Conventions Books

This book is very interesting Because it from the women's in the church
this is something christian should have in their libaray.

Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham asserts that southern black women, through their participation in the National Baptist Convention fostered agency, activism, women's rights and racial dignity during the post-Reconstruction era of Jim Crow. Intrisic to her thesis is that while black women utilized the Baptist church as a support stucture against racism and poverty, they also worked to raise the status of the black race as a whole and black women specifically. One of the most important insights in this book, is an in-depth analyiztion of the feminization of religion. However,while Higginbotham's thesis is stong and engaging, altering the hereto academic focus away from prominent black Baptist activists to a wider, regional phenomenom of group participation, ultimatley her study contains a few theoretical holes. There is little critical analysis of the opposition that black women faced in their endevores, such as the creation the Womens Convention, a subsiderary of the larger National Baptist Convention. Also, there is no sense of the black "masses," consistantly refered to as such, that these women tried to help. "Masses," in this case indicates a monolith rather than an increasingly diversified group of people. Ellaboration on both of these points would have greatly improved the complexity of Higginbotham's study, as well as left the reader a great deal more informed. Over all, Righteous Discontent is a valuable source for anyone seeking information on race, gender and relgion at the turn of the century. Higginbotham's treatment of the subject is tactful and engaging, uncovering a little known but important facet of African American history.

If I could give this book zero stars, I would. Higginbotham is not the feminist scholar she once was, and her writing needs more perspective. The book suggests that she's spent too long in the ivory tower. Too much post-modern psycho-babble in this volume.

Evelyn Higginbotham shows us that this is not a man's world anymore with her book on the role of women the Black Baptist Church. Her writing is fluid and detaied, and she provides various examples to illustrate her points. This is the definitive text for learning about the roles that the Black Baptist church in African-American society.

I had to read this book for AP history. It is a little long, but it is very informitive, and detailed. It helped on the Ap history exam.

This is arguably the best book on the creation of the United States Constitution. It simply tells the story of the creation of the Constitution, which was a series of compromises, as well as explains, a good deal, the Constitution itself. This is a "must read" book for anyone studying the history of the American Revolution era or anyone studying constitutional law.

I also highly recommend Rakove's excellent and concise biography of James Madison, the Father of the Constitution. Search at Amazon.com for "James Madison Rakove."

Concise, but powerful. This book puts the year 1787 in context, explaining the failure of the Articles of Confederation to address the many problems of the new American nation. The two most powerful chapters are "Compromises" detailing the debate over the Constitution and "Principles" which details the ideas written into the Constitution. The "Compromises" chapter makes vivid the most important divisions in the Convention and how they were bridged to reach consensus. The "Principles" chapter rather than listing the Articles and ammendments, instead highlights ideas like unalienable rights, social contract, rule of people, federalism, nationalism, limits on Congressional power, and checks and balances. All these ideas are presented in clear terms that most children 10+ years should understand. Not an easy task!

I highly recommend this book for any parent trying to instill American values, history, or government into their own children; or any adult wanting a quick read to refresh their own understanding.

The current issues of the British "House of Lords" and the need for a "United States of Europe" led me to research the founding of the United Stes of America. This is a subject not much taught in British schools where we tend to to be complacent about our "unwritten Constitution". I found this book to be an excellent overview for a first time student. It raises fascinating revealations on the such issues as the States entered the constitution , inter ailia, to increase their sovereignty (actually their survival) which is the opposite to the view currently expressed in Britain. The book did not satisfy me for its lack of detail on the Founding Fathers deliberations but it has led me to further research. I suspect that this was the authors intent.

The illustrations in this book are very colorful and lively. I liked that each page had a different illustrator, so there is a good variety of visual attraction. However, the language could be simplified so that the content is more appealing to the average young child. As it is, the language seems more geared to an adult audience.

In 1989, the United Nations adopted 54 principles in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. If you are like me, you are probably unaware of what these rights are. This beautifully illustrated book captures almost a third of the rights in a way that will help your child expand her or his awareness of the problems that other children face. In the process, you can help your child to learn how to become an effective, caring person.

In the United States, each sale will generate a donation of $1.50 for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu writes in his foreword about the purpose of the book which is " . . . to create a new kind of society . . . where children's rights are respected and protected." He cites many of the horrors we have all seen about children, including the napalmed little girl in Viet Nam whose photographic image will always haunt our dreams.

What are some of these rights? Here are a few:

" . . . [A]lways do your best for us whenever we are in your care." Right Number 3

"All children hould be allowed to live and grow . . . until . . . we can decide things for ourselves." Right Number 6

"Every one of us shall have a name and a land of our own." Right Number 7

"Keep our families together . . . [or] look after us and love us just the same." Right Number 9

"Allow us to tell you what we are thinking or feeling." Right Number 13

"No one on Earth has the right to hurt us . . . ." Right Number 19

"If we are disabled . . . treasure us especially and give us . . . care." Right Number 23

"Teach us all to read and write . . . ." Rights Number 28 and 29

"Allow us to say our prayers in our own words . . . ." Right Number 30

"In times of war . . . shelter us and protect us from all harm." Right Number 38

While you may not agree with each nuance of the wording, the book provides the opportunity for your youngster to discover that other children face fundamental challenges. That can lead to a natural inquiry into what can be done to help. You can discuss this in your own way, but you may find it valuable to help your child know what his or her choices are. These could include helping other children in your own community who need care, learning to be a good parent, and raising money to share with less fortunate children wherever they live.

Archbishop Tutu's comments are more appropriate for adults than for children, so you will probably want to wait to discuss what he has to say until your child is of an appropriate maturity to know more about the horrors of when children's rights are violated. The reading level for that material is beyond young children, so you are unlikely to have your child reading and comprehending this material before age 7. It is neutrally written, but will probably generate pointed questions.

