Reviews Books

A voracious reader I thought I finished the Russian classics when I completed Cancer Ward and the First Circle having devoured Crime and Punishment and War and Peace years before. Not so . Victor Serge has it all :the prose of Tolstoy, the impending doom of Dosteyesky and the currency of the Stalin era. Don't miss this one. FPB Ann Arbor

A repressive shadow looms over the destiny of these men of all age, beliefs, and ranks ... insidious terror creeps into those innocent minds and their lives ends before they know it or before their hearts stopped beating. Some vainly fight back, some don't, but all are hopeless.
The implacable and revengeful wave of the Soviet rotten bureaucracy destroys the life of innocent men. When tyranny and deception shutters the greatest hope of and for humanity, one ought to question if it had to be that way.

This book is amazing for its ability to communicate the intimate thoughts of the characters and employ beautiful prose to describe the physical settings in which the action takes place, without abandoning the larger narrative. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Soviet history or literature. I read it after reading several other books on the period, and felt that they were an excellent preparation for this one (The Unquiet Ghost - Hochschild, Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar - Montefiore, The Gulage Archipeligo), but even without the background this is a fantastic read.

in time the mind will make chains snap." Victor Serge.

Victor Serge's novel "The Case of Comrade Tulayev" is set in the Soviet Union in the late 1930s, long before "the chains wore out." It is a classic and haunting look at Soviet society during an era of party purges, show trials, and executions that deserves a place of honor on any reading list that also includes Arthur Koestler's "Darkness at Noon", George Orwell's "1984" and Vasily Grossman's "Forever Flowing" .

Serge, born in Brussels in 1890 to Russian emigre parents, returned to Russia early in 1919 in order to support the newly created Soviet Union. He served as both a writer and journalist. However, Serge was one of the first of the old-line revolutionaries to oppose Stalin's concentration of power. He was arrested, expelled from the party, released, and arrested again. Finally, in 1936 after a public campaign by leading European political and literary figures, Serge was released and deported to France. He eventually found his way to Mexico where he died, penniless, in 1947.

The Case of Comrade Tulayev mirrors in some respects the murder of Sergei Kirov that set off Stalin's first great purge beginning in 1934. The story begins with the almost accidental murder of a leading member of the Central Committee, Comrade Tulayev by a disaffected clerk. The Chief (Serge's allusion to Stalin) immediately commences a round of purges, investigations, show trials and executions. The rest of the book takes us on a chapter-by-chapter account of a group of individuals caught up in the aftermath of the murder. Each individual represents a different component of Soviet society, from the lowly clerk to the high-ranking party functionary to the `oppositionist' already living in exile in Siberia.

Serge paints an intimate, vivid picture of each individual as they meet their fate. Like a storm at seas these people can see the storm on the horizon but they all seem powerless to either flea. They are swept up and prepared for show trials. The only option available to each is their ability to fight the omnipotent forces that want them to admit to crimes they did not commit and to implicate others in these same acts. The power of Serge's writing lies in his examination of the inner lives of his protagonists and their reasons for either accepting this fate or fighting to retain some shred of inner dignity. The outcome of each protagonist's story provides a cross section of human responses ranging from cringing supplication to death-defying resistance. The story of Ryzshik, the exiled oppositionist is particularly haunting. As with the others, he knows what is expected of him but he chooses to starve himself to death rather than confess to some non-existent crime.

The Case of Comrade Tulayev is most often compared to Koestler's Darkness at Noon. Although the comparison is very apt there are some critical differences in approach that bear mentioning. Darkness at Noon focuses on the self-reflection of one key player in the creation of the Soviet state, Rubashov. Koestler took one life, Rubashov's, and reflected on his own role (or guilt) in creating the state that was about to murder him. The emotional heart of Darkness at Noon (for me) is whether and why Rubashov would perform one last act for `The State". Serge, takes a broader look at the questions of individual guilt and collective responsibility. I think that by taking this broader look both Serge and the reader begin to think about, if not find a rational explanation for, how a society based on egalitarian ideals can allow itself to be transformed into a compliant, totalitarian state in less than a generation.

