B Books

This is a wonderful book. I found it hard to put down once I started looking at it. Each caption is very heartfelt from those who served in Vietnam and those who know someone who did. I love the fact that with books like this, "they will never be forgotten". Some of the words are very small and I definately needed my reading glasses, but the pictures are worth a thousand words. A huge thank you to those who served and those that sacrificed.

This is a moving book about the artifacts left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington,D.C. Reading and seeing the pictures, about the different artifacts: stories, letters and notes are of interest on there own admission, but to tie it to the individual name on that black slab of granite, America's tombstone of the Vietnam War is mythical.

Have picked it up a number of times, since reading and digesting its contents.

No matter how you may feel about the war, the humanity revealed in this book will touch your heart. A little keepsake or memento left behind to a buddy, brother, husband or father is more than politics or justification of warfare it is about an offering to a loved one that died. That old saying a picture is worth a thousand words is true with this book, I found myself just staring blindly at insignificant objects that in any other place could easily be looked over, but here its is given to pay homage to the dead and maybe give a little peace to the living.

Eventhough I do not understand the Vietnam war, and I was not alive at the time, this book really touched me. The guilt, pain, and loss that the offerings people had left made me cry. There was a picture with a little girl and her dad, and a veteren was telling about the day he met the man in the photo. I think that story will stick with me forever. I saw the pain of innocense lost through the artifacts, and the truth of the poeple in that war was revealed. I reconmmend this book to anyone from that era to the youth of mine.

I sobbed through Offerings at the Wall. Sobbed for the loss of innocence and young lives lost. For anyone raised in the 1960s this should be a must read to understand and come to grips with the imapct the Vietnam War had on our generation. God speed to our veterans and to the brave young men and women of today's military still fighting for our freedom. Please take the time to thank a veteran for his/her service to our country.

While this book seems largely unknown in the Reiki community, it is a most wonderful resource. It really does help understand the process of living in the moment and feeling the energetic effects of simply being.

The author describes the journey that this book represents not as being a "how-to" guide for Reiki, but as a "why-to." Narrin truly feels that Reiki cannot be adequately described, and therefore she leaves that to the reader to find their own Reiki experience. Thus, the book is left to be a journey into understanding the tangible, real-life benefits of approaching life holistically and with intention.

I strongly reccomend this book to everyone, not just Reiki practitioners. It will honestly enrich our human experience. Jus the author's personal story related in the book is wonderful, and it is so nice to see a Reiki book that isn't regurgitating the same information as every other.

I tried using one of the plant energy experiments on a dead Dogwood tree in our front yard that was killed by lightning over twenty years ago and within four weeks of using the twenty minutes worth of Reiki energy on the dead tree stump, there appeared four new sprouts right beside the stump that were little Dogwood trees.

In the back of the book there is a personal journal for a month worth of your energy healing and journal to learn if you are actually living in the moment being aware and grounded or spending the majority of your day zoned out on other things like daydreaming/ worry Etc...

After reading and studing this book, I have found that the insights Janeanne Narrin brings, along with the "ways" to learn about, and get into contact with this energy bring to life something we all "know" exists. It allows us to step by step tune in and tune up!..

Good reading, and a better study guide.... much "fuller" than any other I have studied...I recommend highly and am hoping Janeanne creates a sequal ...

I love the attention to detail and the beautiful artwork that this book contains. The layout is well done and I find it causes me to be drawn into the text. The exercises are interesting and unique to most Reiki books. Her descriptions make the practice of Reiki easy to understand and the drawings are helpful. The storys add interest and give a refreshing perspective. Certainly a lot of thought has been given to the creation of this very useful Reiki book.

Having read Janeanne's book from the perspective of a novice in the world of Reiki, I was especially drawn in by her stories of personal transformation. My goal in learning about Reiki is similar: to transform my life through new methods AND new perspectives, which her book helps me do. I would highly recommmend this to anyone who is new to Reiki and is looking for a CONTEXT of Reiki in their life's pursuits.

This book is all about let bygones be bygones and moving on with life. If you think life treats you unfair, then it's up to you to change. It teaches how to pray and forgive.

