Arthur Books

I've bought this book twice now, because my first version became a gift to a local pro ghost hunter. This book is very convincing in its information and details. Not flashy by any means, which makes it more believable. If you are serious in your quest for answers about the great beyond, this book is a must read.

The Scole Experimental Group (SEG) continued the significant psychical research into survival of bodily death, providing substantial evidence confirming results obtained by the pioneers of psychical research, such as Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir William Crookes, Cesare Lombroso, F.W.H. Myers, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Alfred Russell Wallace, Sir William Barrett, James Hyslop, Johann Zollner, Hereward Carrington, Rev. Charles Tweedale, Gustave Geley, Charles Richet, Robert Dale Owen--and many, many other famous investigators. Readers of the history of psychical research and spiritualism will immediately recognize that the Scole Experimental Group's sessions produced identical or similar manifestations to their famed predecessors. SEG's evidence is as compelling as any produced throughout the last 150 years and, when combined with that published by those writers previously mentioned (among many others, too numerous to cite here), the Scole evidence takes its place in PROVING survival of bodily death--sufficient proof that someone using any reasonable evidentiary standard should accept.

The Solomons, who have written this book in association with SEG, have delivered their best work to date. They superbly handle the presentation of the research, in which spiritual manifestations are steadily accumulated to a convincing conclusion. The Solomons interject an air of expectancy and humor to convey the obvious excitement involved in this research field.

Anyone interested in psychical research, the paranormal, and survival of bodily death should definitely purchase and read this excellent book.

I read "The Scole Experiment" a few months ago, and I absolutely loved it!

This is a book about the psychical journey taken by 5 inexperienced (at least at first) investigators of the paranormal. During a period of several years (I believe it was about 7), these people held "seances" in a farmhouse in Scole, and what they experienced was truly extraordinary!

Although it's quite easy to brush off such experiences as "just made up", this group actually invited skeptics and believers alike to witness what was happening - & they all stated that it could not be explained away, it was REAL.

What did they experience? Well, there were several apports of amazingly old & beautiful items, the brushing of hands, voices on tape recorders, and pictures on video.

I must say that this group did an amazing job of ensuring that safegaurds were put in place so that no one could accuse them of tampering with "the evidence" - they actually went overboard (in my opinion), but I can understand the need for this since many skeptics out there are ready to pouce on anything they can in an effort to "prove" trickery.

Overall, if you are interested in metaphysical phenomena, and the research being done in this area, this would be an excellent book for you! Please note though, an open mind is an absolute must.

For five years a small group of amateur investigators gathered in a farmhouse cellar in Scole (UK) and held seances. The resulting phenomena included moving lights with no apparent source, "apports" (materializations) of odd items, the touches of unseen hands, disembodied voices, and eventually images recorded on photographic film and videotape. It's hard not to be skeptical when reading the early stages of this book - the claims sound wild, some of the "spirit communications" are rather puerile, and the experimental controls were, at first, minimal. Later, however, seasoned investigators of the paranormal were invited to observe the seances and take precautions against fraud. The phenomena persisted. The group even met in other locations, sometimes in other countries, and continued to produce results. While critics will go on crying fraud, it is hard to believe that such remarkably varied and carefully documented effects could have been fraudulently produced for so many years, in so many different venues, under the watchful eyes of so many different observers, without detection. On the other hand, it's also hard to believe that such fantastic claims could be true, especially since the phenomena abruptly ceased for reasons that remain cryptic. The Solomons do a careful and serious job of presenting the facts and the arguments, both pro and con, and their book includes numerous photos, many in color. THE SCOLE EXPERIMENT caused a sensation in England and is finally available in the US. It should be read by anyone with a serious interest in the paranormal.

The best scientific evidence yet collected for the reality of life after death. These are the results and findings of a group of psychic researchers and healers. It describes how objects have been passed from the spirit world, and includes the capture on sealed video film of animated images from other realms and psychic photography.

A wonderful collection. Full, beautifully presented, with interesting narrative incorporating Nevelson's personal history with that of her creations. Prints - some color as well as black and white - are lusciously entwined with the essays.
A MUST HAVE volume for all art lovers.

An excellent book on an extrordinary artist. There are not many books available on Louise Nevelson so this one is the most important. It has extensive examples of her work over her whole career. It is beautifully printed and finely bound.

