T Books

This is a riveting story about Marine Major John Keith Wells and his Iwo Jima battle experience. More than just a minute-by-minute account of the horrific Pacific battle, Wells takes you into his head as he prepares for, and leads his men into battle. His description of combat is graphic, detailed, and colorful; creating a sensory-based sharing of his experience told with a Marine punch. In light of the recent flury of attention to the Iwo Jima flag raising and this epic battle, I'd recommend Wells' book for a "gut check". Note: The book has a number of excellent photographs that illuminate Wells' narrative.

This is the story of Marines in WWII as told by the Platoon Commander of the Marines that raised the Flag on Mt Suribachi. I met the author in his hometown and we visited often. I have a signed copy of his book. The reason the story is so great is the unassuming nature of the narrative. A great American hero who didn't make the history books because on Iwo "Uncommon Valor was a common virtue"

This was a great book to read, I highly reccomend buying it. From the minute I started reading it I could not put it down. Maj JK Wells and his men were among the bravest to fight for this country. This was an interesting story of his experience in WWII.

I have known the author for over thirty years. He is man of integrity and courage. This book took several years for him to complete due to its personal nature. His dedication to the Corps, his men and his mission are obvious in every chapter. I am proud to have him as a friend. Read this book!!!

"Give me fifty Marines not afraid to die" is a book written from the guts of a modern warrior. Obviously Lt. Wells is not a writer, he is a Soldier. He has been a Soldier and he always will be one, no matter what he do to earn his life.
We are presented with the shocking story of Iwo Jima battle seen with the eyes (the soul I'll better say) of a front line combat Marine. Wells let us share his feelings from the time he is still a college student, how he decide to be a Marine in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, his life at Boots Camp, Paratroop training, Guadalcanal experience, more training at the States and finally through all the rugged strife of Iwo Jima.
This book is a very straightforward account of a teenager evolving into hardened young soldier ready to give his life for his Country. At the same time gives the reader an inkling of the historical period, its values, ideals and expectations. Also pictures the life style of the Marines Corp, its written and unwritten codes, language, ethics, training, etc.
Every word in this book sounds true and without ornament. A must read for any WWII buff.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

and get Dr. Fee's audio tapes from Regent College bookstore.
I studied with Dr. Fee at Gordon-Conwell while pastoring in Cambridge, Ma. Our church supported some of Dr. Fee's mission trips around the world. His books are all great, but his lectures, especially his exegetical NT book studies, are simply unparalleled, satisfying the intellect and the spirit and leading one to experience the Holy Spirit in the Word.

It's a very good book, very detailed but hard to understand for new believers because of the term used in this book. I am not majoring in pastoral, and that's probably why I am having a hard time understanding. I got this book becaused I needed it for one of my class. It is worthy buying and keeping this book if you wish to deepened your knowledge about the new testament. Recommended.

Dr. Gordon Fee is a rare human being: a marvelous scholar whose academic skill brings out the best of his Pentecostal beliefs. In my opinion, this book is a major contribution to New Testament scholarship. Fee explores each Pauline reference to the Holy Spirit (including references to each and every "spiritual gift," such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, etc.) without pushing any overt theological agenda.

Fee convinced me that the Holy Spirit was more real to Paul than I might have suspected from any catechism or the classic creeds. Under Fee's guidance, Paul's references to the Spirit reveal a present and experienced reality that forces us to adopt a higher view of the Spirit.

