J Books

I bought this book in a second hand book it is a briellient story and enjoyed reading it very much.

I first read these in high school and now atleast every 2 or 3 years I read them again. This time around (I'm 27 now) when I had the urge to read them I couldn't find them. I really wish they would make them into a movie trilogy! It's just a great read if you love nature and magic and remember being 16 and in highschool. I hope I read this until I am an old grandma and can get lost in time and pretend I am cassie!

I love this trilogy. I've loved it since I was about ten, and I still love it. It has pride of place on my bookshelf, and every now and again, I go back and re-read it.

In this first book, Cassie Blake, a highschool junior, finds herself suddenly uprooted when her mother moves them back to the tiny Massachusetts town of New Salem. They move in with her grandmother, and before long, a girl at Cassie's school has been murdered and Cassie has taken her place in the mysterious 'Club', a group of teenage witches who can trace their lineage all the way back to the days of the Salem witchcraft trials. Add to that is the menacing and beautiful Faye, Cassie's growing attraction to her best friend's boyfriend, and the search for the coven's lost Master Tools, and you have yourself a gripping and fast-paced start to a thrilling young adult trilogy.

That's not to say that the story doesn't have its problems, one of which is the somewhat underdeveloped secondary characters. Even this is excusable, however, given that there are eleven of them in the coven itself, not to mention various relations and townspeople. If nothing else, most of the coven members are clearly defined and given at least a few pages of close attention, such as the bike ride with Deborah in the second novel. Overall, a very satisfactory read, and well worth buying.

When I was about 13 or 14 I read and re-read these book over and over again. I even recorded them on tape so that I could listen to it while I was out and about.

I loved this trilogy.

Everyone can relate to Cassie in feeling different in a group and in this day and age magic is really popular, so this trilogy is the best for those that are coming of age in this time period when we are obsessed with darkness and magic, etc.

I plan on buying a new set because I wore my old set (given that was 13 years ago) out.

I first read this book when I was 12. For some reason I was not able to get ahold of the next two books in the series. Well, the ending left me so curious to know what happened that I felt compelled (at the age of 24) to track down the next two books in the series to find out what happened. I have to say that I enjoyed reading it the second time as much as I enjoyed the first. The characters are all well formed and interesting. These books are an excellent synthesis of religious accuracy and compelling imagination.

Although this is an older title I still use it quite frequently. If you do any kind of writing, whether academic/legal/leisure I highly recommend this book. Sometimes I just can't find the right word to convey the intended message so I open this up and 9 times out of 10 I come away with the word I'm looking for.

This book is a must if you are thinking of writing anything. Great buy, great condition - Thanks for the fast and honest transaction!

The Synonym Finder is an excellent resource and should be on every writer's desk. This book was recommended to me and I am so pleased!

Flawless transaction, item as described, very happy with vendor and the way sale was handled, no problems at all, very prompt service, absolutely reliable. I love this book, if you need help with synonyms, this is the book!

This tool, invaluable for anyone who takes seriously the written word, should never have gone out of print. I'm hoping to find copies for three grandchildren who have finally come to admire the simple declarative English sentence.

So of course it thrills my heart that my two nieces (2.5 and 5) like it too.

This book is really an early reader, it's not *intended* for children under that age, though of course it can function as a read-aloud for little-little ones. (Not always - my younger niece won't always sit through this one, it's a bit long!)

There are two running plots in the book, one about hats, and one about where the dogs are all ultimately going; these two plots meet marvelously at the end of the book. (For *months*, I couldn't go a day without having to re-enact "Do you like my hat? I do, I like that hat, what a party hat!" with the older niece!)

Most of the book, however, is caught up with just basic vocabulary words, mostly about dogs - "One dog going in, three dogs going out" or "The sun is up, the sun is yellow, the yellow sun is over the house".

This can be a little tedious, but I the kids don't seem to think so - even at their fidgiest, they want me to say every word.