The review from "Publishers Weekly" is not just hype but rather an excellent summation of this gem. Though another reviewer wished for more close-ups of Nevelson's sculptures, I was pleased with their number and really don't think more would have added much. I was also pleasantly surprised to find good coverage of Nevelson's etchings and metal sculptures. And it is always an added bonus when the text is well-written and insightful. All in all, THE SCULPTURE OF LOUISE NEVELSON: CONSTRUCTING A LEGEND is a must-have book for those interested in both the person and her oevre.

Nevelson's work, as I had seen it in books and other photos, never really impressed me. Then I saw a show of her work, for which this book is catalog - what a difference.

Size matters - I knew that intellectually, but standing in front of these imposing works creates a subjective experience that no photo can capture. Walking around them changes perspective, too, giving a sense like one of those Zen gardens where no point of view presents all of the work's features. Then, at least in the "black" works, there's an odd paradox. If the works had been perfectly, 100% black and non-reflective, then there would have been nothing to see. Only the fact that they're not truly black exposes their mystery.

The static museum display, even more than the book's photos, left me knowing that I had missed at least two aspects of these majestic works. First, their depth and structure only half-defines the shadows deep inside these works. The other half of the shadow's definition comes from the light - a constant in the museum gallery, freezing the shadows like insects in amber, whereas natural lighting would change throughout the day and let the shifting shadows come to life. Second, some of the installations seemed incomplete. Oh, the pieces of Dawn's Wedding Chapel were all there and presented well, but I felt that there must have been some original placement of the pieces that would define the interior of the chapel - the pieces' placement in the display that I saw lacked the consistent logic that I expected of Nevelson.

More than just a catalog of the Nevelson show, this book provides insight into her origins, life, and career. Almost as much as Salvador Dali, Nevelson might well have been Nevelson's greatest creation - once success allowed it, her extravagant clothes, mask-like makeup, and signature scarf on her head worked together to create a unique persona. Beneath that, we still see the remarkable person and her groundbreaking work.

-- wiredweird

Just when I was interested in learning more about Louise Nevelson this very fine book appears in publication. The quality photographs show all facets of her career and the writings reflect in-depth scholarship. Some more detail views of the sculptures would have been nice also, like those on the front and back cover. This fresh and thorough book is the kind that gives great artists the continuing attention they deserve. Like her contemporary Georgia O'Keeffe, Nevelson was a truly unique American woman artist.

Persian Images, are fascinating to begin with right? However, what brings more interest to this book, is that most of these pictures come from a collection that was purposely destroyed in the early 1900's,by the Iranian government. The stories shared in reference to each photo are as interesting as the pictures themselves. There happens to be a much larger collection both in Iran, and in the states, but sadly they did not make an appearance in this particular book.

If the area of your study or/and interest involves Art,Photography,History of Asia and Near East this is a must have book. Sevruguin went to Iran and stayed there for almost all of his life. This book is a collection of the first photographs from Iran (that of course he took). Through Sevruguin's eyes the reader/viewer is able to discover a new world. Not only this world is new to you if you are a western viewer, but also these photographs reveal yet another angle for a native viewer, such as myself, since many of these photographs have never displayed back in Iran. I think, in a broader sense, as long as one keeps in mind that these are representations of one culture through the eyes of an outsider, this book is useful and interesting.

One of my favorite photo essays on the old middle east. Wonderful collection of photographs and fascinating history.

"Sevruguin and the Persian Image" presents the Smithsonian's collection of one of Qajar Iran's preeminent photographers. In addition to the photographs, the volume contains valuable histories of early photography in Iran, the career of Antoin Sevruguin, and how the collection itself came about. The double entendre of the title refers to how Sevruguin's art was informed by and catered to the Orientalist tastes of a Europe in which he was educated. Yet as an Armenian Christian who was born, lived, died and was buried in Tehran, he presented a different image of Iran than the typical Orientalist photographers of the day. "Sevruguin and the Persian Image" is both a solid examination of a photographer's art as well as a thoughtful analysis of the Western image of Iran in the late nineteenth century.

this is a great collection of some excellent photos of iran at the turn of the last century - it chronicles everyday life, including peasants, and the aristocracy and monarchy - there is a great picture of tehran's bustling main street, with horse-drawn, rail carriages, and the throngs of crowds, some of whom are temporairly mesmerized by the photographer perched on some rooftop. A must-have for iran-history-nastalgic buffs. Only wish there was more...

