B Books

I love more than a good book, I love one that will make you see the people and feel their emotion. This book did this and more, it made me want to pick up my paper and scissors and scrapbook for my family!

If you have ever gotton a scrapbook or made anything homemade that is a gift of love for someone else you will just die to read this book!! It celebrates the relationships that Scrapbookers preserve through their art.
It is about friendships and love and girlfriends and real, real life!

You will love it!!
Jillene Moen
[...]

Natasha and Emma have been best friends ever since their mothers were roommates on the maternity ward. They were playmates as kids, best friends all the way through school, and though life has taken them in very different directions, are still as inseparable as when they were first born.

Emma is happily married, a stay-at-home mom to three wonderful kids, and an avid scrapbooker. Natasha, on the other hand, moves from relationship to relationship, travels all over the world due to her job as a lawyer, doesn't think she has a creative bone in her body, and is perfectly content just being "Auntie Tashi" to Emma's children.

Life seems just about perfect for them both, but early foreshadowing shows the reader that all is not as it ought to be for the two friends.

The Scrapbook is a charming book about love and friendship that'll strike a chord with any female reader, even one who isn't interested in scrapbooking herself (that'd be me). The writing style makes it read like a series of blog entries, which allows the reader to feel like she really knows the characters and has been granted a special insight into their lives. This way of writing a novel, as well as the fact that the happenings in the book are all very realistic, made me occasionally doubt whether the book was fictional or not, which just added to the feeling of knowing the characters as more than `just' people in a book.

Like many other chick lits, The Scrapbook doesn't quite escape being predictable at times-something that was made even more apparent because of the heavy use of foreshadowing-but Peggy Baker still managed to surprise me often enough that it didn't become tedious. I might have guessed the ending early, but not how they got there. She would have benefitted from fewer references to the move "Casablanca" though. Fortunately I'd seen the movie, but readers who haven't might be thrown for a loop by the numerous mentions of it.

Peggy Baker herself is an eager scrapbooker, which shows in the book, and she realistically describes the scrapbooking community existing online. Even the book's layout is inspired by scrapbooking, with each chapter heading being made in a different style.

Armchair Interviews says: A delightful read.

I loved this book! It was a great escape for me, an easy read, and I couldn't stop reading. It sort of reminded me of the movie "Beaches" - but with a twist that goes deeper than you could have guessed. I would say that this novel would appeal to a non-scrapbooker, just as much as someone who relates to scrapbooking. A scrapbook is involved in some of the story, but it is not about scrapbooking, so much. I recommend it VERY HIGHLY!

Peggy has done a fabulous job of putting the art and love of scrapbooking into words. If you are a scrapbooker, you will love and appreciate all the references in this book. But if you're not a scrapbooker, I think you will come to understand through this novel what makes us craft our memories into albums. How wonderful to have this book on my shelf to read time and again!

Secret of the Swamp King was another great book in the Wilderking Trilogy. Anyone who likes fantasy should read it.

This series is enthralling for my 10 year old daughter (who reads at a 8th grade level). It has adventure, danger, excitement and folklore to capture and maintain interest.

Young Aidan now serves at the court of King Darrrow. But his popularity also makes him dangerous enemies. Things come to a head when Darrow receives an anonymous letter claiming that Aidan is maneuvering to overthrow Darrow. Furious, the king sends Aidan into Feechiefen Swamp on a perilous quest. When Aidan reaches the swamp, he learns of a feechie war band led by the WilderKing. Who is this imposter? This second installment raises the stakes from the first book

Jonathan Rogers obviously loves C.S. Lewis' world of Narnia (see "The World According to Narnia"), and decided to create another fantasy world where kids and adults alike can see many "heart issues" of life portrayed in a creative way. The Secret of the Swamp King (Book 2 of the Wilderking Trilogy) is a great read for kids as they can imagine themselves in the shoes of Aiden Errolson. Aiden is the main character whose life is followed on his many adventures and challenges through his life in The Realms of Corenwald. Though he lives in a world totally foreign to the reader, it is very easy to relate to his troubles and joys during his journeys.
The book is a great link for the trilogy, leading to the more impressive climax in the 3rd book, "The Way of the Wilderking".
Well worth the time, especially to read with/give to kids.

