Vans Books

I am a time travel lover, I devour all the books about traveling thru time I can get my hands on. This is one awesome series, and #7 of the series is different than the others but still gets my vote of 5 stars! A must read for time travelers who love Holly Van Horn.

Although it is tough to beat the success of her previous six books, Mrs Van Horne has put forth her best book yet in Beneath the Wings of Isis. Over 500 pages of brilliant writing, Beneath the Wings of Isis is brilliant. You will not be able to put this book done!

This book left me breathless. I loved the whole premise of 1 man trying to go back in time to avenge a wrong done to him and thousands of other people. The search for the vampire that bit him is a journey you will never forget! Yet through the whole process the man learns something of himself and changes to become a better person, without having to kill his intended victim! Learning the history of ancient Egypt was enthralling. The main characters of this book will take you by the hand on this incredible journey!! I definitely recommend this book to those interested in ancient Egypt and vampires and to those who enjoy a romance novel full of surprises.

sculptor. architect. child prodigy... Bernini's real name was Michaelangelo, but he hid the fact so that his own work would stand apart from that of the greatest sculptor of all time. Here is a tribute to a man who fufilled a great potential to create beauty in this world. The Galleria Borghese in Rome will attest to this. A wonderful volume about a truly incredible talent.

Wittkower has created a book that is easily enjoyable for those familiar of Bernini, or those starting to learn about art/archetecture of the Baroque. I highly reccommend this book to anyone remotely interested in this period, as the photos are clear and the explanations are not filled with jargon a lay person could not understand. bravo.

Wittkower's work is simply stated an artistic anthology of the achievements and life of the chief architect of the Roman Baroque. His perseptive commentary and pertinent factual information are extremely useful to all who attempt to comprehend the complex messages behind all of Bernini's work. While the author stays committed to rendering the artist as a sculptor and architect, one wishes that Wittkower would delve more into the environment, particularly political and religious movements, that continually serve as an impetus and background to Bernini's chef d'oeuvres. Regardless, Wittkower's inclusion of both color and detailed black and white plates allow the viewer to observe the Baroque master's works in their appropriate light.

It is always difficult to get out-of-print books. Because of that I should like to point on the only available book about Futrelle: „The Thinking Machine : Jacques Futrelle by Freddie Seymour, Bettina Kyper (Introduction)". You will find it in Amazon.com under „Title Word = Futrelle."

Of all the anthologies of my great-grandfather's work, this is the best. It contains the classic "Problem of Cell 13" as well as some more experimental stories. The introduction is also nicely written to provide context for this little-known author.

I decided to look this title up from memories of reading three short stories as a young adult. One of the interesting notes in the book was that the author was among those who did not survive the *Titantic* disaster. The stories are in line with Sherlock Holmes, only slightly updated...one involved a wonderful prison break that would make ANYone think. It's definately worth reading if you can find it. It's a shame the author had his career cut short or he would have been more well known.

Van Amburgh was a director for the Watch Tower Society after the purge of 1917, was charged, tried, found guilty of sedition by the United States Government, and sentenced to 80 years in Federal prison along with Rutherford and the other members of the board of directors. Van Amburgh was freed with the other directors after 9 months in Federal prison in Atlanta, Georgia. Van Amburgh was listed on page 2 of The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence July 1, 1924 edition as being on the editorial committee of the magazine.

A Bible for the Scientist is presenting the thesis to the reader that there are two Bibles, that is, the published book called "The Bible" and "The Scientific Bible". "The Scientific Bible", is the Great Pyramid of Gizeh. The article fondly visits the section of Charles Russell's book, Thy Kingdom Come, copyright 1891, also known as Volume 3, Studies In the Scriptures, called "STUDY X", The Testimony Of God's Stone Witness And Prophet, The Great Pyramid In Egypt.

The article confirms the credibility of the pyramid by showing how measurements taken from the pyramid serve as a calendar, a astronomer's guide, and a map of Bible Chronology. Careful pyramid measurements show Christ's return in 1874, the date 1914, the start of the French Revolution in 1789, and the last Jewish Jubilee due in 1925. 1926 was shown by pyramid calculation to be the first year of the great Jubilee for all the earth and the start of Christ's 1,000 year reign as King.

The publication was interesting to me because I had not had access to the Golden Age publications to read, and I had not been aware of the late date for pyramid lessons or for the late prediction of delivery of the promised rewards in 1925.

