France Books

This is one of those rare detective novels with an excellent plot, well-defined characters, great atmosphere, and in a language without a wasted word. Only Ed McBain, among American detective fiction in the police procedural sub-genre, is a rival.

Chief Inspector Maigret is not hard boiled, no tough talking cop, nor is he exceptionally perceptive or brilliant. He just attaches himself to the case and plods relentlessly. Here a tiny, 86-year old widow is murdered, after complaining to the police that her apartment has been very slightly disturbed several times while she was shopping or sitting in the park. No one in authority pays much attention to her until after she is strangled. Why would someone kill such a harmless person? She has no valuable jewelry, no cache of money. Maigret must find the motive and the killer with meager clues.

Perhaps the most impressive element of this and other Simenon novels is the economy of language, albeit in translation from the French. There is plenty of detail but without wasting a word. The Simenon books should be studied by crime writers for the narrative technique alone.

This simple and old-fashioned mystery was a pleasant surprise. There was nothing flashy, or garish, or over-the top about it - a straightforward police whodunit. Some readers might find this a trifle boring - we've gotten so used to multiple storylines and side-stories that it's a little hard to switch gears and wind down to something so basic, but it's worth it. Reminds one of simpler times, and harkens back to the days of Agatha Christie (Poirot, though, not Marple).

It's not precisely a solve-it-yourself, but it does give you plenty of food for thought. Even though it's a very short book, the characters are well-written and interesting, giving you even more incentive to at least try to decipher the ending. It's possible, but I think it's more luck than skill if you figure it out. Granted, there are none of the dizzying twists and turns of more 'modern' mysteries, no technology or romance, but it's still very much worth reading for any true mystery fan.

This is a thoughtful well-plotted mystery. The author does a fine job portrayng Maigret, the other detectives, the victim (an elderly lady), her niece and her niece's son. The writing is simple and easy to understand. Simemon does not waste words but he brings the characters to life. The reader will be kept guessing until the end of the book.

Imagine drinking a glass of Calvados. The title is ambiguous. She was a tiny woman insisting upon seeing Chief Inspector Maigret personally. Madame Antoine, aged, having lived in her apartment for a long time, reported that her things had been moved. There is only the key she keeps in her bag. A niece and her son are her only relatives. She is pefectly aware that a young person might consider her mad. The concierge says she is very much like any other old person living by herself. Her clear gray eyes make an impression on Maigret. Then she is murdered, suffocated, and an investigation ensues. The police search and question, after all this is a police procedural. Maigret discovers that the victim had practiced twenty five years of thrift. A character named Le Grand Marcel is brought into the picture.

The fineness of the writing (translated?) transcends the genre. Picking up a Maigret novel is a matter of dealing in a brand name consumer good. One is never disappointed. The storytelling is simple, classical, felicitous. Simenon used masterful economy in his art. The short bursts of information create an almost Raymond Carverish style. One is transported to Paris in the Spring. Time spent in the company of Maigret and his gifted inspectors Lapointe, Lucas, and Janvier is a pleasure.

for any Simenon fans. As always- Simenon is economical in expression- but still giving a full picture of the scene. I love this book because it allows- in one of the short stories- a closer look at Madame Maigret- and her personality. She is a shadowy character in the series, but always present.
The Holiday themed cover that is curently being used, makes it a nice Holiday gift as well. I also like that it is a bit longer than the usual Maigret- maning that it makes a good gift for someone about to go on a long train/plane or automobile trip!

These stories are excellent. All nine pose intriguing puzzles for Maigret and his colleagues to solve. What makes them special is the quality of the writing (just enough words to convey the image and no more) and the subtlety of the author who always seems to add a little bit more to the reader's perception of Maigret. There are great scenes between Maigret and his wife, Madame Maigret. Anyone married for any length of time will enjoy these little domestic battles. There are also some well drawn child characters whose interaction with Maigret is skillfully depicted. The reader always ends up admiring Maigret for his thoughtfulness and his persistance. He asks great questions of the witnesses to draw out the story. This collection of stories is outstanding.

Typically, a Maigret novel is easy reading. Four or five hours of light reading is all it takes to read a very good crime story. This lightness allows one to go on a Maigret binge where in the course of a week, two or three novels can polished off.

Miagret's Christmas is a collection of nine short stories. Some of the short stories are not so short, they are more like novellas. At 320 pages of small print, this book is by no means light reading. It took me a couple of weeks to finish the book.

Of the nine stories, I found four of them to be classic Georges Simenon. They were world class in their cleverness. The other five were good but not great. However, Georges Simenon's good is most writers very best. All and all a great book but a bit of slog.

In the mid-eighteen hundreds Mr. Poe invented the genres of modern literature, never to be surpassed in most. He invented the detective story in The Murders in the Rue Morgue: The Dupin Tales (Modern Library Classics) long before Holmes and Watson stalked in poor imposture their apartment in Baker Street. Poe's Auguste Dupin of Paris is the original, and the best.

