Living History Books

If nothing else, I will always be greatful to Countryman for making the Judaic purity laws make sense AS A WHOLE. I could always find explanations/rationalizations for an individual law, but the system seemed so arbitrary. Countryman -- almost in passing -- makes it all make sense.

That aside, his scholarship and theology are excellent. He looks at Mosaic law in context, and at the New Testemant teachings on it. He goes into depth, often taking us back to original texts and holding our hand through the tribulations of translation. He never makes a statement withoug showing you why (and citing his sources). I can't stress enough: Whether or not you're Christian, Read This Book!

While no book is going to be the final word on what the Bible means and how to apply it to one's life, this book provides insight into the cultural mindset of the authors of both the Jewish and Christian scriptures and helps one get behind archane regulations and statements to what their intended purpose actually was. Note: although homosexuality is a hot button topic in today's society, the book is not primarily on that subject. It is a good resource on the overall subject of sex and the relationships which revolve around it. Additionally, the primary thesis opens up the understanding of how God's Law regulated purity and ownership issues and thus can open up one's understanding of the Bible in other areas beyond the subject of sex.

If you are a Christian wanting to develop a whole-orbed sexology, or understand "what the Bible REALLY says about sexuality", Countryman is definitely the author for you. Always challenging, yet never overbearing, Countryman deals with the Biblical text as it is. He does not wander into the quagmires of liberalism and declare that the Bible is archaic and we needn't bother trying to understand what it says. Equally importantly, he does not blindly declare, "THIS is what the Bible says to us today", as if we ourselves lived in Biblical times without the intervening two millennia of Church history. He stakes out a middle path between contextualizing the Scriptures in their own times and emphasizing their relevance and authority for today's Church WHEN RIGHTLY UNDERSTOOD IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTEXT. Anyone seriously interested in a reverent, careful, intelligent study of the sexology of purity and property in the Christian Scriptures will surely come away challenged and refreshed by Countryman's rigorous close readings and contextualizations of the Biblical text. After reading this study, you should also read John Boswell's "Same-Sex Unions in PreModern Europe" as a further testimonial of the Church's legitimation and sanctification of homosexual unions (marriages). This historical study only further bears witness to the fundamental correctness of Countryman's exegesis of the New Testament text.

This book deflates the claims by blowhard fundamentalists by looking at the Greek words used in Christian scriptures to dissociate modern fundamentalist mores from the concepts of the original authors (whomever they may be). A piercing and informed look at the nature of cleanliness (the argument against homosexuality is often because it's unclean, but you don't see Christians following the cleanliness laws of the Torah, do you?), possession/greed (faithfulness to one's partner or partners), and their relationship to sexuality and sexual ethics. I cannot recommend a better book for those who are on the edge of leaving christianity because of its repressive sexuality -- yet can't believe that it is SUPPOSED to be that way.

Countryman presents the myriad and too-oft confusing biblical purity laws and renders them comprehensible. You've always wondered WHY wearing cloth of mixed thread is "unclean," why you could't be a priest in Old Testament times if you have one arm shorter than the other (or a crushed testical) etc., and why animals not-of-cloven-hoof are also considered unclean. Why are lepers unclean until the leprosy gets so bad that all the skin has completely depigmented (even though the ailment is still quite present)? What is the link between all these purity laws? How did the ancient mind think about what is considered pure vs. impure and why? How did this affect the New Testement writers?

Countryman explains the various theories and how they never seem to integrate all these laws in a larger context, and illustrates why we're prone to pick and choose, buffet style, the laws that happen to make sense to us today if translated to English (and how this is absolute folley without comprehending from whence and wherefore they came).

Yes, people are the same the world over, BUT the ancient mindset was truly a different animal in their paradigms for reality, and their mindset of "how life operates" concerning property, relationships, and consequently sexual ethics that obviously inform the New Testament authors.

Read at your own peril; you will be educated and informed in a non-overbearing fashion. Countryman lays all his cards on the table right away, revealing his purposes and academic predispositions ahead of time. This is responsible and open scholarship at its best!

I traveled to Mexico with Dr. Heusinkveld as a participant on one of her study abroad trips to the city where she wrote the book. I soon found out that not only is the book a must read for anyone interested in visiting or doing business in Mexico, but that the information that was published over 10 years ago is still very accurate in much of the country.

