F Books

A historic tract that lives up to its reputation.

It's hard to think that one would read any regency romances without also reading this book.

This was required reading for a graduate course in the Humanities. Wollstonecraft is not easy to read however, she makes a compelling argument. Mary Wollstonecraft viewed the institution of marriage simply as legal prostitution. She believed this to be the case for several reasons. First, the marriage laws in Britain at the time gave men legal rights over their wives including their property. The law also gave men custody of their children in event of divorce, and a woman could not even obtain a divorce without their husband's consent. For women divorce meant having to leave everything of importance in their lives behind. Thus, Wollstonecraft observed that Britain's laws left women in the unenviable position of being treated as mere chattel by their husbands. Second, Wollstonecraft argued that women's downtrodden position in society was not the cause of religious or moral teachings. She was emphatic in her assessment that it was women's denial of the same educational opportunities that men received that made them seem weak and inferior to men. Finally, she believed marriage only chained women to a life of drudgery in the home.

Armed with this information, Wollstonecraft set out to propose in her book A Vindication of the Rights of Women the idea, that equal education for women was the only remedy for this grave injustice perpetrated against them, and education for women would actually strengthen the institution of marriage. She made several prescient arguments to support this idea. First, Wollstonecraft believed schoolchildren needed the contact and interaction with other schoolchildren to develop properly. So, she argued against Britain's system of elitist education, especially its private schools and boarding schools. She advocated for the creation of national public schools, funded by the state, and attended by children from the entire socio-economic strata. Second, she thought it was imperative that both boys and girls must be educated together. The reason Wollstonecraft believed in coeducation, was that when both boys and girls get to know one another from an early age they would in turn, build friendships, and learn to respect one another. Therefore, when women get married, they will be able to serve as companions to their husbands and not just as trophy wives or sexual objects. "Nay, marriage will never be held sacred till women, by being brought up with men, are prepared to be their companions rather than their mistresses." Third, Wollstonecraft asked the question, how society could expect mothers to rear healthy boys capable of functioning as confident and productive men in society if their mothers, who raised them, were uneducated. She was horrified to think of the damage already done to children by uneducated, weak-minded mothers. Wollstonecraft articulates in beautiful fashion her argument for the need to educate women in the following quote. "If marriage be the cement of society, mankind should all be educated after the same model, or the intercourse of the sexes will never deserve the name of fellowship, nor will women ever fulfill the peculiar duties of their sex." This argument only enhances women's roles as wives and mothers. Finally, Wollstonecraft argued that the implementation of her educational reforms would prove to be a key element leading to the improvement of the institution of marriage in particular, and for family life in general. "Contending for the rights of women, my main argument is built on this simple principle, that if she be not prepared by education to become the companion of man, she will stop the progress of knowledge and virtue."

Recommended reading for anyone interested in history, psychology, philosophy, and feminism.

It is interesting to teach this book and track how students respond to this book, and how differently male and female students respond to the issues Wollstonecraft raises and discusses. We contextualize the book, and then extract it from its time and place and try to place the issues in our own time and place. A lot of great questions can be raised as we contemplate how far we have and have not come, and what can or should be done about that. . .and who shall do it. It is also an arresting exercise to ask students to apply different literary theories as they discuss this text. The idea is to encourage them to step out of their own shoes and into someone else's as they consider these issues. And it gives great opportunity to ask students to try to separate themselves from their own assumptions and stereotypes about gender and gender behavior, and reassess the issues in Wollstonecraft's time and place, and in light of today's assumptions and stereotypes, which can be harder to quantify than some presume.

If you need to read this for a college or high school class, or as part of a women's studies project that you are doing for some other purpose, then I'd like to assure you that it won't be all that painful. You may even enjoy it and wish that you'd found this book sooner, all on your own. I was only assigned to read parts of it, but I finished the book by choice.

It's interesting and well writen. Some of the language and nearly all of the issues that are brought up are inflamatory. In class discussions I compared the book to "Fight Club," and was nearly laughed out of the room, but I am at least partly serious. It does have the edge of a social visionary who wanted to shake things up and blow old fashioned society out of the water. No soap bombs, though, but that's only a technicality.

If you have any choice in the matter I would suggest that you choose this book over stuffier works by less forward thinkers. I swear that reading it won't hurt that badly.

As I read this book, I find myself comparing the authors examples of the treatment of women by their fathers/husbands with the way women are today treated by the media.

Mary discusses how women are to be kept ignorant of all knowledge and only to be valued for their physical charms (almost every ad on TV/in print). The examples of her contemporaries that she quotes are frighteningly familiar.

Why is this so? Who determines that the education of females is not relevant to society. Sure they are allowed to go to school now, but they are still treated with amazing patronization and condescenscion? The amount of my (intelligent) female friends that insist they are dumb/ignorant/stupid/an idiot is disturbing. Maybe now females are allowed to learn, they should also be allowed self esteem.

I think I got sidetracked. This book is a complex and well written argument for the emancipation and education of women. It is as true today as much as it was 200 years ago. It is, however a slow read as the language is couched in the vocabulary of the late eighteenth century and many of the terms are unfamiliar.

