Resources Books

Henty is wonderful, and his storys are engaging enough for reluctant readers.
This book is great at helping you or you child select a Henty title from a specific time frame.

Need a book to add to your learing on the crusades? Find the title.
Winning His Spurs (Large Print Edition): A Tale of the Crusades

Other Child studing Ancient Rome? Find a title.
Beric The Briton: A Story Of The Roman Invasion

Grear timesaver, or would help so you can read the books in chronological (Historical) order

HOME EDUCATORS: If you are trying to put together a history-based curriculum, this volume is very helpful! You can gauge which time periods in your student's course of study need some bolstering up (or livening up) and search in this book for the proper Henty novel to introduce. For example, to bulk up our study on "Ancient Times," I needed a novel about Hannibal. This terrific reference book tells me to get Henty's "The Young Carthaginian" to meet that requirement.

Another problem it solves is that sometimes a history-based curriculum can get predictable. Everyone seems to be covering the same things and the only variance is how deeply they're studied. This guide covers all of Henty's books and makes it easy to locate his books on obscure subjects and events which you can tantalize your children with. Children seem to love citing these forgotten tales and bedazzling their peers and family with them!

This volume will also prove invaluable to PEOPLE EDUCATING THEMSELVES. As an adult who is battling her "learning gaps," I just page through this reference until I find something that doesn't ring ANY bells! By reading a Henty, I enjoy a terrific adventure (which I can later discuss with my children), educate myself and, if I want to, pursue the subject more deeply later on.

When you open this book you will see: one book title and an introduction, per page. It's good if you want to sample a complete list of Henty books.

This is a great book for any Henty collector or inquirer. The book gives a brief synopsis of many of Henty's works in chronological order. I find it invaulable in picking the next book I want to buy and read. Henty is a great author for home educators, history buffs, and action adventure readers. The books contain excellent morals and are historically accurate.

G.A. Henty wrote arround 144 books. Many of the books revolve around a fictional character who interacts with real persons from that historical period. Heroism, honor, courage, and leadership are integral characteristics of the main protagonists. I have trouble putting down a Henty story. I highly recommend this resource.

This Book has the most information that I can find on G.A. Henty!

Anne Bruce has her thumb on the heartbeat of human nature. Her latest book "Building A High Morale Workplace" transcends corporate walls and infiltrates any business environment that demands human interaction, which in today's society is all of them.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants an instant surge of energy and posses the desire to implement techniques that will engage and inspire your team.

Thank you Anne Bruce, you have helped me to see the limitless opportunity, for the first time all over again!

Anne Bruce is a great author who has written a book that has a message that is both easy to digest and also easy to apply to the modern workplace. Her style is smooth and all of her chapters build towards helping the reader understand the importance of improving morale in the workplace. Her examples are interesting, her teachings meaningful and her conclusions insightful. Morale building made easy .... what a great thought. I heartily recommend this well-written book to all Managers!!

This book flows great. I've read all of Anne's books and, just as I am with her others, I'm very impressed with this one. It flows great. I really feel like, as the author, Anne is sitting across the table from me talking me through each step. It's practical, real-world (just like all her work)and completely relevant for any manager who is committed to making "high morale a high priority".

Anne Bruce is a great author who has written a book that has a message that is both easy to digest and also easy to apply to the modern workplace. Her style is smooth and all of her chapters build towards helping the reader understand the importance of improving morale in the workplace. Her examples are interesting, her teachings meaningful and her conclusions insightful. Morale building made easy .... what a great thought. I heartily recommend this well-written book to all Managers!!

Anne Bruce's "Building A High Morale Workplace" is a must read for anyone truly interested in making their work environment a happy and productive place. Her use of the Management experiences of others together with specific steps for implementing morale building procedures will prove to be an invaluable resource.

This book is full of wonderful ideas about every aspect of Pervasive Developemental Disorders and sensory integration tactics for any and all situations at home, school and in Therapy (ABA, Speech, OT, etc.).