This is my favorite book of all time. I can't recommend it highly enough. If the "dog party in the trees" doesn't capture your imagination, I don't know what will. For the last forty years or so, I have been looking -- and I mean this literally, not figuratively -- for said party. That's a bit cracked, I know, but I just can't help myself.

I loved this book and read it all the time when I was little. I plan on buying it when I have kids. The pictures are colorful and fun. The words are easy to learn and each page seems to come alive with it's own story.

Can recite the whole book. I always buy this for baby showers!. It is a fun and happy book and I always loved reading it to children.

My grandson loves this book. He's only 18 months but loves to cuddle up w/this book.

I stumbled across a nearly-complete set of the "Night World" books at the local paperback-trade-exchange a few weeks after having received positive recommendations from another vampire reader.

Poppy, a sixteen-year-old peppy redhead, is given the death sentence of cancer in the beginning of the novel; her only alternative to a painful death is, in fact, undeath at the fangs of her best friend and crush, James Radmussen. But consequences must follow their desperation, and our quick-decisioned pair is no exception.

"Secret Vampire" has an ethereal quality to it that's somewhat unusual, especially in young adult literature; the only book with similar overtones that I can think of off the top of my head would be the mega-bestseller Twilight, albeit "Vampire" is of a much more abbreviated length.

Smith hits the nail (or stake, as you prefer) on the head with this novel, an excellent pick for younger readers who haven't yet progressed to the full-out selection of heated paranormal romance. But "Vampire" is enjoyable for anyone.

The characters are sympathetic if a bit unexplored -- but that comes with the terrain of short novelettes. It's certainly no slight to James or Poppy -- I just want to learn more about them, as well as James' nefarious cousin, the enigmatic Ash.

Entertaining with a dark taste of romantic flair; a good read.

8.0/10

This was a really great book. It really touches you when James wants to save Poppy. Poppy is dying of Pancreatic Cancer when her best friend James says he can save her by turning her into a vampire. Everyone should definetly read it. It isn't my favourite book in the series but it is a good start. I really like the way L.J.Smith brings out the characters feelings. It makes you feel what the characters are feeling and leaves you quite emotional.It is such a good book it makes you start to think there is a real night world. My Friend and I love the series and want more books out. I recommend this book to people who like vampire,romance,horror and emotional books. It is da best! L.J.Smith is totally cool!

If you get the chance to read this book do it. I read the entire Night World Series when I was in the 6th grade, 7 years ago, (with the exception of The Chosen because it was out of print so early on) and loved every one of them. A few days ago I saw my copy of this book lying around and thought hhmm...I should read this. I'm 18 years old now and I still loved it as much, if not more, as I did when I was 11. I've decided to read the enitre series all over again, which means I'm rebuying a few of them. Even if you're not really into Vampires you will love it, it has romance and a great story behind it.

L. J. Smith's fantasy/horror series "The Night World" deals with the existence of a secret society of witches, vampires and shape shifters, and how they interact with the inhabitants of the human world. Although humans have long since gained superiority in the world over the "Night World" minority, the supernatural creatures treat humans with distain and prejudice, often calling them "vermin" and plotting ways in which to regain power over the world.

As such, it is fine for Night World inhabitants to deal with humans in whichever way they please as long as 1. Humans never find out about the Night World and 2. They are never fallen in love with. As the introductory page in every books proclaims: "These are stories about what happens when the rules get broken."

The summer holidays are beginning, and teenager Poppy North is looking forward to hanging out with her twin brother Philip and best friend James Rasmussen. Then disaster strikes - she collapses, is rushed to hospital and diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis is terminal and the cure doesn't exist... and she doesn't have much time left.

Her family are devastated but James is in a frenzy - because he thinks he knows of a way to save her. Unbeknownst to Poppy all this time, James is a vampire and knows that a sure-fire way of saving her is to turn her into a vampire like him. There are several problems however: her family for one thing, and the underlying Night World laws that strictly forbid such involvement in human lives. Poppy would not only have to hide from her own family, but the Night World as well - and does James really want to give her a life of such isolation?