God's Empowering Presence is not a small book, nor light reading. In developing an article for the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, Fee realized very little secondary literature existed on the topic of the Holy Spirit as seen in the letters of Paul of Tarsus. Because of the dearth of Pneumatological studies in general, no one had ever thought to write a text specifically focused on how Paul viewed the person and work of the Holy Spirit. So, Fee sought to remedy this. In doing so he realized that he could not simply make assertions without first having a firm foundation of Biblical analysis with which he could base his findings. Understanding that this had not been done in a way which focused on the broader understanding of the Holy Spirit in the Pauline corpus, he felt he had to create his own body of textual analysis which went through the various letters and analyzed verse by verse, use by use, Paul's understanding of pneumatology. It is this textual analysis which comprises the great bulk of God's Empowering Presence.
Having exegeted the great bulk of the Pauline Epistles, Fee then feels able to make some observations and conclusions about Paul's general pneumatology in the last 100 pages of this nearly 1000 page book. He concludes that the Spirit was for Paul more real and evident than we can possibly imagine in our day and age, that the presence of the Spirit was an assumed reality, because of which specific theological discussion is limited. But in the off hand remarks, asides, benedictions, and other such casual comments Gordon Fee is able to discover and lay out eight primary conclusions about Pauline pneumatology. These conclusions are not meant as simply academic points of interest, but are in keeping with Fee's profound pastoral sensitivity and seek to point out ways in which the modern church can regain some of the liveliness and fullness that is found in Paul's understanding of the Holy Spirit. If you don't care about the exegesis (though as a reference I can't imagine not caring) Fee has another book called Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God which consists of just his conclusions and insights.

Gordon Fee may be the outstanding new testament scholar in North America and this is most likely to be regarded as his finest work. Fee goes through the letters of Paul on a verse by verse basis locating passages that refer to the Holy Spirit. Fee carefully chooses other passages where he feels that the Holy Spirit is inferred and also is careful with his exegisis of passages that may refer to the Holy Spirit or to "the spirit" in a non-specific way.
This book provides a powerful study of Paul and also shows how we, as modern day christians, underestimate the power of the spirit in our lives. For Paul the Holy Spirit was a real and dominating prescence and this wonderful study elevates that part of Paul's writings to a new plane.
This book is huge but Fee is such an enjoyable writer that the time spent reading this book passes very quickly. If you are interested in Paul and/or the Holy Spirit then this book is indespensable.

Each member of our Bible study group purchased a copy of the Gospel of Luke and are learning so much. We continue to be amazed at the scholarship of Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch in writing the commentary to this Gospel. The other books in this series are equally great, and we can hardly wait until they finish their research of the entire Bible.

This was a great book to use in reaserh for the person in religiuos study. I highly recommend this book.

This is a wonderful guide. I highly recommend it to everyone, students, teachers and ministers. As a general study guide it is invaluable.
Students of theology and those people interested in a more detailed study, would probably like to supplement this with Jerome's Commentary and those of Raymond E. Brown especially the anchor bible series.
This guide includes topical and word studies that are very well done.

Like the other study guides by Scott Hahn, The Gospel of Luke provides enriching insight and background to these sacred writings. These guides are ideal for discussion groups.

This is a great tool for understanding the Gospel of luke. The book starts off with an introduction explaining the inerrancy and the authority of scripture and the proper way of interpreting it. There are many helpful notes, word studies, and essays in this book. One of the essays is on Mary Ark of the covenant,another is on Jesus, the son of Man. The study questions in the back of the book are helpful for understanding and applying Gods word to our life. This whole series has helped me have a better understanding and a greater love for Gods word.

"Gothic" is the second book in a series that covers Western European art and architecture from the 11th to the 19th century. "Gothic" actually deals with two periods: the Gothic period proper, and the Early Renaissance, mostly it's Northern (Dutch) version. The editor believes that the distinction between Late Gothic and the Renaissance is problematic and somewhat artificial. Thus, the book takes us from the 12th century well into the 15th century.

A large part of the book deals with Gothic architecture: cathedrals, churches, city halls and (to a much lesser extent) castles. There are also chapters on Gothic sculpture, painting and goldwork. The chapter on painting also includes Giotto, Fra Angelico and the Northern Renaissance (especially the latter). The text is very comprehensive, and probably mostly appeals to serious students of European art and architecture. What makes the book of interest to the non-specialist are the lavish illustrations. There are photos on almost every page, most of them in color, and all of it for a bargain price!