This is great for professionals or for parents of children with PDD or Autism. It gives some fresh strategies for dealing with challenging situations and behaviors as well as arming one with more knowledge to better meet the needs of children with whom one works. As a friend of a mom that has a child with PDD, I know that this book has been useful for them. As one that is trying to figure this disorder out, I then read the book and it definitely gave me a greater understanding him and even ways that I can interact with him when we are together.

I am a parent of a child with regulatory disorder. This book was very helpful to not only describe the theory of his behavior, but helpful strategies for our family and him. This is a must read for all teachers and physicans, also any family with a child sensitive to sensory stimuli.

As a physical education instructor, I've always got my eyes open to ideas for working with my kids that have PDD. This book gives ideas and activity suggestions that I can use modify our activities so that they can participate as well. It gave me a much better understanding of their needs.

There are other books that give more comprehensive details on the inner workings of sensory integration problems, and more complete lists of the hundreds of ways they can manifest in a child's daily behaviours. But this book beats all when it comes to ideas you can try and therapeutic activities you can do with minimal equipment and expense. The emphasis is on fun, and tailoring the program to your child's preferences and needs. Absolutely the perfect book for someone whose child has been diagnosed with SI issues, and is saying, "Okay, now what do I *DO*???" And highly useful for others who haven't even come quite that far on the diagnostic journey. I love that it addresses every aspect of the child's day, from bathing and dressing to school and other out-of-the-house events.

The explanations of SI problems and SI needs are compact, readable and simple enough that you can lift them and use them when giving your "What is SI?" speech to teachers, friends, sitters, whoever.

Accompany this book with Carol Stock Kranowitz's The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, and you will never ever lack for fun, therapeutic, low-cost activities to do with your SI-dysfunction child!!!

This book offers a great perspective on film acting. There are several chapters that address rather general info on acting, but what is really useful is dialectic in the middle. Written in play form, it goes over a newcomer's first day on the set and explains all the basics of shooting a scene, how to prepare, the names and jobs of everyone on a set, and set lingo. This book is extremely useful if you are planning on acting in film (whether it's a student film or the big leagues) and want to feel prepared for the experience. If you're a veteran or even have done several shoots, it probably won't be as useful to you, but it still provides a great, easy to understand breakdown. The repeated reference to set terms (i.e. craft services, 2nd AD, boom operator, director of photography) throughout the dialogue really drums in meaning instead of just being a glossary, though there is an extensive one in back in case you missed anything. This is a must read for newcomers to acting or filmmaking, for that matter.

I never really understood the film making process until I read this book. It is written with a real human spirit as he takes us through step-by-step. I felt as if I was on that shoot myself - nervous and anxious about everything that the character "Newcomer" was faced with and didn't understand. What a relief to have a book that finally explains all the terminology and gives specific advise on what to expect and how to meet the acting demands of working on a set. If you're in the Seattle area, you should check out his classes. He's a very gifted teacher as well.

Richard Brestoff discusses acting brilliantly and tells what we REALLY should know about acting in front of a camera and on a set/location for television/movie acting. This book was by far the most interesting, helpful, informative piece of literature about acting I've ever been so lucky to get my hands on! I only wish I could thank him personally.

Even as a non-actor, I found the comments and information in this book fascinating. It explains the duties of various film crew members, and details the steps involved in making a film. I'll never watch TV or movies the same again!

I have read all of Richard Brestoffs books. And taken many of his classes. By far, this was my preferred book that landed me a 3-day part on Melrose Place.

Dream your Dream, Buy this Book, and apply the techniques...

Thanks Richard! Matthew Lucas

Great tips on pet grooming.I think I want to have a career switch, and this book is helping me decide to head towards animal care. Thanks!

I stumbled across this book in a library, right after needing to take my cat to the vet. I had a bad experience at my vet, and wanted to learn more about the field, and this helped me enormously. I feel armed with valuable information after reading this helpful guide. A must-have for any pet owner! Meow!

