Baker Books

"Find a way to be a link in the chain, to make what you've learned available to someone else. What can you pass on?" ~Nancy J. Nordenson

Nancy J. Nordenson draws on her own inner wisdom to solve issues in her own life. She also loves to read, as is evidenced by the many books she mentions. She quotes Jane Austen, Viginia Woolf, Gustave Flaubert, Dodie Smith and many others. She also includes passages from the Psalms.

"Giving written form to thoughts is a concrete way of paying attention to them. It is also a way to untangle and expand them. Sometimes anchoring and examining thoughts through writing is the only way we can discover what we really do think and feel about a subject." ~Nancy J. Nordenson

I enjoyed Nancy's insightful approach and her wisdom is encouraging. If you feel trapped in everyday responsibilities, this book will give you many ideas for escaping the chaos and for finding a peaceful retreat. Here are the main topics:

A Mind for Life - God, Integrity, Abundance, Powerful Thoughts.

The Needed Balance of Faith and Reason/Heart and Mind

Forward Movement - What's Next?

Breadth of Life, Fullness of Thought - The well-stocked mind, books by your bed

Accommodations for Thought - Solitude, A Season for Everything

Mental Readiness - Captured on Paper, Preference for Knowledge

Befogged - Clarity, Melancholy, Boredom

Self-Knowledge - A Student of your own life

Truth - A Sometimes Skeptic

Questions and Answers - Unexpected Discovery

Stretch and Strain - Simple/Complex

Lifelong Learning - The Round Table of Counsel

Rhythm: Work and Rest

Action - Choose the Way

The Pursuit of Wisdom

I liked her ideas about distraction being the enemy of sustained productive work. She notes: "physical separation from distraction is the first line of defense..." That would work if my new kitten would decide if she wants to be inside the house or outside on the deck, for I do believe I can hear her meowing for both while I'm trying to write. She reminds me of my own nature, sometimes I want to be reading and doing everything else at the same time.

This entire book basically is encouraging women to become more fully active in their intellectual lives and not to ignore their need to be entranced by a delicious book. She also focuses on a woman's spiritual development and draws much of her inspiration from books she has read, her own wisdom and biblical stories and principles.

Just Think is amusingly enough a book that makes you think about what you want to think about in the near future. You might end up with a list of books to read after seeing all the quotes!

~The Rebecca Review

In "Just Think -- Nourish Your Mind To Feed Your Soul", I appreciate getting permission from the author to think, dream, investigate, imagine, and ponder. Daily life may dictate an obligation to be relentlessly busy, but Ms Nordenson catches my attention and I can stop for a minute to think. She lets me breathe. She kindly hands me free admission into the life of the mind, encourages me to explore, and gives me some directional pointers along the way. Since this is a book that I can pick up for short sections and easily-scanned quotes, I feel invited to come back whenever I want. Highly readable and personally encouraging!

"Just Think: Nourish Your Mind To Feed Your Soul" was a subject of discussion on a Christian web site. What attracted me to the book was the extensive Bibliography: Dillard,Fitzgerald,Pascal,Adler,Lewis,Woolf,Emerson,et al. I have read more than half of these books over seventy plus years.It is obvious that the author has also, but as evidence her picture on the back cover, in half the time as me.

God has allowed Nancy Nordenson to combine the wisdom and knowledge of these books. She has gleaned the essence from each of them to present a meaningful and rewarding reading experience,as the subtitle promises, to: "Nourish Your Mind To Feed Your Soul."

In Chapter Four under a subtitle "In The Game" she discusses living vicariously and how important it is for our growth to experience life from writing our own resume to riding a train. Then she paints this picture: "If you wanted to learn about trains....by reading a stack of books...you could learn a great deal....But unless you traveled by train, you couldn't learn a number of things: the smell inside the train car; the feel of the upholstery; the gentle rocking as the train speeds along; the sound of the whistle as the train moves through a crossing;the sight of people at a small town station waiting either to board or to greet disembarking friends or family;...."

And the last page of chapter six where she compares information and knowledge with an antipasto: "Information is like individual small bowls, each filled with olives, peppers, provolone cheese, salami or olive oil dressing. In contrast, knowledge is like those same ingredients all placed into one large bowl, tossed gently, and allowed to marinate until the flavors are married and a complete antipasto salad is ready to be enjoyed."

