary to a historical novel. I expected it to be a bit more religious in tone than his previous work, and worried that I might not enjoy it as much.

I should've known better.

As always, Brouwer refuses to fit into preachy boxes. Yes, this is a beautifully written and researched book. It never feels heavy-handed in its details, and yet it feels utterly believable, breathable. Even better, though, it deals with very human struggles. We meet a man named Simeon, who has faced personal grief and resulting guilt. He's lost a child, and his marriage is estranged. Cautious in nature, he's not sure what to think of this new "miracle worker" from Nazareth. Is this man insane, or is he truly God's Son? Soon, Simeon is caught up in the intrigues of those last days of Jesus' life, even intersecting in an unexpected way.

If you want a book that captures the feel of Israel in Jesus' day, and if you want a book that makes those days seem as humanly pregnant with emotion and struggle, then you owe it to yourself to pick up "The Weeping Chamber."

I keep a list of books that have made a strong and marked impact on my life, and this book is very near the top of the list. I found this book in a catalogue and started reading it without any expectations of greatness, but this book made a large impact on my life. Weaving the familiar story of Christ into a person's life, Brouwer threads the pages with truth about God and His love and power. It is not a fast-paced book, but an almost relaxing read. Of course, there are plots turns that will keep your attention, but the soothing way the words flow as you read of the struggles of Simeon is beautiful. I have read this book many times, and I still love it.

This is a great novel--and I'm not too much of a novel reader. I could tell you about the story, but you can read the comments provided by Amazon to get that. I don't have anything else to add to that part. I write the review not to tell you the story, but to tell you that it's a great novel.

I picked this up off a 2-dollar shelf or something--I assure you that this is not the kind of book I would look at and say "Mmmm...now THAT looks interesting." Rather, it is more likely that I would look at this book and think "Mmph...not for me." In retrospect, it is quite remarkable that I bought it at all--regardless of the low price.

So, since I now had the book, I might as well read it, right? So I did. In two days. I don't think I put it down when I had free time. The book is such an easy read, and very entertaining. I was truly impressed by the book. I guess it is one of those books I could call "heartwarming," or "precious." Believe me, coming from a guy, that's quite a compliment (winks). I think I even teared up at the end. Again--coming from a guy, that's kinda impressive, don't you think?

I'm sure the girls are ready to buy it now...just because it made a guy cry...

But guys--don't be turned off becuase I used patty-cake terminology like "precious" to describe this book. It's a great book. It's an entertaining read. It's captivating. It's interesting. It's good. It's not a long book, and I'm pretty sure that if you pick it up, you won't put it down...at least not until you finish it (or it makes you cry too).

Great book.

Rabbi Harold Kushner is best known for his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, but this work is in my judgment his greatest contribution to the philosophy of the spiritual life, Kushner's pièce de résistance. Using my favorite Hebrew Bible text, Ecclesiastes, as a springboard, Rabbi Kushner writes about the "ultimate thirst of our souls": the need for "meaning," for "the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter." Rabbi Kushner offers readers his wisdom -- born out of years of study, struggle and life experience -- about how to live a life that matters.

READ this BOOK! Rabbi Kushner hits on so many relevant and pertinent topics that you will be amazed how you see yourself in the anedotes and examples used to illustrate Kushner's point. Rabbi Kushner uses the Old Testament story of Ecclesiastes to illustrate how man's search for happiness is eternal and not unique. I could not believe how similar Ecclesiaste's view on life and search for happiness are so similar to my own. I found myself stopping on many occasions and telling my wife "READ THIS!"
I have been on a self-help book crusade for the past several months. Reading a bunch of these books have helped in finding some understanding to the search for happiness I have been after. After each book, I can say one or two of the points explained in the book have made sense and have some good practical applications to dealing with everyday situations that arise in my life. Kushner's book is by the far the best. He gives you straightforward and understandable examples of the negative behavior that conflict in man's search for happiness.
From the opening pages Kushner had me! He hits the nail on the head when he says the lines "If you ask anybody what is more imporant - work or family? - without a doubt they answer family. But then ask them how much time they spend away from family by putting work ahead of family and making work more important than family obligations." (paraphrased) He has many of these observations that help the reader get some insight into how destructive these behaviors are towards our supposed goal of happiness. I highly, highly recommend this book - READ this BOOK!

