W Books

I use Stages of Faith in a human development class I teach at a small private Christian university. I use the book for two reasons. First, it still has the most foundational understanding and process for conceptualizing and defining faith development. It is old now; however, it is the central piece for dialog in faith development. Second, I appreciate the thoroughness of Fowler's stages and his interaction with other developmental theories. As a professor, I also appreciate Fowler's challenge for Christians. My students are quick to assume that Fowler is writing about Christian faith development, but he is not. I like the challenge Fowler lays out for Christians and others to appropriate his "generic" model of faith development for specific religious traditions.

If you are doubting your faith, if you are unbelieving, if you've been condemned as a "back-slider" or an "infidel," if you never had a belief in the Divine but want to understand the dynamics of faith, this book may be yours to read!

I was first given this book about 18 years ago when I found myself at odds with the faith in which I was reared. I had doubts in high school as I could no longer tolerate the literalism and simplicity of the churches I attended. I lived with the dissonance for several years. Eventually, the dissonance was so unbearable, I sought the help of a counselor.

The counselor heard my doubts and lent me this book. I read that there are different stages of faith. I realized that my doubts stemmed from growth. I realized the conflicts were the conflicts of maturity not of "back-sliding."

Now, as I see young people struggling with their spiritual growth, I talk with them and, if I feel it appropriate, I give them a copy of this book.

Although this study of James Fowler is 30 years old already, I don't know a more recent book, which describes the possible development of a believing christian so clear. In this sense, it is of more current interest than ever.

This book is a necessary book for anyone who is involved in faith/spirituality work, particularly with young people. It connects with all the major developmental theories, particularly Piaget and Kohlberg. A vital resource for graduate students involved in faith ministry and development.

This book presents a skillful conceptualization of the relationship between human development and spiritual maturity.

This book does more than explore motherhood. It invites you on an expedition. When you read it, you explore all of the faces of motherhood. The interviews allow you to see motherhood from the perspective of adopted children and adoptive parents and mothers addicted to cocaine and overprotective mothers and young mothers and older mothers. It allows the reader to identify with some stories and to understand for the first time the perspective of other mothers. The expedition is wonderful.

All readers invited!! This book has something to satisfy everyone-and not just moms. No mother's story could be told without mentioning the fathers, the children, the friends-so believe me when I say everyone can profit from reading this book. It is definitely "STRONG STUFF" but not without tenderness, warmth, and love-lots of love-woven throughout. In their own words, a wide range of "mothers" volunteer stories about relationships, ancestry, joy, suffering, expectations, disappointments, selflessness and selfishness, successes and failures, regrets and no regrets. We are enticed to at least try a few stories by the author's poignant and articulate introduction about her own mothering experience and her determined evolution of this book. A word of advice-do not let the sometimes awkward and lackluster style of some of the presentations stop you. At first I was put off, until I realized the author had recounted these stories just as the women communicated them-truly in their own words. With each new section of stories by "theme", the author offered another introduction that presented various perspectives,issues and emotions relative to that group of stories. This makes each visit with another mother in another place and in another situation totally fresh. If you did not like the style, or could not identify with the experience of one woman, then just move on to the next, or jump around for that matter. Even though grouped by themes, I sometimes preferred to pick at random and found myself equally satisfied. Whatever you want or need you can take away from these stories. There are lessons learned/ignored, advice shared/disregarded, ideas to ponder/suppress and sometimes just moments experienced with tears, laughter, anger, resentment, gratitude or uneasiness. I can identify one problem--there is not enough!! I want more!! Most of these amazing and at the same time authentic stories are only beginnings, dangling participles. With the last period of these stories there is no end. These are real evolving lives and I feel like screaming sequel! epilogue! Please tell me what is happening now with these remarkable and yet ordinary women who bravely shared their story with me.

