F Books

This has to be one of the most spectualar books written and would make an excellent Christmas present (any time of the year).
Well researched and presented with the imagine of Jesus the Christ's teachings, this should be a all-around Christmas favorite.

In the Hollywoood extravanganza, 'The Passion,' it is to bad Mel Gibson didn't read this book. There would not have been the sarfical drama and there would have been more reality to what was and what is -- but that is Hollywood 'hype,' and not true historical research.

After reading the massive and extensive research, compiled so secretively, and significantly, I can see the value of this book being the best seller it will become. There's no doubt in my mind that Mr. Christensen of Cordes Junction is profound in metaphysics, spiritual at-one-ment, and hisotrical knowledge and counters any and all Hollywood extravangas. How about airing this one on a special documentary made for television? The ratings would be as high as five stars on this website!

Whatever one believes about historical research of the Star of Bethleham the 'Star Prophecy' outlined reached by Christensen dictates this should be distributed throughout the entire Midest!

Whatever one believes about historical research of the Star of Bethleham the 'Star Prophecy' outlined reached by Christensen dictates this should be distributed throughout the entire Midest!

Peter Drucker was such a prolific and important writer, thinker, researcher, teacher, and philosopher! Although he is best known a the father of modern management theory, I find that his ideas are applicable to a wide variety of positions and enterprises.

The Effective Executive, like most of his works, is written with the assumption that the reader is part of an institution and needs to learn to function within the challenges of the corporate environment. I have never had a traditional job or position in a large institution, but can totally relate to the challenges of what Drucker refers to as executives and knowledge workers.

As a professional musician and holistic music teacher ([...]), I have worked to integrate the creative, intuitive sides of human nature with the organizational, rational aspects, both for myself and my clients.

Like many artists, I was never taught the principals of management and have had to adapt and educate myself along the way. I owe a lot to Peter Drucker for helping me make sense of the nature of effectiveness and management.

Drucker's wisdom transcends culture and industry. Just the acknowledgement that effectiveness is a skill in-and-of-itself, apart from intelligence, talent, charisma, or creativity, is a powerful distinction. His encouragement that it can be (and must be) learned is a relief!

His 5 basic practices for effective executives are invaluable insights. Here they are, paraphrased:

1) Be aware of and manage your time
2) Focus on results, not efforts
3) Play to and develop strengths, not weaknesses (yours and others')
4) Concentrate and align your actions and your purpose
5) Learn to make good decisions

The examples in the book are a bit old-school, but the principles still hold true. Thank you, Peter, for putting into words what so many of us were never taught at home or in school!

In the spring of 1980, I spent a full day with Peter Drucker.
He then made a full-day presentation at the University of
Southern California in Los Angeles. I made sure to arrive early
so I could sit front row, center. I spent a stimulating day
listening and watching as "the master" spoke on the subject of
managerial effectiveness.

Drucker, a true renaissance man, supported his points with
examples from the worlds of business, government, sports, music
and war.

In "The Effective Executive," Drucker likewise draws on his broad
knowledge. He writes that, to be effective, an executive (whom he
defines as any knowledge worker responsible for making decisions) must master five specific skills...

-- Managing time
-- Choosing what to contribute
-- Mobilizing strength
-- Setting the right priorities
-- Making the right decisions

About managing time, Drucker offers that the effective executive
eliminates time-wasting activities and consolidates time spent on
important projects.

On choosing what to contribute to the organization, he tells that
the effective executive asks "What can I contribute to
significantly affect the performance and results of this
organization"? And he stays focused on results rather than on
efforts.

Regarding the subject of mobilizing strength, Drucker councils
executives to hire and manage people with an emphasis on their
strengths rather than concern about their weaknesses. And
he advises executives to discover and mobilize their own
individual working style.

About setting the right priorities, he offers two important
thoughts. First, "It is more important to convert an opportunity
into results than to solve a problem -- which only restores the
equilibrium of yesterday." And second, "Concentration -- that is,
the courage to impose on time and events his own decision as to
what really matters and comes first -- is the executive's only
hope of becoming the master of time and events instead of their
whipping boy."