But when Poppy finds out, she makes the decision: she wants to live and she and Phillip prepare for her death and resurrection. The bulk of the storyline is concerned with this detailed process of becoming a vampire which is described in technical rather than mystical tones, told from the three conspirators point of view: James, Phillip and Poppy. The third act is devoted to Poppy's new life as a vampire and her displacement within the world - discovering James has endangered himself for her sake, she decides to take off on her own...but can she manage her new life as a vampire and the new dangers it possesses?

"Secret Vampire" is an entertaining enough read, but certainly not the best of the "Night World" series. Poppy is not L. J. Smith's strongest heroine (at some points she's extremely annoying) and the story itself often goes off onto several tangents with poor reasoning and illogical decisions from many of the characters. And of course, the forced happy-ending is a little hard to swallow - it would have been more poignant if everything wasn't tied up in a neat little bow.

It is not quite the strong beginning that it should have been for the first book in the series, but still a promising one, with a lot of potential for later books. The general premise of a Night World is an intriguing one (especially for the pre-teen audience that they are intended for) and the books get infinitely better as the series goes on. Right from the very beginning Smith introduces minor characters that are later used as protagonists in later installations; namely Ash Redfern and Thea and Blaise Harman. Poppy and James themselves turn up again in "Soulmate" as part of a Circle Daybreak meeting.

Sadly, the "Night World" series has never been completed, as the last book "Strange Fate" has not yet been published - something that may make you reluctant to begin this series. However, although the major story-arc is never completed, each book does stand on its own as a separate story and make good "holiday reads" (books that don't require too many brain cells and are easily entertaining).

Poppy North is a typical sixteen-year old--she gets through school by being smarter than her teachers; likes to irritate her straight-laced twin brother, Phil; listens to New Age and techno music; has a secret crush on her best friend, James; and wakes up on the first morning of summer vacation before her senior year of high-school with nothing more paramount on her mind than what she can do with an entire summer spent with James.

Until the pain in her abdomen, which has steadily been increasing, working its way around to her back, keeping her awake at night, and causing her to lose weight, sends her to the doctor. Who then sends her to the hospital for tests. Where doctors then inform her that she has pancreatic cancer--the kind that will kill you within three weeks to three months.

Poppy, of course, isn't ready to die. Watching the reaction of her family--twin brother Phil, her mother, and step-father Cliff--only brings the truth closer to home. Poppy is going to die, there's nothing anyone can do about it, and it's going to be painful.

Except there is someone who can do something about it. James Rasmussen, her best friend from El Camino High School, her secret crush, a boy who now tells her something impossible--he's a lamia, a boy who was born a vampire, a member of the Night World, and he can change Poppy into a vampire to avoid certain death.

Of course Poppy doesn't believe him at first, but then what choice does she have? There's always been something different about James, and now she knows exactly what the difference is. So she agrees to become a vampire, knowing she'll have to leave her family behind, but knowing it's the only way to avoid certain death.

What follows is a fast-moving, interesting story about Poppy's immersion into becoming a vampire, the toll it takes on her brother, Phil, who finds out what they're doing, and the danger it puts James in. Because there are only two rules of the Night World: Never let the humans know it exists, and never fall in love with one of them. James has broken both of those rules.

What a great start to the Night World series! Towards the end of the book we meet some other interesting characters, which I'm guessing will play major roles in future books, so I can't wait to get started on the next read.

A 1000 recipes for comfort food, maybe not from your mother, but from someone else's.
Just good cooking, straightforward, cooking that you can do at home.

Give this cookbook to all your friends, even the ones addicted to complicated cooking full of exotic ingredients.

This book is GREAT!!! It has a ton to mouth-watering recepies and is really worth the money.

