Baker Books

My husband and I chose to read this book together and have really enjoyed it. It explains the practicality of one anothering each other in every relationship type -- marriage, family and friends (both old and new!).

This is more than a book-it is (hopefully) a way of life, one that I am certainly desiring. Our Pastor has agreed to use this material as a basis to begin our home fellowship groups which is exciting to me. The subjects have been well thought out and applied and it is part of "the progression" of our christian walk that is a necessary ingredient.

This book is a wonderful personal or group study book. It really helps us focus on how we can better serve each other and grow closer as a spiritual family.

This is one of the best books on relationship development from a biblical point of view. Very practical and simple; not another list of "to dos." Our small group is loving this book.

This is the best book that I have read detailing what relationships should look like in the church. Using examples from their own experiences and Christ, The Jacobsen brothers cleverly and thoroughly go through 22 verses in the Epistles that focus on the concept of "one anothering". The chapters are masterfully ordered to display the progression of relationship building. The first section starts with one's relationship with God. The next progression is the genesis of a truly authentic relationship. The authors follow this portion with a section called, 'Sharing the Journey'. As the title states, this portion of the book details relationships within an authentic community. The final chapters deal with what happens with true spiritually linked relationships deepen. If this was not enough, the end of each chapter lists discussion questions that really allow you to search your heart and challenge the authenticity of your relationship with God and others.

I have found the Jacobsen brothers to have true spiritual insight concerning what it means to walk the Christian journey in community with God and one another.

Currently, I am involved with a fellowship of young adult believers who wish to reach out to our surrounding community and friends. I am going to purchase a few more copies and use it as a mid week study tool. I would advise you to purchase this book, prayerfully read it and allow God to show you how your relationships with people can become deeper!

I love this cookbook! I've tried about half a dozen of the recipes, and loved each one. My favorites are "Cinnamon Oatmeal Chocolate Chip" and "Molasses Spice Chocolate Chip."

The recipes in this book are amazing, and the introduction is very helpful and informative. She tells you flat out to use good quality ingredients, and not to use no/low-fat ingredients - these are meant to be savored and enjoyed. While I like to cook healthy, if you're going to eat a cookie, you might as well make it worth the splurge - just be sure not to eat too many (if you can!). She gives tips with each recipe, that are truly helpful, and even gives suggestions how to give a little variation to the recipe. I am determined to try most of these recipes, but have tried only about 7 so far. Out of those, only 1 didn't work out for me (the malted milk ball cookies), but I overcooked them so it was my fault. The buttermilk choc. chip brownies have become the requested dessert for my father and sister's birthdays (though I have to leave out the pecans since they're both allergic). The butterfinger brownies, caramel surprise cups (amazing out of the oven or warmed in the microwave), and pb cup cookies never last if my brothers find them, and my mom and I also love the chocolate chocolate chip shortbread cookies. The Holy Smokes Cranberry cookies are also amazing! ( I was also surprised to find out in her notes that they are served at a restaurant less than an hour from my parents house). To sum it all up, if you love cookies and chocolate, this book will not disappoint. These recipes run the gamut from the classic toll house cookies to white chocolate chip lemon pucker cookies all the way to cognac apricot rugelach w/mini chips - you're bound to find something different and special for everyone you know.

_A_Baker's_Field_Guide_to_Chocolate_Chip_Cookies by Dede Wilson is exactly what it says it is -- a guide to baking all different types of chocolate chip cookies.

The format is very nice. The book has a binding that lays open flat and recipes are accompanied by information on how well the cookies store and ship and whether the dough freezes well, if the cookies keep well, if the recipe is fun to make with kids, quick to make, and sturdy enough to mail.

The recipes are very good, if sometimes a bit sweeter than I prefer. There are lots of different types of ingredients, different types of chocolate, and different cookie shapes and variations in crispiness and chewiness.

I was looking for a book to give me ideas for chocolate chip cookies, and this book has been perfect for that. Definitely five stars.

I cant wait to try these recipes. They are all so different when you read the descriptions of the ingredients. She has the book very organized and tells you what cookies can be mailed as gifts and how long they will last. There are also some great recipes for dark chocolate 70% cocoa cookies, which I love. Have fun eating!!!

I was pleased with clear recipes, and that they were laid out so you could lay the book flat and see all the ingredients and directions at once. And the results were delish, too!!!