On making decisions, he advises stimulating disagreement among the
management team. For disagreement brings consideration of alternatives, in turn, brings understanding. He also reminds us that a decision isn't complete until it becomes a detailed work assignment. Until then, it is merely a good intention.

As with each of Drucker's books, "The Effective Executive" is
loaded with quotable "Druckerisms." For example...

-- "The truly important events on the outside are not the trends.
They are changes in the trends."

-- "He [the effective executive] always assumes that the event
that clamors for his attention is in reality a symptom. He looks
for the true problem. He is not content with doctoring the
symptom alone."

-- "One of the most obvious facts of social and political life is
the longevity of the temporary."

Upon finishing writing my own book, "Strategic Thinking: A Four
Piece Puzzle," I wrote to Peter Drucker asking if he'd write an
endorsement for the book. Sure, I knew it was a long shot, but
what could I lose except a postage stamp?

Sure enough, he turned me down. He mailed back my letter on
which he had scrawled four words, "I don't do that."

I've kept that letter. For two reasons... Not only is it the shortest rejection letter I've ever received, but, more importantly, it's a personal note from the master himself -- Peter Drucker.

I have read everything Drucker has published. This one is as good as all the others.

The breadth of Drucker's knowledge and insights never cease to amaze me, and goes to reinforce my perception - as well as that of many others - that he is, in fact, "the founding father of the science of management." That's the reason I quoted him seven times - on seven different management topics - in by book, The Three Pillars of Sustainable Profit & Growth The Three Pillars of Sustainable Profit and Growth.

The essence of The Effective Executive is this: not too long ago, the business community was essentially engaged in manufacturing where the need was for efficiency - the ability to do things right.

As our business world evolved into service and science-oriented enterprises, employees became "knowledge workers" as opposed to "manual workers." Thus, a whole new set of executive qualifications were required - the key one being effectiveness - the ability to get the right things done.

He goes on to point out that intelligence, knowledge and imagination are common in most executives, and they were the primary qualities needed when our business world was engaged in manufacturing and manual workers. However, with the emergence of the service/science-oriented business world and the knowledge worker, these same qualities appear to have little correlation with an executive's effectiveness. Today's business world needs executives who can get the right things done.

Peter Drucker wrote this book back in 1966 and it is as pertinent today as it was then. It concentrates on a small number of practices to help executives manage themselves - a precursor to managing others. Drucker makes the point that, "No one is born an effective executive. No one is a natural... It must be learned...In addition, it is not exceedingly difficult." That's welcome news for all of us. We simply need to follow the practices outlined in this book.

The book is meant for a wide audience as Drucker's definition of the executive is broad - "Anyone that is responsible for a contribution that materially affects the capacity of the organization to perform and to obtain results."

The first step on the journey is to "know thy time." Too many managers have no idea where they spend there time. Drucker recommends managers start by recording their time to discover where it is being spent. Once identified, they need to stop wasting time on things that are not important and then work to consolidate freed time into chunks. Significant blocks of time of 2 hours or so are needed to complete important things.

Next executives must ask of themselves, "What can I contribute that will significantly affect the performance and results of the organization." This helps the manager look outward and to identify and prioritize those tasks that are most important to complete.

Then the managers should do the first things first and do them one at a time. "The secret of those people who do so many things and apparently so many difficult things is that they do only one thing at a time. As a result, they need much less time in the end than the rest of us."

Finally, Drucker outlines how to make effective decisions. He craftily breaks down the elements of the decision process and explains how managers can improve in this discipline.

The book is filled with examples and supporting information. Drucker writes in a refreshingly honest and straightforward style. Many refer to this book as a classic. It is worthy of the designation. So much of what is written today is borrowed from Drucker. Managers can not go wrong adding this one to their arsenal of tools.

-- Nick McCormick - Author, Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager

First MacArthur book I read, which changed my life. Well studied and saturated in The Word of God. Thank you, Sir!

I was looking for books that would explain some of the criticisms aimed at CGM churches, such as Willow Creek and Saddleback. This book, published in 1993 doesn't name either of these by name and I thought it would give a relatively objective view having been written earlier than most others of this type.

