V Books

This is a full-length, 500 page biography of the fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Marshall. It is superb. It is very detailed, yet easy to read. Smith follows the conventional chronological format for a biography, starting with Marshall's birth, and then describing his life sequentially from his childhood, his education, his youthful service as a light infantry officer in the Revolution, his work as a lawyer, his early political career, his rise to national fame as an envoy to France during the time when the nation almost went to war with France during the Adams Administration, his service as Secretary of State to John Adams and finally his long service for 35 years as the Chief Justice who established the power and prestige of the Supreme Court.

What I find most admirable about this book is its balance. It gives you everything that you want in a biography. It is very scholarly, and very readable. It gives you a very good sense of John Marshall, the human being, but it also fully explains the significance of the events in which Marshall participated. As an example of the human side of Marshall, Smith gives us a very moving picture of Marshall's lifelong love affair with his wife, Polly, starting with the dramatic courtship by the penniless young officer and ending with the 80 year old Chief Justice walking twice a week to visit her grave. As an example of how Smith explains the significance of what Marshall did, not only did Smith explain the key decisions, but he gives the facts on what impact they had. In the steamship case, for example, Smith both explains the legal and political issues and gives the economic statistics on what effect the decision had on trade.

I highly recommend this book, both for the excellence of its writing and the importance of its subject matter. John Marshall is one of the most important people in American history. He was instrumentals in making real the balance of the Constitution envisioned by Madison and Hamilton in the Federalist Papers. He was critical in creating the pre-conditions needed for America to be a rich and prosperous nation, with great opportunity for the great majority. Marshall was also a wise and a good man, which shines through on every page of this book. The book is worth reading, finally, as a way to come to know such an extraordinary man.

Not all historians are fine, interesting writers. Fortunately, Jean Edward Smith is a superb writer, making Chief Justice Marshall's long life an interesting, even fun, read. Moreover, the writing paralells the substance contained in the Book. I wish all historical biographies were of this quality. Buy the Book.

This was one of those books I knew I SHOULD read, but its heft put me off for months. When I finally did pick it up, I couldn't put it down.

John Marshall doesn't have the cache or enduring fame that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or many others have - and it's a shame. He formed the institution of the Supreme Court, and in so doing, shaped many of the ways our country (tenuous at the time, mind you) began its journey, and perhaps why we've endured this long.

The author does a fantastic job of painting a picture of life in the day, John Marshall's life and contributions, and how he and others in his era related to each other and the world at large. The cases that came before the early SCourt were fascinating, if only to illustrate the thorny issues and perils of the time. The extent to which he was able to be brilliant, rationale, and to build consensus focused on the original intent and vision for this country is impressive, and sorely needed today.

Funny story - I finally DID start reading this book on the beach in Mexico. Not quite the fluff one typically carries to the beach. The first day, people remarked as such, and by about day 3 or 4, they are saying "wow, you are really making progress on that!" as the bookmark moved steadily towards the back.

Don't wait for the beach - get started!

.....though we can still debate whether he defined it correctly. John Marshall, fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was, and remains, one of the absolute giants of our history. Washington fought the battles, Jefferson and Madison composed the theories, but it remained for Marshall to elucidate what it all meant. This is, to my mind, the definitive biography of a titan.

John Marshall was born in what is now Northern Virginia in 1755, the child of a fairly well off family. On his mother's side, he was descended from the famous Randolphs; his father was a surveying associate of George Washington. His dad taught him a love of education and good books that continued all his days. Before embarking on a career in Law, Marshall was a soldier of the Revolution, serving with Washington in several major battles. After marriage to young Polly Ambler, he was a law student of the great George Wythe [also the law teacher of Jefferson, and of Spencer Roane] at William & Mary. Successful practice, and politics, soon followed...Marshall served on the Governor's Council, and was the leading advocate for Constitutional ratification in the Virginia convention; his battles with Patrick Henry are the stuff of legend [though they served as co-counsel in several cases]. He was a constant supporter of Washington, served as one of Adams' three ministers to France in the XYZ affair, and was briefly a Congressman and Secretary of State. He it was who said of Washington "First in War...", though he let Light Horse Harry Lee speak the words, and get the credit. In 1801, John Adams made a "midnight appointment" of Marshall to be Chief Justice, preventing the incoming President Jefferson from making his own choice...