I bought this book and I love it. There are so many cute cookies ideas. I haven't actually made any yet but I'm planning on to very soon. :-)

This `A Baker's Field Guide to Christmas Cookies' by Dede Wilson is a perfect example of how the same subject can be served well in two very different ways. The obvious touchstone against which to proof this volume may be Rose Levy Beranbaum's book on Christmas cookies. But, this would be an unfair comparison. Beranbaum's work covers the very high end of Cookie making, ending with a truly glorious creation of a gingerbread cathedral of Notre Dame. Beranbaum also covers just about every little issue you may possibly encounter in baking cookies and provides us with lots of unusual recipes.

Dede Wilson, on the other hand, has given us a very practical kitchen reference for lots and lots of common cookie recipes baked for Christmas, including several ethnic favorites such as the relatively difficult Moravian Ginger Cookies.

My favorite thing about Ms. Wilson's contribution aside from its spiral binding which lays flat on the table is the fact that you often have more than one recipe for a particular type of cookie. For a rolled gingerbread / spice cookie recipe, there are at least three alternatives, not even including the difficult Moravian cookie. That generally means that if you want to make a particular kind of cookie, you have your choice between an easy, intermediate, and hard recipe.

Other very nice features are the fact that every recipe falls on two facing pages, begins with a very clear picture of one or two of the cookies, states the type and (very cute here) habitat, gives a description of the cookie and alternatives, gives the shelf life under proper storage conditions, and gives appropriate tips on making this and similar cookies. I think the recipes are well written and leave little room for error, although I was just a bit confused by the instructions to form rolled gingerbread dough into a disk. This sounded more like instructions for a freezer cookie than a rolled cookie.

The introductory material to the book gives nothing near the detail of Beranbaum, but gives enough to avoid any egregious errors. It also does not give lessons on using piping bags and other decorating techniques, but none of the cookies require elaborate methods.

The book does include an appendix on sources, most of that are probably familiar to regular bakers such as King Arthur, KitchenAid, and Wilton. Several are unfamiliar and welcome to me, especially New York Cake and Baking Distributors and The House on the Hill.

If I were the author, I may have included a bibliography of major works on cookies such as by Malgieri, Heatter, and Beranbaum, especially for help on decorating, but the book does a pretty good job of standing on its own as a great reference for common cookie recipes. It really fits its `Field Guide' metaphor well.

This is a Christmas cookie lovers dream. It has easy to read instructions, great info on storage. Lots of space in the book for your personal notes as well.

I decided to bake Christmas cookies for the first time this year. I ordered several books and this one is the best. Its not too overwhelming. The layout nice and the sprial binding makes it easy to use. The assortment or recipes is good, but lacks the homey feel that someone's great Aunt Edna's recipe handed down over generatons will provide. But, its good for the basics and for those starting out.

I have gone through two Christmas seasons using this cookbook with many compliments on the resulting baked goods, but have also found many recipes we use all year long. Some of the best features are:

Symbols with each recipe to indicate if the dough can be frozen, if the cookies keep well, if they are kid-friendly to make, quick to make or sturdy enough to mail.

The binding is a sturdy covered spiral so the book lays flat on the table and the pages do not tear or come loose from the binding.

The introduction has excellent information on ingredients, storage, baking and cooling advice and equipment needed

There is a listing of Resources in the back for equipment mentioned or required in the recipes so you can order items by phone or over the internet.

PICTURES! Excellent photos of each cookie so you know how it is supposed to look. This is especially helpful when making cookies with children; they like to have an idea of what they are making.

The recipe for Kris Kringle's is the best I have found. The same for the Snickerdoodle recipe (I make these at least once a month).

My children have made many of the recipes with me. Their favorites are the Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies, Night Before Christmas Mice, Pepparkakor (ginger snaps), Easy Christmas Wreaths, Candy Cane Cookies and Mocha Orange Pinwheel Cookies.

There are also a whole range of more complicated, interesting cookies, which one would want to make without their kids help.

The format is easy to follow, easy to read and less intimidating than Rose's Christmas Cookies (also a great book).

What a great book, love, duplicity, fantasy wolf change shifters, ancient prophecies and a great plot. What is not to love! It was good to see that Madeline Baker has the breath to write something other than Native American love stories.