For anyone who travels for a living or takes business trips. This is a fantastic book filled with insight, poignancy, humor and wisdom. Robert Jolles is a self-employed consultant and trainer who has earned his stripes, not to mention frequent flyer miles.

Anyone who has been degraded by what passes as airline "service" (an oxymoron?) these days, will relate. Yet, the book is not a diatribe on airline imbecility. It is a rumination on the highs and lows of business travel and how it can become a dysfunctional addiction that ravages one's soul and family.

The kind of book I was sad to see end - the ultimate compliment a reader can pay!

I read Rob's book cover to cover on a flight from the east coast to the west. There are more pages "dogearred" than I have ever folded before. Rob understands, speaks from the heart and has a genuine, sincere interest in helping people improve their lives. One idea I implemented immediately. I blocked out all three of our children's birthdays on the calendar as non-travel days. This book is a keeper and must-have for anyone who practically lives on the road!

The cover and title of this book grabbed my attention, so I adopted it for my next cross-country flight (one of many as a frequent business traveler). I can honestly say my trip passed quickly and pleasantly, as I couldn't put the book down. Jolles' humor hit home; his life lessons mixed in with business tips were not necessarily ground-breaking, but they were enlightening from his Road Warrior perspective. I found chapters 8 "Finding the Positives," 10 "The Way of Technology," and 4 "Workflow" most helpful. The final two chapters were sobering, made me think hard about the affect my business travel has on my family. There are only 2 criticisms I might submit, minor ones: the first couple chapters come across as a bit 'light weight' so you might give up on finishing the book, which would be a mistake; second, there are few if any positive references to females in his book (save to his wife, some stereotypical flight attendants, an overworked hotel maid, and to a not-so-pleasant ice-queen manager) -- while I am not what would be considered a raging feminist, I would have enjoyed reading some positive entries about businesswomen in Jolles' journal entries. WAY OF THE ROAD WARRIOR is still well worth the read, and it really made me yearn to attend one of his amazing seminars.

This sales director recommends Jolles' latest book for all fellow road warriors and their families.

This is an extraordinarily personal book. Within the first dozen pages, Author Rob Jolles has shared moments of extreme personal embarrassment with us, gently encouraging us to laugh with him rather than at him. And later on, he shares very personal issues like losing confidence in himself, and going through emotional slumps, as well as showing times when he behaved less than perfectly to other people.

However, although the book is written in the first person (ie 'I') form, it isn't a self-centered ego-trip of a book. Rob's humanity, kindness, and concern for his reader glows through every page. One can't help but feel a tremendous respect for him, and one quickly comes to appreciate Rob's generous sharing of his own problems - something he has done in the hope we can learn from his own challenges and how he confronted and resolved them

In addition to helpful hints about travel and business in general, the book goes well beyond the obvious, giving advice on issues such as how to keep on keeping on even when afflicted by illness, pain, grief or depression, and touches on surprising topics such as the addiction to travel which some people end up experiencing (often without consciously realizing this).

Truly, there's something in this book for all of us, whether we travel or not.

I've been a road warrior for many years. I work for a sports agency and I spend many nights and weeks away from my family. I have risen very high in my profession and I think I could go higher. I had also forgotten what was important. Robert Jolles helped remind me. The book starts a funny, witty series of tales about lessons learned on the road. It was wonderful up to this point and I was already happy I read it. Then I reached the part about overcoming the addiction to travel. I realized that this book was speaking to people like me. I have since started traveling less and spending more time with my family. Robert Jolles has truly changed my life and I can't thank him enough for writing this. I recommend this to anybody, anywhere who travels. There are so many wonderful lessons in this book. A must read for all of us road warriors!!!

Thanks alot for this review. Up till this moment I have not gotten my book which I have been eager to read. I could not find any contact number to call. I will really appreciate if you can trace my book for me!

There are 6 chapters, with subchapters under each,
on the following subjects. Each subchapter gives
several Bible verses quoted directly explaining it's
theme.

Chapters:
1. 12 attributes of GOD the father, such as omnipresent etc.
2. 8 fundamentals about Jesus
3. 9 things about the Holy Spirit
4. 18 items on man, e.g prayer
5. 2 items on angels
6. 4 items on the devil

The section on prayer was the most helpful to
me personally. It's so confusing trying to
figure out what the requirements for "successful"
prayer are.

This is THE book that taught me the BASICS and the advanced concepts of Christian theology -- in plain, simple (albeit somewhat archaic) language -- WITH FULL SUPPORTING BIBLE TEXT (King James Version).

It presents Christian theology, from introductory to fairly advance concepts, as simple straightforward points, with full Bible text, rather than a list of "go look this up" cites.

Torrey was the first dean of Moody Bible Institute and founder Bible Institute of Los Angeles, now BIOLA University. The book is actually a re-worked version of the lecture notes he used in teaching university-level classes such as Introduction to Christian Theology.

Because of the archaic language, most people under the age of about 18 will find it hard to read.

