Roger Books

The original and highly commended poetry of Roger Huisinga comprising I Don't Know Jack: Poems In Search Of Reason draws upon his midwestern upbringing and reflect joy in everyday things. These are poems offering the reader keen observations about Huisinga's religious views, the people who influence and inspire him, and his perspective on a range of issues from abuse and abortion, to drugs, politics and war. Pick Up A Book: Reading book after book when I was a child/I let my imagination run wild./Reading of people and places so far away, many times I felt like I was there that day. At Gettysburg I heard Abe's address,/With The Swamp Fox I crouched down in the fog/waiting and hiding behind a bit log./With Columbus I crossed the ocean wide,/and wondered if there really was another side./With courage I fought at The Alamo. Would morning come? I did not know./With Jackie I rode downtown with Jack./Did anyone know he'd never be back?/With Martin I walked down in "Alabam."/We had a point to make. We gave a damn!/Each place exciting, each one unique.,/ each found in a book, if you'll take a peek./There's an incredible life for which you'll yearn/so please pick up a book. There's more to learn.

Roger is a cousin of mine so I might tend to be a little biased, but I'm not. Roger does a very good job of expressing himself through his poetry. I laughed, I teared, and I enjoyed reading his work. It takes a lot of guts to put your thoughts down on paper. It takes a ton of courage to see it into print where many can read it and judge you by it. Congratulations, Roger, on seeing your art through to the finish line. Not many make it this far! hb

The book was first published by John Murray (Publishers)Ltd, London in 1983, now in its fourth printing, has 243 pages.

This is an authoritative, comprehensive and fully illustrated publication covering the Victorian and early Twentieth Century periods. This book is aimed at collectors who want a guide to help them identify a particular piece as well as those who want a more general history of needlework tools. There are hundreds of illustrated examples with full descriptions in the main text as well as the captions.

The main categories covered are: workboxes, sewing cases, emery and wax holders, pin cushions, thread containers, clamps, lace bobbins, tatting shuttles, chatelaines, needlecases, thimbles and thimble cases, scissors, tape measures, thread containers, crochet hooks and knitting and netting tools.

Very comprehensive history and photographs (black and white) of a range of sewing implements over time. Gay Ann knows her stuff and presents an excellent source of information for sewing enthusiasts.

It was great to read parts of this book before going to see the exhibit at the National Gallery here in DC. I was almost completely unfamiliar with Fox Talbot and the process he invented - calotypes - the forerunner of the common negative and print technique. The quality of the reporductions in the book is excellent compared with the actual prints in the exhibit although nothing can compare to seeing the exquisite detail in some of the larger prints that were hanging. ALso, compared with the size of the book and its quality the price is an absolute bargain. And I heartily agree with the comments by the other reviewer on the Amazon site.

Taylor has produced a new benchmark in the study of early photography. The text is cogent, the images carefully chosen and beautifully reproduced. Anyone interested in early British photography will find Schaaf's directory of photographers a great asset in itself.