Victor Serge's Case of Comrade Tulayev is an excellent piece of writing. Highly recommended. L. Fleisig

Most of the other reviews of this book are right on the money and more articulate than I could be, so I won't try to repeat them. But I will say that I found this book to be a compelling piece of work; a classic. I never quite appreciated the depth of dysfunction, even depravity, of the Soviet system. It bewilders me that such an abomination took place in my lifetime. It frightens me that it could happen again. I just finished reading about the Spanish Inquisition, where the same terrible mechanics were perpetrated on the Spanish. Whether the motivating spark is political ideology or religious orthodoxy, demented societies like this can spring up like mushrooms. Communism was a massive crime upon the Russian people. And it provides little satisfaction that the criminals were often the victims of their own crimes. A devastating but outstanding book!

I use this book in my professional career to ensure my use of proper grammar is adequate & to minimize embarassing mistakes. Additionally, I use it to help my 4th grader with homework assignments.

I found several parts of this book exceptional, meaning much better than the average grammar book. The coverage of first person, second person, and third person writing in both singular and plural forms was well-done, including a later section on first, second, and third person pronouns. There are also excellent sections on object of preposition and object complement (yeah, I didn't know what that was either). The sections on pronouns are extremely complete and go on for pages--I didn't realize how many pronouns and types of pronouns there were. Verb tenses is also covered very thoroughly with many examples of present, past, future, present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. Prepositions are covered very thoroughly, including explanations for when they're used (to tell location, direction, time, relationship, etc.) and then a list of prepositions.

This book also has an excellent appendix with various unique parts. One section covers the term "IVAN CAPP" which is an acronym for remembering the order of parts of speech--Interjection, Verb, Adjective, Noun, Conjunction, Adverb, Pronoun, Preposition. One of the appendices sections has "initials, acronyms, and abbreviations", which is also helpful.

The sections I've described above are often in grammar books, but not fully explained and it is even harder to find all of these in one book. My one disappointment was in the coverage of when to capitalize, which was a bit short and with few examples. For such a concise book, that's still pretty good.

This book it is a great help when I am not sure how to guide my kid...very good just followed the rules in this book.

Since my original language is German it was a great help to have this book now that my daughter is a student in an American school. Although I understand the basics of English grammar this book showed me steps on how to teach my daughter English grammar without making it too complicated. It also helped me refresh my grammar. I have also recommended this book to my daughters 1st Grade teacher as an ideal companion for any parent whose kids are starting to write stories of their own.

A must have for anyone who writes or teaches writing or is learning writing. My 7 yr. old 2d grader loves this book but so do I as a writer and teacher. My son finds it easily understandable and it is written in such a way it is fun for him to use. As a result he is far ahead of most children his age in his writing skills.

What sets this book apart from other books or grammar is not only is it superbly organized but it has numerous examples which make the principles of grammar easily understood. That is one reason is is useful for a teacher in that it provides so many examples for use in the classroom.

The book begins with the theme of sentence buildng and the user learns how to build sentences. That is a valuable concept in both learning and teaching grammar.

I enthusiastically recommend it.

I wish I had had this wonderful and varied list of children's books when I was growing up. Because I didn't, I know now that I missed out on a great deal of excellent reading. Just think, this collection of reviews covers 550 years of children's literature. There are 133 titles, and the reviews are written by 62 people from every walk of life. This is truly an amazing book, one that you will want to read from cover to cover for the pure enjoyment of it. It also contains brief biographies of all the authors as well as biographies of each of the reviewers. This is a book that should be at the elbow of every parent and teacher, to suggest different titles based on the reading readiness of each child. The editor has thoughtfully put together a compilation that you won't want to miss.

