Baker Books

This book gives a good geographical understanding to the scriptures. It helps bring better understanding.

This atlas has features which will be appreciated by all students of Scripture.

This volume is an atlas in the true sense of the word. Its emphasis is on geography. In addition to the colored maps there are numerous black and white outline maps showing clearly the geographic features emphasized in the text. Photographs have been carefully chosen for the purpose of clarifying the text.

The atlas is organized to follow the Scriptura; narrative. This makes the atlas readily usable as a Bible study aid, and for textbook use.

The concluding chapter gives an enlightening resume of the Bible Lands Today [circa 1961], including a brief review of archaeological research to the present day.

An outstanding feature of this atlas is its Geographic Gazeteer. This gazetteer gives in concise form the location and other pertinent data on geographic names of significance in Scripture.

Features you will appreciate in Baker's Bible Atlas:

* 26 Colored Maps - covering every phase og Bible History
* Numerous Black and White Maps - geared to the contents of the Atlas
* 75 Photographs - to illustrate and illuminate the text
* Emphasis on Geography - making this an "atlas" in the true sense of the word
* Follows the Scriptural Narrative - making it eminently suited as a Bible study aid or as a college seminary textbook
* Enlightened Resume of Bible Lands - from the close of the New Testament to the present day
* Brief Review of Bible Archaeology - from its earliestcrude beginnings to it's very latest findings
* A Comprehensive Gazeteer - giving in concise form the location and other pertinent data on geographic names of significance in Scripture
* Highest Evangelical Authorship - eminently qualified by background studies, teaching and travel.
--- from book's dustjacket

Actually, when it comes to "primary" references, there are only two "musts" for opera fans (ASSUMING said fans want a single, TRULY COMPREHENSIVE encyclopedia of operas and opera composers):

(1) One would be either the (1993 hardcover edition) "Viking Opera Guide" or its more recent (renamed) softcover incarnation, the (2001 edition) "NEW Penguin Opera Guide." [Ignore all earlier or "concise" opera guides bearing the word "Penguin" but not also the word "New" in their titles!]

(2) The other would be the huge, four-volume "New Grove Dictionary of Opera."

The four-volume "New Grove" is the ultimate, but it also costs a small fortune. The "Viking/New Penguin" is a highly respectable "second-best." By the way, all in all, I like the "1993 Viking" somewhat better than the "2001 New Penguin," even though their textual content is MOSTLY identical (textually, there are OCCASIONAL deletions and additions with EITHER version, with the overall advantage going to the "Viking"). The old "Viking" edition has MANY more (and entirely different) illustrations than the "New Penguin" edition. Still, on balance, the "New Penguin" is "close enough," and it can generally be found at a much lower price than the old "Viking."

As for this big "Baker's Dictionary of Opera" book, it's an impressive "SUPPLEMENT" to either of the above references (and, as such, it's something that, generally, only public or institutional libraries would purchase); but it's by no means the best choice for anybody's "primary" reference on operas and opera composers.

This encyclopedic reference offers over 1,00 entries covering the scope of opera, from its well-known personalities to modern artists such as Andrea Bocelli. Also included are synopses of operas, a history timeline, a glossary and a reference to opera companies, productions and the world's leading opera houses. Black and white photos enhance a well-rounded coverage which will prove a 'must' for opera fans.

As a professional storyteller, I am always on the look out for stories that explain "why things are," and "how they came to be."
This will be a delightful tale to add to my collection and use in my drama classes.

The hardcover copy of The Baker's Dozen is my favorite Christmas book. I read it every year to children at a school across from my office.

This book brings together the analog and digital domains in a light-hearted and readable way. The author focuses on issues that come up in design instead of delving too deeply into theory. Very good job.

Anyone who works in electronics outside of the RF field knows that analog circuitry is being eclipsed by digital. However, analog is not truly dead, and will never be. Baker shows that many digital systems can benefit from judiciously-applied analog circuitry. New engineers would also benefit from the many case studies that the author discusses, such as the tradeoffs associated with using a particular kind of A/D for a specific application. This book bridges the analog and digital worlds, and gives the reader a foundation for delving into more specific knowledge that may be needed, such as in/op-amps, or DSP. However, much of this material will be known to engineers that have been in the EE field for some years, so the book is really aimed at students who will soon graduate, and engineers that just got their first design job.

