Kansas Books

Yes, I too know the author and thus my review may be biased, however Lodahl's work is key to seeing how God acts within creation throughout the entirety of the Christian Scriptures. This book makes it clear as to how, as humans, we are to return back to faithfulness and find ourselves again in God's original intent of creation. I found the book entirely helpful.

An outstanding starting point for those interested in narrative theology in a Wesleyan context. While maintaining a strong biblical foundation, Lodahl has brought narrative theology into a vital relationship with the Wesleyan tradition.

Nazarenes need to read this book. Too often eavangelical preachers will preach on a topic without tying it into the great meta-narrative that the Bible presents. I haven't heard any other Nazarenes preseneting the need for this, but I'm sure glad that Lodahl is raising his voice.
Inspite of that, I only gave him 3 stars. That's for 2 reasons:
1. He didn't do an excellent job in helping preachers to know how to tie in their sermons to the redemptive narrative of the Bible. Much of the scripture is not written in narrative form and Lodahl does not give clear instruction tot he would be preacher on how to preach through, lets say, the epistles. Though he is a reformed writter, I feel that Graeme Goldsworthy in his book "Preaching the whol Bible as christian scripture" did a better job. I recommend it to Arminians and Reformed alike.
2. Secondly, there are some places where Lodahl entertains Open Theism. Open Theism is a thrological movement, that in my opinion, is heresy. One of its basic ideas is that God does not know the future. Lodahl seems to entertain this idea under the presumption that this would destroy true relationship.
The fact that God is mysteriously complex in his unity, being able to act in time while maintaining his eternal atributes, should not be changed in for the simple thrology of open theism and its little God.
I am Arminian, but it seems that some of the most solid works on Biblical and Narrative theology that remain conservative in nature are coming from the Reformed camp.

I have the pleasure of knowing the author personally, so you may feel that this distorts my objectivity -- it probably does. All I know is that this book was like a breath of fresh air at a time when I needed it most.

The book reclaims what I believe should be at the heart of any Christian message (or any religious message for that matter). It is a book which gives an overview of Wesleyan theology through the use of narrative stories in scripture. But the point is not to force scripture down anyone's throat, or to force someone to think in a particular fashion. No, even a few pages into the book, that becomes clear. The author is greatly indebted to not only Weslyan emphasis, but also Process thought and the wealth of insight and beauty to be found in world religions.

This book is about joy, beauty, mystery and the enounter of the "divine" reality in individual existence and in community. Each word bespeaks the authors deep love affair with life, and with the earth and with creaturely realtionships and joys. To finish reading this book is to be guarunteed a light heart and a deep smile. The message repeatedly conveyed in this book is that love is what matters most, and making the most of this life, loving this earth, and being aware of the wonders constantly around us. And through all that to hear the voice of a God reminding us that he loves us, and loves life as much as we do, and wants to be a part of it.

A great read for anyone.

Sound theology presented in a scholarly, yet easy to understand writing method.

If you're a committed Arminian/Wesleyan/Holiness type, this is a great shelf reference or a good bedside read. It is readable (not easy in a theology text) and very practical. Grider's treatment of issues is purely from the Wesleyan/Holiness end of the theological spectrum. If you're a Presbyterian or Baptist, get an R.C. Sproul volume instead.

I like the fact that the nuts and bolts are treated in reasonable simplicity while including detail, without getting too bogged down in the arcana typical in an academic work. You can read this book. The footnotes are quite good (again, this is not an academic text for MDiv/DMin students) and surprising in their content and variety.

This was one of the best gifts I have received as a preacher. I recommend it to any Arminian as a great reference, laity training tool, or as a desk reference for pastors/preachers of other Christian traditions.

This book came out after Grace, Faith & Holiness. It is an easier read- Grider writes a little better. But his theology comes out on the side of the turn of the 20th century Revivalist theology in the Holiness movement. While Dunning understands and expounds the relational foundation of Christ's work, Grider is more apt to label and categorize things according to experience and his categories. Dr. Gride is a great churchman, good teacher and good writer, and this would be a great book except it sets itself up as the Holiness theology at the end of the 20th century, when some of its thought comes from the end of the 19th.

As a layperson interested in learning more about Wesleyan-Holiness Theology, this book far exceeded my expectations. It is written in plain english, well-organized and filled with deep insights. For me, this was one of those "you'll never be the same after you read it" books. A wonderful book that I return to time and again for spiritual growth and inspiration. Great bibliography too - this book introduced me to other significant resources (like Wiley).

