Abbey Books

This is a beautiful example of chant. I really loved this because the pieces are from the nun's singing of the Liturgy of the Hours. My favorite was the Matins reading. Of course, one might get a little more from this if you understand the Latin, but English translations of every piece can be easily found. I think the emotion and devotion evident in the nuns' voices is very beautiful and moving. This is an excellent addition to any chant collection.

Having been to the Abbey of Regina Laudis several times, I knew what to expect from this recording long before I took it out of the packaging. On visits to the chapel, which is located on the Abbey grounds in Bethlehem, CT., I have heard the Benedictine nuns chanting live and was awestuck by the beauty and sincerity of their sound. "Women in Chant" brings listeners inside the Abbey's cloistered walls for a 60-minute visit. During that time, you will come to understand the Benedictine nuns, their daily prayers and the history of the Abbey. The recording itself is professional sounding. The voices are magnificent. It is something that every music lover should own and add to their collection. Buy it today.

This is a beautiful piece. The voices are pristine and the melodies elevate me above the realm of the profane. A must for those who seek to deepen their spirituality

This book is an illustrated encyclopedia of Fairies from European and Celtic culture. I picked up a copy at the library and found it quite entertaining. I though the text interesting and the pictures and illustrations are well done. While this book isn't particularly large (only 155 pages), its reasonably comprehensive, and accessible to adults and children alike.

In particular, I liked the illustration of the Blue Men and the Doonie. This is a fun addition to any Celtic folklorist's library.

This was a great book! I loved it! I recomend it to anyone!

An excellent intro for the newbie to Bosch as well as a nice pickup for the experienced Bosch connoisseur. This 143 page paperback with color plates has color-coded edges corresponding to three overarching sections in the painter's oeuvre: Background, Life and Works, and Masterpieces. The book's cover indicates a "life in paintings" yet the real biographical information is interspersed with the presentation of the pieces, and the details of Bosch's life are themselves sparse. However for a quick overview and summary of this amazing artist's career, the book is second to none. There are certainly other books which provide a larger quantity of information and interpretation about the paintings as well as enlarged details of the paintings themselves, but what is here is impressive. The book will whet the appetite of any starting Bosch student through the discussion of Bosch's motives and possible meanings in scenes from his work, with elucidative lines of text nearby the selected detail. Particularly useful are the paragraphs setting up the historical context for all of this mystifying imagery. Overall a solid book, the only possible drawback the brevity of the text itself. Contains an index of people and places.

We may never know much about him, as there are so few histories written about him. This is a great book for those who've never heard of him and for art enthusiasts wanting to expand their shelves on books about artists, but there's not much new and different biographical information about Bosch's like in it. The explanations of his works are phenomenal, however.

I love this book. I have been investigating the Buddhist religion and thought process for some time and this book just lays it out in easy to understand language. It's a book that I can read for a short while and ponder or read for quite awhile in one sitting. The author presents the philosophy of Buddhism from a 12 Step prospective which makes it very easy for me to relate to. Anyone who is part of a 12 Step program would benefit from reading this wonderful enlightening book.

I've bought several copies of this book for friends and family who wonder why I find Buddhism appealing. There is almost no Buddhist jargon in the book, but the central ideas of Buddhism are set out in a straight-forward, cowboy logic sort of way. This book will be interesting and the ideas plausible to most pragmatic, rational-empiricist Americans, whether moderately religious or irreligious. Sadly, it will probably not find so welcoming a reception among fundamentalists in other religions, though its tone is respectful of other faiths. There is no sense that Rev. Macphillamy is proselytizing, though it is clear that he is committed to his practice. I recommend this book highly to any Buddhist practitioner who wants to reassure his loved ones he has not gone completely off the deep end.

An excellent little book full of simple reminders - the kind of things caregivers too often neglect for themselves when caught up in caring for others. Also a perfect gift!

I was given this book as part of the healing process after my sister's death. I wish I had read it long before, but the 38 wonderful lessons will reaffirm my actions for years to come. I will order several, to pass out to my family, and to share with friends. Many of the lessons are applicable to caring for yourself as well as loved ones!

The illustrations were lighthearted and precious. A great pocket-sized book, a keeper!

In Norbridge, England the serial killing Chorister frightens the members of the Abbey Chorus. Norbridge Abbey Chorus singer Tom Firth visits the Norbridge College Music Department after everyone has gone home for the day. He trips over the corpse of unpopular nosy storeowner Morris Little. His hysterical shouts bring Professor Alex Gibson to come over.

