Campbell Books

Disciple Of Peace was quite a surprise for me. In 1986 and 1987 I served as youth minister for Coachella Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and I had a good grasp of the hawkish mind-set of that particular congregation. I was quite sure that Alexander Campbell, to whom the Disciples of Christ trace their origins, was himself a "hawk" given the pro-war stance of everyone I had known at CVCC. Also, I was baptized thirty-four years ago by a Church of Christ youth minister by the name of Craig Watts, the man who would one day author this book. Being therefore aware of the pacifist stance of Craig Watts, I thought his views were merely a fluke; that they did not reflect the views of Campbell because they did not reflect the views of the Church of Christ nor the Disciples of Christ which I had experience with. I was correct that pacifism is generally not the stance of those who trace their denominational origins back to the ministry of Alexander Campbell, but utterly wrong in my assumptions about Campbell himself. Campbell was, I'm happy to say, not the man I thought he was and the convictions of Dr. Craig M. Watts are no fluke. They mirror the heart and soul of a very peaceable spirit, that of Alexander Campbell.

War is at the very heart of the territorial and predatory nature of the human beast and it takes very little to provoke that beast to bare its fangs and talons. Human history is a gory testament to that ugly fact. Craig Watts has revealed an aspect of Alexander Campbell that was very much in defiance of the status-quo knee-jerk hawkishness that characterizes much of Christendom. Alexander Campbell was indeed a Disciple of Peace, as Craig Watts makes very clear in this lucid and highly readable, very engaging book.

Watts has not written a dull dry tome, not at all. I'm no longer involved with churches that trace their origins to the ministry of Alexander Campbell, yet even so I found Disciple of Peace a fascinating investigation. Watts has not given us a bald flat statement of Campbell's views, but instead takes us on a journey of discovery, a discovery of the evolution and maturation of Campbell's convictions on war. I found myself thinking, "Why isn't the mind of Alexander Campbell on this issue common knowledge and normative teaching among his spiritual heirs?" Why indeed. The reader is also treated to the views of Campbell on Eschatology and Christian relations with the secular state as they relate to pacifism, as well as his views on slavery and civil disobedience. One sees pacifism as integral to the very weave of Campbell's understanding of the Kingdom of God, a foundation stone of his Ecclesiology.

Chapter Three, Campbell's Eschatology and His Pacifist Ethics, really gets to the heart of what made Campbell "tick" so to speak, so I found it especially enjoyable. Also, I found Watts' rapidly moving discussion of the thorny and complicated issue of capital punishment as it relates to pacifism very thought provoking, causing me to reexamine my own convictions on this matter.

I felt a great deal of empathy with and sympathy for Campbell in his futile attempts to elucidate a clear, consistent, and compelling Christian position on slavery, because the NT itself is inconsistent and even contradictory on this issue. At least, that is my own deduction from my own attempts in this area of thought.

Campbell was certainly not an irresponsible rebel, but held very strong--perhaps overly so--convictions as to the necessity of Christian obedience to the State. As Watts states on page 97, "In his determined defense of full compliance with the law, Campbell violated his own dispensational principles of biblical interpretation. He chose Biblicist rigidity over the spirit of the scripture teachings, especially evident with his use of the Golden Rule. In the end, he opted for law and order over justice. How ironic it seems--at least from a twenty first century perspective--that the next year as he was singing the praises of Protestantism before the Philo-Literary Society of Canonsburg College in Pennsylvania, Campbell declared. `There is a moral heroism in non-conformity to unjust laws and unholy requirements.' " Even on the issue of slavery, however, it's clear that Campbell's heart was in the right place regardless of what his head told him.

The inclusion of Campbell's "Address On War" at the conclusion of the book is a treat. I came away with an understanding of and appreciation for why men and women were inspired to follow Alexander Campbell. He was a complex man living in complex times not unlike our own, and his thoughts are far from simplistic. The "Restorationist Movement" has a much more colorful history than I had supposed, as well as being far more intellectual in nature than I had surmised. It's nothing at all like the emotionalism of American revivalism. Campbell causes the reader to confront the stark contradiction between the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the un-Christ like teachings and actions of those who merely profess to follow the Prince of Peace.

Disciple of Peace is not merely a cogent apologetic for Christian pacifism, it is especially a challenge to the spiritual heirs of Campbell: The Disciples of Christ and the Church of Christ, and by extension to the entirety of Christendom. Whether by design or by accident the truly Christ-like pacifist convictions of Alexander Campbell have apparently been all but forgotten, or at least shunted aside, by the rank-and-file of his spiritual heirs. That truly is a tragedy; because save for the voice of Jesus Christ Himself, Christian history is shockingly lacking in that Christ-like Spirit of Peace. The voice of Alexander Campbell is truly a voice calling out in the wilderness.