If you read "The Four Agreements", you will enjoy this book. It's a good one to sit down with at any time you need some quiet time for meditation.

I really recommend any book written by this great man. This book truly gets to the essence of what praying is all about. I was touched by these prayers, reading them was like a peaceful meditation.

Thank You Miguel...Paul

This is a beautifully written book. I have read alot of spiritual books. This one I couldn't put down, read it in one sitting. The Prayers at the end of the chapters are wonderful and the Circle of Fire Prayer is life changing. Some books I read and then recycled, but this one is a keeper. Thank you Don Miguel Ruiz for another great book!! Love and Blessings to all!

With reverence, at the very least! I came to this book after the author's 4 Agreements and found the prayers and guided meditations here very effective as I learned meditation and began to deepen my spiritual practice. It doesn't matter which denomination or religion you claim to belong to, because these truthful, poetic insights and encouragements transcend labels and unnatural boundaries. It is as if Ruiz discovered a coven of saintly horses who taught him these golden words. Read and recite these prayers and meditations like that, like you're reading and reciting poetry, and you will feel it, yes. You will feel transformed as your skin tingles, as all of your senses awaken to the wonderful world we share!

--Robert McDowell, author of the forthcoming Poetry In Spiritual Practice

I love more than a good book, I love one that will make you see the people and feel their emotion. This book did this and more, it made me want to pick up my paper and scissors and scrapbook for my family!

If you have ever gotton a scrapbook or made anything homemade that is a gift of love for someone else you will just die to read this book!! It celebrates the relationships that Scrapbookers preserve through their art.
It is about friendships and love and girlfriends and real, real life!

You will love it!!
Jillene Moen
[...]

I loved this book! It was a great escape for me, an easy read, and I couldn't stop reading. It sort of reminded me of the movie "Beaches" - but with a twist that goes deeper than you could have guessed. I would say that this novel would appeal to a non-scrapbooker, just as much as someone who relates to scrapbooking. A scrapbook is involved in some of the story, but it is not about scrapbooking, so much. I recommend it VERY HIGHLY!

Peggy has done a fabulous job of putting the art and love of scrapbooking into words. If you are a scrapbooker, you will love and appreciate all the references in this book. But if you're not a scrapbooker, I think you will come to understand through this novel what makes us craft our memories into albums. How wonderful to have this book on my shelf to read time and again!

Just want to add my two cents also about this fabulous book! I absolutely couldn't put it down. It could be that I can relate to one of the main characters SO much! As my husband comes in late last night, sees me crying, and says "I thought you were going to bed", I think that attests to the powerful hold this book will have on you.

I love the chapter headings in scrapbooking templates and all the references to the products and I actually know what they mean. We are a community of people that support each other in a way that only other scrapbookers could understand.

Peggy Baker, you are truly an inspirational, gifted person and I'm so glad to call you my friend. Your book will skyrocket in sales I believe. Order your copy, girls!

I love this book! Robin Jeep and Dr. Richard Couey have teamed up to create a healthy nutrition plan that will work for everyone who's serious about reclaiming optimal health--physically, mentally and spiritually.

My husband and I have now been following this nutrient-dense diet plan for over 30 days. We both feel great and have lost weight. My husband's chronic acid-reflux is now history and the "brain-fog" has cleared away completely for both of us. Robin's creative recipes make this lifestyle eating plan interesting and delicious (no deprived feelings whatsoever).
It just feels so good to know my cells are happy to receive the nutrients they need to thrive and keep me healthy.

Thanks Robin...now I'll be looking for you to publish a full cookbook soon! God Bless You.

Who says good health can't be fun or easy? Robin Jeep's book lets it be both. Her information is practical and her recipes are delicious. The whole book feels as appealing as the food is for body and soul. Like anything new, it'll take a little practice to make this way of eating a habit, but it's worth it. I like feeling the extra energy available to me for other things now. This is important to me because I'm committed to living my life with clarity, focus, ease, and grace.
Ingrid Martine
Personal Development Coach

This book has changed our lives. My husband and I have never felt better in our lives. This plan is easy to follow and Robin's receipes are fantastic and you are never hungry. We wanted to lose weight and lower our cholosterol and triglycerides and we have done just that. We were fortunate to be able to take Robin's 7 week class which was wonderful and made us accountable to this way of eating to achieve optimum health. We both never realized that we were not feeling good and now we have more energy and clarity and we have lost weight too. My husband has 20 pounds and I have lost 11 pounds and feel great. We don't want to end up being a cancer statistic and we have learned the science behind eating a whole and organic food plan. Dr. Couey and his input are fantastic and the results of this plan are wonderful. Our medical doctors are amazed. You will not be disappointed with this book, it is amazing.