Donald W. Burnes, PhD

In reading the reviews in Rev. Peck's great undertaking I have found that many of them are of things I have read in my youth and others are of things I have heard about, but never read. Of the ones I have read, I find myself wanting to experience them again with a grandchild. Many fairy tales, fables and stories as they have been presented in modern times have been Disneyfied far away from the original and show little resemblance to what the author actually wrote. Many author's of children's literature were not concerned with political correctness if it interfered with an imaginative and worthwhile story. These reviews are a fine avenue for a parent, teacher or grandparent to refresh or increase their knowledge in preparation for exposing their own charges to the wonderful world of the imagination as represented in classic children's literature.

Choosing books for children can be a daunting task. So many out there, which are the good ones? Here is an anthology full to the brim of good ones. Variety, quality of prose, and thematic excellence are its hallmarks. It is a pleasure simply to read through. Reading is an adventure and now you have a road map!

Paul Lachlan Peck's "Classic Children's Literature" is a delightful collection of priceless works which are familiar, at least in title, to all of us. Stories from our own childhood and schooling are uniquely reviewed by a vast cross section of authors from all around the Country and from all different walks of life. This book is a "must" for your personal library and is also a great gift idea for family and close friends.

What better way to divert your children from the dead-zone of television and mindless video games than to offer a solid alternative?
Could there be a better choice for young minds than reading? Or a better source for their material than classic children's literature?
The great news is that in this single volume our dear friend Rev Paul Peck has collected all the research you'll need to aim those fresh minds toward the finest adventure, fantasy and wonder that these great authors have left us.
With such a wonderful guide there is no reason for them to miss out on the great tales you loved growing up.
I was proud to be a part of this project as I know this book will be you and your child's best friend!

Clinical Review of Surgery - ABSITE Edition

This is an outstanding and complete review of surgery - both the print textbook and the online review course. I use it with their weekly surgery reading course and have found it to be exactly what I needed as part of my training. I've told my friends about it, and they have also purchased the entire review course.

Each week, they introduce a new topic in surgery complete with reading material in this book, recommended reading topics in Sabiston's and Cameron's - it's the only review course of its kind. They have about a dozen questions in an online test to see what you know. The questions are good and similar to what you might find on the ABSITE or surgery boards.

This book also includes nearly a hundred practice questions, which I found to be similar to what I would see on the surgery boards. The topics are each clearly explained and go into sufficient detail. Major surgical topics are covered well and the book is very organized. They have several other books out there as well, but you can access all of their books online if you purchase the comprehensive review course.

All in all, this is a great review product for residents and those coming back to review for their surgery boards. I would also give it five stars for all medical students - it is simply the best surgery review guide out there.

Clinical Review of Surgery - ABSITE Edition

This is a great surgery review textbook for both the ABSITE (American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam) and the surgery boards. The topics are covered in a high-yield format that is easy to read and understand. Topics are dealt with in a logical format and follows the content outline that you have to master in order to pass the surgery written boards. Given that the ABSITE is derived from this outline, this is also a great review book for the ABSITE.

There are plenty of diagrams and tables that make it easy to pick up on the high yield content. There are also about a hundred or so practice questions that fairly portray the difficulty of the questions you will see on the ABSITE and surgery written exam.

This is one of the best surgery review books I have come across in my seven years of training. It beats the Michigan review hands down and it is much more comprehensive and detailed for today's challenges in surgery compared to other books. It is also a great book that can easily be completed by a busy surgery resident in a few weeks.

I used this book in conjunction with their online review course, which has tons of questions and review material for surgery. They also have a weekly reading course that uses this book in conjunction with Sabiston and Cameron. You can't beat this combination!

Summary:
Highly recommended!
Use it in conjunction with their online review course for maximum returns.

I am using this textbook in conjunction with the online course at [...] and have found it to be an outstanding review resource for the ABSITE and surgery. This textbook fits their weekly reading course in surgery very well and permits me to review individual topics in surgery while practicing my knowledge every week with outstanding practice questions. I have found this resource to be outstanding and would recommend it to anyone.

Five stars.

