Self-Help Books

Words cannot express how completely awesome and spine-tingling this book is. I saw Marshall Ball on the Oprah show several years ago and was so in awe of him that as soon as the show ended I got in the car and drove to the bookstore to buy the book. It will make you smile, cry and laugh; it really left me with the lessons of 'miracles do happen' and 'you never know what someone can do until you give them a chance'. It's a definite must read.

Marshall Ball is exquisite. With the simplicity of a child and the wisdom of the ages, he speaks with a profound understanding that could only be Divine. Marshall cannot speak, so he uses an alphabet board to point to each letter. This is a painstakingly long process. He was born with a disease that keeps him confined to a wheelchair. At age nine, he was evaluated at school with a twelfth-grade reading level. I was pleasantly inspired by Marshall and eagerly await more writings from him. My favorite quote from Marshall is: "Can we free the world to think perfectly about the listening and marvelous children?" I highly recommend this book.

Recommendation:
A great book for traveling on a journey with a special child. If you have a special child, get this book, because you may learn more about your child, and their own journey and thoughts. If you don't have an special child, then get this book and learn about the blessings that come with the pain and challenges of the journeys that parents of special children travel.

Book Review
Marshall writes, with physical assistance, of things we cannot see, or imagine in our busy and cluttered lives. Yet, these are the important, and permanent things that life is determined on, not the urgent and unimportant.

His poems are very good (fantastic considering his age and issues) and offer a mature, yet spiritually innocent viewpoint that remains objective and not caught up with our worldly challenges.

Marshall is here and suffers in order to fulfill God's purpose of helping us, and those who need spiritual assistance.

How Marshall Helped Us Learn of Our Daughter's Thoughts, and Experiences:
We have a daughter with severe cerebral palsy who cannot speak or walk an had just finished two weeks of therapy in Chicago and were catching a plane for the ride home. This was two years ago, so she was four at the time. By accident, I packed her reading books, so we stopped in the book store to find a book to read. We accidently came across Marshall's book and I explained to my daughter that Marshall was like her, and could not speak or walk, and was just a few years older. Then, I asked her if she wanted to get Marshall's book, she got very excited (happy).

On the plane we read the first few pages and came across this part of Marshall's poem...

Even though my individuality finds
sweet knowing perfection, I listen
for the answers to wishes from above.

So, I asked my daughter if God spoke to her about her wishes and prayers. She just about jumped out of her skin!!! It was like finally!!!! Someone knows my secrets!!!! Yes, I speak to God and He speaks to me!!!!

I was startled, and asked her some poorly developed questions. After a couple of months, I thought about the questions I asked and also her answers, and I realized that I really did not learn what I thought I had learned. (We have to ask her questions, with two or three answers for her to choose from, then ask additional questions to further determine her correct and precise answers).

Because I only want the truth, regardless of the issues, I spent some time to relaly think about the questions, and alternative answers that could be gleaned from my technique, then began to ask her more precise questions to nail down her responses.

What I found is that she did speak to and hear from God every night. That she did remember her personal journey (died at birth for 35 minutes), and remembered seeing God when she died. She did not remember being in the hospital, being taken off life support, or anything else.

But, when she died, she went to heaven, and was not given a choice, but was told to return to her Mommy and Daddy (which she wanted); and she was told that her purpose was to help a lot of children who were in need. (...) She came back to us - obviously - and now is a bright 6 year old who goes to full inclusion school, has many friends and lots of fun. Yet, she cannot speak, or walk, yet. (But is making great progress!)

Without reading Marshall's book, I would never have thought to ask these questions, and would have never have learned my daughter's secrets.

As heralded by such masters as Eckhart Tolle and Don Miguel Ruiz the earth at this time is graced by a number of awakened divine flowers of consciousness which grace us with their tremendous healing power and gentility. Marshall Ball is no doubt one such light in our world. His healing gift is through the power of his words. In these important documents of our time [Kiss of God & A Good Kiss] Marshall Ball uses his gentle and seemingly simple use of the English language to incite a healing effect that evokes deep emotions and directly effects the heart. Short of a miracle, both of Marshall Ball's books are a collection of communications poetically expressed and clearly echo teachings from A Course in Miracles, Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now and Stillness Speaks, and the Conversations with God books, none of which have been a source of study for this young man of 17. It seems Truth is spoken again by another source of pure love, but here, with heavenly gentleness and a poetic voice that can lift and heal the coldest of hearts. I highly recommend reading and studying both "Kiss of God" and "A Good Kiss" as material for spiritual study and personal growth. May this gentle heavenly force continue to grace us with his divine wisdom and healing voice.