I stumbled across this book in a library, right after needing to take my cat to the vet. I had a bad experience at my vet, and wanted to learn more about the field, and this helped me enormously. I feel armed with valuable information after reading this helpful guide. A must-have for any pet owner! Meow!

Aside from the fact that this is a voluminous source of information for pet care, I have found that the approach the author has taken is both informative and personal. This is a must read for new and veteran pet owners alike!

This book is filled with information that's relevant for anyone who's considered working with animals. I learned something I definitely didn't know, that it's harder to get into Vet school than medical school for humans! There's also a wealth of information about less rigorous careers animal lovers can pursue, from Veterinary Technologist to groomer, including how much money these workers can earn. At book's end, there's a fairly comprehensive list of addresses and websites for those who want to do further reading/research. A good resource for those who'd like to make a living working with animals of all kinds.

Every questioning Catholic should read this catechism. It explains what the Church has always taught. Those who are confused by the Novus Ordo Church will certainly benefit from this Traditional Catechism written for Catholics of all ages.

Formerly called the Roman Catechism, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) said in this edition of the catechism that this is an important Catholic catechism.

St. Charles Borromeo was the chief editor of this catechism and later published by the degree of His Holiness, Pope St. Pius V. Pope Leo XIII recommended the Roman Catechism to all seminarians. His successor, Pope St. Pius X issued this [the Catechism of the Council of Trent] to be used by the religious to instruct the laity on the Catholic Faith. Recently, Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Alois Ratzinger) recommended it as an important Catholic catechism to be read.

It covers each detail of the Seven Sacraments (*Seven Holy Mysteries) of the Catholic Church including the Our Father (Pater Noster) and Hail Mary (Ave Maria).

*Seven Holy Mysteries is the name of the Seven Holy Sacraments but is commonly used by the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church (ie. Byzantine, Maronite, etc).

The greatest catechism recommended by the saints--some who were Popes and a great theologian.

Every Catholic home should have this important catechism about the Holy Catholic Faith as it was reaffirmed by the present Holy Father, Benedict XVI to be "an important Catholic catechism".

This is THE Catechism of the Catholic Church. Trash any imitations. This piece clearly and sternly explains the teachings of the Catholic Church in the face of the Protestant Revolution. Answers almost all questions about the faith which Protestants raise. Terrific! Super! Must-have! As timeless as the Summa Theologica.

CATECHISM OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT. Rev. John A. McHugh, O.P. and Chas J. Callan, O.P. Referred to as the Roman Catechism, it was composed by order of the Council of Trent under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Edited by St. Charles Borromeo. Published by decree of Pope St. Pius V. Prescribed by Pope St. Pius X to be used by all priests in instructing the faithful. Recommended by Pope Leo XIII for all seminarians. Pope Clement XIII said it contains a clear explanation of all that is necessary for salvation and useful for the faithful. Covers the basic knowledge of the Faith by detailed explanations of the Ten Commandments, Sacraments, and each word of the Apostles Creed and the Our Father. Includes over 5 pages, for example, on just the word "Amen" at the end of the Our Father. Easy to read. Cardinal Ratzinger called this "the most important Catholic catechism" the most exact English translation available anywhere today.

This greatest of Catechisms was published after the great Council of Trent in response to the errors of the protestant revolt. It was edited under the guidance of Saint Charles Borromeo and was used for centuries (with the approbation of many Popes) as an important part in the formation of Catholic priests. It is specifically written to instruct priests and religious, but as the introduction to the work says, this catechism is designed for, "such as have care of souls in those things that belong peculiarly to the pastoral office . . ." So it is intended ultimately for the instruction of all the faithful.

While it is not a complete and exhaustive explanation of every detail of every dogma, it is designed to present a basic and overall understanding which any Catholic should possess. At a time when many Church teachings are greatly misunderstood by many even among the faithful of the Church, The Roman Catechism speaks with an authority unparalleled by any other catechism due to its centuries of hallowed use and approval by so many Ecclesiastical authorities and Supreme Pontiffs. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about understanding the Catholic Faith.