For the next 34 years, Marshall solidified Federal power, freely interpreting the interstate commerce clause, and the clause which allows Congress to make enabling legislation. Marbury v. Madison asserted the right of judicial review, and further cases expanded it. He wrote the judicial opinions that remain the basis of Federal centrilization of power to this day. Smith gives great detail of individual cases.

One of Marshall's great strengths, and we shouldn't make light of it, was that he was a nice guy. A sociable host, his friends loved him, but even total strangers could find him thoroughly modest and charming. Quoits, and good Madiera were real passions. Even his enemies [with two profound exceptions] liked him. His basic decency certainly aided his consensus building.....

...the two exceptions were Spencer Roane and Thomas Jefferson. Roane was the son-in-law and political ally of Patrick Henry. A long time neighbor of Marshall, and Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, Judge Roane believed completely in States Rights and held the US Constitution to be a voluntary compact of free and independent states that could be broken at will. What Spencer Roane proposed, Jeff Davis disposed... Alas, where Marshall was a prince among men, Judge Roane was of such acid, unpleasant, temperment that even his friends and allies couldn't stand him...

....and then there was Mr. Jefferson. The feud between Marshall and Jefferson is one of the absolute central themes of American history. It was multidimensional...personal, familial, political, philosophical...for about 40 years, the conflict was one of cordial, respectful, dislike; after the Aaron Burr treason trial of 1807, it turned into blind, unreasoning hatred. Part of it was rivalry between branches of the Randolph family; part was Jefferson's civilian service during the revolution while Marshall was in the field; part was publication of a letter to Jefferson from his daughter stating "Mrs. Marshall is insane" [sadly, true]. Mostly, the problem was that Marshall and Jefferson had totally different theories of government and visions of America. [They agreed about religion, though Marshall was a founder of, and regular attender at, Monumental Church in Richmond]. In 1807, Aaron Burr was charged with treason, accused of wanting to set up his own empire. He was tried in Richmond, with Marshall sitting as trial judge. Marshall's friend, neighbor, and occasional law partner John Wickham served as defense counsel, along with the drunken genius, Luther Martin. In what is today generally considered a rigged trial, Burr was acquitted. During this trial, an incident occured that is the only evidence of improper conduct on John Marshall's part that I can find; while Burr was out on bail, Wickham threw a grand dinner party for him. Marshall was invited [not improper], went, and stayed the whole evening. You can well imagine the spin that sympathetic Jefferson biographers put on this; Smith doesn't mention it.

John Marshall was a great and brilliant man; he was also a good and decent man. He had his problems; Polly was an invalid with a combination of physical and mental problems for years...one of his sons was essentially worthless. Thru it all, John Marshall was faithful to both his public and private duties. Now, I'll get personal....my copy of this wonderful book was a Christmas present my wife bought me at the John Marshall House in Richmond. Located at 9th. and Marshall, near the Capitol, it is lovingly maintained by a fine staff of really nice people [the Director even helped me with research for a small biography I wrote of Spencer Roane]. The house, and Marshall's grave in Shockhoe Cemetery a few blocks away, are cared for as monuments to greatness, which they are. The house is nice, but not spectacular; Marshall was a modest, unassuming man [John Wickham's house, two blocks away, IS spectacular]. At the John Marshall House [yes, I contribute financially], and at his grave, I feel awe, intellectual interest, and profound respect; at Monticello, I feel reverence. Maybe I think Jefferson was right about the issues, but I can still look up to John Marshall. If you want to understand America, you need to read this book.

This is the best available biography of Marshall, maybe the best ever. If all you want is case histories, read Hobson; if you want a highly technical biography, read Newmyer; if you want to understand the great cases, AND the great man who decided them, start right here. Newmyer and Hobson wrote fine books, but any intelligent person [not just specialists] can read this one.....

I think it can be argued that, next to Washington, Marshall was the most significant of the whole colonial group, and fortunately, this excellent biography rises to the occasion, telling the story of this truly remarkable American. The best proof of my enthusiasm for the book is that I have already purchased four copies for friends with more undoubtedly to come

This is probably one of my favorite books in the series (so far). I love how something different actually happened... Gaia is making new friends, she's developing as a character... And it doesn't hurt that her relationship with Sam is changing, either... but still, I'm definitely hooked to the series now. Not like I wasn't before, I'm just even more hooked now.