A great book and one the everyone should read at some time in their lives!

Thanks again for getting me the book so fast and in such good condition!

Gary

A thoughtful, spiritual examination of why fame and fortune do not produce happiness, and why "average" and "successful" people often feel emptiness in their lives. Many brief anecdotes are used to illustrate the author's observations, which are linked to the book of Ecclesiastes.
Read by the author. You will read (or listen to) this more than once!

Kushner is a sage and this book is a classic. As always Kushner's knits together wonderful stories, quotes, and historical observations that are always on the mark and move his thoughts forward. The disease that plagues our age is overconsumption and Kushner invites the reader to step away from the table of materialism and instead search out the things that really matter.

All the books of James Allen are profound and way ahead of their time. This is a must read and requires deep meditation. A Timeless Classic.

Great book. His writings are inspiring. You will also note some interesting biographical info in the beginning.

'Mind is the Master-Power that molds and makes,
And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes
The tool of Thought, and shaping what he wills,
Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills:-
He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:
Environment is but his looking glass.'
-From the book

This book was my introduction to 'Change your thoughts, change yourlife'. A friend gave me this book several years ago and it dramatically changed the way I began to think. It just made sense, it clicked with me. I was also very surprised to find out that all those years I was thinking that my thoughts were private, no one but me could know them. Then, I read this and realized that our thoughts do show in many ways: appearance, health, our circumstances, etc.

I have read many books on this subject and this is one that will ALWAYS remain in my collection. I still pull it off the shelf and read it occassionally. It's overflowing with valuable wisdom on how your thoughts create your world.

This volume has 5 books in one. It's a small but somewhat chunky book with 384 pages.

This is the volume to start with, but I would recommend all three volumes in "The Wisdom of James Allen" series. These books are valuable to read in marathon sessions, yet they can be practically consumed in short sittings. A meal of just a few pages will give you sufficient spiritual energy for the day. I recommend reading and re-reading because the wisdom is timeless and the principles can be applied daily. This is important reading for clergy, counselors and anyone who wants to start the quest of being a guide by first learning to guide themselves.

As a Man Thinketh is a must read and has been for most of the 20th and now the 21st century. To get this companion piece with other great writings by James Allen is amazing. I would suggest it for anyone who is interested in finding the tools necessary to command their own lives.

My favorite book is The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney. The World According to Humphrey is a humor book about an animal who interacts with people.

My Favorite character is Humphrey the hamster. I like this character because he's funny, interesting and I never knew what would happen next. He meets new people and learns things other animals can't.

I like the writing style because it has tips at the bottom of each page of how to raise a hamster. The author made me laugh when she included stories of the children fighting.

I love this book because I love books with humor. I love the small but big adventures that Humphrey had. Even though he was small he had a big goal: To help people with happiness.

I recommend this book to people who like humor.

The World according to Humphrey is a great book. I like this book because it was an entertaining adventure book. The author's point of view was told by the hamster Humphrey. Humphrey lived in a classroom and each weekend he slept over with a different student. My favorite part is when he escapes from his cage and puts the picture on the overhead. My least favorite part was when Mrs. Mac leaves the school. I recommend this book because you can learn a lot about yourself by watching another species. I GIVE THIS BOOK TWO THUMBS UP!

This book was a joy to read. We read it for our mother-daughter book club, and Mom liked it as much as Daughter! Good choice of themes for discussion (mother with serious illness, shyness over non-English speaking family members, detrimental effects of too much TV-watching and too little family time), all wrapped up nicely by the adorable protagonist.

This has become one of my favorite books. I've shared it with my fourth grade students, my mom, friends looking for books to encourage their children to read, and anyone who will listen. The humorous, heartwarming tale of Humphrey and the positive effects he has on the lives of his classmates, teacher, principal, custodian... is enjoyable time after time. My students can't wait to reread this book and read the other Humphrey stories. I credit the book for helping my own "Sayeh" to raise her hand and speak up for the first time in class on the day Sayeh in the story first raised her hand. We all love Humphrey!