I feel that this is one of her best works.

This story is beautiful and passionate. the heir 2 the throne of argone falls in love with a woman raised 2 b a nun. her twin sister is evil n tries 2 marry him. she is devastated, but will not give in 2 her twin's treachery...2gether the two will form a love so strong, that nothing can destry it..
Madeleine Baker at her best...

This is one of my favorite books!. Hardane and Kylene are wonderful characters and fall in love. Hardane, a shape shifter, is a wonderful man and falls in love with Kylene even though he is betrothed to her twin sister, or is he? they are twins after all. which one was really born first?, and they go through many trials to be together. A truly wonderful and imaginative book. I commend you Madeline Baker.

I love it. I found the whole book fascinating.
This was my first Madeline Baker and it surely won't be the last.
Beneath a Moon Light is full of adventure, action, love an fantasy. I highly recommend you to read it.

The romance between the two main characters is so pure and unspoiled, I couldn't put the book down. I wanted to read more and more of it. The love scenes are actually quite tame, but the passion is through the roof. The characters are totally connected, even in thoughts and dreams. Beautiful story!
Plenty of excitement and surprise twists. Never once did the story get boring.
Excellently written, so you feel a connection with many of the characters of the story. You feel their losses and victories.
I have a new respect for Madeline Baker.

Reading this book it is hard to feel too glum although breast cancer is it's subject. For women who have been through some of what the author has experienced, whether the medical ups and downs or the personal struggle with faith and hope, this book provides empathy and sustenance. With humor, intelligence and relevant information, Ms. Baker gives women a peek into the experiences so many of us will go through and survive, perhaps even thrive. You just have to read her tale of what she heard while waiting for surgery! One of those things we all can laugh at only after the fact; to be able to laugh, love, and believe is the theme of this great little book.

Impressive doctors' sections including the renowned Chris Wright, PhD of Cambridge University discussing his research on Tamoxifen; Doctors N. Joseph Haroun, fellowship in endocrinology from Hopkins and Melita Braganza, researcher at University of Maryland discussing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For me, these are the highlights of the book. For my wife, they were the poetry, illustrations, and the myriad of helpful suggestions and insights into things people don't usually discuss.

"If you are a breast cancer patient, you need no introduction to me, because you know me well already. I'm just like you...You and I have in common the unsettling feeling of our worlds shaken up, our schedules not in our own control, and the keen awareness of our own human vulnerability. When cancer strikes, it puts us all on even ground. Rich or poor, pretty or plain, waitress or CEO, it makes no difference. There is no escape route and the only special treatment we'll get is what's sent from heaven."

With this book, Sylvia Baker wrote one of the best books on the subject of breast cancer. It takes away the fear from surgery for those women who need to go through the process and this book offers lots of hope for the recover process. Baker herself is a breast cancer survivor and has gone through the whole ordeal. She wrote the book from the heart with the purpose of edifying and encouraging the reader, while being objective regarding the issue.
The author approaches the subject systematically, but always with the concern of the individual patient in mind. This book is highly recommended for everyone who was just been diagnosed with breast cancer or who is already in the recovery stage, and it's also a great and encouraging read for loved ones of breast cancer victims as it is a very helpful book -- one of the best books on the subject out there. Because of the excellent content, this book is just simply an encouraging read for everyone.

Sylvia (my precious little sister!) shares her personal story in a humorous manner, emphasizing the importance of keeping a good attitude and your eyes on God. She's included lots of good medical information about the various treatment options, written by health professionals, which will help you understand the medical side of the story. This book is easy to read and can even be used as a devotional, read a chapter at a time. She's included poetry, recipes, and tips for helping those you love in times of crisis. Go ahead - Buy the book! Love ya, Syl!

Building Belief is a resource for seekers and believers. Meister uses a pyramid to build from one truth on to the next, each building on the last--a very useful tool for those who want to be ready to give an answer. Meister does not shy away from the arguments against Christianity; he boldly weighs the evidence that leads the reader to see the truths of the Christian faith. This is a great resource for those who want to brush up on their apologetics, but it is also "user-friendly" enough to give to anyone who is struggling with questions about the Christian faith.

If you've made the tour of apologetics works, you know that they suffer from various maladies: too boring, too scholarly, too simplistic, etc. Somehow this work cuts through all of that, remaining clear and understandable while also remaining obvious that Meister can do the intellectual heavy lifting (think iceberg).