The format is somewhat confusing. Modern readers expect Section Heading, Point, Supporting Text, Next Point, Next Supporting Text, etc., in that order. Torrey has the material in Section Heading, Supporting Text, Summary (Point) format.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. By itself it can take you from novice to advanced level. Even if you already are advanced, it is an excellent reference because the material is well organized AND includes full Bible text.

I run a set of about 15 Christian and Messianic Jewish websites totaling about 4,000 pages of text and I teach at my church. I have not found ANY other book like this -- and I have searched EXTENSIVELY. Modern authors DESCRIBE their view rather than stating it simply and directly supporting it with Bible quotes. Virtually ALL other "What the Bible Teaches"-type books only use cites or are denomination-specific.

To summarize it, the difference between Torrey's book and ALL the others on this subject is like the difference between a video that says "To do this on your computer, press these keys ...." and the typical computer manual that DESCRIBES something and then leaves you to guess how to ACTUALLY do it.

This book covers basic doctrines of Christianity for the non theologian. I have not found any book on this subject today that surpasses this work. The best part about it is that Mr. Torrey gives you Scripture on top of Scriptural in it's contextual setting. He brings out wonderful practical insights from these teachings. After studying this book you will truly know "What the Bible Teaches" on many subjects essential to the Christian faith and walk. GET IT NOW!

R.A. Torrey wrote this book to teach the foundations of the Christian faith. This book will launch you on a journey of a lifetime as the reader begins to explore the riches of God's word.

The scriptures listed before the propositions are not exhaustive of the topic. They do represent the Bible on the subject and the reader should have a topical Bible (i.e. Nave's or other topical text) that would allow the reader to fully explore the topic presented.

This book is well worth your time and money.

This book is absolutely adorable! If you've read anything else by Tad Hills, you know he has a great sense of humor and the illustrations in this book make our family laugh! They also so clearly demonstrate the opposite that my 2 year old reads this aloud to us, using the pictures as a guide. A wonderful starter book of opposites that is also really fun.

This board book features amusing and colorful illustrations of Duck, Goose, and friends demonstrating pairs of opposite words. For example, in the clean/dirty pair a clean, white Goose is standing with his eyes closed and hands up warding off an extremely dirty Duck who's approaching him from the opposite page.

My daughter, who is still too young to comprehend opposites, loves to look at the pictures and point at Duck, and the sturdy board book can withstand her strong and awkward grip as she flips the pages.

This book is an entertaining way to introduce new vocabulary and the concept of opposites to preschoolers who will definitely get a laugh at the funny scenarios and facial expressions on the characters.

This is a great book for preschoolers. We have the other books: Duck & Goose, and Duck,Duck,Goose. The books are fun to read and the illustrations are perfect for kids.

I like this book. My girls love it and is a great way to teach opposites. It is very simple my 2 year old knows it by heart. I do add say for clean I say the "opposite" is dirty so they have that reference of the word opposite.

As a huge fan of Tad Hills and his Duck and Goose characters, WHAT'S UP, DUCK? was an absolute delight!

At only twenty-two sturdy board pages, this is a perfect first reader, but it's also a great book to read with your toddler.

Along with the typical opposites of up, down and slow, fast, there are also my favorites -- clean, dirty and heavy, light.

The illustrations are what make this book a winner, and the absolute perfection of Duck and Goose are not to be missed.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Scandalous! But unlike the sound bite scandals of today, this is scandalous behavior which is also very provocative and thought provoking. Sparsely written in screenplay style, it amazed me how completely it took me into the scenes. It was like tumbling through a magnifying glass into those intriguing background scenes of colored speakeasies in "Fried Green Tomatoes" or "The Color Purple" with the lyrics of the blues moving the story line along.

Despite the title, this fictionalized history goes far beyond anything racial. Author Moncrief suggests that on one level this is a story of acceptance. For me it also stimulates thoughts and debate on many of today's situations: the complicated society of working women, sexual roles and identities, domestic violence, life on the road, the rap artists and the thugs and the players. . . and on and on. This book also inspired me to delve deeper into Bessie Smith research and I guess that is the greatest compliment that can be paid to any author.
"Blues on my mind . . . I said blues."

I loved this book. It gave me the opportunity to enter a world I could never be part of and to see it from the inside. It took me places I never imagined and, as I read, the author's presence faded and I was swept into the world of the characters. I suffered, celebrated, laughed and cried with Bessie Smith and her entourage. I highly recommend the journey.

This book is easy reading so I was able to finish it fairly quick. Actually I couldn't put it down because I was captivated by its subject, Bessie Smith, as well as by the other colorful characters that occupied her world. "When Color Was Cool" is not only entertaining, but also a look into a very significant part of American history that we don't often hear about. After finishing the book, I ran out to purchase a couple of Bessie Smith cds. What an amazing woman! What a delightful reading experience.

When Colored Was Cool is an amazing story, that with its flamboyant characters, brought tears to my eyes. The often comedic and frequently tragic lives of Bessie Smith and her troupe are woven together expertly by an obviously gifted author. Though a work of fiction, I feel as though I have now had very real glimpse into a time long before my own. I heartily recommend this book.

