Journals Books

I've been using this book in a career writing class where we have been focusing on learning how to write creative non-fiction. It is a great book full of incredible selections and is a great introduction to the field of Creative Nonfiction. Let me tell you, after years of writing academic essays, this has been a blast. The book, and my instructor, has helped me understand the difference between an autobiography and a memoir or a personal familiar essay and a personal critical essay.

All of that being said, I found this book to be more of an introduction into the world of Creative Nonfiction than an instructional 'how to' book. I have enjoyed being introduced to such a large host of, for me, new writers and will definitely keep this text book for reference, enjoyment, and inspiration.

Finally the genre of Creative Non-Fiction is gaining recognition as a valid art form. Critics are finally starting to realize what the puplic has always known; real people have valid and intruiging stories to tell. The Fourth Genre collects an overview of the best non-fiction writers writing in and about their genre. I had the privilege to study under a contibutor from this book and discovered the joys of writing about my life and reading about the lives of others. This book is a necessity to those interested in Creative Non-Fictions. I would also recommend Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, Writing Life Stories by Bill Roorbach, and Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell.

This book is hilarious, side-splitting, and (expletive deleted)! Being Jung At Heart myself, I often relect on a book title of a nonbook which I would love to share now in hopes that some like-minded author with the know-how and info will actually write it and publish. I refer to FREUDIAN PHALLUSIES (maybe even PHREUDIAN PHALLUSIES). Watcha think, oh, Perverse Ones?

This book is hilarious, side-splitting, and (expletive deleted)! Being Jung At Heart myself, I often relect on a book title of a nonbook which I would love to share now in hopes that some like-minded author with the know-how and info will actually write it and publish. I refer to FREUDIAN PHALLUSIES (maybe even PHREUDIAN PHALLUSIES). Watcha think, oh, Perverse Ones?

I particularly liked this book because it not only requires its reader to look inward in relation to dreams, it explains interpreting dreams. Thus, it provides tools for growth and development rather than just passive examination. I recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about themselves.
Anne jones

What a great idea: a book that gently aims you in the directionof keeping your own dream journal. With wise and supportive guidance,questions, prompts, and information about what dreams can mean and howyou can use them to discover more about yourself, this inexpensivehardbound volume lures you into writing about your sleeping life.Text and blank pages are interwoven so as to make the process as easyas could be. And rather than limiting you as so many books do --those books that tell you to write one dream per page or whatever --this one allows you to figure out how YOU can best record your dreamsfor your own pleasure and benefit. The illustrations are minimal andsomehow soothing.

After reading From Journal into Print, I found a number of things to be very inspiring. Neither time nor space will allow me to share all of the things that I enjoyed about the book, but I would like to identify a couple: I enjoyed the way the author described her "course on humility" when she worked in the nursing home, taking care of the elderly; I was impressed by the way she described her relationship with God on page 62; and I loved how she described God as being a God of unlimited chances, not just second chances. From Journal into Print has motivated me to start journaling again. In fact, if I could have read a book like this 26 years ago after I became a Christian, I believe I would be much further ahead in life today.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an ambition to be more than they are and to anyone who has recently become a Christian. In fact, churches should consider giving a copy of this book to every new member.

It was a very good book, and I look forward to subsequent books in the future by Claudia Tynes.

Reading this book helped me to see the importance of my own thoughts and how writing them down in organized ways, using a journal, can help me to heal and to remember the many ways in which I have been healed. Mrs. Tynes honestly shared the role of faith in her life journey so far. In today's world when someone says that are going to take the covers off and share intimate secrets, we expect to read about their marriage, their children, and their indiscretions. Mrs. Tynes shares on an even deeper level. She shares what she told her God and how He led her to face herself. This a book that you will enjoy reading and sharing with those you love.

John Patton's book, 'From Ministry to Theology: Pastoral Action and Reflection', is in many ways a perfect book for me to have picked up and read at this time - I am currently a chaplain intern in a CPE programme, doing in many ways exactly what Patton calls upon ministers to do - act, and then reflect upon those actions. The substance of this reflection should be more than emotional, but also theological and spiritual, as such is the centre of the meaning of ministry. 'Although theological reflection on pastoral practice is important, there may be considerable resistance to doing it,' Patton observes - some may find it too difficult, others think that it takes too much time that should otherwise be devoted to more pastoral activity. Conversely, some may think that it is too easy, or something that can be done in the midst of 'actually doing something'.