In a way, it is valuable to you in being able to create an opportunity to provide reassurance for your own child that she or he is safe and loved. Many children have vague fears in these areas that they are reluctant to raise with adults.

No review of this book would be complete without mentioning the many beautiful two-page illustrations in the book. These were done in many different styles, and create a bright, optimistic setting for the principles described here. Each page has very few words, just a few more than I am permitted to quote in this review. Excluding Archbishop Tutu's comments, the whole book probably has no more than 450 words. So your child will be spending time with the illustrations as much as with the words.

When your child sees something that is harmful to children happening, encourage her or him to discuss it with you. Then channel that discussion into thoughts about what appropriate actions are from an adult and a child. Each of us has our own ideas in the area, and these occasions can become opportunities for you and your child to learn together in loving companionship.

May the spirits of respect and caring for one another grow ever stronger amongst all humanity!

A compendium of the Episcopal Church's authorized celebratory liturgy for the memorials of the Saints. Generally most useful for priests. No one can verify that the legends of some of the saints are truth or fiction. No record of any miracles performed by them or where their bones are venerated.

I missed the story of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgins??

This book should be in every Episcopalian's library. The resources it provides for parishes and for personal devotions are exceptional.

The updated Church Kalendar has some great new additions, including a few noted Roman Catholic (esp. St. Ignatius of Loyola - July 31) and Eastern Orthodox (esp. St. Tikhon - April 7). Great Anglican additions are St C.S. Lewis (Nov 22), the Feast of the Ordination of Florence Li Tim-Oi (Jan 24), and St. Philander Chase (Sept 22). My only major regret was that St. Charles I the Martyr was left out! (Jan 30).

Included are some wonderful Propers for the Weekdays for the seasons of Advent, Christmas (until the Baptism of Christ), Lent, and Easter, the Common of Saints, the official guidelines and procedures of the altering of the Kalendar, and two new Lectionaries.

The best part is the Lesser Feasts, which includes not just all the new and old names (note: one or two have moved around), but includes short biographies as well as the Psalm, New Testament, and Gospel Readings as well as the correct Prefaces and both Rite I and II Propers.

Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006 is an excellent addition to any parish that wants to celebrate the lives of the Saints and for individuals to do the same and to have alternative lectionaries to follow for personal devotions.

A perfect companion with the Book of Common Prayer!

A publication of KaCSFFS Press, 13 Horrors, features a unique selection of new and original horror stories.

We read of the subtleties of pain, the nuances of grief, the faint reminders of loss or dejection. That glimmer of possibility that snares our aches like a silvery light. Of particular note are Ed Bryant's poignant story "Everything Broken," about one door being locked while another door is open and how those worlds collide; Graham Masterton's well crafted "Anti-Claus," in which Satan is the original Santa Claus; and Ramsey Cambell's wickedly insightful story "The Place of Revelation," which left me exhausted--hoping not to see the rest of my life.

The horror genre challenges commonly held definitions and boundaries, blurring lines between the thing and its associations. It's no surprise to me that 13 Horrors delves to the visceral realm of the physical and emotional. And wounds us with extraordinary work by these thirteen gifted writers. There is much variety here, work that ranges from the lyrical to edgy, all of it strong and original.

I have found 13 Horrors to be a "must-read." This anthology is continuously rewarding in what it offers the reader. KaCSFFS Press was not afraid to publish work that experiments in style and approach. It isn't about glitter or literary fashion. It's interested in showing us the little horrors of our everyday lives like a thousand grimacing knives.

Mr. Beed's book is the first book I've read of the explosion. My mother took one of Mr. Beed's tours of Halifax in 2001 and bought this book. It's been sitting on my shelf for the past six years. I finally read it. While it is somewhat repetitive, it is a very good introduction to the terrible Halifax explosion. It is easy and quick to read, with great photos and personal recollections from the people who lived through Canada's worst human-caused disaster. I recommend it to anyone wanting an introduction to this tragedy.

Those who love the independent films of John Sayles should really experience this collection of short stories. Not surprisingly, Sayles proves to be as good a writer as he is a film maker. Further, the genises of many of his film ideas can be seen in these tales of ordinary people living in extraordinary times.

Sayles has a feel for working people and the intricate forces that over the decades has shaped their lives. He understands, as few contemporaries do, how complex and unlikely is our history. The multiple forces of political and social unrest that led immagrants from numerous countries to forge an uneasy peace with conservative white bread America is a constant given in his world view. He has such an eympathy with people of all ages and backgrounds that he is able to give life to his characters using words snd images that seem like they have to be true. Like his films, the stories are long on talk and situation and short on plot. This is only a failing if one doesn't care about the people he portrays, and he is so skillful at making them real and interesting that the reader's sympathy is almost guaranteed.

This book was published by the Convention Press (Southern Baptist Convention) as a guide to the Bible for teenagers. It deals with the history and construction of the Bible. Although conservative in tone (as you would expect from the Southern Baptists), it is not a fundamentalist guide to the Bible. It deals with issues of authorship and Biblical criticism in a reasonably fair and rational way. It explains why some books made it into the canon and some were left out. It discusses how to "rightly handle the Word".

It is a good response to the spurious "Lost Books of the Bible" that have been hawked in recent years.

This is an easy read, but covers topics that some will find tedious. It is not a devotional book. It is not a commentary on the Bible. It was written to be used for a January Bible Study program for youth groups. It is a good introduction to the Bible for those unfamiliar with it. It is not authoritative and comprehensive, but makes a good framework for discussion of the Bible, it's history, purpose, and how to intrpret and use it.

Covers 34 major conventions. Excellent explanations of how to respond to no-trump openings.