Social Studies Books

Though the title can be a little dismaying, I kind of like the contrary style. It softens a bit when you get past the cover, and what you're left with is a solid compilation of essays about humane values. It's not overtly religious, or abstract. I have a compilation myself, and I know what work it can be to succeed. I think Mrs. Ellison has. Also look into the late Katherine Martin's books "Women of..." for example, the solid book "Women of Courage."

Not only was I compelled to buy this book because of the luring title, I was totally captured by the few stories I allowed myself to read still in the bookstore. When I realized I'd been standing in the middle of the aisle for about twenty minutes, book in hand, I knew I had to bring it home! I saw my thoughts in so many others' opinions, and expanded my thoughts through new opinions presented as well. It is an excellent forum for giving many great women a platform for (hypothetical)ultimate power! More importantly, it's not anti-men, but pro-women, and pro-empowerment of women. It was so fun to see what women would do if they ruled the world. A great read, share this book with every woman you know!

I was truly honored to be a part of this piece of work. While my essay (A Room of Our Own) and some others within the book are based in humor and meant to lighten the mood, there are many more meant to make you pause, reflect, then ask (and answer) the questions, 'what IF?' 'why not?' and 'what can I do?'.

Some essays will break your heart or bring a tear to your eye, others will call you to act now in hopes of truly changing the world we live in for the better. Share it with a mother, a sister, a friend and then imagine the possibilities if we really did rule the world.

This book is an impressive compilation of essays by a multitude of women on topics as varied as our individual histories. As a contributor, I was excited to be a part of this amazing project, but the end result surpassed even my expectations. The essays are engrossing and thought-provoking, backed up by facts and resources for the reader to continue her or his own research on the subject. This is a must-read for anyone, especially in such a deciding election year.

I have heard some people get defensive when I tell them about the book, saying that the title and subject overlooks bigger problems with government and the way things are run. However, they are missing the main point -- that women's voices need to be heard, our concerns addressed, and our governments equally represented by women as they are by men. This book does not assert that women are superior to men, or that we SHOULD run the world, but that perhaps if women were given an equal voice and representation, things might be different.

This book is an excellent representation of what is important to women right now. I want women to read this book and find themselves here, men to read it and take it to heart, and politicians to read it and think about who they are representing. Oh, and don't forget to VOTE!

When I gave this to my girlfriend, she sniffed and said, "What do you mean 'if'?" But now she LOVES this book. She's giving it to all her girlfriends for Christmas. I hope she doesn't break the bank.

I very highly recommend this book. The research was excellent and there were many great points.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WONDERED WHY MALES HAVE DOMINATED VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING FOR AS FAR BACK AS MOST WRITTEN HISTORY COVERS. BARNES POSES INTERESTING INFORMATION AND IDEAS AS TO WHY AND HOW THIS CAME TO BE. NOW THAT WOMEN ARE BEGINNING TO BE ALLOWED A BETTER CHANCE TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL, THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

The book is impressively researched and exhaustively presented. The author has amassed a body of ideas that is irrefutable, and archaeological discoveries make the idea more plausible all the time. That idea is that in pre-recorded history there were cultures in the Mediterranean that were nonviolent, matriarchal and did not suffer from overpopulation. This is in sharp contrast to our Biblical and Greco-Roman accounts of male-dominated nations that were constantly warring to reduce their population.

I recommend this book for any who want a well-rounded alternative view of anthropology. Once you realize just how chauvinistic our version of history is, you will interpret all historical knowledge in a new light.

Craig Barnes' book gives us our roots as women in Western Civilization, while at the same time liberates both women and men from these "stories" that have become our psychology and social fabric. Without this orientation, our understanding of women and men in today's world is incomplete. If I had only one book to give my own daughter, this would be my choice.

There are many books available that touch in some form or another on the ancient goddess religions, but this is the first to be written by a distinguished attorney and international negotiator proving that the feminine principle has been systematically discredited by the mythology of western civilization. It is both shocking and liberating. Any woman who has a sense of mission about correcting some kind of imbalance in the world will be inflamed by this book like a volcano erupting. If it became a basic textbook in high school, it would change the world for the better.

