Loss Books

This was a great book telling you how to eat, and telling you what to buy and how many meals you need to eat a day and everything. This book is great and there are no nasty meals plans. Thanks I am on my way to losing weight.

Melinda is such a blessing! Her book has helped me seek God first in my journey to weight loss, believe that I can do all things, put action to the Word of God, and watch the weight melt off! I am down 51lbs since June and I am feeling fabulous! I have a ways to go, but what I value the most is learning how to eat right! God Bless you Melinda!

What a great book! Entertaining, encouraging, informative, and most of all - Honest and down to earth. Thanks for making permanent weight control simple

This book will teach you how to transform your thinking about diet, nutrition and exercise. This book was written to help you get to the root of your weight issues. I want to share with the world how just changing my thoughts and behaviors has helped me to lose 76 lb and 19% body fat. Now that I can identify the causes of being overweight, I can controle the effects, and you can to! I now live a healthy life without the issue of weight being a burden and I want you to have the same freedom!

This book is a must-have if you are trying to gain some REAL, USEFUL, insight on weight-loss. I initially tried losing weight on my own, and I have done so, but there are so many additional tips in the book that are making my journey more effective! With Melinda's book, I've lost an additional 10 lbs over the past two weeks, and feel so motivated to continue. Melinda also unveiled some truths underlying myths related to diet and exercise. I have learned how to incorporate healthier alternatives into my diet, which things to avoid, and to keep a journal of the foods I eat. From the meal plans to exercise routines, this book is the key to your success! See for yourself!!!!

I have read many 'diet' books but this is my favorite!

It does NOT have filler pages with recipes...it's 146 pages are
packed full of encouraging and helpful information.

I learned from reading Jennifer Klein's book, "Getting There and Staying There" that all over-weight people have 'Defective Hunger Meters!'.....They work to tell us when we are hungry before meals BUT they become defective when it comes to telling us to STOP when we are NO LONGER HUNGRY....A trim person can go to a wedding and eat one plate of food and a piece of cake and be satisfied...But us, (me) actually would like another piece or two of cake (me..preferably a corner piece!)...I like the way the cake and rich sweet frosting tastes in my mouth....being 'Tummy Hungry' has nothing to do with it."

Although we can't fix this meter to make it work automatically; we CAN and WILL control it manually

Jennifer said: "Weight loss is not a punishment. It is a wonderful and exciting experience that will lead you to a new life."

FROM ME:
Let's go for it! And not settle for anything less than total victory. (Reaching our ideal or dream weights.) It is not a race, it is just fine and better really to get there slowly, we just need to get there.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I flew right through it. I had lost 155 pounds following a different plan and watched as some of my hard lost pounds crept back on. I had changed my lifestyle and lost the weight slowly so I began to get really frustrated with myself over losing my weight but not my obsession with food. Reading Jennifer's book made me realize that I have been doing things right by thinking long term and making the healthiest choices possible. I changed the outside but the inside may never change. I may never lose my obsession with food. I just have to learn to be at peace with myself about not always being perfect. There is no time limit on becoming healthier. She also gave plenty of helpful tips.

I laughed at some of the things I read in Jennifer's book. I kept thinking - has she been following me?

This book is well worth the read. You wont be dissappointed.

Getting There Staying There: How Looking At Weight Loss Differently Changed My Life by certified personal trainer and professional weight loss coach Jennifer Klein is the personal weight-loss success story of a woman who learned how to avoid the pitfalls of fad diets and make genuine, lasting health changes for permanent weight loss success. Nutrition specialist Jennifer Klein articulately shares her hard won wisdom for improving one's life and physical well-being making Getting There Staying There a very highly recommended guide for readers of all fitness levels and background.

I first went to see Jennifer in 1997 when I was only 12 years old. I was desperate; my weight had ballooned to almost 300 lbs (that's right, 300lbs as a seventh grader). I'll admit, although the program made perfect sense to me, I didn't have the maturity level as a twelve year old to implement Jen's teachings into my life, and I failed again and again. Jen was incredibly patient with me; I think she saw in me the power to change myself that I didn't know I had.

During the summer of 1999, I had finally had enough; summer clothes just didn't work. Not only were they tight, but I looked awful. I was interested in girls, but they weren't interested in me. And worst of all, I knew my health would be in serious jeopardy if I didn't do something. So I started really paying attention to Jen when we met for our weekly sessions, and as I began changing my lifestyle, my eating habits, my exercise habits, the weight came off.

I'm now 17 and I stand 6 feet tall and weigh 220lbs. I have achieved a level of confidence now that would only have been a pleasant dream two years ago. I'm happy with the way I look and my cholestorol and blood pressure have gone down, which are really the best effects of my weight loss.

I'll be honest with you; losing weight is possibly the toughest thing you will ever do in your life. But Jennifer has a program that actually works (!!!) and that you can live with for the rest of your life. I strongly urge you to read this book; if you're serious about a life change, and not just going on a diet (which don't work by the way, I've been on enough to tell you this, you need to change your entire way of eating and exercising) then this is definitely the book for you.

I'll be the first to admit, I was a bit intimidated to start reading another weight loss/health related book. I figured I'd be told once again I have to eat only tasteless foods worth "2 points." I'm one of those people looking for the effortless weight loss plan of eating nothing but chocolate chip cookies.

Just a few paragraphs into Getting There Staying There, I was thinking "me too." This book made me realize I'm not the only person that dreads dieting, thinking the day is ruined if I start it off with something unhealthy like a fattening muffin. Jennifer's book has taught me to understand that I can recover from any "muffin" mishaps.

