Ashby Books

In the book Hitler's Thirty Days to Power, Henry A. Turner argues that Adolf Hitler's rise to power is most evidently illustrated by examining the last thirty days before his appointment to chancellor of Germany in January 1933. Prior to reading Hitler's Thirty Days to Power I had been under the impression that Hitler had a much more active role in securing his position as chancellor of Germany before ascending to Fuhrer. Turner by taking the microscopic approach of only analyzing these thirty days clearly demonstrated that this was not the case. According to the author, Hitler's rise to power was the result of luck, the egos of other political figures, as well as the belief that he could be used simply as a pawn to gain favor of his dwindling amount of supporters. Had any one of these differentiate Hitler would not have been successful in securing the position as chancellor. Turner substantiates his claims through a variety of resources ranging from personal memoirs and newspaper articles from the period to journal publications of modern historians. The information he presented was mostly-well known to the scholarly world, however, the manner in which it manifested was innovative. By using a magnifying glass-like method to examine the month leading up to Hitler's establishment in power rather than the all encompassing approach, Turner gives the generally educated reader, such as me, a better insight to the schematics of Hitler's rise.

Furthermore, the individuals of the text come to life through an intense focus on what propelled them to reach conclusions that allowed Hitler power. The personalities of people like Franz von Papen and Paul von Hindenburg are revealed through these decisions. Turner does not simple state the events that occurred, but rather allowed his reader to envision internal turmoil that was suffered by these individuals in coming to their resolutions. An example of this would be the German President Paul von Hindenburg. Originally he vowed that Hitler would never gain the position of chancellorship. However, numerous overtures made by Papen, a good friend and former chancellor under Hindenburg, combined with the encouragement by his son Otto the President was convinced to allow Hitler the position he so coveted. Turner illustrates throughout the book the difficultly Hindenburg faced in reaching this conclusion. The narration permits the book a novel-like reading often reserved for fiction rather than history. Many other texts compel the audience to feel as if they had read solely the outcome of the events leading up to January 1933 instead of getting a vivid understanding of its cause. Hitler's Thirty Days to Power answers the problem of how Hitler came to power in a compelling and easy read. The narrative and the individuals engage the audience regardless of any negative or positive connotations surrounding them.

The only major flaw that I see with Hitler's Thirty Days to Power is the last chapter of the text. This chapter, "Determinacy, Contingency, and Responsibility," attempts mainly to answer two questions: Should anyone, other than Hitler, be held accountable for the atrocities of his reign because of their involvement in his rise to power and what would have happened had Hitler's reign not existed? The author answers the first charge with the assertion that "although impersonal forces may make events possible, people make events happen." Unforeseeable events might have occurred, but it is individuals like Papen and Hindenburg who are ultimately responsible for Hitler's reign regardless of their original intent. Although others like Hindenburg's son Otto might played a lesser role they still had a significant part therefore they are also to blame. I agree with these assertions, however, I they led me to disagree with Turner's assessment of the public. Turner sees the German public only at fault because of their lack of understand of the importance of their ability to replace their government figures. After WWI, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne at the demand and revolt by the general public. At this moment the power the people held was not failed to be recognized. I have a difficult time believing that less than twenty years later this power had all but been forgotten. Instead after reading Turner's text I have come to the conclusion that much like Hindenburg and Papen, the German public underestimated Hitler. Turner asserts that responsibility for Hitler's reign rests on those like Hindenburg and Papen for their underestimation of Hitler, than the general German public should also share the blame.

In addition, Turner's answering the question of what would have happened had Hitler not come to power seems unreasonable. The author suggests that had Hitler not come to power a military coup would have overtaken the government and the atrocities of WWII would have been avoided. It is difficult to make assumptions of what might had happened if Hindenburg or other resisted Hitler's rise to power. No one can say for certain the fate of the government at the end of the Weimer Republic had alternate approaches been taken. In addition, it is difficult to say that the atrocities of WWII would have been completely avoided. There had been for some times a growing resentment for both communism and the Jews. Perhaps, these crimes might have been on a lesser scale in which all of Europe was not involved. However, these atrocities regardless of their extent seemed destined to be committed because of the complacency of the German republic.

Overall Henry Ashby Tuner's Hitler's Thirty Days to Power was an excellent text. It provided a microscopic look into the last thirty days before Hitler obtained chancellorship which eventually led to his dictatorship. This approach was helpful in understanding how Hitler's rise to power. It allowed his audience to witness the key figures involved and their reasoning for being a part of the scheme. In addition, the reader also is provided with the sense that there were several opportunities to prevent Hitler's reign yet they were pushed aside. Furthermore, Turner showed the audience that although Hitler took advantage of the conflict between several key figures in government, it is these individuals like Papen and Hindenburg that are responsible for Hitler. They underestimated Hitler and their large egos led them to believe that they could ultimately control him. Turner's text is valuable to not only the study of history but also as a study for the future. The book teaches the world's governments that we should not underestimate those seeking or holding power. Most importantly, when an individual claims or even more brazenly writes a book on their political goals, like Hitler did with [...], perhaps we should see these claims or writings as absolute truths. Goals which people like Hitler intend to reach.

This well written book is a case study of how luck, personalities, and even simple spite can have major effects. At the end of 1932, the Nazi party seemed to be on the threshold of decline. Its fraction of the electorate was slipping, its finances were in disarray, and there was considerable dissent from both rank and file and leaders of the party. Many were dissatisfied with Hitler's strategy of pursuing supremacy through electoral politics. Some sectors of the party wanted to pursue revolutionary violence, others, like the influential organizer Gregor Strasser, thought that Hitler was throwing away great opportunities by insisting on the Chancellorship instead of accepting important cabinet posts in right wing coalition governments. At the end of January, 1933, Hitler was ensconced as Chancellor, some of his loyal lieutenants, like Goring, occupied crucial cabinet posts, and Hitler was able to initiate the 'back door' revolution that resulted in the Nazi domination of Germany.
Hitler obtained the Chancellorship, in part, because of his obdurate refusal to accept anything less as the price of participation in a governing coalition, a product of his messianic self-confidence. Turner shows well that Hitler was handed the Chancellorship as a result of a series of backstairs plotting involving former Chancellor Papen and members of President Hindenberg's circle, notably his son Oskar. Hitler was greatly underestimated by these individuals, and was underestimated just as greatly by the then Chancellor, General von Schleicher. Hitler does deserve credit for his persistence and his ability to hold his party together but as Turner shows very well, he was phenomenally fortunate and was gifted the Chancellorship because of court politics motivated to a great extent by spite and petty jealousy.
Turner concludes with a nice and concise discussion of a counterfactual alternative to Hitler's ascent to power. As Turner points out, when democracy failed in the inter-war period, and it did so frequently, the usual result was an authoritarian state dominated by traditional conservatives and the military. Fascist movements were present in some of these countries and were incorporated into these regimes as traditional conservatives sought to draw on the popular support mobilized by fascist movements, but in Hungary, Romania, and Spain, the more traditional right/military remained in control. With more capable right wing leadership in Germany, this would have been the probable outcome. The result would have been an authoritarian but not totalitarian state, one that was anti-Semitic but not genocidal. The German state would certainly have rearmed and Turner suggests that the most likely outcome would have been a more limited war with Poland. His speculations are reasonable.

