Bartholomew Books

In the field of chaplaincy and spiritual care there are lots of studies out there. Many of these studies in the field of spiritual care and chaplaincy services happen in very specialized institutions and in research oriented healthcare settings. This study is remarkable. It offers tools for every day to day chaplain who may not have research background and experience. The study provides lots of data and references.

Providence Health System I believe has been able to deliver a product that was long overdue in the field of spiritual care and chaplaincy services.

Chaplains and Providence Health System should be very proud of such leadership and strength. I commend the authors and all the people that participated in this cause.

The book is well done and it meets the objectives of the empirical study.

Rev. Noel Brown, Clinical Pastoral Care Education Supervisor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL says, "For the first time, we can safely say that we have data which is reliable about the everyday work done by chaplains in their contemporary ministries, across a significant number of institutions in the US."[1]

Stephen Kliewer, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR says, " This book is a must for pastoral care directors who desire to understand the dynamics of care and participate in effective strategic planning. It is also an outstanding resource for chaplains who desire to understand the dynamics of pastoral care and improve their own efforts. It might be useful to nurses, physicians, and others who wish to understand the nature and impact of chaplaincy services."[2]

Rev. Richard B. Gilbert says, "Spiritual Needs & Chaplaincy Services,[3] the book under review here, addresses the situation confronting health care chaplains today. We chaplains can no longer rest on the assumption that everyone appreciates and understands our work; that hospital budgets will always facilitate that work; or that, in an age in which even the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires hospitals to provide it with strong evidence of high-quality spiritual care, we chaplains will be in place to provide that evidence. To state it another way: We chaplains have a story to tell-but the chaplaincy story is not the only story out there, even concerning spiritual matters. If we don't reclaim our story and tell it in ways that demonstrate its effectiveness, we may soon be out the door. Our future, incidentally, seems no less threatened in religiously affiliated hospitals than in secular ones.

The authors of this book provide an invaluable service for all of us in chaplaincy and in health care administration. They give us tools and a rationale with which we can address these core questions:

What qualifies us to do this work?
Who defines our work and workplace?
How do we best provide spiritual care in the workplace?
How do we determine if our care is effective in meeting the needs of patients, staff, and the workplace as a whole?
What do we do with our data? How do we tell our story? What is our story?

Spiritual Needs & Chaplaincy Services is a tool, but one that comes with a promise from its authors to work with you, the pastoral care reader, to apply the gifts of this study to your work, so that you can in turn be the "gifts" you were called and trained to be. How do you track the nature of a chaplain's visit? What are the key spiritual care factors/stressors in life and how do you identify them? How do you identify spiritual care interventions within the context of faith, hope, and belief systems, as determined by the patient?

Yes, this book offers more work, even though you chaplains already have too much to do and too few "troops" to help you do it. However, Spiritual Needs & Chaplaincy Services will enable you to look clearly at what you do, how you do it, and how you can make your work more effective-and will do so at a time when your presence and ministry are needed more than ever."

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[1] Pastoral Abstracts, The Orere Source, Issue 55: Nov/Dec, 2000, p.9.
[2] The National Association of Catholic Chaplains, VISION, May 2001, Vol. 11, No 5. p.12.
[3] Health Progress, The Official Journal of The Catholic Health Association of the United States, September-October 2002

This is a great book! JCAHO looks for data and outcomes. This book provides the tools needed for any healthcare organizations. It is a study that can be replicated in any healthcare organizations. Chaplains can provided the data utilziing the tool available in the book. The data can help jusify the need for chaplaincy in any healthcare institution.

This is an excellent resource for hospitals that have pastoral care departments and who may be struggling to justify chaplaincy services. If people around the oval table (decision makers) are asking chaplaincy to show them the numbers--here is a book that can guide and help those pastoral care departments. The authors have done a remarkable job. The tools and the study can be replicated. Very pragmatic indeed!

It is one of the studies we as chaplains can replicate and use in our institutions. The authors have done a remarkable job by providing us the tools and data analysis which can be utilized in our institution. JCAHO always looks for data. This study provides the data and the analysis. Great job! We would like to see more. Sounds like this was the first national study conducted by chaplains! Keep up the good work!

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I loved this one. It's about a little bear who plays too roughly with a kitten, and his dad keeps telling him to be gentle with her. Let me just state this right now: I love misanthropic writers, such as Jim Goad and Florence King. Most of the books I read are pessimistic, angry, and explore the dark side of human nature. However, I have no shame in saying that a book about a bear and a kitten nearly brought me to tears. If that makes me a wuss, so be it

If you have a cat and a toddler you have experienced this book! It is so cute! My daughter is almost 2 and we have 2 cats that she loves but who tolerate her.

