Society Books

While I always viewed the Talmud as being an ancient, archaic document, the authors really bring the text alive and apply it to every-day life. I was really eased into Talmud and hte book served as the perfect stepping stone to futher studying--something I am pursuing rigorously. Thanks Katz and Schwartz!

Along with the Jewish Bible (the Tanach), the Talmud is central text of Judaism. Consisting of two components, Mishnah (oral law) and Gemarrah (Rabbinical discussion of the Mishnah), the voluminous words of the great Rabbinic Sages expound on every conceivable subject and their rulings make up the whole of modern Jewish practice and belief. It is the Talmud that turned the ancient worship of the God of Abraham by the nation of Israel into the religion of Judaism. Although learned Jews spend their lives immersed in Talmud study, for less knowledgeable Jews it is a sorely and unfortunately neglected area of Jewish study. Indeed, many modern Jews would be hard pressed to explain exactly what Talmud is. Their are many reasons for this of course, but certainly a primary one is that the language style and method of the Talmud is virtually incomprehensible to the untrained mind. (even in translation) Although the Talmud is divided into tractates dealing with broad subjects such as prayer, damages, relations between the sexes, holy things etc., it is not truly subdivided in the way in which we moderns are accustomed. There is no index and laws and rulings on different subjects are found throughout the work. Thus while a "sugya" or section of Gemarrah may begin by discussing a certain mishnah, it will soon be sure to ramble in a thousand directions as the words of different sages with different opinions are recorded with no reference to when they lived or when they spoke or often, whose opinion prevailed. Even the most advanced rabbinic students of Talmud need help comprehending the meaning, turning to the great Rashi or to their own teachers. Immersing oneself in Talmud is truly like being lost in an open sea. And yet the Talmud is chock full of wisdom and exciting insights that have real meaning for our lives, even today. This is why the Talmud should be studied by all Jews (and even non-Jews) who are interested in understanding Judaism.

And yet for most of us, studying the text from a traditional source such as the Steinsaltz translation and commentary, is out of the question. The language of the Talmud is so terse, the style and methods of the Rabbis it quotes so ellyptical, as to seem an elaborate code. This book is an excellent introduction for the uninitiated into the swirling sea of Talmud. After a brief introduction to the style and method of the Talmud, the authors, Conservative Rabbis, divide the book into sections, each one representing a tractate. They then take a sampling of the thousands of sugyot available for each tractate, printing a literal translation of the Mishnah and/or Gemarrah with additional explanatory language in brackets to make it more (although still not clearly) comprehensible. Next is a paragraph that explains what the sugya means, what the Rabbis are trying to say. Often, the explanatory section will fill in details or background that a more advanced student will be aware of that gives the section meaning. Finally in a "drash" or teaching section, the authors put the words of the Talmud into a modern context through use of a story or example that shows how the ruling or discussion can apply to our modern lives. In this way, as Yeshiva students do, we can see how the Talmud is not just a seventeen hundred year old book that we study historically but a living breathing work of art and religious thought that can continue to give meaning to our lives.

Anyone interested in Judaism or the Jewish religion that does not already have a familiarity with the study of Talmud should begin with this book. It is lively, entertaining and easy. You will not be sorry.

I think that most readers who would read this review already know what the Talmud is, so I hope I am right in skipping over that explanation. Having studied some Talmud myself, it is a little like going to law school, but not having the advantage of being able to check things out with your classmates. Here, the authors are your classmates...and teachers. They have selected excerpts from various tractates and given the reader a taste of the legalistic reasoning one finds throughout, but then they take it one step further and relate the excerpt to our own society.
One can say that this is a wonderful idea, but like all wonderful ideas, it has no meaning without wonderful excecution. And the authors definitely deliver. Not every excerpt is successful in the retelling. But I have found this a book to read slowly and savor the excerpts and I often come back to some I have already read. The appendices and glossary alone are almost worth the price of the book. Well done, rabbis!

This book helps to make sense of the many layers of the onion of Jewsih thought. It puts into everyday terms the thoughts and views of our sages.

Rabbis Katz and Schwartz have wrtten a lucid introduction to talmudic study. Talmud is voluminous, encompassing many tractates divided into six orders of study. If you were to read a page a day (front and back of each) it would take seven and a half years to comlpete the task. Indeed, many people do just that in an nexercise known as "daf yomi" which basically means the front and back of a page very day. The first few pages of this book are an introduction, explaining what Talmud is and the method of study. Then the main body of the book offers short quotations of talmudic text. Each quotation is followed by a few paragraphs explaining, in plain language, what the text means. This explanation is necessary because the text of Talmud is very cryptic and cannot be studied without someone more knowledgable explaining what is going on. Also, the text fits into a very narrow context, at times, and the reader needs help in understanding what this context is. After this explanation, there is another section of "drash" which is commentary that goes beyond the text. The authors write a drash for each of the quotations. This drash makes the text applicable to our lives in the modern world. The authors use modern day examples to illustrate the points that were made so many centuries ago.

If the reader spends a few minutes examining the cryptic language and then learns the meaning by reading further, he/she will gain a good, albeit elementary idea of the method of study talmudic scholars utilize. In fact, Talmud study is even more difficult when studied from the original text. The text is in a mixture of Aramaic and Hebrew. There are words and idioms that relate to the time the text was written over a millenium and a half ago. Therefore, this cryptic text is even more mysterious than the English translations are. This book is a fascinating starting point but any kind of a deep understanding comes through a lifetime of study of the original text, under the supervision of a learned teacher and study partners. There are now several translations of the entire text and, although studing Talmud in the original language is preferable, with the help of this fine book, study of the full translations can be very rewarding.

