Movies Books

This book has a huge amount of films that Overstreet basically reviews and ties into each chapter. It is amazing how he connects so many seemingly secular films to Christian values. I'd recommend this book to anyone who thinks that every film not coming from Christian makers is garbage, because Overstreet has definitely found deeply religious themes in some very offensive films.

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keen insight and well written. going to go back to movies thinking a little differently going forward.

Jeffrey Overstreet expertly guides readers on a cinematic journey, thoughtfully raising questions and broaching issues to help Christians and non-Christians alike challenge their traditional views on art, faith, culture and cinema.

Overstreet demonstrates remarkable skill in providing a comprehensive and thoughtful reflection on a wide variety of films. He discusses them in fresh ways, displaying cultural relevance in his interpretation while also dramatically illustrating the spiritual principles and biblical truths that surface in the themes of each film.

Overstreet's masterful work will offer you a fresh look at beauty, truth, evil and redemption in the movies. A must-have for any film lover!

What books were to previous generations, movies are to the present one; their ability to teach and shape our view of reality is unparalled by any other medium. Christians can't afford to be ignorant of the content and power here, and "Through a Screen Darkly" provides an excellent guide.

As a filmmaker and a Christian I am always striving to find an articulate voice able to handle the spiritual as well as the cinematic. With Jeffery Overstreet's Through a Screen Darkly I have found a strong one. The book traces Overstreet's own experience with cinema as an artist, a Christian and a human being. The book serves to open readers' eyes not only to their own experiences, but to the larger questions of artistic as well as moral excellence. Highly recommended.

Homer Hickam wrote a very enjoyable and informative book about his hometown of Coalwood, West Virginia, and the people who helped nurture him as a young boy. With his childhood stories, he took me on a journey through time to a place that many today would dismiss as "old-fashioned," and Hickam would argue was "the way things can and should be."

Inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, Hickam reflected on his youth and realized the values he grew up with in Coalwood were what many people needed to move on with their lives following the tragic terrorist attacks on America. Hickam expertly wove his thoughts and experiences into the four "Coalwood Attitudes of Strength and Courage" (We are proud of who we are, We stand up for what we believe, We keep our families together, and We trust in God but rely on ourselves), which led to the "Coalwood Assumption" that most Americans found themselves either wanting to say or saying repeatedly following 9/11: "We are not afraid."

In his introduction, Hickam explains the purpose of this book: "If you want to stop being afraid, or if you want to avoid the habits of fear and dread, this book can help by teaching you a philosophy of life that will fill your heart and soul with a sense of well-being and confidence. It is a philosophy that was developed by real people who led good, happy and hearty lives while managing to raise a crop of children who went on to have successful lives of their own."

Hickam is a master storyteller, and his stories contained many powerful moral and inspirational passages. Some I related to as personal memories, others as things I missed growing up or never thought about, and still others as a father wanting his young son to experience in his childhood.

This book has a lot to offer to many different people with many different needs in many different situations. I encourage everyone to read this book and let Hickam take you on a journey of discovery into your heart and soul.

We Are Not Afraid is a very inspiring book about strength and courage in perilous times. I think everyone who reads this will come away a stronger individual for it. If you have children, sons, daughters, nieces or nephews I think it is even more important to read this!!! The book was just such a "thinker". It is only 213 pages, it reads quickly but it lasts long after you close the cover.
While it is a collection of stories about growing up in a small coal-mining town in West Virginia it makes you stop and think hard about what really should be important in life, the values, the morals, the spirit, all the things that went into creating our great Nation. Mr. Hickam points out that yes times are perilous, but that there have been many perilous times and many hardships and challenges and being afraid is not a way to meet these. He pulls no punches when he discusses the United States of America. He dismisses those who want to focus on our failures as a Nation and fail to acknowledge our ability to correct our errors and move forward as a whole. This book is a life lesson on how not to live your life in fear, and how to overcome and surmount obstacles in your way. This is not accomplished by promising "pie-in-the-sky" but by learning from the examples of others ways to be strong and have courage and face life with your head up. This revolves around four important attitudes. #1 We are proud of who we are. #2 We stand up for what we believe. #3 We keep our families together. #4 We trust in God but rely on ourselves. These may sound simplistic to many people, but when they are broken down and explained you will know that it is possible to live a good purposeful life and not be diminished by fear and to pass this on to those around you.

I read this book. It changed my life for the better. Enough said. Hickam is very gifted. Who are his people? You'll be surprised.