All readers invited!! This book has something to satisfy everyone-and not just moms. No mother's story could be told without mentioning the fathers, the children, the friends-so believe me when I say everyone can profit from reading this book. It is definitely "STRONG STUFF" but not without tenderness, warmth, and love-lots of love-woven throughout. In their own words, a wide range of "mothers" volunteer stories about relationships, ancestry, joy, suffering, expectations, disappointments, selflessness and selfishness, successes and failures, regrets and no regrets. We are enticed to at least try a few stories by the author's poignant and articulate introduction about her own mothering experience and her determined evolution of this book. A word of advice-do not let the sometimes awkward and lackluster style of some of the presentations stop you. At first I was put off, until I realized the author had recounted these stories just as the women communicated them-truly in their own words. With each new section of stories by "theme", the author offered another introduction that presented various perspectives,issues and emotions relative to the following stories. This makes each visit with another person in another place and in another situation totally fresh. If you did not like the style or could not identify with the experience of one woman then just move on to the next, or jump around for that matter. Even though grouped by themes I sometimes preferred to pick at random and found myself equally satisfied. Whatever you want or need you can take away from these stories. There are lessons learned/ignored, advice shared/disregarded, ideas to ponder/suppress and sometimes just moments experienced with tears, laughter, anger, resentment, gratitude or uneasiness. I can identify one problem--there is not enough!! I want more!! Most of these amazing and at the same time authentic stories are only beginnings, dangling participles. With the last period of these stories there is no end. These are real evolving lives and I feel like screaming sequel! epilogue! Please tell me what is happening now with these remarkable and yet ordinary women who bravely shared their story with me.

I read "Strong Stuff" straight through, urged forward by the compelling diverse stories of mothers, some of whom I identified with out of my own experiences and some for whom I felt awe and humility for dealing with challenges greater than I had ever faced. Ms. Moore let the power and dignity of the individuals' voices remain strong and alive in delivering their stories to the reader. If mothering is challenging, step-mothering is even more so, I believe, and as I made up what "mothering" was "supposed to be" in parenting a lovely stepdauther, I wish I had had these stories to guide me along. I gave a copy to my goddaughter who just graduated with a degree in community development; she immediately ordered copies for her colleagues in a regional women's development program, saying it was the best resource of its kind she had seen. For studying, for savoring, for reconsidering one's own mother experience, "Strong Stuff" is not to be missed!

In Strong Stuff: Mothers' Stories, Emily Moore provides a compendium of profound insights about women, their mothers, and their children. These are compelling and insightful stories drawn from 84 women and which will be of substantial value in helping the reader become the mother she desires to be; to better understand herself and her child; show her options previously unsuspected; benefit from insights and wisdom gleaned from others' experiences; see the lives of women from different cultures and life situations; and even help her decide if she wants to become a mother in a time when science and the women's movement have endowed today's women with biological and social choices respecting motherhood that previous generations of women simply didn't have access to. If you are a new mother, or are contemplating motherhood for your self, read Emily Moore's Strong Stuff: Mothers' Stories!

This is the first of the O'Reilly books I have been disappointed in. I bought the book for one reason-- to find out how to restore a / and /usr file system off a remote tape drive. Unfortunately the book does not answer this question, all of its examples assume the server has a local tape drive attached. The authors spend their time touting freebie utilities at the expense of a thourough discussion of the backup and restore capabilities that come with the operating system.

This book is important for System Administrators and DBAs. The book is well-written and have discussed all the major UNIX flavors back and recovery. The author went further by discussing the Backup and Recovery of major databases on these UNIX operating systems.
I give 5 stars.

As a former Unix system administrator, this book proved invaluable to me. Backups are a dreaded responsibility for most as they are not glamorous, but when a backup is needed, the administrator can become a hero or out of a job very quickly depending on thier backups. The author provides some deep insight into the art of backups, drawing upon real world examples that provide insight into the recommendations. The authors quips on real world backup stories is worth the price alone as there is great knowledge to be gained from someone else's mistakes and failures. Truly a gem that should be on EVERY system administrators bookshelf.

Even though I was still very new to Linux/UNIX, this book was able to help me create a fully automated backup routine as well as how to restore from those backups. I found the book very easy to read and not at all dry.

This is *THE* Computer System backup book. It contains all the basics of why you want to backup computer systems, plus many of the real world experience details. It is written from a Unix perspective, but is still applicable to Windows and other non-Unix environments.

I've been using this book as a general guide for several years now. It was a book I watched work it's way through the O'Reilly system from first announcement to general release. I bought it when it first came out. I have not been disappointed in it.

Many people think of computer system backups as a dry old musty topic of interest to nobody in particular. But 9/11 showed how important good disaster recovery planning and procedures could be to a business.

Some of the specifics are now a little out of date, but not by leaps and bounds. It is still very good for its core reason for being - Backups. It is very much less out of date than other computer books on the market today.