Its thanksgiving and Gaia is on a runner! This book is a fantastic book and i was hooked. Gaia finds out a hurting secret of her freind. Gaia has a lucky turn from a planned death by an enemie. She had her first kiss but not like i imagined. And i hate ELLE how bitchy can she get. Its very annoying how whenever somethink happens to Gaia it always turns into a bad situation or she thinks it as not a good thing. How bad can her life get! But i enjoyed it it made me cry and smile!

After reading so many great books, I believed that there weren't any more good books out there. WRONG!! The fearless series has quickly become one of my favorite series, and Francine Pascal has become one of my favorite authors. This book in particular stands out among her books, and i know u will enjoy it as much i as did. Happy reading!

I loved this book. It had loads of action and tons of twist. One of the best books in the series so far.

First kisses are one of the most exciting things in a teenage girls life. Gaia has waited 17 long years for her chance to finally be kissed. She's heard so many things about kisses. How when you kiss a man, you can learn everything about his heart. All it takes is one kiss. Now Gaia will see if that myth is true.

This was one of the best FEARLESS books in the series. Gaia is plagued with facing something that all teenage girls worry about, their first kiss. Teen girls across the nation will identify with Gaia's worries, and pleasures about being kissed for the first time. A must-have book.

Erika Sorocco

This book is so wonderful it falls in my top five most favorite books. Dylan pulls the reader in right away at the beginning and cuts right to the chase. The book remains focused throughout. I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what happened with Gordy and his trial and his big gig. Once I got towards the end (last 3 chapters or so) I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was happening. I found myself constantly laughing out loud and gasping. (Although, during the case I would've handled things slightly differently.) The characters are real, they could be you or me and you get attached to them. Not only can I picture them but I've fallen in love with them. There is absolutely no lag time in the book. Everything that happens occurs for a reason and is important. I never found myself going alright already, can I just make it through this chapter and get back to the story. For all you Barry Manilow fans out there, Dylan really hits the nail on the head in Chapter 20 and I really wish this book had been around when I was doing Speech and Debate (Poetry and Prose) when I was in high school. I would have LOVED using the two pages as my prose piece! Read it and you'll understand!

"For a guy who isn't me, Schaffer can really write."
--Kinky Friedman

I have no idea how you get a better recommendation than that. Not even at gunpoint. One of the back cover blurbs calls it "thrilling, funny and heartrending in turn," which is also true. Schaffer does them all equally well. Real people, too, not cutout characters. Depth. Insight. He happens to be a lawyer, and the best of the bunch are very able communicators, so he brings that to the book as well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

And, since we're talking about the first book in what I hope will be a long-running series, let me add this. Some authors of series tend to work from a little timeline of what will happen to their main characters. Book one gets this, book two gets that, etc. They stretch it out so thinly that what can carry only a book or two lasts for ten or twenty. Then they fill the silences with two-dimensional stereotypes and weak one-liners. Schaffer doesn't do that. He blasts you will both barrels, empties his mind, and assumes he'll come up with something else next year. He has no idea how much I appreciate that. This is simply excellent. Plus, I have the sequel on my shelf (unread) and you don't, so nanny nanny boo boo.

Finally, I'll probably go to my grave hating Barry Manilow, but I genuinely enjoy watching Schaffer defend the guy. Talk about an unwinnable case...

Gordy Seegerman is definitely an "everyman" we can feel for...especially if you love whodunits - and music (whether or not Barry Manilow is your favorite singer). Dylan Schaffer's writing is wonderfully witty, his characters unique, and his storytelling will have you turning pages eagerly, usually with a smile on your face. The sequel "I Right the Wrongs" follows up and doesn't disappoint!

I'm not a huge fan of legal mysteries, but Schaffer doesn't write your average courtroom potboiler.

First of all, this book is funny as hell. Gordy is a great character, a perfect combination of pathos and humor, and I was rooting for him from the first chapter on.

The lawyer aspects engaged me more than I would have expected---being a lawyer himself, Schaffer takes us through a trial that is both realistic and fascinating. This isn't TV melodrama; this is the real deal, described by a pro in layman's terms with a smattering of sarcastic wit.

But beyond being a funny, compelling book, Misdemeanor Man also has real heart. Gordy's family life and romantic life are just as important to the reader as the against-all-odds case he must win, as is his affinity for Barry Manilow.

It's a testament to Schaffer's writing that I actually revisted some of Manilow's greatets hits after reading the book. Sure, I may have downloaded them from a file-sharing network on Kazaa, but even the fact that I'm giving the guy a shot should be worth something.