What we eat is indeed what we are. Filled with healthy, easy to prepare recipes that when you read it, makes perfect sense, which means that intuition agrees with the food recomendations. An excellent, capsulized version of what to eat every day for vibrant health. Includes guides for not only healing the physical, but also those other parts of us that are not as tangible, yet directly affect the physical when those are not correctly balanced. An excellent reference that will remain in my kitchen

The Super Antioxidant Diet and Nutrition Guide by Robin Jeep and Dr. Richard Couey is outstanding in my opinion. The lifestyle changes that are recommended provide both weight loss and improved health. When I started the class and purchased the book, I was not interested in weight loss, but had been sick for about a year. This program has improved my immune system and helped me to to feel energized and healthy. As stated in the book, the body has a miraculous way of healing itself if nourished properly. I highly recommend the guide and the class. Additionally, the book includes delicious, world-class recipes, a section on how to arrange your kitchen, tips on shopping for healthy foods, and much more. For those interested in weight loss, ideal weight can be achieved as a natural progression following this guide. If you are fortunate enough to have access to the class, don't miss it!

Donald Kraybill does an outstanding job of showing that what Jesus is all
abut is pretty much contrary to our normal assumptions--that is wahat he means by "the upside-down kingdom." What Jesus preached and what he lived is almost the opposite of what we consider normal or workable. For instance, Jesus said that the only solution to violence is non-violence, in any and all situations. We don't just tolerate those people we can't stand, we actively recriut their help, promote their well-being and have them understand that they are of immense importance, whether we agree we them or not. Love is what animates all of our thinking and doing, a love that goes out of the way to include everyone. A truly great book that will cause a person to rethink Jesus and what is meant as to His being the son of God--and just what is demanded of those of us who claim to be His followers.

The book, The Upside-Down Kingdom, is an excellent book. I would highly recommend it. I also would highly recommend your services. You, again, were very prompt and very accurate in your response. Thank you. Agnes Goertzen

Don Kraybill has done a wonderful job of clearing any misconceptions of the purpose of Jesus' ministry in the three years he was on this earth. Kraybill looks at opposites in our society such as rich and poor, slave and free, amongst others and tackling the realities of each being apart of the other. The book has had a real impact on my relationship with God and my relationship with others. I recommemd the book to anyone who is looking for ways to make changes in our right-side up kingdom.

"-teaching and preaching ministries ought to call people to a common faith in Jesus Christ that transcends social ties. Is our common bond of unity in Christ stronger than the social glue that holds us together? This is precisely the genius of the gospel. Diverse people from all sorts of boxes are reconciled together in Jesus Christ." (pg 226)

Kraybill, Donald B. The Upside Down Kingdom Revised Ed. Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 1990. 275pg.