MacArther takes aim at CGM churches and may be one of the first authors to do so. Of special interest to me is the appendix that gives some insight into Charles Spurgeon and the Downgrade Controversy. This is probably the best part of the entire book, and takes up a substantial portion of it. This is a good commentary and brief biographical treatment of Spurgeon for those of us who are not very familiar with him but only through some very good quotations.

However, MacArther's treatment of CGM churches begins to wear thin about midway through the second chapter. Some of his arguments start to make him sound more like a pharisee than someone bringing in the light. He objects to the forms of worship, the subject of worship, the absence of substance, the user-friendly message, the seeker-friendly concept...and these are all well and fine, but most of these arguments can be found for free all over the internet. He seems to go on a bit long in order to flesh out chapters that could be shorter, but of course this is sort of par for the course with most preachers!

MacArther makes his point but as a champion of institutional churchianity, he must draw up short of pointing out that these megachurches are merely the next logical steps for an institution where the clergy is always more exhalted, more revered and more siognificant than the laity "sheep." So while the reader may be freed from a downgraded institution, the person will still be in bondage to MacArther's brand of institution which puts them in a pew, staring at the back of the heads of others and viewing things going on at the front. As long as the preacher and the Sunday preaching remain the staple diet of people who call themselves Christians, it will continue to be a movement that is in decline, no matter the size or flavor.

I find this to be one of MacArthur's more compelling book. His awareness of the threats to the pure gospel is sharp; his use of Scripture to expose the dangers is on target; his exegesis is truly admirable; the relevancy of this book speaks volume.

I told a pastor friend of mine that he MUST read this book. Everyone who is in ministry or getting ready to answer God's call to ministry ought to read this book. It will safeguard you from a lot of dangers that lurk, wearing the robe of evangelicalism or falsely so-called.

I especiall like the last few chapters that emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation and the building of his church. The church belongs to the Lord. He purchased it with his own blood. He is its rightful head. He knows how to build it and what it should look like. He has commissioned us to preach the pure gospel. Thank Lord, for the likes of Spurgeon and MacArthur.

The brilliance of John MacArthur's book, "Ashamed of the Gospel" is that it was written long before Rick Warren and Bill Hybels were household names. MacArthur, like Spurgeon a century ago, is one of our generation's leading apologist for defending the faith and the intregrity of biblical doctrines.

The evangelical church that I knew (until about 1995) was a place where the gospel was upheld and the bible was looked at as the infallible, inspired Word of God. This evangelical church largely arose because of the apostasy that invaded the mainline denominations some 80-100 years ago. Now that same apostasy has invaded Evangelicalism and the term "evangelical" no longer has any firm meaning in my mind.

Blame it on many factors. One key factor are pastors who figured out they could obtain larger churches, prominence, and prestige by preaching a "partial Christianity" that contains bits and pieces of the truth, and downplays or ignores the other doctrines that don't appeal to the masses. Rick Warren is especially dangerous as he surveyed his potential audience to discover what they wanted preached. Of course, that model works in today's consumer mentality. Rick has placed man's needs above God's words.

Another blame is on people themselves. They don't want to hear truth and the marketplace has rewarded pastors who placate people's needs to be "churched" but not taught anything controversial or difficult to believe. Mixed together, [heathen pagans plus limp-willed pastors] and you get a pretty good understanding of what evangelicalism has become.

God will never be denied a witness in any generation and John MacArthur is one of a diminishing number of sound bible teachers today who dares to take an unpopular and difficult stand when communicating God's message.

Especially powerful in this book was beginning on page 121 and Paul's exposition of the gospel in the Book of Romans. Paul's approach to the gospel begins with the bad news of man's sin and God's wrath. It is hard to appreciate the good news of the gospel unless one fully understands just how wicked and needing of a savior we are. The seeker-sensitive movement always ignores this point and immediately jumps to the good news. Consequently we have many people in today's seeker-sensitive church who are getting "saved", but they have no idea from what.