I'm happy to add this book to my collection. I recommend it to even a casual student of the Bible Student movement. Gary Busselman, Sioux Falls, SD

What Van Amburgh lacked in irrefutable facts, he definitely made up for in zeal. And this is just *one* reason why having this piece of historic Watchtower Society propaganda back in print is such a boon for those of us who work to help free others from the misology that is Jehovah's Witness "theology". This book is demonstrable proof that Charles Taze Russell was not alone in his belief that the Giza pyramid was "the Bible in stone"--and that such beliefs continued to be promulgated as "Truth" by the Society long after his death, contradicting current Society teaching.

This edition features large, easy print and wide margins ideal for annotations and references to other Watchtower works. It's Perfect-Bound cover makes it light weight, yet durable, and ideal for carrying in a briefcase or notebook.

For anyone who has an interest in historic American religious movements and their writings, or those in need of specific literature to demonstrate the peculiarities and errors of such groups, this current edition of "A Bible For the Scientist" is a must have--and at this price, not something to neglect adding to one's collection...

Another affordable, high quality and beautifully finished reprint of a bizarre publication from the hidden history of the Jehovah's Witnesses cult. As in the case of the book "Millions Now Living Will Never Die," the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (the legal head of the religion) has tried to eradicate the existence of this article and the belief system it asserts.

In reading the article one senses that the author, W.E. Van Amburgh, an officer of the WBT& S, was sincere in his argument that God was revealing his will through the Great Pyramid and that it contained a basis for the predictions of the religion. However, the religious organization abandoned this belief when the events "predicted" to occur on particular dates failed to materialize. Instead of acknowledging its history and its mistakes, this religion represses all memory of its past beliefs, beliefs that were used to control the lives of its members.

The existence of this book and the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society's attempt to repress it call into question the current dogma of the religion, dogma that is used to keep its members in fear but may be abandoned in the near future when events in the world do not conform to its predictions. I highly recommend it to scholars of apocalyptic movements and especially to members of this religion who have no knowledge of its history. It is an eye opener.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this book, The Bible Study Teachers Guide, by Beverly Van Kampen. I have been teaching adult bible study on Sunday mornings now for several years. But for the most part, my teaching style and methods have been derived from teaching economics to college students or from my experience in public speaking, not formal study or my work in the church. For me at least, this book fills a void.

Van Kampen is a Christian writer and a Sunday school teacher, but not a Christian educator. She recognizes this blind spot in her own background and fills it with interviews with other experienced college and church Christian educators. Bravo! Her use of the case study approach is innovative and it gives her book depth.

Two points stick out in my mind from reading the book. First, I never considered myself called to teach Bible study. Her discussion of the call was refreshing and it spoke to me personally. Her presentation convinced me that teaching is more than a transitional activity. Second, Van Kampen made a serious point about getting to know your student, both in class and out, for the purpose of facilitating transform. Again--bravo! I have always felt that spiritual development was a goal. For me the question remains how to do it best. Van Kampen provides helpful guidance.

I recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about teaching Bible study.

After leading Adult Bible Studies for over ten years, I just wish Beverly had written this book 15 years ago. It is a book full of practical ideas and easily implemented suggestions for improving ways of teaching, and learning, that anyone with a heart for studying God's word can use.
Carol Shake

Author Beverly Van Kampen has assembled an impressive group of master Bible teachers to share their thoughts during the writing of this book though she herself has an impressive resume. But isn't that part of what teaching is about? A good teacher pulls together material from his or her own experiences and research then mixes in the wisdom of others. And that is exactly what Van Kampen has done in this expertly crafted work. Woven throughout the text are the thoughts of such noted Bible teachers as Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, Dr. Edwin Lutzer, Dr. Ravi Zacharias and many others. Both new and experienced Bible teachers will gain much from this work including: How to prepare themselves to give the message, how to prepare and present the message, how to connect with students, the keys to leading good discussions and even a guide for one-to-one mentoring. This book is highly recommended for those who are already teachers or discusion leaders and for those who are new to teaching or simply considering whether they have the gifts to teach.

I found this study guide a very helpful item. It allows quick reference to verb charts and stems that are cumbersome in the appendix of the book. Great 4 page resource to have. I simply stuck it in my binder. I still use it well after my class is over!

This four page laminated Notebook insert covers all the basic concepts of Biblical Hebrew grammar; the Alphabet, vowel diacritics, syllables, nouns, adjectives, articles, conjunctions, prepositions, verbs, pronouns, and construct chains. All in all, very much a useful item. I actually got mine in the Biblical Hebrew Survival Kit, which includes the Vocabulary Cards. Check that item out before you make your decision, since the Study Guide and Vocab Cards (in addition to the vocab CD) are both useful even with grammars other than Zondervan's.

This is an excellent quick ref guide for those trying to learn Hebrew or for those who have been learning. Everything you need to know is on this guide in a logical layout! I couldn't be more pleased with this product!