With the recent untimely passing of baseball hero Kirby Puckett, it's particularily worth noting that SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: BLACK BASEBALL IN MINNESOTA includes an oustanding chapter on the life of Puckett.

The chapter on Puckett's life was penned by sportswriter and author Jay Weiner, who was the Twins beat writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune during the 1980s. Weiner does a brilliant job in telling the "rags-to-riches" story of the offspring of the Chicago housing projects who became the smiling face of the Minnesota Twins.

Weiner reveals the essence of Kirby Puckett, warts and all, and gives the reader a deeper sense of the tragic aura of Puck's career, injury, blindness, groping for posterity, and his induction into baseball's Hall of Fame.

Perspective is needed on Puckett and his place in the baseball record in Minnesota and author Weiner does this in SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: BLACK BASEBALL IN MINNESOTA. The book gives TWINS fans a new level of understanding of baseball in Minnesota, tying the past to the present, to see how it all fits together in a lively style, rich in storylines, filled with pathos of the intertwining of the themes of manhood, fatherhood, and brotherhood. A great read for fans of Puckett and of the Minnesota Twins.

Twenty-three articles by a variety of authors, mostly college professors and journalists, cover the different facets of black baseball in Minnesota from its first days in the latter 1800s down to contemporary times. The general theme running through all of the diversified articles is the "America Dream" and the "American Tragedy" reflected in the histories of the teams and the careers and lives of individual players. The American Dream part of the theme deals with how playing baseball allowed players to strive for high personal achievement as well as enjoy various levels of economic security and social recognition. The American Tragedy part takes in not only the racism and discrimination players faced, but also personal troubles and disappointments of some of them. Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, and Willie Mays appear along with many relative unknowns. The exploits of teams named the Fergus Falls Musculars, the Quicksteps, and the Brown Stockings, among others, are related. The vibrant Minnesota black baseball scene going back well over a century is treated in a popular style profiling great and other notable players and following the courses, and occasional dramatic moments, of the teams.

Hoffbeck and his group of writers slice through baseball history in a unique way. Minnesota is not known for its baseball history or its African-American history, so at first glance it does not appear to be a very meaty topic. However, the writers have managed to cull together stories dating from the 1870s, covering the local town team right up to major-leaguers with the Twins. Some of the giants of the game stopped in Minnesota on their way to "the show" and therefore the book appeals to all baseball fans, not just Minnesotans.

"Swinging For The Fences," is a fascinating journey through Minnesota african american baseball history from the late 19th century to the present day. The book focuses on themes such as race, manhood, brotherhood, and fatherhood, and traces the struggles and triumphs of several black ball players who lived and played in Minnesota.Through the stories of remarkable athletes such as Bud Fowler, Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, Dave Winfield, and Kirby Puckett, the authors trace the vivid, if not well known,saga of black baseball in the upper midwest , from the town team days right up to the arrival of the Twins and beyond.Unlike many baseball histories, "Swinging For The Fences," doesn't overwhelm you with mind numbing facts and figures and a real love for the game shines through. The book also contains many never before published photos. Painstakingly researched and beautifully written, "Swinging For The Fences," is as exhilarating and fulfilling as a ninth inning rally !
-Todd Peterson, Member, The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)

When one thinks of "black" baseball, an image of Jackie Robinson trying to break the Major League Baseball color barrier with the Dodgers comes to mind. About the last thing one would expect is to associate the lily-white state of Minnesota with black bseball, yet, in this intrigingly interesting book, Dr. Steve Hoffbeck shows how many other black baseball players suffered the same struggles as Jackie Robinson, their stories being told for the first time.

Dr. Hoffbeck has assembled a team of 11 writers to tell the detailed story of black baseball players in Minnesota that begins in the late 19th century and ends with sad story of the fallen hero Kirby Puckett. This is not a book that revels in baseball statistics; rather, the writers focus on the players themselves: who they were, where they came from, the color barrier conflicts each had to face, and what happened to them after baseball. It is this personalized approach that grabs the mind of the reader, and makes this book so interesting.

The book is divided into 24 concise chapters, each centered on a particular black baseball player or team. My favorite player chapters were as follows:

1. Earl Batty and his attempt to bring racial equality to the southern "plantation" owner of the Minnesota Twins, Calvin Griffith.
2. Satchel Paige's baseball barnstorming days in Minnesota. I am amazed with the pure pitching genius of 'Ol Satch, and how he was not allowed to compete against white major league baseball players until he was 42 years old in 1948. Even at that age (Paige being the oldest rookie to ever play major league baseball), Paige amazed the fans, his teammates, every batter he faced, and even the umpires with his amazing throwing skills. What a shame a man like Paige was denied his chance to excel at his first love while in his prime - just think of how the record books would look if Paige pitched 20-plus seasons in the major leagues!
3. Toni Stone, the first black woman (or any woman of any color for that matter) to attempt to pitch at the major league level.
4. The chapter on the tragic story of Kirby Puckett, the first black Minnesota baseball superstar, who had the fans of Minnesota in his back pocket, and then lost it all to allegations of spousal abuse and infidelity. Minnesota has never gotten over the fall of their hero Puckett and we lament to this day the sad ending to his stellar career.

The above chapters are only my personal highlights of what has come together as an excellent book on black baseball. Other chapters deal with lesser known black players in Minnesota, yet, the themes of persistence through intense racial persecution and taunting, the shared black brotherhood of baseball, and the sacrifices these men went through to pursue their love of the game shine through.

Hoffbeck and fellow writers have contributed a vital link to the previously untold "missing" history of black baseball.