If you are over 60 and did not self-educate on slavery,you need to read this book. Believe me, slavery was a barely mentioned topic in elementary school through college. I know this is true for Blacks in the South and probably is true for other races as well.

This book is a must read for those non-academics who want to have a better understanding of slavery in America and the Americas. The sexual exploitation and psychological impact of slavery is generally known. This book, however, allows one to get the full picture of slavery from a global, economic and political perspective. There is nothing better for a painful subject like this than finding a reliable (well documented) and easy to read source by a respected author.

A great gift for your friends, no matter what race!

In under 350 pages, David Brion Davis presents a wealth of information for those exploring the history of slavery for the first time or for readers seeking additional information to supplement past books and articles.

Unfortunately, it reads like a choppy college lecture, with the flow of material marred oftentimes by the circular exploration of material. A topic may be introduced, then discussed in depth later and then reintroduced for concluding remarks many pages later.

Davis utilizes numerous resources from contemporary historians and it is appreciated that he introduces the author and the work to the reader while quoting from the material.

Inhuman Bondage is an important work in the growing number of books covering the sordid past that has been "conveniently" ignored or flippantly tossed aside in past historical writings.

By coming to terms with the past and acknowledging the damage it has done is the only way the words from Davis and others will truly have full meaning.

This book contributes to recent studies on slavery in Brazil and the French west indies, a wide study ot Slavery in the new world, explainings its origins, terrors, history and final liberations and conflicts. One wonders however how much the subjects needs a companion on Slavery in the Old World, and why there is no discussion of how pre-European enslavement of Africans by Arabs led to the formation of slave empires in Zanzibar and west africa that fueled the European slave trade. Imainge if these scholars dared to prick the bubble and reveal the fact that Slavery did not originate among Europeans and tha tin fact a study must be done on the rise and fall of slavery in the old world.

Seth J. Frantzman

This is an altogether splendid book. It is skillfully written such that it is difficult to put down; the notes are voluminous, the maps helpful, the range of information brought together and organized successfully impressive, the opinions of the author clearly expressed, and acknowledgement and credit to other historians generous. Despite this, one does wonder for whom the book was written, surely not the hypothetical general reader. Much more information than the lawyerly standard of what everyone knows is frequently called for. To give just one example, on pp. 265-66, a free black is shown worrying about the effects on him of the Fugitive Slave Law. One drops immediately to how Anthony Burns was hauled through the streets of Boston on his way to Virginia. Is one to infer that Burns was a free black erroneously seized or an escaped slave? And although Davis details how important the religious motivation was in abolitionist thought, nowhere was there any explanation of how this Biblically based thinking, which at this time was largely literal, coped with or was able to get around the clear Biblical acceptance of slavery. And one could wish, particularly in view of their extent and comprehension of various aspects of the subject, that the citations in the notes had been compiled into a bibliography. Nevertheless, I would recommend to anyone who is at all interested in slavery, the Civil War, racism, and a host of associated topics, that they do themselves a favour and read Inhuman Bondage.

Readers of "Inhuman Bondage" have the privilege of entering the mind of one of the greatest living scholars of American slavery. In what truly may be his opus, Dr. David Brion Davis writes not simply a book, but composes a symphony. Like all great composers, Davis blends seemingly disparate notes into beautiful harmony.

Wide-ranging, even sprawling in coverage, Davis tells the epic story of the inhuman bondage of human enslavement. Laying the foundation with a captivating and accurate portrayal of the history and philosophy of ancient slavery, the author then moves into the modern era of slavery, first in the "New World" then in America more specifically.

"Inhuman Bondage" masterfully weaves together these larger socio-political realities with the very specific psychological realities of groups (such as the Amistad) and individuals. The clear message resonates: even inhuman treatment cannot dehumanize the human soul. In their rebellion (sometimes overt, other times, by necessity, covert and even internal), enslaved African Americans displayed their full humanity.

For a brilliantly written, in-depth, comprehensive, captivating narrative of new world slavery, look no further than "Inhuman Bondage."

Reviewer: Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, and Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction.

Alhamdullilah! Finally someone has come forth to share their stories!. This book is not about Immigrant muslim ladies but rather is the tale and testimony of six American born sisters and their conversion to Islam. This is the story of the struggles, successes, apiritual enlighnenmant and journey from the dark into the light of peace and clean worship. No it is not easy being a minority muslim in a otherwies dominant culture. I recommend this book to new reverts, People investigating our faith and those who just are interested in knowing more about Islam and the lives of some muslim women. may God watch over you for reading this!