I was looking for a good review for the ABSITE after flunking the test last year. I used this book and did much better. Fast shipping from Amazon. Well-illustrated.

Pros:
* Concise, well-written
* Numerous pearls that pinpoint frequently tested material
* Sufficient detail for ABSITE preparation
* Organized, easy to read, high-yield
* Lots of practice questions

Cons:
* Black and white images
* Needs a key words section like the Michigan review


This review is for the second edition textbook. This is a well-written surgery review book aimed at residents preparing for the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). This book covers all of teh topics residents need to be facile with for this exam. It goes into sufficient detail for most of the concepts and does a great job pointing out frequently tested material. Combined with their online course, this is a great review resource.

Each chapter is introduced by a brief table of contents, which is good to highlight what is important. There are lots of little icons throughotu the book that tell you what to focus on. Clearly, this book is written by surgery residents and uses their input from prior exams. I found it to be very high-yield and felt much mroe comfortable on my exam.

There are lots of diagrams, tables, and helpful hints on what to pay attention to. This makes studying much more efficient. The only downside is that this particular version on Amazon has pictures in black and white. There is apparently some way to get a full color version, which I saw from one of the residents in my program. If you can, get the full color version from their website.

I have both Fisers book and this one, and I think that this book beats Fiser hands down. It is A LOT easier to read and doesn't have everything ina bullet format. It actually takes the time to explain things and that makes it a lot easier to retain the information. Fiser's book goes over a lot of miscellaneous things you don't need to know for the exam and doesnt do a good job emphasizing what you truly need to know to do well. It also seems like it is a little out of date. I recommend this book hands down.

If you are studying for your borad examination in surgery, I would probably use this book to help determine what parts to pay attention to in Camerons.

Life as art ... there is a special gift in the ability to share one's life as art, to issue a challenge to each beholder, to trigger a deeper reaching within and without, to one's coming away changed. The amazingly insightful cover and the signpost of a title dare us to pass through this doorway, to accept the challenge to go beyond and experience what these travelers before us offer to share. Will any two come away with the same experience? I don't think so. For me this journey was worth the beauty, love, and mystery revealed along side the pain of Dark Card. Without the presence of light, we would not even see this silhouette. I am thankful that there are artists and poets who can transcend the dark to share their lives by shining light.

In Dark Card, Rebecca Foust gives the reader a lesson in courage -- the courage of a mother raising a child with a disability, the courage to face the reality this forces upon her, the courage to probe the feelings deep within, and the courage to put those feelings into unforgettable words. This is the open heart of a mother, with all the pain and joy exposed. Read it with respect. It will move you.

Raw and beautiful, this collection captures the complexities of motherhood in a way few writers ever have. There isn't a mother alive who -- if she is honest -- won't recognize herself on these pages. The cover art, with its dark haunting outline, makes clear that the child inside this book is not just Foust's. He belongs to all of us.

Rebecca Foust's has written a stirring book of poetry describing the mixed blessings of raising a son with Aspergers Syndrome. Dark Card is a must read for all families dealing with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, and for those who seek a better understanding of what it is like to live with them.

Dark Card is a beautifully crafted and insightful book. It carries the reader to the deepest waters of the joys, fears and sorrows of motherhood. Rebecca Foust's poems touch the anquish of raising a son with Asperger's Syndrome with exquisite understanding. At the same time, she has written a collection of poems which resonate with all who have loved a child. One does not have to parent a special needs child to appreciate the beauty of these poems. They touch our loves, our fears, our hopes, our deepest yearnings. These poems herald the arrival in the world of poetry of a wise and unique voice.

Anyone born between 1955 and 1970 HAS GOT TO SEE Dazed and Confused.

And this book adds to the fun. Plenty of real live Mad Magazine stuff, real live ads from the time period, with a bunch of side splittingly funny made up stuff based on the characters from DAC. Enjoyed the heck out of this book. Just wish it was longer so my trip through memory lane could go on another hour or so.