A New York Times "notable book of the year," Judy Troy's West of Venus brings the concision of her New Yorker stories to a larger canvas: the heart and heartland of America. This smart novel is filled with laughter and tears. Although West of Venus begins with a suicide and ends with a funeral, it is joy to read throughout: one of those rare fictions that show the ups and downs of life simultaneously and poignantly. I loved this book.

Having come from La Crosse, Kansas myself, I read West of Venus with a great deal of pleasure. Although Venus is more than twice the size of La Crosse, Troy has captured just what it is like to live in the middle of nowhere and to have daily contact with people who never read books. Although Tom Drury's The Age of Vandalism was better to my way of thinking, I still enjoyed this book very much.

Those who encounter "West of Venus" will immediately recognize either people they know or themselves, expanded and enlarged by their humor, sadness, or loneliness. Without doubt destined for women's reading groups' book lists and ultimately the silver screen (though a weekly series would be heavenly), this novel is one which will have you calling your best friend in the middle of the night comparing which paragraphy (or sentence) most delighted you. I would love to meet the author and personally thank her for this liberating, joyous book.

I found this book to be very annoying. I was disappointed because I'd seen it compared to books by Anne Tyler, but it falls quite short of that. Virtually all of the characters in this book are either seriously depressed or seriously grouchy. I didn't like any of them and couldn't figure out why they liked each other! I didn't care for the writing style, either. There seemed to be a lot of short, choppy sentences, dialogue that goes nowhere and random ideas that are not explored. If there was humor I failed to find it. Disappointing.

There is much good and to commend here but I have some problems with the theology and doctrinal approach.

First, it seems that books of this nature, call them Christian "self-help" books, seem to have adopted a predictable formula. The author chooses a theme, chooses examples from his ministry, and then draws parallels from Biblical narratives tying the two into a neat package that supports the point in question. This is becoming a tiresome formula and it fails at several levels.

First, the examples chosen from the ministry, the so-called real life examples, often are adapted or telescoped to fit alongside a Biblical narrative. Our lives are not those of the Biblical characters although we may face many of the same spiritual trials. Secondly, the main emphasis of the ministerial example centers around worldly things and makes the focus of the problem the selfish "I" rather than "God." Third, the outcome is usually justified by the author in terms of worldly success rather than spiritual success. The latter is noted as important but rarely or never seems to be separated from the former. The book seems to be permeated with this subliminal notion that God is the answer to your worldly as well as spiritual problems and things will work out good for you in this world if you accept God and His ways. Although this is true, the definition of "work out good for you in this world" is in terms of the "I" or "me" and not in terms if "God" to whom we are called to submit. Where there are examples of unsolved disappointment, the author associates it with a failure to follow the program. God's justice is not quid pro quo and accepting God, truly accepting God means accepting the burden of the cross and not the expectation of rewards in this life.

The last error is the most dangerous. J. C. Ryle once wrote that before one accepts Christ he or she should count the cost. The cost was God's vicarious sacrifice of making The Son sin and crucifying Him on the Cross. To be a true follower of Jesus we are warned in scripture that we must crucify the old man, be prepared to give up all worldly things WITHOUT and assurance other than our daily bread and the joy of God's care, fellowship and love. The true fact is that for most Christians in the world, accepting Christ means danger, sacrifice, hatred, discrimination, isolation, poverty, suffering and sometimes a violent death. Books such as this discuss suffering in terms of exchanging one career for another, discovering God given gifts and overcoming illness and disability or hurts. But these worldly successes, though given of the Lord, are possible because we live in a wealthy country where people have choices and opportunities and can overcome life's obstacles praise the Lord.

Any theology of Theodicy, the basic theological subject of such works, must be universal and apply to everyone, everywhere and at all times. What would the vignettes in a book such as this mean to the people who life in the garbage dumps of Mexico City and survive off the rotten trash of others? It does not hold! Yet, they worship the same immutable God whose ways are constant and perfect. The theology of books such as these are tailored to the "me" generation of Americans and not to the greater brotherhood of God's people. The person who lives in the garbage dumps of Mexico City has no realistic hope of escaping the daily grueling suffering that is their worldly lot. Yet, when such a one accepts Jesus, his worldly lot may not change but his spiritual lot has radically changed. What great saints are those that suffer in poverty and can truly claim that their only portion is the Lord!