By absorbing the wisdom from this book, and turning it over to God for His direction,I allow myself to be guided to accomplishments of expectations I have allowed to lie dormant much too long.

Nancy Nordenson has written a book to read and study; and a bibliography to savor much like that antipasto salad of knowledge.

I couldn't put Just Think down once started.
This book is a fresh,inviting & healthy journey to explore the depths of human knowledge. Nordenson assists the reader in learning to examine this knowledge by light of day and light divine. She also extends grace to those who have fallen into dull routines and self-limitations. The reader will be alternately delighted by quotations from a vast array of writers, both classic and contemporary, and pushed deep into reflection by the challenges found in these beautifully crafted pages.

With all fairness, this is a preview, not a review; if I may cheat for just this once. But I believe it important to note this upcoming books' importance to modern theology. I believe if there are any serious attempts to refute the New Perspective, this one will be the most decisive one. Might I note that I am not placing blind faith in this book, but rather in the crucial task that D. A. Carson and likeminded contributers have undertaken in defending the reformed faith.

Volume 1 addresses the various (variegated) views held by the Jews during the second temple period about the relationship of the Law (nomism) to salvation (justifcation). It focuses on the era before and right after the time of Jesus. Understanding the views of this era help us with understanding the background of the New Testament.

D.A. Carson, one of today's greatest evangelical scholars, has elicited the help of many scholars, some evangelical, others not; he is the editor of the two-part series, but most of the material is provided by the illustrious contributors. The overall purpose of this two volume set is to refute the "Covenantal Nomism" (the view that "you get into the covenant by grace, but you stay in it by keeping the Law") of E.P. Sanders. It also seeks to refute the "New Perspective" as to what Paul the Apostle really meant when he spoke of salvation "apart from the Law." Volume one shows that Sanders erred: there is no one view that dominated all Jewish thought before the time of Christ (or shortly thereafter). Volume 2 then completes the project by demonstrating that the "New Perspective" may be "new," but it is not correct. The Reformers really did know what they were talking about.

But whether you are debating the "New Perspective" or not, you will find Volume I rich! You will sharpen your understanding of the thinking of the Jewish world from about 200 B.C. to about 100 A.D. You will delve into the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Talmud, etc.; those who want to better understand the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith will also appreciate this volume.

Volume I is not intended for the average layman, but a trained pastor can understand this work Although a few parts are dry, other portions are absolutely fascinating.

Does Volume I accomplish its goal? Absolutely.

Volume II, "The Paradoxes of Paul" address the issue, "Did Paul really believe that one entered the covenant by grace (accepting Christ as opposed to Jewish birth) but then maintained his status in the covenant by keeping the Law?" The clear answer of this volume is "no." We enter by grace and we are kept in the covenant by grace.

A team of mostly evangelical scholars proves that "the works of the Law" refer not merely to the boundary markers of Judaism (circumcision, etc.), but even to keeping the 10 Commandments. When Paul talks about salvation "apart from the works of the Law," he is saying more than, "apart from becoming a Jew." He is saying that the Law is good, but when used in an attempt to be justified, the Law cannot deliver. We are saved by grace through faith; God justifies the "ungodly," not the law keeper.

The authors, all respected scholars, take us back to the clear teaching of Scripture. If we look at Paul without a pre-existing template, they argue, we find that law keeping has no (positive) bearing on salvation because no one can keep the law. Paul concludes us all "under sin." Although obeying God evidences our forensic justification, it does not accomplish it.

As Moises Silva points out, "Indeed, faith is by definition the abandonment of our works and efforts so that we might rely solely on divine grace..."

The various essays take us through the theological portion of Romans and Galatians with a few stops in Philippians 3.

Besides addressing the issue of salvation by grace through faith in contrast to salvation by grace and works, the authors also address the nature of the atonement, the very real wrath of God that is directed toward mankind, and both the continuity and discontinuity in Paul (before and after his conversion). They also address whether he really was converted or just received a specialized calling.