I could not put this book down! From start to finish, it held my attention. I could picture all the characters in vivid images and felt like I was right there watching every exciting moment take place. I enjoy reading about the Harlem Renaissance period and would definitely recommend "When Colored Was Cool."

There are so very few books that convey a sense of "being there" when it comes to the Kennedy assassination. This outstanding book takes the reader back to that fateful weekend of November 22nd 1963 in Dallas, Texas and does so in an open, honest and compelling manner.

"When the News Went Live" is written by four journalists who were in Dallas on that day covering the presidential visit. Bob Huffaker and the other three newsmen share many interesting stories that you will not find elsewhere and that have been untold for many years no doubt to all but their personal friends. This is why the book is such a valuable contribution to the historical record. Such first hand observation regarding not just those few seconds in Dealey Plaza, the murder of Officer Tippet and the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby, but how in fact the entire story unfolded, makes fascinating reading.

As an aid to anyone interested in the assassination, this book is a must have. I would emphasize - rarely do you find first hand knowledge like this - much of what is written on this subject is written by people many steps removed from the event where fact and fiction merge into one. Not so here. A fabulous book which is refreshingly free of the conjecture and myth that is so common in the Himalayan pile of work on the Kennedy assassination and is highly recommended.

We have become accustomed (yea, verily, some would say desensitized)to horror unfolding before our eyes in our very own living rooms. Bob Huffaker's book brings us back to a time before the desensitization, when we could scarcely believe what our eyes were telling us. I recommend this book highly to those who were there, watching as I was, and even more so to those who were not there. The young, raised in an era of suicide bombers, need to understand that it was not always thus.

1963 nov 22 brought to life again but with more professionalism.some very interesting facts that confirmed my own thoughts .

I stayed up all night reading when my copy of When The News Went Live, Dallas 1963 arrived. This book is a classic and should be included in the curriculum of every journalism and political science classroom in America.

Huffaker, Mercer, Phenix and Wise have written the Texas story of the Kennedy assassination, the inside scoop on Oswald's murder and the history of the evolution of modern journalism. These four men were Dallas television reporters, on the scene and on their own, in the middle of the news story of the century.

It is a salute to their training and their integrity as newsmen that their coverage under duress stands today as a compelling rendering of those fateful moments. I am glad they were the early ones on the scene, for they were the ones who broke the news to me in my elementary classroom. The story gives their perspectives more fully; all these years later, this book helps me understand the events and how they affected Texas and the nation.

Bob, Bill, George and Wes were there in Dallas with their Southern sensibilities. They weren't easily pushed around or manipulated that dark day and still aren't. They were taught to tell the truth as objectively as possible, and they reverted to that training and their good common sense when placed in positions lesser men might have blown or exploited. These four men cared about truth and justice and fairness and still do. I hope all young journalists will read this and learn about balanced reporting.

"With three shots from a mail-order rifle, Lee Oswald set off a worldwide tragedy that developed too fast to print. .... Broadcast journalism came of age in that crisis of grief and uncertainty, and as it drew its mourning audience, it helped to hold the nation together." -- Bob Huffaker; From the Preface of "When The News Went Live: Dallas 1963"

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"When The News Went Live: Dallas 1963", published in 2004, paints a vivid word picture of many of the incredible events that surrounded President John F. Kennedy's assassination in November of 1963, as seen through the eyes of four journalists -- Bob Huffaker, Bill Mercer, George Phenix, and Wes Wise -- who covered those events as they happened for CBS affiliate KRLD-TV and Radio in Dallas.

President Kennedy's shocking and appalling assassination on November 22, 1963, was the very first really big "Watch It Unfold Live On TV" news event of the television era, with four full commercial-free days being devoted to nothing but exclusive assassination-related coverage by all three major TV networks (with KRLD's on-the-scene Dallas reporters frequently feeding CBS-TV headquarters in New York).

And the four reporters whose intriguing stories unfold within this 224-page hardcover volume were right smack in the thick of things during the rapidly-developing events -- from the initial sketchy bulletins that told of the President being shot in Dealey Plaza during a motorcade drive through the city of Dallas -- to the announcement of JFK's death at Parkland Hospital -- to the capture of the accused assassin (Lee Harvey Oswald) in a nearby movie theater -- to Oswald's very own murder on live TV (with Bob Huffaker reporting live from the basement of the Dallas Police Department, where the single gunshot from Jack Ruby's pistol added yet another hard-to-believe chapter to the weekend's nightmarish story).

It was a mesmerizing weekend in American (and television) history, to say the least. And those days are re-lived with clarity in this engaging book by way of the recollections of four men who lived through and reported on those events when they were occurring.

"When The News Went Live" contains several excellent black-and-white photographs, too (some of them I haven't seen published elsewhere).

On a personal level, I have had the pleasure of communicating (via e-mail) with Bob Huffaker several times. He has been very cordial and gracious whenever answering the questions that I had for him. His personal insights into the events revolving around JFK's death are fascinating glimpses into the past, and are insights that I have enjoyed reading immensely.

A sample e-mail excerpt from Mr. Huffaker:

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"David, you're right about the presidential visit and motorcade being the main attraction that all Dallas media were covering, of course. But all our stations had limited capabilities for doing mobile TV, which then demanded either cables or microwave dishes--as well as a receiving dish within line-of-sight beaming or bouncing.

Hence the pool TV arrangements, limited to three planned locations. The local TV stations did live TV from the FTW {Fort Worth} breakfast, Love Field, and the Trade Mart. But this was, indeed, the day the news went live on television, unplanned.

WBAP-TV in Fort Worth had a non-running TV van, which they had towed all the way from Cowtown to Dallas Police headquarters, and we sent both of our KRLD-TV vans into duty--the Bread Truck at DPD and the Blue Goose on the 24th to the county jail, etc.

This was the first time in TV history when on-the-spot news suddenly demanded to go live from the scene. Before that, radio news on-the-spot descriptions such as ours that day were common (like the Hindenburg broadcast--radio only), and live TV was usually reserved for major speeches, sports, etc.

Bob" -- E-mail to this writer; May 30, 2006

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Relating to the subject of "WHEN THE NEWS WENT LIVE", I'd like to offer up the following observations as an extension of this book review.....

To those JFK conspiracy theorists who seem to favor the Oliver Stone-like or Robert Groden-promoted assassination scenarios (that feature a minimum of three gunmen and anywhere from 6 to 10 gunshots being fired at President Kennedy in Dallas' Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963) -- I always suggest to them that they ought to dig up some of the originally-aired "As It Is Happening" live TV or radio broadcasts from that dark Friday in American history.

After performing that exercise of watching a few hours of the November 22 television coverage of the assassination (in real time), or listening to some of the radio broadcasts in real time (which works just as well) -- I challenge anyone to then arrive at the same conclusion that was slapped up on the big theater screen in 1991 via Director Oliver Stone's blockbuster, conspiracy-laden motion picture "JFK".

Watching the day's events unfold "live" in front of you (or listening to them unfold on the radio as it was happening) should, in my opinion, provide everyone with a good general idea of how utterly impossible a task it would have been to have "faked" so much stuff that was being IMMEDIATELY reported to the world on live television and radio within minutes and hours of the President's assassination (and within a very short space of time following Police Officer J.D. Tippit's murder as well).

Via those original live TV/Radio broadcasts, you're not going to hear a SINGLE report that resembles anything close to the Oliver Stone/Jim Garrison-endorsed nonsense of:

"Three gunmen fired six shots at President Kennedy's motorcade today here in Dallas!!"

What you will hear, instead, is live coverage, as it happened, of a ONE-GUNMAN assassination taking place from where the majority of witnesses said it took place (the Texas School Book Depository Building), with no more than three shots having been fired by the SINGLE SHOOTER, which is a shot count that over 91% of the witnesses concur with -- including the small percentage of witnesses who heard only one or two shots, who are witnesses that certainly don't do Mr. Stone's "6-shot ambush" theory any favors.

Upon evaluating virtually all of the TV networks' live assassination footage from November 22nd, 1963, there is no possible way that a reasonable person could arrive at a conclusion that JFK was shot by three assassins, firing from both front and rear. Let alone arriving at an even more-cockeyed "8-to-10-shot" shooting scenario, as purported by Mr. Groden and some other CTers, which is an outlandish conspiracy-flavored scenario that has John Kennedy and John Connally being shot by way more than just the two Warren Commission-backed Mannlicher-Carcano bullets from Lee Harvey Oswald's rifle.*

* = And Mr. Groden's theory (that sports from 8 to 10 gunshots) also features an additional hunk of lunacy, in that Groden thinks it's very likely that NONE of these eight to ten shots came from the "Oswald window" in the Book Depository! (I'm not making this crazy stuff up here. I promise. Anyone who owns a copy of Robert Groden's 1993 book "The Killing Of A President" can check out Groden's preposterous theory for themselves, on pages 20-40.)

The bottom line is -- Very nearly all of the information being reported on TV and radio that November day favored a "Lone Assassin" shooting scenario (including the info concerning the Tippit murder in Oak Cliff), with very little evidence and information being broadcast that would support any type of a "conspiracy" whatsoever; and certainly no "conspiratorial" evidence that has ever panned out and "proved" that a multi-gun plot ended JFK's life in Dallas.

This is quite a telling "One Killer" fact. Because, in my view, if a vast conspiracy and subsequent "cover-up" had been in place on November 22nd (given the immense amount of TV and radio coverage, with reporters scrutinizing everything coming across their desks and digging hard for any type of case-solving clues during those first hours and days after JFK and J.D. Tippit were killed), I think that at least SOME pieces of the conspiracy would have leaked through to the sweeping television and radio coverage surrounding the two Dallas murders.

And I'm guessing that every reporter and newsman in the country (including Messrs. Huffaker, Mercer, Phenix, and Wise) would have loved to dig up some "conspiracy"-proving angle during that weekend in November of '63. Being the person who uncovered such a huge story would certainly be a feather in that reporter's cap, to be sure. But, as it turned out, nothing of that nature occurred....and has yet to occur all these many years later.

To think (as many theorists do) that these conspirators were so smart and so quick to have had the capabilities to immediately eliminate virtually every last scrap of information leading to a conspiracy plot of some kind, making sure that none of the "multi-gunmen shooting event" details seeped through to the media (multiplied by TWO separate murders as well, counting Tippit's!), is to think that any such evil-doers had powers similar to "Superman".

For example -- Almost every one of the initial reports concerning the number of gunshots heard by witnesses stated "3 shots". And while it's true that the very first report of the shooting from UPI's Merriman Smith (which was broadcast over all the television networks) stated "Three shots were fired...", it's also worth noting that Smith's initial bulletin was not the ONLY "three shots" account that was reported during those early hours just after the shooting.

For instance, Jay Watson of ABC affiliate WFAA-TV in Dallas (who happened to be in Dealey Plaza during the shooting and nervously reported the first bulletins to the unaware Dallas TV audience) is heard multiple times on November 22nd saying he heard "3 shots" fired.

Plus, several other members of the media are also on record stating their own PERSONAL beliefs that exactly three shots were fired by the assassin, including Robert MacNeil, Jack Bell, Bob Clark, Jerry Haynes, and Pierce Allman, among still others.

Some of the other "Three Shot" witnesses who were riding right in the Presidential motorcade itself include -- Photographers Tom Dillard, Robert Jackson, Mal Couch, and James Underwood. Plus, both John and Nellie Connally, who were riding in the same car with President Kennedy.

In addition, Presidential aides Ken O'Donnell and David Powers, who were both riding in the Secret Service follow-up car directly behind JFK's limousine, can also be added to the lengthy list of witnesses who heard precisely three gunshots.

And then there's also amateur filmmaker Abraham Zapruder, who took the most famous 26-second home movie in history when he captured the entire assassination with his 8mm Bell & Howell movie camera -- Zapruder showed up on live TV about 90 minutes after the President's murder took place and gave a graphic account of the horrifying event that had taken place in front of his very eyes.

Mr. Zapruder told the WFAA-TV viewing audience that he had heard two or three shots (but definitely no more than three), and he also demonstrated on live television where on the President's head he had seen the effects of the fatal gunshot. Zapruder puts his hand over the right-frontal portion of his own head to demonstrate where he saw the blood coming from JFK's head.

That's pretty amazing "LIVE" stuff from Mr. Zapruder's own lips (within approx. an hour-and-a-half of the assassination). And it's especially incredible and amazing if there had actually been many more than just two or three shots fired at the President, and if the fatal shot had actually (as many CTers believe) caused a huge hole in the BACK of John Kennedy's head, instead of the location where Zapruder placed it on live television -- i.e., the RIGHT SIDE AND FRONT portion of the head.

How could the so-called "conspirators" have possibly gotten THAT lucky with respect to Abraham Zapruder's live "on-the-air" WFAA-TV statements and head-wound "demonstration"? How?

And -- Could these ultra-clever conspirators have somehow managed to "manipulate" several reporters who were relaying the news live to the world immediately after the event, and have them ALL report on hearing just "three shots" (or, in a few cases, hearing only TWO shots, which is a number that certainly does not favor a "Multi-Shooter Conspiracy Plot")?

Or did the plotters just happen to get really, really LUCKY (again) when virtually all of the news reports favored the "Three Shots Fired" conclusion? With this 3-shot scenario matching the precise number of bullet shells that were found on the 6th Floor of the Book Depository after the shooting; and also perfectly matching the exact number of shots heard by TSBD witness Harold Norman, and also perfectly matching the precise number of bullet shells (3) that Norman heard hitting the plywood floor directly above his 5th-Floor location within the Depository.

Which, per Oliver Stone's movie, would mean that a full 50% of the ACTUAL number of gunshots were somehow inaudible to the enormous majority (91%+) of the earwitnesses! And, remember, Oliver has NONE of the shots within his movie's six-shot assassination ambush being "synchronized" in order to merge together with the sound of some of the other shots.

And yet, per Mr. Stone, we're supposed to actually believe that approximately 9 out of every 10 witnesses somehow missed hearing HALF of the gunshots fired that day! A reasonable thing to believe....or not? I ask you.

Were these so-called conspiratorial shooters so good that they could make 4 to 10 shots sound like only three to the vast majority of witnesses scattered all throughout Dealey Plaza? Highly doubtful, to say the least.

Again -- I'd advise all conspiracy theorists to sit down and watch the live TV footage....or listen to some of the surviving 11/22/63 radio tapes....and then try to find a "Multi-Gunmen Conspiracy" lurking within ANY of those original broadcasts. If anybody finds proof of a conspiracy via those means, please let me know. And let the world know too.

David Von Pein
December 2006
January 2007

Valerie Griffiths' excellent translation and abridgment of the first volume of Ayako Miura's autobiographical Michi Ariki series is a pleasure to read. Miura's unflinching honesty about herself and about the world comes through clearly. The book spans Miura's life from the end of WWII (after she lost faith in all forms of authority, in herself, and in the line that separates truth from falsehood), through long and life-threatening illness, till she finds faith in the God of the Bible and gets married to Mitsuyo Miura. The second (as yet untranslated) volume of the series covers the early years of their marriage and the start of her enormously successful career as a novelist. In the third volume (also untranslated) Miura writes about her Christian faith.