One hundred years later Frenchman Georges Simenon created the long lived Inspector Maigret, whose brilliance, subtlety, insight and patience are unmatched in detective literature.

Unfortunately in our fallen age all that many know of the French detective is the banal and tiresome Inspector Clouseau; nevertheless, the proud and fascinating characters of DuPin and Maigret will long outlast that forgetable farce.

I admit I have long been a fan of Maigret, and of Simenon, whose long career embraced other novels of profound psychological interest, including Strangers in the house: Les inconnus dans la maison. I often grate at the unfortunate, traitorous and out-dated translations made into incompetent English (does anyone still use the word "vexed?"); yet I admit often enjoying the English cassette recordings, including recently the poorly mistitled (Errol Garner style) Inspector Maigret and the Strangled Stripper (Inspector Maigret Mysteries) or that series's compelling recording of None of Maigret's Business.

As a devoted fan admiring all things Maigret I therefore noticed the extremely accessible price of this present item, and thought it might be some brief momento of the immortal Inspector. Imagine thereafter my astonishment and my joy open receiving by mail this substantial volume, about 5 x 8 inches and over 325 pages long, a collection of nine tales written around 1950, translated by Jean Stewart.

Maigret here, after a very touching and telling and caring domestic scene, investigates a sighting of Santa; in another tale he employs a choirboy in the solving of a crime, and later follows a purposeful trail left by a child fleeing a criminal. We read here therefore another side of Maigret, as he works with and for children, always with the keenest psychological insight and subtlety of the author.

Look not here for Clouseau; the true humour here is much more subtle, much deeper, more true and real. Look not here for Kojak nor for blazing gunfire and shoot outs with hoodlums. Here you find no Mickey Spillane, but a patient, quiet, profound reflection of the people and the city of Paris in the post-war years, with no direct mention of that devastating and divisive war.

Here you will find nine excellent tales from this master storyteller. You will not be disappointed, but will find much to read and to reflect and to remember when life was like this, to rediscover our human nature.

Truly the continual portraiture of the intimate, quiet and deeply caring domestic life of Inspector and Madame Maigret must be read now in this era in which literature and we ourselves have lost this. Read this and remember, and receive the greatest gift of Maigret's Christmas, the great and unstated love of this matrimony.

Outstanding prayerful book- gives great comfort in the Lord
For all faiths! Perfect gift book

This is a wonderful inspirational book. It's just like a conversation with God. When you seem to have a special need and you pick this book up, it's like God talking to you from the pages. I have appreciated it so much. It has helped me many times and encouraged me when only God knows what I need. I certainly recommend it. It is a special gift that keeps on giving.

As with some of his other books, Frances Roberts writes as the Father and the Bridegroom entreating His Bride toward her final destination. His books are full of comfort, rare jewels and deep insight rarely found in most books. They are for the wounded in heart, the lonely, the weary, confused and disappointed.

The tone of Roberts, in this book, is that of the Bridegroom giving gentle instruction, clear guidance and immense encouragement in view of the coming wedding: The Bride must prepare her heart, she needs to know how. The Groom gives step-by-step instruction to the Bride, leaving nothing out.

The Groom basically stills the Bride's heart, helping her to quiet her spirit and refrain from influences that defile her spirit. He teaches her freedom, freedom that is only attainable through total submission to the Spirit, and how to cultivate her spirit. He teaches her how to draw on the Spirit's resources, and how to remain in her hiding place where her soul is under divine protection.

I recommend this book to those who are seeking to walk and rest in the Spirit - it is full of comfort and will refresh and guide you.

This a great devotional that will inspire you to pray more and will also teach you things about prayer that you may not have known. It is one of the greatest books on prayer that I have read. It is so good that I will on occasion take it with me just to read sections of it. It has a scripture index in the back that can give you new insights to specific bible verses. It also one of the few books are prayer that combines God's love with prayer.

John Noone deserves much credit for originality. His proposed solution to the riddle of the "Masked Man" is, without a doubt, the most ingenious (and darkly hilarious) theory to date. Like all the earlier "solutions" to the riddle of this unfortunate man's identity, his theory is based largely on conjecture, but the tale he spins is so outrageous and unexpected it is, curiously, the most convincing answer yet. I would love to see other "Maskologists" do their own research into Noone's theory to see if it could be either strengthened or refuted.

Whether you personally find his conclusions compelling or not, the background information Noone relates, with its many peculiar twists and turns (such as the stories of the still-mysterious "James de la Cloche" and France's most unwelcome dinner guest, the Marquise de Brinvilliers,) make lively reading for anyone interested in history's more dark and perverse corners.

I found this to be a detailed look at just about every theory that has been expounded about the Iron Mask. The great part was reading each new guess, agreeing with the author on the possibilities, then realizing that it couldn't possibly be that person because Noone then demolishes the theory. Highly enjoyable, and a read that hopefully will put away the tiresome "Twin Brother of Louis XIV" theory for good.