I'm a strong person,an Idaho farm boy, but, I too, was weakened by the events of September 11. I needed salve for my soul, softening of my hardening heart,a mental map to see my way out of this mess. I found it in Homer Hickam's incredible new book, WE ARE NOT AFRAID. Homer writes with a wit and warmth that envelopes you like a comforter and touches the full range of your emotions. From your funny bone to the childhood memories you have tucked away in your mind's attic, WE ARE NOT AFRAID hits the brass notes and the softest keys. The world needs more Homer!...

The advice I found in this book has changed my life, too. Somebody told me I should read this when they caught be dragging around filled with worry. What can a little book do to change that I asked and they said well, just read it and see. The insights in this book have been just amazing. Homer teaches through stories that are fun to read but after you're done, you just sit back and go I really see that. I really, really do. Honestly, I've spent money on a lot of these selfhelp do better kind of books but the way Homer does it, I think I really got my money's worth this time.

If you're a fan of the televsion series Quantum Leap, this original Quantum Leap novel is the best of the bunch.

A sequel of sorts to the episode, "Another Mother," it provides an enjoyable follow-up to the classic episode.

A great book that included some old favorites from the TV series. Storm did an excellent job with all the stories that were going on at once. A Must-Read book for all QL fans.

You would think being able to write a pre-existing character and doing it right, knowing what they would or would not say would be easy. But I've read books based on series' where you wonder if the author ever watched the show or read up on the characters or anything before taking the job (My main beef being with the Star Trek Voyager book Homecoming. Could barely get through the first few chapters. Truly aweful) But there are those, like the DS9 relaunch series of books and this book that truly capture the essence of the characters and you can picture them very vividly as they say their lines; as if you were watching it as a brand new episode, after all these years.
**(Spoilers)**
I gotta say, the ending was bitter-sweat. I would have preffered Terressa ending up working for the project, especially with them making a big deal about being this genius, akin to Sam. Sure, it would have had shades of Sami-Jo Fuller working for the project, but that just plays into the other coincidences and similarities with other leaps.
For some reason, I would have liked to have seen more happen with George; him being drugged and found passed out seemed, somehow, anti-climactic.
All and all, though, it was really well written. And I loved the running gag of Sam never getting to eat. You never really think about it and in a television show, seeing them eat or perform any other necessary vital functions (like sleeping; we never saw Sam have any down time in the show) and the author worked it in well and made it very real.

This book was wonderful. I really liked the episode and the fact that there was this wonderfully written sequal...
There is too much to say and so little room. It's very inspirational.

Although this book may seem a little slow and boring at first, keep reading! If you remember the Quantum Leap episode "Another Mother" and it touched you, this book will do the same, as it is a continuation of Al's promise to a little girl that someday, he'll come back to her. It has everything in it, from suspense to comedy, while still maintaining the important elements of a good Quantum Leap Novel. This book would make an excellent movie. Don't miss out!

I recently read John Passerella's first Buffy novel, Ghoul Trouble, and LOVED it. He captured the characters with such ease and approximately. And now, with Avatar, he does the same with the characters. Angel, Cordelia, Doyle, and even Kate are displayed respectfully and with the right characterization.

When a demon materializes in LA, needing to find 12 victims to complete a cycle in which the demon will be reunited with its true body, Angel and the crew are on top of it, along with the help of Detective Kate Lockley. The demon is using a man, who he promised the world to, to find his victims online in chatrooms. The demon appears to his victims as what they most desire. On a side note, Cordelia wants a website made for Angel Investigations, and that results in some humorous moments. Especially with the aide of a teenage computer geek.

Passarella really knows how to write a novel. It's absolutely expertise, and he knows exactly what he's writing about. He never makes the novel drag or become dull. There is one incident that makes the whole novel though. It plays out when Cordelia is chosen as bait to lure the demon in so Angel and Doyle can destroy it. We then see who each one of them desire. It's a very interesting and suspenseful moment in the novel.

John Passerella is now up there with Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder as one of the best Buffy and Angel novelists. I hope to see more coming from him in the future.

This was the fourth Angel book that I've read. So far, it's the first that really seemed to capture the characters and the spirit of the show. According to the blurb at the back, this is only Passarella's second novel (and his first solo attempt), but surprisingly it reads like it was written by a seasoned pro. The dialog is realistic (okay, Angel uses a few too many puns during the battle scenes for my taste, but a small flaw in an otherwise fantastic grasp of the character), the fight scenes intense and the plot well thought out. If you're an Angel fan who is unhappy with the quality of some of the tie-in books that you've read, here is one that is sure to please.