The book is a very easy read and not long at all. Its small size is very deceptive because the book is crammed with information that one should not go without.

Do not travel to Mexico without this book.

I love this book, as much for its conciseness and economy of words as well as all the sensitively considered advice and invaluable tips.
Though it is a deceptively thin book, it seems to touch on all areas of likely concern to one who visits or moves to Mexico. I wouldn't travel to Mexico without it, now.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED--should be required reading for every American so they have a better understanding of our neighbors to the south. I bought this when I first met my wife who is from Mexico. I found it very enlightening and worth every cent. It's easy to read since it is not in-depth, however, it is still very enlightening. It talks about real Mexico and real Mexicans--not the life and culture that surrounds resorts. It may need to be updated (10 years old) cause the youth in Mexico are greatly influenced by media (TV, movies, etc) today just as American youth are--however, it still provides great insight of where Mexicans are coming from.

I've read and re-read this short book, and it has helped me tremendously to understand Mexico and Mexicans. Their culture is different enough from ours that our habits don't always work.For example, in the chapter on manners, the author points out that people often thank shop clerks when leaving a store. I tried this on a recent trip and discovered that it could lead to enjoyable short conversations.

Published in 1994, I found it very timely in 2003.

...but if you know anything at all about the culture or have visited non-tourist spots you probably know a lot of this stuff already. I'm looking for something more in-depth, so I didn't find this book very helpful.

This book is an incredible reference for color theory and history. The inclusion of full panels of color reference make it one of the most useful books on the subject I've ever found.

I am in fashion design and have found the color palettes very useful in designing collections. Also, the text is informative without being boring.

I'm a graphic designer and this is a great book to look for color palettes. It explains what period the palette is from and gives you cultural information from that period. The palettes are different and beautiful. Margaret Walsh is a highly respected woman for her color knowledge.

The dual spiral constuction of this book makes any it practically impossible to read through the text while keeping the color swatches in view. I find the book to be shabbily put together - the spiral separated from the binding after one gentle use, so I was glad to have picked it up at a bargain book outlet.

There is some useful information in there, but getting it all together is not simple.

This is an excellent book if you want to compare and analyze the basic color palettes used by various art movements and at different times in history. The unique double spiral bound book allows you to look at color illustrations and flip the palettes independently so you to compare and contrast palettes and artwork. I think this would be useful for artists and designers of all sorts including theatre designers.

Although some reactionary reviewers would like the general public to believe that the late Marija Gimbutas, Ph.D. was a beyond-the-fringe scholar, one only has to look at the list of illustrious scholars who chose to write for the earlier Anthology celebrating her life's work to see that such a view is an insult to this extremely capable, gifted, and intelligent archaeologist and scholar. Marija Gimbutas was just ahead of her time and in conflict with the predominantly male powers that be within the Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D.; Riane Eisler, J.D.; James Harrod, Ph.D.; Carol P. Christ; Martin Huld; and Michael Dames to name just a few contributed to the Anthology volume honouring Marija's work. Kees Bolle, Ph.D. and Joseph Campbell can be numbered among Marija's admirers as well. Some reactionaries would like you to think that Marija stood alone and foolish in her ideas. However, time will tell and it seems that time and science are on Marija's side.

For those of you who have not had the privilege of an academic career or who are just starting out at University, you might not know that there are fads and fashions in academia just as there are fads and fashions in the other aspects of our lives. When I was an undergraduate, the History Dept. at my University was pretty much run by Marxist Historians. They groomed their students with their favorite concepts and practices and a generation of Marxist Historians was popped out. A few rebelled (some became reactionary, some revolutionary, and some just tried to be objective) and thus, twenty years down the line you have a change in fad and fashion and new schools of thought and modes of methodology take over in the halls of upper learning.

The same thing happens in all realms of study -- remember, all of these examinations and explanations are THEORIES! Even Marija's are theories; however, it is up the individual READER to determine which theory is logical and probable and to make their own choices. Do not surrender to the view of some self appointed arbiter of academia to tell you what is or is not of value.