Authors Purpose(s)
In part this book is meant to show the believer what the world could be if we would only live out the beatitudes in our lives. The book clearly has human relationships in mind with everything it says. It is an assessment of the sociological systems in place and the statements of Jesus. It is about the upside down kingdom that Jesus ushered us into and how he was not only countercultural in His day but also in our own. As Donald Kraybill writes, "I hope the upside down perspective will provoke stimulating discussions enabling Christian believers to more accurately discern God's will for their lives."
Survey of Covered Topics
1. In the first section of this book Donald Kraybill defines the world he sees around him as being upside down from the world God created for His people. He also looks at a number of "detour[s]" that people use to "evade the kingdom message and bypass its relevance for today." These detours include a number of lies we allow ourselves to believe, such as seeing Jesus as culturally irrelevant to our society or the over spiritualization of Christ's words that make them emotional and take away from their practicality.
2. The second section of the book deals with the political, religious, and economic situations or Jesus' day. The main thrust however is devoted to political sways. Special interest is paid to the attitudes of the Jews towards gentile culture around the time of Alexander and Herod the Great.
3. This third section deals with the complexities of Jewish code and its casts of people. Great descriptors are given of the temple and the worshipers and solid distinctions are made between casts. Most importantly however is the explanation of those Jews for whom hope was found in the coming kingdom of the Messiah.
4. In the fourth section Kraybill asks the reader to look at the divisions of wealth and poor. There is also an important underlining theme that suggests Christ' wish to return to Galilee and care for the physical needs of the poor. It is clearly a precursor to talk later about "blessed is the poor" and "blessed are the hungry" in later chapters.
5. Chapter five is closely related as is talks about slavery and Jubilee. This chapter is about God being the true owner of everything including the people of the world and how we are but lowly stewards of his creation. It is about Christ and his relationship to the people and about a new kind of celebration of the Jubilee in an unexpected way.
6. This section of the book gives an extremely interesting picture of Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler and the existence of "treasures in heaven" and gives a wonderful example of Christ' view of money. Continually Christ used stories and images to overturn the assumptions of the day and uphold the low, the poor and the oppressed. Interestingly though the poor are not let off the hook by Christ when it comes to giving. They are shown to be just as expected to give as everyone else. (127)
7. Similarly Chapter seven looks at the parable of the talents and our responsibility to what we have been given from God. The chapter also talks about the ancient version of "health and wealth gospel" and how we are to seek the Kingdom of God's Judgment and not monetary wealth. It also talk about the persistent presence of the poor, the importance of tithing, the attitude and means by which you give, and perhaps most importantly the ability to asses ourselves on the world scale of wealth and not on the lists printed in Forbes.
8. In this section Mr. Kraybill devotes much time to the discussion of piety. He writes about the divisions of Pharisees and Sadducees. He writes about the Laws of Moses and differing applications. He writes about Jesus' picking of grain on the Sabbath and about cleanliness. Christ' expectance of the "unclean" or "last" is a direct counter to the culture of the Church in his day and Kraybill presents a case by which Jesus upturned this system. (159)
9. By chapter nine, Donald Kraybill has begun to get into the more difficult assertion of Christ to love ones enemies. Here much attention is paid to the word "Agape" and how it is applied to loving our neighbors who Kraybill describes as "everyone". (188) Though not fully dealt with in terms of "Law" Kraybill also confronts Jesus' command to overturn or add to the law of "an eye for an eye". (190-195) Perhaps nowhere else does the author show Christ' upside down ideas about the kingdom then he does here.
10. The tenth chapter of this book focuses on the different kinds of social connections people make with each other. It then shows the reader a number of applications including nationalism, ethnic superiority, religious piety, and sexual discrimination. These things Mr. Kraybill calls blocks "to the commission to evangelize", and what's more he gives examples of Jesus breaking down these barriers. (226)
11. In this section Donald Kraybill talks about the authority of Jesus and how he uses it for the good of others. It is about how Jesus came to serve and "look up the ladder". (244) As Kraybill writes "The hallmark of Jesus' upside-down power was his willingness to spurn what was rightfully his. Instead of mimicking a typical king, Jesus worked from the bottom up. Rather than demanding service, he served. Rather than dominating he invited."