This is the joy and transformation that scripture talks about. The cross is not something to be dressed up and made pretty. It is an instrument of relentless pain, torture and death. We are all asked to pick up our own cross and follow the Lord. That means we are asked to voluntarily crucify our old selves, and the things we hold dear, unmercifully, totally and to the death. It is a painful thing to do.

Theology such as that offered here devalues and invalidates individual pain suffering and failure in the world. It ignores the countless millions who never succeed in this life yet are rewarded in the hereafter. It ignores the fact that there are many among us that are chosen to suffer till death for no other reason that we may present an opportunity for people to do good works and be divided into sheep and goats. God's people suffer, hurt and may not see any relief in this world. But in His mercy, God sends His Spirit, ministering angels and the Church.

The suffering of Theodicy is something that must be embraced. The sufferer's pain must be acknowledged and validated. It must be understood that most of the Christians on the world experience this suffering and misery. It is the cost of discipleship.

Books such as these offer rewards without counting the cost. The theology they expound ultimately fails. When this failure is realized, true harm is done.

Finally, almost every such book uses the Jacob-Esau story as an example of Jacob's spiritual formation by surrendering his will to God. While there is much good here, most err in failing to realize that the blessing of Isaac the Blind was a worldly blessing. The Promise, God's blessing, was not Isaac's to give. Jacob fooled the wrong father. And as Jacob's spiritual eyes are opened at Peniel, he begins to be called Israel. Yet Jacob never truly fully matures to Israel and crucifies his old self. Some of Jacob remains in the final chapter of Genesis and in his decedents and in us. Commentators and such writers focus on the worldly comforts surrounding Jacob in his old age as evidence of his total transformation. If this was the case than the Bible would be one chapter and the Cross unnecessary.

It is my prayer that the Authors will take these words in the Christian spirit of love in which they are offered.

Not sure exactly where said reviewer is coming from, especially since the exact same review has been posted by him/her for yet another book by a different author! This sounds like more of a soapbox than a fair review of the book.

You can't compartmentalize the spiritual from the material aspects of our lives, and I think this is what this book makes clear. The things we see within our own human perspective aren't the whole of reality-- if anything, this book reminds us that our own ideas of success, failure, good and bad are pretty relative in the scope of eternity. If you can't compare the details of our 21st century lives with Biblical characters, you're boxing the Bible in and overspiritualizing the omnipresence of God in all the details of our lives.

And there's no way the author is making all the mistakes M. Galishoff is pointing out-- just read the last 2 chapters and you'll hear about Scriptures imcredibly hard for Western American Christians to deal with, such as Hebrews 11 (all the people who never got to see the ultimate ripple effect of their lives or the 'rewards' for their faith and yet lived for what they couldn't see) and passages in Paul's letters about how eternity makes the present pale in comparison. Seriously-- you can't come away from this book thinking that it's 'all about me.' Clearly, it's all about God-- learning to live in surrender to his ways that are totally different than ours.

Bentz has an incredible relevence in this book to those of us who feel like we are waiting! I highly recommend this book and this author. He writes with a wisdom and clarity of understanding. His words are helpful and illluminating. A worthwhile read.

A friend gave me this book during a waiting period in my life otherwise I probably would have taken a look at the title and decided I could skip it. Had I skipped it, however, I would have missed some really wonderful insights. Joe Bentz takes the stories we so lightly read over in Scripture and delves into them pointing out the silences in the stories that are so important and yet so easy to miss. I especially appreciated the "Almost, not yet" sequence with Moses and the plagues.

On a practical level, the book is divided into comfortable sized chapters/sections that make it work very well as a daily devotional. It's a book that will make you want to keep reading, but it's best taken one bite at a time (with plenty of time in between to chew and digest).

If you want a new perspective on all those waiting times from stop lights to career moves to retirement, this is the book to read. It will almost make you grateful for that red light!

Tired of finding a piece of information on Hepatitis C here and a piece there but unable to put it all together into a complete picture? In his book "Winning the Hepatitis C Battle" author Shekhar Challa, M.D. provides a comprehensive, authoritative overview of the disease. Dr. Challa discusses the diagnosis of the disease, treatment options, potential complications, and even herbs and other alternative treatments.

One of the things that make this book unique is the inclusion of the emotional aspects of being diagnosed with Hepatitis C and going through treatment. Dr. Challa includes many of the personal thoughts and comments of Denise Hudman from the point where she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C through some of her feelings as she went through treatment. This is invaluable insight if you are dealing with a friend who has been diagnosed with the disease.

