X Books

The Boeing X-20 program or DynaSoar started out as a follow on to the X-15 program from North American Aviation. It was to go higher, faster and farther than the X-15. Many of its pilots were from the X-15 project. But as the space age came along hard and fast with astronauts in orbital flights missions, the X-20 mission went from a sub orbiting glider to orbital 3 day spacecraft. One pilot to a three man vehicle. For awhile the Dynasoar tried to cope until The secretary of Defence pulled the plug in 1963. No manned space vehicles flew with wings for almost 18 years.

Robert Godwin has produced a beautiful and before now unseen look at how this project evolved. Many of his illistrations have never been seen before now. This book examines the many different concepts, designs and boosters over its nearly 15 year lifespan. The DVD alone is worth the price of the book.
An outstanding book at a great price.

The X-20 program is little known and there is very little information about it in print or on the internet. Dyna-Soar would have been a triumph of technology in it's day, instead, Robert McNamara, the same guy who led us to defeat in Vietnam, cancelled the program. All was not lost, the technology developed from Dyna-Soar was used for the Space Shuttle.

This book is a treasure chest of raw information. In addition to reports about the "nuts and bolts" of the program, it also includes a DVD with rare Air Force footage. I recomend this book to anyone interested in the early space age.

Apogee Books' "Dyna-Soar" is an amazing collection of documents, both military and contractor, of the U.S. Air Force's first hypersonic strategic glider. Since the concept of the orbiting spaceplane has been around for a while and finally(?) materialized into the Space Shuttle, this book is worth a look.

This Apogee book is different than most since it includes a DVD-ROM, instead of just a CD-ROM. On the DVD is a USAF Dyna-Soar Progress Report, a documentary "The Story of Dyna-Soar", a press conference with the X-20 roll out, silent USAF construction footage and pressure suit tests. I would say that the DVD alone is worth the price, but the text has lots of good technical information too!

Anyone familiar with Apogee Books will know exactly what they are getting - reports, memorandums, technical diagrams and official chronologies associated with the program. If you are looking for personal stories about Dyna-Soar, look elsewhere. But since it took almost 30 years to get THIS information, don't hold your breath for personal memoirs... A must-buy for the die-hards, but find a good price.

This is the most comprehensive book I've ever seen on the X-20 Dyno-Soar. It has very detailed descriptions of the research and development that was done to make this space plane a reality. It contains very interesting charts & artists conceptions of what the vehicle would have looked like. There are many photographs of mockups, test articles, and the actual me who would have flown the Dyno-Sour. The included CD contains vintage footage of the development, as well as the United States Air Force documentary about the X-20 program. I found this book a invaluable resource in my life long studies of the history of manned space flight. It really makes you wonder what could have been.

If you had asked someone from the aerospace industry in the late fifties how they thought that manned spaceflight would evolve, it's likely that they would have described something like the X-20 Dyna-Soar program. It was the logical next step beyond the X-planes of the 1946 - 1968 period, extending their performance out to orbital speeds and altitudes as part of an incremental military development program. Under other circumstances, it might have happened just like that.

Instead, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in October 1957, and turned spaceflight into one of the principal `fronts' of the Cold War. Under these conditions, there wasn't time for the measured development that the X-20 program would have called for - Instead, a ballistic approach using existing missiles was used, to get things done quickly. Also, President Eisenhower decided that the primary thrust of the American manned space program would be civilian, through the agency of NASA.

The X-20 program wasn't immediately cancelled, as a parallel military space program continued, which the X-20 would have been the flagship of. Ongoing questions about exactly what the program was intended to accomplish eventually undermined the program with Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, who finally cancelled Dyna-Soar in favour of the Air Force "Blue Gemini" and "Manned Orbiting Laboratory" projects, which were themselves cancelled a few years later.

Until now, the X-20 program has been pretty obscure, without a lot of published information available. This volume addresses that need. Like many of the releases from Apogee books, this isn't specifically a history of the program - rather, it is a collection of rare documents relating the program, along with a DVD of rare film on the program. If you already know some history of the X-20 program, and want to know more, then this is for you -- like a trip to the archives!