12. The final chapter of this book is a simple recap of the previous sections. In it Kraybill writes about Jesus as a servant and a washer of feet. He writes about Christ living what seems to us as an upside down kingdom. He writes about a Jesus who "-challenged the conventional definitions of religious behavior", and who "upset the bedrock assumptions of the pious". (259)
Critical Assessment
Positive
First and foremost I noticed Donald Kraybill's great and undeniable love for his Bible. The stories he tells are wonderfully told and right from his heart. Second, I could not help but appreciate that Christ was not shown only through the modern rose colored glasses that see him only as meek and mild. Instead He is shown as a figure of great authority and power yelling "Get thee behind me Satan!", and as the man who told the disciples to buy swords at the Last Supper. (36; 56) In addition I found chapter two to be extremely informative. Kraybill's information of the Jubilee was new to me and that is becoming somewhat rare at this point in my studies. (93)
As well I found chapter six to be particularly intriguing. It is a chapter that could launch a hundred sermons and I am sure to use it in the future. Especially I loved the analysis of Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler as it introduces a number of wonderful topics. Most interestingly though are the small tidbits of information that expound upon the details of the biblical texts all throughout this book. They are insightful, sometimes questionable but always interesting. Although these seemingly unimportant details make up the majority of my "positives" list, I also found the point of the book to be right on target. The upside down kingdom of Christ is presented with crystal clarity. The lives that we could be living are staring up at us from the words of Jesus and today's Church should be attempting to turn our systems on end in light of the cross.
Negative
Though surprising to me, I have little to complain about from this book. The "negatives" I have are miniscule and largely stylistic. One problem that I had with the book is the assertion that "Jesus [wasn't] tempted to turn stones into bread merely because he was hungry" and the subsequent remarks in the book that I believe over dramatize and go far beyond what we are told in the Bible. (74) For me the literary liberties that are taken seem to overtake common sense and in some cases distract me from the reading.
Another sore point with me (though it was only but a drop of water in the ocean of this book) is the small section devoted to war. As much as I would love to agree with complete pacifism, I find myself living in a much more difficult world where even God begins His new creation with a war in which we will play a role. In addition I was also bothered by the amount of time devoted to "Agape". In my opinion far too much attention has been misguidedly paid to the distinction of "Agape" love; so much so that I can hardly stand to hear it anymore. With recent insights into this word, I would "Agape" to see "Agape" a lot less emphasized. (200-201) Personally I find most of what is said in this section to be overanalyzed and incorrect. As to the main idea of the book I can find no real fault.
Application to Ministry
Application to Personal Ministry
As far as applicability to my personal ministry, this book is very applicable. It is not just applicable in that I will attempt to change my world (though I agree with the personal effort to do away with cast systems both here and abroad), but it is also applicable as a teaching tool. Honestly I find this book to be a great resource for sermons, illustrations, and small group bible studies. Especially useful in my opinion are the questions following each section. I have no doubt that this book will prove an important resource in my library and I am glad that I bought it.
Rating the Book
Organization
[8] The book has a lot of overlap and many of the chapters could easily have been
combined. For example: 2-4 & 8-11
Clear statement of purpose
[8] There is no one "I wrote this book to..." statement that lays out exactly the function
of the book however, it is stated none the less.
Readability
[10] This book is written at about a 6th grade level. (This is fine - it is the average reading level of people in North America.) It is smooth and each chapter moves easily into the next.
Informative content
[7] It believe it is very informative, however it is hard to distinguish what is professional
liberty and what is exegetical at times.
Usefulness for your understanding and practice of ministry
[7] I agree fully with the topic of a countercultural Christ and Church and yet I always
did; so there is little impact on me as far as persuasion. I believe my understanding
and practice of ministry has always headed in this direction. Even so it proves to be a
good resource.