Personally, I must admit that the "pure" Gothic cathedrals don't really appeal to me. I find them boring. And yes, almost half the book shows Gothic cathedral interiors or facades, most of them strikingly similar to each other... The second half of the book is more aesthetically pleasing, showing how the original Gothic style changed as it spread to Germany, the Netherlands and Bohemia, and how painting developed during the Early Renaissance. The section on goldworks shows many interesting objects.

I like the "Baroque" volume of this series more, but if you have an interest in the Middle Ages, or "Old" Europe art and architecture in general, this book is nevertheless recommended.

Honestly, I'm thinking of buying another two copies of this book (I have one now) so that I can cut out and frame some of the pictures - (I want two copies because some of the images are back to back). The images are stunning, and there are clear examples that show the influence of Islamic and Moorish art on Christian cathedrals, especially in Spain. Truly a beautiful and scholarly introduction to this lovely part of the heritage of the whole human race.

I first discovered this book in the library and I checked it out several times because I just loved looking at it so much. The pictures are so breathtaking, it increased my resolved to go to Europe and visit all these incredible places first hand. It's a great thourough book for anyone who is new to Gothic art forms as well as a visual reference for people who are already familiar with the style.

Hard to carry around, but very easy to read!

Having borrowed this book over and over from the library, I really had a hard time parting with it when I last returned it. The photographs are splendid, a joy to look at. Since it also qualifies as a reference book, I looked it up ..... to but [buy] a copy but was certain price would be ... more than in was. Now I'm about to by my third copy --it is an amazing bargain.

This is the most spectacular book for you if you like lots of HUGE clear photos of TONS of gothic cathedrals. There are MANY pages of history and other information about the making and restoring of the cathedrals. A MUST HAVE for any gothic-history lover.

I unashamedly admit I loved this book. It was such a glorious flash back to my youth. And the silly songs/rhymes we used to sing/chant. I even shared this with my 11 year old son. Who was rather confused by this practice of "stupid songs" but enjoyed learning a few with me, and I even caught his singing "greasy grimey gopher guts" to my baby the other day..who adored it.

As the other reviewers have stated, this is a great collection of naughty rhymes and chants from childhood. However, I have to agree with the psychiatrist. I would have liked more analysis. This seems to be a great topic for somebody's doctoral thesis. How do these verses originate? Are most of them created by children for children? What can we learn about children from them?

On second thought, maybe it is best that these verses remain under wraps. There is something to be said about an under the radar way that children have to harmlessly express their rebelliousness.

If you love subversiveness, I'd also suggest Nick Bantock's , "Averse to Beasts," a book with a cassette filled with creepy little ryhmes!

I had two immediate reactions on reading this book: "Yep, we had that one - words aren't quite right, though" and "Wait a minute! Where's (such-and-such) rhyme? How did they miss that one?" This is a great book, and a very useful reference for those who didn't realize that they do, in fact, know the tune to "The Old Gray Mare" (see title of book), "The Colonel Bogey March" ("Comet! It makes your lips turn green. . .") and "The Whiffenpoof Song" (several insulting versions lampooning schools). This book will take you back to your childhood. That's not the childhood that you're going to claim to your kids that you had, but the actual one where you made up nasty names for school food. Mind you, if you allow your children to read this book, you will receive many, many indignant phone calls from the parents in your neighborhood, but I'd say it's worth the risk.

i swiped this book from my brother who swiped it from my mother who got it at a used book sale- so its been around the block a few times. i am now 16 an begin using this book at the age of 10. manny a days were spent at the lunch table with my frineds laughing at- and using these rymes( such as; hark the harold angles shout! # more days till school gets out! grab you ball and grab your chan, and run like hell to the nearist train) sooner of later it became known as " the bible" to my groop.all thse yesrs it has been a tresured posetion of mine, and from time to time i bing it out once more to my friends- and it still keep us laughing.