Another chapter of note is Chapter 7 on Paul preaching on Mars Hill in Acts Ch. 17. MacArthur makes the case that many church leaders read more into the text about pragmatism than is there. Paul did not compromise his message while preaching in the open marketplace of the day; today's preachers are compromising right and left. Paul was direct; he didn't win many converts. Look at the seeker-sensitive movement today attracting millions. One thing we know about biblical truth is that if the masses are running to some book or teaching, be cautious. That is a flashing warning sign that deception is nearby.

I can't wait to read MacArthur's new book, "The Truth War."

John MacArthur deals with the subject of Pragmatism in such a powerful way.

The following is a condensed version of what this book revealed to me:

Pragmatism is the view that meaning or worth is determined by practical consequences.
The error of pragmatism simply put: "if it works, it must be right"!

The pragmatic approach to doing church is to determine what attracts people and makes the church grow. We are far too human. We are limited in our perception and understanding. We are prone to believe that good results are necessarily indicative of faithfulness to Scripture. This is not true. A man centered gospel is always full of error and compromise and "good ideas." A man centered church is a glorified country club and although a man centered government seems good, it will always make its decisions based on what is good instead of what is right.

Get this book and read it over and over, if need be. This is a message that can not be overlooked, as many of our "modern" day churches would have to be considered "pragmatic". This book warns of the danger of pragmatism! Heed the warning.

It's not a pretty job, but someone had to make this book. This history, though despicable, should not be hidden any more than the Jewish Holocaust should be. Germans need(ed) to face their history and as a white person I can say American whites need to do so too.

One gropes for words -- and many adjectives such as "horrific", "vile", and "gruesome" spring to mind -- but ultimately words fall far short. Which is why this collection of 98 photographs of lynchings that occurred throughout the United States (not just the South) is so important. Many but not all were the product of racism. All reflect a mob inhumanity and cruelty that boggles the mind and rends the soul. Although not on the same massive scale as the Nazi treatment of the Jews, this nation's lynching history, as graphically documented in this book, is equally disturbing. (How does one "rank" such atrocities anyway?) And what makes this even more sickening was that so many of these executions were public spectacles, community functions that were commemorated and celebrated with post cards and other commercial ephemera and even mementos from the victims' bodies.

Although not cheap ($41.16 at Amazon), WITHOUT SANCTUARY should be in every general public library in the United States, and at some point before graduation from high school every student should somehow be exposed to it, alongside the standard pronouncements of our nation's high and noble ideals (the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Gettysburg Address, etc.).

Tearful, hurtful, and very difficult to ignore. These images should give every American pause, to ask one's self a question about justice, even today. We as Americans, out of fear, out of hate because these humans simply had dark skin found this type of treatment to be just fine. Of course not all were Black, but when one thinks of lynching one automatically sees a black face at the end of that rope.

Shame on America. Too long did America look the other way, and the few who were arrested, and tried for such a vicious crime were set free, by juries made up of sympathic citizens who believed lynching was a just sentence, even for trival crimes. Crimes unproven by the way.

This book again makes me shutter to think our fore parents treated other Human Being this way or that our fore parents were the victims. Even now I fear this kind of terror in America is alive and well just below the surface, and screaming to be released. Even now in this the 21st century. For I fear we learned very little, and we continue to be hateful toward our fellow man. He or She talks different, dresses different, has different skin, does not believe in God, or does not speak English. Meanwhile at the very root of a resurgence of such behavior is a Gaovenment which will not enforce it's own laws. Refuses to protect us all from invaders. Real or otherwise.

Yes America we can pass this way again, but I hope enough of us read such books, educate our children, and grand children that only barbarians treat Human Beings with such disregard. If you need a reminder, this book is it.

I didn't know lynching was this bad. To hear about it, is one thing. To see it, is quite another, especially the faces of the witnesses who enjoy it. Those who would witness a hanging, and enjoy it, unfortunately, have children that grow up to be just like their parents and we wonder why our world is so messed up. I think if these were shown in schools, to the older children, maybe they will learn compassion and ensure that it won't happen in the future.

I am going to purchase this book based on the reviews here, but I have a question for those that bought the book and know a great deal regarding this chapter in American History.