I was so surprised at how much I could relate to in this book, it almost made me laugh aloud at times. More importantly, it has motivated me to start taking the first steps (once again) towards a healthy lifestyle. Only, this time I'm confident my steps will continue to move forward.

I am trying to figure out how to tell my family and friends to read it without offending them. Hopefully, with a little time they will see improvements in me, and ask about how I got 'healthier' so I can tell them I learned from reading Getting There Staying There. I definitely recommend reading this book.

As I first read this book in 2000, I wondered if the author had been sitting in MY living room that first year after my husband died. This is an honest, well-realized account of a widow's first year without... This copy was bought for my new pastor. I loved it.

A very thoughtful reflection of a year following loss of a spouse. Beautifully written.

Someone recommended this book to me after I had completed one year of grief over the death of my husband. I'm sorry that it is not being published anymore. I hope that it will be reprinted soon, as I have many friends to whom I would send this book.

My father passed away eight years ago and someone gave this book to my mother. It was such comfort and guidance for her and really dealt with the emotions of the spouse. This book helped with her healing for the entire first year. She remarked often that it was nice to know what she was feeling was normal. She has shared this book with at least six other widows and always asked for it back, because we cannot find it anywhere. I hope the publisher will consider reprinting such a meaningful book.

This book is written for easy quick reading and covers the emotions and feelings of the newly widowed. It made me realize that what I was experiencing was normal and natural. It also provided some coping skills. I am sorry it is out of print and would hope the publisher will consider re-publishing. Though I am happily remarried, I still remember how comforting it was to read this book. The short version is helpful but the full year edition is best.

The approach outlined by Dr. Kirschenbaum is not only sensible, it's tracked for long term success. When we looked for a weight loss camp for our son, we wanted to know that the people running the camp knew what they were talking about. The Wellspring camps and Academy of the Sierras school track long term results, and not just weight loss while at camp or school. The program outlined by the book is not merely successful, it's ridiculously easy, compared to other diet programs we have tried to implement. It has to be, since it has to be something a teenager can remember and follow. To help our son, after camp ended our entire family followed the program, and 3 of our 4 family members have lost at least 40 lbs each. And the weight has stayed off. Our 4th family member never needed a weight loss program, and he eats whatever he wants -- which, at home, obviously, is what we eat. He is fine -- He has not lost weight or gained weight. So this is a plan that will work for a family with mixed needs. With weird things like surgery as alternatives, you owe it to yourself to check out this entirely free and open program. (Well, Ok you have to buy a book and you may choose to buy a pedometer, a food scale, and anodized pans. But you don't have to subscribe to an expensive program or buy only the program's food (yuk). You don't have to tortuously convert nutrition facts into "points".) What's to lose except lbs?

I am a parent whose daughter is in the Wellspring Camp this summer and I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Kerschenbaum last weekend talk about his "healthy obsession" program. I had read all of the information online and in the enrollment package before deciding to send my child to this camp to help her begin to tackle her weight issue. I knew that the camp was based on solid scientific understanding of weight controlling. But my decision to send her was based on faith that we needed an outside intervention. However, hearing Daniel Kerschenbaum was inspiring...and reading his book has been edifying. More importantly, it is clear to me that following this program is something that we as a family can and must do, not only for my teens health, but our own. This program is based on their rendition of the KISS principle...keep it simple, scientific, and sustainable. Having the statistics on what is needed to let go of weight and seeing that it can be broken down into a doable and simple system has given me the courage and the information to tackle my own weight issue. This book is a must read for anyone with a weight concern.

My daughter is currently in a boarding school (Academy of the Sierras) that helps teens lose substantial amounts of weight, as well as to learn a lifestyle that they will want to follow for the rest of their lives. Dr. Kirschenbaum is the Clinical Director for the school. I was fortunate to meet the author this past weekend at a Parent Workshop and to hear him speak about the program.

This book is very comprehensive and returns us to a very low fat eating approach, and to develop a "healthy obsession" for eating and exercise. From reading this book, I believe you will be inspired to take action to implement his approach. My entire family is now following the guidelines he sets forth, which are very simple. I know that it's easier for us to follow his guidelines because he has explained the program, via this book, in a way that is easy for us to understand.

His writing style is much like his speaking style....low key, empathetic, solid, factual and with some humor thrown in. You can tell he absolutely is an expert on the subject, yet the way he presents the material is not overwhelming, nor overly scientific.

I also recommend that if you are trying to find a way to solve a friend or loved one's obesity issue, that before you give up and go the way of gastric-bypass, etc, that you read this book and check out the school's web site. [...] I am SO grateful to have found this program for my daughter, and if you read this book, you may be able to truly help yourself or someone you care about.

I've read all the books and tried all the diets; The Zone, Atkins, Protein Power, Sugar Busters, Eat for your Blood Type, etc. They all made sense and I followed intently and achieved significant weight loss in all of them. But none of it was permanent weight loss. This book is about a healthy lifestyle, not a diet. It is straight forward and backed by years of clinical research. By eliminating the fat in our diet, my whole family has lost weight...slowly and steadily it melts away, and I feel good every day. No bad breath or light headed feelings from the low carb luncay. I've been losing 2 lbs a week for months...this book will lead you to the promised land!

