Vans Books

Inspirational. Profound. Practical. A companion.

A one page/three-minute read every day. And an opportunity to plumb the depths of what it means to be a man or a woman.

Philosophy has been called: The Queen of all Sciences. These meditations are from the mind of a brilliant philosopher. A great intellect. An extraordinary human being. A man who has used his mind to reason to Truth. A Truth reflected in his personal life. A life that has transcended and soared above personal tragedy, Naziism, Communism, and Modernism.

This book provides the reader with a few minutes each day to reflect on what is most meaningful to each of us: relationships, work, marriage, family, sex, education, success, failure, suffering, tragedy, death, life.

"Prayers and Devotions: 365 Daily Meditations" is a reflection of other writings by John Paul, such as "Fides et Ratio", which is a treatise discussing the interdependence and complementarity of Faith and Technology. "Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth---in a word, to know himself---so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves."

From "Veritatis Splendor": "The splendor of truth shines forth in all the works of the Creator and in a special way in man, created in the image and likeness of God. Truth enlightens man's intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord. Hence the psalmist prays: 'Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.'"

And from "Evangelium Vitae": "The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by the church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as 'good news' to the people of every age and culture."

"Prayers and Devotions" capsulizes much of the thought of John Paul. It is a rich treasure with each page providing jewels to be discovered, polished, and reflected upon. A book to be read, enjoyed, shared, and re-read.

The words of this man spoke to my soul, like water pouring down the hillside after a fresh rain. During a time I most needed a consoling touch, the words I found here helped to bring peace to my person.

"Prayers And Devotions" is a collection of writings and speeches, written or spoken, by Pope John Paul The Great. There is one for each day of the year, with additional sections for movable feasts. The selections are about 1 page each, more or less. Some are geared to the particular feast being celebrated, some to the season and others just to things important enough to be thought about. Each one is interesting and worth reading.

I spent a whole year reading this book and it was a treat every day. Each day I was provided with thoughts worth thinking and inspiring insights. I expect that I will read it again during some future year and may refer to it on specific dates or when I just need a boost. Make it your daily companion too!

After reading the book of poems Roman Triptych and "Memory and Identity", which I liked a lot, I wanted to get another book by Pope John Paul II and it was with great satisfaction that I chose Prayers and Devotions. In each page, there are insightful words by the great man that lead the Catholic Church for 25 years. Diverse and varied themes, all that are subjects of our daily lives in the world around us. It gave me a very peaceful time of prayer and meditation every time I opened the book to read one of the pages. I actually read it all as a volume, but now on a daily basis, I go back and read the page of the day, since it has one for every day of the year. A book that every Christian should have by their bed and a great reading for before bed time - when we have time to think and some moments of silence.

John Paul's writings are so beautiful, thoughtful, contemplative and elegant. Every word is like a precious gift -- to be cherished, savored and embraced.

Being new to the design world I needed a book that was simple and not encumbered with a bunch of mumbo jumbo. This book is easy to understand and perfect it really helped me to understand 2D Design. I really love this book!

did a good job in sending my item I would order another book from them in the future

A romp through the construction of visual form and pattern. This book is subtle yet deep. Although the example designs are not exquisitely rendered (but rather student projects), the principles that Wong exposes should be part of any designers knowledge base.

This book is full of information, and is really well laid out. I use it frequently in the 2D class I teach, along with two other 2D design books. I like the clarity and the examples. However, there's no getting away from the fact that although this book is loaded with great stuff, that it is also as ugly and cheesy looking as a bad Xerox. That might be okay for a math book, but ummmmm, 2D design?

A definitive classic for any true graphic design student, as it shows the fundamentals of developing a designer's eye in the relationship of objects in space in conveying communication through imagery. A bit abstract in terminology for the armchair reader, but its foundational language still manages to be engaging and thought-provoking for designers, seasoned and newbie alike.

No one has spoken with as clear and sound a voice about the problems facing 20th century education as has Mortimer J. Adler. As an elected member of a local board of education in Colorado, I have turned again and again to this book as a source of wisdom and direction.