This book really caught our toddler's attention. Simple drawings, strong point. There has been a bit of sibling rivalry at our house, our older daughter is a bit jealous of our younger one at times and will be "not so gentle" or sometimes if she's overly excited, she might squeeze her little sister. After reading this book many times, we switched the names and put our daughter's names in - something clicked... she's been a lot... gentler! As always, check out your local library.

Poor kitty! "She's only little, Ba," a big gentle bear named George says repeatedly. A big bear hug from Bartholomew, and the kitten gets squashed. A playful squirt with the water hose, and kitten gets soaked. A rowdy drum serenade, and the kitten has had enough. Author illustrator Virginia Miller wrote this after her first book about the little bear with the big name, On Your Potty, grew in popularity. She enhances her spare text (only 203 words) with illustrations outlined in wide pencil and colored with soft, earth-toned markers. Ba is now out of diapers, but does not seem to be out of his "Terrible Two" stage. Be Gentle is my daughter's favorite Bartholomew bear story. Your toddler will not be able to get enough of this tale of well-meant but misplaced affection. I recommend the book Bartholomew Bear, a collection of five toddler tales of the same lovable bear at a great price.

"Be Gentle!" is the perfect book for toddlers learning the intricacies of proper social behavior. This book is my two year old's favorite because he knows many of the words. He has heard the phrase "be gentle" many times since the birth of his little sister, and this book helps him to truly understand what that means. He also gets excited because the book uses familiar objects such as a swing, a red wagon, and a drum in the storyline so he can sympathize with the characters. A great book for new, young siblings.

This book is packed with insights and techniques for bringing about the experience of our expanded, enlightened Self. It is written with deep love and compassion; the words nurture and nourish the Self. A true companion book!

I will probably never stop reading my 'Bart' books,I seem to find something new each time I pick one up, such commonsense, such truth, you can't turn away from it.

The subtitle of this book is "Awakening from the Dream" and thats what this book is about. This is a book about experiencing God and is packed with exercises toward that end. This book also has a very comprehensive description of "conscious creation". We must first be conscious before we can create consciously otherwise we create unconsciously. Bartholomew speaks of the importance of using our conscious focus for creating things that last beyond this lifetime (awareness not a cadillac).

"Many of you have not yet reached that "now-or-never" moment. You are still hoping that the next love affair or the next job or the next something is going to bring you happiness. My friends, be careful. When you keep looking for the next ego gratification, you are also saying, "Next lifetime."

Like "I Come As A Brother" this book is very much in line with Advaita Vedanta teachings like those of Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj.

As a frequent Amazon shopper I enjoy reading reviews. Those before mine inspired me to take another chance and buy this book. I seem to be a metaphysical book junky. But this book was the greatest book I've bought in years. It contains so much wisdom that one, two or three readings will not be enough. I was finally at a stage where I could "accept" the messages it contains and it has transformed my long held attitudes and beliefs. For that I am very grateful to the author! Thank you for sharing such wisdom via Bartholomew! Wonderful! Love IS the answer.....

We live an dream. That dream is so real, we perceive it mostly as the only thing that matters. But even dreams have to come from a dreamer and the circumstances which create the possibilities for such realistic reveries.

Bartholomew offers insights into the workings of that reality in simple and accessible terms.

'Life is but a dream' has never been truer, especially when you find out how you can direct and influence that dream, your life.

Highly recommendable for anyone who is willing to shed old notions and prepared to think beyond certain confines.

I was given this book about 20 years ago. I found it to be incredibly funny - the kind of humour that would make you laugh out loud ages after having put the book down. This will sometimes cause you embarrassment in public places and give rise to "where has he escaped from" looks from surrounding people. Read this book!!

I have remembered this series since I read it many years ago. What I didn't know was how deeply it had sunk into my being. I have re-read the first three books and am amazed at how much of Bandy I see in myself. As the main character, Bartholomew Bandy, developed and grew, he learned many lessons about life, living, and social interaction. It is only now, after many years, that I realize I have taken to heart many of the lessons Bandy learned. This was and still is a very funny story and I am forever grateful to its author.

I was fortunate enough to by volumes 1 to 3 in the early seventies (paperback), and have read them again and again. The character Bartholomew Bandy was a masterful creation and I have despaired many times over the unavailability of these books - particular as my copies are now showing their age. How I wish the series would be reprinted in the U.K. - and given full media coverage. The series began, I believe, as a radio series in Canada - now probably lost in the mists of time. Donald Jacks is a comic genius, and his creation will live with me forever. 'Three Cheers for Donald Jack'...