If anyone is interested in the lives of Muslim people and want to know why they became Muslims, this is a book that must be read. This book offers insights on the type of lives a few American Muslim women live and the kind of challenges they face as they try to raise Muslim families in predominatly non-Muslim environments.

This book really hit home! It provides insight and understanding into the great faith of Islam,with real stories that any woman can relate to. It answers the "why" question for many formerly Christian women. I recommend this book to anyone who is new to the faith, thinking about Islam, or for those Christians who really don't understand why their friend or family member has chosen Islam.

I really loved reading this book. The sisterhood of Islam was evident in the lives of these women. Alhamdulilah!

This is an awesome book. Finally, a voice for us when everyone else in the world is trying to speak for us.
Alhamdullilah, people see that no matter what governments are doing, wars being fought, people threatening, Islam is always there for us and you can choose to follow its straight path. It does not stop you from working, being happy, having a family and friends, from pursuing your dreams.
Inshallah, we will get great Muslims in the spotlight educating each other and making the world better and then show everyone how great and true we are, instead of looking to terrorists.
Then again, they will probably ignore and plug their ears in disbelief.... sigh

This book is really awesome!!!!! Its a great guide for It Girls. I am a teenager and I love old movies and this book was a great guide for me! The book has 100 classic must see movies. The book is divide into sections for example, some are called Pure Romance, Marriage, the look, get the kleenex, getting the guy, royalty, weddings, and musicals to name a few! This is a great book to take w/ you to the video store. All the movies have a little description. I really love this book!! I really hope Meredith Alexander comes out with another book because this is a really good book! It would be awesome if she made a volume 2!

LOVED IT! GOT IT AS A GIFT. BEST BOOK OF IT'S KIND OUT THERE. BOUGHT THREE FOR MY FRIENDS. MEREDITH ALEXANDER IS A GENIUS. I HOPE SHE COMES OUT WITH A GUIDE TO GETTING THE IT MEN OUT THERE.

Make this your winter of content by curling up on the couch with the It Girl's Guide to Video, and then pressing the power button on your VCR. Meredith Alexander has done us all a huge favour by "screening" the movies that define glam. No more need to hesitate over what to rent at the video store. The must-see films are all there in this must-have book. The It Girl's Guide to Video is not only a great resource, it's a great read.

BUT SERIOUSLY, HOW DID WE MANAGE AT THE VIDEO STORE WITHOUT THIS REFERENCE GUIDE? THIS BOOK IS VERY WELL DONE AND THE AUTHOR HAS AN ASTOUNDING KNOWLEDGE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF OUR TIME. IT MAKES THE PURRRRFECT COFFEE TABLE BOOK, THE COVER IS HOT PINK SO WE KNOW THAT IT WILL "WORK" IN ANY IT GIRL'S LIVING ROOM!

A wonderful guide to the classics that every It Girl needs to see. Take the book with you to the video rental store and start at page 1. The book includes great stills from the films, and fun descriptions of each. I love it. Just grab your box of kleenex and popcorn and you're set. Would love to see a second volume!

I own this book in the electronic format (Adobe Reader and DRM-locked) and finish my reading a couple of months ago. Suburbia is, in my modest opinion, a very good-looking place for a family life and this is why it is appealing for anyone who wants to live in one. Having your own large and greened piece of land with a large house on it is a dream coming true. No other thing symbolizes better the achievement of the American Dream than owning a house in the suburbs.

However, I never liked the feeling of loneliness and isolation that places like these offer its inhabitants. While it can provide a comfortable living and a strong sense of ownership, it lacks convenience and community sense. I agree with the author that the effect of these downsides are much more relevant than the good ones. Some people can deal with it, but many people cannot. And for those who cannot, life becomes a struggle and the dream becomes a nightmare.

Despite its beauty, suburbs do not promote human interaction due to its large dimensions that makes difficult for people to communicate with each other in a regular and informal way. The lack of such interaction really can make someone to be less tolerate and more aggressive and fearful of somebody else. Human interaction can only be learned if it is commonly practiced.