Now remember, there are fads and fashions in academia. Marija's mode of theory arose from her life experiences (and just to find out a bit about the adventures of this extraordinary woman's extraordinary life is one reason to purchase "Living Goddesses") and the time in which she taught. Marija began teaching in the time of freedom and exploration that arose after W.W.II and in the Sixties. She continued teaching through the Seventies, Eighties and early Nineties. Many of her critics, however, are the products of the reactionary Reagan Era. Marija was not an ill taught or unaccredited scholar. She published twenty books and more than two hundred articles in various languages and taught at the best schools on this planet. She worked on many of the important archaeological digs of this century in many countries. She brought a new and fresh vision to the interpretation of data (which up until her time was nearly always interpreted by male scholars -- we see the world though our upbringing and this DOES matter in how scholars interpret their data). Marija Gimbutas, although she would have blushed at the praise, was a visionary genius.

I say this, even though I do not agree with all of her findings. However, there is enough in her theories to be of great interest and to make you comprehend the History of Western Civilization in a new way. A lot of what Marija theorizes makes incredible sense.

So, I say to you -- take a gamble and decide for yourself. I find that this is an extraordinary volume of work. Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D. has done a wonderful job of condensing and clarifying Marija's life work into this very accessible volume. I think that everyone can get a good grasp of what Marija's theories were, and they are a refreshing breath of crisp clean air, after the thick, mind numbing fog that we have sometimes had to deal with in the halls of academia. Scholarship is supposed to foster new ideas and ways of looking at the world. It is awful to say that I do not think that this is always the case in our society. We are a society that still overvalues conformity; however, would you have your PC at the ready or be surfing the Internet if the conformists had had their way? I think not.

"Living Goddesses" is the final, fittingly comprehensive and approachable volume of Marija's life work. Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D. has done a fantastic job of editing and finalizing the volume which must have been a Herculean task since the author was deceased. It is a gift to the minds of the world who explore, and wish to evaluate learning for themselves. It is a gift to the creative and visionary among us. I thank Marija Gimbutas, wherever she is, for gifting us with her knowledge, insight, and creativity. I also thank Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D., for a wonderful job of tying everything together in an entertaining and enlightening manner. I highly recommend that you purchase a copy of this book and decide its merits for yourself.

Wendilyn Emrys, B.A

I haven't quite finished but the book has held my interest thus far. The author manages to treat a scientific subject without talking down to the reader or lapsing into specialized scientific jargon.

First of all, Gimbutas was an eminent scholar, not a "fringe archaeologist". The fact that most archaeologists reject her theories does not prove that she was wrong. In fact, most, if not all, of her opponents has never seriously tried to explain why upper Palaeolithic and early neolithic symbolism is focused on women, while the latest neolithic and bronze symbolism clearly is cantered on men. No one of them ever had a good explanation for this fact - so why so harshly attacking Gimbutas who at least had a plausible theory?

In this book, published five years after Gimbutas death, the reader will get a good picture of Gimbutas theory of the goddess cult who, according to her, was the ideology of a matrifocal and matrilineal society. She is probably right in her main theory - at least none of her critics have a better alternative.

But... there is a contradiction between her tendency to idealize these societies and some known facts about some of them, facts that even Gimbutas acknowledge in this book. For example at page 106 the reader is informed that at the centre of the ritual circle Woodhenge, which Gimbutas sees a sacred place for the Goddess, "the archaeologists uncovered the crouched skeleton of a tree-year old child" . On the next page she argues that all the British "roundels" were sacred places for the Goddess and mentions "the sacrificial or ritual nature of their human remains". In fact , many of these human remains comes from small children, probably sacrificed when the circles where built.

Gimbutas was an eminent scholar, but when it comes to idealizing, it appears to have been a snake in the matrifocal paradise, at least in some regions, after all. If I have to choose, I prefer the Virgin of Guadalupe before the goddess of Woodhenge.