This book will touch you. There is a simplicity and purity of thought, but there are deeper more profound meanings there for you to discover on your own. Marshall is a special child of God, as we all are in our own way. Love and listening are prevalent themes in Marshall's short poems and prose. I am a grown man with grown children, and I am not prone to tears, but many of Marshall's words brought tears to my eyes. I know God talks through Marshall. Share this book with your friends and family.

This book is a great tool for anyone, pastor or lay person, who wants to enhance their methods for studying the Bible. Even if you fell like you already know all there is to know about Bible study, you are sure to find some valuable techniques within the nearly 400 pages of study discipline that this book presents.

I'm not a member of any church and I don't consider myself religious but I've always been interested in what the bible says. However, I found it hard to make a start reading the bible when I really know nothing about it. I found this book invaluable in helping me get the most out of my bible reading. It taught me lessons that I can use not only with my study of the bible but with study of other literature as well.
My only problem with the book is that the authors sometimes fail to distinguish thier dogmatic beliefs from what the bible really teaches but, thankfully, the indepth lessons they include in the book will help anyone to see these errors for themselves.
I also didn't like the "one interpretation, many applications" rule. Some of the scriptures quoted in the book and then interpreted by Hendricks ended in conclusions I just could not comprehend. I think the bible can be interpreted many different ways and it's up to us to be able to discern the true message of what we're reading. With the interpretations I didn't agree with I just completed my own study following the rules set out by Hendricks and it gave me a whole new light on what can be found in one simple verse - and what can be lost if even one word is misinterpreted.
I can honestly say that this book is essential to anyone wanting to learn more about what is really in the bible. And it would also make a valuable contribution to any student wanting to get more from their everyday reading.

Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible -- At Last! Someone who knows how to read the bible and is willing to reveal his secrets to us. Why don't church bible studies start with this book? This book should be the first book of the bible study curriculum. I praise God for finally leading me to Howard Hendricks book.

Howard Hendricks is outstanding at revealing how exciting reading the Bible can be, but even more important was how he explains how to accurately determine what the writers were saying to the original hears, but also to us now. His directions reveal tried and true methods to "rightly divide the Word of God" that many other books on how to read the Bible just never see. I have been reading the Bible for more than 30 years and have seen truths that I missed over and over, just like when Sherlock Holmes looks a crime scene and understands all kinds of details that the untrained just can't see.
Reading this will open up the Bible and God's revelation like never before.

The many reviews on this book are already excellent, but I would like to add my own experience both with the book and with Prof Hendricks. I remember reading this book a few years back then had the privilege of having Prof in class last Fall in 2007. He teaches just like the book he wrote with his son, Bill. In a time when the majority of books simply tend to give you content or fluff, this book not only gives you foundational methods, but gives you priceless examples of how to put these methods into a consistent practice. Prof supplies us with biblical passages to test out these methods for doing personal bible study, which is three-fold: observation, interpretation, and application.

I cannot fully explain what it is like to learn from a man of the Word who has taught bible method and exposition for more than 50 years. The command he has over the subject, the illustrations and examples he conjures up, the accessibility he gives the listener/reader to the scripture is priceless over and over again. In a school like DTS, where it is easy to get caught up with everything BUT theological method and life applications, Dr. Hendricks shows how invaluable bible study method is for every Christian, whether a professional minister/pastor, a layman, a scholar, etc. This is something we were all meant to do and to be engaged in. Growth is accomplished by learning how, through the power and filling of the Holy Spirit, to engage in the foundational bible study methods of observation and interpretation, which are then to be lived out through daily application. This is a must-read for every Christian to grow and mature in their faith.

This is a little treasure chest of wonderful stories that truly are uplifting. I really did enjoy reading this book!