With great scholars, like Mark Seifrid, Douglas Moo, Peter O'Brien, and D.A. Carson (among others), these essays are well done and devastating, I would suppose, to Covenantal Nomists.

On the negative side, because each chapter is an individual essay, there is quite a bit of repetition within this work.

Also worth mentioning is that this work is not intended for the layman. One could probably get by without Greek, but the reader needs at least a modest theological background, I would think, to follow these arguments.

Volume 1 addresses the various (variegated) views held by the Jews during the second temple period about the relationship of the Law (nomism) to salvation (justifcation). It focuses on the era before and right after the time of Jesus. Understanding the views of this era help us with understanding the background of the New Testament.

D.A. Carson, one of today's greatest evangelical scholars, has elicited the help of many scholars, some evangelical, others not; he is the editor of the two-part series, but most of the material is provided by the illustrious contributors. The overall purpose of this two volume set is to refute the "Covenantal Nomism" (the view that "you get into the covenant by grace, but you stay in it by keeping the Law") of E.P. Sanders. It also seeks to refute the "New Perspective" as to what Paul the Apostle really meant when he spoke of salvation "apart from the Law." Volume one shows that Sanders erred: there is no one view that dominated all Jewish thought before the time of Christ (or shortly thereafter). Volume 2 (I am still reading it) then completes the project by demonstrating that the "New Perspective" may be "new," but it is not correct. The Reformers really did know what they were talking about.

But whether you are debating the "New Perspective" or not, you will find this volume rich! You will sharpen your understanding of the thinking of the Jewish world from about 200 B.C. to about 100 A.D. You will delve into the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Talmud, etc.; those who want to better understand the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith will also appreciate this volume.

This book is not intended for the average layman, but a trained pastor can understand this work (which is all I am; I am no scholar). Although a few parts are dry, other portions are absolutely fascinating.

Does the book accomplish its goal? Absolutely.

This book is a true find! I must say it is not easy reading however. It includes 15 essays (usually 20-60 pages each), each surveying the concept of righteousness in a particular group of Jewish writings. This volume is intended to be the basis for volume 2 in which Pauline theology will be analyzed. The set overall is an examination of the "New perspective" theology which claims that Christians have mislabelled Judaism as a "works for salvation" or merit-based religion.

Excellent book! the best collection of articles on New Perspective on Paul in one place. Almost all articles come from the Recformed view, but vary in perspectives. Very useful book for those interested to learn more about NPP.

It is refreshing to have such a selection of scholarship addressing different aspects of the new perspective and it si good to have these in one volume, rather than having to obtain several volumes. The breadth of those contributing to the volume add to its interest and its value. This volume will remain as an important reference work for scholars in this field for some time to come

The two-part series title, "Justification and Variegated Nomism" means the various views (variegated) of the relationship of the Law (nomos) to justification (being declared righteous before God).

Volume I of this series clearly evidenced that there was no one Jewish position regarding the relationship of law keeping to justification during the Second Temple era, thus disproving the assumed uniformity of "Covenantal Nomism."

This volume, "The Paradoxes of Paul" address the issue, "Did Paul really believe that one entered the covenant by grace (accepting Christ as opposed to Jewish birth) but then maintained his status in the covenant by keeping the Law?" The clear answer of this volume is "no." We enter by grace and we are kept in the covenant by grace.

A team of mostly evangelical scholars proves that "the works of the Law" refer not merely to the boundary markers of Judaism (circumcision, etc.), but even to keeping the 10 Commandments. When Paul talks about salvation "apart from the works of the Law," he is saying more than, "apart from becoming a Jew." He is saying that the Law is good, but when one uses it in an attempt to be justified, the Law cannot deliver. We are saved by grace through faith; God justifies the "ungodly," not the law keeper.

The authors, all respected scholars, take us back to the clear teaching of Scripture. If we look at Paul without a pre-existing template, they argue, we find that law keeping has no (positive) bearing on salvation because no one can keep the law. Paul concludes us all "under sin." Although obeying God evidences our forensic justification, it does not accomplish it.

As Moises Silva points out, "Indeed, faith is by definition the abandonment of our works and efforts so that we might rely solely on divine grace..."