For those familiar with Gimbutas's earlier works, Part I is a refresher course on how the peoples of Neolithic Europe saw the Goddess. Especially interesting are the chapters on Stonehenge and other temples and ceremonial centers of wood stone and wood throughout Britain and the continent. The book's greatest value, however, lies in Part II, which comprises chapters on the Minoan, Greek, Etruscan, Basque, Celtic, Germanic, and Baltic religions. Gimbutas and Dexter explain with precision and clarity how the civilization of early historical Europe was an amalgam containing both Old and Indo-European elements. The Old Europeans were already there, of course, working the land, building cities, creating their elegant pottery, worshipping in temples sometimes miscalled palaces or fortified settlements. The Indo-European tribes came and saw and conquered. And then they settled in. Yes, they made terrible changes, but they also intermarried and adopted, and life went on. Much remained and was transformed. Although we are, for example, perhaps most familiar with the Greek gods and goddesses, we may not be familiar with their Old European ancestors. Hekate, Artemis, Athena, and Hera survived from Old Europe. So did some of the Greek gods, including Hermes, Pan, and (amazingly) Zeus. The information on the Balts is especially interesting, for they were the last pagans in Europe and their region "represents the greatest repository of Old European beliefs and traditions." This is the paganism Marija Gimbutas experienced as a child in Lithuania. Some who espouse the "culture wars" would have us believe that Gimbutas made it all up. This book is proof that she simply reported what she found. It is a testament to her extraordinary scholarship in archaeology, folklore, history, and matrilineal culture.

The evidence laid out in this series of works is very compelling. The critics of these ideas seem only able to express themselves with "Preposterous!" or "Idiotic" but never with a calm rational comparison of data and artifacts.

The Kirkus reviewer says it is "bordering on the ridiculous" to assume that the bull could have been a female symbol, that this is Gimbutas' imagination. But then there is artwork remaining from this era with clear pictures of bull skulls with horns drawn over the pelvic areas of women, with the horns positioned where the fallopian tubes would be. This murals are reproduced in the book. Had the reviewer wanted to actually check what the book presented as evidence for this assertion, he or she would have been able to find this mural. Bull skulls painted over the pelvises of women, the symbolism is hard to dismiss.

The critics of Gimbutas either don't read her work or address people who have never read her work themselves.

Seeing the anger and spite towards this body of scholarly work leaves me wondering why is there so much hatred and antagonism towards the work of Gimbutas? Why are there so many irrational and inaccurate criticisms of her body of work?

The Kirkus reviewer was sloppy -- if he or she had bothered to read the book being reviewed, then he or she would have had access to the data that supports Gimbutas' assignment of the bucranium, the head and horns of ther bull, as a uterine symbol.

What kind of fly-by-night operation is Kirkus that they allow such sloppy reviews by someone who will make an attack on a position presented in the book without actually looking at the physical evidence for this position that is decribed and presented and footnoted properly in the book itself?

I am not impressed by the critic of Gimbutas. I haven't seen a criticism that was either accurate or unemotional.

Life with Art takes the reader through a very informative subject in a concise, but detailed, manner. Beautiful illustrations of artwork being discussed don almost every page. The book is separated into twenty-one chapters which allows the reader to follow art through history, study the different types of art medium, and learn enough about art vocabulary to write a critical analysis. A must for all art students!!!

This book of approximately 500 pages covers art through the ages, including full page, color glossies, and brief but informative biographies on the most famous, some infamous, and influential artists. It has chapters on concepts to composition, not overlooking or limited to color, shape and volume, and much more in the way of inspiration. It's bound to bring you back to all the reasons you wanted to be an artist in the first place, and in context that appeals to even the less avid reader. A bit pricey perhaps, but it's definitely a timeless keeper & reference book. I highly recommend it to all visual art enthusiasts and aspirees.

As a textbook, it rambles. Could be shortend, or add more substance, like who influenced who, who created what, what legacy does this piece leave and most of all:
WHO MADE THIS ARTIST FAMOUS?
WHO FOUND OUT THIS ARTIST FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Over all a rambling book. Can anyone kindly introduce me a better book?

The value of this wonderful book is far beyond the nice design and comprehensive coverage. For those who are interested in art but do not major or profession in it, like me, it introduces some fundamental questions, such as "what is art", as well as the basic concepts and facts you need to appreciate more from any form of art. (Question: Why does the 6th edition have a different author?)

The coordination of the art and the text, "designing the layout so that all art appeared on or facing the page on which it was discussed," is superb! However, the basic structural organization of the book is confusing. It's hard to imagine that this book is so often recommended for beginning art students, since it seems to give a somewhat disjointed overview of the subject material, lacking in continuity. The focus is extremely conceptual rather than factual. For those already familiar with the basic principles, though, the examples provided and the layout of the text and images will be satisfying.

Entendi que cuando la bomba atomica exploto muchas personas personas murieron y algunas se enfermaron. Cuando internaron a Sadako en un hospital, se encontro a una niña que era muy buena con ella, paso el tiempo y se empesaron a querer mucho. Sadako, sufrio mucho por la muerte de su abuelita y por la enfermedad que tenia, esa enfermedad se llamaba leusemia. Su sueño de ella era pasar su cumpleaños con su familia y asi fue. Paso el tiempo y ella empesaba a tener dolores estomacales, dolores de cabeza y otras cosas más. Al siguiente dia ella amanecio muerta.

Para mi este mensaje es que ese libro esta muy bonito y ala vez muy triste. Encontre hasta atras que era una historia verdadera, y me sorprendio porque nunca pense que una bomba atomica hubiera explotado. No se como sacan esas historias verdaderas y me gustaria saberlo algún dia. Felicito al autor porque es un grandioso libro para mi.

Cuando lo lei me dio como emoción y cuando hiba lellendo como enmedio me dio tristeza porque lei que Sadako tenia leusemia y su abuelita se habia muerto. Yo lei que era una historia verdadera, y cuando lo lei me sorprendi, porque era una historia verdadera, entonces me dio tristeza, porque no creia que una niña a esa edad tubiera leusemia. Mi opinion del libro es que yo nunca crei que hiba a leer un cuento verdadero, pues de lo que yo se, es que hay muchos casos asi. Asi mismo que el autor que saco este libro, siga adelante como lo a hecho.

Esta muy bonito casi y su madre estubo enbarasada y siempre hacia grullas de papel. llego a a tener una bandida no podia caminar y mas emfermedaad de la bamba y rapidamente otomica furso com cumendo a poco a poco las fuersas de sadako y sention especial. de ue regreso por primera vez se alegro de la tranquilidar de su abitacion de su mama y permanese sentada a su lado largo rato de vez sadako cambio.

El emergencia de sadako y su madre le pego la enfermedad y manana de agosto de 1954. sadako se desperto sebistio de prisa y salio coriendo a la calle a sol de la manana regleja vealizo de color costana ralizo su pelo negro. no habia nube en el cielo azul sala ora una buena senal sadako siempre buscaba senales de buena suerte.

La opinion de el libro que su mama de sadako estaba embarazada y estaba y en el hospital y sadako en no odia caminar y cuando camino sadako se fue vez su mama.

El libro fue escrito por: Eleanor Coerr. El libro se trata de una niña que soñaba con ser corredora. Pero cuando ella contaba con tan solo dos años de edad cuando aventaron una bomba atómica. Sadako murio cuando contaba con tan solo doce años por causa de la bomba atómica que le causo una emfermedad que se llama leusemia. Para la ciudad de y Hiroshama, Sadako se comvirtio en una niña con mucha valentia que lucho contra la emfermedad pero no lo logro. A Sadako le hicieron una misa por la valentia al luchar contra la emfermedad.

El mensege que yo tuve fue que ana niña de tan solo doce años lucho por su vida. Yo pienso que ella si lucho por su vida. Porque si fuera otra persona hubiera dicho ya no tengo vida y no les importaria su vida y a Sadako si le importo la vida de ella. Tambien yo hubiera hecho lo mismo por mi vida ó la de otra persona de mi familia. Porque yo si amo a mi vida y hay otros que no. A mi me gustari conocer a Sadako.

Mi opinión es que pasaron cosas que no me gustaron. Pero el libro esta muy bueno u quiero felicitar a la autora. Porque se isnpiro en esta historia. Que yo creo que todos que leieron el libro deben estar contentos. Yo recomiendo este libro Sadako y Las Mil Grullas de Papel. Porque no tiene esenas fuertes.

El libro Sadoko y las mil grullas de papel fue escrito por:Eleanor Coerr. El libro de Sadako se trata de una niña que a sus doce años resulto tener leucemia. A los doce años se murio. Le gustaba correr pero un dia se canso y le dio como asthma. El doctor le aviso que ella tenia leucemia y que tenia que guardar reposo para ver si se curaba. Un amigo llamado Chizuko le conto una historia de Japón que si hacia mil grullas de papel se iba se iba a reponer. No llego a hacer mil grullas y murio. Su muerte fue triste.

El mensaje del libro fue una esperiencia muy mal para las personas que estuvieron enfrentando a esa bomba destructiba.
Ella trato de sobre vivir de aquella bomba fatal. Su sueño fue ser corredora yno cumplio su sueñpor esa enfermedad que aca bo con su vida. No disfruto su vida normal por causa de esa enfermedad tan fea. Yo pienso que cuando lucho por vivir fue una cosa espectacular si fuera otra persona se iba a morir por no luchar por su vuda.

Me encanto que Sadako murio luchando por su propia vida maravillossa. Que mal si no pudiera terminar mi sueño y muriera yo. En este mundo hay muchas enfermedades que te pueden matar y que bueno que yo no tengo ni una enfermedad. Su intento de luchar fue enban. Y tuviera que cambiar el titulo yo le pusiera "Aferarce ala vida". Su muerte fue una mal desgracia. Recomiendo este a las personas.

This Book is great if you want to add another book to your collection this is a great one to add. It is an inspiring book that will make you open your eyes and go through the pain people with leukemia have.

Most of the book involves biographies of officers rather than the enlisted grunts. There was a lot of information on who commanded what unit, other officers they knew, and higher command info that was extremely boring. It seems like the majority of the writing is about the pre-war homelife of the individuals, including where they went to school, their marriages, where they worked, etc. I was hoping for detailed combat information about the Pacific war, but the majority of this book will keep you looking someplace else.

My father served in the 1st marine division in WWII in the Pacific but would never talk about it. So for me reading these recollections enabled me to hear what he experienced....incredible stuff.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a flavor of the real guys who fought and what they experienced.

Henry Berry's 'Semper Fi, Mac" is an oral history of the Marine Corps in the Pacific in World War II. Berry interviewed about 75 Marines who had fought in some of the toughest battles and places in the Pacific. There is a rough chronological order to the interviews but most of the stories start on or about Dec. 7, 1941. The stories most of the men tell start with either this date or shortly before, coupled with with some background material, their training, the trip to the Pacific, and then their personal experiences in combat. There is misery and death, heroism and tragedy, but overall a sense of comradeship comes from every story. Berry sprinkles his work with humorous tidbits of Marine history and stories about famous Marines, such as Chesty Puller, the only Marine to win five Navy Crosses. Also there are sections on Marine lingo and a brief historical synopsis of the Marines' Pacific battles. Berry himself was in the Marines near the end of the war and gives a proper perspective of all events and personalities. But this book is about the men who fought and died on such places as Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Its their book, their story, their history, and it should never be forgotten.

I really liked it's snapshot format of battles all across the Pacific. I even found out that the Confederate flag was used by several Marine units instead of Ol Glory; as a Southerner that made me even happier.

This books title sums up the story inside. Every Marine's story in this book carries a similar thread. They were scared as hell in combat but never regretted joining the core. Mr. Berry, (a WWII Marine himself, which is probaly the reason they opened up so much to him) brings a personnal story from every Marine battle during the war. The confusion and deprivation of Guadalcanal, the bloodbath of Tarawa, the Japanese suicidal frenzy of Saipan, the slaughter of Peleliu and Iwo Jima up to the conclusion at Okinawa. It is all here: death, disease, and destruction; all first hand accounts told by tough Marines. It is amazing any of them survived, yet 75 of them share there memories here in short personnal histories. These men are remembered here for their supreme sacrifice so many years ago.

I loved it! I thought the colorful illustrations were hilarious. The book not only entertains, it provides the reader with useful research information. Amusing sidebars poke fun at the primitive waste-disposal methods that prevailed through the ages. Readers will also be amazed to discover that baths were considered unhealthy during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was not until the discovery of germs in the mid-1800s that the importance of cleanliness was recognized, and it wasn't until 1851 that the White House had a bathtub with running water. My only concern about the use of this book within the classroom would be the colorful illustrations of naked peoples backsides. The language of the book was very easy to follow and comprehend, which would benefit students ages 5 - up.

While I found much of the information interesting, I thought the author and especially the illustrator crossed the line.

I do not find this book or its illustrations appropriate for elementary age children.

* Nudity
* Illustrations of men and women bathing together
* One illustration actually shows a woman's nipple

VERY INAPPROPRIATE and I am disappointed that my children's elementary school has this in its library.

The question, "Where did they go to the bathroom?" is asked at living hsitory museums all the time! Both adults and children want to know the every day details of basic human needs. At the Royal Governor's Palace, the jail, the courthouse, and the homes of signers of the Declaration of Independence -- THAT'S the question whispered by blushing adults or blurted out by curious children.