What I am very curious about is this...did the white people who participated in these lynchings make up the majority regarding the mindset of most white folks at the time? What I mean by that is this...the big story recently has been about dog fighting in America. How it's an awful subculture, and how the men and women who participate in this not only just fight dogs, but they shoot, lynch, and drown the dogs that don't show enough "fighting spirit." However, I certainly would not say that most of America feels this way about animals. I would say the average American enjoys animals, and feels they deserve to be treated with respect (even if they are ironically eating a Hamburger at the time they say this).

So my question is...do you think (or know) if the white people who engaged in these horrific acts represent the mindset of the majority of white folks in that time period? Or, were the whites who supported/enjoyed/participated in these lynchings similar to the people who support and participate in horrific things like dog fighting and other awful crimes--they are more in the minority when it comes to what the majority of Americans think and believe in?

I received 3 new books from Amazon with the super saver shipping. When they arrived, they were in a large box with only a little bit of that inlatable packing on the top-nothing to keep the books from shifting around. Nothing around the books or between the books.

A christian's Secret to a Happy Life arrived with the binding crushed on one end from not being adequately protected in the box.

Love the book, not happy with the shoddy packing.

So many Christians struggle with every day life--just like the rest of the world. While some secrets place all the power on "self," which fails us more often than not, this one places all the power in God's hands where it belongs. This timeless classic stays relevant because it communicates biblical truths that make a difference for all eternity.

There are very few treatises on the Christian life written with more insight, humility, and honesty.

It is not an easy read, Ms Smith is writing in the language of her day, which is above the eighth grade level used in today's books. It is worthy of your efforts, however. The exercise for your brain, soul, and spirit will do you some good.

Kudos to Whitaker House for keeping this important book in print.

This is a wonderful book - written in a simple, clear style yet filled with deep insight. The author has a true heart for God, and writes with compassion for her brothers and sisters in Christ.

Of the reviews listed here as of this date, only one departs from a laudatory amen.

Ms. Smith has offered a perspective which I believe could be an advance for some but possibly a snare for others.

With only a an uncertain grasp of her life gleaned from surfing the net, these thoughts present themselves:

Much like Christ himself, she grew up in a religious tradition (Quakerism) that her spiritual journey required her to depart from. It is fairer to say the book has been written by a religious rebel than by a Quaker.

Again, like Christ, she looks to God the Father.

Like Christ, she attracted followers and supporters.

Like Christ, within the boundaries of loving God, she offers faith and hope. I come away from Christ with more of a sense of the importance of charity than I do after reading Ms. Smith.

Again, assuming that biographical material perused after reading the book is true, the encouragement and success of the book is understandable. However, material is never confronted which might have been had the book title been 'The Joy of Being Crucified With Christ'

This is by far and away one of the best translations/interpretations out there. Not necessarily the most understandable for beginners. A lot of the imagery is culturally specific and can be difficult to understand without a background in taoism and other asian ideas. However, the different sections offer different levels of interpretation and understanding, which i find very helpful. With persistence and patience, the illumination is well worth the trouble. One of the best, easiest to explore and get to know the I Ching, is The I Ching Workbook, by R.L. Wing. There are some inconsistencies in the divination method, but if you can look past that, it is an excellent beginning text.

I just have a high school education but I'm spiritual. I can understand the Taroh, The Book of Runes, The Yoruba Dominos and the I ching as written by Sam Reifler or Brian Brown Walker. But this book doesn't make a lick of sense.

Dependably delivers divine insights for the mortally bound. Once you master the simple way of accessing and apply the I Ching you will be surprised to find that it delivers much greater spiritual insights with less effort than other approaches -- daily Bible banging for instance -- and does it directly in context with your need(s).

A more technical book that gives a thorough history of the I Ching, how it was used in Ancient China and contains multiple interpretations for each of the 64 hexagrams. Moving lines are defined within the definition of each hexagram with more of the ancient poetics included and the readings are probably closer to the original texts of yesteryear. Definitions of the hexagrams are more detailed than other guides but still an invaluable resource for anyone working with the I Ching.

This I Ching is an essential tool of those seeking 'God' - in eclectic form. The I Ching orders one's life... so that God may speak back to you (2-way prayer, if you will)... and to send you on a life-long journey.
Or you can just dabble.