This is one of the most complete compendia of theories as to who was the Man in the Iron Mask. However, at the end, Noone totally negates all theories in favor of his own: that the MITIM was...well I will let you find out for yourselves. It is a silly end to a great book.

The MITIM is one of the enduring mysteries of French History, in itself fascinating even without the secret that has been hidden for 350 years. Will someone ever solve it? Perhaps.

Excellent! This book is a must for anyone interested in the "Man in the Iron Mask". Mr. Noone reveals some very interesting theories and possibilities as to who the MITIM really is. I STRONGLY recommend it!

If you're an aviation, history or WWII buff, you'll like this book. The timeline is historically correct and you'll learn about the Russo-Finnish War---a war that you probably never heard of. It was a page turner that I hated to put down.

As a Nevil Shute fan I always wondered what happened to the Viceroy parked in the rear of the Airspeed Ltd. hangar that Shute described in his book Slide Rule. Now I know. Airspeed Ltd., Nevil Norway and the Viceroy are all packed into The Mannerheim Line. If you like Nevil Shute you'll like this book--it's a great read.

The author evidentally thoroughly researched the historical events in this book. It was well written and easy to read. The narration is excellent. The characters are made to seem as real American heroes. It records a part of history that is little-known to the average reader. Those familiar with aircraft would particularly appreciate the book and its terminology. Recommended reading for those who are interested in lesser-known world events.

This is a great period action story. The author certainly knows his way around airplanes and gives the reader lots of unusual detail that will be appreciated by airplane buffs. The chapters on World War II in Finland provide a new picture of a little known campaign. The characters are well drawn. They aren't unrealistic glamor types, but good guys trying to get the job done. Highly recommended.

Context is important! Be prepared to write in the margins of this book. It is a primer on the Roman Catholic Faith, its enemies,its loyal son, Marcel Lefebvre, and those who stood by him. At times he appeared to be isolated and alone, and one marvels at his fortitude. Be ready for some surprising twists and turns as we come to know the fatherly Archbishop, begining with his earliest childhood.

Marcel Lefebvre's earliest formation in the faith was well established by devout Catholic parents. We follow him to seminary and on to the missions in Africa, where his outstanding administrative skills and catholic tolerance drew favorable attention and won friends. Sadly, we eventually see the rise of aggressive, well organized radicals during Vatican II, but they were in the shadows all along. Surpressed in the past, they made a comeback under a permisive pope, and effectively pushed anti-church attitudes through the use of ambiguous language; too, they used confusion to their advantage.

Open to some moderism, but nonetheless orthodox in his beliefs and dedication to the Priesthood, Lefebvre was caught unaware, and outside the power curve during VII. The Archbishop tried to make sense of sudden changes, the language of which were smartly infused into VII's documents. By the time he fully understood that a revolution based on the theories of the French Revolution was taking place, he failed to successfully ameliorate the effects of the revolutionaries with a small counter group.

The reader wants to believe Lefebvre's organizing skills would have successfully countered the revolutionaries. Unfortunately, his successes were marginal; as a result, he was targeted by Conciliar popes and their acting surrogates. He now was forced to ask: How could [he] keep the faith and still be obedient to the Conciliar Church? The reader learns how and why he ultimately answered as he did. His was a tortuous journey. For those who have wandered the desert these last forty plus years, his journey was ours.

Through De Mallerais's authentic narrative, we learn how Archbishop Lefebvre's faith shielded him as he traversed dangerous terrain and hurdles; hurdles which were designed by Machiavellian archetypes within and outside the Vatican. As events unfold, we eventually see who the Vatican power wielders were, and who appeared to be incompetent. Clearly, the Church formed by Christ had enemies from its inception. Those who wanted to retain the holy sacrificial priesthood were targeted for immolation as the Roman Church was overtaken again by stealth forces.

De Mallerais draws realistic word pictures with uncomfortable facts and we are not spared the reality of Popes who were dangerously deficient and idealistic. The reader is left to fill in the blanks.

Lefebvre, the good priest, manuvered this way and that in his efforts to keep the faith. By the Grace of God, he avoided terminal attacks by clerics and Heads-of-State-predators. Unfortunately for billions, he suffered a false "excommunication." In time, the enemies of the Church showed that it was their intent to kill the sacrificial priesthood forever; the faith would be lost - the one world order would then be established in the hearts and minds of Catholics. Finally, the Archbishop firmly, gently, and with few relapses of caustic verbage answered Christ's call, as did Anthanasius with the Arians.

As an aside, the reader is given insight into his priestly mind as we learn how gently and straightforwardly he dealt with the wife of a friend and her manner of dress. Some would say he was stiffed necked. This reader sees a man with a spine of steel who walked between heaven's fire.

A protagonist father figure, and adult change agent, Archbishop Lefebvre could not always identify who his enemies were; consequently, with Christ's sword of truth he simply addressed the problem at hand. Nonetheless, he wielded the Sword with regret, prudence, and gentleness.