THE THIRD PART OF HELEN HOLLICKS SERIES BEGINNING WITH THE KINGMAKING, THEN PENDRAGONS BANNER IS FANTASTIC AS ARE ALL THREE. HELEN HOLLIC IS A CREATIVE INTENSE GREAT WRITER.

The third and final book in Hollick's Pendragon trilogy is not just a wrap-up, but an entire story (and a good one) wihch dives deep into the lives of the characters met in the first two books. It's a big, stong book and terrific finish. Read them all and enjoy the last.

In 468 AD, Arthur Pendragon rules over a relatively peaceful Britain. However, to the king, pax is a pox, so he agrees to lead his Artoriani fighters to help the Romans defeat invading barbarians in France. He leaves Queen Gwenhwyfar to run the country and defend his crown.

While Arthur plays soldier on the continent, the Queen has to deal with several threats to her spouse's throne. Adding to the growing danger is the word that Arthur died in battle. As his absence on the home front lenghthens, Gwenhwyfar struggles to abort the attempts of several individuals, including relatives, from usurping the throne. As Arthur recovers with the nursing help of a former lover, he hears rumors that his beloved queen died. It will take more than magic to bring this couple back together atop of the British throne.

The third book, SHADOW OF THE KING, in Helen Hollick's Camelot series is as great as the two previous novels (THE KINGMAKING and PENDRAGON'S BANNER). Fans who enjoy the Arthurian epic need to read these three tales because they are some of the best ever written about Camelot. With novels more like this trio, Ms. Hollick will become a legend in our time.

Harriet Klausner

The third and final book in this Arthurian trilogy - see below for the other two books. It took me a while to finish this one because I enjoyed it so much. How did that work? Well, whenever I was putting the book down, I would flip ahead some pages and see what would be happening, flip ahead a few more, etc. So I have to leave myself enough time in between readings to "forget" what I had read so I could be more surprised in what was coming up. Did it work? A little. Well, perhaps a lot - even though I knew what was going to happen (both from my knowledge of Arthurian literature and in what I had skimmed ahead), there were many tears that I shed at the end of it. Very very good trilogy of books.

I haven't read the first two books in the triology and I was hoping for an invasion by Picts or Scots. However, the story moves through post-Roman Gaul and even Brittany (called Little Britain in the book). Helen Hollick knows she has no skill in telling stories of battles, which are glossed over in a page, so the story is not weighted down by forced writing. Helen Hollick's research into post-Roman horses lets the story down as the horses the Artoriani cavalry rode would have been pony-sized. One doesn't need stirups if one's feet scrape the ground as one rides a pony-sized horse.

Three stars and an extra one for the setting.

Leigh Southern

Sherlock Holmes will forever be one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time. No study of the character of a detective can begin anywhere but with a reading of some of the Holmes stories. This book is a collection of six considered among the greatest and I cannot argue with any of the selections. They are:

*) A Scandal in Bohemia
*) The Red-headed League
*) The Adventure of the Speckled Band
*) The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb
*) The Final Problem
*) The Adventure of the Empty House

This book is an excellent supplemental text for classes in fiction or for someone who wants to read some of the Holmes' stories. Another advantage of the Holmes stories is that they set a context that has validity for classes in history as well.

One of those most excellent cheap Dover paperbacks, so yet again I bought some Sherlock Holmes, with another order from there.


A Scandal in Bohemia
The Red-Headed League,
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb
The Final Problem
The Adventure of the Empty House


A woman? Smart as me?

5 out of 5


Bloodnut scammer bonanza.

4.5 out of 5


Sneaky snakey stuff.

5 out of 5


Secret commerce leads to deathtrap digit detachment.

4 out of 5


Moriarty. Cliff! Or, Don't Push Me Coz I'm Close To the Edge.

5 out of 5


Murder, Moran and Moriarty = Holmes Back In Town.

5 out of 5

For less then the price of a cup of coffee, you can own a copy of what I consider to be Sir A Conan Doyle's best Sherlock Holmes stories.

This book contains 6 stores. A Scandal in Bohemia. In this story you see Holmes pitted against a female that may just be his equal.

Next is The Red Headed League. This is the weak story in this collection. Still worth a read, but not a very thoughtful one.

Next is The Adventure of the Speckled Band. Holmes and Watson visit the countryside to examine a death most foul.

The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb is a short tale of a young mans missing digit.