For those coming from a scientific or agnostic skeptiszm, this book allows you to prove for yourself the emperical existance of God. Even for the scientific atheist. Really!
How?
With constant use of the I Ching an obvious question results -"Who's messing around with the coins... these things are supposed to be coming out randomly?". And you might you suppose to just whom the 'Who's" refers.

One sees that the very act of random throwing coins begins to defy probability theory. Hexagrams are received just too strikingly close to reality and certainly not randomly distributed...and I taught college level statistics and experimental methods. In my lifetime I have probably "cast the coins" upwards of 300,000 times... bit i am very old.

Record the time, date and circumstance of each throw with a graded value (1 - 10) of how close to your reality the reading relates. The resulting scattergram will astound you... into accepting that there is more to this thing than meets even the 'inner eye'. You are in touch with something that sees right through you to your inner most thoughts. And then can proceed to "arrange your everyday world".
Godspeed my felow travellers.
Godspeed.

I love reading this Bible, especially the gospels, it puts them into one story of Jesus.

The Narrated Bible puts the Bible in chronological order making it much easier to follow and understand. For example, the Gospels are intertwined to tell the story of Jesus' life. As you read the book of Acts, each epistle is included at the time it was written. This is wonderful to help anyone understand the Bible story.

I am really enjoying reading this Bible. It has helped me understand the Old Testament in a new way by fitting the books together in a logical fashion. I understand better the sequence of events.

I highly recommend this Bible as a supplement to your existing one.

This is a terrific bible! It has really made the stories come alive and has made my daily readings easier and more fulfilling. I have learned quite a bit, have noticed some great details I never did before, and the commentary has led to some good discussions with friends.

I plan to buy more of these to use as gifts.

I can't recommend this bible highly enough! FIVE STARS!

Received in good time. Excellent condition. A wonderful Bible!! Am really enjoying it.

This coffin box Set Is a great addition to a collection of vampire Memorabilia . Open the lid (flap) to see who is inside. you can pick who is in the coffin, One is the child vampire and the other a dark haired male vampire.

Anne Rice is the best modern writer on vampires. I have read them all and she rocks. The coolest scenarios and she reads like an intelligent airport paperback book writer. Her writing goes down easy like a comic book. I have written a book on vampires too if you are interested. It's called Seamus and Emer. It's available on Amazon so take a look. Good Luck! Bye Bye!

... a fine set of Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice. What a refreshing point of view and burning light to see vampires in. Rice gives us vampires with feelings - why shouldn't a vampire feel joy, pain and regret? Yes, bottom line is they are merciless killers, but this is the all-too often typecast image of vampires that Hollywood likes to betray. These immortals don't just sweep in with a dramatic flare of their capes (most of the time they don't even wear one), kill then leave - we experience their agony, hunger, happiness and turmoil before and after each kill. Anne Rice gives us so much more - imagine YOUR fears, regrets and hopes from your lifetime spread over an eternity. Would you really want immortality? What is right and what is wrong? Good and evil? The devil and God? Leave your humdrum life behind for a while and bury yourself (literally) in a world of fascinating, real characters in sumtuous, historic or sordid surroundings. Enjoy, but remember to put the lid back across when you're finished...

I would have preferred to have been able to buy these audio books on cd; however, they were unavailable. Since I had read them all so long ago, it was time to delve back into them. Buying audio books to bring on vacation, was the perfect idea! (I didn't have to worry about getting any suntan lotion on the pages!)

I knew about Anne Rice, but I had never read any of her books before. I read Interview With The Vampire, and I couldn't put it down! It's one of the best books I've ever read. Now I'm reading the whole set. It was great!

Anfra,

This book has changed my life. As I read this book I was tremendously blessed. God definitely spoke to me through you as some of the information in your book helped me to understand myself more clearly. I've got alot of work to do!!

I loved how you ended each section with "Think about it, sisters"!! That phrase caused me to pause and think about what I had just read in depth.

Your writing style was easy to understand, funny, informative and inspirational. I'm thankful that my sister Andrea, gave me this book because it has changed my life.