This Handbook is a valuable, broad scope look at public and private sector systems currently engaged in change iniatitives around the world. Relatively free of jargon and untried theories, these field-tested case studies will appeal to a wide spectrum of readers from organization leaders and HR professionals to business school students. I came away with some important new ideas for my work and avoided a few pitfalls after reading the book.

Through the many cases presented, Barbara and Billie were able to present to the reader how the different Large Group Methods actually can be applied, and, specially, how they form part of a larger roadmap for systemic change. Interesting also how all cases have a reflections session, which is very usefull in giving actual or to-be practitioners concrete tips for implementation.
The combination of cases with theory about the methods and innovative ideas (for example, on the use of Technologies and Graphic facilitation)resulted in a superior learning experience and complements very well their first book ("Large Group Interventions: Engaging the Whole System for Rapid Change").
Last but not least, I was happy to note how there was a shift in attention from method to challenges that organizations or communities are facing - so a focus on impact and change. A book worth reading for those that are facing or will face large scale changes.

Trust Alban and Bunker to use their social science prowess and rich professional experiences to create an eminently pragmatic handbook for leaders of systems change. To their credit, the entire construction of the book also employs the very principles espoused by the contributors: inclusion of stakeholders, engagement of multiple perspectives, search for common ground, transparency, and appreciation for diversity. After soliciting cases from around the world, the authors organized them into helpful categories of interventions around "six challenges for the 21st century" and added their views on the issues created by those challenges. These chapter inputs are perfect executive summaries for clients who are mired in these dilemmas daily and are looking for solutions and they will help introduce the large group engagement methods the consultant is offering. Also invaluable is the authors' matrix of each case that delineates the organizational sector, the situation addressed, and the methods used--truly makes the text handy.

Although the book stands on its own merits for the sophisticated organization consultant, reading their previous Large Group Interventions (Jossey Bass, 1997) would give the appropriate context for the creative adaptations of the original methods that their latest book so well describes. The Handbook has not only added new methods (Appreciative Inquiry Summit, World Café and AmericaSpeaks) but, more importantly, it describes combinations of traditional methods along with new twists which are thoroughly described. Appropriately, there is a greater reliance on engagement principles for a change process instead of previously prescribed recipes for events in their prior book.

The consultant contributors have been generous with details, for the most part, so that seasoned organization development consultants will feel comfortable employing these tested methods of engagement. On the other hand, there also could also be a warning sticker that reads: "Don't Try This Alone in your Ballroom!" because much of the success comes with years of experience working with diverse groups and learning what doesn't work. Partnering with such experts is the wisest way to dive into whole system change.

As a trainer of large group principles, I particularly appreciated the enhancement tools this handbook describes--Polarity Mapping (B. Johnson), Gestalt therapy, coaching theory, using professional actors for storytelling, graphic facilitation and more. I look forward to the 2017 iteration Bunker and Alban offer to keep us on our toes!


Elizabeth K. Olson
Preferred Futures, Inc.

In the complex, interconnected, global environment that most organizations work in daily, it is no longer possible for a few people "at the top" of the organization to have all the knowledge, expertise, and perspective needed for its success. At NovaLearning, we have used large group methods with colleges and universities for about fifteen years. I have constantly seen how institutions become better -- more focused, more strategic, but also more humane -- as they incorporate ideas and insight from across the system into their operation. When Bunker and Alban's earlier book was published, I was delighted because it captured well the range of large group approaches that had developed by 1996. This new handbook goes much further.