Next is the final problem and closes with The adventure in the Empty house. I will give no plot away on these since they are my favourite Holmes stories.

Overall for under a buck, a GREAT value!

The Dover-Thrift edition of Sherlock Holmes advertised here is quite worth the pocket change, containing some of my favorite Holmes short stories including "The Red-headed League" and "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." I'll keep this simple; whether you like Sherlock Holmes or not, you should get these six classic stories under your belt. If you haven't read Doyle, this is a great book to read to see if you like the classic Doyle series.

In detective literature Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with his Sherlock Holmes series is undoubtedly one of the best authors ever. His character Sherlock Holmes has a remarkable power of observation and his deductions from minutest details are plainly stunning. I feel there never is a dull moment in his stories; which are concise to the point. This compilation of six stories is no exception. My favorite from this list is "The Adventure of the Empty House"; in which Holmes busts the remaining group of Prof Moriati's gang. I will not divulge further for fear of giving up the plot.

The work of Virginia Wilson in this book is to be praised. People with RLS will get so much out of this book, it is easy reading for everyone. Because of her hard work and dedication I have learned so much about RLS, having it myself after 11 back surgeries I can now tell my doctors to read the symptoms of other people that I have been complaining about for years. Because of this book I am taken seriously, I take her book to my doctors and have them read some of the pages. One of my doctors (Whom I admired dearly) put me on myopex, now I can sleep a few hours at night, compared to no sleep at night before. I don't dread bedtime anymore. Virginia, I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me and hopefully for so many sufferers. I read your book all day and thank God not all night. God Bless. Joan D'Agostino

This is a must read for RLS sufferers and their family. I have been suffering from RLS and its "cousins" for at least 23 years. For the most part, doctors have never taken me seriously. This book says it all. It describes the syndromes, the reactions of freinds, family, and the medical community (we are imagining it all), and offers some help and comfort. The latter in knowing what we knew all along: we have a real ailment that is making our lives miserable! Pressure your doctors to look into this disease. Change doctors if you must until you find someone who listens. It was infuriating for me to learn that Dr. Daniel Picchietti, a noted expert in the field referenced in this book, has been working at Carle Clinic, where I have been a patient for 17 years, and no one ever told me about him or refered me to him. I have an appointment now. Thank you so much, Virginia! [Footnote: I did see Dr. Picchietti and found relief. Daily doses of Mirapex have been a great help. For once I am being taken seriously and treated that way. Get help, fellow RLS sufferers.]

The work of Virginia Wilson in this book is to be praised. People with RLS will get so much out of this book, it is easy reading for everyone. Because of her hard work and dedication I have learned so much about RLS, having it myself after 11 back surgeries I can now tell my doctors to read the symptoms of other people that I have been complaining about for years. Because of this book I am taken seriously, I take her book to my doctors and have them read some of the pages. One of my doctors (Whom I admired dearly) put me on myopex, now I can sleep a few hours at night, compared to no sleep at night before. I don't dread bedtime anymore. Virginia, I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me and hopefully for so many sufferers. I read your book all day and thank God not all night. God Bless. Joan D'Agostino

Virginia Wilson pins it down it down to a t when she gives an excellent and concise overview of RLS and how it affects it's victims. She and the doctors who wrote with her also give hope to the millions of those afflicted with what I call the scourge of my life, RLS. The book is a good source of info and places to get help. As a health care professional I felt the book was a good source for medical professionals and laymen.

This book lit a fuse for me. I have suffered from Restless Legs Syndrome for 30 years, and until I ran across this book, I had basicly given up on any help. I received the book three weeks ago, saw a neurologist at the Swedish Hospital's Sleep Disorder Clinic in Seattle two weeks ago, and am set up for a sleep test in two weeks! I am so thoroughly excited about all this & have this book to thank. I was only 8 years old when this syndrome started taking over my nights and I have been labelled "dysfunctional" ever since. I can't and rarely try anymore to sleep at night (daytime sleep comes a little easier for me). I have hurt myself and my husband with my flying legs, it has made me doubt my own sanity, and just the possibility that they may be able to help just makes me emotional! I wish to thank the author, Virginia Wilson, for writing her story and sharing it. If she hadn't, I don't know how long it would have taken me to realize they are learning about it. I have since ordered the book for my three brothers, who are already checking into seeing a neurologist also. It runs strong in my family - in fact, two of my four children seem to have it too. Very valuable info - I loaned it to my family doctor, who obtained some valuable info and a little insight on the subject. Thanks again!