It could never be said that circumstance was all about him. Lefebvre was neither a rebellious risk taker nor a "me" centered narcissist. He consistently cautioned his priests not to begin a premise with "I..." Quite the opposite: knowledge came from the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas and the eternal apostolic line. Armed with these beliefs, he then boiled problems down to the basics, turning to a higher source for answers. Nonetheless, perhaps because of his Franciscan orientation through the Third Order, we learn that he brainstromed with trusted employees, as well. If he could not identify all of the enemies of the Church or their motivation, he would address their effects with the help of his aides.

The Archbishop was not an advocate of Novelty and its many time-bombs. Nonetheless, he was a thoughtful,creative, and successful administrator. His Catholic pragmatism is well documented thoughout the book. If change was needed, he was at its forefront. Once certainty took hold, he was fearless. Nevertheless, it is clear that he preferred peace. However, when a non-negotiable point was reached, he drew a line in the sand. Mentioned earlier, the main problem as he saw it was that the threat, then and now, was aimed at the Sacrificial Priesthood, with Christ being the ultimate Priest and Target. In the face of this reality, Marcel Lefebvre would endure much and accept a bloodless immolation to save the Church and his beloved Priesthood, for that we are eternally grateful. What kind of man endures so much?

Archbishop Lefebvre's personality was mature and patient. Rather than confront when faced by dangerous walls and hurdles, he would creatively and successfully circumvent. Truth was his sword, and Christ had called for the sword. Our Lord appears to have chosen a gentle man for His mission. "The truth will set you free," Christ said. Marcel Lefebvre believed this totally, and when he was certain that he had it, he fought for the sacrificial priesthood and the Church. We are shown how obstacles were overcome by sheer will, fed by God's Grace.

His successes were numerous, and amply chronicled throughout the book. To his enemies,he was unpredictable, a thorn in their side. He played the political chess game well. When faced with a wall too high, he would truthfully and judiciously place his arguments in writing. offput, awaiting their anticipated check mate, one could hear the Vatican II popes and their master tactitians groan when faced with Lefebvre's unexpected truth-laden letters (paper trails). Invited to clandestine Vatican meetings, the Archbishop was too wise to be entrapped by false witnesses, whose actions (well established by past performance), were to paint him in false lights. Their attempts to commit him to persona non gratia status mercifully failed. This reader shouted a hurrah when Lefebvre checked his enemies.

Did Christ's warrior win every battle? No! His main weakness brought him to the point of heartbreak. Imperfect in his assessment of people. He was often disappointed when trust was misplaced, and his beneficiaries demonstrated a lack of discernment, wisdom, and courage. We learned that he lost priestly sons, and wonder if they now have regrets. We learned, too, that like Christ's fearful apostles, many abandoned him when he most needed them. In effect, he suffered similar outcomes as did our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I am grateful to Bishop Bernard Tissier De Mallerais for presenting the Catholic world with appropriate documentation; his expository style resulted in a balanced and well crafted picture of a man who was ordained by Providence to protect the sacred priesthood, and by natural extension the Faith.

So what do we have here? A saint; a consummate, practical, and successful administrator; a holy priest; a martyr for the Faith; a cunning and effective politician; a father figure, or a loyal son of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostalic Church? Paradoxically, he was all and more. He answered Providence's call, and saved the holy, sacrificial priesthood, as Christ must have envisioned it; moreover, Mother Church retained a remnant. It is up to those who follow to ensure their survival.

For Christ's sake, Lefebvre, like the Saints, suffered both physically and emotionally. The degree and kind, to the reader's dismay, was disclosed at the book's end. Now, we know that physical pain dogged him as he struggled to save immortal souls. Tears fell when the reader learned that the Archbishop suffered during his trials from large cancerous tumors. One day, I believe that he will be canonized by the restored Church.

A smile emerged as this reader remembered walking away from the Novus Ordo Church, in 1968, and began a quest to find the remnant of Mother Church. The good Archbishop must have asked,too, "Where have they taken my Lord?" May his sons in the Society of Saint Pius X loyally hold to the eternal faith, the holy, sacrificial priesthood, and their father, Marcel Lefebvre. As for the laity, true Catholic sheep know their Master's voice and His hiding place. When He calls, they follow. With God's continued Grace, it will remain so. Deo Gratias, good priest.

YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK!

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the Church in the twentieth century, the Second Vatican Council, or the Roman Catholic traditionalist movement. It is a heafty volume,
but I could barely put it down. It is truly a
fascinating life, and Archbishop Lefebvre's holiness
is unquestioned if even the most sceptical person
reads it with an open mind. The most delightful thing
about this book is that the most controversial part of
his life, the portion that begins at around the age of
64, when he decides to found the SSPX, only takes up
less than half the book. Having heard so much about
this portion of his life, the greater part of his
apostolate as a missionary is not well known even
amongst traditionalists. This part of his life,
however, was a preparation for the work he would do in
the twilight of his years, and it was beautiful to
read about how he reached the point where he could
stand up to the hierachy and the world for the
traditional Faith.

