O Books

This book is proof that the lives of the saints are anything but boring.

It fits in the side pocket of my going-somewhere-without-the-diaper-bag purse. I tuck it in my diaper bag or in my coat pocket. Sometimes I stow it with my prayer books, in a nook above my microwave.

But it's not just the handy size that makes this book the perfect gift for just about anyone, and I am even thinking about giving it to a few young non-Catholics in my life - who doesn't love a hero?

That's what this book is about. It's about heroes. It's about the saints of yesterday (and some of the yesterdays aren't so long ago!) who lived their faith.

What you'll find in Catholic Saints Prayer Book: Moments of Inspiration from Your Favorite Saints is not a tome of dusty stories (though those have their place). You'll find just enough information about each of the 32 saints to whet your appetite and feed your prayer life. Using Donna's format, you get catechesis AND prayer.

This isn't a book with exhaustive facts about every saint. Instead, it's a collection of snapshots to encourage you as you trundle along from one daily task to another.

The "Catholic Saints Prayer Book" is a wonderful little book, perfect for carrying in your purse or briefcase so that you can pull it out whenever you need some heavenly intervention. Cooper O'Boyle profiles 32 well-known saints and includes a prayer to each one. There is a remarkable amount of information packed into this book's 80 pages. It is like having a collection of holy cards that you can easily carry with you.

In the introduction, Cooper O'Boyle writes:

"Ultimately, we should see the saints as models of sanctity for us to imitate, as well as tremendous intercessors, helping us when we invoke them. . . Let us invoke the saints often, asking for their holy assistance, even praying along with them, striving to imitate their virtues while praying to become saints ourselves. In doing so, we hope not just to make it to heaven one day, but rather to bring countless souls with us because of our life and how we have loved."

"The Catholic Saints Prayer Book" can certainly help us on our journey to holiness.

In a time of profound confusion and chaos, the books of Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle provide meaning, inspiration and direction for all those who are seeking the truth in these troubled times. The Second Vatican Council reminded the Church that we are all called to holiness. This book will help us attain our goal.

Fr. James Farfaglia, Pastor
St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Catholic Church
Corpus Christi, Texas

Our family can never have too many books about the saints, and here's one to add to our collection. "The Catholic Saints Prayer Book" is an engaging compilation of short biographies. Original prayers and lovely illustrations accompany the profiles of thirty-two saints, along with quotes from those saints and info on their patronage. With its pocket size, "Catholic Saints" is the perfect "take along" inspirational reading.

The Church's hagiography has inspired whole libraries of books, the best of which paint a distinctive portrait of one or more of our beloved spiritual mothers and fathers. We love to hear and tell these stories over and over, for these stories provide our only real connection in this life with our spiritual forebears, our only opportunity to know them as we would like.

The Catholic Saints Prayer Book reminds us of another important reason to ruminate on the lives of the saints. This reason is perhaps best summed up in the words of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the spiritual mother of the author of this charming little book: "The Church of God needs saints today. This imposes a great responsibility on us. We must become holy not because we want to feel holy, but because Christ must be able to live His life fully in us" (p.10).

Each of the thirty-two saints contained in this book remind us that the pathway to holiness is not easily traversed. It is a way of suffering. Of grief. Of struggle against our basest impulses. In the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, "There is no better wood to kindle the fire of holy love than the wood of the cross."

Above all, it is a way of prayer. And for this, The Catholic Saints Prayer Book provides a simple yet eloquent resource for those who want to grow closer to our heavenly family. Each chapter includes a list of patronages, brief biography, and closing prayer to lead you gently yet deeply into that "blessed communion, fellowship divine." Delicate illustrations are scattered throughout, making this a wonderful gift for birthdays, Mother's Day ... or simply for your own prayer corner.

Heidi Saxton, Author of Behold Your Mother: Mary Stories and Reflections from a Catholic Convert and editor of "Canticle"

Behold Your Mother

Jeff O'Leary has a winner with this book. What sets this one apart from other leadership books is the approach. Each chapter is devoted to a leader from history, complete with a to-the-point retelling of their story. Then O'Leary seamlessly incorporates the principles learned from the history lesson into modern day wisdom. It is a very effective motif. I have not found another book quite like this on the market. And that's what makes it so special. The Centurion Principles is extremely readable (the chapters have nice break points and are not overly long) and inspirational. Overall, it is a very fine book that any aspiring leader or history buff will find enjoyable and helpful.