I have really enjoyed this cookbook. I'm finding that it's a great source for good, basic recipes for all of my favorite traditional dishes. I also like the variations I've discovered on some old favorites -- the Baked Acorn Squash, for example, which uses orange juice to create a delicious sauce.

I really like this cookbook. Some parts seem very retro and homey, others quite current. A few of the recipes seem so simple you'll wonder why they're in a book, but they're helpful anyway, and sometimes become a springboard to lily-gilding (my weakness). I've only had a problem with one recipe, the bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin (the instructions call for way too much time in the oven). I have also had to spice things up a bit for our tastes, but I think families with small children or picky eaters will be happy with the level of seasoning. This book has become my go-to for weeknight recipes especially because they're reliable and mostly utilize pantry items.

Wonderful cookbook! I read the reviews and just had to go out and buy it for myself! I've been looking for a cookbook with EVERY classic American comfort food recipe, and this is it! It has everything from Appetizers (Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Deviled Eggs) to Breakfast (Biscuits and Gravy; French Toast and Oatmeal), Main Dishes (Chicken Parmesan, Turkey Tetrazzini, Crown Roast) to Sides (Green Bean Casserole from scratch!) and luscious Desserts (Apple Turnovers, Chocolate Cream Pie and Lindy's Original New York Cheesecake!). If you love to cook and want to get back to the good old days of comfort food, this book is a must buy!

A marvelous book. Full of facts about food along with interesting related information. Truly a fun-to-read book as well as a valuable reference.

This is a great reference book for anyone who loves to cook or just has an interest in foods of the world. At date I have bought 12 of them and have given them as gifts to friends arouond the world.

I found this book in the bookstore and thought it would help me with a new job as a cook. Well, it did more then that because it discribes nearly every type of term you could come up with when you cook.

I like how it discribes a particular food item and it's best usage. For example apple: Which are better for baking, eating, and cooking.

There are charts for every conversion possible and tables galor to help you prepare better meals.

I think reading this book has made my cooking at home better because it make me less scared that I might not get the correct taste by using the wrong foods. They even go gover you meat seltion and where they come from. This great for desiding what and how to prepare it.

The good thing about this comprehensive guide, is that there are no recipes with some minor exceptions; like a rux. This is good because it is a guide, not a cookbook.

Enjoy

For the past 4-5 years I've been trying to learn how to cook and of all the cooking books I have, this is one that is ALWAYS stuck between my desk and my kitchen for easy grabbing. No other book as been as handy as this, with the exception of my substitution book that sits right next to it.

It's also a great idea to include this in start kits for new cooks. Anytime one of my friends asks me what books they should get as starters I recommend this.

As a professional working in the industry, my yearning for culinary information never subsides. It may very well be insanity that causes me to focus so strongly on my profession, but I'm always reading and watching culinary related books and TV shows. Very often, you'll find that books and television don't always explain certain bits of information as well as you'd like if at all. And even then, their information is sometimes flat out wrong. That's when I turn to this book. It took years of convincing for me to give this book a try, but now it's the only food reference book that has it's very own place on my desk at home.

The book is basically a food related dictionary that describes a bit about history or culinary uses of nearly every culinary item, ingredient, or term. It also has a very helpful appendix that lists ingredient equivalents such as 8oz dry pasta noodles equals 4 cups of cooked, 15 graham squares equals a cup of crumbs, or 1 cup of dried pinto beans equals 2 1/4 cups of cooked. The appendix also lists substitutes for both ingredients and volume, high altitude baking adjustments, boiling points, temperature and metric conversions, oil smoke points and food label terms as well as consumer information sources.

If I'm looking for extremely in depth information on an ingredient or foodstuff, I may open up Larousse Gastronomic. But if I need the quick down and dirty on a cooking term or a conversion of some sort, which is more often than not the case, I grab this book.