I will never forget the confused look I received from the audience when I said, "The Kingdom of God is Upside-Down." This revealed to me that many Christians probably have not given a lot of thought to the Kingdom of God. If the Body of Christ fully understood this Kingdom... I don't think she would squinch her eyes at the words "Upside Down." And I certainly don't believe we would be giving in to the temptations Christ rejected!

Kraybill focuses primarily on the temptations of Christ (Matt.4) to reveal the true character of the Kingdom of God. Jesus rejected the temptations in the bread (the economic), the temple leap(the religious), and the kingdoms of the world (the political)... thus accomplishing heaven's task in a way that is foolishness to the world(1 Cor.1:18). If you have had a hard time understanding the Kingdom of God and want to learn how this Kingdom makes no sense to human wisdom... but is the power of God to those being saved... get this book. Wonderful insights into the radical claims of the Kingdom!

I would also like to recommend "The Gospel of the Kingdom" by George E. Ladd

It's hard to believe that Louise Rich's "We Took to the Woods" is decades old.

Absolutely charming and totally original, Rich is the sort of author you wish you could meet in person. Her observations are fascinating, her writing is wonderfully engaging, and her point of view goes far beyond the usual country folksiness found in most books of this type. Most importantly, Rich doesn't preach. The book is simply a well written, entertaining account of her life in the Northwoods with her family. The writing is so timeless, I rarely remember that I am reading about a family from 60 years ago.

I enjoyed "Woodswoman" books, and thought that in so specific a genre, I would find little else of quality. However, after reading this book, I realize that Rich is the original item, and the standard to which "I want to live in a cabin" books should be judged. It's just plain excellent.

Louise Dickinson Rich is a star! A truly wonderful and gifted writer. You can't put her books down.

"We Took to the Woods" is as charming and delightful a book as you will ever find. It's the story of a city woman living on a remote Maine river with her husband and children. She's not poor, nor a rube, nor does she display the eccentricities one associates with people who flee to the wilderness. Rather, she seems happy, well-adjusted, and full of sympathetic tales about the few -- very few -- people she comes into contact with in the course of her daily life. And she really did live in the woods --the nearest store was a long boat ride away and she didn't go "outside" for a four year stretch. Her township of Upton had a population of 182.

The book is set up in chapters that answer questions: "Isn't housekeeping difficult?" or "Aren't you ever frightened." One of the better stories in the chapter, "Aren't the Children a Problem" tells about her husband delivering the author's baby in the dead of winter -- and greasing it with olive oil which he kept to dress his trout flies. The new parents discuss what they are supposed to do with the hot water always called for when a baby is being born -- and they decide to make coffee.

For the modern reader, the highlights of the book are probably tales of the trials of living without conveniences. The Rich houses -- they had a winter and summer house -- had no plumbing. Heating and cooking were with wood. What you needed for groceries was delivered by boat once a month; the Sears catalog supplied the rest. For anyone who has ever thought wistfully of fleeing civilization, this is a humorous primer of both the rewards and hardships of such a life. It deserves a permanent place on the short shelf of Americana classics.

Smallchief

This book is a great read for anyone who's ever had the desire to just chuck it all and head for the woods (a desire that seems to wax and wane like the tides, popular one decade [1970s, for example], totally passe the next). Today taking to the woods for many means building a $500,000 "rustic retreat" with pool, hot tub, and wine cellar included. For Louise Rich, back in the 1930s (the book was published in 1942), things were much different.

For one thing, her house had no plumbing. Water had to be hauled to the house in buckets. Supplies and the mail came by boat. Life was no picnic for her and her family. But, of course, there were trade offs. The beauty of the place, for one. The living as one with nature. The need to be resourceful, and the feeling of pride and accomplishment that goes with it. Trade offs worth the hardships, Rich makes perfectly clear.

Rich captures the flavor of her idyllic spot in the Maine woods a few miles east of Upton along the Rapid River (the swiftest river east of the Mississippi, even though it is only about four miles long). She describes what life is like there, how the busy summers are a prelude to the slow, long winters. She talks about her neighbors, the loggers, the animals they encounter, how one endures and enjoys life in the woods. She describes the effects of the hurricane of 1938 and the havoc is caused even there, so far inland. Her prose style is clear and direct, and she truly makes the reader jealous of her situation rather than sympathetic. It's an excellent book, one that I've read a number of times, always with an I-wish-I-was-there enthusiasm. Highly recommended.

A friend gave me this book when I was at a very low point in my life. My wife and I read it together, over a long weekend, and packed the car Monday morning. By Wednesday we had our old house listed and Friday we put in an offer on 40 acres with an old farm. We haven't looked back since; but we have given copies of this book to all of our old friends for Christmas.

Adrian Roger's books are well-written, easily-understood, and personable. His illustrations are good and his style makes it easy to break down for teaching a class. This book concentrates on some of the basics of Christianity such as: assurance of salvation, baptism, what happens when a Christian sins, prayer, knowing God's will for your life, can we trust the Bible to be God's Word, etc. This is a very helpful book that I wish I would have had, or been taught from, when I was first saved.

Book was in good shape, delivery on time, and had a good price.

If you want to have a Christian life that reflects how Christ intended us to live this is the pattern to follow.