"Winning the Hepatitis C Battle" also includes a frequently asked questions section and a glossary. With the comprehensive coverage and easy to understand writing style this is a highly recommended read for anyone wanting to gain a broad understanding of Hepatitis C.

With the discovery in 1989 of the virus that causes this disease, there have been great leaps in its management & Dr. Challa's WINNING THE HEPATITIS C BATTLE is one of the most positive pieces of news yet.

With short patient stories, diagrams, pictures & simple explanations, RebeccasReads recommends this book with its CD-ROM for anyone who has been touched by this "silent" killer.

Winning the Hepatitis C Battle is an extremely reader-friendly book, meant for patients, supporters,doctors and health-care professionals - in short, any one who needs to know about hepatitis C and the treatment options against it. Written by Dr.Shekhar Challa, M.D., Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, the book provides a single-stop handy reference to patients and their families/friends, when the diagnosis of Hepatitis C comes up first. It helps the other health-care professionals, physicians and yes, even the specialist by saving his/her valuable time and energy in explaining to the patients/supporters, the many questions that are bound to arise in the context of such a diagnosis.

With the help of a beautifully produced and easy-to-understand book and an interactive CD-ROM, Dr.Challa and his team explain all that a person needs to normally know about this Silent Epidemic.

The book starts right from the beginning, that is the Diagnosis, then explains the seat of action - the Liver, its functions, the differences between Hepatitis A, B,...E, specific signs, symptoms and complications of Hepatitis C. It then goes on to the treatment options, and looks at the alternative treatment and special situations.

The book has FAQs, Glossary, links to useful websites and an Index. All in all, the book is a complete handy reference guide to the Successful Treatment of Hepatitis C.

Dr.Challa brings out the various advances in treatment options including as-on-today, the most successful combination of pegylted interferon and Ribavarin. But he brings out that the most important ingredients in the treatment protocol and which only the patient can supply are courage and optimism. These in fact, give the desire to live to the patient. Without that desire, even the best physician can't help. So, what ever may be the stage of the disease, beginning, advanced, or resistant to the standard treatment, the message is simple - never give up.

Coming from a main stream gastroenterologist, the treatment of the chapter 6, Herbs and Alternative Medicine is fairly unbiased and this reviewer didn't expect a more active support to or detailed coverage of an important topic. Though not medically qualified, this reviewer has a long association and interaction with health-care professionals including those from the alternative systems and is thus aware of many successful treatment options. But to be fair to the author, Dr.Challa doesn't forbid you from following the alternative treatment route. He could have avoided the statement, ""Even though it is clear that alternative medicine therapy has minimal or no role in treatment of hepatitis C, ..."" and instead, could have offered to work with such patients who need to take the alternative treatment route for any reason, including the problem of side-effects, the enormous expenditure or the ineffectiveness of the Standard Treatment.

This book is primarily meant for the US Market, and hence discusses the statistics of Hepatitis C in USA, and the examples of the Patient Case Studies are also from USA. The basic principles of Hepatitis are of course common and aplicable to any one any where in the world. To that extent, this book will be of interest to the rest of the world.

One attractive feature of the CD-ROM (which is bundled with the book) is the incorporation of a Cross Word Puzzle to test the user of his/her understanding of the subject. The CD-ROM addresses the same subjects dealt with in the book, but will be found to be useful to those who don't like to read or understand better from an inter-active Audio-Assisted Video presentation of the subject. The book, on the other hand, will be appreciated by people like this reviewer, who found it slightly difficult to follow the American accent. The book is well produced and is a pleasure to work through. Together, the Book+CD provide a good value to the buyer. It makes for a good gift to oneself or to some one who you think will benefit.

In conclusion, this reviewer would like to compliment Dr.Challa for bringing out a readable, reliable and affordable (for the US Market) publication on one of the major Health concerns.

Winning the Hepatitis C Battle contains in-depth information necessary to
fight hepatitis C. Written in an easy-to-understand format that includes
the personal stories of many patients, the book and CD-ROM covers the topics needed
for a complete understanding of the disease. Subjects include your liver
and how it functions; hepatitis C and its effects on your body; and
hepatitis C treatment and the side effects to that process. This book and CD-ROM is
recommended for anyone who is has hepatitis C themselves or whose loved
one is afflicted with the disease.