Ivan Van Sertima does it again with this amazing book, profiling various African women throughout history, with the words and research of the best scholars. In this book, it begins with the scientific mother of civilization, know dubbed Lucy, who's bones were found in Ethiopia. If what archeaologist know have is correct, an African women birthed all the peoples of the earth 150,000 years ago. This book also touches on Hapshesut, who was probably, the most outspoken women in Egypt, who refused to take the back seat to then Thutmose III, and ruled Egypt as a man. Next this novel goes to the Queen Candaces. During the Invasions of Alexander, the Candaces fought him off and refused to allow him and his men to enter Nubia, after they had capitures Africa's most known daughter Egypt. Another point, but not the least this book touches on is Nzhinga. Nzhinga fought the Portugese invasions off, refused to become a Christian and adopt a Christian name, and fought to stop the slavery that was then, in it's beginning stages.

In the end, this book is excellent and lives up to the standard that we are used to getting from Van Sertima. This is an asset to every Libary.

THIS IS A WELL RESEARCHED AND VERY SCHOLARLY BOOK. IVAN VAN SERTIMA AS WELL AS THE CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS WORK HAVE PRODUCED MUCH INSIGHT ON AFRICAN WOMEN IN WORLD HITORY LIKE QUEEN NZINGA, THE CANDACE QUEENS, MAKEDA (QUEEN SHEBA, HATSHEPSUT AND MANY OTHERS. I FEEL THAT THIS WORK IS OF GREAT SIGNIFIGANCE AND SHOULD BE READ BY ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE ROLE OF AFRICAN WOMEN IN WORLD HISTORY.

Without being too lengthy, this book thoroughly covers the real and mythical images of the Black woman. It is a wonderful collection of essays from various authors such as the late, great John Henrik Clarke. Historical without afrocentricism. Balanced yet interesting. Do yourself a favor. Purchase the book and order tapes from the back of the book. Another fearless accomplishment by Van Sertima.

I recently spent considerable time with Beethoven's piano sonatas and string quartets and wanted to read the essays in this book devoted to these genres to supplement my listening. William Kinderman's essay: "The piano music: concertos, sonatas, variations, small forms" deals briefly but insightfully with Beethoven's body of work for the piano, focusing on the first three sonatas of opus 2, the "Waldstein and Appassionata" sonatas from Beethoven's mid-career, and the final three sonatas, opus nos. 109, 110, 111. John Daverio's essay, "Manner, tone, and tendency in Beethoven's chamber music for strings" is a difficult study which uses literary and critical theory to show the differences between the quartets of Beethoven's early and middle period on the one hand and the final quartets on the other hand. Both these essays were challenging and helped me with my listening.

But I couldn't stop with the two essays and proceeded to read the entire book, part of a series which presents the best of musical scholarship and thought on the great composers. This book of studies of Beethoven is edited by John Stanley of the University of Connecticut and consists of 17 essays by 16 scholars (Stanley has two essays) devoted to Beethoven's life and music. If there is a theme running through this varied collection, it is that each essay tries to put Beethoven in a musical or historical context.

The book is divided into four parts. The first part, "A Professional Portrait" consists of three essays discussing Beethoven's life, his compositional techniques (the use of sketchbooks), and the traditional division of his works into three periods. This part of the book includes a detailed and useful chronology of Beethoven's life.

The second part of the book, "Style and Structure" consists of three essays which deal broadly with Beethoven's works and which discuss similarities and differences between Beethoven and Haydn and Mozart. There is an excellent essay by Roger Kamien on Beethoven's use and development of thematic material which is technical but not beyond the reach of the devoted music lover.

The third part of the book, called "Genres" consists of seven essays which examine each of the major genres in which Beethoven composed. As I mentioned, the essays on the string quartets and the piano sonatas initially drew me to the book. The remaining essays cover Beethoven's symphonies, focusing on his imaginative orchestration, the genesis of Beethoven's opera "Fidelio", the chamber music with piano, including the violin sonatas, cello sonatas, and trios and their development over Beethoven's career, the religious music, and the songs. I particularly enjoyed this last essay by Amanda Glauert, "Beethoven's songs and vocal style" which traces Beethoven's songs from their origins in folk music and shows how Beethoven transformed the form. Beethoven's songs, I think, still are insufficiently appreciated.

The final section of the book, "Reception" consists of four essays which discuss the influence of Beethoven on other composers, different performance practices for Beethoven's music, the various ways in which Beethoven's music and personality have been viewed by the public (an excellent essay by Scott Burnham), and another excellent essay by David Dennis, concluding the book, which discusses Beethoven's influence on the arts, philosophy, and politics.