Anthony Clarke takes his readers into a rabbit hole for the new millennium in Baker Dreams From the Death Age. His novel is a literary Pandora's Box filled with frightening, funny, sexy and unforgettable characters all flesh and blood products if his insightful and completely original take on contemporary religion, politics and mass media.

Fans of Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard fasten your strait jackets and prepare to meet "Sean Baker" the first "science friction" guru of the new age. You will all thank Anthony Clarke for the introduction.

An extremely funny yet thought provoking book that presents a glimpse of what 2012 may look like if we keep moving in the direction we seem to be headed. I loved the zany, larger-than-life characters and crazy situations they created but in that laughter was a nervous ring of recognition of how politicians, the media, spiritual gurus and people in a position of influence can step over the lines of common decency and plummet our world into chaos. The clever use of humor makes us think deeper and makes us ask - do we let ourselves be dragged down with it or do we choose to act differently and create a better world? The use of humor, wit and fantasy take us lightly through the most important considerations we face today regarding our children's futures. I read it in a day and couldn't put it down - a fun read and good 'meat' for thought as well - a perfect combination! And definitely great movie material!' Marina Martins, filmmaker; president of a Los Angeles based entertainment company.

If you are going to use this book at home, you will need an overhead projector.

If you have a bunch of boys in your sunday school class, I can't think of a better way to get their attention than using this handy little resource. The devotionals are short, and they have a little "scienc-y" experiment to demonstrate and tie in to the devotional. The lessons do take a little preparation in reviewing and having your stuff ready and so on. But the kids' reactions make them worth it. As a Sunday School teacher, I've relied primarily on the curriculum which is usually tailored to auditory learners with the l-o-n-g Bible story and application. But kids get the wiggles, and some don't get a whole lot out of the way we traditionally teach school. So this is a nice way to reach other kids with more interactive learning styles. I personally wouldn't use it as my sole resource for teaching Sunday School, but it is a wonderful, fun way to give your teaching some variety.

Basil is the Sherlock Holmes of the Mouse World. His friend and associate Dr. Dawson narrates the story. Mrs. Judson is their mousekeeper. The mouse detective has learned his sleuthing skills by listening to Sherlock Holmes tell Dr. Watson how he solved his cases. Basil takes notes in shortpaw. Basil and Dr. Dawson live in the mouse village Holmestead in the cellar at 221B Baker St. In this book Basil solves the kidnapping of the mouse twins Angela and Agatha. Children will enjoy this book, and grown-up Sherlockians will appreciate it even more. It is charmingly illustrated. If you like "Basil of Baker Street," there are four delightful sequels.

I really liked this book because I like books about detectives. This is about a mouse detective who gets lessons from Sherlock Holmes.Like Sherlock Holmes, Basil has an assistant and together they go on lots of adventures solving cases.I couldn't put this book down I liked it so much. It wasn't too scary but it was never boring.

It was in Bennie's Corners(a nickname for a place where Naismith played as a youngster)that Naismith first observed recreational games being played. Next, during his time as a physical educator, he observed more games except this time being played at a higher level. Naismith and others realized that there was an actual need for a new game. He knew he was going to encorporate a few things; the game was going to be mainly made from other previously existing games, the game was going to be a team sport, it was going to use a large circular ball, and finally, it was going to be an indoor game. These were the few things that Naismith and others created the game upon. However most of the main construction of the game such as rules and regulations was left up to Naismith.

After a short while, Naismith came up with rules. They were soon printed in a newspaper called the Triangle. This is where some of the foundations of spreading of the game took place. People looked at the rules found anything they could to use as hoops and used the rules and regulations.

As time progressed the game started to become more popular and issues were brought up and rules. Naismith did change/add rules over time. The game began to spread both foreign and domesticaly, in places like Japan, China, Mexico, Canada, etc. Naismith was amazed that his game was able to spread so far and become so successful.

Naismith observed a number of games through the years and wondered how the game could go from at first having such bad players, to having players that can dribble good, shoot good, and play defense good.

The book also stressed that Naismith and the others did not the game for Recreation. They said that the game of basketball was strictly a problem that had been pressing on the physical educators for some time. This is why Naismith was puzzled when his newfangled game was such a success to the public.