Loved it! Fans of the TV show will definitely enjoy this novel. At some points it kind of grossed me out, but I couldn't stop reading because I enjoyed at the same time. Highly recommend.

Elliot Grundy has made a deal with a demon. In return for everything he desires Elliot will help the demon to complete a ritual that will allow it to be reborn. Using Internet chatrooms, the pair are luring unsuspecting men and women into meeting with the demon, disguised as the victim’s ideal date. However, little does the demon know that an ancient cult seeks to posses and control it for their own purposes…

When Doyle’s visions lead Angel to the scene of a murder, he discovers that a man has been attacked by a demon that leaves behind nothing of the victim except for their skin. It soon emerges that this is not the first attack and that both men and women from all over L.A. are being targeted. The victims seem to have nothing in common, and the description of the attacker differs in every case. Angel has no idea who or what this demon may be.

“Avatar” was a fast-paced, enjoyable read. John Passarella manages to capture the characters exactly as they are in the TV show and ultimately produces an original, entertaining novel that maintains your interest throughout. There is no pause in the action and “Avatar” is one of the best of the Angel or Buffy books I have read so far. I recommend this book to all Angel fans.

There is a killer stalking the streets of Los Angeles, one sucks the essence from his victims leaving an empty husk. The only thing the victims have in common is the manner of their deaths and their link to the Internet. An Internet savvy demon is the last thing that Angel thought he would have to deal with - but you never say never in his line of work. As he tries to track the killer he is unaware that he is not the only one hunting the killer. A cult is on the trail too, but they plan to bind the demon. Now Angel is in the way - and they don't like that.

There are some authors for series like Angel and Buffy that make you feel like they are sitting inside their world. You get that feeling from John Passarella - it really feels like he has spent time with Buffy and Angel and really gotten inside their heads. The storyline of this novel is both gripping and seamless. It could have just as easily been an episode off the series. I agree with other reviewers here that Passarella compares really well to Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder and I can only hope that he writes more in the series.

As soon as I took the books out their package I knew I would love them, and as soon as I started to turn each page, I was so amazed at the quality of the book. I highly recommend it. It is packed with beautiful pictures and excellent recipes. I bought this book after reading other reviews about them. I purchased Vol.I,II. Both are amazing and are my favorite cookbooks so far. Now I am going to purchase both for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day!

This is by far my favorite cookbook. It is wonderfully laid out, and every recipe I've tested has been wonderfully delicious. Every friend I've lent it to has gone out and bought their own copy, after deciding that they'd like copies of more than half the recipes!!! Every recipe has a finished product picture, complete list of ingredients in a sidebar, step-by-step instructions with pictures if anything is unclear, as well as tips and tricks (e.g. if something can be done ahead of time)

It's not like the type of cookbooks where you can look up a chocolate chip cookie recipe and make it... but I've made approximately 15% of the recipes so far and loved each one. I highly recommend Better Home and Gardens America's Best-Loved Community Recipes Volume I and II. My favorite recipes are in Volume I, though it's somewhat difficult to find. Also, don't loan this out, I've had to buy another copy of Volume II because my first one was borrowed and never returned.

When I first got this book as a gift I wondered to myself "how good can some collection of random people's recipes be?" After trying a few of the recipes I discovered that the answer was "VERY good." Now I just need to find Volume I.

This is an incredibly diversified mix of American cooking recipes in easy-to-read sections and bright and beautiful color photographs. The sections include: poutry, meats, fish & seafood, soups & stews, pasta rice & legumes, salads & dressings, vegetables, breads muffins & sandwiches, cakes & cookies, desserts, and appetizers beverages & snacks.

I have never had a bad experience with any of the recipes in this book. For that reason it has earned its place with my other two all-time favorite cookbooks "Betty Crocker Cooking Basics" and "Farmhand's Favorite Pies" as an "ACK! Company's Coming!" type of cookbook... a book that I can run and grab off the shelf and with a little bit of effort turn out a flawless and decadent meal.

Just in case you were wondering, my favorite recipe in this book is that of "Grasshopper Bars" featured on page 366. It's a fudgy brownie base topped with a sinfully rich mint cream, and a cool chocolate topping. Try it; you'll LOVE IT!

Each little town has probably put out a small cookbook sometime, Best Loved Community Recipes highlights the tastiest.

You'll find tried and true favorites along with new twists on old recipes. Eggplant Appetizers, Mary's Cheeseball, and Mini Calzones could spice up a gathering.