I found this book as a used book in Canada and have searched for additional titles by Donald Jack for years. If any book series should be brought back, this is it.

I first read "Three Cheers For Me" and the next two volumes back in the seventies. And I have yet to find another author with the wit and humor of Donald Jack. This book is set in World War One but is so funny that anyone who is not a war buff would truely enjoy reading it. I found myself days later cracking up over the antics of our hero leaving everyone to wonder what was so funny and if I had lost my mind. I had been searching for this book for sometime without success, but then discovered Amazon.com. And thank god, I was able to with their help to find this treasure of a book and add it to my collection. I recommend this book for anyone who would love to sit down and laugh for hours.

American Destiny: God's Role in America is an inspirational quote book like no other. It motivates the reader to investigate and understand our American forefather's true vision in founding our Constitutional Republic.

Even though it is part of American history, the strong faith of our Nation's Founding Fathers is unfortunately absent from many educational programs today. This handy book offers a welcome introduction to the inspiration and motivation of our Founding Fathers, and anyone interested in history will appreciate it.

WOW...What a book! I knew that we were founded as a "Christian" nation, but I didn't realize the magnitude of it. This book will give you a whole new view of the mighty men who founded this nation, and the passion in which they did it are found in their words. I am so thankful for this book. Everyone American should be required to read it, especially our young students! If our young people can understand our heritage, it will fill our nation with hope once again. Don't go any further without getting this book

I am amazed that this is out of print! I wanted to find a few copies for gifts. This is a book of quotes from our founding fathers that reveals the true Christian origins of our country. Until I read this in History class, I never knew what the second amendment REALLY said. I wish every politician and lawmaker would read this book. It should be required in every civics/history class in America. If you want to know what really made America great, find this book and read it...you'll pass it around, I guarantee it.

Not only would I highly recommend this as a great coffee table gift book, but it's also a fantastic resource for `history lessons' and how they relate to contemporary America. It's a great conversation starter as well. Especially interesting to me was some of the quotes and documentation related to the founding of our nation's top Ivy League universities. The publisher's web site is another terrific related resource. Read. Enjoy. Give.

The title of this book my be a bit misleading. While it does indeed cover almost every aspect of raising African Violets for show, it is much, much more. If you buy only one book addressing the raising of these wonderful plants, buy this one. The book is written in a straight forward manner, presenting many details, without being over whelming. Technical terms (jargon) are kept to a minimum. You do not need a degree in horticulture to understand the points the author is making. The book is quite suitable for both beginner and advanced grower alike. Illustrations are simple but very adequate and understandable as is the author's style. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the raising of African Violets! I wish there were more books on the market like this one.

The title of this book my be a bit misleading. While it does indeed cover almost every aspect of raising African Violets for show, it is much, much more. If you buy only one book addressing the raising of these wonderful plants, buy this one. The book is written in a straight forward manner, presenting many details, without being over whelming. Technical terms (jargon) are kept to a minimum. You do not need a degree in horticulture to understand the points the author is making. The book is quite suitable for both beginner and advanced grower alike. Illustrations are simple but very adequate and understandable as is the author's style. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the raising of African Violets! I wish there were more books on the market like this one.

If you own only ONE book on the subject of growing African Violets buy this one, right away. I've grow African Violets for YEARS, and still refer to this book at times. It's a MUST HAVE!!

As a grower of African Violets for many years, I find this book to be perhaps the most informative, particularly for the actual growing of the plants, in print. Virtually every aspect of growing perfect plants is discussed in a straight-forward format. Opinionated only by factual insight, no words are wasted. Technical necessities are discussed at a level for most everyone to easily comprehend and put to use. Considered THE BOOK in many grower circles, and deservedly so by virtue of the success that can be achieved by following the authors advice.

Loved the drawings and easy to understand directions. A good book to have handy when playing with our av.

I'm your "woman on the street" museum goer. I have no education in any form of art; I fact I tell people I flunked art in kindergarden. Since I was fortunate enough to grow up in New York, I have gone to seen some of the world's best/most popular art. Most of the time, I was unimpressed (oh, to be that young and stupid again). However, all those trips must have made some kind of impression because whenever I pick my "favorite" artist, invariably someone knowledgeable points to the price tag (ahhg...I don't need that kind of sticker shock, people) and tells me I have good instincts for picking out quality artwork that many other people have discovered decades ago. Ah well, at least I don't have bad taste. Several years ago, I visited the Asian Art Museum when Chao-Shao-an's work was on exhibit there. It was a lovely exhibit and I noticed that I was staring at each work for up to 10 minutes or more. I was definitely one of the slowest in crowd and really enjoyed it. On a whim I purchased the catalog for the show. It's the first time I was impressed enough to purchase a "souvenir". It was also my first year out of school and I was earning a salary. It's a pretty neat book. If you are into mediation, you can meditate to this book. I had a great time flipping through the landscapes with my brother who has visited China and recalls the view depicted. He informs me that China really looks like that; it's not a bunch of artists smoking something creative.

