Baker Books

I am Rose from Naches Valley Middle School. I think this book was great from the sad moments to happy ones. I would recommened this book to anyone.

When Julie finds out that Matt has cancer she does her best to get him through it. She was full of love for him and I felt that there was a very strong bond between them. I can't wait until another book by Jennifer Baker comes out!!

When Matt discovers he has cancer, Julie tries her hardest to be there for him. As Matt sinks into despair, Julie realizes that she has to be there for him, continue in school, AND pay the bills. It causes a HUGE strain on their marriage but Julie stays there for him thru thick and thin. Matt almost gives completely up on life until Julie gives him news that quickly causes him to realize that there is a reason to live.

Great story! Once again show the real strain of marriage and doesn't sugar coat it.

I have to admit, I normally wouldn't have read this type of story but was "forced" into it because the author is my niece. [g] (Hello to Beckers, if she ever happens upon this!) Her writing style is believable, fun and I found myself reading non stop. Trust me when I tell you, that had I not loved this book I wouldn't be writing this now. A great read!

If you like feminist thought, Sherlock Holmes, a good mystery, good dialogue, and a a fun sense of history, go for it.

This book is a tour-de-force in technique. Pen Baker has mastered Conan Doyle's voice perfectly. If you believe in your heart that Sherlock lives, you can believe that this book was written by his daughter!

There are many books aimed at Christians about to begin their undergraduate years. With this notable exception, the vast majority were written by people who are old enough to be these freshmen's parents. Or grandparents. The Yates brothers finished up their college careers in '96 and '98, and began the writing process for this book while they were still in school. They remember the idiosyncracies of student life because they are fresh out of college. They tackle issues like managing your time and money, choosing classes, churches and fellowship groups and coming home, giving wise advice with a personal touch... like an older sibling or a dear friend would. I was also impressed with the way they tried to make the book applicable to students no matter what type of college they would be attending-- large or small, public or private, secular or Christian. A wise investment, especially for students without an older sibling figure to guide them through the process of adjusting to college life.

Chris Yates actually mailed me this book so that I could relate it to may own college experience, which I am experiencing right now. Much of what is discussed and dealt with here is truly what typical college students who seek a religious element in college experience throughout their years. What I like the best is how the book underscores how to maintain Christian faith in the face of so many other aspects that college affords: freedom, parties, friends, school. All of these, the Yates brothers argue, can be balanced while maintaining a good relationship with the Lord. I have found it difficult to balance all of my activities with Church, volunteering, etc., but I find that my relationship with Christ and the Church actually helps me balance these things. This book has been very instructive in the maintenance of that balance, and I am sure that it can be for many others as well. College is for figuring yourself out, above all, and this book, with the help of the Yates brothers, can help you do that. It deals with many issues that confront students in the normal course of college as well- academics, activism and activities, social life, drinking, and dating. It addresses all of these issues with a Christian yet realistic approach that I find very applicable to my own lifestyle at school. It stresses, above all, the relationships that we foster with friends, family, professors, and God during college. It is the relationships with these individuals that sustain us when we are writing those tedious mid-term papers. For many of us, college is the first time that we accept Christianity for the first time without the coercion of parents. The Four Year adventure shows us how important this acceptance can be in shaping our college experience, and making it that much richer.

This is an great read for any Christian who just graduated and is ready to move to the world of college. I am in just that situation, and I found this book very helpful. It gives good, practical advice on many aspects of college. The first part provides a foundation for what being a Christian, especially in college, really means. The second part talks about all different relationships - with God, close friends, fellowship groups, etc. The third part talks about the practical living aspects of college - money, schedules, etc. Finally, the fourth part provides tips on handling academics in a Christian manner. One of the authors of this book, John Yates, was a speaker at the FOCUS Pre-College Weekend in Martha's Vineyard this summer, and he is a very cool guy and is now in seminary. Both brothers have recently graduated at the time of the writing, and provide the real, practical advice that only recent grads can. For all these reasons, I urge any Christian who is going to college or will be soon to read this book. It will really help you prepare for the crazy world of college and how you can serve God there!!

I found this book to help me with studying for the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

The virus section was also very helpful for my college microbiology class.

For test preparation I used also "Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers" also on Amazon. (author Patrick Leonardi.) This study guide showed me the type of questions asked by college professors of microbiology. This helped a lot because now I knew what to expect.

However, a good knowledge source like "Instant Notes in Microbiology" provided a very good way to first learn the facts.