If you need a good basic recipe like Caramel Corn, Oatmeal Bread, or Hot Cross Buns- this is your cookbook.

From muffins to rolls, cookies, cakes and pies, you'll find what you need. Try the delicious Apple Dessert Pancake, I served it for dinner one night with rave reviews!

Grand recipes for fish and seafood as well as meats, pizzas and noodle dishes fill the 464 pages.

Do yourself or someone else a favor and add this cookbook to your collection. Your crew will thank you time and time again.

America's Best Loved Community Recipes Better Homes and Gardens Published by: BH&G ISBN:0-696-200095-3

Imagine if you could sit down and open a book of your Grandmothers, Aunts and Ladies of the Church Auxiliary's favorite recipes. That is exactly what this book is. Imagine being able to bake that perfect egg custard pie just like your Grandmother used to make. Or perhaps make that wonderful chicken casserole like Mrs. Smith in the church choir. You never could get her to write down what that secret ingredient was.

It takes all the recipes from the many community cookbooks from around the United States and picks out the most popular and requested ones. They are then nicely pictured with a photograph of the finished dish as well as illustrations on how to do some of the techniques. Also included is information about the cookbook it was taken from and a quote or information from the person who contributed it

Reaching for this cookbook is just like reaching out to touch a dear and trusted friend. Not only are all the ingredients listed but also those techniques you are a little unsure about are explained well and then they are illustrated also. I was never sure how the best way was to take the skin off chicken pieces and this book shows exactly where to start and how the pieces should look when you are finished

You could fill a book with all the information I _don't_ know about Brazilian music... In fact, these guys already have! Concise, conversational, informative and very well laid out, this is an exceptionally readable book. Chapters on samba, bossa nova, tropicalia, forro and jazz include focused biographical sketches of dozens of key artists, as well as succinct historical information about the progress of Brazilian music from its European and African folk roots into its bewildering and often beautiful modern offshoots. The book's focus is nonpartisan: although there is plenty of room for aesthetic criticism within the various styles, the authors generally hold their preferences and dislikes to themselves. They do, however, give readers a good sense of which recordings might be best to check out -- an invaluable service considering how little of Brazil's vast musical output makes it to the United States. Highly recommended! Certainly the best English-language guide to Brazilian pop that you will find in print (online is a different matter), this is great for casual listeners and hardcore fans alike.

The Brazilian Sound is good as far as it goes - a who's who list and discography of 20th century Brazilian music. Although, the book has the feel of a junior college textbook, it's written in plain language. It would be a relatively easy read if it were not that a parenthetical list of Brazilian names breaks up every third or fourth paragraph. There are some very informative passages - notably the chapter on Bossa Nova and the "Escolas de Samba" section of Chapter 2. At their best, the authors provide clear and comphrensive explanations of the geneology and sociological context of the music.

Unfortunately, unless a person is willing to spend countless shopping hours and a couple of thousand dollars building up collection of Brazilian records, he or she will gain almost no insight from this book into what the music feels like. The authors describe individual works and artists in only vague terms - terms often identical to those previously used to describe others. They beat the term "syncopation" into irrelevance - it's clear only that all Brazilian music is syncopated. The authors habitually refer to folk music genres and song forms ala "Composer X's work is all based on the Y song form..." But they provide no practical examples or definitions of those genres or forms.

The authors stridently dumb-down their text, accepting as axiom that one has to "hear it to believe it" and that it is meaningless to describe Brazilian music in technical terms. They generally refrain from even using common musical terms - bar, measure, pulse, key, etc. - to give the reader a clearer understanding of Brazilian rhythmic and harmonic structures. They use few effective musical comparisons or verbal metaphors. It is understandably difficult to describe music in writing. But it is possible. Judicious use of metaphor, comparisions, and technical descriptions would have greatly fleshed out what in the end comes off as a skeletal text.

This 1998 edition serves as the update to the first, apparently published in 1990 or 1991. However, the amendments appear to have been quite minor - embodied by an isolated paragraph here and there, and four meager pages in the final "More Brazilian Sounds" chapter. It's as if nothing has really happened in the evolution of Brazilian music since 1990 - an impression that must be wrong.

The Brazilian Sound catalogs decent research, but is neither good writing nor effective music history.