These are substantive case studies exceptionally well framed by Bunker and Alban's insight and experience. The diverse case study authors are generous in sharing at a level of specificity that makes real learning from their experiences possible. Each chapter is organized around the presenting challenge, the context and methodology (and why chosen), a detailed description of what actually happened, and perhaps most importantly, a set of reflections and insights that give the reader the chance to share in the authors' learning. I also found valuable the examples of how the innovative use of communication technologies can provide new opportunities as well as sometimes create unexpected limitations. I strongly recommend The Handbook of Large Group Methods to consultants who use or want to use large group methods. Individual chapters will also be important and provocative for corporate, academic, social, and political leaders and change agents.

I agree with the reviewer who notes that something may be missing (other slices of large group imagination and so on) but what I see in this book is a 5 star original updating the first original work. I am also impressed by the manner in which the author-editors have engaged a total of 49 collaborators.

Despite its size this is an easy to read and appreciate book, and in my own limited experience within this literature, stands in a class by itself.

Key Point: Must recognize and engage ALL stakeholders, including those that may be "external" to "the system" but are either inputs or outputs or victims, etc.

Key Point: This literature has developed from the 1960's focus on the social psychology of organizations, to the social psychology of networks.

Key Point: Many Small Groups = a Large System (susceptible to whole systems methods) = Future Search and Shaping.

Key Point: Real time strategic change is now known as whole-scale change (I am reminded of Kirkpatrick Sale's seminal work, Human Scale

Five methods for planning the future:
+ Search Conference
+ Future Search
+ Whole-Scale Change
+ ICAA Strategic Planning Process
+ Appreciative Inquiry

This book was published before Jim Rough's pioneering work at the Center for Wise Democracy or Tom Atlee's Co-Intelligence Institute. See:
Society's Breakthrough!: Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People
The Tao of Democracy: Using Co-Intelligence to Create a World That Works for All

Large Group Methods (LGM) is very ably presented by the authors and collaborators as being ideal for working with diverse groups that have different cultures, structures, and priorities. I am reminded that we live in a world dominated by pyramidal organizations that still believe in top-down elite "command and control," and this book is therefore a revolutionary handbook for enabling bottom-up sense-making and localized social resilience.

Key point: whereas the first book focused on methods, this book focuses on challenges, the challenges rather than the methods are driving the practices.

Here are my fly-leaf notes. Some books I read to learn in depth, others I read to learn what I do not know and persuade myself the authors are essential future consultants. This is such a book. In my lifetime I cannot learn what these 49 collaborators articulate so capably.

WIDELY-DISPERSED ORGANIZATIONS
+ Defining and holding the vision
+ Tolerance for Ambiguity
+ Relationship-building

WHOLE-SYSTEM ENGAGEMENT WITH COLLABORATIVE TECHNOLOGY
+ 10% technology, 90% human interaction
+ Higher quality goals and strategies result
+ Faster decision making
+ Rapid global stakeholder alignment
+ Enhanced organizational readiness for implementation
+ New model for governance as well as participation

ORGANIZATIONS IN CRISIS
+ Focus
+ Timeline
+ Openness
+ Involvement
+ Preferences stimulate engagement
+ Seek coherence
- Directional
- Relational
- Task
- Contextual

POLARIZED AND POLITICIZED ENVIRONMENTS
+ LSG methods are more respectful of differences
+ Trust & Transformation
+ Multiple competing interests accomodated
+ Clearing the air
+ Working with tensions
+ Seven Principles
- Focus on common ground
- Rationalize conflict
- Manage conflict
- Expand individuals' view of the situation (beyond egotistic)
- Acknowledge history of group conflict and feelings
- Manage public airing of differences
- Reduce hierarchy as much as possible

COMMUNITIES WITH DIVERSE INTEREST GROUPS
+ Different from organizations, less structured, more ambiguous
+ Need sponsorship and sustainability of effort
+ Need representative planning groups from across the community
+ Skilled facilitators are essential
+ Conclude by recognizing, recording, and tracking commitments

WORKING CROSS-CULTURALLY
+ Be aware of what you do not know
+ Relationship-oriented, NOT "USA Work Before Pleasure"
+ Respect desire to maintain distance and privacy
+ Pace of decisions can be very slow
+ Respect desire to be part of a collective voice instead of an individual on the spot
+ Four Worlds
- North = intellect
- South = feeling
- East = intuition
- West = pragmatic
+ Conversations are for:
- Relationships
- Possibilities
- Action

EMBEDDING NEW PATTERNS
+ Patience
+ Respect self-organizing tendencies
+ Keep it simple

The resource section contains three additional contributions. The middle one, on graphics, captured my attention.