The sequel is going on my to-be-read pile, and Schaffer is now on my must-read list.

If you like the Fletch series by Gregory McDonald, or the funny caper novels of Westlake, check this book out.

I picked up this book while browsing in a local book store, and I was hooked from Page 1. The characters are so true-to-life that I felt like I had to say good-bye to co-workers and friends when I finished the last page. This author is equal in every way, and a little better in some ways, than John Grisham. I am very excited to see that Mr. Schaffer has written a sequel to Misdemeanor Man. I have read the excerpt, and once again I am hooked; doomed to not wash a dish or a load of laundry once I start Book #2 until its completion.

I have to give this book 5 stars. Mary O'Hara wrote an incredibly beautiful story about a struggling family. Many of the details of the story are so true to life. As an adult reading this story, I found the details about the parents to be more interesting than the story of the horse and the boy. O'Hara really understands the concerns of a parent for a struggling child and it's very true to life in the book. Many important issues are touched upon in this book too; responsibility for our domestic animals, love for people and animals, doing our duty in our every day life are all there with out being mushy and sentimental. O'hara also paints a vivid picture of Wyoming and old-time ranch life. It makes me wish it was still like that, so I could visit it. This is another great book for a read aloud family time.

Although he made his audio book debut just two readings ago, stage, screen and television actor Michael Louis Wells is in full command of the metier with his narration of the classic My Friend Flicka. Many will remember the story as a film with Roddy McDowall, as a TV series or as a current film. Wells is on a par with all of the actors who have undertaken bringing this touching tale to life. The reason for the story's many incarnations is obvious - it is one of our best-loved books and well deserves its place among others that are enjoyed from generation to generation, such as Treasure Island and Mutiny on the Bounty.

Pivotal to O'Hara's story is Ken and his seeming laissez faire attitude. Where his mind is his father, Rob, certainly doesn't know. He's a young boy who would much rather just look out a window than study his arithmetic. He should have studied because his report card is so poor that he's doomed to repeat a grade. Rob undoubtedly wonders whether he'll even catch on the second time around.

Their home is Wyoming's Goose Bar Ranch and Rob is working hard to make a go of it. He doesn't need a son who seems given to daydreams. Then, along comes Flicka, a beautiful chestnut filly, with a wild streak inherited from her sire. Ken is certain he can tame Flicka, and so begins the unforgettable relationship between a boy and his horse.

O'Hara wrote a follow-up to her story, Thunderhead, but it never achieved the popularity of My Friend Flicka, a timeless story to be enjoyed over and over again.

- Gail Cooke

On the Goose Bar Ranch in Wyoming, between the World Wars, former Army captain Rob McLaughlin and his Eastern blue-blood wife, Nell, are raising two sons and an ever-growing herd of thoroughbred horses. Rob, a stern but loving father, doesn't know what to do with younger son Ken. The boy daydreams constantly, and for that reason just failed to be promoted at his boarding school. Why should Rob give small Ken a colt of his own, as he already has older son Howard, when Ken can't do anything that demonstrates he's responsible enough to be trusted? Yet a colt is what Ken wants more than anything else in the world. Until he finds out what happens to male horses when they're two years old - after which he decides he'd rather have a filly.

Not just any filly, though. Flicka, born to the half-wild mare called Rocket. Flicka is faster already than her sire, the ranch's stud horse Banner, and Ken believes he'll be able to train Rocket's "bad blood" out of the yearling. Rob thinks his son is (to use his word for it) dumb, for a lot of reasons that now include choosing this filly that Rob is sure will turn out to be just as "loco" as her dam. Untrainable, and downright dangerous to those who try to handle her.

This novel is a perfect example of the type of children's classic that, when read by adults, proves to have depths and layers its target audience never perceives. I know I read it as a young girl, and enjoyed it as both a good "horse story" and coming of age tale. But in reading it again now, I was amazed by the detailed and multi-faceted characters of Rob and Nell. Their love story is one of the most interesting I've read, because the author not only captures the tensions between these two very different people - she also captures the way that raising their children, who are (for better or worse!) a blending of those differences, affects their relationship. No wonder this book is still in print more than 60 years after it was first published. Simply wonderful!

This is a very good book. My granddaughter really enjoyed it.

I am in the middle of lstening to this book. Its detailed descriptions of ranch life and horses are quite compelling. But what surprised me was the absolutely accurate description of a boy with ADD. This book was written some two decades before attention deficit disorder gained anyone's attention, but O'Hara's descriptions of Ken's behavior are absolutely consistent.