This book should be in the collection of anyone who loves the game of baseball, for it documents the early pioneers of black baseball, and shows the heavy financial and emotional price the players had to pay to seek their places in the game of baseball. Modern-day black baseball players owe a debt of gratitude to these early pioneers, for it was their superior abilities, pride, and persistence that finally brought down the long-standing nearly impregnable racial barrier of American baseball. Cudos to Hoffbeck and Company for telling their compelling stories.

Jim Konedog Koenig

A well written, poignant journey into the rich, yet non-existent today, past of the vibrant Jewish community of Europe prior to World War Two.

I have read all the previous complimentary reviews, and agree with them all -- this is a masterpiece and should definitely be owned by all interested in this subject particularly because of its fine text, the wonderful and priceless photos (how did the old ones become in color??), and the pertinent appendices.
But I would like to also mention its limitations, which no one mentioned; but still these should not discourage its purchase:
(1) The most glaring (near-) omission is its abysmal index The text mentions hundreds of synagogues in tens of pages, yet the index consists of only two pages of quite large type.
(2) This grossly incomplete index also has the wrong reference page for many synagogues [I checked two towns and found each discussed on a different page].
(3) One should realize that only certain countries are listed; this is not a criticism; more a hope for a second volume. Those countries listed are: Italy, Croatia and Serbia, Greece, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Again, the grossly limited index makes search truly impossible; forcing one to just read each page in each subject country. Perhaps this is a 'plus'!

Still, a masterpiece.

This is a beautiful book! The pictures are gorgeous, and the accompanying text is clear, concise, and extremely informative. Each chapter contains a beautiful and poignant story of a lost community. I shared this book with my parents, who come from and are familiar with some of the communities mentioned in the book. It brought back bittersweet memories for them, as they are survivors of the Shoah. I showed this book to my children and their friends, and the pictures generated some very good discussions. This is a book that belongs on every coffee table - and it won't stay there for too long. It's a book to be picked up and looked over slowly and lovingly. Each chapter is to be savoured. I highly recommend it!

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award 2000, this jewel of a book should be in every Jewish home and in as many high-school, university and public libraries as possible, Jewish and otherwise.

Like many of life's blessings that seem "accidental," a holiday in Italy developed into this fascinating history of synagogues and their communities in Italy [6 communities], Croatia and Serbia [3], Greece [3], Austria [3], the Czech Republic: Bohemia and Moravia [7], Slovakia [7] and Hungary [5].

That "vacation" expanded into five seasons of research on 350 synagogues. Thirty-four chapters of text are devoted to the history of specific Jewish communities. The excellent photographs of synagogoue interiors and exteriors were taken by the authors, unless otherwise noted. Fieldwork was followed by seven years of research and writing.

Writing the Foreword in 1999, the late Dr. Joseph Burg mentioned the authors' "infinite work, tireless devotion and careful investigation." Their energy has created a rich mixture of information on the synagogues and the Jews who worshipped in them. This combines with a competent description of the architectural and decorative aesthetics.

The earliest mentioned synagogue (1408) is in the former Dubrovnik ghetto, where today a congregation of 47 members, up from 23 some years ago, worships at No. 3 Jewish Street. The most recent (1925), the Neolog synagogue in Lucenec, Slovakia, was designed by architect Lipot Baumhorn. The small community remaining after the Holocaust sold it to the state for repair and use for cultural purposes. However, the authorities leased it out as an agricultural warehouse. In the late 1970s, when the tenant moved out, the building was left open to vandals. Today the interior is a picture of "wanton devastation" in contrast to the exterior photographs which imply the past grandeur of Baumhorn's romantic style.

The text provides marvelous nuggets of congregational and artistic history. In Italy, the only European country in which Jews have lived continually since the second century B. C. E., the synagogue design ranges from the luxuriant Baroque-Rococo interior of the synagogue in Casale Monferrato to the white-walled purity at Gorizia. Built in the ghetto in 1699, the latter experienced in 1761 a fire which "licked up to the synagogue and suddenly stopped on the threshold." The congregation celebrated the date and miracle for many years as a "minor Purim." Restored in 1984, the building is now a small Jewish museum. The large Pilsen synagogue in Bohemia, built in 1892, has been restored and is open to the public. The Nazis did not destroy it because of adjacent valuable commercial property. The neo-Moresque styled synagogue and school built in 1903 in Osijek, Croatia, was sold to Pentacostals and is now a church and seminary.

The supplementary chapter "A Gallery of Women" points out that the last resident Jews in remote towns more often than not are women. Today many are the mainstays of the local Jewish presence. Included here is Bernadette Booten's study "Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue," and information from Lee I. Levine's "The Ancient Synagogue: the first thousand years.

"The Italian Synagogue through the Ages" by Noemi Cassuto features photos of seven synagogues. Two in-scale floor plans detail the 13th century synagogue in Trani, converted 300 years later into a church.

"Synagogue Interior Decoration and the Halakhah" by Shalom Sabar questions which graphic content has been considered permissible over the years in view of the Second Commandment which forbids making images. The possibility of idolatry has always threatened, as did the simple fact of being distracted from prayer. Rabbi Judah ben Temah stated: Be strong as a tiger, light as an eagle, fast as a deer and mighty as a lion to fulfill the will of your Father in Heaven." Some Jews wanted images of the four "holy" animals used decoratively. In fact, in the 12th century in Regensburg, Germany, images of animals and birds were painted on the walls. Images of plants, fruit and flowers were always allowed, as were geometric designs, often inlaid in metal or mosaic.

"Spirituality and Space" by Rudolf Klein points out that in Judaism architecture lacks a direct link to the spiritual, the Torah, and the spatial. A minyan of ten Jews can pray together in any room, even out of doors. The synagogue is sacred because of the scriptures it contains.