This text is thick but it is easy to read and understand. It lays out many change methods in a clear and concise manner that allows even a change novice the ability to evaluate and choose an appropriate change method for use in their situation. It is excellent as a college text as it enables the student to understand change methods in good depth with references as to where to find more information.

A good support text for the change agent, consultant or practitioner. Over 60 different types of interventions with clear descrition for when and how to implement.
The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today's Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems

The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today's Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems by Tom Devane, Steven Cady, and Peggy Holman (Berrett-Koehler Publishers) is the most comprehensive guide available to methods of organization and community change. It's designed for quick and easy access to information about high leverage change from today's foremost practitioners. This new edition is updated to describe more than 43 additional change methods and includes new chapters on selecting a method, mixing and matching methods, and responsibilities of the people involved, conditions for success, and more. This tremendously expanded second edition--400 pages longer, nearly twice the length of the first edition--will undoubtedly become the definitive resource in this rapidly expanding area.
This book offers practical insights and how to affect systems in positive ways to make them do the things we wish them to do and to mitigate the harm caused by some systems. Anyone who is interested in social change and personal change at any level will find the practical suggestions for intervention in this book to be positively enlightening.
In 1999, the first edition of The Change Handbook provided a snapshot of a nascent field that broke barriers by engaging "whole systems" of people from organizations and communities in creating their own future. In the last seven years, the field has exploded. In this completely revised and updated second edition, lead authors Peggy Holman, Tom Devane, and Steven Cady profile sixty-one change methods--up from eighteen in the first edition. Nineteen of these methods are explored in depth, with case studies, answers to frequently asked questions, and details on the roles and responsibilities of the people involved, conditions for success, and more. This tremendously expanded second edition--400 pages longer, nearly twice the length of the first edition--will undoubtedly become the definitive resource in this rapidly expanding area.
Simply put I can not find enough superlatives for the utility of this volume when it comes to explaining the practical steps necessary in systems change. The book is so comprehensive that many of the chapters could actually be books themselves. What is useful here is that one finds the boiled down essential information in one place. By offering potpourri of possible strategies group facilitators and therapists do not become overly committed to only a few strategies, but can find new ways to do old things better and with less effort and ways to evaluate old efforts that may have been well-intentioned but the intervention was misdirected. The book is a wonderful reference to the important evolving field of systems analysis and change. You overlook this volume at your peril.

EDIT of 9 Feb 09 to add links (capability not available at the time) and to commit to attending NEXUS II in Bowling Green, OH 30 Mar - 1 Apr 08.

I could spend the rest of my life trying to learn, use, and share each of the methods in this book, and never finish. When it was first published in 1999, it was before its time. Now, in 2006, this is a book made for our times, when Burning Man is now Green Man, Al Gore is a rock star, and even the greediest Wall Street CEO is starting to realize the party is over and we have to get real, real fast.

I have been an admirer of Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS) and a champion of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), and have gradually learned about other "opens" that are coming to the fore: Open Spectrum, Open Access, Open Culture, Open Innovation, and of course George Soros' Open Society. From this book I now add Open Circle, to complement the Open Space concept I learned recently in Seattle's Town Hall while listening to Paul Hawken talk about the World Index for Social and Environmental Responsibility.

I have to confess that this book is over-whelming, and I can barely scratch the surface. This is more of a book where you should read one author, one segment, each night, and fall asleep thinking about how to implement that one small section, how to embrace someone else and engage them with that one method.

Having three teen-agers, all three of whom have completely rejected the prison/child care format and the rote learning objectives of the current school system (even as good as it is in Fairfax County) I will go so far as to say that this book, combined with serious games/games for change, is a complete one-to-one substitute for our current educational process.

Everything in here is what we *should* have learned in school, what we *should* be practicing in fulfilling our civic duty (what we *actually* do is described in "The Cheating Culture," "Confessional of an Economic Hit-Man," and "Rogue Nation").