two main components, the science of genetic engineering with an excellent explanation of mutations, and the moral/ethical aspects of genetic engineering. They explain how already human genes have been put into pigs, how we may be able to change the genetic make-up of humans, and the genetic basis for making these species level changes in human's genetic code. R&S also give a great deal of time to explaining the different types of genetic mutations that occur. For example, a whole chromosome may be lost or gained, such as an extra copy of the small chromosome 21 that causes Down's Syndrome. Or part of a chromosome may be inverted put be fully intact. And they explain how dominant and recessive genes affect us and how they are transmitted from generation to generation. This is probably the best book reviewed here that deals with genetic and chromosomal mutations and how they interact to make us what we are, including the dangers of genetic engineering on humans. First, genes often work best when they are situated next to each other, and mistakes in insertion locations may interfere with tumor-suppressor genes. But these are all technical problems and there is good reason to believe they will be overcome as we complete the Human Genome Project. Less time is given to the ethics of genetic engineering by R&S, but again it is also the most controversial and interesting part of the book. They do point out that "Ethics is normally thought of as a narrower concept than morality, and it can be used in several different, though unrelated, senses. The most general of these suggests a set of standards by which a particular group or community decides to regulate its behavior--to distinguish what is legitimate or acceptable in pursuit of their aims from what is not, such as 'business ethics' or 'medical ethics'." What this means is that there can be no such thing as unethical practices in the pursuit of genetic engineering or eugenics, because any action deemed unethical has to be agreed upon by the participants, not imposed on them. The socialists forget this when they try to impose secular or politically motivated ethical standards on scientific procedures because they fear that the knowledge that may result will harm their egalitarian cause. (See Culture of Critique by MacDonald.) R&S then discuss the morality of genetic engineering, both intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic being actions that are right and wrong on their own (based on religion, evolution, etc. ??) and extrinsic that only considers the beneficial consequences of actions. They do a good job of explaining these two positions, and how for example in the debate on abortion the two sides are arguing from different perspectives with regards to what is moral (extrinsic versus intrinsic). What they do fail to discuss is that if humans share a moral history with other primates based on reproductive success of the tribe, how can we apply morality to present day actions of right and wrong? and of course we can't. (See my article on morality). Neither the utilitarian, consequentialist, Kantian deontological formulations, or any other system has any innate truth when morality is considered within an evolutionary perspective, the only one that is empirical. I especially liked their discussion of 'holistic', 'ecological' or 'environmental' objections to genetic engineering (and many other human actions the naturalists don't like). They point out of course that we have been breeding crops and animals for over 10,000 years and that virtually everything humans do are in this sense unnatural, that is, apparently incapable of being done by other animals. As they state, "the progress of civilization has been largely dependent upon our 'interference with nature'." At one time religion was used to try and stop scientific progress, but as faith in religion has declined the anti-empiricists have had to turn to other forms of mystical arguments in order to block human progress. There are now attempts, even though we have not been able to assign a non-Darwinian moral system to humans, to apply arbitrary moral rules to all of nature. These arguments are made more in the milieu of postmodernist arguments that become incoherent when evaluated rationally, but the mere volume of emotionalism often overshadows rationalism and can sound convincing. For example, arguments are made that nature is somehow foreordained to be symbiotic, with some form of natural order that humans may corrupt or upset to the point that the planet will be destroyed. I would argue, that aside from nuclear war, this is impossible. And even then I would have to believe that after a nuclear holocaust, a few species would survive to repopulate the earth. None of this is good or bad in terms of the earth and all of its creatures. The universe is oblivious as to whether the earth has organic life or not. And all of the other organic forms have no contemplation of non-existence, nor is it possible to prove that organic existence is intrinsically good or better than a world devoid of life and suffering. None of the holistic arguments make any sense outside of life as a genetic algorithm that increases in complexity as it progresses, without any actual goal. Humans, like any other species, are free to exploit every corner of their ecological niche for their own benefit. However humans, with our large brains and our ability to contemplate our own deaths, finally have the means to arbitrarily give meaning and purpose to life, in our pursuit of trying to assuage our death angst. Some turn to mysticism, some to Marxism or racial purity for their own tribe, some embrace science and accept the inevitable, etc. And this is where eugenics as a secular religion fits in. It is merely an act of creation, directing our species to an ever higher level of intelligence in order to better understand the many remaining fallacies of belief we have adopted in our journey from our primate past. Does this mean that eugenics as a secular religion is similar to Christianity in being an anthropocentric religion, that establishes a dualism between man and nature, where it is our duty to exploit nature in the name of God, as R&S point out? Hardly. It is based on science and does not fall into the naturalistic fallacy. Eugenics as a secular religion is merely an act of creation using purposefully directed evolution as its tool. Where it is going, the means taken to get there, and the safety mechanism to be used to obtain the expected results are the same as any scientific project. But it is not subject to metaphysical concerns. It readily accepts the arbitrariness of human actions, and is based on the simple observation of science that more intelligent people who have fewer genetic diseases will live a more fruitful life, on average. It is no different than wanting to build safer and safer airplanes because then fewer people will die in plane crashes. But it does tend to further desacralize life for those unable to accept the inevitable death angst that they must live with, and is attacked on this basis alone. Speciesism is another attempt to define a moral system for all creatures, "Put at its most succinct, it is of little significance, the argument goes, that humans belong to a different biological species from, say, chimpanzees, dogs, farm animals and laboratory mice; we do not have the right to treat such species merely as we choose and for our own ends. Think of the conditions we normally require before humans are permitted to be used as research subjects." Of course this is utter nonsense, because if all species are equivalent then they all have the same moral obligations between species or tribes (pack, etc.). The fact is, even chimpanzees will treat each other in the troop with some moral considerations, even taking care of an injured member, but will go on raiding parties to kill members of other troops. Canines and felines will also kill their own. So if we are really to put aside speciesism and rejoin the moral constructs of other animals, then the only moral imperative is reproductive success, and that includes practicing genocide whenever we can get away with it to benefit our own kin! Is that really what these moralists (specifically Peter Singer) are arguing for? Such formulations of human ethical behavior can only be grounded by ignoring our own evolutionary past and all the empirical evidence regarding our true nature. R&S discuss the ethics of using DNA fingerprints to establish a national database as is increasingly common in a number of countries for controlling immigration, paternity suites, and to fight crime to name just a few uses. For a more complete discussion however see Richard Dawkins' new book Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder. Finally, R&S introduces another one of those anti-intelligence arguments stating that if we become too smart, and our memories become too vivid, we may regret it because we will not be able to forget unpleasant happenings (or even dreams for that matter). But all one has to do is ask how many people lament not being able to remember some

I am just a high school student, yet I undersood this book. It is great!!! It is not too technical, yet it covers what it needs to. Sections on plant, animal, and human genetic engineering make this book worth reading. No matter if you are a student with just an intrest, like me, or a genetic engineer yourself - you will enjoy this book. I get it a ten!!!