Super book for baby Christians or older
Christians that have had mimimal growth.

I cannot rave enough about this book. This is definitely a book every Christian should own, and keep beside his Bible and refer back to it often. I have purchased 7 of these books for family and friends. I am presently reading it for the second time. It is an easy read, but with mega insights. It is for the new Christian as well as the long-time Christian. Truly, a Must Read!

The book is very well written, and easy to read. I enjoyed the Craps and the Baccarat section. It explains the house advantage of various games including Blackjack and some of the poker games to name a few. It includes most if not all Vegas games.

As a casino dealer in Atlantic City I see people play stupid all the time. For the most part it is not because they are not intelligent, but they do not know how to play the games so the house has the lowest advantage over them. Siblerstang does an excellent job explaining how to play with the lowest house edge, but at the same time the book is a little outdated. It was only written in 1997, but in the craps section he talks about Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas as the only place to offer 10X odds in craps. Last time I checked 100X odds is not too hard to find in Vegas, and 5X odds is not to hard to find in Atlantic City. Even with that said the book is more than worth the money. The next time you gamble and stick with what the author says to do and you find yourself ahead more often than behind you will be happy you bought the book. (And remember that gambling is a negative expectation game: You will lose in the long run! Do not gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose!)

I live in New Mexico where you can't find a table with less than 5x odds on craps at the Indian Casinos. After years of marginal returns, my play is now much cleaner and profitable using Silberstang's techniques (play the line & Come, w/max odds). The dealers love when we arrive at the table. I play on the line for the dealers with 5x odds, along with my bets. (The energy is unmatched when there are at least 4 others at the table hoping you hit your point!). I've run into craps dealers and they confirm off the record that the propositional bets are pure profit "CHUMP" bets for the house.
My husband is a PhD mathematician and agrees with the statitics and odds stated in this well written book.

I read Edwin Silberstang's book a long time ago and I am pleased that his analyses and ideas are still around. This man knows the math of the games and he also recommends usually good ways to play. He understands the gamblers too and knows that most of them are looking for "action" which is really just "more losses."

Any gambling library should have this book.

Author of Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!

I purchased this book while attending a wedding in Las Vegas. I saw it in the hotel gift shop and did the touristy thing-- I bought a book about gambling in Las Vegas. I'm glad I did.

Silberstang has written an easy to follow primer on the most common gambling games that you will find in a casino. His book covers the classic table games-blackjack, craps, roulette (both American and European versions), baccarat, and keno. He also explores recent casino additions-Caribbean Poker, Let It Ride, and video poker. Slot machines, casino operation, and credit are even discussed.

Unlike some of the drivel I have read about gambling, Silberstang dispels some of the myths associated with gambling "systems." He clearly explains the games with examples, and gives the odds and demonstrates which bets favor the house (and by how much).

This was an interesting and enlightening read.

This is an outstanding work about leadership in the church. It is written in such a way as to bring leaders out of their seats and into the 21st century. "A Work of Heart" will change your thinking about leading today's church.

It is said that before one can address a problem - or opportunity - one must understand that problem (or opportunity). McNeal certainly has understood the opportunity offered the Christian Church to reach out to a pre-Christian (not post-Christian) North American culture. This work presents a passionate appeal to transition to a missional, externally focused approach to ministry by gaining insight into how God shapes the hearts of spiritual leaders through six distinct shaping dynamics in the Christian life. These spiritually formed leaders will have drawn closer to the heart of God, thus recognizing their call to serve in Jesus' name and in His way. Excellent book. Highly recommend.

Absolutely the best book on spiritual leadership and development I've ever read! I have bought and sent numerous copies to friends involved in spiritual leadership positions. I'm sold on Reggie McNeal and the powerful scriptural insights he shares.

One of the best books on leadership I have ever read. The four brief biographies (on Moses, David, Paul and Jesus) that make up the first part of the book are extremely insightful and practical. McNeal writes with authenticity and clarity. There's not a lot of "fluff" or stuff that's rehashed from one leadership book to another. Every chapter is well worth a slow read. His dry wit also adds some spice to the read. Very good stuff.

Great content - I learned a lot