The original book has had an enormous impact on Japanese readers, and, judging from the other reader reviews here, its message is meaningful for English-speakers as well. I found the cover illustration of Intervarsity Press's English version (1977) to be off-putting, however, and I wonder how much that had to do with their apparent lack of success in marketing the book when it first came out in the US. It is very unfortunate the book didn't reach more readers, for whatever reason. It is absolutely worth taking the trouble to track down a copy of this book.

The story is set in Japan. It's a very powerful and gripping book about a young woman's journey during the years following Japan's surrender.

The book is part one of three from Miyura Ayako's autobiography. The other two parts are not available in English to my knowledge. I really recommend this book for anyone who wants an interesting perspective on Japanese culture. Of course, it's set about 50 years ago, though... but still very interesting and as I said, powerful.

I found this book in a tiny drugstore in Idaho. So, keep your eyes peeled and you might find it yourself somewhere.

One of the most memorable books I've read. Very Surprised to here it's out of print.

Other than Bruchko, I have never read a more powerful story of how nothing can separate us from the love of God. I found the out-of-print book close to 10 years ago when I wandered into the church library of a large prominent congregation here in Atlanta one day while I was waiting to meet someone; it had not been checked out in many years. But I learned when I was a young woman that in relatively unused, dark and sometimes dank libraries of old churches, one can often find hidden unknown treasures among the biographical books. I have since given the book to many of my peers, all of whom reported back how much it had impacted them as well. But this week I was blown away at a birthday party for my friend who helped me to know the Lord more than 30 years ago. One of her daughters, a gorgeous, elegant young woman who is a beauty consultant at a very sheik store in San Francisco, had flown in for her mom's birthday. At some point the conversation turned to great books, and this young woman told me that unbeknownst to me, she had read the copy of this book I had given her mom and to her it was the best book she had ever read. I had assumed that a large part of the book's enormous appeal to me was the fact that I was in the baby boomer generation and have had to struggle to come to terms with the War that so shaped the world into which I was born. But now I know such is not the case. So for any of you who, like me, would love to read a riveting true story that is more incredible than any fiction, get a copy of this book while you can - and pray that someone will translate the other 2 books in the triology into English.

This lady's life story has helped me understand both the Japanese people and how God's grace extends itself in the context of the culture of those receiving it. It would be fascinating simply as a biography of triumph in the face of life. It is made much more so as a spiritual journey's unwinding. Miura (I believe her married name is Hotta ?) also has a most gentle way of bringing other people's life intersections with hers into a focus I have rarely read in an author....One feels one is there in the room with the people she meets. Honesty to a fault was a breath of fresh air. She does not attempt to spline the curve of her actions and thoughts closer to some more genteel model. Reading this one is privileged to meet Ayako Miura and the Answer she discovers to the meaning of life in bold relief.

If you are person who enjoys studying women in the bible, this is a must have for your library. I guarantee you will find a different perspective on some well-known biblical women. You also will learn a little more about yourself in the process!

What is so exciting about this new resource, is its potential use in church programming. The chapters have content that needs to be reflected upon and shared by women in groups.

I can visualize a women's retreat that focuses, for its theme on "Women's Liberation, Jesus-style". This book could be used as the resource for the retreat, with all who sign up for the retreat purchasing and reading it. Then, at the retreat, participants could select a chapter, based on their particular needs at the time, and attend the workshop that focuses on that particular chapter. Facilitators for the individual workshops could be selected from within the church congregation that sponsors the retreat. Perhaps a woman minister could be invited to be the plenary speaker (perhaps even one who has contributed to the book.

It can also be used as a text for a women's Bible study in a local church, or as a Church School elective.

I give it five stars!!!

Although, I am a man, I found Women's Liberation Jesus Style a book that all men should read. The sermons from ministers dedicated to empowering women using biblical principles were fantastic. As the publisher/editor of Empowerment Magazine Online, we are honored that Stephanie will is featured in our publication.

All women and men of every race and denomination can benefit from this book. It teaches self worth, self esteem and self actualization. As a man reading this book, you will forever view women in a positive light, for women reading this book, you will relish in your womanhood.

God bless you Stephanie, and keep up the good work.

"Women's Liberation - Jesus Style" is appropriately titled. The book addresses many of the issues facing us as a people today. The root and center of any community is the edification and respect of its women. History has shown this to be true.

My wife and I met Ms. Bibb this summer. It was wonderful to talk with her about the writing of "Women's Liberation, Jesus Style". My wife and I were honored to get an autographed copy of the book.

God bless you Stephanie Bibb! WLJS will indeed become a future onstage production.

Women's Liberation: Jesus Style saves the Bible from fundamentalism, the mindless literalism that is pervasive in many religious movements today. The essays reveal the Bible as an exciting document that is relevant for our day. Women's Liberation: Jesus Style affirms the value of women, and of men, who are joint heirs to the kingdom of Heaven.