Some points in particular stand out in my mind. One
could be titled: "Marcel Lefebvre: the innovator".
Being a missionary and introducing the Faith to pagan
peoples, Lefebvre had to be very "open-minded" about
how to effectively carry out the apostolate. Before
the Council, he wanted to propose his own ideas in
order to make the Evangelizing machine run more
smoothly (such as greater flexibility in
jurisdicitional issues). He was also not opposed to
some even radical liturgical reforms, at least at
first: he seemed to not mind at all the readings at
Mass being done facing the people and in the
venacular. (I have seen this practice done even in the
SSPX, though not in the U.S.) He did oppose it,
however, once he saw where the source was from and
where it was going. Another "innovation" that struck
me was his proposal while founding the SSPX of
abolishing the philosophy years in seminary, saying
that one cannot study of the nature of things totally
separate from the Light of the Faith. (Alas, this
proposal went nowhere since it was opposed by his
corps of professors).

Another category that is worth considering for me
is: "Marcel Lefebvre: loyal Churchman". While those
outside the SSPX only see a disobedient schismatic,
the biography paints a much more positive picture. He
was always obedient to the hierarchy and his
superiors, and exercised his authority with a gentle
firmness. The testimonies of all his former
subordinates at the Holy Ghost Fathers give a portrait
of a firm and even "close-minded" superior, who
nevertheless ruled with a gentle hand, was never angry
or tyrranical, and dealt with one in such a civilized
and courteous manner that one never left disgruntled.
(Some of these fathers still revere him to this day,
though they did not follow his cause). Neither did the
Archbishop ever resort to personal or bitter attacks
even in the heat of doctrinal battles with the
Vatican. It is very enlightening to see how meek and
reverent he was when dealing with Paul VI, even when
the latter was spouting off calumnies against his
work.

The third category I would contemplate is: "Marcel
Lefebvre: the holy Pastor". St. John Cassian, in his
Conferences, states that the highest virtue in
religious life is discernment. To know when to act and
when to hold back, when to struggle and when to give
in, etc. It is clear from the book that the Archbishop
had this gift. What was most touching for me was how
patient he was in two particular cases in waiting for
the grace of God to act, and trusting that it would.
One case was in Africa, in Gabon I believe, where
poligamy and other African practices often made people
shy away from the Church. Lefebvre in this case
created another option between Catholic, Muslim, and
pagan for these people: "the friends of the
Christians". It could be likened to a perpetual
catechumenate, it introduced people to the Church in a
good light, made them participate in its life to a
certain extent, and it did not compromise Catholic
principles. Only someone with a great level of
discernment could implement such a policy.

But the most touching episode for me took place in his
Econe days. A grandfather of a seminarian had fallen
away from the Faith, though he was still a great
supporter of the SSPX. The seminarian begged the
Archbishop to stop by his grandfather's house on the
way to another destination to talk to him. He did so,
and when he got back to seminary, the seminarian asked
him what he talked about with his granfather.

"Your Grace, you did not speak to him of converting?
Of making his confession?"

"Oh, no"

"Or of the four last things?"

"Oh, no, no, no," the Archbishop replied adamantly.

He explained, "You see, it's not worth it. The one
thing you risk is provoking him to refuse. And if
unfortuneately he were to be damned, you would only
have made his case worse. You would risk a blasphemy
and a positive refusal: and you must avoid that above
all."

But the Archbishop prayed for the man, and he
converted on his deathbed. Clearly, this devoted
missionary and pastor, zealous for teaching the Faith
even against the Pope himself, still knew that a human
heart can only be changed by the grace of God. It
takes a great trust in God and a sharp vision of Faith
to be able to see this clearly. The Archbishop clearly
had this, and it is a mark of a great saint.

I would like to close with an anecdote many of you
have undoubtedly heard before. Before the Council, a
mother took her young son to an episcopal
consecration. At the point when the bishops laid hands
on the ordinand, the child, who evidently could not
see too well, asked loudly to his mother: "Mommy, what
are they doing?" The mother replied softly to her
child: "Quiet, honey. They're removing his backbone."

Archbishop Lefebvre had backbone to spare and he used
it for the right cause. He did not squander his
episcopacy by sacrificing principles on the altar of
careerism. Truly, he passed on what he had received,
and the Church is all the richer for it. I am
convinced that one day the Church will canonize him as
a saint. I already revere him as one.
This book is a must have for any Catholic who is truly serious about the Faith.