The book itself is well-made; but that is what you'd expect for an art book. Gorgeous dust cover, cloth covered with gold-embossed titles and "chop" on the cover and spine, sturdily stitched binding.

I forget what the price for the book was at the time of the visit (less than $100) but it's well worth it.

I'm not sure I'd pay the current price which is clearly intended for collectors. But then everytime I say that I'm proven wrong.

Inspirational book for Chinese Brush painters from beginner to professional level. The book is dedicated to Chao Shao-an (1905-1998), undoubtedly, one of the most famous modern brush painting master of the 20th century.

The book briefly discusses the history of Lingnan style and and the biography of Chao Shao-an. Plenty of georgeous photographs displaying his masterful works over the decades.

Well worth the price for those who would like to collect a treasure.

Inspirational book for Chinese Brush painters from beginner to professional level. The book is dedicated to Chao Shao-an (1905-1998), undoubtedly, one of the most famous modern brush painting master of the 20th century.

The book briefly discusses the history of Lingnan style and and the biography of Chao Shao-an. Plenty of georgeous photographs displaying his masterful works over the decades.

Well worth the price for those who would like to collect a treasure.

Inspirational book for Chinese Brush painters from beginner to professional level. The book is dedicated to Chao Shao-an (1905-1998), undoubtedly, one of the most famous modern brush painting master of the 20th century.

The book briefly discusses the history of Lingnan style and and the biography of Chao Shao-an. Plenty of georgeous photographs displaying his masterful works over the decades.

Well worth the price for those who would like to collect a treasure.

A DEADLY BREW (Hist. Mys-Matthew Bartholomew-England-1353) - VG
Gregory, Susanna - 4th in series
Little, Brown and Company, UK Hardcover, 1998 - ISBN: 0316640573

First Sentence: The afternoon had been growing gradually darker as storm clouds massed overhead.

It's the winter of 1353, the plague is recently past but a worry and with the formal rains physician Matthew Barthomew is concerned about the spread of fever. That fear is over shadowed by the sudden and violent deaths by poisoning of three people. He traces the poison to wine and smuggling operations that must be stopped before more people die, including Matthew.

Matthew Bartholomew has become one of my favorite characters. Trained by Arabs, his methods may raise eyebrows but they are effective.

The dialogue, particularly between Matthew and his friend Michael, is sharp and has an element to wry humor. Michael is a little darker in this fourth book. He is still Mathew's friend, but he has his own agenda as well.

Gregory creates such a strong sense of time and place. You can feel the cold, wet, mud outside and mustiness inside and contrasts that with the warmth and comfort of the convent at Denny. You also see the contrasts and conflicts between the religion and science, the University and the town, the wealthy and the poor.

The mystery is more involved than you first think with many layers, twists and some very good suspense. I am anxious to read more of the series.

Susanna Gregory writes a great mystery! She uses historical detail and real people in her books. Her books are long but she takes time to develop a plot. I read this book a few months ago, but it didn't appear in Amazon, so I couldn't review it then. This particular story delves into the in-fighting between two colleges situated in Cambridge. People get killed by poisoned wine. As with most of her stories, there is a lot of bloodshed, but that just makes it more fun.

Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. Her series of mediaeval mysteries have gained a formidable following. This book is the second in the series and introduces the physician Matthew Bartholomew to the reader. There are now a number of books in the series and they are always eagerly awaited by the author's fans.

Besides practising medicine Matthew is also a teacher at a Cambridge University and his sometimes unorthodox treatment of his patients draws accusations of heresy from his more traditional, but less skilled colleagues.

A new, and very well endowed college has opened and Matthew Bartholomew is caught in the middle of some petty squabbling among the academics as they all vie for position as the new appointments are made. The town of Cambridge and its residents have still not recovered from the havoc wreaked by the plague and the winter and spring have not helped, being extremely wet. There is a fever outbreak amongst the poorer people of the town and the fact that the Cambridge colleges are gaining a reputation for their wealth is making the tension between the townsfolk and the students even more precarious.