The best book about Brazilian music in English, "The Brazilian Sound" is a beautifully written, in-depth guide to samba, bossa and other Brazilian genres. Many of the reviews below are on the mark, but BGB from WA seems not to have read the book (or to have read a different book!). The 1998 edition substantially upgrades the original 1991 version. There is much added in terms of early history, capoeira, racial issues, choro, and the blocos and afoxes in Bahia. There is more on important artists from the 1990s, like Marisa Monte, Daniela Mercury, Carlinhos Brown, Chico Cesar, Chico Science and Karnak, though these additions are in various chapters, not just the final one ("More Brazilian Sounds"). One needs to have actually read the book to know that, of course...The music is nicely described, in both musical and cultural terms. One gets a strong sense of how it sounds, and a clear understanding of its rhythmic, harmonic and melodic ingredients. Some of the writing is rather encyclopedic, dispensing a rather staggering amount of information, while many sections vividly convey a sense of the music. I often felt I was at a bossa nova club in '59, at an escola de samba rehearsal, watching one of the 1960s song festivals, or attending a forro party. "The Brazilian Life" brings to life both the current and past greats of Brazilian music. As a result, I added quite a few CDs to my collection, especially of artists like Milton Nascimento, Pixinguinha, Jobim and Marisa Monte. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

An excellent book for anyone who wants to explore Brazilian music beyond the well-known classics. Helps place current and past musicians in their historical contexts; helps you understand who influenced whom, etc. The book will pay for itself just by helping you guide your ever-growing collection of Brazilian CD's (hard to stop once you get started)!

A lively and well-written book, The Brazilian Sound provides a broad overview of the remarkable spectrum of musica popular brasileira, from samba, bossa nova and forro to tropicalia, choro and Brazilian rock. It takes us on a journey both through the evolution of Brazilian music and the history of Brazil, and places artists like Jobim within a cultural context that helps us appreciate their music all the more. One comes away with a solid grasp of the major artists and genres of Brazilian music, as well as their impact on the "North American Sound." There is an extensive glossary at the end that is worth the price of the book alone, and an exhaustive discography.

The authors succeed in bringing the music to life, whether they are conveying the playfulness of the choro musical style, placing the reader at an Olodum concert in Salvador, or describing a samba-school rehearsal on a "hot and humid night in Rio de Janeiro." For the latter, they write, "Surdos (bass drums) pound out a booming beat, and their incessant drive provides the foundation for the rest of the bateria, the drum-and-percussion section that will later parade triumphantly during Carnaval. Snare drums called caixas rattle away in a hypnotic frenzy, and above them tamborins (small cymbal-less tambourines that are hit with sticks) carry a high-pitched rhythmic phrase like popcorn in an overheated pot. Enter the sad cries and humorous moans of the cuica (friction drum), the crisp rhythmic accents of the reco-reco (scraper), and the hollow metallic tones of the agogo (double bell). Other percussion instruments add more colors, the ukelele-like cavaquinho adds its high-register plaintive harmonies, and the puxador (lead singer) belts out the melody...." Such vivid and elaborate descriptions helped me make sense of the wall of sound that is samba, and made me want to book the next flight to Rio de Janeiro for Carnaval.

The second edition adds more historical information and brings the book up to date with musical developments in the `90s. There is extensive additional information about the origins of capoeira (the Brazilian martial art which is accompanied by music in training and which is gaining increasing popularity all over the world), and about racial issues in Brazil as reflected in popular music. There are new profiles of contemporary artists such as Marisa Monte, Nacao Zumbi, Karnak, Daude, Chico Cesar, Daniela Mercury, Timbalada, and Carlinhos Brown. The descriptions of Bahian percussionist-songwriter Carlinhos Brown's collaboration with Sergio Mendes (on the 1992 album Brasileiro) and his groundbreaking 1996 solo album Alfagamabetizado are especially memorable. This is a classic study of Brazilian music, a must for any world-music aficionado.

Fellow play readers say that this is one of the best plays they ever read. It made them weep, it changed their lives, it is the only the play they've ever loved. You can't argue with that. I have read this play several times myself, but for me it is a play that works but it does not work wonders. I am a great admirer of the Mel Brooks, Wood Allen, Neil Simon school of comedy. There should be a plaque on the Cross Bronx Highway alerting people that they are approaching the stomping grounds of America's greatest comedic generation. Of course, we know that it was the depression that incubated this batch of comedic geniuses. Simon, more so than the others, has mined this era, tapping his memories of love without any trace of irony or insight. His is one big sloppy family kiss on the forehead. Still his memories clearly are those of millions, and what seems corny and undramatic to one reader clearly has the power to bring others to tears. All the power to you, Mr. Simon.

I remember watching the movie version of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" years back and thought it was fantastic. Now, years later, I decided to pick up the play and read it.