I read this book to my 5 and 7 year old boys. This is a good book for this age group. It has appealing characters, a meaningful story and good plot development. It reminded me a bit of the secret life of bees in that it uses excerpts from a Hamster care manual after each chapter. (Secret life of bees began each chapter with an excerpt from texts on bees and beekeeping). This is a nice feature. I am glad to learn of the two other Humphrey titles. This is a good book to encourage a reader to read on his own. With my seven year old, I read until the story was getting exciting and then laid the book down. Of course he picked it up and continued reading it himself. The suspense was too much.

Word cannot begin to say how insightful this author is. And still speaking to us many years after his death.

Once again Andrew Murray gives excellent counsel for spiritual growth. Every believer needs help along the way and Absolute Surrender is a great tool to use as a springboard. The message is meaty and to be taken in with the intent of life transformation! As Jesus lived His life in absolute surrender to Father God, so must we, and this book points the way!

THIS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL BOOK I HAVE EVER FOUND OTHER THAN Andrew Murray,THE POWER OF Intercession. I suggest the whole world would Understand the Bible A whole lot clearer if they just read Andrew Murray Books. What A wonderful Evnagelist he was.

This book was truly insightful and should be used as a tool to assist all who strives to improve their Christian walk.

Right up there near Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God" (free online at the Practice Gods Presence web site) are the wonderful works of Andrew Murray. "Absolute Surrender" is a classic in every sense.

These gifted children of God have a way of restating, enlivening, and magnifying the very words of Our Lord and do greatly glorify Our Father.

"Auntie Mame is the American Alice in Wonderland. It is also, incidentally, one of the most important books in my life. Its witty Wildean phrases ring in my mind, and its flamboyant characters still enamor me. Like Tennessee Williams, Patrick Dennis caught the boldness, vitality, and iridescent theatricality of modern American personality. In Mame?s mercurial metamorphoses we see American optimism and self-invention writ large."--Camille Pagli.

I could not agree more with Camille. I just wish that P. Dennis and T. Williams could have combined and written AUNTIE MAME AND BIG DADDY IN WONDERLAND.

What a funny book! I just read it for the first time (after letting it languish on my bookshelf for something like 2 years) and couldn't put it down. I hesitate to give away any of the plot - it's best read for yourself - but trust me, it's HILARIOUS! The only drawback is that the writing seems sort of overwraught in places (i.e. descriptions of people yelling and screaming at each other when it seems only a small tiff might have transpired in real life) but it hardly matters. It's a fun read.

This is an extraordinarily funny novel by Patrick Dennis about a woman, who-despite a lot of mishaps conquers her life and never gives in or up. There is a slight supposition that the author pours a lot of autobiographical parts into this novel,which is especially notable in the sequel of this book "around the world with auntie Mame". His portrayal of Mame let her become the prototype of human optimism,who is able to master any kind of situation, fate or illfate, good or bad,which life can bring. She is simply the super woman as regards survival. Auntie Mame should be compusery reading for all disappointed and depressed of this world.

I have read this book several times over the years, and find something funny or poignant that I missed each time I have read it. Also, the movie with Rosalind Russel is a gem among gems. (FORGET the musical "Mame" that Lucille Ball did!!! It is the pits!!!)

Auntie Mame is just the sort of novel that leaves you dancing for more. I was first introduced to Auntie Mame through the Rosalind Russell film, which is just wonderful. You can imagine how pleased I was to find this book and to know that the adventures went even further than the film. After reading this book, I became so attached to Mame and Patrick that I felt like they were old freinds and I carried the book around with me at all times. They were there when ever I needed to be cheered up or simply bored and there was no one to talk to. Auntie Mame's exploits while extreme are totally believable and you get a distinct feeling for the time period and how it was a time of innocence and innovation. Patrick Dennis has gained a prominent place on my bookshelf.

The purpose of a book, in my opinion, is to take the reader away and allow him to experience what the author writes about. McGough has done an excellent job of doing this in his debut.