I have been dealing with large-scale computer system backups and disaster recovery for large employers for years... and I still consult this book regularly to make sure have not missed anything important. It covers all the topics you need.

This was actually the first Daniel Steele book I ever read. It was wonderful the story so well developed and the characters so full of life. In fact I have now read this book at least 3 times maybe even 4, truly a classic. Everyone should have this on their shelf to read when you get tired of just seeing words on a page that take you nowhere.

Audry is SUCH a great character! Her love of adventure and for her man, but her loyalty to her family is what really pulled the story together. Very enjoyable book!

I have read many of Danielle Steel's books. This has to be one of her best. It is about a young woman named Audrey who has been caretaker to her grandfather and younger sister. Then, she has this need to do some traveling, and see the world. She does so, first going to New York City (she lived in San Francisco). She meets two people named James and Violet, and she becomes a travel companion for the two. In England, she meets Charles, whom becomes her one true love, and they travel the world together, and no matter what threatens to break them up, they never give up on each other.

This is not as formulaic as many of Danielle Steel novels, but it is still wonderful and one of her best.

This book is so cool...it takes you so many places, you most likely have never been to. It's so fun to put yourself in this characters shoes & see what it's like. I love to read about countries I haven't been to...classic DS

I have been reading Danielle Steel for over 15 years and own all her books and this is one of my favourites - one I can read over and over again and still enjoy the story.
I was transported back to the 1930's and admired the bravery of Audrey travelling to China when it was probably a dangerous (and not "proper") for a young single woman to do so. This one made me laugh, cry and wish that all would go well for Audrey.
If you are a Danielle Steel fan you will love this one. Her earlier novels (like this one) are so much better than her later books. If you are new to Danielle Steel - this one is highly recommended. Enjoy!

Thirty short stories by W. Somerset Maugham including "Rain" which is about a prudish missionary and a prostitute and "The Three Fat Women of Antibes" which is an ironic story about self-denial and greed.

As a writer, Maugham considered himself "on the first row of the secondraters". I think he was being modest. Maugham has written some of the finest short stories ever written. His purpose was to do no more than tell an interesting story, but the reader gets much more. Each story is perfectly told; not one word is wasted, each character is fully realized. Maugham observes and never judges his characters. His short stories can be read many times and with each reading the reader finds something new and interesting. Somerset Maugham's short stories takes the reader to a time that is now past but still very relevant.

Somerset is an amazing writer whose words flowed so freely and expressively it makes you want to cry. This book of shorts is classic Maugham and un-put-downable. You'll love it.

The story" Fall of Edward Barnard" is a confrontation between what is called'the Civilized World' and the indigenous, the savage, the primitive world. Edward, thankful to a relative already fascinated by the beauties of the islands around tahiti, had a one life opportunity to have a very introspective reflexion about the meaning of his life. Sent from Chicago for two years, he will delay his return and the promise he made to his bride Isabelle. Why ? Because facing the natural beauty, almost thunderstruck by such simplicity, he wonders what the use of all this hustle and constant striving in our cities which are all but stones with ceasless turmoil. After a unsuccessful beginning in working, he chose a simple life based on beauty, truth and goodness. His thoughts reach the universal when asking himself ( throughout the author's philosophy ) why do we come into the world for to hurry to an office and work hour after hour

I came to know Maugham through his novels, especially The Razor's Edge, Of Human Bondage, and Cakes and Ale. I purchased this collection not knowing what to expect. The stories are character focused, at times incredibly witty and amusing, at times melancholy and near heart-breaking. As in his novels, Maugham has the ability to make the reader see what is not written. Highlights include The Rain, a commentary on the work of missionaries, and The Pool, one of the saddest shorts ever written. Others, such as The Three Fat Women of Antibbes, will probably make you laugh out loud. A first rate collection.

The book contains all the information, resources to fix your credit. I contacted the author and he was was very happy to assist me during the proccess. Buying this book you can get all the tools you need to fix your credit; but not only that, if you contact the author he can even help you throught the procces dissregarding his busy schedule!

I was NOT thrilled with this book. It was recommended to me so I would be able to help a couple of friends of mine clean up their credit. The book doesn't read well. The only good thing was the CD however I could have gone online and downloaded the same forms. I'm sorry I wasted the money.