Thank you Dr. Watts for such an insightful and enjoyable book. I both hope and pray Disciple Of Peace becomes highly influential among the spiritual children of Alexander Campbell, and from thence to the wider Christian world.

NJM

Author of I WAS A TEENAGE JEHOVAH'S WITNESS and JEHOVAH UNMASKED.

I've read Watts' Disciple of Peace, parts of it several times. I hope a lot of other people will read it as well. The topic is undeniably important and Alexander Campbell's position deserves careful consideration by all of us who are part of the great movement he helped start and by others as well. There is too much ill-considered -and unbiblical-thinking on the subject of war. Watts discusses the influences that helped shape Campbell's position, the scriptural foundation of his views, and related topics like church-state relations, civil disobedience and capital punishment. The chapter on how pacifism comes into play in relation to Campbell's eschatology is especially insightful. The final chapter, "A Future for a Pacifist Past" offers some criticisms of shortcomings and inconsistencies in Campbell's thinking and offers a well-reasoned constructive proposal that preserves the strengths and avoids the weaknesses in Campbell's position regarding war and peace. This book deserves a place high on your reading list.

Bob Campbell's Do It For the Game is an entertaining read. It offers a railbird seat on the strange and unpredictable world of the pool hall and its quirky denizens. The slang, the descriptions of characters and places, the anecdotes, everything rings true. The book is, however, more than local color. It's also a journey of change (like pulling teeth is a change) for a protagonist who seems familiar from the first page-- maybe he's you, maybe he's someone you've known--but who may not be up to the task to surviving what he discovers along the way.

I HAVEN'T READ MANY BOOKS IN THE RECENT PAST,BUT THIS BOOK GRABBED MY ATTENTION! I AM A POOL PLAYER WHO GREW UP IN A POOL ROOM, THIS BOOK WAS RIGHT ON. IT HAD A GREAT STORY LINE WITH A GREAT CAST OF CHARACTERS.THIS STORY KEPT ME INTERESTED FROM START TO FINISH.IT BROUGHT ME BACK IN TIME AND MADE ME FEEL GOOD. I HIGHLY RECCOMEND IT.

So, I didn't read this book. I was fortunate enough to have had Dennis Littky as my principal in 1972-1975, prior to the time period of the story in this book. "Doc" was probably the most amazing educator that I've ever come across, and both of my parents are educators. What he did that was so amazing is to bring life into school! It was a hands-on approach to learning, and a lust for learning, that I can tell you is most rare!

So, I will be buying this book because I want to re-live those experiences, and learn from Doc all over again!

How previously successful principal Littky retired to a cabin in the Appalachian mountains and was persuaded to help revitalize failing Thayer High School, Winchester, N-H. He did well, but not everyone in town was happy; then the drama started. A fascinating account of one man trying to put into practice many of Ted Sizer's progressive ideas (see Horace's Compromise, Horace's School and Horace's Hope) and the resistance he ran into.

I couldn't put it down. Littky decided to take the challenge and try to put his ideas into practice. He was accused by some of using the school and its students as guinea-pigs for his "grand experiment" in psychological manipulation, his grab for power. Many disagreed with his ideas and his vision; some were persuaded, some were not, even after seeing what he had done with the school. People disagreed with what the "evidence" showed, or even what it was!

Susan Kammeraad-Campbell does a great job of taking us behind the scenes and observing how Littky went about convincing both turned-off students and cynical staff members to stay on, tune in and get involved. The task was monumental, and many had failed before him. Did Littky succeed? Many would say he did, but not all would agree.

Littky seems to have a gift for making learning and teaching fun. But it's not all about pedagogy or classroom techniques: it's also about building the right environment, both physically and emotionally. How does one set about practically breaking down the artificial walls erected between school "subjects"? How does one persuade teachers to go along with this plan and actually make it work? How does one set standards that require meaningful learning, and not just measure the amount of hours spent in school? And how does one persuade teachers and parents to support this venture? Well, here's the story of how Littky set about it. It also tells what happened when people disagreed with what he was doing, who disagreed with his "liberal ideas", people both in and out of the school. The story is an excellent reminder of just how much cooperation is required to make a school a success.

Although the book is obviously sympathetic to Littky, Susan Kammeraad-Campbell does try to get into the heads of those who opposed him. However, it seems she was not able to spend as much time with them or persuade them to talk to her to the extent that Littky and his supporters were, and they don't come out of the story very well. Campbell tries to answer the question, can a successful school story like Thayer's sustain itself after Littky leaves? Or is it always a matter of personalities? The afterwords by Campbell and by Littky himself try to answer these questions, but inevitably it seems Littky's personality was a powerful and vital ingredient in the mix.

