Vision Books

Before reading The Last Resort I neither understood nor cared much about retirement planning. Now, however, even though I'm only 24 years old, and thanks to the book, I've acquired a much better appreciation of why investing and lifestyles planning is so important - for both young and old. I'm recommending that any young person who reads this should also read The Last Resort.

I've read many books on investing and I haven't found one yet that is better than The Last Resort. Readers learn not only about some little known investment strategies, but also about the importance of knowing what you want to do with your money once you have it - a different, more holistic approach that really appealed to me.

I've now read The Last Resort twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. I'd strongly endorse it for anyone who is concerned about their retirement prospects and who appreciate common sense, practical advice presented in a highly readable manner. The best thing I can say about this book is that it actually motivated me to increase my retirement savings and investing resolve.

Rob Thomson

I thought Dave wrote a book that is easy to read and easy to understand. Very good information for someone going into a leadership role. I was able to read it in about a day. I have owned the book for years and often refer back to it.

The format and style of this book is ideal for anyone who needs to understand the subject quickly and without too heavy a read.

It's the kind of book that can be slipped into a desk drawer, glove compartment or bedside shelf.

The learning is taking place effortlessly and it's possible to read and retain the learning points that you accumulate as you flow through the sections.

I would recommend this book strongly.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is in a leadership position or on a team. The book took me about five hours to read, but I will be using these ideas for a lifetime. Using the popular temperament theory (ref: Please Understand Me; D.Keirsey) along with the concept of shared vision, Mr. Specht has illuminated the need for incorporating each person's psychological needs into the group's mission, whether it be on a team or within the whole company. A special addition to the book is the last section called "Your Half of the Contract for Shared Vision Process" which is a self-exploratory "quick guide" to going through the process that the main character has described in the text. It helps you get a rough idea of what your temperament is and helps you build a short mission statement for yourself. I can see this book making an impact on employees throughout companies everywhere, so I recommend that you get a head start by reading it today.

If you've read "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris, you at least owe it to yourself to read this title by Douglas Wilson. Many people have mistaken Harris's book for a strong argument against Christianity but it is not that at all for Harris can't even give justification for arguing in the way that he does and Wilson shows why.

Wilson responds to Harris's rather weak arguments in "Letter from a Christian Citizen" both with wit and clear logic. If you were swept away by the supposed fortitude of Sam Harris' book, do yourself a favor and purchase Douglas Wilson's response and see how Harris measures up. You'll find, rather easily, that Wilson demolishes the arguments of Sam Harris and leaves him with nothing to stand on.

If you're an atheist, then you need to give an adequate answer to Wilson's arguments. If you're a Christian who was shook by "Letter to a Christian Nation", then you need to read Wilson's response and see just how poor Harris's arguments really are.

A wonderfully-articulated rebuttal to Sam Harris's "Letter to a Christian Nation." This book asks many questions of Harris, the most prominent being, "Where do you get your standards of morality if you believe in no absolutes?" It's great that there are courageous Christians willing to take a stand against those who slander the faith. A must-buy! (Also, see my review for "Letter to a Christian Nation" for more of my objections to Harris's arguments.)

A well written objective rebuttal of Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation". Clear defense of Christianity with weaknesses and inconsistencies of Atheist position highlighted. A must for understanding the differences of both sides.

This book gives me the practical tools to re-shape my life course and find the quality of life I've been seeking. Al Eastwood

This book helps you to clarify what your true beliefs and values are so that you can plan a more fulfilling and rewarding life. It takes you from the theoretical level of dreams and ideas, down to goals, to specific activities and then to the nitty-gritty of daily schedules. Go for it!

Excellent book. I hope he writes more. Gives the approch, steps, and many examples.

This book is a must read for anyone who needs to step out in faith. Lester Sumrall is an amazing man, and his life story will inspire anyone who has dared to step out in faith. I loved how real he is, and how transparent he allowed himself to be. We go from glory to glory, and from faith step to a bigger faith step. God's hand is shown in such a powerful way when the vessel He uses is willing to submit themselves to doing His will.

This book is a page turner, and all the more so because it is all true. Rev. Sumrall's sense of humor is evident throughout his life. He shows that you can do the Lord's work and still see the humor in life situations. A very inspirational book I read cover to cover.

Not only is this a great book, but a true story. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the other side of the Spiritual veil. Lester Sumrall was in the Deliverance Ministry for over 5o years and has alot of wisdom, experience, and insight into dark and evil forces.

"if we are to do God's word as well as talk about it, we need a vision to guide our doing and acting... Shalom can hardly be defined or reduced to formula. And that is its power... Our faith comes to fullness as we are teased to think new thoughts, as our imagination is lured beyond 'business as usual'... This book is a collection of reflections by a person uniquely qualified to give them... The author combines some rare qualities that make these reflections especially useful... to pastors and to lay persons. He is a recognized biblical authority, but also a warm, even earthy communicator. He is a seminary dean... but also a tireless worker in the church. He is a scholar, but also a passionate seeker after social justice. He is an author of many books on the Bible, but also an educator. He holds doctorates in both fields."

Prof. Brueggemann has an big emblem of Shalom in Hebrew letters pictured in plain view on the largest wall in his double-sized office. In his "Author's Preface to the Second Edition" from 1982, he points to being convinced that "the argument made here is still pertinent to the relentlessly contemporary agenda of peace." Then he identifies three things which have changed: "The shape of the peace agenda in our society has become more urgent and more pervasive." Secondly, "The way we interpret scripture has changed a great deal in the past several years. Third, this interpreter as author of the essays has changed in various ways!"