Alan Alda once defined a feminist as someone who believes that women are people. Women are people who have triumphs, people who make mistakes, people who want to serve God and not be relegated to mindless follower. Women's Liberation: Jesus Style talks about Jesus' special ministry to women and Jesus' unique attitude toward women.

The essay about Sam, the Samaritan, was my favorite. Jewish society looked down on her because 1. She was Samaritan, 2. She was married multiple times, and 3. She was a woman. Her self-confidence was low because of how society viewed her. She was constantly seeking approval. She was constantly looking for her self worth. In society's eyes, she was to be despised.

But Jesus casually walked up to her and started a conversation. He treated her like a person, a person who needed spiritual healing and teaching. He revealed that the `living water' of Christ would quench her thirst for approval, that she was a person worthy of God's Love.

As a woman seeking approval in today's society, this essay really hit home. I am comforted that my personal relationship with Christ affirms my value, my wholeness and my worth; that cultural and sociological pressures on women mean nothing when it comes to Jesus' Love for me!

So I recommend that women AND men read Women's Liberation: Jesus Style. It is inspiring and revealing and awesome.

- Dorothea L. Board

I was given a copy of this, after complaining many times of writers' block, talking to the cat when I should be writing, and just plain sitting at my desk and drooling. I'd have to say it was worth having - not my favourite quote book, but I turn to it often and I'm glad I've got it. Recommended.

your work is inspirational & maybe a little provocative & that's good. I would suggest that it is not only suitable for writers but also for laymen like me as I have always enjoyed perusing through books of quotations and proverbs.

This book is the aspiring writers' equivalent of AA's "24 Hours a Day"!

Filled with clever quips, bits of advice and inspiration, this book is not just for authors or wannabes, but for any literary minded person. While I can imagine its potential as a daily calendar-page format, I enjoy the book format as I like reading days' worth of wonderful quotes at a sitting. There is also a helpful index of people quoted (Mark Twain is a special joy). From poets to philosophers to presidents, as well as authors, there is something for everyone.

I am an Australian author of several books and have greatly enjoyed reading Greg Babic's wonderful selection of quotations. They are proving a source of wisdom and excitement to me in my own current writings. The quotations are ingeniously arranged under three stages of the writing process and should prove of great help to many other budding authors. Thank you, Greg!

Fred Argy
AM, OBE, MEC, Hon. Doctor, University of Sydney
Visiting Fellow, Australian National University

What a fantastic book!! This book is full of useful, interesting and sometimes provocative quotes, that not only inspire writers, but anyone who has one of those mental block moments.

I am certain that everyone will find something in this book to get them through the day - students, teachers, writers, professionals - everytime you get a blank, this book will provide you with a quote to get over your block and keep on going.

A truly great book and a must to have!!

I do like the book and use it alot for school. The part that I use most is the Directory of Words Cited. Unfortunately, many times the exact type of work to be cited is not listed. For instance, a book with an editor in multiple volumes in an edition other than the first is not covered. Neither is an article from a journal obtained from a database.

I found it very helpful as I was not familiar with APA or other writing styles and took my class online so I had no live instructor to question.

I first purchased this book when I was a freshman in college seven years ago. It is without a doubt the best and easiest reference guide to writing I have ever read. I love the plastic tabs that mark each section. This guide is easy to read and follow it is organized in basic steps that are categorized accourding to section. So for example if you need to find out how to cite a web page or a video tape, etc using the MLA style you just flip to the section called doucmentation clearly marked with a plastic tab. I have since purchased an updated guide for myself and also bought one for my brother - a freshman in college. I really wish I had this book when I was in high school. I highly recommend this book to any high school, college, graduate student or writer. I especially recomend this book for students with learning disabilities, I myself have ADD and before I got this guide I could not understand how to write a paper in the MLA style or in any style other than a book report. I promise this is the easiest reference guide to writing ever published.

I first purchased this book when I was a freshman in college seven years ago. It is without a doubt the best and easiest reference guide to writing I have ever read. I love the plastic tabs that mark each section. This guide is easy to read and follow it is organized in basic steps that are categorized accourding to section. So for example if you need to find out how to cite a web page or a video tape, etc using the MLA style you just flip to the section called doucmentation clearly marked with a plastic tab. I have since purchased an updated guide for myself and also bought one for my brother - a freshman in college. I really wish I had this book when I was in high school. I highly recommend this book to any high school, college, graduate student or writer. I especially recomend this book for students with learning disabilities, I myself have ADD and before I got this guide I could not understand how to write a paper in the MLA style or in any style other than a book report. I promise this is the easiest reference guide to writing ever published.

This book is the best on the market - I highly recommend it to all students in high school and college -- and it is a must for every person who writes in business! It has everything you need to know about professional writing from the sentence to the essay or research paper, as well as resumes and letters. It should be added to the desk collection along with the dictionary and thesarus. I love the way it opens and lays flat; I love the tabs for easy recognition of sections; it has large enough print and enough whitespace to make it very easy to read; it has great explanations and examples, and the MLA section is complete and easy to follow. It even has a section for people who speak English as a second language and are dealing with the special problems related to English. This is a must have book !