As a postscript, here's a quote from Sizer's book "Horace's Hope": "During 1983, while I was writing Horace's Compromise, I accepted a number of speaking engagements with school people to test my ideas and the directions in which they might lead me. At the conclusion of one such gathering in Massachusetts, I was confronted by a smiling, balding, red-bearded, plaid-shirt-wearing character who bluntly said, 'You talk about it. We do it. You better get your butt up to my school.' He was Dennis Littky. I went to his school..." Thayer Junior/Senior High School was the first to join Sizer's Coalition of Essential Schools.

Andi really puts it all together with this book. I especially like the references for suppliers. Great Job!

One of our chefs just bought this book. Wow! Not only are the recipes superb, but the Purveyor Guide for hundreds of tested sellers of specialty foods is incredible and HUGE. Many of the recommended food purveyers used in the recipes are found on Amazon's gourmet food store, but there are many others for really hard-to-find products. This is far more than just a great cookbook; it is an a food industry reference work for chefs, restaurant owners, as well as home cooks. You have to prepare the grilled steak, the quail, any of the seafood or pasta dishes, and the Cornish Game Hens! Awesome! And, if you are a cookbook collector, GET THIS ONE!

Action, adventure, suspense, romance, betrayal, comedy, enduring friendships, this book has it all. Set against the backdrop of an exotic world, this story comes to life as the intricate plot builds and thickens throughout the novel and the characters take on such life of their own that I found myself thinking about them long after I had finished reading the book. It's the kind of book that makes you stay up all night because you just don't want to put it down for fear of missing something! I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a gripping story and unforgetable characters!

I highly enjoyed this book. I thought the book was very creative and original. There was several things in the book that I did not expect. Though the book did have and ending, the epilogue made way for a sequel. Now I just hope it does not take long for the author to put more out. I heard this book was going to be part of a trilogy.

Dennis Daily has done it again. This thrid edition is insightful and presents complex information in an easy to understand manner. As a mental health treatment professional I find Dr. Daley's work a great asset to my treatment planning.

You will not find a more comprehensive resource on dual-disorders than this brilliant work by Daley and Moss from the famed Hazelden company.

Starting with an overview of what encompasses a dual-disorder, moving to the stages of change, then onto tretment of individuals with mood, personality, and psychotic disorders, this book is thorough without being pedantic, and comprehensive, without being overwhelming.]

For use by the advanced graduate student and the clinician. A definite "keeper."

If you don't readily recognize the name of Impressionist painter Colin Campbell Cooper, it's because his career was often overlooked - to the point that this catalog is his first in-depth study, and as such is an essential addition to any comprehensive Impressionist art history collection. Here a biography of his life blends with full-page color paintings and detailed discussions of his influences and art. A key acquisition any art library needs to add.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The work has been a long time in coming. Colin Campbell Cooper was recognized as one of the great American Impressionists in his day. He was elected to the National Academy, his work won many awards and was welcome in any show or gallery. He painted the skyscrapers and important buildings in New York City, the beautiful landscapes of California and was a world traveler painting all over the world. In spite of this, he is overlooked today. This work will help to re-introduce Cooper to many who are not aware of his greatness.

Having taught Economic Theory in both college and HS settings since 1980, I feel confident that this text is the most useful in introducing students to this discipline. Straightforward where it can be, but acknowledging the complexities that do exist in the study of economics, the authors provide a meaty text that serves as a great companion to a knowledgeable teacher. The teacher's own style and emphases can be integrated with the material that McConnell and Brue explore.

As an instructor of economics, I would say McConnell and Brue's book is probably the best text to introduce students who may have no background or appreciation for the study of economics. It is well written and contains clear, concise analyses to examine important concepts and principles that have taken centuries to theorize and to validate. The authors also use several real world examples and case studies to help the reader apply economic concepts to business and societal problems. I still remember using an earlier edition of this text when I was an undergraduate student a number of years ago. I found it meaningful and practical then , and I find it quite valuable now as a teacher. Some things never change!

I would higly recommend this text to students taking their introductory courses in economics. The material presented is quite relevant to the development of an understanding and appreciation of how humans and society satisfy their unilimited wants and needs given scarce resources and limited choices. I like to refer to it as "the philosophy of life." It never put me to sleep!

If you are interested in the life of Emma of Normandy, wife of King Canute, then this book will captivate you. It is a fascinating, contemporary look at the legendary events of 11th century England.

This is a detailed, fact-filled book on Queen Emma of the 11th century. It is a fascinating portrait of a queen who lived through a lot of tragedies. Not for the light reader, though.

This book is an in-depth look at the shark. It is basic enough for most people to understand. The photographs are wonderful.

This book is for any one interested in the wonders of life. Every time you open the book and browse through the pages you can learn something new and interesting. To make it even more interesting are the colorful pictures of the diverse marine life. To anyone who has an interest in biology this is a must have!!