As a kid, I was obsessed with baseball. It was a rite of passage in our country for young boys to collect baseball cards and idolize the players on their faces. McGough was able to gain access to this world, which is a privilege most of us would have died for. He preserves that childlike wonder throughout this book. Rather than becoming annoying, this tone allows the reader to empathize with McGough's struggles and cheer at his triumphs.

The book also gives a fresh new look at the inner workings of a baseball team. Most sports books are written by players or journalists. Both groups have a certain detachment from society as a whole. McGough is an average kid from New York city with an average kid's problems. He writes about how his grades suffer, struggling to talk to girls, and other situations an adolescent male would find himself in. The difference is that most kids don't have millionaire pals who will lend a helping hand in impressing a young lady. McGough's description of his interactions with the players is very humanizing. In a way, McGough takes these players off the pedestal society has placed them on and shows the reader they are average guys.

This book is my favorite baseball book by far, even surpassing Jim Bouton's Ball Four. If you have a baseball fan in the family, get this book for them. You won't be sorry.

You don't need to be a Yankee fan or a baseball fan to enjoy this book. As a diehard Red Sox fan, I feel guilty that I've taken a liking to a Yankee's team written about in this book. Mr. Mcgough does an incredible job of making you feel that you're part of the locker room, in the dugout, and on the field with the team.

If you are a Yankee fan who remembers the team of the mid-80's era, this book is a nice walk down memory lane. It's a quick, easy read written in an enjoyable narrative style, and it provides the reader with an inside glimpse that most of us Yankee fans would have given our left foot to experience.

This was an amazing book and probably one of the best autobiographys I've ever read. Growing up in California I've been a hard core Oakland a's and San Fransico Giants fan. Reading this book makes you love the Yankees. Mr.Mcough's writing gives you the feeling that you're actually at the baseball game. Matt gives you a full on description of everything he does and if he does something bad or gets in trouble it makes you relate when something like that happened to you. It's great description and humor this definitely a must read for anyone.

I can't recommend this book enough for any Yankee fan who suffered through the '80's and early '90's. Perfect read for a day at the beach or a plane ride.

Bear Feels Sick is a new 'Bear' book by Karma Wilson. Like 'Bear Snores On' it has beautiful illustrations and a fun story. This time it is autumn in the woods and bear isn't feeling well so his friends take care of him.

This is a beautiful book; it is fun just to page through and look at the pictures. My granddaughter will love it. It is not only beautiful in appearance, but the message is beautiful, as well. I highly recommend it.

Our grandson has most of the Bear books now, and he loves each of them. (I think his dad enjoys them just as much as he does!) The text is playful, and the illustrations are rich with little details.

This series of books is a positive addition to any little one's library.

I just got this for my son for his third birthday while coincidentally his sister is sick!

I have always loved Jane Chapman's illustrations and Bear Snores On is one of my favorite picture books. I wasn't as thrilled with the second one in this series but this one is a hit with me.

It's very sweet and thoughtful and stands on it's own.
Very nice!

We got this for my 3 yr old for Christmas and it has become one of both of our favorites. "Bear Snores On" has longtime been in my top 5 of children's books to read to her, and this one is another wonderful story. We've been reading it a lot lately with both of us having bad winter colds and there's something soothing and relatable about it. I love how it ends -- Bear finally feels better, but his friends are now sick and he tells them he'll take care of them. Very sweet. And -- the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. You will love it!

Since I named my son Graham after Bill, I thought perhaps I should know a little bit more about his life. I now now know alot more!

It is written in a narative style which makes it very easy to read. The stories are told by the people who were there, some happy, some sad ,some very funny.

If you are interested in the life of this man or even the history of modern day Rock and Roll Concert Production, how it started and evolved, I highly recomend this book.

This book is a little weird (to me) in concept but it works out really well in the end. The book goes from Bill's early days in Nazi Germany all the way to his death with no major stone left unturned. Lots of great stories with very little in the way of punches being pulled. I mean Bill really tells you what he is thinking. Very uncensored. Covers the drugs and the behind scenes stuff with no BS involved. Shows the guy for who he was, warts and all and lets him and the people he is talking about retort one another which I thought was weird in a good way. This book is of great interest to anyone who has probably gotten to this point in reading reviews. If you are interested in this type of subject then this book is a must.