And then O'Hara answers the question of what to do about the condition: give the kid something he really wants to do and stand back. Of course, it helps that Ken has two wise and good-hearted parents; but then, maybe that is the start to solving most problems that children have.

A fine book on many levels, and a fine companion on the road for adult and child.

I bought this item because I thought I was going to Help...but it ended helping me.

Bono's beautiful words and photographs tell a story we all need to hear. He stirs us to take action to help the people of Africa. A book for us all.

Quick read. Bono gets straight to the heart of the matter. Leaves you to think about the part that you can play to end these senseless acts. Read it and pass it on to those who want and need something meaningful to read.

The photos is this book were taken by Bono on his first visit to Africa in the 80's. They are powerful images that show the plight of these African people but also somehow show the dignity with which they handle their daily lives. These faces are haunting and I see my brothers and sisters in each one of them.

The speech that makes up the written content of this book is equally touching, inspirational, and motivational. Bono is trying to get us to understand that we are all one. When we look at another person in any situation we should see ourselves. His belief seems to be that spirituality should be personal and global and not marred by the lines of specific religions. I applaud him for doing what he can to get anyone to listen to what his heart says and to work on making this a better world for all of us in any way we can.

I thought this was an over all beautiful and touching book!

This is an excellent speech that everyone should read. I leave it on my desk at work for people to read.

The book provides an inside view of Star Gate, the government's secret program of remote viewing. By the time Paul Smith wrote this book, most of the information he needed had been declassified, and the program allegedly shut down, if you believe that.

The book describes the structure of how they remote viewed a target, from the fundamental to specific gestalt, and how this could be taught to anyone, since everyone has this ability.

I'd consider this one of the better books I've read on Star Gate and remote viewing in general.

This book is a great reference and historical record of the emergence and use of remote viewing from inside the military machine. A great addition to all serious remote viewing researchers library, its well written and one of those hard to put down books. There are a few good books on remote viewing and this is so far the best in trying to create a historical overview of RV and address many of the inaccuracies of the previous historical overview book (The Secret History of America's Psychic Spies).

This is also a great reference tool for anyone trying to fathom the 89,000 pages of CIA remote viewing documents released through the Freedom of Information act.

Paul Smith has produced a wonderful book here. It captures so much detailed information that it should make a wonderful documentary source. Yet, it is written so clearly that for those who have read other books on the subject (like me) it is very easy to skim to the parts that contain new information, insights, and details (and there's a whole lot of ALL of those throughout this book!) This book is a must for anyone who wants a more complete picture of the subject matter, as well as a feeling of greater familiarity with the fascinating and enjoyable personalities of the players involved.

I'd suggest Paul Smith's book to students of self discovery and military historians alike. Reading the Enemies Mind provides a concise and engaging history of our nation's remote viewing program. Those seeking to further advance their potential will discover many advanced concepts that have yet to reach mainstream society.

What I most enjoyed about this book was the author's optomistic view of the future of remote viewing. The abilities to tap this newly discovered area of human potential have yet to be fully explored. This newly discovered science holds great promise and may someday lead to a cure for disease, advanced education and furthering our intelligence and understanding. Perhaps someday our political and military leaders will use this potential to advance our civilization rather than simply using remote viewing as a military intelligence gathering tool.

While various forms of remote viewing have existed since the dawn of civilization, Paul Smith carefully documents the proven effectiveness and scientific reality that refutes serious critics and encourages those with a limited understanding. I'd recommend this book to anyone seeking a more advanced understanding of their human potential.

Reading the Enemy's Mind is a fascinating history of the Star Gate program. I've read accounts of a couple of other former Star Gate participants and they are either sensational and fictionalized (David Morehouse) or short on history (Dale Graff). Paul Smith's account is comprehensive and doesn't make wild claims. His tome is a level-headed treatment of the program. He's very upfront that for every success there are many failures.

Some of my favorite successful remote-viewing stories from Reading the Enemy's Mind include viewing Aldrich Ames - the CIA traitor, the USS Stark attack, and the capture of rogue DEA agent Charles Frank Jordan.