But perhaps best of all is not just great content and presentation, but the logic of the book is striking and developed throughout. Meister draws his conclusions without overstating the case, and builds a cumulative case for Christianity instead of claiming that each point independently supports Christianity (like a house with too many pillars). It is refreshing to read well-thought-out arguments with the appropriate conclusion made.

All that is to say that this book is an important contribution to the field of apologetics, for Christians and non-Christians alike. I highly recommend it.

This book is rich in wisdom, yet an easy to understand read, it will shake your belief system and move you to change or strengthen your current beliefs. It's a fundamental read if you question what you believe or why you believe what you do.

Dr. Meister's "Apologetics Pyramid" starts with the broadest of topics: what is truth, and climbs to the peak with the good news of Jesus Christ. Everything in the middle of the book tackles issues on worldviews, morality, and the historical claims of the ressurection. Meister not only gives evidence for this belief but also gives equal space for opposing viewpoints. Along with suggestions for further reading defending his belief, he even gives suggestions for further reading against his views as well. Building Belief: Constructing Faith from the Ground Up is a very fair and balanced book for believers and skeptics alike. One that you will want to read more than once.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone seeking to find truth in religion.
Meister is very good a bringing difficult concepts down to the rest of us who don't live in ivory towers.
On top of that, I love the way Meister asks his readers to "use" his book rather than just "read" his book. And he gives both sides of the story regarding religion - which, to me, is paramount when trying to discover what in this life we're going to believe. (And just in case there is any confusion, we should believe what's true.) He prods readers to not just look at evidences for the validity of Christianity, he also encourages readers to check out other world views and concepts contrary to Christianity. He invites further study of Theism, Pantheism and Atheism - the three world views he says every religion can fall into. He even recommends further reading of the best that he's read in each area. And, in the end given all the evidence, he allows you to make your own decision.
While I enjoy Lee Strobel's books - The Case for Faith, The Case for Christ, The Case for a Creator - the one criticism I have of them is that Strobel interviews only Christians. Of course, the people he interviews are no doubt learned, top-of-their-game scholars who give a very compelling case for the validity of Christianity.
But Meister challenges readers to explore everything and land where the evidence seems most reasonable regarding religion and where to find truth in religion. He contends there is truth, religious beliefs are not merely subjective and based on our own personal preferences. The book is valuable for Christians and non Christians alike.

When you begin to read this book, you will not be able to put it down. The Holy Spirit has spoken to me so cleary through His word, and this book. I have personally given away appoximately 30 of these books to family and friends, and have heard of God's faithfulness to each of them through this book. Weirsbe has a way of sharing, but ALWAYS references the Bible.
You will love this book. Great encouragement for whatever your need, situation, dilema.
I keep 10 of these books at home, always ready to give out.

Over the years since I received a copy of this book in 1983 as I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I have given away numerous copies because I felt the other person needed it. I
t is the only book I know that encourages without "happy get all better" stuff. Some diseases or situations really cannot be expected to have a happy ending, but that is when encouragement is most needed. If I could give it 10 stars--I would.

Great message. Loving the mountains and hiking, I was drawn to the title immediately. Having a boys' ranch, I see alot of discouragment in young men's lives. This is a great devotional book for guys of all ages. This book is full of encouragment and great life lessons.

His books have been in my collection of favorites for years. I ordered this one months ago and have been reading a chapter once a week as an extra devotional. He uses scripture to parallel life experiences and balances it out with encouragement for all sorts of perils in this walk of faith we all take daily. This book is a pick me up when I have had a troubling day. Its a dash of salt when I have missed my communion with God on rushed days. You don't just sit down at an empty table with this book. WWW brings you to the table where he seats you next to Christ and you are in absolute communion with the Lord Most high. Great literature for anyone regardless of where their walk is with Christ.

You can't go wrong with a book by Warren W. Wiersbe! He surely has a gift for delivering God's messages, quoting appropriate scripture references, and writing clearly so you understand and can apply what you've learned to your own life. I can't wait to order two of his other books: Praise, Promises & Prayers and With The Word.

This book helps you to understand where other relegions are coming from. Written by a Christian to help us understand and also see where other religions differ. You can draw your own conclusions. It makes the truths jump out and hit you in the face. Good for believers and unbelieves alike.