I am moving quickly and heavily into the intersection of Collective Intelligence (see my reviews of "The Tao of Democracy," "Smart Mobs," "Wisdom of the Crowds," or my longer list; and Natural Capitalism with its "true cost" meme. See my reviews of Paul Hawken et al, "Ecology of Commerce" and "Natural Capitalism," of the varied books by Herman Daly, and soon, my reviews of "The Great Turning," the "Omnivore's Dilemma," and others. For a broader sense of the possibilities, check out "Earth Intelligence Network" online.

I still have the 1970's operating manual for spaceship earth someplace in my lower library. This book is the manual for spaceship earth for our children and those of us recommiting ourselves to the joy of learning and changing in our later years. It's not over until *we* decide its over.

See these other books that have also inspired me and given me hope:
The Tao of Democracy: Using Co-Intelligence to Create a World That Works for All
Society's Breakthrough!: Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People
How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas, Updated Edition
A Power Governments Cannot Suppress
Escaping the Matrix: How We the People can change the world
One from Many: VISA and the Rise of Chaordic Organization
All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (BK Currents)
The Average American: The Extraordinary Search for the Nation's Most Ordinary Citizen
Running On Empty: How The Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It
The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy

My lists are also a fast path to collections covering the ten threats, twelve policies, eight challengers, and various other aspects of saving humanity and the Earth from outselves.

We have been waiting for that book for a long time. Peggy Holman's Change Handbook is now available in its second edition. Since its first edition in 1999, it has increased in volume and in significance. Holman and her co-authors describe 61 collaborative methods that can be applied for working with large groups in private corporations, the public sector and for the development of democratic institutions. The book provides more than a thesaurus and an encyclopedia of change - it contains probably more than 90% of the current world knowledge on whole systems change applications. Beside the well-known methods and frameworks such as Open Space Technology, Appreciative Inquiry, etc. there are a lot of new methods that I have never heard of. Unfortunately, there is no article on Worldwork and the Process Oriented Psychology Framework. Next Edition, please?

The Change Handbook is very well organized, methods are categorized and there are good hints for when to apply the different methodologies. It is a must for Change Practitioners. If you are keen on The Standard Reference, you need to buy The Change Handbook.

The Children's Ministry Resource Bible is the best. With all the helpful lessons in it, right with the text, anyone can easily teach an evangelistic or discipleship lesson for children. There are more resources in in that I have ever used and I have had one for over 10 years. A constant friend and companion for a Bible teacher for children, my Children's Ministry Bible is the totally the BEST!!

Special features: "The Wordless Book" uses colors to present the gospel message *Teacher Training section shows how to communicate Bible stories simply *Lesson outlines *Footnotes clarify important terms, phrases, and ideas *Concordance *Color maps *Presentation page *and more! size 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 1 1/2" 1760 pages hardcover from Nelson

I saw this at "Teaching Children Effectively" by Child Evangelism Fellowship. This looks like the perfect companion to the level 1 training. If you are a Sunday School teacher, Good News Club leader, AWANA Director, or Children's ministry worker, this is the book for you.

This resource is the best resource that I have seen. It is a great resouce for studing the bible as well as a resouce for teaching children.

This book is simply the New King James Version of the Holy Bible with a lot of extra's like good study notes, dozens of lesson plans, job aids, teacher training lessons, and other resources. It lives up to its title. I have used it for four years and have shared it with my Christian friends. A must have if you're a Sunday School teacher in a scripturely based church. Also a good tool for Christian Home School teachers.

This Bible is such a great resource! It's NKJ so it's a literal translation and there are footnotes for all the words kids might not understand. There are lessons throughout it that each present the gospel message in a way that both ties into the lesson and is clear for even very young children. I can't say enough good things about this Bible, even if you don't teach children, it is still an excellent resource. Anyone who has kids in their home or anyone who knows a kid should have this in their library.