In 1987 Star Gate was tasked with finding the mole in US intelligence. CIA sources in the Soviet Union were disappearing or being executed and people wanted to know who was giving them away. Star Gate came up with a composite of the traitor. Among the details was that he drove a gray European car and was involved with a Columbian woman. While many of the other details were off, Smith wonders what might have happened had the Star Gate information been used:

"The fact of the car alone might have significantly narrowed the field of possible suspects in the CIA. How many CIA employees owned grey European luxury cars in 1987? Certainly some, but percentage-wise not that many. And how many CIA employees had a significant relationship with a Latin American woman, especially a Columbian?" (p. 340)

Smith remote viewed the "accidental" Iraqi missile attack on the US destroyer Stark 50 hours before it occurred. He described the colors of the attacking military ("tan uniforms with black belts and bits of red and green."), the unprofessional nature of the attackers ("they reminded me of a militia as opposed to a professional military"), and the explosion itself ("The structure/vessel shivers, shakes, quivers. 'There were a 'clang,' a 'screech,' and a 'metallic squeal...'").

A final story I'll share is that of the rogue DEA agent, Charles Frank Jordan. This agent had turned bad and escaped custody. The DEA was convinced he was in the Caribbean. A remote viewer thought he was in Wyoming. "This information was so out of line with where Jordan was thought to be, that at first the authorities were inclined to ignore it. Finally, one agent decided that it would do no harm to alert police in that part of Wyoming.(p. 384)" Jordan was apprehended shortly after that - in Wyoming!

I highly recommend Reading the Enemy's Mind.

I'm a Pug fan, so I'll admit bias. The book is on my media room/bar coffee table and our guests have often been delighted with some of the opinions expressed by Wilson.

It's just a fun book.

I loved this book, and received it as a gift. I wish I could get my pugs to pose like that for pictures, how does she do it? I have purchased this book for other pug friends of mine, and they have simply adored it. I highly suggest this book as a gift to a pug person.

The Tao of Pug is a wonderful book. I had never noticed the similarity between pug behavior and Taoism before. Taoists believe that people are good by nature, and that one should be kind to others simply because such treatment will probably be reciprocated. Pugs are naturally friendly and trusting. Taoism is focused on nature. Pugs happen to be very fascinated with nature (mostly by the parts of nature that are edible). Taoists seek answers to life's problems through inner meditation and outer observation. Have you ever seen the quizical look of a pug? This is a fun approach to both Tao and the Pug!

The Tao of Pug has great snapshots of pugs, and comically done by "Wilson the Pug", Nancy Levine's pug. 'Black and white isn't so bad', I always think to myself, looking at the pug photos. 'I believe it's just a nice, warm, way of showing pugs off.' The Tao of Pug will always be a family favorite!

This was great book. The pictures are awesome. It's a must for all pug lovers. I might be a little biased, though, I have a pug named wilson.

I love Max Lucado. His writings inspire me to be a better person. You can't go wrong with anything he writes be it children's books or adult books.

Lucado does it again. He takes a topic that is often deeply unsettling for many- the end. When Christ comes. And he takes all our worries and uncertanties gently, understandingly and reassures each one. Things that I've been afraid to admit as a Christian such as being worried about being disappointed when Christ comes (hard to explain until you read the book, but an example would be an expectant mother being disappointed because she wants to raise her baby) ...these things we don't want to admit, Lucado understands. He affirms our feelings. However, he also has a way of turning them around and reminding us of Christ's love. Trust Him.

A fantastic read.

Max helps prepare the soul for the coming of Jesus Christ. Not deep theologically, but it is still worth the reading. Very encouraging!

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors. As a fairly young Christian, I find his books easy to read and understand. His books are written in my language.

"When Christ Comes" is a book every Christian with questions about heaven should read. I read it with my husband as a devotional...it's that good. Somehow it seems that when we think of the end times, we always think of all the bad things that are going to happen and forget about the wonders of heaven. After reading this book, I am VERY excited for heaven...even more than I was before! The content in this book is suitable for new and mature Christians alike! I gave this book to my friend after she first accepted Christ and she LOVED it!

I highly recommend this book to anyone!

I fight monstrous spiritual battles with fear in my daily life with perpetually unanswered questions and unsatisfying answers to them. It is fear of death and the end of the world that puts my heart, mind and spirit into this tailspin. I have searched high and low in all places I dared to approach for musings and discussion about the end of the world, including the Mayan (read: pagan) calendar, controversial prophecies involving the papacy, the fictitious Bible code...you name it, I explored it, and came up with few answers to many of my worries.

