Saint The Books

Bushman has written some very good essays over the years, which are compiled in this book. Previous to reading these essays, I read his most recent book, Rough Stone Rolling. Both of these books are great. Bushman does not tell you, the reader, what to think because of the events that happened many years ago. All that he does is report the history & report it in the context of what was happening at the time & the general attitudes of the peoples of America at the time history happened. This book is good for Member and Non Member of the LDS Faith.

One of the values of Professor Bushman's essays on the history of Mormons and Mormonism is that he is up front with the reader about his own views on the truth claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He does not hide his commitment to the Church and its teachings, but is simultaneously honest about the facts he reports and the facts he does not know. Reading the essays is like sitting down over dinner with an intelligent friend who relates his own understanding with integrity and lays out the reasons for his analysis. Whether or not you accept the assertions of Joseph Smith about his experiences, Bushman notes, the evidence, of the kind that historians rely on for all other facts, shows that Smith himself spoke and acted consistently with HIM actually believing in the truth of his experiences. Similarly, whether or not you accept Bushman's conclusions on various issues, it is clear that Bushman himself has come honestly to his conclusions, while recognizing your right to disagree. His writing is lucid and does not conceal facts behind glittering generalities. Where facts are unclear he does not create a fictional version to satisfy our desire to speculate. Reading these essays, one wishes that more scholars who study the New Testament were willing to be similarly frank when they tell us their assessment of that collection of texts.

"Beluga: A Farewell to Whales" is definitely one book I wish the title for was not so apt. In this work Pierre Beland does an amazing job in bringing to life a remarkable animal, the beluga whale, and in particular one population of this species, those that inhabit the immense St. Lawrence estuary in Canada. He also brings to life in a sad and sometimes sickening way the plight facing these animals, cetaceans that even though legally protected in the St. Lawrence since 1979 do not seem to be showing any signs of signifcant population increase.

Beland's book in part reads like the current popular medical and forensic autopsy shows, as the author, a dedicated and highly trained biologist, seeks to determine what is killing the whales of the St. Lawrence. Ready at a moment's notice - even on holidays, the dead of winter, or in the middle of the night - to retrieve whale corpses found ashore or adrift, Beland and his colleagues probe each whale carcass for the secrets of its life and its death. With dedication and skill worthy of a criminal forensic team they uncover the truth of each whale's demise, which are often untimely as young whales or even newborns are almost as common in his lab as much more mature adults.

What Beland finds is chilling. The whales appear to be dying from pollution, a case he boldy and definitely makes in this book. Examintion of the tissues from the deceased whales reveal staggering amounts of industrial and agricultural chemcials, including polychlorobiphenyls or PCBs, DDT, dieldrin, mirex, chloradane, and more. Even though some of these chemicals haven't been used in the region for decades, their use banned, they continue to wash into the St. Lawrence, a vast river system that drains almost the whole of the Great Lakes region. Beland writes that beluga whale milk in the estuary has been found to contain as much as ten parts per million of PCBs and six parts per million of DDT; a lot considering fish containing fives times fewer PCBs are considered unfit for human consumption. Ships carrying waste with more than fifty milligrams of PCBs per kilogram (or fifty parts per million) require a special transit permit; sadly, the average male beluga roaming these waters already has that concentration of PCBs in his blubber by age nine. Without suprise, this massive concentration of pollution within the whale's bodies has lead to a host of ailments. St. Lawrence belugas boast the dubious honor of the highest incidence of cancer in any marine mammal, perhaps even a higher rate than that found in man. Beland discusses not only the cancer but also the other health problems that are affecting this population of whale's very survival.