GRAPHICS:
+ Engage participants
+ Focus and ground energy of group
+ Provide space where participants feel heard
+ Bridge cultures
+ Surface unheard voices
+ Provide summative and integrative function
+ Provide continuity and enhance sustainability

I have personally witnessed the effectiveness of graphics at Nexus for Change and Bioneers. It is a hugely impressive technique for eliciting, capturing, and visualizing the disparate contribution of many individual minds. Those who are able to execute this function are gifted.

My eye was also caught by Covision's fast feedback cycle (bottom to top):
+ Ambivalence
+ Awareness
+ Understanding
+ MUTUAL Understanding
+ Alignment
+ Buy In
+ Commitment

The book ends with a reading list (part of what persuaded me it is better to engage these talents than try to replicate their knowledge), short bios of the very impressive collection of 49 collaborators, and a first-class index.

This is an important book. See also:
The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today's Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems
The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter
How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, Updated Edition
The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World
One from Many: VISA and the Rise of Chaordic Organization
Collective Intelligence: Creating a Prosperous World at Peace

I am limited to ten links. See also Group Genius, Five Minds, Smart Mobs, Wisdom of the Crowds, Wealth of Networks, Revolutionary Wealth, Infinite Wealth, Wealth of Knowledge, Army of Davids, etc.

What would happen if the Government could help people learn to use their Psychic powers for spying and murder. Fifteen years ago, they did just that.

When Andrew Steele, a prominent psychiatrist who had been working for the government is found dead, and his wife Rae missing, Detective Sheppard goes to work. His job could depend on solving this case. When he meets Mira Morales, a psychic, many questions evolve. For instance, what does the death of Steele have to do with the death of her husband? Read and find out.

This was a very good book. A little slow starting out but reaches a crescendo and comes crashing down in a wonderful conclusion. Ms. MacGregor did a wonderful job with the characters in this book. You will find yourself easily liking Rae and Sheppard and feeling just a little bit sorry for Hal.

My only negative comment would be that Ms. MacGregor could have put a little more action in this book. The few action scenes were good and well described. However, though not packed with action it is "Intense" for lack of a better word. I truly enjoyed this book.

This was my first MacGregor book. I think it was a good choice and certainly won't be my last. If you like Mystery or Detective novels, this is a book for you.

SUMMARY: The novel that introduces psychic bookstore owner Mira Morales, her feisty grandmother Nadine, and precociously impish daughter Annie, The Hanged Man is the story of Fort Lauderdale floating detective Wayne Shepherd, searching for the killer of famed criminologist Andrew Steele and the disappearance of his wife Rae. His search leads him to a tip phoned in by a reluctant Mira, whom he draws into this web of intrigue. Also on the trail of the perpetrator is FBI big-wig Lenora Douglas, who chaired a covert operation called Delphi with the late Steele. Solving his murder is imperative to her admonition by her superior to erase all traces of Delphi.

WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT: If you enjoy elements of the supernatural in your novels, or are an aficionado of psychic detective fiction, you'll immensely enjoy this story. Mira is written as a strong, brave heroine with human foibles, and her family life is as integral to the story as her unique abilities. Shep is a rarity in the detective fiction genre - a masculine, stalwart guy who is not so entrenched in his beliefs about the system or his own ability that he is willing to disregard pertinent information, regardless if it comes from a sense other than the usual five.