As a Psychotherapist and campaigner for the rights of children I would recommend this book as a compulsory text for any course on child care, therapy or education.
It is gripping, moving,shocking and eye-opening. It is particularly relevant to understand the capacity of disturbed parents to hide and disguise their cruelty and the mind confusing, emotionally scarring dilemmas faced by the abused child.
And yet it is hopeful and heart warming.

I am a special education teacher at a residential treatment facility that works with children in similar situations. As an end of the year project, I read this story to my 16-18 year old high school girls. They wouldn't let me put it down. The emotions, empathy, and similar situations my girls experienced were finally put into words. David, to them, is a survivor and has given them hope for their own future! Thank you Mr. Pelzer for sharing your story and helping my girls know that they are not the only ones!

This book was about a boy named David who went through a rough time when he was younger. He would get abused by his mother and his dad was an alcholic. The boy had no right and no say in that house hold his younger brothers had more say then he did. he would get tortured everyday and his mother would make him stay and live in the basement with nothing. Later in the book he finally gets rescued and is put into a shelter home. His life isnt how it use to be anymore.

As I read this, parts of the text were unbearable. Yet, Dave's story is an unfortunate reality of the deviance that exists within the human psyche to control, manipulate and abuse another. Anyone involved with educating children in whatever form they chose should read this because the truth brings to light what is hidden in the darkness. Dave is definitely an overcomer and his book will challenge you to look at the little boys and girls we see each day...a bit more carefully and mercifully.

The story a child called "it" it shows us the life of a boy longing to be loved. he is abused by his alcoholic mother. his father is torn between the two but chooses not to tell anyone. all his younger syblings are treated with love and care. he is trying to survive in his mothers 'hell'. i recommend this book to teens and young adults it will open your eyes to smoething you might have been blinded by but yet still happens in the world today... Abuse. some people just dont have the courage to stand up for what they know and believe is right. but just think about it you would be saving and inoccent life and giving a chance that wouldnt have been givin.

'Totoro' was the first thought that entered my mind when I saw this book. The author must have had some influence from the animation and nothing wrong with that. It is a beautifully water colored book and the familiar stories that I've heard as a child.

This book is amazing...not only are the pictures great, the story is one that you will want to read to your kids over and over. Zen Shorts has touching stories within an already creative and heartfelt book.

Great book for your preschooler and for you. The beautiful pictures capture the imagination, and the concepts introduced in the stories are springboards for conversation with your child (and can be just the right message for you after a long day).

As powerful for adults as well as children, Zen Shorts is a wonderful book that promotes deep critical thinking and discussion on topics such as family relationships, friendships, respect, disrespect, gratitude, greed, giving, taking, selfishness, selflessness, material attachments, material detachment, actions and consequences, luck, communication, anger, and togetherness. It is the kind of book that should be read and discussed in reading circles or at family time or bed time. For students who are beginning to study concepts in Eastern philosophy, this little book is approachable and the intended wisdom within one's grasp.

My favorite story portion of the book is "Uncle Ry and the Moon." My favorite illustration is the ones that depict the panda and Addy painting and eating.

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth is about Michel, Addy, Karl and a panda named Stillwater. Stillwater's umbrella lands in their backyard. He went to retrieve it before it would become a nuisance. This is how Addy, Michel and Karl met Stillwater. The day after Addy went to have tea with Stillwater. He was in a big yellow tent with a long red flag on it. He told her a story about his Uncle Ry and a robber. The day after Michel went to visit Stillwater. He was in a tree. He told him a story about two rabbits and luck. The day after Karl went to visit Stillwater. They went swimming. Stillwater told him a story about two monks and a puddle. This is how Addy, Michel, Karl and Stillwater became friends.

Stillwater is a good story teller. He told good understandable stories. Simple things in life reminded him of stories.

I like the way the author put stories in a story. The normal illustrations were colourful while the illustrations for the short story were cartoony.

By Nik

A fascinating look into the world of a troubled 14-year-old girl and the ghost writer who sucks almost as bad as she does at making sentences.

I gave it five stars because really, don't you know what you're getting here? This book is review proof.