I read SMALL MIRACLES, some years ago. This seems to be the same book, exactly, although, when I ordered it, I thought it was a sequel. I liked it better the first time around, when the anecdotes sounded more "golly-gee-wiz" than they do the second.

Miracles happen every day. Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal are angels themselves, bringing these fantastic stories to millions of people. Buy and read every single one of their books. Not only are they hard to put down, you won't be able to look at your life with the same eyes ever again!

A really lovely little book that helps even the worst days.

I found this unique book of coincidences to be remarkable. While the authors relate it to Jewish principles, giving a moral or rule at the end of each 'episode,' their statements are applicable to those of all faiths.
There were short, short stories, short stories and those a few pages long. But all showed the positive human spirit that exists in everyone of us if we give ourselves a chance and don't close our minds. Sometimea a bad choice becomes a great move. An ordinary act becomes heroic to those on both sides. And, almost always, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. There are no stories of coincidences that backfired, although one can be sure scores of these exist too. But the purpose is to bring joy, hope,
confidence and more open-mindedness to the readers, with the desire that they will share this with many more. A brilliant person with a promising
future suddenly gets terminal lung cancer. But the person telling it mentions some small act that was done, often out of common courtesy. And in this case, one of the six items the dying person wanted in his casket was a letter of encouragement from the teacher.

This is a book for teachers, educators and all who desire to be educated.
I acquired it for $.50 at a flea market booth, after just noticing the
colorful (but also bland) yellow cover. This is the best $5.00 expenditure
I've ever made. I'll share my copy with others and have ordered another
version. Whether you are in the dumps or feeling great, the stories will
heighten your consciousness and create more appreciation for your present lot. I am fortunate to have found it. Please consider my words. Advice
is worthless. Words from the heart can be meaningful. My heart speaks.

This "little" book has a huge message: a message of compassion! The book has become a classic - it is a highly recognizable work of self-acceptance and self-awareness. The book offers a much needed normalization and de-pathologizing of the daily struggle over eating. It offers a humanizing, healing experience that soothes the wounds of overeaters' self-loathing. It has much to teach - in the way of letting go of the dieting perfectionism that creates problems as it tries to solve them.

Pavel Somov, Ph.D., Author of "Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices for Overcoming Overeating One Meal at a Time" (New Harbinger, Nov. 2008)

This is a fabulous little book. It's a series of fifty very short advisory essays all about how to love yourself when you hate yourself. Specifically, Roth's work deals with compulsive eating, and this is her focus here too, but unlike some of her other work, this book is clearly meant to be more broadly applicable to any and all situations in which one might find oneself swimming in a sea of self-hatred. Roth is a humorous writer. She has a similar sort of wit as Anne Lamott, who has written the introduction to this book. Overall I found this book hilarious and moving. I stayed up all night to read it.

No matter how many times it happens, I'm always amazed when I find that there are other people in the world who go through some of the same things as me. This book really did it, it really showed me that I'm not alone in the frightening world of body-image. By the time I finished the second chapter, I had decided that I was going to get this book for my best friend for her birthday, and by the time I had finished the sixth chapter, I realized that I was going to buy it for every single one of my girlfriends for their birthdays.
This is a really amazing book, and the author really knows how to talk to women who are in need of reassurance as well as a little shove (or a big one) in the right direction.
I suggest it for women of all ages who struggle with any sort of body/self-image, no matter how long that struggle has been going on.

I originally checked this book out of the library. I loved it so much I bought a copy and am reading it again. I also purchased two copies to give to good friends. This book may or may not help me to loose weight, however, it is so uplifting and encouraging it has really helped to change my attitude towards food and not to be so self-loathing.

I read a few books by Geneen Roth, including this one, in the beginning of 2003. After reading them, I gave myself permission to stop "dieting", and allowed myself to eat the food I like, thinking that if I didn't feel deprived that I would eat less and lose weight. I also kept away from the scale. The result was I gained 30 pounds in 9 months, before stopping myself from this upward climb. Its taken over 4 years to lose those 30 pounds. To this day I still regret reading those books. While I don't think its healthy to obsess about food and counting calories and body image, I do think we need to be careful about what we eat.

Before "The Secret" and before the release of "The Law of Attraction" Sonia Choquette was teaching people how to create their dreams in this delightfully easy to read workbook that will help you do the very same. She breaks down the manifestation process into nine easy steps. If you do the exercises, you get results. Period.