The various essays take us through the theological portion of Romans and Galatians with a few stops in Philippians 3.

Besides addressing the issue of salvation by grace through faith in contrast to salvation by grace and works, the authors also address the nature of the atonement, the very real wrath of God that is directed toward mankind, and both the continuity and discontinuity in Paul (before and after his conversion). They also address whether he really was converted or just received a specialized calling.

With great scholars, like Mark Seifrid, Douglas Moo, Peter O'Brien, and D.A. Carson (among others), these essays are well done and devastating, I would suppose, to Covenantal Nomists.

On the negative side, because each chapter is an individual essay, there is quite a bit of repetition within this work.

Also worth mentioning is that this work is not intended for the layman. One could probably get by without Greek, but the reader needs at least a modest theological background, I would think, to follow these arguments.

After slogging through volume one of this two volume series I realized that I could have read the summary chapter of volume one and gained enough insight to start this gem (instead I slogged, and slogged). This volume, predicated on the first, lands a quick, hard right onto the chins of the New Perspective crowd. It will take some time for the NPP folks to answer all the arguments against doing away with justified righteousness without works and the understanding that Judaism contained some elements of meritorius adherence to the Law. Do read some New Perspective authors, but make sure to include this and Seyoon Kim's volume on the Old Skool views that still have weight.

This is the last Bible that I will likely ever purchase for myself. It is beautiful with first class workmanship, and it is built to last. Being a minister of the gospel, I have searched for this book for the past several years, and was finally able to find one that actually shipped to me!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
(Isa 52:7)

To this end, I will be using THIS WORD to share with others.

This is a magnificent volume. It is heavy, very well produced, easy to read, and worth the expense if the KJV is what you want. Having the extensive introduction as well as the apocrapha (both original to the translation) is a joy.

Yes indeed. The Bible is the Book of books. Everyone should have a copy and read it. And it's the kind of book you can and SHOULD go back to frequently ... "Yea" daily. If the antiquated language of the King James Version leaves you scratching thy head pick up the New American Standard Version.

Even if you're not a "believer" you should be familiar with the Bible and the accounts therein. Remember in the film "Erin Brochovich" Julia Roberts referred to "David and What's His Name"? If she had even a cursory knowledge of the Bible the name "Goliath" would've rolled right off of her tongue. Then there is "Daniel in the lion's den", "the walls of Jericho", Jonah, the parting of the Red Sea -- all kinds of references you hear in normal, everyday conversations. And let's not forget "doubting Thomas", Judas' betrayal, the loaves and the fishes. If nothing else, a knowledge of the Bible will make revival presentations of "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" more meaningful.

Anyway, I highly recommend buying a copy of the Bible and reading it -- even meditating on it daily. But maybe not this huge lectern version. Amazon has many other choices.

May the Author of the Book bless you big time.

Angelo from Connecticut

This is a magnificent volume. It is heavy, very well produced, easy to read, and worth the expense if the KJV is what you want. Having the extensive introduction as well as the apocrapha (both original to the translation) is a joy.

X. J. and Dorothy Kennedy have compiled a wonderful poetry resource that anyone who wishes to share poetry with children would find useful. Although the "Afterword for Adults" states that the book is "addressed directly to children from eight to twelve," (157) it is very conducive to teaching various aspects and uses of poetry with examples and commentary from the authors. Originally published in 1982, this edition has been revised and updated with contemporary authors and selections that can get students even more excited about today's poetry.

The contents of the book are organized into categories:
1- What do poems do?
2- What's inside a poem?
3- Special kinds of poetry
4- Do it yourself
Each category then has sub-categories with poems listed by themes. These would be particularly useful for teachers or students looking for a poem that has a certain topic, evokes specific feelings, or is constructed in a specific form (such as haiku or limerick). The book does not simply present poems in an organized fashion, however, but the Kennedys also provide background information, insight, and ideas to ponder inter-mingled with the poetry examples. The narrative text serves as a guide to young readers who might wish to know more about the background of poetry and delve deeper into the meaning, structure, and purpose.