The book does a good job on explaining briefly the origin of the suburbs, why it has grown so fast, why it is still so popular and, with more details, what the consequences of living in such places are. After reading the book, it is perfectly possible to recognize that well-being and life in the suburbs aren't things that are necessarily connected to each other, although this is what your next door real estate developer says to a prospective buyer...

When I read this book, I found it very interesting and informative. I was interested to learn about how and why sprawl came about in the first place, as well as how it has affected people's lives and our society generally, and the solutions to it. I really like books that offer solutions to major problems and/or better alternatives to the status quo!

It is interesting that sprawl is a major contributor to the high crime rate in the U.S.! According to this book's author, suburban sprawl and crime are worse in the U.S. than in Canada. I live in Canada, and if sprawl and crime are not as bad in Canada as they are in the U.S., even in Canada, both of those things are bad enough!

In his book geared at helping the everyday person understand the alienation and environmental/physical dangers of urban sprawl, Doug Morris also extends his prescriptive understanding, allowing the reader to grasp how he/she might help reduce the negative affects and correct this phenomena through individual and community efforts toward recreating community through smart urban design. As an anthropologist can objectively observe other cultures, Morris can reflect on his personal experiences of growing up in Europe and other places abroad where urban spaces are designed to embrace and foster community spirit, and help us understand how sprawl is both unique and destructive to the U.S. I highly recommend this book. Dena Hawes

Suburbia has changed from an American dream into a nightmare of violence: Douglas E. Morris 's IT'S A SPRAWL WORLD AFTER ALL is the first book to consider why, drawing some important connections between sprawl and violence. The lack of connections between people living in small areas has left suburban residents isolated, alienated and afraid of strangers. Sprawl involves more cars, more malls, and more in-home interaction replacing social events and community feel, and has evolved a culture of violence in turn. Examples provide case histories outside the country where sprawl problems have been changed.

In the tradition of Robert Putnam's seminal 2001 book "Bowling Alone" author Douglas E. Morris offers "It's A Sprawl World After All". Although the focus of the two books is a bit different the conclusion that the two authors reach are strikingly similar. To quote the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) "The unplanned growth of sprawl has left Americans isolated, alienated and afraid of the strangers that surround them. Suburbia has substituted cars for conversation, malls for main streets, and the artificial community of television for authentic social interaction." Douglas Morris opines in his book that Americans are growing tired of the lack of community and the absence of civility in their day to day lives. Some may challenge his premise. But "It's A Sprawl World After All" presents a compelling case for the proposition that we as a nation need to reverse many of the policies that for the past 60 years have benefited a few at the expense of the rest of us.
The United States and Europe have taken very different paths since the conclusion of World War II. Spurred by an amalgamation of big money interests that included the construction industry, the automobile industry and the airlines, the U.S. government promoted policies that unleashed what would ulimately result in the unchecked growth that we have experienced over the past several decades. In the meantime the folks in Europe have largely rejected these approaches our government so unabashedly promotes. "It's A Sprawl World After All" cites example after example why the quality of life in Europe is so much better that it is for us in the U.S. Even the most skeptical reader would have to cede Morris some points here.
Having been born in 1951, I am old enough to remember what real community is like. I grew up in a blue collar neighborhood where I knew just about everybody. People rarely moved. There was a neighborhood grocery store (we did not need 30000 items!) and a variety store with a soda fountain. In the summer we played baseball three times a day in a vacant lot. We used to cut the grass ourselves! I am still in touch with many of the folks from that neighborhood. Contrast this to the way most youngsters are growing up today. They are rarely home and even when they are they never go outside. The houses they live in are much bigger than they used to be and equipped with all sorts of gadgets. But are these kids really happier than we were? Douglas Morris agrees with the preponderance of data that would suggest that they certainly are not.
If you have never taken the time to consider the subject of sprawl and the social, economic and psychological effect it has on all of us then "It's A Sprawl World After All" would be a great place to start. Douglas Morris has done a great job of explaining how sprawl came to be and why it is so destructive. He goes on to make numerous practical suggestions on how each one of us can help to reverse these trends. Finally, there is a valuable appendix included that cites a number of websites for those who wish to explore this subject more extensively.
"It's A Sprawl World After All" challenges the way most Americans live today. Unlike some books that are prone to be full of jargon, Morris makes his case in easy to understand language. A great book to provoke discussion in high school and college classrooms or at the dinner table with your teenagers. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed the heart felt and brutally honest stories in this book. Being a women in her 20's, this book spoke to me greatly.Every girl should read this at least once while in her twenties or even in her thirties just to have a laugh. I've been the girl in each of these stories and it lets me know- I will survive these years of confusion, frustrations and let-downs.