Bishop de Mallerais' grand scale biography of Archbishop Lefebvre is a notably literate, well-researched, and beautifully intimate look at one of the most important religious figures of the 20th century. While generally ignored in so-called evangelical America, Lefebvre's spiritual legacy, in the once-Christian nations of Europe, has proven not only its accuracy of discernment, but the composite effect of its roots and flowering has arguably reached even to the unexpected election of Josef Ratszinger to the papacy. The official resuscitation of the Roman Mass, indeed, the now almost daily reawakening of the Roman liturgy in general, is positively a result of Lefebvre's spiritual acumen in a time of trial, but we might ask what is the vivifying kernel of that success. The life and work of Marcel Lefebvre answers: the truth of spiritual fidelity, indeed, the faithfulness of spiritual truth. In the end, standing virtually alone, Lefebvre affirmed that a thing which is cannot be called that which it is not. Having rushed to effectively devour itself during and following Vatican Council II, the Roman Church in the succeeding years has itself proven the truth of Lefebvre's affirmation, a fact probably as remarkable for what it illuminates as for what it condemns. This biography proves the positiveness of Lefebvre's actions, but no more forcefully than history itself. In that way, this book is a faithful transmission of the meaning of Lefebvre's life's work. Bishop de Mallerais' formidable finesse as a scholar and writer furnishes each chapter with details available from no other source. Especially welcomed is an appropriately generous study of the Archbishop's early family life, and his missionary activity in Africa - an aspect of Lefebvre's religious life that remains especially dear to those who have all along appreciated this churchman. Copiously detailed notes are included every step of the way, and a fine selection of photographs accompanies a genuinely effective, intelligent volume that consistently eschews hagiography, relying instead on the power of plain truth. I happened, the other day, to come across a press notice that brought to mind the very thing vividly expressive of the meaning of Msgr. Lefebvre's contribution: the 'Liturgy Chair' of the USCCB has frantically warned of his concern that Benedict XVI's recent decision to correct the universal mistranslation of "pro multis" in the Mass formula of Consecration would lead the faithful to doubt that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to save all men! I reread the statement three times, making certain I hadnt blinked and misread. The conceit at the heart of that kind of manipulation stumbles and dies at the feet of Marcel Lefebvre. Let what they say, stand; let what you know, live. This is a beautiful book.

When I first came to Tradition, I was deeply disgusted with the Liberalism that has so permeated the Roman Catholic Church. After a lifetime of priests who would rather be your buddy than give you any guidance, I was filled with the milk of human bitterness. But most of all, I wanted to know, "How could this happen? Our Lord promised to always be with his Church? How could this happen?" THis book, while rather long, puts the answer to that question, in spades. More than a decade after his death, the name of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre can still spark arguments between Catholics, a fact I sadly know from experience with my own family. This book, with literally hundreds of footnotes, details the Archbishop's life from his childhood in northeastern France to his death in 1991. It also details the rise of Liberalism in the CHurch both before and after VAtican II, a Council where the right wing Bishops hoped to bury Liberalism and the leftist Bishops hoped to introduce the French REvolution, the Liturgical Movement, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man into the Catholic CHurch. Any one reading this will know which side succeeded in their aims. In the aftermath of the Council, Archbishop Lefebvre, as Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers, waged a losing battle against the spread of Liberalism in his Order. Finally, he resigned. He wrote later that it had become impossible for him to remain in an Order that neither wanted or listened to him. When a group of seminarians came to him begging him to found a Traditional Catholic Seminary, he founded the Order now known as the Society of Saint Pius X. Ironically, at first he insisted on small novelties in the Traditional Latin Mass, only after his seminarians complained repeatedly did he stop. The book also details his hesitation about the famous (or infamous) episcopal consecrations in 1988, which shook the Liberals in the Vatican and caused Pope John Paul II to declare him excommunicated. What is very clear is that Archbishop Lefebvre remains very influential more than a decade after his death. In the year 2000, a group of Ukrainian Rite Catholic Priests, disgusted at the liturgical novelties being forced on the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, formed themselves into an Order called the Society of Saint Josaphat... and pledged their loyalty to the late Archbishop Lefebvre.

as i said in other item, it will be nice if the shipping is faster, thank you

Fr. Cantalamessa's book on Mary is unique in that he does not treat Catholic teaching on Mary defensively, as something to be protected from Protestant objections, but rather shows how Mary can be a symbol of unity, a common model of the Christian life for all Christians. And he manages to do this while explaining an orthodox, Catholic understanding of Mary's role in the Church.

The book is divided into three sections, examining Mary's role in Jesus' birth, in His death and resurrection, and lastly her role in Pentecost and the continuing life of the Church. Fr. Cantalamessa makes strong use of Scripture in laying out Catholic doctrine and dogma on Mary, giving the reader a good understanding of the Gospel's context for what we know of her, and thus providing a good bridge for Protestants who would distrust Catholic tradition and the writings of the saints. Also of particular interest is Cantalamessa's synthesis of homilies and writings by prominent Reformers like Luther, Calvin and Zwingli.

To round out the ecumenical appeal, the book has several beautiful color photos of some Marian icons, which Fr. Cantalamessa has said greatly increased his understanding of Mary's life and relationship with her son. Combined with citations of the Eastern Fathers to demonstrate the historical roots of doctrines like the Immaculate Conception (or "panagia", "all holy", in Greek), provides a window into the Eastern Church's perspective on Mary.