This book answers all these questions in an honest, entertaining and accurate manner. The illustrations are appropriate for both children and adults. They are less revealing and/or "inapproprate" than classical art.

I heartily recommend this book!

After I had read their book on the history of dining, I couldn't wait for this one. Tubs, Toilets and Showers handles the awkward subjects of what you do in the bathroom and how people used to do it. It has vignettes from several cultures and time periods.

Many children (and some adults) will be surprised to learn that the Europeans came to value cleanliness much later than did many other cultures. They may laugh to imagine how certain historical figures might have smelled.

Since the book deals with bathing and eliminating, some of the illustrations do involve nudity. However, the illustrator has drawn the cartoons in such a way that genital areas are hidden. I would not find the drawings objectionable for young children.

Baths and hygiene are often areas of conflict between parents and children. A book like this could give some perspective, and its humor could soften the family bathroom struggles.

A quick history about plumbing, bathing, and attitudes towards cleanliness! Lauber takes us on a jaunt through history starting with the cave man and his ideas about bathing. She then jumps to the ancient Middle East, and then moves on to Greece and Rome. Then she covers the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Lauber then moves to the United States, and the rest of the book focuses on modern bathing. The book is illustrated by John Manders (who does an excellent job adding bits of humor in his drawings), and does not include any photographs of ancient ruins or artifacts or the like. But there is still plenty of information--did you know that ancient Romans used a sponge on the end of a stick instead of toilet paper? The stick was rinsed in salty water after they used it. And that a flush toilet was invented in 1594? This is a readable nonfiction book that makes learning about the history of cleanliness fun.

"Whose Right It Is" has been one of the most influential books in my Christian walk. It takes head on all the commonly used scriptures used to support the "Rapture Theory". Why anyone hinges their walk on a theory when the truth is readily available I do not know. We have no excuse for following false doctrine. God is no longer winking at our ignorance. The Spirit of Truth has been shed upon us, and those who diligently seek will come to know. I seek truth. I pray God strips every shred of untruth that I may be harboring within myself. The Church will walk in the fullness of Jesus Christ when it completely walks in Truth. The problem with most is they are only trying to protect what they perceive as truth. They approach the Word in a way that they are trying to prove what they believe. Instead, we should approach the Truth always with an open heart and with humility, letting God unveil His Truth. There is always more to God. Seek the truth, not proof for the validity of the doctrines of man.

I highly recommend Whose Right It Is. I also highly recommend "The Three Prejudices" by Dr. Kelley Varner. It dispels the prejudices that are so prominent in most of what we call church. Every minister of the Gospel should give The Three Prejudices and Whose Right It Is a read.

This indeed is a challenge to many, but such challenges are needful in this time of stale pie in the sky theology ! The purpose of the book is to show the aspect of God's Covenant with Christians. It is up to the openess of the reader to consider the content. It is also the very nature of humanity to embrace what the majority does, as if that determines truth. There is a historical look at the orgin of the rapture that fails to tickle the ears of main stream Christianity. However, the most important mention in the entire book is the constant focus on Jesus Christ ! The writer very well knows the importance of the centrality of Christ. This alone stands apart from the vast multitudes of those that are taken up with micro chips, a coming anti-christ, a one world government, a gospel based on speculation, a defeated life style with a someday quick zip out of here, and a evil report that is mixed with fear! The writer refers to the scriptures, shares a good report and mixes faith. The appealling factor comes at the end of the book in these words, "I beseech you. Don't beleive these things just because I or some other preacher have said them. Pick up your Bible. Read. Study. Think. Rethink. Then get mad enough to change. . . by giving your life and ministry totally to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only one "whose right it is" Maranatha !" Of course to give ourselves in this manner may have its cost. Nevertheless, without such challenges the christian walk may be nothing more than a repeated cycle of tradition. Many would do well to read this fresh challenge and ponder it before they let tradition rob them of the good report.

The book starts slowly but finally gets into meat in the last few chapters where it attempts to show the Covenant view of passages commonly referred to by Dispensationalists for the Rapture and Daniel's 70 weeks, etc.

As is typical with Covenant writers he slyly states that the word "rapture" does not occur in the Bible, but using the same reasoning the word "God" does not appear in the Bible either since "Raptus" occurs in the Latin Bible where the English uses "caught up." ("God" would only occur in an English translation). Being a Dispensationalist, I will let Mr Varner judge himself using quotes from his book:

P.132 "Good men almost become violent when Scofieldian dispensationalism is challenged (perhaps a hint of its spiritual source)."