Fantastic collection of Champions and true leaders from history. A must read for anyone desiring to become a stronger person. Excellent thoughts for today's centurions.

Excellent! Cover to cover. Author takes practical, historical examples of leadership and applies them to the present. Don't miss this book. You will refer to it again and again.

Wow, I have read many Leadership books, From John Maxwell to Andy Stanley, but I have never read one so simply put and so interesting. Mr. O'Leary not only teaches good guidelines for leadership, but also shows how they have been used in the past for great success. The intercutting of the teaching portions and the story portions helped make it smooth going from cover to cover.

In a genre filled with leadership pabulum, this book stands out as truly unique and inspiring. All leaders - whether in business, in the military, or in the community - could benefit from reading this excellent book. It is extremely well-written with prose that paints vivid imagery, it is highly thought-provoking, and it is very enriching.

Drawing on the lessons forged by extraordinary (and sometimes, infamous) leaders, the author spins engrossing accounts of real-life leadership and then helps the reader draw out the lessons that will enable them to reach new heights of leadership acumen.

What's more, this is one of the few leadership books that recognizes and acknowledges that spirtual element of our human nature that truly enables us to lead others. Within each chapter, the author presents relevant and clear examples drawn from the Bible that directly relate to the principles discussed. His approach is far from preachy and, in fact, is quite refreshing.

I have read a great number of leadership books and have more than 20 years of leadership experience. Even so, I learned a lot from this wonderful book. I strongly recommend it and I commend Mr. O'Leary for his valuable insights, superb writing style, and his obvious passion for exceptional leadership.

always when i forget some of command i find in book, this is cool book..

This book is pretty much an all in one book, it won't prepare you to pass any exam, but it will help you in your work if you have to do something with your cisco router when it's outside your scope.

i found this book is very well written, it gives you an example of how to configure something, then it will give you a detailed explanation of what it does and other options that you can do to adjust your need.

more things that i found very interesting is the "handling queuing and congestion" part which helped me implement qos for my router and make my network runs better.

there are many other interesting chapters for me, which will be too much to review. but i will recommend this to any body who works with cisco devices to get this book for in job reference or even just for study because this book will teach you more than what a ccna can do.

A book that resides outside of the often-essential Cisco Press series of books, Cisco IOS Cookbook delivers the goods. I'd like to see more coverage of Ethernet switching, which is a huge part of Cisco's business (and many modern Cisco Catalyst releases run IOS now). Communication between Ethernet and Token Ring is fully covered, however. Otherwise, this is an excellent, accurate and razor-sharp configuration reference for Cisco router hounds. Very good coverage of all L3 routing protocols and subjects such as serial interface and CSU/DSU setup, all of which I've done in previous jobs. Check out the Chapter 19 section on Access Lists. Finally, if you really need a thorough introduction to IPv6 on Cisco, go straight to Chapter 25. Another solid effort from O'Reilly.

This book is indeed the best book for day to day management of Cisco networks. Although it covers most of the topics. However, there are some topics such as DMVPN, IPSEC VTI etc. are missing from the configuration examples.

The "CISCO IOS in a nutshell" covers DMVPN but misses on IPsec VTI. However, I still feel this is the best book written for cisco router configuration.

This book should be on every Cisco & network admin's shelf! If you manage several Cisco routers, this book is packed with loads of time-saving tips, tricks, scripts, and real world solutions to make router management easy and take the pain out of repetitive daily processes. Some Perl & Unix knowledge is helpful as well as some basic "CCNA level" understanding of Cisco IOS. Troubleshooting and configuration commands are taken to the next level beyond most boring and dry CCNA and Cisco Intro books.

Purchased after a program on XM radio's golf station mentioned this book. Excellent, easy read on the master of golf. What a guy in a different era. You can visualize the time and some of the matches. Highly recommend.

Terrific insight to Bobby Jones - while O.B. Keeler must have "dressed" up the final product, the sense that so much came directly from a young man barely out of his teens coming to grips with the realization that he was the most famous golfer in the world... Just compelling reading!

Great read, one all golfers will want to make, as Nicklaus suggests in the modern edition foreward.