No other book talks about reform with such a sane and logical approach. Stripped of all the polemics and dogma, education reform can be seen as a problem that does not require blame or self-righteousness. It is, as you will learn from this book, a profoundly difficult problem with which we have struggled for the last century without success--not because we haven't tried, but because the demands of 20th century democracy on education are a tall order.

I am indebted to Dr. Adler for the work he has done in education.

Editor Geraldine Van Doren has collected 25 essays on educational reform by Dr. Adler. Each essay is masterfully written and all are united by a common theme calling for the revitalization of education in our schools. Dr. Adler's program consists of using the Great Books as a means to bring back the Liberal Arts. He is a generalist who disclaims specialization in schools (students may specialize as they enter the work force or advanced degrees), discredits textbooks, elective courses, and narrow, didactic teaching. He supports the Humanities, calling for more Socratic-style teaching.

This is must reading for educators, administrators, parents, and all learners.

Schaeffer in his book 'He is There and He is Not Silence' book talks about these main ideas

1. The Metaphysical Necessity
2. Moral Necessity
3. Epistemological Necessity : Problem
3. Epistemological Necessity : Answer

Now, if you read ONLY one essay of Adler's called 'Tradition or Progress' from the book 'Reformation Education', you will that Adler found the same problems. The main problems according to him is 'The nature of knowledge' and 'the nature of man'. He talks about anti-ontological nature of Science and how it strips ontology (metaphysical nature) and puts nothing in its place. This confirms Schaeffer's ideas and at the same time strenghes Francis Schaeffer's main points and problems in the history.

Adler wrote his particular essay in 1941 yet Schaeffer started his L'abri mission around 1950s.

The book is very valuable and should be read by pastors, apologists, missionaries, lay people who are in Christian ministries as well as educators. It would be very sad to see only educators' interest of this book. This evaluates the culture and seeks to bring foundational solution yet tells all of this in honesty, hope. Isn't the culture problem? Whose who controls the culture controls the country, don't you think?

If ever I find a school system that uses these principles of education, I want to work there IMMEDIATELY!

This excellent work by Dr. Adler presents an in depth analysis of problems and solutions for the American educational system. Dr. Adler presents his readers with revolutionary and practical educational proposals supported by long standing philosophical principles.

Many educational scholars may disagree with some of Dr. Adler's ideas. However, most scholars would be hard pressed to dispute the proposition that Dr. Adler's proposals provoke considerable thought in the common quest to improve America's educational structure.

This is the best book on the Holy Spirit I have read, which is one of fifteen or more books. The teachings are totally Biblical with scripture references to support every teaching. This is a must read for anyone who wants to learn what the scrpturs teach of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, past, present and future.

This book is an excellent exhaustable study on the Holy Spirit. Its oultine form makes it easy to teach from.

Great work! Very enlightening on the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. John Walvoord has done an excellent job in providing a comprehensive theological study of the Holy Spirit in simple and understandable terms. Thank you John.

With all the talk, differences, discussions and confusion about the Holy Spirit, this book is a classic for any believer. Written by Dr. John F. Walvoord, the esteemed former president of Dallas Theological Seminary and acknmowledge scholar, this book can be trusted to have Biblical answers. It is based totally on the Word of God and not on man's experience. The hard issuses about the Holy Spirit are squarely faced. Answers people have longed to get will be found in this book. It not only is Biblically helpful but spiritually blesses and encourages the one who reads it. It has stood the test of time and is as up to date as tomorrows newspaper. It is a must reading for lhe one who really wants to know the Person and work of this wonderful Person, the Holy Spirit. It is so reasonable and understandable that new Christians can profit from it easily.

This is a must read for anyone looking for a biblical, honest look at the Holy Spirit and His workings. Definitely should not be left out of any study on spiritual gifts, pnumatology, or any of the specific works of the Holy Spirit - baptism, illumination, inspiration, indwelling, anointing etc.
I was blessed and instructed by reading this.

Thank you for your quick and prompt service the item was as said it arrived quicker than what was implied.