THis is the real, hard to believe story of Hitler's ascent to the corridors of power. Chancellor was the only real job he ever had, other than his military service...and this book charts his rise over all the educated, polished saps who tried to use Hitler, and wound being suckered by him instead. His seizure of power in Germany, thanks to Von Papen and Hindenburg was as unfortunate for everyone else, as it was lucky for him.
If you want to know how Hitler rose to Chancellor in Germany, read this book.

This is a well-written and extensive explanation on the behind the scenes machinations, impelled by personal foibles and vendettas, that led to Hitler's being awarded the Chancellorship of Germany despite his party's never achieving a majority in or at the polls.

The book sets to rest many myths about how German industrialists finagled Hitler's ascension to power and exposes the inner workings and interactions of the multiple parties, politicians, and political hacks that actually, and often inadvertently, coalesced to create the power vacuum which Hitler filled. The book also explains why the Nazis were so interested in obtaining control of Prussia and its security forces. (The reason is that although there were 19 separate federal political entities in the Weimar Republic, by far the strongest political entity was Prussia, which contained 60% of both the total population and land in the country. In addition, the federal government's security forces were almost non-existent but Prussia had a force of some 50,000 men [half the size of the 100,000 man German army] that came under the control of whoever became the Ministry of the Interior in Prussia [who turned out to be Hermann Goering when Hitler gained power]. Not only that but Goering, as Ministry of the Interior of Prussia, then had the authority to deputize tens of thousands of Nazis as auxiliary police to carry out Hitler's goals.)

Perhaps the only real drawback to the book is that the introductory material on the Weimar Republic and its political processes is incomplete, making the transition to the core of the book a bit harsh.

Most people who have some knowledge of the climb to power of the Nazis think Hitler enjoyed an unbroken rise from the Beer Hall Putsch to the Chancellorship.

While true in the main, author Henry Turner in "Thirty Days, January 1933" describes how Hitler's party was waning in Germany and widely believed to have peaked with the last most recent elections in 1932. A good case can be made that it was ready to fall dramatically in terms of popular support and strength in the Reichstag if another election had been called to again try and form a workable governing coalition in Germany at the end of 1932. The Nazi Party's finances were in disarray. They had been seen as a protest vote by significant numbers in the July 1932 election and things had not gotten better under their expanding influence. In the November 1932 election, they lost 32 seats. Local Nazi organizations were in disarray, dispirited and some in rebellion over Hitler's refusal to participate in the government in any role except that of Chancellor. Dues were not coming in and the party could not have afforded another national election. In addition, there was a split at the top of the Nazi Party between Hitler and the administrative head, Gregor Starssor.

Germany was chaotic. No elected chancellor could govern with a majority in the Reichstag. The government was placed in the hands of a presidentially appointed chancellor (Kurt Schleicher) by President Hindenburg. The author compellingly chronicles the thirty day period in which Hitler and the Nazi's political fortunes were saved by: 1. the ineptness of Chancellor Schleicher; 2. the scheming of recent Chancellor Franz von Pappen; and, 3. The age and weakness of national figure President Paul von Hindenburg. Aiding the Nazi's also was Hitler's single-minded pursuit of the top spot of chancellor as well as a fortuitous minor state election which the Nazi's went all out for and were able to spin as an electoral comeback.

The bottom line is that an incredible line-up of weak politicians and unbelievable luck paved the way for Hitler to be named Chancellor by Hindenburg at the end of January, 1933. It is tragic to comprehend how Hitler could have been prevented; arguably should have been prevented by the operation of any kind of normal political environment. That he was able to ride incredible good luck and the stupid machinations of a handful of top politicians who thought they could control Hitler and bend him to their purposes is an interesting story.

This book is likely to appeal students of the Nazi period and will probably not interest the general reader. It literally focuses on the thirty day period with only a general overview of the growth of the Nazi Party in the 1920's and early 30's and a brief "what happened to the players after" section (most murdered by the Nazi state). Still, if you are interested in the subject, this book is pretty good.

This is a readable presetation of a comprehensive theology for today. Forlines is persusasive and depthy and conversational.

He has a high commitment to biblical truth and to the truthfulness of the Bible. He is baptistic and deeply concerned about living a holy life in deep fellowship with God.

Forlines is a capable, convincing advocate of Reformation Arminianism. Reformation Arminianism is not Wesleyan Arminianism; with Arminius, Forlines advocates the "penal satisfaction view of atonement" wherein Jesus' death was to satisfy the righteous demand for holiness; this is a position not held by traditional Wesleyan Arminians.

Reformation Arminians also reject the view known as "repeat regeneration" which refers to the supposed need to repent and get saved again after the commission of whatever sin. Forlines view might be properly summarized as "saved by grace through faith, kept in salvation by grace through faith," a position which is ultimately rejected by Wesleyan Arminians and Calvinists.

A large portion of the animus against Arminians by Calvinists is aimed at traditional Wesleyan Arminians, and not at Reformation Arminians. Calvinists hardly ever address the lines of arguments brought to the debate by Forlines in this book.

The current trend of Baptists toward Calvinism goes unchecked since the learner only gets treated to the arguments against Wesleyan Arminianism. Forlines' book does much to check this trend.

The book is easy enough to read by non-experts. Certainly people such as J.I. Packer or John Piper who deal with traditional theological systems need to read this to keep from knocking over straw men. Theologically minded people who would be persuaded by Calvinists should also read this book first.

However, the book itself is a good, basic guide for anyone interested in becoming well acquainted with biblical truth and doctrine.