I guided hundreds of people through the exercises in this book shortly after it came out and the results were phenomenal. People quit the groups to move to Hawaii, manifested jobs, houses, relationship, right living, you name it. Read this book, and you will create whatever you want too.

Sonia is a truly delightful, humble, and powerful spirit. And if you get a chance to attend any of her seminars, you will be richly rewarded in both bliss and powerful techniques.

Good job Sonia,
Ann Albers,
angel communicator & author, Love is the River: Learning to Live in the Flow of Divine Grace

I am surprised I haven't written a review before now. I purchased this book almost 4 years ago and it was the catalyst for a whole new life. Sonia is a wonderful teacher, and with this book you not only get step by step guidance toward making your dreams a reality, you open yourself up to a whole new way of experiencing life and the gifts that are waiting for you. This book was my beginning of having the privelege of receiving extensive training from her and teaching this to others. Whether your heart's desire is a new job, house or whole life, this book will empower you to make it happen!

I purchased this book after seeing a reference to Sonia in another self help series and I found it to be a very helpful read for those who are ready to take a serious look at what they really want in life. The author talks about her own experiences (including a very uplifting story about how she found a “prince charming” to take her to a dance) and she gives suggestions about how to prioritize and bring more positive things into your life. Her main point is focusing on positive thinking. However corny it sounds I have found that yes you can get more accomplished by being positive. Even if taking that first positive step forward is a little scary.

One thing I should point out is you have to be ready for this book. No one else can give you a roadmap to navigate your own life. An open mind and positive thinking will help you digest this book and make reading it worthwhile.

great book on getting to the true way to solve any problem one may face and I mean any problem.

I read "Your Heart's Desire" after reading "The Psychic Pathway" by the same author as I believe "The Psychic Pathway" prepares you for this following book. Your spirit must be developed before you can truly look into your heart, your soul, and find what it is you really want.
Then, using these 9 principles Sonia outlines--1)focus 2)the support of the subconscious 3)imagination 4)eliminating obstacles 5)intuitive guidence 6)supporting your dream with love 7)surrending control to the Universe 8)claiming your dream) and 9)being true to your dream, she shows you how you can actually make your dream come true.
I especially liked the 7th principle--in which she says that after you have done the primary work--the Universe kicks in and does its part.
This principle takes faith and patience to wait, as your 'heart's desire' alligns with the Divine Spirit in the Universe.
Writing with a deep sense of the spiritual, an insight gained over years of living and practicing her psychic gifts, Sonia uses examples from her own life and those of her clients to illustrate her points.
She also uses humor and practical good sense to guide the ordinary person into an extraordinary life.

This is a REAL book about a REAL person, Asya, who so candidly, yet carefully unfolds a story that takes the reader through time and across cultural and international boundaries! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Asya's voice as I read. With the photos from her life included, it was easy to hear her telling me her story and delivering her laws...the wisdom she developed in her lifelong quest for real love. I appreciate her honesty and vulnerability in depicting how she regarded herself throughout this quest and in each of her roles - a girl looking for love, a lover, a wife, a daughter, a mother, etc. Her own perspective on Latvia and Latvians and America and Americans is also interesting to observe as it changes from beginning to end. Thank you, Asya, for going for it with this book!

In this world of virtual and mediated reality, Latvian-born Asya Raines has brought decades of memories to life. From tales of her mother as a WWII Soviet freedom fighter blowing up Nazi trucks, to the post War Russian occupation to a late 1970s consolation prize trip to Bulgaria that began with a yearning to see Yugoslavia, to perestroika and her eventual emigration to the United States, she enlightens us with her perceptions and charms us with her perseverance. A book that merits multiple reads!

I would like to thank Asya for finding the courage to write about her life. It was not only educational and interesting, but it helped me to realize that we can all "choose" the life we live. No one has to be a victim if they don't want to be. Also, she gives great advice in love! An inspirational book that I would recommend to any and all who love to read or love!

I really, truly enjoyed this book. It feels like Asya is sitting next to you telling her story - and she's so warm, and so honest, that you become engrossed in her tale. I picked the book up on a Friday evening, and finished it in a few hours. A great book to share with friends and family - of any age.