Best, easiest to understand and fun to read. This book more than any other laid the foundation for my understanding of computer science.

Thank you Mr. Van Wolverton!

P.S. Just buy it -- you will be glad you did.

This book is simply the best reference source for MS-DOS. Easy to read and providing in-depth coverage of all DOS commands, this book covers version 6.22 as well as letting you know when a command first appeared and in what version of DOS.

If you wanted only one book on DOS, this is the one!

I was looking for a fundamental DOS book covering basic and network commands, scripts, and a reference. What I got was a book written before Windows 95 with no updated network Commands and a reference not formatted like a dictionary but more like a written chapter. It is a great first book for DOS but I wish I noticed the publish date.

This book is full of hands-on exercises, accurate examples, and a very good starting point for those of us who still have to deal with MS-DOS. Even though many claim that DOS is gone, it is alive an kicking within Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows 98, and only true experts of DOS receive a full appreciation of a command line and automated tasks that DOS environment offers over GUI.

Bruce VanNatta shares his personal testimony of his failures, triumphs and God's faithfulness. He walks the reader through and explains times in his life when the Holy Spirit encouraged him or taught him through the word, circumstances, prayer or signs and wonders. If you are not sure you are hearing form God or how he works this book will encourage you to be more sensitve to God's word and the Holy Spirit's work in your life.

Yes I know a couple that traveled thru a very bad snow storm and there was a visable angel on each side of the auto helping the driver and his wife to be protected and to travel safely.
The insight of this author is so new, needed, great, and different. He is a leader in helping others to learn about our angels in a scripitrual manner with his personal story and gauidance for all of us. The teachings in the book helps all to listen and hear from God our loving Father, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Great book about how God uses angels to help us in this life. This is a story about a man who had an accident and God sent angels to help him. God sometimes allows things to happen in our lives so His name can be glorified.

The book Saved by an Angel was about a man who was pinned under a truck and actually had an out of body experience seeing angels present on both sides of him. Van Natt's story was encouraging in that angels are still protecting God's people. Several interesting points he gave was his procrastination of spending quality time with God, the accident surely gave him this opportunity while recuperating. Receiving prayer and prophecy from other believers and then seeing it manifest gave him more faith in the word of God. Van Natt was a man that knew God, but still had sins of the flesh that sometime overtook him, yet he trusted and had faith of God's mercy and grace. The book will be encouraging to those who fall short (which we all do) but continue to seek the Father for his instruction and deliverance.

Bruce Van Natta boldly shares a testimony of how Angels savied his life while he was pinned under the front axle of a massive logging truck. "Saved by Angels" tells Bruce's story of answering God's call to share the many ways God talks to "everyday people" today.

Bruce shows how God may use angels, dreams and visions, the Holy Spirit through an inner whisper or audible voice, the Bible and other written words, circumstances, answered prayer, or His spoken Word through clergy or others to communicate his plan.

Inspiring stories from Bruce's own experience show how God used answered prayers in his life to increase his faith, grow as a Christian and meet his physical needs. These stories include childhood prayers, prayers as a teenager, and in finding his life-mate.

A mechanic by trade, Bruce, writes in a unique style that is sincere and genuine. His writing reflects a depth in study and understanding of the Scriptures. Bruce makes himself vulnerable through his openness. This openness has been used by God in an effective ministry of witnessing and sharing his faith with others.

Bruce goes on to share examples of how God has used him to help others by sharing a word. He also relates how God has often spoken to him though the words of others and reminds the reader how we must be listening for God's Word to us in what might sometimes be called "coincidences."

I enjoyed the "Your Turn" exercises at the end of each chapter. Each one offers a chance for the reader to respond by noting personal incidents in their own life that relate to the material discussed in the chapter.

The chapter dealing with listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit was especially helpful. In an amazing way Bruce has been anointed by the Holy Spirit to write this book. Each chapter builds on the last and in an orderly, powerful way these illustrations and experiences invite the reader to listen for the voice of God and to respond in obedience to his Word.