The "Afterword for Adults" section at the end explains why the book was written, how to encourage children to like poetry, suggestions for helping kids write their own poetry, and ideas for those who work with groups of children, such as teachers and librarians. The Kennedys offer many suggestions for not only activities to use that utilize poems, but also how to best prepare yourself and your environment for sharing poetry with children. Other useful tools are: Index of Authors, Index of Titles, Index of First Lines, and Acknowledgements citing the original source for each poem. All in all, there are179 poems included that will spark a child's imagination and help in fostering a love and appreciation for poetry.

This anthology is a terrific mix of styles, subjects, and moods. Most of them I would not necessarily call "children's poetry" in that they are not obviously written by an adult trying to be clever in the way that a child would find clever. Instead, they are genuine expressions of truth, both the day-to-day variety and the larger truths we all understand, even before we're able to articulate our experiences. Robert Frost's "Canis Major," Gwendolyn Brooks' "Narcissa," and "The Eagle," by Tennyson are some of my favorites. There as also some wonderful rhythmic poems that are especially pleasurable for the pulse and the sounds of the words: Eve Merriman's "Windshield Wiper," and "The Pickety Fence" by David McCord are great fun.
This is a must-have anthology for elementary teachers, parents, or anyone who loves the sound and feel of poetry.

As a teacher- I found this book to an incredible assest to have in the clasroom. This is a very exemplary eclectic collection. It contains a wide variety of poem forms, styles, and authors. Usefully organized into category chapters, it easy to find a poem relating to a topic. The book is organized into useful sections that have equally as useful subcategories. These divisions make it easy to use these poems during a unit on poetry. The wide variety of types of poems in the book also is useful to assimilate these poems into the curriculum, either as a transitional piece or within a topic discussion. The students LOVE hearing these poems!

Kennedy informs students about the purposes for poetry by the categories he's formed. The selections are appropriate for elementary school children and is an instructive collection for serious poetry reading for kids 7-13.

Kennedy's collection is accessible, informative and a pleasure to read and mull over.

They didn't call him a liar; they just couldn't believe his story. Brian Fisher was determined to prove it was true even though it involved risk to his own safety.

Two best friends, Brian Fisher and Tommy Wilson, have many great times together hiking and visiting their Indian friend, Windwalker. Windwalker is working on a special painting and knows a lot about wolves that he shares with Brian and Tommy after hearing the story about how Brian pried open an animal trap of a captured wolf pup with an angry growling mother nearby. After freeing the wolf pup--the mother, the pup, and the boy walked away to live another day. Now Brian has made it his mission to find the white wolf again.

Will Brian find Snowball, the white wolf again? Will the wolf poachers be caught?

Stories for Children Editor, VS Grenier

"Brian Fischer had a life that most boys can only dream about...." Thus starts this heart-warming adventure story of faith and friendship sure to delight young readers and adults alike.

Eleven-year-old Brian lives in a small town nestled in the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by the peaceful beauty and mystery of nature, he delights in hiking with his best friend Tommy and listen to alluring stories told by Windwalker, a wise and kind old Indian who lives in a remote cabin in the forest.

Though he lives a normal, happy life, Brian has been profoundly "marked" by something he experienced when he was a small boy: while exploring the woods, he once saved a white wolf pup from a metal trap. The mother wolf had witnessed the affair without harming Brian.

Since that day Brian believes the white wolf and he are "brothers," and he dreams of a second encounter. There's only one problem. No one believes him. Not even his father. To make Brian's story more impossible, Windwalker assures him that the white wolf has supernatural powers.

But something evil has come to disrupt the serenity of the forest--a band of hunters whose sole interest is to destroy wolves. Will Brian be able to stop them before they harm his beloved white wolf? But how do this when not even his family believe him in the first place? Endangering his own life, Brian sets on a quest to prove the existence of "his" wolf.

Can you believe in what you can't see? The novel plays with concepts of belief and faith without appearing obvious nor "preachy," while combining elements of suspense that will make the reader's heart race. The language is simple and graceful, giving a sense of innocence and beauty to parallel the setting and age of the characters. Contrasting with this "goodness" are the wolf hunters, bringing the reader face to face with cruelty and callousness at its worst.