Forlines's extensive conservative treatment of postmodernism and his "total personality" approach to systematic theology make this a worthwhile read for those wanting a conservative evangelical approach to systematic theology. Thus, I would recommend this book to all who want to understand evangelical theology. Forlines writes the book in a conversational manner reminiscent of the late Southern Baptist theologian Dale Moody, complete with illustrative anecdotes. While this might be offputting to a few scholarly readers, it makes the work more engaging and human--even, one might say, postmodern! But what will attract most readers to this book is what Forlines calls "Classical Arminianism"--that is, the Arminianism of Arminius. Forlines is what some are now calling "Reformed Arminian"--i.e., like Arminius, he is much closer to Calvinism in his approach to depravity, grace, the satisfactional nature of atonement, justification, imputation, sanctification, etc. Furthermore, Forlines presents a much more grace-oriented Arminian approach to the doctrines of perseverance and apostasy. Thus he is not semi-Pelagian like so many contemporary Arminians. This is a fascinating read, even for those who are not Arminian. The Arminian theology of this book is overlooked because it is a larger systematic. However, Forlines's treatment of Arminianism is itself well worth the price of the book. I recommend the book without reservation.

The Quest for Truth is Dr. Forlines' reworking of his Systematics (1975). As both works are really systematic theologies, the old title is much better but the work as a whole is a welcome classical Arminian counter-balance to the predominance of Calvinist and Dispensational systematic theologies in modern times. In my view, this is the great value of the book - although Dr. Forlines would likely see his "total personality approach" as equally important.

What I regard as the book's greatest value is in two main areas. The first is in correcting a number of Calvinist misconceptions of what the classical Arminian viewpoint really is, and the second is in generally going on to present the classical Arminian view of things (although, as will be seen below, he does occasionally depart from the classical Arminian view). For instance, in correcting Calvinist misconceptions of the classical Arminain viewpoint, we find Dr. Forlines making a strong defence of (i) the authority of Scripture, (ii) God's foreknowledge of contingent events, (iii) fallen man's inability to come to salvation apart from divine grace, (iv) the priority and necessity of grace for salvation, (v) the view that justification consists of the imputation of Christ's own righteousness to the believer by faith and (vi) the view that sanctification is both distinct from and a necessary result of justification (thereby rejecting the easy-believism views of folks like Charles Stanley and Zane Hodges). The second main value of the book is in a number of Dr. Forlines' attacks on Calvinist errors. For instance, he defends the view that faith and repentance preceding justification in saying that "there can be no divine action based on justification that has not already occurred" and, as a result, that "regeneration cannot precede faith." (p. 262) Similarly, in arguing that election is conditional on faith in Christ, he answers John Piper and shows that Arminianism is compatible with the Sovereignty of God by saying the following: "The question that I am concerned about is not whether some constraint is imposed on God outside His will. I do not believe that is the case either. The question is whether His own holy nature forbids Him to choose anyone for salvation apart from Christ. ... Will not His holy nature forbid Him from performing a redemptive act on a person before the death and righteousness of Christ is imputed to him? I think it will." (p. 263)

There are two main things that I regard as drawbacks to The Quest for Truth, however. The first is the treatment and attention given to "post-modernism". As has been noted in at least one other review, there is a noticeable lack of footnotes when that topic is dealt with, but in my view the portrayal of the current attitude in society is not quite accurate. In short, while I would agree with Dr. Forlines that there is an increase in relativism in the area of beliefs relating to religion, culture and ideals, I would maintain that the areas of "private morality" and so-called "social justice" are better explained without reference to the rather vague concept of post-modernism. With respect to "private morality", it appears to me that the general view in society today is that of libertarianism in that people generally feel they have both a legal and moral right to choose whether or not to have an abortion or to engage in pre-marital sex or homosexual conduct. On the other hand, with respect to issues of "social justice" it appears to me that the various positions of the political left are becoming more and more dominant in society to the extent that positions of relativists, libertarians or conservatives are regarded as evil and a bigger role for government is generally seen as something that is positively good. This, however, is a minor complaint with Dr. Forlines' analysis. In my view, the second negative thing about the book is more serious and comes with Dr. Forlines' use and explanation of his "total personality approach". Although he explains this approach in more detail, I was left with the distinct impression that it places much more emphasis on self-worth and the alleged value of man than Arminius ever dreamed of advocating, and thereby occasionally distorts the classical Arminian view, while also bringing the danger of oversimplify the issues at stake between Calvinists and Arminians. For instance, in dealing with the question of the Perseverance of the Saints, although Dr. Forlines correctly mentions that some only hold to this point among the five Calvinist points (and would therefore be "Arminian" on the other 4 points), he goes on to state that "the theological foundation that supports the possibility of becoming lost again after a person is saved is found in what it means to be made in the image of God." (p. 276). Similarly, in speaking of the debate over Unconditional Election, Dr. Forlines writes that he feels "it has been a mistake over the centuries to focus the conflict between Calvinists and Ariminians on whether fallen or redeemed man has a free will. The real question is: Is fallen man a personal being or is he sub-personal?" (p. 313). And, again, rather than focusing on God's gracious provision of salvation for undeserving sinners in having His sinless Son come to die for us, Dr. Forlines remarks that "The purchase price is to be given consideration in giving an estimate of the value of a person" (pp. 461-462). In my view, that type of argument is not only incorrect, but carries the danger of encouraging readers to prejudge the issue on methodological or philosophical grounds rather than deal the Scriptural texts.

All in all, though, the book makes the vast majority of its arguments from Scripture and generally does an excellent job at presenting the Arminian position. As such, it is worth getting not only for Arminians but also for those seeking to balance their libraries with a scholarly work something other than a Calvinist or Dispensationalist perspective.

In a more comprehensive follow up to his "Systematics" of the 1970's, Leroy Forlines presents the tenets of "reformed" Arminianism in language easily understood by the uninitiated. He goes beyond the typical, "dry" theological presentation, arguing persuasively for his position on the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith. His argument, however, does not cower in ecclesiastical irrelevance. Instead, it confronts the Postmodern mood of the culture bringing the systematic truth of scripture into sharp conflict with the narcissism our current age.

He deals with the various familiar doctrines standing for the plenary verbal inspiration of scripture and the traditional doctrine of the trinity. His view of the nature of man acknowledges total depravity, but he diverges from some Calvinists, saying that the image of God remains in man to the extent that he is able to choose Christ of his own volition (aided of course by the drawing of the Holy Spirit.) While some may misunderstand this as a semi-pelagian view, he blunts that criticism with his explanation of what the image of God really means and with his insistence that man, apart from the wooing of the Holy Spirit, cannot choose Christ.

Forlines reserves much of his book (about 25%) for a detailed defense of the classic Arminian view of Conditional Election. This section is "must reading" for those who may be disciples of Calvin, having never read a full Arminian explanation of the subject. His reasoning is tight; his scriptural support, impeccable; and his arguments hard to refute. Instead of an arbitrary and arrogant dismissal (a response so often employed many Calvinists), his work on this subject deserves a reasoned, detailed response from those who disagree.

I would offer only two criticisms: First, while this book is certainly accessible to the uninitiated student, it lacks some weight because it doesn't appeal to as many primary sources as one might expect. (For instance, his second chapter, "The Acquisition of Upper Story Knowledge," while an obvious reference to the noumenal/phenomenal ideas of Kant, cites not Kant but Francis Shaeffer.) This will hurt the text as a college reference, but it will probably help the text in its appeal to the general population.

The second criticism is really more of a request. I would like to see Forlines expand this edition, including several chapters on eschatology, the nature and function of the church, and a more complete development of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

That being said, I believe that this work is a welcome addition to the field and a cogent presentation of classical Arminianism. Perhaps a presentation like this will aid the understanding of those believers who have heard only caricatures of Arminianism, but never really understood what it means. Who knows, they may even find themselves agreeing!

Because the appearance of well-written, up-to-date, evangelical systematic theologies representing distinct traditions is relatively rare, the publication of Forlines's volume is highly significant. The work is a well-studied and well-argued defense of a non-Wesleyan Arminianism by the leading theologian of the Free Will Baptist Church. The author has greatly expanded and recrafted his earlier Systematics (Nashville: Randall House, 1975) into a new work. Though not indicated by the title, the book does function as a systematic or dogmatic theology except that the areas of pneumatology, ecclesiology, sacramentology, and eschatology are omitted and prolegomena is treated only briefly. Greatest emphasis is placed on anthropology, soteriology, and apologetics.

The work is designed to enable upper-level college and seminary students, pastors, and laymen to think through the Christian worldview. It is written with enough exegetical and theological material to serve as a textbook, but without the laborious detail, philosophical complexity, and polysyllabic vocabulary that tends to discourage the midrange reader.

Behind the author's "total personality" approach, which attempts to blend the search for objective truth with a passionate zeal (the author intentionally writes in the first person), are forty years of teaching systematic theology on the college level and ministering to the needs and problems of individual students. The author's years of study, reflection, ministry experience, decades of faithful Christian walk, and pastoral concerns, all come together to produce a book which is theological, pastoral, and apologetic.

The author first (chap. 1) presents his presuppositions (including inerrancy and premillennialism), his desire to present the basic truths of the Christian faith out of a heart for redemptive concern, and his approach that necessitates the interweaving of the academic, the practical, and the systematic in order to attempt to answer what he sees as the inescapable questions of life. He insists that truth will invariably touch four basic relationships: man's relationship with God, with other people, with himself, and with the created order.

Next the history of Western epistemology is traced briefly (chap. 2) from Copernicus to the postmodern era of doubt, ambivalence, and pluralism. The author sets forth four tests for evaluating a worldview in the contemporary setting: (1) Does it answer the inescapable questions of life? (2) Is there internal consistency? (3) Is there causal adequacy? and (41) Does it conform to that which is undeniably true? These tests are especially relevant in the postmodern intellectual milieu, which the author insightfully describes as a failed, but dangerous, experiment.

In contrast to secular epistemology is the author's bibliology (chaps. 3, 4). Included under general revelation is the fact that human beings, created in the image of God, are preprogrammed with a knowledge of what God is like. This revelation alone, along with special revelation that has been incorporated into Scripture (which is inerrant in the original manuscripts and must be interpreted according to the grammaticohistorical method), provides the much-needed answers to the inescapable questions.

The Scriptures point to a God who is personal, independent, immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, holy, loving, wise, good and truthful (chap. 5). His single essence is shared fully by three persons (chap. 6).

At this point Forlines pauses to develop his four tests for worldviews (chap. 7), tests which are validated by both man's constitutional makeup and the theistic arguments. They demonstrate the reasonableness and the singular ability of the Christian worldview to meet fully the needs of both the human mind and heart.

This apologetic leads to the author's anthropology (chaps. 8, 9) in which dichotomy and traducianism are defended. Man came into being, not through evolution, but through the creative work of God which took place during six solar days (hence a young earth). Man is a person created both in the rational and moral likeness of God and is designed for relationships. Because of man's personhood and its resulting interplay of dependence, independence, and interdependence, Forlines argues that "influence and response" are more appropriate terms for describing the interaction of the divine in the human decision-making process than the more determinative "cause and effect."

Sin has caused a malfunction in the divine image in man, so that while the constituent parts remain intact after the fall (sin is transmitted according to the natural headship view), man no longer thinks, acts, and feels in a way that is pleasing to God. Although man may rightly be described as totally depraved, as a person he retains the power of choice, but his will can be exercised only within the framework of possibilities established by God; hence it is not an absolute freedom. Therefore, influence can be brought to bear upon his will but cannot guarantee or determine its actions. "Dead in trespasses and sins" means that man is cut off from communion with God, not that he is totally deaf toward God's communications.

After anthropology the author presents his Christology (chap. 10). Christ, who came both to be man's kinsman redeemer and to reveal God to man, is fully human and fully divine in one person. He was impeccable, though his temptations and triumphs were real. He was raised, ascended, was exalted, and will remain forever in the same physical body which he possessed during his earthly life.

Christology is followed by the author's soteriology (chap. 11). He defends the penal satisfaction view of the atonement, which includes both the active and passive obedience of Christ, and rejects the governmental view held by a number of Arminians. Through union with Christ the benefits of Christ's atoning work become the believer's in a real, not merely declarative, sense. Consistent with the author's view of personhood is his defense of the traditional age of accountability at which time, but not before, infants are held liable for their sin before God.

By its nature the valid experience of justification necessarily results in sanctification, and it is only easy-believism which says otherwise (chap. 12). Scripture teaches that there is a basic change in the personality of redeemed people both in the conscious and sub-conscious levels, so that subsequent actions reflect the changed inner nature. Self-denial is required, but not the annihilation of the self. Sanctification involves the restoration of the functional likeness of God that was lost in the fall. Forlines defends the Classical Arminian view of conditional monergism in regard to justification and regeneration, which he sees as acts of God but acts which do not take place without the exercise of faith on the part of the recipient.

Salvation is conditioned upon a single, not double, response that may be described both as an attitude "from" sin and "to" Christ (chap. 13). Faith that involves a commitment to Christ, including his Lordship, is part of a framework of possibilities created by the Holy Spirit for the will. Forlines charges that if regeneration is the beginning of sanctification and God cannot enter with his sanctifying grace until the guilt is removed via justification, then Calvinism is in trouble with its view of regeneration as prior to justification. Furthermore, there can be no regeneration before faith because regeneration is a redemptive act. Justification is grounded on Christ alone but is bestowed only on the condition of faith.

By these Arminian principles Forlines concludes that it is possible for a person who has been truly saved to become once again lost and fall under the wrath of God, though this apostasy can occur but once (chap. 14). He attacks the popular "once saved, always saved" concept and counters Calvinism by arguing that the ability to fall away is necessitated both by the definition of a person and certain "apostasy" texts such as Heb 6:4-6 and 10:26-29. He further argues that while the Calvinistic "cause and effect" model is unable to harmonize the entrance of sin into the universe with the sovereignty of God, the "influence and response" model sees God's wisdom as bringing about the execution of his will, particularly using the conditional continuance of salvation in the matter of the believer's perseverance.

At this point the author presents his understanding of the doctrine of election (chap. 15). He argues against both the unlimited and limited views of determinism that he detects in various Calvinistic writers with their different orders of the decrees. He attempts to counter the Calvinistic doctrine of election on the basis of its three assumptions. (1) Against the principle that divine sovereignty requires unconditional election, he argues that man's personhood negates the "cause and effect" model while the "influence and response" model better fits the biblical anthropology. Forlines holds that God's inscrutable foreknowledge of events means that it is certain that they will occur but not that they are necessary. The sovereign and wise God is able to accomplish his purposes through the appropriate "influence and response." (2) Against the assertion that total depravity precludes the response of faith from a sinner before regeneration, Forlines maintains that the satisfaction view of the atonement implies that God cannot regenerate before the guilt of sin is removed through justification. (3) Against the statement that free salvation precludes conditional election, Forlines argues that there are conditional efficacious decrees, decrees to influence, and decrees to permit events such as sin, by which God works effectively.

To buttress his defense of the classical Arminian view of election, Forlines challenges the exegetical understanding of important texts used by Calvinists to support conditional election, such as Rom 9:14-29; 8:30; John 1:12-13; 3:14-15; 8:37-44; and Acts 13:48 (chap. 16). He concludes that none of these passages requires unconditional election; he furthermore believes that Romans 9 supports conditional election.

Having dealt with the "Calvinistic texts," Forlines proceeds to marshal biblical support for conditional election (chap. 17). He concludes from (1) his study of the Greek words proorizo (predestine), progin&ko (foreknow), eklegomai (elect), haireomai (chosen), and ekloge (elected); (2) the extent of the offer of salvation, including the broadness of those called and the "whosoever" passages; (3) the unlimited extent of the atonement, which he sees in verses such as John 3:16 and 1 Tim 2:6; (4) the logical requirement of avoiding universalism; (5) the necessity of avoiding a double payment with regard to sinners in hell; and (6) God's desire for the salvation of sinners (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9) that unconditional election is the biblical implication.

The author's final chapter (chap. 18) deals with communicating the Christian message in a postmodern culture. Forlines perceptively reviews the cultural shifts that have produced the postmodern mindset and asserts the importance and sole adequacy of both general and special revelation in ministering to the contemporary paradigm.

At the end of the book are two appendices, one on the sins of ignorance and presumptuous sins in both testaments and another on legalism in the book of Galatians. The footnotes for the entire book follow the appendices, and at the very end are the author/ subject and the Scripture indices.

The author is to be commended on a number of counts. He gives careful attention to exegetical detail and demonstrates an unusual combination of intellectual argument and spiritual application. He also takes "the high road" in his argumentation, avoiding ad hominem tactics. He evidences careful reading of the original works of those whom he opposes (principally Calvinistic writers) and carefully attempts to distinguish between their views and common caricatures of those views.

Calvinistic writers will disagree on a number of matters. They will be unsympathetic to the suggested adequacy of his "influence and response" model as an explanation of God's exercise of his sovereignty in regard to the human will. While not denying the integrity of human personhood, Calvinists operate with a far more radical and absolute understanding of total depravity and the condition of spiritual death, which can only be remedied by a cataclysmic act of the Holy Spirit. They will also object to the failure to distinguish adequately between the logical and the chronological orders of the decrees, a distinction that allows regeneration to come logically before faith and repentance. Reformed writers will also disagree on the interpretation of many texts involving unconditional election, perseverance, and eternal security.

But Forlines has presented to the Christian community an excellent practical presentation and defense of the classical non-Wesleyan Arminianism that is rarely represented in the systematic theology sections of academic and church libraries, a challenge for Calvinistic writers to answer, and an example of the necessary and fruitful wedding of doctrine and life directed toward the zealous ministry of the gospel toward the lost. --Lou Igou Hodges, JETS, Dec. 2002

It's a really complete book, where you can find all technical data of a material and some design aplications, also you can find substitute materials for each one of them.

Really Helpful

... to anyone w. even the slightest interest in materials & product design.

Collaboratively written by Mike Ashby (Professor, Engineering Department, Cambridge University) and design materials expert Kara Johnson, Materials And Design: The Art And Science Of Material Selection In Product Design is a thoroughly "user friendly" instructional guide to the scientific and systematic crafting of products from a variety of materials. Individual chapters address multidimensional issues, shaping joints and surfaces, rules of thumb for selecting certain materials over others, and much more in express, college-level detail. Enhanced throughout with full color photography and numerous illustrations, Materials And Design is strongly recommended as an extensive, superbly organized and presented, instructional resource and professional level reference.

Amazing new perspective on matials and design! A must for any inspired designer/Product Manager.

It's quite heavy to read... but it covers so much information that it's worth of it. You won't find fancy products shown on the inside for any kind of material, but you will understand everything about them.

If you are truly interested in Materials and Design, this is your book. I suggest also to take a look of those books written by Chris Lefteri, they are easier to read for a student, and have examples of the materials with great pictures. It's up to you "what" and "how" you want to learn.

Insightful account of one young soldier's Civil War experience. His experiences as a prisoner were riveting and heartbreaking....you believed you were alongside of him. Editor did a wonderful job of including historical context. It was terrific!

I wish there were more diaries from soldiers written as well as this one. Hitchcock had a flair for writing and describing his events as a soldier very well. Hitchcock diary takes the reader on a long journey from enlisting in summer of 1862 to his final discharge in December of 1864. Throughout the journey Hitchcock brings to life the daily soldier grind, picket duty, camp life, fighting, being captured and the tough life of being a prisoner at Andersonville. I found the several chapters on Andersonville to be the most interesting in the book as it acts as a great resource of information for daily life at the prison. Hitchcock's daily diary writing is usually quite short and he doesn't write long narratives as compared to other soldier accounts. Sometimes I had wished he had written more details on the fighting, although his explanations of the fighting during the battle of Cold Harbor were very descriptive and I could easily vision the horrors. In other situations, Hitchcock was brief about his experiences at Fredericksburg in 1862 although he didn't see much fighting there. His best work on that subject came about from descriptions of the city and the hardships endured there. Overall, this book is an excellent source of information for those seeking insight about soldier life in the Civil War and books like this are priceless.

Few books have captured my interest and emotion as this one...a young man tells his personal tale of the Civil War ~ revealing his code of ethics, bravery, love of country, and the horrors of war. The editor provides an excellent backdrop with well-researched, newly-revealed historical data about the war. A MUST read!

George Hitchcock had a talent for describing the country side and people. His journal is a fascinating, personal account of bravery and adventure of a soldier during the Civil War: a descriptive story of suffering, courage and endurance - sometimes in situations of mismanagement and confusion.

I found "From Ashby to Andersonville" a particulary moving and interesting book. The experiences of the civil war private who wrote the original diary encompass a remarkable amount of the war, both East and West. The tale told is rich in the real human drama of that life in all its day to day trials and tribulations and occasional joys. Editor Ron Watson keeps the reader oriented by insightful forwards to each chapter establishing the context of the place and time. From it I have a much better sense of the ebb and flow of that great war. Few books do I plan to re-read, but this is one of those.

Being lamentably short of free time, I don't do video games on a regular basis. So unlike most (if not all) reviewers I am by no means a skilled player but rely on beginner's luck and sound instinct. DoS is my first Castlevania game ever; its highly entertaining rendition impressed me so much that I bought a strategy guide - something I never did before. Thank goodness I picked the right one, as this book is teeming with precious trivia, tipps and tricks. Without it, I'd certainly still be stuck in the Garden of Madness, fighting screaming carrots and heavily armor'd cattle.

Especially the Labyrinth part proved to be a gem, and even the Boss fights lost their primary terror once I learned how to handle the guys. Apart from the detailed description of friends, foes, weapons, souls etc., another big asset of the book are the screenshots. Occasionally there are minor flaws - like a Dungeon room that is described as being located in the Chapel - but they are easy to detect, and absolutely negligible.

I whole-heartedly recommend this strategy guide to every DoS fan, be they on level 01 or 1.000!

Awesome game> If you are a fan of Castlevania then this is a must have game. This is by far the best Castlevania game I have ever played. And on the DS I was totally surprised at the graphics. I would give it a 9.5 easy.
The shipping was fast and game was in excellent shape. I would reccomend the guide book as there are tons of secrets I would not have known about.

The internet has pretty much led to the death of the need for a strategy guide. With a few simple clicks, you can get every code, learn secrets to every boss, find out item locations, so on and so forth. However, some games are just....better with a strategy guide. Castlevania DS is a prime example of this. Sure, you could get an FAQ of the game, but pictures are worth a thousand words. It's much easier to look at a detailed map, read detailed descriptions of enemies to learn their weakness, items, and soul ability then it is to just read it online. This book will probably be a collectors item, with beautiful art work and a nice, thick, compact design. Tons of hints, tips, and secrets lay within the many pages of this quality strategy guide. I purchased this strategy guide after have 99.1% soul completion and 98.3% game completion. I just wanted to buy it for the sheer beauty of it. A great strategy guide and collectors item for Castlevania fans, don't let this book slip away!

Never has a Castlevania guide been so honest, clear, and to the point. With the Double jump Books Official Strategy Guide to Castlevania Dawn of Souls you'll conquer more than you could possibly imagine! This comprehensive guide gives you everything you need in a user friendly way, without holding your hand, and keeping you informed every step of the way!

The guide begins with a run down of the basics. Character Bios and all the mechanics you need to get started. If you're like me you hate instruction manuels because they're too vague. This guide is not vague, and if you're new to Castlevania, this helps any gamer out.

Onward we get details on more how-to details. This time talking about synthesizing and giving hints on what to buy and why sometimes buying from Hammer (the shopkeep) is a bad idea.

The walkthrough is astonishing! Never has a walkthrough for Castlevania been so easy to use. Each section begins with a map and a number. Thanks to the DS's Duel Screen, the map is ALWAYS displayed, and therefore can ALWAYS be used with this guide. Don't want it to hold your hand? No big deal. The map has a number, and if you get stuck you can just find the number that coresponds on the map. They give you a short, brief and very indepth explanation on what to do. No more reading useless paragraphs of things that don't relate to what needs to be done in certain areas (if you read the Lament of Innocence Guide by BradyGAMES you know exactly what I'm talking about).

Crystal clear screenshots, and a huge detailed fold out map are perhaps your best companions. Don't assume there are no maps in the guide, there are. The fold out map just makes getting around all around easier. Yes, this guide has just about all you could want. The boss strategies are perhaps the best part of the detail. Each boss strategy tells you a precise pattern (with screenshots along the way) and just what to do to combat them. Excellent. No longer will you be plauged by some bosses because you don't know what their pattern is. This guide is straight-forward and to the point.

All the details on Hard Mode, every key difference is explained in full detail. Plus, a nifty trick to level up Soma, and even a checklist of everything that needs to be done to master the game!

Then we go on to all the items list, the monster list, soul list and whatnot. Each of which is expertly detailed and easy t0 use. Nothing should confuse you.

Then we move on to the extras like the Enemy Set Mode and Boss Rank Mode. Each area is, you guessed it, detailed to the fullest extent of a gaming guide.

Perhaps the most perplexing thing is when you get to the spoilers. If you were fortunate enough to get a hold of the Double Jump Books "Phantom Brave" guide, then you know the secrets and spoilers section is upside down. This is done purposely to keep readers from ruining the meat and experience of the game. Things like, story plots and whatnot. Don't want it to be ruined, by the time you flip there it's upside down so you KNOW you shouldn't be looking just yet.

And finally, we're treated to an interview with the creators of the game. This is one hefty interview where you can learn about not just Dawn of Souls, but the other games as well. Learn about the History.

What is execellent about this guide besides all that I said above, is how it doesn't hold your hand. How not every little thing is explained to you as if you're a six year old. It makes the guide easier to use, and it helps it get to the point faster. This guide is crafted for experts and beginners alike!

Don't use any other guide, use Double Jump Books. No guide is more detailed, or informative.