Great stuff! Where's Wooderson today, by the way?

It was in a fit of Dazed And Confused mania that I purchased Richard Linklater's tie-in book to his cult classic 70s adolescence movie several years ago. At the time I basically flipped through the book and then put it aside. Until earlier today when I was going through a stack of old college texts I was planning on getting rid of and wonder of wonders came across this one mixed in among them for some reason. So I decided to take a refresher course in 70s stoner adolescence and then offer up my take on it.

What I especially liked about Dazed And Confused the movie was the way Linklater managed to sneak in some profound truths about life amidst the nostalgia. In the book, the most profound and honest part is Linklater's introduction where he writes: "Let's face it, no matter where you live no matter at what time high school is a light prison sentence to be served. Once paroled, you don't look back".

From that point on, any social observation basically goes out the window as we are treated to a crash course in all things 70s as well as stuff related to the movie itself. All of the major characters are profiled and there are excerpts of a yearbook page from the high school they attend. Although it might seem redundant to most people, die hard fans of the film should enjoy it. Pick up a copy! Also recommended -------> The Losers Club by Richard Perez, an offbeat small press novel that you will truly dig. Like far out!

ATENTION ALL D&C FANS: IF YOU DO NOT GO OUT AND GET THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE WHOLE STORY! This book has everything, from Clint's favorite colored muscle T-shirt to Benny's beer limit. It is definantly a must for not only Dazed fans, but to any fans of the seventies!

Dazed & Confused is a classic movie about the day in the life of high schoolers in a small Texas town on last day of school in 1976. This book that is a companion to the movie is just like the movie itself: funny. Designed as part high school yearbook, part 70's era teen magazine, it is a nostalgia filled, quick and enjoyable read. There are tons of pictures (the yearbook pictures of the cast are great) and everyone of the major cast member contributes an "article" to the book. If you are a fan of the movie, then this book is a must for your collection.

Let me just start by saying that I just bought this book no more than an hour ago. As soon as I got home I picked it up and didn't put it down forr the next hour. As a huge "Dazed and Confused" fan, I was extremely happy when I saw that there was a book to go along with the movie. But the book is not just about the movie. It starts out with a great introduction by the director and writer Richard Linklater. In this intro he explains the time period, the pros and cons of the 70's, and where the idea for the movie came from. Also in the book are synopsis's of all the basic charactar (the best is Clints, the guy who beats up the nerd). This book doesn't just follow along with the movie, it is an explanation of the 1970's, I enjoyed it considering I wasn't alive yet. So if you are a hardcore fan of "Dazed and Confused" or a collector of 70's memorobilia, than you need this book.

Hemingway, the man who said 'Living well is the best revenge' knew how to do just that. This book shows you how he did it. So tag along, you'll be living better and enjoying your revenge in no time.
Boreth did his homework, and it shows. Any fan of Hemingway will enjoy this book, and even non-fans will probably enjoy the recipes. Plenty of good food and drink knowledge herein, and enough details about Hem/the recipes/the books to interest anyone. Good book, pretty fair cookbook.

This book is simply great. Good chow and lots of neat pictures and information about Hemingway. I use it as a gift and makes it easy.

The thing I liked most about this book is the way Boreth uses the life of Hemingway to bring together so many fascinating places, tastes, people, and ideas. It gives you a wonderful sense of a great life, and some tasty recipes to boot.

Great fun! A tour of Hemingway's world through (and with) his food. The recipes are easy to make and delicious (the Lime Ice is divine!). The cookbook is greatly enhanced by pictures of Hemingway interspersed with thoughtful and insightful commentary on his life and its influence on his work.

If you enjoy eating and drinking well, this book will show you how to go about it. The bar recipes are fantastic and the accompanying stories and anecdotes provide crackling fodder for dinner discussions. What fun to be able to recreate meals that you've read about - your own moveable feast! The gluhwein recipe alone will keep you warm and fuzzy all winter. I happily recommend this book to all, Hemingway enthusiasts and critics alike!