An excellent source of information for anyone wanting or needing reliable information on tried and true ways to achieve financial freedom and lifestyle worth living

have read several financial planning books. I was very impressed with Greg Womack's approach to financial planning. I am a Christian and was amazed by the scripture Greg used and how he applied the scripture to today's world. It always amazes me how the teachings of thousands of years ago still apply today. Most of the financial books say the same thing; they all have 7-9 steps that one must do in order to secure financial freedom. Greg does differ on some of the points, such as, whether you should pay off your house before you start saving for retirement.

After reading several financial books, I really thought I would be bored with reading this one. However, I was not bored because of the new twist Greg uses by applying the wisdom of King Solomon to today's issues.

It may scare those looking for a quick fix to their financial problems. Greg emphasizes giving as one of the basis to a solid financial plan. I have a friend who read the book and is not a Christian. He did not enjoy the book as much as I did, because of that fact. However, I believe he worries about money more than I do because of the faith I have in my belief as a Christian. I have personally seen the power of giving work for me and others.

I highly recommend the book.

For a basic overview this book is okay. It's brief, covers the main issues and the reader can take what they need and go on to the next step. However it falls short of being practical for the 58% of Americans whose household income is under $60k. The budget breakdown by % is inadequate. Effective budgeting deals with actual costs in all categories, not a % of income.

Financial planners can show us comprehensively what needs to be done. But when real numbers are applied, many families, middle class and below, will find themselves short on income.

Also, a few passages from the Bible were quoted out of context and do not actually teach the message as the author used it. The best financial material I've seen is from Dave Ramsey.

This book is a very easy read and makes financial concepts understandable. The author does a nice job of weaving the Christian concepts in with the realities of life. Take this book with you as you visit your financial planner!

I felt that the author made his point well, that even though scientists should stick to science and theologians should stick to theology, the two can get along quite compatibly and are frequently more like-minded than they realize.

Giberson book does a Good job at what it attempts to do. Make science look like the guilty party and fundementalism the awful enemy. Most examples usually revolve around Science saying one thing and then an extreme fundemtalist saying its wrong. In its weakness, is the culteral perspective between The battle for science and religion is seriously missing. Thus, your left with a book that satisfy's its one goal. To deconstuct religion and make science the victor.

For a long time we have been told that science and religion are two opposing camps, each offering a competing view of reality, either with science steadily replacing God as new discoveries are made, or with the entrenched defenders of the faith battling against the onslaught of atheism. This warfare mentality is no more evident than in the debate about creation and evolution. Highly vocal advocates on one side or the other would have you believe that you have to choose between your faith and science.

Worlds Apart presents a challenging and welcome alternative to this "either-or" mentality. Drawing upon examples from the history of science and the history of the Church's response to new scientific discoveries, Dr. Giberson argues that science and religion do not offer competing answers to the same questions about reality. Instead, each answers different categories of questions that together offer a much more complete view of reality than either can alone. The conflicts arise only when we try to make the Bible an authority on questions that belong to science, or when we try to make science answer questions that belong in the realm of religion. Creation and evolution should be seen therefore, not as mutually exclusive alternatives, but rather as complementary answers to different sorts of questions.

Written in a clear, concise and easy to read style, and honoring both science and the Bible, this book is a good starting point for anyone who is searching for a way to incorporate both faith and reason.

Giberson fully explains the "current" (nothing's changed since 94) situation. He describes the differeces between science and religion and why they are not in conflict. It is a book to read if you a struggling Christian learning about the scientific evidence and how it relates to your religion. He does not give you an outcome, only a begining to inspire you to learn more.

have not read thi

have not read thi

This was a real nice book that helped parents of teens understand what they like to do and where they like to "hang out" You should get this book because you and your teen will have guarenteed more wholesome time resulting in a better relationshop with your teen. Thank You.

:)

Many of us who appreciate the work of truly great non-fiction writers were deeply saddened by the recent passing of Alistair Cooke.

Although best remembered for his long running radio commentary "A Letter from America" and his various television shows of early years, it makes for a pleasant change to go back and rediscover some of Mr Cooke's more substantial literary efforts.

A graduate in English literature from Cambridge University and a print journalist of considerable experience, Alistair managed to perfect a difficult balancing act. Throughout his long and prestigious career he steadfastly adhered to the highest professional and intellectual standards while still managing to enjoy enviable success within the mass media. In many ways he "Raised the bar" in regard to industry standards by proving that there was, indeed, a sizeable market for quality work if it was cleverly presented in an entertaining and accessible style.