Patton writes about the difficulty most people have at assigning meaning to the stories of their lives - often an autobiographical sketch, be it written or orally shared, ends up being a listing of facts that are rather disjointed from any particular feelings one might have. Patton mentions the CPE process of using verbatims and reflection (drawing in Seward Hiltner here), but comments that the process of making meaning should not be limited to those in such formal courses of study. 'Sharing and learning from those events in our lives that seem to be "meaning-full" is important for our development as persons and as Christians.' This necessarily involves the imagination, more so than we are normally accustomed to doing; imagination in turn touches on the three essential elements of pastoral care - action, relationship and meaning.

Patton develops this in a three-chapter framework. The first chapter, 'Event and Imagination', looks at sharing in different ways, exploring psychologically and philosophically the kinds of phenomenological aspects of events and perception, and how these can stimulate creative imaginings. This ties into modern psychotherapy, and also looks at sociological issues of community-building and shared meaning. The idea of bracketing is introduced here. Perhaps the very last statement in this chapter is the most significant; Patton says that there is a natural tendency to elevate the emergency call or the person in need to a priority over theological reflection. 'The fact that it is secondary, however, does not mean that it is not important.'

In the second chapter, Patton develops the idea of the importance of community in ministry. This involves an appreciation for communities of origin, which can mean both genogrammatic sharing as well as deeper story-sharing and myth/parabolic inclusion. It also involves understanding the differences we have from those origins (Patton writes of an assignment groups have had entitled 'How I am Separating from My Faith Family of Origin'). Dealing with pastoral practice involves an appreciation of oneself, so that one may understanding and deal with change, risk, and relationships that go beyond words.

In the third chapter, Patton looks at action and interpretation more directly - he places a value on the slow nature of such processes, and highlights some examples of verbatims and personal narratives the grow into significance. He references Hiltner again, his idea of the ministry of sustaining, allowing for God to have a place in the imagination even in the event of no substantial physical healing. He also develops a significant theology of ministry methodology without giving a pat or canned answer about 'what is a theology of ministry'. He uses two very powerful stories as examples, one in which a black man deals with a troublesome patient (while dealing with his own issues around the situation), and one in which another man deals with a baptism request for a stillborn child. How these are dealt with by the individuals, and then reflected upon by the groups, is very powerful.

This is not light reading - for example, the chapter on action and interpretation draws on ideas from Whitehead, Wittgenstein, Kant, Ricoeur, Brueggemann, Rahner and more; some of the discussions on experience and phenomenology tend to get very theoretical. However, this all serves to provide a foundation for the reflection on ministry that is so sorely needed.

Patton provides in the first appendix a three-fold pattern for thinking theologically about pastoral events which includes developing community or environments for such thinking, taking one's own comfort level to the place where 'playing' with ideas imaginatively can begin, and finally discovering what is truly meaning-full for all concerned. Patton's second appendix develops a system for getting adults to build the kind of group or community where this kind of experience and reflection can be done.

This is a very valuable book, a real blessing to one in CPE or ministry situations.

John Patton's book, 'From Ministry to Theology: Pastoral Action and Reflection', is in many ways a perfect book for me to have picked up and read at this time - I am currently a chaplain intern in a CPE programme, doing in many ways exactly what Patton calls upon ministers to do - act, and then reflect upon those actions. The substance of this reflection should be more than emotional, but also theological and spiritual, as such is the centre of the meaning of ministry. 'Although theological reflection on pastoral practice is important, there may be considerable resistance to doing it,' Patton observes - some may find it too difficult, others think that it takes too much time that should otherwise be devoted to more pastoral activity. Conversely, some may think that it is too easy, or something that can be done in the midst of 'actually doing something'.

Patton writes about the difficulty most people have at assigning meaning to the stories of their lives - often an autobiographical sketch, be it written or orally shared, ends up being a listing of facts that are rather disjointed from any particular feelings one might have. Patton mentions the CPE process of using verbatims and reflection (drawing in Seward Hiltner here), but comments that the process of making meaning should not be limited to those in such formal courses of study. 'Sharing and learning from those events in our lives that seem to be "meaning-full" is important for our development as persons and as Christians.' This necessarily involves the imagination, more so than we are normally accustomed to doing; imagination in turn touches on the three essential elements of pastoral care - action, relationship and meaning.