Why return to an outdated time of wood shafts and limitef flight balls? One finds it in this read, the character and strength of this great amateur.

What impressed this reviewer was Jones' humbleness, and love for the game. He wasn't really into all the winning, which in fact caused him anxiety. Moreover he was into the challenge against Ole Man Par and himself. He relished the comradre with his fellow competitors and is most quick to give them praise rather than discuss what he didn't have in his game that round.

Neat to realize that his prized trophy was the first, which he thought was improperly awarded to him, while Alexa Sterling should have won it, no question. This is what golf is about, not slugging it 300+ yds. to screaming fans playing for millions.

Takes us back to what the game is and should remain. It's become far too commercialized.

Will take a honored position in my growing golf book collection to be fondly recalled and reread.

If you not only enjoy playing golf but also cherish the game's traditions and values, and if you could purchase only one book about golf, this is it. Whether or not Jones is the greatest golfer ever is a judgment I eagerly entrust to those foolish enough to debate it. Suffice to say that he was among the greatest players and among the finest gentlemen ever associated with golf. Published in 1927 when Jones was just 25, three years before he won what has since been designated "The Grand Slam", this is a book in which Jones (in collaboration with Keeler) invites his reader to accompany him "down the fairway" of a life as well as a game. The first eleven chapters review the competitive process until what he characterizes as his "Biggest Year." In the final chapter of Part One, Jones observes that, "I started the year 1926 with one glorious licking and closed it with another. And it was the biggest golf-year I'll ever have." Or so he then thought. In that year, we're told, "Walter Hagen gave me the first drubbing, and of all the workmanlike washings-up I have experienced, this was far and away the most complete" and later, "George [von Elm] was too much for me....He simply outplayed me. It was coming to him....It was George's turn. So the biggest Year ended, as it began, with a beating. Still, I'll always feel kindly toward 1926."

In Part Two, Jones shares just about everything he has learned (to that point) about the mental as well as physical skills needed to play golf well. What struck me, throughout the book, is Jones's candor. For example, "There are times when I feel I know less about what I am doing than anybody else in the world." He discusses putting ("a game within a game"), the pitch shot ("a mystery"), iron play ("I like it"), "the heavy artillery" (woods), miscellaneous shots ("and trouble"), and in the final chapter "Tournament Golf." The reader is provided with a generous selection of photographs, many of which I (at least) had not seen previously. "Early in this little book I made the statement that there were two kinds of golf -- golf, and tournament golf; and that they were not at all the same." When concluding this book, Jones acknowledges that he's been "awfully lucky. Maybe I'll win another championship, some day. I love championship competition, after all -- win or lose." What will it feel like when he days of tournament competition have ended? "It's going to be queer." Then he confides, as his "little book" ends: "But there's always one thing to look forward to -- the round with Dad and [other kindred spirits]; the Sunday morning round at old East Lake, with nothing to worry about, when championships are done." Three years after sharing these thoughts and feelings, Jones won the Grand Slam and then retired from tournament competition. Some people have expressed their preferences for those with whom they would like to share a "fantasy dinner." Were it possible, I would like to share a "fantasy round of golf" with Bob Jones, Walter Hagen, and Harvey Penick. Given the impossibility of that, I must seek their companionship in books such as this.

Bobby Jones shares his perspective on winning, losing, and his life-long battle against "Old Man Par". This is a must read for any serious student of golf history and tradition.

My daughter and I both read this book and actually used a bunch of Patrick O'Connor's college admission tips. We really appreciated his experience, and I believe a couple of his creative ideas gave my daughter some extra admissions leverage (she was accepted by the Big 10 college of her choice within 7 days of sending her online application). Specifically, as a high school senior, my daughter used O'Connor's very helpful advice on:

--Application deadlines
--Essays
--Letters of recommendation
--Community Service
--Extracurricular Activities

We were aware of the college admission basics, but "College is Yours" gave my daughter some different angles and approaches to utilize on her essays and applications. The book is concise and exceptionally easy to use. The author is also available via email if you find yourself with a question not covered in his text--this is a man that knows his admissions process, and has the contacts for your further assistance, if needed!