What if... the former head of the American Stock Exchange... the former president of the Shearson brokerage giant... or the former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission...

CARED ENOUGH ABOUT SMALL INVESTORS TO WRITE A GREAT 'HOW TO' BOOK ON INVESTING? WOULDN'T YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO READ IT?

Arthur Levitt is the man who filled all of these positions and the guy who cared enough about small investors to write this book. While Levitt covers some well-trodden ground, he also gives investors-- including experienced ones-- superb advice about selecting investments, monitoring brokerage fees, obtaining best execution on stock trades and on reading corporate financial statements. He also provides useful tips on retirement investing and on the publicly-available information that will help investors to plan their finances and enhance their returns. And better yet, Levitt and his accomplished co-author accomplish all of this clearly, without jargon. If you own stock, even a small amount held in a company retirement plan, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

Levitt's book also provides an illuminating discussion of how the accounting and securities industry lobbies in Washington to limit regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), often to the detriment of investors. Some of the material is comical-- most notably a September 2000 letter from then-Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay stating that Enron's accounting system is state-of-the-art in its ability to protect shareholders against corporate fraud.

Levitt's efforts to stand up for individual investors during his term as Chairman of the SEC are also described in detail. These efforts are heroic, poignant and frequently hilarious. You see, the securities and accounting industries just do not expect an industry insider like Levitt to actually... strengthen... the protections for retail investors at the expense of industry profits. When Levitt tries to do so, he is treated like a guest dropping a dead mouse on the serving platter at a formal dinner. Arthur couldn't really care about the investing public... could he?

Levitt is equally candid about his post-SEC activities, which has included service on corporate boards-- at least on the boards of those companies sufficiently comfortable with Levitt's exacting standards on board conduct. Again, to the shock and dismay of some corporate titans, Levitt actually believes that the directors of a publicly-traded firm should act in the interest of shareholders rather than as a rubber stamp for management. In an especially revealing and funny episode, Levitt's invitation to join Apple Computers' Board of Directors is rescinded the day after Levitt presents Steve Jobs with an essay detailing Levitt's views on corporate governance. Arthur couldn't really care about the investing public...could he?

Fortunately for you and me Arthur Levitt cares passionately about the investing public and has written a superb guide to lead non-insiders safely through the hidden perils of Wall Street. You owe it to yourself to read this gem of a book.

I've been reading a lot of books about personal finance and the markets, and Levitt's is my favorite. He explains technical concepts in simple terms that are understandable to the average person. His stories about his years as SEC chairman wonderfully illustrate his points. If you insist on believing that basic intergrity prevails on Wall Street and in corporate America, don't read his book. As Levitt so ably demonstrates, it's like believing in the Easter bunny.

(...)when I say I was completely impressed with this book and applaud Clinton for having appointed Arthur Levitt as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, you can be sure I mean it! This book is absolutely required reading for anyone even thinking of investing in the stock market. It was a total eye opener and written in an accessible, readable style. I highly recommend it.

Sometimes the truth hurts. In "Take on the Street," Levitt tells it like it is. A sobering account of Wall Street's hidden mishaps, the book examines such things as the opaque accounting practices that precipitated the Miltonic fall of Enron and Worldcom. The real merit of the book resides in a chapter Levitt devotes to the reading of financial statements, wherein he recapitulates the necessity of doing one's due diliegence before investing in any company. A classic, indeed.

This book is mostly about Levitt's life story. There's not a whole lot of stuff you can learn by reading this book. It mostly says the same things other books say.... know what you buy, research what you buy, etc.
However, there are 2 chapters in the book that were really good. One tells you how the ECN system works and the other one tells you what to look for and how to read financial statements. I would buy the book for these two chapters alone. The book is fairly cheap anyways. There's also a chapter about 401Ks that may interest those that haven't given much thought to retirement funds.
Most of the book is about Levitt's life story. He bashes both Republicans and Democrats for obstructing the regular joe (or jane) investor. His life story is interesting but that's not the reason I bought the book.

The Tent of Abraham presents a vision of hope: what Jews, Christians and Muslims can do for a mutual understanding of the essence that binds these three great religions in Abraham. This book is especially clutching in showing the reader how women, mothers caught up in the madness of war, can see more clearly than politicians, that our humanity and our compassion should inform us that war can never be a satisfactory solution to any human need. People of all faiths should read this book.