This book is a short and sweet address of the claim that all religions go back to God. The truth is, it doesn't. The author is well versed and his book is well researched. I used to be agnostic and these type of books have turned me over. -ISP

The book is intended to provide apologetical arguments that are accessible to the general reader. It is not surprising that the treatment of central issues is somewhat truncated at times. However, this is as planned. Green superbly accomplishes his goals: the writing of a popular level introduction to Christian apologetics, and, the whetting of the reader's appetite to investigate further.

There is a danger inherent in writing short books for the general reader. The problem is that a few readers who consider and promote themselves as intellectual experts will give the book a short and general reading. In doing so, they tend to criticize positions that the author has not actually presented. Such critics commit the very same exegetical sin they attribute to Green: they present superficial, controversial and inaccurate claims rather than helpfully substantive ones.

For example, one critic has made an elementary mistake in directing us to "Chapter 5: No other great teacher ever [sic] claimed to bring us to God." In fact, Green writes just the reverse: "No Other Great Teacher Even Claimed to Bring God to Us." His point is precisely that other religions tend to focus on a process of "salvation" in which humans strive [perhaps with a divine assist] to get to God. In contrast, the Green affirms the gospel message in which God took the initiative--reaching out to us while we were yet sinners.

Green is also portrayed as making the claim that "...Christ was the only god-man teacher who promised salvation for his true followers." The issue is not that other religions may or may not claim to provide "salvation" of one sort or another. The question is whether or not the "salvation" offered by other religious figures is as credible or as amazingly suited to meeting the needs of the human condition. Are the claims of other religious leaders supported by historical documents written very soon after the events they describe? Are the manuscripts as well attested as the New Testament documents? Is the term "salvation" being used in a univocal sense by all religions? These are issues with which Green deals, and in a more complex manner than the rather superficial objection offered to the contrary.

Green is acccused, as well, of making "ridiculous" and "ludicrously false" statements concerning the unique nature of the salvation offered through the crucified Christ. Other religious figures are sometimes presented as having been sacrificed in a very similar manner. Unfortunately, those making this objection have apparently failed--again--to consider Green's own premises and conclusions. Concerning the Buddha, for example, the earliest traditions do not present him as the one and only God incarnate, crucified in atonement for sin. While any later traditions may claim any number of things about the Buddha, the earliest ones clearly do not present him in this way. In dealing with Buddhism, Green raises the philosophical issue of a substantial self and personal identity over time. How do these relate to Buddhist "salvation"? To simply equate the soteriological doctrines of Jesus Christ and Buddha is stupendously simplistic.

It is true that there are virgin born, resurrected savior myths in antiquity. The early Christians themselves were very well aware of them, and welcomed the common ground this provided to present the case for Christ as the one, true savior. Green does not deny any of this. His point is that when careful comparison is made, the work of no other "savior" has been so copiously documented, so closely in time to the events described. No other "savior" lived a life of ethical perfection, consistent with his teachings, no other is so rooted in the real history of humankind. This is the vein in which Green argues. His statements appear rash only to those who have not considered the entire context that Green has carefully provided.

The book is not, of course, faultless (how many are?). Green would be the first to affirm this. However, it serves its stated goals excellently. The book is very helpful indeed, and highly recommended.

This may not be the book to read for an introduction to various religions of the world. But, it does give more information on major world religions than is probably known by those who pose the question that is the title of the book. The book provides an adequate overview of how major religions, like Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism compare with Christianity.

I was a little disappointed with the first chapter. The question is stated in a way that "preaches to the choir," but may fail to pull in seekers. I was put off by the comparison, in the first paragraph, of those who profess "it doesn't matter what you believe..." with Adolf Hitler's belief that exterminating six million Jews during World War II was the right thing to do. Both sincere, but wrong. That's too extreme for most people to accept.

However, I have come to respect Michael Green for his book, Evangelism and the Early Church, so I pressed on and found the remainder of the book very helpful. The difference, writes Green, is not between Christianity and other religions; the difference is between Jesus and all founders of other religions. In this context, the chapter (4) on what makes Jesus special is very helpful.