The local police arrest several drug addicts who confess to the murder. However, TV producer Suzy Spencer and her boyfriend Robert Clark (see THE FLOWER ARRANGER AT ALL SAINTS for their previous snooping) have problems with the quick arrests as the victim was holding a Psalter that was no longer with him; it seemingly disappeared and they feel is a key clue to the identity of the real culprit. They compare preliminary notes with Alex, who is still struggling with a nervous breakdown after divorcing Music Department deputy Chair Edwin Armstrong. The three amateur sleuths investigate even as several odd near deadly incidents occur as if someone is warning them off.

The cast especially the amateur sleuthing trio is fully developed so that the reader understands the lead threesome and what motivates them to turn into detectives. However, that is a double edge sword as their baggage at times overwhelms the prime whodunit. Still fans will relish their efforts to prove the police are wrong, which angers the cops, as Lis Howell's latest Norbridge Chronicles Murder Mystery entertains her audience throughout.

Harriet Klausner

for those of us who wish Veronica Stallwood and Kate Charles would write more mysteries...we can now welcome Lis Howell.

A delightful story, filled with 3-dimensional characters and stories within stories. These folks take their church music seriously, appreciating the music the way the Kate Charles characters appreciate church architecture.

It's a leisurely, meandering read, in the style of the British cozy. It's not a page turner: just the opposite. I was sorry to see the book end, as I'd enjoyed spending time with the characters.

There's a slight lull in the plot when the characters get together to focus on the mystery but it's worth staying the course. The ending seems realistic, not contrived. The characters' lives also move in very satisfying ways -- they grow.

Perfect for a few rainy afternoons.

I truly enjoy reading this book! It involves 4 star-crossed lovers, a ghost, and disagreeable parents; an unstable combination. I think the plot is pretty solid, although the ending is a bit sentimental. There a some surprises in plot, but since i have read it so much, i know all of them. My favorite supporting character is Lord Andrew's mother. She is a "snob of the first water". YOu have to read the book to get that. If you can find a copy, i highly reccomend it, thought you have to be a bit of a romantic to fully enjoy.

Three years have past since "The Meddlesome Ghost" took place, and the Steadford Abbey is again inhabited by new owners, this time a family from the self-made middle class of England. This time, Sir Harry, the Abbey ghost for lovers, must join together the two daughters of the house with their true loves. But to do this, Harry must overcome a dearth of class conflicts. The clashing between the lower, middle, and upper classes makes this book a true Regency comedy of manners. However, small inconsistencies in plot (i.e., why one daughter sees Harry before she even meets her true love) and poor editing (at least in the paperback copy--missing quotations marks and words misspelled [doak instead of cloak?]) prevent this from being a five star book. Look to "The Passionate Ghost" to conclude this fun series.

If you plan on a career in the hospitality industry and Sales and Marketing is you goal then you must have this book! It is full of good wholesome information and never dull. I highly recommend it.

This book is very helpful to people working or studying in this industry. Its' structure, layout, outline, and repartition are very organised with a moderate professional English. I highly recommend this book to people eager to know more about Sales and Marketing techniques for this indutry.

Ostensibly a children's book, this detailed and richly illustrated volume is plenty fine for adults as well. It consists of four sections: "Daily Life", "The Origins of Monastic Life", "Monasteries in the Medieval World" (covering business affairs, farms, alms, shrines, etc.), and the "Decline and Fall". I found it to be exactly what I needed as regards the daily goings on in a medieval monastery and it gave me a much better appreciation for the role these institutions played in the civilization of their time.

this is a great book about the monastic life of the middle ages. It,s not just for young ages alone but for all ages.the pictures as well as the stories are very well presented.If you love medieval history you can not go wrong with this book. highly recommended.

Taking place in the beautiful Cape Cod area, Mr. Manuel tells an exciting tale that keeps you reading until the mystery is finally solved. Though there is murder involved, Faith Abbey figures prominently in the book and this provides a wonderful side story. The other books in the series are terrific too! Highly recommended.

A Matter of Diamonds captures the dynamics of a series of inter-connected lives in beautiful Cape cod. The characters are (virtually) all likeable and the story is delightful if a bit simplistic. Brother Bartholomew is a fun-loving monk, who partners with his childhood friend (police chief Dan Burke) to solve crimes that rock the tranquil Cape Cod community. And in this case, he finds suspects a bit too close to home. This book is well-worth the quick read -- and has inspired me to add another Faith Abbey mystery to my reading list.