In my opinion this book was great. I have always wondered the real story of how the game of basketball came to be. Also how the rules of the game can change and change as time progresses. The book told me about how the game spread from one place to all the corners of the globe. Also the original rules and how they were printed in the triangle newspaper. People from every race played the game. Both men and woman started playing the game. And finally how the game just started as solution to a problem, and ended up as a changing phenomenon. Even today the game is still changing, however the game has not strayed very far from the original rules Naismith published in the Triangle.
Overall I enjoyed this book, I also think others should read it and learn the original history of the game of basketball.

A Canadian by birth, Naismith, a physician and minister with additional degrees in education and psychology, also invented the football helmet and taught sex education. Naismith never made any money from the game he invented. In fact, he refused fees when he spoke about basketball in public, and he once turned down a substantial sum to endorse cigarettes. Amos Alonzo Stagg, a YMCA facility member and a player in the first basketball games, recommended Naismith to start a basketball program at the University of Kansas. He took the job, which he held from 1898 until his death in 1939, though he coached basketball for only nine years. The inventor of the game is the only coach in University of Kansas history with a losing record: 53 wins and 55 losses. An amazing man and a wonderful look at his YMCA invention: basketball

I agree with the reviewer above that this book contains a great collection of memories and pics from the famous 1964 tour of the Far East & Australia/New Zealand. As a collector of Beatle books & such, I'd recommend this to any avid collector.
I have to disagree with this reviewer regarding the "inaccuracy" of reported numerous liaisons with fans. This tour was famous for them! I have personally not come across anywhere George or Ringo refute or even discuss these allegations. However, John Lennon made it clear that Beatle tours were "like Satyricon on tour." Further, in a later interview with Jimmy Nicols (the drummer who temporarily replaced Ringo on this tour, he states: "....Paul was not the clean chap he wanted the world to see. His love of blonde women and his general dislike of the crowds are not told. John, on the other hand, enjoyed the people, but used his sense of humour to ward off any he didn't care for. He also drunk in excess. In Denmark, for example, his head was a balloon! He had drunk so much the night before, he was on stage sweating like a pig. George was not shy at all, as the press had tried to paint him. He was into sex as well as partying all night with the rest of us. I was not even close to them when it came to mischief and carrying on. I thought I could drink and lay women with the best of them until I met up with these guys! But I did as they did. To sit here and list each and every little thing we did in such a short time, well, I just can't do it... The Beatles living life to the fullest. I just thank God that I was there to live it with them. Needless to say, the 300,000 people screaming at me and tearing me coat off to the skin was a trip in itself,"(excerpted from a 1987 interview with Austin Teutsch).

In all the books written about The Beatles, the Australian tour of July 1964 is usually dismissed with the three word reference "Far East Tour". This book was the first attempt to redress that injustice. Quite simply, the Beatles tour turned Australia upside down. In Adelaide 600,000 people gathered outside the hotel where they were staying (Adelaide had a population of 1.4 million). John Lennon told reporters "This is the greatest reception we've had anywhere in the world". In this book, acclaimed rock historian Glenn A. Baker chronicles the tour, and the visit to New Zealand. There is one glaring inaccuracy - it is claimed that the group slept with hundreds of young girls during the tour. This has been discredited by Ringo and George. Anybody familiar with the group would know that there was simply no time for this type of funny business, besides Brian Epstein kept them on a tight reign and wouldn't have allowed it. This part was probably included to get some cheap headlines in Australia's more salacious tabloids. One interesting section is the information on Jimmy Nicol, the stand-in drummer who filled in for Ringo during the first half of the tour. There is also the devastating photo showing Nicol sitting in a deserted airport terminal waiting for the flight back to England. All in all this book is a must for any serious Beatle afficionado. It gives a stark illustration of a country still coming to grips with not only a rock tour but a whole social phenomenon.

This book is the second one I have read by Aubrey Malphurs. The first one dealt with values-driven leadership in general, this one focuses on the role of the pastor in particular. His comments in both volumes are insightful and inspirational.

The most memorable point Malphurs makes is that the primary job of a shepherd is not just to love, but to lead. He refutes the popular notion that being a shepherd of God's people implies focusing on the ministry of pastoral care. While pastoral care should not be neglected, the biblical truth is that the shepherds primarily lead. Getting back to this scriptural pattern will empower the church to be a more effective, transforming force in the world today.