While our professor readily admits to change, within one of his longest paragraphs in my memory of recent writings he admits to becoming more cynical about the prospects of peace, and more buoyantly confessional about what what is promised by God. Adding his usual four adverbs: "We are profoundly enmeshed in a war system... enmeshed economically, psychologically, hermeneutically, and in every other way." What looks like unique simplicity at first glance becomes abundant Old & New Testament passages to enhance his Reflections from Biblical authority. He is writing as One who has become more mellow in his inclusive piling-up on top of scholarly, pastorally, psychologically passion about his insistence for Shalom... But always contained in his alternative world of social justice. This he thoughtfully expressed in a recent sermon on "Children of the Power-Bestowing God" in the Ebenezer Baptist Church next to the Martin Luther King Memorial Center!

This has been my easiest of 14 reviews for Sir Walter's Poems!
Well-worth anyone's time or thought for reading. I recommend this to Prison Inmates next Sunday Eve. Chaplain Fred W Hood

If you, as a Christian, have wondered if the Old Testament held any other value than historicity, this book is for you. Professor Brueggeman expertly leads one back and forth from Old to New Testaments showing a continuing theme that continues to resonate with clarity; that being, "Who is in control." He gives ample scriptural reference to illustrate and authenticate his premise that neither God nor mankind have essentially changed, which leaves one with a sense of promise and hope. He presents, due to his depth of understanding of the subject, many different aspects of "Shalom" that non-jewish people would possibly overlook or be ignorant of. Each time I re-read this material, I am aware of new understandings which deepen my appreciation for the Bible in it's entirety, not just the New Testament or some of the prophets. I feel truly enlightened and indebted to the Professor, especially at this time in our current history which some would have us believe is teetering on the verge of extinction. This is most heartening, prophetic, and helpful. His interjection of personal droll remarks make this easy to read - and enjoy as well.

This is another of those really wonderful books on quilt art that is full of inspiration. I want to warn you that there is not much in the way of teaching in this book, but if you have done sewing of any kind and love to embellish and create, then this is another of those books to have in your library. Material Visions is just what it says it is, a gallery of small art quilts to be inspired by. The book showcases the art quilts of many artists from many disciplines, not just quilters. The book features several quilts for each artist, then tells a little of their history. At the end of each section it does give some tips for quilting and embellishing, so this book is not a teaching book in that sense. That said, this is still a MUST HAVE book for your fiber art library, and for a great deal of inspiration.

This is really a beautiful book by those publishers of Somerset Studio (and other magazines). Lots of excellent photos and closeups of art quilts to inspire you to make your own. Okay, okay, just because I AM one of the featured artists in the book (page 44-51), I really do recommend this book for those who enjoy stitching.

I found this book to be a wonderful source of ideas for design and technique. The mini quilts were very well photographed and I found the write-ups to be helpful and informative. As a fiber artist, I no longer want patterns or "projects", I just want inspiration. Perfect!

This is a very special book - a little book with a vitally important message. Out of the mouths of children around the world are words I found to be wise and touching and inspiring. Children will relate to the illustrations by other children like themselves.This is a book to keep handy and read regularly - an excellent tool for teaching peace to our children, and for motivating people of any age.The book suggests actions for building peace as well as the visions - perhaps,one-by-one, person -to-person,a peaceful world can become a reality! I can think of no better wish for my children, and their children, as the new millennium dawns!

"A Million Visions of Peace" was published in response to Douglas Wood's book "Old Turtle" and the Old Turtle Peace Tour, which visited over 150 communities in the United States. The messages of peace printed in this colorful little volume were chosen from hundreds of thousands gathered during the tour. There are dozens of wonderful drawings by children and an even larger number of simple, eloquent hopes for peace, brought together in a wonderful package. This is the inspirational sort of book that you can keep by your bedside and read a page or two a day. There is something touching about the simple wisdom of children who want the adults of the world to remember "Shells for Turtles, not for guns." This book needs to be kept in print.

This is one of the greatest books of all time

Hilarious and so true! A must have for musicians!

This book is one of the best and funniest books I've read in a long time...I recommend this book very highly to all of my musician friends.

This book pokes fun at just about every music term possible. I received it two years ago as a gift and everytime I open it I find something funny that I had missed before. Every musician should own a copy of this book!

It was excellent! I would definately recommend the book. The author wrote it like he was talking directly to me.

As a Chicagoan, I really loved this book. It characterizes the city's ethnicity and cultures, but this story will be of interest to anyone who has a friend or relative struggling with a serious illness.

This book is actually a "Love Story" about people I know and think highly of. It tells the story of 2 people who met in grade school and fell more in love as times went on - both good and bad. It also tells about the "support group" of friends surrounding them and the big difference it made in their lives.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone.

Someone once said of Extraordinary Comebacks that when you're feeling down, 'read a few of these stories to see what's possible.' My Maggie is the nonpareil story in that regard, and if we're fortunate enough to create a volume two, this is a story that must be included.

No one, and we mean no one we've encountered in these researches of comeback stories, did more with less than the extraordinarily courageous, indomitable Maggie King. As a counselor, Maggie had the power to change lives, and now that Rich has captured her essence in this biography, she will keep on doing that for many years to come.

As Rich King would say simply, she would like that.

You see members of your TV news teams every day. They come into your home, like family or friends. You think you know them (you don't), and that their lives are pretty charmed (sometimes), and breezy and effortless and glib as the jokes at the end of the late night itself (not for sportscaster Rich King or his Maggie).

Behind the video image, Rich King was bearing the weight of the world for many years, and we, his viewers, never knew it. His wife Maggie was engaged for years in a titanic struggle against blindness, and hearing loss, and all that entailed, as as a result, so, too, was he. When breast cancer, then ovarian cancer joined the battle, it was nothing less than a life and death struggle.

This book will knock you flat on your back. It will make you appreciate every moment that you have your sight, your hearing....and your life.