Dr. Kirschenbausm book and program at Camp Wellspring has changed my daughters life. This book is the most honest, no nonsense and factual book on Healty Eating. This is one book I think should be in every physicians bookself who deals with adolescents. Any family dealing with obesity will find this research based book is the answer for making lifelong changes.

I have been dieting for years. Johnny Flynn's light hearted approach tothis difficult subject just made me feel better about my own fight to lose weight and keep it off.

In Heavy Lettuce: Adventures Of A Journeyman Dieter, author Johnny T. Flynn draws upon a fifteen year struggle with respect to losing weight, and offers a humorous approach to understanding and dealing with the complex issues associated with dieting. Presenting "user-friendly" observational advice about simple weight-loss tactics, Heavy Lettuce provides the reader with a practical and strategic approach to dieting by addressing such relevant issues as responsible food choices, motivation for the long run, self analysis of eating behaviors, thinking outside of the box for variable strategies, winning the psychological struggles of dieting without therapy, creating a self-supportive system, exercising at a comfortable pace, and resisting the temptations of holiday seasonal meals and foods. Heavy Lettuce is very highly recommended -- especially for anyone in need of an intelligible, accurate, "reader friendly" book one dieting and weight-loss.

In Heavy Lettuce: Adventures Of A Journeyman Dieter, author Johnny T. Flynn draws upon a fifteen year struggle with respect to losing weight, and offers a humorous approach to understanding and dealing with the complex issues associated with dieting. Presenting "user-friendly" observational advice about simple weight-loss tactics, Heavy Lettuce provides the reader with a practical and strategic approach to dieting by addressing such relevant issues as responsible food choices, motivation for the long run, self analysis of eating behaviors, thinking outside of the box for variable strategies, winning the psychological struggles of dieting without therapy, creating a self-supportive system, exercising at a comfortable pace, and resisting the temptations of holiday seasonal meals and foods. Heavy Lettuce is very highly recommended -- especially for anyone in need of an intelligible, accurate, "reader friendly" book one dieting and weight-loss.

Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (7/06)

There is nothing worse than a skinny person writing about the trials and tribulations of being `fat'. How would they really know what it's like? Have no fear, as "one of our own" from the Growing Up Chubby Club has finally found the way to not only share ideas, techniques and facts but has managed to mix in a good dose of humor at a not always quite so funny subject.

You will thoroughly enjoy the stories of the author as he grew up `fat' and all of the crazy ways he tried to change himself for various reasons. Spoken like a true dieting guru, Johnny Flynn not only touches on some of the most detailed moments of his life, young and old, but shares some of the most successful ways to go about finally losing that weight and keeping it of.

Using facts and figures to show you the way, he includes some insights to various fad diets and some not so `fad' dieting programs, including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and eDiets. While he never bashes any of the programs mentioned he does comment on a time when he visited a Weight Watchers meeting with his sister. He tells of one woman who had finally reached her goal and gives quite a comical overview of his desire to boo her off the stage when she said absolutely nothing into the microphone but cried intensely. While the actual event itself isn't comical, the comedy itself comes from the fact that poor Johnny sat there wanting so badly to boo her off the stage for her meager attempt at sharing her ideas and ways but the fear of his sister smacking him into oblivion kept him quiet.

While Flynn never gives you an out and out, step by step diet plan; he does arm you with knowledge and techniques. He shows you how to manage your daily calorie intake, make healthy choices based on labels and knowledge and forces you to begin taking responsibility for your own decisions when it comes to food.

A wonderful, knowledgeable book of facts combined with a humorous look at not only growing up as a `fat kid' but laughing at ourselves at a nation filled with obesity and taking on the responsibility of changing our ways. Dieting tips, enlightening stories and my most favorite stories of chocolate (that demon so many of us fall to) that will leave you laughing calories away as you finally decide to take charge of your life and become what you've always wanted to become, a thinner, healthier you.

At 224 pages, I began reading this coincidentally at a time where at 224 pounds, I felt overweight. Heavy Lettuce takes a very unique approach in providing information to the reader on the subject of weight loss. Instead of providing the reader with a boring weight loss routine and a diet that we all know, Flynn discusses the pitfalls of going on any diet: gaining more weight when all is said and done.

The book's title, "Heavy Lettuce" is the perfect title to describe the "heaviness" of doing the right thing: eating right and staying healthy when there's a lightness or carefreeness in just eating one more slice of pizza or just one more twinkie, or "just" 4 more weight watcher diet chocolate ice creams.

The book takes a unique approach for a diet book in that it takes strong analysis of one's "obligation" or habits that lead to splurging on food and ultimately killing one's diet plan. It delves into the habits we develop over the years and helps the dieter understand why a diet that seems to shed pounds eventually fails.

Unlike other weight loss books written by people who probably never had to go on a diet to begin with, Flynn's "expertise" at having, at one point, looked beyond his belly to see his weight at around 265 pounds, gives the reader a sense of realism and a new friend with an author whose words of wisdom give hope to the futility of dieting.

When you read a weight loss book from a person who was at where you, the reader, are currently at, the author's tone comes off as one of true empathy and integrity, even as an encouraging friend trying to brainstorm with you the correct manner in losing weight that is perfect for you.

Flynn delves into his life from when he was a child to when he began dating to explore the complexities of both weight loss and weight gain. It looks at how the "weight issue" affects one in college, the professional life, and looks at people's perception of a person on a diet both prior to losing weight and after losing weight. Then it looks at the contibuting factors to gaining weight: stress, greed, changes in lifestyle, proximity of 7-11 locations, and excuses.

He provides many humorous real life anecdotes that everyone can identify with.