As usual with the written version, there is quite a bit more detail in the play. Eugene is the story's main character, and while his family struggles with all sorts of family issues. His brother Stanley comes to him with his dilemma about possibly being fired from his job. His cousin Nora, her sister and her aunt Blanche all live with the Jerome family in their Brooklyn home. Eugene's main concern is dealing with the rigors of growing up--and winning the World Series for the Yankees. His character really comes out in the play; there is the sense of witty spirit that he has in dealing with his family and his own problems. Another great aspect of the play is the sense of family spirit it evokes, especially in troubled times, and you see that in the final act when Eugene's dad is able to talk some sense into his wife and her sister, but Stanley as well.

Neil Simon's ability to create funny and memorable characters and a story that is both insightful and humorous makes this a fantastic read. It is easy to see how this play got adapted into a full length film. This play is the first in a series of three plays covering the life of Eugene Jerome.

If you enjoyed this book, another great movie or book to check out is Biloxi Blues, which is the second installment of this series. If you watch the film, it stars Matthew Broderick as Eugene, and narrates his exploits as he goes into the military.

Easy reading, but also very meaningful for the family.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" by Neil Simon is just superb! I saw the movie before reading this play, and I love it, so I knew I would at least like the play. I *love* the play; it's become one of my favorites. I fell in love with all of the characters and just adore the feeling of family that comes through while reading it. With witty dialogue (that can truly be appreciated my by people of the Jewish faith), I couldn't stop laughing, smiling, and just enjoying myself. I recommend.

The first of his three semi-autobiographical plays about the "Jerome" family, Neil Simon's BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS takes place in Brooklyn, New York toward the end of the Great Depression. Fourteen-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome (Simon's alter ego) is the protagonist and narrator of the play. Struggling to find his niche among his large, extended family, Eugene writes his own witty observations about them in his journal, sharing them with us as he does so. Yet the focus of the conflict is on the older family members (including Eugene's parents, Kate and Jack; his brother, Stanley; his cousin Nora; and his widowed Aunt Blanche), all of whom struggle daily to make ends meet. Though a comedy, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS asks a serious question, one posed in earlier eras by playwrights like Clifford Odets and Arthur Miller: that is, how can one preserve one's morals and integrity in difficult economic times, when it is all one can do just to put food on the table? BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS is an affectionate though often painful family comedy; in it, Simon establishes characters for his two later "Jerome" plays, BILOXI BLUES and BROADWAY BOUND, while anticipating the impending WWII era, the setting for the former title.

Brighton Beach Memoirs is a play about a fourteen-year-old boy growing up in 1937. The boy's name is Eugene Jerome. The play is divided into two acts. The first act is one night in Eugene's house. The second act is a week later in his house. Eugene is growing up in a hectic and eventful household of seven family members. He writes memoirs in his journal about his family and different events occurring in his life. During the play, Eugene share's his own personal thoughts with the audience. This really gives the audience an inside look on Eugene's life. I reall liked having this inside view. It really kept me into the book. Brighton Beach Memoirs was a real page turner. I highly recommend it!

This is a perfect training book. The way it is writen keeps my two year old interested. She even knows the song now. It doesn't recommend rewards or any odd words that you may not want to have your child use for pee and poo. It talks about wanting to be older and do what the big kids do...use the potty. Buy it, you will enjoy this book. Recommended for girls because of Miss Piggy...it's too bad that they didn't do one with Kermit.

this book is the best potty training book available to kids. i used this book 11 years ago when i was getting potty trained. and now the child next door that i help babysit is using the book. i loved this book. and so does Lauren (the child next door). every child should get the expierence of reading this book for potty training.

My child loves this book. I must read it to her six or seven times a day. She sings along to the song with a row row row your boat melody. When my girlfriend or myself are not reading this book to her she attempts to sing the song anyways. My daughter can relate to the troubles of not being able to have her diaper changed exactly when needed and the inconvenience of having it changed so frequently. We have a toilet for her and when the book says hello potty she goes over to it and waves. It is the cutest thing ever! Without this book I think we would be miles away from potty training my beautiful baby girl.

When my youngest sister turned 3, she wanted to learn how to use the potty. I got this book at our local library and it really helped her learn to use the potty and wear underpants. This is a great book to teach your child to go potty. Get this book at your local library or bookstore and teach your child what it feels like to use the potty.

my child is now proud of wearing diapers. the first line in the book is --Do you wear diapers?-- my kid laughs and says yes and pats his diaper. He doesn't relate to her dislike of diaper rash or having to sit in it when mommy doesn't have time to change it. Also this book talks about diaper pins and tape which is outdated even for cloth diaper users. So this book has had the opposite effect by no error of the writers; I didn't expect that reaction when i bought it! Really is probably a decent book for every other child in the world

This book is filled with pictures and information about each main actor as well as notes about the film. Very entertaining and fun to read.