Beland clearly is in love with the beluga, a beautiful white whale that he writes wears that "peculiar beluga smile," a feature that gives the species "the look of an enigmatic wise man or, rather, of a happy imbelice." Remarkable animals, the author spends a great deal of time discusses the biology and behavior of belugas, particularly in a very concise and fact-filled appendix. Among the most vocal of all whale species, their repertoire is more varied than that of dolphins and extremely complex. Highly social creatures, they may surpass dolphins in their potential for social communication. They also according to Beland clearly surpass dolphins in terms of their echolocation capability; in fact this ability is so sophisticated that the belugas have been held for many years by both the United States and the former Soviet Union for studies to aid in the development of sonar technology. Beland discusses this at some length, including the remarkable story of a beluga that escaped from such a facility in the Ukraine and ended up in of all places the Turkish coast, very far indeed from the species usual haunts.

The book is also valuable for its history of the interaction between the beluga whales and the people of the St. Lawrence. Hunted for centuries - from the days of the earliest European settlers and by native peoples before that - Beland discusses the use of weir fisheries to trap whales and of the odd, bizarre, and cruel war fought against the beluga between 1928 and 1939 which even involved bombing the poor whales from the air! Also discussed is the history of the beluga in captivity, covering everything from the early futile attempts involving the likes of P.T. Barnum to today's more sophisiticated modern oceanairums, which although Beland has some misgivings about them, may play a vital role in trying to save the species.

Finally the book is a good one to get for those interested in the St. Lawrence estuary itself, an impressive body of water and ecosystem in its own right. As much a sea as a river, the St. Lawrence flows downstream only half the time, it main current reversed every six hours by the tide in a never ending war between the light brown river waters flowing from the Great Lakes and the green salt water alive with seaweed and all matter of marine animals. Home to a variety of seabirds, fishes, crustaceans, molluscs, and four species of seals - many of which are more charaterstic of arctic climates and are not found as far south anywhere else in the world - even without belugas the river and its life are remarkable and need protection.

A charming, heartfelt book concerning a species not often written about. The sad toll the animal's own environment takes on it's health, and the dawning inevitability of the whale population's demise is shocking. The novel made me not only want to find out more, but it woke me up and made me want desperately to help.

Benedict's Dharma is a rare find--a book on spirituality that is lovingly burnished by practice. Benedict's Rule was above all a work for practical application; what few understand is how well the Rule translates into Eastern practice.

Rarely have I enjoyed a book as thoroughly as this one; I regretted reaching its final page, for the journey it provided was such a delight. Yet the greater truth is that this book is meant to be a passageway, pointing the way to greater spiritual understanding and greater self-knowledge. The truths it uncovers are applicable to anyone who is serious about leading an authentic spiritual life.

This book is an exceptional treasure, offering significant and practical insights on every page.

"There is fire in the Rule of Saint Benedict" (p. 121) David Steindl-Rast, OSB, writes in the Afterward to this collection of Buddhist reflections on that Rule. Written in the sixth century, Saint Benedict's Rule is a set of guidelines governing Christian monastic life. This 137-page book is the result of a two-week "Encounter" between Buddhists and Christians, in which Norman Fischer, Joseph Goldstein, Judith Simmer-Brown, and Yifa were participants. Their "fresh take" (p. xiv) on Saint Benedict's Rule is followed by a new, 80-page translation of that Rule by Patrick Henry, OSB.

The Rule was written to practice "Christ's way." Christ said, "Whoever perseveres to the very end will be saved" (p. 97). For Buddhists, Benedict's Rule is about "walking the path to spiritual awakening" (p. 105). That is, both the Rule and Buddhist dharma offer "general guidelines for an inner journey" (p. 1). Judith Simmer-Brown notes that the Rule offers us insight into living a contemplative life amidst the demands of everyday life, or "anyplace you find yourself" (p. 3). From a Buddhist perspective, Benedict's Rule is about learning to live life "so it gets into your bones, under your skin" (p. 34), and about living with "a love of true life and a longing for days of real fulfillment" (p. 36), for this was "Christ's way."

It is evident from this book that "the monastery wall is always permeable" (p. 81). Benedictine monasticism is designed to lead one to spiritual riches on the path of humility (p. 95). It is possible, we're told, to practice a contemplative life outside the monastery walls. "The world is vast and wide," Norman Fischer writes. "Why put on your robe and go to the meditation hall when the bell rings?" (p. 89). Daily practice is "the common ground" for monastics of East and West (p. 124), and in his excellent Afterward, David Steindl-Rast, OSB, concludes that "lay practitioners are running away with the monastic ball" (p. 126). "Step out into the dark night," he writes, "raise your eyes to the starry sky, and you will experience what contemplation was before it had a name" (p. 126).

We find Buddhists and Christians travelling the same "ladders and bridges" in this harmonious book. Buddhist or Christian, this book will appeal to to that monk or nun cloistered in each of us, who is interested in "a life spent seeking the truth."

G. Merritt

Benedict developed his methods of leading during the time Rome was falling apart around 450 A.D.

His approach reflects a structured system of what worked within a community/business. It is a simple, honest, easy to understand method for leading an organization. It is also an easy read.

It is thought that over 40,000 organizations have used this approach over the last 1500 years. It has passed the test of time.

Don't mistake this for a religious book. The monks were more independent entrepreneurial businessmen than elements of the church. It is clearly a book about leadership that provides the essense of what it takes to be successful.

The method can be used as a model and is as applicable today as it was 1500 years ago.

Fantastic little book on Leadership. Examines the world's oldest management system, and why it has been so successful. Great applications to the modern corporation. Perfect book for those tired of military analogies for business, or "tough-guy" leadership. Neat ideas on corporate rituals, ethical foundations, employee formation, and how to build a cohesive work group. If more modern corporations followed these "rules", we would have fewer scandals and higher profits. An easy read.

Great set of tapes! It has completly changed the way I read scripture. I highly recomend it to anyone who has questions about the Church's athority and the Bible...

Dr. Hahn does a wonderful job of defending the Roman Catholic position concerning the protestant doctrine of 'sola scriptura.' The first lecture is a well-thought and fair summary of the doctrine from the protestant perspective - indeed it is perhaps one of the best defenses of sola scriptura I have heard. But then subsequent lectures he takes on the points raised and challenges the assertions and assumptions they raise. This is a core doctrine for protestant denominations and therefore it is in our interest to explore the question more fully. Faith untested is a weak faith. Be careful though, it may just challenge you to re-consider your core beliefs about the church and scripture and send you seeking again for the answers. But, if you love the exciting rides at the park, this is the lecture series for you. It could be the ride of your life.

Broken into twenty four chapters devoted to the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, this book is ideally suited towards groups or individuals looking to delve into a detailed study of the New Testament.

In her introduction, author Macrina Scott offers several helpful suggestions to consider prior to commencing your study. Each of the chapters contains a theme with several relevant scripture passages concluding with a series of interesting reflection questions. Additionally, suggestions for related reading are offered at the end of each chapter. For group study, the chapters appear to be the perfect length for individual group meetings and discussion.

Like Scott's earlier Bible Studies Revisited book featuring the Old Testament, this work is designed to help readers use Scripture to reflect on their own lives. Both books, she says, are prompted by the large numbers of retired people who are "free to pursue the inner journey" in a new way. And while some direct references for those readers appear, the format and content are ideal for all ages and would be particularly useful in a small church community or bible study groups interested more in linking scripture to daily life than an academic treatise.

The 12 chapters on the Gospel of Luke address stories that do not appear in other gospels. Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, is covered in full. Each chapter can stand alone and contains scripture passages (no need to have a bible at hand), and several discussion questions.

Scott is especially attentive to themes in Luke's writing. For example, in the story of Pentecost she draws attention to the similarities between Mary's nine-month wait for the birth of Jesus and the nine-day wait in the upper room for the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.

Before reading this book, I had the impression (without even realizing it) that all saints were people who lived secluded lives hundreds of years ago and spent 90% of their time in prayer. This book illustrates the life a "normal" woman who lived a devout life in the modern world. She was an intelligent woman who was a highly educated doctor, and also a wife and a mother. Her life shows how devotion to God does not have to mean the exclusion of all else.

Read it near tissues though. If you have children, you will almost certainly cry when you read how she refused to sacrifice the life of her child to save her own.

All across global society, there are many controversial issues that predominate the social and political spectrum, none more polemical than the matter of abortion. Those who are Pro-Life versus those who are Pro-Choice lock heads to the point where divisiveness is a constant. Herein is where the uniqueness of Dr. Molla lies. Blessed Gianna, now Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, is a unique yet admirable figure among the vast array of Catholic Saints, having been canonized in 2004 by Pope John Paul II. She was a medical doctor who specialized in pediatrics, but she saw her vocation as a doctor as the Divine gift that it was: "In one way or another, everyone in the world works in the service of humanity. The physician works directly with the human person. The object of our science and work is the human person who is before us, who tells us about him or herself, who asks for help, and who expects from us the fullness of his or her existence. Physicians have opportunities that a priest does not have, for our mission does not end when medicine is no longer of help. There still remains the soul that must be brought to God. Jesus says, 'Whoever visits the sick is helping me.' This is a priestly mission! Just as the priest can touch Jesus, so we doctors touch Jesus in the bodies of our patients: in the poor, the young, the old, children.... May Jesus reveal himself through us; may he find many physicians who willingly offer themselves to him."--page 46. Through her work with Catholic Action, as well as her rich, rewarding faith, Dr. Molla was a woman endowed with much, but there was something else that she had a yearning for--a family. Originally dissuaded from becoming a religious missionary, as her brothers and sister had become-for her calling laid elsewhere-she needed clarity in order to see her vocation clearly in respects to love. Hence, while at Lourdes, she prayed to the Blessed Virgin for insight, and it came when her relationship with Pietro Molla (later her husband) deepened into a true Catholic-Christian marriage. And with the manifestation of that love, came a succession of children. In her time as a doctor, Dr. Molla was frequently asked to perform abortions, and her response would be a consistently resounding, "It is a sin against God. Life is sacred."--page 58. It was a religious and professional truth bravely lived out as a member of the Association of Catholic Physicians and then in the International Medical Association of Our Lady of Lourds. As her work schedule grew so too did her family, and upon her fourth pregnancy-her third one being difficult-she promised that her family work would come first, that she would leave her medical career behind, for however long necessary. But it was her fourth pregnancy whereby she would ununexpectedly become a martyr. Having developed a fibroma on the lateral right wall of her uterus and later septic peritonitis, she had one of three choices: an abortion, a complete hysterectomy or save the baby's life. The first two choices would have assured her her life. The abortion choice would also have guaranteed future pregnancies. However, Gianna Molla, as a doctor, chose the very last option, her will uncompromising to save her baby, knowing full well, however, that it would ultimately cost her her life. But as true as that was and as genuine as her painful suffering was, her faith was unyielding: "Oh, if Jesus were not here to console us at times like this....!"--page 110. Gianna Beretta Molla died quietly in her home on April 28, 1962, slowly living out her Passion, responding fully to her vocation with quiet, saintly courage.

The Blessed Surgeon: The Life Of Saint Luke, Archbishop Of Simferopol by Archdeacon Vasiliy Marushchak is an impressive biography of a devoutly religious man in the Russian Orthodox faith. Oppressed by the anti-Christian Soviets, exiled and tortured multiple times, Saint Luke retained an abiding faith and openly spoke his mind. He was also a master surgeon, who oversaw the treatment of injured soldiers during World War II, and ironically, received the Stalin award for his pioneer medical work. The Blessed Surgeon is very highly recommended reading as being an incredible documentary (first of its kind in English), of one man who selflessly devoted his life to God and man during one of the Orthodox Church's most difficult periods in Mother Russia.

Saint Luke, Archbishop of Simferopol was a truly amazing man in both the scientific and theological realms. An incredible man of faith and science he wrote a pioneering surgical book called "On The Surgery of Pyogenic Infections." After the communist revolution he was frequently imprisoned and harassed by the communists for his religious belief, but was still admired for his scientific gifts.

His life is a testament to excellence in all areas. Even being imprisoned and exiled by the communists, he still served in their military hospitals during wartime because he believed it was his duty to save lives, even those of his enemies.

An amazing, inspiring work by Archdeacon Vasiliy Marushchak that is highly readable and inspiring. Saint Luke would inspire the man of faith that doubts science and the scientist that doubts faith. He's even more inspiring to those that believe religion and science can not only coexist, but strengthen each other.

....I have eaten at the Blue Willow, and I tell you, that food is fantastic! No, wait...FANTASTIC. If y'all come to Georgia, you better go. I mean it. Now I have the cookbook in my hand and it's wonderful too! I can't believe they are giving away their secrets here. The recipes are not hard, actually most of them have very few and common ingredients, not very expensive cooking, but it is DELICIOUS! Hope you enjoy it.

If you want to experience true southern cooking as it was meant to be, you must get a copy of the Blue Willow Inn Cookbook. This book is a must for anyone seeking true southern cooking. From fried chicken and sweet tea, to fried green tomatoes and squash casserole, this book has it all. I loved the history on how the Blue Willow Inn was founded and think that other readers will as well. As a Southerner myself, I felt that this book was a like picking up the bible of southern cooking. This book is a must have.

That is, write another engrossing history of the Bolshevik Party in revolution. This volume picks up seamlessly where his earlier "The Bolsheviks Come to Power" left off. For those of us who enjoyed his lucid and - at the time - groundbreaking reconstruction of 1917, this volume dealing with the revolutionary aftermath of October has been too long-awaited.

Although the writing gets dense at times, those interested in the subject will find a fascinating wealth of information on just how confused, ad hoc and improvisational were these early days of "Communist conspiracy" and "scientific socialism." Rabinowitch begins with the early negotiations between the Bolsheviks and other parties on the limits of inclusion in the new Soviet government, and concludes with the first-year anniversary of the October Revolution. Throughout the narrative his focus is on the moderate Bolshevik faction and how it was marginalized by Lenin, as well as the pressures of civil war.

Realistically, however, Rabinowitch does not idealize these moderates nor overindulge the what-ifs of historiography. In outlining the transformation of Bolsheviks "from rebels to rulers" he keeps us aware of the harsh realities of civil war that made compromise and negotiation seem suicidal. And it must be remembered that attempts by moderate anti-Bolsheviks, to promote democracy and counsel conciliation on the White side, were brushed off by rightwing army officers and Western advisors who were determined to crush Bolshevism at all costs. With the narcosis of civil war gripping all parties it's very hollow indeed to berate the Bolsheviks alone for being dictators and fanatics, or expect them to rise above these circumstances. This is Rabinowitch's conclusion and is a refreshing counterpoint to the ideologically-driven anti-Bolshevik school led by Richard Pipes and Robert Conquest.

Written by Russian and Soviet historian Alexander Rabinowitch (Professor Emeritus of History, Indiana University Bloomington), The Bolsheviks in Power: The First Year of Soviet Rule in Petrograd is an in-depth historiography of the Bolshevik Party's first year in power after the revolution of November, 1917 that so profoundly affected Soviet history and politics throughout the twentieth century. The Bolsheviks in Power denies the entrenched view that the party's severe ideology immediately changed the Soviet political system into one of brutal authoritarianism; rather, it is revealed that the Bolsheviks struggled to hold on to power amidst a sea of political, social, economic, and military crises, causing the oppressive regime that rose from it to appear virtually ad hoc. Issues discussed include the swift decline and fall of moderate Bolsheviks; the creation of the ruthless Cheka, the Bolshevik-Left SR alliance, and much more. Enthusiastically recommended as an addition to college library world history shelves.