As a Psychologist specializing in work with adolescents I have to say that this is the best college counseling book that I have ever read. Although the cover carries the imprint of a specific school, the content is applicable to any college seeking student. Dr. O'Connor delivers great wisdom and insight in a way that is light, honest, funny, and not at all condescending. He truly gets to the essence of what choosing a college is REALLY about. I have recommended this book to many of the students and parents that I work with and everyone loves it. The chapter on how to talk to parents about college seems to be a big hit. It is my hope that college counselors everywhere will read this book and apply these principles when guiding students. A lot of stress, confusion, and regrettable choices could potentially be avoided.

My daughter, a senior in high school felt the need to share her thoughts about this book:
"After reading this outstanding book, not only did I know more about the college application process, but also more about what I needed to do! Well-written, and informative, this book really tells you all you need to know and more to put you ahead. Easy to relate to and navigate, I genuinely feel that this is one of the most useful books you can purchase, and is definitely worth every penny! It is a must buy!"

This small book is packed with good information about college selection. Written with wit and wisdom the author - an experienced college counselor - offers short, insightful advice on many topics from test prep to college visits. The reader will enjoy his relaxed, humorous approach to this often stressful process.

In a refreshing departure from the "Secrets of...", "Beat the System...", "Playing the Game" hysteria and hype surrounding the college search and admission process, this engaging, readable book brings the reader back to the student-centered task of finding a match between student and college. Each chapter, limited to a length (600 words or less) that does not exceed the attention span of many high schoolers, offers sound, practical advice in a witty, conversational tone. There are no promises of shortcuts, no guarantees of gaining a competitive edge - just down-to-earth advice and encouragement. Though originally written for students at one school, students (and parents) everywhere will find valuable information to guide them through their college search.

this book tells us about rfk,jfk and kenny o'donnel. it tells us about how they were, and it's very interessing. I suggest it to all people who are fan of the keenedys, like me. there are a few rares photos.

I used to work with the author's uncle, Cleo, who also plays a large part in this book. Over lunch and sometimes drinks after work, he used to tell us some of the wonderful stories of his and his brother's friendship with the Kennedy brothers. When I saw this book, I had to get it and it is bringing back wonderful memories of 25 years ago in Boston. In fact, if I am not mistaken, the author herself may have helped out in the office once or twice during school vacations. In any case, if you are a Kennedy fan, this is a touching, well-written book full of warmth and good stories about the Kennedys' and O'Donnells' as real people, written by someone who knew them. Don't miss it.

Kenny O'Donnell has done an outstanding job of providing insight to a man who figured largely in world history. He has drawn a very real, very strong portrait of a man who set and met many personal goals in his personal and professional life. Robert Kennedy was, in my opinion the most interesting of his brothers. Mr. O'Donnell does an excellent job of describing the aura of sincerity Robert Kennedy exuded. He helps bring a man into focus who has been dead for many years by describing the consistencies of his character. Robert Kennedy was clearly a very driven, very determined and very hard working man. He was also a very caring, very committed and very compassionate as well. He was a central figure in world history and I think the late Senator's works have certainly influenced the world for the better. This book is definitely worth reading.

A Common Good is an enjoyable, fast-paced read. It is a warm portrayl of Bobby, Jack and Kenny O'Donnel as people. There are laughs and poignant moments. It s a must for anyone interested in Robert Kennedy.

This is a very well written and, at times, touching book by (former JFK Chief of Staff) Kenny O'Donnell's daughter Helen (with a little help from former DNC advance man Jerry Bruno and her late father's audio tapes). There is great information about Kenny's relationship with RFK and, to a leser extent, JFK. As the elading civilian expert on the Secret Service, one word of caution, though: she misspells Secret Service agent Jerry Behn's name as "Bain" and she concludes that her father had a hand in planning JFK's Dallas motorcade route-he did not.
Vince Palamara
Secret service expert, History Channel, author of 2 books, in over 30 other author's books, etc.

Cork Silver And Gold: Four Centuries Of Craftsmanship was published to coincide with the exhibition in the Crawford Gallery Cork, but stands alone as well as the first to detail the work of Cork silversmiths and goldsmiths, and will appeal to specialty art collections. Both public and private holdings were culled for this feature: what results is a display which will serve as both a history and a reference to any dedicated jewelry student studying Cork craftsmanship.