This soundtrack is so amazing! Harry Greggson-Williams has the remarkable ability to write music that reminds you of just what was happening at each part of the film: Caspian's escape from the castle, the children discovering their old treasure room, the incredible castle raid, and so much more. This soundtrack has it all: the music is adventurous, dreamy, wistful, powerful, awesome, inspiring! I always considered the first soundtrack to be spectacular and this one is no different. I would recommend this soundtrack to all Narnia lovers out there. Even if you weren't all that wild about the film, the music still has the ability to transport you to another place. Allow yourself to be swept away into the world of Narnia! You won't regret it :).

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion helped in preparing me for the movie. I enjoyed the first movie and couldn't wait to see how the Pevensie children had grown (I mean the young actors and actresses who played them, of coure). I'm fascinated in the behind the scene information on movies like this one and to learn more about what went on before seeing the movie made it more enjoyable after finally seeing it. Knowing that more of the same will be added to the DVD, I can't wait to buy it.

How many times have you watched a movie and then asked yourself, "How did they do it?" Filmmaking can seem like a mystical task to the average movie viewer. What flies by in two hours on the screen could have taken two years to produce. While we were raving about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in 2005, Director Andrew Adamson, Producer Mark Johnson and their vast team were already hard at work on its sequel, Prince Caspian. And author Ernie Malike had probably already started writing this book, a look at the making of Prince Caspian.

If you read the official movie companion for the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe you have an idea of the visual and textual delight awaiting you in the companion book for the latest Narnia movie. Think of it as a 4 disc DVD collector's edition, only on paper. Which is better in many ways. You can take your time reading and feasting your eyes on the behind-the-scenes and on-the-set photos. Between the leaves are the nuts and bolts of making installment #2 of perhaps the largest movie franchise ever.

Kicking things off is a Foreword written by Andrew Adamson, Douglas Gresham (step-son of C.S. Lewis), and Mark Johnson that whets your appetite for the meat to come. And then we're off! Chapter One, titled "The Journey", sets the scene and explains Adamson's approach. "This time out," Adamson says, "I wanted to do it better."

For those unfamiliar with C.S. Lewis' book Prince Caspian (first published in 1951), Malik summarizes the story and includes numerous movie stills. The "Chronicles of the Chronicles" sidebar takes on the question, "Is Prince Caspian Book Two or Book Four?" of the series, a sticky wicket for some. So far the movies have followed the "by publication" route thus far to take advantage of the natural aging of the actors playing the Pevensie children.

Next we're shown what exactly goes into a screenplay, storyboarding, and previsualization. We also tackle the schedule, editing, and much more. Then we embark on an exhaustive trip through the beautiful locations of the film. From New Zealand to Poland to the Czech Republic, we learn of the difficulties filming outdoors and of the nasty critters who haunted the crew (snakes, ticks, sand flies, etc.).

All of the sections are fascinating, but I'll bet most of us will find "The Cast" chapter the most entertaining. How have the actors who played the Pevensies grown up? What have they been doing between films? Here many of our questions are answered. William Mosley (Peter) talks about his chance to do some of his own stunts and how he particularly relates to his character in Prince Caspian. Anna Popplewell (Susan) is now a freshman at Oxford's Magdalen College, the same college at which C.S. Lewis spent much of his career. "When I picked that college, I didn't know that," Anna says.

Skandar Keynes (Edmund), now 16, has grown probably the most notably of the cast physically, though he apparently hasn't lost his youthful, daredevil ways. And twelve-year-old Georgie Henley (Lucy) comes across as inquisitive as ever, but she hasn't let fame taint her sweet spirit.

We're given an inside look into the selection of Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian, as well as the film's two dwarf stars Trumpkin (Peter Dinklage) and Nikabrik (Warwick Davis). Ironically, Davis already had ties to Narnia. He played Reepicheep and Glimfeather the Owl in the BBC productions of Prince Caspian and The Silver Chair.

Really, I could go on and on here about the cast, but it's important to note that much time is given to the building of the sets, the armor, and how the musical score was created. Not to mention the vast special effects which exceed those of the first movie. Narnia afficionados will probably wonder the most about the gallant mouse, Reepicheep. Apparently much care was taken with his character. Because he's over a foot tall, they didn't want him to look like a rat. They also had serious difficulties finding the proper person to "voice" the creature. The final product is something all seem happy with. We'll see when opening day comes around May 16th.