This book is the perfect antidote to the quarterlife crisis blues. Covering all topics ranging from love relationships to housing to careers to friends, whatever is bothering you, there will be an essay reminding you that yes, your 20s aren't that great, but no, you definitely aren't alone, and, the best news: you'll survive, and likely end up far happier and fulfilled than you think you will. Overall, an inspiring read, with little bites of wisdom and, yes, perspective.

It isn't set up like I expected it to be, but it's definately the truth. hah.

As a twenty-something, I picked up this book for obvious reasons. It was so heartening to learn that what I am going through, other women have gone through and no one has all the answers no matter what path you choose. I plan to share this book with all of my girlfriends.

I was in Borders when I stumbled along this book and thought " What a clever title and concept." As a twenty something professional in higher education that deals with early twenty something women on a regular basis, I highly recommend this book. It is a quick read but able to be put down and picked back up easily. There were times when I shook my head in agreement and laughed aloud hysterically.

Linda Atkins' account of her friendship with a young, deserted girl, abandoned by her mother and lost in the 'system', clearly illustrates the harsh realities thousands of children in this country face every day, the inadequacies of the child welfare system and the seemingly hopeless struggle to find a solution to these problems. Yet, it is also a story about hope, friendship, endurance, spirit and growth.
This book will hopefully inspire others to take action and contribute to "undoing what has been done" to these children.
One organization through which you can effectively speak up for abused and neglected children is CASA

An excellent book - I could LITERALY not put it down. A wonderful story of the relationship between a woman and a lost child. I want to read more and there's no more pages!

Once I started this book i could not put it down... it is a real and honest account of the relationship between the author and Jamaica... if you love children and are especially interested in the lives of less fortunate children or children with emotional disorders this book is a must!

I just finished reading this book and I must say it is a sad, but hopeful story. To know that there are kids out there so messed up like Jamaica is so sad. It is also good to know that there are people who care enough to help these kids out despite how difficult they can be. I read this in one night.

I first picked up "Jamaica and me" in Barnes and Noble, while searching for a book to possibly convert into a screenplay. As I read the first chapter, I was captivated by Linda's (the author) discriptive and insightful writing. "Jamaica and me" is a riveting memoir filled with hope, sorrow, and brutal realities. Currently I'm working on the screenplay and would greatly appreciate any information on how to get in contact with Linda Atkins.

This is a great book, comparable to a mini encyclopedia. What it does is take many important aspects of Japanese culture and it compresses it into a brief and enjoyable format. Very entertaining but also very informative and you really get insight into why and how the Japanese act, feel, behave, and how it all came about. If you are wanting to learn about the culture in general, get this. It also has many good tips for when you conduct business with Japanese business owners and that their aesthetic sense overrides outlines and rational on a first meeting.

If you ever wondered why the Japanese are so polite, or why they escort you out the door till you are gone; then you will enjoy the explanations in this book. It has in depth explanations to every little Japanese saying, and why they believe that. After reading this I had a better understanding of there culture.
I regularly visit a Japanese home, and never understood why they did this or that. Or why they insist on doing something. Making oneself feel ackward, but after reading this book I felt relief and more comfortable around them. If you are around Japanese people, or planning to, this is a must read.

Boye De Mente is an author who is able to convey the mindset and cultural translation between Japan and the Western way of thinking like no one I have read before! Alot of people might give him greif! But you really have to be open and honest with yourself to fully absorbe what Mr. Boye De Mente has to say! I recommend everyone of his books! At the very least you will gain a little insight into a different way of looking at the world! Thank you Mr. Boye De Mente for your courage to be so honest and your skill to convey it!!!