I found these books a year into my nurse-practitioner program, and really wish I would have known about them from the beginning. This would have saved SO MUCH TIME while preparing for seminar assignments and clinical sites! I have three of these in-a-page books, and use at least one of them every day I'm seeing patients.

Very helpful book, useful for my examination as well as my practice

I was lucky enough to find a copy of this book in my hospital. It is excellent. I strongly recommend it to any healthcare professional, doctor, or student who needs a quick, accurate reference to medical diseases and syndromes.

Excellent quick-reference book. I keep a copy in my coat pocket. Hardly a day goes by without perusing through this book for a quick refresher. Every healthcare provider should have one in their posession.

As a practicing podiatrist for 25 years I finally found a book that quickly and thoroughly gives me the current medical information that I require in evaluating my patients co-morbidities. I refer to "In a Page Medicine" all the time. I have a copy in both my offices!

Short story collections are famous for having a few dogs, but every single one in this collection proves wickedly wise, funny and FABULOUS. This is one of those bedside table books you'll keep handy just so you can re-read your favorites. And don't be surprised if you feel compelled to call your girlfriends at odd hours of the night to quote the clever Ms. O'connell. Fans of Lorrie Moore will love Living with Saints.

What a fine collection of stories, strung on an idea but brilliantly distinguished from each other. O'Connell has a great ear -- perfect pitch. I haven't seen a false note there. I hope we'll see more of her stories, soon.

The best debute I've ever read from a new writer. The stories are not only original, but moving, funny entertaining, etc..

If you love a good read of short stories, then this is a must for you.

I was initially ...[pulled] in by the fabulous cover (the Australian hardcover edition) and was even more impressed by these immensely satisfying stories. I was moved to laugh, cry, be surprised, but stilled by the gentleness of the stories. I suppose being raised as a Catholic, and having left that doctrine, has put me in a good position to enjoy the stories. Whilst some may feel shocked by the treatment of the saints I felt that I got to glimpse the humans behind the myths. I was also pleased by the variety of female characters that the author created. They all felt genuine.

If you're looking for intelligent, well-crafted short stories that sparkle with wit then look no further.

This is an inspired work, with a singular voice--O'Connell brings so much heart, poetry, grittiness and spirituality to her characters. There's a nearly supernatural energy in her prose, blessing every detail of the every day world with fresh perspective, whether she's describing a particular pain, a scent or the specific color of the shadows beneath the eyes of a neglectful mother. She has compassion for even her most hateful characters, making them that much more believable. This is more than a collection of stories--it's a transformative fable, telling tales of ultimate redemption with humanity and fine wit. Hope she gets the attention she deserves!

This book is amazing. It has helped me realize what this world would be like without the catholic church, the inherent dangers of secularism, and the path to rectify the evil of modernism. By doing this, it has helped bring me back to the catholic church. This author is on par with Aldous Huxley and George Orwell in both his ability to visualize alternate worlds with precise understanding and his ability to write in a eloquent yet succinct manner. It is a short book and I highly recommend it.

R.H. Benson wrote two mystical visions of the future. _The Dawn of All_ is an extremely romantic and improbable 1911 parable of a 1971 world mostly Catholic and at peace, ready for the Second Coming. _The Lord of the World_ came first, in 1907, and was a darker vision. A world of flying craft, major scientific advances, and comfort has become a place of materialist despair. Euthanasia is routine, for the desperately ill and the terminally bored. Oliver and Mabel Brand, a rising young couple, are the golden ones -- Oliver becomes a major political figure, but Mabel chooses the cool despairing end of legal euthanasia. Father Percy Franklin is one of the last Catholic priests in a world hostile to freedom, church, university, and history. Eventually elected the last Pope, he is restricted to the dusty forgotten village of Nazareth. Julian Felsenburgh is a charismatic American adventurer who means to and does become Lord of the World, anti-Christ. Details are less important than the very modern mood. Believing in progress as the only good, people are swept into any movement that promises it. The past is ruthlessly exterminated. The quest for one world government that begins with Esperanto ends with one world dictatorship.