Green's analogy of king and the elephant story from Hindu traditions is effective. This is the well-known story of the king, who can see, who asks several blind people to describe an elephant. Many claim that people of different religions are all feeling the same God, but describing it differently, just as the blind people describe the elephant differently because they are feeling different parts of the whole. Those who make the sweeping claim that all religions are pretty much the same are placing themselves in the position of the king who can see. Green points out that this is an amazingly pompous claim, as if they have the eyes to see what the practitioners of religion cannot see: the whole of God and true religion.

To refute the assertion that "all religions lead to God" is not difficult. It doesn't require 92 pages; Green's first chapter is enough. My concern is that Green misses the point. The question that I hear more often - and I think it is really the question behind Green's question - is this: "Won't God - if there is a God - give everyone a passing grade when all is said and done?" This is the question of universalism that so often arises from the pluralism of our Western culture. Schools and businesses strive to hold all religions as acceptable. So, we ask, why wouldn't God do the same?

This book is helping those perishing souls out there to find a real meaning in life. When the glorious God who left all his glory to become a man and shed his blood and life for his creatures, history changed. What started from 12 disciples is the strongest and the most faithful way of life history has ever seen.

No one today can even count their date of birth if it wasn't for Jesus. B.C stands for before christ and A.D stands for Anna Domini (from Jesus birth) The whole universe and its system is built on him, for him and through him. One day every soul will see who He is. They will all bow down to our Creator who willingly lay his life down for us.

May God bless all those who curse Christians. Because we disciples of Christ only know or strive to Love one another just as our God loved us and gave his life for us.

Pls tell this prayer if you want to get well and healed not just physically but mentally too. Our Almighty God, we thankyou for your mercy and grace. Please shine your light through our darkness so that we may come to light and get free from the pressures we think we have to live with. In Jesus Name we pray.

Estate planning isn't exactly a topic for leisure reading; cracking any book on the subject, one expects, will mean trudging through dry and excruciating legalese.

Fortunately, The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate makes the subject far less painful. A practical, usable guide for the layperson, The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate breaks the topic down into easily digestible pieces. Part readable narrative, part reference book, the guide covers estate planning considerations from the most basic (what is an estate? What are you worth?) to the more complex (various legal statutes, for example, and understanding estate taxes).

Practical advice includes how to select your key supporting players (attorney, financial planner, accountant, insurance agent) and how to plan for long-term care, retirement, and unexpected events like divorce and disability.

Compact easy-to-read case studies put the concepts into real-life context, and the inclusion of a handy glossary of common estate terminology and an appendix containing useful, reproducible forms including a living will and power of attorney, make The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate an asset to any home library.

If you are an adult, this book is relevant to you regardless of what your stage in life is; it is important to have proper estate planning in place. This book is an excellent source of information on what goes into estate planning, providing both an excellent overview and attention to a myriad of specific circumstances. Ms. Baker describes the types of professional help available in estate planning and how to evaluate credentials. This book even provides time tables involved in the length of time to make these plans.

The reader of this book will be provided information regarding real estate, debt, taxes, and how divorce affects estate distribution. This book can help you determine what steps to take in order to avoid probate, how different types of insurance are handled, and how to make sure that wills and living trusts are enforced.

There are several case studies throughout this book, which provide helpful insight into the necessity for proper estate planning.

Many people think estate planning is complicated and is only necessary if there is a substantial estate to consider, but after going through the process courtesy of Sandy Baker's manual, I highly recommend this guide to planning your goals, protecting your family and for the preservation of your hard-earned assets. Let's face it, many of us still think divorce or death when the subject of estate planning comes up, and we may want to postpone what we feel to be a chore until a later date. I found Baker's text to be non-intimidating and instructive, beginning with the how-to's on choosing the right Attorney, Accountant and Insurance Agent, the intricacies of avoiding Probate, creating Trusts, and my favorite, lowering the Federal estate taxes. Baker's thorough examinaton lays bare a few myths I had, and covers every eventuality in dealing with the FAQ's of creating an ironclad will. Through presenting several case studies, the author makes the entire planning process as simple as ABC, and a much more pleasant exercise than I had expected!

The Complete Guide To Planning Your Estate
By Sandy Baker

Rating: 5 stars

Let's face it, no one wants to curl up next to the fireplace to read a book with a riveting title such as this, but I am sure glad I did! This book really made me think. I am an executor and have power of attorney for my parents estate. I now know there are many details about their estate that I need to keep up with to avoid the pitfalls of probate! Fortunately, my father had the foresight to establish a living trust. I now realize what a big favor he has done for not only me as executor, but for our whole family.