I have been putting taking care of this off for a long time. I found this book to be a life saver. I found my self taking notes and really getting some direction on this.

Facts are presented in a good way and I am already fixing my life. I suggest that for the price (which includes a CD too), pick this one up.

An awesone read and I have given a copy to several people who needed help.
I have received help and have helped others in money management and credit repair.

This book was very informative. It was very easy to read and understand. This is what I have been looking for to help me with credit problems. This is by far the best book on credit repair. I am looking forward to the next book.

This book has excellent information for anyone who is just diagnosed with asthma. If you have been living with asthma for awhile and have been active in the management of your asthma, you may find that there is very little "new" information contained in the book. You will find that the book contains a good description of the various treatments that may be prescribed by your doctor. Be that as it may, the book continues to be a good resource for anyone with asthma.

After a diagnosis of COPD and/or asthma, I did what I always do. I set out to learn as much as possible. This is a wonderful, comprehensive and hopeful book. I have checked much of the info with my pulmonary MD and he too was most impressed and is suggesting it to patients. It is written in understandable terms, with a fine resources section. I learned a lot, and felt a bit more in control of this disease. Because if you give in, it will "git ya". Well done!

Couldn't breathe. Bought this book. Showed my doctor who changed all my medications. That was six months ago. TODAY? I BREATHE so well that I'm training for the NY marathon. It's hard for me to believe that getting the RIGHT medication can be crucial for allergy and asthma. But I'm a believer.

I have had allergies since birth--and never have felt good until I did the things written in this book. An excellent book on why allergies happen and what you can do--today--to stop them. I took the book to my doctor and she changed my medication to include steroid nasal inhalers. This helped me go through two pollen seasons without missing any work. SUPERB!!

I have sinusitis and asthma, and my children have the same. We have suffered for too many years according to this book. It enlightened me to learn that my sinus drainage actually triggers asthma--thus, I have learned to stay on top of sinus infections and post nasal drip--to END ASTHMA. It works. Dr. Smolley is brilliant. The book is a must read for any parent or person with allergies, asthma, sinusitis or other lung disease. Read it--and do what he says--it will change your life the way it has ours.

My son recently started preschool and I remembered I loved this book as a child. I particularly remember how vibrant the pictures were and how my imagination ran wild with them. It was a great way to prepare him for his first day of school and one we continue to read over and over and over! A definate classic!

Book shows that Sister is nervous about starting kindergarten. She meets the teacher Mrs. Honey before school starts. First she is nervous but soon she starts to relax and enjoy herself and have fun. I love the part where she holds another kindergartener's hand on the bus. So often little kids only think of themselves and not others.

this book is ok .One reason is because it shows you not to judge things you haven,t tried.Another is If people dont trie something then help them do it.This is what i think of this book.

I really loved this book as a kid because I loved all the illustrations and I loved kindergarten as well. I was volunteering at a kindergarten class one time and read this book to the kids and they loved it and were so happy for some reason when I told them I have the book at home too :) It's a good book to prepare your child for daycare, preschool or kindergarten if they're having anxiety about going.

If you're looking for a book to introduce your child to what happens at school, then look no further. Sister Bear will be going to school for the first time in this book and in preparation, Mama takes her to see her kindergarten teacher for lunch. She has a wonderful time and then brother takes her to school with him and helps her get on the bus. Sister is kind and holds the hand of another little bear who seems very afraid and they go into class together. That part was really sweet! This book does a wonderful job in teaching children what school is about and what to expect. If Brother and Sister can do it, then we can too! This is a great hit at our house and I highly recommend it!

There are many ways to produce change in a persons life. But when change does occur, do we know how we produced it? Many times we do not. That's where books like this come into play. It is a very dense book, so if you are not ready for a deep inmersion into the theories behind strategic therapy, you need not apply. Highly recommended for those interested in Watzlawick's other books.

Overall, the book is a bit dry at times, but if you can read, knowing that you will stumble upon a real diamond from time to time, it's a book well worth reading.

This is a great book on the mind. It shows us that we don't really need to know the mechanisms of things to make it work. Just like we don't have to know how a car works in order to drive it. The mind is the same way. Never mind the mechanisms it involves but if you do this and this, a person will do this and this. And surprisingly, although most of the suggestions are counterintuitive, most of the things discussed in the book actually work when we try it out on others. Try it and you will see! If you want to know why these things work, I'd suggest you read "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It is a very insightful book about relationships and consciousness. If you get the message, you will know why the things suggested in Watzlawick's books actually work. Happy reading!