There are many heart felt passages that the reader, who is trying to lose weight, will identify strongly with: for me, his theory on the inflated weighing scales at all doctor's offices made me laugh.

Then there are moments where Flynn looks at the dark side of gaining weight: how depression sets in when one cannot lose weight, how the world treats one when heavier than normal, how obsessed one becomes with food, and in those dark passages, he successfully manages to rescue the reader out of these difficult moments with excellent wit and humor such as his passage on giving his weighing scale a name and how he gives real life attributes to one of the book's major antagonists: the television!

The book provides excellent online resources and tools in the appendix section; and the author goes into specifics of various weight loss programs that allows one to look at the options out there.

Ultimately, the book does not corner you into taking any weight loss program, but provides the dieter with the proper mindset and mental framework to succeed in dieting.

Having lost 16 pounds since I read this book, I'd say Flynn's guidance is the best I've gotten from any weight loss book.

This will not be a weight loss book that will get lost in your pile of books. It will be one that you will refer to often, especially when you find yourself at a crossroads between exercising or eating that extra slice of pizza. Instead of pondering like Hamlet, "to eat or not to eat", get this book and suddenly the perspectives are much clearer: "do what is the best for your health."

Great read. A permanent one in my collection of reference guides.

This useful book is sure to offer wonderful help to its readers. It offers just the right strategies and approaches as it prepares you to move forward from hard times to happier times.

Bonnie Collins
Life Coach

I found this book to be written in a simple, straightforward manner that applies to all ages.
I especially liked the chapter on supporting those who are in a state of grief. The book is beautifully written and uplifting for all ages. My wife of 33 years recently died and this book gave me more aid and solace than the more sophisticated writings recommended by my grief support group.
I would advise any person from adult teen to older adult to purchase this book.

I work with grieving teens and whenever possible, I give them a copy of this book. Every page has a gem that can help them sort through their feelings and experiences. All of the children have told me this book really helps them. It is written in large print with pictures, poems, and sayings throughout making it extremely accessible for a grieving teen (or adult, for that matter). It is one of the very best books written for grieving teens. I recommend it highly.

I just wanted you to know that both my teens have read your book, "Help for the Hard Times". It was the only book on loss that really made them feel like it spoke to their true feelings. I can't thank you enough for writing such a wonderful book. I am recently widowed, and until I discovered your book, I was desperately searching. I bought an extra copy and donated it to my school district. I am a MSW graduate student at Fordham University. I eventually hope to work in the public school system. You can bet your book will be on the shelf along with my other resources.

I recently read the book, Help for the Hard Times, Getting Through Loss." I am a divorced mother of two great kids 13 and 18. I was divorced after 21 years of marriage. I went looking for a book I could give to my kids to help hem deal with their own issues of loss revolving around the divorce. I went through my own hard times, and in fact am just now after 3 years reaching the healing times. Unfortunately, my kids grief is just now showing up in ways that until now went unrecognized by them or me. I have to say that this book was very enlightening to me and therefore just can't loose with my kids. I will read it together with my 13-year-old, and give it to my 18-year-old to read on her own. This kind of nuts and bolts help can be very helpful to people of all ages, not just the kids. Sometimes we have to go back to the basics in order to heal an overloaded loss pot, and recognizing the stages is a great start.

Sally D. Divorced mother with a big loss to heal!

"The Hopes and Fears of Future Years: Loss and Creation," Volume III of Lawrence R. Velvel's "Thine Alabaster Cities Gleam, Quartet: A Story of the Last Half of the Twentieth Century," is the longest of the first three books but for me turned out to be the quickest read. The first volume, "Misfits in America," resonated with me on such a personal level that I would have to absorb each chapter or two and translate it into my own life experiences. The second, "Trail of Tears," focused on the chain of disastrous events by which Velvel's protagonist Lionel Wolfe is fired four times by little people with little minds, big egos, and more often than not deep voices. At the end of each episode your sense of moral outrage has to abate a bit before you can stand to read about Wolfe's next downfall. There is a fifth firing at the start of this third volume, but Velvel makes it clear that out of the ashes of this final defeat would come the seeds for success so it is possible to read about Wolfe's experiences at the Free State Law School without a sense of despair.

The focus of this book is primarily on how Wolfe became the dean of Free State, which was supposedly an attempt to provide a legal education to working class students. When he was fired Wolfe realized that while the school was a sick joke perpetrated by a criminal, the dream of such a school was worth pursuing. This leads to the creation of the North New England Law School. Most of the book, like most of Wolfe's life at that point, is devoted to the creation of NNELS and the attempt to get the school accredited (without the ability to confer law degrees its students could never take the state bar exam). However, there is also an interlude in which we finally get to the resolution of the massive securities litigation spawned by the Skywaukee Port Authority debacle detailed in the previous volume. This is fitting because the case is what finally provides Wolfe with the financial security he has been denied while the creation of NNELS represents his success at creating a model of legal education superior to the sorry state of affairs covered in the first volume.

At this point my assumption is that the final volume of the quartet would be more about the practice than the theory of this idealized legal education to show its pragmatic value, but by this point in the fictionalized narrative I know full well that those whose lives and work are being challenged by the policies of NNELS are not going to suffer implicitly being called fools lightly. So I am sure there are more travails for Wolfe to come, but also anticipate getting to read about the success of the innovations at NNELS. But clearly by the end of this book Wolfe is looking at the Promised Land, so even if we have to wait a while for Velvel to publish his final volume at least we are doing so from what is clearly the happiest point in the narrative to date.