Drew Barrymore captured the hearts of the world, as the adorable wide eyed seven year old Gertie, in ET, in 1982.

Barrymore was born into the acting profession, coming from a long line of acting talent extending back nearly 200 years
Faced with an abusive father, the execrable and vicious degenerate John Drew Barrymore( it is shocking to read of the physical and emotional abuse he subjected the little girl to) , a mother who was not always there, and nasty schoolmates, she drifted into the company of an older crowd and began her descent into drugs and alcohol by nine, when she began drinking alcohol, began smoking marijuana by ten (offered it by a friend's mother),and was snorting cocaine at twelve. She also craved the approval of boys on whom her self-esteem depended.
This is her story of why she took refuge from her unhappy young life in parties, alcohol and drugs, and her difficult and painful rehabilitation. but she succeeded. I found myself really feeling Drew's pain and empathized with what she went through.
Drew wanted to be an actress by five.
I really admired how she told her abusive pig of a father to get out of her life, when she was eight, after achieving success in E.T
She also tells of her work on movies such as Firestarter, Irreconcilable Differences,Babes in Toyland and Far From Home.
Drew talks about the support given to her by Steven Spielberg who she says gave her the best advice she ever been given on acting : "Drew, you can't act your character, you gotta be your character."

She made it though and in by 16 had cleaned up her life, to go on to a string of successes in a series comedies and dramas . By the late 90's her bubbly personality made such movies as Ever After, The Wedding Singer. Charlies Angels and Never Been Kissed a lot of fun and charming to watch.
It is a sad story of a child whose life was marred by what no child should go through, but who overcame her self-destructive habits and proved those who said she was burned out at 13, so wrong. How she repaired her life is incredibly inspirational. Drew is offering advice to young actresses entering rehab these days: ""If you don't pull it together for yourself, no one else will," she says in the March issue of Vogue. "That's coming from a person who had to try it all ... and who still loves to have a good time."

Remember this book was sritten when Drewwas only fourteen years old.


One has to admire her.
I hope she will be making films for decades to come.

I read this book 5 times in High School. (1992-1996)
I LOOOOOOOVED it!!!

Drew Barrymore is to be congratulated. Her honesty is painfully refreshing and hasn't been seen lately since the new Star Jones book ... or possibly the Burt Reynolds biography.

She's seen the depths and the heights and knows the difference. She's drank the champagne (even though she was 8 at the time) and sipped the sewer water and prefers the former. She's been on the carpet and also received carpet burns on her knees when she was short rent.

Thank you Drew for being an inspiration to all the preteens with drinking problems ... they don't have to suffer in silence anymore.

Literally one of the greatest books I've ever read. No, I'm not saying that because I'm a Drew Barrymore fan. I mean, if acting isn't what she wanted to do, she could've been an author! Written when she was still in rehab circa late 1988 and published in 1990, this book gives all of us an insight into her early years, and the hell she went through at such a young age. She tells us about her first taste of alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, and marijuana. She also tells us about her first kiss, and her first makeout session, and how she was always fighting with her mother. She tells us about living at the rehab. She tells us about her visits with her father as well. She shares all of her stories and adventures, her mishaps and her first achievements. With this book, I've learned how truly strong this woman is, and how no matter what she went through, she didn't ever back down at achieving what she wanted. Drew Barrymore is a true idol for anyone, and this book proves that.

Next to the Bible this is my favorite book. I have read it several times and each time I learn something new. It will definately increase your knowlege of the true nature and character of God. You will not only learn more about God but you will truely know God better..Tell me what you think of my Christain fiction novel The Palace Theatre..The Palace Theatre

I enjoyed the book Knowing God by J. I. Packer, it was thought provoking and very insightful. This book was part of a New Testament class and I usually sell my books after reading them but I am going to add Knowing God to my personal library.