This book was a real eye-opener about what can happen if you don't prepare. I was always one to think "I'm not rich, I really don't have that much to leave behind. So I don't need anything but maybe a simple will" How wrong I was! I understand now, that probate could really cause big financial problems for my children and or spouse!

If you don't already have a legally binding estate plan; if you only have a simple will - or less, you must read this book. If you do have some estate planning in place you should read this book to make sure you have all the bases covered. No matter what your adult age, this guide will help you decide what needs to be put in place to make sure your estate is settled with the least amount of legal red-tape and the lowest amount of taxes due. It will explain in plain English what steps to take in planning and protecting your estate. The forms at the back of the book are extremely helpful to get you started. I will be using them right away.

Initially, I thought it was over-kill that the author suggested hiring all those professionals; an accountant, estate planner, insurance agent and financial planner, but Ms. Baker convinced me otherwise. Her theme here is to plan for the future. Due to the legal mess one can fall into without proper planning, hiring these professionals is a real safety measure.

I would recommend this book to anyone who owns property, credit cards, cars or any other valued assets. I would recommend this book to any adult who has living parents, who has a spouse, siblings, children or other close loved ones. It's a great planning tool and a guide to get you through the confusing maze of estate planning.

By Edie Jewell

Let's face it, no one likes to think about dying. But, the harsh reality is that we're all going to go sometime, so doesn't it make sense to leave your affairs in order? Sandy Baker's comprehensive guide offers invaluable advice for avoiding some of the pitfalls of estate planning. Whether you have a healthy portfolio of stocks and bonds or just want to make sure that your favorite cousin gets your hunting rifle, pick up a copy of this book.

Baker's book provides clear explanations of wills, living wills, trusts, as well as suggestions on who to consult for professional help when you're planning your estate. More than half of the adults in America today haven't made the necessary plans to provide for their loved ones, which means the government can step in and assume control of their assets. Don't assume that a hand-written, or holographic, will be accepted, either, because they are not recognized as legal documents in every state. In addition, Baker offers sound advice on establishing clear goals to protect your assets, and deciding how you want them dispersed, as well as provision for everything from paying taxes to selecting trustees to handle funds for minors.

The guide discusses the pros and cons of the probate process, which can sometimes take at least one year to complete. While Baker does lean a little heavily in favor of insurances, something not every person can easily afford these days, she closes her book with a useful glossary that clearly explains legal terms related to the estate-planning process. Baker will help you to make sure that your heirs get everything to which they are entitled.

GREAT study helps! If you are studying the Old Testament you want this in your library!

This book is a big help in looking deeper into the meaning behind the words and phrases in the Old Testament.

This work has been a great help to me and I am very thankful for it. It is very easy to use.

The publisher seems to have done an excellent job as far as appearance. The clarity of type, etc., is excellent. However, if you use an Accent style bible highlighter, it smears and smudges really bad, especially in areas where the type is bolder or closer together (like in some of the back reference sections). This may be the case (likely is considering the general smudginess of the print) for other highlighters as well but I haven't tried them.

It's like the ink never fully dries. Even if you just rub it with a slighly moist (pretty much like normal if you're holding a pen or moving around at all) finger, it smudges very easily.

So although this is an incredibly helpful and excellent work overall, this one defect is frustrating to me. Perhaps other editions don't have this defect but you might want to give it a little smudge-test in the store before buying it anywhere.

This book has an easy to read print and gives helpful detailed (in layman's terms) explanations of words that many other books lack. It has two parts, a dictionary and a concordance which are both coded to the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (KJV) system.
That may sound complicated, but it is SO WORTH the digging.
If you get this book, you still need the Strong's and a KJV Bible to refer to... the shovels needed to get to the gold.
P.S.No trouble with highlighting the pages from 2003 edition.

You cannot imagine how understanding the Hebrew has changed my life, and empowered me to know what, and how supreme Life is. Combined with the New Testament Word Study, this will enable you to see into the Spiritual domain, and enthrall endlessly at the genius and pre-meditation of YHVH's relished Infinite meaning(s) of His name(s), passions and intense paradigms; making His own self-Existent and Eternal Expression personal to you.