One of the things that I have enjoyed about reading these books is that Velvel crosses his T's and dots his I's with respect to his characters. You always get to find out what happens to people and I appreciate the sense of narrative completeness. I was also happy to see that Lillian Wolfe, whom I was convinced would be staying behind in Washington, D.C. when her husband went off into the world to try and make a living, not only moved but found something worthy of her abilities being NNELS's one person registrar office. It was also heartening to see that Wolfe had assembled a group of allies that would offer various means of support and that finally justice was prevailing in his professional life, both in and out of the courtroom. That makes the several instances where Wolfe notes the testimonials that have mean the most to him more poignant.

But the highpoint of this book was when I finally figured out the real world identity of one of the characters in Velvel's drama. That allowed me to start unlocking more of the actual locations involved and I am sure with some due diligence I could figure out more of the characters, but ultimately such things do not matter. The truth of Velvel's narratives lies in the details and not in the names, which apparently have been changed to protect the guilty more than the innocent (when you meet a "real" person, such as Robert Bork in the previous book, you wonder if there is more to it than the fact the man's last name became a verb). That is probably why Velvel did not choose to construct an autobigraphy that was more thinly veiled (e.g., Eric Severaid's use of the Winnie the Pooh story of the Heffalump to ridicule the McCarthy witch hunts). He was not interested in having his readers play the game. He just wanted us to get the morals of his stories.

As I have been reading through 'Misfits in America', its sequel, 'Trail of Tears', and this third of four volumes, 'The Hopes and Fears of Future Years: Loss and Creation', I am reminded in certain respects of Amoz Os, the modern Israeli writer, who, upon being criticised for some of the political stances of his characters, pled the defense of the characters being fiction - and therefore, by implication, that the stances would likewise be fictional, not necessarily his own. I get the same sense when reading this, that Velvel is using this fictional tale, drawn from his own experience, his own profession and his own time to critically examine the state of affairs both current and recent past, both in society generally and in the legal/judicial profession specifically.

Velvel's idealism, apparent from the start of the story, continues with force in this volume. Drawing from Abraham Lincoln's idea that it isn't good enough to do well for oneself, but rather one must also help fellow humankind, and exploring the less materialistic aspects of what the American Dream should incorporate, Velvel proceeds down a path that really would lead to the proverbial 'city on a hill', with alabaster towers that gleam in the distance. Alas, Velvel is not writing that kind of fiction. His fiction remains close the corridor of the progress of history, and so we see in compelling and interesting situations how the idea of America falls short in different ways, while still maintain the ideal.

This volume in particular takes me back to the Arthurian legend in which Merlin was asked by King Arthur which was the most important virtue of a knight. Some had said courage, others strength, others skill. Merlin shocked them all by proclaiming that truth was th emost important virtue, with the words, 'Whenever a man lies, he murders part of the world.' Velvel states that dishonesty is 'perhaps the most vicious and consequential of societal plagues that afflicts us, particularly because it makes the other plagues possible.'

In this volume, Wolfe is held up early as an exemplary victim of what is happening in society. A lawyer, a white collar worker (who was assumed to be immune from perils of unemployment), he became an early casualty of politics and growing dishonesty in the system. Wolfe goes to work for Free State Law School, sensing dishonesty in both practice and image there. Wolfe is eventually fired from there, too, after a political struggle in which his rival tries to set him up to appear unethical at best, criminal at worst. Finally, Wolfe and others band together to form North New England Law School (NNELS), dedicated to principles of ethical action both among and with regard to students and faculty/administration members.

NNELS was begun on a shoestring (closer to the $20,000 left over from sale of a house than the 10, 15 or 50 million required to start a proper law school according to the Bar Association), but was not without controversy itself. In particular, the character of Diggins, instrumental in Wolfe's departure from Free States, returns again in a strange guise to attempt to ruin NNELS (the idea of a law school hierarch ending up as a mud-wrestling bar keeper is too rich to have been pure fiction!). NNELS is controversial with accreditors because of innovations it considers a bit beyond the pale (too much reliance on adjuncts, even though the adjuncts are engaged in the campus and student life more than just the hours in the classroom; not relying on the LSAT as a primary admissions standard, etc.). However, as the volume ends, we see a graduating class, and as is symbolic of graduating classes everywhere, hope for the future years.

The title, 'Hopes and Fears of Future Years', derives from the lyric of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', a hymn of hopefulness and expectation. Velvel gets into great detail in this volume, and it is easy to see how the idea for the story went from triology to quartet.

Lawrence Velvel is a great storyteller. Perhaps this is unexpected from an academic in the legal profession (Velvel is Dean and professor of law at the Massachusetts School of Law). This quartet is the kind of series which compels the reader to keep reading; even though the general ebb and flow of history are fairly well known, the details that are presented keep the reader looking for more, and the personalities presented are also very interesting - perhaps even more so at the moment, as the country is engaged in watching the selection of a new Chief Justice, and awaits yet another Supreme Court justice selection.

Five stars!

It could be called the "shrunken head" syndrome, and it developed within the framework of American enterprise - the dark side of the entrepreneurial sword. Greed, and hoarding made possible by professions ruled by fictional and numbered shareholders quickly descends to the depths where elitism and justification for it thrive, where little guys (but most often women and minorities) are pushed around and pushed out, to increase the Darwinian capitalistic odds. Social compression is all about shrunken heads where knowledge, justice, and commitment don't prevail, and where the frenzy feeds upon itself from bottom to top since it is capped by the status quo. Yesterday's prince is therefore tomorrow's dinner, and so on down the line of the hierarchy in a true Darwinian discriminatory fashion. Committed to living by the sword, most die by it, figuratively, if not actually, and all spiritually. Most therefore, haven't the courage to read what mankind hath wrought and brought upon himself.