This is one of the great Christian classics that is a must read for every generation. It is not heady theology though it is thoroughly rooted in Scripture. It's underlying theme is the love of God for human kind expressed through his character. I felt very loved!

Wow........ When I first saw the book cover I thought; " No Way am I gonna waste my time reading this!" But when I opened the book and read the first page, I could'nt stop! I read three to five chapters a day! When my youth Pastor mentioned this book, I was a little hesitant to purchase it. Now that I am heading toward the deep end, I have no regrets for purchasing it. I recommend that anyone who is reading this to buy the book. Trust me you won't have any regrets.

The updated version of Packer's book features a new preface, an addition to the fourth chapter, and "Americanization" of the text (spelling and such). The list of endorsing readers is quite impressive, many singing the praises after having read the first edition. Apart from that, the book has been left alone, and Packer stated his hopes that the book would continue to enrich the lives of those who read it. It seems safe to say that anyone who reads this volume and attempts to put into practice the teachings it sets forth will find immense value in doing so.
The first few chapters deal with the subject of truly knowing God. Packer is quick and adamant in his distinction between knowing about God, and actually knowing God. The thesis of the book seems to be simply that. While Packer greatly went into theological issues, the tone was set quite nicely in the first few chapters, as he made it quite clear that walking away with doctrine and an unchanged heart would cause the book to be nothing short of a letdown. Another seeming thesis of the book is set forth in the first chapter, as well as the preface, and it involves coming to a right understanding of who God is--and Packer frequently warned the reader that the waters of theology are choppier today than ever before, despite the numerous books written on the subject.
Chapter 4 is an interesting chapter in itself, and will be discussed more fully later. However, while it is grouped with the first three (and the next two chapter, as well), it takes a different tone--"correctly" worshiping God. Chapters 5 and 6, though technically still in the first section, seem to fit well into the second section instead. Dealing with the second and third persons of the Trinity, respectively, they open a great door for what is the majority of the book--
the doctrine of God. Chapters 7-17 discuss different attributes of God--immutability, majesty, wisdom, truth, love, grace, judging, wrath, goodness, severity, and jealousy. These issues are dealt with in quite a bit of detail, and Packer sets forth the proper human response to each of these attributes.
The last sections takes a turn towards the gospel. The doctrine of propitiation pervades nearly the entire section, and the Christian's adoption into the kingdom is quite prevalent as well. Other issues dealt with are facing the trials Christians will deal with, understanding the security received from Christ's atoning work, and the last chapter--through an exposition of part of Romans--helps the reader develop a mindset with which to end the book.
It could easily be said of Knowing God that Packer sets out a brief systematic theology. While it would certainly be incomplete in some ways, one could hardly find a better volume as an introduction to theological study. Over and over again, Packer points out the false view of God that is rampant in society today (though it is interesting that "society" was 1973, and it still seems completely applicable today, 2006), and explains the importance of understanding the biblical view.
Stating the few negatives first would be the easiest way. As has already been mentioned, chapter 4 was quite peculiar. Titled, "The Only True God," it might be best suited with a subtitle/warning label reading something to the effect of "Warning, Anti-Catholic Teaching Ahead." Suffice it to say that Catholics and Orthodox alike would likely cease reading after coming across this chapter. The idea Packer is arguing for is that the second commandment--the prohibition of idolatry--means more than just the age-old idea of golden calves. Rather, in Packer's estimation, that idea is combated with the first commandment. The second commandment forbids the making of things like paintings, statues and crucifixes (hence, the anti-Catholic/Orthodox sentiment). He referred to the story from the book of Exodus where the Israelites, tired of waiting on Moses to return from Mr. Sinai, asked Aaron to build an idol for them to worship. Packer argued that the Israelites were not asking for another God, rather they wanted an image of Yahweh. The reason Moses was outraged was simply that, though they worshiped Yahweh, they had not worshiped Him properly.