Fr. Cantalamessa obviously has a great devotion to Mary, but it is tempered with a recognition that the greatest purpose of contemplating Mary is so that we can imitate her as the model follower of her son, Jesus. He also acknowledges that there is no one single "right" devotion towards Mary, as it varies according to each individual's spiritual path, and this moderation goes far to help ease those who fear that being a good Catholic necessitates some undue, if not idolatrous, devotion towards the Blessed Virigin. His writing is well-organized and accessible, and is suffused with a spirit of fraternity and charity towards all Christians. This is an ideal introduction to Mariology.

"In contemplating Mary, we can once again discover the synthesis and unity of faith. She is the icon of undivided grace, grace that is still whole (p.28)"
Having the privilege of counting a Franciscan community in my hometown as friends and seeing their great devotion to Mary led me to this book.
This marvelous little book has greatly increased my understanding and devotion to Mary. Deo gratias!

This is the most beautiful book on Mary that I have yet encountered. There are so many gems of truth contained in this work that, once completed, the reader is left with an abundance of material to begin imitation of Mary who "Kept all these things in her heart." In addition, this book is a wonderful presentation of the Blessed Virgin to our protestant bretheren. The author believes that the time has come for Mary to be a source of unity among Christians and no longer a cause of division. This book makes great strides toward that end.

Very helpful study guide.
During my 2nd year of nursing school, many of the test questions were from this book. Has helpful rationales with each questions that helped me to understand the concepts.

Here is the lowdown. Medical-Surgical Nursing is alot of material. This book puts the Data in Outline Form and highlights critical and key points. It comes with a diskette, I find most helpful in verifying my level of understanding. I bought the Lipincott's series as well but this is the book I use. I rarely refer to my textbook, because the narrative sometimes gets to be too much, leaving me swimming in facts. This book will NOT do that to you.

Remember going through nursing school and the MOUNDS of reading to be done? This book is the best thing since sliced bread! Very to the point, great to do care plans by. A short sentence on patho, obj and subj signs and symptoms, tests related to illness; medical, pharm, and nursing care, I could go on and on. Great job on this one. I wouldn't do without it.

This book and disk together form an invaluable aid to nursing students. The book is written in a clear, quick and easy to follow note type format. It includes teaching tips, nursing notes and nursing interventions as well as critical thinking questions. The disk has a series of NCLEX type questions that can be accessed in either study or test mode. One of a series of worth-the-effort to own books.

The content is comprehensive, while narrating the life of Messiaen, it gives all the background of when, where, and why works were written. It makes sense for a performer, it helps a performer to really connect with the composer. Easy to read and very accurate. Highly recommended!!

This book is a five star joy. The authors certainly have the chops: Professor Hill is an accomplished musician whose recordings of Messiaen's piano works are top flight, and Professor Simeone previously wrote the standard bibliography of the composer's works. Their access to Messiaen's previously unavailable letters and notebooks, together with their ability to condense that material into coherent story lines, means that every chapter (there are 14) has irresistible nuggets of revelation about Messiaen's music.

One good way to judge a critical or biographical book is whether it makes you - the reader - seek out or revisit the works of the book's subject. With this book, I practically stopped reading after every chapter to play a recording of one or more of Messiaen's works, because my interest had been sparked, or re-sparked, by something I had just read.

The book focuses on the process by which Messiaen composed his works, and it is fascinating to learn about the inner workings of his particular genius. The authors essentially show that Messiaen was an astonishing omnivore, taking just about everything in his mind and heart and combining that with what he saw and heard to produce an enormous catalog of amazing music over an approximately 60 year period (circa 1930 to 1990).

Although the book is full-length and very detailed, the authors indicate in their introduction that they could not include information about, for example, the initial public reaction to each and every Messiaen composition. This is understandable, given the focus on how the music was composed.

Also understandable, given the amount of primary material (the letters and notebooks) they had at hand, is the authors' decision to limit their own inferences and opinions (although those that are included suggest that it is well worth considering the views of Hill and Simeone about most things related to Messiaen).

The book also includes hundreds of black and white reproductions of photos, ephemera, and a few bits of musical scores. These reproductions would be much better if larger, and if the later photos were in color. Of course, doing those things probably would have doubled the book's cost. On balance, it's great to have so many reproductions just as they are; they definitely liven up what might otherwise come across as a too dense mass of facts.

I read this book carefully, and did spot a couple of minor errors. Perhaps the biggest howler is the authors' suggestion (see footnote 24 at pages 157 and 393) that a book by Andre Breton about surrealism and painting that Messiaen read in 1945 was the "Second Manifesto of Surrealism." The authors missed the obvious here: the book by Breton about surrealism and painting that Messiaen read was most probably - er, um - "Le Surrealisme et la Peinture" ("Surrealism and Painting"), first published in 1928 with a new edition published in, yes, 1945.