It's hard to review an achievement such as Lawrence Velvel's tetrology "Thine Alabaster Cities Gleam" but suffice it to say, the struggles to create a law school"for the people" are portrayed in these books in exquisite detail.

The accounts are fictionalized, for obvious reasons, but as fiction, this is of course a flop--it's not even a roman a clef. This is a documentation of political infighting, conflicting goals, treachery and unbridled power-grabbing. As a depiction of American politics at any level, corporate, governmental or scholastic, it's a winner. You really have to read the entire series to get the full impact, so I won't review each individually. If you have been to law school, deal with lawyers or professors or if you want insight into political scheming, this is a text of huge merit.

The Hopes and Fears of Future Years: Loss and Creation is the third novel in Lawrence R. Velvel's extraordinary Thine Alabaster Cities Gleam quartet. With this series of novels, the author, dean of the Massachusetts School of Law, tries to identify the source of the problems that have festered and spread throughout American society since the middle of the twentieth century, starting with the legal profession. Greed, immorality, a disregard for ethics, honor, and justice, and other troubling issues have formed a society of politicians who routinely lie, business executives whose crooked ways have led to increasing business scandals, judges who ignore the Constitution when it gets in the way of their own opinions, law schools built around engorging the riches of the faculty and administration rather than on preparing new generations of able lawyers, and basically a society that is just lawyered up to its very neck. I don't agree with every single one of Velvel's opinions, but the man knows how to frame an argument, makes his points extremely well, and says the things that really need to be said about the problems in our legal system today. It is just a remarkable breath of fresh air to hear a lawyer buck the all-powerful system and criticize those who have hijacked what should be a noble profession.

The books in this series are essentially nonfiction novels, and Velvel proves himself adept at keeping his storytelling engaging - even as he shares details of the seemingly boring legal profession with us. The first two novels explored the lives of two brilliant yet unfortunate young Jewish lawyers who encountered one grossly unfair setback after another yet persevered without betraying their ideals. Truly, it is hard to be an honest lawyer, as Lionel Wolfe exemplifies. This novel finds him on the brink of radical change. Having been fired five times for grossly unfair reasons, he finally decides to escape the poisonous legal culture of Washington, D.C. Despite some misgivings, he decides to accept the post of dean at Free State, a small and struggling little law school. Despite some bad omens in the process of securing the job, he sets in to furiously prepare the law school for its crucial upcoming visit by the Board of Regents - while also continuing his work on a big-money case he has been involved with for several years. Sadly, history repeats itself yet again for Wolfe. Some of the school's students, however, float the balloon of their starting their own law school, and in unbelievably short order (seven months), the Northern New England Law School (NNELS) opens its doors to students for the first time.

It was fascinating to see just how much work was involved in making NNELS a reality, but starting the school is really just the beginning. Wolfe and his colleagues immediately go to work planning for their first inspection by the Board of Regents; a failed inspection would doom the school because it would be unable to grant law degrees or qualify its students to take the state bar exam. The inspection process is nerve-wracking enough on its own, but Wolfe - naturally - faces almost insurmountable obstacles thanks to the corrupt president of Free State and a prominent politician who threatens to cut NNELS' inspection prospects off at the head. Free State is extremely down but not out, and Wolfe finds himself greatly pressured to give in to a hypocritical politician's stubborn (and obviously greedy) desires to move the law school (be it Free State or NNELS) to a certain building in a neighboring town - despite the fact the location is run-down and in a seedy section of town. It's impossible to describe all of the worries Wolfe endures throughout the whole long, drawn-out process of forming NNELS, keeping it afloat, and defending it against self-interested political assault - and all while maintaining the mission of the school to cater to those students traditionally excluded from the legal profession. It's an amazing story that really draws you into every minor success and potentially devastating setback Wolfe encounters. And, with this third book in the series, there is finally as much triumph as there is tragedy in the related events.

This series just keeps getting better. Velvel is a zealous proponent of legal reform, and his storytelling ability makes the Thine Alabaster Cities Gleam series of books the most effective way I know of for getting his points across to a larger audience. Hopefully, many of those in the legal profession in particular will be exposed to these amazing nonfiction novels because, as Velvel makes clear beyond a shadow of a doubt, the legal system is in dire need of reform. You might expect dry, boring writing from an academic lawyer, but Velvel is all about breaking through stereotypes. These books need and deserve to be read.

Anyone who has AA or loves someone with this condition will benefit from this book! Not only does it have up to date information about the condition, treatments, wigs and concealment strategies, but it is so funny. Sometimes it can be very hard to laugh about this condition; it robs you of part of your identity. This book does it, beautifully!
Not only did this book make me laugh out loud, but it validated many of the feelings I had when first afflicted with this condition. For women especially, this condition can be very isolating. If you have Alopecia, or love someone who does, buy her this book!