There is no doubt that this thought-provoking book capitalizes on the passions which prove to compromise the human condition. The author utilizes moral wisdom handed down for nearly two-thousand years to confront the perplexed and wounded soul. It was very nice to read about the fact that those who engage in same-sex attractions should never be hated, scorned or dealt with unjustly or even uncharitably in any way! Bravo to this author for a well balanced approach to this contemporary and often thorny issue. I found the book to be replete with sage advice for all readers. No where did I perceive any Christian propaganda, as some may think and attempt to excoriate a most beneficial commentary of this kind. As we all may see the signs of the times, this book although short,will cast some light on relationships that's for sure. A smooth read, to say the least. If you want to gain a dramatical and somewhat humorous slant on the things of the flesh and the human condition that struggles, see the product link following. The Den of Iniquity

Thomas Hopko's sensitive and inclusive look at relationships is an excellent opportunity for anyone to fine tune and explore the meaning of relationship in their lives. Highly recommended reading for anyone.

The Author: Father Tom Hopko, one of America's leading Orthodox theologians, author of many books, professor emeritus at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Writing style: Succinct, clear, to the point. The whole book is just 126 pages, about half of those being notes.

Topic: The relationship between Orthodox Christianity, love, and same-sex attraction.

You will expect the author to scripturally and traditionally explain why same-sex genital relations are incompatible with Christianity. He does a good job of this, citing not only the Bible and Patristics but many current authors who disagree.

Father Tom also does a superb job of differentiating for Enlish-only readers, that Love has four components, Agape (charity), Storge (affection), Philia (fraternal love), and Eros (sex). He points out that in our fallen world, that it will be inevitable that many of us will have sinful passions of every sort, including an interest in same-sex pornia. He clearly separates this manifestation of God's providential permission from God's Essential Love.

In so doing, he shows that platonic same-sex love- in the form of agape, philia, and storge, is quite normal but argues convincingly that same-sex genital attraction joins a pantheon of other sinful desires, from gluttony to theft, as something we may have urges towards and even natures towards, but that we must deal with, not succumb to.

He then spends that last third of his monograph suggesting ways to live a Christian life and be welcome in the church and to deal with not only same-sex eros but a host of serious vices.

Perhaps his two most telling quotes are relegated to the footnotes. He quotes Saint Anthony to point out that all asceticism and mortification is not good, and that it can be pointless at times. He also has a wonderful quote about Christian living from the late Father Alex Schmemann; "It's how you deal with what you've been dealt."

Many readers who are same-sex practitioners won't want to read that their eros is a cross to bear, not a divine love. On the more fundamentalist end of the spectrum, some might have expected more condemnation from Father Tom (because they don't understand the Orthodoxy hermenuetic of Love, perhaps?).

Yet, Father Tom does a passionate defense of civil law, the civil rights of those in same-sex unions, and passionate chastisement of those who are too judgemental.

All readers will have to admit that this work is logical, compassionate, well-organized and researched, and in synchrony with mainstream Orthodox theology.

This is not a ponderous tome; it is a fresh and modest monograph. Those interested in the topic should take time to read it.

Christian Faith And Same-Sex Attraction by Thomas Hopko (Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir's Seminar) is an informed study presenting the visionary perspective of the church and the religious ideals towards same-sex attraction. Clearly defining theological and pastoral insights concerning the experience of same-sex-desires and acknowledgements, Christian Faith And Same-Sex Attraction analyses the nature of gender identity and sexuality through the perspective of Christian Orthodox theology and is very strongly recommended reading for members of the Orthodox Christian church seeking to understand the theological doctrines relative to the issues of same-sex attractions experienced by themselves and/or their friends.