This book was a little hard to get into at first but once you see where it is going you are hooked. As with most mystical texts it is repetative but much was worth repeating. The Religious History is critical to a more complete appreciation of modern religion and the sources of many of todays issues.As one on the Path I can highly recommend this work. But, you must come with an open mind not seeking comfort but truth. Peace. Saint

This book is mind blower. It is packed with valid information proving that the Mystical Teachings of the Original Christians were are rooted in Ancient Kemetic Mystical Wisdom Teachings. Showing Yashu'a(jesus) original through bloodline to the Kemetu(egiptians), and how his teachings is none other than Kemetic Mysticism. Dr. Ashby also gives perfect examples of the sciptures from other cultures(Baghavad Gita, Tao Tsi Ching, Shaolin Temple) to show how that all relate, and thier roots from Kemetic Wisdom. The origins of Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, where Muhammed perfected his doctrine of Islam, relativity to the Ausarian Ressurection teachings, Mystical Teachings of Yashu'a from the Nag Hammadi, Greek Intellectual origins, etc, is all included, plus more. And its interesting to find out the Mary Magdelene, Yashu'a(jesus) wife, became enlightened. Every single sentence in this work deserves close attention.

The message of this book is to find yourself as that what you are: The Self, without any separations. Everything is the Supreme Being. Realize your divinity, and everybody and everything else's! It is the task of the spiritual seeker to go beyond the veil of outer forms of religion, including symbols, doctrines, rituals and traditions. No matter what branch of religion, when you have mastered its myths and rituals, you are taken further, into the mysticism, which is always of the above knowledge. This book includes Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Yoga and some other branches, which are all derived from the Ancient Egyptian religion.

Comparisons are not only made via the similarities of myths, e.g. the quasi identical child stories of Heru, Krishna, Jesus, etc., but the universal wisdom behind such metaphorical stories. The official religion leaders may have persecuted those wisdom seekers who appear in the form of Christian Gnostics or Muslim Sufis etc. It has been a power struggle of the respective Orthodox officials versus the Yoga branches.

The book is helping in the elimination of dualism, egoism, anger, greed addiction, nationalism, religious hate, sexism and any other separation. (Though further help via knowledge may be necessary and some separations have been left out.) With that, the cycle of birth and death gets broken, as well as the concept of hell.

All of this is done from many perspectives. Which by itself becomes repetitive. The books repeats in addition to that.

Usually indirectly, the author assumes at several points that the ancient Jews including Moses and Abraham would have been white, leading to some wrong conclusions from that, e.g. the origin of racism supposedly deriving from the Jewish concept of not marrying outside themselves. In reality, most of them became lighter-skinned, BECAUSE of so much procreating with "outsiders". Read for example The Africans Who Wrote the Bible. Moses would be metaphorical. Read Moses and Akhenaten: The Secret History of Egypt at the Time of the Exodus for a much different perspective. Occasionally I found it difficult to differentiate of what the author was writing about: Egypt, Ethiopia/Axum or Sudan/Nubia, for the interchangeable use of vocabulary.

Occasionally the book takes its ways too far, something prone to happen in religion and human minds in general. It is correct in saying that celibacy allows spiritual energy to build up in such abundance, that great works may be written for humanity. But please: No absolutism! There isn't the metaphor of going into the desert for 40 days for nothing: After that, please return! If you don't, several things are bound to happen: Ever more radicalism. In medievil European times, youths were burnt at the stake for wet dreams in some places, in others the VICTIMS of rape as sick. After roughly two centuries the absolutely celibate Christian "Shakers" of the USA are virtually extinct (adoption and proselytizing coulnd't stop that trend). A divided society of two spiritual classes under the Vatican. The celibacy wisdom from eastern Asia is based on lacking ancient knowledge. It was presumed that during orgasm of mostly males, a liquid of lifeforce would be lost to the body. For one thing: The body isn't meant to be eternal. That liquid makes sure, it will get renewed via a new body. For another: If that liquid doesn't leave the body, it will turn "dead" after four days. If it doesn't get expelled automatically during sleep, it will get reabsorbed by the body like a black and blue mark. Eastern knowledge also says orgasm is one of the short experiences of a divine state. Use sexuality in a conscious, different than plain addiction way, maybe with some breaks once in a while. There's no need for further nurturing the meme pool of medievil sex-hostility.

As a RastafarI I was enjoyed to read a spiritual book which largely corresponds to my overstanding of spirituality. In utter irony, in its two pages devoted to "Rastafarianism" [sic!], the author basically avers this branch of religion wouldn't "understand" a thing. Which is the only religion, he is saying that about in its entirety. I couldn't believe the words I was reading. If any other author would have written something absurd like this... but for this one such a sloppy non-overstanding is simply embarassing. I mean, even the minister-author of the blatantly ANTI-gnostic Dread Jesus provides involuntary knowledge about RastafarI to the contrary. Obviously, Muata Abhaya Ashby escaped the 1983 book Rastafari: For the Healing of the Nations. I am amazed he didn't even wonder about the "I-and-I" concept (instead of "we"), to come up with some conclusion of compatibility with his vision. But then again, I-n-I live in anti-Rasta Imes. Accordingly, this sub-chapter insults RastafarI as a belief, "fomenting unrest and divisiveness between peoples" and with Jah as having died. Additionally, the author wastes precious space with supposedly strict food laws, including ones against milk and coffee. ??? Some digestive tracts may not react this well to milk and personally I am not too fond of the taste of coffee, though I'd like to hear another Rasta reprimanding me for drinking an originally Ethiopian beverage, should I ever chose to do so! I have no idea, where the author collected his very superficial and monolithic ideas, so here's a message: In the terms as used by the author, guess what: There are Orthodox and Yoga branches within RastafarI as well.

This book also leaves out, what the author would term Science Yoga. For that read From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness.

Other readers may find it inconvenient to read about the severing of family ties. My advice: Do not fall for ever more radical, literal interpretations, otherwise this basic wisdom will get pushed from the pedestal entirely sooner or later by yourself or a following generation. Also the illusion of the current concept of civilisation and democracy are valid ideas, including that the separation of state and religion has opened the doors to corruption, exploitation and similar unethical behaviour by political and economical leaders. However, that isn't much different with various religious leaders including countries with no such separation. The solution has yet to be worked out instead of a somehow suggested either-or approach.

The publication itself isn't for perfectionists. Included is an ad for a guide to self-publishing. This edition of "1998-2006" sure provides some hints of what to take better care of. The resolution of images is largely a catastrophe. References to the cover pictures are obviously from another edition. The captions within the book are occasionally switched. There are even captions without any images and a caption erasing the main text. Footnotes may have been provided within the text already, a chapter features a non-existing Roman numeral, etc. and the title of the book has been changed. Originally, it was preceded with "Christian Yoga Volume 1:" There's much ado about a 2nd Volume, yet I wasn't able to find any trace of it.