Carrie Bradshaw and the girls gave us a peek into the challenges, heartbreak, friendship, and love that is life in Manhattan. Asya lets us see and feel those same emotions and experiences that made up her life in Riga. She even describes her version of the Hamptons. Asya entertains as she talks with us, she also educates. My lesson? While there are clearly interesting intellectual and cultural differences, when it comes to matters of the heart and soul we are all clearly One. Brava!

If you can only read one book on the subject of failing memory then it should be "Carved in Sand". Written by a contributor to the New York Times, Cathryn Jakobson Ramin writes a frightening story that will keep you reading as though it were a novel.

With dire predictions of the continued increase of dementia in the coming years, this is a must read. The author tells of her own struggle with the onset of memory problems in her early forties an how she deals with it. She tells us it's not just the memory loss but the axiety that comes with it. Because of her profession and contacts she was able to do the research and get the help that she needed. She writes about this search with tremendous sensitivity and insight.

I continue to reread parts of this wonderful book and highly recommend it to everyone over the age of thirty, dealing with the onset of their own dementia or a caregiver for someone with this terrible desease.

Cathryn Jakobsen Ramin's honest account of her own experience guides us through numerous interventions to stem cognitive degeneration and memory loss in middle age. It is simultaneously educational and user friendly . Ramin's self-deprecating humor keeps the subject from being too heavy and helps us to digest the significant quantity of well researched information presented. Most will welcome information about basic lifestyle changes that can enhance their mental performance as they progress through normal aging. For those facing more serious issues, the path toward diagnosis and treatment is illuminated.

The middle ground between memory loss -- with normal aging and Dementia is the diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This is the only book I have found devoted entirely to MCI. Unless you have CMI, or you know someone has CMI or Dementia, you cannot speak intelligently about cognitive problems NOT associated with the normal aging process unless you read this book. The author pursued many options to improve her cognitive functioning and documented them all. She found out she did not have AZ, and she did improve her memory using several of the options. I too have CMI. In addition to Aricept, I have had to use oxygen, alpha-lipoic-acid and other supplements reviewed by the author to maximize my brain's performance. I did extensive research on the internet, but before I tried anything, I read "Carved in Sand" as a second source for the remedies I found most recommended on the internet posts. This is an Excellent Book by someone who deals with MCI.

I bought this book because of all the 5 star reviews, after seeing it at a book show last year. If you want a scattershot sampling of most of the available techniques for dealing with normal/abnormal change in memory over time this is for you. However, the author herself never sticks with any method long enough to see if it would be effective before ditching it and trying the next thing. The A.D.D. drugs are effective for her, and I can see why.

Carved in Sand by Cathryn Jakobson Ramin is a must read for anyone interested in how the brain functions and what happens as it ages.

Chock full of valuable information and presented in a highly readable style this book will take its place on your reference shelf for frequent revisits as it has mine.

What is especially extraordinary about Ramin is that she is completely honest about the results of what she calls a series of "Interventions" into the world of improving brain power. For
instance she finds that meditation doesn't work for her. Hallelujah! It doesn't work for me either. At last someone I could identify with instead of wondering what was wrong with me.

Ramin's journey through the research into the brain and the methods and drugs used today to help with problems is fascinating, educational and a great read.

I am a non-offending parent of a sexually abused child. This book is exactly what I needed last year as we were not only introduced to the dark side of sexual abuse, but the failure of the system that is in place to protect our children.

This is an easy book to read and will educate and validate you to the process of protection (or lack of) that you will encounter on this journey.

Claire has hit the nail on the head. Her years of experience and insight is a blessing to all. Thank you!

Forget about monsters. Forget about ghosts. You can even forget about the latest horror movie full of blood, guts, and teen exploitation. The most frightening book I've read in years has to be Childhood: It Should Not Hurt!

Claire Reeves recounts true stories of incest and childhood sexual abuse and uncovers some of the myths and unsettling truths surrounding the issue.

Do you think you could "spot" an abuser? Read this book then ask yourself again. You probably already know at least one abuser--and at least one victim.

Reeves may not be a great writer, but when she writes about incest and childhood sexual abuse, you feel every ounce of her passion and compassion.