Teaching the word of God - not a job for everyone. "In Jars of Clay: Reflections on the Art of Pastoring" is Roger Kruger's look at his life as a pastor - teaching and guiding people through their life with heartfelt spirituality and love that few people can provide. Keeping the themes light, "In Jars of Clay: Reflections on the Art of Pastoring" is a good read for any Christian reader, especially for those considering Pastoring themselves.

Roger Kruger has written a book that not only describes the "art of pastoring," directed to those ministering in parish settings, but he also gives reflections on this calling from his own perspective as a pastor to several congregations and later as a pastor to other clergy. Reading this book would also benefit those in related care-giving professions, not just ordained church workers.

Each of the 9 chapters has significant conceptual and practical information--something of value for anyone serving people in need. I found Chapter 4 "Armed with Forgiveness" and Chapter 6 "Loving the Church" to be of particular interest and spiritually enriching for me in my laity ministry tasks. Pastors and leaders, this book has real answers!

Wonderful story of Dale Evans, Roy Rogers wife, and excellent content, of a terrific topic... God! Easy read, lots of scripture references from the Bible. Hard to find book.

I read this book when I was running from the call to the ministry. It was a God send for me. The book contains many examples of learning through life's experiences to yield fully to God. The experiences and testimonies described in this book are real life, every day problems that all persons will face. If you realize that every person has a ministry to perform in their life and yet you simply don't want to submit to the work, this book is for you.

this book describe the european renaissance and the new land america.. so we can know how effect to the new land from eropean renaissance.

I read "In the Wake of Columbus" in a class Arthur Schlesinger was teaching at Washington State University a few years ago. This book is absolutely mindblowing; it is rare to hear anything about the effect which discovering America had on Europe...and it was a gigantic one. This book gives a concise history of the cultural, economic, biological, and political changes associated with the discovery of America. Did you know syphilis most likely came from America? The the gold coming in from the Americas causes the Spanish economy to collapse due to inflation three times in one hundred years?

This book is an interesting and well written history on a subject which we often don't think about.

Book was in good shape, delivery on time, and had a good price.

If your spiritual life needs a `booster shot', you can't go wrong with a powerful work by Adrian Rogers. If your spiritual life needs `major renovation', Rogers also has that covered. In fact, if I were to be so bold, Roger's book "The Incredible Power Of Kingdom Authority" could best BE described as two books in one (2002, Broadman & Holman Publishers, 214 Pages).

Rogers, known for his pastoral leadership of Bellevue Baptist Church, and the "Love Worth Finding" ministries, supplies that needed shot in the arm to those who may feel that they are at a standstill in their lives. His book also does not candy coat what one needs to do to refine their lives for Christ, thus the work comes at you with a one-two combination.

This is not one of those `finish in an afternoon' books on spiritual development. This book WILL force the reader to confront some very real and personal issues concerning biblical principle and one's walk with their Lord, their spouse, and their church. Rogers applies the scalpel of the Word to those areas of life that some has overlooked, or neglected. It is a book that will serve the pulpit and the pew very well.

Let's fess up at this point. There have been a host of books filling the shelves of many a bookstore, even Christian bookstores. However, it is rare that a book has the clarity, purpose, and passion to deal with the real issues of life. If one does not understand authority, or how they should act in the presence of authority--let alone the authority they have in the Christian life--they will become unworthy to represent the kingdom, or themselves.

"The Incredible Power Of Kingdom Authority" by Adrian Rogers can be found in your local Christian bookstore, library, and most certainly at your favorite on line bookseller.

A wonderful collection of everyday experiences where God is present even when we aren't looking for him--when, out of the blue, we feel Him nudge us. At times thought-provoking; at other times smile-provoking. Always touching.

This is actually just a comment on a review by Publishers Weekly. Kurt Bruner is not the sole author of Finding God in Lord of the Rings. Along with Jim Ware, he is the co-author.

This is a wonderful guide for helping each of us to focus more clearly on our inner journey.