Characters Books

After reading The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf I went back to Malory -- Lynet was just like in Morris' book, constantly digging at Beaumains and harping on having a kitchen boy substitute for a real Arthurian knight.

After reading the first three books Morris has written in The Squire's Tales, I broke down and bought all he's written to date -- in hard cover. They are absolutely delightful, funny, clever, pretty true to the original romances. I read one, then pass it on to my grandson. We're having a ball.

This was the first book that I read out of many of Gerlad Morris' comical retellings of King Arthur. The information seems to be accurate and the book is just so funny. These books are classics that anyone of any age will enjoy!

I first read this book when I was in sixth (or fifth, or something -- I don't remember exactly when) grade. My church met in a school building, and toddler nursery was held in the library. I was bored one day, and I thought "The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf" looked interesting, so I started to read it. I was pleasantly delighted with my discovery. (My parents had to search the entire building for me -- that's how engrossed in the book I was.)

Unfortunately, we left that building, and my memory of the book's title left with it. It took me until last year to find it -- and I did that only by looking through all of the shelves in the children's section of the local library.

I was again pleasantly suprised by the book -- it's very well-written, immensely funny, and admirably suited to reading aloud (I had my mom read it out loud to me and my younger sister). At parts, it had me shivering with anticipation, and other times I was consumed entirely with helpless laughter.

I would highly reccomend this book to anyone. My dad, who doesn't particularly enjoy reading what he calls "girly books", thoroughly enjoyed this one. In fact, this book has inspired in us a delight of all books Gerald Morris -- and he's never disappointed us.

I love this book. Completely fabulous dry wit. Sassy girl protagonist, great dwarf character. Plot goes along at a good clip. I've been a long-standing fan of Gerald Morris, and this one is his best one, as far as I'm concerned. I've read and re-read it.

I absolutely loved this book! It is a retelling of the story of Beaumains (beautiful hands) the Kitchen Knight. Perhaps some of you are familiar with this story. The basic plot is that a young man comes to King Arthur's court to work in the kitchen. He has beautiful hands unused to hard work, hence the name. Anyway, one day a lady comes to Court to find a champion to rescue her sister who is besieged by the red knight. The kitchen boy is knighted and offers to go with her. She treats him badly throughout their journeys, though he often proves himself. At the end he frees and marries the sister and shows himself as Sir Gareth, younger brother to Sir Gawain.
Well, leave it to Morris to mix this story up! First of all, Lady Lynet is helped on her journey by a mysterious dwarf, Beaumains is a complete dolt, the sister, Lady Lyonesse is a disgraceful cold-hearted flirt, and far more is happening than appears to be! The ending is delightfully satisfying and romantic, and I cracked up hysterically several times during this book. I finished it in one sitting! Definitely a must-read for King Arthur fans!

A beautiful story, wonderfully written and a pleasure to read. You won't be able to put it down!

At first I wasn't sure what to expect from a "historical Christian fiction" book, but once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to pick up the next one. This book really does have it all.

I enjoyed this novel. The main character was someone you knew well after a few chapters, and I found myself rooting for her, her friends and her love interests. Her adventures were exciting enough, and her love story was affecting. Once I began to care about the characters, I could easily ignore the problems with this book. I spent several late evenings reading this.

The problems are not too terrible. The author often tells the reader details that should be revealed through the story. The prose is slightly awkward throughout. There is a lot of coincidence in the plot. Some of the coincidences are so improbable that they began to annoy me.

There is also a good deal of historical detail in the story, which I enjoyed. The action unfolds in Berlin, Vienna, and Prague- in real places which are well described. Now I feel like seeing those places for myself. I feel as if I know them intimately.

This is the first book in a series: The Zion Covenant. I will read the next book in the series, because I am hooked. I want to know what happens to everyone!

This book is a real eye opener if you are interested in WWII, but don't want to watch boring documentaries or read boring text books about it. It brings it to life. Charlotte Mason would have called this a "living book". Historically acurate history written in story format. There are 9 in the series, and all are worth the read.

Elisa Lindheim is young, beautiful, and gifted. The oldest child of retired Luftwaffe officer Theo Lindheim has grown up in Berlin, enjoying the privileges of her father's heroic World War I reputation and of his financial success as owner of Lindheim's Department Store. The shadows cast by Hitler's rise to power are darkening her life, though, in 1936. Estranged from her lifelong love and former fiance who's chosen to give her up on orders from his military superiors, Elisa lives in her Gentile mother's native Vienna and calls herself Elisa Linder. She plays in the opera house's first violin section, and - like so many other Jewish or part-Jewish Germans and Austrians - refuses to believe that things will continue to get worse. Any day now, the German military will have had enough of the mad paper hanger; and after that, life will be normal again.

Of course that's not what happens during the year that follows. As Theo Lindheim moves to get his family to safety, but fails to get himself out of Germany successfully, history in the making catches up with Elisa and forces her to make choices she never imagined anyone might have to face.

This is that rare book, a "faith based" novel that's worth any reader's attention. Well researched and well written, VIENNA PRELUDE moves along at a steady clip and then races to a suitably tense climax. The authors understand what far too many writers (especially of faith based fiction) don't "get" at all: that characters' actions must flow from who they are, not from what the book's chosen theme requires them to do. While the coincidences that keep parting and reuniting Elisa and American journalist John Murphy become strained from overuse, somewhere in the tale's second half, and a few of the characters' lines of dialog sound more like a sermon than an individual's words in conversation, the overall effect is just what it should be. The reader quickly becomes invested in knowing what will happen to Elisa and the others, and the triumph of their faith is all the more real because of the struggles that living it costs them. I expect to read more in this series, and that's the best compliment one can pay to any author.

My 2 1/2 year old LOVES this book (although she pronounces it "tookie" instead of "cookie"). It has become one of her top favorites at bedtime. The language is clever, the illustrations are cute, and I love that it's actually teaching her new vocabulary and describing complicated emotions in ways that even a small child can understand. I think, based on the recommendations, my daughter is a little young for this book, but she loves it anyway and is always very interested and attentive when we read it to her.

The adorable illustrations first captured my attention while book shopping for my 2 year old grandson; the "bite-size life lessons" captured my heart.
Cookies is one of the most clever and unique children's books that I have seen for many, many years. The beautiful illustrations, the succinct explanations of difficult terms such as patience, modesty,compassion, and the tasty cookie subject make for an amazing book of lessons of living together in harmony. My grandson loves it, his Mama loves it, and so do I!
An absolute charmer for ALL ages!

My 6-year-old and I picked this up from the Library on one of our Saturday trips. My daughter, wife and I loved it so much we had to buy it. The message and lesson is wonderful and the imagery is beautiful. This is a book that can and should be read often to children of all ages.

OVERVIEW: Fun book that hits every need that a parent is looking for in a Children's book: great words, smart writing and incredible illustrations.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Parents are constantly on the lookout for a new children's book for their kids' shelf that takes language, art and some sort of lesson and incorporates all those elements in a nice package: this one fits the order.

MY REVIEW:
THE GOOD: Every now and then parents come across a children's book that leaves the entire family in a euphoric state. Since it happened to most current parents when they were younger and their parents opened up and read " Green Eggs And Ham", now they're on the prowl for more books to fit their kids' bookshelves.

Unfortunately we come across a lot of dusty dud-tomes in our book hunt but every now and then we get a gem that has our three year old staring, our six year old smiling and the parents enjoying the read. This book does all that.

The author uses cookies (and so many things related to cookies) to teach words and simultaneously share some (very funny) life lessons such as:

"Trustworthy means, if you ask me to hold your cookie until you come back, when you come back, I will still be holding your cookie."

This would be great in itself, but Jane Dyer goes above and beyond with her lifelike illustrations with almost a nod to Norman Rockwell with their detailed beauty by showing on that "Trustworthy" page the little girl, holding and staring at a cookie and biting the side of her lip. You can't beat that.

Definitely a great read that'll leave parents wanting more pages and kids wanting a reread with cookies, please.

THE BAD: I wish there were more pages? There was nothing bad. Well, except maybe the desire for some kids to want cookies.

THE UGLY: Nothing ugly about this book. Printed on nice paper, the cover is a nice stock and the illustration is repeated on the hardcover. Even the inside flaps are an enjoyable read highlighting words like "SHAMELESS" when it comes to the author (you can check out Amy Krouse Rosenthal's site here) plugging her own work and "ILLUSTRIOUS" as defined with the illustrator's name (Jane Dyer).

I am pleased with the story. Illustrations are well done and I plan to give them as gifts.

This is a wonderful book any child should have in their collection. The book can become part of a yearly tradition celebrating their birthdays!

I bought this book for my son to read to him on his birthday. It is a lovely book that my three year son enjoyed very much. We will be making the reading of this book a yearly tradition!

I just love all Dr Seuss books! This one is just as good. I'd never heard of it but when I saw it I had to get it for my son. I got it for his 1st birthday party for everyone at the party to sign like a yearbook and give him wishes for when he's older since he won't remember the party. We love the book too though!

I bought this book for all 3 of my children for birthdays.
We read it every year on their birthday--it is an amazing book.

I highly recommend for birthday gifts or just because you love Dr. Seuss!

Because I had put off buying a gift until the last minute, I was able to order the books and they arrived 2 days before the birthday party. I consider that great service. The 2 and 3 year olds loved it and it made me happy to know I got something they would enjoy longer than a few days. The Dr. Seuss Birthday books were a hit.

Wodehouse is perhaps the best antidote I know for depression. His novels are literally unreal, for Bertie inhabits a world of leisure, servants, and privilege, an Edenic world where even the threat of pain, suffering, and mortality have no place, and Jeeves is always there as a deus ex machina. But ultimately we return to Wodehouse (again and again!) because of the language--quite simply, the man cannot write a bad sentence.

I am a big P.G. Wodehouse fan. This series of books is especially fun as each book is easily read and enjoyed. The print size is perfect. Great nighttime reading to relieve the stresses of the modern world.

What can I say that hasn't already been said about the inimitable P.G. Wodehouse???

Carry On, Jeeves is a great starter book for those who are intimidated with the amount of J&W books available (or rather, don't know where to begin). The first story in this book is about the first day Bertie Wooster met his personal gentleman (or valet, if you prefer), Jeeves. The stories easily stand on their own; with the exception of characters being mentioned or being part of the plot, the book is not a novel you have to read front to back. Consider it a literary sitcom, where new scenarios and conflicts arise with each story you read.

My favourite bit about reading Carry On, Jeeves was the last story of the book, where it takes a refreshing twist and is narrated by Mr. Jeeves rather than Bertie Wooster. It was great reading from Jeeves's perspective.

Lots of chuckles throughout and a few hardy laughs. Overall a perfect read.

This volume of ten stories originally hails from 1925. I read them in the 1999- 2000 Penguin paperback edition. While many readers like the covers by Ionicus on earlier Penguin paperbacks, these recent editions with covers by David Hitch are my favorites. They are very well done, reasonably priced and just the right size, which is to say, perfect for the novice or seasoned Wodehouse reader. The stories are also among the absolute tops in the Wooster/ Jeeves canon, and give the back stories that Bertie meditatively refers to in so many of the later books.

As Richard Usborne notes in his invaluable guide, Plum Sauce, five of these stories appeared earlier in My Man Jeeves (1919). Two of the stories there told by Reggie Pepper are here transformed into Bertie's ruminations. Carry On Jeeves was the next collection following the ten stories in The Inimitable Jeeves (1923), and Wodehouse was on a roll. Here's Bertie's first engagement to Florence Craye, and his first encounter with her younger brother, Edwin, the Boy Scout, who rapidly renders unsafe house and home. Enter Biffy and Bingo Little, later fixtures in the Wooster ouvre. Here also Bertie pens his oft- mentioned "piece" for his "good aunt" Dahlia Travers, and her struggling paper, Milady's Boudoir. The last story in this collection is somewhat questionably narrated by Jeeves, but Wodehouse fortunately reverted to telling tales in first person Bertie in the later shorts. Some of these tales also found their way into the Jeeves and Wooster TV shows with even more riotous results. All in all, a capital collection.

Carry On, Jeeves is another classic from P.G. Wodehouse. It follows in the same kind of humorous hiliarious vein of his other books that involve Berty Wooster and his Man Servant Jeeves. This is a book that should not be missed. In fact,
all of P.G. Wodehouse's books involving Jeeves and Berty Wooster
should be thoroughly enjoyed by every one.

Rings a bell, lights a bulb and deep down inside heart of hearts you know what colson shares is the truth. The spins stops here. I am devouring all of the bibliographic books and movies. The stories and the incidents is a good look at the reality and how the world is supposed to be. Start your search beyond Google and you will come to the cross. He is the truth and the life.

I so appreciate Colson's deep analysis of how we view our lives in relation to each other and God. He is an articulate and passionate storyteller and sage.

This turns out the best audio book I've ever bought. I am looking for the unabridged edition and this is it. I feel immersed in the book through the oratory skills of the narrator.

A terrific book and one to use as a manual to integrate God into your daily life

This was for my church library since I am the librarian. I trusted it would be good for others I've read by him have been. He's a solid Christian whose life reflects his belief.

The Journey is an easily readable, comfortable and understandable book. It is filled with a very special man's understanding, appreciation, and love for God and his fellowman. I contains a lot of common sense wisdom gained over a lifetime of serving God. I enjoyed it's insights. Reading it has made me a better person. I have a greater feeling of being loved by God despite all my faults. I also bought the book as gifts for other family members.

In the late autumn of his life, evangelist Billy Graham has given us a wonderful gift.

In clear and compassionate terms, he shares the accumulated wisdom and anecdotes of an extraordinary lifetime, providing guidance and encouragement to make our own lives meaningful and extraordinary. The book is carefully structured in four parts. In "The Journey Begins", he explores the primary questions of life. In "Strength for the Journey", he discusses practical measures to find peace and joy with God, others, and ourselves. "Challenges Along the Way" covers external, internal, and spiritual difficulties; and "Staying the Course" provides guidance and hope in facing issues arising in middle age and beyond.

This, like "Mere Christianity" and other works by C.S. Lewis, is a must-read for anyone seeking truthful answers to life's painful and confusing questions, as well as for Christians looking to deepen their faith. I didn't find a single false word in it and will likely re-read it more than once in the years to come.

And even if there are no years to come, even if my journey should end tonight, I know it ends well. For anyone seeking peace in life's journey, the truths in this book could be invaluable assets. Five shining stars.

I was very happy with my selection of the "Journey" and very pleased with the good service I received on the delivery. We are using the book as a guide in a Women's Bible Study at our church and are currently in the 4th Chapter, as we discontinued our study for the Christmas holiday and will resume on Jan. 8, 2008.

Fight The Good FightProbably the last book written by the greatest Preacher of our day. Life truly is a journey and not the destination as Dr. Graham has so aptly declared in his teachings throughout the years.

I previously ordered 7 copies of "The Journey" by Billy Graham. Our men's group is in the midst of studying the book for the next 30 weeks at a weekly breakfast devotional. It is packed with wonderful guidance on how we are to live our lives. The book is perfectly divided into manageable sections that are just right for from a 30 to 50 minute devotion. It also is great in that it is written in such a way as to encourage participation. It is easily understood while at the same time elegant in its delivery of ideas. It is suitable for both those new to the faith as well as for "old" Christian soldiers.

Every book has to end, I know that, but I felt cheated when I closed "Red Square". How dare Cruz Smith actually finish this thriller? How could he not have added a few more pages of his delicious and irresistible writing? Arkady Renko, the incorruptible and love-lorn Soviet detective, is on the trail of the people who killed one of his informants. He is also pining for the love of his life, who is now broadcasting pro-western propaganda to the fast-collapsing Communist empire from Munich (the action takes place in August 1991). As luck would have it, Renko ends up in Munich as he tracks the killers. The plotting in this novel isn't great -- there are too many coincidences and Renko does remarkably well in Germany, given it's his first time in the West and he speaks little German. The writing is addictive as ever and reaches new heights when Ranko is reunited with the object of his desires, who has a new man in her life. If you want to while away an absorbing few hours, I highly recommend this book.

I read this book twice. Still was confused, but as in his other novels, the author grabs you and puts you inside the protagonist's (Arkady Renko) head.
I think I will read this a third time. Even if I still don't understand it, I will greatly enjoy the ride.

Red Square blew my mind. What a great book. I find there is a lot of junk out there for the two genres I prefer: fantasy and crime drama. I was floored by Red Square - and had actually read it first. Kind of shows how great it is that I loved every moment and I had not even read Gorky Park or Polar Star yet (both darn good, too). Havana Bay followed and was good, but not as full and gripping as Red Square. wow. Truly a gift.

First published in 1992, _Red Square_ illustrates the complexities which have emerged as the Russians allow some private enterprise but have not yet become a democracy. Hardliners want to perpetuate their own way of life, while young people and the hungry proletariat want reform and their own piece of the pie. Arkady Renko, who has appeared in two previous Cruz Smith novels (Gorky Park and Polar Star), has returned to Moscow from exile and has resumed his job as a detective, this time investigating corruption and criminal fraud in the city as private enterprise takes illegal turns.

Rudy Rosen, who engages in money-changing, gambling, and other felonies, some of them involving citizens of foreign countries, is cooperating with Renko by allowing him to record conversations. Immediately after Renko leaves Rudy in his car, however, Rudy's car explodes, incinerating Rudy and a suitcase full of cash. As Renko investigates who might have killed Rudy, the complexity of this mystery parallels the complexities of a Russian society in which it's every man for himself in terms of financial transactions.

All the characters are at loose ends, wondering who they are and how they are perceived. Renko is just back from exile, the love of his life having defected to Germany years ago, and she believes that he has abandoned her. Rudy Rosen wants to have it both ways--to cooperate with Renko and to continue his shady dealings. The Chechens who appear in the story are blamed for everything that is violent or illegal, but they remember the horrors of mass relocation and the killings through which the Russians annihilated their villages and left them homeless. As the investigation of Rudy's death leads Renko from Moscow to Munich and Berlin (and to a meeting with Irina, his long lost love), Renko meets with other Russians who live abroad but still regard themselves as Russian.

Renko is a sad case--morose, love-starved, and without any reason for living--and as he tries to do what is right, his essential goodness comes through. As the case becomes an investigation of stolen paintings, many of them owned by Jews at the outbreak of World War II (and earlier), Renko's own superiors and the Russian Mafia abroad threaten his life. The body count rises and who-did-what-to-whom becomes confusing, but many readers will be focused on the character of Renko. As he tries to navigate the minefield of his own life, he resembles a modern version of some of the great Russian tragic heroes. This is not the most unified of the Renko mysteries, but it is fascinating, nevertheless. n Mary Whipple

Martin Cruz Smith is a former journalist and magazine editor. "Red Square" is his third novel - after " Gorky Park " and "Polar Star" - to feature Arkady Renko and was first published in 1992.

Renko, the hero, works as an Investigator with Moscow's militia - more or less the standard police force - and has something of a chequered career. Never a truly 'practising' member of the Party, Renko hasn't always been thought highly of by those in authority. He has always wanted to catch the people responsible for the crimes he's investigating, regardless of the 'political' consequences - as a result of this, he was once dismissed from the Party for a lack of 'political reliability' and sentenced to a life in Siberia. He also appears to be something of a disappointment to his father, a very famous ex-General. (Arkady's opinion of his father - who is very ill as the book opens - isn't too high, either). However, after the events outlined in "Polar Star", he was reinstated to his former position - but is now working in a new Moscow that he barely recognises. "Red Square" is largely set in Moscow, Munich and Berlin in 1991 and is set in turbulent times : Germany has been re-unified and the breakup of the USSR is closing in.

The book opens in August 1991, with Renko and his partner - an Estonian called Jaak Kuusnets - on their way to a meeting with Rudy Rosen. Although Rosen operates as a banker for the various factions of the Russian Mafia, he has agreed to Renko planting a transmitter in his car for the duration of a Mafia-sponsored illegal market. (This is largely due to the fact that the militia have enough to put Rosen away for a very long time). Despite turning informer, Rosen appears to feel relatively safe. The Chechen faction, headed up by Makhmud, constitutes his only real enemy, but - since all the factions require his services - he doesn't think he's under any real threat. His sense of security is reinforced by Mikhail Kim, his fearsome-looking Korean bodyguard, and his business partnership with Borya Gubenko - the head of the Long Pond Mafia. Unfortunately, shortly after a quiet conversation with Arkady at the market, Rudy is killed when his car goes up in flames - changing Renko's case from surveillance to a murder inquiry. One of the witnesses points the finger at Kim - and it seems clear the Korean was responsible for at least one of the two explosions.

Although Arkady works most closely with Jaak, there are a couple of other members on the team he has assembled. Polina deals with the forensic work and is nearly as dedicated to her job as Arkady Renko is to his. Minin, on the other hand, is practically the anti-Renko : he remains devoted to the Party and is, in fact, the only Party member on the team. Renko's boss is a man called Rodionov - the City Prosecutor and an elected member of the People's Congress. When Renko meets with Rodionov to inform him of the investigation's progress, he's also introduced to General Penyagin - the recently appointed head of CID. Unlike his predecessor, Penyagin is a bureaucrat - not a detective risen from the ranks. Renko is stunned to discover that the third person attending the meeting, Max Albov, is a journalist. As the investigation unfolds, developments take Renko far and wide - even to the recently reunited Germany. However, Albov proves to be someone Renko just can't avoid.

This is a hugely enjoyable book - in fact, the Renko series is just getting better and better as it goes along. The book is set in the USSR's dying days, a difficult time for all those used to playing the political game. As such, it's probably even more dangerous that it had been - especially for someone like Renko who only cared about catching the villain, rather than doing what was politically 'correct'. Highly recommended.

The saga continues starring Damali and Carlos and some bad-beyond-the-bone characters. The Dark side and the Light side show what they are made of in spades. Loved it!

Book is Awesome! The entire L.A. Banks series of the vampire huntress is awesome! I really recommend any of her books.

I have read all of LA Banks books in the VHL series and have loved each and every one of them, but this book was off the hook. I got goosebumps reading this book when she started talking about scenes in Revelation. Just AWESOME. A very good read.

As usual, L.A. Banks does not let me down with The Wicked. I've read all 7 VHL books. She hits all the high marks in this one. It's explosive, otherworldly, dark, and filled with words and geographic regions that will send you running to your BIG dictionary searching for meanings. Never mind, read on and you'll understand. Gripped by this book, it was a constant companion to my purse--I couldn't leave home without it. Her cast of interracial characters is typical L.A. Banks writing style. And the war scenes will--to borrow her phase--knock your head back. I'm obsessed and ready for the next one, Ms. Banks. This book deserves 5-plus stars.
Minnie E Miller
Author

Okay so I am definitely a huge fan of L.A. Banks and this book is no exception. In this selection she brings Cain into the mix and it makes for an interesting plot twist. He is in love with Damali and from the first page of the book you see just how twisted his love for her can be. But Damali and Carlos are finally getting their honeymoon but inevitably something happens that brings their mood down and the book begins. That is all I am going to delve into but trust me I am a faithful reader of the series and this is a book,series that you want to get into. So for first time readers you will be lost if you start up now but for faithful readers get ready for a great sit down read.

This book has changed my heart. This book has made me a better parent - as I live God's way. I am thankful to the authors for their wisdom.

Good and Angry is such a good book! I feel like I've experienced a shift in my thinking. I used to think that righteous indignation over being disobeyed gave me license to solve the problem full force with that anger. That had been the parenting model for me. Now it makes so much more sense to view that anger simply as a flag to identify the child's problem,  rather than the weapon, trusting God to move in the child's heart as I seek to direct them with kindness. It could almost be considered a theological shift as well as an emotional one. It has me moving in the direction of trusting God, and away from trusting myself as a parent.

Households get busy. And kids will misbehave.

After a while,a parent's patience can run a bit thin. Especially when children do the same thing time and time again. "Will they never learn?".

The authors provide the reader with a list of tools to get through these times. The goal is to build family relationships while helping kids learn better ways of responding to life's situations.

Kids learn from us. If you ever find your patience being tested in those difficult moments, then you will want to read this book. You might be surprised how it can bring a little peace to the household while building closer family relationships.

This book is excellent. I gave a copy to everyone in my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group because I really feel this book is a must read book.
Why?
This book helps you as a parent to recognize the five basic causes of anger and gives you practical ways to help reduce your anger and use it wisely. In my experience as a parent, I was suprised by what my kids brought out in me- especially anger!
"Emotions need to be interpreted wisely...Anger, for instance, is a flag that says,"Something's wrong here, and`I need to do something about it." The anger does not define what is wrong. You need to take time to think and interpret anger's signal appropriately before you take action...We believe that the key to using anger in a productive way is to separate the trigger from the response. If you can use anger to identify problems but not react to them, your perspective on anger will change." pp. 25-26
This book is written by Christians so they do quote the Bible and talk about God in the book. However, anyone can benefit from the very practical ideas in the book.
Some of my favorites are "The Lie Detector Test" p. 174-175 and the five steps for giving instructions in chapter 3. This is where a lot of parents get frustrated because kids won't do what you ask them to do.
One book is not going to cover all parenting issues(that's why I am continually reading parenting books because I need all the help I can get!) but this book covers what many books do not- how to use anger wisely. Other books often say don't get angry or seem to assume that you won't get angry and don't tell you how to break the anger cycle. That's why I like this book so much and feel it should be a part of your parenting library because anger is a basic emotion felt by every parent.

very well written, insightful and revealing for both your childs behavior and yours as a parent