On top of all this there is a death, a student, killed it is reported by poisoned wine. Then there is a second victim, Dittone, the deputy master of the new college. But the puzzling thing is that there seems to be little or no connection between the master and the student. Bartholomew must try to solve the mystery before the town and the universities are at one another's throat.

This is the fourth book in the series and Matthew Bartholomew now seems like an old friend to the reader. It was also inspirationally by the author to place the books in mediaeval Cambridge. It just seems to add some extra atmosphere to the books.

Susahna Gregory is my most favourite medieval mystery author. She's a master and her Matthew Bartholemew series is great. She uses historical detail and real people in her books. Her books are long but she takes time to develop a plot. I read this book a few months ago, but it didn't appear in Amazon, so I couldn't review it then. This particular story delves into the in-fighting between two colleges situated in Cambridge. People get killed by poisoned wine. As with most of her stories, there is a lot of bloodshed, but that just makes it more fun.

Donald Jack has created a rare thing, indeed, with this series of books that show the true human condition - that humor (and alcohol, apparently) is what makes the most horrible situations bearable. With the grimmest backdrop of the original WWI set of books - no mean feat, given that the series begins in the trenches - Jack keeps you in hysterics regardless, touching on semi-suicidal parachutes, dabbling with the wives of staff officers, baroque dentistry, pigeons, and other seemingly ludicrous subjects with grace, aplomb, and almost ritual silliness. When you throw historical accuracy in the mix as a bonus, well, it's a practically irresistible package. Poignant, incisive and wonderfully belly-laugh inducing.

My fav in the series of excellent historical fiction (the history is quite accurate, but it isn't the focus), it is full of ups and downs emotionally as well as aeronautically. The Bandy papers are very high on my list of great books since I came across them in my HS library in Carleton Place, Ontario (which could double for Beamington). Sad that so few Canadians are aware of these books. Guess it doens't fit with current trends.

If you are into undiscovered gems, check this series out. At least the first 6 books. Vol 7 was ok, 8 (Hitler vr. Me) was disappointing. Have not read the 9th yet.

I've read the entire Bandy series, and though they are all great, this is the best.

A fabulous ride from the first sentence, you will laugh out loud and excuse yourself from any shared reading room often. The characters are wonderfully written and I swear that no-one does drunken dialogue better than Donald Jack. I'm guessing he has some experience with drunkeness. In an observational role, of course.

Though an even more enjoyable read if you have an interest in vintage aviation or history, this books stands just fine on its own as a terrific work of humourous fiction.

Not to give anything away, but a wonderful meld of the usual comedic grace with a poignant touch of tragedy. You'll be laughing and crying and enjoying throughout.

I'm fortunate enough to have the entire series. It's a pity most are out of print now. This series would make an excellent BBC - style television series.

Read these books years ago. Also the Pleides books. I was struck by one of the reviewers who said they turned off their TV 2 years ago. I'm convinced that's the best thing anyone can do. Then read books like Bartholomew's, Course in Miracles, Jamie Sams' books if you're inclined towards Native American cultures, or go back to Ram Dass to re-visit that era. Paramahansa Yogananda's work is wonderful as well if you're more comfortable with God in your life. Just shut off the TV and don't worry about conformity. We're uniquely blessed individuals not sheeples.

This is a life-altering book. That expression has become cliche', but here are a few things that this book changed in my life: unplugged television 2 years ago and don't miss it a bit; drastically improved my relationship with my wife and parents; fear no longer controls my life; I never get angry at other drivers; cultivation of love for even the "bad" events in life; and many others. Whether you are looking for simple but powerful meditation techniques, how to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, make sense of the war and violence in our world, or just simply want to increase your everyday mood from slightly-below-content to smiling most of the time, this is the book for you. I can't say enough good about this one.

All the Bartholomew books are life-changing texts. The message is basically the same as the Emmanuel series, albeit somewhat more complex. All in all, a satisfying read that I have given as a gift many, many times and recommended to friends and clients alike. Try this series if your mind and spirit need to expand a bit.

Along with Seth's material, Bartholomew's wonderful insights echo memories of things all of us know. The gist is that somehow humanity has chosen to forget what and how we are, while we were busying ourselves in our dreamworld.

The Bartholomew books provide an easy access to materials, nowadays also found elsewhere. What makes these books so outstanding though is their caring simplicity, ease of terms and words. I have found the Bartholomew guidance wonderfully complementing what I have already learned through Seth and others.

There are really no teachers, we are all students learning from each other. No-one takes precedence, but each and everyone communicates in a different voice. That not only makes each of us here on earth individual and different, it also unifies our living, common heritage in aware consciousness.