In reading this volume of essays, I was reminded of the great appeal Beethoven has exerted, and continues to exert on many people. Unlike most other composers of art music, his work has been an inspriation to people of all nationalities, ages, and walks of life from the most learned to the untutored. His music has the capacity to draw listeners in, to make them involved, and to demand a response. I got to know Beethoven's music, and something of his life, as a child and his hold upon me has continued. This book helps to develop and to explain the devotion Beethoven continues to inspire. As Scott Burnham states at the conclusion of his essay, "The Four Ages of Beethoven" (p.291)

"Even now, after a century seemingly intent on annihilating all formerly comforting illusions of greatness and transcendent authority offered by the leading figures in our history, we have not yet managed to put the Beethoven myth behind us. For Beethoven continues to require that we grapple with him, continues to ask much of us, to call us out. This, more than anything, is why we cannot let him go: his music remains a sounding provocation to what we are pleased to think of as our better selves."

This book will be of most immediate interest to those readers who already know Beethoven's music and who have read some of the many excellent basic studies of his life and works, such as the recent biographies by Maynard Solomon, Barry Cooper, and Lewis Lockwood, among others.

Robin Friedman

This product is a collection of essays by various Beethoven scholars. They tend to be on a general subject and appropriate for music students at a college level or beyond. You do not have to be a Beethoven expert or a seasoned musicologist to understand this work.

With the superfulity of books on a great subject like Beethoven, it can be difficult to know where to start. Well, start here!

This is really a nice book filled with authoritative essays on the Master. It's recent, the information up-to-date, and it has a very scholarly ambience of respect and admiration for the great artist, but with a clear-eyed common-sense approach unmuddied by mythos. Highly recommended.

This is a great book for anyone who is a fan, but also a real treat for people living in the metro-Detroit area, as a few of the celebrities asked are local TV and radio stars. She wrote to a lot of people over the years and has a great collection of stars' heroes, from Soupy Sales to Les Paul and of course Davy Jones! It's neat to find out who inspired the celebrities to be who they are today.

Mary Guerra is an authority on fandom as she is a member of a fanclub or two herself. I know this since she belongs to the fanclub I run for Davy Jones, Davy Devotees. Though the concept of fandom is normally perceived as being something the nonfamous possess, Mary spent years contacting various celebrities asking them just who they consider themselves a fan of and what fanclubs they would join if they could! She received personal responses from legends in the field of entertainment like RoseMarie and Phyllis Diller to Les Paul, inventor of the electric guitar, Richard Petty, of racing fame, columnist, Liz Smith and "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe. Shirley Jones, Peter Noone and Mary's personal favorite, Davy Jones of The Monkees, are just a few of the many other highlighted celebrities. If you've been a fan of anyone at anytime, this book gives you an interesting look at who those we admire actually admire. At times the featured celebrities provide laughs and at other times intriguing revelations. Overall this is a fun read with a lot of heart!

This book is fabulous. My husband and I found it to be a quick, entertaining read. We particularly enjoyed the entry from Mike Clark, our favorite radio DJ. It's interesting to see what people celebrities find heroic, and it conveys more of an inside look into their personality as well.

This book is just breathtakingly beautiful and very informative. I recommend this book to anyone who has been to Egypt or who has ever dreamed of visiting. You will discover that Egypt is more that just pyramids and tombs but is a place rich in religious history and influence. A must have book!

Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with the color images by Egyptian photographer Sherif Sonbol, and deftly edited by editor, publisher and lecturer Carolyn Ludwig, "The Churches Of Egypt: From The Journey Of The Holy Family To The Present Day" the collaborative work of Gawdat Gabra (former director of the Coptic Museum and a Visiting Professor of Coptic Studies at Claremont Graduate University) and Gertrud J. M. van Loon (research expert in Coptic Art and Archaeology). Superbly organized and presented by regional classifications, the Christian churches of Egypt depicted and showcased include those in the Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Orthodox traditions, as well as what are described as 'Ruined Churches. From The Cathedral of te Holy Virgin in Port Said, Lower Egypt, to The Tomb of Ibrahim and Girgis al-Guhari in Old Cairo, to The Monastery of the Archangel Gabriel in Fayyum, Upper Egypt, to Churches in Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple in Luxor, "The Churches Of Egypt" is a truly extraordinary volume that with the inclusion of a Glossary, Notes, Bibliographic References, Bibliography, and Index, make it a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and academic library collections, as well as being an especially appropriate 'Memorial Fund' acquisition selection for community libraries.

Because we have and interest in Egypt, we were in awe of this beautiful book. What a valuable find. The pictures of the various church sites are beautiful and just the way we remembered them when we visited and toured Egypt. The historical text, maps, pictures of various arts, and icons, are very informative and easy for us to reference.