The Appendix on synagogue restoration is a useful reference list to the current status of close to 150 synagogues, i.e., "in Jewish use; museum; new building; institute; community center; concert hall and gallery." In Venice three synagogues are in use, a fourth in restoration; in Zemun, in 1998 the Serbian radical party restored one as "a restaurant and gambling house."

A long list of Acknowledgments; a Bibliography; a Glossary and an Index witness that the entire project was created by many hearts and minds working together to achieve a shared vision. The book is such a rich mine of Jewish community history and religious art that one will return to it time and again.

The authors' parental roots in Moldavia and the Ukraine were transplanted to the United States, where Rivka and Ben-Zion grew up. Rivka has a BJE degree from Hebrew College in Boston and an MA in Ancient Semitic Languages and Art of the Ancient Near East from Columbia University. She studied art history and Jewish art at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and she lectures in Israel and abroad. Ben-Zion earned a Ph.D. in Genetics at Yale University. They live in Jerusalem.

The authors share with the reader the many meetings they had with total strangers during their travels, Jews and non-Jews: the friendships that developed, kindnesses shown, hospitality generously given. They were often asked, "Did your family come from this town?" Feeling themselves "an intrinsic part of the endless list of anonymous Jews who populated these villages and towns, the Dorfmans symbolically replied, "Yes, our family came from this town."

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award 2000, this jewel of a book should be in every Jewish home and in as many high-school, university and public libraries as possible, Jewish and otherwise.

Like many of life's blessings that seem "accidental," a holiday in Italy developed into this fascinating history of synagogues and their communities in Italy [6 communities], Croatia and Serbia [3], Greece [3], Austria [3], the Czech Republic [7], Slovakia [7] and Hungary [5].

That "vacation" expanded into five seasons of research on 350 synagogues. Thirty-four chapters of text are devoted to the history of specific Jewish communities. The excellent photographs of synagogue interiors and exteriors were taken by the authors unless otherwise noted. Fieldwork was followed by seven years of research and writing.

Writing in the Foreword in 1999, Dr. Joseph Burg mentioned the authors' "infinite work, tireless devotion and careful investigation." Their energy has created a rich texture of information on the synagogues and the Jews who worshipped in them. This combines with a competent description of the architectural and decorative aesthetics.

The earliest synagogue discussed [1408] is in the former ghetto of Dubrovnik, where today a congregation of 47 members, up from 23 some six years ago, worships at number 3 Jewish Street. The most recent one [1925] the Neolog synagogue in Lucenec, Slovakia, was designed by architect Lipot Baumhorn. The small community remaining after the Holocaust sold it to the State for repair and use for cultural purposes. However, the authorities leased it out as an agricultural warehouse. In the late 1970s, when the tenants moved out, the building was left open to vandals. Today the interior is a picture of "wanton destruction," a contrast with the exterior that still evokes the grandeur of Baumhorn's Romantic style.

The text provides marvelous nuggets of congregational and artistic history. In Italy, the only European country in which Jews have lived continually since the Second Century BCE, synagogue design ranges from the luxuriant Baroque-Rococo interior of the synagogue in Casale Monferrato to the white-walled purity in Gorizia. Built in the ghetto in 1699, the latter experienced a fire in 1761 which "licked up to the synagogue and suddenly stopped on the threshold." The congregation celebrated the date and miracle for many years as a minor Purim. Restored in 1984, the building is now a small Jewish Museum. The large Pilsen synagogue in Bohemia built in 1892 has been restored and is open to the public. The Nazis did not destroy it because of adjacent valuable commercial property. The neo-Moresque styled synagogue and school built in 1903 in Osijek, Croatia, was sold to Pentacostals and is now a church and seminary.

The supplementary chapter "A Gallery of Women" points out that the last resident Jews in remote towns more often than not are women. Today many are the mainstays of the local Jewish presence.

The "Italian Synagogue through the Ages" by Noemi Cassuto features photos of seven synagogues. Two in-scale floor plans detail the 13th century synagogue in Trani, converted 300 years later into a church.

"Synagogue Interior Decoration and the Halakhah" by Shalom Sabar questions which graphic content has been considered permissible over the years in view of the Second Commandment which forbids figurative representation. The possibility of idolatry has always threatened, as did the simple fact of being distracted from prayer. Rabbi Judah ben Temah stated "Be strong as a tiger, light as an eagle, fast as a deer and mighty as a lion to fulfill the will of your Father in Heaven." Some Jews wanted images of the four "holy" animals used decoratively. In the 12th century in Regensburg, Germany, images of animals and birds were painted on the walls. Images of plants, fruit and flowers were always allowed, as were geometric designs often inlaid in metal or mosaic.

"Spirituality and Space" by Rudolf Klein points out that in Judaism architecture lacks a direct link to the spiritual, the Torah and the spatial. A minyan of ten Jews can pray together in any room, even out of doors. The synagogue is sacred because of the scriptures it contains.

The Appendix on synagogue restoration is a useful current status reference list of close to 150 synagogues, i.e. "in Jewish use; museum; new building; institute; community center; concert hall and gallery." In Venice three synagogues are in use, a fourth in restoration; in Zemun, in 1998 the Serbian radical party restored one as "a restaurant and gambling house."

A long list of Acknowledgments: a Bibliography; a Glossary and an Index witness that the entire project was created by many hearts and minds working together to achieve a shared vision. The book is such a rich mine of Jewish community history and religious art that one will return to it time and again.

The authors' parental roots in Moldavia and the Ukraine were transplanted to the United States, where Rivka and Ben-Zion grew up. Rivka has a first degree from Hebrew College in Boston and an M.A. in Ancient Semitic Languages and Art of the Ancient Near East from Columbia University. She also studied art history and Jewish art at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. She lectures in Israel and abroad. Ben-Zion earned a Ph.D. in Genetics at Yale University. They live in Jerusalem.