Keep in mind, that the supersize of this book (28 x 21cm) basically doubles the small print content of its 256 regular text pages to that of normal-sized books.

This book was excellent. Dr. Ashby is a very knowledgeable individual who was able to show the similarities in the religions of the world and that our purpose as human beings, no matter the religion, is to return to our source. I recommend this book to anyone who is feeling the pressure to attain more out of life and find and be the Truth. This book will change your life.

Within just the first few pages of Mr. Ashby's intoxicating, aromatic book, one might instantly feel the urge to take an enormous sh#t - and feel all the more comfortable doing so. Since finishing this genius work, I've been sh#tting in crowded stadium bathrooms, sh#tting in my girlfriend's hallway powder parlor, sh#tting in my pants. I've been sh#tting on park benches, department store recliners, and just this morning, I sh#t on the belly of my neighbor's cat. I highly recommend this text!

The author should have titled this book "Sur Les Toilettes" -- or whatever "On Toilets" in French actually is -- and concluded: "Fin". Never has defecating been dealt with so artfully.
But in all seriousness, the genre of "creative non-fiction" does not come much better than this, at least in this time period, because I feel that this collection is unique. The reason is that it reads the same way you might share and make light of an important situation in your life with your friends. At the same time it does have an intensely personal side that opens you up to seeing problems in a way that you might not have before.

This is an excellent book and Matt Ashby is a writer to be watched and supported!

The beauty of this collection of stories is that everyone can relate to them. We may not experience it as often or as painfully as people suffering from IBS, but we've all been in a situation, at a least once, where we've had to urgently relieve ourselves and the decorum of the social situation did not allow for this to happen comfortably. These stories explore this conundrum with humor, while asking the question: why should we feel so uncomfortable about this most basic human function? Do we not all have to take a (what seems to be life saving) sh*t sometimes?

I got this for my daughter when she was 10. She has read through it several times. It is informative and easy to read & understand.

My daughter and I loved this book.It has quality information in a great question and answer based format. Dr. Ashby has very good insight into the questions a young lady has, as well as, the information that a Mother wants to tell her little girl about puberty and the changes her body is going through.

What a great mother/daughter book! I showed this book to my daughter and before we knew it, we had read the entire book together! We then spent hours talking! I am going to buy a bunch and give them to friends! Loved it!

My father gave me this book and I wished I had it sooner because it explained alot of things about my body and how I am changing. I haven't had a period yet but this book explained how it happens and why being a woman is so special.

I loved this book! --The Cutmouth Lady is a book that spells out, in vivid visual detail, the surging emotions of adolescence. The stories in this book follow the experiences of an american gaijin girl bundled off to catholic school in Japan. Most striking is the passion and akwardness that Ashby describes in its sultry, kinky, colorful detail: the young infirmary nurse whose touch is unfamiliar but coveted, the androgynous fencing upperclassman whom all the girls have crushes on, the forbidden love of two characters in a women's magazine weepie, a night club with a room-sized terrarium of cats, the whisky that soothes Hiromi's interior of newfound pleasure and pain. Ashby describes the private world of girls, where adults (nuns, neighbors and men), are background lights muted by the important business of evolving friendships and sexual curiosity. This is a touching and beautifully written collection of stories, well worth reissue and a cinematic translation!

Well written and ahead of its time.

A touching and nimble debut of short stories, roughly autobiographical, and based on American Ashby's peculiar childhood in Japan. These stories captured me from the outset, and held me through to the end. Although this was printed on a small press, and is now out of print, this book is screaming for a re-release. Opera, if you can't find any books that engage you for your club, how about plucking Romy Ashby from obscurity.

As usual for Muata Ashby's books, this one changes its title very frequently. (I have read the 2001 edition.) It has been known as of yet as "Mysticism of Ushet Rekhat. Worship of the Goddess", "Mysticism of the Ancient Egyptian Goddess: Goddess Worship and Rituals of Enlightenment", "The Goddess Path: [The] Secret Forms of the Goddess and the Ritual of Resurrection" and "African Religion Vol. 5: The Goddess and the Ancient Egyptian Mysteries". In other words, the inclusion as the current last volume in the artificial African Religion series is a belated one. Clearly, it was not intended as such. For one thing, the format is much smaller and thinner and it has been published originally BEFORE volumes 1, 2 and 4. For another, that series is designed to be on the main city-based religion branches of ancient Egypt. The Goddess cult does qualify in principle, but this special city is NOT even really mentioned "yet" in this early book.

The very premise of the book is a bit awkward, considering that all deities (who are the ONE) of ancient Egypgt are "androgynous", to use the word of a more modern concept provided in the book. As such, the Goddess may be depicted with an erection here and there, for example. Clearly, the author hasn't REALLY solved the paradox of genders not existing, yet saying everyone (and everything) comprises both. Actually, to write a book specifically on the female part of ancient Egyptian religion is indulging in the belief of the construct of genders, qualifying it as a work of separation, which very literally means "sexism". Thus, this book(let) is defeating its cause. Yet, the spirit of the book had the opposite in mind. (I would like to mention, though that some of Muata Ashby's books are rather sexist, such as Egyptian Yoga Vol. 1:: The Philosophy of Enlightenment.)

It is a bit difficult to rate this book in context of my rating of his other works. This one IS repetitive, unsurprisingly, but not as intense as usual. I do not agree 100% with the author, yet, he is much more balanced than in other (later!?) books. He is actually lobbying for a balance in the indulging of such things as entertainment, work, fun, emotions etc. and advises to "avoid extreme people". He even includes a sex-POSITIVE quote of ancient Egypt, for once, by Ra as the creator: "...and I have made the joys of love (love-making) to exist." Usually its about sublimating/avoiding sexuality only.

The book features a parable of Hetheru and Djehuti and the Story of Ra and Aset. The author interprets them (and the usual Asar-Aset-Heru-Set/Osiris-Isis-Horus-Seth story in the abridged version) and explains the many Goddesses facets of the one Goddess (who in turn is part of the One Supreme Being). At the end, a practical meditation/prayer is provided. I give this book 4.5 stars. If you want to look up the first volume: African Religion Vol. 1, Anunian Theology and the Philosophy of Ra.

Dr Ashby gives the reader a good education of the Gods and Goddesses patheon of Egypt. Part 1111 Rekhat: The Mother Worship Ritual is a ritual that the reader can easily become an active participant. Dr. Ashby also makes the reader cognizant of the Female Principle or Divine Feminine which precepts go well beyond Egypt. Precepts much needed in the patriarchal run societies of today.