Cork Silver And Gold: Four Centuries Of Craftsmanship was published to coincide with the exhibition in the Crawford Gallery Cork, but stands alone as well as the first to detail the work of Cork silversmiths and goldsmiths, and will appeal to specialty art collections. Both public and private holdings were culled for this feature: what results is a display which will serve as both a history and a reference to any dedicated jewelry student studying Cork craftsmanship.

Cork Silver And Gold: Four Centuries Of Craftsmanship was published to coincide with the exhibition in the Crawford Gallery Cork, but stands alone as well as the first to detail the work of Cork silversmiths and goldsmiths, and will appeal to specialty art collections. Both public and private holdings were culled for this feature: what results is a display which will serve as both a history and a reference to any dedicated jewelry student studying Cork craftsmanship.

Cork Silver And Gold: Four Centuries Of Craftsmanship was published to coincide with the exhibition in the Crawford Gallery Cork, but stands alone as well as the first to detail the work of Cork silversmiths and goldsmiths, and will appeal to specialty art collections. Both public and private holdings were culled for this feature: what results is a display which will serve as both a history and a reference to any dedicated jewelry student studying Cork craftsmanship.

Cork Silver And Gold: Four Centuries Of Craftsmanship was published to coincide with the exhibition in the Crawford Gallery Cork, but stands alone as well as the first to detail the work of Cork silversmiths and goldsmiths, and will appeal to specialty art collections. Both public and private holdings were culled for this feature: what results is a display which will serve as both a history and a reference to any dedicated jewelry student studying Cork craftsmanship.

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "A Crown in the Stars". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line unique. Give this book a try.
The Christian fiction book that I have written main story line is about ten years in the life of a little girl who was "chosen by God" to be the next Madonna in the second coming of Christ.
Tommy Taylor
Author - The Second Virgin Birth

A CROWN IN THE STARS is the final chapter in the beautifully written Genesis Trilogy. The book takes place just a few years after the previous book, HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES, left off. The younger generations are aging faster and Karen and Zekaryah's youngest daughter, Shoshannah has grown into a young women full of beauty. She looks much like her mother and shares her faith in the Most High. However, her parents have sheltered her from much of their past troubles in the Great City. Shoshannah knows that her parents have enemies, but she cannot comprehend the depths they will go to seek revenge. While visiting relatives, Shoshannah is taken to the Great City. Mistaken for her mother she is captured and brought before the Queen, Sharah, her aunt. Sharah and the rest of the city's ruling class learn that Shoshannah isn't who they believed her to be, but decide to use her in their own scheming and conniving plots. Meanwhile, Shoshannah's betrothed, Kaleb, discovers what has happened to her and enters the Great City with his brother to enlist as guards so that they can watch over her. The people of the Great City haven't forgotten Nimr-Rada. His death has turned him into a martyr and the building of the Tower continues. Things look bleak for Shoshannah, but the Earth is stirring with winds of change. The Most High has not forgotten his people and he will respond to their rebellion.

Like the previous two books in the trilogy, A CROWN IN THE STARS is eloquently written. It is full of vivid images and wonderful characters. The story that Kacy Barnett-Gramckow began in THE HEAVENS BEFORE reaches its conclusion here. She holds nothing back. A person could read this book without having read the previous two books of the trilogy, but it helps to have read those books before reading this. Also, whereas the first book was more of a straight romance and the second was more suspenseful, A CROWN IN THE STARS finds balance between the two. Any Christian who likes a good story could enjoy reading A CROWN IN THE STARS.

This whole trilogy was well-written and interesting. It's neat to think about how the story worked in between the parts the Bible reports. They are a fast read, but the names are somewhat difficult.

Once again, Barnett-Gramckow gives us an excellect narrative of the origins of the Hebrew nation. This book finishes the story of the Tower of Babel and it's results.

But I'm sorry to say it's not quite as interesting as the first book of the three. I felt like I didn't get to know Shoshannah very well, nor did she really do anything terribly interesting or exciting during her captivity in the Great City. But considering how we know little about the customs or people of the time, the author did a lovely job. But the ending is exciting, though! It ends the trilogy on a great note with the events of, the confusion of languages the scattering of nations, and the 'passing the torch' on to Abram.