In a book this size, presenting so much information, such errors are inevitable and don't at all mar the authors' stupendous achievement. I strongly recommend this book, particularly to those who know Messiaen's work and would enjoy learning more about how his marvelous music came to be.

Over a nearly 70-year career the French composer Olivier Messiaen gave the world a number of monumental works, usually ascribing their quality to divine inspiration. While Messiaen was one of the major composers of the 20th century, he really let little slip about his personal life or the process of composition. After his death in 1992, his widow Yvonne Loriod began to open up his archives, revealing the inner man behind the hype. MESSIAEN (Yale University Press, 2005) by Peter Hill and Nigel Simeone is the first biography to take into account Messiaen's private papers and a great number of never-before-seen photographs. It vastly expands our knowledge of Messiaen's life and work.

Hill and Simeone have really succeeded in writing an exemplary musical biography, giving equal attention to the life of the composer and the specifics of his musical output as it relates to his life. The musical details are described in terms understandable by the layman with some minimal level of musical education, and except for the composer's manuscripts used as simple illustrations, there are no score samples used. Furthermore, while even new musical biographies (e.g. Kurtz's Sofia Gubaidulina: A Biography) treat only the composer's journeys to and opinions of concert performances, Hill and Simeone give abundant space to recordings of Messiaen's music.

The new light shed on Messiaen here includes details of the creative process from the abundant notebooks he kept. We can finally see the steps towards masterpieces like "Oiseaux exotiques" or "Chronochromie". Information on the writing of "La Transfiguration" is augmented by the exhaustive correspondence between Messiaen and his exasperated patroness at the Gulbenkian Foundation. The most noteworthy of the information Hill and Simeone provide on Messiaen's personal life is the story of his first wife Claire Delbos' early breakdown and death, apparently some kind of terrible physical neural degeration instead of the usual rumour of garden-variety madness.

I've often found Messiaen's works challenging, with his monumental structures and arcane religious themes being somewhat daunting compared to the total abstraction and conciseness of other avant-garde composers. This biography by Hill and Simeone has helped me become more comfortable with Messiaen's oeuvre, and so as a musical biography I think it immensely successful.

Olivier Messiaen is one of my favorite composers. I have performed, studied, and listened to his music avidly ever since I "caught the bug" during college. Peter Hill and Nigel Simeone's book was fascinating to read because it gave me a more complete picture of Messiaen the man: his personal habits, his compositional methods, his day-to-day activities, etc. Messiaen himself wrote copiously about his works, but he most often passed over the sorts of details that fill the pages of this book.

As such, I would not recommend "Messiaen" to those who have only a passing curiosity in the man or his music. The authors seem to presuppose at least some familiarity with most of his compositions, and they discuss several of his self-analytical theories (e.g. modes of limited transposition, "rhythmic personnages," "color" chords) without further explication. Fortunately, Messiaen spared no detail in explaining these and other concepts in numerous treatises, prefaces to scores, and program notes.

For those who already know and love Messiaen's music, though, this book will be a goldmine full of insights. After reading it, I listened with new ears to even my least favorite among Messiaen's works, such as "Livre d'Orgue" and "Chronochromie." As a performer, I am now eager to dive into more of his organ and piano pieces. My renewed enthusiasm for Messiaen's music is a testament to the authors' successful way of assembling many and various details into a compelling narrative.

In addition to this book, I would recommend Rebecca Rischin's "For the End of Time" to those who are especially interested in the "Quatuor pour la fin du temps" and Messiaen's time in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. Rischin tells the story of all four performers from the 1941 premiere (not just Messiaen himself) and gives a fuller picture of camp life at Stalag VIIIA than do Messiaen or Hill and Simeone. (Be forewarned, however, that her musical descriptions often come across as unsophisticated, especially in comparison with Hill and Simeone's--her book would rate at 4 stars versus their 5.)

Chances are that Hill and Simeone's "Messiaen" will reach its target audience without my help, but if you are a Messiaen fan and are still unsure whether you will enjoy this book, I cannot recommend it more highly.

As would be expected with a Michelin map, this newly updated version of their formerly huge and unwieldy France Atlas is a vast improvement. It still maintains the same scale, but in smaller pages (and, alas, more of them). Still, it's indispensible for a motoring trip to France.

Very helpful and accurate. Had even the tiny back roads and gas stations marked.

Just what we needed to find our way around France. We seldom made a wrong turn; and when we did, we were able to u-turn ourselves around and find our way. The maps are defined enough to show most little roads and "paths" so that we could drive right to where we needed to be.

The Michelin Atlas is the comprehensive way to get around France. The scale is such that every road in France is included. They have reduced the page size in this edition to make it easier to use and compete with GPS. This beats GPS becvause although it doesn't tell you when to turn you can use it to plan your travels by leafing through it in your hotel in the evenings. If you are going to drive in France you NEED this book. The pages exactly match the Michelin online maps which is an additional bonus.