Change is the ultimate illusion; nothing ever changes. The cover picture tells it all: is it night or day, earth or sky, field or bird, culture or nature? Illustrations of illusions. The only thing we can hope for is some enlightment regarding a different way to look at our perceptions of change. This book offer that: a short cut to the paradoxes of change.

I first read this book in 1977 after hearing John Weakland speak at my medical school. I read it because even though I was in residency training to be a psychiatrist, I had no clue as to what he was talking about for over an hour. After reading it, I went to a week long seminar conducted by the three authors in Palo Alto, California. My understanding of what behavioral science should be about (but wasn't) was so profoundly changed that I could not do well at making a living in my chosen profession, because my patients recovered from their problems at such a rate that I could not find enough to treat. I had to go back to more traditional forms of psychiatry which were extremely ineffective, but allowed me to drive a very nice car.

The advent of HMOs drove me completely out of practice which is quite paradoxical since they like the idea of short term therapy. I guess the problem may come from the solution they seek which frequently has nothing to do with a positive outcome for anyone but the administrators of the HMO.

So unless you want your status quo in upheaval, don't buy this book.

I read this book as a young teenager and remembered being very captivated by it. However I recently went back and re-read it as a woman in my late twenties and was more than a little disappointed. While the plot and characters themselves are very imaginative and interesting, Hardy's writing style is amateurish and too twentieth century for the time period of the book. Also Deirdre's brattish personality just grated on me after a while. I kept expecting her to grow up more, but she still retained that irritating flavor of immaturity even into the last book. In all fairness I had just finished reading some great literary classics such as The Lord of The Rings and Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, so perhaps it is not fair of me to hold up Hardy's books in comparison to those works of art. However, someone reading all the other glowing reviews (I could not believe that every single one gave it FIVE stars) might be rather misled. This book and its sequels are NOT great literature. Interesting, creative maybe, but not true literary art. I would recommend this as a good starter book for young teenage girls. However as adults I would encourage them to move on to better, more sophisticated writing.

I read this book when it was first published back the the mid-eighties. The story had a profound influence on my life as a young teenager, and continues to thrill me as a "thirtysomething" adult. It has influenced my imagination in the way that I write. I enjoyed the medieval settings. The story is beautifully written, and the characters come alive on the page. Once you think you have this story figured out, twists you never even thought possible are thrown at you, which I like. I hate feeling like the author is insulting my intelligence. The story has a beautiful message, and I have loaned this book out to many readers. I have yet to find one disappointed reader. The saga continues in 2 more books, followed by an additional series that takes place 100 years later. You HAVE to read this book!!

I first read this book back in high school. It was a favorite then. My little sister fell in love with the series too and somehow years later we could not find the actual books - go figure. This is a terrific series by an author who has tremendous imagination and gives her characters depth that allows you to connect with them. Thoroughly enjoyed getting reacquainted with Robin Hardy.

Almost 5 years ago, I picked up Chataine's Guardian. It was one of many books a friend had given me to sell at a yard sale I was having. I loved books, and it looked interesting, so I read it, and sold the rest of the books she had given me. I couldn't put it down! I got the next two books, and read almost all the streiker series books. My cousin began reading them, and we were hooked! Robin's books have become very familiar to me, and every time I read them, I get so wrapped up in them!
Robin's books have encouraged my cousin and me to continue in our own writing endeavors, and remind us that it's God that gives us the ability to do so. Her books are more than just stories to me--they're revelations of her heart, and encouragements to all who read them.

When young Chataine (princess) Deidre is given a guardian to look after her, she starts out as a stubborn brat. But with help from Roman, her guardian, she grows to a new maturity, as well as an awareness of how important she is to the survival of her country of Lystra. With the Surchantains' (kings) sons' all asking for her hand in marriage, Deidre will have to make a difficult decision that will effect her life in more ways than one.

A leader at my girl's group gave all of us a copy of this book. When I first got it I wasn't sure I'd like it but by the second chapter I loved it- and by the fifth chapter the house could have buned down around me and I wouldn't have noticed. The next week, the other girls and I discussed it with our leader and we all said the same thing- it was an amazing book.