In this book the veteran newspaper man draws upon his impressive array of observational and descriptive skills to create a striking collection of penetrating celebrity profiles. Alistair wrote with the deft, light hand of a popular scribe but also with the probing incisiveness of a psychology professor. At all times he examined the inner workings of his subjects with an almost clinical thoroughness and a commendable sense of fairness. When it came to creating word pictures, the man was an old master.

Alistair Cooke was a consummate journalist - an "all class act" and a credit to his chosen calling .

Mr. Cooke is a very bright, amusing, observant man -- who writes so extraordinarily well you'll wish to re-read passage after passage for the pleasure of the sounds. He has chosen six men of diverse background and writes about them with sympathy -- but more importantly for this reader, with an acute sense of their singularity and what made them so. Any reader would only wish the book much longer because it's a beautiful one.

Six famous transatlantic figures: 3 English and 3 American men, all of whom had a legendary meaning in the seventies: Charles Chaplin, H. L. Mencken, Humphrey Bogart, Adlai Stevenson, Bertrand Russell and Edward VIII. I liked his style of writing and he really provided insightful surprises on each of these famous men. An interesting read, if not for the history alone.

The Defense Satellite Program (DSP)-truly one of the most innocuous code names ever devised for a critical military program-arose in the earliest years of the space age as a means of detecting the launch of a rocket from anywhere in the world. With the development of ballistic missiles in the 1950s, for the first time in the history of the United States our two great oceans could not protect us from sustained attack and destruction. To warn against a Soviet ballistic missile attack, and thereby to allow time for the launch of a counterattack, the Department of Defense sponsored the development of satellites ringing the globe that would use infrared photographic technology to detect missile launches. The theory behind the system was that the heat signature from the rocket blast would be detected by satellites in space and then show up on infrared scopes at military monitoring posts. Through this process the time and place of launch, as well as the missile trajectory, could be ascertained within seconds of launch.

It was a brilliant concept but it took years for it to come to fruition. The first effort, Project MIDAS, experienced numerous technical problems, but finally reached a turning point in 1963 when MIDAS 7 detected the first missile launch from space. MIDAS confirmed the concept, and the DSP program, with first launch in 1970, has provided early warning of missile launches ever since. Through 1997 eighteen DSP satellites had been placed in orbit, not all of them operational of course at the same time.

Jeffrey T. Richelson's history of this program, "America's Space Sentinels," is an especially important and welcome addition to the literature of the military space program. It provides as comprehensive an understanding of this effort as is possible in the current environment, using a wealth of declassified documents to piece together this program's evolution from idea to implementation and operational life. It is, of course, not the final word on this subject because of still-classified materials that should one day be made available about DSP, but it represents a benchmark in the historiography.

Especially welcome is Richelson's discussion of DSP's employment in the post-cold war era. He provides an excellent overview of its use to detect Scud missile launches in the Gulf War of 1991. He also describes how it detected the test firing of a new Iranian missile in 1998 and its use in piecing together the details of airplane accidents, such as the September 1997 collision of American and German military aircraft off the Atlantic coast of Africa. He ends with a discussion of the follow-on missile launch detection program, the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), which is due to come on line at the end of the century.

From the time when DSP served as the backbone of the nation's strategic early warning system during the cold war through its continued use in the still very threatening climate of the 1990s to its replacement by a presumably more capable system, this book is an important contribution to the public's understanding of space-based military systems. It should be required reading for all who are interested in the strategic defense of the United States in the nuclear era.

This book gives an excellent overview of America's Missile Warning satellites, beginning with MIDAS in the 1960s and ending with SBIRS for the 21st Century. The information included in the text is more in-depth that the fact sheets given out by the United States Air Force.

Dr. Jeff Richelson has provided some of the greatest reads dealing with United States military satellite systems - "America's Secret Eyes in Space", "The US Intelligence Community", and now "America's Space Sentinels." This book covers the genesis and evolution of the US' space-based missile warning system, commonly known as DSP, or defense support program. Dr. Richelson takes us through the teething of MIDAS, Program 646, and DSP's early predecessors, in addition to its successors of ALERT and SBIRS.

One high point in the text is the information on SCUD missile launches during Operation Desert Storm. While the news media reported bits and pieces on the launches, Dr. Richelson gives us a "bird's eye" view of what crews in Colorado saw half-a-world away, and what their contribution did to the defense of the US troops in the desert.

The only downside to this book is its currency - This is a volume in definite need of updating due to the bringing online of the SBIRS constellation, the battles fought during the Clinton era about space systems and emerging technologies that have DSP/SBIRS ready for the scrap-heap. If you're a military space-nut like me, this needs to be in your library.