When I first reviewed this book for my own newsletter, I rated it 3 out of 5 because I was focused on the writing. Today, I'm looking at it simply as a reader looking for information--and in that light, Reeves delivers.

I very much enjoyed reading this book & found the information contained in there to be invaluable.

During the fall of 2004, I was informed by another parent that their child was abused by our babysitter. This parent was concerned because I have 2 children. I assisted this parent in reporting on behalf of her son. Then, I was left with nothing but the possibility that something might have happened with my 3 year old daughter who had spent so much time with this young teenage girl in question. The only thing for me to do was arm myself with education.

I searched on Amazon.com & found, purchased & read your book. As an adult
survivor of child sexual abuse, I had no intervention or support & was at a loss as to where to begin. Your book really saved me, taught me & educated me. Then, only a few weeks later after reading your book my 3 1/2 year old daughter disclosed to me that she was being sexually abused by this teenager.

Had I not read your book, I would not have had the education or knowledge to assist my child. I knew to believe her, support her, not over question her all from your book. I was repeatedly told by professionals that they were impressed with the manner in which I handled the disclosure.

Over the course of the last few years, I have advocated heavily on my daughter's behalf. In May of 2005, I joined the Vermont Victim / Survivor of Crime Council as a board member. There have been many agencies & parties that I have worked tirelessly with to try & change existing laws which DO NOT support children.

I wanted to thank you for writing & educating so many people. You have really made a difference in my life & the life of my now 5 year old daughter.

Lori Nadeau

I found it to be very well written and it contains timeless information for everyone. I am a big advocate of prevention and believe the information found on Page 102, "A Final Word" should be taken to heart by all, especially where it states "Arm yourself with every bit of knowledge available. Set boundaries for your child's activities and behaviors, and be involved in every aspect of their lives ... Protecting the children means protecting the greatest natural resource of any country. Children are the world's future."

Ted Blevins

Lena Pope Home, Inc.

While no single book can ecompass EVERYTHING one needs to know about the critical issues of child sexual abuse, Claire Reeves does a fantastic job in her book, "Childhood, It Should Not Hurt!" Being a non-offending mother myself, six years ago I went searching the bookstores for books like these to no avail. I wish I had found this book then. Although difficult in retrospect to read some of the accounts with which I can so readily identify, I find this book to be an excellent guide for non-offending parents and survivors.

The reader will most definitely find Chapter 10: Parental Alienation Syndrome, and Chapter 17:Pedofilia: An Alternative Lifestyle? both shocking and eye-opening. I had no knowledge that such opinions exist and are even finding their way into our children's sex-education curriculum. I can't fathom a society that condones and even encourages pedophilia - we can not let our societal values become that lax!!!

Also exceptional are the comprehensive Recommended Reading List and Resources sections at the end of the book.

I am honored to have recently met Claire via email and telephone. She is a woman of amazing strength and integrity. I appreciate and applaud her continuous efforts in keeping all children safe from predators.

"My Cat Saved My Life," is a charming and insightful account of
the relationship between an abandoned kitten and a man
who has fallen into the dark pit of depression that most
of us have visited at one time or another.
Over a period of several months, the author
learns to observe life through the eyes of a the cat.
He makes several related changes in his life,
e.g. sleep patterns, relationship to nature
and, in the years to follow, the title of the book
becomes reality.
Any animal lover would enjoy every word of
this book. Any animal non-lover could
be converted.

I was convalescing from a serious illness when I discovered this book (in 2001). Having come upon it during an Animal Planet television show, I had recently lost a pet cat of 7+years. Seeing this story about the relationship between a man and his cat and how it affected him really jolted me out of the mental coma I had been in. Although I have never really gotten over the death of my cat and been able to consider another pet, this book is one of the most meaningful and profound I have ever read. The writing is meaningful and laconic; it tells the emotional story of the events in life which sometimes wrench us out of the sick, banal reality of everyday existence and into a place where we finally can comprehend the significance of spirtuality and God. It really gave me the perspective I needed, and I still carry sentiments of that book with me everywhere I go. Sometimes it is good to have a reminder, however small, that someone is watching over us and that there is something out there which can provide comfort in times of need.