"Instant Notes in Microbiology" is a cheap and cheerful alternative to the proliferation of glossy microbiology textbooks which the North American market has spawned over the last decade. If cheap and cheerful puts you off, it shouldn't. The book is comprehensive, well written, well illustrated (in black and white), and importantly, reasonably priced. Unashamedly concentrating on a non-medical approach to microbiology (although medical microbiology is covered as well), the book lives up to it's title and presents a wide range of material concisely in an extended note format.
So what's the downside? I wonder if students can be weaned away from the Technicolor extravaganzas which compete for their attention, or if lecturers can be persuaded to adopt this minimalist volume as opposed to the competition? Also, while this is an excellent introduction to microbiology, to progress to a deeper understanding of specific topics, students will need to be persuaded to undertake extra reading and research. As we know, back to basics can have it's pitfalls, but put to the purpose for which it is intended, this is the most useful microbiology textbook it has been my pleasure to read for many years.....

I have been traditionally schooled as a molecular biologist and had not dealt with microbiology since an intro course in college. When a new job landed me in a bacterial research lab, I panicked. This book has provided me with a great review of microbiology and prompted me to remember things I didn't know that I knew! The text is clearly stated and easy to understand. There are many cross references to other sections of the book which help to tie concepts together in a quick and concise manner. The diagrams are well drawn and very concise. I would recommend this book for those who have had some micro, but feel the need to brush up on the basic concepts.

Hays and Pate have brought Revelation back to reality. They have taken a practical theological approach tom interpreting Revelation in light of historical and present day events. When others are looking to attach Babylon to whatever present day threat or power that comes along, Hays and Pate helps us to read the book in the light in which it belongs: the first century Biblical worldview.

Having taken classes from these two professors, it's not surprising that they would write such a great book. Their humor and dislike for unbiblical prophecy writers (not theologians) like Lindsey and LaHaye are very rare and comforting. It is not very often that someone would take on a big author like LaHaye, but they point out the outlandish, ridiculous, and almost heretical views of LaHaye and Lindsey. Very good to read such an awesome book from professors I grew to love and respect over 4 years.

FINALLY! A true and honest look at what the bible says concerning the end times! The authors do a wonderful job of dismissing myths about the need for Babylon to be rebuilt. My favorite chapter was chapter 5 in which they gave valid proof to disbelieve that Russia will ever attack Israel. Excellent. I would recommend this to everyone.

I have read the book and love it. I wish more organizations and people would utilize the tools he has listed.

"It Should Never Happen Here" is one of those cutting edge books that comes at a most crucial time. Scores of children in America are victimized annually at the hands of sexual, physical, and emotional abusers. The author has gone out of his way to present an easy-to-read, easy-to-implement series of policies and procedures to protect children from abuse. Although the main audience is those who are volunteers in ministry, camps, and various service organizations, the principles and measures suggested are applicable across-the-board. The book is to the point as it addresses the need for worker screening, setting up of the details to handle screening, and what to do in case an abuse situation occurs. This book is a must reference for any organization that has volunteers working with children. It is extremely practical! Ernest J. Zarra, III has written a book which provides parents and volunteer workers the confidence necessary to grow children into healthy, productive, and whole adults.

Ernest Zarra's book clearly addresses the dangers of not screening those people who work with children and youth in the churches. It contains vivid examples of what can possibly go wrong when a church has no system in place to screen those involved in the ministry. Zarra's book provides such a screening program. This book should be read by all ministers, and the screening program contained within should be implemented as soon as possible. The safety of the children depend on it.

This book is cutting edge homily. It was clear, concise. I bought one for my brother, and friend!

Dr. Robinson's "Biblical Preaching" has been a standard for more than 20 years and has been extensively used in seminaries and Bible colleges. I read it too for my homiletics class (and still have it). It explains the preparation and preaching of the traditional "three point sermon with introduction and conclusion." I was pretty good at it but eventually it got boring.

Thus I started checking into other methods and found this one, written by Dr. Robinson with his son Torrey. These authors still advocate expository preaching, but in a creative way: Biblical characters telling the stories from their point of view.

The book is great for a number of reasons. It is very practical, explaining everything from preparation to delivery. It encourages you to study the text and the cultural setting so that you can "milk" these for vivid, explanatory details that will greatly inrich your story. It includes a couple of sample sermons, so that I was able to envision what these sermons look like.