The author also offers insights into the nature of this mysterious, magnificent animal which has suffered such a bad reputation in the past. Young readers of adventure stories will relish this. Adults who love and admire wolves will be charmed. 5 stars!


This review was originally published on Curled Up With A Good Book.

When Brian Fischer was younger, he rescued a white wolf pup that he calls Snowball. Of course, when he tells people about the experience, they figure he's exaggerating. Even his parents don't place a lot of stock in Brian's story.

Brian and his friend Tommy live near Bozeman, Montana. Brian loves his home near the gateway of Yellowstone National Park. His father works in the Gallatin National Forest. And Brian wanders through the wild daily, often visiting an old Native American named Windwalker. Learning from his dad, Windwalker, and his own experience, the young teen knows a lot about the area and enjoys nature.

Young readers will enjoy Brian and Tommy's adventures as they accompany Brian's dad to put radio collars on elk. While Brian's dad and his colleagues work to stop human theft of wolves from the forest, the boys encounter a mountain lion, which pursues a terrified Brian. When Brian claims that Snowball returns and saves his life, only Windwalker seems to believe him.

Brian determines to prove that he's telling the truth. However, his search for Snowball leads him and Tommy into more danger. This time the boys will have to save Snowball from ruthless humans who don't like wolves-not even white ones.

Anderson writes a believable adventure for boys in a great setting. Few good books exist intended for 8- to 12-year-old boys. "Legend of the White Wolf" offers fast-paced adventure, clean content, delightful humor, and likeable characters. Trust and truth prevail in this well-told story.

Take two eleven-year-old boys, a mysterious white wolf, a dangerous band of illegal hunters, and all the excitement of the rugged outdoors, put it all together in a book written by Max Elliot Anderson and you have an adventure story even the most "reluctant" of readers will pick up and enjoy.

Brian Fisher was not much different from other young boys and, so, it was not much of a surprise that he resented the fact that no one believed his fantastic tale about a white wolf. It was also no surprise that he decided to prove the story true, even if it meant putting his own life in danger.

It all began when Brian discovered a white wolf pup caught in a trap and set it free. Since then, Brian was convinced that he and the wolf were brothers. Stung by the disbelief of his family and friends, Brian sets out to confirm the story and ends up getting a lot more than he bargained for. It is bad enough that he is caught out in a snowstorm and attacked by a mountain lion, but when a group of lawless hunters begins killing off the wolf population, the situation reaches a critical point.

Max Elliot Anderson weaves this story of adventure and trust with deft fingers, bringing the story to life in a fulfilling and meaningful way. "Legend of the White Wolf" should be included on every young boy's bookshelf.

The story of Lena Baker, the first and only woman to be executed legally in the state of Georgia, needed to be told.
Lena was an impoverished Black woman who lived in Cuthbert, the seat of Randolph County, in southwest Georgia. She lost control of her life because, in addition to her station, of two facts. A prominent white man insisted she be his mistress, and she was dependent on alcohol.
When she killed her oppressor in self-defense, she was tried for murder. Did she receive a fair trial? Was her case given an adequate investigation? Was she assigned a competent defense attorney?
The exploration of these questions makes Phillips's The Lena Baker Story an absorbing one, but even more engaging are the minute details the reader learns of small-town, Southern life in the 1940s. We are told what is playing at the movies. We know that one Cuthbert resident drove all the way to Eufala, Alabama, to buy her pet bird cherry cokes. We know what most folks had for dinner.
This book is highly recommended for its general appeal and to any student of the history of jurisprudence, of the civil rights of Blacks and women, of Americana, or of Georgia history.

Lela Bond Phillips's recounting of this once forgotten miscarriage of justice is a gripping story well told in its sparse yet lively style covering barely 120 pages. While others would have padded the book with trial transcripts and other ephemera Phillips sticks to the facts of the case painting a warts and all portrait of Lena Baker, the accused murderer and her relationship with Ernest White, the victim. Phillips is unsparing in the depiction of the events leading to the murder as well as well as providing background information on all the major characters as events unfold. Phillips does an outstanding job of explaining how the standards of crime scene investigation and forensic evidence of the era were not as rigorous as they are now and points out the inherent contradictions in the testimony and evidence presented at trial. Phillips studiously avoids making judgments and is careful to point out that readers should not use contemporary standards to judge the characters and their actions. The unflattering and unemotional depiction of an interracial relationship gone wrong in the Jim Crow South has the potential for overwrought prose, but Phillips keeps that in check, largely due to her writing ability (she has an MA in English). In fact her style of writing is well suited for historical writing even though here she is writing out-of-field.