So, I am getting ready to fly home to the West Coast and my sister hands me a couple of books including this little book and I think "Oh great, a stupid book about a cat," but think "at least I will look at it."
Holy cow! Everyone can relate to this author. READ IT. I'm giving it to a lot of friends.

I have always been of the belief that animals can be enormously beneficial to the emotional well-being of humans, and have always loved animals, cats in particular. This book is small, but don't be fooled: it is a true emotional roller coaster that gets to the essence of the human-animal emotional bond better than any other book I have read.

Phillip Schreibman was grieving over the loss of both of his parents after long, tortuous illnesses. He had found himself inconsolable and depressed. Much to his surprise the one who finally led him out of his depression was a tiny little orphaned kitten he took in and named Alice. Over her lifetime she managed to teach him important lessons he had never understood before, and ultimately even prepared him for her own passing. There is no question that there is great sadness in this book, but it is ultimately uplifting, as the lessons Phillip learned from "Cat School", as he called it, let him regain a firm foothold on his own life.

This book was particularly touching to me as it paralleled an encounter with a kitten, "Ghost Blimp" (a.k.a. "Gloovis") who I took in when she was a tiny ball of fur, and who graced my life for seven years, like Alice. Although those seven years were far too short, in that time her presence helped me recover from the loss of my father. My point here in telling you this is that the lessons Schreibman learns from Alice are universally applicable to other lives as well. I believe that whatever animal you choose to keep company with has lessons to teach you.

My only critique of the book would be a disagreement with a couple of the specific conclusions that Schreibman draws about "Creation" versus "Culture." Having said that, it is his book, and the conclusions he draws are important for him to tell. Everyone would have slightly different conclusions after going through events like those relayed here, but that does not diminish the power of this little book.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is grieving for any reason, particularly after the loss of a loved one, and also to any animal lover. Thank you Phillip, and thank you, Alice, even more for this beautiful book.

Don't let the title or short length of this book fool you - it contains a huge amount of wisdom. You don't have to be a cat lover to appreciate what the author is going through and what he learns. He has put exactly into words what I have been thinking for a long time. He has done an amazing job.

Powerful with many incites to getting were we need to be in regards to the right way to live. Learning to live the impossible and liking it.

Jerry Bridges is insightful and penetrating in his writing. He is easy to understand and gets to the heart of the matter. I used this in conjunction with the companion study book. This really helped me put into action the principles he discusses. It's well worth your time.

Should we "let go and let God", trusting Him to bring us victory in the battle for holiness? Jerry Bridges would answer this question with a firm "no." Instead, he would lead us to "grab hold and let God." In other words, Bridges charges us to take hold of the resources Christ offers us to kill sin's power and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. In Bridges' view, holiness is not a matter of victory or defeat, but of obedience or disobedience. He teaches that victory is the byproduct of obedience, not the aim of the pursuit of holiness. Holiness is still the work of God, but we must actively lay hold of the work of God in our lives to see the fullest possible work of the Holy Spirit in us. As I consider all of the personal commands to action in the Bible regarding holiness, I am convinced that Bridges is right. Commands like, "put off your old self, mortify the deeds of the flesh, put on the new self, pursue righteousness, think about whatever is good and pure, walk in the Spirit" and many more show me that my part in holiness is to throw off everything that hinders and fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. This excellent book is best in its final half, as Bridges deals with some of the details of this walk of faith and the specifics of how to fight sin and cultivate good in your life. Highly recommended.

When I started reading this book I had the "fear" that true "holiness" was something I could never achieve. Yet scripture calls us to be holy (1 Peter 1:13-25) so it must be possible. As I went through this book and examined my heart, I realized the obstacles that stood in the way of holiness and came away from the book with a whole new understanding and sense of hope and purpose. I now encourage other men to step up and TRULY pursue a life of holiness.

Don't read this book unless you are ready to be convicted and own up to your responsibility as a Christian! I have read this book twice and am reading it again (along with the Study Guide) with my church's women's Bible Study. It is a provocative book to study alone or with a group. It lends itself to wonderful group discussions. Jerry Bridge's book, very practically written, is an aid to Christians in our understanding of God's grace on one hand and our obligation to live a life worthy of His calling on the other.