I only wish I knew 2 things---where Ra-Anan's tribe ended up, and what those mysterious sunstones were! lol

A Crown in the Stars picks up where He Who Lifts the Sky left off. Shoshannah, the daughter of Karen and Zekaryah, has grown up with belief of her parents in the Most High God and loves to hear the stories I'ma-Annah tells her of before and during the Great Flood. However, she was unaware of the enemies her mother made years earlier when Karen was involved in the death of Great King Nimr-Rada.

When Shoshannah goes to visit relatives, leaving behind Kaleb, the man she plans to be betrothed to, Karen finally warns her daughter of the danger of going to the Great City. Both Karen's sister, Sharah, and brother, Ra-Anan, would like nothing better than to kill Karen. Nevertheless, events force Shoshannah to go through the Great City and her cruel relatives take her captive.

A Crown in the Stars is a bittersweet finish to an excellent trilogy. It was very sad to see the falls of mankind, first with the Flood and then the Tower of Babel, through the eyes of the three women: Annah, Karen, and Shoshannah. Each of their stories were beautifully written and seemed so realistic.

What is important about Carol Simpson's wonderfully well-planned and illustrated book Daily Guided Writing for teachers of kindergarten through second grade, is that it is full of practical lessons in guiding writing plus it contains the work of several of her students. Not only does Simpson give grade by grade lesson plans on a daily basis, she encourages the use of her daily guided writing lessons in such a manner that does not demoralize the experienced teacher who has run out of ideas with which to stimulate his or her students. She realizes that there are "...those elementary teachers who feel they need some additional ideas for teaching their students how to become good writers. The ability to communicate with pencil and paper, or word processor, is an important skill for our fast-paced world"(Preface iii). Nor does she demoralize the most important person, the young student who is keen to explore new worlds and to express him or herself.

What is important about Carol Simpson's wonderfully well-planned and illustrated book Daily Guided Writing for teachers of kindergarten through second grade, is that it is full of practical lessons in guiding writing plus it contains the work of several of her students. Not only does Simpson give grade by grade lesson plans on a daily basis, she encourages the use of her daily guided writing lessons in such a manner that does not demoralize the experienced teacher who has run out of ideas with which to stimulate his or her students. She realizes that there are "...those elementary teachers who feel they need some additional ideas for teaching their students how to become good writers. The ability to communicate with pencil and paper, or word processor, is an important skill for our fast-paced world"(Preface iii). Nor does she demoralize the most important person, the young student who is keen to explore new worlds and to express him or herself.

What is important about Carol Simpson's wonderfully well-planned and illustrated book Daily Guided Writing for teachers of kindergarten through second grade, is that it is full of practical lessons in guiding writing plus it contains the work of several of her students. Not only does Simpson give grade by grade lesson plans on a daily basis, she encourages the use of her daily guided writing lessons in such a manner that does not demoralize the experienced teacher who has run out of ideas with which to stimulate his or her students. She realizes that there are "...those elementary teachers who feel they need some additional ideas for teaching their students how to become good writers. The ability to communicate with pencil and paper, or word processor, is an important skill for our fast-paced world"(Preface iii). Nor does she demoralize the most important person, the young student who is keen to explore new worlds and to express him or herself.

What is important about Carol Simpson's wonderfully well-planned and illustrated book Daily Guided Writing for teachers of kindergarten through second grade, is that it is full of practical lessons in guiding writing plus it contains the work of several of her students. Not only does Simpson give grade by grade lesson plans on a daily basis, she encourages the use of her daily guided writing lessons in such a manner that does not demoralize the experienced teacher who has run out of ideas with which to stimulate his or her students. She realizes that there are "...those elementary teachers who feel they need some additional ideas for teaching their students how to become good writers. The ability to communicate with pencil and paper, or word processor, is an important skill for our fast-paced world"(Preface iii). Nor does she demoralize the most important person, the young student who is keen to explore new worlds and to express him or herself.

I briefly borrowed Daily Guided Writing by Carol Simpson from another teacher. As a teaching resource for early writers (K-2), I found it to be quite useful and am purchasing my own copy. What pleased me most is that I didnÕt have to wade through inessential theory to get to the well-organized ideas and suggestions.

The book is divided into three sections: Experience Stories, Using the Daily News, and Journals as Guided Writing Lessons. All sections contain information I already knew along with ideas that made me think, ÒOf course! Why didnÕt I think of that?Ó It is designed with the understanding that your students are progressing in their writing skills throughout the year, so suggestions are given for modeled, shared, guided, and independent writing.