When printed in 1998 this book generated renewed interest in the case and efforts to mark Ms. Baker's grave and obtain a pardon from the Board of Parole and Pardons was undertaken. Those efforts bore fruit on August 15, 2005 when the Board posthumously pardoned Ms. Baker. The pardon is a small consolation as she was electrocuted 60 years ago in Georgia's electric chair; the only woman to be put to death. This book is highly recommended for those interested in exploring the Jim Crow era of the South, Georgia History, and real life crime stories. Phillips's style of writing is very enjoyable and this book is a lively page turner that will give you a better understanding of the times.

(The following review is taken from The Eufaula Tribune, Joel P. Smith, Triibune publisher) The Lena Baker Story, the story of the first and only woman to be executed in Georgia, is almost as fascinating as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The plot centers on Lena Baker, 44, who had never known anything but the pangs of poverty, and gristmill owner Ernest B. Knight, a white man 23 years the African-American Baker's senior. They had carried on a love-hate relationship for some three years --"The kind that usually ends in one of the parties being harmed." It began when Lena was hired to care for the mill owner while he recovered from a broken leg.The trashy affair isn't exploited, but it dramatically raises the question, was justice served even though the slave woman-locked in his gristmill and not allowed to go home -- confessed to killing him?....I found the well-researched true story to be a page-turner....The book is divided into three parts: Lena's life, the trial and the execution. If the story line doesn't have appeal, the life and times of the shooter and the gristmill owner do. It's a delightful, graphic depiction of this bygone era, encompassing politics in Georgia, including neighboring Quitman County. Georgia's own gubernatorial debacle is included, when Ellis Arnall and Herman Talmadge both claimed to be governor, sitting 20 feet from each other in the executive suite, carrying on the business of Georgia....Much history and life of the times are skillfully incoorporated into the book, such as the founding of Andrew College in 1854 to bring prospective wives to Cuthbert for the young men attending a local Baptist academy. There's the tale about the old woman who took her cats in a croaker sack with her when she went downtown to shop foor groceries. then Mrs. Luci Moye made a daily trip in the late afternoon to Eufaula to buy her pet parrot, Polly, a cherry Coke, following her "racous litany of 'Polly want a cherry Coke.'" The story doesn't have a happy ending, though. The Cuthbert Times, a local newspaper I bought years later and edited, crassly reported on her death on page one: "Baker Burns."

The story of Lena Baker, the first and only woman to be executed legally in the state of Georgia, needed to be told.
Lena was an impoverished Black woman who lived in Cuthbert, the seat of Randolph County, in southwest Georgia. She lost control of her life because, in addition to her station, of two facts. A prominent white man insisted she be his mistress, and she was dependent on alcohol.
When she killed her oppressor in self-defense, she was tried for murder. Did she receive a fair trial? Was her case given an adequate investigation? Was she assigned a competent defense attorney?
The exploration of these questions makes Phillips's The Lena Baker Story an absorbing one, but even more engaging are the minute details the reader learns of small-town, Southern life in the 1940s. We are told what is playing at the movies. We know that one Cuthbert resident drove all the way to Eufala, Alabama, to buy her pet bird cherry cokes. We know what most folks had for dinner.
This book is highly recommended for its general appeal and to any student of the history of jurisprudence, of the civil rights of Blacks and women, of Americana, or of Georgia history.

Besides the bible, this is one of my all time favorite books!! A.W. Pink is a great author!!

A must read for any Christian who would like to devulge more deeply in a "Man After God's Own Heart!"

10 stars!**********

In this unique conbination of biography, commentary, & devotional, Arthur Pink offers an intimate view of the many sides of David. The shepherd, the soldier, the king and the sinner are revealed in a way that cuts to the heart of life's greatest problems.