The authors share with the reader the many meetings they had with total strangers during their travels, Jews and non-Jews; the friendships that developed, kindnesses shown, hospitality generously given. They were often asked "Did your family come from this town?" Feeling themselves "an intrinsic part of the endless list of anonymous Jews who populated these villages and towns," the Dorfmans found themselves answering "Yes. Our family came from this town."

The Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorum (Synopsis of the Four Gospels) (Greek Edition) is simply a must for Gospel studies - I suppose if one must they can get the Greek-English edition - but still you simply cannot see the differences and similarities between the various pericopes in the English - only the Greek will highlight the differences ranging from word forms, omissions, additions, tenses, etc. Every Bible teaching Pastor should have one of this on his or her desk!

As with all scholarly reference works, it is important to buy the latest edition. The 15th edition of Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorum, published in 1996, not only contains an up-to-date edition of the Greek New Testament (based on the 26th ed. of Nestle-Aland) but includes as an appendix the complete text of the Gospel of Thomas (in Coptic, paralleled with English and German translations) as well as retroverted translations into Greek (supplemented with extant Greek fragments) supplied in the footnotes. As with earlier editions, the parallels are given according to the order in each of the four Gospels (resulting in some duplication), an apparatus supplies the important variants found among the Greek manuscripts, and references to relevant Biblical parallels are provided. Of course, if a Synopsis of the Gospels in English is needed, then the 2nd edition of Aland's Synopsis of the Four Gospels (with Greek and English on facing pages) is the best (but it also costs twice as much).

Prior to ordering this tittle (Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorum, Kurt Aland)I would like to now: 1. It is written in greek? 2. Is this 13th edition the same than the 7th of Stuttgart? 3. Size of the page? 4. How many pages has this book? I will appreciate your prompt reply. Thanks.

This has all Gospels in parallel columns. Including John. It is the only Synopsis that includes John. And it is extremely beneficial.

The wording in each column follows a pattern, where the words are orientated in the column to correspond to those same words used in the other Gospels (gaps are required in the text, for Gospel accounts with less text). This allows for one to easily see where the text is exactlu the same in each Gospel.

The Gospels stories are arranged, generally in order as in the Gospels. But organized into 367 separate stories. With some doubling of passages.

At the bottom of the page is the NA apparatus critcus.

Between the text and the aparatus, are quotes from all relavant Scripture. From Paul, the other epistles, Acts, and Revalation. From the Ralph's Septuaginta, the Apocrypha, all the Patristic writings, and non-cannonical and Gnostic Gospels. Anything that correlates to the passage in question is listed. Not just the location, but the entire quote. You don't need to pick up anyother text to get the deepest understanding of the Gospels. It's all included.

Idioms and figures of speech, or similar phrases from other locations are also cited and compared after the text, to get a deeper understanding of the Biblical Greek text.

There are tons of apendices. One lists all the stories, in categories, and page number, another lists all the other Scripture cited in the manual, organized by text type, and where it is mentioned.

Another apendix is all the Patristic writings relavant to the Gospals. Mostly in Greek. Some in Latin.

Yet another apendix is the entire Gospel of Thomas, in the Coptic, German, a new English translation, and a Greek back translation. This Gospel is often refered to in the Synopsis for paralells with "the big 4", and can easily be referenced. The Greek back translation is quite helpful for one not entirely fluen in Coptic, and assists in comparison for the Coptic, to help one learn more Coptic.

It is of course of highest quality craftsmanship. Fine quality acid-free paper, stitched binding, and a cloth cover.

This is the book for the deepest study of the Gospels, and of Jesus' life and teachings. The ultimate core of Christianity. It is easy reading, yet in minutes, one can learn a world of knowledge. It is amazing. The greatest book I own, or ever will.

Other versions are available. Greek-German, Greek-English, just English. However, other languages can be distracting, and are irrelavant to textual criticism. I recomend just Greek.

If you are somewhat familiar with Greek, then this tool will fascinate you. Sitting down and looking at the columns of Greek text for the four gospels side by side is a rare delight.

For textual criticism and comparative gospel studies in the synoptics or with John, this book is unlike anything else in my library. The binding and paper quality are superior as well and it's a great value in my opinion.

As a preaching pastor, I plan to use this extensively the next time I do a sermon series from the gospels. For scholars it is recommended by Gordon Fee in his New Testament Exegesis 3rd edition, which is why I bought it. Fee says you need this resource for gospel exegetical work. I can see why he says that after going through several portions of this great tool.

If you can-buy it!

This 1997 edition by Kregel Publications is beautiful. It has photographs of a model of the Temple accompanying the text. Even if you already have a copy, this edition is worth finding!

This volume in its first publication in 1874 was an invaluable compendium of information that bridged the gap between the ancient world of the first century and the modern era. The 75 full-color photos and illustrations plus the carefully revised and updated textual notes have only added to this value!

I bought this book a couple of years ago and reference it from time to time after having read it completely. This version, which updates Edersheim's magnificent 19th century edition, contains color photos of some of the best researched models of the Herodian Temple at Jerusalem and is your one-stop-shopping source for information on structure, priesthood function, liturgical song and rites. Eyewitnesses to the Temple, such as Philo and Josephus are consulted and cited. Rabbinic material is investigated and used to support the text.

The Temple is depicted in painstakingly detailed models and maps based on the best archaeological evidence and eyewitness reports. Edersheim and his successors then take you through the priesthood functions as well as the rules specific to behavior in/around the Temple, and funding sources such as the various taxes and offerings. Next the sacrifices are covered. I found the most striking chapter for me to be "At Night in the Temple," where Edersheim takes you on rounds with the priests and temple guard. Everything is here, the feasts, the Passover, the Day of Atonement.