WHY YOU WON'T: MacGregor attempts to invoke some sympathy for the killer from the reader, but it just doesn't wash. Everyone has a sob story, and his isn't so terrible that it excuses his actions. However, he is cleverer than most villains, and his preternatural ability is terrifying.

BOTTOM LINE: Suspenseful, action-packed, and romantic, this is a wonderful offering from a woman who always delivers compulsively readable fiction. Highly recommended.

MacGregor plunges into a psychic world of terror in this well-conceived and written thriller. All the usual ingredients are here: covert Government experiment using psychis to advance their own means in the guise of helping the government; a dashing cop, Wayne Sheppard; a psychic heroine, Mira Morales; a devilish handsome villain, Hal Bennet; a beguiling, ambitious and deadly female FBI agent, Lenora Fletcher; a kidnapped beauty who finds herself falling for her captor, and assorted other psychics and heroes/villains.
MacGregor pulls out some surprises, and keeps the action brisk and exciting. MacGregor, an obvious horror novel/movie fan, utilizes this love in scenes reminiscent of Farris' "The Fury" and King's "Carrie."
A very enjoyable read.

My wife got me in a library one day. I hated reading books but wen she was searching for her historical romances, i stumbled upon a book, kept deep inside and dark. i grabbed it out of curiousity. well the title really attracted me ALOT- The Hanged Man. I've always loved thrillers, murders etc. so i read the front pages and couldnt stop reading even wen my wife went away! i didnt really know if i wanted to borrow the book cos i was not a bookworm or some sort. but i did the right thing by borrowing. its very very nice! i love it! psychics and murders. everything is nice. now im starting to like psychics plot! anyone recommend me a book pls?

T.J. MacGregor has gotten my attention with this novel. I am fan of mysteries and thrillers with a psychic character in them, MacGregor definitely delivers a tale tight with psychic abilities. "Project Delphi" spawned seven psychics taken from prisons, trained by the FBI, and used as psychic assassins and spies. Now, years after the project was disbanded when three of its members escaped, the seemingly random murder of a criminal psychologist - and the kidnapping of his wife - is anything but random after all.
Enter Mira Morales. A psychic who tuned in on the murder before it happened, and a woman for whom the police have no respect, she just might be the only thing capable of unravelling the conspiracy, uncovering the criminals, and saving the kidnapped woman's life... if she can live that long with three trained psychics after her, and only one detective on her side.
Definitely a thriller, this book had me gripped. There's only a few parts to the book that had me annoyed, but they were fairly minor (there's a whopping big coincidence to the book's plot that made me twitch). Moreover, the psychic abilities take centre stage without causing harm to the plot nor the characterizations. This was a good read, and fans of Kay Hooper, Margaret Lawrence, and Joseph Glass should like it.
'Nathan

Thanks Barack Obama!
I was really impressed by the analytic capacity of the author and as I am usually not reading books about economic affairs and also not about politics I am even more astounded to find it fascinating and suspense driven. Honestly, if it was not for Barack Obama to get me interested in politics I probably had never read a book like this.

The author managed to prove President Sarkozy wrong in every single aspect of his agenda, so far. In an astounding collection of facts Niemeyer demonstrates why the French economy is suffering so terribly under this Hollywood-President.

"History repeats itself" is a famous phrase and although it may not be 100% true there is yet something to it as the author pointed out citing similar developments in the 1920ies and today. Like 80 years ago there are `analysts' working for investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch speaking of "market irritations" while a depression is lingering around the next corner. And, it seems that what we call today `Globalisation' should rather be called `Imperialism', and I am glad that the author uses the accurate terms rather than any of the more fashionable expressions the Anti-Globalisation groups fancy. It is quite right to speak of Capitalism making majorities poorer in order to make rich ever richer as exactly this is happening as we all can feel when we see our standard of living constantly decline amid "economic good times" as media never gets tired to hammer into our heads. Why create a new term for that only because the phrase may sound old fashioned when, indeed, the strategies employed by the ruling class apparently are also old fashioned but still seem to work quite well for them?!