Doesn't get much better than this. What a blessing I have recieved from Pink's expositional approach to this great King's life.

A.W. Pink's "The Life of David" is a wonderful study in the life of the great King of Israel. The book can be used in so many ways: individual study, group study, or family/private devotional. Each chapter is short, about 6-8 pages, but Pink places rich treasures in each chapter. We read of David's faithfulness, his love for God, his triumphs, and yes, his failures and periods of unfaithfulness. What a powerful look into the life of David with tremendous application for all Christians today.

If you have any interest in understanding how language develops you should read this book. It's been fun to apply what I learned here as I listen to my four year-old daughter struggle with how to pronounce certain words and come up with the proper conjugations of irregular English verbs. Dr. Black makes an otherwise dry subject interesting.

For any serious NT Greek student, this book is very insightful to the many phonemic changes in the language. It is not a definitive book on lingustics, which the author himself claims, but, it does get you started in the area of linguistics that might give you some insight into the English language. Black writes in a way that doesn't overwhelm the student with his scholarship, which he definitely has, but he writes in a way that even someone who is a beginner in the study of the language can understand. I recommend it for any beginner or intermedeate student who would like to get a better handle on why some things change in the Greek language that may have confused you before.

Black invites the reader to apply the techniques of modern linguistics to the analysis of New Testament Greek. This excellent general introduction covers the phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and historical linguistics of koine Greek. It assumes no Greek or linguistics background.

I give the chapter headings and some subheadings:

1. Introducing Linguistics: The Landscape and the Quest
2. Phonology: The Sound of Greek (Phonetics and Phonemics)
3. Morphology: The Anatomy of Greek Words
4. Syntax: The Architecture of the Greek Sentence
5. Semantics: Determining Meaning (The real jewel in this work--Word and Concept, Semantic Classes, Ambiguity, Denotation/Connotation, Idioms, Rhetorical Language, Semantic Change, Discourse Analysis!)
6. Historial and Comparative Linguistics: The Biography of Greek

In a Greek course I taught 2004/2005 based upon the Gospel of John (Beginning Greek: A Functional Approach) the class at one point wrestled with the disambiguation of a problemmatic participial phrase in John 1:9. ["He (Christ) was the true light that enlightens every man 'coming into the world.'"]. Should the phrase "coming into the word" go with "man" or "light"? Both are grammatically possible: the participal could be (1) accusative masculine singular or (2) nominative neuter singular. Black explains that the larger context with its emphasis upon the incarnation of Christ (see 1:14) settles the issue (2).

Highly recommended. Although it covers alot of ground, the explanations are short and to the point and examples abound. A delightful 172 pages that would lay a great foundation for someone contemplating linguistics as a major or who wants to conscientously apply a knowledge of koine to NT interpretation.

New Testament (Koine) Greek has long been taught as just another dead language. Black, an experienced teacher of Greek, changes the paradigm. Applying modern linguistic theory, Black shows how many of the so-called irregularities of Greek are actually normal and regular. The book covers the gamut: phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, etc. each section concludes with a short bibliography which can help students and teachers learn even more about linguistics and Koine Greek. An important text for newcomers and a useful review of Greek to sharpen rusty skills.

This book is perfect for my 17 month old girl. We read it everyday near bedtime. She recognizes the bedtime routine, and I think it helps to make bedtime a sweet experience for her. The book ends with little rabbit falling asleep, so I lower my voice on the last page and tell her "sh." Last night she insisted I read the book three times in a row. I am buying more copies for my cousins and their new babies.

Both of my children loved this book. It is very sweet with lots of different touch and feel pages with a story that matches. A little more substance than most touch and feel books.

A must have for your little one. The easy text and tactile experience make it fun to read and touch everytime.This is my one year olds favorite book,or I should say used to be his favorite book. After much love and a lot of page turning, we have destroyed our beloved bunny book.So- I'm buying a new copy to replace the old-and I'm buying all my friends one too.-A great gift!!

My daughter adores this book (18 mo. old). We got it when she was a few months old, and the pages are still holding up fairly well (only minor taping needed). The verse is soothing, and the characters bright and engaging. She loves feeling the different textures. Highly recommend for your young one, or as a gift.