If you're a Jew, this text will help you in your studies of pre-diaspora Jewish Temple worship. If you're a Christian, it sheds more context on the New Testament by filling in blanks that would have made sense to 1st century Jewish Christians. One can sense just how devastating the loss of the Temple in 70AD must have been for the religious Jews of Jerusalem.

This is a terrific book, but some of the information is inaccurate and the wordier style of the 1800s can be difficult to follow. It has fantastic pictures. You can also try Garrards Splendour of the Temple (scads of photos, many the same as edersheim's) - you can also buy a cd of photos from a model for that, Leen Ritmeyers Secrets of Jerusalem's Temple Mount (he's a top scholar in the field but the book is quite readable), Carta's Encyclopedia of the Hholy Temple (or something like that). Also try the site of "The Temple Institute" for books reflecting more of the temple services like Edersheim has(less phsyical appearance, but both have a good deal of both), but buy it from Amazon, much cheaper! I haven't received them yet so I am quoting their description. Edersheim is a talented writer, some beautiful descriptions. Garrard's and Ritmeyer's are more correct but less eloquent and evocative.

Hope all that helps somebody out there! I had an impossible time finding anything on this temple, because Amazon just refers you to other Edersheim books in their sections on similar books and purchases.

This book is a wonderful book--it is well written, organized well in a format that allows for relatively quick reference, and just plain has a lot of information in it.

Edersheim was a Messianic Jew who lived during the 1800's. He was a phenomenal scholar, which he proves again in this book. This book is riddled with citations to the Talmud, Josephus, and many other early sources. By Edersheim's own admission, he omits as many footnotes as he can--and there are still more footnotes than most books written today!

That said, I suspect it is not the book for everyone. First of all, it is written from a Christian perspective. Edersheim shows, very effectively, how Christ fulfilled all that the Temple portrayed. To do this, there are some discussions that many people will find simply boring (I found most of them fascinating). Also, it is worth noting that this book was first published in 1874--and the Edersheim's writing style is thus outdated by over a century. If that doesn't bother you, then great--pick up the book. Or, if you don't plan on actually reading the book cover to cover, but would like a good reference, this would be a good book as well. If, on the other hand, you don't enjoy reading 19th-century language, this book may be sufficiently painful enough for you that you should pass it up.

However--and a big however--if you're not sure whether you would like this book, get it anyway. It's a great book.

Edersheim takes the reader throughout the first-century Temple, illuminating many things that are not commonly known. The book has some very detailed information in it, details not known to most people. These details bring to light many of the themes of the New Testament, and helps the reader understand exactly what was meant in a given passage.

For a better understanding of the Temple in the times of Christ, this book is superb--but like I said, probably not for the faint of heart.

The book is a collection of unique essays, essays with a single aim in mind - to spark a radical expansion of human consciousness. With a lofty goal as this, how does it fair? How deep is deep ecology? How vital is it, given the current massive environmental decline? Should we be concerned with the earth? These are some of the questions that will be tackled in this volume. To begin with, let us look into the text itself. Midway into the text, the reader is intentionally awed by an imposition of a radically different view of himself: "What are you? What am I? Intersecting cycles of water, earth, air and fire, that's what I am, that's what you are" (John Seed 1988, 41). The best way to characterize the text in a couple of words is - meditations on the earth. However, saying these words invariably undercuts the intricacy of exquisite poetic alliterations, metaphoric presence and a penetrating gaze, that the authors invoke on each page. Their work began in Australia, as a small grass-roots circle that held environmental rituals. They traveled, published, inspired, protested, performed, they traveled again. A journey of commitment to something beyond individual goals, their personal stories and essays seem more unified than a story of one man's life. The resulting book is filled with a sense of unceasing directed education, education that transcends classrooms and all conversation - powerful, meaningful words, cerebrally integral to the human being, penetrate the reader, and it is impossible to remain indifferent to the message.

My "aha!" moment in this short and not at all new book came when John Seed says that the refusal to change everything right now that we all have with the problems the planet faces is not from apathy but despair.

"Experience with group work has shown that this despair, greef and anger can be confronted, experienced and creatively channeled. Far from being crushed by it, new energy, creativity, and empowerment can be released."

Deep and thought provoking is how I found this book. Quotes and theories and musings upon how we are all connected and the impacts we have on one another on this green earth. Something in this book warmed my heart. Knowing there are others out there with incredible respect for even the most tiniest and seemingly insignificant creatures was very heartening. Other books that may compare are Machelle Wrights "Behaving as if the God in all life mattered" and any book concerning the spiritual community of Findhorn. I highly recommend this book to those of you who like a thoughtful read on Nature and spirit. Thanks Brenda Tataryn.

I read this book while sitting under a cottonwood tree at the bottom of the Grand Canyon (a "mountain lying down"). This collection of deep-ecology essays, teachings, meditations, and poems allowed me to experience my surroundings in a new way: "Every atom in this body existed before organic life emerged 4000 million years ago. Remember our childhood as minerals, as lava, as rocks? Rocks have the potentiality to weave themselves into such stuff as this. We are the rocks dancing" (p. 36).