It's a good insight into the rock scene back in the 60's and 70's. A must read for anyone who likes classic rock.

i didn't realize how much bill graham did behind the scenes.
montery pop ,woodstock, altamont,ect............

This book is structured so that as Bill Graham comments on different times of his life, he allows the persons hes speaking of to comment in the next paragraph. This makes for some very interesting reading. Grham discusses his time in Korea and killing the enemy. This experience allows him to have an abundant amount of courage when it comes to dealing with band managers in the future. Bill discusses Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Zeppelin, the Stones, J Geils Band, Santana, the Who and all the tense dealings with each of these personalities. This book could have benefitted from better pictures of the bands. Thats my only critical comment.

What can I say about Ernie Pyle? One of the most well-known correspondents in WWII, he wrote with an empathy for the common infantryman that transcended his simple, eloquent prose. "Brave Men" is a collection of the articles he wrote while covering the war in Sicily, Italy, England, and France. Exceedingly modest, Pyle always downplayed his role while extolling the infantry fighting on the front lines, his beloved "dogfaces." Pyle may not have thought that he was doing anything of importance, yet his articles served to bring the war home to an American public that was being fed a somewhat sugar coated version of the war by the government; in turn, the GI's loved Pyle as one of their own. He immortalized as many of them as he could in his articles, stating the names of the many men with whom he had contact, and often their full home address for good measure. He shared many of their hardships on the front lines, and now, more than 60 years later, his articles offer an insight into WWII for today's readers that is as poignant now as it was then. He makes the reader feel as if we know these men personally-they are our fathers, grandfathers, brothers, neighbors, friends. Impossible to put down, this book is the enduring legacy of a great man whose life ended much too soon (after surviving the European theater, he traveled to the Pacific at the request of the Navy, where a Japanese sniper took his life on the tiny island of Ie Shima, just off the coast of Okinawa); I would recommend this book to everyone I know with an interest in WWII.

I read many of these stories when I was an infantryman in the ETO during WWII. I just wanted to re-read them again to satisfy the feeling of respect I have always had for Ernie Pyle and what he did for the American soldier during that conflict. It was good to smell the smells and hear the sounds while in a safe environment.
It is an excellent 'Chronicle' that takes one back to a time of long ago.

I have read this book several years ago and was touched by his writing and empathy toward the GI's. I saw a biography about him on the tube and found out how the war torn the man apart inside. That and the burden of his wifes dive into madness and all I can say is there was a man! Rest easy Ernie you did good!

Ernie Pyle was truly the soldier's reporter. I have the original wartime copy of "Brave Men," and it's a work of genius. Pyle knows how soldiers feel, Army, Navy, Army Air Corps, from Privates to Sergeants to Lieutenants to Generals, Pyle brings their stories to life with a simple sort of clarity that nonetheless retains every ounce of power that original stories had. Many reporters told the stories of World War II, grand theaters, massive battles, staff meetings, generals, leaders, strategies. Ernie talks about privates, sergeants, lieutenants, the adrenaline highs and sheer terror of close combat or being surrounded by flak, the miseries of mud and rain and the joys of the girl at home and that package of fried chicken that some thoughtful mother sent. All the little things that make soldiers soldiers, and men as well.

Pyle was nothing less than a genius, and his death on Ie Shima resulting from a Japanese sniper's bullet was a loss to journalism. But then, I'm at Indiana University Bloomington, within spitting distance of the Ernie Pyle School of Journalism, so I guess I'm biased. =D

I'm a french reader and I discovered Ernie Pyle through an excerpt of Brave Men published in a french newspaper.
Obviously, this man was a great reporter! I was looking for Brave Men in a French edition but it seems to be impossible to find it, what a pity !.
I was very happy to find it on Amazon.com.
I think that this book is far above all the films or novels you could read on this subject. With Ernie Pyle style, you can catch the real feelings and the fears and the heroism of this men who were caught in this Maelstrom.