However, this does not seem to be what the Scriptures are saying. After rereading the story multiple times, it seems quite evident that the golden calf was to be a replacement for Moses' God, not simply an image of the One True God. The other main argument Packer used was that the Israelites would have had not contact with idolatry, so the second commandment must have been the prohibition of making anything of the nature of statues, paintings or crucifixes. However, that seems to be a weak argument, as the Israelites had just left Egypt, which was full of idolatry. Also interesting to note is the dearth of Scriptures in this chapter. While the other chapters are so full of Scripture references that one could hardly look them up, this chapter had relatively few. At the end, the addition for this version is a complete discounting of criticisms he received since the first edition. The other question left unanswered is what to do with Christ as the physical representation of God, and with the abundance of metaphorical language for God in the Bible that is sure to invoke images in the minds of its readers. It seems Packer may have gone too far, as he argued that all renderings, even of Christ, are nothing short of idolatry--even when used for didactic and devotional purposes. While it should go without saying that worshiping an image would certainly be wrong, the existence of them is not likely to be sin.
Another complaint about the book is Packer's generalizations. Virtually every chapter attempts to go against the modern thinking about God and produce in the reader a biblical mindset. However, as he explains the culture, the reader is hit with "many people believe..." or "most churches do not believe..." without any reference as to the truth of those statements. That is not to say Packer is wrong, nor that his conclusions and assertions are mislead. The simple fact, however, is that the reader is left wondering exactly how common these errors really are. Sometimes the trouble of unsupported assertions is too readily apparent. In one chapter (16), Packer refers to "Santa Claus theology." In that, God is likened to Santa and seen as nothing but good. Packer says this liberal ideology has opened the door to the problem of evil, which was not a problem before the 20th century. This idea seems preposterous, as Augustine dealt with the problem of evil many centuries ago. However, these types of pitfalls found through unsupported assertions are scarce in the book.
All that said, the rest of the book was quite a joy to read. The overwhelming majority of the book is packed with Scripture references and biblical stories as he makes his points. References to past theologians, especially the Reformers and Puritans, are abundant. Hymns are used multiple times to reiterate the message (many from Charles Wesley, too--pleasant to see from someone who is so strongly Reformed). While there was a growing concern that Packer might have been advocating Puritanism, he showed his objectivity in saying that the Puritans did not stress nearly enough the doctrine of adoption as God's children. Another great strength of this book is the light touch of Reformed theology throughout. Someone once joked that without Packer's endorsement (or lack of) on a book, one would hardly know if a book was Reformed enough to bother reading. The expectation is to find an abundance of references to election and effectual calling. However, it is not until the end that many references to election are found, and these fit the context and purpose perfectly.
The theological topics were quite a blessing to read, even for someone who has some level of theological training. Packer displayed an extremely high view of grace and the utmost importance on the work of Christ on the cross. Those two themes, as well as God's sovereignty, seem to tie the whole book together--from God's love, to adoption, to His wisdom. Probably the best topic was that of adoption. Packer reiterated the lack of resources on this topic (in the past and present), and stressed its importance. He boldly stated that, though justification may be more important (as adoption is not possible without it), adoption is the highest privilege. He made quite clear the importance as he stressed the relationship between father and son. It might certainly be a blessing if Packer were to help fill the void of resources in the area of adoption by writing a volume devoted to it, as he did such a wonderful job here.
Another great aspect of this book has already been mentioned. At the end of most chapters is a section on our response. After giving a great explanation of a doctrine such as the wrath of God, Packer asks questions such as
It would be difficult to discuss every positive point of the book. While theologically trained individuals may find it more of a refresher than greatly insightful, the book is not devalued. From new Christians to those who have been in the faith for several years, this book should be a great help. It would serve marvelously for a small group. It would also suffice as a reference for preaching and teaching. If possible, it should be incorporated into the discipleship process of any church (that actually believes the Bible, that is), especially for new Christians.
The rather robust look at God which Packer supplies is evenly balanced, scripturally supported, and historically illumined. All who truly desire to know God should read this book.