This book's title is taken from the 1949 SAND COUNTY ALMANAC, in which Aldo Leopold warned us that unless we attempt to connect with our ecosystem by thinking like a mountain, disaster is inevitable. Stated differently by Thich Nhat Hanh, we must listen within ourselves to "the sounds of the earth crying" (p. 7). Contributors to this 122-page book include, among others, John Seed, Joanna Macy, Pat Fleming, Arne Naess, Gary Snyder, and Chief Seattle. John Seed recognizes that "nothing short of a total revolution in consciousness will be of lasting use in preserving the life-support systems of our planet" (p. 9). He reminds us that we are "part of the rainforest recently emerged into thinking" (p. 36). Joanna Macy observes that we touch the Earth by touching our face, by touching our brothers and sisters (pp. 60-61).

This thin book contains a mountain of deep thinking, including exercises designed to "help make us more conscious of our embeddedness in the web of life" (p. 80), and meditations to protect the Earth "from the blades of men unhinged by greed, prestige and authority" (p. 91): "Relax and breathe in, breathe in Mountain, I feel my rock-roots go deep deep down to where the Earth herself is very hot" (p. 80). Reading this book could change the way you think about your life. "When you think like a mountain, one also thinks like the black bear, so that honey dribbles down your fur as you catch the bus to work" (p. 39).

G. Merritt

"Thinking Like a Mountain" is an elegant tapestry of writings, poems, and observations which plumb the depths of Ecological Philosophy. This little book is a labor of love,crafted skillfully, with fascinating illustrations that convey the harmony, complexity, and uniqueness of the Natural World.

the Reoccurring Theme which is centeral to this book is that in order for Humans to be Balanced and Functional, it is necessary that they open themselves and learn to develop an increased sensitivity to the incredible diversity and richness of Nature. Within this context the Human Self, over time, becomes gradually transformed into the "Ecological Self" in an intricately and infinitely bonded universe within which the boundaries between Humans and their Ecological Selves become merged and indistinguishable from each other.

From the different, yet complementary perspectives of the three authors, the reader will come to realize that "whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of Earth," and that Man himself does not "weave the Web of Life" but instead exists as a mere "strand" within this interactively intricate web.

This is a simplistic, yet profound, book of "Discovery," where we learn that Gaia is becoming increasingly aware of Herself, and the intricate cycles and interactions of her countless Life-Forms within the Global Biosphere. For anyone who loves Nature, and wishes to better comprehend the philosophical interactions between Humans and Natural World, this book will prove to be a rich resource for both Mind and Spirit. Elliott Maynard, Arcos Cielos Research Center.

This is an engrossing and colorful story, but it's the rich lode of spiritual truth in The Three Candles that brings tears to my eyes whenever I reread it. For those who feel not quite at home in this world - who sense that they have one foot in this world and a least a toehold in the other - this book offers affirmation and consolation. It begins with a delightful and wry description of our lost abilities to perceive the essence of nature, and proceeds to illuminate with love and hope the beauty and tragedy of this world. It reminds us of the profound consequences of mundane choices we make. It addresses how we enter and leave this life and what occurs in between. It indicates how the most difficult acts of service arise from the joy of love. As with all great children's books, it is profoundly moral without being at all moralistic. It is also for those adults who would "become again as little children."

This was the favorite book of all people associated with the Garden City, L.I., N.Y. Waldorf school (perhaps the flagship school at that time for the U.S.) in the school's 'heyday'.. I graduated from there in 1966 when John F. Gardner was headmaster, and Dr. Franz Winkler was Chairman. This book should never be out of print.. it has too much in it for those that wish to follow a spiritual path. If you seek the Holy Grail, read this book; and no, I am not kidding. John G. Aughenbaugh .

This book can be seen as a simple fairy tale or much more. If you've ever wanted to escape your normal or boring life, simply turn to the first page. Veronica encounters fairies, demons, sylphs, ghosts, all during her seemingly normal life. This book is a gem and should be on every bookshelf. It is beautifully written and oh-so-inspirational!

My mom gave me this book when I was a child it was by far my favorite, the story and the illustrations are rich and beautiful. I had been hoping to share it with my children (my copy has long since dissapeared). This is a book that should never be out of print it has far too much to offer to anyone who has children or not.

My mom gave me this book when I was a child it was by far my favorite, the story and the illustrations are rich and beautiful. I had been hoping to share it with my children (my copy has long since dissapeared). This is a book that should never be out of print it has far too much to offer to anyone who has children or not.

This is a beautiful cookbook with some really wonderful recipes. The recipes are delicious and not very difficult to prepare. I made a chicken salad recipe from this cookbook that uses dried cherries and I really love it! I've probably made it 4 times already, and others have really liked it as well. I have a lot of cookbooks in my collection, and some that I've never even cooked out of, but this is not one of them! I will definitely use this cookbook.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this cookbook.

A Thyme To Remember: Generations Of Recipes Handed Down For Today is a beautifully presented compilation of outstanding recipes showcasing dishes and cuisines that were literally passed down from generation to generation as family favorites. The recipes are colorfully organized into sections titled: A Handful of Savors (appetizers and beverages); A Handful of Herbs (salads); A Handful Flour (hearty breads and soups); A Handful of Sunshine (sweet breads and brunch); A Handful of Flavors (main entrees); A Handful of Seasonings (vegetables); A Handful of Sugar; cakes, cookies and pies); A Handful of Heaven (decadent desserts); and The Final Touch (nutritional charts, index, recipe contributors, and ordering information). From Bleu Cheese and Spiced Walnut Terrine; Dried Cherry Chicken Salad; Aunt Effie's Monkey Bread; and Hazelnut Meusli; to Bavarian Meat Loaf; Cabbage and Sweet Pepper Medley; Mother's Lazy Daisy Cake and Broiled Coconut Icing; and Watermelon Granita, A Thyme To Remember will become an instant family favorite meal planning reference whether for daily family fare or special celebratory occasions!

Initially drawn to the book because of its appearance - very pretty. Recipes are easy to prepare and delicious.