What's on one's head seems to matter a lot to a lot of people in the world. "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing" is a guide for sufferers of AA, also known as Alopecia Aretea, to cope with their disorder. The disorder, not well known to the public, causes hair loss all over one's body - most importantly, the head. With a focus on women sufferers, although men can have it as well and could benefit from the advice within, she tells her story about dealing with it all, including the annoyances of wigs, covering it up, and how to deal with people finding out that you're a bald woman, a look that hasn't been accepted in modern society. "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing" is a fresh and inspiring look at dealing with a disorder that shouldn't be anymore than what it is - a mild annoyance.

If ever I become bald, I would make tracks to the book store to purchase Leslie Ann Butler's book on alopecia. It is funny, smart, instructive and entertaining. Any woman who is hair-challenged, in any way, should read this book as the words Leslie Ann writes will inspire and you might even want to run out and purchase a fabulous hair piece, wig or any other hair enhancer. I am not hair-challenged but I thought her words could apply to many other medical challenges - deal with the cards you are dealt and discover a way not to feel like a victim. Leslie Ann is a living example of what she writes: Love your life and it will love you back.

The book is wonderful!! It explains things so well yet is not doom and gloom. Emily especially enjoyed the "Don't you just hate it when..." section. Never before has she laughed so much about alopecia. What a wonderful gift you have given my daughter, helping her see a lighter side to alopecia. I cannot thank you enough for that.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (6/08)

Losing one's hair is probably high on the "disaster" list for most people, and I would imagine even higher for women than for men. That is why I found it so surprising - in the best possible way - that the cover of Leslie Ann Butler's " If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" is so cheerful looking and so attractive. Looking at the cover illustration one cannot help but feel joyful and uplifted; having said that, I need to add that the author's artwork, included throughout the book, lends a similar upbeat, positive tone to the entire book and makes it visually extremely appealing.

Leslie Ann Butler wrote a tremendously important and impactful book for people suffering from the auto-immune disorder called alopecia areata, which affects nearly five million people in USA. Having been affected herself - and with the most severe form of it, leading her to lose all of her hair everywhere - she is in the position to be not only highly informative, but also highly personal and compassionate in her writing. The book stays upbeat, giving hope - but not false hope! She offers advice for just about any "sticky" situation a person with alopecia areata might find her- or himself in.

The opening chapters deal with the facts about this immune disorder - what it is, what could possibly cause it (nobody really knows...) and what could help alleviate it. Later chapters deal with the day-to-day living with alopecia areata - when and whom to tell about it, how to deal with your hair loss in different "extreme" situations (think sports and sex...), how to travel with wigs, how to choose the right wig and how to deal with loss of eyebrows and eyelashes as well as what your options are in such situations.

The last few chapters, while still practical, really deal with this condition from the psychological perspective, helping one accept the hair loss and coping with it in a positive fashion, as well as even finding some positive aspects in it. No more bad hair days, anybody? How about not having to pluck those pesky stray facial hairs ever again?

The Resources section at the very end of the book should prove to be an invaluable selection of contact information for both the general information about the disorder and sources for wigs and other items the alopecia areata sufferers might need or want.

Warm, upbeat, but first and foremost realistic and informative, "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" by Leslie Ann Butler, would benefit anybody with alopecia areata or anybody who in any way cares for or about somebody with it. Gorgeous illustrations turn it into a work of art and the written part turns it into a very valuable resource and a deeply wise work.

Don't miss this diamond within and don't be mislead by the reading level (Ages 4-8). This is a powerful book which gives the breaking heart permission to get another dog, love another dog, and form relationships with another dog yet still maintain the respect, integrity, and love for the beloved deceased dog. The book reassures the grieving owner that it is alright--nay, the deceased dog wants and encourages the owner left behind to heal, go on with life, and love again. The book assures the owner that the deceased dog is *ALWAYS* there in spirit and will be waiting for the owner at Rainbow Bridge. Oh yes, have some tissue at hand . . .

If you feel that you're alone and that nobody knows how you feel or have possibly been in the same situation... Read this book. As you read, you will feel the healing power of those who have been there.

I loved this book. After the death of my best friend of ten years (my dog, Hardy), it made me realise that I wasn't the only one out there.

I contributed the story about "Holly". She was my 15 year old poodle who saw me through the death of my father when I was eight, my teen years and becoming an adult. She died right after my 22nd birthday. Writing my memories of Holly was very theraputic for me. Since then I have lost another beloved pet (Chelsea, a seven year old Himalayan cat) and the stories in this book helped me through my grief. My advice to all pet owners is have this book bought and on a shelf BEFORE the lost of your four-legged friends. The book will be there waiting for you when you need it.

If you have recently lost a beloved pet and are grieving, don't miss reading this book. You will find understanding among other animals lovers who have experienced the same type of feelings that you are experiencing. It is truly comforting to know that other people love their pets just as you loved yours. A great gift for anyone who has lost their pet.

A GREAT BOOK,OBVIOUSLY WRITTEN TO VERY HIGH STANDARDS,AS IS USUAL FOR READER'S DIGEST.AS THE TITLE SAYS, IT THOROUGHLY COVERS JESUS'S LIFE, AND THE POLITICAL,SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CLIMATE OF THE PROMISED LAND, FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE HIS BIRTH, AND SEVERAL DECADES AFTER HIS CRUCIFICTION ( I.E., PAUL AND PETER'S TRAVELS AND TEACHINGS, THE FATES OF THE OTHER APOSTLES,ECT.)BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH MAPS, PHOTOS AND PAINTINGS OF BOTH PEOPLE AND PLACES, IT ALSO INCLUDES AN APPENDIX TO IMPORTANT TOWNS AND CITIES IN JESUS'S TIME. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN JESUS'S TEACHINGS AND BIBLICAL HISTORY.