Patton develops this in a three-chapter framework. The first chapter, 'Event and Imagination', looks at sharing in different ways, exploring psychologically and philosophically the kinds of phenomenological aspects of events and perception, and how these can stimulate creative imaginings. This ties into modern psychotherapy, and also looks at sociological issues of community-building and shared meaning. The idea of bracketing is introduced here. Perhaps the very last statement in this chapter is the most significant; Patton says that there is a natural tendency to elevate the emergency call or the person in need to a priority over theological reflection. 'The fact that it is secondary, however, does not mean that it is not important.'

In the second chapter, Patton develops the idea of the importance of community in ministry. This involves an appreciation for communities of origin, which can mean both genogrammatic sharing as well as deeper story-sharing and myth/parabolic inclusion. It also involves understanding the differences we have from those origins (Patton writes of an assignment groups have had entitled 'How I am Separating from My Faith Family of Origin'). Dealing with pastoral practice involves an appreciation of oneself, so that one may understanding and deal with change, risk, and relationships that go beyond words.

In the third chapter, Patton looks at action and interpretation more directly - he places a value on the slow nature of such processes, and highlights some examples of verbatims and personal narratives the grow into significance. He references Hiltner again, his idea of the ministry of sustaining, allowing for God to have a place in the imagination even in the event of no substantial physical healing. He also develops a significant theology of ministry methodology without giving a pat or canned answer about 'what is a theology of ministry'. He uses two very powerful stories as examples, one in which a black man deals with a troublesome patient (while dealing with his own issues around the situation), and one in which another man deals with a baptism request for a stillborn child. How these are dealt with by the individuals, and then reflected upon by the groups, is very powerful.

This is not light reading - for example, the chapter on action and interpretation draws on ideas from Whitehead, Wittgenstein, Kant, Ricoeur, Brueggemann, Rahner and more; some of the discussions on experience and phenomenology tend to get very theoretical. However, this all serves to provide a foundation for the reflection on ministry that is so sorely needed.

Patton provides in the first appendix a three-fold pattern for thinking theologically about pastoral events which includes developing community or environments for such thinking, taking one's own comfort level to the place where 'playing' with ideas imaginatively can begin, and finally discovering what is truly meaning-full for all concerned. Patton's second appendix develops a system for getting adults to build the kind of group or community where this kind of experience and reflection can be done.

This is a very valuable book, a real blessing to one in CPE or ministry situations.

This book was in my library and I did not know how it got there but when I started to read it it was the words that made more sense to me than anything I have ever in my quest read...clear and consise and it's perfection to ears of understanding ...I GOT IT...I Got It... Thank you making it so understandable you are there and so am i...

If you are stranded on a desert island this is the only book you will ever need. For folks who are into reading metaphysical stuff, and still feel as if they are not "getting it", read this. Based on the tenets of the Tao te Ching, the author writes in a folksy tone complete with prison slang. He is well versed in many disiciplines and admits that the rest is hooey. He has got it and I hope it is contagious, If you only read one book this summer make it this one.

This must be the ultimate in fly on the wall literature. This well illustated book recounts in excellent journalistic style how reuter's correspondents visited hotspots and met hotshots over the last sixty years. The composition of the book gives the reader the feeling of "being there" and you can relive the tension of many of the situations and empathise with the man on the spot who had to contend with such traumas as hearing someone being clubbed to death outside his prison cell in an unstable African state.
Also the charismatic atmosphere surrounding some of the big names that the reporters met comes through the text to the reader, from Elvis Presley to Margaret Thatcher and many more, the great and the not so good are there.
One surprise was to discover that Derek Jameson began his career by landing a job as a messenger boy at Reuters and subsequently impressed his superior so much that he was made a trainee reporter, which eventually launched him on his future path as a journalist and broadcaster.
Having finished reading this excellent work I would commend the reader to place it on the bookshelf with other historical works for future generations to refer to.

Frontlines will appear to many to be a book of photography, and the book certain does contain several dozen fine images of world-significant events since 1944. However, the bulk of this intriguing volume tells the story behind the story by 40 on-the-scenes correspondents for Reuters who broke the news. In most cases, these essays will provide new details to you that will put much of recent history into a different perspective.