The Japanese have a much more complex, almost religious, relationship with their own language than speakers of European languages, and they tend to believe that no non-Japanese can learn it. (The fact that some do tends to upset them, as being out of the natural order.) There are many words and phrases in Japanese that encapsulate attitudes and built-in beliefs and the author selects 230 for investigation and explanation, relating them to attitudes and actions by Japanese-speakers and explaining how English-speakers can best deal with the situations they relate to. This includes numerous aspects of the Japanese dependence on form and formality, cultural control and conformity, group-think as opposed to individuality, group responsibility and social guaranty, reverence toward government, and other parts of the Japanese psyche that are difficult for foreigners to understand. In most cases, he also discusses the applications of a concept to business negotiations, but the possibility of the reader becoming enlightened about all things Japanese is much wider than that. This is a book you should take notes on.

I bought this book last year in preparation for coming to Japan and enjoyed it greatly. Then, on arrival, I continued reading it and found it helpful in avoiding many of the pitfalls one experiences when trying to do business in Japan. Now, 10 months on, reading it again, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It's as if the author has been following me around and written about my daily experiences here. I have many books about Japan and the Japanese Way, but none express so succinctly or directly the day-to-day experience of working in a Japanese context. You must read this book if you are working or doing business in Japan.

I am not a religious Jew in any sense of the term. But so far I have found this book a welcoming approach to religion. This humble approach to spirituality is refreshing.

A brilliant and loving introduction to new ways of approaching religion--and specifically Judaism-- for contemporary people. Very spiritual, very creative. JWF focuses more on how to rethink and reinterpret religious ideas and rituals, rather than a comprehensive primer to Jewish ideas and practices.

Informative and inspiring. Well worth multiple readings!

Perhaps the greatest compliment an author of a spiritual book can be paid is that he has, through virtually every page of his book, changed your life, deepened your connection with God, and brought new life to your spiritual disciplines. This is precisely what Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi has done for me through "Jewish with Feeling." It's the only book I keep among my prayer books, and each day I read something I've underlined (I've highlighted approximately half the book!)so that I might bring that spiritual practice or thought or way of interacting with others into my life .

Rabbi Schachter (or, Reb Zalman, as he's known to many of us) lives a life full of delight, creativity and joy and, through this book, he infused mine with a desire for the same zest and exuberance. While he loves his own religion of Judaism, as do I, he brings in fresh insights telling us how to connect - not just dialogue - with people of other faiths. He tells us of the unique contributions that Judaism has brought to the world, and at the same time, reminds us of the rich traditions given to the world by those of other faiths. Yet he doesn't stop there. Reb Zalman shows us how our spiritual life can be deepened through a literal sharing of one another's spiritual practices.

In addition, his personal experiences and stories captivated me, and his unique way of telling these stories, helped along by Joel Segel's extraordinary writing style, makes this a book I'll return to many, many times. Very often, it's a tribute to a book to say, "I just couldn't put this book down." But I think Reb Zalman would greatly appreciate the fact that I had to put this book down many times - to dance, to pray, and to reflect on how to live all I was reading.

From the time he was first sent out with Shlomo Carlebach by the then Lubavitch Rebbe Rav Zalman has been a major Jewish outreach person. He has followed the dictates of his own heart and experience. And he has tried to make Judaism a living spiritual reality for many. There are those who say he went outside the fold in doing this, went far too far especially in his efforts at syncretic connection with other religious traditions. But there are others his followers who claim that in the words of Reb Shlomo he is the 'holiest of the holy'.
While recognizing his deep feeling for Jewish life and story, his deep readiness to feel the mystical presence of God, his hunger for life, real life in religion- I wonder if he does not make a bit too little of traditional Halachic practice, underplay the way for many observance is the key to the higher spirituality.
Whatever one feels about it, this work provides a clear and story- filled picture of Rav Zalman 's personal way of seeing his life as a Jew, and making it holy.

Jewish With Feeling: A Guide To Meaningful Jewish Practice isn't just a guide to Jewish mysticism by Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi (in collaboration with Joe Segel): it translates scholarship and Jewish mystical experience to the realm of designing a personal spiritual path for those who would practice Judaism as a living religion. From questions of the special mechanics of faith in Jewish interactions, which differ from other religions, to Sabbath's real meaning, individual chapters translate the feelings and intentions of Jewish spirituality for all.