Profusely illustrated, this movie companion can be read either before or after watching the movie. If you read it before, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat in anticipation. If you read it after, you'll know exactly what they're referring to when they reference scenes. I read this one before, but I read its predecessor after. Both ways have their merits.

As Ben Barnes says in the Afterword, "Every day on set uncovered fresh challenges working with our one-thousand-strong crew guided by Andrew Adamson. The talent, focus, enthusiasm, and kindness of everyone I met was truly overwhelming." After reading this companion you'll feel the same way. Further up and further in, Narnia fans! This book is a keeper.

--Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for TitleTrakk

My family loves these Illustrated Movie Companion guides. We have this, the Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe, and the guides for the entire Lord of the Rings series.

We're huge fans of the Narnia books and movie franchise, so this book is a must have in our household. It has so much to offer - pages and pages of behind the scenes information relating to the characters, actors, crew, locations, costumes, armor, creatures, and so much more!! There are also loads of beautiful, glossy pictures.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys the Narnia books/movies, fantasy films or a simply movie buffs. It is a fun and insightful read, and is appropriate for readers of all ages.

This Commentary is a very affordable way to get Martin Luther's insight on his theology of the cross. This book is really a sumation of Luther's beliefs on God and Christ.

Commentary was for a Christmas present. Receiver of the gift was very excited, and enjoys the book very much.

This review covers the Flemming H. Revell Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to The Galations. This version is based upon Luther's lectures at the University of Wittenberg in 1531 and the translation is based upon the "Middleton" edition of 1575. This is the best version to my knowledge, but it is written in King James english. On the positive side, it reads very poetic, but on the negative, it is harder to follow. I personally like this writing as it is closer to the language of the 16th Century. This book was considered by Luther to be his favorite, and history rates it highly. To summarize, it has a number of messages, (1) Galations shows that a person who is in true faith can fall away if they are negatively influenced by false teaching - a real problem in today's world. (2) That Biblical teaching must be solely based upon Bible scripture, and anyone who teaches man's doctrines using random Bible passages to support his/her sermons is most likely not a trustworthy preacher. (3) That even faith is a gift of God, and not a decision that a person makes. (4) That "Justification" is based upon "faith alone. (5) That Mose's OT law condemns mankind, and that anything a person tries to add to God's grace in the way of works or self rightiousness, denies what Jesus Christ did for mankind on the cross - Galatians 5:4. (6) That good works result from heart felt faith, and that good works do not preceed or contribute to salvation when it comes to "Justification."
The world needs this teaching to be more prevalent; however, the world does not like to hear it; therefore, it is almost lost in today's religious teachings. This work is a masterpiece with few peers if any, and is highly recommended to a person familiar with the Bible who desires to grow in their faith and understanding.

This is, in my estimation, the greatest non-canonical book ever written. Luther expounds Paul's epistle to the Galatians with an insight, power and depth of emotion which is sorely lacking in modern commentaries. He is not concerned with the various potential interpretations of "problematic passages" that fill the pages of other commentaries. From the very first page Luther cuts to the heart of the epistle-the doctrine of justification-in the way that only he can. His bold words and plain-sense interpretations result in a work filled with much of the same force and passion that characterized the epistle itself. The grace of God and the love of Jesus Christ cling to every word like the scent of a precious perfume. I cannot recommend this work highly enough. This is the very essence of the gospel as understood by the one who "rediscovered" the doctrines of faith and grace as he teaches us from the words of the one to whom God first revealed those doctrines. If you are looking for an up-to-date critical commentary or a greek-focused exegetical work then you will not find it here, but if you would hear a plain declaration of the power and wisdom of God then you will not find a better treatise apart from the Bible.

When faced with the ineptitude of my walk with the Lord Jesus I must turn to Luther's Commentary on Galatians! It nearly always brings me to tears of joy as Luther expounds on the love of the Lord Jesus for me a sinner. If Christians of today would make this book a constant book of study, second of course to their Bible we as a church would be able to say along with the apostle Peter,"silver and gold we have none,but such as I have give thee..." Its time for revival in America. Luther's Commentary on Galatians was good enough for the Wesley's amd Bunyan as one other reviewer stated. May I say its good enough for us today. Let's reclaim the power of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and learn the old truth of being justified by faith alone through His grace alone.