Many recipes are original and not found in any other cookbook. Was given a list of foolproof recipes from a friend who recommended the book. I am surprised at how many of the recipes I have tried already.

Good purchase.

Beautiful book with great recipes. More upscale than home cooking, but easy to use. Killer desserts -especially the Texas Peach Belini Cake and White Chocolate Bread Pudding. Lots of good recipes for a variety of salads, especially asian salad dressings. A gold seal says it's the official millennium cookbook for Dallas.

THIS IS AN UNUSUAL COOKBOOK- A GREAT READ IN ADDITION TO GREAT RECIPES. RECIPES ARE GENERALLY PRETTY EASY AND RELIABLE- TESTED, WITH QUALITY AND LOOK OF JR. LEAGUE COOKBOOKS. STANDOUTS ARE SMOKED CATFISH PATE, VEGETABLE SPOON BREAD, APPLE CHEDDAR CORN MUFFINS, AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING. RECIPES ARE THOSE OF PHYSICIANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN DALLAS.GOOD ADDITION FOR ANY COLLECTOR.

Wonderful photos and comments about the devastating Alstead Flood.

A remarkable book about the Cold River, New Hampshire flood of October, 2005 written, edited and designed by high school students. It's a highly professional volume with a heart-breaking poignancy.

Very good grass-roots written account of an event that was traumatic for all the residents of a small New Hampshire town.

This was a truly exceptional story of a flood that arrived in a very small town in October 2005. The book has an excellent overview of the scientific and human factors (geology, meteorology, development, etc), that contributed to the flood but more importantly the story is told from a variety of perspectives through interviews resulting in fairly complete picture of what happened before, during, and after the flood. While the story is well told and the photographs beautiful, what makes this book unique is that children were interviewed and their perceptions, opinions, and perspectives are meaningful, touching, funny, and often right on target. By the end of the book not only did I have a satifying read but a real appreciation for how people come together in tragedy and crisis and how one major event can really impact a place long after the event is over.

This is an inspirational book and is a testament to the residents of Alstead NH and surrounding communities who survived the devastating floods of October 2005. I live only a short distance from Altead, but through this book I learned so much about this little town in Southwestern NH. The photographs and oral histories give the reader a real understanding of the magnitude of the flooding and the challenges faced in the recovery process.

This is the most complete guide I have found on coloring & decorating all types of fabric. It is in full-color & packed with many detailed examples. The book starts out with a general history & information on fabrics.

Step-by-step instructions then take you though a wide variety of techniques, including painting, dyeing, printing and stamping. Choice of fabric, preparation and colorant recipes precede the various techniques.

There are lots of fresh ideas that I have not seen in other books like coloring a black & white pattern and etching fabric. Many others include compression dyeing, heat transfer, wax patterning, silk painting & nature printing.

I found the work in this book to be very creative and a great source of ideas and inspiration. I especially enjoyed those that use patterns from nature. The extensive resource list is a great bonus.

After reading many books on silk painting, I came upon 'Tranforming Fabric' and knew immediately this was the book I had been searching for. In fact, I had to call the author and express my appreciation for her writing style and the techniques she offers to transform fabrics. Looking at fabric took on a new meaning for me - I was eager to start the process of transforming fabric. The results have been more pleasing than I had expected. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys working with fabric - sewers, quilters etc. The author's experiences add to the pleasure of taking a piece of fabric and adding your personal touch without being an artist. To the author - thanks and I'm waiting for # 2! To the publisher - thank you - find more authors like Carolyn.

Carolyn Dahl's "Transforming Fabric" is a clearly superior reference volume, and one which reflects the author's dedication to artistry in every aspect of its pages. Most fundamentally, "Transforming Fabric" is itself a work of art, which even a fabric-neophyte will enjoy browsing through to gaze at the richly colorful photographs and illustrations. For anyone interested in the fabric arts, this book is a must-buy!

I will never look at a piece of fabric in the same way after reading Carolyn Dahl's beautifully written and generously illustrated book on fabric design. The subtitle, 'Color on Fabric and Life' hints that there is much more here than the how-to of dyeing, painting and patterning fabrics. Fabric artists aren't the only ones who will be entertained and inspired as Dahl awakens memories of childhood coloring books, leaf prints, iron-on designs and the tie-dyed T-shirts most of us experienced at sometime in our lives. Connoisseurs of the decorative arts and those who are merely curious about the fabrics they wear and use in everyday life will find much to interest them. Early textile dyers, Dahl tells us, signed oaths that they would not reveal any of the process. Fortunately, Dahl openly shares the secrets she has gleaned in arts schools from New York to Florence, Italy, and in her own studios from Berkeley to Houston. She hands out easy to follow directions on techniques that range from simple sponge printing to the very exacting wax resist process of batiking. For the serious fabric artist, her book is the next best thing to having a master artist and craftsman with them in the studio as she chats and reminisces while sharing the things she has learned in easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. For example, in a chapter on Compression Dyeing, Dahl compares the pulling and tugging of the fabric to the way "great handfuls of hair disappeared into skinny little whips" when her mother braided her hair. Such fresh imagery and lyrical expression set a new standard for "how-to" books. "Wherever you go...you are part of someone's visual landscaping...Why not make it beautiful," Dahl quotes from one of her lectures. With her book in hand, it is hard to resist such a challenge.

As someone who designs her won clothes and loves making a variety of textile art I love this book as well as Textile Dyeing: The Step-By-Step Guide. Simply because each book shows that one need not rely on plain fabric, but with some simple know how you can transform the simplest piece of cloth into a work of art. I especially like taking rubber stamps and with a simple clothes iron, and some velvet, making beautiful material rich with images of nature.