In addition to the main sections, Daily Guided Writing contains an appendix with reproducible Daily News (with and without illustrations), story starters, and suggestions for publishing studentsÕ stories. The appendix is a nice bonus in an already valuable book.

Great book. I like that fact that it is laid out like a dictionary (By Topic) and not in commentary style.

Contains a wealth of solid and in-depth information aimed at scholars and educated lay persons. Articles are well written (and can be a bit dense), very informative, and contain a select bibliography for further study. An indispensible tool for any serious student of the Bible.

This is an awesome library. Jesus is everywhere in the OT. I hope to get the entire collection. Amazon is great and ships to military folk anywhere in the world with free shipping! This is a great buy.

This dictionary on the Pentateuch was very helpful in getting a historical perspective of these five books in the Old Testament. It added to my understanding of the books and individual passages, as well.

This would be an excellent resource for anyone engaging with the minimalists in regard to the historicity of Ancient Israel.

Here's the description and praises from the back of the book cover:

The first five books of the Old Testament lay the foundation on which the rest of Scripture stands. Its great themes, epochal events and towering figures set down vectors on which the biblical story is played out. The very shape of the rest of the Old Testament would collapse were the Penteteuch to be removed. The structure of New Testament thought would be barely intelligible without it.

Here we meet the great ancestral figures of Israel--Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--and the towering figure of Moses, whose presence dominates four of these five books. The creative act of God, the paradisal garden, the exile of Adam and Eve, the judgment of the great flood, the call of Abraham from among the nations, the covenant of Abraham, the exodus from Egypt, the giving of the law at Sinai, the plan of the tabernacle, the varied experiences of Israel in the wilderness, and the announcement of the covenant blassings and curses--all of these and more contribute to a work of world-formative power. This dictionary explores the major themes and contours of the Pentateuch.

Behind and beneath the grandeur of the Pentateuch, issues of historicity have both puzzled and beckoned. But wheras in the mid-twentieth century many English-speaking scholars were confident of archaeological support for the patriarchal accounts, the climate has now changed. In the most extreme cases, some contemporary scholars have radically challenged the antiquity of the ancestral stories, arguing for their final composition even as late as the Hellenistic era. This dictionary examines and weighs the historical issues and poses possible solutions.

The documentary hypothesis, the former reigning critical consensus, is now widely rumored to be on life support, with no heir apparent. Meanwhile, conservative scholars reconsider what indeed a claim to Mosaic authorship should entail. This dictionary offers an assessment of the array of questions surrounding these issues and considers some possible ways forward for evangelical scholarship.

At the same time, there has been a fruitful turning to the nature, message and art of the received text of the Pentateuch. Literary studies of brief episodes, sprawling sagas, complex narrative and even the fivefold composition of the Pentateuch itself have delivered promising and exciting results. This dictionary offers both appreciative panoramas and close-up assessments of these developments and their methods.

The Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch is the first in a four-volume series covering the text of the Old Testament. Following in the tradition of the four award-winning IVP dictionaries focused on the New Testament and its background, this encyclopedic work is characterized by close attention to the text of the Old Testament and the ongoing conversation of contemporary scholarship. In exploring the major themes and issues of the Pentateuch, editors T. Desmond Alexander and David W.Baker, with an international and expert group of scholars, inform and challenge through authoritative overviews, detailed examinations and new insights from the world of the ancient Near East.

"The Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch contains a wealth of important information for all students of this foundational portion of Scripture. The articles are all written by leading scholars in the field under the guidance of two preeminent Old Testament interpreters well known for their own work on the Pentateuch. This dictionary is not only informative but also readable. I highly recommend it."
Tremper Longman III, Westmont College

"I like the idea of a Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, and the decision to focus on major topics is well judged. There is a great deal of very useful discussion and analysis in the volume. It should open up the study of the Pentateuch in new ways for many a reader, and I welcome the project most warmly."
Robert P. Gordon, University of Cambridge

"By focusing on a single main section of Scripture, the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch allows for greater scope and in-depth handling of individual topics. Well researched and comprehensive in treatment, it will be a good addition to the library of students, pastors, scholars and laypeople."
Christopher R. Seitz, University of St Andrews