Once I tried it at church, people loved it so much, they applaud any time I do it (don't ask me why). Some people remember sermons I did more than two years ago. Others tell me this form makes the Biblical characters come to life or that they are transported into Biblical times.

I don't think that it might have been their intention, but I have actually abandoned the "three point sermon" advocated by Dr. Robinson in his "Biblical Preaching" and moved more into Fred Craddock's narrative preaching style. Credit (or blame) this book that has introduced me to preaching as story telling rather than the declaration of propositional truth.

For preachers committed to biblical exposition yet still eager to provide a creative element to their preaching, the Robinsons offer helpful insights and some effective models. This is a worthwhile investment for the preacher seeking to add new energy to expository sermons.

Michael Duduit
Editor, Preaching Magazine
(www.preaching.com)

Pitre asks an interesting question: why haven't scholars investigated Jesus in light of eschatological tribulation? It's clear Jesus spoke of a coming time of tribulation often. The "Our Father" even ends with, "Lead us not into peirasmos" (p 1). "Yet no major monograph has been written on Jesus and the peirasmos-the 'testing' or 'time of trial' (p 1).

It's really very odd. Jesus appeared to understand his mission in terms that were eschatological. So why has this theme been so little explored by current biblical scholarship?

It seems messianic expectations were high among Jews in the time of Jesus. There was a hope for the coming of the Messiah and a hope for the return from exile of the lost tribes, all of which had been promised by many prophets, especially Daniel.

Pitre goes into great depth digging through the evidence, providing ample evidence that runs through all sorts of different types of literature--"apocalypses, vision, hymnic literature, psalms, oracles, pesharim, rewritten Bible sectarian community rules, and various fragmentary pieces whose genre is no longer possible to determine (p128).

Jesus made many enigmatic statements concerning a coming time of trouble. Pitre argues that Jesus expected to set in motion the "Great Tribulation...the framework...is derived from...prophecies found in the book of Daniel regarding the abomination of desolation, the coming of the Son of Man, and the restoration of Israel" (p 378).

The important point Pitre is making is that this time of tribulation is tied to "nothing less than the climax of Israel's exilic sufferings" (p 379). This would be the New Exodus, leading to a restoration of the lost tribes, and it would require nothing less than a new Passover.

This is a rich, meaty book, full of excellent scholarship. Pitre covers in depth the work that has been by other biblical scholars, and then as carefully as possible details what he has discovered in his research. I n Anyone with any interest in the New Testament will want to grab this book.

And another good thing: I believe this was written as a doctoral thesis. So the odds are Pitre is young and we can expect many more books from him. I will be on the lookout.

Brant Pitre's doctoral thesis is brillant! Dr. Pitre can be counted amongst the brightest theologians of this century! Dee Givens

Brant Pitre's "Jesus, the Tribulation, and the End of the Exile," his dissertation from Notre Dame, is a phenomenal work at the highest caliber. Pitre sifts through the best scholarship concerning eschatology to deliver a thorough treatment of one of Scripture's most difficult topics. After elucidating a proper hermeneutic for understanding eschatological literature, Pitre systematically analyzes several key eschatological texts within the Jewish tradition. He then studies several "enigmatic" sayings of Jesus concerning the tribulation and a new eschatological age. Using the context of the Jewish eschatological tradition, Pitre is able to show Jesus' allusions back to this tradition. In doing so, he gives the reader a deep understanding of Jesus' death and the tribulation that follow. Furthermore, Pitre, within this eschatological tradition, helps the reader comprehend how the Jews expected the exile to end and the restoration of Israel to begin.

Rarely is a dissertation able to bring together such complex and disparate intertestimental themes into one coherent system of thought. Pitre's book is a must read for the current discussion on eschatology and the historical Jesus.

I purchased this book for a Seminary class. This book is a great resource for students of the Bible. The Scriptures have come more alive now that I better understand the politics and history of the time. It also strengthened my knowledge of the Old Testiment in general. I also knew very little about the intertestimental period until reading this. I highly recommend getting this resource.

Jewish Backgrounds is an excellent reference to introduce one to the History, culture, customs, polity, and theology that took place between the testaments. I am a Grad student and will definitely keep this book for my library. It is ideal for anyone interested in the nation of Israel and their influence and contribution to Christianity.

This is an excellent book on the subject of judaism in the period between the OT and the NT.
Mr.Scott covers a lot of ground regarding religious beliefs and how they changed over time.
There were different branches of judaism with similarities as well as differences.The author also details some contrasts between Samaritans,Pharisees,and Sadducees.