Thank you for promoting sisterhood and helping me to grow more spiritually. I have been encouraged, enlightened and empowered.

Anfra, express her views on life's many embers: AIDS, sex, politics, spiritual, how to raise your children, meditation and more.

I especially like "A Tribute To African-American Authors" where she uses the titles of various author books to get her point across.

A great reality check book.

I was searching through the bookstore looking for more books by Juanita Bynum. The store clerk recommended You Are My Sister by a new author that I never heard of. I must say I was skeptical at first. I liked the cover and the synopsis on the back and needlees to say I was drawn in. What? A book about why women date married men. Woow, I was intrigued and what I found on the inside pages made me call the book store up and ask if they had any more books by Anfra.

Write on my sista, write on! Please write on.

A new fan, Gwynn in Detroit, MI

I could not put this book down. A friend of mine was reading it at work and suggested that I get a copy and I did. I didn't know that I was in for a treat of refreshing and uplifting words from a powerful sister.

Words can't express how enlightening this book is. You Are My Sister should become an anthem for women. I loved the Sisterhood Creed in the front.

Thanks Anfra for those encouraging words of wisdom.

You Are My Sister - An Inspirational Book That Promotes Sisterhood and Spiritual Growth by Anfra is a definite must read. I really enjoyed this book. This is indeed a winner.

You Are My Sister by Anfra takes you on a wonderful spiritual journey of reflections and self-upliftment that humbly reminds us that we are somebody. I was very inspired and it really eased a lot of my inner stress that I had while reading the book. I feel not everyone can produce writings for inspiration and spiritual growth; it's something that has to come natural to the writer. Anfra not only captures and reflects that definition, but she naturally does "encourage, enlighten and empower" with her writings.

Although I had many favorites, a few elevated themselves to me as being my inspiration. "What's Blocking Your Blessings?" was a rude awakening to me and I humbly enjoyed her writing. It is a compelling reminder that we tend to overlook stress related issues that can impact the blocking of your blessings.

Another of my favorites was "Weight Problems." I realized from that passage that we have to stop, think, and come to terms of what is actually weighing us down. We have to realize that it's not always about the physical, that it's about the religious, mental, and spiritual growth and development that we must acquire within ourselves to survive the heavy burdens that we unconsciously put on ourselves.

I also enjoyed Anfra's poetry section. Three of my favorites were "Someone Else's Eyes" A Message From An Unborn Child" and "I Got It." All three including her other collections had me nodding my head up and down and side-to-side. They were definitely on time.

Finally, the last section was what I consider a serious grand finale because this section was about YOU doing a self-inventory. The title alone is self-explanatory - "To Thine Own Self Be True" You Are My Sister-Personal Inventory. Anfra provides you with an opportunity to now examine yourself with various questions, and exercises that can only do one thing and that is encourage you to take charge of your life.

Although I could go and on about my favorites, I think words would be well spent if you get the book yourself and enjoy a magnificent collection of her writings, poems, reflections, and inspirations, that I know will do more then "encourage, enlighten, and empower" but will bring a humble "amen" "wow" and "thank you" to Anfra for sharing her spirituality and inspiration with us. You will truly enjoy this book and will want to keep it nearby for those pick me up days. I give it a rating of 5.

Reviewed by Kalaani

I wanted a book with a lot of information and recipes. Too many cook books are filled with pictures, and empty of information. This book is the opposite. Don't expect many photos, do expect lots of information. The author gives you information about the food, about the preparation, and about the ingredients. It even gives you a little Japanese history as related to the food.
This is a must buy for anyone serious about cooking Japanese food.

I purchased this for my daughter for Christmas. I took some time to browse through the book and found it full of interesting information in addition to recipes and directions on how to prepare ingredients. I was very impressed, as was my daughter.

A beautiful book, clearly written, but the simple of the title is misleading. These are difficult, exacting recipes calling for both ingredients and kitchenware that require a search in specialty Japanese markets.

My wife and I bought this cookbook in Japan 25 years ago and have used it often since then. It is the best I've found on describing ingredients and how to do certain techniques especially making sushi rice.

This book explains everything, and is actually an enjoyable read.