Below is a review of Fr. Hopko's book that was unfortunately received by the publisher after the book had already gone to press, and was therefore not included with the final publication. Dr. Elizabeth Stuart is a Professor of Christian Theology at the University of Winchester. She is also a lesbian and a leading UK theologian specializing in Queer Theology. I believe the review speaks eloquently to the value of this book for those on both sides of this emotionally-charged issue. Her review is as follows:

"Although I profoundly disagree with the stance taken towards homosexuality in this book I found it a delight to read. It is a careful, compassionate and comprehensive discussion of contemporary same-sex attraction from the perspective of the Orthodox tradition. It is informed by gay and lesbian theology and other alternative perspectives. I would recommend it to all who study or who are personally involved in the issues around same-sex relationships in the Christian tradition, perhaps particularly to those not part of the Orthodox tradition, for the rich theology of that tradition frames the debate in very different terms to those of other denominations. This book holds out the possibility of a debate which need not fracture the Church nor create alarming levels of animosity between Christians. For this reason alone, it is worth reading and engaging with."

The Christian Life Hymnal was recommended to me by someone on an accompaniment forum who used it at church services because it contains a host of well known songs in different keys. I found it to be a great resource for some lesser known and beautiful arrangements of songs that fit very well into service. I highly recommend it as an addition to a standard musical library of well known hymnals and religious music books.

Nice burgundy outside; hardcover. Some of the songs it has in slightly different versions.

I own dozens of hymnals, mostly fairly recent (meaning published in the last forty years), and I love singing hymns. I would have to say that this is one of the most attractive collections I've seen for use in a hymn sing, and many congregations would probably find it a good choice for a pew hymnal. It has almost all of the "old favorites" that a Baptist or Methodist is likely to want to request at such a singing, as well as almost all of the old standby hymns of mainline American protestantism, and no specific sectarian bias that I can detect aside from a general conservatism. Most of the texts are not appreciably modernized or gender-neutralized (though it does give "Good Christian *Friends*, Rejoice"). Where there are two common tune traditions for a given text current in American protestantism, both are often accommodated (e.g. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" to both Forest Green and St. Louis; "Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus" to both Hyfrydol and Stuttgart). Among the roughly 600 songs, there are 16 by Fanny Crosby, 24 by Charles Wesley (who turns 300 this year) and 20 by Isaac Watts. Recent hymns are fewer, but there are several by Keith Getty, Hillsong's "Shout to the Lord", and some others of the type. Almost nothing from the mainline hymnic "explosion" of recent decades, though: 1 by Fred Pratt Green, 0 each by Wren, Troeger & Dudley-Smith... To my surprise, only one Gaither piece, no Andraé Crouch, and no "Victory in Jesus" or "I'll Fly Away"! So it's only 5 stars, not six. But then, my six star dream hymnal would have to be at least twice as thick and twice as costly.

My family wanted several (matching!) hymnals for our family devotional time, and so my internet search begun. I wanted a hymnal that had all of the old standard doctrinally-rich ones, such as "A Mighty Fortress is our God," "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise," "The Church's One Foundation." It's amazing how many hymals I found that did not contain all three of these! I also wanted other favorites of ours that are common, but not quite as high up there on the list of standard hymns that most Christians (at least before the last decade or so) know, such as "Day by Day," "Be Thou My Vision," and "And Can It Be."

This hymal was a perfect fit for us. It contained all of those. It also has a few newer ones that are broadly known such as, "As the Deer" and "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. All of them, however, could be considered "hymns" with depth to them. In other words, there are none of the ones that are pure praise choruses.

Each hymn does have a verse cited at the top, and the translation used varies. We don't care for some of the translations used, but that's not a deal-breaker for us. We can always look it up in our New King James version.

We've been very happy with our set of hymnals. They're great for using within the family, having a hymn sing with friends, or in a church setting. Note that when there are several potential musical selections for a particular hymn, they are often all presented.

We purchased this hymnal for family use in conjuntion with the hymn study book, "Then Sings My Soul." The hymnal contains most of the songs we have studied. I appreciate that the editor did not change original words on hymns like "Come Thou Fount," as seen in most contemporary hymnals. The songs will be familiar to most Christians in Baptist, Bible, Community, and other similar churches. A solid hymnbook.