There is some helpful information on the Septuagint,it's source,and difference of translation between the hebrew OT and the greek OT.

Mr.Scott looks at Josephus and Philo and the value of their writings in the study of intertestamental judaism,with some understandable scepticism of Josephus.

He also details the priesthood and rivalry between families-Zadokites and Tobiads.The pollution of the priesthood is also discussed.

He covers the start of rabbinical judaism and the circumstances that led to the percieved need for oral law/tradition as a hedge around Torah.
There was some interesting information about Simon bar Kosiba(Kochba).

There is an "Intertestamental Calendar and Festivals Table" that is an excellent resource about the Biblical feasts.This period also saw the addition and alteration of some OT feasts.

The use of the sacred name is discussed.
"The Talmud and other rabbinical sources indicate that by the time of Simon the Just(c.200BC)the divine name was no longer pronounced,except by the high priest on Yom Kippur".
He also had an interesting perspective on the sabbatical and Jubilee years.
"The sabbatical year,occuring every seventh year and the Jubilee,every fiftieth year,prevented the accumulation of too much wealth and oppression of the poor".

There is a very good list of general sources,frequent footnotes and quotes.
I found a few minor points that I think are debatable in the book.That doesn't lessen the value of the author's work.
While not as comprehensive as Edersheim's "The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah", this book is a good choice for anyone interested in the diverse beliefs and Messianic expectations of the period.

"The life and shocking story of the icon who danced her way to fame and infamy in Paris."

I used this book for a class I taught about Josephine Baker. The images collected here give such a good representation of Ms. Baker's life, and the three long essays in the book helped me understand her better. I would love to see this exhibition personally, but since I can't do that the book makes a good substitute. La Baker was quite a woman!

Incidentally the recently released DVDs of her movies are interesting too.

The life of Josephine Baker is one of the most incredible success stories in American history. Born into a poor but vibrant district of St. Louis, as a child she took her first steps toward becoming an incredible dancer by dancing in the streets for pennies. At age 13, she ran away to join a traveling road show, and at age 16 was the star dancer of a show that toured the country. She moved to Paris to join a musical review called La Revue Négre. So great was her success that, at age 20, she was the toast of Paris, and soon after, the toast of all Europe.
Ernest Hemingway said of her "(she is) ...the most sensational woman anybody ever saw. Or ever will. Tall, coffee skin, ebony eyes, legs of paradise, and a smile to end all smiles." Baker even took lessons in dancing from the great ballet master Balanchine who, as it turned out, learned more from her than she from him!
Josephine Baker, Image and Icon is a tribute to this incredible African-American who had little or no formal education, but earned her place in history through sweat and perseverance and an incredible talent. It is a book made beautiful by the images of Baker herself, as shown by original theatrical posters, photographs, drawings, prints and paintings of Baker made by some of the most celebrated artists of the period. The book is a rich profusion of color and movement, much like the dancing for which Baker was celebrated.
The book had its origin in the mind of the Director of the Sheldon Art Galleries in St. Louis, Olivia Lahs-Gonzales. After two years of searching for art and ephemera that would best show the life and times of Baker, Gonzales mounted an exhibition at the Sheldon Art Galleries by the same name, with exhibits drawn from collections public and private across the United States and Europe.* The book itself was the natural outcome of what was shown at the gallery.
In the book, Josephine Baker and her life and times is further defined by three scholarly and highly readable treatises. Bennetta Jules-Rosette, the author of "Two Loves: Josephine Baker in Art and Life," writes of the inventing of the image of Baker and the preserving of her as an icon. Olivia Lahs-Gonzales offers a commentary on Baker in the context of the modern woman. Tyler Stovall, author of "Paris Noir, African-Americans in the City of Light," describes Paris and the Jazz Age, and the place of Baker in the black Montmartre.
Baker not only danced and sang her way into the hearts of Paris, Europe and the world, but capitalized on her fame by taking on other tasks, such as combating racism in all its aspects. She adopted 12 children of all races and religions--her "rainbow tribe"-- and installed them in an immense French chateau. And, most incredibly, she took on the dangerous role of a courier in the French underground during the Nazi occupation, for which she received the French Légion d'Honneur.
If there ever was a book that defined and embodied its subject in its pages, it is Josephine Baker in Art and Life. It is a book that belongs in the library of everyone who loves Americana in its finest manifestation.

*The exhibition has now moved on to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, where it remains until March 18, 2007