Now compare his judgement with his own words in other places in the book:

p153 He calls Dispensationalism satan's "most effective tool" p206 He calls Disp. a part of "the lie" in Romans 1:25. p225 He calls Dispensationalists "the wicked". p275 He calls Disp. "the favorite teachings of the god of this world." p289 He calls Disp "another gospel."

Last time I checked, Disp. teaches salvation by grace apart from works as Galatians points out while Pentecostalism teaches works salvation and Covenant Theology teaches Law as a Rule of Life. I'll let the Bible judge who is teaching "another Gospel" here.

He points out that Dispensationalism started in the 1800s along with many cult groups but fails to mention that his own Pentecostalism started around the same time and that the former has done more for promoting true spiritual growth and soul winning than the latter will ever do.

Paul states in Eph 1:3 that our position in Christ is in heavenly places, not here on Earth. His position is easily refuted by Chafer, Ryrie, Newell, and others.

Kelley Varner has done his homework in this book. It is a watershed work for correctly understanding Bible prophecy. In view of orthodoxy, intellectual honesty, and spiritual truth, those who question the major points and premise of this volume, should themselves be questioned when all sides of these issues are clearly viewed. The author has no axe to grind and is not poised to build a kingdom on his theology or writing gift. The winds of popularity are not blowing this vessel into the port of the accolades and celebration of the multitudes. He is sailing through what appears to be a narrow channel but in reality is navigating a course through the River of Life. It examines and communicates what the Spirit of God has revealed to him as he endeavors to effectively share words of Truth. Any serious and honorable student of Bible prophecy will want to thoroughly study and digest this treatise.

Kelley Varner more than adequately explores the very interesting possibilities that perhaps, I'll Fly Away isn't the only possible scenario.

In a manner that is totally supported by scripture, Kelley Varner picks apart the smallest details of dispensationalism and adequately points to the true nature of the scripture. To speak frankly, Kelley Varner makes a bold statement that Jesus isn't coming back any minute for a sick and dying church but that He is indeed coming back at some time for His mature, clean and holy bride.

To those who would scoff at this book, open your mind for just a moment. To those who would question Kelley Varner's reasoning on this, ask yourself one question. What does he have to gain by attempting to the reveal the truth in the scripture?

In all things, however, keep a stable and balanced view. Kelley Varner never once deviates from the bible in his supporting scripture and in fact uses the scripture, as it was written in the Greek, as the basis for the book.

If you want an alternative to the same old fear focused, 'rescue-mission' rapture, read this book.

The writings of Richard Wurmbrand are among the most prized in my library. This book is no exception. It offers a rare and unvarnished look at the nature of authentic and triumphant faith. Wurbrand's potent intellect and mystical insights have been forged together in a crucible of suffering. The result is a shining faith and deep wisdom that reflects the true beauty of of the living Christ. It is a living beauty that goes beyond doctrines, controversies, and all the other aspects of religion that sometimes divide Christians. He shows what a human life can look like when only Christ is left.

This man is just amazing and the things he suffered at the hands of the Romanian Communists were alarming and yet he triumphed over them all. Fascinating, twisted and absolutely delightful this book is one you will never forget!

Your life will be changed if you read this book from cover to cover. My husband and I read it and cried, laughed, and fell in love with Pastor Wurmbrand (now deceased). What a powerful ministry he and his wife, Sabina had on this earth! The Communists were powerful enemies but not as powerful as Christ's redeeming love! Wonderful little book, I have read it time and again and refer to it often for inspiration.

I have never read a book quite like this one. If you are going through any type of sorrow or suffering this book is like a ray of light that will reveal a little bit of God to you. The only thing I can compare it to is selected pieces of Dosteyevsky's Brothers Karamazov. Passing up a chance to read this is a huge mistake. This book is nothing at all like other martyr books.

Wurmbrand is a living epistle. Like Job he lost everything, cried out to God with brutal honesty and found nothing lacking even in the most dire circumstances imaginable. I could only read one "sermon" a day... you have to let them soak in and still there's more with each reading. Not a book that will hit the best seller list today, even Christian best seller lists, but it should.