The story of Father Abraham is shared by Jews, Christians & Muslims. The fac that the two sons Issac & Ishamel reconcile in order to honor their Father in death provides a basis for Peace if we will make this our story.

The book provides a good historical background of the three major religious movements. As a Christian, I learned a great deal more about the foundations of both the Jewish and Muslim faiths. It was helpful to my understanding of circumstances as they exist today.

Please notice the reading regarding Abraham receiving the three travellers is this Sunday's First Reading in the Roman Catholic liturgy, followed by the Gospel Reading regarding the complementary hospitality of Mary and Martha.

And if you find that representation as bar joke unappealing, let us read it like Dante: A nun, a rabbi and a Muslim awoke in the midstream of their lives to discover themselves in a dark woods of war and danger, of fear and cruelty, and fled back to the welcoming refuge of Abraham's tent.

Or Biblically: Abram looked out from his tent and saw three strangers approaching: A Rabbi, a Muslim and a nun. Abram ran out to prostrate himself at their feet and beg them to come into his tent to rest and to eat and to pray together. They told him to call himself Abraham and his wife Sarah. And the rest is our history.

An interesting aspect of this recent book is that it reads best from the back to the front. Thus alone do we discover the unmentioned and secret author, the Rabbi Phyllis Berman, sharing her secret story, treasured for ages in secret among Hebrew women, of the profound love, alliance, solidarity and companionship of Hagar and Sarai, and thus of all the peoples engendered by Abraham: The Judeo-christian and Islam, an inheritance more numerous than the grains of sand by the sea and the stars at night.

The leaves high at the top of a mighty oak tree might know only their separation, might feel only their beating one another in the powerful winds that pass. Only by looking way back may they perceive that they in fact spring from the one thick and solid trunk and are in fact children of the one Father.

Other important books to read in this regard were written by the Islamic scholar and Roman Catholic Deacon, George Dardess, in particular his great Do We Worship the Same God?: Comparing the Bible And the Qur'an as well as his Meeting Islam: A Guide For Christians (A Many Mansions Book).

Truly this present volume is a monument necessary for our needlessly divided times which profit no one but the war mongers and munitions makers. By this great cornerstone may we rebuild the great kingdom of peace and compassion which our One God commanded, to which our One God guides us, the thirst for which our One God fills our Spirit.

This book serves well for Lectio Divina, including the remarkable Forward by Karen Armstrong, who reminds us that Abraham, in receiving the Three Strangers into his Tent, receives God. "The act of practical compassion led directly to a divine encounter." She goes on: " . . .it expresses a religious truth found in all the major traditions: it is compassion, not righteousness and doctrinal certainty, that leads us into the presence of what monotheists call God, . . ."

Recall here that the Latin roots of our word religion indicate a binding back together again, to ourselves, to one another, to God. Religion therefore ties us all together in one family, one humanity, united by God. Religion explicitly does not permit us to kill one another, not even in the name of God, but to love one another.

Truly this book is far too profound and important and prophetic for our times for me to attempt a superficial summary here. This is a book to live with, and to awaken by to the welcoming fact that we all dwell within the generous tent of Abraham. This book comes recommended by several authoritative sources, including Tikkum, which writes, "This book will open your eyes to the possibilities of collaborative work between our traditions, and is a must read for those doing interfaith peacework."

Our duty as believers is to do interpersonal peacework. Blessed are the Peacemakers. Do for others what you want them to do for you. Read this book and live it, please, for the sake of our children and their children.

Late last year Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, paused in silent prayer inside Turkey's Blue Mosque, breathing our unity of Faith. May we follow faithfully his holy example.

And what a joy and a relief to read in this context the great Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, still strong and prophetic. I also strongly recommend her The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages (Crossroad Spiritual Legacy Series). It was she who led me to this Tent of Abraham, now available in paperback and important for us to study carefully and prayerfully today.

This is a most important book, and I highly recommend it. The combination of a Christian Sister, a Rabbi and a Sufi Murshid discussing their views of Abraham and Sarah's lives/tent from an in-depth perspective offers a model for peace and discussion that can be used in Churches, Mosques and Synagogues around the world.

The authors present a discussion and model for deeper discourse that offers much hope in our seriously troubled world. The following Sura quoted from the Qur'an on page 133 of The Tent of Abraham highlights its message:

"So turn your face and purpose towards the priordial religion of the upright, the hanif, the nature innately formed by the One Reality in which the One created humanity. Let there be no change in this work created by the One. This religion is self-subsisting, the standard, always resurrecting itself. But most among humanity do not understand. Turn to and remain conscious only of the One, remaining constantly in prayer. Don't deify anything else in yor life, not concepts or beliefs. Don't divide yourselves into sects that contratulate themselves on their own ideas (translation of Sura 30:30-32).

We are all part of one human family who simply need to realize our divine Unity. Thank you Sr. Joan Chittister, Rabbi Waskow and Murshid Saadi for such a heartful book.

Sharon G. Mijares, Ph.D.
Primary author of The Root of All Evil: An Exposition of Prejudice, Fundamentalism and Gender Imbalance.

Two thumbs up for "Touched By The Jacksons!" An impressive tribute to the name that defines entertainment... JACKSONS!

An awesome book! Phoenix has captured the distinctive magic that only the Jacksons possess in all their glory. Their life story is truly an American Dream come true! Phoenix does a wonderful job intertwining the Jacksons career into his own life, and unravels a new appreciation and admiration of the Jackson family.

Read it and you'll know why. You won't be able to put it down! Phoenix gives a front seat view of the Jacksons road to success. A phenominal retrospect of their entire career. Five stars for Phoenix!

Touched by the Jacksons is not just for Jackson fans, but everyone. As we go through many stages of life, we experience good times and unfortunately bad times. At some point in time we need something to cling to. For the author, the Jacksons were the remedy! For once you not only are touched by the content, but you are able to relive the Jackson heydays all over again.

Think of it as parallel lives. A young man from Brooklyn who grows up worshipping the Jacksons and is able to parlay that worship into a career as a Michael Jackson impersonater. Phoenix does a masterful job transporting you back to the late 60s, early 70s, so you are right there as the Jacksons begin their climb to fame How his love of the Jacksons, and becoming a performer just like them, shaped his life. Allowed him to survive growing up in a climate of drugs and assorted family tragedies. The journey from youth to manhood, with all its successes and dark times, is gripping. Sometimes even mirroring the trials and tribulations of the Jackson family.

This book is candid but precise according to the Bible. Written in usual Kay Arthur fashion. Really liked the book. Packed with information.

purchased for my daughter who is 19. she says she has learned alot and was excited to see how to break down scripture to see what God really says about sex. kay arthur is a gifted teacher.

As a single woman, this book has opened my eyes to the film of lies covering them for several years on the topic of sexuality. It hits at the core of the emptiness of cheapened, casual sex and challenges singles to stay pure regardless of stage in life or sexual history. The Scriptural references Arthur provides leave no question of God's view of sexual relationships outside of marriage and also explains God's provisions and sanctions as loving and protective of not only our bodies but psyches, family structure and nations' future. This is an important book for singles and parents whose children will confront the many voices and false teachings in our media and culture. Arthur approaches what many churches today cower away from discussing.

In the book The Truth About Sex, Kay Arthur addresses many of the misconceptions the world has about sex, by applying God's lessons on the topic as found in Scripture. Whereas the world would paint sex as something functional, mechanical, and without emotional commitments or responsibilities, Arthur argues, "Sex, in its perfect form, brings the intimacy of not only truly belonging to another but longing for the presence of our beloved. It is hallowed purity, the union of a husband and wife that becomes a holy metaphor of the 'wife' God seeks for His Son, of the oneness He longs to have with his people."

Arthur boldly confronts the sexual whimsy of the world. She asserts that when people say they are merely sowing wild oats, they want to live and let live, and they do not want to judge others because of their sexual preferences, in reality they are distorting God's purpose for sex. Using passages from the Bible to contradict these improper attitudes, Arthur offers discussion questions at the end of her chapters so that friends and study groups can discuss these matters at length. An additional study guide at the back of the book provides a course outline.

This book is an excellent resource for people who are dating or are engaged, but it also is an insightful text for those who have been married a long time and wish to be role models or mentors for others. This generation is being bombarded with sexual images on TV, in ads, on the Internet, and in movies; it's good to have a book that provides God's perspective on what should be a righteous expression of love. -- Marsha Boyanowski, Christian Book Previews.com

A very timely and useful resource on the topic of sex especially for the youth.