Robert Hugh Benson grew up at the end of the nineteenth century, when it looked like Socialism would sweep over the world and make religious worship outmoded. His father was Archbishop of Canterbury; and he joined the Church of England but later converted to Catholicism. In his introduction to this book he wrote that he took the idea of Man (not the Son of Man) becoming the ideal and 'took it where it would go'.

Knowing that this book was written in 1904, before the Great War and the dissolution of the European Empires, and the nascent beginning of flight, it is interesting to read his views of what the world would look like in 100 years (or about now). He saw the end of poverty and hunger, and the raising of HUMANITY to the paramount position. His views on woman are arcane, as one of his characters dismissed his wife as 'just a woman', and that they make no strides of independence. He talks about inter-city flight at the amazing speed of 150mph, one year after Kitty Hawk.

The stories bottom line is that once Man begins to worship himself (in the guise of Julian Felsenburg), he not only has no need for idealized religion, but that the persecution of anyone who disagrees will become an act of Sedition and punishable by death. Religion is represented in this story by Roman Catholicism (all others having given in and disbanded, except for a few 'elderly jews wandering in Palestine) which fights a peaceable rear guard action against the forces of HUMANITY.

The language is a little difficult and flowery, while the ideas are interesting but sometimes the catholicism is hard to comprehend, but all in all it's worth reading.

Robert Hugh Benson (born November 18, 1871; died October 19, 1914) was the youngest son of Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, and younger brother of Edward Frederic Benson. Benson studied Classics and Theology at Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1890 to 1893. In 1895, he was ordained a priest in the Church of England by his father.

His father died suddenly in 1896, and Benson was sent on a trip to the Middle East to recover his own health. While there, he began to question the status of the Church of England and to consider the claims of the Roman Catholic Church. His own piety began to tend toward the High Church variety, and he started exploring religious life in various Anglican communities, eventually obtaining permission to join the Community of the Resurrection.

Benson made his profession as a member of the community in 1901, at which time he had no thoughts of leaving the Church of England. But as he continued his studies and began writing, he became more and more uneasy with his own doctrinal position, and on September 11, 1903, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church.

He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1904 and sent to Cambridge. He continued his writing career along with the usual elements of priestly ministry. He was named a monsignor in 1911.

Lord of the World is one of his more exemplary works and well worth reading.

"A Century before Left Behind there was Lord of the World," reads the cover blurb in the striking Wildside Press edition. But while both books deal with end times, that's where the similarities end. In Benson's vision, Catholics are the last remaining Christians. The Left Behind books, named for a line in Larry Norman's song, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," on the other hand, follow the idea of the rapture popularized in Hal Lindsey's bestselling book, The Late Great Planet Earth.

I ordered this book from Amazon after reading Gwen Watkins' essay in Charles Williams: A Celebration (also available from Amazon) comparing Benson and Williams as writers. Williams being my favorite author, I was very excited to come upon a similarly gifted novelist. Benson wrote Lord of the World in 1907; it takes place in a future about a century later (around now). That's also around the time that Chesterton wrote his novels. Both he and Benson write so colorfully that it's sometimes hard to know what's going on. Whether people were more imaginative then or that was the style at the turn of the century I don't know. But having read GKC helps one read Benson, and vice versa.

Williams is often held to be obscure for his descriptions of supernatural and occultic ritual. Benson's obscurity lies in his pre-Vatican II Catholic vocabulary and bits of the Latin Mass, which will not be familiar to many readers. That aside, this is an absolutely gripping story. Having once started, I couldn't put the book down. Uncannily, in this 1907 novel, Benson prophesied a dark future that became reality, first in Germany and then in the USSR. Writing in the then new genre of science fiction, he envisioned a technologically advanced world nevertheless rushing headlong to destruction. It's amazing how contemporary he sounds as he looks forward in time to our present and his future.