Whether I stumbled upon Lucado's book or God led me to the one copy of it in my local bookstore, I don't know. All I know is that, through all that apocalyptic hype and static noise, Lucado drew me to the POINT, that Christ is returning to reclaim His church, to rescue us from the increasing entropy and chaos in this world around us. The POINT is not the pain and suffering we may go through to get there - that's not for us, His chosen ones. It's revenge. It's justice. Whether we live through it (the Tribulation) or not, is not the point. The point is what we do with the time we are given NOW, and searching through non-believers' theories and could-be, half-true prophecies is a huge WASTE of that time. We must keep our eyes on Him through the storms that are to come, and wait patiently for the calm, sweeping as many souls along with us as possible, so they can know His glory and rewards as well.

The only helpful and comforting piece of the truth (aside from the Bible itself) I've come across, and I've looked almost everywhere.

We love dogs especially and we used to have a beautiful black lab but she's gone to heaven now! Our children got this lab for their stepfather years ago for Father's Day and of all the pets we have had over the years; this one was extra special to us! The book is great but the hubby cannot read much of it right now as he misses lady a lot. But, from what I've seen, I like it and believe others will too! I am a big fan of the Chicken Soup books and have always been impressed with their books and this one is no exception!

Haven't had time to read a book in quite some time. I made time for this one. If your a dog lover, you can't go without reading this book. LOVED IT.
Purchaed 3 copies and gave two away.

This book is for you! Typical Chicken Soup fare but on the plus side, dogs are the lead characters. Lots of tearjerkers, heart warmers and amusing anecdotes. The format makes for perfect short reads (bathroom, waiting for appointments, lunch breaks). I recommend it highly.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I love the stories and many of them bring me to tears. They're all great & really show the unconditional love of our dogs.

Bought this for my doggy-loving husband for Christmas. He travels a lot, so he says it will be perfect airplane reading material! He's already read a few of the stories and loved them.

Love and faith are Dylan's bread and water in this novel. You can feel his pain as he watches his wife fight for her life in a deep coma, not to mention the loss of their first child. The lessons he learns and the people he meets on this journey will bring you to tears and then put a smile on your face. Read with a box of tissues and then buy a copy for everyone you know.

THis was actually the third book I have read by Charles Martin and so far my favorite. Unlike many other Southern Writers, He is not a tourtured soul beyond redemption! The characters are believable and likable and well developed. Thank you for a good Read!

This was such a wonderful book that I couldn't put it down. Because of this book I have now ordered all of Charles Martin's books and everyone of them has been delightful and so well written. My husband who is a retired editor says Mr. Martin is one of the best writers that he has read in a long time. After The Dead don't Dance, I read Maggie. I did not enjoy this book. I think the way the first book ended there didn't need to be a sequel on Maggie and this book was so very depressing but since then I have read When Crickets Cry, Chasing Fireflies and Wrapped in Rain. All of these books were delightful and very moving. I have already pre-ordered his next book coming out in July. I can't imagine anyone reading Charles Martin's books and not enjoying them.

The composition of this book is so lyrical; the writing flows in a steady stream of poetic heartbeats. I really enjoyed it. The book is very real and raw, and characters react to tragedy and trauma just as anyone else would. Some accept pain peacefully; others lash out and reject others.
Little details really help bring the characters to life. The main character and narrator, Dylan Styles may be grappling with major life decisions - what with his wife in a coma and his son's stillborn death and troubles a-plenty with his students - but he still takes time to think about silly little things, like the fact that he loves Wrangler jeans and can't stand Levis. It's this blend of big and small that really keeps the book from becoming fluffy or heavy-handed.

A nice book, very quick read. Likes, not preachy, not drowning in religion, an actual story with religious ideology interspersed rather than the other way around. Nicely crafted characters, very memorable. I'm not usually a reader of faith based fiction (I didn't even realize it was a faith based book until I was well in to the reading of it). It gives you a lot to think about without making it too hard to chew! I loved the main characters and would snap of a full book about Amos in a moment.

Dislikes, the use of popular, famous people as descriptors. I've read older books that depend on this sort of short hand (say books from the 60's and 70's) and I'm always like "huh?" as I don't get what the author is referring to and it takes me completely out of the story. This device was used throughout the book and unless there is some revision down the line, a lot of it will not be understood by the reader. Even I had a problem knowing some of the current music (country western) references made in the book. But that may sound nit-picky for a book I read completely in one sitting. I truly couldn't put it down!