This book is a natural for me - I'm both a space enthusiast, and an aviation buff with an interest in the X-planes of the 1946 - 1968 period. So it gets me on both fronts.

Christopher Null- please write another book! Wow. This book is amazing... Don't hesitate to be one of the fortunate people to read this book.

In brief, this story is about a teenager, who after several years of torment (though "torment" is an understatement) at the hands of a bully/school football star, decides to get even in the most drastic way you can.

He puts his plan in action a month or so before his tormentor is about to graduate and presumably leave his life for good. I was reminded of the Columbine shootists, who performed their unforgettable carnage shortly before they were to graduate, too. You might wonder why they couldn't hang on a little longer, but I think the book does a superb job of showing how each act of bullying piles up until you start seeing things in either/or terms.

Some of the bullying seemed so extreme and unbelievable, but I'm willing to chalk that up to the fact that I've never been a teenage boy. I also had some trouble with how indifferent the protagonist's parents seemed - even when the evidence that there was something seriously wrong going on in their son's life was staring them right in the face. What happened to the protagonist seemed to go far, far beyond even what the most indifferent would chalk up to "boys being boys."

Kudos to the author for resisting the urge to make his protagonist and his friends wealthy and famous while all the baddies got their comeuppance.

The next time something like Columbine happens, those who are looking for at least a few answers to the question of "why?" should read this book. Better yet, they should go talk to their kids.

This is a book to treasure - exceptionally well-written. A solid plot with a troubled yet engaging lead character - I have no negative comments about this book. It is simply AWESOME.

this is my actual message to the author over IM:

finished your book a couple nights ago (the day after i got it) i like it a lot, very well done

i actually had certain kids in mind that played the dif roles

also strange, i pictured my jr. high caf for the caf scenes even though in the book it was hs

A very tight, well written story about bullies, victims, and high school that kept me turning pages well past bed time. The victim, Alex, is a completely believable recreation of an teenage kid pushed well past his breaking point. The story was so convincing I was flashing back to high school the entire time I read it.

I think the best part of it was that author didn't take sides in the book. Because of that you are left thinking about the characters and the story well after you have finished reading it.

These first issues of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's X-Men may not seem that great by today's standards, but taking into account that this was 40 years ago and Stan and Jack started an experimental new line of comics focusing on human drama as much as superheroics, it must be said that they were brilliant for their time. The stories are pretty basic and center around the X-Men's training under the tutelage of Professor X as well as their repeated encounters with Magneto, but the characters these tales introduce is what makes this Masterworks volume a real treat. The Vanisher, The Blob, Mastermind, The Toad, Scarlet Witch, Unus and Quicksilver all make appearances, and boy is it worth it! The battles are well drawn by Kirby, and the humor is there as well, making every panel an exhilirating read. Within a few short issues we can already see most of the characters developing into individuals with personalities, flaws and desires. How they interact with each other is also skillfully handled, and this above all makes X-Men masterworks a fine addition to any X-phile's library.

Although it was self-proclaimed before the X-Men were first published, for me the Marvel Age didn't get started until Chic Stone, Vince Colletta and Joe Sinnott arrived on the scene to ink Kirby's art. As a kid I used to read my older brother's early issues of FF, Spider-Man, Thor, even the Avengers but I didn't start actually buying the things until I saw how Chic Stone transformed the art. I could tell something was different immediately. At first I thought it was Kirby just getting better (which he was), but then I started noticing who was inking the comics. It was like a light switch had been thrown--the art work seemed electrified. It's interesting to see the transition from previous inkers to Chic Stone in this series of early X-Men. I consider him the first "Marvel Age" inker. Later you can see how Kirby and the inkers worked together to put together a product that I have yet to like better. The team of Stan Lee, Kirby and Stone, Colletta, and Sinnott were the real superheroes to me. Their work stood head and shoulders above anything else (and still hold up pretty darn good) around, with the possible exception of Ditko...

This is great stuff! Beyond the simply drawn panels, goofy characterizations and nearly adolescent plot lines there's a real sense of marvel, excitement and virtue that's just absolutely wonderful. To my thinking this book shows the beginning of the combined creative genius of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
Over the course of these earliest issues of the "original" X-Men we see Lee's seminal themes of isolation, alienation and intolerance really beginning to take root. At the same time we witness Kirby slowly depart from traditional styles of comic book illustration and gradually come into his own-by issue #10 with the introduction of Ka-zar we see the first glimmer of Kirby's eventual brilliance.
I can't see how anyone could be disappointed with the stories collected in this book.

I expected and did find the stories to be dated having been published 40 years ago. However, I still found volume one to be a very enjoyable read. I will continue with the X-Men, there are many more volumes to go.

This X-Men Masterworks reprints Unncany X-Men #1-10! These issues were originally published in 1963. they are reprinted in a full color Hardcover format published by Marvel Comics. The Marvel Comics creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created this strange science fiction world of Mutants! The X-Men team roster consist of Cyclops,Iceman,Angel,Beast,and Marvel Girl. the X-Men's Mentor is Professor X. He trains the X-Men to use their Mutant powers for the good of Mankind. the first issue features the first appearance of the X-Men,Professor X, and the super villian Magneto! Buy this X-Men Masterworks edition. Highest possible recommendation! if you want to get Unncanny X-Men#1-10 in full color, this is the place to start! Make Mine Marvel!

I just finished reading Postal Blues. Vincent Alexandria did it again. His descriptive phrases are exceptional and his surprise ending was a surprise! I am anxious to read the third book of the trilogy.

The second time around was just as good as the first!
Vincent Alexandria has done it again! His style is so visual
and emotional. Haven't read anyone similar except Eric Jerome Dickey.
The characters could be someone you know. He makes you feel just that close to them. He draws you into the story and makes it hard to put down.
The storyline keeps you guessing, with twists, turns and surprises.
Be prepared for an exhilirating ride!

This follow-up mystery to If Walls Could Talk deserves no less than five and a half stars in my opinion. As with the first book, these characters are so real. The situations are so not what I would experience on day to day settings, but I feel I'm right there in the mix. Vincent puts us in the character's heads, and I like that! I can't wait for the next book, and I would really like to see these series turned into movies... soon!

Mr. Alexandria does it again... taking us back to Kansas City... this time he welcomes us to his beautiful city with his creative description, comparing it to Paris, New York, and a country town. Detectives Johnson and Brown return to the scene with more love for family and friends, more laughs, and more respect and admiration for one another. Johnson and Brown have been promoted to Sergeant and assigned to assist the FBI. These men became my heroes!

There is nothing blue about Postal Blues. The author begins distracting us with scenes of a disgruntled postal employee within the walls of the post office. Meanwhile, a serial killer is loose just outside. As each character is introduced, you will begin to feel compassion for the innocent victims, admiration for the strong men, and anger for the criminals.

The author graphically details the crimes commited against 'ladies of the evening'. As the mystery unravels, you are sure to scream with horror and even ecstasy as the author adds his sensual flavor to soften the blows (and they are vicious). There are also amusing blows thrown into the mix that will surely entertain you. Mr. Alexandria makes mystery so suspenseful, romantic, and hilarious!

As you read this sequel, you will experience a myriad of emotions as the author takes you on a wild rollercoaster ride - making you afraid to continue, yet afraid to stop. When you decide to read on (because you can't turn back now:-), you will be glad that you boldly went... into the dark... into the river... into the pain.. and into the light as the mystery is solved and the perpetrators are found.

I highly recommend this romantic mystery!

A very enjoyable read. I can't wait for Detectives Johnson and Brown next case.

Simon writes wittily and intelligently about a number of subjects, all of which have been dramatized on the hugely popular television show "The X-Files." There have been other books about the show, episode guides and the like, but for my money this book is best.

I bought this as a bargain book but it is worth the full price! The author writes in a knowledgeable yet humourous style which makes absorption of the subject matter easy for non-scientists, and less than 40 pages into an information packed book I have learned such a lot already. I rated it 4 star because I would have liked to see a glossary at the back and colour photographs would have made a very interesting book moreso. For example, what do the sea slugs that prefer to try to eat each other before taking the alternative option of having sex look like? Other reviews here tell you that the book is based on science fact and fiction touched upon in the X-Files so I don't need to go there. Read it, learn, and laugh. There is nothing funnier than real life.

I love the X files and I'm a mixture of Mulder and Scully with regard to their beliefs. But after reading this book, I think I have become a scully!This book is so lucid and simple in its explanation of certain "paranormal" phenomenon. The author does a wondeful job combining biology and humour to explain to the lay person that not all things are paranormal and that if you do a little scientific research most of the things out there will make sense. All my knowledge on DNA, chromosomes, cancer comes from this book !Though she herself admits that not everything you see on the X files can be explained by science, most of the things that happen on a macro scale in the X files happen on a micro scale in real life. Genetic mutation is a reality, a virus surviving an cosmic travel is plausible, and so on. Finally, for those of you who are deceived by books written by the layperson/idiots/quacks, read this book and you will become fascinated as to what science has to offer.

Sexual tension aside, the coolest thing about this show seems to be the questions it poses about nature and science as we know it. And being a molecular biology student, I always get a kick out of shooting down the supposed theories that the show's characters spout out. It's hard sometimes to figure out if Chris Carter and the powers that be are really serious about certain phenomenons/ideas. This book clears it up nicely. Dr. Simon is completely knowledgeable about these topics and presents the information with much more gusto than your typical molecular biology textbook. I'd rather be tested on her book come final exams, but such is life! :)

I came upon this book at the house of a friend and couldn't put it down.

It is a wonderful read and, to a non-scientist, an entertaining and clear look at some of the scientific mysteries of the universe.

This is a perfect book for a graduation present and for anyone with an interest in brain-sucking worms, aliens and mutating organisms. I recommend it highly.

... and now I am considered the coolest uncle ever!

Who knew one spritely hedgehog could mean so much to the world? Evidently, one Charlotte Fullerton did!

Charlotte Fullerton rocks. She is the voice of blue generation.

First groundhogs, and now hedgehogs - clearly the author has a firm grasp of the intricacies of porcine life. I have avidly followed the author's professional career, and consider this a fine addition to her resume. And can only hope that this gem will be closely followed by a tome detailing the mental workings of an evil, genius, megalomaniac lab mouse and his idiot sidekick!

The Sonic books by Charlotte Fullerton are real knuckle-biters! She writes thrillers and keeps your full attention----each page is a cliffhanger! My son has never seen the television show-LOVES her books!

I think the title of my review sums it up. If you took War and Peace, Anna Karenina, and the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series and mixed them together, you'd get the sweet words of Charlotte Fullerton.

I love these Official Guides for the X-Files. They tell the entire episode in just enough detail if you may have missed something or have not paid enough attention. They also have the "Backstory" so you could find out information you ay never have even heard of. They have quotes from the fabulous stars. I just wish they would have had more from and about the stars. Bt other than that they are fabulous. I have my rating as 5 stars but because of this I would pick four and a half if I could. They tell everything you need to know and more about the greatest show to ever air!

I love this book,I especially like the behind the scenes stuff, it's great.I recommend this book to anyone who is the biggest fan in the world to the show like me.It has a great picture of David Duchovny in front of the mirror (very cute). I have almost all of season 6 on tape so it was very interesting to read the behind the scenes stuff and see how they made the episode.I have all of season 7 on tape so I can't wait for the next book to come out.I am running out of blank tapes!

I admit to being a X-Files addict, and so this was necessary to try to understand the show. It, and its previous 1 through 4, have made my interest in the X-files grow as I finally got clues and tremendous answers in reviews and stories from many missed episodes. A lot of work obviously went into these books, and I wait eagerly for volume 6.

The End and The Beginning is just another great book in a great collection. It is one of the most descriptive guides yet, with great color photos and a play by play look at each episode from season 6. If you are a true X-phile, this book is a necessity. This is a great look at the series while Scully and Mulder were still on the same planet, so to speak.

This is definitely a must-have for any X-Phile, especially if you missed an important episode of Season 6. It contains a detailed summary of every episode in a mini novel-like form, with commentary about that episode. It's also great to have if you desperately want to view a Season 6 episode, but you didn't tape it. In this book, you can READ the episode. I know it's not the same as watching it, but it's something. And for all you 'Shippers like me out there, you can re-live all the greatest 'Shipper moments, like in the episode "Triangle."--the famous kiss, and Mulder's famous "I love you" line to Scully. And let's not forget the part in "The Unnatural" where Mulder teaches her how to play baseball, or in "Dreamland" where Mulder dances in front of the mirror while in the body of Morris Fletcher.

The book also contains colorful photos commemorating every unforgetful moment of the season. Now I can't wait for the next volume. I'm one of the unfortunate people who missed the Season 7 finale, where Mulder gets abducted and Scully announces to Skinner that she's pregnant . . .

Ordinarily, I'm not a big fan of the management genre. More aphorisms than pages is not a good combo.

Tim Warneka's *Leading People the Black Belt Way* takes its time to do the job right. Not surprising, perhaps, given how Aikido -- the martial art that provides this book's philosophical center -- rewards patience. Yes, the author provides schemas to help us remember key points, but he never races through them as if prepping Intro to Management students for an upcoming quiz. His goal for his readers is genuine understanding, not rote memorization of bullet points.

Tim's prose is extremely accessible. He talks of problems that managers and their teams actually face. When he introduces concepts from the management canon, he defines them in phrases that don't demand an MBA.

Each chapter begins with a brief "story" that illustrates the upcoming topic. Don't be surprised to find that you've stopped to reflect for a few minutes before you move on. It is the nature of stories to invite readers to contemplate meaning. Far better that you start to grasp these principles organically, rather than have the author bludgeon you over the head.

Tim brings a truly fresh perspective to the management text. I honestly believe that his mission is not simply to make managers get more from their workforce, but to actually improve the world. It's not just that happy workers are more productive workers, but that happy workers are happy. So are happy managers. What's refreshing is that he doesn't consider this naive. It's a worthy common cause.

Perhaps most indicative of Tim's take on both management and the world is his assessment of Ebeneezer Scrooge. We've heard this one so often we can recite it by heart: warm and fuzzy Bob Cratchit, good; cold and calculating Ebeneezer Scrooge, bad. What a refreshing take to see Warneka focus upon Scrooge's redemption. How the Scrooge at the *end* of The Christmas Carol literally embodies the managerial lessons that Tim tries to teach throughout *his* book. We should all be like Scrooge in the end: a good man and a good manager too.

Full disclosure: I have worked with Tim on a business project and know him to be the real deal. But so is his book. Stop enumerating habits and move your darned cheese -- *this* book can teach you a lot.

Leaders must tap into the tremendous emotional power of those they lead. Yes! In a field crowded with many good books on leadership, Tim Warneka has authored one that is fresh, unique and valuable. He dips his consultant and writer's ladle deeply into pools of both leadership and Aikido wisdom, with wonderful results. Having worked as an organizational change strategist and coach for two decades myself and having practiced the Japanese martial art of Aikido for over half that period, I can tell you that you're in for many surprises and bonuses in this book. By this I mean you will come away from your reading investment with many inspiring new ideas and lots of practical tools you can immediately put to work.

Dale Biron
Principal
Core Action Assoc., Inc.
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Leaders are sometimes hard to find. Sure, there's loads of folks that have been to leadership workshops and programs to be indoctrinated with yet another leadership system. But as Warneka points out, "The world does not need one more leadership system. What the world does need is great leadership that draws on the wisdom of the body and recognizes the treasury of emotions waiting to be tapped within every organization."

Using references to the lovely and efficient Japanese martial art of Aikido, Warneka shows us the importance of the above statement. In a text that flows much like a well trained martial artist, we receive epigrams from a well known swordsman, the Tao, today's best and brightest leadership coaches and the ever important thoughts of Ghandi and Einstein. Along with all that we get examples of Warneka's tried and try methods, his well thought out "learning experiments", helpful Author's notes and an extensive bibliography/webography. And while you'll have loads of folks you'll want to buy a copy for, this book could stay in your briefcase or backpack for months and in your library indefinitely.

I could list the 5 core problems that face leaders today, the 4 tools of conflict management or the 7 solutions of black belt leadership that Warneka expounds on and offers solutions to, or I could tell you this:

Whether you're the president of your garden club developing your next fundraiser, a teacher dealing with stubborn union issues, or a Fortune 500 CEO, this book can help.

Heck, it can be helpful in issues that arise every minute of every day in every country on this planet. Working together and living together is what we do as a species, using techniques that borrow from the philosophy of yin/yang, the Gestalt Cycle of Experience, and the teachings of Joseph Campbell, just may help us become those leaders we so desperately need.

If you're looking for a goldmine of timeless leadership treasures, you'll want to add Leading People The Black Belt Way to your collection. This book is unique because Warneka weaves his vast knowledge of eastern philosophy through the basic principles of emotional intelligence. It's thought provoking and loaded with plenty gems of wisdom. He highlights key points with bolding, for easy reference later. Each chapter ends with a summary and a learning experiment to help you implement the key concepts.

The book's content is written around the framework of The Seven Solutions of Black Belt Leadership:
1. Know the Five Core Problems of Leadership
2. Understand Leadership as a Relational Process
3. Seek Harmony in Leadership
4. Lead People Rather than Pushing or Pulling Them
5. Cultivate Emotional Engagement
6. Practice Embodied Leadership
7. Follow The Black Belt Cycle of Leading People

Don't worry if you don't really understand the meaning from this list. Warneka thoroughly defines "what is meant" at the beginning of each chapter.

This book is a great investment because it's jam packed with hidden gems. It's so content rich that he could have easily broken it down to several smaller, simpler books. Warneka clearly put his heart and soul into this piece of work.

I'm an avid business book reader and I have to say that I found it to be on the difficult side to read. Each chapter is prefaced with an eastern philosophy based story, which I personally found a bit distracting. If you're going to read it cover to cover, consider taking it in bite-sized chunks to maximize the benefits. Read one chapter every 2 - 4 weeks, complete the experiments at the end, and give your self plenty of time to sift, sort, and learn from the material.

If you couldn't put down Daniel Goleman's books on emotional intelligence, you're likely to be thrilled with this book. On the other hand, if you found Goleman's books to be great reference material versus engaging and inspirational, you'll likely feel the same way about this one.

Regardless, it's a great addition to your business book library.

So begins Tim Warneka's excellent book on leadership. As a practitioner and teacher of aikido, I appreciate Tim's use of aikido as a metaphor and teaching tool. How can we acknowledge and make use of emotional energy? As leaders, we can no longer afford to ignore this question. In "Leading People the Black Belt Way," you will learn core problems facing today's leaders and how to engage and manage them. Through theory, parable, learning experiments, and real life examples, this book offers easily grasped, yet innovative concepts. Read, learn, and enjoy!

A colorful, engrossing story where real life is far more interesting than fiction as the author helps us relive his exploits. For war/aviation buffs, an adventure not to be missed.

This is a fabulous book! Incredibly good! Buy this book!

G. GORDON LIDDY

This story takes you back to a time when the world was a much larger place. Men and machines were the means to accomplish great deeds. Computers did not tell you how and when to do everything. Men actually flew by the seat of their pants and when they made a mistake they were quite often the only one's who ever knew. Laugh at the funny side of combat and feel the heat of tears when a friend is lost. Don't miss this wonderful story.

Bill Band has managed to capture the essence of a bygone era and make it live for those of us who weren't there. An exciting read.