I've got to hand it to MR. Rogers, he's done a wonderful job of following up on young Aidan Errolson. He's now a few years older and a member of King DArrow's court. True to the biblical parallels with David, Aidan has incurred the jealous wrath of his king. He may be the most loyal member of King Darrow's court, but Aidan is sent on a suicide mission to the Feechiefen Swamp in order to retrieve the legendary Frog Orchid. King Darrow thinks to see the end of young Aidan, but he meets up with his friend Dobro and becomes a Feechie friend to all Feechies. There's someone impersonating the legendary Wilderking out in the Feechifen and Aidan must find out who is enslaving Feechies to the civilizers ways of war and commerce. This book has more action and more intrigue to it. I loved it and read it in two days. Highly recommended!--James Somers, author: The Chronicles of Soone.

This was listed as the top choice for obsessive-compulsive disorder by the Carlat Report for December 2005 in a review of self-help books in psychiatry (www.thecarlatreport.com).
It is very much a self-help book, directed at patients rather than professionals, but some of the methods recommended seem to assume that a professional is involved and it discusses the use of medication. Indecisions and mentisme are not covered but hoarding (which is seldom due to OCD)is. As with several other self-help books it is without references or statistics so that we have to take some of the claims for effectiveness on trust. The professional reputations of the authors are so high that I would be inclined to trust them, although in some of the cases described the remedy looks worse than the disease. Their recommendations for dealing with contamination fears, and also their techniques for coping with contrast ideas, might be quite distressing.
An academic quibble is that the techniques mostly seem to be plain vanilla behavior therapy, rather than cognitive. The cognitive therapy of Beck (and its avatar, the rational-emotive therapy of Ellis) involve arguing patients out of their symptoms by convincing them of the logical errors of their thinking, a futile endeavor in OCD. This book recommends the kinds of treatment that many of us have found useful empirically whatever our theoretical background.
Sigmund Freud (in one of his letters to Binswanger) discusses a case of OCD and recommends what is called in Norman Guterman's translation "counter-compulsion." (His classic paper on OCD is usually considered the 1909 "Rat Man" whom he did treat by psychoanalysis. That was published as "Der Familienroman der Neurotiker Bemerkung einen Fall von Zwangneurose" for those of you who own the Sammlung kleiner Schriften. In the Collier paperback series, edited by Philip Rieff, the "Rat Man" case is in "Three Case Histories" )
Where Foa and Wilson fall short of Freud, and of Judith Rappaport's "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing," is in literary merit. They write clearly and understandably but this is not something that the general reader would want to read cover to cover.

The book describes a host of obsessive/compulsive behaviors together with strategies to overcome them. For instance,
washers tend to clean their hands multiple times, take many
showers and repeat actions obsessively or due to shear habit.
Repeaters tend to repeat actions compulsively until they are
performed perfectly or to the perceived satisfaction of
the person with "a repeater" behavioral trait. Hoarders tend
to gather "things" out of a fear of discarding something
valuable. The hoarder may keep every possession ever owned
for fear of throwing out a single valuable thing. Hoarders
never consider the opportunity cost of space. As a self-help book, the authors identify classic situations that trigger these
unhealthy behaviors. Once identified, specific strategies are
provided to combat the undesired behaviors/behavioral traits.
A strength of this book is that it helps you to conquer a host
of unhealthy demons which trigger neurotic retaliatory
responses. The authors encourage readers to act contrary to
these destructive proclivities every time they surface.
The book is worth the price charged-many times over.
The issues addressed are rarely talked about or admitted to
during the conduct of public discourse. This book provides
readers with a private forum to discover their eccentric
behaviors without the penalty of public chastisement or
derision. The book is recommended highly for this purpose
alone.

This book saved my life nine years ago. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. My life is no longer ruled by anxiety. Thank you R.W. and E.F.

This is an excellent book. I think it is the best self-help book on OCD. Luckily my CB therapist does these exact techniques with me in therapy so it's like this book is a hard-copy of the work I am doing. It's a great reference manual. Take this book seriously - it will help you if you follow the practices with as much patience and effort as you can. The thing that clicked for me after ready only the first few chapters of this book, is that my thoughts are obsessions! They are exagerrated, irrational, not based on reality! I never before could grasp that concept because I actually believed that my obsessions and suspicions might be real (that I was just missing something) and that somehow my mental compulsions would help me to relieve the tension and anxiety that my obsessive thoughts were causing. It's amazing... it all literally clicked. These thoughts are obsessions. They are NOT REAL!! Wow.

This book comes highly recommended by my doctor and is living up to its reputation!

This thin volume provides an excellent introduction to many of the most important supreme court cases that shape this country, and could be used as a guide for further readings on them. Each chapter review a specific topic (separation of church and state, discrimination, etc.), with important cases looking at different aspects of it. Highly recommended!

After seeing a 60 MINUTES interview with Judge Scalia recently I wanted to know more about the Supreme Court. This was one of the most interesting books I have read in years. I read it in just a few days and would highly recommend it to anyone. It talks about the evolution of the Supreme court and their most important decisons, decisions that effect us everyday. Also it is written in plain english so you do not need to be a lawyer to understand and enjoy it. Great book!

From Marbury v. Madison to Gore v. Bush, this book covers the most important cases in Supreme Court history. It's very clear and concise, an absolute delight to read.

Sure, you've heard of many of the cases in this book. But do you know what the legal underpinnings of "Roe vs. Wade" actually are? Do you know how the court derives its power?

I've been talking to everyone I know about this little gem, because it is so darn readable, and so relevant. Yesterday my local paper ran a story about filtering software the local library may soon install. And this morning I finished the book after reading about the cases that are directly tied to this course of action. So I can speak more intelligently about this issue, and I can read the paper with a more informed perspective.

Many of the cases are introduced by discussing a logical framework that parallels the facts of the case. The case is then introduced, and the arguments and reasoning that drove the court are discussed. Wow, that makes it sound really boring. But on the contrary, its a fun read and each chapter is short and encapsulated. Highly recommended.

I bought this as a gift, decided I'd better preview it first, and now I don't want to give it up. I'm ordering another one. Believe what the other 5-star reviewers have written.

There's many reasons why I'd call this the best book I've ever read, aside from the Bible. Kraybill's writing style is informative, and engaging, you really learn a lot of history, right along side of the philosophy. You can't go wrong with this book.

Donald Kraybill does an outstanding job of showing that what Jesus is all
abut is pretty much contrary to our normal assumptions--that is wahat he means by "the upside-down kingdom." What Jesus preached and what he lived is almost the opposite of what we consider normal or workable. For instance, Jesus said that the only solution to violence is non-violence, in any and all situations. We don't just tolerate those people we can't stand, we actively recriut their help, promote their well-being and have them understand that they are of immense importance, whether we agree we them or not. Love is what animates all of our thinking and doing, a love that goes out of the way to include everyone. A truly great book that will cause a person to rethink Jesus and what is meant as to His being the son of God--and just what is demanded of those of us who claim to be His followers.

The book, The Upside-Down Kingdom, is an excellent book. I would highly recommend it. I also would highly recommend your services. You, again, were very prompt and very accurate in your response. Thank you. Agnes Goertzen

Don Kraybill has done a wonderful job of clearing any misconceptions of the purpose of Jesus' ministry in the three years he was on this earth. Kraybill looks at opposites in our society such as rich and poor, slave and free, amongst others and tackling the realities of each being apart of the other. The book has had a real impact on my relationship with God and my relationship with others. I recommemd the book to anyone who is looking for ways to make changes in our right-side up kingdom.

I will never forget the confused look I received from the audience when I said, "The Kingdom of God is Upside-Down." This revealed to me that many Christians probably have not given a lot of thought to the Kingdom of God. If the Body of Christ fully understood this Kingdom... I don't think she would squinch her eyes at the words "Upside Down." And I certainly don't believe we would be giving in to the temptations Christ rejected!

Kraybill focuses primarily on the temptations of Christ (Matt.4) to reveal the true character of the Kingdom of God. Jesus rejected the temptations in the bread (the economic), the temple leap(the religious), and the kingdoms of the world (the political)... thus accomplishing heaven's task in a way that is foolishness to the world(1 Cor.1:18). If you have had a hard time understanding the Kingdom of God and want to learn how this Kingdom makes no sense to human wisdom... but is the power of God to those being saved... get this book. Wonderful insights into the radical claims of the Kingdom!

I would also like to recommend "The Gospel of the Kingdom" by George E. Ladd

This was one of the best books on leadership in a church setting. The book is a revelation of the heart. As you are reading, the insights that are given hit home into the chest because you can relate to the situations. It is a comforting book because of the feelings that are generated. You realize that you are not alone with the feelings that come from leading a congregation. This is one of the best ministerial books I have ever read. It would be best for a minister of course, but also elders within the church would grow from it. The book begins with a character studies of Moses, David, Paul, and Jesus. These character studies connect well with the present leader. The nature of leadership within God's people have not changed much through the centuries. God's process of developing leaders is the same. The book continues with an exploration of a leader's culture, call, community, communion, conflict, and the commonplace. All of these chapters are excellent with the section on conflict being the best. The book is a modern day masterpiece for congregational leadership. It is a book that is intended to refine and train the heart. It accomplishes the desired purpose.

This is an outstanding work about leadership in the church. It is written in such a way as to bring leaders out of their seats and into the 21st century. "A Work of Heart" will change your thinking about leading today's church.

It is said that before one can address a problem - or opportunity - one must understand that problem (or opportunity). McNeal certainly has understood the opportunity offered the Christian Church to reach out to a pre-Christian (not post-Christian) North American culture. This work presents a passionate appeal to transition to a missional, externally focused approach to ministry by gaining insight into how God shapes the hearts of spiritual leaders through six distinct shaping dynamics in the Christian life. These spiritually formed leaders will have drawn closer to the heart of God, thus recognizing their call to serve in Jesus' name and in His way. Excellent book. Highly recommend.

Absolutely the best book on spiritual leadership and development I've ever read! I have bought and sent numerous copies to friends involved in spiritual leadership positions. I'm sold on Reggie McNeal and the powerful scriptural insights he shares.

One of the best books on leadership I have ever read. The four brief biographies (on Moses, David, Paul and Jesus) that make up the first part of the book are extremely insightful and practical. McNeal writes with authenticity and clarity. There's not a lot of "fluff" or stuff that's rehashed from one leadership book to another. Every chapter is well worth a slow read. His dry wit also adds some spice to the read. Very good stuff.

Jason Perry's book, You Are Not Your Own: Living Loud For God is pretty awesome. It really made me want to live sold out for Him. Even if you're not a Plus One fan like I am, I encourage you to read this book. It will change your life for the better.

... this the best book I have read in my entire life and I am not just saying that because I am a BIG Plus One fan!! Lets just say that Jason is a man after Gods own heart, just like David in the Bible. This book has touched my life in an unexplainable(sp.) way!! ...

Ok i'll admit it right now... guilty as charged... i'm a big plus one fan. At first it was cuz of looks but that's changed alot in the past few months. when i read Jason's book i was amazed... he's so open in the book. he tells things that if it were me i'd be kinda afraid to share with people. Jason isn't amazing because he's cute or he has a good voice or because he wrote a book, Jason is who he is because God made him that way. God has used Jason, and the guys of Plus One in my life through their music. I would definately recommend Jason's book to any teen(or even adult probably). I know this is a "you are not your own" review... but while i'm at it i'd also recommend and of plus one's cd's. The Promise, Obvious, or even their new one that's about to come out... Christmas...

Jason Perry became an adult while with the very popular Christian boy band Plus One (he left the group at the end of 2002). Once you read this book, you will realize that he also grew up spiritually as well.

Think of "You Are Not Your Own: Living Loud For God" as an autobiography of Jason's walk with the Lord. Although it is a very short book (only 127 pages), Jason has bared his soul to us completely. He not only shares the good, but the bad as well. Many people, especially those who grew up in the church, should be able to relate to Jason.

God has worked wonders in Jason's heart, which will become very obvious to you as you read the book. Though written for an audience his age and younger, even those like me who are (much) older will be touched by Jason's openness and honesty.

Thank you, Jason, for listening to the Lord and sharing with us. I have been truly blessed by it.

This book is TOTALLY AWESOME .It will draw you closer to God.It will encourage,challange,and bring you into a closer relationship with Him!This book is really helping me with my walk with God and it is showing me the areas I need to give to Him.Believe me you or the person you'll be buying it for will love it.I can hardly put it down.I hope Jason writes another book.Believe me you will not be disappointed.Even if you're not a Plus One fan you you will still definitely enjoy it.God Bless!

All of Grace was a wonderful book. It was rich with doctrinal truths that believers at any stage of their growth in Christ will appreciate. Spurgeon always humbly directs the focus on God and His word and brings the reader greater understanding into the riches of God's grace. He makes it very clear that God's mercy and grace is not earned, but given freely - Eph 2:8,9. The chapters dealing with Salvation and Faith are extremely helpful. The book is written in devotional form, so it is excellent for bible studies, or for your personal devotional time with the Lord.

Good book about the grace of God and salvation to everyone that believes in Christ Jesus.

We need to believe in the forgiveness of our sins. God gives us a new heart and a right Spirit through salvation.

Recommend to those that want to understand what salvation is all about.

As with all works done by Spurgeon, this is a timeless classic. First printing in 1894, it is still in print. Simple yet profoundly true, Spurgeon explains the true Grace of God with a heart desire that many will come to know Christ through this work. I actually bought a whole case of 120 of these in paperback to give away from Moody Press. The audio version is awesome. I loaded it onto my iPod to listen while on the go.

There are three great strengths of this book; 1)the ability to make the gospel so clear that even a child can understand, 2)it is written in modern english, and 3)the chapters are very short and to the point. Asking someone to read this is one of the easiest ways to introduce the subject of Christ. The book provides a basis of discussion and followup that many can not deny.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon is considered by many to be the greatest preacher of the 19th century. This book, subtitled, "An Earnest Word with Those Who Are Seeking Salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ," is Spurgeon's great explanation of salvation and God's grace. He explains what God has done and why, and what we must do to be saved and to persevere in the faith.

This is a great book, showing the power and intelligence that form the bedrock of Spurgeon's reputation. But, even more, herein you really see his earnest concern for those who are unsaved and dying in their sins. I found this book to be enlightening and uplifting.

It's a truly wonderful book, a true classic of Christian literature - as much alive and relevant to today as it ever was. I highly recommend this book!

This is a great resource for individuals looking for some leadership pointers.

Since I became a civilian a few years ago, I've struggled somewhat with explaining to my team how to adapt what I "know" about Army leadership into terms they can understand.

This book does a great job of putting the fundamentals of Army leadership into terms civilians can understand, and better yet, implement or integrate into their leadership experience.

The fundamentals apply to every organization, and I highly recommend it to any student of leadership!

I recently re-read this book, curious to know to what extent its content remains relevant. My conclusion? It is even more relevant today than it was when first published in 2004. In Richard E. Cavanagh's Foreword, he recalls a discussion during dinner with Peter Drucker and Jack Welch who shared the same opinion that the United States military services do the best job developing leaders. What we have in this volume is an adaptation by Frances Hesselbein and General Eric K. Shinseki (USA Ret.) of Field Manual 22-100, Army Leadership, with assistance from Alan Shrader. Hesselbein and Shinseki also wrote the Introduction. The material is carefully organized within seven chapters, followed by a Conclusion that reviews the most important points, correctly noting the unique and compelling role that the U.S. Army has played since June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year.

With regard to the book's title, "Army leadership begins with what the leader must Be, the values and attributes that shape a leader's character...People want leaders who are honest, competent, forward-looking, and inspiring...People willingly follow only those who know what they are doing. One of the quickest ways for a leader to lose trust and commitment of followers is to demonstrate incompetence...Character and competence, the Be and the Know, underlie everything a leader does. But character and knowledge - while absolutely necessary - are not enough. Leaders act; they Do...They solve problems, overcome obstacles, strengthen teamwork, and achieve objectives. They use leadership to produce results."

I realize that these concepts seem simple. In one sense they are. However, in this context, I am reminded of what Oliver Wendell Holmes once said: "I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity." The challenge to any organization when developing leaders is to guide those involved to the other side of complexity." The composite of excerpts from Be-Know-Do identifies core concepts, to be sure, but it also describes the character, competence, knowledge, and results-driven initiative that the U.S. Army seeks to develop within every one of its soldiers, regardless of rank. "No one is only a leader; each person in an organization is also a follower and part of a team. In fact, the old distinction between leaders and followers has blurred; complex twenty-first-century organizations require individuals to move seamlessly from one role to another in an organization, from leadership to `followership,' and back again."

Hesselbein and Shinseki are to be commended for their skillful adaptation of Field Manual 22-100, Army Leadership, but also for the inclusion within the narrative of relevant material from sources outside the U.S. Army organization. For example, they quote prominent business thinkers throughout the narrative: James Kouzes and Barry Posner on leadership by example (page 24), John Gardner on the importance of a shared vision (page 30), Patrick Lencioni on teamwork (page 86), and John Kotter on a leader's "quest for learning" (page 132). Readers will also appreciate the provision of various "Exhibits" such as 5.1 that provides a brilliant illustration of Team-Building Stages.

Those who share my high regard for this volume are urged to check out Frances Hesselbein's other works that include The Leader of the Future 2: Visions, Strategies, and Practices for the New Era co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, On Leading Change: A Leader to Leader Guide co-authored with Rob Johnston, and Leading for Innovation: and Organizing for Results co-edited with Goldsmith and Iain Somerville. Also, I highly recommend the wealth of resources available at the Leader to Leader Institute (http://www.leadertoleader.org/), a non-profit and tax exempt organization that includes a subscription to its magazine among several membership benefits.

Although this book is required reading, not only for ARMY OCS, but also for other applications, it is quite possibly the most BORING read ever.

While the information is quite valid *and* genius, basically the ARMY's system on leadership, it is just plain boring... Sorry, it's the truth.

For the price, the information is golden. In fact, even if the price were higher it would still be worth what you pay. But even still, this was a painful 171 pages to read!!

BUY IT. READ IT. GET IT OVER WITH...! :)

The world's benchmark with respect to leadership is the market driven capitalist company, however it seems they have lost their way when compared to the US Army. After you read this book you will be shocked to find out how far ahead of private business the US Army is in the area of Leadership.

Ultimately the US Army has determined that in some fashion everyone that reports to you is also a leader and needs to be trained and respected as such. The US Army's leaders are actively developed at all levels so that they can lead and develop others - no lip service here.

I just started reviewing books this month, but this book is one of my favorites among those that I've read. I am an above average webmaster and found this book extremely useful. You know the saying "someone always knows more"? Well this book is a prime example of that saying. This Adsense book is one of the most up to date on the Internet today!

DAMN RIGHT! This is The Best Damn Google Adsense Book. As other reviewers have stated, this might be the best google adsense book on Amazon, and that's saying something because there are more then a few really good ones here.

This is the best Google Adsense book available on amazon, plain and simple. This is the most up to dat Google Adsense book available on amazon at this time in my opinion. I like a few of the others also but this is by far my #1 Adsense pick.

Well worth the $39.99 I paid for it, my sites are now making more the that each month solely because of this book. Thanks so much!

I never knew you could earn money in so many different ways online. It just amazes me that everyone doesn't start a website who has a computer. It's like there's free money out there for those who have knowledge of it. This book is great!