Fascism, Stalinism, Euro-Maniacism

It is really worthwhile not only to know the political and military history of the 20th century but also it's financial history. Especially the latter provides for explanations of the inexplicable, the World Wars, the rise of Fascism, Stalinism and now Euro-Maniacsim. Ralph T. Niemeyer must be a genius to be able to combine mathematical, statistical and political facts and make the read of normally dry matters exciting! Congratulations on a superb and unbeatable analysis. I wished our political leaders knew about it.

Ralph T. Niemeyer said: "Where only profit maximization reigns there is no room for Democracy" and he is damned right with that. The "survival - of - the - fittest - credo" of the economically more powerful is the opposite of Freedom and Equality. I admire his sober way of analyzing our system's flaws and I appreciate it a lot that he doesn't become indulgent about Marx or Communism which most people who have the same insight he has would probably would be in danger of as looking for the gene for a `brave new world' can lead into a trap as we have seen in Stalinism. Socialism has tried to break it's opponent's pride. Capitalism strips people off their pride.

While somewhat out of date, Hard Living on Clay Street is one of the best observations of poor white Southern working class folks ever done. Howell came to the research with some background, but more importantly with the ability to get these people to let him into their lives. He tells a compelling story. I have used the book for a Qualitative Methods class, and the students are impressed with both the writing and the characters. Anyone who wants to get a good look inside the lower middle class in this country should spend a little time on Clay Street.

I ran across this book after it was misfiled at the library, and I picked it up because I wondered what a book with a title like that was doing in the section. I read the whole thing through in one sitting. I think it is one of the most incredible anthropological studies I have ever read. As others have commented, the methods that Howell uses are extremely effective - he quite literally moves across the street from his stubjects. I get the feeling that to write this book about "blue collar" people (although the first family at least is really quite destitute) Howell does not hesitate to drink a lot of cheap beer, go deer hunting, etc.

Al Gore might have grown up there had his father been a plumber who moved north for work. Not many St.Albans boys in that neighborhood though. As in none. Gotta wonder if Harrington and Gore don't hook up once in a while what with the wellheeled intellectual Nashville/DC connection. All in all not a bad intro to a forgotten people in a very interesting time and place. I was happy to have stumbled upon it.

This book should be mandatory reading for all high school students in the United States. Poverty is indeed a virtual reality in this book. You cannot help but gain an appreciation for all you have, however little it may be.

Howell utilizes a "hands on " approach to drive home the reality of a very large segment of our society by literally moving in with them and living the life - in spite of peril for one year. Through this approach, he gains the trust of two families, the Shacklefords and the Mosebys, and we are able to move into their homes, travel with them on their drunken runs, and thereby gain an insight from a perspective within that no "text" could ever offer us. I applaud this book and have used it yearly in classes since 1978 with raves from the students.

This wonderful book of poetry about everyday family goings-on reminds me of a Dr. Seuss read. What a great way to introduce children of all ages to poetry. Clever illustrations keep young children engaged while being read to. A book to make the whole family smile (and maybe laugh right out loud).

This book is unique and reminds us of the perspective of a child. I'm a big fan of Dr. Suess books. Each of the poems in this book could be a Dr. Suess-style story. Enjoy!

This book is great! I loved the fact that the proceeds go to a great cause, but more importantly the book is very well written. There is a wide variety of poems that range from silly and fun to thought provoking. Every child has their own favorite and the colorful illustrations are wonderful. A great book to read to the kids no matter how young or old they are. There is something for everyone.

I love these poems as much as my grandchildren do, maybe even more! I think it's as entertaining and funny for adults as children. The last poem in the book was so beautiful it made me cry!!

I have three children, and this book is their favorite book! We read it every night before bed. It is very entertaining and enjoyable for us all. A must have!