This beautiful volume has a short introduction titled Jesus And The Four Gospels. The first chapter, The Birth Of The Savior tells of the census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and the visit of the wise men from the East. The attached portfolio illustrates the events surrounding the birth of Jesus by artists like Andrea della Robbia, Federico Barocci, Jan van Scorel, Giotto and others.

A Troubled Land, chapter 2, deals with the political situation of the time and a brief overview of the ancient history of Israel, Alexander The Great, Hellenism, the Romans and Herod. This includes information on the famous historian Josephus, maps of the Holy Land including a political map of the kingdom of Herod The Great, full colour pictures of the landscape, a chronology of Israel and tables of the Hasmonean line and the Herodean family.

The next: Classes And Masses, looks at Herod in greater detail, especially his building programmes, with photographs and illustrations of amongst others the remains of Herodium, the aqueducts and roads, Masada, Sebaste, the palace at Jericho, jewellery and household utensils. There are also maps of Israel and a political map of the division of Herod's kingdom into the territories of Archelaos, Herod Philip, Herod Antipas and Salome.

Chapter 4: Village Life, discusses life in the countryside, rituals and rites dictated by the seasons, family life and family home and the festivals of Israel. The next chapters deals with Jerusalem and includes impressive photographs and maps of the city, the old city, the temple mount, the wailing wall, illustrations of King Herod's temple and other landmarks.

Chapter 6: The Life Of The Mind, discusses the Torah, educational life, the synagogue, the scribes, Greek education, the arts, the Alexandria library and Hellenistic Jewish Literature, whilst the next one: Trade And Travel, deals with the vigorous flow of trade and travel around the Mediterranean, Europe and the East.

Chapter 8: Religious Conflict, addresses the political situation, religion, the priesthood, the Pharisees, synagogues, the two great teachers Hillel and Shammai, the Essenes, John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus. The next: The Mission Of The Messiah, looks at the areas of Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, the family of Jesus, the Twelve Apostles, the travels of Jesus, the trial, crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension. It includes beautiful works of art by Duccio, Claude Lorrain, Domenico Fiasella, Giotto, El Greco, Rembrandt, Velazquez and others.

With its many maps, chapter 10: Spread Of The Gospel, traces the growth of the gospel message from Pentecost, the conversion of Saul and the spread of the Word to Asia Minor, Greece and Italy, also dealing with the destruction of 70AD, the further growth of the church and Constantine The Great.

The reference section includes Places In Bible Times which lists place names from Alexandria to Tyre, Biblical Citations and an extensive Bibliography divided into General, Bibles & Commentaries, History & Archaeology, Biographies, Jesus: His Life & Times, Daily Life and Art. The book concludes with an index. Jesus And His Times is an absorbing and richly illustrated text and also a valuable reference work.

Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus

Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church

Yeshua: The Name of Jesus Revealed in the Old Testament

The Sacred Names

This is undoubtedly the best book ever written about life in the times of Jesus. It is comprehensive yet detailed, with voluminous illustrations, maps, geneaologies, etc. There are chapters on village life, schooling, trade and travel, and internal politics. A few chapters are devoted to Jesus' life, and here the editors make a number of mistakes. For example:

- they seem unaware that the proper translation of almah is "young woman" and not "virgin" (p. 17)

- they make the common error of translating "tekton" as "carpenter" (p. 26)

- they seem unaware of the fact that the village of Nazareth didn't exist as a village at the time of Jesus (p. 91) and it was more than a century after Jesus' death that a synagogue was build there. As a consequence, they translate his name as "Jesus of Nazareth" when in fact the proper translation is "Jesus the Nazarene."

But these errors are few and relatively minor, when weighed against the plethora of interesting details that they supply.

Anyone looking for a desciption of what life was like in the times of Jesus needs to get this book. This isn't necessarily the best book about the life of Jesus, but it surely is the best book about his times.

I only rated this book at 5 stars because I couldn't go any higher. To think I got a copy of it for $.01 (a penny) plus shipping is unreal. Talk about a steal! This is one of the best books about the life and times of our Lord Jesus Christ that you'll ever find. The pictures of the Holy Land alone are worth it but there's so much more. By all means, get your copy NOW!!!!

This is a very good book for the student of faith who seeks a more thorough understanding of what life was like during the time that Jesus lived in the flesh on earth. Rich with photographs, drawings and maps, this book is a visual treat as well as providing much insight through the text.

The book is hard-cover, very study and well-made, and is 336 pages in length. There are 10 main chapters and some appendicies. The book begins with the significance of the expectation of a Messiah and his birth in Bethlehem. Then the political intrigue of the day is presented, especially a history of Herod the Great and the Roman Empire. The daily life of a typical Jew is then presented, how a person lived, what they did, what they ate, and how they raised their families. Jerusalem has a chapter dedicated to itself, with emphasis on the Temple that King Herod built for the Jews. The middle chapters deal with education, trade, travel, and religious conflicts of the time. Finally, the last two chapters explain the mision of the Messiah and how the gospel of his teachings spread after his death and resurrection.

This is not a book that is an easy or casual "fun' read. It is written for the more serious student of faith and the Bible. The information is detailed and quite extensive. A very thorough job was done in putting this book together. The reader can use it as a text book to teach themselves the cultural and religious signficance of the time. It is a good book to read for insight into Biblical times and Biblical narratives (scriptures).

At .01 cent (used), this book is a steal.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig