Journals Books

Professor Rosenthal specializes in writing clearly about state legislatures. He understands the dynamics of the system and yet writes with a strong attention to detail. While he communicates the problems he is neither a muckraker nor a shill. One wishes that more academics would take the care he does in writing about their subjects. You should also check out his earlier book on the third house.

This work is one that must be read by all people interested in the reasons behind why our governmental system is in shambles. I live in our nation's capital and I cannot understand how people can take for granted the wonders that the US has to offer. The freedoms that we currnetly enjoy are unparalelled to any other time in History. Despite this, people in our society spit on the bill of rights and say 'that is how it has always been.' It must be warned that when a society of ideal people moves to a society of ignorance (presently ours) our society will not be able to sustain itself. This is the essence of this book. People must learn why our democracy is falling apart if they wish to remedy the situation. This situation is one that certainly must be remedied if we are to contonue into the next millenium.

I find myself wondering how we went from a patriotic society of John Adams, George Washington and others to a society of selfishness. We are presently a society that looks foolish in so many regards. The pamphlet, Common Sense was written to energize people to fight for the basic rights of man. It is a sad day when novels like this must be written. However, note the word must. I hope that this book does not need to be read in the future, but presently it is necessary to remedy the problem. This book illustrates they ways in which our society has gone wrong and with enough hard long thought the answers to fixing those problems can be deduced. NOTE: This is not a civics book, nor does it show how government operates but for higher level thinkers, interested in making America the robust leaaderin liberty that she once was, this book must be read.

This book truly changed my life when I enrolled at the University of Virginia during the civil rights years of the 1960s. It was in many ways a roadmap for me during those contentious times. Nowadays whenever I see an old copy at a booksale, I buy it and pass it on. If only there had been hundreds, thousands, like it, the history of the south might have been so much better in the twentieth century. I remember hearing Sarah Patton Boyle speak on campus, and sitting next to her at a church service after President Kennedy was assassinated. I guess what I want to say is that so many books are paper and ink (and some of them tragic wastes of good trees)--and then there are the others. This is one of the others. I recommend it highly. In fact, I have recommended it to the Modern Library for their list of the hundred most important nonfiction books of the century.

Sarah Patton Boyle was a white person born into one of Virginia's "best families." During the 1950s and 60s Boyle became an activist for African American Civil Rights in Virginia. This book beautifully narrates Boyle's awakening to the plight of African Americans, and her response. An honest and forthright account, Boyle details the inner anxieties of a person moving from one world view to another. She chronicles her childhood and indoctrination with the repressive "Southern Code" that guided race relations in the South. According to Boyle, the Southern Code allowed whites to think of themselves as gracious and generous paternalists while economically exploiting African Americans. Not until the 1950s did she see how racist and dehumanizing the whole scheme was. When she did she became an activist in the Civil Rights movement. In the process she lost her belief not only in the goodness of white southerners, but in the goodness of humanity in general. She moved more towards an orthodox Christian worldview that stressed on the one hand the sinfulness of mankind and on the other the need for a strong commitment to love. This book definitely deserves to be considered a signigicant piece of Southern literature and a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the complex history of southern race relations. -Vernon Horn

Even though this book was written in 1958, it is one of the best books on preaching ever written. It is both a systematic and philosophical approach to the design of biblical expository preaching. H. Grady Davis does a masterful job of exposing the faults of modern preaching while at the same time expounding on the necessity of solid expository design and formation of biblical sermons. I have not read any book since that has improved on Davis' work. His approach is for the evangelical preacher who wants to communicate God's Word as God's Word. This book is invaulable for the seminary student as well as the experienced preacher. Reading and applying this book to your own personal study habits will benefit the reader greatly. Read this book, you will not be disappointed.

Welcome to the Wittgenstein of homiletics: H. Grady Davis. Many books on preaching provide only rules for fitting together the various pieces of preaching. Instead of this, Davis shows us the picture on the front of the puzzle box so that we can see what real preaching is. Davis is not concerned with specific rules for preaching, but rather with developing the preachers sense of form. His central idea is that substance and form are inseperable. An idea, he writes, is like a tree with branches reaching up towards the light. Davis walks the reader through finding ideas (trunks) to discovering how they develop (branches). I would recommend this book to anyone who feels the burden to preach the Word.

For those who love quotations, this is a lovely little book, a perfect gift. A very attractive layout and cover, and an excellent collection of quotes from well known (and a few not-so-well-known) people.

The topic is desire, and all it encompasses.

This little tiny book almost sets my bookshelf on fire, it's so hot! Just reading this gorgeous little thing is like a little vacation for your senses. It is visually very pleasing and the nice heavy stock paper even feels good to your fingers. However, the best part is what's written inside. I won't spoil any of it, but one or two of the pages made me swoon. Yes, litterally swoon. I highly recommend this as a nice gift for your lover.

This work is a must read for anyone wanting to gain a balanced understanding of what the New Testament writers offered their audience in regard to the Devil, disease, and deliverance.

An excellent book dispelling myths associated with healing in Pentecostal circles.

Thomas surveys the New Testament to understand where different authors understood the origin of illness to be and what our pastoral response should be.

If you believe that truth is stranger than fiction, this is a book you will adore. One remarkable woman's story of her relationship with an extraordinary spiritual teacher, told plain--without hyperbole or self-dramatization. Toward the end of her life, Marie Louise Burke (Sister Gargi) shared excerpts from her intimate journal, recounting the trials and triumphs of her attempts to become a writer under the tutelage of the brilliant Swami Ashokananda. Both humorous and deeply moving, this book is the 'real deal'. Highest possible recommendation!

A Disciple's Journal: In The Company Of Swami Ashokananda by Sister Gargi (Marie Louise Burke) is the compelling and true personal testimony of one woman's spiritual training during the course of two decades, at the hands of Swami Ashokananda (1893-1969), the spiritual teacher of the Ramakrishna Order and head of the Vedanta Society of Northern California. Sister Gargi's journey began in the 1950s as she learned meditation in the Hindu tradition of Vedanta, and as she pursued her spiritual quest Sister Gargi became a literary figure in the Vedanta movement. Sister Gargi's inner development, the highs and lows of the path she followed, and the rewards of patient dedication are all contained in this thoughtful and uplifting account, recommended to all dedicated students of Religion, Spirituality, and Metaphysics.

Jaswinder Singh's book is excellent for those persons longing to incorporate the wisdom of the Sikh Gurus into daily life. Jaswinder's detailed description of the relationship between the universe and the individual helps provide meaning and purpose in life. The author does a great job in showing how a life not centered around one's authentic Spiritual Self is the root cause of confusion and suffering in life. And like any other expert in healing, he provides the cure for such suffering. That is, the science of Naam meditation. I have read many books on spirituality, but this book provides mystical insights into the science of meditation that have remained relatively hidden until now.

Jaswinder Singh's writing style allows the teachings of the Sikh Gurus to come alive by intertwining easy to understand translations of hymns and theology with contemporary life examples that we all share. The author speaks to the heart of humanity by: (1) abandoning the cultural context in which Sikhism originated, and (2)addressing the universal concerns that all human beings have, such as meaningful living, relationships, marriage, happiness, suffering, and death. This book is a gem for those who want to practice spirituality for self-discovery and persoanl growth.

I am a Ph.D. in psychology in private practice and I keep this workbook in my office for my patients. Journaling is one of the best methods to develop an awareness of emotions and behavior.

This is a method of unearthing the cement that creates rumination and obsession and does not allow resolution. This workbook is a process that individuals, both male and female can use to get the benefits of journaling and work toward true resolution.

For therapists it takes away the need to explain why journaling will provide a step that is not available during sessions.

Writing [not typing] is an underused tool that makes a big difference. This workbook allows the person to utilize that tool, successfully.

This was a real gem of a find. It is well written and provides everything necessary to get the benefits of journaling. Ms. Peck has done an extraordinary job of putting everything together in one workbook. Just excellent!

I am a mental health counselor and use journaling not only with my clients, but with the college students I teach. It's such a valuable tool for self-discovery and expression. This workbook offers step-by-step exercises, examples, and inspiration appropriate for the novice journaler to the more experienced journaler looking for fresh ideas.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (12/06)

"The Discovery Journal" is a unique way to journal. Michael S. Williams walks the reader through a distinctive process to record their life. "Everyone has a story to tell and most people would like to have a journal of their life." But who has time to keep a journal?

"The Discovery Journal" begins with a place for your name and a photograph of your family. This book is divided into two "Passages," "The Road Map: Answers to Most Every Question in Life," and "My Legacy: Giving the Gift of Self," each covering an aspect the reader's life. The "Passages" are divided into sections that are filled with bits of wisdom and a place for you to record something about your life having to do with that particular aspect.

In "Passages I: The Road Map," Mr. Williams covers topics that he considerers the "Answers to Most Every Question in Life" ranging from "Adversity, Friends, Prosperity, Work Ethic, Time Management and Self Confidence" to name a few. "Passage II: My Legacy--Giving the Gift of Self, is dedicated to you: your history, your hopes, your dreams, and most importantly, your lessons learned," Mr. Williams has a place for the reader to share particular lessons he has learned concerning a particular subject.

"The Discovery Journal" is an exceptional concept. I have long wanted to journal but not been sure how to start or disciplined enough to continue. This is a legacy that can be passed down from generation to generation. This book is well written. The cover is beautifully done, a tree reaching far, just as our lives stories will if shared. I wish my grandparents had left something like this. This book will make an excellent gift for any number of people on my list, especially for my sister, a new grandmother. I highly recommend "The Discovery Journal" to grandparents, parents or anyone else that would like to leave a bit of themselves behind.

This book is part inspirational, part guidance, and 100% on target for the person seeking a way to live and record life for their own benefit and for loved ones.

Reading the Divorce Recovery Journal was like taking an incredible journey into the depths of myself. This book is filled with wonderful quotes and leading thoughts to help identify feelings and pain, wants and desires, and activities for moving out of the past. The Divorce Recovery Journal is filled with an openness and acceptance of your experiences and idea-filled guidance for how to move forward. I rate this book as one of the best and have already given it to one friend going through a divorce; she reports that it has been a helpful friend for her to turn to.

Between the quotations (lots of them made me laugh out loud!), the great divorce advice and the journaling questions, it felt like these authors were reading my mind. They really made me look at my fears and helped me feel so much stronger about starting my new life. I keep this book at my bedside where I can read it and journal in it every night. It really is helping me heal from my divorce.