Bill Band has told this story in a manner in which the reader understands what went on in this little understood albiet important theater and why it happened that way. It is a personal account which is engaging and well told. I'll bet Mr Band has more stories to tell .. and I hope he does.

I have to admit, I did not start reading this book voluntarily. However, once I began, it was so good that I finished it a day sooner than I needed to have it finished. I found the story to be very interesting for a few different reasons.
First, I have lived in Montana for nearly all of my life, and I have been to many of the places mentioned in this book. I have even been inside the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, where Monty served some time. Because of this, I found that it was a little easier for me to connect with the story.
Second, I am a Christian and thus was able to connect even better. It was very interesting reading about Monty's struggles with his faith and his repeated backslides. The book even gave me some information that I think will help with my own Christian walk.
For these reasons, and other more minor reasons, I really enjoyed reading this book. I cannot stress enough how true and how important its message of God's unfailing forgiveness is.

Overall, I did not find anything in this book that I would call a problem. It is a true story told from the heart with no motive other that to tell of God's forgiveness. It is very riveting and I highly recommend this book, especially to those who are or have been involved with drugs or are or have been in jail, as well as those with family members or friends in jail. As other reviewers have mentioned, this book can be very helpful in such situations. Please, if you are in such a situation, get this book and read it. It might change your life for the better.

Seventy Times Seven is a great book. The fact that it is a true story makes even better than if you thought it was realistic fiction. It is a great story about how the author, Monty, repeatedly makes horrible mistakes, trusts God to get him out of the consequences, and then turns his back on God again. The point of the story is to show us that no matter how bad we are, no matter how horrible the things are that we have done, God is waiting and willing to forgive us and to give us better lives. He finally gave in and decided to stay with God in the end and obviously he doesn't spend his time in jail or prison any more (unless preaching their) but instead in churches and such places to teach people that they can be forgiven for their mistakes and change their lives. Like most people who read this book I started reading it and didn't put it down. I finished it the day after I got it only because I started to read it at 12pm and I fell asleep at 3 something. It is a little redundant because he keeps getting in trouble, then preaches and has a good life, then gets in trouble, then preaches and has a good life, etc. But then again, we can be very redundant in our life too. We repeatedly ignore God and make decisions based on what we think is best for us (not others and not based on what God knows) and we end up in a mess. This book is about getting out of that mess. I strongly suggest reading Seventy Times Seven.

I first read Monty Christensen's 70x7 and Beyond soon after moving to Billings, Montana and receiving this free book from a fund-raising dinner the author spoke at. The fund-raiser was put on to raise money for the completion of the new Montana Women's Prison chapel that had just been built. This book is down-to earth and comes directly from one man's life and death struggle with alcohol, drugs and crime. The beautiful part of the whole book is the honest flavor of grace Monty is able express, proving to the onlooking world that God's grace is able to forgive even beyond 70x7 times. I just looked up this book on the web because I will soon send it to a friend who is now incarcerated. He, like me is not even 25 yet and he needs to know that his life is still just beginning and there is hope. I have been blessed by this book and recommend it to all who may be looking for a truthful dose of hope.

I read 70x7+Beyond not expecting all that much. I had won 2 Frank Peretti books in an online auction, and the seller out of kindness sent me this 3rd book for free. It just happened to be this little book written by Monty Christensen. Well, a few months after reading the Perreti books, I decided I'd give the extra book a shot. Honestly, I don't even recall having put the book down for more than a few hours once I started! The feeling of abandonment while reading about Christensen as a child, the feeling of desperation for him to get out of the drug scene, the disappointment of going in and out of jail and prison, of treating his wife like someone he had just met on the street, and all in the middle of this, the mercy and forgiveness of the LORD just sitting there waiting for him to repent and change his ways.

Trust me, if you've never read this book, please go out and obtain a copy as quickly as you can. I guarantee you will luv it!

I read this book in one day while I was in jail, I really could not put it down. This book has really helped me see things alot clearer.