"Saved by Angels" has a strong message for "everyday people."

I cry almost every time I read this book to my 5 1/2 year-old daughter, who is from Hunan. She doesn't...but I do...and we've been reading it for over a year now. I'm hoping she learns compassion and generosity from the story, which it teaches so beautifully in both words and rich illustrations.

Everyone loves this book; mothers, teachers and of course, children. Many books about Chinese New Year are non-fiction books that describe the customs of the holiday. What makes this different is that this is a piece of fiction that gives you all the flavors of what it's like in an urban Chinatown during Chinese New Years while at the same time sending a wonderful message of giving. My 3 and 5 year old love this book. My 5 year old's kindergarten teacher loved the book for the same reasons plus it fostered discusssions about the story and the holiday. A class of 18 children sat quietly; listening attentively. The children found the illustrations fascinating. The teacher even loaned our book to another kindergarten teacher. I'm online because I'm getting them their own copy.

Read for a pre-k school Chinese New Year celebration and for a kindergarten celebration and all children were very attentive and interested in the story. Also has a good moral message to about giving.

Great for pre-schoolers to learn about giving and introduce them to Chinese New Year Celebration. Read the book to 3 year olds at a pre-school. Everyone was very attentive. Kids got the message, learnd about giving and appreciation, as well as were introduced to Asian culture. Recommend to ages 3-7.

my three year old loves this and I do too! it is a great book to share at Xmas as well. The pictures are wonderful and we are giving it to nursery school as part of Chinese New Year celebration.

It is refreshing to read a new spin on an old problem. The information provided wihtin this book is exceptional and can be used by parents, teachers, administrators, legal institutions, and the like. Very impressive compilation of data. I especially apreciated the book format. The ability to remove specific pages to include in research presentations, is very important. The resources and bibliography are extensive and impressive. Highly recommended for everyone interested in identifying violent behavior and treating it.

There was a shooting at a school in Oklahoma on Dec. 6,1999 by a thirteen year old child. This book gives clear statistical data that shows that there is an identifiable link between adolescent and juvenile violence and the mental disorder schizophrenia. How timely can any work be. Excellent job!

I am very suprise at what this you woman has thought and put down on paper. Because it a lot better that what she started with.

How can any of us hope to truly understand what goes through the minds of those that choose to use violence as a response to what they believe to be alienation. This book provides real life examples, statistical and scientific data in laymans terms. This book while filled with hard facts can be understood by a novice. The resource pages, reference pages and website information, along with data tables, charts, graphs and color brain scans are top notch. A must read for all that are puzzled as to why adolescents, juveniles and adults result to violent behavior against others and themselves. This book provides a list of identifiable violent behavioral traits and how they can be delt with to some degree. Very important for anyone with a troubled family member, whether he or she is daignosed with schizophrenia or not.

This is a comprehensive look into the minds of those suffering with schizophrenia and those and their families experiencing troubles with adolescent and juvenile violence. With all the school shootings, teen and adult suicide that has occurred within the past few years. This book comes at a time when most of us are wondering why these young people have chosen violence to express their anguish. The enormous amount of statistical data and scientific and medical data that has been pulled together in this book. Is mind boggeling. Usually, an author focuses on one aspect of an issue. This author has attacked this problem from all angles. And has been able to provide very concrete insight into the problem of adolescent and juvenile violence and the identifiable correlation with the mental disease schizophrenia. Oustanding piece of work. I especially appreciated all the color images and the book format which allows the reader to pull out pages for their own use. The bibliography, resource and reference section is extensive. It is refreshing to see a writer actually take the time to research a topic.

This book contains a wealth of information on the history and evolution of symbols. And it has the widest range and depth of symbols and their variations. With my degree in neuroscience and psychology, I also appreciated the insights and reminders about the deepest aspects of sybol/sign recognition.

The type and layout may need to be refined, but this is a real book, about real design--not just another portfolio piece by some design firm/publisher coalition that makes glossy books.

I have been a professional designer for a few years without having gone to design school. This is one of the most valuable books I used to gain the knowledge I use in my profession.

This has to be one of the greatest design books ever written.

This book contains a wealth of information on the history and evolution of symbols. And it has the widest range and depth of symbols and their variations. With my degree in neuroscience and psychology, I also appreciated the insights and reminders about the deepest aspects of sybol/sign recognition.

The type and layout may need to be refined, but this is a real book, about real design--not just another portfolio piece by some design firm/publisher coalition that makes glossy books.

I have been a professional designer for a few years without having gone to design school. This is one of the most valuable books I used to gain the knowledge I use in my profession.

Signs and Symbols: their design and meaning is a rare book in the realm of graphic design texts. It is one of the few that I have ever read that offers an expert practitioner's meditations and speculations on the roots of the visual symbol.
It is also about the only graphic design book with which I have ever found it worthwhile to argue. In the early 1920's Paul Renner laid out fourteen rules for typography, the first of which is that non-conformation to the rules is acceptable as long as they are considered. Frutiger's book is similar in that he doesn't offer formulae or recipes. Instead, Frutiger posits first causes-some of which I disagree with-and builds an argument for intelligent understanding and practice, something virtually absent from the discussion of all applied design. This book provides a singular contribution by a world renowned practitioner of the discipline of a personal, highly informed perspective of the origins and visual parameters of written language.

A book all about form: the essence of design. This is definitely something every real designer should read at least once and by the time I finish it I'll probably have learned as much about typography/design/marks/form as a year's worth of my design program.

This book that is great to give to new families starting out their library. The rythm of this story makes it so fun to read and for the kids to listen to- over and over and over again. Its simple enough for the youngest child to have fun with and fill in the fun sounds, or a life lesson in getting, or not getting, your work done for older kids.

My 7 month old loves this book. His face lights up when he hears the rain "plinka, plinka" and the wind "Wooya, Wooya". He also loves the pictures. I know this will always be one of his favorites.

The talents of the prolific Nancy Van Laan ("In a Circle Long Ago," and many others) and illustrator Yumi Heo ("Sometimes I'm Bombaloo") combine in this cheery retelling of a Brazilian folktale about blackmouth monkeys. The monkeys frolic through the Brazilian rainforest, swinging from vine to vine, and, most importantly, climbing the thorny tall trees:

Still they climb, UP-UP!
And they slide, Down-Down!
They sing, "Jibba-jibba-jabba."
swinging round and round

JUMP, JABBA JABBA,
RUN, JABBA JABBA,
SLIDE, JABBA JABBA,
Tiny monkeys having fun!

But these same trees keep them from having a comfortable home, unlike their neighbors the armadillo and the toucan. The monkeys SAY they're going to build a house, but fun and delicious things (e.g., bananas!) keep them from doing it!

The short rhymes and wonderful animal and nature sounds make this a very fun book to read out loud. The rhythms are musical, and the capitalized sounds (e.g., PLINKA PLINKA, WOOYA WOOYA, GURR-YUH GURR-YUH) are your cue to turn up the narrative volume for your little one. They'll eat it up. Slightly older toddlers may also enjoy the monkeys' priorities of fun and food over practicality. Yumi Heo has an unusual palette: I love the blues in her bubbling river and stormy sky. Her repetition of the playing monkeys nicely complements the repeated sounds of the text, and her flat, "folkish" drawings, filled with repeated designs and iconic imagery, evoke the teeming rainforest. The book was included in "The 3rd Edition of The New York Times Parent's Guide to the Best Books for Children." A simple but superb performance by van Laan and Heo.

Both my three year old daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's rhyming verse is fun to read and the pictures are captivating. The actual story of how the carefree monkeys avoid making their night-time nests is light-hearted and amusing. My daughter and I borrowed this entertaining book from our local library. We liked it so well that I intend to buy it for her collection of favorites.

Never mind the review that says this for age 3+. My 14 month old won't go to bed until we've read this at least three times. He's barely talking but he picks up the books and says "Whee!" And his older brother (age 4) chimes in with the "Jibba Jibba Jabba" every time!