"Where the action is, Reuters is always there . . . ." You will be impressed by the derring-do of the correspondents here. For example, Doon Campbell was born with one arm. Despite that, he came in on an LST with the first wave of Royal Marines on D-Day, and crossed the Rhine with the first gliders (being considered unable to parachute by the authorities).

Although the book covers a tremendous number of world-shaking events (D-Day, the bombing of Hiroshima, the first landings over the Rhine, the Six Day War, building and tearing down of the Berlin Wall, the Iranian Revolution, OPEC's price increases and the Arab Oil Embargo, and space feats), it also covers many many areas of mass culture (Elvis in Germany, over the hill celebrities in Hollywood, and the Thrilla in Manila).

To me, the most interesting essays were the ones that covered getting the story in Communist countries. Usually, the local laws had to be broken to get the story, broken again to get the story out, and then the correspondent had to deal with the angry officials afterwards. You will be moved by the many times that these reporters faced long-term sentences in prison or even execution for covering important stories. One of the most interesting stories is by thriller writer Frederick Forsyth who recalls getting a story about an American bomber shot down in East Germany after World War II. His tale of getting the story and getting out seems just like one of his novels, and you will read those novels differently in the future realizing that he has been there and done that.

The book also has a lot of humor, such as the description of the failed American test of a "space loo" which was wired the wrong way and ejected the material involved instead of sucking it in. One of the funniest was the story of accidentally stepping on Chairman Mao's toes.

If you are a news junkie, journalist, or just someone who likes to know the behind-the-scenes detail, this book will be a favorite in your library for many years to come.

After you finish enjoying the book, I suggest that you take events that most interest you and find the latest books on them. In that way, you can combine perspectives to get a better flavor of what interests you.

Look carefully to see the art and courage behind the bare bones design!

These are wonderful postcards for any dog and/or animal lover. The photos are very well-done and the dogs are adorable.

As the previous reviewer stated, the postcards are black and white pictures of dogs with a short bit of information on the back including the photographer, title and date of the photograph and a short bit of information on the dog in the photo.

They are printed on thick 6" x 6" cardstock, which will make them durable in the mail (if you intend to mail them). However, it should be noted that at this size, the postcards mail at letter rate and not postcard rate.

You won't know whether to keep em or send em to your friends. There are 15 different postcards (2 copies of each.) They are all real photos, in black and white. They have a few lines of text on the back telling the year the photo was taken, who took it, where it was taken, and usually why the dog is doing what it's doing. All of the pc's are cute, and most are funny, but in a subtle way. They are suitable to mail to just about everyone, but anyone who likes dogs or has one will especially enjoy them.

This beautifully done little book is a happy find indeed for youngsters studying Rome. There's a wealth of factual information about Imperial Rome here, presented in a most engaging way. We couldn't put it down! Nice Bonus: Inside the back cover you will find the clearest, simplest, most concise explanation of Roman numerals I've ever run across.

Marissa Moss's book, written as if by a 12-year-old slave in the court of Augustus, is full of fascinating and accurate facts. The illustrations in particular are charming and very useful in painting a picture of daily life in 1st century Rome.

This book would be a great resource for any class studying the ancient Romans. It would also be a useful complement to my own series of children's historical novels (The Roman Mysteries) set in a slightly later period. A big thumbs-up!

I love this journal, the only thing I would change are the pages, they are slick, I would make them from recycled material with a matte feel so all your coloring can stick better. I am a first time gardner, so most of my journal is artwork from my yard and pets. I draw the flowers as they are coming up, using colored pencils, inks, and oil pastels. I will research what the plants are and draw them or glue in the pictures. This book has lots of room to add your own stuff,and would make a cool gift to the right person. I will alter mine with envelopes and a few trinkets of my own. This Journal is beautiful and fun.

This book appeals to both the art admirerer as well as the seasoned gardener. You can leaf through the seasons with every page of Karen's wonderful, energetic artwork and enjoy this journal only on the visual level, or you can use it as a very practical record of your own gardening ventures. It is designed to flip over in a flat position so notes can be made and pictures or information can be taped to pages. There is room for it to expand as you add vital information and customize it to suit you. It works! It's hardy. It's inspirational and it's fun.