Malphurs' work is always top-notch. He is profound, yet not difficult to follow. He is deep, but never bogged down. I recommend this work highly to all Christian pastors.

Purpose of the Book

Malphurs recognized that many today are taking about the importance of leaders and leadership, but few have adequately marked out what leadership is and what leaders do. Further complicating the issue is the distinction between secular and sacred leaders. Thus, in the eight chapters of Being Leaders, Malphurs provided eight characteristics that comprise his definition of an authentic Christian leader in today's world. Malphurs addressed the topic of Christian leadership from a biblical perspective informed and clarified by his professional research. Malphurs further hoped that by offering his opinions he would provoke Christian leaders to thoughtfully consider their own definition and philosophy of leadership.

Organization and Content

Malphurs began by clarifying his definition of a Christian leader and Christian leadership. Specifically, "Christian leaders are servants with the credibility and capabilities to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction" (10). Similarly, "Christian leadership is the process whereby servants use their credibility and capability to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction" (10). Malphurs's definitions may lack in pithiness, but they are strong in substance. The flow of the book fleshes out his definitions.

In chapter 1, Malphur's discussed his eight characteristics of Christian leadership and how those characteristics were evident in first-century Christian leaders. A Christian leader is fundamentally a committed follower of Jesus Christ, guided and empowered by God, serving God's purposes in the church, and doing it all with a Christ-like character and attitude.

In chapter 2, Malphurs examined the role of leaders (specifically pastoral leader) as shepherd and servant. Four core values make up a servant leader's heart: humility, service, others-centered, and love. As a servant, the leader equips members to pursue their God-given purposes. Chapter 3 addressed the leader's need for credibility and trustworthiness. Malphurs offered eight ingredients that build leadership credibility and five steps for regaining lost credibility. Chapter 4 dealt with the leader's capabilities. The leader's capabilities are "his or her God-given and God-directed special abilities for ministry" (73). They include the leader's spiritual and natural giftedness, passions, temperament, knowledge, skills, and emotions. Malphurs asserted that leaders are both born and made. Given the right context a "born leader" or "made leader" can accomplish God's purposes (75).

Leadership is about influence. In chapter 5, Malphurs examined the varied ways leaders influence other to follow. Malphurs stated, "Every leader has a style of influence that has an impact on people, so it's important that leaders correctly perceive how they influence their followers" (93). Thanks to the Leadership Style Inventory (appendix M), this reviewer realizes his predominant style is "analytical." The analytical style does not appeal to some followers; therefore understanding followers and their motivations is an essential skill (chapter 6). Malphurs warned would-be leaders to get used to the fact that some people will never be good followers, or else get another job (129).

Chapters 7 and 8 focused on the leader's context and task. Malphurs opined that the leader's context is one of the most neglected areas of leadership (132). A great leader in one ministry context would not be as great (and can even fail) in a different context. Leaders, therefore, need a firm understanding of their leadership philosophy and the sensitivities of those led. Any incompatibilities require adjustment from the leader or the context so the task of leadership can remain unhindered. The task of ministry leadership, according to Malphurs, is to "influence the followers to pursue their God-give direction" (158). Christian leadership is about helping followers fulfill God's purposes, not the leader's purposes.

Evaluation

Malphurs achieved his two-fold purpose. He articulated and clarified a working definition of Christian leaders and leadership. Second, the reader is provoked to wrestle with Malphurs's concepts for the purpose of understanding his or her own philosophy of leadership. Malphurs's weakness is that any definition of leaders and leadership is self-limiting. By saying what it is (when other leadership theorists struggle with the topic) he excludes other potential or unrecognized aspects of leadership. Malphurs also was given to enumerating "elements," "principles," and "categories" for his main and sub points. Again, by doing so, Malphurs excludes other possible elements, principles, or categories.

The appendices provided helpful tools and insights for Christian leaders, especially pastors. The most salient point Malphurs made appeared in appendix C ("Is Pastoral Care the Primary Role of the Pastor"). He stated that the primary job of a shepherd is not just to love, but to lead (176). He refuted the popular notion that being a shepherd of God's people implies focusing on the ministry of pastoral care. While pastoral care should not be neglected, the biblical truth is that shepherds primarily lead. The Leadership Style Inventory (appendix M) was very beneficial in helping this reviewer understand his style.